Research from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences estimates that humans have increased atmospheric mercury levels sevenfold, with a pre-anthropogenic baseline of around 580 megagrams. Human emissions from coal-fired power plants and waste-incineration are responsible for the majority of this increase.
A new study led by University of Maryland Professor Sujay Kaushal reveals that human activities are making the planet's air, soil, and freshwater increasingly salty. This acceleration of the natural salt cycle poses an 'existential threat' to ecosystems and human health if current trends continue.
Researchers developed an AI-powered method to measure urban decay using street view images, identifying object classes like potholes and graffiti. The model showed promise in detecting urban decline in cities like San Francisco and Mexico City, with potential applications for informing urban policy and planning.
Researchers used Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and machine learning to predict adsorption capacity of pharmaceuticals and personal care products on long-term aged microplastics. The study successfully captured the complexity of the system with up to 98% accuracy, providing new insights into the interactions between microplast...
New research from MIT found that germicidal UV lights can produce potentially harmful compounds in indoor spaces. The study suggests that the lights should be used with appropriate ventilation to minimize health risks. Researchers emphasize that the new UV lights are not a replacement for ventilation but rather a complement to it.
Researchers found high levels of ultrashort PFAS compounds in human samples and indoor environments, suggesting they may be a significant source of exposure. The study's findings highlight the need for further investigation into the sources and health impacts of these emerging contaminants.
Researchers measured metabolite concentrations of two herbicides in urine samples from Ecuadorian adolescents and found negative associations with attention, memory, and language. Glyphosate was also linked to social perception issues.
A study finds that microplastics are transported out of seawater and into the air through small droplets called 'jet drops' ejected by bursting bubbles. The authors estimate that between 0.02 and 7.4 Mt of plastic is emitted by the world's seas each year, affecting global climate dynamics.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that ultrasound can break down harmful PFAS compounds in groundwater, rendering them harmless. The technique works by emitting sound waves that compress and heat up the solution, breaking down the stable carbon-fluorine bonds that make up the toxic chemicals.
Researchers found an average of 41 microplastic particles per square meter per day settled from the atmosphere, while sediment samples contained denser particles with higher population densities. The study suggests clothing is likely the prominent source of microplastics to the Ganges River system.
Operation Mercury successfully halted most illegal gold mining activity in La Pampa, Peru, reducing deforestation and water quality issues. However, spillover effects led to increased mining in legal areas, highlighting the need for stronger regulations to mitigate environmental harm.
A team of Korean researchers uses carbon capture and utilization technology to convert industrial CO2 into calcium formate and magnesium oxide, producing two commercially viable products. The process reduces global warming potential by 20% compared to traditional methods.
Researchers found elevated soil lead levels in city parks that previously housed garbage incinerators and waste ash, with some levels exceeding EPA's threshold. The study provides insights into potential lead exposures for park visitors.
Research shows city living, day care attendance, damp homes, and traffic pollution increase the risk of chest infections in young children. Breastfeeding reduces this risk. Urban environments also affect immune systems before exposure to illnesses.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science have developed a catalyst support based on titanium dioxide powder to facilitate effective CO2 reduction. The study demonstrated increased hydrogen production and enhanced catalytic performance with silver nanoparticles loaded onto the TiO2 surface.
A new review explores the effects of air pollution and climate change on children's developmental health, leading to human capital losses. The study highlights three dimensions: health, cognitive ability, and socio-emotional ability, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive evaluation of these impacts.
A deep learning approach has unveiled a significant change in the characteristics of global daily precipitation for the first time. The research found that on more than 50% of all days, there was a clear deviation from natural variability in the daily precipitation pattern since 2015.
Researchers developed a water harvester device that harnesses atmospheric water vapor using metal-organic frameworks and ambient sunlight. The device successfully collected up to 285g of water per kilogram of MOF in extreme environments, showcasing its potential for universal applicability.
Researchers found human metabolites, pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and sunscreens in stream water, altering chemical and microbial fingerprint. Human recreation also stirred up sediments, raising metal concentrations and potentially affecting wildlife.
Scientists have created iron oxide nanoparticles called 'smart rust' that can remove a range of contaminants from water, including oil, nano- and microplastics, and estrogen hormones. The particles are magnetic and can be easily removed with a magnet, making them a promising tool for improving water treatment.
