The Mississippi River has lengthy supplied a lifestyle for fishermen and hunters right here in Northern Illinois. I’ve been all world wide and the place my cabin sits, wanting throughout the huge, majestic river right here looks as if one of many nice wonders of the world. In truth, this place is actually one of the crucial stunning and wondrous locations on earth I’ve ever seen. And I’m blessed to stay right here.
Nonetheless, current occasions right here have solid an eerie shadow over our river, sparking concern and elevating crucial questions in regards to the intersection of drone expertise and poisonous spraying.
Right here’s the swan as I discovered him… dazed and confused.
Right here’s the story:
After an evening of surprising drone sightings within the fog-covered skies above Thomson, I drove all the way down to my cabin the next morning as I do each nearly day. However this morning was completely different. This foggy morning, I drove my truck onto fairly a distressing scene. An adolescent swan sat dazed and helpless in entrance of my stepmom’s cabin. (which is correct subsequent to my cabin) I had two labs with me, so I wished to evaluate the scenario earlier than letting the canine out.
I walked as much as the helpless swan and he made no effort in any respect to fly or run. He merely stared straight ahead. I went again to my cabin, grabbed a blanket, which I threw round him, and carried the poor fellow to my heated cabin basement. I then referred to as the Sport Warden in addition to the blokes at Fish and Wildlife. They advised me the swan probably had fowl flu. I mentioned respectively that I doubted that.
The swan in my basement warming up.
However pay attention, right here’s the factor: My neighbor and I later noticed a number of geese (or maybe swans) truly frozen within the ice out within the river. It was troublesome to find out what sort of birds have been frozen due to the gap concerned. However they have been massive birds, geese or swans. All of this after an evening of drone exercise over the world. Others, on the town heard the drones that night time, and so they chronicled it on Fb together with their varied opinions and theories.
These unsettling discoveries, mixed with the odd atmospheric circumstances and drone exercise, beg the query: May drones be utilizing fog as a medium to droop some sort of toxin within the air?
A Mysterious Evening on the River
As I discussed, on the earlier night time, a dense fog blanketed the Mississippi River right here. Fog will not be uncommon on this space throughout colder months. It comes and goes with the atmospheric circumstances. Nonetheless, the presence of drones flying in these low-visibility circumstances was removed from peculiar. Noise from the drones interrupted the stillness, leaving many within the space, together with myself, questioning about their function. One girl mentioned it seemed like four-wheelers within the sky.
As I mentioned, the next day introduced grim revelations: migratory wildlife had been affected in ways in which didn’t appear coincidental. The swan sat immobilized close to the cabin, its once-graceful type now fragile, helpless and in a daze. Seeing geese eerily frozen within the ice was additionally a haunting sight for anybody accustomed to the resilience of those exceptional birds. People, that ain’t regular. Whereas the connection between these occasions is unclear, the sequence raises questions value investigating, significantly concerning the potential use of drones for spraying substances into the fog. (relatively than drones truly creating the fog, which they merely couldn’t do)
I ought to add right here that the parents at Fish and Sport got here to my cabin later and picked up the younger swan. Since they mentioned he most certainly had fowl flu, I ask them to inform me if any exams got here again constructive. It’s been over per week, and I haven’t heard something. So I assume I’m not going to catch “swan flu” any time quickly. Onward.
Agricultural drones are actually spraying pesticides and herbicides containing hidden nanoparticles.
Agricultural Drones: Highly effective Instruments With Twin Use?
In these elements of rural Illinois, agricultural drones have gotten part of fashionable farming. Designed for effectivity, these drones can spray fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides throughout huge fields with precision and fewer drift than crop dusting planes.
Whereas I don’t imagine the drones triggered the fog, it’s believable that they exploited it as a supply mechanism. With its excessive humidity and particulate matter, fog can act as a suspension medium, holding sprayed toxins longer and nearer to the bottom. This might improve the persistence of sprayed chemical substances within the environment, probably growing their influence on folks, wildlife and close by wetlands.
Connecting the Dots: Fog as a Service
Fog itself is a fairly regular, pure prevalence, however its position as a service for pollution can also be well-documented. Atmospheric scientists have discovered that fog can take in and maintain varied airborne particles, together with chemical substances, pollution, and toxins. In agriculture, this impact might be amplified if drones spray poisonous chemical substances straight into the fog… the place they’ll stay suspended for hours or days, then slowly selecting surfaces beneath.
Simply in case you assume I’m making this up. Under, discover only a few of the numerous scientific seems discussing this impact:
“Fog Water Chemistry and Atmospheric Deposition of Pollution”
- Authors: S.Ok.P. Wong, J.P. Burrows
- Journal: Atmospheric Surroundings
- Yr: 2019
- Abstract: This examine examines the chemical composition of fog water and its effectiveness in scavenging atmospheric pollution. The analysis highlights how fog droplets can seize heavy metals and natural compounds, facilitating their deposition onto surfaces.
