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...

Oysters have extremely sensitive hearing and close their shells as a protective response to noise pollution. According to a new study, oysters quickly close up when they detect frequencies as low as 10 to 1,000 hertz. 

The study was conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.u-bordeaux.com/">University of Bordeaux</a>, France, and was published in the open-access journal, <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0185353">PLOS ONE.</a>

Noise pollution from boats, wind turbines, seismic research and even explosions pose many problems for marine life, but the researchers wanted to focus on invertebrates. 

“Noise pollution in the oceans is a growing problem, and we have all heard about its impact on whales. But the oceans are full of different animal types. What are their sound perception capacities,” said Jean-Charles Massabuau who led the research. 

Until recently, little was known about the effects of marine noise pollution on invertebrates like oysters. The researchers wondered if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/native-oysters-may-thrive-in-climate-change/">oysters</a> “hear” or respond to different sounds, and if anthropogenic noise blocks other sounds in the ocean that the oysters are in-tune to. 

For the study, the researchers examined the effects of noise pollution on 32 oysters in a laboratory setting. 

Oysters rapidly close their shells as a defense mechanism and are extremely sensitive to lower frequencies. 

Massabaue played sounds underwater in a range of frequencies, and the researchers recorded how the oysters responded including how many of the oysters closed their shells and how quickly they closed them.

The oysters in the lab closed their shells at sound frequencies between 10 and 1,000 hertz, and the oysters showed maximum sensitivity between 10 and 200 hertz. 

The fact that their sensitivity is higher for lower frequencies means that the oysters are responsive to breaking waves and currents. 

Cargo boats in shipping lanes also operate with low frequencies, but small recreational boats and jet skis produce sounds too high for an oyster to respond to. 

The research is important in that it examines the impacts of noise pollution on less commonly studied marine wildlife, showing their incredible sensitivity to lower frequencies and how higher sound frequencies pose a threat to some smaller invertebrates.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Why oysters quickly close their shells

Oysters have extremely sensitive hearing and close their shells as...

There is no better time than the present to modify your daily activities and make them more environmentally responsible, and choosing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/11-eco-friendly-celebrities/">eco-friendly</a> office supplies is a great place to begin. To start greening your office, simply make a list of all the supplies used and research earth-friendly alternatives.

If transforming the entire office is not in your budget, consider switching out one or two items at a time. The following are some of the best environmentally friendly supplies available to help reduce your office's carbon footprint.

Recycled Paper Products

From envelopes to compostable paper cups and plates, recycled paper products now come in many forms. A green transition in this department will have a particularly positive impact considering how frequently paper products are used in the office.

Where to buy: <a href="https://www.greenlinepaper.com/">greenlinepaper.com</a>

Eco-Friendly Pens

Adopting biodegradable pens made from renewable material is a great way to make your office more green. You may even print your company logo on eco-friendly pens to give potential customers a great first impression.

Where to buy: <a href="http://eco-pens.com/">eco-pens.com</a>

Non-Toxic Cleaner

Why introduce formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals into the air if you don't have to? There are plenty of green products available to clean all of the surfaces in your office while keeping the air quality up to a good standard.

Where to buy: <a href="https://www.seventhgeneration.com/">seventhgeneration.com</a>

Compostable Trash Bags

Disposing of non-biodegradable trash bags week after week just adds to our enormous waste problem. When you think about it, trash bags made of post-consumer recycled (PCR) material just make good environmental sense.

Where to buy: <a href="http://evolutionbags.com/">evolutionbags.com</a>

Solar USB Chargers

The time has arrived when you can easily charge all of your office's USB devices with solar power. This is an inexpensive green transition that every office should make to save energy, particularly for charging devices that are constantly plugged up while not in use.

Where to buy: <a href="https://www.renogy.com/">renogy.com</a>

Staple Free Stapler

This unique concept eliminates the need for tons of metal staples which are only used once and discarded. The device works like a hole puncher and uses the paper itself to stitch pages together. 

Where to buy: <a href="https://madebyhumans.net/">madebyhumans.net</a>

Smart Power Strips

Even when appliances and electronic devices are in standby mode, they are still using electricity. Smart power strips cut the power supply off to these gadgets and significantly cut back on electricity usage.

