Animal Behavior, Methane Poisoning, Dead or Alive and on the move (+ interactive map)

[Starr DiGiacomo]

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When Planet X entered the inner Solar System in late 2002 - early 2003, it was not just the Earth that reacted, as it did with an increase in earthquakes, volcanism and extreme weather, the animal life on Earth also started showing signs of the approaching monster.

The most noticeable symptoms were:

• Crazy Animal Behaviour:  Reports of bizarre behaviour including animal attacks from normally passive creatures and spiders spinning webs over whole fields.
• Confused Animals:  Whales and dolphins stranding themselves on beaches in droves or getting lost upstream in coastal rivers.
• Large fish and bird kills:  Flocks of birds falling dead from the sky and shoals of fish dying and floating to the surface of lakes, rivers and washing up along coastlines.

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Crazy Animal Behaviour

Reports of crazy animal behaviour have included sheep that charged a farmer’s wife off a cliff, deer attacking a car and rabbits biting pedestrians.  Spiders have spun webs over whole fields and caterpillar larvae have covered whole trees in silk.

As usual, the Zetas explain the true causes:

http://www.zetatalk.com/transfor/t154.htm (Jan 11th 2003)

Animal behavior also has been noted as almost crazed, where animals normally passive and seeking to avoid confrontation will attack with provocation, or fly in the wrong direction during migration. This is due to signals the animals or insects get from the core of the Earth, signals not known to man, but nonetheless there.  [……]  Spiders weaving webs to an extreme so that acres are covered under webs, get noted, but the base behavior is normal for a spider.  EOZT

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Confused Animals

Other erratic behaviour among animals included a seeming loss of direction with whales and dolphins swimming inland and stranding themselves on beaches.

Unreliable Compasses  (March 28^th, 2009)

The compass is unreliable for the past few years, and lately has gotten very extreme in its variance. Many animals and insects have a biological compass, recording during migrations where that compass laid, and when taking a return trip relying on the recording to guide them back. If the Earth's N Pole swings away from the press of Planet X, which is increasingly pointing its N Pole at the Earth, then these animals are not given correct clues and aim for land or up a river. Sad to say, this will only get worse as the last weeks and the pole shift loom on the horizon.   EOZT

Are due to the Magnetic Clash   (July 1^st, 2006)

The compass anomaly, swinging to the East, is indicative of the Earth adjusting to the approach of Planet X and the clash of their magnetic fields. The change is indicative of a clash in magnetic fields as Planet X comes ever closer to the Earth, their fields touching. It is the combined field that Earth must adjust to, and continue to adjust to, not the exact position of the N Pole of Planet X within these fields, and the Sun's magnetic field enters into the equation too. This dramatic change, noted by a conscientious tracker, checking dual compasses daily for years, indicates that the Earth is trying to align side-by-side with Planet X, bringing its magnetic N Pole to point toward the Sun, as Planet X is currently doing in the main. These adjustments are temporary, and change about, as magnets can make dramatic and swift changes in their alignment with each other. Put a number of small magnets on a glass, with iron ore dust, and move a large magnet about under them, and watch the jerking about they do. Are we saying the Earth's magnetic field is going to get more erratic in the future, dramatically so? There is no question that this will be one of the signs that will come, yet another not covered by the Global Warming excuse.   EOZT

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Large fish and bird kills

Hundreds, if not thousands, of these events have taken place with the frequency increasing year on year.  Poignant examples include the 20 tonnes of dead herring which washed ashore in Norway and 1200 pelicans found on a beach in Peru.

Earth Farts  (January 9^th, 2007)

We have explained, in great detail, that the stretch zone does not register great quakes when rock layers pull apart and sink, as this is a silent Earth change. Nancy has carefully documented breaking water and gas mains, derailing trains, dislocating bridge abutments, mining accidents, and outbreaks of factory explosions, showing that these have occurred in rashes on occasion, when the rock layers pulled apart. [……]  In September-October of 2005, a smell of rotten eggs was sensed from LA to Thunder Bay on Lake Superior to the New England states and throughout the South-Eastern US. We explained at that time that this was due to rock layers being pulled apart, releasing gas from moldering vegetation trapped during prior pole shifts, when rock layers were jerked about, trapping vegetation. We explained in March of 2002 that black water off the coast of Florida was caused by this phenomena. Do these fumes cause people to sicken, and birds to die? Mining operations of old had what they called the canary in a birdcage, to warn the miners of methane gas leaks. Birds are very sensitive to these fumes, and die, and this is indeed what happened in Austin, TX. Were it not for the explosions associated with gas leaks, it would be common knowledge that gas leaks sicken, as the body was not structured to breathe such air for long.   EOZT

