Earth

  1. Earth

    Underwater Pavement: Asphalt deposits cover parts of Gulf of Mexico

    Explorations of the seafloor in the southern Gulf of Mexico have revealed lavalike flows of asphalt that are home to a thriving ecosystem of microbes, mussels, tubeworms, and crabs.

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  2. Earth

    Marsh Farming for Profit and the Common Good

    A move is now afoot to get farmers to embrace wetlands as part of their business.

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  3. Earth

    Boats puff up outdoor carbon monoxide risk

    Large congregations of motorboats can produce enough carbon monoxide gas in open air to be hazardous to people.

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  4. Earth

    Tracks of dust devils spotted from space

    Scientists scanning satellite images of the southern Sahara have detected trails left on the landscape by the whirlwinds commonly known as dust devils.

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  5. Earth

    It’s a Gas: Trees emit unknown volatile substances

    The chemical reactions taking place just above a northern Michigan forest hint that trees there and elsewhere may be emitting highly reactive gaseous substances that scientists haven't yet identified or directly detected.

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  6. Earth

    Harm from Plastic Additive Challenged: Early exposure shows no ill effects

    Presumed exposure shortly after birth to a chemical ingredient in plastics shows no evidence of disrupting development in people, according to a small study of teens who, as newborns, received intensive medical care involving plastic hospital equipment.

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  7. Earth

    Hurricanes churn up life-nurturing brews

    Images of the North Atlantic taken from orbit suggest that hurricanes churn the ocean's surface enough to bring cool, nutrient-rich waters to the surface, thereby stimulating algal blooms that can last for weeks.

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  8. Earth

    Prenatal exposures affect sperm later

    Boys exposed in the womb to hormone-mimicking pollutants may mature into men who produce impaired sperm.

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  9. Earth

    Toxic color TVs and computer monitors

    High concentrations of lead can leach from the X-ray-filtering glass used in picture tubes, suggesting that this glass should be treated as hazardous waste.

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  10. Earth

    Chicken Farming, Ammonia, and Coastal Threats

    Chicken farming can contribute significant amounts of ammonia to the environment, including coastal waters.

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  11. Earth

    Lava Life: Hints of microbes in ancient ocean rocks

    Microscopic, carbon-lined tubes in lava that erupted onto the ocean floor about 3.5 billion years ago were etched by microbes, a number of signs suggest.

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  12. Earth

    Sea Change: Ocean report urges new policies

    To combat environmental degradation and encourage sustainable use of resources off the nation's shores, the U.S. government needs to double its investment in marine research, integrate management of coastal and inland ecosystems, restructure agencies that influence the oceans' health and productivity, and take other far-reaching steps, according to a commission created by Congress.

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