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Environments
Volume 13
Issue 8
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Environments, Volume 13, Issue 8 (August 2026) – 52 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): High concentrations of sulfate from anthropogenic activities can negatively affect aquatic organisms. To facilitate the development of a maximum allowable concentration for sulfate in the northern Baltic Sea, we conducted acute toxicity tests on seven Baltic Sea species and, in conjunction with the literature data, derived the fifth percentile hazardous concentration (HC5) through a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) with 12 species. Acute sulfate sensitivity varied across taxa, with fish and crustaceans being much more sensitive than bivalves, algae, rotifers and bacteria, which led to a bimodal SSD. With a Predicted No Effect Concentration of 1011 mg/L, the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval for the estimated percentage of species affected was below 5%. View this paper
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21 pages, 8958 KB  
Article
Arsenic Removal Is Mediated by Biofilms in Non-Aerated and Aerated Wetland Mesocosms
by Antoine K. Hnain, Iris Koch and Kela P. Weber
Environments 2026, 13(8), 465; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080465 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 482
Abstract
Planted and unplanted recirculating constructed wetland mesocosms maintained under non-aerated (reducing) and aerated (oxidizing) conditions were compared in their ability to remove 1 mg/L As(V) from simulated domestic wastewater over a 33-week period. Each week, one day prior to the addition of arsenic, [...] Read more.
Planted and unplanted recirculating constructed wetland mesocosms maintained under non-aerated (reducing) and aerated (oxidizing) conditions were compared in their ability to remove 1 mg/L As(V) from simulated domestic wastewater over a 33-week period. Each week, one day prior to the addition of arsenic, non-aerated mesocosms removed 70% of the nitrate and 95% of the organic carbon likely through denitrification while aerated mesocosms removed organic carbon only (97%). Upon arsenic addition and treatment for the remainder of the week, non-aerated mesocosms removed more arsenic (72%) than aerated mesocosms (43%). For the first time in the literature, we estimated the proportion of arsenic found in biofilms detached from gravel and incorporated this aspect into mass balance calculations. We discovered that biofilms from non-aerated mesocosms contained a higher proportion of arsenic (28%) than biofilms from aerated mesocosms (5%). Plants from both types of mesocosms removed a negligible amount of arsenic (<0.41%). Through X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, it was discovered that biofilms from non-aerated mesocosms had the highest iron concentrations (35,000 mg/kg), and this iron was identified as pyrite (2–15 wt%) through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The iron concentration of aerated biofilms was no different from that found in clean gravels (17,500 mg/kg), and no iron minerals were detectable in these samples using XRD analysis. Although some of the arsenic removal in both types of wetlands was thought to be attributable to adsorption onto substrates and biofilms, as well as uptake into biofilms, removal of arsenic in the non-aerated mesocosms was likely enhanced by the presence of pyrite because pyrite can adsorb arsenic directly or indirectly through the formation of iron oxides that can adsorb or coprecipitate with the iron oxides. Full article
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26 pages, 18188 KB  
Article
Summer Phytoplankton Communities Across Contrasting Water Masses in the Fram Strait
by Larisa Pautova, Vladimir Silkin, Marina Kravchishina, Alexey Klyuvitkin, Anton Tikhomirov, Nadejda Torgunova, Dmitry Glukhovets and Vladimir Artemyev
Environments 2026, 13(8), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080464 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 482
Abstract
In the Fram Strait, Atlantic Water (AW) flows northward through the eastern part of the strait, while Polar Surface Water (PSW) moves southward from the Arctic Ocean through its western part. Mixing of these water masses produces mixed AW (mAW). As these water [...] Read more.
In the Fram Strait, Atlantic Water (AW) flows northward through the eastern part of the strait, while Polar Surface Water (PSW) moves southward from the Arctic Ocean through its western part. Mixing of these water masses produces mixed AW (mAW). As these water masses move, significant changes occur in salinity, temperature, density, and nutrient concentrations, restructuring the phytoplankton community. Based on surveys conducted in August 2021 during the 84th cruise of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh, the dominant species were identified for each water mass. Among the key species (10 diatoms, 11 dinoflagellates, two coccolithophores, and one species each of chrysophyte, haptophyte, and ciliates), three ecological assemblages were distinguished: a cold-water PSW indicator complex (Porosira glacialis and Rhizosolenia hebetata f. hebetata among diatoms, the dinoflagellate Protoperidinium islandicum, and the ciliate Mesodinium rubrum); a warm-water AW complex (Navicula planamembranacea, Stephanopyxis turris, Rhizosolenia styliformis, the dinoflagellates Protoperidinium depressum and Tripos spp., and the coccolithophore Coccolithus pelagicus); and an mAW complex (the diatom Thalassiosira rotula, the coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa huxleyi, the haptophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii, and the chrysophyte Monochrysis sp.). Moving from south to north into the Fram Strait and from east to west towards the Greenland shelf, warm-water Atlantic indicator species were first replaced by mAW species, and then by cold-water species in the PSW. Maximum phytoplankton biomasses (up to 670.8 mg/m3) were observed in the marginal ice zone, driven by the intensive growth of large diatoms at depths within the euphotic zone where AW and PSW interact. If this interaction depth lies outside the euphotic zone, the phytoplankton biomass is determined by ciliates. In open water, large dinoflagellates contributed most to the biomass, indicating the decisive role of mixoplankton (mixotrophic plankton) in summer at high Arctic latitudes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity, Ecological Understanding and Conservation)
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28 pages, 6674 KB  
Article
Explainable Multiclass Forecasting of Tourism-Oriented Seawater Quality Dynamics Using High-Frequency Coastal Monitoring
by Medriti Mustafaraj, Øivind Kåre Kjerstad, Houxiang Zhang, Peihua Han and Ilira Pulaj
Environments 2026, 13(8), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080463 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 445
Abstract
Recreational coastal waters are increasingly affected by urbanization, maritime activities, and tourism, creating a need for predictive tools that support proactive water quality management. This study proposes an explainable machine learning framework for forecasting near-future changes in the Tourism-Oriented Seawater Quality Index (SeaWQI-T) [...] Read more.
Recreational coastal waters are increasingly affected by urbanization, maritime activities, and tourism, creating a need for predictive tools that support proactive water quality management. This study proposes an explainable machine learning framework for forecasting near-future changes in the Tourism-Oriented Seawater Quality Index (SeaWQI-T) using high-frequency seawater monitoring data collected in the Gulf of Vlorë, Albania. A summer monitoring campaign (June–August 2025) produced 102,988 physicochemical observations from six monitoring stations using an unmanned surface vehicle equipped with a Horiba U53 multiparameter sonde. Following quality control and temporal aggregation, the data were used to formulate a multiclass forecasting problem (decrease, stable, or increase), and Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models were evaluated across multiple forecasting horizons. XGBoost achieved the best validation performance, while Random Forest demonstrated superior generalization on the independent test dataset and provided the most stable explainability results. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) identified SeaWQI-T dynamics, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and oxidation–reduction potential as the most influential predictors. The proposed framework demonstrates that integrating explainable machine learning with autonomous high-frequency monitoring can provide accurate, interpretable forecasts to support intelligent coastal recreation management and sustainable tourism planning. Full article
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21 pages, 2103 KB  
Article
Nursery Management Modulates Biomass Allocation and Early Field Establishment of Pinus douglasiana Martínez
by Rosario Marilu Bernaola-Paucar, Bayron Alexander Ruiz-Blandon, Marcos Alama-Flores, Luiz Paulo Amaringo-Cordova, Nora Rodríguez Cangalaya, Deysi Alina Colachagua-Calderon, Carlos Emérico Nieto Ramos, Luis Armando Nieto Ramos and Walter Javier Cuadrado-Campó
Environments 2026, 13(8), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080462 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 731
Abstract
Nursery decisions influence the condition of seedlings before outplanting, but their practical value depends on whether those traits remain evident during early field establishment. We evaluated Pinus douglasiana Martínez seedlings grown under eight combinations of container volume, fertilization, and irrigation regime. Seedlings were [...] Read more.
