A hazy sky and dirty cars are well-known consequences of Saharan dust carried to Europe by air currents. As part of the “PerduS” project, researchers are currently examining how dust – as haze in the atmosphere and deposited on solar panels – affects the output of photovoltaic systems. The aim is to provide a more reliable forecast for the output of photovoltaic systems through a better prediction of the spread of dust.
The Sand Fire in Santa Clarita Offers Omens of a Fiery Future
Southern California’s latest wildfire is a sign of things to come.
GOES-3: One of the Oldest Operating Satellites takes its Curtain Call
The GOES-3 satellite made history on June 16, 1978, when it became NOAA’s third Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) placed in orbit.
Disasters linked to climate can increase risk of armed conflict
Research found that 23% of violent clashes in ethnically divided places were connected to climate disasters
East Valley Water District partners with Esri
Since trading in paper maps for digital ones, the East Valley Water District has been able to monitor its infrastructure and customer water use more efficiently.
Is missing nitrogen hiding out in plant roots?
Study tracks fertilizer destinations in Mississippi River basin
New generation of high-efficiency solar thermal absorbers developed
Researchers are one step closer to developing a new generation of low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells. The structure is one of the world’s first examples of a tri-layer metasurface absorber using a carbon interlayer.
CO2 injected deep underground turns to rock – and stays there
Carbon dioxide rapidly turns into solid carbonates when injected into basalt rocks. Done on a massive scale it could help limit climate change
Pharmaceuticals in streams may come from multiple sources
Pharmaceuticals in surface water such as lakes and streams are a growing concern. They can cause developmental and other health issues in aquatic life. Scientists have largely considered treated wastewater that’s released into the environment as the main source. Now researchers reveal other possible sources.
More is better: Diversity, number of soil animals determine leaf decomposition in the forest
Small animals that decompose fallen leaves in the forest form complex food webs and are essential to a functioning ecosystem. A study comprising over 80 forests in Germany and on Sumatra (Indonesia) has now shown that two factors particularly influence this function when examined over larger landscapes: the number of animals and their species diversity. In previous studies, the connection between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning had been investigated mostly in small test areas.