A new study from the Silent Spring Institute reveals a troubling reality: almost one-third of Americans have been exposed to unregulated contaminants in their drinking water.&nbsp;



These harmful chemicals, not covered by current federal safety rules, could affect people’s health.&nbsp;



The study also shows that Hispanic and Black communities are more likely to face unsafe levels of these pollutants, often living closer to sources of pollution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extent-of-contaminated-water-nbsp">Extent of contaminated water&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers analyzed data from the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA) collected between 2013 and 2015. The team looked at 4,815 public water systems across the country.&nbsp;



The study revealed that 27% of these systems - serving about 97 million people - had detectable levels of at least one unregulated chemical.



Public water systems are required by law to test for nearly 100 specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-drinking-water-often-contains-unsafe-levels-of-toxic-contaminants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contaminants</a>. These tests ensure that dangerous levels of those substances do not enter our taps.&nbsp;



However, thousands of other chemicals are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These unregulated chemicals can slip into groundwater and surface water, sometimes reaching the water we drink.



“We know there are thousands of other harmful chemicals that are not regulated that make their way into groundwater and surface waters, and some of these chemicals can ultimately end up in drinking water supplies,” explained Laurel Schaider, a senior scientist at the <a href="https://silentspring.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Silent Spring Institute</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-chemicals-are-in-our-water">Which chemicals are in our water?</h2>



Among the harmful substances found in drinking water are:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>1,4-dioxane: A solvent that is considered a probable human carcinogen. It can also be found in everyday consumer products.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-filtration-system-removes-forever-chemicals-from-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PFAS</a> (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): Chemicals used to make non-stick coatings and water-resistant fabrics. They are linked to various health issues, including cancer and thyroid problems.</li>



<li>Chlorodifluoromethane (Freon 22): A gas once used in refrigeration and manufacturing products like Teflon.</li>



<li>1,1-dichloroethane: A chemical used in making paints, plastics, and pesticides, which is also associated with cancer.</li>
</ul>



These chemicals are not regularly monitored by water systems, which means their levels could rise without triggering safety actions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disproportionate-impacts-across-communities">Disproportionate impacts across communities</h2>



The study found that communities with higher percentages of Hispanic and Black residents are more likely to have drinking water with these unregulated chemicals.&nbsp;



These communities often live closer to places that release pollution, such as industrial sites, waste treatment plants, airports, and military areas.



“Our findings show that the percentage of Hispanic and Black residents in a community is a consistent predictor of poorer water quality,” said Aaron Maruzzo, lead author of the study and a scientist at Silent Spring Institute.



This situation cannot be explained by income or socioeconomic status alone. The researchers suggest that systemic issues like racism and the historical practice of redlining - which led to placing industrial facilities near communities of color - contribute to the unequal distribution of pollution and contaminated water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contaminated-water-across-the-nation-nbsp">Contaminated water across the nation&nbsp;</h2>



<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12940-018-0442-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Past research</a> by Silent Spring Institute has shown that Hispanic residents are more likely to drink water with high nitrate levels, which can lead to health problems like colorectal and bladder <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trained-dogs-can-detect-bladder-cancer-in-other-dogs/">cancer</a>.&nbsp;



Other studies found that community water systems serving majority Hispanic and Black populations often have higher PFAS levels.



The new study is notable because it examines disparities in exposure to PFAS and other unregulated contaminants across all U.S. states, Tribal lands, and territories, offering a comprehensive look at nationwide water quality issues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-growing-pfas-problem">The growing PFAS problem</h2>



PFAS chemicals are more widespread in drinking water than previously thought. As recent tests reveal, many more people may be affected by these substances than the data from 2013 to 2015 indicated.&nbsp;



This makes the study’s estimate of 97 million residents likely an undercount, highlighting an even larger problem.



In April 2024, the EPA set new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strict-pfas-limits-will-make-drinking-water-safer-for-100-million-americans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking water</a> standards for six PFAS chemicals, marking a step forward. However, the study underscores a larger need for federal action: regulating more harmful contaminants and addressing the disproportionate exposure that communities of color face.



“Ultimately, we need to do a better job at protecting source waters and reducing discharges of pollutants into water bodies that feed into our drinking water supplies,” Schaider emphasized.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-toward-safer-and-fairer-water-quality-nbsp">Moving toward safer and fairer water quality&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers hope that by making their inventory of unregulated contaminants publicly available, policymakers will be better equipped to create realistic plans for preventing and mitigating water contamination.&nbsp;



This data can guide efforts to ensure safe drinking water for everyone, especially those most at risk.



The study casts a spotlight on a critical public health issue: the uneven burden of contaminated drinking water on minority communities. 



Addressing this challenge involves not only setting stricter regulations for a wider range of chemicals but also tackling the environmental injustices that place these populations at higher risk. 



By improving source water protection and reducing pollution, society can work toward equitable access to safe drinking water for all Americans.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP14721" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Health Perspectives</a>.



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Nearly 100 million Americans exposed to contaminated drinking water

A new study from the Silent Spring Institute reveals a troubling reality: almost one-third of Americans have been exposed to unregulated contaminants in their drinking water.&nbsp; These harmful chemicals, not covered by current federal safety rules, could affect people’s health.&nbsp; The study also shows that Hispanic and Black communities are more likely to face unsafe levels of these pollutants, often living closer to sources of pollution. Extent of contaminated water&nbsp; The researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collected between 2013 and 2015. The...

An investigation led by the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/">University of Washington</a> has found that if forage fish continue to be farmed at the current rate, their populations will be overextended by the year 2050 or possibly even sooner. The experts report that this threshold could be avoided with simple changes in aquaculture and agriculture production.

