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Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Timaru's street art begins with plankton and Mount Cook lily
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Pakar: masyarakat Pulau Buru jangan konsumsi kepala ikan beracun
"Bahan beracun seperti mercuri dan sianida itu biasanya mengendap di dalam sumsum tulang dan kepala ikan, sehingga kebiasaan mengonsumsi bagian ikan ini akan berbahaya untuk jangka panjang," kata Justinus, di Ambon, Provinsi Maluku, Sabtu.
Peringatan yang disampaikan pakar lingkungan dan kimia itu bukan tanpa alasan, sebab hasil penelitian terhadap sejumlah sampel ikan, baik yang diambil dari pasar di Namlea, Kabupaten Buru maupun di perairan laut Latuhalat, Pulau Ambon sudah tercemar merkuri dan sianida.
Penelitian ini sudah dilakukan sejak 2015, setelah maraknya aktivitas penambangan emas ilegal di Gunung Botak, Gogorea, dan Anahoni yang menggunakan berton-ton mercuri dan sianida.
Langkah ini diambil Justinus dengan mengumpulkan dana sendiri melalui penjualan bazar roti karena tidak ada dukungan dana Pemerintah Provinsi (Pemprov) Maluku dan Pemerintah Kabupaten Buru.
Menurut dia, limbah-limbah beracun dan berbahaya ini dibuang ke Sungai anahoni dan Waeapu, selanjutnya mengalir sampai ke kawasan Teluk Kayeli yang banyak dikelilingi hutan mangrove (bakau).
Setelah mengendap di daerah hutan mangrove, endapan lumpur mengandung bahan berbahaya dan beracun (B3) itu dimakan mikroba-mikroba kecil, plankton dan zooplankton, dan selanjutnya terjadilah proses rantai makanan yang berujung dimakan kepiting, ikan kecil dan ikan besar sampai akhirnya dikonsumsi manusia.
"Ikan dari perairan laut di sekitar Teluk Kayeli ini tidak selamanya menetap di sana, namun bermigrasi dan menyebar ke mana-mana sehingga kondisi seperti inilah yang membahayakan kesehatan manusia," tandasnya.
Karena itu, masyarakat diingatkan kalau membeli ikan segar di pasar, haruslah membuang kepala dan tulang serta isi perutnya karena di situlah mengedap bahan beracun mematikan, demikian Justinus Male.
Baca juga: Kemenkes akan tingkatkan layanan RS Pulau Buru
Pewarta: Daniel Leonard
Editor: Andi Jauhary
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA 2018
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Rewiring Plankton. And Reality.
OK, the “Silicon Valley Meets Biotech” subject has come up around here numerous times, most recently here, about a startup out of YCombinator called Verge Genomics. But several people have called my attention to this proposal over at (yes) YCombinator, so by gosh, it’s coming up again. Because this is just too much to believe.
It’s not strictly biopharma – this is a “request for a startup” to take a look at engineering plankton for better carbon sequestration. That’s not an insane idea per se, although it’s certainly a big risky one, but the worldview behind the proposal is perhaps the purest example of what I’ve called the “Silicon Valley Sunglasses” effect: the way that writing code and building hardware can give a person the illusion that everything else works the same way, that physical reality is there for you to re-engineer if you’re just smart enough and fast enough.
If we could figure out a way to solve phytoplankton’s mineral requirements, the entire ocean could become a powerful carbon sink, as well as a new frontier for economic growth. There are two ways of solving this problem – either get the missing minerals where they are needed (fertilization) or eliminate the need for minerals all together. We will start with what’s possible today and wade into what some might consider sci-fi. Either way, current biology won’t do the trick.
True. So far we are not in disagreement. The site starts off by talking about engineering phytoplankton to form “megastructures” to pull up more nutrients from the sea bed. How does one do that? Why, it’s just programming, you know:
When people talk about programming biology, they usually mean re-writing DNA to add some new feature. In this context, when we are talking about programming biology, we mean actually writing a complex, responsive biological programs with if/else statements, inputs and outputs that respond to a variety of different signals etc. We imagine something like a biological or biochemical Turing machine/computer instantiated at the level of a microbial cell. Actual programming. We imagine something like a more engineering or applications-oriented version of systems biology, where something approximating a multi-line python script could be instantiated in an organism.
That is actually what synthetic biology would like to achieve, and I agree that amazing things could be done when we get to that point. But no one is anywhere near it. Not within a million miles. We can hijack the natural systems inside cells, up to a point, and use the routines and structures that a billion or two years of evolution have left us. But there is no way to build a complex architecture from scratch. We don’t know how the ones we have work, and we don’t know how to make another that works, either. That paragraph is getting close to the Platonic ideal of the Valley view of how to do biology. I will leave for the reader to examine the attitude that we know enough about ecological systems to assume that turning plankton loose to make completely new megastructures in the ocean will work out fine because we clearly can work out the consequences beforehand.
But there’s more. You may be wondering about that earlier “eliminate the need for minerals” part, since those minerals are things like iron that are essential components of key enzymes. Or are they?
As we mentioned, mineral limitations are a major problem for using phytoplankton as a CDR tool. Many of these minerals are metals. These metals are used in various enzymes called metalloenzymes. All organisms have metalloenzymes. This may be leftover from life’s early evolution and may not necessarily be a necessity for biochemistry. For examples, the organisms Borrelia burgdorferi (lyme disease) and Lactobacillus plantarum (yogurt) have eliminated all iron from their metalloenzymes and instead use a different metal called manganese. This suggests that there is some flexibility with how metalloenzymes do their job. It might be possible to eliminate metals from these metalloenzymes all together.
Well. Some wheeled vehicles have spokes, while others have solid wheels, suggesting that it might be possible to eliminate wheels altogether and have cars that just sort of skid along the ground. You’ll get further in a wheel-less Tesla than you will with cells that have eliminated their requirements for all metal centers, I can tell you that. I don’t know quite where to start with this, only to suggest that this is the sort of idea that can only occur to a person who doesn’t actually know much chemistry. The reactivity of metal centers as they switch oxidation states would seem to be a very difficult thing to replicate by other means. I’m having trouble even imagining the beginnings of an idea, and honestly, I have a pretty vivid imagination.
Here’s the closest thing I can find to realism:
All of these approaches come with significant financial and technical risks. Even if all the technology was developed, it is entirely possible that the solution might not perform as expected. More modeling is required to get a higher resolution answer on this. In addition, all of these approaches rely on the release of genetically engineered phytoplankton into the ocean. Some folks might not be too keen on that idea.
That section does go on to mention that many of these things are currently beyond our abilities, but I detect a certain amount of “Well yeah, but the iPhone used to be beyond our abilities, too!” in there. What I really like is the idea that you can model your way to an answer for questions like these – that’s also an extremely revealing look into the worldview of the folks who wrote this. This is a sort of digital fundamentalism: everything comes back to 1s and 0s, because that’s all there is. Philosophically, would that be “Binism” instead of Monism? In the beginning was the bit, and it was capable of being a 1 or a 0, and Flipping of the Bit was the morning and evening of the first day? Hack the genome, hack biochemistry, hack ecology, hack the laws of chemistry and physics. We are not yet as gods, not even out in Mountain View.
Baca Di sini Bro http://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/archives/2018/10/24/rewiring-plankton-and-realityRewiring Plankton. And Reality.
