Search Results (5,128)

Water-sediment regulation Scheme (WSRS) is a crucial artificial control method for water and sediment in the lower reaches of the Yellow River (YR). During this period, the impact of high flow discharge and high sediment concentration on the distribution and transport of heavy metals in the Yellow River warrants particular attention. This study analyzes heavy metals in water and suspended sediments across different phases of the WSRS. During the WSRS, the lower Yellow River showed decreased levels of dissolved heavy metals. Evaluations of the ecological risk posed by Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cr in suspended sediments suggested an absence of risk or minimal risk levels. A greater percentage of Cd and Pb was found in bioavailable forms. And RAC analysis further revealed that Cd poses a relatively higher migration risk. Compared to the water regulation stage (WRS), the sediment regulation stage (SRS) was characterized by lower dissolved heavy metal concentrations but higher particulate heavy metal contents. Over 85% of heavy metals were transported by SPM in WSRS. During the sediment regulation phase, the mean particulate transport proportion for heavy metals surpassed 96%. This phase accounted for more than 50% of the total heavy metal flux delivered to the sea throughout the entire regulation period. These findings offer valuable insights into controlling and managing heavy metal risks during WSRS in the YR. Full article

The increasing presence of antibiotics in aquatic environments is a growing concern, causing ecological and public health risks. Even low concentrations of antibiotics may lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The interest in building new materials that can be used as templates for removing pollutants from the environment has been growing year upon year. We review the research involving adsorption processes that occur in chitosan-based materials that are employed to remove antibiotics from water. Since covering all the antibiotics that can be found in the environment would be an overwhelming task, we concentrated our efforts on describing the studies related to the removal of tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, and azithromycin, which are perhaps the most ubiquitous ones. We present the chemical modifications introduced into chitosan and chitosan-based materials commonly used as antibiotic adsorbents, as well as the influence of physical chemistry conditions on these processes. In addition, we also review in silico studies that have been carried out to obtain molecular-level insights into the interactions between chitosan-based adsorbents and the four mentioned antibiotics. Particular emphasis is placed on our recent computational work regarding the adsorption of tetracycline by various chitosan-based materials. Full article

As global climate change intensifies, hydrological processes in arid inland river basins are undergoing profound transformations, posing severe challenges to regional water security and ecological stability. This study aims to develop a coupled SWAT-LSTM model integrating glacier melt processes to simulate runoff dynamics in the Keria River basin under climate change, providing a basis for local water resource management. Based on natural monthly runoff observations from the Langgan hydrological station (1961–2015), glacier data extracted from Landsat 8 remote sensing imagery (2013–2019), and downscaled data from the CMIP6 Multi-Model Ensemble (MME), this study constructed a SWAT-LSTM coupled model to simulate future scenarios (2026–2100). Research indicates that this hybrid model significantly enhances the accuracy of hydrological simulations in high-altitude glacier-fed catchments. The Nash efficiency coefficient (NSE) during the validation period reached 0.847, representing a 15% improvement over the SWAT model. SSP5-8.5 is identified as a high-risk scenario, underscoring the urgency of emissions reduction; SSP1-2.6 represents the most desirable pathway, with its relatively stable pattern offering sustained advantages for long-term water resource management in the basin. The study further reveals a negative feedback mechanism between glacier ablation and runoff increase, validating the regulatory role of Jiyin Reservoir’s “store during floods to compensate for droughts” operation strategy in balancing basin water resources. This study explores the coupling path between the physical model and the deep learning model, and provides an effective integration scheme for the hydrological simulation of the global watershed with ice–snow meltwater as the main recharge runoff, especially for the adaptive management of water resources in inland river basins in arid areas. Full article

