Article
Soil Science
Xihua Yang, John Leys, Mingxi Zhang, Jonathan M. Gray
Summary: Nutrient transport from soils to water bodies poses threats to agricultural productivity, food security, water quality, and the environment worldwide. However, the contribution of soil erosion to nutrient loss is often overlooked in nutrient cycle studies. This study assessed the transport of soil nutrients by water and wind erosion across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The findings revealed significant spatial and temporal variations in nutrient transport rates, with water erosion being the primary contributor. The cost of nutrient transport in NSW was estimated to be billions of dollars annually. This study enhances the understanding of nutrient transport due to erosion in broad nutrient cycle studies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Megan Star, John Rolfe, Marina Farr, Mark Poggio
Summary: The declining health of the Great Barrier Reef has led to government policies aimed at reducing pollutant loads; limited availability and consistency of cost-effectiveness measures; a call for a consistent, transparent, and rigorous framework for the Great Barrier Reef.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Evan Hamman, Jon Brodie, Rachel Eberhard, Felicity Deane, Michael Bode
Summary: The quality of water entering the coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef remains a pressing concern for policy makers. In this paper, the role of regulation in addressing threats to water quality is examined, with a focus on sugarcane and cattle grazing. The study evaluates the approaches adopted by government, including recent legislative measures, and highlights the importance of combining regulation with economic incentives, education, and outreach.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Petr Sklenicka, Nikolaos Efthimiou, Jan Zouhar, Adri van den Brink, Blanka Kottova, Jan Vopravil, Vojtech Zastera, Michal Gebhart, Iris C. Bohnet, Kristina Janeckova Molnarova, Hossein Azadi
Summary: This study aimed to identify major socio-economic characteristics that have contributed to the occurrence of water erosion events in the Czech Republic. The results revealed that plot size and land tenure are significant predictors of repeated erosion events. To protect agricultural land more effectively against water erosion, recommended updates to agricultural environmental standards.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
G. L. McCloskey, R. Baheerathan, C. Dougall, R. Ellis, F. R. Bennett, D. Waters, S. Darr, B. Fentie, L. R. Hateley, M. Askildsen
Summary: The eWater Source modelling framework has been modified to support the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Dynamic SedNet catchment modelling concept, which is used to simulate fine sediment and particulate nutrient generation, loss, and transport processes across GBR catchments. Catchment scale monitored data sets are used to calibrate and evaluate models. Model performance is assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. Modeling predicts that approximately half of generated sediment is delivered to the GBR lagoon; the remainder is deposited on floodplains, trapped in reservoirs or lost through other minor processes (e.g. irrigation extractions). Gullies are the major source of sediment, with comparable contributions from hillslopes and streambanks. Hillslope sources are considered the major source of particulate nutrients across the GBR catchments. We demonstrate that using locally developed, customized models coupled with a complementary monitoring program can produce credible modelled estimates of pollutant loads and provide a platform for testing catchment scale assumptions and scenarios.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Jack Koci, Scott N. Wilkinson, Aaron A. Hawdon, Anne E. Kinsey-Henderson, Rebecca Bartley, Nicholas R. Goodwin
Summary: Gully rehabilitation measures, such as runoff diversion structures, porous check dams, and cattle exclusion, can significantly reduce sediment yields and improve vegetation cover in specific environments. Implementation of these measures in catchment areas less than 10 hectares can achieve good results, with reductions of gully erosion and sediment yields by more than 80%. Additionally, these measures promote significant regeneration and growth of gully floor vegetation.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2021)
Article
Development Studies
Anthea Coggan, Rachel Hay, Diane Jarvis, Rachel Eberhard, Barbara Colls
Summary: This study assesses the potential barriers to the adoption of improved land management practices (ILMP) by graziers in catchments to the Great Barrier Reef. The characteristics of ILMP adoption support programs have a significant influence on the transaction costs perceived and experienced by landholders. Building and nurturing relationships between landholders and extension officers play a critical role in reducing landholder transaction costs.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Esther Fischer, Graham Jones
Summary: Short-term stress experiments were conducted on the staghorn coral Acropora intermedia with dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and tripolyphosphate (TPP) under low and elevated seawater temperatures. The study found that natural stresses and added substances at high temperatures had significant impacts on the coral's stress indicators.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marites M. Canto, Katharina E. Fabricius, Murray Logan, Stephen Lewis, Lachlan I. W. McKinna, Barbara J. Robson
Summary: The article highlights the weak correlation between current water quality metrics and ecological outcomes in the Great Barrier Reef, and introduces a new water quality index based on benthic irradiance. This index is sensitive to changes in light availability and has the potential to complement existing water quality metrics.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Aparna Howlader
