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Despite early hydrological studies of 234U/238U in groundwaters, their utilization as a paleoclimatic proxy in stalagmites has remained sporadic. This study explores uranium isotope ratios in 235 datings (230Th) from six stalagmites in Ejulve cave, northeastern Iberia, covering the last 260 ka. The observed 234U enrichment is attributed to selective leaching of 234U from damaged lattice sites, linked to the number of microfractures in the drip route and wetness frequency, which under certain conditions, may result in the accumulation of 234U recoils. This selective leaching process diminishes with enhanced bedrock dissolution, leading to low δ234U. Temperature variations significantly influence bedrock dissolution intensity. During stadial periods and glacial maxima, lower temperatures likely reduced vegetation and respiration rates, thereby decreasing soil CO 2 and overall rock dissolution rates. This reduction could enhance the preferential leaching of 234U from bedrock surfaces due to lower bulk rock dissolution. Additionally, the temperature regime during cold periods may have facilitated more frequent freeze–thaw cycles, resulting in microfracturing and exposure of fresh surfaces. Conversely, warmer temperatures increased soil respiration rates and soil CO 2 , accelerating rock dissolution rates during interstadials and interglacials, when low δ234U is consistent with high bedrock dissolution rates. The contribution of a number of variables sensitive to bedrock dissolution and wetness frequency processes successfully explains 57% and 74% of the variability observed in the δ234U in Andromeda stalagmite during MIS 3–4 and MIS 5b-5e, respectively. Among these variables, the growth rate has emerged as crucial to explain δ234U variability, highlighting the fundamental role of soil respiration and soil CO 2 in δ234U through bedrock dissolution. I-STAL simulations provides the potential for a combination of Prior Calcite Precipitation (PCP) indicators like Mg/Ca with PCP-insensitive indicators of bedrock dissolution such as δ234U, along with growth rate data, may be useful to diagnose when PCP variations reflect predominantly changes in drip intervals and when changes in bedrock dissolution intensity contribute. The relationship between stalagmite δ234U, bedrock dissolution, and initial dripwater oversaturation suggests two significant advancements in paleoclimate proxies. First, δ234U could serve as a valuable complement to δ13C since it is significantly influenced by soil respiration and soil CO 2 , thereby reflecting soil and vegetation productivity sensitive to both humidity and temperature. Secondly, since PCP does not fractionate uranium isotopes, δ234U could be used in combination with Mg/Ca or δ44Ca to deconvolve PCP variations due to changing drip rates from those due to changes in initial saturation state. This study emphasizes the overriding climatic control on δ234U, regardless of the absolute 234U/238U activity ratios among samples and their proximity or distance from secular equilibrium, and advocates for its application in other cave sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] With the rapid development of the global economy and the continuous consumption of fossil resources, sustainable and biodegradable natural biomass has garnered extensive attention as a promising substitute for synthetic polymers. Due to their hierarchical and nanoscale structures, natural biopolymers exhibit remarkable mechanical properties, along with excellent innate biocompatibility and biodegradability, demonstrating significant potential in various application scenarios. Among these biopolymers, proteins and polysaccharides are the most commonly studied due to their low cost, abundance, and ease of use. However, the direct processing/conversion of proteins and polysaccharides into their final products has been a long-standing challenge due to their natural morphology and compositions. In this review, we emphasize the importance of processing natural biopolymers into high-value-added products through sustainable and cost-effective methods. We begin with the extraction of four types of natural biopolymers: cellulose, chitosan, eggshell membrane, and silk fibroin. The processing and post-functionalization strategies for these natural biopolymers are then highlighted. Alongside their unique structures, the versatile potential applications of these processable natural biopolymers in biomedical engineering, biosensors, environmental engineering, and energy applications are illustrated. Finally, we provide a summary and future outlook on processable natural biopolymers, underscoring the significance of converting natural biopolymers into valuable biomaterial platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Direct and indirect climate impacts of solid waste landfills in California were quantified. • Direct impacts were positive and high whereas indirect impacts were negative and low. • Cover characteristics including material type and areal extent control climate impacts. • Global warming potential time horizon significantly influences climate impact results. • Integration of direct and indirect impacts advances landfill climate mitigation strategies. Climate impacts of landfill gas emissions were investigated for 20- and 100-year time horizons to identify the effects of atmospheric lifetimes of short- and long-lived drivers. Direct and indirect climate impacts were determined for methane and 79 trace species. The impacts were quantified using global warming potential, GWP (direct and indirect); atmospheric degradation (direct); tropospheric ozone forming potential (indirect); secondary aerosol forming potential (indirect) and stratospheric ozone depleting potential (indirect). Effects of cover characteristics, landfill operational conditions, and season on emissions were assessed. Analysis was conducted at five operating municipal solid waste landfills in California, which collectively contained 13% of the waste in place in the state. Climate impacts were determined to be primarily due to direct emissions (99.5 to 115%) with indirect emissions contributing −15 to 0.5%. Methane emissions were 35 to 99% of the total emissions and the remainder mainly greenhouse gases (hydro)chlorofluorocarbons (up to 42% of total emissions) and nitrous oxide. Cover types affected emissions, where the highest emissions were generally from intermediate covers with the largest relative landfill surface areas. Landfill-specific direct emissions varied between 683 and 103,411 and between 381 and 37,925 Mg CO 2 -eq./yr for 20- and 100-yr time horizons, respectively. Total emissions (direct + indirect) were 680 to 103,600 (20-yr) and were 374 to 38,108 (100-yr) Mg CO 2 -eq./yr. Analysis time horizon significantly affected emissions. The 20-yr direct and total emissions were consistently higher than the 100-yr emissions by up to 2.5 times. Detailed analysis of time-dependent climate effects can inform strategies to mitigate climate change impacts of landfill gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automotive air conditioning (ACC) system designers faced unique challenges in satisfying customer demands for efficient and comfortable operation across a broad temperature range. The AAC system's effective or fixed temperature setting makes this possible. Many climate control models, like the state flow switching controller in MATLAB control, must handle heating and cooling due to a single Simulink/environment software and frequently contain steady-state error (SSE). The present research proposes to design an automatic temperature control scheme and fuzzy logic control (FLC) for an automotive air-conditioned (AAC) system. In addition, it employs MATLAB Simulink/environment software to model the fuzzy control technique to analyze the AAC system's response. A simulation has been set up to evaluate the suggested system performance to match a selection of user-specified reference temperatures and compressor speeds. Compared with a PID-controlled AAC system, the proposed FLC-based system reduced the undershoot to only 2.30% from 33.30% respectively, and was robust, quicker, and better at controlling temperature. • Challenges in automotive air conditioning systems for designers were addressed. • An automatic temperature control scheme was proposed via fuzzy logic control. • Improved efficiency and comfort in the AAC system was achieved. • The proposed FLC-based system reduced the undershoot to 2.30% from 33.30%. • The FLC-based was more robust, quicker, and better at controlling temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotrickling filters (BTFs) designed for the treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have attracted much attention in the field of environmental engineering. As one of the main pollutants in VOCs, xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that