Climate change and their impact on our planet

Scientists Solve 66-Million-Year Climate Mystery Behind Earth's Shift From Greenhouse to Ice Age Scientists have solved a 66-million-year-old puzzle explaining how Earth shifted from a sweltering, tropical greenhouse into the frozen planet we know today. New research suggests that a sharp decline in oceanic calcium levels following the extinction of the dinosaurs played a decisive role in cooling the planet. Sharp Drop in Ocean Calcium After Dinosaur Extinction The international study, led by researchers at the University of Southampton , found that calcium concentrations in seawater fell by more than 50% over the past 66 million years. Published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences , the findings indicate that this chemical change may have removed vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, weakening the greenhouse effect and triggering long-term global cooling. Related climate, Earth and Space science coverage Seawater Chemistry as a Driver of Cl...

Sunlight in Clouds Creates Hidden Oxidants, Scientists Reveal Atmospheric Chemistry Breakthrough with Global Implications Hydroperoxides are powerful oxidizing agents that play a crucial role in atmospheric chemistry. An international research team, including scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), has now revealed that these compounds can also form from  α -keto acids such as pyruvic acid in clouds, rain and aerosol water when exposed to sunlight . The researchers estimate that these reactions could account for between 5 and 15% of hydrogen peroxide ( H₂O₂ ) observed in the atmosphere's aqueous phase. Published in Science Advances , the findings identify the photolysis of  α -keto acids  as a previously unrecognized source of atmospheric oxidants. Because such oxidation processes affect both the formation and breakdown of airborne particles and pollutants, the discovery has important implications for air-quality and climate modellin...

University of Helsinki Scientists Develop Efficient New Method to Capture Carbon Dioxide From Air Scientists at the University of Helsinki's Department of Chemistry have developed a new method for capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air . The technique was created by postdoctoral researcher Zahra Eshaghi Gorji and represents a potential step forward in atmospheric carbon removal . This development adds to growing global efforts to address climate change, a topic frequently covered on Earth Day Harsh Reality . How the New Carbon Capture Method Works The approach is based on a chemical compound formed from a superbase and an alcohol . Laboratory tests conducted in Professor Timo Repo's research group show that just one gram of the compound can absorb 156 milligrams of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) from untreated ambient air. Importantly, the material does not react with nitrogen, oxygen or other gases commonly found in the atmosphere. This selective behaviour allows the com...

Rare Earth Elements Reveal New Roles in Technology, Biology and the Origins of Life What Are Rare Earth Elements and Why They Matter Rare earth elements, commonly known as REEs , consist of a group of 17 elements that share closely related chemical characteristics. Alongside the two lightest members, scandium and yttrium, the group includes elements such as lanthanum , cerium and neodymium , as well as the radioactive element promethium . Despite their name, rare earth elements are not actually scarce in the Earth's crust. Instead, their significance lies in the uneven distribution of their deposits across the globe, giving them considerable geopolitical importance . REEs play a vital role in modern technology, powering everything from smartphones and powerful magnets   —  including those used in wind turbines — to catalysts and advanced optical components. Ongoing reporting on critical minerals, sustainability and future technologies can be found at FSNews365 , which r...

Climate Change Is Transforming the Arctic's Chemistry, Scientists Warm Climate change is reshaping the planet, with its most dramatic effects emerging at the polar regions. Researchers at Penn State have assembled a comprehensive overview of the chemical dynamics in the Arctic, identifying several independent interactions that influence atmospheric behaviour. As global temperatures rise and polar ice retreats, scientists are increasingly focusing on how chemical feedback loops accelerate Arctic warming. Similar climate-driven transformations and environmental tipping points are regularly explored on Earth Day Harsh Reality , which tracks the hidden mechanisms behind planetary change. Aircraft and Ground Data Reveal Powerful Chemical Interactions Drawing on data from two instrumented aircraft and ground-based measurements collected during a two-month campaign, the scientists compared chemical processes across two Arctic locations and North America's largest oil field with nearb...

Fish-Inspired Filter Removes 99% of Microplastics From Washing Machines, Study Finds Microplastic Pollution From Laundry Wastewater Wastewater discharged from washing machines is widely regarded as a major contributor to microplastic pollution — those minute plastic fragments believed to pose risks to both human and animal health. Scientists at the University of Bonn have now devised a filter to tackle this issue, drawing inspiration from the gill arches of fish. In early trials the patent-pending device removed more than 99% of plastic fibers from washing machine effluent. The findings have been reported in npj Emerging Contaminants. How Washing Machines Release Microplastics A single washing machine in a household of four can generate up to 500 grams of microplastics each year, largely due to the abrasion of textiles. Domestic appliances are therefore among the leading contributors to these microscopic particles. At present, microplastics flow straight into the sewage sludge produce...