Some scientists are funded by The Ocean and Human Health Initiative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will identify the risk of disease due to global warming. The result is as follows. 1. Seafood contamination by toxic algae Red algae that causes dead zones in the ocean is growing rapidly due to global warming, especially in north America. This was disclosed by Stephanie Moore of NOAA. Algae Alexandrium catenella produce toxins that can contaminate foods derived from the sea and lead to paralysis, even death, although rare, in humans.
By calculating the water temperature and the increase in global temperatures, Moore and colleagues at the University of Washington describes how the algae can grow rapidly. "The season bloom of toxic algae growing longer and the number of algae blooms grew each season," said Moore. "Now, the season algae blooms for two months, but in years to come, blooming period will be increased to three months," he added.
2. The explosion of harmful bacteria Climate change led to a humid region would be more humid, while the dry areas drier. This phenomenon will cause the dust flying and usually will end up in the ocean. Dust-dust accelerate the development of harmful bacteria and the bacteria ends up in seafood. Erin Lipp and Jason Westrich from the University of Georgia have found that the desert of Morocco may accelerate the proliferation of Vibrio, a type of marine bacteria. The test is done by inserting dust from Morocco to sea water in Florida. As a result, the growth of Vibrio increase by 10 to 1,000-fold. Scientists found that the iron contained in dust that lead to proliferation.
3. Disposal systems contaminate drinking water Sandra McLellan of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has been observed that the increase in rainfall affect the exhaust pipe systems around the Great Lakes. In Wisconsin, population growth forced the addition of the capacity of the existing exhaust pipe system. In the event of a storm, the water will overflow and flood the disposal of the lake. Of course, this discharge water contains bacteria and viruses.
Only with a 4.3 cm rainfall, direct water overflow and flooded rivers. McLellan said the next half century, the volume of rainfall will increase to 20 percent. "It is not climate change that resulted in new problems. We had problem with this. However, when we want to prevent this bad scenario that happens. We've terdahului by global warming and population growth, "McLellan added.
source: KOMPAS.com (Ariel Sujatmoko, National Geographic News)