poses a threat to human health. In this study, a biotrickling filter-microbial fuel cell (BTF-MFC) system was constructed to treat p -xylene by using a BTF filled with conductive packing materials as the biocathode for microbial fuel cell (MFC). The BTF-MFC showed good p- xylene removal performance even at high inlet concentrations. The elimination capacity reached 27.67 g/m3h at a 400 s empty bed residence time, and the removal efficiency reached 98.31% at a 300 s empty bed residence time. The conductive packing materials added to the BTF-MFC effectively promoted bacterial colonization, which as a result promoted p -xylene degradation and increased power output. The output voltage reached 725 mV, with a power density of 3.50 W/m2. The abundance of the genera Hydrogenophaga , Flavihumibacter , Chryseobacterium , and Mycobacterium , which have an excellent degradation capacity for aromatic compounds, increased during BTF-MFC operation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the optimization of the fixed point in function spaces and exact solutions to the biofilm model are studied to describe growth, and bacteria working together, including quorum sensing. Engineering applications that involve biotechnology, environmental engineering, and the creation of medical devices are particularly pertinent to biofilm models that include quorum sensing processes. This model is applied to cellular processes such as cell growth in mathematical biology. The optimization of the solution is also discussed by using the Banach space in an optimal ball. The existence of a solution is shown by using the Schauder fixed point theorem. Diverse exact solutions are extracted in hyperbolic, trigonometric, and plane waveforms are archive by using two techniques such as modified extended direct algebraic (MEDA) and G ′ / G -expansion technique. Additionally, the 3D plots and their corresponding contour graphs are also drawn to show the physical behavior of the solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities worldwide face resilience challenges as climate risks interact with rapid urbanization, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, poverty, and Socioeconomic inequality. This leads to the social, physical, and economic collapse of cities and their systems. Over time, urban resilience challenges are expected to increase, driven by urbanization, land use, and climate change. It is for this reason that the concept of urban resilience is increasingly attracting the attention of governments, and urban planners. Gray infrastructure is not always suitable for profitability, resilience, or sustainability. Now more than ever, green infrastructure is recognized as a nature-based solution (NBS) that plays a significant role in addressing resilience challenges in urban areas. These solutions can be applied through spatial measurements and parameters in and around the city. Constructed wetlands (Cws) are artificial imitations of natural wetlands, one of the most biologically diverse natural ecosystems, and in addition to aesthetics, It provides an effective model for resilient environmental engineering solutions as a low-cost and easy-to-operate alternative to traditional urban management systems. Consequently, the main objective of this research was to define criteria for integrating constructed wetlands (Cws) into the urban landscape as nature-based solutions (NBS) and address the limitations and maximize advantages as well as contribute to replicate best practices of constructed wetlands (Cws) in different Zones (Desert, River's floodplain, coastal) in Egyptian cities for enhancing the urban resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorinated organic pollutants have been recognized as one of the major problems in the field of environmental engineering. In this work, 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) waste liquid was used as feedstock to produce carbon adsorbent through the hydrothermal carbonization process. And the effects of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NP-10)/DCE mixing ratio, sulfuric acid initial concentration, and reaction time on the adsorption capacity of hydrochars at 180°C were investigated. Properties of the NP-10/DCE blended hydrochars were assessed by scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Experimental results show that the hydrochar obtained by using 50% DCE and 50% NP-10 with 71 wt.% sulfuric acid at 5 h demonstrated the best surface area (567.61 m2·g-1) and abundant functional groups. The methylene blue adsorption experiments indicated that the maximum adsorption capacity of the hydrochar was 440.49 mg·g-1, which was higher than that of commercial activated carbon (261.74 mg·g-1). This study provides a novel approach for the disposal of chlorinated organic waste liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a spherical bipolar coordinate system, an exact analytical solution is obtained for the thermocapillary motion of a spherical droplet settling in the presence of a plane interface formed by the contact of two immiscible viscous fluids. A uniform temperature gradient is applied to the system in a direction perpendicular to the plane interface. The appropriate field equations of energy and momentum are solved in the quasi-steady limit under the conditions of small Péclet and Reynolds numbers. In this study, we also assumed that the capillary numbers at the interface of the droplet or at the separating plane surface are respectively small to maintain the spherical shape of the droplet and that the flat shape of the separating surface is permanent during the motion. The novelty of these three fluid phases problem is to find the thermocapillary velocity of the droplet and study the effect of the separating surface and the thermal conductivities of the system on the thermocapillary velocity. It is found that the interaction between the droplet and the separating surface can be strong in the case when the droplet is almost in contact with the separating surface. Several limiting cases are discussed and compared with the relevant cases available in the literature. The motivation of the study is its potential applications in many branches of chemical, biomedical, and environmental engineering, such as the locomotion of microswimmers near an interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the Nr hybrid version of the Kedem--Katchalsky--Peusner (K-K-P) formalism for concentration polarization conditions is developed. For ternary non-electrolyte solutions, this formalism includes the hybrid Peusner coefficients (Nr ij, i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}, r = A, B), which determine the transport properties of the membrane, the nr ij coefficients which determine the degree of coupling, and the energy conversion efficiency coefficient (er ij). Besides, K-K-P formalism is the basis for a method to evaluate the conversion of internal energy (U-energy) into free energy (F-energy) and dissipated energy (S-energy) in a membrane system containing ternary non-electrolyte solutions separated by a polymer membrane. Moreover, it is shown that the Peusner coefficients are proposed as a flux-induced version of the modified Péclet number for concentration polarization conditions. The present paper is a continuation of several previous papers, of which the Lr, Rr, Hr, Kr versions of the Kedem--Katchalsky--Peusner formalism are presented. The formalism using the Nr form of the hybrid Kedem--Katchalsky--Peusner equations can be a useful tool to study the transport properties of artificial membranes for environmental engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The harmful effects of iodine in nuclear waste gas on humans and the environment, as well as the high kinetic energy of iodine molecules caused by the high-temperature environment, make it very important to develop and produce adsorbents with many active sites. The performance and mechanism of iodine capture by MOF-5 were investigated by experiments and molecular simulations for environmental protection. It was found that the synthesized MOF-5 can remove iodine from the gas phase and cyclohexane solution, with a high iodine capture capacity (0.63 g g-1) at 75 ℃. The cycling test illustrated the better recoverability and stability of MOF-5. The iodine capture capacity of MOF-5 in the liquid phase was 155 mg g-1, which is not the same as that of iodine in the gas phase. The multi-scale mechanistic analysis revealed that the adsorption process of MOF-5 on iodine was dominated by chemisorption, and the efficient capture of iodine was achieved by the co-adsorption of the central metal Zn atom and the tetrahedral apex O atom of MOF-5. This study provides insight into the iodine trapping process and adsorption mechanism, which is instructive for environmental protection engineering. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River terraces are significant geomorphic markers of climate and tectonics. However, the competing roles of bedrock uplift and climatic change in the formation of fluvial terraces remain uncertain. A series of well-developed terrace sequences of the Yellow River and its tributaries formed in intermontane basins and on mountains on the NE Tibetan Plateau. A flight of 10 river terraces has been preserved along the lower Huangshui River, a major tributary of the Yellow River. Based on electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses we found that the oldest river terrace of the lower Huangshui River on Alagu Mountain formed at ∼1.2 Ma. Moreover, the results of provenance analysis based on detrital zircon U–Pb dating showed that the fluvial system of the modern Huangshui River was established before ∼1.2 Ma. After comparing the ages of the oldest river terraces of major rivers on the NE Tibetan Plateau, we found that they are essentially synchronous. Then, we comprehensively analyzed the climate and tectonic conditions, and suggested that the abrupt climate change dominated the synchronous formation of the oldest terraces of major rivers at approximately 1.2 Ma on the NE Tibetan Plateau. Moreover, to assess the effects of the rock uplift rate on river terrace formation, we integrated 22 terrace sequences with long timescales on the NE Tibetan Plateau, and we found that the preservation rate of river terraces is linearly correlated with the rock uplift rate. Thus, our results suggest that the timing of terrace formation is controlled by abrupt climate change and that the amount of terrace formation/preservation is controlled by the rock uplift rate on the NE Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Developed a novel computational model for estimation of crack damage initiation and propagation in wood panel paintings. • Identified that seasonal humidity change with larger magnitude is the dominant cause of damage in wood panel paintings. • The modelling results suggested an optimum storage condition of wood panel paintings. Determining the storage and display conditions for historical panel (wood) paintings requires a balance between ensuring the painting's preservation whilst also considering the energy consumption associated with climate control. The latter has become very important due to the need to lower the carbon footprint of museums and historical houses. In order to address this need, we have developed numerical models based on finite element analysis to simulate the initiation of two types of potential damage in panel paintings, namely interfacial and channelling cracks in the oil paint layer, under cyclically varying relative humidity. These models are based on our case study at Knole House (National Trust), Kent. Using known data for the past environment in which the paintings within the Brown Gallery at Knole House have been exposed, the ambient RH variation was approximated by three cycles, i.e., annual, biannual, and monthly varying cycles. Four RH cases, one containing all three cycles and each of the other three cases containing just two of the three cycles, were applied as boundary conditions to simplified geometries of the panel paintings in an effort to investigate the effects of the frequency and the amplitude of the variation on the possibility of cracking in the painting. The models need several material parameters as input which are not all available. Therefore, the study also includes some parametric studies to determine possible variations in the crack initiation. According to the model predictions, the channelling crack initiates slightly earlier than the interfacial crack. The crack initiation time in an uncontrolled environment (containing all three RH cycles) predicted by the model is approximately 120 years which empirically is a realistic estimate. Furthermore, the annual RH cycle (high amplitude and low frequency) has the most significant effect on the crack initiation. By removing the annual variation from the RH cycle, the initiation of both channelling and interfacial cracks can be postponed significantly, from approximately 120 years to over 400 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An ultra-efficient amorphous-Co 3 S 4 /PMS system was reported for ACT degradation. • The amorphous-Co 3 S 4 achieved an impressive η Cat. value of 0.8150 mmol/(g·min). • Both radical and nonradical pathways contributed to the ultra-fast ACT degradation. • Dynamic electronic structure analysis was used to reveal ACT degradation mechanism. • ROSs attacked ACT mainly via SET, RA, demethylation, and dichlorination reactions. The herbicide acetochlor (ACT) has newly raised concerns in China's latest drinking water quality standards. Exceptional removal efficacy of micropollutants by peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activated using amorphous metal-based catalysts have been recently reported. However, the efficiency of amorphous cobalt tetrasulfide (amorphous-Co 3 S 4) in activating PMS and its performance in degrading ACT, as well as the underlying mechanisms involved, remain unclear. Herein, we synthesized amorphous-Co 3 S 4 via a facile two-step hydrothermal method and firstly employed it as an ultra-efficient PMS activator for rapid degradation of ACT. Completely removal of ACT (10 mg/L) was achieved within 2 min at a low PMS dosing of 0.2 mM, with a notable utilization efficiency of 0.8150 mmol/(g·min). The main mechanism underlying PMS activation involved Co2+/Co3+ redox cycling, with sulfate and hydroxyl radicals identified as the primary reactive oxidizing species. Moreover, single electron transfer, radical addition, demethylation, and dechlorination reactions were the major pathways for ACT degradation, resulting in the formation of ACT•+, ACT(+OH)•, ACT(–CH 3)•, and ACT(−Cl)•. Subsequently, these are subjected to further degradation and ultimately mineralization, yielding intermediates with lower ecotoxicity than ACT itself. This study demonstrates the ultra-efficiency of amorphous-Co 3 S 4 on PMS activation and establishes its potential application in environmental engineering practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-/nanomotors that combine attributes of autonomous movement and adsorption performance are attractive for efficient pollutant treatment. However, micro/nanomotors design still suffers from challenges including complex manufacturing processes, specific instrument demands and low yields. Herein, we proposed amidoxime-functionalized polydopamine tubular micromotors (DNBMs-AO) and demonstrated their application for rapid selective adsorption of uranium from contaminated seawater. The whole fabrication procedure is simplified and straightforward by curcumin templating and in-situ reduction/graft method. The manganese dioxide (MnO 2) catalyst and amidoxime groups are subsequently anchored on the outer and inner side of nanotube surface. Besides, the distribution and amount of modified MnO 2 and amidoxime groups can be manipulated via directly changing the reduction time. DNBMs-AO are driven and propelled by microbubbles produced by MnO 2 -triggered catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, which can reach high velocity at 302.6 μm s−1. The static adsorption results indicate that the adsorption of U(VI) onto DNBMs-AO can be better described by Langmuir model with the maximum adsorption capacity of 313.9 mg/g. Moreover, the motion of DNBMs-AO can efficiently improve the U(VI) diffusion under low H 2 O 2 concentration, and enhance the adsorption kinetics to approximately 2.5 times. DNBMs-AO also exhibits high selectivity towards U(VI) and excellent performance stability, endowing its potential application in environmental engineering field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how climate and vegetation influencing accumulation and translocation of heavy metals (HMs) in soils and vegetation in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is critical to assess the ecological risk induced by HMs under the global warming. To accompany this goal, we comprehensively determined the accumulation and translocation of HMs within the interface of soil-vegetation in water tower regions of the QTP. The PMF model results show that 54 %−86 % of cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) in the surface soil are mainly from rock weathering and 54 % of cadmium (Cd) comes from effect of litter return. The increase of vegetation biomass significantly promotes the accumulation of HMs in the surface soil. The increase of root biomass significantly enhances the uptake of Co, Ni, As, Cd and Pb by roots, due to the increasing availability of these HMs in surface soil, but reduces the translocation from roots to shoots. The precipitation and temperature influence HMs translocation by controlling the root biomass. Hence, we speculate that the further global warming in the QTP would enhance HMs accumulation in surface soil, but would not significantly