Water and ecosystems are still severely impacted by chemicals from the energy sector and agriculture. Photo: Pexels free for personal and commercial purposesPhoto: Pexels free for personal and commercial purposes

Only one-third of water bodies in Europe is in good condition

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According to the latest report of the EU Environment Agency, the use of pesticides in agriculture continues to impact water quality in Europe. That's why we need to improve the management of aquatic ecosystems to increase resilience
In fields surrounded by trees, the presence of hoverflies is more than 30 times higher than in cultivated areas surrounded by meadows. Photo: Jean and Fred Hort Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedIn fields surrounded by trees, the presence of hoverflies is more than 30 times hPhoto: Jean and Fred Hort Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Trees around cultivated fields increase crop yields

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According to a Canadian study, the presence of trees increases the number of insects that contribute to pollination and the fight against crop pathogens
Researchers theorise that the severity of fires in Siberia could increase by as much as 350% by the end of the 21st century. Photo: Savin Igor Igorjevich Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedSavin Igor Igorjevich Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

A warmer Arctic fuels Siberian wildfires

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Global warming, says a Chinese study, promotes wildfires which, in turn, reduce the frequency of rainfall leading to a vicious cycle
Climate change and increasing pressure from human activities generate an increased release of metals from coasts to oceans. Pickpik Royalty-Free photo

Climate change enhances metal release in coastal areas

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Events such as rising sea levels, increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation affect metal sequestration conditions in underground estuaries, explains a Swedish study
The crystal structure of graphene. Thanks to their many properties, nanomaterials can be used in a variety of applications. Photo: AlexanderAlUS Attribution - Share Alike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedAlexanderAlUS Attribution - Share Alike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Nanomaterials offer a solution for groundwater remediation

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A group of Indian researchers used cellulose-coated nano-zerovalent iron particles to successfully clean up chromium-contaminated water
Degraded soil promotes ‘hidden hunger’ that occurs when food quality does not meet nutritional requirements Photo: USDA NRCS South Dakota Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedUSDA NRCS South Dakota Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

‘Stop land degradation or we will face health risks,’ say activists ahead of COP29

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Land degradation poses a global threat to human health, activists recall as the UN Climate Convention in Baku approaches. In the US, 95 per cent of land at risk
Pollution by heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics and nanoplastics causes cardiovascular damage by interacting with protein-bound thiols, inducing oxidative stress and inflammation and altering circadian rhythms. Photo: PXHERE CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPXHERE CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Soil pollution causes the spread of cardiovascular diseases

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Contamination of soil, water and air causes around 9 million premature deaths per year, a German study says. More than half are of cardiovascular origin
Invertebrates are crucial for maintaining soil health and providing key ecosystem services. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredImage: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

For soil invertebrates, pollution is a worse threat than climate

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A meta-analysis of more than 600 studies shows that pollution is the most critical factor for the conservation of soil invertebrate biodiversity
Working at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, researchers from the University of Southern California want to create a predictive method of carbon loss in coastal areas. Photo: Nandaro Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedPhoto: Nandaro Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Sea level rises threatening wetland carbon

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L'ascesa del livello del mare mette a rischio la capacità di stoccaggio del carbonio alterando la presenza dei microbi e la vegetazione, osservano i ricercatori americani
In drier rice fields the amount of arsenic is reduced but the amount of cadmium increases. Photo: pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredpxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Irrigation of rice fields impacts on metal uptake

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A University of Delaware study highlights the impact of water supply in determining the concentration of arsenic and cadmium in rice plants. But the mechanism is complex and a solution is yet to be found

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