Environmental Sciences Europe最新文献

Non-native species monitoring faces global challenges due to resource disparities, hindering effective implementation. Current strategies are fragmented and resource-dependent, inadequately addressing non-native species dynamics and are subjected to reporting biases, being further ridiculed by political borders. To overcome these challenges, a paradigm shift towards targeted, large-scale monitoring is crucial, requiring standardized protocols and advanced technologies like environmental DNA analysis, orchestrated, applied—and enforced—following international collaboration. Despite existing efforts, networks, and laws, even larger political entities like the European Union suffer from the lack of information exchange as well as economic, political, and socio-cultural differences among member status, ultimately hampering united efforts against the threat posed by non-native species. The absence of a comprehensive central hub and authority, guided by scientific input and at the same time empowered by being a political institution, emerges as a compelling solution. Despite potential drawbacks, this institution, possibly bridging gaps in the large-scale approach, could coordinate efforts, standardize reporting, allocate resources, and advocate increased funding. Considering rising introduction rates and accelerating impacts from non-native species, creating a centralized institution becomes imperative for enhancing global non-native species monitoring and management to foster a collaborative response to non-native species threats.

Adopting a multi-criteria approach in forest management is essential for preserving or improving specific benefits while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Determining the appropriate long-term management approach for a forest requires considering heterogeneous environmental and social factors, as well as changes in forest characteristics over time. Conducting a strategic assessment of forest use suitability (FUS), namely productive, protective, conservation-oriented, social and multifunctional, at the national level, taking into account the dynamics in the provision of forest ecosystem services and the trade-offs between FUS alternatives, can guide the development of customized management strategies and policies that align with the specific requirements and conditions of the forest. In this study, we evaluate the supply and simulation-based changes over time of diverse ecosystem services of Pinus sylvestris stands in Spain and utilize a decision model to determine the most suitable FUS alternative that enhances the provision of these services. The assignment of the most appropriate FUS alternative aims to help in decision-making processes and in the selection of the most adequate management strategies. To achieve this, we utilize the last version of ecosystem management decision support (EMDS) system, a spatially focused decision support tool capable of generating precise results for multi-criteria assessment. Participatory planning actions based on Delphi principles and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis were applied and combined with geospatial logic-based modelling. According to the results, the dominant FUS is protective, followed by productive alternative, exhibiting high levels of multifunctionality.

Background

This study aims to tackle the lack of freshwater ecotoxicological effect factors (EFs) crucial for determining freshwater ecotoxicity characterization factors (CFs) using the widely accepted scientific consensus USEtox model for ecotoxicity impact characterization. The objectives are: (1) to offer a collection of experimental EFs to support USEtox ecotoxicity characterization factor computations and (2) to contrast ecotoxicity data produced by various quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models against experimental data.

Results

Experimental ecotoxicity data were gathered from the REACH database and CompTox Version 2.1.1, which includes toxicity information from ToxValDB v9.4. QSAR-driven ecotoxicity data were extracted from ECOSAR v1.11 and T.E.S.T. v5.1.2. The experimental and estimated data underwent a harmonization process to ensure consistency. Subsequently, aquatic ecotoxicological EFs were determined. The merged REACH and CompTox databases list EFs for 11,295 substances, each identified by a unique CAS number. Among these, the USEtox database already catalogs 2426 substances with freshwater ecotoxicological EFs. This study expanded on that by calculating EFs for an additional 8869 substances. Using estimated data, EFs were determined for 6029 chemicals based on ECOSAR data and 6762 chemicals using TEST data.

Conclusions

This study calculated EFs for an additional 8869 substances, thereby broadening their inclusion in LCA evaluations. When integrated with the USEtox EFs database, this research encompasses 11,368 chemicals. The high correlation observed between experimental EFs and those in the USEtox database lends significant confidence to the calculations for chemicals not listed in USEtox. Conversely, the low correlation between estimated EFs and those in USEtox suggests limited confidence in calculations based on estimated data. Furthermore, the disparity in correlations between EFs calculated using ECOSAR and TEST indicates that different QSARs can yield varied results. This discrepancy underscores the need for caution when relying on estimated data. Given that EFs are contingent on data availability, it is imperative to periodically update EFs as new data emerges.