Where to buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a>

LED Light Bulbs

Not only do LED lights consume less energy to produce the same amount of light, but they are also free of the toxic chemicals such as mercury. In addition, LED lights typically last six times longer than traditional lights.

Where to buy: <a href="https://greenlightdepot.com/">greenlightdepot.com</a>

Recycled Pencils

Forests the size of 90 tennis courts are cut down every minute to supply wood to make wooden pencils, according to a company known as Treewise Pencils. This company makes pencils from 100 percent recycled newspaper in an effort to combat deforestation.

Where to buy: <a href="http://www.treewisepencils.com/">treewisepencils.com</a>

Biodegradable Packaging and Packing Tape

These packaging products are not only compostable but also lightweight and cut down on shipping costs. This is another great way to show your customers that your organization is environmentally responsible.

Where to buy: <a href="https://www.ecoenclose.com/">ecoenclose.com</a>

For over 60,000 products that are ranked by their “greenness,” check out t<a href="https://www.thegreenoffice.com/">hegreenoffice.com</a>. The Green Office has also developed a comprehensive <a href="https://www.thegreenoffice.com/services/calculator">Office Footprint Calculator</a> where you can calculate your office's carbon footprint and track your progress as you help to create a healthier planet.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The top 10 best eco-friendly office supplies

There is no better time than the present to modify...

Human activity has impacted and changed planet Earth so much that it may warrant its own global era. But when exactly did it begin?

Over the lifespan of the Earth, there have been numerous “epochs” which mark the change of one geological time period to another. In many cases, the geologic record establishes clear evidence of epoch changes. 

A significant example of this occurred when a meteorite collided with Earth 66 million years ago, which resulted in levels of metal iridium from the meteorite drastically increasing in sediment around the world – effectively marking the end of the Cretaceous period.

In present day, some scientists are arguing that our current geologic epoch is in need of a new name: the Anthropocene. However, it’s not clear whether or not this era would have begun with the spread of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-domesticated-10000-years/">domesticated</a> farm animals or the spike in levels of radioactive elements from nuclear bomb tests. 

In the American Chemical Society’s <a href="http://pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag">Environmental Science &amp; Technology,</a> researchers report a method to measure levels of human-made contaminants in sediments that may help determine the Anthropocene’s onset.

There are a plethora of markers of human impact on the planet that are stored in the Earth’s sedimentary records, from agriculture to waste disposal. Furthermore, attempting to define the start of the Anthropocene could be even more complicated, as human influence over climate and environment began in the 1800s with the Industrial Revolution and have only increased since.

In order to explore the record of synthetic compounds in sediment as a way to help define the Anthropocene, researchers used new analytical techniques and sophisticated data analysis to determine patterns of contamination over time. They used mass spectrometry to analyze synthetic chemical contamination in two lakes in Central Europe, going as far as 100 years of sediment layers. 

According to the researchers, their analysis found that the sediment record clearly shows the beginning of large-scale human impact on the environment. However, there is a clear decline in contamination following the installation of wastewater treatment plants in the 1970s. 

Whether or not we truly are living in a new epoch, decreasing synthetic contaminants in our soil and water can only benefit us as well as our environment.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

When exactly did human activity start changing the planet?

Human activity has impacted and changed planet Earth so much...

The global demand for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/palm-oil-plantations-tropical-butterflies/">palm oil</a> has resulted in the clearing of large areas of forest in Indonesia. Researchers have found that these changes in land use are causing temperatures to get warmer. The additional heat is not only a threat to plants and animals but could also make the region more susceptible to wildfires.

Palm oil is the most widely consumed vegetable oil on the planet. As the world's largest producer of palm oil, Indonesia has replaced vast areas of rainforest with oil palm plantations. Sumatra has the highest loss of rainforest in the country, and the changes in land use have led to a substantial loss of biodiversity on the island. 

An international team of researchers led by Alexander Knohl and Clifton Sabajo of the <a href="http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html">University of Gottingen</a> conducted the first-ever analysis to examine the impact that these land-use modifications have on Indonesia's temperatures. The results of their study, which was focused on the Jambi province in Sumatra, showed that the expansion of cash crops has made temperatures rise significantly.

"Land use change from forest to cash crops such as oil palm and rubber plantations does not only impact biodiversity and stored carbon, but also has a surface warming effect, adding to climate change," said Knohl.