Nursery decisions influence the condition of seedlings before outplanting, but their practical value depends on whether those traits remain evident during early field establishment. We evaluated Pinus douglasiana Martínez seedlings grown under eight combinations of container volume, fertilization, and irrigation regime. Seedlings were conditioned for six months in the nursery and then assessed after 12 months under field conditions. Container volume was the clearest source of variation. Compared with 1 L containers, 5 L containers produced seedlings with larger root collar diameter, greater shoot, root, and total biomass, and higher Dickson quality index. Total biomass was 2.2-fold greater in 5 L stock. Final survival was retained as a descriptive field variable and averaged 76.7% in 5 L treatments and 27.5% in 1 L treatments. Correlations based on treatment means associated total biomass with field diameter and descriptive survival, although these patterns were exploratory because only eight treatment means were available. Proline increased mainly under non-continuous irrigation, indicating a water-related nursery response, but it was not aligned with biomass production or first-year field performance. The treatment-level PCA separated biomass and field-growth variables from proline and lignification. These results show that larger containers improved the structural condition of P. douglasiana planting stock, although nursery costs, planting-site constraints, and longer monitoring should be considered before operational adoption. Full article
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16 pages, 4171 KB  
Review
Potentially Toxic Elements in the Avian Nervous System: From Bioaccumulation to Neurotoxicity and Ecological Consequences
by Raúl Cobo, Yolanda Segovia, Nuria Ortíz, Magdalena García and Alicia Navarro-Sempere
Environments 2026, 13(8), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080461 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 512
Abstract
Environmental contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses a persistent threat to wildlife, yet their accumulation and neurotoxic effects in the avian nervous system remain poorly understood. Although birds are widely recognised as valuable bioindicators of environmental pollution, most biomonitoring studies have focused [...] Read more.
Environmental contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses a persistent threat to wildlife, yet their accumulation and neurotoxic effects in the avian nervous system remain poorly understood. Although birds are widely recognised as valuable bioindicators of environmental pollution, most biomonitoring studies have focused on conventional tissues such as the liver, kidney, blood and feathers rather than on neural tissues, despite the high susceptibility of the nervous system to toxic injury. This review synthesises current knowledge on the bioaccumulation and neurotoxicity of PTEs in the avian nervous system, with emphasis on the brain, retina, optic pathways and spinal cord. Mercury remains the best-characterised avian neurotoxicant, whereas increasing evidence indicates that lead, cadmium and interactions with essential elements also contribute to neural dysfunction through distinct but partially overlapping mechanisms. Taken together, the available evidence indicates that neurotoxicity cannot be interpreted solely based on total elemental concentrations but also depends on chemical speciation, regional and cellular localisation, disruption of neural metal homeostasis and the intrinsic vulnerability of different neural tissues. Despite increasing evidence of PTE accumulation in neural tissues, important knowledge gaps remain regarding tissue-specific susceptibility and the links between neural damage, behavioural impairment and ecological performance. This review highlights the avian nervous system as an underexplored but biologically relevant target of environmental PTE exposure and highlights the need for more integrative approaches combining chemical, histopathological and functional assessments to improve avian biomonitoring and ecological risk assessment. Full article
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28 pages, 2472 KB  
Review
Persistent Non-Metabolizable Selective Agents (PeNSAs) as a New Framework for Evolutionary Toxicology in the Anthropocene
by Francisco Prosdocimi and Francesco Dondero
Environments 2026, 13(8), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080460 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 512
Abstract
Persistent anthropogenic contaminants increasingly shape evolutionary processes across natural populations. While many pollutants can be metabolized, degraded, or eliminated, a subset of highly persistent compounds remains in ecosystems and organisms over ecologically and evolutionarily relevant timescales. Here, we propose the concept of Persistent [...] Read more.
Persistent anthropogenic contaminants increasingly shape evolutionary processes across natural populations. While many pollutants can be metabolized, degraded, or eliminated, a subset of highly persistent compounds remains in ecosystems and organisms over ecologically and evolutionarily relevant timescales. Here, we propose the concept of Persistent Non-metabolizable Selective Agents (PeNSAs) to describe contaminants that exert chronic selective pressures while resisting biological degradation and effective elimination. Using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) as a model case, we argue that exposure to PeNSAs creates a distinctive evolutionary regime in which adaptation is more likely to proceed through tolerance, physiological compensation, and damage mitigation than through contaminant removal. This dynamic generates a decoupling between adaptation and remediation, whereby populations may evolve increased fitness under exposure while contaminant burdens remain unchanged. We develop a conceptual framework describing the ecological and evolutionary consequences of PeNSA exposure, including energetic trade-offs, incomplete evolutionary resolution, maintenance of genetic variation, and heterogeneous adaptive outcomes among populations. We further derive testable predictions that distinguish PeNSA-driven evolution from classical models of resistance and detoxification. By integrating evolutionary biology, ecotoxicology, and environmental science, the PeNSA framework provides a foundation for investigating adaptation to persistent contaminants and highlights implications for environmental monitoring, risk assessment, and ecosystem management in the Anthropocene. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Pollution, Toxicology and Restoration)
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25 pages, 1904 KB  
Article
Conservation with Equity: A Framework for Effective Governance and Ecological Reconciliation in Biosphere Reserves
by Gilbert B. Adum and Maureen G. Reed
Environments 2026, 13(8), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080459 - 19 Aug 2026
Viewed by 711
Abstract
Conservation governance frameworks assess equity through recognition, procedure, and distribution. These dimensions give limited attention to Indigenous authority over land and conservation decisions in settler-colonial contexts, including the relationships, responsibilities, and governance conditions that shape equitable conservation. This study develops and pilots the [...] Read more.
Conservation governance frameworks assess equity through recognition, procedure, and distribution. These dimensions give limited attention to Indigenous authority over land and conservation decisions in settler-colonial contexts, including the relationships, responsibilities, and governance conditions that shape equitable conservation. This study develops and pilots the Conservation with Equity framework across three UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserves in Canada: Clayoquot Sound, Mount Arrowsmith, and Redberry Lake. Using document analysis of UNESCO governance documents, complemented by semi-structured interviews with Biosphere Reserve managers, we examined how equity is reflected in conservation governance practices. The pilot application identified ecological reconciliation as a fourth and foundational dimension of equitable conservation governance, extending existing equity frameworks. Results show that the Biosphere Reserves incorporate Indigenous knowledge into conservation activities, involve communities in decision-making through governance processes, and support local livelihoods and restoration initiatives. However, these practices improve participation and benefit sharing without consistently shifting decision-making authority over land and conservation. Indigenous-led initiatives, including Tribal Parks, land-based education, healing initiatives, and food production systems, demonstrate pathways where Indigenous communities direct land use and conservation decisions. The Conservation with Equity framework provides a basis for assessing conservation governance with greater attention to Indigenous authority, governance, and relationships with land. Full article
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29 pages, 3071 KB  
Systematic Review
Operationalizing the Patch Concept in Foraging Ecology: A Systematic Review of 133 Species Across EUNIS Habitat Types
by Marco Elia and Alberto Basset
Environments 2026, 13(8), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080458 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 404
Abstract
Understanding how animals operationally identify and exploit resource patches is central to foraging ecology. The “patch”—a discrete area of resource concentration—is the fundamental unit of individual foraging behavior; however, standardized operational definitions of the criteria for patch identification across taxa, habitats, and biomes [...] Read more.