Background

Air pollution is associated with adverse health effects, especially on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, but according to recent research, even in cognitive health, metabolic, and immune systems. The objective was to analyse the effect of long-term exposure to air pollution on selected immune system parameters, 8-isoprostane a parameter of oxidative stress, and alpha-1-antitrypsin a protease inhibitor.

Methods

The number of 381 probands aged 35–65 from two differently polluted regions was included. Lifetime exposures to PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO₂, B(a)P, and benzene for each proband were calculated based on historical pollutant concentrations observed. The selected blood parameters were analysed in relation to independent variables (air pollutants, socioeconomic factors, etc.) using multiple regression. Possible covariates were determined. In its end, the study was conceived as a case–control study, and the odds ratio was quantified, expressing the strength of the association of the monitored parameters with the region.

Results

The average lifetime exposures to air pollution were significantly different between the two regions. Significant effects of the region were observed on IgM, IL-6, 8-isoprostane, and alpha-1-antitrypsin levels. The strongest positive association was observed between 8-isoprostane levels and benzene, PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and B(a)P. Odds ratio was 3.21 (95%CI 1.61–6.38). A significant negative association between all pollutants and IgM levels was observed even with covariate adjustment. Odds ratio was 1.80 (95%CI 1.15–2.82). A significant negative association between the alpha-1-antitrypsin levels and PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and benzene was found, independent of smoking as a covariate factor. Odds ratio was 1.77 (95%CI 1.09–2.87). In the case of IL-6, a significant effect of especially sleep as a covariate was observed. After covariates adjustment, a significant positive association between the IL-6 levels and PM₁₀ and benzene was only observed. The odds ratio was 1.95 (95%CI 1.28–2.97).

Conclusions

The study confirmed that long-term exposure to air pollutants is associated with reduced levels of the protease inhibitor alpha-1-antitrypsin and decreased immune system performance by IgM. Furthermore, long-term exposure to air pollutants was associated with increased oxidative stress in humans, measured by 8-isoprostane levels. Residents who live in an industrial, environmentally polluted region showed elevated levels of IL-6.

Water-scarce regions, like the Mediterranean, face worsening conditions due to climate change, intensifying pressure on key economic sectors such as hydropower. Additionally, environmental conservation policies, particularly the implementation of environmental flows, present challenges for hydropower systems. Certainty regarding the impact of these factors on future hydropower production is crucial for informed decision-making in the transition to sustainable energy. This study introduces S + HydPower, a tool coupled with SWAT+ to assess climate change and watershed management effects on small hydropower plant (SHP) systems. In this study, we used this tool to investigate the consequences of implementing environmental flows and climate change on run-of-river SHPs in the Catalan River Basin District (CRBD), in Catalonia. The results show that applying environmental flows would lead to a significant 27% reduction in SHP production. However, this reduction would represent only 0.25% of the region’s current energy demand. Furthermore, the study reveals a potential 38% to 73% reduction in SHP production by the end of the twenty-first century due to the combined effects of environmental flows and climate change. This suggests a substantial decline in run-of-river SHP’s contribution to the CRBD’s electricity supply. These findings emphasize the need to explore alternative and sustainable energy sources to ensure the long-term reliability and resilience of the region’s energy supply.

