Hasil untuk "Environmental protection"

Gregor Papa, Rok Hribar, Gašper Petelin et al.

Abstract Background Achieving climate neutrality in cities is a major challenge, especially in light of rapid urbanization and the urgent need to combat climate change. This paper explores the role of advanced computational methods in the transition of cities to climate neutrality, with a focus on energy supply and transportation systems. Central to this are recent advances in artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning, which offer enhanced capabilities for analyzing and processing large, heterogeneous urban data. By integrating these computational tools, cities can develop and optimize complex models that enable real-time, data-driven decisions. Such strategies offer the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency in key infrastructures and strengthen the sustainability and resilience of cities. In addition, these approaches support predictive modeling and dynamic management of urban systems, enabling cities to address the multi-faceted challenges of climate change in a scalable and proactive way. Main text The methods, which go beyond traditional data processing, use state-of-the-art technologies such as deep learning and ensemble models to tackle the complexity of environmental parameters and resource management in urban systems. For example, recurrent neural networks have been trained to predict gas consumption in Ljubljana, enabling efficient allocation of energy resources up to 60 h in advance. Similarly, traffic flow predictions were made based on historical and weather-related data, providing insights for improved urban mobility. In the context of logistics and public transportation, computational optimization techniques have demonstrated their potential to reduce congestion, emissions and operating costs, underlining their central role in creating more sustainable and efficient urban environments. Conclusions The integration of cutting-edge technologies, advanced data analytics and real-time decision-making processes represents a transformative pathway to developing sustainable, climate-resilient urban environments. These advanced computational methods enable cities to optimize resource management, improve energy efficiency and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thus actively contributing to global climate and environmental protection.

Kasper J. Meijer, Oscar Franken, Sander J. Holthuijsen et al.

Ecosystem-based Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) requires good habitat mapping to balance socioeconomic and ecological interests. Habitat types with similar abiotic conditions, or physiotopes, are commonly used as proxies for ecological communities due to the availability of high-resolution environmental data. However, similar physiotopes may host different ecological communities, for example, due to strong species-environment feedback or priority effects. Moreover, mapping ecological functions through biological traits offers further insights into ecosystem services and vulnerability to human impacts, improving ecosystem-based MSP. Using the Dutch Wadden Sea as a case study, we classified macrozoobenthic communities (biotopes) at taxonomic and functional levels, assessing how well current physiotopes represent these communities. We used spatially explicit monitoring data from 5314 stations and applied hierarchical clustering with adaptive branch tuning to identify communities. A Random Forest model was then trained to predict their distribution from environmental gradients. We identified 14 taxonomic and 10 functional communities, often occurring across multiple physiotopes. Existing physiotopes poorly predicted biological community structure, explaining only 14 % of taxonomic and 9 % of functional variation. In contrast, biotopes explained 46 % (taxonomic) and 66 % (functional) variation, showing stronger ecological relevance. Each biotope was associated with distinct species or traits, aiding identification of sensitive communities. Our findings show that physiotope boundaries currently used in spatial planning do not reflect biological realities and fail to capture ecologically significant areas. Our findings highlight the need for an integrated approach combining biotic and abiotic mapping to optimise ecosystem-based MSP to facilitate more specific protection of sensitive and functionally important communities.

Fiona Fogarty, Brian Pavilonis, Jin Shin et al.

Nicola Fullin, Michele Fraccaroli, Mirko Francioni et al.

