Credit: DepositphotosGlobal carbon cycle models usually consider plants, microbes, soil, and the atmosphere but often overlook animals. From earthworms to elephants, these creatures can play a crucial, yet understudied, role in carbon capture and storage within ecosystems.In a new theoretical framework published in the Journal of Geophysical Research:Biogeosciences by Matteo Rizzuto and colleagues, a...
Credit: PixabayThe Southern Ocean is celebrated for its pristine air quality, long an enigma until recent findings shed light on the mystery.The cleanliness isn't solely due to limited human activity. While the region sees minimal industrial chemical use and fossil fuel burning, natural sources like sea salt from spray or wind-driven dust also contribute.Aerosols,...
Credit: PixabayNew research published in the journal Ecology on April 9 reveals that certain ant species have been compelled to vacate their original habitats in Gregory Canyon near Boulder, Colorado, over the last six decades due to their inability to withstand rising temperatures driven by climate change.According to Anna Paraskevopoulos, a Ph.D. student at...
Credit: PixabayAs climate indicators worsen, demands for radical technological solutions intensify. Yet, numerous studies consistently reveal that embracing forced geoengineering involves significant perilous consequences.Fresh research cautions against the potential consequences of injecting sulfate particles into the atmosphere as a means to replicate the cooling effects of volcanic eruptions by reflecting sunlight. If these particles...
Credit: DepositphotosOn Tuesday, scientists revealed that planting trees in unsuitable locations can exacerbate global warming. However, a newly developed map pinpoints optimal areas for reforestation, which can help in cooling the planet.Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, and efforts to restore degraded woodlands or expand forested areas are important strategies in...
Credit: PixabayOur fondness for coffee results in millions of tons of discarded coffee grounds annually. Scientists have been exploring methods to utilize them, and we now have another addition to the list: research demonstrates that old coffee grounds can absorb bentazone, an agricultural herbicide.If the technology can be advanced, it would address two environmental...
The Pyxis Ocean. Credit: PixaobayThe implementation of winged technology on cargo ships has resulted in significant fuel savings, with the vessel saving three tonnes of fuel per day during its maiden voyage. This achievement marks a notable advancement in maritime efficiency and sustainability efforts.The concept of combining sail and power is not new and...
An unlogged tropical forest in Danum Valley, Malaysian Borneo. Credit: PixaobayRecent research indicates that seedlings in natural rainforests have higher survival rates compared to areas previously subjected to logging, despite efforts of tree restoration projects. This study is featured in Global Change Biology.Researchers monitored over 5,000 seedlings for eighteen months in North Borneo. They...
A little-known and hard-to-filter pollutant has been linked to elevated Alzheimer's risk. The only solution may be decarbonization. Credit: PixaobayUrban air pollution has consistently linked various health issues, including breast cancer, immune system disorders, osteoporosis, cardiovascular ailments, and dementia. However, pinpointing the precise mechanisms by which air pollution directly contributes to these diseases has...
Subarctic grassland undergoing natural geothermal warming in Iceland. Credit: C: Christina KaiserA recent investigation carried out by scholars at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna has unveiled that elevated temperatures in soil support a wider diversity of active microorganisms.Published in Science Advances, the study marks a...
