Idaho's waters are vital for life and leisure, but many face pollution problems from farming, city runoff, and old mine waste. The Clean Water Act steps in with a tool called Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) to fix this. TMDLs set the limit on pollutants a water body can handle while still being sa
Ever imagined using something as tiny as a grain of sand to clean our water? Scientists have found a fascinating solution with D301 beads. These tiny beads were tested with a common water pollutant called humic acid. Using advanced tools like 3D fluorescence spectroscopy, researchers discovered that
In the Wadden Sea, tiny critters are making a big difference. These worms and small animals, known as benthic infauna, mix up sediment in a process called bioturbation. This mixing matters because it connects the seafloor with the water above, helping nutrients move around. But what happens when the
Microplastics, tiny plastic bits under five millimetres, are causing big trouble in our waterways. These little pieces are gathering in urban freshwater ponds, affecting creatures like Daphnia, which are vital for these ecosystems. Scientists looked at how microplastics affect Daphnia's health and t
Have you ever wondered how we can make oil and water separate quickly and cleanly? Scientists have created a special kind of membrane that can do just that! This membrane is like a 3D sponge made from small molecules linked together. It's also really good at attracting oil (oil-loving, technically s
China is facing a double whammy: water scarcity and excess greenhouse gases. Guess who’s a major culprit? Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)! They guzzle up water and belch out greenhouse gases. The tricky part? These two are connected, like a vicious cycle. Scientists in China’s Yellow River Basin
When it comes to treating water filled with harmful pollutants, there are a few methods that have been around for a while and some newer ones that are gaining attention. Two of the older methods are burning the waste, known as incineration, and using a process called Sequencing Batch Reactor Activat
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, are a growing concern in our oceans. They can hurt sea creatures and pollute our waters. Scientists are now focusing on the smaller ones, less than 300 micrometers, because we don't know much about them. This study compared two filter pumps, the AAU-UFO and KCD
Imagine a water model like WaSiM-ETH thriving in the hilly regions, but it's the flatlands of Northern Germany where it stole the show. While it handled slight inclines with ease, the model faced some bumps in completely flat areas. The key to its success? Understanding how different soil types and
Ever heard of a fish that gets stronger when the water warms up? Meet the cunner fish, a small but mighty creature with a special trick up its fins. Unlike most fish, the cunner's jaw muscles become supercharged as the water temperature rises. This isn't just fascinating, but it also tells us a lot
