Tag Archives: Kieran Cox

Rivers & Oceans

Hums, growls and farts: Fish sound the alert

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Fish have plenty to say and we need to make more of an effort to listen to them and understand what they’re talking about, researchers say. 

The hums, grunts, squeals and even farts made by soniferous, or noise-making, fish are a noteworthy part of the ocean soundscape, said marine ecologist Kieran Cox. 

The former University of Victoria researcher was part of an international team that combed through more than 800 studies to catalogue vocal species and created a publicly accessible global library called FishSounds. 

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Food

We Are Eating, Drinking & Breathing Microplastics

A new Portland State University study found an average of eleven microplastic pieces in every oyster tested and almost as many particles in clams. This is only one report. While most of our research focuses on the ocean, far more plastic degradation occurs on land. Up to 700,000 plastic microfilaments can be shed from a single load of laundry. A University of Victoria study concluded that the average North American consumes between 39,000 to 52,000 particles a year and that number can go as high as 121,000 “when inhalation is considered.” We are eating, drinking & breathing microplastics.

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