Articles tagged with Water
A team of researchers discovered that liquid water once flowed on the ancient asteroid Ryugu, which was formed more than a billion years ago. The finding suggests that carbon-rich asteroids may have delivered much more water to Earth than previously thought, impacting models of the planet's early oceans and atmosphere.
A new study has revealed chemical signatures of ancient Martian microbial life in the Bright Angel formation, a region of Jezero Crater known for its fine-grained mudstones rich in oxidized iron and organic carbon. The findings suggest that early microorganisms may have played a role in shaping these rocks through redox reactions.
Researchers found that targeted snow monitoring at hotspots can improve water supply predictions in most basins, with typical gains of 11-14% compared to 4%. This approach is more cost-effective than basin-wide surveys and has potential for more accurate forecasts.
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.
A new method uses narrow bandgap λ-MnO2 to extract lithium from salt water while desalinating it to generate freshwater. The method achieved high lithium selectivity and reduced energy demand by 87%, indicating its potential as a solution for both lithium recovery and water purification.
A new study published in Earth's Future journal reveals that sea-level projections from the 1990s were remarkably accurate, with global sea-level rise averaging about one eighth of an inch per year. The researchers compared these projections with recent satellite measurements and found a remarkable match.
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.
Five papers published in ACS journals provide new strategies for protecting natural water sources, including innovative technologies and sustainable solutions. The findings also highlight the importance of ensuring global access to safe drinking water, supporting human health and well-being.
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.
Researchers have developed a sustainable desalination method using a sponge-like material with long microscopic air pockets that can turn saltwater into freshwater in natural sunlight. The system successfully produced potable water in a proof-of-concept test, providing a scalable and energy-free solution for producing clean water.
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.
A new review paper explores six approaches to conserving water nationwide, including growing crops suited to local climates, using treated wastewater, and reducing food waste. The authors emphasize the need for a multi-faceted approach due to the inherent complications of each strategy.
A study of Iowa's birth records and county-level nitrate measurements found a link between prenatal nitrate exposure and increased preterm birth and low birthweight babies. The study suggests that current regulatory standards may be insufficient to protect against the risks of nitrate exposure.
A new Policy Brief by UNU-INWEH reveals that expanding irrigation correlates with higher dietary diversity among children under five in regions where water resources are already under severe stress. Despite this association, nearly one-third of gains occurred in areas exceeding renewable freshwater supplies.
Researchers from Binghamton University confirm the long-held 'urban myth' that saltwater dries out skin, increasing tissue stiffness and stress. A simple solution to alleviate tightness is taking a shower after coming out of the ocean.
Researchers discovered that sunlight's oscillating electric field plays a crucial role in enhancing interfacial water evaporation. The stronger the electric field, the faster water evaporates. This finding has implications for engineering more efficient water-evaporation technologies.
A study of 100,000 water samples from 500 river basins found elevated levels of contaminants like organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment persisting for years after wildfires. Water managers can use this data to inform planning strategies for increasing wildfire resilience.
Cessation of public water fluoridation would lead to higher rates of tooth decay and increased healthcare costs in the US. The model suggests that current safe levels of fluoride have substantial ongoing benefits.
The African Union's new policy brief proposes implementing the IDAWM framework to address agricultural water management challenges in Africa. This will involve balancing environmental, social, health, and governance trade-offs to create resilient agri-food systems that deliver multiple benefits for people and the planet.
A portable and highly sensitive ethanol sensor has been developed using a copper-based metal–organic framework thin film, enabling precise optical measurements without complex lab equipment. The sensor can visually detect varying ethanol levels, even at low concentrations, and can be integrated with a smartphone app for easy use.
Researchers investigate how increased warm, salty offshore water affects the cold pool on the continental shelf. Salinity measurements reveal seasonal salinification of the cold pool, shedding light on coastal ecosystem conditions.
Researchers at Rice University have created a scalable, low-maintenance desalination system that harnesses sunlight and recycles heat for a steady supply of fresh drinking water. The new technology, STREED, can handle high-salinity brines without significant decreases in water production or quality.
