Plastic may not always float where we expect it. The ocean’s surface might look clean in some places, but far beneath the waves, a different story is unfolding. 



In the southeastern Mediterranean, the deep seafloor is turning into a massive storage ground for plastic packaging, especially bags. A new study shows how this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-retailers-are-replacing-plastic-bags-with-eco-friendly-paper-bags/">waste</a> ends up thousands of feet below the surface, and the answer isn’t as simple as trash just “sinking.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-in-the-deep-sea">Plastic in the deep sea</h2>



Plastic debris has entered every corner of the ocean, but previously, most of the research has concentrated on floating plastic or beach trash. That changed with this latest study, which took a closer look at what is occurring on the ocean floor. 



Scientists discovered that the Levant Basin - a deep section of the eastern <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/two-continents-meet-along-the-mediterranean-coastline/">Mediterranean</a> off the coasts of Israel, Egypt, and Turkey - is among the world's most contaminated deep-sea areas.



“We used trawls to survey the seafloor and we mainly found plastic bags and packaging that dominate the debris,” said Xing-Yu Li from the <a href="https://www.haifa.ac.il/?lang=en">University of Haifa</a>, the study’s lead author.



This raised a question: how does something so light - something meant to float - end up nearly a mile underwater?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-forensic-approach-to-trash">A forensic approach to trash</h2>



To answer that, the team decided to treat each plastic item like a crime scene. Every piece of debris was carefully examined using a method called multi-marker analysis. 



This approach looks at everything about the plastic - size, shape, color, material, surface features, and even what kinds of things are stuck to it, like tar or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-organisms-may-adapt-to-climate-change-but-with-hidden-costs/">marine organisms</a>.



“In the multi-marker approach anything that is found on a piece of plastic is an evidence,” said Xing-yu. “We extracted as many evidence as possible from every piece of waste, more than many previous studies, to build a fuller, more detailed view of the bottom waste.”



Instead of just counting how much trash was found, this method helped researchers understand how it got there, why it sank, and where it might have come from.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-some-plastic-doesn-t-sink">Why some plastic doesn’t sink</h2>



Most of the plastics found were <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/everyday-kitchen-tool-that-could-be-leaching-toxins-into-your-food-polypropylene-cutting-board/">polyethylene</a> - the same material used in grocery bags. Normally, this kind of plastic floats. But when additives like calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) are mixed in during manufacturing, the plastic becomes heavier. 



Those with CaCO₃ sank closer to the shore. Others, without these additives, drifted farther out before eventually settling on the seafloor.



The study also revealed that the deep basin at over 3,000 feet deep acts like a trap. Pressure and fine sediments help keep the plastic down. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biofilms-could-change-the-way-we-track-plastic-pollution/">Biofilms</a>, which are slimy layers formed by microbes, usually help weigh plastics down too, but they don’t grow well in this part of the sea. Instead, things like tar, sand, and tiny shells helped plastics stay put.



The scientists noted that these plastic films - while thin and lightweight - are ending up where they can do the most long-term damage. 



Even more troubling, the team found that some of this plastic could become buoyant again if disturbed, but because of how the deep sea works, that rarely happens. Once the plastic settles, it stays.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-trash-is-coming-from">Where the trash is coming from</h2>



The plastic pollution isn’t only from local beaches. According to the research, land-based sources from Egypt, Israel, and Turkey are a big part of the problem. 



Shipping also plays a role, especially in deeper waters. Surprisingly, fishing was not a major contributor - possibly due to strict Israeli regulations.



For years, scientists noticed high levels of plastic at the seafloor, but they didn’t fully understand why. 



“For years in our monitoring reports we have reported a high concentration of plastic debris in this area. It was an unsolved mystery as we know that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-floor-harbors-up-to-11-million-tons-of-plastic-debris/">plastic debris</a> should remain floating on the sea surface. Now we have a deep understanding of how it happens,” said Dr. Yael Segal from Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR). 



“The Eastern Mediterranean is the most polluted area in the world, and we must take action for the sake of the next generation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-risks-to-marine-life">Long-term risks to marine life</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapevines-could-offer-a-breakthrough-alternative-to-plastic-packaging/">Plastic packaging</a> is cheap, easy to produce, and used globally - but it doesn’t go away. It breaks into smaller pieces and can remain in the environment for hundreds of years. 



Deep-sea habitats are already fragile, and adding plastic into the mix could disrupt food webs, introduce toxins, and harm species that haven’t even been fully studied yet.



“As the head of the national monitoring program, I see firsthand how plastic pollution is impacting the entire sea environment: beaches, water, sea bottom, and even local turtle populations,” said Dr. Segal.



Professor Revital Bookman said that the discovery is fascinating in the worst possible way. 



"The eastern Mediterranean is quietly turning into a deep-sea landfill. Plastics that we use for only a few minutes are ending up trapped for centuries, threatening deep marine ecosystems we barely understand," noted Professor Bookman. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-needs-to-happen-next">What needs to happen next</h2>



According to the researchers, this study changes how we should think about ocean pollution. Plastic doesn’t just float around until it hits a beach. It travels far, interacts with other pollutants like tar, and ends up in hidden places. 



“This previously overlooked dynamic necessitates a broader perspective on pollution processes in marine environments,” said Professor Bookman. 



“Without systematic deep-sea accounting, we risk underestimating the true environmental footprint of plastic pollution and misallocating mitigation efforts by neglecting offshore and deep-sea sinks.”



To deal with this, the experts call for coordinated efforts across the region. Countries that share the sea need to work together on monitoring, cleanup, and prevention. 



Without a shared strategy, plastics will continue piling up, silently choking one of the planet’s most mysterious ecosystems.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X25009671?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Pollution Bulletin</a>.



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Hidden plastic graveyard uncovered in the deep Mediterranean Sea

Plastic may not always float where we expect it. The ocean’s surface might look clean in some places, but far beneath the waves, a different story is unfolding. In the southeastern Mediterranean, the deep seafloor is turning into a massive storage ground for plastic packaging, especially bags. A new study shows how this waste ends up thousands of feet below the surface, and the answer isn’t as simple as trash just “sinking.” Plastic in the deep sea Plastic debris has entered every corner of the ocean, but...

How can we better understand the looming problem of extreme flooding, as we brace ourselves for an era of escalating rainfall? It turns out that flood prediction is not just about how much it's raining, but when and how frequently.&nbsp;



A new study from the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (<a href="https://cires.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIRES</a>) has shed light on this pressing topic.



The research was led by CIRES Fellow and <a href="https://wwa.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Western Water Assessment</a> (WWA) director, Ben Livneh, along with his fellow scientist, Kris Karnauskas.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



“A mystery has emerged as to why patterns of increasing extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heavy-rainfall-events-in-the-northeast-are-set-to-increase-by-over-50-percent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a> have not been accompanied by similar levels of flooding, garnering growing attention given concerns over future flood risks,” wrote the researchers.



“Antecedent moisture conditions have been proposed as the missing explanatory factor. Yet, reasons for moisture variability prior to flooding remain largely unstudied.”



“Here, we evaluate the potential utility of precipitation intermittency, defined as the dry spell length prior to a flood, to explain the variability of flooding over 108 watersheds from 1950 to 2022.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soil-moisture-and-flood-prediction-nbsp">Soil moisture and flood prediction&nbsp;</h2>



Together, the experts have navigated the choppy waters of soil moisture, revealing its significant role in predicting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flood events.</a>&nbsp;



Soil moisture, however, is notorious for its erratic behavior. As Livneh noted, soil water is hard to predict.



The researchers needed a hero, a stand-in for soil moisture. They found one in the form of precipitation intermittency: the time gap between rainfall events.&nbsp;



It seems simple - the longer the dry spell, the bigger the storm required to trigger a flood. Conversely, when the rains are more frequent, even the tiniest drizzle can escalate to a flood.



