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....

Some species of birds tend to gravitate towards areas with higher levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-noise-pollution-fish/">noise pollution</a>. 

It was previously thought that these birds were immune to any negative effects because of their preference for nesting in noisy environments, but a new study has found that noise is a constant stressor for birds. 

The study was conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/">University of Boulder</a>, Colorado, <a href="https://www.calpoly.edu/">California Polytechnic State University</a> and the <a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/">Florida Museum of Natural History</a>, and published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. 

The researchers found that birds that grow up around high levels of noise pollution have stunted growth and lay fewer eggs that hatch when nesting. 

The study followed three species of cavity-nesting birds, western bluebirds, mountain bluebirds, and Ash-throated flycatchers, all of which nest and breed near oil and gas operations in New Mexico. 

The researchers built 240 nest boxes for the birds, collected blood samples from adult females and their offspring during the breeding season, and observed hatching success. 

All the species studied who nested near noise pollution had lower levels of corticosterone. Corticosterone is considered the major stress hormone and plays an important role in the brain’s stress response. 

At first, the birds’ low levels might appear to be positive, but the researchers say that the exact opposite true. 

“You might assume this means they are not stressed. But what we are learning from both human and rodent research is that with inescapable stressors, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in humans, stress hormones are often chronically low,” said Christopher Lowry, a stress physiologist in the department of integrative physiology at CU Boulder and a co-author of the study. 

Nestlings produced more stress hormones than those hatched in a quieter location, and noise pollution led to decreased feather length and stunted body growth. 

The noise also interfered with warning calls from other birds that are meant to signal if a predator is present. 

The study shows the negative impacts that living in noisy areas has on birds, even if they tend to prefer nesting near noise polluted locations. 

“This is an example of an 'ecological trap': when an organism develops a preference for something that is actually bad for them,” said Clinton Francis, the senior author. 

The results add to the growing body of evidence that living near high levels of noise pollution is damaging wildlife, and that noise pollution should be seriously considered in conservation efforts. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Noise pollution impacting reproduction for birds

Some species of birds tend to gravitate towards areas with...

A new review by the <a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/">National Center for Environmental Information</a> (NCEI), which accounts for events such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hurricane-harvey-global-warming/">Hurricanes Harvey</a>, Irma, and Maria, has found that 2017 was the costliest year in weather-related damage in the history of the United States.

NCEI is responsible for monitoring and assessing weather events across the globe which have significant societal and economic impacts. 

The experts report that there were 16 weather events in 2017 which exceeded one billion dollars in damage, including 1 drought, 2 floods, 1 freeze event, 8 severe storms, 3 tropical cyclones, and 1 wildfire. 

Hurricane Harvey alone caused $125 billion in damage, and the total cost of 2017’s events is estimated at $306.2 billion. This number smashes the previous record of $214.8 billion, which was set in 2005 when Hurricanes Katrina, Dennis, and Rita struck. 

According to NCEI, the United States has experienced 219 weather and climate disasters since 1980 that each generated costs of at least $1 billion. Overall, the cost of these 219 events exceeds $1.5 trillion. 

Between 1980 and 2017, the yearly average of billion-dollar events is 5.8, and this average was nearly tripled last year. In addition to the increase in the cost and frequency of disasters in 2017, the extreme weather claimed the lives of 362 people.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a group of scientists brought together by the United Nations to keep the world informed on the current state of climate change.

The IPCC reports, “A changing climate leads to changes in the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration and timing of extreme weather and climate events, and can result in unprecedented extreme weather and climate events.”

The <a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/events">U.S. Billion-dollar Weather/Climate Disaster report</a> is developed by NCEI for the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Natural disasters in 2017 were the costliest on record

A new review by the National Center for Environmental Information...

Recent research has found that human activity is pushing salt into freshwater rivers and streams across the United States. The increased levels of salinity and alkalinization are damaging now water pipes and compromising drinking water.

A new study, conducted by researchers from the <a href="http://www.caryinstitute.org/">Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies</a>, the <a href="https://www.umd.edu/">University of Maryland</a>, the <a href="http://www.virginia.edu/">University of Virginia</a>, and <a href="https://www.chatham.edu/">Chatham University</a>, is the first of its kind that takes a long-term approach to analyzing freshwater streams and rivers to show increases in salt levels.

