Assessing the spatial occupation and ecological impact of human activities in Chengguan district, Lhasa city, Tibetan Plateau.

In this study, the ecological impact of human activities and the space occupied by construction and arable land on the Tibetan Plateau were examined, focusing on changes in the net primary productivity (NPP) as a key indicator of ecological health. With the utilization of land use data and multiyear average NPP data from 2002 to 2020, we analyzed the effects of the conversion of zonal vegetation into construction and arable land on carbon sequestration and oxygen release in Chengguan District, Lhasa city. Our findings indicated a marked spatial difference in the NPP among different land types. Regarding the original zonal vegetation, the NPP ranged from 0.2 to 0.3 kg/m2. Construction land showed a decrease in the NPP, with values ranging from 0.16 to 0.26 kg/m2, suggesting a decrease in ecological productivity. Conversely, arable land exhibited an increase in the NPP, with average values exceeding 0.3 kg/m2. This increase suggested enhanced productivity, particularly in regions where the original zonal vegetation provided lower NPP values. However, this enhanced productivity may not necessarily indicate a positive ecological change. In fact, such increases could potentially disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems, leading to unforeseen ecological consequences. The original zonal vegetation, with NPP values ranging from 0.12 to 0.43 kg/m2, exhibited higher ecological stability and adaptability than the other land types. This wider NPP range emphasizes the inherent resilience of native vegetation, which could sustain diverse ecological functions under varying environmental conditions. These findings demonstrate the urgent need for sustainable land use management on the Tibetan Plateau. This study highlights the importance of considering the ecological impact of land use changes in regional development strategies, ensuring the preservation and enhancement in the unique and fragile plateau ecosystem.

Research on coal mining intensity based on the DPSIR-SPA model.

High-intensity mining has become a major trend in future coal mining. However, it will unavoidably worsen the harm done to the natural environment of mining sites by coal mining, which is already prone to doing so. So, how may coal mining intensity (CMI) be decreased? Minimize the harm that coal mining causes to the environment and offer a theoretical basis for protecting the environment in mining sites. In order to achieve this, based on the existing literature on CMI, we first redefine the concept of CMI, analyze its influencing factors, propose an evaluation index system, and introduce the theory of set pair analysis (SPA) to build a quantitative evaluation model of CMI. We then propose an adjustment strategy for the CMI and conduct a verification analysis using the Halagou Coal Mine and Caojiatan Coal Mine as an example. The results show that the Halagou and Caojiatan Coal Mine belong to the higher-intensity mining stage. It is consistent with existing research. Moreover, the development trend of CMI in the Halagou Coal Mine is analyzed in conjunction with the set pair potential theory, and specific measures to reduce CMI are given, from the perspective of coal mining. It provides the basis for the source protection of the ecological environment in the mining area. Theoretically, this study can help both the quantitative assessment of mining intensity and the source protection of the mining ecological environment. Besides, it offers specific guidelines for building environmentally friendly mines.

Dynamic impact of demographic features, FDI, and technological innovations on ecological footprint: evidence from European emerging economies.

Climate change effect mitigation is a critical priority for top leaders and communities around the globe. Human-induced environmental issues are affecting humankind's standard of living and development potential and the planetary boundaries. Sustainability objectives aim to enhance environmental quality and ensure sustainable development for all by eliminating social inequalities. This study examines the complex relationships between demographic features, foreign direct investment, technological innovation, and ecological footprint, emphasizing the relevance of population aging, population density, and urbanization in this context. The research uses a selection of emerging European economies during 1995-2018. The reasons for countries' selection are related to the increasing rate of population aging in European countries, the attractiveness for foreign direct investment, the economic growth, and the technological advancement potential these emerging countries possess. In order to investigate the long-run relationship between the selected variables, the study tests the cross-section dependence, homogeneity, and cointegration and uses Konya tests to determine panel causality. Based on Konya methodology, differences between countries in the panel are evidenced and discussed accordingly. Our findings confirm the long-run relationship between environment, technological innovation, population aging, and FDI. The results of this research are highly relevant for policymakers in selected countries for identifying the set of correlations and the relevance of various variables in such national economies. Demographic features such as population aging and population density are critical for Europe, and the results show the impact on the ecological footprint.

