Search Results (144,879)

The continuous increase in solid waste materials, such as waste tires, underscores the critical importance of recycling them to mitigate environmental impact and promote sustainable resource management. This research study evaluated the effectiveness of utilizing waste tire pyrolysis oils (WTPOs) as recycling agents for asphalt materials. The chemical composition and thermal behavior of WTPO were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanically, the prepared WTPO binders were assessed by measuring dynamic viscosity and changes in high- and intermediate-temperature performance grades. Additionally, the cracking susceptibility of the binders was evaluated using the Glover–Rowe (G-R) parameter. The findings indicated that WTPOs might contain water and light aromatics in varying percentages, depending on the pyrolysis process. Incorporating WTPOs enhanced the workability of asphalt mixtures and ensured a high degree of blending between recycled/aged asphalt and raw binder. A 12% WTPO dosage was identified as the most effective for enhancing fatigue and low-temperature cracking resistance, facilitating improved interactions between the virgin binder and recycled asphalt materials. Finally, utilizing WTPOs as rejuvenating agents in pavement construction supports sustainable practices by recycling waste materials and significantly improving the performance and durability of asphalt mixtures. Full article

The present study, carried out in Gujarat (India) between 2005 and 2021, aims to prepare dew and rain maps of Gujarat over a long period (17 years, from 2005 to 2021) in order to evaluate the evolution of the potential for dew and rain in the state. The ratio of dew to precipitation is also determined, which is an important metric that quantifies the contribution of dew to the overall water resources. Global warming leads, in general, to a reduction in precipitation and non-rainfall water contributions such as dew. The study shows, however, a rare increase in the rainfall and dew condensation, with the latter related to an increase in relative humidity and a decrease in wind amplitudes. Rain primarily occurs during the monsoon months, while dew forms during the dry season. Although dew alone cannot resolve water scarcity, it nonetheless may provide an exigent and unignorable contribution to the water balance in time to come. According to the site, the dew–rain ratios, which are also, in general, well correlated with dew yields, can represent between 4.6% (Ahmedabad) and 37.2% (Jamnagar). The positive trend, observed since 2015–2017, is expected to continue into the future. Full article

An understanding of how boreal forest composition responds to global environmental changes is an important challenge to predicting the future global carbon balance. Boreal forests are the most significant sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide; however, their sequestration capacity is highly sensitive to ongoing climate changes. The combination of the hydrothermal conditions of a territory strongly regulates its biogeochemical processes. The carbon fluxes in boreal forests are strongly mediated by the ground vegetation cover, composed of mosses (mesic) and lichens (xeric). Despite the concurrence of xeric and mesic vegetation types, their responses to climate variations varies significantly. Soil emission is an informative indicator of ecosystem functioning. In this study, we focused on the soil CO₂ dynamics during frost-free seasons with different precipitation regimes in the xeric and mesic boreal ecosystems of Central Siberia. Seasonal measurements of soil CO₂ emissions were conducted during frost-free seasons using the dynamic chamber method. Our findings reveal that the precipitation regimes of each year may control the seasonal soil emission dynamics. The soil moisture is the most important driver of emissions growth in the water-limited lichen pine forest (R²adj. = 18%). The soil temperature plays the largest role in the feather moss pine forest during the dry (R²adj. = 31%) seasons, and in the lichen pine forest during the wet (R²adj. = 41%) seasons. The cumulative efflux for the xeric and mesic sites is mostly related to the hydrothermal conditions, and not to the differences in ground vegetation cover. During the dry seasons, on average, the soil CO₂ emissions are 45% lower than during the wet seasons for both sites. These findings emphasize the need for estimating and including the hydrothermal characteristics of the growing season for detailed emission assessments. Full article

