Plastic may not always float where we expect it. The ocean’s surface might look clean in some places, but far beneath the waves, a different story is unfolding. 



In the southeastern Mediterranean, the deep seafloor is turning into a massive storage ground for plastic packaging, especially bags. A new study shows how this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-retailers-are-replacing-plastic-bags-with-eco-friendly-paper-bags/">waste</a> ends up thousands of feet below the surface, and the answer isn’t as simple as trash just “sinking.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-in-the-deep-sea">Plastic in the deep sea</h2>



Plastic debris has entered every corner of the ocean, but previously, most of the research has concentrated on floating plastic or beach trash. That changed with this latest study, which took a closer look at what is occurring on the ocean floor. 



Scientists discovered that the Levant Basin - a deep section of the eastern <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/two-continents-meet-along-the-mediterranean-coastline/">Mediterranean</a> off the coasts of Israel, Egypt, and Turkey - is among the world's most contaminated deep-sea areas.



“We used trawls to survey the seafloor and we mainly found plastic bags and packaging that dominate the debris,” said Xing-Yu Li from the <a href="https://www.haifa.ac.il/?lang=en">University of Haifa</a>, the study’s lead author.



This raised a question: how does something so light - something meant to float - end up nearly a mile underwater?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-forensic-approach-to-trash">A forensic approach to trash</h2>



To answer that, the team decided to treat each plastic item like a crime scene. Every piece of debris was carefully examined using a method called multi-marker analysis. 



This approach looks at everything about the plastic - size, shape, color, material, surface features, and even what kinds of things are stuck to it, like tar or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-organisms-may-adapt-to-climate-change-but-with-hidden-costs/">marine organisms</a>.



“In the multi-marker approach anything that is found on a piece of plastic is an evidence,” said Xing-yu. “We extracted as many evidence as possible from every piece of waste, more than many previous studies, to build a fuller, more detailed view of the bottom waste.”



Instead of just counting how much trash was found, this method helped researchers understand how it got there, why it sank, and where it might have come from.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-some-plastic-doesn-t-sink">Why some plastic doesn’t sink</h2>



Most of the plastics found were <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/everyday-kitchen-tool-that-could-be-leaching-toxins-into-your-food-polypropylene-cutting-board/">polyethylene</a> - the same material used in grocery bags. Normally, this kind of plastic floats. But when additives like calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) are mixed in during manufacturing, the plastic becomes heavier. 



Those with CaCO₃ sank closer to the shore. Others, without these additives, drifted farther out before eventually settling on the seafloor.



The study also revealed that the deep basin at over 3,000 feet deep acts like a trap. Pressure and fine sediments help keep the plastic down. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biofilms-could-change-the-way-we-track-plastic-pollution/">Biofilms</a>, which are slimy layers formed by microbes, usually help weigh plastics down too, but they don’t grow well in this part of the sea. Instead, things like tar, sand, and tiny shells helped plastics stay put.



The scientists noted that these plastic films - while thin and lightweight - are ending up where they can do the most long-term damage. 



Even more troubling, the team found that some of this plastic could become buoyant again if disturbed, but because of how the deep sea works, that rarely happens. Once the plastic settles, it stays.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-trash-is-coming-from">Where the trash is coming from</h2>



The plastic pollution isn’t only from local beaches. According to the research, land-based sources from Egypt, Israel, and Turkey are a big part of the problem. 



Shipping also plays a role, especially in deeper waters. Surprisingly, fishing was not a major contributor - possibly due to strict Israeli regulations.



For years, scientists noticed high levels of plastic at the seafloor, but they didn’t fully understand why. 



“For years in our monitoring reports we have reported a high concentration of plastic debris in this area. It was an unsolved mystery as we know that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-floor-harbors-up-to-11-million-tons-of-plastic-debris/">plastic debris</a> should remain floating on the sea surface. Now we have a deep understanding of how it happens,” said Dr. Yael Segal from Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR). 



“The Eastern Mediterranean is the most polluted area in the world, and we must take action for the sake of the next generation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-risks-to-marine-life">Long-term risks to marine life</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapevines-could-offer-a-breakthrough-alternative-to-plastic-packaging/">Plastic packaging</a> is cheap, easy to produce, and used globally - but it doesn’t go away. It breaks into smaller pieces and can remain in the environment for hundreds of years. 



Deep-sea habitats are already fragile, and adding plastic into the mix could disrupt food webs, introduce toxins, and harm species that haven’t even been fully studied yet.



“As the head of the national monitoring program, I see firsthand how plastic pollution is impacting the entire sea environment: beaches, water, sea bottom, and even local turtle populations,” said Dr. Segal.



Professor Revital Bookman said that the discovery is fascinating in the worst possible way. 



"The eastern Mediterranean is quietly turning into a deep-sea landfill. Plastics that we use for only a few minutes are ending up trapped for centuries, threatening deep marine ecosystems we barely understand," noted Professor Bookman. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-needs-to-happen-next">What needs to happen next</h2>



According to the researchers, this study changes how we should think about ocean pollution. Plastic doesn’t just float around until it hits a beach. It travels far, interacts with other pollutants like tar, and ends up in hidden places. 



“This previously overlooked dynamic necessitates a broader perspective on pollution processes in marine environments,” said Professor Bookman. 



“Without systematic deep-sea accounting, we risk underestimating the true environmental footprint of plastic pollution and misallocating mitigation efforts by neglecting offshore and deep-sea sinks.”



To deal with this, the experts call for coordinated efforts across the region. Countries that share the sea need to work together on monitoring, cleanup, and prevention. 



Without a shared strategy, plastics will continue piling up, silently choking one of the planet’s most mysterious ecosystems.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X25009671?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Pollution Bulletin</a>.



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Hidden plastic graveyard uncovered in the deep Mediterranean Sea

Plastic may not always float where we expect it. The ocean’s surface might look clean in some places, but far beneath the waves, a different story is unfolding. In the southeastern Mediterranean, the deep seafloor is turning into a massive storage ground for plastic packaging, especially bags. A new study shows how this waste ends up thousands of feet below the surface, and the answer isn’t as simple as trash just “sinking.” Plastic in the deep sea Plastic debris has entered every corner of the ocean, but...

A recent study has provided compelling evidence that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, is a significant risk factor for asthma in both children and adults.&nbsp;



Drawing on data involving approximately 25 million people across the globe, the research, led by the <a href="https://www.mpic.de/2285/en">Max Planck Institute for Chemistry</a>, suggests that PM2.5 exposure is responsible for nearly 30% of new asthma cases worldwide.&nbsp;



The study highlights the critical need for stricter air quality regulations to protect public health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-growing-health-concern">A growing health concern</h2>



Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease affecting around 4% of the world’s population, causes recurring symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Currently, over 30 million new asthma cases arise each year, significantly impacting quality of life. 



However, despite extensive research, the link between air pollution, specifically <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/specific-air-pollutants-linked-to-asthma-attacks-in-urban-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PM2.5</a>, and asthma has been a topic of debate, with earlier studies offering mixed results. 



This comprehensive study, led by Dr. Ruijing Ni and published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.09.022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One Earth</a>, consolidates evidence to definitively associate PM2.5 with asthma, providing new insights into the health risks of air pollution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-between-pm2-5-and-asthma">Link between PM2.5 and asthma</h2>



The international team analyzed data from 68 studies conducted across 22 countries, including North America, Western Europe, East Asia, South Asia, and Africa.&nbsp;



By examining such a wide array of epidemiological data, the researchers found a clear correlation between long-term PM2.5 exposure and asthma risk, with a particularly heightened risk in children.



“We estimate that globally in 2019, almost a third of asthma cases are attributable to long-term PM2.5 exposure, corresponding to 63.5 million existing cases and 11.4 million new cases,” Ni explained.&nbsp;



“In Germany, for instance, PM2.5 exposure may have been responsible for 11% of new asthma cases, affecting approximately 28,000 people. We also find that the risk of asthma associated with PM2.5 is much higher in children than in adults, reflecting the age-related vulnerability.”



