Environmental Sciences Europe最新文献

Biopesticides have received increasing global attention as environmentally friendly alternatives, allowing for more sustainable pest and disease control. In order to be registered or authorized for use, safety studies need to be submitted for regulatory risk assessments. However, it has been frequently reported that, in particular, microbial pesticides have a number of challenges when it comes to non-target organism testing. For instance, study results from such tests are often difficult to interpret or they lack consistency and accuracy. Reasons for this can be found firstly in the heterogeneity and resulting complexity of microbe-based pesticides comprising different taxonomic groups (e.g., bacteria, fungi, and viruses), and secondly in the lack of appropriate guidance for testing these different microbial agents considering their unique biological properties. The present review gives an overview of the available test guidelines by reflecting the current regulatory background in the area of environmental risk assessment of microbial pesticides and describes general and specific issues associated with safety studies on terrestrial vertebrates, aquatic organisms, bees, non-target arthropods other than bees, meso- and macro-organisms in soil, and non-target terrestrial plants. Proposals for improvement of existing test guidelines or guidance documents are provided and further discussed.

A Central European catchment underlain by base-poor orthogneiss was studied using mass budgets and Mg–Ca–Sr isotope systematics. For 50 years, the catchment received large amounts of partly soluble dust from a nearby cluster of coal-burning power plants, while suffering from acid rain and severe spruce die-back. Our objective was to investigate to what extent anthropogenic dust contributes to Mg and Ca in runoff and to identify fractionations affecting Mg and Ca isotope composition of 13 ecosystem pools and fluxes. We hypothesized that if Mg and Ca runoff fluxes were significantly larger than their atmospheric inputs, Mg and Ca isotope ratios in runoff would converge to those of bedrock Mg and Ca. This relationship could be obscured by isotope fractionations. Strontium characterized by negligible isotope fractionations served as a Ca proxy. There was a strong positive correlation between Mg and Ca fluxes via spruce throughfall and catchment runoff. Monitoring of rainfall, canopy throughfall and runoff fluxes revealed a 20-, 15- and 15-fold excess of Mg, Ca and Sr in runoff, respectively, compared to atmospheric deposition fluxes. This sizeable excess per se would indicate predominance of geogenic base cations in runoff. The behavior of Mg and Ca isotopes was de-coupled. Petrographic study indicated that 92% of bedrock Mg was bound to easily dissolving biotite, 97% Ca was present in plagioclase, and nearly all Sr was in orthoclase. While Mg isotope ratios in bedrock and runoff were indistinguishable, corroborating predominantly geogenic Mg in runoff, Ca and Sr isotope ratios in bedrock and runoff were significantly different, consistent with a non-negligible contribution of atmospheric Ca and Sr to runoff. Previous study of sites underlain by felsic rocks indicated that the δ⁴⁴Ca value of apatite was often higher than the δ⁴⁴Ca value of plagioclase. Should weathering of apatite and/or plagioclase preferentially release Ca that is isotopically heavier than bulk rock, the geogenic Ca source at JEZ would converge to the mean δ⁴⁴Ca value of runoff. Calcium isotope data would then become more consistent with a major role of geogenic Ca in JEZ runoff indicated by mass balance data.

