Climate change reshapes where people live, altering both the desire and the ability to move. When heat waves, droughts, and floods strike, not everyone responds the same way. A study in&nbsp;Nature Communications&nbsp;shows that age and education strongly influence who migrates and who remains.



The research reveals a complex story: extreme weather pushes some groups to leave while trapping others in place. This challenges the image of mass waves of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-wins-in-2025-came-from-unexpected-places/">climate</a> refugees often evoked in debates.



Study lead author Hélène Benveniste is an assistant professor of environmental social sciences at the <a href="https://sustainability.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability</a>.



"Weather extremes can both incentivize people to move away and increase the number of people who don't have the ability to migrate," said Professor Benveniste.



"Our research shows that migration in response to weather, just like migration decisions in general, is highly dependent upon demographic characteristics."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-and-migration-patterns">Climate and migration patterns</h2>



Earlier research often gave mixed signals on whether women, men, or people with different education levels were more likely to migrate under extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-will-climate-change-hit-hardest-global-index-reveals-vulnerability/">weather</a>. 



By analyzing detailed global migration records, Benveniste and colleagues showed that these contradictions arise because responses vary sharply across demographics and local climates.



The team examined more than 125,000 cross-border cases and nearly half a million within-country moves. They categorized migrants by age, education, and sex, and then connected these groups to weather records like temperature and soil moisture. 



This approach revealed that migration is best understood not by how many move, but by who does.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trapped-and-cannot-migrate">Trapped and cannot migrate</h2>



The new model predicted migration up to 12 times better than previous approaches. Yet weather alone explained only a small fraction of migration, since economics, politics, and social ties also weigh heavily.



Still, striking demographic patterns emerged. Children under 15 were less likely to migrate following extreme heat. Older adults with little education, however, were more likely to leave, while highly educated adults showed little change.



"Our results indicate that many among those most likely to suffer from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-is-just-three-years-away-from-dangerous-carbon-milestone/">climate</a> change impacts will not be able to get out of harm's way," noted the researchers. 



This creates a "double penalty," where people with the fewest resources both struggle to adapt locally and lose migration as an option.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-climate-and-migration">Local climate and migration</h2>



Climate zones shape how weather influences moves within countries. In tropical regions, hotter days increased migration among educated adults but had little effect on those with less schooling. 



In arid regions, dry spells spurred moves especially among the least educated, while heavy rains or flooding also triggered departures.



The analysis highlights how vulnerability interacts with opportunity. Those reliant on agriculture, often with little education, may feel a strong push to leave during drought, yet lack the means to relocate across borders. Instead, they may move to nearby towns or cities when conditions deteriorate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-migrates-and-who-doesn-t">Who migrates and who doesn't </h2>



The study emphasizes that climate change will not necessarily unleash waves of migrants. Instead, it will reshape the composition of those who move. 



Projections suggest that by the end of the century, older adults with little education may migrate across borders at higher rates, while the youngest and least educated will migrate less.



This shift means that population averages mask the real story: dramatic differences between groups cancel each other out. Policies that only consider total migration numbers risk overlooking those most affected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-responses-to-long-term-changes">Responses to long-term changes</h2>



The researchers caution that responses to long-term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wealthy-elite-responsible-for-majority-of-global-climate-warming/">climate</a> change may differ from reactions to short-term weather. 



Communities may adapt with new crops or technologies, reducing the need to move. Yet if conditions outpace these adaptations, migration pressures could rise again.



Destination conditions also matter. High heat in receiving countries can discourage movement for some groups, while wetter conditions may attract others, especially educated adults. 



Household factors, such as whether people have children, further influence decisions, with parents often less likely to move.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-future-climate-shocks">Preparing for future climate shocks</h2>



Policymakers often prepare for large waves of climate refugees. But the evidence points to a subtler reality: climate change will alter who is able to move, while many vulnerable groups remain trapped.



"We hope that policymakers use these results as a basis to more squarely address the needs of different demographic groups," Benveniste said. "We need to answer the needs not just of the people who move, but also those who are moving less."



The science is clear: climate-driven migration is less about numbers and more about people. Understanding who moves, who stays, and why is key to preparing for a warmer, less predictable world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62969-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Climate shocks: Who migrates and who stays behind?

Climate change reshapes where people live, altering both the desire and the ability to move. When heat waves, droughts, and floods strike, not everyone responds the same way. A study in&nbsp;Nature Communications&nbsp;shows that age and education strongly influence who migrates and who remains. The research reveals a complex story: extreme weather pushes some groups to leave while trapping others in place. This challenges the image of mass waves of climate refugees often evoked in debates. Study lead author Hélène Benveniste is an assistant professor of environmental social...

Hollywood once spun a wild yarn about “Cocaine Bear,” a hapless black bear that gorged itself on lost narcotics. It turns out the plot has a saltwater sequel. In coastal Brazil, “cocaine sharks” - petite Brazilian sharpnose sharks - are cruising through drug-laden surf, minding their own business - and absorbing far more than sunshine.



The tale sounds like clickbait, yet it is anchored in hard numbers. Seawater sampled near the crowded <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Santos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Port of Santos</a> - Latin America’s busiest harbor - contained <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruit-flies-can-help-us-understand-cocaine-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cocaine concentrations</a> on par with caffeine. 



Those waters eventually lap against popular beaches only a few miles away. Juvenile sharks captured for study later returned chemical readings that would make any toxicologist wince. 



Sharks on cocaine? Believe it!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cocaine-small-sharks-big-questions">Cocaine, small sharks, big questions</h2>



Barely 20 inches from snout to tail, <a href="https://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/caribbean/en/thefishes/species/2694" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rhizoprionodon lalandii</a> hardly fits the image of a fearsome predator. These nimble hunters weigh less than a quart of milk yet punch above their size in local food webs. 



They became the focus of marine toxicologist Gabriel de Farias Araujo and ecotoxicologist Enrico Mendes Saggioro at Brazil’s <a href="https://www.ioc.fiocruz.br/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oswaldo Cruz Institute</a> after a late-night brainstorming session about invisible pollutants and overlooked species.



The researchers spent weeks prowling estuaries in small boats, setting gill nets at dawn and dusk when sharpnoses patrol the shallows. Thirteen juvenile and young adult sharks were taken back to the lab, packed in ice.



Chromatography showed every fish carried cocaine plus hefty doses of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzoylecgonine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">benzoylecgonine</a>, the drug’s chief metabolite. 



Levels dwarfed those seen in most aquatic surveys, pointing to chronic exposure rather than a one-off snort from floating contraband.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-drugs-pollute-ocean-waters">How drugs pollute ocean waters</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pharmaceutical-pollution-changes-the-behavior-of-atlantic-salmon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pharmaceutical pollution</a> is a worldwide headache, but Brazil faces an outsized share because it is a major transit hub for cocaine. 



Much of the drug winds up in wastewater after human use, slipping past treatment plants that were never designed to neutralize narcotics. In hot, crowded cities, a single facility may discharge millions of gallons of partially treated effluent each day.



Add in discarded bales tossed overboard by smugglers and residue from clandestine labs hidden along rivers, and the result is a steady trickle of cocaine into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mangroves-can-quickly-recover-carbon-lost-to-climate-extremes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mangroves and estuaries</a>. 



Tidal mixing and mangrove roots slow water flow, allowing chemicals to linger. By the time currents, wind, and rain have done their spreading, fish, crustaceans, and filter feeders are marinating in a diluted yet persistent cocktail.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-cocaine-does-underwater">What cocaine does underwater</h2>



Exactly how cocaine tweaks a shark’s physiology remains an open question, but parallel studies on other species offer troubling clues. 



Zebrafish embryos exposed to tiny doses show reduced cell vitality and greater DNA fragmentation, hinting at developmental risks. 



In European eels, swimming through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-cocaine-tricks-and-hijacks-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cocaine-tainted</a> water alters muscle performance and accelerates exhaustion, making long migrations harder.



Sharks may experience similar stress. Even subtle interference with neurotransmitters such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dopamine-and-serotonin-shape-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dopamine and serotonin</a> could blunt the electroreception they use to find prey. 



Over time, that handicap translates into slower growth and lower survival, eroding populations already pressured by overfishing and habitat loss.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loading-the-food-chain">Loading the food chain</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cocaine-use-detected-in-the-brains-of-17th-century-mummies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cocaine</a> is not picky about hosts. Once it slips into the water, it is readily absorbed by plankton and small invertebrates hovering at the base of the food web. 



