Promising Mitigation Strategy Research Articles

Short-term Response of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Precision Fertilization on Barley

Precision fertilization is a promising mitigation strategy to reduce environmental impacts of N-fertilization, but the effective benefits of variable-rate fertilization have not yet been fully demonstrated. We evaluated the short-term response (23 days) of GHGs emissions following variable-rate fertilization on barley. Yields, biomass (grains + straw) and different N-use indicators (N uptake, grain protein concentration, recovery efficiency, physiological efficiency, partial factor productivity of applied nutrient, agronomic efficiency and N surplus) were compared. Four N fertilization treatments were performed: (i) conventional– 150 kg ha−1; (ii) variable with granular fertilizer; (iii) variable with foliar liquid supplement; (iv) no fertilization. According to proximal sensing analysis (Greenseeker Handheld) and crop needs, both variable-rate treatments accounted for 35 kg N ha−1. Cumulative GHGs emissions were not significantly different, leading to the conclusion that the sensor-based N application might not be a GHGs mitigation strategy in current experimental conditions. Results showed that both site-specific fertilizations ensured the maintenance of high yields with a significant N rate reduction (approximately by 75%) and a N use improvement. Variable-rate N fertilization, due to similar yields (~6 tons ha−1) than conventional fertilization and higher protein content in foliar treatment (14%), confirms its effectiveness to manage N during the later phases of growing season.

Experimental assessment of proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance degradations during emulated start-up/shut-down phases

Start-Up/Shut-Down phases in PEM Fuel Cell system has paid particular attention because of the well-identified reverse current mechanism leading to harsh corrosion environment within the Cathode Catalyst Layer. In this work, an experimental ageing test is designed to assess a comprehensive investigation of electrochemical properties degradations and thus influence on cell performances during the Start-Up phase. An Accelerated Stress Test protocol is designed to mimic and cycle the cathodic potential profile during the H2|Air front propagation along anodic channel. A sensitivity analysis is performed on the maximum cathodic potential and the exposure time parameters. Results divulge that lowering maximum potential by a dummy load application and lowering exposure time by accelerating H2 feeding during Start-Up phases are promising mitigation strategies. Moreover, this paper reports a promising effect by scanning the cathodic potential above 1.0 V for conditioning carbon support and optimizing cell performance at high current densities.

Developing permeable pavements for a more sustainable built environment

Permeable concrete pavements are one of the most promising mitigation strategies used to prevent surface flooding. Alalea Kia of Imperial College London introduces a robust new design which is ten times more permeable than conventional systems and resistant to clogging.

Inflammation in Pulmonary Hypertension and Edema Induced by Hypobaric Hypoxia Exposure.

Exposure to high altitudes generates a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen, triggering a hypobaric hypoxic condition. This condition produces pathophysiologic alterations in an organism. In the lung, one of the principal responses to hypoxia is the development of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), which improves gas exchange. However, when HPV is exacerbated, it induces high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH). Another important illness in hypobaric hypoxia is high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which occurs under acute exposure. Several studies have shown that inflammatory processes are activated in high-altitude illnesses, highlighting the importance of the crosstalk between hypoxia and inflammation. The aim of this review is to determine the inflammatory pathways involved in hypobaric hypoxia, to investigate the key role of inflammation in lung pathologies, such as HAPH and HAPE, and to summarize different anti-inflammatory treatment approaches for these high-altitude illnesses. In conclusion, both HAPE and HAPH show an increase in inflammatory cell infiltration (macrophages and neutrophils), cytokine levels (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β), chemokine levels (MCP-1), and cell adhesion molecule levels (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), and anti-inflammatory treatments (decreasing all inflammatory components mentioned above) seem to be promising mitigation strategies for treating lung pathologies associated with high-altitude exposure.

Innovations for Reducing Methane Emissions in Livestock toward a Sustainable System: Analysis of Feed Additive Patents in Ruminants.

