Search Results (16,582)

This study pioneers the integration of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with Kolmogorov–Arnold networks (KAN) for the evaluation of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations in inland lakes. Using Baiyangdian Lake in Hebei Province, China, as a case study, a specialized KAN architecture was designed to extract spectral features from Sentinel-2 data, and a robust algorithm was developed for Chl-a estimation. The results demonstrate that the KAN model outperformed traditional feature-engineering-based machine learning (ML) methods and standard multilayer perceptron (MLP) deep learning approaches, achieving an R² of 0.8451, with MAE and RMSE as low as 1.1920 μg/L and 1.6705 μg/L, respectively. Furthermore, attribution analysis was conducted to quantify the importance of individual features, highlighting the pivotal role of bands B3 and B5 in Chl-a retrieval. Furthermore, spatio-temporal distributions of Chl-a concentrations in Baiyangdian Lake from 2020 to 2024 were generated leveraging the KAN model, further elucidating the underlying causes of water quality changes and examining the driving factors. Compared to previous studies, the proposed approach leverages the high spatial resolution of Sentinel-2 imagery and the accuracy and interpretability of the KAN model, offering a novel framework for monitoring water quality parameters in inland lakes. These findings may guide similar research endeavors and provide valuable decision-making support for environmental agencies. Full article

(1) Background: Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), characterized by high toxicity and strong lipophilicity, which promote their bioaccumulation in human tissues. Their detection in breast milk raises concerns about early-life exposure during lactation. Although dietary intake is the primary route of maternal exposure, environmental pathways—including inhalation, dermal absorption, and residential proximity to contaminated sites—may also significantly contribute to the maternal body burden. (2) Methods: This narrative review examined peer-reviewed studies investigating maternal and environmental determinants of dioxin and dl-PCB concentrations in human breast milk. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2000–2024), identifying a total of 325 records. Following eligibility screening and full-text assessment, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. (3) Results: The included studies consistently identified key exposure determinants, such as high consumption of animal-based foods (e.g., meat, fish, dairy), living near industrial facilities or waste sites, and maternal characteristics including age, parity, and body mass index (BMI). Substantial geographic variability was observed, with higher concentrations reported in regions affected by industrial activity, military pollution, or inadequate waste management. One longitudinal study from Japan demonstrated a declining trend in dioxin levels in breast milk, suggesting the potential effectiveness of regulatory interventions. (4) Conclusions: These findings highlight that maternal exposure to dioxins is influenced by identifiable environmental and behavioral factors, which can be mitigated through public health policies, targeted dietary guidance, and environmental remediation. Breast milk remains a critical bioindicator of human exposure. Harmonized, long-term research is needed to clarify health implications and minimize contaminant transfer to infants, particularly among vulnerable populations. Full article

This paper provides geospatial and correlation analysis of heavy metal distribution in the soil cover of the city of Temirtau and its industrial zones. Based on 25 soil samples taken in 2024, concentrations of nine heavy metals (As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Ba) were determined using X-ray fluorescence analysis. Spatial data interpolation was performed using the Kriging method in the ArcGIS Pro environment. The results showed the presence of localized extreme pollution zones, primarily near the Qarmet JSC metallurgical plant. The most significant exceedances of maximum permissible concentrations (MPC), up to 348× MPC for Cr, 160× MPC for Zn, and 72× MPC for As, were recorded at individual locations. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between several elements, particularly Mn and Cu (r = 0.64). Comparison of the spatial distribution of pollution with population data allowed for the assessment of potential environmental risks. This research emphasizes the need to implement systematic monitoring, sustainable land management practices, ecological maps, and preventive measures to reduce the long-term impact of heavy metals on ecosystems and public health, and to promote environmental sustainability in industrial regions. Full article

