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Psicologia HospitalarNumber of Followers: 0
 Open Access journal ISSN (Print) 1677-7409 - ISSN (Online) 2175-3547
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- Metal mobility in an anaerobic-digestate-amended soil: the role of two
bioenergy crop plants and their metal phytoremediation potential
Authors: Neus Bonet-Garcia, Veronica Baldasso, Valentin Robin, Carlos R. Gomes, Gilles Guibaud, Maria João Alves, Ricardo Castro, Ana Paula Mucha, C. Marisa R. Almeida
Abstract: Panicum virgatum and Pennisetum alopecuroides, two non-food bioenergy crops, were evaluated for their capacity to phyto-manage trace metals (Pb, Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, Co, Cr, and Cu) from municipal solid waste digestate after its application to a marginal soil. For that, 90-day vertical soil column mesocosm (columns with 0.6 × 0.2 m) experiments were carried out to assess 1) the impact of digestate application on the health of marginal soil, 2) plant effect on digestate-borne trace metals’ mobility along the soil profile (measuring total metal levels and fractionation in different soil layers by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and 3) plant growth performance and trace metal (Pb, Zn, and Cu) uptake capacity. The results showed that trace metals were mostly confined in the 0–0.2 m soil horizon over the course of the experimental period, migrating from the digestate-amended soil layer (0–0.1 m) to the layer underneath (0.1–0.2 m) within the first 21 days and remaining stable afterward. No evidence of the trace metals’ mobility to deeper soil layers was detected. Migration of trace metals was reduced in the presence of P. virgatum and P. alopecuroides, suggesting a phytoremediation (phytostabilization) effect. For both plant species, no trace metal accumulation in the roots was observed (bioconcentration factor 1). The growth of both plants was positively affected by municipal solid waste digestate application, which also improved soil quality (increased concentration of total organic carbon and available phosphorus, as well as cation exchange capacity and water holding capacity).
PubDate: 2023-11-08T00:00:00Z
- Prediction of groundwater level under the influence of groundwater
exploitation using a data-driven method with the combination of time
series analysis and long short-term memory: a case study of a coastal
aquifer in Rizhao City, Northern China
Authors: Benli Guo, Shouchuan Zhang, Kai Liu, Peng Yang, Honglian Xing, Qiyuan Feng, Wei Zhu, Yaoyao Zhang, Wuhui Jia
Abstract: The excessive exploitation of groundwater not only destroys the dynamic balance between coastal aquifer and seawater but also causes a series of geological and environmental problems. Groundwater level prediction provides an efficient way to solve these intractable ecological problems. Although several hydrological numerical models have been employed to conduct prediction, no study has accurately predicted the groundwater level change under the consideration of groundwater exploitation, especially in coastal aquifers. This is due to the characteristics of spatially and temporally complex hydrological processes. This study proposes a novel data-driven method based on the combination of time series analysis and a machine learning method for accurately predicting the variation of groundwater level in a coastal aquifer under the influence of groundwater exploitation. The partial autocorrelation function and continuous wavelet coherence were used to analyze the monitoring data of groundwater level at three wells, which indicated that the historical monitored data and the dataset of precipitation could be considered as the input variables to construct the hydrological model. Then, three models based on the different inputs were constructed, namely, the LSTM, PACF-LSTM, and PACF-WC-LSTM models. The performances of the three models were compared by the calculation of four error metrics. The results showed that the performance of the PACF-LSTM and PACF-WC-LSTM models was better than that of the LSTM model and that the PACF-WC-LSTM model achieved the best prediction performance. Accurately predicting the variation of groundwater level provides the basis for managing groundwater resources and preserving the ecological environment.