A multidisciplinary team analyzed seismic waveforms to reveal a significant low shear-wave velocity anomaly at a depth of 5.4–8 km, indicating possible liquid water in the upper crust.
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 new study has found that people with celiac disease can safely kiss their partners without worrying about gluten transfer. In a two-part study, researchers found minimal gluten in the saliva of partners with celiac disease, even when they kissed after consuming gluten.
A new study developed a method to measure evapotranspiration in the understorey of native forests, which can contribute up to 50% of ecosystem water use. The research aims to improve management decisions for water scarce resources in Australia.
Bank filtration (BF) was shown to effectively enhance the permeate quality of gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration by removing turbidity, particulate organic matter, and micropollutants. This pretreatment also improved membrane stability and increased stable flux, making it a promising strategy for treating polluted source water.
A new study maps the daily movement of cyanobacteria in Florida's largest freshwater lake, revealing how these harmful algal blooms form and behave. The research provides critical insights into managing the risks associated with cyanobacteria blooms.
The Colombian government is implementing a new agenda including climate- and biodiversity-related programs to compensate landowners for restoring forests or following management practices that maintain nature's benefits. A natural capital account has been developed to quantify natural assets, benefits, and changes over time, providing ...
Scientists have developed two new methods to detect water ice on the lunar surface, with one approach analyzing images from a specialized camera and another detecting buried ice deposits through cosmic rays. The research aims to support future lunar bases and provide resources for humans or be broken down to hydrogen and oxygen.
Researchers used satellite data to analyze the impact of dust on snowmelt in the Colorado River Basin. The study found that dust-driven melting tends to peak earliest and be most intense in central-southern Rocky Mountains, accelerating spring melt rates by up to 1 mm water-equivalent per hour.
Researchers from UT Arlington discovered that many wastewater treatment plants are unable to effectively remove dangerous microplastics, which can transport other pollutants into the environment. This poses potential long-term health impacts for humans, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A new Princeton startup has developed a technology to boost minerals production from evaporation ponds, doubling the efficiency of lithium and nitrate extraction. The innovation uses a black disc with an anti-fouling coating to accelerate evaporation rates, alleviating the need for large-scale construction of new ponds.
Arup K. SenGupta, a renowned water scientist at Lehigh University, has been honored with the ASCE Freese Award and Lecture for his pioneering work in ion exchange science and technology. He will present on 'Development and Global Application of Hybrid Ion Exchange Processes' during the 2025 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress.
Researchers warn that wildfires can contaminate drinking water distribution systems, posing substantial public health risks. Over 50 volatile organic compounds have been detected in water distribution systems after wildfires, including carcinogens such as benzene.
Researchers found that inactive amines used in herbicides could be more important nitrosamine precursors than previously thought, potentially posing serious health risks even at low concentrations. The study suggests shifting trends in herbicide formulation and use necessitate closer examination of these chemicals
A study mapped US counties with high rates of water system violations and inequalities in access to safe drinking water. Counties in West Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania ranked among the top 10 for violations, while Mississippi, South Dakota, and Texas topped the list for water injustice.
A Northwestern University study reveals that water molecules flip before releasing oxygen atoms, significantly increasing energy consumption. Increasing pH levels of water reduces this energy cost, making water splitting a more practical and cost-effective process.
A team of physicists at the University of Pennsylvania has discovered that pouring water from a height creates a stronger mixing effect, increasing extraction efficiency in pour-over coffee. By optimizing flow rates and pour heights, they found that more coffee grounds can be used without diminishing overall quality.
A novel approach uses a biomass-based carbon aerogel to efficiently treat oily water and sludge, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The material's photothermal conversion characteristics enable effective dehydration of oily pollutants.
The study introduces an innovative method to detect and classify floodplains based on their ability to attenuate floods. The Hydraulic Floodplain Classification emphasizes the variable capacity of the landscape to influence flood routing, enabling better water resource assessments and floodplain management applications.
