http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/environmental_issues/ News on Environmental Issues. Research articles on global warming, ozone depletion, air and water pollution, acid rain, waste management and more. en-us Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:05:01 EDT Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/environmental_issues/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080930094653.htm The roadmap to the future of the gorgeously-decorated fish which throng Australia’s coral reefs may well be written in their genes. Of particular importance may be to protect ‘pioneer’ fish populations which are able to re-colonize regions of reef devastated by global warming and other impacts or settle new areas as the corals move south. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080930094653.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007102853.htm The 2008 ozone hole -- a thinning in the ozone layer over Antarctica -- is larger both in size and ozone loss than 2007 but is not as large as 2006. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007102853.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006102537.htm Could there be a link between high levels of air pollution and the risk of appendicitis? New research suggests a novel connection. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006102537.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080930081357.htm New North African climate reconstructions reveal three ‘green Sahara’ episodes during which the present-day Sahara Desert was almost completely covered with extensive grasslands, lakes and ponds over the course of the last 120.000 years. Reconstructing the climate of the past is an important tool for scientists to better understand and predict future climate changes that are the result of the present-day global warming. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080930081357.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006102541.htm During October and November 2008, some 150 scientists from 40 institutions in eight nations will take part in an international field experiment designed to make observations of critical components of the climate system of the southeastern Pacific. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006102541.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007120419.htm The coming three decades will determine whether the population of the world comes into balance with the capacity of the biosphere to support it, or whether catastrophic changes in the environment brought on by climate change, losses of biodiversity, pollution of air and water, and overharvesting of natural resources will lead to the end of the improvement of wellbeing that has characterized the Modern Era. Current indicators are alarming. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007120419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006092643.htm From majestic African elephants to tiny and often unappreciated rodents, mammals on Earth are in a state of crisis. One in four mammal species on Earth is being pushed to extinction, according to the Global Mammal Assessment, the most comprehensive assessment of the world's mammals. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006092643.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100636.htm A new experiment to find out how British plant ecosystems may be affected by future changes to climate and biodiversity is underway at Imperial College London. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100636.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924075311.htm Researchers have found that the main source of food for many fish -- including cod -- in the North Atlantic appears to adapt in order to survive climate change. Billions of Calanus finmarchicus, a plankton species, which are just a few millimeters in size, live in the waters of the North Atlantic where the research was carried out. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924075311.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929095708.htm Now it is time to invent sustainable solutions to avoid environmental damage. As a result of the Haber-Bosch process for the synthesis of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen, billions of people have been fed, millions have died in armed conflict and a cascade of environmental changes has been set in motion, suggests a new article. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929095708.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006180815.htm A new NASA study shows that the rising frequency and intensity of arctic storms over the last half century, attributed to progressively warmer waters, directly provoked acceleration of the rate of arctic sea ice drift, long considered by scientists as a bellwether of climate change. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006180815.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006170753.htm Researchers in Iran are publishing what they describe as the first study on a fungus that can remove sulfur -- a major source of air pollution -- from crude oil more effectively than conventional refining methods. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006170753.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006155929.htm Scientists have found lichens can give insight into nitrogen air pollution effects on Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino mountain ecosystems, and protecting them provides safeguards for less sensitive species. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006155929.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081003155620.htm In recent years, public discussion of climate change has included concerns that increased levels of carbon dioxide will contribute to global warming, which in turn may change the circulation in the Earth's oceans, with potentially disastrous consequences. Ice core and ocean deposit comparisons show complex links between carbon dioxide levels, ocean currents and climate, which may help explain past, present and future climate trends. Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081003155620.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081001093454.htm New research shows certain countries and some US states stand to benefit from the use of compact fluorescent lighting more than others, and some places may even produce more mercury emissions by switching from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081001093454.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080930144214.htm DNA test could be used to detect harmful algal blooms across the globe, an article the International Journal of Environment and Pollution. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080930144214.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172607.htm In his State of the Union Address on Jan. 23, 2007, President Bush stated that, in order to substantially lower foreign oil imports, "We must increase the supply of alternative fuels, by setting a mandatory fuels standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels in 2017." Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172607.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172438.htm As the United States and other nations commit to the path of biofuels production, 23 scientists call for sustainable practices in an industry that will, as one of them says, "reshape the Earth's landscape in a significant way." Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172438.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929104607.htm Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been promoted as inexpensive, low-technology approaches to treating agricultural, industrial and municipal wastewater to comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. CWs, or marshes built to treat contaminated water, incorporate soil and drainage materials, water, plants and microorganisms. "Surface-flow" constructed wetlands resemble shallow freshwater marshes and generally require a large land area for wastewater treatment. More effective for greenhouse and nursery operations with limited production space and expensive land are a type of constructed wetland called "subsurface flow." Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929104607.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929133725.htm Recent modeling results show that the depth of the water table, which results from lateral water flow at the surface and subsurface, determines the relative susceptibility of regions to changes in temperature and precipitation. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929133725.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929144116.htm It is common knowledge that the world's oceans and atmosphere are warming as humans release more and more carbon dioxide into the Earth's atmosphere. However, fewer people realize that the chemistry of the oceans is also changing -- seawater is becoming more acidic as carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves in the oceans. These changes in ocean temperature and chemistry will have an unexpected side effect -- sounds will travel farther underwater. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929144116.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929123941.htm An energy and environmental system expert has shown it is possible to reduce carbon dioxide -- the main greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming -- using a relatively simple machine that can capture the trace amount of carbon dioxide present in the air at any place on the planet. The technology could dramatically reduce emissions from transportation. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929123941.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924124547.htm Air quality regulations may not effectively target a large source of fine, organic particle pollutants that contribute to hazy skies and poor air quality over the Los Angeles region. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924124547.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924111401.htm Scientists are reporting findings on the long-term effects of warming anomaly on grassland productivity and ecosystem carbon cycling. They found that warming by 4 degrees Celsius in the Reno greenhouse not only depressed plant growth and suppressed land carbon absorption in the treatment year but also resulted in prolonged suppression of plant growth and carbon absorption in the following year. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924111401.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080922184922.htm Researchers have discovered the oldest known ice in North America, and that permafrost may be a significant touchstone when looking at global warming. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080922184922.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929094945.htm Despite a moderate summer, the heat is rising in Southern California. Scientists now forecast that in coming decades, 10- to 14-day heat waves will become the norm. And because these will be hotter heat waves, they will be more threatening to public health. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080929094945.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100629.htm Cities are being unfairly blamed for most of humanity's greenhouse gas emissions and this threatens efforts to tackle climate change, warns a new study. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100629.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925072440.htm The Global Carbon Project posted the most recent figures for the worlds' carbon budget, a key to understanding the balance of carbon added to the atmosphere, the underpinning of human induced climate change. Despite the increasing international sense of urgency, the growth rate of emissions continued to speed up, bringing the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration to 383 parts per million in 2007. Emissions growth for 2000-2007 was above even the most fossil fuel intensive scenario of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925072440.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925144806.htm An explanation for a strange property of noctilucent clouds -- thin, wispy clouds hovering at the edge of space at 85 km altitude -- has been proposed by an experimental plasma physicist, possibly laying to rest a decades-long mystery. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925144806.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918111316.htm Plants in a forest respond to stress by producing a chemical form of aspirin, scientists have discovered. The finding opens up new avenues of research into the behavior of plants, and it has the potential to give farmers an early warning signal about crops that are failing. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918111316.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080923091339.htm Scientists have discovered a 'chemical equator' that divides the polluted air of the Northern Hemisphere from the largely uncontaminated atmosphere of the Southern hemisphere. Researchers found evidence for an atmospheric chemical equator around 50 km wide in cloudless skies in the Western Pacific. Their findings show for the first time that the chemical and meteorological boundaries between the two air masses are not necessarily the same. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080923091339.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924125045.htm The economic impact of climate change will cost a number of US states billions of dollars, and delaying action will raise the price tag, concludes the latest series of reports produced by the University of Maryland's Center for Integrative Environmental Research. The new reports project specific long-term direct and ripple economic effects on North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. In most cases, the price tag could run into billions of dollars. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924125045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924111147.htm By killing large swaths of forests in the Rocky Mountains, mountain pine beetles may be altering local weather patterns and air quality. Scientists are exploring how the loss of trees and other vegetation influences rainfall, temperatures, smog, and other aspects of the atmosphere. