COASTAL CLEANUP MONTH AND THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Written by Kiyas Kousoulas
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Coastal Cleanup Month
September is internationally celebrated as coastal cleanup month. This means the people and organizations around the world are helping clean up and protect marine habitats. The main focus of coastal clean up month is to encourage people to rid the beaches of pollution, but even if you don’t have a shoreline nearby there are still ways you can help keep them clean. When most people hear the word ''pollution” they think of plastics, but did you know that even something like plant fertilizers contribute to poor ocean health?
Fertilizers and Dead Zones
Fertilizers are used to help the growth of the plants they are meant for, but overuse and poor containment can lead to bad results in our oceans. Fertilizers enter rivers and streams when rain water washes over the ground and drains into them. The rivers then take all that pollution with them and drain into our oceans at estuaries. When this type of pollution builds up, it creates something known as a dead zone. Dead zones are the result of a process known as eutrophication. Eutrophication starts with excessive amounts of nutrients (such as those in fertilizers) triggering massive algae growth. This massive growth causes the algae to use up all the oxygen in the water and without any oxygen the plants and animals in that area die. This pollution is very damaging because it makes entire areas of the ocean unlivable. A major example of this type of pollution can be seen where the Mississippi River drains into the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mississippi River and The Gulf of Mexico
The Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in the world and it is the longest river in the continental United States. That length means that the river collects the runoff of rainwater from a lot of states, most of those states being in the Midwest. The United States midwestern states are very well known for their agriculture, which means that they also use a lot of fertilizers and nutrients on their crops. Those fertilizers drain into the Mississippi river and end up in the Gulf of Mexico where we are now seeing a growing dead zone. Scientists recently announced that the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is nearly 6,334 square miles! This is bad news for species that live along the coastal waters, but there are ways to help restore these environments.
How Can You Help?
Although the problem of dead zones may seem like a difficult problem to fix, there are actually a lot of ways to limit fertilizer and nutrient pollution. Some of these ways include limiting fertilizer use, covering crops, reducing tilling, and adding “buffer” plants near rivers to absorb the nutrients before they get in the water. Now these may not be things that one person can do on their own, but raising awareness about dead zones and urging farmers to make environmentally friendly changes is a great way to start limiting the dead zones in our oceans. Keeping our oceans clean benefits everyone and doing your part to help will inspire others to do the same, happy coastal clean up month!
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SPOTLIGHT CAREER: FISHERIES BIOLOGIST
Written by Madelyn Ruemping
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September’s spotlight career is a Fisheries Biologist, or a scientist who studies fish and their habitats. They specifically study how the environment and other outside forces affect fish life cycles. How they do this is they utilize oceanographic equipment as well as lab equipment to determine what fish live in what areas and track their patterns. Once these are figured out, the fishery biologists start their applied research. This includes studying how to solve fish habitat-related problems, for example industrial waste and urban development negatively impacts fish habitats. Fisheries biologists work and study the fish and their habitats by gathering samples helping regulate industrial pollution. There are two different types of fisheries biologists depending on where they work. A marine fisheries biologist focuses on species living in the ocean, while a fisheries limnologist works with freshwater species. Both types of fisheries biologists spend a lot of their time working outside either on a boat or near streams and lakes, and they always work with a team of researchers to find a solution. So, if you like the outdoors and working with a team of friends this might be the career for you!
To become a fisheries biologist, one needs to further their education after high school, and get a bachelor’s degree in one of the following: biology, marine biology, fishery sciences, environmental science, aquatic biology, or something related. If one chooses to continue their education to become a fisheries biologist they will have classes like biology, chemistry, ecology, fisheries, wildlife, environmental sciences, and some experimental learning classes.
If this sounds like something you are interested in and want to learn more about visit https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/fisheries-biologist
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SPOTLIGHT SPECIES: ALLIGATOR GAR
Written by Brennan Engel
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The Alligator Gar is one of the largest species of freshwater fish in the world. Because of their size, Alligator Gars are apex hunters. Alligator Gars range from southwestern Ohio and southern Illinois to the Mississippi River. Their range continues south to the Gulf of Mexico. Gar will eat almost anything in their path, from waterfowl, other fish, crustaceans such as crabs and crayfish, and unlucky mammals. The Alligator Gar jaws are wider than their kin, filled with double rows of long needle like teeth they can impale and hold onto prey with ease.
Alligator Gar are typically a mottled dark brown and olive color. These colorations allow them to be prolific ambush predators. The massive fish are opportunistic hunters that will snap up unsuspecting prey as it slowly and stealthily glides through the water. Unlike most fish who possess thin flexible scales, Alligator Gar scales are a much thicker bone like material that is almost impossible for other predators to penetrate.
Gar are considered a commercial fish. With decreasing numbers they are approaching the endangered list as they are considered a threatened species today. To help save these creatures, educate friends and family about them so they can grow to love these wonderful creatures as they have a place in our world also.
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Illustration by Eve Feldman
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National Wildlife Day
September 4th is National Wildlife Day! As we all know, the ocean holds an abundance of wildlife. Many of these species need protecting, so consider what you can do to help! Check out nationalwildlifeday.com to find out how you can get involved this year.
Ocean Conservancy Anniversary
The Ocean Conservancy is one of the larger organizations dedicated to conserving the ocean. Learn about the organization at oceanconservancy.org/about. On September 7th, they will celebrate their 49th anniversary!
National Cleanup Day
While September is International Coastal Cleanup Month, September 18th is National Cleanup Day. Learn about the International cleanup efforts throughout the month at oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/icc. Learn about the 1-day event at nationalcleanupday.org. Get involved in cleaning up our coasts!
World River's Day
September 26th, the 4th Sunday of the month, is the celebration of the rivers of the world. This holiday encourages learning about the value and importance of rivers as well as protecting them. Plan an event or find a way to get involved at worldriversday.com/about.
September Team Member Birthdays
September 27th: Qiting (Tina) Cai,Youth Leader: Social Media Lead
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Into the Deep: Project Onward Aquatic Art Exhibition
On August 20th was the opening of Project Onward's Into the Deep Art Exhibition. The show took place in Chicago and featured aquatic artwork. View their website to see all of the amazing pieces: https://www.projectonward.org/into-the-deep
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OPPORTUNITIES AT AEON FOR OCEAN
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Are you interested in joining our team and helping to contribute to ocean conservation? We are currently looking to fill the following positions:
- Education Associate
- Board of Directors
- Graphic Designer
- Social Media Associate
More information can be found at VolunteerMatch.
Interested applicants can send their resume to hr@aeonforocean.org
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KRILL2WHALE PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
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What is Krill2Whale?
Krill2Whale (K2W) is a program focused on educating kids about marine life and oceans so they can then share that information with other children in both casual and formal presentation settings. The goal is to spread awareness on the importance of the marine ecosystem and to increase involvement in activities to save our oceans.
How does K2W benefit kids?
Not only will new K2W Ambassadors join a group of inspiring kids, make new friends, and learn about marine life, but they will also learn valuable life skills like public speaking, leadership, and planning. The K2W Ambassadors will be given the opportunity to present a 30-45 minute interactive presentation at schools and libraries and help organize events for their communities.
How can my child join?
Head to aeonforocean.org/krill2whale for more information. If you'd like to join, click “Join me” in the “Become a K2W Ambassador” section and complete the form. If you have further questions about the program, please send an email to info@aeonforocean.org.
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