Environmental Science Research Articles

Distributed Heterogeneity Learning for Generalized Partially Linear Models with Spatially Varying Coefficients1

Spatial heterogeneity is of great importance in social, economic, and environmental science studies. The spatially varying coefficient model is a popular and effective spatial regression technique to address spatial heterogeneity. However, accounting for heterogeneity comes at the cost of reducing model parsimony. To balance flexibility and parsimony, this article develops a class of generalized partially linear spatially varying coefficient models which allow the inclusion of both constant and spatially varying effects of covariates. Another significant challenge in many applications comes from the enormous size of the spatial datasets collected from modern technologies. To tackle this challenge, we design a novel distributed heterogeneity learning (DHL) method based on bivariate spline smoothing over a triangulation of the domain. The proposed DHL algorithm has a simple, scalable, and communication-efficient implementation scheme that can almost achieve linear speedup. In addition, this article provides rigorous theoretical support for the DHL framework. We prove that the DHL constant coefficient estimators are asymptotic normal and the DHL spline estimators reach the same convergence rate as the global spline estimators obtained using the entire dataset. The proposed DHL method is evaluated through extensive simulation studies and analyses of U.S. loan application data.

Evolution and Trends in the Circular Economy: A Meta-Analysis from 2018 to 2024

The purpose of this work was to carry out a meta-analysis of research focused on the circular economy, to identify its evolution and trends in the period between 2018 and 2024. The systematic review method was used for the analysis, and in the coding, data extraction and results were using the Dimensions.ai platforms. (Digital Science) and Lens.org., each investigation was evaluated according to the quality standards of the PRISMA declaration; relevant studies were included in the review for discussion, provided they met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. More than eight hundred seventy-four thousand seven hundred studies were identified, between grey literature and scientific articles, of which only 27 publications were included, representing the most essential of the systematic review. Between 2018 and 2024 there was a significant exponential growth of research in the circular economy, concentrated in a few countries, institutions, and disciplines; Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom lead in research. Areas where the circular economy is addressed: materials sciences, environmental sciences, and food sciences, among others. Finally, based on the meta-analysis of the last seven years, the circular economy presents an evolution and trends in the following topics: urban development, climate change, resource management, environmental processes, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, green infrastructure, smart cities, and resilience.

EXPLORATION OF THE THEMATIC CLUSTERING AND COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES IN KAZAKHSTANI RESEARCH

In today's academic environment, the rapid growth of research publications calls for advanced methods to organize and understand the extensive collections of academic work. This study aims to systematically categorize a substantial number of research paper abstracts from Kazakhstani institutions, focusing on identifying key themes and potential interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities. The dataset includes 13,356 abstracts from the Scopus database, covering a wide range of academic fields. The methodology of this research goes beyond traditional hand-done analysis by using advanced text analysis tools to organize the text data efficiently. This initial phase is crucial for summarizing each abstract's core content. The next steps of the analysis use this organized data to find and group similar thematic areas, considering the complex and multi-dimensional nature of academic research topics. The results reveal a diverse array of research themes, highlighting the dynamic academic contributions from Kazakhstan. Significant areas such as environmental science, technological advancements, linguistics, and cultural studies are among the prominent clusters identified. These insights not only provide an overview of current research directions but also highlight the potential for cross-disciplinary partnerships. Moreover, the findings have important implications for decision-makers, scholars, and educational institutions by illuminating key research areas and collaborative possibilities. This thematic overview acts as a guide for shaping research policies, fostering academic connections, and efficiently distributing resources within the scholarly community. Ultimately, this study adds to the academic conversation by offering a way to navigate and utilize the wealth of information in scientific literature, promoting a more collaborative and integrated research environment.

Synthesis of special feature —Tailored Restoration Response: Predictions And Guidelines For Wetland Renewal

Growing understanding of decision‐making and environmental science is essential to carry out a successful wetland renewal. To foster this understanding and integrate knowledge on wetland renewal, we convened a diverse group of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners at an online symposium held on 23 November 2021. Following the symposium, we curated 22 papers from a global community of wetland experts for the special feature on “Wetland Renewal” in Restoration Ecology. This special feature encompasses findings from 15 field‐based experiments and 7 data‐based papers (P). The research spans various scientific fields such as: Biodiversity Conservation (P15), Coastal Engineering (P4, P8, and P9), Plant Ecology (P1, P2, P10, P12, and P13), Invasion Ecology (P7), Social Science (P3), Peat Soil Science (P6), Wildlife Ecology (P5, P11, and P22), Ecological Modeling (P16, P17, P18, P19, and P20), Microbiology (P22), and Policy and Law (P21).

