Harlequinmania

Click through to see the images. First-hand contact is the best way to foster a child's interest. Seeing wildlife in person is a much more engaging experience than reading about it in a book or website - an experience that can impact a lifetime. Animals from halfway around the world suddenly become tangible and real, no longer abstract "mythical" creatures. Here are three simple steps aquarists can help the current and future generations to gain a greater appreciation of marine life: Take your friends and family to marine parks, public aquariums, and zoos. Support your local public aquarium or zoological park. Make your home aquarium a teachable moment for everyone who sees it. Help them to appreciate reef life. This means no boring factoids! This also means making your hobby an enjoyable experience for your family. Forcing your kid to clean skimmate is not enjoyable. Here is The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums' press release with more poll results. ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb 09, 2012 -- Children have a natural curiosity about dolphins, whales and other marine mammals. The best way for parents to encourage this interest -- and to inspire a lifelong passion for wildlife conservation -- is to log kids off the computer and visit an accredited marine park, aquarium or zoo, where learning best happens. That's according to a new national public opinion poll that says the public strongly believes seeing and experiencing live animals is the best way for children to learn about marine mammals. Released today by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, the survey of more than 1,000 adults found that 97 percent of people agree that marine life parks, aquariums and zoos are important because they educate children about marine mammals -- animals that children might not have the opportunity to see in the wild. Ninety-four percent of those polled agree that children are more likely to be concerned about animals if they learn about them at marine life parks, aquariums and zoos, and that visiting these facilities can inspire conservation action that can help marine mammals and their ocean environments. The poll, conducted by Harris Interactive®, also found that 94 percent of people agree that zoological parks and aquariums offer valuable information about the importance of oceans, bodies of water and the animals that live there. "Children, especially, care more about what they know and understand, and these parks provide important interactions that are a critical first step in promoting kids to take action to help animals and their habitats," said Marilee Menard, executive director of the Alliance. Additionally, the poll found that 89 percent agree that children learn more about marine mammals at an aquarium or zoo than in a school classroom, and 88 percent agree that you can learn about animals at marine parks in a way that can't be replicated by watching film or TV programs. Some 91 percent agree that seeing a marine mammal at these facilities fosters a connection to the animal. "When children -- and adults -- see and experience the excitement of being close to marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and sea lions, it resonates in ways that even the most vividly illustrated book or video cannot. It is an emotionally enriching experience that fosters a sense of caring for these animals and their ocean environments," said Menard, whose Alliance membership represents 48 accredited facilities that account for the greatest body of experience and knowledge about marine mammal care and husbandry in the world. Other findings from the new public attitude survey include: -- 40 percent of Americans (about 125 million people) have visited a marine park, aquarium or zoo in the last 12 months, including 56 percent of households with children (about 20 million households). -- 94 percent believe the people who care for the animals at marine life parks, aquariums and zoos are committed to the welfare of the animals. -- 97 percent (ages 18-24) would be interested in swimming with dolphins. -- 93 percent believe that many of the successes to save endangered or declining species are at least in part a result of work done in marine life parks, aquariums and zoos. -- 90 percent agree that species in the wild benefit when their biology and physiology is studied in marine life parks, aquariums and zoos. -- 90 percent believe that interacting with dolphins in a marine life park, aquarium or zoo offers people a deeper understanding and appreciation of this mammal. "We pride ourselves on providing an educational and enjoyable experience for families," Menard said. "Professionals at Alliance member institutions work every day to inspire guests of all ages to share their commitment to marine mammals, the need to protect them in the wild and to conserve ocean habitats." Methodology Harris Interactive® conducted the study online on behalf of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums between Aug. 29 and Sept. 6, 2011 among a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,011 U.S. adults ages 18 and over. The data were weighted where necessary to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income. The propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums is an international association of marine life parks, aquariums, zoos, research facilities, and professional organizations dedicated to the highest standards of care for marine mammals and to their conservation in the wild through public education, scientific study, and wildlife presentations. View the full article