OK, the “Silicon Valley Meets Biotech” subject has come up around here numerous times, most recently here, about a startup out of YCombinator called Verge Genomics. But several people have called my attention to this proposal over at (yes) YCombinator, so by gosh, it’s coming up again. Because this is just too much to believe.
It’s not strictly biopharma – this is a “request for a startup” to take a look at engineering plankton for better carbon sequestration. That’s not an insane idea per se, although it’s certainly a big risky one, but the worldview behind the proposal is perhaps the purest example of what I’ve called the “Silicon Valley Sunglasses” effect: the way that writing code and building hardware can give a person the illusion that everything else works the same way, that physical reality is there for you to re-engineer if you’re just smart enough and fast enough.
If we could figure out a way to solve phytoplankton’s mineral requirements, the entire ocean could become a powerful carbon sink, as well as a new frontier for economic growth. There are two ways of solving this problem – either get the missing minerals where they are needed (fertilization) or eliminate the need for minerals all together. We will start with what’s possible today and wade into what some might consider sci-fi. Either way, current biology won’t do the trick.
True. So far we are not in disagreement. The site starts off by talking about engineering phytoplankton to form “megastructures” to pull up more nutrients from the sea bed. How does one do that? Why, it’s just programming, you know:
When people talk about programming biology, they usually mean re-writing DNA to add some new feature. In this context, when we are talking about programming biology, we mean actually writing a complex, responsive biological programs with if/else statements, inputs and outputs that respond to a variety of different signals etc. We imagine something like a biological or biochemical Turing machine/computer instantiated at the level of a microbial cell. Actual programming. We imagine something like a more engineering or applications-oriented version of systems biology, where something approximating a multi-line python script could be instantiated in an organism.
That is actually what synthetic biology would like to achieve, and I agree that amazing things could be done when we get to that point. But no one is anywhere near it. Not within a million miles. We can hijack the natural systems inside cells, up to a point, and use the routines and structures that a billion or two years of evolution have left us. But there is no way to build a complex architecture from scratch. We don’t know how the ones we have work, and we don’t know how to make another that works, either. That paragraph is getting close to the Platonic ideal of the Valley view of how to do biology. I will leave for the reader to examine the attitude that we know enough about ecological systems to assume that turning plankton loose to make completely new megastructures in the ocean will work out fine because we clearly can work out the consequences beforehand.
But there’s more. You may be wondering about that earlier “eliminate the need for minerals” part, since those minerals are things like iron that are essential components of key enzymes. Or are they?
As we mentioned, mineral limitations are a major problem for using phytoplankton as a CDR tool. Many of these minerals are metals. These metals are used in various enzymes called metalloenzymes. All organisms have metalloenzymes. This may be leftover from life’s early evolution and may not necessarily be a necessity for biochemistry. For examples, the organisms Borrelia burgdorferi (lyme disease) and Lactobacillus plantarum (yogurt) have eliminated all iron from their metalloenzymes and instead use a different metal called manganese. This suggests that there is some flexibility with how metalloenzymes do their job. It might be possible to eliminate metals from these metalloenzymes all together.
Well. Some wheeled vehicles have spokes, while others have solid wheels, suggesting that it might be possible to eliminate wheels altogether and have cars that just sort of skid along the ground. You’ll get further in a wheel-less Tesla than you will with cells that have eliminated their requirements for all metal centers, I can tell you that. I don’t know quite where to start with this, only to suggest that this is the sort of idea that can only occur to a person who doesn’t actually know much chemistry. The reactivity of metal centers as they switch oxidation states would seem to be a very difficult thing to replicate by other means. I’m having trouble even imagining the beginnings of an idea, and honestly, I have a pretty vivid imagination.
Here’s the closest thing I can find to realism:
All of these approaches come with significant financial and technical risks. Even if all the technology was developed, it is entirely possible that the solution might not perform as expected. More modeling is required to get a higher resolution answer on this. In addition, all of these approaches rely on the release of genetically engineered phytoplankton into the ocean. Some folks might not be too keen on that idea.
That section does go on to mention that many of these things are currently beyond our abilities, but I detect a certain amount of “Well yeah, but the iPhone used to be beyond our abilities, too!” in there. What I really like is the idea that you can model your way to an answer for questions like these – that’s also an extremely revealing look into the worldview of the folks who wrote this. This is a sort of digital fundamentalism: everything comes back to 1s and 0s, because that’s all there is. Philosophically, would that be “Binism” instead of Monism? In the beginning was the bit, and it was capable of being a 1 or a 0, and Flipping of the Bit was the morning and evening of the first day? Hack the genome, hack biochemistry, hack ecology, hack the laws of chemistry and physics. We are not yet as gods, not even out in Mountain View.
Baca Di sini Bro http://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/archives/2018/10/24/rewiring-plankton-and-realitySunday, October 21, 2018
Ada Ubur-ubur di Pantai Ancol, Ini 4 Fakta agar Pengunjung Tak Perlu Khawatir
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JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Beberapa waktu lalu, sejumlah ubur-ubur tampak di permukaan pantai Ancol, Jakarta Utara.
Ubur-ubur yang muncul di permukaan pantai itu terlihat dalam berbagai warna. Ada yang berwarna putih tulang, ada juga yang berwarna cokelat.
Beberapa pengunjung sempat khawatir apabila terkena efek sengatan hewan transparan ini. Namun tak sedikit pula yang memilih tetap berenang di pantai tersebut.
Meski demikian, apakah ubur-ubur yang muncul di Ancol tersebut termasuk berbahaya?
Baca juga: Pihak Ancol Sebut Ubur-ubur Biasanya Muncul Saat Musim Panas dan Kering
Berikut empat fakta tentang ubur-ubur di Ancol:
1. Muncul saat musim panas dan kering
Fenomena munculnya ubur-ubur di Pantai Ancol disebut tak hanya baru terjadi kali ini.
General Manajer PT Taman Impian Sunarto mengatakan, hewan yang terdiri dari 95 persen air ini akan muncul kala musim panas dan kering tiba.
"Setiap season tertentu pasti akan muncul. Kalau kita amati di bulan kering dan panas dia biasanya akan muncul. Kalau hujan justru enggak," ujar Sunarto di Sea World, Ancol, Jakarta Utara, Sabtu (20/10/2018).
Berdasarkan data dari PT Manajemen Taman Impian Jaya Ancol sendiri, munculnya ubur-ubur ini bahkan bisa terjadi setiap tahunnya sesuai siklus alam.
Apalagi, perubahan suhu sangat menentukan perpindahan ubur.
Baca juga: Ubur-ubur Bermunculan di Permukaan Pantai Ancol
"Dari data kita ini memang siklus alam, bahwa ada setiap tahun. Jadi biota yang ada di air ini mereka sangat berkorelasi erat dengan perubahan suhu. Pada dasarnya plankton-plankton itu suhu berubah, dia pindah," ujarnya.
2. Kondisi kesuburan air yang menurun
Kepala Suku Dinas Ketahanan Pangan, Kelautan, dan Pertanian (KPKP) Jakarta Utara Rita Nirmala mengatakan, munculnya ubur-ubur di permukaan air Pantai Ancol saat ini karena kondisi kesuburan air yang menurun.
“Biasanya ubur-ubur itu banyak kalau kesuburan perairan berkurang atau menurun,” kata Rita, Sabtu (13/10/2018).
Perairan menjadi kurang subur karena kurangnya tumbuhan-tumbuhan kecil dan hewan yang melayang di air tersebut.
