Articles tagged with Coal
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A new study published in Marine and Petroleum Geology has established a national baseline for earthquakes caused by human activity in the UK. Since 1999, an average of at least three onshore earthquakes per year with local magnitude greater than or equal to 1.5 have been linked to anthropogenic activities.
A new study reveals high levels of radioactivity in coal ash from all three major US coal-producing basins, up to five times higher than normal soil. The presence of radioactive elements like radium isotopes and lead-210 poses significant environmental and health risks if not properly regulated.
Researchers from Spain and Portugal used photonic crystal optical fibers to develop innovative sensors capable of withstanding high temperatures. The system successfully measured toxic gas levels and temperature variations in coal waste piles, allowing for early detection of potential fires.
A novel process configuration produces clean middle-distillate fuels from coal with minimal emissions, suitable for jet or diesel engines. The process extracts coals with light cycle oil, separates solids, hydrotreats liquids to remove sulfur and aromatic compounds.
A new study from the University of East Anglia recommends that China prioritize non-coal fuels like nuclear power and natural gas to improve electricity supply security while reducing carbon emissions. The country's largest coal importer, China needs to reduce its dependence on coal to achieve long-term energy security.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to control the size-dependent band gap of coal-based graphene quantum dots, enabling specific semiconducting properties. The new process uses ultrafiltration or direct control of reaction temperature, producing smaller dots with different optical and electronic properties.
Scientists from Ruhr-University Bochum successfully isolate and analyze the fluorenyl cation, a prototype of antiaromaticity, at extremely low temperatures in water ice. This breakthrough enables standard spectroscopic analysis of antiaromatic compounds for the first time.
A third of oil reserves, half of gas reserves, and over 80% of current coal reserves globally should remain in the ground if global warming is to stay below the 2°C target. The study identifies regions that stand to lose most from achieving this goal, including China, Russia, and the United States.
Global CO2 emissions hit a new all-time record of 35.3 billion tonnes in 2013, with China's emissions increasing at a slower rate than usual due to energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy growth. The US saw a slight increase in emissions, while the EU continued to decrease emissions.
Duke University scientists developed new forensic tracers to identify coal ash contamination in water and distinguish it from other sources. The tracers provide additional fingerprints that give regulators a more accurate tool to trace coal ash effluents to their source.
A Michigan State University study found that mining can damage fish habitats miles downstream and even in streams not directly connected to the mine. The research suggests that mines are a regional stress on stream fish assemblages, affecting downstream communities.
Researchers uncover fossils of Cambaytherium thewissi, a 54.5-million-year-old animal that provides a window into the common ancestor of horses, rhinos, and tapirs. The discovery supports the idea that Perissodactyla evolved in India while it was an island.
A recent study found that increased natural gas production will not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as market effects dominate. The global deployment of advanced natural gas technology could even lead to up to 10% higher CO2 emissions by the middle of this century.
Fossils of a shark egg case, horseshoe crabs and seed pods have been discovered in Doncaster, providing a window into a tropical water-logged forest teeming with life. The finds are believed to be rare and significant, offering insights into the geological history of Yorkshire.
A third of the world's population uses plant-based solid fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting, resulting in high levels of household air pollution. The Commission concludes that an estimated 600-800 million families worldwide are at increased risk of illnesses such as respiratory tract infections and lung cancer.
A new study by IIASA researchers suggests that delaying climate policies could lead to up to 37% of global investment in coal power plants being stranded, with China and India bearing most of the costs. The study explores strategies to reduce stranded capacity, including avoiding new plant construction, shifting to other power sources,...
The 2013 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognized outstanding science journalism, including a series on preventing Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes and an early warning system for earthquakes. Winners included Dan Egan, Hillary Rosner, Joshua Seftel, Barbara Lich, and Azeen Ghorayshi.
A new study finds that emissions pricing revenues could be at least twice as high as the estimated profit losses for fossil fuel owners. Climate policies would reduce demand and lower prices, generating strong incentives to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
A study found that people living in areas with mountaintop coal mining face an increased risk of major depression. The research explored the relationship between environmental degradation and psychological health, highlighting the importance of nature for human wellbeing.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed a biofertiliser that enables crops to be grown on coal waste, achieving nearly twice the weight and yield of those grown in garden soil. The additive boosts plant nutrition, regulates water, and maintains an ideal environment for growth.
