Environment

Chemistry

Simple process destroys toxic and widespread ‘forever’ pollutants

Ultraviolet light, sulfite and iodide break down these PFAS molecules faster and more thoroughly than other methods.

Animals

Here’s why cricket farmers may want to go green — literally

Crickets are great sources of protein, but they often kill each other in captivity. Green light could help solve the problem, two teens find.

Environment

Bubbles could help remove trash from rivers

One young engineer devised a way to make bubbles sweep away the trash floating down a creek, like the one in her backyard.

Oceans

Night lights make even the seas bright

Light from coastal cities and offshore development may shine deep enough to disrupt tiny critters living dozens of meters (yards) below the surface.

Environment

Ponds made to control floods can spew climate-warming gases, study finds

Younger stormwater ponds can release more carbon in gases than they absorb, a study finds. That could aggravate global warming.

Environment

Analyze This: Corals stash microplastics in their skeletons

Scientists have wondered where the ocean’s microplastic pollution ends up. Corals may trap about 1 percent of particles in tropical waters each year.

Earth

A bold plan to save the planet turns carbon dioxide into stone

Scientists hope that capturing carbon dioxide this way will limit both further warming of our planet and an escalation of extreme weather events.

Environment

We all unknowingly eat plastic, which may host toxic pollutants

In the environment, plastics attract all types of toxic chemicals. If ingested, new data show, chemicals on those plastic bits may harm the gut.

Climate

UN report calls for two-pronged approach to slow climate impacts

The latest IPCC climate change report underscores an urgent need for action to avoid the worst consequences of global warming.

Materials Science

A disinfectant made from sawdust knocks out deadly microbes

It’s made by pressure-cooking sawdust and water, is cheap and easy to make — and could lead to greener cleaning products than chemicals used today.

Environment

Satellites find big climate threats — ultra-emitters of methane

Eyes in the sky show many of the worst methane emitters are in countries that produce a lot of oil and gas, such as Russia and the United States.

Chemistry

New process can transform urban CO₂ pollution into a resource

Researchers have developed a liquid metal that breaks down carbon dioxide in the air, converting it from a climate threat into a valuable raw material.