Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management最新文献

Aircraft anti-icers and pavement deicers improve the safety of airport operations during winter precipitation events. Runoff containing these products can contribute elevated biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) to receiving streams. We monitored runoff from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport at one upstream site, three outfall sites, and one downstream site from 2005 to 2022 for BOD, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and freezing point depressants used in deicing and anti-icing fluids to determine the primary sources of BOD and COD in the receiving stream. The greatest concentrations of BOD, COD, and freezing point depressants occurred at the primary outfall, which drains the main terminal area, and the secondary outfall, which drains cargo operations. The greatest loadings occurred at the primary outfall; loadings were an order of magnitude less at the secondary outfall due to a small drainage area with relatively low flow volumes. At the three outfalls, median concentrations of five-day BOD (BOD5) and COD were 100-1,300 mg L-1 and 200-2,100 mg L-1 respectively. Apportionment computations indicated that propylene glycol from aircraft deicers and anti-icers was responsible for at least half of the BOD5 and COD concentrations and loadings. Acetate from pavement deicers contributed another 7%-15% at each site. These findings suggest that management actions in the primary outfall drainage area that target propylene glycol-containing deicers have the greatest potential to decrease BOD5 in airport runoff. This work demonstrates the usefulness of BOD and COD apportionment for identifying the deicing products and locations within an airport to prioritize for reduction or recovery and treatment.

The revised EFSA 2023 Guidance on the risk assessment of plant protection products for birds and mammals emphasises vulnerability as a relevant criterion for focal species (FS) selection rather than prevalence. The EFSA 2023 Guidance suggests to rank FS candidates for each dietary group according to their expected exposure by estimating a species-specific daily dietary dose (DDD). Species experiencing higher exposure would be ranked as potentially more vulnerable and can be identified as FS candidates. The DDD is calculated using an estimated "proportion of diet an individual obtains from the (treated) crop" (PT). A PT is derived from a radio-tracking field study in the crop of interest, but such data are not available for all species. We introduce the frequency of occurrence in surveys (FOsurvey) in each study field from FS field studies as a proxy for PT in theoretical DDD calculations. The presence of a species during a high proportion of surveys, resulting in a high FOsurvey, could indicate a high proportion of foraging time spent in this crop. To evaluate whether FOsurvey is an appropriate proxy for PT, empirical PT values from radio-tracking studies for different bird species were correlated to respective FOsurvey values from FS studies in the same crop and growth stage. Based on 10 case examples covering different species and crops, a positive correlation was shown between PT and FOsurvey, supporting the suitability of the proposed approach. Based on a positive correlation between the species' prevalence and the new theoretical DDD, the list of the most relevant FS resulting from the new ranking approach is not expected to differ significantly from the FS selection, according to the methodology proposed in EFSA 2009. However, in a few cases, additional species were identified as potential FS, therefore requiring further consideration in the risk assessment.

Human consumption patterns have a significant impact on the amount of available water. However, the human effect on water resources is perceived to have been poorly studied. For the effective management of water resources, social and hydrological components should be studied. To fill this gap, the aim of this study was to investigate the socio-hydrological system of the Gavshan Dam in western Iran. Therefore, the qualitative method and root cause analysis (RCA) were used to investigate the causes of the imbalance between water consumption and water resources. Root cause analysis was used to investigate the perceptions of 87 farmers and extension experts from Kermanshah province in Iran. Participants were chosen using the snowball technique and interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. The results showed that the ineffective administrative structure was the most important and fundamental cause of water management inefficiency, accounting for 48.49% of the total inefficiency. Furthermore, the community sensitivity component (1.34%) indicated that the socio-hydrological system in the studied basin is not fully understood and that network users are not concerned about water crisis and environmental degradation. Poor yield, low income of farmers, reduction of cultivated area, social instability, and lack of secondary agricultural jobs are the main reasons for mismanagement of water resources. Conceptualizing water challenges based on the socio-hydrology revealed by this study can help designers focus on the fundamental causes, discover opportunities for policy, and implement sustainable water management strategies.

The growing concern over environmental pollution has spurred extensive research into various contaminants impacting ecosystems and human health. Emerging contaminants (ECs), including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, nanomaterials, and microplastics, have garnered significant attention due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of EC research, aiming to detail the research landscape, highlight significant contributions, and identify influential researchers and pivotal studies. Data were sourced from the Web of Science, encompassing 62,670 documents from January 2000 to May 2024. Advanced bibliometric tools, including Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace, were employed to analyze publication outputs, citation metrics, and collaboration patterns. The analysis revealed an exponential increase in EC research, with annual publications growing from fewer than 1,000 before 2006 to nearly 7,000 by 2022. Environmental Science & Technology emerged as the most influential journal. Based on the number of publications and citations as a country, China and the United States led in research outputs. Co-authorship and collaboration networks highlighted key hubs and prominent researchers, with significant contributions from environmental sciences, chemical engineering, and toxicology. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified core themes, such as degradation, removal, and the impacts of ECs, reflecting evolving research interests and emerging topics. This bibliometric analysis provides valuable insights into the development and current state of EC research, serving as a resource for guiding future research efforts and fostering collaborations. The study indicates the critical need for continued research to address the challenges posed by ECs and develop effective regulatory policies and remediation strategies.