A Duke University-led study found that elements sulfur, carbon, and strontium have unique isotopic fingerprints, enabling scientists to quantify mountaintop mining's contribution to water pollution. These tracers will help distinguish between contamination from mountaintop mining and other sources.
A new MIT study estimates that air pollution from coal emissions in China shortens lives by 2.5 billion years, with particulate matter levels over 400 micrograms per cubic meter found in the region. The research uses quasi-experimental methods to project life expectancy losses for 500 million Chinese residents north of the Huai River.
The EROI study reveals a range of 64:1 to 112:1, similar to coal, suggesting shale gas is a viable energy source. However, environmental concerns and varying estimates of available gas remain.
A new study by Duke University suggests that tougher EPA air-quality standards may make nearly two-thirds of US coal-fired power plants as expensive to run as plants powered by natural gas. The stricter regulations could spur an increased shift away from coal towards natural gas, especially if fuel prices rise significantly.
Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute will design, build and deploy mining robots, robotic tools and autonomous technologies for Anglo American PLC. The partnership aims to improve productivity through innovations in processes and technologies, enhancing safety and increasing efficiency in the mining industry.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin synthesize stable anti-aromatic compound and intermediate state, enabling comparison between aromatic and anti-aromatic properties. The discovery has potential implications for industry, medicine, and information storage.
Mountaintop mining has significant environmental and social impacts, but a new public ecology approach aims to balance economic needs with ecological protection. The approach involves broad participation, transparency, and compromise among stakeholders, including miners, environmental groups, and government agencies.
A team of Princeton researchers found that using synthetic fuel made from coal, natural gas, and non-food crops could cut US vehicle greenhouse emissions by up to 50% in the next several decades. The process is competitive with crude oil production and has potential environmental advantages.
Researchers have developed a computational model that accurately simulates the interactions between flue gases and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for capturing greenhouse gases. The model enables the prediction of properties of open-site MOFs, which could dramatically lower energy costs in coal-burning power plants.
A new study by Duke University scientists reveals that surface coal mining is severely impacting water quality in southern West Virginia. The research found that just five percent of upstream land conversion can lead to the degradation of up to 22% of streams, with salinity levels and insect biodiversity declining substantially.
A group of highly specialized fungi, identified through comparative analysis of 31 fungal genomes, developed a mechanism to efficiently decay plant biomass. These ancient organisms produced peroxidases that acted in synergy with other oxidative enzymes to degrade lignin, a polymer present in wood.
A new study suggests that white rot fungi may have ended the Carboniferous period by breaking down lignin, a key component of coal. The research also identifies diverse fungal enzymes that could be used to generate biofuels, providing promising fossil fuels alternatives.
A new anti-dandruff shampoo using green tea polyphenols has been developed by GHSU researcher Dr. Stephen Hsu, eliminating toxic ingredients found in conventional shampoos. The product, ReviTeaLize, works by promoting the skin's metabolic equilibrium and shielding against autoimmune diseases.
Scientists at Duke University discovered that shear strain can cause particles like coffee beans and coal chunks to jam sooner than expected. This finding challenges previous theories and has implications for designing new composite materials and countermeasures against weapons of mass destruction.
A Duke University study found increased salinity and trace elements in the Upper Mud River due to multiple surface coal mines. The research provides evidence of the cumulative effects of mountaintop mining on a river network.
A study suggests that hydrogen fluoride gas (HF) is the primary form of fluorine released from domestic coal in endemic areas, leading to severe cases of fluorosis. This new understanding may change current knowledge on the pathogenic mechanism of coal burning endemic fluorosis.
Researchers used clinker deposits and U-Th/He isotopic dating to determine the pace of recent evolution in the Powder River Basin. The study found that the basin has experienced increasing incision and topographic relief over the last million years, with rates of up to 0.3 km/million years.
A Rutgers study finds that factors such as ecological degradation and trust in energy facilities play a significant role in shaping public preferences for coal and nuclear energy. The research suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to energy policy is unlikely to succeed, highlighting the need for a comprehensive strategy addressin...
Scientists discover a new coating material made from flyash that can extend the life of concrete structures by decades, saving taxpayer money. The coating is hundreds of times more durable than existing ones and costs half as much.
Researchers at UC Davis School of Medicine found that children exposed to coal emissions for heating and cooking had shorter stature at 36 months compared to those in households using other fuels. The study notes that the difference is not large but indicates a possible influence on growth processes.
Researchers found layers of coal ash in rocks from the extinction boundary that provide direct proof of massive volcanic eruptions and burning coal. This discovery supports models for significant greenhouse gas generation during the late Permian extinction.
