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......»»
Antibiotic pollution disrupts the gut microbiome and blocks memory in aquatic snails, study finds
Antibiotics prevent snails from forming new memories by disrupting their gut microbiome—the community of beneficial bacteria found in their guts......»»
Scientists count emperor penguins in the Antarctic to investigate factors affecting population
Emperor penguins are an endangered species. Scientists are protecting the largest of all penguins by monitoring their numbers precisely and investigating which factors affect their population. A team led by researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universi.....»»
Study shows unbalanced air quality improvements can increase forest fires
If we want cleaner air, fewer forest fires, and less severe climate change, a new UC Riverside study shows we must reduce aerosol pollution and greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide at the same time......»»
New report shows perils of air pollution persist nationwide
The American Lung Association's latest State of the Air report concludes that even though Americans have changed their ways significantly over the last 50-plus years, the struggle to provide cleaner air is far from being won......»»
One of world"s rarest whales sighted off California coast
In an extraordinary sighting, a critically endangered North Pacific right whale was spotted off the Marin County coast on Friday, thrilling scientists......»»
Camera tags capture social flexibility of Antarctic minke whales
Researchers have conducted one of the first quantitative studies of social structure and social foraging in Antarctic minke whales, using pioneering animal-borne camera tags......»»
Countries Must Cut Climate Pollution, Ocean Court Rules
In its first climate change case, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea determined that a global ocean convention extends to greenhouse gases, meaning countries have an obligation to reduce them.....»»
Cape Cod Weighs Big-Ticket Pollution Solutions
Toxic algal blooms are forcing Cape Cod communities to consider expensive sewer and septic system projects......»»
Big Oil May Pay Billions for Climate Pollution under New Legislation
Vermont's “Climate Superfund Act” would use attribution science to force oil, gas and coal companies to cover damages associated with their emissions.....»»
Killer whales keep ramming and sinking boats. Scientists now may know why, report says.
Killer whales keep ramming and sinking boats. Scientists now may know why, report says......»»
Ambitious targets are needed to end ocean plastic pollution by 2100, analysis finds
A collaboration between researchers at Imperial College London and GNS Science, suggests that reducing plastic pollution by 5% per year would stabilize the level of microplastics—plastics less than 5 mm in length—in the surface oceans......»»
Heavy water: How melting ice sheets and pumped groundwater can lower local sea levels—and boost them elsewhere
Imagine you're standing near the edge of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, gazing out over the ocean, when the ice near you starts to melt very rapidly. A surge of meltwater flows into the ocean. Surprisingly, you watch the sea level fall—not rise......»»
South Africa: Gold mine pollution is poisoning Soweto"s water and soil—study finds food gardens are at risk
For 140 years, gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa have been leaking wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The acid mine drainage from Johannesburg's estimated 278 abandoned mines and 200 mine dumps includes uranium (a radioactive metal), t.....»»
Killer whales keep attacking and sinking boats. Scientists now know why, study says.
Killer whales keep attacking and sinking boats. Scientists now know why, study says......»»
Researchers capture unique pollution data following Key Bridge collapse
When the container vessel Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in Baltimore Harbor on March 26, 2024, deliveries to the busy port via ship were halted, and the number of trains and trucks coming into the city dropped.....»»
Future climate impacts put humpback whale diet at risk
A new study led by Griffith University predicts that future climate change impacts could disrupt the krill-heavy diet that humpback whales in the southern hemisphere consume. The study, "No distinct local cuisines among humpback whales: A population.....»»
Sustainable, high-performance paper coating material could reduce microplastic pollution
Plastic pollution presents a global challenge that must be solved. In particular, packaging accounts for 30–50% of the total plastic consumption. While paper packaging is eco-friendly, it lacks crucial functionalities like moisture resistance and s.....»»
Half of mangrove ecosystems at risk: conservationists
Half of the world's mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse due to climate change, deforestation and pollution, according to a study published Wednesday......»»
A review of the applications of mercury stable isotopes for tracing volcanism in geologic events
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can exist stably as a gas, with high volatility and global distribution in the atmosphere. Volcanoes represent a primary natural source of Hg in the atmosphere, with significant effects on Hg cycles on both global.....»»
Rise in sea urchins and related damage to kelp forests impacts Oregon"s gray whales and their food, study finds
A recent boom in the purple sea urchin population off the southern Oregon Coast appears to have had an indirect and negative impact on the gray whales that usually forage in the region, a new study shows......»»