"We can actually understand changes in flood risk based on the number of days since the last rain event,” noted Livneh. "We wanted to make it straightforward because soil water is hard to predict."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analyzing-historical-rain-events-nbsp">Analyzing historical rain events&nbsp;</h2>



The scientists focused their lens on semi-arid and arid regions, homing in on rain rather than snow. The next piece of the puzzle: analyzing historical rain events across 108 watersheds throughout the U.S. from 1950-2022.&nbsp;



The objective was to understand the correlation between wet or dry soils before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-rainfall-gets-an-unpredictable-boost-from-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heavy rain</a> events and consequent flooding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tricky-terrain-of-soil-moisture">Tricky terrain of soil moisture</h2>



Navigating the world of soil moisture is not as simple as it may seem. Nels Bjarke is a WWA postdoctoral researcher who led the analysis for the study.&nbsp;



"We don't have comprehensive observations of soil moisture that are continuous over space or continuous through time,” said Bjarke. &nbsp;



"Therefore, it can be difficult to apply some sort of predictive framework for flooding using just soil moisture because the data are sparse."



The experts turned to precipitation as a stand-in. They found that the timing of the rain, not the quantity, held the key.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deciphering-the-code-of-flood-prediction">Deciphering the code of flood prediction </h2>



The researchers developed a timescale to gauge precipitation intermittency. They broke down intermittency into segments of five days.&nbsp;



Shorter breaks of ten days or less signified low intermittency, while prolonged dry spells of 20 days or more indicated high intermittency. They discovered that after long dry periods, the probability of a flood reduced by 30 percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-2013-boulder-floods">The 2013 Boulder floods</h2>



The devastating floods in Boulder in 2013 serve as an all-too-real example. Seven days of relentless rain nearly doubled the previous rainfall record. The event displaced hundreds and caused $2 billion in property damage, according to NOAA.



The researchers noted that this study can significantly aid forecasters and emergency managers in anticipating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-ground-amplifies-flood-risk-from-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flood risks</a>.&nbsp;



Since precipitation data is widely available, it can act as a proxy for soil moisture, enabling more accurate flood predictions.



“As we enter the era of big data, we can benefit from simple proxies like the dry-spell length as a way to more intuitively understand extreme events,” said Livneh.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724039718?dgcid=author" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of the Total Environment</a>.



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Predicting floods: It's not just about rainfall

How can we better understand the looming problem of extreme...

The,Vanishing,Great,Salt,Lake,With,Salt,Mounds,In,The

It's a well-known fact that the Earth's climate and pollution has been changing and impacting various aspects of our lives drastically. One such aspect is the Great Salt Lake in Utah that stands as a stark reminder of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-of-the-worlds-largest-lakes-are-losing-their-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">challenges</a> we face.



The issue at hand, though, is about more than just the dwindling lake; it's about the dust pollution that arises from its drying bed, and how it disproportionately affects the local communities.



The credit for unveiling this grim reality goes to scientists from the <a href="https://www.utah.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a>. Spearheading the research, Professor Sara Grineski and a team of experts from numerous faculties, including environmental studies, geography, atmospheric sciences, and biology, shed light on the issue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disadvantaged-communities-bearing-the-brunt">Disadvantaged communities bearing the brunt</h2>



The recent research suggests that the dust pollution from the Great Salt Lake playa is impacting disadvantaged communities in the Salt Lake metro area more severely. 



It's a jarring revelation that shows how the adverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-interlinked-crisis-of-plastic-pollution-and-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effects</a> of climate change have the potential to contribute to societal disparities.



This undue burden of dust exposure falls mostly on Pacific Islanders and Hispanics, with the impact being lower on white people.



Additionally, those without a high school diploma also endure high exposure levels. The discrepancy arises due to the geographical layout of Salt Lake City, where lower-income neighborhoods are more susceptible to windblown dust from the shrinking Great Salt Lake.



“People here in Utah are concerned about the lake for a variety of reasons -- the ski industry, the brine shrimp, the migratory birds, recreation -- and this study adds environmental justice and the equity implications of the drying lake to the conversation,” said <a href="https://wilkescenter.utah.edu/about/sara-grineski/">Grineski</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-great-salt-lake-a-pollution-source">Great Salt Lake: A pollution source</h2>



Over two decades of relentless drought and substantial upstream diversions have resulted in the significant reduction of the Great Salt Lake. 



Leaving approximately 800 square miles of lakebed exposed, this shrinking body of water stands as an unexpected yet formidable source of pollution.



So, what makes this dust so dangerous? 



Dust from the lake bed contains fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. These tiny particles can infiltrate lung tissue. Ultimately, this leads to health issues like cardiovascular disease and asthma.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salt-lake-restoration-and-reduced-pollution">Salt lake restoration and reduced pollution</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restoring-the-great-salt-lake-is-a-matter-of-environmental-justice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Restoring the Great Salt Lake</a> to a healthy water level can alleviate harmful dust exposure. Importantly, different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups will benefit from this change.



This restoration also offers ecological and economic benefits. It transforms a challenging situation into a win-win opportunity.



The research included running various scenarios through a model developed by researcher Derek Mallia. The model can simulate different lake levels and predict exposure levels, providing a helpful tool in managing the dust issue.



As per the model results, when lake levels drop, neighborhood disparities in exposure levels rise. On the other hand, an increase in lake levels corresponds to a decrease in overall dust levels and a narrowing of the gap between the dust exposure experienced by different demographic groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-the-findings">Implications of the findings</h2>



“We frame it the converse. Lake levels rise, overall levels of dust go down during the dust events and the gap, especially between Hispanic and Pacific Islander people, narrows with respect to the level of dust exposure for non-Hispanic white people,” Grineski said. 



“So if we can take better care of the lake, the dust for everyone goes down and the gap in exposure between these groups goes down too.”



This research provides unique insights into the link between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/short-term-pollution-claims-more-than-one-million-lives-per-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental changes</a> and social justice. The issues around the Great Salt Lake and resultant pollution go beyond ecological or economic concerns. They are closely connected to the lives of the people in Utah.



The findings also hint at the need to expand Utah's network of PM10 monitors, as suggests co-author Kevin Perry. 



The data that would be available from a robust PM10 monitoring network could give a more thorough assessment of the lakebed dust threat, marking a critical step in mitigating its harmful effects.



The research concludes on a hopeful note, suggesting that we can reduce some of the inequality in dust exposure by raising the lake level to a 'healthy' level. 



It's a profound lesson in social justice, reminding us that caring for our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aerosols-have-an-underestimated-effect-on-clouds-and-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environment</a> extends beyond preserving the natural world –- it's also about ensuring a fairer world for all of us.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(24)00249-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One Earth</a>.



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Great Salt Lake is drying up and causing major dust pollution

It's a well-known fact that the Earth's climate and pollution...

New experimental research has revealed that the combined effects of ocean warming and acidification could dramatically reduce the survival rate of embryonic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-important-deserve-protections/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> by 2100. This study is also the first to show that monthly temperature variation significantly impacts shark embryo mortality.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-has-nearly-doubled-in-the-last-decade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean warming</a> and acidification result from increased CO2 levels dissolving into marine environments, leading to rising water temperatures and lower pH levels. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hatching-success-of-shark-embryos-nbsp">Hatching success of shark embryos&nbsp;</h2>



“The embryos of egg-laying species are especially sensitive to environmental conditions,” said Noémie Coulon, a PhD student at the <a href="https://borea.mnhn.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Laboratory of Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems</a> in France. 



“The hatching success of embryos is a crucial factor for population dynamics. In the case of skates and sharks, which have a slow pace of life, low hatching rates could be critical for population renewal.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-spotted-catshark-embryo-survival-nbsp">Small-spotted catshark embryo survival&nbsp;</h2>



The small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) is one of the most abundant shark species in Europe, yet it is already experiencing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-marine-predators-may-suffer-massive-habitat-loss-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat loss</a> in coastal areas, particularly during the summer months when egg-laying is at its peak. 



Coulon and her team compared embryo survival under three scenarios: a control scenario using baseline temperature and pH data from 1995 to 2014, and two predicted climate scenarios for 2100 based on the <a href="https://unfccc.int/documents/636550?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw7ZO0BhDYARIsAFttkCg16wrg18FNCdBeZgOe_Z9twyo1Ly2ns7y9ux1pnlOuaNH7N5vTosQaAuN-EALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report</a> from 2021.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicted-climate-scenarios-nbsp">Predicted climate scenarios&nbsp;</h2>



The SSP2 scenario, known as the “Middle of the Road” scenario, represents a future where slow and non-uniform progress towards tackling <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-sharks-swim/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> is present but net-zero is not reached, predicting a temperature rise of 2.7°C and a pH drop of 0.2 by 2100. 