Computer simulations show that captured CO2 can be permanently stored underground by mixing with groundwater, creating a denser liquid that sinks and remains there. Suitable geological conditions, such as impermeable rock layers and porous aquifers, are necessary for effective CO2 storage.
A new database of 400 years of sightings compiled by researchers at Colorado State University may help anticipate when and where milky seas will occur. The archive includes eyewitness reports, satellite data, and individual accounts submitted to the Marine Observer Journal.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and collaborators in Arizona and Colorado found notable groundwater gains in Central Arizona despite long-term water stress. The policies have helped bank over 25 cubic kilometers of groundwater from 1989-2019, but the Colorado River faces uncertain future due to climate change.
The reuse of human urine could significantly reduce the global demand for fertilizers in agriculture, lowering energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers have developed a system to recover nitrogen from urine, which can be used as fertilizer for urban agriculture.
A study found that consuming sucralose alters brain activity related to hunger and increases appetite, especially in people with obesity. The sugar substitute changes how the hypothalamus communicates with other brain regions, including those involved in motivation, potentially leading to cravings and eating behavior changes.
A new study by UMass Amherst hydrologists finds that lithium mining models significantly overestimate the amount of freshwater available in the Lithium Triangle. The research suggests that local communities, regulators, and the industry must work together to reduce water usage within sustainable limits. The study's findings have immedi...
A team of researchers at MIT has developed a system that makes pesticides stick to plant leaves, reducing waste and costs for farmers. The new technology, which involves coating droplets with an oily material, improves the 'stickiness' of the droplets by up to a hundredfold.
A new study finds a positive correlation between microplastic concentration and the prevalence of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, but not cancer. Higher microplastic pollution is associated with a higher risk of disease, suggesting a potential link between microplastics and chronic noncommunicable diseases.
The California Solar Canal Initiative brings together seven leading research universities to identify optimal locations for generating renewable energy and conserving land statewide. By covering large sections of the state's canal network with solar panels, researchers aim to conserve water, reduce air pollution and generate clean energy.
Researchers have developed nanomats that can absorb light energy to break down harmful pollutants in air and water. These lightweight blankets can be reused multiple times and are environmentally friendly, offering a promising solution for clean drinking water production.
Researchers developed a strategy to regulate hydrogen bond networks at electrolyte-electrode interfaces, accelerating proton transfer in CO2 reduction reactions. The approach involves introducing extra catalytic centers, such as cubic phase molybdenum carbide, to enhance water dissociation and facilitate proton generation.
Research uncovering rapid changes in river temperatures across the US highlights importance of observational records for environmental variability. The findings provide insights into managing habitats and understanding impacts on socioeconomic activities.
Prof. Günter Blöschl's research has made significant contributions to understanding the drivers of increasing flood risks under climate change and reveals that the last two decades have been markedly flood-prone compared to historical records.
Researchers applied web search algorithms to prioritize critical infrastructure protection. The multilayer approach stops failure faster with fewer damaged structures than other methods. It identifies systems with influence going both ways, helping defenders prevent cascade failures.
Researchers have developed novel membranes that can pull lithium directly out of salt-lake brines using electricity, leaving other metal ions behind. The process could reduce the environmental impact of lithium mining and contribute to more efficient energy storage systems for renewable energy sources.
New Delhi's air pollution is more severe than previously estimated, with particles absorbing atmospheric water vapor leading to significant underestimation of particulate matter levels. The study highlights the importance of considering hygroscopic growth and its impact on air quality assessments.
Water movement on surfaces creates an irreversible electrical charge, with potential applications in improving safety and energy storage. The study found that the charge is generated at the interface between liquid and solid and can be retained in droplets as they move over the surface.
Researchers have developed cost-effective and efficient water-splitting catalysts using cobalt and tungsten, which surprisingly increase in performance over time. The unique self-optimization process involves changes in the chemical nature of the catalyzing oxide, leading to improved activity and reduced overpotentials.