Baca juga: Banyak Ubur-ubur di Pantai Ancol, Manajemen Pasang Papan Peringatan
“Perubahan paramater kimiawi dan fisik perairan yang menurun inilah yang menyebabkan banyak ubur-ubur yang ada di pantai Ancol ini,” ujar Rita.
Cuaca yang ekstrem seperti akhir-akhir ini menjadi salah satu penyebab kesuburan air menurun.
Namun, Rita mengatakan fenomena itu tidak akan berlangsung lama karena air memiliki daya pulihnya.
3. Ada 2 Jenis Ubur-ubur di Ancol
Peneliti Plankton Laut Pusat Penelitian Oseanografi Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (LIPI) Arief Rahman menyebutkan, ada dua jenis ubur-ubur yang terdapat di Pantai Ancol, Jakarta Utara.
Kedua jenis tersebut yaitu phyllorhyza sp (spotted jelly) dan catostylus sp (jelly blubber).
Baca juga: Pasca Munculnya Ubur-ubur, Pantai Ancol Tetap Aman Dikunjungi
"Yang saat ini sedang berkembang biak di ancol atau blooming di ancol, adalah phyllorhyza sp (spotted jelly) dan catostylus sp (jelly blubber)," ucap Arief di Sea World, Ancol, Jakarta Utara, Sabtu (20/10/2018).
4. Efek sengatan lemah
Arief menyebut, efek sengatan dua jenis ubur-ubur itu masuk kategori sengatan lemah atau mild stinger.
"Ternyata memang yang kami temukan dua spesies yang paling banyak ditemukan di perairan dalam Ancol itu adalah spotted jelly dan jelly blubber. Dua jenis itu memang dikategorikan sebagai penyengat lemah," kata Arief di Sea World, Ancol, Sabtu (20/10/2018).
Menurut dia, efek yang timbul ketika orang terkena sengatan ubur-ubur itu adalah gatal-gatal, rasa panas, dan bekas berwarna merah. Namun, efek tersebut dipastikan tak berbahaya dan akan hilang dalam beberapa jam.
Baca juga: Sengatan Ubur-Ubur di Perairan Ancol Masuk Kategori Lemah
"Saat ini efek yang ditemukan dari laporan masyarakat dan datanya Ancol untuk life guard-nya itu baru gatal-gatal dan terasa panas saat terkena sengatan, rasa sakit dan juga bekas merah," ucap Arief.
"Itu biasanya akan hilang dengan sendirinya dalam berapa jam atau bila ditangani sesuai dikatakan dokter dengan memberikan cuka itu bisa diharapkan tidak ada efek samping yang timbul," ujar dia.
Baca Di sini Bro https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2018/10/22/11345241/ada-ubur-ubur-di-pantai-ancol-ini-4-fakta-agar-pengunjung-tak-perlu
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Ubur-ubur di Pantai Ancol Biasanya Muncul Saat Musim Panas dan Kering
TRIBUNNEWSBOGOR. COM - Fenomena munculnya ubur-ubur di Pantai Ancol disebut tak hanya baru terjadi kali ini.
General Manajer PT Taman Impian Sunarto mengatakan, hewan yang terdiri dari 95 persen air ini akan muncul kala musim panas dan kering tiba.
"Setiap season tertentu pasti akan muncul. Kalau kita amati di bulan kering dan panas dia biasanya akan muncul. Kalau hujan justru enggak," ujar Sunarto di Sea World, Ancol, Jakarta Utara, Sabtu (20/10/2018).
Berdasarkan data dari PT Manajemen Taman Impian Jaya Ancol sendiri, munculnya ubur-ubur ini bahkan bisa terjadi setiap tahunnya sesuai siklus alam.
Apalagi, perubahan suhu sangat menentukan perpindahan ubur.
"Dari data kita ini memang siklus alam, bahwa ada setiap tahun. Jadi biota yang ada di air ini mereka sangat berkorelasi erat dengan perubahan suhu. Pada dasarnya plankton-plankton itu suhu berubah, dia pindah," jelasnya.
Meski demikian, Peneliti Plankton Laut Pusat Penelitian Oseanografi Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (LIPI) Arief Rahman mengatakan, pihaknya belum dapat memastikan secara spesifik mengapa ubur-ubur muncul di Ancol.
"Kami belum bisa memastikan kenapa ubur-ubur muncul di Ancol, jadi kami sudah mengambil sampel di Ancol dan Sea World," kata Arief.
Untuk itu, LIPI saat ini masih berkoordinasi dengan beberapa pihak dan masih melakukan penelitian untuk bisa mengeluarkan data tentang hal tersebut.
"Saat ini memang kami masih berkordinasi dgn beberapa pihak agar hasil yang keluar dari LIPI benar-benar didukung dengan data," tutupnya.
Sebelumnya, Ubur-ubur berbagai ukuran sempat terlihat di Pantai Ancol beberapa waktu lalu. Ada ubur-ubur yang berwarna putih dan cokelat.
Beberapa pengunjung pantai sempat khawatir karena jika bersentuhan akan terkena dampak gatal dari ubur-ubur.
Untuk menanggulangi kekhawatiran ini, pihak manajemen Ancol Taman Impian mengadakan kegiatan diskusi dalam upaya memberikan informasi sekaligus edukasi lebih dalam mengenai ubur-ubur, di Sea World Ancol, Sabtu (20/10/2018) dengan tajuk "Yuk, kenali ubur-ubur lebih dekat".
Baca Di sini Bro http://bogor.tribunnews.com/2018/10/20/ubur-ubur-di-pantai-ancol-biasanya-muncul-saat-musim-panas-dan-keringPihak Ancol Sebut Ubur-ubur Biasanya Muncul Saat Musim Panas dan Kering
/data/photo/2018/10/13/2296645352.jpeg)
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Fenomena munculnya ubur-ubur di Pantai Ancol disebut tak hanya baru terjadi kali ini.
General Manajer PT Taman Impian Sunarto mengatakan, hewan yang terdiri dari 95 persen air ini akan muncul kala musim panas dan kering tiba.
"Setiap season tertentu pasti akan muncul. Kalau kita amati di bulan kering dan panas dia biasanya akan muncul. Kalau hujan justru enggak," ujar Sunarto di Sea World, Ancol, Jakarta Utara, Sabtu (20/10/2018).
Berdasarkan data dari PT Manajemen Taman Impian Jaya Ancol sendiri, munculnya ubur-ubur ini bahkan bisa terjadi setiap tahunnya sesuai siklus alam.
Apalagi, perubahan suhu sangat menentukan perpindahan ubur.
"Dari data kita ini memang siklus alam, bahwa ada setiap tahun. Jadi biota yang ada di air ini mereka sangat berkorelasi erat dengan perubahan suhu. Pada dasarnya plankton-plankton itu suhu berubah, dia pindah," jelasnya.
Meski demikian, Peneliti Plankton Laut Pusat Penelitian Oseanografi Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (LIPI) Arief Rahman mengatakan, pihaknya belum dapat memastikan secara spesifik mengapa ubur-ubur muncul di Ancol.
"Kami belum bisa memastikan kenapa ubur-ubur muncul di Ancol, jadi kami sudah mengambil sampel di Ancol dan Sea World," kata Arief.
Baca juga: Ubur-ubur di Pantai Ancol Dipindahkan ke Seaworld
Untuk itu, LIPI saat ini masih berkoordinasi dengan beberapa pihak dan masih melakukan penelitian untuk bisa mengeluarkan data tentang hal tersebut.
