Biology: Marine Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Nature Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

The ocean may be storing more carbon than estimated in earlier studies      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The ocean's capacity to store atmospheric carbon dioxide is some 20% greater than the estimates contained in the latest IPCC report. Scientists looked at the role played by plankton in the natural transport of carbon from surface waters down to the seabed. Plankton gobble up carbon dioxide and, as they grow, convert it into organic tissue via photosynthesis.

Biology: Botany Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Plant nurseries are exacerbating the climate-driven spread of 80% of invasive species      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have provided detailed maps of how 144 common invasive plants species will react to 2° Celsius of climate change in the eastern U.S., as well as the role that garden centers currently play in seeding future invasions.

Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Top 10 climate science insights unveiled      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new report equips policymakers with the latest and most pivotal climate science research from the previous 18 months, synthesized to help inform negotiations at COP28 and policy implementation through 2024 and beyond.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Using AI to find microplastics      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An interdisciplinary research team is using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify microplastics faster and more accurately than ever before.

Environmental: General Environmental: Wildfires Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Wildfires have erased two decades' worth of air quality gains in western United States      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study concludes that wildfires originating in the western United States and Canada have erased air quality gains over the past two decades and caused an increase of premature deaths in fire-prone areas and downwind regions, primarily in the western U.S.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography
Published

Fossil CO2 emissions at record high in 2023      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels have risen again in 2023 -- reaching record levels, according to new research.

Chemistry: General Engineering: Graphene Geoscience: Earthquakes Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Recycling concrete using carbon can reduce emissions and waste      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Amid the rubble of large-sale earthquake, war or other disaster -- and as ageing buildings and infrastructure are replaced -- mountains of concrete are often taken to landfill or pounded into rubble for roads. For a more sustainable approach, experts are developing a 'value add' for old broken concrete to 'upcycling' coarse aggregate to produce a strong, durable and workable concrete using a small amount of a secret ingredient -- graphene.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Wildfires Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Strange burn: New research identifies unique patterns in Utah wildfires      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Utah's variable topography produces a tremendous range of wildfire behavior, according to new research.

Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

New study identifies the greatest threat to wildlife across North America and Canada: people      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A biology student studied more than 600,000 wildlife rehabilitation center records to look at the human impact on wild animals, from lead poisonings to window strikes to vehicle collisions.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

1.5°C pathways can still be achieved, combining fairness and global climate protection      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Global warming can still be limited to 1.5°C by 2100 while ensuring that the poor are not hit hardest by climate policies and climate impacts. This is achieved by immediately introducing broad carbon pricing together with re-distributive policies using carbon pricing revenues and further measures to reduce energy consumption, accelerate technological transitions, and transform the land sector.

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

How mountains affect El Niño-induced winter precipitation      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A consideration of how mountains influence El Niño and La Niña-induced precipitation change in western North America may be the ticket to more informed water conservation planning along the Colorado River, new research suggests.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Robotics Research Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Snail-inspired robot could scoop ocean microplastics      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Inspired by a small and slow snail, scientists have developed a robot protype that may one day scoop up microplastics from the surfaces of oceans, seas and lakes.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Zoology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Artificial light is luring birds to cities and sometimes to their deaths      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists used weather radar data to map bird stopover density in the United States and found that artificial light is a top indicator of where birds will land. City lights lure birds into what can be an ecological trap -- with buildings that lead to collisions, less habitat, scarcer food, and more people and cats. The study provides the first continent-wide maps of migration stopover hotspots in the contiguous United States, and knowing these broadscale layover patterns can help in the development of conservation plans. 

Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Climate Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: General
Published

More than a meteorite: New clues about the demise of dinosaurs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

What wiped out the dinosaurs? A meteorite plummeting to Earth is only part of the story, a new study suggests. Climate change triggered by massive volcanic eruptions may have ultimately set the stage for the dinosaur extinction, challenging the traditional narrative that a meteorite alone delivered the final blow to the ancient giants.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Researchers decode aqueous amino acid's potential for direct air capture of CO2      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have made a significant stride toward understanding a viable process for direct air capture, or DAC, of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This DAC process is in early development with the aim of achieving negative emissions, where the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the envelope of gases surrounding Earth exceeds the amount emitted.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Himalayan glaciers react, blow cold winds down their slopes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Himalayan Glaciers fight back to preserve themselves, but for how long? An international team of researchers explains a stunning phenomenon: rising global temperatures have led Himalayan glaciers to increasingly cool the air in contact with the ice surface. The ensuing cold winds might help cool the glaciers and preserve the surrounding ecosystems. The results were found across the Himalayan range.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Consensus needed on when global warming reaches 1.5°C      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of scientists has emphasized that -- surprisingly -- there is currently no formally agreed way of defining the current level of global warming relevant to the Paris Agreement.

Biology: Marine Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Wildfires Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Ash can fertilize the oceans      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Flames roared through Santa Barbara County in late 2017. UC Santa Barbara canceled classes, and the administration recommended donning an N95, long before the COVID pandemic made the mask a household item. Smoke and ash choked the air, but the Thomas Fire's effects weren't restricted to the land and sky. Huge amounts of ash settled into the oceans, leaving researchers to wonder what effect it might have on marine life.