#algaebloom

[missedmilemarkers]

[snaill-dragon]

More mlp re-designs, but also I think this is the first time I’m posting Algaebloom and Azure.

From left to right, Algaebloom, Horizon, Azuredust, and Pillowfort.

[puddleferns]

current beachclan survivor tally

quick tally of who survives the beachclan hurricane (note, beachclan before this has around 150 cats)

silverdusk

shellthorn

cloudpond

mistypatch

tidefang

otterstrike

gullpaw

palmpaw

pearlpaw

piperpaw

ploverpaw

ripplefern

rushkit

poolkit

paddlekit

saltkit

conekit

moonstep

sagebreeze

algaebloom

paleflash (technically. she survives long enough to give birth to hailkit, honeykit, and hurricanekit, then Something Happens)

so about 20 cats survive the flood. ouch

other notes:

sandystar survives the initial flood, losing about 3 lives in the process. however he has water in his lungs and ends up dry drowning a few days later

silverdusk is the only medicine cat to survive, of the four that started out. she is a recently graduated apprentice

cloudpond is severely traumatized (they all are) but never really recovers. she struggles with severe depression and anxiety on and off for the rest of her life

amazingly, otterstrike and his four kits (palm, pearl, piper, and plover) all survive. but after the flood he takes his kits and the five of them live as kittypets (until the apprentices get sick of it and come back to clan life)

gullpaw's warrior name is gullcry

all of the older kits die in the flood, as most of them are old enough to swim and thus not given (quite) as much priority as the newer kittens who can't yet swim. rush, paddle, pool, salt, and cone are all less than a moon old during the flood

ripplefern is the only surviving queen. her kits all died in the flood, but she is able to nurse the surviving kittens

tidefang's entire personality changes post-flood. i mean i guess that happens when you watch every cat you love drown in front of you. he is a lot more guarded, snappish, and generally lonely than before

shellthorn is pretty much the Main Guy, and all these stories will (one day) be told from his pov

feel free to ask about any beachclan cats btw! check out the allegiances i posted on ao3 for a full list of cats before the flood! plus all of the cool strays i made up

[belialhaematemesis]

Random Fact of the Day no. 7 (RFOTD #7)

Have you heard about the natural ocean wonder of bioluminescence? It’s when the sea sparkles a neon blue or green or even red. This beautiful sight is definitely one for the bucket list.

The ocean can glow and glitter like the stars in the sky thanks to a natural chemical process known as bioluminescence, which allows living things to produce light in their body.

Marine creatures like some fish, squid, tiny crustaceans and algae produce bioluminescence to either confuse predators, attract prey or even lure potential mates.

We humans can witness this natural phenomenon when there is lots of bioluminescence in the water, usually from an algae bloom of plankton. The bioluminescent sea will glow when it’s disturbed by a wave breaking or a splash in the water at night.

Algae bloom sea sparkle events are caused by calm and warm sea conditions. But you can see specks of bioluminescence when it’s created nearby by a light-producing marine creature.

[davidwfloydart]

Bioluminescent algae. #bioluminescence #algaebloom #naturebrilliance #biodiversity #natureaddict #naturephotography #nightphotography #nature_of_our_world (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH5dUC6rfF1x5BDjH-6BE1zivaMzhoD03qIxpg0/?igshid=d76rkfphvkgo

[eco-nnect]

Water "dead zones"

Despite our inability to breathe underwater as human beings, there is a small amount of oxygen present in natural waters that allows survival of marine life. Though water molecules (H2O) contain an oxygen atom, this is not what aquatic organisms survive on: circa ten molecules of oxygen per million of water is actually dissolved in water, which is breathed by fish and zooplankton to survive. Can water actually lose this oxygen? Indeed, through a process known as deoxygenation which has been mostly attributed to climate change, but other anthropogenic activities are contributing to the problem. 

Among these, the so-called nutrient run-off from upstream farms and lawns: when fertilizers are excessively used, nutrients wash off into waterways, and eventually in the ocean. The shortcoming of fertilizers is attributable to their composition, which usually consists of nitrogen and phosphorus elements. These chemical substances are naturally present in our ecosystem and sustain planetary cycling of elements that are indispensable for life on Earth. However, the increased anthropogenic input causes a buildup of these elements in estuaries, freshwater lakes and coastal ecosystems that feeds algae growth. The unlimited growth of phytoplankton alters the food chain and exacerbates the depletion of dissolved oxygen in water: this process is known as eutrophication and leads to inconvenient algal blooms, decreases biodiversity and degrades waterbodies. Oxygen depletion is a result of the bacterial degradation of the plant material – phytoplankton – that sinks and decomposes whilst consuming the oxygen supply present in water. An area with less oxygen dissolved is known as hypoxic zone but is commonly referred to as “dead zone” because is inhospitable for marine organisms.

