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...

Materials scientists at <a href="http://www.rice.edu/">Rice University</a> have taken a very close look at the binders used in construction, in hopes of creating eco-friendly programmable cement.

Led by Dr. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, the team of scientists dug down to the microscopic level so they could study the semi-crystalline particles that make up cement. Through experimentation, the team was able to watch the crystallization of the calcium-silicate hydrate particles that make up cement through nanoscale reactions, a process called morphogenesis.

Using the knowledge gained in those experiments, the scientists were able to synthesize C-S-H particles in a variety of shapes and sizes, rather than their natural blobby form. 

That led the scientists to an unsurprising conclusion: cement made from particles of ordered shapes and sizes is more durable and less porous.

The new cement-making process is greener than the current one for a couple of solid reasons. Stronger cement means stronger concrete, and stronger concrete means less can be used in the building process, the researchers said. Since concrete production is a top greenhouse gas producer, being able to use less may be good news for the atmosphere.

By making cement less porous, it also better protects materials inside or underneath from chemicals, Shahsavari said.

The morphogenesis process created by the team uses the “seed particles” to control how the rest of the particles in the programmable cement form. It involves adding positive or negative ionic surfactants and calcium silicate in small amounts to C-S-H, then exposing the mixture to carbon dioxide and ultrasonic sound to create the desired particle shapes. Once the seed particles settle on a shape, the rest follow their lead.

The team has collected its data into a morphology diagram that can serve as a recipe for builders and manufacturers.

The techniques the team used can be adapted for other uses, Shahsavari said, both with building materials like ceramics or colloids, or for medical purposes like bone tissue engineering or drug delivery.

The study was published in the Royal Society of Chemistry's <a href="http://pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/journal/TA">Journal of Materials Chemistry A</a>. The research was funded by the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/">National Science Foundation</a> and the <a href="http://www.energy.gov/">Department of Energy</a>.

---

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Programmable cement could offer greener concrete

Materials scientists at Rice University have taken a very close...

Paris pollution problem worsens

The city of Paris is experiencing its worst bout of winter pollution in at least a decade. Citizens have begun using face masks commonly seen in notoriously polluted cities like Beijing. 

The pollution problem culprit is tiny particulate matter that has filled the air, creating a brown haze that blankets the city. <a href="http://www.airparif.asso.fr/en/">Airparif</a>, an organization responsible for monitoring air quality in Paris, says this “very fine dust” is mostly due to car emissions and wood-burning heating. Spokeswoman Amelie Fritz attributes the combination of a high-pressure weather system and a low-altitude blanket of warmer air over the city traps the pollution, acting like a saucepan lid. “An anticyclone with very little wind that prevents the dispersion of pollutants,” said Fritz.

The PM10 particles, or particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter, are breathed in and absorbed into the bloodstream and lungs. According to the <a href="http://www.who.int/">World Health Organization</a>, they can cause lung cancer, heart disease, asthma, and acute respiratory infection. 

In response to the pollution problem, Paris officials have introduced new measures to cut down on emissions. To incentivize commuters to switch to public transportation, the Metro, trains, and buses have been free since Tuesday. This is said to have cost the city approximately 4 million euros ($4.3 million) per day.


Speed limits have also been reduced, in addition to a ban on outdoor and indoor fires. Home heating has been limited to no more than 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit). 

Officials have also introduced an alternating vehicle ban, depending on whether they have odd or even-numbered license plates. Violations cost drivers between 22 and 75 euros ($23 and $80), though the rules do not apply to small trucks carrying food and essentials.

But it remains to be seen how many citizens are actually adhering to the new restrictions. "We've noticed that the measures haven't been followed that much," said Fritz. "We've noticed only 5 to 10 percent less traffic."

---

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paris pollution problem worsens

Paris pollution problem worsens The city of Paris is experiencing...

Bad seed sows havoc on conservation land. The reports had been coming in for years. Seed mixes sold by outside companies for use in the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>’s Pollinator Habitat Initiative and its Conservation Reserve Program contained aggressive weeds.

Turns out, they were right.

Crop scientists who investigated the claims found that seed packets from at least one Midwestern company contained Amaranthus palmeri, also called Palmer’s amaranth or Palmer’s pigweed. Smooth pigweed and waterhemp, two other non-native amaranth species, were also found.

The researchers did things the old-fashioned way: they germinated seeds from the suspected packets to see what they got.

The seed mix was promised to be “100 percent weed-free,” according to the team of scientists, led by Dr. Aaron Hager of the <a href="http://illinois.edu/">University of Illinois</a>, but it contained the three species of amaranth.

The investigators are not naming the company responsible, because they believe other companies may have seeds from the weed in their pollinator mixes.

Palmer’s amaranth is native to the Southern United States, but not to Iowa, Minnesota, or other Midwestern states where it has been found. While it was introduced to some states in the Midwest through agriculture, it has appeared on conservation land in others, and was traced to the tainted pollinator seed mixes. 

The weed has been found in dozens of counties across the Midwest, and while many of the appearances can be traced back to agricultural seed, 41 counties reported that the first appearance was on land that was part of the USDA conservation and pollinator programs.

Palmer’s amaranth is incredibly aggressive, even in the Southern states where it’s a native plant. It can grow up to 7 feet, and is a prolific seed producer.

It’s also often herbicide-resistant, making it nearly impossible to get rid of once it’s established in an area. 

Cotton farmers have reported that the plant can ruin good farmland in a few short years, and it’s driven some farms out of business, Hager said. 

Growers need special training on how to eradicate the stubborn plant, Hager said, but he worried that those enrolled in the USDA programs may not be able to properly fight the invasive species under the program rules. 

The USDA, which runs the programs through its <a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/">Farm Service Agency</a>, do not license or inspect the seed mixes sold by companies for use in the program. They do review the seed tags to make sure each mix is representing itself correctly, and to check for the presence of weeds.

The Palmer’s amaranth may have spread to thousands of acres of land, Hager said.

While he and the other crop scientists support the concept behind the pollinator program and conserving wild land, but the USDA needs to let farmers do whatever necessary to eradicate the invasive plants spread by tainted seed packets.

Any in the USDA conservation program who finds suspected amaranth plants in their pollinator plots should immediately contact their FSA administrator to find out their next steps, agency officials said.

---

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Bad seed sows havoc on Midwest conservation land

Bad seed sows havoc on conservation land. The reports had...

There are still modern hunter gatherer societies: the Hadza of Tanzania, the Tsimine of Bolivia, the San of Namibia, the Pirahã of Brazil.

For most of us, though, hunting and gather is something our ancestors stopped doing generations ago – or even as the last ice age came to an end and agriculture took hold, 10,000 to 11,000 years ago.

According to anthropologists <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.22919/full">studying the lives</a> of the Hadza people, however, that switch to farming, then industrialization may have harmed our health. 

In the Hadza village, men leave the village on foot each day to hunt and bring home that night’s main course. Women spend their days gathering tubers and fruits. The community moves every month or two.

This extremely active lifestyle means the Hadza spend a lot of time in “moderate to vigorous physical activity” each day. U.S. officials recommend 150 minutes of vigorous exercise each week. Hadza people get, on average, 14 times that much exercise.

The Hadza aren’t going overboard on exercise, the researchers said. Instead, humans in industrialized countries with sedentary lifestyles are exercising far less than the species has evolved to handle, which the researchers have dubbed physical activity mismatch. 

The mismatch hypothesis explains why physical health declines with a lack of activity and usually improves once regular exercise is in the picture, the study found. 

Anthropologists and other scientists have long suspected that hunter-gatherers have better health than people in industrialized communities because they get more exercise. However, until recently, there was no real measurement of just how much more exercise they were getting, the research team said.

Participants were fitted with chest strap heart monitors and GPS trackers at the beginning of each day; when they returned home at night, they gave the monitoring devices back to the researchers, who lived with the Hadza during the study.

Members of the Hadza who participated in the study showed biomarkers for good cardiovascular health and no signs of risk factors like hypertension, the researchers reported. They did acknowledge that other factors in the Hadza lifestyle, such as diet, may play a role in their health. 

Their findings were published in the <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1520-6300">American Journal of Human Biology</a>.

---

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Hunter gatherers are healthier because they exercise more, study finds

There are still modern hunter gatherer societies: the Hadza of...

What if there was a way to capture carbon dioxide and convert it to methanol fuel on a large scale – easily and affordably?

The greenhouse gas carbon dioxide can currently be turned into methanol, a “clean” liquid fuel, but the process is requires a complex and costly series of steps. It’s a solution to rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but not an economically feasible or efficient one.

Dr. Karl Johnson, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s <a href="http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/">Swanson School of Engineering</a>, and Dr. Jingyun Ye, a postdoctoral associate, didn’t want to let that transformation of greenhouse gas go, though.

They believed that the ability to convert carbon dioxide to methanol on a large scale could solve two problems at once, Johnson said, reducing carbon emissions and creating clean fuel. Carbon dioxide has been linked to climate change, and is often produced by use of fossil fuels.

The pair teamed up to see whether they could <a href="http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2016/CY/C6CY01245K#!divAbstract">create a catalyst</a> that would make the conversion process of carbon dioxide to methanol more efficient and cost-effective. Their goal was to reduce the number of steps and materials needed to transform the greenhouse gas into liquid fuel.

Johnson and Ye’s hoped to design a single material that could both capture and convert carbon dioxide to methanol. 

With computer modeling, they were able to design a potential catalyst that uses a microporous metal organic framework and dihydrogen – molecular hydrogen made up of two atoms – to convert carbon dioxide to methanol. The framework breaks down the dihydrogen in such a way that it binds to the CO2 and reforms as methanol. 

They published their design in the journal <a href="http://pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/journalissues/cy">Royal Society of Chemistry Catalysis Science &amp; Technology</a>. Their research was funded by a grant from the <a href="http://www.energy.gov/">U.S. Department of Energy</a>. 

---

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Engineers design catalyst to transform carbon dioxide to methanol

What if there was a way to capture carbon dioxide...

This holiday season, a few families will be rockin’ around the stolen Christmas tree. Theft of Christmas trees is a growing problem, and at a woodland park in Scotland, it meant the death of five “extremely rare” Serbian conifers.

<a href="http://www.kinnoull.org.uk/">Kinnoull Woodland Park</a>, just across the River Tay from Perth, Scotland, is home to hundreds of trees, an arboretum full of specimens that can be planted in the garden, and miles of trail.

It is also the site of a project by the <a href="http://www.pkct.org/">Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust</a> to protect threatened conifers – evergreen trees like cedars, firs, pines, and junipers – from extinction. 

Last week, thieves stole five of those rare trees, specimens of the species Picea omorika. Officials said that although it appears they tried to dig up the five spruces, most of the roots were left behind and the trees were probably killed.

“Until these trees were stolen, we probably had the greatest concentration of these trees outside of their native range,” PKCT Project Officer Tim Christian said in a statement on the organization’s website. “Because of the nature of these collections, the trees are irreplaceable: there is no way to recover the missing genetic material.”

Each of the trees was grown from seed collected from the species’ native range in Serbia, and represents years of work, he said.

Collecting these particular seeds involved traveling to remote locations, and often climbing steep trails or rock faces to ensure a wide variety of genetic material for the <a href="https://www.pkct.org/conifer-conservation-programe">Perthshire Big Tree Country Conifer Conservation Programme</a>. The program then sends seeds back to programs in each tree’s native range so that each species can be preserved in its home country.

While it’s rare for Christmas tree thieves to target priceless specimens from conservation projects, the theft of Christmas trees is not a new problem.

In a surprisingly similar case the Kinnoull Woodland Park theft last week, two valuable trees were swiped from <a href="http://www.cornellbotanicgardens.org/">Cornell Botanic Gardens</a> in 2014 – and it wasn’t the first time. 

"We know from past history that from around Thanksgiving to Christmas time, from time to time, we have trees stolen," gardener Phil Syphrit told <a href="http://ithacavoice.com/2014/12/grinches-steal-20-foot-white-spruce-christmas-tree-cornell-plantations/">The Ithaca Voice</a> at the time. 

One of the trees was a 20-foot spruce, and the other was a 3-foot red cedar. Syphrit believed the trees were stolen to serve as Christmas trees, he told the newspaper, and <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/">Cornell University</a> seemed to agree.

“[Cornell Botanic Gardens] collections have been carefully cultivated to provide visitors with a world class public garden experience.  When a tree or plant is lost to theft it is like losing a unique work of art,” a statement from the university read. “Please go to your local Christmas tree stand to purchase a tree that was harvested for this purpose.”

The same year, a Maine Christmas tree farm reported the theft of <a href="http://www.centralmaine.com/2014/12/14/christmas-trees-stolen-from-norridgewock-tree-farm/">more than 30 trees</a> over several days, and a club in Georgia that fundraises for children with illnesses and youth sports teams with a Christmas tree sale was the victim of a <a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news-metro-crime-courts/2016-10-18/community-assists-north-augusta-optimist-club-after-christmas">nearly 50-tree heist</a>.

