Articles tagged with Environmental Chemistry
A new project at FAU aims to advance water quality monitoring in Lake Okeechobee by understanding how common contaminants break down after being released into freshwater environments. The team will deploy passive sampling devices and use cutting-edge chemical analysis to predict which contaminants are forming dangerous byproducts.
Researchers found biochar improved soil's ability to hold nutrients and moisture, giving cotton plants better growth conditions. Biochar also helps improve water quality by keeping nitrates in the soil and out of groundwater.
A new study found that global climate conditions affect the spore traits of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, influencing their survival, spread, and interaction with plants. The research provides insights into the environmental adaptations of microorganisms, which could guide soil restoration and food production.
The UN aims to establish an internationally legally binding framework to manage plastic, reducing waste, and promoting recycling. The agreement is intended to address the global issue of plastic pollution, which affects marine wildlife and human health.
Recent advances in chemistry have led to innovations in industrial carbon capture technologies, reducing energy consumption by over 30% and improving efficiency. The research highlights novel amine blends, metal-organic frameworks, and electroswing technologies that can selectively capture CO2 with high efficiency.
The European Research Council has awarded three ERC Proof of Concept grants to Göttingen University professors, enabling the development of initiatives that can benefit Europe's economy and society. The projects focus on harnessing renewable energy, reducing chemical waste, and improving biomedical image analysis.
A multi-state study found inconsistent results on the performance of 'penetrants' and 'retainers,' emphasizing the importance of evidence-based surfactant classification. The research showed varying effects on rootzone volumetric water content and surface firmness, depending on location and turfgrass species.
Researchers have developed a novel electrified catalysis strategy that removes more CO2 and CH4 from the atmosphere than it emits, resulting in net-negative greenhouse gas emissions. The process converts these compounds into syngas with an impressive energy utilization rate of 80%.
New research claims adding lime to agricultural soils can remove CO2 from the atmosphere, rather than cause emissions. The study, based on over 100 years of data, shows that the addition of acidity is the main driver for CO2 emissions from soils.
Scientists have discovered that certain species of gut bacteria can absorb PFAS, potentially protecting against its harmful effects. The researchers plan to develop probiotic dietary supplements to boost the levels of these helpful microbes in our gut.
A new online platform, SMRT-Flames, estimates the health impacts of wildfire smoke and provides fire managers with tools to assess potential smoke exposure. The app uses a Harvard-developed computer model to predict how fires would behave across regions and how smoke would pool and disperse.
The study highlights the challenges of commercializing renewable polymers, but also emphasizes the potential of chemical modification to improve their properties for clinical use. The research aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these sustainable materials in biomedical practice.
A USC-developed shipboard system using limestone and seawater can remove up to half of carbon dioxide emitted from shipping vessels, cutting maritime CO2 emissions by 50%. The process mimics a natural chemical reaction in the ocean, where CO2 is absorbed into water pumped onboard and then neutralized through a bed of limestone.
Australian scientists developed a new method to evaluate the risks posed by toxicants like insecticides in waterways. The Temporal Response Surface (TRS) approach integrates exposure duration into ecosystem protection guidelines, providing a more accurate assessment of delayed and time-cumulative aquatic ecosystem risk.
Researchers will investigate fire smoke carcinogens and cancer biomarkers in active, retired, and cadet firefighters to understand the impacts of firefighting on their lifelong health. The study aims to identify groups most at risk for cancer and recommend policies and programs to protect firefighter health.
A team of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, has developed a novel fluorinating quaternary ammonium complex with extremely low hygroscopicity, making it an excellent reagent for electrochemical fluorination. The new agent was synthesized by combining KF with tetrabutylammonium bromide and showed promise in pharma...
New research from Tulane University finds that global riverine mercury pollution has more than doubled since the pre-industrial era, with primary drivers including wastewater discharge, soil erosion, and industrial activities. This increase poses significant health risks to humans and wildlife through consumption of contaminated fish.
The teXirc project aims to create novel, scalable textile materials that are easily recyclable and biodegradable. The researchers will incorporate low-density functional groups into polyethylene-like crystallinity to enable efficient breakdown during recycling processes.
Researchers found hurricanes dramatically change oxygen concentrations and bring nutrient-rich water to the surface, creating phytoplankton blooms that support a variety of marine life. This process has significant impacts on ocean ecosystems, particularly in areas with low-oxygen zones.
Researchers from Hokkaido University found that chemical processes in the atmosphere, such as buffering effects and acidity-driven gas-particle partitioning, contribute to the persistence of nitrates. These findings help improve climate modeling by refining atmospheric nitrate levels.