Small forage fish such as anchovies and sardines play a critical role in the marine food web, but are also a major food source for farmed seafood and land-based livestock such as pigs and poultry. 

Furthermore, in order to keep up with a growing demand, aquatic farming now puts the most pressure on forage fish to feed larger farmed fish such as salmon, carp, and tilapia.

“Aquaculture has a lot of potential to keep feeding the future planet, but we do probably need to make some changes for sustainability,” said co-author Tim Essington. “We are in a position to start thinking about different scenarios and how we want to invest in technological advances to shape how the aquaculture field is run.”

The aquaculture industry is growing by around six percent each year, and currently produces 75 million metric tons of seafood worldwide. Schooling fish are caught in the ocean and processed into fishmeal and oil to feed other fishes and crustaceans in aquatic farms, and livestock animals have also been eating these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/technology-fishermen-conservationists/">fish</a> since the 1960s.

“Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food sector in the world and has already surpassed beef, as well as wild fisheries seafood production. There's a lot of concern about forage fish use and whether or not what we're doing - feeding fish to fish - is sustainable,” said lead author Halley Froehlich.

The team used computer simulations to examine different changes in agriculture and aquaculture practices that could relieve some of the pressure on forage fish. 

The study revealed that eliminating the use of small fish in food for farmed carp and other freshwater fish produced the best results. These fish do not need to eat forage fish for survival, but are fed the fishmeal and oil because it makes them grow faster.

The researchers found that it would also be beneficial to remove forage fish from livestock feed, which is a trend that has already been underway for a few decades.

For some fish, such as farmed salmon and tuna, eliminating forage fish in their diets would be harder to accomplish because these fish rely more on animal protein for survival.


According to the study authors, the biggest unknown is how much fish will be consumed by humans in the future if people begin to favor seafood over other meat. This trend would expand aquaculture even more and place additional strain on forage fish.


“There are very clear steps that can be taken to mitigate the pressure from aquaculture, but if the whole world ate a little more fish, then that degrades the savings you get from these mitigating measures at the levels we assessed,” said Froehlich. “These unknowns really emphasize how important alternative feed sources are for the long-term sustainability of aquaculture.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natsustain">Nature Sustainability</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Pressure on important small fish could soon hit a breaking point

An investigation led by the University of Washington has found...

How cool would it be to name a new species of animal? If given the opportunity, what would you name it? Would you name it after yourself, a family member, or maybe an ex if it were a particularly ugly species? Well, if you were present in Ecuador and had the financial means, you might’ve gotten that chance. 

Five new species of snakes with unique eating habits were found in the forests of Ecuador, with three of the five species being discovered during expeditions between 2013 and 2017. These snakes have a particular taste for snails, which are not part of the normal diet for most snakes. But through evolution, these species have specially-sculpted jaws that allows them to actually suck the slimy body of the snail right out of its shell.

Because four of the five new species were already deemed at risk of extinction, the international research team that discovered them decided to auction their naming rights – using the money to buy and save a previously unprotected 178-acre plot of land where some of these species live. Furthermore, <a href="http://www.fjocotoco.org/">Fundación Jocotoco</a> will be adding an additional plot in the Buenaventura reserve, expanding the only protected area where two of the new species are found. 

These fascinating snail-sucking snakes are described by Alejandro Arteaga, an Ecuadorian-Venezuelan PhD student at the <a href="https://www.amnh.org/">American Museum of Natural History</a> and scientific director of <a href="http://www.tropicalherping.com/">Tropical Herping</a> and his team. Their study is published in the open access journal <a href="https://zookeys.pensoft.net/">ZooKeys</a>.

Three of these species were discovered during rainforest expeditions conducted by Arteaga and Dr. Alex Pyron, of <a href="https://www.gwu.edu/">George Washington University</a> and the <a href="https://naturalhistory.si.edu/">National Museum of Natural History</a>. The other two species were found in dry forest habitats by Ecuadorian scientists Dr. Omar Toress-Carvajal, David Salazar-Valenzuela, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Juan Carlos Sánchez, Mario Yánez-Muñoz, and Peruvian scientist Pablo Venegas. To confirm that these five snakes were indeed new species, the international research team counted scales and gathered measurements from over 200 museum specimens, and extracted DNA from almost 100 individual snakes.

In the auction for naming rights of these new species, the Rainforest Trust and Bob Ridgely made the highest bids at auction, which allowed them to name three of the five new snakes. Now, the species Dipsas georgejetti is officially named, and done so in honor of George Jett, who supported the inception of Fundación Jocotoco’s reserves in Ecuador. The species Dipsas bobridgelyi is named after – you guessed it – Dr. Robert “Bob” Ridgely, who is a leading ornithologist and conservationist. Ridgely also helped establish the Buenaventura reserve. When it was Ridgely’s turn to name his species, he chose Sibon bevridgely (Bev Ridgely’s Snail-Eater) in honor of his father.

The final two species were named Dipsas oswaldobaezi and Dipsas klebbai, after Dr. Oswaldo Báez and Casey Klebba, respectively, as a token of recognition for their passion for Ecuador’s biodiversity and conservation.

“Several companies let you name a star after a loved one, but, generally, such names have no formal validity,” says Arteaga. “Naming an entire species after someone you love or admire is different. With few exceptions, this is the name that both the general public and the whole scientific community will use. So, why not let people choose the name of a species in exchange for a donation that protects its habitat?”

Through the naming of these species, the researcher not only raised awareness and increased the protection for these snakes, but they also recognized and honored the work of the people and institutions fighting to protect these animals. 

“Everybody knows elephants and orangutans,” says Dr. Martin Schaefer of Fundación Jocotoco. “But some reptiles and amphibians are even more threatened. Yet, we still lack even basic information needed to protect them better. This is why the work by scientists is so important; it provides the necessary information to guide our conservation decisions.”

