Written by rjs, MarketWatch 666This is a collection of interesting news articles about the environment and related topics published last week. This is usually a Tuesday evening regular post at GEI (but can be posted at other times).
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DURHAM, N.C. - Decades after federal bans ended widespread use of lead in paint and gasoline, some urban soils still contain levels of the highly toxic metal that exceed federal safety guidelines for children, a Duke University study finds.
To conduct their study, the researchers analyzed and mapped soil lead concentrations along 25 miles of streets in Durham, N.C., a city of about 270,000 people. They found that while soil lead levels have generally decreased since the 1970s, they have decreased much less near residential foundations than along streets.
The researchers collected soil samples near foundations of houses built before 1978. Samples within a meter of the older homes averaged 649 milligrams (mg) of lead per kilogram (kg) of soil, more than three times the average level detected near streets, which was 150 mg/kg.
Decades after federal bans ended widespread use of lead in paint and gasoline, some urban soils still contain levels that exceed federal safety guidelines for children, a new study finds.
Researchers analyzed and mapped soil lead concentrations along 25 miles of streets in Durham, North Carolina, a city of about 270,000 people. They found that while soil lead levels have generally decreased since the 1970s, they have decreased much less near residential foundations than along streets.
The researchers collected soil samples near foundations of houses built before 1978. Samples within a meter of the older homes averaged 649 milligrams (mg) of lead per kilogram (kg) of soil, more than three times the average level detected near streets, which was 150 mg/kg.
Experts: Identifying COVID-19 origin important, predicting next pandemic vital
By (0) Efforts to find the origins of the coronavirus are important, but spotting the next pandemic is crucial, experts say. Illustration courtesy of CDC
March 11 (UPI) Finding the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19 could guide public health efforts aimed at ending the current pandemic, experts from Duke University said Thursday.
However, identifying new bugs that threaten to start the next one is even more vital, they said during a conference call with reporters hosted by the school.
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Learning where the coronavirus first jumped from animals to humans will certainly help us put together the puzzle for this pandemic, Dr. Gregory Gray said on the call.
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IMAGE: Mature western forests, such as this stand of mixed conifers in California s Sequoia National Park, may be less able than younger forests back East to reseed themselves and regenerate following. view more
Credit: USGS
DURHAM, N.C. Younger, smaller trees that comprise much of North America s eastern forests have increased their seed production under climate change, but older, larger trees that dominate forests in much of the West have been less responsive, a new Duke University-led study finds.
Declines in these trees seed production, or fecundity, could limit western forests ability to regenerate following the large-scale diebacks linked to rising temperatures and intensifying droughts that are now occurring in many states and provinces.