Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management最新文献

Wetlands are valuable terrestrial ecosystems because they perform diverse ecosystem functions and provide significant benefits to humanity. These benefits, collectively termed ecosystem services, are essential for human survival, particularly in densely populated urban areas. However, wetlands often face neglect due to a lack of awareness among citizens and governments regarding their significance. We assessed the ecosystem services offered by the wetlands of Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities, and elucidate the spatial scales wherein these services are delivered. Field visits, personal observations, and interviews based on the Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services (RAWES) approach, were used to evaluate 27 ecosystem services across 12 wetlands. The ecosystem services of water regulation and local climate regulation had high positive count value inferring highly beneficial contributions to human well-being, whereas pest regulation and regulation of human disease, had negative count value indicating an adverse impact on human well-being, primarily due to the polluted state of the city's wetlands. Supporting services with an Ecosystem Services Index (ESI) of 0.55 made a substantial positive impact on human well-being, while provisioning services made minimal contributions (ESI = 0.12). The analysis of the spatial scale of ecosystem service benefits indicated that the distribution of ecosystem services is highly Varanasi-centric. To provide a comprehensive representation of both the importance scale and the spatial scale of benefit, the Spatial Ecosystem Services Index (Spatial ESI) was developed. Cultural services scored the highest Spatial ESI of 0.17 while provisioning services have the lowest Spatial ESI (0.03).

Pesticides are essential in modern agriculture for controlling pests and enhancing food production. However, concerns about their human and environmental health impacts have broadened discussions on their use, regulation, ethics, and sustainability. Scientific research, media coverage, input from corporations, governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) shape public opinions and potentially influence regulatory decisions. This project analyzed pesticide-related discussions on Twitter/X from 2013 to 2022, focusing on information influence and propagation among individuals and organizations, advancing over prior research that looked at topic frequency, trends, and geography. Using a validated snowball sampling method, we collected over 3 million tweets from 1 million users and identified key network influencers, ie, information hubs, analyzing their content, popularity, and characteristics. Machine learning and a tailored information flow score were used to explore the dynamics of information flow and sentiment across hubs. Our analysis revealed that organizational hubs, particularly NGOs and media, were more active and had higher follower-to-following ratios than individual influencers. NGOs and media also dominated the pesticide-related discourse, while individual influencers had a lesser role. Information sources were unevenly distributed, with a dominance of retweets, news, and media posts, and a low prevalence of scientific sources. Information flow was high through NGOs, academia, and individuals, but poor from government accounts. Pesticide-focused hubs were more active and targeted in their information dissemination, with public sentiment largely negative. By delving deeper into the dynamics of information dissemination and influence networks, this study provides insights that emphasize 1) the need for better communication strategies to integrate diverse stakeholder perceptions and values, and 2) prioritizing the dissemination of credible scientific information, while also addressing sectoral disparities. Together, they can help policymakers and industry stakeholders build trust, promote transparency, and advance sustainable pesticide regulation.

The scientific knowledge that enables the prediction of potential aquatic ecological risks due to exposure of metals based on freshwater chemistry data have been available for several decades. As a result, ecosystems can be protected, using frameworks and procedures incorporated into regulatory approaches. Yet, when evaluating how freshwater risks from metals are assessed globally, it is apparent that regulatory jurisdictions differ in their progress, and approaches, when accounting for bioavailability. It is entirely reasonable and appropriate for there to be a lag in time between the development of the science and its incorporation into routine regulatory environmental protection. We openly acknowledge that this is not just a regulatory challenge and take a more holistic view of the implementation of the science that informs metal bioavailability. Implementation comprises the steps required to utilize science and knowledge to enable its practical, beneficial, and routine application in regulatory decision making. Different regulatory jurisdictions have taken varied approaches to account for metal bioavailability. We have made specific use of frameworks that utilize limit values, such as water quality guidelines, criteria and quality standards, to illustrate the similarities and differences in the implementation of bioavailability. Approaches taken in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the United States were reviewed and evaluated. While some of these approaches, or parts thereof, have been successful, other aspects have been less so. In this evaluation, we have identified key commonly encountered obstacles and challenges in these approaches to the implementation of metal bioavailability. Finally, we provide an evidence-driven 'road map' to the successful regulatory implementation of metal bioavailability in risk assessment, drawn from successful components of the approaches reviewed. The application of this framework will enable regulatory jurisdictions to readily keep pace with the science pertaining to metal bioavailability and avoid the challenges experienced by others.

