Pub Date : 2024-08-29DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1433586
Xi Chen, Zhonghua Li, Huimin Xu, Liping Qiu, Limin Fan, Shunlong Meng, Zexia Gao, Chao Song
Drinking water quality and the commercial value of aquatic items are both significantly impacted by odor molecules like 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) and geosmin (GSM). Many investigations have been conducted to identify the microorganisms involved in the synthesis of 2-MIB and GSM. However, few studies have attempted to identify potential degradation factors in the natural environment. Here, pathway analysis of the relationship between water quality parameters and the distribution of odor compounds in water bodies led to a more significant connection (p < 0.05) between total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, and salinity in water bodies for the distribution of their odor compounds. Salinity among them exhibited the strongest connection and had a direct impact. The establishment of a larger spatial scale statistical research method, mainly using the water environment with different salinities formed in different geographical areas, and the distribution of odor compounds in this water body as a research vehicle helped to find the most concise relationship between the two variables. The results show that the concentration of odor compounds is lower in waters with higher salinity, which proves the negative correlation between the two. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for solving the problem of odorous pollutants in water bodies, with the aim of improving the utilization of water resources more effectively and, secondly, leading to a new guiding direction for the conservation and exploitation of impact plains and mudflats.
{"title":"Regulation of salinity to inhibit 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin: Insights from spatial-scale research in coastal areas of China","authors":"Xi Chen, Zhonghua Li, Huimin Xu, Liping Qiu, Limin Fan, Shunlong Meng, Zexia Gao, Chao Song","doi":"10.3389/fenvs.2024.1433586","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1433586","url":null,"abstract":"Drinking water quality and the commercial value of aquatic items are both significantly impacted by odor molecules like 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) and geosmin (GSM). Many investigations have been conducted to identify the microorganisms involved in the synthesis of 2-MIB and GSM. However, few studies have attempted to identify potential degradation factors in the natural environment. Here, pathway analysis of the relationship between water quality parameters and the distribution of odor compounds in water bodies led to a more significant connection (<jats:italic>p</jats:italic> &lt; 0.05) between total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, and salinity in water bodies for the distribution of their odor compounds. Salinity among them exhibited the strongest connection and had a direct impact. The establishment of a larger spatial scale statistical research method, mainly using the water environment with different salinities formed in different geographical areas, and the distribution of odor compounds in this water body as a research vehicle helped to find the most concise relationship between the two variables. The results show that the concentration of odor compounds is lower in waters with higher salinity, which proves the negative correlation between the two. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for solving the problem of odorous pollutants in water bodies, with the aim of improving the utilization of water resources more effectively and, secondly, leading to a new guiding direction for the conservation and exploitation of impact plains and mudflats.","PeriodicalId":12460,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Environmental Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142209782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-29DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1379630
Mikko Järveläinen, Sampo Pihlainen, Kristiina Karhu, Nico Österberg, Raisa Mäkipää
This study investigates the carbon offset potential in Espoo, Finland, by comparing a construction-impacted deforestation site with a larger conserved forest area. Addressing a knowledge gap in localized forest conservation as a CO2 offset method, our research quantifies the carbon stock and sequestration impacts under both baseline and alternative scenarios for the two study sites. The baseline scenario for offset site reflects standard forest management practices, while the alternative scenario involves complete forest conservation without active management. Our findings reveal that the conserved forest (79 ha), dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), increased its carbon stock by 26 Mg C ha−1 in soil and 65 Mg C ha−1 in biomass. This enhancement is sufficient to compensate for the smaller deforestation site’s (19 ha), also containing a mix of Norway spruce and Scots pine, stock loss of 186 Mg C ha−1 in soil and 43 Mg C ha−1 in biomass. Furthermore, this study illuminates the complexities of CO2 compensation regulation and emphasizes the necessity for robust, transparent carbon accounting practices. The insights offer a valuable perspective on integrating nature-based solutions in urban planning to achieve broader ecological and climate goals.
