Search Results (174)

The European Union (EU) and national governments have set clear targets to reduce agricultural emissions, including ammonia from manure spreading practice, with regulations such as the Ambient Air Quality (AQ) and Clean Air Directives, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the Green Deal, with implication for ecosystem services and landscape planning, reflecting broader environmental sustainability objectives including those addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Informative Inventory Reports (IIRs) are critical tools within the EMEP/EEA framework for monitoring long-range transboundary air pollution. They utilize three distinct methodological tiers (Tiers 1, 2, and 3) to estimate emission data across Europe. Despite the availability of Earth Observation (EO) data and products from the Copernicus Programme current estimation methods still rarely integrate EO information to produce spatially explicit estimates. This paper reviews current methodologies for estimating ammonia in IIRs and in scientific literature, including advanced methods not yet implemented in official inventories but potentially capable of supporting more spatially explicit and process-oriented estimation. A Medium Effort Methodology (MEM) is identified among those reviewed as a representative methodological pathway for integrating EO information with Tier 3 approaches. Building on this, the paper explores the association between specific EO data and Copernicus products, and input variables required by MEM, identifying opportunities and barriers for environmental monitoring with potential relevance to sustainable agriculture. Full article

The dryline is a sharp boundary between moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and dry air from the desert Southwest. In West Texas, this boundary often surges east during the day and retreats west at night. Understanding exactly why it moves back and forth is critical for predicting where severe thunderstorms will form. Yet the physical drivers of dryline life cycle remain poorly understood and frequently under-predicted. This study utilizes a variable-resolution Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) configuration (3–60 km) with the YSU non-local planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme to investigate a representative dryline event from April 2017. The control simulation was validated against NWS Surface Analysis, demonstrating a high spatial correlation in both synoptic-scale pressure distributions and mesoscale moisture gradients, successfully resolving a nocturnal retrogression of approximately 170 km, with the dryline retreating from its peak afternoon surge at 100.7° W to a recovery point of 102.5° W between 0000 UTC and 0600 UTC 10 April. This recovery occurred at an average speed of 28.3 km/h, consistently constrained beneath a resilient capping inversion. To decouple the environmental drivers of this motion, two targeted sensitivity experiments were conducted: (1) Mechanical Forcing: A 50% reduction in regional topography confirms that the West Texas sloping ramp acts as a “topographic pump.” Without this gradient, the hydrostatic pressure falls were insufficient to drive the nocturnal retreat, causing the boundary to stall eastward. (2) Thermodynamic Regulation: A 50% reduction in soil moisture revealed an “energy swap,” the near-total partitioning of net radiation into sensible heat drove the planetary boundary layer to a higher peak value—a 600 m increase over the control simulation. These results provide a comprehensive physical framework for dryline mobility, demonstrating that while terrain plays an important role in the extent of the diurnal oscillation, soil moisture governs the vertical structure and moisture gradient intensity. Our findings suggest that high-resolution vertical layering and accurate land-surface initialization are prerequisites for capturing the inversion layer dynamics essential for dryline forecasting. However, these findings are based on a single event and require validation across a broader range of dryline cases. Full article

We assess associations between emergency room (ER) visits, scaled to per 10⁵ population per year, for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), two of the most common respiratory diseases, and zip code-level exposure to criteria air pollutants (CAPs) coming from point sources in New York State (NYS) from 2010 to 2018. Exposure data on point source CAPs were retrieved from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) National Emission Inventory (NEI) database, and ER visits for asthma and COPD were acquired from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS). To account for within-county variability, we used log-linear mixed effects models, adjusted for year, sex, age category, county-level poverty, smoking, PM_2.5, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and CAPs sources within the study period. Results show significant associations between ER visits for asthma and COPD and most of the pollutants in the study, even after adjusting for the effects of poverty and smoking. Although point source emissions comprise a small portion of total air pollution, our findings show that zip code-level point source CAPs, especially the gaseous pollutants, pose a modest but significant contribution to the risk of respiratory disease-related ER visits. Full article

