Articles tagged with Water
Researchers at UMass Amherst have estimated carbon dioxide emissions from inland waters to 22 million US lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Their new modeling approach reveals previous methods may have overestimated CO2 emissions by as much as 25%.
A study on Spanish dehesas has developed a tool to model pastureland productivity and water stress, allowing for more efficient grazing management. During severe droughts, grass production can drop by up to 67%, with areas having limited slopes and moderate tree cover being the most productive.
A new study reveals that naturally occurring iron minerals can oxidise arsenite, making it less harmful to humans. The breakthrough has the potential to improve water and food safety globally, particularly in regions with high levels of arsenic pollution.
According to a new USGS study, approximately 71-95 million people in the Lower 48 states may rely on groundwater containing detectable concentrations of PFAS for their drinking water supplies. The predictive model helps understand the potential for PFAS contamination and informs strategic planning for water resources.
A new type of prototype water harvester uses temperature-sensitive materials to pull more water out of the atmosphere in 30 minutes on average than an alternative dehumidifier system using only half the energy. The device is also portable, making it suitable for regions where access to clean drinking water is limited.
A new study discovered toxic 'Forever Chemicals' in tap and bottled water from around the world, with 99% of samples containing PFOA and PFOS. Treatment methods such as boiling and activated carbon filtration can substantially reduce PFAS concentrations, with removal rates ranging from 50-90%.
Researchers found PFAS in groundwater up to 43 years old and concentrations that exceed health advisory levels. The study suggests it could take over 40 years for PFAS to leave contaminated groundwater, highlighting the need for continued cleanup efforts and long-term monitoring.
Researchers have developed AI-enabled detection software that can accurately detect natural debris, litter, or waste blocking culverts. The system can be integrated to existing CCTV systems to provide proactive flood defense, improving safety for response teams.
A collaborative research team introduced a new approach to sustainable development in arid river basins through a Grey Fractional Multi-Objective Programming (GFMOP) model. The study found that improving water use efficiency can reduce carbon emissions while safeguarding the environment.
A new policy brief argues that citizen scientists are crucial for meeting global water quality targets, providing valuable data and community involvement. Successful case studies show how collaboration with locals can improve water quality monitoring, education, and rapid response.
The system removes salt from water at a pace that closely follows changes in solar energy, maximizing the utility of solar power. It produces large quantities of clean water despite variations in sunlight throughout the day, making it an attractive solution for communities with limited access to seawater and grid power.
A recent Cochrane review has found that the dental health benefits of adding fluoride to drinking water may be smaller now than before fluoride toothpaste was widely available. The review analyzed data from over 2,900 children in the UK and Australia, estimating a slight reduction in tooth decay, but with significant uncertainty.
Researchers are developing soybeans that can handle extreme weather conditions, allowing farmers to maintain yields under pressure. By studying plant adaptation strategies, scientists aim to create more resilient soybean varieties.
Researchers developed a framework to measure how water systems can adjust their energy use to balance power grid supply and demand. They found that water systems could shift up to 30% of their energy use during peak demand times, leading to significant cost savings.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has released comprehensive guidelines for protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in emergency situations. The recommendations aim to safeguard the health and well-being of infants in disasters and conflicts by ensuring safe nutrition and immune protection.
A researcher at UTA is developing a tracer tool to help water suppliers ensure safe and reliable drinking water during extreme weather events. The tool will enable better management of drinking water in Tarrant County, addressing concerns about water flow and distribution.
The project aims to create a Great Lakes-focused microplastic action network using proven reduction strategies and new tools. It will empower communities to identify local pollution sources and mitigate microplastic pollution at a local level.
A new computational tool, FRNSIC, developed by Penn State scientists can help decision-makers explore possible futures of the Colorado River and identify consequential scenario storylines. The tool uses exploratory modeling to investigate a large number of plausible future conditions and classify relevant storylines for stakeholders.
Snowmelt rates vary by slope orientation and receive varying amounts of solar radiation. The study found that burned south-facing slopes accumulate less snow and melt earlier than other aspects due to increased solar radiation absorption. This understanding will improve models and tools for water managers.
A recent study from the University of Illinois provides new insights into the sources and processes affecting nitrogen load in tile drainage water. The research team found a large legacy pool of nitrate in the soil, resulting in a time lag between when nitrogen is added to the system and when it is exported as nitrate in tile drainage.
