Ben Maas
@masbenmaas.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences at Metro State University in St. Paul, MN, studying environmental and water quality.
"As they scoured well records & years of data, they zeroed in on a significant clue: The purges were occurring near wells where companies were injecting oil field wastewater at excessively high pressure, high enough to crack rock deep underground & allow the waste to travel uncontrolled for miles."
Oil regulators claim Oklahoma's wastewater incidents are under control.
But our reporting with @readfrontier.bsky.social shows the state is still dealing with dozens of instances of toxic waste spewing out of the ground, one of which killed about two dozen cows in Sept.
🔗 https://propub.li/4oWsppu
But our reporting with @readfrontier.bsky.social shows the state is still dealing with dozens of instances of toxic waste spewing out of the ground, one of which killed about two dozen cows in Sept.
🔗 https://propub.li/4oWsppu
November 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
"As they scoured well records & years of data, they zeroed in on a significant clue: The purges were occurring near wells where companies were injecting oil field wastewater at excessively high pressure, high enough to crack rock deep underground & allow the waste to travel uncontrolled for miles."
Reposted by Ben Maas
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
Reposted by Ben Maas
Every sample tested contained chemicals, whether from treated or untreated wastewater, surface runoff or agricultural chemicals. Antibiotics used to treat both humans + animals 'at concentrations high enough to suggest that antimicrobial resistance should be studied further in UK freshwaters'
Flea and tick medication, antibiotics & illicit drugs found in UK freshwater study by Imperial & @earthwatcheurope.bsky.social.
The research also found antibiotics at concentrations high enough that antimicrobial resistance should be studied further in UK freshwaters 🧵
ow.ly/jQUN50Xmmxc
The research also found antibiotics at concentrations high enough that antimicrobial resistance should be studied further in UK freshwaters 🧵
ow.ly/jQUN50Xmmxc
Flea meds, antibiotics & drugs found in UK freshwater in citizen science study | Imperial News | Imperial College London
Insecticides, antibiotics and illicit drugs that threaten aquatic life are present throughout UK waterways, research by Imperial and Earthwatch finds.
ow.ly
November 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Every sample tested contained chemicals, whether from treated or untreated wastewater, surface runoff or agricultural chemicals. Antibiotics used to treat both humans + animals 'at concentrations high enough to suggest that antimicrobial resistance should be studied further in UK freshwaters'
Reposted by Ben Maas
Forrest Smith, the only National Park Service engineer cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells, lost his contract, leaving 93 orphaned wells on park lands unmanaged. These leaking wells release methane and toxins, threatening human health and the environment.
He Alone Tracked Leaky Oil Wells in National Parks. He Was Let Go.
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Forrest Smith, the only National Park Service engineer cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells, lost his contract, leaving 93 orphaned wells on park lands unmanaged. These leaking wells release methane and toxins, threatening human health and the environment.
This seems bad.
Let's check in and see how November temperatures in the Contiguous U.S. have changed over the last 75 years. 🔥
November 3, 2025 at 5:01 AM
This seems bad.
"The researchers found that a plastic concentration of just 0.4% by mass can change how quickly water flows through soil"
Microplastics are seeping into the soil, where they can change the way soil interacts with water. These findings show one way that plastic pollution might affect agriculture in the coming decades.
Microplastics Have Widely Varying Effects on Soil - Eos
A new study finds that a microplastic concentration of just 0.4% alters the drainage of soil, which could affect the growth of crops and other plants.
eos.org
November 2, 2025 at 3:13 PM
"The researchers found that a plastic concentration of just 0.4% by mass can change how quickly water flows through soil"
IMO, but I lose a lot of respect for people that use AI in a presentation.
The amount of AI generated art in slides at this conference, primarily used by older scientists, is killing me. Scientists please. Don’t use these ai platforms to make your figures or slides. They look bad and I have yet to see them meaningfully improve the message of talks.
November 2, 2025 at 2:14 PM
IMO, but I lose a lot of respect for people that use AI in a presentation.
Reposted by Ben Maas
@readfrontier.bsky.social and ProPublica found that in the past five years, toxic oil field waste has spewed out of the ground more than 150 times.
Oklahoma’s regulatory agency, however, says it prefers “to lead with a handshake instead of a hammer.”
Full story: propub.li/4nJRZxe
Oklahoma’s regulatory agency, however, says it prefers “to lead with a handshake instead of a hammer.”
