Featured
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| Open AccessAmazon forests capture high levels of atmospheric mercury pollution from artisanal gold mining
The Peruvian Amazon is facing the highest known input of mercury pollution of any ecosystem globally. Intact forests located near artisanal gold mining are particularly at risk from this toxin.
- Jacqueline R. Gerson
- , Natalie Szponar
- & Emily S. Bernhardt
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Article
| Open AccessGlobal climate-driven trade-offs between the water retention and cooling benefits of urban greening
Urban greening can help to mitigate both heat as well as flooding risks, but how these effects interact is not well known. Here, the authors provide a global analysis and show that most cities benefit from one of these two effects, but only few from both.
- M. O. Cuthbert
- , G. C. Rau
- & A. J. Bates
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Article
| Open AccessThe sensitivity of simulated streamflow to individual hydrologic processes across North America
This work investigates the sensitivity of streamflow simulations to individual hydrologic processes at 3316 locations across North America, revealing common sensitivities across watersheds.
- Juliane Mai
- , James R. Craig
- & Richard Arsenault
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Article
| Open AccessRegional trade agreement burdens global carbon emissions mitigation
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will come into force in January 2022. Here the authors quantify ex ante economic and environmental effects following RCEP tariff reductions.
- Kailan Tian
- , Yu Zhang
- & Shouyang Wang
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessReply to “A resurrection of the Haber-Weiss reaction”
- Yumeng Zhao
- , Meng Sun
- & Menachem Elimelech
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| Open AccessUncovering the reaction mechanism behind CoO as active phase for CO2 hydrogenation
Catalytic conversion of CO2 into valuable hydrocarbons is a promising way to mitigate climate change. This work uncovers that cobalt oxide nanoparticles on a titania carrier produce more C2+ hydrocarbons than their metallic cobalt counterpart by following a different reaction mechanism.
- Iris C. ten Have
- , Josepha J. G. Kromwijk
- & Bert M. Weckhuysen
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| Open AccessDecarbonising the iron and steel sector for a 2 °C target using inherent waste streams
The iron and steel industry is emissions intensive. Here the authors explore its decarbonisation potential based on recovering energy and recycling materials from waste streams in 2020-2050. 28.5% of CO2 emissions under sectoral 2 °C target requirements can be reduced in a high-potential pathway.
- Yongqi Sun
- , Sicong Tian
- & Zuotai Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessMorphodynamic limits to environmental signal propagation across landscapes and into strata
A new quantitative tool provides a volumetric assessment of environmental signal propagation and transfer in sediment routing systems, that could have broad applicability and utility in the field.
- Stephan C. Toby
- , Robert A. Duller
- & Kyle M. Straub
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| Open AccessThe rise of grasslands is linked to atmospheric CO2 decline in the late Palaeogene
A better understanding of how grasslands have responded to past environmental changes will help predict the outcomes of future changes. This study explores past climatic fluctuations and shifts in the diversification rate of grasses and daisies, finding strong evidence for a simultaneous increase in their diversification rates following a reduction of atmospheric CO2 in the Cenozoic.
- Luis Palazzesi
- , Oriane Hidalgo
- & Sebastian Höhna
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Article
| Open AccessRobust ultrathin nanoporous MOF membrane with intra-crystalline defects for fast water transport
The development of highly water-permeable membranes is key for the treatment of high salinity waters. Here the authors enhance the water permeability of a metal-organic framework nanoporous membrane via an intra-crystalline defect engineering strategy.
- Xueling Wang
- , Qiang Lyu
- & Yingchao Dong
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Article
| Open AccessMid-Cretaceous marine Os isotope evidence for heterogeneous cause of oceanic anoxic events
“Mid-Cretaceous experienced a series of drastic environmental perturbations called Oceanic Anoxic Events. Here, the authors asses high-resolution Os isotopic records which indicate that most of these events were associated with massive submarine volcanic episodes, but some minor ones were not.”
- Hironao Matsumoto
- , Rodolfo Coccioni
- & Junichiro Kuroda
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessReply to: On the difficulty of achieving differential privacy in practice: user-level guarantees in aggregate location data
- Aleix Bassolas
- , Hugo Barbosa-Filho
- & Jose J. Ramasco
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Article
| Open AccessApplication of copper(II)-based chemicals induces CH3Br and CH3Cl emissions from soil and seawater
Halogenated compounds impact stratospheric ozone. This study suggests agricultural application of Cu(II) chemicals induces abiotic production of methyl bromide and methyl chloride from soil and seawater, contributing to the atmospheric halogen load.