Anthropogenic noise pollution is a significant global environmental issue that adversely affects the behavior, physiology, and auditory functions of aquatic species. However, studies on the effects of underwater noise on early developmental stages of fish remain scarce, particularly regarding the differential impacts of daytime versus nighttime noise exposure. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to control group (no additional noise), daytime noise (100–1000 Hz, 130 dB, from 08:00 to 20:00) or nighttime noise (100–1000 Hz, 130 dB, from 20:00 to 08:00) for 5 days, and their embryonic development and oxidative stress levels were analyzed. Compared to the control group, the results indicated that exposure to both daytime and nighttime noise led to delays in embryo hatching time and a significant decrease in larval heart rate. Notably, exposure to nighttime noise significantly increased the larval deformity rate. Noise exposure, particularly at night, elevated the activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), as well as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), accompanied by upregulation of antioxidant-related gene expression levels. Nighttime noise exposure significantly increased the abnormality rate of otolith development in larvae and markedly downregulated the expression levels of otop1 related to otolith development regulation, while daytime noise exposure only induced a slight increase in the otolith abnormality rate. After noise exposure, the number of lateral neuromasts in larvae decreased slightly, yet genes (slc17a8 and capgb) related to hair cell development were significantly upregulated. Overall, this study demonstrates that both daytime and nighttime noise can induce oxidative stress and impair embryonic development of zebrafish, with nighttime noise causing more severe damage. Full article

In the context of both domestic and international economic landscapes, regional policy has emerged as an increasingly influential factor shaping the developmental trajectories of Chinese enterprises. Despite its growing significance, the extant literature lacks a comprehensive and systematically visualized synthesis that encapsulates the scope and trends of research in this domain. This study addresses this critical gap by conducting an integrative bibliometric and qualitative review of the academic output related to regional policy and Chinese firm growth. Drawing on a final dataset comprising 3428 validated academic publications—selected from an initial pool of 3604 records retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection between 1991 and 2022, the research employs a two-stage methodological framework. In the first phase, advanced bibliometric tools, and software applications, including RStudio, Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CitNetExplorer, are utilized to implement techniques such as keyword co-occurrence analysis, thematic clustering, and the tracing of thematic evolution over time. These methods facilitate rigorous data cleansing, breakpoint identification, and the visualization of intellectual structures and emerging research patterns. In the second phase, a targeted qualitative review is conducted to evaluate the influence of regional policies on Chinese firms across three critical stages of business development: start-up, expansion, and maturity. The findings reveal that regional policy interventions generally exert a positive influence on firm performance throughout all stages of development. Notably, a significant concentration of citation activity occurred prior to 2017; however, post-2017, the volume of scholarly publications, journal-level impact (as measured by h-index), and author-level influence experienced a marked increase. Among the 3428 analyzed publications, a substantial portion—2259 articles—originated from Chinese academic institutions, highlighting the strong domestic research interest in the subject. Furthermore, since 2015, there has been a discernible shift in keyword co-occurrence trends, with increasing scholarly attention directed towards sustainable development issues, particularly those related to carbon dioxide emissions and green innovation, reflecting evolving policy priorities and environmental imperatives. Full article

During large-scale pavement construction, the preparation of SBS-modified asphalt typically produces large amounts of harmful fumes. The emergence of deodorants can effectively alleviate the problem of smoke emissions during the asphalt manufacturing process. On the basis of ensuring the original road performance, exploring more suitable dosages and types of deodorant is urgently needed. Five commercial deodorants were evaluated using an asphalt smoke collection system, and UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV) was employed to screen the deodorants based on smoke concentration. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to quantitatively analyze changes in harmful smoke components before and after adding two deodorants. Subsequently, the mechanisms of action of the two different types of deodorants were analyzed microscopically using fluorescence microscopy. Finally, the performance of bitumen and asphalt mixtures after adding deodorants was evaluated. The results showed that deodorant A (reactive type) and D (adsorption type) exhibited the best smoke suppression effects, with optimal addition rates of 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Deodorant A reduced benzene homologues by nearly 50% and esters by approximately 40%, while deodorant D reduced benzene homologues by approximately 70% and esters by approximately 60%, without producing new toxic gases. Both deodorants had a minimal impact on the basic properties of bitumen and the road performance of asphalt mixtures, with all indicators meeting technical specifications. This research provides a theoretical basis for the effective application of deodorants in the future, truly enabling a transition from laboratory research to large-scale engineering applications in the construction of environmentally friendly roads. Full article