So if you’re looking for the chance to name your own new species, you might want to consider dedicating your life to environmental conservation – or just go out into nature and keep your eyes open, you might get lucky.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Alejandro Arteaga

Snake species naming rights auctioned to save Ecuadorian forests

How cool would it be to name a new species...

It’s been over 39 days since Hawaii’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vog-kilauea-eruption-health-threat/">Kilauea volcano</a> first began its latest eruption, which started with fissures spewing lava and has so far caused the evacuation of 2,500 people. 

Homes, buildings, and even entire neighborhood communities have been damaged or destroyed by lava flows. 

One lava flow even caused an entire freshwater lake to completely evaporate earlier in June. 

According to the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">US Geological Survey</a> (USGS)<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">,</a> lava from fissure number 8 poured into Big Island’s Green Lake, one of only two freshwater lakes on the island, and boiled the lake away in just 90 minutes. 

The lake, also called Ka Wai a Pele, was a popular swimming destination and an estimated 400 years old with depths of up to 200 feet at some places. 

“Lava entered Green Lake at about 10 am (June 2), forming a large steam plume, and by 1.30pm lava had filled the lake and boiled off all the water,” said Jessica Ball, a USGS volcanologist. “At the summit, earthquake activity was low and ash emissions from the Halema'uma'u crater were weak. However, gas emissions remain high and we expect small explosive events to continue.”

The Daily Mail reported that lava flow from Kilauea has added nearly a mile of <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/kilauea-volcano-lava-flows-continue-to-reshape-hawaiis-big-island/">new land in Kapaho Bay.</a>

Even though ash and emissions from the crater were reported as weak by Ball, volcanologists have recorded a “steady pattern” of earthquakes and steam explosions happening one after the other approximately every 24 hours. 

None of the earthquakes have been big enough to trigger a tsunami warning, but as long as the earthquakes continue at such a frequent rate, the summit is likely to remain fairly active. 

“Following the explosion at the summit, the seismicity will sharply drop off, and then gradually begin to build up as we approach the next summit explosion," Alex Demas, of the USGS told <a href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38404624/seismic-activity-explosions-at-kilauea-summit-continue-to-rattle-parts-of-big-island">Hawaii News Now</a>. “So as long as the summit explosions continue, there likely will be earthquakes and ground shaking associated with the explosion.” 

--

By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lava flow in Hawaii caused an entire lake to evaporate

It’s been over 39 days since Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano first...

An international team of researchers has found that some of Africa's largest baobab trees are abruptly and rapidly dying out. The experts are reporting that most of the oldest baobab trees, which are known for being extremely resilient, are likely the victims of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-could-make-leafy-greens-veggies-less-available/">climate change</a>.

Referring to the discovery as “an event of an unprecedented magnitude,” the study authors explained: “We report that nine of the 13 oldest individuals have died, or at least their oldest parts or stems have collapsed and died, over the past 12 years.”

The baobab is not only the largest, but also the longest-living angiosperm tree. Radiocarbon dating suggests that some baobab trees have lived as many as 5,000 - 6,000 years. Also referred to as “The Tree of Life,” the baobab can grow to be over 32 yards in height and more than 55 yards in circumference.

From 2005 to 2017, the researchers dated over 60 trees across the continent and islands of Africa to get a better understanding of how the trees grow so large and live to be such impressive ages.

The dead and ailing trees identified in the study are up to 2,500 years old, which dates back to the time of ancient Greeks.

“It is definitely shocking and dramatic to experience during our lifetime the demise of so many trees with millennial ages,” said study co-author Adrian Patrut of the <a href="http://www.ubbcluj.ro/en/">Babes-Bolyai University</a> in Romania.

The scientists were surprised and “intrigued” to find that most of the oldest baobab trees died during the years of their investigation.

The team used radiocarbon dating to analyze samples collected from the baobab tree trunks. The study revealed that the trunk of the baobab grows from multiple core stems, contributing to its massive size.

According to the Kruger National Park in South Africa, baobabs are “very difficult to kill.”

“They can be burnt, or stripped of their bark, and they will just form new bark and carry on growing. When they do die, they simply rot from the inside and suddenly collapse, leaving a heap of fibers.”

Further research is needed to determine the exact cause of death among baobabs, but the researchers theorize that “the demise of monumental baobabs may be associated at least in part with significant modifications of climate conditions that affect southern Africa in particular.”


The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nplants/">Nature Plants</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Iconic baobab trees are abruptly dying across Africa

An international team of researchers has found that some of...

Coral reefs are declining at an alarming rate worldwide. Between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-bleaching-fish-diversity/">coral bleaching</a>, pollution, severe storms, and disrupting human activities like tourism and fishing, coral reefs which contain vital habits for marine wildlife, are struggling to adapt and recover. 

Now, a new study has found that sea level rise poses yet another threat to coral growth and preservation. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>, the<a href="https://www.nioz.nl/en"> Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research</a>, <a href="http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/">Lancaster University</a> and <a href="https://www.coralcoe.org.au/">the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies </a>(Coral CoE) discovered that many coral reefs will be unable to keep up with rising sea levels. 

The study, which was published in the journal Nature, compared the maximum growth rates of coral reefs with predicted rates of sea-level rise in order to determine how well reefs could recover.

Growth rates of more than 200 tropical Western Atlantic and Indian Ocean reefs were calculated by the researchers. 

Unfortunately, the results show that as emissions increase and ocean temperatures drive sea-level rise, coral growth for many reefs will be impossible. 

Rising sea levels, according to the <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coralreef-climate.html">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> brings large amounts of sediment that can smother corals. 

