https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/air_pollution/ Air pollution articles. Read scientific research on air pollution including pollution sources, health effects, and ways to reduce air pollution. Full text, images. en-us Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:41:37 EDT Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:41:37 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/air_pollution/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260416071945.htm The ozone layer has been on track to recover thanks to the Montreal Protocol—but a loophole may be holding it back. Chemicals still permitted for industrial use are leaking into the atmosphere at higher rates than expected. Scientists now estimate this could delay ozone recovery by up to seven years. Closing this gap could speed up healing and reduce harmful UV exposure worldwide. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:53:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260416071945.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260411084441.htm Scientists searching for air pollution clues stumbled onto something unexpected: toxic MCCPs drifting through the air for the first time in the Western Hemisphere. The likely source—fertilizer made from sewage sludge—points to a hidden route for contamination. Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:58:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260411084441.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260329222938.htm Scientists may have been unknowingly inflating microplastics pollution estimates, and the surprising source could be their own lab gloves. A University of Michigan study found that common nitrile and latex gloves release tiny particles called stearates, which closely resemble microplastics and can contaminate samples during testing. In some cases, this led to wildly exaggerated results, forcing researchers to track down the unexpected culprit. Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:25:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260329222938.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260328043549.htm Scientists have created a new kind of carbon material that could make carbon capture much cheaper and more efficient. By carefully controlling how nitrogen atoms are arranged, they found certain structures capture CO2 better and release it using far less heat. One version works at temperatures below 60 °C, meaning it could run on waste heat instead of costly energy. The discovery offers a powerful new blueprint for next-generation climate technology. Sat, 28 Mar 2026 08:05:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260328043549.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260323005535.htm Tiny plastic particles aren’t just choking oceans and cities—they’re quietly infiltrating forests too. Scientists discovered that most microplastics arrive through the air, settling onto treetops before being washed or dropped to the forest floor in rain and falling leaves. Once there, natural processes like leaf decay help bury and store these particles deep in the soil. The findings reveal forests as hidden reservoirs of airborne pollution—and potentially a new frontline in the growing microplastics crisis. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 04:34:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260323005535.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260321012640.htm A hidden freshwater system deep beneath the Great Salt Lake has been revealed using airborne electromagnetic surveys. Scientists found that freshwater extends much farther under the lake than expected, reaching depths of up to 4 kilometers. The discovery began with mysterious reed-covered mounds formed by pressurized groundwater pushing upward. Researchers are now investigating whether this underground water could help control hazardous dust from the drying lakebed. Sat, 21 Mar 2026 21:20:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260321012640.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260321012638.htm Antibiotics are accumulating in a major Brazilian river, especially during the dry season when pollution becomes more concentrated. Scientists even detected a banned drug inside fish sold for food, raising concerns about human exposure. A common aquatic plant showed promise in removing these chemicals from water—but it also altered how fish absorb them, creating unexpected risks. Sat, 21 Mar 2026 20:48:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260321012638.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020847.htm A new study reveals that chemicals used to replace ozone-damaging CFCs are now driving a surge in a persistent “forever chemical” worldwide. The pollutant, called trifluoroacetic acid, is falling out of the atmosphere into water, land, and ice, including in remote regions like the Arctic. Even as older chemicals are phased out, their long lifetimes mean pollution is still rising. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 03:17:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020847.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112211457.htm Plastic pollution is not just in oceans and soil. Scientists have now found enormous amounts of microscopic plastic floating through urban air, far exceeding earlier estimates. Road dust and rainfall play a major role in moving these particles through the atmosphere. The findings suggest the air may be one of the most important pathways for plastic pollution. Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:33:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112211457.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202809.htm CO2 can stimulate plant growth, but only when enough nitrogen is available—and that key ingredient has been seriously miscalculated. A new study finds that natural nitrogen fixation has been overestimated by about 50 percent in major climate models. This means the climate-cooling benefits of plant growth under high CO2 are smaller than expected. The result: a reduced buffer against climate change and more uncertainty in future projections. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 04:46:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202809.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228020008.htm The Arctic is changing rapidly, and scientists have uncovered a powerful mix of natural and human-driven processes fueling that change. Cracks in sea ice release heat and pollutants that form clouds and speed up melting, while emissions from nearby oil fields alter the chemistry of the air. These interactions trigger feedback loops that let in more sunlight, generate smog, and push warming even further. Together, they paint a troubling picture of how fragile the Arctic system has become. Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:21:39 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228020008.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251204024231.htm This year’s ozone hole over Antarctica ranked among the smallest since the early 1990s, reflecting steady progress from decades of global action under the Montreal Protocol. Declining chlorine levels and warmer stratospheric temperatures helped limit ozone destruction. Scientists say the layer remains on track to recover later this century. Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:16:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251204024231.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050457.htm Long-term inhalation of toxic air appears to dull the protective power of regular workouts, according to a massive global study spanning more than a decade and over a million adults. While exercise still helps people live longer, its benefits shrink dramatically in regions with heavy fine particle pollution—especially above key PM2.5 thresholds common in many parts of the world. The researchers emphasize that outdoor activity shouldn’t stop, but better air quality could unlock far greater health gains. Fri, 28 Nov 2025 06:37:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050457.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251125081914.htm Rerouted shipping during Red Sea conflicts accidentally created a massive real-world experiment, letting scientists study how new low-sulfur marine fuels affect cloud formation. The sudden surge of ships around the Cape of Good Hope revealed that cleaner fuels dramatically weaken the ability of ship emissions to seed bright, reflective clouds—cutting this cloud-boosting effect by about two-thirds. Wed, 26 Nov 2025 03:55:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251125081914.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124231904.htm Using a precisely aligned pair of laser beams, scientists can now hold a single aerosol particle in place and monitor how it charges up. The particle’s glow signals each step in its changing electrical state, revealing how electrons are kicked away and how the particle sometimes releases sudden bursts of charge. These behaviors mirror what may be happening inside storm clouds. The technique could help explain how lightning gets its initial spark. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 23:57:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124231904.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251120002832.htm Experts say the ocean could help absorb carbon dioxide, but today’s technologies are too uncertain to be scaled up safely. New findings released during COP30 highlight the risks of rushing into marine carbon removal without proper monitoring and verification. With the 1.5°C threshold approaching, researchers stress that emissions cuts must remain the top priority. Ocean-based methods may play a role later, but they need careful oversight first. Thu, 20 Nov 2025 01:52:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251120002832.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118220054.htm Massive Sargassum blooms sweeping across the Caribbean and Atlantic are fueled by a powerful nutrient partnership: phosphorus pulled to the surface by equatorial upwelling and nitrogen supplied by cyanobacteria living directly on the drifting algae. Coral cores reveal that this nutrient engine has intensified over the past decade, perfectly matching surges in Sargassum growth since 2011. By ruling out older theories involving Saharan dust and river runoff, researchers uncovered a climate-driven process that shapes when and where these colossal seaweed mats form. Wed, 19 Nov 2025 03:56:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118220054.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251112111015.htm Arctic sea ice is disappearing fast, and scientists have turned to an unexpected cosmic clue—space dust—to uncover how ice has changed over tens of thousands of years. By tracking helium-3–bearing dust trapped (or blocked) by ancient ice, researchers built a remarkably detailed history of Arctic coverage stretching back 30,000 years. Their findings reveal powerful links between sea ice, nutrient availability, and the Arctic food web, offering hints about how future warming may reshape everything from plankton blooms to geopolitics. Thu, 13 Nov 2025 03:44:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251112111015.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075117.htm Researchers in Japan have revealed how some gourds draw pollutants into their fruits. The secret lies in a protein that carries contaminants through the plant sap. By manipulating this protein’s structure, scientists hope to breed crops that resist contamination or serve as natural soil purifiers. This finding bridges food safety and environmental cleanup. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:09:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075117.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251021083631.htm Scientists are taking the once-radical concept of dimming the sun through stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) seriously, but a Columbia University team warns that reality is far messier than models suggest. Their study reveals how physical, geopolitical, and economic constraints could derail even the best-intentioned attempts to cool the planet. From unpredictable monsoon disruptions to material shortages and optical inefficiencies, every step introduces new risks. Tue, 21 Oct 2025 09:29:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251021083631.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251020092826.htm Melting Arctic ice is revealing a hidden world of nitrogen-fixing bacteria beneath the surface. These microbes, not the usual cyanobacteria, enrich the ocean with nitrogen, fueling algae growth that supports the entire marine food chain. As ice cover declines, both algae production and CO2 absorption may increase, altering the region’s ecological balance. The discovery could force scientists to revise predictions about Arctic climate feedbacks. Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:36:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251020092826.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251018102124.htm Mars’ north polar vortex locks its atmosphere in extreme cold and darkness, freezing out water vapor and triggering a dramatic rise in ozone. Scientists found that the lack of sunlight and moisture lets ozone build up unchecked. This discovery, made with data from ESA’s and NASA’s orbiters, could reveal clues about Mars’ past atmospheric chemistry and potential for life. Sun, 19 Oct 2025 11:46:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251018102124.