Rocky coastlines are characterised by steep cliffs, which frequently experience a variety of natural processes that often exhibit intricate interdependencies, such as rainfall, ice and water run-off, and marine actions. The advent of high temporal and spatial resolution data, that can be acquired through remote sensing and geomatics techniques, has facilitated the safe exploration of otherwise inaccessible areas. The datasets that can be gathered from these techniques, typically combined with data from fieldwork, can subsequently undergo analyses employing/applying machine learning algorithms and/or numerical modeling, in order to identify/discern the predominant influencing factors affecting cliff top erosion. This study focuses on a specific case situated at the Conero promontory of the Adriatic Sea in the Marche region. The research methodology entails several steps. Initially, the morphological, geological and geomechanical characteristics of the areas were determined through unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and conventional geological/geomechanical surveys. Subsequently, cliff top retreat was determined within a GIS environment by comparing orthophotos taken in 1978 and 2022 using the DSAS tool (Digital Shoreline Analysis System), highlighting cliff top retreat up to 50 m in some sectors. Further analysis was conducted via the use of two Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, namely Random Forest (RF) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB). The Mean Decrease in Impurity (MDI) methodology was employed to assess the significance of each factor. Both algorithms yielded congruent results, emphasising that cliff top erosion rates are primarily influenced by slope height. Finally, a validation of the ML algorithm results was conducted using 2D Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) codes. Ten sections extracted from the sector experiencing the most substantial cliff top retreat, as identified by DSAS, were utilised for 2D LEM analysis. Factor of Safety (FS) values were identified and compared with the cliff height of each section. The results from the 2D LEM analyses corroborated the outputs of the ML algorithms, showing a strong correlation between the slope instability and slope height (R² of 0.84), with FS decreasing with slope height.

Pedro A. Inostroza, Yolanda Soriano, Eric Carmona et al.

Synthetic organic chemicals, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial compounds, pose a growing threat to marine ecosystems. Despite their potential impact, data on the co-occurrence of these contaminants in multiple compartments, including surface water, bottom water, porewater, and sediment in the marine environment remains limited. Such information is critical for assessing coastal chemical status, establishing environmental quality benchmarks, and conducting comprehensive environmental risk assessments. In this study, we describe a multifaceted monitoring campaign targeting pesticides, pharmaceuticals, surfactants, additives, and plasticizers among other synthetic chemicals in four sampling sites. One site was located in the small Coliumo bay affected by urban settlements and tourism in central-south and additionally, we sampled three sites, Caucahue Channel, affected by urban settlements and salmon farming in northern Patagonia in Chile. Surface water, bottom water, porewater, and adjacent sediment samples were collected for target screening analysis in LC- and GC-HRMS platforms. Our results show the detection of up to 83 chemicals in surface water, 71 in bottom water, 101 in porewater, and 244 in sediments. To enhance data utility and reuse potential, we provide valuable information on the mode of action and molecular targets of the identified chemicals. This comprehensive dataset contributes to defining pollution fingerprints in coastal areas of the Global South, including remote regions in Patagonia. It serves as a critical resource for future research including marine chemical risk assessment, policymaking, and the advancement of environmental protection in these regions.

Andrzej Wieczorek, Kinga Stecuła, Wieslaw Wes Grebski

In the article, the authors discussed the topic of energy and media savings in a public transport company. The article is of a review nature, referring to 100 sources, including scientific papers, books, conference proceedings, and websites. In the first part, a detailed literature review on environmental protection problems in road transport and methods of solving them was conducted. Subsequently, the authors reviewed the literature content on maintenance as a pro-environmental activity in transport companies. The great accent was paid to the problem of saving energy and media in the maintenance of public transport buses. Based on the literature and knowledge, the authors proposed the possibilities of conducting a rational method of managing the operation and maintenance of buses from the point of view of environmental protection, based on the strategy of predictive bus maintenance.

Jingping Zhou, Xiaohe Gu, Huili Gong et al.