Reefs play <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-protect-coastlines/">an important role in protecting coastlines</a> from storm surges, erosion and flooding and if sea level rise overtakes reefs, it could cause devastation in coastal communities. 

“For many reefs across the Caribbean and Indian Ocean regions, where the study focused, rates of growth are slowing due to coral reef degradation,” said Chris Perry, the study’s lead author. “Meanwhile, rates of sea-level rise are increasing - and our results suggest reefs will be unable to keep up. As a result, water depths above most reefs will increase rapidly through this century.”

Coral reef growth is influenced by how many corals are living on the reef and the diversity of coral species present.

Many threats from climate change and human activities are inhibiting growth and recovery, and the research shows that even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, reef recovery would still be compromised to some degree.

“Even under modest climate change prediction scenarios (RCP4.5) only about 3% of Indian Ocean reefs will be able to track local sea-level rise projections without sustained ecological recovery, whilst under continued high emission scenarios (RCP8.5) most reefs will experience water depth increases in excess of half a metre,” said Aimée Slangen, a fellow co-author of the study. 

The results are concerning because of the key role reefs play in protecting against erosion and flooding, and the researchers say that more must be done to reduce emissions, regulate fishing and limit ocean pollution.  

--

By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Chris Perry, <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>

Coral reefs struggling to keep up with sea level rise

Coral reefs are declining at an alarming rate worldwide. Between...

The ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/salmonella-poisoning-aztec-empire/">Aztec</a> and Mixtec civilizations of Central Mexico and Central America once revered the stunning, blue-green mineral known as turquoise, often including it in both artwork and jewelry. And for over a century and a half, scholars have believed that these civilizations attained the precious mineral through import from the American Southwest. 

But now, new research published in the journal <a href="http://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a> has revealed that the true geologic source of Aztec and Mixtec turquoise was actually Mesoamerica.

A research team led by geochemist Alyson Thibodeau, an assistant professor of earth sciences at <a href="https://www.dickinson.edu/">Dickinson College</a>, measured the isotopic signatures of Mesoamerican turquoise artifacts linked to both Aztecs and Mixtecs. Isotopic signatures act like fingerprints, and can be used to pinpoint the geologic origins of these minerals.

The researchers analyzed the lead and strontium isotopes from pieces of turquoise-encrusted mosaics, which were one of the major forms of ancient Mesoamerican art. They sampled dozens of turquoise mosaic tiles from the Templo Mayor – the ceremonial and ritual center of the Aztec empire. The researchers also analyzed five tiles associated with Mixteca-style objects from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Results showed that these artifacts had isotopic signatures consistent with the geology of Mesoamerica – not the Southwestern United States, as previously thought.

“This work revises our understanding of these relatively rare objects and provides a new perspective on the availability of turquoise, which was a highly valued luxury resource in ancient Mesoamerica,” says Thibodeau.

Thibodeau had doubted the 150-year-old belief that Mesoamerican civilizations imported turquoise from the Southwest, as she says it was never completely supported with evidence. Her new geochemical measurements in this study now prove her suspicions.

“These findings potentially re-shape our understanding of both the nature and extent of long-distance contacts between Mesoamerican and Southwestern societies,” Thibodeau says. “I hope this inspires people to be skeptical of claims.”

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Alyson M. Thibodeau

The surprising origins of ancient turquoise is revealed

The ancient Aztec and Mixtec civilizations of Central Mexico and Central...

Given the current focus on our own environmental impact, it may be surprising to hear that humans thousands of years ago also caused damage to the environment that still exists today. A team of international researchers, led by the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/">University of British Columbia</a>, report in a study published in the journal <a href="http://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a> that agricultural activity by humans more than 2,000 years ago had more significant impact to the environment than we once thought.

In their study, the researchers performed stable isotope analyses on over 700 animal bones collected from about 90 archaeological sites in Ireland. They discovered significant changes to the nitrogen composition of the soil nutrients and plants that made up the animals’ diet during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-women-stronger-arms/">Bronze Age</a>. They believe these changes were likely due to an increase in the scale and devastation of deforestation, as well as increases in agriculture and pastoral farming. 

Their study’s results show that this uptick in deforestation and agricultural activity during the Bronze Age in Ireland reached a tipping point that impacted the Earth’s nitrogen cycle. The nitrogen cycle is what keeps nitrogen circulating between the atmosphere, land, and oceans, and is critical to our existence on this planet.

“Scientists are increasingly recognizing that humans have always impacted their ecosystems, but finding early evidence of significant and lasting changes is rare,” says Eric Guiry, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral research fellow at UBC. “By looking at when and how ancient societies began to change soil nutrients at a molecular level, we now have a deeper understanding of the turning point at which humans first began to cause environmental change.”

Although this study was only looking at Ireland during the Bronze Age, the authors believe their findings have far-reaching implications. “The effect of human activities on soil nitrogen composition may be traceable wherever humans have extensively modified landscapes for agriculture,” Guiry says. “Our findings have significant potential to serve as a model for future research.”

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Humans had lasting environmental impact over 2,000 years ago

Given the current focus on our own environmental impact, it...

Antarctica’s future is determined by the choices we make now. Unless significant measures are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the continent of Antarctica could soon be irreversibly damaged. 

A new study conducted by an international team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/">Imperial College London</a> assessed Antarctica’s future under two different scenarios and found that decisions made in the next ten years will determine the full extent of how climate change impacts Antarctica.

The results, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nature/">Nature</a>, show that unless a concerted effort is made to protect Antarctica from climate change it could cause worldwide ramifications. 

Warming temperatures could drive melting of the Antarctic ice sheet and cause catastrophic sea-level rise, as well as increase ocean acidification which would make life difficult for marine wildlife.  

