Soil organic matter is a significant reservoir of carbon, containing more carbon than both plants and the atmosphere combined. This has led to an increasing interest in the potential role of soil in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon. However, recent research conducted by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and collaborators sheds light on the
Earth
In 2012, microbiologists made a fascinating discovery in Lake Erie. They found blooms of diatoms, microscopic algae, thriving beneath the lake’s ice cover, defying the typical seasonal patterns. These diatoms had a symbiotic relationship with heterotrophic bacteria capable of forming tiny ice crystals, causing the diatom filaments to become buoyant and float to the surface,
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a serious and growing concern that threatens marine ecosystems worldwide. A recent study conducted by a research team from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) found large quantities of plastic waste and microplastics in a
Recently, groundbreaking research has revealed a significant human “fingerprint” on climate change, particularly in the alteration of sea surface temperatures (SST) seasonal cycles. The study, led by Benjamin Santer and Jia-Rui Shi from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), provides compelling evidence that human activities have had a profound impact on ocean temperature patterns. The
Climate scientists have traditionally relied on computer models to predict the effects of climate change on precipitation patterns. However, recent research conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan suggests that examining coral samples may provide a more tangible understanding of how rainfall changes as the global climate warms. The researchers analyzed core samples drilled
In recent years, the issue of ice melting has gained significant attention due to the concerning effects of climate change. The Greenland Ice Sheet, in particular, has been subject to intense research to understand the impact of late-season melting on the movement of ice. New research published in Geophysical Research Letters sheds light on how
Water managers around the world are facing challenges when it comes to planning for water supply and demand. A recent study conducted by researchers at Oregon State University has developed a new approach to calculate snow water storage. This new metric, known as snow water storage, offers a more comprehensive understanding of how much water
When it comes to managing water resources, the abundance of data collected by satellites can be overwhelming. While these satellites offer vital information about our oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams, extracting actionable insights can be a daunting task. One of the main challenges faced by water managers is the trade-off between high spatial and high
Long-range weather forecasting has always been a challenging task due to the chaotic nature of weather systems. However, researchers at LMU have made an interesting discovery regarding events in the stratosphere that can make forecasting weather conditions in Northern Europe easier. This breakthrough could have significant implications for various sectors such as agriculture, energy, and
The issue of anthropogenic plastic pollution continues to be a global concern, with devastating impacts being felt even in the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. While the common perception of plastic pollution often revolves around images of marine animals trapped in debris, the reality goes beyond what meets the eye. Seabirds, in particular,
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has been a subject of great interest since its monitoring began in 2004. Recent research published in Nature Communications has shed light on the role that Asian aerosols play in affecting the AMOC. This paper, titled “Increased Asian Aerosols Drive a Slowdown of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation,” highlights the
The emissions released into the air when a vehicle brakes have been a topic of interest for scientists, yet there is still much to learn about the potential harm they pose to public health. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine sheds light on the electric charge carried by a
The study on emergency evacuation planning in Shanghai and New York City reveals significant disparities in the efficiency of evacuating elderly citizens to safety during coastal flooding. While New York City demonstrates quicker evacuation times for vulnerable populations, Shanghai faces challenges due to the lack of neighborhood shelters in flood-prone areas. The research highlights the
The pressing issue of climate change is not only causing the loss of biodiversity but also necessitating the transition to clean, renewable energy sources. However, these two critical aspects are often considered in isolation from each other. There is a crucial question that needs to be addressed – where can clean energy projects be implemented
The Earth’s climate has been relatively stable for hundreds of millions of years, with the average surface temperature varying only by about 20 degrees Celsius. This stability is crucial for the existence of life on our planet and is maintained by a natural ‘thermostat’ mechanism that regulates the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide over geological