Understanding how animals operationally identify and exploit resource patches is central to foraging ecology. The “patch”—a discrete area of resource concentration—is the fundamental unit of individual foraging behavior; however, standardized operational definitions of the criteria for patch identification across taxa, habitats, and biomes are still scarce. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we reviewed 87 empirical studies encompassing 133 species, classifying patch identification methods across eight macro-categories of the European Nature Information System (EUNIS)—a structurally detailed habitat classification that, despite its European origin, we apply here as a general structural template for habitat architecture rather than as a claim of biogeographic universality, given that our dataset also spans non-European taxa and biomes. Patches are operationally identified through two approaches: observational delineation of natural resource structures (e.g., fruiting trees, prey aggregations, vegetation clusters) and experimental manipulation via artificial depletable units. We demonstrate that habitat structural complexity and species trophic preferences jointly govern the operational method by which patches are identified: habitat architecture determines which operational approach is used for patch delineation—observational or experimental—while a four-category Feeding Guild classification (Granivore, Herbivore, Omnivore, Carnivore) reveals that resource discretizability—the capacity to standardize prey into countable, depletable units—operates as the primary species-level predictor of patch identification method selection, an association that remains robust after formally controlling for phylogenetic non-independence and body mass in a mixed-effects model. The resulting framework provides, for the first time, a standardized operational guide for calibrating patch identification methods to habitat type and species trophic preferences and searching behavior across taxa and biomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity, Ecological Understanding and Conservation)
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15 pages, 684 KB  
Article
Nature-Based Solutions for Office Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Indoor Plants to Enhance Well-Being and Productivity
by Fátima Felgueiras, Zenaida Mourão, André Moreira and Marta Fonseca Gabriel
Environments 2026, 13(8), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080457 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 544
Abstract
Most of the global population lives and/or works in urban areas with limited access to green spaces. Integrating nature-based solutions (NBS) into indoor environments has emerged as a promising intervention strategy for enhancing indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and promoting human health and well-being. [...] Read more.
Most of the global population lives and/or works in urban areas with limited access to green spaces. Integrating nature-based solutions (NBS) into indoor environments has emerged as a promising intervention strategy for enhancing indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and promoting human health and well-being. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of introducing indoor plants of Sansevieria trifasciata, Dracaena fragrans, and Chlorophytum comosum, into urban office spaces on workers’ well-being, health, and productivity. The results indicated that reductions in volatile organic compound concentrations were associated with a 20.6% improvement in self-perceived well-being in offices with indoor plants. Notably, a significant decrease in pupil diameter (mean reduction: 0.3 mm) and an increase in pupil constriction amplitude (from 30.8% to 32.1%) were observed in the intervention group, suggesting enhanced parasympathetic activity. Although productivity remained unchanged, satisfaction with IEQ was significantly higher among office workers of the intervention group than among those in the control group (mean scores: 3.4 vs. 3.1). Overall, the findings suggest that indoor plants may represent a practical and scalable NBS associated with greater IEQ satisfaction and physiological responses consistent with a more relaxed state in office environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Indoor Air Quality for Health and Well-Being: Evidence and Intervention Strategies)
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15 pages, 1839 KB  
Article
Potentially Mineralizable Carbon Dynamics During Post-Agrogenic Succession in Soils of the Leningrad and Novgorod Regions Under Different Land-Use Types
by Roman Dyachkovskiy, Vyacheslav Polyakov, Timur Nizamutdinov and Evgeny Abakumov
Environments 2026, 13(8), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080456 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 1308
Abstract
Agricultural lands in Russia are increasingly being converted into fallow areas, making the study of potentially mineralizable carbon (PMC) in fallow soils essential for understanding post-agrogenic ecosystem functioning. This study provides a comparative assessment of the spatial and temporal dynamics of PMC in [...] Read more.
Agricultural lands in Russia are increasingly being converted into fallow areas, making the study of potentially mineralizable carbon (PMC) in fallow soils essential for understanding post-agrogenic ecosystem functioning. This study provides a comparative assessment of the spatial and temporal dynamics of PMC in soils of the Leningrad and Novgorod regions (Bankovo, Belogorka, and Borovichi sites) under different land-use types, including fallows of various ages, arable, garden, pasture, hayfield soils, and secondary forests. Total carbon content was determined by high-temperature dry combustion, while basal respiration was measured using a standard incubation method. PMC parameters were estimated using biokinetic fractionation of soil organic matter (SOM), and cumulative carbon release was calculated as the sum of emissions over the incubation period. The highest basal respiration values among the studied fallow soils were observed in fallow soils at the Bankovo site (1.44–1.66 µg CO2–C g−1 h−1). Carbon stocks in most fallow soils were lower than those of the corresponding background soils, although the magnitude of differences varied among sites. Both the size of the PMC pool and its mineralization rate varied among fallow soils depending on post-agrogenic succession, vegetation type, and site-specific environmental conditions. The highest cumulative C-CO2 production was recorded in degraded pasture soils and secondary forests at Borovichi. Restorative ecosystems generally showed higher carbon-mineralizing activity than arable and garden soils, although turnover characteristics varied among sites. Region-specific patterns related to parent material and environmental conditions were identified. Even after long-term fallowing (up to 120 years), several soil properties remained different from background conditions, indicating prolonged and site-dependent recovery of organic matter dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Climate Change and Ecosystems)
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21 pages, 8814 KB  
Article
Concentrations, Distribution, Sources, and Risks of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in the Karst Landscape of the Lijiang River Basin
by Qi Chen, Chengyou Ma, Jiali Qian, Qiaoyan Wu, Litang Qin, Liwei Xu and Yanpeng Liang
Environments 2026, 13(8), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080455 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 437
Abstract
Owing to their widespread occurrence, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) have emerged as a global environmental concern; however, research on PPCP pollution in karst tourist cities remains limited. This study investigated the concentrations and spatial distribution of 43 PPCPs in the Lijiang [...] Read more.
Owing to their widespread occurrence, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) have emerged as a global environmental concern; however, research on PPCP pollution in karst tourist cities remains limited. This study investigated the concentrations and spatial distribution of 43 PPCPs in the Lijiang River Basin and identified their primary sources together with the associated ecological and health risks. In total, 43 target PPCPs were detected in the Lijiang River Basin in Guangxi, China, with concentrations ranging from 68.6 to 3170 ng/L in wastewater, 53.2 to 1400 ng/L in surface water, and 32.0 to 505 ng/L in groundwater. Caffeine (CAF), 1,7-dimethylxanthine (1,7-DIM), 4-acetaminophenol (APAP), and metformin (MFM) were the predominant contaminants across all three matrices. Notably, concentrations in tributaries exceeded those in the main stem. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that domestic sewage and hospital wastewater constitute the principal sources of PPCPs in the Lijiang River. Certain effluents and river reaches containing 1,7-DIM and MFM posed a moderate ecological risk (0.1 < risk quotient (RQ) < 1). The PPCPs detected in groundwater did not exceed health-based thresholds, indicating no direct risk to human health. These findings advance our understanding of PPCP contamination in karst landscapes and provide a scientific basis for water quality management in the Lijiang River Basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Environmental Contaminants)
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20 pages, 3282 KB  
Article
The Pandemic’s Shock to the Mining Industry: A Counterfactual Analysis of Global Water–Carbon–Economy Linkages
by Zhen Wang, Xudong Yuan, Yulun Xiao, Jiaquan Zhang, Meihua Song, Lianhe Li, Lien-Chieh Lee and Chi-Hsiang Liu
Environments 2026, 13(8), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080454 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 681
Abstract
The mining industry is a cornerstone of global energy security and industrial supply chains, yet its resilience to systemic disruptions such as COVID-19 has been critically overlooked. This disruption provided a rare opportunity to trace supply-chain impacts. Using an environmentally extended multi-regional input-output [...] Read more.
