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UrduResearchers reporting in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters explored whether wildfire suppressants could be a source of elevated metal levels sometimes found in waterways after wildfires are extinguished. Several products they investigated contained high levels of at least one metal.
Tag: Water Pollution
Study: Invasive silver carp reduce movement in Chicago-area water
Invasive silver carp have been spreading throughout the Mississippi River Basin since their introduction a half-century ago. Yet, try as they might, the fish have not advanced beyond a particular stretch of the Illinois River north of Kankakee.
Study combines woodchips and biochar to clean water of pharmaceuticals, nutrients
In a new University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study, researchers show how a simple system using woodchips and a bit of glorified sawdust — designer biochar — can dramatically reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and multiple common drugs in wastewater.
Harnessing nature’s rhythm: piezocatalysis for organic pollutant degradation
In a pivotal advancement for environmental conservation, researchers have pioneered piezoelectric techniques to efficiently degrade organic pollutants in water. This green approach converts mechanical stress into catalytic action, offering a sustainable and efficient method for water purification without relying on external energy sources.
Carbohydrate polymers could be a sweet solution for water purification
Researchers in ACS Central Science report a sugar-like polymer that traps heavy metals within insoluble clumps for easy removal. In proof-of-concept tests, the polymer removed ionic cadmium and lead from river water spiked with these persistent contaminants.
Decomposing ‘Refrigerants’, a Potent Greenhouse Gas, Using Industrial Waste
Dr. Ryi, Shin-kun’s research team at the Hydrogen Convergence Materials Lab of the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has successfully developed a catalyst from industrial waste known as ‘red mud,’ a byproduct of aluminum production.
Swarms of miniature robots clean up microplastics and microbes, simultaneously (video)
In a study in ACS Nano, researchers describe swarms of microscale robots (microrobots) that captured bits of plastic and bacteria from water. Afterward, the bots were decontaminated and reused.
Twist of groundwater contaminants
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced that a team of Dr. Seunghak Lee, Jaeshik Chung, and Sang Hyun Kim from the Water Resources Cycle Research Center has discovered that the natural purification of groundwater is enhanced by nitrate, a known pollutant.
Cleaning up environmental contaminants with quantum dot technology
Quantum dot research just won a Nobel Prize, and now, the applications for nontoxic quantum dots are being expanded. One team of researchers has designed carbon- and sulfur-based dots to help clean up the environment. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Want fewer microplastics in your tap water? Try boiling it first
Want to remove microplastics from water? Try brewing it for a cup of tea or coffee! Research reported in Environmental Science & Technology Letters shows that by boiling then filtering tap water, up to 90% of the nano- and microplastics present could be removed.
Mercury levels in tuna remain nearly unchanged since 1971, study says
Tuna can build up high levels of methylmercury from feeding on contaminated prey. Despite efforts to reduce mercury emissions, researchers report in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters that levels in tuna appear to be unchanged.
Killer whales’ diet more important than location for pollutant exposure, study says
Both elegant and fierce, killer whales are some of the oceans’ top predators, but even they can be exposed to environmental pollution.
Ocean circulation, ice melt and increasing tourism could all be contributing to Arctic microplastics
Scientists measured microplastic concentrations in the highly productive Barents Sea and suggest that ocean circulation, ice melt, tourism, inadequate waste management, shipping and fishing are all likely contributors. Numerous studies have shown that global microplastic quantities in the marine environment…
Killer whales’ diet more important than location for pollutant exposure, study says
Killer whales are some of the oceans’ top predators, but even they can be exposed to environmental pollution. In the largest study to date on North Atlantic killer whales, researchers in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology report the levels of pollutants in 162 individuals’ blubber.
Glitter impairs growth of organisms with key roles in aquatic ecosystems, study shows
A study concluded that particles of glitter can hinder the growth of organisms at the base of aquatic ecosystems, such as cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), which play a key role in the biogeochemical cycles of water and soil, as well as being eaten by other organisms.