Click through to see the images. Use of Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO, or iron oxide hydroxide) is a popular and effective means to reduce reactive phosphate (a non-metal) concentrations in aquaria hence reducing the potential for algal growths. Silicate (a metalloid) is also efficiently removed. It is known that GFO can also remove a number of transition metals (such as zinc, copper, manganese, etc.) but few experiments have been conducted on the removal (or addition) of metals, non-metals, and metalloids from/to seasoned artificial seawater. This article will examine the results of recent testing and discuss the implications for reef hobbyists. In an attempt to consolidate information, data concerning phosphorus and silica removal as well as alkalinity are included, previously published here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/6/review Glossary Before proceeding, a review of terms used in this article will be defined: Alkalinity A measure of a liquid's ability to resist shifts to lower (acidic) pH values. Alkalinity can be composed of carbonate, bicarbonate, and/or hydroxide as well as borate, silicate, phosphate and other bases. Reported as milligrams per liter calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ). Chelation Combining a metallic ion with an organic substance (such as EDTA - ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - or perhaps with naturally-occurring aquatic humic substances). By doing so, the metal stays in solution and may be 'bio-available'. A chelated substance can also be called complexed. Cobalt (Co) Cobalt is an essential trace element for algae, some bacteria and animals (but not higher plants). Cobalt is a transition metal and is found at very low concentrations (0.003 to 0.4 ppb) in natural seawater. Copper (Cu) Copper is an essential trace element for plants and animals. By law, copper cannot exceed 1.5 mg/L in 10% of homes served by larger potable water systems. Copper levels can exceed this maximum allowable limit when aggressive (corrosive) water degrades copper piping and fixtures. Copper is a transition metal and low concentrations are toxic to invertebrates and is often found in natural seawater at concentrations of ~0.001 to 0.01 mg/L. Digestion This is a technique used to break down a substance into components that can be analyzed. Digestion usually involves exposing the substance to high temperature and strong acids and is necessary in order to accurately access concentrations of metals chelated with organic substances. However, vigorous digestion is not always required in order to estimate total metals (such is the case for Hach's iron and copper chemistries). Iron (Fe) Iron is absolutely required for growth and well-being of plants and animals. The EPA has set a secondary limit (suggested, but not enforceable) on concentrations of iron in drinking water at 0.3 mg/L. High iron concentrations in drinking water can cause staining of plumbing and clothes as well as impart objectionable taste and color to food. Iron is a transition metal. Ocean water contains 0.002 to 0.02 mg/L iron. Manganese (Mn) Manganese is an essential element for plant and animal growth. Its concentration should not exceed 50µg/L (U.S. EPA secondary standard for potable water) and elevated concentrations can stain plumbing, cooking utensils and clothing. Manganese is a transition metal. Previous research suggests manganese can be effectively removed by GFO. Seawater contains 0.001 to 0.01 mg/L. mg/L Milligrams per liter, essentially the same thing as parts per million (ppm). Nickel (Ni) Nickel is suspected to be an essential element for at least some plants and animals. The EPA has established a primary, enforceable limit of 0.1 mg/L in drinking water. Nickel is a transition metal and naturally occurs in seawater at ~0.0001 mg/L. Hach's reagents allow determination of cobalt and nickel through analyses of a single sample. Since the protocol did not include spiking of samples with nickel, it is not surprising that nickel levels fell below the detection limit of the instrument (data not shown). pH The intensity of the acidic or basic character of a solution. Phosphorus (P) Phosphorus occurs in water almost exclusively as phosphate (PO43-). Excessive amounts of reactive (or ortho-) phosphate encourages algal and plant growth but can be a limiting nutrient at low concentrations. Phosphorus is essential to all living organisms. Phosphorus is a non-metal. Silicon (Si, as SiO2) Silicon is required for proper function by some plants and animals. It is used by diatoms to produce skeletons and is sometimes not included in the formulation of artificial seawater. There is no limit established by the U.S. EPA on silicates in drinking water. Silicon is a metalloid. Zinc (Zn) Zinc is an essential element for growth in plants and animals but elevated levels may be toxic. The U.S. EPA has established a level of no greater than 5 mg/L in drinking water. Deterioration of galvanized pipe and brass fixtures can add zinc to drinking water and can cause a bitter taste. Zinc is required in the genetic make-up of every cell and is an absolute requirement for all biologic reproduction including DNA and RNA syntheses. Zinc is an integral component of about 200 metalloenzymes, including carbonic anhydrase, superoxide dismutase, alcohol dehydrogenase, carboxypeptidase, glutamic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase as well as hormones. Zinc is a transition metal and has been shown to be adsorbed by GFO regardless of the solution's ionic strength. Zinc is found in seawater at a level of ~0.005 mg/L. Results Alkalinity Most instructions for use of iron-based materials used in phosphorus removal will caution the end-user of potential drops in aquarium water alkalinity. Figure 1. Effects of GFO on alkalinity (as mg/L CaCO3). As expected, alkalinity was affected by the addition of GFO (see Figure 1). Hobbyists should be aware that many substances will impact alkalinity levels, including two that these GFO products removal effectively - phosphorus and silica! Cobalt Cobalt is found in natural seawater at parts per billion concentrations. Under the conditions of this procedure, cobalt (likely only free cobalt) is actively removed by GFO. See Figure 2. Figure 2. Cobalt concentrations fell after GFO was introduced. Copper (Free) Copper in an aquarium is a double-edged sword. It is an essential trace element but is toxic at higher concentrations. Free and total copper were determined. See Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3. Free copper removal by GFO. The Detection Limit of the test is 0.02 mg/L as Cu. The final reading (0.09 mg/L) is still above that usually seen in natural seawater. Copper (Total) Total copper is the sum of free and complexed copper. Figure 4. Total copper fell due to removal of free copper by GFO. Copper (Chelated or Complexed) Copper, complexed with organic substances, can be determined by subtracting free copper from total copper. Figure 5 shows complexed copper is weakly removed, if at all, by GFO. Figure 5. Chelated (complexed) copper is very weakly removed by GFO, if at all. Iron Since iron is a major component of GFO, and this substance is subject to weak grinding action within a fluidized reactor, it might be expected that the iron content of the aquarium water would increase, and indeed it did. Further analyses found the iron to be almost entirely in the ferric form, but perhaps more importantly, as mostly in the form of suspended particulates and not dissolved. See Figures 6 through 9. Figure 6. Experiment #1 showed total iron initially rose and then fell. Figure 7. Results of experiment #2 found total iron concentrations rose and fell very much like that seen in experiment #1. Figure 8. Total iron minus ferrous iron equals ferric iron. Figure 9. Very little of the total iron was soluble but instead found in the suspended form. Manganese Manganese is an essential element for plants and animals. Free manganese is actively removed by GFO, although the concentration of manganese in the spiked sample plateaued at ~0.07 mg/L at about 120 hours and thereafter. See Figure 10. Figure 10. Manganese was actively removed by GFO. The analytical procedure can report Mn concentrations of 0.006-0.7 mg/L, while natural seawater contains ~0.001 to 0.01 mg/L. Silica GFO is advertised to effectively remove silica, and testing confirms this. Silica is quickly and effectively reduced in concentration, as its concentration fell to below the detection limit of the testing device (in essence 'zero'). See Figure 11. Figure 11. Silica concentrations fell to below the detection limit of the instrument (essentially zero) inn less than 24 hours under the conditions of this experiment. Zinc Zinc (free and not complexed) is