Articles tagged with Water Pollution
Researchers have developed a novel method to make a green-synthesised MOF using a scalable water-based process, which reduces estimated production cost and retains strong lead-capture performance. The material has been tested on real-world water samples, showing remarkable efficiency in removing lead from chemically complex solutions.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at UC Riverside develop a catalyst that effectively breaks down perchlorate at high concentrations, potentially reducing hazardous waste generated during drinking water treatment. The breakthrough technology could make it possible to destroy perchlorate after it has been captured on ion-exchange resin.
A new study at North Carolina State University reveals the widely-used Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP) is not effective in detecting water quality problems. SVAP scores were strongly correlated with physical characteristics but showed few correlations with water quality data, highlighting its limitations.
Researchers developed a rapid biosensor for detecting polystyrene nanoparticles, enabling direct detection without labeling or extensive sample preparation. The device can detect particles as small as 50 nm in fresh water and has a low detection limit of 1.3 μg/mL.
A Stanford-led study models how climate change and infrastructure investment can compound an affordability crisis, leading to near doubling of median water bills in cities like Santa Cruz. The research warns that even resilient cities may become vulnerable to water affordability issues over time.
Scientists used clues from label data, chemical analysis of tiny shells, and ocean current simulations to trace the voyage of a plastic bottle cap. The study found 307 organisms, including a polychaete worm not found in Japanese waters before, highlighting the potential for micro-ecosystems to be transported over extended periods.
A Stanford-led study found that pollution is causing fish hybrids to form in a Mexican river, threatening species diversity. The researchers analyzed water and fish samples from four rivers and found that those with higher levels of chemicals and heavy metals had more hybridized swordtail fish.
Colorado State University researchers propose strategies to immobilize toxic metals and prevent plant uptake in rice grains, protecting food security and public health. The approach aims to reduce arsenic, cadmium, and mercury contamination in rice paddies using nanomaterials and chemical reactions.
Researchers developed a new gel-based material that filters PFAS 'forever chemicals' from water using 'molecular Velcro', improving filtration capacity and reducing the need for fluorinated materials. The material can be reused by flushing out contaminants, offering a potential solution to removing PFAS from water.
Researchers analyzed 50 studies of biological records from the Great Lakes to track per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 'forever chemicals.' The study found that PFAS compounds do not break down due to their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, leading to biomagnification in top predators.
Researchers analyzed cloud and rainwater samples collected over 19 summers at Mount Washington, revealing that rainfall history impacts air pollution as much as wind direction. The study provides a valuable tool for meteorologists to improve predictions over complex terrains, with implications for waterways fed from the mountains.
Natural waters slow down nature's cleanup process by shielding plastics from sunlight and microbes, according to a new study. The chemical makeup of natural waters, especially combinations of salt and organic matter, significantly delays the breakdown of polystyrene plastic.
Researchers developed a mathematical formula to estimate microplastic mass and size concentrations from limited data, enabling more efficient surveys. The new approach allows for the estimation of small microplastics often overlooked in field surveys, which can help track pollution sources and trends.
A new detection method for PFAS chemicals in drinking water has been developed by University of Kansas researchers. The fast-flow solid-phase extraction (SPE) approach reduces the time and cost required to analyze ultra-trace amounts, making it feasible for widespread implementation.
Researchers found that textile wastewater treatment produces high levels of toxic byproducts, including chloroform and bromoform, which pose significant health risks to workers and the environment. The study suggests that alternative treatment methods or improved worker protections may be necessary to mitigate these hazards.
A global study of marine litter has identified food and beverage plastics as the leading contributors to ocean pollution, with plastic packaging, caps, and bottles dominating shoreline debris worldwide. The research highlights the urgent need for reduced plastic production and more efficient waste management practices.
The Universitat Jaume I has secured funding for five research projects worth nearly one million euros to strengthen its research activity. These projects focus on improving neural networks, understanding memory, tackling antimicrobial resistance, developing new materials, and assessing the impact of air pollution on neurocognitive health.
A new study by University of East London researchers aims to gather data on microplastic contamination across the Thames, combining new sampling with existing datasets. The findings could inform discussions around wastewater management, river protection, and plastic pollution policy.