 

Zetatalk Explanation  (January 8^th, 2011)

Dead fish and birds falling from the sky are being reported worldwide, suddenly. This is not a local affair, obviously. Dead birds have been reported in Sweden and N America, and dead fish in N America, Brazil, and New Zealand. Methane is known to cause bird dead, and as methane rises when released during Earth shifting, will float upward through the flocks of birds above. But can this be the cause of dead fish? If birds are more sensitive than humans to methane release, fish are likewise sensitive to changes in the water, as anyone with an aquarium will attest. Those schools of fish caught in rising methane bubbles during sifting of rock layers beneath them will inevitably be affected. Fish cannot, for instance, hold their breath until the emergency passes! Nor do birds have such a mechanism.   EOZT

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[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://www.thebigwobble.org/2016/07/20000-dead-fish-wash-ashore-at-...

Friday, 22 July 2016

20,000 dead fish wash ashore at at a Trinidad creek with maybe 5 times more at the sea bottom

Photo www.cnc3.co.tt
Earlier today fishermen and residents of Mosquito Creek noticed schools of fish floating on the water. While reports as to what exactly caused today’s occurrence, Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) Corporate Secretary, Garry Aboud in an interview with News Power Now gave details regarding what he says is an ongoing issue in South Trinidad.
Aboud who visited the area today stated that approximately 20,000 dead fish had washed ashore with maybe five times more are at the bottom of the sea.
He said that while it is generally the position of FFOS to defend fishermen, in this instance they area calling for fishing in these waters to be stopped as it poses a major health risks to persons who may consume fish from the area.
Meanwhile, News Power Now understands that thousands of dead herrin, mullet and catfish have been washing up along the shoreline of the Mosquito Creek over the past few days.
The dead fishes started coming to shore late on Monday afternoon and President of the Debe to Penal Action Committee Edward Moody is now calling on the Institute of Marine Affairs to investigate the cause of the deaths.

[Stanislav]

Now the proof: permafrost 'bubbles' are leaking methane 200 times above the norm

22 July, 2016. Scientists say a 'fountain of gas' poured from jelly-like trembling earth in tundra on Belyy Island in northern Siberia.

The swelling pockets in the permafrost - revealed this week by The Siberian Times - are leaking 'alarming' levels of ecologically dangerous gases, according to scientists who have observed this 'unique' phenomenon. Some 15 pockets have been found on the Arctic island, around one metre in diameter.

Measurements taken by researchers on expeditions to the island found that after removing grass and soil from the 'bubbling' ground, the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration released was 20 times above the norm, while the methane(CH4) level was 200 times higher.

One account said: 'As we took off a layer of grass and soil, a fountain of gas erupted.'

An early theory is that warm summer heat has melted the permafrost causing the release of long-frozen gases.

Video images of the phenomenon show how the ground wobbled under the feet of scientists. Other descriptions say the tundra surface - in a permafrost zone some 765 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle - bubbled or trembled.

'It was like a jelly,' said one researcher, according to a broadcast by Vesti Yamal. 'We have not come across anything like this before.'

A scientist, not named in video footage, warned it was a 'serious reason to be concerned if gas bubbles appear in the permafrost zone', suggesting there could be 'unpredictable' consequences.

Now the proof: permafrost 'bubbles' are leaking methane 200 times above the norm

The Belyy Island marked on the map of Russia. Picture: The Siberian Times

The researchers are to continue investigating the jelly holes, which also contain unfrozen water. Another scientist Alexander Sokolov has revealed he first witnessed the phenomenon last summer during an expedition to the remote island.

'We didn't know about these bubbles before the expedition,' said Sokolov who is deputy head of ecological R&D station of the Institute of Ecology of Plants and Animals, in Labytnangi, Tyumen region, Ural Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences

'We walk dozens of kilometres every day and after having walked quite a lot we came across one such bubbles.