For the study, the researchers modeled Antarctica’s future under both a high and low emissions scenario.

The first scenario examined how the continent would react if CO2 emissions rose unabated and governments took advantage of Antarctica’s resources through mining and tourism. 

The second scenario considered how Antarctica would fare if strict regulations were put in place to mitigate climate change and investments were made in scientific research. 

"Some of the changes Antarctica will face are already irreversible, such as the loss of some ice shelves, but there is a lot we can prevent or reverse,” said Martin Siegert, a co-author of the study. “To avoid the worst impacts, we will need strong international cooperation and effective regulation backed by rigorous science. This will rely on governments recognizing that Antarctica is intimately coupled to the rest of the Earth system, and damage there will cause problems everywhere."Antarctica’s future is determined by the choices we make now


The researchers found that if carbon emissions increase, ice sheet loss in Antarctica could contribute 25 centimeters to sea level rise by 2070. Summer sea ice would reduce by 50 percent which, combined with ice shelf collapse, would lead to an increase in freshwater in the surface waters near Antarctica and change ocean currents.

The warmer ocean temperatures would also increase ocean acidification and threaten marine wildlife.

There’s also a possibility that population increases will lead to mining operations in Antarctica and permanent tourist attractions that will degrade the environment, and lead to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-crisis-antarctic/">pollution</a> and the introduction of invasive pests.

However, if emissions are regulated and global warming limited, it would help reduce ice sheet loss and minimize the impacts of climate change.

The study emphasizes the importance of reducing emissions and shows how much Antarctica influences the global environment. Governments must work with researchers to continue to protect and manage Antarctica’s precious and unique ecosystem. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Antarctica’s future is determined by the choices we make now

Antarctica’s future is determined by the choices we make now....

An international team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.adelaide.edu.au/">University of Adelaide</a> is reporting that ocean swells produced by storm winds have caused the extreme decomposition of Antarctic ice shelves in recent decades.

Study lead author Dr. Rob Massom is a research scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division and the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Center. Dr. Massom explained that reduced sea ice coverage since the late 1980s has left ice shelves on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/sea-ice-antarctic-peninsula/">Antarctic Peninsula</a> exposed to ocean swells, causing them to flex and break.

“Sea ice acts as a protective buffer to ice shelves, by dampening destructive ocean swells before they reach the ice shelf edge,” said Dr. Massom. “But where there is loss of sea ice, storm-generated ocean swells can easily reach the exposed ice shelf, causing the first few kilometres of its outer margin to flex.”

“Over time, this flexing enlarges pre-existing fractures until long thin ‘sliver’ icebergs break away or ‘calve’ from the shelf front. This is like the ‘straw that broke the camel's back,’ triggering the runaway collapse of large areas of ice shelves weakened by pre-existing fracturing and decades of surface flooding."

Study co-author Dr. Luke Bennetts said that the discovery highlights a need for sea ice and ocean waves to be included in ice sheet modeling.

“The contribution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet is currently the greatest source of uncertainty in projections of global mean sea level rise,” said Dr. Bennetts. 

“Ice shelves fringe about three quarters of the Antarctic coast and they play a crucially important role in moderating sea level rise by buttressing and slowing the movement of glacial ice from the interior of the continent to the ocean.”


Dr. Bennetts explained that ice shelf disintegration does not directly contribute to sea-level rise because the ice is already floating. However, tributary glaciers move faster into the Southern Ocean after ice shelves collapse, and this does have a significant influence on the sea level.


The investigation was focused on five major ice shelf disintegrations that took place between 1995 and 2009. The experts combined satellite images and surface and ocean wave data to analyze the events, including the rapid collapse of the Larsen B Ice Shelf in 2002.

The study revealed that each disintegration event occurred when sea ice coverage was significantly reduced and ocean swells were large.


The Larsen B Ice Shelf collapsed in a matter of days, losing 1,250 square miles of ice that had been in place for 11,500 years. The disintegration of this ice led to the release of glacial ice into the ocean at a rate that was three to eight times faster over the following year.

The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nature/">Nature</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Ian Phillips, Australian Antarctic Division

Storm-induced ocean waves caused major Antarctic ice loss

An international team of researchers led by the University of...

The plastic pollution crisis has reached the Antarctic. Plastic pollution has been called the next big environmental crisis, as our love for all things plastic has caused severe ramifications across the world. We only now are just beginning to understand how severe the problem is. As we have reported, plastic particles and debris has been found in isolated, uninhabited areas such as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-galapagos-islands/">Galapagos Islands</a> and the<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mariana-trench-plastic-trash/"> Mariana Trench</a>.

Now, researchers have found microplastics in Antarctica, which is largely devoid of human life. <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/">Greenpeace</a>, the global environmental advocacy group, undertook a research project in the Antarctic to analyze the reach of plastic pollution.The plastic pollution crisis has reached the Antarctic

During the three-month expedition, researchers tested eight seawater samples for microplastics in targeted areas of Antarctica. The <a href="http://www.noaa.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) defines microplastics as “small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long.” While plastic may sound safer in smaller sizes, marine animals can be more likely to eat the small pieces of plastic where it can cause internal damage and release hazardous chemical additives.

Seven of the eight seawater samples had at least one microplastic fiber per liter. The researchers collected eight samples of 2.5 liters of water. One liter in each sample was filtered for microfibers. Possible microfibers caught in the filter were examined using FT-IR microscopy.

In addition to plastic pollution, the researchers found chemical contamination in nearly all of their samples of snow. Polyfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS) were found at the majority of the 15 sample sites. 

