A new study of frontline employees in Arizona reveals that firefighters carry the greatest load of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood, while health care personnel also show moderate but notable elevations. The findings point to unseen hazards in everyday work gear and environments.



The investigation, led by scientists at the <a href="https://healthsciences.arizona.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona Health Sciences</a>, compared blood samples from nearly 2,000 adults in firefighting, health care, and other essential occupations to learn how job duties shape chemical exposure.



PFAS are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-filtration-system-removes-forever-chemicals-from-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human-made compounds</a> prized for stain, water, and flame resistance. They coat cookware, clothing, carpets, packaging, and industrial foams. Because their molecular bonds are hard to break, the chemicals linger in air, soil, and water for decades and build up in living tissues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-firefighters-exposure-to-forever-chemicals">Firefighters' exposure to forever chemicals</h2>



The researchers measured serum PFAS concentrations in 280 firefighters, 787 health care workers, and 734 employees from other trades. Blood was collected between 2018 and 2021. 



For most workers, PFAS totals declined by six to 17 percent each year, yet measurable levels remained in every group by the study’s end. Firefighters topped the charts for several compounds, including PFHxS, Sm-PFOS, n-PFOS, and PFHpS. 



Health care workers ranked second overall and showed higher odds of two PFAS - Sb-PFOA and PFDoA - when compared with peers in other fields. They also had modest rises in PFHpS and PFUnA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-from-previous-research"><a></a>Clues from previous research</h2>



Study senior author Kate Ellingson is an associate professor at the <a href="https://publichealth.arizona.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health</a>.



“Our study reinforces previous research showing elevated PFAS levels among firefighters and suggests that health care workers may have unique sources of PFAS exposure as well,” said Ellingson.



“Our findings underscore the need to understand occupational exposure pathways for PFAS among different types of workers.”



Firefighters have long been flagged for exposure because their protective clothing and the foams used to quench fuel fires contain PFAS. 



Less is known about how nurses, surgeons, or technicians come into contact with the chemicals. Single-use gowns, surgical masks, sterile wraps, and even X-ray film may contribute, but few studies have investigated those items.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-risks-linked-to-forever-chemicals">Health risks linked to forever chemicals </h2>



Study co-author Jeff Burgess is the director of the <a href="https://publichealth.arizona.edu/about/centers-institutes/center-firefighter-health-collaborative-research" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Firefighter Health Collaborative Research</a>.



“Almost all adults in the U.S. have detectable levels of certain PFAS, and people in occupations with more frequent exposure to PFAS-containing materials have been shown to exhibit higher serum concentrations of some PFAS,” said Burgess. 



“Research into occupational exposure to PFAS is vital to reduce the health risks associated with PFAS, including but not limited to increases in rates of certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-in-tap-water-increase-cancer-risk-by-up-to-33/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancers</a>, increases in cholesterol levels, lower antibody response to certain immunizations, and increased rates of certain adverse reproductive outcomes.”



Although scientists are still mapping dose-response relationships, mounting evidence ties long-term PFAS exposure to thyroid dysfunction, immune suppression, and reproductive harm, as well as kidney, prostate, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprising-link-between-elephant-testicle-temperature-and-cancer-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testicular cancers</a>. That makes the new data especially relevant for workers who already confront other job-related dangers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pfas-in-health-care-settings">PFAS in health care settings</h2>



“To date, PFAS exposure in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-space-agencies-can-help-address-healthcare-challenges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health care</a> settings has not been widely studied, and the potential sources of exposure remain unclear,” Ellingson said. He also noted that single-use surgical masks, surgical gowns, and X-ray film could be potential sources of PFAS exposure.



“Therefore, it’s important to further examine specific exposure routes and health consequences for firefighters and health care workers.”



The researchers suggest that manufacturers, hospitals, and fire departments audit supply chains to identify products treated with PFAS. Substituting safer materials where possible - and improving decontamination practices when replacement is not feasible - could lower cumulative dose.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avoiding-pfas-exposure">Avoiding PFAS exposure</h2>



Many PFAS formulas have been phased out in the United States, yet older stockpiles and imported goods keep the chemicals in circulation. 



The authors call for expanded monitoring of occupational exposures, stronger regulation of PFAS in consumer products and more public funding for exposure-reduction programs.



