Chemical oceanographers at the University of Rhode Island used naturally occurring radium to estimate ground water input to coastal systems. The study found that ground water was a significant source of radium in Rhode Island salt ponds.
Researchers found that water molecules can move through tiny carbon nanotubes in short bursts, with changes in interaction causing the tube to empty or fill. This dynamic behavior has implications for understanding how water is conducted in biological channels and may contribute to developing new sensors.
A Virginia Tech student has made significant discoveries about air bubbles in drinking water, which can interfere with treatment processes and lead to pathogen contamination. The research is being used to identify problems at two California water treatment plants and has the potential to prevent water-borne diseases.
Researchers are using airborne laser swath mapping and ground-based scanning laser technology to gather precise 3D data of the affected areas. The UF-led team aims to detect any damage to the foundation and assess structural integrity.
A recent study found that prescribed burns in eastern U.S. deciduous forests can decline ground-nesting bird species by over 80% due to reduced leaf litter and shrubs. However, two bird species increased in response to the burns, suggesting that fire may improve their foraging habitat.
A new sea current has been discovered off the African coast, with high speeds of up to a metre per second. The current is driven by the mixture of cold polar water and extremely saline water from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.
The Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes are working together with geologists to manage water quality through a long-term approach. They have established staff gauges and monitoring wells, as well as implemented wetland protection programs and watershed studies to protect their water resources for at least seven generations.
Scientists have discovered that ancient underground fractures in Ohio soil can contaminate water supplies quickly, posing a threat to the state's groundwater. Research suggests that these fractures allow contaminated water to bypass purification and travel through the soil, potentially endangering water sources.
In a study on arctic ground squirrels, researchers found that females severely reduced reproduction and most died over winter when populations reached maximum capacity. This regulation helps control population growth and maintain survival rates.
The USGS will install a monitoring well in San Jose to track groundwater pressures and assess earthquake hazards. The project aims to improve models for estimating earthquake shaking in the region, enabling better planning and design of structures to reduce damage from future earthquakes.
Researchers have found that electrolyzed water is a deadly combination for bacteria, but great for consumers, killing bacteria on fresh produce and reducing bacteria up to a million-fold. The acidity and oxidation-reduction properties of the water contribute to its effectiveness in sanitizing food surfaces.
Montana State University has released a new Conserve Water Educators Guide to help inform others about basic water science topics with a focus on water conservation. The guide provides contemporary materials for educators, water managers, and community leaders to educate the public about water conservation.
Robert Criss has developed a new method to date water using oxygen-18 isotopes, providing a distinctive fingerprint for each water sample. This technique allows researchers to trace the age of water, track pollutant emissions, and understand the behavior of river systems.
The FAA was recognized by INFORMS for its Ground Delay Program Enhancement project, which has reduced delays by 90,000 hours and saved the airline industry over $150 million. The project uses collaborative decision-making tools to allocate arrival slots and issue ground delays.
A Purdue University chemist has developed a method that uses high-energy ultraviolet rays to remove the gasoline additive MTBE from contaminated ground water. The technique involves exposing tainted water to UV rays, oxygen, and titanium dioxide, which eventually turns the compound into carbon dioxide.
A study found that 54 out of 57 bottled waters had fluoride levels below the recommended range, while all Cleveland tap water samples met or exceeded the optimal level. Bottled water also contained higher bacteria counts than tap water, with some samples having over 4,900 colonies per milliliter.
Researchers at UNC-CH successfully created six-molecule water rings, mimicking natural ice structure. This achievement aims to boost knowledge of water's unique properties and hydrogen bonding forces.
A team of botanists used DNA analysis to study the underground travels of plant roots, discovering that some species can extend their roots up to 75 feet into the ground. This research contributes to a better understanding of how plants interact with their environment and climate change.
The University of Victoria has established a research chair to study ecological processes contributing to safe drinking water. The chair will evaluate watershed management activities, supply operations, and food chain changes to optimize water quality and minimize treatment costs.
Scientists from NASA and Colorado State University present research on the link between water vapor and climate change, highlighting its significant impact on global warming. Water vapor's unique molecular structure and potential heat stored within it influence storm formation and atmospheric circulation.
