WTC Left Sedimentary Fingerprint

Quixotic1 writes "The NSF announced scientists had found a "distinct fingerprint on the sedimentary record in New York Harbor" due to the destruction of the World Trade Center. The findings were extrapolated from the presence of high concentrations of several elements that make up gypsum, a material used in drywall, and silica, likely from fiberglass."

Comments

I wonder about other studies...

[Simon Field]

I wonder if anyone did similar studies after such events as Chernoble, the oil fires in Iraq, or after some volcanic eruptions.

Interesting about the radioactive iodine though. This may be an easier way to study urban water pollution patterns than looking for antibiotics or hormones in the water.

Re:Wow

[Simon Field]

The point of the article was that we have an event made at a particular time, that left a signature in the sediments. This allows us to track those sediments over time to find out how they are transported in that harbor.

This may become important if, say, a dirty bomb were set off in that city, and we wanted to assess the cost of cleaning up the harbor. It could also be used to study the effects of human water pollution on the sea-floor life in the area.

Dust to Dust

[Madcapjack]

I thought that this was an interesting article, and I think that it doesn't deserve the (mostly) silly comments so far posted. But the article just doesn't offer to much to talk about.

I think that the situation was fortuitious for scientists who want to study how particles spread, especially in the New York region. It is an interesting study for that reason. But it isn't surprising that there is such a signature showing in the bay.

Re:News Flashes!!!

[Madcapjack]

From my understanding of the article, the scientists were not simply looking for a WTC sedimentary layer to simply confirm that it was there. The scientists involved seem more interested in studying how small particles in air and water spread in that region. And that is interesting and potentially useful.

Other Sedimentary Deposits

[Bonker]

1998 - Bill Clinton's DNA found in Patomic River
1999 - Little bits of Silicone from Pamela Anderson found in the sand at all the various 'Baywatch' sets.
2000 - Florida's 'hanging chads' and its dignity found off Miami Beach.
2001 - Dot.Com shrapnel covers most of California and a significant portion of the East Coast.
2002 - The tatters and shreds of American freedom found in the dust in the bottom of Senate and House a few months after the Patriot Act was passed.
2003 - I'm not sure *what* particles those are all over the Pacific Ocean, but the Mass Spectrometer says 'CowboyNeal'.