The mining industry is a cornerstone of global energy security and industrial supply chains, yet its resilience to systemic disruptions such as COVID-19 has been critically overlooked. This disruption provided a rare opportunity to trace supply-chain impacts. Using an environmentally extended multi-regional input-output (EEMRIO) model integrated with a Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) weighted approach. We compare pandemic trajectories with counterfactual no-pandemic trajectories: the no-pandemic model (calibrated on 2004–2018) projects 2019–2025, while the pandemic model (calibrated through 2023) projects 2023–2025, with 2023 serving as the observed baseline and transition year. Our findings reveal a transient reduction in mining water and carbon footprints, juxtaposed with stark economic contractions: mining value fell by 40% in China, 37% in India, and 13% in the United States. The weighted component among the water-carbon-value (WVC) analysis further uncovers a tripolar spatial pattern, categorizing countries into financial hubs with high value, such as Switzerland, carbon-locked exporters like Brunei, and water-stressed regions, including Cambodia. Despite absorbing substantial embodied environmental burdens, China maintained its position as the global value hub. These insights underscore the urgency of policies that enhance structural efficiency, decarbonize the power sector, and foster supply chain diversification to decouple economic value from environmental pressures while mitigating spatial inequalities. Full article
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19 pages, 2932 KB  
Article
Climate-State-Dependent Mortality Risk in Smallholder Cattle and Buffalo Systems: An Environmental Systems Model of Livestock Loss, Insurance, and Land Carrying Capacity in Thailand
by Kiatanantha Lounkaew
Environments 2026, 13(8), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080453 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 411
Abstract
Mortality in smallholder cattle and buffalo systems is climate-driven, but the signal is not uniform: heat and cold stress, flooding, and climate-sensitive disease act through different pathways, yet livestock loss models usually compress them into one elevated-mortality state. The paper builds a climate-state-dependent [...] Read more.
Mortality in smallholder cattle and buffalo systems is climate-driven, but the signal is not uniform: heat and cold stress, flooding, and climate-sensitive disease act through different pathways, yet livestock loss models usually compress them into one elevated-mortality state. The paper builds a climate-state-dependent mortality model for the Thai national herd, separating an endemic baseline from a temperature-extreme and a moisture- and disease-driven regime. A 100,000-iteration Monte Carlo model, calibrated to the 2024 herd and a 2017 farmer survey at 2026 prices, generates the annual loss distribution and decomposes it by driver. The study is a calibrated scenario analysis, not an empirical estimation, so every result is conditional on the calibration and bounded by sensitivity analysis. Endemic mortality governs the average year, about 81% of expected loss but none of the extreme tail; the tail belongs entirely to the two climate regimes, with the moisture- and disease-driven regime carrying roughly 69% of losses beyond the 95th percentile and the temperature regime about 31%. This split holds across low-, medium-, and high-severity scenarios and a baseline range from 0.07 to 0.12, so it is structural: the driver of the typical year is not the driver of the catastrophe. Under a reduced-form behavioral layer with an assumed destocking response, generous payouts would raise stocking pressure 10% to 16% above a sustainable carrying capacity benchmark, so an adaptation instrument could degrade the rangeland it protects. The findings argue for regime-specific risk financing, for pairing insurance with heat and animal health adaptation, and for treating the carrying capacity externality as a design parameter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Economics, Energy Systems and Policymaking)
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27 pages, 2669 KB  
Article
Fitness for Purpose of Reactive Nitrogen Monitoring Methods in Ecosystems: A Multi-Faceted Comparative Assessment
by Ibán González-Fuente and Arturo H. Ariño
Environments 2026, 13(8), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080452 - 14 Aug 2026
Viewed by 580
Abstract
Anthropogenic reactive nitrogen (Nr) production now greatly exceeds natural creation, generating cascading environmental impacts on the environment and human health. Effective monitoring of Nr in ecosystems is essential for early warning and policy response, yet the landscape of available monitoring methods is wide [...] Read more.
Anthropogenic reactive nitrogen (Nr) production now greatly exceeds natural creation, generating cascading environmental impacts on the environment and human health. Effective monitoring of Nr in ecosystems is essential for early warning and policy response, yet the landscape of available monitoring methods is wide and heterogeneous, varying substantially in accuracy, purpose, cost, and ecological scope. This study evaluates nineteen Nr-monitoring methods, grouped into chemistry-based (CM), biodiversity-based (BM), and transplant-based (TM) methods, against 36 fitness-for-purpose (FFP) indicator facets. Facets are organized into intrinsic (direct measurement of nitrogen cycle components), projected (ecological effects the method can indicate), and extrinsic (metaproperties such as cost or precision) types. Scores are derived from 89 core papers, ranked using evidence-normalized weighted-sums (WS) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) approaches. CMs generally outperform BMs and TMs, with critical loads, total tissue nitrogen, and nitrogen isotopes leading overall. Lichen diversity, ectomycorrhizal fungi, and Ellenberg’s N lead among BMs, particularly for projected facets. The NMDS reveals a structural divide and monitoring complementarity between CMs and BMs, with CMs serving as early warning indicators, whereas BMs integrate cumulative, persistent ecosystem impacts. While no single method seems adequate for comprehensive monitoring, the FFP matrix facilitates selecting optimal monitoring combinations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Monitoring and Management)
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20 pages, 6527 KB  
Article
Assessment of Asbestos Fiber Occurrence and Removal Throughout the Drinking Water Treatment Chain: From Source Contamination to Household Filtration
by María A. Narváez-Cuadro, Manuel Saba, Luis F. Torres Jiménez, Oscar E. Coronado-Hernandez and Liseth Sequeda-Sequeda
Environments 2026, 13(8), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080451 - 14 Aug 2026
Viewed by 528
Abstract
Asbestos contamination in drinking water remains an underexplored environmental issue despite the widespread historical use of asbestos-cement materials in water infrastructure and buildings worldwide. This study evaluated the occurrence and removal of asbestos fibers throughout the drinking water treatment chain in Cartagena de [...] Read more.
