Environment

Guess What That Orange Goo in Alaska Turned Out to Be?

Earlier this month, The Blaze reported an unidentified, gooey substance was washing up on Alaskan shores of the Kivalina village and was even found in rain buckets and on one roof. Now, scientists officially think they’ve identified what is was . . . almost.

NOAA marine biologists have identified the substance as rust fungal spores, but the species still remains unidentified.

Orange Goo Identified as Spores Not Eggs

Up close look at the spores using a scanning electron microscope. (Photo: NOAA).

Scientists initially thought the substance was fish eggs, due to its size. But as Discovery News reports, scientists and interested readers questioned this hypothesis:

Invertebrate marine biologist Jason Hodin at Stanford, upon seeing the regular microscope image and asked if these might be sea urchin eggs as one Discovery News reader suggested, told Discovery News: “They don’t look like urchin eggs to me, more like mollusk eggs…if they are in fact eggs at all.” He pointed out that the mystery orange substance under regular magnification did not seem to show any cleavage to indicate cellular division. If these were eggs he asked, “why are they all apparently unfertilized? In a mass spawning event, one expects males to spawn too.”

After scientists at NOAA’s National Ocean Service Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research in Charleston, S.C., investigated further, the tiny orange beads were identified as spores from a rust fungus. Principal investigator Steve Morton said in a release, “At this point, the best identification we can give to as the origin of these spores is a rust fungus. The spores are unlike others we and our network of specialists have examined; however, many rust fungi of the Arctic tundra have yet to be identified.”

Marine physiologists, according to Discovery News, have identified the spores’ taxonomic order as Pucciniales, which is composed of parasitic plant fungus. Scientists are still determining if this spore is one of the 7,800 species of rust fungi or a new species.

Comments (100)

  • shilde58
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:59pm

    Everyone should be looking into UN Agenda 21, all these science reports that turn out to be wrong is because the Socialist Democrats are trying to get everyone worry about the environment. This goes for the phony Global Warming BS, all part of the plan to have more control on our every movement. I have been looking into this very heavily and all the CZARs Obama appointed are on his Rural Council which other part of him pushing the agenda. UN will have control of all countries and their people.

    Report Post » shilde58  
    • wesleyapril
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:08pm

      Remember a couple of weeks ago when they said they were “fish eggs” – damn these scientists, that are supposedly “educated” are some dum azz people. Can’t figure out their head from their rear.

      Report Post »  
    • hauschild
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:29pm

      It’s all about money.

      You want a study or theory to prove climate change, or dying species or you name it? Just pony up some cash. It’s sort of like hiring a hit-man, but legal.

      Report Post »  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:53pm

      So glad to get the truth on that, thank God for the Govt media.
      maybe we can have some chemtrails analyzed ? or sodium fluoride
      in our drinking water analyzed for human consumption ?

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • Michael61
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 4:29pm

      “Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts” – Richard Feynman

      Report Post »  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 4:56pm

      How can any of you say there is not the possibility of global warning? I live in Texas and we have just gone thru 65 days of 100 plus temperatures – I have lived in Texas since I was 5 and I am now 64 – this is the hottest summer I ever remember except for last year and the year before that. http://wp.me/pYLB7-1ue

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 4:59pm

      If the guys at NASA looked at it they would claim an Alien invasion!

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • El Paco
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 5:51pm

      Or we look at this article and simply say, “We still don‘t know everything about God’s creations…. so let’s just figure out what this is just for scientific kicks and giggles”. Why is this story being raided by people trying to make an anti -global warming point where there was no inkling of that to begin with?? It just seems like a cool science article that got hijacked for no reason at all. I’m all for the elimination of this “notion of man-made global warming” like the rest of you…. but this isn’t a battle-ground thread.

      Pick your battles homies.

      Report Post » El Paco  
    • muhamadhater
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:43pm

      this site has everything u want or need 2 know about U.N. agenda 21.. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER MY FRIENDS!! GOD bless!!
      http://www.democratsagainstunagenda21.com/

      Report Post » muhamadhater  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 10:05pm

      Ah, yes. Science has the answers. What a load of cra_p.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • throwtheunout
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 10:36pm

      Your right take mind off the national political B.S. and look what‘s going on in your own town that’s where it can be stopped, We will lose our freedoms by Treaty. STOP AGENDA 21

      Report Post »  
    • Rob in Katy
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 10:39pm

      1996: the global temp has been changing for billions or 4,000 years. There have been many ice ages and many tropical periods…what makes you so damn special that the world is going to stop changing just for you? Do you really think that it is going to remain in the 50-80f for all eternity, are you really that arrogant? You do realize that Sun is a fusion furnace and varies in temperature and that variance will affect the temperature here on earth and most of the other plants, must like your stove will affect the temperature of the water in a pot. Is it really that difficult to understand?

      Report Post »  
    • Rob in Katy
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 10:43pm

      1996: I don’t think anyone doubts that there may be global warming, most of us just don’t think man has anything to do with it…we tend to have the odd belief that the fusion furnace burning in the sky may be a more likely candidate than cow farts.

