Articles tagged with Water Pollution
CSIRO scientists have developed a new filtering technique using Graphair that can remove almost all contaminants from water in a single step. The breakthrough technology has the potential to provide clean drinking water for millions of people worldwide who currently lack access to safe drinking water.
Researchers from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have developed a cost-effective method to break down pollutants in water, using a green LED light, catalyst, and vitamin C. The new process produces hydrated electrons that can react with stable substances and break them down into harmless components.
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found that PFAS can inhibit a mussel's immune system, but the effects are reversible. The research highlights the importance of monitoring regions with high environmental concentrations of PFAS.
A new study reveals alarming levels of phosphorus pollution in global freshwater basins, exceeding the Earth's ability to assimilate excess nutrients. Agricultural activity and domestic sewage are major contributors to this issue.
A new study suggests that ultrafine aerosol particles can increase cloud formation and warm surrounding air, intensifying thunderstorm-causing clouds in the Amazonian tropics. This finding highlights the potential for human-made aerosols to influence global weather patterns.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering have developed a novel solution to prevent plastic waste. They propose using nano-engineering to create a recyclable material that can replace complex multi-layered packaging, mimicking nature's use of few molecular building blocks.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science found that moss Funaria hygrometrica can absorb up to 74% of lead from water. The moss's cell walls contain polygalacturonic acid, which is responsible for absorbing the metal.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that regular surfers and bodyboarders are three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant E. coli in their guts than non-surfers. The researchers discovered that surfers swallow ten times more seawater, increasing their risk of ingesting bacteria that can survive antibiotic treatment.
A team of researchers from KAUST found that the Red Sea has a relatively low amount of plastic debris in its surface waters. The majority of collected rubbish was rigid fragments of broken objects, with only small amounts of plastic film and fishing lines.
The ocean is losing its breath, with low-oxygen sites increasing fourfold in the open ocean and tenfold in coastal waters since 1950. Climate change and nutrient pollution are driving this decline, which can stunt growth, hinder reproduction, and lead to disease or death.
Researchers at the University of New Mexico and Washington State University have created a catalyst capable of reducing pollutants at lower temperatures expected in advanced engines. The new catalyst uses smaller amounts of platinum, the most expensive component of emission-control catalysts, while maintaining high temperature stability.
A study by University of Plymouth researchers shows that marine organisms can break down a single plastic carrier bag into 1.75 million microscopic fragments. The presence of a biofilm accelerates the process, suggesting that marine life may be contributing to the spread of microplastics.
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography will develop an advanced ocean and atmosphere simulator to replicate complex ocean conditions and generate gale-force winds in a controlled setting. The simulator will help researchers understand how pollutants and climate change affect marine animals, plants, cloud formation, and the planet.
The researchers synthesized new ionic and nonionic surfactants that can efficiently collect petroleum on water surfaces. The compounds have been identified as having high surface activity, allowing them to localize thin oil films and limit their distribution.
A tsunami in Hawaii's Kona Coast provided a rare glimpse into underwater soundscapes without human disruption, revealing that boat traffic and sonar exercises create the loudest disruptions in bays. This study validates concerns about human noise pollution disrupting dolphin sleep patterns.
The CLAIM project focuses on developing new strategies for prevention and in-situ management of marine litter, particularly in the Mediterranean and Baltic Sea. The project will test innovative technologies such as automated cleaning devices, photocatalytic devices, and thermal treatment devices to reduce plastic debris in these areas.
The Lancet Commission report finds that global pollution is responsible for 16% of all deaths worldwide. Pollution disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, particularly poor and marginalized communities. Accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources can reduce air pollution and improve human health.
Air pollution is the biggest contributor, linked to 6.5 million deaths in 2015, while water and workplace-related pollution pose significant risks. Welfare losses due to pollution are estimated to cost more than US$4.6 trillion each year.
Researchers have developed an environmentally friendly process to transform olive mill wastewater into sustainable products. The process involves embedding the wastewater in cypress sawdust, rapidly drying it, and then subjecting it to pyrolysis to produce bio-oil and charcoal pellets.
A new project aims to discover how microplastics make their way from land to sea and what risks this contamination poses for various ecosystems. The researchers will also examine the impact on human health, environmental education, and develop strategies for sustainable preservation of aquatic ecosystems.
