Microplastics are tiny bits of plastic that are causing big problems in our rivers and streams. These tiny pieces come from various sources, and one major way they end up in water is through stormwater runoff. This is the water that flows over the ground during rainstorms, picking up pollutants along the way. The role of city drainage systems and the types of land us...

Snails might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the Atlantic Rainforest. However, they play a crucial role in the ecosystem. The Sooretama Biological Reserve in Southeastern Brazil is home to a variety of these small creatures. Researchers spent two years studying the snail community in this area. They wanted to understand how the snails ch...

Holly Hill, South Carolina, is in a standoff with a waste treatment facility. The issue? A smell so strong that it's driving residents indoors and ruining their quality of life. The culprit? Synagro's Waste Recycling Facility, which has been under the microscope for its pungent emissions. The town has been pushing for a solution, but progress has been slow. Synagro ...

In Wauwinet, Nantucket, a couple has found themselves in a sticky situation. Paula and Matthew Dacey, owners of 14 Plover Lane, have been slapped with a hefty fine. The reason? They cut down half an acre of vegetation on their own property. This might sound surprising, but there is a strict rule against clear-cutting, which is the process of removing most or all tree...

The push to ban filtered cigarettes in Santa Cruz County is gaining traction, but there are still hurdles to overcome. This effort is not new. It has been around for over a decade. The main issue is that the current ban only covers unincorporated areas, leaving four cities where filtered cigarettes can still be purchased. This loophole allows smokers to easily buy f...

The ocean is full of tiny particles that can mix with oil spills. This mix can create something called marine oil snow. This snow can sink and harm sea life. One big question is how fish waste, or fecal pellets, play a role in this process. The study looked at how different types of oil and fish waste interact. It found that oil sticks to fish waste differently ...

The climate is changing, and it's causing headaches for farmers in central China. The usual timing for planting winter wheat is getting messed up. This timing issue can seriously harm the crop's output. However, farmers might have a few clever tactics to turn the tables. Farmers have a few strategies to try. They can experiment with the amount of fertilizer they use...

Jordan's Northern Valley is in a pickle. Salt is building up in the soil, making it tough for farmers to grow crops. This is a big deal because the valley is known as the "food basket of Jordan. " It's a major source of fruits and veggies for the country. The problem is getting worse, and it's a threat to the valley's future. Salt in the soil is a problem in dry and...

Groundwater pollution can strike suddenly, and finding the source quickly is crucial. A new method combines two algorithms to tackle this problem. This mix of tools can pinpoint where pollution started, how much was released, and when it happened. The first tool, called EnKF, narrows down the search area. It's like having a map that highlights the most likely spots ...

Pakistan is in a tough spot when it comes to weather. It's a dry place with scorching temperatures and not much rain. This makes it super sensitive to climate change. The country's weather is all over the place, making it hard to predict what's coming next. To get a better handle on things, researchers looked at weather data from 1981 to 2020. They checked out 17 di...