Last year, a thief in Waterbury, Conn. made off with 10 trees from a lot at <a href="http://wtnh.com/2015/12/01/christmas-tree-theft-at-waterbury-school/">Saints Peter and Paul School</a> in two separate thefts. The stolen trees were intended for a school fundraiser. 

In most cases, though, these kinds of crimes rarely shatter the Christmas spirit. 

In the U.S., Christmas tree farms don’t report many thefts, said High Whaley, spokesman for the <a href="http://www.realchristmastrees.org/">National Christmas Tree Association</a>. There might be the occasional theft from a lot or a farm, he said, but the NCTA hasn’t heard of anything on a larger scale.

“It’s not a nationwide trend,” Whaley said.

Despite the availability of artificial Christmas trees, real trees are still very popular. The <a href="http://www.bctga.co.uk/">British Christmas Tree Growers Association</a> estimates that about 6 million trees are sold each Christmas season in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In the U.S., 25.9 million real trees were sold in 2015, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, more than double the number of fake trees.

Not all wood poaching is for so innocent a reason as cutting down an evergreen to celebrate the Christmas season, however. In California and the Pacific Northwest, “burl poaching” has become a major problem in old growth redwood forests.

Burl poachers cut large portions out of the trunks of redwood trees, then sell the wood to furniture makers and other artisans. The swirls of the wood grain and large size of old-growth redwood burls make them particularly attractive to poachers. Cutting them out can badly damage a tree and sometimes lead to its death.

In 2015, four men were accused of illegally cutting down <a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Feds-Music-wood-poachers-targeted-6427888.php">old-growth maple trees</a> in Washington state and using it to produce and sell high-priced musical instruments.

Officials estimate about 1,000 cords of wood or more are <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/2014/02/03/wood-poaching-santa-cruz-mountains-little-known-but-widespread-crime/">illegally logged</a> in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California each year.

And illegal logging is a major cause of deforestation around the world. Illegal operations account for 80 percent of logging in Peru, 85 percent of logging in Myanmar, and nearly 65 percent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the <a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/stopping-illegal-logging">World Wildlife Fund</a>.

Some parks are taking unique approaches to combatting wood poaching. In 2014, the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/redw/">Redwood State and National Parks</a> in California gated one of the main roads through the park and began closing it each night, after several burl poaching incidents.

At the Kinnoull Woodland Park program, officials are now weighing the use of surveillance cameras to protect their trees.

---

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Grinch steals five rare 'Christmas' trees from Scottish park

This holiday season, a few families will be rockin’ around...

California biologists have been working out the solution to a slippery problem: why can salmon embryos raised in laboratories survive higher temperatures than their river-born cousins?

The team of scientists from the <a href="http://www.noaa.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> and the <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/">University of California, Santa Cruz</a> hoped to work out the answer to that dilemma so scientists could ensure better survival rates for the fish. 

They suspected the answer to their question might rely on oxygen and water flow. 

The <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ele.12705/abstract">new research</a> focused on the endangered Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River to determine which temperature conditions are best for their eggs and young. The team began by reviewing laboratories, working with the hypothesis that Sacramento River conditions have never been warm enough to cause high mortality rates among salmon embryos.

They were in for a splash of cold water on their hypothesis, though. Data from the field showed that temperature-related mortality among the young salmon exceeded 75 percent in some years, even in temperatures that lab-raised salmon survived.

So they dove into the problem, determined to find out what caused the difference. What they discovered was that the laboratory studies didn’t take into account a major factor in salmon egg health: water flow. 

In the laboratory temperature studies, water in the tanks often flowed two to three times faster than it does in the Sacramento River and its tributaries, where salmon spawn in the wild. The faster water flows meant more oxygen for the lab-raised salmon embryos than their wild counterparts, which meant they could withstand warmer waters.

By studying laboratory and field studies, the NOAA and UC Santa Cruz team was able to work out that the Sacramento River’s slower flow meant embryos began dying at temperatures about 3 degrees Celsius lower than the lab embryos.

The new study also offered an answer to why salmon eggs laid in cold weather are often larger than those laid in warmer seasons. Larger eggs need more oxygen than smaller ones, the researchers found, and colder water holds more oxygen than warmer. 

