Hasil untuk "Environmental Science"

Jianguo Wu

J. Dickinson, Jennifer Shirk, David N. Bonter et al.

Ivy B. Huang, J. Keisler, I. Linkov

P. Ericksen

M. Mcphaden, S. Zebiak, M. Glantz

Tatsuya Amano, J. P. González-Varo, W. Sutherland

While it is recognized that language can pose a barrier to the transfer of scientific knowledge, the convergence on English as the global language of science may suggest that this problem has been resolved. However, our survey searching Google Scholar in 16 languages revealed that 35.6% of 75,513 scientific documents on biodiversity conservation published in 2014 were not in English. Ignoring such non-English knowledge can cause biases in our understanding of study systems. Furthermore, as publication in English has become prevalent, scientific knowledge is often unavailable in local languages. This hinders its use by field practitioners and policy makers for local environmental issues; 54% of protected area directors in Spain identified languages as a barrier. We urge scientific communities to make a more concerted effort to tackle this problem and propose potential approaches both for compiling non-English scientific knowledge effectively and for enhancing the multilingualization of new and existing knowledge available only in English for the users of such knowledge.

J. Hart, K. Martinez

C. N. Sawyer, P. McCarty, G. Parkin

C. Makondo, D. Thomas

Abstract The implementation of climate change response programmes for adaptation and resilience is anchored on western scientific knowledge. However, this has led to a tendency to marginalise indigenous knowledge as it is considered unimportant in this process (Belfer et al., 2017; Lesperance, 2017; Whitfield et al., 2015 ). Yet, knowledge systems rarely develop in isolation as they normally tend to cross-fertilize and benefit from each other. In this regard, we think that indigenous knowledge is just as important as scientific knowledge and the two must be integrated through multiple evidence base approach for climate change adaptation and mitigation. In this paper, focussing on African traditional society, we combine oral history with the available literature to examine traditional knowledge and awareness of climate change and related environmental risks. Interesting themes emerge from the knowledge holders themselves and our analysis uncovers a wide range of adaptive coping strategies applied with mixed success. From spotting and reading the position and shape of the ‘new moon’ to the interpretative correctness of its symbolism in “applied traditional climatology,” and from rain-making rituals to conservation of wetlands and forests. Generally, findings seem to suggest that traditional African knowledge of environmental change may be as old as the society itself, with local knowledge transmitted from one generation to the next. Based on the perceived vulnerability of indigenous communities, many scholars tend to argue generically for the integration of indigenous knowledge into climate change policies and implementation (Ross, 2009; Maldonado et al., 2016 ; Etchart, 2017 ). In this paper however, we attempt to supplement these arguments by providing specific and contextualised evidence of indigenous knowledge linked to climate change adaptation. It is demonstrated that indigenous knowledge is neither singular nor universal, but rather, a voluminous, diverse and highly localised source of wisdom. We conclude that integration of such unique and specific indigenous knowledge systems into other evidence bases of knowledge, could be one of the best ways to the more effective and sustainable implementation of climate change adaptation strategies among target indigenous communities.

F. Petersen, J. Hubbart

Microplastic (MP) particles have been observed in most environments and concentrations are expected to increase over the coming decades given continued and increased production of synthetic polymer products. The expected increase in plastic pollution (including MPs) may elevate the risk posed by these synthetic particles to both environmental and human health. The purpose of this review is to provide a review of the state of knowledge regarding the occurrence and transport of MPs in and across three of the Earths subsystems, specifically, the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Evidence is presented that shows the lithosphere includes substantial MP accumulation (e.g. approximately 25 particles L-1 in landfill leachate), the impacts of which remain poorly understood. The atmosphere plays an important role in MP transport, with increased occurrence and higher transport concentrations noted in more densely populated areas (e.g. 175 to 313 particles m-2 d-1 in Dongguan China). In the hydrosphere, freshwater ecosystems alternate between MP transport (e.g. rivers) and deposition (e.g. lakes) with flow rate being identified as a key factor determining the movement and fate of MPs. Conversely, marine ecosystems act as a major sink for MP pollution (e.g. MP comprise 94%, approximately 1.69 trillion pieces, of plastic pieces in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch), driven by direct deposition or by transport via the atmosphere or freshwater conveyance systems (e.g. streams, rivers, or ice sheets). Once ingested by organisms, the trophic transfer and bioaccumulation of MPs has been confirmed with the polymer particles potentially accumulating in or impacting fauna, flora, microbes, and humans. Finally, 16 areas are identified in which future MP research efforts should be focused, with the goal of accurately identifying the scope and potential risks posed by synthetic polymer pollution. This review serves as a valuable steppingstone for future research and researchers wishing to address MP research gaps across various environmental settings in the coming decades.