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250918225016.htm Wildfires are no longer a seasonal nuisance but a deadly, nationwide health crisis. Fueled by climate change, smoke is spreading farther and lingering longer, with new research warning of tens of thousands of additional deaths annually by mid-century. The health costs alone could surpass all other climate damages combined, revealing wildfire smoke as one of the most underestimated threats of our warming world. Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:53:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250918225016.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250910000244.htm Barrels dumped off Southern California decades ago have been found leaking alkaline waste, not just DDT, leaving behind eerie white halos and transforming parts of the seafloor into toxic vents. The findings reveal a persistent and little-known legacy of industrial dumping that still shapes marine life today. Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:02:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250910000244.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250910000240.htm Researchers in Germany and Australia have created a simple but powerful tool to detect nanoplastics—tiny, invisible particles that can slip through skin and even the blood-brain barrier. Using an "optical sieve" test strip viewed under a regular microscope, these particles reveal themselves through striking color changes. Wed, 10 Sep 2025 01:49:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250910000240.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250902085150.htm Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a groundbreaking nickel-based catalyst that could transform the way the world recycles plastic. Instead of requiring tedious sorting, the catalyst selectively breaks down stubborn polyolefin plastics—the single-use materials that make up much of our daily waste—into valuable oils, waxes, fuels, and more. Wed, 03 Sep 2025 03:02:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250902085150.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250902085134.htm The booming space industry has filled the skies with rockets and satellites, but this rapid expansion comes with a hidden danger: slowing the recovery of the ozone layer. Rocket launches and burning space debris release chlorine, soot, and metals high in the atmosphere, where they linger for years, damaging Earth’s protective shield against UV radiation. Scientists warn that if annual launches surge to projected levels by 2030, ozone recovery—already not expected until mid-century—could be delayed for decades. Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:08:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250902085134.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250821094527.htm As the ozone layer recovers, it’s also intensifying global warming. Researchers predict that by 2050, ozone will rank just behind carbon dioxide as a driver of heating, offsetting many of the benefits from banning CFCs. Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250821094527.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113525.htm Rising CO₂ levels will make the upper atmosphere colder and thinner, altering how geomagnetic storms impact satellites. Future storms could cause sharper density spikes despite lower overall density, increasing drag-related challenges. Sun, 17 Aug 2025 23:04:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113525.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250726234404.htm Air pollution isn't just bad for your lungs—it may be eroding your brain. In a sweeping review covering nearly 30 million people, researchers found that common pollutants like PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and soot are all linked to a significantly higher risk of dementia. The most dangerous? PM2.5—tiny particles from traffic and industry that can lodge deep in your lungs and reach your brain. Sun, 27 Jul 2025 01:47:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250726234404.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724232419.htm What would happen if a nuclear war triggered a climate-altering catastrophe? Researchers have modeled how such a scenario could devastate global corn crops cutting production by as much as 87% due to blocked sunlight and increased UV-B radiation. Using advanced climate-agriculture simulations, they propose a survival strategy: emergency resilience kits containing fast-growing, cold-tolerant seeds that could keep food systems afloat not just after nuclear war, but also after volcanic eruptions or other mega-disasters. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 23:24:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724232419.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000858.htm An ancient glacier high in the French Alps has revealed the oldest known ice in Western Europe—dating back over 12,000 years to the last Ice Age. This frozen archive, meticulously analyzed by scientists, captures a complete chemical and atmospheric record spanning humanity’s transition from hunter-gatherers to modern industry. The core contains stories of erupting volcanoes, changing forests, Saharan dust storms, and even economic impacts across history. It offers a rare glimpse into both natural climate transitions and human influence on the atmosphere, holding vital clues for understanding past and future climate change. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 23:41:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000858.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033449.htm Smoke from wildfires and structural fires doesn t just irritate lungs it actually changes your immune system. Harvard scientists found that even healthy people exposed to smoke showed signs of immune system activation, genetic changes tied to allergies, and even toxic metals inside their immune cells. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:29:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033449.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033445.htm Wildfires are becoming more intense and dangerous, but a new Stanford-led study offers hope: prescribed burns—intentionally set, controlled fires—can significantly lessen their impact. By analyzing satellite data and smoke emissions, researchers found that areas treated with prescribed burns saw wildfire severity drop by 16% and smoke pollution fall by 14%. Even more striking, the smoke from prescribed burns was just a fraction of what wildfires would have produced in the same areas. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:08:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033445.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620222145.htm In a twist on conventional wisdom, researchers have discovered that in ocean-like fluids with changing density, tiny porous particles can sink faster than larger ones, thanks to how they absorb salt. Using clever lab experiments with 3D-printed agar shapes in a stratified water column, scientists demonstrated that porosity and particle shape are major factors in determining sinking speed. This finding could revolutionize how we understand carbon cycling, microplastic behavior, and even strategies for ocean-based carbon capture. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 22:21:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620222145.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250617014222.htm In a surprising twist during an air quality study in Oklahoma, researchers detected MCCPs an industrial pollutant never before measured in the Western Hemisphere's atmosphere. The team suspects these toxic compounds are entering the air through biosolid fertilizers derived from sewage sludge. While these pollutants are not yet regulated like their SCCP cousins, their similarity to dangerous "forever chemicals" and unexpected presence raise red flags about how chemical substitutions and waste disposal may be silently contaminating rural air. Tue, 17 Jun 2025 01:42:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250617014222.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603115026.htm A new study details processes that keep pollutants aloft despite a drop in emissions. Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:50:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603115026.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154722.htm California Central Valley, which is known for the agriculture that produces much of the nation's fruits, vegetables and nuts, is a major contributor to a growing dust problem that has profound implications for people's health, safety and well-being. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:47:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154722.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530123821.htm Ozone pollution is a global environmental concern that not only threatens human health and crop production, but also worsens global warming. While the formation of ozone is often attributed to anthropogenic pollutants, soil emissions are revealed to be another important source. Fri, 30 May 2025 12:38:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530123821.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529155413.htm Hurricane Ida wreaked an estimated $75 billion in total damages and was responsible for 112 fatalities -- including 32 in New Jersey and 16 in New York state. Yet the hurricane could have been even worse in the Big Apple, find scientists. Thu, 29 May 2025 15:54:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529155413.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529145727.htm Researchers determined how much outdoor particulate pollution affects indoor air quality. Their study concluded pollution from inversion and dust events is kept out of buildings, but wildfire smoke can sneak inside if efficient 'air-side economizers' are in use. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:57:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529145727.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124856.htm As the world shifts toward sustainable energy sources, 'green hydrogen' - hydrogen produced without emitting carbon - has emerged as a leading candidate for clean power. Scientists have now developed a new iron-based catalyst that more than doubles the conversion efficiency of thermochemical green hydrogen production. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:48:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124856.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124612.htm Lead contamination in municipal water sources is a consistent threat to public health. Ingesting even tiny amounts of lead can harm the human brain and nervous system -- especially in young children. To empower people to detect lead contamination in their own homes, a team of researchers developed an accessible, handheld water-testing system called the E-Tongue. This device was tested through a citizen science project across four Massachusetts towns. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:46:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124612.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180929.htm With wildfires increasing in frequency, severity, and size in the Western U.S., researchers are determined to better understand how smoke impacts air quality, public health, and even the weather. As fires burn, they release enormous amounts of aerosols -- the vaporized remains of burning trees and homes that enter the atmosphere and the air we breathe. Now, a new study dissects these aerosols and gases to pinpoint their potential effects on our health as well as the planet's short and long-term weather. Tue, 27 May 2025 18:09:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180929.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162533.htm Engineers developed a membrane that filters the components of crude oil by their molecular size, an advance that could dramatically reduce the amount of energy needed for crude oil fractionation. Thu, 22 May 2025 16:25:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162533.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124838.htm A modeling study shows that global warming will make it harder to reduce ground-level ozone, a respiratory irritant that is a key component of smog, by cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:48:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124838.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161115.htm In 2022 a team discovered that high levels of OH radicals can be generated indoors, simply due to the presence of people and ozone. This means: People generate their own oxidation field and change the indoor air chemistry around them within their own personal space. Now, in a follow-up study again in cooperation with an international research team, they found that commonly applied personal care products substantially suppress a human's production of OH radicals. These findings have implications for the indoor chemistry, the air quality of occupied spaces, and human health, since many of the chemicals in our immediate vicinity are transformed by this field. Wed, 21 May 2025 16:11:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161115.