PubDate: 2023-11-08T00:00:00Z
- An integrated methodological framework for the durable conservation of
freshwater ecosystems: a case study in Colombia’s Caquetá River basin
Authors: Jonathan Nogales, Carlos Rogéliz-Prada, Miguel A. Cañon, Andres Vargas-Luna
Abstract: Introduction: Although freshwater ecosystems encompass 12% of all known species, their study has achieved less progress in systematic conservation planning exercises compared with terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Moreover, little attention has been given to ecosystem services and cultural and spiritual values, which are pivotal in the long-term preservation of freshwater ecosystems. Conservation, restoration, and sustainable management actions within freshwater systems are currently addressed individually, underscoring the necessity of comprehensive methodological frameworks that holistically address the questions of where and how to conserve while integrating ecosystem services and cultural factors as conservation values.Methods: We propose a new methodological framework for the conservation of freshwater ecosystems that incorporates these elements and fulfills six prioritization criteria: 1) representativeness, 2) integrity, 3) importance, 4) rarity, 5) complementarity, and 6) connectivity. To illustrate the application of this approach, we conducted a regional study in the Caquetá River basin in Colombia.Results: By applying our methodological framework, we demonstrated that the Caquetá River basin hosts 518 distinct freshwater groups with unique characteristics that contribute to the maintenance of ecosystems and the preservation of their inherent values. Additionally, our analysis revealed that protection is the most effective conservation strategy for 77.4% of the Caquetá River basin, whereas restoration and sustainable management are suitable for 4.7% and 17.9% of the basin, respectively. The prioritized portfolio for the Caquetá River basin encompasses 80.1% of all freshwater groups, effectively meeting The Nature Conservancy’s proposed conservation objectives.Conclusion: This novel methodological framework provides a pragmatic approach to systematic conservation planning and answers the questions of both where and how to conserve.
PubDate: 2023-11-08T00:00:00Z
- Forecasting urban carbon emissions using an Adaboost-STIRPAT model
Authors: Depeng Kong, Zheng Dai, Jiayue Tang, Hong Zhang
Abstract: Solving outstanding environmental issues, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting green development are necessary ways to achieve carbon neutrality and carbon peak goals. It is also an important issue faced by society today. This paper uses the Kaya identity combined with the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) decomposition method to analyze the factors affecting carbon emissions, and uses the Pearson correlation coefficient to screen out eight highly correlated features to construct an extended STIRPAT model. In order to further improve the accuracy of the model in predicting carbon emissions, this paper introduces the Adaboost algorithm from machine learning to enhance the STIRPAT model. Finally, scenario analysis is used to predict and analyze carbon emissions in Shandong Province from 2020 to 2050. The results show that: 1) The main factors affecting urban carbon emissions from 1998 to 2019 are economic growth effects, followed by energy structure effects and energy consumption effects. 2) Under three different development scenarios, Shandong Province can achieve carbon peak between 2030–2035, but there are differences in peaking time and peak values.
PubDate: 2023-11-08T00:00:00Z
- Study on the biodegradation of phenol by Alcaligenes faecalis JH1
immobilized in rice husk biochar
Authors: Manzhi Li, Jiahui Xiao, Zhi Zeng, Taiping Zhang, Yuan Ren
Abstract: Immobilized microbial technology is a sustainable solution to reduce water pollution. Understanding the microorganisms in immobilized biochar is critical for the removal of contaminants in water. Biochar as a carrier of microorganisms, there are some problems need to be focused on, microporous structure blockage limiting the contact between microorganisms and pollutants for further degradation, unstable microbial loading, and low cycle times. To solve these problems, Alcaligenes faecalis was immobilized with rice hull biochar to study its adsorption and degradation characteristics of phenol. It was found that A. faecalis JH1 could effectively remove 300 mg/L of phenol within 24 h. The adsorption capacity of rice husk biochar for phenol increased with the increasing pyrolysis temperature (700> 500>300°C). The immobilized biomass of JH1 from 700°C rice husk biochar reached 249.45 nmol P/g at 24 h of fixation reaction. It was found that the phenol removal rate of JH1 immobilized at all temperature biochar reached 300 mg/L within 12 h after the sixth cycle. As the number of cycles increased, bacteria grew and adhered to the biochar, forming a thick viscous biofilm and accelerating the removal of phenol. The results showed that A. faecalis could firmly adhere to rice hull biochar and degrade phenol effectively, with good durability and cyclicity.