{"title":"Forest conservation as a CO2 offset measure: a case of an urban development project in Finland","authors":"Mikko Järveläinen, Sampo Pihlainen, Kristiina Karhu, Nico Österberg, Raisa Mäkipää","doi":"10.3389/fenvs.2024.1379630","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1379630","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates the carbon offset potential in Espoo, Finland, by comparing a construction-impacted deforestation site with a larger conserved forest area. Addressing a knowledge gap in localized forest conservation as a CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> offset method, our research quantifies the carbon stock and sequestration impacts under both baseline and alternative scenarios for the two study sites. The baseline scenario for offset site reflects standard forest management practices, while the alternative scenario involves complete forest conservation without active management. Our findings reveal that the conserved forest (79 ha), dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), increased its carbon stock by 26 Mg C ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> in soil and 65 Mg C ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> in biomass. This enhancement is sufficient to compensate for the smaller deforestation site’s (19 ha), also containing a mix of Norway spruce and Scots pine, stock loss of 186 Mg C ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> in soil and 43 Mg C ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> in biomass. Furthermore, this study illuminates the complexities of CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> compensation regulation and emphasizes the necessity for robust, transparent carbon accounting practices. The insights offer a valuable perspective on integrating nature-based solutions in urban planning to achieve broader ecological and climate goals.","PeriodicalId":12460,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Environmental Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142209783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-28DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1431027
Alice H. Howie, Vera Rullens, Anita Thomas, Stella Kondylas, Sophie K. Russell, Simon E. Reeves, Judith M. Ament, Miguel Castro, Sharie Detmar
IntroductionThe emergence of voluntary carbon markets is creating new opportunities to sustainably finance Natural Climate Solution (NCS) projects. In Australia, the federal government recently enacted the Tidal Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems Methodology Determination 2022 (Tidal Reconnection Method), whereby restoration activities that reintroduce tidal flows to allow the re-establishment of coastal wetland (blue carbon) ecosystems, through the removal or modification of a tidal restriction, can be used to gain and sell Australian carbon credit units. Australia has the highest net blue carbon wealth in the world, with 5%–11% of global carbon stocks, yet there is currently a lack of large-scale feasibility assessments and supporting methodologies to identify and prioritise sites with the greatest potential for NCS project implementation to help inform investment decisions.MethodsIn this study, we applied a spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to identify, map, and prioritise potential sites for blue carbon coastal wetland restoration in South Australia that meet criteria outlined in the Tidal Reconnection Method. This study compared information on 1) predicted flooding extent following tidal reconnection and under sea level rise (SLR; present-day, 2050 and 2,100); 2) project implementation complexity (e.g. who possesses land tenure); and 3) carbon sequestration potential through predicted area of vegetation change under the above SLR scenarios.ResultsOur results identified 64 sites of interest, of which 32 received an overall “high” prioritisation score of 3 or more out of 5. This equates to approximately 21,114 ha of high priority potential blue carbon restoration sites.DiscussionThe MCDA enables development of a portfolio of viable restoration projects through a rapid “desktop” prioritisation of sites of interest, which can then guide investment in further detailed cost/benefit feasibility assessments. This study demonstrates an adaptable MCDA approach to map potential NCS projects at meaningful spatial scales and in-line with carbon market-based opportunities.