In this study, we sought to improve the productivity of Far Eastern catfish (Silurus asotus) and tropical eel (Anguilla bicolor), which are high-value fish species in the Republic of Korea, as well as that of associated crops by applying biofloc technology (BFT)-based aquaponics systems. The following three systems were used: the flow-through system (FTS), BFT, and BFT aquaponics system (BAPs). Caipira lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was utilized and hydroponics (HP) was implemented to compare crop productivity. After 42 days of treatment, the BAPs and BFT systems improved fish productivity, with weight gain rates of 134.47 ± 1.80% in BAPs-cat, 130.38 ± 0.95% in BFT, and 114.21 ± 6.62% in FTS for S. asotus, and 70.61 ± 3.26% in BAPs-eel, 62.37 ± 7.04% in BFT, and 47.83 ± 1.09% in FTS for A. bicolor. During the experiment, the total ammonia nitrogen and NO₂⁻-N concentrations were stable in all plots. In the case of NO₃⁻-N, BFT showed an increasing tendency while both BAPs showed a decrease compared with that of the BFT. BAPs-cat (total weight: 224.1 ± 6.37 g) and HP (220.3 ± 7.17 g) resulted in similar growth. However, in BAPs-eel was 187.7 ± 3.46 g due to root degradation. Water content analysis showed that BAPs-cat and BAPs-eel contained sufficient K, Ca, P, and S, which are important for crop growth. Overall, the effect of BAPs on fish growth was higher than that of FTS. This study reveals that integrating BFT with aquaponics improves productivity for high-value fish and associated crops while maintaining stable water quality. This method offers sustainable, efficient production, reduces environmental impact, and provides insights for future research in sustainable aquaculture practices. Full article

Sodium p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzenesulfonate (OBS) has been proposed as a substitute for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), yet it has garnered increasing attention due to its environmental persistence and potential toxicity. Despite these concerns, the neurotoxic mechanisms of OBS remain unclear. This study investigates and compares the neurotoxic effects and mechanisms of OBS and PFOS in Caenorhabditis elegans. L4-stage worms were exposed to OBS (0.1–100 μM) or PFOS (100 μM) for 24 h. Neurobehavioral analysis showed that OBS exposure induced concentration-dependent neurobehavioral deficits, with 100 μM OBS significantly reducing pharyngeal pumping rate (29.8%), head swing frequency (23.4%), and body bending frequency (46.6%), surpassing the effects of PFOS. Both compounds decreased the fluorescence intensity of dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and γ-aminobutyric acid neurons and downregulated neurotransmitter-associated genes. They also increased ROS generation and inhibited antioxidant gene expression. Molecular docking revealed that OBS had a stronger binding affinity to p38 MAPK key protein (PMK-1) than PFOS. OBS and PFOS upregulated pmk-1 and skn-1, modulating oxidative stress and neuronal function. pmk-1 mutation differentially affected OBS-induced neurobehavioral changes and gene expression alterations. Our findings indicate that OBS exhibits stronger neurotoxicity than PFOS in Caenorhabditis elegans, mediated through the PMK-1 pathway. These results highlight the need for further investigation into the safety of OBS as a PFOS alternative. Full article

