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...

The world is no stranger to the consequences of climate change, but an impending northward shift in tropical rains due to unchecked <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon emissions</a> could have profound implications for agriculture and economies around the equator.



This potentially drastic change could significantly impact equatorial regions. Nations flanking the equator on both sides, such as central African countries, northern South America, and Pacific island nations, are expected to feel the effects most acutely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-rain-shift-and-atmospheric-changes">Tropical rain shift and atmospheric changes</h2>



The northward rain shift has been predicted by a team of researchers at <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a>, led by atmospheric scientist Professor Wei Liu.



The rainfall shift is primarily associated with complex atmospheric changes caused by carbon emissions, which particularly affect the formation of intertropical convergence zones.



Described as atmospheric engines, intertropical convergence zones are responsible for generating around a third of the world's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-changing-rainfall-patterns-impact-plants-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-impact-on-major-tropical-crops">The impact on major tropical crops</h2>



Several major tropical crops are grown in the regions that are expected to be most affected by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/circular-economy-needed-to-reduce-americas-carbon-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rain shift</a>.



Coffee, cocoa, palm oil, bananas, sugarcane, tea, mangoes, and pineapples are among the agricultural products that could see production issues due to the instability in rainfall.



However, this northward shift will only last around 20 years. Following this period, the convergence zones are anticipated to swing back south, remaining in this position for nearly a millennium due to the warming of southern oceans - which is another repercussion of carbon emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-intertropical-convergence-zones">Understanding intertropical convergence zones</h2>



Intertropical convergence zones essentially act like a conveyor belt for moisture. Positioned along or near the equator, these zones are where trade winds from the northern and southern hemispheres meet. 



The colliding air streams rise upwards into cooler altitudes, absorbing vast amounts of moisture from the oceans as they do so. 



As this moist air chills at higher altitudes, thunderclouds form, and drenching rainstorms are unleashed. It's not unusual for tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eu-pledges-to-improve-efforts-with-the-amazon-rainforest-protection-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainforests</a> to receive as much as 14 feet of rain per year. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atmospheric-influence-of-carbon-emissions">Atmospheric influence of carbon emissions </h2>



Scientists utilized advanced computer models to simulate the real-world effects of continued fossil fuel burning and other sources of carbon dioxide emissions. The intricate model incorporated various components of the atmosphere, ocean, sea ice, and land, with each element interacting with the others.



Professor Liu and his colleagues used these sophisticated computer models to predict the atmospheric influence of carbon dioxide emissions.



“The rainfall change is very important,” Liu said. “It's a very heavy rainfall region. So, a small shift will cause big changes in agriculture and the economy of the societies. It will affect many regions.” 



“Basically, we try to simulate the real world. In the model, we can increase our carbon dioxide emissions from pre-industrial levels to much higher levels.”



The researchers also factored in how carbon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/circular-economy-needed-to-reduce-americas-carbon-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a> affect the amount of radiant energy at the top of the atmosphere, sea ice shifts, water vapor variations, and changes in cloud formation. 



The combined effects of all these factors could push rain-forming convergence zones northward by as much as 0.2 degrees on average.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-impact-of-tropical-rain-patterns">The impact of tropical rain patterns</h2>



In conclusion, while the consequences of climate change are many and varied, the possible short-term shift in tropical rain patterns could have far-reaching effects on the agriculture and economies of communities near the equator.



This significant change underscores the urgency of addressing global carbon emissions effectively.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-02034-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Tropical rains will shift northward in the coming decades 

The world is no stranger to the consequences of climate...

While we are busy leading our fast-paced lives, a silent danger is increasingly threatening our planet's aquatic life. Waste leakage - particularly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-waste-grows-relentlessly-as-recycling-falls-short/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic waste</a> - is suffocating our oceans, beaches, rivers, lakes and even remote environments like the Arctic. There is a dire need to understand the gravity of this issue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-critical-issue-of-waste-leakage-nbsp">The critical issue of waste leakage&nbsp;</h2>



A team of researchers at <a href="https://iiasa.ac.at/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IIASA</a> set out to identify hotspots of land-waste leakage and to determine which areas are the most at risk. 



“The world is facing a critical waste disaster resulting from the rapid increase of waste generation and the inability to cope with it in a sustainable manner endangering the environment, climate, and human health,” wrote the researchers.



However, they noted, no study has comprehensively assessed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-a-billion-metric-tons-of-plastic-waste-is-unaccounted-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waste</a> leakage into aquatic environments from a waste management perspective. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leakage-of-municipal-solid-waste-nbsp">Leakage of municipal solid waste&nbsp;</h2>



Study lead author Adriana Gomez Sanabria is a researcher in the Pollution Management Research Group of the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program.



She said the results of the study show that the majority of leakage of municipal solid waste - everyday items that are discarded by people - into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-floor-harbors-up-to-11-million-tons-of-plastic-debris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aquatic environments</a> occur in Africa, China, India, and South Asia. 



“It’s necessary to start focusing on improving waste management systems in these affected areas,” said Gomez Sanabria.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-targeting-multiple-waste-streams-nbsp">Targeting multiple waste streams&nbsp;</h2>



An interesting result of the study is that single waste stream focus can have unintended consequences.&nbsp;



For instance, swapping plastic cups with paper ones seemed like the right move, but now,&nbsp; paper waste has burgeoned. This is a clear indication that multiple waste streams must be used simultaneously.



The research underscores the importance of universal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastics-dropped-into-the-ocean-can-travel-hundreds-of-miles-while-sinking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waste</a> collection to prevent it from seeping into our environments, regardless of overall waste reduction.



“Our analysis shows that there is a pressing need to establish a standardized framework to monitor waste generation, composition, and flows,” said study co-author Florian Lindl.



“This framework should help us track the effectiveness of actions, including political, economic, and technological measures aimed at reducing waste and improving waste management systems.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-waste-management-systems">Improving waste management systems</h2>



The researchers noted that their study addresses a crucial gap in our understanding of how waste management systems play an important role in addressing various environmental impacts.&nbsp;



By looking at how these systems interact with waste leakage, we can pinpoint effective strategies to curb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-found-in-every-aquatic-species-tested/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> in aquatic environments and safeguard our ecosystems.



In other words, the research could serve as a roadmap to a more sustainable future.



“We need to understand that the primary function of waste management systems is to protect human health and the environment,” said Gomez Sanabria.



“As creators of the waste crisis, we must take responsibility by changing our behavior to reduce consumption through refuse, rethink, and reuse practices.”



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49555-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>. 



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Tidal wave of trash: Waste leakage is an environmental disaster

While we are busy leading our fast-paced lives, a silent...

The fight against climate change has taken the spotlight in recent years, as well as the vulnerability of our oceans' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-largest-coral-bleaching-event-is-now-underway/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reefs</a> to coral bleaching.



