Seasonal Periods Research Articles

Biological characteristics of the uçá crab, Ucides cordatus (Crustacea: Decapoda) in a mangrove forest in the Cururupu Extractive Reserve (RESEX), Maranhão

The swamp ghost crab (Ucides cordatus) is one of Brazil's most economically important crustaceans. Due to the intense use of this resource, there are already signs of overfishing and a possible threat of extinction shortly. As a result, the present study analyzed the biometric relationships in U. cordatus, and verified the influence of environmental factors. The study was realized on Ilha de Guajerutiua in the RESEX of Cururupu between March 2016 and February 2017 to contribute to sustainable management for species conservation. For this, the influence of abiotic parameters on the biometric data of the species was analyzed. The formation of clusters of abiotic parameters between seasonal periods, the variation in weight and total width between reproductive stages and the variation in width and total weight in relation to seasonal periods and sex of the specimens were verified. The months considered as 'rainy period' presented, on average, 218.9 mm of rainfall and 1.19º C of temperature more than the months considered as 'dry period,' while the dry period months had, on average, 3.47 PSU of salinity more than the months of the rainy season. specimins were larger and heavier in the rainy season. In general, males were larger than females in size and weight for the entire period. The allometry between reproductive stages and seasonal periods was negative, demonstrating that these individuals are spending more energy growing in width. According to the data observed in this study, this species is in a good state of conservation in the studied area.

Mitigating Effect of the Sea on Temperatures Along Mediterranean Coastal Areas: The Case of the Vine Territory of the Matera DOP in Basilicata (Italy)

This study aims to assess temperature variations caused by ongoing climate change in the Basilicata region, southern Italy—Ionian side of the Gulf of Taranto—on the territory of the Matera DOP vineyard. In particular, it aims to assess the influence of the sea on temperature trends, and particularly to its “mitigating effect” in the context of ongoing climate change. Temperature trends were analyzed using ERA5-Land data from 1981 to 2022 and data from weather stations of the Lucanian Agency for Development and Innovation in Agriculture from 2000 to 2023. Temperature trends were studied considering both the period of the vegetative-productive season of the vineyards and the whole year. The results of this study show that, for the historical period analyzed, the Matera DOP area showed a significant upward trend in temperatures, particularly in the inland areas. This increase, especially for minimum temperatures, is more evident at higher elevations than at lower elevations near the sea. Indeed, coastal areas benefit from the thermoregulatory effect of the Ionian Sea, which moderates temperature increases at lower elevations. It follows that the Matera DOP wine-growing areas, and particularly those furthest from the coastal strip, will have to adapt to harsh climatic conditions that will certainly affect the quality and typicality of the wines.

Optimizing Colorectal Screening in Portugal with Process Mining

Abstract Background Efficient healthcare screening programs management influences patient outcomes. Process mining has emerged as a powerful tool to enhance these programs by refining complex workflows and pinpointing operational deviations. Objectives This study utilizes process mining techniques to analyze the colorectal cancer screening program in Northern Portugal, focusing on detecting deviations and performance bottlenecks in process models. Methods This screening program started in March 2018, but process mining was only used on data posterior to 2020. Over 1 million case observations from administrative data were included in the process model analysis, involving more than six key process activities and numerous resources. We used new software and statistical tools for process mining to rapidly compute observations and filter for different operational needs and monitor interventions. Results The discovery analysis identified deviations, such as unexpected performance issues and irregular activity sequences. Although over 100 traces were identified, fewer than five traces accounted for more than 90% of all case paths, indicating the most common traces that have a true impact in participation rates, referral rates, and treatment rates. Notable differences in resource performance during specific periods, such as COVID-19 or seasonal events, were also observed. These findings provided insights for adjusting resource allocation and improving coordination, with impact in minimizing seasonal phenomena or peak production periods. Lessons Process mining offers actionable insights for effective health program coordination, enabling the monitoring and timely response to process deviations. With key areas for action identified in a more timely and precise manner, we can enhance efficiency, and expand population coverage and treatment referral. Future initiatives will focus on further process optimization and national coverage expansion using these management tools. Key messages • Process mining revolutionizes healthcare by enabling the strategic management of complex oncological screening program workflows. • Comprehensive data analysis across the patient pathway enhances program efficiency and expands treatment access.