“Long-term monitoring is vital to understanding the pressures facing our nation's freshwaters from increased salt loading, and for guiding strategies that protect drinking water,” said Gene E. Likens, a co-author of the research.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

According to Likens, road salt, irrigation runoff, sewage, and acid rain are some of the major drivers of increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/salt-lakes-drying/">salt</a> levels in freshwater. As salt and alkaline levels increase in rivers and streams, it changes the chemical composition of the water. 

The researchers found that in the midwest, fertilizers had the biggest impact on salt runoff, whereas in the northeast, winter road salting was the biggest culprit. 

Salt ions and an increase in alkalization can leach lead from water pipes that supply drinking water to cities, which can cause numerous health problems. 

The researchers reviewed five decades of data from 232 <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">U.S Geological Survey</a> stream water monitoring sites. 

The results showed that 37 percent of the drainage area of the continuous US had a drastic increase in both salinity and alkalization, and these increases were found in major rivers like the Mississippi and the Potomac. 

“Many people assume that when you apply salt to the landscape, it just gets washed away and disappears. But salt accumulates in soils and groundwater and takes decades to get flushed out,” said Sujay Kaushal from the University of Maryland, the study’s lead author. 

The study is important because of its use of long-term data that shows how much water sources are affected by salt runoff from human activities. The next steps are finding ways to mitigate salt runoff and decrease alkalinization in rivers and streams. 

Some of the recommended management strategies include wetting roads before salting them so the salt sticks to the pavement, or using brine instead of salt to stop ice from forming. 

Another important takeaway from the study is that drinking water pipes need to be monitored for signs of corrosion or mineral deposit buildup.  

“In the US, many rely on a patchwork of aging pipes to bring drinking water into their homes,” said Likens. “Lead in pipes, solder, and joints is not uncommon, especially in our older cities. These pipes are vulnerable to saltier, more alkaline water, which can release toxic metals, such as lead, and other contaminants.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Freshwater streams and rivers are being polluted with salt

Recent research has found that human activity is pushing salt...

How much damage can one road do? You may be surprised. A new road in Bolivia could be disastrous for the local ecosystem, as the government recently passed a law allowing the proposed 190-mile stretch to be built despite mass deforestation.

The road will cut through the protected rainforest known as the Isiboro-Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory (or TIPNIS for short), one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth. 

Many native plants and animals that call the TIPNIS home cannot be found anywhere else on Earth, and the forest is also part of the ancestral homeland of four lowland indigenous groups. 

A recent study has found that the new road is particularly controversial because the TIPNIS has already experienced mass amounts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-amazon-fish-yields/">deforestation</a> in the past. 

The study was conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en">University of Helsinki</a>, Finland and <a href="http://www.umsa.bo/">Universidad Mayor de San Andrés</a> in Bolivia and published in the journal Current Biology. 

The researchers discovered that the protected rainforest had lost more 46,000 hectares of trees from 2000 to 2014. A hectare is an area roughly the size of a football field. 

“While many discuss the potential impacts that the planned road could have in the future, very little is spoken about current ecological impacts in the area,” said Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares, a member of the research team. “Our analyses show that TIPNIS is already facing rampant levels of deforestation.” 

After reviewing the current levels of deforestation in the TIPNIS and other tropical forests with roads linked to habitat loss, the researchers found that over 58 percent of deforestation occurs within five kilometers of existing roads. 

This means that a large scale road in the TIPNIS will only lead to further loss and cause devastating consequences for biodiversity. 

The study also highlights that much of the deforestation in the area can be linked to coca cultivation, which is a plant from which cocaine is extracted.

The researchers hope their study will show how much of an impact the new road could have on the TIPNIS and that the Bolivian government will rethink their construction plans.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandett@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Oriol Massana &amp; Adrià López-Baucells

New road will devastate Amazon biodiversity hotspot

How much damage can one road do? You may be...

Researchers from the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/">University of California San Diego</a> have analyzed over two decades of satellite data to establish just how El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycles affect the ice shelves in West Antarctica. The study reveals that powerful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-ice-melt-antarctica/">El Niño</a> events can result in substantial ice loss in this region, while the opposite is likely to occur during extreme La Niña events.