A group of international researchers recently discovered that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heat-waves-are-persisting-in-the-u-s-even-in-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine heatwaves</a> pose a much graver threat to these ecosystems than we initially thought.



The team found that marine heatwaves will not only last longer, causing prolonged periods of severe bleaching, but will also disrupt the coral spawning cycle - putting thousands of coral species at risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-onset-of-coral-bleaching">Early onset of coral bleaching</h2>



In a revolutionary study, Dr. Camille Mellin and her team from the <a href="https://www.adelaide.edu.au/environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute</a> used advanced climate modeling and supercomputing to anticipate future marine heatwaves.



The alarming results show that by 2080, coral bleaching is likely to commence in spring, rather than late summer.



The shift in timing could spell disaster for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-bleaching-hinders-reproduction-in-popular-reef-species/">coral reproduction</a>. In many regions, corals spawn once a year - precisely in spring. The overlap of bleaching with this crucial event could wreak havoc on a multitude of coral species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mechanism-behind-coral-bleaching">The mechanism behind coral bleaching</h2>



But what exactly is coral bleaching, and why does it matter? Corals bleach when they undergo stress - usually because of marine heatwaves - causing them to eject the beneficial algae living in their tissue. This process leaves <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-some-corals-more-resilient-to-climate-change-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corals</a> white, weakened, and more susceptible to disease.



It's worth noting that while widespread coral bleaching has only recently become a spotlight issue, four global mass bleaching events have occurred since 1998, with the most recent two events happening in this decade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-hotspot-of-risk-the-equator">A hotspot of risk: The equator</h2>



The projections also pointed to the equator as a hotspot for future bleaching risk, including areas home to the most biodiverse coral reefs. For example, regions like Indonesia’s Coral Triangle could face near-constant bleaching conditions by the end of the century.



This finding is particularly concerning because marine species in these regions are already living close to their upper tolerance levels for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-could-vanish-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature</a>.



These species won't be as well equipped to tackle accelerated climate change and, therefore, will be highly susceptible to extinction.



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



The ripple effect of this environmental threat extends to humans, too. Low-latitude coral reef regions are crucial for food and nutrition for millions worldwide. Local populations also depend heavily on coral reef fisheries for income.



These projections aren't just doom and gloom, though. They also offer a crucial tool for planning conservation strategies. By identifying regions of lower bleaching risk, resource managers can prioritize coral conservation actions to save as much of these vital ecosystems as possible.



Such preventative actions were emphasized by Professor Scott Heron, a co-author of the study. He stated that the validated projections of future coral bleaching risk, based on daily marine heatwave forecasts, represent a significant advancement over previous models.



These next-generation projections will be key to designing conservation strategies aimed at protecting and restoring coral reefs in regions at lesser risk of future climate change - areas where conservation success is most likely to be achieved.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adn9660" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Marine heatwaves escalate coral bleaching threats

The fight against climate change has taken the spotlight in...

Two,Young,Cute,Wild,Polar,Bear,Cubs,Hugging,On,Pack

The Arctic Ocean occupies the top of our planet, forming a frigid world of ice and water. This ocean is changing rapidly, currently warming four times faster than any other ocean on Earth. 



This temperature surge carries significant implications that could ultimately spread around the world. Scientists are studying this phenomenon intensively, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-free-arctic-summers-could-be-the-new-normal-by-2030/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">striving to understand</a> the causes and predict its consequences.



Among the researchers is Annabel Payne, a lead author hailing from the Department of Environmental Systems Science, <a href="https://usys.ethz.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETHZ</a>, Zürich, Switzerland.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-arctic-warming">Understanding Arctic warming</h2>



Arctic warming, a term that has been often bandied about in climate circles, refers to the sharp rise in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/will-the-arctic-become-a-battleground-for-resource-extraction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperatures in the Arctic region</a> relative to other parts of our planet. This effect, commonly known as Arctic amplification, hinges on a series of feedback loops.



The melting of sea-ice plays a prime role in this domino effect. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrinking-arctic-ice-changing-global-climate-warm-arctic-cold-eurasia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As ice vanishes</a>, it exposes the darker ocean water underneath, which absorbs more sunlight and accelerates warming. 



This cycle further reduces the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/less-ice-and-more-sunlight-may-drastically-alter-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's albedo</a>, the measure of its reflective capability, facilitating more heat absorption. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-down-to-the-permafrost-level">Down to the permafrost level</h2>



The warming process doesn't just stop there. It extends its influence to the permafrost, thawing it out to release potent greenhouse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-arctic-glaciers-are-releasing-a-new-source-of-potent-methane-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gases like methane</a>, effectively worsening global warming.



Moreover, alterations in the Arctic impact our global weather patterns, sea levels, and diverse ecosystems. These changes can even interfere with jet streams, potentially causing extreme weather events in areas far from the Arctic. 



As the Arctic warms, it presents substantial threats to indigenous communities, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-invasion-jellyfish-are-moving-north-in-a-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local wildlife</a>, and the overall stability of Earth's climate system. This makes the region a focal point of investigation for climate scientists worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unseen-footprints-of-arctic-warming">Unseen footprints of Arctic warming</h2>



Recently, Annabel Payne and her co-researchers have taken significant strides in understanding the tides of the Arctic Ocean. 



Their innovative approach uses radioactive isotopes as tracers to map the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-heatwaves-have-complex-effects-on-phytoplankton-food-web/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atlantic water's journey</a> into the Arctic Ocean's Canada Basin over several decades.



The team detected two radionuclides - iodine-129 and uranium-236 - in the Atlantic water, which nuclear reprocessing plants had released in minute quantities. 



Payne stated, "These radionuclides are present in very small, but still traceable, quantities. They allow us to follow the path of Atlantic water as it moves into the Arctic Ocean over decades."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-water-paths">Unraveling the water paths</h2>



The team deduced two distinct routes for Atlantic water entering the Canada Basin. One path crosses the Chukchi Plateau and Northwind Ridge, while the other follows the Chukchi Plateau's edge. 



Unearthing these routes gave researchers vital insights into understanding the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-influences-us-weather-patterns-ai-machine-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intricate circulation patterns</a> within the Arctic Ocean.



Furthermore, the study revealed a fascinating aspect of mixing between Pacific and Atlantic waters. According to Payne, "We found that about 25–40% of winter water from the Pacific Ocean contains markers of Atlantic water by the time it reaches the Canada Basin."



Payne and her colleagues found that despite the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-waters-are-emitting-more-carbon-as-they-continue-to-warm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rapid warming</a>, the transit times for Atlantic waters into the Arctic have remained unchanged over the past 15 years, indicating a level of stability in these currents.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-warming-repercussions">Arctic warming repercussions</h2>



This study has paved the way for using iodine-129 and uranium-236 as effective tracers of water masses in the Arctic Ocean. Payne envisions to expand the area of study to further understand the outflow to the Atlantic Ocean. 