Brazilian sharpnose sharks, prowling for sardines and shrimp, take in a double dose: the drug dissolved in seawater and the bolus stored in their prey.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cocaine-shark_benzoylecgonine_brazil-waters_infographic_credit-SOTE_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cocaine-shark_benzoylecgonine_brazil-waters_infographic_credit-SOTE_1s.webp" alt="How Brazil's sharpnose sharks, High seas: The surprising but true tale of Brazil’s ‘cocaine sharks’ - Rhizoprionodon lalandii, ingest cocaine. Credit: Oswaldo Cruz Institute" class="wp-image-1972758"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">How Brazil's sharpnose sharks, High seas: The surprising but true tale of Brazil’s ‘cocaine sharks’ - Rhizoprionodon lalandii, ingest cocaine. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Oswaldo Cruz Institute</figcaption></figure>



The study recorded tissue concentrations up to one hundred times higher than levels measured in other marine organisms. 



Such biomagnification means that apex predators - larger sharks, dolphins, even seabirds - could be accumulating unexpected pharmaceutical payloads without leaving obvious forensic clues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-wider-pollution-picture">The wider pollution picture</h2>



Cocaine is only one piece of a sprawling chemical mosaic. Researchers have spotted antidepressants in Great Lakes perch, epilepsy drugs in British river otters, and methamphetamines in Czech trout. 



Each compound nudges behavior and metabolism in its own way, yet they mingle in the same waterways and sometimes interact.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-ocean-warming-in-2024-is-a-warning-for-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warmer seas</a> driven by climate change add another wrinkle by speeding biochemical reactions and altering currents. 



Altered predator-prey dynamics, skewed reproductive cycles, and shifts in migration routes can ripple outward, reshaping entire ecosystems faster than regulators can adapt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-cocaine-away-from-sharks">Keeping cocaine away from sharks</h2>



Araujo and Saggioro argue that sharper monitoring is the first step toward relief. 



Upgrading wastewater plants with activated carbon filters, cracking down on illegal dumping, and tracing pollution hot spots with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/airborne-dna-can-track-wildlife-diseases-and-even-drugs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental DNA</a> surveys would help tighten the tap before drugs reach the open ocean.



Roughly one-third of shark and ray species already teeter on the edge because of overfishing. Pharmaceutical runoff piles on yet another hurdle. 



Curbing drug pollution is less about finger-wagging at individual users and more about safeguarding coral nurseries, fisheries, and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-flooding-is-happening-far-more-often-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal communities</a> that depend on them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-ocean-shared-responsibility">One ocean, shared responsibility</h2>



The presence of cocaine in Brazilian sharpnose sharks is more than a catchy headline. It is a plain reminder that human habits seep into the sea in ways we seldom notice. 



Cleaning up after ourselves should never be looked at as just a charitable act of kindness for wildlife. 



Not only is it our responsibility as the dominant species on the planet, it's an investment in the stability of ecosystems, biodiversity, and global food chains that humans ultimately rely on. The ocean does not recognize national borders, so every watershed matters.



Solving the problem will take cooperation from chemists, wastewater engineers, legislators, and everyday citizens. 



Until then, the next time a ripple of seawater brushes your ankles, keep in mind the curious little shark beneath the surface - and the silent stimulant drifting alongside it.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724049477" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of The Total Environment</a>.



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"Cocaine sharks" found off the coast of Brazil - strange but true tale of ocean pollution consequences

Hollywood once spun a wild yarn about “Cocaine Bear,” a...

Biofilms - thin, sticky layers made by microorganisms - may hold the key to understanding how microplastics move and settle in the environment and even inside our bodies. 



Predicting where these tiny particles accumulate has proven tricky, influenced by many factors like water flow and sediment texture.



Scientists from the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT) have found that biofilms play a bigger role than previously thought. These microbial layers often coat sandy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-linger-in-riverbeds-for-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">riverbeds</a> and seashores, changing how microplastics interact with the ground beneath them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biofilms-and-plastic-pollution">Biofilms and plastic pollution</h2>



Traditionally, experiments on microplastic movement have used bare sand. But as the researchers point out, real environments are full of life. 



Bacteria, fungi, and algae create what are known as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). These sticky materials coat surfaces and change how riverbeds behave.



The team set out to study how EPS affects microplastic buildup. They used a flow tank filled with fine sand. Some experiments had just sand, while others included a biological material simulating natural biofilms. In certain tests, vertical plastic rods stood in for mangrove roots.



For three hours, water mixed with tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-particles-found-in-99-of-tested-seafood-samples/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic particles</a> flowed through the tank. Afterward, the researchers photographed the sand bed under ultraviolet light. The plastic particles glowed, allowing for precise measurements of their concentrations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-biofilm-more-plastic">Less biofilm, more plastic</h2>



Two major findings emerged from the study. Around the rods - mimicking plant roots - turbulence reduced plastic buildup. But more surprising was what happened with the biofilm-coated sand.



The experiments showed a clear pattern: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/upper-ocean-layer-contains-24-trillion-pieces-of-microplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a> were less likely to settle in sand beds covered with biofilm. This difference pointed to a subtle but important role biofilms play in shaping where plastic pollution builds up.



“These biological films fill the pore spaces between the sediment grains,” noted MIT postdoctoral researcher Hyoungchul Park. “That makes the deposited particles - the particles that land on the bed - more exposed to the forces generated by the flow, which makes it easier for them to be resuspended." 



"What we found was that in a channel with the same flow conditions and the same vegetation and the same sand bed, if one is without EPS and one is with EPS, then the one without EPS has a much higher deposition rate than the one with EPS.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-it-matters-for-pollution-control">Why it matters for pollution control</h2>



Biofilms could make a big difference in how we monitor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-found-in-every-aquatic-species-tested/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a>. Study co-author Heidi Nepf noted that the biofilm blocks the plastics from accumulating in the bed because they can’t go deep into the bed. 



"They just stay right on the surface, and then they get picked up and moved elsewhere. So, if I spilled a large amount of microplastic in two rivers, and one had a sandy or gravel bottom, and one was muddier with more biofilm, I would expect more of the microplastics to be retained in the sandy or gravelly river,” explained Nepf.



This discovery could change how we plan cleanup and monitoring efforts. While many other factors - like water turbulence and the roughness of the riverbed - still matter, biofilms offer a new “lens” for scientists.



“They’re trying to determine what kinds of habitats these plastics are in, and this gives a framework for how you might categorize those habitats,” said Nepf. “It gives guidance to where you should go to find more plastics versus less.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-vulnerable-hotspots">Identifying vulnerable hotspots </h2>



Mangrove ecosystems offer a good example. Park suggests that the sandy edges of these areas might become <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hotspots-of-microplastic-pollution-found-in-the-north-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastic hotspots</a>. These outer zones have less biofilm and more open sand, making it easier for plastics to settle.



“The sandy outer regions may be potential hotspots for microplastic accumulation,” said Park, making them key places to prioritize for monitoring and protection.



Identifying these vulnerable zones is crucial for focusing cleanup efforts and reducing environmental risks. 



By knowing where plastics are likely to build up, scientists and policymakers can better target conservation strategies and deploy limited resources more efficiently. Over time, this targeted approach could help slow the spread of microplastics in sensitive ecosystems.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025GL115331" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Biofilms could change the way we track plastic pollution

Biofilms - thin, sticky layers made by microorganisms - may...

The deep sea guards secrets of Earth’s past. Its sediment layers silently record carbon cycles, climate shifts, and ecosystem upheavals. Among the vast oceans, the Pacific holds the most heat and carbon. Yet, it remains one of the least explored when it comes to long-term climate data.



“It's easy to forget that two-thirds of our planet is covered with salty ocean water, especially when you don’t live near the coast,” said Professor Elizabeth Griffith from <a href="https://www.osu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ohio State University</a>. “It’s also hard to realize just how much of it we haven’t explored yet.”



Legacy data is thin. Only eight Pacific High sites have been sampled using modern drilling methods. These include Shatsky Rise, Hess Rise, Allison Guyot, Limalok Guyot, Lo-En Guyot, Ontong Java Plateau, Mid-Pacific Mountains,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Magellan Rise. 



Most of our insights still rely on decades-old <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sediment-in-the-great-blue-hole-reveals-an-alarming-storm-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sediment</a> cores, many of which are now partly degraded and depleted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pacific-sediment-holds-a-climate-record">Pacific sediment holds a climate record</h2>



Pacific Highs are submerged geological plateaus, rich in carbonate sediments ideal for preserving past <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darkening-oceans-are-shrinking-vital-marine-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> signals. These sites sit above the carbonate compensation depth, where shells of tiny organisms survive long enough to become fossilized.