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are one of the most environmentally friendly ways to control a plethora of chewing insects such as T. pityocampa, G. mellonella, and A. grisella. Bioassay of EPF on these highly damaging pests is considered important in the face of climate change in order to research alternative solutions that are capable of limiting chemical control, the overuse of which increases insects’ resistance to chemical compounds. In this study, the insecticidal virulence of Metarhizium robertsii isolates, retrieved from forest ecosystems, was tested on second-instar larvae of T. pityocampa, G. mellonella, and A. grisella. Bioassays were carried out in the laboratory, where experimental larvae were sprayed with 2 mL of a six-conidial suspension from each isolate. Mortality was recorded for 144 h after exposure. Mean mortality, lethal concentrations, sporulation percentage, and sporulation time were estimated for each isolate. Metarhizium isolates resulted in the highest mortality (89.2% for G. mellonella and 90.2% for A. grisella). Based on the LC₅₀ estimates determined by the concentration–mortality relationships for the tested fungal isolates, we demonstrated significant virulence on larvae of G. mellonella, A. grisella, and T. pityocampa. Our results indicate that entomopathogenic fungi have the potential to become a very useful tool in reducing chemical applications. Full article

Alexandrium spp. blooms and paralytic shellfish poisoning pose serious economic threats to coastal communities and aquaculture. This study evaluated the removal efficiency of two Alexandrium minutum strains using natural kaolinite clay (KNAC) and kaolinite with polyaluminum chloride (KPAC) at three concentrations (0.1, 0.25, and 0.3 g L⁻¹), two pH levels (7 and 8), and two cell densities (1.0 and 2.0 × 10⁷ cells L⁻¹) in seawater. PAC significantly enhanced removal, achieving up to 100% efficiency within two hours. Zeta potential analysis showed that PAC imparted positive surface charges to the clay, promoting electrostatic interactions with negatively charged algal cells and enhancing flocculation through Van der Waals attractions. In addition, the study conducted a cost estimate analysis and found that treating one hectare at 0.1 g L⁻¹ would cost approximately USD 31.75. The low KPAC application rate also suggests minimal environmental impact on benthic habitats. Full article

Illegal logging is a major threat to tropical forests; however, control mechanisms and efforts to combat illegal logging have not effectively curbed fraud in the production chain, highlighting the need for effective methods to verify the geographic origin of timber. This study investigates the application of multi-elemental analysis combined with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to discriminate the provenance of tropical timber in the Brazilian Legal Amazon. Wood samples of Hymenaea courbaril L. (Jatobá), Handroanthus sp. (Ipê), and Manilkara huberi (Ducke) A. Chevalier. (Maçaranduba) were taken from multiple sites. Elemental concentrations were determined via Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and CA was applied to evaluate geographic differentiation. Significant differences in elemental profiles were found among locations, particularly when using the intermediate disk portions (25% to 75%), and especially the average of all five sampled portions, which proved most effective in geographic discrimination of the trunk. Elements such as Ca, Sr, Cr, Cu, Zn, and B were especially important for spatial discrimination. These findings underscore the forensic potential of multi-elemental wood profiling as a tool to support law enforcement and environmental monitoring by providing scientifically grounded evidence of timber origin. Full article

The accurate and effective prediction of PM2.5 concentrations is crucial for mitigating air pollution, improving environmental quality, and safeguarding public health. To address the challenge of strong temporal correlations in PM2.5 concentration forecasting, this paper proposes a novel hybrid model that integrates the Particle Optimization Algorithm (POA) and Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) with the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network. First, POA is employed to optimize VMD by adaptively determining the optimal parameter combination [k, α], enabling the decomposition of the original PM2.5 time series into subcomponents while reducing data noise. Subsequently, an LSTM model is constructed to predict each subcomponent individually, and the predictions are aggregated to derive hourly PM2.5 concentration forecasts. Empirical analysis using datasets from Beijing, Tianjin, and Tangshan demonstrates the following key findings: (1) LSTM outperforms traditional machine learning models in time series forecasting. (2) The proposed model exhibits superior effectiveness and robustness, achieving optimal performance metrics (e.g., MAE: 0.7183, RMSE: 0.8807, MAPE: 4.01%, R²: 99.78%) in comparative experiments, as exemplified by the Beijing dataset. (3) The integration of POA with serial decomposition techniques effectively handles highly volatile and nonlinear data. This model provides a novel and reliable tool for PM2.5 concentration prediction, offering significant benefits for governmental decision-making and public awareness. Full article

