Environmental Ecosystem Research Articles

Utilization of Nephelium lappaceum (Rambutan) waste as biosorbent for heavy metals and dyes: a review

Pollution of environmental streams and ecosystems is rising. One of the sources of water contamination is the wastewater from the textile, plastics, and mining sectors, which contains both organic and inorganic pollutants. Heavy metals and dyes in wastewater must be treated before disposal to protect the aquatic environment and human health. Due to its effectiveness, low cost, and simplicity of use, biosorption has emerged as a wastewater treatment option. Rambutan waste, in particular, is promising for commercial usage due to its extensive availability and efficiency. In this article, we review the usage of natural rambutan peels, seeds, leaves, and stems for the biosorption of water contaminants. We discuss the factors that influence pollutant removal. A pH of 6 to 12 is advantageous for cationic pollutant removal, whereas a pH of less than 5 is appropriate for anionic pollutant removal. More significant concentrations of pollutants generally result in lesser removal, whereas higher doses of biosorbent result in higher removal. The ideal adsorption contact time for rambutan peels and seeds was less than an hour. We also discuss the isotherms of the adsorption process.

Microbial degradation of pyridine: a proposed nitrogen metabolism pathway deciphered in marine mangrove Bacillus aryabhattai strain NM1-A2

BackgroundDiverse microbes, such as bacteria, are of immense worth to mangrove ecosystems due to their adaptability to salinity and variable environmental characteristics conditions. Pyridine and its derivatives compose most heterocyclic aromatic compounds largely produced by human activities that lead to environmental pollution. Bacteria have a crucial role in the nutrient cycling of carbon and nitrogen etc., to understand their functional involvement with environmental factors or ecosystem functioning as well as the species invasion and domestic or agriculture pyridine degradation pollution activities that threaten the mangrove ecosystem.MethodsThis work established the genetic-based molecular degradation of organic compounds in the mangrove ecosystem, which ultimately makes the availability of nutrients. As well as the effects of various abiotic factors on pyridine degradation to discover the pyridine degradation and the removal of ammonia nitrogen and the proposed nitrogen metabolism pathway.ResultsThe novel bacterial strain NM1-A2 was isolated from mangrove sediments and, after 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis identified as Bacillus aryabhattai. NM1-A2 completely degraded pyridine within a 100 h incubation period at a temperature of 35 °C, an initial pH of 7.0, glucose and a pyridine concentration of 500 mg/L. The pseudo-first-order kinetics model described the pyridine biodegradation profile of NM1-A2 well. Interestingly, within 96 h the strain achieved almost complete pyridine degradation with a total organic carbon (TOC) removal of 87.9% ± 0.19% (from 377.52 ± 6.9 mg/L to 45.65 ± 0.14 mg/L). Within 96 h, the pyridine ring in the total nitrogen (TN) fraction at the maximum concentration of 55.31 ± 0.17 mg/L, furtherly 51.3% ± 2.39% of (TN) converted into Ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N). Furthermore, NM1-A2 exhibited its pyridine biodegradation activity decreased by only 4% after three consecutive cycles (48 h each). Moreover, NM1-A2 possessed nrt-ABCD nitrate transport family and gltABCD operons that participate in the activities of glutamine and glutamate synthetase in NH4+ conversion in the nitrogen cycle. Furthermore, the nitrogen metabolism genes (nrtA, nrtB, nrtC, nirB, nirD, gltB, gltD, glnA) exhibited expression in NM1-A2.ConclusionThis research offers a potential treatment strategy for pyridine degradation in the mangrove ecosystem.Graphical

Editorial: New insights to coastal zone environmental pollution, ecosystem disturbance and remediation

Editorial: New insights to coastal zone environmental pollution, ecosystem disturbance and remediation

Integrated pollution analysis, pollution area identification and source apportionment of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soil

