#HMBlog: Study finds that Tampa Bay is polluted with 4 billion particles of microplastic

The University of South Florida - St. Petersburg in collaboration with Eckerd College released a study this week estimating 4 billion particles of microplastics swirling around in our local waters, these microplastics are small, less then 1/8 an inch and they breakdown from larger waste like water bottles & plastic bags. St. Petersburg has been active in banning plastics, by 2020 an ordinance will go into effect that will eliminate plastic straws and the distribution of Styrofoam products.

According to USA TODAY, the top plastic polluters in the world are: China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Thailand. So it’s a nice gesture but unlikely do actually do much in the long run to keep plastics out of the waters. Read more about the study here, I’m going to go have a coffee served in a paper cup and will disintegrate in my hands half way through.

The University of South Florida Inks 3 Game Football Deal with The University of Alabama

Whewwww doggie, mark your calendars Bulls fans, September 16, 2023. The Alabama Crimson Tide roll into Tampa to play the Bulls. Now, this is going to be tough to watch but boy am I excited as a fan to watch it. Has there been a team more likely to cock tease you than the Bulls here locally? They start out so great every year and then lose to East Carolina with 2 games left. See related GIF below:

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So, they never end up getting any kind of love for a decent Bowl Game and end up playing in the Big Boy Mower and Shrimp Boat Invitational every year and granted, while they win usually, it’s pretty unsatisfying. Of course the Knights have been a fantastic team for years now and have had the Bulls number. They’re good, okay, I get it but this is a big deal for the program. They don’t even have to win these games but if they can make them competitive, that’ll show a lot to the polls. I’m FREAKING excited!

From CBS Sports:

USF has been successful at scheduling Power Five opponents in recent years, and this season it will face both Wisconsin and Georgia Tech. In future seasons it has games scheduled against Texas (2020), NC State (2021, 2024), Florida (2021, 2022, 2025), Louisville (2024, 2026) as well as Miami (2025, 2027). Now it's added Alabama to the mix, ensuring that, should the Bulls have enough success to earn consideration for a playoff bid, they could have a resume the committee deems strong enough to give it one.

LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

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