Enhancing citizen science impact in environmental monitoring: Targeted engagement strategies with stakeholder groups

Understanding the motivations and benefits of citizen science (CS) participants is critical to the success of environmental science projects that rely on data collection from engaged citizens. Tailored communication with citizen scientists is essential, leading to the need to target specific societal groups for extensive and high-quality data sets. The purpose of the study was to apply marketing concepts such as stakeholder analysis, value proposition canvas (VPC), and key performance indicators (KPIs) to CS projects. The study examined the extent to which these strategies can be applied to CS projects and add value, resulting in improved recruitment and retention of participants, as well as improved project management. The dynamic landscape of CS projects requires adapted business-oriented approaches supporting ongoing participation with high motivation, acknowledging community needs, and recognizing institutional scientists, akin to targeting potential customers. The case study focuses on the CityCLIM initiative, an EU-funded project collecting urban climate data, especially air temperature, using mobile weather stations. The CityCLIM VPC, analyzing stakeholder groups, facilitated tailored communication strategies by analyzing stakeholder groups and highlighting the effectiveness of the CS cycling initiative within the “Stadtradeln” program. Impact KPIs served as a roadmap for strategic refinement, while data quality KPIs identified deficiencies, guiding adjustments to the campaign. Applied marketing tools improved project planning, engagement, and evaluation, demonstrating the potential of this concept. Adapting marketing tools to recruitment and communication strategies benefits CS projects by targeting specific groups. The holistic integration of stakeholder analysis, VPC, and KPIs streamlines project management and creates a framework for sustainable success. This adaptation forms a robust toolkit for CS project coordinators, contributing to effective communication, engagement, and impact assessment. Applying marketing tools significantly increases CS projects’ reach and impact, ensuring long-term success and meaningful scientific contributions.

Enhanced wheat productivity in saline soil through the combined application of poultry manure and beneficial microbes

BackgroundSoil salinity is one of the major menaces to food security, particularly in dealing with the food demand of the ever-increasing global population. Production of cereal crops such as wheat is severely affected by soil salinity and improper fertilization. The present study aimed to examine the effect of selected microbes and poultry manure (PM) on seedling emergence, physiology, nutrient uptake, and growth of wheat in saline soil. A pot experiment was carried out in research area of Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Saline soil (12 dS m− 1 w/w) was developed by spiking using sodium chloride, and used in experiment along with two microbial strains (i.e., Alcaligenes faecalis MH-2 and Achromobacter denitrificans MH-6) and PM. Finally, wheat seeds (variety Akbar-2019) were sown in amended and unamended soil, and pots were placed following a completely randomized design. The wheat crop was harvested after 140 days of sowing.ResultsThe results showed a 10–39% increase (compared to non-saline control) in agronomic, physiological, and nutritive attributes of wheat plants when augmented with PM and microbes. Microbes together with PM significantly enhanced seedling emergence (up to 38%), agronomic (up to 36%), and physiological (up to 33%) in saline soil as compared to their respective unamended control. Moreover, the co-use of microbes and PM also improved soil’s physicochemical attributes and enhanced N (i.e., 21.7%-17.1%), P (i.e., 24.1-29.3%), and K (i.e., 28.7%-25.3%) availability to the plant (roots and shoots, respectively). Similarly, the co-use of amendments also lowered the Na+ contents in soil (i.e., up to 62%) as compared to unamended saline control. This is the first study reporting the effects of the co-addition of newly identified salt-tolerant bacterial strains and PM on seedling emergence, physiology, nutrient uptake, and growth of wheat in highly saline soil.ConclusionOur findings suggest that co-using a multi-trait bacterial culture and PM could be an appropriate option for sustainable crop production in salt-affected soil.

Polyelectrolytes for Environmental, Agricultural, and Medical Applications

In recent decades, polyelectrolytes (PELs) have attracted significant interest owing to a surge in research dedicated to the development of new technologies and applications at the biological level. Polyelectrolytes are macromolecules of which a substantial portion of the constituent units contains ionizable or ionic groups. These macromolecules demonstrate varied behaviors across different pH ranges, ionic strengths, and concentrations, making them fascinating subjects within the scientific community. The aim of this review is to present a comprehensive survey of the progress in the application studies of polyelectrolytes and their derivatives in various fields that are vital for the advancement, conservation, and technological progress of the planet, including agriculture, environmental science, and medicine. Through this bibliographic review, we seek to highlight the significance of these materials and their extensive range of applications in modern times.

