Environmental Issues Research Articles

Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Ion-Adsorption Deposits Using Electrokinetic Technology: The Soil Conductivity Mechanism Study

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential raw materials for modern industries but mining them has caused severe environmental issues, particularly the recovery of heavy REEs (HREEs) from ion-adsorption deposits (IADs). Very recently, an emerging technology, electrokinetic mining (EKM), has been proposed for the green and efficient recovery of REEs from IADs. However, the conduction mechanism of the weathering crust soil, which is also a prerequisite for EKM, remains unclear, making the EKM process unpredictable. Here, we systematically investigated the conductivity of weathering crust soil in the presence of light REEs (LREEs, i.e., La3+ and Sm3+) and HREEs (Er3+ and Y3+), respectively. Results suggested that the voltage was dynamically and spatially redistributed by the movement of REEs and water during EKM, and the conventional assumption of the linear distribution of voltage leads to an inaccurate description of soil voltage. We proposed an improved Archie’s equation by coupling the mechanisms of liquid phase and solid-liquid interface conduction, which can predict soil conductivity more precisely. Moreover, the extended Archie’s equation is able to recalculate the voltage distribution at distinct times and spaces well during EKM. More importantly, the water content in field-scale weathered-crust soils can be retrieved by the newly proposed Archie’s equation, which helps optimize the leaching wells and improve the recovery rate of REE. This study focuses on the conduction mechanism of weathering crust soil, which provides a theoretical basis for better use of the EKM technology and promotes mining efficiency fundamentally.

Does the unemployment rate matter for environmental issues in the G7 nations? New testing for the environmental Phillips curve using the load capacity factor

Does the unemployment rate matter for environmental issues in the G7 nations? New testing for the environmental Phillips curve using the load capacity factor

Blooming social impact: Growing Appalachian Botanical Company’s resource partnerships in a rural ecosystem

Research methodology This case is based on primary and secondary data collection. ABCo’s Founder, Jocelyn Sheppard, sat down with the author for a 75-min recorded interview in July 2022, and she provided follow-up information via email. Interview data was supplemented with secondary data from publicly available sources to fill in portions on the founder, the company’s history and its location; and triangulate the collected interview data (Creswell and Poth, 2018). There are no conflicts of interest that the author needs to disclose related to the founder or company. The case was piloted at one institution in the Fall 2022, Spring 2023 and Fall 2023 semesters, with 59 undergraduates in an in-person social entrepreneurship course and 165 undergraduates and 33 graduate students in an online asynchronous social entrepreneurship course. All students worked through the case in groups, and as a requirement of their corresponding assignment submission, they provided feedback that was de-identified. In total, 60 groups reported their feedback, which was considered during the subsequent drafts of the case and instructors’ manual IM. According to the anonymized feedback, the protagonist, product line, desired social impact and experienced challenges of ABCo were all said to be interesting, approachable and relatable for students, and the case piqued the interest of students coming from different majors (e.g. business, environmental issues, human services and criminal justice). Students from rural areas, or those who have family in rural areas, felt the case was particularly interesting; a handful of the students in the asynchronous online class who were unfamiliar with such settings suggested providing students with some additional contextualization of rural environments, either through class discussion with other students who had experience in those environments or additional media or text-based supports. Further adjustments also included removing a reading and a corresponding question and revising elements within the Teaching Approaches section of the IM to support the additions they suggested within the feedback (i.e. spending time to define and walk through the provided model and highlight the differences of rural entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship in the rural as a class before engaging in the related write-ups for that question). Case overview/synopsis Jocelyn Sheppard, Founder of Appalachian Botanical Company (“ABCo”), had built her company not just on a vision of revitalizing reclaimed coal mine land through planting and producing products with lavender, but also to have a social impact on the rural town of Ashford and its greater region of Boone County in West Virginia, USA. While she understood that hiring workers in need of a second chance would present its challenges, she was shocked by the depth of social need her new employees presented, which contributed to many employees’ disruptive behaviors and turnover. To approach the problem at hand, Sheppard needed to reflect on the resources around her, namely, other entities and organizations who might be able to support her efforts to improve how ABCo delivers on its social mission and, thus, helps to improve the local community and its economy. The case draws upon literature and models within rural entrepreneurship and community development to have students advise Sheppard on what she should do next to improve the social outcomes for ABCo and its employees. Complexity academic level This case is geared for both upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in entrepreneurship, including in social, environmental and rural entrepreneurship courses and course modules. The case introduces students to a social enterprise struggling to get its footing in a rural context. The case would be suitable for both introductory and advanced courses, especially when placemaking/place-based entrepreneurship or ecosystem building are discussed.