A new meta-analysis by Indiana University researchers found that no-till farming is not enough to prevent nitrate water pollution, which can lead to harm to aquatic ecosystems. The study suggests that no-till needs to be complemented with other techniques like cover cropping and intercropping to improve nitrate retention.
A new report suggests that public pressure can lead to policy changes on plastic pollution, such as levies on single-use plastic bags and bans on microbeads. However, experts argue that a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach is needed to address the root causes of the problem.
The study introduces the adjoint method to combine NPS term and initial condition inversion, improving model accuracy. The results show that assimilating NPS term is more important than initial value, and the model can be generalized to other regions.
Giant larvaceans, a type of plankton, consume tiny pieces of plastic and pass them in their fecal pellets, which sink to the ocean bottom. This process suggests that these filter feeders may contribute to faster transfer of plastic pollution from surface to sea floor.
Researchers found that piling sounds stress sea bass, causing them to fail to react to predators while drilling sounds cause them to actively avoid areas with these noises. This exposure can also impair their ability to detect food and has potential effects on reproduction.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new system that can remove both nitrate and phosphorus from agricultural runoff, potentially improving water quality. The system uses woodchip bioreactors and P-filters to trap pollutants, with one type of filter showing significantly higher effectiveness in removing phosphorus.
A new study estimates that climate change will cause 60,000 premature deaths globally by 2030 and 260,000 by 2100 due to increased air pollution. The research uses global climate models to predict changes in air quality and health outcomes.
Researchers investigate how climate change and environmental toxins affect the world's largest freshwater lake. Studies on amphipods found that temperature increases can be catastrophic for some species, while chemical pollution can have mass impacts on individual species and ecosystems.
The Envirobot robot uses chemical, physical and biological sensors to map variations in water conductivity and temperature, detecting heavy metals like mercury. Biological sensors comprising bacteria, crustaceans and fish cells indicate water toxicity.
Scientists from India develop a simple strategy to recover spilt oil by tightly binding it to a porous matrix, allowing for easy scooping and recycling. The cellulose-based system effectively absorbs oil without sucking in water, making it an environmentally friendly solution.
A new study reveals that 65% of global irrigated areas are impacted by urban wastewater flows, with 29.3 million hectares in countries with limited treatment exposing widespread consumer and farmer health risks. The findings call for urgent investments in improved sanitation to mitigate public health threats.
A novel composite material developed by Swansea scientists effectively removes dye pollutants from water, adsorbing over 90% of the dye. The material breaks down the dye using visible light and can be reused after filtering, providing a promising solution to environmental harm.
A new study found that a warming climate is stirring the remaining Arctic sea ice faster, increasing the odds that ice-rafted pollution will foul a neighboring country's waters. This pollution threat is particularly concerning as it can harm marine ecosystems and human health.
Researchers have developed a novel material that rapidly removes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water, achieving concentrations below 10 parts per trillion. The material, made from a networked polymer, has shown greater affinity for PFOA than activated carbon and can be regenerated multiple times.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that Henderson Island, a remote UK territory, is heavily polluted with an estimated 37.7 million pieces of plastic. The island's beaches have the highest density of plastic debris reported anywhere on the planet, posing significant threats to marine life.
A new method developed at MIT can selectively remove even tiny amounts of contamination from water using an electrochemical process. The approach addresses key limitations of conventional methods and is highly selective, making it a promising solution for environmental remediation and water purification systems.
A new study found that counties with poor environmental quality have higher cancer incidence rates, with air and built environment factors strongly associated. Breast and prostate cancer were most closely linked to poor air quality, highlighting the need for policy changes to reduce pollution.
Researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School developed a new technique to measure near-surface ocean currents using a specialized video camera. This innovation can help scientists predict the fate of spilled oil and other marine pollutants, improving disaster response and understanding pollutant transport.
Researchers develop process to mix chicken droppings with Mexican sunflower to produce biogas, which can power generators and used as fertilizer. The method produces more than 3 kg of biogas from 8 kg of poultry waste and sunflowers, reducing environmental pollution.
A new study confirms that the Arctic Ocean is a dead-end for plastics in the North Atlantic, with high levels found in seas east of Greenland and north of Scandinavia. The research emphasizes the importance of managing plastic litter at its source to prevent unpredictable destinations.
