Articles tagged with Water Chemistry
A recent study published in PLOS Water revealed evidence of contamination in the tap water of Austin's Colony neighborhood, with some samples exceeding state regulatory standards for lead, arsenic, and other contaminants. The contamination appears to happen after the water is mixed together in the neighborhood's plumbing system.
Researchers developed a new measurement method to accurately map nanoplastics in water and the environment. They found that nanoplastics in seawater did not break down in a simple pattern and were present in various sizes and depths.
Researchers at TU Wien have shown that water molecules' structures impact charged particles in electrochemistry. The team found that ions with stronger effects on surrounding water create more order, leading to lower entropy and reduced attachment to surfaces.
FAU engineering researcher Masoud Jahandar Lashaki has been awarded a prestigious NSF CAREER award to study the oxidative degradation of amine-functionalized sorbents. The project aims to design longer-lasting technologies for capturing pollutants from air and water, improving indoor and outdoor air quality.
Complex systems exhibit emergent properties due to water's unique polarity, enabling DNA to store information and proteins to adopt specific structures. This order forms the basis for complex molecules to develop unpredictable properties, driving the evolution of life.
Researchers identify nanofiltration as an efficient method for removing glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid from water. The study reveals that molecular hydration, charge, and pH levels significantly affect the removal process.
A team of researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology has identified the underlying cause of water's unique properties, solving a fundamental mystery in science. They have observed water's liquid-liquid critical point, which marks the transition from two distinct liquid states into a single supercritical liquid state.
KAUST researchers study water-repelling surfaces and find that the rate of droplet release significantly impacts charge generation, contrary to intuition. The interface 'remembers' its recent past, influencing how charge is transferred in subsequent cycles.
Researchers at Stockholm University have found a new critical point in supercooled water at around -63 °C and 1000 atmosphere. This discovery explains the unusual properties of water, such as its density and viscosity responding to pressure and temperature changes in ways that are opposite to other liquids.
Researchers have uncovered the microscopic mechanism of alkali species dissolution in water clusters using a new spectroscopy station. The study found that only three water molecules can separate Ba and OH in neutral BaOH clusters, and this process is facilitated by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions.
A team of scientists, led by Associate Professor Jiangtao Cheng, has discovered a previously unreported method to get a puddle of water up to 1 cm wide to jump into the air. The bursting energy of bubbles trapped inside the droplets is key to this phenomenon.
Growing evidence shows water insecurity is an increasing challenge in the US and other high-income countries. Rural areas face unreliable access to safe and affordable water due to aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and extreme weather events.
Researchers discovered that a significant drop in calcium levels in the ocean led to a massive decrease in carbon dioxide, driving global cooling and ending the planet's greenhouse era. The study suggests that changes in seawater chemistry played a key role in shaping climate history.
High-energy electrons can break down PFAS compounds through radiolysis, and an SRF photoinjector-based accelerator has shown feasibility in a recent study. The technology offers a compact solution for treating PFAS-contaminated water at potentially lower costs.
A new plant-based hydrogel has been developed to tackle the problem of metallic zinc growing needle-like dendrites that short-circuit cells within a few hundred cycles. The cellulose-nanofiber dual network boosts ion flow and mechanical strength, delivering a cheap and biodegradable electrolyte.
Researchers reanalyze Cassini mission data to find that Titan's interior is more icy and slushy than previously thought, with implications for the search for life on Titan. The new findings suggest a slushy layer instead of an ocean, which could facilitate the growth of simple organisms.
Researchers investigated the geochemical behavior of calcium isotopes during carbonate weathering in the Lancang River. The study found that dissolved Ca showed variations of δ44/40Ca values along the river flow, with suspended sediments enriched in light Ca isotopes controlled by mineralogy.
Researchers found that linear isomers of PFOS accumulate more in fish-eating birds and tissue, whereas branched isomers dominate wastewater and benthic fish. This suggests that consumers eating bottom-dwelling species may be exposed to higher levels of PFAS.
Experimental tests demonstrate that interactions between magma oceans and primitive atmospheres during early years can produce significant amounts of water. This process has major implications for the physical and chemical properties of planets' interiors, with potential effects on core development and atmospheric composition.
