Article
Agronomy
Anita Jakubaszek
Summary: The study found that young plants in the rapid growth stage contain the highest levels of total nitrogen and total phosphorus, while the leaves of common reeds have a higher capacity for nitrogen phytoaccumulation. The surface layer of the filtration material in constructed wetland beds has the highest content of total nitrogen and total phosphorus, with accumulation decreasing with depth and outflow direction of sewage.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xuan Cuong Nguyen, Quang Viet Ly, Jianxin Li, Hyokwan Bae, Xuan-Thanh Bui, Thi Thanh Huyen Nguyen, Quoc Ba Tran, Thi-Dieu-Hien Vo, Long D. Nghiem
Summary: Through data mining and machine learning models, it was found that six input features including ammonium, total nitrogen, hydraulic loading rate, filter height, aeration mode, and types of inlet feeding have significant influences on ammonium removal rate in subsurface constructed wetlands (SCW). The Cubist algorithm emerged as the optimal model with the highest predictive accuracy.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
S. Uddin, T. T. Nitu, U. M. Milu, S. S. Nasreen, M. Hossenuzzaman, M. E. Haque, B. Hossain, M. Jahiruddin, R. W. Bell, C. Mueller, M. M. R. Jahangir
Summary: Nitrogen loss in rice production systems through ammonia (NH3) emissions can have significant economic and environmental costs. Study results showed that different soil management systems and fertilization practices can impact NH3 emissions, emphasizing NH3 fluxes as a potentially large pathway of nitrogen loss in wetland rice fields.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
J. C. Dlamini, E. H. Tesfamariam, M. Verbeeck, N. Loick, A. Louro-Lopez, J. M. B. Hawkins, M. S. A. Blackwell, R. M. Dunn, A. L. Collins, L. M. Cardenas
Summary: Riparian buffers play a crucial role in improving water quality in agricultural landscapes, but the choice of vegetation and management practices can impact soil microbial communities and subsequently affect nutrient cycling and gas emissions. A study investigated the fluxes of nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N2O), nitrogen gas (N-2), and carbon dioxide (CO2) in soil samples collected from different types of riparian buffers. The results showed that grass riparian buffers had higher potential denitrification rates and were efficient in removing NO3-, while willow riparian buffers promoted complete denitrification to N-2, making them effective in areas with similar conditions.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Zhao, Ke-Hua Zhu, Zhen-Ming Ge, Qing Lv, Shi -Xian Liu, Wei Zhang, Pei Xin
Summary: Coastal wetlands are important carbon sinks in mitigating climate change. However, plastic waste pollution in these ecosystems has unclear effects on carbon flux. Our study found that polluted coastal wetlands are significant sources of carbon dioxide emissions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jihui Chen, Yingjun Zhang, Yi Yang, Tingting Tao, Xiao Sun, Peng Guo
Summary: The study demonstrates that organic nitrogen has a significant impact on CO2 and N2O emissions, and slightly stimulates CH4 uptake. The effects of nitrogen composition on CO2 emissions and CH4 uptake are independent of input rates and measurement dates, but show stronger responses to N2O emissions. This suggests that N fertilizer management can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Jerry Celumusa Dlamini, Laura Cardenas, Eyob Habte Tesfamariam, Robert Dunn, Jane Hawkins, Martin Blackwell, Jess Evans, Adrian Collins
Summary: The study found that willow, grass, and woodland riparian buffer strips are significant sinks for soil CH4, potentially reducing soil CH4 fluxes compared to control plots without buffer vegetation and upslope pastures.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Junxiang Cheng, Ligang Xu, Jianghua Wu, Jiaxing Xu, Mingliang Jiang, Wenjuan Feng, Yuao Wang
Summary: This study investigates the effects of warming and nitrogen deposition on ecosystem respiration and methane emission in subtropical wetland ecosystems. The results show that these effects vary with seasons and tend to suppress carbon dioxide and methane emission in the short term.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Lipe Renato Dantas Mendes
Summary: Agriculture has long been seen as a major source of nitrogen in surface waters, leading to eutrophication. Surface-flow constructed wetlands are implemented as a strategy to intercept tile drains and reduce nitrogen loads by re-establishing ecosystem services of previously drained areas. Despite their documented suitability, there is still great variability in nitrogen treatment efficacy observed, highlighting the need for thorough investigation of driving factors behind wetland performance.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shuqi Xiao, Chao Wang, Kai Yu, Genyuan Liu, Shuang Wu, Jinyang Wang, Shuli Niu, Jianwen Zou, Shuwei Liu
