International Journal of Environmental Research最新文献

Plastic is a material that has become ubiquitous since entering the marketplace in the 1930s and 1940s; as a result, the presence of nano and microplastics (NMPs) are pervasive in natural environments affecting air, soil and water ecosystems. These NMPs are varied in size (categorised as either microplastics at 5 mm–1 µm or nanoplastics at < 1 µm), shape and chemical composition. They represent a potential threat to aquatic life and human health through ingestion and inhalation. The toxicity of NMPs is attributed to chemical additives introduced during production and the absorbance of inorganic and organic chemical contaminants in environmental settings. This review is designed to discuss the use of biochar as a natural adsorbent for the remediation of water contaminated with NMPs. Biochar is a sustainable, affordable material which can remediate water and contribute to ecosystem restoration. Whilst it is well established as a material to sorb organic and inorganic contaminants, its use to remove NMPs is in its infancy and as such this review sets out to outline the mechanisms and modifications of biochar to remove NMPs from aqueous environments. Although removal mechanisms in laboratory settings are becoming clearer this review highlights that remediative studies need to be undertaken in conjunction with the systematic investigation of the effect of key environmental parameters on remediation and the use of environmentally aged NMPs. The future direction of this discipline also needs to incorporate field trials alongside laboratory work to develop a stronger understanding of the viability of biochar to remove NMPs from waterways.

Salinity is regarded as one of the most crucial environmental parameters and salinity mediated stress adversely affect the aquaculture production. Probiotics might alleviate the salinity stress in fish. Here, we investigated the role of probiotics on growth (weight gain, specific growth rate), survivability, feed utility (feed conversion ratio), hemoglobin, glucose, structure of erythrocytes (cellular and nuclear abnormalities), and gut morphology of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) reared in different salinities. The fingerlings (8.10 ± 0.20 g) were evenly distributed four different salinities (0, 4, 8 and 12 ppt) in three replicates with and without probiotics supplementation for 56 days. Multi-species probiotics containing Bacillus subtilis (5 × 10⁹ cfu/ml), B. thuringiencis (4 × 10⁹ cfu/ml), Lactobacillus plantarum (5.8 × 10⁹ cfu/ml), and L. buchneri (6.5 × 10⁹ cfu/ml) were used as 1.0 mL/L at the alternate day. The results of this study indicated that survivability, growth and feed utility were negatively affected with the increased salinity, however multi-species probiotics significantly ameliorated the negative effects of salinity. Moreover, multi-species probiotics significantly improved hemoglobin (g/dL) and glucose (mg/dL) level at different salinity in comparison with the non-probiotics treated groups. Frequencies of cellular and nuclear abnormalities of erythrocytes were increased significantly with the increase of salinity in non-probiotics groups, while those significantly declined in multi-species probiotics treated groups. Increased salinity level suppressed the immune response indices, while probiotics supplementation significantly improved the gut immune response irrespective of salinity level. Taken altogether, the current study revealed that application of multi-species probiotics can be an effective tool to reduce salinity stressors and improve growth and health status by upgrading hemato-biochemical profile and intestinal morphology of P. hypophthalmus at higher salinity.

Heterostructured SeO₂–TiO₂ nanoparticles were used as a highly sensitive and selective fluoroprobe for the detection and determination of neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid. The sonication-assisted co-precipitation technique was used to create nanoparticles, which were then characterized using UV–Vis, SEM–EDS, HRTEM, XRD, and TGA. These analyses revealed that the nanoparticles had globular morphology, a crystallite size of 14 nm, a bandgap of 2.45 eV, and stability at high temperatures. Fluorescence emission at 548 nm wavelength exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity for imidacloprid over other pesticides with complete fluorescent quenching at 2 × 10^–4 M concentration of imidacloprid. Stern–Volmer equation and thermodynamic parameters applied to the experimental data over a temperature range of 20–50 °C provide the K_sv value in the range of 1.56 × 10⁵ to 2.69 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ and indicate strong interactions, dynamic, spontaneous, and endothermic quenching process. Furthermore, the excellent salient features and notably the unaffected performance even in the presence of various anions, fertilizer, and binary mixture of pesticides often sprayed on plants, will pave the way for the development of rapid, affordable, selective fluoroprobe for onsite monitoring of imidacloprid. The reliability for determination is also examined for spiked soil samples to develop a hybrid SeO₂–TiO₂ nanoparticles fluoroprobe as a simple alternative to existing techniques for the detection of imidacloprid.