- Yi Jiao
- , Wanying Zhang
- & Robert C. Rhew
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Article
| Open AccessMicrobial enzymes induce colitis by reactivating triclosan in the mouse gastrointestinal tract
Triclosan (TCS), an antimicrobial agent commonly found in consumer products, has been reported to exacerbates colitis in animal models. Here, using in vitro and in vivo approaches, the authors show that gut bacterial enzymes can drive the metabolic activation and gut toxicity of TCS, highlighting an important role of intestinal microbial factors in the complex etiology of colitis.
- Jianan Zhang
- , Morgan E. Walker
- & Guodong Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessOptions for reforming agricultural subsidies from health, climate, and economic perspectives
Springmann and Freund use an integrated modelling framework to show that coupling agricultural subsidies to producing foods with beneficial health and environmental characteristics can improve population health and lower greenhouse gas emissions without reducing economic welfare.
- M. Springmann
- & F. Freund
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Article
| Open AccessPotential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems
A sustainability scenario yields major co-benefits compared to technical solution-focused scenarios, leaving 386 Tg CO2eq/yr of GHG to be released while air pollutants from open burning can be eliminated before 2050, finds study on implementation of circular municipal waste management systems.
- Adriana Gómez-Sanabria
- , Gregor Kiesewetter
- & Helmut Haberl
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| Open AccessEvidence of free tropospheric and long-range transport of microplastic at Pic du Midi Observatory
Microplastics are found in the environment globally, but their atmospheric transport is not well understood. Here the authors report atmospheric microplastic pollution at the Pic du Midi Observatory, suggesting free long range transport in the troposphere.
- S. Allen
- , D. Allen
- & J. E. Sonke
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Article
| Open AccessSecondary organic aerosol association with cardiorespiratory disease mortality in the United States
Fine particle air pollution causes premature death, but the role of different fine particle components in mortality is not well characterized. Here, the authors show the secondary organic aerosol component of fine particle mass is associated with significant cardiorespiratory mortality in the U.S.
- Havala O. T. Pye
- , Cavin K. Ward-Caviness
- & Karl M. Seltzer
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Article
| Open AccessBedform segregation and locking increase storage of natural and synthetic particles in rivers
Here the authors show that hyporheic flow, bed morphology, and bed stability are intimately related, and that this relationship is expressed as distinct locked and segregated states of bedform dynamics, which carries implications for river system behavior in general and the storage of carbon, nutrients, and contaminants in particular.
- J. Dallmann
- , C. B. Phillips
- & A. I. Packman
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Article
| Open AccessTrend towards virtual and hybrid conferences may be an effective climate change mitigation strategy
Moving conferences from in-person to virtual and hybrid modes may have emissions reductions benefits. Here the authors find that the switch to virtual and hybrid conferencing reduces the carbon footprint by 94% when it comes to the switch to virtual conferencing, and 67% for hybrid conferences with carefully selected hubs.
- Yanqiu Tao
- , Debbie Steckel
- & Fengqi You
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Article
| Open AccessRapid increase in dichloromethane emissions from China inferred through atmospheric observations
Dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) is an unregulated ozone depleting substance whose emissions have strongly increased in recent years. Here, the authors show that rising emissions of dichloromethane in China between 2011 and 2019 can explain much of this global increase.
- Minde An
- , Luke M. Western
- & Matthew Rigby
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| Open AccessComparison of potential drinking water source contamination across one hundred U.S. cities
In the U.S. today nearly no surface waters are drinkable without treatment. Here, the authors demonstrate that four-fifths of cities that withdraw surface water are supplying water that includes a portion of treated wastewater, concentrated in the Midwest, the South, and Texas.
- Sean W. D. Turner
- , Jennie S. Rice
- & Landon Marston
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| Open AccessStable isotopes in global lakes integrate catchment and climatic controls on evaporation
An isotope synthesis of 1257 global lakes revealed on average 20% of inflow is lost to evaporation, but 10% of Earth’s lakes show extreme evaporative losses. Stable water isotope monitoring is an effective way to detect comparative climatic and catchment-scale impacts on lake water-balance budgets.
- Yuliya Vystavna
- , Astrid Harjung
- & Leonard I. Wassenaar
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Article
| Open AccessSustainable intensification for a larger global rice bowl
Increasing rice yield while improving resource use efficiency is of great importance. This study examines cropping systems globally to highlight areas where rice production can be improved by prioritizing R&D strategies.
- Shen Yuan
- , Bruce A. Linquist
- & Patricio Grassini
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| Open AccessPricing indirect emissions accelerates low—carbon transition of US light vehicle sector
New research shows how large–scale adoption of electric vehicles due to expected technological change may not only reduce emissions from tailpipes, but also indirect emissions stemming from energy and battery production.
