Hacker News with Generative AI: Environmental Science

Light-based photocatalytic system can break down PFAS at room temperature (phys.org)
Researchers at Colorado State University have found a new approach for breaking down PFAS—a group of human-made "forever" chemicals commonly used for their water-resistant properties that can carry health risks from long-term exposure.
Chemistry, Environmental Science, Water Contamination, Materials Science
19 points by kmckiern 10 hours ago | 1 comments
Enormous cache of rare earth elements hidden inside coal ash waste (phys.org)
Mining, Environmental Science
10 points by defrost 1 day ago | 2 comments
Pioneer Species (wikipedia.org)
Pioneer species are resilient species that are the first to colonize barren environments, or to repopulate disrupted biodiverse steady-state ecosystems as part of ecological succession.
Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, Succession, Resilience
19 points by skibz 4 days ago | 1 comments
Hiker discovers first trace of entire prehistoric ecosystem in Italian Alps (theguardian.com)
A hiker in the northern Italian Alps has stumbled across the first trace of what scientists believe to be an entire prehistoric ecosystem, including the well-preserved footprints of reptiles and amphibians, brought to light by the melting of snow and ice induced by the climate crisis.
Paleontology, Climate Change, Italy, Archaeology, Environmental Science
11 points by pseudolus 6 days ago | 0 comments
Microbial community structure in recovering forests of Mount St. Helens (frontiersin.org)
The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens had devastating effects above and belowground in forested montane ecosystems, including the burial and destruction of soil microbes.
Environmental Science, Ecology, Microbiology, Volcanic Eruptions, Forest Regeneration
3 points by gnabgib 9 days ago | 0 comments
How gophers brought Mount St. Helens back to life in one day (phys.org)
When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, lava incinerated anything living for miles around. As an experiment, scientists later dropped gophers onto parts of the scorched mountain for only 24 hours. The benefits from that single day were undeniable—and still visible 40 years later.
Science, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science
96 points by pseudolus 10 days ago | 55 comments
We discovered that the ocean's surface absorbs much more CO₂ than thought (theconversation.com)
The oceans play a pivotal role in drawing down atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and have so far acted as a brake on the full impact of climate change.
Climate Change, Oceanography, Science, Environmental Science
6 points by zeristor 10 days ago | 0 comments
Railroad Ecology (wikipedia.org)
Railroad ecology or railway ecology is a term used to refer to the study of the ecological community growing along railroad or railway tracks and the effects of railroads on natural ecosystems.
Ecology, Biology, Transportation, Environmental Science
8 points by downboots 14 days ago | 1 comments
It's raining PFAS in South Florida – study (sciencedirect.com)
Atmospheric deposition plays a crucial role in the fate and transport of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), especially in areas far from production sites.
Environmental Science, Pollution, Chemistry, South Florida, PFAS
85 points by Jimmc414 15 days ago | 40 comments
Iceberg A-68: The story of how a mega-berg transformed the ocean (bbc.com)
The world's largest icebergs – which can be larger than entire countries in some cases – break off the Antarctic ice sheet. As they drift and melt in the Southern Ocean, they create a unique environment around them.
Climate Change, Oceanography, Antarctica, Environmental Science
46 points by otoolep 23 days ago | 0 comments
Global Catastrophe Looms as Key Ocean Current Nears Collapse, Experts Warn (gizmodo.com)
The collapse of one of the world’s most important ocean currents, a disaster that would wreak havoc on Earth’s ecosystems, is generally considered unlikely. But in a newly issued open letter, leading climate scientists warn that the threat has been underestimated and call for immediate action.
Climate Change, Oceanography, Environmental Science, Global Warming, Disaster
8 points by rntn 29 days ago | 4 comments
Trees and land absorbed almost no CO2 last year (theguardian.com)
The sudden collapse of carbon sinks was not factored into climate models – and could rapidly accelerate global heating
Climate Change, Environmental Science, Global Warming
13 points by luispa 31 days ago | 0 comments
Bumblebee queens choose to hibernate in pesticide-contaminated soil (phys.org)
An alarming discovery from University of Guelph researchers raises concerns for bumblebee health, survival and reproduction.
Pesticides, Environmental Science, Bees, Animal Behavior, Research
78 points by andai 32 days ago | 33 comments
Forever Chemicals found in bottled and tap water from around the world (birmingham.ac.uk)
Scientists have discovered toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ present in samples of drinking water from around the world, a new study reveals.
Environmental Science, Water Contamination, Chemistry, Public Health
3 points by geox 34 days ago | 0 comments
Farm waste can filter microplastics in surface runoff, prevent pollution (phys.org)
Using treated plant waste as a filter reduced the presence of harmful microplastics in agricultural runoff by more than 92%, according to a new study authored by a University of Mississippi research team.
Environmental Science, Pollution, Agriculture, Sustainability, Water Treatment
8 points by PaulHoule 35 days ago | 0 comments
City microbes surviving on disinfectants, research reveals (phys.org)
New research shows microbes in our cities are evolving to resist the very cleaners we use to eliminate them. It also identifies novel strains living in Hong Kong that were previously only found in Antarctic desert soil.