"Saat ini memang kami masih berkordinasi dgn beberapa pihak agar hasil yang keluar dari LIPI benar-benar didukung dengan data," tutupnya.
Sebelumnya, Ubur-ubur berbagai ukuran sempat terlihat di Pantai Ancol beberapa waktu lalu. Ada ubur-ubur yang berwarna putih dan cokelat.
Beberapa pengunjung pantai sempat khawatir karena jika bersentuhan akan terkena dampak gatal dari ubur-ubur.
Untuk menanggulangi kekhawatiran ini, pihak manajemen Ancol Taman Impian mengadakan kegiatan diskusi dalam upaya memberikan informasi sekaligus edukasi lebih dalam mengenai ubur-ubur, di Sea World Ancol, Sabtu (20/10/2018) dengan tajuk "Yuk, kenali ubur-ubur lebih dekat".
Baca Di sini Bro https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2018/10/20/14003471/pihak-ancol-sebut-ubur-ubur-biasanya-muncul-saat-musim-panas-dan-kering
Thursday, October 18, 2018
A curious branch of plankton evolution
Planktonic foraminifera (forams) -- tiny, shelled organisms that float in the sea -- left behind one of the most complete fossil records of evolutionary history in deep sea deposits. Consequently, evolutionists have a relatively sturdy grasp on when and how new lineages arose and developed their own unique features. However, a study publishing October 17 in the journal iScience reveals that one foram lineage evolved much more rapidly than everyone predicted, and researchers are looking beyond Darwin's original theories of gradual evolution to understand why.
"It was an exciting moment. What our study and many others are starting to agree on is that evolution of forams is not necessarily gradual, as Darwin and more recent scientists thought," says first author Russell Bicknell, a palaeontologist at the University of New England's Palaeoscience Research Centre in Australia. "Life can exist for long periods of time exhibiting only minor changes followed by rapid, punctuated shifts."
Bicknell's team, made up of researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, measured the size and shape of one lineage of forams, called Truncorotalia, using 1,459 fossils from 5.9 and 4.5 million years ago. Using these measurements and time series analyses, they found that the shape of Truncorotalia's shell rapidly morphed 5.1 million years ago. At that time, oceans were cooling and flooding the earth.
"The abrupt change in the shape of Truncorotalia's shell shows that foram lineages can evolve rapidly, explosively, and dramatically," says Bicknell. "That points to more complex evolutionary dynamics than previously thought and justifies a re-evaluation of the evolutionary dynamics of other foram lineages."
The researchers think either of two post-Darwinian theories could describe the rapid changes they observed: punctuated equilibrium and quantum evolution. Punctuated equilibrium describes short bursts and subsequent steady periods of morphological change within a lineage. The theory of quantum evolution describes broader, rapid splits into new families, orders, and classes. If the theory fits, the researchers have potentially observed quantum evolution at a species level for the first time. In either case, the researchers believe previous theories of gradual evolution in foram lineages need reassessment.
Although the researchers' analyses were limited to a specific window of history, the tools they used can be applied widely to various moderately complete fossil records. They hope that more evolutionists will adopt these tools and continue to challenge standard theories on the foram's evolution.
"Evolution is so much more complicated than we think," says Bicknell. "How, when, and why evolutionary changes occur constantly surprise us. It is one of the reasons working in evolution is so much fun."
Story Source:
Materials provided by Cell Press. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
A curious branch of plankton evolution
Planktonic foraminifera (forams) - tiny, shelled organisms that float in the sea - left behind one of the most complete fossil records of evolutionary history in deep sea deposits. Consequently, evolutionists have a relatively sturdy grasp on when and how new lineages arose and developed their own unique features. However, a study publishing October 17 in the journal iScience reveals that one foram lineage evolved much more rapidly than everyone predicted, and researchers are looking beyond Darwin's original theories of gradual evolution to understand why.
"It was an exciting moment. What our study and many others are starting to agree on is that evolution of forams is not necessarily gradual, as Darwin and more recent scientists thought," says first author Russell Bicknell, a palaeontologist at the University of New England's Palaeoscience Research Centre in Australia. "Life can exist for long periods of time exhibiting only minor changes followed by rapid, punctuated shifts."
Bicknell's team, made up of researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, measured the size and shape of one lineage of forams, called Truncorotalia, using 1,459 fossils from 5.9 and 4.5 million years ago. Using these measurements and time series analyses, they found that the shape of Truncorotalia's shell rapidly morphed 5.1 million years ago. At that time, oceans were cooling and flooding the earth.
"The abrupt change in the shape of Truncorotalia's shell shows that foram lineages can evolve rapidly, explosively, and dramatically," says Bicknell. "That points to more complex evolutionary dynamics than previously thought and justifies a re-evaluation of the evolutionary dynamics of other foram lineages."
The researchers think either of two post-Darwinian theories could describe the rapid changes they observed: punctuated equilibrium and quantum evolution. Punctuated equilibrium describes short bursts and subsequent steady periods of morphological change within a lineage. The theory of quantum evolution describes broader, rapid splits into new families, orders, and classes. If the theory fits, the researchers have potentially observed quantum evolution at a species level for the first time. In either case, the researchers believe previous theories of gradual evolution in foram lineages need reassessment.
Although the researchers' analyses were limited to a specific window of history, the tools they used can be applied widely to various moderately complete fossil records. They hope that more evolutionists will adopt these tools and continue to challenge standard theories on the foram's evolution.
"Evolution is so much more complicated than we think," says Bicknell. "How, when, and why evolutionary changes occur constantly surprise us. It is one of the reasons working in evolution is so much fun."
###
This research was funded by the William V. Sliter Research Award (2014) from the Cushman Foundation and the Australian Postgraduate Award from the University of New England.
iScience, Bicknell et al.: "Evolutionary transition in the late Neogene planktonic foraminiferal genus Truncorotalia associated with the Miocene/Pliocene boundary." URL: https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(18)30148-2 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.09.013
iScience (@iScience_CP) is a new open-access journal from Cell Press that provides a platform for original research in the life, physical, and earth sciences. The primary criterion for publication in iScience is a significant contribution to a relevant field combined with robust results and underlying methodology. Visit: http://www.
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Tiga Insiden Misterius yang Terjadi di International Space Station
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Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Ubur-Ubur Muncul di Pantai Ancol, Peneliti Plankton Temukan Jenis yang Sengatannya Menyakitkan
TRIBUNNEWS.COM, JAKARTA ---Fenomena munculnya ubur-ubur di Pantai Lagoon Ancol, Pademangan, Jakarta Utara, sempat menjadi perbincangan hangat.
Hasilnya ubur-ubur yang ditemukan sejauh ini sudah ada tiga jenis berbeda yang muncul di kawasan tersebut.
Peneliti Plankton Pusat Penelitian Oseanografi LIPI, Arief Rachman, mengatakan, pihaknya sudah mendapatkan sampel ubur-ubur yang muncul di kawasan Pantai Ancol dari pihak pengelola.
“Jenis ubur-ubur yang blooming di Pantai Ancol ada tiga jenis. Kemarin dapat satu, awalnya kita identitikasi sebagai Rhizostomae, kemudian konfirmasi ahli dari Jepang ternyata Catostylus,” kata Arief, Selasa (16/10/2018).
Selain itu masih ada dua jenis ubur-ubur lainnya yang masih diperiksa.
