A recent study published in National Science Review reveals that the spring Southern Annular Mode (SAM) underwent a marked spatial shift around 1998. Since then, its wave-like features have strengthened, enhancing its delayed impact on Antarctic summer sea ice. The 2022 and 2023 record-low events both followed strong spring positive SAM anomalies. The study further suggests that ENSO, through more frequent positive SAM-La Niña co-occurrence, may amplify SAM’s influence on Antarctic sea ice.

A new study shows that thiol-modified biochar can maintain long-term mercury immobilization in contaminated soils, even when repeated drying and rewetting mimic heatwave-accelerated weathering.

UMBC researchers are using NASA’s PACE satellite to map fall colors by tracking changes in leaf pigments like chlorophyll, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. The new method provides more precise timing of peak autumn color than traditional indices, with applications for tourism, monitoring plant stress, and understanding climate impacts.

The valence state of iron in majorite, a major mineral in the deep interiors of Earth and Mars, was determined using high-pressure experiments and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) analysis. The results show that majorite contains moderate amounts of Fe³⁺, suggesting that it may have played an important role in controlling the oxidation state of planetary mantles and in the formation of oxidized magmas near the surface after planetary formation.

In a new study, researchers have directly confirmed for the first time that water from melting snow and ice, or meltwater, found at the surface of a glacier can drain down to its base, causing the glaciers in Antarctica to speed up and move towards the ocean. 

Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin have found that there’s a significant amount of rare earth elements trapped in the coal and coal ash supply of the Gulf Coast — with a total value of over $187 billion. However, when broken down by the ton, the value of rare earth elements is relatively low: less than $5 per ton for both coal and coal ash. While that return is likely not enough to found a new industry for exclusively extracting the rare earth elements, it could be appealing for companies that are already processing coal and coal ash for other purposes — from fuel to road materials.

A new study reveals that biochar can do more than simply trap pollutants. It may actively redirect antibiotic movement in structured soils, helping reduce the risk of contamination in nearby water systems.