Biofouling inhibition by Staphylococcus aureus extracts and their potential use for paints / Inhibición de la bioincrustación por extractos de Staphylococcus aureus y su uso potencial para pinturas

For the control of biofouling, some paints based on compounds that are toxic to marine organisms have been used. There is an intensive search for biodegradable solutions that are friendly to non-target organisms. Bacteria have been shown to be a source of compounds with antifouling potential. In this work, the antifouling activity of a strain of Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated. Extracts activity against biofilm-forming bacteria and the toxicity against Artemia franciscana were evaluated. The extracts were incorporated in a hard gel and a paint matrix, and they were exposed to the sea. In both the laboratory and field, we found that the compounds produced by S. aureus have antifouling activity. The non-toxicity of the tested extracts against Artemia franciscana nauplii suggests that the extracts obtained from S. aureus could have a low ecological impact over non-target organisms. Significant differences were found in the percentage of organisms cover in hard gels with extracts and control. After 90 days, important differences were also observed between the percentage of organisms cover of the paints that contained extracts and the control. Dichloromethane extract is the most effective for the inhibition or delay of the settlement of organisms For this reason, they could be used in matrices with different applications, such as in the shipping industry, aquaculture, or any other in which biofouling is a cause of inconvenience.(AU)

Species sensitivities to artificial light at night: A phylogenetically controlled multilevel meta-analysis on melatonin suppression.

The rapid urbanization of our world has led to a surge in artificial lighting at night (ALAN), with profound effects on wildlife. Previous research on wildlife's melatonin, a crucial mechanistic indicator and mediator, has yielded inconclusive evidence due to a lack of comparative analysis. We compiled and analysed an evidence base including 127 experiments with 437 observations across 31 wild vertebrates using phylogenetically controlled multilevel meta-analytic models. The evidence comes mainly from the effects of white light on melatonin suppression in birds and mammals. We show a 36% average decrease in melatonin secretion in response to ALAN across a diverse range of species. This effect was observed for central and peripheral melatonin, diurnal and nocturnal species, and captive and free-living populations. We also reveal intensity-, wavelength-, and timing-dependent patterns of ALAN effects. Exposure to ALAN led to a 23% rise in inter-individual variability in melatonin suppression, with important implications for natural selection in wild vertebrates, as some individuals may display higher tolerance to ALAN. The cross-species evidence has strong implications for conservation of wild populations that are subject to natural selection of ALAN. We recommend measures to mitigate harmful impacts of ALAN, such as using 'smart' lighting systems to tune the spectra to less harmful compositions.

A Health Status Update of Myocastor coypus in Northern Italy.

Myocastor coypus is a pest animal present in Africa, Europe, North America and Asia that causes agricultural and ecological damages. Moreover, it has to be considered as a potential risk for public health. Forty-four coypus from the "Parco Naturale La Mandria" (Piedmont region, Northwest Italy) have been analysed. A complete necropsy and a whole histological evaluation of the liver, kidney and lung have been carried out on all the animals. Moreover, the positivity to Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), Francisella spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum have been investigated. None of the animal were positive for HEV, EMCV, Francisella spp. or Neospora caninum. Two animals tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii. A high presence of histological lesions has been identified in different organs, suggesting that lesions could be induced by different pathogens. As previously reported, coypu can act as a host for several pathogens, including important agents for human and animal health, and surveillance is necessary to fully understand the biological role and the importance of coypu as a disease reservoir in our country.

Biofouling inhibition by Staphylococcus aureus extracts and their potential use for paints.

