Natural Environmental Conditions Research Articles

Impacts of multiple temporal and spatial scale drought on grassland vegetation dynamics in the Tibetan Plateau region of China, 1982–2015

The Tibetan Plateau is a sensitive area to global climate change, and the special natural environmental conditions have nurtured extremely fragile vegetation and its ecosystems, making it one of the ideal regions to study the response of vegetation to climate change. In this study, we used the drought index (SPEI) and the vegetation index (NDVI) as drought and green indicators, respectively. The spatial and temporal variation patterns of vegetation greenness on the Tibetan Plateau from 1982 to 2015 were analysed, and the response of vegetation greenness to dry and wet changes was investigated. The results showed that the grassland vegetation improved overall (slope = 0.00015, P < 0.05) and degraded locally during 34 years. The NDVI of grassland vegetation showed an increasing trend from 1982 to 2008 (slope = 0.00005, P = 0.86), and a significant decreasing trend from 2009 to 2015 (slope = −0.002, P < 0.05). The degraded areas of grassland NDVI were mainly distributed in wet areas. Meanwhile, the Tibetan Plateau as a whole showed a non-significant trend of increasing drought, with a mitigating trend of drought in dry areas and an increasing trend of drought in wet areas. The probability of vegetation growth loss was higher with increasing drought. The vulnerability of grassland vegetation to drought events was significantly higher in the humid region than in the arid region. Under the current drought intensification, the risk of loss of grassland vegetation to drought in the humid zone will increase. This suggests that we need to pay more attention to the stability of vegetation in the humid region and drought trends.

Effect of zeatin and casein hydrolysate on in vitro asymbiotic germination of immature seeds of Vanilla planifolia Jacks ex Andrews (Orchidaceae)

The germination of Vanilla planifolia seeds under natural environmental conditions is very low (0.1 %) because of specific mycorrhizal requirements. Therefore, the species is typically propagated spending vegetative using stem cuttings. Thus, all cultivated plants are genetically identical and susceptible to multiple abiotic and biotic stressors. Artificial propagation from seeds is difficult for most terrestrial orchids native to temperate regions, and V. planifolia is no exception. As propagation from the seeds of this species has low success rates, in this study, an effective reproducible protocol for the in vitro asymbiotic germination of Vanilla planifolia seeds was established. For this purpose, the effects of three asymbiotic culture media on seed germination and seedling development of Vanilla planifolia [Murashige and Skoog (MS), Vacin and Went (VW), Knudson ‘C’ (KC)] were tested, two zeatin concentrations (Z = 0.25 and 0.50 mg L−1), two concentrations of casein hydrolysate (CH=50 and 500 mg L−1), and two combinations of these (Z = 0.25 mg L−1 + CH=250 mg L−1) and (Z = 0.50 mg L−1 + CH=500 mg L−1). The highest germination rate (74.5%) was recorded for the treatment with MS salts at a quarter strength supplemented with 500 mg L−1 of CH. All the seeds that germinated under this treatment showed high survival and vigorous seedling growth. In contrast, in the treatment with MS salts at a quarter strength supplemented with combination of CH and Z (CH=500 mg L−1 + Z = 0.50 mg L−1) resulted in the production of calluses (53 %).

Photochemical fate of nonionic polyacrylamide induced by hydroxyl radicals in the natural water: Mineralization mechanism exploration and half-life time evaluation

Water-soluble polyacrylamide (PAM) compounds have been used extensively in various sectors. The abundance of PAM in the environment raises concerns about its environmental impact. However, the mineralization of PAM in water under natural light irradiation remains insufficiently explored. This study utilizes nonionic PAM (nPAM) as a representative model to investigate both the mechanism and efficiency of nPAM degradation in water when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the hydroxyl radical source. In the dark or with only UVA irradiation, negligible mineralization of nPAM occurred. In contrast, the presence of hydroxyl radicals (produced by the UVA/H2O2 system) produced 50 % nPAM mineralization over 7 days under our experimental conditions. The corresponding molecular weight (MW) of the nPAM was swiftly reduced from 1.58 ×106 Da to 1.59 ×103 Da in 3 days. Moreover, five carboxylic acids and nitrate ions were identified as the photodegradation intermediates of nPAM. The efficiencies of nPAM photodegradation by the UVA/H2O2 system in different natural waters and environmental conditions were assessed. The rate constant for the reaction between the hydroxyl radical and nPAM was 2.17 ×109 M-unit−1 s−1. The half-lives of nPAM in the sea and continental surface waters were determined to be several years and dozens of days, respectively. The application of UVB obviously accelerated the mineralization of nPAM in ultrapure water (71 % degradation in 7 days). Moreover, mineralization of concentrated nPAM (200 mg/L) in sea water was more efficient when both UVA- and UVB-activated H2O2 were used. Additionally, toxic acrylamide was not generated during nPAM photodegradation. Moreover, the photodegradation intermediates from nPAM were found to be neither acutely nor chronically toxic to aquatic organisms. This comprehensive study sheds light on the photochemical fate of nPAM in natural waters and provides essential insight for practical treatment of PAM in water systems.

