Hasil untuk "Environmental Science"

A. Bach-Faig, E. Berry, D. Lairon et al.

A. Wezel, S. Bellon, T. Doré et al.

Agroecology involves various approaches to solve actual challenges of agricultural production. Though agroecology initially dealt primarily with crop production and protection aspects, in recent decades new dimensions such as environmental, social, economic, ethical and development issues are becoming relevant. Today, the term ‘agroecology’ means either a scientific discipline, agricultural practice, or political or social movement. Here we study the different meanings of agroecology. For that we analyse the historical development of agroecology. We present examples from USA, Brazil, Germany, and France. We study and discuss the evolution of different meanings agroecology. The use of the term agroecology can be traced back to the 1930s. Until the 1960s agroecology referred only as a purely scientific discipline. Then, different branches of agroecology developed. Following environmental movements in the 1960s that went against industrial agriculture, agroecology evolved and fostered agroecological movements in the 1990s. Agroecology as an agricultural practice emerged in the 1980s, and was often intertwined with movements. Further, the scales and dimensions of agroecological investigations changed over the past 80 years from the plot and field scales to the farm and agroecosystem scales. Actually three approaches persist: (1) investigations at plot and field scales, (2) investigations at the agroecosystem and farm scales, and (3) investigations covering the whole food system. These different approaches of agroecological science can be explained by the history of nations. In France, agroecology was mainly understood as a farming practice and to certain extent as a movement, whereas the corresponding scientific discipline was agronomy. In Germany, agroecology has a long tradition as a scientific discipline. In the USA and in Brazil all three interpretations of agroecology occur, albeit with a predominance of agroecology as a science in the USA and a stronger emphasis on movement and agricultural practice in Brazil. These varied meanings of the term agroecology cause confusion among scientists and the public, and we recommend that those who publish using this term be explicit in their interpretation.

F. Bergaya, B. Theng, G. Lagaly

D. Pimentel, S. Mcnair, J. Janecka et al.

W. Turner, S. Spector, N. Gardiner et al.

D. Boyd

Zhangxin Wang, M. Elimelech, Shihong Lin

S. Bibri, J. Krogstie

Wanying Zhang, Jing Wang, Geng Qin et al.

The shipping industry, responsible for transporting 90% of global goods, is a major source of pollution and greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. In response to the increasingly stricter global and regional emission control regulations, the maritime industry has adopted various operational and technical measures to improve vessel energy efficiency so as to reduce emissions. However, these measures might not be able to effectively address the core issue of emissions, which arises from a heavy reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources. To reduce the emissions from the whole shipping industry more fundamentally, this review evaluates the viability of five alternative marine fuels — liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, biofuel, and hydrogen — as potential solutions for maritime decarbonization. This review adopts the systematic search flow (SSF) approach, using iterative search refinement and thematic analysis for a structured synthesis of maritime alternative fuel literature. It first introduces each type of alternative fuel with an emphasis on production methods and sources, which are distinctively categorized by “color.” Following this, a comprehensive comparison of the fuels is presented, focusing on technical feasibility, economic viability, emission reduction capabilities, availability, and safety considerations. The practical application of these fuels is further explored through an analysis of their adoption in operational fleets and new orders, as well as the readiness of port infrastructure to support these changes. This review also examines the role of alternative fuels in the development of green shipping corridors, underscored by an analysis of green shipping finance initiatives. The findings provide valuable insights into the viability of these fuels, supporting the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s 2050 decarbonization goals and paving the way towards zero emissions in global shipping.

Sunil K. Joshi, Ariane Huang, Janét Pittsenbarger et al.

Not available.

Mohammed Saleh Alshaikh

The performance of Organic Solar Cells (OSCs) is intrinsically linked to the molecular, electronic, and structural properties of donor and acceptor materials. This study employs various machine learning techniques, namely the Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Tree Boost, to predict key performance metrics of OSCs, including power conversion efficiency (PCE), short-circuit current density (JSC), open-circuit voltage (VOC), and fill factor (FF). The models are trained and evaluated using an experimentally reported dataset compiled by Sahu et al. Correlation analysis demonstrates that material characteristics such as polarizability, bandgap, dipole moment, and charge transfer are statistically associated with OSC performance. The predictive performance of the GRNN model is compared with that of the SVM and Tree Boost models, showing consistently lower prediction errors within the considered dataset. In addition, sensitivity analysis is performed to assess the relative importance of the predictor variables and to examine the influence of kernel functions on GRNN performance. The results indicate that machine learning models, particularly GRNN, can serve as effective data-driven tools for predicting the performance of organic solar cells and for supporting computational screening studies.