Microbiology, Urban Environments, Environmental Science, Evolution, Antibiotic Resistance
9 points by pseudolus 35 days ago | 0 comments
Mt Rainier Elevation Survey (countryhighpoints.com)
Columbia Crest has melted 21.8 ft since 1998, revealing a new summit location on the SW Rim
Mt Rainier, Elevation, Climate Change, Geography, Environmental Science
51 points by nickswalker 36 days ago | 11 comments
Trees, land absorbed almost no CO2 last year. Is nature's carbon sink failing? (theguardian.com)
The sudden collapse of carbon sinks was not factored into climate models – and could rapidly accelerate global heating
Climate Change, Environmental Science, Carbon Sinks, Global Warming
10 points by wumeow 37 days ago | 0 comments
Mothbox 4.0 (digital-naturalism-laboratories.github.io)
The Mothbox is a low-cost, high-performance insect monitor. It features a power efficient and lightweight design meant to help field biologists deploy it in the depths of the jungles, and its low-cost nature means you can build one to study the biodiversity at your home!
Biology, Software, Open Source, Environmental Science, DIY
277 points by bookofjoe 37 days ago | 42 comments
It Could Take over 40 Years for PFAS to Leave Groundwater (news.ncsu.edu)
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, known commonly as PFAS, could take over 40 years to flush out of contaminated groundwater in North Carolina’s Cumberland and Bladen counties, according to a new study from North Carolina State University.
Environmental Science, Water Contamination, North Carolina, Chemicals
6 points by geox 41 days ago | 0 comments
Don't overshoot: why carbon dioxide removal will achieve too little, too late (nature.com)
Jubilation over reaching an agreement on climate-change measures has turned to concern about the practicalities of making them work.
Climate Change, Environmental Science
3 points by LinuxBender 42 days ago | 1 comments
Pyrolysis technology for plastic waste recycling: a review (sciencedirect.com)
Waste Management, Recycling, Technology, Environmental Science
5 points by thunderbong 43 days ago | 0 comments
Forage conservation is a neglected nitrous oxide source (academic.oup.com)
Agricultural activities are the major anthropogenic source of nitrous oxide (⁠N2O⁠), an important greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance.
Agriculture, Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, Environmental Science
40 points by PaulHoule 47 days ago | 45 comments
Liquefied natural gas carbon footprint is worse than coal (phys.org)
Liquified natural gas leaves a greenhouse gas footprint that is 33% worse than coal, when processing and shipping are taken into account, according to a new Cornell study.
Environmental Science, Climate Change, Energy, Natural Gas, Coal
40 points by bikenaga 48 days ago | 18 comments
Migrating Seabirds Are Bringing Forever Chemicals into the Arctic (hakaimagazine.com)
Between March and May each year, 15 million black-legged kittiwakes gather from across the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to nest and breed on rocky Arctic cliffs—some making the journey from as far as Florida or North Africa.
Environmental Science, Climate Change, Wildlife, Arctic, Pollution
20 points by pseudolus 48 days ago | 0 comments
Solving methane mysteries with satellite imagery (datadesk.eco)
The Diamond Gas Rose tanker emits a plume of methane while docked at Louisiana’s Cameron LNG terminal, 28 April 2021. Plume data: Global Airborne Observatory via Carbon Mapper. Satellite image: Planet.
Satellite Imagery, Environmental Science, Methane, Climate Change
127 points by ltrg 49 days ago | 20 comments
Airborne plastic levels shock researchers (chronic DEHP/DiNP/DEHT exposure) (news.ucr.edu)
A new study documents how Southern Californians are chronically being exposed to toxic airborne chemicals called plasticizers, including one that’s been banned from children’s items and beauty products.
Environmental Science, Health, California, Pollution, Research
49 points by nabla9 50 days ago | 15 comments
US Government interagency sea level rise website is live (globalchange.gov)
This site provides federally supported data visualizations coupled with explanations and science education to help communities prepare for challenges that will affect our coastal environments.
Climate Change, Government, Environmental Science, Data Visualization, Coastal Communities
22 points by PaulHoule 52 days ago | 3 comments
Solving climate change by abusing thermodynamic scaling laws (ckrapu.github.io)
The removal large quantities of carbon from Earth’s atmosphere is one of the most promising pathways to avoiding or mitigating the worst effects of global warming or climate change.
Climate Change, Thermodynamics, Environmental Science
124 points by ckrapu 53 days ago | 173 comments
Earth Is on the Brink of Breaching a 7th of Nine 'Planetary Boundaries' (smithsonianmag.com)
A new “health check” for our planet sounds an alarm bell on rising ocean acidification, which is driven by carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
Climate Change, Environmental Science, Oceanography, Planetary Boundaries
104 points by Brajeshwar 55 days ago | 135 comments