Air and Water
Nitrous oxide: It’s more than laughing gas
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, has largely been replaced by other anesthetics in the dentist’s office. This odorless and colorless gas makes up only a scant 320 parts per billion in Earth’s atmosphere. But it will play a big role in our planet’s future. [Read more…] about Nitrous oxide: It’s more than laughing gas
Predicting the forest of the future
We hear a lot about how climate change will affect forests. Some projections show wholesale loss of species in the western U.S., due to fire and pests. Sugar maple is thought likely to disappear from the eastern U.S., as conditions favorable to its survival move northward into Canada. [Read more…] about Predicting the forest of the future
Methane: It’s a natural gas
Natural gas is a fossil fuel derived from ancient hydrocarbon deposits. Natural gas is nearly pure methane—a small molecule with a central carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms surrounding it. Methane is also produced by a variety of soil microbes, especially in wetland soils. [Read more…] about Methane: It’s a natural gas
A tiny invader that’s driving people indoors
The Asian tiger mosquito is yet another invasive species that has taken hold in the United States. It arrived here in 1985 in a shipment of tires imported from Asia. This little mosquito is an aggressive human biter capable of transmitting diseases. But its greatest impact in the U.S., so far, is the way it is profoundly changing peoples’ relationships with the outdoors. [Read more…] about A tiny invader that’s driving people indoors
Water poverty
Human life, like all animal and plant life, is dependent upon water. Human societies and individuals cannot survive for more than a few days without fresh water. But despite the fact that 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, less than 3% of it is fresh water and 2/3 of that is frozen away in glaciers, ice, and snow. [Read more…] about Water poverty
Our nation’s streams and rivers are in trouble
The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a somber assessment of the state of our nation’s streams and rivers. A comprehensive survey looking at the health of nearly 2,000 stream and river miles across the country found more than half were in poor condition. A mere twenty percent were deemed healthy. [Read more…] about Our nation’s streams and rivers are in trouble
Trees are good for human health
Many of us have experienced a restorative walk in the woods. But does associating with trees really make us any healthier? After investigating the loss of some 100 million ash trees in the Eastern and Midwestern United States, Forest Service researcher Geoffrey Donovan and his colleagues suspect that the answer is yes. [Read more…] about Trees are good for human health
Pharmaceuticals disrupt sensitive stream habitat
Pharmaceutical pollution is found in waters throughout the world. Causes include sewage overflows, aging infrastructure, and agricultural runoff. Even when waste water makes it to sewage treatment facilities, they aren’t equipped to remove most pharmaceuticals. [Read more…] about Pharmaceuticals disrupt sensitive stream habitat
Improving water, improving lives
Add water pollution to the list of ills suffered by under-served urban communities. Economically-depressed neighborhoods are hotspots for water contamination due to aging sewer and storm-water systems. Optimistically, a new study suggests that water cleaning and community greening can go hand-in-hand. [Read more…] about Improving water, improving lives
Dust in the wind
Increasingly, atmospheric chemists are understanding the importance of dust particles—known as aerosols—in our atmosphere. Many aerosols are rather large particles that fall out of the atmosphere fairly quickly. But, some small particles are held aloft and undergo long-distance transport in the atmosphere. Each year winds bring more than 6,000 tons of dust from Asia to the west coast of the United States. [Read more…] about Dust in the wind
The future of woodland pools
Woodland pools are temporary wetlands that provide important habitat to forest wildlife. They also help mitigate floods. While land development is a major threat to woodland pools, there are also subtle changes that undermine their health. [Read more…] about The future of woodland pools
Why woodland pools are worth protecting
Woodland pools are temporary wetlands that provide an array of benefits, from buffering against floods to ensuring future populations of frogs and salamanders. Given their importance, it would be easy to assume they’re protected. Sadly, this is far from true. [Read more…] about Why woodland pools are worth protecting
Woodland pools: Powerhouses of productivity
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Woodland pools are temporary forest wetlands. While they only last a few months, they produce an abundance of wildlife. During the spring breeding season, a single pool can yield thousands of amphibians. That’s a lot of frogs and salamanders. Pools also produce copious amounts of insects, which are essential food for forest animals. [Read more…] about Woodland pools: Powerhouses of productivity
Woodland pools: Brimming with life
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In the forest, small, temporary wetlands provide essential habitat to a variety of animals. Amphibians are the most widely recognized inhabitants of woodland pools. The fish-less water bodies provide them with the perfect place for mating and laying eggs. [Read more…] about Woodland pools: Brimming with life
What is a woodland pool?
While walking through the forest in early spring, you might hear a raucous quacking off in the distance. Make your way toward the sound, and you’ll likely find a small pool of water bustling with activities. [Read more…] about What is a woodland pool?
Clean water for the future
The Clean Water Act was enacted in 1972 with bipartisan support to protect our nation’s waters from pollution and other forms of degradation. [Read more…] about Clean water for the future
Tuning in to the soundscape
The last time you took a walk through the woods or a meadow, you may have admired the towering trees, a boldly patterned butterfly, or a beautifully plumaged bird. But were you aware of the sounds around you—from both wildlife and human sources? [Read more…] about Tuning in to the soundscape
An update on offshore wind
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The planned wind farm in Nantucket Sound known as Cape Wind was the first offshore wind energy project proposed in the United States, back in 2001. Since that time, the project has been through a bewildering permitting, approval, and assessment process involving multiple federal and state agencies. It has also been the subject of numerous lawsuits. [Read more…] about An update on offshore wind
Curbing carbon pollution
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