China has abundant straw resources, but challenges in utilization persist. Utilization rates need improvement, and environmental pollution from straw burning remains a significant issue. Accurate and intelligent remote sensing classification of straw types is crucial for enhancing straw utilization and preventing straw burning. This paper proposed a new approach for the intelligent classification of maize straw types, using the DenseNet201 deep transfer learning algorithm based on RGB images captured by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The sample labels dataset was established for maize straw types, utilizing DenseNet201 deep transfer learning algorithm to pre-train the sample set. This pre-training facilitated model transfer and parameter initialization. Subsequently, the second round of deep transfer learning was performed to construct the final maize straw type remote sensing classification models using DenseNet201 deep transfer learning algorithm. This model and results were subsequently compared with maize straw type classification by the ResNet50 and GoogLeNet deep transfer learning algorithms, as well as maize straw type classification using DenseNet201, ResNet50, and GoogLeNet deep learning algorithms. The results showed that the accuracy of the pre-trained maize straw type deep transfer learning remote sensing classification model surpassed that of the untrained maize straw type deep learning remote sensing classification model, resulting in an enhancement of accuracy by 8.59%, 7.38%, and 1.28%, respectively. The DenseNet201 deep transfer learning model for maize straw types exhibited the highest accuracy with the overall accuracy of 95.57%, and the kappa coefficient of 0.9410. Hence, the DenseNet201 deep transfer learning classification of maize straw types enabled the attainment of intelligent remote sensing recognition of maize straw types. The classification methodology, model, and results presented in this paper can serve as valuable technical references, offering essential information support for agricultural and environmental protection departments actively involved in the comprehensive utilization of straw resources and atmospheric environmental protection efforts.

Zhenzhen Yang, Wankui Ni, Fujun Niu et al.

Freeze–thaw (FT) erosion intensity may exhibit a future increasing trend with climate warming, humidification, and permafrost degradation in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). The present study provides a reference for the prevention and control of FT erosion in the QTP, as well as for the protection and restoration of the regional ecological environment. FT erosion is the third major type of soil erosion after water and wind erosion. Although FT erosion is one of the major soil erosion types in cold regions, it has been studied relatively little in the past because of the complexity of several influencing factors and the involvement of shallow surface layers at certain depths. The QTP is an important ecological barrier area in China. However, this area is characterized by harsh climatic and fragile environmental conditions, as well as by frequent FT erosion events, making it necessary to conduct research on FT erosion. In this paper, a total of 11 meteorological, vegetation, topographic, geomorphological, and geological factors were selected and assigned analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-based weights to evaluate the FT erosion intensity in the QTP using a comprehensive evaluation index method. In addition, the single effects of the selected influencing factors on the FT erosion intensity were further evaluated in this study. According to the obtained results, the total FT erosion area covered 1.61 × 10⁶ km², accounting for 61.33% of the total area of the QTP. The moderate and strong FT erosion intensity classes covered 6.19 × 10⁵ km², accounting for 38.37% of the total FT erosion area in the QTP. The results revealed substantial variations in the spatial distribution of the FT erosion intensity in the QTP. Indeed, the moderate and strong erosion areas were mainly located in the high mountain areas and the hilly part of the Hoh Xil frozen soil region.

Rajesh Ravi, Maharajan Athisuyambulingam, Shanmugavel Kanagaraj et al.

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide occurring in aquatic ecosystems. Due to exposure to xenobiotics, several harmful effects on aquatic organisms are noticed worldwide. Mangrove crabs are an ecologically important aquatic invertebrate species in food web interactions and in the mangrove ecosystem. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of chlorpyrifos on the mangrove crab, <i>Episesarma tetragonum</i>. Crabs were exposed to 0.0294 and 0.0588 ppm of chlorpyrifos for 7 and 28 days. Cytopathologic effects on the gill, hepatopancreas, and muscle were investigated, and observations were compared with a control group. The results suggest that chlorpyrifos induces time- and concentration-dependent cytopathological alternations in the gill and exhibited epithelial lifting, oedema, necrosis, and a fusion of secondary lamellae and haemorrhage. The deceased hepatopancreas showed infiltration, a large lumen formation, and the disappearance of haemocytes, while the muscle tissue showed atrophy, necrosis, a wavy appearance, an accumulation of granular material between muscle fibres, and fragmentation in a mangrove crab. This study shows the great potential of cytopathological investigations, allows us to assess the sensitivity of various aquatic animal species to potentially dangerous compounds, and calculates safe concentrations with which to reduce pesticide use.

Neel Rajendrakumar Talati, Rita Nirmal Kumar, Dhara Ravikant Tuteja et al.