The SSP5 scenario, called the “Fossil-fueled Development” scenario, represents a future where fossil fuel resources continue to be more rapidly exploited, predicting a temperature rise of 4.4°C and a pH drop of 0.4 by 2100.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-linked-to-shocking-embryo-mortality-rate">Heat linked to shocking embryo mortality rate</h2>



The researchers measured embryo growth and yolk consumption weekly over a four-month period and recorded hatching success and the growth of surviving baby sharks for six months post-hatching.&nbsp;



They found a high survival rate for both the control and SSP2 scenarios (81% and 83% respectively). However, survival plummeted under the SSP5 scenario, with only 11% of embryos hatching.&nbsp;



“We were shocked by the low survival rate observed in the SSP5 scenario,” Coulon said. The team linked this mortality to lower yolk consumption rates, lower growth rates, and failure to transition to internal gills.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-variation-and-embryo-mortality-nbsp">Temperature variation and embryo mortality&nbsp;</h2>



The study also highlighted the significant impact of seasonal temperature variation on embryo mortality, particularly during critical egg-laying periods. “This mortality was most pronounced in August, coinciding with the highest temperatures (reaching 23.1°C),” she explained.



The surviving 11% of embryos in the SSP5 scenario did not exhibit typical growth patterns, which might have contributed to their resilience to environmental changes.&nbsp;



“What makes these individuals special remains unclear,” said Coulon. Understanding inter-individual variation among young marine organisms could improve predictions of future ecological success.



This research serves as both a warning and a call to action. “It serves as a warning about the responses of other species that may be even more sensitive to environmental change,” she said. “Our findings demonstrate that the more moderate SSP2 scenario can limit the damage inflicted on species like the small-spotted catshark.”



Supported by the <a href="https://saveourseas.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Save Our Seas Foundation</a>, this study will be presented at the <a href="https://www.sebiology.org/events/seb-conference-prague-2024.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference</a> in Prague in July 2024. 



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Shark embryo mortality expected to rise by 71 percent

New experimental research has revealed that the combined effects of...

Researchers have uncovered a significant clue in Italian limestone that helps explain a mass <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-erosion-and-fire-contributed-to-triassic-mass-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction</a> of marine life millions of years ago during the Jurassic. The research may offer insights into the impact of oxygen depletion and climate change in today’s oceans.&nbsp;



Michael A. Kipp, an assistant professor of earth and climate science at <a href="https://duke.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke University</a>, co-authored a study measuring oxygen loss in oceans leading to marine species extinction 183 million years ago.&nbsp;



“This event, and events like it, are the best analogs we have in Earth's past for what is to come in the next decades and centuries,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxygen-depletion-during-the-jurassic">Oxygen depletion during the Jurassic </h2>



During the Jurassic Period, extensive volcanic activity in what is now South Africa released approximately 20,500 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) over 500,000 years, heating the oceans and causing significant oxygen depletion. 



The result was a mass extinction of Jurassic marine species due to suffocation from the lack of oxygen.



“It’s an analog, but not a perfect one, to predict what will happen to future oxygen loss in oceans from human-made carbon emissions, and the impact that loss will have on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-ecosystems-survive-extinctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystems</a> and biodiversity,” said co-author Mariano Remirez, an assistant research professor at <a href="https://www.gmu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">George Mason University</a>.



By examining limestone sediment that carries chemicals dating back to the time of the volcanic activity, researchers were able to estimate changes in ancient ocean oxygen levels.&nbsp;



At one point, oxygen was completely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cascading-oxygen-loss-could-endanger-our-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depleted</a> in up to 8% of the ancient global seafloor, an area roughly three times the size of the United States.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-levels-of-atmospheric-co2">Unprecedented levels of atmospheric CO2 </h2>



Since the Industrial Revolution, human activity has released CO2 emissions equivalent to 12% of what was released during the Jurassic volcanism.&nbsp;



However, Kipp notes that today’s rapid rate of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-ancient-plants-affect-atmospheric-co2-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric CO2</a> release is unprecedented, making it difficult to predict when another mass extinction might occur or its severity.



“We just don't have anything this severe,” Kipp said. “We go to the most rapid CO2-emitting events we can in history, and they're still not rapid enough to be a perfect comparison to what we're going through today. We're perturbing the system faster than ever before.”



“We have at least quantified the marine oxygen loss during this event, which will help constrain our predictions of what will happen in the future,” he concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-oxygen-loss">Climate change and oxygen loss</h2>



In the ocean, climate change and oxygen loss are directly related. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-is-subtly-changing-the-tides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warmer water</a> holds less oxygen than cooler water, which means that dissolved oxygen levels are diminished as temperatures rise.&nbsp;



On top of this, higher temperatures cause ocean stratification, where layers of water with different temperatures form. This prevents the mixing of oxygen-rich surface waters with deeper waters.&nbsp;



Another contributing factor is the increased input of nutrients from agricultural runoff and other sources, which can lead to algal blooms.&nbsp;



When these algae die and decompose, the process consumes large amounts of oxygen, creating hypoxic or "dead" zones where marine life cannot survive.&nbsp;



Climate change can intensify these processes by altering rainfall patterns, increasing runoff, and thereby increasing the nutrient load entering the ocean.



Furthermore, the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers due to global warming can lead to changes in ocean circulation patterns. These changes affect the distribution of oxygen in the ocean, often leading to decreased oxygen levels in certain areas.&nbsp;



Overall, the combination of warmer water temperatures, stratification, nutrient pollution, and changes in circulation patterns driven by climate change is causing significant oxygen loss in the ocean, which has serious implications for marine ecosystems and the organisms that depend on them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-oxygen-loss-impact-marine-species">How does oxygen loss impact marine species?</h2>



Oxygen loss in marine environments significantly impacts marine animals by reducing the availability of a critical element needed for their survival.&nbsp;



As oxygen levels decrease, many marine species experience stress, which can lead to decreased growth rates, impaired reproductive success, and increased susceptibility to diseases.&nbsp;



This hypoxic condition forces marine animals to either adapt, migrate to areas with higher oxygen levels, or face potential mortality.&nbsp;



Additionally, oxygen depletion can disrupt food chains, as both predator and prey species are affected, leading to broader ecological consequences in marine ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2406032121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Jurassic extinction may hold clues about our oceans’ future

Researchers have uncovered a significant clue in Italian limestone that...

It's a simple truth. Birds singing at dawn or dusk is a universal joy. But have you wondered how climate change affects these tiny singers?



The insightful research by Pau Lucio, an Associate Lecturer at the Animal Science Department at the Gandia Campus, and his team, based at the <a href="https://www.upv.es/index-en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universitat Politècnica de València</a> and Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology of the<a href="https://www.uv.es/uvweb/college/en/university-valencia-1285845048380.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> University of Valencia</a> speak volumes on this critical concern.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-through-two-warblers">Understanding through two Warblers</h2>



The team’s in-depth study circled around two specific species -- the Moustached Warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon) and the Common Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus). 



These water-loving birds mainly inhabit the Mediterranean coastal wetlands.



The Moustached Warbler, a Spanish local face dwindling population rates, finding itself on the 2021 Spanish Red Data Book of Birds as "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-100-bird-species-have-been-lost-for-over-a-decade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vulnerable</a>". 



The Common Reed Warbler, on the other hand, migrates long distances, wintering in Africa, and is, thankfully, of "least concern" due to its broader European distribution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-the-rings">Science behind the rings</h2>



Thanks to a comprehensive database of 25 years of bird ringing in Spain's wetlands, the research could unravel how various climatic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/island-bird-communities-are-changing-in-unexpected-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geographical elements</a> impact the birds' productivity.



In other words, the correlation between number of offspring born in a year and the number of adult birds.