PubDate: 2023-11-08T00:00:00Z
- Assessment of trace elements in the long-term banana cultivation
field’s soil
Authors: Md Saiful Islam, Md Towhidul Islam, Zulhilmi Ismail, Abu Reza Md Towfiqul Islam, Rahat Khan, Fakhrul Hasan, Md Humayun Kabir, Bede Izuchukwu Ezewudo, Khalid A. Ibrahim, Abubakr M. Idris
Abstract: This work assesses the contamination of trace elements (Cr, Cu, Ni, As, Zn Cd, Mn, Fe, and Pb) in soil and different tissues of the banana plant (Musa spp.), the ecological risks of trace elements using various indices, and the probable health risks using a chemometric approach. Soil and different banana plant tissues were collected from banana fields around the industrial area of the capital of old Pundranagar (the earliest urban archaeological location), Bangladesh. Samples were digested by acid digestion, and trace elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer (ICP-MS). The concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, Fe, Mn, and Zn in soil ranged from 1.50–61.7, 2.42–87.4, 2.00–100.8, 0.25–31.2, 0.10–12.7, 0.60–91.8, 11330–23782, 8.69–105.9, and 7.50–125.9 mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentrations of trace elements in four tissues descend in order of roots> leaves> stems> fruits. The abundances of trace elements varied in both soil and plant samples, which apparently occurred due to the variations of soil parent materials and the excessive use of agrochemicals for long-term banana cultivation. The soil exhibited a moderate to high degree of contamination with trace elements, and Cr, Pb, Zn, Cd, and As mainly originated from anthropogenic sources. Both non-cancer and cancer risks were perceived due to Cr and As exposure from the fruit tissue of banana plants in the study area.
PubDate: 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z
- Study on the coupling and coordination relationship between the digital
economy and green development: evidence from Guangdong province in China
Authors: Xiaojun Zhong, Zhiyi Cao, Bo Peng, Tsun Se Cheong
Abstract: The digital economy city and green development of China are important engines with important backgrounds. This paper takes 21 prefecture-level cities in Guangdong Province as the research object. By constructing the index system of the digital economy and green development, this paper discusses the external spatial pattern and internal temporal evolution characteristics of the coordinated development of the digital economy and green development from the two perspectives of intercity and inner city. The results show that: 1) From the perspective of intercity, there is a large gap between the development level of the digital economy and the green development level of all cities, only Guangzhou and Shenzhen have the digital economy development level ahead of the green development level. The coupling level of the two systems presents an unbalanced pattern of “centre-edge,” and “Guangzhou-Foshan-Shenzhen-Dongguan” becomes the core pole of the coupling development of the two systems in the province. The coordinated horizontal cascade distribution of the two systems is obvious, showing a spatial pattern of decreasing step by step from the first circle to the third circle. 2) From the perspective of inner city, the digital economy level and green development level of all cities showed an upward trend from 2013 to 2019. The coupling level shows a two-stage development trend: the stable development stage from 2013 to 2016, and he accelerated development stage from 2016 to 2019, and the internal interaction of the two systems is deepening. The coordination level of all cities improved significantly in 7 years, and in 2019, 21 cities all reached the level of moderate coordination or high coordination. Based on above research conclusions, in order to promote the positive interaction between digital economy and green development, this paper proposes to optimize resource allocation based on regional differences, and adhere to innovation-driven policy proposals to activate the potential of green development.
PubDate: 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z
- Shades of grey—tire characteristics and road surface influence tire and
road wear particle (TRWP) abundance and physicochemical properties
Authors: Tim Wilkinson, Ida Järlskog, Juliana Aristéia de Lima, Mats Gustafsson, Karin Mattsson, Yvonne Andersson Sköld, Martin Hassellöv
Abstract: There is mounting evidence that tire wear particles can harm natural systems, but worldwide trends in car weight and car usage, mean emissions are set to increase. To control tire wear emissions and help understand fate and transport, detailed characterisation of the particles, and the relationship between road surface properties and emission profiles is needed. This study deployed a suite of experiments utilising the advanced road simulator of the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute to compare seasonal tire types from three brands. An extraction method was developed for a coarse (>30 µm) fraction of tire and road wear particles (TRWP), and a comprehensive physicochemical characterisation scheme applied to both TRWP and tire-tread, including microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and pyrolysis-GC/MS. Road simulator dusts and hand-picked TRWP showed differences in shape, numbers, and mass between tire types and brands, and between asphalt and cement concrete road surfaces. Contrary to accepted perceptions, tactile analyses revealed that firm-elastic TRWP comprised only a minor proportion of TRWP. Fragile and chemically distinct tire-road-derived particles, termed here sub-elastic TRWP, comprised 39–100% of TRWP. This finding raises urgent questions about overall TRWP classification and identification features, resistance to weathering, and environmental fate. At the same time, differences in TRWP generation between tire formulations, and road surfaces, show potential for controlling emissions to reduce global impacts.
