New Study Finds Rocky Mountain Snow Contamination
An examination of Rocky Mountain snow finds higher contamination levels of mercury and others metals in the northern part of the range, consistent with increased current and historical mining in the region. The study, published in the May issue of the journal Environmental Pollution, examined contamination levels for Mercury, Zinc, Cadmium and Antimony from nearly 50 sites in the Rocky Mountains.
Blurring the Line Between Rain and Snow: The Limits of Meteorological Classification
A new study published in Nature Communications utilizes insights gleaned from DRI’s Mountain Rain or Snow project to evaluate why traditional weather forecasting struggles to identify the rain/snow transition line. The research was possible because thousands of community members across the U.S. contributed more than 40 thousand observations of the type of precipitation falling at their location.
Featured Event
May the Science Be With You - May 1, 2025
Calling all Star Wars fans and science enthusiasts! Join us on May 1st on our Las Vegas Campus for an out-of-this-world experience! DRI and the Atomic Museum are teaming up to bring you a FREE Family-Friendly Community Event where science meets the galaxy far, far away! Don’t miss this chance to explore science through the lens of Star Wars and join us for an evening of discovery and fun! May the force be with you!
DRI presents a series of community-based events across Nevada that celebrate how science shapes our lives, fuels creativity, and deepens our understanding of the world by underscoring the transformative power of curiosity and knowledge.
Learn more and purchase tickets!
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Since 1959, the faculty, students, and staff at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) have advanced scientific knowledge to help solve pressing environmental challenges and improve human health.
With more than 600 employees, over 300 projects on all seven continents, and two world-class research campuses in Reno and Las Vegas, DRI serves as one of the eight institutions in the Nevada System of Higher Education.
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