Humpback whales as bioindicators of Antarctic mercury pollution
A Griffith University-led study provided the first evidence of mercury accumulation in humpback whales and screened levels in other marine megafauna foraging in the Southern Ocean......»»
Researchers develop high-sensitivity technique to detect mercury in soil
Environmental pollution by heavy metals is a major social problem. Among these metals, mercury (Hg) is strictly controlled due to its high toxicity. Focusing on soil, which is closely related to our daily lives, the environmental standard for mercury.....»»
Bronx study tracks exposure to air pollution through the day—data reveal demographic disparities in exposure levels
There are significant differences in how much people are exposed to air pollution, according to a new study co-authored by MIT scholars that takes daily mobility into account......»»
Ecommerce activity is causing a spike in pollution by warehouses
Warehouses associated with ecommerce outlets are causing more traffic, which means more local pollution......»»
Mongolians fight plastic pollution in vast steppe
Mongolian herder Purev Batmunkh sighs as he picks through waste strewn across a field—the refuse of an unsightly and deadly waste pollution problem affecting swathes of the steppe......»»
Air pollution falls after London vehicle curbs: Mayor
London's Mayor Sadiq Khan on Thursday claimed success for his expanded pollution toll zone for motor vehicles, pointing to a drop in levels of a harmful air pollutant since its controversial introduction......»»
Reduce, reuse, reflycle: How genetically modified flies can reduce waste and keep it out of landfills
A Macquarie University team proposes using genetically engineered black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) to address worldwide pollution challenges and produce valuable raw materials for industry, including the USD $500 billion global animal feed mar.....»»
Examining progress on volatile organic compound pollution control via the catalytic method
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with toxicity and irritability, could cause atmospheric environmental problems such as haze and photochemical smog, seriously threatening the ecological environment and human health. The primary source of VOCs is hu.....»»
Environmental pollution and human health—how worried should we be?
If not the root of all evil, chemical pollution is surely responsible for a good chunk of it. At least, that's how it feels sometimes when reading the news and the latest research......»»
Estuaries and coastlines capture most plastic before it gets out to sea, providing a chance to stop ocean pollution
If you ask someone where plastic ends up, they will usually say the ocean. It's not a surprising answer because we have known since the 1970s that plastic is accumulating in the subtropical oceans, far from land......»»
Elevated levels of antibiotic resistance genes should be considered a new factor of global change, researchers say
Human-caused global change is a complex phenomenon comprising many factors such as climate change, environmental contamination with chemicals, microplastics, light pollution, and invasive plants. One of the main tasks of global change biology is to i.....»»
Bursting of underwater oil drops: How pollution may remain in water after oil spill cleanups
Oil drops from underwater oil spills can break into tinier droplets at the surface that remain suspended in the water, according to research from the University of Illinois Chicago. That means cleanups after disasters like the Deepwater Horizon spill.....»»
Baleen plates provide new insight on life history of blue and fin whales
Researchers have recently released a study in Ecology and Evolution outlining their in-depth analysis of historic baleen plates, the comb structures that are used by some species of whales to filter food, from Southern Hemisphere blue and fin whales......»»
Microbial structures in Antarctic lake could reveal more about how life evolved
In the depths of remote Antarctic lakes, communities of microorganisms are thriving where few life forms can survive. Scientists are studying structures formed by these communities to understand more about microscopic life in these extreme environmen.....»»
Mega-iceberg melt affects important marine ecosystem
Scientists have for the first time taken in-situ ocean measurements during the collapse of a giant iceberg in the sub-Antarctic. These new observations reveal how ocean ecosystems may be affected if more icebergs calve due to warmer ocean temperature.....»»
Geophysics research finds microplastic pollution increases sea foam height and stability
From cloud formation to sea temperatures, sea foam plays many roles in the dynamic interactions that occur at the surface level of the world's oceans......»»
Local dragonflies expose mercury pollution patterns
A new study has unveiled surprising findings about mercury pollution: where it comes from and how it moves through the environment vary significantly depending on the ecosystem. In drier regions, most mercury is deposited through rain and snow. In we.....»»
Oil and gas development in Permian Basin a likely source of ozone pollution in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
New research shows that ozone concentrations at Carlsbad Caverns National Park frequently exceed Environmental Protection Agency health standards, likely due to oil and natural gas development in the Permian Basin and surrounding region......»»
World"s rarest whale may have washed up on New Zealand beach, possibly shedding clues on species
Spade-toothed whales are the world's rarest, with no live sightings ever recorded. No one knows how many there are, what they eat, or even where they live in the vast expanse of the southern Pacific Ocean. However, scientists in New Zealand may have.....»»
Q&A: "We lost instruments chewed or crunched by bears and sea otters"—how a researcher listens for elusive belugas
Dr. Manuel Castellote studies the behavior and conservation of whales and dolphins. After beginning his academic career in Spain, he now works in the United States, applying acoustic techniques to learn more about cetaceans—especially beluga whales.....»»
Highway to hell? Plan for Germany"s biggest motorway sparks anger
A proposal to create Germany's biggest motorway has sparked a backlash, with critics fearful the "monstrosity" will increase climate-damaging emissions, worsen noise pollution and harm biodiverse habitats......»»