A new study highlights the importance of combining source reduction with cleanup of legacy macroplastics to prevent microplastic accumulation. The study found that halting plastic inputs by 2050 could reduce cumulative ocean plastic by 51.4% but would still leave significant amounts of microplastics behind.
A seven-year study of Barred Owls in California shows a significant decline in exposure to the most lethal class of rodenticides, attributed to the state's policy restrictions. The study also detects a new contaminant, cholecalciferol, in nearly one in five owls, suggesting product substitution as older compounds become harder to access.
A study of 2.7 million marathon performances found that higher air pollution levels were associated with slower finishing times, particularly in recreational runners. Nitrogen dioxide levels were strongly linked to finishing times, with effects six times larger for recreational runners than elite athletes.
Rapid economic growth in India has led to a significant increase in coal-fired power generation, resulting in worsening outdoor air pollution and a sharp rise in urban air-pollution-related deaths. The study found that a 1% increase in GDP per capita was associated with a 1.14% increase in electricity demand.
Research found that small particles from activated carbon and biochar can transport particle-bound pollutants after filtration, affecting water treatment performance. Dissolved contaminants may be overlooked when particles are removed, leading to incomplete contaminant transport assessment.
Hot peppers grown in biochar and animal manure-amended soil exhibit higher heavy metal concentrations, particularly Zn and Cu. Bioaccumulation factors for certain metals exceed 1, indicating potential for remediation.
The TRAP Program has recovered over 14,000 derelict fishing traps, supported 135 jobs, and documented 36,000 animals caught in
Researchers found that montmorillonite inhibits chloropyromorphite aggregation by increasing negative surface charge, while goethite promotes rapid aggregation through charge neutralisation. Divalent calcium ions accelerate CPY settling through charge screening and cation bridging.
This technology uses specialized plants and soil treatments to remove or contain PFAS chemicals from soil and water, making cleanup safer and more effective at contaminated sites. The approach combines mobilization, stabilization, and seed selection strategies to optimize PFAS removal or containment.
Researchers have found 'plasticorals', coral rubble fused with plastic, on the shores of vulnerable coral reefs in Okinawa, Japan. This discovery highlights a potential threat to critical marine environments, as plastic pollution can disrupt coral propagation and harbor coral pathogens.
A recent study published in PLOS One reveals that the ocean's depths, including the Mar Del Plata Submarine Canyon, have accumulated human trash, including plastic and fishing gear. The research found 29 identifiable manmade objects, including plastic bags and food wrappers, which were funneled into the canyon by currents and geography.
Researchers found a strong link between daytime air pollution and nighttime coughing levels, even when pollution levels were below the WHO's recommended daily exposure limit. The dataset, which analyzed cough sounds from 32 cities in 12 countries, suggests that air pollution may be a contributing factor to respiratory issues.
Compound heatwave-PM2.5 events are becoming more frequent in India, driven by climate-driven atmospheric circulation changes. Large-scale circulation patterns intensify heat and promote secondary aerosol formation, increasing particle concentrations and health risks.
Researchers analyzed 40,000 industrial plants and 5,000 U.S. House elections to find that firms in Democratic districts have lower emissions due to increased inspections and enforcement actions. This reallocation had potential financial impacts for firms and public health concerns for local communities.
Researchers found that the river has not settled into a stable state, with species disappearing and new ones arriving, despite 23 campaigns of monitoring
Soil bacteria, particularly plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, effectively degrade herbicides and petroleum hydrocarbons through rhizoremediation. This process involves the release of organic compounds from plant roots, which feed bacteria that break down pollutants.
Researchers at Wayne State University will investigate how air pollution levels in Detroit accelerate biological aging and impact metabolic and cognitive health. Preliminary studies show that BTEX exposure impairs cognitive function and metabolic health in preclinical models.
A new study finds that large-scale weather patterns explain much of the year-to-year variation in northern India's winter air pollution, enabling seasonal forecasts to predict severe air pollution months in advance. This could provide authorities with valuable lead time to prepare and implement cost-effective controls.
Researchers at Empa documented microplastic pollution in Switzerland, finding approximately 219 tons of microplastics settle in areas below 2,000 meters in elevation each year. Microplastics can be found in rural areas and are not just an urban phenomenon, with levels comparable across densely populated regions.
A new study maps global petrochemical emissions, showing that 10% of facilities produce 50% of emissions, with ethylene and ammonia being the largest emitters. The research provides a detailed understanding of emissions concentrations and can inform industry and policy interventions to make the sector more sustainable.