rapidly removed by GFO. At 104 hours, the concentration had fallen from ~6mg/L to 0.38 mg/L (a removal of ~94%). See Figure 12. Figure 12. The Detection Limit of the analytical device is 0.02 mg/L as Zn. pH pH (the intensity of the basic or acidic natural of a substance) is known to be influenced through use of GFO. Figure 13 demonstrates this effect. Figure 13. Use of GFO can cause rapid shifts in pH. Phosphorus As with many elements, phosphorus is essential for life but can cause problems - specifically that of enhanced algal growths - at relatively low concentrations. Hobbyists should be concerned with reactive or ortho-, phosphate as this is the form that fuels algae growth (this is the form most all 'test kits' report). On the other hand, total phosphorus is that bound with other substances and requires a specialized digestion process including heat and an acidic environment. See Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14. Time-course Total and Reactive Phosphorus concentrations. Reactive P fell to below the detection limit of the instrument (essentially zero) after only 12 hours. When we subtract… Figure 15. …reactive phosphorus from total phosphorus, we find total phosphorus concentrations remain static. Total phosphorus is weakly, if at all, removed by GFO. This form of phosphorus is likely organically bound in suspended particles. Reduction-Oxidation Potential (Redox) or Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) Redox, or ORP, is the tendency of an aqueous solution to gain or lose electrons from the introduction of a new substance. Redox measurements of a few natural reefs here in Hawaii are not substantially different than those taken during this procedure (See Figure 16). Figure 16. At the first use of GFO, the redox value of the water trended upwards (the procedure began at 12:39 pm). Trace Elements Addition Addition of various metals to an aquarium can result from a number of factors ranging from inadvertent to deliberate. However, two likely account for most input: Feeding and water top-off and/or water changes. We'll examine these in some detail: Fish Food: Many hobbyists, if asked, might say they do not deliberately add copper to their reef aquaria. The truth is that they do in the form of fish food. Prepared fish foods often contain trace amounts of copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, zinc sulfate and potassium iodide. Tap Water: Tap water may be from surface water (rivers, lakes), ground water (wells) and in some cases catchment (captured rain). Water quality varies with location, and elevated levels of nitrate, lead, copper, iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium and others may require pretreatment before release from the water treatment facility. In many parts of the country, water receives little treatment before distribution to customers, with disinfection (via chlorination, fluoridation or ozonation) being common. Small and private water systems are not regulated by the EPA, although guidelines have been established. Larger water systems are required to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) that state levels of contamination if present. Bear in mind that clean water does not like to stay that way and often picks up contaminants from the plumbing within your dwelling. Reverse Osmosis (or nano-filtration): Reverse osmosis is a popular means used to remove contaminants from water. Removal efficiency depends upon many parameters including type of pretreatment used and the type of reverse osmosis membrane used. In most all cases, removal of contaminants by RO filtration is not complete and small percentages of contaminants found in feed water are not removed. De-ionized (DI) Water: DI water is often the most pure of waters regularly added to an aquarium either as that used to mix artificial salts or as top-off water. Functioning cationic/anionic de-ionization units can delivery water suitable for making dilutions when testing for various substances. Conductivity of DI water is low - mine produces water of just 4 or 5μS.cm2 Obviously, DI units can import little metals. Well Water: Well water is naturally enough groundwater and is subject to absorbing any number of inorganic and organic substances in the soil. Private or small water systems using well water are not regulated by the US EPA and it is up to the owner(s) to determine suitability of this source for drinking or any other use for that matter. Impurities in Supplements: We tend to think of the supplements added to our aquaria as being relatively pure when I fact they are not. For instance, 'laboratory grade' manganese chloride (ACS, 99.5% purity) contains 0.001% zinc and iron at 1.7 ppm. Technical-grade chemicals may be around 95% pure. Natural Chelators: Aquatic humic substances are generally those produced by aquatic plants and algae either by biochemical pathways or through their decay. These substances can combine with metals in solution and cloak them from detection with most test kits used by hobbyists. Artificial Chelators: Artificial chelators such as EDTA or EGTA can bond with metals. One major artificial seawater -Instant Ocean - advertises to contain no EDTA or any other metal chelators (see www.instantocean.com for details). Water Motion, Boundary Layer, and 'Trace Elements' All benthic objects are surrounded by a thin layer of stagnant water called the boundary layer. Its thickness is determined by the amount of water motion around the object, and is inversely proportional. In other words, the layer of stagnant water decreases when flow increases, and vice versa. Diffusion of elements through the boundary layer is related to the concentration of the substance in solution - the higher the concentration, the less likely it is to be limited by diffusion rates. The carry-home message is clear - insufficient water motion within a coral reef aquarium is to be avoided and directly affects the availability of 'trace elements.' Most aquaria do not even come close to 'natural' water motion where, in my experiences, sensors mounted to 5-pound lead weights can be tossed about by passing waves in even sheltered coves. Metals in Natural Seawater A water sample was collected in the littoral zone at the 4 Mile Marker on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawaii. This island is geologically young and metals bound in lava rock are leached by acid rain (a mixture of volcanic 'vog' -volcanic smoke containing tons of sulfur dioxide- and water vapor). The amount of copper found in natural seawater is roughly equivalent to that reported in the County of Hawaii drinking (ground) water Consumer Confidence Report (see Figure 17). This report does not include concentrations of iron and zinc. Figure 17. Concentrations of copper and iron at the 4 Mile Reef in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. There is likely a terregenous impact from acid rain leaching through geologically-young lava rock. Conclusions A brief review of existing journal literature leaves little doubt that at least some metals can be effectively removed by GFO. The goal of this project was to establish metals removal/addition by iron oxide hydroxide. As with most endeavors of this type, results ask further questions. Metals concentrations within waters of captive environments are dynamic and subject to a number of influences such as pH, ionic strength or amount and type of chelators available. Even then, extraneous factors, such as poor water motion may limit the rate of metals' diffusion through a boundary layer. Whatever the case, supply and demand are ultimate factors. GFO (at least the brand tested) has a high affinity for phosphorus and silica and rapidly removes ortho-phosphate and silicates. Copper in the free form is removed, while ferric iron is added, though in a particulate and not soluble form. Zinc, manganese, and cobalt are also removed though concentrations never fell to critical concentrations. It is possible that the testing process reported weakly-chelated metals. Introduction of any chemical filtration could introduce competing processes in an aquarium, where the biochemical demand of animals competes with chemical extraction. No evidence was found where any element fell to critical levels. However, their initial concentrations were quite high and the salt content of water was only a fraction of natural seawater in the case of cobalt and manganese. Further simple colorimetric testing will likely lend little new useful data. More refined testing techniques will be needed before the impact of chemical filtration and its effects on metals is understood. Methods and Materials A 20-gallon aquarium was filled with seasoned artificial seawater (from a water change). Baseline measurements were made for reactive