Birmingham researchers demonstrate a new, sustainable way to break down toxic pollutants in wastewater using sunlight and molecular-thin catalysts created using an innovative mechanical approach. The method increases degradation performance by up to 2.5 times compared to bulk raw material.
A new UN report reveals that poor water quality is closely linked to poverty and gender inequality in the Global South. The study finds that 84 countries face a combination of unsafe drinking water, limited financial resources, and gender inequality, affecting nearly 2 billion people.
Researchers discover hydrogen radicals play central role in PFAS degradation under high-energy UV light, breaking down molecules into smaller, less persistent compounds. This breakthrough provides a clearer understanding of the underlying mechanism and challenges previous assumptions.
A year-long study of NYC's East River used environmental DNA to reveal insights into urban wildlife activity, human food consumption and ecosystem health. The findings suggest that urban waterways can become continuous biosensors tracking biodiversity and habitat restoration outcomes.
Researchers find crab shell waste alters microbial communities on biodegradable plastics, reducing breakdown rate. The effect persists even without direct contact, suggesting biochemical compounds released from crab shells trigger changes in the plastisphere.
The UFZ research team has developed a two-stage electrochemical purification process to efficiently degrade short-chain PFAS in water. This process uses electro-adsorption and electro-oxidation to concentrate and break down PFBA, resulting in easy separation of the fluoride by-product.
A recent study investigated microplastic movement in freshwater ecosystems across Pennsylvania, finding that watersheds with higher population densities and adjacent wastewater treatment plants had higher concentrations of microplastics. The research also revealed local features, such as forests and rural areas, play a critical role in...
A new study reveals that freshwater fish are accumulating antidepressants, opioids, and other drugs of abuse in their bodies, which can alter their behavior, development, and reproduction. The research uses a novel analytical method to detect these substances in small fish living in rivers receiving urban wastewater.
A recent study analyzed blood samples from over 11,000 seabirds worldwide to estimate oceanic mercury distribution. The analysis found that mercury levels vary according to prey trophic level, bird body weight, and foraging depth, with distinct regional patterns of contamination.
A Swedish study found that high prenatal PFAS exposure is associated with a higher incidence of asthma in childhood. The research used a register-based cohort of children born between 2006 and 2013 to assess the relationship between maternal exposure and asthma outcomes.
A new study by the University at Buffalo reveals that unequal access to recycling facilities plays a key role in shaping plastic waste management practices in the US. Wealthier and more college-educated communities are more likely to have convenient access to large-scale industrial recycling facilities, making recycling easier and more...
A new study found that websites providing PFAS information, including government and news sources, often fail to provide actionable advice on reducing exposure. The researchers recommend clear language about known threats and improved depiction of audience susceptibility levels to effectively communicate with the public.
The 'Action for Earth' Summit brings together global leaders to examine policy pathways, frontier research, and actionable strategies for climate adaptation. The summit features keynote sessions on priority policies and frontier research, as well as a roundtable discussion on accelerating cross-border climate action.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that crushed oyster shells can capture and remove rare earth elements from polluted water. The shells trigger a chemical reaction that converts dissolved metals into solid mineral crystals, making them an effective tool for environmental cleanup.
Levels of toxic PFAS in New Jersey's public water systems dropped by as much as 55% after the state set limits. The study analyzed 12,000 monitoring results and found significant declines in PFOA and PFNA levels, with a notable drop in contaminated wells before regulations were implemented.
The study reconstructs phage-viral operational taxonomic units and plasmids, linking them to microbial hosts using Hi-C sequencing. The results show that host community structure and biofilm architecture determine where these elements thrive, influencing nutrient cycling, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm resilience.
Researchers created a new method combining scientific tests and artificial intelligence to differentiate recycled plastic from new plastic. The tool, developed by University at Buffalo researchers, can analyze samples and predict the percentage of recycled content with over 97% accuracy.
A study found that the aquatic plant Salvinia auriculata can act as a sink for antibiotics in the Piracicaba River, reducing bioaccumulation and genotoxicity. The plant was able to remove high concentrations of enrofloxacin and chloramphenicol from the water, but its effectiveness varied depending on the compound.
Two-thirds of private wells in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area are not formally registered, posing a risk to groundwater consumption. The area is contaminated by toxic industrial waste, including chlorinated solvents used for cleaning machines.
