Earth Science Archives - Page 3 of 30 - Scitke

Researchers Flag 4,200 Harmful Plastic Chemicals, Urge Safer Alternatives

Nations are in the process of negotiating a global agreement aimed at ending plastic pollution and improving the safety and sustainability of plastics. A key concern in these talks is the presence of chemicals in plastics—ranging from food wrappers to car tires—that can seep into food, household environments, and ecosystems. Many of these plastic-related chemicals […]

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Climate Change’s Earliest Detectable Sign Emerged 130 Years Ago

Climatology, Earth Science, Environmental Science / Jorge Paka

Had 19th-century scientists possessed today’s advanced atmospheric tools, they might have detected the earliest signs of climate change caused by human activity—specifically, the burning of coal and wood. Scientists Suggest Climate Change Could Have Been Detected as Early as 1885 In a recent thought experiment, a group of Earth and atmospheric scientists concluded that, with

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Finland Powers Up World’s Largest Sand Battery with Promising Economics

Climatology, Earth Science / Jorge Paka

It may not look like much, but Finland has just powered up the world’s largest sand battery—a massive 49-foot silo filled with 2,000 metric tons of crushed rock. Yes, actual sand. This type of thermal energy storage system works by using electricity—often from renewable sources—to heat sand or crushed rock. The stored heat can then

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The Atmosphere’s Growing Thirst: A Key but Overlooked Factor in Intensifying Droughts

Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science / Samilton Santos

Droughts are becoming increasingly intense and widespread around the world—but declining rainfall isn’t the only reason. A lesser-known culprit is the atmosphere’s growing demand for water. In a recent Nature study, my colleagues and I found that this increased “atmospheric thirst”—technically known as atmospheric evaporative demand (AED)—has driven around 40% of the worsening drought conditions

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Famous ‘Gateway to Hell’ Fire May Be Coming to an End After 50 Years

Earth Science, Environmental Science / Samilton Santos

Turkmenistan announced on Thursday that it has significantly reduced the fire that has been burning for five decades at a site known as the “Gateway to Hell.” Origin of the ‘Gateway to Hell’ The flames have been burning continuously since 1971 in the Karakum Desert, after Soviet scientists accidentally drilled into an underground gas pocket.

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A Huge Saharan Dust Plume Is Headed Toward the United States

Climatology, Earth Science, Environmental Science / Jorge Paka

Dust from the Sahara Desert is set to drift over the southeastern United States this week, part of an annual weather phenomenon that doesn’t always make it as far as North America. Saharan Air Layer Sends Thick Dust Plumes Across Atlantic Each Summer, Driven by Tropical Winds and Moist Ocean Air The dust originates from

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Scientists Create ‘Living Concrete’ That Repairs Its Own Cracks

Earth Science, Science / Samilton Santos

Concrete remains a widely used and highly adaptable construction material, but it has notable drawbacks—particularly its tendency to crack due to low tensile strength. To address this vulnerability, researchers have been exploring ways to develop concrete that can repair itself, and a new innovation might be a significant breakthrough. A Self-Healing Breakthrough Using Synthetic Lichen

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Scientists Reveal: South Africa Is Emerging From The Ocean

Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science / Ana Manuel

As climate change accelerates, South Africa is not only experiencing increased heat and dryness—it’s also gradually rising by as much as 2 millimeters per year, according to new research. While scientists already recognized this upward movement, they previously attributed it to mantle flow beneath the Earth’s crust in the region. However, the new study links

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Your Salad Might Be Bringing Microplastics From Soil Into Your Body

Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science / Samilton Santos

Tiny plastic particles are infiltrating agricultural soils, bringing with them hazardous chemical additives and pollutants. These substances have already been found in foods like lettuce, wheat, and carrots, showing how plastics and their compounds can enter the food chain — ending up in your salad and, eventually, inside your body. Tracking the Sources of Contamination

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Does Planting Trees Really Help Cool the Planet?

Earth Science, Environmental Science / Jorge Paka

Restoring forests—particularly in tropical regions—may have a stronger cooling effect than previously thought. However, even if all the trees lost since the mid-1800s were replanted, it wouldn’t be enough to fully offset the warming caused by human activities. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is still crucial. A new modeling study from the University of California, Riverside—published

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