They also urge longitudinal studies to track how changing equipment or policies alters blood levels over time. Because PFAS can stay in the body for years, measuring declines after interventions will help pinpoint which strategies work best.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-exposure-beyond-firefighters">Chemical exposure beyond firefighters </h2>



The Arizona results echo national surveys showing widespread but uneven PFAS contamination. They also highlight chemical exposure gaps: firefighters remain the most researched group, while other frontline roles - from paramedics to factory workers - receive far less attention.



By bringing health care personnel into the spotlight, the new study widens the search for hidden chemical risks at work. As communities push to remove PFAS from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-droughts-could-quadruple-by-2100-harming-water-supplies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water supplies</a> and household goods, understanding workplace exposures becomes equally urgent.



The current findings provide a starting map - and a reminder that protecting those who protect the rest of us means looking beyond the obvious dangers of heat, smoke, and infection to the quieter threat of “forever chemicals.”



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-025-00753-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Exposure Science &amp; Environmental Epidemiology</a>.



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Firefighters face elevated exposure to forever chemicals

A new study of frontline employees in Arizona reveals that firefighters carry the greatest load of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood, while health care personnel also show moderate but notable elevations. The findings point to unseen hazards in everyday work gear and environments. The investigation, led by scientists at the University of Arizona Health Sciences, compared blood samples from nearly 2,000 adults in firefighting, health care, and other essential occupations to learn how job duties shape chemical exposure. PFAS are human-made compounds prized for...

The negative effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/china-air-pollution-years/">air pollution</a> on health are relatively well noted and understood, but new research points towards yet another health risk associated with exposure to air pollution. A recent study from <a href="https://www.mailman.columbia.edu/">Columbia University</a> has found that exposure to air pollution is linked to osteoporosis-related loss of bone mineral density and increased risk of bone fractures. 

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become weak and brittle due to the body losing more bone mass than it can rebuild. It is also the most common reason for broken bones amongst the elderly.

In the United States alone, there are an estimated 2 million osteoporosis-related bone fractures. Research shows that in the year following a bone fracture in an elderly individual, risk of death increases by as much as 20 percent, and only 40 percent of individuals regain their independence. Needless to say, osteoporosis is a scourge on public health as well as national health costs.

For their study, the researchers assessed osteoporosis-related fracture hospital admissions in 9.2 million Medicare enrollees from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. between 2003 and 2010. The findings show that even a small increase in levels of ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) may lead to an increase in bone fractures in older adults.

They simultaneously ran an analysis of eight years of follow-up among almost 700 middle-aged, low-income adults in the Boston Area Community Health/Bone Survey cohort. The findings of the latter study showed that participants living in areas with higher levels of PM2.5 and black carbon had lower levels of parathyroid hormone. This hormone is a key calcium and bone-related hormone, necessary for retention of bone mass.

PM2.5 is also known to cause systemic oxidative damage and inflammation, which they believe may accelerate bone loss and increase risk of bone fractures in the older population.

“Decades of careful research has documented the health risks of air pollution, from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, to cancer, and impaired cognition, and now osteoporosis,” says Andrea Baccarelli, chair of Environmental Health Sciences at the <a href="https://www.mailman.columbia.edu/">Mailman School</a> and the study’s senior author. “Among the many benefits of clean air, our research suggests, are improved bone health and a way to prevent bone fractures.”

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Air pollution linked to osteoporosis-related bone fractures

The negative effects of air pollution on health are relatively...

Today, the African Sahara is known as one of the driest places on Earth. But thousands of years ago, northern Africa experienced a wet and humid period, and was covered with expansive vegetation, animals, and even several large lakes. 

Proof of these conditions can be found in stone-age cave paintings that were discovered in Egypt depicting people swimming.

But for years, scientists have struggled to understand how exactly Africa’s humid period ended, and how the Saharan landscape become the arid desert we know today.

Now, new research sheds light on the climate processes that ended the humid period in Africa, showing that northern high-latitude cooling was a catalyst for drying out the region. 

A team of researchers from Europe discovered that cooling in the Arctic and mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere decreased wind speeds over <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-humans-africa/">Africa</a>. This, in turn, decreased precipitation and paved the way for a drier landscape. 

