Blood-Thinning Rat Poison Is Killing Birds, Too

Blood-Thinning Rat Poison Is Killing Birds, Too:
Law-makers in Canada and the United States are making moves to restrict the use of rodent poisons based on blood thinners, as studies show that the toxins accumulate in birds of prey and other animals.
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Streams Affected by Even the Earliest Stages of Urban Development

Streams Affected by Even the Earliest Stages of Urban Development: In a new study by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), it was found that the loss of sensitive species in streams begins to occur at the initial stages of urban development. The culprits are the increased contaminants entering the streams, destruction of riparian habitat, and greater stream flow flashiness. The results of the study show that streams are more sensitive to development than previously believed. The victims are the bruised ecosystems and a reduction in economically viable resources like fishing and tourism.

Ingredient in diarrhea medicine leads to sustainable new farm fertilizer

Ingredient in diarrhea medicine leads to sustainable new farm fertilizer: Washington DC (SPX) Nov 16, 2012



The search for a sustainable slow-release fertilizer - a key to sustaining global food production at a time of burgeoning population growth - has led scientists to an ingredient used in some diarrhea medicines. They describe use of the substance, attapulgite, as a "carrier" for plant nutrients in a report in ACS' journal Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research.

Nigeria Exxon spill spreads for miles along coast

Nigeria Exxon spill spreads for miles along coast: IBENO, Nigeria (Reuters) - An oil spill at an ExxonMobil facility offshore from the Niger Delta has spread at least 20 miles from its source, coating waters used by fishermen in a film of sludge.

Arsenic Contamination from Gold Mining found in India Villages

Arsenic Contamination from Gold Mining found in India Villages: Scientists have found high levels of arsenic in the soil and groundwater near a gold mine in the south Indian state of Karnataka, highlighting health hazards associated with mining the precious metal.

A team of scientists that conducted studies in the Kiradalli Tanda village of Yadgir district discovered arsenic contamination in groundwater 30 times higher than the limit of 10 parts per billion, prescribed by the WHO.

The village, which is four kilometres from a gold mine, had reported several cases of suspected arsenic-induced skin diseases and cancers.

Small farmers cause substantial damage in the Amazon rainforest

Small farmers cause substantial damage in the Amazon rainforest: Small farmers are less likely than large landowners to maintain required forest cover on their property in the Brazilian Amazon, worsening the environmental impact of their operations, reported a researcher presenting at the annual meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) in Bonito, Brazil. Fernanda Michalski, an ecologist with the University of São Paulo and the Pro-Carnivores Institute, analyzed forest cover trends on properties of various sizes in Alta Floresta in the southern Amazon and conducted interviews with farmers on the presence of wildlife on their holdings. She found that small properties (under 440 ha) tend to have less forest cover. Riparian zones are less likely to be maintained, reducing the connectivity of what forest patches do survive, making it more difficult for wildlife to move. Smaller forest blocks were affected by edge effects, leaving them without the cool, dark, stable conditions of the forest interior that some species require. Accordingly large-bodied mammals, birds, and reptiles are scarce on smallholder properties.

China dairy recalls hundreds of cartons of tainted milk

China dairy recalls hundreds of cartons of tainted milk: BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese dairy company has recalled hundreds of cartons of milk after a mechanical error tainted the batch with alkaline water, the latest blow to China's scandal-plagued dairy industry.

China, maior poluidora do mundo, lidera ranking de sustentabilidade da ONU

China, maior poluidora do mundo, lidera ranking de sustentabilidade da ONU: Índice de Riqueza Inclusiva é a proposta lançada na Rio+20 para avaliar o crescimento das economias contando também bens naturais e humanos. China, Alemanha e França lideram o ranking. Brasil aparece em quinto.

China threatened by farmland contamination

China threatened by farmland contamination: Beijing (UPI) Jun 12, 2012


Much of China's agricultural soil is contaminated by pollutants, including arsenic and heavy metals, that pose a threat to the country's food production, experts warn.
Zhou Jianmin, director of the China Soil Association, estimates that 1-10th of China's farmland is contaminated, The Guardian reports. But some estimates range as high as 40 percent and a government assessment isn't likel

Diesel Fumes Cause Lung Cancer, W.H.O. Says

Diesel Fumes Cause Lung Cancer, W.H.O. Says: A study showed that nonsmoking miners who were heavily exposed to diesel fumes had seven times the normal lung cancer risk of nonsmokers.

Scientists investigate dolphin deaths on Texas coast

Scientists investigate dolphin deaths on Texas coast: SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) - Scientists are trying to find out why 119 bottlenose dolphins became stranded and died along the Texas coast in recent months, looking at possibilities ranging from algae blooms to oil pollution.