Articles tagged with Sand
Scientists from Emory University discovered the first known fossil iguana nesting burrow in the Bahamas, dating back to 115,000 years ago. The finding provides new clues to the geologic and natural history of the islands, revealing that iguanas were present on San Salvador before European colonization.
Researchers develop technique to quickly identify source of illicit sand, which can aid in regulating global sand trade and reducing environmental impacts.
Researchers used cosmic clocks to measure river erosion rates in the Himalaya, finding that rainfall plays a critical role in shaping mountain landscapes. The study's findings provide valuable insights into natural hazards and have important implications for land-use management and infrastructure maintenance.
A pioneering technique has captured precisely how mountains bend to the will of raindrops, solving a long-standing scientific enigma. The study found that rainfall significantly affects erosion rates in rugged terrain, with implications for land use management, infrastructure maintenance, and hazards in the Himalaya.
Sachin Velankar receives $292K from NSF to study micromechanics of surface tension, exploring its impact on material flow behavior. The research aims to understand particle cluster dynamics and inform industrial processes like oil drilling, 3D printing, and food industry mixing.
Research by Bangor University and University of Plymouth reveals artificial lighting disrupts lunar compass used by sand hoppers and other marine species, leading to altered migration patterns and potential ecosystem impacts.
Researchers developed new engineering models that consider different sand grain shapes, leading to more accurate assessments of sand movement and impacts on coastal areas vulnerable to sea-level rise. The models, published in Scientific Reports, correct overestimation of transport rates by 35 percent for carbonate sands.
A team of scientists led by Michelle Staudinger calls for increased study of sand lance, a crucial food source for seabirds and marine mammals. The research highlights the need for better understanding of sand lance's biology and populations to inform conservation efforts.
Research on dunes in northern China reveals that neighboring dunes can remain in different states despite similar climate conditions, complicating efforts to stabilize the dunes. The study found that changes are not always smooth and uniform, with some dunes remaining active while others become stabilized by vegetation.
A recent Portland State University study found that sand crabs' adult mortality increases and reproductive success decreases when exposed to plastic microfibers. Microplastic exposure also affects embryonic development rates, potentially impacting higher trophic levels in the food chain.
Research reveals sand mining on the Mekong River is causing significant erosion, with riverbanks collapsing when lowered by just two meters. Excessive sand mining poses environmental and social risks, emphasizing the need for stronger regulations to protect communities.
A new study by FSU ecologists found that golf ball-size clods of weathered crude oil can remain buried in sandy Gulf Coast beaches for decades. The oil takes at least 30 years to decompose due to limited oxygen, moisture, and nutrients available to its live-in microbes.
The urbanization of Southern California's beaches has led to a loss of biodiversity, with some beaches showing up to half of their natural inhabitants missing. The disturbance caused by grooming and filling with the wrong sand further exacerbates this issue, impacting the ecosystem health and coastal ecosystems.
The world faces an urgent need for a global agenda to manage sand, a key ingredient in modern life. With rapid urbanization and population growth driving high demand, the global sand extraction rate is projected to increase by 300% between 2000-2100.
Researchers found that the 2014 SR530 (Oso), Washington landslide traveled over 1 km due to rapid extension of the landslide and liquefaction of the flood plain. Basal liquefaction mechanism likely occurred at the site, hypothesized to enhance mobility of other landslides in similar settings.
The study calculates the required volume of sand to broaden beach spaces in the Baltic Sea, influenced by strong winds and sea storms. Terrestrial laser scanning technology is used to gather accurate data, combining its advantages with traditional observation methods.
Researchers found a unique assortment of glassy particles, including those resembling meteorite impacts and others with rubber-like composition. The high concentration of these particles suggests they are related to the atomic bomb blast that devastated Hiroshima in 1945.
Researchers have discovered that granular materials, such as sand and coffee, exhibit similar behavior to immiscible liquids when fluidized. This phenomenon has significant implications for industries like pharmaceuticals and energy production, where efficient processing of granular materials is crucial.
Researchers studied Holocene landform changes in northern China's desert belt, finding sand seas and sandy lands are vulnerable to climate change and human activities. The study provides insights into Earth surface processes and supports ecologically sustainable land use strategies.