Eco-Friendly Spiking Approach Based on Microfluidics for Preparation of Matrix Reference Materials.

Medicated bath is the most common spiking method used in the development of matrix reference materials for aquatic products; however, the environmental issues caused by the treatment of waste liquid after medicated bath cannot be ignored. We proposed an environmentally friendly spiking method based on microfluidics, which significantly improved the drug utilization rate without the need for subsequent drug residue treatment. Finely processed minced fish samples were fully mixed with quinolone drugs, and minced fish gel microspheres were prepared by microfluidic technology, utilizing the gel's water-locking function to enhance the drug-loading capacity. The results showed that this method can significantly increase the drug-loading capacity of the matrix (2.33-4.03 times) compared with the traditional spiking methods. In addition, the matrix reference material prepared by this method has good stability, and the drug concentration was adjustable and controllable.

How Can Language Education Contribute to Securing a Livable Planet?

AbstractThe aim of this study was to test the notion of ecological citizenship empirically in the English language classroom in an underrepresented region, Latin America. A pedagogic project aimed at the development of students as ecological citizens was designed and implemented in 2019 in four English language classrooms in a public secondary school in Argentina. Participants were 111 teenagers aged 15–17 taking their fourth or fifth years. The project addressed the theme ‘the world we want’ using the UN sustainable development goals as a foundation, in particular, those concerned with environmental issues. The study is theoretically grounded on the notion of ecological citizenship and the research question is: How can language education contribute to securing a livable planet? Data types include Instagram publications (video, text, and a variety of semiotic resources); Instagram comments; student artifacts created in class (graphs, charts, tables, icons); infographics sewed together to make a quilt; a project video; the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters; and a final student survey. Qualitative analysis was done in three phases and findings indicate that the creative arts and community engagement in combination fostered students' development as ecological citizens in this context. Implications for language education are considered.

Adaptation or transformation? A system‐justification perspective on pro‐environmental beliefs and behaviors

AbstractDespite the need for profound systemic change to deal with environmental issues, this is not happening. At a psycho‐sociological level, System Justification Theory has mostly explained environmental inaction by greater environmental denial on the part of individuals motivated to justify the economic system. In this article, and in line with research in political science and sociology, we propose to also take into account the existence of different beliefs concerning the social change needed to deal with environmental problems. While some do advocate for profound transformations of current socio‐economic systems, others propose to maintain and adapt them. Moreover, these beliefs have different implications in terms of the pro‐environmental behaviors (PEBs) to be adopted by individuals. We therefore hypothesized that, independently of environmental denial, individuals who justify the economic system would adhere more to adaptation beliefs (e.g., individualization of responsibility) and reject transformation beliefs (e.g., incompatibility between economic growth and environmental preservation); and that these beliefs would mediate the effects of system‐justification on PEBs depending on whether or not they challenge the economic system. A correlational study (N = 277) corroborated our hypotheses. The importance of taking into account the system‐challenging (or not) nature of some pro‐environmental beliefs and behaviors is discussed.

The Influence of Sustainable Investment on Guizhou SME Performance Based on ESG Standards

This study investigates the connection between Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors that can impact a company's financial and operational performance. The research looks at how stakeholder and legitimacy theories can help explain the effects of the variables used in the study. Additionally, the study makes a unique contribution to the existing research on ESG and performance by examining the link between ESG and firm performance over ten years. Furthermore, the study explores the relationship between ESG and operational performance in SMEs in Guizhou. This provides valuable insights into how ESG can impact the performance of SMEs. ESG provides a comprehensive framework for businesses and investors to address environmental, social, and corporate governance issues. It promotes integrating economic and social benefits for sustainable corporate management and financial investment development. The number of respondents for this study was 380 enterprises from Guizhou. The results of this study show that parents’ purchase intention on training courses for their children would be impacted by their transformational leadership, organizational innovation, and social capital.

