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Global fine-scale changes in ambient NO2 during COVID-19 lockdowns
The satellite instrument TROPOMI is used to assess ambient NO2 levels at approximately one-kilometre resolution across 215 cities worldwide during COVID-19 lockdowns, finding about 30% lower NO2 concentrations in countries with strict lockdowns.
- Matthew J. Cooper
- , Randall V. Martin
- & Chris A. McLinden
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Article |
Direct radiative effects of airborne microplastics
Preliminary modelling of airborne microplastics suggests that they may be exerting a minor cooling influence on the present-day atmosphere, and continued production could have increasing effects on the climate system in future.
- Laura E. Revell
- , Peter Kuma
- & Sally Gaw
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Letter |
Increase in CFC-11 emissions from eastern China based on atmospheric observations
Emissions from eastern China account for approximately 40 to 60 per cent of the global rise in emissions of trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11), which may be a result of new production and use.
- M. Rigby
- , S. Park
- & D. Young
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Letter |
Industrial and agricultural ammonia point sources exposed
Satellite observations reveal over 200 ammonia hotspots associated with agricultural and industrial point sources, which emit much larger quantities of ammonia to the atmosphere than previously thought.
- Martin Van Damme
- , Lieven Clarisse
- & Pierre-François Coheur
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Letter |
An unexpected and persistent increase in global emissions of ozone-depleting CFC-11
Atmospheric CFC-11 concentrations have been declining less rapidly since 2012; evidence suggests that this finding is explained by an increase in the emission of CFC-11during these years.
- Stephen A. Montzka
- , Geoff S. Dutton
- & James W. Elkins
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Letter |
Oil sands operations as a large source of secondary organic aerosols
The evaporation and atmospheric oxidation of low-volatility organic vapours from mined oil sands material is shown to be responsible for a large amount of secondary organic aerosol mass—which affects air quality and climate change—observed during airborne measurements in Canada.
- John Liggio
- , Shao-Meng Li
- & Drew R. Gentner
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Letter |
Seed coating with a neonicotinoid insecticide negatively affects wild bees
Neonicotinoid seed coating is associated with reduced density of wild bees, as well as reduced nesting of solitary bees and reduced colony growth and reproduction of bumblebees, but appears not to affect honeybees.
- Maj Rundlöf
- , Georg K. S. Andersson
- & Henrik G. Smith
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Letter |
Multi-omics of permafrost, active layer and thermokarst bog soil microbiomes
A multi-omics approach, integrating metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics, determines the phylogenetic composition of the microbial community and assesses its functional potential and activity along a thaw transition from intact permafrost to thermokast bog.
- Jenni Hultman
- , Mark P. Waldrop
- & Janet K. Jansson
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Brief Communications Arising |
Uncertainties in transpiration estimates
- A. M. J. Coenders-Gerrits
- , R. J. van der Ent
- & H. H. G. Savenije
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Brief Communications Arising |
Jasechko et al. reply
- Scott Jasechko
- , Zachary D. Sharp
- & Peter J. Fawcett
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Letter |
Deep instability of deforested tropical peatlands revealed by fluvial organic carbon fluxes
Riverine carbon-14 measurements show that anthropogenic disturbance of peat swamp forest in southeast Asia is causing increased release of carbon that has been stored in the peat for thousands of years.
- Sam Moore
- , Chris D. Evans
- & Vincent Gauci
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News |
Megacities move to track emissions
Scientists monitor greenhouse gases in urban areas as a first step to gauging success of climate initiatives worldwide.
- Jeff Tollefson
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News |
Daily dose of toxics to be tracked
Exposome studies will tie environmental exposure to biological triggers of disease.
- Ewen Callaway
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News |
Mixed reviews for US Clean Water Act
Forty-year-old environmental law has spurred progress in water quality, but problems remain.
- Richard A. Lovett
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News |
Brazil unveils tool to track emissions
Carbon releases lag behind Amazon deforestation.
- Jeff Tollefson
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Letter |
Long-term decline of global atmospheric ethane concentrations and implications for methane
The longest continuous record of global atmospheric ethane levels is presented, showing that global ethane emission rates decreased by 21 per cent from 1984 to 2010, probably owing to decreased venting and flaring of natural gas in oil fields; decreased venting and flaring also account for at least 30 to 70 per cent of the decrease in methane emissions over the same period.