'I've been working in Yamal for 20 years now - some of my peers have been here even longer - and it's the first time I have ever seen this.

'I've walked in the tundra for hundreds of kilometres and I went to the exact place where we spotted the first bubble last year at nearly exactly the same time.'

He explained: 'The day after seeing this bubble, we came across another one. As shown on our video, we punctured it and, let's say, 'air' starting coming out quickly.

'It had no smell - and there was no liquid (eruption). When we returned to our camp, we started discussing the phenomenon with colleagues and decided to find out what was the gas coming out of it.

'Our colleagues gave us a gas analyser worth 7 million roubles ($10,850). This device measures the concentration of the two greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide and methane. Gases are typically measured in parts per million or ppm.

'The gas analyser showed that one of these gases was dozens of times higher and another was hundreds of times higher than normal.'

The peak CO2 measurement was 7750 ppm, the CH4 reading was 375 ppm.

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Methane bubbles, the Belyy island. Pictures: Alexander Sokolov

Now the proof: permafrost 'bubbles' are leaking methane 200 times above the norm

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Methane measurements showed it being 200 times above the norm. Pictures: Vesti Yamal

On whether climate change is behind the gas release, he told The Siberian Times: 'It is worth mentioning global warming. 'There is neither warming nor cooling in the Belyy island if you look at the average temperatures. But this figure isn't very representative.

'It's just like in a famous joke about average temperature in a hospital: some people have fever, some are dead, this number doesn't really make sense.

'I can't say if this summer has been the warmest over the past few years but simply because I'm not following it.

'Yet it is likely that that 10 days of extraordinary heat could have started some mechanisms, (and the) higher level of permafrost could have thawed and released a huge amount of gases. Geologists suppose that there might be some gas leaking from the underground but it's unlikely. There is solid permafrost under the bubbles.'

Alexander Sokolov's view is that the gas release if from thawing ground immediately below the surface to a depth of around one metre. He is concerned about the consequences of the gas release.

'It is evident even to amateurs that this is a very serious alarm. As for the future, we are interested in further study of the bubbles.

'We have discovered over a dozen of them. We need interdisciplinary study.

'Initially, we went to Belyy Island for a different reason.'

Now priority is being given to the bubbling tundra.

'We study tundra ecosystems. The expedition started on 3 June and will continue to 15 August.'

Scientists have warned at the potential catastrophic impact of global warming leading to the release into the atmosphere of harmful gases in the Arctic hitherto frozen in the ground or under the sea.

A possibility is that the trembling tundra on Belyy Island is this process in action.

Further south, on the Yamal and Taimyr peninsulas, scientists are actively observing a number of craters that have suddenly formed in the permafrost.

When the craters first appeared on the Yamal Peninsula - known to locals as 'the end of the world' - they sparked bizarre theories as to their formation.

Most experts now believe they were created by explosions of methane gas unlocked by warming temperatures in the far north of Russia.

This crater was discovered by hecilopter pilots in 2014. Picture: Vasiliy Bogoyavlensky

On Yamal, the main theory is that the craters were formed by pingos - dome-shaped mounds over a core of ice - erupting under pressure of methane gas released by the thawing of permafrost caused by climate change.

The Yamal craters, some tiny but others large, were created by natural gas filling vacant space in ice humps, eventually triggering eruptions, according to leading authority Professor Vasily Bogoyavlensky, of Moscow's Oil and Gas Research Institute. Recently there were accounts of a 'big bang' leading to the formation of a crater on the Taimyr Peninsula.

The noise could be heard up to 100 kilometres away and one resident saw a 'glow in the sky' after the explosion. The crater was first seen by reindeer herders who almost fell into it soon after the 2013 eruption. Since then, its size rapidly increased at least 15 times during the next year and a half.

It is expected to be even wider now but no recent scientific surveys have been made to the remote site.

Our pictures show the so-called Deryabinsky crevice in snow soon after it was formed, when the hole was some four metres in width, and the latest known pictures which illustrate how it is now a lake, some 70 metres in diameter. Source: siberiantimes.com

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://24h.bestthenews.com/article/scores-dead-fish-found-lim-chu-k...

Scores Of Dead Fish Found At Lim Chu Kang Jetty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEFUrcV56Uw

Workers pushing trolleys of dead fish along Lim Chu Kang jetty on July 18, 2016.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

SINGAPORE - Scores of dead fish were spotted at Lim Chu Kang jetty on Monday (July 18) morning.

When The Straits Times visited the scene, the fish were seen either floating belly-up on the water or washed up along with water bottles and other rubbish along the shore.

www.youtube.com oembed-provider-youtube">Dead fish at Lim Chu Kang jetty

A pungent smell emanated from the area, as well as from several black plastic bags at a rubbish bin nearby.

A boat belonging to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) was docked at the jetty, while a "kelong"-like structure was combing through the water for checks.

An AVA boat at Lim Chu Kang jetty on July 18, 2016. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Dead fish were also discovered by The Straits Times at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on Monday, but in smaller numbers than at Lim Chu Kang.

Mass fish deaths at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

The Straits Times has contacted AVA for more information.

This is not the first time that mass fish deaths have happened at a park or reservoir here. Last July, hundreds of dead fish were seen in a stream in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, believed to be due to the hot and dry weather.

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Thousands-of-fishes-...

Thousands of fishes found dead in the lake of Kanpur zoo

 Jul 17, 2016, 10.44 AM IST

KANPUR: Thousands of fishes of different species including 'Chilwa' and cat fish died in the lake of Kanpur zoo following dip in the level of dissolved oxygen in the lake water. The dead fishes were found floating on the water surface in the lake spread in an area of 10 hectares. This according to the zoo vets was for the first time that the fishes in the zoo lake had died.

The fishes had died in such a large number that the foul smell emanating from it which had made it difficult for the zoo staff to cleanse the lake. The incident created flutter amongst the zoo authorities. They contacted the Kanpur district administration, Kanpur Nagar Nigam, Kanpur Development Authority and the UP pollution control board and apprised them about the mortality of the fishes. Soon the zoo vets started disinfecting the lake to prevent more mortality. The postmortem examination of the fishes revealed that they died due to extreme dip in the level of dissolved oxygen in the lake water.

The Kanpur zoo authorities and the zoo vets blamed the nullah which overflew inside the zoo campus to be the cause of dip in the oxygen level in lake water. The sewage waste from this nullah got mixed with the lake water. The nullah is situated on the land of the forest department adjacent to the rear boundary wall of the zoo. Whenever the sewage water is not pumped and this water is not put in the sumpwell (situated on the land of the forest department), it overflows and enters inside the Kanpur zoo. According to the zoo vets, the sewage waste and the water are the source of pathogens which can spread deadly diseases in the wild animals kept in the zoo campus. The autopsy concluded that due to mixing of some kind of toxic from the sludge and the sewage waste from nullah into the zoo lake that the oxygen level went low.

On Saturday at the time of the incident when the dead fishes were found floating on the water surface in lake, the nullah was overflowing inside the zoo. The zoo vets rushed to the spot and got potassium permanganate sprinked over the sewage water and the sludge to counter toxicity. This worried the zoo vets further who stated that all this could be risky for the lives of various animals housed here especially those protected under schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

 

Without delay, the zoo vets began the task of cleaning of the lake as several migratory birds which have arrived and nesting around the lake on the tree tops were also at the risk of developing infection. The threat also looms large over the crocodiles, turtles and other big fishes in the zoo lake.

 

Talking to TOI, Kanpur zoo director, Deepak Kumar said that he has apprised the matter to the Deputy municial commissioner of Kanpur Nagar Nigam and asked him to ensure that the sewage waste from the nullah does not flow inside the zoo lake as it is harmful for the zoo inmates. Later in the afternoon the zonal officer of KNN visited the site.

"We will get the water of the lake checked in the lab of the Pollution control board for which we got a water sample collected already. It will be from the test report we will come to know which caused toxicity and the death of fishes", said Kumar further. He added, "We are pumping in fresh water from Ganga barrage into the lake. This will help in reducing the toxicity in the lake. The zoo vets have already take preventive measures and mixed medicines in the water to up the oxygen level in the lake."

