Preparing for Arctic Traffic

By: Jessica Robertson

With the changing climate melting ice in the Arctic Ocean, traffic, both tourism and industry related, steadily increases in the northern realm of our planet. The increased travel brings to light the unpreparedness of the region for managing the risk of an oil spill.

            Other highly trafficked water routes have systems in place for managing the occasional oil spill. In the Arctic, fewer systems are in place and the extreme conditions make it a difficult operation to even respond to a spill. Due to the extreme weather, enormous geographic area, beautifully diverse ecosystem, and limited resources for operation and communication in some areas, many changes would need to be instated to prepare for a spill response that compares to a response in easier waters.

            Decision makers are working toward an international plan that would better prepare and protect the Arctic as the traffic pattern expands. A proper response plan must include a number of techniques to span the vast number of possible environmental situations. No single method can begin to apply in all possible spill scenarios.  More equipment, better communication, a larger workforce, and increased safety measures are just a few of the items on the wishlist for a project of this scale.

            Studies are underway to assess the possible effects of dispersants and oil on some Arctic marine species. The findings of these studies will inform decisions on how to manage spills in the future. Alaska has yet to grant approval for the use of chemical dispersants to address a spill, preferring in situ burning as a cleaner and safer method for their environment. It is yet to be seen what methods will be placed in the Arctic toolbox, but hopes are high that the environment will remain safe in their care. 

The Wondernut

By: Kate M. Serrano

I grew up in a place where coconut trees are more bountiful than apples and oranges and I cannot help but marvel at how this plant is so useful from head to toe. There’s an endless list of products and by-products derived from its various parts hence the nickname “Tree of Life.” In the Philippines, the coconut industry provides livelihood to one-third of the country's population. So here are the many uses of this versatile plant.

Coconut meat. From the meat we obtain coco flour, desiccated coconut, coconut milk, coconut chips, candies, fertilizer and animal feeds. Coco chips, which are wrinkled coconut meat, are very popular in Hawaii. The dried meat, called copra, contains over 60% oil. This oil is used in making soap, cooking fat, margarine, cosmetics, lubricants, and many other products. Coconut flour can be used as a wheat extender in baking without affecting appearance or acceptability.

Coconut milk. This is used to make Virgin Coconut Oil which helps prevent and treat minor ailments. Coconut milk is a good protein source. Whole coco milk contains about 22% oil, which accounts for its laxative property.

Coconut oil. Probably the most known use of the tree, coconut oil is not only used for culinary purposes but also for beauty and wellness. Coconut oil is used for frying, with soya bean oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil as its main competitors. Coconut oil also retards aging by counteracting the heart, colon, pancreatic and liver tumor inducers. In the detergent industry, an important use of the coconut oil was discovered in a May 1951 study where it was found to be an effective sanitizer. Other products from coconut oil are soap, lard, coco chemicals, crude oil, pomade, shampoo, margarine and butter. It’s also used as hairdressing and as massage oil.

Coconut juice. This is a nutritious refreshing drink especially for those with renal disorders. Coconut juice is highly alkaline. For preventive medication, water from one mature coconut consumed daily, could guarantee the avoidance of stone formations in the kidney. To those who already have it, coconut water therapy is proven to be an inexpensive and effective cure. It is also for fighting tooth decay and gum disease, taming menopause symptoms, improving cholesterol levels and boosting the immune system.

Coconut husk. Mats, brushes, fishing nets, cordage and packaging material for plant, and in some countries the coconut husk is used as floor polisher because of the abundance of its fiber. Coir yarn, coir rope, bags, rugs, mannequin wig, brush, coir flex, and fishnets are other products that can be obtained from coco husk.

Coconut shell. For ladles and cups, souvenirs, household products, accessories, handicrafts and decorative objects. It’s also a potting medium for forest tree saplings in Thailand. The most important benefit of the coconut shell is activated carbon produced from its charcoal. It is utilized in air purification systems such as cooker hoods, air conditioning, industrial gas purification and industrial and gas masks.

Coconut leaves. Young leaves and shoots may be eaten as salad. The leaves of the tree are used as roofing thatch and temporary sheds and to make hats, baskets, brooms and fans. The ribs of the leaves are used for spears, arrows, and torches.

Coconut sap. A sweetish fluid from the bud of the coconut tree’s inflorescence called toddy is fermented into an alcoholic beverage or into vinegar. After being left for five days then distilled, coconut toddy produces an alcoholic spirit known locally in the Philippines as lambanog which is more or less 98% proof.

Coconut trunk. In Hawaii, the trunk is used for canoes, drums, posts, rafters, and fences. The trunk is also a great source of hardy and durable wood used to make benches, tables, carvings, picture frames, tables, tool boxes, and construction materials. Paper pulp can also be extracted from the coconut trunk and other woody parts of the tree.

Coconut roots. A frayed piece of coconut root can be used as a toothbrush. The roots are also used as a mouthwash and in some countries medicine, beverages and dyestuff are obtained from the coconut roots.

These are just a few off the known benefits from the wonder tree. It’s amazing how varied the uses are. Now may be a good time to start sipping my coco juice. I don’t want to be missing the coconut’s miracle health benefits.

Sweet Renewable Materials

By: Jessica Robertson

      Many everyday products are oil-based, including plastic, gasoline, and rubber; the non-renewable nature of these materials means their scarcity is increasing. Research is underway heavily to find new options for products so common in our world today. Biodiesel is a perfect example of a renewable material that is not based on oil, being derived instead from plants. While the invention of biodiesel advanced the renewable energy sector, researchers are still searching for more earth-friendly options.

            Isobutene, a product ubiquitous in the chemical industry, will soon be derived from plants, namely sugar. Research found that if sugar is introduced to a particular microorganism, the product of the fermentation and digestion process is gaseous isobutene. This process is highly renewable since sugar grows back, making it a huge improvement on oil.

            However, concern arises when dealing with renewable material derived from edible plants; with so much hunger in the world, is it really justifiable to use food for conversion to energy rather than for feeding hungry mouths? For this reason, the pilot plant in Germany is transitioning from sugar beet, which is edible, to sugar from wood or straw, which is not edible.

Making the production of isobutene completely independent from both oil and food production is a responsible choice for the future of our planet.