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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…

The US Geological Survey (USGS) has released the National Water Availability Assessment, a groundbreaking study offering an overview of the balance between water supply and demand across the lower 48 states. The report highlights that nearly 30 million people reside in areas where surface water supplies are insufficient for their needs, revealing significant water limitations…

A recent study has provided groundbreaking insights into the movement of groundwater, revealing that underground water can travel vast distances and remain hidden for much longer periods than previously understood. Researchers from Princeton University and the University of Arizona have conducted a high-resolution simulation that traces the journey of rainwater or snowmelt as it seeps…

A landmark bill aimed at securing water rights for the Navajo, Hopi, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribes in northeastern Arizona failed to pass Congress before the end of the year. The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, a decades-long effort, faced opposition from other Colorado River Basin states, despite widespread support from tribal…

The City of Tucson, located in southern Arizona, is taking a significant step towards water sustainability by moving forward with plans to build its first advanced wastewater treatment facility. This ambitious project aims to reduce reliance on the Colorado River by converting wastewater into drinking water through advanced purification methods.  Tucson City Council has approved…

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate critical habitat for four populations of foothill yellow-legged frog in California. The foothill yellow-legged frog is a threatened amphibian that has declined due to habitat loss and degradation. The proposed critical habitat would include land along streams and other water bodies inhabited by the frog,…