pfeiffer@uwvax.UUCP (Phil Pfeiffer) (11/20/85)
Artificial lights are causing problems for sea turtles along Florida's
coastline. Hatchlings instinctively crawl in the direction where light
is brightest along the horizon. Conservationists have been working hard
to convince property owners to shield their lights or turn them off. Some
municipalities are now passing local ordinances forbidding use of lights
during certain evening hours.
The Marine Museum at Fall River, Mass., is holding its second annual "Wreck
Day" from 10 am to 6 pm on December 7. The 1985 show will look at various
aspects of wreck diving.
The Washington Post News Service reports that preliminary findings from an
EPA survey show unexpectedly high acid levels in many Florida Lakes. One in
five Florida lakes surveyed has a pH of less than 5.5; one in eight surveyed
has a pH of less than 5.0. EPA officials acknowledge that their initial lake
survey is not very helpful in assesing trends. The agency hopes to make some
predictions when additional research is completed within the next two years.
In August, Ohio Underwater Research Association member Jack Wade set a new
underwater endurance record, living on the bottom of Fell Lake Park's
one-acre outdoor pool for 80 hours and 4 minutes, breaking the previous
record of 72 hours and two minutes set in December 1982.
An epidemic disease is ravaging several species of starfish along the
southern California coast, particularly the batstar starfish, which feeds
on sea urchins. The population of white sea urchins is therefore climbing,
and, since white sea urchins feed on giant kelp, southern California's
kelp forests are experiencing a sharp reduction in size. Two biologists
at USC researching the plague suggest that the plague may be a recurring
natural phenomenon.
A 1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, in running condition and valued at
$25,000, was sunk as an artificial reef on September 23 off Palm Beach, Fla.
An article on depth gauge accuracy (too length to summarize here) [implicitly]
emphasizes that divers need to have dive professionals routinely check how
accurate their depth gauges really are. Some typical quotes: "Inaccuracy
doesn't always result from wear and tear. Many gauges become less accurate
with increasing depth ... Used depth gauges are even less likely to be
accurate than new gauges ... Good quality gauges usually read within about
two to four feed of true depth down to 100 feet, and within three to five feet
from 100 to 500 feet." The article includes a discussion of some of the
variables which affect depth gauge checking.
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-- Phil Pfeiffer
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(608) 263-7308