{"title":"Seas the opportunity: multi-criteria decision analysis to identify and prioritise blue carbon wetland restoration sites","authors":"Alice H. Howie, Vera Rullens, Anita Thomas, Stella Kondylas, Sophie K. Russell, Simon E. Reeves, Judith M. Ament, Miguel Castro, Sharie Detmar","doi":"10.3389/fenvs.2024.1431027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1431027","url":null,"abstract":"IntroductionThe emergence of voluntary carbon markets is creating new opportunities to sustainably finance Natural Climate Solution (NCS) projects. In Australia, the federal government recently enacted the Tidal Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems Methodology Determination 2022 (Tidal Reconnection Method), whereby restoration activities that reintroduce tidal flows to allow the re-establishment of coastal wetland (blue carbon) ecosystems, through the removal or modification of a tidal restriction, can be used to gain and sell Australian carbon credit units. Australia has the highest net blue carbon wealth in the world, with 5%–11% of global carbon stocks, yet there is currently a lack of large-scale feasibility assessments and supporting methodologies to identify and prioritise sites with the greatest potential for NCS project implementation to help inform investment decisions.MethodsIn this study, we applied a spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to identify, map, and prioritise potential sites for blue carbon coastal wetland restoration in South Australia that meet criteria outlined in the Tidal Reconnection Method. This study compared information on 1) predicted flooding extent following tidal reconnection and under sea level rise (SLR; present-day, 2050 and 2,100); 2) project implementation complexity (e.g. who possesses land tenure); and 3) carbon sequestration potential through predicted area of vegetation change under the above SLR scenarios.ResultsOur results identified 64 sites of interest, of which 32 received an overall “high” prioritisation score of 3 or more out of 5. This equates to approximately 21,114 ha of high priority potential blue carbon restoration sites.DiscussionThe MCDA enables development of a portfolio of viable restoration projects through a rapid “desktop” prioritisation of sites of interest, which can then guide investment in further detailed cost/benefit feasibility assessments. This study demonstrates an adaptable MCDA approach to map potential NCS projects at meaningful spatial scales and in-line with carbon market-based opportunities.","PeriodicalId":12460,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Environmental Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142209785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-28DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1450354
Jianming Jiang, Yandong Ban, Ming Zhang, Zhongyong Huang
Predicting carbon dioxide emissions is crucial for addressing climate change and achieving environmental sustainability. Accurate emission forecasts provide policymakers with a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of policies, facilitating the design and implementation of emission reduction strategies, and helping businesses adjust their operations to adapt to market changes. Various methods, such as statistical models, machine learning, and grey prediction models, have been widely used in carbon dioxide emission prediction. However, existing research often lacks comparative analysis with other forecasting techniques. This paper constructs a new Discrete Fractional Accumulation Grey Gompertz Model (DFAGGM(1,1) based on grey system theory and provides a detailed solution process. The Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is used to find the hyperparameters in the model. By comparing it with five benchmark models, the effectiveness of DFAGGM(1,1) in predicting carbon dioxide emissions data for China and the United States is validated.
{"title":"New discrete fractional accumulation Grey Gompertz model for predicting carbon dioxide emissions","authors":"Jianming Jiang, Yandong Ban, Ming Zhang, Zhongyong Huang","doi":"10.3389/fenvs.2024.1450354","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1450354","url":null,"abstract":"Predicting carbon dioxide emissions is crucial for addressing climate change and achieving environmental sustainability. Accurate emission forecasts provide policymakers with a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of policies, facilitating the design and implementation of emission reduction strategies, and helping businesses adjust their operations to adapt to market changes. Various methods, such as statistical models, machine learning, and grey prediction models, have been widely used in carbon dioxide emission prediction. However, existing research often lacks comparative analysis with other forecasting techniques. This paper constructs a new Discrete Fractional Accumulation Grey Gompertz Model (DFAGGM(1,1) based on grey system theory and provides a detailed solution process. The Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is used to find the hyperparameters in the model. By comparing it with five benchmark models, the effectiveness of DFAGGM(1,1) in predicting carbon dioxide emissions data for China and the United States is validated.","PeriodicalId":12460,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Environmental Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142209784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-27DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1438927
Yitong Wang, Yongke Yuan, Xiao Qian, Yuanying Chi
IntroductionThe development of the digital economy has a profound impact on industrial economics. The article starts from the perspective of industrial organization theory. The thesis aims to analyze the industrial development of the digital economy and its three structural variables: digital manufacturing industry, digital service industry, and the development of industrial digitization on carbon emission intensity.MethodBased on the data of Input-output Tables with extended tables of 30 provinces, this paper analyzes the industrial development of digital economy and its three structural variables: digital manufacturing industry, digital service industry, and the development of industrial digitization on carbon emission intensity.Results and discussionThe empirical results show that: 1) at the national level, the development of China’s digital economy industries has a suppressive effect on carbon emission intensity; 2) in terms of spatial effects, the development of digital economy has significant carbon spillover effects, but digital industrialization and industrial digitization present different spatial effect results; 3) from the analysis of regional heterogeneity, in the northeast, central and western regions, the direction of influence of digital industrialization and industrial digitalization on carbon emission intensity is consistent; in the eastern region, the development of digital industrial service sector and industrial digitalization has a suppressive effect on carbon emission intensity, while digital industrial manufacturing sector presents a pro-increasing effect; 4) Non-linear relationship analysis shows that the development of the digital industrial manufacturing sector has a “promoting and then inhibiting” effect on carbon emission intensity. Overall, the impact of digital industry development on carbon intensity exhibits a “promoting increase, then suppressing, then promoting increase” trend. In conclusion, the findings suggest that China’s digital economy industry has entered the low-carbon development stage.