This could start unravelling the secrets of this rapidly shifting ocean and significantly enhance our knowledge of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-impacts-dust-levels-on-a-global-scale/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rapidly changing region</a>.



Despite the strides made by this research, it's evident that vast amounts still remain to explore. As the Arctic continues to heat up at an alarming rate, studies like this become increasingly vital for our understanding of, and preparation for, the potential global impacts of these changes.



The use of radioactive isotopes as tracers of ocean currents showcases scientific innovation in decoding the secrets of our planet's most distant and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-rivers-undergoing-dramatic-change-thawing-permafrost-ice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rapidly changing regions</a>. 



Each new discovery brings us one step closer to a comprehensive understanding of our global climate system and its future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-to-understand-our-changing-planet">Fighting to understand our changing planet</h2>



The Arctic Ocean is more than just a frigid wilderness at the top of our planet. It's a dynamic, rapidly changing environment that holds vital clues about our Earth's climatic future. 



The research led by Annabel Payne is an essential piece of the puzzle, shedding light on the complexities of Arctic ocean currents and the impacts of Arctic warming.



As we continue to uncover the mysteries of the Arctic, we empower ourselves with knowledge. In understanding the patterns of the past, we can predict and potentially mitigate the pressing challenges of our future, continuing our fight to comprehend and protect our incredible, dynamic planet.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://phys.org/journals/journal-of-geophysical-research-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans</a>.



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Arctic ocean is warming four times faster than the global average

The Arctic Ocean occupies the top of our planet, forming...

“Climate change” is no longer a distant concept; it's an ongoing reality with tangible consequences. A manifestation of this can be seen in marine heatwaves that are altering the traditional coastal safe havens, making survival difficult for young Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cod-population-hit-hard-by-heat-waves-nbsp">Cod population hit hard by heat waves &nbsp;</h2>



With a focus on the marine heat waves in 2014-16 and 2019, researchers have discovered that young Pacific cod, who have traditionally found safety around Kodiak Island, no longer enjoy the defenses these near-shore nurseries used to offer.&nbsp;



Instead, they're undergoing significant alterations in their abundance, growth rates, and diet. It's estimated that only the top 15 to 25 percent of Kodiak Island's cod population with the largest size endured the summer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heat-waves-are-persisting-in-the-u-s-even-in-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat waves</a>. 



Even as temperatures recede, these cod are still struggling to return to their pre-heat wave size and diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unreliable-safe-havens-nbsp">Unreliable safe havens&nbsp;</h2>



Study lead author Hillary Thalmann is a graduate student in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences at <a href="https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a>. 



“These coastal habitats aren’t supporting fish in the same way that they used to as a result of marine heat waves,” said Thalmann.



“That’s a novel finding, because we don’t always look at the nurseries as a place where size-selective mortality could be occurring rapidly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-of-climate-change-nbsp">Ripple effects of climate change&nbsp;</h2>



The evidence gathered from these observations could potentially have widespread implications for marine fish populations across the globe, as climate change causes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heatwaves-are-causing-massive-seabird-mortality-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine heatwaves</a> to become lengthier and more frequent. 



The Pacific cod, a favorite choice for fish and chips, is the second-largest commercial groundfish fishery off the coast of Alaska.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-struggles-of-the-pacific-cod">Struggles of the Pacific cod</h2>



The coastal nurseries traditionally act as safe havens for young Pacific cod, who begin feeding and growing in these areas from around three months of age.&nbsp;



However, the heatwaves recorded water temperatures of 58 degrees Fahrenheit, nearly 6 degrees above normal, making survival a challenge. These two heatwaves are considered the most extreme warming events in the Northeast Pacific Ocean's records.&nbsp;



The impact on the cod population was so severe that the fishery had to close in 2020, leading to a federal disaster declaration in 2022.



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



In this study, the focus was on the physiological disruptions that young cod faced while inhabiting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-are-not-immune-to-ocean-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal nurseries</a>. 



To investigate, the researchers analyzed juvenile Pacific cod collected from 16 sites around Kodiak Island during the summers of 2006-2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size-selective-mortality-of-pacific-cod">Size-selective mortality of Pacific cod</h2>



The analysis of the samples revealed that the August fish were 30% larger than the projected size based on the July growth rate, with almost no small fish present in the August sample.&nbsp;



The only viable explanation for this was to consider only the top 15-25% of the July sample and project their growth to August. It's probable that the size-selective mortality was a significant factor in what the researchers witnessed.



“If we removed the little guys and grew the big guys - the top 15-25% - through to August based on the growth rates we saw earlier in the summer, then we got the size range that we see in those heat wave years,” noted Thalmann.&nbsp;



“It’s important to show that with heat events like this, size-selective mortality can continue in the cod population beyond just their early life in the open water.”



“We saw these differences in size in the nursery, and we tried to explain them with growth rates and tried to explain them with diet, but we couldn’t explain it all.”



“There was something out there, probably size-selective mortality, that was the major driver for what we were seeing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cautionary-tale-for-climate-change-nbsp">Cautionary tale for climate change&nbsp;</h2>



Changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frequent-heatwaves-have-become-the-norm-in-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean conditions</a> may result in Pacific cod moving further north to find suitable growth environments, or there may be a shift towards larger cod being the sole survivors who pass on their genetic information. 



“If the marine heat waves continue, there will probably be some changes in both the distribution and the quality of these populations,” said Thalmann. “I don’t think it’s the end of fish and chips, but I do think it’s a cautionary tale for climate change and the shifting dynamics of fisheries in warm temperatures.”



The study was a collaboration with co-authors Zoe Almeida, Kaitlyn Osborne, Kaylee Marshall, and Jessica Miller at the Oregon State University, and Benjamin Laurel at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Centre in Newport, Oregon.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63897-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Coastal safe havens may no longer protect Pacific cod

“Climate change” is no longer a distant concept; it's an...

A,Glacial,Rivers,From,Above.,Aerial,Photograph,Of,The,River

Imagine stepping into a time machine and traveling back 34 million years. As you step out, you find yourself not on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-shattered-extreme-cold-records-during-global-heat-wave/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continent of ice and snow</a>, but in a lush, temperate landscape crisscrossed by mighty rivers. Welcome to ancient Antarctica, a land that time forgot – until now.



Recent research by a global team of earth scientists found compelling evidence of an ancient, expansive river network that once traversed Antarctica. 



