/oss/taxonomy/term/893/all en /oss/article/environment-general-science/getting-antsy-during-covid <p>In this COVID era, nighttime entertainment often comes down to watching one of the plethora of programs offered by streaming services. Let me make a recommendation. Summer is a time for ants to romp around, much to the annoyance of many people. Not me. I like ants, they are great little chemists. That’s why I’m suggesting Disney Pixar's “<a href="https://youtu.be/Ljk2YJ53_WI">A Bug’s Life</a>”. It is a lot of fun and we can even make it educational.</p> Wed, 15 Jul 2020 19:18:06 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8337 at /oss /oss/article/technology-history/most-important-industrial-chemical-worldand-lesson-learned <p><span>The thick liquid used to be called "oil of vitriol," since it was originally made by the distillation of "green vitriol," or iron sulfate as we know it today.  It was so corrosive and nasty that the term "vitriolic" entered our vocabulary to describe language that was particularly disagreeable.</span></p> Tue, 03 Jul 2018 21:35:40 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7156 at /oss /oss/article/environment-science-science-everywhere/everytime-you-turn-your-home-oil-furnace-or-drive-around-your-car-you-contribute-towards-making <p>Acid rain! Many gravestones are made of marble, which dissolves in acid. This means that if rain water is acidic, every time there is some precipitation, a bit of the marble is worn away. Acid rain can mostly, but not exclusively, be traced to human activity. The fossil fuels that we rely on extensively for heating and transport are the end product of the long term decomposition of plants and animals in the soil. The carbohydrates, fats and proteins that once made up these living creatures are converted into the hydrocarbons that make up the bulk of petroleum.</p> Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:26:07 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1881 at /oss