phosphate, iron, copper, zinc, and pH. The water was then spiked with copper chloride (Certified ACS) and 99% zinc sulfate (both chelated with EDTA, though apparently not enough as some free copper was determined through testing). Coarse bubble aeration was provided by a small air pump. The aquarium was not lighted, and incident light was only that from another aquarium approximately 10 feet away. A different protocol was established in order to conduct testing for cobalt, nickel and manganese. These tests report erroneous results when magnesium concentrations exceed 300 to 400 mg/L Mg (as CaCO3). Additionally, the cobalt test is interfered by chloride (>8,000 mg/L), manganese (>25 mg/L) and sodium (>5,000 mg/L). To avoid these interferences, seasoned aquarium water was diluted with water previously treated via reverse osmosis. This water was then spiked with manganese (manganous) chloride (ACS grade; 99.5% purity) and cobalt chloride (ACS; 98.6% purity and chelated with EDTA). Baseline data were established for salinity, pH, iron, cobalt, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and alkalinity. Circulation within the tank was provided by a small powerhead (MaxiJet 400), and, as with the previous test, the aquarium was only weakly illuminated. A sample of water was tested for total iron, and an aliquot of this sample was also filtered under vacuum through a 0.45 micron filter in order to determine if iron added to the aquarium water column is dissolved or particulate. For each procedure, a fluidized bed reactor (Two Little Fishies) was filled with 60g (dry weight) Aquamaxx Phosphate Out GFO. A small water pump (Maxi-Jet 400) provided flow to the reactor which was regulated with a small ball valve to ~700 ml/min. The GFO was flushed with about 2 gallons of water before use and the reactor's effluent appeared clear to the eye. The reactor was installed on the experiment's aquarium and testing began. During testing for copper and zinc removal, new GFO (rinsed 60g dry material) was added after 8 hours due to a suspected saturation of the initial material (which was discarded). Most test reagents were from Hach, and results were generated through use of a colorimeter (Hach DR890) or a spectrophotometer (Hach DR2000). Glassware was cleaned with 1:1 HCL (glassware used for manganese was cleaned with nitric acid) and rinsed with deionized water. Samples were drawn directly from the aquarium with cuvettes. Zinc samples initially required dilution; de-ionized water was used. Quality assurance was conducted using a standard (Hach potable water standard). Recovery was >98% for both iron and copper and 93% for manganese. Copper, iron, manganese, and zinc were analyzed by a Hach DR890 colorimeter. Cobalt and nickel were tested by a Hach DR2000 spectrophotometer. Alkalinity was determined with a Hanna Alkalinity 'Checker'. Salinity was measured through use of a calibrated refractometer. Silica was measured with a LaMotte Smart2 colorimeter. Redox (or oxidation-reduction potential) and pH were measured and recorded with a Hach HQ40d data-logger with appropriate probes. Reactive and total phosphorus (involving digestion) used Hach's TnT reagents and a block heater with analyses performed with a Hach DR2800 spectrophotometer. These Hach reagents were used for testing: Alkalinity was determined by titration of a sample with an acid of known strength to a standardized endpoint. This method is not the most reliable for testing of seawater. However, we are not concerned with absolute values and are more interested in relative alkalinity in order to demonstrate GFO's impact. Cobalt (PAN Method; Range: 0.01 - 2.00 mg/L). Cobalt and nickel can be determined on the same sample using the PAN chemistry. Normal strength seawater must be diluted in order to properly perform this test - see 'Nickel' below for details. Determination is made at 620nm. A vigorous digestion was performed to determine total cobalt. Copper (Bicinchoninate Method; Range: 0.04 - 5.00 mg/L). Since copper was complexed with EDTA, free copper was initially determined. Hydrosulfite was added to the same sample for determination of total copper. Estimated Detection Limit is 0.02 mg/L as Cu. No known interferences were present. No digestion was performed. EPA approved method. Iron (FerroVer Method; Range: 0.03 - 3.00 mg/L). This reagent reacts with all soluble and most insoluble forms of iron (Fe2+ and Fe3+ as well as complexed iron) to produce soluble ferrous iron. 1,10-phenanthroline reacts with ferrous iron to produce an orange color. Estimated detection limit is 0.03 mg/L as Fe. No known interferences were present. No digestion was performed. EPA approved method. Other methods exist (using Hach's brand names): Ferrous Iron Reagent tests for ferrous (Fe2+) iron only. 1,10-phenanthroline reacts with ferrous iron to produce an orange color. Since ferrous iron can be rapidly converted to ferric iron, samples must be analyzed immediately. Total iron - ferrous iron = ferric iron. Manganese (PAN Method; Range: 0.006 - 0.700 mg/L). Ascorbic acid reduces all oxidized forms of Mn to Mn2+. An alkaline-cyanide reagent masks most interference. The PAN reagent (1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-Naphthol) combines with Mn2+ to produce an orange color, which is measured with a spectrometer at 560nm. Magnesium interferes at a concentration of 300 mg/L (as CaCO3), so seawater samples must be diluted. Total manganese was determined on samples subjected to an EPA-approved vigorous digestion method. Nickel (PAN Method; Range: 0.006 - 1.000 mg/L). Analysis involves the PAN method, where the sample is buffered and any ferric iron is masked by pyrophosphate, nickel and many other metals react with 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-Naphthol (PAN). EDTA is added to preferentially destroy metal-PAN complexes except for nickel and cobalt. Seawater samples must be diluted since they contain many interfering elements, such as chloride (8,000 mg/l), potassium (500 mg/l), magnesium (400 mg/l) and sodium (5,000 mg/l). Spectrometric determination is made at 560nm. Phosphorus, ortho- or reactive (PhosVer3 Method). The estimated detection limit is 0.07 mg/L as PO 43- .No known interferences were present. EPA accepted method if no dilution is required. The aquarium water was tested before the procedure began - the result was 0.01 mg/l as P. pH. This parameter was monitored and recorded with a Hach HQ40d multimeter/datalogger and pH probe. The meter was calibrated to two points - 7 and 10 pH buffers were used. Silica (Heteropoly Blue Method). Reactive silica reacts with ammonium molybdate in acidic conditions to produce a yellow-green color. Since phosphate also reacts with molybdate, oxalic acid is added to prevent the interference. Silica-molybdate is then reduced by ascorbic acid to produce a blue color that can be measured through spectroscopy. These reagents were manufactured by LaMotte Company. Zinc (Zincon Method; Range: 0.02 - 3.00 mg/L). This test is not listed as applicable to natural seawater since the expected concentration would fall well below the instrument's detection limit (0.02 mg/L as Zn); however no interferences prevent its use for determination of zinc at high concentrations in brine samples. Copper and iron concentrations fell below the levels known to cause interference. Zinc (and other metals) are complexed with cyanide (hence my obsession with sample pH) and cyclohexane selectively releases zinc. The Zincon reagent (2-carboxy-2'-hydroxy-5'-sulfoforamazyl benzene) reacts with zinc to form coloration ranging from orange to blue depending upon concentration. EPA approved method. No digestion was performed. EPA approved method. Acknowledgment Many thanks to Randy Holmes-Farley for his comments during the preparation of this article. References Kanungo, S., 1994. Adsorption of cations on hydrous oxides of iron. II. Adsorption of Mn, Co, Ni, and Zn onto amorphous FeOOH from simple electrolyte solutions as well as from a complex electrolyte solution resembling seawater in major ion content. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 162(1), 93-102. Kanungo, S., 1994. Adsorption of cations on hydrous oxides of iron. III. Adsorption of Mn, Co, Ni, and Zn of bFeOOH from simple electrolyte solutions as well as from a complex electrolyte solution resembling seawater in major ion content. Reg. Res. Lab., Bhubaneswar, India. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 162(1), 103-109. Johnson, C., 1986. The regulation of trace element concentrations in river and estuarine waters contaminated with acid mine drainage: The adsorption of copper and zinc on amorphous iron oxyhydroxides. R. Sch. Mines, Imp. Coll., London, UK. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 50(11), 2433-8. View the full article

