Article
Environmental Sciences
Katrina J. Charles, Guy Howard, Elena Villalobos Prats, Joshua Gruber, Sadekul Alam, A. S. M. Alamgir, Manish Baidya, Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Farhana Haque, S. M. Quamrul Hassan, Saiful Islam, Alfred Lazaro, Dickson Wilson Lwetoijera, S. G. Mahmud, Zahid Hayat Mahmud, Fatuma Matwewe, Kamal Pasa, Mahmudur Rahman, Ashek Ahammed Shahid Reza, M. Selimuzzaman, Ahmed Raihan Sharif, Subodh Sharma, Jacqueline Marie Thomas, Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum
Summary: This study explores the impact of climate change on water quality and highlights the importance of considering both infrastructure and management decisions for climate resilient water supplies.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Ayansina Ayanlade
Summary: This study examines the impacts of climate variability/change on water supply in three urban sprawl communities. Through the use of historical climate data and social surveys, the study assesses water stress during different seasons in these communities. The results highlight the importance of age and time living in the neighborhood in influencing people's perceptions of climate change and water stress.
CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xinyuan Zhang, Nan Li
Summary: Understanding the patterns of urban human mobility is crucial for various disciplines. This study proposes a new analytical framework to assess individual mobility perturbation during extreme weather events (EWEs), and examines the individual variation and response types. The findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of EWE-induced individual mobility perturbations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sarah E. Crawford, Markus Brinkmann, Jacob D. Ouellet, Frank Lehmkuhl, Klaus Reicherter, Jan Schwarzbauer, Piero Bellanova, Peter Letmathe, Lars M. Blank, Roland Weber, Werner Brack, Joost T. van Dongen, Lucas Menzel, Markus Hecker, Holger Schuettrumpf, Henner Hollert
Summary: While the frequency and intensity of floods are increasing globally, the indirect effects of pollutants remobilized and redistributed during flood events are often overlooked. A global examination of floods caused by extreme events and the subsequent distribution of sediment-bound pollutants is essential to improve interdisciplinary investigations and develop action plans to address environmental pollution issues from flooding. Action plans for river basins and coastal lowlands need to balance flood retention, catchment conservation, and economical water use.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adrian Hickey, Lalantha Senevirathna
Summary: Climate change is causing more frequent extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, which are impacting water supply systems globally. Water agencies and utilities need to develop resilient and adaptable systems to cope with these challenges. Case studies, like the one on water quality and supply management in New South Wales, demonstrate the importance of effective water treatment processes and collaboration among local governments to ensure a secure and reliable water supply during extreme weather events.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xing-Yun Zou, Xin-Yu Peng, Xin-Xin Zhao, Chun-Ping Chang
Summary: The research reveals that extreme weather events have a negative impact on water quality, which persists for both the current year and the next 10 years. Floods have a greater influence on water quality than droughts, particularly in non-high-income countries and countries with low technology innovation related to water resources.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Martin J. Siegert, Mike J. Bentley, Angus Atkinson, Thomas J. Bracegirdle, Peter Convey, Bethan Davies, Rod Downie, Anna E. Hogg, Caroline Holmes, Kevin A. Hughes, Michael P. Meredith, Neil Ross, Jane Rumble, Jeremy Wilkinson
Summary: There is increasing evidence that fossil fuel burning has led to the increased occurrence and severity of extreme environmental events. This study examines evidence for extreme events in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean and highlights the vulnerability of natural Antarctic systems. It predicts that future Antarctic extreme events will be more severe due to further heating and the need for drastic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
L. Matkala, L. Kulmala, P. Kolari, M. Aurela, J. Back
Summary: The study found that two subarctic forest stands, one with Scots pine and the other with Norway spruce, experienced different extreme weather events, with the spruce forest being less resilient. Overall, both forests, especially the trees, showed resilience to weather extremes and experienced no long-term damage.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Stephen Stajkowski, Esmee Hotson, Marko Zorica, Hani Farghaly, Hossein Bonakdari, Ed McBean, Bahram Gharabaghi
Summary: Discharges of warm water from shallow stormwater management ponds during summer months into receiving headwater streams pose a risk to aquatic ecosystems. This research introduces a user-friendly and more accurate machine learning method to predict thermal profiles in stormwater ponds and the pond outlet discharge temperature to the receiving streams. The methods presented in this study can be used to support improved stormwater management pond design guidelines.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Meghan Klasic, Amanda Fencl, Julia A. Ekstrom, Amanda Ford
Summary: This study documents the experiences of small drinking water system managers during a severe drought in the Southwestern USA from 2012-2016. The analysis reveals that the impacts, responses, and challenges faced by these systems differ based on their size and water sources. Common disadvantages hindering drought resilience and climate adaptation include limited capacity, financial burdens, lack of consumer awareness, and challenges to consolidation. The study emphasizes the need for greater attention to the planning and support of small water systems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenli Zhao, Biqing Zhu, Steven J. Davis, Philippe Ciais, Chaopeng Hong, Zhu Liu, Pierre Gentine