According to the Greenpeace report, “PFASs are a group of chemicals widely used in industrial processes and consumer products and have been linked to reproductive and developmental issues in wildlife. The snow samples gathered included freshly fallen snow, suggesting some of the hazardous chemicals were atmospheric and not from a local source. The chemicals are persistent and degrade in nature very slowly.”

The report illustrates the far-reaching and global effects of plastic and chemical contamination. Even remote regions such as the Antarctic Peninsula and Bransfield Strait tested positive for these harmful substances.

Frida Bengtsson, head of Greenpeace’s Protect the Antarctic campaign, sees this study as an opportunity to advocate for the creation of the world’s largest ocean sanctuary around the Antarctic seas. 

Bengtsson told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us">The Guardian</a>, “Plastic has now been found in all corners of our oceans, from the Antarctic to the Arctic and at the deepest point of the ocean, the Mariana trench. We need urgent action to reduce the flow of plastic into our seas and we need large-scale marine reserves – like a huge Antarctic ocean sanctuary which over 1.6m people are calling for – to protect marine life and our oceans for future generations.”

The EU proposed the idea for the sanctuary recently and it will be considered in October of this year at a conference of Antarctic nations. The sanctuary will protect the pristine habitat area from overfishing and climate change in addition to plastic pollution by halting industrial fishing and protecting local wildlife.

While the Greenpeace report may help to push the proposal forward and lead to further research in the area, there is still little we know about plastic pollution in the Antarctic.

“In a recent review of the presence of microplastics in polar seas, it is noted that most available data relates to the Arctic, in which the distribution and transport of microplastics has been more intensively studied to date,” the report states.

<a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/p4-production-content/international/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/4f99ea57-microplastic-antarctic-report-final.pdf">Read the full Greenpeace report here.</a>

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By <a href="mailto:brianna.grant134@gmail.com">Brianna Lynne</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

The plastic pollution crisis has reached the Antarctic

The plastic pollution crisis has reached the Antarctic. Plastic pollution...

Experts at the <a href="https://uci.edu/">University of California, Irvine</a> have developed a new technique for predicting wintertime precipitation in the southwestern United States by analyzing summertime sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-zealand-cull-cows/">New Zealand</a>.

“The interhemispheric teleconnection that we have discovered promises earlier and more accurate prediction of winter precipitation in California and the southwestern U.S.,” said study co-author Professor Efi Foufoula-Georgiou. “Knowing how much rain to expect in the coming winter is crucial for the economy, water security and ecosystem management of the region.”

The researchers have named their new tool the New Zealand Index. The system is based on a causal connection between sea surface temperatures in the southwestern Pacific Ocean in July and August and a change in the southern Hadley cell, a large-scale movement of air from the Equator to around the 30th parallel south.

The atmospheric circulation triggers a corresponding change east of the Philippine Islands, which then causes a strengthening or weakening of the jet stream in the Northern Hemisphere. This jet stream directly influences the amount of precipitation received in California between November and March.

“With the New Zealand Index, we can predict from late summer the likelihood of above- or below-normal winter precipitation in the southwestern U.S., with a correlation in the order of 0.7 - compared to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation technique, which has a correlation around 0.3 to 0.4,” said study lead author Antonios Mamalakis. “Our research also shows an amplification of this newly discovered teleconnection over the past four decades.”

For their investigation, the scientists analyzed sea surface temperature and atmospheric pressure in 1- and 2-degree cells around the globe from 1950 to 2015.


The team discovered persistent sea surface temperature and atmospheric pressure patterns in the southwestern Pacific Ocean that strongly corresponded with precipitation in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.


In the past, researchers have relied on global changes in atmospheric conditions such as an El Nino to predict future precipitation. However, forecasts based on El Nino conditions have not been as accurate in recent years, possibly due to climate change.


Tom Torgersen is the director of the National Science Foundation's Water Sustainability &amp; Climate program, which funded the research.

“Predicting drought in the southwestern U.S. is a critical issue for food production and local economies,” said Torgersen. “The discovery of an interhemispheric bridge that affects the winter U.S. jet stream holds the promise of improved precipitation predictability and drought forecasts.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Amir AghaKouchak, UCI

Winter rain in southwest U.S. determined by New Zealand summers

Experts at the University of California, Irvine have developed a...

International team collaborates to improve earthquake prediction. Forecasting seismic activity is an important advantage for us humans, as it allows us to better prepare for an impending earthquake or volcanic eruption. But just how accurate are these forecasts? That’s the question the <a href="http://cseptesting.org/">Collaboratory for the Study of Earthquake Predictability</a> (CSEP) is looking to answer in an article published in <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/srl">Seismological Research Letters</a>. 

Since 2007, CSEP has been analyzing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/leaning-tower-pisa-earthquakes/">earthquake</a> forecast models to determine the accuracy of each model in predicting seismic activity compared to its competitors. CSEP has four testing centers in California, New Zealand, Europe and Japan – with a fifth being developed in China – where CSEP’s experiments and testing procedures have helped advance our knowledge of the predictability of earthquakes.International team collaborates to improve earthquake prediction

“The fundamental idea of CSEP is simple in principle but complex in practice: forecasting models should be tested against future observations to assess their performance, thereby ensuring an unbiased test of the forecasting power of a model,” explains Danijel Schorlemmer of <a href="https://www.gfz-potsdam.de/startseite/">GFZ Potsdam</a> in Germany. 

At each testing center, earthquake forecasts — produced automatically from a collection of models — are compared with the region’s actual observed seismic activity. These experiments are held to strict rules that involve a precise description of the region being studied and the seismic recordings themselves, among other stipulations. 

These experiments assess how well the number, distribution, and magnitudes of observed earthquakes in each region match up with each model’s forecasted prediction. For example, in Italy there are three CSEP experiments currently ongoing to assess one-day, three-month, and five-year earthquake forecasts for the country. According to the study’s authors, the one-day forecasts are accurate enough to have been incorporated into Italy’s Department of Civil Protection’s seismic forecasts.