Tubing and swimming change the chemistry and microbiome of streams
As Labor Day approaches, many people will go tubing and swimming, but do these delightful summertime activities impact streams and rivers? Today, scientists report that recreation can alter the chemical and microbial fingerprint of waterways. They will present their results at ACS Fall 2023.
Cleaning water with ‘smart rust’ and magnets (video)
Pouring flecks of rust into water usually makes it dirtier. Now, researchers have developed special iron oxide nanoparticles called “smart rust” to trap estrogen hormones that are potentially harmful to aquatic life. They will present their results at ACS Fall 2023.
Nitrogen runoff strategies complicated by climate change
As climate change progresses, rising temperatures may impact nitrogen runoff from land to lakes and streams more than projected increases in total and extreme precipitation for most of the continental United States, according to new research from a team of Carnegie climate scientists led by Gang Zhao and Anna Michalak published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
UC Irvine PFAS expert with current study available to comment on forever chemicals in our water sources
Environmental health researcher, epidemiologist, and statistician, Scott Bartell, PhD, is a professor at the UCI Program in Public Health in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. For the past 25 years, Bartell has dedicated his research to quantifying human…
UC Irvine PFAS Expert available to comment on Supreme Court’s ruling about EPA’s power to regulate water pollution
For an expert source on this breaking news, Scott Bartell, MS, PhD, UC Irvine professor of environmental and occupational health, is available for interviews. For the past 25 years, Bartell has dedicated his research to quantifying human exposures and health effects caused…
Winter cover crops could reduce nitrogen in Illinois drainage water by 30%
As Corn Belt states seek ways to curb nitrogen flow from farms into the Gulf of Mexico, new University of Illinois research adds evidence for winter cover crops as an important part of the solution. A simulation study published in Science of the Total Environment finds widespread planting of cereal rye in Illinois could reduce nitrate in the state’s tile drainage water by 30%.
New wood-based technology removes 80% of dye pollutants in wastewater
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have developed a new method that can easily purify contaminated water using a cellulose-based material.
Strict regulation of PFOS and toxic “forever chemicals”
A new study by Environmental Working Group scientists finds that consumption of just a single serving of freshwater fish per year could be equal to a month of drinking water laced with the “forever chemical” PFOS at high levels that may be harmful.
Microplastics deposited on the seafloor triple in 20 years
The total amount of microplastics deposited on the bottom of oceans has tripled in the past two decades with a progression that corresponds to the type and volume of consumption of plastic products by society.
Synthetic fibers discovered in Antarctic air, seawater, sediment and sea ice as the ‘pristine’ continent becomes a sink for plastic pollution
As nations meet in Uruguay to negotiate a new Global Plastics Treaty, marine and forensic scientists publish new results this week that reveal the discovery of synthetic plastic fibres in air, seawater, sediment and sea ice sampled in the Antarctic Weddell Sea.
Toxins from Harmful Algae Found in Bull Sharks of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon
The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is a bull shark nursery habitat crucial to survival and recruitment of Atlantic coast bull sharks. Analysis of 123 samples found the presence of one or more phycotoxin from harmful algal blooms in 82 percent of the bull sharks and their prey items. Findings highlight the potential threat of toxic algae to the IRL’s ecosystem and surrounding human populations that may consume the same prey species. The highest concentrations of most toxins were detected in gut content samples, highlighting dietary exposure as an important mechanism of toxin transfer to bull sharks in the system.
Research Reveals Large Emissions From Ship Scrubbers
The Baltic Sea is considered one of the world’s most polluted seas. Now, new research from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, reveals a relatively unknown environmental culprit.
Adsorbent material filters toxic chromium, arsenic from water supplies
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory are tackling a global water challenge with a unique material designed to target not one, but two toxic, heavy metal pollutants for simultaneous removal.