Summary: Extreme climate events caused by climate change have impacts on the power production system and renewable energy supply. During these events, carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels increase, while renewable energy capacity decreases. States with more renewable electricity generation are also more affected by extreme temperatures, suggesting the need for adaptation measures.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Saahil Shenoy, Dimitry Gorinevsky, Kevin E. Trenberth, Steven Chu
Summary: By analyzing temperature and rainfall data, we found that there is an increasing trend in extreme climate events in the continental United States over the past 41 years. The risk of high-temperature events has increased 2.1-fold, with a 2.6-fold increase from July to October. On the other hand, the risk of high rainfall extremes has increased 1.4-fold in December and January but decreased by 22% during the spring and summer months.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Janis Balodis, Madara Normand, Inese Varna
Summary: The study analyzed the impact of space weather on Latvian GPS observations, focusing on faults and extreme space weather events. Out of over 36 million position determination solutions examined, a small percentage were found to contain errors, with an extremely low percentage having errors exceeding 50 meters.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Didac Pascual, Margareta Johansson
Summary: Winter warming events have significant impacts on the permafrost in the Arctic, with rain on snow events having a stronger influence on summer ground temperatures and active layer thickness.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE EXTREMES
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Carolina Veiga Ferreira de Souza, Priscila da Cunha Luz Barcellos, Lhaylla Crissaff, Marcio Cataldi, Fabio Miranda, Marcos Lage
Summary: Extreme weather events over the last 20 years have resulted in significant loss of life and economic damage, particularly impacting low and lower-middle income countries. To mitigate these impacts, researchers have developed numerical weather models for advance warning, but these models can be uncertain. This paper proposes an interactive visual analytics system, X-WEATHER, that provides statistical and probability-based visualizations for assessing extreme weather events.
COMPUTERS & GRAPHICS-UK
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
F. Bichai, P. Smeets, S. Barrette, D. Deere, N. J. Ashbolt, G. Ferrero
Summary: A survey was conducted to investigate the use and relevance of water safety plans in facing the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis. The analysis of responses from 86 respondents across 38 countries identified the water safety challenges faced and the advantages provided by water safety plans, including stronger communication links between utilities and governing agencies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Frederic D. L. Leusch, Hsuan-Cheng Lu, Kushani Perera, Peta A. Neale, Shima Ziajahromi
Summary: Microplastics come in various shapes, polymer types, and sizes. The lack of a standardized approach to analyze and quantify microplastics has led to significant disparities in reported data, making it difficult to compare microplastic abundance between studies. This study introduces a mathematical approach that allows for meaningful comparisons of microplastics irrespective of size classifications. By validating the method with two datasets and re-analyzing 127 publications, a negative linear relationship between microplastic concentrations and sizes was found across different environmental matrices. This method enables researchers to compare microplastic concentrations and estimate abundance, providing a better understanding of the risks microplastics pose to organisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie Chaousis, Frederic D. L. Leusch, Colin J. Limpus, Amanda Nouwens, Liesbeth J. Weijs, Antonia Weltmeyer, Adrian Covaci, Jason P. van de Merwe
Summary: All seven species of sea turtle are facing increasing pressures from human activities that are impacting their health. Changes in blood proteins can indicate adverse health outcomes. This study examines the protein abundance in sea turtle plasma, compares protein expression between different populations, and investigates markers of contaminant exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peta A. Neale, Beate I. Escher, Milo L. De Baat, Jerome Enault, Frederic D. L. Leusch
Summary: Effect-based methods (EBMs) using in vitro bioassays and well plate-based in vivo assays are recommended for water quality monitoring. Effect-based trigger values (EBTs) have been introduced to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable chemical water quality. These EBTs have been derived for both drinking water and surface water to protect human and ecological health.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shiyang Huang, Jaleh Mansouri, James A. McDonald, Stuart J. Khan, Greg Leslie, Chuyang Y. Tang, Anthony G. Fane
Summary: This work proposes a new approach based on the electrospray technique to print polyamide thin-film composite membranes in a single scan. The study found that a substrate with a 4-hour polydopamine coating and a cone-jet spray at 2.5 cm spray distance showed the highest NaCl rejection at 98.1%.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jerome Enault, Jean-Francois Loret, Peta Neale, Milo De Baat, Beate Escher, Faten Belhadj, Stephan Kools, Geertje Pronk, Frederic Leusch
Summary: In the past decade, effect-based methods (EBMs) have gained increasing attention as a water quality monitoring tool. However, their practical use has been limited to research projects despite being recommended in guideline documents. This study reviews bioanalytical data on wastewater, drinking water, and reuse to identify knowledge gaps and priorities for action. The results highlight the need for more data on various biological effects and emphasize the importance of improving wastewater treatment to protect the environment.
JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mahshid S. Z. Farzanehsa, Guido Carvajal, John Mieog, Stuart J. Khan
Summary: Continuous online monitoring is important for ensuring reliable water quality outcomes and effective removal of microbial substances during advanced wastewater treatment processes. However, most microbial indicators cannot be continuously monitored online. This study used a combined ozonation-biological media filtration process to reduce microbial indicator concentration and developed models for predicting microbial indicator concentration changes. Machine learning algorithms were applied to identify physico-chemical predictors and their associations with microbial indicator reduction. Support vector machines (SVM) with a Gaussian kernel classifier showed superior performance in microbial removal prediction. The study provides an efficient method to predict the effectiveness of the O-3/BMF process in removing microbial indicators based on commonly measured physico-chemical parameters.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zillur Rahman, Weijia Liu, Lara Stapleton, Nikki Kenters, Dewa A. P. Rasmika Dewi, Ori Gudes, Helen Ziochos, Stuart J. Khan, Kaye Power, Mary-Louise McLaws, Torsten Thomas
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, and current surveillance programs lack monitoring outside healthcare settings. Wastewater testing can provide a simple and continuous way to survey AMR trends in the community. By monitoring wastewater in Greater Sydney, Australia, we found regular presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E), and occasional presence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Our study highlights the potential of routine wastewater surveillance for understanding factors driving AMR distribution.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Peta A. . Neale, Beate I. Escher, Milo L. de Baat, Magali Dechesne, Milou M. L. Dingemans, Jerome Enault, Geertje J. Pronk, Patrick W. M. H. Smeets, Frederic D. L. Leusch
Summary: Effect-based methods (EBM) have the potential for water quality monitoring by detecting the mixture effects of chemicals, which cannot be addressed by chemical analysis alone. However, EBM has been primarily used in research rather than adopted by the water sector and regulators due to concerns about reliability and interpretation. This work aims to answer frequently asked questions about EBM and provide confidence to regulators and the water sector to encourage its application.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Md Hafiz All Hosen, Alex M. M. Sykes, Stephen A. A. Wood, Frederic D. L. Leusch, Deanne J. J. Whitworth, Susan M. Bengtson M. Nash
Summary: Cetaceans are at risk of accumulating environmental contaminants due to their longevity and high body fat. However, there is a lack of specific chemical effect data for these species. Recent advances in cetacean cell culture have allowed for the application of toxicological effect assessment approaches.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mahshid Farzanehsa, Liam C. C. Vaughan, Arash Zamyadi, Stuart J. J. Khan
Summary: Applications of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in water and wastewater treatment have been of great interest. UV-chlorine (UV-Cl) is emerging as a potentially cost-effective alternative to UV/hydrogen peroxide (UV-H2O2), showing efficient degradation of emerging chemicals in contaminated water. UV-H2O2 does not have superiority over UV-Cl in terms of disinfection by-product (DBP) formation. However, more investigation and pilot-scale studies are needed to establish UV-Cl as a reliable alternative to UV-H2O2.
WATER AND ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shima Ziajahromi, Hsuan-Cheng Lu, Darren Drapper, Andy Hornbuckle, Frederic D. L. Leusch
Summary: Limited research has been conducted on microplastics (MPs) and tire wear particles (TWPs) in stormwater. This study provides information on the abundance of MPs and TWPs in Australia and offers strategies to mitigate MP pollution. The results indicate that stormwater serves as a pathway for MPs, including TWPs, to enter aquatic habitats. Constructed wetlands and microlitter capture devices can effectively reduce the transport of MPs from stormwater to receiving waterways.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
H. M. Abd-ur-Rehman, V. Prodanovic, A. Deletic, S. J. Khan, J. A. McDonald, K. Zhang
Summary: Green walls provide a new and on-site method for treating and reusing greywater in urban areas. This study investigated the performance of different lightweight green wall media in removing twelve emerging contaminants from greywater. The results showed that coco coir and media mix columns achieved excellent removal of all contaminants through adsorption, with some hydrophilic contaminants also undergoing biodegradation. However, further research is needed to investigate the synergetic contribution of plants and media in removing these contaminants in long-term vegetated green wall systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xuan Li, Huan Liu, Li Gao, Samendra P. Sherchan, Ting Zhou, Stuart J. Khan, Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht, Qilin Wang
Summary: Although the COVID-19 emergency status is easing, the pandemic still affects healthcare systems globally. The use of wastewater-based epidemiology has been shown to accurately predict COVID-19-induced hospital admissions, providing early warnings for healthcare systems. This study demonstrates the potential of wastewater-based epidemiology as an effective method for predicting disease occurrence.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dechao Chen, Muhammad Usman Zia, Fan Yang, Yuting Wang, Frederic D. L. Leusch, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Wei Zhang, Yongsheng Gao, Dongyuan Zhao, Colin L. L. Raston, Qin Li
Summary: A ligand-mediated, spatially-confined synthesis method is developed to produce high-quality carbon dots from crude bioresources. The choice of solvent plays a critical role in the formation and properties of the carbon dots. The ligand-carbon interactions and electron transfer result in the formation of uniform colloidal carbon dots with multiple emissions. These carbon dots can be easily dispersed in various solvents and fabricated into thin-film devices, making them suitable for optoelectronic applications.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)