Silt from Lake Powell in the US tells a story of pond spills and mining pollution from decades past. Because it piles up at a rate of 45 million cubic metres annually, the silt forms even layers that provide a relatively accurate timeline of upstream water chemistry. Sometimes, radical changes like large-scale spills can be seen with the naked eye. Researchers can determine when mining pollution wrecked the lake by analysing the silt layers (which are collected in cylindrical sections called cores); a spike in metals indicates pollution events. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