Full story: propub.li/4nJRZxe
November 2, 2025 at 1:00 AM
@readfrontier.bsky.social and ProPublica found that in the past five years, toxic oil field waste has spewed out of the ground more than 150 times.
Oklahoma’s regulatory agency, however, says it prefers “to lead with a handshake instead of a hammer.”
Full story: propub.li/4nJRZxe
Oklahoma’s regulatory agency, however, says it prefers “to lead with a handshake instead of a hammer.”
Full story: propub.li/4nJRZxe
No trick or treating this year for us, but we did hand out candy after the little astronaut went to bed.
November 1, 2025 at 3:19 AM
No trick or treating this year for us, but we did hand out candy after the little astronaut went to bed.
Candy was successfully handed out to small humans.
Have a happy Halloween, everyone!
Have a happy Halloween, everyone!
November 1, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Candy was successfully handed out to small humans.
Have a happy Halloween, everyone!
Have a happy Halloween, everyone!
It's the weekend, baby.
October 31, 2025 at 10:35 PM
It's the weekend, baby.
Reposted by Ben Maas
By studying the process through which a soil bacterium naturally produces a well-known drug, scientists have discovered a powerful antibiotic that could help to fight drug-resistant infections
go.nature.com/4oQ8bxO
go.nature.com/4oQ8bxO
Powerful new antibiotic that can kill superbugs discovered in soil bacteria
Surprise discovery could pave the way for new treatments against drug-resistant infections.
go.nature.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:17 PM
By studying the process through which a soil bacterium naturally produces a well-known drug, scientists have discovered a powerful antibiotic that could help to fight drug-resistant infections
go.nature.com/4oQ8bxO
go.nature.com/4oQ8bxO
"Certain chemicals used on farms, including pesticides and herbicides, have been linked to increased cancer rates. There’s also some evidence that nitrates, which can seep into drinking water from crop fields, are linked to some forms of cancer."
minnesotareformer.com/briefs/repor...
minnesotareformer.com/briefs/repor...
Report: Cancer rates rising among young people in the Corn Belt • Minnesota Reformer
The six states that lead in corn production — Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana and Kansas — have seen higher rates of cancer among young people than other states over the past decade, acco...
minnesotareformer.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:46 PM
"Certain chemicals used on farms, including pesticides and herbicides, have been linked to increased cancer rates. There’s also some evidence that nitrates, which can seep into drinking water from crop fields, are linked to some forms of cancer."
minnesotareformer.com/briefs/repor...
minnesotareformer.com/briefs/repor...
For no particular reason at all, here is the five minute radio address from former President Reagan talking about his general opposition to tariffs.
Before the one minute mark, he says that tariffs hurt American workers and consumers.
youtu.be/5t5QK03KXPc?...
Before the one minute mark, he says that tariffs hurt American workers and consumers.
youtu.be/5t5QK03KXPc?...
President Reagan's Radio Address on Free and Fair Trade on April 25, 1987
YouTube video by Reagan Library
youtu.be
October 24, 2025 at 3:35 PM
For no particular reason at all, here is the five minute radio address from former President Reagan talking about his general opposition to tariffs.
Before the one minute mark, he says that tariffs hurt American workers and consumers.
youtu.be/5t5QK03KXPc?...
Before the one minute mark, he says that tariffs hurt American workers and consumers.
youtu.be/5t5QK03KXPc?...
Reposted by Ben Maas
Clean tech firms have scrapped $24 billion in planned projects across the U.S. this year, from solar farms to battery plants to EV factories.
The canceled projects would have created more than 20,000 jobs, most of them in Republican districts.
The canceled projects would have created more than 20,000 jobs, most of them in Republican districts.
Dozens of Clean Tech Projects Cancelled in U.S. This Year, Costing More Than 20,000 Jobs
e360.yale.edu
October 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Clean tech firms have scrapped $24 billion in planned projects across the U.S. this year, from solar farms to battery plants to EV factories.
The canceled projects would have created more than 20,000 jobs, most of them in Republican districts.
The canceled projects would have created more than 20,000 jobs, most of them in Republican districts.
Reposted by Ben Maas
The 2nd highest risk factor for dying early, after high blood pressure, is high air pollution. A key step in reducing air pollution is to stop burning stuff: wood, fossil fuels - whether it's in a car engine, a wood burner, or a power station. Better public transport, walking + cycling routes vital.
