Articles tagged with Environmental Chemistry
A study published in Environmental Chemistry found that over a third of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use is breaking UK government emissions thresholds. Uninhibited urea fertilizers are the worst offenders, emitting up to 77% of applied nitrogen into the air.
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.
Researchers used a new method to study PFAS's impact on immune cells, finding that they significantly reduced T-cell activity and impaired the function of certain immune cells. This could lead to increased susceptibility to infections and reduced antibody production after vaccinations.
Researchers assessed air quality after a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, finding hazardous gases like acrolein reached dangerous levels. The study highlights the importance of complementary stationary and mobile air-quality assessment techniques to ensure public safety during cleanup activities.
Prof. Dr. Marta Litter takes over as Editor-In-Chief of Journal of Photocatalysis, bringing her extensive expertise and experience to lead the journal into a new era of excellence. Her research on heterogeneous photocatalysis and iron-based nanomaterials has led to over 250 scientific publications.
The UK Research and Innovation has awarded £53 million in funding to six research centers to boost knowledge, create innovative green technologies, and reduce energy demand. The focus is on developing game-changing ideas to improve domestic, industrial, and transport energy systems.
Researchers found large quantities of plastic mulch fragments in strawberry fields, negatively impacting soil qualities and microbial respiration. The study's findings suggest that biodegradable or natural mulches could be alternatives to reduce long-term plastic pollution.
Researchers at WVU's forensic lab discovered how organic and inorganic compounds in gunshot residue differ in their persistence on surfaces and transfer. This breakthrough allows crime scene investigators to distinguish between 'greener' and traditional ammunition, enabling faster and more informed decisions at crime scenes.
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.
University of Missouri researchers developed a method using thermal induction heating to rapidly break down PFAS on the surface of granular activated carbon and anion exchange resins. The process achieved 98% degradation in just 20 seconds, offering a highly energy-efficient alternative to conventional methods.
A team of researchers led by Dr. William Gilhooly III found that viruses are infecting sulfur bacteria, altering their genetic code and influencing their behavior in oxygen-deficient lakes. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding the impact of viral infections on bacterial ecosystems.
A review article proposes zero-waste methodologies to convert 100% of marine macroalgae (seaweed) into cosmetics ingredients using industrially available green technology. This enables the cosmetics industry to meet environmental sustainability and ESG requirements, while leveraging the potential of Brazilian seaweed.
Researchers developed an automated method to detect and count microplastics in contact lenses, finding that lenses with shorter lifetimes shed more microplastics when exposed to sunlight. The study estimates that over 90,000 microplastic particles per year could be shed from some lenses if worn for 10 hours a day.
A study by Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute found domoic acid toxin in 87% of samples from the southern Indian River Lagoon, which can harm shellfish, finfish, birds, and humans. The toxin is more prevalent in cool temperatures and high salinity waters, suggesting it may be a resident population.
A team of scientists has discovered ancient groundwaters harbor diverse microbial communities producing large amounts of 'dark oxygen'. This process enables microbes to survive and potentially consume methane, a greenhouse gas. The study's findings challenge prior assumptions about microbial life in subsurface ecosystems.
Researchers analyzed PFAS levels in fish food and organisms used in aquatic laboratory experiments. They found significant contamination across different types of food and aquaculture practices, recommending pre-testing for all feeds and organisms.
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.
Scientists investigate how salt uptake affects polyester microdroplets' surface potential, turbidity, size, and internal water distribution. The results suggest that microdroplets can selectively partition salt cations, leading to differential coalescence.
Researchers at the University of Illinois created a new system for desalination using microchannels in Prussian blue electrodes. The study found that adding these channels increased seawater desalination efficiency by five times, reaching salinity levels below freshwater thresholds.
Researchers at HKU have designed a self-assembling artificial spherical chromatophore nanomicelle system that mimics the photosynthetic apparatus of bacteria, achieving high stability and efficiency in solar energy conversion. This breakthrough could lead to sustainable solutions for carbon-neutral fuels and renewable energy.