PubDate: 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z
- Coordination contracts and numerical analysis of low-carbon competitive
supply chains under the influence of low-carbon goodwill
Authors: De-ru Xie, Qin Qin, Jian-min Xie, Xin-jing He, Mao-ting Jiang
Abstract: Introduction: Under the dual opportunities of low-carbon consumption preference and online consumption platforms, vendors’ low-carbon advertising incursions provide opportunities for decarbonization and market position enhancement, as well as further research on the value of low-carbon advertising. This study aims to explore the contractual choices of green vendors’ online channels participating in low-carbon advertising competition under the low-carbon goodwill effect, and to simulate and evaluate the contractual choices of supply chain members.Methods: Using differential games, through the innovative application of the traditional low-carbon goodwill model and the introduction of the low-carbon advertising competition intensity coefficient, we design one-way and two-way cost-sharing contracts under low-carbon competition, coordinate the vicious competition in the supply chain, and provide contractual choices for supply chain participants.Results and discussion: Under the low-carbon advertising competition decision, the manufacturer has an absolute low-carbon market advantage, but the interests of all supply chain members are weakened, and interestingly, the manufacturer, who dominates the market, is the facilitator of the contractual agreement. Second, well-designed pacts can provide manufacturers and traders with more options for low-carbon strategies. Although both one-way and two-way cost-sharing pacts can generate Pareto gains for the supply chain and its members in advertising competition, two-way cost-sharing pacts are superior to one-way pacts in terms of coordination advantages. In addition, an important finding is that greater profit growth can be achieved through contractual cooperation in low-intensity advertising competition. Thus, moderate competition is desirable, while excessive competition can harm the supply chain system. Manufacturers should actively urge retailers to cooperate in order to optimize profits and establish long-term stable partnerships between upstream and downstream firms in green supply chains.
PubDate: 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z
- Assessing the impact of a waste incinerator on the environment using the
MAIAC-AOD and AERMOD models
Authors: Anuttara Hongthong, Supachai Nakapan
Abstract: The distribution and concentration of air pollutants from infectious waste incineration between 2019 and 2021 were examined in this study using an AERMOD model, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NOx), and particulate matter (PM2.5). The MAIAC-AOD value at a 1 km resolution was used to develop a regression model with meteorological information for predicting PM2.5, which was then compared with the concentration from the AERMOD simulation. The following maximum 1-h, 24-h, and annual average concentrations of all pollutants were found to have occurred in 2019. The distribution of SO2 and NOx in 1 h was largest in 2020 at 1,000 m to the northwest, with concentrations of 37.68 and 93.99 μg/m3, respectively. The 24-h concentrations of SO2 and NOx were greatest in 2021 at 3.63 and 8.90 μg/m3, respectively, 720 m northeast of the stack. The annual concentrations of SO2 and NOx were highest in 2019 at 0.56 and 1.36 μg/m3, respectively. The highest annual PM2.5 concentration was 0.033 μg/m3, 730 m to the northeast in 2019. The predicted PM2.5 using MAIAC-AOD correlated with the simulated value from AERMOD, with R2 values of 0.7630, 0.7607, and 0.6504 for 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively, which were higher closer to the stack than outside. As a result, investigations into the distribution of air pollution should benefit from the integration of air modeling and satellite information.