Rhodotorula spp. are ubiquitous red-pigmented yeasts increasingly reported as opportunistic animal pathogens. Recognition matters because underdiagnosis can misguide therapy, especially in companion-animal otitis externa. This review supports laboratory and clinical decisions by summarising taxonomy and ecology, host risk factors, diagnostics, virulence factors, antifungal susceptibility, and veterinary cases. This review addresses: (1) taxonomy and ecology; (2) clinical epidemiology and predisposing factors (immunomodulation, prior antibacterial therapy, chronic inflammation); (3) diagnostics—cytology, organism burden, repeat or pure culture, MALDI-TOF MS, ITS sequencing—with a brief comparison of feasibility in veterinary practice; (4) virulence factors—adhesion and biofilm on abiotic surfaces, hydrolytic enzymes, capsule in some strains, haemolysins, urease, and carotenoids that protect against oxidative stress; (5) antifungal susceptibility and therapy—intrinsic resistance to echinocandins, often high azole MICs, and the most consistent in vitro activity of amphotericin B ± flucytosine; and (6) a synthesis of veterinary case reports. Rhodotorula spp. should not be dismissed as contaminants when clinical signs match laboratory evidence; distinguishing infection from colonisation requires clinicomicrobiological correlation. This review highlights the need for standardised susceptibility testing and veterinary breakpoints, prospective data on burden and outcomes, better data on biofilm behaviour on clinical materials, environmental surveillance, and practical diagnostic and treatment guidance. Full article

Soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loss in watersheds is a critical source of water pollution. This study explores the spatial distribution, release potential, and environmental impacts of soil N and P in the downstream Daliao River basin by integrating field investigations and simulation experiments. Results showed that total nitrogen content in soils ranged from 256.09 to 3362.75 mg/kg, while that in sediments ranged from 114.85 to 1640.54 mg/kg. Total phosphorus content in soils varied from 250.18 to 1142.69 mg/kg, whereas in sediments it ranged from 327.23 to 586.24 mg/kg. The ammonia nitrogen release potentials of soils collected from rice paddies, corn farmlands, roadsides, and reed wetlands were 0.75, 0.86, 0.70, and 8.65 mg/L, respectively, with corresponding total phosphorus release potentials of 0.61, 1.01, 0.31, and 1.52 mg/L. For sediments, ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus release potentials ranged from 0.96 to 1.21 mg/L and 0.44 to 0.52 mg/L, respectively. Temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen were important factors influencing nitrogen and phosphorus release from soils and sediments. The export of nitrogen and phosphorus from soil reached 50.50 t/a and 21.63 t/a, respectively. During the soil erosion process in the Daliao River Basin, phosphorus exhibited a high release potential and served as the primary pollutant, whereas the release mechanism of ammonia nitrogen was more complex, showing seasonal variability. Soils in the downstream Daliao River basin have large specific surface areas and may pose a high pollution risk after discharge into water bodies due to prolonged adsorption of pollutants. It is recommended to propose promoting soil testing-based fertilization, constructing ecological engineering projects, developing sponge cities, and conducting environmental dredging to reduce N and P release from agricultural lands, construction areas, natural wastelands, and sediments. Full article

The Strait of Gibraltar (SG) is a key biogeographic and ecological corridor connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, enabling the seasonal migrations of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). The objective of this study was to characterize, for the first time, the spatial and temporal exposure of the species to maritime traffic during its migration through the SG, quantifying movement patterns, individual composition, and collision risk to identify critical areas for conservation. Validated observations collected between April 2016 and October 2024, with additional records in January and March 2025, were integrated with EMODnet vessel density layers to assess monthly distributions of sightings, individuals, calves, migration patterns, and behavior. A total of 347 sightings comprising 692 individuals were recorded, revealing predominantly westward movements between June and August. Spatial overlap analyses indicated that the highest exposure occurred both near the Bay of Algeciras/Gibraltar and in the northern half of the Central SG, where cargo ship and tanker traffic coincides with dense migration routes and where injuries have been documented in the field. These findings delineate high-risk areas for fin whales throughout the SG and provide an empirical basis for spatial management measures, including speed reduction zones, adaptive route planning, and the possible designation of the area as a cetacean migration corridor. The proposed measures aim to mitigate collision risk and ensure long-term ecological connectivity between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Full article