Livelihood Options and Agrobiodiversity in Mountain Settlements of Manang District

Mountain ecosystems are experiencing rapid changes in natural environmental conditions and human activities including tourism and development activities. And such factors have substantial impacts on the livelihood of mountain people. Increasing road networks towards the rural settlements have increased the availability of goods and services from the nearby markets, thereby contributing to shifting away from traditional agricultural practices in the rural mountain settlements in Nepal. In this study, we sought to analyze the impact of tourism on agrobiodiversity and livelihood strategies in different villages of Manang with different level of tourist flow; low at Naar, moderate at Ngawal/Khangsar and high at Manang Nysyang. We used semi-quantitative field inventory data to compare diversity on agricultural plant species and livelihood options in these valleys. The study involved 72 households including 16 in Naar village, 26 in Ngawal/Khangsar and 30 in Upper Manang (Nysyang). We have confirmed a total of 60 species of agrobiodiversity in these mountain settlements (excluding microorganisms), with the minimum diversity at Naar Village with 28 species, and with maximum diversity in Upper Manang (51 species). The total number of species under agrobiodiversity is very poor in the mountain settlements of Manang which forms less than 1% of total agricultural species (60/6618) in Nepal. The poor agrobiodiversity in Manang is highly threatened due to various natural and anthropogenic drivers. We believe that our findings will be highly instrumental while making plans and policies for conservation of regional agrobiodiversity in context of changing climate and intensified human activities.

A spectrophotometric analysis of extracted water-soluble phenolic metabolites of lichens

Main conclusionRainwater most probably constitutes a relatively effective solvent for lichen substances in nature which have the potential to provide for human and environmental needs in the future.The aims were (i) to test the hypothesis on the potential solubility of lichen phenolic compounds using rainwater under conditions that partly reflect the natural environment and (ii) to propose new and effective methods for the water extraction of lichen substances. The results of spectrophotometric analyses of total phenolic metabolites in rainwater-based extracts from epigeic and epiphytic lichens, employing the Folin–Ciocalteu (F.–C.) method, are presented. The water solvent was tested at three pH levels: natural, 3, and 9. Extraction methods were undertaken from two perspectives: the partial imitation of natural environmental conditions and the potential use of extraction for economic purposes. From an ecological perspective, room-temperature water extraction (‘cold’ method) was used for 10-, 60-, and 120-min extraction periods. A variant of water extraction at analogous time intervals was an ‘insolation’ with a 100W light bulb to simulate the heat energy of the sun. For economic purposes, the water extraction method used the Soxhlet apparatus and its modified version, the ‘tea-extraction’ method (‘hot’ ones). The results showed that those extractions without an external heat source were almost ineffective, but insolation over 60- and 120-min periods proved to be more effective. Both tested ‘hot’ methods also proved to be effective, especially the ‘tea-extraction’ one. Generally, an increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds in water extracts resulted from an increasing solvent pH. The results show the probable involvement of lichen substances in biogeochemical processes in nature and their promising use for a variety of human necessities.