This discovery is reshaping our understanding of the continent's past and providing a glimpse into a previously unknown era of Earth's history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lost-rivers-of-ancient-antarctica">Lost rivers of ancient Antarctica</h2>



Today, Antarctica is synonymous with a frigid, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-ice-shelves-melting-faster-due-to-ocean-currents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice-blanketed terrain</a>, home to hardy penguin colonies and a hub for scientific exploration. 



However, this new finding suggests a dramatically different prehistoric landscape. Yet, it turns out that this frozen continent conceals secrets that are currently surfacing.



"The existence of such a transcontinental river system shows that – unlike today – large parts of West Antarctica must have been located above sea level as extensive, flat coastal plains," explains Professor Cornelia Spiegel from the <a href="https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bremen</a>. 



This statement paints a contrasting image of Antarctica as we know it today, allowing us to envision an Amazon basin or Mississippi delta-like landscape, teeming with life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strolling-through-gondwana">Strolling through Gondwana</h2>



To comprehend how Antarctica harbored such an enormous river system, we must journey back in time almost 100 million years. 



Back then, Antarctica wasn't the isolated continent we are familiar with today but was the centerpiece of a supercontinent known as Gondwana.



Gondwana was a geological enigma consisting mostly of today's Southern Hemisphere landmasses. The placement of Antarctica at Gondwana's heart played a crucial role in shaping its geographic features and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-circumpolar-current-speed-increasing-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climatic conditions</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rivers-of-antarctica-a-forgotten-tale">Rivers of Antarctica: A forgotten tale</h2>



With the gradual splitting of Gondwana, Antarctica began its voyage towards the south. Despite being polar in positioning, the continent nurtured its temperate climate for millions of years, leading to the formation of prolific river systems. 



The latest discovery suggests that the largest of these river systems stretched over 1,500 kilometers across the continent – roughly equivalent to the distance from New York to Dallas.



The question arises - how did scientists uncover this vast extinct river system? 



The answer lies in the analysis of sediment samples collected during an expedition on the research icebreaker Polarstern. These sediment samples were the key to unlocking the mysteries of Antarctica's past. 



Upon examining the mineral and rock fragments in the sediments, the researchers unraveled that most of the material originated not from West Antarctica but from the distant Transantarctic Mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctica-s-geological-divide">Antarctica’s geological divide</h2>



The Transantarctic Mountains play a pivotal part in this geological narrative. These mountains have been rising since the late Eocene epoch, about 34 million years ago, thereby dividing the Antarctic continent into eastern and western regions. 



As these mountains ascended, they underwent erosion, leading to the genesis of a vast sediment reserve, which was then transported across the continent by the river system and deposited in the current-day Amundsen Sea.



This study's most astonishing finding reveals the dramatic transformation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birth-of-an-iceberg-a-83-breaks-free-from-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Antarctica's topography</a>. 



While today this region lies largely below sea level, hidden beneath massive ice sheets, it presented a vastly different landscape at the close of the Eocene epoch.



Though focused on ancient geological events, this research offers valuable perspectives on contemporary climate dynamics. 



The swift transition from a temperate, river-rich Antarctica to the ice-covered continent we know today underscores the potential for rapid and significant environmental changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-earth-s-historical-record">Redefining Earth's historical record</h2>



In summary, this study fills crucial knowledge gaps and transforms our comprehension of Antarctica's history. 



As we delve deeper into Earth's past, we may uncover more important secrets hidden in its geological record.



Antarctica's journey from a landscape etched with rivers to its current icy expanse exemplifies our planet's dynamic nature. 



Facing an uncertain climatic future, these insights into Earth's past may provide crucial guidance for understanding and addressing the changes ahead.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/toc/sciadv/current" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Antarctica was once home to vast river systems traversing the continent

Imagine stepping into a time machine and traveling back 34...

Imagine Antarctica. You're probably visualizing vast, pristine landscapes of endless snow and frost. But as you read this, an unseen threat might be quietly destabilizing the continent's icy terrain.&nbsp;



Globally, scientists have been keeping a close eye on Antarctica, particularly its ice shelves' condition. And they just highlighted something alarming - there's double the previously estimated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-shelves-are-fracturing-from-meltwater-weight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volume</a> of meltwater present.&nbsp;



This meltwater is largely composed of “slush,” or water-drenched snow, that blankets over half of Antarctica's ice shelves during summer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-the-ice-shelves">Decoding the ice shelves</h2>



Interestingly, this discovery wasn't the result of a physical expedition but spawned from an innovative union of science and artificial intelligence.&nbsp;



Though ice shelves' surfaces accumulate water during the summer months, spotting this slush-filled meltwater has proved challenging.&nbsp;



"We can use satellite imagery to map meltwater lakes across much of Antarctica, but it's hard to map slush because it looks like other things, such as shadows from clouds, when viewed from a satellite,” said study lead author Rebecca Dell from the <a href="https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scott Polar Research Institute</a> (SPRI) at the University of Cambridge.



But artificial intelligence presented effective solutions to this tricky problem. Utilizing the optical data from NASA's Landsat 8 satellite and training a machine learning model to work with more light wavelengths than the human eye can perceive, the researchers successfully generated monthly records of slush and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-sheets-can-retreat-much-faster-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meltwater</a> lakes across 57 Antarctic ice shelves from 2013 to 2021.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-silent-struggle-of-the-ice-shelves">Silent struggle of the ice shelves</h2>



Why is this discovery so significant? Well, it lies in the intricate dance of ice, slush, and water. The researchers discovered that in January, at the height of the Antarctic summer, over half (57%) of all meltwater on Antarctica's ice shelves exists as slush.&nbsp;



“This slush has never been mapped on a large scale across all of Antarctica’s large ice shelves, so over half of all surface meltwater has been ignored until now,” noted Dell. “This is potentially significant for the hydrofracture process, where the weight of meltwater can create or enlarge fractures in the ice.”



The fractures can destabilize the continent's surrounding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-shelves-are-much-thinner-than-previously-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice shelves</a>. As climate changes lead to increased melting, this meltwater - whether in lakes or slush form - can seep into ice cracks, expanding them.&nbsp;



This can trigger fractures and the collapse of ice shelves, accelerating inland glacier ice flow into the ocean and contributing to sea level rise.



“Since slush is more solid than meltwater, it won’t cause hydrofracture in the same way that water from a lake does, but it’s definitely something we need to consider when attempting to predict how or whether ice shelves will collapse,” said study co-author Ian Willis, a scientist at SPRI.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-melting-models-are-we-missing-something">Melting models: Are we missing something?</h2>



Aside from hydrofracture, slush also severely impacts melt rates. As darker and less reflective surfaces, slush and lakes absorb more heat than snow or ice, causing increased snowmelt.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, these factors are not currently represented in climate models, which could lead to underestimating ice sheet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-sheet-fracture-sets-a-speed-record-in-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting</a> and ice shelf stability.