Sleep is essential for child development, influencing cognition, emotional regulation, behavior, and physical health. Recent studies increasingly frame sleep as both a key developmental process and a modifiable factor shaped by, and shaping environmental risks—including digital screen exposure and psychosocial stress. This systematic review synthesized empirical findings from cross-sectional and cohort studies published between 2019 and 2024 on the associations between sleep duration, quality, and patterns and developmental outcomes in typically developing children aged 6–12 years. Searches were conducted in EBSCO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, yielding 99 records, of which 20 met inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was evaluated using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Findings show consistent associations between better sleep and enhanced cognitive performance, emotional well-being, and reduced behavioral problems. Some studies identified sleep as a mediator between screen use and behavioral difficulties, whit additional moderating effects related to gender and socioeconomic status. However, most studies used cross-sectional designs and self-reported measures, limiting causal interpretation. Overall, sleep emerge as a potentially modifiable factor influencing developmental outcomes, based on correlational evidence. Future research should prioritize longitudinal and ecologically valid designs, objective measures, and computational approaches to identify sleep-related risk profiles and guide early interventions. Full article

Climate risks arising from carbon emissions have become a major global challenge, constraining economic development and exerting complex effects on firms’ operations at the micro level. This study examines A-share-listed companies from 2009 to 2023, calculating the extent of carbon risks and the degree of greenwashing. Our results show that carbon risks suppress greenwashing among these enterprises, with financing constraints and the quality of internal controls positively moderating this effect from both external and internal perspectives. This suggests that the pressure imposed by carbon risks encourages enterprises to prioritize environmental concerns and actively disclose relevant information. Additionally, governments and regulatory authorities should increase their policy and regulatory pressures on these enterprises, guiding them to confront environmental challenges, assume significant responsibility for ecological protection, and formulate sustainable development strategies to enhance their competitiveness and long-term viability. Full article

Native plant species show significant promise for the remediation and rehabilitation of mine tailings contaminated with heavy metals (HM). Nonetheless, the harmful impact of HM can decrease plant survival, growth and reproduction, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of phytoremediation. Consequently, incorporating organic amendments into mine tailings, like biochar, can promote plant growth, decreasing the bioavailability of HM and their eventual potential to alter the food chain. This study aims to evaluate the capability of coconut fiber biochar in combination with Sanvitalia procumbens to phytostabilize HM in mine tailings by analyzing the effect of coconut fiber biochar on HM bioaccumulation levels (roots and leaves), as well as on morphological, physiological, and genotoxic parameters of S. procumbens grown in mine tailing substrate and mine tailing/biochar. Also, a physicochemical analysis of coconut fiber biochar was conducted. This research was conducted over 100 days on plants grown in greenhouse settings using two different substrates (mine tailing and agrolite [75/25 v/v] and mine tailing and coconut fiber biochar [75/25 v/v]). Every 25 days, 12 plants were selected per treatment for analysis. The bioaccumulation pattern exhibited by S. procumbens was Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd, in root and leaf tissues for both treatments. S. procumbes grown in mine tailing/biochar substrate showed the lowest HM bioaccumulation levels in both tissues in comparison to mine tailing substrate: Zn from 2.95 to 2.50 times lower; Pb 3.04 to 2.82; Cu 3.10 to 2.12; and Zn 2.12 to 3.00 in roots and leaves, respectively. The coconut fiber biochar was rich in functional groups, such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, which could favor HM adsorption. Immobilization percentage of HM by coconut fiber biochar showed the following pattern: Pb (66.33%) > Zn (64.50%) > Cu (62.82%) > Cd (55.39%). Incorporating coconut fiber biochar as an amendment improves HM phytostabilization efficiency by reducing their bioaccumulation, increasing biomass production and chlorophyll concentration, and reducing genetic damage levels. This strategy represents a sustainable approach towards reducing the ecological risk of HM biomagnification, alleviating the adverse effects of HM exposure on ecosystem health. Full article

