How Plastic Debris Makes Its Way Into Ocean Garbage Patches
Model predicts probability of plastic debris being transported from one ocean surface region to another. Tons of plastic debris get released into the ocean every…
Pollution
Fine Particles From Wildfire Smoke Is More Harmful Than Pollution From Other Sources
Researchers call for revisions to air-quality monitoring guidelines to consider the sources of emissions. Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego examining…
How Environmentally Friendly Are “Green” Fireworks?
Fireworks are used in celebrations around the world, including Independence Day in the U.S., the Lantern Festival in China and the Diwali Festival in India….
First Global-Scale Assessment Finds Nature Sanitizes 41.7 Million Tons of Human Waste a Year
The first global-scale assessment of the role ecosystems play in providing sanitation finds that nature provides at least 18% of sanitation services in 48 cities…
A Sea of Garbage: Ocean Floor Landfills
The Long Journey of Litter to the Seafloor The Messina Strait, a submarine bridge separating the island of Sicily from the Italian Peninsula, is the…
Unexpected Decrease in Ammonia Emissions in China Due to COVID-19 Lockdowns
Most Chinese working in the cities return to work today after a 7-day national holiday of Spring Festival. The annual Spring Festival, which is also…
NASA: Pollution Could Be the Solution, To Find an Extraterrestrial Civilization
If there’s an advanced extraterrestrial civilization inhabiting a nearby star system, we might be able to detect it using its own atmospheric pollution, according to…
Half of Global Wastewater Untreated – Equivalent to 70 Million Olympic-Sized Swimming Pools Each Year
A new study by scientists at Utrecht University and the United Nations University concludes that about half of global wastewater is treated, rather than the…
Hybrid-Electric Plane Concept May Reduce Aviation’s Air Pollution Problem
Proposed design could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 95 percent, a new study finds. At cruising altitude, airplanes emit a steady stream of nitrogen oxides…
COVID-19 Lockdowns Caused Cleaner Air – And Warmed the Planet
Research shows reductions in aerosol emissions had slight, temporary warming impact. The lockdowns and reduced societal activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic affected emissions of…
Potentially Damaging Surface Ozone Levels Rose in COVID Lockdown
Less traffic in first lockdown reduced air pollution but caused potentially damaging surface ozone levels to rise. Less traffic on the roads during the first…
Discovery of a New Molecule Advances Route to Chemically Recyclable Plastics
New polybutadiene molecule enchains in squares, a microstructure that enables it to depolymerize under certain conditions, advancing options for closed-loop recycling. As the planet’s burden…
Airplanes Could Save Fuel, Time and Emissions by Better Surfing the Wind
Redirecting transatlantic flights to take better advantage of favorable winds at altitude could save fuel, time, and emissions. Airlines could save fuel and reduce emissions…
Stanford Researchers Develop an Innovative New Way to Predict Beach Water Quality
Using water samples and environmental data gathered over 48 hours or less, Stanford engineers develop a new predictive technique for forecasting coastal water quality, a…
Laundry Lint Can Cause Significant Tissue and DNA Damage Within Marine Mussels
Microscopic fibers created during the laundry cycle can cause damage to the gills, liver, and DNA of marine species, according to new research. Scientists at…
Ancient Oceans Were Surprisingly Resilient to Climate Change – But Things Are Different Today
Oxygen levels in the ancient oceans were surprisingly resilient to climate change, new research suggests. Scientists used geological samples to estimate ocean oxygen during a…
A Faster, Cooler Way to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint: Copper-Indium Oxide
Scientists set a record for the highest conversion rate of carbon dioxide at low temperatures with copper-modified indium oxide, signifying sustainable e-fuel. With ever-worsening climate…
High Levels of Persistent Chemicals Detected in Drinking Water in Several Chinese Cities
Drinking water in several cities and regions in China contains high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), according to a study published in Environmental Sciences…