South Sudan has been marred by years of conflict, much of which has been waged over the oil fields in the north of the country. A week of fighting in South Sudan shows no signs of abating. Forces loyal to the former vice president have seized the main city of a key oil producing region.Amidst the fighting, there have been reports of intermittent health scares linked to deformities and congenital disease. I've received a series of documents, minutes, letters and medical reports that highlight the high levels ...

Why is bio remediation important. My mother is from Haiti of the Caribbean islands and my father is from a small country called Togo which is just on the coast of West Africa between Ghana and Benin. I've been to Haiti multiple times, but I only got the opportunity to go to Togo once.And when I went, I absolutely loved it. I stayed half of the time in Lome, the capital city, and the other half in a small community called Pelle Chico, but sometimes we just call it Pelle. There are a plethora of things that y ...

Environmental Concerns & Regulatory Awareness - The Permian Basin's oil and gas operations are significantly driving earthquakes, primarily due to produced water reinjection, not hydrofracking [5] - Shallow wastewater disposal, intended to alleviate earthquake risks, is causing leaks and surface flows, indicating a shift in environmental hazards [6][7][14] - The Railroad Commission of Texas was aware of the hazards associated with increased reservoir pressure, including well damage, corrosion, and harm to water sources, yet proceeded with shallow disposal [15] Water Management Challenges - For every barrel of oil produced in the Permian Basin, three to five barrels of toxic wastewater are generated, containing high salinity, oil residue, heavy metals, and radioactive materials [3] - The volume of produced water is escalating, reaching 25 to 30 million barrels per day, exacerbating the water disposal problem [19] - Reusing treated produced water is being explored as a solution to supplement fresh water sources for industrial and agricultural applications, potentially addressing about half of the produced water volume [16][17][18] Permian Basin Significance - The Permian Basin is a major shale oil production area, comparable in size to the combined oil production of Iraq and Kuwait if it were an OPEC member [2] - Over-injection of water from horizontal wells is pushing crude oil through old well bores, leading to leaks and surface contamination [9]

Environmental Impact of Warfare - War leaves a geological mark, creating a historical and environmental time capsule, exemplified by the battle of Iwo Jima [2][3][4] - Battlefields become long-term pollution sites, impacting communities with contaminated soils and water, leading to environmental injustice [24] - Military activities are significant polluters, yet the environmental cost of warfare is often overlooked in discussions about climate change and sustainability [25][26] - Pollution from the 20th century continues to affect ecosystems and human health in the 21st and will continue into the 22nd century [25] Heavy Metal Contamination on Iwo Jima - Approximately 273 tons of lead were deposited on Iwo Jima during five months and 36 days of battle [12] - About 30%, or 90 tons, of the 273 tons of lead were deposited specifically on Invasion Beach [13] - After 80 years of environmental impact, nearly 19 tons, or 21%, of the 90 tons of lead is predicted to remain on Invasion Beach [15] - Predictive contamination model estimates 155 milligrams of lead per kilogram of soil across Invasion Beach, closely aligning with unpublished sample averages of 147 milligrams per kilogram of soil [15][17] - The lead contamination prediction model can be used for other heavy metals, such as mercury, across war-impacted environments [18][19] Safety Thresholds and Environmental Consequences - World Health Organization (WHO) lead limits are at 100 milligrams per kilogram, while California recognizes 80 milligrams per kilogram as the level when lead begins to decay human cells [20][21] - US EPA limits are at 400 milligrams per kilogram in residential zones, including agricultural soils and playgrounds, which is far above when lead begins to harm humans [21] - Bombardments stripped away natural vegetation, leaving a toxic legacy of heavy metals that inhibit plant growth and soil health [22] - Marine life near the coast struggles with bioaccumulation of heavy metals, and vegetation struggles to regrow in and around impact zones [23] Recommendations - Policymakers must recognize war as not just a geopolitical crisis but an environmental one [28] - Focus on educating veterans and civilians about contamination risks and holding militaries accountable [28]