Researchers at Columbia University have discovered a new family of gravitational instabilities in granular particles, where lighter grains rise through heavier grains like 'fingers' and 'bubbles'. This phenomenon sheds light on geological processes and has potential applications in pharmaceutical production and carbon capture.
Researchers discovered that snakes behave like light waves when colliding with obstacles, altering their trajectories through passive mechanisms. The study reveals insights into how limbless animals control their bodies in complex environments.
Resident sand fiddler crabs prevail when challenged by intruders due to a home advantage in claw pinching strength. The researchers found that residents only need strength to win contests, while intruders require both strength and stamina.
Brazilian researchers clarify aquatic dune dynamics, contradicting conventional models. Their findings have applications in understanding Martian terrain and optimizing oil flows.
The study reveals that sand crabs build narrow burrows to prevent collapse, with the upper limit of stable burrow widths being around 5 cm. The researchers also found that cometary pits have a similar lower size limit, suggesting that both are governed by the same principle: the mechanics of cohesive granular matter.
Researchers found that ripple defects resembling hourglasses, zigzags, and tuning forks are associated with periods of environmental flux. These defects can serve as fingerprints to understand how dramatic the shifts in weather conditions were at the time.
Researchers from the University of Exeter discovered microplastics at depths of up to 60cm on beaches used by green turtles and loggerheads in Cyprus. The study found high levels of microplastics, which could alter conditions at hatching sites and impact turtle breeding.
A study analyzing four beach nourishment projects in San Diego County found that mechanically placed sand moves significantly, with some areas receiving more sand than was initially added. The research provides insight into the behavior of nourishment sand and its potential unintended consequences.
Researchers found a unique deposit in upper meter of marsh sediments, suggesting the 1861-62 storm season was erosive enough to remove coastal barriers. The team used sediment cores and analyzed European crop pollen and spheroidal carbonaceous particles to confirm the deposit's age.
The University of Copenhagen has developed a new marking technique that uses randomness and rare earths to create an un-hackable authentication system. The system can be used to identify genuine products and prevent counterfeiting, with the potential to save industries millions in lost revenue.
A single grain of sand harbors up to 100,000 microorganisms from thousands of species, showcasing the impressive diversity of bacterial life. This discovery highlights the crucial role sand-dwelling bacteria play in processing carbon and nitrogen compounds and purifying the marine ecosystem.
Geologists can improve estimates of landscape erosion and sediment dispersal by accounting for factors like bedrock material erosion rates, zircon fertility, and sediment recycling. Researchers collected zircon grain samples from modern river watersheds in the Andes Mountains to test these assumptions.
New research identifies Recurring Slope Lineae on Mars as granular flows, not liquid water, indicating present-day Mars may lack significant liquid water. The study supports the hypothesis that Mars is dry and limits Earth-like life near its surface.
Researchers found that CO2 sublimation can create unique features on Mars, such as Sand Furrows and linear gullies. These processes are unlike anything seen on Earth and provide new insights into Martian geomorphology.
Researchers found high levels of radioactive cesium-137 in beach sands and brackish groundwater beneath beaches up to 60 miles away from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. The study suggests that this new pathway for radionuclide release should be considered in managing coastal areas near nuclear power plants.
A team of UC Santa Barbara geologists used ground-penetrating radar to study the effects of a massive tsunami that hit Northern California 900 years ago. The researchers found that the wave removed three to five times more sand than any historical El Niño storm, with erosion extending up to 360 feet inland.
Researchers warn that easy access to sand has bred a careless understanding of its true global costs, leading to environmental degradation and social issues. The global sand supply is uncertain, with no clear system in place for managing demand and extraction rates.
The global demand for sand is linked to environmental degradation and social conflicts, threatening water and food security. An interdisciplinary scientific approach is needed to identify sustainable extraction methods.
The sand rat genome shows a highly divergent GC-rich genomic domain with several essential genes, including the insulin-regulating homeobox gene Pdx1. This region is subject to elevated mutation rates, which could influence evolution and the course of diabetes.
Researchers have confirmed a decades-old mathematical theory explaining the physics of how substances like sand and gravel pack together. The finding provides a simple and elegant way to describe granular material behavior, with potential applications in industries such as energy and pharmaceuticals.
A new scaling law has been developed to predict how objects move through sand, enabling the design of more optimized vehicles. The law, derived from common equations for granular flow, can be used to scale results between small-scale experiments and full-size vehicles.
Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind granular capillarity, where sand rises in a tube under vertical vibrations. The study found that convective motion of sand grains causes an upward pressure on the base of the column, leading to its ascent.
Researchers discover two new shrimp species in burrows at the bottom of the Gulf of California. The study reveals details about the habitats and characteristics of these crustaceans, shedding light on the biodiversity of the region.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that Titan's non-silicate granules become electrically charged when kicked up by wind, causing them to cling together and resist further motion. This property helps explain the formation of large sandy dunes on Titan's surface, which are unlike anything seen on Earth.
A new study found that severe El Niño events can cause unprecedented coastal erosion in California, with the 2015-2016 event resulting in 76% above normal winter beach erosion. The study highlights the need to understand and manage coastlines to conserve beach ecosystems and mitigate the effects of rising sea levels.
Scientists at Monash University have discovered a new mechanism by which algae in sand survive under conditions of constant mixing. They found that these organisms ferment, producing hydrogen and other compounds like oleate, a component of olive oil. This breakthrough has significant implications for the biofuels industry.
New research led by the University of Plymouth reveals beaches along the UK's Atlantic coastline have not recovered from severe winter storms in 2013/14. Sediment losses of up to 200 m3 for every 1m strip of beach indicate potential for dramatic changes in beach equilibrium.
Researchers at MIT have developed a simple equation to predict the force required to push objects through sand, using resistive force theory. The equation can be used to optimize vehicles driving over gravel and soil, as well as animals burrowing through earth.
Researchers developed a unique method to measure lightning strike energy by analyzing 'fossilized' sand cylinders created by thousands of years-old lightning strikes. The team found that the energy released in a single bolt of lightning peaks at over 20 megajoules per meter.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that mineral dust from the Middle East can strengthen the Indian Summer Monsoon by heating the atmosphere. This heat absorption affects monsoon rainfall, with more efficient-absorbing dust linked to increased rainfall.
Researchers discover that high densities of nests on Raine Island limit hatching rates due to oxygen depletion and bacterial buildup. Pumping air into the nests may boost hatching rate, explaining similar phenomena in other turtle species.
A study by researchers at University of California - San Diego suggests that a larger sand grain size improves nourishment performance. Beaches with coarser sand experienced less erosion during El Niñ events, highlighting the importance of this factor in effective beach replenishment efforts.
A team of engineers and marine biologists at the University of California, San Diego, developed a claw-like device based on the sea urchin's mouthpiece to sample sediments on other planets. The device uses five curved teeth with triangle-shaped tips that can scrape, cut, chew, and bore holes into tough rocks.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that DNA segments become jammed within viruses when sticky, causing the DNA to behave like LEGO pieces. Adding polyamines can cause viral DNA to become jammed and halt packaging.
A new University of Washington study shows that bulkheads and seawalls along Puget Sound's shores have a cumulative impact on the ecosystem, shrinking beaches and reducing habitat for invertebrates and fish. The study provides crucial information for improving management approaches to shorelines.
A study by UC San Diego biologists found that beach replenishment with offshore sand can lead to a twofold reduction in the abundance of intertidal invertebrates after 15 months. The researchers also discovered that some species, such as sandhoppers and bean clams, recovered within a year, while others declined sharply.
A new study reveals that female leatherback sea turtles choose nest sites based on sand pH and conductivity levels, with slightly higher pH and milder conductivity being preferred. This knowledge will aid in protecting the species' nesting habitat and boost ecotourism incentives.
The Coordinated Canyon Experiment is an international effort to study sediment movement in Monterey Canyon. Researchers will place dozens of instruments on the seafloor to measure currents, sediment concentrations, and physical properties of seawater, as well as track underwater avalanches and turbidity currents.
A landmark paper recommends monitoring beach sand to safeguard human health. The study, based on data from beaches in the US, UK, Portugal, and other countries, identifies key indicators and methods to assess public health risks from pathogens in the sand.
Researchers examine the Loa River system and its impact on water scarcity, highlighting the need for sustainable long-term management. The study identifies areas where deeply buried aquifers exchange water with shallow ones or discharge to surface water systems.
Sand fleas change color to match their surroundings, a remarkable adaptation to evade shorebirds and crabs. The research used cutting-edge camera technology to simulate the view of predatory birds, showing that individual animals can tune their camouflage.