Fungal Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes in Greece

Background/Objectives: Fungal infections, commonly referred to as mycoses, are widespread and affect various parts of the body. Common types of fungal skin infections include tinea pedis, tinea unguim, tinea cruris, tinea versicolor, and tinea manuum. Athletes, in particular, are at a higher risk of contracting these infections due to several factors inherent to their training and competitive environments. Methods: This research examined the incidence, anatomical distribution, and seasonal occurrence of fungal skin infections among beach volleyball athletes in Greece. The study cohort consisted of 785 participants, with an average age of 28.4 years. Variables recorded included gender, the seasonal periods during which athletes might be more prone to injuries, and the specific body areas affected by fungal infections. In addition, training-related data such as weekly training frequency, and daily training duration were collected. Results: Incidence rates correlated in relation to gender: male, tinea pedis (p < 0.000), tinea manuum (p < 0.010); number of weekly trainings: tinea pedis (p < 0.000), tinea unguium (p < 0.043), tinea cruris (p < 0.008), tinea versicolor (p < 0.038), tinea manuum (p < 0.043); average hours of daily training: tinea unguium (p < 0.039), tinea manuum (p < 0.039). Conclusions: Athletic activities often involve exposure to warm, moist conditions that promote fungal growth. Locker rooms, showers, and equipment can harbor fungi, spreading infections among athletes. Understanding these infections is essential for effective prevention and management, as they can impact performance and health if untreated. Proper hygiene, antifungal treatments, and public health measures are crucial to reducing the risk in athletic settings.

Caves’ environmental stability shaping subterranean biodiversity in the neotropics

Caves, once thought to be isolated ecosystems", are now understood to have intricate connections with surface environments, particularly evident at their entrances. These connections can significantly affect the microclimate within caves, leading to varying degrees of environmental stability. Our research explores the impact of microclimate conditions, specifically related to cave environmental stability, on biodiversity changes. We surveyed subterranean invertebrates during two different seasonal periods in 17 limestone caves in three karst regions in southeastern Brazil. Our analysis aimed to understand how environmental stability influences the overall richness of cave invertebrates and troglobitic species richness (restricted to subterranean habitats). We hypothesized that more stable caves would experience less fluctuation in relative species richness and lower turnover between seasons. Additionally, we anticipated that caves with greater environmental stability would harbor a higher richness of cave-restricted species in the function of their length. Our findings support these hypotheses, revealing a significant positive correlation between cave environmental stability and species richness. Caves with higher environmental stability demonstrated lower species turnover rates between seasons, indicating enhanced community stability. While environmental stability significantly affected species richness, its influence on cave-restricted species was comparatively less pronounced. This suggests a complex interplay of factors shaping the unique fauna of caves. Nonetheless, the implications of climate change underscore the importance of preserving the environmental stability of these ecosystems. Using environmental stability as a guide can help protect cave biodiversity from the adverse effects of climate change, contributing to broader conservation efforts for these unique habitats.

Evaluation of Thermal Comfort Conditions in the Working Environments of Seasonal Agricultural Workers in Csa Koppen Climate Type

This study focuses on determining the thermal comfort conditions of seasonal agricultural workers during the hot periods of the year when agricultural production is intense in the Aksu/Türkiye region, which is characterized by the Csa climate type according to the Köppen–Geiger climate classification. In this study, the thermal comfort conditions of seasonal agricultural workers working on open farmlands were evaluated in ten-day, monthly, and seasonal periods for 6 months between 5:00 and 21:00 h using the modified Physiological Equivalent Temperature (mPET) index in the Rayman Pro software according to their activity energy during work. The results of the study reveal that increased activity energy leads to a decrease in thermal comfort conditions of agricultural workers, mPET values of agricultural workers engaged in soil cultivation (Group II) are 2.1 to 2.9 °C higher than the mPET values of workers engaged in plant care and harvesting (Group I), and the agricultural workers in Group II are exposed to more heat stress. The thermal comfort conditions of agricultural workers in Group I deteriorate between 09:00 and 16:00 h with mPET values between 34.1 and 35.3 °C and those of agricultural workers in Group II deteriorate between 08:00 and 17:00 h with mPET values between 34.3 and 37.7 °C. In this context, the daily comfortable working time in the morning and afternoon was found to be 9 h for Group I and 7 h for Group II. Overall, determining the comfortable working hours of agricultural workers in regions with different climate types in future studies will be an important resource for decision-makers in developing strategies to protect the health and increase the productivity of agricultural workers.