The study’s findings align with biological insights into children’s respiratory systems.&nbsp;



Since the lungs and immune system typically mature fully only in early adulthood, children are particularly susceptible to the oxidative stress, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inflammation</a>, and respiratory sensitization that air pollution can trigger - all of which are conditions linked to asthma development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asthma-risk-across-ages">Asthma risk across ages</h2>



Utilizing this extensive dataset, the researchers created exposure-response curves to model how PM2.5 exposure impacts both childhood and adult asthma risk.&nbsp;



These curves are vital for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-alone-in-america-an-escalating-public-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public health</a> studies, showing the relationship between exposure levels and their health effects—in this case, the risk of asthma.



“This initiative is important for quantifying global health effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/135-million-people-died-prematurely-due-to-pm25-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollution</a>,” said professor Yuming Guo from <a href="https://www.monash.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monash University</a>, noting that the curves incorporate data from countries with different income levels and varying degrees of pollution, ensuring the findings have global relevance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-health-burden-nbsp">Significant health burden&nbsp;</h2>



People in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) generally face higher levels of air pollution and, consequently, a higher incidence of PM2.5-related health impacts.&nbsp;



Historically, however, most PM2.5 health studies have been conducted in high-income regions like North America and Europe.&nbsp;



This disparity introduces challenges when generalizing findings from wealthier nations to LMICs, given differences in air pollution sources, healthcare quality, and population demographics.



By including evidence from LMICs, the study mitigates these limitations, allowing for more accurate estimates of asthma burden from PM2.5 exposure on city, regional, and global scales.&nbsp;



Such comprehensive data can help policymakers in different regions gauge the potential health benefits of reducing PM2.5 through various air quality policies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protection-from-air-pollution-and-asthma-nbsp">Protection from air pollution and asthma&nbsp;</h2>



In response to the study's findings, lead researcher Yafang Cheng, the director of the Aerosol Chemistry Department at Max Planck, emphasizes the importance of regulatory action and personal safety practices.&nbsp;



“Our findings highlight the urgent need for policymakers to enforce stringent legislation to continuously combat air pollution,” Cheng explained, adding that individual measures like wearing masks can also help people lower their risk of asthma from PM2.5 exposure.



This study provides essential evidence for health organizations, governments, and individuals alike to address the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/edible-insects-could-benefit-individual-and-global-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global health</a> threat posed by PM2.5 air pollution. 



As asthma cases continue to climb, the insights from this research highlight the critical need for both preventive measures and robust policy to mitigate air pollution and protect vulnerable populations.



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Nearly one-third of asthma cases linked to air pollution

A recent study has provided compelling evidence that long-term exposure...

If you're not a tree hugger now, you might want to become one soon. A recent report has revealed that more than one in three tree species are at risk of extinction.



The Global Tree Assessment is part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) Red List of Threatened Species update. The report was issued to coincide with the UN's COP16 summit on biodiversity.



The numbers paint an alarming picture. Out of an estimated 58,000 species thought to exist globally, over 16,000 tree species are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-majority-of-urban-trees-are-threatened-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">threatened</a> with extinction. In other words, more than one third of all tree species are endangered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worldwide-extinction-threat-to-trees">Worldwide extinction threat to trees</h2>



We're not talking about a handful of species in some remote part of the world. The experts looked at over 47,000 tree species and found that this extinction threat is worldwide.



Now, you're probably wondering, what's causing such a massive threat to our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-trees-is-important-but-reforestation-can-help-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green friends</a>? Well, we are largely to blame. 



In previous studies, experts have estimated that since the onset of human civilization, the global number of trees has dropped by roughly 46 percent.



The <a href="https://www.bgci.org/our-work/networks/gta/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Tree Assessment</a> notes that trees are being cut down for logging and to clear lands for farming and human expansion. Climate change, drought, and wildfires are also playing a destructive role.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-trees">Importance of trees</h2>



"People rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-trees-protect-their-genetic-diversity-for-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree species</a> for food, timber, fuels (and) medicines," said Emily Beech, an expert who was part of the study. 



Trees also produce the oxygen we breathe and absorb heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere.



"Trees are essential to support life on Earth through their vital role in ecosystems, and millions of people depend upon them for their lives and livelihoods," said IUCN director general Grethel Aguilar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-with-the-highest-extinction-risk">Trees with the highest extinction risk</h2>



Now, let's turn to the species that are at the highest risk. These include horse chestnut and ginkgo, both known for their medical applications.



The big leaf mahogany, used in furniture making, and several ash, magnolia, and eucalypt species are also severely threatened.



Over 5,000 of the tree species on the IUCN Red List are used for construction timber, and more than 2,000 are used for medicines, food, and fuels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-areas-of-greatest-concern">Areas of greatest concern</h2>



The threat transcends national borders, sparing none of the 192 countries where tree species are at risk of extinction.



However, it's the islands that are taking the hardest hit due to rapid urban development, expanding agriculture, and the introduction of invasive species, pests, and diseases.



South America, a continent that boasts the greatest diversity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/resilient-trees-can-help-safeguard-cities-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> in the world, is facing a particularly severe threat, with 3,356 out of 13,668 assessed species at risk.



What's even more alarming is that many species on this continent, home to the Amazon jungle, have likely not even been discovered yet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-we-save-trees-from-extinction">Can we save trees from extinction?</h2>



All hope is not lost. The IUCN report outlines various measures that can be taken to save our trees, such as tree planting, conservation of species through seed banks, and botanic garden collections.



Protecting trees requires both collective action and individual effort. Here are some impactful ways each of us can help:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choose-sustainable-products">Choose sustainable products</h3>



Select goods like paper, furniture, and food from companies that follow sustainable practices. Look for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) to ensure the products come from responsibly managed forests.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduce-paper-and-wood-waste">Reduce paper and wood waste</h3>



Use digital alternatives, recycle paper products, and buy recycled wood furniture. These small choices lower demand for tree-derived materials, helping reduce unnecessary deforestation.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advocate-for-tree-protection-laws">Advocate for tree protection laws</h3>



Support policies that protect forests and regulate industries responsible for deforestation. Contacting local representatives and voting for environmentally-conscious leaders can help push these initiatives.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adopt-a-tree-or-green-space">Adopt a tree or green space</h3>



Many cities offer programs to adopt local trees or green areas. Caring for a tree or green space not only supports its health but also increases public awareness of its importance.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avoid-products-that-harm-forests">Avoid products that harm forests</h3>



Minimize or eliminate purchases of products linked to deforestation, like palm oil and non-sustainable soy. Choosing eco-friendly options helps curb the destructive agricultural practices that harm forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-overview-of-tree-extinction-risk">Global overview of tree extinction risk</h2>



Dr Malin Rivers is the Global Tree Assessment lead at Botanic Gardens Conservation International.



“This comprehensive assessment presents the first global picture of the conservation status of trees, which enables us to make better informed conservation decisions and take action to protect trees where it is urgently needed,” said&nbsp;Dr. Rivers. 



“The work is a global effort, with over 1,000 tree experts involved. We need to continue to work together to scale up local, national and international tree conservation action to support people and the planet.”



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More than one-third of the world’s trees face extinction

If you're not a tree hugger now, you might want...

Arctic sea ice is melting at an alarming rate, and a new study reveals that this phenomenon could have far-reaching consequences on global climate systems.



As the ice diminishes, it not only affects the immediate Arctic environment but also triggers shifts in ocean circulation patterns that can alter weather systems across the globe. 



Scientists warn that these changes could lead to more extreme weather events, including severe storms and altered precipitation patterns, underlining the urgent need to address the drivers of climate change. 



Through diligent research, a dedicated team of scientists has uncovered how the loss of Arctic sea ice may disrupt weather patterns and ocean currents, highlighting yet another critical impact of climate change driven by human actions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flashback-to-the-last-interglacial">Flashback to the Last interglacial</h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://ic3.uit.no/research" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iC3 Polar Research Hub</a>, led by climate scientist Mohamed Ezat, have effectively turned back the Earth’s clock to examine the climate conditions during the early phase of the Last Interglacial over 100,000 years ago.