Menurut Arief, kedua ubur-ubur tersebut belum dapat dipastikan secara pasti mengenai jenisnya karena masih harus diteliti lebih lanjut.
“Ternyata dapat info ada dua jenis blooming, pertama warna coklat dengan bintik putih, kita masih rancu antara Mastigias atau Phyllorhiza. Satu lagi Sea Nettle nama umumnya, kemungkinan dari jenis Chrysaora,” katanya.
Khusus dua jenis ubur-ubur terakhir, Arief meminta agar warga meningkatkan kewaspadaannya saat berada di pantai.
Pasalnya kedua jenis ubur-ubur tersebut sangat berbahaya sengatannya.
“Nah dari tiga itu yang perlu diwaspadai yang dua terakhir karena sengatannya menyakitkan dibandingkan yang pertama.
Kalau yang dua terakhir kena tangan atau kulit bisa kena iritasi berat dan merah seperti terbakar,” katanya.
(Wartakotalive.com/Junianto Hamonangan)
Baca Di sini Bro http://www.tribunnews.com/sains/2018/10/17/ubur-ubur-muncul-di-pantai-ancol-peneliti-plankton-temukan-jenis-yang-sengatannya-menyakitkanPenjelasan Peneliti Plankton Mengenai Ubur-Ubur di Pantai Ancol Jakarta Utara
WARTA KOTA, PADEMANGAN---Fenomena ubur-ubur di Pantai Lagoon Ancol, Pademangan, Jakarta Utara, sempat menjadi perbincangan hangat.
Hasilnya ubur-ubur yang ditemukan sejauh ini sudah ada tiga jenis berbeda yang muncul di kawasan tersebut.
Peneliti Plankton Pusat Penelitian Oseanografi LIPI, Arief Rachman, mengatakan, pihaknya sudah mendapatkan sampel ubur-ubur yang muncul di kawasan Pantai Ancol dari pihak pengelola.
“Jenis ubur-ubur yang blooming di Pantai Ancol ada tiga jenis. Kemarin dapat satu, awalnya kita identitikasi sebagai Rhizostomae, kemudian konfirmasi ahli dari Jepang ternyata Catostylus,” kata Arief, Selasa (16/10/2018).
Selain itu masih ada dua jenis ubur-ubur lainnya yang masih diperiksa.
Menurut Arief, kedua ubur-ubur tersebut belum dapat dipastikan secara pasti mengenai jenisnya karena masih harus diteliti lebih lanjut.
“Ternyata dapat info ada dua jenis blooming, pertama warna coklat dengan bintik putih, kita masih rancu antara Mastigias atau Phyllorhiza. Satu lagi Sea Nettle nama umumnya, kemungkinan dari jenis Chrysaora,” katanya.
Khusus dua jenis ubur-ubur terakhir, Arief meminta agar warga meningkatkan kewaspadaannya saat berada di pantai. Pasalnya kedua jenis ubur-ubur tersebut sangat berbahaya sengatannya.
“Nah dari tiga itu yang perlu diwaspadai yang dua terakhir karena sengatannya menyakitkan dibandingkan yang pertama. Kalau yang dua terakhir kena tangan atau kulit bisa kena iritasi berat dan merah seperti terbakar,” katanya.
Baca: Pertolongan Pertama saat Tersengat Ubur-Ubur, Begini Cara Melakukannya
Baca: Fenomena Ubur-Ubur di Pantai Ancol, Pengelola Kembangkan Program Breeding
Baca Di sini Bro http://wartakota.tribunnews.com/2018/10/17/penjelasan-peneliti-plankton-mengenai-ubur-ubur-di-pantai-ancol-jakarta-utaraMonday, October 15, 2018
Terjawab! Inilah Alasan Kenapa 'Chum Bucket' Tak Pernah Laku
JAKARTA, JITUNEWS.COM - Jika kamu seorang penggemar film kartun dan mengikuti serial Spongebob Squarepants, pasti sudah tidak asing dengan retoran berbentuk ember bernama Chum Bucket.
Chum Bucket adalah restoran milik Plankton, sang pesaing abadi dari Mr. Krabs selaku pemilik restoran paling laris di Bikini Buttom. Sayangnya, nasib Chum Bucket tidak semanis Krusty Krabs. Restoran yang desain luarnya berbentuk ember ini diceritain jarang sekali disatronin pelanggan.
Baca juga: Inilah Alasan Kenapa Nyamuk Suka Terbang di Sekitar Telinga
Mengapa Tokoh Anime Tak Pernah Ganti Kostum? Ini Jawabannya!
Yang menjadi pertanyaan kita selama ini adalah, kenapa restoran milik Plankton ini tak pernah laku, bahkan menyaingi Krusty Krabs saja tidak. Berikut adalah alasan tersebut.
1. Plankton tidak tahu cara berbisnis - Entah apa yang difikirkan oleh Plankton, bukanya berinovasi menciptakan produk baru, dia malah fokus mencuri resep Krabby Patty.
Kita tahu bahwa dalam berwirausaha, terus berinovasi adalah hal terpenting untuk maju dan berkembang. Sayangnya hal ini tidak dilakukan oleh Plankton.
Bukan Tak Mendidik, Ini 5 Pelajaran Hidup dari Squidward Tentacles!
Baca Di sini Bro http://www.jitunews.com/read/88168/terjawab-inilah-alasan-kenapa-chum-bucket-tak-pernah-lakuTuesday, October 9, 2018
World of Plankton Interactive Ecological Game at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
October 9, 2018
Virtual touch-pool aquarium takes visitors into the hidden realm of microscopic freshwater organisms
At the confluence of game design, art, and science is The World of Plankton, a virtual touch-pool aquarium that explains the role of plankton in freshwater ecology. In an installation at the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, The World of Plankton allows up to four players to gather around a giant digital touch table to capture and explore zooplankton, phytoplankton, and fish species.
The World of Plankton exhibit was funded by the Jefferson Project at Lake George—a collaboration between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, IBM Research, and The FUND for Lake George—and designed by Kathleen Ruiz, associate professor of integrated arts and co-founder of the Rensselaer Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences program.
Ruiz and Rensselaer students collaborated on the project with Jefferson Project researchers with a goal of introducing the public to the hidden realms of microscopic freshwater organisms and the importance of protecting freshwater resources.
On Lake George, the Jefferson Project has developed the world’s most advanced environmental monitoring system, to better understand and protect freshwater ecosystems from the impacts of human activities. This new model of ecosystem protection combines a Smart Sensor Network that gathers more than nine terabytes of physical and chemical data annually; computer models that depict the flow of water and threats throughout the watershed; surveys of plants and animals; and ongoing experiments to determine the impacts of human activities on the lake.
The project—which draws on research experts in biological sciences, earth and environmental sciences, engineering, computer science, and the arts—has sparked numerous offshoots, including The World of Plankton. Working under Ruiz’s direction, students in the arts and game design programs at Rensselaer developed original two- and three-dimensional art, animation, music, sound design, artificial intelligence, and programming for the installation.
“Jefferson Project is delighted to see science and art merged in an advanced medium that communicates the importance of protecting fresh water around the world and also represents the promise of technology in protecting our environment,” said Rick Relyea, director of the Jefferson Project at Lake George and the David M. Darrin ’40 Senior Endowed Chair.
The interactive installation sits on a platform that resembles sculpted lake rocks and is surrounded by an original 32-foot digitally painted mural and an animated Plankton Zoo featuring three-dimensional print sculptures in resin. Visitors can bring the plankton sculptures to life on their mobile devices by scanning QR codes found in the installation to activate original animation and music.
