Researchers from Japan and Thailand have found that microplastics are invading all three parts of coral anatomy - the exterior mucus, tissue, and skeleton. This alarming discovery may offer new clues about the "missing plastic problem."



A whopping 70% of the plastic litter that has entered the oceans has vanished without a trace. The researchers propose that corals may be the unsuspecting culprits, absorbing microplastics from the oceans, acting as a "plastic sink."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enormous-issue-of-plastic-pollution">Enormous issue of plastic pollution</h2>



We can’t deny, plastics have made our lives easier. But <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-are-infiltrating-the-human-body-even-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at what cost</a>? The repercussions of our reliance on plastics are becoming evident, damaging ecosystems in ways that are still being unearthed. 



Picture this - an estimated total of 4.8 to 12.7 million tons of plastics make their way into marine environments each year.



Study lead author Suppakarn Jandang is a professor at <a href="https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyushu University</a>’s Research Institute for Applied Mechanics (<a href="https://www.riam.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/index-e.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RIAM</a>) in Japan.



“In Southeast Asia, plastic pollution has become a significant issue. Collectively, nearly 10 million tons of plastic waste are dumped annually, equivalent to 1/3 of the world’s total,” said Professor Jandang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extracting-microplastics-from-corals">Extracting microplastics from corals</h2>



To battle plastic pollution, RIAM partnered with Thailand's <a href="https://www.chula.ac.th/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chulalongkorn University</a> in 2022, initiating the Center for Ocean Plastic Studies. 



Led by Professor Atsuhiko Isobe from RIAM, the research team set out to explore the impact of microplastics on local coral reefs. The experts focused on the coast of Si Chang Island in the Gulf of Thailand, known for its reef flats and anthropological study potential.



Each coral has three anatomical parts: surface mucus on the outside, tissue on the inside, and a skeleton made of calcium carbonate deposits. The researchers developed a simple yet effective way to extract and identify microplastics from corals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-microplastics-in-corals">Identifying microplastics in corals</h2>



The team collected 27 coral samples, discovering 174 microplastic particles which were mostly the width of a human hair.



Among these particles, 38% were found in the surface mucus, 25% in the tissue, and a shocking 37% in the coral skeleton. 



The most common microplastics were nylon, polyacetylene, and PET. The findings suggest that corals might be playing a role in the missing plastic problem. 



“Since coral skeletons remain intact after they die, these deposited microplastics can potentially be preserved for hundreds of years. Similar to mosquitos in amber,” explained Professor Jandang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threat-to-marine-life">Threat to marine life</h2>



The infiltration of microplastics into coral anatomy represents a grave threat to marine biodiversity. As primary ecosystems in tropical waters, coral reefs support a vast array of organisms. 



However, when microplastics invade these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-seeding-increases-resistance-to-extreme-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corals</a>, the repercussions ripple through the food chain. Fish that depend on coral for shelter and sustenance may inadvertently consume these plastics, leading to bioaccumulation. 



This process not only adversely affects marine health but also poses a threat to human populations reliant on seafood. The delicate balance of these ecosystems is at risk, highlighting the urgency for targeted interventions aimed at mitigating plastic pollution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-action-is-needed">Global action is needed</h2>



Recognizing the profound implications of their findings, the research team advocates for stronger global initiatives to combat the proliferation of microplastics. 



Efforts to reduce plastic production and enhance waste management systems are imperative. On this front, international cooperation is essential for enacting regulations and fostering sustainable practices. 



Innovations in biodegradable materials and increased recycling rates could curtail further environmental degradation.



By emphasizing education and awareness campaigns, the scientific community can rally public support for policies aimed at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-process-converts-microplastics-into-valuable-graphene-wonder-material/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preserving our oceans</a>. Continued research will be pivotal in devising sustainable solutions to safeguard marine biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-our-oceans">Future of our oceans</h2>



While the results are eye-opening, the team agrees that more global studies on an array of coral species are needed for a comprehensive understanding. 