Fuzzy evaluation and obstacle factors of urban ecological health changes in the Wei River Basin, northwest China

BackgroundUrban ecological health is crucial for the long-term sustainable development of watershed. Accurately evaluating the health level of the ecological environment helps to develop reasonable strategies for ecological environment restoration and resource management. This paper constructed a comprehensive evaluation index system based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework and evaluated the ecological health of eleven administrative regions in the Wei River Basin (WRB), northwest China in 1980, 2000, and 2020 using an evaluation model established by fuzzy mathematics. Further, obstacle degrees were used to quantify the contribution of pressure, state, and response modules, as well as individual indicators to ecological health.ResultsThe comprehensive evaluation system constructed based on the PSR framework could effectively reflect the ecological health conditions of different regions in the WRB. During the study period, the ecological health went through a process of first deterioration and then improvement. By 2020, the ecological health of seven administrative regions reached healthy levels. The state module was the main obstacle module of the PSR framework to the ecological health of the most regions. The population density (P1), patch density of construction land (S5), comprehensive elasticity index (S8), soil erosion index (R1), and per capital GDP (R3) were the most crucial individual indicators affecting the ecological health. For different cities, the main obstacle factors varied. In economically developed cities, the limiting effect of P1 was more significant, while in economically underdeveloped cities, the limiting effect of R3 was stronger.ConclusionsIn response to the special natural environment and socio-economic conditions of arid and semi-arid areas in the WRB, an ecological health evaluation index system suitable for the characteristics of the basin was constructed. The results indicated that, to improve the levels of urban ecological health, it is necessary to restore the natural ecological environment and control population size while accelerating economic construction. Our results can provide scientific support for the ecological health evaluation and protection of the WRB and even the arid and semi-arid areas in northwest China.

The Dynamic Change in the Reliability Function Level in a Selected Fire Alarm System during a Fire.

This article discusses fundamental issues associated with the functional reliability of selected fire alarm systems (FASs) in operation during building fires. FASs operate under diverse external or internal natural environmental conditions, and the operational process of FAS should take into account the impacts of physical phenomena that occur during fires. Their operation is associated with the constant provision of reliability. FAS designers should also consider the system's reliability when developing fire control matrices, tables, algorithms, or scenarios. All functions arising from an FAS control matrix should be implemented with a permissible reliability level, RDPN(t), prior to, as well as during, a fire. This should be assigned to the controls saved in the fire alarm control unit (FCP). This article presents the process by which high temperatures generated during a fire impact the reliability of FAS functioning. It was developed considering selected critical paths for a specific scenario and the control matrix for an FAS. Such assumptions make it possible to determine the impact of various temperatures generated during a fire on the reliability of an FAS. To this end, the authors reviewed that the waveform of the R(t) function changes for a given FAS over time, Δt, and then determined the fitness paths. The critical paths are located within the fire detection and suppression activation process, using FAS or fixed extinguishing devices (FEDs), and the paths were modeled with acceptable and unacceptable technical states. The last section of this article defines a model and graph for the operational process of a selected FAS, the analysis of which enables conclusions to be drawn that can be employed in the design and implementation stages.

Analysis of composition and molecular characterization of mycobiota occurring on surface of cheese ripened in Dossena's mine

Accurate identification of the fungal community spontaneously colonizing food products, aged in natural and not controlled environments, provides information about potential mycotoxin risk associated with its consumption.Autochthonous mycobiota colonizing cheese aging in Dossena mines, was investigated and characterized by two approaches: microbial isolations and metabarcoding. Microbial isolations and metabarcoding analysis were conducted on cheese samples, obtained by four batches, produced in four different seasons of the year, aged for 90 and 180 days, by five dairy farms. The two approaches, with different taxonomical resolution power, highlighted Penicillium biforme among filamentous fungi, collected from 58 out of 68 cheeses, and Debaryomyces hansenii among yeasts, as the most abundant species (31 ÷ 65%), none representing a health risk for human cheese consumption. Shannon index showed that the richness of mycobiota increases after 180 days of maturation. Beta diversity analysis highlighted significant differences in composition of mycobiota of cheese produced by different dairy farms and aged for different durations. Weak negative growth interaction between P. biforme and Aspergillus westerdijkiae by in vitro analysis was observed leading to hypothesize that a reciprocal control is possible, also affected by natural environmental conditions, possibly disadvantageous for the last species.