The team compared the surface temperatures associated with various types of land cover such as forests, clear-cut land, and cash crops in Sumatra. They used satellite data collected between 2000 and 2015 by NASA, as well as data collected on the ground.

The researchers established that clear-cut land, which is primarily used for agriculture, was up to 10 degrees Celsius warmer than forests. Mature palm oil plantations were 0.8 degrees Celsius warmer than forests, while young palm oil plantations were found to be 6 degrees Celsius warmer. 

"Young palm oil plantations have fewer and smaller leaves and an open canopy, thus they transpire less water. Also, the soil receives more solar radiation and dries out faster," explained Sabajo.

Overall, the average surface temperature in the Jambi province increased by 1.05 degrees Celsius between 2000 and 2015. Some of this warming can be attributed to climate change, but some of it is a direct result of the changes in land use.

Knohl pointed out that "land surface temperature is an important part of the microclimate, which shapes habitat conditions for plants and animals." The authors of the study also warned that this spike in temperatures will lessen the amount of water available over the dry season and make the area more vulnerable to wildfires.

"We think that current land-use developments in Indonesia need to carefully evaluate all aspects of environmental and socio-economic consequences. Land-surface temperature and microclimate should be considered," said Knohl.

The study is published in the <a href="https://www.egu.eu/publications/open-access-journals/">European Geosciences Union journal</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Palm oil production causing increased temperatures in Indonesia

The global demand for palm oil has resulted in the...

Air pollution in China is impeding the country’s potential for solar energy production as much as total cloud coverage would, according to a new study. 

When it comes to solar energy production, many studies have examined how much a hindrance clouds have on power generation. But a new study conducted by researchers from <a href="https://www.princeton.edu/">Princeton University</a> is one of the first of its kind to look at the role of pollutants. 

China has been looking to rapidly expand its renewable energy production to meet 10 percent of the country’s electricity demands with solar power alone by the year 2030. 

But <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/china-air-pollution-years/">air pollution</a>, especially in the winter, could thwart these efforts, as pollutants in northern and eastern China reduce the potential for solar production by 1.5 kilowatt-hour per square meter per day. 

Heavy pollution from burning fossil fuels and aerosols linger in the sky and block the sun's rays, impeding optimal solar energy production. 

"Developing countries with severe air pollution that are rapidly expanding solar power, such as China and India, often neglect the role of aerosols in their planning, but it can be an important factor to consider," said Xiaoyuan (Charles) Li, the study's lead author.

The study was published in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and calculates how much solar energy is lost due to heavy pollution. 

To make those calculations, the researchers used a solar photovoltaic performance model and combined that with data from NASA satellites and instruments that analyze aerosol components in the atmosphere. 

The researchers performed nine different analyses spanning from 2003 to 2014, and covered all of China to see how pollution and clouds impacted solar power generation. 

If China wishes to meet its solar power energy goals, then serious considerations will have to be made for reducing pollution and cutting aerosol emissions. Not only does pollution hinder solar potential, but it also can cause many adverse health effects including respiratory disease. 

The researchers hope to expand their focus to other parts of the world including India for their next project .

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandete</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Air pollution hindering China’s solar energy potential

Air pollution in China is impeding the country’s potential for...

A new study has found that if greenhouse gas emissions are not controlled, and efforts to mitigate climate change ignored, parts of New York City could be submerged beneath 50 feet of floodwaters by the year 2300. 

The study was conducted by researchers from <a href="http://www.psu.edu/">Pennsylvania State University</a>, who analyzed possible flood heights in the coming years if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-coffee-industry/">climate change</a> remains unchecked. 

If emissions continue at their current rate, a 500-year flood, or a flood that has a 1 in 500 chance of happening every year, could cause water levels in parts of New York City to reach 17 feet or more by 2100 and 50 feet or more by 2300.

The researchers used simulations to predict future flood levels taking into account the history of sea levels and storm surges dating back to the preindustrial era. The simulations also included current and future projected emissions of carbon dioxide. 

If emissions continue to increase without any major effort to hinder them, the rising sea level from the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet could be worse than any previous predictions. 

The researchers note that the melting ice sheet and its effect on rising sea levels are where the real problems lie for coastal cities like New York. 

