Earth

Climate change has brought about an increase in flood risks in urban areas, posing a serious threat to communities worldwide. Heavy rainfall disasters are no longer confined to specific regions, but have become a global issue that demands urgent attention. Traditional methods of displaying flood risk simulations on flat maps have proven to be limited

The increasing shift towards a sustainable future, particularly in the transportation and energy sectors, is expected to lead to a significant rise in demand for key raw materials such as cobalt, lithium, copper, aluminum, iron, and rare earth elements. According to a recent study conducted by the Berlin-based climate research institute MCC, global demand for

Recent research led by Dr. Hamed Gamaleldien and Dr. Hugo Olierook from Curtin University has uncovered evidence suggesting that fresh water on Earth appeared much earlier than previously believed. By examining ancient crystals from the Jack Hills in Western Australia, the researchers have dated the onset of Earth’s hydrological cycle to about 4 billion years

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that is about 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. When combined with water at low temperatures and high pressure, it forms methane hydrate, which is an ice-like solid found in large deposits under the seafloor. Estimates suggest that there are at least 1,800 gigatons of carbon stored in

The study conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers sheds new light on the significant role that prehistoric worms and other invertebrates played in sparking a chain of events that led to the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event, which occurred approximately 480 million years ago. These small creatures, which no longer exist today, were found to have

Freshwater mussels play a crucial role in indicating the cleanliness of their environment by acting as biomonitors. Researchers from Penn State have conducted a study on the effects of fracking wastewater on these bivalves, revealing some alarming findings. Fracking Wastewater Contamination The study focused on a treatment facility in Western Pennsylvania that accepted and treated

A groundbreaking discovery by researchers at UC Riverside has the potential to revolutionize the way water providers deal with “forever chemicals” in drinking water. These chemicals, known as PFAS (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances), have been widely used in various products but are now being phased out due to their harmful impact on human health. With

The rapid pace of urbanization in Africa is a cause for concern, with no signs of slowing down. Africa’s urban population has more than doubled since the early 2000s, reaching over 600 million in 2020. If this growth continues, it is projected to double again by 2050. This significant increase in urban population has outpaced

The shrinking of the Salton Sea has led to increased air pollution in nearby communities, affecting disadvantaged populations disproportionately. This phenomenon has been studied in-depth by researchers, shedding light on the environmental and health consequences of reduced water diversions into California’s largest lake. Historical Background The Salton Sea, formed in 1905 by an overflow of

In the battle against climate change, farmland often becomes a contested arena. The competition between solar panels, energy crops, and food production can create tension, while policy choices may inadvertently lead to the cultivation of new lands, releasing more heat-trapping gases. In this context, strategies for sustainable plant-based fuels concentrate on marginal lands that are

Water scarcity is a pressing issue that is expected to worsen with climate change and socioeconomic developments, particularly affecting populations in the Global South. The importance of clean water for various human needs, including drinking, sanitation, food production, energy generation, and manufacturing, cannot be overstated. In a recent publication in Nature Climate Change, researchers from

In recent years, California has experienced a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, leading to widespread smoke coverage across the state. A study conducted by the University of California, Davis, has shed light on the impact of wildfire smoke on California lakes, raising concerns about the long-term ecological consequences of this phenomenon.

In a bid to enhance the monitoring of ground rotations caused by earthquakes in the active volcanic region of Campi Flegrei in Italy, researchers have developed a prototype fiber optic gyroscope. This development is crucial because it offers real-time data on seismic activities that occur in the area. The purpose of the research is to

In 2023, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reported historically low levels of sea ice around Antarctica. This sudden decline, following decades of steady growth up to 2015, was equivalent to about ten times the size of the UK. The researchers at BAS used the CMIP6 climate dataset to analyze data from 18 different climate models

The detrimental effects of plastic pollution in the ocean extend beyond harming marine life. A recent study, co-authored by Northeastern researcher Aron Stubbins, has revealed that microplastics can hinder the ocean’s ability to mitigate the climate crisis by impeding the process of carbon sequestration. This process, which involves phytoplankton sinking to the ocean depths, plays