August Science Picks: Leads, Feeds and Story Seeds

2008 August 19

by USGS Newsroom

In this edition of Science Picks, discover new information on the Arctic’s oil and gas resources, learn about a magnitude-5.4 earthquake that rattled Los Angeles, and find out about recent explosive eruptions of volcanoes in Alaska. Learn about carbon farming, a plague vaccine for endangered ferrets, and how lead shot and sinkers are impacting nearby fish and wildlife. The 2008 Olympics games are underway; do you know how the Chinese culture is being incorporated into the medals? Learn about these science facts and much more! If you would like to receive Science Picks via e-mail, would like to change the recipient, or no longer want to receive it, please e-mail jrobertson@usgs.gov.

August Highlights:

90 Billion Barrels of Oil and 1,670 Trillion Cubic Feet of Natural Gas Assessed in the Arctic

Magnitude-5.4 Earthquake Rattles Los Angeles Area

Explosive Eruption of Kasatochi, Cleveland, and Okmok Volcanoes in Alaska

Carbon Farm: Capturing Atmospheric CO₂

Ouch! Taking a Shot at Plague: Vaccine for Endangered Ferrets

Lead Shot and Sinkers: Weighty Implications for Fish and Wildlife Health

Olympic Medals: New Design Reflects Chinese Culture

Spring Nutrient Delivery to the Gulf Estimated Among Highest in Three Decades

Climate Impacts Mosquito Abundance in California

Prehistoric Packrats Piled Up Clues to Climate Change

Parasites Weigh In: Small Size - Big Impact

Unsure about Climate Change? Just ask your Local Fish and Big-Game Species

The First Step Home? Salmon’s Journey Back to Upper Klamath Lake

Saltwater Contamination Monitored Daily in Brunswick, Ga.