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Mercury contamination in staple crops impacted by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM): stable Hg isotopes demonstrate dominance of atmospheric uptake pathway for Hg in crops

Air, soil, and three common staple crops were assessed at an artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) processing site, and mercury (Hg) contamination was observed at a farm ≈ 500 m from the processing site. Of the crop tissues examined, foliage had the highest concentrations. Mercury stable isotopes indicate uptake of mercury from the air to the foliage as the dominant uptake pathway. Using typical dietary data for Nigerians, Hg intake from these crops was below reference dose levels and generally safe for consumption.

AR6 updates to RF by GHGs and aerosols lowers the probability of accomplishing the Paris Agreement compared to AR5 formulations

We show that recent assessed updates to the future abundance and radiative forcing (RF) of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and tropospheric aerosols result in a 0.2 to 0.4 ⁰C rise in global mean surface temperature by the end of the century, relative to prior projections. For society to have confidence in achieving the 2 ⁰C warming limit of the Paris Agreement, the RF due to GHGs and aerosols must be placed close to the primary 2.6 W m⁻² Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenario (SSP1−2.6) over the coming decades.

TICOI: an operational Python package to generate regular glacier velocity time series

While global annual glacier velocities are openly accessible, sub-annual velocity time series are still lacking. This hinders our ability to understand flow processes and the integration of these observations in numerical models. We introduce an open source Python package called TICOI (Temporal Inversion using linear Combinations of Observations, and Interpolation) to fuse multi-temporal and multi-sensor image-pair velocities produced by different processing chains to produce standardized sub-annual velocity products.

A dilatant visco-elasto-viscoplasticity model with globally continuous tensile cap: stable two-field mixed formulation

We present a simple plasticity model that can be used for robust modeling of strain localization in both shear and tensile failure regimes. The new model overcomes the difficulty related to combining these regimes and enables for particularly simple and reliable numerical implementation, which delivers regularized solutions that are insensitive to mesh resolution. We describe algorithmic details and demonstrate the applications to a number of relevant strain localization problems.

A tracer study for the development of in-water monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of ship-based ocean alkalinity enhancement

Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a carbon removal approach in which alkaline materials are added to the marine environment, increasing the ocean's ability to store carbon dioxide. We conducted an open-water experiment releasing and tracking a fluorescent water tracer. Under the right conditions, in-water monitoring of OAE does appear to be possible. We conclude with a series of practical recommendations for open-water OAE monitoring.

Mapping the safe operating space of marine ecosystems under contrasting emission pathways

Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions significantly impact ocean ecosystems through climate change and acidification, leading to either progressive or abrupt changes. This study maps the crossing of physical and ecological limits for various ocean impact metrics under three emission scenarios. Using Earth system models, we identify when these limits are exceeded, highlighting the urgent need for ambitious climate action to safeguard the world's oceans and ecosystems.

Tipping points in ocean and atmosphere circulations

In this work, we draw on palaeo-records, observations, and modelling studies to review tipping points in the ocean overturning circulations, monsoon systems, and global atmospheric circulations. We find indications for tipping in the ocean overturning circulations and the West African monsoon, with potentially severe impacts on the Earth system and humans. Tipping in the other considered systems is regarded as conceivable but is currently not sufficiently supported by evidence.

Place-based science from Okinawa: 18th-century climate and geology recorded in Ryukyuan classical music

Indigenous Ryukyuan music records the 18th-century climate and geology of the Ryukyu Kingdom (21st-century Okinawa Prefecture, Japan). By collaborating with Ryukyuan cultural practitioners, we find that two seafaring songs detail the winds, ocean currents, and volcanoes that historical voyagers faced during envoys to Kyushu, Japan. Educators can use such observations in place-based learning to increase environmental science engagement in 21st-century Okinawa and the Okinawan diaspora worldwide.

Extensive fire-driven degradation in 2024 marks worst Amazon forest disturbance in over 2 decades

The Amazon forest faces increasing wildfires due to extreme drought and human activity. In 2024, disturbances surged by 152 %, hitting a 20-year high. Forest degradation from fires grew by over 400 %, exceeding that from deforestation. Brazil and Bolivia were hit hardest. These fires released huge amounts of CO₂, 7 times more than in recent years, pushing the Amazon towards a dangerous tipping point. Urgent action is needed to prevent irreversible harm.

Increased future ocean heat uptake constrained by Antarctic sea ice extent

Future projections of global ocean heat uptake (OHU) strongly differ between climate models. Here, we reveal an observational constraint on future OHU based on historical Antarctic sea ice extent observations. This emergent constraint is based on a coupling between sea ice, deep- and surface ocean temperatures, and cloud feedback. It implies an upward correction of 2024–2100 global OHU projections by up to 14 % and suggests that previous constraints have underestimated future warming.

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