A team of researchers from Nanyang Technological University and National Parks Board in Singapore has discovered that certain tropical plant species can absorb and remove toxic heavy metals and metalloids from contaminated soil. The study identified 12 plant species effective for phytoremediation, including Cow Grass, Brake Fern, and I...
Researchers used machine learning to predict the most important factors underlying heavy metal pollution remediation in biochar-treated soils. Biochar nitrogen content and application rate were found to be the most crucial features in determining HM immobilization, with soil properties also playing a significant role.
Researchers at São Paulo State University have developed an edible bioplastic with a tensile strength comparable to petroleum-based plastics. The material is made from gelatin, clay and a nanoemulsion of black pepper essential oil, extending shelf life and preventing microbial contamination.
Researchers found that kitchen sponges provide an optimal environment for microbial diversity by mimicking the separation and communal spaces found in healthy soil. This complex structure supports both solitary and diverse bacterial communities, leading to higher biodiversity levels.
Researchers found that soil pH and total cadmium are key factors controlling cadmium uptake in cacao beans. Liming soils can increase yield while reducing cadmium content, but access to lime may be limited for smallholder farmers.
A new study found that Hong Kong's remote sensing enforcement program significantly reduced harmful chemicals at the roadside and in the atmosphere. The program led to a 22-39% reduction in total hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide emissions from high-emitting vehicles.
Researchers are exploring the potential of mycelium-based soil remediation to address lead contamination in urban areas. The team will conduct lab experiments and perform electron microscopy imaging to understand how mycelium cell walls can bind and hold onto lead, as well as precipitate lead minerals around the fibers.
A new technology developed by Aarhus University researchers uses sustainable biochar-based photocatalytic nanomaterial to break down PFAS into harmless substances. The process is powered by solar energy and produces non-toxic fluorides, CO2, and clean water.
A new project led by University of Illinois researchers will develop machine learning models to predict the reactivity of thousands of organic contaminants in engineered and natural environments. This will help scientists better model pollutant fate and transport, leading to more accurate contaminant risk assessments.
A team of scientists from GIST developed an AI-based approach to analyze and extract user behavior data, estimating the optimal demand response management for each household. The study showcases how AI can improve electricity consumption, leading to lower prices and a smaller carbon footprint.
A research team discovered a quantum confinement effect in a 3D-ordered macroporous structure of BiVO4, enabling hydrogen production under visible light. The study found that the 3DOM structure had higher photocatalysis efficiency and produced more oxygen than its plate-like counterpart.
New York City public schools have made progress in reducing lead levels in drinking water, with Black students showing the largest reduction in lead exposure. However, most schools still have elevated lead levels due to varying testing protocols.
Researchers from India and Saudi Arabia have combined oxidation and photocatalysis to create a heterogeneous photo-Fenton system that degrades phenols at higher rates than individual approaches. The system is highly photostable and reusable, making it promising for practical applications in wastewater purification.
A new model developed by Stanford researchers provides a more accurate baseline for tracking methane emissions from oil and gas operations. The model, which uses bottom-up approach with component-level data, closely approximates top-down inventories and highlights specific activities that should be targeted for remediation or regulation.
A multi-faceted approach to environmental degradation is being led by Flinders University and Clean Earth Technologies through two federally funded research projects. The focus is on e-waste recycling, oil spill remediation, and the production of world-leading polysulfide polymers.
Researchers attached GPS and video cameras to black-footed albatrosses, capturing thousands of video clips across wide swathes of the north Pacific. The imaging showed that debris encountered by the birds included styrofoam, plastic sheets, and fishery netting, suggesting plastic creates a platform for invasive species to spread.
Researchers successfully reduced uranium, vanadium, and molybdenum levels in groundwater by more than ten-thousandfold using a 'sponge-like' mineral called calcium apatite. The technology has been shown to be effective and long-lasting without negative side effects.
Researchers mapped river ecosystems' responses to remediation efforts, revealing strategies that improved some of the biggest problems of mining contamination. The team's methodology showed that restoration can improve water quality, but regulations need to consider all contaminants together.
Researchers develop porous membrane that sequesters up to 99% of phosphate ions from water, making it reusable and efficient. The technology has promise in scaling up to tackle massive environmental problems like eutrophication.
New research suggests that capping US Superfund sites with soil to lock in asbestos may increase human exposure to the cancer-causing mineral. Lab experiments found that soil's organic material enables asbestos to move through the ground and potentially into nearby water supplies.
