Articles tagged with Sulfur
Researchers propose alternative explanation for anomalous sulfur isotope composition in ancient rocks, suggesting early oxygen-rich atmosphere may have been present. Laboratory experiments show that organic material and thermal sulfate reduction can produce similar isotopic signatures.
Researchers found a previously unknown form of biofilm in an oxygen-deficient lake within the Frasassi cave system in Italy. The unique microbial ropes grow slowly due to limited energy availability, and are composed of bacteria and archaea species.
Satellite data from NASA's Aura and Terra satellites shows a nearly 50% decline in nitrogen dioxide levels and a 20% drop in carbon monoxide levels during the 2008 Olympic pollution controls. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of air quality restrictions, but also highlight challenges in detecting sulfur dioxide due to its longe...
The article discusses recent geological findings, including rapid exhumation of ice-covered rocks in Southeast Alaska, a 9-degree warming in Greenland 14,700 years ago, and the onset of biomineralization in skeletal metazoans. It also presents a newly recognized eastern extension of the Nile deep-sea fan.
A new book from the American Society of Agronomy provides detailed information on the importance of sulfur in agriculture. The book examines the central role that sulfur plays as a nutrient affecting crop yield and quality, animal feed value and human diet.
Scientists have developed a new instrument to create model nanocatalysts of molybdenum sulfide with atomic precision. The most reactive nanocluster had six atoms of molybdenum and eight atoms of sulfur, showing promise for improving hydrodesulfurization processes.
Researchers compared two packing methods for grape quality and decay prevention, finding that the external wrapping method can be as effective as the liner method in preventing grape decay. This method has advantages over the use of box liners, including faster precooling and being more economical.
A large group of soldiers returning from Iraq were diagnosed with bronchiolitis, a disease affecting the small airways of the lung. Prolonged exposure to sulfur dioxide from a mine fire near Mosul, Iraq in 2003 was found to be a major risk factor for the condition.
Scientists have discovered a possible explanation for Mars' limestone-free climate: sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. The greenhouse gas interfered with carbonate rock formation, but led to the creation of silicates and sulfites instead.
Harvard researchers suggest sulfur dioxide played a crucial role in maintaining Mars' warmer climate between 3.5 and 4 billion years ago. The presence of sulfur dioxide would have prevented the formation of limestone deposits, leading to the absence of carbonate on Mars today.
A team of scientists developed a method to determine the influence of past volcanic eruptions on climate and the chemistry of the upper atmosphere. The chemical fingerprint of fallout from past eruptions reveals how high the volcanic material reached and what chemical reactions occurred while it was in the atmosphere.
Researchers at UGA discovered a bacterial gene switch that regulates the conversion of sulfur compounds in ocean water to atmospheric emissions, impacting global warming. This breakthrough could help understand the biology and ecology of this process and its practical applications.
Researchers found that plasmaspheric drainage plumes can overload the dayside reconnection site, reducing solar wind coupling and influencing auroral activity. Climate models also predict increased carbon emissions due to rising temperatures, especially in southern regions of the US. Additionally, remote wind forcing played a role in t...
The study's findings suggest that the presence of oxygen in the atmosphere may not have been as absolute as previously thought, with fluctuations occurring over time. The researchers analyzed ancient sediments and found that sulfur isotope ratios did not exhibit abnormal patterns consistent with an oxygen-free atmosphere.
A new study suggests injecting sulfur into the stratosphere could cool the planet by reflecting solar radiation. This method, known as albedo enhancement, has been observed during volcanic eruptions and could start taking effect within six months.
Researchers observed eruptive activity at Northwest Rota-1 for three separate visits over two years, suggesting chronic eruptions. They used an underwater robot to observe explosive activity from 10 feet away, gaining clearer insights than possible on land.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a microchannel distillation unit to create a light fraction of JP-8, which is then reacted in a hydrodesulfurization process powered by syngas. The use of syngas allows for significant increases in throughput and decreases in operating pressure compared to conventional technology.
Researchers analyze sulfur isotopes in rocks to track oxygen levels, revealing a raucous period of intense volcanic activity that pushed the atmosphere towards an oxygen-rich state. This breakthrough provides new insights into the emergence of oxygen on Earth and its impact on climate.