Asbestos contamination in drinking water remains an underexplored environmental issue despite the widespread historical use of asbestos-cement materials in water infrastructure and buildings worldwide. This study evaluated the occurrence and removal of asbestos fibers throughout the drinking water treatment chain in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from source contamination to household filtration. Synthetic asbestos-contaminated water prepared from asbestos-cement roofing materials was treated using coagulation–flocculation with aluminum sulfate, a pilot-scale conventional treatment train, membrane filtration, and household point-of-use filtration systems. Asbestos quantification and mineral identification were performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), with results reported as million fibers per liter (MFL). Coagulation–flocculation achieved the highest removal efficiencies, reaching up to 99.8% at aluminum sulfate dosages between 35 and 45 mg/L. The pilot-scale treatment system substantially reduced asbestos concentrations, with granular filtration representing the principal removal barrier. Membrane filtration exhibited moderate and highly variable performance, with an average removal efficiency of 44.7%, whereas household filters showed inconsistent behavior and occasional concentration peaks associated with possible breakthrough or remobilization processes. The results demonstrate that asbestos removal is strongly governed by the treatment mechanism, with particle destabilization and aggregation outperforming technologies relying exclusively on physical retention. These findings support the progressive replacement of asbestos-containing water infrastructure as the primary long-term preventive strategy, complemented by targeted monitoring and optimized asbestos-removal treatment where fiber contamination is detected or a risk of release from legacy materials exists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Urban Wastewater Systems: Innovative Technologies from Sewer to Treatment Plants)
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23 pages, 14078 KB  
Article
Estimation of Potential Soil Loss Using the RUSLE Method: The Case of the Bayramhacılı Sub-Basin (Nevşehir)
by Ali İmamoğlu
Environments 2026, 13(8), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080450 - 13 Aug 2026
Viewed by 887
Abstract
This study aims to spatially analyze the potential soil loss rates of the Özkonak Watershed, located within Nevşehir Province, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies. In the 149.9 km2 [...] Read more.
This study aims to spatially analyze the potential soil loss rates of the Özkonak Watershed, located within Nevşehir Province, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies. In the 149.9 km2 watershed, the main parameters triggering erosion—rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), land cover and management (C), and support practices (P)—were modeled in a GIS environment. According to the spatial analysis results, 85.8% of the watershed area falls within the “very low” and “low” erosion susceptibility classes. Nevertheless, erosion increases markedly in the northern areas with high slope gradients and in areas where agricultural activities are concentrated. The mean soil loss across the watershed was calculated as 2.75 t ha−1 yr−1. The eroded and transported material was determined to constitute a threat to the dam. The findings indicate that conservation plans, including afforestation in the upper watershed, adjustment of land use to natural land capability, and construction of check dams, should be implemented to ensure sustainable management of the watershed. From a soil and sediment remediation perspective, the identification of erosion-source areas and sediment-transport pathways provides a scientific basis for source-control measures aimed at reducing sediment delivery and associated water-quality deterioration in the Bayramhacılı Dam reservoir. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Soil/Sediment Remediation and Wastewater Treatment)
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20 pages, 4337 KB  
Article
Sorption Properties of Bentonite for Removing Oxytetracycline from Solutions and Evaluation of Toxicological Characteristics of Sorption Products
by Leonid Perelomov, Maria Gertsen, Ilya Khaidanov, Irina Perelomova and Anna Kharkova
Environments 2026, 13(8), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080449 - 13 Aug 2026
Viewed by 577
Abstract
The adsorption of oxytetracycline hydrochloride by bentonite was studied in batch sorption experiments. Antibiotic adsorption was described using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich models. At 293 K, the maximum oxytetracycline adsorption was 1.3 mmol g−1 according to the Langmuir equation (R = [...] Read more.
The adsorption of oxytetracycline hydrochloride by bentonite was studied in batch sorption experiments. Antibiotic adsorption was described using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich models. At 293 K, the maximum oxytetracycline adsorption was 1.3 mmol g−1 according to the Langmuir equation (R = 0.99) and 0.77 mmol g−1 according to the Dubinin–Radushkevich equation (R = 0.95). It was shown that oxytetracycline adsorption on bentonite is a pH-dependent process, and various cationic forms of the antibiotic are best sorbed by the mineral. Negative values of ΔG0 across the studied temperature range (283–303 K) indicate that the adsorption process is spontaneous. The magnitude of ΔG0 increases with increasing temperature, consistent with an endothermic process. Experimental data on adsorption kinetics are satisfactorily approximated by a pseudo-second-order equation. Using X-ray diffraction, it was shown that the interaction of oxytetracycline with bentonite leads to an increase in the interlayer space in the mineral, which indicates the intercalation of the antibiotic between mineral layers. Clay complexes with oxytetracycline hydrochloride, similar to the antibiotic, continue to exhibit antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas fluorescens cultures. The size of the inhibition zones increases proportionally to the concentration of the antibiotic in the complex. The samples of clay–antibiotic complexes at all analyzed concentrations showed low toxicity for Daphnia magna. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Occurrence, Mobility, Transport, and Fate of Contaminants in Surface and Subsurface Environments)
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24 pages, 2214 KB  
Article
Representing Grazing Disturbance–Recovery Processes Improves Simulation of Soil Carbon Dynamics in Grazed Systems
by Xiuying Wang, Rodrigo de Q. Miranda, Stephanie M. Juice, Derek N. Pierson and Melissa Motew
Environments 2026, 13(8), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080448 - 11 Aug 2026
Viewed by 1158
Abstract
Grazing management strongly influences soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics, yet existing versions of the widely used DayCent model represent grazing effects largely through biomass removal and manure return, without explicitly simulating post-grazing vegetation regrowth or trampling-driven redistribution of organic matter. To address this [...] Read more.
Grazing management strongly influences soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics, yet existing versions of the widely used DayCent model represent grazing effects largely through biomass removal and manure return, without explicitly simulating post-grazing vegetation regrowth or trampling-driven redistribution of organic matter. To address this limitation, DayCent-IGM (Improved Grazing Module) was developed by incorporating two additional processes: climate- and residual biomass-constrained post-grazing regrowth and trampling-driven redistribution of biomass and litter into soil pools. Model performance was evaluated using SOC stocks and treatment-based SOC change rates from 18 grazing experiment sites. Compared with the original DayCent, DayCent-IGM improved simulations of both SOC stocks and change rates. For SOC change rates, RMSE decreased from 0.688 to 0.419 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, bias improved from −0.081 to −0.001 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, and simulated mean SOC change rates closely matched observations (0.099 vs. 0.100 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, simulated vs. observed), whereas DayCent underestimated the mean rate (0.019 Mg C ha−1 yr−1). These results demonstrate that explicit representation of grazing disturbance–recovery processes improves simulation of management-driven SOC responses. Because DayCent-IGM requires no additional inputs beyond standard DayCent data, it provides a practical framework for SOC modeling in grazing ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Monitoring and Management)
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23 pages, 1063 KB  
Article
Integrating LDIR Spectroscopy for Assessing Exposure to Microplastics in Drinking Water: A Preliminary Study
by Simona Galoppo, Angelo Fenti, Giovanni Falco, Simeone Chianese, Ludovica Vittoria Marfella, Dino Musmarra, Damià Barceló and Pasquale Iovino
Environments 2026, 13(8), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080447 - 10 Aug 2026
Viewed by 735
Abstract
MP contamination in drinking water is an emerging public health concern, yet standardized analytical workflows and exposure assessments remain limited and fragmented. This study provides an exploratory assessment of MP exposure through drinking water, combining particle-resolved analysis with consumption-based estimates. Laser Direct Infrared [...] Read more.