For the control of biofouling, some paints based on compounds that are toxic to marine organisms have been used. There is an intensive search for biodegradable solutions that are friendly to non-target organisms. Bacteria have been shown to be a source of compounds with antifouling potential. In this work, the antifouling activity of a strain of Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated. Extracts activity against biofilm-forming bacteria and the toxicity against Artemia franciscana were evaluated. The extracts were incorporated in a hard gel and a paint matrix, and they were exposed to the sea. In both the laboratory and field, we found that the compounds produced by S. aureus have antifouling activity. The non-toxicity of the tested extracts against Artemia franciscana nauplii suggests that the extracts obtained from S. aureus could have a low ecological impact over non-target organisms. Significant differences were found in the percentage of organisms cover in hard gels with extracts and control. After 90 days, important differences were also observed between the percentage of organisms cover of the paints that contained extracts and the control. Dichloromethane extract is the most effective for the inhibition or delay of the settlement of organisms For this reason, they could be used in matrices with different applications, such as in the shipping industry, aquaculture, or any other in which biofouling is a cause of inconvenience.

Sustainable bioremediation technologies for algal toxins and their ecological significance.

The emergence of algal toxins in water ecosystems poses a significant ecological and human health concern. These toxins, produced by various algal species, can lead to harmful algal blooms, and have far-reaching consequences on biodiversity, food chains, and water quality. This review explores the types and sources of algal toxins, their ecological impacts, and the associated human health risks. Additionally, the review delves into the potential of bioremediation strategies to mitigate the effects of algal toxins. It discusses the role of microorganisms, enzymes, and algal-bacterial interactions in toxin removal, along with engineering approaches such as advanced oxidation processes and adsorbent utilization. Microbes and enzymes have been studied for their environmentally friendly and biocompatible properties, which make them useful for controlling or removing harmful algae and their toxins. The challenges and limitations of bioremediation are examined, along with case studies highlighting successful toxin control efforts. Finally, the review outlines future prospects, emerging technologies, and the need for continued research to effectively address the complex issue of algal toxins and their ecological significance.

Isotopic Overlap of Invasive and Native Consumers in the Food Web of Lake Trasimeno (Central Italy).

An advanced characterization of the trophic niche of non-indigenous species (NIS) may provide useful information on their ecological impact on invaded communities. Here, we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes to estimate pairwise niche overlaps between non-indigenous and native consumers in the winter food web of Lake Trasimeno (central Italy). Overall, a relatively low pairwise overlap of isotopic niches was observed between NIS and native species. The only exception was the Louisiana crayfish Procambarus clarkii, which showed a relatively high and diffuse overlap with other native invertebrates. Our findings highlighted a high niche divergence between non-indigenous and native species in Lake Trasimeno, suggesting a potentially low degree of interspecific competition that may facilitate coexistence and, in turn, limit the strength of impacts. The divergent results obtained for the Louisiana crayfish indicate that additional control measures for this invasive species are needed to mitigate its impact on the Lake Trasimeno system.

Ecological impact assessment of green virtual water flow in inter-provincial crop commutation within China.

Green water is crucial for to regional ecological sustainability. Currently, there is a lack of research on the impact of crop green water communication on the regional ecology in China. The ecological impact index (EII) and integrated ecological water supply (IES) were proposed to comprehensively evaluate the regional ecological impact of the green virtual water flow (GVWF) of crops. Based on the principle of trade cost minimization, this study simulated the inter-provincial crop commutation within China during 2010-2019 by assigning weights to production, demand, and transportation costs, and analyzed the impact of crop communication on regional ecology. The results showed that multi-year average GVWF among provinces was 216.45 Gm3, accounting for 33.7 % of the total green water footprint of crops. The ecological impact of GVWF varies among provinces and years. The EII values in Beijing, Shanghai, and Jiangsu were all >100, whereas it was <1 in Yunnan and Xizang. Regional management policies for water resources, ecology, and economic development should be formulated taking into account the IES and EII jointly. It is recommended to increase the export of green virtual water of crops and expand the ecological area while ensuring the utilization rate of green water in regions with higher EII values, such as Guangxi and Yunnan. In the future, it is important for district managers to prioritize the quality of ecological development and protect ecological areas from erosion while pursuing urban development. This study innovatively evaluated the ecological impact of crop communication in different regions, which has guiding significance for the trade management in the ecologically water-deficient areas.

