If you haven’t seen the photos, they’re shocking. This aerial shot over Newport, Oregon isn’t digitally enhanced or altered. The big black spot off the coast is know as the black plume, which is a result of years of environmental degradation by the paper mill, Georgia Pacific.
Staying true to it’s infamous reputation, Georgia Pacific has been releasing by-products of it’s Toledo, Oregon paper mill into local streams. Local streams lead to a larger watershed and watersheds lead to the coast.
See the black plume for yourself by visiting Newport, Oregon on Google Earth.
The Oregon Coast is a harsh environment, with rain, high winds and big surf the norm. A typical day at the coast in these conditions doesn’t normally involve frolicking in the shallows but the lure of a sunny day draws crowds not acquainted with the ocean’s temperament. Gleneden Beach in particular is known for it’s strong rips and heavy waves making it a dangerous place to wade, let alone swim along the Oregon Coast.
An 11yr. old boy lost his life on Saturday at Gleneden Beach, Oregon after he was quickly swept into the high surf and drown. Sadly, a 16yr old went in to attempt a rescue and has not been seen since. A sad weekend on the Oregon Coast.
Almost 1yr. ago a surfer drown in high surf off the Oregon Coast and tragically it happens every year. The Coast Guard made 2 other rescues on Saturday, saving the lives of those unknowing to the dangers of the North Pacific.
An Oregon State University team reports that the “dead zones” found off the coast of Oregon are unlike anything recorded over the past 50 years. Scientists first noticed the “dead zones” in 2002, when an area of ocean water with low oxygen content formed in the near shore Oregon coast between Newport and Florence, causing a massive die-off of fish, crab and other marine life. They suspect that the “dead zones” could be fueled by stronger winds that might reflect larger global warming trends.
Global warming is expected to heat the air over land quicker than over the water, creating the potential to drive more winds thus causing more upwelling. As nutrients rise to the top, they eventually sink and die drawing more oxygen out of the water as they decay.
It’s a rapid and disturbing shift in ocean conditions in the Pacific Northwest in what has traditionally been one of the world’s more productive marine areas.