This was a period marked by significantly warmer global temperatures, reduced ice volumes, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-last-ice-age-shows-how-rising-sea-levels-will-transform-coastal-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea levels</a> that were considerably higher than those we see today. 



By studying this past warm phase, the researchers aimed to uncover critical insights into how the climate dynamics of that era could inform our understanding of present and future climate challenges, especially as Arctic sea ice continues to diminish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-delicate-balance-of-earth-s-climate">Delicate balance of Earth's climate </h2>



“Our finding that enhanced melting of Arctic sea-ice likely resulted in significant cooling in northern Europe in the earth’s past is alarming,” said Ezat. “This reminds us that the planet’s climate is a delicate balance, easily disrupted by changes in temperature and ice cover.”



The study links the warming climate and increased melting of Arctic sea ice during the Last Interglacial to shifts in regional sea-surface temperatures and ocean circulation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-sea-ice-and-the-nordic-sea">Arctic sea ice and the Nordic Sea</h2>



By 2050, ice-free summer conditions could become a reality in the Arctic Ocean. Such significant melting of Arctic sea ice may trigger a cascade of climate effects, altering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-the-oceans-hidden-influence-on-global-weather-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global weather systems</a>.



According to the study, the Nordic Sea is one of the key areas likely to be affected the most. This vital water body, located between Greenland and Norway, acts as a major conduit for oceanic heat transport, regulating temperatures and influencing weather patterns far beyond its geographical boundaries.



Disruptions in this region could lead to widespread shifts in climate systems across the Northern Hemisphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cascading-effects-of-melting-sea-ice">Cascading effects of melting sea ice</h2>



The experts found that during the Last Interglacial, enhanced melting of Arctic sea ice led to notable alterations in sea-surface temperatures and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-ocean-circulation-near-antarctica-on-the-brink-of-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean circulation</a> within the Nordic Sea.



The melting sea ice changed the salinity and density of the water, disrupting the regular flow of currents. This, in turn, caused significant shifts in circulation patterns and heat distribution across the ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-from-past-climate-events">Insights from past climate events</h2>



Drawing on insights from past climate events, researchers at the iC3 Polar Research Hub employed advanced techniques to analyze sediment cores from the Nordic Sea.



By examining biological, inorganic, and organic geochemical tracers, they reconstructed historical sea-surface temperatures, salinity levels, freshwater inputs, and deepwater formation processes. 



These sediment cores serve as time capsules, preserving crucial data about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ancient-ocean-water-shaped-early-life-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient ocean</a> conditions. Yet, many mysteries remain. 



“We can learn a lot from the still open question of the Last Interglacial cooling in the Norwegian Sea and potential responsible processes,” said Ezat. 



“We hope that our study provides a benchmark for climate modelers to utilize this time period to better constrain the impacts of ice changes on regional and global climate.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-changes-in-ocean-circulation">Major changes in ocean circulation </h2>



Earlier this month, dozens of climate scientists warned in an open letter that climate change is generating a serious risk of a major ocean circulation change in the Atlantic that would have devastating and irreversible impacts.



As Arctic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-ice-caps-changing-earths-rotation-need-negative-leap-second/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice caps melt</a> and the years tick by, we are reminded of the turbulent effects of our actions. 



This research by the iC3 Polar Research Hub sheds light on the past to pave the way for a more informed future, hopefully steering us clear of climate catastrophe.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53401-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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How melting Arctic sea ice could disrupt Earth's climate

Arctic sea ice is melting at an alarming rate, and...

Photosynthesis forms the foundation of life on Earth, yet climate change increasingly threatens this essential process. With advanced tools, scientists can now study how shifts in temperature, humidity, and light impact photosynthesis and, by extension, the future of ecosystems.&nbsp;



For Rakesh Tiwari, a postdoctoral researcher at <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a>'s Department of Ecology and Genetics, uncovering how plants adapt - or fail to adapt - to climate shifts is critical.



“I want to understand how species and ecosystems can function in the future,” said Tiwari, whose research spans tropical forests in Puerto Rico, the Amazon, and even the controlled climate of Uppsala’s Tropical Greenhouse.&nbsp;



Using cutting-edge tools to simulate environmental extremes, Tiwari seeks to understand plants' adaptability to climate challenges and their potential limits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-photosynthesis-under-pressure">Observing photosynthesis under pressure</h2>



In the humid atmosphere of Uppsala’s greenhouse, surrounded by towering palms and dense foliage, Tiwari demonstrates his process using a portable greenhouse gas analyzer, designed to simulate various environmental conditions on leaves.&nbsp;



He places a hibiscus leaf into the instrument’s chamber, exposing it to intensified light and heat. The leaf’s reaction offers clues about how plants process sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to create glucose and oxygen under different stresses.



“Since it's a portable instrument, I can take it to different places and analyze photosynthetic responses to different environmental conditions for plants,” Tiwari explained.&nbsp;



“For example, I can change the temperature and light levels, and measure how this affects the photosynthesis rate.” 



This on-site work parallels studies he’s conducted in natural tropical environments, where he’s observed distinct patterns in how photosynthesis responds to extreme heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-s-foundation-in-the-rainforest">Life's foundation in the rainforest</h2>



In 2017, Tiwari participated in a research project in the Amazon, where he and his colleagues used similar tools to monitor the health of the rainforest’s photosynthesis system.&nbsp;



“We used a similar fluorometer to monitor when the photosystems started to break down. What we saw was a clear pattern. Trees in one of the Amazon's hottest sites are already experiencing air temperature conditions that can affect their photosynthesis machinery.”&nbsp;



The researchers discovered that plants in particularly hot and dry areas of the Amazon were already nearing their heat tolerance, with photosynthesis rates dropping during especially high temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-limits-of-photosynthetic-efficiency">The limits of photosynthetic efficiency</h2>



Global photosynthetic efficiency is strikingly low, typically at most 5%, due in part to a process called photorespiration.&nbsp;



During photorespiration, an enzyme called rubisco mistakenly binds oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, a problem exacerbated by high temperatures. This reduces the plant’s ability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">produce energy</a> efficiently.



“Another factor is the small openings, or stomata, in the plant's leaves that regulate carbon dioxide absorption and water exchange,” Tiwari said.&nbsp;



“In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-countries-most-at-risk-from-extreme-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme heat</a>, they can close to save water. This is a survival strategy, but it also reduces their photosynthesis rate. While in some trees, stomata open at higher temperatures to make use of evaporative cooling as a leaf cooling mechanism.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-carbon-storage-nbsp">Implications for carbon storage&nbsp;</h2>



Tiwari’s research at Uppsala, conducted with Bob Muscarella’s team, focuses on understanding temperature-related adaptations in tropical and temperate forests.&nbsp;



His recent findings suggest that temperature sensitivity to photorespiration varies significantly among species, which could inform reforestation strategies aimed at selecting species most resilient to climate change.



“The consequences of such understanding can better inform <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reforestation-cannot-offset-carbon-emissions-from-harvesting-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reforestation</a> projects. For example, we can understand how vegetation could function in warmer futures and how we can adapt our future conservation and afforestation strategies,” Tiwari noted.



However, Tiwari emphasizes that planting trees alone isn’t sufficient to protect the climate. Preserving mature forests offers unparalleled ecological benefits.&nbsp;



“We cannot recreate the complexity of a mature forest. It does more than just capture carbon; it supports biodiversity, regulates water flows, and provides habitats for countless species,” he said.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-the-foundation-of-life">Preserving the foundation of life</h2>



From October 21 to November 1, the UN biodiversity conference COP16 will be held in Cali, Colombia, where leaders will address global conservation challenges.&nbsp;



Tiwari hopes that conference discussions will focus on preserving natural ecosystems, especially forests, as they are irreplaceable in regulating carbon and supporting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>.



