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ANTARCTIC WATERS YIELD BIG SURPRISES IN MARINE LIFE The finds must still be reviewed by experts to determine if they are in fact new, said Stu Hanchet, a fisheries scientist at New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. But beyond the discovery of new species, scientists said the survey, the most comprehensive to date in the Ross Sea, turned up other surprises. Hanchet singled out the discovery of "fields" of sea lilies that stretched for hundreds of yards across the ocean floor. "Some of these big meadows of sea lilies I don't think anybody has seen before," Hanchet said. Previously, only small-scale scientific samplings have been staged in the Ross Sea. The survey was part of the International Polar Year program involving 23 countries in 11 voyages to survey marine life and habitats around Antarctica. The program hopes to set benchmarks for determining the effects of global warming on Antarctica, researchers said. Large sea spiders, jellyfish with 12-foot tentacles, huge sea snails and starfish the size of big food platters were found during a 50-day voyage, marine scientist Don Robertson said. Cold temperatures, a small number of predators, high levels of oxygen in the sea water and even longevity could explain the size of some specimens, said Robertson, a scientist with NIWA. Robertson added that of the 30,000 specimens collected, hundreds might turn out to be new species. (Ray Lilley, Associated Press) (Star Ledger-3/22/08) (ENS- 12/6/07)
BUILDING VOC EXPOSURE FROM UNEXPECTED SOURCES Achieving and maintaining good indoor environmental quality is a goal increasingly held by property owners and managers, HVAC systems are installed, filters are changed, ducts are cleaned, vapor barriers and insulation installed. Volatile organic compounds are kept at a minimum. Air cleaners are introduced to sweep out microbes, dust, particles and spores, and diligent cleaning prevents the growth of molds and bacteria that can affect health. Detectors and specialized systems are put in place to eliminate gaseous risks like carbon monoxide and radon. Ironically, for all that, a building's problems may just be beginning.Previously unknown, or unconsidered, IEQ issues are discovered with regularity, including a recent emphasis on volatile organic compounds. But while reducing chemical components and fragrances is a first step, VOC's have myriad sources, not all of which are widely known. Atmospheric ozone and cleaning products are among the key VOC contributors missed by many.
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