Optimal Environmental Conditions Research Articles

Biodegradation of Plastic Wastes in Soil: A Review on Testing and Evaluation Procedures

The recalcitrant behaviour of plastic creates an acute pollution on soil and aquatic biota. The plastic polymer synthesised from petroleum takes several hundred years to degrade. During excavation activities on the lands within or at the outskirts of urban limits, single use plastic wrappers and bags that were buried long ago, can be found in large quantities. Researchers have already identified the potentiality of microorganisms to biodegrade the plastic polymers. These microorganisms utilise plastic as a sole source of carbon and mineralise them into carbon dioxide under optimum environmental conditions. This paper provides a brief review on the biodegradation studies carried out by various researchers, spectra of microorganisms identified with the potential to degrade various polymeric substances, methods of testing and evaluations in order to quantify the effectiveness of degradation, their shortfalls and risks involved in implementing bioremediation technique in the field. A review on other related aspects that are deemed to be relevant to this topic are also discussed.

A new conceptual model for understanding and predicting life-threatening rainfall extremes

The motivation of our study is to provide forecasters and users complementary guidance and tools to identify and predict atmospheric conditions that could lead to life-threatening flash floods. Using hourly and sub-hourly rainfall datasets, proximity radiosondes, ERA5 reanalysis of extreme rainfall events in the UK during 2000–2020, and case studies in 2021, we observe a three-layered atmospheric structure, consisting of Moist Absolute Unstable Layers (MAULs) embedded in a conditional unstable layer sandwiched between a stable upper layer and a near-stable low layer. Based on our analysis, we propose a conceptual model to describe the atmospheric properties of a ‘rainfall extreme’ environment, with a particular focus on the thermodynamics associated with sub-hourly rainfall production processes. We then set this model within a wider framework to describe the precursor synoptic and mesoscale environments necessary for sub-hourly rainfall extremes in the mid-latitudes. We show that evolution of the Omega block and Rex Vortex couplet provides the optimal environmental conditions for sub-hourly rainfall extremes. These results provide the potential to develop a ‘4-stage’ warning system to assist in the identification and forecasting of life threatening short-duration extreme rainfall intensities and flash floods.

The effect of different sowing depth on the yield and yield-forming elements of maize

On a global scale, maize is an important food, feed and industrial crop, with an increasing production area (Nagy, 2007 and 2021). Among the environmental impacts, extreme weathering factors caused by climate change are causing serious problems for crop stability, and maize is no exception. Precision farming is today's most innovative agrotechnical approach, which can greatly increase crop safety and reduce costs by exploiting the genetic potential of our soils and the hybrids we use (Torres, 2012). Sowing is one of the most important agrotechnical elements, and with good seeding we can ensure that we have all the requirements of a high yielding, high growing crop (Pepó, 2019). In the case of sowing, it is important to place the seed in moist soil to provide the optimum environmental conditions for the crop to ensure uniform emergence (Széles et al., 2020; Shrestha et al., 2018). Precision planting is the market leading technology in precision planters in the United States, and when cooperating with them we looked for methods to optimise the depth of sowing and to monitor the effect on yield by studying the initial development of the plants. The seeder was equipped with the company's SmartFirmer soil scanner integrated into the seed drill. Automatic seed depth adjustment based on soil moisture is an exceptional solution for uniform emergence and drought protection.

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

AbstractWheat 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.

Potential of Cold-Water Agriculture (ColdAg) in Mexico: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Food Production

To guarantee sustainable development at a global level, humanity currently faces serious challenges related to a greater demand and better distribution of food to meet the needs of the growing population in environments affected by global climate change (GCC), and in limiting conditions with respect to natural, genetic, financial, and technological resources. Therefore, there is a dire need to implement technologies that can guarantee food security and sovereignty around the world, enabling sustainable development for all nations. Cold-Water Agriculture (ColdAg) is an available technology that offers an alternative to conventional food production in coastal areas and islands of the tropical and subtropical belts worldwide, making use of cold deep ocean water. Mexico has places with the optimal environmental conditions to adapt this technology, mainly in coastal areas and islands, which can contribute to ensuring access to food and drinking water. Initial tests have shown its viability, while production costs need to be adjusted to make this technology accessible to the poorest populations, so that it can contribute to their sustainable development and wealth. In this review article, we aimed to critically analyze some of the most salient literature on the ColdAg technology and outline the feasibility of this technology to be implemented and exploited in Mexico to contribute to alternative food production in a sustainable manner.