Plankton diversity plays an essential role in aquatic wetlands. Phytoplankton and zooplankton communities were assessed in three permanent water bodies: Petli (S1), Deva (S2) and Heranj (S3) of the Anand and Kheda districts. Sampling was done from December 2020 to March 2021. Collection of plankton and identification of planktons was done using various published plankton manuals. A total of 32 phytoplankton have been recorded during the study period, from which 36 % belong to class Chlorophyta, 32 % belong to class Bacillariophyta, 16 % belong to Cyanophyta, 10 % belong to Charophyte, 3 % belong to Dinophyta, and 3 % belong to Euglenophyta. In addition, a total of 27 zooplankton species have been found, from which 46 % belong to Maxillopoda, 23 % belong to Monogononta, 19 % belong to Branchiopoda, 8 % belong to Eurotatoria, and 4 % belong to Hexanauplia. S1 has the maximum number of phytoplankton (24), followed by S3 with 18 and S2 with 15 species. Zooplankton were at the maximum in S1 (19), followed by S2 with 16, and S3 with 11 species. Results of the present study indicate that the studied wetlands have rich plankton diversity.

Carla Pereira de Carvalho, Luís Henrique Ximenes Portela, Maria Iracema Bezerra Loiola et al.

Abstract The aim of this study was to conduct a floristic inventory and update the geographical distribution of Talinaceae species in Ceará state, in the Northeast Region of Brazil. The study was based on a comparative analysis of morphological characters of specimens deposited in the EAC, ESA, HCDAL, HUEFS, HUVA, HVASF, MOSS and RB herbaria, specialized literature, photos of type collections, and field expeditions conducted between March 2015 and April 2022. For the state, Talinum fruticosum and T. paniculatum have been recorded, which prefer drier vegetations, such as Stepic Savanna (Caatinga and Carrasco) and Semideciduous Seasonal Forest (Mata Seca), but also grow in areas that are more humid. The species occur in eight conservation units in Ceará: Dunas da Lagoinha and Serra de Meruoca Environmental Protection Areas, Aiuaba Ecological Station, Sobral National Forest, Ubajara National Park, Pedra da Andorinha Wildlife Refuge, Serra das Almas and Fazenda Trussú Private Natural Heritage Reserves. An identification key, descriptions, photographs, and comments about the geographical distribution, taxonomic relationships, and phenology are provided for the species.

Ruslan Suleymanov, Azamat Suleymanov, Gleb Zaitsev et al.

Traditional land-use systems can be modified under the conditions of climate change. Higher air temperatures and loss of productive soil moisture lead to reduced crop yields. Irrigation is a possible solution to these problems. However, intense irrigation may have contributed to land degradation. This research assessed the ameliorative potential of soil and produced large-scale digital maps of soil properties for arable plot planning for the construction and operation of irrigation systems. Our research was carried out in the southern forest–steppe zone (Southern Ural, Russia). The soil cover of the site is represented by agrochernozem soils (Luvic Chernozem). We examined the morphological, physicochemical and agrochemical properties of the soil, as well as its heavy metal contents. The random forest (RF) non-linear approach was used to estimate the spatial distribution of the properties and produce maps. We found that soils were characterized by high organic carbon content (SOC) and neutral acidity and were well supplied with nitrogen and potassium concentrations. The agrochernozem was characterized by favorable water–physical properties and showed good values for water infiltration and moisture categories. The contents of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, cobalt, zinc and copper) did not exceed permissible levels. The soil quality rating interpretation confirms that these soils have high potential fertility and are convenient for irrigation activities. The spatial distribution of soil properties according to the generated maps were not homogeneous. The results showed that remote sensing covariates were the most critical variables in explaining soil properties variability. Our findings may be useful for developing reclamation strategies for similar soils that can restore soil health and improve crop productivity.

M. Sornarajah

Following the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the demonstrations against investor-state arbitration and the wide discussion during the 2016 US presidential election, the climate surrounding foreign investment law is one of controversy and change, and with implications for human rights and environmental protection, foreign investment law has gained widespread public attention and visibility. Addressing the pressing need to examine foreign investment law in the context of public international law, the role of the multinational corporation in foreign investment and issues of liability for environmental and other damage, this new edition analyses contractual and treaty-based methods of investment protection and examines the effectiveness of bilateral and regional investment treaties. By offering thought-provoking analysis of the law in historical, political and economic contexts, this fully updated edition of Sornarajah's classic text captures leading trends and charts the possible course of future developments. Suitable for postgraduate and undergraduate students, The International Law on Foreign Investment is essential reading for anyone specialising in the law of foreign investments.

