Capped Oil Well Finally Offers Hope
BP announces that the flow of oil has been stopped, for now
BY ALEXANDRA DIPALMA
After 85 days, British Petroleum (BP) has managed to stop the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. A tight-fitting cap was lowered onto the well last week. The cap, a stack of pipes and valves, weighs 75 tons—more than the weight of 18 elephants. On Thursday afternoon, the last of the cap's valves was closed, and the gushing oil was stopped.
"It's a great sight," said BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Settles. But the catastrophe is not over. "It's far from the finish line," Settles warned. "It's not the time to celebrate."
Temporary Solution
After trying everything from robotics to stuffing the leak with mud and golf balls, the sealing cap system is the first successful measure in a series of failed attempts to contain the oil.
In the hours since the flow of oil has stopped, BP has kept a close eye on the sealed well. BP senior vice-president Kent Wells said that test results have been positive. Four underwater robots searching the sea floor have found no signs of new leaks.
Scientists will continue to study pressure readings from the cap. So far, the pressure has continued to rise inside the cap, indicating that the oil is being contained rather than leaking out from somewhere else.
Far from Over
While the success of the sealing cap system is encouraging, it was "just one step in a multistep process," said Wells. Since May 2, BP had been drilling two relief wells that are expected to permanently stop the flow of oil. The drilling has been put on hold to avoid complications, but there are plans to start again soon.
The relief wells are intended to stop the gushing oil for good. They will plug the original leak and then be pumped full of mud and cement to permanently seal it. BP officials say that the relief wells will not be complete until mid-August.
In the Rose Garden on Friday, President Obama said that the capped oil well is good news, but cautioned the public to stay alert. "Everybody feels like we're done, and we're not," he said. "I don't want us to get too far ahead of ourselves."
Max- Oil leaks are bad for the marine mammals, and the oil leak has continued for almost 3 months! There may be about hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil has leaked to the sea. But it finally stopped for using some other big things, and it solved the problem! Maybe the cap’s pressure will be too big for the gushing oil, and will break and let the oil keep gushing. So it’s not to the finish yet! A few weeks later, the USA will have a permanent cap to seal the oil, and the old cap will be removed. After the oil stopped gushing, the cap had been normal and no leaks were found. So the USA can relax because the oil leaks had stopped! From sealing the leak with some small things, to using some things that are very big, they finally made it. But I still think this leaking time is too long, so next time when they have another oil leak, maybe they can use this way faster, or not, they need to think of another way! I think the BP must think of another way to avoid oil leaks and stop them quickly, so they can protect marine life.
2010/07/17
2010/07/15
Shark sightings increase close to Kenting
Shark sightings increase close to Kenting
By Tsai Tsung-hsien
STAFF REPORTER
Saturday, Jul 10, 2010, Page 1
Visitors to Kenting and areas along the west coast of the nation are being cautioned about the threat of shark attack, as biologists have detected bull sharks near Checheng (車城), Pintung County, over the past two months.
Hsu Hua-hsun (徐華遜) of National Taiwan Oceanic University said bull sharks are one of three aggressive types of sharks in the world, along with the great white and tiger sharks.
Bull sharks can grow up to 3m in length, weigh more than 300kg, and have a fierce nature, Hsu said.
While bull sharks attacks have been recorded in other countries, they are rarely seen in Taiwan, Hsu said. Only four to five bull sharks were seen near the coast last year, mostly along the east coast.
Marine biologist Wang Kai-ting (王凱霆) said that bull sharks usually linger around estuaries or seaports, which means people are more likely to see them than other types of aggressive sharks. They are also involved in many of the reported shark attacks around the world, Wang said.
However, the recent reports of bull sharks near Taiwan were close to shore in the Kenting area, about 20km from Nanwan (南灣).
A fisherman nicknamed “A Fong” (阿風) said he first saw a bull shark last month after he had become trapped in one of his underwater nets. The 167kg-shark was found dead in the net.
“I discovered my nets had been damaged. At first I thought the damage had been caused by other fishermen, but it seemed to be caused by other creatures,” he said. “Later I heard from scuba divers that they had seen sharks, and about a week later, I found another shark trapped and dead in my net. That one weighed 326kg.”
The Kenting National Park Administration said its records show that fishermen have caught bull sharks in the open sea in the past, but it has no reports of sharks coming close to the beach. Nevertheless, it said it would keep a close watch along the coast.
People can report shark sightings by calling (08) 886-1321.
