Tag: pollution
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Urgent message for humanity: Sea kelp(!)
David Helvarg’s “Forest of the Sea” emphasises the significance of kelp ecosystems and their perilous decline, paralleling the challenges faced by coral reefs. The book interweaves the biology of kelp with human stories and ecological narratives, urging readers to recognise and advocate for the preservation of these vital underwater forests,…
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Detecting cyanobacterial blooms with NASA’s EMIT
NASA’s EMIT technology utilizes spectroscopy to analyze minerals in Earth’s deserts and has expanded its utility by detecting phycocyanin in wastewater from the Tijuana River. This insight reveals potential health risks linked to harmful algal blooms, significantly aiding coastal water quality monitoring while addressing environmental concerns from nutrient enrichment.
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Microplastics and plants: A surprising connection
Ye Li et al. (2025) discovered that maize leaves absorb airborne microplastics (MPs) through stomata. Finding MPs in vascular tissues, they could potentially move within the plant, e.g., into developing fruits, raising concerns about human consumption. Additionally, MPs were found in leaves of several other human food plants, indicating an…
Plant Cuttings 