Sun-Ho Park, Sergei N. Volkov, Nikolai G. Zaitsev et al.

Results of a methodological case study of low-level clouds in the atmosphere using a 1064 nm fiber lidar are presented. The lidar experiment was carried out in Daejeon, Republic of Korea, in January–March 2025. The study’s primary objective was to ascertain the vertical extinction coefficient profiles pertaining to tenuous, low-altitude cloud formations via implementation of a refined Sequential Lidar Signal Processing Algorithm (SLSPA). The SLSPA incorporates statistical estimation theory to assess signal and measurement error. Cloud extinction coefficient profiles are estimated within the SLSPA utilizing the modified Klett–Fernald inversion algorithm. The SLSPA adaptation is required (a) to evaluate the accuracy of Q-switch laser-based lidar sounding signal deconvolution, (b) to mitigate the impact of the lidar form factor on measurement results, (c) to account for aerosol extinction coefficient variability within the cloud in the modified inversion algorithm (MIA), and (d) to evaluate multiple scattering effect correction in the MIA. Theoretical and experimental aspects of the modified SLSPA are considered sequentially in the present work. The experimental results presented here are based on datasets sampled from the entire array of experimental data obtained during the measurement period.

J. Encarnação, M. Teodósio, P. Morais

Biological invasions are among the most challenging ecological and conservation riddles of our times. Fortunately, citizen science projects became a valuable tool to detect non-indigenous species (NIS), document their spread, prevent dispersion, and eradicate localized populations. We evaluated the most undisputed definitions of citizen science and proposed that a combination of two of them is a better reflection of what citizen science has become. Thus, citizen science is any environmental and/or biological data collection and analysis, including data quality control, undertaken by members of the general public, as individuals or as organized groups of citizens, with the guidance and/or assistance of scientists toward solving environmental and/or community questions. With this review, we also assessed how citizen science has been advancing biological invasions research and its focus, by analyzing 126 peer-reviewed articles that used citizen science methods or data concerning NIS. Most of the articles studied terrestrial species (68%) and terrestrial plants were the most studied group (22.7%). Surprisingly, most first detection reports were of non-indigenous marine fish probably due to the constraints in accessing aquatic ecosystems which delays the detection of new NIS. Citizen science projects running over broad geographical areas are very cost-effective for the early detection of NIS, regardless of the studied environment. We also discuss the applicability and need to adapt the methods and approaches toward the studied ecosystem and species, but also the profile of the participating citizens, their motivations, level of engagement, or social status. We recommend authors to better acknowledge the work done by contributing citizens, and the putative limitations of data generated by citizen science projects. The outreach planning of citizen science projects is also evaluated, including the use of dedicated web platforms vs. pre-existent and disseminated web platforms, while discussing how such outreach actions can be maximized. Lastly, we present a framework that contextualizes the contributions of citizen science, scientific research, and regional and national stakeholders toward the integrated management of biological invasions.

Laura Nistor, Cătălin Lisa, Tsuyoshi Michinobu et al.