Simple SummaryThe mitigation of the environmental impact of animal production is a global objective, and innovation can provide new strategies and technologies to support the transition toward a more sustainable livestock system. Using patent data analysis to identify innovation dynamics, we explored the sector of feed additives to reduce methane emissions in ruminants. We found that this innovation sector is recent and rapidly expanding, with the European Union representing the center of innovation. The most promising inventions are related to the use of beneficial microorganisms (probiotics) and plant-based extracts.An important challenge for livestock systems is the mitigation of environmental impacts while ensuring food security, and feed additives are considered as one of the most promising mitigation strategies. This study analyzed the innovation landscape of feed additives to reduce methane emissions in ruminants. The analysis is based on patent data to evaluate the development, scientific importance, and market-level impact of the innovations in this field. The results reveal that the EU is on the innovation frontier, with substantial and quality patent production. The innovation field is dominated by private players, characterized by high specificity in the R&D pipeline. Additives derived from plant or botanical extracts, together with 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), represent the emerging innovations, indicating a clear orientation toward more sustainable livestock systems. Despite the regulatory and semantic limitations related to the use of patent databases, data reveal a growing innovation activity at global level, which could lead to macroeconomic benefits for the entire livestock sector.

A machine-learning approach to predict success of a biocontrol for invasive Eurasian watermilfoil reduction.

Myriophyllum spicatum, more commonly known as Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM), is one of the most invasive aquatic plants in North America, causing negative ecological and economic impacts in ecosystems where it proliferates. Many control strategies have been developed and implemented to mitigate EWM growth and spread, although the results are mixed and there is no consensus on lake‐specific strategies. Here, we describe the development of a predictive model using a support vector technique, that predicts the success of biological pest control using Euhrychiopsis lecontei (the milfoil weevil), a milfoil specialist, to reduce EWM in lakes. Such a model is informed by lake characteristics (limnological and landscape) and augmentation strategies. To develop our predictive model, we performed a metadata analysis from 133 published peer‐reviewed literature and professional reports of milfoil weevil augmentation field experiments that contained information on lake characteristics. The predictive model's algorithm uses a support vector machine (SMV) to learn patterns among lake characteristics, along with the recorded augmentation strategy and the reported success of each study, where success is a measure of EWM change over a season and is recorded in a variety of ways (e.g., EWM biomass change, EWM percent change, EWM visual change, etc.,). Overall, the model results suggests that shallower lakes, more frequent weevil augmentations, and larger weevil overwintering habitat are the most important predictors for EWM reduction success by weevil augmentation. Although watermilfoil weevil augmentation is a promising mitigation strategy, it may not work for all lakes. However, in terms of suggesting weevil augmentation, our model is a valuable tool for lake stakeholders and resource managers, who can use it to determine whether milfoil weevil augmentation, which can be very costly due to the difficulties in finding and raising milfoil weevils, will be a useful and sustainable approach to control EWM in their lake community.

Social Capital, Urbanization Level, and COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake in the United States: A National Level Analysis.

Vaccination remains the most promising mitigation strategy for the COVID-19 pandemic. However, existing literature shows significant disparities in vaccination uptake in the United States. Using publicly available national-level data, we aimed to explore if county-level social capital can further explain disparities in vaccination uptake rates when adjusting for demographic and social determinants of health (SDOH) variables, and if association between social capital and vaccination uptake may vary by urbanization level. Bivariate analyses and a hierarchical multivariable quasi-binomial regression analysis were conducted, where the regression analysis was stratified by urban–rural status. The current study suggests that social capital contributes significantly to the disparities of vaccination uptake in the US. The results of the stratification analysis show common predictors of vaccine uptake but also suggest various patterns based on urbanization level regarding the associations of COVID-19 vaccination uptake with SDOH and social capital factors. The study provides a new perspective to address disparities in vaccination uptake through fostering social capital within communities; which may inform tailored public health intervention efforts to enhance social capital and promote vaccination uptake.