Research by FAU Harbor Branch reveals that managing both phosphorus and nitrogen is crucial for tackling toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Okeechobee. Human waste is identified as a major source of nutrients, with elevated nitrogen levels found in urbanized estuaries and the Kissimmee River.
A new filtration material developed by MIT researchers uses natural silk and cellulose to remove persistent chemicals, including PFAS and heavy metals. The material's antimicrobial properties help keep filters clean, providing a nature-based solution to water contamination.
A study of bottled, tap, and household-treated water in the San Francisco Bay Area found potential health risks from trihalomethanes in all sampled sources. The researchers analyzed various types of drinking water, including samples collected directly from households, to determine their chemical compositions.
Researchers analyzed water from over 100 wells in Denmark for trifluoroacetate, a persistent PFAS. Groundwater concentrations increased significantly since the 1960s, suggesting a link to changing atmospheric deposition and local pesticide application.
A team of researchers has developed a new membrane material that can detect and remove pharmaceutical chemicals from water at trace levels. The new approach uses a polymer membrane with an interconnected network of pores, which are designed to capture larger molecules, allowing for more effective filtration.
Researchers in human nutrition developed an innovative tool to assign a healthy hydration recommendation score to governments, promoting water and discouraging sugary beverages. The study analyzed 93 countries with dietary guidelines, finding that 48 had complementary messages encouraging water and reducing sugary beverage intake.
A growing global understanding of drought's impacts, but significant gaps remain in affected communities and developing countries. Long-lasting droughts heighten awareness, while economic factors influence responsiveness to the issue.
Closing Colorado's 'free river conditions' loophole could save millions of cubic meters of water and reduce stress in the region. The loophole allows anyone to take as much water as they want from the river, threatening the success of any payment program for farmers not irrigating their land.
A new strategy for massive water production on the Moon has been proposed by Chinese researchers, utilizing reaction between lunar regolith and endogenous hydrogen. The study reveals that one ton of lunar regolith can generate over 50 kg of water, enough for 50 people for a day.
A school-based citizen science program collects well water samples for analysis, revealing alarming levels of arsenic in private water sources. The initiative boosts awareness and drives action to protect public health, leading to increased testing rates and policy changes.
A University of Central Florida researcher has developed a nature-inspired filtration and conversion system that extracts carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere to create fuels and chemicals. The device mimics the lotus surface, capturing carbon dioxide with a microsurface comprised of a tin oxide film and fluorine layer.
Researchers aim to understand how arsenic exposure causes cancer and other health concerns. They believe zinc can help mitigate these effects by regulating gene expression. A zinc deficiency can increase the risk of similar health problems.
A recent study by University of Washington researchers found that warmer, drier springs account for almost 70% of the discrepancy between predicted and actual streamflow in Colorado. The team's findings suggest that plants rely more on snowmelt during dry springs, leaving less water to flow into nearby streams.
The samples, obtained from river deposits in a dried-up lake on Mars, are crucial for understanding the Red Planet's water history. The fine-grained sediments in the rocks are believed to retain signs of past biological activity, including organic molecules, making them significant for searching for life on Mars.
Seven rock samples collected along the fan front of Mars' Jezero Crater show evidence of minerals formed in water, suggesting a watery environment. While organic matter cannot be confirmed, these rocks may hold the key to finding remnants of ancient Martian life.
A study published in PLOS Water found associations between weather, geographic location, and urban/rural settings with waterborne infectious disease hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates were higher for enteric and biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens in areas using groundwater, while precipitation increased parasitic infections.
A study analyzing 12 years of data from over 500 hospitals in 25 US states found that weather and geographic location impact hospitalizations for waterborne diseases. Precipitation, soil moisture, and rural locations were linked to increased rates of certain infections.
A Rice-built reactor system can convert nitrates into green ammonia and purified water, decarbonizing ammonia production and treating nitrate-contaminated water. The innovative three-chamber system uses recyclable ions to improve reaction efficiency and eliminates the need for high concentrations of supporting electrolytes.
A new fluorescence detection system can detect fluorescent proteins from bacteria in water down to levels of less than one part per billion, meeting the World Health Organization’s criteria for detecting fecal contamination. The lensless fluorometer reduces device cost, size and weight while providing better performance.
A new technology allows for rapid and accurate detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in water sources, enabling Environmental Health Officers and groundwater schemes to test more frequently. The portable device provides on-the-spot results in under an hour, helping to prevent outbreaks of infection.