During warmer epochs, the deep ocean turned acidic, eroding many fossil records. Yet, these Highs remained relatively untouched. Sediment cores from sites like Shatsky Rise have revealed Earth’s ancient greenhouse climates, mass extinctions, oceanic anoxic events, and recovery patterns.



But sediment continuity is not guaranteed. Currents and internal tides sometimes erode layers. That’s why scientists argue for multi-site sampling. More complete and widespread records help piece together zonal and latitudinal ocean changes over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncovering-ancient-climate-clues">Uncovering ancient climate clues</h2>



Technology has transformed ocean drilling. Ships like the JOIDES Resolution enabled long, continuous core recovery from multiple holes per site. This method replaced the earlier “spot-coring” that often missed climate transitions.



Still, many key events - like the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary - are poorly represented in Pacific cores. New proxies now let researchers study microbial communities, biomarkers, and porewaters, but these methods need fresh <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-large-water-body-on-earth-does-not-touch-land-known-as-the-sargasso-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sediment</a>.



“When you’re extrapolating from such a huge time and spatial scale, you need more than one or two data points to get complete records and ground truth modeling,” said Professor Griffith.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgent-need-for-pacific-sediment-cores">Urgent need for Pacific sediment cores</h2>



Gaps in spatial data limit model accuracy. Researchers stress the importance of gathering new cores to improve climate models, reduce uncertainty, and capture ecological transitions.



Scientific drilling helps reconstruct circulation patterns, biological pump dynamics, and responses to warming and acidification. These insights are crucial for understanding how oceans will absorb excess CO₂ and how marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-secretly-reshape-landscapes-in-powerful-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life</a> will adapt - or collapse.



The 2024 Ohio State workshop emphasized community-led research planning. Experts recommended revisiting sites with excellent preservation, like Hess Rise, and launching new expeditions to still-unexplored Highs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-effort-needed">Global effort needed</h2>



Scientific progress depends on global cooperation. “One of the benefits of the ocean drilling community has always been that it’s a larger effort,” said Professor Griffith.



“Working with legacy core material is a crucial part of my research, but it will never replicate the experience of sailing on a deep-sea scientific drilling expedition and fostering international collaboration at sea,” noted study co-author Batoul Saad.



The loss of the U.S. riserless drillship threatens this effort. Funding cuts and aging infrastructure make it harder to pursue long-term sediment recovery missions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-training-the-next-generation">Training the next generation</h2>



Pacific Highs are more than research sites. They are training grounds for the next wave of ocean scientists. Coordinated “expeditions” to core repositories and collaborative drilling missions centered on Pacific sediment cores will allow students and early-career researchers to engage deeply with Earth science.



“As individuals, much of the work of supporting science involves just being curious about the planet that we live on and that sustains us," said Professor Griffith.



"Once you become curious, realizing how much you impact your surroundings leads to better decisions and new scientific discoveries.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sampling-for-future-climate-models">Sampling for future climate models</h2>



Future reconstructions of Earth’s climate will depend on how well we sample the past. New drilling, combined with legacy data and emerging tools, will help clarify what the Pacific has to tell us.



As climate models evolve, grounding them in physical evidence becomes critical. The Pacific’s buried layers might just hold the clues to predicting tomorrow’s Earth.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025PA005133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology</a>.



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Pacific sediment cores unlock millions of years of climate history

The deep sea guards secrets of Earth’s past. Its sediment...

Giant viruses were once mysterious. Now, they appear essential to the ocean's balance. These viruses infect protists - single-celled marine life like algae, amoebas, and flagellates. 



Protists sit at the base of the food web. When giant viruses infect them, the effects ripple through the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-based-viruses-discovered-that-trap-carbon-and-combat-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem</a>. Sometimes, these infections even trigger harmful algal blooms. These blooms can hurt marine animals and affect public health.



Researchers now want to know more. If we understand these viruses better, we might predict when and where blooms will occur. That would help protect coastal communities. A team at the <a href="https://www.earth.miami.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science</a> has taken a big step forward.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-giant-viruses-influence-marine-life">How giant viruses influence marine life</h2>



The research team analyzed vast sets of publicly available environmental DNA sequences collected from marine waters around the world. 



By applying their specialized tool to this massive data pool, they were able to recover 230 previously unknown, high-quality giant virus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/23-new-marine-bacteria-species-discovered-that-influence-global-ocean-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genomes</a>.



The genomes originated from samples collected across a diverse range of oceanic regions, stretching from the frozen Arctic Ocean in the north to the remote reaches of the South Pacific.



Among the sampling locations, the Baltic Sea stood out. This brackish body of water, known for its unique ecological conditions, yielded the highest number of discoveries - 108 high-quality viral genomes. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diversity-of-giant-viruses">Diversity of giant viruses</h2>



In addition to these complete sequences, the team also identified 398 partial giant virus genomes, expanding the known diversity even further.



The recovered viruses spanned several well-known taxonomic orders. Most belonged to Imitervirales and Algavirales, two dominant groups in marine viral ecology. Remarkably, the researchers also detected members of the rare Mirusviricota order. 



This group is particularly significant because it shows evolutionary links between giant viruses and herpesviruses, suggesting a much deeper history than previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giant-virus-dna-and-protein-makeup">Giant virus DNA and protein makeup</h2>



Many of the new viral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-viruses-found-in-yellowstones-hot-springs-may-be-near-the-root-of-all-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genomes</a> were large - some over 1.3 million base pairs long. Genomes in the Algavirales group were among the biggest. Pandoravirales showed the highest GC content, which affects how the DNA behaves and is processed.



The researchers didn’t just stop at sequencing. They studied proteins inside these viruses and calculated nitrogen and sulfur in each protein chain. 



These values offer clues about virus-host dynamics. A high nitrogen content might drain host resources during infection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virus-genes-control-how-hosts-make-energy">Virus genes control how hosts make energy</h2>



The team found genes for photosynthesis and carbon metabolism. These include genes involved in glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and even chlorophyll-binding proteins. 



“We discovered that giant viruses possess genes involved in cellular functions such as carbon metabolism and photosynthesis - traditionally found only in cellular organisms," said Benjamin Minch, the lead author of the study.



Imitervirales carried many of these genes. Algavirales carried fewer, despite larger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-recreate-an-ancient-war-trick-to-defeat-viruses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genome</a> sizes. This hints at two different infection strategies. Imitervirales might rely more on hijacking and augmenting host metabolism.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-hotspot-for-viral-diversity">A hotspot for viral diversity </h2>



The Baltic Sea turned out to be a hotspot for viral diversity. Researchers found many new proteins there, including 88% of the novel proteins identified in this study. 



Salinity, depth, and bacterial production played major roles in shaping these viral communities.



“This study allowed us to create a framework to improve existing tools for detecting novel viruses that could aid in our ability to monitor pollution and pathogens in our waterways,” Minch added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-photosynthesis-a-hijacked-process">Photosynthesis: A hijacked process</h2>



Newly discovered viral proteins linked to photosystems I and II, cytochrome b6f, and ATP synthase suggest that giant viruses can tweak their host’s photosynthetic machinery. That helps the virus maintain the host's energy production during infection.



“Giant viruses are often the main cause of death for many phytoplankton, which serve as the base of the food web supporting ocean ecosystems and food sources,” said Mohammad Moniruzzaman, co-author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tools-and-open-access-data">Tools and open access data</h2>



All this was made possible by <a href="https://gitlab.com/benminch1/BEREN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BEREN</a> - a new tool that spots giant viruses in public DNA libraries. The team avoided re-analyzing datasets already mined, like Tara Oceans, and focused on untapped sources.



Giant viruses remain one of biology’s great surprises. With just 1,800 marine genomes recovered to date, there’s much more to find. The new genomes add weight to the idea that viruses shape entire ecosystems.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44298-025-00122-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">npj Viruses</a>.



The full dataset, genomes, and code are open-access on <a href="https://figshare.com/projects/Expansion_of_the_genomic_and_functional_diversity_of_global_ocean_giant_viruses/214120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Figshare</a> and <a href="https://zenodo.org/records/14782687" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zenodo</a>. 



Image Credit: Grieg Steward, Ph.D., <a href="https://manoa.hawaii.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa</a>.



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Giant viruses hijack ocean plants to control marine food webs

Giant viruses were once mysterious. Now, they appear essential to...

Where do fish go for a deep clean? Coral reefs. These underwater hubs host bustling stations where small fish perform hygiene services for their larger neighbors. 



Cleaner fish dart around bigger "clients," even entering mouths to remove parasites and bacteria. Some even offer what looks like a massage.