increase HMs accumulation in ground vegetation biomass. [Display omitted] • Climate and vegetation control accumulation of HMs in the interface of soil-vegetation. • Rock weathering is the main source for most of HMs in soils. • Global warming enhances HMs accumulation in surface soil, but not in vegetation biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Optimized HCl activation significantly enhanced biochar's microplastic adsorption capacity. • Enhanced surface area and mesoporosity were achieved in the optimized biochar. • Adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model, indicating strong chemical interactions. • This study presents a scalable solution for microplastic pollution mitigation. The urgent need to address the pervasive presence of microplastics in aquatic environments has driven research into effective removal strategies. This study focuses on optimizing hydrochloric acid (HCl) activation to enhance the adsorption capacity of sycamore bark-derived biochar for microplastic removal. By systematically optimizing pyrolysis at 650 °C and HCl activation at 90 °C for 2 h, the biochar exhibited significant improvements in surface area, mesoporosity, and the introduction of oxygen-containing functional groups. Characterization through SEM, FTIR, XRD, and N 2 adsorption confirmed these enhancements. Adsorption studies demonstrated that the optimized biochar follows pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Sips isotherm, indicating effective chemical interactions with polystyrene microplastics. The findings suggest that HCl-activated biochar could serve as a scalable solution for mitigating microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, offering potential for broader environmental engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local-scale fire regimes are controlled by climate, fuel availability, and topography. Research on long-term (i.e., Holocene timescales) fire activity in the Northwest Territories has focused on local fire dynamics, with fewer studies examining regional patterns. To investigate the impacts of climate variability on wildfire activity during the Holocene, 13 macroscopic charcoal and 3 pollen records, as well as insolation values, reconstructed temperatures, and precipitation data were analyzed to understand the interactions of climate, regional fire regimes and vegetation during the Holocene in the North Slave Region, Northwest Territories, Canada. Following deglaciation, wildfire activity across the region was low, due to lack of fuels, relatively low temperatures, and dry conditions. By ∼8200 cal yrs. BP, wildfire activity increased across the region as Picea expanded on the landscape increasing fuel availability and summer temperatures increased and peaked during the Holocene Thermal Maximum. Wildfire activity continued to increase throughout the mid-Holocene until cooler and wetter conditions developed with the onset of Neoglacial cooling around 4200 cal yrs. BP. With the onset of cooler and wetter conditions, wildfires declined regionally across the North Slave Region. The decline in wildfire activity following Neoglacial cooling can be attributed to a general decline in temperatures and changes in vegetations types and density. During the 20th century, wildfire activity increased in response to warming temperatures. With further increases in global mean temperature, it is expected that wildfire activity in the North Slave Region will increase during the 21st century. • Early Holocene fires were more localized due to lack of fuels, dry conditions, and lower temperatures. • Widespread fire activity occurred regionally during the Holocene thermal maximum (7-5 ka cal. yrs. BP) due to a warming climate and increased fuel availability and expansion of Picea. • Regional fire activity would slowly decline during the Neoglacial due to a cooling climate and opening landscapes, with a noticeable decline during the Little Ice Age. • After the 1950s, fire activity increased, aligning with anthropogenic-induced climate change. • Findings from this research suggest that a warming climate and changing precipitation regimes can potentially alter the climate-fire-vegetation dynamics in the North Slave Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • MOF-BC composites have emerged as promising materials for environmental protection. • BC enhances MOF stability and reusability, also offering secondary active sites. • MOF enhances BC surface properties, leveraging hierarchical micro-meso structure. • Potential exists as scalable materials for sustainable environmental protection. Research studies on Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF) based composites and their potential applications in environmental engineering and pollution control have recently emerged. An attractive material to form MOF composites is biochar (BC); a low-cost, highly porous carbonaceous by-product of biomass pyrolysis. This paper presents a critical review on MOF-biochar composites, focusing on fabrication, characterisation, modification, and applications in environmental protection and pollution control. The adsorption mechanisms and influential parameters are systematically examined to develop an insight into interactions between MOF and biochar in remedial process. The adsorption capacity of composites is generally doubled compared to the standalone biochar, while MOFs maintain their crystallinity, even over multiple regeneration cycles, indicating the composites' long-term applicability and sustainability. These findings highlight the potential of MOF-biochar composites for environmental applications and identify key areas for further research to enhance their sustainability in environmental protection and green energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aeolian deposits on the southern Tibetan Plateau (TP) are one of the most important environmental archives preserved at the highest altitudes worldwide, containing extensive information about both the current and past landscapes and environments of Earth's Third Pole. Over the past three decades, these deposits have attracted considerable attention in Quaternary paleoclimate research. Nevertheless, our understanding of these high-altitude aeolian deposits is significantly less than that for similar deposits in the low-altitude regions of the Eurasian continent. To better comprehend this important archive, it is essential to integrate knowledge from various perspectives. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding their formation, distribution, chronology, provenance, and paleoclimatic history across different timescales. Here, based on our recent field investigations and new data, along with previously published data, we present the results of a systematic analysis of aeolian deposits on the southern TP. Our principal results and findings are: (1) We present up-to-date maps of the aeolian deposits, consisting of an overview map of the overall spatial distribution, and six high-resolution regional maps highlighting details of the depositional areas. Loess and sand dunes have accumulated within the six subdomains, following the global pattern of dust accumulation along rivers in arid and semi-arid regions. (2) Based on paleomagnetic and ESR dating, the oldest aeolian sediments were formed during the middle Pleistocene. The probability density of 220 OSL and AMS 14C ages reveals that 98.7 % of the young sediments accumulated since the last interglacial, with the majority (66.4 %) forming during the Holocene. A comparison of age clusters with records of ice volume, temperature, precipitation, vegetation, and paleolakes revises previous hypotheses regarding the factors influencing dust deposition, emphasizing the dominant control of climate change. (3) The aeolian sediments are of local origin and their sources remained relatively stable over time. Quantitative analysis of 48 samples using geochemical fingerprinting showed that the aeolian sediments are a mixture of various clastic materials derived from upstream areas, with the predominant contribution from sand dunes (58.7 %). (4) We examined the climatic evolution of this region and its driving mechanisms during the middle to late Pleistocene and the Holocene. This analysis suggests that changes in cold and warm season insolation were the primary external drivers of moisture and dust activity on both orbital and sub-orbital scales. The winter mid-latitude Westerlies and the Indian summer monsoon, which are influenced by these seasonal insolation variations, regulated the moisture evolution, while the near-surface winds, primarily driven by cold season insolation and influenced by ice volume and oscillations in North Atlantic climate, played a significant role in modulating dust activity. Accordingly, we present a comprehensive conceptual model to illustrate the theoretical framework of aeolian sedimentary landscapes and their impacts and responses