water

Microalgae Can Clean Domestic Wastewater Without Chemicals or Electricity: Study

Microalgae Can Clean Domestic Wastewater Without Chemicals or Electricity: Study

Scientists have discovered that the tiny green organisms often referred to as “pond scum” offer a low-tech, low-cost method of cleaning domestic sewage in place of expensive wastewater treatment facilities. All over the world, water is cleaned using large wastewater plants designed to remove chemical, biological and physical contaminants from domestic wastewater or industrial effluent. […]

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    Researchers Find Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Out of Home Rain Barrels

    Researchers Find Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Out of Home Rain Barrels

    For water conservationists concerned about keeping pests out of their rain collection barrels, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have some helpful advice. A new study, published in Journal of Medical Entomology, looked into the presence of mosquitoes in rain barrels in the central Illinois region and determined the most effective ways to prevent […]

    New Scorecard Ranks Food Packaging Options by Sustainability

    New Scorecard Ranks Food Packaging Options by Sustainability

    A newly launched guide, called the UP Scorecard, helps consumers and companies identify more sustainable packaging options.  The scorecard tool ranks food packaging based on six main sustainability factors, including water use required for manufacturing, recoverability, chemicals used in manufacturing, plastic pollution, sourcing and climate impacts. “With the launch of the UP Scorecard, businesses and […]

    Scientists Develop Eco-Friendly Clothing and Dish Detergent Made From Wood Fiber and Corn Protein

    Scientists Develop Eco-Friendly Clothing and Dish Detergent Made From Wood Fiber and Corn Protein

    To combat some of the more environmentally harmful chemicals in cleaning detergents, scientists have found a way to turn natural materials, including wood fiber and corn protein, into a more eco-friendly detergent. In a study published in Langmuir, scientists shared their findings on a newly developed detergent that utilizes readily available and renewable materials such […]

    Freshwater Lakes Are Losing Vital Surface Oxygen as Global Heating Continues: Study

    Freshwater Lakes Are Losing Vital Surface Oxygen as Global Heating Continues: Study

    Freshwater ecosystems need adequate levels of oxygen to maintain healthy biological communities and sustain life. But the increasing intensity and frequency of short-term heat waves, along with long-term climate warming, are significantly reducing the levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) on the surface of lakes across the globe, according to a new study. The researchers quantified […]

    River Rescue Kits Empower UK Communities to Tackle Sewage Pollution

    River Rescue Kits Empower UK Communities to Tackle Sewage Pollution

    The newly launched River Rescue Kit provides expert guidance for people in the United Kingdom to take action to help protect their local waterways. The online resource, launched by UK-based environmental campaign organization River Action, can help empower communities to take steps to stop the growing river pollution crisis, a press release from University of […]