News by Subject Earth Science

While the polyester leisure suit was a 1970s mistake, polyester and other synthetic fibers like nylon are still around and are a major contributor to the microplastics load in the environment, according to a Penn State materials scientist, who suggests switching to biosynthetic fibers to solve this problem.

Coccolithophores are microscopic marine algae that use carbon dioxide to grow and release carbon dioxide when they create their miniature calcite shells. Scientists from the CNRS, Le Mans Université, Sorbonne Université, Aix-Marseille Université and the ESRF, the European Synchrotron, have revealed the nano-level 3D structure of their calcite shells, providing new perspectives for assessment of the role of these tiny microorganisms in the global carbon cycle.

Geologic carbon and hydrate reservoirs in the ocean pose a climate threat beyond manmade greenhouse gases.

Scientists aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor surveyed deep-sea seamounts outside Isla del Coco UNESCO World Heritage site revealing coral communities with surprising diversity.

FSU Professor of Meteorology Vasu Misra has used detailed surface temperature analyses to develop the first-ever objective definition of the Northeast Indian Monsoon.

According to a group of international researchers, the potential for large countries to contribute to environmental protection is being overlooked. The researchers, spanning 13 universities and three countries, were led by UBC Okanagan's Adam T. Ford and Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellow Laura Coristine. They recently examined the leverage an individual country has when it comes to protecting ecosystem values. And they say it isn't -- nor should it be -- a level playing field.