Heavy metals toxicity in edible bivalves and risk exposure to humans through its consumption from Adyar Estuary, Tamilnadu, India – A baseline study

The Adyar estuary, situated at the heart of Chennai city, India, has been subjected to significant anthropogenic pollution over the past decade due to rapid urbanization and industrialization.This study endeavored to explore the bioaccumulation patterns of heavy metals within bivalve species including Perna viridis, Mercenaria mercenaria, and Lamellidens marginalis. Additionally, it aimed to assess the concentrations of heavy metals present in water samples obtained from ten discrete stations within the Adyar estuary across different seasonal periods. To better understand the dynamics of contamination, metal pollutants including Cd, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in the soft tissues (Gill, Kidney, and Muscle) of the bivalves using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) (ELICO's SL- 176). The study also investigated the seasonal changes in biochemical constituents affecting the nutritional quality of these edible bivalves following conventional methods, and estimated the risk (both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) to consumers. Results showed that the biochemical constituents of Perna viridis and Mercenaria mercenaria were comparatively lower than those of the freshwater bivalve Lamellidens Marginalis (p > 0.05). Heavy metal accumulation in the mussels followed the order Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Fe > Cd > B. The highest uptake of metals by the bivalves occurred during the post-monsoon season, while the least uptake was observed during the monsoon season. The overall metal burden for the studied species followed the descending order M. mercenaria >P. viridis >L. marginalis. The study indicated that both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to humans from consuming these mussels were higher due to the excessive accumulation of metals Zn and Mn in all three studied bivalves.

Characterization of the Operability, Catch, and Fishing Effort of a Hake Trawling Vessel in Peru

In this study, the operational characteristics of the industrial hake fishing vessel "Santa Monica II" were characterized for the years 2020 and 2021, focusing on its catch production and fishing effort. A total of 234 trips and 1087 hauls were analyzed, considering a working depth of 100 fathoms on the continental shelf. Fishing effort was assessed based on years, seasonal periods, and months, allowing for a comparison of its productivity with 33 other vessels in the industrial fleet. The results revealed that the vessel caught 18% of the total catch of the industrial fleet in 2020 and 17% in 2021. Subarea A was the most frequented in 2020, with 66 trips, while in 2021, Subarea B led with 78 trips. The Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) was 6.24 tons per hour and 8.99 tons per haul in 2020, and increased to 8.20 tons per hour and 10.75 tons per haul in 2021, highlighting its performance. Additionally, a significant concentration of hake resources was observed in the upper part of the continental slope during the study years.

Madden Julian Oscillation Influence on Diurnal Variation of Rainfall in Mentawai Islands Indonesia from IMERG Observations

Abstract Mentawai is a small island located in the Indian Ocean, so its rainfall pattern tends to be different from the larger islands in Indonesian region. Various scales of factors influence this, one of which is Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO). The aim of this study is to determine effect of MJO in Mentawai Islands on the diurnal variation of rainfall. Rainfall data was collected from 2000-2022 from Integrated Multi-SatellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG). Diurnal variations were observed in the accumulation (PA), frequency (PF), and intensity (PI) of rainfall and MJO was classified into active phase (2, 3, 4, and 5) and inactive phase (1, 6, 7, and 8) during the seasonal period (DJF-MAM-JJA-SON). Diurnal peak times in PA, PF, and PI occur later when MJO is active than when MJO is inactive, especially in JJA and SON periods in Mentawai Islands and Mentawai Strait. When MJO is active, average PA and PF are higher than when MJO is inactive. The average of PI is higher around the ocean during active and inactive phases of MJO. The number of short-duration rainfall events occurred over the land, while long-duration rainfall occurred over the ocean.

