soil

DAN HODGES: A muddy digger banned from British soil – and why EU is playing foolishly dangerous game

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Two weeks ago, a digger that had been working on a job on the British mainland arrived back in Northern Ireland. Or rather attempted to arrive. Its bodywork was covered in soil, the inspector pointed out. British soil wasn’t allowed into the EU. The driver explained that it was a company digger and was not … Read more

The first space launch from British soil could take place within a few years

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The first space launch from British soil could take place within a few years, Transport Secretary announces Consultation on the future of spaceflight in Britain will be take off from today  Proposals for seven spaceports across South West England, Scotland and Wales  Mr Shapps says plan: ‘Paves way for giant leap in development of space … Read more

UK scientists will help NASA’s Perseverance rover select Martian rock and soil

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Rock and soil taken from Mars by NASA‘s Perseverance rover in the search for ancient microbial Martian life will be selected by UK researchers.  Scientists at Imperial College London and the Natural History Museum will help Perseverance select the Martian samples, which will eventually be brought back to Earth for scientific study.  Perseverance blasts off from Florida … Read more

New study shows gold mining is stripping the nitrogen out of the soil in the Amazon

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New study shows gold mining in the Amazon is leeching nitrogen out of the soil, raising mercury concentrations and stopping new trees from growing for years Researchers studied the effects of gold mining on the Amazon rainforest Soil samples showed lower amounts of nitrogen in areas around mines They also found mercury levels that could … Read more

First orbital spaceflight from UK soil is a step closer after spaceport gets planning approval

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The first orbital space flight from UK soil is a step closer after the first spaceport – Space Hub Sutherland – was given planning approval by the Highland Council.    Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) plans to build the £17.9 million satellite launch site on peatland on the Moine Peninsula near Tongue in the Scottish Highlands.  … Read more