A new study suggests that reforestation efforts can lower global average temperatures by 0.34 degrees Celsius, roughly one-quarter of the warming already experienced. This is due to the chemical interactions between trees and the atmosphere, which amplify their cooling effect.
Researchers developed an AI-based framework to predict grout permeation behavior in heterogeneous soils, outperforming traditional FEM simulations. The model achieved high predictive accuracy of R^2 = 0.849 and processed predictions in under 2 seconds.
The Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future emphasizes the need to integrate health and sustainability in chemical products and processes. It calls for action from scientists, industry, educators, students, and policymakers to collaborate on implementing solutions that balance human well-being with environmental protection.
A NTU Singapore study found that robust air pollution control measures can prevent 36,000 ozone-related premature deaths annually in Southeast Asia by 2050. Implementing stringent emission reduction measures could drop annual deaths by 22,000 under a business-as-usual scenario.
Wiley adds new data to its KnowItAll Raman Spectral Library collection, bringing the total to over 27,000 spectra. This expansion enhances lab efficiency and accuracy through reliable spectral analysis.
Researchers have developed a theoretical model that enhances passive radiative cooling by generating positive photon chemical potential, allowing for more efficient heat emission. The system can reach cooling powers of up to 485 watts per square meter, surpassing typical radiation power from a blackbody at room temperature.
Researchers found four types of aircraft engine exhaust particles, including soot, volatile particles, and onion-like structures. The onion-like particles are composed of organic compounds and have unique internal structures that may affect their volatility and interaction with the human respiratory tract.
A landmark study by Prof. Yong Sik Ok charts biochar's global market potential as a carbon-negative technology aligned with ESG goals, UN SDGs, and Net Zero pathways. The study provides actionable guidance for governments, industry leaders, and research institutions to integrate biochar into their climate portfolios.
The Mass Query Language (MassQL) tool empowers scientists to uncover previously unknown pollutants in massive chemical datasets. It has identified toxic compounds hidden in plain sight, including organophosphate esters and chemicals from breaking down over time.
A recent study from POSTECH University evaluated ground-level NO2 concentrations using satellite remote sensing data, revealing significant socioeconomic disparities in air pollution exposure. The research found that areas with higher socioeconomic levels had higher NO2 concentrations, contradicting previous findings in other countries.
Scientists create two innovative electrolysis systems that use urea found in urine and wastewater to produce green hydrogen at a lower cost than traditional methods. The breakthrough overcomes limitations such as toxic by-products and corrosion issues, paving the way for scalable production.
A study found moderate elevations of certain PFAS in health care workers' blood, with notably higher odds of detecting Sb-PFOA and PFDoA compared to other professions. Firefighters had the highest concentrations of PFAS, specifically concentrations of PFHxS, Sm-PFOS, n-PFOS and PFHpS.
A recent study by UFZ reveals that PFAS influence the cellular immune response to SARS-CoV-2, particularly in males. The researchers found that high PFAS exposure alters the immune response, potentially reducing its effectiveness and increasing the risk of poor disease progression.
A team of researchers has outlined a new roadmap for harnessing heterogeneous catalysis to destroy PFAS, which can contaminate water supplies worldwide. The proposed sequential treatment train uses tailored catalytic steps to break down complex PFAS mixtures into harmless by-products.
A recent study reveals that tropical forests are home to an incredible diversity of chemical compounds, including terpenoids and alkaloids, which could have practical implications for human health. The researchers found that tree species in higher elevations tend to use similar chemicals to protect themselves from enemies.
A new numerical computer model tracks how pollution travels through Galveston Bay, helping scientists understand water movement in estuaries. The model is critical for evaluating climate variability and sea level fluctuation impacts on coastal communities, guiding better decisions to keep water clean and prevent flooding.
A new study on natural oil seeps in the deep sea has found that hydrothermal processes mobilize dissolved organic matter, influencing local ecosystems and the global marine carbon cycle. The composition of released water-soluble organic molecules is strongly influenced by temperature and petroleum composition.
Researchers developed a new ultrafine platinum-based high-entropy alloy octahedra catalyst that enhances methanol oxidation reaction activity and durability. The senary alloy outperformed ternary alloys and commercial platinum-on-carbon catalysts in terms of performance, offering a promising advance for direct methanol fuel cells.
Xiamen University has joined the Bentham Science Institutional Membership Program to enable researchers to publish Open Access at concessionary rates in Bentham Science journals. The program promotes open research and fosters scientific advancements globally.
