News & Articles

Wettest July since 1888 brings unsettled weather

High rainfall throughout July greatly reduced soil moisture deficits causing a notable increase in river flows and new peak July flows in some rivers in the west of the country. Groundwater levels however remain within their normal summer range as July’s rainfall failed to cancel soil moisture deficits in most aquifer outcrop areas. With the rest of the summer expected to be unsettled and indications of a wet winter, groundwater recharge is expected to start much earlier than normal.

To read the full hydrological summary for the UK please visit CEH’s website at
www.nwl.ac.uk/ih/nrfa/monthly_summaries/2009/07/summary.html

Underground rivers on Mars

Eruptions of boiling water from Ascraeus Mons, one of Mars’ biggest volcanoes, carved sinuous channels 1-2 km wide, according to Dr John Murray of the Open University. Murray proposes that some of these channels may have been carved beneath the surface as the water flowed underground. The occurrence of a warm, wet underground environment protected from radiation provides greater opportunity for life to have developed on Mars. The idea of underground channels is not so unusual since they’ve already be found to exist at the Piton de la Fournaise volcano in Réunion Island.

For the full news article please visit http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=494

A warm June but groundwater levels within normal summer range

June provided warm weather and frequent showers with rainfall only just below average. However soil conditions were very dry and evaporative losses were high such that surface water run-off to rivers was generally low. Groundwater levels in most outcrop locations were also below average but within a normal summer range. Whilst Scotland and Northern Ireland have a near average January-June rainfall total, the January to June rainfall total for England and Wales appears to be the 3rd driest since 1976. The high summer and autumn rainfall in 2008 helping to sustain water resources during the dry period.

Environmental issues becoming an increasing concern when buying a business

Companies and organisations may find themselves liable for historic environmental infringements when they buy a business. The legal standing in such situations is discussed in a recent article in Director of Finance Online. For example, if land bought after it was contaminated causes pollution of the underlying groundwater, the current owner may be liable. To combat this problem buyers are increasingly asking for warranties and indemnities before purchasing.

More research needed on nano-remediation of contaminated land sites?

A review of current research and potential environmental and health implications of nano-remediation is provided in a recent article in Environmental Health Perspectives. A common use of the technology is the injection of nano-scale iron into the ground to provide a reducing environment for the breakdown of contaminants. The review points out that although nano-technology may provide an effective and economic remediation option, the risks are not fully understood.

For the full new article please visit http://sev.prnewswire.com/nanotechnology/20090708/DC4382208072009-1.html

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