Search Results (20,603)

TiO₂–biochar-based photocatalysts are one of the materials exhibiting adsorption-photocatalytic synergy. They have been widely used in the remediation of water systems. Current reviews in this field predominantly focus on the following aspects. These include the preparation methods for composite materials, the pollutant removal performance, the adsorption–photocatalytic synergy, and environmental applications. However, there are still gaps in understanding the intrinsic relationships among photocatalyst morphology, surface functional groups, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, pollutant removal, and interfacial charge-transfer mechanisms. This restricts the potential for further enhancement of photocatalytic performance. To fill this gap, this review provides a comprehensive summary of the impact of various parameters on the morphology of TiO_2–biochar-based photocatalysts during in situ synthesis. These factors include titanium sources, carbon sources, preparation methods, solvents, pyrolysis conditions, and doping modifications. Further analysis is conducted to investigate the effects of morphological structure on the distribution characteristics of surface functional groups (e.g., oxygen- and nitrogen- containing groups), the generation of ROS, and the removal behavior of organic pollutants. Furthermore, this review focuses on the effects of three typical morphologies. The three typical morphologies include surface-adhered, pore-embedded, and interlayer-distributed. The role of morphology in charge transport behavior at interfaces is also examined. We systematically elucidate the mechanisms of coupled interactions among material morphology, surface functional groups, ROS, interfacial charge transport, and photocatalytic performance. An analytical framework is established to explore the relationships among morphology control, structural characteristics, and photocatalytic performance. Lastly, the limitations of TiO₂–biochar-based photocatalysts in environmental remediation processes are summarized. It also points the way forward for future development. Overall, this review provides a new theoretical perspective on the rational design and environmental applications of high-performance TiO_2–biochar-based photocatalysts. Full article

Sea surface temperature (SST) is a key variable regulating ocean–atmosphere interactions, yet the performance of global Level-4 (L4) SST products in complex coastal environments remains insufficiently evaluated. This study assesses four global L4 SST products (C3SSST, OSTIA, MGDSST, and OISST) in the coastal waters surrounding the Shandong Peninsula using both the iQuam dataset and regional moored buoy (MB) observations. Statistical metrics (COR, RMSE, MAE, BIAS) were employed to quantify accuracy. All four SST products show strong agreement with in situ observations, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.97. Validation against iQuam showed that OISST achieved the lowest RMSE (~1.008 °C), while coastal buoy observations showed that C3SSST achieved the lowest RMSE at Zhifudao (RMSE ≈ 0.833 °C). Pronounced warm biases at Shidao station during summer suggest that L4 SST products may underestimate coastal upwelling along the Shandong Peninsula. The leave-one-out (LOO) ensemble analysis further revealed consistent differences among the four L4 SST products, with C3SSST and OSTIA showing relatively higher consistency, while OISST exhibited larger deviations from the other products. These results indicate that L4 SST performance depends on both product characteristics, including observational data sources, and local environmental conditions. These findings provide useful guidance for SST dataset selection in the Shandong Peninsula. Full article

Historic water infrastructure has often been treated primarily as a technical system, while its relationships with urban form, architectural organization, and everyday life have received less attention. Focusing on the old city of Mardin, this study examines historic water infrastructure, including partially accessible underground routes and their above-ground interfaces, as a constitutive component of spatial organization in a settlement shaped by arid climatic conditions and steep topography. A multi-scalar spatial-decoding approach combines Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS)-based mapping, morphological and sectional analysis, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-based three-dimensional documentation, archival research, field observation, and oral testimony. The findings reveal a decentralized configuration of largely independent gravity-fed source-to-outlet routes embedded across urban and architectural scales. Water access, maintenance requirements, and architectural integration contributed to the organization of public nodes, institutional buildings, domestic spaces, and everyday practices without independently determining them. The transition to centralized modern supply disrupted these embedded relationships and transformed the visibility, accessibility, use, and situated knowledge of water. Methodologically, the study offers a transferable cross-scalar approach for reconstructing relationships between partially concealed infrastructure and visible urban form. Full article

