Catharina Alves-de-Souza is part of a team studying how to best produce biogenic limestone, which could be used to significantly cut carbon dioxide emissions generated in the cement-making process.
EPA proposes excavating Navassa treated wood-storage site
Environmental Protection Agency officials announced a plan Tuesday to remove as much as 12 inches of soil from a roughly 1.6-acre portion of the former Kerr-McGee Corp. site where chemically treated wood was once stored.
Health advisories for GenX, PFAS announced at conference
Radhika Fox, the Environmental Protection Agency’s assistant administrator for water, announced new and updated federal health advisories for GenX and related substances Wednesday during a meeting on emerging compounds held in Wilmington.
Officials outline steps to address PFAS contamination
Filtration at the public water treatment level, stopping contamination at the source and setting health standards are steps toward protecting the public from PFAS.
Vaughn Hagerty: The reporter who broke the GenX story
His curiosity-driven “Googling around” led to a research paper about contaminants detected in the Cape Fear River that, in turn, led to a news story that rattled the region and helped shape five years of environmental policy on PFAS.
Researchers make strides in 5 years since GenX reported
Developments have been swift in the five years this week since the public first learned of an emerging contaminant in the drinking water source for thousands in the lower Cape Fear region, but work remains.
Climate change, pollution imperil Cape Fear, advocates say
Industrialization, pollution, climate change and PFAS are among the hurdles the Cape Fear River faces, speakers explained Wednesday during Cape Fear River Watch’s first State of the River forum.
Plan would fund clean energy, hog farm buyouts, resilience
The governor’s proposed $29.3 billion 2022-23 budget funds offshore wind industry infrastructure, buyouts of hog farms in floodplains, forest preservation and management, and expansion of climate resiliency programs.
Study finds oyster sustainability among Indigenous peoples
Archaeological examinations of middens published this week show that Native Americans and Australians were successful at sustainably harvesting shellfish over thousands of years.
Groups are setting traps to reduce plastics in NC waters
Devices that catch litter in storm drains and small creeks are being put in place in a growing effort to lower the amount of plastics and microplastics getting into waterways and the ocean.
Construction of Ocean Isle Beach’s terminal groin complete
Construction of the 750-foot-long structure intended to protect the east end of town from erosion wrapped up earlier this month.
Collaborative seeks to add radio towers for tracking wildlife
North Carolina researchers and conservationists are working with others in several states to snag a $1 million federal grant to expand and maintain a network of automated radio tracking towers connected to the Motus Wildlife Tracking System.
Study of shrimp eyes opens window into life in the deep sea
UNCW researcher Lorian Schweikert was on a team that found the light organ patterns on the bodies of deep-sea shrimp were the best predictor of the size of their eyes.
Whales’ rebound in Australia a success story: Duke biologist
Conservation biologist David Johnston at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort says Australia’s recent decision to remove humpback whales from its endangered species list is a conservation victory and pivot point.
New Hanover discusses future of Cape Fear’s west bank
County commissioners during last week’s work session continued examining proposed development on riverfront property across from downtown Wilmington, currently being considered by nearby Leland for annexation.
Sand from dredging expands eroded island habitat for terns
A recent dredge project has turned back years of erosion for a dredge spoil island near the federal channel in the Cape Fear River that supports colonies of royal terns and sandwich terns.