The Mediterranean Sea is facing a hidden problem: heavy metals. These metals can harm marine life and even end up in our food. To understand this better, scientists studied two fish species: the small-spotted catshark and the European hake. The catshark is a bottom-dweller, which means it stays clos
Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces that can be found in water. They can carry harmful chemicals like PCBs. A study looked at the Langat River in Malaysia. They checked six spots from the river mouth to areas further inland. The study found different amounts of microplastics at each spot. The hig
The Hanjiang River in China is facing a hidden problem: tiny plastic particles. These small bits, called microplastics, are less than 500 micrometers in size. They are everywhere in the river and can harm aquatic life. A recent study used advanced technology to find out more about these microplastic
In the heart of Brazil's Ceará coast, the Cocó River tells a story of urban life's hidden impact. This river, surrounded by bustling cities, is a hotspot for various pollutants. Scientists dove deep into this issue, checking water, sediment, and even the creatures living there. They found a shocking
Lung cancer is becoming more common in people who never smoked. Scientists think air pollution might be a big reason why. A recent study looked at the DNA of lung tumors in 871 non-smokers from around the world. They found that people exposed to more pollution had more DNA changes linked to cancer.
In a recent study, scientists found a surprising way to make water cleaner. They used sunlight and a common natural chemical called humic acid to speed up the breakdown of tiny pollutants in water. The study focused on a process where ultraviolet A (UVA) light activates a chemical called periodate (
Every day, people in Brussels are surrounded by unseen threats. These threats are not from criminals or dangerous animals. Instead, they come from the environment. Noise, tiny particles in the air, and magnetic fields are just a few examples. Together, these factors cause a big problem. They are lin
A big plant that cleans water, called an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) plant, is really good at taking out nutrients and organic stuff. But what about tiny pollutants, like medicine and chemicals? That's what scientists wanted to find out. They looked at 19 medicines and 2 industrial chemicals in th
Cities are full of hard surfaces like roads and buildings. These surfaces can mess up water quality. A recent study looked at how organic stuff in water changes in cities. It focused on places like Xi'an, China. The study collected samples from different city areas. It found three main types of org
India's farms are facing a silent threat: microplastics. These tiny plastic bits are sneaking into the soil and messing with crops. But how much do farmers know about this issue? A recent study took a closer look at what Indian farmers think about microplastic pollution. Researchers talked to 310 f