“If we lose biodiversity and forest ecosystems, we lose the planet's best natural carbon capture system,” he said.&nbsp;



“One day there may be technologies that can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but the more we rely on artificial solutions, the more damage we risk causing the planet. These are risks we cannot afford to take.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-innovation-with-natural-solutions">Balancing innovation with natural solutions</h2>



In the face of climate challenges, Tiwari’s research highlights the need for both conservation and innovation. While advanced tools are improving our understanding of photosynthesis, preserving existing ecosystems remains essential for achieving true sustainability. 



“The best way to protect the environment is to preserve the natural systems that already exist,” Tiwari said. His work highlights a balanced approach: technological advances in plant science coupled with committed efforts to maintain natural habitats.



By investigating the intricate ways plants respond to climate shifts, Tiwari’s research emphasizes the importance of biodiversity conservation in climate action. 



Through both preservation and innovation, the scientific community can work towards sustaining the ecosystems that serve as the foundation of life on Earth.



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The foundation of life is at risk from climate change

Photosynthesis forms the foundation of life on Earth, yet climate...

We might want to start considering a diversity makeover for the simulation game 'Farmville,' making it more environmentally conscious and modeling it to promote biodiverse farming practices.



Why, you ask? Because research has found that adding a dash of plant diversity to agricultural systems can effectively accelerate the carbon consignment potential of the soils.



This is a significant discovery, and is particularly relevant as the agriculture industry strives to decrease its carbon footprint.



Plant diversity could be our very own secret ingredient to sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture and food production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-diversity-and-sustainable-agriculture">Plant diversity and sustainable agriculture</h2>



It is no secret that the progress and intensification of farming have taken a toll on our soils - depleting their health and releasing carbon into the atmosphere.



Since a vast portion of our planet is dedicated to farming, it is pertinent that agricultural systems take a leading role in climate change mitigation strategies.



However, there has been a roadblock in these efforts due to our limited knowledge about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-distinguish-between-good-and-bad-microbes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-microbe</a> interactions. A team of researchers at the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/de.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a> set out to investigate.



The study, led by Luiz Domeignoz-Horta, shows that the key to augmenting soil carbon storage lies within our reach by simply increasing plant diversity in agricultural fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-benefits-of-plant-diversity">Potential benefits of plant diversity </h2>



The researchers took their study to Finland, where they launched the TwinWin experiment.



The goal of the research was to explore how varying levels of plant diversity could influence soil's microbial processes, especially when integrated with a staple crop like barley.



Over the course of the study, the experiment tested barley grown alone and alongside eight different plant species - each carefully selected for their prospective benefits to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-soils-produce-a-symphony-of-sounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soil health</a> and resilience.



These species included nitrogen-fixing and deep-rooting varieties. The plants were chosen to enhance nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-diversity-for-better-carbon-storage">Plant diversity for better carbon storage</h2>



The focus of the experiment was on microbial carbon use efficiency - a measure of how effectively microbes transform carbon inputs into fresh biomass without releasing it as carbon dioxide.



The scientists gauged microbial growth, soil respiration, and community dynamics through molecular sequencing and stable isotope tracking. The team kept a keen eye on the movement of carbon within the soil microbial communities.



"We found that higher plant diversity fostered stronger positive interactions between microbes in the rhizosphere - the area around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autophagy-what-makes-plant-roots-grow-faster-stronger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant roots</a> - which ultimately improved the community carbon use efficiency," said Domeignoz-Horta.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-green-avalanche">The green avalanche</h2>



Moreover, a higher variety of plants positively impacted overall plant biomass production without causing a drop in barley yields, demonstrating that this practice can maintain crop output while enhancing soil carbon retention. 



It is clear that plant diversity plays a crucial role in influencing microbial physiology, promoting healthier ecosystems and offering an eco-friendly solution to agricultural carbon sequestration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-light-for-carbon-farming">Green light for "carbon farming"</h2>



While implementing plant diversity in farming systems could be labor-intensive for small-scale farmers, they remain key stakeholders in sustainable farming.



"Nevertheless, our results suggest that with the right policy support, encouraging diverse crop mixtures could become a key component of ‘carbon farming,’ helping to sequester more carbon in soils while maintaining agricultural productivity," said Domeignoz-Horta.



"This could pave the way for new climate-resilient farming practices that benefit both the environment and farmers."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-path-forward-for-sustainable-agriculture">A path forward for sustainable agriculture</h2>



The findings from the TwinWin experiment highlight the untapped potential of plant diversity in agriculture. 



By enhancing microbial interactions and improving soil carbon storage, diverse crop mixtures can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. 



However, realizing this potential requires a shift in farming practices and broader policy support to encourage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-footprint-a-new-frontier-in-sustainable-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable</a>, biodiversity-focused approaches. 



With increased awareness and commitment from stakeholders, plant diversity could redefine the future of agriculture, offering a resilient, eco-friendly solution that benefits both farmers and the planet. 



The research suggests that the path to a more sustainable future starts with embracing the natural synergy between plants and soil and harnessing the power of biodiversity to build healthier ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52449-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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How plant diversity can help combat climate change

We might want to start considering a diversity makeover for...

When research scientist Gary Longo first analyzed the genomic data from sardine samples collected off the West Coast, he thought he had made a mistake.&nbsp;



Initially, it appeared that, besides the Pacific sardines that are common in the area, many of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dietary-shift-to-forage-fish-could-prevent-millions-of-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> were a different species. 



“It was a total shock,” Longo recalled. After further comparing the genetic code to other known species, he had a revelation: “That was the ‘aha moment’ when we realized we were looking at a second species of sardine.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mix-of-japanese-and-pacific-sardines">Mix of Japanese and Pacific sardines </h2>



The analysis revealed that in the 345 sardine samples collected during NOAA Fisheries’ 2021 and 2022 Coastal Pelagic Species Surveys, all of the samples from 2021 were Pacific sardines. 



However, the 2022 samples contained a mix of Pacific sardines and Japanese sardines. Further examination of 825 additional sardine samples collected the following year showed a similar result, with many being Japanese sardines - previously undocumented in this part of the ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-journey-of-japanese-sardines">Long journey of Japanese sardines </h2>



Japanese sardines were previously known only from the west side of the North Pacific Ocean near Asia. The findings, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17561" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Ecology</a>, showed that Japanese sardines have made their way to the waters off the United States. 



These sardines, which look nearly identical to their Pacific cousins, can only be distinguished through genetic analysis.&nbsp;



The team used advanced genomic sequencing techniques, analyzing millions of genetic markers and constructing full mitochondrial genomes to confirm the identity of the sardines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-testing-of-sardines">Genetic testing of sardines </h2>



In 2022 and 2023, Japanese sardines were found from Washington State to southern California, sometimes schooling with Pacific sardines.&nbsp;



The newcomers were typically one to three years old, common adult ages for sardines. Wondering if these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-foraging-behavior-changing-climate-warming-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> had been overlooked in previous surveys, the researchers turned to the genetic archives at the <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/southwest-fisheries-science-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southwest Fisheries Science Center</a>. 



Genetic testing of sardine samples collected between 2013 and 2021 showed no signs of Japanese sardines, suggesting that their arrival on the West Coast is a recent phenomenon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-ocean-conditions">Changing ocean conditions</h2>



The detection of Japanese sardines coincided with a period of low Pacific sardine populations, which may have made their presence easier to spot.&nbsp;



The 2022 NOAA Fisheries survey was the first to record Japanese sardines, suggesting that the species arrived around that time.&nbsp;



More were found in 2023, though it remains uncertain how long they have continued to move eastward. Researchers are currently analyzing samples from the 2024 survey to track their movements further.



The arrival of Japanese sardines raises many questions about the evolving conditions of the North Pacific.&nbsp;



Previous genetic studies estimated that Pacific and Japanese sardines diverged around 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, separated by glacial periods that cooled the North Pacific.&nbsp;



While there have been examples of western Pacific species reaching the U.S. coast - often transported by debris carried by currents - this appears different.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-japanese-sardines-leading-ecological-shifts">Japanese sardines leading ecological shifts</h2>



The study suggests that recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heatwaves-are-expanding-their-reach-across-the-globe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine heatwaves</a> warmed the North Pacific, creating a suitable habitat corridor that Japanese sardines may have followed across the ocean.