Microorganisms harbor catabolic plasmids to tackle refractory organic pollutants, which is crucial for bioremediation and ecosystem health. Understanding the impacts of plasmids on hosts provides insights into the behavior and adaptation of degrading bacteria in the environment. Here, we examined alterations in the physiological properties and gene expression profiles of Rhodococcus sp. strain p52 after losing two conjugative dioxin-catabolic megaplasmids (pDF01 and pDF02). The growth of strain p52 accelerated after pDF01 loss, while it decelerated after pDF02 loss. During dibenzofuran degradation, the expression levels of dibenzofuran catabolic genes on pDF01 were higher compared to those on pDF02; accordingly, pDF01 loss markedly slowed dibenzofuran degradation. It was suggested that pDF01 is more beneficial to strain p52 under dibenzofuran exposure. Moreover, plasmid loss decreased biofilm formation, especially after pDF02 loss. Transcriptome profiling revealed different pathways enriched in upregulated and downregulated genes after pDF01 and pDF02 loss, indicating different adaptation mechanisms. Based on the transcriptional activity variation, pDF01 played roles in transcription and anabolic processes, while pDF02 profoundly influenced energy production and cellular defense. This study enhances our knowledge of the impacts of degradative plasmids on native hosts and the adaptation mechanisms of hosts, contributing to the application of plasmid-mediated bioremediation in contaminated environments. Full article

Among hydrocolloids used in the food industry, gelatin (an animal protein) is remarkably known for its unique gel forming ability. Creating a perfect, green substitute for animal gelatin is extremely difficult if not impossible, because this versatile hydrocolloid offers many special properties that are not easily imitated by other vegetable-based systems. The combination of more than one type of hydrocolloid is commonly used in food either to bridge the above-mentioned gap or to impart novel organoleptic characteristics (such as mouthfeel) to food products, to modify rheological characteristics, and to satisfy processing requirements in the industry. In this work, we study the rheology and the texture of water mixtures of κ-Carrageenan (κ-C) and Locust Bean Gum (LBG). By fixing different κ-C concentrations and varying the LBG/κ-C ratio, we explore a wide range of potentially useful textures. The results obtained for the green systems are also compared to those exhibited by animal gelatin formulations. Full article

An integrated numerical model was developed to investigate the interaction between a tsunami-like solitary wave and a monopile on a sloping sandy seabed in this study. The solitary wave motion is governed by the RANS equations with the k-ε turbulence model. The porous sloping sandy seabed is governed by Biot’s equation (u-p approximation). The solitary wave is validated with previous experimental data. Meanwhile, a further comparison of solitary wave scattering by the monopile is carried out to verify the numerical model. Then, the effects of different monopile locations were examined in investigating the solitary wave–monopile interaction problem. The velocity magnitudes and the free-surface elevation changes in the solitary wave around the monopile are investigated at various monopile locations. In addition, the response of the sloping sandy seabed and monopile under the solitary wave are examined. The numerical results demonstrate the accuracy of the current method in simulating solitary waves and wave height variation around monopiles. Wave run-up is observed in front of the monopile, with a high-velocity forward-moving water jet forming behind it. The maximum fluid velocity, wave run-up height in front of the monopile, excess pore water pressure (EPWP), and bending moment of the monopile increase as the monopile approaches the shoreline. However, at the closest location to the shoreline, due to the strong dynamic interaction between the solitary wave and the monopile, significant wave shoaling and breaking are observed, resulting in a slight decrease in the wave force acting on the monopile. Full article

Ice accumulation poses considerable challenges in transportation, notably in the domain of general aviation. The present study combines the strengths and limitations of conventional aircraft deicing techniques with the emerging trend toward all-electric aircraft. This study aims to utilize laser-induced graphene (LIG) technology to create a multifunctional surface, seamlessly integrating hydrophobic properties with efficient electrical heating to mitigate surface icing effectively. We investigated the utilization of a 10.6 μm CO₂ laser for direct writing on polyimide (PI), a widely used insulating encapsulation material. From the thermomechanical perspective, our initial analysis using COMSOL Multiphysics software (V5.6) revealed that when the laser power P exceeds 5 W, the PI substrate experiences ablative damage. The experimental results show that when P ≤ 5 W, an increase in power has a positive impact on the quality, surface porosity, roughness reduction, line-spacing reduction, and water contact-angle enhancement of the graphene. Conversely, when P > 5 W, higher power negatively affects both the substrate and the graphene structure by inducing excessive ablation. However, it influences the graphene line height positively and is consistent with overall experimental–simulation congruence. Furthermore, the incorporation of high-quality graphene resulted in a surface that exhibited higher contact angles (CA > 120°), lower energy consumption, and higher heating efficiency compared to the use of traditional electrically heated materials for anti-icing applications. The potential applications of this one-step fabrication method extend across various industries, particularly aviation, marine engineering, and other ice-prone domains. Moreover, the method has extensive prospects for addressing pivotal challenges associated with ice formation and serves as an innovative and efficient anti-icing technology. Full article