Dual-role regulator of a novel miR-3040 in photoperiod-mediated wing dimorphism and wing development in green peach aphid.

Wing dimorphism is regarded as an important phenotypic plasticity involved in the migration and reproduction of aphids. However, the signal transduction and regulatory mechanism of wing dimorphism in aphids are still unclear. Herein, the optimal environmental conditions were first explored for inducing winged offspring of green peach aphid, and the short photoperiod was the most important environmental cue to regulate wing dimorphism. Compared to 16 L:8 D photoperiod, the proportion of winged offspring increased to 90% under 8 L:16 D photoperiod. Subsequently, 5 differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in aphids treated with long and short photoperiods were identified using small RNA sequencing, and a novel miR-3040 was identified as a vital miRNA involved in photoperiod-mediated wing dimorphism. More specifically, the inhibition of miR-3040 expression could reduce the proportion of winged offspring induced by short photoperiod, whereas its activation increased the proportion of winged offspring under long photoperiod. Meanwhile, the expression level of miR-3040 in winged aphids was about 2.5 times that of wingless aphids, and the activation or inhibition of miR-3040 expression could cause wing deformity, revealing the dual-role regulator of miR-3040 in wing dimorphism and wing development. In summary, the current study identified the key environmental cue for wing dimorphism in green peach aphid, and the first to demonstrate the dual-role regulator of miR-3040 in photoperiod-mediated wing dimorphism and wing development.

Consumption of Energy and AB Mix Nutrition in A Controlled Verticulture Hydroponic Applications of Curly Red and Green Lettuce

The green lettuce and Curly red lettuce have a high potential to be developed as commercial crops on limited land with verticulture cultivation system. The use of this cultivation system must be supported by adequate nutrients and water in addition to optimal environmental conditions. By using the vertical hydroponic plant cultivation method will increase the growth of Curly red and green lettuce plants. The method used is an experimental method and the data is processed using polynomial analysis method and descriptive method. The observation parameters in this study consisted of main parameters (flow rate, power requirement, energy requirement, and water pressure calculation). In addition, supporting parameters were evaluated including plant height, leaf count, fresh weight of plants, plant productivity, and harvest yield. Data were analyzed using descriptive and regression methods. The power requirement used from the initial stage of transplanting to harvest is 640.8 W. The total energy requirement used from the initial planting process to the harvest process is 2563.2 Wh. The average AB mix requirement of each stage of plant is 972.0 ppm; 1231.9 ppm; 1158.1 ppm; 1092.4 ppm. Flow rate is directly proportional to temperature; if the temperature increases, the flow rate for nutrients will increase, and if the temperature decreases, the flow rate will decrease for the fertigation system. Keywords: Energy, Hydroponic, Lettuce, Nutrition, Verticulture cultivation.

In vitro, in planta, and comparative genomic analyses of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae strains of pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum).

Pseudomonas leaf spot (PLS) caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) causes significant losses to the pepper industry. Highly virulent Pss strains under optimal environmental conditions (cool-moderate temperatures, high moisture) can cause severe necrotic lesions on pepper leaves that consequently can decrease pepper yield if the disease persists. Hence, it is important to understand the virulence mechanisms of Pss to be able to effectively control PLS in peppers. In our study, in vitro, in planta, and whole-genome sequence analyses were conducted to better understand the virulence and pathogenicity characteristics of Pss strains in peppers. Our findings fill a knowledge gap regarding potential virulence and pathogenicity characteristics of Pss in peppers, including virulence and antimicrobial gene content. Our study helps pave a path to further identify the role of specific virulence genes in causing disease in peppers, which can have implications in developing strategies to effectively control PLS in peppers.