"Specifically, we have used data from the scientific ringing program for the monitoring of breeding bird species in Spain (PASER) between 1995 and 2021," adds Pau Lucio.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-influence-on-birds">Climate change influence on birds</h2>



The research led to a fascinating discovery. Rainfall plays a decisive role in the Moustached Warbler's productivity.



Surprisingly, too much of a good thing proved harmful; rainfall above 100mm threshold affected <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-birds-are-at-great-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird species</a> breeding negatively. High temperatures also didn't sit well with this bird.



Our migratory maestro, the Common Reed Warbler, paints a contrasting picture. Higher temperatures ramp up its productivity, with rainfall making little to no difference, except when it’s about 100 mm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-birds-in-a-changing-climate">Future of birds in a changing climate</h2>



So, what do these discoveries mean for our warbling wonders? 



"Warmer temperatures and more frequent heavy rainfall may compromise the conservation of the moustached warbler in Spain due to the adverse effect of both elements on its productivity," says <a href="https://www.upv.es/ficha-personal/virgargm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Garófano</a> from the Research Institute for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (<a href="https://igic.webs.upv.es/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IGIC</a>) of the UPV Gandia Campus.



"In contrast, higher temperatures may benefit the common reed warbler." But, the harmony can flip as climate change doesn't only impact productivity but also survival rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-population-modeling-and-climate-change">Bird population modeling and climate change</h2>



This study could pinpoint climate-sensitive periods by analyzing the most significant climatic impacts on bird productivity using spatial (site, longitude, latitude, and elevation) and temporal changes (year).



The study's co-author, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rafael-Munoz-Mas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rafael Muñoz-Mas</a>, a researcher affiliated with the IGIC of the UPV, highlights the technological breakthroughs that enabled this progress in bird population trend modeling. 



He explains, "This advance in the ecological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-turn-bird-dreams-into-captivating-music/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modeling</a> of trends in bird populations has been possible thanks to the use of complex data modelling techniques." 



Muñoz-Mas goes on to explain that these techniques include data mining, machine learning, and the application of genetic algorithms to optimize the models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-strategies-for-bird-species">Conservation strategies for bird species</h2>



The pressing question is: what measures can we adopt to safeguard species like the Moustached Warbler from the impending threats of climate change? The research team suggests a multipronged approach. 



Firstly, stringent protection of their wetland habitats is paramount. These ecosystems must be preserved and restored to maintain the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-birds-enjoy-eating-feces-and-what-it-means-for-their-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">delicate balance</a> vital for the species' survival.



Additionally, creating and implementing climate-resilient management practices can buffer the adverse effects of extreme weather conditions. 



This could involve the installation of water level control systems to counteract excessive rainfall and mitigate habitat loss.



Moreover, fostering international collaborations focused on migratory birds can ensure synchronized conservation efforts across borders, offering a lifeline to species like the Common Reed Warbler throughout their journey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-citizen-science">Role of citizen science</h2>



As intricate as these conservation strategies might be, the involvement of local communities and citizen scientists cannot be overstated. 



Empowering individuals to participate in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/body-sizes-and-shapes-of-birds-are-shrinking-as-the-earth-warms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird monitoring and data collection</a> enriches scientific databases and enhances the breadth of research.



Programs encouraging bird ringing, nest monitoring, and habitat assessments furnish invaluable, ground-level insights into bird populations and their responses to climatic shifts. 



Furthermore, raising awareness through educational initiatives about the impact of climate change on avian species instills a sense of stewardship within communities. 



Through collective efforts, we can amplify our response to climate challenges, ensuring the resilience and continuity of the vibrant avian chorus that connects us all to nature.



So, while we continue to harmonize our lives with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zebra-finch-female-birds-choose-mates-who-can-sing-most-complex-songs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melodic notes of birds</a>, let's make sure our actions don't hit a sour note in their survival symphony.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00063657.2024.2343956" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bird Study</a>.



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Bird behavior and productivity is being directly impacted by climate change

It's a simple truth. Birds singing at dawn or dusk...

A new study has identified unexpected adaptations in coral reef fish in the Arabian Gulf, which survive in some of the world's warmest waters.&nbsp;



Led by John Burt from <a href="https://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University Abu Dhabi</a> and Jacob Johansen from the <a href="https://www.himb.hawaii.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology</a>, the study found that these fish maintain efficient oxygen supply and performance despite elevated temperatures.&nbsp;



Contrary to theoretical predictions, the fish do not exhibit reduced sizes due to metabolic oxygen-supply limitations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research-nbsp">Focus of the research&nbsp;</h2>



“As oceans warm, our ability to sustainably manage and protect important species depends on how well we can predict temperature-driven processes operating at individual, population, and community levels,” wrote the researchers.



“Many aquatic ectotherms, especially those adapted for the Arctic and tropics, are expected to be highly sensitive to temperature increases beyond those in which they have evolved.”&nbsp;



“Given the critical importance of aquatic resources for human survival, the likely consequences of rising temperatures for species fitness and productivity are vigorously debated.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adaptative-pathways-in-coral-reef-fish">Adaptative pathways in coral reef fish</h2>



The study authors noted that leading theories project limited adaptive capacity of tropical fishes and substantial size reductions in the coming decades due to mass-scaling limitations of oxygen supply in larger individuals.



“Using the world’s hottest coral reefs in the Persian/Arabian Gulf as a natural laboratory for ocean warming - where species have survived &gt;35.0 °C summer temperatures for over 6000 years and are 14-40% smaller at maximum size compared to cooler locations - we identified two adaptive pathways that enhance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-a-fish-survive-in-the-desert/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival</a> at elevated temperatures across 10 metabolic and swimming performance metrics.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resilience-to-climate-change-nbsp">Resilience to climate change&nbsp;</h2>



The study challenges the “shrinking of fishes phenomenon” and suggests that the real issue might be the balance between energy intake and expenditure.&nbsp;



The experts compared two fish species, Lutjanus ehrenbergii and Scolopsis ghanam, from the Arabian Gulf with those from the cooler Gulf of Oman.&nbsp;



The findings suggest these fish possess resilience to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-climate-change-can-increase-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, highlighting that smaller individuals might be evolutionarily favored at high temperatures.



“The hottest coral reefs in the world are an ideal natural laboratory to explore the future impact of rising water temperatures on fishes,” said Burt.



“Our findings indicate that some fish species are more resilient to climate change than previously understood and help explain why smaller individuals are evolutionarily favored at high temperatures.”



“This has significant implications for our understanding of the future of marine biodiversity in a continuously warming world.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-for-coral-reef-fish">The future for coral reef fish</h2>



The warming of oceans is expected to have drastic effects on marine life and the fishing industry, potentially disrupting ecosystems and economic structures.&nbsp;



Current scientific models predict that by 2050, coral reef fish could shrink by up to 39 percent due to increasing temperatures.&nbsp;



However, this study's results suggest that some species may adapt better than anticipated, potentially altering our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-biodiversity-could-shift-rapidly-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine biodiversity</a>'s future in a warming world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-reef-fish-of-the-arabian-sea">Coral reef fish of the Arabian Sea</h2>



The Arabian Sea is home to a vibrant marine ecosystem that hosts a rich diversity of coral reef <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-dna-reveals-the-diversity-of-coral-reef-fish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a>.&nbsp;



Coral reefs, known as the "rainforests of the sea," provide habitats for over one million marine species worldwide.&nbsp;



Coral reef fish in the Arabian Gulf are a vital part of the region's marine ecosystem. These fish include groupers, snappers, and parrotfish. Each species plays a unique role in maintaining the health of the coral reefs.



The Arabian Gulf's coral reefs are adapted to some of the harshest marine conditions, including high salinity and temperature extremes.&nbsp;



Despite these challenges, the reefs support a rich diversity of fish. These fish contribute to the reef's ecological balance by participating in processes like grazing on algae, which helps prevent algae overgrowth and allows corals to thrive.



Human activities, such as overfishing, coastal development, and pollution, pose significant threats to these coral reefs and their fish populations.&nbsp;



Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these ecosystems. Measures include establishing marine protected areas, enforcing sustainable fishing practices, and reducing pollution.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49459-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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How coral reef fish survive in the world’s warmest waters

A new study has identified unexpected adaptations in coral reef...