A new type of 'supermolecule' called calix[4] has been found to actively seek and remove certain pharmaceuticals from water. This breakthrough could lead to cleaner water supplies for everyone by allowing for on-site monitoring and selective removal of pollutants.
A new study by the University of Minnesota reveals that lawn fertilizers and pet waste are major sources of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants in urban watersheds. The research highlights the need to reduce excessive fertilizer use and properly manage pet waste to mitigate pollution and eutrophication.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers suggests that Israel's Jordan River, with only 3% of its original flow, can serve as a case study for tackling water scarcity and pollution worldwide. A two-pronged strategy involving regional cooperation to remove pollution sources and increase water flow is proposed.
Researchers create new material that can treat pollutants in water using sunlight, addressing a majority of contaminants. The material's reusability is now a challenge, as it deactivates after use.
Researchers have discovered a way to increase the efficiency of nanomaterials that can harness sunlight to drive chemical reactions. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar panels and new technologies for destroying pollutants and cleaning water.
Researchers have developed an adsorbent material from orange and grapefruit peels that can effectively remove heavy metals and organic compounds from wastewater. The new material has great potential as a sustainable alternative for industrial water treatment processes.
A new 'super sponge' created by University of Minnesota researchers can absorb mercury from water within seconds, removing it to below detectable limits. The technology has the potential to reduce mercury contamination in lakes, industrial wastewater, and tap water, with economic benefits estimated at $212 million annually.
A new study found that global climate change is linked to severe winter haze in eastern China, with Arctic sea ice loss and extensive snow contributing to poor ventilation conditions. The 2013 'airpocalypse' event was exacerbated by these factors, highlighting the need for stringent emission reductions to mitigate future haze events.
Researchers have developed a simple, low-cost device that can detect oil spills in water and pinpoint the type of oil involved. The device uses fluorescence spectrum analysis to identify five types of oil tested in the study.
A recent study by Louisiana State University's Parichehr Saranjampour found that dibenzothiophene, a chemical class of PAHs not on the EPA's list, undergoes evaporation and oxidation at rates faster than previously thought. This discovery has implications for oil spill cleanup and exposure to toxic pollutants.
A Princeton-NOAA study reveals that Asian pollution is driving the persistence of smog in western US regions, despite laws curbing emissions from tailpipes and factories. The study highlights the importance of maintaining domestic emission controls on motor vehicles, power plants, and other industries.
A new study suggests that air pollution can dissolve iron particles in airborne particles, increasing the amount of greenhouse gases that the world's oceans can absorb. Scientists have found thick sulphate coatings containing soluble iron on iron-rich particles from steel manufacturing and coal burning in the East China Sea.
New EU Water Framework Directive recommendations aim to improve monitoring, assessment, and management of water quality. The directive suggests effect-based methods instead of individual substance analysis and proposes a reversed burden of proof for data collection.
A Tel Aviv University study finds a unique biological model of arsenic detoxification in the Entotheonella bacterium, which inhabits Theonella swinhoei sponges. The bacterium accumulates and neutralizes toxic elements, transforming them into inert products within its cells.
Patients with repetitive rehabilitative exercises can contribute to scientific projects while performing engaging physical exercises using low-cost haptic devices. The study increases commitment and effectiveness of the exercises through natural user interfaces.
New research reveals that seagrass meadows can combat bacteria in water, reducing disease associated with marine organisms. The study found lower levels of disease on reefs with adjacent seagrass beds than those without nearby grasses.
Scientists discover high levels of banned pollutants in deep-sea amphipods, revealing human impact on remote ocean habitats. The findings suggest a legacy of pollution from industrial accidents and waste, emphasizing the need to understand the consequences of contamination.
Researchers develop nonpolluting method to dye textiles with structural colors using 3D colloidal crystals, producing a range of colors that remain bright after washing.
A Japanese research group used a new DNA analysis technology to detect 128 fish species in Maizuru bay, Kyoto prefecture. This method, known as eDNA metabarcoding, allowed them to survey fish in multiple areas during a short time period, detecting nearly 80% of the species present.
Researchers used buoys' trajectories to simulate debris motion, finding areas with high probability for MH370 crash. The analysis is consistent with recently confirmed aircraft debris finds, highlighting the importance of sustained ocean observations.