June 16, 2009 | 5 comments

Slide Show: Jellyfish Jamboree--Are They Set to Seize the Seas?

A new paper proposes that humans are making the oceans a very happy habitat for jellyfish. Here's a closer look

By Katherine Harmon   

 
e-mail comment
< Prev     1 of 7     Next >
GELATINOUS MENACE Slide Show: Jellyfish Jamboree--Are They Set to Seize the Seas? :: A new paper proposes th

CLICK TO ENLARGE + Y. TANIGUCHI

GELATINOUS MENACE

Jellyfish may elicit oohs and ahhs at aquariums, but out in the watery wild they can wreak rapid and serious bodily harm. The venomous sting of a box jellyfish known as the Chironex fleckeri can kill a person in three minutes.

They also pose a host of economic threats. An overload of jellyfish can burst fishing nets and contaminate catches. Costal waters thick with jellies can also clog cooling intakes at nearby power plants, notes a new study.

< Prev     1 of 7     Next >
 

More to Explore


Share
Propeller    Digg!  Reddit delicious  Fark 
Slashdot    RT @sciam Slide Show: Jellyfish Jamboree--Are They Set to Seize the Seas?Twitter Review it on NewsTrust 
sharebar end


Discuss This Article


Click here to submit your comment.

VIEW:

2,573 characters remaining
 
  Email me when someone responds to this discussion.
 


risk free issuefree gift

Sciam - cover Email:
Name:
Address:
Address 2:
City:
State:  
spacer




Editor's Pick

  • Adapting to the Freshwater CrisisForward-thinking experts are getting a better handle on the growing global water shortage and coming up with innovative approaches to ensuring the security, safety and sustainability of this resource

Newsletter

Basic Science Newsletter

Get weekly coverage delivered to your inbox


 Podcasts

  • 60-Second Earth     RSS  · iTunes The Jellyfish Menace
    click to enable

    Download

  • 60-Second Science     RSS  · iTunes Plants Share Light If Neighbor Is Related
    click to enable

    Download





ADVERTISEMENT
 
 

Also on Scientific American


© 1996-2009 Scientific American Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
ADVERTISEMENT