Summary: This study examines the reasons for and effects of adopting large-scale tree plantation projects on farmland, using the example of the Great Plains Shelterbelt Project in the late 1930s. The author compiles a primary database and uses a difference-in-difference model to analyze the determinants of county-level adoption rates. The main finding is that an increase in market crop prices leads to a decrease in the adoption of shelterbelt trees, and agricultural factors such as tenancy, irrigation access, and contract duration explain the variations in the decision-making process.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Akram Fatemi
Summary: This paper discussed the water quality assessment of the Gharasou River, highlighting natural and anthropogenic pollution sources, land cover/land use, and soil erosion/runoff. The results indicated a significant pollution level in the river due to drought, weathering of bed sediments, industrial activities, and agricultural practices. Natural sources of pollution, such as cation-exchange processes and anthropogenic sources, like raw sewage releases and agricultural activities, were identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geography
Tanvi Mihir Oza, Ruth Lane, Maria Fernanda Adame, Ruth Reef
Summary: Intensive sugarcane farming has led to poor water quality and coastal degradation around the Great Barrier Reef. A social-ecological approach was used to investigate farmers' attitudes and perceptions towards nutrient and sediment management, as well as managing coastal wetlands to reduce agricultural runoff. The study provides insights for future policy development, emphasizing the importance of rethinking land tenure, considering ecosystem services, and implementing a payments for ecosystem services model to safeguard the future of the GBR.
GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Hamza Negis, Cevdet S. Eker, Vildan Erci, Ilknur Gumus
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of different land use types on soil quality in the Konya-Karapinar region and established a minimum dataset for the soil quality index (SQI). The results showed that there were significant improvements in soil quality compared to the wind erosion affected area, but the improvements were more limited in grazing land and forested land. It is recommended to allocate more land for horticulture in erosion protection areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jim Wallace, Nathan J. Waltham
Summary: The study evaluates the nitrogen filtering capacity of a wetland near Babinda and suggests that wetland hydrology plays a crucial role in denitrification and filtering processes. Results show that 52% of nitrogen is filtered, with the remaining 48% being released into drainage water, highlighting the importance of improving long-term wetland filtering capacity estimation.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Pingheng Li, Aqil Tariq, Qingting Li, Bushra Ghaffar, Muhammad Farhan, Ahsan Jamil, Walid Soufan, Ayman El Sabagh, Mohamed Freeshah
Summary: In this study, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Geographical Information System (GIS) were used to predict the annual rate of soil loss in District Chakwal, Pakistan. The parameters of the RUSLE model were estimated using remote sensing data, and GIS was used to determine erosion probability zones. The results show that the estimated total annual potential soil loss is comparable to the measured sediment loss, and the predicted soil erosion rate due to an increase in agricultural area is also significant. Integrating GIS and remote sensing with the RUSLE model helped achieve the objectives of the study.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIGITAL EARTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammad Bahadori, Jun-Tao Wang, Ju-pei Shen, Stephen Lewis, Mehran Rezaei Rashti, Chengrong Chen
Summary: Soil characteristics vary across land uses, and this study found that changes in soil organic matter and geochemical characteristics strongly influenced the composition and structure of bacterial and fungal communities. Soil organic matter characteristics were the major driver of soil microbial community structures.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marina F. M. Santana, Frederieke J. Kroon, Lynne van Herwerden, George Vamvounis, Cherie A. Motti
Summary: In this study, a criteria-guided workflow was used to evaluate the effectiveness of microplastic separation methods on complex marine biological samples. The results showed specific limitations of different separation methods on different biological matrices and microplastics, highlighting the importance of assessing their suitability for estimating microplastic contamination.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Barbara J. Robson, Stephen Lewis, Frederieke Kroon, Katharina Fabricius, Michael Warne, Eric Wolanski
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michaela E. Miller, Marina F. M. Santana, Madeline Carsique, Cherie A. Motti, Mark Hamann, Frederieke J. Kroon
Summary: This study provides the first temporal assessment of plastic contamination in the surface waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The study reveals the chronic presence of plastic debris with fluctuations in concentrations every three months, and highlights the influence of wind speed, salinity, and river discharge volume on plastic contamination levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Rebecca Bartley, Brett N. N. Abbott, Afshin Ghahramani, Aram Ali, Rod Kerr, Christian H. H. Roth, Anne Kinsey-Henderson
Summary: Regenerative grazing can improve vegetation, soil, and land condition, but it takes several years to see significant improvements. Further research is needed to understand the social and economic dimensions of regenerative grazing.