“We also do not know the health effects of microplastics on coral and the larger reef community. There is still much to be done to accurately evaluate the impact of microplastics on our ecosystem,” said Professor Isobe.



The story of plastic's invasion in the oceans is still unfolding, and the role of corals in this narrative is just beginning to be understood.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724063666?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of The Total Environment</a>.



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Microplastics found in the tissue and skeletons of corals

Researchers from Japan and Thailand have found that microplastics are invading all three parts of coral anatomy - the exterior mucus, tissue, and skeleton. This alarming discovery may offer new clues about the "missing plastic problem." A whopping 70% of the plastic litter that has entered the oceans has vanished without a trace. The researchers propose that corals may be the unsuspecting culprits, absorbing microplastics from the oceans, acting as a "plastic sink." Enormous issue of plastic pollution We can’t deny, plastics have made our lives easier....

A new study by 21 experts from 15 institutions around the world has revealed that the tiniest particles can have a major influence on the weather. The research demonstrates how particles smaller than one-thousandth the width of a human hair can intensify storms and rainfall events.

The small airborne particles, which are known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-aerosols-cool-climate/">aerosols</a>, come from many sources including industrial air pollution and wildfires. While it has been believed that aerosols may play an important role in the weather, the new research suggests that these particles have a much bigger influence than what scientists had anticipated.

Jiwen Fan is a researcher at the <a href="https://www.pnnl.gov/">Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory</a> and the lead author of the study.

“We showed that the presence of these particles is one reason why some storms become so strong and produce so much rain,” said Fan. “In a warm and humid area where atmospheric conditions are otherwise very clean, the intrusion of very small particles can make quite an impact.”

The research was conducted using ground-based and airborne measurements related to climate during 2014-2015 from the research campaign GoAmazon. 

The study was focused on data from one region in the Amazon, in particular. Manaus is the largest city in the Amazon with a population of more than 2 million people, yet the city is surrounded by pristine Amazon rainforest. This setting gave the researchers a rare opportunity to look at the impact of atmospheric particles and processes in a largely pre-industrial environment.

Scientists set out to closely examine the role of particles less than 50 nanometers wide in the development of thunderstorms. Larger particles that are similar to those observed in the study are known to create clouds and play a role in creating water droplets that fall like rain, but this is the first time that scientists discovered that smaller particles have this same effect.

In fact, computer simulations showed that the smaller particles have an even more powerful impact on the formation of clouds and precipitation than the larger particles. 

“We've shown that under clean and humid conditions, like those that exist over the ocean and some land in the tropics, tiny aerosols have a big impact on weather and climate and can intensify storms a great deal,” said Fan. “More broadly, the results suggest that from pre-industrial to the present day, human activity possibly may have changed storms in these regions in powerful ways.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/">Science</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Tiny particles found to have a huge impact on the weather

A new study by 21 experts from 15 institutions around...

Researchers at <a href="http://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/">Goethe University Frankfurt</a> are reporting that mammals are much less mobile in human-modified landscapes. The study is the first to examine the movement of many different species across the globe in both natural and man-made settings. The experts say that this decreased mobility may have widespread consequences.

A team led by biologist Dr. Marlee Tucker has shown that animal movement is significantly reduced in areas which have been altered by people. The study revealed that mammals move across up to 50 percent less distance in human-affected regions compared to what they cover in more preserved land areas.

Tucker and 114 co-authors collected movement data from 803 animals of 57 different species from all over the world. 

“Our study looks at everything from hares to wild boars to elephants,” said Tucker. “The scientists in our team equipped individual animals with a GPS tracking device that recorded each animal's location every hour for a period of at least two months.”

The results were compared to data from the Human Footprint Index. This tool provides measurements of how much an area has been altered by human activities such as infrastructure and agriculture.

