Latest news with #UniversityofChile
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Straits Times
Chile's vital underwater forests face threats from mining, warming seas
A drone view shows a tailings pit containing mining waste in the Antofagasta Region, as the health of the country's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution, in Paposo, Chile June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza A worker moves a cart loaded with seaweed at an algae milling plant, as the health of the country's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution, in Taltal, Chile June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza Workers load a truck with sacks of seaweed at a seaweed milling plant, as the health of the country's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution, in Paposo, Chile June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza Rafael Astudillo harvests seaweed along a beach in the Antofagasta Region, as the health of the country's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution, in Paposo, Chile June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza Workers grind algae at an algae milling plant, as the health of the country's marine forests is threatened by warming oceans and pollution, in Taltal, Chile June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza PAPOSO, Chile - In the cold seas off Chile's arid northern coast an underwater forest teems with life. Towers of red and green seaweed float upwards from the sea floor, providing food for wildlife, income for locals - and oxygen and carbon capture for the planet. For scientists, these forests hold even more potential as sustainable protein, food and other materials, though they are threatened by warming oceans and human pollution. "They form a belt along coastal edges, which is essentially a belt of protection and biodiversity for life," said Alejandra Gonzalez, a marine biologist from the University of Chile who specializes in marine ecosystem conservation. She explained that seaweed produces oxygen and captures carbon dioxide, creating important carbon stores under the waves. "The future of the planet is seaweed," she said. But these forests globally are under rising pressure. One example: kelp forests are declining at an annual rate twice that of coral reefs and over four times that of rainforests, a British Natural History Museum-backed report said in May. "Before, these areas were very rich in seaweed, seafood, fish, things that most people in this town live off of, from seaweed harvesting," said Maria Jose Espinoza, leader of the local Changa indigenous community. The Changa have lived off harvesting seaweeds for generations, but are worried as they've seen the forests shrink. Espinoza blamed tailings waste from mining in the nearby copper and lithium-rich Atacama Desert region for harming coastal environments, as well as desalination plants being developed by miners he worried would hurt marine life. Chile is the world's top copper producer and second largest lithium producer, with most mining activity in the north. Diver Roberto Carlos Chango, out with his son to collect shellfish, agreed on the importance of the seaweed forests. "Seaweeds are very important because they feed all animals. If there were no seaweeds, there would be no fish or shellfish," he said. Sergio Gutierrez, a Changa seaweed harvester who works gathering the algae, drying it and bundling it to sell, said the marine forests were a key part of the community. "They are the livelihood for our households and much more," he said. With all the benefits the underwater forests provide for the environment and community, marine biologist Gonzalez says more policies to protect the forests are needed. "All the marine organisms associated with (the forests) depend on their existence, so do humans," Gonzalez said. "These forests maintain temperatures, create a natural breakwater effect, and keep the ecosystem stable." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
4 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Chile's vital underwater forests face threats from mining, warming seas
Seaweed, that grows on volcanic rock, are seen at the coastal edge in Easter Island, Chile January 31, 2019. Picture taken January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jorge Vega PAPOSO, Chile (Reuters) -In the cold seas off Chile's arid northern coast an underwater forest teems with life. Towers of red and green seaweed float upwards from the sea floor, providing food for wildlife, income for locals - and oxygen and carbon capture for the planet. For scientists, these forests hold even more potential as sustainable protein, food and other materials, though they are threatened by warming oceans and human pollution. "They form a belt along coastal edges, which is essentially a belt of protection and biodiversity for life," said Alejandra Gonzalez, a marine biologist from the University of Chile who specializes in marine ecosystem conservation. She explained that seaweed produces oxygen and captures carbon dioxide, creating important carbon stores under the waves. "The future of the planet is seaweed," she said. But these forests globally are under rising pressure. One example: kelp forests are declining at an annual rate twice that of coral reefs and over four times that of rainforests, a British Natural History Museum-backed report said in May. "Before, these areas were very rich in seaweed, seafood, fish, things that most people in this town live off of, from seaweed harvesting," said Maria Jose Espinoza, leader of the local Changa indigenous community. The Changa have lived off