to regional and global climate changes. Overall, this review contributes to an improved understanding of the late Quaternary evolution of dust deposition and the environment on the southern TP. • A comprehensive review on the late Quaternary aeolian deposits on the southern TP. • We present an up-to-date atlas of aeolian loess and dunes on the southern TP. • Aeolian deposits were formed since the last interglacial, particularly the Holocene. • Qualitative and first quantitative analysis of sources of aeolian sediments. • Reconciliation of climate changes during the middle–late Pleistocene and the Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Described the spatiotemporal differences in salt distribution and porewater exchange (PEX) process in the multi-geomorphological units of mudflat. • Burrows leads to the differences of salt transport process among various units in the PEX. • Quantified the salt change ratio in the multi-geomorphological units of mudflat. In the muddy tidal flat controlled by semi-arid climate, porewater exchange (PEX) drives beach surface salt to recharge phreatic brine resources. However, in the Supratidal zone with multiple geomorphological units, the PEX process of such complex areas is still unclear. This study takes the supratidal zone with multiple geomorphological units distributed in the mudflat of Laizhou Bay as the study area. Based on electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey and groundwater multi-parameter measurement, the spatiotemporal distribution of salinity in different geomorphological units was described, and the salt release-transport process of these units was finely characterized. The results show that there are spatiotemporal differences in salt distribution in the multi-geomorphological units, and the PEX process is affected by hydraulic gradient, salinity gradient, sediment hydraulic conductivity and bioturbation. The crab burrows enhance the degree of water-salt exchange in the units and drive the salt transport to deeper layers, which leads to the differences in the salt transport process among various units in the PEX. In addition, Due to PEX, the recirculated seawater carries a large amount of salt back to the ocean and accumulate salt at the bottom of the tidal creek during the ebbing tide. Compared with the high tide, the salinity change ratio of the bottom of the tidal creek at the low tide is 261%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) has emerged as a promising biomineralization technology mediated by specific bacteria. With its simple and controllable characteristics, MICP has shown significant potential for various applications such as remediation of cracks, corrosion prevention in concrete, and treatment of heavy metals. This review provides an in-depth review of the fundamental pathways, mechanisms, operational factors, and application approaches of the MICP process in environmental and civil engineering. Moreover, as an important carbonate precipitation process, the potential of MICP technology in CO 2 capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and the main challenges were also discussed thoroughly, especially in treating alkaline solid waste. This review can provide a crucial reference for MICP in CCUS and assist in CO 2 control. While MICP is undoubtedly a mainstream engineering technology, the future of MICP lies in combination with other techniques to ensure the application of this technology in interdisciplinary processes. [Display omitted] • Summarizes the application of MICP in different fields. • Points out the factors that affect the effectiveness of MICP. • Reflects the economic and environmental benefits of the MICP. • Proposes a vision for MICP in the emerging field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate control in buildings involves multiple conflicting objectives, such as energy consumption and occupant comfort, which have to be considered simultaneously during the operation of the climate control system. In this work, the Multi-Objective Model Predictive Control (MOMPC) solution method is further developed through the multiparametric programming approach (mpMOMPC). The MOMPC optimal control problem is reformulated according to the ϵ -constraint method, and the ϵ vector is treated as unknown parameters to generate the control law expressions offline. This reduces online calculations to point location followed by function evaluation, enabling the controller to be implemented through a chip or low-cost hardware. To demonstrate the potential and versatility of the developed mpMOMPC algorithm, three case studies are conducted. Numerical simulation results show that the extreme-value case is the same as the rule-based MPC case and the preference function case results in maximum energy reduction by 20.1% compared to the rule-based MPC case. [Display omitted] • Building climate control problem involves optimizing multiple conflicting objectives. • Multi-Objective Model Predictive Control strategy is employed for climate control. • The control algorithm is further developed through multiparametric programming. • Online controller calculations can be performed on a chip without needing a computer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of three-dimensional numerical models for complex terrains and geological bodies has always posed a challenge in geoengineering. This study introduces an efficient discretization approach that facilitates the establishment of material point models for three-dimensional complex terrain and geological conditions. The proposed approach incorporates three structural components and employs an efficient algorithm for data processing to characterize terrain and geological bodies within the model. This enables the construction of complex, heterogeneous discrete models using elevation and material information as input data. A detailed procedure for implementing the proposed three-dimensional material point discretization approach is outlined. Additionally, robust metrics for discretization deviation and efficiency evaluation are introduced to assess the accuracy and efficiency of the constructed discretized models. The efficacy of the proposed approach is verified and evaluated through both two-dimensional and three-dimensional examples, demonstrating its accuracy and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larger dispersion of pre-nuclear Iodine-129/Iodine-127 (129I/127I) in terrestrial sediments and the complexity of environmental factors made terrestrial 129I dating extremely difficult. Sorting and dissociating possible influences will hopefully lead to a pattern of change in the pre-nuclear 129I/127I and accordingly an initial value for terrestrial dating. Here, we present the iodine isotope records of two loess-paleosol sections from Chinese Loess Plateau. The coupled variations of the 129I fluxes and other paleomagnetic field records, with known paleomagnetic excursions being clearly matched, indicated the prominent modulation of cosmogenic 129I production rate by paleomagnetic field, while the variation of 127I concentrations again verified the climate control. Discrepancies in amplitudes of 129I fluxes and other paleomagnetic field records were supposed to be a result of possible climate impact and organic matter degradation. These findings add new information to our knowledge of iodine-isotope composition, and are instructive for future study methodology. • 129I and 127I records up to 310 kyr were derived from two Chinese loess sequences. • 129I fluxes covaried with paleomagnetic field records. • Similar variations indicate magnetic field control of cosmogenic 129I production rate. • Discrepancy in amplitude and duration might be resulted by climate and organic matter degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequent occurrence of food safety incidents has aroused public concern about food safety and key contaminants. Foodborne pathogen contamination, pesticide residues, heavy metal residues, and other food safety problems will significantly impact human health. Therefore, developing efficient and sensitive detection method to ensure food safety early warning is paramount. The aptamer-based sensor (aptasensor) is a novel analytical tool with strong targeting, high sensitivity, low cost, etc. It has been extensively utilized in the pharmaceutical industry, biomedicine, environmental engineering, food safety detection, and in other diverse fields. This work reviewed the latest research progress of aptasensors for food analysis and detection, mainly introducing their application in detecting various key food contaminants. Subsequently, the sensing mechanism and performance of aptasensors are discussed. Finally, the review will examine the challenges and opportunities related to aptasensors for detecting major contaminants in food, and advance implementation of aptasensors in food safety and detection. [Display omitted] • The review