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924111147.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925144824.htm By better managing environmental issues during deployments, US Army units can gain tactical and strategic advantages that will help in combat and post-conflict operations, and boost overall mission success, according to a new RAND Corporation study. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925144824.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080923164714.htm River floods and storms that send water surging through swamps and marshes near rivers and coastal areas might cut in half the average greenhouse gas emissions from those affected wetlands, according to recent research. A study suggests that pulses of water through wetlands result in lower average emissions of greenhouse gases over the course of the year compared to the emissions from wetlands that receive a steady flow of water. Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080923164714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918192943.htm Abrupt climate change is the focus of IMPACTS, a major new program bringing together six US Department of Energy national laboratories to investigate the instability of marine ice sheets, warming of the boreal forests and Arctic, megadroughts in the Southwestern United States, and methane release from frozen hydrates. Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918192943.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080922155914.htm How much carbon dioxide is too much? According to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere need to be stabilized at levels low enough to "prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system." But scientists have come to realize that an even more acute danger than climate change is lurking in the world's oceans -- one that is likely to be triggered by CO₂ levels that are modest by climate standards. Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080922155914.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080921162046.htm Climate has been implicated by a new study as a major driver of wildfires in the last 2,000 years. But human activities, such as land clearance and fire suppression during the industrial era (since 1750) have created large swings in burning, first increasing fires until the late 1800s, and then dramatically reducing burning in the 20th century. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080921162046.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080921201714.htm Global corporations view climate change as a driver of risk and opportunity and have cited clear regulation as key to managing the impacts, in this year's findings from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which includes exclusive data from 1550 of the world's major companies on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change related strategies. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080921201714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080911150057.htm Scientists have proposed a new link to rainfall and temperature patterns in southeast Africa. Examining data from African lake core sediments covering the past 60,000 years, the researchers report in this week's Science Express that the region's climate does not march in lockstep with a circulatory system known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone, as previously believed. The finding could help scientists understand how tropical Africa will respond to global warming. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080911150057.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909102148.htm Balancing public and private interests for nighttime lighting has been a difficult undertaking, as too little lighting may increase safety and security issues, while too much lighting may cause problems for the environment and for human well being. Scientists in the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed the first ever comprehensive method for predicting and measuring various aspects of light pollution. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909102148.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917145141.htm A nationwide study of nitrate trends in the ground water of the United States was recently completed by scientists at the US Geological Survey. Nitrate is the most common chemical contaminant found in ground water, and is related to infant health and possible cancer risks. The study focused on 24 well networks in the US from 1988 to 2004, of which seven well networks showed statistically significant increases in concentrations of nitrate during this period. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917145141.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917145509.htm Even if greenhouse gas emissions are fixed at 2005 levels, a new analysis shows that irreversible warming will lead to biodiversity loss and substantial glacial melt. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917145509.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080912091736.htm Most western countries' drinking water is of excellent quality, but there is no room for complacency. The challenges are growing: undesirable contaminants are found in rivers, lakes and groundwater. Climate change is also warming waterbodies, with implications for water quality, and in developing countries more and more people are reliant on groundwater containing natural contaminants. In industrialized countries water utilities are aging and need to be renewed. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080912091736.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909111026.htm Drought or deluge? Scientists have now discovered how aerosols affect the when, where and how much of rainfall. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909111026.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915121227.htm Researchers are helping to develop new rechargeable batteries that could improve hybrid electric cars in the future. For hybrid cars, new materials are crucial to make the batteries lighter, safer and more efficient in storing energy. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915121227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909111035.htm The forecast for clear skies and smooth sailing for oceanic vessels has been impeded by worldwide concerns of their significant contributions to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that impact the Earth's climate. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080909111035.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915162428.htm Arctic sea ice may well have reached its lowest volumes ever, as summer ice coverage of the Arctic Sea looks set to be close to last year's record lows, with thinner ice overall. Final figures on minimum ice coverage for 2008 are expected in a matter of days, but they are already flirting with last year's record low of 1.59 million square miles, or 4.13 million square kilometers. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915162428.htm