Article
Geography, Physical
Scott N. Wilkinson, Ian D. Rutherfurd, Andrew P. Brooks, Rebecca Bartley
Summary: This paper provides an introduction to a special issue resulting from the 8th International Conference on Gully Erosion. It highlights the advances in understanding gully erosion processes and the use of sophisticated methods to characterize and measure gullies. The paper emphasizes the need to assess the impact of gully research and suggests ways to achieve greater impact by improving management and prevention of gully erosion.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jingyi Zhang, Wusheng Yu, Stephen Lewis, Lonnie G. G. Thompson, Gabriel J. J. Bowen, Kei Yoshimura, Alexandre Cauquoin, Martin Werner, Supriyo Chakraborty, Zhaowei Jing, Yaoming Ma, Xiaoyu Guo, Baiqing Xu, Guangjian Wu, Rong Guo, Dongmei Qu
Summary: Stable hydrogen isotopes in monsoonal precipitation (delta D-p) at three sites (Port Blair, Barisal and Darjeeling) reveal factors governing delta D-p variations over a south-north gradient across the Bay of Bengal. The decreasing trends of downstream delta D-p closely follow the decreasing trends of upstream stable hydrogen isotopes in water vapor (delta D-v), indicating the shaping effect of upstream delta D-v properties on initial spatiotemporal patterns of downstream delta D-p. Additionally, upstream vertical air motions and topographic relief magnify the amplitude of the decreasing trends of downstream delta D-p, demonstrating the magnifying effect.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pascal Castellazzi, Sana Khan, Simon J. Walker, Rebecca Bartley, Scott N. Wilkinson, Jonathan C. L. Normand
Summary: Increased erosion due to climate and/or land cover change negatively affects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Mapping erosion hotspots improves our ability to identify and potentially mitigate the most active sources of erosion. The savannas of the Great Barrier Reef catchments in northeast Australia are experiencing excessive sediment yields, primarily from gully erosion. It is crucial to identify priority erosion hotspots and implement mitigation measures to reduce the adverse impacts on marine ecosystems.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Chris Stokes, Rebecca Bartley, Brett N. Abbott, Aaron A. Hawdon, Anne E. Kinsey-Henderson
Summary: Considerable investment has been made in grazing land management in Australia's Great Barrier Reef catchments to improve off-site runoff and water quality. This study analyzed an 18-year monitoring data set in the Burdekin catchment, Australia, using a systems modelling framework. The findings show significant differences in function between B. pertusa pastures and native tussock pastures, with implications for monitoring and management strategies. The study also contributes to the calibration of the GRASP pasture grazing systems model for B. pertusa sites, allowing for better representation and assessment of these landscapes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zoe Bainbridge, Jon Olley, Scott Wilkinson, Rebecca Bartley, Stephen Lewis, Cameron Dougall, Sana Khan, Petra Kuhnert, Joanne Burton
Summary: This study adopts a novel approach to refine and map the sediment source zones within the Bowen catchment by integrating three independently derived sediment budgets, targeted tributary water quality monitoring, and geochemical sediment source tracing. The field data and finer resolution predictions have identified the Little Bowen River and Rosella Creek as the largest sediment sources in the Bowen River catchment. The use of integrated datasets provides a higher level of certainty in predicting fine sediment sources and can inform catchment management prioritization.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohammad Bahadori, Chengrong Chen, Stephen Lewis, Juntao Wang, Jupei Shen, Enqing Hou, Mehran Rezaei Rashti, Qiaoyun Huang, Zoe Bainbridge, Tom Stevens
Summary: River run-off is considered to be a major source of organic-rich suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), but the origin of this SPM remains uncertain. Through multiple lines of evidence, it has been found that a significant portion of the land-derived SPM is degraded in the mixing zones of rivers and estuaries before being transported offshore. The fingerprints of SPM in the marine environment are different from those of terrestrial origin and more consistent with those formed by marine phytoplankton. This suggests that the SPM in the GBR may be produced locally in the marine environment.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Ryan M. Burrows, Alexandra Garzon-Garcia, Joanne Burton, Stephen E. Lewis, Renee K. Gruber, Jon E. Brodie, Michele A. Burford