October 23, 2025 at 8:52 AM
The 2nd highest risk factor for dying early, after high blood pressure, is high air pollution. A key step in reducing air pollution is to stop burning stuff: wood, fossil fuels - whether it's in a car engine, a wood burner, or a power station. Better public transport, walking + cycling routes vital.
What could possibly go wrong with drilling a large tunnel through a very active karst landscape...
Oh, right. A lot.
Karstic bedrock is pretty susceptible to sinkholes and other fun things happening, so building a tunnel for a few Tesla cars is an odd choice.
www.npr.org/2025/10/22/n...
Oh, right. A lot.
Karstic bedrock is pretty susceptible to sinkholes and other fun things happening, so building a tunnel for a few Tesla cars is an odd choice.
www.npr.org/2025/10/22/n...
Musk's Boring Company begins Nashville tunnel, bypassing the city's approval
Work has begun on a tunnel under Nashville that leads to and from the airport. The project by Elon Musk's Boring Company is being pushed through without the city's input.
www.npr.org
October 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
What could possibly go wrong with drilling a large tunnel through a very active karst landscape...
Oh, right. A lot.
Karstic bedrock is pretty susceptible to sinkholes and other fun things happening, so building a tunnel for a few Tesla cars is an odd choice.
www.npr.org/2025/10/22/n...
Oh, right. A lot.
Karstic bedrock is pretty susceptible to sinkholes and other fun things happening, so building a tunnel for a few Tesla cars is an odd choice.
www.npr.org/2025/10/22/n...
Narrator: "The other counties would, in fact, not mirror the decision of Polk County to fund the water quality monitoring network in the state of Iowa."
Polk County supervisors voted Tuesday to invest $200,000 to keep water quality monitors functioning across the state -- a move officials said they hope other counties will mirror, Cami Koons reports.
Polk County ‘leading’ effort to fund statewide water quality monitoring system • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Polk County will invest $200,000 to keep water quality monitors functioning across the state and hopes other counties will do the same.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Narrator: "The other counties would, in fact, not mirror the decision of Polk County to fund the water quality monitoring network in the state of Iowa."
I would have been surprised if a sample had NOT found microplastics
"Microplastics were found in every sample tested from 40 lakes, rivers & streams across Minnesota, according to a report recently released by Environment Minnesota Research and Policy Center."
minnesotareformer.com/briefs/repor...
"Microplastics were found in every sample tested from 40 lakes, rivers & streams across Minnesota, according to a report recently released by Environment Minnesota Research and Policy Center."
minnesotareformer.com/briefs/repor...
Report found microplastics in Minnesota rivers, lakes in all samples tested • Minnesota Reformer
Microplastics were found in every sample tested from 40 lakes, rivers and streams across Minnesota, according to a report recently released by Environment Minnesota Research and Policy Center.
minnesotareformer.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I would have been surprised if a sample had NOT found microplastics
"Microplastics were found in every sample tested from 40 lakes, rivers & streams across Minnesota, according to a report recently released by Environment Minnesota Research and Policy Center."
minnesotareformer.com/briefs/repor...
"Microplastics were found in every sample tested from 40 lakes, rivers & streams across Minnesota, according to a report recently released by Environment Minnesota Research and Policy Center."
minnesotareformer.com/briefs/repor...
If passed, this bill would help warn people that drink water from public sources and from private wells of a potential exposure to polluted water.
Alert would also be for PFAS.
Honestly, it's a great idea, and more states should do this.
wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/bipar...
Alert would also be for PFAS.
Honestly, it's a great idea, and more states should do this.
wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/bipar...
Bipartisan bill would warn private well owners of groundwater contaminants • Wisconsin Examiner
A proposed bill would warn Wisconsinites with private wells when their groundwater tests for high levels of contaminants, including PFAS.
wisconsinexaminer.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:59 PM
If passed, this bill would help warn people that drink water from public sources and from private wells of a potential exposure to polluted water.
Alert would also be for PFAS.
Honestly, it's a great idea, and more states should do this.
wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/bipar...
Alert would also be for PFAS.
Honestly, it's a great idea, and more states should do this.
wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/bipar...
This week on Climate Cast from @mprnews.org, EWG's @anneschech.bsky.social tells us why a corn-corn crop rotation is bad for the environment.
The short of it is that corn requires a lot of fertilizer, and that fertilizer requires a lot of energy to make.
one.npr.org/i/fis-414685...