Over a period of 10 days, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-identify-smells-second/">mammals</a> were found to only cover a half to one third of the land in areas with a large human footprint compared to those animals in natural landscapes. The study also revealed that, over the course of time frames shorter than ten days, movement among the mammals was no different between the varying landscapes. 

The researchers said that the animals may move less simply because they have changed their behavior to adapt to human activities.

“In some of these areas there might be more food available so that animals do not need to cover such large distances,” said co-author Dr. Thomas Mueller. “In addition, landscape fragmentation and barriers created by infrastructure might limit mammalian movements.”

The experts pointed out that the reduced travel distances could affect the productivity of ecosystems that depend on animal movements. 

“It is important that animals move, because in moving they carry out important ecological functions like transporting nutrients and seeds between different areas,” explained Tucker. “Additionally, mammalian movements bring different species together and thus allow for interactions in food webs that might otherwise not occur. If mammals move less this could alter any of these ecosystem functions. For example, the dispersal of plant seeds by animals between different habitats could be endangered.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/">Science</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: © Adam Wajrak

Mammals are moving less as humans alter their landscapes

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt are reporting that mammals are...

The remains of a beloved male pygmy elephant known as Sabre were found on New Year's Eve in Sabah, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bornean-elephants-origin/">Borneo</a>, according to a new report from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/03/wborneo-pygmy-smallest-elephants-pygmy-killed-for-ivoryorlds-smallest-elephants-killed-for-ivory-in-borneo">The Guardian</a>. Sabre was the second pygmy elephant found in the month of December that had been slaughtered by poachers.

The Borneo pygmy is the smallest breed of elephants in the world and there are only around 1,500 left in existence, according to the <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/">World Wildlife Fund</a>. The pygmy elephants have over-sized ears and baby faces, with a more gentle nature than other Asian elephants.

Sabre had been rescued by members of Sabah’s Wildlife Rescue Unit from a palm oil plantation in October. He was nicknamed for his unusual tusks that curved downward like the teeth of a sabre-toothed tiger. Sabre was released into the wild, as poaching was not yet considered to be an issue in this region.

The pygmy elephants of Borneo have been classified as endangered for several decades due to habitat loss and deforestation, and now they have another serious threat to contend with.

Benoit Goossens has a background in conservation genetics and is the director of the <a href="http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/danau-girang-field-centre">Danau Girang Field Centre</a>, a research and training facility co-managed by Sabah Wildlife Department and Cardiff University.

Goossens told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/">The Guardian</a>: “My hope is that Sabah wakes up…we are losing our megafauna, the rhino is gone, the banteng [wild cow] is going, the elephant will be next. Those crimes should not go unpunished. Let’s not lose our jewels, the next generation will not forgive us.”

Goossens said that the gruesome discoveries indicate the presence of a professional hunter and trader in the area.

Wildlife veterinarian Pakeeyaraj Nagalingam was one of the team members who helped to rescue and relocate Sabre.

“There are no words to express our sadness,” Nagalingam told The Guardian. “It looks like there is no safe place for elephants in Sabah anymore. The relevant authorities who are responsible for enforcement of illegal wildlife poaching and other illegal activities must work harder and smarter.”

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Poachers are now targeting the world’s smallest elephants

The remains of a beloved male pygmy elephant known as...

Researchers at the <a href="https://carnegiescience.edu/">Carnegie Institution for Science</a> are reporting that the formation of Earth was much more chaotic than previously realized. They have found evidence to support their new theory within the rocks of volcanic hotspots, which reveal disorderly behavior during the planet's formative years.

The Earth formed from the accumulation of matter surrounding the Sun about 4.6 billion years ago. As the planet grew denser, iron metal moved inward and formed the Earth's core, while the silicate-rich mantle was left floating above. The new study demonstrates that this process of core-mantle separation was not nearly as organized as once thought.

“Our findings suggest that as the core was extracted from the mantle, the mantle never fully mixed,” explained study co-author Colin Jackson. 