Microplastics (MPs) are a global problem due to their pervasiveness and possible harm to humans and other living organisms. It has been reported that a wide variety of foods, including seafood, contain microplastics. Dried pink shrimp (Penaeus notialis) popularly called ‘dried crayfish’ is a common delicacy in many Nigerian and West African local recipes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the presence of meso- and microplastics in dried shrimp in Nigeria. From a survey of five popular markets in Ekiti State, South West, Nigeria—Shasha, Oja Oba, Agric Olope, Afao (Ikere), and Oja Isale (Ifaki), 15 samples of sun- and smoke-dried pink shrimp were purchased, and their meso- (5–25 mm) and microplastic (1 to < 5 mm) content was examined. Visual inspection showed that mesoplastic particles were present in all the dried shrimp types examined. A 10% KOH solution was used to digest the samples after they had been weighed. The samples were exposed to density floatation in KI solution, followed by filtration, drying, examination under a stereomicroscope, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrophotometer. The mean concentration of mesoplastics per 10 g of sample was 2.13 ± 0.56 for sun-dried samples and 3.20 ± 0.90 for smoke-dried samples. Microplastics had a mean concentration of 6.47 ± 1.12 in sun-dried samples and 2.87 ± 0.90 particles/10 g in smoke-dried samples. Generally, the sun-dried shrimp showed a higher prevalence of microplastics than the smoke-dried samples. The ATR-FTIR results revealed the dominance of polyethylene, PE (80%) films and fibres, followed by styrene-butadiene rubber, SBR (12%), natural latex rubber, NLR (5%), and polyvinyl alcohol, PVA (2%). Polymer hazard index (PHI) denoted that PE microplastics had a PHI score of 877.8 classifying them in the hazard category IV which is a “danger” risk. The polymers may directly enter the human body when consumed via dried shrimp and cause health implications.

Graphical Abstract

Predicting evaporation is an essential topic in water resources management. It is critical to plan irrigation schedules, optimize hydropower production, and accurately calculate the overall water balance. Thus, researchers have developed many prediction models for predicting evaporation. Despite the development of these models, there are still unresolved challenges. These challenges include selecting the most important input parameters, handling nonstationary data, extracting critical information from data, and quantifying the uncertainty of predicted values. Thus, the main aim of this study is to address these challenges by developing a new prediction model. The new prediction model, named Gated Recurrent Unit–Multi-Kernel Extreme Learning Machine (MKELM)–Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), was used to predict one-month ahead evaporation in the Kashafrood basin, Iran. This model was executed in multiple stages. First, a feature selection algorithm was used to determine the most critical input parameters. A data processing technique was then employed to decompose nonstationary data into stationary intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The GRU model then processed these components to extract their essential information. In the following step, the extracted information was inserted into the MKELM model to predict evaporation. Finally, the GPR model quantified the uncertainty of predicted values. Our research also introduces a new optimizer called the Salp Swarm Optimization Algorithm–Sine Cosine Optimization Algorithm. This algorithm was used to tune the model parameters. This algorithm's performance and the prediction models’ accuracy were evaluated using several error indices. According to the study results, the GRU–MKELM–GPR model performed better than other models in predicting monthly evaporation. It improved the training and testing mean absolute error values of the other models by 21%-43% and 8.2–33%, respectively. Moreover, the new model improved the R² (R-squared or coefficient of determination) values of other models by 5–12%. Generally, the main findings of this paper included the superior performance of the new model in predicting evaporation data and the superior performance of a new optimizer in adjusting model parameters. These findings highlighted the effectiveness of the suggested model in addressing the challenges associated with evaporation prediction.

The “Just Transition” concept aims to ensure an equitable shift toward low-carbon economies by minimizing negative impacts on workers, communities, and vulnerable sectors, while inclusively distributing the benefits of environmental policies. However, this process faces structural and conceptual barriers that extend beyond technical challenges, such as the lack of effective participation, power dynamics, persistent inequalities, and tensions between economic growth and sustainability. This work transcends traditional notions by adopting a plural and critical perspective from the Pluriverse to explore the challenges and opportunities in reshaping the Just Transition. We argue that integrating local knowledge and adopting epistemic justice approaches are essential for designing transitions that not only mitigate the climate crisis but also promote autonomy, social equity, and ecological regeneration.

Eco-labels are market tools that provide consumers with relevant information, enabling more informed and sustainable purchasing decisions. As fisheries operate on a high production scale, it is possible to dilute the costs of implementing and maintaining these initiatives. However, as the production scale decreases, small producing communities may need help participating in product certification processes. In global contexts, where consumer markets become increasingly demanding, the need for certification can translate into a barrier to selling such products. In this context, the present article aims to investigate existing certifications in the literature for large- and small-scale fisheries and their benefits and challenges for the fisheries. The systematic literature review was conducted to achieve the research objectives. A total of 38 articles were analyzed for this study. The Marine Stewardship Council emerged as the most recognizable certification body worldwide. Market access was the benefit of this certification scheme. On the other hand, small-scale fisheries face barriers in obtaining this market access tool, with costs being the primary challenge cited. Certification schemes can significantly enhance the fisheries value chain by fostering better interactions between fisheries stakeholders and reshaping the structure of small-scale fisheries.