A KAUST-led study reveals that plant trait diversity increases above an aridity threshold of 0.7, challenging the view that harsh environments reduce biodiversity. The research found that chemical and morphological traits respond similarly to changes in aridity and grazing pressure.
Research reveals that drought increases nitrate concentrations in drinking water served by majority Latino/a community water systems, exacerbating existing disparities. Arsenic levels also show variability under drought conditions.
A new study finds that higher levels of six urinary metals are linked to increased cardiovascular disease and mortality in a diverse US population. The findings support the role of urinary metals as novel risk factors for CVD and all-cause mortality.
Researchers developed a system that passively alternates between capturing and generating water, eliminating manual labor requirements. The system uses mass transport bridges to optimize efficiency and effectiveness, producing 2-3 liters of water per square meter daily.
Wang will develop an educational simulation game, CyberShield H2O, to enhance awareness and understanding of cybersecurity risks associated with public water systems. The project aims to foster critical systems thinking and prepare students to address cyber risks in municipal water systems.
Scientists from Japan have discovered a new type of ice, known as ice 0, which can cause water droplets to freeze near their surface rather than at their core. This discovery resolves a debate about the formation of ice and has significant implications for climate studies and food sciences.
A team of researchers has developed a novel 3D printing technology that creates bioinspired solar steam generators for desalination. The innovative design mimics the structure of trees and achieves high water evaporation efficiency, making it an efficient solution to address global freshwater scarcity.
Rensselaer researcher Kevin Rose links aquatic deoxygenation with broader Earth system stability. Global warming and pollutants disrupt biogeochemical processes in aquatic ecosystems, affecting freshwater and marine organisms. Critical thresholds of aquatic deoxygenation will impact several Planetary Boundaries.
Researchers found arsenic treatment media in 71% of tested homes and water softener resin in 84% of homes with water softeners, posing potential health risks to users. The study highlights the need for further research and recommends installing a post-treatment sediment filter to capture escaping media.
Researchers have developed a more effective method of removing organic pesticides from drinking water using powdered activated carbon particles as small as 6 μm. This process achieves significant water treatment savings while ensuring the removal of toxic chemicals.
A research team at New Jersey Institute of Technology has developed a novel pre-treatment process to enhance the performance of existing GAC systems for PFAS removal. The approach involves adding a chemical that forms hydrophobic complexes with PFAS molecules, improving removal efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Researchers developed a technique to separate well-mixed mixtures, creating an economically viable process for synthesizing and purifying ionic liquids like [bmim][BF4]. High-purity [bmim][BF4] was produced with a purity exceeding 99%, and the recovered layer containing methylimidazole could be recycled.
Researchers developed compact devices with absorbent-coated fins that trap moisture and generate potable water when heated. The prototype can produce up to 1.3 liters of water per day in dry air, outperforming previous systems.
New research from Edith Cowan University found that dietary nitrate may play a role in preventing cardiovascular disease, dementia, and diabetes. Moderate to high intakes of plant and vegetable sourced nitrate were associated with a lower risk of all-cause, CVD-related, and cancer-related mortality.
A new study finds that climate change could lead to a doubling of daily water collection times for women in certain regions by 2050. The researchers estimate that this would result in substantial welfare losses, equivalent to tens to hundreds of millions of US dollars per country and year.
Using caffeine as an indicator, researchers found that domestic wastewater is the primary source of contamination in storm drains, making it easier to identify and address leaks. The study aims to develop diagnostic technology to track down pollution caused by these leaks and protect public water bodies.
Researchers have developed a computer model that sheds light on extracting renewable energy from superhot, super deep rock. The model shows the formation of microscopic cracks creating a dense 'cloud of permeability' throughout the affected rock, which can lead to higher power delivery and efficiency.
A new study by Dr. Allan Hassaniyan argues Iran's water policy is discriminatory, leading to socioecological deterioration in peripheral regions and causing devastating effects on agriculture, health, and the environment.
A study published in Nature Water found that US children's simultaneous water and food insecurity increased nearly twice as much between 2005 and 2020. The research also revealed significant racial disparities, with Black children being 3.5 times more likely to experience both problems than white children.
A recent study has identified over 300 distinct types of bacteria in Roman Baths water, including those with antibiotic-producing capabilities. These microorganisms show promise as a potential source of novel natural products to combat antibiotic resistance.