"World of Plankton is not only beautiful but highly engaging—a real achievement. Our guests have been visibly delighted by the experience,” said Nina Ridhibhinyo, director of programs and strategy at ECHO.
The exhibit opened September 22 and will run through January 6, 2019, at the ECHO Innovation Playground, 1 College Street, Burlington, Vermont. The World of Plankton exemplifies the vision of The New Polytechnic, an emerging paradigm for higher education which recognizes that global challenges and opportunities are so great they cannot be adequately addressed by even the most talented person working alone. Research at Rensselaer addresses some of the world’s most pressing technological challenges—from energy security and sustainable development to biotechnology and human health.
About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824, is America’s first technological research university. For nearly 200 years, Rensselaer has been defining the scientific and technological advances of our world. Rensselaer faculty and alumni represent 85 members of the National Academy of Engineering, 17 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 25 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 8 members of the National Academy of Medicine, 8 members of the National Academy of Inventors, and 5 members of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, as well as 6 National Medal of Technology winners, 5 National Medal of Science winners, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. With 7,000 students and nearly 100,000 living alumni, Rensselaer is addressing the global challenges facing the 21st century—to change lives, to advance society, and to change the world. To learn more, go to www.rpi.edu.
Baca Di sini Bro https://news.rpi.edu/content/2018/10/09/world-plankton-interactive-ecological-game-echo-leahy-center-lake-champlainWorld of Plankton Interactive Ecological Game at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
World of Plankton Interactive Ecological Game at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Virtual touch-pool aquarium takes visitors into the hidden realm of microscopic freshwater organisms
Article ID: 701922
Released: 9-Oct-2018 2:05 PM EDT
Source Newsroom: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
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Credit: Rensselaer
The World of Plankton allows up to four players to gather around a giant digital touch table to capture and explore zooplankton, phytoplankton, and fish species.
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Newswise — Troy, N.Y. – At the confluence of game design, art, and science is The World of Plankton, a virtual touch-pool aquarium that explains the role of plankton in freshwater ecology. In an installation at the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, The World of Plankton allows up to four players to gather around a giant digital touch table to capture and explore zooplankton, phytoplankton, and fish species.
The World of Plankton exhibit was funded by the Jefferson Project at Lake George—a collaboration between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, IBM Research, and The FUND for Lake George—and designed by Kathleen Ruiz, associate professor of integrated arts and co-founder of the Rensselaer Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences program.
Ruiz and Rensselaer students collaborated on the project with Jefferson Project researchers with a goal of introducing the public to the hidden realms of microscopic freshwater organisms and the importance of protecting freshwater resources.
On Lake George, the Jefferson Project has developed the world’s most advanced environmental monitoring system, to better understand and protect freshwater ecosystems from the impacts of human activities. This new model of ecosystem protection combines a Smart Sensor Network that gathers more than nine terabytes of physical and chemical data annually; computer models that depict the flow of water and threats throughout the watershed; surveys of plants and animals; and ongoing experiments to determine the impacts of human activities on the lake.
The project—which draws on research experts in biological sciences, earth and environmental sciences, engineering, computer science, and the arts—has sparked numerous offshoots, including The World of Plankton. Working under Ruiz’s direction, students in the arts and game design programs at Rensselaer developed original two- and three-dimensional art, animation, music, sound design, artificial intelligence, and programming for the installation.
“Jefferson Project is delighted to see science and art merged in an advanced medium that communicates the importance of protecting fresh water around the world and also represents the promise of technology in protecting our environment,” said Rick Relyea, director of the Jefferson Project at Lake George and the David M. Darrin ’40 Senior Endowed Chair.
The interactive installation sits on a platform that resembles sculpted lake rocks and is surrounded by an original 32-foot digitally painted mural and an animated Plankton Zoo featuring three-dimensional print sculptures in resin. Visitors can bring the plankton sculptures to life on their mobile devices by scanning QR codes found in the installation to activate original animation and music.
"World of Plankton is not only beautiful but highly engaging—a real achievement. Our guests have been visibly delighted by the experience,” said Nina Ridhibhinyo, director of programs and strategy at ECHO.
The exhibit opened September 22 and will run through January 6, 2019, at the ECHO Innovation Playground, 1 College Street, Burlington, Vermont. The World of Plankton exemplifies the vision of The New Polytechnic, an emerging paradigm for higher education which recognizes that global challenges and opportunities are so great they cannot be adequately addressed by even the most talented person working alone. Research at Rensselaer addresses some of the world’s most pressing technological challenges—from energy security and sustainable development to biotechnology and human health.
About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824, is America’s first technological research university. For nearly 200 years, Rensselaer has been defining the scientific and technological advances of our world. Rensselaer faculty and alumni represent 85 members of the National Academy of Engineering, 17 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 25 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 8 members of the National Academy of Medicine, 8 members of the National Academy of Inventors, and 5 members of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, as well as 6 National Medal of Technology winners, 5 National Medal of Science winners, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. With 7,000 students and nearly 100,000 living alumni, Rensselaer is addressing the global challenges facing the 21st century—to change lives, to advance society, and to change the world. To learn more, go to www.rpi.edu.
AZFP Used to Detect Fish and Plankton Movement Between Arctic Marine and Lagoon Environments
The North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management (NSB-DWM) deployed a multifrequency (38, 125, 200 and 455 kHz) ASL Environmental Sciences’ Acoustic Zooplankton Fish Profiler (AZFP) in the nearshore Beaufort Sea at an Arctic lagoon pass near Utqiagvik/Barrow, Alaska (USA), in July 2018. The data retrieved from the AZFP will be used to determine the presence of fish and plankton under ice and their movements between the marine and lagoon environments especially during freeze-up and break-up seasons.
Jigging and net sampling will be conducted to collect fish and plankton samples throughout the year in order to verify acoustic targets and to determine if the nearshore environment is an important overwintering habitat for Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) and neritic plankton which are critical components of the Arctic marine food web.
The AZFP was mounted on a low profile mooring frame and oriented to look upwards. It will record data continuously for a year and it is also equipped with a CTD and an adjacent current meter. These data will help detect the habitat parameters that may be associated with changes in fish and plankton distribution in the nearshore environment.
Last updated: 09/10/2018 Baca Di sini Bro https://hydro-international.com/content/article/azfp-used-to-detect-fish-and-plankton-movement-between-arctic-marine-and-lagoon-environmentsMonday, October 8, 2018
12 stunning photos of plankton underwater that will play tricks on your eyes
- caption
- "Larval Tripod fish."
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
- Ryo Minemizu shows a world most people don't even know exists: the world of microscopic plankton.
- His photos raise awareness about the tiny creatures that play an important role in the food chain.
- His photos have garnered so much attention that he now has a book out, which is called "Jewels In the Night Sea."
When people think of plankton, they usually envision nondescript little bits floating in the ocean. But thanks to photographer Ryo Minemizu, we can get a glimpse of their otherworldly beauty.
His photos have garnered so much attention that his series, "The Secret World of Plankton," won him the 2017 Nikkei National Geographic Photo Prize. He also has a book out, called "Jewels In the Night Sea."
Minemizu recently concluded an exhibition in Japan, which featured 40 of his photographs. Keep scrolling to see some of his most mesmerizing pieces.
Minemizu has been a photographer since 1990.
- caption
- Larval Tripod Fish.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
He started diving around the ame time he got interested in photography.