 

Zoo vets UC Srivastava and Mohammad Nasir who conducted the autopsy told TOI that the toxic gases such as Methane, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide exist in the sludge and the sewage waste which can affect the acquatic animals. The doctor duo said that the fishes died due to dip in the oxygen level in the lake water. "The gills of these fishes had turned white in colour from red colour which indicated towards the fact that there was a dip in the level of dissolved oxygen in lake water. The lungs of these fishes had shrunk", said Dr Nasir.

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://kuow.org/post/starving-seabirds-washing-dead-washington-beaches

Starving seabirds washing up dead on Washington beaches

July 17 2016

Seabirds have been washing up dead on beaches in Washington and British Columbia this summer, and scientists can't say why.

Rhinoceros auklets are one of the most common birds in the network of inland waterways shared by Washington and British Columbia. Since May, volunteer "citizen scientists" on the north side of the Olympic Peninsula and across the water in Victoria, British Columbia, have found dozens of the puffin-like birds washed ashore.

It's a tiny toll compared to the dieoffs of other species of seabirds in 2014 and 2015. Common murres and Cassin's auklets washed up by the hundreds of thousands up and down North America's west coast.

But scientists are concerned nonetheless.

"There's something larger going on here," University of Washington biologist Julia Parrish said. “If we ignore it and only pay attention when it’s really dire, then it’s often too late to do anything about it.”

A rhinoceros auklet off the Washington coast.

CREDIT PETER HODUM, UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND

Parrish runs the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team, whose volunteer beachwalkers help scientists keep tabs on seabirds and garbage floating ashore in five western states.  

"Normally you only have one or two birds reported any year," biologist David Bradley with Bird Studies Canada said. Volunteers with his nonprofit group have found some 30 dead rhinoceros auklets on beaches around Victoria. "So to see this many birds washed up in this short a time period is definitely alarming," he said.  

Hundreds of thousands of the peculiar-looking seabirds live in Washington and B.C. The puffin relatives dig underground burrows to nest in, can dive 300 feet deep and mate for life.

Listen

Listening...

0:39

LISTEN: Two rhinoceros auklet adults and a chick on Protection Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Recorded by Jeff Rice for the Encyclopedia of Puget Sound.

"I wouldn't say that we're alarmed. I would say that we're alerted," Parrish said. "We're paying attention. It's like the light has gone from green to yellow, and we're looking around just to make sure it's not going to go to red."

A few of the auklet carcasses from Washington beaches have been sent off to a federal wildlife forensics lab in Wisconsin.

"They had zero body fat," Parrish said. "They definitely starved to death."

She said that's usually the case when a bird is found dead. But scientists are just starting to look into why these birds starved: Did disease leave them too weak to dive after fish? Did a bloom of toxic algae sicken them? Did their food supply run low? Parrish said answers could be weeks or months away.

Bradley said the auklets found dead near the British Columbian capital have not yet been sent in for forensic analysis.

"Most of our volunteers are pretty dedicated volunteers," he said. "They don't mind having a dead bird in their freezer."

"Just double bag it to avoid any problems," Bradley said.

Attack of The Blob

In 2014 and 2015, a gigantic pool of unusually warm water—popularly known as "The Blob" — spread across much of the North Pacific Ocean. The underwater heat wave changed the ocean food chain from top to bottom for thousands of miles. Seabirds were left with less of their preferred types of fish to eat, and they wound up eating less-nutritious prey.

"It's like going to the grocery store and only finding rice cakes," Parrish said. "You actually lose weight with all the muscle movement of just crunching [the food]."

Scientists believe the extreme seabird dieoffs in those years were connected to The Blob.

Much of the North Pacific, especially off Alaska, is exceptionally warm, compared to the 1971-2000 average.

CREDIT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, IRI/LDEO CLIMATE DATA LIBRARY

The Pacific has cooled off a bit since then, but vast areas are still warmer than normal.

"The temperatures have moderated to an extent, but the biology is still obviously feeling the effects of this marine heat wave," Washington state climatologist and University of Washington researcher Nick Bond said.

Upwelling of deep, cool water has allowed a thin strip of surface water along the Northwest coast to return to near-normal temperatures. But the seas farther offshore, including waters frequented by rhinoceros auklets, remain abnormally warm.

"Overall, the Northeast Pacific is really warm," Bond, who coined the term "The Blob," said.

Bond said the long-term forecast for the Northeast Pacific Ocean is for more warmer-than-normal temperatures through next year.

