Remediation – envirobites

Biodegradable plastics are being introduced as a solution to the buildup of plastics in the environment, and they are often touted as being an environmentally-friendly option. However, they come with their own complications. Researchers have investigated how specific biodegradable plastics break down (or don’t) in different environments, showing that how they are disposed of makes a big difference in how environmentally-friendly they are.

Environmental Science Remediation

Can nanoparticles help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy manure?

January 21, 2019January 27, 2019 Elizabeth Brannon 0 Comments Climate Change, greenhouse gases, Nanoparticles

Increasing greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to climate change. In the United States, livestock production is one sector contributing to the increase in emissions. This study looked at whether nanoparticles could be used to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cow manure.

Colombian President Santos Signs a Peace Accord With FARC Leader Jiménez. Pictured: a crowd watches a large screen that shows hands signing a document

Cities Climate Environmental Science Remediation

The Ecological Price of Peace in Colombia

December 3, 2018December 9, 2018 Abigail Lewis 0 Comments Climate Change, Conflict, Conservation, policy

Half a century of conflict in Columbia is finally coming to an end. But decreased political tension may lead to more pressure on natural resources. How can Columbia adapt to changing political and planetary climates without sacrificing critical ecosystem services?

Case Studies Cities Environmental Science Remediation

City phosphorus, country phosphorus: can we mitigate P in different environments?

October 23, 2018October 28, 2018 Laura Mast 0 Comments agricultural pollution, agriculture, dead zone, eutrophication, nonpoint source pollution, nutrient pollution, phosphorus, urban water management, wastewater treatment

Phosphorus is essential for life, but there is such thing as too much of a good thing. In excess, phosphorus can cause algal blooms, creating dead zones in bodies of water. How do we prevent phosphorus from entering water systems? Katrina Macintosh and her team did a comprehensive review to track phosphorus from diffuse sources to find out.

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health Remediation

Can soil help remove antibiotics from wastewater effluent?

October 9, 2018October 11, 2018 Elizabeth Brannon 0 Comments antibiotics, groundwater, Soil, wastewater effluent, wastewater treatment

Antibiotics are finding their way into surface waters via wastewater effluent where they pose a threat to the environment and organisms including humans. Many wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove antibiotics. This study explores the use of soil to reduce the amount of antibiotics that enter the environment.

A screenshot of photos submitted to the california herp atlas. The screenshot includes nine photos of snakes

Cities Environmental Science Remediation

This website helps ordinary people collect data to save snakes

October 5, 2018October 11, 2018 Abigail Lewis 0 Comments citizen science, Conservation, Ecology, snakes

With a limited amount of time and money available for conservation efforts, it’s critical to know which species are the most vulnerable. Unfortunately, that assessment requires a virtually impossible amount of data. Citizen scientists from North and South Carolina have filled this critical gap by collecting 7,684 snake observations from every county in the two states over the course of eight years. Here’s what they found.

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health Remediation

Ornamental Plants Don’t Dye

August 24, 2018August 24, 2018 Bianca Ross 0 Comments constructed wetlands, ornamental plants, phytoremediation, textiles, Wastewater, wastewater treatment

Wastewater from textile factories contains chemicals, such as synthetic dyes, that can threaten both the environment and human health. Discharging wastewater to constructed wetlands is a common method for wastewater treatment. Recently, researchers investigated the viability of cultivating constructed wetlands with ornamental plants for the treatment of textile effluent in the hopes of discovering an aesthetically pleasing option for treatment.

pollinators visiting flowers near a solar farm

Environmental Science Remediation

Can solar farms help agricultural farms?

August 15, 2018August 14, 2018 Kristen Brown 0 Comments agriculture, energy, pollinators, solar

Electricity and food are two things each of us consumes every day. It is possible that by making smart choices, we can help grow more food while also generating electricity. Pollinating insects are an important part of agriculture in the US, and we can make electricity choices to increase the number of those insects near our farms.

Case Studies Environmental Science Remediation Science through time

“Leave it to beavers!” Say the fish.

July 11, 2018 E.M.B. Doran 0 Comments Ecology, ecosystem services, ecosystems, environmental science, fisheries, Restoration, water, Water Cycle, water management, water quality, wetlands

Humans are masters of ecosystem engineering. But so are many other creatures, not least among them: Beavers. Paper

Three people rock climbing El Chorro in Spain

Environmental Science Remediation

Living on the Edge: Rock climbing changes plant communities on cliffs

July 2, 2018July 2, 2018 Abigail Lewis 0 Comments cliffs, Conservation, Ecology, environmental science, policy, Restoration, Sustainability

Surges in the popularity of rock climbing have made previously inaccessible cliff faces into tourist hotspots. How does this affect cliff ecosystems? Is there anything we can do?

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