On May 6, the United Nations (UN) released the largest report on the state of the planet’s biodiversity in 15 years. Research was compiled from more than 15,000 government and scientific reports by over 145 different authors from 50 countries.[1] The conclusions were startling. Scientists estimate that about 1 million species are threatened with extinction. […]
Abstract An emerging environmental issue of lake calcium decline is affecting soft water shield lakes in Canada, the United States of America, and Scandinavia. Following a legacy of acid rain during the 1970s and 1980s, the consequent low pH caused rapid leaching of calcium from lakes and soil. Although pH has stabilised due to emission […]
Hypoxic regions, also known as “dead zones”, are areas of the marine ecosystem characterised by a loss, or very low concentration, of oxygen. The number of dead zones worldwide has quadrupled over the last half century.[1] Over this period, many aquatic ecosystems have perished, and a large number of water dwelling creatures have felt the […]
The first Earth Day was held nearly 50 years ago in 1970 when 20 million Americans united to launch a modern environmental movement. Since then, many innovative laws have been passed as a result of these annual mobilisations. Within a year, it lead to the formation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as well […]
Abstract The problems associated with microplastic pollution are less obvious and often harder to appreciate than the obvious effects of larger plastic pieces in the ocean. It is even harder to communicate to the public effectively about issues that scientists do not fully understand. The challenge is to convey both the current and the potential […]
Abstract Within the past few centuries, human population growth and increasing urbanisation have led to the deterioration of many freshwater and marine habitats. To conserve aquatic ecosystems, it is essential to better understand the responses of the habitats to such factors. The purpose of this project was to construct an Unmanned Untethered Vehicle (UUV) for […]
Abstract This work reports a revision to the stratification and circulation behaviour of the Elfrath Lake in the Lower Rhine region, Germany. Usually lakes in these temperate latitudes present a dimictic circulation, with two phases of stagnation and two phases of circulation each year. However, measurements taken during this investigation show an increasingly monomictic circulation, […]
Abstract The biosand filter is a slow sand water filtration system that is widely used in developing countries. The filter works through the use of a biological layer to kill pathogens in the water. The focus of this research was to determine the effectiveness of a biosand filter in relation to its ability to filter […]
Abstract Each year, 6-8 million tonnes of waste shells are discarded, neglecting a valuable resource. The purpose of this experiment was to tap into this resource and determine which shell would most effectively adsorb pollutants from stormwater. The hypothesis: if different types of shells are tested to clean stormwater, the kiln-heated crab shells will adsorb […]
Abstract The aim of this experiment was to find a solution that may help control the resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics. This experiment tests to see the efficacy of everyday natural products towards health and wellbeing as opposed to seeking conventional antibiotics, which can trigger problems such as antibiotic resistance. This experiment is […]
Mentor: Dr. Kunlun Hong Abstract Potable water is a vital and very limited resource in our society. Obtaining such water through purification is of global importance. One of the main challenges in water purification is the ability to distribute affordable purification devices to the people in need efficiently. This project utilizes the abundant Moringa […]
Abstract Honey is a composite mixture of various carbohydrates, enzymes, flavonoids and organic acids. It is used for a wide variety of purposes and is a known antimicrobial agent. Heavy metals may be present in trace quantities in honey and their detection is important for the quality control of honey and it also serves […]
The August 21st total solar eclipse stretched from coast to coast, with the penumbra covering most of the United States and a path of totality crossing twelve states and four time zones. Millions of people already live under this path, with tens of millions more travelling to these areas to witness the astronomical event of […]
Abstract The aim of our project is to use analytical techniques to identify the existence of Lyme borreliosis, commonly known as Lyme Disease in Ticks and investigate the distribution of Lyme borreliosis in the Dorset area. Results are presented from successful and accurate gel electrophoresis using Safe Blue indicator; although only one positive result for […]
Abstract The eutrophication of natural waters is a common problem. Eutrophication describes the accumulation of nutrients (especially phosphorus and nitrogen compounds) which stimulates the growth of organisms (mainly phytoplankton). This results in a lack of oxygen and ultimately in the death of living beings in the water. This study investigates the effect of stored plants […]
Abstract This paper investigates the importance of regular disinfection of farm equipment as part of an effective biosecurity system to reduce pathogen spread within an individual holding. By carrying out a laboratory investigation involving the growth of microorganisms from disinfected surfaces, the need for daily disinfection of high-risk areas is explored. The results of this […]
Even though a shell or a piece of coral on your mantelpiece may look pretty, the long-term consequences on the ocean and its inhabitants may be serious. You may think that one small shell won’t make a difference, but with every shell taken from its natural habitat the surrounding environment could suffer. This is because […]
A tsunami is a series of long, high sea waves caused by a disturbance in the water. This disturbance can come about in many ways such as an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite. The most common causes are volcanic or earthquake activity, and the disturbance itself causes abrupt movement of the water column. Tsunamis […]
Here is a selection of short, fun and interesting videos recommended by the King’s Hub. There is something for every scientist, with maths, physics, biology and chemistry related content. Although they are great to watch purely as entertainment, the King’s Hub also loves these videos because they show the wonderful (and slightly weird) knowledge that science […]
I had the pleasure of interviewing geoscientist and National Geographic Explorer, Andrés Ruzo on the publication of his first book, The Boiling River. Many of us have childhood dreams, perhaps of long lost places, imaginary worlds we might once be lucky enough to visit. We might be told stories, ones which we believe at the […]