El Niño and La Niña are two distinct phases of ENSO, which is the variation in winds and surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean. These irregular cycles shift between warmer than average El Niños and colder La Niñas. The study provides new insight into how the ice shelves in Antarctica are responding to these unpredictable atmospheric conditions.

The research was led by Fernando Paolo, who is now a postdoctoral scholar at NASA's <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a>. Using satellite observations of the height of the ice shelves between 1994 and 2017, Paolo and his colleagues discovered that a strong El Niño event causes ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea to gain mass at the surface and melt from below at the same time. 

Further investigation revealed that the ice shelves are losing up to five times more ice from basal melting than they are gaining from increased snowfall.

“We've described for the first time the effect of El Niño/Southern Oscillation on the West Antarctic ice shelves,” said Paolo. “There have been some idealized studies using models, and even some indirect observations off the ice shelves, suggesting that El Niño might significantly affect some of these shelves, but we had no actual ice-shelf observations.” 

“Now we have presented a record of 23 years of satellite data on the West Antarctic ice shelves, confirming not only that ENSO affects them at a yearly basis, but also showing how,” explained Paolo.


At first, it was difficult for the scientists to identify that ice shelf mass was being added from snowfall yet taken away through basal melt at the same time.

“The satellites measure the height of the ice shelves, not the mass, and what we saw at first is that during strong El Niños the height of the ice shelves actually increased,” said Paolo. “I was expecting to see an overall reduction in height as a consequence of mass loss, but it turns out that height increases.”

Over the course of 23 years, the ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea region had their height reduced by 8 inches a year, mostly due to ocean melting. The intense El Niño event of 1997-1998 increased the height of the ice shelves by more than 10 inches. 

Snow, however, is much lighter and contains substantially less water than solid ice does. The researchers were able to calculate how much more ice the shelves were losing rather than gaining when they factored in the density of snow.

“The ice shelf response to ENSO climate variability can be used as a guide to how longer-term changes in global climate might affect ice shelves around Antarctica," said co-author Laurie Padman. “The new data set will allow us to check if our ocean models can correctly represent changes in the flow of warm water under ice shelves.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ngeo/">Nature Geoscience</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

El Niño events shrink Antarctic ice shelves

Researchers from the University of California San Diego have analyzed...

As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-sheet-florida-coastline/">we’ve reported</a>, warming temperatures have caused extensive glacial melting, which has in turn caused sea levels to begin to rise. But as a glacier melts and fills with water, it becomes much heavier, which has had an unexpected consequence on the seafloor.

Now, a new study has found that melting ice sheets and glaciers are weighing down on the ocean floor and causing it to sink. As a result, the global sea level has risen even more than scientists had accounted for.

According to the report, ocean basins have sunk an average of .004 inches per year over the past 20 years, and so the ocean itself is .08 inches deeper. These tiny inches add up when applied to the massive size of the Earth’s oceans. 

Using a newly designed mathematical equation called the “elastic sea level equation,” researchers found that they have been underestimating sea level rise by as much as 8 percent.

The research was published online in the journal Geophysical Research Levels.

The scientists say that satellite assessments are no longer the best way to measure sea level changes. Instead, they say, the sinking seafloor needs to be accounted for "either based on modeled estimates of ocean mass change, as was done in this study, or using more direct observations.”

This is not the first time events triggered by climate change have altered the Earth’s crust. According to a report by the <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/09/hurricane-harvey-deformed-the-earths-crust-around-houston/538866/">Atlantic</a>, Hurricane Harvey dropped so much rain on Texas that the ground actually sunk .8 inches.

--

By <a href="mailto:rarnold@earth.com">Rory Arnold</a>, <a href="http://earth.com/staff">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The weight of melting glaciers is causing the ocean floor to sink

As we’ve reported, warming temperatures have caused extensive glacial melting,...

The world’s largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wind-farms-open-ocean/">wind farm</a> could soon be built around an artificial island in a shallow part of the North Sea called Dogger Bank. 

The plans were drawn up by several energy companies in Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, and detail an ambitious vision of an island around 2.3 square miles complete with an airstrip, staff housing for year-round employees, a small network of roads, energy buildings and a harbor. 

