Tag Archives: ozone layer

Large Bacterial Population Colonized Land 2.75 Billion Years Ago

There is evidence that some microbial life had migrated from the Earth’s oceans to land by 2.75 billion years ago, though many scientists believe such land-based life was limited because the ozone layer that shields against ultraviolet radiation did not form until hundreds of millions years later.

But new research from the University of Washington suggests that early microbes might have been widespread on land, producing oxygen and weathering pyrite, an iron sulfide mineral, which released sulfur and molybdenum into the oceans. (more…)

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MU Scientists Study How to Improve Pesticide Efficiency

COLUMBIA, Mo. – In 2007, a controversial pesticide was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use on fruit and vegetable crops, mainly in California and Florida. Farm workers and scientists protested the approval of the pesticide because its active ingredient, methyl iodide, is a known carcinogen. Now, MU researchers are studying the molecular structure of the pesticide to determine if the product could be made more efficient and safer for those living near, and working in, treated fields. (more…)

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Recovering Ozone Layer

After the first discovery of “Ozone Layer” over the Antarctic and more recently over Arctic, groups meeting in Montreal this week are pushing forward for a phase-out of HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) 10 years earlier than scheduled. This will reduce cumulatively 18 to 25 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. HCFCs are now currently used in refrigerators […]

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