Томографический измеритель концентрации метана на приземных трассах

Using a prototype of a remote lidar created in the laboratory for measuring methane concentration, a study of the distribution of methane along a route ~ 2.25 km long was carried out in order to localize gas emissions and control leaks in unfavorable areas. The lidar prototype, operating at a wavelength of 1653 nm, included a powerful Raman amplifier and made it possible to measure the distance to the reflection point with an accuracy of no worse than 50 meters. The lidar scanned the track, starting from short distances and ending with measurements along the entire measured track. The route included a near zone with modern multi-storey buildings without gas infrastructure, a middle zone with multi-storey buildings and gas infrastructure, as well as an extended forest area ending with a busy highway with heavy traffic. That is, it was possible to assess the contribution of each zone to the background methane concentration along the route. Observations were carried out during the winter-spring period and were carried out at different times of the day under weather conditions that were recorded. Processing of the results showed a significantly different contribution of each zone to the average concentration on the route. The contribution of the middle zone with multi-storey buildings equipped with gas infrastructure turned out to be especially large, which suggests a possible gas leak from the gas distribution system in this area. On average, the background concentration of methane on this route repeated the value measured in 2023 during the same seasonal period in 2023.

Scale-dependence in elk habitat selection for a reintroduced population in Wisconsin, USA.

Habitat selection is a critical aspect of a species' ecology, requiring complex decision-making that is both hierarchical and scale-dependent, since factors that influence selection may be nested or unequal across scales. Elk (Cervus canadensis) ranged widely across diverse ecoregions in North America prior to European settlement and subsequent eastern extirpation. Most habitat selection studies have occurred within their contemporary western range, even after eastern reintroductions began. As habitat selection can vary by geographic location, available cover, season, and diel period, it is important to understand how a non-migratory, reintroduced population in northern Wisconsin, USA, is limited by the lack of variation in topography, elevation, and vegetation. We tested scale-dependent habitat selection on 79 adult elk from 2017 to 2020 using resource selection functions across temporal (i.e., seasonal) and spatial scales (i.e., landscape and home range). We found that selection varied both spatially and temporally, and elk selected areas with the greatest potential to influence fitness at larger scales, meaning elk selected areas closer to escape cover and further from "risky" features (e.g., annual wolf territory centers, county roads, and highways). We found stronger avoidance of annual wolf territory centers during spring, suggesting elk were selecting safer habitats during calving season. Elk selected habitats with less canopy cover across both spatial scales and all seasons, suggesting that elk selected areas with better access to forage as early seral stage stands have greater forage biomass than closed-canopy forests and direct solar radiation to provide warmth in the cooler seasons. This study provides insight into the complexity of hierarchical decision-making, such as how risky habitat features and land cover type influence habitat selection differently across seasons and spatial scales, influencing the decision-making of elk. Scale-dependent behavior is crucial to understand within specific geographic regions, as these decisions scale up to influence population dynamics.

Active and passive sampling techniques in headwater streams to characterize acesulfame-K, pharmaceutical and phosphorus contamination from on-site wastewater disposal systems in Canadian rural hamlets

On-site wastewater disposal systems have been identified as a source of contamination for nutrients and emerging contaminants (ECs), such as artificial sweeteners and pharmaceutical compounds. The passive sampling technique Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS) and phosphorus sampler (P-Trap) have been widely used for tracking polar organic contaminants and total dissolved phosphorus in environmental waters such as surface water and wastewater. However, limited studies have been conducted on application of passive sampling techniques to track contamination in headwater streams impacted by on-site wastewater disposal systems. In this study, active sampling (discrete samples) and passive sampling (P-Trap and POCIS) techniques were applied in upstream and downstream locations at three rural hamlets to compare and track the contamination of total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) and seven ECs, including six pharmaceuticals and one artificial sweetener acesulfame-K (ACEK), in the shallow headwater streams of rural hamlets in southern Ontario, Canada that exclusively rely on septic systems for wastewater disposal. Results show that POCIS and P-Trap yielded comparable time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations of target ECs and TDP, respectively, to mean concentrations of discrete samples during the seasonal (spring, summer, and fall) and two-week intensive study periods. Field-derived sampling rates (Rs-field) of target contaminants compared well to literature-reported values indicating POCIS and P-Trap were applicable in determining the concentrations of target contaminants in the investigated streams, even though some environmental factors, such as dry stream conditions and fouling, occurred during the sampling period. The low but stable Rs-field of ACE-K (~0.001 L d−1) from this study indicates consistency in application of POCIS for capturing ACEK. The results of this study provide insight into the confidence and limitations for using POCIS and P-traps to track ECs and TDP in shallow headwater streams impacted by septic systems.