But are these fish spas just about grooming? Or could they affect the entire microbial network of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-reef-awareness-day-2025-bringing-corals-back-to-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef</a>?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cleaner-fish-help-microbes-travel">Cleaner fish help microbes travel</h2>



A study published in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series explores this hidden layer of reef life. The research was led by experts at the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a> and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (<a href="https://www.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHOI</a>).



The team set out to investigate whether cleaner stations help spread harmful pathogens or helpful microbes. 



If microbes move easily around a reef, they may influence coral bleaching or disease resistance. Understanding these interactions could inform coral restoration strategies.



“How pathogens or microbes are moving around a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reef-fish-populations-are-boosted-by-ocean-connectivity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef</a> could be critically important to understanding how individuals will be affected,” said lead author Anya Brown, an assistant professor with the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory and a National Geographic Explorer. 



“We know microbes play a role in coral bleaching, for example. This study really lays a foundation for using cleaner fish stations as a way to study movement of microbes around the reef environment.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cleaner-gobies-and-fish-visits">Cleaner gobies and fish visits </h2>



The scientists chose to study the cleaning goby, a tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-jaws-twist-to-feed-more-effectively-on-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> known for its services on Caribbean reefs. Despite its small size, the goby plays a key role in reef life. It has a striped body and is about the size of a human pinky finger.



In June 2021, the researchers removed these gobies from some cleaning stations on reefs in Puerto Rico and St. Croix. They wanted to see what would happen when these little cleaners were taken out of the picture. 



The team analyzed changes in water quality, shifts in the kinds of microbes in the water, and how other fish, especially damselfish, responded. Damselfish often visit gobies to get cleaned.



The results were revealing. Places that still had gobies attracted more fish. These active cleaning spots seemed to influence the tiny life forms in the water too. But each reef reacted differently, showing that microbial shifts depend on local reef conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-beyond-parasite-removal">Impacts beyond parasite removal</h2>



Cleaner fish do more than just remove parasites from other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-cant-survive-rising-sea-urchin-numbers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a>. Their cleaning activity may also change the types and amounts of microbes in the reef.



By interacting closely with many fish, cleaner fish might help spread certain microbes or reduce harmful ones. This can affect not only the health of individual fish but also the balance of microscopic life across the reef. So, their impact extends beyond visible cleaning - it reaches the invisible microbial world that supports the whole ecosystem.



Study co-author Paul Sikkel is a research professor at the Rosenstiel School’s Department of Marine Biology and Ecology.



“While larger organisms on coral reefs attract the most attention, the study underscores the huge impact tiny organisms such as these fish can have and how important they are to helping healthy reef ecosystems function,” said Sikkel.



“While cleaner fish are well-known for their role in consuming parasites and reducing stress in other fish, this is the first field study to quantify their effects on microbes of other fish and the surrounding coral reef environment.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-collaboration-and-next-steps">Global collaboration and next steps</h2>



Scientists from several institutions collaborated on the research, including Amy Apprill and Jeanne Bloomberg from WHOI, and Gina Hendrick and Matthew Nicholson from the <a href="https://www.miami.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Miami</a>. Marta Soares and Raquel Xavier joined from the <a href="https://www.up.pt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Porto</a> in Portugal. 



The study was supported by major science organizations. Funding came from the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a>, WHOI, and <a href="https://www.fct.pt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portugal’s Foundation for Science and Technology</a>. 



Even though cleaner fish are tiny, they can influence entire ecosystems. Researchers are just beginning to understand how these fish help control the movement of microbes and maintain reef balance. The study opens new questions about the deeper connections shaping ocean life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v761/meps14851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Ecology Progress Series</a>.



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Cleaner fish may spread helpful microbes across coral reefs

Where do fish go for a deep clean? Coral reefs....

Most people know hurricanes as destructive giants. On land, they tear through cities, uproot trees, and flood entire regions. But when these storms pass over the ocean, something else happens that is more subtle, but not less important. 



The violent winds stir the sea, pulling up cold, nutrient-rich water from the depths and setting off a chain reaction of biological changes.



In 2018, a group of researchers led by Professor Michael Beman from <a href="https://www.ucmerced.edu/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_campaign=GoogleLocalListing&amp;utm_medium=organic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Merced</a> found themselves in the midst of this transformation.



While studying oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific, they encountered Hurricane Bud. Instead of halting their expedition, they took a chance.



The team was presented with a rare scientific opportunity: observing how a powerful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hurricane-activity-will-change-over-the-next-decade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hurricane</a> could rapidly change the ocean’s chemistry and biology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hurricane-leads-to-rare-ocean-sampling">Hurricane leads to rare ocean sampling</h2>



The team launched their expedition from Mazatlán, Mexico, and set a course toward San Diego. The goal was to study naturally occurring OMZs, which are regions in the mid-depth ocean that contain very little oxygen.



As Hurricane Bud intensified into a Category 4 cyclone, the researchers monitored weather forecasts closely. “We were very careful, and we had plans A, B, C and D in place,” Beman said. “The forecasting was extremely accurate, and we knew the storm rapidly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-predict-the-weather-but-what-about-extreme-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intensified</a>.”



Rather than retreat, the team navigated between research sites and found shelter behind islands. Once the storm passed, they sailed directly into the region it had just churned. 



“There was some skill involved, but definitely some luck, too, and we ended up adding a sampling location right where the storm was at maximum power," said Bernan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hurricane-sparks-massive-ocean-changes">Hurricane sparks massive ocean changes</h2>



The ocean’s surface was bright green, stained with chlorophyll from a massive phytoplankton bloom. These microscopic plants thrive when nutrients are abundant - and the hurricane had delivered exactly that. 



Cold water from the depths had risen, carrying nitrogen, phosphate, and other essential elements to the surface.



“When we got there, you could actually see and smell the difference in the ocean,” said Beman. “It was green from all the chlorophyll being produced. There were totally different organisms there, and they were going nuts in the wake of the storm.”



These blooms feed entire marine food webs. Bacteria, zooplankton, shellfish, fish, and even whales take advantage of the sudden buffet. 



"We were doing this at a time of year when there’s not a lot going on biologically in these areas of the ocean, so these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-amplified-hurricane-strength/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hurricane</a>-generated blooms are like oases for ocean organisms," said Bernan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-with-low-oxygen-levels">Water with low oxygen levels</h2>



Unfortunately, the same deep waters that delivered nutrients also carried low oxygen levels. These oxygen minimum zones, usually found over 100 meters below the surface, rose rapidly.



At one site, Station 3.5, the OMZ had shoaled to just 41 meters deep. At other points, the oxygen-deficient zone (ODZ) reached as shallow as 50 meters. This shoaling poses a threat to fish and invertebrates that cannot survive in such conditions. 



For Beman, the data was a revelation. “I’ve never seen measurements like that in those areas of the ocean, ever,” he said. The change was not just physical. The hurricane altered the ocean’s chemistry and biology as well.



Anaerobic processes - those that do not rely on oxygen - were suddenly active closer to the surface. The researchers observed signs of nitrogen cycling and sulfate reduction, both of which affect global nutrient balances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storm-leaves-chemical-traces">Storm leaves chemical traces</h2>



The researchers gathered water samples from just below the surface. These revealed high levels of nitrate, phosphate, and ammonium at around 11 meters depth. These nutrients are essential for phytoplankton growth. 



Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels were unusually low, likely due to the introduction of deep ocean water. In contrast, particulate organic carbon (POC) was high, supporting the idea that a bloom was in full swing.



Further chemical analysis uncovered more than 1,600 distinct compounds. Many were known phytoplankton markers like fucoxanthin and MGDG lipids. Others, such as lumichrome and tryptophan, are believed to mediate communication between microbes and algae. 



These chemical fingerprints offered a detailed look into the biological activity that followed the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hurricane-helene-a-glimpse-into-the-future-of-natural-disasters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storm</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-respond-with-adaptation">Microbes respond with adaptation</h2>



RNA and DNA analysis showed microbial shifts. Flavobacteria dominated near the surface, breaking down phytoplankton. Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria thrived too. Deeper in the ODZ, low-oxygen specialists like Desulfobacteria and Nitrospina took over.



“Margot noticed the subsurface changes from the hurricane when she was preparing her thesis chapters, especially the fact that the oxygen minimum zone had rapidly shoaled,” Beman said. 



“Irina searched her unique organic matter data to look for changes driven by the hurricane, which turned out to be very clear and dramatic.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hurricanes-trigger-similar-ocean-changes">Hurricanes trigger similar ocean changes</h2>



Twenty years of satellite data showed storms near Station 3.5 often triggered phytoplankton blooms. Bud was part of a recurring pattern.