Recent research led by experts at <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newcastle University</a> indicates that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/79-n-glacier-northeast-greenland-melting-rapidly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glacier</a> melt on Alaska's Juneau Icefield is accelerating faster than previously thought, potentially reaching an irreversible tipping point sooner. 



The study, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49269-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>, reveals a dramatic increase in glacier loss since 2010.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concerning-acceleration-in-glacier-melt">Concerning acceleration in glacier melt</h2>



Study lead author Bethan Davies noted the concerning acceleration in glacier melt, emphasizing the vulnerability of flat, plateau icefields to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-fear-climate-change-will-end-the-world-during-their-lifetime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. 



“Alaskan icefields are particularly vulnerable to accelerated melt as the climate warms since ice loss happens across the whole surface, meaning a much greater area is affected,” she said.&nbsp;



Moreover, flatter ice caps and icefields cannot retreat to higher elevations and find a new equilibrium.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-periods-of-icefield-volume-change-nbsp">Distinct periods of icefield volume change&nbsp;</h2>



Using historical records, archival aerial photographs, and satellite imagery, the team identified three distinct periods of icefield volume change since 1770.&nbsp;



Initially, the glacier volume loss was consistent at 0.65-1.01 km³ per year until 1979. From 1979 to 2010, this rate increased to 3.08-3.72 km³ per year.&nbsp;



However, the most alarming increase occurred between 2010 and 2020, when the rate of ice loss doubled to 5.91 km³ per year.&nbsp;



The researchers also found that the rates of glacier area shrinkage were five times faster from 2015-2019 compared to 1948-1979.



Overall, the total ice loss across the Juneau Icefield between 1770-2020 (315.3 ± 237.5 km³) equated to just under a quarter of the original ice volume.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacier-melt-and-fragmentation-nbsp">Glacier melt and fragmentation&nbsp;</h2>



This increased rate of glacier melt has also been accompanied by increased glacier fragmentation. The team mapped a dramatic increase in disconnections, where the lower parts of a glacier become separated from the upper parts.



Additionally, 100% of glaciers mapped in 2019 have receded relative to their position in 1770, and 108 glaciers have disappeared completely.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-irreversible-tipping-point-nbsp">An irreversible tipping point&nbsp;</h2>



“It’s incredibly worrying that our research found a rapid acceleration since the early 21st century in the rate of glacier loss across the Juneau icefield,” Davies remarked.



“As glacier thinning on the Juneau plateau continues and ice retreats to lower levels and warmer air, the feedback processes this sets in motion is likely to prevent future glacier regrowth, potentially pushing glaciers beyond a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-tipping-points-report-shows-humanity-on-a-disastrous-trajectory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tipping point</a> into irreversible recession.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alaska-glacier-melt-and-sea-level-rise-nbsp">Alaska glacier melt and sea level rise&nbsp;</h2>



Alaska contains some of the world’s largest plateau icefields, and their melting is a major contributor to current <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-cost-coastal-cities-over-1-trillion-in-damages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level rise</a>. 



The researchers think the processes they observed at Juneau are likely to affect other, similar icefields elsewhere across Alaska and Canada, as well as Greenland, Norway, and other high-Arctic locations.



They also argued that current published projections for the Juneau icefield that suggest ice volume loss will be linear until 2040, accelerating only after 2070, may need to be updated to reflect the processes detailed in this latest study.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacier-melt-is-underestimated">Glacier melt is underestimated </h2>



“This work has shown that different processes can accelerate melt, which means that current glacier projections may be too small and underestimate glacier melt in the future,” Davies explained.



“What was really exciting about this research was piecing together thousands of archived aerial photographs to extract elevation, which gave us a really detailed insight into the long-term behavior of the icefield,” added Robert McNabb, a lecturer in remote sensing at <a href="https://www.ulster.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ulster University</a>.



This comprehensive study of the Juneau Icefield highlights the accelerating rate of glacier melt and fragmentation, underscoring the urgent need for updated models to predict future impacts on sea level rise.&nbsp;



As climate change continues to affect polar icefields, understanding these processes is crucial for developing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.



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Glacier melt in Alaska is accelerating at an alarming rate

Recent research led by experts at Newcastle University indicates that...

While the effects of wildfires on terrestrial ecosystems are well-documented, the impact of wildfire ash on aquatic life has only recently begun to be understood.&nbsp;



However, a team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.ualberta.ca/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Alberta</a> has now explored the deadly consequences of wildfire ash on Australian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-ecosystems-africa-hippos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water ecosystems</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-frequent-and-intense-wildfires">More frequent and intense wildfires</h2>



As climate change exacerbates the frequency and intensity of wildfires, Australia faces increased vulnerability to bushfires.&nbsp;



“Therefore, many Australian species may be threatened by fires,” said Jenelle McCuaig, a masters student at Alberta. “This is putting them at greater risk of endangerment and possible extinction.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contamination-from-wildfire-ash">Contamination from wildfire ash</h2>



Wildfires release ash that can enter aquatic environments directly or through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-increase-nitrogen-runoff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">runoff</a> during rainfall. 



“Once in the water, ash may leach metals and organic combustion products, where they can affect organisms, acquired by ingestion through intestines or respiration through gills,” McCuaig explained.&nbsp;



This contamination poses risks not only to aquatic life but also to human health, as freshwater ecosystems are vital sources of water and food.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research-nbsp">Focus of the research&nbsp;</h2>



McCuaig and her team concentrated their study on two common Australian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-bahamas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crustacean</a> species: a crayfish (Cherax destructor) and a shrimp (Macrobrachium australiense). 



The researchers exposed each species to varying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-ash-fertilizes-the-ocean-and-boosts-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ash</a> concentrations to assess their sensitivity and survival likelihood. McCuaig then measured oxygen consumption using a respirometry system and took tissue samples to analyze metabolic activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-wildfire-ash-nbsp">Impacts of wildfire ash&nbsp;</h2>



Their findings were alarming. Exposure to just 5g of ash per liter of water resulted in 100% shrimp mortality, while it required eight times this amount to achieve the same effect on crayfish. “The huge difference in sensitivity between the two species was much greater than I expected,” McCuaig said.



Thus, even closely related species can exhibit vastly different responses to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/determining-ecosystem-sensitivity-to-environmental-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental stressors</a> like wildfire ash. 



“Differences in body shape and gill structure, as well as habitat preferences, has allowed them to fulfill different niches. Crayfish demonstrated greater resilience to the ash exposure compared to the shrimp,” McCuaig added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-severe-physiological-stress-nbsp">Severe physiological stress&nbsp;</h2>



For the surviving crayfish and shrimp, those exposed to the highest ash concentrations exhibited the highest metabolic rates, indicating severe physiological stress.&nbsp;



“This is particularly concerning during ash exposure because increased ventilation means that the animals will be taking up more of the ash particles and leached contaminants from the water, further affecting their body systems.”



McCuaig emphasizes the importance of this research in identifying species most at risk from wildfires, which can guide breeding programs or relocation efforts. “When it comes to wildfires, resources are limited, so we must prioritize response actions,” she explained.



“Species conservation begins with wildfire prevention in the first place - it is incredibly important to be educated about, and to implement, fire-safety into our lives to mitigate human-caused wildfires,” she concluded.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2019-20-australian-bushfires">2019-20 Australian bushfires</h2>



<a href="https://wwf.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WWF Australia</a> noted that the 2019-20 Australian bushfires were catastrophic in scale and impact - for both people and nature.



“Up to 19 million hectares was burnt, with 12.6 million hectares primarily forests and woodlands. Nearly 3 billion animals were impacted by the blazes,” stated WWF Australia. “But even before the bushfires started, our native forests and wildlife were suffering due to deforestation and the impacts of climate change on the environment.”



“Australia is home to incredible biodiversity that is found nowhere else on the planet. But now, more than 1,700 species of plants, animals and ecological communities are officially listed as threatened. This includes nearly 500 species of wildlife. The bushfires during the summer of 2019-20 only made the situation worse.”