The increasing use of chemicals requires a better understanding of their presence and dynamics in the environment, as well as their impact on ecosystems. The aim of this study was to validate the first steps of an innovative multi-omics approach based on metabolomics and 16S metabarcoding data for analyses of the fate and impact of contaminants in Mediterranean lagoons. Semi-targeted analytical procedures for water and sediment matrices were implemented to assess chemical contamination of the lagoon: forty-six compounds were detected, 28 of which could be quantified in water (between 0.09 and 47.4 ng/L) and sediment (between 0.008 and 26.3 ng/g) samples using the UHPLC-MS/MS instrument. In addition, a non-targeted approach (UHPLC-HRMS) using four different sample preparation protocols based on solid/liquid extractions or an automated pressurized fluid extraction system (EDGE^®) was carried out to determine the protocol with the best metabolome coverage, efficiency and reproducibility. Solid/liquid extraction using the solvent mixture acetonitrile/methanol (50/50) was evaluated as the best protocol. Microbial diversity in lagoon sediment was also measured after DNA extraction using five commercial extraction kits. Our study showed that the DNeasy PowerSoil Pro Qiagen kit (Promega, USA) was the most suitable for assessing microbial diversity in fresh sediment. Full article

Considering the uncertainty of rainfall and prolonged droughts in semiarid regions, optimizing water management through techniques like partial root-zone drying (PRD) is crucial for sustainable banana production. This study aimed to evaluate the ‘Prata-Anã Gorutuba’ banana under irrigation by PRD. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five irrigation strategies (PRD7 50%–50% ETc and 7-day frequency of alternation of the irrigated side—FA, PRD14 50%–50% ETc and 14-day FA, PRD21 50%–50% ETc and 21-day FA, FX 50%–50% ETc and fixed irrigation, and irrigation with 100% ETc on both sides of the plant—FULL) with five replicates. Soil water content, physiological, vegetative, yield characteristics, and water productivity were assessed over two production cycles. PRD on the dry side lowered soil water content below optimal levels for banana cultivation, increased transpiration, and decreased photosynthesis and instantaneous water use efficiency with rising temperatures, while photosynthesis increased with stomatal conductance. PRD reduced plant vigor and delayed flowering in the first cycle. Compared to full and fixed irrigation, PRD conserves water while maintaining crop yields. Water productivity was higher under PRD, with PRD14 (50% ETc and 14-day alternation) offering the best water use efficiency while maintaining yield, making it suitable for ‘Prata-Anã Gorutuba’ banana cultivation. The study recommends PRD for sustainable banana farming in regions with limited water resources, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and better water management. Full article