According to the study, these storms account for 7 to 15 percent of the region’s total annual carbon export. While short-lived, the impact of each storm lingers as carbon-rich material sinks into the deep sea. These events contribute meaningfully to oceanic carbon cycling.



The Eastern Tropical North Pacific is already one of the planet’s major sites for fixed nitrogen loss. Beman and his colleagues will continue to analyze the samples and share their data with others.



“We’ve met many, many times to analyze the data and figure out what effects the hurricane had and why,” he said. The team believes there is still much to uncover.



“We are just scratching the surface of what these storms do,” Beman added. “It was a rough few days at sea. I hope we continue to learn as much as we can about what actually happens during and after hurricanes.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.1126/sciadv.ado8335" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Hurricanes stir up dramatic changes in the deep ocean

Most people know hurricanes as destructive giants. On land, they...

When we think about the threats of climate change, antibiotic resistance isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. 



We imagine rising seas, stronger storms, or scorching heatwaves. But there’s a quieter, more hidden danger unfolding beneath our feet - one that could reshape public health as we know it.



A new international study reveals that climate change is not just warming our planet; it’s accelerating the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in soils. 



Scientists at <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Durham University</a>, in collaboration with experts across the globe, have linked <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/critical-food-crops-are-threatened-by-rising-temperatures-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising temperatures</a> to an alarming increase in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors in soil microbial communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-link-to-antibiotic-resistance">Climate link to antibiotic resistance</h2>



The research shows that as global temperatures climb, they trigger a surge in the genetic material that makes bacteria harder to treat. 



These antibiotic resistance genes allow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-rivers-are-highly-saturated-with-human-antibiotics-helping-bacteria-develop-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> to survive common treatments, raising the chances of infections that traditional antibiotics can no longer cure.



The team combined field data, metagenomic analysis, and lab experiments to build a detailed picture. 



The findings reveal that warmer conditions not only help resistant bacteria survive but also encourage the evolution of even tougher strains - bacteria that often start in natural environments before finding their way into humans.



Professor David W. Graham is a water engineer at Durham University specializing in antibiotic resistance. “The study exemplifies how closely connected human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotic-resistance-could-cause-a-health-crisis-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> is with environmental change,” said Graham.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-an-environmental-crisis">More than just an environmental crisis</h2>



Climate change is typically framed as an environmental issue, but the study makes it clear that it’s also playing a growing role in fueling antibiotic resistance in soils worldwide. 



The research adds to a growing body of evidence that global warming impacts human health in complex and sometimes hidden ways.



The experts emphasize the importance of a "One Health" approach, acknowledging that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected.



“Most people do not realize that most of the pathogens that cause infectious disease humans actually originate from the environment,” said Professor Graham.



“Therefore, increasing resistance in soils will almost certainly translate into increased levels of untreatable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/viruses-that-love-to-kill-bacteria-could-help-fight-deadly-infections/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infections</a> in human and veterinary practice. This is why One Health solutions are important."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colder-regions-aren-t-a-safe-haven">Colder regions aren't a safe haven</h2>



Interestingly, the experts found that colder regions, which historically saw bacteria die off due to freezing temperatures, are now becoming more hospitable to dangerous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-it-possible-to-smell-pathogens-and-fight-them-before-an-infection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pathogens</a>.



As temperatures rise, these bacteria survive longer. They may evolve more rapidly, creating entirely new pathogens that our antibiotics can’t touch.



“The relationship between climate and antibiotic resistance was predicted in the 2023 United Nations report: Bracing for Superbugs: Strengthening environmental action in the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance, and the new work here provides concrete evidence for that prediction,” noted Professor Graham.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-future-could-look-like">What the future could look like</h2>



Even modest increases in temperature appear to spark major changes. The study’s lab experiments on Escherichia coli showed that warmer conditions led to increased expression of key antibiotic resistance genes. 



These genes include those involved in efflux pumps and stress response proteins - both vital tools that bacteria use to defend themselves.



Machine learning models used in the study paint an unsettling picture. Under high-emission scenarios, global soil levels of ARGs could rise by up to 23 percent by the end of this century.



Bacterial groups such as Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes - known carriers of resistance and virulence genes - are especially likely to thrive as the planet warms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antibiotic-resistance-in-our-soils">Antibiotic resistance in our soils</h2>



Climate-driven changes in microbial communities could undermine ongoing efforts to curb antibiotic resistance. The researchers warn that if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-plays-an-overlooked-role-in-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soils</a> continue to nurture resistant bacteria, it may become even easier for these traits to pass into human pathogens.



This risk isn’t theoretical. Past pandemics, like COVID-19, have shown how easily pathogens can leap from the environment to humans. The same pathways could allow antibiotic-resistant bacteria to do the same, posing a new and urgent threat to public health.



The silent transformation happening in our soils reminds us that the impacts of climate change extend well beyond what we can see. They’re also reshaping the invisible world around us, with consequences that could touch every part of our lives.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02740-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Climate change is fueling antibiotic resistance in our soils

When we think about the threats of climate change, antibiotic...

The EarthCARE satellite is helping scientists unlock the mysteries of clouds and aerosols that have long puzzled our understanding of Earth's energy balance.



EarthCARE (Earth Cloud, Aerosol, and Radiation Explorer) is a joint project by the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> and the <a href="https://global.jaxa.jp/">Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency</a>. Nicknamed Hakuryu, meaning “White Dragon,” this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earthcare-satellite-will-reveal-the-climate-effects-of-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite</a> was over two decades in the making.



The May 29th launch was nerve-wracking, but when EarthCARE soared into orbit, it marked a new chapter for one of ESA’s most sophisticated Earth Explorer satellites.



<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/-I_OD5KerH8?si=SrXZa3w1PCTgiX4R
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">EarthCARE lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on May 29, 2025. Video Credit: ESA/SpaceX</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-four-instruments-one-mission">Four instruments, one mission</h2>



Launching four instruments on one satellite is no small feat. First up was the Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR), developed by JAXA, which allows scientists to see inside clouds and understand their internal dynamics for the first time from space.



The Broadband Radiometer (BBR), designed to provide insights into Earth's energy budget, soon followed. Then came the Multispectral Imager (MSI), offering cloud context, and the Atmospheric Lidar (ATLID), which traces particles from sea spray to cloud tops.



Within a few months, all of the instruments were working in harmony. Together, they measure how clouds and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-small-aerosols-influence-cloud-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aerosols</a> heat or cool the atmosphere - vital information for refining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bridging-the-gap-the-quest-for-accurate-weather-forecasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather forecasts</a> and climate models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-international-collaboration-for-success">International collaboration for success</h2>



The satellite's success depended not just on technology but on international collaboration. ESA and JAXA partnered with 16 organizations across nine countries. 



The EarthCARE Data, Innovation, and Science Cluster (DISC) processes data to create useful products for scientists and forecasters.



Hundreds of researchers also participated in the calibration and validation efforts, traveling from the Arctic to Cabo Verde and even sailing the Atlantic to ensure data accuracy.



At the second In-Orbit ESA-JAXA Calibration and Validation Workshop in March 2025, researchers shared promising early results, confirming the hard work had paid off.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earthcare-s-first-year-in-space">EarthCARE's first year in space</h2>



EarthCARE orbits at around 400 km above Earth. That low altitude comes at a cost - the satellite will slowly spiral down due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-weather-poses-significant-risks-to-railway-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space weather</a>, atmospheric drag, and gravity. 



Although the initial mission was planned for three years, there’s hope that it could last longer depending on solar activity and approval.



Even within the first year, EarthCARE made a real impact. In January 2025, Level 1 data became public. By spring, Level 2 data were released, making 26 out of 33 products available to scientists within 10 months.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-transforms-weather-forecasting">Data transforms weather forecasting</h2>



Forecasters quickly began incorporating EarthCARE data into weather models. The goal: reduce biases and improve forecasts. According to DISC partner ECMWF, early results are encouraging. 



EarthCARE has improved predictions of cloud positions, mid-level convection, cloud amounts, and occluded front locations across several case studies.



Scientists also found that EarthCARE data enhanced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-particles-erode-the-ozone-layer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfire smoke</a> tracking and offered the most precise air quality forecasts yet. ECMWF aims to integrate EarthCARE data into operational forecasts, following the success of the Aeolus satellite, which carried a similar lidar instrument.



Meanwhile, researchers around the world are gaining new insights into atmospheric processes, using EarthCARE’s unique measurements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earthcare-captures-polar-clouds">EarthCARE captures polar clouds</h2>



As soon as EarthCARE’s Level 1 data became available, scientists were drawn to its stunning observations of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs).