Climate change is increasingly affecting groundwater resources in the Carpathian Basin, while rising temperatures are likely to increase irrigation demand and pressure on aquifers. We assessed climate- and pumping-driven impacts on the Nyírség recharge–discharge system (north-eastern Hungary) by combining shallow groundwater monitoring (1970–2022) with hydroclimate indicators from CHIRPS precipitation and ERA5-Land air temperature and snow depth (1981–2024). Using these datasets, we developed and calibrated a MODFLOW groundwater-flow model for representative wet (2010) and dry (2022) conditions, incorporating permitted abstraction and scenario-based estimates of unregistered pumping. We then ran scenario simulations to evaluate mid-century (2050) conditions and managed aquifer recharge (MAR) options. Precipitation exhibits strong interannual variability, but the region shows marked warming and a pronounced decline in snow storage, implying reduced cold-season buffering and higher evaporative demand. Simulations reproduce the observed post-2010 decline in shallow groundwater, with the largest decreases in higher-elevation recharge areas, whereas increased pumping mainly intensifies localized drawdown near major well fields. Scenario results indicate that climate-driven reductions in recharge dominate basin-scale declines by 2050, while MAR provides primarily local benefits; direct subsurface injection performs best among the tested options. These findings support practical groundwater management by prioritizing measurable and enforceable abstraction (including unregistered withdrawals), demand-side irrigation efficiency and adaptive caps in recharge areas, and targeted subsurface MAR where source water and infrastructure are available. Full article

This study investigated the preservative effect and molecular mechanism of cold-air pre-cooling (CAP) combined with storage at 15 °C/85% relative humidity on Volvariella volvacea. CAP significantly reduced weight loss and browning, maintained moderate respiratory intensity, minimised malondialdehyde accumulation and polyphenol oxidase activity, and preserved higher firmness and soluble-protein content, extending the shelf life by 4 d. An analysis of energy metabolism indices revealed that CAP increased mitochondrial quantity, membrane potential, and ATP content. Specifically, CAP restricted the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle rate by downregulating the activities of succinate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and citrate synthase. Additionally, CAP prevented the peak activation of respiratory complex I, while sustaining optimal activity of complexes III and IV, thereby stabilising intracellular ATP levels. Transcriptomic analysis further indicated that CAP suppressed the activity of the TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation pathways during postharvest storage. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) validated the downregulation of genes associated with respiratory complexes after CAP treatment. In conclusion, CAP maintained the postharvest quality of V. volvacea by preserving energy metabolism homeostasis, providing a theoretical basis for its application in edible mushroom preservation. Full article

While pricing policy has emerged as a critical demand-side lever for decarbonizing mobility, its bidirectional effects on modal shift remain unexplored. Dynamic pricing in high-speed rail (HSR) creates a double-edged environmental outcome: advance discounts attract passengers from aviation, yet last-minute premiums may reverse these gains. Using 2.4 million price observations from Madrid–Barcelona (2019), we introduce a carbon leakage framework that quantifies this phenomenon within a multi-source validated framework. Our analysis reveals a structural tension: while early-bird pricing attracts 274,431 annual passengers from aviation—saving 23,650 tonnes CO₂/year—last-minute scarcity premiums systematically drive passengers back to air travel. Multi-source calibrated elasticity ($\epsilon =-0.95$, validated through triangulation across CNMC corridor data, meta-analytic evidence, and recent empirical studies within the range $[-1.91,-0.75]$) shows that 22.3% of last-minute tickets exceed the EUR 120 aviation threshold, creating 1511 tonnes CO₂ leakage annually (6.4% offset of gross savings). Critically, this leakage ratio is shown to be structurally independent of elasticity specification, being determined by the price distribution shape rather than demand parameters. Scenario analysis suggests that under static assumptions, price caps at EUR 110–120 would eliminate leakage while preserving an estimated 94% of operator revenue, though general equilibrium effects remain unmodeled. These findings identify illustrative scenario thresholds for carbon-aware revenue management, demonstrating that demand-side decarbonization requires not only attracting passengers to sustainable modes but also preventing their reversal to high-carbon alternatives. Full article

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems used in modern buildings are among the largest contributors to energy consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully balance between thermal comfort and energy efficiency when operating these systems. This study proposes a Symbolic Discrete Controller Synthesis (SDCS) approach for HVAC management that simultaneously enforces comfort-band constraints at the supervisory level and optimizes energy efficiency. Unlike traditional continuous controllers tuned per zone, the proposed method coordinates zone-level actuation through discrete power levels and node-level constraints (including an aggregate peak cap), exploiting thermal inertia to redistribute service over time without increasing comfort-band violations. Experimental evaluations on a multi-zone building model demonstrate that the SDCS approach provides comparable small comfort violations and provides superior energy savings when benchmarked against Model Predictive Control (MPC) and traditional Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers. These results highlight the potential of SDCS as a robust and scalable solution for sustainable building management and energy-aware HVAC coordination in multi-zone buildings. Full article