MP contamination in drinking water is an emerging public health concern, yet standardized analytical workflows and exposure assessments remain limited and fragmented. This study provides an exploratory assessment of MP exposure through drinking water, combining particle-resolved analysis with consumption-based estimates. Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) spectroscopy was applied within the analytical workflow to characterize MPs across different drinking water supply types. Ten drinking-water samples (five bottled, two tap, two public dispensers, and one office dispenser) were analyzed within a 10–500 µm size window, and particle-resolved results were combined with a consumption survey to support preliminary exposure estimates. MPs in the 10–150 µm range were detected in six of ten samples, while tap waters and all blanks were particle-free, supporting analytical robustness. Bottled waters showed the highest MP abundances (6–148 particles L−1) and mass concentrations (0.03–22.4 µg L−1). Particle-size distributions were right-skewed and dominated by particles ≤ 30 µm. PET, PU, PA, and ABS predominated, consistent with packaging and dispensing origins. EDI estimates for bottled-water consumers ranged from 0.1008 to 0.3023 µg kg-bw−1 day−1 across three consumption scenarios (1–3 L day−1). Despite the limited sample size, the results support LDIR for source discrimination and exposure screening, providing a basis for future research. Full article
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39 pages, 2101 KB  
Article
A Comparative Study of E-Waste Management Practices of Regional Councils in Victoria and Queensland, Australia
by Lynda Andeobu, Santoso Wibowo and Srimannarayana Grandhi
Environments 2026, 13(8), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080446 - 7 Aug 2026
Viewed by 758
Abstract
Globally, Australia is ranked the fourth-top producer of e-waste. While Australian states and territories are increasingly recognising the e-waste problem and developing policies and regulations that deal with e-waste, huge amounts of e-waste still go undocumented. Currently, regional councils are concerned with the [...] Read more.
Globally, Australia is ranked the fourth-top producer of e-waste. While Australian states and territories are increasingly recognising the e-waste problem and developing policies and regulations that deal with e-waste, huge amounts of e-waste still go undocumented. Currently, regional councils are concerned with the existing recycling practices owing to the escalating quantities of e-waste generated yearly. This paper examines the e-waste management practices of Victorian and Queensland regional councils, compares the current practices in managing e-waste, identifies the problems and challenges, and recommends innovative approaches to address e-waste collection and recycling practices in Australia. This study was conducted in regional Victoria and Queensland councils. A qualitative research method employing semi-structured interviews is adopted in this study. The study interviewed 49 employees of Victorian and Queensland regional councils. The findings of the study identified a number of areas that needs improvement in the management of e-waste such as: (a) lack of education and awareness about e-waste for the residents in the communities, (b) absence of knowledge about e-waste recycling (c) poor attitude towards e-waste recycling, (d) lack of sufficient funding; (e) limited number of e-waste recyclers to engage, (f) lack of specific policies and legislation on e-waste management (g) inability of the current National Television Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) and mobile muster national product stewardship initiatives and schemes to cover all categories of e-waste. These results suggest that e-waste management practices in Victorian and Queensland Regional Councils need improvement. The findings of this study show that there are more similarities and fewer differences in how the Victorian and Queensland regional councils manage their e-waste. This study provides numerous practical and workable suggestions for addressing the e-waste management practices of regional councils in Australia. From a real-world scenario, this study will be useful to regional councils, environmentalists, and policymakers in identifying areas of improvement in e-waste management practices and developing impactful solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Monitoring and Management)
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16 pages, 1149 KB  
Article
Measuring up: Assessing the Progress in Water Demand Management in British Columbia, Canada
by Vincent Kuuteryiri Chireh and Jordi Honey-Rosés
Environments 2026, 13(8), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080445 - 6 Aug 2026
Viewed by 536
Abstract
Amid growing water stress in British Columbia caused by climate change, population growth, and rising demand, local governments in Canada are adopting water demand management and conservation policies as part of broader climate adaptation efforts to promote sustainable water use and optimize efficiency. [...] Read more.
Amid growing water stress in British Columbia caused by climate change, population growth, and rising demand, local governments in Canada are adopting water demand management and conservation policies as part of broader climate adaptation efforts to promote sustainable water use and optimize efficiency. Our objective was to understand the actions local governments are taking to address climate-related impacts on the water sector. Thus, the study assesses the implementation status and progress of water demand management in British Columbia by surveying water managers from 94 local jurisdictions across the province. Our analysis focuses on four key dimensions: prioritization, planning, investment, and implementation of water demand management policies. Results reveal that 84% of surveyed jurisdictions have water efficiency/conservation plans, and 55% of household water connections are metered. Commonly implemented measures include mandatory water restrictions, volumetric pricing, leak detection, and public education campaigns, with regional policies proving more prevalent than municipal-level initiatives. Despite notable progress, implementation remains uneven, with gaps in resource allocation and many household connections still without water meters. Tracking the progress of implementing best practices in water conservation is an essential part of local climate adaptation. Full article
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30 pages, 2631 KB  
Review
Mapping the Evolution of Surfactant-Based Environmental Remediation: Research Trends and Emerging Technologies in Groundwater and Soil Systems
by Madhusudhan Ramu Bangalor, Motasem Y. D. Alazaiza, Ahmed Albahnasavi, Dia Eddin Nassani, Obie Farobie and Mohammed F. M. Abushammala
Environments 2026, 13(8), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080444 - 6 Aug 2026
Viewed by 540
Abstract
This study provides a bibliometric analysis of global research on surfactant applications in subsurface remediation over the period 2010–2025, with the objective of mapping the scientific development, knowledge structure, and emerging research fronts in this field. A total of 359 documents indexed in [...] Read more.
This study provides a bibliometric analysis of global research on surfactant applications in subsurface remediation over the period 2010–2025, with the objective of mapping the scientific development, knowledge structure, and emerging research fronts in this field. A total of 359 documents indexed in Scopus were examined in February 2025 using bibliometric methods, including citation analysis, total link strength (TLS), co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence mapping and included English-language research articles, review papers, conference papers, and book chapters. Visualization and analytical outputs were generated using tools such as VOSviewer to interpret research patterns and relationships. The annual number of publications increased steadily throughout the study period, corresponding to an average yearly growth rate of 6.9%. The citation structure is highly uneven, where a relatively small number of publications and authors contribute disproportionately to overall citation impact. Review papers play a central role in consolidating knowledge and guiding research development, reflecting increasing consolidation of the field. Keyword analysis reveals a stable core focus on surfactant-enhanced remediation, alongside emerging topics such as PFAS contamination, biosurfactants, and integrated surfactant–oxidation treatment systems. Overall, this study offers a structured quantitative overview of the intellectual landscape of surfactant-based remediation research and identifies key trends, gaps, and future directions for advancing sustainable subsurface contamination management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Remediation and Improvement Through the Application of By-Product Amendments, 3rd Edition)
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18 pages, 1852 KB  
Article
Deep Learning Models for Quantitative Precipitation Estimation Based on Weather-Radar and Rain-Gauge Datasets
by Matteo Passeri, Fabrizio Argenti, Daniele Baracchi, Dasara Shullani, Alessio Biondi, Fabrizio Cuccoli, Luca Facheris and Luciano Alparone
Environments 2026, 13(8), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080443 - 6 Aug 2026
Viewed by 552
Abstract
Quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) is a fundamental task of hydrometeorological applications, ranging from flash-flood detection to water-resource management. While weather radars offer superior spatial coverage compared with rain gauges, traditional estimation based on the empirical Z−R (reflectivity factor vs. rainfall rate) [...] Read more.
Quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) is a fundamental task of hydrometeorological applications, ranging from flash-flood detection to water-resource management. While weather radars offer superior spatial coverage compared with rain gauges, traditional estimation based on the empirical Z−R (reflectivity factor vs. rainfall rate) relationship fails to capture spatial variability and tends to underestimate extreme rainfall. The idea pursued here is to learn the radar-to-rainfall mapping by means of a convolutional neural network (CNN) trained on co-located radar and rain-gauge data; thus, once trained, the network can convert radar reflectivity measures into rainfall values, even where gauges are unavailable. Although machine learning techniques are promising for this task, they typically demand large training sets. To operate in a limited-data regime, we introduce a U-Net architecture that separates the analysis of space from that of time: each block first looks at the structure of the reflectivity field and then at how it changes over consecutive radar scans, extracting spatiotemporal features from volumetric data with fewer parameters than a full three-dimensional filter. The model is evaluated on a severe convective event that affected Tuscany, Italy, on 2 November 2023, benchmarking its performance against the classical Joss–Waldvogel Z−R relationship (suitable for convective events), a data-driven log-regression of weather-radar and rain-gauge data, and a baseline CNN architecture. The main advantages are negative bias—i.e., underestimation of rainfall—more than halved and correlation with rain-gauge measures more than doubled, under the same operational conditions. What is noteworthy is the capability of learning the model from radar and rainfall data taken in different times and places, as well as the possibility of converting a reflectivity map into a rainfall map without the need for simultaneous rain-gauge measures. This is an asset of fixed parametric methods; however, they are far less accurate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Modeling and Sustainable Water Resources Management, 2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 4763 KB  
Article
Quantifying the Gap Between the Local Perceptions of Farming Households and What Experts Say About Climate Change in Haiti and the Dominican Republic
by Jacky Duvil, Thierry Feuillet, Amel Christné Bernadin, Bénédique Paul and Evens Emmanuel
Environments 2026, 13(8), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080442 - 5 Aug 2026
Viewed by 1094
Abstract
This study quantifies and assesses the gap between the perceptions of 550 farming households on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola and the opinions of 60 regional experts on climate change. This quantification draws on the traditional knowledge of farming households, which is based [...] Read more.
This study quantifies and assesses the gap between the perceptions of 550 farming households on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola and the opinions of 60 regional experts on climate change. This quantification draws on the traditional knowledge of farming households, which is based on environmental observations, including meteorological, biological, and astrological ones, as well as on the experts’ opinions, which are grounded in scientific observations. To measure this gap, we asked 24 identical questions to both the experts and the farming households, using the experts’ responses as a benchmark. The experts’ statements were used as a reference to reflect the reality of climate change, given that the majority of experts’ answers converge. We then quantified the average distance for each farming household relative to these references. Fisher’s exact test and Pearson chi-square (χ2) test were used to assess this distance. A binary regression model was then used to identify the main factors influencing the gap in farming households’ perceptions, as well as to examine whether this gap is associated with greater socioeconomic vulnerability. The results revealed that in Haiti, 70% of farming households had a different perception from experts’one. In the Dominican Republic, this proportion was 47.50%. Vulnerable (OR = 12.94, p < 0.001) and very vulnerable (OR = 4.18, p < 0.05) farming households were more likely to have a different perception of climate change compared to experts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Climate Change and Ecosystems)
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25 pages, 712 KB  
Review
Soil Moisture Prediction: A Review of Models, Principles, Applications and Future Needs
by Duncan Kikoyo, John Zhang, Ann-Marie Fortuna, Patricia K. Smith, Sherry Hunt, Paul Flanagan, Phillip Busteed and Jaehak Jeong
Environments 2026, 13(8), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080441 - 5 Aug 2026
Viewed by 592
Abstract
Soil moisture is a fundamental variable controlling hydrologic partitioning, land–atmosphere exchange, and biogeochemical cycling. Although widely characterized through observations, remote sensing, and data-driven approaches, the representation of soil water fluxes and subsurface processes in predictive models remains less systematically synthesized. Here, we present [...] Read more.
Soil moisture is a fundamental variable controlling hydrologic partitioning, land–atmosphere exchange, and biogeochemical cycling. Although widely characterized through observations, remote sensing, and data-driven approaches, the representation of soil water fluxes and subsurface processes in predictive models remains less systematically synthesized. Here, we present a structured review of widely used predictive models, focusing on their process formulations, spatial discretization, and treatment of soil water fluxes across scales. The synthesis reveals consistent trade-offs among physical realism, scalability, data intensity, and computational efficiency. Conceptual models based on tipping-bucket approaches simplify soil water movement as threshold-driven storage processes and underrepresent transient redistribution and deep soil moisture dynamics. Storage-routing models introduce flux-based redistribution but rely on empirical parameterization that dampen transient flux dynamics. Physically based models resolve hydraulic gradients and provide the highest process fidelity but require extensive data and computational resources. Across scales, the absence or simplification of preferential flow and lateral subsurface flow constitutes the dominant structural limitation, producing systematic smoothing of soil moisture variability. The review provides a comparative basis for model selection and highlights critical directions for improving the representation of subsurface hydrologic dynamics in predictive frameworks. Full article
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15 pages, 7581 KB  
Article
Baseline Assessment of Anthropogenic Particles in Ogaa (Sander vitreus) and Asaawe (Perca flavescens) from the Mississippi Headwaters
by Colin Eagle, Carl Isaacson, Melinda Neville, Michelle Anderson and Muhammad Hasnain
Environments 2026, 13(8), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080440 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 679
Abstract
Anthropogenic particles (APs), including suspected microplastics, are increasingly reported in freshwater ecosystems; however, baseline data remain limited for culturally important freshwater fish in the Mississippi River Headwaters. This study assessed the occurrence and morphology of APs in Ogaa (walleye; Sander vitreus) and [...] Read more.
Anthropogenic particles (APs), including suspected microplastics, are increasingly reported in freshwater ecosystems; however, baseline data remain limited for culturally important freshwater fish in the Mississippi River Headwaters. This study assessed the occurrence and morphology of APs in Ogaa (walleye; Sander vitreus) and Asaawe (yellow perch; Perca flavescens) collected from five northern Minnesota lakes. Gastrointestinal tract, liver, and fillet tissues from 49 fish were processed using a modified hydrogen peroxide digestion protocol and examined by stereomicroscopy. Because polymer confirmation was not conducted, visually identified particles are conservatively reported as anthropogenic particles rather than confirmed microplastics. Forty-one APs were identified across all tissues, with 43% of fish containing at least one particle (0.83±1. particles per fish). Fibers were the predominant morphology, followed by fragments, and walleye exhibited greater AP prevalence and abundance than yellow perch. Although descriptive differences were observed among lakes and tissues, statistical analyses did not detect significant relationships among the variables examined. These findings establish baseline information on AP occurrence in culturally important freshwater fish from the Mississippi River Headwaters and provide a foundation for future investigations incorporating polymer confirmation and expanded spatial and temporal sampling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Society, Environment, Health)
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27 pages, 3772 KB  
Article
CO2 and CH4 Emissions from Two Maar Crater Lakes (São Miguel, Azores)
by César Andrade, José Virgílio Cruz, Duarte Toubarro, Letícia Ferreira, Fátima Viveiros, Franco Tassi, Adriano Pimentel, Diogo Braga and Pedro M. Raposeiro
Environments 2026, 13(8), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080439 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 1108
Abstract
This study was made to quantify ΦCO2 and ΦCH4 in two crater monomictic lakes on São Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal). The studied water bodies are both within maar craters, with depths equal to 22 m and 33 m, at the Congro [...] Read more.