CSEP has been conducting experiments since 2008, during which there were a number of major earthquakes. The 2011 magnitude 6.2 Christchurch quake and the 2016 magnitude 7.8 Kaikoura quake provided data used to refine real-time community warnings during these earthquakes.

Researchers have also used CSEP to test candidate seismicity models to be used in forecasting. This can help newer, more advanced models have their accuracy confirmed and determine whether they are worth using in the future. Ultimately, the experiments being done by CSEP could refine our ability to predict seismic activity, and help save lives in the process.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

International team collaborates to improve earthquake prediction

International team collaborates to improve earthquake prediction. Forecasting seismic activity...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes how Earth is unique in our solar system for its ability to sustain liquid water on its surface. But now, the water cycle is shifting as the climate warms, and scientists must find ways to predict how these changes will affect water availability.



Overall, 96 percent of Earth's water is saltwater, and nearly all of freshwater is found in ice and groundwater. These sources of water are linked as it passes through solid, liquid and gas phases.



In a warmer climate, the water cycle will be transformed. It will be easier for water to evaporate and form clouds, and storms will become more frequent and intense. Some regions will get too much water, while others will be left without enough water. In addition, soil moisture will be lost - which threatens food security.



Scientists are using satellite data from over the last 40 years to track changes that are happening in the water cycle. This will ultimately help us prepare for extreme events and better manage our water resources, according to ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

[sendtonews key="fxH3eJHEkQ-2010196-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Saturn,-,High,Resolution,3d,Images,Presents,Planets,Of,The

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> features images of Saturn from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The photographs capture the start of the mysterious "spoke season" on Saturn - when unexplained features appear on its rings. 



According to NASA, both the cause of the spokes and their seasonal variability have yet to be fully explained by planetary scientists.



"Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis and therefore has four seasons, though because of Saturn's much larger orbit, each season lasts approximately seven Earth years. Equinox occurs when the rings are tilted edge-on to the Sun," explains NASA.



"The spokes disappear when it is near summer or winter solstice on Saturn. (When the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest latitude in the northern or southern hemisphere of a planet.) As the autumnal equinox of Saturn's northern hemisphere on May 6, 2025, draws near, the spokes are expected to become increasingly prominent and observable."



Experts believe that the spokes may be a product of the planet's variable magnetic field. When magnetic fields interact with solar wind, an electrically charged environment is created. This phenomenon is visible on Earth as the northern lights.&nbsp;



"Scientists think that the smallest, dust-sized icy ring particles can become charged as well, which temporarily levitates those particles above the rest of the larger icy particles and boulders in the rings," says NASA.



The spokes were first observed in the early 1980s by NASA's Voyager mission. Depending on the angle of the rings, the spokes can appear dark or light.



"Thanks to Hubble's OPAL program, which is building an archive of data on the outer solar system planets, we will have longer dedicated time to study Saturn’s spokes this season than ever before," said NASA senior planetary scientist Amy Simon, head of the Hubble Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program.



"Despite years of excellent observations by the Cassini mission, the precise beginning and duration of the spoke season is still unpredictable, rather like predicting the first storm during hurricane season."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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Closeup,Of,Fresh,Green,The,Napier,Bush,Grass,As,Animal

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/">NTU Singapore</a> reveals that some plants can remove toxic heavy metals from soil.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed samples of various tropical plant species to test for levels of heavy metals and metalloids. The study showed that there are existing plants with high levels of these contaminants, which means that these species are great candidates for drawing pollutants out of the soil.&nbsp;



Among the plants examined in the study, 12 species had accumulated several types of heavy metals and metalloids. These plants are widely available, including species that are native to Singapore.



“In a small nation like Singapore, land may be repurposed to support new development plans, so it is important that we have a green and sustainable way to remediate land that is contaminated," said Professor Lam Yeng Ming.



"We set out to uncover how to better make use of tropical plants to do phytoremediation and through advanced characterization techniques, we showed how some of these tropical plant species can be an environmentally friendly and literally a 'green' way to remove contaminants in soil."&nbsp;



"Phytoremediation also has benefits of cost effectiveness, simplicity of management, aesthetic advantages, and long-term applicability and sustainability. The strategy prevents erosion and metal leaching by stabilizing or accumulating heavy metals, so that helps reduce the risk of contaminant spread.”



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes why herbicides are not as effective in killing weeds anymore. In the 20th century, chemical companies developed thousands of herbicides. The most commonly used herbicide was glyphosate, which was introduced in 1974.



Over the past few decades, dozens of species of weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate. Depending on the site of action, the part of the plant that an herbicide interacts with, weeds may even be resistant to herbicides that have not been developed yet.&nbsp;



With increasing resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides, weeds are - once again - becoming a major concern for farmers.&nbsp;



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> (JPL) describes a dust storm on Mars that was nearly twice the size of the United States. As the storm covered the southern hemisphere of the planet, some of NASA’s explorers had to delay their normal activities.



NASA’s Insight lander put itself in a "safe mode" for 11 days to conserve battery power because solar power was disrupted by the dust. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter postponed flights until conditions improved.



"A fleet of NASA orbiters monitor Martian dust storms like this one and serve as lifelines to Earth by relaying data from the rovers and lander on the ground back to the team. This includes the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, and Odyssey," reports JPL.



"Dust storms like this recent one start close to the ground and are spread by wind as they rise – warming the cold Martian atmosphere."



The images in the video were captured by NASA’s Curiosity as the dust rolled in. A fleet of orbiters monitored the dust storm from above, relaying data from Mars’ explorers back to scientists on Earth.



