Search Results (328)

Global warming and anthropogenic climate change are projected to expand the geographic distribution and population abundance of ectothermic species and exacerbate the biological invasion of exotic species. DNA methylation, as a reversible epigenetic modification, could provide a putative link between the phenotypic plasticity of invasive species and environmental temperature variations. We assessed and interpreted the epigenetic mechanisms of invasive and indigenous species’ differential tolerance to thermal stress through the invasive species Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED) and the indigenous species Bemisia tabaci AsiaII3. We examine their thermal tolerance following exposure to heat and cold stress. We found that MED exhibits higher thermal resistance than AsiaII3 under heat stress. The fluorescence-labeled methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (F-MSAP) results proved that the increased thermal tolerance in MED is closely related to DNA methylation changes, other than genetic variation. Furthermore, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting analysis of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) suggested that increased expression of Dnmt3 regulates the higher thermal tolerance of female MED adults. A mechanism is revealed whereby DNA methylation enhances thermal tolerance in invasive species. Our results show that the Dnmt-mediated regulation mechanism is particularly significant for understanding invasive species’ successful invasion and rapid adaptation under global warming, providing new potential targets for controlling invasive species worldwide. Full article

The production of iron and steel plays a significant role in the anthropogenic carbon footprint, accounting for 7% of global GHG emissions. In the context of CO₂ mitigation, the steelmaking industry is looking to potentially replace traditional carbon-based ironmaking processes with hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron ore in shaft furnaces. Before industrialization, detailed modeling and parametric studies were needed to determine the proper operating parameters of this promising technology. The modeling approach selected here was to complement REDUCTOR, a detailed finite-volume model of the shaft furnace, which can simulate the gas and solid flows, heat transfers and reaction kinetics throughout the reactor, with an extension that describes the whole gas circuit of the direct reduction plant, including the top gas recycling set up and the fresh hydrogen production. Innovative strategies (such as the redirection of part of the bustle gas to a cooling inlet, the use of high nitrogen content in the gas, and the introduction of a hot solid burden) were investigated, and their effects on furnace operation (gas utilization degree and total energy consumption) were studied with a constant metallization target of 94%. It has also been demonstrated that complete metallization can be achieved at little expense. These strategies can improve the thermochemical state of the furnace and lead to different energy requirements. Full article

Anthropogenic vibrational disturbances in the marine environment can affect benthic organisms, but these effects on marine animals remain poorly understood. To examine whether anthropogenic substrate-borne vibrations induce physiological stress in the white-clawed fiddler crab (Austruca lactea), individuals were exposed to vibrations at 120 Hz and 250 Hz (~100 dB re 1 µm/s²), and physiological indicators were measured. Lactate and ATP concentrations in the leg muscle were measured, and heat shock protein 70 kDa (HSP70) gene expression in the hepatopancreas was analyzed using RT-PCR with newly designed primers. At 120 Hz, ATP and lactate levels in the leg muscle did not differ significantly between the exposure and control groups. However, at 250 Hz, ATP levels were lower and lactate levels were higher in the exposure group compared to the control. HSP70 gene expression in the hepatopancreas did not differ significantly between the exposure and control groups at either frequency, although one individual exposed to 250 Hz exhibited markedly elevated expression, inducing higher expression variability in the exposed group. These results suggest that anthropogenic vibrational pollution may induce physiological stress in A. lactea, and that such physiological indices could serve as biomarkers for assessing vibroacoustic pollution on marine animals. Full article