The short of it is that corn requires a lot of fertilizer, and that fertilizer requires a lot of energy to make.
one.npr.org/i/fis-414685...
🔊 Listen Now: Report: Corn fertilizer is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions
Climate Cast from MPR News on NPR One | 4:37
one.npr.org
October 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
This week on Climate Cast from @mprnews.org, EWG's @anneschech.bsky.social tells us why a corn-corn crop rotation is bad for the environment.
The short of it is that corn requires a lot of fertilizer, and that fertilizer requires a lot of energy to make.
one.npr.org/i/fis-414685...
The short of it is that corn requires a lot of fertilizer, and that fertilizer requires a lot of energy to make.
one.npr.org/i/fis-414685...
Reposted by Ben Maas
Microplastics are released from plastic when exposed to heat, including leaching from tea bags into hot tea and plastic containers releasing nanoplastics when microwaved. While health effects are still unclear, minimizing heating plastic is a simple way to reduce exposure.
Microplastics are everywhere. You can do one simple thing to avoid them.
The biggest sources of microplastics have one thing in common: Heat.
wapo.st
October 13, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Microplastics are released from plastic when exposed to heat, including leaching from tea bags into hot tea and plastic containers releasing nanoplastics when microwaved. While health effects are still unclear, minimizing heating plastic is a simple way to reduce exposure.
Reposted by Ben Maas
💧Calling all hydrologists💧Montana State University is hiring an assistant professor of water systems science, broadly defined but with connections to groundwater/subsurface processes. Please spread the word! jobs.montana.edu/postings/48829
Assistant Professor of Environmental Water Systems Science
The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University Bozeman invites applications for a tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor with expertise in E...
jobs.montana.edu
October 13, 2025 at 10:53 PM
💧Calling all hydrologists💧Montana State University is hiring an assistant professor of water systems science, broadly defined but with connections to groundwater/subsurface processes. Please spread the word! jobs.montana.edu/postings/48829
From Dr Chris Jones @theswinerepublic.bsky.social
"The waste produced by livestock [beef cattle, dairy cows, hogs, chickens & turkeys] in the St. Croix River watershed is equivalent to 3.25 million more people living in the region."
wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/07/31/r...
"The waste produced by livestock [beef cattle, dairy cows, hogs, chickens & turkeys] in the St. Croix River watershed is equivalent to 3.25 million more people living in the region."
wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/07/31/r...
Researcher finds livestock waste in St. Croix watershed equivalent to more than 3 million people • Wisconsin Examiner
Livestock farming within the St. Croix River watershed has created waste equivalent to 3.25 million extra people living in the region.
wisconsinexaminer.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
From Dr Chris Jones @theswinerepublic.bsky.social
"The waste produced by livestock [beef cattle, dairy cows, hogs, chickens & turkeys] in the St. Croix River watershed is equivalent to 3.25 million more people living in the region."
wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/07/31/r...
"The waste produced by livestock [beef cattle, dairy cows, hogs, chickens & turkeys] in the St. Croix River watershed is equivalent to 3.25 million more people living in the region."
wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/07/31/r...
Reposted by Ben Maas
I wrote several papers about how bad corn ethanol was going to be around 2010, so I am not surprised.
We should always remind ourselves that biofuels are complements not substitutes for fossil fuels, b/c they are used in ICEs and have limited scalability.
They are a big ag and big oil PR mechanism.
We should always remind ourselves that biofuels are complements not substitutes for fossil fuels, b/c they are used in ICEs and have limited scalability.
They are a big ag and big oil PR mechanism.
NEW: Biofuels globally emit more than the fossil fuels they replace, our latest study shows.
The first-of-a-kind study looks at global biofuels production today and the potential impacts of government biofuel targets.
🧵⤵️
The first-of-a-kind study looks at global biofuels production today and the potential impacts of government biofuel targets.
🧵⤵️
October 9, 2025 at 12:44 PM
I wrote several papers about how bad corn ethanol was going to be around 2010, so I am not surprised.
We should always remind ourselves that biofuels are complements not substitutes for fossil fuels, b/c they are used in ICEs and have limited scalability.
They are a big ag and big oil PR mechanism.
We should always remind ourselves that biofuels are complements not substitutes for fossil fuels, b/c they are used in ICEs and have limited scalability.
They are a big ag and big oil PR mechanism.