The intensification of agricultural practices has led to an increased reliance on pesticides, which has become a significant environmental concern due to their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. In Uruguay, the escalation of pesticide use has been accompanied by detrimental effects on ecosystems critical for conservation. Understanding the dynamics of these widespread pollutants necessitates an in-depth comprehension of the application of active ingredients, their spatial distribution, and their environmental fate. This study aims to assess the exposure of wetland ecosystems in Uruguay's primary agricultural zone to pesticides. The research integrates remote sensing techniques to identify crop rotations, determining the predominant active ingredients and their rates of use in agricultural cycles, estimating pesticide distribution patterns and environmental mobility, and evaluating wetland exposure. The study reveals widespread use of active chemicals such as glyphosate, 24-D, flumioxazin, S-metolachlor, clethodim, flumetsulam, triflumuron, chlorantraniliprole, and fipronil, with 27.4% of wetland areas experiencing significant exposure. This study provides a comprehensive method for georeferencing pesticide applications, estimating spatial distribution, and assessing wetland vulnerability to agricultural chemicals, offering valuable insights for environmental management and policy-making.

The exponential expansion of urban areas has precipitated a concomitant deterioration in the natural environment. Constructing ecological networks is vital in improving landscape connectivity, protecting biodiversity, and maintaining regional sustainable development. Ningbo, China was set as the research area. The geographic information system (GIS) and the morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) were employed to determine the ecological source area. Subsequently, the corridor design model Linkage Mapper was employed to ascertain and assess the linkages between the designated ecological source areas. The results showed that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, there was a large-scale change in land use type in Ningbo, with increasing complexity of patches and landscape fragmentation. The ecological sources of the three periods in Ningbo were primarily situated in the western, southern, and Hangzhou Bay coastal regions, exhibiting an uneven distribution in the eastern and western areas. (2) The number of primary ecological corridors in Ningbo underwent a significant reduction, from 26 to 17, between the years 2000 and 2020. In terms of the distribution of ecological corridors, the primary corridors were concentrated in the central, southern, and western regions of the study area in 2000. By 2020, however, the primary ecological corridors within the study region were distributed mainly in a southerly direction. The interaction between North and South ecological sources was weakened, which adversely affected the species spread and ecosystem stability. (3) After optimization, 12 ecological corridors, and 4 ecological nodes were incorporated into the Ningbo, 67 ecological breakpoints were identified, and 4 stepping stone patches were added. The study employed spatio-temporal change trends, including land use type and landscape pattern, to examine the ecological network of Ningbo. In conclusion, the proposed optimisation strategy is aligned with the current urban development context, offering a particularly pertinent reference point for Ningbo's ecological protection initiatives.

This study evaluated the feasibility of immobilising diffuse per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contaminated soil by developing and validating a novel field-scale methodology. The effectiveness of this approach was assessed via a field-scale trial conducted at an airport in Australia. Prior to full-scale treatment, laboratory trials were undertaken to determine optimal treatment reagents and application rates. The Standardised Sorbent Qualities Measure (SSQM) and Matrix Sorbent Qualities Measure (MSQM) were developed and applied to assess sorbent sorption/desorption capacity for PFAS under standardised conditions, facilitating sorbent selection. Three blending techniques were employed for field-scale trials: manual mixing with an excavator, large-scale rapid mixing using a pug mill, and a portable trommel screen. The efficacy of soil blending with a RemBind sorbent was validated using the sum of and leachable perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) + perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) assessments. Results showed a substantial reduction in PFAS leachability, with mean PFOS + PFHxS concentrations generally decreasing to below the limit of reporting, resulting in over 98% reductions in leachable fractions. The Sorbent Application Uniformity Test (SAUT) effectively served as a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) measure alongside PFAS analysis, demonstrating consistent sorbent-soil blending across all methods evaluated. Overall, the large-scale trial at the airport confirmed that immobilisation using 1% to 2% RemBind 100 sorbent offered a viable, sustainable, and cost-effective solution, particularly for PFOS and PFHxS. Applying novel SSQM/MSQM and SAUT methods combined with pre-and post-treatment leachability analysis established a clear link between the sorbent application specification determined from laboratory-scale trials and field validation requirements. Thus, these methods are pertinent for assessing the immobilisation technique's efficacy and sorbent blending quality.

