Articles tagged with Acid Rain
A new study found that acid rain can destabilize soil microbiomes, making it easier for disease-causing microbes like E. coli O157:H7 to invade and persist. The researchers discovered that acid rain accelerates the evolution of high-risk pathogens, which can lead to severe foodborne illness and increased mortality rates in animals.
A long-term study in the White Mountains of New Hampshire found that recovering forests are using roots to mine minerals for nutrients, leading to improved stream pH but depleted soil fertility. This process enhances mineral weathering, which can make forests more vulnerable to future pollution.
A new study finds that reducing sulphur in the air can lead to increased natural emissions of methane from wetlands, pushing emissions higher. The study suggests that current targets to reduce human-caused methane emissions need to be more stringent.
A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that the production and use of ammonia as a marine fuel can lead to eutrophication, acidification, and emissions of potent greenhouse gases. Researchers warn that the pursuit of low-carbon fuels may create new environmental challenges.
A new study by Cornell University found that only 5% of Adirondack lakes can maintain cold and oxygenated water, making it unlivable for trout and other cold-water species. Climate warming and lake browning have severe consequences for temperate lakes in the region.
Researchers at West Virginia University are studying the effects of acid rain on forests and watersheds, a project involving middle school students. The team aims to understand how ecosystems respond to chronic changes in environmental conditions, including the recovery phase after acid rain stops falling.
Researchers used coupled cluster theory and multi-structural canonical variational transition state theory to investigate the unimolecular reaction of anti-glycolaldehyde oxide and its bimolecular reactions with atmospheric water vapor. The study found that the OH substituent increases reactivity and a specific reaction path dominates ...
Researchers developed a self-powered nanowire sensor that can detect nitrogen dioxide in the air without power source. The sensor has potential applications in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and industrial safety.
Researchers at Lehigh University have secured $13.2 million in funding to improve hydrogen generation and carbon capture/sequestration technologies through a partnership with Georgia Tech's UNCAGE-ME Center. The goal is to develop catalysts that can mitigate the degradation of these technologies in real-world conditions.
A new study reveals that fertilizer and pesticide applications on croplands are now the primary source of sulfur emissions, outpacing fossil fuel emissions. This increase in sulfur use has detrimental effects on agricultural soils and downstream waters, similar to acid rain.
Research suggests that fertilizer and pesticide applications on croplands are the largest source of sulfur in the environment, exceeding peak levels seen during acid rain days. This increase poses risks to mercury levels, soil degradation, and asthma rates in agricultural areas.
Soil researchers found significant movement of sulfate into subsoils and improved water quality after implementing the Clean Air Act Amendment in 1990. However, soils still exhibit chemical imbalances, indicating a long-term recovery process.
A global study reveals calcium concentrations are critically low in many freshwater lakes, posing a threat to reproduction and survival of aquatic organisms. The decline is attributed to reduced sulphate deposition associated with acid rain, which has led to less calcium leaching from surrounding terrestrial areas.
Researchers suggest regional emission control strategies based on acid rain and PM2.5 pollution levels to balance benefits and drawbacks of reduced ammonia emissions.
A new study found that red spruce tree growth has increased by over 75% since 2001, with reduced pollution and warmer winter temperatures likely contributing to the resurgence. The research suggests that the Clean Air Act is working to enhance conditions for red spruce, but future changes in climate may impact their recovery.
New research by the USDA Forest Service suggests that reduced acid rain and warmer temperatures are behind the resurgence of red spruce. The study found that over 75% of red spruce trees exhibited increasing growth since 2001, indicating a positive response to recent climate shifts.
Scientific cooperation on environmental pollution played a key role in easing Cold War tensions in the 1970s. Norway's lead on acid rain monitoring led to limited technological cooperation with the Eastern Bloc, paving the way for political relationships at the United Nations.
Researchers at Queen's University found a link between declining calcium levels and the near-extinction of native crayfish species in four Algonquin Park lakes. The study suggests that acid rain has contributed to this decline, with calcium levels having fallen below the threshold required for some aquatic organisms.
Researchers found that Wikipedia entries on acid rain, evolution, and climate change receive near-daily edits, resulting in egregious errors and distortion of consensus science. In contrast, non-controversial topics received fewer edits. The study suggests that users should critically evaluate Wikipedia source material and identify ent...
Research led by UC Riverside scientist James O. Sickman found declining levels of carbonaceous particles in Sierra Nevada lakes, indicating improved air quality and reduced acid rain. This decline has allowed sensitive aquatic species to thrive, preserving native clams, zooplankton, sponges, and invertebrates.
Research funded by NH Agricultural Experiment Station indicates lakes in New England are accelerating in their recovery from the past effects of acid rain. Sulfate concentration in rain and snow declined by more than 40% in the 2000s, while nitrate concentration decreased by over 50%.
A 15-year study in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest found that trees in a calcium-treated watershed produced 21% more wood and 11% more leaves than their counterparts. The addition of calcium helped reverse decades-long decline caused by acid rain, with sugar maple trees responding most strongly.
Scientists discovered a surprising rebound in red spruce growth in New England, with trees growing at rates almost twice the average for the last 100 years. The study suggests that reductions in pollution made possible by the Clean Air Act of 1990 may be contributing to this turn-around.
A new study reveals that the Eastern US is experiencing a significant increase in river alkalinity, with two-thirds of streams and rivers becoming more alkaline over the past 25 to 60 years. This rise in alkalinity can lead to water quality issues, harm aquatic life, and exacerbate salinization of freshwater.
