Contaminating

The study identified 16 different microplastic polymer types across both contemporary and archived samples. Credit: York Archaeology Researchers have for the first time discovered evidence of microplastic contamination in archaeological soil samples. The team discovered tiny microplastic particles in deposits located more than 7 meters deep, in…

A new report by the U.S. branch of the non-profit Environmental Investigation Agency says that investment interest and government tax incentives are fuelling intense mining exploration in remote northern B.C. — raising concerns about the environmental impacts of the work and its financial implications.The report focuses on the transboundary region, which falls along the border between the Alaska panhandle and the province of B.C. Much of this exploration is focused on the so-called Golden Triangle, which in many areas is…

Compostable plastic that has not fully disintegrated in compost bin. Credit: Citizen scientist image from www.bigcompostexperiment.org.ukIn a UK-wide study, researchers found that 60% of home-compostable plastics do not fully disintegrate in home compost bins, and inevitably end up in our soil. The study also found that citizens are confused about the labels of compostable and biodegradable plastics, leading to incorrect plastic waste disposal. These results highlight the need to revise and redesign this supposedly…

In this Jan. 14, 2016 file photo, a drainage pipe that was the original culprit of a coal ash spill that was one of the worst in U.S. history is seen at the Dan River Steam Station in Eden, N.C. Photo: Gerry Broome (AP)This story was originally published by Grist. You can subscribe to its weekly newsletter here.More than 90 percent of the country’s coal plants are contaminating water across 43 states, according to a new report. And nearly half of them have no plans to clean up the mess.The study, released on Thursday by…