Exposure to synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals, affects freshwater communities at broad spatial scales. This risk is commonly managed in a prospective environmental risk assessment (ERA). Relying on generic methods, a few standard test organisms, and safety factors to account for uncertainty, ERA determines concentrations that are assumed to pose low risks to ecosystems. Currently, this procedure neglects potential variation in assemblage sensitivity among ecosystem types and recommends a single low-risk concentration for each compound. Whether systematic differences in assemblage sensitivity among ecosystem types exist or their size, are currently unknown. Elucidating spatial patterns in sensitivity to chemicals could therefore enhance ERA precision and narrow a fundamental knowledge gap in ecology, the Hutchinsonian shortfall. We analyzed whether taxonomic turnover between field-sampled macroinvertebrate assemblages of different broad river types across Europe results in systematic differences in assemblage sensitivity to copper and imidacloprid. We used an extensive database of macroinvertebrate assemblage compositions throughout Europe and employed a hierarchical species sensitivity distribution model to predict the concentration that would be harmful to 5% of taxa (HC₅) in each assemblage. Predicted (H{C}_{5}) values varied over several orders of magnitude. However, variation within the 95% highest density intervals remained within one order of magnitude. Differences between the river types were minor for imidacloprid and only slightly higher for copper. The largest difference between river-type-specific median (H{C}_{5}) values was a factor of 3.1. This level of variation is below the assessment factors recommended by the European Food Safety Authority and therefore would be captured in the current ERA for plant protection products. We conclude that the differences in taxonomic composition between broad river types translate into relatively small differences in macroinvertebrate assemblage sensitivity toward the evaluated chemicals at the European scale. However, systematic differences in bioavailability and multi-stressor context were not evaluated and might exacerbate the differences in the ecological effects of chemicals among broad river types in real-world ecosystems.

Background

This study aimed to investigate the associations between metal exposures and periodontitis among U.S. adults, as well as the mediated effect of biological aging.

Methods

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2014, we explored the single and mixed impacts of metal exposures on periodontitis through adjusted weighted logistic regression, robust Poisson regression, restricted cubic spline regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression models. This study included 2,393 participants, with 46.9% experiencing periodontitis. Concentrations of nine urinary metals, including barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), cesium (Cs), molybdenum (Mo), lead (Pb), thallium (Tl), tungsten (Tu), and uranium (Ur), were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. In addition, we analyzed the association between metals and periodontitis, stratified by age, body mass index, gender, and smoking status. Mediation models were also applied to investigate the mediated effects of biological aging between metal exposures and periodontitis.

Results

Weighted logistic and robust Poisson regression identified positive associations between Cd, Pb and periodontitis (P < 0.05). BKMR analyses indicated that mixed metal exposures were significantly associated with periodontitis, particularly among smokers, second-hand smokers, and males, with Cd, Pb, Tl, and Ba contributing the most. Furthermore, subgroup analyses observed a modifying effect on the associations between urinary Cd, Pb and periodontitis in stratified gender and BMI subgroups in robust Poisson regression. Phenotype age was found to mediate the association between metals and periodontitis.

Conclusions

This study identified significant positive associations between metal exposures and periodontitis in the U.S. adults. In addition, the association between metal exposures and periodontitis could vary in different gender, BMI and smoking subgroups. These associations were likely partly mediated by biological aging, suggesting that metals may potentially increase the risk of periodontitis by promoting cell senescence and overall aging of the body.