A global analysis of over 2,300 seawater samples reveals human-made chemicals make up a significant portion of organic matter in coastal oceans. Industrial chemicals, including plastics and consumer products, dominate the anthropogenic chemical signal, persisting even 20 kilometers offshore.
Conventional oil and gas infrastructure leaves a deeper mark on freshwater biodiversity than shale gas development in Pennsylvania, according to a new study. The research analyzed over 6,800 benthic macroinvertebrate samples and found conventional development was linked with fewer species and a decline in ecosystem health.
A UBC-led global review found water-quality impacts from wildfires often emerge months or years later, with contamination intensifying over time. The study highlights the need for long-term fire retardants and preparedness planning to protect drinking water sources in fire-prone provinces.
A new study found a significant decline in nitrogen pollution in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin over the past two decades. The decline is attributed to cleaner air and more efficient nitrogen uptake by modern corn hybrids, as well as reduced fertilizer application.
A study published in the Chemical Engineering Journal proposes a new method for environmental remediation of pharmaceutical pollutants in water. The researchers used high-energy sparks to degrade pollutants, achieving better results than conventional methods.
Scientists have developed a new catalyst that uses sunlight to break down polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of water-repellent chemicals linked to increased cancer risk. The technology could be scaled up for detection or removal from the environment and human body.
A new mechanochemical approach uses water as a catalyst to transform renewable resources into high-performance porous materials capable of capturing CO2 while removing pollutants. The method produces carbon-negative materials with exceptional hydrophobic characteristics and scalable production.
Researchers warn that public fountains can be a breeding ground for aerosolized pollutants, posing significant risks to human health. With an estimated 30% of visitors being children, the risk of fountain-related illnesses is particularly high.
Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a new method for detecting microplastics using metal oxide electrodes, offering a rapid and sensitive solution for environmental monitoring. The technology has the potential to replace traditional spectroscopic methods with its portability, low cost, and real-time capabilities.
A University of Minnesota study investigated a 2023/2024 Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Grand Rapids, Minn. and found that introducing disinfection to untreated groundwater stopped the spread of the disease. The city implemented chloramine disinfection, which dropped Legionella levels so low they could no longer be detected, resulti...
Researchers from FAPESP-supported center create novel molecular architecture to efficiently degrade emerging water contaminants. The material demonstrates removal efficiencies greater than 95% and potential for sustainable solar-powered applications.
Research by University of Missouri scientists found that road salt is deadly to freshwater snails when paired with the presence of predators, causing nearly 60% higher mortality rates. The study suggests practical solutions to reduce salt pollution in waterways, such as cutting road salt use by up to 50%.
A new study by Tokyo University of Science found that floods are the biggest drivers of plastic pollution in rivers, increasing microplastic and mesoplastic concentrations by orders of magnitude. The research highlights the need to include high-flow events when assessing plastic emissions.
A recent study analyzing 6,049 contamination records revealed that 46% of the world's aquatic environments are classified as 'dirty' or 'extremely dirty'. The most critical contamination cases are found in mangroves, with plastics and cigarette butts accounting for nearly 80% of the waste.
A new study reveals that CFC replacement chemicals and anaesthetics are behind a third of a million tonnes of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) being deposited from the atmosphere across the Earth's surface between 2000 and 2022. TFA production is expected to continue growing, posing environmental concerns.
A new FAU study uncovers the impact of acidic water on shell-building marine organisms, highlighting the need for strategies to mitigate coastal acidification. The research found that nutrient pollution, freshwater input, and other environmental factors contribute to reduced aragonite saturation.
A new study by University of California San Diego researchers found that fossil fuel plastics can amplify harmful algae blooms by killing off zooplankton, leading to an increase in algal concentrations. In contrast, biodegradable plastics had a smaller impact on zooplankton and algal communities.
Researchers from Tohoku University developed a 3D covalent organic framework (COF) that enables efficient and selective removal of anionic dyes from contaminated water. The COF, TU-123, demonstrates high adsorption capacity and removal efficiency, making it a promising solution for advanced wastewater purification technologies.
A third of fish off Pacific Islands' coasts contain microplastics, with Fiji showing a high rate of contamination. Research highlights the pervasiveness of microplastic pollution and its impact on ecosystems and human health.