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Models predict that mercury undergoes rapid oxidation in the upper atmosphere. Aircraft measurements support this prediction and provide evidence for a previously unrecognized sink for stratospheric mercury.
The influence of trees and dead wood on river dynamics has long been overlooked. Recent work suggests that large wood pieces can stabilize the land surface, contributing to a large-wood cycle that profoundly affects floodplain morphology and ecology.
Toxic heavy metals can accumulate in Earth's near surface to form ore deposits. Experimental and direct measurements of ore fluids reveal the efficient mobilization and deposition of uranium, implying potentially rapid formation of economic-grade ore.
Rivers draining the Himalaya provide vital resources for almost half of the world's population. A combined model–data analysis suggests that the contribution of groundwater to the annual water budget in the central Himalaya may be substantial.