Land cover, topography, precipitation, and socio-economic factors exert both direct and indirect influences on urban land surface temperatures. Within the broader context of global climate change, these influences are magnified by the escalating intensity of the urban heat island effect. However, the interplay and underlying mechanisms of natural and socio-economic determinants of land surface temperatures remain inadequately explored, particularly in the context of cold-region cities located in the northern temperate zone of China. This study focuses on Changchun City, employing multispectral remote sensing imagery to derive and spatially map the distribution of land surface temperatures and topographic attributes. Through comprehensive analysis, the research identifies the principal drivers of temperature variations and delineates their seasonal dynamics. The findings indicate that population density, night-time light intensity, land use, GDP (Gross Domestic Product), relief, and elevation exhibit positive correlations with land surface temperature, whereas slope demonstrates a negative correlation. Among natural factors, the correlations of slope, relief, and elevation with land surface temperature are comparatively weak, with determination coefficients (R²) consistently below 0.15. In contrast, socio-economic factors exert a more pronounced influence, ranked as follows: population density (R² = 0.4316) > GDP (R² = 0.2493) > night-time light intensity (R² = 0.1626). The overall hierarchy of the impact of individual factors on the temperature model, from strongest to weakest, is as follows: population, night-time light intensity, land use, GDP, slope, relief, and elevation. In examining Changchun and analogous cold-region cities within the northern temperate zone, the research underscores that socio-economic factors substantially outweigh natural determinants in shaping urban land surface temperatures. Notably, human activities catalyzed by population growth emerge as the most influential factor, profoundly reshaping the urban thermal landscape. These activities not only directly escalate anthropogenic heat emissions, but also alter land cover compositions, thereby undermining natural cooling mechanisms and exacerbating the urban heat island phenomenon. Full article

The thermal environment problem is one of the main focuses of current urban environment research. At present, there are various methods used in urban space thermal environment (USTE) research. As a simulation method to quantify the USTE, the urban weather generator (UWG) has undergone great development and achieved many progressive results. It is necessary to establish and review its current research status by synthesizing UWG multi-scale applications. This review adopts a literature review approach, leveraging the Web of Science Core Collection to obtain previous relevant publications from 2010 to 2025 using “urban weather generator” and “thermal environment” as keywords. The literature is categorized by research themes, including model development, parameter optimization, and application cases. Through innovative analyses of spatio-temporal-scale classification, parameter optimization, the integration of anthropogenic heat emissions, and the multi-domain simulation potential of the UWG, this review synthesizes the application outcomes of the UWG model in multi-scale research, addressing gaps in current urban climate studies. The paper aims to elaborate and analyze the model’s current research status considering the following six aspects. First, the basic parameters in UWG simulation are introduced, including the data and parameter determination settings used in such simulations. Secondly, we introduce the simulation model and its basic principles, the simulation process, and the main steps of this process. Third, we classify and define UWG simulations of spatial thermal environments at different time scales and spatial scales. Fourth, regarding how to improve the accuracy of the UWG model, the deterministic parameters and uncertainty parameters settings are analyzed, respectively. Then, the impacts of anthropogenic heat during the simulation process are also discussed. Fifth, the applications of the UWG model in some major fields and its possible future development directions are addressed. Finally, the existing problems are summarized, the future development trends are prospected, and research on possible expected mitigation measures for the USTE is described. Full article

Mystus guttatus, a second-class protected species in China, has undergone severe population decline due to anthropogenic and environmental pressures, yet conservation efforts are hindered by limited genomic resources and a lack of mechanistic insights into its stress response systems. Here, the first full-length transcriptome of M. guttatus was generated via SMRT sequencing. A total of 32,647 full-length transcripts were obtained, with an average length of 1783 bp. After structure and function annotation of full-length transcripts, 30,977 genes, 1670 transcription factors (TF), 918 alternative splicing (AS), and 11,830 simple sequence repeats (SSR) were identified. In order to further explore the stress resistance of M. guttatus, 93 genes belonging to the heat shock protein (HSP) family were identified and categorized into HSP70 and HSP90 subgroups. After phylogenetic analysis and selective stress analysis, it was discovered that the hsp family has suffered purifying selection and gene loss, potentially contributing to a decrease in the stress resilience and population of M. guttatus. Using protein interaction network and molecular docking tools, we observed the intricate interplay among HSPs and discovered HSP70-HOP-HSP90 interaction, which is an essential stress response mechanism. Our study sequenced the first full-length transcriptome of M. guttatus to enhance its genomic resources for its conservation and breeding and provide new insights into the future study of stress response mechanisms on M. guttatus. Full article

