A new study has found that the Western Amazon is contaminated with oil pollutants, posing a significant risk to its unparalleled biological and cultural diversity. The research, published for the first time, reveals high levels of lead, mercury, and cadmium in wastewater samples from 18 sites in 10 Amazon tributaries.
A team of French scientists has proposed a model explaining the sudden drop in atmospheric CO2 levels 300 million years ago, when a massive mountain range formed in Pangea. The formation of these mountains led to physical erosion and rock weathering, removing CO2 from the atmosphere and preventing severe greenhouse effects.
Researchers Guillaume Avice and Bernard Marty found the Earth is approximately 60 million years older than previously thought. The team analyzed xenon gas sealed in quartz samples to refine dating techniques and estimate the Moon-forming impact timing, now believed to be around 40 million years after solar system formation.
Researchers Zunli Lu and Xiaoli Zhou have confirmed the earliest appearance of dissolved oxygen in ocean surface waters, shedding light on the Great Oxidation Event. Their novel iodine geochemistry approach enables them to measure oxygen levels in ancient rocks, providing insights into marine ecology and global warming.
Researchers from Harvard University believe they've found signs of an ancient Earth within the Earth's mantle, challenging the theory of the Moon's formation. They analyzed noble gas isotopes and found significant differences between shallow and deep mantle regions.
A research group from the University of Exeter has discovered a possible mechanism behind Earth's rising oxygen concentration. The team suggests that as continents grew, chemical processes on land took over controlling CO2 levels, leading to increased phosphate availability in oceans and ultimately, oxygen production.
Researchers have found elevated levels of oxygen-17 in lunar samples compared to Earth, providing evidence for a giant impact hypothesis. The findings suggest that the Moon formed from debris left over after a massive collision between two proto-planets.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of ancient protocontinental crust in four-billion-year-old rocks from the Acasta Gneiss Complex. The study suggests that processes similar to those occurring in present-day Iceland may have formed the Earth's first continents.
A UK team discovered that summer meltwaters from ice sheets are rich in bioavailable iron, which boosts phytoplankton growth and captures carbon, thus buffering the effects of global warming. The researchers estimate that the flux of bioavailable iron associated with glacial runoff is between 400,000 and 2,500,000 tonnes per year.
Researchers find reversible microbial redox cycling in humic substances, which store electrons and prevent methane release. Climate change disruption could lead to vicious cycle of worsening greenhouse effect.
A new study suggests that oyster aquaculture can remove nearly half of the incoming nutrients from the Potomac River estuary if only 15-20% of its bottom is cultivated. This approach could provide a solution to long-term water quality problems and promote ecosystem balance.
The American Geosciences Institute has announced two new recipients of the Wallace Scholarship, a prestigious award supporting female geoscience students. Elizabeth Denis and Kelly Deuerling will receive $5,000 each for their first year of study, with the potential for additional funding in subsequent years.
Researchers have developed new simulations that depict the dynamics of deep Earth, revealing a complex composition of the lowermost part of the mantle. The study suggests that mantle plumes can carry a combination of different materials from several reservoirs, explaining observations of hotspot lavas' chemical complexity.
South African and French scientists have dated the nearly complete skeleton of Little Foot to around 3 million years old, refuting previous claims of a younger age. The study analyzed stratigraphy, micro-stratigraphy, and geochemistry to determine the age of the fossil.
This article covers various geology topics including Mars exploration, environmental lead poisoning, earthquake hazards, the Indus Civilization collapse due to aridification event, end-Cretaceous mass extinction analysis using clumped isotope paleothermometry, and geological events such as the Tibetan Plateau's reorganization.
Researchers investigate the western Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt's chemical characteristics, characterizing the mantle source and promoting continental growth. They also study alkaline lavas in Colorado, tracing the evolution of the northern Rio Grande rift and migration of volcanism.
The CSIRO Australia-led research reveals the oldest minerals ever analyzed by NASA's Mars Opportunity Rover show evidence of liquid water on Mars around 4 billion years ago. The discovery suggests that past water activity may have created livable mud, increasing the chances of life on Mars.
Researchers suggest that megafloods created the unique amphitheater-headed canyons in Idaho and on Mars, replacing traditional theories of groundwater sapping. The team analyzed rock samples and scour marks to support their claims, pointing to much larger water discharges and shorter flow durations.
Journalists Sybille Hildebrandt and Chelsea Wald have been awarded the EGU Science Journalism Fellowship for their projects on palaeontology and soil sciences. They will receive funding to pursue research trips to Canada and Scotland, respectively, in order to investigate key scientific questions.