The idea for photographing plankton came to him on a dive. He told INSIDER that he was "immediately drawn to the rich marine life around [him], and plankton in particular."
- caption
- Larval fish of Dendrochirus.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
"I was inspired by what I saw and decided to document it with my camera," he said.
"I wanted to bring more attention to the sea’s tiniest creatures because they are so vital to our Earth despite their small size," he said.
- caption
- Hyperiidea on Nausithoe jellyfish.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
"Plankton are an important source of food for larger animals. Fish and whales would not be able to survive without them. They are also the most abundant life form on Earth, and play a critical role in the marine food chain," Minemizu explained.
Minemizu is a self-taught photographer, and started before digital photography existed.
- caption
- The paddle of zoea larva of Lysmata.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
"I made a lot of mistakes in the early years and learned through trial and error," he said.
Working with a digital camera made his work easier.
- caption
- Megalopa larva of Eplumula phalangium.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
"I had more control over the changing environment in the sea and I could also check my work to make sure I got what I needed before I left a location. Following the direction of the wind and tide, the ebb and flow, are key to shooting plankton," he shared.
Still, it took Minemizu about two years to perfect photographing plankton underwater.
- caption
- Llarval fish of Hoplichthys.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
"It's still trial and error," he said.
Timing is a big challenge: "I often have only seconds or minutes to photograph my subjects."
- caption
- Tornaria larva of Acorn worms.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
"When I chase the plankton I have to be careful not to go too quickly from deeper water to the surface as there is the risk of decompression sickness," he said.
He still spends a lot of time in the water to capture his photos, regularly going on five-hour dives during the day, and two-hour dives at night, multiple days in a row.
- caption
- Larva of Pleurobranchaea.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
"As long as I am diving at a depth of 10 meters (33 feet), I can be in the water longer," he explained.
"There are so many plankton in the ocean that have yet to be discovered and documented," he said.
- caption
- Megalopa larva of deep water carrier crab.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
But the results of his hard work speak for themselves: who knew that plankton was so beautiful?
- caption
- Unknown a larval Gymnapogon.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
He recently wrapped up an exhibition in Japan called "Jewels In the Night Sea," featuring 40 of his photographs.
"Through my work, I also wish to raise awareness of the pressing issue that our oceans and seas are becoming increasingly polluted with plastics," he said.
- caption
- Macgillivryia larva of snail.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
"Planktons normally use jellyfish for floating like boats. But now I often see plankton floating on pieces of plastic. Plastic pollution is killing plankton," he explained.
Either way, his photos really put plankton in a whole new light.
- caption
- Batesian mimicry, larval fish of Soleichthys.
- source
- Ryo Minemizu
Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.
Baca Di sini Bro https://nordic.businessinsider.com/plankton-photos-ryo-minemizu-2018-9/Sentil Pengunjung, Pungut Sampah di Tengah Keramaian
PANGANDARAN – Puluhan mantan narapidana yang tergabung dalam komunitas Mantan Narapidana Tasikmalaya (Manasix) melaksanakan aksi bersih pantai di Pangandaran, kemarin(7/10). Mereka berkolaborasi dengan komunitas Rumah Plankton dan Taruna Siaga Bencana (Tagana) Pangandaran.
“Kami bersyukur diterima sangat baik oleh masyarakat Pangandaran, disambut teman-teman dari Rumah Plankton dan Tagana. Kami datang untuk melaksanakan aksi sosial membersihkan sampah yang ada di pantai,” tutur Asep Ugar Ketua Manasik kepada Radar.
Dikatakannya, persoalan sampah kerap menjadi masalah dan mengancam kelestarian lingkungan. “Banyak orang hanya menikmati alamnya saja tapi lupa menjaganya. Karena itu kita melakukan aksi ini, kita berhasil mengumpulkan sampah plastik dan puntung rokok dalam kantung-kantung besar,” ujarnya.
Asep berharap aksi yang dilakukannya juga dapat menggugah para wisatawan untuk tidak membuang sampah ke pantai. “Kita sengaja melakukan aksi bersih pantai ini di tempat yang paling ramai, karena memang di lokasi tersebut yang banyak sampahnya, mudah-mudahan menjadi perhatian bersama,” ujarnya.
Ia menambahkan Manasix juga memiliki kegiatan rutin, yakni sosialisasi bahaya narkoba di kalangan pelajar. “Kami tidak malu dan minder menjadi seorang narapidana, justru kami ingin berbuat baik, kami ingin generasi anak bangsa ini tidak terjerumus dalam narkoba. Jangan pernah mencoba, sekali menyentuhnya berarti sudah mendekatkan diri dengan kematian dan kehancuran,” ujarnya.
Ketua Komunitas Rumah Plankton Pangandaran Andi Nuroni mengapresiasi aksi sosial yang dilakukan komunitas Manasix. “Kami tentunya senang bisa berkolaborasi dengan teman-teman dari Manasix. Luar biasa sekali, kegiatan yang sangat positif,” ujarnya. (nay)
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Sunday, October 7, 2018
Kerang Hijau: Penyelamat Kelamnya Kondisi Air Teluk Jakarta
TRIBUNNEWS.COM - Teluk Jakarta merupakan wilayah perairan dangkal di utara Provinsi DKI Jakarta. Pada teluk ini bermuara 13 sungai yang membelah Kota Jakarta.
Namun sayangnya akibat pencemaran di sungai oleh limbah domestik rumah tangga dan industri berakibat menurunnya kualitas air laut di Teluk Jakarta.
Kondisi ini berpotensi menyebabkan terjadinya ledakan plankton atau lebih parah meyebabkan terjadinya Red Tide yang diikuti penurunan oksigen secara tiba-tiba.
Pantai Ancol jadi salah satu tempat yang terkena dampaknya. Sebagai wilayah pesisir, lokasi ini adalah habitat alami dari beberapa jenis biota laut seperti kerang hijau, kepiting batu, ketang-ketang, ubur-ubur, baronang, kerapu, ganggang laut dan berbagai jenis lainnya.
Keberadaan biota ini kurang optimal dikarenakan kualitas air laut yang kurang baik.
Apabila terus didiamkan, keadaan tersebut akan semakin memburuk dan mengancam kelestarian wilayah pesisir khususnya pariwisata pantai satu-satunya di Jakarta.
Walaupun tidak mudah, upaya pelestarian atau pengembalian kualitas air laut sudah seharusnya dilakukan demi keberlangsungan ekosistem pesisir yang lebih baik.
PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol Tbk, sebagai pengelola destinasi wisata Ancol Taman Impian pun tidak tinggal diam.
Melalui Tim Konservasinya, Ancol menjalankan sebuah program jangka panjang bernama Ancol Intertidal Conservation, Asian Green Mussel Reef Restoration.
Program ini berupaya mengembalikan kualitas air laut menggunakan biota Green Mussel atau kerang hijau sebagai filter alami.
Mengadaptasi dari beberapa kampanye yang sudah dilakukan pada banyak teluk di belahan dunia, kemampuan kerang hijau memfilter air laut bukanlah isapan jempol belaka.
Menurut penelitian dari The University of Waikato pada 2013, seekor kerang hijau dewasa dapat membersihkan atau memfilter air sebanyak 2 sampai 3 liter perjam.
Hal ini telah dibuktikan melalui percobaan yang dilakukan Tim Konservasi Ancol. Lewat penelitian tersebut, Kerang hijau sebanyak 5 kg terbukti dapat membersihkan 50 liter air laut dalam waktu 1 jam.