      Report Post »  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 11:39pm

      Walkwithme… and what about the coldest winters on record over the last couple of years?
      Everytime THAT is pointed out, it is somehow contributed to by Global Warming as well. It’s total BS!! They want it both ways: the extreme heat and extreme cold is BOTH due to global warming. Yeah, that makes sense.
      Hey…. yes, this is the hottest summer on record here in Texas (or at least it will be in a few days when we break the record 69 days of triple digits set in what, 1924?) But heck man, records will be broken. In both directions. But just because it‘s hot this year doesn’t mean we won’t have a mild summer next year. Or even if it‘s not doesn’t mean global warming is real. The planet takes care of itself. No, we don’t want to trash it. Let’s take care of it. But the human race has not made global warming. Besides, why wouldn’t 1924 have been considered global warming? There were 69 days in triple digits then?? But then, what about the almost 90 years in between then and now? Come on man… use your noggin. The climate changes—ON ITS OWN

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • Caniac Steve
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 11:41pm

      Naw it’s the bio-hazard stuff from the UN’s take on the “big Bang” theory that never was…or it‘s flem from Al Gore’s lungs from preaching too hard on “green jobs that are NOT lining his pockets or bank accounts as much…the “plot thickens” ?? gee i hope not..at least the Left aint saying it was a Sarah Palin “luugie” and accuse her of emviroment polution…

      Report Post » Caniac Steve  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 11:42pm

      Great point Rob, about the stove and water in the pot. The heat variances will directly relate to the heat in the water. So it will be as the sun‘s fluctuations will determine earth’s condition.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • dasbunker
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 10:53pm

      shilde58

      This is just his environmental agenda. Next will be our guns, letting in all of the Illegal’s, forcing us to buy health insurance, allowing the Black panthers to dictate our elections and whatever freedom that Obummer deems we have left.
      I congratulate you sir. Good work.

      Report Post »  
  • mattmo79
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:58pm

    More proof of global warming!!

    Report Post » mattmo79  
    • chazman
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:03pm

      … it’s decomposing hippies …

      Report Post »  
    • orkydorky
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:23pm

      Some more of the global warming crowd, these guys are dumber than rocks!

      Report Post » orkydorky  
    • 1TrueOne55
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 4:15pm

      Global Warming is happening but its main factor is not man made, but there is the fact that Al Gore goes all around the world in a private inefficient GS2 and then gets to a conference by limo and then spouts more hot air at the conference. Then he eats beef burgers then flatulent methane gas comes out of his arse. It is no wonder that Global Warming is hard to pin down, if only Al Gore would stay in one place the scientists could get an accurate reading on the CO2 that he ejects.

      Report Post » 1TrueOne55  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:57pm

    Why now? What is their purpose? What are the dangers if any? Sounds like they have no answers.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • BernieKittyCat
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:10pm

      Could it be the Blob?

      Report Post » BernieKittyCat  
    • Inlandmar2
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:08pm

      Sounds like an alien invasion to me….Alert Star Command! The sky is falling!

      Report Post » Inlandmar2  
    • woodyb
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 10:46pm

      Answers??????

      They don’t even have the questions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • lilsis
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:55pm

    It is all the kool-aid that the left had over from 2008.

    Report Post »  
  • Socialism-Sucks
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:52pm

    I knew it had to do with Al Spore …I mean Gore.

    Report Post » Socialism-Sucks  
  • mossbrain
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:50pm

    It’s a sad sad day. Burger King is getting rid of their king mascot. I suspect this fungus spore matter will be pressed into faux-burgers without the KING in charge.

    Report Post » mossbrain  
  • SpunkyTexan
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:49pm

    It’s andromeda! Picked up from Project Scoop!

    Report Post »  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:41pm

    It’s the common sense of the Democrats since they clearly have none.

    Report Post »  
  • inferno
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:38pm

    I would guess it’s a small slice of our rusting economy !!!!

    Report Post »  
  • OLDBIKEFIXER
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:36pm

    Rust never sleeps.

    Report Post » OLDBIKEFIXER  
  • Mike Opelka
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:35pm

    I was hoping to hear that it was a new form of Alaskan Caviar! Bummer.

    Report Post » Mike Opelka  
  • Eric_The_Red_State
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:33pm

    Every time you vote for a Democrat – a puppy dies

    Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
    • nflrunner
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:38pm

      Every time you vote republican, A red neck is born

      Report Post »  
    • gwinfrey
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:43pm

      And angels get their wings clipped!

      Report Post »  
    • Atomicstorm
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:56pm

      @NFLRunner

      Since a red neck is actually slang for a farmer, I would take a red neck any day…. and also to save a puppy. That word has been twisted and shaped over the years to be derogatory, but most words are being redefined these days.

      Report Post »  
    • OneTermPresident
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 4:23pm

      @NFLRUNNER

      Redneck is a term that originated with union workers who wore red scarfs around their necks to identify themselves during a union protest… which makes them Democrats. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.. Libby, look it up.

      Report Post » OneTermPresident  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:22pm

      I Hate Peas !!