Summary: Studies have shown that nitrogen deposition has significant effects on carbon uptake in forests and grasslands, as well as on N2O emissions from soil. However, the impact on SOC pool is limited. Overall, nitrogen deposition increases the net greenhouse gas balance in forests and grasslands.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cornelis Schwenk, Sophie Negele, Charles M. Balagizi, Werner Aeschbach, Bertram Boehrer
Summary: Noble gases are used to trace natural waters and determine temperature conditions during equilibration. Recent measurements in Lake Kivu show a depletion of noble gases in deep waters, but no explanation has been provided. By using noble gas thermometry, it is hypothesized that high equilibration temperatures caused the observed depletion.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wentao Wang, Zhiming Yu, Xiuxian Song, Lianbao Chi, Peng Zhou, Zaixing Wu, Yongquan Yuan
Summary: This study investigated the seasonal source and contributions of internal decomposition of organic matter (OM) in the Kuroshio Subsurface Water (KSSW) for hypoxia formation in the East China Sea (ECS). The results showed that in June, N-2 fixation signals related to decomposed OM were apparent in the southern ECS, while terrestrial input signals were revealed in the northern ECS and most of the ECS in October. The terrestrial input contributed almost equally to the development of ECS hypoxia as compared to marine sources, indicating the importance of understanding eutrophication and oceanic circulation in hypoxia formation.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Arlete S. Barneze, Jeanette Whitaker, Niall P. McNamara, Nicholas J. Ostle
Summary: The fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHG) from grasslands are influenced by climate warming and agricultural management. This study investigated the individual and interactive effects of warming, nitrogen fertiliser, and cutting treatments on plant-soil properties and GHG fluxes in a UK grassland. The results showed that there were no interactive effects on plant productivity, but there were interactive effects on GHG fluxes. In addition, the study identified the factors that explain the variances in CO2, N2O, and CH4 fluxes. Overall, this research highlights the importance of considering the interactions between climate and management in determining grassland GHG fluxes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Srusti Maddala, Mary C. Savin, Julie A. Stenken, Lisa S. Wood
Summary: This study used microdialysis to investigate nitrogen dynamics in different soil saturation conditions and rhizospheres of two native plant species. It found that the Switchgrass treatment had minimal nitrate-N fluxes, while the Reed canarygrass treatment consistently exhibited the largest fluxes. Additionally, concentrations of nitrate-N and total N in soil decreased with plant biomass accumulation in the Switchgrass treatment.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bing Yu, Wenjing Xu, Linlu Yan, Heng Bao, Hongxian Yu
Summary: Plants play a significant role in regulating greenhouse gas fluxes in wetland ecosystems. This study investigated the mechanisms of plant removal and the contribution of different plant species to greenhouse gas emissions. The results showed that both plant species and vegetation removal had a significant impact on CO2 emissions. Additionally, seasonal variations and soil temperatures were found to influence CO2 fluxes, while N2O fluxes were influenced by different treatments and not correlated with temperature. The findings highlight the importance of vegetation management in wetland ecosystems for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Denis Manuel Rodrigues, Rita do Amaral Fragoso, Ana Paula Carvalho, Thomas Hein, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of two alternative sources, seasalt and seawater bittern, in different ratios. The results showed that bittern is an effective raw material to improve the downstream transfer of struvite precipitation in wastewater treatment systems, while seasalt may not be suitable due to its high levels of sodium chloride.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura E. Coulson, Gabriele Weigelhofer, Stephanie Gill, Thomas Hein, Christian Griebler, Jakob Schelker
Summary: With climate change, streams and rivers are more susceptible to droughts and intermittent flow. This study demonstrates that even small rain events during droughts play a significant role in organic carbon processing in rivers, and may impact the downstream river network.
Article
Agronomy
Christoph Rosinger, Gernot Bodner, Luca Giuliano Bernardini, Sabine Huber, Axel Mentler, Orracha Sae-Tun, Bernhard Scharf, Philipp Steiner, Johannes Tintner-Olifiers, Katharina Keiblinger
Summary: Tackling the global carbon deficit through soil organic carbon sequestration in agricultural systems has been a recent focus. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of on-farm SOC sequestration potentials in order to derive effective strategies.
