Water


Using trees to detect contaminants and health threats

Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology have developed a method to detect the presence of soil and groundwater contamination without turning a shovel or touching the water.

Scientists Can Track Origin of Shark Fins Using DNA Zip Coding

An international team of scientists has used DNA to determine that groups of dusky sharks and copper sharks living in different coastal regions across the globe are separate populations of each species.

Study finds flame retardants at high levels in dogs

Indiana University scientists have found chemical flame retardants in the blood of pet dogs at concentrations five to 10 times higher than in humans, but lower than levels found in a previous study of cats.

Gulf Coast Leaders Mobilize to Aid Tornado-ravaged Communities

The Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health has partnered with the Black Belt Community Foundation to provide emergency grants to assist some of the hardest-hit low-income communities affected by the deadly tornado clusters that hit the South.

"Million Dollar Reef Sharks" an Economic Driver for Palau

A single reef shark can contribute almost $2 million in its lifetime to the economy of Palau.

University of Michigan Improves irrigation system for water cost savings

Installation of a water-conserving irrigation system has helped the University of Michigan reduce the amount of water used on irrigation by 68 percent.

Mercury

Most Mercury Waste Regulations Fail to Account for Vapor Release

Chemical transport regulations don't always take into consideration the fact that mercury vaporizes at room temperature.

Managing California's Water: From Conflict to Reconciliation (With Video)

The rapid decline of salmon and the steady increase in the number of endangered fish species show that a new approach is needed to manage California's aquatic ecosystems.



IKEA Powers Up Solar Array at Brooklyn, N.Y., Store

<p>Con Edison and New York City commissioned and certified the solar energy system on the Brooklyn, N.Y., IKEA store. As one of the largest commercial rooftop installations in the city’s five boroughs, the 200 kW array occupies 19,000-square feet, with four module types, totaling 1,104 panels. The array will generage 240,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of eliminating the emissions of 32 cars, or providing electricity for 20 homes yearly. This effort reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainable business practices in addition to reducing its carbon footprint.</p><p> “We are very excited about enhancing the sustainable contribution IKEA Brooklyn continues to make in the local community by generating electricity through solar panels atop our store,” said Mike Baker, the store’s manager. “This initiative helps improve the environment and contributes to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many.”</p><p> Other IKEA U.S. sustainable building initiatives include a solar energy systems operational in two stores and under construction in nine others. Additionally, both a solar energy and geothermal system were incorporated into the Denver-area store opening this year in Centennial, Col. IKEA Brooklyn additionally has 70,000 square feet of green roof, a 6.5-acre waterfront esplanade, multiple transit options and has been certified as a brownfield redevelopment. The store also has been certified LEED Silver.</p><p> The 346,000-square-foot Brooklyn store opened June 18, 2008, on 22 acres along the Erie Basin waterfront in Red Hook, south of the BQE/Gowanus Expressway and southeast of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. </p><p>

CocaCola, DASANI Reward Thousands of Fans for Random Acts of Greenness

To celebrate Earth Month, DASANI Blue Crews headed to Nationals Stadium Thursday night to "catch" D.C. fans green handed doing eco-friendly deeds.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Announces New Grants for Sustainable Fisheries

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced the first round of grant awards from its Fisheries Innovation Fund, a program launched in 2010 to support sustainable fisheries in the United States.

Solar Plane Attempts First International Flight (With Video)

Solar Impulse, under the patronage of the European Commission, has selected Brussels as its first international destination.

Electric Vehicles for Military, Security, Police

The latest IDTechEx report concerns electric vehicles for military, security and police duty.

Breakthrough Water Cleaning Technology Could Lessen Environmental Impacts from Shale Production

A novel water cleaning technology currently being tested in field demonstrations could help significantly reduce potential environmental impacts from producing natural gas from the Marcellus shale and other geologic formations.

NASA: Chicken Fat Fuel Emissions Look Cleaner, Greener

NASA recently performed emissions testing on alternative, renewable fuels for a greener and less petroleum-dependent future.

NIST Prototypes Framework for Evaluating Sustainability Standards

NIST researchers have prototyped a framework to help organizations sort through the welter of choices and evaluate and implement sustainability standards most appropriate for their operations and interests.

Research Aims to Improve Natural Gas Extraction From Shale Formations

Researchers will study shale and tight-sand formations at the molecular level to understand how it moves through pores a few nanometers in size.

Landmark Legislation to Capture Roadside Energy (With Video)

Technology can capture the energy lost as all automobiles move along a stretch of pavement and place that power into the electrical grid.

Obama Administration Affirms Comprehensive Commitment to Clean Water

Recognizing the importance of clean water and healthy watersheds to our economy, environment and communities, the Obama administration released a national clean water framework today that showcases its comprehensive commitment to protecting the health of America’s waters.

Buffalo, N.Y., Bans Fracking in Groundbreaking Vote (With Video)

Citizens and clean water advocates heralded N.Y.'s Buffalo Common Council’s move to become the first city in New York State—and the second major city nationwide—to ban hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.