Articles tagged with Water Pollution
The Department of Energy has selected Argonne National Laboratory to lead an Energy Frontier Research Center focused on advanced materials for energy-water systems. Researchers will explore interface phenomena, fouling, reactivity, and the interconnectedness of water and energy to develop innovative solutions.
A new study found that small farm size strongly affects the use and intensity of agricultural chemicals in China. The research suggests that addressing this issue is critical to sustainable development in Chinese agriculture. If left unaddressed, other less-developed countries may face similar health and environmental problems.
Research found that water samples downstream of six UK wastewater treatment plants contained significantly higher concentrations of microplastics. The study suggests that these plants are a key route into UK rivers for microplastic pollution, posing a threat to river ecosystems and marine environments.
A new material called C18-Mica-4 has been shown to eliminate up to 100% of organic pollutants in water, including industrial and personal care products. The study found significant correlations between pollutant properties and adsorption rates.
The University of Texas at San Antonio is upgrading its storm water management facilities with a low-impact development approach to remove pollutants from storm water runoff. The project will treat runoff from 9.5 acres of campus rooftops and parking lots, reducing contaminants entering the Edwards Aquifer.
Environmental pollutants interfere with hormonal signalling mechanisms in males, causing multiple pathologies including infertility. Professor Daniel Cyr's research focuses on sperm maturation and the role of a cellular barrier in the epididymis.
Researchers found that beaver dams removed high levels of sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus from the water, trapping over 100 tonnes of sediment. The study suggests that beavers could mitigate soil loss and pollution in water courses, delivering benefits across whole ecosystems.
A new study from Florida State University finds that microplastics are present at every loggerhead turtle nesting site in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, with highest concentrations found in dunes where turtles nest. This could alter temperature profiles and jeopardize incubation environments.
UCR researchers have developed a cost-effective way to improve the removal of pollutants from wastewater using Advanced Oxidation Processes. By adding a co-catalyst, they can dramatically reduce the amount of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous catalyst needed, preventing the formation of an iron-containing sludge.
Researchers from Harvard have quantified the effect of NOx pollution on OH radicals in the Amazon rainforest, finding that daytime peak OH concentrations increase by at least 250% in polluted areas. This study highlights the impact of human activities on atmospheric chemistry, with potential implications for cloud formation and rainfall.
Research from Harvard University shows that agricultural fires in Punjab, India can increase air pollution in Delhi by 20 times the safe limit. The study used satellite data and modeling to track the impact of smoke particles on urban areas.
The NEWT Center at Rice University has developed an energy-saving technology to remove pollutants from water. The polymer mat attracts hydrophobic contaminants, which are then destroyed by photocatalytic titanium dioxide under light exposure.
Scientists at the University of Bristol have developed a method to reuse plastic waste to remove carcinogenic synthetic dyes from wastewater. The process involves transforming polystyrene into a material that can support nanoparticles, which are then used to break down harmful dyes.
Researchers at KAUST are designing hybrid optical-acoustic sensors to collect high-quality data while minimizing noise pollution. The new system uses acoustic and optical signals for communication, allowing accurate location tracking and reducing energy consumption.
Researchers found Crepidula onyx snails unaffected by microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations, suggesting potential threat to other marine organisms. The study highlights the species' resilience and implies a need for further investigation into its coping mechanisms.
Researchers from Far Eastern Federal University found that pesticides are accumulated in the fat tissue of seabirds and marine mammals. The study, published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, showed high levels of organochlorine pesticides in these organisms, particularly in those with higher fat content.
A new study published in Frontiers found microplastics in the stomachs of nearly three out of four mesopelagic fish caught in the Northwest Atlantic, with 73% ingesting pollutants. This high ingestion rate has significant consequences for marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycling.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.