Their findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.

“This cooling reduced precipitation over Africa, and in combination with a range of other complex climate feedback mechanisms tipped the humid system towards aridification,” said James Collins, the first author of the study.

The researchers analyzed ancient plant leaf wax from the Gulf of New Guinea, which is created as a protective measure for the plant’s leaves. Leaf wax can be used to determine what precipitation was like when the plant was alive. 

The leaf wax analysis and computer models of climate systems showed that parts of Africa underwent a rapid process of aridification 5,500 years ago. 

The study shows the possible climate conditions that ended Africa’s humid period, but can also be used to project future climates and further emphasize the effects of global warming. 

“Based on our findings, it appears that future Arctic warming and reduced sea-ice cover could have a strong effect on tropical rainfall,” said Collins.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Africa used to be wet and humid until the Arctic changed everything

Today, the African Sahara is known as one of the...

Air pollution in China has become notorious, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/china-air-pollution-years/">as we’ve reported</a>, can even take years off of your life. The infamous haze worsens in the winters and has been linked to poor respiratory health and cardiovascular disease.

Both China and India are the leading consumers of coal, and many air pollutants that cause haze in both countries are the result of coal-burning power plants. China, though, has been making great strides to reduce and regulate its emissions. 

Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.atmos.umd.edu/">University of Maryland Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science</a> has found that China has reduced its sulfur dioxide emissions by 75 percent since 2007.

Regulation policies starting in the early 2000s have worked to keep emissions in check, and even though winter haze and air pollution continue to be a problem in China, the country is making real progress.

"The rapid decrease of sulfur dioxide emissions in China far exceeds expectations and projections," said Can Li, the first author on the study.

However, in India, sulfur dioxide emissions have increased by 50 percent. 

The study was conducted because the researchers wanted to a create a more accurate profile of emissions over China and India.

Previous studies dealing with emissions and sulfur dioxide, in particular, used inventory data and old policies to make projections.

For the new study, researchers examined emission estimations from inventories of factories, power plants, and vehicles.

After that, the team collected satellite data from NASA’s Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), which collects accurate and current information on emission sources and atmospheric pollutants.

Combining the satellite data and the inventories, the researchers were able to create a much more accurate estimate of sulfur dioxide emissions than any previous research or study.

The study shows the importance of having accurate estimates of emissions, and also underlines the need for India to work on emission regulations. 

“Right now, India's increased sulfur dioxide emissions are not causing as many health or haze problems as they do in China because the largest emission sources are not in the most densely populated area of India,” said Li. “However, as demand for electricity grows in India, the impact may worsen."

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Sulfur dioxide emissions drop in China but increase in India

Air pollution in China has become notorious, and as we’ve...

Even with swift climate change mitigation, heatwaves are projected to get worse. The number of lives lost to heatwaves depends on how sensitive our bodies are to heat, and a new study has found that we are much more sensitive to heat than you might expect.

Worldwide, over 800 deadly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-heatwaves-rise-emission/">heatwaves</a> have been documented since 1980, which collectively claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. The European heatwave of 2003 killed 70,000 people alone.

Camilo Mora from the <a href="https://manoa.hawaii.edu/">University of Hawaii at Manoa</a> is the lead author of the study.

"We know of many case examples when people have died as a result of heatwaves," said Mora. "However, why people died is a question whose answer is scattered."

For the study, the research team reviewed all of the known ways that heat kills people. They identified five physiological mechanisms which impact seven vital organs. Out of 35 possible interactions between these mechanisms and organs, the researchers found medical evidence to support 27 interactions that could be a fatal result of heat.

Ischemia and heat cytotoxity are conditions that can terminally interfere with the functioning of the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, or guts. Although both conditions can be deadly by themselves, the set of physiological responses to those two attacks pose an even greater risk of death. The attack on the body from ischemia and heat cytotoxity can lead to systemic inflammatory response, for example, which is related to organ failure.

Internal complications created by ischemia, heat cytotoxity and systemic inflammatory response can cause clots that cut off the blood supply to the brain, kidneys, liver, or lungs. As a result, the depletion of clotting proteins can trigger fatal hemorrhaging even without injury. 