Germinated Andean lupin whole flour (GAL) is rich in protein, dietary fiber, essential amino acids, and bioactive compounds, representing a promising alternative for the development of sustainable plant-based foods. This study investigated the feasibility of partially replacing soy protein isolate (SPI) with GAL in high-moisture extruded meat analogues. A central composite design was applied to evaluate the effects of the GAL ratio (0:100–50:50) and feed moisture content (50–70%) on the technological properties of the extrudates. The Response Surface Methodology was used to model and optimize the process. The incorporation of GAL significantly affected the (p < 0.10) water solubility index (WSI), oil absorption capacity (OAC), cooking loss (CL), yellowness (b*), cohesiveness, and adhesiveness, generating predictive models with satisfactory goodness-of-fit (R² > 0.75). Increasing GAL levels increased the WSI from 6.21 to 18.79% and cooking loss from 1.01 to 3.84%, while reducing OAC from 239.42 to 166.57%, indicating substantial modifications in matrix organization and hydration behavior. Numerical optimization identified an optimal formulation containing 12% GAL, 88% SPI, and 65.5% feed moisture, with a desirability of 77.82%. Model validation showed relative deviations lower than 10% between predicted and experimental values. The optimized meat analogue exhibited high protein content (84.44%), favorable techno-functional properties, and improved nutritional quality, with higher levels of branched-chain amino acids (17.34 g·100 g⁻¹ protein), essential amino acids (33.32 g·100 g⁻¹ protein), and in vitro protein digestibility (90.1%) compared with the control formulation. Multivariate analyses confirmed that phenylalanine, histidine, methionine, and leucine were the main variables that discriminated between the protein sources and the extruded products. Overall, GAL demonstrated strong potential as a sustainable functional ingredient to produce nutritionally enhanced high-moisture meat analogues. Full article

The Kalasayi tungsten deposit is a medium-sized quartz-vein scheelite tungsten deposit in the Western Tianshan, Central Asia Orogenic Belt. The Kalatawu pluton yielded Late Carboniferous zircon U–Pb ages (313.99–310.32 Ma), and molybdenite Re–Os dating gives an isochron age of 302.3 ± 1.8 Ma for W mineralization, indicating an ~8–12 Myr magmatic-hydrothermal system. Whole-rock geochemistry classifies the pluton as aluminous A₂-type granite formed in a post-collisional extensional setting. Zircon Hf isotopes (εHf(t) = +2.8 to +8.3) suggest a mixed juvenile lower crust source with mantle input. In situ LA-ICP-MS scheelite trace element analysis and REE geochemistry distinguish two populations: proximal Group I (high Mo, low Sr, low ΣREE, right-inclined REE patterns) is precipitated from oxidizing magmatic fluid, and distal Group II (low Mo, high Sr, high ΣREE, flat REE patterns, strong positive Eu anomalies) records reduced, mixed fluid with intense fluid–rock interaction. Fluid inclusion data show decreasing temperature and salinity proximally to distally, confirming that mixing of magmatic and meteoric water led to cooling and pH increase that caused W precipitation. A four-stage metallogenic model is proposed for a post-collisional extensional setting, providing robust evidence for A-type granite-related, multi-stage W mineralization and establishing exploration indicators for the southwestern Central Asia Orogenic Belt. Full article

The accurate and rapid estimation of water content in granular materials is important for geotechnical engineering, construction-material evaluation, agricultural monitoring, and non-destructive material assessment. This study presents a controlled laboratory feasibility framework for estimating water content in sand–water mixtures using microwave S-parameter measurements and physically interpretable features. Sixty measurements were acquired from six nominal mixture levels containing 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% water by mass using a WR-229 waveguide-based fixture over 3.30–4.90 GHz. Descriptors were extracted from the raw and empty-reference-normalized S₁₁ and S₂₁ responses, including extrema, slopes, area-based indicators, band-averaged values, selected-frequency responses, and phase statistics. Ridge regression, partial least squares regression, support vector regression, Gaussian process regression, random forest, and gradient boosting regression were evaluated. The selected PLS model achieved RMSE = 3.56%, MAE = 2.92%, and R² = 0.826 under leave-one-mixture-level-out group-wise cross-validation, which was used as the primary indicator of generalization to an unseen mixture level. The substantially lower error obtained under repeated-measurement leave-one-out cross-validation primarily reflects within-level repeatability under controlled conditions and should not be interpreted as evidence of universal calibration performance. The results demonstrate that magnitude- and phase-derived microwave descriptors, particularly transmission-based features, provide an interpretable and repeatable framework for water-content estimation under the specific sand type, sample geometry, water source, and laboratory conditions investigated. Further validation using independent preparation batches, different granular materials, measured water conductivity, temperature variation, and field-like conditions is required before practical deployment. Full article

