Coral Reef Restoration Can Help Prevent Flood-Driven Pollution Along Florida’s Coast
While coral reefs are well known for their ability to buffer coastal communities from storm-driven waves, this study is the first to assess how restoring reefs could lower the risk of flood-related pollution along Florida’s extensive 460-kilometer coral reef-fringed coastline. By mitigating wave-driven flooding, coral reef restoration could significantly reduce the likelihood of contamination from key infrastructure such as petroleum storage tank systems, onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, and wastewater treatment plants. Reducing the risk of pollution translates into major environmental and economic benefits. The study estimates that the present value of infrastructure protection and pollution prevention provided by
NTSB Safety Alert – Aluminum Propeller Blades: Prevent Fractures with Proper Inspections and Maintenance
Aluminum propeller blades can be susceptible to fatigue, cracking, and fracture if a small nick, pit, or corrosion on the surface or edge is not found and repaired during preflight inspection or maintenance. Such damage can concentrate stress from normal airplane operation loads, resulting in fatigue crack initiation and growth followed by propeller blade fracture. Aluminum is more commonly used for airplane propeller blades than composite propeller blades or wood. Fatigue cracking and fracture of a propeller blade can damage the airframe, and engine, and cause a possible loss of control. Airplanes utilized for aerial application and coastal operations, as well