Heavy metal contamination in soil and its accumulation in rice poses a health risk to over 50% of the global population. Simultaneously, the poor management and underutilization of agricultural biomass waste presents an additional environmental challenge. Converting this biomass into biochar offers a potential solution to these challenges. This study evaluated biochar's impacts on soil trace element content, rice plant uptake, translocation, accumulation, and associated human health risks while identifying rice response mechanisms to biochar application. A two-season field experiment was conducted using five treatments: T1 (no biochar), T2 and T3 (10 and 20 tons of rice-husk biochar), and T4 and T5 (10 and 20 tons of longan biochar). Eight trace elements, categorized as micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) and toxic elements (Cd, Pb, Co, Ni), were measured in rice roots, stems, grains, and soil. Biochar application reduced the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) by 5.9% to 11.4% for micronutrients and 2.8% to 4.4% for toxic elements compared to T1. Translocation, bioaccumulation, and phytoextraction indexes tend to increase with biochar, while the hazard index decreased by 5.1-9.5% for micronutrients and 1.3-8.5% for toxic elements, indicating reduced health risks. These results highlight biochar's dual role in enhancing trace element phytoextraction and reducing health risks, with a more pronounced effect on micronutrients. Rice plants responded to reduced micronutrient availability by boosting uptake while lowering toxic element absorption when HPI was high. Briefly, transforming agricultural waste into biochar for rice cultivation offers multiple benefits, promoting agricultural sustainability, environmental health, and consumer safety.

Using Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) as a management tool for long-term sustainability is relatively new in Malaysia. This paper addresses and discusses the potential MSP has to manage Setiu Wetland as an ecologically sensitive area. Setiu Wetland is the largest natural wetland in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The enabling environment for the adoption of MSP in Setiu Wetland is explored to foresee potential in managing the wetland's conflicting uses. Located in Terengganu, the wetland provides various ecosystem services to humans, birds, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, and bivalves. The Setiu Wetland 's coastal and marine natural ecosystems provide various benefits to the well-being of the population there. However, the human population growth in Setiu Wetland and the surrounding areas is increasingly contributing to the natural resource exploitation in this ecologically sensitive area causing detrimental effects on the wetland ecosystem. This paper aims to review the threats to the ecosystems in Setiu Wetland from multiple development activities and existing uses to examine the potential implementation of MSP in managing the wetland as an ecologically sensitive area. In conclusion, this study proposes the adoption of MSP as the best management process to protect the natural habitat and preserve the ecological functions of the wetland without compromising the local communities' livelihood.

The Dieng Plateau in Central Java, Indonesia, is home to unique volcanic lakes with significant ecological and economic value. Effective environmental governance is critical for the sustainable management of volcanic lakes, particularly in regions prone to natural hazards like the Dieng Plateau. Several hazards have been reported, including phreatic explosions. This paper explores a multidisciplinary approach to environmental governance, integrating ecological sciences and social sciences, to ensure the sustainable management of these lakes. We investigated the necessity and challenges of establishing collaborative environmental governance mechanisms to address the complex issues surrounding Lake Menjer as volcanic lake management in the region. Based on an investigation of water quality and biodiversity, all nutrient inputs from anthropogenic activities promoted this lake's degradation. The environmental degradation of the lake showed the absence of management institutions. Drawing upon multidisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement, this study aims to: 1) to analyze the trend of environmental degradation in Lake Menjer in terms of eutrophication; and 2) to evaluate the current governance structures and propose strategies for enhancing collaboration among the various stakeholders. We analyzed existing policies, institutional frameworks, and community participation models to identify gaps and opportunities for improving environmental governance practices. We also advocate for a holistic and sustainable approach to volcanic lake management that balances ecological conservation and socio-economic development in Lake Menjer by fostering collaboration and co-management approaches. Key recommendations include fostering inclusive decision-making processes and promoting knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiatives with collaborative environmental governance approaches.

Kent Lake is an impoundment of the Huron River in southeast lower Michigan. Fish collected from Kent Lake in 2017 had high concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in fillets which resulted in a fish consumption advisory from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). In June 2018, a major source of PFOS was identified as the City of Wixom's wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) which discharges treated effluent to Norton Creek and the Huron River 5 miles upstream of Kent Lake. An industrial facility, which has been in operation since approximately 2000, was found to be the source of high levels of PFOS to Wixom's sanitary sewer. A granular activated carbon (GAC) system was installed at the facility, resulting in substantial reductions in PFOS concentrations in surface water and fish from Kent Lake. However, the PFOS decline in fish tissue reached a plateau at a level exceeding the "Do Not Eat" advisory threshold. This case study sought to explore the supposition that sediment is acting as an ongoing source of PFAS to the Kent Lake food web. We sampled PFAS in biota, sediment and water from Kent Lake and a nearby reference lake in 2021. Biota (benthos, forage fish and predator fish) were collected from both lakes and analyzed as whole-body composites for PFAS analytes. The results, including the patterns of PFAS contamination between the water, sediment and biota samples as well as partition coefficients and bioaccumulation factors, are consistent with PFAS in sediment acting as an ongoing source of contamination to the biota in Kent Lake. This study's results for PFOS (the predominant PFAS in Kent Lake sediment and biota) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS) provide additional lines of evidence that sediment acts as a source of PFAS to the aquatic food web.