“This is surprising because core formation happened in the immediate wake of large impacts from other early Solar System objects that Earth experienced during its growth, similar to the giant impact event that later formed the Moon. Before now, it was widely thought that these very energetic impacts would have completely stirred the mantle, mixing all of its components into a uniform state.”

Unique tungsten and xenon isotopic signatures found at volcanic hotspots like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/non-native-frogs-hawaii/">Hawaii</a> led the research team in an entirely new direction. While the plumes are believed to have originated from the mantle's deepest regions, the origin of these unique isotopic signatures has been a subject of debate. 

The team thought that the answer to this question may reside in the chemical behavior of iodine at very high pressure. They established that the xenon isotopic signatures in plume mantle samples are directly related to those of iodine.

The researchers used diamond anvil cells to recreate the conditions of the core and mantle separation. They determined how iodine was separating between the metallic core and the silicate mantle.

“The key behavior we identified was that iodine starts to dissolve into the core under very high pressures and temperatures,” explained co-author Neil Bennett. “At these extreme conditions, iodine and hafnium, which decay radioactively to xenon and tungsten, display opposing preferences for core-forming metal. This behavior would lead to the same unique isotopic signatures now associated with hotspots.”


The findings of the study have also led the team to believe that the tungsten and xenon isotopic signatures should be associated with dense pockets of the mantle.

“Like chocolate chips in cookie batter, these dense pockets of the mantle would be very difficult stir back in, and this may be a crucial aspect to the retention of their ancient tungsten and xenon isotopic signatures to the modern day,” said Jackson.

“Even more exciting is that there is increasing geophysical evidence that there actually are dense regions of mantle, resting just above the core--called ultra low velocity zones and large low shear velocity provinces,” said study co-author Yingwei Fei. “This work ties together these observations. The methodology developed here also opens new opportunities for directly studying the deep Earth processes.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nature/">Nature</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The formation of the Earth’s layers may have been total chaos

Researchers at the Carnegie Institution for Science are reporting that...

To fully understand the effects that climate change, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-amazon-fish-yields/">deforestation</a>, and conservation efforts are having on different ecosystems, it's important to know and account for all the different species that live on Earth.

That’s why accurate measurements of biodiversity across the globe are becoming more and more of a priority. 

But due to the enormous scope, biodiversity has been proven difficult to measure, and biodiversity surveys can be costly and difficult to conduct.  

As such, experts are now turning to biodiversity upscaling, which is the process of estimating species’ populations across a large area based on a relatively small sample of surveys. 

Many different methods have been suggested for biodiversity upscaling, but whether or not these efforts could successfully map biodiversity across the globe is still up for debate. 

A new study published in the journal Ecological Monographs put 19 different techniques for biodiversity upscaling to the test using one data set. 

The study asked researchers who had created a biodiversity upscaling method to test their system by applying it to the <a href="http://www.countrysidesurvey.org.uk/">1999 Great Britain Countryside Survey</a>. 

The results were then compared with the true species-area relationship of plants in great Britain, or the accurate biodiversity of plant species in the area, to see which method shows the most promise for measuring global biodiversity. 

The model that seemed to have the most success was a sampling theory created by Fangliang He from the <a href="https://www.ualberta.ca/">University of Alberta, Canada</a> and Tsung-Jen Shen from the <a href="http://www.nchu.edu.tw/en-index">National Chung Hsing University </a>in Taiwan. 

The sampling theory made estimates that were within a ten percent range of the true biodiversity of species. However, this theory proved poorly suited to measuring biodiversity in smaller areas. 

Two other models also performed well, but some models were not even close to gauging the 2,3000 plant species of Great Britain’s ecosystem. The estimates ranged from to 62 species in total to 11,593. 

The results, while greatly varied, are still promising as the three models that came close to the real data could pave the way for a global upscaling measurement method that accurately estimates biodiversity.