A novel approach for location selection in logistics: Ensemble SVM and improved genetic algorithm

SummaryGathering logistics operations in an individual location offers various benefits at the macro level namely reducing environmental and community issues, replacing overflow of traffic, minimizing air pollution, and more. But the complexity in the selection of location is maximized and the logistic operation chooses the wrong location due to frequent variations in characteristics. Also, it is suitable for capturing long‐term dependencies. To overcome these difficulties, we propose ESVM‐IGS; an Ensemble support vector machine, and an Improved Genetic algorithm, with an initial search strategy to improve the efficiency. The Ensemble SVM is applied to produce a better outcome. To identify optimal configurations in the complex optimization problem an initial search‐based improved genetic algorithm is implemented. To conduct our experiments, the ESVM‐IGS is rigorously evaluated on the GIS real‐time Dataset and the efficiency of the model is validated with various performance measures. From the analysis, the proposed method results that it solved the complexity burden and improved the selection ability of long‐term dependency. The experimental results depict the better efficiency of the ESVM‐IGS method for the location selection strategy of logistics.

Supply chain inefficiencies: the causes and costs of dry bulk ships anchored in Vancouver

The paper describes the contracting and logistics conditions contributing to the level of anchorage in the grain, coal and fertiliser export trades of Vancouver. Increases in the level of anchorage in these trades have created economic, environmental and governance issues. Comparison of the logistics structures and practices in these commodity trades gives insights into the reasons for different levels of anchorage. Conditions in and data from the port of Vancouver are used to simulate conditions in the grain trade and to demonstrate the critical importance of the variability of ship loading times to levels of anchorage. The incidence of the costs of anchorage is examined. The terms in voyage charterparties used in the grain trade are found to inhibit efficient use of vessel time.

Systematic challenges and opportunities in insect monitoring: a Global South perspective.

Insect monitoring is pivotal for assessing biodiversity and informing conservation strategies. This study delves into the complex realm of insect monitoring in the Global South-world developing and least-developed countries as identified by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development-highlighting challenges and proposing strategic solutions. An analysis of publications from 1990 to 2024 reveals an imbalance in research contributions between the Global North and South, highlighting disparities in entomological research and the scarcity of taxonomic expertise in the Global South. We discuss the socio-economic factors that exacerbate the issues, including funding disparities, challenges in collaboration, infrastructure deficits, information technology obstacles and the impact of local currency devaluation. In addition, we emphasize the crucial role of environmental factors in shaping insect diversity, particularly in tropical regions facing multiple challenges including climate change, urbanization, pollution and various anthropogenic activities. We also stress the need for entomologists to advocate for ecosystem services provided by insects in addressing environmental issues. To enhance monitoring capacity, we propose strategies such as community engagement, outreach programmes and cultural activities to instill biodiversity appreciation. Further, language inclusivity and social media use are emphasized for effective communication. More collaborations with Global North counterparts, particularly in areas of molecular biology and remote sensing, are suggested for technological advancements. In conclusion, advocating for these strategies-global collaborations, a diverse entomological community and the integration of transverse disciplines-aims to address challenges and foster inclusive, sustainable insect monitoring in the Global South, contributing significantly to biodiversity conservation and overall ecosystem health. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.

Predicting nitrous oxide contaminants in Cauvery basin using region-based convolutional neural network

Nitrous oxide (N2O) in riverbeds affects hydrological processes by contributing to the greenhouse effect, indicating poor water quality, disrupting biogeochemical cycling, and linking to eutrophication. Elevated N2O levels signal environmental issues, impacting aquatic life and necessitating precise forecasting for effective environmental management and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Precisely forecasting nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from riverbeds is paramount for effective environmental management, given its significant potency as a greenhouse gas. This study focuses on the difficulties related to spatial feature extraction and modeling accuracy in predicting N2O in riverbeds in Tamil Nadu. To address the obstacles, the research suggests utilizing the Deep Learning Based Prediction of Nitrous Oxide Contaminants (DL-PNOC), which studies the N2O contaminants in water using Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (RCNN) for spatial feature extraction, to predict nitrous oxide contaminants. The study is centered on the Cauvery River Basin located in Tamil Nadu, where the emission of N2O is a matter of environment. The outcomes encompass the specialized N2O contaminant model for riverbeds and the implementation of RCNN achieves precise N2O forecasting. The DL-PNOC approach combines a contaminant model with RCNN deep learning techniques to capture spatial characteristics and predict N2O pollutants accurately. Furthermore, using the River Bed Dynamics Simulator reinforces the dependability of the findings. The DL-PNOC approach has exhibited encouraging results, as evidenced by the following metrics: a high IoU of 88.66%, precision of 88.96%, recall of 90.03%, F1 score of 89.22%, and low RMSE and MAE values of 9.14% and 7.59%, respectively. The findings highlight the efficacy of the DL-PNOC approach in precisely forecasting N2O pollutants in river sediments.