A recent study suggests that Saturn's moon Titan could support simple, microscopic life forms due to its abundant organic content. However, the amount of biomass that can exist in this environment is likely to be extremely limited, possibly only a few pounds.
Researchers have developed a method to remove and destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water systems while transforming waste into high-value graphene. The process uses flash joule heating to break down PFAS, producing undetectable amounts of harmful volatile organic fluorides.
William Murphy, a genomicist at Texas A&M University, was named the 2025 SEC Professor of the Year. He studies genome structure, function and evolution to understand genetic basis of species traits and diseases.
Avelino Corma, John Hartwig, and Helmut Schwarz received the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for their fundamental advances in catalysis. They have improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption in various industrial processes through their innovative catalysts.
Researchers have developed nanomats that can absorb light energy to break down harmful pollutants in air and water. These lightweight blankets can be reused multiple times and are environmentally friendly, offering a promising solution for clean drinking water production.
A new real-time surface PM10 retrieval framework uses interpretable automated machine learning to provide accurate data across China. The framework demonstrates robust generalization and stability, outperforming previous studies in cross-validation and rolling iterative validation experiments.
A new study found that adding green-synthesised iron nanoparticles (G-nFe) to pig manure neutralises bioavailable copper, reducing environmental risks. The process reduces exchangeable cooper by 66.8%, carbonate-bound copper by 47.5%.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered the first organometallic molecule containing berkelium, a highly radioactive element. The discovery reveals that berkelium exhibits a unique tetravalent oxidation state, challenging traditional understanding of its behavior in the periodic table.
A new study by MIT confirms the Antarctic ozone layer is healing, with high statistical confidence that reductions in CFCs are the primary cause. The research uses fingerprinting to isolate the anthropogenic signal and rule out natural variability.
Richard Willson, a University of Houston professor, has been elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry for his contributions to the chemical sciences. He has developed innovative methods to detect viruses and other biological threats using glow-in-the-dark nanoparticles.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a groundbreaking method to recycle Plexiglas by breaking down polymer chains into individual monomer building blocks. The process relies on a chlorinated solvent and UV light, with yields of up to 98% even in multicoloured samples.
Researchers have developed a novel electrochemistry approach to build new molecules using micelles from naturally occurring amino acids and coconut oil. This breakthrough method could reduce the cost of making medicines by combining solvents, electrolytes, and reaction boosters into one simple tool.
The University of Illinois researchers have developed organic-material-based nanozymes that can detect histamine in food products with an affordable analytic performance profile. An integrated point-of-use platform allows for rapid detection of agricultural and biological molecules without laboratory equipment.
The newly synthesized monolayer Ti3C2Tx transforms photocatalytic bioaerosol disinfection at the catalyst-cell interface. The material achieves a sterilization efficiency of 3.3 log in just 12.8 seconds, far exceeding traditional TiO2.
Plastic Back and a US-based recycler partner to scale low-temperature chemical recycling technology converting hard-to-recycle plastics into valuable byproducts. The partnership aims to address the global plastic waste crisis, reducing landfill waste and dependency on virgin raw materials.
Researchers unveil Ba-Si orthosilicate oxynitride-hydride as a transition metal-free catalyst, offering a more sustainable approach to ammonia production. The novel catalyst demonstrates exceptional stability and higher activity than conventional ruthenium-loaded MgO catalysts.
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln research team has identified methanogens that can consume hydrogen and dissolve calcium carbonate, producing methane. This discovery has implications for the sustainable development of bioenergy sources and challenges current understanding of carbonate mineral stability.
A new study explores how chemical mixtures transform under shifting environmental conditions, shedding light on prebiotic processes that may have led to life. The research finds that environmental factors played a key role in shaping the molecular complexity needed for life to emerge.
A team from Tokyo University of Science developed a novel trivalent platform for triple click chemistry, allowing for the efficient synthesis of complex compounds. The approach utilizes simple initial materials and promotes sustainable pharmaceutical synthesis.
Researchers at Rice University developed microscopic reactors capable of performing chemical reactions using water instead of toxic solvents. This innovation could drastically reduce pollution in industries including pharmaceuticals and materials science.
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo has developed an ultrathin film that can absorb terahertz waves in the 0.1–1 THz range, enabling secure and clear transmission for 6G wireless communications. The absorber is made of titanium and oxygen and can be used outdoors due to its resistance to heat, water, light, and organic s...