Love thy neighbour: Feral buffalos show greater space use, resource overlap and encounters during the wet season in the Northern Territory.

Managing feral water buffalo in the Northern Territory is a formidable challenge. As an introduced species, buffalo are associated with a myriad of biosecurity, economic, cultural and environmental issues ranging from overgrazing, decreased water quality, disease vectors to the destruction of cultural assets. Nevertheless, the buffalo are also a harvestable resource that can support economic development of the region. To mitigate some of the biosecurity, economic, cultural and environmental risks they pose and manage buffalo effectively, we need a detailed understanding of their spatial and behavioural ecology. However, several factors make understanding how best to manage the dense populations of wild individuals challenging as buffalo inhabit remote areas with limited infrastructure and accessibility and their large size and often aggressive nature can make them difficult to observe in otherwise inaccessible areas. GPS tracking allows for high-frequency data collection and surveillance of individual buffalo. Here, we investigated how the different seasonal periods of a Northern Territory floodplain area shaped patterns of habitat use for 17 buffalo tracked over 16 months. We found in the dry season, buffalo space use is restricted, and the size of home ranges are significantly smaller than in the wet season. During the wet season, buffalo expand their home range area as well as their social encounter area with other buffalo. These differences in their space use and social patterns suggest that increased disease surveillance may be needed for the wet season when buffalo are more likely to share space and interact. During the dry season, however, buffalo movement is more predictable and restricted, suggesting greater optimisation opportunities for buffalo management. Results from these models can be used by land holders, Traditional Owners and wildlife managers to make evidence-based decisions to improve buffalo management with respect to disease risk, sustainable harvest and damage to environmental and cultural assets.

Resolving biology’s dark matter: species richness, spatiotemporal distribution, and community composition of a dark taxon

BackgroundZoology’s dark matter comprises hyperdiverse, poorly known taxa that are numerically dominant but largely unstudied, even in temperate regions where charismatic taxa are well understood. Dark taxa are everywhere, but high diversity, abundance, and small size have historically stymied their study. We demonstrate how entomological dark matter can be elucidated using high-throughput DNA barcoding (“megabarcoding”). We reveal the high abundance and diversity of scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) in Sweden using 31,800 specimens from 37 sites across four seasonal periods. We investigate the number of scuttle fly species in Sweden and the environmental factors driving community changes across time and space.ResultsSwedish scuttle fly diversity is much higher than previously known, with 549 putative species detected, compared to 374 previously recorded species. Hierarchical Modelling of Species Communities reveals that scuttle fly communities are highly structured by latitude and strongly driven by climatic factors. Large dissimilarities between sites and seasons are driven by turnover rather than nestedness. Climate change is predicted to significantly affect the 47% of species that show significant responses to mean annual temperature. Results were robust regardless of whether haplotype diversity or species-proxies were used as response variables. Additionally, species-level models of common taxa adequately predict overall species richness.ConclusionsUnderstanding the bulk of the diversity around us is imperative during an era of biodiversity change. We show that dark insect taxa can be efficiently characterised and surveyed with megabarcoding. Undersampling of rare taxa and choice of operational taxonomic units do not alter the main ecological inferences, making it an opportune time to tackle zoology’s dark matter.