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
  • GJPinks
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:33pm

    We’ve never seen this kind of Rust Fungus before… Shut down all industry in Alaska until we have an environmental impact study completed! /SARC

    Report Post »  
    • welovetheUSA
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:41pm

      Knock it off dude……..we have enough of you tree huggers here in Alaska already

      Report Post » welovetheUSA  
    • danfinrud
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:16pm

      http://www.backyardnature.net/f/rusts.htm Shows the orange color of teh gelatinous masses. It is a fungus. It has nothing to do with Industry. It has to do with plants. Maybe Alaska needs to cut down all the trees to prevent the mold.

      Report Post » danfinrud  
    • gwinfrey
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:44pm

      Common WELUVTHEUSA, can’t you tell a joke when you see one!

      Report Post »  
  • Hisemiester
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:28pm

    I thought at first maybe just maybe this orange goo is a mutation of the drink the early astronauts were given to drink in space. Tang. Ha. But no it’s just more of the liberal progressive crud.

    Report Post »  
  • On The Bayou
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:27pm

    No press coverage of Obama playing golf this afternoon on Martha`s Vineyard. They calling it a working vacation.

    Report Post » On The Bayou  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:38pm

      Nor of the his and hers jets that their royal highnesses took to get to their vacay. Why no mention of Moochelle and the offspring leaving early? Why didn’t the DC version of the Griswolds travel together? Oh, that’s right…. Because they DESERVE another extravagant getaway….. And more junk food….. Meh.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • GIDDIONKANE
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:56pm

      seperate jets! when will the frivoulous spending stop? brand new busses seperate jets one or two vacations a month, working vacation my butt.

      Report Post » GIDDIONKANE  
    • wesleyapril
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:10pm

      Yep and they are going to be there to when Thursday? Heck, go ahead to take off Tuesday after Labor Day – Sir – we know you ain’t going to do nothing about the lack of jobs in our country – except create them in Canada, Brazil and China :)

      Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 3:24pm

      Apparently, His Royal Uselessness likes him a little Aldous Huxley. Brave New World, eh? Hmmmm……..

      http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/08/19/ap/preswho/main20094680.shtml

      Report Post » biohazard23  
  • drago
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:26pm

    So instead of global warming, we now have global rusting, what next?………

    Report Post »  
    • GENEPAGLIARI
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:45pm

      YEAH, global rusting…. Rusting is also known as oxidation…We have too much oxygen in the atmosphere…Time to fire up the coal plants…

      Report Post »  
  • Die Trying
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:24pm

    wait wait, so this fungus eats rust? sign me up. I live in the rust belt!

    Report Post »  
  • Brontefan
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:20pm

    Whatever it is the EPA will use it as another opportunity to shut down some industry. Or Congress will vote that it’s something from an alien world.

    Report Post »  
  • WhatsYerProblem
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:16pm

    National Ocean Service Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, or NOSCCEHBR, for short.

    Report Post » WhatsYerProblem  
  • Oddness
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:12pm

    So an Iron oxide parasitic fungus?

    Looked more like imphepho flowers to me :)

    Report Post » Oddness  
    • Observer
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 4:55pm

      Many, many, many moons ago while in South Africa. A group of us living and working on a yacht went to a ‘ drug store’ for headache medicine. Instead we were talked into drinking a tea made from a leaf that tasted like strong Black Jack gum. It was suppose to help your head and tummy. It worked with me. I sounded like Al Sharpton reading a teleaprompter. Lost all train of thought…………….:-}

      Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:01pm

    Yet all these geeks can definitely say that Man-Made Global Warming is real.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:11pm

      The weatherman can’t accurately predict the weather for a small region a 2 weeks in advance, but some academic can predict 50 years in the future.

      Obviously.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • HUNITHUNIT
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:24pm

      Climate and weather ARE NOT the same thing…..moron.

      Report Post »  
    • HUNITHUNIT
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:27pm

      climate and weather ARE NOT the same thing….moron.

      Report Post »  
    • GJPinks
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:31pm

      You are right. If you can’t even predict 3 to 5 days from now, there is no way you can predict 1, 5 or 20 years out.

      Report Post »  
    • azitdad
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:55pm

      Never listen to a Lawyer who is predicting the weather.

      Report Post » azitdad  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:00pm

    I thought maybe someone spilled some Gojo.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • Drum Man
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 1:59pm

    Kenyen Sweat?

    Report Post » Drum Man  
  • EmilyR
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 1:59pm

    How about it being some morphed biological from all the nuclear waste being dumped in the ocean from Japan’s nuclear facility? Why is the world ignoring that biological disaster going on there?

    Report Post »  
  • WhatsYerProblem
    Posted on August 19, 2011 at 1:54pm

    Maybe its the alien force that Paul Krugman is hoping for to stimulate the economy!!!

    Report Post » WhatsYerProblem  
    • Sy Kosys
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:01pm

      LMAO

      They come in peace….

      Report Post » Sy Kosys  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:01pm

      Invasion of the Body Snatchers! LOL

      Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:17pm

      Than why won’t they take Krugman?? Oh yeah, they’re looking for an intelligent being…..

      Report Post » biohazard23  

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