“We have shown that mathematical modeling of biodiversity upscaling has come of age,” said William Kunin from the <a href="http://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a> and study’s lead author. “These methods will greatly facilitate biodiversity estimation in poorly-studied taxa and regions and the monitoring of biodiversity change at multiple spatial scales.” 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

New models help estimate global biodiversity

To fully understand the effects that climate change, deforestation, and...

Researchers have discovered a new virus family that may be critical in killing marine bacteria and maintaining the balance of the underwater environment. There is also evidence to suggest that these types of viruses are present in the human gut.

Study co-author Dr. Libusha Kelly is an assistant professor in Microbiology &amp; Immunology at the <a href="http://www.einstein.yu.edu/">Albert Einstein College of Medicine</a>.

“Bacteria are key components at the bottom of the ocean's food chain, meaning that viruses--which can infect and kill bacteria--are also vital for understanding the ocean's health and function,” said Dr. Kelly. She pointed out that viruses also kill bacteria in humans. 

“By expanding what's known about the kinds of viruses that infect bacteria, this study allows us to look at other ecosystems like the human gut, to detect previously unknown viruses and to learn how they might be influencing bacterial populations that are vital for health or that contribute to disease,” said Dr. Kelly.

The most abundant viruses on the planet are double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses. The “tailed” variety of dsDNA viruses have been studied in much more detail than the “non-tailed” dsDNA viruses. This is primarily due to the fact that the non-tailed dsDNA are not as easy to culture and analyze.

“Our collaborator Martin Polz at MIT developed a model system that overcomes these limitations, making it possible to study the role of viruses in complex microbial communities in the lab,” explained Dr. Kelly.

The research team collected water samples from off the coast of Massachusetts for three months. All of the viruses detected in the samples were incubated for two weeks in cultures of Vibrionaceae bacteria, which is a common marine bacteria. 

By the end of the incubation period, over 200 viruses that had infected the bacteria were selected at random for genome sequencing. A previously unknown family of non-tailed dsDNA viruses were identified from the genetic material of eighteen specimens. 

The researchers tested the new family of viruses, which they named Autolykiviridae, in more than 300 strains of Vibrionaceae bacteria. The experimentation revealed that these non-tailed viruses were capable of wiping out many more strains of bacteria than the tailed viruses found in the water samples.

“We showed that viruses related to the Autolykiviridae are infecting many diverse groups of ocean bacteria as well as other bacterial groups that we cannot currently identify,” said Dr. Kelly.

According to the researchers, these viruses most likely exist outside of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/public-agrees-oceans-trouble/">ocean</a> as well. 

“We've found related viral sequences in the gut microbiome, but we don't yet know how they influence microbial communities in the gut or how important they are for health,” said Dr. Kelly.

The study was published online in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/">Nature</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Newly discovered ocean virus could be present in humans

Researchers have discovered a new virus family that may be...

Researchers from <a href="https://edmlink.com/">EDM International</a> have investigated the risk of golden eagle electrocution by power poles, as well as mitigation strategies. As a result of their analysis, the team is proposing new techniques that could be used to target high-risk poles regionally and prevent the eagles from being harmed.

Approximately 504 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/golden-eagles-migrate/">eagles</a> are electrocuted every year in North America, despite efforts to upgrade power poles to avian-friendly standards. The researchers took a closer look at these efforts, particularly those strategies documented from 1940 to 2016, and developed a technique which they believe could substantially reduce eagle mortalities.

The study authors have highlighted eight electrocution risk factors. They found that pole configuration was the most frequent risk factor, while age was the second most frequently identified issue. 

Risk was also associated with large body size, high-quality habitat, high prey density, winter dispersal, inclement weather, and intraspecific interactions. The researchers pointed out that risk modeling based on these factors could help managers identify the poles that most urgently needed to be modified.

The study also revealed that juvenile eagles were electrocuted at around twice the rate of subadults or adults.

Elizabeth Mojica is a wildlife biologist with <a href="https://edmlink.com/">EDM International</a> in Fort Collins, Colorado, and the lead author of the study. Mojica conducts research that is focused on understanding and preventing avian electrocution and collisions with infrastructure.