Video &amp; Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.



Qeshm is separated from the Iranian coast by the Clarence Strait, also known as Khuran.&nbsp;The Hara Forest Protected Area is a network of shallow waterways and forest located between the island and the mainland. This protected region is home to sea turtles, snakes, and more than 150 species of migrating birds.



Qeshm is famous for its wide range of&nbsp;ecotourist&nbsp;attractions, such as the&nbsp;Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5 percent of the world birds and 25 percent of Iran's native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-hummingbirds-avoid-sexual-harassment-by-looking-like-males/">birds</a> annually migrate to the forests, which are the first national geo park in Iran.



Tourists are also drawn to the island to see an age-old Portuguese&nbsp;fort, historic mosques, the&nbsp;Seyyed Mozaffar&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bibi Maryam&nbsp;shrines, and the "Valley of Stars."



The average temperature on the island is 81 degress and the region is often hot and humid. From June to August, the island is described as being oppressively hot. The ideal time to visit is during the winter season. 



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique.&nbsp;



"Inhambane Bay is a deep inlet into which the small Mutamba River flows," says ESA. "On one side of the bay lies the historical city of Inhambane, capital of the Inhambane Province, while the sister city of Maxixe, the economic capital of Inhambane, sits across from it. The province is the second largest grower of cashews, after Nampula, and it also produces coconut and citrus fruits."



The beaches of Barra and Tofo are popular with tourists. There are also coral reefs along the long coastline of Inhambane, making it an ideal destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.



"Mozambique’s extensive coastline heightens the country’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones that develop in the Indian Ocean as well as storm surge flooding," says ESA.



"More than half of the population lives in low lying coastal areas, putting communities at risk. Inhambane Bay was dangerously close to where Cyclone Idai made landfall in 2019 causing widespread destruction to the country."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features the Kangerlussuaq Glacier, one of the largest tidewater outlet glaciers in Greenland. The glacier is located on the east coast of the Greenland ice sheet.



As human-induced climate change continues to drive up temperatures, global ice loss is accelerating at an alarming rate. ESA reports that, over the past decade alone, 3.5 trillion tons of ice have melted from the Greenland ice sheet. This is enough to cover the UK with meltwater 15 meters deep.



Based on satellite imagery, researchers determined that Kangerlussuaq entered a new phase of rapid retreat and acceleration in 2017. In their study, published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2019.00123/full">Frontiers in Earth Science</a>,&nbsp; the experts report that the glacier's ice front is now at its most retreated position since the early 20th century.



"Given Kangerlussuaq’s previous impacts on both the magnitude and pattern of ice sheet wide mass loss, we predict that its new phase of retreat, acceleration and thinning will markedly enhance the south-east region’s contribution to increasing discharge from the ice sheet," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"More broadly, accurate forecasting of the ice sheet’s contribution to sea level rise will require a deeper understanding of, and responses to, these non-linear ice dynamic processes."



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the complex relationship between ocean and climate. ESA's Climate Change Initiative will help us understand how oceans influence the climate and how climate change is impacting the oceans.&nbsp;



"Earth’s oceans are huge heat stores, soaking up 93% of the excess heat from human activity over the past 70 years. Ocean currents redistribute heat around the planet, from the Equator to the poles. Where this ocean heat goes influences weather patterns and regional climate," explains ESA.



"As well as absorbing heat, oceans are a natural carbon sink, absorbing a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. This has led to the acidification of ocean water, threating marine life."



The amount of heat and carbon dioxide soaked up by the ocean depends on specific variables, including phytoplankton, temperatures, waves, salinity, and ice cover. Satellites can be used to measure these variables from space.



"From their unique vantage point, satellites provide key information for understanding the complexities of our planet and monitoring environmental issues," says ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the importance of monitoring the shape of the sea surface, which is constantly changing. These observations have many applications, such as ship routing, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-modem-ocean-is-a-tough-place-for-whales-to-survive/">ocean</a> current forecasting, and debris tracking.



"A project supported by the Discovery element of ESA’s Basic Activities recently investigated a new technique to measure sea surface topography very precisely," reports ESA.



"The technique involves looking at satellite navigation (GNSS) signals that have been reflected off of the sea surface at very low angles. At these so-called grazing angles, waves and surface roughness have very little impact on the reflection process; the sea surface acts as a very smooth mirror."



Estel Cardellach is the principal investigator at the Institute for Space Studies of Catalonia, who first submitted the idea for the project.



“In a mirror-like reflection the phase of the signal can be tracked – it is continuous," said Cardellach. "Different surface heights result in different phase measurements. It gives a very precise measurement of the surface altitude at a few centimetres’ precision.”



The researchers developed a GNSS receiver and set up an experiment in the Balaeric Islands to collect signals from the receiver that were reflected off the sea surface. Ultimately, these signals will provide improved measurements of the shape of the sea surface.



Image/ Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Monitoring the dynamic shape of the sea surface

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Aerial,Photo,Of,River,In,Amazon,Rainforest,Jungle,In,Peru

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center</a> describes how scientists are using autonomous sound sensors to monitor deforestation in the Amazon. By recording soundscapes, the experts can determine which animals are present through their distinct sounds.&nbsp;



Using this method, sounds can be used as scientific measurements to analyze the effects of deforestation. The researchers will gain a better understanding of how the acoustics of a forest can be used to measure its health.&nbsp;



"From space, parts of the Amazon rainforest that have previously been logged or burned may look lush and green, like a place buzzing with activity and full of sounds. But inside the rainforest, the animal life may tell a different story, of a harsh environment and a quieter soundscape," says NASA.



Video Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Monitoring deforestation in the Amazon through sounds

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