New design of eco-friendly Catalytic Electro - Photo Desulfurization process for real diesel fuel

Recently, due to the refineries processes considerations and environmental issues major limitations have been imposed on the sulfur compounds presented in petroleum distillates. Therefore, to reduce the sulfur compounds to minimum levels and to meet the global legislations, many of techniques were used, among them electro chemical photo desulfurization technique was used here. In this study, DBT was removed using electro chemical photo desulfurization over electrodes of titanium and stainless steel using Fe2O3/TiO2 as a catalyst under different temperatures (45, 60, 75 ℃), current density (10, 15, 20 A/m2), electrolyte concentration (25, 35, 45 wt%). The catalyst was characterized by different advanced surface techniques such as N2- adsorption-desorption, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and XRD. The reaction kinetic parameters (reaction order and activation energy) were estimated based on the experimental runs. According to the results obtained, this technique was revealed an efficient method with highest removal of 93.79% achieved using Fe2O3/TiO2 under the best of experimental operating conditions at 75 ℃, 20 A/m2 and 35 wt% of temperature, current density and electrolyte concentration respectively. It can be concluded that the electro chemical photo oxidative desulfurization reaction followed was pseudo 1st order and 41.67 kJ/mole activation energy over titanium dioxides catalyst.

Extracellular synthesis of heteroatom doped copper oxide nanoparticles from electronic waste – Transforming waste to resource for the remediation of nitrophenol contaminated water

Industrial effluents containing hazardous phenolic compounds such as 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) can threaten aquatic ecosystems and the environment. To address the environmental issues due to nitrophenol-contaminated industrial effluents and rapidly generating electronic waste (e-waste), catalytic nanoparticles are biosynthesized utilizing the waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) and the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of the bacteria Alcaligenes aquatilis for the catalytic reduction of 4-NP with sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The optimum synthesis parameters to maximize 4-NP reduction were an initial pH of 12.4 and a volume ratio of metal leachate to CFS of 1:3. These nanoparticles were found to be heteroatom-doped CuO/Cu2O (Bio-CuO/Cu2O-PCB) with spherical shape, average crystallite size of 19 nm and average particle size of 19.2 nm. The biosynthesized nanoparticles exhibited excellent catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-NP with a pseudo-first-order rate constant (kapp) of 0.526 min-1, induction period of 2 min, and 90% reduction of 4-NP in 6 min. This work demonstrates the recovery of metal resources from waste as nanoparticles with excellent catalytic activity using a green, eco-friendly synthesis method under ambient conditions. Bio-CuO/Cu2O-PCB showed better activity than commercial CuO, biosynthesized and chemically synthesized CuO using precursor salt. The developed synthesis method is eco-friendly and could yield a recyclable catalyst for reducing harmful aromatic pollutants such as 4-NP present in wastewater to 4-aminophenol, a pharmaceutical intermediate.

Green consumption behaviour among higher education students as an approach to achieving sustainable source reduction of marine plastic pollution

Purpose Marine plastic pollution (MPP) is increasing in recent times because of the high usage of plastic products. Green consumption behaviour (GCB) gaining attention as effective approach to achieving sustainable source reduction of plastic pollution, which negatively affects both human pollution and marine biodiversity and ecosystem. Although, Higher Education (HE) students are key stakeholders in addressing environmental issues, including MPP, there is limited empirical research in Ghana on factors influencing HE students’ GCB. This study, in an endeavour to bridge the gap, used the revised theory of planned behaviour (TPB) framework to investigate the factors influencing higher-education students’ green consumption behaviour in the Ghanaian context. Specifically, the purpose of the study is to examine the interplay of consumer novelty seeking (CNS), environmental concern (EC), perceived behavioural control and social influence on green consumption behaviour among higher-education students in Ghana. The study also explored the moderating role of gender in the relationship between CNS and green consumption behaviour. Design/methodology/approach This study used quantitative approach to obtain data from a sample of 233 students at the University of Cape Coast and used the partial least squares structural equation modelling approach for the data analysis. Findings The findings provide valuable insights, highlighting the important role of CNS and ECs in driving higher education students’ green consumption behaviour in Ghana. This study also found a revealing role for gender as a moderator in the relationship between CNS and green consumption behaviour, with females exhibiting a more pronounced response to CNS in influencing green consumption behaviour. On the contrary, the authors found a non-significant impact of perceived behavioural control and social influence. Research limitations/implications Although this study presents results that provide valuable insights for policy and practical implications, it has some limitations worth mentioning for future research directions. Firstly, the participants sampled for this study comprised only higher education students from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, which may limit the applicability of the findings to other student populations at various universities in Ghana and beyond. Moreover, the exclusion of non-students who are considered as “Generation Z” (i.e. born within 1995–2010) may narrow the scope of generalisability in the context of young consumers’ green consumption behaviour in Ghana. To enhance the generalisability of future studies, it is recommended that the scope of this study be extended. Furthermore, it should be noted that this study primarily measured higher education students’ green consumption behaviour based on self-reported data. Therefore, future research could adopt alternative approaches, such as non-self-reported measures or experimental data so to reduce the complexities and the gap that may exist between attitudes and behaviour. Practical implications These results provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators and environmental advocates to develop targeted initiatives that resonate with Ghanaian higher education students to foster green consumption practices and contribute to global efforts against marine plastic pollution. Originality/value The novelty of this study lies in the decision to propose a TPB model by including variables like CNS and EC that are believed to positively shape attitudes towards green consumption behaviour. The rationale for examining these variables is grounded in the belief that they are appropriate factors that may predict students’ green consumer behaviour, which may serve as a potential solution to marine plastic pollution.