Scientists conducted precise tests of Einstein's famous formula, confirming the relationship between energy and mass. The experiments used instruments like GAMS4 to measure gamma rays diffracted by crystals, achieving accuracy of four-tenths of 1 part in 1 million.
Researchers from UMD and NIST developed a new analytical tool based on thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) to study seasonal changes in sulfur particulate composition. The technique requires much smaller snow samples than standard analysis techniques, allowing for more precise measurements of sulfur isotopes.
Researchers have found evidence of past water on Mars at the Gusev crater, indicating a hydrologic system that deposited magnesium sulfate and formed highly oxidized coatings. The study used data from the Spirit rover's trenches to detect high levels of magnesium sulfate and showed a tight correlation between magnesium and sulfur.
Researchers have discovered a super sulfur soaker material, cryptomelane, that can capture high amounts of sulfur dioxide. The material maintains its capacity even under extreme conditions and can protect nitrogen oxides traps from degradation.
Illinois chemists have discovered a way to produce a highly porous network of molybdenum disulfide that preferentially exposes catalytic edges, improving sulfur removal efficiency. The new method uses ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and can be scaled up for industrial applications.
A recent study published in Geology found that Kilauea's sulfur dioxide emissions can cause bronchial irritation, trigger asthma attacks, and potentially lead to cardiac problems. The researchers recommend establishing monitoring in the region directly south of the volcano to better understand the health risks.
Researchers discovered three distinct scattering patterns as alky-thiol density increased, indicating different degrees of molecular order. The tilted phase exhibits crystalline patterns despite the disordered liquid nature of the underlying mercury.
Research on Neoproterozoic low-latitude sedimentary rocks reveals that tropical oceans were likely very cold during the Cryogenian period, leading to widespread sea ice. In contrast, a Cretaceous alluvial sequence provides evidence of long-term amplification of the global hydrologic cycle and greenhouse climate signals.
Researchers found that oxygen in the atmosphere appeared at least 100 million years before its supposed debut with the carbon cycle perturbation. The discovery suggests a complex process involving mantle plume volcanoes and cyanobacteria, leading to an increase in oxygen levels over millions of years.
Researchers suggest oxygen may have appeared 100 million years before its previously believed debut, based on improved dating and proxy measures. The shift from a reducing to an oxidizing atmosphere is linked to volcanic activity and the production of water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Researchers retrieved clues to ancient ocean chemistry and global greenhouse gas accumulation from 130-million-year-old sediments. The study provides a high-resolution record of seawater sulfate changes, shedding light on the interactions between the Earth's atmosphere, land, and ocean systems during the Cretaceous period.
Phytoplankton in the Sargasso Sea produce organic sulfur compounds as a defense mechanism against UV radiation, leading to increased cloudiness and mitigating global warming effects. The discovery provides new insights into the DMS-climate feedback hypothesis.
Researchers found fossils of green sulfur bacteria and oxygen-breathing sea reptiles coexisting in Oxford Clay sediment, challenging the standard interpretation of the fossil record. The team's discovery suggests that environmental conditions were dynamic during deposition, possibly due to climatic changes.
Researchers at Penn State have created a thermally stable coal-based jet fuel, provisionally designated as JP900, which can absorb significant amounts of heat and remain stable up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit. This fuel has potential benefits in reducing engine deposits and improving cold weather performance.
Scientists are studying sulfur oxidation processes and high levels of atmospheric nitric oxide at the South Pole. They aim to understand natural phenomena to differentiate them from human-caused processes in more complex regions.
Researchers found that exposure to fine particles of less than 10 micrometers increased the risk of heart attacks in smokers, even at levels lower than current national standards. Air pollution levels in Dijon remained under four on the ATMO index 86 percent of the time.
The MIT team has developed a promising catalytic converter that controls emissions and can withstand excess oxygen. By understanding the atomic-level reaction process of sulfur trioxide formation, they aim to improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollution.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon develop Fe-TAML activators that rapidly convert recalcitrant sulfur compounds into easily extracted substances, resulting in nearly sulfur-free fuel. The technology has the potential to aid in the development of cleaner burning and more fuel-efficient automobile engines.
