Poisoned Water: Michigan Crisis

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/24/us/flint-michigan-water.html

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0624-water-lead.html

Corrosion in the lead and iron pipes that distribute water to city residents plagued Flint, Michigan since summer of 2014. The city decided to begin using the Flint River as its water source however it was not adequately monitored that water has the naturally ability to corrode iron pipes. So when high lead levels, rust-colored tap water, and the growth of pathogenic microbes the CDC stepped in.The Flint River water had a relatively low pH that decreased over time. Reports from the Flint treatment plant, the city’s water had a pH of about 8 in December 2014, but then it slowly dropped to 7.3 by August 2015. Environmental engineers say that if water pH drifts too low in the absence of orthophosphate, the water can start to leach high levels of lead from pipes.

This is still an ongoing crisis in Flint, it is dire that people across the country are aware of the dangerous that could come from your very own faucet. It's important to be updated on any decisions made based on the needs of a town because many people were unaware of the root of the problem.

Detroit Zoo Saves Cash by Breeding Own Crickets

Crickets contains many of the important dietary needs for amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. They are an excellent source of protein for them and as much as they probably taste so good---they are expensive! According to the article crickets cost more than all the other food sources at the zoo, including meat, fish and produce, at more than 98,000 per year.

Officials have created a new program that will make it easier and cheaper to feed their thousands of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals and that is by simply breeding crickets. The workers at the Detroit Zoo changed an unused area into breeding room to produce crickets. 

Since this new program has been created, hundred-thousand of crickets have been produced every week. Scott Carter, the Detroit Zoo's chief life science officer, said that this will save about $225,000 in the first three years.

"In my opinion, this is a little surprising that someone did not think of this a lot sooner. Your saving less than half a million dollars by just breeding crickets. I would have came up with solution a long time ago. From what I am aware of, breeding, specifically, selective breeding, has been going since Mendel started breeding pea plants. Or it may have been used before Mendel. But my point is, is that since the officials did not think of this solution a lot sooner, they ended up spending a lot of money that could have went towards something else. It makes me think if there are other places that are doing the same thing and should be taught this technique."

Here is the link for the ARTICLE!

Look here to watch the video too!