Search Results (1,323)

To safeguard historic centers with masonry buildings in medium-high seismic areas, the local seismic response (LSR) should be used. These portions of the urban areas are commonly characterized by complex subsurface features (i.e., underground cavities, buried anthropic structures, and archeological remains) that could be responsible for unexpected amplifications at period intervals similar to the building’s ones. In this study, San Giustino’s Square (Chieti, Italy) was considered due to the differentiated damage caused by the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake mainshock (6 April 2009 at 3:32 CEST, 6.3 M_w). Out of the eight buildings overlooking the square, the structure that suffered the heaviest damage was the Justice Palace. Two-dimensional finite element analyses have been carried out in San Giustino’s square to predict the LSR induced by the seismic shear wave propagation. The influence of the Chieti hill, the anthropogenic shallow soil deposit, and the manmade cavity were investigated. The results outlined that the amplifications of the seismic shaking peaked between 0.2 and 0.4 s. The crest showed amplifications over a wide period range of 0.1–0.8 s with an amplification factor (FA) equal to 2. Throughout the square, FA = 2.0–2.4 was predicted due to the cavities and the filled soil thickness. The large amplified period range is considered responsible for the Justice Court damage. Full article

This study has been conducted to assess the anthropogenic impact of the ANWIL S.A. nitrogen plants, one of the largest producers of nitrogen fertilizers in Poland, on the activity of arylsulphatase (AR), rhodanese (RDN) and catalase (CAT) related to sulphur transformation in forest soils. Samples of rusty brown soils were collected in the area adjacent to the ANWIL S.A. nitrogen plants in Włocławek. The profiles were located in the vicinity of the following production plants: No. W1—approximately 2.5 km away, No. W2—approximately 2 km away, and No. W3—approximately 0.8 km away. The control profile was established in the Tuchola Forest, which is part of the Biosphere Reserve. In order to recognize the impact caused by pollutants and the capacity of soil for re-generation, the resistance index (RS) and resilience index (RL) were determined. The highest RS value (0.964) was noted for rhodanese activity in layer Bv in W2, where the lowest RS for CAT (0.019) was observed. This study demonstrated the resilience of CAT activity in layer Bv in all the soil profiles adjacent to ANWIL. The highest resilience indicator was soil catalase activity. Enzymatic activity can be used to indicate the anthropogenic impact and the transformation of nutrients in forest soil. Full article

This study is aimed at a comprehensive assessment of the chemical composition of surface waters in the Turkestan region and their impact on regional landscapes. The primary objective of the research is to systematically evaluate the level of chemical pollution in the region’s water resources and determine its indirect effects on landscape-ecological stability. In August 2024, water samples from eight sampling points (S1–S8) were analyzed for 24 physicochemical parameters, including total hardness (mg*eq/L), pH, dry residue (mg/L), electrical conductivity (µS/cm), total salinity (mg/L), Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Ti, Fe, Pb, Cu, Mg, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Zn, SO₄²⁻, and C₆H₅OH. To determine the degree of pollution, variational-statistical analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), as well as the calculation of the OIP, NPI, and HPI indices were performed. For land use and land cover change (LULC) analysis, LULC classification was carried out based on Landsat data from 2000 to 2020, forming the basis for land resource management and planning. The research results showed a deterioration in the ecological condition of water resources and an increasing anthropogenic impact. Specifically, at point S8, the concentration of Al was found to be 56 times higher than the maximum allowable limit, while the concentration of Fe was 42 times higher. High levels of pollution were also recorded at points S1, S4, S5, and S6, where the increase in Al and Na concentrations caused a sharp rise in the OIP value. The main factors influencing water pollution include industrial effluents, agricultural waste, and irrigation drainage waters. The pollution’s negative impact on regional landscapes has led to issues related to the distribution of vegetation, soil fertility, and landscape stability. To improve the current ecological situation and restore natural balance, the phytoremediation method is proposed. The research results will serve as the foundation for developing water resource management strategies for the Turkestan region and making informed decisions aimed at ensuring ecological sustainability. Full article