{"title":"The impact of China’s digital economy industry development and its structural indicators on carbon emission intensity","authors":"Yitong Wang, Yongke Yuan, Xiao Qian, Yuanying Chi","doi":"10.3389/fenvs.2024.1438927","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1438927","url":null,"abstract":"IntroductionThe development of the digital economy has a profound impact on industrial economics. The article starts from the perspective of industrial organization theory. The thesis aims to analyze the industrial development of the digital economy and its three structural variables: digital manufacturing industry, digital service industry, and the development of industrial digitization on carbon emission intensity.MethodBased on the data of Input-output Tables with extended tables of 30 provinces, this paper analyzes the industrial development of digital economy and its three structural variables: digital manufacturing industry, digital service industry, and the development of industrial digitization on carbon emission intensity.Results and discussionThe empirical results show that: 1) at the national level, the development of China’s digital economy industries has a suppressive effect on carbon emission intensity; 2) in terms of spatial effects, the development of digital economy has significant carbon spillover effects, but digital industrialization and industrial digitization present different spatial effect results; 3) from the analysis of regional heterogeneity, in the northeast, central and western regions, the direction of influence of digital industrialization and industrial digitalization on carbon emission intensity is consistent; in the eastern region, the development of digital industrial service sector and industrial digitalization has a suppressive effect on carbon emission intensity, while digital industrial manufacturing sector presents a pro-increasing effect; 4) Non-linear relationship analysis shows that the development of the digital industrial manufacturing sector has a “promoting and then inhibiting” effect on carbon emission intensity. Overall, the impact of digital industry development on carbon intensity exhibits a “promoting increase, then suppressing, then promoting increase” trend. In conclusion, the findings suggest that China’s digital economy industry has entered the low-carbon development stage.","PeriodicalId":12460,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Environmental Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142209788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-27DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1468869
Alexandra C. Oliver, Barret L. Kurylyk, Lindsay H. Johnston, Nicole K. LeRoux, Lauren D. Somers, Rob. C. Jamieson
Anthropogenic climate change and associated increasing nutrient loading to coasts will worsen coastal eutrophication on a global scale. Basin Head is a coastal lagoon located in northeastern Prince Edward Island, Canada, with a federally protected ecosystem. Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) is conveyed from agricultural fields in the watershed to the eutrophic lagoon via intertidal groundwater springs and groundwater-dominated tributaries. A field program focused on four main tributaries that discharge into the lagoon was conducted to measure year-round NO3-N loading. These measurements were used to calibrate a SWAT+ hydrologic model capable of simulating hydrologic and NO3-N loads to the lagoon. Several climate change scenarios incorporating different agricultural best management practices (BMPs) were simulated to better understand potential future NO3-N loading dynamics. Results indicate that all climate change scenarios produced increased annual NO3-N loading to the lagoon when comparing historical (1990–2020) to end of century time periods (2070–2100); however, only one climate scenario (MRI-ESM2-0 SSP5-8.5) resulted in a statistically significant (p-value <0.05) increase. Enlarged buffer strips and delayed tillage BMP simulations produced small (0%–8%) effects on loading, while changing the crop rotation from potato-barley-clover to potato-soybean-barley yielded a small reduction in NO3-N loading between the historical period and the end of the century (26%–33%). Modeling revealed changes in seasonal loading dynamics under climate change where NO3-N loads remained more consistent throughout the year as opposed to current conditions where the dominant load is in the spring. An increase in baseflow contributions to streamflow was also noted under climate change, with the largest change occurring in the winter (e.g., up to a five-fold increase in February). These findings have direct implications for coastal management in groundwater-dominated agricultural watersheds in a changing climate.
