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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 12, 1996)
April 12,151 i fans it the first halfol he rest ofh« e ground. It was how, one oftlf 3d off the drum .to a ceiling fan he stage. • wouldn’t have it jromez said hat- fun at a show is priority. “It’s a re lease,” he saii “It’s fun ti get in froat of a big c r owi and let ^go of a lot of stuff,’ Outlander's w attracted at- rom an indivii- ho agreed tol- s first studio at- y, this new tape ependent recora iid, so Outlandet in reshaping tie :ene. ; all getting ski ids that suck,’ hey’re just in it nd it’s not really ide them.” 11 stay true to its a said, no matte: may hold, y, Outlanderis d to playing its ation show this band only asks e support the k- e and give Out- t people to come a,” Rivera said. e it all Friday • April 12, 1996 Campus & Nation Page 5 • The Battalion U.S Navy gives money for investigation Endangered sperm whales could have unfavorable affects to underwater noises By Wes Swift The Bat tal ion A group of Texas A&M profes sors and students will use a S316.000 grant from the U.S. Navy to investigate whether loud underwater noises adverse ly affect sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico. The A&M Center for Bioa : coustics received the three-year grant to study the movement and behavior of sperm whales that are exposed to low-frequen cy, high-intensity sounds. Four scientists, headed by Dr. Robert Benson, center di rector and associate professor of engineering technology, will broadcast tape-recorded tones underwater for distances of about 1 kilometer. The team probably will be based on an off-shore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Using underwater micro phones attached to buoys, the sci entists will monitor the “clicking” sounds that sperm whales usually make. With these sounds, the team will determine how the whales move and behave. Dr. Bill Evans, an oceanogra phy and wildlife fisheries science professor at Texas A&M at Galveston, said the team will be examining the whales’ reactions' “We hope to determine whether or not sperm whales re act to these sounds,” Evans said. “We want to know how they re act, whether they’re attracted or repelled by (the sounds), and if so, if they accommodate them selves to the noise.” The National Marine Fisheries Service estimates that there are 2 million sperm whales left in the world. They have been on the en dangered species list since 1970. The whales are noted for their deep dives, sometimes reaching depths of 3.3 kilometers, and for the “clicking” noises they make when coming into contact with other life forms. Scientists do not know what the purpose of the clicking is, though some believe it could be for communication or territorial purposes. Sperm whales from various regions have different types of clicks. The study arose from a new method of measuring global warming that transmits sounds underwater between two points. By measuring the time the sounds take to travel be tween the two points, scientist can determine the temperature of the earth. Under federal regulations, such as the Endangered Species Act of 1973, any underwater ac tivity must be investigated to de termine whether it has adverse effects on the behavior of marine life. If marine life is altered, the effects must be eliminated before the activity can resume. Benson said scientists do not expect the whales to experience any adverse effects. “We’re going into this with no preconceived notions,” he said. “However, if I had to guess, then I think there probably won’t be any adverse effects. But, we’re not trying to find adverse effects, we’re trying to determine if there are any effects at all.” Benson said the 120-decibel sounds used in the experiments may seem loud, but they are real ly not. He compared the sounds to common car stereo amplifiers. lUNlO FULBRIGHT The Junior pulbright provides igrodaotihg seniors and graduate students of CI.S. -citizenship the opportunity to develop <r proposal for a specific research project to be undertaken in the country of their choice dtiring the 1997-1998 academic year. Each applicant may apply once durini the current year of competition. Informational Meeting Times MONDAY APRIL 15 at l P m WEDNESDAY APRIL 17at l pm FRIDAY APRIL 19 AT l P m All Meetings Held in Bizzell Hall West room 154 FOR ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, INFORMATIONAL MEETING TIMES, OR GENERAL INFORMATION, CONTACTS STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS OFFICE 161 BIZZELL HALL WEST (409) 845-0544 Montana train derailment hospitalizes 40 people \ tank car leaked 170,000 pounds of chlorine near small town ‘w Milne, The Batec o wear nationwide year. For Hilfe- :tion is in the lil f nudism. He sef> ealthy, natura- ng. is a freedom,"l ( axer, a stress rf i is nothing irld.” 1115 m iVatch :o ficially licens' i ring a riclih cereal ion oftli £ ... gold finish^ Lz movemeii' within fiftec 11 i ree vear Scik 1 ' 5.00 .00 $200,00 245.00 VINO ALBERTON, Mont. (AP) — A freight train derailed today near this western Mon tana town and a tank car leaked chlorine, forcing the evacuation of the entire town of 400. At least 37 people suffering breathing problems were taken to hospitals, and three were reported in critical condition. A National Guard spokesman estimated 1,000 people were evacuated from the area around the derailment within four hours after the accident, including the 400 resi dents of Alberton. Bill Silverman, coordinator of the Mis soula County Disaster and Emergency Ser vices, said five tank cars derailed about 4 am. Four contained chlorine, and one of those overturned and leaked, he said. Bill Reed, chief of the Missoula Rural Fire Department, said the car was ruptured on the bottom. “It’s probably empty now, or nearly " he said. “That’s not the concern now. The concern is the condition of the other cars.” He said four people in protective suits en tered the site to examine the wreckage. Dan Rapkoch, spokesman for the state Department of Military Affairs, said 170,000 pounds of chlorine had leaked from at least one derailed car. Two chlorine plumes were reported in the area. Sandy Neis, 32, who lives about two miles from the derailment, said the the evacuation was swift. “I got dressed, got my daughter dressed and grabbed the dog,” she said. She and daughter Katie, 6, and husband Rich, 35, were among those who took shelter at an evacuation center in Frenchtown, about 12 miles to the east. Reed told about 300 people gathered at the evacuation center that the danger was real to those exposed to the gas. “I won’t minimize the danger,” he told the evacuees. “You could have some long-term effects if you breathe enough of it.” Monitors at the edge of a “hot zone” desig nated around the wreckage were reading 3 to 7 parts per million of chlorine along Interstate 90,.Reed said. He said 10 ppm is considered dangerous to human health, and evacuations are ordered at 5 ppm. Interstate 90, which runs next to the de railment site, was closed. Traffic was rerout ed on an 80-mile detour on U.S. 93 and Mon tana 200 from St. Regis to near Missoula. Reed said 14 people were taken to Miner al County Hospital near Superior, 17 to St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula and five to Community Medical Center in Missoula. In addition, a truck driver on T90 who drove through the plume later stopped at St. James Hospital in Butte, complaining of breathing difficulties. The train was operated by Missoula-based Montana Rail Link, which hauls freight in southern and western Montana. Chlorine gas is a strong irritant which forms an acid when mixed with water. Dis aster officials said it can form explosive com pounds in reaction with other common sub stances. It is heavier than air and may col lect in low-lying areas. Student Organization Leader skip Conference Presented by the Dept, of Student Activities for student organization officers. Thursday, April 18 Officers from any recognized student organization are invited. Come even if your group didn't pre-register! 5:30 - 6:00 pm Registration, Governance Rm. (144), Koldus Bldg. 6:00 - 6:30 pm Keynote Address 6:40 - 9:00 pm Individual Sessions (Rudder) Topics Include: Publicity Managing Conflict Principled Leadership Communication Skills Setting Goals Effective Meetings Fiscal Affairs Delegation Group Development Demands of Leadership Inclusive Leadership Development Transcript Call Kristin or Lisa at 862-4724 for more information. 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