Enrico Gugliandolo, Bilal Mghili, Francesca Fabrizi et al.

This study examines the occurrence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics and heavy metals in Terra Nova Bay, a coastal area of the Ross Sea in Antarctica that is increasingly recognised as vulnerable to human influence. During the 37th Italian Antarctic Expedition (2021–2022), researchers collected seawater, sediment, and fish samples from the notothenioid species <i>Trematomus bernacchii</i> to evaluate microbial resistance in an environment once considered largely pristine. Fifty heterotrophic bacterial isolates were obtained and tested against twenty-eight antibiotics, revealing a notable presence of multidrug resistance. These multidrug-resistant isolates were then assessed for their tolerance to eight heavy metal salts to understand whether resistance traits extended beyond antimicrobials. Twelve isolates showing resistance to both antibiotics and metals were selected for further genetic screening, targeting key resistance genes linked to tetracycline, vancomycin, sulphonamides, and other antimicrobial classes. The detection of multiple resistance genes in genera such as <i>Pseudomonas</i>, <i>Pseudoalteromonas</i>, and <i>Psychrobacter</i> indicates that both natural selective pressures and local, human-related contamination may be shaping resistance patterns in this region. Overall, the study demonstrates that even remote Antarctic marine ecosystems can host bacteria with complex resistance profiles. While these ecosystems are largely isolated, human activities such as scientific research, tourism, and the introduction of pollutants may contribute to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes, raising important ecological and potential public health considerations regarding the spread of resistance in polar environments.

Nafees Ahmed, Vishwas Gaur, Madhu Kamle et al.

Ram Devi Tachamo-Shah, Santosh Nepal, Deep Narayan Shah et al.

Nepal has huge hydropower potential. Although the concept of environmental flows (e-flows) emerged in the early 2000s, its integration into hydropower development remains in the early stages. This study represents the first comprehensive effort to evaluate key stakeholders’ awareness of e-flows and identify the major challenges hindering their mainstream adoption in Nepal’s hydropower sector. Furthermore, it documents stakeholders’ perceptions regarding the impact of hydropower development on aquatic biodiversity and river ecology. An extensive survey was conducted between December 2022 and January 2023, collecting responses from a diverse group of stakeholders, including government agencies, water resource developers, user groups, practitioners, researchers, and academics. Additionally, focus group discussions were held in the Karnali River basin of western Nepal. The findings reveal that only 50 % of respondents are familiar with the e-flows concept. However, 80 % believe that e-flows have not been adequately implemented in any existing hydropower projects in the country. Similarly, 72 % of respondents perceive that hydropower development leads to biodiversity loss, while 56 % believe it reduces downstream water flow. The key challenges identified include (a) inadequate follow-up on environmental impact assessments (EIAs), (b) weak regulatory enforcement, (c) insufficient civil society oversight for ensuring compliance with EIA recommendations, (d) limited technical expertise, and (e) the absence of user-friendly e-flow estimation methods. The study's findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to promote sustainable water resources development and mitigate the ecological impacts of hydropower projects.

Melissa Costan, Kasim Costan, Anna Weißbach et al.

The gap between theory and practice is well-documented in educational research. Physics teachers' willingness to apply research findings in practice may be influenced by a sceptical attitude towards science education research. This study explores physics teachers' perspectives on science education research, with a particular focus on potential scepticism towards the discipline. A two-step mixed-methods approach was employed: (1) Interviews with a purposeful sample of 13 experienced physics teachers for a first exploration of attitudes towards physics education research, and (2) a quantitative survey of 174 physics teachers to examine, among other aspects, the previously observed attitudes in a larger sample and to identify teacher profiles using latent profile analysis. The interview study revealed both sceptical and non-sceptical attitudes towards physics education research, including some that fundamentally questioned its practical value. Based on the survey data and latent profile analysis, four distinct teacher profiles differing in their level of scepticism towards science education research were identified. While one profile is highly sceptical, the other three exhibit a mix of sceptical and supportive attitudes. Thus, physics teachers are not generally sceptical. However, the cooperation between research and practice is perceived as unproductive by most teachers.