The impact of nutrient overloading is not limited to water bodies, but it extends to a degeneration of aesthetic and economic values significant to human well-being. Despite hypoxic regions naturally occur, their number, size and duration have been amplified due to anthropogenic nutrient contributions from a variety of sources such as agricultural, municipal and industrial.  This phenomenon is striking for marine life but for the economy as well: the fishing and tourism sector usually undergo monetary losses in warmer seasons – spring and summer – when the algal bloom begins. One of the most renown dead zones in the world is the Gulf of Mexico, where the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers discharge and subsurface waters are depleted of dissolved oxygen, failing to support most life, including commercially desirable species. The Gulf of Mexico is a major source area for the seafood industry and supplies 72% of U.S. harvested shrimp, 66% of harvested oysters and 16% of commercial fish (Potash and Phosphate Institutes of the U.S. and Canada, 1999).

 To mitigate the “dead zone” problem it is important to address the issue at source: reducing use of fertilizers on farmland that results in excessive runoff of nutrients and looking at nature-based solutions that can benefit both the planet and farmers. For example, scientists have addressed the issue by adding vegetation to act as a riparian buffer: four lines of plants that will naturally hold nitrogen in their roots, separating farmland from streams and adding biodiversity to the area. The second strategy to mitigate dead zones lies in restoring river floodplains and wetlands as the native plants include riparian buffers that can act as filter for nitrogen.  Moreover, these nature-based solutions can only mitigate the problem and not solve it; companies that excessively use fertilizers on farmlands should take responsibility to decrease their input. Below, link to the petition to ask Tyson Foods to keep their promise and make meat less polluting: 

 https://www.thepetitionsite.com/it-it/929/806/900/tell-tyson-to-clean-up-its-pollution-and-help-rivers-and-the-dead-zone/

   Sources: 

1.   https://www.kunc.org/environment/2016-09-23/scientists-search-for-new-ways-to-fight-gulf-dead-zone

2.   https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/dissolved-oxygen-and-water?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

3.   S. S. Rabotyagov, C. L. Kling, P. W. Gassman, N. N. Rabalais, R. E. Turner, The Economics of Dead Zones: Causes, Impacts, Policy Challenges, and a Model of the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone,��Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, Volume 8, Issue 1, Winter 2014, Pages 58–79

4.   Microbial Life Educational Resources, https://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/topics/ deadzone/index.html

5.   Potash and Phosphate Institute, 1999, Phosphorus and the environment: Better Crops with Plant Food, v. 83, no. 1, p. 37–39. 

[collegeoffisheries-blog]

Spirulina culture Spirulina is an aquatic micro-organism often referred to as an algae, though it more closely resembles bacteria. It is used as a food supplement to combat malnutrition. 1 gram of spirulina is said to be as nutritious as 100g of spinach or carrots, and is cheaper. It has an extremely high protein content, with 60-70% of its dry weight consisting of a balanced mix of various essential amino acids. Further it is very rich in beta carotene (to produce vitamin A), iron, vitamin B12, ganna-linolenic acid and other micronutrients. It has no cell wall and is therefore very easy to digest. It improves physical growth as well as cognitive development. It also improves immunity, and therefore helps in fighting and preventing HIV/AIDS and anaemia. Studies show it is also effective against arsenic poisoning, a condition which is extremely hard to combat. It can be consumed directly as the paste which is harvested or dried. This is highly useful for cheap, local distribution in rural areas. Further it is also suitable to be produced industrially for the middle class. This is in the form of pills sold in pharmacies or combined with various food products such as rice, milk products, energy bars, candy, noodles, etc. #spirulina #spirulinaculture #spirulinaculturewater #farming #algae #algaebloom #protein #green #aquatic #wateralgae #fisheriesstudent #bfsc #greenproducts #greenprotein #vitamin #food #foodforall #foodsupplement #foodsupplement https://www.instagram.com/p/CCqzPgCpuDW/?igshid=1m4ewaui33zlm

[ericnyquist]

New art for @theatlantic Thanks to @emilyjanstudio A Deadly Algae Is Creeping Northward In a warming ocean, Alexandrium algae is shredding marine food webs—and disrupting beloved Alaska traditions. MIRANDA WEISS 8:00 AM ET #algaebloom #climatechange #drawing #illustration #alaska #ericnyquist #theatlantic https://www.instagram.com/p/B4NLvKyBuuc/?igshid=1fa3qzkjb4ma1

[thefirstfriend]

Keep your dogs safe everyone.