It wasn’t just salmon that showed this egg size trend, either; the researchers looked at 180 different species of fish and found that fish consistently lay larger eggs in high-flow water conditions, even if temperatures are warmer. They also found that some fish have adapted to warmer temperatures by staying at their nests to fan the eggs with their tails. 

The Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River are winter-run salmon, but spawn in the summer months – the only salmon on the Pacific Coast to spawn in summer. Because of this schedule and their preference for cold water spawning sites, the fish are dependent on California’s snowmelt-fed rivers and creeks, <a href="http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/2015/09/spotlight_chinook_salmon.html">according to NOAA</a>.

The study was published in the journal <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1461-0248">Ecology Letters</a>.

---

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Biologists seek out best water temperature for salmon embryos' survival

California biologists have been working out the solution to a...

It’s called “the critical zone” and it refers to the section of Earth that is most crucial to human survival. The critical zone exists between the tops of the tallest trees and stretches down into soil and rock. The bottom of the critical zone is marked by the start of the weathering zone, which is the area where soil is made. 

The critical zone truly is everything for humans. It’s where we grow our food and what we build our homes on top of. It holds our water and supports all life forms. 

<a href="http://www.psu.edu">Pennsylvania State University</a> professor Henry Lin recently published a review on research about the critical zone in the <a href="http://vzj.geoscienceworld.org/">Vandose Zone Journal</a>. Lin argues that the critical zone is more than just a physical space, that it’s also a research approach that can shed new light on understand Earth’s layers from a macro perspective. 

"The critical zone approach provides a framework for combining below ground and above ground, nonliving and living, and space and time in our ecosystems," said Lin. "To truly understand this zone, research from many areas must be mixed into one framework. It includes perspectives on time, depth, and coupling."

All three concepts affect the critical zone in different ways. Time is an important framework in order to understand soil changes over time and how this has affected waterflow and vegetation growth. Depth is significant because of how much of the zone exists underground where we processes occur that we cannot see. And a coupling framework allows for the study of how the zone impacts the larger ecosystem and our natural resources. 

Human activity has caused both intentional and unintentional changes to the critical zone. Lin argues that further study of how the critical zone has changed overtime can allow us to more accurately predict what will happen in the future. 

"With our ongoing development, the critical zone is under ever-increasing pressures from humans, such as rapid growth of human and livestock population, land use increases, and global environmental changes," said Lin. "Possible negative effects include degraded soil health and water quality. It's important to continue closely studying this area."

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By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Why Earth’s critical zone is so very critical

It’s called “the critical zone” and it refers to the...

Clams don’t speak, so what can they tell scientists about the ocean? A lot, it turns out – the sea’s history is written in clam shells.

Dr. Alan Wanamaker, now a professor at <a href="https://www.iastate.edu/">Iowa State University</a>, learned how to read that record while he was working as a postdoctoral researcher in Wales.

At <a href="https://www.bangor.ac.uk/">Bangor University</a>, he was put in charge of sorting through thousands of Arctica islandica clams gathered from the North Icelandic Shelf, located in the North Atlantic. The goal was to study the clam shells and use them to create a 1,000-year-long record of life in the marine climate of that area.

Wanamaker processed the clams by sectioning shells, saving portions of each one in epoxy, radiocarbon dating, determining oxygen isotopes, and more. 

He also looked for clam growth rings. Like trees, clam shells grow a little each year, and how the shell grows in a certain year can tell scientists about the ocean conditions they were living in, including temperature. Since some of the clams were alive – and the species can live for up to 500 years – Wanamaker was able to work backwards and overlap specimens to build a chronological record.

When he completed his postdoctoral studies, the work was taken up by Dr. Paul Butler of Bangor University and Dr. David Reynolds, a postdoctoral research associate at <a href="http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/">Cardiff University</a>.

Now, the three and eight others who worked on the project have <a href="http://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms13502">published their research</a>, with Reynolds taking the role of lead author. The work provides a record of more than 1,000 years of marine history, with a focus on the oxygen isotopes. 

The work begins to fill a major gap in data about ocean climate through history, the researchers said. Because of lack of data, there has been debate in recent years over what role, if any, the North Atlantic plays in climate change, they said. 

Their research indicates that the North Atlantic has played a role in previous transitions in surface temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, the researchers said.

One interesting item from the data, Wanamaker said, was that for most of the chronology, ocean temperature changes preceded atmospheric changes. However, after the Industrial Revolution began in the 1800s, that flipped, he said; for the past 200 years, atmospheric temperatures have led any oceanic warming or cooling.