Unlike Australia and South Africa, few beaches in Taiwan are equipped with shark nets. The nation also lacks coastal observers and shark-alert mechanisms to protect the swimmers.
Marine scientists say they would like to determine if the increase in shark sightings is a consequence of climate change or a sign the sharks’ natural habitat is under threat.
Max-Pingtung’s sea is dangerous now, because for an unknown reason, bull sharks are now close from Kenting. Dangerous bull sharks are really big, even there are just a few sharks in the Kenting sea, but still, it might occur a shark attack. I know when a shark attacks us humans; it may bite off an arm, a leg, or even attacks our body parts. This can be deadly, but doctors can attach your arm or leg back, and be safe (the chance is low).
We may protect ourselves from shark attacks, like don’t go to places that sharks live, and stay away from deep places.
By Tsai Tsung-hsien
STAFF REPORTER
Saturday, Jul 10, 2010, Page 1
Visitors to Kenting and areas along the west coast of the nation are being cautioned about the threat of shark attack, as biologists have detected bull sharks near Checheng (車城), Pintung County, over the past two months.
Hsu Hua-hsun (徐華遜) of National Taiwan Oceanic University said bull sharks are one of three aggressive types of sharks in the world, along with the great white and tiger sharks.
Bull sharks can grow up to 3m in length, weigh more than 300kg, and have a fierce nature, Hsu said.
While bull sharks attacks have been recorded in other countries, they are rarely seen in Taiwan, Hsu said. Only four to five bull sharks were seen near the coast last year, mostly along the east coast.
Marine biologist Wang Kai-ting (王凱霆) said that bull sharks usually linger around estuaries or seaports, which means people are more likely to see them than other types of aggressive sharks. They are also involved in many of the reported shark attacks around the world, Wang said.
However, the recent reports of bull sharks near Taiwan were close to shore in the Kenting area, about 20km from Nanwan (南灣).
A fisherman nicknamed “A Fong” (阿風) said he first saw a bull shark last month after he had become trapped in one of his underwater nets. The 167kg-shark was found dead in the net.
“I discovered my nets had been damaged. At first I thought the damage had been caused by other fishermen, but it seemed to be caused by other creatures,” he said. “Later I heard from scuba divers that they had seen sharks, and about a week later, I found another shark trapped and dead in my net. That one weighed 326kg.”
The Kenting National Park Administration said its records show that fishermen have caught bull sharks in the open sea in the past, but it has no reports of sharks coming close to the beach. Nevertheless, it said it would keep a close watch along the coast.
People can report shark sightings by calling (08) 886-1321.
Unlike Australia and South Africa, few beaches in Taiwan are equipped with shark nets. The nation also lacks coastal observers and shark-alert mechanisms to protect the swimmers.
Marine scientists say they would like to determine if the increase in shark sightings is a consequence of climate change or a sign the sharks’ natural habitat is under threat.
Max-Pingtung’s sea is dangerous now, because for an unknown reason, bull sharks are now close from Kenting. Dangerous bull sharks are really big, even there are just a few sharks in the Kenting sea, but still, it might occur a shark attack. I know when a shark attacks us humans; it may bite off an arm, a leg, or even attacks our body parts. This can be deadly, but doctors can attach your arm or leg back, and be safe (the chance is low).
We may protect ourselves from shark attacks, like don’t go to places that sharks live, and stay away from deep places.
2010/05/22
U.S. Team creates first “synthetic life”
U.S. Team creates first “synthetic life”-Max
Biology and chemistry is getting developing, so some biologists started to copy cells in a sheep called Dolly, made into stem cells, and put the cell into another sheep. After the baby sheep is born, the biologists saw this sheep is actually the same as Dolly. And at 1998, biologists used leftover baby embryo and made into stem cells for the first time! After that, many biologists started to investigate stem cells. After 15 years of research, 4 thousand million dollars, the U.S. has made first synthetic life, by manmade, but not like “babies are born when somebody is pregnant”. Sure, we don’t even know how it’s going in the next few months, maybe it will be born, or die. Manmade DNA is very hard to make, even harder by copy sheep’s cells. But I think since after this develops, many countries can make those things after the years go by, and more manmade people will be made in the future.