A Duke University study found that blending fracking wastewater with acid mine drainage can remove up to 100% of radium and other radioactive contaminants, making the treated water suitable for reuse in hydraulic fracturing. This process could reduce environmental risks and provide a win-win for the industry and the environment.
Researchers analyzed detrital zircons from passive margin strata in western North America, revealing variations in ages and Hf isotope compositions that provide insights into the provenance of Cordilleran passive margin strata. Strike-slip faulting along the Wassuk Range of the northern Walker Lane, Nevada, was also studied, providing ...
Researchers at California Institute of Technology successfully dated a Martian rock using the Sample Analysis on Mars instrument, determining its age to be about 3.86-4.56 billion years old. This experiment provides valuable insights into Mars' geologic history and aids in searching for evidence of ancient life on the planet.
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has announced the winners of its inaugural short article and photography competition. Laura Hepburn's essay on underwater hydrothermal vents won the top prize, while Paul Hopwood's image of burying beetles processing an animal carcass took second place in the photography section. The comp...
A Florida State University scientist has discovered a 4.4 billion-year-old Martian meteorite that may be the first recognized example of ancient Martian crust. The analysis reveals information about the origin and age of Mars' crust, confirming that the planet did not experience a giant impact that melted it in its early history.
A Clemson University scientist is studying the impact of environmental changes on lucinids, a common species of clam found in Southern coastal marine sediments. The research aims to understand how these clams contribute to coastal biodiversity and develop strategies to manage natural resources.
Researchers found that nitrogen fertilizer applied to crops in 1982 still lingers in soil organic matter three decades later, releasing nitrate into groundwater over several decades. This persistence poses a significant risk to aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies worldwide.
A Duke University study found elevated levels of radioactivity, salts, and metals in river water and sediments after fracking wastewater discharge. Radioactivity levels were up to 200 times greater in sediment samples collected near the facility than upstream.
A University of Tennessee professor is leading a research project to study lucinid clams, which play a crucial role in detoxifying coastal environments. The study aims to uncover the genetic, taxonomic, and functional diversity of modern lucid chemosymbioses and their responses to environmental changes.
A University of Cincinnati study analyzes 25 groundwater wells for methane and hydrocarbons, shedding light on fracking's effects. The research aims to establish baseline assessments as fracking begins in the region.
New research suggests that terror birds were likely herbivores, based on the analysis of calcium isotope composition in their fossilized bones. The study found that the terror bird's diet was similar to that of herbivorous mammals and dinosaurs, indicating a non-carnivorous diet.
Research shows that bacteria living in Gulf of Mexico beaches can thrive on a diet of oil by fixing nitrogen from the air, opening doors to more sophisticated cleanup techniques. However, some bacteria play an important role in the ecosystem experienced a sharp decline following the contamination.
New research presents evidence suggesting that life may have originated on Mars and was brought to Earth via a Martian meteorite. The study tackles two paradoxes related to the origin of life on Earth, including the 'tar paradox' and the difficulty in starting life due to water coverage.
New research by Dr Bernard Grobety reveals that crystalline particles in Icelandic volcanic ash are more harmful to jet engines and fall out of the cloud faster than glassy particles. The study aims to improve authorities' response to future eruptions by understanding the behavior of these particles.
Research on Chelyabinsk meteorite fragments reveals evidence of intensive melting process, likely caused by a collision or proximity to the Sun. The dark fragments contain spherical 'bubbles' and platinum group elements, which are unusual for their formation time period.
Scientists have discovered a vast plume of iron and micronutrients in the South Atlantic Ocean, challenging previous estimates of iron sources in the world's seas. The finding has profound implications for understanding ocean life and Earth's climate as it suggests that slow-spreading ridges may be a significant source of iron.
A Duke University-led study found that elements sulfur, carbon, and strontium have unique isotopic fingerprints, enabling scientists to quantify mountaintop mining's contribution to water pollution. These tracers will help distinguish between contamination from mountaintop mining and other sources.
The Geological Society of America recognized Steven M. Stanley, Richard W. Carlson, and Naomi E. Levin for their groundbreaking research in geology and earth sciences at the 2013 Annual Meeting & Exposition. The winners received prestigious medals, including the Penrose Medal and the Young Scientist Award.
Scientists have concluded that the oldest visible terrains on Mercury date back to 4 billion to 4.1 billion years ago, with volcanic activity resurfacing the planet's surface during this time period. The findings suggest a global resurfacing event due to volcanism and may indicate that large projectiles enhanced the observed resurfacing.
GeoResJ aims to publish top research in the entire earth science field with rapid publication and open access. Elsevier's new journal joins its existing earth and planetary science journals offering authors more choice for scope and access.
A global cooling event, similar to recent global warming, occurred 116 million years ago, causing a marine ecosystem crisis and reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. This study highlights the link between global climate and internal earth processes, demonstrating that large-scale changes can have severe consequences for marine life.