These high-altitude clouds are rare and beautiful, displaying iridescent colors in polar skies. EarthCARE captured a rare band of “type II” PSCs stretching about 3,000 kilometers from Latvia to Greenland, floating between 20 and 30 km high. 



While such clouds are more common over Antarctica, this event allowed researchers to compare cloud behaviors between the poles.



Excitement grew at the second Calibration and Validation Workshop as EarthCARE also captured sulfate aerosols in the stratosphere after a volcanic eruption. These observations are key to better understanding how such particles impact climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shining-a-light-on-earth-s-energy">Shining a light on Earth's energy</h2>



Earth’s energy imbalance is now growing twice as fast as predicted, according to a recent AGU Advances article. Satellites like EarthCARE are crucial for monitoring this alarming trend.



The Broadband Radiometer (BBR) plays a vital role. It measures reflected sunlight and emitted heat with exceptional precision, using three angles - forward, backward, and downward. This setup provides accurate estimates of how much energy Earth reflects and emits.



BBR’s measurements help evaluate radiative transfer models - tools that track how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-sparks-the-discovery-of-a-new-electromagnetic-wave/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electromagnetic energy</a> moves through the atmosphere. So far, BBR’s thermal radiation readings agree within 10 W/m² of model predictions, an impressive level of accuracy.



One striking example came after a month of heavy rain on the Iberian Peninsula. On March 11, 2025, EarthCARE’s DISC team used BBR and MSI data to capture a major thunderstorm system. 



These detailed observations help scientists connect radiation data to the underlying cloud and aerosol structures, providing a clearer picture of how they influence Earth's energy balance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earthcare-detects-insects-from-space">EarthCARE detects insects from space</h2>



EarthCARE was designed to study <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clouds-have-become-less-reflective-making-global-warming-worse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clouds</a> and aerosols, but it turns out it can do much more. In March 2025, the satellite detected a 500-km-long swarm of insects over northern India. 



Initially classified as drizzle by the CPR, further analysis with ATLID and MSI confirmed otherwise - there were no clouds present.



CPR’s radar is sensitive to objects about the size of raindrops, but scientists discovered that it can also detect large swarms of insects lofted high into the atmosphere. Unlike cloud droplets, these insects don’t reflect ATLID’s lidar signals, providing a way to distinguish them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phytoplankton-seen-from-orbit">Phytoplankton seen from orbit</h2>



Ground-based radars have seen insects and birds before, but EarthCARE is among the first space-based missions to detect insect swarms regularly. Experts are eager to learn more about what species are being observed and how their patterns change with the seasons.



EarthCARE’s lidar is also showing promise in studying ocean phytoplankton. Its Rayleigh channel detects backscattered light below the ocean surface. 



Chlorophyll-a, a pigment in phytoplankton, absorbs ultraviolet light at the same wavelength EarthCARE uses, reducing the Rayleigh signal. Regions rich in phytoplankton show lower signals, offering a potential new way to monitor marine ecosystems from space.



EarthCARE’s first year shows how much can be achieved in a short time. With its eyes on the clouds and beyond, the mission is just getting started.



Image Credit: ESA



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EarthCARE's first year: Surprising climate clues unveiled from space

The EarthCARE satellite is helping scientists unlock the mysteries of...

Marine ecosystems supply an enormous variety of fish that meet the nutritional needs of communities across the globe. Overfishing has put intense strain on these resources, prompting urgent questions about sustainable seafood choices.



Biodiversity is more than just a word; it is the foundation of a balanced and flexible approach to using marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-fish-species-are-the-big-catch-of-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> for human nourishment. This principle has taken center stage in a recent study led by Cornell University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-fish-provide-more-nutrition">Small fish provide more nutrition</h2>



Sustainability <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9804230/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> around the world have long highlighted the value of smaller fish <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-are-quietly-battling-climate-change-on-the-seabed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> that grow quickly and reproduce at higher rates. 



This concept gained new momentum thanks to the efforts of Sebastian Heilpern, a postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a>, who recently explored how diverse fish portfolios can boost nutrition while easing harvest pressure.



Heilpern's team examined how varying species can provide up to 60 percent more nutrients than relying on a single fish. They tapped into existing databases to determine which fish thrive in different regions, seeking an optimal selection that meets dietary needs with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40196308/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">minimal biomass</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-species-help-ecosystems-recover">Small species help ecosystems recover</h2>



Many smaller species have an advantage because they occupy lower levels on the food chain. Their swift reproduction rates allow them to replenish <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-thought-extinct-for-85-years-reappears-in-himalayan-river-chel-snakehead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a> more rapidly than bigger species.



<a href="https://blog.sintef.com/ocean/why-low-trophic-marine-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lower trophic positions</a> also translate to fewer accumulated contaminants, making some smaller fish safer for consumption. These factors combine to place sardines and anchovies near the top of the list of ecologically resilient choices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-mix-of-species">Best mix of species</h2>



The researchers fed nutrient data and biomass information into sophisticated models to pinpoint the best mix of species for each region. They evaluated fish populations across continents, weaving together data from hundreds of sources.



“We can then ask, out of all these combinations of potential options of species, which ones could we select and how much of each, in a way that would provide us with sufficient nutrition to meet a person’s diet needs with the lowest amount of fish biomass,” said Heilpern. 



This approach underscores how strategic variety can supply enough protein, vitamins, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fishing-removes-key-nutrients-from-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">minerals</a> for communities without exhausting the oceans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-biodiversity">Importance of biodiversity</h2>



<a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biodiversity</a> involves preserving different forms of life so species can complement each other. This interplay can help address multiple nutritional gaps with smaller portions.



The new findings hint that a few carefully chosen fish can bring more vitamins, minerals, and proteins than a single nutrient-dense but larger species. 



This synergy also promotes an adaptable fishery system that remains steady if one species declines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-patterns-of-eating-fish">Global patterns of eating fish</h2>



Tropical coastal regions tend to exhibit abundant fish life, which could offer people a broader menu. Countries along the <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/background/biodiversity/biodiversity.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coral Triangle</a>, as well as areas in the Amazon, stand out for their high variety of fish species.



Meanwhile, the United States has a reasonable degree of diversity yet consistently consumes only a narrow <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/foss/f?p=215:25:16158701237164:::::" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">selection</a>. 



Around 10 species make up the bulk of what Americans eat, pointing to untapped potential in local waters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-fish-are-resilient">Small fish are resilient</h2>



Water temperature fluctuations have less impact on some small fish, making them more resistant to severe weather events. They cope with changing conditions by reproducing quickly and requiring fewer resources.



This resilience helps maintain a stable seafood supply even as the environment shifts. It also offers a safety net to communities that rely on fish for essential nutrition.



Harvesting smaller fish can also lessen the burden on heavily fished species higher up the food chain. This strategy balances human needs with ecological considerations, easing overexploitation.



Individuals can enjoy adequate nutrition from smaller portions if they choose fish wisely. This concept assists in lowering overall fishing pressure while still delivering vital nutrients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-and-moral-responsibility">Biodiversity and moral responsibility</h2>



“This research hopefully highlights the importance of biodiversity, not just because of a moral quandary that we’re causing a mass extinction on Earth, but also because biodiversity can lead to better outcomes for fishery sustainability,” said Heilpern. 



Ensuring fish variety grants communities the chance to preserve ecological balance. It also speaks to our sense of stewardship over aquatic habitats.



Policymakers may wish to broaden guidance on recommended fish consumption to highlight small species that flourish under sustainable management. Such adjustments could align public health goals with ecological realities.



Governments might also rethink catch limits to give small, prolific species more room to thrive. Making small changes in fish market preferences could spark larger shifts in how resources are used.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-selectively-harvesting-small-fish-species">Selectively harvesting small fish species</h2>



Coastal communities are often the first to see the impact of overfishing. Their experiences can offer lessons in how to adapt and explore a wider range of local species.



Collaborative efforts between fishers and scientists can spark ideas for selective harvesting. In some regions, these partnerships already guide more balanced approaches to keep fish populations healthy.



Small fish pack a punch when it comes to proteins, vitamins, and minerals. This advantage lessens the need for huge quantities, ensuring that diets remain balanced and nutritious.



Eating a mix of nutrient-dense fish also reduces dependency on processed supplements for addressing deficiencies. It builds a more direct path between natural resources and good health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-efficient-use-of-fish-diversity">Efficient use of fish diversity </h2>



Scientists continue to investigate how climate patterns and fishing methods intersect with species composition. They aim to refine models for even more accurate predictions of fisheries outcomes in changing environments.



More data on specific vitamins or micronutrients could further fine-tune dietary guidelines based on local fish availability. Such progress would help ensure that communities have reliable access to essential nutrients.