Marine toxin domoic acid alters protistan community structure and assembly process in sediments.

Domoic acid (DA)-producing algal blooms have been the issue of worldwide concerns in recent decades, but there has never been any attempt to investigate the effects of DA on microbial ecology in marine environments. Protists are considered to be key regulators of microbial activity, community structure and evolution, we therefore explore the effect of DA on the ecology of protists via metagenome in this work. The results indicate that trace amounts of DA can act as a stressor to alter alpha and beta diversity of protistan community. Among trophic functional groups, consumers and phototrophs are negative responders of DA, implying DA is potentially capable of functional-level effects in the ocean. Moreover, microecological theory reveals that induction of DA increases the role of deterministic processes in microbial community assembly, thus altering the biotic relationships and successional processes in symbiotic patterns. Finally, we demonstrate that the mechanism by which DA shapes protistan ecological network is by acting on phototrophs, which triggers cascading effects in networks and eventually leading to shifts in ecological succession of protists. Overall, our results present the first perspective regarding the effects of DA on marine microbial ecology, which will supplement timely information on the ecological impacts of DA in the ocean.

The Global Trend of Microplastic Research in Freshwater Ecosystems.

The study of microplastics and their impact on aquatic ecosystems has received increasing attention in recent years. Drawing from an analysis of 814 papers related to microplastics published between 2013 and 2022 in the Web of Science Core Repository, this paper explores trends, focal points, and national collaborations in freshwater microplastics research, providing valuable insights for future studies. The findings reveal three distinct stages of microplastics: nascent development (2013-2015), slow rise (2016-2018), and rapid development (2019-2022). Over time, the focus of research has shifted from "surface", "effect", "microplastic pollution", and "tributary" to "toxicity", "species", "organism", "threat", "risk", and "ingestion". While international cooperation has become more prevalent, the extent of collaboration remains limited, mostly concentrated among English-speaking countries or English and Spanish/Portuguese-speaking countries. Future research directions should encompass the bi-directional relationship between microplastics and watershed ecosystems, incorporating chemical and toxicological approaches. Long-term monitoring efforts are crucial to assessing the sustained impacts of microplastics.

Mapping and visualizing of research output on waste management and green technology: A bibliometric review of literature.

The transition to a circular economy (CE) and environmental protection highly depends on waste management (WM) and green technology (GT). The purpose of this study is to examine the past two decades of WM and GT research to identify the most significant advancements and potential future research areas. Bibliometrics content analysis and text mining were utilized to resolve the subsequent issues: Has WM and GT research developed over time in the CE industry? Does WM and GT research have a clearly defined purpose? How do you foresee the future of WM and GT research in the context of CE evolving? Consequently, 1149 journal articles from the Scopus database were used to create and evaluate bibliometric networks. Therefore, five significant CE-related issues requiring additional research were identified: The first category is bio-based WM, followed by CE transition, GT, ecological impacts, municipal solid WM and lifecycle assessment, and finally, bio-based WM. Future research topics and a tool for the CE transition may be impacted by the investigation of inclusive WM systems, GT practices and their defining highlight patterns (which aim to minimalize waste generation). Future research goals include reducing waste and implementing WM into the CE framework.

The Invasive Anemone Condylactis sp. of the Coral Reef as a Source of Sulfur- and Nitrogen-Containing Metabolites and Cytotoxic 5,8-Epidioxy Steroids.