Inhibition of harmful algal blooms caused by Aureococcus anophagefferens (Pelagophyceae) using native (Gracilaria tikvahiae) and invasive (Dasysiphonia japonica) red seaweeds from North America

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by the pelagophyte Aureococcus anophagefferens have spread globally and are a threat to coastal ecosystems. Although some HAB mitigation techniques such as algal biocides can be effective, many such approaches can have negative consequences on the environment. Therefore, it is important to investigate alternative HAB mitigation approaches that are ecologically safe and commercially viable. Here, we examine the effects of two rhodophyte seaweeds, Gracilaria tikvahiae and Dasysiphonia japonica, on A. anophagefferens. During experiments, multiple A. anophagefferens strains were co-cultured with densities of seaweed encompassing a range of environmental and aquaculture settings (0.25–3.00 g L−1). The co-effects of nutrients, heterotrophic bacteria and pH were also assessed, and A. anophagefferens cell concentrations and photosynthetic efficiency were quantified. In nearly all experiments, G. tikvahiae and D. japonica significantly reduced A. anophagefferens cell concentrations in a dose-dependent manner, with the effectiveness of each seaweed depending primarily on both A. anophagefferens and seaweed densities. The algicidal effects of D. japonica were significantly stronger than G. tikvahiae and other algicidal seaweeds (e.g., Ulva spp.). Allelopathy was the most potent mechanism for inhibition of A. anophagefferens; heterotrophic bacteria, nutrient limitation and elevated pH appeared to have lesser co-effects. These findings, in conjunction with the well-known nutrient removal capacity of seaweeds, suggest that the temporal and spatial dynamics of these rhodophytes may influence brown tides in shallow estuaries and that the use of seaweeds such as G. tikvahiae in aquaculture may be a promising mitigation strategy for this and other HABs in coastal ecosystems.

Severe accident analysis of the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant and evaluation of boundary conditions for ex-vessel heat transfer

Severe accident analysis is critical for the operation and licensing of new generation reactor designs as well as for the prevention and management of severe accidents. The Severe Accident Management Guidelines (SAMGs) are developed and implemented for prevention and mitigation measures of a severe accident. Retention of corium in the reactor vessel via ex-vessel cooling is one of the most promising mitigation strategies. Its success requires a thorough analysis of the reactor core following a severe accident to determine the boundary conditions for external cavity flooding. In this study, two loss of coolant accident cases at the Qinshan nuclear power plant are analyzed using RELAP5/SCDAP simulations. Passive accumulators are credited in the first case (Case-1), but not in the second (Case-2). The important severe accident events are studied for the plant and the sequence of events and melt conditions are captured. Hydrogen generation has been estimated to be 120 kg in Case-1 and 108 kg in Case-2. In both instances, a molten pool is formed. The corium reached a maximum temperature of 3016 K and 3006 K, respectively in Case-1 and Case-2. The metallic/oxidic layer properties and heat transfer coefficient of the corium pool as well as the ex-vessel heat transfer boundary conditions are evaluated analytically for the reference plant. The analytically determined temperatures of oxidic and metallic phases in the corium pool are 3006 K and 1919 K respectively. The upward and sideward heat fluxes (vessel wall) are determined to be 298.3 kW/m2 and 730.75 kW/m2 respectively, while the heat transfer coefficients for oxidic and metallic phases are 2.80 W/m2-K and 4.42 W/m2-K respectively.

Salmonella in Swine: Prevalence, Multidrug Resistance, and Vaccination Strategies.

