ScienceDaily: Top Environment News: Three new species of tiny frogs from the remarkable region of Papua New Guinea

Jay OwenEarth Systems Science

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Three new species of tiny frogs from the remarkable region of Papua New Guinea

Posted: 20 Sep 2013 08:14 AM PDT

Following the description of the world’s smallest frogs, biologists now offer three more species of tiny amphibians from the region of Papua New Guinea. Despite their minute size, around 20 mm, the three new frog species are still substantially larger than the prize holders, described in 2011. The new species represent a small part and attest for the remarkable anuran biodiversity of the Papuan region.

Mine metals at Maine Superfund site causing widespread contamination

Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:47 AM PDT

Toxic metals from the only open pit mine in an estuary system in the United States are widespread in nearby sediment, water and fish and may be affecting marine and coastal animals that feed on them beyond the mine site, a new study finds.

Climate change: Polar bears change to diet with higher contaminant loads

Posted: 20 Sep 2013 06:47 AM PDT

Over the past 30 years, polar bears have increasingly exchanged ringed seal with harp seal and hooded seal in their diet. This change exposes the polar bear to more contaminants, according to a recent international study.

Antibacterial products fuel resistant bacteria in streams and rivers

Posted: 19 Sep 2013 12:44 PM PDT

Triclosan — a synthetic antibacterial widely used in personal care products — is fueling the development of resistant bacteria in streams and rivers. So reports a new paper that is the first to document triclosan resistance in a natural environment.

Are banana farms contaminating Costa Rica’s crocs?

Posted: 19 Sep 2013 05:58 AM PDT

Shoppers spend over £10 billion on bananas annually and now this demand is being linked to the contamination of Central America’s crocodilians. New research analyzes blood samples from spectacled caiman in Costa Rica and finds that intensive pesticide use in plantations leads to contaminated species in protected conservation areas.