The Condylactis-genus anemones were examined for their proteinaceous poisons over 50 years ago. On the other hand, the current research focuses on isolating and describing the non-proteinaceous secondary metabolites from the invasive Condylactis anemones, which help take advantage of their population outbreak as a new source of chemical candidates and potential drug leads. From an organic extract of Condylactis sp., a 1,2,4-thiadiazole-based alkaloid, identified as 3,5-bis(3-pyridinyl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole (1), was found to be a new natural alkaloid despite being previously synthesized. The full assignment of NMR data of compound 1, based on the analysis of 2D NMR correlations, is reported herein for the first time. The proposed biosynthetic precursor thionicotinamide (2) was also isolated for the first time from nature along with nicotinamide (3), uridine (5), hypoxanthine (6), and four 5,8-epidioxysteroids (7-10). A major secondary metabolite (-)-betonicine (4) was isolated from Condylactis sp. and found for the first time in marine invertebrates. The four 5,8-epidioxysteroids, among other metabolites, exhibited cytotoxicity (IC50 3.5-9.0 µg/mL) toward five cancer cell lines.

A new perspective on the impacts of Spartina alterniflora invasion on Chinese wetlands in the context of climate change: A case study of the Jiuduansha Shoals, Yangtze Estuary.

Spartina alterniflora, an invasive plant, was introduced to the Chinese coastal zone in the early 90s. As an eco-engineering species, S. alterniflora not only alters saltmarsh species distributions, previously described as habitat degradation, but it also plays a vital role in coastal protection, especially for the development of recently emerged intertidal shoals. To provide a reference for coastal management under global change, we quantified the impact of the invasion process on provided ecological and coastal protection functions, exemplified at the emerging Jiuduansha Shoals (JDS) in the Yangtze Estuary. Results obtained by high-precision satellite monitoring and numerical modelling showed that the establishment and growth of S. alterniflora can exert considerable changes on local environment. The invasion of S. alterniflora to JDS wetland can be divided into three distinct phases, (1) establishment 1998-2003, (2) expansion 2003-2009, and (3) dominant 2009-2018 stages according to the changes in saltmarsh composition. Spatially, S. alterniflora continuously replaced Scirpus mariqueter, forcing S. mariqueter and Phragmites australis slowly to the lower and higher intertidal habitats, respectively. Notably, S. alterniflora expansion was the main driver that contributed to over 70 % of recent JDS wetland expansion even under sediment deficit conditions. Established S. alterniflora marsh (directly) dampens more waves because of aboveground stems, but it also causes more accretion and indirectly leads to higher "morphological" wave dampening. Thus, it increases coastal defense provided by the saltmarsh in the context of sea-level rise and strengthening storms. In conclusion, the role of S. alterniflora invasion to the local environment under global changes is controversial. For sustainable coastal management, we need context-dependent S. alterniflora management to maximize the benefit of coastal protection and minimize the impact on local ecology, especially in sediment-starving estuaries with expected coastline retreat.

Jeopardizing the environment with beach nourishment.

Beach nourishment is not a permanent solution against beach erosion, as periodic renourishment will be needed to maintain its effectiveness. Numerous publications show that it may potentially affect the entire marine ecosystem, yet it is still being implemented nowadays, and its use is predicted to expand. The environmental impacts of beach nourishment are often underestimated or neglected. Thus, a thorough understanding of how beach nourishment affects the environment is needed to answer the question "Is beach nourishment a less impacting strategy for opposing coastal erosion?". This article compiles key findings from published studies, highlighting how nourishment activities disturb and alter the surrounding environment at both borrow and nourished sites. Present findings highlight the need for coastal practitioners and researchers to prudentially consider the sustainability of beach nourishment as a coastal protection measure, in light of its irreversible deleterious impacts on the environment.

Geochemical distribution and forms of phosphorus in the surface sediment of Netravathi-Gurupur estuary, southwestern coast of India.

