Merizo Pier Case StudyJessica Lee

• Weather: Sunny• Temperature: 88◦ F• Activity: Snorkeling• Sea Temperature:

Unknown

CASE STUDY

April 3rd, 2012 -- 11:00 a.m.@ Merizo Pier

Background Information

• Guam Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Public Health and Social Services

• The Coast Guard – announced findings of

major• polychlorinated biphenyl

(PCB) contamination in the Cocos Lagoon on February 20, 2006

• warned people not to eat fish caught there.

What is PCB?

• polychlorinated biphenyl • Due to the toxicity, it is classified as a

persistent organic pollutant.• It was widely used as dielectric and

coolant fluids in transformers, capacitors, and electric motors.

• Commercial names:– Aroclor xxxx (used by Monsanto

Company)– Asbestol– Askarel– Bakola131– Chlorextol - Allis-Chalmers trade name– Hydol– Inerteen (used by Westinghouse)– Noflamol– Pyranol/Pyrenol (used by General

Electric)– Saf-T-Kuhl– Therminol

Where did it come from?

• There is no solid evidence of where it originated from, but speculations have concluded that the contamination came from a United States Coast Guard station which operated on Cocos Island from 1944-1964.

Effects of PCB• toxic and mutagenic effects by

interfering with hormones in the body.

• inhibits and imitates estradiol, the main sex hormone in females.

• Imitation of the estrogen compound can feed estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells, and possibly cause other cancers, such as uterine or cervical.

• Inhibition of estradiol can lead to serious developmental problems for both males and females, including sexual, skeletal, and mental development issues.

• Since the 1970’s, seabirds have been known to be greatly affected by PCB

• Fish have been also affected.

…the good news

• PCB detection has been a rarity since the 2006 incident.

• Species population has been stabilized.

• Coco birds are being released back to Cocos Island

…the bad news• Jet skiing hot spot• Boating hot spot• Diving hot spot• Tourist attraction

In result…

Coral types

• Br – Branching• Bo – Boulder• P – Plate• S – Soft

Samples surveyTotal:10

• 1-------------E2----------S• 2-------------E2----------Br• 3-------------E2----------Bo• 4-------------E2----------S• 5-------------E2----------Bo• 6-------------E3----------S• 7-------------E2----------Bo• 8-------------E2----------S• 9-------------E2----------Br• 10-----------E2----------Br

• Determines the health index values. The higher the number the darker the coral and the more symbiotic dinoflagellates are contained in the coral tissue.

• Bleached corals have low numbers of symbionts, are light in color and have low color score values.

• Even if the reef is healthy not all corals will have the same number of symbionts, or the same color, and it is expected that you will find a distribution of color scores spanning the entire range.

• Bleached corals.• It doesn’t necessarily mean

it’s unhealthy, but rather have a low low numbers of

symbionts, are light in color and have low color score

values

This is a jellyfish…why is that important?

WELL…• In February 20th 2012, The poisonous "Box"

jellyfish forced the cancellation of last Saturday's "Ready, Set, Snorkel" event at Merizo pier.

• Its the latest appearance of stinging jellyfish off Guam Beaches. Last month, Portuguese Man of War jellyfish were spotted in large numbers off the Asan Beach Park.

• Department of Agriculture Biologist Brent Tibbatts says while the Box Jellyfish is known for causing painful stings, most of the 10 other different species around Guam are relatively harmless.

• This latest jellyfish sighting is normal because of the jellyfish tend to appear in large numbers in sync with the lunar cycle. The last quarter moon tends to bring out large numbers of jellyfish.

• If you get stung by a jellyfish, to use vinegar. And if you get stung by a Portuguese Man-of-War, to flush the area with a lot of fresh or salt water. Contrary to popular belief, urine is not recommended to treat any of these stings

Things learned:

• PCB can cause cancer (known to affect women more)

• Bleached corals doesn’t necessarily mean they’re unhealthy

• Jellyfish stings cannot be eased with urine

• Jellyfish like moons• You can get lip sunburn

and a terrible tan line.

References:

• http://www.coralwatch.org/web/guest/coral-health-chart;jsessionid=5A9EB6958334B5092D6975093650ABC4

• http://pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21063:lunar-cycle-plays-large-part-in-recent-jellyfish-sighting-near-merizo-pier&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156

• http://reefquest.ning.com/profiles/blogs/coral-watch-coral-color-bleaching-survey-protocol

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenyl