article thumbnail

Study finds twice as many cellulose fibers as microplastics in the Atlantic Ocean

Green Car Congress

A study by three French institutes—Ifremer, the University of Bordeaux and the IRD (a public research institution)—has found that the surface water of the Atlantic Ocean is twice as polluted by cellulose fibers as it is by microplastics. —Christophe Maes.

Pollution 445
article thumbnail

Air pollutant emission 2010 limits exceeded in twelve EU Member States; road transport NOx a main factor

Green Car Congress

The directive covers four main air pollutants: sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen oxides (NO x ), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and ammonia (NH 3 ). These pollutants can cause respiratory problems, contribute to the acidification of soil and surface water, and damage vegetation. Jacqueline McGlade.

Pollution 309
article thumbnail

New maps give Europeans close-up picture of air pollution from diffuse sources

Green Car Congress

New online maps published by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency, in close cooperation with the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) of the Joint Research Centre, allow citizens to pinpoint the main diffuse sources of air pollution, such as transport and aviation. NO x emissions from road transport.

Pollution 231
article thumbnail

European Researchers Launch Mega Campaign to Assess Urban Air Pollution

Green Car Congress

Twenty research teams from across Europe are launching one of its largest pollution monitoring campaigns and are setting up sites in Île-de-France (a region containing the Paris metropolitan area) to investigate sources of particulate pollution in the urban environment. GAME-CNRM (Météo-France / CNRS. million (US$4.8

Pollution 150
article thumbnail

Researchers develop large-scale, economical method to extract hydrogen from oil sands and oil fields

Green Car Congress

This heat causes the nearby hydrocarbons—and any surrounding water molecules—to break apart (thermolysis).Thermolysis, Thermolysis, gas reforming and water-gas shift have been used in commercial industrial processes to generate hydrogen for more than 100 years. Eventually, oxidation temperatures exceed 500°C.

Oil-Sands 375
article thumbnail

UK government launches new clean air strategy; ending sales of conventional diesel and gasoline LDVs by 2040

Green Car Congress

UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove published a new Clean Air Strategy to cut air pollution backed up through new primary legislation. The UK said it will go further and faster than the EU in reducing human exposure to particulate matter pollution. These proposals are in addition to the government’s £3.5-billion billion (US$4.7-billion)

Clean 186
article thumbnail

NOx emissions exceeded limits in 12 European countries in 2010

Green Car Congress

Air pollution emitted from sources such as traffic, industry and households is still above internationally agreed limits in 12 European countries, according to newly published data. These pollutants are harmful to both people and the environment, causing respiratory illnesses, acidifying soil and surface water, and damaging vegetation.

2010 240