- Paul Wolfram
- , Stephanie Weber
- & Edgar G. Hertwich
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Article
| Open AccessAssessing costs of Indonesian fires and the benefits of restoring peatland
Deforestation and drainage have made Indonesian peatlands susceptible to burning. Here the authors find that Indonesia’s 2015 fires resulted in economic losses totaling US$28 billion, while the area burned and emissions released could have been significantly reduced had restoration been completed.
- L. Kiely
- , D. V. Spracklen
- & H. A. Adrianto
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| Open AccessProduction of hydrogen from offshore wind in China and cost-competitive supply to Japan
Hydrogen is regarded as important to Japan’s clean energy transition. Here the authors consider the production of hydrogen by electrolysis fueled by offshore wind power in China, and the potential for delivery to Japan as part of Japan’s transition.
- Shaojie Song
- , Haiyang Lin
- & Michael B. McElroy
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-decadal increase of forest burned area in Australia is linked to climate change
The degree to which wildfire activity in Australia is affected by climate change is not well quantified. Here, the authors show that the frequency of forest fires and the area burned have increased significantly over recent decades, mainly due to an increase in dangerous fire weather conditions through warmer temperature and circulation changes.
- Josep G. Canadell
- , C. P. (Mick) Meyer
- & Vanessa Haverd
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Article
| Open AccessGlobal predictions of primary soil salinization under changing climate in the 21st century
Excess salt accumulation in the root zone causes soil salinization influencing soil health, biodiversity and food security. Authors used machine learning algorithms to predict global scale soil salinization under changing climate in the 21st century.
- Amirhossein Hassani
- , Adisa Azapagic
- & Nima Shokri
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Article
| Open AccessAn abiotic source of Archean hydrogen peroxide and oxygen that pre-dates oxygenic photosynthesis
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been proposed as an electron donor for photosynthesis before water, however, the amount of H2O2 available on early Earth was thought to be limited. Here the authors propose a new abiotic pathway wherein abrasion of quartz surfaces would have provided enough H2O2.
- Hongping He
- , Xiao Wu
- & Kurt O. Konhauser
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Article
| Open AccessHealth impacts of wildfire-related air pollution in Brazil: a nationwide study of more than 2 million hospital admissions between 2008 and 2018
Brazil is a wildfire-prone region, and few studies have investigated the health impacts of wildfire exposure. Here, the authors show that wildfire waves are associated with an increase of 23% in respiratory hospital admissions and an increase of 21% in circulatory hospital admissions in Brazil.
- Weeberb J. Requia
- , Heresh Amini
- & Joel D. Schwartz
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Article
| Open AccessCutting the costs of coastal protection by integrating vegetation in flood defences
Nearly one-third of the global coastline is vegetated. Incorporating these vegetation belts in coastal protection strategies would result in more sustainable and financially-attractive designs to mitigate the impacts of extreme coastal storms.
- Vincent T. M. van Zelst
- , Jasper T. Dijkstra
- & Mindert B. de Vries
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Article
| Open AccessDelaying carbon dioxide removal in the European Union puts climate targets at risk
The implications of delaying carbon dioxide removal (CDR) are poorly understood. Here the authors highlight the potential extra costs and reduced removal potential of delayed CDR action, with a special focus on direct air capture and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (DACCS and BECCS).
- Ángel Galán-Martín
- , Daniel Vázquez
- & Gonzalo Guillén-Gosálbez
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Article
| Open AccessRapid oxygen exchange between hematite and water vapor
Knowing how individual water molecules interact with surfaces is crucial for understanding surface and interface phenomena. Here, the authors show how local water-water interactions enable an unforeseen and surprisingly rapid mechanism of atom exchange between a common mineral and its surroundings.
- Zdenek Jakub
- , Matthias Meier
- & Gareth S. Parkinson
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| Open AccessMitigation potential of global ammonia emissions and related health impacts in the trade network
Ammonia emissions from agricultural sources can cause severe health impacts. Here, the authors show that about 25% of global agricultural ammonia emissions in 2012 were related to international exported goods and caused 61 thousand PM2.5 related premature deaths, which points out large ammonia mitigation potential in international trade.
- Rong Ma
- , Ke Li
- & Jing Meng
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Article
| Open AccessGlobal distribution, trends, and drivers of flash drought occurrence
Flash droughts can have devastating impacts but are notoriously difficult to predict. This study identifies global hotspots of flash drought, driven by evaporative demand and precipitation deficits across varying geographic regions and crop-type, providing a framework for flash drought prediction.
- Jordan I. Christian
- , Jeffrey B. Basara
- & Robb M. Randall
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Article
| Open AccessCompound jetting from bubble bursting at an air-oil-water interface
How structurally complex interfaces mediate bubble bursting might significantly impact environmental and industrial processes. Here, authors investigate the bubble-bursting jets dynamics of oil-covered aqueous surface and show how these can also disperse insoluble organic contaminants.
