Biotechnology: Can hydrogels solve our water problem?

Darkfrog submitted, created time 3 months 3 weeks (www.nature.com)

I remember reading BIll Bryson's description of a pre-blight American chestnut tree. When he came to the transpiration of water, he said, "imagine how much metal and noise humans would have to use to move that many gallons water."

Well artificial water transport just got a bit quieter, even if it can't match the chestnut just yet. A tiny microtree made from the same type of gel used to make contact lenses has mimicked water transport in plants. Scientists say that it could be used to extract water in dry places or make more efficient cooling systems

1 comment | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: water trees biotechnology hydrogels plants transpiration chips ground water water economy water supply water quality water use

You are what, and where, you drink

sea-maid submitted, created time 6 months 3 days (www.economist.com)

POLICE now have a new test to help catch criminals and verify alibis. By analysing the chemical composition of human hair, researchers can determine the source of the water someone has been drinking in recent months. And that can indicate where he or she has been.

2 comments | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: water supply water law enforcement police forensics hair Isotope analysis

Water under pressure

Fertile Runoff Threatens Environment

Nitrate Threatening the Nation's Watersheds

Vincent submitted, created time 9 months 3 weeks (sciencenow.sciencemag.org)

There's mixed news about how the country's streams and rivers are handling increased loads of nitrate from human activities. The ecosystems are normally highly tolerant of the chemical, which is good. But new research shows that nitrate absorption can reach a limit, and that's what is happening in many areas. Worse, the budding biofuel industry figures to release even more nitrate into watersheds in the coming years.

4 comments | Blog It | Email It | Keywords: ecology biofuels water supply water purification watersheds water pollution nitrates