An estimated 1.3 million Salmonella infections and 420 deaths occur annually in the United States, with an estimated economic burden of $3.7 billion. More than 50% of US swine operations test positive for Salmonella according to the National Animal Health Monitoring System, and 20% of Salmonella from swine are multidrug resistant (resistant to ≥3 antimicrobial classes) as reported by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System. This review on Salmonella in swine addresses the current status of these topics by discussing antimicrobial resistance and metal tolerance in Salmonella and the contribution of horizontal gene transfer. A major challenge in controlling Salmonella is that Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen in humans but is often a commensal in food animals and thereby establishes an asymptomatic reservoir state in such animals, including swine. As food animal production systems continue to expand and antimicrobial usage becomes more limited, the need for Salmonella interventions has intensified. A promising mitigation strategy is vaccination against Salmonella in swine to limit animal, environmental, and food contamination.

330 3-nitrooxypropanol Supplementation of a Forage Diet Decreased Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle Without Affecting Apparent Total-tract Digestibility

Abstract Supplementation of ruminant diets with the investigational methane (CH4) inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP; DSM Nutritional Products, Switzerland) is as a promising mitigation strategy. However, most studies have examined high grain or mixed forage-concentrate diets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing a forage diet with 3-NOP on rumen fermentation, CH4 emissions and apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility. Eight ruminally cannulated beef heifers (BW = 514 kg) were randomly allocated to two treatments in a crossover design with 49-d periods. Dietary treatments were: control, high-forage diet (90% forage DM basis) without 3-NOP; and NOP, control diet supplemented with 150 mg 3-NOP/kg DM. After a 14-d diet adaption, dry matter (DM) intake (DMI) was recorded daily. Rumen contents were collected on days 17 and 28 for volatile fatty acid (VFA) analysis, whereas ruminal pH was continuously monitored from day 20 to 27. Diet digestibility was measured on day 38 to 41 by total collection of feces. Enteric CH4 emissions were measured on days 46 to 49 in chambers. Dry matter intake was lower (P = 0.001) for NOP (10.0 kg/d) as compared with control (10.2 kg/d). However, DM, neutral and acid detergent fiber, and crude protein digestibilities were similar between treatments (P ≥ 0.29). Although total VFA concentration was not affected by treatment (P = 0.19), the reduction in acetate and increase in propionate proportion for NOP lowered (P < 0.001) the acetate to propionate ratio by 18% as compared with control. Mean pH was lower (P = 0.03) for control (6.46) than NOP (6.57). Furthermore, CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) was 21.6% less (P < 0.001) for NOP relative to control (25.5 g/kg DMI). Overall, the results indicate that enteric CH4 emissions were effectively decreased with 3-NOP supplementation of a forage diet without affecting apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients.

Causes and mitigation strategies of food loss and waste: A systematic literature review and framework development

One third of all food produced for human consumption ends up as food loss and waste (FLW) each year along the food supply chain (FSC). To prevent FLW, it is paramount to understand why food is being discarded and to identify the most appropriate mitigation strategies to implement along the FSC. In this paper, a systematic literature review approach was implemented to search and evaluate 114 peer-reviewed articles to analyse the causes and mitigation strategies of FLW. The primary focus was to classify and discuss the 80 causes and 73 mitigation strategies retrieved from the literature, taking into account the differences between: (1) different stages of the FSC, (2) countries with different levels of economic development, and (3) different food products. In conclusion, results show that the causes and the mitigation strategies of FLW are dependent on the three variables aforementioned and that they have a managerial, behavioural, technological or infrastructural focus. Developing countries report more recurrently managerial mitigation strategies and infrastructural strategies are reported more frequently in developing ones. Moreover, some causes identified in some stages of the FSC are dependent on causes encountered in other stages, vindicating the reference, in the literature, to mitigation strategies that should be applied in various stages of the FSC. Thus, the choice of the most promising mitigation strategies to reduce FLW along the FSC is not straightforward and should take into account not only the context of the problem under study, but also the root causes of FLW, their interrelatedness and their influence over that context. Based on these findings, the paper proposes a research framework to guide future investigations that seek to further study the mitigation strategies to implement to ensure an effective reduction of FLW in FSCs.