- Bingqiang Ji
- , Zhengyu Yang
- & Jie Feng
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Article
| Open AccessDirect copolymerization of ethylene with protic comonomers enabled by multinuclear Ni catalysts
The applications of polyolefins are limited by the nonpolar nature of the polymer. Here the authors show a method to copolymerize ethylene with the protic vinyl acetic acid via well defined multinuclear nickel catalysts.
- Gang Ji
- , Zhou Chen
- & Yong Tang
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Article
| Open AccessIncreased variability in Greenland Ice Sheet runoff from satellite observations
Accurate assessments of ice-sheet runoff are essential for sea-level projections. A new method using satellite altimeter observations can provide near real-time surface mass balance measurements across an entire ice sheet and reveal runoff variability not captured by global climate models.
- Thomas Slater
- , Andrew Shepherd
- & Kate Briggs
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| Open AccessAssessing the importance of thermogenic degassing from the Karoo Large Igneous Province (LIP) in driving Toarcian carbon cycle perturbations
The emplacement of the Karoo LIP occurred synchronously with the Toarcian crisis, which is characterized by negative carbon isotope excursions. Here the authors use carbon cycle modelling to show that thermogenic carbon released during LIP emplacement represents a plausible source for the negative excursions.
- Thea H. Heimdal
- , Yves Goddéris
- & Henrik H. Svensen
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Article
| Open AccessGlobally consistent assessment of coastal eutrophication
Satellite-derived chlorophyll data and Google Earth Engine (GEE) are used to introduce the first global map of coastal eutrophication potential as a GEE app. The prospects of the app being used as a global framework for eutrophication screening/monitoring are discussed.
- Elígio de Raús Maúre
- , Genki Terauchi
- & Michael DeWitt
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| Open AccessGlobal greenhouse gas emissions from residential and commercial building materials and mitigation strategies to 2060
Building construction causes large material-related emissions which present a serious decarbonization challenge. Here, the authors show that the building material sector could halve emissions by increasing efficiency until 2060 but even then its emissions would be twice as high as needed to meet the 1.5 °C target.
- Xiaoyang Zhong
- , Mingming Hu
- & Paul Behrens
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Article
| Open AccessFrom calibration to parameter learning: Harnessing the scaling effects of big data in geoscientific modeling
Much effort is invested in calibrating model parameters for accurate outputs, but established methods can be inefficient and generic. By learning from big dataset, a new differentiable framework for model parameterization outperforms state-of-the-art methods, produce more physically-coherent results, using a fraction of the training data, computational power, and time. The method promotes a deep integration of machine learning with process-based geoscientific models.
- Wen-Ping Tsai
- , Dapeng Feng
- & Chaopeng Shen
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Article
| Open AccessGlobal syndromes induced by changes in solutes of the world’s large rivers
Rivers are increasingly plagued by “syndromes”, i.e. salinization, mineralization, desalinization, acidification, alkalization, hardening and softening. A global look at river biogeochemistry reveals dramatically increased flux estimates and anthropogenic drivers of syndromes.
- Jiang Wu
- , Nan Xu
- & Jinren Ni
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| Open AccessConsidering socio-political framings when analyzing coastal climate change effects can prevent maldevelopment on small islands
Climate change adaptation and sea level rise pose challenges for both natural and societal dynamics. Here the authors analyse coastal processes and socio-political dimensions of erosion, leading to maldevelopment on Fuvahmulah in the Maldives.
- C. Gabriel David
- , Arne Hennig
- & Torsten Schlurmann
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Article
| Open AccessRecycling lead and transparent conductors from perovskite solar modules
Perovskite photovoltaics has become more competitive against silicon counterpart in reducing cost of solar energy, yet the management of toxic lead hampers it application. Here, the authors propose a cost-effective environmental-friendly approach to recycle lead and transparent conductors.
- Bo Chen
- , Chengbin Fei
- & Jinsong Huang
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Article
| Open AccessAntarctic ozone hole modifies iodine geochemistry on the Antarctic Plateau
The Antarctic ozone hole has had far-reaching impacts, but effects on geochemical cycles in polar regions is still unknown. Iodine records from the interior of Antarctica provide evidence for human alteration of the natural geochemical cycle of this essential element.
- Andrea Spolaor
- , François Burgay
- & Alfonso Saiz-Lopez
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Article
| Open AccessDiel cycle of sea spray aerosol concentration
Sea spray aerosol (SSA) are an important way through which oceans can influence the atmosphere’s radiative properties. Here, the authors present measurements taken over a 42,000 km ship cruise in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean and show that SSA number concentrations vary over a 24-hour cycle, possibly linked to surface water bubble-bursting dynamics.
- J. Michel Flores
- , Guillaume Bourdin
- & Ilan Koren