/>
A U.S. Geological survey revealed that 100% of freshwater fish tested contained mercury.
iStockphoto/Thinkstock
READ MORE ABOUT:
Welcome to the Planet 100 for March 8, 2010. Here's what we're covering today.
Toxic Fish
A new study by the US Geological Survey reveals that every single freshwater fish tested, in 291 freshwater streams across the country, was contaminated with mercury.
The seven year study found that all fish—mostly those at the top of the food chain—were contaminated with mercury. More than 2/3 of the fish were higher than the EPA's "level of concern for fish-eating mammals", with 25 percent were contaminated at levels too high for human consumption. Many attribute the mercury epidemic to coal-fired power plants.
Via: Natural News
Fab Fi Afghanistan
Members of MIT Bits and Atoms lab taught locals in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, how to transform trash into a functioning wireless network called Fab Fi.
Using pieces of board, wire, a plastic tub and some cans, the MIT team—now dubbed the Jalalabad Fab Lab—were able to create reflectors for a wireless network. The 25 simultaneous live nodes now across the city means residents will have access to a stable connection for Skype calls and Google searches.
Via: Gizmodo
The Cove Wins
The Cove took home an Academy Award yesterday for best documentary feature. Rick O'berry, who once trained Flipper and starred in the film, told Planet 100 that he hopes the Oscar win will bring worldwide attention to the needless dolphin slaughters in Japan and the mercury poisoning that results from eating dolphin meat.
Photo Credits:
Dead fish ©iStockphoto/Thinkstock Images
Salmon ©iStockphoto/Thinkstock Images
Fish market ©iStockphoto/Thinkstock Images
Coal plant ©iStockphoto/Thinkstock Images
Afghan map ©iStockphoto/Thinkstock Images
Afghan internet ©Getty Images
MIT ©Getty Images
Video: The Cove Movie