The Mekong River, urban health, and sustainable development in northeastern Thailand

ABSTRACT Rivers are linked to urban health and sustainable development, and yet the literature emphasises environmental science and overlooks the human side. This article presents a human-centred study of urban health and sustainable development in northeastern Thailand in relation to the Mekong River. The study’s framework, the travelogue methodology, brings travel to urban areas near the river (Nakhon Phanom, Bueng Kan, Phon Phisai, Nong Khai, That Phanom, Mukdahan, and Ubon Ratchathani) into the research and knowledge generation process. Data collection in June and July 2023 included observation, photography, note-taking, travel-journaling, and conversations with urban adult residents, analysed in narrative writing. The findings adeptly link the Mekong River to diverse aspects of urban health and sustainable development, including physical activity, social cohesion, food supply and nutrition, water supply, heritage, religious practices, liveability, and sense of place. It also brings to the fore the many threats to the river and, therefore, to human health. By addressing the areas for improvement, future research and practice can build upon these findings to promote healthy, sustainable, and resilient urban environments along the Mekong River and beyond.

A Roadmap for the Implementation of Building Energy Efficiency Codes Compliance in Tripoli-Lebanon: Key Actions in the Familiarity Stage

Objective: The objective of this study is to provide policy recommendations for strengthening governance and institutional capabilities to ensure effective climate action and sustainable development in Tripoli-Lebanon and to propose a multi-staged implementation framework for T-BEEC, focusing on familiarity, with the aim o To facilitate Lebanon's transition towards sustainable energy sources by implementing an effective Building Energy Efficiency Code (T-BEEC) in Tripoli. Theoretical Framework: The study employs environmental science, urban planning, and socio-economic theories, focusing on policy adoption and the diffusion of technological innovations to enhance urban energy efficiency and sustainability. Method: A mixed-methods approach is adopted, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with key personnel at the Tripoli Municipality Permit Office and thematic analysis of the barriers and facilitators to BEEC implementation. Comparative case studies from different geopolitical regions provide a broader perspective on the challenges and strategies of energy code compliance. Results and Discussion: Findings emphasize the critical need for infrastructure and resource optimization, including vehicle maintenance and replacements, spatial layout reorganization, and the prompt repair of computers and printers, to ensure operational efficiency. Additionally, the pursuit of diverse financial support sources highlights the reliance on municipal fees, international aid, NGO contributions, and educational partnerships to overcome financial and resource constraints Research Implications: This study impacts urban energy management theory and practice, providing key insights for policymakers and planners in similar settings. Originality/Value: This study outlines a unique approach to implementing energy codes during Tripoli's familiarity period, enhancing urban sustainability and policy effectiveness.

Tailored coordination chemistry: A novel Zn(II)-fluorescent coordination material for highly selective and sensitive detection of Hg2+ ions in aqueous environments

The pursuit of advanced sensing materials for precisely detecting heavy metal ions remains a critical imperative in environmental science. This manuscript deal with a novel fluorescent material, ZU-1, designed for the selective and sensitive detection of Hg2+ ions in aqueous suspension. Employing the Hard-Soft Acid-Base (HSAB) concept, Zn2+ serves as the d10 metal ion, and ZU-1 is synthesized with a −S donor ligand (NaSCN) and 2-pyridine methanol (Hhmp). The fluorescence sensing elucidates a unique detection mechanism, unveiling the distinctive coordination facilitated by the larger ionic radius and soft acid characteristics of Hg2+ with the −S donor sites in ZU-1. Fluorescence titration experiments validate ZU-1’s outstanding ability to selectively quench fluorescence intensity in the presence of Hg2+, even amidst interference from other metal ions. The quantitative analysis yields a Stern-Volmer constant (Ksv) of 7.5 × 108 M−1 and an exceptional limit of detection for Hg2+ at ∼0.60 ppm. ZU-1 further distinguishes itself through outstanding recyclability over four cycles, underscoring its potential as a sustainable and reusable sensor for real-time Hg2+ detection. Beyond its practical implications, this research contributes fundamental insights into design principles for materials exhibiting heightened selectivity and sensitivity to heavy metal ions.