Background: 2-[4-(Dimethylamino)phenyl]-3-([4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethynyl)buta-1,3-diene-1,1,4,4-tetracarbonitrile (DDMEBT) is a thermally robust organic material of interest for applications requiring controlled volatility. Understanding its thermal stability, decomposition mechanism, and sublimation behavior is critical for optimizing deposition conditions in industrial processes. Methods: A comprehensive set of techniques was employed, including thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry and FTIR spectroscopy (TG/MS/FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) analysis, polarized light microscopy (POM), and molecular modeling. Sublimation kinetics were investigated under isothermal conditions (130–150 °C) using anthracene as reference. Significant findings: DDMEBT exhibits a sequential three-step degradation mechanism, independent of heating rate, with high thermal stability (final residue ∼77 %) attributed to its nonplanar architecture and intermolecular π–π/dipole–dipole interactions. Thermal analysis revealed melting at ∼190 °C, structural rearrangements (196–230 °C), and an amorphous-to-crystalline transition at 270 °C. Sublimation proceeds via zero-order kinetics with low volatility (0.178 μg/min at 130 °C) and an activation energy of 66.5 kJ/mol. The determined vapor pressure (1998–4000 Pa) and transport coefficients confirm a thermally activated, hydrodynamically stable process. These findings establish a reliable basis for sublimation modeling and provide guidelines for optimizing material processing in high-temperature, low-volatility applications.

A. Al Harraq, B. Bharti

Microplastics are sub-millimeter-sized fragments of plastics and a relatively new class of pollutant increasingly found in the environment. Due to their size and surface area to volume ratio, the physicochemical characteristics of microplastics can diverge from those of their macroscopic counterparts. This is partly why it is challenging to understand their origin, analyze their behavior, and predict their fates in the environment compared to large pollutants. We believe that adopting a view of microplastics as a colloid provides a holistic framework that connects their physical properties and surface chemistries with observations of their dynamics in the environment. In particular, we discuss the role of fundamental principles of colloid science in interpreting phenomena of wetting, adsorption, aggregation, and transport of microplastics. Colloid and interface science can provide the tools to couple or decouple the physicochemical behaviors of microplastics, which may aid in understanding the environmental challenge both from a fundamental perspective and with respect to practical remediation methods.

D. Devault, H. Macarie, S. Lemoine

Petr Maděra, Petr Vahalík, Salem Hamdiah et al.

Societal Impact Statement Conserving frankincense trees (Boswellia) is crucial for both ecological and socio‐economic reasons. Surveying these trees in the field and using remote sensing unmanned aerial vehicles in the Socotra Archipelago, we found that Socotran frankincense trees are threatened by forest fragmentation, overgrazing, and increasingly frequent extreme climate events. A better understanding of the distribution and the threats of these important insular species will improve the conservation policy of the local authorities and benefit local communities in the Socotra Archipelago. At the same time, this work serves as a good practice example to guide conservation efforts for other culturally important threatened tree species around the world, therefore helping to sustain local livelihoods, fostering ecological resilience, and supporting socio‐economic stability. Summary Globally, frankincense trees (Burseraceae: Boswellia) are increasingly under threat because of habitat deterioration, climate impacts, and the olibanum trade. Despite harboring nearly half of the species in the genus, up‐to‐date insights are lacking for the insular endemic frankincense trees of the Socotra Archipelago UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site (Yemen). We combined georeferencing of individual trees in the field with remote sensing applying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to evaluate Boswellia distribution and (sub)population sizes in the entire Socotra Archipelago. We counted 17,253 trees across all 11 taxa and we surveyed almost 55% directly in the field, collecting individual information on threats and health indicators. We estimate that the current total population sizes of the relatively common Socotran Boswellia taxa (Boswellia elongata, Boswellia popoviana, and Boswellia ameero) consist of a few thousand mature individuals with fragmented distribution of which a large proportion occurs in highly disjunct relictual stands, while the more range‐restricted species survive only through a few hundred (Boswellia nana and Boswellia samhaensis) to fewer than a hundred trees (Boswellia scopulorum). Our field data show that the Socotran frankincense trees are threatened by fragmentation and overgrazing resulting in a lack of natural regeneration, in combination with effects of extreme climate events (e.g., higher frequency and intensity of cyclones and prolonged drought) and potential future infrastructure developments; the species are less impacted by resin collection. We provide recommendations to strategize urgent protection of the declining Socotran frankincense trees, and we update their conservation status, resulting in an endangered status for seven and a critically endangered status for four taxa.