Researchers from the University of Houston and Oregon State University have discovered that water-in-oil microemulsions formed by firefighting foam can retain high levels of PFAS in soil, making remediation difficult. This new understanding may help identify contamination sources and develop new clean-up methods.
A new study by Stanford researchers and others finds that a relatively affordable remediation process can almost entirely remove lead from contaminated soil, but challenges persist due to ongoing sources of exposure. The study's results raise troubling questions about how to effectively eliminate the poison from children's bodies.
Researchers highlight PFAS' widespread presence in the environment, bioaccumulation risks, and difficulty in remediation. Health effects may include increased cancer rates, hormonal disruption, and immune responses.
The number of people with clinically complex health and social needs is increasing. Effective solutions require micro- and macro-level innovations that prioritize public and private investments in addressing health inequities.
Researchers from NC State are studying PFAS toxicity, bioaccumulation and remediation with a $7.4M grant from NIEHS Superfund Research Program. The center aims to develop new analytical methods and train the next generation of environmental health researchers.
Researchers Fay Hannon and Gianluigi Ciovati design low-energy, compact accelerators to clean wastewater. The technology has the potential to replace existing methods, which can be chemically and energetically intensive. The accelerators may also be used to treat tar sands, hydraulic fracturing fluids, and other industrial byproducts.
A Rutgers-led study reveals that mercury pollution from years ago is affecting waterways in the New Jersey Meadowlands, with two creeks identified as major sources. The research found that legacy contamination outweighs newer sources, guiding cleanup efforts.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed a low-cost method for real-time monitoring of pollutants using commonly available sensors. The Kalman filter-based approach allows continuous monitoring in situ, enabling the detection of sudden changes in contaminant levels and providing an early warning system.
Researchers successfully implemented cognitive remediation throughout New York State's psychiatric hospital system, recognizing and addressing cognitive deficits in serious mental illness. The embedded quality assurance program evaluation tools indicated that cognitive remediation was sustainable and effective.
The University of Texas at Arlington has extended its partnership with Apache Corporation to study the Alpine High region's surface and groundwater quality. The project aims to provide baseline data for ongoing monitoring efforts and evaluate stimulation additives to optimize oil and gas well efficiency.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that the attrition rate among general surgery residents was lower than previously thought, with only 8.8% leaving their training programs compared to 20%. The study also identified a significant difference in program directors' attitudes and support for struggling residents between high- a...
Researchers use seismic data acquisition and multi-attribute processing to locate hazardous underground voids left behind by coal mining in Wyoming. The integrated techniques help identify size, orientation, and shape of mining voids, ensuring rapid remediation efforts.
The Fukushima Nuclear Power Station accident in Japan 2011 had significant societal impacts and raised questions about risk management. The article compares Fukushima to the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident in Ukraine, highlighting key differences and similarities.
SourceWiley·JournalIntegrated Environmental Assessment and Management·DateOct 25, 2016
A new study by Jane Willenbring and colleagues suggests that asbestos fibers can move through soil due to the presence of dissolved organic matter. This finding has significant implications for current remediation strategies aimed at capping asbestos-laden soils.
A study found that applying mulching materials after soil remediation and reseeding can restore perennial ryegrass in 6 weeks after diesel and hydraulic fluid spills. The combination of peat pellets, mulching, and remediation with humic amendment resulted in the best turfgrass green density.
A new study found that at-home cognitive remediation training using a computer program can significantly improve cognitive test scores in people with multiple sclerosis. Participants who used the program for 12 weeks showed a 29% improvement, compared to a 15% improvement in the placebo group.
The DOE has awarded Carnegie Mellon a $3 million grant to train graduate students in robotics for environmental remediation of nuclear sites. The five-year program will provide financial support and research opportunities for up to 20 Ph.D. and master's degree students.
Two University of Oklahoma professors, Paul L. DeAngelis and Jeffrey Harwell, have been named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors for their innovative inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life and economic development.
A new approach using brain-training computer games is being explored to improve memory and thinking in forensic psychiatry patients, who are considered among the most severely mentally ill. The games may be used with psychotherapy, medication, and other approaches to help these patients restore their competency.
A new study from Rice University suggests that a widely used model to predict the impact of pollution controls has been too conservative. In Northeastern cities, ozone levels dropped significantly beyond expectations after cutting emissions of nitrogen oxides from 2002 to 2006.