PubDate: 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z
- Management of enterprise carbon emissions data falsification considering
government regulation and media monitoring
Authors: Yalin Wang, Yong Sun, Yiling Miao
Abstract: The accuracy of carbon emission data is essential for various disciplines to maintain reasonable expectations and certainty regarding the carbon emission rights trading market. However, the management of carbon emission data quality faces many challenges, especially due to the harmful behavior of enterprises that falsify such data, which seriously disrupts the order and credibility of the carbon market. Currently, few studies focus on the behavior and mechanism of corporate carbon emission data fraud, which requires an in-depth stakeholder analysis to obtain theoretical and empirical support for the formulation of effective regulatory policies. To investigate the influence of government regulation and media monitoring on addressing enterprise carbon emission data falsification, as well as to analyze the game behaviors and equilibrium outcomes among the government, media, and enterprises under different policy combinations and market environments, this study develops an evolutionary game model incorporating the government, media, and enterprises as three key stakeholders. Furthermore, numerical simulations are conducted for empirical validation. The key findings of this research highlight the significant impact of government regulation and media monitoring on deterring enterprise carbon emission data falsification, thus effectively reducing falsification motives and behaviors and enhancing the quality of carbon emission data. Additionally, the game between the government, media, and enterprises reveals the existence of multiple evolutionary stable strategies. Of these, the optimal strategy is the comprehensive implementation of all three elements: government regulation, media monitoring, and corporate integrity disclosure. This paper comprehensively examines the influence of government regulation and media monitoring on enterprise carbon emission data falsification and addresses the gaps in existing research. Moreover, it provides theoretical guidance and policy recommendations for establishing a high-quality carbon market.
PubDate: 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z
- Modeling habitat quality for rangeland ecosystem restoration in the
Alledeghi Wildlife reserve, Ethiopia
Authors: Simeneh Admasu
Abstract: Assessment of habitat quality is important for the planning and management of conservation measures at a landscape level. The Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve (AWR) is an iconic wildlife conservation area because it not only contains charismatic wildlife species but also serves as a reliable livestock rangeland. The study aimed to assess habitat quality based on landscape-specific habitat threat information in the AWR using InVEST software. it is the first attempt to model the habitat quality of the landscape using expert-driven information. Six important threats were considered, namely, invasive species, bush encroachment, livestock incursion, fire, habitat destruction, and distance to roads. The quantified habitat quality was classified into low, moderate, and high. The results revealed that the quality of the habitat declined in the study area between 1998 and 2016. The high-quality habitat had a larger extent covering about 837 km2 (57.4%) in 1998 but it was reduced by 128 km2 (64%) during the study period. Conversely, moderate quality and low-quality habitats have increased from 78 km2 (5.35%) in 1998 to 206 km2 (14.12%) in 2016; and from 544 km2 (37.3%) in 1998 to 619 km2 (42.13%) in 2016 respectively. The decline in habitat quality was mainly associated with increased livestock incursion and expansion of invasive species which resulted in rapid land use changes. Thus, it is critical to undertake serious conservation measures to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services in the AWR and to substantively contribute to the improved livelihood of the pastoral community.
PubDate: 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z
- Editorial: Sustainable development on water resources management, policy
and governance in a changing world
Authors: Zhanhong Wan, Rongrong Wan, Sajjad Ahmad, Murat Eyvaz
PubDate: 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z
- Adaptive selection of members for convective-permitting regional ensemble
prediction over the western Maritime Continent
Authors: Kuldeep Sharma, Joshua Chun Kwang Lee, Aurore Porson, Krishnamoorthy Chandramouli, Nigel Roberts, Douglas Boyd, Huqiang Zhang, Dale Melvyn Barker
Abstract: A common issue faced by the downscaled regional ensemble prediction systems is the under-dispersiveness of the ensemble forecasts, often attributed to the lack of spread under the initial conditions from the global ensemble. In this study, a novel method that adopts an adaptive approach to selecting global ensemble members for regional downscaling has been developed. Instead of using a fixed set of pre-selected global ensemble members, the adaptive selection performs a sampling algorithm and selects the global ensemble members, which maximizes a fractions skill score (FSS)-based displacement between ensemble members. The method is applied to a convective-permitting ensemble prediction system over the western Maritime Continent, referred to as SINGV-EPS. SINGV-EPS has a grid spacing of 4.5 km and is a 12-member ensemble that is driven by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) 51-member global ensemble. Month-long trials were conducted in June 2020 to assess the impact of adaptive selection on the ensemble forecast spread and rainfall verification scores. In both fixed pre-selection and adaptive selection experiments, SINGV-EPS was still under-dispersive. However, adaptive selection improved the ensemble spread and reduced the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of the ensemble mean in wind, temperature, and precipitation fields. Further verification of the rainfall forecasts showed that there was a reduction in the Brier score and a higher hit rate in the relative operating characteristic (ROC) curve for all rainfall thresholds when adaptive selection was applied. Additionally, the ensemble mean forecasts from adaptive selection experiments are more accurate beyond 24 h, with a higher FSS for all rainfall thresholds and neighborhood lengths. These results suggest that the adaptive selection is superior to the fixed pre-selection of global ensemble members for downscaled regional ensemble prediction.
