The warming during the summer months in Europe has been much faster than the global average, shows a new study by researchers at Stockholm University published in the Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres. As a consequence of human emissions of greenhouse gases, the climate across the continent has also become drier, particularly in southern Europe, … Read more
The waters of the North Atlantic gyre contain significantly greater quantities of plastic — composed of polymers arising from packaging, rope, and paint particles — than other areas of the open ocean, according to new research. One of the planet’s five great oceanic gyres, humanmade marine debris becomes trapped in a circular ocean current that … Read more
Dust particles from central South America were the most important source of iron in the South Pacific during the last two ice ages. Researchers led by Oldenburg geochemist Torben Struve report their findings in the journal PNAS. Dust from the dry Puna Plateau in northwestern Argentina was an important source of iron for the nutrient-deficient … Read more
Every year, the cross-shelf transport of carbon-rich particles from the Barents and Kara Seas could bind up to 3.6 million metric tons of CO2 in the Arctic deep sea for millennia. In this region alone, a previously unknown transport route uses the biological carbon pump and ocean currents to absorb atmospheric CO2 on the scale … Read more
Volcanic eruptions are dangerous and difficult to predict. A team at the University of Tokyo has found that the ratio of atoms in specific gases released from volcanic fumaroles (gaps in the Earth’s surface) can provide an indicator of what is happening to the magma deep below — similar to taking a blood test to … Read more
The wastewater draining from massive pools of sewage sludge has the potential to play a role in more sustainable agriculture, according to environmental engineering researchers at Drexel University. A new study, looking at a process of removing ammonia from wastewater and converting it into fertilizer, suggests that it’s not only technically viable, but also could … Read more
An innovative proposal to tackle the global plastic pollution crisis with a combination of DNA-like encoding of plastics and international law has been put forward by a transdisciplinary team of QUT researchers. Plastic pollution has been identified as an environmental problem similar in scope and complexity as global challenges like climate change. The QUT research … Read more
The rising temperatures caused by climate change are contributing to an increase in migraines and neurological problems, it was revealed on Wednesday. A new study found climate change was linked to an increase in symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and multiple sclerosis, according to the American Academy of Neurology. American Academy of Neurology included the … Read more
In the past 30 years, the non-profit organization Friends of Trees planted trees along the streets of Portland, Oregon. Now, a new study shows that each tree planted was associated with significant reductions in non-accidental and cardiovascular mortality (of 20% and 6%, respectively, for trees planted in the preceding 15-30 years). The researchers also estimate … Read more
A University of Maryland researcher and colleagues found that the fungus Metarhizium robertsii removes mercury from the soil around plant roots, and from fresh and saltwater. The researchers also genetically engineered the fungus to amplify its mercury detoxifying effects. Mercury pollution of soil and water is a worldwide threat to public health. This new work … Read more