“If we cause large sea-level rise, that dominates future risks, but if we could prevent sea-level rise and just have the storm surge to worry about, our projections show little change in coastal risk from today during most years,” said Michael E Mann, a professor of meteorology and atmospheric science at Pennsylvania State. 

"While those storms that strike New York City might be bigger and stronger, there may be fewer of them as changing storm tracks increasingly steer the storms away from NYC and toward other regions."

The key lies in preventing sea level rise. If the Antarctic ice sheet is kept intact, storm surges might not have as big an impact on coastal cities. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

New York City could face 50 foot flood waters by 2300

A new study has found that if greenhouse gas emissions...

Extreme weather events attributed to climate change have cost the United States federal government over $350 billion over the past decade to provide disaster relief and insurance, according to a new report from the <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/687465.pdf">U.S Government Accountability Office</a> (GAO). 

The report comes at the same time that Congress is working to approve funding for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/americans-climate-change-hurricanes/">hurricane relief</a> after the string of historic hurricanes that hit Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean. 

"Climate change impacts are already costing the federal government money, and these costs will likely increase over time as the climate continues to change," the report said.

Senators Susan Collins from Maine and Maria Cantwell from Washington asked the GAO to conduct a full report on the cost of climate change. 

The report proves that not only will unmitigated changing climate have disastrous effects on our towns cities, but will also be extremely costly to taxpayers as well. 

The GAO was asked specifically to look at the economic impact of climate change and how it would affect the federal government. The report outlines the methods used to estimate the costs of climate change and recommendations for reducing these costs. 

The report includes reviews of 30 studies on climate change and interviews with 26 experts including researchers, agency officials, and consultants selected specifically by the GAO.

Two of the studies had “national-scale information about the economic effects of climate change across multiple sectors and regions in the United States,” according to the report. 

Those two studies in particular show that the costs of climate change will differ from region to region, with some coastal areas facing damages between 4 and 6 billion dollars per year due to storm surges and potential sea level rise. 

"We cannot ignore the impact of climate change," Senator Collins said in a statement. "This nonpartisan GAO report Senator Cantwell and I requested contains astonishing numbers about the consequences of climate change for our economy and for the federal budget in particular."

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Climate change costing the U.S. billions, says new report

Extreme weather events attributed to climate change have cost the...

A recent study has discovered an increase in herbicide levels found in the urine of older adults. 

The study, conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://ucsd.edu">University of California</a>,<a href="https://ucsd.edu"> San Diego</a> found a jump in detectable urine levels of the herbicide glyphosate and its metabolite in Southern California adults between the years 1993 and 2016. 

Used in herbicides for genetically modified crops (GMO), glyphosate’s increased presence in humans further adds the body of the evidence that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-device-will-hunt-gmos-that-escape-into-the-environment/">GMOs</a> may have unforeseen negative repercussions. 

The study used data from the<a href="https://knit.ucsd.edu/ranchobernardostudy/"> Rancho Bernardo Study of Healthy Aging</a>, which had 112 of its participants take a urine sample every clinic visit from 1993 to 2016. 

Of these, 100 were randomly selected for the new study looking at herbicide levels in the urine samples. 

University of California Researchers took the data from the Rancho Bernardo Study and measured levels of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) from the urine samples that were collected over the years. 

Glyphosate levels increased from .24 micrograms per liter from 1993 through 1996 to .314 micrograms per liter in 2014 through 2016. For 70 of the participants with levels above the limit of detection, the researchers found glyphosate numbers at .449 micrograms per liter from 2014 through 2016. 

AMPA levels also increased from .008 micrograms per liter in 1993 through 1996 to .285 micrograms in 2014 through 2016. Levels above the limit of detection reached .401 micrograms per liter in 70 of the study participants. 

These numbers are worrying, especially since levels above the limit of detection were so pronounced and increased over time in a large number of the samples. 

Glyphosate was listed as a probable carcinogen in 2017 by the State of California, and the researchers note that herbicides using glyphosate may cause adverse health effects. 

More research will need to be done to find out of the extent of harm herbicides like those using glyphosate will have on health and wellbeing of humans in the future.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Increased levels of herbicides found in older adults

A recent study has discovered an increase in herbicide levels...