Effect of temperature and spawning agents on wild female asp (Leuciscus aspius) reproductive efficiency under controlled conditions

Artificial reproduction is a bottleneck to produce stocking material for many species of freshwater fish. One of these species is the asp, Leuciscus aspius. Research in the field of artificial reproduction of this species is very scarce and often incomplete. There are no breeding protocols specifying optimal environmental conditions and hormonal stimulation for many species of rheophilic cyprinids, including asp. Since the number of natural asp populations is constantly decreasing, it is important to support natural stocks by restocking with high quality stocking material. For this reason, optimized protocols are needed to breed this species under controlled conditions to produce stocking material with high biodiversity and good health. Such an approach will make it possible to maintain the population of natural asp at a constant level. The aim of this study was to develop the protocol of asp artificial reproduction using optimized thermal conditions and appropriate hormonal stimulation. In experiment I, the influence of constant temperature (10.0, 12.0 and 14.0 °C) on the effectiveness of artificial reproduction of asp. In experiment II, the effectiveness of asp reproduction was checked after the application of spawning agents: Ovopel, Ovaprim or a combination of these two agents The obtained results indicate that for the final maturation of oocytes (FOM) and artificial reproduction of asp in controlled conditions, water temperatures of 10–12 °C are the most useful. Under these thermal conditions, the highest percentages of female’s ovulation and embryo survival, as well as the percentage of hatching, were obtained. Hormone injections are necessary to perform final oocyte maturation (FOM) in female asp in captivity. All spawning agents used were especially useful for artificial reproduction of asp, however, the best values of the studied indices, such as ovulation rate and embryo survival, were obtained after the application of Ovaprim or the combination of Ovopel and Ovaprim in water temperature at a range of 10–12 °C. It was found that the pH of ovarian fluid may be a preliminary indicator of the biological quality of eggs in asps. The optimal pH value is 8.0–8.4. At pH below 7.4, no viable embryos were observed.

Aquaculture Monitoring and Control System Based On IOT

- This project offers a comprehensive solution for monitoring and regulating aquaculture conditions using cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) technology. By leveraging ESP8266 NodeMCU and Arduino UNO, alongside a range of sensors including the DS18B20 waterproof temperature sensor, water level sensor, and turbidity sensor, it ensures real-time monitoring of vital parameters in aquatic environments. Precise control of water circulation and management is made possible through the integration of motor drivers with submersible pumps. The Blynk App serves as the user-friendly control interface, granting remote access and management of water pumps. Meanwhile, sensor data is continuously collected and displayed on ThingSpeak, offering consumers valuable insights into the current state of their aquaculture setup. This project harnesses IoT technology to enhance aquaculture management efficiency and productivity, while also ensuring optimal environmental conditions for aquatic life. Its modular design enables scalability and customization, catering to various aquaculture configurations and settings. Key Words: Arduino UNO, Sensors, Motor Driver, Wifi Module, ThingSpeak, IOT, Aquaculture, Blynk App.

Leaf functional traits and ecological niche of Fagus grandifolia and Oreomunnea mexicana in natural forests and plantings as a proxy of climate change.

Functional traits reflect species' responses to environmental variation and the breadth of their ecological niches. Fagus grandifolia and Oreomunnea mexicana have restricted distribution in upper montane cloud forests (1700-2000 m a.s.l.) in Mexico. These species were introduced into plantings at lower elevations (1200-1600 m a.s.l.) that have climates predicted for montane forests in 2050 and 2070. The aim was to relate morphological leaf traits to the ecological niche structure of each species. Leaf functional traits (leaf area, specific leaf area [SLA], thickness, and toughness) were analyzed in forests and plantings. Atmospheric circulation models and representative concentration pathways (RCPs: 2.6, 4.5, 8.5) were used to assess future climate conditions. Trait-niche relationships were analyzed by measuring the Mahalanobis distance (MD) from the forests and the plantings to the ecological niche centroid (ENC). For both species, leaf area and SLA were higher and toughness lower in plantings at lower elevation relative to those in higher-elevation forests, and thickness was similar. Leaf traits varied with distance from sites to the ENC. Forests and plantings have different environmental locations regarding the ENC, but forests are closer (MD 0.34-0.58) than plantings (MD 0.50-0.70) for both species. Elevation as a proxy for expected future climate conditions influenced the functional traits of both species, and trait patterns related to the structure of their ecological niches were consistent. The use of distances to the ENC is a promising approach to explore variability in species' functional traits and phenotypic responses in optimal versus marginal environmental conditions.