Given the global prevalence of soil heavy metal contamination, knowledge concerning of soil environmental quality assessment, pollution area identification and source apportionment is critical for implementation of soil pollution prevention and safe utilization strategies. In this study, soil static environmental capacity (QI) for heavy metals was selected to evaluate pollution risks in agricultural soils of Wenzhou, southeast China. Combined with geostatistical methods, the pollution area was identified along with uncertainty analysis. Potential sources were quantitatively apportioned using a positive matrix factorization model (PMF). Results showed that agricultural soils in this study were mainly contaminated by Cd and Pb based on both Nemerow and QI indices. The environmental capacity assessment found more than 90% areas were identified as polluted soils for Qi-Zn, Qi-Cd and Qi-Pb, with minor uncertain areas. Cu was identified as having a high proportion of uncertain pollution area status, which was similar to the results of the integrated environmental capacity for all metals. PMF results indicated that industrial discharge, agrochemicals and parent material accounted for 32.1%, 32.2% and 35.7% of heavy metal accumulation in soils, respectively. Implementation of strict policies to reduce anthropogenic source emissions and remediate soil pollution are crucial to minimize metal pollution inputs, improve agricultural soil quality and enhance food safety.

Hexavalent-Chromium-Induced Disruption of Mitochondrial Dynamics and Apoptosis in the Liver via the AMPK-PGC-1α Pathway in Ducks.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a hazardous substance that poses significant risks to environmental ecosystems and animal organisms. However, the specific consequences of Cr(VI) exposure in terms of liver damage remain incompletely understood. This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which Cr(VI) disrupts mitochondrial dynamics, leading to hepatic injury in ducks. Forty-eight healthy 8-day-old ducks were divided into four groups and subjected to diets containing varying doses of Cr(VI) (0, 9.28, 46.4, and 232 mg/kg) for 49 days. Our results demonstrated that Cr(VI) exposure resulted in disarranged liver lobular vacuolation, along with increasing the serum levels of ALT, AST, and AKP in a dose-dependent manner, which indicated liver damage. Furthermore, Cr(VI) exposure induced oxidative stress by reducing the activities of T-SOD, SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, and CAT, while increasing the contents of MDA and H2O2. Moreover, Cr(VI) exposure downregulated the activities of CS and MDH, resulting in energy disturbance, as evidenced by the reduced AMPK/p-AMPK ratio and PGC-1α protein expression. Additionally, Cr(VI) exposure disrupted mitochondrial dynamics through decreased expression of OPA1, Mfn1, and Mfn2 and increased expression of Drp-1, Fis1, and MFF proteins. This disruption ultimately triggered mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, as evidenced by elevated levels of caspase-3, Cyt C, and Bax, along with decreased expression of Bcl-2 and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, at both the protein and mRNA levels. In summary, this study highlights that Cr(VI) exposure induces oxidative stress, inhibits the AMPK-PGC-1α pathway, disrupts mitochondrial dynamics, and triggers liver cell apoptosis in ducks.

Comparison of soil microbial abundances and co-occurrence networks in the volcanic soil of the cone and crater

Volcanism changes the earth's surface building environments where new ecosystems can be constructed. However, the effects of volcanic environmental conditions (e.g. soil moisture, soil organic matter, and available K) on soil microbial communities remains unclear. In the present study, soil samples were collected from two natural habitats (the cone and crater) in Nushan Volcano, China, to investigate the abundances (absolute and relative), compositions, and functions of soil bacterial and fungal communities. The results showed higher 16S rRNA copies, and ITS rRNA copies in the crater compared to the cone. The bacterial and fungal diversities in the crater were higher than in the cone. The soil of the cone and crater displayed distinct bacterial and fungal community compositions based on the nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Co-occurrence network analysis revealed the interspecific relationship of soil bacterial and fungal communities was closer in the cone with more links. The number of keystone taxa in the cone was higher than that in the crater. Meanwhile, Nordella and Arthrobacter in bacteria and Stilbella, Tausonia, and Marasmius in fungi were found as the keystone taxa. Moreover, structural equation models (SEM) revealed that soil physicochemical properties had the greatest impact on the composition of bacteria and fungi. Overall, the results advance further research on the effects of microbes on the functions and services of associated ecosystems in extreme environments.