“I was surprised that this meltwater was so poorly accounted for in climate models,” said Dell. “Our job as scientists is to reduce uncertainty, so we always want to improve our models so they are as accurate as possible.”



“In the future, it’s likely that places in Antarctica that currently don’t have any water or slush will start to change. As the climate continues to warm, more melting will occur, which could have implications for ice stability and sea level rise,” said Willis.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01466-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Hidden threat lurking in Antarctica's ice shelves

Imagine Antarctica. You're probably visualizing vast, pristine landscapes of endless...

A doubling of atmospheric CO2 could significantly increase Earth's average temperature by 7 to 14 degrees Celsius, according to a study led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.nioz.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research</a> (NIOZ) and the Universities of <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht</a> and <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bristol</a>.&nbsp;



These findings contrast sharply with the 2.3 to 4.5 degrees predicted by the <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> (IPCC).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invaluable-resource-for-the-study">Invaluable resource for the study</h2>



The researchers used a 45-year-old drill core from the Pacific Ocean floor to gather their data. The core preserved organic matter due to the lack of oxygen, making it an invaluable source for studying historical climate conditions.&nbsp;



“I realized that this core is very attractive for researchers, because the ocean floor at that spot has had oxygen-free conditions for many millions of years,” said senior author Jaap Sinninghe Damsté, a scientist at NIOZ and professor of organic geochemistry at Utrecht.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-15-million-years-of-co2-levels-nbsp">15 million years of CO2 levels&nbsp;</h2>



The experts were able to construct a unique time series of CO2 levels over the past 15 million years from a single location, a feat that had not been achieved before.&nbsp;



They used the TEX86 method to determine past seawater temperatures, a technique developed at NIOZ 20 years ago that analyzes the chemical composition of archaea membrane lipids.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-atmospheric-co2-concentrations">Past atmospheric CO2 concentrations</h2>



Additionally, they developed a new method to estimate past atmospheric CO2 concentrations using the chemical signatures of chlorophyll and cholesterol from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crust-forming-algae-have-the-potential-to-dominate-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a>. This approach is the first to use cholesterol for quantitative CO2 estimates and to apply chlorophyll data to this time period.&nbsp;



The algae’s preference for the carbon isotope 12C over 13C under varying CO2 levels allowed researchers to infer historical CO2 concentrations.



“The lower the CO2 concentration in the water, the more algae will also use the rare 13C. Thus, the 13C content of these two substances is a measure of the CO2 content of the ocean water,” Damsté explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-atmospheric-co2-concentrations">Future atmospheric CO2 concentrations</h2>



The study revealed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2 levels</a> decreased from about 650 parts per million 15 million years ago to 280 parts per million just before the industrial revolution. Plotting these CO2 levels against corresponding temperatures showed a stronger relationship than previously recognized.



“So, this research gives us a glimpse of what the future could hold if we take too few measures to reduce CO2 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-emissions-reduction-20-percent-possible-only-2-percent-economic-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a> and also implement few technological innovations to offset emissions,” said Damsté.



“The clear warning from this research is: CO2 concentration is likely to have a stronger impact on temperature than we are currently taking into account!”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-contributing-to-atmospheric-co2-nbsp">Factors contributing to atmospheric CO2&nbsp;</h2>



Atmospheric CO2 levels are influenced by a combination of natural processes and human activities.&nbsp;



Natural processes include the carbon cycle, where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-reveals-that-co2-is-rising-at-the-fastest-rate-in-50000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> is exchanged between the atmosphere, oceans, and land.&nbsp;



Photosynthesis by plants and phytoplankton absorbs CO2, while respiration and decomposition release it. Volcanic eruptions also contribute to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wonder-material-can-extract-value-from-captured-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> levels.&nbsp;



Human activities have a significant impact, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases large amounts of CO2.&nbsp;



Deforestation reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO2, further increasing atmospheric levels.&nbsp;



Industrial processes, such as cement production, also release CO2. Additionally, land use changes and agricultural practices can affect soil carbon storage and methane emissions, indirectly influencing CO2 levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-rising-temperatures">Consequences of rising temperatures</h2>



Rising temperatures have far-reaching consequences for the planet. One significant impact is the alteration of weather patterns, leading to more frequent and severe weather events such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall. 



These changes can result in increased flooding, droughts, and other natural disasters, which disrupt ecosystems and human communities.



The warming climate also affects the natural habitats of many species, causing shifts in their geographical ranges and threatening biodiversity. Many species may face extinction if they cannot adapt quickly enough or migrate to suitable environments.&nbsp;



Additionally, warmer temperatures contribute to the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, leading to rising sea levels. This threatens coastal communities with flooding and erosion, potentially displacing millions of people and affecting freshwater supplies.



Agricultural productivity is also impacted by rising temperatures. Heat stress can reduce crop yields and affect the quality of produce, posing challenges to food security. In regions already vulnerable to food shortages, this can exacerbate malnutrition and poverty.&nbsp;



Furthermore, warmer temperatures can increase the prevalence of pests and diseases that affect both plants and livestock, further straining agricultural systems.



Human health is directly affected by rising temperatures. Increased heat can lead to heat-related illnesses and deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with preexisting health conditions. 



Higher temperatures can also exacerbate air quality issues, contributing to respiratory problems and other health concerns.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47676-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Atmospheric CO2 could push temperatures much higher than expected

A doubling of atmospheric CO2 could significantly increase Earth's average...

Astronomers have recently discovered an asteroid that tags along with our planet during its annual journey around the sun. Dubbed 2023 FW13, this asteroid is considered by experts to be a “quasi-moon” or “quasi-satellite.” 



The asteroid was given this classification because it orbits the sun in a similar time frame as the Earth does. However, it is only slightly influenced by our planet’s gravitational pull.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asteroid-2023-fw13">Asteroid 2023 FW13</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-will-crash-a-spacecraft-into-an-asteroid-tomorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroid</a> measures only 50 feet (15 meters) in diameter. It is located at a distance of about nine million miles (14 million kilometers) from the Earth. 



2023 FW13 was first spotted on March 28, 2023 by the <a href="http://www2.ifa.hawaii.edu/research/Pan-STARRS.shtml">Pan-STARRS</a> survey telescope. This telescope is located on the top of Haleakalā, a dormant volcano on the Hawaiian Island of Maui.&nbsp;



Soon after, its presence in the Earth’s vicinity was confirmed by the <a href="https://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/">Canada-France-Hawaii telescope</a> and two observatories in Arizona (the <a href="https://kpno.noirlab.edu/">Kitt Peak National Observatory</a> and <a href="https://skycenter.arizona.edu/content/visit-skycenter">Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter</a>). 