In this research, an innovative, integrative method is applied, which not only links media discourse and statutory planning documents but also involves both quantitative and qualitative analysis. By going beyond the traditional extreme of either policy review or text-based SETS frameworks, this study becomes the pioneer of a dual-coded, matrix-driven approach, which is capable of measuring policy–implementation gaps and empirically revealing the impact of media framing on disaster management outcomes. The 29 October 2024 Valencia flood, which claimed over 229 lives, highlights critical shortcomings in the region’s flood management policies. This study evaluates media and institutional sources to examine how public discourse aligns with post-flood management strategies. It focuses on Valencia’s statutory flood management plan, the “Pla d’acció territorial de caràcter sectorial sobre prevenció del risc d’inundació a la Comunitat Valenciana” (“Regional Action Plan for Flood Risk Prevention,” PATRICOVA) and its limited integration with the Socio–Ecological–Technological Systems (SETS) framework, which we identify as a central weakness. By analyzing Spanish media coverage, particularly from sources such as El País, ABC, and La Vanguardia, alongside government policy documents, the study reveals a gap between theoretical flood risk planning and practical disaster response. Our keyword-based text mining of leading newspapers highlights the neglect of social, ecological, and technological interactions. While PATRICOVA emphasizes nature protection and technological infrastructure, it overlooks critical societal dimensions and climate adaptation scenarios. Media analysis reveals significant failures at the SETS interfaces, especially in early warning systems, intergovernmental coordination, and community preparedness. Full article

The Bactrian camel is a key economic livestock species in China and around the world. It yields meat and milk (high-quality functional foods), and the milk reports health benefits. Dromedary camels, as intermediate hosts of MERS-CoV, have garnered significant public health attention. In contrast, viral surveillance in Bactrian camels from the same genus as dromedaries has received limited attention, with only sporadic or regionally confined reports available. Systematic investigations into the virome of viral species, viral diversity, and novel viruses in Bactrian camels are lacking. In this study, swabs were collected from 701 Bactrian camels in China. Through metagenomics, 3262 viral contigs were classified into 16 viral phyla, 29 viral families, and an unclassified group. The different landforms were found to influence viral diversity and composition in Bactrian camels, with mountainous area exerting the greatest impact. The viral composition significantly differed between captive and free-ranging camels. The study identified at least 12 viruses with zoonotic potential, and phylogenetic analysis indicated cross-species transmission in some of them. Additionally, picornavirus, circular Rep-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA virus, and polyomavirus from Bactrian camels may represent novel species or genotypes. To summarize, in this study, we described the baseline virome profile of Chinese Bactrian camels, investigated the ecological factors influencing the viral distribution of Bactrian camels, identified key potential viral risks, and provided a scientific basis for the prevention, control, and early warning of critical viral diseases in Bactrian camels from China. Full article

The presence of substantial amounts of heavy metals in the environment can result in various significant ecological issues and human health risks. Currently, bioremediation employing microorganisms is garnering significant interest due to its effectiveness. The present investigation aimed to isolate actinobacterial strains from an Italian mine and to characterise them for heavy metals resistance and plant growth-promoting characteristics. The different samples were processed for DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding to investigate the bacteria and archaea communities. Cultivable microbiota were isolated and evaluated for heavy metals tolerance and different PGP traits. The most pertinent strains were tested for compatibility, merged into a consortium, and tested on Lemna minor L. Metabarcoding analysis revealed that amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) at the phylum level were mostly assigned to proteobacteria and bacteroidota. Uncultured and unknown taxa were the most prevalent in the samples at the genus level. A total of ten strains were obtained from the culture-dependent approach exhibiting interesting heavy metals tolerance and plant growth-promoting traits. The best strains (MTW 1 and MTW 5) were selected and further characterised by 16S barcoding. These strains were identified as Streptomyces atratus (99.57% identity). An in planta experiment showed that the metal-tolerant consortium MTW 1-5 improved plant physiology by significantly optimising plant growth and tolerance to heavy metals. The experiment conducted provided evidence for the possibility of using actinobacteria as bioaugmentation agents to improve the phytoextraction abilities of L. minor. Full article