Researchers found that consuming water-rich foods instead of drinking water before meals can curb appetite and reduce calorie consumption. Foods high in water content, such as vegetables and soups, provide a sense of fullness while reducing energy density.
Near-critical water, which can dissolve both salts and non-polar organic compounds like oils, is being studied as a replacement solvent in various chemical processes. This could lead to the elimination of hazardous solvents and salt byproducts, reducing environmental impact.
Penn State researchers have found a statistically significant correlation between the presence of Helicobacter pylori in private wells and cases of stomach ulcers. The study reveals that even coliform-free water samples can contain the ulcer-causing bacterium, raising questions over the safety of current drinking water testing methods.
Researchers from Idaho National Laboratory are developing tools to monitor water flow and contaminants in the vadose zone beneath the Savannah River Site. They planted soil monitoring equipment to measure water content, tritium concentration, and soil tension, providing valuable information about the vadose zone.
The National Water Initiative aims to address the US water crisis through collaboration among universities, states, and federal agencies. The initiative proposes decentralized research work at the state level, with $250 million in new funding for results-oriented research.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that water flows chaotically through the ground in heterogeneous soils and fractured rock environments. Chaos theory can now be used to model this non-linear process, which is crucial for environmental restoration.
A CSIRO Australia study using a world-first technique found aluminium from alum-treated drinking water is not bioavailable and contributes less than 1% to the body burden. The results confirm the safety of using alum for treating drinking water, contradicting earlier conflicting evidence.
A Colorado State University project, funded by a $1.8 million grant, aims to catalogue and analyze below-ground organisms and their interactions with surface ecosystems. The study seeks to understand how human activities above ground influence biodiversity below ground and its consequences.
Researchers in Missouri have designed a bullet that emits a powerful radar pulse as it grinds to a halt, allowing for the detection of landmines without stepping on them. This technology can help geologists survey for oil, minerals, and other buried natural resources, and may be used to locate mines in remote areas.
Researchers created a mathematical model that builds on current FAA ground-holding policies, aiming to reduce cost and improve efficiency in air traffic management. The model has been partially implemented in Europe and shows a potential improvement of up to 30 percent in reducing congestion.
Recent USGS research reveals little difference in ground motions on Mississippi River bluffs vs nearby floodplain. This suggests areas underlain by rock may experience less shaking than those with alluvium, such as valleys.
A unique strategy aims to use computer-examined variables and prescribe chemical regulations for specific areas to benefit the environment and agriculture. The nation's first 'smart' environmental regulations for ground water contamination by agricultural runoff are being created as part of Indiana's pesticide management plan.
Geologist Professor Joseph Smyth discovered wadsleyite can contain solid water bound in crystals at extreme pressures. The earth's interior may store large amounts of water in the form of wadsleyite, which could regulate surface water levels. Laboratory tests are underway to determine the amount of water in wadsleyite.
Researchers have discovered that tiny clusters of eight water molecules naturally arrange themselves into small cubic structures, revealing unique properties of water. The study found that even in very small water clusters, water has the capacity to arrange its hydrogen bonds in several distinct orientations.
A new RFF issues brief highlights the potential impacts of climate change on water supplies, including increased precipitation, evapotranspiration, and extreme weather events. The report emphasizes the need for more efficient water management and use to mitigate these effects.
A new device invented by Ohio University researchers can control zebra mussel infestations in enclosed water conduits, ballast tanks, and water supplies. The device uses commercially available vacuum systems to lower oxygen levels, preventing mussels from attaching to surfaces.
A new Cornell University study warns that water shortages will worsen globally unless resource-management practices improve. The report suggests ending irrigation subsidies and rewarding conservation to manage water more efficiently.
The RFF report reveals that water's value is highest in the drier, more water-scarce Rio Grande and lower Colorado regions for its withdrawal uses. Water's value varies by use, with industrial processing and domestic uses ranking highest.
The U.S. Geological Survey detected MTBE in urban stormwater samples from 16 cities, with concentrations below the EPA's health advisory limit. In New England, MTBE was detected in 24% of ground-water samples, also at low levels.
A new system using ozone has been successfully tested at a turkey processing plant in Arkansas, allowing for the recycling of at least 80% of chill water. The process saves energy and reduces costs by minimizing the need for cooling and pretreatment.