Click through to see the images. When no rocks or corals are around, you seek shelter wherever you can. Tiny (and I mean tiny) lionfish, dwarf lionfish, and frogfish hitch a ride on Chocolate Chip Starfish (Protoreaster nodosus) in the silty bay of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. We've seen animals hitch rides on large creatures like sharks, Mola Molas, and sea turtles, but sea stars? Read about the unbridled excitement of the divers upon their serendipitous discovery over at BlennyWatcher.com . Can you blame them? This is way too cool! " height="405" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="680"> "> "> View the full article

To predict the extinction risk of reef-building corals, researchers are examining past events to gain insight into how these corals today may fare through climate change. View the full article

Click through to see the images. Not in California Roll. When I initially saw this on The Huffington Post, I thought it was a joke. I mean, who would seriously eat these tiny GloFish® in a sushi dish? Well it turns out that it's not a joke! The folks over at The Center for Genomic Gastronomy have created a site that highlights the ability to use these transgenic fish as a unique feature for sushi rolls. So far they have created three varieties: Stop and Glow Nigirizushi (pictured above) Not in California Roll (middle-right) Kryptonite Roll (bottom-right) The "Not in California Roll" is amusing because California is the one state where it is illegal to purchase GloFish® due to regulations that restrict all genetically modified fish. This restriction is due to the owners of the patented GloFish® (AquaBounty's AquaAdvantage® Salmon product and Yorktown Technologies) have chosen not to undergo the ecological review necessary in order for them to sell them in California. Kryptonite Roll. The reason that GloFish® are being used in sushi and not a cooked dish is that the fluorescing proteins (such as the green fluorescing proteins pictured right) can be denatured by heat. One reader humorously suggested using them in a recipe called GFPizza: "After it comes out of the oven add Electric Greenâ„¢ GloFish® and Anchovies. For best results serve in complete darkness with backlight as the only light source. Also, if the GloFish get too hot they will lose their color and glow, so be careful." Based on their research, these fish are supposedly safe to eat. They do caution that people should freeze them to kill any parasites or problematic bacteria that raw fish might harbor. Also they note that people should inquire about the holding conditions of the fish as fish purchased at a local fish store could have been treated with antibiotics or malachite green during their stay in various systems. Check out the video on how they make the Kryptonite Roll: View the full article

Click through to see the images. The content below is provided by Living Color Aquariums. Ocean Experience in Oakland Ca., contracted Living Color to design and build this dramatic 2000 gallon (192″L x 54″W x 48″H) semi-circular aquarium. The aquarium sits on the floor so that the physically challenged owner can enjoy her fish at eye level from her wheelchair. The curved radius was created by placing a 25ft long piece of 1 ¾ inch thick acrylic into our giant acrylic oven to thermo-form it into a graceful arc. The panel was then set into a sturdy Fiberglass frame (FRP) and sealed. For lasting beauty and ease of maintenance the client selected our museum-quality artificial coral reef inserts. The reefs conceals all the aquarium plumbing and provides a realistic habitat for an array of marine ornamental fish. The reefs also conceal a series of outlets where New Era Marine Pellets can be pumped into the tank at a push of a button. A clear acrylic floor above the aquarium allows the owner to view and add additional food the tank from above. Access panels to service the aquarium are concealed by elegant woodwork that surrounds the tank. The aquarium filtration is remotely located in a room below the aquarium. The filtration system turns over the aquarium system four times per hour and utilizes a 600 gallon sump. A liquid level controller ensures that the large sump stays at optimum operating level. The aquarium system also includes an 8 ½ foot tall protein skimmer, UV sterilizers, mechanical filters, bio tower, fluidized bed filter and a 36,000 BTU chiller. Water changes are performed with the assistance of a 200 gallon per day RO/DI unit fitted to a 500 gallon RO/Saltwater mixing tank, new saltwater is then sent to the aquarium via an automated transfer pump. Bringing this huge tank into an already existing home was a challenge for our team of experienced installers. An elaborate ramp and rail system was constructed to slide to aquarium up the stairs and into the home with no room for error. When full, the aquarium weighs over 17,000 lbs! Here are some additional photos from fabrication to completion. Living Color is the recognized leader in building turnkey custom commercial and residential aquariums for landmark properties worldwide. View the full article