Scientists have now found a direct link between volcanic activity and melting ice sheets. Researchers from <a href="http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/">The Earth Institute at Columbia University</a> examined the environmental impact of ancient eruption events and found that they caused significant melting of the ice sheet which covered Northern Europe during the last ice age. 

"Over a time span of 1,000 years, we found that volcanic eruptions generally correspond with enhanced ice sheet melting within a year or so," said lead author Francesco Muschitiello.

The researchers analyzed ice cores and meltwater deposits from times that coincided with volcano explosions. Despite the fact these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellites-predict-volcanic-eruptions-2/">eruptions</a> were occurring as far as a thousand miles away, the ice sheets were still impacted by ash falling from from the sky. The ash turned the ice a darker color on contact, which caused the ice to absorb more solar heat than usual.

"We know that if you have darker ice, you decrease the reflectance and it melts more quickly. It's basic science," said Muschitiello. "But no one so far has been able to demonstrate this direct link between volcanism and ice melting when it comes to ancient climates."

Muschitiello’s team investigated a time period ranging from 13,200 to 12,000 years ago, when the last ice age transitioned into today's climate. They focused on eruption events similar to the 2010 eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano. While the eruption itself was relatively minor, its massive ash cloud was severe enough to shut down air traffic across Europe for almost a week.

Glaciologist and study co-author James Lea said it is difficult to calculate exactly how much melting a volcanic eruption of that magnitude could cause. "It depends on many factors,” he said.

Thousands of model simulations produced by the team revealed that the amount of glacier melting depends on the individual eruption, which season it occurs in, the snowpack conditions at the time, and the elevation of the ice sheet. 

"Change any one of these and you would get different amounts of melt," said Lea. 

The worst scenarios predicted that ash accumulation would melt between 20 centimeters and nearly a meter of ice from surface portions of the ice sheet. Muschitiello said that these preliminary findings indicate that "present day ice sheets are potentially very vulnerable to volcanic eruptions.”

Previous research has suggested that melting glacier sheets could actually increase the frequency of volcanic eruptions by lightening the weight on Earth’s crust and allowing magma to rise. If this link between volcanic activity and melting ice is confirmed, there may be a positive feedback loop between the two, by which eruption events trigger melting ice and the melting ice causes more eruptions.

The study is published today in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Volcanic eruptions can cause ice sheets to suddenly melt

Scientists have now found a direct link between volcanic activity...

Salt lakes can be found all over the world and are important to their local communities for both environmental and economic reasons. 

These lakes provide habitats for animals and protect humans from dust storms as long as they’re full. Otherwise, salt from dry lake beds kicks up into the air and can cause a variety of respiratory diseases.

Famous salt lakes like the Great Salt Lake in Utah and the Dead Sea in Jordan and Israel are even considered substantial tourist attractions, and also provide minerals for cosmetic industries. 

Despite the important roles that salt lakes play, recent research has found that they are currently shrinking at drastic rates. A new study revealed that the Great Salt Lake in Utah has lost almost fifty percent of its area. 

The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/officials-worry-historically-low-level-great-salt-lake/">Great Salt Lake</a> is worth $1.32 billion a year, which puts more pressure on researchers to understand exactly what is happening to these lakes. 

The new study, conducted by several researchers from Utah and Montana, examined how the Great Salt Lake and other saline lakes are impacted by climate change and an increasing demand for water usage. 

The results were published in the journal Nature Geoscience and show that over the past 160 years, water development and agriculture has caused the Great Salt Lake to gradually lose 50 percent of its area and drop eleven feet.

This decline has created more dust storms and degraded natural habitats for the populations of migrating birds that feed and nest in the area. 

“Although the lake has risen and fallen with droughts and floods in recent decades, the persistence of water diversions has decreased the lake's level about 11 feet and exposed a lot of lake bed. The state's plans to continue developing water in the basin will only worsen the problem,” said Wayne Wurtsbaugh, the study’s lead author.

The researchers note that significant conservation efforts and water reductions will be necessary to restore saline lakes across the globe.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Salt lakes across the world are drying up and causing concern

Salt lakes can be found all over the world and...

Sugar cane harvest

Brazil’s sugarcane crop gets larger every year, and that could be good for the planet.