Spatio-temporal dynamics and socio-ecological determinants of ecosystem service interplays in Shandong Province's coastal region (2000–2020): Implications for environmental protection and sustainable ecosystem management

The sustainable management of multiple concurrent ecosystem services (ESs) requires a comprehensive understanding of the interconnections between various ESs. In this study, we develop spatial maps for six distinct ESs using a variety of models, and we quantify their trade-offs, synergies, and bundling patterns through spatial mapping and statistical methodologies. We further delve into the antagonistic and synergistic dynamics between different ESs within each Ecosystem Service Bundle (ESB), and employ GeoDetector to pinpoint the key drivers of each ES. Our findings reveal that: (1) The spatial distributions of ESs are heterogeneous, with most ESs exhibiting a downward trend except for GP and SC, which are on the rise. CS shows positive correlations with all other five ES indicators. HQ exhibits positive correlations with SC and RS, whereas negative correlations are observed between HQ-GP and WC-RS. Six ES pairs demonstrate a decline in synergistic relationships, but an increase in trade-off relationships. (2) We distinguish six types of ESBs, each differing in their combination and extent of ES provision. The trade-offs and synergies within these distinct ESBs display both commonalities and differences. In certain ESBs, supply services display synergistic relationships with other ESs. We leverage ES bundles as the foundation for studying spatial planning zoning, revealing a diversity in the interactions between different ES pairs and the driving factors of ES. Therefore, we establish the theoretical basis for formulating spatial planning on the interrelationships and drivers of ES under spatial and temporal changes. We anticipate that our findings will offer valuable scientific insight for the development of future ecological conservation and spatial planning strategies in the region.

Quorum-sensing gene regulates hormetic effects induced by sulfonamides in Comamonadaceae.

Antibiotics can induce dose-dependent hormetic effects on bacterial cell proliferation, i.e., low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition. However, the underlying molecular basis has yet to be clarified. Here, we showed that sulfonamides play dual roles as a weapon and signal against Comamonas testosteroni that can modulate cell physiology and phenotype. Subsequently, through investigating the hormesis mechanism, we proposed a comprehensive regulatory pathway for the hormetic effects of Comamonas testosteroni low-level sulfonamides and determined the generality of the observed regulatory model in the Comamonadaceae family. Considering the prevalence of Comamonadaceae in human guts and environmental ecosystems, we provide critical insights into the health and ecological effects of antibiotics.

Intensification of diclofenac removal through supported liquid membrane and ozonation

Pharmaceutical contaminants are frequently encountered at trace concentrations in various environmental ecosystems. This study introduces a significant approach to water treatment and environmental remediation by combining liquid membrane and ozonation. Initially, diclofenac is transported across the supported liquid membrane using a neutral organic extractant Cyanex 923. The highest removal efficiency was achieved with a 40 % concentration of Cyanex923 dissolved in kerosene, resulting in a permeability of 10.2 cm/h. Additionally, diclofenac is extracted from different environmental matrices such as tap water and real effluent of wastewater, and the effect of ions species was studied. The post-ozonation in the stripping phase resulted in removal of pharmaceuticals and 72 % reduction of total organic carbon at pH = 10 and 45.3 g/Nm3 initial ozone concentration. The study also investigates the identification and tracking of the most prevalent by-product of diclofenac over time.

Preface

Preface

Characteristics and removal efficiency of microplastics at secondary wastewater treatment plant in Lithuania.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are the most significant barrier between anthropogenic microplastics and environmental ecosystems. The distribution and characteristics of microplastics in WWTPs remain uncertain and incompletely understood, particularly in northeastern Europe (Baltic States), where there is a lack of data on microplastic pollution and distribution. This study presents the removal efficiency and variation in characteristics of microplastics in different stages of the secondary WWTP during a 3-month sampling campaign in Lithuania. The abundance, size, shape, color, and chemical composition of microplastics in the wastewater at different treatment stages were thoroughly examined, in a size range from 20 to 1000 μm. On average, 2962 ± 25 particles/L of microplastic enter the studied WWTP. The obtained microplastic removal efficiency was 55.4% ± 3.9%, highlighting the necessity to enhance wastewater treatment strategies focusing on microplastic removal. Fragment-type microplastics smaller than 100 μm were removed from wastewater samples with the highest removal efficiency. Furthermore, our study includes recommendations to improve microplastic removal efficiency and contribute to mitigating microplastic pollution. PRACTITIONER POINTS: A large number of MPs in the size range of 20-1000 μm enter Lithuanian WWTP. Small-sized MPs within a range of 20-50 μm and 50-100 μm were removed with the highest efficiency of 54.07 ± 1.68% and 56.4 ± 2.43%, respectively. The shape and size of MPs have a major impact on the efficiency of their removal. Future research should prioritize the development of economical and energy-efficient systems, specifically designed for the removal of MPs in WWTPs.

