IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

The occurrence of antibiotics in an urban watershed: From wastewater to drinking water

Watkinson AJ, Murby EJ, Kolpin DW, and Costanzo SD ·
2009

The presence of 28 antibiotics in three hospital effluents, five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), six rivers and a drinking water storage catchment were investigated within watersheds of South-East Queensland, Australia. All antibiotics were detected at least once, with the exception of the polypeptide bacitracin which was not detected at all. Antibiotics were found in hospital effluent ranging from 0.01-14.5 [mu]g L(-1), dominated by the beta-lactam, quinolone and sulphonamide groups.

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Report card for the Mesoamerican reef (Page 1)

Report card for the Mesoamerican reef

18 November 2008

This report describes the health of the Mesoamerican Reef by identifying key indicators and calculating an Integrated Reef Health Index. Additionally, it evaluates the human footprint and social well-being of the local community. Finally, it provides recommendations for government, NGOs, private, and research sectors for future work.

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Research to improve management of Atlantic menhaden in Chesapeake Bay (Page 1)

Research to improve management of Atlantic menhaden in Chesapeake Bay

Ben Longstaff, Caroline Donovan, Emily Nauman ·
21 October 2008

From both an economic and ecological standpoint, Atlantic menhaden are one of the most important fish species in Chesapeake Bay. Concerns over localized depletion and a need for improved understanding of the ecological role of menhaden in Chesapeake Bay led the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to identify research needed to improve menhaden fisheries management. This newsletter provides the status of some of the resulting projects.

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Global Warming Is Here (Page 1)

Global Warming Is Here

Jane Hawkey ·
3 October 2008

In 2007, Governor O'Malley asked a scientific team, chaired by UMCES President Dr. Donald F. Boesch, to assess the impacts of climate change in Maryland. The key points from this assessment are summarized in this poster created by IAN staff.

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Maryland at Risk: Sea-level rise adaptation & response (Page 1)

Maryland at Risk: Sea-level rise adaptation & response

Jane Thomas ·
30 September 2008

Action is needed now to stem not only the drivers of climate change but also to prepare for the inevitable consequences. With over 3,000 miles of coastline, Maryland is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Historic tide-gauge records reveal that sea levels along Maryland's extensive coastline have risen approximately one foot over the past one hundred years. This relative sea level rise is due to a combination of global sea-level rise and localized land subsidence.

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Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Maryland's Vulnerability to Climate Change, Phase 1: Sea-level rise and coastal storms

Jane Thomas ·
12 September 2008

This is Chapter 5 of the Climate Action Plan, Governor Martin O'Malley's appointed Maryland Commission on Climate Change report. It makes recommendations to state lawmakers and policy makers to mitigate the effects of sea-level rise and storm by taking action and committing resources to protect Maryland's future economic well-being, environmental heritage, and public safety.

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Upstream land use affects water quality in Maryland's Coastal Bays

Kris Beckert, Ben Fertig, Tim Carruthers, Bill Dennison, Emily Nauman ·
1 August 2008

Coastal lagoon ecosystems across the Delmarva Peninsula are rapidly evolving due to changing land use patterns and shifts towards intensive agriculture, particularly poultry production, and intensive rural-resiĀ­dential development. These changes in the coastal lagoon seascape are especially evident in the northern Coastal Bays watershed of St. Martin River.

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2007 Patuxent River Report Card (Page 1)

2007 Patuxent River Report Card

Ben Longstaff, Caroline Donovan ·
21 April 2008

This newsletter introduces the first Patuxent River ecosystem health report card. This report card provides grades for three regions within the Patuxent River estuary (i.e., the tidal portion of the river). The report card grades are based on the progress of six indicators towards ecological targets. The report card shows that the Patuxent River estuary is mostly in poor condition and that substantially more effort is needed to see measurable improvements.

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