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://www.cheknews.ca/alarming-number-sea-birds-found-dead-victori...

Alarming number of sea birds found dead on Victoria beaches

July 14, 2016In: 

WATCH: Researchers are trying to determine what’s causing one species of sea bird to die in such large numbers so suddenly. April Lawrence reports.

Biologist Don Kramer was searching a small Dallas Road beach for dead sea birds Thursday, and it only took minutes to find some.

A retired professor, Kramer now monitors sea bird fatalities in Victoria for Bird Studies Canada.

“So this is the species that people have been saying has been turning up dead quite often,” said Kramer, pointing out a third bird carcass.

It is called a Rhinoceros Auklet and at least 20 have been found dead on Victoria beaches in the past week.

“That would be extremely unusual to find that number of dead birds,” said Kramer.

And as he combs the beach, the number climbs even higher.

The sea bird, common in the area, is usually found out on the water, diving for small fish or krill.

Kramer said he might usually find one dead on the beach every four to five months.

On Thursday, in just one location, he had already found eight.

“It’s all one species, something must really be happening, we have to find out what it is,” he said.

And that starts with bagging the bird carcasses, which will then be sent off to a lab for testing.

“Look for toxins, look at how much fat the birds had, were they in good condition when they died or not?”

From his first look Kramer said the birds appear in good shape, like they aren’t starving, and like they died very recently.

Researchers say it’s too early to tell if this is the beginning of a large die-off event.

But since sea birds are an indicator of ocean health, what exactly has happened to these ones could be a sign of a much deeper problem.

“That’s the concern that this could just be the start of something that’s larger,” said Kramer.

If you find a dead sea bird on the beach you’re asked not to touch it but to study its description and report it by calling 1-866-431-2473.

[SongStar101]

(June into July) Thick, smelly, toxic algae invades Florida beaches - State of Emergency declared

https://youtu.be/ojEMeUvao4A

https://youtu.be/ojEMeUvao4A

https://youtu.be/ufTd8W0K4IU

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=ht...

Mystery in catanzarese, thousands of dead fish inexplicably [VIDEO & photos]

0 comments, 7/2/2016, 13:30, article by John Christian, Chronicle

MONTEPAONE (CZ) – a summer morning like many, on the beach of Montepaone Lido, in the province of Catanzaro. The clear water is one of the Ionian Sea, which acts as a theater for one of the most beautiful parts of Calabria. This morning, though, swimmers have found before them a bad show.

Thousands and thousands of fish dead, in fact, have surfaced from the clear waters of the Ionian Sea. A truly inexplicable event that put a bit of concern to many swimmers present this morning at the beach. This was all accompanied by a strong game. The stretch of sea is the one that goes from the "Lido San Luca" to the "Lido of financier". There may be waste of fish, since water was found to be clear and clean. This would be the only plausible cause.

We thank our reader Vitaliano Sicily for sending us the video contribution that you find here below.

VIDEO: "Mystery in Montepaone Lido (CZ), thousands of dead fish inexplicably-July 2, 2016"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_5m2dmAZhk

[KM]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3678554/Colony-MILLION-peng...

Colony of a MILLION penguins face being wiped out after their island off South America was covered in ash from a huge volcanic eruption

• Nearly half of remote volcanic Zavodovski Island has been covered in ash
• Island off South America home to the largest colony of chinstrap penguins
• Ash has deposited over the lower slopes of the volcano, home to the birds
• Experts fear volcanic activity 'may have a serious effect on the population'

A colony of more than a million penguins is being threatened by ash falling from an erupting volcano, scientists have warned.

Nearly half of Zavodovski Island - between Argentina and Antarctica and home to the world's largest colony of chinstrap penguins - has been covered in ash.

The birds live closely packed alongside around 180,000 macaroni penguins, who share the island with Mt Curry which has been erupting since March of this year.

Nearly half of Zavodovski Island - between Argentina and Antarctica and home to the world's largest colony of chinstrap penguins (pictured on the island) - has been covered in ash

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) was recently alerted to a large (7.2) magnitude earthquake in the area last month. Following the earthquake, fishing vessels in the area captured photos of the Zavodovski Island eruption

Satellite images have confirmed that between one third and one half of the island has so far been covered in ash

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) was recently alerted to a large (7.2) magnitude earthquake in the area last month.