Soil erodibility (K) refers to the inherent ability of soil to withstand erosion. Accurate estimation and spatial prediction of K values are vital for assessing soil erosion and managing land resources. However, as most K-value estimation models are empirical, they suffer from significant extrapolation uncertainty, and traditional studies on spatial prediction focusing on individual empirical K values have neglected to explore the spatial pattern differences between various empirical models. This work proposed a universal framework for selecting an optimal soil-erodibility map using empirical models enhanced by machine learning. Specifically, three empirical models, namely, the erosion-productivity impact calculator model (K_EPIC), the Shirazi model (K_Shirazi), and the Torri model (K_Torri) were used to estimate K values. Random Forest (RF) and Gradient-Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) algorithms were employed to develop prediction models, which led to the creation of three K-value maps. The spatial distribution of K values and associated environmental covariates were also investigated across varying empirical models. Results showed that RF achieved the highest accuracy, with R² of K_EPIC, K_Shirazi, and K_Torri increasing by 46%, 34%, and 22%, respectively, compared to GBDT. And distinctions among environmental variables that shape the spatial patterns of empirical models have been identified. The K_EPIC and K_Shirazi are influenced by soil porosity and soil moisture. The K_Torri is more sensitive to soil moisture conditions and terrain location. More importantly, our study has highlighted disparities in the spatial patterns across the three K-value maps. Considering the data distribution, spatial distribution, and measured K values, the K_Torri model outperformed others in estimating soil erodibility in the plateau lake watershed. This study proposed a framework that aimed to create optimal soil-erodibility maps and offered a scientific and accurate K-value estimation method for the assessment of soil erosion. Full article

Sailing speed is a critical factor affecting the ship’s energy consumption and operating costs for a voyage. Inland waterways present a complex navigation environment due to their narrow channels, numerous curved segments, and significant variations in water depth and flow speed. This paper constructs a model of a ship’s energy consumption based on an analysis of ship resistance and the energy transfer relationship of ships. The K-means clustering algorithm is introduced to divide the Yangtze River waterway into multiple segments based on the similarity of navigation environments. Considering the constraints of the ship’s main engine and the desired arrival time, a multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm, improved with cosine decreasing inertial weight and Gaussian random mutation, is employed to optimize segmented navigation speeds to achieve different goals. Finally, four cases are studied with a fully electric ship navigating the reaches of the Yangtze River. The results indicate that the optimized speed can reduce ship energy consumption by up to 6.18% and significantly reduce ship energy consumption and operational costs under different conditions. Full article

Improving the productivity of medicinal and aromatic species via eco-friendly approaches is imperative worldwide because of their therapeutic impacts. Biostimulants have been recognized among the best cultural practices in the last few decades. Among them, bee honey (BH) and ginger extract (GE) are new sources of multifunctional biostimulants that positively influence plant growth and development. However, there are currently no detailed reports on the impacts of BH or GE as promising growth and yield enhancers for medicinal and aromatic species. Also, the mechanism involved in stimulating growth and essential oil content with BH or GE is still unidentified. This work was, therefore, undertaken to analyze the impact of BH and GE on the growth, productivity, and essential oil content of sage plants (Salvia officinalis L.). Sage plants were sprayed monthly for three months with the same volume of BH (0, 5, 10, and 15 g L⁻¹), GE (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg L⁻¹), or tap water, which was used as a control. BH or GE application improved the plant height, branch number, herb yield, total chlorophyll content, total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity relative to the controls, more so with GE. Intriguingly, the essential oil percentage, oil yield, and oil constituents were enhanced by BH and GE. In this respect, the highest levels of biostimulants, particularly GE, were more effective. On a percentage basis, the essential oil yield per hectare was largely increased by 127.91 and 138.89% with GE (10 g L⁻¹) in both seasons relative to the controls. The contents of IAA, GA₃, and CK in THE sage leaves were substantially increased by BH and GE, and higher levels of both biostimulants and GE were more effective. The nutrient levels of N, P, K, Fe, Zn, and Mg were also elevated by BH and GE compared with the untreated plants. These results suggest that BH or GE application could be a promising biostimulant for improving the productivity of sage and provide a new understanding of their mechanisms in this aspect. Full article