Click through to see the images. The content below is provided by Living Color Aquariums. Ocean Experience in Oakland Ca., contracted Living Color to design and build this dramatic 2000 gallon (192″L x 54″W x 48″H) semi-circular aquarium. The aquarium sits on the floor so that the physically challenged owner can enjoy her fish at eye level from her wheelchair. The curved radius was created by placing a 25ft long piece of 1 ¾ inch thick acrylic into our giant acrylic oven to thermo-form it into a graceful arc. The panel was then set into a sturdy Fiberglass frame (FRP) and sealed. For lasting beauty and ease of maintenance the client selected our museum-quality artificial coral reef inserts. The reefs conceals all the aquarium plumbing and provides a realistic habitat for an array of marine ornamental fish. The reefs also conceal a series of outlets where New Era Marine Pellets can be pumped into the tank at a push of a button. A clear acrylic floor above the aquarium allows the owner to view and add additional food the tank from above. Access panels to service the aquarium are concealed by elegant woodwork that surrounds the tank. The aquarium filtration is remotely located in a room below the aquarium. The filtration system turns over the aquarium system four times per hour and utilizes a 600 gallon sump. A liquid level controller ensures that the large sump stays at optimum operating level. The aquarium system also includes an 8 ½ foot tall protein skimmer, UV sterilizers, mechanical filters, bio tower, fluidized bed filter and a 36,000 BTU chiller. Water changes are performed with the assistance of a 200 gallon per day RO/DI unit fitted to a 500 gallon RO/Saltwater mixing tank, new saltwater is then sent to the aquarium via an automated transfer pump. Bringing this huge tank into an already existing home was a challenge for our team of experienced installers. An elaborate ramp and rail system was constructed to slide to aquarium up the stairs and into the home with no room for error. When full, the aquarium weighs over 17,000 lbs! Here are some additional photos from fabrication to completion. Living Color is the recognized leader in building turnkey custom commercial and residential aquariums for landmark properties worldwide. View the full article

Click through to see the images. (1920x1200 pixels) Click the download button (above) to view the wallpaper. Right-click the wallpaper and "set as desktop background" or save the file on your computer. Photo by Mitchell Brown. Visit www.aquaticprints.com to view an entire gallery of incredible fluorescence photos. PREVIEW View the full article

A study of the evolutionary history of Antarctic fish and their "anti-freeze" proteins illustrates how tens of millions of years ago a lineage of fish adapted to newly formed polar conditions -- and how today they are endangered by a rapid rise in ocean temperatures. View the full article

A study of the evolutionary history of Antarctic fish and their "anti-freeze" proteins illustrates how tens of millions of years ago a lineage of fish adapted to newly formed polar conditions -- and how today they are endangered by a rapid rise in ocean temperatures. View the full article

Click through to see the images. So rugged are the scales of arapaima that they are impervious to red-bellied piranha attacks. Fish scales possess amazing characteristics that make them excellent candidates for advanced biomaterial research. Researchers are also looking into building better artificial bones using fish scales. Read the UCSD press release. Engineers Find Inspiration for New Materials in Piranha-proof Armor It’s a matchup worthy of a late-night cable movie: put a school of starving piranha and a 300-pound fish together, and who comes out the winner? The surprising answer—given the notorious guillotine-like bite of the piranha—is Brazil’s massive Arapaima fish. The secret to Arapaima’s success lie in its intricately designed scales, which could provide “bioinspiration” for engineers looking to develop flexible ceramics. The inspiration for this study came from an expedition in the Amazon basin that Marc Meyers, a professor at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego, took years ago. The mechanical and aerospace engineering professor immediately wondered at the Arapaima’s armor-like protective scales. How could it live in piranha-infested lakes, where no other animals could survive? Meyers and colleagues set up a lab experiment that pits piranha against Arapaima by using a machine that resembles an industrial-strength hole punch. Piranha teeth were attached to the top “punch,” which was pressed down into Arapaima scales embedded in a soft rubber surface (which mimics the soft underlying muscle on the fish) on the lower “punch.” The teeth can partially penetrate the scale, but crack before they can puncture the muscle, Meyers and colleagues demonstrate in the journal Advanced Biomaterials. A close-up of two Arapaima scales, overlapping as they would in nature. The Arapaima scale combines a heavily mineralized outer layer with an internal design that helps the scale resist the pirahna’s razor-like bite. The mix of materials is similar to the hard enamel of a tooth deposited over softer dentin, said Meyers, who also teaches nanoengineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering “You often find this in nature, where you have something hard on the outside, but it rides on something softer that gives it toughness.” It’s a combination that engineers would like to reproduce for applications such as soldiers’ body armor, which needs to be both tough and flexible. Other applications might include fuel cells, insulation and aerospace designs. Meyers is an expert in biomimetics, the study of natural materials from living organisms and the processes that produce them. He says that engineers are pursuing biomimetics because “we are hitting a wall, so to speak” with conventional materials and syntheses. “We have used our ingenuity to the maximum, but one way to overcome that is to look at nature,” Meyers suggested. “The materials that nature has at its disposal are not very strong, but nature combines them in a very ingenious way to produce strong components and strong designs.” Arapaima gigas scales have a highly mineralized outside layer, and an internal layer of collagen fibers stacked in a "plywood" formation for maximum toughness. Lessons from the Arapaima’s scales In the case of the Arapaima, the ingeniously designed scales serve as peace through strength, allowing them to coexist with piranha when the two are crowded into Amazon basin lakes during the region’s dry season. The Arapaima experiments, some of which were also published in The Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, suggest a few lessons for bio-inspired engineers: Mix it up: The combination of hard and soft materials, the researchers note, give the scales several ways to repel the bite. The scales overlap like shingles on the fish, and each scale has a “very hefty mineralized layer on top of it,” Meyers said. Underneath, each scale is composed of much softer collagen fibers stacked in alternating directions like a pile of plywood. The external surface is twice as hard as the internal layer, giving the fish a layer of dense armor. At the same time, the structure of the internal layer lends toughness to the scale. “As you stack the layers of fibers in this way,” Meyers explained, “they have different orientations, which gives strength that is the same in all directions.” Texture is key: People living in the Amazon sometimes use the ridged Arapaima scales (which can be nearly four inches in length) as nail files. The corrugated surface keeps the scales’ thick mineralized surface intact while the fish flexes as it swims. Ceramic surfaces of constant thickness are strained when forced to follow a curved surface, but the corrugations allow the scales to “be bent more easily without cracking,” Meyers said. Freedom to move: The corrugations, the soft but tough internal layer and the hydration of the scales all contribute to their ability to flex while remaining strong. It’s an engineering solution that lets the fish remain mobile while heavily armored, and also allows the scales to bend and deform considerably before breaking. " height="405" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="680"> "> "> What’s next? From the abalone shell to the toucan’s beak, Meyers said, the natural world is replete with inspiration for 21st century materials scientists. One of his next projects will involve the scales of the alligator gar, a huge fish from the American South whose scales were used by Native Americans as arrow tips. He recently received some samples from Louisiana artist Dianne Ulery, who makes jewelry from the ivory-colored, arrowhead-shaped scales. Students in his lab also are working on abalone shells and samples of leatherback turtle skin obtained from the National History Museum in San Diego, among other species. In some respects, the field of biomimetics is a return to the roots of manufacturing, Meyers suggested, when early humans crafted from leather, bone and wood. “We’ve produced materials with much higher performance, but we’re reaching the limit with synthetic materials,” he noted. “Now we are looking back at those natural materials and asking, ‘how does nature put these things together’?” When he is not conducting research or teaching, Meyers also is a successful fiction author. He has published two novels so far, “Mayan Mars” and “Chechnya Jihad.” He is currently looking for a publisher for his third work of fiction, which takes place in the Amazon. Piranhas are featured in that work in a spectacular manner, he said. Additional researchers include Y.S. Lin, C.T. Wei and P-Y Chen at the Jacobs School of Engineering and E.A. Olevsky at San Diego State University. Funding was provided from the National Science Foundation DMR Biomaterials Program. Media Contact Ioana Patringenaru, 858-822-0899, ipatrin@ucsd.edu View the full article