[fromstratforduponavon]

New EP for the Xmas period from Nottingham post-hardcore / emo band Zochor. This new EP features Matt Taylor from Algae Bloom as well as Joe Caithness from Plaids, Soul Structure, What Price Wonderland, as well as drummer extraordinaire Harvey.  

[teadoodlesandoddends-blog]

"Do you swear to faithfully execute the oath of office..." I'm a wee bit angry about something right now. For those of you wondering, the blue is ocean and the red represents a toxic algal bloom #algaebloom #redtide #instartwork #traditionalart #traditionalartist #atlartist #naturaleza #florida #southflorida #palmettopainting #blackvulture #floridawildlife #watercolourportrait #acuarel #surrealismo #surreal #socialcommentary #commentariosocial #floridapolitics #tampa #tampaart #foranexhibit #opidoodles #political #corruptpolitics https://www.instagram.com/p/BwX5psbB0_S/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11355bs7ur0od

[marianaparedes]

Working in our next exhibition at Ex Temple of Saint Augustine in Zacatecas with @cyanovoltaica in a collective exhibition, showing the art & scientific process of this beautiful artwork ❤️ #Incidencias #processualart #fotosintesis #biology #arteprocesual #bioart #algaebloom #Microbialagency (at Zacatecas City) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjs4yefuLoW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[londonaquatic]

Cabomba …. The ideal bomb💣💣💣 for eradicating algae 🤢🤮 in aquarium If you are having problems in getting rid of green algae, Think of Cabomba plant. If your aquarium gets direct sun light and your water is always green, get some Cabomba plants #cabomba #aquariumcleaninglondon #aquariummaintenanceservice #aquariumservicemaintenance #aquariumservicelondon #aquariummaintenance #aquariumsetup #plantedtank #plantedaquarium #algaebloom #algae #fishtankproblem #london #victoria #oxfordstreet #chelsea #friday #tips #advice (at Tottenham Court Road) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiSOkmVojWa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[marziesreads]

Intense blue sky this morning. #morningwalk #seacoastnh #algaebloom (at North Hampton, New Hampshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfWXxHCL-4y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[stormywiz-blog]

Sperm Whales on the Beach, New Smyrna, FL 🐳 . Postmarked April 6, 1909 from Lantana, Florida . The school of nine young sperm whales mysteriously came ashore; four were alive for several hours after they were found. The whale in front shows eye at top, blow pipe at left near sand, mouth to right. The large whale to right has been cut severely by sharks. The men are preparing to cut and boil the blubber and extract the pure spermaceti oil from the head cavities. Over 2,000 gals were extracted. Dimensions 7 feet by 8 feet by 40 feet. . Message on the back reads "Am very busy nowadays. Shipped our first solid car of tomatoes last Thursday. Expect to get out three this week. So you can see it's nothing but work all the time but that will soon be over." . . . #antiquepostcard #oldpostcard #oldflorida #redtide #bluegreenalgae #cyanobacteria #newsmyrnabeach #spacecoast #daytonabeach #1900s #postcardsfromtheworld #fbf #picoftheday #fwc #spermwhale #deadwhale #algaebloom #kareniabrevis #fishkill #floridabeaches #historicflorida #floridapostcard #vintagecollection #ephemera #vintagephoto #oldphoto #lantana #wpb #sebastianinlet (at New Smyrna Beach, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpHdWfsg-1F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jsw3e2nf1xxq

[scribbleroot]

I wanted to do an illustration to bring attention to an epidemic that once more is plaguing my home state of Florida. Red tide and algae blooms are a natural phenomenon in Florida waters, but runoff from the sugar industry and other human factors has caused stronger outbreaks. This red tide depletes the water of oxygen and releases dangerous toxins, killing off tons of fish, sea turtles, manatees, and more. If you’re a fellow Floridian that cares about our marine life please take these upcoming midterm elections to vote for representatives that will work to fix this growing problem. If your elected official takes large amounts of “donations” from the sugar industry and works to defund environmental protections and deregulate big businesses partially responsible for this problem (*cough* Rick Scott *cough*), maybe you should rethink your vote. #redtide #algaebloom #florida #midterms #election #marinelife #emvironment #art #illustration (at Boca Raton, Florida)