Following the earthquake, fishing vessels in the area captured photos of the Zavodovski Island eruption.

They show the main volcanic vent is on the western side of the island, but the prevailing wind is blowing the smoke and ash to the east, and depositing much of it on the lower slopes of the volcano, home to the penguins.

Satellite images have confirmed that between one third and one half of the island has so far been covered in ash.

At the time photos were taken, the adult chinstraps were moulting, shedding their old feathers for new ones and therefore unable to leave the island.

The birds live closely packed alongside around 180,000 macaroni penguins, who share the island with Mt Curry which has been erupting since March of this year

Geographer Dr Peter Fretwell from BAS said: 'We don't know what impact the ash will have on the penguins.

'If it has been heavy and widespread it may have a serious effect on the population.

'It's impossible to say but two scientific expeditions are scheduled to visit the region from later this year and will try to assess the impact of the eruption.'

Penguin ecologist Mike Dunn from BAS said: 'As the images were captured during the moult period for the chinstraps, the consequences could be very significant.

'When the penguins return to breed later in the year, it will be interesting to see what impact this event has on their numbers.'

[KM]

https://www.sott.net/article/321482-Mass-fish-die-offs-in-Canadian-...

Mass fish die-offs in Canadian river has scientists puzzled

Tens of thousands of fish are dead in the Yamaska River.

Wildlife officials in Quebec don't have a good answer for why tens of thousands of fish in the Yamaska River, near Saint-Hyacinthe, are dead. The fish kill was first noticed on Thursday, but many of the fish had been dead for several days. 

The fish kill has not been selective, as wildlife officials say the dead fish include minnows to large fish, up to 15 to 20 centimeters (6 to 8 inches) in length. 

Christian Blanchette, the regional coordinator for Urgence Environment told CTV News that biologists and scientists came to the river on Thursday and Friday, trying to discover the cause of the fish kill. He said they were looking into several possible causes, including spills, sewage and construction waste. 

According to Blanchette, some fish were found at the bottom of the river in an advanced state of decay, indicating the die-off had been going on for a number of days. Two wildlife officials collected a number of the fish on Friday morning for further study. 

Residents in the area were alerted to the fish deaths Thursday evening and at first, everyone mistakenly believed the deaths were caused by companies in Saint-Hyacinthe's industrial park, which emptied their tailings ponds on Thursday. But the fish deaths obviously preceded the dumping of the tailings by several days, so this was ruled out, according to CBC Canada. 

Particularly alarming is the low water levels in the river. Blanchette said he could cross the river on foot without getting wet. He suggests that high temperatures, low water levels, and the use of the river as a source of drinking water may all contribute to the fish kill. 

Blanchette pointed out that low water levels also mean less oxygen is available for the fish. Pointing to one section of the river that was dried up, he added, "There was nothing conclusive, except when we came to this area right now. Where you can see there's no water in the river." 

CJAD News is reporting that the city is testing its drinking water every two hours to ensure it is safe to consume. The city is also expected to make a decision on Monday as to whether water restrictions need to be put in place. 

The Yamaska River and its ecosystem is hanging on for dear life at this point after years of environmental abuses.

Crossing nearly 20 municipalities as it runs from its source in the Eastern townships, the Yamaska River winds it way 177 kilometers (110 miles) to Lake Saint-Pierre where it becomes a tributary of the Saint Lawrence River. The Yamaska River has had a hard life because of human and environmental impacts, but somehow, a much-depleted ecosystem has managed to survive. 

According to a government of Canada publication entitled "The Effects of Nutrient Addition on Ecosystems"

Water quality in the Yamaska River is considered poor by Québec standards. Phosphorus concentrations exceed the Québec guideline for the prevention of eutrophication (0.03 mg/L total P) almost everywhere in the basin. At the mouth of the river, median concentrations for total P (0.195 mg/L) and N (2.15 mg/L) are higher than in any other tributary of the St. Lawrence River (Primeau 1999). Levels of P, N, suspended solids and turbidity throughout the basin are among the highest in Québec and the river is considered to be severely eutrophic.

"There's not much to do then (except) wait for the rain right now, if it is that, which we think it is," Blanchette said.