EurekAlert! News by Subject: Earth Science - News by Subject: Earth Science

Earth Science

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 8-Apr-2026 11:16 ET (8-Apr-2026 15:16 GMT/UTC)

Machine learning reveals how biochar can curb phosphorus pollution from farmland

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

A new study has shown that biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass, can significantly reduce phosphorus losses from agricultural soils, offering a promising solution to one of the leading causes of water pollution worldwide. By combining environmental science with machine learning, researchers have developed a powerful predictive tool to optimize how biochar is used in real-world farming systems.

Journal: Biochar

Engineered biochar and bacteria team up to lock toxic metals in polluted soils

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

Heavy metal contamination from industrial activities remains a major environmental challenge worldwide, especially at sites affected by lead and zinc smelting. Now, a new study offers a promising, low-cost strategy to stabilize multiple toxic metals in soil using a novel combination of biochar and beneficial bacteria.

Journal: Biochar

Biochar and plant hormone team up to protect wheat from toxic metals and drought

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

A new study reveals that combining biochar with a natural plant hormone can significantly improve wheat’s ability to withstand two major agricultural threats: cadmium contamination and drought.

Journal: Biochar

Intelligent monitoring pipe detects and predicts 3D soil settlement

Optica
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An intelligent monitoring pipe combines optical sensing with machine learning algorithms to monitor and predict 3D soil settlement, which could help provide early warnings of risks from soil settlement and prevent pipeline displacement and accidents from building cracks.

Journal: Optics Express

Natural disasters trigger 69% surge in public protests across Latin America, new research finds

Society for Risk Analysis
Peer-Reviewed Publication

When a natural disaster strikes a Latin American community, the damage doesn't stop at downed power lines and flooded streets. A new study finds that disasters trigger a 69% spike in public protests in affected districts, a social fallout that emergency planners rarely account for and that current disaster response systems are not designed to address.

Journal: Risk Analysis

Researchers reveal hidden ecological conflict threatening mountain biodiversity in mid elevations

Science China Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A recent study published in National Science Review has revealed that mountain biodiversity conservation were facing a critical but overlooked vertical mismatch. Human pressure, biodiversity richness and protected area coverage were misaligned along elevation gradients, with mid elevations emerging as ecological conflict zones. As human activities expanded upslope under climate and land use pressures, biodiversity hotspots remained insufficiently protected. The study proposed elevation-stratified conservation strategies to improve the effectiveness of global mountain biodiversity conservation.

Journal: National Science Review

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Scripps Institution of Oceanography partner for innovative conservation efforts

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Business Announcement

Today, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography announced a formal partnership through the Agile Restoration & Conservation Hubs (ARCH) initiative. With over 200 years of combined experience in scientific research and public outreach, the two organizations aim to jointly accelerate innovation and expand their global conservation impact.

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