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis present serious ecological and public health concerns due to the production of brevetoxins (BTX). Clay flocculation and sedimentation of cells, particularly with polyaluminum chloride (PAC)-modified clays, is a promising HAB mitigation approach. This study evaluated the efficacy of Modified Clay-II (MCII), a PAC-modified kaolinite clay, in reducing K. brevis cell abundance in mesocosm experiments and examined the bioavailability of BTX potentially released from settled floc back into the water column and sediment over the first 72 h after treatment. Additionally, we quantified trace metals in benthic clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) exposed to the floc post-treatment to assess metal accumulation and potential toxicological effects from MCII application. MCII treatment (0.2 g/L) resulted in a 91% reduction in K. brevis cell density and a 50% decrease in waterborne brevetoxins after 5 h. Brevetoxins accumulated in sediment post-flocculation, with BTX-B5 emerging as the dominant congener. Clams exposed to MCII-treated floc showed comparable tissue BTX levels to controls and significantly elevated aluminum concentrations, though without mortality. The aluminum accumulations in this study do not raise concerns for the health of the clams or the humans who eat them, given other dietary exposures. These findings support the potential of MCII for HAB mitigation while underscoring the need for further evaluation of exposure risks to all benthic species. Full article

Background and Objectives: Climate change is modifying the ecological and climatic conditions that influence the distribution and activity of arthropod vectors. Rising temperatures and prolonged warm seasons have favored the establishment of Aedes albopictus in Mediterranean regions, increasing the risk of autochthonous Dengue transmission. Therefore, this study describes the evolution of Dengue surveillance in Sardinia between 2018 and 2024, integrating human and entomological data to assess trends, system performance, and implications for prevention and control. Materials and Methods: Data on human cases were retrieved from national notification systems (namely PREMAL, arbo.iss.it) and the New Health Information System. Entomological surveillance data were obtained from the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sardinia. Mosquitoes were collected using BG-Sentinel^® traps and ovitraps, covering major cities and points of entry. Descriptive analyses were conducted for both datasets. Results: Sixteen Dengue cases were reported during the study period, all imported and laboratory-confirmed in 81% of cases. Most patients were adults (mean age 38 years), and 77% required hospitalization. The most frequent travel origins were Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. No autochthonous cases were identified. Entomological surveillance showed a progressive increase in Aedes albopictus captures from 2020 onwards, with seasonal peaks between September and October. Despite intensified sampling and expanded geographic coverage, no mosquito pools tested positive for the Dengue virus. Conclusions: Although no locally acquired Dengue infections have been detected, the widespread and increasing presence of Aedes albopictus indicates that Sardinia meets the ecological prerequisites for possible autochthonous transmission. Strengthening the timeliness and completeness of human surveillance, improving clinicians’ awareness of reporting requirements, promoting vaccination for travelers, and maintaining continuous entomological monitoring are essential to prevent and promptly manage future outbreaks. Full article

Green belts in metropolises face a significant contradiction between ecological protection constraints and urban sprawl, necessitating effective planning and management. Existing studies have primarily focused on a single dimension, while the factors influencing the spatial evolution of green belts are complex and diverse. This study establishes a multi-objective quantitative analysis framework, utilizing quantitative analysis methods such as average nearest neighbor analysis, landscape ecological index analysis, land–use transition matrix, kernel density estimation, and spatial autocorrelation models. Taking the green belt area of Shijiazhuang as a case study, this research systematically analyzes the spatial evolution characteristics of the region from 2015 to 2024. The findings reveal spatial patterns such as the small-scale and dispersed expansion of industrial land, increasing fragmentation of ecological spaces, ongoing encroachment on agricultural land, differentiated growth of service industry spaces, and the uncontrolled sprawl of residential areas in villages and towns during rapid urbanization. These patterns lead to increased ecological risks, imbalanced urban–rural development, and lagging infrastructure. To address these challenges, this study proposes a planning strategy of “adjusting the primary industry, restricting the secondary industry, and promoting the tertiary industry,” aiming to resolve the conflict between ecological protection and urban expansion in metropolitan green belts, ensuring their orderly development. This research provides insights for the sustainable development of green belts in Metropolises of developing countries during the rapid urbanization process. Full article