All articles tagged with #environmental science
A Nature Climate Change study finds microplastics, especially colored pieces, absorb more heat than they reflect, potentially contributing to atmospheric warming; while their impact is not as large as major pollutants, the particles’ near-ubiquitous presence across ecosystems calls for more research into their climate effects.
A new study using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy finds nanoplastics in U.S. drinking water—both tap and bottled—at 10–100x higher concentrations than prior estimates, with bottled water containing about three times more nanoplastics. Health impacts are not well understood, but researchers caution that reducing exposure is prudent.
A Virginia high school student, Mia Heller, built a three‑chamber ferrofluid–based water filter that uses a magnetic field to pull microplastic particles from water and recover the ferrofluid for reuse. In testing, the device removed about 95.5% of microplastics and recovered 87% of the ferrofluid, performing in the same range as some traditional treatment plants. The concept could fit under-sink use, but challenges remain in safely disposing of captured plastics and scaling ferrofluid production for larger applications, with results pending professional testing.
A Johns Hopkins study shows crops irrigated with treated wastewater accumulate psychoactive drug residues mainly in leaves rather than edible parts, with leaf concentrations in tomatoes far higher than in fruit and carrot leaves higher than roots; drug behavior varies by compound, informing risk assessment and future monitoring/regulation.
In August 2022, Catalonia experienced a severe hailstorm with giant hailstones causing injuries and damage. Researchers used CT scanning to study the internal structure of these hailstones without destroying them, revealing surprising insights into their formation. The study, published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, found irregular internal axes and uneven growth processes, challenging previous assumptions about hailstone shapes. Despite challenges like high costs, the findings could improve hail forecasting and help mitigate damage from extreme weather events.
Scientists have discovered a plastic-eating fungus, Parengyodontium album, in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that can break down UV-exposed polyethylene, the most common plastic. While it works slowly, this fungus offers hope for more effective ocean cleanup methods without harming marine life, highlighting the need for continued reduction of single-use plastics.
Scientists have discovered giant viruses on Greenland's Arctic ice sheet that may help control algal blooms and reduce ice melting. These viruses, larger than most bacteria, were found thriving alongside microalgae in dark ice and red snow. The discovery challenges previous notions of the Arctic as a barren landscape, revealing a complex ecosystem. Further research is expected to uncover more about the ecological roles and interactions of these giant viruses.
Scientists have discovered a plastic-eating fungus, Parengyodontium album, in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that can break down UV-exposed polyethylene, a common plastic pollutant. While this finding is promising for reducing ocean plastic, it is not a complete solution, as the degradation rate is slow and the scale of plastic pollution remains vast.
Scientists have discovered a fungus, Parengyodontium album, in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that can break down plastic polyethylene after exposure to UV radiation. This finding, made by marine microbiologists from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and other institutions, could help address the significant plastic pollution in oceans. The fungus degrades plastic at a rate of 0.05% per day, converting most of it into carbon dioxide.
Researchers at the University of Virginia have developed a scalable method for fabricating MOF-525, a metal-organic framework material that can capture and convert carbon dioxide into useful chemicals. This breakthrough, achieved through solution shearing techniques, allows for large-scale applications, offering significant environmental and energy benefits by transforming CO2 into commercially valuable products.
A study by researchers at The Ohio State University reveals that low-nutrient conditions significantly alter how viruses infect bacteria, resulting in different virocells compared to nutrient-rich environments. This finding highlights the importance of studying microbial interactions under natural conditions to better understand their roles in ocean geochemistry and climate change.
A new study has found that the sounds emanating from coral reefs change rapidly as the Moon rises and sets, indicating shifts in ecosystem activity. Researchers monitored three reefs off the west coast of Hawaii and discovered that fish sounds increase during moonlight hours while invertebrate sounds decrease. This discovery suggests that the rising and setting of the Moon triggers regular shifts in coral reef ecosystem interactions, which could aid in conservation efforts and tracking long-term ecosystem activity in remote locations.
Researchers have found that boiling tap water for five minutes can remove over 80 percent of plastic contaminants, offering a simple and cost-effective solution to limit the concentrations of microplastics in drinking water. The study suggests that boiling water causes the plastic particles to become attached to limescale, particularly in hard water with higher calcium levels. While this method may help reduce human exposure to microplastics, some experts advocate for more proactive measures, such as modifying drinking water treatment plants, to limit the spread of microplastics in the first instance.
A new study suggests that boiling tap water for five minutes and then pouring it through a coffee filter can remove nearly 90% of microplastics and nanoplastics, which have been found in tap water worldwide. The process involves the formation of crystalline structures that encase the plastic particles during boiling, which can then be removed with a basic filter. While this method is effective for hard water, it is less so for soft water. Researchers believe this strategy could significantly reduce human exposure to microplastics and pave the way for further investigations.
New research suggests that boiling and filtering water could reduce microplastics in drinking water by up to nearly 90 percent, as reported in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters. The study found that boiling water, especially "hard" water with high mineral concentrations, can solidify and encapsulate the plastic particles, making them easier to remove through simple filtration. While more research is needed to understand the health risks of consuming microplastics, boiling water also offers benefits in killing harmful microbes. However, the effectiveness of this method may vary depending on water quality and regional differences.