Summary: This study investigated the variability and potential drivers of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations in coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia, using 12 years of marine physiochemical and climate data. The results showed that DOC concentrations were affected by salinity, the Southern Oscillation Index, and wind speeds, while POC concentrations were influenced by water depth, suspended solids, and chlorophyll a concentrations. Latitude was an important factor in determining the organic carbon variations in the GBR coastal waters.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Toshimi Nakajima, Mao Kuragano, Makoto Yamada, Ryo Sugimoto
Summary: This study compared the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to river nutrient budgets at nearshore and embayment scales, and found that SGD-derived nutrients become more important at larger spatial scales.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Liu, Lei Zhang, Chongyang Zhang, Ziguang Chen, Jingguang Li
Summary: NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves used for household heating have become a significant source of indoor pollution in Chinese urban areas. The high indoor concentration of NO2 poses potential health risks to residents. It is urgently necessary to establish relevant regulations and implement emission reduction technologies to reduce NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Hans Peter H. Arp, Raoul Wolf, Sarah E. Hale, Sivani Baskaran, Juliane Gluege, Martin Scheringer, Xenia Trier, Ian T. Cousins, Harrie Timmer, Roberta Hofman-Caris, Anna Lennquist, Andre D. Bannink, Gerard J. Stroomberg, Rosa M. A. Sjerps, Rosa Montes, Rosario Rodil, Jose Benito Quintana, Daniel Zahn, Herve Gallard, Tobias Mohr, Ivo Schliebner, Michael Neumann
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philomina Onyedikachi Peter, Binessi Edouard Ifon, Francois Nkinahamira, Kayode Hassan Lasisi, Jiangwei Li, Anyi Hu, Chang-Ping Yu
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in sediments from Yundang Lagoon, China. The results show four distinct fluorescent components, with protein-like substances being the most prevalent. Additionally, the total fluorescence intensity and LREE concentrations exhibit a synchronized increase from Outer to Inner to Songbai Lake core sediments. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between DOM content and pollution levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Surya Gupta, Pasquale Borrelli, Panos Panagos, Christine Alewell
Summary: The objective of this study is to incorporate soil hydraulic properties into the erodibility factor (K) of USLE-type models. By modifying and improving the existing equations for soil texture and permeability, the study successfully included information on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) into the calculation of K factor. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm, two independent K factor maps with different spatial resolutions were generated. The results show that the decrease in K factor values has a positive impact on the modeling of soil erosion rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesmin Akter, Wendy J. M. Smith, Yawen Liu, Ilho Kim, Stuart L. Simpson, Phong Thai, Asja Korajkic, Warish Ahmed
Summary: The choice of workflow in wastewater surveillance has a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 concentrations, while having minimal effects on HF183 and no effect on HAdV 40/41 concentrations. Certain components in the workflow can be interchangeable, but factors such as buffer type, chloroform, and homogenization speed can affect the recovery of viruses and bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Luo, Xueting Yang, Diwei Wang, Hongmei Xu, Hongai Zhang, Shasha Huang, Qiyuan Wang, Ningning Zhang, Junji Cao, Zhenxing Shen
Summary: Atmospheric PM2.5, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), is associated with cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. The study found that both the mass concentration of PM2.5 and the DTT activity were higher during the heating season than during the nonheating season. Combustion sources were the primary contributors to DTT activity during the heating season, while secondary formation dominated during the nonheating season. The study also revealed that biomass burning had the highest inherent oxidation potential among all sources investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin L. Murphy, Leah R. Gerber, Chelsea M. Rochman, Beth Polidoro