“Small coastal pelagic fish such as sardines are good indicators of change,” explained Longo. “Often they are the first ones we see responding to shifting temperatures because they have short generation times, are highly mobile, and can use a variety of habitats.”&nbsp;



According to the researchers, the Japanese sardines could represent the “leading edge” of broader ecological shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncertain-future-for-japanese-sardines">Uncertain future for Japanese sardines</h2>



The presence of Japanese sardines along the West Coast poses more questions than answers.&nbsp;



“A lot of fish distributions change as ocean conditions change. Now the question is whether Japanese sardines will die out over time, or will they persist in this new part of their range,” said co-author Matthew Craig, a research scientist at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center.



One crucial unknown is whether the two sardine species can interbreed, which would significantly affect their interaction in the California Current ecosystem.&nbsp;



Understanding these dynamics is key to determining how the influx of Japanese sardines could impact the management of sardine populations along the West Coast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-long-term-monitoring">Importance of long-term monitoring</h2>



Longo and Craig have returned to the lab to analyze around 700 new samples from the 2024 Coastal Pelagic Species Survey. They aim to sequence the DNA of these samples, tracing the ongoing presence and movement of Japanese sardines in the region.&nbsp;



The findings could reshape scientists’ understanding of sardine distribution and how changes in ocean conditions impact <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-disrupts-the-distribution-of-marine-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a>.



“This is one of those remarkable discoveries that never would have happened if scientists had not been out there, looking,” said Kristen Koch, director of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center. “The long-term records from earlier surveys also help us understand how unusual it is.”



The unexpected presence of Japanese sardines in the Pacific Ocean highlights the importance of continued monitoring and research, offering new insights into how marine species may respond to a rapidly changing world.



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Japanese sardines may be signaling major shifts in the ocean

When research scientist Gary Longo first analyzed the genomic data...

A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reveals that between 71 and 95 million people in the United States - more than 20% of the country's population - may be relying on groundwater containing detectable levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for their drinking water.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-filtration-system-removes-forever-chemicals-from-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PFAS</a> are synthetic chemicals commonly used in various products, including non-stick cookware, fast-food packaging, and firefighting foams. 



Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are resistant to breaking down in the environment and can accumulate over time, raising concerns about drinking water quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estimates-nbsp-of-contaminated-groundwater">Estimates&nbsp;of contaminated groundwater </h2>



This research provides the first national estimates of PFAS occurrence in untreated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/groundwater-plays-critical-role-ecosystem-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">groundwater</a> that supplies both public and private wells.



The <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USGS</a> scientists analyzed 1,238 groundwater samples collected nationwide to determine how factors like urban development and well depth impact PFAS presence. 



The study also offers an interactive online map, allowing users to view probability estimates of PFAS contamination across different regions. These predictive results are intended for evaluation at state, regional, and national levels rather than individual households.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-risks-and-regulatory-standards">Health risks and regulatory standards</h2>



Exposure to certain PFAS compounds has been linked to adverse health effects in humans, according to the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA). 



Recognizing the potential risks, the EPA has established legally enforceable maximum contaminant levels for six types of PFAS in drinking water supplied by public systems.&nbsp;



However, private well owners are responsible for the maintenance, testing, and treatment of their water, and may not have the same access to resources as public water suppliers.&nbsp;



Those concerned about PFAS levels in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strict-pfas-limits-will-make-drinking-water-safer-for-100-million-americans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking water</a> are advised to consult EPA guidelines or contact local officials and water suppliers for testing and treatment options.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distribution-of-contaminated-groundwater">Distribution of contaminated groundwater </h2>



The study identifies states with the largest populations relying on potentially contaminated groundwater.&nbsp;



For public water supplies, Florida and California top the list. Regarding private wells, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio have the highest numbers of people potentially affected.&nbsp;



In Massachusetts, for instance, the source water for 86% to 98% of people relying on groundwater from public supplies could be contaminated with PFAS.&nbsp;



Similarly, in Connecticut, 67% to 87% of private well users may be exposed to contaminated groundwater.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methodology-and-key-findings">Methodology and key findings</h2>



USGS researchers utilized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-could-revolutionize-drug-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">machine learning</a> models to predict areas with a higher likelihood of PFAS contamination. They combined this information with data on population reliance on groundwater for drinking purposes. 



The researchers found that both public and private wells are at risk, though they typically draw water from different depths - public wells are usually deeper than private ones.



The analysis tested for 24 common types of PFAS out of more than 12,000 known varieties. The most frequently detected compounds were perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-widespread-groundwater-contamination">Widespread groundwater contamination </h2>



“This study's findings indicate widespread PFAS contamination in groundwater that is used for public and private drinking water supplies in the U.S.,” said Andrea Tokranov, USGS research hydrologist and lead author of the study.&nbsp;



Tokranov noted that the new predictive model can help prioritize areas for future sampling to help ensure people aren't unknowingly drinking contaminated water.



“This is especially important for private well users, who may not have information on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-at-risk-climate-change-is-diminishing-global-water-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water quality</a> in their region and may not have the same access to testing and treatment that public water suppliers do,” said Tokranov.



The study underscores the need for increased testing and monitoring of groundwater sources, particularly in areas identified as high-risk.&nbsp;



While the predictive model does not provide PFAS concentration levels or account for any remediation efforts, it serves as a valuable tool for guiding future research and informing public health strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-scope-of-the-issue">Understanding the scope of the issue</h2>



The USGS emphasizes that testing is the only definitive way to confirm the presence of PFAS contaminants in drinking water.&nbsp;



The predictive model is a starting point for understanding the scope of the issue at larger scales.&nbsp;



Communities, policymakers, and individuals are encouraged to utilize these findings to address potential risks associated with PFAS in groundwater and to take appropriate measures to ensure safe drinking water for all.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.ado6638" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Millions of people in the U.S. rely on contaminated groundwater 

A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reveals...

Just below the surface of our vast oceans, there exists a a tiny layer less than 2 millimeters deep. This ultra-thin layer, termed "ocean skin," is ever so slightly cooler than the water directly beneath it.



This subtle temperature difference might not seem like much, but it acts as an efficient gatekeeper for one of the world's most notorious greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide (CO2).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-of-ocean-skin">Temperature of ocean skin</h2>



According to new research, the slightly cooler temperature of the ocean skin increases the amount of CO2 the ocean can absorb. 



The theory is not new – it has been suggested by lab work and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-arctic-is-melting-fast-but-a-slowing-ocean-current-could-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theoretical studies</a> but had not been observed successfully in the open seas.



A team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>'s Penryn Campus in Cornwall used advanced measurements to confirm that the ocean skin's temperature indeed aids in carbon absorption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-co2-absorbed-in-the-atlantic">CO2 absorbed in the Atlantic</h2>



The team conducted its study in the Atlantic Ocean. Their findings suggest that the Atlantic absorbs roughly 7% more CO2 each year than was previously estimated. 



While 7% might sound like a trivial increase, when applied across all oceans, this additional carbon absorption equates to one and a half times the carbon captured annually by the vast Amazon rainforest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-skin-and-climate-change">Ocean skin and climate change</h2>



The global ocean acts as a massive sink, absorbing about a quarter of our carbon emissions. This process helps to slow down climate change. However, it also harms the ocean. The new study takes us a step closer to understanding these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-mitigate-climate-change-with-deep-ocean-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex dynamics</a>.



"Our findings provide measurements that confirm our theoretical understanding about CO2 fluxes at the ocean surface," said lead author Dr. Daniel Ford, a biological and physical oceanographer at the University of Exeter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-conference">Climate change conference</h2>



As we approach the COP29 climate change conference next month, the significance of this research is amplified. 



Understanding the role of oceans in absorbing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-makes-metals-in-the-ocean-more-toxic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon emissions</a> helps to improve global carbon assessments, which in turn can guide efforts to reduce emissions.



The ocean skin discovery has been included in the team's data submission to this year's Global Carbon Budget assessment, contributing to our collective understanding of carbon fluxes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analyzing-ocean-skin">Analyzing ocean skin</h2>



The team's research was focused on ship observations gathered during two European Space Agency projects.