Biology and chemistry is getting developing, so some biologists started to copy cells in a sheep called Dolly, made into stem cells, and put the cell into another sheep. After the baby sheep is born, the biologists saw this sheep is actually the same as Dolly. And at 1998, biologists used leftover baby embryo and made into stem cells for the first time! After that, many biologists started to investigate stem cells. After 15 years of research, 4 thousand million dollars, the U.S. has made first synthetic life, by manmade, but not like “babies are born when somebody is pregnant”. Sure, we don’t even know how it’s going in the next few months, maybe it will be born, or die. Manmade DNA is very hard to make, even harder by copy sheep’s cells. But I think since after this develops, many countries can make those things after the years go by, and more manmade people will be made in the future.
2009/07/29
Moko gives swimmer the runaround
Moko gives swimmer the runaround
NZPA July 27, 2009, 1:21 pm
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/5753546/moko-gives-swimmer-the-runaround/
A woman was rescued freezing and exhausted from the sea off Mahia in the northern Hawke's Bay yesterday, worn out by the playful antics of resident dolphin Moko.
The woman, who did not want to be named, went into the water at about 4.30pm.
She was wearing a wetsuit and knew Moko was waiting for company, but did not bargain on the dolphin wanting to play for so long.
She ended up marooned on a buoy while Moko ran rings around her, swimming around and diving alongside her whenever she tried to move.
Bystanders had noticed how long the woman had been at sea when she started screaming for help.
Sunset Point Bar & Bistro manager Juanita Symes said her uncle Ian Blake came back from the beach and raised the alarm.
The pair borrowed a dinghy from a nearby house and headed out to rescue the woman.
"When we got out there she had wrapped herself around the buoy and was absolutely freezing, she was freezing to death," Ms Symes said.
"She was completely exhausted. If we had left her any longer she would have run out of energy."
A local paramedic was waiting on the beach to treat the woman when they returned.
The rescued woman said Moko was very special to the area and she did not want people to get the wrong impression that she was trying to cause her harm.
"I've spent quite a bit of time swimming with Moko and I'm a strong swimmer so I wasn't worried at first," she said.
"We were playing around for a while but then when I wanted to go back in, she just wanted to keep playing.
"I became exhausted and started to panic.
"The reality set in that I was out in the ocean with a wild animal and no people around, so I felt quite vulnerable."
Moko has attracted worldwide attention since she took up residence at Mahia last year, with hundreds of people turning up to swim with her.
But marine welfare organisation Project Jonah said people should take a "hands off" approach and give the three-year-old bottlenose dolphin her space.
"Although Moko is actively seeking human company, she's a wild animal, not a trained performer," said chief executive Kimberly Muncaster.
Antics-嘩眾取寵的)滑稽動作,誇張的賣弄
Marooned-陷於孤立無援困境的
Buoy-浮標,浮筒
Dinghy-救生艇
Paramedic-醫務輔助人員
Vulnerable-易受責難的;有弱點的;難防守的
Welfare-福利;幸福;健康安樂
Max- I think Moko is a playful dolphin, even when she saves other animals. This day, she was so playful that when someone wants to play and wants to leave, she even doesn’t want her go! I think because dolphins don’t know human language, causing this situation. But I think the woman is stupid too! Doesn’t she say she is a strong swimmer? Then why she doesn’t swim away from Moko? Because she doesn’t watch TV that has a few stories about wild animals bully the people. There is a story that a lion keeper was mauled to death by his cub, and another one about a chimpanzee ripped a woman’s face! So please, that stupid woman, don’t swim with Moko again or she will freeze to death!
NZPA July 27, 2009, 1:21 pm
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/5753546/moko-gives-swimmer-the-runaround/
A woman was rescued freezing and exhausted from the sea off Mahia in the northern Hawke's Bay yesterday, worn out by the playful antics of resident dolphin Moko.
The woman, who did not want to be named, went into the water at about 4.30pm.
She was wearing a wetsuit and knew Moko was waiting for company, but did not bargain on the dolphin wanting to play for so long.
She ended up marooned on a buoy while Moko ran rings around her, swimming around and diving alongside her whenever she tried to move.
Bystanders had noticed how long the woman had been at sea when she started screaming for help.
Sunset Point Bar & Bistro manager Juanita Symes said her uncle Ian Blake came back from the beach and raised the alarm.
The pair borrowed a dinghy from a nearby house and headed out to rescue the woman.
"When we got out there she had wrapped herself around the buoy and was absolutely freezing, she was freezing to death," Ms Symes said.
"She was completely exhausted. If we had left her any longer she would have run out of energy."
A local paramedic was waiting on the beach to treat the woman when they returned.
The rescued woman said Moko was very special to the area and she did not want people to get the wrong impression that she was trying to cause her harm.