{"title":"Impacts of climate change and best management practices on nitrate loading to a eutrophic coastal lagoon","authors":"Alexandra C. Oliver, Barret L. Kurylyk, Lindsay H. Johnston, Nicole K. LeRoux, Lauren D. Somers, Rob. C. Jamieson","doi":"10.3389/fenvs.2024.1468869","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1468869","url":null,"abstract":"Anthropogenic climate change and associated increasing nutrient loading to coasts will worsen coastal eutrophication on a global scale. Basin Head is a coastal lagoon located in northeastern Prince Edward Island, Canada, with a federally protected ecosystem. Nitrate-nitrogen (NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>-N) is conveyed from agricultural fields in the watershed to the eutrophic lagoon via intertidal groundwater springs and groundwater-dominated tributaries. A field program focused on four main tributaries that discharge into the lagoon was conducted to measure year-round NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>-N loading. These measurements were used to calibrate a SWAT+ hydrologic model capable of simulating hydrologic and NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>-N loads to the lagoon. Several climate change scenarios incorporating different agricultural best management practices (BMPs) were simulated to better understand potential future NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>-N loading dynamics. Results indicate that all climate change scenarios produced increased annual NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>-N loading to the lagoon when comparing historical (1990–2020) to end of century time periods (2070–2100); however, only one climate scenario (MRI-ESM2-0 SSP5-8.5) resulted in a statistically significant (<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>-value &lt;0.05) increase. Enlarged buffer strips and delayed tillage BMP simulations produced small (0%–8%) effects on loading, while changing the crop rotation from potato-barley-clover to potato-soybean-barley yielded a small reduction in NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>-N loading between the historical period and the end of the century (26%–33%). Modeling revealed changes in seasonal loading dynamics under climate change where NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>-N loads remained more consistent throughout the year as opposed to current conditions where the dominant load is in the spring. An increase in baseflow contributions to streamflow was also noted under climate change, with the largest change occurring in the winter (e.g., up to a five-fold increase in February). These findings have direct implications for coastal management in groundwater-dominated agricultural watersheds in a changing climate.","PeriodicalId":12460,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Environmental Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142209786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-27DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1430662
Ying-Juan Zheng, Yi-Ping Chen, Yan Zhao, Lorraine Maltby, Wan-Gang Liu
The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is recognized worldwide as an icon for wildlife conservation. The Qinling subspecies (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis) inhabiting the Qinling Mountains is more endangered. Previous studies have indicated that Qinling pandas are potentially at risk from environmental pollutants, which they are exposed to via food and drinking water. However, there is little information about the surface water quality in the Qinling Mountains, and it is unknown whether drinking water is an important pollutant source for pandas. Water samples were collected from five different nature reserves in Qinling, each of which is home to a population of pandas. The samples were analyzed for five essential metals of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) and four non-essential metals of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg). The concentrations of all heavy metals (HMs) were higher in buffer zones than in the core areas and were highest in Foping and Niuweihe nature reserves. The concentrations of mercury exceeded the water quality standard in the core zone of three reserves, suggesting that NWH (Niuweihe), THS (Tianhuashan), and PHL (Pingheliang) giant panda populations were at risk from mercury toxicity. The accumulation of other elements over time could also pose a serious risk to pandas. Three main sources of pollution were identified: coal combustion, waste incineration, and fertilizer use; traffic-related activities; and metal mining. Environmental pollution is compromising the efforts to conserve the giant panda, and measures need to be put in place to control pollution sources.
