Latest news with #lakes
CTV News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
CTV National News: High heat triggers rapid growth of E. coli in lakes
Watch Blistering temperatures from Ontario to Newfoundland has caused a rapid rise in E. coli in lakes and rivers. Adrian Ghobrial reports.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
This South Jersey beach has some of the clearest water in New Jersey
The Garden State is home to some of the best beaches and lakes along the East Coast. And some of these bodies of water offer the clearest waters, attracting visitors seeking natural beauty and outdoor activities, according to The online travel blog dedicated to exploring new places and cultures identifies which beach has the Clearest Water in New Jersey. And, that beach is the 96th Street Beach in Stone Harbor, Cape May County. Unlike many Jersey Shore destinations, this beach has no boardwalk or carnival attractions and has a population of 1,000 full-time residents. During the summer, its population rises sharply as tourists descend upon the town. There is also a bird sanctuary and a local museum that preserves the area's history. These locations have several beaches and lakes known for their exceptional water clarity, according to Stone Harbor Beach in Cape May: The water clarity is enhanced by regular monitoring and conservation efforts. Sandy Hook Bay: Sandy Hook maintains a water quality rating that exceeds state requirements, making it a prime location for swimming and other water activities. Island Beach State Park: The park's preservation efforts contributes to the clarity and cleanliness of its waters. Lake Hopatcong: As the the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey, its Foundation conducts regular water quality assessments reflects ongoing efforts to improve water quality and control pollution. Wharton State Forest: The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry states that water quality in Wharton State Forest is consistently monitored, ensuring a safe recreational environment. The forest's remote nature helps maintain the integrity of the water. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Cape May County beach has NJ's clearest water, plus 4 more spots
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Study reveals important benefit of charging for plastic bags
A new study published in the journal Science indicates that local plastic bag bans and fees are effective in reducing plastic bag litter along shorelines. The research found a 25 to 47 per cent decrease in plastic bag litter during shoreline cleanups, with the most significant impact observed along lakes. The study highlights that full bans and fees are more effective than partial bans, which often include exemptions for thicker plastic bags. Experts, including Anna Papp from MIT and environmental scientist Dr. Zoie Diana, confirm that these policies reliably lead to a decrease in plastic bag litter. Plastic bag regulations are gaining global popularity, with over 100 countries implementing them and 175 countries discussing a global plastics treaty, while in the US, 11 states and over 200 counties have adopted such measures.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Science
- CTV News
Could the colour of your child's swimsuit save their life?
There's no scientific proof, but it's a question worth asking, could the colour of your child's swimsuit play a role in how visible they are in the water? Some water safety experts think it might. A company called Alive Solutions, which specializes in water safety, conducted a few experiments to explore how swimsuit colours perform in both pools and lakes. In two separate experiments they found that certain swimsuit colours are easier to spot in a swimming pool versus open water. Independently conducted testing The tests were conducted independently and not published in a peer-reviewed journal. In controlled tests, swimsuits in 14 different colours were submerged in different bodies of water to observe how visible they were under certain conditions. In a swimming pool, with a light-coloured bottom, the company's tests showed that neon pink and neon orange seemed to be most visible. White and light blue colours, on the other hand, tended to disappear, blending in with the pool bottom. Darker colours showed up against the light pool bottom, but could often be dismissed for shadows, leaves or dirt. In lake water, the tests showed that bright neon colours including neon orange, yellow and green were visible but neon pink did not perform well. White swimsuits appeared more vibrant due to reflecting light. All other colours were not very visible. Swimsuit Colour Test The company Alive Solutions tested how visible various swimsuit colours are against a light-coloured swimming pool bottom. The top photo in each section is the fabric underwater, and the bottom photo is the fabric with surface agitation. (Courtesy Natalie Livingston via CNN Newsource) Many factors play a role According to the Lifesaving Society Ontario, many other factors play a role in visibility, including glare, water clarity or even wave action. 'Dressing in swimwear that is high-contrast to your environment may increase your ability to be seen in the water, but there are many factors such as glare, water clarity and water agitation that can still reduce visibility. There is a lack of formal research to support wearing one colour over another in specific settings under specific conditions,' Stephanie Bakalar, senior communications officer of Lifesaving Society Ontario told CTV News. Still, even if these results haven't been formally validated, they point to a simple step that could improve safety. That said, no colour choice replaces the need for constant supervision. 'In Ontario, 100 per cent of drowning deaths in children under five is caused by absent or distracted supervision.' Bakalar said. 'It is important that when children are around water that they are directly supervised by a responsible adult and in the case of weak or non-swimmers they remain within arms' reach.' Water safety Approved lifejackets offer another layer of protection, especially on boats. Provincial experts recommend lifejackets in bold colours. 'We recommend lifejackets be red, orange or yellow to increase your visibility on the water and approved by Transport Canada,' Bakalar continued. The safest place to swim is where trained lifeguards are on duty. Fewer than one per cent of drowning deaths in the province occur in lifeguard-supervised areas, according to Lifesaving Society Ontario. 'The Society's national lifeguards are trained to scan the surface, middle and bottom of their supervision zones and maneuver to reduce visual disruptions such as glare. Water quality standards in pools are set to ensure clarity allows for visibility to the bottom. Natural bodies of water present different challenges to visibility, but lifeguard supervised waterfront zones are established to create the most visibility possible,' Bakalar said. So, does swimsuit colour save lives? It is not scientifically proven. But in the approach to water safety which starts with supervision and includes life jackets, swimming lessons, and safe environments it could be a small change that makes a difference.
New York Times
19-06-2025
- Science
- New York Times
Banning Plastic Bags Works to Limit Shoreline Litter, Study Finds
At tens of thousands of shoreline cleanups across the United States in recent years, volunteers logged each piece of litter they pulled from the edges of lakes, rivers and beaches into a global database. One of the most common entries? Plastic bags. But in places throughout the United States where plastic bags require a fee or have been banned, fewer bags end up at the water's edge, according to research published Thursday in Science. Lightweight and abundant, thin plastic bags often slip out of trash cans and recycling bins, travel in the wind and end up in bodies of water, where they pose serious risks to wildlife, which can become entangled or ingest them. They also break down into harmful microplastics, which have been found nearly everywhere on Earth. Using data complied by the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy, researchers analyzed results from 45,067 shoreline cleanups between 2016 to 2023, along with a sample of 182 local and state policies enacted to regulate plastic shopping bags between 2017 and 2023. They found areas that adopted plastic bag policies saw a 25 to 47 percent reduction in the share of plastic bag litter on shorelines, when compared with areas without policies. The longer a policy was in place, the greater the reduction. 'These policies are effective, especially in areas with high concentrations of plastic litter,' said Anna Papp, one of the authors and an environmental economist and postdoctoral associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