“Electrocution of eagles is preventable with careful retrofitting of existing poles and use of avian-friendly construction design on new poles located in eagle habitat,” said Mojica.

The study authors suggest that some type of mitigation funding provided to the utility companies may motivate them to complete the needed modifications.

The study is published in the <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1937-2817">Journal of Wildlife Management</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: EDM International

Preventing eagles from getting electrocuted by power poles

Researchers from EDM International have investigated the risk of golden...

Our DNA contains specialized sections known as telomeres, which allow chromosomes to be accurately copied during cell division. As our cells divide over time, our telomeres shorten, which results in a gradual loss of genomic stability. Loss of telomere length has been linked to cancer, heart disease, cognitive decline, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anti-aging-hormone/">aging</a>, and premature death. Needless to say, maintaining longer telomere length is likely to be important to our overall health.

A study from <a href="https://www.mailman.columbia.edu/">Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health</a> has found that air pollution may shorten telomere length in newborns. The research team analyzed telomere length in the umbilical cord blood of 255 newborns. Half of the newborns were born before the closure of a coal-burning plant in Tongliang, China in 2004, while the other half were conceived and born after. 

High levels of air pollution in Tongliang resulted in the government shutting down the local coal-burning power plant in 2004 in an effort to improve community health. 

The study’s findings showed that babies born pre-closure had higher levels of PAH-DNA cord adducts, which is a biomarker for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are a toxic component of air pollution from coal plants. Increased levels of these adducts in cord blood were linked to shorter telomeres, as well as lower levels of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) – a protein involved in neuronal growth.

“An individual’s telomere length at birth is known to influence their risk for disease decades later during adulthood,” says Deliang Tang, professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Mailman School. “Further follow-up is needed to assess the role telomere length plays in health outcomes in the context of early life exposure to air pollution.”

The researchers did not find any association between telomere length and developmental score in the 210 children they tested at age 2. However, they stress that this finding does not rule out telomere length-related neurodevelopmental problems as the children age. In previously published research, the authors found that newborns born after the plant closure had lower levels of PAH-DNA adducts, lower rates of various health outcomes, and increased levels of BDNF.

“The new study adds to the evidence that closing this coal-burning power plant was beneficial to the health and future well-being of newborns there,” says Frederica Perera, director of the <a href="http://ccceh.org/">Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health</a> and a professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Mailman School. “Moreover, we know that lowering exposure to air pollution anywhere will be beneficial to children's health and long-term potential.”

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By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Air pollution linked to newborns with shortened telomeres

Our DNA contains specialized sections known as telomeres, which allow...

House Sparrow Male

It’s a commonly known fact of biology that animals living in colder climates typically have larger bodies — an adaptation that helps reduce heat loss in frigid temperatures (and also a good excuse if you’ve been bulking up this winter). But with the impacts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-sea-turtles/">climate change</a> growing more imperative each day, understanding how temperature affects animals is becoming more important than ever. Now, new research suggests that global warming may actually cause bird populations to shrink in physical size.

A recent study from <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au/">Macquarie University</a>, published in <a href="http://www.americanornithology.org/content/auk-ornithological-advances">The Auk: Ornithological Advances</a>, analyzed the size of European House Sparrows in order to see if there was any relation to the temperature of the climates they inhabit. This species has spread into a variety of climates in Australia and New Zealand since they were first introduced in the mid-19th century.

The researchers hypothesized that this population spread might be in part due to rising temperatures as a result of climate change. “If variation in body size is linked directly or indirectly to adapting to different climates, then body size could be useful for monitoring the extent to which bird populations are capable of adapting rapidly to changing climates,” says Samuel Andrew of <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au/">Macquarie University</a>.