This study was made to quantify ΦCO2 and ΦCH4 in two crater monomictic lakes on São Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal). The studied water bodies are both within maar craters, with depths equal to 22 m and 33 m, at the Congro and Santiago lakes, respectively. ΦCO2 values in both lakes are lower in summer, with a mean equal to 2.9 and 1.4 g m−2 d−1, respectively, in Congro and Santiago lakes, when the water column is stratified. ΦCH4 displayed a different seasonal trend, with higher emissions during the period when the water column is stratified (mean value equal to 0.036 and 0.020 g m−2 d−1, respectively). Bacterial families commonly associated with CO2 production, through heterotrophic respiration, fermentation, and syntrophic metabolism, were identified in both lakes, being the most abundant taxa Clostridiaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Holophagaceae and Methylomonadaceae. The microbial community composition suggests seasonal variations, reflected by shifts in the relative abundance of specific microbial taxa. In particular, Clostridiaceae and Enterobacteriaceae exhibited higher relative abundance during winter, consistent with an increased contribution of fermentative microorganisms during this period. In contrast, Methylomonadaceae, a family commonly associated with methane oxidation and subsequent CO2 production, reached higher relative abundance during summer in both lakes, suggesting enhanced methanotrophic activity during this period. Regarding CH4 production, methanogens showed a slightly higher abundance during summer at Congro Lake, such as Methanosarcinaceae. In Santiago Lake, Syntrophaceae and unclassified Syntrophales were more abundant during summer, coinciding with higher CH4 emissions compared to winter. The present research contributes to understanding volcanic gas release from lake water bodies in active volcanic framework, helping also to constrain GHG budgets in oceanic islands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Climate Change and Ecosystems)
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24 pages, 3748 KB  
Article
Impact of Agronomic Practices and Socioeconomic Factors on Coffee Yield in the Monzón Valley, Peru
by Alex Rengifo Rojas, Nelino Florida Rofner, Luis Abanto Morales y Chocano, Barland Alfonso Huamán Bravo, Liliana Vega Jara, Jorge Antonio Romero Estacio and Jaime Encarnación Hipólito Vásquez
Environments 2026, 13(8), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080438 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 1100
Abstract
Coffee cultivation offers benefits such as biodiversity conservation, economic sustenance for farmers, and health advantages. This quantitative, microsociological, and applied study, with a non-experimental, cross-sectional design and explanatory level, aimed to evaluate the impact of agronomic practices and socioeconomic factors on coffee yields [...] Read more.
Coffee cultivation offers benefits such as biodiversity conservation, economic sustenance for farmers, and health advantages. This quantitative, microsociological, and applied study, with a non-experimental, cross-sectional design and explanatory level, aimed to evaluate the impact of agronomic practices and socioeconomic factors on coffee yields among farmers in the Monzón Valley (Huánuco, Peru). Using the hypothetico-deductive method, logit and probit regression models were employed, employing an ordered probabilistic model with multiple responses. Data were collected through simple random sampling, surveying 152 producers. The probit model proved most suitable for explaining yield levels, classified as low (<0.60 Tn/ha/year), medium (0.61–1.00), and high (1.01–2.20). The most influential indicators were biological and cultural control, crop age, organic farming practices, altitude, cultivation of more than one variety, seed selection, monetary income, and farmer experience. The study concludes that the probit model adequately explains the relationship between the agronomic and socioeconomic variables that determine yield. The findings provide valuable evidence for the design of local agricultural policies and producer support programs. Furthermore, the study explicitly contributes to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), by identifying factors that link sustainable coffee productivity with the socioeconomic well-being of farming communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Horizons: 3ES (Economic, Social, Ecological, and Energy) Implications of Land Source Pollution Management)
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20 pages, 17284 KB  
Article
Evaluating the Effectiveness of COVID-19 Lockdown Measures Through Air Pollution Trends in the Republic of Georgia (March–June 2019–2022): An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis
by Aelita Sargsyan and Maria Morales-Suárez-Varela
Environments 2026, 13(8), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080437 - 2 Aug 2026
Viewed by 927
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic created a unique natural experiment to evaluate the impact of reduced human activity on urban air quality. This study assessed the effects of lockdown measures on major air pollutants across three Georgian cities with contrasting emission profiles: traffic-dominated Tbilisi, coastal [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic created a unique natural experiment to evaluate the impact of reduced human activity on urban air quality. This study assessed the effects of lockdown measures on major air pollutants across three Georgian cities with contrasting emission profiles: traffic-dominated Tbilisi, coastal Batumi, and industrial Rustavi. Daily concentrations of NO2, SO2, PM2.5, PM10, and O3 were obtained from the National Environmental Agency’s automated monitoring network for March–June 2019–2022. Following systematic missing value imputation, meteorologically adjusted interrupted time-series (segmented regression) models, incorporating daily temperature and wind speed as covariates, were used as the primary analysis; Mann–Kendall trend analysis was retained as a secondary, descriptive measure. Results were evaluated against WHO 2021 Air Quality Guidelines. Tbilisi showed the strongest lockdown response: NO2 declined by 47.9% in 2020 (vs. 2019), before rebounding fully in 2022. PM2.5 and PM10 showed attenuated reductions, reflecting continued heating combustion and dust sources. Ground-level O3 increased in Tbilisi in 2020 (+25.0% vs. 2019). Rustavi exhibited no NO2 response and an O3 decrease of 43.2% in 2020, with partial recovery in 2021–2022. Batumi showed intermediate responses, with PM2.5 and PM10 increases in 2020. Meteorologically adjusted interrupted time-series models confirmed 11 of 30 city–pollutant effect estimates after false discovery rate correction, most robustly for NO2; several borderline ozone and SO2 findings did not survive correction and are reported as suggestive only. Lockdown measures were associated with source-specific and temporary air quality improvements, after accounting for meteorological conditions. Sustained reductions require structural interventions targeting traffic, residential combustion, and industrial emissions simultaneously. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality Assessment: Environmental Impacts, Risks and Human Health Hazards)
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23 pages, 1777 KB  
Article
Radionuclide Accumulation in Fine Fractions: Implications for Occupational and Environmental Exposure
by Kristina Bikit, Selena Samardžić Cvijanović, Tomas Nemeš, Robert Lakatoš, Jan Hansman, Ivana Lončarević, Milica Vučinić Vasić, Dušan Mrđa and Sofija Forkapić
Environments 2026, 13(8), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080436 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 446
Abstract
Radiological screening of construction materials is conventionally performed on bulk samples, yet occupants are exposed to fine, abradable, and respirable fractions. This study examines how particle-size distribution (PSD) governs the redistribution of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and anthropogenic 137Cs in [...] Read more.
Radiological screening of construction materials is conventionally performed on bulk samples, yet occupants are exposed to fine, abradable, and respirable fractions. This study examines how particle-size distribution (PSD) governs the redistribution of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and anthropogenic 137Cs in construction materials and in ash from domestic biomass heating. In total, 27 materials were analysed by high-resolution HPGe gamma spectrometry, with granulometric segregation at coarse (PSD3) and fine (PSD7) resolution. PSD3 showed no monotonic effect, whereas PSD7 revealed a systematic rise of the activity concentration index toward the finest fractions. 40K and 137Cs showed the strongest particle-size dependence, indicating preferential accumulation in the fines; 137Cs was detected only in biomass-ash pellets, where it was enriched in the fines (EF = 2.73 relative to bulk; a single-material case study). Two models are proposed: a physically grounded surface-controlled model and a descriptive granulometric enrichment factor for material ranking, both fitted to the present dataset. A fraction-resolved dose assessment showed that the internal hazard index (Hin) rises toward the fines and exceeds unity (≈1.1) in the respirable ash and fireclay fractions even though their bulk values remain acceptable. Bulk screening, therefore, underestimates the dose-relevant burden carried by the fine fractions that workers and households actually inhale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity)
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