Although it may look like something out of a science fiction story and is set to cost around 1.75 billion dollars to build, the giant wind farm could end powering the UK, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, and Belgium. 

“Maybe it sounds a bit crazy and science fiction-like, but an island on Dogger Bank could make the wind power of the future a lot cheaper and more effective,” Torben Glar Nielsen, the Danish technical director of <a href="https://energinet.dk/">Energinet</a> told the <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/artificial-north-sea-island-energinetdk-tennet-dogger-bank-danish-dutch-german-firms-bid-wind-farms-a7622371.html#gallery">Independent</a>. 

Energinet is one of the pioneering companies behind the proposed project. 

Dogger Bank was picked as an ideal location for the “North Sea Wind Power Hub” because of its relatively shallow depths and the high wind speeds in the area. 

The power hub will take advantage of both wind and solar power to create an endless source of renewable power. 

As far as the challenges of creating an artificial landmass miles offshore in the North Sea, Rob van der Hage, the manager of <a href="https://www.tennet.eu/">TenneT</a>, says building the island won't be the biggest obstacle. 

TenneT is a Dutch and German company and another supporter of the power hub. 

“Is it difficult? In the Netherlands, when we see a piece of water we want to build islands or land. We've been doing that for centuries. That is not the biggest challenge,” Van der Hage told the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/29/is-this-the-future-dutch-plan-vast-windfarm-island-in-north-sea">Guardian.</a>

Many countries across the globe are working to reduce carbon emissions and find sustainable sources of green energy, and the next steps for TenneT and Energinet will be to find suitable investors to make the project a reality. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

World’s largest wind farm could power much of the UK and Europe

The world’s largest wind farm could soon be built around...

Mount St. Helens has been experiencing a swarm earthquakes since New Years Day, prompting rumors that the active volcano might be ready to blow.

The volcano has gone through swarms like this before, with eruptions that have occurred as recently as ten years ago. 

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens was one of the deadliest in the history of the United States, and its proximity to both Portland and Seattle makes any future major eruptions a cause for concern. 

There have been at least 40 earthquakes since the beginning of the year, but no reports of damage or injury. The strongest event showed a magnitude of 3.9 on the Richter scale. 

According to the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">United States Geological Survey</a> (USGS), the uptick in activity is linked to both the volcano itself and by regional stressors not connected to the volcano. 

Trevor Nace, a geologist and contributor to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2018/01/03/mount-st-helens-is-rumbling-again-with-40-earthquakes-since-new-years-day/#7c060a76370b">Forbes</a>, says that the quakes are not necessary a tell-tale sign that Mount St. Helens is about to erupt.

“This is not a sign of an impending eruption, the earthquakes are a result of an active volcanic system and movement along regional stress fields,” wrote Nace.

<a href="https://www.earth.com/image/mount-st-helens-washington-state-seen-space/">Mount St. Helens</a> became active again in 2004, and the volcano is part of the Cascades Mountain Range, which houses some of the most active volcanoes today. The Cascades are also part of the Ring of Fire, which is where most volcanic eruptions in the world occur. 

The Ring of Fire is long string of volcanoes that runs along the edges of the Pacific Ocean and includes volcanoes in Alaska, the southern tip of South America, and New Zealand. 

Considering the last major eruption of Mount St. Helens resulted in devastating losses, Washington residents are nervous about this recent swarm of earthquakes, but Nace assures that there is little cause for concern.

Instead, Nace points out the need for continued monitoring and advancements in seismic research as preparedness is crucial for ensuring the safety and survival of residents near active zones.

“While we can't be certain, chances are the next time Mount St. Helen erupts, we will be significantly better prepared,” <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2018/01/03/mount-st-helens-is-rumbling-again-with-40-earthquakes-since-new-years-day/#7c060a76370b">writes Nace</a>. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Mount St. Helens starts the new year with swarm of earthquakes

Mount St. Helens has been experiencing a swarm earthquakes since...

<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> scientists have produced solid evidence which shows that the ozone layer is, in fact, recovering. This is the first study to demonstrate that the Montreal Protocol, which began phasing out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances in the 1980s, was a successful strategy.

