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

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.