The Szczecin Lagoon’s shores and its water fluctuations were analyzed. The rates of shore retreat and other threats are presented for the period 2002–2026. This work aims to present shores prone to water and ice-shove erosion and flooding. The spatial distributions of different coasts and their morphologies and geology were examined. Data were obtained through field investigations following the strongest surges, and from secondary sources, including topographic information about the coasts. The hydrometeorological conditions in which erosion is likely to occur were investigated. Events associated with the highest water levels increase in the 21st century, and examples of their impacts on the shores are given. The relationship between sea-level changes and lagoon waters during the largest storm surges in the 21st century was analyzed. During storm surges, the water level (WL) in the lagoon may be 1 m above the mean sea level (AMSL), but run-up in the lagoon may reach up to 2 m AMSL. The length of the eroded coast has increased. An increasing number of small erosive coves are cut off in reed belts and shore sediments. Their annual retreat rate is 0.1–0.2 m. Large sections of the low-lying coast up to 2 m AMSL are prone to flooding during high water levels. The rate of retreat is 0.3–0.7 m/y on most eroded coasts prone to wind and surges. Due to the observed threats, several methods of coastal protection are used. These were analyzed and are presented in spatial terms. Full article

Detection of nanoplastics in drinking-water systems is only the first analytical step toward exposure interpretation; the next challenge is source attribution. This review examines molecular fingerprinting and transformation pathways that can link nanoscale polymer signals to source waters, drinking-water treatment, distribution infrastructure, packaging materials, laboratory background, or aging processes across the potable-water chain. Nanoplastics are treated here as operationally defined particles below 1 µm, including intentionally manufactured primary nanoplastics and secondary nanoplastics generated by fragmentation, abrasion, weathering, treatment, storage, or packaging stress. The synthesis evaluates how polymer identity, particle morphology, surface oxidation, additive and oligomer profiles, thermal degradation markers, matrix context, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) can be combined into defensible source assignments. Analytical platforms considered include surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), atomic force microscopy–infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR), optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy (O-PTIR), stimulated Raman scattering microscopy (SRS), pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled to Py-GC/MS (AF4-Py-GC/MS), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), and chemometric workflows. The central conclusion is that source attribution cannot be inferred from polymer identity alone; robust interpretation requires convergent evidence from particle-level chemistry, polymer-specific mass, additive or marker-ion signatures, aging state, blanks, recovery, and contextual sampling design. Full article

Water use efficiency (WUE) is a key indicator of carbon–water coupling in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. This study focuses on Ningxia and its grape-growing areas (2001–2024), integrating multi-source remote sensing with trend analysis, coefficient of variation, Hurst exponent, and geographic detector to examine WUE spatiotemporal evolution, stability, sustainability, and driving mechanisms: (1) The spatial distributions of high-value gross primary productivity (GPP), evapotranspiration (ET), and WUE were highly consistent across both Ningxia and its grape-growing regions; annual mean WUE increased at rates of 0.0059 and 0.0058 g C·m⁻²·mm⁻¹·a⁻¹, with a decrease-then-increase pattern covering 53.52% and 41.67% of the areas; (2) In Ningxia, ecosystem WUE is predominantly characterized by low-to-moderate volatility, accounting for approximately 89.37% of the area, and its sustainability is mainly represented by sustainability and decrease then increase pattern, covering about 53.06%. In the grape-growing regions, low-to-moderate volatility also dominates, accounting for about 84.25%, while the sustainability level is slightly lower than the average level of the whole Ningxia region; (3) The Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and leaf area index (LAI) constitute the primary factors governing the spatial heterogeneity of WUE across Ningxia and grape-growing zones, with respective q-values of 0.73 and 0.91, whereas the human footprint (PopuFopr) and temperature (Tem) exert the lowest explanatory capacity for WUE spatial differentiation in both regions, with q-values of 0.14 and 0.18; (4) The interaction between NDVI and Tem exerted the strongest influence on WUE in Ningxia, with a q-value of 0.86, whereas the interaction between LAI and precipitation (Pre) played the dominant role in the grape-growing regions, achieving a q-value of 0.93. This study clarifies the synergistic impacts of climate, vegetation, and human activities on regional ecosystem WUE, which delivers theoretical support for refined water resource regulation and climate adaptation frameworks in arid regions, while also supporting the development of targeted ecological restoration and irrigation strategies. Full article

