Month: November 2026

  The impact of wildfires on drinking water can continue for months or even years after the flames have been extinguished, according to a global review led by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC). The study warns that ash, sediment, nutrients, metals and chemicals can enter rivers long after a fire, creating prolonged challenges for water supplies and treatment facilities. Researchers examined 23 scientific studies covering 28 watersheds worldwide comparing water quality before and after wildfires. They analysed changes in sediment, nutrients, heavy metals, organic carbon, dissolved ions and chemicals used in firefighting. The findings revealed that contamination does not always peak immediately after a wildfire. Instead, it can intensify over time, particu...

North America's Lake Superior is so vast that its surface area comes remarkably close to that of the entire island of Ireland. Covering approximately 82,100 square kilometres, the freshwater lake is just 2,321 square kilometres smaller than Ireland, which spans 84,421 square kilometres. This means Lake Superior is around 97.3% the size of the island making it one of the most striking comparisons between a lake and a country. However, the result changes when Ireland is considered as two separate political territories: Lake Superior is actually larger than the Republic of Ireland. The Republic of Ireland covers approximately 70,273 square kilometres, meaning Lake Superior is about 1.17 times larger, exceeding the country's area by 11,827 square kilometres. Northern Ireland which cov...

  China's Yellow River, long known for its muddy waters and heavy sediment flow, is showing a remarkable transformation after nearly eight decades of conservation and river management efforts. Once associated with devastating floods, soil erosion and shifting channels, the country's second longest river is now witnessing improved water quality, stronger flood protection and more sustainable use of its resources. One of the most visible signs of this change can be seen at the famous Hukou Waterfall in Shanxi Province. The waterfall, once depicted on China's 50 yuan banknotes as a turbulent torrent of muddy water now frequently displays clearer cascading waters. Photographer Lyu Guiming, who has documented the waterfall since 1999, says the contrast between its earlier appearance ...

The Pacific has experienced an unusually active tropical cyclone season in 2026, with powerful storms affecting island communities and bringing severe weather to distant regions. NASA satellite observations captured two remarkable developments in late October: Super Typhoon In-fa displaying an unusually large, well defined eye near the Mariana Islands, while the remnants of Typhoon Champi transformed into an extratropical storm approaching Alaska. According to NASA’s Earth Observatory, tropical cyclone activity in the Northwest Pacific has remained elevated since April 2026, when Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck Micronesia, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. By late October, the basin had recorded 25 named storms. NASA's DSCOVR satellite captured the large-scale Pacific weather syste...

For more than 40 years, the Gulf of Panama experienced a predictable seasonal ocean cooling phenomenon that supported marine biodiversity, fisheries and coral reefs. However, in 2025, this natural process weakened dramatically lasting just 12 days instead of its usual 66 days according to a new scientific study. The phenomenon known as ocean upwelling, normally occurs between December and April when northerly winds push warm surface water away from the coast. This allows colder, nutrient-rich water from deeper ocean layers to rise, supporting phytoplankton growth and sustaining the marine food web. Researchers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and collaborating institutions identified the 2025 season as the weakest in at least fo...

Communities living along Ghana’s White Volta Basin have long faced devastating floods triggered by water releases from the Bagre Dam in neighbouring Burkina Faso. Now, researchers are developing an innovative satellite-based flood forecasting system that could provide earlier warnings, helping vulnerable communities prepare for rising water levels and reduce the loss of lives, crops and livelihoods. The Bagre Dam, located approximately 180 kilometres upstream in Burkina Faso, plays a major role in the region's flood risk. During the West African monsoon season, heavy rainfall fills the reservoir and water releases can send powerful floodwaters downstream into Ghana within two to three days. The recurring problem has caused significant damage over the years. The 2007 Bagre Dam spillag...

  An anthrax outbreak has killed at least 28 hippopotamuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) Virunga National Park, raising concerns about wildlife conservation and public health in the conflict hit region. The deaths have been reported along the Semuliki River over approximately four weeks, as drought and ongoing insecurity add to the challenges facing the park's fragile ecosystem. Laboratory tests confirmed that the deaths were caused by anthrax, a serious bacterial disease triggered by Bacillus anthracis. The outbreak has alarmed communities living along the river, particularly as the country continues to deal with a major Ebola outbreak. Deadly Infection Poses Risks to Wildlife and Local Communities According to Virunga National Park authorities, anthrax...

  Abu Dhabi is turning to advanced technology and scientific research to restore its mangrove forests, recognising their crucial role in fighting climate change, protecting coastlines and supporting biodiversity. Through drone-assisted seed dispersal, ecological monitoring and restoration programmes, the emirate is expanding its mangrove cover while working to ensure the long-term health of these vital coastal ecosystems. Mangroves are specialised trees and shrubs that grow along tropical and subtropical coastlines, surviving in salty seawater, oxygen poor mud and constantly changing tides. Their distinctive roots and leaves allow them to thrive in conditions that most other plants cannot tolerate. Mangroves Protect Wildlife and Coastal Communities Mangrove forests provide...

  Discarded computer hard drives could become an important source of valuable raw materials for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other advanced technologies. Researchers in Germany are developing innovative recycling methods to recover critical metals from old hard drive magnets, potentially reducing Europe's dependence on imported materials. The research is part of the European Union funded NEO-CYCLE project, involving scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) and TU Bergakademie Freiberg. The team is focusing on recovering neodymium, iron and boron from discarded hard disk drives. These materials are used to manufacture powerful neodymium iron boron permanent magnets, which are essential components in electric vehicle motors, w...

  A fresh outbreak of sal borer insects has raised concern across the forests of Dindori district in Madhya Pradesh even as authorities continue cutting down thousands of trees damaged by last year's infestation. More than 45,000 sal trees have already been felled out of approximately 150,000 identified as affected in 2025, while new signs of insect activity have emerged in the Karanjia and Bajag forest ranges. Forest officials have ordered a fresh survey after large quantities of sawdust were spotted accumulating beneath sal trees, indicating renewed pest activity. The development has alarmed local communities, with some residents fearing that the outbreak could become more severe than the one witnessed in the 1990s. Fresh Infestation Raises Alarm Despite Ongoing Tree Fellin...