Clinging to the top: natal dispersal tracks climate gradient in a trailing-edge population of a migratory songbird.

Trailing-edge populations at the low-latitude, receding edge of a shifting range face high extinction risk from climate change unless they are able to track optimal environmental conditions through dispersal. We fit dispersal models to the locations of 3165 individually-marked black-throated blue warblers (Setophaga caerulescens) in the southern Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, USA from 2002 to 2023. Black-throated blue warbler breeding abundance in this population has remained relatively stable at colder and wetter areas at higher elevations but has declined at warmer and drier areas at lower elevations. Median dispersal distance of young warblers was 917m (range 23-3200m), and dispersal tended to be directed away from warm and dry locations. In contrast, adults exhibited strong site fidelity between breeding seasons and rarely dispersed more than 100m (range 10-1300m). Consequently, adult dispersal kernels were much more compact and symmetric than natal dispersal kernels, suggesting adult dispersal is unlikely a driving force of declines in this population. Our findings suggest that directional natal dispersal may mitigate fitness costs for trailing-edge populations by allowing individuals to track changing climate and avoid warming conditions at warm-edge range boundaries.

Phenological response of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to climate change in the Western Carpathian climatic-geographical zones.

The paper analyzes the results of 26 years (1996-2021) of phenological observations of the vegetative organs of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the Western Carpathians. It evaluates the influence of the heterogeneity of this territory, including relief and elevation, based on climatic-geographical types. Phenological stages, including leaf unfolding, full leaves, leaf coloring, and leaf fall, were monitored at 40 phenological stations across eight elevation zones. The study assesses trends in the occurrence of phenological stages, the length of the growing season, and phenological elevation gradients. The results indicate a statistically significant earlier onset of spring phenological phases and delay in autumn phases, resulting in an average extension of the beech growing season by 12 days. Our findings confirm that the lengthening of the growing season due to warming, as an expression of climate change, is predominantly attributed to the warming in the spring months. The detected delayed onset of autumn phenophases was not due to warming in the autumn months, but other environmental factors influence it. The trend of elongation of the growing season (p<0.01) is observed in all elevation zones, with a less significant trend observed only in zones around 400 and 600 m a.s.l, signaling changes in environmental conditions across most of the elevation spectrum. Moreover, the heterogeneity of climatic-geographical types within each elevation zone increases the variability in the duration of the growing season for sites with similar elevations. By extending the growing season, it is assumed that the beech area will be changed to locations with optimal environmental conditions, especially in terms of adverse climatic events (late spring frosts, drought) during the growing season. The phenological elevation gradients reveal an earlier onset of 2.2 days per 100 m for spring phenophases and a delay of 1.1-2.9 days per 100 m for autumn phenophases. These findings highlight the specific environmental conditions of European beech in the Western Carpathians and their potential for anticipating changes in its original area. Additionally, these observations can aid in forecasting the further development of phenological manifestations related to climate change.

A comprehensive review of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) for Improved Efficiency

Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) play a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings. This abstract provides a comprehensive review of BEMS, focusing on its components, benefits, challenges, and future trends. BEMS is a centralized system that monitors and controls building services, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, and other systems, to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort. The key components of BEMS include sensors, controllers, communication networks, and user interfaces. These components work together to collect data on building performance, analyze energy consumption patterns, and optimize system operation. One of the primary benefits of BEMS is its ability to reduce energy consumption and costs. By monitoring and controlling building systems based on occupancy schedules and environmental conditions, BEMS can significantly reduce energy waste. Additionally, BEMS can improve occupant comfort and productivity by maintaining optimal indoor environmental conditions. Despite its benefits, BEMS faces several challenges, including high upfront costs, complexity of installation, and integration issues with existing building systems. However, advancements in technology, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing, are addressing these challenges and making BEMS more accessible and cost-effective. Looking ahead, the future of BEMS is promising, with continued advancements in technology driving its adoption and integration into smart building systems. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms into BEMS is expected to further improve its energy-saving capabilities and enhance building performance. In conclusion, BEMS is a key technology for improving energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings. By leveraging its components and capabilities, BEMS can help reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and create healthier and more comfortable indoor environments.