State Public Scientific and Technological Library of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the scientific and information space of the East of Russia

The scientific libraries participate in building the information and communication infrastructure being an integral part of the scientific, educational,socio-cultural and industrial complex of the region. The authors review in brief the evolution of the State Public Scientific and Technological Library of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SPSTL SB RAS) – the leading information and library center of Siberia in the context of changing scientific and educational environment.The Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, established in 1957, contributes to the active development of science in the east of the country. Implementing strategic objectives, among the priority measures the Branch heads laid the new system foundations of research information support, which met the demands of science development and the specific character of the institution activity within the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Big efforts to expand the network of libraries of research institutes were undertaken. The State Public Scientific Technological Library of the SB USSR AS, which began its activities in the region in 1958, was designed as the central library of the USSR SB AS (SB RAS). For 65 years, it has been providing information and methodological support for multidisciplinary research. The Library also acts as an institutional center in the library science, bibliography and bibliology, book history, and the largest library and information, cultural, educational, educational center, shaping the modern information, scientific, educational and cultural environment.

Exploring the Biological Pathways of Siderophores and Their Multidisciplinary Applications: A Comprehensive Review.

Siderophores are a class of small molecules renowned for their high iron binding capacity, essential for all life forms requiring iron. This article provides a detailed review of the diverse classifications, and biosynthetic pathways of siderophores, with a particular emphasis on siderophores synthesized via nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and non-NRPS pathways. We further explore the secretion mechanisms of siderophores in microbes and plants, and their role in regulating bioavailable iron levels. Beyond biological functions, the applications of siderophores in medicine, agriculture, and environmental sciences are extensively discussed. These applications include biological pest control, disease treatment, ecological pollution remediation, and heavy metal ion removal. Through a comprehensive analysis of the chemical properties and biological activities of siderophores, this paper demonstrates their wide prospects in scientific research and practical applications, while also highlighting current research gaps and potential future directions.

Salvaging Empire: Sovereignty, Natural Resources, and Environmental Science in the South Atlantic. By James J. A. Blair

Salvaging Empire: Sovereignty, Natural Resources, and Environmental Science in the South Atlantic. By James J. A. Blair

Teacher educators and environmental justice: conversations about education for environmental justice between science and geography teacher educators based in England and Brazil

AbstractWhile environmental education has been present in the field of education for decades now, only recently our particular subject areas of science and geography have started to pay more critical attention to specific concerns surrounding the intersection of environmental issues and social justice (also known as environmental justice) within the context of formal secondary education, including in secondary teacher education programmes. Drawing on scholarship, policy landscapes and socio-environmental concerns from both the global South and the global North, and on a methodological approach based on transnational collective reflection and collaborative-dialogic writing, in this article we delve into our different cultural, geographical and disciplinary contexts, views and experiences as four teacher educators from Brazil and England who have been working at this intersection between environmental justice and Science and Geography teacher education programmes for secondary formal education. Here we will argue that environmental justice needs to have a central role in such teacher education programmes if we aim to support young people and their teachers in navigating the spatially diverse and unequal impacts of environmental emergencies in global North and South communities. We also consider future directions for research and collaboration across national and disciplinary boundaries within the landscape of environmental education for environmental justice, reflecting on the future of teacher education across the global North and the global South when facing more frequent and severe environmental emergencies.

Maximizing the Impact of Research Featuring Nucleic-Acid Sequencing Methods in Environmental Science & Technology and Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

Maximizing the Impact of Research Featuring Nucleic-Acid Sequencing Methods in Environmental Science & Technology and Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

Position-specific carbon stable isotope analysis of glyphosate: isotope fingerprinting of molecules within a mixture.

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] is a widely used herbicide and a molecule of interest in the environmental sciences, due to its global use in agriculture and its potential impact on ecosystems. This study presents the first position-specific carbon isotope (13C/12C) analyses of glyphosates from multiple sources. In contrast to traditional isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), position-specific analysis provides 13C/12C ratios at individual carbon atom positions within a molecule, rather than an average carbon isotope ratio across a mixture or a specific compound. In this work, glyphosate in commercial herbicides was analyzed with only minimal purification, using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy method that detects 1H nuclei with bonds to either 13C or 12C, and isolates the signals of interest from other signals in the mixture. Results demonstrate that glyphosate from different sources can have significantly different intramolecular 13C/12C distributions, which were found to be spread over a wide range, with δ13C Vienna Peedee Belemnite (VPDB) values of -28.7 to -57.9‰. In each glyphosate, the carbon with a bond to the phosphorus atom was found to be depleted in 13C compared to the carbon at the C2 position, by 4 to 10‰. Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) was analyzed for method validation; AMPA contains only a single carbon position, so the 13C/12C results provided by the NMR method could be directly compared with traditional isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The glyphosate mixtures were also analyzed by IRMS to obtain their average 13C/12C ratios, for comparison with our position-specific results. This comparison revealed that the IRMS results significantly disguise the intramolecular isotope distribution. Finally, we introduce a 31P NMR method that can provide a position-specific 13C/12C ratio for carbon positions with a C-P chemical bond, and the results obtained by 1H and 31P for C3 carbon agree with one another within their analytical uncertainty. These analytical tools for position-specific carbon isotope analysis permit the isotopic fingerprinting of target molecules within a mixture, with potential applications in a range of fields, including the environmental sciences and chemical forensics.