A Duke University study identifies new monitoring protocols to accurately measure and predict ecological impacts of coal ash contaminants. The research found that arsenic levels remained high in pore water long after surface waters dropped below safe thresholds, posing significant risks to aquatic life.
A new hyperbaric centrifuge technology has been successfully tested for recovering ultrafine coal from slurry, promising to reduce coal slurry impoundment problems. The technology developed by Virginia Tech's Center for Advanced Separation Technologies can be used to recover all mined coal and clean up existing impoundments.
Scientists from The Field Museum and Royal Holloway University of London have discovered that high atmospheric oxygen concentrations in the past led to the evolution of new plant groups, such as conifers and flowering plants. This, in turn, may have promoted large and frequent wildfires, with implications for Earth's climate history.
Michigan State University professor Bruce Dale says that while EROI (energy return on energy invested) is a useful method of measurement, it alone is not enough. He argues that we need to consider differences in energy quality and critical materials required for various energy alternatives, such as lithium for electric vehicles.
Experts Dr. David B. Rutledge and Robert C. Milici present opposing views on US coal peak production, with Rutledge estimating ultimate production at 665 billion metric tons and predicting mitigation of CO2 emissions from climate change. Milici's model predicts a range of 2062-2105 for peak production, citing uncertainty in reserve est...
The article highlights various fossil discoveries, including fungal microfossils, single-celled sea-bottom-dwellers, and trilobite soft tissues. These findings were recovered using diverse methods and provide insights into ancient environmental changes.
Researchers at Louisiana Tech University have developed innovative geopolymer concrete technology that utilizes fly ash to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%. The new material boasts higher corrosion resistance, fire resistance, and compressive strength compared to traditional Portland cement.
A team of researchers has found that contaminants from the Exxon Valdez oil spill were the main source of bioavailable PAH pollutants in the Gulf of Alaska. The study used genetically engineered bacteria to prove that only tanker oil PAHs had an effect on organisms.
A new study found that cumulative exposure to respirable coal mine dust is a significant predictor of emphysema severity in both smokers and never-smokers. The researchers also discovered that emphysema was more severe among miners compared to non-miners, regardless of smoking status.
A real-time risk management system will be available globally after a Queensland company was awarded a license to commercialise the CSIRO technology. Nexsys allows underground coal mines to interrogate vast amounts of digital information from various sensors and systems, providing real-time risk management and decision support.
A revised theory suggests that carbon dioxide levels have already entered a danger zone, necessitating a reduction below current levels of 385 parts per million (ppm). The study concludes that coal is the largest source of atmospheric CO2 and that phasing out its use could lead to a significant decline in CO2 emissions.
Researchers developed a method to track mercury emissions from coal by analyzing natural isotopic fingerprints, which can differentiate between human-made and natural sources. This technique has the potential to identify specific regions contributing to global mercury pollution.
Researchers found that reducing coal emissions can keep atmospheric carbon dioxide levels below harmful levels if phased out within the next few decades. The study suggests that oil and gas should be used sparingly as well, but coal must be the main target of reductions.
Clemson University researcher John R. Saylor has received a $700,000 CDC grant to investigate methods for reducing harmful particulate levels in coal mines. The goal is to lower the incidence of black lung disease and its affiliated ailments by lowering coal-mine dust exposure.
Engineers at Lehigh University have developed a laser-based technology to detect coal ash buildup in power plants, allowing operators to make rapid adjustments. This innovation uses artificial intelligence to predict ash fusion temperatures and prevent costly downtime.
The discovery of tiny fossilized teeth from India pushes the primate timeline back by almost 10 million years, revealing a new genus and species of anthropoid primates. The findings suggest these early primates lived on a fruit and insect diet and were no larger than modern dwarf lemurs.
A fatal mine collapse in Utah's Crandall Canyon coal mine was actually a massive cave-in that covered an area of approximately 50 acres. New calculations reveal the disaster began near where miners were excavating and quickly grew to four times its initially estimated size.
A new study led by UK scientists aims to reduce China's CO2 emissions from coal use, which are set to double by 2030. The 'Near Zero Emissions Coal' project uses carbon capture and storage technology to achieve up to a 90% reduction in emissions.
Research by biologists at the University of Bonn found that older coal tit males produced significantly more 'cuckoo kids' than younger males. In contrast, younger males father only 0.3 extra-marital offspring on average.