IoT and Machine Learning in Smart Kitchen Monitoring for Enhanced Worker Health

The significance of occupational health in culinary settings, particularly kitchens, is paramount due to the inherent health risks associated with these environments. This study addresses the necessity of maintaining optimal environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and air quality, in kitchens to safeguard worker health. To achieve this, the study advocates for the implementation of sophisticated ventilation and air conditioning systems. The core focus of the research is the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and advanced machine learning algorithms for the real-time monitoring and assessment of kitchen environments. Specifically, the study fine-tunes and evaluates several classification algorithms, including Decision Trees (DT), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), aiming to accurately predict and manage kitchen conditions. The comparative analysis reveals that the DT algorithm outperforms others, demonstrating exceptional accuracy (97.41%), precision (95.35%), and proficiency in identifying relevant scenarios (88.57%). In contrast, the KNN algorithm registers the lowest accuracy (75.12%), while the SVM algorithm, despite being the least precise (86.55%), shows a relatively higher capability in recognizing pertinent cases (86.55%) compared to KNN (72.33%). This study underscores the potential of integrating IoT and machine learning in enhancing occupational health standards in kitchen settings.

Climate change and broiler production.

Climate change has emerged as a significant occurrence that adversely affects broiler production, especially in tropical climates. Broiler chickens, bred for rapid growth and high meat production, rely heavily on optimal environmental conditions to achieve their genetic potential. However, climate change disrupts these conditions and poses numerous challenges for broiler production. One of the primary impacts of climate change on broiler production is the decreased ability of birds to attain their genetic potential for faster growth. Broilers are bred to possess specific genetic traits that enable them to grow rapidly and efficiently convert feed into meat. However, in tropical climates affected by climate change, the consequent rise in daily temperatures, increased humidity and altered precipitation patterns create an unfavourable environment for broilers. These conditions impede their growth and development, preventing them from reaching their maximum genetic influence, which is crucial for achieving desirable production outcomes. Furthermore, climate change exacerbates the existing challenges faced by broiler production systems. Higher feed costs impact the industry's economic viability and limit the availability of quality nutrition for the birds, further hampering their growth potential. In addition to feed scarcity, climate change also predisposes broiler chickens to thermal stress. This review collates existing information on climate change and its impact on broiler production, including nutrition, immune function, health and disease susceptibility. It also summarizes the challenges of broiler production under hot and humid climate conditions with different approaches to ameliorating the effects of harsh climatic conditions in poultry.

Effects of Climate Change on the Distribution of Prosthechea mariae (Orchidaceae) and within Protected Areas in Mexico.

The impact of climate change on the distribution of native species in the Neotropics remains uncertain for most species. Prosthechea mariae is an endemic epiphytic orchid in Mexico, categorized as threatened. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of climate change on the natural distribution of P. mariae and the capacity of protected areas (PAs) to safeguard optimal environmental conditions for the species in the future. Historical records were obtained from herbaria collections and through field surveys. We utilized climate variables from WorldClim for the baseline scenario and for the 2050 period, using the general circulation models CCSM4 and CNRM-CM5 (RCP 4.5). Three sets of climate data were created for the distribution models, and multiple models were evaluated using the kuenm package. We found that the species is restricted to the eastern region of the country. The projections of future scenarios predict not only a substantial reduction in habitat but also an increase in habitat fragmentation. Ten PAs were found within the current distribution area of the species; in the future, the species could lose between 36% and 48% of its available habitat within these PAs. The results allowed for the identification of locations where climate change will have the most severe effects, and proposals for long-term conservation are addressed.