The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatments for reducing the deoxynivalenol (DON) content in spiked white wheat flour samples containing 750 μg kg⁻¹ DON. The flour samples were treated with plasma generated in air for durations of 30 s, 60 s, 90 s, 120 s, 150 s, and 180 s and at four distances from the cold plasma source: 6 mm, 21 mm, 36 mm, and 51 mm. An artificial neural network (ANN) model with three layers utilizing the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) iterative algorithm was developed to predict the reduction in deoxynivalenol (DON) content, moisture content, and temperature in wheat flour samples following cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment. The model accounted for two key variables: the distance from the plasma source and the treatment duration. The ANN model exhibited excellent predictive performance, achieving coefficient of determination (r²) values of 0.999, 0.996, and 0.996 for DON reduction, moisture content, and temperature, respectively, during the training phase. The ANN model successfully identified the experimental optimal CAP conditions (51 mm distance and 150 s treatment), resulting in a 71% reduction in DON content. Multi-objective optimization (MOO) using the ANN further predicted the same level of reduction but at 168 s while maintaining acceptable moisture and temperature levels, representing the model-derived optimal treatment within the investigated design space. The study highlights the potential of ANNs to model complex relationships and optimize CAP treatment for efficient mycotoxin reduction in wheat flour. Full article

Topography plays a crucial role in shaping local urban microclimates and can drive the formation of cold-air pools in valley bottoms. This study examines the Eiras Valley (Coimbra, Portugal), a rapidly growing peri-urban area, to identify the conditions under which cold-air pools form and to characterize their spatial and vertical dynamics. Field measurements were carried out using Tinytag Plus 2 data loggers at the surface (≈1.5 m above ground) and mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for vertical profiles, complemented by high-resolution thermal mapping through Empirical Bayesian Kriging. The results show that a nocturnal cold-air pool develops within the valley under clear, anticyclonic winter conditions, persisting into the early morning hours and dissipating after sunrise due to solar heating. In contrast, under overcast or summer conditions, no cold-air pooling was observed. The temperature inversion capping the cold-air pool was found at approximately 275 m altitude, inhibiting vertical mixing and trapping pollutants near the ground. These findings underscore the importance of topoclimatology in urban and regional planning, with implications for thermal comfort, air quality, and public health. The study contributes to urban climate research by highlighting how local topography and seasonal atmospheric stability govern cold-air pool formation in valley environments, supporting the development of mitigation strategies aligned with urban sustainability goals. Full article

Copper is a promising alternative to conventional plasmonic materials, though its practical use is hindered by a strong tendency to oxidize. Through systematic analysis of its vibrational, optical, morphological, structural, and surface potential properties, we confirmed the stability of copper (Cu) particles and highlighted the role of functional groups in modulating their oxidation susceptibility. Oxidation kinetics at 150 °C, in the presence of antioxidants and capping agents, as well as long-term colloidal stability, appear closely tied to the degradation of these stabilizers, which correlates with particle aggregation. Notably, precursor chemistry significantly affects oxidation behavior. Varying concentrations of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) demonstrate a positive correlation with particle size control and thermal stability, indicating that PVP enhances oxidation resistance under the tested conditions. Our findings underscore most importantly the metallic phase’s stability after exposure to air at a temperature of 150 °C, drawing attention to a possible precursor and capping agent combination that can result in oxidation-stable Cu particles, positioning them as cost-effective candidates for replacing more expensive plasmonic metals across diverse applications. Full article

Wintertime cold air pools (CAPs) are common across the Western United States and result in cold, dense air trapped in valley basins. The CAPs are characterized by a stable atmospheric boundary layer, leading to cold air and low wind speeds. While CAP formation occurs nightly, the CAP conditions can persist into daytime and often last for multiple days (i.e., persistent cold air pool or PCAP), resulting in poor air quality in populated areas. The presence and strength of CAPs can be calculated using data from radiosondes, surface weather stations at varying elevations, and indirectly through air pollution monitors. Because vertical profile data are often limited to twice daily radiosondes, and are spatially sparse, numerical models can be a useful substitute. This work uses the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWFs) Reanalysis v5 (ERA) atmospheric reanalysis to provide data to classify wintertime CAP events without radiosonde observations. An automated CAP classification method using ERA outputs is evaluated using afternoon radiosonde observations in six cities (Salt Lake City, Utah; Reno, Nevada; Boise, Idaho; Denver, Colorado; Las Vegas, Nevada; Medford, and Oregon). Using this CAP determination method, days with CAP events are analyzed in 13 locations, 6 with radiosonde observations and 7 without, including the Central valley of California. The CAP classification method is evaluated at these 13 locations across the Western US over the study period of 2000–2022. The results show that the ERA model performs similarly to the radiosonde observations when used to identify CAP events. Therefore, ERA can be used to provide a reasonable estimate of CAP conditions when radiosonde data are unavailable. Providing consistent CAP classifications across space and time are necessary for regional scale CAP studies, such as human health effects modeling over large spatial and temporal scales. Full article