Article
Agronomy
Orracha Sae-Tun, Katharina M. Keiblinger, Christoph Rosinger, Axel Mentler, Herwig Mayer, Gernot Bodner
Summary: The study aims to assess the structure-related dissolved organic matter (DOM) patterns in conservation farming systems and investigate the underlying bio-chemical drivers. A novel method combining ultrasonication aggregate breakdown and continuous UV-Vis measurement was used to characterize DOM release from soil. The results showed significant differences in DOM release dynamics between land-use and agricultural management systems.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yanran Dai, Juan Wu, Qiang Yang, Shuiping Cheng, Wei Liang, Thomas Hein
Summary: Intense efforts have been made in ecosystem conservation and restoration (ECR) over the past decades, leading to significant advancements in this field. However, the application of ecosystem services (ESs) concept in ECR research is often overlooked. This study systematically reviewed ECR literature published from 2007 to 2019 and analyzed the integration of ES concept in freshwater ECR. The results showed an increasing number of publications considering ESs as freshwater ECR targets, but most studies only focused on the conceptual framework. Further collaboration is needed to enhance the use of ES concept in protecting and enhancing freshwater ecosystems.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Griselda Chaparro, Ines O'Farrell, Thomas Hein
Summary: In riverine floodplains, the connectivity of aquatic habitats with the main channel is crucial for aquatic metacommunities, affecting organism dispersal and local environmental conditions. We studied metacommunity structures and species richness of phytoplankton, rotifers, and microcrustaceans along a gradient of hydrological connectivity and compared them under high and low water levels. Our findings highlight the significant influence of river discharge regulation on plankton metacommunities and their relationship with local environmental factors, emphasizing the importance of natural water level fluctuations.
Correction
Biodiversity Conservation
Paul Meulenbroek, Thomas Hein, Thomas Friedrich, Alice Valentini, Tibor Eros, Michael Schabuss, Horst Zornig, Mirjana Lenhardt, Ladislav Pekarik, Pauline Jean, Toni Dejean, Didier Pont
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li-Chin Lee, Gabriele Weigelhofer, Thomas Hein, Shin-Chien Chan, Ying-San Liou, Chien-Sen Liao, Fuh-Kwo Shiah, Yu-Lin Yu, Tsung-Yu Lee, Jr-Chuan Huang
Summary: The inverse relationship between dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate (NO3-) concentrations in aquatic systems is due to stoichiometric and thermodynamic principles. However, the effects of human activities and dissolved oxygen (DO) on the DOC-DIN relation are not well understood. In this study, the exports and relations of DOC-DIN in 42 Taiwan small mountainous rivers (SMRs) were investigated. The results showed that the inverse DOC-NO3- relation only appears under low-oxygenated conditions in highly-disturbed watersheds. The understanding of the mechanism driving C\\N coupling is crucial for assessing ecosystem function.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
David Were, Thomas Hein, Frank Kansiime
Summary: This study used the closed chamber method to investigate the impact of vegetation community types and conversion of natural wetlands into rice paddies on nitrous oxide (N2O) emission in a tropical freshwater wetland. The results showed that the vegetation community type did not significantly affect N2O emission in the wetland. Converting the wetlands into rice paddies did not affect N2O emission but increased carbon emission. Therefore, it is important to conserve natural wetlands for climate change mitigation.
JOURNAL OF WATER AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastian Handl, Kaan Georg Kutlucinar, Roza Allabashi, Christina Troyer, Ernest Mayr, Guenter Langergraber, Stephan Hann, Reinhard Perfler
Summary: The increasing global demand for drinking water has led to the diversification and sustainability of water supply sources. River bank filtration (RBF) is a good option as it reduces the need for extensive treatment compared to surface water usage. Organic micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, pose a hazard in drinking water production. However, their behavior in RBF systems has not been fully understood and studies have not accounted for the variability of flow paths.
Editorial Material
Ecology
Thomas Hein, Gabriele Weigelhofer
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jun Zhao, Thomas Hein, Qiqi Yuan, Wang Shu, Xueying Huang, Xueli Zhang, Lachun Wang
Summary: In the context of anthropogenic impacts on riverine ecosystems, understanding the response of bacterioplankton to anthropogenic stress is crucial for human and environmental health. Through various analyses, we found that interactions between bacterioplankton communities were more complex in urban areas, and environmental and spatial factors explained the most variation in these communities. Abundant taxa were influenced by spatial factors, while rare taxa were influenced by land use types. Deterministic processes played a greater role in shaping bacterioplankton communities overall. Our study highlights the importance of considering both abundant and rare taxa when assessing the impact of human activities on riverine ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Nikola Jovanovic, Sandra Breu, Hanns Plihal, Guenter Langergraber
Summary: Based on experimental data, a numerical model has been developed to study the effects of road salt (NaCl) on nitrification rates in wastewater treatment plants. The results show that salt concentrations below 1 g NaCl/L can improve nitrification rates, while higher concentrations inhibit the process. Prolonged exposure to salt can amplify both positive and negative effects on removal rates.