{"title":"Quantifying the potential health risk of surface waters in the Qinling giant panda habitat","authors":"Ying-Juan Zheng, Yi-Ping Chen, Yan Zhao, Lorraine Maltby, Wan-Gang Liu","doi":"10.3389/fenvs.2024.1430662","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1430662","url":null,"abstract":"The giant panda (<jats:italic>Ailuropoda melanoleuca</jats:italic>) is recognized worldwide as an icon for wildlife conservation. The Qinling subspecies (<jats:italic>Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis</jats:italic>) inhabiting the Qinling Mountains is more endangered. Previous studies have indicated that Qinling pandas are potentially at risk from environmental pollutants, which they are exposed to via food and drinking water. However, there is little information about the surface water quality in the Qinling Mountains, and it is unknown whether drinking water is an important pollutant source for pandas. Water samples were collected from five different nature reserves in Qinling, each of which is home to a population of pandas. The samples were analyzed for five essential metals of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) and four non-essential metals of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg). The concentrations of all heavy metals (HMs) were higher in buffer zones than in the core areas and were highest in Foping and Niuweihe nature reserves. The concentrations of mercury exceeded the water quality standard in the core zone of three reserves, suggesting that NWH (Niuweihe), THS (Tianhuashan), and PHL (Pingheliang) giant panda populations were at risk from mercury toxicity. The accumulation of other elements over time could also pose a serious risk to pandas. Three main sources of pollution were identified: coal combustion, waste incineration, and fertilizer use; traffic-related activities; and metal mining. Environmental pollution is compromising the efforts to conserve the giant panda, and measures need to be put in place to control pollution sources.","PeriodicalId":12460,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Environmental Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142209787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-26DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1439573
Stephanie L. Renkers, Leah I. Bendell
We examined the ecological and toxicological implications of the microplastic, Cyanox®53, found in sediments and varnish clams across seven beaches in Burrard Inlet, British Columbia (BC). Using the simulation models embedded within Estimation Programs Interface (EPI) Suite™, the potential persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of Cyanox®53 was assessed to evaluate the risk to varnish clams foraging on sediment containing this contaminant. Moreover, we used a bioenergetic model, based on the blue-listed surf scoter species, to estimate the risk of daily ingestion of Cyanox®53 per body weight in overwintering seabirds. Our findings indicate that varnish clams collected from Burrard Inlet accumulate on average 0.46 particles of Cyanox®53/clam, and based on bioenergetic modeling, results in surf scoters potentially consuming 78 (for males) to 83 (for females) pieces of Cyanox®53 daily from foraged varnish clams. EPI Suite™ predicted Cyanox®53 to be persistent, however, unlikely to bioaccumulate as a “traditional” chemical. Furthermore, the estimation of potential acute and chronic toxicity of Cyanox®53 to aquatic organism surrogates, such as fish, Daphnia magna, and green algae, was inconclusive due to model variability and limitations within EPI Suite™. To fully understand the potential risks of Cyanox®53 further investigation is warranted.
