Refined measurement of pollutants

A researcher at the University of Michigan has developed a method much more accurate and refined existing ones to assess the emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. 

The new method, called geostatistical inverse modeling, is the work of Anna Michalak, Department of Space Science, oceanic and atmospheric of the institution and allows to calculate the amounts of carbon are emitted or absorbed in small scales, in regions and even specific countries. 

In contrast, previous models used for half a century, are based on monitoring of CO2 in the air in a large number of sites scattered around the globe, as well as small towers that measure the capture or release of gas from a small area. 

This information, along with inventories of fossil fuel use to calculate the quantities of this gas were released into the atmosphere: about 8 billion tons each year. 

With these processes, investigators obtained a knowledge of sources of carbon enough to understand its variability and make predictions quite accurate. In contrast, according to Michalak, the new tool allows an accuracy never before achieved, "is to determine where it was originally poured the cream in a cup of coffee at half beat," said the researcher. 

"The winds and weather patterns combine CO2 in the atmosphere in the same way they beat the cream stirred into the cup of coffee. As soon as the shaking starts, you lose information about where and when it was added, "he explained. 

Michalak's work, funded by NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy, was presented and discussed during the Congress 175 of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, held in Chicago.

Argentine penguins affected by climate change

25 years ago, marine biologist Dee Boersma came to the reserve at Punta Tombo in Chubut, to see how many penguins were. With your support group, was identified more than 50 mil. The same monitoring allowed to bring to light now that the Penguins are already affected by global warming. During the congress of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Chicago, presented data showing that the sad chain of events leading to the population of penguins Tombo be reduced by 20%.

After the presentation, in an interview with Clarin, the scientist said: "The ocean water temperatures are warmer now (one degree increase over the past three years) and this means that in winter and spring changes the distribution and abundance of fish and squid, which are sought by the dams to feed the penguins. As a result, this change was that the penguins have to swim over 40 miles and did not always succeed. And couple and their offspring are not fed. That not happening 10 years ago. "

Magellanic penguins have their own calendar. Arriving each September to Punta Tombo to prepare nests and mate. They usually two eggs in October. Gestation lasts 42 days and the couple takes turns to brood and feed at sea. In February, the chicks are almost all self-sufficient and then return to sea. According to Boersma, last year many of the penguins starved: they had swum to the north, and arrived in places not usually appear.

For the first time in 25 years, the march to the south of the return was not successful for everyone. 50 juveniles were killed in October penguins in Punta Tombo Reserve, according to Boersma. "The individuals killed were not fat, so the state of malnutrition led to death," said the biologist. Eggs were also the last season were the smallest in 25 years, probably because food was scarce.

The warming of the waters is not the only factor that influences the penguin. Increased rainfall impacts. "In addition, overfishing, especially of anchovies, is a concern," Boersma counted.

The biologist, who joined the team of researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle, does not disregard the factor of direct human presence. The reserve receives 50,000 visitors per year in 2008 were 140,000. The provincial government had changed the drainage of the bathrooms, but Boersma: "It is not sustainable." He added: "They have made new pedestrian paths to contain so many people. We know that penguins are tolerant and can learn to coexist with people. But it is very sad to see how a reservation is becoming a place for people in Instead of a space for the Penguins. "