Sugarcane has become one of the South American country’s top crops – not to use for sugar to be used in food, but to convert into ethanol. That crop has the potential to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by more than 5 percent, according to an analysis led by Dr. Stephen P. Long of the <a href="http://illinois.edu/">University of Illinois</a>.

Maximizing that potential would take work, said the research team, which included scientists from Brazil’s <a href="http://www5.usp.br/english/?lang=en">University of Sao Paolo</a>. Land use would need to make room for more cane, first of all, they said – fields totaling the size of Texas and California together.

But the sugarcane crop could be expanded without encroaching on environmentally sensitive areas or cutting into crops of human, the researchers said. 

"We've kept the proposed sugarcane production within the area that can be legally converted," Long said in a press release.

The team came to their conclusions by developing a new model to study Brazil’s sugarcane and other agricultural production. They took into account how sugarcane crops behave in various types of soil, with varying amounts of rain, and in other environmental conditions found around the country.

"Most models used to predict future crop production are statistical models that really don't take full account of the way changes in water, carbon dioxide and temperature interact to aect sugarcane production," Long said. "We've used a mechanistic model here that grows the plant, so it's driven by the factors that the plant is responding to on an hourly basis."

They also took into account that Brazil uses every part of the sugarcane crop – even the stem residue is used to power the mill that extracts the ethanol – and the higher efficiency of sugarcane versus corn in producing ethanol.

Converting more of Brazil’s agricultural land to ethanol production could go a long way toward helping the world reach the goals set by the <a href="http://unfccc.int/paris_agreement/items/9485.php">Paris agreement</a> in 2015, which includes working to keep global temperatures no more than 2 degrees Celsius higher than in pre-industrial times. 

Expanding Brazil’s sugarcane crop – and returning fallow sugarcane fields to production in places like Hawaii, the Caribbean and other regions – could put a large dent in that goal, the researchers said.

"The only way we're going to get there is to have a massive reduction in net CO2 emissions," Long said. "No single solution will get us there. We'll need to implement a whole series of incremental steps. We're trying to point out that this could be a very important increment, and one that could be realized in a timely manner.”

The analysis has been published in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/nclimate/">Nature Climate Change</a>.

—

By <a href="mailto:kcathey@earth.com">Kyla Cathey</a>, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Image credit: <a href="https://depositphotos.com/">Depositphotos</a> photo by Jaykayl

Brazil's sugarcane crop could help reduce carbon emissions

Brazil’s sugarcane crop gets larger every year, and that could...

Cool roofs are light-colored surfaces that reflect heat instead of absorbing it into your home. As a result, they keep your home cool and help reduce energy costs. But now, a new study has found that cool roofs can also help save water as well.

Researchers at the <a href="http://www.lbl.gov/">Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory</a> found that cool roofs reduce the amount of water needed for outdoor lang irrigation. 

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, used climate simulations of 18 California counties over 15 years and included geographical and meteorological data to see how much of an impact widespread cool roof adoption would have. 

“You might not do cool roofs just to save water, but it's another previously unrecognized benefit of having cool roofs. And from a water management standpoint, it's an entirely different way of thinking - to manipulate the local climate to manipulate water demand,” said Pouya Vahmani, one of the study’s researchers. 

The results showed that cool roofs installed on all buildings in Los Angeles County alone could save up to 83 million gallons of water per day. Other counties also showed reductions of four to nine percent in water used for irrigation. 

Cool roofs reduce the ambient air temperatures, and as a result, lawns and yards need less water, reducing the amount needed for irrigation.

The study also found that water conservation measures in areas with drought might save water, but they also can raise temperatures in urban areas. 

In one of the simulations run by the researchers, stopping all irrigation in the San Francisco Bay Area caused a mean daytime warming of one degree Celsius. 

Cool roofs, according to the study, would be an efficient way to help mitigate rising temperatures and reduce the urban <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-heat-islands-climate-change/">heat island effect</a>, where heat gets trapped in cities.

“These results show that the warming signal from strategies that focus only on outdoor water-use reductions can meaningfully offset the cooling effects of a major heat mitigation strategy, such as citywide cool roof deployment,” the researchers added. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Cool roofs save water as well as energy

Cool roofs are light-colored surfaces that reflect heat instead of...

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 



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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



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

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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



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



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



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



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



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



Image/ Video Credit: ESA



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

Monitoring the dynamic shape of the sea surface

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