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Hurricane Irene polluted Catskills watershed

A Yale University study reveals that Hurricane Irene polluted the Catskill watershed, darkening lakes and affecting the Ashokan Reservoir that supplies New York City with drinking water. The storm dumped unprecedented amounts of dissolved organic matter into the reservoir, equivalent to 43% of its average annual export.

SourceYale University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 26, 2012

Cloud control could tame hurricanes, study shows

Scientists suggest cloud seeding could reduce hurricane power by a category by increasing sunlight reflection in clouds above hurricane development regions. The technique, Marine Cloud Brightening, could also lead to increased rainfall in some areas but not others.

SourceWiley·JournalAtmospheric Science Letters·DateAug 23, 2012

Hurricanes can be 50 percent stronger if passing over fresh water, says Texas A&M study

A recent Texas A&M University study reveals that hurricanes can intensify by 50% faster when passing over large areas of fresh water, making them more devastating. The research analyzed Tropical Cyclones for the decade 1998-2007 and found a significant correlation between freshwater regions and increased storm intensity.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 13, 2012