Implementation of Ventilation Panel Installation

Abstract. Electrical panels are an important component in industry, which provides security to electrical installations in various industrial sectors. Large-scale companies dominate this industry to meet the high needs of consumers and maintain the quality and security of electrical installations. Electric panels must be installed carefully, pay attention to the surrounding environment, and play an important role in controlling ventilation to regulate the temperature and air conditions inside the cage. This research uses qualitative methods to understand the process of making ventilation panels. The results cover two types of panels: electric panels and ventilation panels. Electric panels serve as storage for electrical components, protect from the surrounding environment, and facilitate the operation of electrical machines. Meanwhile, ventilation panels are a crucial part of modern farm management, adjusting temperature and humidity to suit the needs of animals. The components in the ventilation panel involve various elements such as MCBs, TORs, contactors, relays, busbars, and others. The process of creating ventilation panels includes steps such as sketching pictures, making electrical panel boxes, assembling components, busbar assembly, wiring, as well as QA and QC stages to ensure panel quality. This process ends with finishing and packing before delivery to the consumer. This research provides an in-depth understanding of the manufacture of ventilation panels, which is essential for modern industry and agriculture inining optimal environmental conditions.

Going back for the future: Incorporating Pleistocene fossil records of saiga antelope into habitat suitability models

AbstractAimMany species have suffered anthropogenic range contraction and no longer occupy all available suitable environmental conditions. This is particularly problematic for the construction of habitat suitability models (HSMs), which assume that a species' contemporary range reflects its full species–environment relationship. HSMs therefore risk underestimating suitable environment areas, and misinforming conservation decisions. Incorporating historic (centuries‐old) records partly reduces this bias, but even these records are also subject to human disturbance. We incorporated fossil records of the critically endangered saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica, L., 1776), alongside historic and current records, into current and future habitat suitability models. Saiga has experienced drastic range contraction and may have a truncated species–environment relationship. The results allowed us to test whether its current habitat provides optimal environmental conditions, or whether saiga should be considered a refugee species.LocationNorthern Hemisphere.TaxonSaiga tatarica (Bovidae, Artiodactyla).MethodsWe collated historic and fossil saiga occurrence records from published literature, museum archives and global databases. Modern occurrence records were obtained from the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessment. Four bioclimatic variables were downloaded from Worldclim.org. HSMs were generated through Maxent, using the maxnet package in R. Three HSMs were developed: present only, present historic and present fossil. Each of these models was projected onto current and two future (2070) climate change scenarios.ResultsSaiga fossil records increased the predicted suitable environment area by 783% and 1416% for current and future climate projections respectively. Our results suggest the saiga is not a refugee species but occupies only a portion of its potential environmental niche. The saiga's contemporary range is predicted environmentally suitable throughout all models and projections, and therefore in situ conservation management is recommended.Main ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of incorporating fossil records into HSMs to better understand species–environment relationships and develop more robust conservation strategies for appropriate endangered species.

Efficiency of salmon production in submerged cages with air domes matches standard surface cages when environments are similar

Submerged cage technology may enable placement of salmon farms at more exposed sites whilst avoiding the impacts of damaging weather on farm structures. Field trials have demonstrated that Atlantic salmon grow well in submerged cages for a full production cycle if an air dome is provided to enable salmon to refill their swim bladders at depth, but on occasion submerged fish have slower growth and poorer fish welfare. This could be due to submerged fish experiencing less optimal environmental conditions, the physiological effects of holding fish submerged at depth, restricted access to surface air, or an interaction between these factors. Here, we designed an experiment to remove possible environmental and depth-related effects, which enabled a direct test of the effect of restricted surface access to air due to submergence. Atlantic salmon were cultured for 11 months in either standard surface cages or submerged cages with air domes installed with a ceiling at 1-m depth to stop normal surface access. Environmental conditions were similar in surface and submerged cages. Restricted surface access had minimal effect on fish behaviour, growth, condition, welfare and harvest quality of submerged fish relative to fish held in standard surface cages. Backscattering from echo signals showed that the volume of air in the swim bladders of submerged and surface cage fish was similar, indicating submerged fish captured enough air via the air dome to maintain neutral buoyancy throughout the production period. These findings help progress commercial use of air domes and submergence, as they show the feasibility of maintaining optimal growth rates in Atlantic salmon when submerged for long periods if environmental conditions during submergence are equivalent or better than surface conditions.