The conditions of ischemia and heat cytotoxity can also be worsened with strenuous activity, which causes the breaking of skeletal muscle cells. This results in the leakage of myoglobin, which is toxic to the kidneys, liver, and lungs.

"Dying during a heatwave is like a terror movie with 27 bad endings to choose from," said Mora. "It is remarkable that humanity overall is taking such a complacency on the threats that ongoing climate change is posing."

The findings of the research suggest that all heat damaging mechanisms can be triggered any time there is substantial heat. This puts everyone at risk, with an even greater threat to those with physical ailments or who cannot afford life saving resources, like air conditioning.

The study is published in the American Heart Association journal <a href="http://circoutcomes.ahajournals.org/">Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Scientists identify 27 ways that heatwaves can kill you

Even with swift climate change mitigation, heatwaves are projected to...

Marine protected reserves, no-take zones, and no-entry zones are specially designated areas where restrictions limit the amount of human activity allowed in the vicinity. 

These rules are meant to protect the marine ecosystem and stop habitat and species loss, and they are vital to conservation efforts, especially along coral reefs. 

Now, a new <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0186146">study</a> conducted by researchers from the<a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/"> University of Queensland, Australia</a> has found that protected zones are beneficial to fish populations along the Great Barrier Reef, even in those areas with only fishing. 

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-barrier-reef-life-bleaching/">The Great Barrier Reef</a> in Australia is the largest coral reef in the world. It’s home to a diverse array of marine wildlife and its status as a <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/154">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a> means that much of the reef is protected. 

For the study, the researchers wanted to see if there was a difference in fish populations and biodiversity along the reef where some fishing occurred compared to the protected “no-take” and “no entry” zones. 

The research team counted and measured the biomass of marine species that are commonly fished and found at 31 different areas along the reef. The researchers also analyzed the seabed habitat in these areas. 

The results showed that in the protected areas where no fishing occurred there was greater fish biomass. The biomass in no-take and no entry places tended to be five times greater compared to the areas of the reef where fishing occurred. 

Even if the areas examined were lightly fished, the researchers saw a decrease in fish biomass compared to the protected areas.

However, even lightly exploited areas where some fishing occurs is better for fish populations than places where poaching and heavy fishing occurs. 

The findings illustrate the vital importance of marine conservation efforts, especially along coral reef systems which are host to a wide array of marine wildlife. 

The difference in biomass along the Great Barrier Reef shows how sensitive the reef and marine ecosystems are to fishing operations. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Report: Great Barrier Reef protected zones benefit all fish

Marine protected reserves, no-take zones, and no-entry zones are specially...

Letting nature take its course might be the best way for restoring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-habitat-conversion-biodiversity/">biodiversity</a> in tropical forests, as a new study has found that nature bests human intervention at recovering native tree species.  

Previous research has often asserted that human intervention was needed to recover habitat and tree loss in forests. Active intervention methods like planting trees and limiting deforestation through policy-change were thought to be pivotal ways to recover habitat loss. 

However, new research conducted by Renato Crouzeilles, an expert in the fields of landscape ecology and restoration, shows that natural regeneration in tropical forests is more effective and impactful than active intervention. 

The number of previous studies that focus on efficient forest restoration methods is limited, and the results often contradictory.

Crouzeilles wanted to investigate if an active intervention was, in fact, the best way to recover tropical forests. 

For the study, a team of researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 133 different studies, examining the recovery of biodiversity and forest restoration in different sites that had either used active recovery methods or natural regeneration. 

Surprisingly, natural regeneration was more effective at restoring biodiversity and increasing plant growth compared to those sites that had used active interventions.

The results, published by the <a href="https://www.aaas.org/">American Association for the Advancement of Science</a>, show that natural regeneration can be a powerful tool in recovering tropical rainforests. However, the researchers also note that some forests may need a combination of both active intervention and natural restoration to fully recover its biodiversity.

---

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Robin L. Chazdon

Let nature take its course: Regeneration restores biodiversity

Letting nature take its course might be the best way...

Researchers from the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca/">University of Waterloo</a> have discovered the presence of artificial sweeteners in rural water wells, indicating that the groundwater is contaminated by local septic wastewater.

The research team examined <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/buffer-filter-nitrates-groundwater/">groundwater</a> from private wells in the Nottawasaga River Watershed to investigate whether wastewater was being released from septic systems. They tested the water for four artificial sweeteners which are likely to be present in human waste.