Efficient use of fish diversity can support robust marine systems and lasting sources of food. By spreading demand across multiple species, we reduce the pressure on vulnerable stocks.



Consumers can also play a role by exploring varieties beyond the usual favorites. This step can support fishers who harvest responsibly and seek to maintain healthy waters.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01577-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Sustainability</a>.



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Small fish provide climate-resilient nutrition for a warming world

Marine ecosystems supply an enormous variety of fish that meet...

Drought is closely tied to how warm air interacts with moisture. Warmer air can pull more water from surfaces, which is why your hair dries faster in dry air than in a steamy bathroom. It’s also why the tropics experience heavy rain while deserts rapidly lose water from their soils.



But now, this basic fact about warm air is causing bigger problems. A new study shows that the atmosphere’s growing thirst for water is making droughts more severe - even in areas where rainfall hasn’t changed.



The research, conducted by a team of scientists at the University of Oxford and <a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Barbara</a>, paints a clear picture. Over the past 40 years, droughts have become 40% more severe around the world, largely because the air is demanding more water than it used to.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hidden-force-behind-drought">The hidden force behind drought</h2>



Traditionally, droughts are blamed on <a href="//www.earth.com/news/global-drought-has-caused-crisis-levels-of-food-and-water-scarcity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">low rainfall</a>. But there’s another force at work - the atmosphere’s evaporative demand, often called AED. It acts like a giant sponge, pulling moisture from soils, rivers, and plants faster than it can be replaced.



“Drought is based on the difference between water supply (from precipitation) and atmospheric water demand. Including the latter reveals substantial increases in drought as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-some-lakes-resist-the-heat-of-atmospheric-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere warms</a>,” said co-author Chris Funk, director of the Climate Hazards Center at UC Santa Barbara.



As the air warms, it can hold more moisture. Even if the relative humidity stays the same, warmer air can draw more water. This tug-of-war between rainfall and evaporative demand has raised an important question: Which is increasing faster?



To answer this, the scientists joined forces to examine how AED is affecting droughts around the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-atmosphere-s-thirst">Measuring the atmosphere's thirst</h2>



Although experts have known about AED for years, there hadn’t been a careful, global measurement of its impact using real-world data. Without this, predicting and preparing for droughts remained difficult.



This new study changed that. The team used more than a century of high-resolution climate data. They applied sophisticated models that account for multiple climate factors - not just temperature.



“We face a big challenge,” explained lead author Solomon Gebrechorkos, a hydro-climatologist at the University of Oxford. 



“There’s no direct way to measure how ‘thirsty’ the atmosphere is over time," he said. "So, we used high-resolution climate data and applied the most advanced models for atmospheric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thirstwaves-the-hidden-climate-threat-drying-out-american-farms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evaporative demand</a> - models that account for multiple climate variables, not just temperature.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drought-increases-faster-than-rainfall">Drought increases faster than rainfall</h2>



The researchers compared water supply, based on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forecast-more-extreme-precipitation-ahead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">precipitation</a>, with AED using several top-tier global datasets. They standardized the data to make comparisons easier across wet and dry regions.



“This allowed us to compare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/expect-more-extreme-wet-and-dry-seasons-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wet and dry</a> regions using a common framework,” Funk said.



The analysis showed that the atmosphere’s evaporative demand has increased faster than precipitation. This suggests a worrying trend toward drier conditions.



“I find these results very concerning, but perhaps not terribly surprising,” Funk said. “Most of us are familiar with how air temperatures are increasing rapidly, but most people may not realize the connections between this warming and the desiccating influence of the atmosphere.”



He added that just a small rise in temperature can dramatically boost the air’s ability to draw moisture from crops, rangelands, and forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bracing-for-drier-days-ahead">Bracing for drier days ahead</h2>



This study supports earlier findings that droughts will likely grow more intense as the atmosphere warms. This isn’t just a problem for farmers. Droughts threaten food and water supplies and can increase political instability and conflict.



The link between increased AED and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-in-old-growth-amazon-forests-increased-by-152-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> is even more direct. Drier plants mean bigger fires.



Looking ahead, the study emphasizes the importance of early warning systems and better drought management strategies. Predicting when AED will rise can help farmers and communities take action in advance.



For instance, farmers might turn to micro-irrigation or use soil treatments that help retain water.



“To counter increasing drought trends, we need to anticipate and manage the extreme events that lead to concerning increases in drought risk,” Funk said.



The team also wants to dig deeper into how evaporation and the atmosphere’s evaporative demand interact with water supplies, beyond just rainfall. 



There’s a growing need to understand how farmers, cities, and ecosystems can adapt to an atmosphere that’s constantly demanding more moisture.



The full study was published in the journal Nature.



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How a thirsty atmosphere is making global droughts much worse

Drought is closely tied to how warm air interacts with...

Tiny motors and humming generators may seem harmless against Antarctica’s sweeping silence, yet new evidence shows that the noise is reaching some of the continent’s most fragile refuges.



Recordings reveal that a single power unit over a mile away can pierce the natural hush of Ardley Island, an Antarctic sanctuary for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrinking-sea-ice-makes-it-harder-for-seabirds-to-find-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seabirds</a> and seals. This discovery raises fears that steady human noise is already stressing its wildlife.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-listening-to-noise-in-antarctica">Listening to noise in Antarctica</h2>



An international team of researchers from the <a href="https://udelar.edu.uy/portal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Republic of Uruguay</a> (Udelar) and <a href="https://www.upf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pompeu Fabra University</a> (UPF) embarked on two summer field campaigns in 2022 and 2023 that measured the acoustic footprint of an energy generator stationed on the busy Fildes Peninsula.



One recorder sat 900 feet (300 meters) from the machine; another perched on Ardley Island itself, inside Antarctic Specially Protected Area 150. 



Hour-by-hour samples proved the generator’s low-frequency thrum was “clearly perceptible” inside the reserve, even when gusty winds muffled other distant sounds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-noise-from-human-activities">Noise from human activities </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noise-pollution-is-increasingly-disrupting-whale-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Noise</a> from human activities can affect animals’ communication and social interaction, which is highly dependent on acoustic signals.



In penguin rookeries and seal haul-outs, calls carry instructions about mating, feeding, and danger. When a mechanical drone overlaps those pitches, parents may miss a chick’s plea, or a nervous adult may abandon a nest too often.



“Animals typically respond to noise exposure by altering their usual behavior, including changes in the type and frequency of vocalization and efficiency in foraging and responding to predators," said co-author Martín Rocamora, a scientist at UPF. "They may also develop hearing loss or increased levels of the stress hormone."



Field stations around Fildes use countless engines - generators, trucks, boats, aircraft - to keep science and logistics running.



Until now, most studies of Antarctic noise focused on ships disturbing whales at sea. Terrestrial soundscapes, however, have gained little scrutiny, even though colonies of gentoo, chinstrap, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/adelie-penguins-use-sea-ice-to-migrate-thousands-of-miles-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adélie penguins</a> depend on predictable auditory cues during the frantic austral summer breeding window.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-noise-stresses-birds-in-antarctica">Noise stresses birds in Antarctica </h2>



Each recorder captured five-minute clips every hour, day and night. Spectral analysis identified the generator by its distinctive low-frequency fingerprints and helped rule out other sources such as helicopters or quads. Researchers then compared these signals with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/powerful-antarctic-winds-speed-up-melting-of-doomsday-glacier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind</a> readings.



They found that strong onshore gusts could dampen the noise, but calmer periods let it travel unbroken across sea ice and snow. Over time, the machine’s pulse became a near-constant layer beneath waves, katabatic winds, and bird chatter.



Although Ardley Island teems with several nemoral species, the study zeroed in on seabirds. The island supports roughly five percent of all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/penguins-are-threatened-by-mercury-contamination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chinstrap penguins</a> in the South Shetlands and large numbers of southern giant petrels. Both species rely on short, discrete calls.



A background hum may not drown them outright, yet the overlap forces individuals to call louder or more often, draining energy and exposing nests to predators and cold.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-today-population-shifts-tomorrow"><a></a>Stress today, population shifts tomorrow?</h2>



The work stops short of documenting direct behavioral changes, but the authors argue that sustained exposure is a credible threat.



Chronic noise can mask alarm calls, hamper chick-feeding coordination, and raise baseline stress. Over successive seasons, such subtle costs may tip breeding success below replacement levels.