Plastic waste is currently a major concern in Romania due to the annual increase in quantities generated from anthropogenic and industrial activities, especially from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), and the need to reduce environmental impact. This study investigates an alternative valorization route for polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) plastic waste through microwave-assisted pyrolysis, aiming to maximize conversion into gaseous products, particularly hydrogen-rich gas. A monomode microwave reactor was employed, using layered configurations of plastic feedstock, silicon carbide as a microwave susceptor, and activated carbon as a catalyst. The influence of catalyst loading, reactor configuration, and plastic type was assessed through systematic experiments. Results showed that technical-grade PP, under optimal conditions, yielded up to 81.4 wt.% gas with a hydrogen concentration of 45.2 vol.% and a hydrogen efficiency of 44.8 g/g. In contrast, PE and mixed PP + PE waste displayed lower hydrogen performance, particularly when containing inorganic fillers. For all types of plastics studied, the gaseous fractions obtained have a high calorific value (46,941–55,087 kJ/kg) and at the same time low specific CO₂ emissions (4.4–6.1 × 10⁻⁵ kg CO₂/kJ), which makes these fuels very efficient and have a low carbon footprint. Comparative tests using conventional heating revealed significantly lower hydrogen yields (4.77 vs. 19.7 mmol/g plastic). These findings highlight the potential of microwave-assisted pyrolysis as an efficient method for transforming ELV-derived plastic waste into energy carriers, offering a pathway toward low-carbon, resource-efficient waste management. Full article

The global energy sector is aiming to substantially reduce CO₂ emissions to meet the UN climate goals. Among the proposed strategies, underground storage solutions such as radioactive disposal, CO₂, NH₃, and underground H₂ storage (UHS) have emerged as promising options for mitigating anthropogenic emissions. These approaches require rigorous research and development (R&D), often involving laboratory-scale experiments to establish their feasibility before being scaled up to pilot plant operations. Microorganisms, which are ubiquitous in laboratory environments, can significantly influence geochemical reactions under variable experimental conditions of porous media and a salt cavern. We have selected a consortium composed of Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., and Cronobacter sp. bacteria, which are typically present in the laboratory environment. These microorganisms can contaminate the rock sample and develop experimental artifacts in UHS experiments. Hence, it is pivotal to sterilize the rock prior to conduct experimental research related to effects of microorganisms in the porous media and the salt cavern for the investigation of UHS. This study investigated the efficacy of various disinfection and sterilization methods, including ultraviolet irradiation, autoclaving, oven heating, ethanol treatments, and gamma irradiation, in removing the microorganisms from silica sand. Additionally, the consideration of their effects on mineral properties are reviewed. A total of 567 vials, each filled with 9 mL of acid-producing bacteria (APB) media were used to test killing efficacy of the cleaning methods. We conducted serial dilutions up to 10⁻⁸ and repeated them three times to determine whether any deviation occurred. Our findings revealed that gamma irradiation and autoclaving were the most effective techniques for eradicating microbial contaminants, achieving sterilization without significantly altering the mineral characteristics. These findings underscore the necessity of robust cleaning protocols in hydrogeochemical research to ensure reliable, reproducible data, particularly in future studies where microbial contamination could induce artifacts in laboratory research. Full article

In addition to the use of reference instruments, low-cost sensors (LCSs) are becoming increasingly popular for air quality monitoring both indoors and outdoors. These sensors provide real-time measurements of pollutants and facilitate better spatial and temporal coverage. However, these simpler devices are typically characterised by lower accuracy and precision and can be more sensitive to the environmental conditions than the reference instruments. It is therefore crucial to characterise the applicability and limitations of these instruments, for which a possible solution is their comparison with reference measurements in real-world conditions. To this end, a measurement campaign has been carried out to evaluate the PM_2.5 readings of several low- and medium-cost air quality instruments of different types and categories (IQAir AirVisual Pro, TSI DustTrak™ II Aerosol Monitor 8532, Xiaomi Mijia Air Detector, and Xiaomi Smartmi PM_2.5 Air Detector). A GRIMM EDM180 instrument was used as the reference. This campaign took place in Budapest, Hungary, from 12 November to 15 December 2020, during typically humid and foggy weather conditions, when the air pollution level was high due to the increased anthropogenic emissions, including wood burning for heating purposes. The results indicate that the individual sensors tracked the dynamics of PM_2.5 concentration changes well (in a linear fashion), but the readings deviated from the reference measurements to varying degrees. Even though the AirVisual sensors performed generally well (0.85 < R² < 0.93), the accuracy of the units showed inconsistency (13–93%) with typical overestimation, and their readings were significantly affected by elevated relative humidity levels and by temperature. Despite the overall overestimation of PM_2.5 by the Xiaomi sensors, they also exhibited strong correlation coefficients with the reference, with R² values of 0.88 and 0.94. TSI sensors exhibited slight underestimations with high explained variance (R² = 0.93–0.94) and good accuracy. The results indicated that despite the inherent bias, the low-cost sensors are capable of capturing the temporal variability of PM_2.5, thus providing relevant information. After simple and multiple linear regression-based correction, the low-cost sensors provided acceptable results. The results indicate that sensor data correction is a necessary prerequisite for the usability of the instruments. The ensemble method is a reasonable alternative for more accurate estimations of PM_2.5. Full article