This study presents the results of long-term field experiments investigating the effects of subsurface heating and irrigation with discharged warm water (28–35 °C) on the hydrothermal, redox, biological, and salt regimes of Haplic Chernozem (Loamic, Endocalcaric) in the central Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. The experiments were conducted under contrasting hydro-meteorological conditions, allowing assessment of thermo-reclamation practices across a wide range of temperature and soil moisture regimes. Subsurface heating increased soil temperature by 7.3–11.1 °C at the depth of heating pipe installation, while the thermal effect gradually decreased with increasing distance from the heat source. Combined heating and irrigation created a more uniform temperature distribution within the root zone, reduced the depth and duration of soil freezing, and improved hydrothermal conditions throughout the growing season. The studied soils maintained predominantly oxidative conditions under all treatments. However, the combined application of heating and irrigation promoted a more homogeneous distribution and seasonal stabilization of soil redox potential throughout the profile. Soil heating also enhanced microbiological activity, thereby increasing cellulolytic activity, particularly during cold and dry periods when soil temperature and moisture limited microbial processes. Irrigation with slightly mineralized warm wastewater did not cause significant overall soil salinization but resulted in the redistribution of calcium and sodium within the soil profile. Subsurface heating intensified the seasonal dynamics of readily soluble salts, promoting their temporary accumulation near the heating pipes, whereas combined heating and irrigation facilitated subsequent leaching of excess salts into deeper horizons. The integrated application of subsurface heating and irrigation produced the highest and most stable perennial grass productivity, increasing biomass yield by 87–163% compared with the control, irrespective of meteorological conditions. These findings demonstrate that the integrated use of industrial waste heat for subsurface heating combined with irrigation represents a promising and environmentally sustainable thermo-reclamation technology capable of improving soil functioning and agricultural productivity, provided that long-term monitoring of soil water–salt regimes is maintained. Full article

Panax notoginseng stems and leaves are abundant agricultural residues generated during root harvest, rich in flavonoids yet remain largely underutilized as a valuable phytochemical source. This study optimized a green steaming-sodium bicarbonate aqueous extraction process via orthogonal design. Optimal conditions (steaming 1 h, 1.0% food-grade NaHCO₃, boiling extraction 2 h, 1:20 g/mL) achieved a solid yield of 13.50 ± 0.41%, significantly higher than conventional water extraction (7.98 ± 0.41%, p < 0.05), demonstrating enhanced recovery of bioactive compounds. The extract exhibited 91.95 ± 0.08% xanthine oxidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 5.0 mg/mL) with reversible mixed-type inhibition (K_i = 4.99 mg/mL). UHPLC-MS/MS identified 3392 metabolites, predominantly flavonoids, alkaloids, and organic acids with potential XO inhibitory activity. Network pharmacology and molecular docking revealed multi-target interactions involving ADRA2A, ADA, GAA, PNP, and PTGS2 enriched in purine metabolism and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways, with quercetin 3-Gentiobioside exhibiting the strongest binding affinity and favorable ligand-target interactions (ΔG = −12.91 kcal/mol). This eco-friendly strategy employs only pure water and food-grade additives, efficiently concentrating xanthine oxidase inhibitors and offering a clean-label, sustainable approach for high-value utilization of P. notoginseng agricultural residues. These findings provide a pharmacological basis for developing functional foods targeting hyperuricemia and associated metabolic disorders. Full article

Cyanobacterial blooms occur frequently in lakes worldwide, disrupting aquatic ecosystem balance and directly threatening drinking water safety and fisheries production. Establishing a reliable bloom early-warning system has therefore become an urgent priority for lake water management. This study adopts a structured narrative review approach to synthesize the major early-warning methods, including indicator threshold methods, statistical and empirical models, mechanistic models, machine learning, and remote sensing monitoring. These methods are compared in terms of their fundamental principles, data requirements, predictive capabilities, applicability, interpretability, and computational and maintenance requirements. Emerging trends in multi-source data fusion, multi-model integration, and the development of integrated early-warning systems are also summarized. The findings indicate that each method has distinct strengths and limitations with respect to forecasting lead time, spatial coverage, process interpretation, and operational costs, and that no single method can simultaneously meet the requirements of multiscale bloom monitoring and forecasting. Integrating multi-source data from in situ monitoring, remote sensing observations, and meteorological and hydrological measurements, while coordinating statistical models, mechanistic models, and artificial intelligence algorithms according to specific forecasting objectives, represents an important pathway for improving the robustness and operational applicability of early-warning systems. Given the pronounced seasonal ice cover, substantial hydrological variability, limited monitoring data, and marked regional heterogeneity of some cold and arid region lakes, future research should strengthen high-frequency monitoring during critical periods, promote coordination between remote sensing and in situ observations, and conduct local calibration of early-warning thresholds and model parameters. Season-specific models should also be developed to account for environmental differences among ice-covered, ice-off transition, and open-water periods. Overall, early warning of cyanobacterial blooms in lakes is evolving from the application of individual methods toward the integration of multi-source monitoring, multi-model integration, and decision support, thereby providing a reference for bloom risk prevention and water environment management across different types of lakes. Full article

