Earth Sciences

Research: Arctic’s role as climate moderator threatened

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer SAN FRANCISCO – Scientists in a rare and sometimes dangerous study of the Arctic have found that the region’s thinning sea ice is more prone to melting and storms, threatening its role as a moderator of the planet’s climate.

Study finds life under lake ice complex, surprisingly active

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer PULLMAN, Wash. – As long as ecologists have studied temperate lakes, the winter has been their off-season. It’s difficult, even dangerous, to look under the ice, and they figured plants, animals and algae weren’t doing much in the dark and cold anyway.

Grant brings science of stormwater pollution to businesses

By Scott Weybright, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences PUYALLUP, Wash. – Businesses in the Puget Sound watershed must navigate a complex series of stormwater runoff regulations and permits. But business owners often don’t understand why those regulations exist.

Better water splitting advances renewable energy conversion

By Tina Hilding, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers have found a way to more efficiently create hydrogen from water – an important key in making renewable energy production and storage viable.

Novel method creates important chemicals simply, cheaply

By Tina Hilding, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture PULLMAN, Wash. – A Washington State University research team has used a simple, common industrial process in a new way to create chemicals used widely as fuel additives and as feedstock for plasticizers, detergents, lubricants and cosmetics.

New grant to help cities make better water decisions

By Erik Gomez, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture intern PULLMAN, Wash. – A Washington State University researcher has received a $2.5 million National Science Foundation grant to develop a statistical model that will help city managers make more informed sustainable water decisions.

Reservoirs are underappreciated source of greenhouse gases

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University researchers say the world’s reservoirs are an underappreciated source of greenhouse gases, producing the equivalent of roughly 1 gigaton of carbon dioxide a year, or 1.3 percent of all greenhouse gases produced by humans.

Oct. 12, 13: Changes, challenge of energy market explored

By Monique Van Sant, WSU Tri-Cities intern RICHLAND, Wash. – Scientist James Conca will talk about the evolution and future of the worldwide energy market and specific dangers facing energy sources at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, and at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in the East Auditorium at Washington State University Tri-Cities.