CONTEXTUAL CORRELATES OF A SUSTAINABLE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IN ROXAS, ISABELA, PHILIPPINES

The study investigates the contextual correlates of sustainable practices at Anao-Kiling Elementary School, emphasizing human values as dominant factors in environmental stewardship. Specifically, this study aims to assess the level of environmental awareness, identify environmental issues, explore practiced behaviors, and examine challenges faced by students. Using a descriptive-normative research design, data was collected from 36 Grade 6 pupils through structured questionnaires. Frequency count and percentage distribution, weighted mean, Pearson-r correlation, and Chi-Square test were used to analyze the data. Results show that most respondents had access to smartphones, indicating a certain level of economic stability. Environmental care programs were implemented in many schools, and pollution and overpopulation were considered moderately serious issues. Both technology-based and non-technology-based activities showed a slightly aware level of environmental awareness. The findings also revealed that the respondents demonstrated practiced behaviors and exhibited human values like respect and honesty. Challenges faced included miscommunication about waste segregation policies and a lack of enthusiasm for clean-up activities. The statistical analysis indicated no significant correlation between environmental issues and human values, nor between environmental awareness and confronting environmental problems. Moreover, socioeconomic factors do not relate to the level of environmental care practices. To foster sustainable behaviors among students, regardless of socioeconomic status, it is essential to integrate environmental values and practices into school curricula. It is recommended that schools prioritize environmental education and enhance communication regarding waste segregation policies to promote a culture of environmental stewardship.

Green architecture: Conceptualizing vertical greenery in urban design

This executive summary introduces the concept paper on Green Architecture, focusing specifically on the integration of vertical greenery in urban design. Green architecture, characterized by sustainable design principles and environmental consciousness, aims to enhance urban environments by incorporating vegetation into built structures. Vertical greenery, a key component of green architecture, involves the strategic placement of vegetation on vertical surfaces such as walls, facades, and rooftops. This concept paper explores the potential of vertical greenery to mitigate environmental issues in urban areas, improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, and enhance biodiversity. The paper proposes a conceptual framework for conceptualizing vertical greenery in urban design, emphasizing the importance of integrating natural elements into the built environment. It discusses various strategies for implementing vertical greenery, including the selection of suitable plant species, design considerations for irrigation and structural stability, and the incorporation of greenery into urban planning processes. Moreover, the concept paper highlights the social and economic benefits of vertical greenery, such as improved health and well-being for residents, increased property values, and enhanced aesthetics of urban spaces. It also emphasizes the role of stakeholder engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation in the successful implementation of vertical greenery projects. In conclusion, this executive summary outlines the significance of incorporating vertical greenery into urban design practices as a means to promote sustainability, resilience, and livability in cities. By embracing the principles of green architecture and integrating vertical greenery into urban landscapes, cities can create healthier, more vibrant, and environmentally sustainable communities for current and future generations. Keywords: Urban, Design, Green, Architecture, Vertical.