Pooja Goswami, Jyoti Mathur

Abstract Use of green agronomic techniques for plant development and crop protection is essential for environmental sustainability. The current research investigates a more efficient and long-term technique of manufacturing silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) from agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse and corn cob). SiO2 NPs were synthesized by calcinations of waste residues in muffle furnace with varying temperatures (400–1000 °C)/2 h in the present of static air. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize SiO2 NPs and assessed for their antifungal activity simultaneously investigated the effects of various concentrations of produced SiO2 NPs on Eruca sativa (E. sativa) physiological and biochemical. With SiO2 NPs treatment at 1000 µg L−1 concentration, the seed germination rate was found to be up to 95.5%, and growth characteristics were enhanced compared to control. Accordingly, the ones treated with SiO2 NPs grew better than the control ones. The treatment of plant with SiO2 NPs (500 μg L−1) increased the protein content by 14.8 mg g−1, and chlorophyll level was also increased by 4.08 mg g−1 in leaves compared to untreated plant. Disc diffusion experiment was conducted to test the efficiency of SiO2 NPs against Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger for antifungal activities. Highest mycelia growth inhibition was obtained with 73.42% and 58.92% for F. oxysporum and A. niger, respectively. The result shows that the SiO2 NPs have a favorable effect on E. sativa growth and germination, enhancing plant production which helps to improve the sustainable agriculture farming and acting as a possible antifungal agent against plant pathogenic fungi. Graphical Abstract

Moses Kwadzo, Michael K. Miyittah, Delali B.K. Dovie et al.

Although the concurrent impacts of pollution and climate change on livelihoods of fishermen are well established, the mechanics within the livelihoods are less known. To understand the mechanics, this paper evaluates the responses of fishermen on the impact of pollution and climate change on livelihoods, using field surveys of 124 fishermen. The result indicated that plastic and domestic wastes are the major lagoon pollutants identified by the respondents. Also, almost all the respondents noted that climate change and lagoon pollution impact negatively on the lagoon which subsequently affect their fishing activities. The fishermen reported difficulty in meeting basic livelihood essentials including feeding their family, paying of their children school expenses, paying of hospital and utility bills. The analysis of logistic model indicated that the likelihood of fishermen landing a high volume of fish catch was statistically significantly influenced by the number of days of fishing in a week, lagoon water temperature, other jobs and formal education. Considering the fact that the main factors impacting on fishing activities are extrinsic without controls of the fishermen, there is need for policy makers within the Cape Coast Metropolis to address drainage systems that feed pollutants into the lagoon.

Shenggang Ren, Donghua Liu, Bo-Ruei Li et al.

We use "China's sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions trading program" as a quasi-natural experiment to identify the causal effect of this market-based environmental regulation on firm's labor demand. Based on the difference-in-differences (DID) method and a series of robustness tests, we observe robust evidence that the emissions trading program significantly increases the labor demand of regulated firms, and that this positive employment effect is driven by the expansion of firm's production scale. The observable evidence leads us to cautiously conclude that the market-based environmental regulations in even developing countries could achieve the double dividend of coexistence of environmental protection and employment growth.