The study revealed that at least 30 percent of water samples from 59 wells had detectable levels of one or more of the artificial sweeteners, indicating the presence of human wastewater. 

The team also tested groundwater from the banks of the Nottawasaga River. 32 percent of these samples tested positive for sweeteners, providing further evidence that groundwater entering the Nottawasaga River had been affected by septic wastewater.

Artificial sweeteners are flushed from the human body essentially unchanged, so human wastewater often contains high concentrations of these sugar substitutes. Most wastewater treatment processes cannot entirely remove artificial sweeteners.

Study first author John Spoelstra is an adjunct professor in Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Waterloo and a researcher with <a href="https://www.ec.gc.ca/?lang=En">Environment and Climate Change Canada</a>.

"Although the four artificial sweeteners we measured are all approved for human consumption by Health Canada, it is the other septic contaminants that might also be present in the water that could pose a health risk," said Spoelstra. "As for groundwater entering rivers and lakes, the effect of artificial sweeteners on most aquatic organisms is unknown."

Septic water can contain bacteria such as E. coli, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, viruses, and high levels of nitrate and ammonium. 

Septic tank systems are commonly used in rural areas where homes are not connected to a city sewer system. The system removes  solids before the sewage is released to a septic drain field where additional treatment takes place.

Spoelstra’s team had previously found the presence of artificial sweeteners in the Grand River as well as in drinking water sourced from the river.

"We were not really surprised by the most recent results given what we've found in past studies," said Spoelstra. "Septic systems are designed to discharge effluent to groundwater as part of the wastewater treatment process. Therefore, contamination of the shallow groundwater is a common problem when it comes to septic systems."

The research is published in the <a href="https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/jeq">Journal of Environmental Quality</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Artificial sweeteners found in groundwater indicate septic leak

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have discovered the presence...

A new study has found that an urban population's influence on greenhouse gas emissions outside of city limits are much more substantial than previously realized. The good news is that by narrowing down the primary source of a city's emissions, including indirect emissions, policy makers will be able to make more informed decisions.

Experts from the <a href="https://www.pik-potsdam.de/pik-frontpage">Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research</a> determined that purchases made by the urban population beyond the city's territory are roughly equal in size to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earlier-spring-carbon-emissions/">emissions</a> occurring within city limits. The researchers found that housing and transport cause most city emissions, locally and also upstream.

For their research, the experts calculated the first internationally comparable greenhouse gas footprints for Berlin, New York, Mexico City, and Delhi.

"It turns out that the same activities that cause most local emissions of urban households - housing and transport - are also responsible for the majority of upstream emissions elsewhere along the supply chain," said lead-author Peter-Paul Pichler.

One example of outside emissions caused by the housing sector can be found in the cement and steel used to construct city buildings. Producing these materials requires an enormous amount of energy elsewhere. The use of low carbon construction materials could make a huge difference in decreasing a city's indirect CO2 emissions.

With transit, expanding facilities and services could have a big impact on minimizing emissions by reducing local traffic. Additional public transit could also decrease emissions outside of city limits by reducing the number of cars that need to be built somewhere else. Furthermore, cities could use renewable sources of energy such as solar power or wind power to run subways and electric buses. This could have enough influence to actually close down far-away coal-fired power plants.

 "People often think that mayors cannot do much about climate change since their power is restricted to city limits, but their actions can have far-reaching impacts,” explained Pichler.

While the greenhouse gas footprint in the four cities analyzed for the study ranged from 1.9 tons in Delhi to 10.6 tons in New York, the ratios of local to upstream emissions as well as the influence of the housing and transport sectors turned out to be roughly the same. Berlin’s indirect emissions had the farthest reach, with over half of the city's upstream emissions occurring outside of Germany in Russia, China, and across the European Union.

"The power of cities, open interconnected systems of great density, to tackle climate change even in times of uncertainty on the national and international level has been underestimated by both many local decision-makers and most of the international community," said senior author Helga Weisz. "Cities must be encouraged and enabled to focus on their full emission spectrum - local and upstream - as they continue to develop their climate mitigation plans."

The research is published in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Reports</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@gmail.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Reducing emissions in cities has a broader effect than expected

A new study has found that an urban population's influence...