Researchers at UAlbany are exploring the use of stable water isotopes to improve weather and climate forecasts. By analyzing differences in isotope masses, scientists can track moisture movement and understand related processes.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the hierarchical dynamics of water in crystal nanopores, revealing a new phase called premelting state. This phase exhibits contradictory states and fast rotational motions.
Advanced filtration systems can cut levels of cancer-causing DBPs, nitrates, and heavy metals, in addition to removing toxic PFAS from drinking water. The Environmental Working Group study found significant reductions in these contaminants across 19 US utilities.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS have developed a gentler, more sustainable way to break down keratins and turn leftover wool and feathers into useful products. The process uses concentrated lithium bromide to create an environment favorable for spontaneous protein unfolding.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel oxide material that can produce high-efficiency clean hydrogen using only heat. The discovery was made possible by a new computational screening method and has the potential to transform industries such as methane reforming and battery recycling.
Scientists at Virginia Tech mimic the natural movement of boulders on Racetrack Playa by creating a metal surface with asymmetric grooves that propel melting ice. The discovery has potential applications in rapid defrosting and energy harvesting.
A new project at FAU aims to advance water quality monitoring in Lake Okeechobee by understanding how common contaminants break down after being released into freshwater environments. The team will deploy passive sampling devices and use cutting-edge chemical analysis to predict which contaminants are forming dangerous byproducts.
The UN aims to establish an internationally legally binding framework to manage plastic, reducing waste, and promoting recycling. The agreement is intended to address the global issue of plastic pollution, which affects marine wildlife and human health.
A new peer-reviewed study by the Environmental Working Group analyzed data from over 17,000 community water systems and found that treating multiple contaminants simultaneously can prevent tens of thousands of cancer cases. The study highlights the benefits of a multi-contaminant approach to drinking water treatment.
A predictive model has been developed to reduce water leaks in distribution networks, utilizing pressure change data. This system enables companies operating water distribution networks to detect variations in advance and take preventive measures.
Dissolved carbon storage in China's lakes and reservoirs increased by 37% over the past 30 years, with significant regional differences. Climate change, anthropogenic disturbances, and water chemistry factors drive these dynamics.
A USC-developed shipboard system using limestone and seawater can remove up to half of carbon dioxide emitted from shipping vessels, cutting maritime CO2 emissions by 50%. The process mimics a natural chemical reaction in the ocean, where CO2 is absorbed into water pumped onboard and then neutralized through a bed of limestone.
Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, used molecular-scale simulations to understand ice formation. They found that the arrangement of water molecules in the two layers closest to the surface is crucial for nucleation, promoting a low-dimensional hexagonal crystal lattice at the surface.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed a novel iron-based catalyst that more than doubles the conversion efficiency of thermochemical green hydrogen production. The new catalyst, iron-poor nickel ferrite (Fe-poor NiFe2O4), enables significantly greater oxygen capacity even at lower temperatures.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have successfully produced green ammonia using sunlight and atmospheric nitrogen, mirroring natural processes found in plants. The process uses two catalysts, one based on molybdenum and another on iridium, to activate water molecules and produce ammonia.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have made strides in removing selenium contamination from water using iron electrocoagulation, a process that generates iron-containing solids with large surface areas to bind selenium. The method removed more than 98% of selenium by flowing through an iron reactor for 11 seconds and se...
A recent study has identified a key factor contributing to nitrous oxide emissions in wastewater treatment plants: an imbalance between bacteria groups and oxygen levels. By increasing oxygen concentrations, the researchers suggest that emissions can be significantly reduced without requiring major infrastructural changes.
A team of researchers has outlined a new roadmap for harnessing heterogeneous catalysis to destroy PFAS, which can contaminate water supplies worldwide. The proposed sequential treatment train uses tailored catalytic steps to break down complex PFAS mixtures into harmless by-products.
A groundbreaking study resolves the disordered molecular structure and ultrahigh electrostatic fields at oil-water mesoscopic interfaces, opening new avenues for catalysis, biomedicine, and green energy. The discovery of disordered interfaces and colossal electric fields transforms understanding of oil droplet behavior.
A GEOMAR study detects high levels of munitions chemicals in Baltic Sea water samples, with concentrations approaching critical levels. The contamination is expected to increase without removal action, posing a long-term environmental risk.