Aqueous N-nitrosamines: Precursors, occurrence, oxidation processes, and role of inorganic ions

N-Nitrosamines, well-known human carcinogens, are widely considered to be formed through the disinfection of waters containing compounds with amine moieties. The formation mechanisms of nitrosamines during the disinfection of drinking water and wastewater have been previously reviewed in the literature. However, no study to date has reviewed the effects of inorganic ions on nitrosamines formation during disinfection. Inorganic ions are ubiquitous in the environment and are present at significant concentrations in water and wastewater. Their presence influences aqueous nitrosamines formation, depending on the type, concentration, and environmental conditions. In this review, we have critically reviewed nitrosamines’ precursors and occurrence, disinfection processes associated with nitrosamines’ formation/destruction, and the impact of inorganic ions on the formation or removal of nitrosamines during disinfection of water and wastewater. The disinfectants reviewed in the study were chlorine, chloramine, chlorine dioxide, ozone, and radicals generated through advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). N-Nitrosodimethylamine formation pathways, in the presence and absence of inorganic ions, were also reviewed to summarize our current understanding. Although chloramination has been associated with the formation of nitrosamines, many ozonation studies have also shown significant levels of nitrosamines formation. Pre-oxidation and AOPs have been reported as the most promising mitigation strategies for controlling nitrosamines formation, requiring prolonged exposure of precursors for effective mineralization.

POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE BASED ACTIVATED CARBON PRODUCTION: PRELIMINARY STUDY ON KOH ACTIVATION WITH MICROWAVE ASSIST

Since the beginning of the plastic age, drinking-bottle waste has been increasing worldwide. Petroleum plastic waste is composed mainly of Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), which is remained in the environment for a long period, thereby causing significant harm to humans, flora, and fauna. Waste recycling is one of the promising mitigation strategies, being used to reduce the amount of final disposal. This research, a preliminary investigation of activated carbon production conditions from PET bottle waste, was carried out using Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) with 95% confidence level. Starter material PET waste was obtained from a local recycling factory. Crusted and sieved PET was carbonized at 700oC for 1 hr. (called PET-char), then impregnated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) at a designed ratio and heated in a microwave. The production factors included PET-char:KOH ratio (1 and 3 by weight), microwave power (540 and 900 watts), and microwave heating time (10 and 30 mins). It was found that all production factors were significant contributors to the characteristics of PET-based activated carbon (PET-AC). The highest iodine adsorption capacity was found at the condition of 3 by weight, 900 Watts, and 30 mins for ratio, microwave power, and heating time, respectively. PET-AC shown highest iodine adsorption capacity with 1,125.34 mg/g andBrunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area with 1,345 m2/g. It was confirmed that PET bottle-based waste can be converted to a highly valuable nanoporous adsorbent.

Climate change mitigation effects: How do potential CO2 leaks from a sub-seabed storage site in the Norwegian Sea affect Astarte sp. bivalves?

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one of the most promising mitigation strategies for reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere and may substantially help to decelerate global warming. There is an increasing demand for CCS sites. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge of the environmental risk associated with potential leakage of CO2 from the storage sites; and even more, what happens when the seepage stops. Can the environment return to the initial equilibrium? Potential effects on native macrofauna were studied under a scenario of a 50-day CO2 leakage, and the subsequent leak closure. To accomplish the objective, Trondheim Fjord sediments and clams were exposed to an acidified environment (pH 6.9) at 29 atm for 7 weeks followed by a 14-day recovery at normal seawater conditions (pH 8.0, 29 atm). Growth and survival of clams exposed to pressure (29 atm) and reduced pH (6.9) did not significantly differ from control clams kept at 1 atm in natural seawater. Furthermore, bioaccumulation of elements in the soft tissue of clams did not register significant variations for most of the analysed elements (Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ti), while other elements (As, Cu, Fe, Ni) had decreasing concentrations in tissues under acidified conditions in contrast to Na and Mg, which registered an uptake (Ku) of 111 and 9.92 μg g−1dw d−1, respectively. This Ku may be altered due to the stress induced by acidification; and the element concentration being released from sediments was not highly affected at that pH. Therefore, a 1 unit drop in pH at the seafloor for several weeks does not appear to pose a risk for the clams.