- Isobel J. Simpson
- , Mads P. Sulbaek Andersen
- & Donald R. Blake
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News |
Global network will track acidifying oceans
Remote sensors and research cruises aim to measure aquatic impacts of carbon dioxide.
- Jessica Marshall
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News |
Call for standards in egg bio-monitoring
Scramble of results could undermine common method of pollution monitoring.
- Daniel Cressey
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News |
Database tallies US emissions
Environment agency launches searchable public log of major greenhouse-gas emitters.
- Jeff Tollefson
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World View |
Blue-sky bias should be brought down to Earth
High-prestige research hogs the money, while the needs — and value — of the US science agencies closest to the public are ignored, says Daniel Sarewitz.
- Daniel Sarewitz
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News |
Gulf ecology hit by coastal development
Dubai's artificial islands are affecting marine ecosystems.
- Daniel Cressey
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Research Highlights |
Plastic from clothing hits shorelines
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News |
Canadian ozone network faces axe
Arctic monitoring stations hit by budget constraints.
- Quirin Schiermeier
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News |
US launches eco-network
Ambitious project to systematically monitor the environment on a continental scale is finally ready to break ground.
- Jeff Tollefson
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Comment |
Carbon trading needs a multi-level approach
International agreements are not enough. Interlinked national and regional tools are also needed to reduce carbon emissions, say Mark Maslin and Joanne Scott.
- Mark Maslin
- & Joanne Scott
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Comment |
Conservation science outside the comfort zone
Researchers like to work on projects that start small and slowly scale up. They must think bigger and faster, says Sandy J. Andelman, to tackle today's problems in time.
- Sandy J. Andelman
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Editorial |
Full transparency
Nations should release global nuclear-monitoring data to academics and the public.
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News |
Wildlife threatened by Fukushima radiation
Leaked isotopes likely to affect marine ecosystems more than terrestrial ones.
- Quirin Schiermeier
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News |
Radiation release will hit marine life
Researchers call for extensive surveys to gauge ecological effects of Fukushima.
- Quirin Schiermeier
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World View |
A long shadow over Fukushima
One impact of Japan's nuclear crisis is a dim but definite echo of Chernobyl, says Jim Smith — decades of caesium-137.
- Jim Smith
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News |
Fukushima health risks scrutinized
But scientists are struggling to pick through radiation data.
- Declan Butler
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News |
Radioactivity spreads in Japan
Fallout is localized, but could persist for years in some regions.
- Declan Butler
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News Q&A |
Life as a liquidator
Part of a massive clean-up team, Gennady Laptev recalls his years working to combat Chernobyl's radioactive legacy.
- Mark Peplow
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News |
Radiation data from Japanese disaster starts to filter out
Confidential data held by nuclear test ban organization emerging as key to monitoring Fukushima radiation.
- Declan Butler
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News |
Water flea genome offers revolution in toxicity testing
DNA sequence of Daphnia could help scientists to probe the environment and test chemicals.
- Virginia Gewin
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News |
Gulf-oil studies stalled by scarce samples
Frustration of independent researchers spills out over suspended distribution by BP and US government.
- Mark Schrope
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Editorial |
Turbines and turbulence
Some legitimate questions have been raised over the green credentials of wind turbines. Politics must not block research where it is needed.
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News |
Impacts of Canada's oil-sands operations 'exaggerated'
Report rebuts cancer claims and recommends changes to oversight and monitoring.
- Hannah Hoag
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Editorial |
Citizen scientists
Scientists should speak out on the environmental effects of ventures such as tar-sands mining.
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Comment |
Tar sands need solid science
As Canada exploits its oil sands ever faster, David Schindler calls for industry-independent environmental monitoring to back up better water-quality regulation.
- David Schindler
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News |
Wastewater chemicals dampen fish fervour
Nest protection and mating behaviour are altered by low levels of pharmaceuticals and antibacterials.
- Richard Lovett
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News |
A warming Earth could mean stronger toxins
Climate change may force a rethink of toxicity measurements.
- Richard A. Lovett
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News |
Oil spill cruise finds field of dead coral
Scientific expedition assesses deep-sea damage in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Mark Schrope
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News |
Phosphate fertilizer warning for China
Overuse of the fertilizer has wasted a valuable natural resource and caused serious pollution.
- Jane Qiu
Pesticide use negatively affects bumble bees across European landscapes
Reduce drug waste in the environment