State-of-the-art CO2 flux systems measured tiny differences in CO2 in the air swirling towards the ocean surface and away again, complemented by high-resolution temperature measurements.



“This work is the culmination of many years of effort from an international team of scientists," said Dr. Ian Ashton, also from the University of Exeter.



"The European Space Agency’s support for science was instrumental in putting together such a high-quality measurement campaign across an entire ocean.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-climate-models">Future climate models</h2>



As scientists refine our understanding of the oceans’ carbon absorption capabilities, the implications for climate models are substantial. 



Accurately accounting for the increased CO2 uptake by the ocean skin layer can transform predictive models, offering more precise future climate scenarios.



Moreover, this knowledge empowers policymakers to craft more informed environmental strategies, leveraging marine-based carbon sequestration as a cornerstone for mitigation efforts. 



As these models become more robust, they will inform international policy and funding decisions, further driving innovation in climate solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-science-and-policy">Bridging science and policy</h2>



The intersection of scientific discovery and policy formulation is critical in addressing the global climate crisis. 



The ocean skin research underscores the importance of integrating scientific insights into actionable policy, thus bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world implementation. 



Organizations and governments must work in concert to translate these findings into tangible actions, such as investing in ocean preservation initiatives and incorporating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pacific-sea-levels-are-rising-faster-than-anywhere-in-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean health</a> into climate action frameworks. 



As nations prepare for the upcoming COP29 conference, this research crystallizes the role the oceans play, advocating for marine ecosystems’ inclusion in the global climate agenda as they serve as essential buffers against rising CO2 levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-skin-and-climate-regulation">Ocean skin and climate regulation</h2>



Dr. Gavin Tilstone, an expert in the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (<a href="https://pml.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PML</a>), emphasized the importance of the findings.



"This discovery highlights the intricacy of the ocean’s water column structure and how it can influence CO₂ draw-down from the atmosphere," said Dr. Tilstone.



"Understanding these subtle mechanisms is crucial as we continue to refine our climate models and predictions. It underscores the ocean's vital role in regulating the planet's carbon cycle and climate."



With these new insights on ocean skin, we can better appreciate how even the subtlest mechanisms in our oceans have profound implications for Earth's climate. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01570-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Ocean’s hidden 'skin' could protect us from climate change

Just below the surface of our vast oceans, there exists...

Ever wonder why some farmers keep planting different crops or allowing wildflowers to flourish on the periphery of their field? It's not just to create a pretty scene. 



Planting diverse crops involves something as intricate and invisible as bacteria and as immense and palpable as carbon storage and climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agriculture-has-a-carbon-issue">Agriculture has a carbon issue</h2>



A large portion of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere originates from the soil. Plowing, tilling, and harvesting release carbon from the ground and send it skywards. 



Despite the well-intentioned green thumb, agriculture finds itself in the red. About 40% of the world's land is used for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-diversity-darkspots-need-urgent-attention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farming</a>, making these practices a not-so-small matter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-biodiversity-and-carbon-storage">Plant biodiversity and carbon storage</h2>



A new study suggests that letting many different plants grow in one field can help keep carbon in the ground.



Isn't that something? The answer could be as simple as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-in-dry-landscapes-have-surprising-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planting a variety of crops</a> or even letting those lovely wildflowers stay.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roots-of-the-matter">Roots of the matter</h2>



Leading the charge on this novel idea is Luiz Domeignoz-Horta and a team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a>. They conducted a brilliant experiment in Finland called the TwinWin experiment.



Here's the setup: barren fields were sowed with barley. Alongside the barley, different fields had up to a total of eight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/islands-are-home-to-one-third-of-all-known-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different plant species</a>.



Why these additional plants? The answer lies in the roots. Some of these plants are nitrogen-fixing, and some have deep roots. Both of these qualities help improve soil health, leading to more carbon storage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-footprint-of-diverse-plants">Carbon footprint of diverse plants</h2>



The researchers had a specific measure in mind to gauge the effectiveness of microbial action – carbon use efficiency. They kept tabs on this by monitoring microbial growth, soil respiration, and community dynamics.



So what did it all mean? It turns out that a greater variety of plants lead to healthier microbe interaction in the soil around the roots. This not only means more efficient carbon use but also better soil health overall.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-plants-reduced-carbon">Bigger plants, reduced carbon</h2>



Plant diversity also increased the overall plant biomass production. This means that even as carbon was reduced, crop yields were not. So, farmers can potentially keep this practice going without losing income.



The findings put in perspective the importance of identity, or rather diversity. By increasing diversity, we can have healthier ecosystems that are more resilient to changes.



But it's not just about the environments. This practice is a sustainable way for the agricultural sector to do its part in tackling climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-diversity-in-modern-farming">Plant diversity in modern farming</h2>



Adopting diverse planting strategies on a practical level entails planning, understanding soil conditions, and selecting compatible plant species. 



Farmers face challenges like learning which crops complement each other, how to fit this into crop rotation systems, and the initial costs of changing traditional methodologies. 



However, extension services and agricultural advisories are increasingly offering support to ease this transition, providing guidance on species selection suited to local conditions and tips for managing these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteraceae-is-the-worlds-most-diverse-flowering-plant-family/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diverse systems</a>. 



As more practitioners adopt these biodiverse systems, collective knowledge grows, and best practices circulate more widely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-agricultural-future">Sustainable agricultural future</h2>



With the growing body of research backing plant biodiversity's role in carbon sequestration, the potential policy implications are profound. 



Governments and international organizations might consider incentivizing these practices through subsidies or grants, encouraging farmers to incorporate diverse planting more widely. 



Such measures not only help reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also promote biodiversity, leading to more resilient ecosystems. 



Policymakers face the task of balancing immediate economic concerns with long-term environmental goals, yet the evidence suggests that these approaches could yield both financial and ecological dividends, supporting a sustainable agricultural future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implementation-of-plant-diversity">Implementation of plant diversity</h2>



Plant diversity might sound good on paper and look great in the lab, but applying it on the field (especially for small-scale farmers) can be quite an endeavor. The additional work and cost could present significant challenges.



“The implementation of plant diversity in farming systems is labor-intensive, particularly for small-scale farmers who are the key to sustainability,” noted Domeignoz-Horta.



“Nevertheless, our results suggest that with the right policy support, encouraging diverse crop mixtures could become a key component of ‘carbon farming,’ helping to sequester more carbon in soils while maintaining agricultural productivity."



According to Domeignoz-Horta, this could pave the way for new climate-resilient farming practices that benefit both the environment and farmers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-study">Significance of the study</h2>



As we face the challenges of excess carbon and climate change, solutions like diverse plants offer hope. They offer a path to sustainable, resilient agricultural practices that benefit our environment and farmers alike. 



These are solutions that do not demand radical technological interventions or substantial policy upheavals. Instead, they ask us to return to our roots and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-plants-genus-spread-farther-grow-faster-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">embrace diversity</a>. Not just for the sake of a colorful landscape but for a healthier, more sustainable world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52449-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Planting diverse crops traps carbon and boosts soil health

Ever wonder why some farmers keep planting different crops or...

Under the unforgiving Arctic sun, the wintry landscape swarms with shivers and whispers that tell tales of an unrelenting rise in temperatures. This icy expanse, our last bastion of frost, is experiencing a warming spree that outpaces the global average by three to four times. 



But here's a twist: new research suggests that the slow-down of a crucial ocean current could ironically, cool the rising heat in the Arctic.&nbsp;Could this be the solution we’ve been waiting for?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slowing-ocean-current-in-the-arctic">Slowing ocean current in the Arctic</h2>



For decades, scientists have sounded alarms on the consequences of unchecked Arctic warming. They warn of severe implications for wildlife, massive shifts in weather patterns, and more frequent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-industrialization-how-will-it-impact-delicate-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme events</a>.&nbsp;



Is there any respite? According to a study spearheaded by UC Riverside, there just might be.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-atlantic-circulation">Changes in Atlantic circulation </h2>



The study explores the effects of the slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) on the Arctic climate. 



