Geochemistry – PossibleThreat Articles

Diamonds reveal hidden chemistry deep inside Earth

September 23, 2025 0 Comments Caving, Climate, Geochemistry, Geography, Geology, Global Warming, Mining, Weather

South African diamonds have revealed nickel-rich metallic inclusions, offering the first direct evidence of reactions predicted to occur deep in Earth’s mantle. The study shows how oxidized melts infiltrated reduced rocks, trapping both the cause and effect of diamond formation. These reactions help explain volatile-rich magmas like kimberlites, linking mantle chemistry to volcanic processes. Diamonds emerge as tiny record-keepers of Earth’s deep, dynamic engine.

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Chemicals in consumer products during early pregnancy related to lower IQ, especially in boys

October 24, 2019 0 Comments Child Development, Child Psychology, Children's Health, Environmental Policy, Geochemistry, Ice Ages, Infant's Health, Intelligence, Pregnancy and Childbirth

Exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy to mixtures of suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in consumer products is related to lower IQ in children by age 7, according to a new study. This study is among the first to look at prenatal suspected endocrine-disrupting chemical mixtures in relation to neurodevelopment.

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Fungi could reduce reliance on fertilizers

October 24, 2019 0 Comments Agriculture and Food, Climate, Environmental Issues, Food and Agriculture, Fungus, Geochemistry, Global Warming, Organic

Introducing fungi to wheat boosted their uptake of key nutrients and could lead to new, 'climate smart' varieties of crops, according to a new study.

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Magnets sustainably separate mixtures of rare earth metals

October 24, 2019 0 Comments Chemistry, Earth Science, Energy and Resources, Environmental Issues, Geochemistry, Geology, Inorganic Chemistry, Spintronics

A new study describes a novel approach for purifying rare earth metals, crucial components of technology that require environmentally-damaging mining procedures. By relying on the metal's magnetic fields during the crystallization process, researchers were able to efficiently and selectively separate mixtures of rare earth metals.

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Infrared detectors created for viper-like night vision

October 23, 2019 0 Comments Air Quality, Atmosphere, aviation, Detectors, Geochemistry, Optics, Physics, Pollution

Much like some snakes use infrared to 'see' at night, researchers are working to create similar viper vision to improve the sensitivity of night-vision cameras.

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New portable DNA sequencer quickly and accurately diagnoses wheat viruses

October 22, 2019 0 Comments Biometric, Exotic Species, Food, Forensic Research, Geochemistry, Grassland, Microarrays, Microbes and More, Virology

A group of scientists have developed a new technology that makes it possible to rapidly identify viruses in wheat fields with a significantly higher accuracy. They collected four wheat samples from western Kansas and used a new harmonica-sized DNA sequencer and a computer program to quickly detect three different viruses in the samples. Furthermore, their results suggested that the samples contained a new virus strain.

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Clay minerals call the shots with carbon

October 21, 2019 0 Comments Air Quality, Chemistry, Forest, Geochemistry, Global Warming, Graphene, Organic Chemistry, Quantum Physics

Clay minerals suspended in seawater binds sedimentary organic carbon to their mineral surfaces. But the quantity of carbon that is bound and the source of that carbon very much depends on the clay mineral in question. A research team has shown this by studying sediments in the South China Sea.

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Land management practices to reduce nitrogen load may be affected by climate changes

October 19, 2019 0 Comments Acid Rain, Air Pollution, Computer Modeling, Environmental Issues, Geochemistry, Information Technology, Mathematical Modeling, Mathematics

Nitrogen from agricultural production is a major cause of pollution in the Mississippi River Basin and contributes to large dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico. Illinois and other Midwestern states have set goals to reduce nitrogen load through strategies that include different land management practices. A new study uses computer modeling to estimate how those practices may be affected by potential changes in the climate, such as increased rainfall.

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Fingerprints of Earth's original building blocks discovered in diamond-bearing rocks

October 17, 2019 0 Comments Early Climate, Earth Science, Earthquakes, Evolution, Fossils, Geochemistry, Geology, Origin of Life

Scientists have detected primordial chemical signatures preserved within modern kimberlites, according to new research. The results provide critical insight for understanding the formation of Earth.

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Photosynthesis Olympics: Can the best wheat varieties be even better?

October 17, 2019 0 Comments Agriculture and Food, Botany, Endangered Plants, Environmental Issues, Food and Agriculture, Geochemistry, Grassland, Water

Scientists have put elite wheat varieties through a sort of 'Photosynthesis Olympics' to find which varieties have the best performing photosynthesis. This could ultimately help grain growers to get more yield for less inputs in the farm.

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