Spatial Distribution of Groundwater Fluctuation Mapping Using Arc-GIS in Hosur-1 Micro-watershed of Karnataka, India

Groundwater is a primary source of freshwater and used mainly for agriculture and irrigation purposes. Recharge to groundwater is the most important component in all the water balance studies. In the present study krigging technique was used for interpolate the groundwater level of the Hosur-1 micro watershed (Kanakvad sub watershed) in Gadag district of Karnataka state. In Hosur-1 micro- watershed 41 wells are there in the vicinity of major stream of the micro- watershed. The mean depth of ground water levels in the micro- watershed were monitored at a monthly frequency during January-2023 to March-2024. It was found that the maximum average depth of bore wells are about 9.55 mts and lowest average depth of borewell about 4.64 mts. The groundwater table between 2.48 to 14.70 mbgl during summer season period and 3.18 to 21.50 mbgl during the Rabi season. The pH of ground water varied between 7.0-9.0, maximum pH was recorded as 8.9 and minimum was recorded as 7.29 and maximum conductivity >3.82 ds/m and minimum 0.87 ds/m was recorded at Hosur-1 micro-watershed. The average infiltration rate of clay soil 2.73 mm/hr and R2 value for the trend line reaches the value of 0.5876. In case of sandy clay loam average infiltration rate was 3.83 mm/hr and R2 value for the trend line reaches 0.6572. It necessitates continuous monitoring of groundwater for assessing the possible damage on salinity and alkalinity induced soil health.

Changes in Vegetation Cover and the Relationship with Surface Temperature in the Cananéia–Iguape Coastal System, São Paulo, Brazil

The objective of this article is to investigate the possible correlations between vegetation indices and surface temperature in the Cananéia–Iguape Coastal System (CICS), in São Paulo (Brazil). Vegetation index data from MODIS orbital products were used to carry out this work. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) were acquired from the MODIS/Aqua sensor (MYD13Q1) and the leaf area index (LAI) from the MODIS/Terra (MOD15A2H). Surface temperature data were acquired from MODIS/Aqua (MYD11A2). The data were processed using Google Earth Engine and Google Colab. The data were collected, and spatial and temporal correlations were applied. Correlations were applied in the annual and seasonal period. The annual temporal correlation between vegetation indices and surface temperature was positive, but statistically significant for the LAI, with r = 0.43 (90% significance). In the seasonal period, positive correlations occurred in JFM for all indices (95% significance). Spatially, the results of this research indicate that the largest area showed a positive correlation between VI and LST. The hottest and rainiest periods (OND and JFM) had clearer and more significant correlations. In some regions, significant and clear correlations were observed, such as in some areas in the north, south and close to the city of Iguape. This highlights the complexity of the interactions between vegetation indices and climatic attributes, and highlights the importance of considering other environmental variables and processes when interpreting changes in vegetation. However, this research has significantly progressed the field, by establishing new correlations and demonstrating the importance of considering climate variability, for a more accurate understanding of the impacts on vegetation indices.

Trends in satellite-based ocean parameters through integrated time series decomposition and spectral analysis: 1. chlorophyll, sea surface temperature, and sea level anomaly

Abstract This study investigated trends in satellite-based chlorophyll-a (Chl-a; 1998–2022), sea surface temperature (SST; 1982–2022), and sea level anomaly (SLA; 1993–2021) from the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative records, integrating time series decomposition and spectral analysis. Trends in parameters signify prolonged increases, decreases, or no changes over time. These are time series in the same space as original parameters, excluding seasonalities and noise, and can exhibit nonlinearity. Trend rates approximate the pace of change per time unit. We quantified trends using conventional linear-fit and three incrementally advancing methods for time series decomposition: simple moving average (SMA), seasonal-trend decomposition using locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (STL), and multiple STL (MSTL), across the global ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Chesapeake Bay. Challenges in decomposition include specifying accurate seasonal periods that are derived here by combining Fourier and Wavelet Transforms. Globally, SST and SLA trend upwards, and Chl-a has no significant change, yet regional variations are notable. We highlight the advantage of extracting multiple periods with MSTL and, more broadly, decomposition’s role in disentangling time-series components (seasonality, trend, noise) without resorting to monotonic functions, thereby preventing overlooking episodic events. Illustrations include extreme events temporarily counteracting background trends, e.g., the 2010–2011 SLA drop due to La Niña-induced rainfall over land. The continuous analysis clarifies the warming hiatus debate, affirming sustained warming. Decadal trend rates per grid cell are also mapped. These are ubiquitously significant for SST and SLA, whereas Chl-a trend rates are globally low but extreme across coasts and boundary currents.