Здоровье населения российской Арктики: проблемы, вызовы и пути их решения

Significant lagging of the Arctic regions of Russia from the all-Russian values of life expectancy and mortality rates of people of working age is noted at the highest state level as one of the main threats to the socio-economic development of the Russian Arctic and ensuring its national security. This lag is largely due to the negative impact of extreme natural and climatic environmental conditions on the health of the population working and living in the Arctic. The presented article is aimed at systematizing the problems and challenges associated with the impact of the harsh natural and climatic conditions of the Arctic on the health of the population living there, as well as finding ways to adapt the public administration system to these challenges. Based on a critical analysis of scientific literature and official statistical information, the paper identifies the health features and the process of adaptation to the natural and climatic conditions of the Arctic for different groups of the Arctic population: indigenous, old-timers and newcomers. The authors have substantiated that the most vulnerable group of the population, whose health is most negatively affected by the extreme natural and climatic conditions of the Arctic, are migrants. On the basis of generalization of problems and peculiarities of public health of the Arctic population and systematization of the experience of previous scientific research, the directions of adaptation of the public administration system of the Arctic regions to the existing challenges have been developed. These directions are based on a differentiated approach to various groups of the Arctic population: indigenous, old-timers and newcomers. According to the authors, the implementation of the directions presented in the article, as well as the creation of the most favorable socio-economic living conditions, can compensate for physiological losses and improve the health indicators of Arctic residents.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Sodium-Silicate-Induced Resistance against Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 in Potato

Stem canker and black scurf of potatoes, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, are economically important diseases. Although the field application of sodium silicate has been shown to improve potato’s resistance against R. solani, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we examined this resistance using transcriptomic analysis. Potato stems inoculated with R. solani were treated with sodium silicate, while a control group received no sodium silicate treatment. The plants were grown under natural environmental conditions at the farm of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Potato stems were sampled 4, 8, and 12 days after treatment. Total RNA was extracted using the TRIzol reagent and transformed into cDNA. The cDNA was sequenced, the reads were aligned, and the expression levels of genes were quantified and compared between the treated and control groups. A total of 1491 genes were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Furthermore, these DEGs were found to be involved in hydrolase activity, plant–pathogen interactions, hormone signal transduction, and the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway. To confirm the up- and down-regulation of DEGs, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed on randomly selected genes. The results showed that the application of sodium silicate induces a complex defense network in potato plants involving physical barriers, innate immunity, phytohormone signaling, and various phenylpropanoid compounds to combat R. solani infection. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sodium-silicate-induced resistance and its potential for reducing stem canker and black scurf in potato crops.

Total Soluble Protein Mediated Morphological Traits in Mustard Treated with Thiourea and Salicylic Acid

The total soluble protein-mediated morphological traits in mustard treated with Thiourea and Salicylic acid were investigated. In addition, it tested the hypothesis that the growth regulator salicylic acid protects the photosynthetic apparatus by up-regulating morphological traits. Under natural environmental conditions, seeds were sown in the field, and seed emergence was recorded. For three days after the 15-day stage, plants in the area were treated with thiourea and salicylic acid and allowed to grow for 90 days. Plants were harvested to assess various morphological traits. A follow-up application of SA and Thiourea plants improved plant height, leaf area, internodal length, leaf number, and accelerated plant activity. The up-regulation of morphological traits may have occurred in SA and Thiourea-mediated plants. After treatments, the level of total soluble protein was estimated in the leaves at proposed day intervals.

Comparison of two different experimental environments for resistance screenings for the leafhopper-transmitted wheat dwarf virus in wheat

Wheat dwarf virus (WDV) causes high yield losses in wheat and other cereals and is therefore an important pathogen transmitted by the leafhopper Psammotettix alienus. Climate change will increase infections by insect-transmitted viruses due to the increasing spread of vectors. In the context of integrated pest management, the cultivation of WDV-resistant/tolerant varieties is an effective way of controlling WDV. Evaluation of tolerant/resistant genotypes is based on inoculation with viruliferous leafhoppers and subsequent phenotyping in gauze houses under semi-field conditions. For successful screening, it is important to ensure the uniform and reproducible inoculation of plants. Abiotic conditions, particularly temperature, have a critical influence on inoculation success, and thus, variations in infection rates were observed within and between previous replicates in the field. Furthermore, the leafhopper population reared in the greenhouse has to be reestablished after each infection, which delays the screening process. We addressed these issues by developing an improved inoculation assay in which plants are inoculated in small infection hoods in the greenhouse before being planted out in gauze houses. This procedure allows optimal environmental conditions for WDV infection of test plants and allows the plants with WDV infection to develop under natural environmental conditions for symptom scoring. In addition, the viruliferous leafhoppers were recollected from the test plants after infection, allowing a sustainable use of the insects. The method thus enables more reliable phenotyping by increasing infection success and testing a greater number of genotypes in a shorter time.

Research on the Resistance Performance and Damage Deterioration Model of Fiber-Reinforced Gobi Aggregate Concrete.

