A USGS expert says the solution to problems with mercury plaguing Great Salt Lake will require more than just eliminating local sources. Also key are how it turns into harmful methylmercury and spreads through the food web.

Texas researchers say tiny flies that turn fire ants into zombies by eathing their brains may aid pest management.

Marathon negotiations seem to have produced a deal on key points of climate-and-energy legislation among House Democrats. Energy Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) announced late Tuesday that he though he had enough votes to pass the compromise. It reportedly gives away about half of the CO2 credits to utilities and other heavy industry -- instead of auctioning them.

"The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule Monday banning the use of the pesticide carbofuran on food crops, saying it poses an unacceptable health risk, especially to children."

EPA announced Monday that it would take over cleanup of the Kingston, Tennessee, fly ash spill from a TVA plant under the Superfund hazardous waste law.

"A last-minute health advisory issued by the Bush administration for water contaminated with the toxic chemical C8 may not be nearly stringent enough, according to a new scientific paper."

"China's frenetic construction of coal-fired power plants has raised worries around the world about the effect on climate change. ... But ... China has emerged in the past two years as the world's leading builder of more efficient, less polluting coal power plants, mastering the technology and driving down the cost."

"When it comes to food safety, state lawmakers around the country seem to believe in the adage, if you want something done, you have to do it yourself."

"Environmentalists fear that as many as a million acres of wetlands will fall victim to a confusing patchwork of local rules that will leave them vulnerable to destruction if money for Michigan's protection program dries up."

"Drivers in the US Southeast could get relief at the pump thanks to a proposed government-owned stockpile of gasoline to offset major supply disruptions, but lawmakers from those states have yet to back the legislation that would create the emergency fuel reserve."

Blue Whales seem to be resuming a historic migration pattern between the California coast and the Gulf of Alaska for the first time since commercial whaling ended in 1965.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) has placed a "hold" on the nomination of Gina McCarthy to lead EPA's Air Office, saying EPA's proposed finding that greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare would lead to costly regulations of small business.

"A little-known policy is turning sleepy central Florida into a green energy hub. Could it do the same for America at large?"

While the H1N1 "swine" flu has so far turned out to be less severe than feared, the World Health Organization's warning system is based on the extent of a disease's spread. Some are saying the system need changing in order to dial down needless anxiety.

"Iowa is about to launch its biggest assault ever on river and lake pollution -- a $455 million campaign."