The United States is now officially the only country in the world who is not a part of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trump-decision-paris-climate-agreement/">Paris climate agreement</a>. Syrian officials announced their decision to join the accord today at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP23, in Bonn, Germany.

The decision was confirmed by M. Wadah Katmawi, Syria's Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment. Katmawi stated that Syria would uphold the treaty “in order to achieve the desired global goals and to reflect the principles of justice and shared responsibility, but in accordance with the capabilities of each of the signatories.”

Katmawi added that developed countries who are “the primary contributors to climate change” have a responsibility, financially and otherwise, to help developing countries in their efforts against climate change.

Syria, who was absent from the 2015 meeting due to an ongoing Civil War, reportedly voted to ratify the agreement last month.

The only other country besides the United States and Syria who did not sign the Paris agreement was Nicaragua, due to concern the legislation was “insufficient" in tackling climate change. But now, Nicaragua has also declared its intention to join the accord.

President Donald Trump publicized his decision in June to withdraw the United States from the deal, which is a pact among nearly 200 countries to address the potentially catastrophic impacts of climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Trump said that compliance with the Paris accord could "cost America as much as 2.7 million lost jobs by 2025,” a claim that has been widely criticized. On the other hand, Trump did promise in his exit speech that withdrawing from the climate agreement did not mean that the United States would not continue to contribute to the Green Climate Fund that was set up by the accord.

No matter his good intentions, however, Trump is not yet invited to the climate change conference taking place in Paris in December. The Elysee Palace press told CNN that summit invitations are being sent out first to countries which are "very active and particularly engaged" in climate change. An invitation will then be sent to a person chosen by the United States government to represent the country at the meeting.

In 2016, the United States was the second largest emitter of carbon dioxide worldwide, second only to China. World leaders swiftly condemned Trump’s 2017 decision to leave the Paris treaty, as did many representatives of the United States like New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

"President Trump can turn his back on the world, but the world cannot ignore the very real threat of climate change," de Blasio said. "This decision is an immoral assault on the public health, safety and security of everyone on this planet."

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The U.S. now the only country not compliant with Paris agreement

The United States is now officially the only country in...

Geologists have been long drawn to Long Valley, California, to gain insight into the "super-eruption" that occurred in this region 765,000 years ago. A new study from the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/">University of Wisconsin-Madison</a> reveals that the giant body of molten rock that exploded in Long Valley was much cooler than previously thought in the time leading up to the eruption.

"The older view is that there's a long period with a big tank of molten rock in the crust," said first author Nathan Andersen. "But that idea is falling out of favor. A new view is that magma is stored for a long period in a state that is locked, cool, crystalline, and unable to produce an eruption. That dormant system would need a huge infusion of heat to erupt."

While the rock needs to reach 700 to 850 degrees to erupt, a quick rise of much hotter rock from deep below could also initiate an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indonesian-volcano-eruption-1816/">eruption</a>.

"Basically, the picture has evolved from the 'big tank' view to the 'mush' view, and now we propose that there is an underappreciation of the contribution of the truly cold, solidified rock,” said Andersen.

The researchers performed a detailed analysis of argon isotopes in crystals from the Bishop Tuff, high-volume rock released when the Long Valley Caldera formed. Argon, which is produced by the radioactive decay of potassium, escapes too quickly from hot crystals to accumulate in a body of magma. This means that the crystals should have formed at the same time if the body of magma was uniformly hot before eruption.

Using a high-precision mass spectrometer, the team found that the crystals dated back inconsistently over a time period of 16,000 years. This led the scientists to determine that there was a presence of argon that had formed long before the explosion, demonstrating that there were unexpectedly cool conditions prior to the eruption.

"Nathan found that about half of the crystals began to crystallize a few thousand years before the eruption, indicating cooler conditions," said co-author Brad Singer. "To get the true eruption age, you need to see the dispersion of dates. The youngest crystals show the date of eruption."

As scientists learn more about the pre-eruption process, their ability to forecast volcanoes could improve. Understanding what caused this and other massive eruptions may help scientists predict when and where the explosions may happen next.

"This does not point to prediction in any concrete way," said Singer, "but it does point to the fact that we don't understand what is going on in these systems, in the period of 10 to 1,000 years that precedes a large eruption."