The choices big fish make on where to shelter could have a major influence on their ability to cope with climate change, say scientists. In research aimed at understanding the process of fish population decline when coral reefs sustain major damage, scientists have found that big fish show a marked preference for sheltering under large, flat table corals. View the full article

The choices big fish make on where to shelter could have a major influence on their ability to cope with climate change, say scientists. In research aimed at understanding the process of fish population decline when coral reefs sustain major damage, scientists have found that big fish show a marked preference for sheltering under large, flat table corals. View the full article

Click through to see the images. Corallimorpharians, better known as mushroom corals in the hobby, are closely related to scleractinian corals. They in general have a short, narrow column which then expands into a wide, flat disc and their tentacles are normally either short or absent based on the species. Due to their morphology, they are very hard to identify and many have not even been described yet. During a biodiversity study led by Waheed and Hoeksema of the Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis and the Borneo Marine Research Institute of Sabah, Malaysia, researchers noticed a number of corallimorpharians that resembled certain local scleractinian corals. Some had disc-like growth forms and radial color patterns similar to those of small-sized corals of the agariciid Leptoseris glabra (Fig. 1a, or the fungiid Danafungia scruposa (Fig. 1c, d), which were not in their close proximity. In scleractinians, the radial stripes reflect the position of septa, which are lacking in Discosoma. Without further evidence, it is uncertain whether this likeness helps the corallimorpharians to be inconspicuous to potential prey or to avoid predation, as in Müllerian mimicry. View the full article

Click through to see the images. Aquatic life's new LED 1.0W expandable fixtures employ combinations of 1 watt white, blue, and purple Taiwanese LEDs to provide much more light than their previous 0.5W expandable LED fixtures. The LEDS are placed in 90 degree lenses to optimize diffusion. The 1.0W expandable fixtures are available in 24 inch, 36 inch, and 48 inch lengths, with two LED-count options for each length. Fixtures can be joined together (with included hardware) to form a larger light panel for more power and coverage; Each unit still requires its own driver (included). Fixtures come with adjustable-width mounting legs, and an optional suspension kit is available. Model numbers and prices: 420263 (24IN 1W X 24 LED, 24W) $189.99 420264 (24IN 1W X 36 LED, 36W) $279.99 420265 (36IN 1W X 36 LED, 36W) $289.99 420266 (36IN 1W X 54 LED, 54W) $399.99 420267 (48IN 1W X 48 LED, 48W) $379.99 420268 (48IN 1W X 72 LED, 72W) $539.99 View the full article

Click through to see the images. The eleven minute video is filled with many wonderful underwater footage of WW2 wreck diving, "flying" Crinoids, battling parrotfish, dancing sexy shrimps, mandarins in their natural habitat, gobies galore, and much more. Solomon Island fish, corals, and occasional live rock are exported for the aquarium trade so many of the video's "stars" will be familiar to reefkeepers. The Solomon Islands have made significant strides towards sustainability with better monitoring and training thanks to increased funding. " height="408" style="width: 680px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="680"> "> "> View the full article

Click through to see the images. #10: 16 new Hawai'i Senate measures introduced, seeks aquarium trade ban or regulation As initially reported by Ret Talbot (CORAL): The 26th Hawai'i Senate legislature has started off 2012 with at least SIXTEEN new measures seeking the regulation or total ban of the aquarium trade. Read more... #9: How Fungiid Corals avoid being buried alive [time-laspe video] Many reefkeepers who keep Plate Corals know these corals are able to exhume themselves when they're covered by sand. But the process in which they do this is more complex and interesting than you know. Read more... #8: Deep Blue announces lineup of shallow look-down aquariums Deep Blue Aquarium Professional (USA) have been busy creating aquariums and aquatic accessories (lighting, filtration, pumps, heaters, etc.) Deep Blue has announced a new line of shallow look-down style aquariums, coming soon to a store near you. Read more... #7: Dakota Reef's Cube Aquarium [videos] I love large aquariums. I love cube tanks. I love open aquascaping. And I love big, healthy fish and corals. So it's no surprise I love Dakota Reef's Cube Reef Aquarium. I hope this aquarium serves as inspiration. Here's to a great weekend of fishkeeping! Read more... #6: Bali Deepwater Maricultured Acroporas Bali is now shipping out some awesome maricultured "deepwater" Acropora. Extreme Corals (Germany) has received shipment of some extraordinary specimens with unique growth forms that will whet the appetite of any SPS lover in 2012. Read more... #5: Advanced Aquarist wallpaper #12 Need a new desktop background? Here's a gorgeous HD wallpaper from Advanced Aquarist photographer Mitchell Brown (of www.aquaticprints.com). A long-nose hawkfish perched atop Acropora makes for the perfect photo op! Read more... #4: Ever see a pearlfish enter the anus of a sea cucumber? Some of us have heard of the commensal / parasitic relationship that pearlfish have with sea cucumbers, but how many of us have actually seen a pearlfish enter its host cucumber through the anus where it hangs out most of the time? Read more... #3: $1000 Clam With Split-Personality Disorder Take a gander at this Tridacna maxima offered for sale by Pacific East Aquaculture for the jaw-dropping price of $999 USD. One can only guess how this clam came to develop two distinct phenotypes ... truly a bipolar bivalve! Read more... #2: LFS in Buffalo, NY robbed of dry goods, corals and cash A Reef Creation, a local fish store and online coral vendor located in Buffalo, N.Y. was burglarized earlier this week of over $20,000 in cash, dry goods and live coral. Please help catch these criminals (video and photo after the jump). Read more... #1: AquaDream: the world's largest conical aquarium now open in the Morocco Mall This is one massive aquarium! It features sharks, rays, and other marine fishes swimming around the display in a recreated reef structure populated with artificial coral. What really sets this aquarium apart from others in its class is that it is actually cone-shaped! Read more... View the full article

