Carbon Negative Water and Energy

I've got to report some good news to counter the bad: counting myself we've got a team of 4 geochemists that are going to sample the new lake in Death Valley, possibly as early as next week, official permissions from the National Park Service pending. We had our first Zoom meeting this week and worked out most of the logistics.
I thank Irene Farnham for suggesting I contact Dave Kraemer at UNLV, which got the ball rolling, and invite her to join us. The team currently consists of:

Ron Hershey, Desert Research Institute (DRI)
Dave Kraemer, UNLV
Zach Perzan, UNLV
Irene Farnham ??
yours truly

We're doing everything: major ions, trace elements, ANC, DIC, d13C, d18O, C-14, etc. and of course T, pH, DO, ORP, SpCnd.

Today's Bing photo: almonds. Probably 30% of my meat-replacement protein. And the only explanation I have for that landscape is vegetation-covered sand dunes. If you think that is alarming in the context of climate change, and I do, I point you to two links about the Sand Hills in Nebraska.
[ 2nd link gone: a study of the Sand Hills and the geologic history of drought, from the Unvesity of Nebraska, Lincoln. :'( ]
You can read and hear about the Sand Hills, but you really don't get it until you fly in a jetliner over them, which I only ever did once, on a geodesic between Minneapolis St. Paul and San Francisco.

Almond trees in full bloom, California In the sun-kissed orchards of the Golden State, almonds reign supreme, enticing the taste buds and adorning the natural surroundings. California grows about 80% of the world"s almonds and 100% of those produced commercially in the United States. Almonds have heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and ar...

For all the extra treatment needed (plus other things utilities desperately need):

$1.2 Billion Settlement From PFAS Manufacturers To Water Utilities Finalized Drinking water utilities are set for a financial boost in their efforts to combat one of the most prevalent contaminant classes in the world.

This is amazing ... and that's Badwater basin, Death Valley, so it's a [temporary] lake surface below sea level!!!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3a5zwWvu3I/?igsh=MTRtOHRhc3Uwc3h2Nw==

@deathvalleynps fills with water creating a new lake, 3 hours or less from Las Vegas. Definitely worth a visit. #vegaspaulycshow

Going home for the holidays? Moose are solitary animals and prefer to move about independently. That’s fair. Two or more individuals sometimes can be found feeding along the same stream but small talk is usually kept to a minimum.

Do they slow down in winter? Moose aren’t really into hibernating either. Instead, they spend their time browsing what remains on trees and shrubs for food. Like deer, (and us when we hear there is cake in the break room) moose have a “second stomach.” Also known as a rumen chamber, it allows the animal to consume wood and other woody materials. (Not like us. This cake is a bit dry, George.)

Whether you’re headed home or looking for something to do this holiday season, find an event or create your own holiday traditions of visiting a national park. Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/holiday-happenings.htm

P.S. Thanks, George, another cake. How thoughtful.