The Populus euphratica desert riparian forest, predominantly distributed along the Tarim River in northwestern China, has experienced significant degradation due to climate change and anthropogenic activities. Despite its ecological importance, systematic assessments of P. euphratica stand structure across the entire Tarim River remain scarce. This study employed terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to capture high-resolution 3D structural data from 2741 individual trees across 30 plots within six transects, covering the 1300 km mainstream of the Tarim River. ANOVA, PCA, and RDA were applied to examine tree structure variation and environmental influences. Results revealed a progressive decline in key structural parameters from the upper to lower reaches of the river, with the lower reaches showing pronounced degradation. Stand density decreased from 440 to 257 trees per hectare, mean stand height declined from 9.3 m to 5.6 m, mean crown diameter reduced from 4.1 m to 3.8 m, canopy cover dropped from 62% to 42%, and the leaf area index fell from 0.51 to 0.29. Age class distributions varied along the river, highlighting population structures indicative of growth in the upper reaches, stability in the middle reaches, and decline in the lower reaches. Abiotic factors, including groundwater depth, soil salinity, soil moisture, and precipitation, exhibited strong correlations with stand structural parameters (p < 0.05, R² ≥ 0.69). The findings highlight significant spatial variations in tree structure, with healthier growth in the upper reaches and degradation in the lower reaches, enhance our understanding of forest development processes, and emphasize the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies. This comprehensive quantification of P. euphratica stand structure and its environmental drivers offer valuable insights into the dynamics of desert riparian forest ecosystems. The findings contribute to understanding forest development processes and provide a scientific basis for formulating effective conservation strategies to sustain these vital desert ecosystems, as well as for the monitoring of regional environmental changes. Full article

Degradation and sealing are still frequent in soil management today despite intensive research. An unsatisfactory assessment of soil key components and soil health still limits sustainable land use. For the future evaluation of soil health, soils under productive use have been compared with natural and semi-natural soils using thermogravimetric fingerprinting of air-dried soil samples. This approach has led to a more precise quantification of known relationships and the discovery of several new ones between soil components that have evolved over thousands of years of soil formation without human intervention, each changing in a specific way due to land use. The use-related deviations from the natural soil condition allow a distinction between natural soils, disturbed soils, and soil-like carbon-containing mineral mixtures (e.g., compost, horticultural substrates). Carbon added to soils with fresh organic residues or from anthropogenic (soot, slag) or geological (coal) sources can be distinguished from soil organic matter (humus) accumulated during soil genesis, regardless of extreme chemical heterogeneity. The degree of carbon sequestration in soils is easy to quantify. Using near-natural soils as a reference, considering bound water seems to be a suitable starting point for the experimental definition of soil health. An elucidation of the causal relationships between the soil components used should accompany it. Full article

Two sets of sediment samples were collected from the Sarigiol basin, Greece, aiming to evaluate the environmental consequences of the industrial activity in the area by assessing their magnetic properties with the magnetic susceptibility method. Chemical composition and morphological characteristics of magnetic particles were defined by EDX analysis and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Based on the results, most of the study area shows positive values of the difference between X_LF values of the samples, indicating the influence of fly ash dispersion from Agios Dimitrios and Kardia power plants and the conveyor belt, down to a depth of 50 cm. Negative values in the NE, W and S parts of the study area are attributed to ophiolite complexes. Anthropogenic and lithogenic magnetic particles were identified at a 50 cm depth, in the form of spheres and octahedrons, respectively. Fe is the dominant element while Al, Si, Mg and Ca were found in minor amounts. Cr increases with depth, pointing mainly to a lithogenic source, while Ti decreases, suggesting a relationship with the dispersed fly ash particles. Mn and Zn were found in limited magnetic spheres. These findings highlight the need for effective environmental management strategies and are valuable keys for soil pollution control. Full article

Mountains support many kinds of ecosystem services (ESs) for human beings, emphasizing the need to understand the characteristics and drivers of ES changes in mountainous regions. In this study, Nanling, the most significant mountains of southern China, was selected as a case study. Utilizing the GlobeLand30 dataset, we employed InVEST, Geodetector and MGWR to identify the spatio-temporal characteristics and drivers of ES changes, investigate trade-offs and synergies between ESs, and examine the relationship between ESs and the landscape ecological risk index (LERI) to provide a new perspective for ecosystem management in vulnerable mountain regions. The results showed that carbon storage (CS) and habitat quality (HQ) slightly decreased, while the water yield (WY) increased slightly. Soil conservation (SC) significantly decreased, but the total ES (TES) slightly increased. All ES bundles demonstrated a synergistic relationship, but most of the synergies exhibited a decreasing trend. The ESs in the study area were mainly affected by climate factors, and anthropogenic factors also had a significant impact on ESs. LERI exhibited a negative correlation with the provision of ESs and demonstrated a high explanatory power for ES changes, especially for CS, HQ and TES, suggesting that areas with more stable landscape patterns are likely to harbor greater levels of ESs. The results provide insights into the analysis of the characteristics of ES change in vulnerable mountainous areas, also providing the practical implications for introducing LERI as a driver for ES change. Full article

