In many cities in the United States and Canada, municipal waste incinerators were largely shut down in the 1970s in the face of growing concerns about air pollution. Photo: Fraser, Clayton B. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA Public DomainPhoto: Fraser, Clayton B. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA Public Domain

Waste incineration leaves a heavy legacy in soils

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Where waste was once burned, higher concentrations of lead are detected in the soil, says research from Duke University. With obvious health consequences
Fossil sources are used in the extraction and production of essential elements and substances such as hydrogen and ammonia that form the basis of nitrogen fertilizers Credit: © Natural England/Steve Marston Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Credit: © Natural England/Steve Marston Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

“There’s no Net Zero with nitrogen fertilizers”, Soil Association says

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According to the British association, fossil-based nitrogen fertilizers are an obstacle to achieving Net Zero. In contrast, "there is a need to support nature-friendly approaches"
Increasing urbanization results in the conversion of natural ecosystems into residential areas that incorporate green areas such as parks or lawns. Photo: Md. Nabial Haramian Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Md. Nabial Haramian Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Urbanization promotes increasing emissions from the soil

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As a result of urbanization, soil nitrous oxide emissions increase 153%, according to a new study. At the same time, the ability to absorb methane is reduced
Under drought conditions, microbes produce more atmospheric compounds than they consume. Photo: Flore de Preneuf / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Flore de Preneuf / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Here’s how drought stress alters soil function in the rainforest

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Drought progressively reduces the ability of soil to consume biogenic volatile organic compounds according to a German study. The emission intensifies after soil rewetting
The development of nanomaterials for soil represents just one of the possible uses of nanotechnology. Photo: Kevin Tong/UC Davis College of Engineering Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Kevin Tong/UC Davis College of Engineering Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Nanotechnology and nanomaterials are useful allies in soil protection

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The technological use of nanomaterials in soil stabilization, writes   AZoNano journal, occurs with reduced environmental impact compared to the impact generated by the use of traditional techniques
In addition to economic benefits, the reduced use of nitrogen fertilizer also has environmental benefits. Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lynn Betts public domainPhoto: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lynn Betts public domain

Deep soil testing reduces fertilizer spending

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A study from Texas quantified the average savings associated with reducing fertilizer use after soil testing. For a 1,000-acre U.S. farm, it exceeds $130,000 per year
When installing photovoltaic panels in the ground, leveling, excavation and burial operations can cause erosion. Photo: Mark Buckawicki CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPhoto: Mark Buckawicki CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Solar farms may encourage soil erosion in U.S.

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Virginia Tech researchers will analyze erosion risk in the state's solar installations. In the U.S., the problem is real. But several solutions are available
Present in several products, including fire extinguisher foam, fluoride-based pollutants, so-called PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are extremely difficult to dispose of. Photo: Brett Clashman, U.S. Air Force Public domainPhoto: Brett Clashman, U.S. Air Force Public domain

Ball milling cleans soil of persistent fluoride

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Researchers in New Zealand are testing a solution against fluoride pollution. The technique has made it possible to degrade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the molecular level with 99.9 percent efficacy
L’abbandono delle aree interne e la crisi climatica hanno trasformato le campagne europee, e, con esse, gli incendi che ogni estate colpiscono il continente. FOTO: Karsten Winegeart su Unsplash

Depopulation is changing the fire map of Europe

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L’abbandono delle aree rurali e la crisi climatica hanno trasformato le campagne europee. Con esse cambia la fotografia degli incendi che ogni estate colpiscono il continente
Due to their high carbon sequestration capacity, mangroves are estimated to be able to prevent total emissions of more than 21 billion tons of CO2 worldwide. Photo: Sigit Deni Sasmito/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Sigit Deni Sasmito/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Saudi Arabia also bets on mangroves

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The Kingdom plans to plant 50 to 100 million mangrove trees "in the coming years." An initiative to protect biodiversity that once again highlights the key role of this plant species in mitigating climate and contributing to soil protection

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