Calendula officinalis L. (pot marigold) is a medicinal and edible plant used as a source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in functional foods. This review brings together current data on the phytochemical profile, biological activity, agronomic factors, and food applications of C. officinalis, based on 76 publications. More than 500 secondary metabolites have been reported in this species, including flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, coumarins, and essential-oil components. Reported levels depend strongly on cultivar, growing conditions, plant part, and analytical method. Total flavonoid content in dried flowers ranges from 0.21 to 0.68% across 20 European cultivars, with up to 1.7% in selected Estonian-grown cultivars such as ‘Radio’. Reported total carotenoid values cover almost two orders of magnitude (about 48 to 3510 mg/100 g of dried material), reflecting differences in plant part, colour variant, and method (spectrophotometric sum vs. HPLC). Dried flowers contain up to 62.33 g/100 g of total dietary fibre (mostly insoluble). The associated activities are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, regenerative, cytotoxic, and neuroprotective. Recent food-application studies show useful effects in yogurt (0.25 g lyophilized extract/100 g), wheat bread (10–15% of formulation water replaced with aqueous extract), and fresh pasta (5% flower powder substitution), with notable increases in antioxidant capacity and acceptable sensory scores. The number of full food-product trials is still small, and this review identifies the processing variables and the research gaps that determine whether C. officinalis can be used as a standard functional-food ingredient. Full article

To address the high carbon emissions generated during the production of cement, lime, and other traditional soil stabilizers and to promote the resource utilization of industrial solid waste, this study proposed a low-carbon loess stabilization scheme using tuff powder (TP), fly ash (FA), and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) activated by alkaline solutions to fully substitute conventional cement and lime. A series of macroscopic tests, including unconfined compressive strength, water immersion, and triaxial shear tests, were carried out on stabilized loess. Combined with microcharacterization including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic testing, this study systematically evaluated the mechanical performance, water stability, and microstructural evolution of stabilized loess and quantified its global warming potential (GWP). Macroscopic test results reveal that the composite binder consisting of 15% multi-source solid waste (TP:FA:GGBS) = (1:1:3), 3% NaOH, and 3.2% Na₂SiO₃ (relative to solid waste mass) delivers the optimal comprehensive performance of stabilized loess. Alkali activation significantly accelerates early strength development, and both compressive and shear strengths are markedly improved compared with samples treated solely with solid waste. Furthermore, decreasing the activator modulus further enhances mechanical properties and water resistance. Microscopic characterizations demonstrate that alkali activation stimulates the pozzolanic reaction of active components in solid waste, generating cementitious gels that bind soil particles and unreacted solid waste to form dense network matrices. As a fine filler, TP also acts as a nucleation sites for hydration product crystallization, which facilitates the formation of cementitious phases. Full article

As the primary substitutes for traditional brominated flame retardants, organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely employed in industrial manufacturing and consumer products, and they have been detected in most rivers across China. The Zhuozhang River, a major tributary of the Haihe River, is situated in a region characterized by intensive anthropogenic activities and water scarcity. Nevertheless, research on OPE contamination and its associated environmental impacts in the Zhuozhang River basin remains limited. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigated the occurrence, sources, and ecological risks of 12 OPEs in water samples collected from representative sites, including major reservoirs, upstream river sections, main river channels, and wastewater treatment plants. The results showed that tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and triethyl phosphate (TEP) were the dominant compounds by mass, with concentrations ranging from 1108 to 1977 ng/L and 202 to 238 ng/L in the mainstream. Ecological risk assessment using the RQ method revealed that EHDPP and TDCIPP fall into the moderate-risk category. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was applied to explore the sources of OPEs. The results show that plastic-related industries most likely serve as the dominant contributors to OPE contamination. Full article