The connection between sulfur runoff from South Florida’s sugarcane fields and elevated mercury levels in the Everglades has been made clear by researchers from the University of California, Davis. Their study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that the sulfur applied to manage pH levels in these alkaline soils can trigger a chemical reaction that converts mercury into its toxic form, methylmercury.

The research team collected water and mosquito fish across wetlands fed by agricultural canals, documenting how sulfur runoff can dramatically increase methylmercury concentrations in fish. In some cases, this concentration is up to 10 million times greater than the levels found in the waters where these fish live, posing a significant risk to both human health and wildlife.

“Methylmercury is a neurotoxin that can cross the blood-brain barrier and even the placental barrier,” explained lead author Brett Poulin. “This makes it particularly problematic, as it can affect cognition, development, and other critical processes in humans.”

The Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted by the United Nations in 2013, aims to reduce mercury emissions worldwide. However, the process is slow and uncertain, and the US Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate sulfur like it does nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers.

Interestingly, reducing sulfur use in agriculture could quickly decrease mercury levels in fish, especially considering that over 60% of the Everglades have been found to contain sulfur contamination. Local management actions and sustainability initiatives can help minimize regional sulfur usage, which fuels the anaerobic bacteria and archaea responsible for converting mercury into methylmercury.

The study’s findings provide a clear call to action for local authorities to prioritize environmental sustainability and reduce sulfur use in agriculture. With the involvement of experts from the US Geological Survey, this research offers a tangible solution to mitigate the mercury crisis in the Everglades and protect both human health and wildlife.

The study, led by George Washington University in collaboration with scientists from Washington University in St. Louis and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has mapped air pollution levels and carbon dioxide emissions across 13,189 urban areas worldwide. This comprehensive global analysis provides a powerful snapshot of how urban environments are evolving across the globe.

The research team used data from satellite observations, ground-based measurements, and computer models to measure city-level air pollution and the average amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere between 2005-2019. According to Susan Anenberg, professor of environmental and occupational health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, “This study shows that progress is possible but uneven, with some cities seeing worsening pollution while others are experiencing cleaner air over time.”

Key findings from the study include:

* More than 50% of cities showed links between all pollutants, suggesting they likely come from the same sources and could be reduced together.
* Urban areas in high-income regions with aggressive environmental policies saw simultaneous declines in all pollutants.
* Cities in regions undergoing rapid population and economic growth, including South Asia and parts of Africa, experienced rising pollution and emissions levels.
* Satellite remote sensing provides an unprecedented opportunity to track pollution levels in all cities worldwide.

The study’s integrated approach offers policymakers, researchers, and climate advocates a valuable new tool for assessing the effectiveness of strategies to reduce pollution. By tracking historical pollutant trends and analyzing correlations across air pollution, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon dioxide emissions, the study offers insights into how urban areas can make progress on both climate and public health goals.

Researchers have also created an interactive map and dashboard to track air pollution in cities worldwide, providing a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and climate advocates.

The world is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the proliferation of nanoplastics and microplastics in our environment. These tiny particles, often overlooked, pose significant health and environmental risks. However, detecting them at the nanoscale has been a daunting challenge. That’s why a team of researchers from McGill University has developed a groundbreaking technology that makes it possible to detect these plastic particles efficiently and accurately.

The HoLDI-MS (Hollow-Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry) test platform is a 3D-printed device that overcomes the limitations of traditional mass spectrometry. This innovative tool allows for direct analysis of samples without requiring complex sample preparation, making it a cost-effective and high-throughput solution.

“We’re excited to provide a method that is effective, quantitative, highly accurate, and affordable,” said Professor Parisa Ariya, who led the study published in Nature’s Communications Chemistry. “It requires little energy, is recyclable, and costs only a few dollars per sample.”

The HoLDI-MS platform has significant implications for international cooperation in combating plastic pollution. As part of their study, the researchers identified polyethylene and polydimethylsiloxanes in indoor air, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in outdoor air.

“This technology allows us to pinpoint the major sources of nano and microplastics in the environment,” said Professor Ariya. “More importantly, it enables data comparison and validation across laboratories worldwide, a crucial step toward harmonizing global research on plastic pollution.”

The development of HoLDI-MS is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Funded by organizations such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and National Research Council Canada (NRC), this technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we detect and address plastic pollution.

As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of plastic waste, the HoLDI-MS platform offers a beacon of hope. By providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for detecting nanoplastics and microplastics, this technology can help us take a significant step toward mitigating the impact of plastic pollution on our environment.