Tehran in the grip of unprecedented air pollution, over 400 dead

Tehran in the grip of unprecedented air pollution, over 400 dead

A thick layer of smog engulfed Tehran, Iran over the last week. The unprecedented pollution levels have set new records while more than 400 people were reported dead. The PM2.5 levels have reached values exceeding 150 micrograms per cubic meter, thus setting a new…

Hazardous smog wraps Delhi, the worst in last 17 years

Hazardous smog wraps Delhi, the worst in last 17 years

A thick layer of hazardous smog blanketed New Delhi, India four days ago and shows no sign of loosening the grip. On November 3, 2016, between 07:00 and 09:00 (local time), Palam Observatory reported the dense smog layer has dropped the visibility to only 50 m (164…

Russian metal giant fined for turning river red with pollution

Russian metal giant fined for turning river red with pollution

Norilsk Nickel from Russia, the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium, was fined over a spillage near the Nadhezda metallurgical factory. The spillage occurred in early September 2016 and turned the Daldykan river red. After the images showing the…

Huge toxic plume spreading through the Middle East

Huge toxic plume spreading through the Middle East

A fire at a sulfur mine and processing facility near Mosul, Iraq is emitting tremendous quantities of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere for the sixth day in a row. If this fire was a volcano, it would already be among the largest eruptions of 2016. NASA’s…

Mercury contamination widespread across western North America

Mercury contamination widespread across western North America

An international research team has found that mercury contamination is widespread across western North America in the air, soil, lake sediments, plants, fish and wildlife. The team, led by researchers from the USGS, evaluated potential risks from mercury to the…

Harmful algal bloom turns La Salina lagoon into blood red, Mexico

Harmful algal bloom turns La Salina lagoon into blood red, Mexico

The "La Salina" lagoon in Huatulco, Mexico, known for its pollution, has changed its color into blood red on February 25, 2016. Experts from the Universidad del Mar (UMAR) explained the phenomenon as algal bloom caused by pollution, lack of rain and high…

Algal toxins found in 39% of assessed streams in southeastern US

Algal toxins found in 39% of assessed streams in southeastern US

USGS scientists have found algal toxins known as microcystins in 39% of streams assessed in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The results will become part of a larger, systematic national survey of algal toxins in small streams of the…

Dengue fever outbreak in Yemen

Dengue fever outbreak in Yemen

The consequences of a rare hurricane hit in Yemen on November 3, 2015 are still felt today. Tropical Cyclone "Chapala" caused flash floods across the port of Mukalla, and regions of the Hadramout province, which damaged roads, houses and sewer systems….