Facilitating the dry reforming of methane with interfacial synergistic catalysis in an Ir@CeO2−x catalyst

The dry reforming of methane provides an attractive route to convert greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) into valuable syngas, so as to resolve the carbon cycle and environmental issues. However, the development of high-performance catalysts remains a huge challenge. Herein, we report a 0.6% Ir/CeO2−x catalyst with a metal-support interface structure which exhibits high CH4 (~72%) and CO2 (~82%) conversion and a CH4 reaction rate of ~973 μmolCH4 gcat−1 s−1 which is stable over 100 h at 700 °C. The performance of the catalyst is close to the state-of-the-art in this area of research. A combination of in situ spectroscopic characterization and theoretical calculations highlight the importance of the interfacial structure as an intrinsic active center to facilitate the CH4 dissociation (the rate-determining step) and the CH2* oxidation to CH2O* without coke formation, which accounts for the long-term stability. The catalyst in this work has a potential application prospect in the field of high-value utilization of carbon resources.

Enhancement of work place comfort through the use of soft landscape

The work environment has been shown to have a great influence on employees’ physical and mental state, as such employers try as much as possible to provide a comfortable working environment. However, recent studies have shown that the work environment is no longer as comfortable as it used to be due to heat gain from the increasing use of hard landscape features and neglect of soft landscape features in the work environment. This has resulted in stress causing both mild and severe health conditions for employees. Thus, this study aims to analyze the use of soft landscape in enhancing users' comfort with the view of reducing stress and health-related issues in the work environment. The paper adopted a mixed method using observation checklists, structured interviews, questionnaires, and case studies. A total of eighteen office complexes were selected to describe the existing situation as related to most office complexes and to also gain insight into the subject matter as already applied to life situations. Structured interviews and questionnaires were also conducted with occupants of the buildings and professionals to hear their perceptions and expectations of their work environment. Results showed that 20 percent of the offices give proper consideration to the use of soft landscapes in the work environment, and 40 percent give inconsiderable attention to soft landscapes while making use of them in small quantities solely for improving the aesthetical value of the building. In comparison, the remaining 40 percent do not consider landscape use as a means of improving comfort in the work environment. Findings also revealed that 80 percent of office buildings give major consideration to parking space using hard landscapes without a proper blend of soft landscapes after building design which hurts occupant comfort. The research concluded that the incorporation of soft landscape elements both within the building using recesses and protrusions and on the building walls through the use of exoskeleton and climbers while incorporating trees, shrubs, flowers, hedges and water around the building can have these required effects on employee’s comfort.

The Role of Digital Management and Smart Technologies for Sports Education in a Dynamic Environment: Employment, Green Growth, and Tourism

ABSTRACT Digitalization management, sports education, tourism and smart urban technologies are crucial for urban energy systems and environmental sustainability. Environmental sustainability is a critical global challenge, and countries emphasize combating the rising environmental issues. Undoubtedly, the globe has proposed several initiatives to address rising ecological matters, but the problem remains intact. This study shows a new pattern, including problems and vital solutions with fresh insights. Despite countries launching initiatives to combat environmental degradation (ED), ecological concerns continue to persist. Empirical research has considered income, urbanization, digitization, sports employment, tourism, and green energy as core sustainability determinants in selected European economies (2010–2021). Applying a series of estimators, we determined that income, urbanization, sports, and tourism are the leading causes of ED, while digitization and green energy contribute significantly to sustainable development. Additionally, digitization plays a significant mediating role in sustaining urban energy systems. The study offers helpful implications for achieving desired sustainability levels.

Applying metabolic modeling and multi-omics to elucidate the biotransformation mechanisms of marine algal toxin domoic acid (DA) in sediments

Domoic acid (DA)-producing algal blooms are a global marine environmental issue. However, there has been no previous research addressing the question regarding the fate of DA in marine benthic environments. In this work, we investigated the DA fate in the water-sediment microcosm via the integrative analysis of a top-down metabolic model, metagenome, and metabolome. Results demonstrated that biodegradation is the leading mechanism for the nonconservative attenuation of DA. Specifically, DA degradation was prominently completed by the sediment aerobic community, with a degradation rate of 0.0681 ± 0.00954 d−1. The DA degradation pathway included hydration, dehydrogenation, hydrolysis, decarboxylation, automatic ring opening of hydration, and β oxidation reactions. Moreover, the reverse ecological analysis demonstrated that the microbial community transitioned from nutrient competition to metabolic cross-feeding during DA degradation, further enhancing the cooperation between DA degraders and other taxa. Finally, we reconstructed the metabolic process of microbial communities during DA degradation and confirmed that the metabolism of amino acid and organic acid drove the degradation of DA. Overall, our work not only elucidated the fate of DA in marine environments but also provided crucial insights for applying metabolic models and multi-omics to investigate the biotransformation of other contaminants.