Graphical Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the amount and quality of litter produced by pine and elm trees in the green space of the historic city of Yazd. Litterbags were used to collect the leaves for a year while the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, carbon, magnesium, and potassium levels was measured monthly for both species. The annual mean weight of all components of litter was found to be 4056.56 g for pine and 4106.67 g for elm trees. The results showed that the greatest fall of pine needles was recorded in September, while the highest fall of elm leaves was measured in November. The specific leaf area of elm and pine was calculated to be 169.38 and 29.96 cm²/g, respectively. The leaf area index for pine and elm was 0.91 and 7.99, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between pine and elm trees in the leaf amount and total litter. However, the crown area of pine and elm trees had a direct effect on the amount of total litter produced (R² = 0.72 and 0.60 respectively). There was a significant difference between the two species in organic matter percentage, while there was no significant difference in the carbon, calcium, and magnesium content. The specific leaf area of elm was higher than pine, making it better in this index. According to the amount of annual litter production of two species calculated in this research, it can be said that in the city of Yazd, pine and elm trees produce at least 158.9 and 804.5 tons of litter per year respectively. Since the minimum cost of litter collection per hectare of tree plantations in the city is $150, collecting pine and elm litter will cost the municipality $14,700 and $73,500, respectively. Our study showed that contrary to popular belief, pine needles play an important role in total leaf litter produced in arid regions like Yazd. Also, the process of collecting dead leaves continues throughout the year, especially in summer in arid areas.

Thermally-enhanced soil vapor extraction (T-SVE) combined with sand mixing is an alternative technology for remediating low-permeable soil polluted by organic contaminants. In this study, a T-SVE apparatus with a large heating cylinder was constructed for exploring removal mechanisms of typical petroleum hydrocarbons of n-C₁₁ and C₁₃₋₁₆ alkanes, and dynamics of heat propagation within soils during T-SVE operation was simulated by CMG-STARS software. After 6 days of T-SVE, most of the soil concentration-gradient curves of n-alkanes almost coincided with their isothermal contours, suggesting the crucial role of heat conductivity on T-SVE remediation efficiency. The instantaneous concentration of n-alkanes in extracted gas showed great fluctuations, and higher than 90% of spiked n-alkanes was removed from soils. n-alkanes were more easily eliminated from soil with lower organic matter due to the less retention ratio despite the trivial impact of organic matter on heat transfer. By contrast, the higher soil moisture adopted in the study retarded heat transfer in the initial 2 days due to thermal consumption induced by water evaporation. During the last 4 days, however, the average temperature of more humid soil was obviously elevated, especially in the zones receiving less energy input. It was attributed to the fact that soil temperature was mainly determined by heat conduction, and soil pores still occupied by water were more beneficial for heat conduction, leading to the promoted evaporation of n-alkane and therefore eventual remediation efficiency. Suitable original soil moisture is important for T-SVE remediating low-permeable soil combined with sand mixing.

Abstract

This empirical study addresses environmental sustainability and clean energy transitions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). By analyzing panel data from 2000 to 2020, this study explores the linear and nonlinear connections between renewable energy usage and environmental quality in MENA, using the pooled mean group for short- and long-term relationships, reinforced by the mean group and dynamic common correlated effect mean group models for robustness. The results show a substantial negative relationship between renewable energy utilization and CO₂ output, highlighting renewables' potential for enhancing environmental quality. Nonlinearly, beyond a threshold, incremental renewable energy gains yield diminishing CO₂ reductions, indicating a monotonical reducing pattern. This finding demonstrates a nonlinear relationship between the use of renewable energy sources and CO₂ outflows. Economic growth has a significant long-term negative effect on environmental sustainability and varying short-term effects, while energy intensity has a negative relationship with CO₂ emissions. Foreign investment’s dual dynamics in linear and nonlinear models indicate complexities surrounding its ecological footprint. The robustness tests validate results, reinforcing policy implications. Causality tests highlight bidirectional influences between renewable energy consumption, energy intensity, and environmental quality, and unidirectional links between economic growth, foreign investment, and environmental quality underscoring a multifaceted connection. These empirical results inform effective policies and strategies. MENA countries can leverage findings to expedite sustainable energy transitions, mitigate environmental degradation, and contribute to global climate change efforts.