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a predominant greenhouse gas significantly contributing to atmospheric heat retention, primarily driven by anthropogenic activities intensifying the greenhouse effect. This study aims to evaluate the diversity of plant species, above-ground biomass (AGB), and carbon stock within a dry dipterocarp forest, which is a vital local natural resource. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of plant species diversity, AGB, and carbon stock capacity within a dry dipterocarp forest at the Nature Study Center, Mahasarakham University, located in the Kham Riang Subdistrict of Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, spanning an area of 20.80 hectares. Ten sample plots, each measuring 40 × 40 m, were established and distributed across the study area. The diameter at breast height (DBH) and the height of the trees were meticulously recorded for all trees within these plots. Advanced statistical techniques were employed to calculate the relative dominance (RD), relative frequency (RF), and Importance Value Index (IVI), alongside a comprehensive assessment of plant species diversity. The AGB was assessed using precise allometric equations, with a focus on analyzing carbon storage within woody biomass. The findings revealed the presence of 52 tree species across 26 families within the forest. The total AGB was measured at 144.510 tons, with carbon stock reaching 67.920 tCO₂. These results offer critical insights into enhancing land management strategies to optimize carbon stock, thereby playing a vital role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, a significant factor in climate change dynamics. Full article

Forest–atmosphere interactions through mass and energy fluxes significantly influence climate processes. However, due to anthropogenic actions, native Araucaria forests in southern Brazil, part of the Atlantic Forest biome, have been drastically reduced. This study quantifies CO₂ and energy flux contributions from each forest stratum to improve understanding of surface–atmosphere interactions. Eddy covariance data from November 2009 to April 2012 were used to assess fluxes in an Araucaria forest in Paraná, Brazil, across the ecosystem, understory, and overstory strata. On average, the ecosystem acts as a carbon sink of −298.96 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, with absorption doubling in spring–summer compared to autumn–winter. The understory primarily acts as a source, while the overstory functions as a CO₂ sink, driving carbon absorption. The overstory contributes 63% of the gross primary production (GPP) and 75% of the latent heat flux, while the understory accounts for 94% of the ecosystem respiration (RE). The energy fluxes exhibited marked seasonality, with higher latent and sensible heat fluxes in summer, with sensible heat predominantly originating from the overstory. Annual ecosystem evapotranspiration reaches 1010 mm yr⁻¹: 60% of annual precipitation. Water-use efficiency is 2.85 g C kgH₂O⁻¹, with higher values in autumn–winter and in the understory. The influence of meteorological variables on the fluxes was analyzed across different scales and forest strata, showing that solar radiation is the main driver of daily fluxes, while air temperature and vapor pressure deficit are more relevant at monthly scales. This study highlights the overstory’s dominant role in carbon absorption and energy fluxes, reinforcing the need to preserve these ecosystems for their crucial contributions to climate regulation and water-use efficiency. Full article

The study was conducted in Suceava, Iasi, and Botosani, three geographically different cities in Romania with increasing PM10 concentrations, especially during the colder months. In order to assess the contributions of PM2.5 and PM10, the PM2.5/PM10 ratios were analyzed for the period 2019–2023. The results showed a downward trend in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, with a more significant decrease observed for PM2.5. However, although the annual PM2.5/PM10 ratios also decreased, their decrease did not follow the same pattern as the decrease in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. The annual PM2.5/PM10 ratios varied from 0.48 to 0.61 in Botosani, from 0.54 to 0.72 in Iasi and from 0.60 to 0.71 in Suceava. The seasonal analysis of the data showed that the highest ratios were observed in winter in Suceava, where wood is also used for residential heating. The frequency distribution of the ratios was examined for each season to determine the nature of the emissions: natural or anthropogenic. The analysis of the spatial variation of the PM2.5/PM10 ratio showed that the greatest differences occurred between Iasi and Botosani as indicated by a coefficient of divergence (COD) value of 0.236. Furthermore, the temperature was used to analyze its potential relationships in relation with the PM2.5/PM10 ratio. Full article