Advances in studying genes mean that scientists in evolutionary developmental biology or “evo-devo” can now explain more clearly than ever before how bats got wings, the turtle got its shell and blind cave fish lost their eyes, says an evolutionary biologist. View the full article

Advances in studying genes mean that scientists in evolutionary developmental biology or ?evo-devo? can now explain more clearly than ever before how bats got wings, the turtle got its shell and blind cave fish lost their eyes, says an evolutionary biologist. View the full article

Click through to see the images. Here is the product description from OpulentItems.com. Our thanks to Tal Sweet for sharing this unusual item on his facebook page. This highly entertaining accessory allows you to enjoy an aquarium or zen garden within your restroom. The top glass rises in case you need to rearrange the decor and both sides offer a large, circular entry for fish feeding. A large sink light (located in back) is included and a powerhead is also provided for filtration, oxygenation and water circulation. The Moody Aquarium Sink must be plugged into an electrical outlet. No assembly is required, but professional plumbing installation is suggested. We provide installation if desired. - No sales tax (only FL residents must pay sales tax) - $75 shipping - 4 to 6 week shipping - International shipping is available - Please contact us if express shipping is needed - Height ( 34") - Width ( 29.5") - Depth ( 23.5") - 1 year warranty - 3 day return period ( 25% restocking fee) - No assembly required View the full article

Click through to see the images. The Luminous Cardinalfish (R.gracilis) is a sublimely beautiful little fish that forms impressive schools in the wild. They may not be the most colorful species, but a school of these cardinalfish live up to their name's sake: Their reflective pigmentation create a entrancing dance of disco-ball light. Here is a video of a healthy school of R.gracilis from where else ... Japan (B-Box Aquarium). " height="405" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="680"> "> "> Luminous cardinalfish occur in shallow waters and have wide natural distribution - from the Indian Ocean to the Indo-Pacific all the way to the Marshall Islands. Yet, they never make it into the American aquarium trade with any regularity. Reefkeeping is trending towards natural displays with open aquascapes stocked with mated pairs or schools of conspecific fish (versus the old "collectors" mentality of adding as many individual fish of as many different species as the tank will fit). And while more and more US wholesalers and vendors are offering "paired" fish, we still lack a good selection of suitable schooling fish for the home aquaria. Reefkeepers are still largely resigned to the same tired selection of small schooling fish such as Chromis viridis, Zoramia leptacanthus cardinalfish, and the more recently available Red Spot Apogon parvulus cardinalfish.* But there are so many more species of chromis, cardinalfish, and other schooling fishes out there, and almost all of them are abundant in accessible shallow waters. So wholesalers and fish vendors: Please consider importing more of these small schooling fish. Judging by how quickly red-spot cardinalfish sell at vendors like Liveaquaria/Diver's Den, there is more than ample demand. I'd dare say reefkeepers are starved for good choices of schooling fish. *Anthias were purposely omitted because, while schooling fish in the wild, most species tend to lose this behavior in captivity. View the full article

Click through to see the images. Kevin Erickson, the Director At Large for the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA) has just notified us that MASNA has launched a new initiative, HawaiiBanFactCheck.org, to keep hobbyist and other stakeholders informed as to what is going on in Hawai'i. As you know from past blog posts, there is a lot going on in Hawai'i right now and it's definitely a good idea to keep abreast on what is happening there. I highly recommend Liking their Facebook Page and optionally subscribing to their RSS feed in your news reader of choice so that you have the latest information at your finger tips. About Hawaii Ban Fact Check: HawaiiBanFactCheck.org is a Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA) initiative created to assess statements made in regard to legislation seeking to ban or regulate the marine aquarium trade in Hawaii. HawaiiBanFactCheck.org monitors the factual accuracy of information disseminated by individuals, anti-trade groups, politicians, and others seeking to close or regulate Hawaii’s marine aquarium fishery, as well as information put forth by individuals supporting the trade. The goal is to assess the accuracy of the information and educate the public about the facts concerning Hawaii’s marine aquarium fisheries and trade. MASNA—which supports a robust and sustainable marine aquarium trade based on a combination of aquaculture, mariculture and sustainable aquarium fisheries—represents multiple marine aquarium societies across North America and thousands of aquarists worldwide. View the full article

Those who have ventured to turn a vacant barn or garage into an aquaculture business have too often been defeated by high energy and feed costs, building-related woes and serious environmental problems. Now researchers are melding building design, fish ecology and aquaculture engineering techniques into a first-of-its-kind "building-integrated aquaculture" (BIAq) model to offer an affordable, more holistic and sustainable approach to indoor fish production located close to markets and able to succeed even in cold climates. View the full article

Those who have ventured to turn a vacant barn or garage into an aquaculture business have too often been defeated by high energy and feed costs, building-related woes and serious environmental problems. Now researchers are melding building design, fish ecology and aquaculture engineering techniques into a first-of-its-kind "building-integrated aquaculture" (BIAq) model to offer an affordable, more holistic and sustainable approach to indoor fish production located close to markets and able to succeed even in cold climates. View the full article

Half of fishermen would not give up their livelihood in the face of drastically declining catches, according to new research. A new report challenges previously held notions about poverty and adaptation by investigating why fishermen in developing countries stick with their trade. View the full article