Tiny fish-shaped robot ‘swims’ around picking up microplastics
Researchers in ACS’ Nano Letters report having created a light-activated fish robot that “swims” around quickly, picking up and removing microplastics from the environment.
Research Confirms Effectiveness of Oil Dispersants
Marine oil spills are one of the most direct, and harmful, examples of the toll that the extraction of fossil fuels can take on the environment.
UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have impact on textile wastewater pollution research
The world’s research effort into wastewater pollution caused by the textiles industry has increased threefold over the past five years, according to a new analysis released this week in the lead up to Earth Day (Friday 22 April).
A midge fly can be a source of currently used pesticides for birds, bats
Researchers reporting in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology have observed that non-biting midge larvae accumulate contemporary pesticides from polluted water and retain the substances into adulthood. As a result, animals that eat the adult flies could consume small amounts of pesticides daily.
Maritime rope could be adding billions of microplastics to the ocean every year
The hauling of rope on maritime vessels could result in billions of microplastic fragments entering the ocean every year, according to new research.
Americans should see improved water quality after federal judge strikes down water pollution rule, WVU scientist says
Nicolas Zegre, a hydrology researcher at West Virginia University, is available to discuss the recent ruling tossing Trump-era regulations allowing pollution — including industrial waste, pesticides and other chemicals — to be discharged into small streams and other waterways.
Mountaintop mining causes 40% loss of aquatic biodiversity
Trickling down over rocks, surrounded by wildflowers and ferns, Appalachian mountain streams are chock-full of life.
Watercooler parts could be a source of organophosphate ester exposure
Researchers in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters report that organophosphate esters (OPEs) were found in water dispensed from watercooler systems, but they estimated that daily consumption would be far below the levels associated with health problems.
MTU engineers clean up water pollution with sunlight
In addition to providing vitamin D, helping flowers grow and creating the perfect excuse to head to the beach, sunlight also helps break down chemicals in streams, lakes and rivers. Michigan Tech’s Daisuke Minakata has developed a comprehensive reactive activity model that shows how singlet oxygen’s reaction mechanisms perform against a diverse group of contaminants and computes their half-life in a natural aquatic environment.
Study provides first holistic assessment of plastic pollution in the Caribbean
The Caribbean is renowned globally for its stunning beaches and crystal clear ocean.
Free Online Video Series Open to the Public ‘Understanding Harmful Algal Blooms in Florida’
The free online series of short videos are designed to provide basic, jargon-free scientific information on harmful algal blooms: what they are; where they live and grow; and causes, impacts, and potential mitigation of blooms. The series is directed toward resource managers and decision-makers as well as the general public.
Science Snapshots From Berkeley Lab
Science Snapshots From Berkeley Lab – Water purification, infant-warming device, cuff-based heart disease monitor, ancient magnetic fields
Restoring wetlands near farms would dramatically reduce water pollution
Study examines the positive effects of wetlands on water quality and the potential for using wetland restoration as a key strategy for improving water quality, particularly in the Mississippi River Basin and Gulf of Mexico regions
New Material Designed by Berkeley Lab ‘Mines’ Copper from Toxic Wastewater
A research team led by Berkeley Lab has designed a new material – called ZIOS (zinc imidazole salicylaldoxime) – that extracts copper ions from mine wastewater with unprecedented precision and speed.
How a toxic chromium species could form in drinking water
Researchers reporting in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology have investigated how hexavalent chromium, known as Cr(VI), can form in drinking water when corroded cast iron pipes interact with residual disinfectant.
USDA funds study of dairy cattle’s environmental footprint
A new open-source computer model being developed by a Cornell University-led interdisciplinary team will simulate production and quantify the environmental effects of management decisions made on dairy farms.
Rutgers Experts Available to Discuss Environmental Protection During COVID-19 Crisis
New Brunswick, N.J. (April 15, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick professors Nicole Fahrenfeld and John Reinfelder are available for interviews on environmental protection issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fahrenfeld can discuss issues including microbial water quality, sewer issues (including what…