PubDate: 2023-11-06T00:00:00Z
- Editorial: Near-earth electromagnetic environment and natural hazards
disturbances
Authors: Angelo De Santis, Lin Jian, Mirko Piersanti, Xuhui Shen, Chao Xiong, Zeren Zhima
PubDate: 2023-11-06T00:00:00Z
- Effects of altered streamflow on macroinvertebrate taxonomic richness and
composition in the Goulburn River, Australia
Authors: Sudeep Banad, Yongping Wei, C. T. Dhanya, Ron Johnstone
Abstract: River systems have been stressed by the construction of dams and regulation structures which influence aquatic ecosystem integrity. Previous studies considered the general significance of regional streamflow regimes for aquatic communities, but they did not investigate the influence of specific components of flow regimes on aquatic ecosystems under the combined impact of regulation and extreme drought events, limiting our ability to design and implement precise environmental flow management strategies. This study aims to quantify the relationship between macroinvertebrate biotic indices and ecologically important streamflow characteristics derived from five natural flow regime components by investigating the spatiotemporal variation in the macroinvertebrate assemblage in regulated and unregulated reaches and identifying specific flow indices that have a direct impact on macroinvertebrates in the Goulburn basin in Victoria, Australia during the Millennium Drought period. The relationship between dominant flow metrics and macroinvertebrates indices was investigated using boosted regression trees (BRT). The results revealed a significant difference in hydrological variability between regulated and unregulated reaches. The regulated reaches demonstrated reduced hydrological variability during low flow periods, and rapid increase in discharge during high flow periods when compared to unregulated reach. Unregulated reach had 38% more taxa richness than regulated reach impacted by hydropeaking. Eight indicator taxa were identified in the unregulated reach, and they exhibited a higher Stream Invertebrate Grade Number Average Level (SIGNAL 2) score, indicating that they were highly sensitive species. The maximum flow in June was the most important flow parameter that influences the macroinvertebrate indices as per the BRT model. Better management of environmental flows will benefit from identifying which aspects of the natural flow regime impact stream ecosystems and predicting the consequences of altered flow regimes on aquatic ecosystems.
PubDate: 2023-11-06T00:00:00Z
- Impact of wastewater reuse on contaminants of emerging concern in an
effluent-dominated river
Authors: Jordyn M. Wolfand, Anneliese Sytsma, Kristine T. Taniguchi-Quan, Eric D. Stein, Terri S. Hogue
Abstract: Contaminants of emerging concern such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and plasticizers, are ubiquitous in effluent-dominated rivers and have potential adverse effects on humans and aquatic life. Demands on water supply have prompted conservation and water reuse measures, impacting the discharge in these rivers, yet the effects of these management decisions on water quality are largely intuited and not quantified. This research examines how changes in water reuse practices will impact concentrations of contaminants of emerging concern, specifically carbamazepine, diclofenac, galaxolide, gemfibrozil, 4-nonylphenol, and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), in the effluent-dominated Los Angeles River (Los Angeles County, California). A water quality module was added to a calibrated hydrologic model of the system and parametrized with observed water quality monitoring data in EPA SWMM. Results indicate that water reuse (i.e., reduced effluent flow) will consistently improve in-stream water quality for all compounds studied except PFOS. However, the improvements are often not substantial enough to mitigate high concentrations directly downstream of treated effluent discharge points. Concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are substantially reduced through attenuation as dilution and degradation occur downstream, though the rate of this attenuation is variable and based on the contaminant. In contrast, concentrations of PFOS increase under some wastewater reuse scenarios and decrease under others but remain below the recommended environmental screening levels. Our work also highlights that management decisions regarding water quantity should integrate water quality modeling to help identify priority monitoring locations and constituents.
