ScienceDaily: Earth & Climate News

Researchers develop new instrument to monitor atmospheric mercury Posted: 30 Jan 2015 06:14 PM PST A new instrument to monitor atmospheric mercury in the atmosphere has been developed and tested by scientists. The measurement approach is called sequential two-photon laser induced fluorescence (2P-LIF) and uses two different laser beams to excite mercury atoms and monitor blue shifted atomic fluorescence.

Renewable biofuel production avoids competition with food resources Posted: 29 Jan 2015 05:41 PM PST The efficient production of both biofuel and animal feed from one crop is now possible, and can be done on a farm without the need for off-site processes. The research demonstrates the practical potential of an alternative to fossil fuels that does not compete with food resources.

A rare glimpse at the elusive Saharan cheetah Posted: 29 Jan 2015 01:09 PM PST Research by scientists and conservationists shows that critically endangered Saharan cheetahs exist at incredibly low densities and require vast areas for their conservation. The research also offers some of the world's only photographs of this elusive big cat.

Our seas are in trouble: Extinction risk for 20-25% of well-known marine species Posted: 29 Jan 2015 09:55 AM PST Overfishing, pollution, climate change and destruction of habitats like coral reefs are all putting our seas in trouble but academics fear the risk is not being taken as seriously as concerns for the loss of animals and plants which live on land, experts say. Using the most comprehensive conservation data available for both marine and non-marine organisms, new research has shown that 20 to 25 per cent of the well-known species living in our seas are now threatened with extinction -- the same figure as land living plants and animals.

Ocean waves used to monitor offshore oil and gas fields Posted: 28 Jan 2015 12:22 PM PST An ew technique exploits naturally occurring seismic waves to probe seafloor at less expense, and with fewer ill effects on marine life, scientists report.