A team of researchers has determined that microplastic particles are present in the marine atmosphere, even in remote parts of the world. The study found that different types of plastics, including polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, were detected in air samples collected from various sites along the Norwegian coast.
A nationwide program in Ecuador, which replaced gas stoves with electric induction stoves, led to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and hospitalization rates. The study found that the program resulted in a 7% decline in liquid petroleum gas consumption and a 5% increase in residential electricity usage.
A new study by North Carolina State University researchers found that artificial light at night links with lower survival for two backyard bird species, the gray catbird and house wren. The study used data from a citizen-science program to investigate how light pollution affects birds' survival rates.
The UK fashion and textile industry is set for a significant boost with a £6 million investment in sustainability research. The initiative aims to help the sector adopt more sustainable practices, reducing its environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.
A team of researchers from Harvard and Hong Kong Baptist University identified patterns to predict extreme heat and ozone days in China. The model correlated sea surface temperature anomalies with increases in heat waves and ozone about 80% of the time, providing a forecast for the government to prepare resources.
At one Antarctic research station, contaminant levels have persisted for 18 years, exceeding international guidelines. Historic practices at Casey station have polluted the local ecosystem, affecting marine environments.
Concentrations of potentially harmful chemical compounds in ISS dust exceed median values in US and Western European home floor dust. The study guides design and construction of future spacecraft by highlighting the importance of material choices.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered that some phytoplankton can degrade methylmercury even without sunlight. This finding enhances the prediction and accuracy of mercury-cycling models, reducing risks to human health and the environment.
A breakthrough solution has been discovered to recycle blended fabrics like polyester/cotton using a simple technique involving heat, non-toxic solvent, and household ingredient. This environmentally friendly approach can recover cotton on a scale of hundreds of grams while preserving the plastic component.
A systematic review from George Washington University links lead exposure during childhood to increased risk of criminal behavior in adulthood. The study's findings highlight the need for policies to prevent future health and social problems from lead exposure.
A new study suggests that with careful management, road salt concentrations in US lakes may stabilize below EPA-set thresholds to protect aquatic life. Reducing road salt application rates could yield additional environmental and economic benefits without threatening road safety.
Research predicts increased frequency and intensity of extreme El Niño events due to high atmospheric carbon dioxide, even after CO2 reduction. Simulations suggest potential climate regime shifts in affected regions, with some areas experiencing desertification while others face increased flooding.
A new AI approach has confirmed that the Maldivian government effectively enforced its ban on open trash burning and single-use plastics, eliminating toxic smoke plumes from satellite imagery. The tool, trained using transfer learning and image segmentation, achieved 88% accuracy in identifying plumes.
A new study reveals that nearly half of traded hazardous chemicals are imported without consent, posing a significant threat to human health and the environment. The report highlights the need for strengthened national and international action to address global trade of highly hazardous chemicals.
A study investigates the impact of industrial sludge on zebrafish development, revealing concentration-dependent mortality, decreased hatchability, and disrupted thyroid hormone levels. The findings highlight the need for biomonitoring endpoints to predict and assess PAH pollution in Bohai Bay.
Research reveals that 176 bird species globally incorporate man-made materials into their nests, providing potential benefits such as structural support and insulation. However, these materials can also harm birds through entanglement, ingestion, or attracting predators.
SourceBangor University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 9, 2023
Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have created a new method for removing mercury from concentrated sulphuric acid, reducing levels by more than 90%. This innovation could lead to reduced mercury emissions and the production of high-purity, non-toxic products in industries such as mining and metal refining.
Researchers analyzed scientific literature from 1990 to 2021 and found that environmental pollution through chemicals is less studied than other causes of global biodiversity loss. The team calls for a stronger interdisciplinary focus to better understand and mitigate chemical impacts on biodiversity.
Researchers found that combining vermiculite with submerged plants reduces phosphorus levels and improves sediment oxygen circulation. The study also showed increased beneficial microorganisms and enhanced sediment permeability.
A specially designed garden, rain garden, can capture toxic tire chemicals associated with tires entering waterways by more than 90%. Researchers tested a Vancouver rain garden and found that it captured about 75% of the chemical, preventing it from entering salmon-bearing streams.
