Mother Nature Swims with the Dolphins (2019)
Scientists are trying to determine why more than 260 bottlenose dolphins have been found stranded along the Northern Gulf of Mexico since the beginning of February.
The number of dolphin deaths is about three times higher than the average for the time period, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Friday.
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Some of the stranded dolphins had skin lesions associated with freshwater exposure, which is being investigated as a possible contributing factor, NOAA researchers said. In addition to skin lesions, dolphins can suffer from abnormal blood chemistry, swelling of the cornea and even death if they are exposed to low salinity water for an extended time.
Researchers said high levels of rainfall and flood control actions have altered the flow of freshwater in dolphin habitats this year. Dolphins in the area also suffered health problems after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 that may make them more susceptible to the effects of low salinity.
--USA Today, 6-16-19
The number of dolphin deaths is about three times higher than the average for the time period, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Friday.
[ ]
Some of the stranded dolphins had skin lesions associated with freshwater exposure, which is being investigated as a possible contributing factor, NOAA researchers said. In addition to skin lesions, dolphins can suffer from abnormal blood chemistry, swelling of the cornea and even death if they are exposed to low salinity water for an extended time.
Researchers said high levels of rainfall and flood control actions have altered the flow of freshwater in dolphin habitats this year. Dolphins in the area also suffered health problems after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 that may make them more susceptible to the effects of low salinity.
--USA Today, 6-16-19
