The plan emphasizes priorities such as energy and mineral independence and security. However, the sharp funding drop means that the agency won’t be able to support its full scientific portfolio.
mining
Deep-Seabed Mining May Come Soon, Says Head of Governing Group
New regulations could open the door for sustainable mining, says the head of the International Seabed Authority. However, he and others pointed to environmental, financial, and technical challenges.
Where and How Can We Find New Sources of Oil and Gas?
The editors of a new book on oil and gas exploration describe developments in methods for identifying oil and gas fields, and for making accurate predictions about their extractive potential.
Global Drought Clustering Could Mean Big Losses for Mining
Long-term climate records could help mining companies and their investors assess the financial risk of water shortages.
It’s Not Just Fracking: New Database of Human-Induced Quakes
In the largest compilation of anthropogenically induced earthquakes, causes range from building water reservoirs to mining.
New Law Puts the Squeeze on the Arizona Geological Survey
Arizona state services at risk include a program to map Earth fissures; the state's earthquake-monitoring network; and the Survey's mineral resources program.
Salty Secret Might Aid Carbon Impact of Restored Wetlands
Research on a surprising way rainfall affected the salinity of a boreal peatland might help restorers of such wetlands wrecked by tar sands mining maximize carbon absorption of reclaimed marshes.
New Reactive Barrier May Protect Groundwater from Mine Waste
Researchers are developing a porous concrete filter to pull harmful dissolved metals out of water.
Microbial Communities Form Iron Shells in Abandoned Mines
Fungi and bacteria deposit metal ions on steel objects left behind by miners. These metals form strange clam-like shells on the steel surfaces.
Miners Left a Pollution Trail in the Great Lakes 6000 Years Ago
Scientists find evidence of ancient copper mining in polluted lake sediments from Isle Royale National Park.