summarizes the applications of aptasensors in food detection early warning. • The review summarizes the major global public health risks of food contamination. • The review discusses the challenges and prospects of aptasensor to food contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake metabolism and associated emissions of CO 2 in lakes are heavily subsidized by terrestrial carbon. However, how land-cover change and long-term climate interact to influence landscape biogeochemistry remains unclear. A ∼26,000-year sediment record from a lake in Southwest China shows how terrestrial-aquatic carbon dynamics responded to climate changes, atmospheric CO 2 levels, and changing land-cover (vegetation composition) prior to cultural disturbances. Decoupled and coupled variations in the δ13C of Zooplankton (Bosmina) and sedimentary organic carbon from the Last Glacial Maximum tracked changes in atmospheric CO 2 and the δ18O records of monsoonal intensity (Dykoski et al., 2005; Wang et al., 2005), highlighting a primary climatic control on coupled terrestrial-aquatic carbon dynamics. Zooplankton and algal production, alongside Bosmina δ13C-inferred lake CO 2 concentrations, exhibited synchronous variations with the intensification of the southwest monsoon from ∼10 cal kyr BP, reflecting both increased aquatic production and enhanced terrestrial carbon export driven by forest expansion. These results highlight the critical role of monsoon-driven hydrological changes in regulating terrestrial organic matter inputs to lakes and shaping aquatic carbon dynamics at timescales of 102–103 year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High-strength concrete made from 100 % desert sand using compression casting. • Compression casting boosts DSC compressive strength by 93 % and split tensile by 54 %. • Compressed DSC has 41 % lower water absorption and 34 % fewer voids, boosting durability. • Compressed DSC has 64 % and 100 % better chloride and carbonation resistance. • Compression casting of DSC cuts costs, CO2, and energy by 57 %, 43 %, and 42 %. River sand is essential for concrete but its production depletes 50 billion tons of resources annually causing scarcity and environmental issues. Desert sand (DS) covering 6 million square kilometers could help address this scarcity but has inferior properties. This study develops high-strength desert sand concrete (DSC) using 100 % DS through compression casting. Nine concrete mixes were prepared with varying DS replacement levels (0, 50, 100 %) and design strengths (30, 50, 70 MPa). Compression casting improved DSC's compressive and split tensile strength by up to 93 % and 54 % respectively compared to traditional concrete. It also reduced water absorption and voids by up to 41 % and 34 % and enhanced chloride and carbonation resistance by up to 64 % and 100 %. XRD, DSC-TG, and SEM analyses also confirm these results. Compression casting of DSC cut costs, CO 2 emissions, and energy consumption by up to 57 %, 43 %, and 42 % respectively. This innovative DSC offers superior engineering, environmental, and economic benefits as a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological advancements offer the opportunity for interventions to reduce and potentially even counteract the impacts of climate change. However, advancements that can facilitate the adaptation of human and natural ecosystems to climate change, and possibly lessen the intensity and damaging impacts of extreme weather events, come with social, technical, and environmental challenges. These challenges are triggered by the complexity and uncertainty associated with their deployment in real-world settings. In this paper, we consider Solar Radiation Management interventions aiming to limit the heat absorbed by our planet's surface and trapped in its atmosphere, focusing on Marine Cloud Brightening and Albedo Surface Modification, particularly to protect ice surfaces, as examples of regional-scale interventions. Building on the need for more socially inclusive decision-making around these interventions, as highlighted by the Australian case study of the Great Barrier Reef's Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, this paper proposes a policy framework with worldwide potential to assist with regional Solar Radiation Management. To this end, we suggest the use of Strategic Environmental Assessment, a United Nations recognised policy framework that is applied internationally to support environmentally sustainable strategic decision-making and planning. We consider Strategic Environmental Assessment's performance criteria in relation to Solar Radiation Management and discuss how these align with much-needed assistance in developing socially inclusive Solar Radiation Management interventions. [Display omitted] • Principles for geoengineering governance are not applied to regional interventions. • Regional geoengineering interventions may fail due to limited public engagement. • Strategic Environmental Assessment aligns with geoengineering governance principles. • Tiered Strategic Environmental Assessment enables collaborations on geoengineering. • Strategic Environmental Assessment provides a policy framework for geoengineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel alkali intercalated & acid exfoliated biochars were made from walnut shells. • Biochars showed a maximum increase of 400% to 500% in surface and microporous areas. • Alkali salts formed during the modification were the reason for enhanced properties. • Malachite green dye adsorption capacity of the biochars increased by 250% • Rate of adsorption for malachite green dye increased by 1000% for modified biochars. Cost-effective and eco-friendly adsorbents are essential in environmental engineering and biochar is a promising material from the perspective. A novel and efficient surface modification approach involving alkali intercalation and acid exfoliation was designed in this study to enhance the physicochemical properties of biochar. The alkali intercalation process utilizes potassium hydroxide (KOH), while acid exfoliation involves varying HNO 3 , H 2 SO 4 , and H 3 PO 4 concentrations. A simple two-stage pyrolysis process was employed to facilitate the intercalation-exfoliation modification. The modified biochars were characterized using BET, SEM, XRD, etc., to understand physicochemical properties. To quantify the effectiveness of the modifications, adsorption of malachite green dye as a model moiety was investigated. Dye removal sorption rates exceeding 99 % were recorded in the case of the biochars modified through a two-step process using KOH and 0.1MH 3 PO 4. Specifically, the highest contaminant removal of 99.9 % was recorded when 60 mg of the KOH-0.1MH 3 PO 4 biochar was employed, which is significantly higher than unmodified biochar's 45.41 % removal at a higher dosage of 100 mg. Moreover, the adsorption kinetics revealed that all the modified biochars attained the maximum removal concentrations (∼99 % removal) in a mere 300 min, indicating a tenfold improvement in adsorption rate from unmodified biochar's requirement of over 5000 min. The results achieved through this study provide a cost-effective, fast, and environment-friendly technology for enhancing the adsorption characteristics and performance of biochars toward contaminant removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global reliance on traditional cooling systems is a pressing concern, especially given their substantial energy demands and refrigerant-related greenhouse gas emissions. The need for sustainable cooling solutions is especially urgent in hot and humid regions. This study presents an innovative solution by introducing a compact, solar-driven cooling system that integrates a Desiccant Wheel (DW) and a Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC). This novel combination leverages solar energy to enhance cooling efficiency while reducing environmental impact. The system's performance was tested through experimental methods and non-dimensional analysis, which served to validate the TRNSYS simulation. The simulation included custom components representing the DW and TEC's physical characteristics. Results demonstrated that the system effectively reduces air temperature and humidity to maintain thermal comfort, achieving Coefficients of Performance (COP) of 0.94 and 1.13in Toronto and Vancouver, respectively. A key feature of the system is the heat recovery design, which uses waste heat from the TEC to regenerate the desiccant material, enhancing COP by 68%. Further analysis through TRNSYS simulation explored the system's adaptability to various climate conditions by testing a range of temperatures (26–43°C) and relative humidity levels (30–100%). This analysis identified three operational regions, optimizing the system's application based on environmental conditions. A life cycle assessment determined a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 