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EASAC urges moratorium on deep-sea mining

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The collateral ecological damage through sediment plumes will expand the area of impact at the seabed and in the water column. EASAC was founded in 2001 at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Resources Miller, K. Loss in the structure of habitats may lead to indefinite reductions in biodiversity. 2017.00418

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New catalysts enable photocatalytic version of water gas shift reaction for H2 production

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Politécnica de Valencia (Spain) have found that noble metal nanoparticles supported on titanium dioxide or cerium dioxide can catalyze the industrially important water gas shift (WGS) reaction for hydrogen production at ambient temperatures using visible light irradiation. Researchers at the Univ. —Sastre et al. —Sastre et al.

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USGS finds US aquifers being drawn down at accelerating rate

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Groundwater Depletion in the United States (1900-2008) comprehensively evaluates long-term cumulative depletion volumes in 40 separate aquifers (distinct underground water storage areas) in the United States, bringing together reliable information from previous references and from new analyses. —Suzette Kimball, acting USGS Director.

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JOGMEC confirms first offshore production of methane from methane hydrates

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Although the first offshore production test is not commercial production and is very much an experimental research operation, JOGMEC said, it marks a milestone in the R&D of methane hydrate as a resource. However, usable resource amount is depending on the amount to be practically recovered.

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New heterogeneous acid catalyst shows high activity in release of hydrogen from sodium borohydride; lowest activation energy yet reported

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For example, then-DaimlerChrysler used Millenium Cell sodium borohydride technology it its Natrium fuel cell concept car, introduced in 2001. Issues included water handling and catalytic reactivity and durability. Millenium Cell liquidated in 2008.). Earlier post.). Earlier post.). 2014.11.040.

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USGS/BOEM study identifies method to differentiate between natural seepage and produced oils in waters off Southern California

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Resource managers now have a method to determine the source of oil found in the waters off Southern California and differentiate between naturally seeped oils and those produced by offshore oil and gas production. The state is also using this chemical protocol to determine the origin of oil on oiled wildlife. Lorenson, T.D.,

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New solid polymer electrolyte outperforms Nafion; novel polymer folding

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Nafion has a complex multiscale phase-separated morphology with well-connected hydrophilic domains in which sulfonate-lined water channels percolate through a hydrophobic, semicrystalline polytetrafluoroethylene-like matrix. While the exact structure remains controversial, the water channels are thought to be nominally cylindrical.

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