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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
With this latest initiative, the UN aims to bring out good practices for tackling desertification, land degradation and drought. Photo: Global Water Partnership Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Global Water Partnership Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

UN is looking for its young Land Heroes

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There is time until Oct. 15 to apply for UNCCD Land Heroes, the UN campaign that aims to bring out success stories in combating drought, desertification and land degradation
In Guatemala, agroecology is considered a key resource to counter the negative effects of spreading monoculture. Photo: Lon&Queta Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Lon&Queta Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Agroecology schools offer support for farmers in Guatemala

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A crossroad between tradition and modern science, agroecology is spreading among farmers in Guatemala through a training program. This preserves ancient practices and protects soil health
Aberdare forest in Kenya. 67% of heterotrophic respiration of microbes is located in tropical soils. Photo: Wanjikucha Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Wanjikucha Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Soil microbes will release 40 percent more CO2 by 2100

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Climate change is increasing the respiration of soil microbes and related CO2 emissions. A phenomenon, says a Swiss study, set to accelerate between now and the end of the century
The use of cover crops is one strategy to improve the health of agricultural soils by promoting carbon sequestration. Photo: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

The solution for the 2030 climate goals lies in agricultural soils

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Jacqueline McGlade, former EEA executive director and co-founder of Downforce say some easy management strategies in agricultural soils can increase the amount of carbon stock by more than 30 bn metric tons
The Tibetan Plateau represents the largest area of Alpine permafrost and a large store of organic carbon. Photo: Rita Willaert Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Rita Willaert Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

In Tibetan permafrost 54% of the carbon comes from microbes

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A Chinese study quantifies for the first time the weight of major soil organic carbon components released due to rising temperatures
The expansion of large-scale agriculture is making the plains of South America more vulnerable to flooding. Photo: Andy Abir Alan Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Andy Abir Alan Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Extensive farming increases flooding in South America

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According to an Anglo-Argentine study, the spread of large-scale agriculture over the last four decades has favoured the rise of water tables in the plains of South America. Substitution of native vegetation has been crucial factor
The figure emerges from an analysis released together with the proposed Soil Directive presented by the EU Commission in early July. Photo: Sébastien Bertrand Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Sébastien Bertrand Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

A sustainable soil pays off as enefits exceed costs by 1.7 times, EU says

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The figure is included in the Impact Assessment accompanying the proposed EU Soil Directive. Between now and 2060, the sustainable management of the continent's land will generate a positive balance of EUR 320 billion
Secondo la FAO la domanda globale di pellicole in plastica per uso agricolo raggiungerà quota 9,5 milioni di tonnellate nel 2030 contro i 6,1 milioni del 2018. Foto: Florian Gerlach Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Polyethylene mulches leave behind ‘negative effects for decades’

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L’ampio utilizzo delle pellicole da pacciamatura nelle colture di fragole si traduce nella dispersione di micro e macro frammenti di plastica nel suolo. Un fenomeno, rivela uno studio californiano, i cui effetti possono manifestarsi per decenni