The Aura Satellite, which was built by NASA's <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a>, was launched over 10 years ago to monitor the chemical makeup of the atmosphere and to allow scientists to study the the climate, air quality, and the Earth's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dangerous-threat-ozone-layer/">ozone layer</a>.

The research team analyzed over 10 years of data from the Aura Satellite and found a direct link between the recovery of the ozone and the regulation of CFCs. They detected lower levels of chlorine which has resulted in less depletion of the ozone layer.

According to the team's measurements, the amount of chlorine in the ozone has declined by around 20 percent over the last 12 years. Susan Strahan is an atmospheric scientist from NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">Goddard Space Flight Center</a> and the lead author of the study.

"We see very clearly that chlorine from CFCs is going down in the ozone hole, and that less ozone depletion is occurring because of it," said Strahan.

The ozone layer is an area of Earth's stratosphere which acts as a shield by absorbing up to 99 percent of the sun's dangerous ultraviolet radiation. In 1985, a team of British Antarctic Survey scientists reported finding a recurring hole in the Antarctic region of the ozone layer.

Nations responded by signing a treaty known as the Montreal Protocol, which was ultimately amended to completely phase out CFCs. This is the first study to use actual measurements of the chemical composition inside the ozone hole to confirm that the ozone is recovering as a result of the elimination of CFCs.

The experts explained that the hole in the ozone will continue to recover over time.

“CFCs have lifetimes from 50 to 100 years, so they linger in the atmosphere for a very long time," said study co-author Anne Douglass. “As far as the ozone hole being gone, we're looking at 2060 or 2080. And even then there might still be a small hole.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1944-8007/">Geophysical Research Letters</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: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Katy Mersmann

NASA confirms proof of Antarctic ozone hole recovery

NASA scientists have produced solid evidence which shows that the...

Residents of <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/san-francisco-bay-area/">San Francisco</a> and the Bay Area had quite the wake-up call at 2:39 am Thursday morning when a 4.4 magnitude earthquake was felt by millions in the region.

Luckily, so far no injuries or serious building damage been reported, and San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management texted that there was no tsunami warning. 

The <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">US Geological Survey (USGS) </a>reported that the epicenter of the quake was located in Berkeley, California occurring at a depth of about eight miles into the earth.

The USGS also said the quake was the result of movement along the Hayward Fault, which is connected to the San Andreas fault system.

The Hayward fault has many geologists and seismologists concerned because it's overdue for a larger quake, which typically occurs every 160 years. It’s been 150 years since the last major event.

The fault location and its connection to the San Andreas fault system mean that a major quake could result in significant devastation. The Hayward Fault is directly below millions of people and city buildings. 

The USGS calls the fault “<a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2008/3019/">a tectonic time bomb</a>.” 

The 4.4 quake was classified as moderate and was fairly tame, rattling windows and shaking store shelves but the shaking was felt for miles. The LA Times even reported that people up to <a href="http://beta.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-earthquake-bay-area-20180104-story.html">150 miles away felt movement</a>.

The USGS reports that there is a slight chance that this quake could be a precursor to a larger event on the way (five to ten percent) and that Bay Area residents should be wary of aftershocks. 

Aftershocks can happen weeks after the initial quake, and people in Berkeley and San Francisco area are being asked to go over earthquake preparedness and stay alert. 

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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

San Francisco quake sparks fears of a larger one on the way

Residents of San Francisco and the Bay Area had quite...

NASA recently released it’s “<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mediacast/whats-up-january-2018">What’s Up</a>” skies report for January 2018, a short podcast hosted by Jane Houston Jones from<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/"> NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)</a> in Pasadena, California. 

According to the report, January’s New Year's Supermoon made viewing meteor showers nearly impossible, but a total lunar eclipse is slated to occur at the end of the month. 

The annual Quadrantid meteor shower originating the in the constellation Bootes (which was once the Quadrans Muralis constellation) peaked Wednesday night going into Thursday morning. But the bright, nearly full moon impeded stargazers from getting a good look at the shooting stars. 