This research aims to address the data gaps in freshwater ecotoxicological characterization factors (CFs) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). These CFs are essential for incorporating the ecotoxicity impacts of PFAS emissions into life cycle assessments (LCAs). This study has three primary objectives: first, to calculate a comprehensive set of experimental aquatic ecotoxicity CFs for PFASs utilizing the USEtox model (version 2.13); second, to compare these newly derived CFs with those generated using the PFAS-adapted USEtox model; and finally, to test the hypothesis concerning a potential correlation between CFs and effect factors (EFs) with the number of perfluorinated carbons in PFASs. In this study, 367 PFASs were selected from the CompTox Chemicals Dashboard PFAS suspect lists and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) registration dossiers. Experimental ecotoxicity data were extracted from CompTox Version 2.1.1 and REACH. Using both the USEtox model (version 2.13) and the PFAS-adapted USEtox model, CFs were calculated for 367 PFASs. Of these, 237 CFs were newly calculated using the HC20EC10eq-based methodology, enriching the representation of PFASs in LCA studies. The analysis revealed no correlation between the number of perfluorinated carbons and the calculated EFs and CFs using the USEtox models. This study covers only a small portion of the extensive list of millions of PFASs in PubChem, primarily due to data constraints and scarcity. Discrepancies between CFs generated by USEtox and PFAS-adapted USEtox are attributed to variations in foundational fate and exposure factor calculation methodologies, whereas ecotoxicity factors remained consistent. Consequently, it is suggested that CFs for PFASs are dependent on the modeling approach and require regular updates with the latest data to ensure accuracy and relevance.

The European Union (EU) currently addresses the issue of contaminated land management through the national frameworks of its member states, as there is no such EU legislation thus far. However, with the introduction of the new EU Soil Strategy and the anticipated Soil Monitoring Law, EU countries are poised to receive a unified legislative tool that is expected to enhance their soil policies significantly. These legislative developments are set to introduce key initiatives such as the establishment of a contaminated site registry and the imposition of restrictions on soil contamination using screening values and soil monitoring practices. Although these advancements are significant, disparities in contaminated soil management practices are likely to remain among countries following the implementation of the new legislation. Presently, Greece's approach to contaminated land management is deemed inadequate, lacking essential policymaking tools, like soil screening values. The primary aim of the study was to compile a database of good practices and lessons learned on contaminated land management as a practical policymaking resource for Greece and other EU member states as well as countries in the pre-accession phase, like the Western Balkans. To achieve this goal, an extensive review of EU and national legislations was conducted, complemented by a questionnaire survey that engaged a diverse group of local and international experts from the EU, the UK, and New Jersey (USA).

The rising frequency and severity of landslides in the vulnerable Himalayan region of India threaten human settlements and critical infrastructure. This growing issue demands urgent action and innovative strategies to mitigate risks and bolster the resilience of affected communities and infrastructure in this fragile area. The research explores the use of Alnus nepalensis for slope stabilization, illustrated by a case study near Ukhimath, Uttarakhand, India, and elucidates the potential ecological niche of Alnus in the temperate region of Uttarakhand using well-dispersed species occurrence records along with environment. The study used Sentinel-2 (2021) data for land use and land cover (LULC) mapping and Landsat 4-5, Sentinel-2, and Google Earth imagery from 1998, 2004, 2015, 2019, and 2020 for landslide slope recovery assessment. The Ukhimath landslide, spanning 54.61 ha in August 1998, demonstrated a remarkable recovery, with 98.20% coverage of Alnus by 2020, showcasing the species efficacy in stabilizing slopes without human intervention. The research forecasts a total potential distribution area of Alnus in the temperate region (1,000-2,500 m·asl [above mean sea level]) of Uttarakhand as ∼7,833 km2, with 782.30  km2 highly suitable, 2,104.33  km2 moderately suitable, and the rest showing low suitability. These distribution insights provide a foundation for in situ planning to leverage Alnus-based bioengineering for early slope stabilization, which is especially relevant in landslide-prone areas like Uttarakhand. The study provides a comprehensive and scientifically rigorous strategy for achieving sustainable outcomes in landslide-prone areas, particularly in the lower temperate region of the Himalaya.