Pada tahap awal program, dilakukan penanaman bibit kerang hijau di beberapa titik di wilayah pantai Ancol.
Masing-masing kelompok bibit diberi tanda berupa balon berwarna merah yang disebut Marker Buoy.
Evaluasi dan monitoring rutin dilakukan setiap minggu agar mengetahui titik mana saja yang dapat ditumbuhi kerang hijau secara baik.
Tahap selanjutnya adalah menanam bibit kerang hijau lebih banyak lagi pada lokasi yang terbukti cocok sehingga kerang tumbuh subur.
Jika populasi kerang hijau meningkat maka secara otomatis dapat meningkatkan kapasitas kerang hijau dalam memfilter air laut, sehingga secara perlahan kualitas air laut di sekitarnya dapat membaik atau setidaknya dapat menahan laju penurunan kualitas air laut.
Program ini memang belum akan terlihat hasilnya dalam dua atau tiga tahun ke depan namun membutuhkan waktu hingga 20 sampai 30 tahun.
Walau begitu, upaya kecil ini merupakan langkah nyata kepedulian Ancol terhadap pelestarian keberlangsungan ekosistem pesisir di teluk Jakarta.
Baca Di sini Bro http://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2018/10/08/kerang-hijau-penyelamat-kelamnya-kondisi-air-teluk-jakartaSaturday, October 6, 2018
Susi Pudjiastuti: Stop Penggunaan Alat Tangkap Ikan Perusak Laut
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Menteri Kelautan dan Perikanan Susi Pudjiastuti meminta berbagai pihak mengerahkan segenap upaya untuk menghentikan penggunaan alat tangkap ikan yang merusak lingkungan laut dan kawasan perairan nasional.
"Laut dan sumber daya alam di dalamnya dapat dijaga dengan berhenti menggunakan alat tangkap yang merusak lingkungan dan berhenti mencemari laut dengan bahan kimia berbahaya (bom, potassium, dan dinamit)," kata Susi dalam rilis di Jakarta, Ahad, 7 Oktober 2018.
Sebelumnya, KKP menyatakan produktivitas sektor perikanan berpotensi terus menurun akibat semakin banyaknya sampah plastik masuk ke kawasan perairan nasional. Jika sampah plastik ini tidak dikendalikan atau dikelola dengan baik, maka terjadi proses pelapukan menjadi mikro dan nano plastik yang akan merusak ekosistem pesisir dan dimakan oleh plankton serta ikan
Susii juga meminta kepolisian setempat menindak tegas perilaku-perilaku melanggar tersebut. Pemerintah daerah juga diharapkan membuat kebijakan dalam pengelolaan laut dan sumberdayanya yang tegas dan berkekuatan hukum, seperti peraturan daerah (Perda).
Ia menambahkan, bahwa semua orang berhak untuk mempertahankan mata pencahariannya, apalagi jika sumber pencaharian itu berupa ekosistem. "Namun tidak boleh ada kekerasan, pelakunya diamankan saja," tutur Susi.
Susi Pudjiastuti mencontohkan bagaimana Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan (KKP) menindak tegas para pelaku penangkapan ikan ilegal melalui proses hukum tanpa melakukan kekerasan terhadap nakhoda, awak kapal maupun pemiliknya.
ANTARA
Baca Di sini Bro https://bisnis.tempo.co/read/1133746/susi-pudjiastuti-stop-penggunaan-alat-tangkap-ikan-perusak-laut?TerkiniUtama&campaign=TerkiniUtama_Click_1Greenpeace Temukan 700 Merk Sampah Plastik di Pantai
LSM bidang lingkungan hidup, Greenpeace menemukan hingga lebih dari 700 mereka sampah plastik dari audit yang dilakukan oleh Greenpeace Indonesia bersama sejumlah komunits lokal di tiga pantai di sejumlah daerah Indonesia.
"Ada 797 merek dari sampah plastik yang kami temukan dari tiga lokasi, di mana yang terbesar adalah merek-merek makanan dan minuman (594 merek), kemudian merek-merek perawatan tubuh (90), kebutuhan rumah tangga (86), dan lainnya (27)," kata Juru Kampanye Urban Greenpeace Indonesia, Muharram Atha Rasyadi dalam siaran pers di Jakarta, Sabtu (06/10/2018).
Audit mereka sampah plastik tersebut dilakukan pada pertengahan September di tiga lokasi, yaitu Pantai Kuk Cituis (Tangerang), Pantai Pandansari (Yogyakarta), dan Pantai Mertasari (Bali).
Selain itu, ujar dia, pihaknya juga menemukan banyak sampah plastik yang tidak terlihat lagi merekanya.
"Ini mengindikasikan bahwa sampah tersebut sudah lama terbuang dan berada di lingkungan tersebut," jelas Atha.
Ia memaparkan bahwa secara global, hanya 9 persen sampah plastik yang didaur ulang dan 12 persen dibakar. Dengan kata lain, 79 persen sisanya berakhir di tempat-tempat pembuangan maupun saluran-saluran air seperti sungai yang bermuara ke lautan.
Sebelumnya, Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan (KKP) menyatakan produktivitas sektor perikanan berpotensi untuk terus menurun akibat semakin banyaknya sampah plastik masuk ke kawasan perairan nasional.
"Produktivitas perikanan dapat menurun dan implikasi dari mikroplastik bisa masuk ke jejaring makanan yang akhirnya dapat menimbulkan masalah pada kesehatan manusia," kata Pelaksana Tugas (Plt) Direktur Pendayagunaan Pesisir dan Pulau-pulau Kecil, Moh. Abduh Nurdihajat.
Ia memaparkan, menjelang penyelenggaraan Our Ocean Conference (OOC) 2018, KKP juga menggelar Gerakan Bersih Pantai dan Laut seperti di Pantai Pede, Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Barat, Rabu (3/10). Kegiatan bersih pantai tersebut dilakukan dengan mengumpulkan sampah-sampah di pesisir pantai, terutama sampah plastik untuk kemudian ditimbang.
Dalam kegiatan tersebut, lebih dari 1 ton sampah terkumpul, yakni tepatnya 1.007,54 kg. Sampah-sampah tersebut selanjutnya akan dikirim ke tempat pengolahan sampah di Manggarai Barat.
"Sampah plastik telah menjadi ancaman yang serius. Tidak hanya sampah yang berasal dari daratan Labuan Bajo, tapi juga sampah dari pelayaran laut dan yang terbawa arus serta dari pulau-pulau kecil sekitar Komodo," ujar Abduh.
Abduh menambahkan, jika sampah plastik ini tidak dikendalikan atau dikelola dengan baik, maka terjadi proses pelapukan menjadi mikro dan nano plastik yang akan merusak ekosistem pesisir dan dimakan oleh plankton serta ikan.
Mengingat pencemaran laut sebagian besar disebabkan oleh ulah manusia, maka diperlukan upaya bersama seluruh masyarakat dan pemangku kepentingan di tingkat pusat dan daerah untuk melakukan pengendaliannya.
"Upaya bersama menyelamatkan potensi pesisir dan laut dari ancaman pencemaran terutama sampah laut harus dilakukan secara terus menerus dan berkelanjutan," ungkapnya.
Baca Di sini Bro https://www.wartaekonomi.co.id/read198043/greenpeace-temukan-700-merk-sampah-plastik-di-pantai.html
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