Think of AMOC as our planet’s heat distributor, transferring warmth from the tropics to higher latitudes.



According to projections, Arctic temperatures could shoot up by a whopping 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit) by the century's end.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-component-of-the-climate-system">Critical component of the climate system</h2>



When factoring in the slowing AMOC, however, there’s a ray of hope. The study suggests that Arctic temperatures would only rise by 8 degrees Celsius (14.4 degrees Fahrenheit).



“The AMOC is a critical component of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-permafrost-melt-devastating-role-accelerating-global-climate-change/">climate system</a> because it moves heat around the globe,” said Yu-Chi Lee, UCR graduate student in Earth and Planetary Sciences and first author of the study. 



“We found that its weakening reduces the amount of heat reaching the Arctic, which slows down the rate of warming.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-ecosystem-and-ocean-currents">Arctic ecosystem and ocean currents</h2>



While this slowdown may marginally lessen Arctic warming, it does not eliminate all of our concerns. The study underlines persistent worries regarding Arctic ecosystems. 



As sea ice takes a hit, polar bears face habitat loss, hindering their hunting activities and survival.



Plus, as the ice gives way, it reveals darker open water which soaks up more sunlight. This accelerates warming through a scenario known as the albedo effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effects-of-the-amoc-slowdown">Effects of the AMOC slowdown</h2>



While the ocean current slowdown could put a damper on Arctic warming, the researchers warn of other possible climate disruptions.



A noteworthy concern is a potential shift in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a tropical rain belt. 



Should this rain belt shift southward, regions relying on its rainfall could encounter more frequent droughts - an outcome that spells trouble for agriculture and water supplies.



Additionally, the research clears up misconceptions linking sea ice melting to rising sea levels. When sea ice melts, it doesn't directly elevate sea levels. This is comparable to how a glass does not overflow when ice cubes in it melt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-behind-arctic-melting">Factors behind Arctic melting</h2>



The real culprits? Melting land ice, like glaciers, and water expansion as it heats up, contribute to rising sea levels. The AMOC slowdown may not heavily influence sea level rise, but it certainly stirs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-suffering-from-painful-ice-balls-stuck-on-their-feet/">significant changes</a> in the climate system.



“The AMOC slowdown may offer some temporary relief in the Arctic, but this is not a simple good-news story,” said study co-author Professor Wei Liu. “The overall impact on ecosystems and weather patterns, both in the Arctic and globally, could still be severe.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-model-simulations">Climate model simulations</h2>



The researchers turned to a coupled climate model, integrating interactions between the ocean, atmosphere, land, and sea ice, to trace the AMOC's influence.&nbsp;



By comparing two simulations - one where the AMOC slows due to rising greenhouse gases, and another where its strength is artificially maintained - they determined how much future Arctic warming is tied to the AMOC slowdown.



“Our simulations allowed us to clearly see how much of the future Arctic warming is tied to the AMOC slowdown,” Lee said. "Even though the slowdown reduces warming by a couple of degrees, the overall effects on Arctic ecosystems and the global climate system remain&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-sea-ice-is-headed-toward-a-historic-low/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">severe</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-current-slowdown-and-the-arctic">Ocean current slowdown and the Arctic</h2>



Lee noted that the AMOC slowdown has only recently started, and the scientific community is actively debating its duration and continuity.



"While the AMOC slowdown might provide some short-term benefits, its broader impacts show us that even small shifts in ocean circulation can cause ripple effects across the planet," said Lee.



"Climate change is far from a one-region issue. The future of the Arctic - and the world - depends on how we respond today.”



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2402322121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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The Arctic is melting fast, but a slowing ocean current could help

Under the unforgiving Arctic sun, the wintry landscape swarms with...

The seabed, often overlooked in climate discussions, harbors a vast carbon storehouse beneath our feet and the ocean’s surface, holding colossal amounts of carbon and a rich tapestry of nutrients. 



Unbeknownst to most, this silent ocean floor contains an even larger carbon reservoir than what exists as carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. 



Yet, recent studies reveal that disturbances to the seabed disrupt this balance, releasing stored carbon and nutrients with significant climate implications. 



We’ll explore into these findings and the delicate interplay within our planet’s carbon and nutrient cycles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seabed-disturbances-and-climate">Seabed disturbances and climate</h2>



In a newly-published study in the field of marine ecology, scientists scrutinized the repercussions of repeated disturbances to the seabed's state of tranquility. 



The results? It was found that these disruptions trigger the release of some of the stashed carbon and nitrogen into the ocean, multiplying the sources of harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas</a>, carbon dioxide, and escalating oxygen consumption at the seabed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-s-journey-into-the-ocean">Carbon's journey into the ocean</h2>



The seabed—or sediment, as marine researchers call it—safeguards significant carbon amounts packed within organic compounds from sources like plankton, plants, and animals. Much of this organic carbon has been sitting tight in the seabed for hundreds of years, playing a crucial role in stabilizing our climate.



The sediment also functions as a reservoir for nutrients such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-farms-could-help-clean-up-coastal-nitrogen-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen</a> and phosphorus. Some of these nutrients are attached to organic compounds, while the rest exist as dissolved nutrient salts readily available for marine organisms and larger flora. 



"Researchers have long assumed that physical disturbances of the seabed, such as from fishing equipment like trawling, increase the conversion of organic carbon into carbon dioxide," said In the words of the study's lead scientist from <a href="https://ecos.au.dk/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University's Institute for Ecoscience</a>, Christian Lønborg.



"But theoretical models have lacked documentation in the form of measured values. We have now shown through laboratory experiments that this is indeed the case." These findings emphasize the seabed's crucial role in maintaining climate stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-laboratory-s-verdict">Laboratory's verdict</h2>



In their controlled experiments spanning roughly a four-month period, with repeated disruptions of the seabed, it was observed that carbon conversion and nitrogen release amplified once the seabed was agitated into a cloud of sediment, mimicking the effects of trawling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seabed-carbon-release">Seabed carbon release</h2>



Human activities, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-fishing-method-of-bottom-trawling-harms-both-the-ocean-and-the-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trawling</a> and dredging, agitate the seabed into the water column, speeding up the decomposition of organic materials and leading to the discharge of both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-based-carbon-dioxide-removal-may-not-be-effective/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> and nutrients. 



The additional carbon dioxide production, an infamous greenhouse gas, further weighs on the climate and impacts the global environment. Additionally, the release of nutrients can potentially trigger algae bloom in coastal waters. 



As these algae produce organic carbon, this contributes to an additional deluge of carbon that needs processing at the seabed.



The breakdown of organic material in the water necessitates oxygen. Hence, any disruption to the seabed hastens the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cascading-oxygen-loss-could-endanger-our-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depletion of oxygen</a> in the water immediately above the seabed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seabed-impact-on-climate">Seabed impact on climate</h2>



Such disturbances to the seabed can potentially lead to the widespread loss of oxygen, often seen in late summer in Danish waters.



"If we are to assess the impact of trawling equipment, dredging, and extraction of raw materials from the seabed, these consequences must also be considered," Lønborg notes.



By shedding light on these hidden triggers of climate change, we can better understand our planet's intricate natural cycles and how to prevent their disruption.



So, let's take care not only of the lands and waters we see but also the hidden worlds beneath the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-ocean-to-coastal-ecosystems">From ocean to coastal ecosystems</h2>



The ecological ripple effects of seabed disturbances extend far beyond greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.



When carbon and nutrients are released from the seabed, they interact with surrounding marine ecosystems in complex ways. 



Excess nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, can fuel algae blooms that rapidly spread across coastal waters. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-seabed-disruptions-disturb-climate">How seabed disruptions disturb climate</h2>



While blooms may appear benign, they can have harmful consequences, blocking sunlight for underwater plants and reducing oxygen levels—a phenomenon known as hypoxia. 



Hypoxia not only disrupts marine biodiversity but also endangers commercially valuable fish and shellfish populations, impacting global food security and local economies alike.



