Sapphires are known for their beauty and rarity, with their characteristically blue-colored crystals being highly sought after. Researchers at Heidelberg University have been delving into the formation of these precious gems in volcanic melts. While sapphires are composed of chemically “contaminated” aluminum oxide, or corundum, they are found predominantly in association with silicon-poor volcanic rocks.
Earth
A recent study led by researchers from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and Charles University, Prague, has revealed a new data-driven map that estimates a significantly larger area of peatlands in the Amazon Basin than previously thought. This high-resolution map is crucial for understanding the vulnerability of peatlands to climate change and human impacts.
The recent research conducted by Chinese scientists and the UK Met Office has revealed alarming trends in global rainfall variability. According to the study published in the journal Science, over 75% of the Earth’s land area has experienced increased rainfall variability over the past century. This variability is particularly pronounced in regions such as Australia,
The recent research conducted by a team led by Texas A&M University atmospheric scientist Dr. Andrew Dessler delves into the climate impact of the 2022 Hunga Tonga volcano eruption. This event, which took place in mid-January 2022, injected significant amounts of volcanic aerosols and water vapor into the atmosphere. Traditionally, large volcanic eruptions have led
Rainfall patterns across the globe have been experiencing significant fluctuations in recent years. From intense downpours to prolonged dry spells, the variability in precipitation has become a cause for concern among scientists. The increasing unpredictability of rainfall has prompted researchers to delve deeper into the correlation between climate change and these erratic weather patterns. A
The rise of e-commerce and the warehousing industry in America has brought about new challenges, particularly in terms of environmental impacts on nearby communities. A recent study has shed light on the alarming levels of traffic-related air pollutants that people living near large warehouses are exposed to on a daily basis. This has raised concerns
Traditional methods of remediation for synthetic chemicals accumulation in soil have often been inefficient and energy-consuming. The accumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) poses a significant threat to environmental and human health due to their persistence and bioaccumulative properties. These chemicals, commonly found in consumer products, are resistant to degradation methods, making it challenging
Lead Contamination in Urban Environments Lead contamination has become a pressing issue in urban environments, particularly in older neighborhoods where lead-sheathed telecommunications cables were once prevalent. A recent study conducted by Alyssa Shiel, an environmental geochemist at Oregon State University, revealed staggering results regarding lead levels in moss samples collected from urban areas in Portland,
The discovery of metallic minerals on the deep-ocean floor producing oxygen 13,000 feet below the surface challenges the conventional wisdom that only photosynthetic organisms like plants and algae are responsible for generating Earth’s oxygen. This groundbreaking research, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, suggests that oxygen can also be produced at the seafloor where no
The earthquake that struck western Morocco in September 2023, with a magnitude of 6.8, resulted in significant damage and loss of life in rural communities located in the High Atlas Mountains. This event was particularly devastating due to the long period of seismic silence in the region, with the last major earthquake occurring back in
In a groundbreaking effort, a team of researchers from the University of Virginia has developed the Hurricane Evacuation Order Database (HEvOD) – the first of its kind in the United States. This database aims to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of hurricane evacuation policies and strategies. By analyzing historical data on evacuation orders, researchers
The impact of greenhouse gases on global warming can vary significantly based on their global warming potential (GWP) and lifespan in the atmosphere. For example, methane has a GWP about 28 times that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Similarly, perfluorocarbons (PFCs) have a GWP thousands of times greater than CO2. These differences highlight
Icebergs melting in the ocean can have a significant impact on the surrounding ecosystems. By studying the journey and melting of iceberg A-68A in the sub-Antarctic, scientists have gained valuable insights into how warmer ocean temperatures around Antarctica can affect marine life. The collapse of this giant iceberg has provided new observations that shed light
A recent global assessment conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has shed light on the effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NbS) in mitigating risks associated with a variety of disasters. These disasters range from floods and hurricanes to heat waves and landslides, all of which are projected to escalate as global temperatures rise.
The global apparel industry is facing a major environmental crisis, as a recent study by North Carolina State University researchers has found that millions of tons of plastic waste are leaking into the environment due to improper management. This overlooked source of pollution poses a significant threat to the planet and is in need of