{"title":"Investigating the ecological and toxicological significance of Cyanox®53 recovered from intertidal sediments and varnish clam","authors":"Stephanie L. Renkers, Leah I. Bendell","doi":"10.3389/fenvs.2024.1439573","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1439573","url":null,"abstract":"We examined the ecological and toxicological implications of the microplastic, Cyanox<jats:sup>®</jats:sup>53, found in sediments and varnish clams across seven beaches in Burrard Inlet, British Columbia (BC). Using the simulation models embedded within Estimation Programs Interface (EPI) Suite™, the potential persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of Cyanox<jats:sup>®</jats:sup>53 was assessed to evaluate the risk to varnish clams foraging on sediment containing this contaminant. Moreover, we used a bioenergetic model, based on the blue-listed surf scoter species, to estimate the risk of daily ingestion of Cyanox<jats:sup>®</jats:sup>53 per body weight in overwintering seabirds. Our findings indicate that varnish clams collected from Burrard Inlet accumulate on average 0.46 particles of Cyanox<jats:sup>®</jats:sup>53/clam, and based on bioenergetic modeling, results in surf scoters potentially consuming 78 (for males) to 83 (for females) pieces of Cyanox<jats:sup>®</jats:sup>53 daily from foraged varnish clams. EPI Suite™ predicted Cyanox<jats:sup>®</jats:sup>53 to be persistent, however, unlikely to bioaccumulate as a “traditional” chemical. Furthermore, the estimation of potential acute and chronic toxicity of Cyanox<jats:sup>®</jats:sup>53 to aquatic organism surrogates, such as fish, <jats:italic>Daphnia magna</jats:italic>, and green algae, was inconclusive due to model variability and limitations within EPI Suite™. To fully understand the potential risks of Cyanox<jats:sup>®</jats:sup>53 further investigation is warranted.","PeriodicalId":12460,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Environmental Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142209808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-26DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1364568
Yihan Wu, Fucang Qin, Long Li, Xiaoyu Dong
IntroductionCreating an ecological space network is essential for safeguarding the core structure of ecological space.MethodsMorphological spatial pattern analysis was used to locate ecological sources in the Kuye River Basin. Using the least cumulative resistance model and gravity model, the resistance surface, ecological corridor, and ecological space management network are determined.Results and discussionThe study revealed that in 2022, the predominant land use types in the Kuye River Basin were wood land and grassland, cultivated land, and construction land. MSPA model software identifies a substantial portion of the landscape pattern as consisting of core and marginal areas, which encompass 30324.05 hm2 and 15088.24 hm2. High ecological resistance surface factors dominate the socioeconomically vibrant zone and northern regions. Resistance values ranging from 0.02 to 0.87, and high and law resistance zones alternate. The minimal cumulative resistance approach found 171 ecological corridors. And gravity model using the interaction matrix of 19 primary ecological sources discovered 8 first-level ecological corridors with the highest interaction force. There are 137 core and 23 subsidiary ecological corridors with significant affects. Overlying the road factors and ecological corridors of national highways, provincial roads, railways, and high-speed roads creates a total of 38 ecological breakpoints, each characterized by specific barrier effects and legal ecological stability.
{"title":"Construction and optimisation of watershed scale ecological network: a case study of kuye river basin","authors":"Yihan Wu, Fucang Qin, Long Li, Xiaoyu Dong","doi":"10.3389/fenvs.2024.1364568","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1364568","url":null,"abstract":"IntroductionCreating an ecological space network is essential for safeguarding the core structure of ecological space.MethodsMorphological spatial pattern analysis was used to locate ecological sources in the Kuye River Basin. Using the least cumulative resistance model and gravity model, the resistance surface, ecological corridor, and ecological space management network are determined.Results and discussionThe study revealed that in 2022, the predominant land use types in the Kuye River Basin were wood land and grassland, cultivated land, and construction land. MSPA model software identifies a substantial portion of the landscape pattern as consisting of core and marginal areas, which encompass 30324.05 hm<jats:sup>2</jats:sup> and 15088.24 hm<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>. High ecological resistance surface factors dominate the socioeconomically vibrant zone and northern regions. Resistance values ranging from 0.02 to 0.87, and high and law resistance zones alternate. The minimal cumulative resistance approach found 171 ecological corridors. And gravity model using the interaction matrix of 19 primary ecological sources discovered 8 first-level ecological corridors with the highest interaction force. There are 137 core and 23 subsidiary ecological corridors with significant affects. Overlying the road factors and ecological corridors of national highways, provincial roads, railways, and high-speed roads creates a total of 38 ecological breakpoints, each characterized by specific barrier effects and legal ecological stability.","PeriodicalId":12460,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Environmental Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142209811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