In order to solve the problem of the lack of maneuverability of the conventional underwater glider, this paper proposes a hybrid-driven underwater glider equipped with a Kappel tip rake propeller, analyzes the propulsion performance of different types of Kappel tip rake propellers in the wake field of the hybrid-driven underwater glider, optimizes the overall propulsion performance of the hybrid-driven underwater glider, and realizes self-propulsion and gliding with high efficiency and low energy consumption. In the research process, the Schnerr–Sauer cavitation model and the cavitation simulation strategy of VOF two-phase flow were adopted, coupled with the SST k-ω and γ transition turbulence model, and the control calculation error was not more than 3%. Based on the hydrodynamic performance study of the Kappel tip rake propeller, the self-propelled simulation was carried out under the working conditions of 6 kn, 5 kn, 4 kn, and 3 kn, and the gliding simulation was carried out under the working conditions of 1 kn, 0.5 kn, and a glide angle of 12°. The propulsion performance of the hybrid-driven underwater glider with different models of Kappel tip rake propellers was analyzed. It was found that the maximum open water propulsion efficiency of the propeller Kap05 had the largest improvement, which was 3.07% higher than that of the reference base propeller. Under the self-propelled condition, the hybrid-driven underwater glider with the propeller Kap05 had the lowest wake fraction, and the propellers Kap04 and Kap05 had the best propulsion performance in the wake field of the hybrid-driven underwater glider. In the gliding condition, the form of the folding paddle can reduce the gliding resistance generated by the propeller by more than 45% and the gliding negative lift by more than 68%. A moderate tip rake can effectively improve the propulsion efficiency of the Kappel tip rake propeller in the wake field of the hybrid-driven underwater glider, reduce energy loss, and improve the overall performance of the hybrid-driven underwater glider. Full article

Hydrological droughts occur as a result of various hydrometeorological conditions, such as precipitation deficits, reduced snow cover, and high evapotranspiration. Droughts caused by precipitation deficits and occurring during warm seasons are usually longer in duration. This important observation raises the question that climate change associated with global warming may increase drought conditions. Consequently, it is important to understand changes in the processes leading to dry periods in order to predict potential changes in the future. This study is a scientific analysis of the impact of climate change on drought conditions in the Zhaiyk–Caspian, Tobyl–Torgai, Yesil, and Nura–Sarysu water management basins using the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and streamflow drought index (SDI). The analysis methods include the collection of hydrometeorological data for the entire observation period up to and including 2021 and the calculation of drought indices to assess their intensity and duration. The results of this study indicate an increase in the intensity and frequency of drought periods in the areas under consideration, which is associated with changes in climatic conditions. The identified trends have serious implications for agriculture, ecological balance, and water resources. The conclusions of this scientific study can be useful for the development of climate change adaptation strategies and the sustainable management of natural resources in the regions under consideration. Full article

The Um Ara granites are a suite of granitoid rocks located in the southern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt. The integration of various electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) techniques, such as backscattered electron (BSE) imaging, X-ray compositional mapping, and wavelength dispersive spectrometry (WDS), has provided valuable insights into the alteration process of zircon in the Um Ara granite. The zircon exhibits high concentrations of non-formula elements such as P, Al, Ca, Fe, Ti, and REEs, suggesting that the alteration involved coupled dissolution-reprecipitation processes influenced by aqueous fluids. The negative correlations between Zr and the non-formula elements indicate that these elements were incorporated into zircon at the expense of Zr and Si, significantly affecting the distribution and fractionation of REEs in the original zircon. Based on the presented data and literature knowledge, the sequence of alteration events is proposed as follows: (1) initial zircon crystallization around 603 Ma accompanied by the formation of other U- and Th-bearing minerals like xenotime, thorite, monazite, and apatite; (2) long-term metamictization leading to fractures and cracks that facilitated fluid circulation and chemical changes; (3) a major hydrothermal event around 20 Ma that released a suite of non-formula elements from the metamicted zircon and associated minerals, with the enriched hydrothermal fluids subsequently incorporating these elements into the modified zircon structure; and (4) further low-temperature alteration during subsequent pluvial periods (around 50,000–159,000 years ago), facilitated by the shear zones in the Um Ara granites, may have allowed further uptake of non-formula elements. The interplay between hydrothermal fluids, meteoric water, and the shear zone environments appears to have been a key driver for the uptake of non-formula elements into the altered zircon. Full article