Latest Environmental science Stories

Biodiversity hot spots -- the world's biologically richest and most threatened locations on Earth -- and high biodiversity wilderness areas -- biologically rich but less threatened -- are some of the most linguistically diverse regions on our planet, according to a team of conservationists. "Results indicate that these regions (hot spots and high biodiversity wilderness areas) often contain considerable linguistic diversity, accounting for 70 percent of all languages on Earth," the...

Loss of biodiversity appears to impact ecosystems as much as climate change, pollution and other major forms of environmental stress, according to a new study from an international research team. The study is the first comprehensive effort to directly compare the impacts of biological diversity loss to the anticipated effects of a host of other human-caused environmental changes. The results highlight the need for stronger local, national and international efforts to protect...

Levels of copper, cadmium, lead and other metals in Southern California's coastal waters have plummeted over the past four decades, according to new research from USC. Samples taken off the coast reveal that the waters have seen a 100-fold decrease in lead and a 400-fold decrease in copper and cadmium. Concentrations of metals in the surface waters off Los Angeles are now comparable to levels found in surface waters along a remote stretch of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Sergio...

Landmark legislation helped clean up LA's coastal waters over the past 40 years, study indicates Levels of copper, cadmium, lead and other metals in Southern California's coastal waters have plummeted over the past four decades, according to new research from USC. Samples taken off the coast reveal that the waters have seen a 100-fold decrease in lead and a 400-fold decrease in copper and cadmium. Concentrations of metals in the surface waters off Los Angeles are now comparable to...

Connie K. Ho for RedOrbit.com 13,000 premature deaths in the United Kingdom were caused by emissions from cars, planes, power plants, and trucks, according to a new study by MIT Researchers. The findings, published in this month’s issue of the journal Environmental Science and Technology, are based off of data from 2005. Steven Barrett and co-author Steve Yim found that car and truck exhaust was the leading cause of premature death. 3,300 affected people died each year, as compared to...

Scientists ford high-mountain waterways in North, South America to find out Scientists supported by NSF SEES use everything from microscopes to deep-sea submersibles in their research. But how many SEES scientists need a machete? During Earth Week--or any time of year--that's exactly what LeRoy Poff requires. Poff is an aquatic ecologist and evolutionary biologist at Colorado State University and an NSF Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability- (SEES) Dimensions of...

New study shows that plant species living in urban backyards are closer related to each other and live shorter than plant species in the countryside Minneapolis/ Halle/Saale. Cities in both, the US and Europe harbor more plant species than rural areas. However, plant species of urban areas are closer related to each other and often share similar functions. Consequently, urban ecosystems should be more sensitive towards environmental impacts than rural ecosystems. This is concluded by...

WORCESTER, Mass., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ThermoEnergy Corp. (OTCBB: TMEN) (www.thermoenergy.com) CEO Cary Bullock said that huge, growing global markets in clean air, clean water, and food are creating opportunities worldwide for ThermoEnergy's technology portfolio. Bullock noted in an interview with the GLX-TV Financial News network that China, Europe, Latin America and the U.S. all are seeking clean solutions to problems ranging from carbon and ammonia capture to protect...

William Priore C.P.G, L.P.G announces the award of Construction Management Contract to Strategic Sediment Solutions LLC for multimillion dollar, 5 mile River Restoration project in Northern Indiana. Lynchburg, Ohio (PRWEB) April 14, 2012 William Priore C.P.G, L.P.G announces the award of Construction Management Contract to Strategic Sediment Solutions LLC for the multimillion dollar, 5 mile river Restoration and land protection project in Northern Indiana. “We are very pleased and...

Scientists say worldwide collections, existing experts and technology make charting 10 million species in less than 50 years achievable; a necessary step to sustain planet's biodiversity An ambitious goal to describe 10 million species in less than 50 years is achievable and necessary to sustain Earth's biodiversity, according to an international group of 39 scientists, scholars and engineers who provided a detailed plan, including measures to build public support, in the March 30 issue of...