The researchers captured and measured about 40 adult House Sparrows at each of the 30 locations they chose around Australia and New Zealand. Their findings indicate that maximum temperatures during the summer — when the birds breed — were a better predictor of adult body size at each location than winter minimum temperatures. These results support the idea that excessive heat during development may affect birds’ growth throughout their lives, which is a cause for concern that increasing summer temperatures due to climate change may drive down the average adult bird body size — with potential effects on the species’ fitness.

“This paper is an important addition to a growing body of work that is changing our understanding of the relationships between climate and body size,” says Tim Parker of <a href="https://www.whitman.edu/">Whitman College</a>, an expert who was not involved with the study. “The big question generated by these results is the extent to which the observed relationship is the outcome of adaptive evolutionary differences among sites as opposed to direct developmental responses to different temperatures.” He goes on to point out that the authors of this study also published experimental evidence of a direct effect of temperature on growth in a different bird species, potentially backing up the findings of this study as well.

“Our work on this common species helps us to understand the adaptive responses of birds to a changing climate and their constraints, and this fundamental knowledge will help future workers and managers focus their work on other species and potentially identify those species most at risk from climate change,” says Andrew.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: P. Deviche

Global warming may actually cause birds to shrink

It’s a commonly known fact of biology that animals living...

Even though about half of all the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in the northern hemisphere are man-made, the individual levels of these sources have been unclear. But now, researchers at the <a href="https://www.uibk.ac.at/index.html.en">University of Innsbruck</a> have produced the first chemical fingerprint of urban VOC emission sources.

The research team measured a large number of VOCs on Innsbruck’s campus from July to October in 2015. Using statistical methods, they were able to draw conclusions about individual emission sources from the measurement data.

The EU has been regulating VOCs from organic solvents in paints for the past 15 years. Many of these toxic solvents have been replaced by water-soluble substances, and the transformation can be seen in the results of the study.

“We find smaller amounts of compounds such as benzene or toluene,” said study co-author Thomas Karl. “On the other hand, water-soluble substances are much more ubiquitous. These are less reactive, which can have a positive effect on the formation of ground-level ozone.”

The investigation also revealed that the overall global amount of urban emissions is significantly underestimated, which is due to an extremely high proportion of oxygen-containing compounds.

“If the figure calculated for Innsbruck is also representative of Asian cities - which is rather optimistic - then this would at least double the number globally,” said Professor Karl. 

The researchers say that this new estimate of urban emissions will result in higher levels of particulate matter in the atmosphere as well, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/severe-climate-models-accurate/">climate models</a> may need to be adjusted accordingly.

The team measured a broad range of compounds at very low quantities and were able to establish the fingerprint of VOC emission sources. Many of the trace gases were odorous and reflected the characteristic scent of the city. 

“In this respect Innsbruck is a quite ordinary city,” said Professor Karl. “We find mainly traces of food preparation - from coffee roasting to frying - and solvents that humans associate with the particular smell of a city. The sources of emissions range from bakeries to the regional hospital.” 

The scientists were surprised to detect compounds derived from cosmetics and detergents.

“In our data, we found clear evidence of silicone oils contained in many cosmetic and cleaning products,” said Professor Karl. “We were surprised that these compounds leave such a characteristic fingerprint in urban air.”

The research is published in the <a href="http://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</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

Tracking urban volatile organic compound sources

Even though about half of all the volatile organic compounds...

Air quality is the leading environmental threat to public health, according to the 2018 <a href="http://epi.yale.edu/">Environmental Performance Index</a> (EPI).

The EPI is a biennial report produced by researchers at <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale</a> and <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/">Columbia</a>. 2018 marks the 10th report since the EPI’s beginnings 20 years ago. 

EPI researchers work with global datasets from different international research projects and companies like the<a href="http://www.healthdata.org/"> Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation</a> and the <a href="http://www.fao.org/">United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization</a>. 

The goal of the EPI is to rate environmental risks, ecosystem vitality risks such as biodiversity and deforestation, governing policies, and gross national income to see how countries prioritize sustainability and public health. 