Background

Microplastics, polymer-based particles < 5 mm, affect plant–soil systems positively or negatively, suggesting there are different modes of action. Microplastics, as particles, have physical effects but the leaching of additives likely contributes chemical mechanisms, both of which may be dependent on microplastic size. To disentangle such mechanisms, we established a controlled experiment involving polypropylene and polyethylene films of small, medium and large size, and we evaluated the individual and combined effect of plastic particles and additives (leachates from plastic particles) on soil properties and plant performance of the phytometer Daucus carota and on bare soils.

Results

We find that additives better explained variation in soil properties (e.g., 44.6% vs 1.3%). Soil respiration and aggregation were negatively affected for additives, likely due to the presence of toxic substances. Overall, such effects increased as plastic size decreased. By contrast, plastic particles better explained plant biomass responses. The positive effect of particles on aeration which may promote root penetration and nutrient uptake, and microplastics itself as a source of carbon potentially promoting soil microbial activity, help explain the positive effect of particles on plant biomass. Plants mitigated the negative effects of additives on bare soils while enhancing the positive effects of particles. This improvement was likely linked to an increase in root activity and rhizodeposition, as plastic particles improved soil aeration. The combined effect of additives and particles, which mimics the microplastic found in the soil, mitigated their individual negative effects on plant–soil systems. As the negative effect of additives could have been masked by the positive effects of particles, simply reporting net positive effects would capture only part of the response.

Conclusions

Additives and plastic particles differently affect soil properties and plant biomass. Additives primarily negatively affect soil properties due to toxic substances, while plastic particles enhance plant biomass likely by improving soil aeration. When examining microplastics effects on terrestrial systems (i.e., the combined effect of additives and particles), the negative effect of additives may be masked by the positive effects of plastic particles. Reporting only net positive effects risks overlooking these underlying negative effects. Plants can mitigate the negative impacts of additives and amplify the positive effects of plastic particles. Our study emphasizes the importance of investigating both the individual and combined effects of additives and particles to fully understand and address the impacts of microplastics on terrestrial ecosystems.

Background

Recycling nutrients and organic matter available as waste in urban areas may close nutrient gaps and improve soil quality, but the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are commonly higher than in mineral fertilisers. How quickly may the limits for soil quality be exceeded, and for which elements, if such materials are applied intensively? For a rough answer to this question, we used soil data from ten case farms near Oslo and Bergen (Norway) to estimate how PTE concentrations increased when the demand for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in a theoretical carrot crop produced every year was covered by compost or digestate from source-separated food waste, or composted garden waste, compared with manure from horses and poultry which are often kept in peri-urban areas.

Results

With the intensive fertilisation assumed here, the Norwegian soil quality limits for PTEs were reached within 20–85 years, and faster for soil with more organic matter since regulatory limits set by weight discriminate soils with low bulk density. The limits were reached first for Cu and Zn, which are both essential micronutrients for crop plants. The concentrations of macronutrients in the urban waste-based fertilisers were not well balanced. Rates covering the K demand would lead to high surpluses of P and N. In peri-urban vegetable growing, high applications of compost are not unusual, but more balanced fertilisation is required.

Conclusions

The Norwegian regulations for PTEs in organic soil amendments and agricultural soil are stricter than in the EU, and do not support recycling of organic matter and nutrients from urban waste. Many materials which can only be applied with restricted amounts to Norwegian agricultural soil, may be applied according to crop demand in the EU. Growers utilising urban waste-based fertilisers intensively should monitor the soil regularly, including PTE analyses. Soil sampling should occur on fixed sampling points to reveal changes in concentrations over time. Norwegian authorities should consider a revision of the organic fertiliser regulation to support recycling of valuable organic materials. There is a need for more data on the PTE concentrations in agricultural soil and organic fertiliser materials.