W. M. Kim, W. M. Kim, R. Blender et al.

<p>In this study, we analyze extreme daily precipitation during the pre-industrial period from 1501 BCE to 1849 CE in simulations from the Community Earth System Model version 1.2.2. A peak-over-threshold (POT) extreme value analysis is employed to examine characteristics of extreme precipitation and to identify connections of extreme precipitation with the external forcing and with modes of internal variability. The POT analysis shows that extreme precipitation with similar statistical characteristics, i.e., the probability density distributions, tends to cluster spatially. There are differences in the distribution of extreme precipitation between the Pacific and Atlantic sectors and between the northern high and southern low latitudes.</p> <p>Extreme precipitation during the pre-industrial period is largely influenced by modes of internal variability, such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Pacific North American, and Pacific South American patterns, among others, and regional surface temperatures. In general, the modes of variability exhibit a statistically significant connection to extreme precipitation in the vicinity to their regions of action. The exception is ENSO, which shows more widespread influence on extreme precipitation across the Earth. In addition, the regions with which extreme precipitation is more associated, either by a mode of variability or by the regional surface temperature, are distinguished. Regional surface temperatures are associated with extreme precipitation over lands at the extratropical latitudes and over the tropical oceans. In other regions, the influence of modes of variability is still dominant. Effects of the changes in the orbital parameters on extreme precipitation are rather weak compared to those of the modes of internal variability and of the regional surface temperatures. Still, some regions in central Africa, southern Asia, and the tropical Atlantic ocean show statistically significant connections between extreme precipitation and orbital forcing, implying that in these regions, extreme precipitation has increased linearly during the 3351-year pre-industrial period. Tropical volcanic eruptions affect extreme precipitation more clearly in the short term up to a few years, altering both the intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation. However, more apparent changes are found in the frequency than the intensity of extreme precipitation. After eruptions, the return periods of extreme precipitation increase over the extratropical regions and the tropical Pacific, while a decrease is found in other regions. The post-eruption changes in the frequency of extreme precipitation are associated with ENSO, which itself is influenced by tropical eruptions.</p> <p>Overall, the results show that climate simulations are useful to complement the information on pre-industrial extreme precipitation, as they elucidate statistical characteristics and long-term connections of extreme events with natural variability.</p>

Chao Liu, Qian Shu, Sen Huang et al.

Increasingly, Chinese cities are proposing city-scale ventilation corridors (VCs) to strengthen wind velocities and decrease pollution concentrations, although their influences are ambiguous. To assess VC impacts, an effort has been made to predict the impact of VC solutions in the high density and diverse land use of the coastal city of Shanghai, China, in this paper. One base scenario and three VC scenarios, with various VC widths, locations, and densities, were first created. Then, the combination of the Weather Research and Forecasting/Single-Layer Urban Canopy Model (WRFv.3.4/UCM) and Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQv.5.0.1) numerical simulation models were employed to comprehensively evaluate the impacts of urban spatial form and VC plans on PM2.5 concentrations. The modeling results indicated that concentrations increased within the VCs in both summer and winter, and the upwind concentration decreased in winter. These counter-intuitive results could be explained by decreased planetary boundary layer (PBL), roughness height, deposition rate, and wind speeds induced by land use and urban height modifications. PM2.5 deposition flux decreased by 15–20% in the VCs, which was attributed to the roughness height decrease for it weakens aerodynamic resistance (Ra). PBL heights within the VCs decreased 15–100 m, and the entire Shanghai’s PBL heights also decreased in general. The modeling results suggest that VCs may not be as functional as certain urban planners have presumed.

B. Poljšak, R. Dahmane

Human skin is constantly directly exposed to the air, solar radiation, environmental pollutants, or other mechanical and chemical insults, which are capable of inducing the generation of free radicals as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) of our own metabolism. Extrinsic skin damage develops due to several factors: ionizing radiation, severe physical and psychological stress, alcohol intake, poor nutrition, overeating, environmental pollution, and exposure to UV radiation (UVR). It is estimated that among all these environmental factors, UVR contributes up to 80%. UV-induced generation of ROS in the skin develops oxidative stress, when their formation exceeds the antioxidant defence ability of the target cell. The primary mechanism by which UVR initiates molecular responses in human skin is via photochemical generation of ROS mainly formation of superoxide anion (O2 − ∙), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical (OH∙), and singlet oxygen (1O2). The only protection of our skin is in its endogenous protection (melanin and enzymatic antioxidants) and antioxidants we consume from the food (vitamin A, C, E, etc.). The most important strategy to reduce the risk of sun UVR damage is to avoid the sun exposure and the use of sunscreens. The next step is the use of exogenous antioxidants orally or by topical application and interventions in preventing oxidative stress and in enhanced DNA repair.

J. M. Simpson, J. S. Santo Domingo, D. Reasoner