harvesting seaweeds for generations, but are worried as they've seen the forests shrink. Espinoza blamed tailings waste from mining in the nearby copper and lithium-rich Atacama Desert region for harming coastal environments, as well as desalination plants being developed by miners he worried would hurt marine life. Chile is the world's top copper producer and second largest lithium producer, with most mining activity in the north. Diver Roberto Carlos Chango, out with his son to collect shellfish, agreed on the importance of the seaweed forests. "Seaweeds are very important because they feed all animals. If there were no seaweeds, there would be no fish or shellfish," he said. Sergio Gutierrez, a Changa seaweed harvester who works gathering the algae, drying it and bundling it to sell, said the marine forests were a key part of the community. "They are the livelihood for our households and much more," he said. With all the benefits the underwater forests provide for the environment and community, marine biologist Gonzalez says more policies to protect the forests are needed. "All the marine organisms associated with (the forests) depend on their existence, so do humans," Gonzalez said. "These forests maintain temperatures, create a natural breakwater effect, and keep the ecosystem stable." (Reporting by Rodrigo Gutierrez in Paposo; Writing by Alexander Villegas; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Sandra Maler)
United News of India
07-06-2025
- Climate
- United News of India
Quake measuring 6.4 strikes northern Chile, causes power outages
Santiago, June 7 (UNI) An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 struck northern Chile, causing power outages in several areas but no immediate reports of casualties, local authorities said. According to the National Seismological Center of the University of Chile, the quake occurred on Friday at 1:15 p.m. local time (1715 GMT), 54 kilometers south of Diego de Almagro in the northern region of Atacama, about 950 kilometers north of Santiago. The earthquake struck at a depth of 65 kilometers and was felt in nearby towns. Local media reported electricity outages in affected areas, and officials said a more detailed assessment would be released later in the day. Chile's Navy Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service ruled out any tsunami risk. The National Disaster Prevention and Response System is continuing to assess potential damage to people, infrastructure, and essential services. Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Chile is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. UNI XINHUA ARN
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ruled out: Contreras misses key U clash against Botafogo
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. University of Chile is playing for everything this Tuesday in Brazil. The Blues face Botafogo to define the passage to the round of 16 of the 2025 Copa Libertadores. Advertisement The defending champions play at home and in front of their fans and must also win to secure their place in the next phase. It will be a real final. The U, the current leader of their group, although only one point above Estudiantes and Botafogo, arrives with some doubts. In part because they come from losing to Deportes Limache, a tough setback in the First Division, although they played almost without starters. And that match also left a loss: that of Rodrigo Contreras. Contreras, already ruled out in U against Botafogo The striker finished with some discomfort after the match against Limache. Subsequently, it was confirmed that he had a strong muscle contraction in the back of his right thigh. Advertisement Contreras, however, joined the delegation that traveled to Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, so it was speculated that he could recover to play. However, this afternoon it was confirmed that he is definitely ruled out for this match. "The player is here, he was in the gym with the doctors this morning, but he is out of the match," said Marcelo Díaz, a TNT Sports journalist. Despite being ruled out, Contreras traveled to stay with the squad, as did Matías Zaldivia, who will not be able to play against Botafogo due to accumulation of yellow cards. It is expected that Fabián Hormazábal will play in place of Zaldivia in the line of three, with Maximiliano Guerrero further ahead on that side. In attack, Lucas Di Yorio would go in place of Contreras, in a duo with Leandro Fernández. 📸 RODRIGO ARANGUA - AFP or licensors
United News of India
03-05-2025
- Climate
- United News of India
Magnitude 7.5 quake strikes southern Chile, prompting tsunami alert
Santiago, May 3 (UNI) A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the southern maritime zone of Chile on Friday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami alert for the Magallanes region. The National Seismological Center of the University of Chile said the quake occurred at 8:58 a.m. local time (1258 GMT), with its epicenter located 218 km south of Puerto Williams -- the country's southernmost city, nearly 3,500 km from the capital city of Santiago. The tremor struck at a depth of 10 km and was felt in surrounding localities, officials said. Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) said damage assessments are underway, while the Chilean Navy's Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA) issued a tsunami alert, urging coastal residents in Magallanes and the Chilean Antarctic Territory to evacuate to safe zones and avoid beaches. Chile, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world's most seismically active countries. UNI XINHUA GNK