On April 1, it was officially listed by the <a href="https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/mpc.html">Minor Planet Center</a> at the International Astronomical Union. This is an organization responsible for designating new planets, moons, and other astronomical objects in our solar system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-classifying-2023-fw13-as-a-quasi-moon">Classifying 2023 FW13 as a quasi-moon</h2>



This news caught the attention of journalist and astronomer Adrien Coffinet, who used an orbit simulator developed by amateur astronomer Tony Dunn to map the asteroid’s path. 



The model showed that 2023 FW13 travels around the sun in the same amount of time the Earth does. However, it also circles around our planet. This led Coffinet to classify it as a “quasi-moon.”&nbsp;



However, as Alan Harris – a senior research scientist at the <a href="https://www.spacescience.org/index.php">Space Science Institute</a> in Boulder, Colorado – stresses, since the Earth plays essentially no role in the asteroid’s motion, its classification as a “quasi-satellite” may be a bit far-fetched.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-our-cosmic-companion-nbsp">Our cosmic companion&nbsp;</h2>



Regardless of its classification, 2023 FW13 seems to have been our planet’s cosmic companion since at least 100 BCE. It will most likely continue to follow the Earth in its orbit around the sun until around 3,700 CE. “It seems to be the longest quasi-satellite of Earth known to date,” Coffinet said.



Fortunately, despite hovering relatively close to our planet, this asteroid is unlikely to be on a collision course with the Earth. “The good news is, such an orbit doesn’t result in an impacting trajectory ‘out of the blue,’” Harris said.



According to Richard Binzel, an astronomer at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT), astronomical objects such as this one could act as “stepping stones” to Mars. 



This means that spacecraft could soon access them due to their relatively low velocity. Their near-match to the Earth's orbit causes their speed.



A space mission trying to reach such asteroids “makes sense as a way to practice deep-space missions. Committing a crew and hardware to a longer mission to Mars needs practice. It’s a shakedown cruise,” Binzel concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-quasi-moon">What is a quasi-moon?</h2>



A quasi-moon refers to a celestial object that, while not directly orbiting a planet, nonetheless shares a similar orbital path and maintains a steady, if not strict, relative position to that planet. 



Unlike true <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/man-in-the-moon-craters-are-200-million-years-older-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moons</a>, which maintain a relatively consistent distance from their planet, quasi-moons may travel in complex paths relative to the planet. This is due to the combined gravitational influences of the planet and the Sun.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Orbital characteristics</h3>



Quasi-moons undertake a horseshoe or tadpole-like orbit. This means they are observed to move ahead of or behind a planet in its orbit around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-water-older-sun/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Sun</a>. 



This unusual orbit occurs because the gravitational pull between the quasi-moon, the planet, and the Sun creates a complex dynamic. This leads to a delicate balance in the trajectory of the quasi-moon.



When quasi-moons move ahead of the planet in its orbit, they gradually slow down and eventually fall behind, due to the planet's gravitational influence. 



Similarly, when they fall behind, they eventually speed up and move ahead. This constant shifting creates a horseshoe shape when viewed from a fixed point in space, while the orbits appear as tadpole shapes when viewed from the perspective of the planet.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Known quasi-moons</h3>



Earth has two recognized quasi-moon. The first one discovered is named <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/lagrangian-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3753 Cruithne</a>. 



First-observed in 1986, Cruithne is about 5 kilometers in diameter and takes approximately 770 years to complete one horseshoe-shaped orbit around the Earth. 



Although it shares an orbital period with Earth, it is not considered a true moon due to its complex, non-elliptical orbit.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Observation and research</h3>



Quasi-moons present unique research opportunities for scientists. Their distinctive orbits make them ideal for studying the intricacies of celestial mechanics and gravitational influences. 



Additionally, their proximity to their parent planets may also offer insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems.



In the future, quasi-moons may also serve as stepping stones for space exploration. Missions to quasi-moons could provide valuable information about these celestial bodies and pave the way for further exploration of the solar system.



In summary, quasi-moons, though not true moons, play an important role in our understanding of the solar system. 



Their distinctive orbits and interactions with their parent planets provide a wealth of information about gravitational dynamics and planetary system formation. As we continue to explore the cosmos, these celestial bodies will undoubtedly remain objects of great interest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More about asteroids</h2>



Often described as minor planets or planetoids, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-asteroid-to-strike-earth-was-up-to-15-miles-long/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroids</a> are rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. 



These celestial bodies mainly populate the Asteroid Belt, a region of space situated between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Characteristics</h3>



Asteroids vary greatly in size, from tiny specks of dust to large bodies nearly 1000 kilometers in diameter. These celestial objects often have irregular shapes, particularly the smaller ones, while some larger asteroids may have a more spherical shape.



Unlike planets, asteroids do not have a structured layered system. They consist of different kinds of rocks and metals with no atmospheric covering. 



Some asteroids have moons, and there are even binary (double) systems where two asteroids of similar size orbit each other.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Classification</h3>



Asteroids divide into three primary classes based on their composition: C-type (carbonaceous) asteroids, S-type (silicate) asteroids, and M-type (metallic) asteroids. C-type asteroids, the most common kind, have a dark, carbon-rich surface. 



S-type asteroids, mainly composed of stony materials and nickel-iron, are slightly brighter. M-type asteroids are metallic (nickel-iron). The diverse composition of asteroids offers valuable insights into the early solar system's makeup and history.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Asteroid Belt</h3>



The Asteroid Belt, located between Mars and Jupiter, hosts most of the asteroids in our solar system. The belt likely contains millions of asteroids, ranging widely in size. 



Despite the large number of these objects, their wide spread across the vastness of space makes a spacecraft's chance of a collision relatively low.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Asteroids and Earth</h3>



While most asteroids remain in the Asteroid Belt, some do make their way closer to Earth. These are known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/near-earth-asteroid-may-actually-be-a-miniature-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs)</a>. 



Scientists <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-protect-earth-major-asteroid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monitor these NEAs</a> closely due to the potential risk they pose. Historical evidence suggests that asteroid impacts have significantly affected Earth's ecosystem, including a leading theory that an asteroid impact led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Research and exploration</h3>



Studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/near-earth-asteroid-may-actually-be-a-miniature-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroids</a> has become a major focus of modern space exploration. These old celestial bodies provide information about the solar system's history, potentially contributing to our understanding of the origin of life. 



NASA and other international space agencies have sent several missions to investigate asteroids, including the notable <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/osiris-rex-will-soon-bid-farewell-to-asteroid-bennu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OSIRIS-REx</a> and <a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/hayabusa-2/in-depth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hayabusa2</a> missions, which aimed to retrieve samples from asteroids and return them to Earth for study.



In summary, asteroids, the rocky remnants from the solar system's formation, offer a window into the past. Their diverse compositions and locations provide vital clues about the early solar system and the materials that contributed to planet formation. 



