Marine Pollution Control8631 West Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, MI 48209 USA
313.849.2333 - 24/hour
11320 E Lakewood Blvd., #11
Holland, MI 49424
800-521-8232 – 24/Hour
GSA Contract #: GS-10F-0268R
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Whose Oil? The Gulf of Mexico’s or BP’s?
October 16, 2013
Three years after the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, scientists are still determining how much damage was done and where all the oil went.
A team of scientists funded by a 10-year, $500 million “Gulf of Mexico Initiative” grant from BP is examining the effects of the oil spill on the ecosystem of the gulf.
One of those scientists is University of Florida geology professor Thomas Bianchi, who focuses on detecting trace amounts of oil in the water 900 to 1000 meters below the surface.
Environmental emergency communication updates set
October 14, 2013
Updates by Michigan to an environmental emergency communication system could improve the response to problems in waterways including those along the U.S.-Canadian border, officials said.
Environmental accident information is sent through Michigan's Pollution Emergency Alerting System. For years, The Detroit News reported, emergency calls have been handled by a call center staffed by private contractors.
In some previous cases, the call-takers were unfamiliar with technical terms used to describe environmental accidents and calls consequently were often prioritized poorly or handled more slowly than was warranted, said Bruce Van Otteren, administrator of Michigan's alerting system.
In the coming months, a team of trained Michigan Department of Environmental Quality staffers is to begin handling those calls internally. An automatic "smart messaging" system then will forward information to emergency and government officials.
Newly-Opened Traverse City Brewery Committed to Environmental Protection
October 14, 2013
During a recent walking tour of downtown Traverse City, I ventured into the newly-opened Workshop Brewing Company where I met owner, Peter Kirkwood. In addition to enjoying a couple excellent brews, I was impressed by Pete’s integrated business philosophy, “nature, community and craft,” which manifests and underscores the interconnectedness of environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Pete credits his employees for The Workshop Brewing Company’s adoption of zero waste. “They drove zero waste, and everything we use here is recycled, composted or reused, which is obviously good for the environment, but it may also end up saving us money.” Pete’s brews feature organic grain, much of which is purchased locally. And his spent barley goes to a local farmer who uses it for livestock feed. “When you buy and sell locally, it is amazing to track the economic reverberations in a community.” Pete admits to originally viewing the locavore movement as “effete and elitist,” but now I better understand and appreciate the powerful economic ripple effect buying locally can create.”
Spills revive U.S.-Canada waterway concerns
October 14, 2013
Three environmental accidents straddling the U.S.-Canadian border during the past 15 months have revived longstanding questions about the ability of the two countries to protect water supplies in emergencies in Metro Detroit and elsewhere.
Officials from both nations agreed there was confusion last year when a dredge sinking in U.S. waters north of Port Huron leaked diesel fuel and another loading cargo in Sarnia, Ontario, leaked ethyl benzene into the St. Clair River. A rupture nearly five weeks ago in an underground pipe in Sarnia that released diesel fuel into the St. Clair also prompted criticism about post-accident communications.
The waterway from the lower half of Lake Huron down the St. Clair River to Detroit contains several intake pipes that provide drinking water to communities in both countries. In worst-case scenarios, when accidents and spills aren't reported promptly, those communities can't close the pipes in time to keep contaminated water from reaching the public.
Oil Spill Detection Test in Operation Arctic Shield
October 14, 2013
The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) led a team of engineers and scientists from multiple Coast Guard units, other federal agencies, and universities in evaluating methods to detect, track and respond to simulated oil spills off the North Slope of Alaska as part of Operation Arctic Shield 2013, from 9 to 14 September 2013.
Operating aboard Coast Guard Cutter Healy, the team deployed a variety of technologies that have been evaluated in temperate climates to assess their ability to perform operations under Arctic conditions. The tests included operation of two small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), a vessel of opportunity skimmer system (VOSS) and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).