Sooper Links

Balloons Present a Threat to Seabirds and Aquatic Wildlife
More than 18,000 pieces of balloons or balloon string was found in the Great Lakes during the 2016-18 period.
Detroit Free Press - June, 17, 2019
Full story at https://bit.ly/2InfknZ

PFAS Contamination Is Michigan's Biggest Environmental Crisis in 40 Years
The once-common chemicals, which are linked to cancer and other ailments, may be tainting more than 11,000 sites around the state.
Detroit Free Press - April 26, 2019
Full story at https://bit.ly/2ksxag3

The Water Is So Hot in Alaska, It's Killing Large Numbers of Salmon
Alaska has been in the throes of an unprecedented heat wave and the heat stress is killing salmon in large numbers.
CNN - Aug. 17, 2019
Full story at https://cnn.it/2THvrAG

40% of U.S. Honeybee Colonies Disappeared Last Year
Without bees, crops worldwide would suffer, making nuts, fruits and vegetables more expensive and difficult to produce.
Business Insider - Aug. 16, 2019
Full story at https://bit.ly/2kooNlu

Florida's Least Wanted: 10 Invasive Species Wrecking Native Ecosystems
Burmese pythons, cane toads, Cuban tree frogs and green mussels are some of the more than 500 non-native plant and animal species threatening the Sunshine State.
Florida Today - April 13, 2019
Full story at https://bit.ly/2lBRcET

Red Lake Nation Confronts a New Invader: Zebra Mussels
The threat to the Minnesota reservation's economic and spiritual core – and its massive walleye fishery – has left tribal leaders frustrated and angry.
MPR News - Sept. 3, 2019
Full story at https://bit.ly/2ltscjp

Jumping Worms Are the Latest Invasive Species to Hit Illinois
The invasive worms are voracious in their feeding behaviors, devouring the organic layer of soil that is important to plants and trees.
Chicago Tribune - August 14, 2019
Full story at https://bit.ly/2KB2FyH

Great Lakes Freighters May Have to Treat Ballast Water
Federal and state efforts to regulate ballast water have exempted "lakers" that travel exclusively within the Great Lakes, but that may change as scientists study their impact.
Post Crescent - August 30, 2019
Full story at https://bit.ly/2kh32UX

Invasive Bacteria Threatens Florida's Palm Trees
Florida's latest threat is an invasive parasitic bacteria that is killing palm trees and is being spread by a tiny insect about the size of a grain of rice.
WGCU-TV - Sept. 13, 2019
Full story at https://bit.ly/2klSvaY

Invasive, Destructive Red Swamp Crayfish Found
An infestation of invasive crayfish was found in two Michigan locations: in a Kalamazoo County lake, and days later, the same species was found in a retention pond in Oakland County.
Kalamazoo News - July 20, 2017
Full story at http://bit.ly/2voJPEv

Freshwater Jellyfish Invade Lake Erie & Experts Say There’s No Way to Stop Them
Step aside zebra mussels and phragmites, another foreign invader is lurking beneath the surface of Southwestern Ontario’s lakes and streams – a little umbrella-shaped creature that’s making people do a double take.
National Post - July 17, 2017
Full story at http://bit.ly/2vtTEgy

Japanese Knotweed Causing Problems in Toronto
Torontonians should be fighting back against an invasive plant species that’s threatening to take over arts of the city, but there’s a problem – it’s kind of pretty.
CBC News - July 25, 2017
Full story at http://bit.ly/2viZUuK

State Program Aims to Destroy Plant That Can Scar, Blind
After a decade, the tide may be slowly turning in the state’s war against gargantuan invasive plants that can cause sever burns and even blindness in anyone who touches them.
Albany Times Union - May 10, 2017
Full story at http://bit.ly/2viVm7N
Michigan Radio story: http://bit.ly/2ufJqPR

Native Species Step Up to Fight Ash Parasite
A decade of research has finally given scientists some hope in their battle with the Asian beetle that has caused billions of dollars of damage since the pest first appeared near Detroit in 2002.
The Wall Street Journal - August 19, 2013
Full story at http://on.wsj.com/14goXdN

Tiny Plastic Particles Could Have Negative Impact on Great Lakes
Miniscule beads found in consumer products are finding their way into the fresh water system, posing a potential threat to native fish and aquatic organisms.
USA Today - July 29, 2013
Full story at http://usat.ly/14A6Zzv
The Grand Rapids Press version at http://bit.ly/17HrjB4