The team's innovative design uses bank-tube-inspired modules to capture CO2 with sufficient purity for underground sequestration. By eliminating steam-based heating and using ambient wind flow, the system boosts efficiency and reduces upfront costs.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a new adsorbent that utilizes problematic protons in acidic wastewater to enhance the removal of radioactive cesium ions. The adsorbent, potassium calcium thiostannate, shows improved capacity under strongly acidic conditions.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology reveals that the marine environment is at risk due to ship emissions, particularly from scrubber discharge water and antifouling paint. The cumulative environmental risk in ports was found to be five and thirteen times higher than acceptable limits.
A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists conducted a comprehensive study to understand the sources and sinks of plastic debris in the Southern North Sea. Local citizen scientists played a crucial role in tracking the distribution pathways of plastic particles, revealing that two-thirds were washed ashore within 25km of their release site.
A UC Riverside-led study reveals the Salton Sea environment is toxic, causing sulfuric smells, dust storms, chemicals, and fires that contribute to chronic health conditions like asthma and respiratory illnesses. The study's findings have important public health implications for vulnerable child populations.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a novel method for creating CO2 capture filters using 3D printing. The filters, made from a hydrogel material infused with the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, captured 24% of CO2 in a gas mixture and retained 52% of its performance after over 1,000 hours. This technology has potential applic...
The study found that widgeongrass has expanded over 150% in the past few decades, outcompeting eelgrass in Chesapeake Bay. This shift has implications for conservation and management of seagrass ecosystems.
Researchers developed a new hydrogel material with a Janus structure, combining ultra-lightweight and super-hydrophobic properties for efficient solar desalination. The material exhibits enhanced salt resistance and high mechanical strength.
Researchers found an increased risk of death due to respiratory disease five to seven days after exposure to ultrafine particles. The risk was highest for smaller particle sizes, with a 4.46% increase in mortality for each 3,223 particles per cubic centimeter concentration.
Researchers develop a method to estimate the age of microplastics in the ocean, finding that nearshore microplastics range from 0 to 5 years old while offshore microplastics range from 1 to 3 years old. The study provides insights into how microplastics are generated and spread in the environment.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health estimates that regulations reducing lead and copper contamination in drinking water generate $9.2 billion in health benefits annually, exceeding the EPA's public estimates by an order of magnitude. The analysis also reveals at least $2 billion in infrastructure benefits, bringi...
A Chinese Medical Journal review highlights the health hazards of air pollution, particularly from fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, hospitalization, and respiratory mortality. The study suggests that reducing PM2.5 levels through government interventions and individual...
A new study suggests that increased exposure to air pollution may be associated with first hospital admissions for acute kidney injury. The research found a link between PM2.5, NO2, and O3 exposure and an increased risk of AKI, even at low annual exposures.
The City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has been approved to establish the first UNESCO Regional Training and Research Centre on coastal contaminant monitoring in Hong Kong, focusing on the Western Pacific region. The centre aims to strengthen marine pollution monitoring, promote innovative technologies, and facilitate international r...
A recent study by the University of Surrey found that group cyclists can reduce their exposure to vehicle pollutants by spreading out, especially in busier roads. The research highlights the importance of considering wind movement and positioning within a group to minimize exposure.
A new study reveals an association between poor air quality in India and impaired cognition in infants under two. The study found that air quality was poorer in homes that used solid cooking materials like cow dung cake, and that reducing cooking emissions could have benefits to infants' emerging cognitive abilities.
A new detection technique reveals that megafires emit significantly more methane than previously thought, posing challenges to California's climate goals. Researchers used remote sensing to measure methane emissions from wildfires, finding nearly 20 gigagrams of methane emitted by a single fire.
A research group has successfully developed an adsorbent material that can selectively recover rare earth elements from hot spring water, a process expected to contribute to a metal resource-circulating society. The method uses environmentally friendly and inexpensive materials, such as baker's yeast and trimetaphosphate.
The latest issue of PLOS Biology features a special collection on biology-based solutions to reduce plastic pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, and produce food or energy more sustainably. Insect enzymes may degrade plastic waste, while photosynthetic algae can capture CO2 produced by industrial applications.