Python tools for structural tasks in chemistry.

In recent decades, the use of computational approaches and artificial intelligence in the scientific environment has become more widespread. In this regard, the popular and versatile programming language Python has attracted considerable attention from scientists in the field of chemistry. It is used to solve a variety of chemical and structural problems, including calculating descriptors, molecular fingerprints, graph construction, and computing chemical reaction networks. Python offers high-quality visualization tools for analyzing chemical spaces and compound libraries. This review is a list of tools for the above tasks, including scripts, libraries, ready-made programs, and web interfaces. Inevitably this manuscript does not claim to be an all-encompassing handbook including all the existing Python-based structural chemistry codes. The review serves as a starting point for scientists wishing to apply automatization or optimization to routine chemistry problems.

Smart Sustainable Cities: a Meta-Analysis of Concepts and Discourses in the Literature

Objective: Establish a descriptive correlation between different concepts of Smart and Sustainable Cities, in terms of theoretical and empirical foundations and assumptions. Method: The analysis is mixed, using a Systematic Literature Review and the PSALSAR methodology - Protocol, Search, Appraisal, Syntesis, Analysis and Results. The searches were carried out on four international scientific databases and one national database, with an interdisciplinary focus, involving the areas of Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Sciences, Engineering and Energy. Research Significance: The idea of making cities smart and sustainable arises from looking for solutions in the places where the majority of the population is concentrated, along with the opportunities and threats to provide sustainable development. However, the concepts and structures relating to these cities are unclear, and there is still divergent discussion about which technologies have a positive impact on society and what their effects are on the sustainability of the planet. Results and Discussion: The approaches and discourses are aligned with the concept of sustainable development, but implementation in practice depends on government policies. Several counterpoints were found in the discourses analysed, including the fact that smart cities are not necessarily sustainable, and even in cities labelled as smart and sustainable, the lack of an environmental focus was highlighted.

Nanocrystal cellulose from diverse biological sources: Application and innovations

Cellulose is the most abundant renewable polymer on Earth which is extensively distributed in diverse ecosystems. It is present in higher plants, marine organisms, and also produced through microbial processes in organisms like algae, fungi, and bacteria. From an industrial perspective, the semicrystalline nature of cellulose present in different plant and microbial sources enables the fabrication of various types of nanocellulose, such as nanofibre and nanocrystals, through mechanical disintegration and chemical methods, respectively. Nanocellulose distinguishes itself as a sustainable, nonharmful, and biodegradable polymer. It will enable sustainable development for responsible consumption and production. Possessing a range of excellent properties, it can be seamlessly integrated into various materials. Research on nanocellulose is gaining momentum in response to current issues related to fossil fuels, including concerns about CO2 emissions, plastic pollution, and the need for renewable energy sources. This review addresses nanocrystals production method from cellulose found in agricultural, microbial sources, and its applications in fields such as materials science, electronics, medicine, and environmental science.

Advanced cellulose-based hydrogel TiO2 catalyst composites for efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic dye methylene blue

Sustainable cellulose-based hydrogels are used in medicine and environmental science. Hydrogels’ porosity makes them excellent adsorbents and stable substrates for immobilizing photocatalysts to remove organic dyes. Despite their potential, the implementation of hydrogels for this purpose is still limited due to their high synthesis temperature and low cellulose content. To overcome these challenges, this study develops cellulose-based hydrogels, which have a high cellulose content and can be easily synthesized under ambient conditions. Containing a higher cellulose concentration than previous hydrogels, the synthesized hydrogels are more stable and can be reused numerous times in treatment operations. The hydrogel properties were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. Scanning electronic microscopy revealed that TiO2 nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed throughout the hydrogel's matrices. In addition, transparent hydrogels allow light to pass through, making them suitable substrates to remove organic dye. The results showed that the hydrogel with TiO2 was able to degrade nearly 90% of organic dye within 180 min. Furthermore, the hydrogel with the embedded catalyst exhibits the potential for reusability with a regeneration efficiency of 80.01% after five runs. These findings suggest that this novel hydrogel is a promising candidate for water pollution remediation.