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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
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
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
14% of all active ingredients in US pesticides are classified as PFAS, a compound type that poses a danger to the environment and human health. Photo: CGP Grey Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedCGP Grey Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Pesticides in the US are still full of PFAS

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The data of the first study on the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in US pesticides. According to two US organisations, 14% of all active ingredients in US pesticides are PFAS
PFAS contamination hits British otters. © Copyright Peter Trimming ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed© Copyright Peter Trimming ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

Fluoride contamination affects British otters

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Otters deceased near a factory in the UK show traces of toxic perfluorinated alkylated substances that have spread into the environment and soil, a Cardiff University study says
Japan's forests trap about 420 trillion airborne microplastics per year in their canopies. Photo: ajay_suresh CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Genericajay_suresh CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

Forests keep us from breathing in microplastics

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Airborne microplastics latch onto tree leaves, explains a Japanese study. In this way, forests act as sinks thereby limiting their uptake by humans
EPA researchers are testing biochar on the grounds of the Salt Chuck Mine,a former mine located on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska. Photo: Jsayre64 CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 UnportedJsayre64 CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

Alaska researchers use biochar to decontaminate soil from copper

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Researchers want to exploit biochar's ability to absorb heavy metals. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently at work on the soils of a former mine
Invasive weed allegedly developed some adaptability to glyphosate thus reducing its effectiveness. Photo: FWC Fish and Wildlife Research InstituteFWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic

What if invasive weeds were winning the war against glyphosate?

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That's the hypothesis of an American study: in soils treated with glyphosate, plants targeted for eradication are spreading again. A phenomenon that dampens the enthusiasm that has partly surrounded the controversial herbicide since its launch