Phosphorus and nitrogen contribute to water pollution and cause harmful algal blooms. New research shows how mats of floating flower beds can take advantage of these nutrients while cleaning the water.

This crucial fertiliser component is mostly found in just five countries.

Nutrient pollution fouls lakes and bays with algae, killing fish and threatening public health. Progress curbing it has been slow, mainly because of farm pollution.

Farmers are contending with huge spikes in fertilizer prices. The Biden administration is paying US companies to boost synthetic fertilizer production, but there are other, more sustainable options.

Cleaning up the Great Lakes was a big job when the US and Canada undertook it in 1972. Today it’s far more challenging.

Harmful algae blooms are an increasing problem in Florida. Once nutrients are in the water to fuel them, little can be done to stop the growth, and the results can be devastating for marine life.

Lightning strikes may have helped spark life on Earth, and may be continuing to help life start on other Earth-like planets.

The spread of tawny crazy ants may be driven, in part, by their need for calcium.

If rolled out worldwide, our method could replace a quarter of all the synthetic nitrogen fertiliser used in agriculture.