Summary: Plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine organisms. This study uses a trait-based framework to develop a vulnerability index for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles in Hawai'i. The index ranks 63 study species based on their vulnerability to macroplastic pollution, providing valuable information for species monitoring and management priorities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenji Maurice, Amelia Bourceret, Sami Youssef, Stephane Boivin, Liam Laurent-Webb, Coraline Damasio, Hassan Boukcim, Marc-Andre Selosse, Marc Ducousso
Summary: Growing pressure from climate change and agricultural land use is destabilizing soil microbial community interactions. Little is known about microbial community resistance and adaptation to disturbances, hindering our understanding of recovery latency and implications for ecosystem functioning. This study found that anthropic disturbance and natural disturbance have different effects on the topology and stability of soil microbial networks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunhao Li, Yali Feng, Haoran Li, Yisong Yao, Chenglong Xu, Jinrong Ju, Ruiyu Ma, Haoyu Wang, Shiwei Jiang
Summary: Deep-sea mining poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health by disturbing sediment and transmitting metal ions through the food chain. This study developed a new regenerative adsorption material, OMN@SA, which effectively removes metal ions. The adsorption mechanism and performance of the material for metal ion fixation were investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Medici, Margherita Lavorgna, Marina Isidori, Chiara Russo, Elena Orlo, Giovanni Luongo, Giovanni Di Fabio, Armando Zarrelli
Summary: Valsartan, a widely used antihypertensive drug, has been detected in high concentrations in surface waters due to its unchanged excretion and incomplete degradation in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the degradation of valsartan and identified 14 degradation byproducts. The acute and chronic toxicity of these byproducts were evaluated in key organisms in the freshwater trophic chain.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiang Lin, Lianbao Chi, Qing Yuan, Busu Li, Mingbao Feng
Summary: This study investigated the photodegradation behavior and product formation of two representative pharmaceuticals in simulated estuary water. The study found that the formed transformation products of these pharmaceuticals have potential toxicity on marine organisms, including oxidative stress and damage to cellular components.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Fang, Dongdong Jiang, Ye He, Siyi Wu, Yuehong Li, Ziqi Zhang, Haoting Chen, Zixin Zheng, Yan Sun, Wenxiang Wang
Summary: This study revealed that exposure to lower levels of air pollutants led to decreased pregnancy rates, with PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO emerging as the four most prominent pollutants. Individuals aged 35 and above exhibited heightened susceptibility to pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ali Shaan Manzoor Ghumman, Rashid Shamsuddin, Amin Abbasi, Mohaira Ahmad, Yoshiaki Yoshida, Abdul Sami, Hamad Almohamadi
Summary: In this study, inverse vulcanized polysulfides (IVP) were synthesized by reacting molten sulfur with 4-vinyl benzyl chloride, and then functionalized using N-methyl D-glucamine (NMDG). The functionalized IVP showed a high mercury adsorption capacity and a machine learning model was developed to predict the amount of mercury removed. Furthermore, the functionalized IVP can be regenerated and reused, providing a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rita Bonfiglio, Renata Sisto, Stefano Casciardi, Valeria Palumbo, Maria Paola Scioli, Erica Giacobbi, Francesca Servadei, Gerry Melino, Alessandro Mauriello, Manuel Scimeca
Summary: This study investigated the presence of aluminum in human colon cancer samples and its potential association with biological processes involved in cancer progression. Aluminum was found in tumor areas of 24% of patients and was associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell death. Additional analyses revealed higher tumor mutational burden and mutations in genes related to EMT and apoptosis in aluminum-positive colon cancers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aluminum toxicity may improve strategies for the management of colon cancer patients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)