The University of Alberta study will be presented at the <a href="https://www.sebiology.org/events/seb-conference-prague-2024.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Society for Experimental Biology’s annual conference </a>in Prague.



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Wildfire ash threatens to wipe out many aquatic species

While the effects of wildfires on terrestrial ecosystems are well-documented,...

Concrete forms the backbone of human civilization's most impressive structures. Ancient Romans built aqueducts with it. We use it for modern highways. 



This versatile material builds our cities, roads, and bridges. It enables societal progress and urban development. Concrete is the second most consumed material globally, after water.



But <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-rise-of-self-heating-concrete-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">concrete production</a> has a big downside. It significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The cement industry accounts for about 8% of world CO2 emissions. This fact highlights the need for innovative solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teaching-concrete-to-capture-co2">Teaching concrete to capture CO2</h2>



The good news? A <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern University</a>-led team of engineers has discovered an innovative method of carbon sequestration that could revolutionize the concrete industry and potentially curb these CO2 emissions. 



This breakthrough could mark a turning point in our efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of concrete production.



The process, led by Alessandro Rotta Loria from Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering, is surprisingly simple: use carbonated water in concrete manufacturing instead of still water. 



Not only does the end product possess uncompromised strength and durability, but it also efficiently stores carbon dioxide. The team found that almost half of the CO2 introduced during the manufacturing process was captured and stored. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-carbon-source-to-carbon-sink">From carbon source to carbon sink</h2>



This is a significant leap in the field of carbon sequestration in concrete production that could change the industry's future and pave the way for more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mycocrete-new-material-made-of-fungi-hopes-to-replace-concrete-in-construction-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable construction practices</a>.



Rotta Loria, the Louis Berger Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is working on innovative solutions. 



He explains, "We are trying to develop approaches that lower CO2 emissions." His team aims to transform cement and concrete industries. They want to turn these sectors into large carbon sinks.



Loria's team has made progress. They've found a way to reuse CO2 from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recycled-cement-is-an-absolute-miracle-to-lower-concrete-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">concrete manufacturing</a> in the material itself. He notes, "Our solution is so simple technologically that it should be relatively easy for the industry to implement."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cemex-to-the-rescue">CEMEX to the rescue</h2>



Many industry experts share Loria's optimism. They believe this method could be widely adopted. It offers a practical way to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete production.



The fascinating research was a result of a partnership between Rotta Loria's laboratory and <a href="https://www.cemex.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CEMEX</a>, a global building materials company dedicated to sustainable construction. 



On this new method, Davide Zampini, vice president of global research and development at CEMEX and co-author of the study, noted that the approach provides an opportunity to engineer new clinker-based products where CO2 becomes a key ingredient. 



This collaboration demonstrates the power of industry-academic partnerships in driving forward <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/making-concrete-more-environmentally-friendly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable innovations</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refreshing-approach-to-carbon-sequestration">Refreshing approach to carbon sequestration</h2>



The team at Northwestern didn't merely decide to put some fizz in their concrete. They meticulously built upon previous research that explored various ways to store CO2 inside concrete. 



Their approach involves injecting CO2 gas into water mixed with a little cement powder before mixing this carbonated suspension with the rest of the cement and aggregates. 



This method ensures that the CO2 is efficiently integrated into the concrete mix, maximizing the amount of gas sequestered.



The result? A game-changing concrete that actually absorbs CO2 during its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tech-melts-steel-concrete-1800-degrees-heat-solar-power-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">manufacturing process</a>. Rotta Loria compared it to current methods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concrete-carbonation-and-co2">Concrete, carbonation, and CO2</h2>



“The cement suspension carbonated in our approach is a much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/concrete-pavement-will-degrade-faster-as-the-climate-heats-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lower viscosity fluid</a> compared to the mix of water, cement, and aggregates that is customarily employed in present approaches to carbonate fresh concrete," Loria explained.



This lower viscosity makes the new method easier to work with and potentially more effective in sequestering CO2.



On the strength of this carbonated concrete, the researchers found it to be no weaker than regular concrete. 



"Based on our experiments, we show the strength might actually be even higher. We still need to test this further, but, at the very least, we can say that it's uncompromised," Loria enthused. 



"Because the strength is unchanged, the applications also don't change. It could be used in beams, slabs, columns, foundations -- everything we currently use concrete for."



This ensures that the new method can be easily adopted without requiring significant changes to existing construction practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paving-the-way-to-a-sustainable-future">Paving the way to a sustainable future</h2>



The Northwestern team's innovative solution brings hope to an industry grappling to reduce its carbon emissions. If widely adopted, this could be a game-changer in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-crack-resistant-cement-material-inspired-by-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">battle against climate change</a>. 



According to Davide Zampini, it underscores the fact that there's always room for optimizing CO2 uptake and understanding the mechanisms tied to materials processing. 



This research serves as a reminder that sustainable solutions are within our reach, and with continued research and collaboration, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of critical industries.



In a world urgently seeking solutions to environmental issues, this revolutionary approach to concrete production leveraging carbonation could have a profound impact. It offers a sustainable pathway for the industry, increasing the material's strength while decreasing its carbon footprint. 



The potential is immense, and we look forward to the transformation this will bring to industrial practices and the future of sustainable construction. 



The implications of this research extend far beyond the concrete industry, serving as a beacon of hope for other sectors seeking to reduce their carbon emissions and achieve greater sustainability.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43246-024-00546-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Materials</a>.



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Concrete is quickly becoming a great carbon sink with high-tech advances

Concrete forms the backbone of human civilization's most impressive structures....

In the symphony of nature, ephemeral streams might seem like obscure players. However, these unassuming waterways, which flow only briefly after precipitation events, pack a punch. 



Notably, they play a crucial role in the transfer of water - and all that it carries - from land surfaces to larger bodies of water.



A recent study has revealed the surprising extent of the importance of ephemeral streams, particularly regarding U.S. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-at-risk-climate-change-is-diminishing-global-water-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water quality</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lasting-impact-of-ephemeral-streams">The lasting impact of ephemeral streams</h2>



Though they might be out of sight, ephemeral streams leave a lasting impact on the nation's waterscape.



Essentially, these temporary watercourses serve as transportation channels. They carry water <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-quality-threatened-by-nutrient-pollution-in-40-u-s-states/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollutants</a>, sediments, and nutrients from land to rivers, lakes, reservoirs and even to the oceans.



The reach of these streams is unexpectedly vast. According to the researchers, they influence a considerable portion of the water output from U.S. rivers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-legal-loopholes-in-waterway-protection">Legal loopholes in waterway protection</h2>



The importance of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stream-quality-is-strongly-correlated-with-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">streams</a> is in sharp contrast with their legal status in the United States.



Following a 2023 Supreme Court decision, these streams no longer fall under the jurisdiction of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-actually-protected-by-the-clean-water-act/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clean Water Act</a> (CWA). This ruling, brought forth in Sackett v EPA, redefined the scope of the Clean Water Act.



The "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) now only encapsulate "relatively permanent, standing, or continuously flowing bodies of water" - a definition that conveniently sidesteps ephemeral streams.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shedding-light-on-the-invisible-streams">Shedding light on the invisible streams</h2>



The research was conducted by scientists from the <a href="https://environment.yale.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale School of the Environment</a> and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The study was led by Craig Brinkerhoff, an incoming Yale postdoctoral fellow.



The team modeled ephemeral stream contributions to a colossal U.S. network of more than 20 million rivers, lakes, reservoirs, canals, and ditches.



The researchers found that ephemeral streams accounted for over 50 percent of the water in some of the nation's largest rivers, like the Mississippi and Columbia. In some instances, the water contribution of ephemeral streams reached up to a staggering 90 percent.



Regardless of river basin size, ephemeral streams made up an average of 59 percent of drainage networks by length. Through these streams, pollutants such as nitrogen and pesticides are channeled into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iconic-american-rivers-are-threatened-by-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rivers</a>, mirroring the streams' water input magnitude.