2018’s EPI ranks 180 countries across 10 issue categories using 24 performance indicators, and the results show how important environmental concerns and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-removed-websites/">climate change</a> have become on a global scale. 

More and more countries are working towards reducing emissions and improving public health and quality of life, but the EPI found that income and governance were two of the biggest drivers of change and environmental policies. 

Some of the countries at the top of the EPI’s list include Switzerland, France, Denmark, Malta, and Sweden, all of whom lead the world in sustainability and have strong policies in place for climate protection and air quality. 

The countries that rank higher show more commitment to air quality, sanitation, and public health, and reducing emissions while protecting important natural resources. 

India ranks as one of the lowest countries on the list, not only because of poor air quality and the risk of pollution to public health, but also because of the lack of national sustainability as a priority. 

The United States ranks 27th on the EPI, behind other industrialized nations like France, Canada, and Germany who have made their stance on climate change, sustainability, and environmental issues clear. 

The EPI shows how environmental risks to public health like air quality have shaped global policies and which countries are committed to reducing and mitigating the impacts of climate change. 

“As the world community pursues new sustainable development goals, policymakers need to know who is leading and who is lagging on energy and environmental challenges,” said Daniel C. Esty, director of the <a href="https://envirocenter.yale.edu/">Yale Center for Environmental Law &amp; Policy</a>. 

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Poor air quality listed as the leading environmental threat

Air quality is the leading environmental threat to public health,...

Nearly 80 percent of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is affected by toxic mercury, leading to continued fish advisories in and around the Great Lakes. Researchers at <a href="https://www.mtu.edu/">Michigan Technological University</a> are now investigating what must be done to make the fish safe for consumption.

Mercury is a widespread pollutant and its regulations vary worldwide. For the the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), the question has become: when is it safe to eat the fish? In order to answer this question, an interdisciplinary study was developed among biogeochemical modelers, environmental engineers, and social scientists.

Mercury is an atmosphere-surface exchangeable pollutant (ASEP). These molecules are invisible, tasteless, and they can move over great distances. ASEP molecules travel through the air, landscape, water, and animals.

Study lead researcher Judith Perlinger is a professor of Environmental Engineering at Michigan Tech.

“We're taking phenomena that act on a global scale and predicting what they will do,” said Perlinger. She added that working with the KBIC was critical to the project. “Clearly the issue matters to them, so how can we make the science relevant to them?”

The research team focused on mercury and three different policy scenarios through the year 2050. In the first scenario, mercury emissions from human activities were completely eliminated. In the second, more moderate policy action was taken, and no policy action was implemented in the third scenario.


The study revealed that there would be little change within the lifetimes of the KBIC community regardless of the scenario. Study co-author Noel Urban explained that the process would likely take generations to reach levels that the community considers safe.

“People assume that what is deposited in a forest is also deposited the same in a lake, which isn't true, so models have been miscalculating,” said Urban. “This is apparent in the Great Lakes, and the Upper Peninsula is a particularly sensitive landscape to mercury.”

The analysis of mercury concentration in the lakes combined with estimates of mercury in fish from similar water bodies revealed that mercury persists differently depending on the size of the lake.

“Which poison do you want?” said Urban. “Go to the big lakes and get PCBs, go to the small lakes and get mercury.”

While admitting that there is no simple answer to the KBIC’s question, the team will continue to assess the regional impacts of mercury in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antidepressants-fish-great-lakes/">Great Lakes</a>. The current study will be published in the journal journal <a href="https://www.environmentalscience.org/">Environmental Science</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

No simple solution to Great Lakes mercury pollution problem

Nearly 80 percent of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is affected by...

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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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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 



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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



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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



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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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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



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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

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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



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

[sendtonews key="Ccjk8KEMzv-2550719-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

[sendtonews key="6SdlLLbt0t-1988946-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NTU...

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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



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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

[sendtonews key="u0TYxxqfF7-2186404-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA’s...