The research is published this week in the <a href="http://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: U.S. Geological Survey

California volcano magma held in cool chamber before eruption

Geologists have been long drawn to Long Valley, California, to...

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.utexas.edu/">University of Texas at Austin</a> have discovered that strong winds are causing the largest glacier in East Antarctica to start melting from beneath. The massive ice formation, the Totten glacier, has the potential to elevate sea levels by over 11 feet.

The research team used satellite images and wind stress data to examine the how the water beneath the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-of-repeated-rapid-retreat-of-the-totten-glacier/">glacier</a> is affected by wind. The study revealed that forceful winds over the Southern Ocean speed up the movement of the glacier. The winds cause warm waters to rise from deep in the sea, which ultimately circulate underneath the enormous ice chunk and melt the glacier from below.

“Totten has been called the sleeping giant because it’s huge and has been seen as insensitive to changes in its environment,” said lead author Chad Greene. “But we’ve shown that if Totten is asleep, it’s certainly not in a coma – we’re seeing signs of responsiveness, and it might just take the wind blowing to wake it up.”

The Totten glacier, which is south of Western Australia, is a floating ice shelf that is 90 miles by 22 miles in area. The entire region that could potentially flow into the sea, however, is over 200,000 square miles in size.In some areas, the ice is almost 2.5 miles thick.

While the wind strength in this region varies from year to year, climate change is expected to intensify the winds over the Southern Ocean. These winds will increasingly displace the ocean's surface water and allow warmer water to rise. In other words, climate change will continue to accelerate the melting of the gigantic Totten.

“Ice sheet sensitivity to wind forcing has been hypothesized for a long time, but it takes decades of observation to show unequivocal cause and effect,” said study co-author Donald Blankenship. “Now we’re at the point where we can explicitly show the links between what happens in the atmosphere, what happens in the ocean, and what happens to the Antarctic Ice Sheet.”

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Antarctic glacier melting from below, could cause sea level rise

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have discovered...

2017 will be among the three hottest years in modern recorded history. Although 2016 has <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2016-hottest-year-record/">secured its place</a> as having the warmest temperatures on record since 1880, 2017 is not too far behind, according to the <a href="https://www.wmo.int/">World Meteorological Organization</a> (WMO).

Global temperatures in 2017 have been at least 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit higher than pre-industrial levels. While the heat of both 2015 and 2016 were directly influenced by El Nino, 2017 will be the hottest year without any contribution from the El Nino weather pattern.

Record-breaking weather events such as flooding, heatwaves, and hurricanes have happened alongside the warmer temperatures, and experts from the WMO say that much of this extreme weather is a sign of human-caused climate change.

The 2017 heat has been particularly extreme in regions of southern Europe such as Italy and North Africa, as well as in South America, eastern Australia and southwest Asia. East Africa and Italy were hit with scorching heatwaves and drought, and deadly wildfires raged in Portugal and the United States.

Arctic sea ice hit record lows during the first quarter of 2017. Ice cover in Antarctica also hit an unprecedented low, with ice shrinking more than it has in 38 years of tracking.

Ocean temperatures have been among the warmest on record as well, fueling up a brutal hurricane season in the Atlantic. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria devastated regions of Texas and Florida. Areas in the Caribbean, such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, were devastated by multiple storms. Hurricane Ophelia, which struck the coast of Ireland, became the easternmost major hurricane ever observed in the North Atlantic basin.

"Climate change makes these very bad storms worse," said Sean Sublette, a meteorologist with <a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/">Climate Central</a>. "It's not the proximate cause of the storm, but it makes these bad storms worse. And in the case of a really bad storm, climate change can make it totally disastrous or catastrophic."

Petteri Taalas, Secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization, says that the record temperatures and “extraordinary weather" of 2017 are part of a warming trend that will continue into the long term.

“Many of these events - and detailed scientific studies will determine exactly how many - bear the tell-tale sign of climate change caused by increased greenhouse gas concentrations from human activities,” said Taalas. 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

2017 is breaking heat records for the third straight year

2017 will be among the three hottest years in modern...

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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



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Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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



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



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



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



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



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



Image/ Video Credit: ESA



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

Monitoring the dynamic shape of the sea surface

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