“Our findings show that ephemeral streams are likely a substantial pathway through which pollution may influence downstream water quality, a finding that can inform evaluation of the consequences of limiting U.S. federal jurisdiction over ephemeral streams under the CWA,” noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-legal-oversight-of-ephemeral-streams">The legal oversight of ephemeral streams</h2>



Critics of the Supreme Court's decision argue that it overlooked scientific findings. Instead, the decision hinged on dictionary definitions, resulting in a ruling that lifted protection on more than half of the annual discharge from U.S. drainage networks under the Clean Water Act.



“When the Supreme Court narrowed the scope of the federal Clean Water Act, it did so by referring to abstract dictionary definitions rather than science," said study co-author Doug Kysar, a professor at Yale Law School. 



"This research underscores the impact of that approach since, by our estimate, over half of annual discharge from U.S. drainage networks will no longer be protected by the Act."



By documenting the significance of ephemeral stream flow to downstream water quality, the results provide a basis for Congress to amend the Clean Water Act to expressly include ephemeral streams as an exercise of its power over interstate commerce, noted Professor Kysar. He said that the findings also point to the need for enhanced regulation by state and local governments.



“The chemistry of water is dependent on how you manage the entire watershed, not just pieces of it,” said study co-author Peter Raymond. “These streams are a critical source of water and pollutants and have to be regulated.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-all-things-are-connected">All things are connected</h2>



Despite their unassuming nature, ephemeral streams have an influence that extends far beyond their immediate surroundings.



Brinkerhoff said the research shows the vast impacts of waterways that were once considered to influence only their immediate areas. “Our study provides more concrete evidence that all of these things are connected."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg9430" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Ephemeral streams have an overlooked impact on water quality

In the symphony of nature, ephemeral streams might seem like...

Have you ever stopped to think about how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-green-spaces-boosts-bone-density-reduces-osteoporosis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spaces and places</a> around us could impact our health? A recent study from <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern University</a> lays fascinating groundwork, linking urban green and water spaces to lower chances of coronary artery calcification (CAC), a crucial marker of heart disease.



Leading this significant research is Dr. Lifang Hou, a seasoned professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University <a href="https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Feinberg School of Medicine</a>. The study reveals that these associations of green-blue spaces and heart health are most evident among Black individuals living in economically challenged neighborhoods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-and-blue-spaces">Green and blue spaces </h2>



How does having more green and blue spaces bring down the likelihood of CAC? The research points towards the potential of these spaces to provide increased opportunities for physical activities, social interactions, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-spaces-near-homes-reduce-emotional-problems-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress relief</a>. 



"Having more green and blue spaces may provide increased opportunities for physical activities, social interactions, stress relief and restoration, all of which have been linked to improved metabolic and cardiovascular health," Hou said. 



"Additionally, exposure to green and blue spaces has been shown to boost people's immune system, reduce chronic inflammation and slow down the biological aging process, all of which are biologically important in people's overall health and cardiovascular health. More studies are needed to fully understand the role of urban natural environments in pathways related to human health."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-health-near-urban-green-and-blue-spaces">Heart health near urban green and blue spaces </h2>



The numbers from the study speak volumes. Black participants with the highest access to a river showed 32% lower odds of CAC, compared to those with limited access. 



Similarly, those with more access to green spaces had up to a staggering 35% lower odds of calcification. 



It seems that for each 10%-point increase in green space, the odds of CAC decreased by about 15% on average. Hypothetically, if we could paint our cities a bit greener and bluer, we could chip away at the heart risks that so many face.



Interestingly, the study also found that shorter distances to parks were associated with higher CAC odds in these neighborhoods. The explanation? It could lie in the quality of these parks and safety concerns in the underserved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/city-residents-better-mental-health-access-green-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban neighborhoods</a> that might deter their use. As always, quality trumps quantity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-green-and-blue-spaces">Need for green and blue spaces</h2>



The Northwestern study included almost 3,000 Black and white men and women hailing from four urban cities in the U.S. The research drew its data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, which followed the participants for 25 whopping years.



"The protective effect of having access to urban blue and green spaces with coronary artery calcification highlighted in our study underscore the potential benefits of such infrastructure, particularly for underserved populations at higher risk for cardiovascular disease," said Hou. 



"Our findings provide quantitative evidence supporting environmental policies to enhance the accessibility and quality of residential blue and green spaces, which can promote public health benefit and address racial and neighborhood-related health disparities."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-and-social-justice">Environmental and social justice</h2>



The gap in access to quality green and blue spaces often reflects wider social inequalities. 



Neighborhoods with fewer resources, especially those where Black and other minority communities live, usually have fewer and less well-kept green areas. This unfairness not only affects physical health but also mental well-being, social bonds, and overall quality of life. 



To fix these issues, we need a mix of better urban planning, active community involvement, and policy changes. By bringing environmental justice into city planning, we can create healthier living spaces, reduce health disparities, and build more fair and inclusive urban areas for everyone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance">Study significance</h2>



The study's findings highlight heart and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-environments-and-sidewalks-improve-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overall health benefits</a> related to accessible and quality urban green and blue spaces. They stress the importance of environmental policies that enhance these spaces, especially for underserved populations at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases.



In the end, it's not just about providing green spaces for all, but about making sure they're safe, clean, and accessible to everyone. After all, when it comes to our neighborhoods, we should all be sitting' on the dock of the bay, watching the health benefits roll away.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.067992" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Circulation</a>.



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Green and blue spaces like parks and rivers keep hearts healthy

Have you ever stopped to think about how the spaces...

Massive undersea mountains, or seamounts, rise to heights unimaginable for those of us who live above water, reaching elevations thousands of meters high. 



Seamounts, while breathtakingly majestic, are also vital players in stirring up our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-circumpolar-current-speed-increasing-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean's currents</a>, thus significantly impacting how our ocean stores heat and carbon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diving-deeper-into-seamounts">Diving deeper into seamounts</h2>



Dr Ali Mashayek, a leading scientist from the University of Cambridge's <a href="https://www.esc.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Earth Science</a>, spearheaded an international team in shining a light on these undersea giants. 



Using numerical modeling, the team began to understand how the turbulence surrounding these mountains influences <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-ocean-circulation-near-antarctica-on-the-brink-of-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean circulation</a>.



Dr Mashayek explains, “The intense turbulence around seamounts makes them a major contributor to ocean mixing at a global scale, but we don’t have that process represented in climate models.” 



These findings finally acknowledge the role of seamounts, and as a result, may improve future model forecasts concerning how the ocean will react to global warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-s-deep-churning-conveyor-belt">Ocean's deep-churning conveyor belt</h2>



Picture our ocean as a vast, ceaselessly moving conveyor belt. Warm water from the tropical regions slowly drifts towards the poles, where it cools and plunges thousands of meters into the ocean's abyss, taking vital carbon, heat and nutrients along with it.



Ocean circulation refers to the perpetual movement of seawater throughout the global oceans, orchestrated by wind, variations in water density, and tidal forces. 



Surface currents, strategically driven by the wind, navigate the upper layers of the ocean, while the profound deep currents, termed thermohaline circulation, are governed by disparities in water temperature and salinity. 



These interconnected flows play a crucial role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-paradox-ocean-current-collapse-could-plunge-europe-into-cold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regulating the Earth's climate</a>. By redistributing heat, transporting essential nutrients, and impacting weather patterns, they ensure a delicate balance within our planet's intricate environmental systems.



This cold, heavy water must resurface so the ocean doesn't become overloaded with frigid water. But the mighty question has been -- where does the power for this return flow come from? 



This new study uncovers some answers, highlighting how seamounts lend a helping hand (or peak) to ocean circulation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guardians-of-deep-sea-currents">Guardians of deep sea currents</h2>



Tens of thousands of seamounts reside at the ocean's bottom, and this number is believed to be a mere quarter of the actual figure, given only a fragment of the seabed has been mapped. 



These undersea mountains don't just silently watch the currents pass -- they intervene, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atlantic-ocean-currents-slowing-as-water-temperature-rises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">churning the waters around them</a>.



Water charges over their sharp slopes, generating swirling wake vortices that ferry water towards the surface. 



Dr Mashayek describes the scene, saying, “The deep waters around a seamount are chaotic and turbulent...the turbulence churns up the ocean just like stirring milk into your coffee.” 