The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/01/02/the-new-year-supermoon-was-glorious-but-will-dull-the-upcoming-quadrantid-meteor-shower-photos/?utm_term=.024d583051b9">Washington Post </a>described the meteor shower as a “washout” due to the super moon that was still waning in the sky after New Years Day. 

For fans of meteor showers, <a href="https://www.imo.net/">The International Meteor Organization</a> recently released its <a href="https://www.imo.net/files/meteor-shower/cal2018.pdf">2018 Meteor Shower Calendar</a> that lists the dates, times and optimal ways to view the different meteor showers that will light up the night skies of the new year. 

Jones has a tip for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meteor-shower-hiding-asteroids/">meteor shower</a> viewers who want to know more about the constellation of origin for the meteors you see. You can use a shoestring to follow the path of the meteor back to the constellation it radiated from. 

In other 2018 sky forecasts, for a short time before sunrise on the morning of January 6th, Jupiter and Mars can be viewed paired extremely close together, but you have to make sure you time it right as the two planets will be visible 45 minutes before sunrise. 

Lastly, a total lunar eclipse will occur on January 31st.

People living in the western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii will have the best chance of viewing the event, called a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2018/01/02/supermoon-blue-moon-total-lunar-eclipse-night/#5c0cc89745b2">Blue Moon lunar eclipse</a> because it’s the second full moon in one month. 

You’ve heard the phrase, “once in a blue moon.” Well for many lucky US and Canada residents, they’ll get to experience the phenomenon at the end of January. 

A meteor shower and a supermoon have graced the skies this month, and a total lunar eclipse is set to close out January, for stargazers and fans of astronomy, this month has been a jam-packed start to the year.

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmaill.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Meteor showers, full moons, and a lunar eclipse this month

NASA recently released it’s “What’s Up” skies report for January...

The recent warming trends in the Arctic may be linked to the increase in severe snowy weather in winter – as well as extreme rains in the summer – in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/china-plastic-waste-uk/">UK</a>, according to a new study.

Climate scientists from the UK and the US analyzed data from extreme weather events over the last decade in the UK, and compared them with the position of the North Atlantic polar atmospheric jet stream using the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The NAO is a measurement that indicates the position of the jet stream through a diagram that shows negative and positive spikes – similar to a heart monitor. The jet stream is an enormous current of air that flows east over mid-latitude regions around the planet. 

During the extremely wet summers of 2007 and 2012 in the UK, the researchers found significantly negative readings of the NAO. These same readings showed up during the cold, snowy winters of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. On the other hand, during the mild, wet, stormy UK winters of 2014/2014 and 2015/2016, the NAO showed notably positive spikes.

Furthermore, the researchers noted a correlation between the jet stream’s altered path during the past decade – known as jet stream ‘waviness’ – and an increase in Greenland high-pressure blocking, which is a phenomenon during the summer months that represents areas of high pressure that remain stationary over the Greenland region. These high-pressure areas distort the usual progression of storms across the North Atlantic.

An increase in jet waviness is linked to a weakening of the jet stream, and the ‘blocking’ is associated with some of the most extreme UK seasonal weather events that have been experienced over the last decade. 

It appears that increasing temperatures in the Arctic are influencing both the strength and path of the North Atlantic jet stream and the Greenland block phenomena. This suggests that these changes may be a major factor in the extreme weather conditions that the UK has experienced. 

“In winter, a positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is linked with a more northward, vigorous jet and mild, wet, stormy weather over the UK, while a negative NAO tends to be associated with a more southerly-positioned jet and relatively cold and dry but sometimes snowy conditions,” says Edward Hanna, a professor of climate science and meteorology at the <a href="http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/">University of Lincoln</a>’s School of Geography and an author of the study. “In summer the jet stream is displaced further north, so a positive NAO is typically associated with warm dry weather, while a negative NAO often corresponds to wetter, cooler UK weather conditions.”

Hanna assures that while weather in the UK is infamously variable, globally there has been a recent increase in high temperatures and heavy precipitation. The trend in the last decade has resulted in multiple record negative and positive December values of the NAO. While scientists are continuing to keep an eye on this, it’s clear that Arctic warming is having an influence on weather in more places than just the Arctic.

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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

Arctic warming may be causing extreme weather in the UK

The recent warming trends in the Arctic may be linked...

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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



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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