Researchers at University of Hawaii at Manoa shed light on the transformation of supercooled water into ice, mimicking Earth's atmosphere conditions. The study provides valuable insights into cloud formation and precipitation, tying into a $26 million project to develop sustainable refrigerant technologies.
A team of researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has developed a scaling model for transitional pressure development during acceleration. The study combines the incompressible and compressible flow theories to create a unified model that can be applied universally to various floors and liquid types.
Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology developed foldable molecular paths using zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, which can adjust size, shape, and alignment in response to temperature, pressure, and gas interactions. This technology has potential applications in creating filters that adapt to capture harmful ...
Researchers have developed a liquid moisture adsorbent that can efficiently harvest water from the air at near ambient temperatures. The technology, which uses random copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, has the potential to provide clean drinking water in arid regions and during disasters.
Researchers found that recreational tubing and swimming have a short-term impact on stream chemistry and microbiome, increasing levels of metals and human-associated microbes.
A new study reveals that the Sierra Nevadas are a significant source of groundwater for California's Central Valley aquifer, with some areas relying almost entirely on it. The research found that the groundwater is mixed in age, with some water being as young as 4 years old and others dating back over 40,000 years.
Researchers have documented 75 locations across northern Alaska's Brooks Range where remote streams and rivers are turning from crystal clear blue to cloudy orange. The staining is likely caused by minerals exposed by thawing permafrost, resulting in highly acidic and corrosive conditions.
Researchers at Pitt and Drexel have discovered that electrocatalysts can promote chemical reactions that generate ozone in water through corrosion and solution phase reactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient and sustainable electrochemical ozone production technologies.
Researchers developed new techniques to study acid-base chemistry at electrified interfaces, revealing the impact of hydrophobic layers and electric fields. These findings offer opportunities for optimizing electrochemical processes and designing novel catalytic strategies.
Mark Torres' $612,930 grant aims to analyze variations in river water chemistry using machine learning approaches and bridge the gap between theory and practical application. The project will inform policy decisions and drive sustainable solutions for safeguarding our planet's waterways.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a new method that enables the efficient production of cysteine-rich peptides and microproteins in their naturally folded 3D structure. The approach uses organic solvents to mimic nature's oxidative folding process, resulting in speeds of over 100,000 times faster than aqueous...
A study analyzing 610 chemicals found in European watercourses detected 504 substances, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS, with 74% of samples exceeding scientific limit values. The chemical footprint concept quantifies the impact of mixtures on aquatic organisms, highlighting the need for further monitoring and evaluation.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a metal-organic framework that can completely remove and break down glyphosate, a widely used herbicide. The material, Sc-TBAPy, shows faster adsorption and photodegradation of glyphosate compared to other MOFs.
Researchers have discovered that produced water, often considered waste, contains nearly every element in the periodic table, including critical minerals like lithium and platinum group metals. A new approach using CO2 desalination can extract these valuable minerals, making it a lucrative means of offsetting reclamation costs.
Scientists directly visualize the neutral products of hydronium-hydroxide neutralization, observing two electron-transfer mechanisms and a proton-transfer channel. The study provides insights into quantum dynamics of this fundamental reaction.
Researchers from EPFL have made significant strides in deciphering the electronic structure of water using computational methods that go beyond current approaches. The study accurately determines water's ionization potential, electron affinity, and band gap, essential for understanding its interactions with light and substances.
Researchers propose new statistical index to detect river ecosystem changes, potentially preventing tragedies like the Oder River crisis. The developed index is more versatile and responsive to variations in individual parameter values.
Researchers have found that the key step to protein formation can occur in droplets of pure water, where amino acids connect to form peptides with the same 'L' handedness. The discovery resolves a paradox and provides new insights into the early stages of life's chemical evolution.
A novel device, ecO2, produces oxygen at the site to keep cells alive for up to a month in vitro or weeks in vivo. This innovation improves the outcomes of cell-based therapies for diseases and injuries by increasing metabolic demand.
Researchers developed a novel material that self-assembles into micelle structures targeting cancer cell lysosomes, specifically interacting with Cathepsin B. This leads to dysfunctional lysosomes and apoptotic death of cancer cells. The technology promises a new approach to combat drug resistance in cancer treatment.
Millimeter structures moderately improve the overall entrainment process, accommodating liquids in larger quantities with less deviation. The capillary effect and viscous force drive entrainment, while gravity acts as resistance.