As organic waste is converted to usable amendments via composting, there are large CO2 emissions associated with the decomposition of organic matter via microorganisms. While the active composting phase produces the largest emissions over a short duration, compost can often be stored during and after the maturation phase for much longer periods of time, increasing cumulative emissions. As such, the objectives of this study were to examine the spatial and temporal variability associated with in situ emissions sampling while identifying the environmental and chemical controls on emissions in windrow composting facilities during and after the maturation phase. A total of 665 flux measurements were taken from four windrows representing different ages and compositions between June and November 2020. Factorial analysis of covariance (ANOVA) was used to determine the variability between sampling locations, while multiple linear regression was used to identify those parameters which had the most influence on CO2 flux. Emissions showed significant variability over time that were attributed to ambient temperatures. During the summer, each windrow reached peak emissions between 5.0 and 32.3 g CO2 m-2 hr-1. As temperatures cooled, the windrows saw a 62%–86% decline in emissions, generally falling below 2 g CO2 m-2 hr-1. Significant differences occurred between the top-most sampling location and all others on the windrow, emitting between 33%–100% more CO2. The environmental controls of surface temperature, moisture content, and internal temperature showed the highest influence on emissions (R2 = 0.62). Chemical properties including organic nitrogen, carbon, pH, magnesium, and nitrate also showed significant influence (R2 = 0.43). This research has shown that environmental factors including temperature and moisture show the strongest influence over emission rates in mature compost. A significant negative effect of organic nitrogen on CO2 flux was found, indicating that increased presence of organic nitrogen would aid in the retention of carbon after the maturation phase, acting to lower total emissions.
{"title":"Characterization of carbon dioxide emissions from late stage windrow composting","authors":"Travis Pennell, Louis-Pierre Comeau, Kyle MacKinley, Sheldon Hann, Brandon Heung, Bob Kiely","doi":"10.3389/fenvs.2024.1453306","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1453306","url":null,"abstract":"As organic waste is converted to usable amendments via composting, there are large CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> emissions associated with the decomposition of organic matter via microorganisms. While the active composting phase produces the largest emissions over a short duration, compost can often be stored during and after the maturation phase for much longer periods of time, increasing cumulative emissions. As such, the objectives of this study were to examine the spatial and temporal variability associated with <jats:italic>in situ</jats:italic> emissions sampling while identifying the environmental and chemical controls on emissions in windrow composting facilities during and after the maturation phase. A total of 665 flux measurements were taken from four windrows representing different ages and compositions between June and November 2020. Factorial analysis of covariance (ANOVA) was used to determine the variability between sampling locations, while multiple linear regression was used to identify those parameters which had the most influence on CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> flux. Emissions showed significant variability over time that were attributed to ambient temperatures. During the summer, each windrow reached peak emissions between 5.0 and 32.3 g CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> m-2 hr-1. As temperatures cooled, the windrows saw a 62%–86% decline in emissions, generally falling below 2 g CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> m-2 hr-1. Significant differences occurred between the top-most sampling location and all others on the windrow, emitting between 33%–100% more CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>. The environmental controls of surface temperature, moisture content, and internal temperature showed the highest influence on emissions (R2 = 0.62). Chemical properties including organic nitrogen, carbon, pH, magnesium, and nitrate also showed significant influence (R2 = 0.43). This research has shown that environmental factors including temperature and moisture show the strongest influence over emission rates in mature compost. A significant negative effect of organic nitrogen on CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> flux was found, indicating that increased presence of organic nitrogen would aid in the retention of carbon after the maturation phase, acting to lower total emissions.","PeriodicalId":12460,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Environmental Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142209805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}