Climate warming poses a serious threat to sustainable economic development in China. The impact of climate warming on income polarization is often overlooked. This study combines a neural network model and household electricity data to estimate income. Furthermore, a regression model is constructed to examine the nonlinear effect of temperature on income polarization. The study reveals that temperature is a significant factor of income polarization. The temperature range with the lowest income polarization is 21–27 °C, while other temperatures will significantly exacerbate income polarization. Heterogeneous effects of temperature on income polarization indicate that temperature has a greater impact on income polarization in economically underdeveloped areas. By the end of the century, climate warming could significantly exacerbate income polarization. The main reason may be that, against the backdrop of global warming, low-income groups have weaker adaptability compared to high-income groups, which exacerbates income polarization. The findings are significant for regulating income polarization under climate warming in China.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widely-spread aquatic pollutants that are toxic to aquatic organisms. The response of the antioxidant system in tissues and organs of bivalves to environmental stress is a commonly accepted biomarker in ecophysiological research. This study aims to evaluate bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in tissues and organs of the ark shell Anadara kagoshimensis as well as effects of various concentrations of PCB mixture Sovol on the antioxidant enzyme activities. Upon in vivo experiments, ark shells were exposed to Sovol mixture in concentrations 0.00264 mg/L, 0.264 mg/L and 2.64 mg/L. PCB accumulation in hepatopancreas was by 4.8 times higher compared to gills and mantle. Tetrachlorobiphenyls and pentachlorobiphenyls accumulated in tissues preferentially compared to other PCB congeners. The bioaccumulation factor for PCB in tissues depended on its environmental concentrations. Exposure to PCBs affected the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GP). Despite gills accumulated less PCBs compared to other organs and tissues, treatment of ark shells with Sovol concentrations 0.00264 mg/L and 0.264 mg/L resulted in losses of SOD and CAT activities and enhanced GP activity. The opposite changes in the antioxidant enzyme activities were detected following the exposure to the highest Sovol concentration (2.64 mg/L). In the mantle the activity of SOD and CAT decreased, despite in hepatopancreas CAT and SOD activities were stable for the most experimental groups. The pattern of changes in GP indicates its critical role in the antioxidant defense following the exposure to PCBs.

Bioaerosols influence the climate processes, human health and overall ecosystem. Their type, concentration and diversity have important implications on various atmospheric processes however the limited understanding of bioaerosols-cloud-climate connection has resulted in existing uncertainty in climate models. Bioaerosols as ice nucleating particles (INPs) and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) govern precipitation initiation, cloud formation and thus the complex hydrological cycle. Homogeneous nucleation takes place at colder temperatures (< − 38 ℃), while owing to their unique properties, certain ice nucleating bioaerosols can initiate freezing at much warmer temperatures (≧ − 10 °C) and thus are important for precipitation initiation through heterogenous nucleation mechanism. Flux of bioaerosols from diverse terrestrial and marine sources lead to their build-up in the atmosphere but rare bioaerosols act as CCN and INP. These rare characteristics of bioaerosols remain largely unexplored and need further attention and research. This work presents fundamental insights on the role of bioaerosols in cloud formation and ice nucleation mechanism along with an overview on the types, diversity and sources of bioaerosols. Most studies reviewed here on bioaerosol-cloud-climate connections are restricted to from specific research groups. Bioaerosol research is still in evolving stage and limited usage of advanced techniques of sampling and characterization is noticed particularly in developing countries. Lack of even baseline database on bioaerosols has resulted in poor understanding of their implications. The discussion presented here on species level information of cloud forming and ice nucleating bioaerosols will help researchers in developing fundamental understanding on characteristics and implications of bioaerosols. Bioaerosol research is expensive and thus joint campaigns by researchers from interdisciplinary areas should be encouraged. Application of high-throughput sequencing allows rapid taxonomic identification and such modern molecular methods should be routinely used for understanding implications of bioaerosols on climate as well as human health.

Rapid population growth globally is resulting in urban densification exponentially. As cities become denser, the environmental quality of urban canyons reduces, resulting in an increase in associated energy use in buildings. Currently, cities are responsible for 70% of the world’s energy consumption. One of the efficient solutions to address this issue is allowing more solar access into interiors and thus making the most of daylight and solar heat gain. Accordingly, this paper presents a novel approach to integrate daylight optimization in both urban environments and buildings’ interiors via the development and application of a custom algorithm based evolutionary computation. This ultimately allows more daylight penetration into urban canyons [vertical daylight illuminance (VDI)] and, subsequently, improves indoor visual comfort [useful horizontal illuminance level (HIL)]. This can also reduce the associated lighting and heating (during winter) energy use of buildings. Furthermore, investigating the correlation between indoor and outdoor illuminance levels aims to bridge the gap between daylight requirements at the urban planning and building scale. A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm-based assessment using computational simulation of design variables is conducted. This determines the extent to which each urban morphology can affect daylight access in both indoor and outdoor environments. Accordingly, the optimal range for different design factors is suggested.