Rocky shores are tough places. They face problems from both land and sea. Shipping accidents can cause sudden pollution. Factories and farms send pollution into the water. People gathering food, enjoying recreation, and even the way water flows can disturb these shores. Plus, cities near the coast c
The impact of foreign plants on local ecosystems is often discussed, but the effects on soil nutrients and microbes are not always clear. A recent study dug into this topic by examining the soil around Ageratina adenophora, a plant that has spread rapidly in many areas. This plant is not from around
Leucaena leucocephala is a plant that has earned a spot on the list of the world's 100 worst invasive species. This is due to the harm it can cause to local plant life. It grows quickly and can reproduce rapidly. It also adapts well to different environments. These traits help it take over new areas
In the vast expanse of Argentinian Patagonia, wildfires have been raging, leaving behind a trail of destruction. These blazes are not just burning trees and vegetation. They are also releasing a cocktail of harmful substances into the air. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds
The Patzcuaro Lake Basin in Mexico faces a significant water loss issue. This loss comes from several sources. Water evaporates from the lake surface. Plants lose water through a process called evapotranspiration. Some water gets intercepted by vegetation and never reaches the ground. Additionally,
The Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido, Japan, has a long history of sea ice formation. This has shaped the lives of people living there. The ice's behavior is not just a local thing. It's influenced by big weather patterns in the North Pacific. To understand these changes, researchers have put together a lo
The RISE project aimed to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene in urban slums. In Makassar, Indonesia, and Suva, Fiji, they tried to involve the community in designing these improvements. They held workshops and visited homes to get everyone's input. Afterward, they surveyed people to see who took
In the heart of Southwest China, Panzhihua stands as a testament to large-scale mining and smelting. These activities have left an indelible mark on the city's atmosphere, with dust serving as a major carrier of heavy metals. Identifying the sources of these metals is a complex task, as various poll
Plastic waste is a big problem. It's everywhere, and it's not going away anytime soon. But here's a bit of good news. Scientists have found a bacteria that can break down certain types of plastic. This bacteria, named JJY06, was found in rice field soil in Korea. It's part of the Aeromicrobium famil
Wastewater treatment creates a lot of sludge. This sludge is a big problem because it carries antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). These genes can spread and cause serious health issues. So, finding a way to break down sludge and get rid of these genes is crucial. One interesting approach is usin