This study evaluated a novel ex situ passive sampling biomimetic extraction (BE) method to estimate toxic potency in sediments. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) analysis of polydimethylsiloxane fibers equilibrated with field sediments was used to quantify bioavailable polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other unresolved, site-specific contaminant mixtures. This method is biomimetic because contaminants partition to the fiber based on hydrophobicity and abundance, and GC-FID quantification accounts for all constituents absorbed to the fiber that may contribute to toxicity. This measurement was compared with conventional approaches that rely on bulk sediment or porewater measurements of a targeted suite of PAHs. The specific objectives of the study were to (1) describe the BE method and explain measurement translation into toxic units (TUs); (2) report sediment BE data collected across 17 diverse field sites; (3) compare TUs predicted from (i) equilibrium partitioning (EqP) calculations based on sediment total organic carbon and bulk PAH chemistry, (ii) PAH porewater concentrations derived using ex situ passive sampling, and (iii) BE concentrations; and (4) discuss implications of this analysis for benthic toxicity assessment. Results showed that TUs obtained from EqP calculations were typically 10× higher than TUs derived from measured porewater PAH concentrations, indicating reduced PAH bioavailability in field sediments. Toxic units derived using the new BE method were more conservative than EqP in one-third of the sediments investigated, which was attributed to unquantified sediment contaminants, possible fiber fouling in the more contaminated sediments, and potential background interferences in less contaminated sediments. Preliminary data are also presented, showing that fluorometric analysis provides a simpler, promising alternative for estimating sediment BE concentrations. Based on this analysis, a decision-support framework is proposed using EqP and BE based TU metrics. Future research priorities are described for supporting framework implementation and extending use of BE analyses to remedial design and monitoring.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is committed to the implementation of new approach methodologies (NAMs) to enhance the scientific basis for chemical hazard assessments. Chemical evaluations under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) are often conducted with limited test data and are well suited for NAMs applications. Interspecies correlation estimation (ICE) models are log-linear least squares regressions of the sensitivity between two species that estimate the acute toxicity of an untested species from the sensitivity of a surrogate. Interspecies correlation estimation models have been developed from and validated for diverse chemical modes of action, but their application in TSCA chemical assessments has not been previously evaluated. We use ICE models and a dataset of measured acute values for five chemicals, increasing the taxonomic diversity from which concentrations of concern (CoCs) are derived. Concentrations of concern were developed using approaches typically applied in TSCA risk evaluations, including application of assessment factors to the most sensitive species and the development of species sensitivity distributions where a minimum of eight species are represented by measured data. These CoCs were compared with those derived from datasets supplemented with ICE-predicted values, as well as comparing ICE predicted species mean acute values (SMAVs) to their respective measured values. Interspecies correlation estimation models predicted SMAVs within a factor of 5 and 10 for 87% and 92% of measured values, respectively. The CoCs developed from measured data only and data supplemented with ICE predicted toxicity were generally within five-fold, showing comparable protection. The taxonomic diversity in the ICE supplemented dataset was substantially higher than the measured data for species sensitivity distributions, providing a data-driven way of reducing uncertainty and potentially reducing the need for assessment factors. Interspecies correlation estimation models show promise as a NAM to improve the taxonomic representation included in chemical evaluations under TSCA.

Selenium (Se) contamination of aquatic ecosystems has led to the local extirpation of some Se-sensitive fish species. Although Se exposure occurs primarily via diet, considerable uncertainty lies in modeling Se transfer and bioaccumulation from sediment, detritus, and/or periphyton through benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) to fish. Here we estimated Se concentrations in four coldwater fish species (northern pike, white sucker, lake whitefish, and ninespine stickleback) inhabiting boreal lakes downstream from a uranium mill in northern Canada. In addition, we evaluated the potential effects of BMI and periphyton sampling methods (artificial substrates vs. grab samples), seasons (summer vs. winter), and models (USEPA vs. Assessment of the Dispersion and Effects of Parameter Transport) on the estimated Se concentrations in fish tissue. Results were compared with site-specific benchmarks and observed Se concentrations in resident fish. In summer 2019, periphyton and BMI were sampled at 10 sampling stations (two in Vulture Lake and eight in McClean Lake) using artificial substrates (n = 4) and sediment grab samples (n = 3). In winter 2021, samples were collected in McClean Lake (n = 3) through ice holes using a sediment grab sampler. Estimated Se concentrations in fish tissue depended on the surface sediment or periphyton Se concentrations used in the models. At Vulture Lake, Se concentrations in northern pike muscle estimated using the grab sample data (17.3 ± 11.5 µg/g DW), but not the artificial substrates (34.5 ± 1.2 µg/g DW), were comparable with the observed mean concentration (19.0 ± 1.4 µg/g DW) in this species. At McClean Lake, Se body burdens in forage fish estimated using data from both sampling methods were comparable with measured data. Significantly lower mean whole-body Se concentrations were estimated for all fish species in winter (1.0 ± 0.3 µg/g DW) relative to summer (4.8 ± 1.6 µg/g DW). Further investigation is necessary to understand how potential seasonal shifts in dietary Se exposure relate to fish reproduction and early life stages.