PubDate: 2023-11-06T00:00:00Z
- Environmental conditions predetermine quality, germination, and innate
antioxidants pool in sea oat (Uniola paniculata L.) seeds
Authors: Andrew Ogolla Egesa, Héctor E. Pérez, Kevin Begcy
Abstract: Secondary metabolites such as antioxidants are critical components that protect seeds from stress damage during seed development, desiccation, and ex-situ storage. Antioxidants are essential determinants of seed quality, longevity, and persistence. Understanding the environmental factors that regulate the accumulation, content, and function of antioxidant pools in sea oat seeds is critical for gene banking and understanding the environmental impacts on seed quality. Germination, viability, and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) were analyzed on seeds from 18 sea oat populations from the US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. We first assessed baseline TEAC, followed by TEAC performed on imbibed seeds for 36 h at 35/25°C during the day and night, respectively. Then, we analyzed the relationship of the antioxidant pools from these 18 sea oat populations to sampling site environmental classifications. Higher baseline antioxidants were common in regions with extreme environmental conditions corresponding to sea oat populations growing at latitudinal extremes characterized by warmer and colder temperatures. Baseline antioxidants did not correlate with prevailing seed germination. However, higher concentrations of antioxidants following imbibition were associated with poor seed germination in warmer conditions. Our results indicate that climatic conditions and environmental components associated with temperatures and precipitation may largely influence the innate pool of antioxidants in sea oat seeds. Also, a high amount of antioxidants following sea oat seed imbibition suggest seed damage or poor viability influenced by environmental stress conditions during seed development.
PubDate: 2023-11-06T00:00:00Z
- Enhancing waste resource efficiency: circular economy for sustainability
and energy conversion
Authors: Hadad Elroi, Grzymala Zbigniew, Wójcik-Czerniawska Agnieszka, Szewczyk Piotr
Abstract: This study explores optimizing waste resource efficiency through the Circular Economy (CE) framework. Motivated by the imperative to enhance resource efficiency and mitigate waste’s environmental impact, we examine the CE concept’s extension of product life cycles, while minimizing waste. We conduct a comprehensive review to explore the core CE principles across all stages of the product lifecycle and provide an in-depth analysis of waste treatment practices in Poland, emphasizing potential energy conversion methods like biogas production and incineration. Our findings underscore the importance of prioritizing waste incineration plant design for quicker payback, aligning with circular rational economic practices. Strategies such as improving biogas production, establishing solid bio-waste fermentation facilities, promoting sortable packaging, and incentivizing sustainable sorting emerge to optimize waste management. These findings highlight the pivotal role of economic, environmental, and energy considerations in shaping sustainable waste management strategies.
PubDate: 2023-11-06T00:00:00Z
- The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: what it does and does
not do, and how to improve it
Authors: Alice C. Hughes, R. Edward Grumbine
Abstract: The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) marks one of the most ambitious environmental agreements of the 21st century. Yet despite the ambition, and the considerable change in approach since negotiating its predecessor (the 2025 Vision and Aichi targets), the many pressures, including working through a global pandemic mean that the final agreement, despite several years of delay, is weaker than might have been hoped for. The GBF provides a set of four goals, composed of 23 targets (and a series of supporting annexes) which explore the options for conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biodiversity, and the mobilisation of necessary resources to maintain life on Earth. In this perspective we systematically examine the composition of the GBF, exploring what the targets lack and what weaknesses exist in text. We also detail the link between the targets and the key indicators which can be used to track success toward fulfilling the targets. We offer key recommendations which could help strengthen the application of various targets, and show where the indicators could be improved to provide more detailed information to monitor progress. Furthermore, we discuss the association between targets and their indicators, and detail where indicators may lack the necessary temporal resolution or other elements. Finally, we discuss how various actors might better prepare for the successor to the GBF in 2030 and what has been learnt about the negotiating process, including lessons to help ensure that future agreements can circumnavigate issues which may have weakened the agreement.
PubDate: 2023-11-06T00:00:00Z
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