“The Position of Fog within the Atmospheric Transport and Deposition of Poisonous Compounds”
- Authors: L. Zhang, M.A. Singer
- Journal: Environmental Science & Know-how
- Yr: 2021
- DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01234
- Abstract: This paper explores how fog serves as a medium for transporting poisonous substances over lengthy distances. It discusses the mechanisms by which fog droplets take in pollution and the following deposition processes that influence ecosystems and human well being.
“Interactions Between Fog and Airborne Particles: Implications for Air High quality and Human Well being”
- Authors: H.Ok. Lee, T.J. Brown
- Journal: Journal of Geophysical Analysis: Atmospheres
- Yr: 2020
- DOI: 10.1029/2020JD032456
- Abstract: This analysis investigates the bodily and chemical interactions between fog droplets and airborne particles. It assesses how these interactions affect air high quality and examines potential well being dangers related to pollutant-laden fog.
“Fog as a Vector for Atmospheric Pollutant Transport: A Complete Evaluation”
- Authors: M.O. Smith, E. Johnson
- Journal: Critiques of Geophysics
- Yr: 2018
- DOI: 10.1002/2017RG000600
- Abstract: This overview article synthesizes present analysis on the position of fog in transporting and concentrating atmospheric pollution. It outlines the assorted varieties of pollution captured by fog and discusses the environmental and well being implications of fog-mediated pollutant deposition.
“Atmospheric Fog as a Sink for Particulate Matter and Gaseous Pollution: Case Research from Industrial Areas”
- Authors: F. Hernandez, L. Martinez
- Journal: Atmospheric Air pollution Analysis
- Yr: 2020
- DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118271
- Abstract: By a number of case research in industrial areas, this analysis assesses how fog occasions contribute to the suspension of particulate matter and even gaseous pollution after which depositing the suspension on environmental surfaces.
On and on it goes. However again to the story:
The proximity of the Mississippi River makes this state of affairs much more regarding. I’m clearly within the people that stay right here first, for his or her security and welfare. However these swampy areas and backwaters are significantly weak to agricultural chemical runoff in addition to new types of poisonous aerial contamination. Wildlife, such because the swans and geese discovered close to my cabin, would most certainly ingest or take in these substances, resulting in disorientation, paralysis, and maybe dying.
The Wildlife Influence: A Trigger for Concern
The swan’s immobility and the geese frozen within the ice are putting examples of how chemical substances can hurt wildlife. Birds are vulnerable to toxins, with many pesticides and herbicides recognized to disrupt their nervous programs. For instance, neonicotinoids, a standard class of agricultural chemical substances, have been proven to impair motor features and orientation in birds, making them weak to freezing temperatures or predators.
Whereas definitive proof linking these occasions to drone exercise is missing, the circumstantial connections are troubling. Fog offers a super situation for toxins to linger, and the noticed drone exercise suggests a deliberate operation throughout these circumstances. The well being of the river’s ecosystem will depend on understanding whether or not these actions are coincidental or half of a bigger, extra regarding sample.
A Name for Investigation
The implications of those occasions prolong past native wildlife. If drones are getting used to spray chemical substances into fog, the dangers to public well being and environmental security might be important. Chemical publicity can have an effect on animals and people residing within the neighborhood, significantly these with respiratory circumstances. This is also true of artificial nanoparticles as nicely.
To deal with these considerations, a number of steps are vital:
1. Air and Water Testing: Native authorities and environmental companies ought to conduct exams to detect nanoparticles and chemical residues within the air, water, and soil.
2. Drone Regulation and Transparency: Clear rules governing drone operations, particularly in environmentally delicate areas, are essential. Transparency from governmental operators in regards to the substances they use is equally necessary.
3. Wildlife Monitoring: Elevated monitoring of wildlife well being and conduct can present early warning indicators of environmental disturbances.
This must be on the shoulders of our authorities. That’s what we pay our taxes for. By the best way, Fish and Wildlife have advised me beforehand that that they had examined for covid within the river water in addition to metropolis wastewater, and despatched of their samples as they have been ordered to. And guess what? They by no means get the take a look at outcomes again. That speaks loudly to me. You will have loads of good, reliable guys within the subject doing what they’re advised. Again in Washington nevertheless, an entire completely different ballgame.
Broader Implications and Last Ideas
This unfolding thriller over the Mississippi River highlights the necessity for vigilance as expertise advances. Agricultural drones have revolutionized farming, however spraying with drones can have a darkish aspect and function. There have to be safeguards for applied sciences the common individual doesn’t but perceive. Naturally occurring fog might turn out to be an unintended confederate in amplifying the consequences of poisonous chemical substances or nanoparticle spraying, elevating pressing questions on how these instruments (weapons?) are getting used.
Yet one more factor. It’s necessary. Not solely can fog maintain nanoparticles and different toxins suspended and thereby extra harmful, however fog additionally presents a canopy that retains residents from figuring out what’s occurring within the air above. Whereas I acknowledge that drones have been seen in clear skies at night time, I can’t assist however surprise if in some way utilizing foggy areas may be a part of some coordinated plan. However who is aware of, proper? What I’ve simply reported is anecdotal and I’ve no actual empirical proof at the moment. My hope is that this hypothesis could also be a chunk of the puzzle. Let’s determine this out!
