As many Americans plan trips to lakes and river this Labor Day Weekend, experts are sending out a warning to watch out for toxic algae blooms. Researchers identified 318 bodies away in the US that have been infected by the microscopic organism called cyanobacteria. Approximately 86 percent of the outbreaks were in recreational areas, but
Marine ecosystems suffer from nutrient pollution, as most of our waste tends to get dumped in the sea. This kind of pollution can become very deadly, as high levels of nutrients foster algal blooms which destroy water quality and deplete its oxygen — in short, they kill everything else around them. New research at the
Whether you visited Renner Reservoir for the first or 10th time this summer, you probably noticed a branchy, aquatic algae called chara covering the bottom of the reservoir. Compared to other aquatic plants, which are referred to as macrophytes, chara forms denser mats offering less habitat for fish and a less palatable meal for invertebrates.
To clean up the pollution in Jordan Lake, North Carolina lawmakers have tried arguing. They’ve tried SolarBees. They’ve even tried ignoring the problem. All those tactics have failed. Now state officials are examining a potential chemical treatment for the lake — yet another experiment on a vital drinking water source for more than 350,000 people.
Industrial-scale beef production is impacting global climate, but scientists have found a way to make cattle-rearing more environmentally-friendly. Around 70% of methane emissions from agriculture is due to cows. Cows release methane, a by-product of their digestion, either through belches or farts. Researchers have discovered that by supplementing a cow’s diet with a type of
Industrial-scale beef production is impacting global climate, but scientists have found a way to make cattle-rearing more environmentally-friendly. Around 70% of methane emissions from agriculture is due to cows. Cows release methane, a by-product of their digestion, either through belches or farts. Researchers have discovered that by supplementing a cow’s diet with a type of
An estimated 9 to 10 percent of Wisconsin wells have tested over safe limits for nitrate. Studies have estimated that 90% of nitrate in groundwater comes from spreading of synthetic fertilizers and dairy manure on farm fields, with most of the remainder from septic systems. Nitrate behaves differently. Relatively little lingers near roots where it
Algenol Biofuels, located in Southwest Florida, was founded in 2006 and is a young, but rapidly developing and sophisticated company. What makes this company different than other young businesses; they are producing ethanol using algae. Algae, simple photosynthetic plants that live in water, are among some of the oldest living organisms on earth. Most species can
Algenol Biofuels, located in Southwest Florida, was founded in 2006 and is a young, but rapidly developing and sophisticated company. What makes this company different than other young businesses; they are producing ethanol using algae. Algae, simple photosynthetic plants that live in water, are among some of the oldest living organisms on earth. Most species can