Parabens—specifically methylparaben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), and butylparaben (BuP)—are widely used substances in everyday life, particularly as preservatives in pharmaceutical and food products. However, these compounds are not effectively removed by conventional water and wastewater treatment processes, potentially causing disruptions to human homeostasis and the endocrine system. This study conducted a transport and dimensional analysis through simulation of the adsorption process for these parabens, using zinc chloride-activated carbon derived from spent coffee grounds (ACZnCl₂) as the adsorbent, implemented via Aspen Properties^® and Aspen Adsorption^®. Simulations were performed for two inlet concentrations (50 mg/L and 100 mg/L) and two adsorption column heights (3 m and 4 m), considering a volumetric flow rate representative of a medium-sized city with approximately 100,000 inhabitants. The results showed that both density and surface tension of the parabens varied linearly with increasing temperature, and viscosity exhibited a marked reduction above 30 °C. Among the tested conditions, the configuration with 50 mg∙L⁻¹ inlet concentration and a 4 m column height demonstrated the highest adsorption capacity and better performance under adsorption–desorption equilibrium. These findings indicate that the implementation of adsorption beds on an industrial scale in water and wastewater treatment systems is both environmentally and socially viable. Full article

Plastic pollution in marine environments poses a new global threat. Microplastics (MPs) can bioaccumulate in marine organisms, leading to oxidative stress (OS). This study investigates MP accumulation and associated OS responses in six invertebrate species (Bivalvia, Gastropoda, and Malacostraca) and three key fish species of the Bulgarian Black Sea ecosystems. The target hydrobionts were collected from nine representative coastal habitats of the northern and southern aquatory. MPs were quantified microscopically, and OS biomarkers (lipid peroxidation, glutathione, and antioxidant enzymes) were analyzed spectrometrically in fish liver and gills and invertebrate soft tissues (STs). The specific OS (SOS) index was calculated as a composite indicator of the ecological impact, incl. MP effects. The results revealed species-specific MP bioaccumulation, with the highest concentrations in Palaemon adspersus, Rathke (1837) (0.99 ± 1.09 particles/g ST) and the least abundance in Bittium reticulatum (da Costa, 1778) (0.0033 ± 0.0025 particles/g ST). In Sprattus sprattus (Linnaeus, 1758), the highest accumulation of MPs was present (2.01 ± 2.56 particles/g muscle). The correlation analyses demonstrated a significant association between MP counts and catalase activity in all examined species. The SOS index varied among species, reflecting different stress responses, and this indicated that OS levels were linked to ecological conditions of the habitat and the species-specific antioxidant defense potential to overcome multiple stressors. These findings confirmed the importance of environmental conditions, including MP pollution and the evolutionarily developed capacity of marine organisms to tolerate and adapt to environmental stress. This study emphasizes the need for novel approaches in monitoring MPs and OS to better assess potential ecological risks. Full article

A novel centrifuge-less cloud point extraction (CL-CPE) method was developed for the spectrophotometric determination of copper(II) using 4-nitrocatechol (4NC) as the chelating agent. The extraction system utilizes a mixed micellar phase composed of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-114 and the ionic liquid (IL) Aliquat^® 336 (A336). The extracted ternary ion-association complex, identified as (A336⁺)₂[Cu(4NC)₂], exhibits a maximum absorbance at 451 nm, with a molar absorption coefficient of 8.9 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and a Sandell’s sensitivity of 0.71 ng cm⁻². The method demonstrates a linear response in the copper(II) concentration range of 32–763 ng mL⁻¹ and a limit of detection of 9.7 ng mL⁻¹. The logarithmic extraction constant (log K_ex) was determined to be 7.9, indicating efficient extraction. Method performance, evaluated by the Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI) and the Click Analytical Chemistry Index (CACI), confirmed its feasibility, practicality, simplicity, convenience, cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and analytical competitiveness. The proposed IL-CL-CPE method was successfully applied to the analysis of a dietary supplement, a solution for infusion, and synthetic mixtures simulating various copper alloys. Full article