176,220 research outputs found
Pearl J. Pegues, 2014
No full textPearl J. Pegues shares her experiences growing up in Williams Avenue in South Memphis. She also talks about her late husband and her time at Washington High School
Sustainability and traceability in marine cultured pearl production
No full textFor centuries, wild pearl oysters and mussels were fished in the quest for natural pearls and shell material. This eventually led to the drastic overexploitation of oyster stocks in many areas of the globe. Scientific in- novation and entrepreneurship eventually unearthed a solution: Researchers discovered a way for humans to farm pearl oysters and induce the formation of a cultured pearl. Pearl cultivation can be one of the most profitable forms of aquaculture and may be carried out in isolated islands where there are otherwise very limited economic opportunities. Pearl farming is also one of the most ecologically sound forms of aquaculture, and if managed accordingly has very little impact on the natural environment. The potential for sustainable development in island economies through pearl farming is large.
There is a positive link between environmental management and the long-term quality of pearls produced, and therefore an incentive for pearl farmers to operate in sustainable ways if they are to profit over time. The interdisciplinary approach of this dissertation has sought to produce research findings and linkages that can support the emergence of sustainable pearl production. Our main objective was to examine select sustain- ability questions in the context of pearl farming and investigate methods potentially useful in tracing pearls from farm to consumer. One hypothesis is that if sustainability metrics for pearl farms can be established and that these pearls can ultimately be traced through the supply chain, pearl consumers could further support the ecological and social benefits of pearl production in island economies. Emerging demand for responsibly produced raw materials in the jewellery industry suggests that there is indeed considerable potential for this.
The successes of the pearl industries of Australia and French Polynesia have led other Pacific nations to try and set up their own pearl industries, with mixed results. One of the newest examples of this is the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) (Chapter 3). The challenges and opportunities of setting up a pearl industry in a country such as FSM are reviewed in this thesis: this includes a focus on production techniques, the potential for economic development, improvement of pearl quality and marketing of pearls. Pearl farming may present a great potential for Pacific communities, but being an activity that requires considerable expertise and long- term investment, must be suitably managed to achieve success. In FSM, community pearl farming takes place in a marine protected area (MPA) illustrating the potential of combining marine conservation and pearl farming. A gemmological study of Micronesian pearls showed that it was not possible to distinguish them from pearl of Pinctada margartifera from other producing countries (e.g. French Polynesia), unless they are physically separated through the supply chain, or traced otherwise.
One of the most important questions relating to pearl farming is its impact on biodiversity. This was tested by studying the influence of pearl farming on reef fish in a pearl producing atoll of French Polynesia. Reef fish are a good relative indicator of biodiversity. Because pearl farming often operates in sensitive environments, it is important to monitor its impact. This study (Chapter 4) showed that pearl farming - in the local context of Ahe- actually has a slight positive influence on fish abundance due to the shelter and food that pearl farming operations can offer reef fish. Importantly, pearl farming did not show to have any impact on reef fish diversity. Multi-factorial mixed model ANOVAs were used to determine the effects of pearl farm activity, position of sites relative to the pass and the distance of studied sites from the shore and pass on fish abundance and fish
3
diversity. Samples sizes were not sufficient for statistical tests of abundances of individual species, although certain surgeonfishes (e.g. Acanthurus triostegus, Acanthurus xanthopterus) and butterflyfishes appeared to?be more numerous at pearl oyster farming sites. Our results in Ahe show that there were significant effects?on fish abundances because of pearl farming, and position relative to and distance from Tiareroa Pass. The position and distance from pass effect can be explained by physical and biological factors that differ markedly both as a whole north and south of the Tiareroa Pass and because of flushing effects with distance from the pass.
The pearl industry has not been spared ecological problems, but it is clear that if it is managed correctly it can greatly contribute to both ecological and social sustainability. Responsible pearl farming must ensure that oysters are stocked in extensive conditions and that biofouling cleaning methods are of low impact on the benthic environment. Research both in French Polynesia and Micronesia does suggest that there is an important potential for pearl farming to operate in synergy with marine protected area (MPA) strategies in a number of countries. There are few other economic activities that can contribute to environmental conservation at the same time.
Innovation is another important aspect in the pearl industry, and rapid developments in technology have in- cited some pearl farmers to innovate so as to operate more efficiently or harvest pearls of greater quality. One such innovation is the emergence of new pearl nucleus materials, such as the organic-based nuclei that we studied (Chapter 5). Our study highlights how these new nuclei are used in pearl production and investigates the resulting pearl products using gemmological methods. Both generations of these ÔnewÕ types of pearls can easily be identified using common gemmological methods.
This research has also focused on finding ways of tracing pearls. This has included developing a novel method in testing pearls: DNA fingerprinting of pearls (Chapter 6). This is the first report of oyster DNA discovered in pearls, and opens up a host of new opportunities in pearl testing. Extracted DNA from pearls was used?to identify the source oyster species for the three major pearl-producing oyster species Pinctada margaritifera, P. maxima and P. radiata. Both mitochondrial and nuclear gene fragments could be PCR-amplified and sequenced. This DNA fingerprinting method could be used to document the source of historic pearls and will provide more transparency for traders and consumers within the pearl industry. The final paper of this dissertation (Chapter 7) provides an overview of available and potential methods in tracing pearls from farm to consumer, all the way through the supply chain. Chemical marking, LA-ICP-MS, nucleus branding and other methods are reviewed. It is critical that such solutions can be feasibly integrated in pearl production and are cost efficient. Marking a pearlÕs nucleus or its surface seem the most promising options.