A study by University of Technology Sydney found that plants can remove 97% of toxic compounds, including cancer-causing pollutants, from indoor air in just eight hours. This breakthrough discovery highlights the critical role played by indoor plants and green walls in improving air quality.
Researchers at Stockholm University developed porous crystals made from pomegranate extract to capture and degrade pharmaceutical molecules in municipal wastewater. The new material, named SU-102, showed promising results in removing pollutants using both adsorption and photodegradation methods.
A new study reveals that mercury levels in the Arctic tripled at the beginning of the Holocene, with sea ice reduction being the main cause. Climate warming has led to a decrease in perennial sea ice, allowing for increased mercury transfer and deposition in the Arctic environment.
Researchers have engineered bacteria to combine natural enzymatic reactions with the carbene transfer reaction, producing new-to-nature carbon products that can be used in biochemicals and advanced biofuels. This breakthrough could reduce industrial emissions by providing sustainable alternatives to chemical manufacturing processes.
A comprehensive study found that wild boar liver can be used as a bioindicator for PFAS contamination in the environment, detecting hot-spots in regions with elevated PFAS levels. The researchers discovered that PFAS concentrations are highest in areas where industrial activities and agricultural practices have led to contamination.
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 team of Cornell University scientists has dusted off an ancient electrochemical equation to better understand the conversion of carbon dioxide. The Cottrell equation enables researchers to control experimental parameters and produce useful carbon products like ethylene, ethane, or ethanol.
Researchers at Pusan National University have created a new algorithm that can accurately predict ice resistance and fracture points for ships navigating through the Arctic shipping routes. The model uses an elastic material approach, allowing it to study continuous ice-breaking processes, which is essential for efficient navigation.
Researchers at Colorado State University have created a synthetic molecule with an asymmetric oxygen atom that remains stable and nonreactive. This feat is significant because chiral molecules can have drastically different properties and are crucial in fields like drug discovery and materials engineering.
A new study by University of Toronto researchers found high levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in Canadian fast-food packaging, contaminating the food people eat. The study suggests that PFAS can enter the environment through waste streams and never break down, posing significant health risks.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a cellulose-based material that can easily remove 80% of toxic dyes from wastewater using sunlight. The method is cost-effective, simple to set up, and could benefit countries with poor water treatment technologies.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have experimentally confirmed that nitrate can transport naturally occurring uranium from underground to groundwater. The study found that adding nitrate to water increased the amount of uranium carried away, implicating both nitrate and microorganisms in mobilizing the uranium.
A new method developed by scientists at Argonne National Laboratory and Cornell University converts used HDPE into a fully recyclable and potentially biodegradable material. The approach uses catalysts to break polymer chains, making the material easier to decompose.
Experts call for a comprehensive review of UK's fire safety regulations to address the environmental and health risks of chemical flame retardants. The chemicals are found in various products, including furniture and building materials, and have been linked to health risks such as cancer and DNA damage.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a new technique using the 'flash Joule' method to transform plastic waste into high-value carbon nanotubes and hybrid nanomaterials. This process is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional methods, making it a promising solution for recycling plastic waste.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a new technique that captures real-time movies of copper nanoparticles as they convert carbon dioxide into renewable fuels and chemicals. The study reveals that metallic copper nanograins serve as active sites for CO2 reduction, paving the way for advanced solar fuel technology.
New research reveals that nitrogen released by gas-powered machines causes dry soil to let go of carbon and release it back into the atmosphere. The study found that excess nitrogen acidifies soils, leading to a loss of carbon stored in association with calcium.
A research team led by Professor Xiang David LI has developed a novel chemical tool called photo-ANA to investigate bacterial interactions with the host in real-time. This approach enables scientists to comprehensively profile host–bacteria protein interactions during infection, revealing known and newly discovered interactions.
A new laboratory study shows that microplastics increase the severity of an important viral fish disease. Nylon fibers had the greatest impact on disease severity. The findings have major implications beyond fish farming, affecting human health and natural environments.