Furthermore, the influx of carbon and nutrients stirs changes in the behavior of smaller marine organisms, including plankton, which play a critical role in oceanic food webs. 



As these disruptions cascade through the marine ecosystem, they reveal a delicate balance that relies on the seabed's stability. 



By examining this interdependence, scientists gain a clearer view of how seabed disturbances amplify broader climate challenges, from biodiversity loss to altered oceanic carbon cycling.



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Seabed disruptions may be destroying our climate

The seabed, often overlooked in climate discussions, harbors a vast...

What if the everyday materials people use come with a hidden price tag? A price not measured in dollars and cents, but unseen environmental impacts?



From steel in buildings to plastic in water bottles, the construction materials that shape our world carry an unaccounted climate cost.



A recent study by a team of engineers and economists at the University of California, Davis offers a fresh perspective.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-footprint-of-everyday-materials">Carbon footprint of everyday materials</h2>



The study revealed an eye-opening figure. The manufacturing of materials like steel, plastic, and cement is associated with $79 billion of climate damage annually in the United States.



Many argue that including these hidden costs in the market prices of goods would push the exploration and implementation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-technology-is-urgently-needed-to-save-the-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greener alternatives</a>.



Elisabeth Van Roijen, who earned a Ph.D. from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, led the team on this project.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research">Focus of the research </h2>



The team also included undergraduate researcher Paikea Colligan and postdoctoral researcher Seth Kane. They scrutinized the unseen climate costs of producing nine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodegradable-plastic-materials-do-not-biodegrade-in-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ubiquitous materials</a>: aluminum, iron, steel, brick, cement, lime, gypsum, asphalt, glass, and plastics.



"Materials production is a primary driver of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions; yet the externalized costs of these emissions on society are not reflected in market prices," noted the researchers.



The team analyzed the quantity of the materials manufactured within the United States, the energy consumed in the process, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/state-of-the-climate-greenhouse-gases-hit-a-record-high-in-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gases</a> emitted during manufacturing.



The researchers used the Environmental Protection Agency’s Social Cost of Carbon standard to assess the climate costs of the emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-costs-of-everyday-materials">Climate costs of everyday materials</h2>



The research revealed that in 2018, the U.S. produced 370 million tons of these materials, which resulted in 427 million tons of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide emissions</a>.



This led to $79 billion worth of climate costs - a figure not reflected in the materials' market price. The factors influencing climate costs fluctuate with material demand.



Manufacturing aluminum produces large volumes of carbon dioxide per product weight, while manufacturing an equivalent amount of brick contributes much less carbon dioxide.



The substantially higher production rate of bricks compared to aluminum means the impact on climate costs is substantial. Due to their high demand, steel and plastics contribute the most to climate costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-impact-of-manufacturing-processes">Hidden impact of manufacturing processes</h2>



The researchers found that 42% of the climate cost derived from the manufacturing processes rather than energy consumption.



Manufacturing cement releases carbon dioxide due to specific chemical reactions outside of energy consumption.



While people tackle climate costs from energy use by switching to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/renewable-energy-must-be-doubled-by-2030/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewable sources</a>, process-related costs are harder to reduce unless they create new processes or find alternative materials.



Van Roijen emphasized the importance of researching alternative materials, such as partially substituting cement in concrete and developing biomass-based plastics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-towards-a-greener-economy">Moving towards a greener economy</h2>



Including these hidden climate costs in the retail price would reveal that manufacturing prices are higher than previously known.



Such realization paves the way for implementing policies that encourage the development and use of climate-friendly processes and materials.



Van Roijen believes that such shifts would make innovative materials like biomass-based plastics more cost-effective since the price accounts for carbon storage benefits.



The study's dataset provided valuable insights for practical and policy work. The method could be duplicated for other sectors and broaden the understanding of climate costs across the economy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-true-cost-of-everyday-materials">True cost of everyday materials </h2>



"This work unveils the significant, yet often unaccounted for, climate costs of materials production in the US, estimated at approximately 79 billion USD," wrote the study authors. 



The researchers noted that these findings highlight the true cost of materials production and address the disparities in market pricing which fail to reflect these externalities.



"Further, by examining the breakdown of emissions sources, this work serves as a foundation for the identification of relevant policy drivers to help mitigate emissions from materials production."



The research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ad796e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Exposing the hidden climate costs of everyday materials

What if the everyday materials people use come with a...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-threat-in-urban-air">Invisible threat in urban air</h2>



City dwellers face an unseen danger with every breath. New findings from Emory University researchers suggest that fine particulate matter from <a href="http://earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vehicle emissions may significantly elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease</a>. The study examined brain tissue samples from 224 individuals who had confirmed diagnoses and volunteered their brains for scientific research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-connections-emerge">Disturbing connections emerge</h2>



Scientists analyzed neuritic plaques — protein clusters that characterize Alzheimer's — while mapping each participant's exposure to PM2.5 particles based on residential location and surrounding traffic density. The correlation proved more alarming than anticipated. Individuals experiencing higher pollution exposure showed nearly double the likelihood of elevated plaque accumulation in brain tissue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-matters">Timing matters</h2>



The research team discovered that pollution exposure during the final year before death demonstrated the strongest association with brain changes. This timeline suggests relatively rapid impacts from environmental toxins on neural health. The connection remained robust even after accounting for various demographic and health factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-vulnerability-patterns">Genetic vulnerability patterns</h2>



Perhaps most concerning, people lacking the APOE gene—which naturally predisposes individuals to Alzheimer's — exhibited more than twice the susceptibility to pollution-related brain damage. Study author Dr. Anke Huels noted this indicates environmental elements like air contamination could trigger the disease in cases where hereditary factors don't explain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-implications">Public health implications</h2>



These findings, published in <a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a>, underscore the critical importance of air quality regulations in urban planning. The research suggests that implementing stricter emission controls and promoting alternative transportation could serve as powerful tools in Alzheimer's prevention.



As cities worldwide grapple with growing traffic congestion and aging populations, this study highlights an urgent need for comprehensive approaches to environmental health that protect both our lungs and our minds.



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-astrobiology">Implications for astrobiology</h2>



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-earth-became-a-frozen-wasteland">When Earth became a frozen wasteland</h2>



Imagine Earth as a giant snowball, frozen solid from the North Pole to the equator. This wasn't the plot of a science fiction movie – it was our planet's reality 700 million years ago during an extreme ice age that has puzzled scientists for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-discovery">The discovery</h2>



Australian researchers from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> have finally cracked one of geology's greatest mysteries: what caused the Sturtian glaciation and why it persisted for an unprecedented 57 million years. This period occurred long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when no complex plants or multicellular animals existed.



Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz, the study's lead author, describes a world completely unlike today's climate. "Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over," she explained. "The planet was blanketed in ice from poles to equator, and temperatures plunged."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-combination-of-climate-factors">The combination of climate factors</h2>



The research team discovered that this massive freeze resulted from a "double whammy" of geological events. First, plate tectonic activity reduced volcanic carbon dioxide emissions to historically low levels. Volcanic activity typically releases CO2 into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect that keeps Earth warm.



Simultaneously, weathering of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada actively absorbed atmospheric CO2, further reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. When atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dropped below 200 parts per million – less than half of today's levels – glaciation engulfed the entire planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-climate-implications">Modern climate implications</h2>



Published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a>, this research provides crucial insights into Earth's climate system. While geological climate changes occur over millions of years, the study emphasizes that human-induced climate change is happening at a pace ten times faster than previously observed natural changes, highlighting the urgent need to understand our planet's delicate climate balance.



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY 57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-monitoring-networks">Scientific monitoring networks</h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.



The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.



The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.



The full study was recently published in <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.



Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.



Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents". In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively. MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.



MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization. The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.



Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.



A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.



This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.



PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.



In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.



As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.



The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.



For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.



The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.



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MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a>



Dominnus: <a href="https://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.dominnus.com</a>

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-microbial-partnerships">The science behind microbial partnerships</h2>



Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.



The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-food-security">Implications for global food security</h2>



The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

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A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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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

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://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

[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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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

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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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



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.

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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