WATER PRACTICE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas Hein, Alexander Auhser, Flavia Byekwaso, Wolfram Graf, Adriane Hoevel, Martin Schmid, Michael Stockinger, Christine Stumpp, Martin Tschikof, Hatice Tuerk, Gabriele Weigelhofer
Summary: Access to adequate water resources is crucial for sustaining healthy ecosystems and socio-economic development. However, the shift to an industrialized, fossil fuel-based society has stressed natural water resources and transformed riverine landscapes. To address these issues, interdisciplinary research is needed, integrating knowledge from ecology, humanities, and engineering. The Doctoral School Human River Systems in the 21st Century (HR21) studies riverine landscapes as coupled socio-ecohydrological systems, analyzing transformation processes and coevolution of nature and society. HR21 aims to improve understanding of these systems and support their sustainable transformation. This is exemplified by five HR21 PhD projects that study hydropower effects, wastewater impacts, floodplain ecosystem services, and hydrometeorological variables' influence on water resource management.
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giuseppe Mancuso, Stevo Lavrnic, Alba Canet-Marti, Ammad Zaheer, Francesco Avolio, Guenter Langergraber, Attilio Toscano
Summary: Climate change presents challenges for agricultural water resources in terms of both quantity and quality. The use of reclaimed water in agricultural irrigation is seen as an adaptation measure. Nature-based solutions have been found to be effective in facilitating water reclamation and reuse, but improvements are needed in water quality. Recommendations were made to enhance system performance and ensure adequate water quality for agricultural reuse.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alexander M. Cancelli, Frank A. P. C. Gobas
Summary: A mechanistic model was developed to assess the removal efficiency of pollutants in a wetland system, particularly in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). The model simulated wetland mechanisms of chemical removal and showed that sustained wetland treatment is feasible. It is a helpful tool to evaluate the feasibility of treatment systems and to assess trade-offs in wetland design and operation.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Prakash Singh Thapa, Hiromu Daimaru, Seiji Yanai
Summary: This study assessed the vegetation recovery and erosion condition in a landslide area in central Japan. The results show that the upper slope, where reforestation activities were implemented, has seen significant vegetation recovery and no significant erosion, while the lower slope lacks vegetation and has experienced continued erosion.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Mike Jerauld, Forrest Dierberg, Thomas DeBusk, Scott Jackson, Kevin Grace, John Juston
Summary: The Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are constructed wetlands built to remove phosphorus (P) from agricultural and urban runoff in support of Everglades restoration. Research shows that the levels of calcium (Ca) and alkalinity (Alk) have an impact on phosphorus removal in these wetlands.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Kalindhi Larios, Stefan Gerber, Rafael Munoz-Carpena, Patrick Inglett, K. Ramesh Reddy, Michael Chimney
Summary: This study modeled the phosphorus biogeochemical dynamics in one of the best performing Everglades treatment wetlands and found that the complexity of the hydrological system significantly affected the simulated water column P concentration. The modeling tool developed in this study can guide future data collection and optimization efforts for treatment wetlands in the Everglades.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Jing Hu, Benjamin Baiser, R. Thomas James, K. Ramesh Reddy
Summary: This study examined the long-term phosphorus retention in Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) and identified the factors influencing their performance. The results showed that the operational performance of STAs improved over time. There were notable differences among individual STAs, with the co-precipitation of phosphorus with calcium playing a critical role in one of the STAs. This highlights the complexity of phosphorus removal in STAs and the need for site-specific management strategies.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Odi Villapando, K. R. Reddy, J. King
Summary: The biogeochemical response to different flow conditions within two parallel flow-ways in Everglades Stormwater Treatment Area (STA)-2 was studied. It was found that there was a gradual decrease in the total phosphorus (TP) concentration from inflow to outflow for both emergent aquatic vegetation (EAV) and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) dominated systems, with EAV showing a higher reduction rate. Significant increase in TP concentration was observed in the SAV system under no flow condition, possibly due to the production of particulate phosphorus (PP) through various mechanisms.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