An annual result of outdoor and indoor PM 2.5 analysis in two different building types in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Air pollution has been a significant environmental and public health concern in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, for many years. The city experiences severe air pollution, particularly during the winter months. This study investigated the annual trends of outdoor and indoor PM2.5 concentrations at two neighboring sites in Ulaanbaatar: an office and a household, using low-cost sensors. Both locations exhibited similar fluctuations in outdoor PM2.5 concentrations over time, with ambient PM2.5 levels beginning to rise in October and declining in April. During the mid-term of the heating season (November to February), hourly averaged PM2.5 concentrations were exceptionally high, with peak pollution events exceeding ~ 1000µg/m3. Notably, PM2.5 concentrations were elevated during this heating season period. Time-activity patterns showed a decrease in PM2.5 concentrations during the periods of 06:00-08:00 and 14:00-18:00. Furthermore, the study found that the indoor environment could remain safe when windows were well-sealed, even under severe outdoor pollution conditions. Overall, this study provided accurate insights into the annual patterns of PM2.5 concentrations and demonstrated their fluctuations during the heating season when pollution levels were particularly high. The findings offer valuable recommendations for individuals to consider when going outside and for taking actions to improve indoor air quality in Ulaanbaatar.

Applying equineRSU and seasonal livestock correction to wider equine stud farm types

ABSTRACT To adjust for potential overestimations in the nitrogen excretion by horses within Overseer®, a revised stock unit system has been proposed (equineRSU). These equineRSU were generated and validated using a medium-sized equine farm as a model farm. The aim of this study was to test the application of the equineRSU and seasonal stock number adjustment on a more complex farming model. Livestock numbers and management data were captured prospectively for the base property (128.8 ha) of a large multi-property commercial breeding stud (3 support properties, 556 ha total area) between June 2022 and May 2023. The monthly on-farm metabolisable energy (ME) requirement and pasture demand were deterministically modelled with both a customised feed budget using livestock class and weight or using the equineRSU and monthly adjusted stock numbers. There were multiple complex movements of horses on and off the property in the different stock classes across the year, with stock management reflecting seasonal periods of high stocking density. There was good agreement (6% variance) between actual ME demand (complex feed budget) and estimated feed demand (simplistic equineRSU model) of 4,387,187 MJ vs 4,102,770 MJ. This suggests that the equineRSU could be used on complex equine farm systems within Overseer®.

Seasonal changes of dissolved CO2 and its linkage with optical characteristics of DOM in groundwater in agricultural areas

Groundwater contains significant quantities of dissolved CO2, which are crucial contributors to the global carbon cycle. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) functions as a principal carbon and energy source for microbial communities within groundwater ecosystems, yet the relationship between dissolved CO2 and optical characteristics of DOM remains ambiguous. Here, we delineate the variations in seasonal and vertical distribution of dissolved CO2 concentrations and DOM optical characteristics, and assess their interconnections in the groundwater of an agricultural region. The results showed that the average concentration of dissolved CO2 in groundwater was 11,300 ± 5,788 ppm, with the highest levels observed in summer and the lowest in winter. Additionally, shallow wells exhibited higher concentrations of dissolved CO2 compared to deep wells. The mass balance calculation suggested that 40,092 t of CO2 are released annually due to the degassing of supersaturated CO2 from groundwater extraction. Three-dimensional fluorescence with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) identified five components of DOM in groundwater: Components C1, C2, C3 and C4 are humic-like substances, and C5 is a tryptophan-like substance associated with protein structures. The analysis of compositional features and fluorescence indices revealed that DOM is predominantly derived from microbial sources, with mixed contributions from terrestrial sources in groundwater. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that first two axes accounted for 74.7 % of the variance in the seasonal variation of DOM optical characteristics and dissolved CO2 concentration, which reveals that DOM decomposition contributes to CO2 saturation in groundwater. However, a larger proportion of CO2 may be derived from leaching in the vadose zone during the rainy season or irrigation periods in shallow aquifer. This study enhanced the understanding of carbon dynamics within agricultural groundwater.