Researchers found that fish serotonin transporters, similar to human counterparts, can be highly sensitive to antidepressants found in water, highlighting potential risks to aquatic life. The study suggests prioritizing specific pharmaceuticals in environmental monitoring programs and deriving species-specific risk thresholds.
A new study reveals that human emissions cuts have affected Greenland ice, with sulfate and nitrate levels changing after 1990. The study, which analyzed a 79-meter ice core, found that pollution controls reduced emissions in North America and Europe, but their effects on the ice core impurities diverged after 1990.
A new study found that babies born with a higher genetic risk for COPD showed reduced lung function growth between birth and six years old, especially in areas with high air pollution. This suggests that early-life environment, including air pollution, may contribute to the foundations of the disease.
Researchers found altered gene expression in wharf roach guts after consuming expanded polystyrene, but no significant impact on lifespan. The gut microbiome showed little change, but rare microbes were detected in EPS-fed specimens. This highlights the need to manage EPS waste carefully and prioritize coastal cleanup efforts.
Microplastics act as pollutant shuttles, carrying chemicals, pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes through water, soil, food webs and environmental boundaries. A three-tiered framework identifies conditions for dominant ecological risks, highlighting the need for realistic risk assessment and unified global governance.
Researchers propose a mandatory measurement and reporting component for the UN's plastics treaty to track plastic production, use, disposal, and pollution. The system would standardize labeling, measurement practices, and repository establishment, enabling countries to report detailed data on plastics from cradle to grave.
Researchers found that patients with lung cancer had more detectable microplastics and higher microplastic burdens in their lung wash and tissue samples. The study suggests a link between microplastics and lung disease, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types of plastic.
Researchers have developed a custom liquid chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry device capable of high-temperature, high-pressure combustion to analyze halogenated compounds. The method provides a new tool for source identification and fate analysis, contributing to effective management strategies.
Researchers found lead levels were 7 times higher near airports compared to other areas of Portland, with aviation fuel as the dominant source. The study highlights the need for soil testing to address lead exposure risks for children.
Pharmaceutical contamination in soil and air has severe ecological impacts, affecting animal, plant, and microbial communities. The review highlights the need for interdisciplinary research to understand the dynamics of pharmaceuticals in soil and their long-term implications for ecosystem health.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that people who swim in rivers and lakes are more than twice as likely to develop skin problems. Higher levels of bacteria linked to faecal pollution are also associated with an increased risk of stomach bugs. The study, which analyzed data from 2,368 volunteers, found that swimmers ...
Researchers in Germany have developed a thermographic screening approach to identify short peptide sequences that respond to carbon dioxide. The study combines combinatorial solid-phase peptide synthesis with infrared thermography, identifying two tripeptides that show reproducible thermographic responses when exposed to CO2.
Microplastics have been found throughout a protected Florida wetland, with concentrations highest along waterways. The study reveals that water movement plays a crucial role in transporting and concentrating microplastics within the ecosystem.
A new study finds that rain falling through wildfire smoke can deliver unusually large bursts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to ecosystems in the United States. The nutrient pulses could become an increasingly important ecological consequence of fire as wildfires become more frequent.
Researchers found that natural gas drilling can lead to elevated radium content in local drinking water due to increased salt levels. This can pose serious health risks, including an increased risk of cancer. The study used private water wells and springs to collect samples and found a connection between drilling operations and radium ...
After wildfires near the California Coast, human and animal fecal bacteria from urban and wildland areas have been found in coastal waters. This has been confirmed through a twenty-year investigation, highlighting the impact of wildfires on coastal ecosystems.
A new study estimates that decommissioning subsea oil and gas pipelines could release 4.5 to 500 tonnes of microplastics into the North Sea each year. The research highlights the potential environmental risks of legacy plastics and recommends integrating environmental consequences into decommissioning decision-making.
A scoping review found that wildfires in regions with mining, agricultural, or urbanized areas often lead to arsenic contamination in drinking water. The study highlights the need for monitoring and mitigation strategies to protect water resources.
Researchers found that exposure to PM2.5 worsens periodontal disease by exacerbating inflammation and intensifying alveolar bone loss. The oral mucosa also shows significant changes, including thickening of the tissue lining the tongue and increased keratin deposition.
Researchers found that certain tree species, such as weeping willow and Chinese white poplar, emit high levels of isoprene, a key contributor to ozone formation. By selecting low-emitting tree species, cities can reduce isoprene emissions and mitigate ozone formation, particularly during heatwaves.