As our exploration capabilities continue to grow, our understanding of these intriguing celestial objects will undoubtedly expand.



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Earth's new 'quasi-moon' will stick around for thousands of years

Astronomers have recently discovered an asteroid that tags along with...

Ice sheets, the massive frozen expanses covering Antarctica, are harboring a hidden threat beneath their surface. Recent research has uncovered a new tipping point in the melting of these colossal ice formations, potentially leading to more rapid sea level rise than previously anticipated.



The discovery could revolutionize our understanding of global warming's impact on coastal areas worldwide.



The study, conducted by scientists at the British Antarctic Survey (<a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BAS</a>), sheds light on a critical process that current climate models have overlooked.



"We have identified the possibility of a new tipping-point in Antarctic ice sheet melting. This means our projections of sea level rise might be significant underestimates," said Dr. Alex Bradley, an ice dynamics researcher at BAS and lead author of the paper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-sheet-dynamics-the-grounding-zone">Ice sheet dynamics: The grounding zone</h2>



The research focuses on a crucial area beneath ice sheets known as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/petermann-glacier-melting-has-tripled-due-to-warm-ocean-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grounding zone</a>. This is where land-based ice meets the sea, initiating a slow but steady process of ice movement into the surrounding ocean. Over time, this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/this-natural-process-is-making-antarcticas-ice-melt-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice melts</a>, contributing significantly to global sea level rise.



What makes this study particularly noteworthy is its novel approach to modeling how seawater interacts with the ice sheet at this critical juncture. 



The researchers examined how water seeps between the land and the ice sheet, affecting localized melting and potentially lubricating the bed. This lubrication could dramatically influence the speed at which ice slides towards the sea.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-changes-big-consequences">Small changes, big consequences</h2>



"Ice sheets are very sensitive to melting in their grounding zones. We find that grounding zone melting displays a 'tipping point like' behavior, where a very small change in ocean temperature can cause a very big increase in grounding zone melting, which would lead to a very big change in flow of the ice above it," explained Dr. Bradley.



This tipping point occurs due to a feedback loop: as warm water melts the ice in the grounding zone, it creates new cavities. 



These cavities allow more warm water to enter, leading to further melting and larger cavities. The process snowballs, with even small temperature increases potentially causing dramatic changes in melting rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-ice-sheet-models">Improving ice sheet models</h2>



Perhaps most concerning is that this newly discovered process is not currently accounted for in the models used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/">IPCC</a>) and other leading climate research organizations.



This oversight may explain why ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland appear to be shrinking faster than expected.



Dr. Bradley and his team are now working to incorporate these findings into existing models. "This is missing physics, which isn't in our ice sheet models. They don't have the ability to simulate melting beneath grounded ice, which we think is happening. We're working on putting that into our models now."



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



The implications of this research extend far beyond the realm of scientific inquiry. As our understanding of ice sheet dynamics improves, so too must our preparations for the future. 



Coastal communities worldwide may need to reassess their adaptation strategies in light of potentially accelerated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-of-a-greener-greenland-reveals-shocking-reality-of-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level rise</a>.



By incorporating this new tipping point into climate models, researchers hope to provide more accurate projections. This enhanced accuracy could prove crucial for policymakers and urban planners as they work to protect vulnerable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-cost-coastal-cities-over-1-trillion-in-damages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal areas</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-race-against-ice-sheet-melt">The race against ice sheet melt</h2>



The warming of our planet has intensified the urgency to understand and mitigate climate change impacts. This groundbreaking study highlights the intricate and often concealed processes shaping Earth's ice sheets.



While the newly discovered tipping point is concerning, it also presents an opportunity for scientific advancement. By refining our models and deepening our comprehension of ice sheet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/west-antarctic-ice-sheet-melting-will-accelerate-regardless-of-climate-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamics</a>, we can enhance our preparedness for future challenges.



As climate change realities unfold, this knowledge becomes crucial. It will guide the development of robust, adaptive strategies for coastal communities worldwide, helping them navigate the uncertainties of rising sea levels.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01465-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Antarctic ice sheet melting: New tipping point discovered

Ice sheets, the massive frozen expanses covering Antarctica, are harboring...

Iceland, known for its breathtaking landscapes and geothermal wonders, is facing a new era of volcanic activity that could reshape its southwestern region for years to come.



Recent research suggests that the ongoing eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula may continue intermittently for decades, posing significant challenges to the country's most populated area and critical infrastructure.



A team of international scientists, including researchers from the <a href="https://www.uoregon.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oregon</a>, Uppsala University in Sweden, University of Iceland, <a href="https://www.avcr.cz/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Czech Academy of Sciences</a>, and UC San Diego, published their findings in the journal Terra Nova on June 26.



The study builds upon earlier research published in Nature Communications that examined the initial Reykjanes eruptions in 2021.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-reykjanes-peninsula-awakens">The Reykjanes Peninsula awakens</h2>



The Reykjanes Peninsula, home to 70% of Iceland's population, its only international airport, and several vital geothermal power plants, had been dormant for 800 years. 



However, since 2021, the region has experienced a series of eight eruptions, forcing authorities to declare a state of emergency and evacuate residents and tourists multiple times.



"Almost all of Iceland's island is built from lava," noted Professor Ilya Bindeman, a volcanologist involved in the study.



Binderman explained that Iceland's unique position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-volcanic-events-linked-to-the-slowing-of-tectonic-plates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tectonic plates</a> are drifting apart, is the primary cause of its volcanic activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-magma-mystery">Unraveling the magma mystery</h2>



To understand the nature and potential duration of Iceland's eruptions, the researchers employed advanced techniques to analyze the magma's composition and origin.



Bindeman, specializing in isotopic analysis, described the process: "In the air we breathe, there's a mixture of these oxygen isotopes and we don't feel the difference. Their differences are usually not important for chemical reactions but are important to recognize as their relative abundances in magma can differentiate one magma source from another."



By examining lava rock samples from different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-captures-eruption-of-icelands-svartsengi-volcano-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanoes</a> on the peninsula, the team discovered similar "fingerprints," suggesting a shared magma storage zone beneath the region. 



Seismic imaging further supported this theory, revealing a reservoir about 5.5 to 7.5 miles deep in the Earth's crust.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-nature-of-iceland-s-eruptions">Unique nature of Iceland's eruptions </h2>



The unique nature of Iceland's eruptions provides scientists with a rare opportunity to study active volcanic processes up close. Bindeman described the experience as both "astonishing and chilling."



"When you witness a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underwater-volcanic-eruptions-are-more-harmful-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic eruption</a>, you can feel that these are the massive forces of nature, and you yourself are very small," he said. "These events are ordinary from the geological scale, but from the human scale, they can be devastating."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-the-unpredictable">Predicting the unpredictable</h2>



While the research offers valuable insights into the current <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-enhances-predictions-on-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic activity</a>, precise predictions remain challenging.