0.0172 kg CO 2 per kW of cooling capacity and an Energy Payback Time (EPBT) of 3.34 years. The economic analysis indicated a total system cost of $2719, predominantly due to the DW and TEC components. In conclusion, this research offers a sustainable and efficient cooling system that provides thermal comfort in hot and humid climates, marking a significant advancement in climate control technology. • Evaluation of innovative hybrid cooling for improved indoor climate control. • The validated system boosts COP from 0.56 to 0.94, ensuring thermal comfort. • Heat recovery strategy boosts system efficiency by 68% in diverse climates. • Life cycle assessment shows 0.0172 kg CO 2 per kW of cooling capacity. • The system demonstrates a 3.34-year energy payback, highlighting cost savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study reports a simple and eco-friendly method for synthesizing Co-PTC MOF. • The MOF was studied for its water remediation potential via adsorptive removal taking malachite green dye as a pollutant. • 20 mg of the MOF resulted in a 79.3 % adsorption rate within 50 min. • The adsorption behaviour conformed to the Freundlich isotherm. • Co-PTC is proven to be an efficient adsorbent for the removal of MG from aqueous environments. The removal of organic pollutants from aqueous environments has garnered significant attention in environmental science and engineering. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising materials for this purpose due to their intriguing structures, high surface area, and perpetual porosity. In this study, we investigate the adsorption performance of Co-based MOF for the removal of malachite green (MG), a common organic dye pollutant. The MOF, abbreviated as Co-PTC is synthesized via a one-pot green approach using perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTC) as the ligand at room temperature. Basic to advanced characterization techniques are employed to elucidate the structure and interactions within the MOF. Through a comprehensive analysis, the underlying mechanisms governing the adsorption process are explored, and optimization studies have been carried out. Co-PTC in minute amounts exhibits an adsorption capacity of 79.3 % selectively for MG in 50 min. The kinetics and isotherm models governing the adsorption process are well investigated. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thermodynamics and kinetics performance of DAC adsorption are explored. • An overview of physical and chemical adsorption materials for DAC is presented. • Processes and systems with PSA, TSA, VSA and MSA are summarized. • Current state, potential, and limitations of DAC adsorption are reviewed. • Insights for applications and economic benefits of DAC are put forward. There is an increasing incentive to explore effective ways to capture CO 2 from the air to address the rising levels and the ensuing energy climate challenges. Direct air carbon capture (DAC) technology is an avenue in this endeavor, which has garnered significant interest due to its potential to achieve carbon-negative emissions and align with the imperatives of sustainable development and climate control. This article examines the latest advancements in DAC technology and its underlying principles, with a specific emphasis on the crucial function of adsorbents. In this paper, we extend the theories of conservation of energy and mass and ideal adsorption solution to the adsorption process of DAC and provide a computational framework for the analysis of this process Furthermore, it endeavors to elucidate the intricate interplay of systems and devices integral to DAC technology, offering insights into the various facets of its implementation. In closing, the article conducts an assessment and offers a brief overview of the present condition of DAC technology, highlighting its possibilities and constraints in the wider scope of carbon capture and climate mitigation endeavors. By encompassing all these aspects, this comprehensive exploration aims to offer a holistic understanding of DAC technology and its significance in the ongoing quest for mitigating CO 2 emissions. The review also lists the current application of DAC technology in practice, and compare its economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharides have emerged as versatile materials capable of forming gels through diverse induction methods, with alcohol-induced polysaccharide gels demonstrating significant potential across food, medicinal, and other domains. The existing research mainly focused on the phenomena and mechanisms of alcohol-induced gel formation in specific polysaccharides. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the intricate mechanisms underpinning alcohol-triggered gelation of different polysaccharides and surveys their prominent application potentials through rheological, mechanical, and other characterizations. The mechanism underlying the enhancement of polysaccharide network structures by alcohol is elucidated, where alcohol displaces water to establish hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with polysaccharide chains. Specifically, alcohols change the arrangement of water molecules, and the partial hydration shell surrounding polysaccharide molecules is disrupted, exposing polysaccharides' hydrophobic groups and enhancing hydrophobic interactions. Moreover, the pivotal influences of alcohol concentration and addition method on polysaccharide gelation kinetics are scrutinized, revealing nuanced dependencies such as the different gel-promoting capabilities of polyols versus monohydric alcohols and the critical threshold concentrations dictating gel formation. Notably, immersion of polysaccharide gels in alcohol augments gel strength, while direct alcohol addition to polysaccharide solutions precipitates gel formation. Future investigations are urged to unravel the intricate nexus between the mechanisms underpinning alcohol-induced polysaccharide gelation and their practical utility, thereby paving the path for tailored manipulation of environmental conditions to engineer bespoke alcohol-induced polysaccharide gels. [Display omitted] • Impact of alcohol on polysaccharide gels' gelling behavior and properties reviewed. • Alcohol affects hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions in polysaccharides. • Different gelation-promoting abilities of monohydric and polyhydric alcohols shown. • Alcohol concentration and addition method impact polysaccharide gel formation. • Alcohol treatment densifies gel structure and enhances gel strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle trapping is a powerful tool for tailoring fluid interfaces, offering unprecedented control over interfacial properties and behaviors. In this review, we delve into the intricate mechanisms driving the trapping of particles at the fluid interface. By strategically manipulating particles at fluid interfaces, researchers have unlocked a myriad of opportunities for engineering interfacial phenomena with precision and versatility. In fact, particle trapping strategies enable tailored modifications of fluid interfaces that span a wide range of length scales and material systems. This work explores the underlying principles governing particle–surface interactions, highlighting key factors such as particle size, shape, surface chemistry, and interfacial tension. Through a comprehensive examination of recent developments, this review provides valuable insights into the transformative potential of particle trapping for shaping fluid interfaces, paving the way for innovative applications across various disciplines, including materials science, biotechnology, and environmental engineering. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ni-HAB MOF sensor array provides exceptionally low drift in electrochemical sensors. • MOF-modified solid-contact sensors improve hydroponic nutrient monitoring. • K+, pH, and NO 3 - monitoring in a portable system enables long-term agricultural use. In agricultural contexts, the demand for continuous and precise measurement of multiple ions is crucial. While arrays of solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (SCEs) have been developed previously, there has been limited emphasis on their continuous and long-term monitoring of ions. Addressing this gap, our work introduces an innovative sensor array utilizing Ni-HAB MOF as an ion-to-electron transducer, enabling real-time detection of nitrate, potassium, and pH levels. The sensors exhibit exceptional stability, eliminating the need for frequent recalibration. For instance, the K+-selective sensor displays an unprecedentedly low potential drift of 0.05 µV/h, surpassing existing solid-contact sensors by two orders of magnitude. Similarly, the pH sensor demonstrates a drift of 0.3 µV/h, outperforming competitors by a factor of 100. The NO 3 --selective sensor shows minimal drift at 0.5 µV/h, surpassing comparable sensors by a factor of ten. Additionally, the K+-selective sensor features a sensitivity of 57.8 mV/dec and a LOD of 1.9 µM, while the NO 3 --selective sensor offers a sensitivity of 56.8 mV/dec and a LOD of 6.23 µM. Integrated into a portable array with wireless data transmission, this system enables real-time water quality monitoring in remote areas. Rigorous testing of the developed sensor array in a tailored complex agricultural solution confirms its selective response to target ions even in the presence of interfering ions. Importantly, pH fluctuations do not compromise the precision of the K+ and NO 3 -- selective sensors, highlighting the system's robustness in real-world agricultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the influence of climate changing, permafrost in Northeast China (NEC) has been consistently degrading in recent years. Numerous scholars have investigated the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of permafrost in the NEC region. However, due to constraints in data availability and methodological approaches, only a limited number of studies have extended their analyses to the field scale. In this study, we established a particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based indicator composition algorithm (PSO-ICA) to obtain an indicator factor, η , that indicates the relative distribution probability of permafrost at the field scale. PSO-ICA screened and combined 12 high-resolution environmental variables to compose η. The spatial distribution data of permafrost with a length of 765.378 km provided by the engineering geological investigation report (EGIR) of six highways were used to train and validate the effectiveness of η in indicating permafrost. At the field scale, η was found to be similar to the surface freezing number (SFN) in its ability to indicate permafrost, with AUC values of 0.7046 and 0.7063 for the two by the ROC test. In addition, η has a good performance in predicting highway distresses in the permafrost region in the absence of survey data. This study also confirmed that the resolution and accuracy of permafrost mapping results can be improved by utilizing η. After downscaling the 1 km resolution SFN to 30 m resolution using η , the R2 of the linear relationship between SFN and permafrost temperatures from 43 monitoring boreholes was improved from 0.7010 to 0.8043. If η can help understand the distribution of permafrost at field scale, many engineering and environmental practices could potentially benefit. [Display omitted] • An indicator named η for permafrost distribution in Northeast China was found. • A PSO-based indicator composition algorithm was established for the indicator. • η was tested to be a good indicator of field-scale permafrost in several highways. • η was found to be able to predict the location of highway distress. • η can enhance the correlation between SFN and permafrost temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Targeted BTH-degrading consortia were obtained through a top-down design approach. • Varying BTH concentrations shaped Nakamurella in Phase l and Rhodococcus in Phase H. • Rhodococcus pyridinivorans Rho48 carrying CYP450 enzyme enabled efficient degradation. • Selection strengths caused diverse interspecific cooperation for BTH mineralization. The inefficient biodegradation and incomplete mineralization of nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds (NHCs) have emerged as a pressing environmental concern. The top-down design offers potential solutions to this issue by targeting improvements in community function, but the ecological linkages between selection strength and the structure and function of desired microbiomes remain elusive. Herein, the integration of metagenomics, culture-based approach, non-targeted metabolite screening and enzymatic verification experiments revealed the effect of enrichment concentration on the top-down designed benzothiazole (BTH, a typical NHC)-degrading consortia. Significant differences were observed for the degradation efficiency and community structure under varying BTH selections. Notably, the enriched consortia at high concentrations of BTH were dominated by genus Rhodococcus , possessing higher degradation rates. Moreover, the isolate Rhodococcus pyridinivorans Rho48 displayed excellent efficiencies in BTH removal (98 %) and mineralization (∼ 60 %) through the hydroxylation and cleavage of thiazole and benzene rings, where cytochrome P450 enzyme was firstly reported to participate in BTH conversion. The functional annotation of 460 recovered genomes from the enriched consortia revealed diverse interspecific cooperation patterns that accounted for the BTH mineralization, particularly Nakamurella and Micropruina under low selection strength, and Rhodococcus and Marmoricola under high selection strength. This study highlights the significance of selection strength in top-down design of synthetic microbiomes for degrading refractory organic pollutants, providing valuable guidance for designing functionally optimized microbiomes used in environmental engineering. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural convection heat transfer in cavities commonly occurs in various engineering problems. Specifically, the problem of a differentially heated cavity with oscillatory boundary conditions arises in the design of energy-saving strategies or energy evaluations within the building sector. This work addressed numerically and experimentally the natural convection in a full-scale room subjected to diurnal heating and nocturnal cooling. The experiment was instrumented with temperature sensors and an air velocity sensor, inspired by works reported in the literature. The numerical model involved solving the equations governing natural convection, considering turbulent bi-dimensional and three-dimensional flow in a transient state. This research allowed the selection of an appropriate turbulence model and evaluated the performance of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional approaches in simulations. Results showed that the k-omega SST model performed best in predicting velocity, while the standard k-omega model performed best in predicting temperature for the two-dimensional simulation, and the RNG k-epsilon model performed best for the three-dimensional simulation. Additionally, the three-dimensional simulation more accurately reproduced the chaotic fluctuations observed in experimental velocity data, demonstrating up to 30 % better estimation during periods of high velocities. The study identified the reversal of convective cells in the cavity, with an approximate duration of 2 h and 40 min in a real case. This study contributes to improving the understanding of turbulent natural convection in a differentially heated cavity with oscillatory boundary conditions. These findings have significant implications for various environmental and engineering applications, including the design of thermally comfortable buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal jetties are commonly used throughout the world to stabilize channels and improve navigation through inlets. These engineered structures form artificial boundaries to littoral cells by reducing wave-driven longshore sediment transport across inlet entrances. Consequently, beaches adjacent to engineered inlets are subject to large gradients in longshore transport rates and are highly sensitive to changes in wave climate. Here, we quantify annual beach and nearshore sediment volume changes over a 9-yr time period along 80 km of wave-dominated coastlines in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Beach and nearshore monitoring during the study period (2014–2023) reveal spatially coherent, multi-annual patterns of erosion and deposition on opposing sides of two engineered inlets, indicating a regional reversal of longshore-transport direction. A numerical wave model coupled with a longshore transport predictor was calibrated and validated to explore the causes for the observed spatial and temporal patterns of erosion and deposition adjacent to the inlets. The model results indicate that subtle but important changes in wave direction on seasonal to multi-annual time scales were responsible for the reversal in the net longshore sediment transport direction and opposing patterns of morphology change. Changes in longshore transport direction coincided with a reversal in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) climate index, suggesting large-scale, multi-decadal climate variability may influence patterns of waves and sediment dynamics at other sites throughout the Pacific basin. • Surveys reveal regionally coherent, multi-annual trends in coastal morphology. • Simple model framework accurately hindcasts longshore transport. • Climate variability controls sediment budget of areas adjacent to engineered inlets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]