The leak took place along a preexisting section of the Keystone Pipeline. This is the pipeline’s fourth spill in 9 years.
Natural Resources
Arid Arabian Peninsula Is Tapping into Vast Groundwater Reserves
A new, multipronged study sheds light on an ancient aquifer system.
Brazil’s Oil Spill Is a Mystery, so Scientists Try Oil Forensics
Thousands of barrels of oil have been tarring Brazil’s beaches since September, and no one knows why. An oil spill scientist is running oil forensics to find out.
Deforestation Could Exacerbate Drought in the Amazon
Researchers use high-resolution satellite images to parse the effects of land use changes on the energy balance between the rain forest and the atmosphere.
Seafood Farming: A Key to Future Global Food Security
Integration of sustainable marine and freshwater aquaculture with terrestrial agriculture will be necessary for meeting Earth’s future food requirements.
Indigenous Knowledge Puts Industrial Pollution in Perspective
A 3-year project documents how climate change is affecting the sequestration of decades-old mining by-products in Canadian lakes.
Union Leader Talks Coal and Climate
President of mine workers’ union says that combatting climate change is important but it can’t come at the cost of mining jobs.
House Passes Measure to Protect Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The measure, which would repeal an oil and gas development program in the refuge, now needs to pass the Senate, where there is stiff opposition.
The Dawning of the Age of Old Aquifers
A new technique using 81Kr can measure the age of old groundwater in arid regions. The method can be used as a proxy for past climates and weather patterns.
Ousted Head of Science Agency Criticizes Brazil’s Denial of Deforestation Data
Ricardo Galvão was fired from the institute that monitors deforestation in the Amazon. Now he and other scientists are speaking out against attacks on science.