Bindeman emphasized the inherent irregularity of natural phenomena. "Nature is never regular. We don't know how long and how frequently it will continue for the next ten or even hundred years. A pattern will emerge, but nature always has exceptions and irregularities."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-to-a-new-volcanic-reality">Adapting to a new volcanic reality</h2>



As Iceland faces this new chapter in its geological history, communities and authorities must prepare for potential long-term disruptions. 



The recurring eruptions threaten economic stability and force evacuated residents to face uncertain futures.



Scientists are now discussing plans to safely drill into the volcanic sites, hoping to gain deeper insights into the geological processes driving these eruptions. 



This research could prove crucial in developing better prediction models and mitigation strategies for the years to come.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iceland-s-fiery-future-of-eruptions">Iceland's fiery future of eruptions </h2>



As Iceland's volcanic landscape continues to evolve, the world watches with a mix of awe and concern.



The Reykjanes Peninsula's awakening serves as a powerful reminder of our planet's dynamic nature and the need for resilience in the face of geological change.



"Our findings are important in light of the threat to human settlements and vital infrastructure from volcanic activity as there is a need for an improved understanding of the magma supply system that feeds the ongoing eruptive events," noted the study authors.



While challenges lie ahead, this unprecedented event also offers a unique opportunity for scientific discovery and a deeper understanding of Earth's powerful forces.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ter.12733" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terra Nova</a>.



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Iceland's volcanic eruptions may continue for decades

Iceland, known for its breathtaking landscapes and geothermal wonders, is...

Human-caused mass extinctions can be prevented if we take action now, according to an international coalition of ecologists and conservationists.&nbsp;



In a new study published in the  journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsci.2024.1349350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Science</a>, the experts identified crucial biodiversity hotspots that house rare wildlife and outlined an achievable plan to protect endangered species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safeguarding-the-last-wilderness-areas-nbsp">Safeguarding the last wilderness areas&nbsp;</h2>



Incorporating these “Conservation Imperatives" into the 30 by 30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the Earth’s surface by 2030, could safeguard the world's last wilderness areas and maintain essential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>.



The article, authored by representatives from 20 organizations including the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of East Anglia</a> (UEA) in the UK, shows that preserving Earth's remaining biodiversity requires conserving just a small percentage of the planet's surface. 



This plan would help save the most endangered species from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-building-triggered-a-mass-extinction-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction</a>, securing Earth’s wildlife for future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-the-sixth-mass-extinction-nbsp">Preventing the sixth mass extinction&nbsp;</h2>



“Most species on Earth are rare, meaning that species either have very narrow ranges or they occur at very low densities or both,” said lead author Eric Dinerstein, a scientist at the NGO <a href="https://www.resolve.ngo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Resolve</a>. 



“And rarity is very concentrated. In our study, zooming in on this rarity, we found that we need only about 1.2% of the Earth’s surface to head off the sixth great extinction of life on Earth.”



“There is a dwindling window of opportunity to protect what is left of the wild across Earth's ecoregions,” added co-author Carlos Peres, a professor of conservation ecology at UEA.&nbsp;



“Our analysis shows that setting aside a critical threshold of only 1.2% of all terrestrial areas - identified as nearly 17,000 sites - to ensure the persistence of endemic, threatened, and rare species is a financially viable proposition, but I'm afraid this viability will rapidly decline over time.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remaining-habitats-for-rare-species">Remaining habitats for rare species</h2>



Between 2018 and 2023, an additional 1.2 million square kilometers of land were protected.&nbsp;



However, Dinerstein and his colleagues estimated that this expansion only included 0.11 million square kilometers with range-limited and threatened species. Effective planning for protected areas is essential to ensure resources are used effectively.



The scientists used six layers of global biodiversity data to map the entire world. By combining these layers with maps of existing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protected-areas-are-failing-to-safeguard-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected areas</a> and a fractional land cover analysis, they identified remaining habitats for rare and threatened species. 



This enabled them to pinpoint the most critical, currently unprotected biodiversity areas, termed Conservation Imperatives, which serve as a global blueprint for local-level conservation planning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-sites-to-prevent-mass-extinctions">Key sites to prevent mass extinctions</h2>



Protecting these 16,825 sites, covering approximately 164 million hectares, could prevent all predicted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extinction-crisis-entire-branches-of-earths-tree-of-life-are-vanishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinctions</a>. 



Moreover, protecting the sites in the tropics alone could prevent most predicted extinctions. Some 38% of Conservation Imperatives are near already-protected areas, which could facilitate their integration into existing conservation zones.



“These sites are home to over 4,700 threatened species in some of the world's most biodiverse yet threatened ecosystems,” said co-author Andy Lee, a manager at Resolve.&nbsp;



“These include not only mammals and birds that rely on large intact habitats, like the tamaraw in the Philippines and the Celebes crested macaque in Sulawesi Indonesia, but also range-restricted amphibians and rare plant species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cost-of-avoiding-mass-extinctions">The cost of avoiding mass extinctions </h2>



The researchers estimated the cost of this protection using data from hundreds of land protection projects over 14 years, considering the type and amount of land and country-specific economic factors.&nbsp;



The figures are approximate, as various land purchase or long-term lease options might be suitable for protecting Conservation Imperatives.



Stakeholders worldwide, including indigenous peoples, communities with jurisdiction over Conservation Imperative sites, and other civil society members, will need to decide which options work best for them.



“Our analysis estimated that protecting the Conservation Imperatives in the tropics would cost approximately $34 billion per year over the next five years,” Lee said.&nbsp;



“This represents less than 0.2% of the United States' GDP, less than 9% of the annual subsidies benefiting the global fossil fuel industry, and a fraction of the revenue generated from the mining and agroforestry industries each year.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-earth-for-future-generations">Protecting Earth for future generations </h2>



Preserving wildlife is also crucial for addressing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-crisis-global-supply-chains-face-25-trillion-in-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate crisis</a>. Biodiversity conservation means protecting Earth's forest cover, which acts as a carbon sink. 



By conserving carbon-rich, wildlife-rich forested regions, we protect both threatened species and humans. Securing Conservation Imperatives is only the first critical step in this effort, as further actions are needed to address issues like poaching.



“What will we bequeath to future generations? A healthy, vibrant Earth is critical for us to pass on. So we’ve got to get going. We’ve got to head off the extinction crisis. Conservation Imperatives drive us to do that,” Dinerstein concluded.



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Mass extinctions can be prevented by protecting key sites

Human-caused mass extinctions can be prevented if we take action...

<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



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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



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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



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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



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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



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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



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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