Happy fifth birthday to Everblue!
JANUARY 11: RESEARCH SUMMARY - BEAUTIFUL BACTERIA
Though cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, are known for harmful blooms, they’re also a great sustainable resource! This recent study discusses the benefits of using cyanobacteria for pigment production. Cyanobac have natural pigments they use to photosynthesize. This pigment can be harvested and used for human purposes, such as food coloring and clothing dye. Cyanobacteria can be kept via aquaculture, making them an incredibly sustainable resource.
JANUARY 13: SUSTAINABILITY TIP - FABULOUS FABRICS
Do you have the urge to tie-dye a shirt or some socks or an entire blanket? Instead of buying overly processed, chemical dyes from the store, you should try making your own sustainable dye at home! There are lots of fruits and vegetables with bold coloration you can use to make dye. Follow the instructions below:
Red and pink: beets, pomegranates, avocado pits
Indigo: blueberries, purple cabbage, black beans
Yellow: sunflower petals, celery leaves, onion skins
Orange: Turmeric, carrots, butternut squash husks
Green: Mint, spinach, artichokes
Collect your dye materials, and add them to a saucepan with enough water to cover them. Heat on a simmer for one hour. Allow the pan to cool, then strain your dye into a jar or other container. You can alter the colors with lemon juice and vinegar if you want!
Next, take your clothing item and simmer in a saucepan for one hour in a mixture of ½ cup salt and water, then run the fabric under cold water, and then apply your natural dye as you normally would. Leave the dye overnight if able, and wah-lah! Sustainably dyed fabrics.
Happy Dyeing! (:
JANUARY 25: RESEARCH SUMMARY - GO WITH THE FLOW
In this study of the Eastern Chinese coast off Jiangsu, researchers looked at the effects that hydrodynamic shear stress has on salt marshes.
This was done using 2D simulations, where marsh grass growth was measured against different wave heights and current velocities. The results showed that the factors produce temporal variations of each other. This means that increased salt marsh vegetation decreases wave action and prevents erosion, while increased hydrodynamic activity causes increased marsh bed shear stress, limiting marsh grass growth and promoting further erosion.
JANUARY 27: SUSTAINABILITY TIP - ERASING EROSION
Are you looking to put new plants in your yard or garden? Try looking up which native plants in your area help prevent erosion! For example, in Virginia it’s recommended to plant native ferns, shrubs, and perennials such as violets. These plants thrive in moist, shaded conditions, which are the areas in yards that most often tend to erode.