Rutgers-led study shows the impact of decades-old upstream contamination “Legacy” mercury pollution from decades ago and miles away is an important source of contamination in New Jersey Meadowlands waterways, according to a Rutgers-led study that could help guide cleanup efforts. The study in the Journal of Hazardous Materials identified upper Berry’s Creek and its tributary, Peach Island Creek, in Bergen County, as major …
Algae-Killing Viruses Spur Nutrient Recycling in Oceans
Rutgers-led team confirms an important role for viruses that infect algae in marine waters Scientists have confirmed that viruses can kill marine algae called diatoms and that diatom die-offs near the ocean surface may provide nutrients and organic matter for recycling by other algae, according to a Rutgers-led study. The study in the journal Nature Microbiology also revealed that environmental conditions can accelerate …
Red Algae Steal Genes from Bacteria to Cope with Environmental Stresses
Research could lead to designer algae that produces fuels and cleanup chemicals It’s a case of grand larceny that could lead to new fuels and cleanup chemicals. Ten species of red algae stole about 1 percent of their genes from bacteria to cope with toxic metals and salt stress in hot springs, according to a study in the journal eLife. These red …
Addressing Sea-Level Rise in New Jersey: EOAS Experts at the Forefront of Cutting-Edge Solutions
The rate of sea-level rise in New Jersey is higher than the global average, and yet how is the state preparing its residents and coastline for the impact of a rising ocean? Since Superstorm Sandy struck in 2012, how much has New Jersey done to adapt and prepare for another severe storm or hurricane? In a new Rutgers-produced story, titled …
How to Protect Corals Facing Climate Change
Conserving a wide range of coral habitats is the best strategy The best way to protect corals threatened by climate change is to conserve a wide range of their habitats, according to a study in Nature Climate Change. The finding likely applies to conservation efforts for many other species in the ocean and on land, including trees and birds. “Rather than conserving just the cold places with …
Climate Change Threatens Commercial Fishers From Maine to North Carolina
Rutgers researchers and other scientists document the impact of ocean warming on fisheries Most fishing communities from North Carolina to Maine are projected to face declining fishing options unless they adapt to climate change by catching different species or fishing in different areas, according to a study in the journal Nature Climate Change. Some Maine fishing communities are at greatest risk of …
Warming Waters in Western Tropical Pacific May Affect West Antarctic Ice Sheet
Rutgers study finds weather patterns that may influence global sea-level rise Warming waters in the western tropical Pacific Ocean have significantly increased thunderstorms and rainfall, which may affect the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and global sea-level rise, according to a Rutgers University–New Brunswick study. Since the mid-1990s, West Antarctica – a massive ice sheet that sits on land – …
How is Climate Change Affecting New Jersey?
EOAS Director Dr. Robert Kopp recently contributed to a special piece on NJTV about New Jersey’s climate change threats. The full article can be found here.
Striped Maple Trees Often Change Sexes, With Females More Likely to Die
Rutgers study shows how switching sexes could threaten populations Although pollen has covered cars for weeks and allergy sufferers have been sneezing, we think of sex as being the realm of animals. But plant sex can be quite interesting, especially in species that can have male or female flowers. More than 90 percent of flowering plant species combine both sexes …
Iceland Volcano Eruption in 1783-84 Did Not Spawn Extreme Heat Wave
Massive Laki volcano eruption led to unusually cold winter in Europe, Rutgers-led study says An enormous volcanic eruption on Iceland in 1783-84 did not cause an extreme summer heat wave in Europe. But, as Benjamin Franklin speculated, the eruption triggered an unusually cold winter, according to a Rutgers-led study. The study, in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, will help improve predictions …