This stirring action helps yank the heavy water to the surface, completing a cycle that keeps the ocean's conveyor belt running.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seamounts-impact-on-ocean-mixing">Seamounts impact on ocean mixing</h2>



Despite previous measurements of deep-sea turbulence around seamounts, the science community remained unsure about its role in ocean circulation on a global scale. 



However, according to Dr Mashayek and his team, the stirring around seamounts accounts for approximately one-third of ocean mixing worldwide, reaching up to 40% in the Pacific Ocean due to its higher seamount count.



These massive stirring rods could potentially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-ice-shelves-melting-faster-due-to-ocean-currents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">speed up climate change</a>, especially in large carbon stores like the Pacific. 



According to co-author Dr Laura Cimoli, "If seamounts are enhancing mixing...then the timescale of storage could be shorter and if carbon is released sooner that could speed climate change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seamounts-circulation-and-climate-change">Seamounts, circulation, and climate change</h2>



The esteemed oceanographer Walter Munk theorized back in the 1960s that seamounts might be "the stirring rods of the ocean". 



It's taken us this long to measure its significance on a global scale, but our growing knowledge of the seafloor has finally allowed us to test this theory.



“The only reason we’ve been able to put this to the test now is that we only recently had enough of the seafloor mapped," explains co-author Professor Alberto Naveira Garabato from the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a>.



The number of seamounts is likely to be even larger, so our estimates of their importance in mixing are still conservative. Going forward, the team intends to integrate the physics of seamount-induced turbulence into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenlands-melting-icebergs-may-not-be-threat-to-ocean-currents-amoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate models</a>. 



With these improvements, we are one step closer to having a precise representation of deep ocean circulation, and thus, a better understanding of how the ocean will adapt to climate change.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2322163121">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Seamounts impact ocean circulation and climate in surprising ways

Massive undersea mountains, or seamounts, rise to heights unimaginable for...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-threat-in-urban-air">Invisible threat in urban air</h2>



City dwellers face an unseen danger with every breath. New findings from Emory University researchers suggest that fine particulate matter from <a href="http://earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vehicle emissions may significantly elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease</a>. The study examined brain tissue samples from 224 individuals who had confirmed diagnoses and volunteered their brains for scientific research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-connections-emerge">Disturbing connections emerge</h2>



Scientists analyzed neuritic plaques — protein clusters that characterize Alzheimer's — while mapping each participant's exposure to PM2.5 particles based on residential location and surrounding traffic density. The correlation proved more alarming than anticipated. Individuals experiencing higher pollution exposure showed nearly double the likelihood of elevated plaque accumulation in brain tissue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-matters">Timing matters</h2>



The research team discovered that pollution exposure during the final year before death demonstrated the strongest association with brain changes. This timeline suggests relatively rapid impacts from environmental toxins on neural health. The connection remained robust even after accounting for various demographic and health factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-vulnerability-patterns">Genetic vulnerability patterns</h2>



Perhaps most concerning, people lacking the APOE gene—which naturally predisposes individuals to Alzheimer's — exhibited more than twice the susceptibility to pollution-related brain damage. Study author Dr. Anke Huels noted this indicates environmental elements like air contamination could trigger the disease in cases where hereditary factors don't explain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-implications">Public health implications</h2>



These findings, published in <a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a>, underscore the critical importance of air quality regulations in urban planning. The research suggests that implementing stricter emission controls and promoting alternative transportation could serve as powerful tools in Alzheimer's prevention.



As cities worldwide grapple with growing traffic congestion and aging populations, this study highlights an urgent need for comprehensive approaches to environmental health that protect both our lungs and our minds.



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-astrobiology">Implications for astrobiology</h2>



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-earth-became-a-frozen-wasteland">When Earth became a frozen wasteland</h2>



Imagine Earth as a giant snowball, frozen solid from the North Pole to the equator. This wasn't the plot of a science fiction movie – it was our planet's reality 700 million years ago during an extreme ice age that has puzzled scientists for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-discovery">The discovery</h2>



Australian researchers from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> have finally cracked one of geology's greatest mysteries: what caused the Sturtian glaciation and why it persisted for an unprecedented 57 million years. This period occurred long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when no complex plants or multicellular animals existed.



Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz, the study's lead author, describes a world completely unlike today's climate. "Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over," she explained. "The planet was blanketed in ice from poles to equator, and temperatures plunged."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-combination-of-climate-factors">The combination of climate factors</h2>



The research team discovered that this massive freeze resulted from a "double whammy" of geological events. First, plate tectonic activity reduced volcanic carbon dioxide emissions to historically low levels. Volcanic activity typically releases CO2 into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect that keeps Earth warm.



Simultaneously, weathering of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada actively absorbed atmospheric CO2, further reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. When atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dropped below 200 parts per million – less than half of today's levels – glaciation engulfed the entire planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-climate-implications">Modern climate implications</h2>



Published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a>, this research provides crucial insights into Earth's climate system. While geological climate changes occur over millions of years, the study emphasizes that human-induced climate change is happening at a pace ten times faster than previously observed natural changes, highlighting the urgent need to understand our planet's delicate climate balance.



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY 57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-monitoring-networks">Scientific monitoring networks</h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.



The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.



The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.



The full study was recently published in <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.



Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.



Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents". In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively. MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.



MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization. The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.



Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.



A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.



This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.



PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.



In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.



As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.



The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.



For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.



The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.



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MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a>



Dominnus: <a href="https://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.dominnus.com</a>

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-microbial-partnerships">The science behind microbial partnerships</h2>



Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.



The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-food-security">Implications for global food security</h2>



The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes how Earth is unique in our solar system for its ability to sustain liquid water on its surface. But now, the water cycle is shifting as the climate warms, and scientists must find ways to predict how these changes will affect water availability.



Overall, 96 percent of Earth's water is saltwater, and nearly all of freshwater is found in ice and groundwater. These sources of water are linked as it passes through solid, liquid and gas phases.



In a warmer climate, the water cycle will be transformed. It will be easier for water to evaporate and form clouds, and storms will become more frequent and intense. Some regions will get too much water, while others will be left without enough water. In addition, soil moisture will be lost - which threatens food security.



Scientists are using satellite data from over the last 40 years to track changes that are happening in the water cycle. This will ultimately help us prepare for extreme events and better manage our water resources, according to ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

[sendtonews key="fxH3eJHEkQ-2010196-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Saturn,-,High,Resolution,3d,Images,Presents,Planets,Of,The

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> features images of Saturn from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The photographs capture the start of the mysterious "spoke season" on Saturn - when unexplained features appear on its rings. 



According to NASA, both the cause of the spokes and their seasonal variability have yet to be fully explained by planetary scientists.



"Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis and therefore has four seasons, though because of Saturn's much larger orbit, each season lasts approximately seven Earth years. Equinox occurs when the rings are tilted edge-on to the Sun," explains NASA.



"The spokes disappear when it is near summer or winter solstice on Saturn. (When the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest latitude in the northern or southern hemisphere of a planet.) As the autumnal equinox of Saturn's northern hemisphere on May 6, 2025, draws near, the spokes are expected to become increasingly prominent and observable."



Experts believe that the spokes may be a product of the planet's variable magnetic field. When magnetic fields interact with solar wind, an electrically charged environment is created. This phenomenon is visible on Earth as the northern lights.&nbsp;



"Scientists think that the smallest, dust-sized icy ring particles can become charged as well, which temporarily levitates those particles above the rest of the larger icy particles and boulders in the rings," says NASA.



The spokes were first observed in the early 1980s by NASA's Voyager mission. Depending on the angle of the rings, the spokes can appear dark or light.



"Thanks to Hubble's OPAL program, which is building an archive of data on the outer solar system planets, we will have longer dedicated time to study Saturn’s spokes this season than ever before," said NASA senior planetary scientist Amy Simon, head of the Hubble Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program.



"Despite years of excellent observations by the Cassini mission, the precise beginning and duration of the spoke season is still unpredictable, rather like predicting the first storm during hurricane season."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

[sendtonews key="Ccjk8KEMzv-2550719-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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