This study evaluates the efficacy of discrete bacterial consortia in bioremediating sandy loamy soil deliberately contaminated with 20 mg/kg of chlorantraniliprole (CAP). It monitors alterations in total bacterial populations and CO₂ emissions, tracking residual CAP levels through UV scanning and HPLC analysis. Six active bacterial degraders (four Bacillus strains (B. subtilis subsp. subtilis AZFS3, B. pumilus AZFS5, B. mojavensis AZFS15, and B. paramycoides AZFS18), one Alcaligenes strain (A. aquatilis KZFS11), and one Pseudomonas strain (P. aeruginosa KZFS4)) were used in single or combined preparations and grown on trypticase soy broth for 24 h at 30 °C before preparing the inoculants and adjusting the bacterial cell count to 10⁷ CFU/dwt g soil. The bacterial consortia were added to the CAP-contaminated soil and incubated for 20 days at 30 °C. The di-, tetra-, and hexa-bacterial consortia recorded the highest levels of viable bacteria, reaching their peak after 3 to 11 days of incubation. Then, they declined to the minimum levels at the end of the 20 days, which coincided with their complete removal of CAP from the soil. At the end of the incubation period (20 days), the CAP was mainly biodegraded, scoring biodegradation rates of 90.05%, 93.65%, and 98.65% for T3, T4, and T5, respectively. This concurred with the highest average CO₂ production. Based on the results of the HPLC analysis, the hexa-bacterial consortium T5 demonstrated the highest rate of CAP biodegradation (99.33%) after a 20-day incubation period, resulting in the lowest residual level of CAP in the soil (0.67%). Bioinformatic analysis predicted that the CAP biodegradation pathway reached CO₂ and H₂O. Under optimized conditions, the hexa-bacteria consortium is the most effective CAP biodegraded and is recommended as an eco-friendly treatment for eliminating CAP pollution in the field.

Persistent and toxic chemicals remain a significant pollution concern, underscored by the European Union's Zero Pollution Action Plan. Daily exposure to complex chemical mixtures starts early and continues throughout life, for instance for consumer products such as toys, plasticware, furniture, and synthetic fibres. EU-funded research projects like COPHES/DEMOCOPHES, HBM4EU, and PARC have documented population exposure to these substances. The outcomes of such research initiatives have contributed to highlighting the adverse health impacts of Substances of Concern (SoCs), leading to several regulatory actions within the EU. SoCs include hazardous chemicals such as carcinogens, mutagens, endocrine disruptors, and “persistent, bioaccumulative, and mobile” (PBM) chemicals. The digital transformation in chemicals management has resulted in policies that mandate electronic submissions of chemical risk assessment-relevant data, and the creation of industry-specific databases like the Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) database, established by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) under the revised Waste Framework Directive (WstFD). These databases describe SoCs and their link with products, offering a comprehensive view of chemical quantities, emission sources, exposure pathways, and other relevant data, contingent on robust data governance. Effective chemical risk assessment requires characterizing hazards, exposure sources and levels, and drawing conclusions concluding on potential risks, supported by a well-defined problem formulation and monitoring. This includes setting objectives and defining the scope of the risk assessment and decision-making, particularly regarding early warning signal detection for the purpose of public health protection. Successful risk assessment hinges on access to robust, traceable, accessible, and interoperable data across scientific disciplines and regulatory frameworks. This paper discusses the challenges of aggregating human health risk assessment-relevant chemical information from multiple sources, especially from the perspective of data fusion and reuse. It presents findings from a research project focused on utilizing chemicals datasets from various governmental and scientific sources. The study highlights the need for improved data presentation and availability to enhance usability for all stakeholders. Recommendations are made for the EU Commission, ECHA, industry, and academia to support harmonized data practices, increased transparency, and the development of sustainable chemical applications fostering safer market introductions. These recommendations can also be useful to other data providers that care about the reusability of the data they publish or manage.