A study found anticoagulant rat poisons in 78% of tested caracals, highlighting a hidden problem for the city's wildlife. Researchers call for tighter control over the sale, distribution, and use of these poisons, which can accumulate in animals' bodies and harm non-target predators.
A landmark study of over 3,400 children found that London's Ultra Low Emission Zone improved lung growth and health, with lung capacity increasing by 10ml per year. The study suggests that clean air zones can benefit child development and should be considered a priority for cities globally.
Researchers found a significant association between declining air pollution and improved cognitive development in children. The study, published in Environmental Health, analyzed data from over 1,000 mother-child pairs and found a 26% increase in cognitive scores at age 3 with reduced air pollution concentrations.
North Americans breathed unhealthy air for nearly 106 million person-days as Ontario wildfires exposed people on both sides of the border. Canada's slow fire season intensified within weeks, with Toronto recording the poorest air quality in the world.
Researchers found microplastics in Gulf of Mexico oysters, leading to biochemical stress and physiological damage. The study identified histochemical alteration, protein nitration, and antioxidant expression as early warning indicators for microplastic contamination.
Climate change is altering the distribution of cropland nitrogen pollution in China, with emerging hotspots shifting from the south to the north. Nitrogen accumulation in soils and increased rainfall are key drivers of this shift.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University are developing a sustainable, AI-guided system to remove excess phosphorus from freshwater systems, preventing harmful algal blooms. The technology combines durable 3D-printed structures with AI-powered monitoring and optimization.
A recent study by researchers at Nagoya University found that low-frequency noise below 100 Hz can cause blood vessel damage to kidneys in mice. The study suggests that the frequency of noise matters more than its loudness, with high-frequency noise having no effect on kidney function.
A new study from Pusan National University reveals that climate-driven changes in vegetation can significantly impact ozone and aerosol pollution in East Asia. The researchers used satellite observations to update vegetation data, finding substantial changes in biogenic emissions and air quality, particularly in suburban areas.
Scientists at North Carolina State University have created a highly-porous, superadhesive mesh that can capture both large and small microplastic particles, including those as small as tens of nanometers. The mesh is made from sustainable biopolymers and can clean microplastics from both saltwater and freshwater.
Researchers have identified Ruppia maritima as a resilient native seagrass species that can help restore degraded estuarine habitats. The species has a distinctive annual life cycle and a persistent seed bank, allowing it to persist through disturbance and regenerate when conditions improve.
A new white paper highlights the risks of microplastics in supply chains and environments, with primary and secondary microplastics found in various products. Businesses are urged to take proactive measures to manage their microplastic exposure, including monitoring, circular business models, and recycled-content products.
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics modify as they age in soil, but these changes have little effect on how they interact with various organic contaminants. The study suggests the soil itself, not the plastic, remains the main factor influencing the environmental fate of these chemicals.
Researchers have identified a hardy sea sponge that can thrive in polluted harbor habitats, demonstrating an exceptional ability to adapt and even reproduce asexually. The chicken kidney sponge showed outstanding resilience and was found to be particularly effective at filtering pollutants and recycling nutrients.
A study analyzing Chinese and global soil metagenomes found substantial declines in antimicrobial resistance genes after China implemented its AMR control plan. The research suggests a close association between soil resistomes and antimicrobial use patterns across human and animal sectors.
A new review by the University of East London found no direct evidence showing whether domestic gardens reduce pollution levels or improve household air quality. Despite covering vast areas of Britain's towns and cities, researchers discovered a huge gap in understanding the role of domestic gardens on air quality.
A new study recommends reducing and reusing nappies, developing recycling technologies, and creating compostable products to tackle the plastic waste crisis. The research team identifies three system interventions that can radically reduce the environmental impact of absorbent hygiene products.
Local policies in China's 'Livestock-Free Zones' successfully reduced local carbon emissions, but this achievement was overshadowed by a significantly larger 'policy leakage' effect. A study found that for every unit of carbon reduced locally, approximately 3.14 units of carbon emissions were displaced to neighboring regions.
Researchers at Lancaster University have discovered nanoplastics in remote soils of Antarctica, raising concerns about plastic pollution's global reach. The finding highlights the urgent need for reduced plastic emissions and improved waste management practices.
Exposure to even moderate levels of multiple air pollutants during critical stages of pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth. The study found that a mixture of ozone and fine particulate matter posed the strongest relationship to early preterm birth.