Even without that important data, however, the study would make history for ocean science. It’s the first time that scientists have been able to piece together a year-by-year chronology of ocean conditions for such a long period of time, Wanamaker said.

Their study was published online by the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>. Funding was provided by the <a href="http://www.nerc.ac.uk/">United Kingdom's Natural Environment Research Council</a> and the <a href="https://europa.eu/european-union/index_en">European Union</a>.

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By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Clam shells help scientist interpret 1,000 years of ocean history

Clams don’t speak, so what can they tell scientists about...

Indonesia expands law to reduces fires and greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands

This week it was announced that Indonesia has expanded its existing moratorium on the conversion of peatlands into plantations. Pulp wood and palm oil companies had been draining peat swamps which dried out the land and significantly worsened dry season fires. The fires not only destroy Indonesia’s stunning tropical forests, but also release large amounts of carbon contained in peat. The result was a one-two punch to environmental preservation: the destruction of rainforests couple with massive greenhouse gas emissions.

The moratorium amendment was announced on Monday by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. The legislation now extends to peatlands of any depth and also requires companies to restore lands they have already converted. 

The <a href="http://www.wri.org/">World Resources Institute</a> estimates that the mandate could result in Indonesia reducing its carbon emissions by 7.8 gigatons over the next 15 years. That is roughly the amount greenhouse gases that the United States emits in one year.

Deforestation has been an ongoing problem for Indonesia. According to a 2012 study published in the <a href="http://www.nature.com/nclimate/index.html">Nature Climate Change</a> journal, Indonesia was clearing 2 million acres of forest per year, more than any other country. According to Arief Wijaya, a forests expert from the <a href="http://www.wri.org">World Resources Institute</a>, the expanded moratorium is especially crucial in protecting the Papua region of Indonesia. This area is known as the “last frontier of natural forests” that has remained mostly untouched by humans.

The dry season typically lasts from July until October. Last year, the dry season fires were the worst since 1997, and created a smoggy haze in the sky above Indonesia, Singapore, southern Thailand, and Malaysia. According to a study performed by a team of scientists from <a href="http://www.harvard.edu">Harvard </a>and <a href="http://www.columbia.edu">Columbia</a>, toxic particulate matter in the haze hastened the death of over 100,000 people. According to a statement released by Indonesia’s Environment and Forestry Ministry, the primary cause of the fires was corporate mismanagement of peatlands.

Indonesia expands law to reduce fires and greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands

Indonesia expands law to reduces fires and greenhouse gas emissions...

Your world: our favorite flower photos on instagram this week

Many of our favorite flower photos come from friends around...

The authors of a new study think that if the Earth gets warm, the North and South Poles could get even warmer, with temperatures rising two or three times as much as the rest of the planet.

The team of geophysicists found that as the last ice age ended about 10,000 years ago, temperatures in Antarctica rose more than twice as much as temperatures worldwide. The team was led by <a href="http://berkeley.edu/">University of California, Berkeley</a> glacier expert Dr. Kurt Cuffey and <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">U.S. Geological Survey</a> research geophysicist Dr. Gary Clow.

Or, in hard numbers, the temperatures in Antarctica rose an average of 20 degrees Fahrenheit over the continent, while temperatures around the world averaged only 7 degrees higher than the previous norm.

The study’s calculations match up with what climate models predict for the frozen southern continent, as well as scientists’ past estimates of how the end of the ice age affected Antarctica, Cuffey said.

That gives credence to climatologists’ predictions that Antarctica will warm twice as much as the rest of the Earth during the current warming period, though it may take a century or two to see the full effects, he said.

The scientists measured the current temperature of 20,000-year-old glacier ice in Antarctica, then used their knowledge about how quickly pure ice heats up to calculate the glacier’s temperature at various points over the past several thousand years. They repeated this process with other, older ice, and used a technique developed by Cuffey to combine the resulting data for more accurate temperature estimates. 

While temperatures at both the North and South poles rose more than elsewhere, the Arctic warmed more slowly than the Antarctic, probably due to the huge sheets of ice in the north, and changes in ocean currents and Earth’s orbit that sped warming in the Southern Hemisphere, the researchers said.

The new study, the first thorough calculations of temperature changes in Antarctica at the end of the last ice age, was published online by the journal <a href="http://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.

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By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Could North and South Poles warm more than the rest of the Earth?

The authors of a new study think that if the...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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.

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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



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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