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#silica

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Weekend #Plankton #Factoid 🦠🦐
When we think of #nutrients that limit #algae growth, it is usually nitrogen or phosphorus, which is absolutely true, but occasionally, other factors become important. One is hydrated silica dioxide, which is necessary for #diatoms to produce their glass "frustule" shells. In both lakes and oceans, #silica can be drawn down to the point it prevents reproduction. So, in some locations "dissolved sand" can actually limit algal growth. #Science
nature.com/articles/s41598-019

Environmental Impacts of #Geothermal Energy

Published Mar 5, 2013
Union of Concerned Scientists

"The most widely developed type of geothermal power plant (known as #hydrothermal plants) are located near #geologic#HotSpots” where hot molten rock is close to the earth’s crust and produces hot water. In other regions enhanced geothermal systems (or hot dry rock geothermal), which involve drilling into Earth’s surface to reach deeper geothermal resources, can allow broader access to geothermal energy."

[...]

"Some geothermal plants also produce small amounts of #mercury emissions, which must be mitigated using mercury filter technology. Scrubbers can reduce air emissions, but they produce a watery #sludge composed of the captured materials, including #sulfur, #vanadium, #silica compounds, chlorides, #arsenic, mercury, #nickel, and other heavy metals. This #ToxicSludge often must be disposed of at hazardous waste sites."

[...]

"Land #subsidence, a phenomenon in which the land surface sinks, is sometimes caused by the removal of water from geothermal reservoirs. Most geothermal facilities address this risk by re-injecting wastewater back into geothermal reservoirs after the water’s heat has been captured.

"Hydrothermal plants are sited on geological “hot spots," which tend to have higher levels of #earthquake risk. There is evidence that hydrothermal plants can lead to an even greater earthquake frequency. Enhanced geothermal systems (hot dry rock) can also increase the risk of small earthquakes. In this process, water is pumped at high pressures to fracture underground hot rock reservoirs similar to technology used in natural gas hydraulic #fracturing. (See How Natural Gas Works for more information.) Earthquake risk associated with enhanced geothermal systems can be minimized by siting plants an appropriate distance away from major fault lines. When a geothermal system is sited near a heavily populated area, constant monitoring and transparent communication with local communities is also necessary."

ucsusa.org/resources/environme

Union of Concerned ScientistsEnvironmental Impacts of Geothermal EnergyThe environmental impacts of geothermal energy vary depending on the technology used to generate electricity and the type of cooling system utilized.

Engineered stone kills tradies. Bunnings and IKEA stopping its sales is a big win for public health
Major retailers Bunnings and IKEA have announced this week they will discontinue selling engineered stone. While this might mean you have to rethink your plans for your new kitchen benchtops, it’s a positive step that will protect the health of tradespeople exposed to this dangerous product.
theconversation.com/engineered #silicosis #IKEA #Bunnings #health #silica #EngineeredStone

The ConversationEngineered stone kills tradies. Bunnings and IKEA stopping its sales is a big win for public healthEngineered stone is a popular material often used for kitchen benches. But it carries serious health risks for the tradies who work with it.

Researchers using #JWST have detected evidence for #quartz nanocrystals in the high-altitude clouds of WASP-17 b, a hot Jupiter #exoplanet.

The detection marks the first time that #silica particles have been spotted in an exoplanet #atmosphere.

It was known from Hubble observations that there must be #aerosols—tiny particles making up clouds or haze—in WASP-17 b’s atmosphere, but it wasn't expect them to be made of quartz.

#astronomy #exoplanets
nasa.gov/missions/webb/webb-de

Consumers “have a right to know that the countertop that might be the cheapest one...may really be costing folks’ lives.”
—Dr. Jane Fazio, Olive View-UCLA Med Ctr

Engineered stone—stone w high concentrations of #silica — represents >”60% of materials used for countertops.” The grinding of this popular fabricant by CA laborers has caused an alarming increase in the deadly #silicosis disease.

latimes.com/california/story/2

Los Angeles Times · California workers who cut countertops are dying of silicosisBy Emily Alpert Reyes

Due to their workplace environments, construction workers are at an increased risk of hazards and diseases that have adverse health effects, according to a recent study.

The authors observed an increased risk of these health conditions associated with exposure to dust, respirable crystalline , fumes, vapors, asbestos fibers, and gases.
ajmc.com/view/construction-wor

AJMCConstruction Workers at Increased Risk of Respiratory Hazards, DiseasesBy Brooke McCormick
Replied in thread

(3/n)

"...the two #ForeverChemicals, #PFAS] #Bifenthrin, #Epoxiconazole, and [the for #bees highly toxic #neonicotinoid (1)] #Thiametoxam."

On a more positive note, however, there was some good news in March 2023: diamonds are forever, but the #ForeverChemicals may yet be broken up by human ingenuity:

"...University of #BritishColumbia #researchers develop #silica-based material with ability to absorb wider range of harmful #chemicals..."

(1) en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiame

en.m.wikipedia.orgThiamethoxam - Wikipedia