Quantifying the dynamic changes and relationships between ecosystem services (ESs) and land use change is critical for sustainable ecosystem management and land use optimization. However, comprehensive discussions on the spatiotemporal variations of ESs and their relationships with land use intensity (LUI) are lacking, particularly in the context of significant climate warming. Systematic analyses of the forestry management unit scale are limited, leading to considerable uncertainty in sustainable ecosystem management, especially in alpine ecosystems of the Northern Hemisphere, where ESs have significantly degraded. The study focuses on the Daxing’anling forest area, Inner Mongolia (DFIAM), a representative sensitive alpine ecosystem and crucial ecological security barrier in Northern China. Utilizing the InVEST model, we analyzed the spatiotemporal variations in land use and four essential ESs, water yield (WY), carbon storage (CS), soil conservation (SC), and habitat quality (HQ), from 2013 to 2018. We also assessed the dynamic relationships between LUI and these ESs using a four-quadrant model. Our findings indicate the following: (1) Land use types in DFIAM remained relatively stable between 2013 and 2018, with forest being the dominant type (approximately 93%). During this period, areas of forest, cropland, impervious surfaces, and bare land increased, while areas of grassland, water, and wetland decreased. Although the overall change of LUI was gentle, a spatial pattern of “high in the southeast and low in the northwest” emerged, with low LUI areas showing slight expansion. (2) WY, SC, and HQ decreased, while CS increased from 2013 to 2018. The spatial distributions of these ESs showed higher values in the center and lower values at the edges, with forests demonstrating a strong capacity to provide multiple ESs. (3) The relationship between LUI and the four ESs from 2013 to 2018 was predominantly negative, primarily situated in Quadrant II, indicating that increased LUI inhibited ES supply capacity. Within Quadrant II, the distribution range of LUI, WY, and HQ decreased, while CS remained stable and SC increased. Furthermore, Quadrant III (positive correlation) accounted for a large proportion (19.23%~42.31%), highlighting the important role of non-anthropogenic factors in ES changes. Overall, most ESs in the DFAIM showed a decline while LUI remained relatively stable, with predominantly negative correlations between LUI and ESs. The increased LUI driven by human activities, and other non-human factors, may have contributed significantly to ES degradation. To improve ESs, we proposed implementing differentiated land use planning and management, systematic ecological protection and restoration strategies, a multi-level ecological early-warning monitoring and evaluation network, ecological corridors and buffer zones, and a collaborative management system with multiple participation. These results provide scientific guidance for the sustainable management of alpine ecosystems, enhancement of ESs, and formulation of land resource protection policies. Full article

Post-mining land in areas where mineral extraction has occurred may constitute a significant portion of the land used for various purposes. Such land serves as soil-forming parent material for developing anthropogenic soils, which sometimes exhibit unfavorable physicochemical properties. The toxicity of the waste generated during lignite mining is due to a number of factors, whose determination permits the identification of its origin for the subsequent design of technologies for the waste reclamation. The purpose of the study, in consistence with sustainable development, is to identify the causes of the toxicity of brown coal waste from the Lengerskoye deposit, in southern Kazakhstan. These studies have provided the results essential for planning remedial actions necessary to improve the well-being of the local population, in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The studies were performed using single extraction; forms of Al, Fe, and Mn; soil texture; elemental analysis; phytocoenosis analysis; and diffractometric, IR spectroscopic, SEM, route reconnaissance, and comparative statistical methods. A decrease in the biodiversity of plant species was noted, with a gradual increase with distance from the waste storage sites. The most resistant plant species in the vicinity of the waste dump were Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers and Alhagi pseudalhagi (M. Bieb.) Desv. ex B. Keller & Shap., while Dodartia orientalis (L.) was the only plant species found at the edge of the waste dump. The high toxicity of lignite waste is determined by such factors as low pH values, about 3.0; high content of active forms of aluminum, iron, and manganese (344.0, 0.90, and 20 mg/kg); high electrical conductivity—2835 µS/cm; waste composition poor in nutrients; and climate aridity. It has been observed that a content of exchangeable aluminum above 100 mg/kg resulted in an almost complete lack of vegetation. Full article

