Environmental science
The latest chemistry news and research on environmental science, including atmosphere, climate, water and space, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
-
OpinionGetting into the weeds of the glyphosate debate
Assessments of the risk posed by the controversial herbicide depend on how the evidence is weighed
-
NewsHow emergency services prepare for major chemical spills
Meet the experts who prepare emergency responders for the worst case scenario
-
ResearchKakhovka dam attack exposed ‘toxic time bomb’ of heavy metal pollution
Newly exposed sediments are estimated to contain around 83,000 tonnes of heavy metals
-
ResearchInorganic mechanism driving mysterious surge of powerful greenhouse gas
Sunlight triggers nitrous oxide production in ocean surface water
-
FeatureThe glyphosate debate
The EU has recently approved the use of glyphosate for another decade. Bárbara Pinho examines the controversial pesticide’s presence in British farming and considers the possibility of a ban in the UK
-
BusinessUS drops chloroprene emissions lawsuit against Denka
Government says lawsuit stretched legal definitions in pursuit of ‘environmental justice’
-
NewsGreen light for UK carbon capture projects – but will they deliver?
The country is already behind on targets to capture carbon dioxide and is playing catch up
-
ResearchFerrihydrite in Martian dust may explain red planet’s colour – and hint at water-rich past
Idea of a dry past challenged, suggesting liquid water persisted longer than expected
-
ResearchAccidental discovery depolymerises commercial plexiglass
Light-triggered process breaks down waste plastic
-
NewsFrench parliament approves ban on PFAS in cosmetics, clothing and ski wax
Non-stick kitchenware was exempted followed industry lobbying
-
-
ResearchFlea treatment-tainted pet fur lining songbird nests may be killing chicks
Multiple insecticides in blue tit and great tit nests linked to unhatched eggs, chick deaths
-
ResearchChlorine radicals could be used to destroy methane heading for the atmosphere
Researchers suggest positioning reactors that trigger methane oxidation at landfills and the ventilation exits of underground coal mines
-
ResearchMedieval bear’s teeth shed light on historic heavy metal pollution
1000 years ago, a bear died after falling down a cave shaft in Romania’s Carpathian mountains. Was lead poisoning to blame?
-
NewsPFAS in fertilisers blamed for killing livestock in Texas and wreaking havoc
Exceptionally high levels of ‘forever chemicals’ discovered in soil, water and dead animals
-
ResearchLife’s ingredients discovered in samples Nasa probe returned from an asteroid
Asteroid Bennu found to contain nucleobases, amino acids and ammonia
-
FeatureLow concentration chemicals spur toxicological debate
Improved analytical techniques mean tiny amounts of endocrine disrupting compounds or PFAS can be found in many places. But is it a problem? Anthony King talks to the scientists on both sides of the fence
-
NewsUK public wants action on PFAS but has little faith government will act
Royal Society of Chemistry survey reveals 90% want action on PFAS in food and drinking water
-
ResearchSimulations suggest why highly unsaturated molecules are so abundant in the interstellar medium
Shocks, cosmic rays and x-rays seem to ionise and fragment saturated molecules via mechanisms that result in structures with the highest possible number of π bonds
-
ResearchAir pollution may contribute to almost a quarter of deaths in India
New analysis reveals stark burden of hard-to-tackle particulate pollution