Cold-air pooling (CAP) and frost risk represent significant climate-related hazards in karstic and agricultural environments, where local topography and surface cover strongly modulate microclimatic conditions. This study focuses on the Mohos sinkhole, Hungary’s cold pole, situated on the Bükk Plateau, to investigate the formation, structure, and persistence of CAPs in a Central European karst depression. High-resolution terrain-based modeling was conducted using UAV-derived digital surface models combined with multiple GIS tools (Sky-View Factor, Wind Exposition Index, Cold Air Flow, and Diurnal Anisotropic Heat). These models were validated and enriched by multi-level temperature measurements and thermal imaging under various synoptic conditions. Results reveal that temperature inversions frequently form during clear, calm nights, leading to extreme near-surface cold accumulation within the sinkhole. Inversions may persist into the day due to topographic shading and density stratification. Vegetation and basin geometry influence radiative and turbulent fluxes, shaping the spatial extent and intensity of cold-air layers. The CAP is interpreted as part of a broader interconnected multi-sinkhole system. This integrated approach offers a transferable, cost-effective framework for terrain-driven frost hazard assessment, with direct relevance to precision agriculture, mesoscale model refinement, and site-specific climate adaptation in mountainous or frost-sensitive regions. Full article

At the international level, new measures, policies, and technologies are being developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, more broadly, air pollutants. Road transportation is one of the main contributors to such emissions, as vehicles are extensively used in logistics operations, and many fleet owners of fossil-fueled trucks are adopting new technologies such as electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-based vehicles. This paper addresses the Hybrid Fleet Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (HF-CVRPTW), with the objectives of minimizing costs and mitigating environmental impacts. A mixed-integer linear programming model is developed, incorporating split deliveries, scheduled arrival times at stores, and a carbon cap-and-trade mechanism. The model is tested on a real case study provided by Decathlon, evaluating the performance of internal combustion engine (ICE), electric (EV), and hydrogen fuel cell (HV) vehicles. Results show that when considering economic and emission trading costs, the optimal fleet deployment priority is to use ICE vehicles first, followed by EVs and then HVs, but considering only total emissions, the result is the reverse. Further analysis explores the conditions under which alternative fuel, electricity, or hydrogen prices can achieve competitiveness, and a further analysis investigates the impact of different electricity generation and hydrogen production pathways on overall indirect emissions. Full article

This paper aims to fill a critical cap in hybrid-electric propulsion (HEP) research by investigating the feasibility of its application on a ‘large-cabin’ business aircraft by 2040, for which key requirements are a long range of at least 6297 km (3400 nmi), and a cruise speed of Mach 0.85. Based upon a representative baseline ‘large-cabin’ aircraft, a time-stepping simulation for the distinct phases of an NBAA mission, consisting of takeoff, climb, cruise, landing, and a reserve segment is developed for turbofan, series, and parallel architectures. The simulation enables analysis of range, specific air range, battery weight, battery volume, and energy consumption for various degrees of hybridization and battery specific energy densities. The results find that while both series and parallel architectures are able to meet the requisite range targets, the parallel architecture is better suited as the overall drivetrain weight is lower. The parallel HEP architecture enables the aircraft to fly a maximum distance of 7082 km (3824 nmi), with a 5% energy hybridization. Over a typical 5556 km (3000 nmi) mission this equates to fuel savings of 847 kg compared to a turbofan. The HEP ‘large-cabin’ aircraft is viable provided battery technology reaches a specific energy density of at least 800 Wh/kg. Full article

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) devices produce reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species, which have antimicrobial and antiviral effects, while also affecting the molecular and cellular processes in eukaryotic cells. This study investigates the effects of CAP treatment on immune responses and long-term organism health in the upper respiratory tract (URT). Using a surface-microdischarge-based plasma intensive care (PIC) device from terraplasma medical GmbH, 129Sv/Ev wildtype mice were exposed to short (single 10 min session), long (five 10 min sessions), and recovery-phase treatments (five 10 min sessions; 7 days of recovery). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was examined by cytospin, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and mRNA expression analysis. Lung tissue was analyzed for morphological changes (H&E), DNA damage (γH2AX), apoptosis (TUNEL), immune cell marker alterations (CD45, Ly-6G, CD68, CD3, MCC), and fibrosis (NE). Results showed that PIC treatment increased the number of apoptotic cells and activated immune markers, such as IFN-γ, IL-6, and TNF-α, in the lungs, especially after multiple treatments. These effects largely reversed after a 7-day regeneration period. Importantly, no DNA damage or morphological lung alterations were observed across groups. The findings suggest that PIC treatment in the URT induces transient immune activation without causing tissue damage, but caution is advised for patients with cytokine release syndrome or macrophage activation syndrome due to potential cytokine surges. Full article