Graphical Abstract

Two potent greenhouse gases that are mostly found in agricultural soils are methane and nitrous oxide. Therefore, we investigated the effect of different moisture regimes on microbial stoichiometry, enzymatic activity, and greenhouse gas emissions in long-term paddy soils. The treatments included a control (CK; no addition), chemical fertilizer (NPK), and NPK + cattle manure (NPKM) and two moisture regimes such as 60% water-filled pore spaces (WFPS) and flooding. The results revealed that 60% water-filled pore spaces (WFPS) emit higher amounts of N₂O than flooded soil, while in the case of CH₄ the flooded soil emits more CH₄ emission compared to 60% WFPS. At 60% WFPS higher N₂O flux values were recorded for control, NPK, and NPKM which are 2.3, 3.1, and 3.5 µg kg⁻¹, respectively. In flooded soil, the CH₄ flux emission was higher, and the NPKM treatment recorded the maximum CH₄ emissions (3.8 µg kg⁻¹) followed by NPK (3.2 µg kg⁻¹) and CK (1.7 µg kg⁻¹). The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was increased by 15–27% under all flooded treatments as compared to 60% WPFS treatments. The microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (MBC, MBN, and MBP) significantly increased in the flooded treatments by 8–12%, 14–21%, and 4–22%, respectively when compared to 60% WFPS. The urease enzyme was influenced by moisture conditions, and significantly increased by 42–54% in flooded soil compared with 60% WFPS while having little effect on the β-glucosidase (BG) and acid phosphatase (AcP) enzymes. Moreover DOC, MBC, and pH showed a significant positive relationship with cumulative CH₄, while DOC showed a significant relationship with cumulative N₂O. In the random forest model, soil moisture, MBC, DOC, pH, and enzymatic activities were the most important factors for GHG emissions. The PLS-PM analysis showed that soil properties and enzymes possessed significantly directly impacted on CH₄ and N₂O emissions, while SMB had indirect positive effect on CH₄ and N₂O emissions.

Background

Due to climate change, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent worldwide. An example of such an extreme weather event was the flooding in Western Europe in July 2021. Currently, there are large research gaps regarding how such events, particularly those involving oil pollution, affect people's connection to nature and their perceptions of environmental problems. Perceptions and connections to nature are important factors that influence environmental behavior and decisions. This study examines the influence of the exposure of oil pollution during the 2021 floods on the perception of the natural environment (connection to nature) and of environmental problems (perception of planetary boundaries). To this end, people affected by flooding who have come into direct or indirect contact with oil pollution are examined, with people from unaffected regions serving as a control group.

Results

No significant differences were found for both the connection to nature and the perception of planetary boundaries between the three groups studied. Connection to nature was at a moderate level in all three groups. In the case of planetary boundaries, it was observed that all boundaries were rated as significantly exceeded in all three groups. Especially the boundary of novel entities to which also oil pollution belongs, was evaluated as highly exceeded.

Conclusions

The results suggest that extreme weather events do not negatively impact personal connection to nature. Additionally, no significant group differences were found in the assessment of planetary boundaries, which may be attributed to the inherently high assessment scores in Germany. The study provides evidence that perceptions of environmental problems and connection to nature are relatively stable in the face of an extreme weather event with a natural trigger. Further studies are needed to investigate the reasons and consequences of this stability.

Background

Plastic is generating global pollution and the replacement such as bioplastic has been developed to mitigate the pollution. To this end, the fate, transformation and pathway of bioplastics need more research. For example, the fragmentation of bioplastic can release small debris that can be categorised as microplastics, which is tested herein by taking an example of a compostable plastic that is used as a bin bag on our kitchen table to collect the food residues.

Results

First, we employ matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) to identify the main components of the bioplastic bag as polymer and starch. Next, we use Raman imaging to monitor the stability under laser illumination, in an oven at ~ 60 °C for ~ 2 weeks, or in the presence of tap water for half a year. Basically, the compostable plastic is stable under these conditions. Thirdly, however, once used as table-bin bag with involvement of food residues, within ~ 1 week, the bioplastic bag is broken and biodegraded to release debris. The derivate surface groups are effectively monitored and directly visualised via Raman imaging, and cross-checked with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The yielded small molecule such as formic acid is also identified, along with the released debris of microplastics, with the help of on-site extraction of the fragmented sample and imaging analysis algorithm of the hyper spectrum.

Conclusions

After one week, the bag in the waste bin fragments, releasing a significant amount of debris. This could pose a functional issue if users intend to use the bag for at least a week, and could become a potential environmental problem if the waste is dispersed uncontrollably. In general, further research is needed to potentially distinguish the persistent conventional microplastics from the bioplastic fragments, to effectively mitigate the plastic pollution.

Graphical Abstract