A prenatal remediation strategy targeting homes of pregnant women significantly reduced childhood lead poisoning and lower blood lead levels in children. The study found that 62.5% of homes underwent remediation, compared to 28.2% in Philadelphia, where a similar program did not show the same results.
Groundwater pollution is a significant issue worldwide due to increasing water consumption and waste disposal. Computer algorithms can help identify pollution sources by processing available data, such as pollutant concentrations and monitoring data.
The waterflea's genetic code has been fully sequenced, revealing a highly gene-packed animal with potential applications in environmental monitoring and biomedical research. The study provides new insights into gene function and disease associations, shedding light on the organism's ability to detect environmental changes.
Two researchers, Jorge Alvarado and Monica Regalbuto, have been recognized for their exceptional work in environmental remediation and nuclear fuel cycle technology. Their achievements demonstrate the importance of diversity and talent in leading-edge scientific research.
Binghamton University researcher Omowunmi Sadik is developing sensors to detect and identify engineered nanoparticles, advancing understanding of their environmental risks. Her work aims to balance innovation with responsibility, encouraging the safe use of nanomaterials.
A new review article highlights the potential of nanomaterials for environmental remediation, with 45 sites globally identified for use in soil and groundwater cleanup. However, more research is needed to fully understand the technology's benefits and potential risks, particularly on a full-scale ecosystem-wide impact.
A study published in the American Journal of Nursing found that nearly 40% of nurses on probation for misconduct committed another act between 2001 and 2005. Nurses with a history of criminal conviction were more likely to recidivate, emphasizing the importance of enabling state nursing boards.
BioTiger has shown a 50% improvement in separation of oil from sand particles within 4 hours and a five-fold increase at 25 hours. It also reduces energy costs and environmental impact by producing chemicals for industrial uses.
Iron-TAMLs, a type of environmentally friendly catalyst, have been shown to be highly effective in reducing and cleaning up pollutants. The catalysts convert harmful substances into less toxic ones when paired with hydrogen peroxide, making them a promising alternative to existing industrial practices.
Researchers found that smaller spatial resolutions are necessary for accurate modeling of soil water dynamics, especially at large scales. The critical limit for grid resolution can be estimated using soil water retention characteristics, and is typically on the order of decimeters or millimeters.
A UT research team aims to develop cost-effective methods for analyzing and cleaning up contaminated sites with dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), which pose a major problem at many DOD facilities. The project could lead to significant cost savings, potentially running into the billions of dollars.
Researchers reprogram E. coli to detect and follow specific chemical signals, opening new frontiers in environmental cleanup and drug delivery. The custom chemo-navigational system could be used to target diseased cells while sparing healthy ones.
The Ames Laboratory will collaborate with Iowa State University and Sandia National Laboratory to develop software that enables access to three of the world's most important computational chemistry codes. The project aims to accelerate scientific discovery in areas such as energy, climate change, and materials science.
The DOE's SciDAC-2 program awards $60 million annually to 30 computational science projects over three to five years, focusing on designing new materials, developing future energy sources, and studying global climate change. The programs aim to accelerate scientific discovery through advanced computing and establish nine Centers for En...
A proposed US system to protect satellites from solar storms could disrupt high frequency radio wave transmissions and GPS navigation globally. The 'radiation belt remediation' system may lead to intense HF blackouts around the world, isolating remote communities for up to seven days.
A Dartmouth study found that arsenic in drinking water can inhibit DNA repair, leading to increased cancer risks. The researchers measured arsenic levels in urine and toenails of participants in New Hampshire and Mexico, and found a correlation between high arsenic levels and impaired DNA repair.
A new mathematical model, devised by Phil Ham, calculates the size of a polluted groundwater plume and assesses natural degradation capacity. This scientifically-supported method enables predictions about the effectiveness of natural degradation as an alternative to aquifer remediation.
Scientists from 20 institutions collaborate on three grand challenges to study membrane proteins in cyanobacteria and subsurface metal-reducing bacteria. Early results show promising insights into environmental remediation, energy transfer, and natural processes.
The University of Arizona has received a $14 million grant to focus on two major types of contaminants: arsenic and halogenated organic solvents like TCE. The research projects will improve hazardous waste management in Arizona and the Southwest, and can serve as a model for arid and semi-arid regions worldwide.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are investigating the transport of arsenic in a headwater stream adjacent to an old mine site. The team has discovered that groundwater is releasing arsenic into the stream, but some of it is being retained in the streambed.