The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, April 12, 1996, Image 5

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    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.
Carat
Color
Clarity
Price
.31
I
SI1
$475“°
.31
H
VS2
675°“
.49
F
SI1
1,579°°
.49
J
SI2
1,050°"
.57
K
SI1
1,150°°
.68
J
VS2
1,900°°
.69
K
VVS2
1,750°°
.71
H
VS2
3,100°° UGACekt.
.71
G
VS2
2,900°°
.83
H
SI1
3,150°°
.84
K/L
SI1
2,150°°
.94
K
SI1
2,650°°
1.01
1
SI1
4,500°° BGL Cert.
1.21
K
S13
3,750°°
Emerald Cut
Carat
Color
Clarity
Price
.43
L
WS2
$750°°
.71
H
SI2
1,675°"
.74
H
SI3
1,500°°
.83
H
SI3
1,575°°
.88
G
SI2
1,750°°
.93
G
SI 3
1,950°°
1.28
I
VS2
4,650°°
Loose Diamonds
Marquise Cut
Round Diamond
Carat
Color
Clarity
Price
.77
G
SI1
$1800°°
.95
I
11
2,275°°
.90
H
VS1
4250°° EGLCekt.
1.00
G
11
2,600°°
1.04
G
VS1
6000°° GIACert.
1.16
J
SI1
3,950°°
1.19
I
SI2
4,750°° GIACekt.
1.33
J
SI1
3,500“°
2.00
I
SI1/SI2
6975°°
9.51
L/M
11/12
29,000°°
Pear Shape
Carat
Color
Clarity
Price
.49
H
SI1
$1,253°°
.59
E
11
995°°
.79
K
SI1
1,675°°
.92
K
VS2
2,300°°
1.02
J
SI1
3,250°°
Princess
Round Diamond
Carat
.49
.53
.80
.92
.93
1.42
Color
K
K
J
H
H
H
Clarity
SI1
VS1
II
VVS2
VS2
SI3
Price
$ 875 00
975 00
1,375°°
3,500°°
3200°°
3,900°°
Carat
Color
Claritv
Price
Oval
.23
H
VVS1
$400°°
.27
H
VVS1
475°°
Carat
Color
Clarity
Price
.31
H
VVS2
745°° IGLCnsrr.
.32
H
SI1
$550°°
.33
H
VVS2
790°o
.40
J
VS1
675 00
.34
G
VVS2
895°°
.56
K
V
1,075°°
.37
G
11
350"°
.66
K
VVS2
1,252°°
.52
F
11
595 AntOMMincCUt
.81
I
VS2
3,225°° UGACekt.
.52
H
VVS2
18/5°° IGLGert
.93
I
SI2
2,860°°
.64
H
VVS2
1,990°°
1.00
G
11
2,700°°
.70
I
SI1
2100°°
1.12
I
SI1
3,950°°
.71
H
SI1
2,200°°
1.53
I/J
SI1
5,800°°
.71
H
VVS2
2985°° IGLCert
ok n effuntfsu /Jna.
Citizen Watches with
Official A&M Seal
Gold-Tone $179.95
Two-Tone $159.95
Quartz Movement.
3-yr. warranty. Water Resistant.
*Call for Quantity Prices.
Texas A&M
Watches, Jewelry
and Charms
Class of'79
"Very Personal Investments"
Rare Coins, Loose Diamonds, Precious Metal, Fine Jewelry Watches, Tennis Bracelets,
Cocktail Rings & Colored Gemstones
313B South College Ave. (Albertson's Center) • 846-8916
New Shipment
of Loose Diamonds!