Salinity tolerance of Aegiceras corniculatum and Ceriops tagal in the coastal area of Karachi, Pakistan

Indus delta with its coastal zones is the most significant coastal environment in Pakistan for mangroves and associated ecosystems. Mangrove forests are important components for maintenance of ecosystems in severe environments. The purpose of the study is to assess the mangrove species' tolerance to salinity. Aegiceras corniculatum and Ceriops tagal (C. tagal) propagules were grown in pots with sandy soil and subirrigated with 25, and 50% nitrogen-fortified saltwater for this research. The propagules were procured from the Indus delta. We raised seedlings for six months as an experiment. Aegiceras corniculatum species behaved moderately in the greenhouse, whereas Ceriops tagal's growth maximum at a salinity of 50% seawater and declined as the salinity increased. Furthermore, Ceriops tagal a non-secretor, accumulated more sodium and chloride ions while severely restricting the availability of other ions. This species might therefore be used to repair intertidal ecosystems, which frequently get freshwater. During a six-month the experimental cultivation period, and measurements were taken of the seedlings' length, weight at planting, and number of leaves. Maximum growth was observed in 50% seawater, and as the salinity increased, it became worse. Three times a week, fresh water was provided to wash away the excess salt. It has been discovered that medium and large-sized propagules function better in a greenhouse environment than small-sized ones. In order for plant seeds to successfully reproduce, the environmental conditions in which they disseminate and settle must be suitable for them. For establishment and dissemination inside the greenhouse environment, the propagules of viviparous mangrove species appear optimal.

Community Empowerment in Increasing Welfare Through the Green Economy in the Digital Era

The green economy concept is one of the global strategies related to social, economic, and environmental crises. Methodologically, conceptualizing, implementing, and critiquing the creation of a green economy paradigm towards society leads to the challenge of a global strategy that has the goal of sustainability, poverty alleviation, and inclusion of vulnerable social sectors. The influence of the green economy on the sustainability of life is still in the context of grahita. The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of the green economy on economic recovery and multilateral problems. This research is a descriptive research that uses a literature study type or approach. The results of the study reveal that the application of a green economy is capable of driving national economic recovery as well as problems in the multilateral sector. In order for a green economy to be realized for the country, policy makers must be supported by various parties so that a sustainable green economy is formed. A green economy also contributes to maintaining a healthy environment and shaping ecosystems appropriately for present and future generations.

Gendering the Climate Justice: Post-colonial Ecofeminism in Pakistan

The primary objective of this research is to enhance the understanding of environmental behavior within the context of ‘Eco-feminist Activity’ in Pakistan. This purpose has been partially achieved through the analysis of Scholarly Literature; Media Representations; Initiatives by environmental non-governmental organizations; and the actions undertaken by activists. The involvement of women in environmental conservation is of paramount importance in the context of development. However, this study presents compelling evidence of a noteworthy correlation between the environment and women. The main aim of this study is to enhance the comprehension regarding various elements that contribute to climate change, including but not limited to population expansion, deforestation, pollution, and demographic shifts. The cultural dimensions of ecofeminism have led to an increased environmental consciousness among women worldwide, including those in Pakistan. The primary objective of this study is to examine the various factors that contribute to; climate change, namely population increase, deforestation, pollution, and demographic changes. This study uses a gender analysis methodology to examine and propose practical remedies for the aforementioned concerns. The active engagement of ecofeminist women in policymaking is of utmost importance. The distinctive viewpoint that these people hold as active participants in the societal environment and biological ecosystem can explain the aforementioned occurrence.