Concrete prepared using Gobi sand and gravel instead of ordinary sand and gravel is referred to as Gobi concrete. In order to explore the effect of fibers on the frost resistance of Gobi concrete, as well as to enhance the service life of Gobi aggregate concrete in Northwest China, experiments were conducted with fiber types (polypropylene fibers, basalt fibers, polypropylene-basalt fibers) and fiber volume fractions (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%) as variable parameters. This study investigated the surface morphology, mass loss rate, and relative dynamic elastic modulus of fiber-reinforced Gobi concrete after different freeze-thaw cycles (0, 25, 50, 75, 100). Corresponding frost damage deterioration models were proposed. The results indicate that fibers have a favorable effect on the anti-peeling performance, mass loss rate, and dynamic elastic modulus of Gobi aggregate concrete. The improvement levels of different fiber types are in the following order: 0.1% basalt-polypropylene fibers, 0.2% polypropylene fibers, and 0.3% basalt fibers. Compared to Gobi concrete exposed to natural environmental conditions, the freeze-thaw cycle numbers increased by 343, 79, and 69 times, respectively. A quadratic polynomial damage model for fiber-reinforced Gobi concrete, using relative dynamic elastic modulus as the damage variable, was established and demonstrated good predictive performance.

Studying foraging behavior to improve bait sprays application to control Drosophila suzukii

BackgroundForaging behavior in insects is optimised for locating scattered resources in a complex environment. This behavior can be exploited for use in pest control. Inhibition of feeding can protect crops whereas stimulation can increase the uptake of insecticides. For example, the success of a bait spray, depends on either contact or ingestion, and thus on the insect finding it.MethodsTo develop an effective bait spray against the invasive pest, Drosophila suzukii, we investigated aspects of foraging behavior that influence the likelihood that the pest interacts with the baits, in summer and winter morphotypes. We video-recorded the flies’ approach behavior towards four stimuli in a two-choice experiment on strawberry leaflets. To determine the most effective bait positioning, we also assessed where on plants the pest naturally forages, using a potted raspberry plant under natural environmental conditions. We also studied starvation resistance at 20 °C and 12 °C for both morphs.ResultsWe found that summer morph flies spent similar time on all baits (agar, combi-protec, yeast) whereas winter morphs spent more time on yeast than the other baits. Both morphs showed a preference to feed at the top of our plant’s canopy. Colder temperatures enhanced survival under starvation conditions in both morphs, and mortality was reduced by food treatment.ConclusionsThese findings on feeding behavior support informed decisions on the type and placement of a bait to increase pest control.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INDICATORS OF FACTORS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE WORLD COUNTRIES ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INDICATORS OF FACTORS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE WORLD COUNTRIES ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

Tailoring electrospun nanocomposite fibers of polylactic acid for seamless methylene blue dye adsorption applications.

The introduction of biopolymers, which are sustainable and green materials, desegregated nature's water purification proficiency with science and technology, opens a new sustainable methodology in water reclamation. In order to introduce an efficacious adsorbent system for MB dye-toxic pollutant, adsorption, providing robust mechanical properties and facile processability, a facile system was introduced via electrospinning utilizing polylactic acid (PLA) and Ti3C2Tx, viz., PMX. The addition of 3 wt.% Ti3C2Tx led to a 3-fold substantial augmentation in the uptake capacity of the membrane from 197.28 to 307 mg/g when the adsorbate concentration was 100 ppm. The adsorption followed a PSO behavior, proposing that the rate-limiting stage is chemisorption and data best fitted to Freundlich isotherm, indicating heterogeneous adsorption sites and multi-layer adsorption. Further, biodegradability was studied by simulating natural environmental conditions where the nanofibers exhibited 42-64% degradation after 270 days. Based on the result with PLA, it is anticipated that the prepared fibrous system will introduce a new perspective as a potential candidate for MB removal from wastewater, opening new directions toward the research and development in wastewater treatment with electrospun biopolymer fibers using waste PLA.