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521125115.htm A study has found that implementing robust air pollution control measures could mean Southeast Asian countries prevent as many as 36,000 ozone-related premature deaths each year by 2050. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:51:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521125115.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124758.htm If you've ever sat waiting at the doctor's office to give a blood sample, you might have wished there was a way to find the same information without needles. But for all the medical breakthroughs of the 20th century, the best way to detect molecules has remained through liquids, such as blood. New research, however, could someday put a pause on pinpricks. A group of scientists announced they have created a small, portable device that can collect and detect airborne molecules -- a breakthrough that holds promise for many areas of medicine and public health. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:47:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124758.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516165150.htm New research suggests that the negative effects of the ozone hole on the carbon uptake of the Southern Ocean are reversible, but only if greenhouse gas emissions rapidly decrease. The study finds that as the ozone hole heals, its influence on the ocean carbon sink of the Southern Ocean will diminish, while the influence of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will rise. Fri, 16 May 2025 16:51:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516165150.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516134549.htm The combination of air pollution, dense urban development and limited green spaces increases the risk of asthma in both children and adults. Fri, 16 May 2025 13:45:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516134549.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514180920.htm A new study examined associations between diet, drinking water, and 'legacy' PFAS -- chemicals that were phased out of production in the US in the 2000s -- with blood samples from California residents. PFAS exposure was associated with consumption of seafood, eggs, and brown rice, but fewer other foods than suggested by earlier studies. PFAS levels were elevated among people who lived in areas where these chemicals were detectable in their drinking water supply, but lower than levels found in highly contaminated communities. Wed, 14 May 2025 18:09:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514180920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514164325.htm Scientists are using artificial intelligence to determine which genes collectively govern nitrogen use efficiency in plants such as corn, with the goal of helping farmers improve their crop yields and minimize the cost of nitrogen fertilizers. Wed, 14 May 2025 16:43:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514164325.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512202042.htm Stifling heat and sticky air often make summertime in the city uncomfortable. Due to the heat island effect, urban areas are significantly warmer than nearby rural areas, even at night. This, combined with more frequent extreme weather events caused by climate change, often render the city an unpleasant environment in the summer. Urbanization and climate change modify the thermal environment of urban areas, with an expectation that urban disasters from extremely hot weather and heavy rainfall will only become more severe. Mitigating potential damage involves reducing the intensity of the heat island effect and adapting to climate change. Motivated by this problem, a team of researchers set out to investigate how the reduction in urban heat release could help mitigate and control the rapid development of thunderstorms and local rainfall. Mon, 12 May 2025 20:20:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512202042.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122111.htm A research team used the German environmental satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) to simultaneously detect the two key air pollutants carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in emission plumes from power plants -- with an unprecedented spatial resolution of just 30 meters. The newly developed method allows for tracking of industrial emissions from space with great precision and enables atmospheric processes to be analyzed in detail. Fri, 09 May 2025 12:21:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122111.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130516.htm In a sweeping new study of more than 13,000 urban areas worldwide, researchers have mapped air pollution levels and carbon dioxide emissions, providing comprehensive global analysis of urban environmental quality. Wed, 07 May 2025 13:05:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130516.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506105342.htm Up to 250,000 deaths from poor air quality could be prevented annually in central and western Europe by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, say researchers. Tue, 06 May 2025 10:53:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506105342.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121805.htm Atmospheric and climate scientists show that biological particles may induce rain events that could contribute to flooding and snowstorms, owing to their ability to precipitate ice formation in clouds. They call for an update of meteorological and climate models. Mon, 05 May 2025 12:18:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121805.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142729.htm Trees, parks, wetlands and green roofs can no longer be seen as a 'nice-to-have' aesthetic enhancement but a vital component for creating climate-resilient, healthier and more equitable cities, according to an international paper. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:27:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142729.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422132007.htm Dust-on-snow is a major threat to water in the Colorado River, yet no snowmelt forecasts integrate dust-accelerated melt. Using pioneering remote sensing techniques, new research is the first to capture how dust impacts the headwaters of the Colorado River system. The new method could help predict the timing and magnitude of snow darkening and impacts on melt rates on snowpacks, in real time. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:20:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422132007.htm