A man wades in a shallow creek with a sampling cup, gloves and a backpack.

New PFAS testing shows ‘forever’ chemicals throughout Coosa River basin

Expanded testing sets baseline understanding for education, advocacy on PFAS chemicals. Continue reading New PFAS testing shows ‘forever’ chemicals throughout Coosa River basin

southernsciencenewsMarch 5, 2024March 5, 20241 Comment

An overhead view of three rows of solar panels, with crops beneath them.

Greening Union Springs

Proposed solar campus would bring job training, renewable energy to Black Belt town by Sydney Cromwell When Herb Ferrette looks at his family’s 25-acre property in Union Springs, he sees green. Right now, it’s just green fields and forests, but in the future he envisions green energy, green jobs, green produce — and greenbacks. Ferrette’s plans for the Little USA solar campus would bring together … Continue reading Greening Union Springs

southernsciencenewsJanuary 13, 20244 Comments

Two people in waders and high-visibility clothes stand on the bank of a large puddle in the middle of a forest. The sun is low on the horizon behind the hills.

An entire world in a puddle

Researchers study relationships between wetlands, microbes, greenhouse gasses by Sydney Cromwell Every ecosystem has its own life cycle, its own rhythms. Few, though, are as changeable as the small wetlands scattered across the Tanglewood Biological Station, south of Tuscaloosa. In dry seasons, these tiny wetlands — some less than an acre in size — seem to disappear entirely, their waters absorbed into the ground or … Continue reading An entire world in a puddle

southernsciencenewsNovember 27, 20232 Comments

A group of four people carry fallen tree limbs from a large pile of brush. A warped and damaged sheet of metal can be partially seen in the foreground.

Come together

Small towns need funding, partnership in the face of climate disasters by Sydney Cromwell The tornado siren in the town of Parrish hasn’t worked for at least three years. Probably longer. It was broken when Bubba Cagle was elected mayor of this town of less than 1,000 people in Walker County. He was told that the needed part had been ordered. Three years later, it … Continue reading Come together

southernsciencenewsOctober 9, 2023October 9, 20232 Comments

The photo is taken from slightly below the road level of the bridge, which travels from the right foreground to the left background. The iconic white arch shape of the bridge is visible, as well as the sign calling it the Edmund Pettus Bridge. It's a sunny day and the trees on both banks of the river are dense and leafy. The river below is clouded.

‘Transformative’

Black Belt Heritage Area to bring together nature, culture, history Continue reading ‘Transformative’

southernsciencenewsSeptember 10, 2023September 10, 2023Leave a comment

State to begin door-to-door survey on Lowndes sewage issues

First step in agreement with U.S. Justice Department Continue reading State to begin door-to-door survey on Lowndes sewage issues

southernsciencenewsSeptember 9, 2023Leave a comment

The back bed of a large truck is visible on the right side of the image, with a satellite dish on the bed. It is located on the runway of a small airport. In the background, a dark storm cell is visible, including the frontline clouds and where the rain begins.

The calm before the storm

VORTEX-SE program setting new goals for tornado safety, forecasting Continue reading The calm before the storm

southernsciencenewsAugust 7, 2023August 7, 20231 Comment

From the right side of the image, a road of black ash travels toward a pile of ash in the background, with tracks from large vehicle tires visible. Around the road and the pile is barren dirt.

EPA considers denying Alabama’s coal ash permit program

ADEM program shows “a consistent pattern of deficiencies,” EPA says Continue reading EPA considers denying Alabama’s coal ash permit program

southernsciencenewsAugust 4, 2023August 4, 2023Leave a comment

An electric power plant with three red-and-white-striped smokestacks, sits on the bank of Mobile River, which is brown and cloudy.

The burning problem

Will new coal ash regulations make Alabama safer? Continue reading The burning problem

southernsciencenewsJune 28, 2023August 4, 20232 Comments

A meeting room is ringed with easels holding posterboards that describe various aspects of the fish passage project. People mill about the room to look at the boards and discuss with Army Corps of Engineers staff.

Fish migration project keeps swimming upstream

Army Corps of Engineers presents proposed designs to public Continue reading Fish migration project keeps swimming upstream

southernsciencenewsMay 23, 20232 Comments

Southern Science

Covering science research, issues and advocacy in Alabama.

‘Demise’ of a community

SHOR Act on the rocks

Environment in the classroom

Faith for the future

Up in smoke