V. Mardoñez-Balderrama, V. Mardoñez-Balderrama, V. Mardoñez-Balderrama et al.

<p><span id="page12056"/>Black carbon (BC) is a major component of submicron particulate matter (PM), with significant health and climate impacts. Many cities in emerging countries lack comprehensive knowledge about BC emissions and exposure levels. This study investigates BC concentration levels, identifies its emission sources, and characterizes the optical properties of BC at urban background sites of the two largest high-altitude Bolivian cities: La Paz (LP) (3600 m above sea level) and El Alto (EA) (4050 m a.s.l.), where atmospheric oxygen levels and intense radiation may affect BC production. The study relies on concurrent measurements of equivalent black carbon (eBC), elemental carbon (EC), and refractory black carbon (rBC) and their comparison with analogous data collected at the nearby Chacaltaya Global Atmosphere Watch Station (5240 m a.s.l). The performance of two independent source apportionment techniques was compared: a bilinear model and a least-squares multilinear regression (MLR). Maximum eBC concentrations were observed during the local dry season (LP: eBC <span class="inline-formula">=</span> 1.5 <span class="inline-formula">±</span> 1.6 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g m<span class="inline-formula">⁻³</span>; EA: <span class="inline-formula">1.9±2.0</span> <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g m<span class="inline-formula">⁻³</span>). While eBC concentrations are lower at the mountain station, daily transport from urban areas is evident. Average mass absorption cross sections of 6.6–8.2 m<span class="inline-formula">²</span> g<span class="inline-formula">⁻¹</span> were found in the urban area at 637 nm. Both source apportionment methods exhibited a reasonable level of agreement in the contribution of biomass burning (BB) to absorption. The MLR method allowed the estimation of the contribution and the source-specific optical properties for multiple sources, including open waste burning.</p>

Tamer M. Tamer, Wagih Abdel-Alim Sadik, Rafik Abbas Elady et al.

The Methyl orange (MO) azo dye has been removed from dyes-contaminated wastewater for the first time using a novel amino-ethyl Chitosan crosslinked hydrogel (CS-ENH2). The induced amine groups served as positive charge centers to bind MO azo-dye anions. The MO adsorbents' capabilities in comparison to native Chitosan (CS) are directly correlated positively with the amination phase which a very rapid initial adsorption was seen in the first 60 min, then began to slow until it leveled off after 120 min and 180 min for CS and CS-ENH2. The adsorption temperature has a positive effect, particularly at low temperatures, between 25 °C and 30 °C, where the adsorption capacity of the CS-ENH2 is double that of the CS, while at higher temperatures that effect diminished. The kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics characteristics of the MO adsorption process were followed. The obtained results showed that the MO adsorption process adhered to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, the Langmuir isotherm model, and had an endothermic and spontaneous character with a maximum adsorption Langmuir monolayer of 3.66 and 10.53 mg/g for CS and CS-ENH2. In conclusion, the CS-ENH2 adsorbent removed up to 2.86 folds of MO amount of that removed using Chitosan under the same operating conditions, which reflected in the reduction of the used adsorbent amount, adsorption time, and finally proved the cost-effective of the developed CS-ENH2 adsorbent.

T. VoPham, J. Hart, F. Laden et al.

Geospatial artificial intelligence (geoAI) is an emerging scientific discipline that combines innovations in spatial science, artificial intelligence methods in machine learning (e.g., deep learning), data mining, and high-performance computing to extract knowledge from spatial big data. In environmental epidemiology, exposure modeling is a commonly used approach to conduct exposure assessment to determine the distribution of exposures in study populations. geoAI technologies provide important advantages for exposure modeling in environmental epidemiology, including the ability to incorporate large amounts of big spatial and temporal data in a variety of formats; computational efficiency; flexibility in algorithms and workflows to accommodate relevant characteristics of spatial (environmental) processes including spatial nonstationarity; and scalability to model other environmental exposures across different geographic areas. The objectives of this commentary are to provide an overview of key concepts surrounding the evolving and interdisciplinary field of geoAI including spatial data science, machine learning, deep learning, and data mining; recent geoAI applications in research; and potential future directions for geoAI in environmental epidemiology.

S. Rayner