Posts by shaina

The dynamics of coastal subsidence are playing a crucial role in reshaping sea level rise projections along the California coastline. A recent NASA-led study has unveiled the significant impacts of localized land motion, highlighting the necessity for a refined approach to coastal water management.   Traditional sea level rise projections, often based solely on ocean…

The regulatory landscape of the US is facing a significant transformation, impacting how projects, particularly within the water industry, are permitted and executed. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), in particular, is currently undergoing dramatic alterations.   Recent executive actions (Executive Order 14154) have initiated a substantial NEPA reform. The revocation of a 1977 executive…

A new study reveals significant impacts from insecticide use US butterfly populations, signaling broader risks to ecosystem health. The research highlights a 22% drop in butterfly abundance between 2000 and 2020. This decline raises critical questions about the health of our ecosystems and the role of chemical use. The study utilized data from 35 monitoring…

Arizona has made a significant stride in addressing its water challenges with the approval of new Advanced Water Purification (AWP) rules.  The approval by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) enables Arizona cities and water providers to implement Advanced Water Purification projects. By facilitating water reuse, Arizona is taking a proactive approach to ensure a…

The recent US Supreme Court decision in City and County of San Francisco v. EPA marks a transformative moment for Clean Water Act Permits. Issued on March 4, 2025, the ruling addresses the controversial “end-result” provisions in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. This decision redefines the responsibilities of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)…

Dwindling reservoirs, prolonged droughts, and increasing demand create a concerning outlook for US water resources. However, a promising area of materials science research may offer a new approach to sourcing this essential resource: pulling water directly from the atmosphere through atmospheric water harvesting (AWH).    Researchers have developed highly porous materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)…

We often picture beaches changing with the seasons: harsh winter storms eroding sand, leaving beaches narrow, while gentler summer waves replenish the sand, widening them again. This “winter-narrow/summer recovery” model is so ingrained it’s even in textbooks. But new research is challenging this long-held view, particularly for beaches in Southern California. This research focuses on…

Addressing the impacts of stormwater pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial processes is an ongoing challenge. This pollution fuels detrimental effects such as algae blooms and the depletion of vital minerals like phosphate, copper, and zinc. Current solutions for pollutant removal often prove costly and offer limited reusability, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and…

A recent study by researchers at the University at Buffalo has identified a bacterial strain capable of breaking down certain “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS).   PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals known for their persistence in the environment due to the strong carbon-fluorine bond. These chemicals are widely used in…

Cloud seeding, a weather modification technique that has been in use for over eight decades, is gaining renewed attention as a possible method for increasing precipitation to address rising water demand and intensifying drought conditions across the United States. By introducing tiny particles, typically silver iodide, into clouds, this technique aims to encourage rain or…