The rapid production and disposal of synthetic textiles, driven by fast fashion and overconsumption, contribute significantly to environmental pollution and human health risks. Functional finishes often contain toxic substances that leach into aquatic systems. Laundering and abrasion release microplastic fibers (MPFs), commonly called microplastics, and anthropogenic microfibers (MFs) which degrade into nanoplastics (NPs) through mechanical stress, heat, and UV radiation. These particles bypass wastewater treatment and accumulate in human organs, including the liver, lungs, and brain. This review highlights the limitations of current waste management systems, the role of textile design in particle release, and the need for further research on airborne emissions and environmental interactions. Mitigating textile-derived plastic pollution will require biodegradable finishes, pre-consumer filtration systems, and circular consumption models supported by interdisciplinary collaboration. Full article

This study integrates the analysis of surface temperature data with natural and anthropogenic factors closely related to the urban thermal environment in Nanjing from 2000 to 2020, exploring the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of the urban heat island effect and the interactive relationships among its influencing factors. The research findings are as follows: (1) Between 2000 and 2020, the urban heat island effect in Nanjing exhibited an expansion trend radiating from the city center to the periphery, with the heat island phenomenon primarily concentrated in the old urban areas characterized by developed commerce, industry, and dense populations. Surface temperatures gradually decreased from the city center to the suburbs, forming a distinct spatial distribution gradient. Both the standard deviation ellipse and the centroid of high-temperature areas showed a southward shift. (2) Significant differences in surface temperatures were observed across different land use types, with built-up areas and arable land maintaining relatively stable and higher surface temperatures, while water bodies and forests exhibited lower and stable surface temperatures. (3) Vegetation coverage, normalized water body index, elevation, dispersion, and the Shannon diversity index were negatively correlated with surface temperature, while the normalized difference bare land index, building index, dispersion index, and patch cohesion index were positively correlated with surface temperature. In Nanjing, the interactive effects of dual factors on the urban heat island effect were found to be greater than those of individual factors, with vegetation coverage identified as the most critical factor affecting surface temperature. Considering multidimensional factors together enhances the understanding of the spatial patterns and causes of the urban heat island effect, clarifies the interrelationships and degrees of influence among natural, socio-economic, and landscape pattern factors, and provides a scientific basis for improving the quality of the living environment in Nanjing. Full article

We report a landscape-scale natural experiment that followed the abundance and demography of forest-floor small mammals and the activity of small mustelids over a 4-year period of an extreme heat wave and abundant coniferous cone crops. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) are major species in the coniferous forest-floor small mammal community near Summerland in southern British Columbia, Canada. Their major mammalian predators include the short-tailed weasel (Mustela richardsonii), long-tailed weasel (Neogale frenata), and American marten (Martes americana). We evaluated three hypotheses (H) that may explain the changes in these mammals from 2021 to 2024: (H₁) that large coniferous cone crops in 2022 would have generated high populations of forest-floor small mammals in 2023 owing to enhanced reproductive output and overwinter survival; (H₂) that increased activity of mustelids would have followed population increases, resulting in the decline of small mammal prey in 2024; and (H₃) that the widespread occurrence of cone crops in 2022 would also have elicited the same mammalian responses in 2023 at a second study area (Golden, BC) 276 km and three mountain ranges from Summerland. During the summer periods of each year, small mammal populations were monitored by intensive live-trapping, and mustelid presence was measured via an index of activity based on live traps, fecal scats, and predation events. The mean abundance and reproductive performance of the P. maniculatus and M. gapperi populations increased in response to the coniferous seedfall, thereby supporting H₁. The activity of small mustelids responded positively to increased numbers of small mammal prey and potentially acted in a regulatory and top–down function in these communities, and hence partially support H₂. Similar responses at Summerland and Golden indicated that this seedfall event and changes in the mammalian community occurred at a landscape-scale, thereby providing partial support for H₃. Potential differential effects of large seed crops on consumers did not affect the mean abundance patterns for P. maniculatus but apparently reduced this metric for M. gapperi. Heat waves, induced by anthropogenic climate change, may alter the frequency of coniferous masting events, and their effects may temporarily change the number and species of mammalian seed consumers and their predators. Full article