Experimental Investigation on the Properties of Street and Sidewalk Cleaning Waste

Abstract One of the municipal waste streams is street cleaning waste, classified under code 20 03 03. They are not considered hazardous waste. Due to the lack of other management technology, they are sent to landfills. This waste, among other things, by its high chloride content especially after winter, can contribute to changes in the salinity of surface and groundwater and soil salinization, which consequently contributes to changes in the local environment and entire ecosystems. As it is deposited entirely in landfills, it also contributes to the salinity of leachate generated here. The Regulation of the Minister of Economy of July 16, 2015, on allowing waste to be deposited in landfills, the total organic carbon in waste deposited in non-hazardous and inert waste landfills must not exceed 5% of dry weight. The purpose of this article is to present a study of the quality of the waste on parameters like water content, organic and mineral fraction in the dry weight of the waste, and fractional separation. The water content of the waste ranged from 12–27%, while the mineral fraction in the dry weight was 91–94%. The smallest fraction below 0.05 mm accounted for 0d 1.8 to 4.5%.

Efficient Classification of Marine Debris using SVM with Noise Removal and Feature Extraction Techniques with Improved Performances

Marine debris is a significant environmental issue, necessitating the development of precise and efficient technologies for classifying and reducing its impact. This research tries to address the issues of image noise in ocean trash classification using four alternative filters the Gaussian, Bilateral, Mean, and Alpha-Trimmed Mean (ATM) filters for noise reduction and SVM for classification. The accuracy of categorization algorithms can be considerably impacted by the presence of noise in photos of maritime debris. In this study, we suggest a two-pronged strategy: To effectively decrease noise and improve the quality of the input photos, we first apply filters. These filters were chosen with care to protect significant details while eliminating extraneous noise. Second, we classify the debris into various categories based on its visual attributes using SVM, a powerful ML technique. The ATM filter significantly reduces noise and improves the clarity of photographs of ocean trash, according to the results of our experiments. This work proposes a novel approach for classifying marine debris using advanced machine learning algorithms. For improved classification accuracy, we suggest combining Support Vector Machines (SVM) with Adaptive Thresholding Mean (ATM) filtering and Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) feature extraction. According to this research, the ATM filter is a promising option for noise reduction in ocean trash imaging, potentially increasing the precision of subsequent classification algorithms and assisting in efficient environmental monitoring and marine ecosystem conservation efforts. The language used for execution is Python.

SDG commentary: service ecosystems with the planet - weaving the environmental SDGs with human services

PurposeHumanity and all life depend on the natural environment of Planet Earth, and that environment is in acute crisis across land, sea and air. One of a set of commentaries on how service can address the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), the authors focus on environmental goals SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land). This paper aims to propose a conceptual framework that incorporates the natural environment into transformative services.Design/methodology/approachThe authors trace the evolution of service thinking about the natural environment, from a stewardship perspective of the environment as a set of resources to be managed, through an acknowledgement of nonhuman organisms as actors that can participate in service exchange, towards an emergent concept of ecosystems as integrating human social actors and other biological actors who engage fully in value co-creation.FindingsThe authors derive a framework integrating human and other life forms as co-creating actors, drawing on shared natural resources to achieve mutualism, where each actor can have a net benefit from the relationship. Future research questions are posited that may help services research address SDGs 13–15.Originality/valueThe framework integrates ideas from environmental ecosystem literature to inform the nature of ecosystems. By integrating environmental actors and ecological insights into the understanding of service ecosystems, service scholars are well placed to make unique contributions to the global challenge of creating a sustainable future.