The scientists stress that further monitoring should link sound levels to on-site observations of bird and seal activity. Because the generator sits in one of Antarctica’s busiest research corridors, its acoustic reach likely mirrors dozens of similar installations across the continent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-as-a-possible-ally"><a></a>Wind as a possible ally</h2>



Wind shear above the ocean’s surface occasionally deflects the drone away from Ardley’s nesting crags. This natural buffer hints at practical mitigation: situating future generators behind ridges or erecting small acoustic baffles could slash sounds without hindering operations. Even switching to newer, quieter models would help.



The researchers emphasize the urgent need to raise awareness about how noise pollution affects Antarctic ecosystems and to incorporate measures addressing this issue into the management plans of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-hosts-more-plant-life-vegetation-than-scientists-survey-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic Specially Protected Areas</a> (ASPAs).



Current guidelines for protected areas emphasize limits on foot traffic, fuel spills, and invasive species, yet mention little about decibel thresholds.



Adding continuous acoustic monitoring to routine environmental checks could flag hotspots early and guide equipment placement before wildlife pays the price.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-unnecessary-noise-in-antarctica">Reducing unnecessary noise in Antarctica</h2>



Antarctica will never be utterly silent - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rapid-antarctic-sea-ice-loss-is-causing-severe-storms-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a>, ice quakes, and natural colonies produce their own orchestrated roar. But unnecessary human noises are avoidable.



Installing mufflers, clustering machinery farther from breeding sites, and timing heavy-lift flights outside peak nesting hours all lie within reach of today’s logistics teams. 



Each adjustment would preserve the continent’s rare acoustic commons and shield animals whose entire life cycles pivot on being heard.



Until comprehensive studies link generator drone to chick survival, researchers plan to expand their sensor network across other South Shetland islands.



The early evidence, though, is unambiguous: even in Earth’s last great wilderness, a single engine can speak louder than an entire penguin colony. Protecting the Antarctic soundscape may prove as crucial as guarding its ice and krill.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1574954125001268?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecological Informatics</a>.



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Human noise is disrupting wildlife in Antarctica

Tiny motors and humming generators may seem harmless against Antarctica’s...

Clay, one of Earth’s most common nanomaterials, might soon play a surprising role in reducing carbon emissions. Researchers have found a way to use this simple, abundant material to capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from the air.



The scientists behind this work are from <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University</a>, working in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories. Their recently published study earned a 2024 R&amp;D 100 Award and has a patent application underway. 



The research could lead to new solutions for reducing the amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tech-can-capture-carbon-dioxide-from-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide in the atmosphere</a>, an urgent challenge in managing the global climate crisis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-clay-particles-big-potential">Small clay particles, big potential</h2>



The Purdue University team has been studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-soil-sequesters-carbon-from-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clay minerals</a> for more than 30 years. Over time, they’ve unraveled important details about how these tiny particles behave.



Cliff Johnston is lead researcher and professor of agronomy in the College of Agriculture and Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences in the College of Science at Purdue University.



"Clay minerals have an exceptionally high surface area," he said. "One tablespoon of clay has approximately the same surface area as an American football field."



"Most of this surface area is found in the internal pores of the clay. Over decades of research, we have found that these internal pores have polar and nonpolar regions."



Engineers can design clays that selectively absorb CO₂ by leveraging the molecule’s preference for nonpolar regions compared to water’s preference for polar regions.



The focus of the study is a group of clays called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-mars-missing-atmosphere-hiding-in-plain-sight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smectites</a>, which are some of the most common nanomaterials found in nature. Their vast surface area and tiny size make them ideal candidates for environmental applications, especially for capturing gases like carbon dioxide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-on-past-experience">Building on past experience</h2>



In previous research, the team examined how clays absorb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-can-make-other-pollutants-more-toxic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toxic pollutants</a> from water. "Our prior work focused on absorption of toxic organic pollutants on clay minerals from aqueous solution," noted Johnston.



"We found that certain types of smectites have hydrophobic surfaces and can sorb significant levels of hydrophobic contaminants, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, one of the most toxic organic compounds known."



Dioxins, often the result of combustion and industrial activities, are harmful pollutants found at many Superfund cleanup sites. The success of clay-based materials in capturing such toxins gave the researchers confidence to apply similar methods to absorb gases like carbon dioxide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clay-s-surprising-benefits">Clay's surprising benefits</h2>



Until recently, most efforts to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-system-captures-carbon-dioxide-directly-from-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">capture carbon dioxide</a> focused on high-tech materials like zeolites, metal-organic frameworks, and solid amine-based sorbents. For instance, Climeworks’ Orca facility in Iceland uses amine-based technology to pull carbon dioxide from the air.



However, clay minerals were often overlooked. They seemed too ordinary. This new study changes that perspective.



The team focused on a specific type of smectite called saponite. They explored how saponite manages carbon dioxide and water vapor - both of which compete for space in the clay’s tiny pores. 



Instead of heating the clay to boost its absorption ability, the researchers took a different route. They studied the effect of humidity.



The experts found that saponite has a strong attraction to carbon dioxide when humidity is low. This behavior was confirmed using advanced spectroscopic and gravimetric techniques.



This is the first time that researchers have shown how a clay mineral can absorb both carbon dioxide and water vapor at conditions close to what we experience in everyday life - ambient concentrations of carbon dioxide and room temperature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tackling-the-climate-crisis">Tackling the climate crisis</h2>



The implications of this discovery are promising. With clay being abundant and inexpensive, it could offer a scalable way to capture carbon dioxide from the air.



People could use it to cut <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-emissions-weaken-carbon-storage-in-the-southern-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a> from factories or store carbon dioxide underground, keeping it out of the atmosphere long-term.



This idea isn’t just theoretical. Johnston has already written nearly 200 papers, many of which explore how soil minerals interact with pollutants and gases. This extensive background adds weight to the new findings.



In a world looking for cost-effective and scalable solutions to the climate crisis, tiny clay particles might just have a very big role to play.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5c01210" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Journal of Physical Chemistry C</a>.



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Clay may be a simple solution to tackle carbon pollution

Clay, one of Earth’s most common nanomaterials, might soon play...

<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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

Closeup,Of,Fresh,Green,The,Napier,Bush,Grass,As,Animal

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/">NTU Singapore</a> reveals that some plants can remove toxic heavy metals from soil.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed samples of various tropical plant species to test for levels of heavy metals and metalloids. The study showed that there are existing plants with high levels of these contaminants, which means that these species are great candidates for drawing pollutants out of the soil.&nbsp;



Among the plants examined in the study, 12 species had accumulated several types of heavy metals and metalloids. These plants are widely available, including species that are native to Singapore.



“In a small nation like Singapore, land may be repurposed to support new development plans, so it is important that we have a green and sustainable way to remediate land that is contaminated," said Professor Lam Yeng Ming.



"We set out to uncover how to better make use of tropical plants to do phytoremediation and through advanced characterization techniques, we showed how some of these tropical plant species can be an environmentally friendly and literally a 'green' way to remove contaminants in soil."&nbsp;



"Phytoremediation also has benefits of cost effectiveness, simplicity of management, aesthetic advantages, and long-term applicability and sustainability. The strategy prevents erosion and metal leaching by stabilizing or accumulating heavy metals, so that helps reduce the risk of contaminant spread.”



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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



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

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

[sendtonews key="6SdlLLbt0t-1988946-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NTU...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes why herbicides are not as effective in killing weeds anymore. In the 20th century, chemical companies developed thousands of herbicides. The most commonly used herbicide was glyphosate, which was introduced in 1974.



Over the past few decades, dozens of species of weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate. Depending on the site of action, the part of the plant that an herbicide interacts with, weeds may even be resistant to herbicides that have not been developed yet.&nbsp;



With increasing resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides, weeds are - once again - becoming a major concern for farmers.&nbsp;



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

[sendtonews key="gRpsplpwpe-2251464-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> (JPL) describes a dust storm on Mars that was nearly twice the size of the United States. As the storm covered the southern hemisphere of the planet, some of NASA’s explorers had to delay their normal activities.



NASA’s Insight lander put itself in a "safe mode" for 11 days to conserve battery power because solar power was disrupted by the dust. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter postponed flights until conditions improved.



"A fleet of NASA orbiters monitor Martian dust storms like this one and serve as lifelines to Earth by relaying data from the rovers and lander on the ground back to the team. This includes the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, and Odyssey," reports JPL.



"Dust storms like this recent one start close to the ground and are spread by wind as they rise – warming the cold Martian atmosphere."



The images in the video were captured by NASA’s Curiosity as the dust rolled in. A fleet of orbiters monitored the dust storm from above, relaying data from Mars’ explorers back to scientists on Earth.



Video &amp; Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS



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



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

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

[sendtonews key="eAVLRk51oJ-1826888-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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