Researchers found two-thirds of Eastern US rivers have become more alkaline over 25-60 year periods, complicating drinking water treatment and harming aquatic ecosystems. Increased alkalinity also threatens metal pipe infrastructure and affects irrigated crops and fish.
A new study by Purdue University researchers shows that clean-air regulations have reduced acid rain in the US, Europe, and Japan over the past 30 years, but the opposite is true in fast-growing East Asian megacities due to lax antipollution rules or lack of enforcement. The effects of acid rain can propagate through aquatic ecosystems...
Data from UD researchers in Lewes, Del., shows a 60% decrease in precipitation acidity since the 1990s, a significant improvement attributed to pollution controls. However, fish populations and vegetation have been slow to respond, highlighting the need for continued monitoring.
Researchers used a computer model to show how HCFCs break down into oxalic acid, contributing to acid rain. The study highlights concerns over the environmental impact of replacing ozone-depleting substances with more potent greenhouse gases.
The asteroid impact hypothesis has gained overwhelming acceptance within the scientific community, and new evidence from ocean drilling and continental sites confirms its validity. The Chicxulub impact in Mexico is believed to have caused an abrupt and major decrease in productivity and species diversity at the K-Pg boundary.
A new study by Cardiff University found that climate change is hindering the long-term recovery of rivers from the effects of acid rain. The research, which took place over a 25-year period, showed that up to 40% of improvements made in reducing acid rain have been canceled out due to climatic effects.
A 25-year study on Welsh streams found that climate change hampers long-term recovery from acid rain effects. Despite improvements in acid levels, only four new insect species colonized the improving rivers, falling short of expected numbers.
New seismic images of the Chicxulub crater suggest the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs landed in deeper water than previously thought. This led to a larger release of water vapor into the atmosphere, which could have exacerbated the effects of acid rain and climate change.
New research from Cardiff University reveals that acid rain recovery is much slower than anticipated, with many UK streams still highly acidified. Biological recovery has been particularly poor, harming fish and other aquatic life.
A new understanding of plant calcium management could lead to genetically engineering plants to resist acid rain's damage. Plants use molecular sensors to detect and regulate calcium levels, which is crucial for structural rigidity and growth.
A long-term ecological study of stream chemistry in Appalachians shows unexpected changes due to reduced sulfur emissions from acid rain. Researchers are seeing rising amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide in streams, which could impact the forest ecosystem and carbon balance.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that acid rain is causing a decline in sugar maple trees due to its acidic effects on the soil. The study used a test plot to replicate favorable soil conditions prior to industrial pollution and found that sugar maples rebounded dramatically when calcium levels were restored.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers finds that market-based incentives, such as pollution taxes and emissions permits, can reduce pollution abatement costs for businesses. However, these approaches may not be effective in areas with localized pollution where the source of pollution matters.
A recent study found that acid rain can severely degrade forest soils, leading to poor tree growth rates and potentially high mortality rates. The research, conducted near St. Petersburg, Russia, tracked tree growth for the first time with changes in soil from acid rain, highlighting the need for recovery strategies beyond surface waters.
Acid rain suppresses methane emissions from wetlands, but only for a short time. The effect of acid rain on methane emissions is more than enough to compensate for the expected increase due to climate change.
A recent study by Dr. Gene E. Likens and colleagues documents the neutralizing effects of calcium silicate on acidic streams at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. The research found that adding Wollastonite to the stream resulted in a long-lasting buffering effect, suppressing acidity for over four months.
A research team led by University of Maine scientists has documented that treating a watershed with additional acids accelerates the loss of critical nutrients calcium and magnesium. The experimentally induced nutrient depletion highlights the impact of acid rain on Maine's forests.
The study found that many Adirondack lakes have marked decreases in sulfate ion levels and increases in pH and Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC), indicating a shift towards more neutral water conditions. However, the rate of improvement is slow, suggesting that recovery may take several decades if current emissions are maintained.
Acid rain is harming wood thrush populations, with declines of up to 5% annually in regions with high acidity. The decline may be related to leaching of calcium from the soil, affecting food availability and breeding success.
A new study reveals acid rain's damage to American forests is more widespread than believed, potentially creating compromised immune systems in trees. The study suggests that acid rain can suppress the capacity of trees to survive environmental stresses, with far-reaching consequences for forest ecosystems and wildlife.
New research suggests that acid rain can deplete the nutrient pool available to trees in forests, making them more vulnerable to acid rain's effects. This finding has important implications for industrially influenced forests in the northeastern United States and Europe.
Researchers discovered that some trees use fungi to obtain calcium from an intermediate pool of apatite, previously unknown as a plant-available source. This finding has implications for forest management and understanding the effects of acid rain on forests.
Thomas B. Rauchfuss's research focuses on metal sulfides that act as catalysts, taking sulfur out of oil and coal to reduce acid rain. His work aims to improve the efficiency and understanding of these catalysts to create cleaner fuels.
Levels of nitrogen and sulfuric acid have decreased moderately in some Adirondack lakes, suggesting a decline in acidic levels. Long-term data is needed to confirm the changes and understand the underlying causes.
A NASA-funded study reveals that ancient South American forests hold the key to understanding US ecosystems before the industrial revolution. The study finds complex organic compounds as the main form of nitrogen in unpolluted ecosystems, contradicting previous beliefs about inorganic nitrogen.
A Wisconsin lake study has found that acid rain effects can last for decades, with the chemistry of the lake correcting itself naturally within two years. However, the biological changes took much longer to recover, with some species thriving while others were decimated.