Earth
- Humans
Study recalibrates trees’ carbon uptake
Photosynthesis appears to be somewhat speedier than conventional wisdom had suggested, a new study finds. If true, this suggests computer projections are at risk of overestimating the potential for trees to sop up carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.
- Humans
Arctic ozone: ‘Hole’ or just not whole?
This past spring, the Arctic stratosphere’s ozone layer suffered unprecedented depletion. But whether the record loss constituted a “hole” depends on which experts you consult.
- Earth
Arctic ozone loss in 2011 unprecedented
Report describes a ‘hole’ comparable to conditions observed over Antarctica during the mid-1980s.
- Earth
Earth/Environment
Diamonds from the depths have shallow elements, New Zealand earthquake helped triggered its successor and more in this week’s news.
- Earth
Pole flips tied to plate tectonics
A lopsided arrangement of continents could lead to reversals in Earth's magnetic field.
- Humans
BPA: What to make of pollutant-laced kids’ foods
The San Francisco-based Breast Cancer Fund has just released some provocative data on the presence of bisphenol A — a hormone-mimicking pollutant — in every brand-name canned food it tested.
- Earth
Pacific volcanoes share split personality
The dual chemistry of island chains reflects variations in the distribution of ancient material bubbling up from deep within the Earth.
- Earth
Earth & Environment
Toxic consequences of solar power, enduring effects of ancient landslides and more in this week's news.
- Earth
Summer Arctic melt among worst ever
With no obvious weather pattern to explain this year’s near-record annual ice retreat, generally warming climate appears to be the culprit.
- Oceans
Synthetic lint ends up in oceans
Microplastics from clothes and other consumer products evade sewage treatment and end up on beaches, studies find.
-
- Earth
Earth/Environment
Sweet pollution, toxic fumes from dry-cleaned clothes and more in this week’s news.