Researchers created a nanoscale model catalyst that enhances hydrogen desulfurization efficiency by 100 times, enabling detailed analysis of the reaction at atomic levels.
A study by scientists at PNNL and UC-Irvine clarifies the role of sea salt in sulfur chemistry, enabling more accurate predictions of acid deposition and global climate. Sea salt particles can absorb substantial amounts of sulfur dioxide, converting it to sulfuric acid.
A University of Michigan professor has developed a new sorbent material that can selectively remove sulfur from gasoline and diesel fuel, a key step in reducing acid rain. The innovative technology could help industries meet upcoming federal standards by reducing reactor sizes and energy consumption.
Researchers at Ohio State University have synthesized hydrogen thioperoxide (HSOH), a sulfur-containing molecule considered a 'missing link' in its chemical family. The molecule's unique spectral pattern was recorded using a new laboratory instrument, FASSST, allowing scientists to study it for the first time.
Researchers at Penn State Energy Institute have developed a new process for removing organic sulfur from hydrocarbon fuels using low-temperature and pressure methods. The SARS process selectively adsorbs sulfur on metal species without affecting aromatic compounds.
Scientists at the NSLS have made significant discoveries, including the structure of anthrax's edema factor protein and a mechanism for high-temperature superconductivity. Researchers are also developing more efficient compounds to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions and creating new methods for examining protein structures.
Thomas B. Rauchfuss's research focuses on metal sulfides that act as catalysts, taking sulfur out of oil and coal to reduce acid rain. His work aims to improve the efficiency and understanding of these catalysts to create cleaner fuels.
Researchers used x-ray absorption spectroscopy to analyze the chemistry of wood decay in the Vasa, finding evidence of sulfur accumulation and oxidation. They recommend regulating environmental conditions and replacing iron bolts with inert materials to slow damage.
Global sulfur emissions have stabilized over the past 20 years, with China leading the world in emissions due to its massive coal reserves and growing industrialization. Cleaner fuels and pollution controls have contributed to the stabilization of emissions worldwide.
A new study by Resources For the Future finds that emissions trading has shifted sulfur dioxide emissions away from populated areas to the Midwest, improving public health and environmental conditions in the Northeast and East. Health-related benefits are estimated at $125 million annually.
Research finds that ship sulfur emissions contribute to acid rain, damage vegetation, and form clouds over the ocean. The study highlights the importance of addressing this issue for solving part of the global climate change puzzle.
A University of Illinois professor warns that decreasing sulfur dioxide emissions could exacerbate global warming by enhancing temperature changes in North America, Europe, and Asia. The studies used climate/ocean models to calculate the potential effects of reduced sulfur dioxide emissions on global-mean surface temperatures.
A team of researchers has discovered the largest bacteria ever known, Thiomargarita namibiensis, which stores elemental sulfur and nitrate. The finding provides firmer evidence of coupling between the sulfur and nitrogen cycles in the ocean, offering new insights into the environment's recycling processes.
The discovery of glowing hydrogen gas on Io, a moon of Jupiter, was made using the Hubble Space Telescope. The findings indicate that hydrogen may be concentrated at the poles in the form of hydrogen sulfide frost, which could be broken up into constituent hydrogen and sulfur atoms with glow.
Scientists have discovered that sulfur transforms into a superconductor at extremely high pressure, with a critical temperature of 10 K. The findings provide an important test for theories of superconductivity and could lead to new energy-related applications.
Cargo ships powered by diesel engines are among the world's highest polluting combustion sources per ton of fuel consumed. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has implemented new regulations to address the issue, but experts warn that a measurable reduction in nitrogen emissions will not occur for many years.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a low-temperature nitrogen oxide reduction catalyst that can be used in small production boiler systems. The catalyst, tested at temperatures between 350-400°F, shows promise in eliminating the need for high-temperature baghouse bags and reducing costs.
A double-blind study found that vitamin E and C supplements reduced sensitivity to ozone exposure and improved pulmonary function in asthmatic volunteers. The study suggests antioxidant vitamins may benefit others exposed to chronic oxidative stress, such as smokers or industrial workers.