Flood modelling in snow-fed river basins is critical for understanding the impacts of climate change on hydrological extremes. The Zhabay River in northern Kazakhstan exemplifies a basin highly vulnerable to seasonal floods, which pose significant risks to infrastructure, livelihoods, and water resource management. Traditional flood forecasting in Central Asia still relies on statistical models developed during the Soviet era, which are limited in their ability to incorporate non-stationary climate and anthropogenic influences. This study addresses this gap by applying the Soil and Water Integrated Model (SWIM) to project climate-driven changes in the hydrological regime of the Zhabay River. The study employs a process-based, high-resolution hydrological model to simulate flood dynamics under future climate conditions. Historical hydrometeorological data were used to calibrate and validate the model at the Atbasar gauge station. Future flood scenarios were simulated using bias-corrected outputs from an ensemble of General Circulation Models (GCMs) under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5 for the periods 2011–2040, 2041–2070, and 2071–2099. This approach enables the assessment of seasonal and interannual variability in flood magnitudes, peak discharges, and their potential recurrence intervals. Findings indicate a substantial increase in peak spring floods, with projected discharge nearly doubling by mid-century under both climate scenarios. The study reveals a 1.8-fold increase in peak discharge between 2010 and 2040, and a twofold increase from 2041 to 2070. Under the RCP 4.5 scenario, extreme flood events exceeding a 100-year return period (2000 m³/s) are expected to become more frequent, whereas the RCP 8.5 scenario suggests a stabilization of extreme event occurrences beyond 2071. These findings underscore the growing flood risk in the region and highlight the necessity for adaptive water resource management strategies. This research contributes to the advancement of climate-resilient flood forecasting in Central Asian river basins. The integration of process-based hydrological modelling with climate projections provides a more robust framework for flood risk assessment and early warning system development. The outcomes of this study offer crucial insights for policymakers, hydrologists, and disaster management agencies in mitigating the adverse effects of climate-induced hydrological extremes in Kazakhstan. Full article

Desertification presents major environmental challenges in Central Asia, driven by climatic and anthropogenic factors. The present study quantifies desertification risk through an integrated approach using Bayesian networks and the ESAS model, offering a holistic perspective on desertification dynamics. Four key variables—vegetation cover, precipitation, land-use intensity, and soil quality—were incorporated into a Bayesian model to evaluate their influence on desertification. A probabilistic model was developed to gauge desertification intensity, with simulations conducted at 200 geospatial points. Hazard maps for 2030–2050 were produced under climate scenarios SSP245 and SSP585, incorporating projected land-use changes. All procedures for desertification risk assessment, land-use mapping, and climate downscaling were performed using the Google Earth Engine platform. The findings suggest a 4% increase in desertification risk under SSP245 and an 11% increase under SSP585 by 2050, with the greatest threats observed in western regions such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Sensitivity analysis indicated that vegetation quality exerts the strongest influence on desertification, reflected by a Vegetation Quality Index (VQI) ranging from 1.582 (low in Turkmenistan) to 1.692 (very low in Kazakhstan). A comparison of the Bayesian and ESAS models revealed robust alignment, evidenced by an R² value of 0.82, a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.76, and an RMSE of 0.18. These results highlight the utility of Bayesian networks as an effective tool for desertification assessment and scenario analysis, underscoring the urgency of targeted land management and proactive climate adaptation. Although reclaimed land presents opportunities for afforestation and sustainable agriculture, carefully considering potential trade-offs with biodiversity and ecosystem services remains essential. Full article

This study evaluates the environmental and health hazards associated with the presence of Fe, Cr, Zn, Cu, and Pb in agricultural soils from the Makkah region in western Saudi Arabia. Soil samples were collected from 32 farms predominantly cultivating dates and vegetables and analyzed for heavy metals (HMs) using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Multivariate statistical analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and various contamination indices were employed. The average HM concentrations were arranged in descending order as follows: Fe (35.138 mg/kg), Zn (69.59 mg/kg), Cu (55.13 mg/kg), Cr (47.88 mg/kg), and Pb (6.09 mg/kg). Contamination indices indicated considerable enrichment of Cu and deficient to minimal enrichment for the other HMs, though a few individual samples showed higher enrichment factor (EF) values. Risk assessments revealed a low-level risk associated with HMs in Makkah soils. Multivariate analyses suggested that the HMs primarily originated from natural geological processes, with anthropogenic contributions particularly evident for Cu. Hazard index (HI) values ranged from 0.0003 to 0.0691 for adults and 0.003 to 0.6438 for children, remaining below the threshold of 1.0, which indicates no significant non-carcinogenic risk. Lifetime cancer risk estimates for Pb were below 1 × 10⁻⁶, while those for Cr ranged from 1 × 10⁻⁶ to 1 × 10⁻⁴, indicating tolerable carcinogenic risk levels with a few exceptions for Cr in children. This study is significant as it provides critical baseline data on HM contamination in agricultural soils in the Makkah region, offering insights into natural and anthropogenic contributions to soil pollution. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of environmental risk assessments and serve as a foundation for developing sustainable agricultural practices and targeted mitigation strategies to minimize health risks in regions with similar environmental conditions. Full article