This study demonstrates that the sustainability potential of pearl farming is important in social and ecological terms. Metrics (e.g. impact on reef fish) can be devised so that sustainability standards for pearl farming can be developed. Other research has showed that there is a case for marine cultured pearls to be marketed as sustainable gems (Nash et al., forthcoming). In order to realise this potential, pearls also need to be adequately traced through the supply chain
Pearl millet and sorghum improvement in India:
No full textmillions fed, food security, Pearl millet, Sorghum,
Structural, mineralogical, and biochemical diversity in the lower part of the pearl layer of cultivated seawater pearls from Polynesia
No full textA series of Polynesian pearls has been investigated with particular attention to the structural and compositional patterns of the early developmental stages of the pearl layer. These initial steps in pearl formation bear witness of the metabolic changes that have occurred during the pearl-sac formation. The resulting structurally and biochemically complex structures have been investigated using a variety of techniques that provide us with information concerning both mineral phases and the organic components. Results are discussed with respect to our understanding of the biomineralization mechanisms, as well as for the grafting process
Stars quilt by Pearl Thompson
No full textImage of Stars quilt created in 1840-1850 by Pearl Thompson. Also includes questionnaires describing the quilt completed by Pat Thompson as part of the Utah Quilt Guild\u27s documentation days held from 1988-1994
The Memory-History-Popular Culture Nexus: Pearl Harbor As a Case Study in Consumer-Driven Collective Memory
No full textIn this paper I examine the fusing of collective memory, history and popular culture by analyzing current trends in American-made commercial films with historical events as subject matter that have also been distributed to a global audience. Pearl Harbor is the primary case study. Analysis shows that dominant historical narratives are reified by the use of what I term an 'anticipatory-driven' film experience where audience members engage in an interaction with pre-existing mainstream collective memory while their anticipation for impending climactic trauma is systematically heightened. Comparisons are made to other widely released US films about national and international events and 'non-events.' Questions are also raised about the increasing global importance of the memory-history-popular culture nexus post 9-11, and, how US produced films about 9-11 may or may not engage in the practices detailed in this analysis. In this vein the paper concludes with a discussion of how Pearl Harbor was marketed, edited and received in Japan, the second largest audience for Hollywood films and what this implies about social memory construction in a global commercial context.Collective Memory, Film, Hollywood, National Identity, Pearl Harbor, Social Memory
Report of the Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire into the Working of the Pearl-shell and Beche-de-mer Industries ... , together with the minutes of proceedings, minutes of evidence taken before the Commission, and appendices.
No full textCover title.; At head of title: Pearl-shell and Beche-de-mer Commission.; Includes indexes.; Chairman: J. Mackay.; Electronic reproduction. Canberra, A.C.T. : National Library of Australia, 2010
The Pearl Oyster
No full textPearls have a very long history of being valued as beautiful gems but differ of course in that they are secreted by living animals. Cultured pearls have been produced for almost a hundred years, but the methods for farming pearl oysters and inducing cultured pearl formation were kept secret for much of that time. This changed with the establishment of pearl oyster farms in various parts of the world and with the farming of a variety of pearl oyster species. Reflecting this expanding and diversifying industry, there has been a surge of research pearl oysters over recent decades and substantial developments in culture techniques. However, there has not been a comprehensive publication on pearl oysters and pearl production until now. This book fills the obvious gap. It describes the taxonomy and anatomy of pearl oysters and deals with all aspects of their biology-reproduction, genetics, diseases-and their ecology, including the effects of pollution. The entire range of modern mariculture practises, from spawning and culturing larvae in hatcheries to farming adults in the ocean, are considered. The intricate details of pearl formation and modern techniques for producing cultured pearls are described. Histories of exploitation, marketing and socio-economic aspects are discussed. This is the ultimate reference source on pearl oysters and the culture of pearls, written and edited by scientists who are the world experts in their fields. It is invaluable reading for professionals, academics, researchers, students and anyone with a general interest in bivalve mariculture
Spatial and temporal water quality in the River Esk in relation to freshwater pearl mussels
No full textRiverine systems provide networks of habitats, resources and biodiversity. Globally, riverine biodiversity is under threat due to a variety of human activities; diffuse pollution, particularly in agricultural catchments, raises challenges to river environments. This work addresses the water quality in the River Esk (North York Moors National Park) and its impact on biodiversity, namely the rare, declining population of freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera). Water quality parameters were monitored both spatially and temporally and the drivers of water quality were investigated. Monthly sampling was undertaken at twenty sites within the Esk catchment. High-resolution monitoring was enabled by three autosamplers and two pressure transducers, which allowed for assessment of the water quality at both baseflow and stormflow. Anion and cation analysis were conducted on all samples and field-based characterisation furthered by use of a YSI multi-parameter probe.
Results revealed a number of concentration hotspots with values of nitrate that are thought unsuitable for freshwater pearl mussels. Other water quality variables were all within acceptable limits. Concentrations of nitrate in sub-catchments with smaller upstream areas proved to be more variable than in larger catchments. Land cover was found to be a key driver of concentration: high upstream percentage of improved pasture resulted in high nitrate concentration; high upstream percentage of moorland resulted in low nitrate concentration. During storm events, concentrations of key parameters were greater than limits suggested for pearl mussels (nitrate up to approximately 3.0 mg l-1 as opposed to limit of 1.0 mg l-1 proposed by Skinner et al. (2003)); this raised the fundamental question of exposure time. The process of connectivity was considered by the application of the risk-based hydrological model SCIMAP. This highlighted a number of areas that could adversely affect the pearl mussel population; these results will require further validation. Empirical work provided a foundation for future management recommendations. A case is made for the importance of expansion or addition of riparian buffer zones. This study demonstrates the importance of obtaining high-resolution data sets to understand habitat quality. The worth of these data is demonstrated in planning interventions in catchments to enable the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) standards to be met
- …
