Category Archives: Orange County

Following Japan’s devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, fear spread about risks of leaked radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant – for the health of those living in or near Fukushima or involved in cleanup efforts, and for the planet and the potential impacts on our complex marine food web. Shunichi Tanaka, head of Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority, told reporters radioactive water has likely been leaking into the Pacific Ocean since the disaster hit. It’s the largest single contribution of radionuclides to the marine environment ever observed, according to one report. With 300 tonnes of contaminated water pouring into the sea every day, Japan’s government finally acknowledged the urgency of the situation in September. Continue Reading.. ...

SurfLine.com After nearly 7 months of no rain, today is LA's "first flush", which is cause for dangerously high levels of pollution in the Santa Monica and San Pedro Bays. A major threat to human health and marine life, the first rain of the season is also an opportune time for Los Angeles Waterkeeper to collect storm water samples at the most polluted industrial facilities in LA County. Storm water is the main source of pollution to Santa Monica and San Pedro Bays, endangering aquatic life, public health and negatively impacting our tourist economy. This type of urban runoff carries contaminants such as fecal bacteria, oil, grease, metals, pesticides, litter and other toxic chemicals that have accumulated on the surface over several months of dry weather. Carried through the 5,000 mile-long storm drain system, storm water receives no treatment and flows directly from the streets of LA into the ocean when it rains. Continue Reading... ...