The presence of microplastics in the environment has increased due to anthropogenic activities; it is estimated that 15 million kilograms of plastic waste accumulate in the ocean annually. Pollution permeates every inch of the ocean from microplastics in the food chain to plastic water bottles floating on the surface. This monolith of ocean pollution is made up of all kinds of marine debris and contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, covering an area twice the size of Texas. The objective of this review is to show advances in the study of emerging problems, specifically in the presence of microplastics in water and soil and their potential effects on health. In addition, microplastics have synergy with residual contaminants that exist in the water such as textile waste, organic matter, pathogens, etc. This causes damage to aquatic organisms as it makes nutrient transfer more complex in many of these species. There is a report that estimates that liabilities related to plastic pollution will cost the industry 100,000 million dollars due to lawsuits for damages and losses, of which 20,000 million will occur in the United States. The study of the presence of microplastics in the environment can generate indicators of the current effect to generate public policies that try to control the growth of this pollutant in the environment. It is important to discuss all the routes of generation of microplastics, distribution, and cosmetics involved in fast fashion with glitter and to evaluate the physical, chemical, biological, and toxicological effects on the environment, proposing the path and future to be followed regarding this research topic. Full article

Urban soils are vital components of urban ecosystems, significantly influenced by anthropogenic activities and environmental factors. Despite misconceptions about their quality, urban soils play a pivotal role in carbon (C) cycling and storage, impacting global emissions and sequestration. However, challenges such as soil contamination, land use changes, and urban expansion pose significant threats to soil quality and C storage capacity. Over the last two decades, there has been an increasing interest in the C storage potential of soils as part of climate change mitigation strategies. In this review, a bibliometric analysis covering the last twenty years (2004–2024) was performed to offer insights into global research trends, mainly in urban soils of the Mediterranean region. This paper also identifies research gaps and proposes essential solutions for mitigating the negative impacts of urbanization on soil biodiversity and functions. Key modulators, including plants, microbes, and soil features, are highlighted for their role in C dynamics, emphasizing the importance of effective soil and vegetation management to enhance C sequestration and ecosystem services. Strategies such as reintroducing nature into urban areas and applying organic amendments are promising in improving soil quality and microbial diversity. Further research and awareness are essential to maximize the effectiveness of these strategies, ensuring sustainable urban soil management and climate resilience. Full article

Results change depending on the water quality evaluation methods used, and within good-quality water, many results still have parameters with concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) desirable limits or national threshold values (TVs). Furthermore, there are few methods to classify the severity degree of contaminated water; most methods have problems in the parameter threshold boundary and in assigning weights. Aiming to solve the above problems, a water quality evaluation framework based on the single-indicator evaluation method (SIE), Weber–Fechner (W-F) law and Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) is presented, named SIE&W-F&PNN. Forty-three confined water samples were collected for this research in Xi’an in September 2015. The SIE, water quality index (WQI) with three different weights (method weight, entropy weight and equal weight), comprehensive evaluation method (CEM) and SIE&W-F&PNN method were used, and the evaluation criteria for contaminated water were proposed based on the W-F law. The results of these methods were compared. The reasons for confined water pollution in Xi’an were analyzed. The results show that TC, NH₄-N, NO₂-N, β, As, Mn, F⁻, TH, Fe²⁺ and Turb were the contaminating parameters of the 43 confined water samples. In order, the results for the number or ratio of ‘Poor’ and even worse water samples by method are as follows: SIE-WHO (30, 69.77%) > SIE-GB = CEM (24, 55.81%) > WQI (entropy weight) (12, 27.91%) > WQI (method weight) (10, 23.26%) > WQI (equal weight) (9, 20.93%). These discrepancies highlight the influence of evaluation methods on the results. For this study, a water sample was classified as ‘contaminated (bad) water’ if any parameter exceeded either the national TV or the WHO’s desirable limit, prioritizing drinking water safety. The SIE&W-F&PNN results show that there were 10 excellent water samples and 33 bad water samples (among which 4 water samples were rated as VL (very lightly polluted), 14 as L (lightly polluted), 14 as M (moderately polluted) and 1 as H (heavily polluted)). The SIE&W-F&PNN method ensures that no parameters in ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ water samples exceed the WHO’s desirable limits or national TVs; can be used to classify the severity of contamination of contaminated water without assigning weights, avoiding the rate mutation near the threshold boundary; and can include any number of parameters and be applied to lakes, rivers, air, soil, etc. (i.e., it is not unique to groundwater). The primary causes of confined water pollution in Xi’an include historical pollution, contemporary anthropogenic activities, geological factors, excessive groundwater extraction, and the infiltration of contaminated surface and phreatic water. Full article