Evolved differences in energy metabolism and growth dictate the impacts of ocean acidification on abalone aquaculture

Ocean acidification (OA) poses a major threat to marine ecosystems and shellfish aquaculture. A promising mitigation strategy is the identification and breeding of shellfish varieties exhibiting resilience to acidification stress. We experimentally compared the effects of OA on two populations of red abalone (Haliotis rufescens), a marine mollusc important to fisheries and global aquaculture. Results from our experiments simulating captive aquaculture conditions demonstrated that abalone sourced from a strong upwelling region were tolerant of ongoing OA, whereas a captive-raised population sourced from a region of weaker upwelling exhibited significant mortality and vulnerability to OA. This difference was linked to population-specific variation in the maternal provisioning of lipids to offspring, with a positive correlation between lipid concentrations and survival under OA. This relationship also persisted in experiments on second-generation animals, and larval lipid consumption rates varied among paternal crosses, which is consistent with the presence of genetic variation for physiological traits relevant for OA survival. Across experimental trials, growth rates differed among family lineages, and the highest mortality under OA occurred in the fastest growing crosses. Identifying traits that convey resilience to OA is critical to the continued success of abalone and other shellfish production, and these mitigation efforts should be incorporated into breeding programs for commercial and restoration aquaculture.

Experimental research on the influence of rolling motions on the convection behaviors inside two-layer corium pools

In realms of nuclear safety analysis, In-vessel retention (IVR) has been a research focus as it is a promising mitigation strategy for the postulated severe accidents in pressurized water reactors (PWRs). However, the recent development of ocean floating reactors for civil use has greatly motivated the pertinent studies under motion conditions, which can be much different from the known investigations conducted under static condition without the additional acceleration forces induced by motions. Thus, through experimental research, this paper extensively studied the influence of rolling motions on the convection behaviors inside two-layer corium pools, which are the major concerns for IVR research. Transient behaviors of the layered corium pools were obtained, and sensitivity analyses were conducted on three critical parameters, i.e. maximum rolling angle, rolling period and the thickness of metal layer. Experimental results show that the two-layer fluids can stay basically stratified under rolling conditions but mixing phenomena can be observed in the interface nearby region when rolling motions become intense enough. Generally, rolling motions can weaken the thermal stratification inside the layered corium pool, and enhance heat removal capacity from the corium pool to the outside cooling boundary. These phenomena indicate a good chance for the efficient decay heat removal from the corium pool under rolling motions. This study is supposed to provide valuable references to assess the success probability of IVR design applied in reactors operated under ocean conditions.

Plasma-enhanced SO2 remediation in a humidified gas matrix: A potential strategy for the continued burning of high sulfur bunker fuel

We report a substantial enhancement in the removal of gaseous SO2 by discharging a transient nanosecond pulsed plasma in a water vapor-saturated gas mixture. With the plasma alone (i.e., “dry”), the SO2 remediation is limited to approximately 15% reduction in SO2 (i.e., ΔSO2 = 65 ppm). In presence of water vapor, we observe 84% remediation (ΔSO2 = 500 ppm) during plasma discharge due to the availability of OH radicals. Here, there is a synergistic effect of adding water vapor to the gas mixture in which the plasma excites highly reactive OH radical species that drive a two-step reaction process: SO2 + OH → HSO3 and the subsequent reaction of HSO3 + OH → H2SO4, which precipitates out in the aqueous phase. The efficacy of this approach increases as we increase the temperature of the gas matrix, indicating the relatively low barriers of this reaction, which is consistent with the OH-driven reaction pathway, and it also increases with plasma density, thus demonstrating the scalability of this approach. Plasma emission spectroscopy as well as Raman scattering spectroscopy provide spectroscopic evidence of the OH radical species, further substantiating the OH reaction intermediate mechanism. This approach provides a promising mitigation strategy for the continued use of high sulfur fuels (i.e., bunker fuel).