Temporal and spatial variations of multivariate hot, dry and windy climate extremes in Northwest China

AbstractThe simultaneous occurrence of extreme weather events such as high temperature, low humidity and strong wind speed can cause devastating impacts on the fragile environment and vulnerable ecosystem in arid Northwest China (NW). However, few studies investigate the multivariate compound hot, dry and windy extremes in NW. In this study, we investigate the temporal and spatial variations of the warm‐season trivariate hot, dry and windy (HDW) and bivariate hot and dry (HD), dry and windy (DW), hot and windy (HW) extremes in NW. From 1960 to 2019, we observed more compound HD, DW, HW and HDW days in the hyper‐arid Xinjiang and west Gansu in NW. Simultaneously, DW days, HW days and HDW days consistently declined at rates of −0.48, −0.88 and −0.42 day·10a−1, except for a discernible increasing rate of 0.56 day·10a−1 in HD days. Notably, trends in four multivariate compound extremes all experienced pronounced reversals from a declining to increasing trend in the 1990s. The higher probability of compound HD, DW and HW extremes contributed to a higher probability of HDW in Xinjiang province. Ultimately driven by the significantly rising temperature (0.21°C·10a−1, p < 0.01), four compound extremes suggested increased probability with the largest increase in compound HW probability from 1960–1989 to 1990–2019. Both the rising trends in the occurrence and the increased probability of four compound extremes highlight intense risks of compound extreme weather over NW in recent decades.

Genomic insights into the adaptation of Synechococcus to the coastal environment on Xiamen.

Synechococcus are widely distributed in the global ocean, from the pelagic zone to coastal waters. However, little is known about Synechococcus in coastal seawater due to limitations in isolation and culture conditions. In this study, a combination of metagenomic sequencing technology, flow cytometry sorting, and multiple displacement amplification was used to investigate Synechococcus in the coastal seawater of Xiamen Island. The results revealed 18 clades of Synechococcus and diverse metabolic genes that appear to contribute to their adaptation to the coastal environment. Intriguingly, some metabolic genes related to the metabolism of carbohydrates, energy, nucleotides, and amino acids were found in 89 prophage regions that were detected in 16,258 Synechococcus sequences. The detected metabolic genes can enable prophages to contribute to the adaptation of Synechococcus hosts to the coastal marine environment. The detection of prophages also suggests that the cyanophages have infected Synechococcus. On the other hand, the identification of 773 genes associated with antiviral defense systems indicates that Synechococcus in Xiamen have evolved genetic traits in response to cyanophage infection. Studying the community diversity and functional genes of Synechococcus provides insights into their role in environmental adaptation and marine ecosystems.

Electrodeposition nanofabrication of graphene oxide/polypyrrole electrodes with high hybrid specific capacitance for enhancing U(VI) electrosorption

The uranium-containing wastewater generated in the nuclear fuel cycle poses a serious threat to the environmental ecosystem, and electrosorption can be an effective method for U(VI) removal. Herein, the electrodeposition nanofabrication of a novel composite electrode (GO/PPy) with high hybrid specific capacitance for U(VI) electrosorption. The results showed that the combination of GO with PPy significantly improved the specific capacitance, conductivity and cycling ability, thereby enhancing U(VI) electrosorption. Among various GO/PPy composites, GO/PPy-0.2 presented the highest specific capacitance, and its electrosorption capacity of U(VI) was also the highest, owing to its high specific capacitance and open interlayer channels for ion storage. The cyclic voltammetry characteristic of GO/PPy-0.2 is characterized by capacitive control, which highlights the contribution of PPy pseudocapacitance to electrosorption. The isotherms and kinetics of U(VI) electrosorption were found to be well-simulated by the Langmuir model and the PFO model, respectively. The maximum U(VI) electrosorption capacity reached 246.5 mg/g at pH 4.0 and 0.9 V. This work provides a feasible strategy for the electrodeposition nanofabrication of high-performance GO/PPy electrodes by incorporating a EDL capacitance material (GO) with a pseudo-capacitance material (PPy) to improve the specific capacitance and stability of the electrodes. Meanwhile, it also provides insights into electrosorption mechanism based on hybrid capacitance (double layer capacitance and pseudo capacitance) and N/O complexation, which was confirmed by XPS and FTIR characterization. Overall, the excellent electrochemical electrosorptive performance of GO/PPy-2 endows its promising application in CDI for efficient separation of U(VI) from radioactive wastewater.