This two-year effort develops innovative 3D-printed materials to remove excess phosphorus from freshwater systems and curb harmful algal blooms. Backed by statewide water-quality investments and prior research, the project will create durable, retrievable structures that provide a more effective, environmentally safe method for long-term nutrient removal. It also includes educational outreach to strengthen the local workforce and public awareness. The work addresses the growing threat HABs pose to ecosystems, public health, the economy and quality of life, driven largely by phosphorus from runoff and other nutrient sources.

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology find that urea is a major energy source for ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) in the open ocean, while coastal AOA prefer ammonium. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that organic nitrogen plays a far greater role in ocean productivity than previously recognized.

Scientists from the City University of Hong Kong have found that nanoplastics can enter zebrafish via two pathways: waterborne exposure and dietary exposure. These tiny particles can cross biological barriers to enter the circulatory system, and then translocate to and accumulate in various organs, including the blood, brain, gills, liver, intestines, gonads, and muscles. The gills and intestines are the most important absorption organs, while the intestines serve as the primary excretion organ.

Drone footage revealed constant violations of Mexico’s whale shark tourism rules, even when far fewer boats were on the water than regulations allow. The findings raise broader questions about whether popular wildlife encounters — from manta rays and sea turtles to whales and even elephants — are truly “ecotourism” and highlight the need for stronger monitoring and community-led stewardship.