Policy News
Removing salt to supply a nation's water
Desalination technologies currently provide less than half a percent of the U.S. water supply, but that amount may increase, according to a National Academy of Sciences report.
Despite lingering doubts over the costs and environmental impacts of desalination, a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) committee predicts that desalination plants will satisfy a portion of future U.S. water demand. However, in the new report released April 22, the panel's engineers and water scientists call for more federal funding for research into water sources and energy requirements.
Desalination "will be a part of the U.S.'s water future," says Amy Zander, the head of the committee and an environmental engineer at Clarkson University. But lack of information on groundwater resources and future energy requirements is "going to remain an issue," she and the committee members emphasize. In addition to boosting federal funding, the NAS committee encourages detailed mapping of groundwater resources and their characteristics, such as salinity, underground flow, and recharge rates.
Groundwater resources in particular have gone largely unmapped in the U.S., and finding low-salt or brackish waters remains key to desalination's success inland. Reductions in energy consumption may have plateaued: reverse osmosis, the best established desalination method, is "already very close to the thermodynamic minimum needed to get salt out of water," Zander says. "There's not much further we're going to go in reducing energy in desalination." But thermal desalination, which taps waste heat from another energy source, may be worth pursuing.
Other problems are inherent to the technology, including what to do with the removed salts and the removal of other unwanted components with potential environmental or human-health impacts. For example, naturally occurring boron can be removed by more costly configurations of reverse-osmosis membranes. The World Health Organization sets boron limits in fresh drinking water at 0.5 milligrams per liter. Seawater and some groundwater sources in coastal areas contain much higher levels of boron, and the human-health effects (PDF Size: 2.1 MB) remain unknown.
Science
Microbes alter estrogenic power of surfactant breakdown products
New research indicates that incomplete degradation of isomers could spell trouble for regulators.
Over the past few years, the issue of whether Deca BDE, the only PBDE flame retardant currently used in North America, breaks down in the environment has become a key issue to scientists researching the controversial compound.
NTP brief on BPA receives mixed peer review
Peer reviewers of a federal agency’s draft brief on bisphenol A recommend lowering levels of concern for some human-health risks.
In a changing climate, cities worsen water quality
A new study of more than 1000 Maryland streams finds that as climate patterns change, urban sprawl can pollute water with more nitrate than previously thought.
Researchers are finding alternatives to conventional plasticizers that may alleviate health concerns.
A surprising new source of methane from the ocean
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown source of methane that could increase with continued global warming.
Agricultural practices have modified global water flows, causing large-scale and often unpredictable changes in ecosystems.
Technology
Renewable energy spurs “green gold rush”
The UN reports record-setting growth in green-energy investment last year.
Stockholm Industry Water Award goes to California utilities
The top water award from a Swedish nonprofit organization has been bestowed on Orange County’s water district and wastewater utilities.
Faster, cheaper search for antibiotics in the field
A new field kit developed by the U.S. Agricultural Research Service and its partners allows for near real-time water monitoring.
Styrofoam: from packaging to picture frames—and beyond
A new technology allows more cost-effective recycling of Styrofoam products.
Green chemistry pioneers receive leadership awards
The Council of Scientific Society Presidents recognizes Paul Anastas and John Warner for their contribution to the field of green chemistry.
Would you like that book in paper or plastic?
Electronic book readers save paper, but can a piece of plastic really be better for the environment? ES&T reporter Erika Engelhaupt is determined—very determined—to find out.
Removing salt to supply a nation's water
Desalination technologies currently provide less than half a percent of the U.S. water supply, but that amount may increase, according to a National Academy of Sciences report.
Policy
Protecting ecosystems from climate change
A new report by EPA offers suggestions on how to minimize the impacts of climate change on ecosystems.
Growing strength—and divide—in climate opinion
Even as Americans become more willing to act on global warming, opinions are solidifying along party lines.
Why is global sanitation so elusive?
New research shows that factors such as inadequate funding and lack of political commitment pose significant challenges to meeting the world’s sanitation goals.
The invisible U.S. energy boom
A new report shows that energy-efficiency measures have been highly successful in the U.S. but remain underdeveloped.
Fast-growing plants might meet the high demand for crops for biofuels, but a new report proposes that governments should assess the risks of nonnative species before planting them.
EPA proposes tougher lead rule
The agency has revised the National Ambient Air Quality Standards to lower lead levels in air.
Business & Education
The country has a chance to continue on its environmental path, beyond the Games and the borders of its capital.
U.S. manufacturers spent $26 billion on pollution abatement in 2005, according to a government survey.
The scientist's work tallied the invisible water used to make food and other products.
ES&T Associate Editor Dzombak named to NAE
Dzombak is cited for his novel development of models used in evaluating chemical behavior in water-quality engineering and environmental remediation.
A new report shows a rising trend in the number of eco-friendly buildings in the U.S.