Effects of wind energy production on a threatened species, the Bicknell’s Thrush Catharus bicknelli, with and without mitigation

SummaryRenewable energy helps meet the growing energetic demand while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite its environmental benefits, production of wind energy can adversely affect wildlife populations, including birds. In some species, indirect impacts such as habitat loss and disturbance may be more important than fatalities caused by collisions with turbines. Bicknell’s Thrush Catharus bicknelli, one of the most endangered bird species in North America, may be threatened by wind energy production because it breeds at high elevation sites, which are often prized for their wind potential. Our study had two objectives: we first aimed to document the impacts of the construction and operation of a wind energy facility without mitigation strategy on the occurrence of the Bicknell’s Thrush. At a second facility, we then tested the effectiveness of turbine micro-siting as an effective mitigation strategy to reduce the impacts of wind-energy development on the species. We conducted avian point-counts at 143 locations spread across both facilities in Quebec (Canada) at different periods: before, during and after construction. We modelled the probability of occurrence of the species at point-counts as a function of period, forest loss caused by wind energy development, distance to the nearest turbine and habitat suitability. At the facility without mitigation, we found that the probability of occurrence decreased during construction and early operation at high elevation sites, where most of the turbines were erected. However, the Bicknell’s Thrush recolonized high elevation sites eight years post-construction. In addition, we did not detect a significant impact of wind energy production on the species’ occurrence at the facility where micro-siting was applied. We conclude that habitat loss and disturbance during construction are the main impacts of wind energy production on the Bicknell’s Thrush and that micro-siting appears to be a promising mitigation strategy.

Temporal Changes in the Efficiency of Biochar- and Compost-Based Amendments on Copper Immobilization in Vineyard Soils

Copper (Cu)-based fungicides have been an important tool against disease in viticulture since the 19th century. However, their prolonged use can lead to Cu accumulation in the soil and negatively affect soil microbiology and plant growth. The application of biochar (BC)-based amendments is a promising mitigation strategy, due to BC’s longevity in the soil and its potential to complex Cu. This study investigated temporal changes in the efficiency of various compost- and BC-based amendments to immobilize Cu in a calcareous and a slightly acidic Austrian vineyard soil. The immobilization of both historically accumulated Cu and freshly spiked Cu (250 mg kg−1) was studied. The soils were treated with six combinations of amendments containing compost and BC, with and without surface modification, as well as an additional lime treatment for the acidic soil. After treatment, the soils were incubated for 6 weeks and 3 years, after which the 0.01 M CaCl2-extractable Cu was measured. The amendments were not effective in reducing the mobility of the historically accumulated Cu in the calcareous soil, with pure compost doubling the soluble Cu. Pure wood-chip BC was the only organic amendment that led to a reduction (by 20%) of soluble Cu after 6 weeks in the acidic soil; however, after 3 years, the same amendment reduced soluble Cu by 40% and all other tested amendments were also effective in reducing the mobility of the historically accumulated Cu. The lime treatment achieved the greatest reduction in Cu mobility (56%). Freshly spiked Cu was strongly immobilized in both unamended soils, with 0.06% and 0.39% extractable after 6 weeks in the calcareous and slightly acidic soil, respectively. The amendments did not effectuate additional Cu immobilization in the calcareous soil, but in the acidic soil, the soluble Cu was further reduced to between 25% and 50% of the unamended control by the tested organic amendments and to 6% by the lime treatment after 6 weeks of incubation. Overall, the acidic soil exhibited a stronger response to the amendments than did the calcareous soil, suggesting the amendments’ effect on the soil pH was an important factor for Cu immobilization in this study. These results show the importance of developing site-specific remediation strategies for Cu accumulation in agricultural soils.