Analysis and Zonation of Freeze–Thaw Action in the Chinese Plateau Region Considering Spatiotemporal Climate Characteristics

Concerns about the durability of transportation infrastructure due to freeze–thaw (F–T) cycles are particularly significant in the Chinese plateau region, where concrete aging and performance deterioration pose substantial challenges. The current national standards for the frost resistance design of concrete structures are based predominantly on the coldest monthly average temperature and do not adequately address the comprehensive effects of the spatiotemporal variance, amplitude, and frequency of F–T cycles. To address this issue, this study introduced a spatiotemporal distribution model to analyze the long-term impact of F–T action on concrete structures by employing statistical analysis and spatial interpolation techniques. Cluster analysis was applied to create a nationwide zonation of F–T action level from data on the freezing temperature, temperature difference, and the number of F–T cycles. Furthermore, this study explored the similarity between natural environmental conditions and laboratory-accelerated tests using hydraulic pressure and cumulative damage theories. A visualization platform that incorporates tools for meteorological data queries, environmental characteristic analyses, and F–T action similarity calculations was designed. This research lays theoretical groundwork and provides technical guidance for assessing service life and enhancing the quantitative durability design of concrete structures in the Chinese plateau region.

Environmental and seed-position effects on viability and germination of buried seeds of an invasive diaspore-heteromorphic annual grass.

Environmental factors, such as temperature and moisture, and plant factors, such as seed position on the mother plant, can affect seed viability and germination. However, little is known about the viability and germination of seeds in different positions on the mother plant after burial in soil under natural environmental conditions. Here, diaspores from three positions on a compound spike and seeds from two/three positions in a diaspore of the invasive diaspore-heteromorphic annual grass Aegilops tauschii were buried at four depths for more than 2 years (1-26 months) under natural conditions and viability and germination monitored monthly. Viability of seeds in each diaspore/seed position decreased as burial depth and duration increased and was associated with changes in soil temperature and moisture. Germination was highest at 2 cm and lowest at 10 cm soil depths, with peaks and valleys in autumn/spring and winter/summer, respectively. Overall, seeds in distal diaspore and distal seed positions had higher germination percentages than those in basal diaspore and basal seed positions, but basal ones lived longer than distal ones. Chemical content of fresh diaspores/seeds was related to diaspore/seed position effects on seed germination and viability during burial. We conclude that seeds in distal diaspores/seed positions have a 'high risk' strategy and those in basal positions a 'low risk' strategy. The two risk strategies may act as a bet-hedging strategy that spreads risks of germination failure in the soil seed bank over time, thereby facilitating the survival and invasiveness of A. tauschii.

EVALUATING THE PLA AGING EFFECTS ON THE MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF 3D-PRINTED COMPONENTS

The aging influence on the mechanical performance of bio-degradable polymers holds significant importance in additive manufacturing, particularly in structural applications. Understanding the changes in mechanical properties over time is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability and reliability of polymer-based structures. Thus, this study aims to comprehensively evaluate the effects of aging on polylactic acid (PLA) by analyzing its failure mechanisms of 3D-printed samples subjected to compression load. To achieve this goal, specimens of PLA were exposed to natural environmental conditions for varying periods. Subsequently, the mechanical characteristics of the additively produced component were assessed after each exposure, providing valuable insights into its performance at different stages of aging. By quantifying the material’s ability to withstand applied forces, the study enables the prediction of its long-term structural integrity. In addition, the investigation of failure mechanisms aids in understanding the modes of failure that PLA may undergo as it ages. This knowledge is essential for developing strategies to prevent structural failures and enhance the overall reliability of PLA-based applications. The findings contribute to advancing the field of additive manufacturing, enabling PLA’s sustainable and reliable application in various industries.

EVALUATING THE PLA AGING EFFECTS ON THE MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF 3D-PRINTED COMPONENTS

The aging influence on the mechanical performance of bio-degradable polymers holds significant importance in additive manufacturing, particularly in structural applications. Understanding the changes in mechanical properties over time is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability and reliability of polymer-based structures. Thus, this study aims to comprehensively evaluate the effects of aging on polylactic acid (PLA) by analyzing its failure mechanisms of 3D-printed samples subjected to compression load. To achieve this goal, specimens of PLA were exposed to natural environmental conditions for varying periods. Subsequently, the mechanical characteristics of the additively produced component were assessed after each exposure, providing valuable insights into its performance at different stages of aging. By quantifying the material’s ability to withstand applied forces, the study enables the prediction of its long-term structural integrity. In addition, the investigation of failure mechanisms aids in understanding the modes of failure that PLA may undergo as it ages. This knowledge is essential for developing strategies to prevent structural failures and enhance the overall reliability of PLA-based applications. The findings contribute to advancing the field of additive manufacturing, enabling PLA’s sustainable and reliable application in various industries.