"I've spent quite a bit of time swimming with Moko and I'm a strong swimmer so I wasn't worried at first," she said.
"We were playing around for a while but then when I wanted to go back in, she just wanted to keep playing.
"I became exhausted and started to panic.
"The reality set in that I was out in the ocean with a wild animal and no people around, so I felt quite vulnerable."
Moko has attracted worldwide attention since she took up residence at Mahia last year, with hundreds of people turning up to swim with her.
But marine welfare organisation Project Jonah said people should take a "hands off" approach and give the three-year-old bottlenose dolphin her space.
"Although Moko is actively seeking human company, she's a wild animal, not a trained performer," said chief executive Kimberly Muncaster.
Antics-嘩眾取寵的)滑稽動作,誇張的賣弄
Marooned-陷於孤立無援困境的
Buoy-浮標,浮筒
Dinghy-救生艇
Paramedic-醫務輔助人員
Vulnerable-易受責難的;有弱點的;難防守的
Welfare-福利;幸福;健康安樂
Max- I think Moko is a playful dolphin, even when she saves other animals. This day, she was so playful that when someone wants to play and wants to leave, she even doesn’t want her go! I think because dolphins don’t know human language, causing this situation. But I think the woman is stupid too! Doesn’t she say she is a strong swimmer? Then why she doesn’t swim away from Moko? Because she doesn’t watch TV that has a few stories about wild animals bully the people. There is a story that a lion keeper was mauled to death by his cub, and another one about a chimpanzee ripped a woman’s face! So please, that stupid woman, don’t swim with Moko again or she will freeze to death!
2009/07/27
Blessing tourism for Japan guests
Blessing tourism for Japan guests
http://www.studentpost.com.tw/commentary/default.asp?sIssue=1138
日本觀光客的祈福之旅
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Approximately 79,000 Japanese tourists visited Taiwan this past April, a three percent drop over April of a year ago.
News was recently released that the Taipei City Government has invested some NT$10 million (US$300,000) in new tour promotional packages again aimed at the Japanese market.
The new promotional packages tout a list of Taipei temples, and urge people in Japan to jump on a plane and fly to Taiwan for temple hopping that will supposedly lead to good luck in life.
The promoters are waving a litany of blessings in the air that several temples are claiming to offer to their adherents. I have heard of entertainment tourism. I have heard of eco-tourism, medical tourism, and educational tourism. Why not make room now for blessing tourism?
The promotional blurbs urge Japanese travelers in need of high grades for examinations to bow heads and light incense at Taipei's Confucius Temple. The Great Teacher is waiting for an opportunity to shower rewards on scholars under stress.
Our would-be Japanese guests surely know the difference between puffery and truth. There is no need to get too worked up about this imaginative, if somewhat comically designed sales strategy. The question that remains, however, is what such sales pitches do to the image of a country I dearly love.
Max-I think the Japanese people travel here to pray by the Confucius temple because they want to travel safe and have good luck. But why blurb so much for Taipei temples? Because the Taipei temples are good and bless people. So let’s make a room for blessing tourism.
http://www.studentpost.com.tw/commentary/default.asp?sIssue=1138
日本觀光客的祈福之旅
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Approximately 79,000 Japanese tourists visited Taiwan this past April, a three percent drop over April of a year ago.
News was recently released that the Taipei City Government has invested some NT$10 million (US$300,000) in new tour promotional packages again aimed at the Japanese market.
The new promotional packages tout a list of Taipei temples, and urge people in Japan to jump on a plane and fly to Taiwan for temple hopping that will supposedly lead to good luck in life.
The promoters are waving a litany of blessings in the air that several temples are claiming to offer to their adherents. I have heard of entertainment tourism. I have heard of eco-tourism, medical tourism, and educational tourism. Why not make room now for blessing tourism?
The promotional blurbs urge Japanese travelers in need of high grades for examinations to bow heads and light incense at Taipei's Confucius Temple. The Great Teacher is waiting for an opportunity to shower rewards on scholars under stress.
Our would-be Japanese guests surely know the difference between puffery and truth. There is no need to get too worked up about this imaginative, if somewhat comically designed sales strategy. The question that remains, however, is what such sales pitches do to the image of a country I dearly love.
Max-I think the Japanese people travel here to pray by the Confucius temple because they want to travel safe and have good luck. But why blurb so much for Taipei temples? Because the Taipei temples are good and bless people. So let’s make a room for blessing tourism.
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