Dartmouth College researchers have developed a durable copper-based coating that can precisely be integrated into fabric to create responsive materials for protective equipment, environmental sensors, and smart filters. The coating responds to toxic gases in the air by converting them into less toxic substances trapped in the fabric.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have found that jet engine lubrication oils are a significant source of ultrafine particles. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger inflammatory reactions, potentially contributing to cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers propose alternative fertilizer production methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but emphasize the need for careful environmental assessment. The global food supply depends on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which require significant energy and lead to carbon pollution.
Researchers from Florida International University have patented a synthetic antibiotic, arsinothricin (AST), which is effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The team aims to produce large quantities of the drug to combat the growing number of infections that have become resistant to current antibiotics.
A team of ecologists is calling for the designation of World Heritage Environmental Datasets to secure funding and ensure their long-term accessibility. These datasets, which include vital information on climate change adaptation, resource management, and environmental policy, are essential to understanding global change.
A new study published in AGU Advances found that post-lockdown auto emissions rebounded in some California areas, with affluent neighborhoods experiencing less pollution drop. The researchers used mobile laboratory data and analyzed grass samples to track CO2 levels and found significant differences between regions.
A transdisciplinary team of QUT researchers has proposed a multi-pronged approach to tackle plastic pollution, combining DNA-like encoding of plastics with international law. The technology aims to trace plastic waste back to its source, enabling the identification of polluters and eventual phasing out of plastics.
The study analyzed experimental parameters, nanomaterial types, and plant exposure duration. It found that many studies lacked positive controls and had short durations compared to crop lifecycles.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
Researchers developed a novel method to create deep nanochannels in hard and brittle materials like silica, diamond, and sapphire. By employing femtosecond laser direct writing technology, they achieved sub-100-nm feature sizes and ultrahigh aspect ratios.
Research published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics found that particles with two phases can form when different types of SOA mix. The number of phases depends on the difference in oxygen-to-carbon ratio between the given SOA types.
An interdisciplinary team is investigating air and water quality at the Cocopah Tribal Head Start and Day Care, which will also inform capacity building for monitoring programs. The study aims to increase local awareness of environmental exposure issues affecting children.
Researchers Dr Zoe Doubleday and Dr Jasmin Martino created a map of ocean chemistry that distinguishes the origin of seafood between south-east Asia and southern Australia. The universal chemical fingerprints can track where individual seafood comes from, helping to combat seafood fraud and ensure consumer trust.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows significant pH differences within nanopores, impacting engineering processes like clean-water generation and decarbonization technologies. Understanding these findings can improve predictions and system performance.
A team of researchers, including atmospheric chemists from the University of Pennsylvania, identified a novel pathway for sulfur particle formation in Venus' atmosphere. This new understanding sheds light on the source of ultraviolet-absorbing emissions and offers cautionary notes for geoengineering efforts.
A University of Illinois study found tomatoes in Chicago backyard gardens have low levels of lead, making them relatively safe for consumption. However, improper soil handling and lack of washing can still pose health risks. Researchers recommend minimizing dust with heavy mulch and careful fruit washing to safely grow tomatoes.
Scientists have developed a biomass-derived plastic similar to PET that meets the criteria for replacing several current plastics. The new plastic can be produced in one step using inexpensive chemicals and retains its sugar structure, making it easy to degrade.
University of Queensland scientists have discovered a way to make molecular switches work at room temperature, paving the way for more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in MRI scans, sensors, carbon capture, and hydrogen fuel cells.
Researchers have developed a new carbon capture method using sponge-like materials that can trap CO2 without degrading over time. The materials are made from sugar and low-cost alkali metal salts, making them a potentially cost-effective solution for reducing coal-fired power plant emissions.
Researchers develop 'Chemical logic systems' (CLSs) that can process information from light, sound, and atmospheric oxygen to execute desired outcomes. CLS-1 exhibits AND logic-gate response towards three inputs, while CLS-2 displays fast reversible dissolution of a peptide-based assembly in response to blue light irradiation.
A study by American Chemical Society researchers reveals that 54 of the 93 surveyed items contained fluorine, an indicator of PFAS. The team found that 19 products had precursor compounds that can be transformed into highly stable perfluoroalkyl acids, which are linked to various health issues.