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Science & nature

Evidence-backed explainers about nature, science, weather, geology and the environment.

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Evidence-backed · Science & nature · 5 minutesWindermere: England's Longest Natural LakeWindermere is England's longest natural lake and a central feature of the Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stretches approximately 10.5 miles (16.9 km) and reaches depths of 66 metres (217 ft), formed by glacial activity during the last Ice Age. The lake supports diverse wildlife, including the rare vendace fish, and serves as a major recreational hub for boating, fishing, and watersports. Its shores are lined with Victorian towns like Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside, reflecting its development as a tourist destination from the 19th century onward.
Evidence-backed · Science & nature · 5PFAS in the Arctic OceanThe Arctic Ocean, though remote and pristine in perception, faces significant contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These 'forever chemicals' travel vast distances through air and water, accumulating in Arctic wildlife and indigenous communities. Research indicates that melting ice and changing currents are redistributing these pollutants, turning the Arctic into a sink for global contamination. Understanding this transport is critical for global pollution policy.