Elizabeth Bradley, Adilson E. Motter, Louis M. Pecora

Nonlinear science has evolved significantly over the 35 years since the launch of the journal Chaos. This Focus Issue, dedicated to the 80th Birthday of its founding editor-in-chief, David K. Campbell, brings together a selection of contributions on influential topics, many of which were advanced by Campbell's own research program and leadership role. The topics include new phenomena and method development in the realms of network dynamics, machine learning, quantum and material systems, chaos and fractals, localized states, and living systems, with a good balance of literature review, original contributions, and perspectives for future research.

Daniel Morales‐Doyle

Jeffrey J. Jones, Christopher Shaw, Tsu‐Wei Chen et al.

Societal Impact Statement Refining circular multitrophic food production methods, which integrate plant, fish, and insect outputs, is imperative for environmental sustainability. Our findings suggest that the right protein choices in fish feed, like black soldier fly meal and poultry meal, can notably enhance the nutrient profile of fish waste water. This, in turn, is conducive for hydroponic cultivation, enhancing the nutritional attributes of plants like basil and lettuce. As we reduce environmental impact and optimize resource use, it is evident that our food ecosystems are deeply intertwined. Harnessing these synergies could redefine our approach to food production, paving the way for a more sustainable global future. Summary Optimization of nutrient use efficiencies in circular multitrophic food production systems (i.e., plant, fish, and insect production) is crucial for sustainability. This study tested how protein ingredient choice in fish feed influences the plant nutritional value of the fish waste water when used for hydroponic crop production. Waste water samples were obtained from recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in which Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were fed different single protein source diets—black soldier fly meal (BSFM), poultry by‐product meal (PM), poultry blood meal (PBM), and fish meal. Water was analyzed for plant nutrients and used for lettuce and basil cultivation to evaluate their suitability for hydroponic crop production—viz. yield, mineral nutrient, and selected secondary metabolite levels. BSFM RAS water had the highest concentrations of K, Mg, and micronutrients (Cu, Mn, Mo, Zn) of the RAS waters, whereas PM RAS water contained the highest P concentration and had a mean pH of 6.5 closer to the optimum pH for hydroponic plants. These RAS waters consequently lead to the highest yields in basil and lettuce indicating the importance of the aforementioned factors. From a plant production perspective, BSFM appears promising as a protein source in fish feeds for aquaponics. Usage of RAS waters for plant production helps reduce (i) environmental impact of RAS water and (ii) resource input in plant production. Longer term RAS trials should be conducted to determine the maximum nutrient concentrations achievable during fish production with diets including BSFM as the main protein source.

Federica Monaco, Pietro De Marinis, Guido Sali

Dried fig production and trade are prominent in Mediterranean and Middle east countries, with Turkey as the major player. Concerns about the quality of Turkish supply in the EU market give chances to the Italian production to uphold quality standards and cope with the increasing demand. National consumption of dried figs is showcased in market reports and nutritional surveys, with insufficient insights on consumers’ preferences. This research combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to enrich the current knowledge and uncover consumers’ attitudes towards whole dried figs. A face-to-face survey was conducted to assess the relevance of selected intrinsic, extrinsic and credence attributes upon purchasing. A hierarchical cluster analysis detected four typologies of consumers and validate previous findings on taste being the prime purchasing driver. Price affects more the behaviour of low-income large families; the groups are featured by contrasting opinions on environmental and societal impacts of dried fig production, and its rootedness to the local context. This allowed to draft some considerations on possible marketing strategies tailored to different consumers.

Jiaxin Chen, Song Yang, Xianghui Fang et al.

The impact of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) transition on the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) during post-ENSO summer has been investigated widely, but how to quantify ENSO transition precisely is still a challenge. This study proposes a new index to quantify ENSO transition based on the intensity of the spring persistence barrier. After validation through the key processes that influence ENSO transition, the index could be further validated by investigating the relationship between transitive/persistent ENSO events and the EASM. For the transitive ENSO events, the cold sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly in the central Pacific during post-ENSO summer strengthens the anticyclone over the western Pacific and the EASM by reinforcing the Walker circulation and the local Hadley circulation. In contrast, during the persistent ENSO events, the prolonged warm SST anomaly in the central Pacific exerts a relatively weaker impact on the EASM due to a less robust atmospheric response over the western Pacific.