Estuaries are the most productive transition ecosystem and phosphorus (P) plays an important role in these ecosystems. Therefore, in the present study, sequential extraction method was used to determine the abundance of five sediment P fractions (calcium (Ca-P), Iron (FeP), aluminum (AlP), exchangeable (Ex-P) and organic (OrgP) bound P) in Netravathi-Gurupur estuary, India. Total phosphorus (TP) content varied from 435-810 mg/kg (non-monsoon) and 258-699 mg/kg (monsoon). Inorganic P was dominant part. Different P fractions followed similar order (Fe-P > Ca-P > Al-P > Org-P > Ex-P) with respect to seasons. FeP was dominant fraction, indicating probable anthropogenic stress. Sediment may act as source of P as bioavailable P constituted 40-69.2 % of TP. Molar ratio of OC to Org-P in sediment indicated terrestrial sources of organic matter. However, the estimated phosphorus pollution index were lower than one except a few cases indicating less ecological risk with respect to sedimentary TP load.

Risk ranking of macrolide antibiotics - Release levels, resistance formation potential and ecological risk.

Antibiotic resistance (AR) development in natural water bodies is a significant source of concern. Macrolide antibiotics in particular have been identified as pollutants of concern for AR development throughout the literature, as well as by state and international authorities. This study utilises a probabilistic model to examine the risk of AR development arising from human-use macrolide residues, utilising administration rates from Ireland as a case study. Stages modelled included level of administration, excretion, degradation in wastewater, removal in wastewater treatment, assuming conventional activated sludge (CAS) treatment, and dilution. Release estimates per day, as well as risk quotient values for antibiotic resistance development and ecological impact, are generated for erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin. In the modelled scenario in which conventional activated sludge treatment is utilised in wastewater treatment, this model ranks risk of resistance development for each antibiotic in the order clarithromycin > azithromycin > erythromycin, with mean risk quotient values of 0.50, 0.34 and 0.12, respectively. A membrane bioreactor scenario was also modelled, which reduced risk quotient values for all three macrolides by at least 50 %. Risk of ecological impact for each antibiotic was also examined, by comparing environmental concentrations predicted to safety limits based on toxicity data for cyanobacteria and other organisms from the literature, with azithromycin being identified as the macrolide of highest risk. This study compares and quantifies the risk of resistance development and ecological impact for a high-risk antibiotic group in the Irish context, and demonstrates the potential for risk reduction achieved by adoption of alternative (e.g. membrane bioreactor) technology.

Influence of Atmospheric Phosphorus and Nitrogen Sedimentation on Water Quality in the Middle Route Project of the South-to-North Water Diversion in Henan Province.

In order to understand the potential effects of atmospheric nitrogen and phosphorus deposition on the water quality of the Middle Route Project of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, samples of dry and wet deposition of atmospheric nitrogen and phosphorus, meteorological factors, and water quality factors were analyzed out to investigate in the Middle Route Project of the South-to-North Water Diversion in Henan Province from October 2018 to October 2020. The variation characteristics of atmospheric nitrogen and phosphorus deposition with time in the Henan section of the main canal are revealed, and the influence of atmospheric dry and wet deposition on the water quality of the middle line is discussed. It was found that the total nitrogen (TN) sedimentation flux has obvious seasonal variation, which was consistent with the variation trend of rainfall, and increased with the increase of rainfall. Nitrogen and phosphorus deposition was significantly correlated with water factors. The effects of meteorological factors and nitrogen and phosphorus deposition on water quality variation reached 18%. The contribution rate and ecological impact of atmospheric nitrogen and phosphorus deposition on water pollution of main channels will be increasing, which needs to be paid enough attention to.

Plastic pollution of four understudied marine ecosystems: a review of mangroves, seagrass meadows, the Arctic Ocean and the deep seafloor.

Plastic pollution is now a worldwide phenomenon affecting all marine ecosystems, but some ecosystems and regions remain understudied. Here, we review the presence and impacts of macroplastics and microplastics for four such ecosystems: mangroves, seagrass meadows, the Arctic Ocean and the deep seafloor. Plastic production has grown steadily, and thus the impact on species and ecosystems has increased, too. The accumulated evidence also indicates that plastic pollution is an additional and increasing stressor to these already ecosystems and many of the species living in them. However, laboratory or field studies, which provide strong correlational or experimental evidence of ecological harm due to plastic pollution remain scarce or absent for these ecosystems. Based on these findings, we give some research recommendations for the future.