A recent study by Duke University and the USGS found no evidence of groundwater contamination from shale gas production in Arkansas. The researchers sampled 127 shallow drinking water wells and analyzed the samples for major and trace elements, hydrocarbons, and isotopic tracers.
Researchers at EPFL discover that corals depend strongly on algae to extract nutrients from the water. The algae temporarily store nitrogen in the form of uric acid crystals, building up reserves for times when supplies run low. This symbiotic relationship is crucial for coral survival in nutrient-poor environments.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has approved funding for ten additional core facilities to make existing research instrumentation more easily accessible to researchers. The facilities will provide state-of-the-art equipment and expertise, enabling researchers to conduct complex studies efficiently.
A new study finds that importing freshwater to irrigate crops has dramatically increased the natural saltiness of Saharan groundwater, endangering date palm farming. The researchers discovered a previously overlooked low-saline water source that dilutes the saltiness of nearby groundwater aquifers.
A team of scientists analyzed 442 molybdenite samples to find that rhenium concentrations increased significantly over the past three billion years, reflecting increasing oxygen levels in the environment. The findings support previous research on hydrothermal activity and supercontinent formation influencing mineral evolution.
Researchers at MIT analyzed MESSENGER data to identify two distinct rock compositions on Mercury's surface, suggesting a massive lava flow and subsequent magma ocean. The team recreated the rock types in the lab and simulated geological processes to support their hypothesis.
Scientists have developed a new approach to study the composition of Earth's deep interior by detecting long-range spin-spin interactions. The technique, which relies on a hypothetical fifth force, could provide new insights into the geophysics and geochemistry of the planet's interior.
Researchers studied the origin of freshwater bodies in the New Jersey shelf and found it comes from modern rainwater, seawater, and a brine from deep sediments. They also investigated active methane formation beneath the seafloor and its potential impact on greenhouse gas emissions during ice ages.
Researchers analyzed lake sediment to reconstruct climate patterns in Nicaragua during the Medieval Climate Anomaly and Little Ice Age. The study found that factors currently producing drier climates resulted in wetter conditions a few hundred years ago.
Researchers have discovered that some of the tectonic processes driving volcanic activity were occurring as early as 3.8 billion years ago. The study found compositions comparable to modern oceanic islands in ancient rocks, strengthening arguments for subduction-related tectonics.
GEOLOGY articles reveal high-resolution images of Mercury's surface, further study of giant gypsum crystals in Naica Cave, and the provenance of North Atlantic ice-rafted debris. The publication also covers various geophysical studies, including the impact of the Galápagos hotspot on the East Pacific Rise.
A study by Penn State researchers has found high levels of ancient brines in Marcellus flowback water, which are consistent with brines formed during the Paleozoic era. The study highlights the importance of proper disposal and re-use of fracking fluids to prevent environmental contamination.
Researchers analyzed fatty acids from ancient pottery to find the earliest direct evidence for cheese-making in Northern Europe. The study revealed that dairy products were processed in ceramic vessels with sieves resembling modern cheese-strainers.
Researchers found high concentrations of gold in termite mounds, indicating a larger deposit underneath. These insects bring up small particles containing gold from the deposit's fingerprint and stockpile it in their mounds.
A Dartmouth-led effort publishes major findings on how mercury released into the air contaminates ocean fish and seafood. The research provides a synthesis of science on mercury sources, fate, and human exposure in marine systems, tracing pathways from sources to seafood to consumers.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is funding 16 top scientists for pioneering research in marine microbial ecology, exploring interactions between trillions of microscopic organisms and their environment. This funding aims to make new discoveries and advance our understanding of ocean ecosystems and climate change.
The MESSENGER spacecraft provided new lines of evidence for the existence of water ice on Mercury, with measurements from its laser altimeter and hydrogen concentrations from the neutron spectrometer. The findings suggest that ice is present near the north pole, covered by a layer of material in most areas.
A new Caltech study suggests the Grand Canyon was formed over 70 million years ago, contradicting conventional models of its creation. The research uses a novel method to analyze ancient rocks and provides crucial insights into the canyon's incision.
The North China Craton's thin lithosphere and signs of thermo-tectonic reactivation challenge the traditional view of a stable cratonic lithosphere. The concept of 'craton destruction' has been widely accepted, influencing understanding of intraplate magmatism and continental evolution.
Dr. Gordon E. Brown, Jr. receives the prestigious AGI Ian Campbell Medal for his groundbreaking work on synchrotron technology and its applications in environmental science. His research has focused on addressing societal issues through innovative geochemical reactions and remediation of contaminated sites.