The paper proposes a probabilistic approach to the assessment of the impacts of multipurpose dams. It is framed around the notion of Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) in the setting of the Water-Energy-Food nexus. The socio-ecological context of the Tana River Basin in Kenya and the construction of two multipurpose dams are used to highlight co-produced positive and negative NCP under alternative river regimes. These regimes produce both damaging floods that ought to be controlled and beneficial floods that ought to be allowed. But the river regime that results from hydropower generation and flood risk reduction may not be the one that is most conducive to food and feed-based NCP. The approach relates the economic value of river-based NCP co-production to the probability of flooding to derive the expected annual value of NCP and a NCP value-probability curve. The relation between NCP flows and flood characteristics is tested and estimated based on regression analyses with historical data. Results indicate that the net economic value of key NCP associated with multipurpose dams for local people and associated social equity effects largely depend on the frequency of flood events and on the way impacts are distributed across communities, economic sectors and time. © 2023 Elsevier B.V. | This work was undertaken as part of the Water Infrastructure Solutions from Ecosystem Services Underpinning Climate Resilient Policies and Programmes (WISE-UP to Climate) project funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), Germany (grant number 13-ll-102). It also received funding from Maria de Maetzu excellence accreditation 2018-2022 (Ref. MDM-2017-0714), funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 /; the Basque Government through the BERC 2022–2025 program and was also partially supported by the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) and by Funders contributing to the CGIAR Trust Fund ( https://www.cgiar.org/funders/ ). The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Supporting agriculture is crucial if food security and poverty alleviation are to be assured. In that regard two crucial aspects - water and land are central to supporting smallholder farmers. This is especially true for the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa with its high rates of poverty and food insecurity. However, attention is seldom given to the fundamental factors of farm production. Access to land for food production in the Eastern Cape is problematic, as is the water situation. It is among the driest provinces in the country, enduring extended drought conditions with resultant water scarcity challenges. This is compounded by poor adaptation strategies deployed by smallholder farmers. This study investigated the relationship between water, land and food security with respect to smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape. It found that while both food security and incomes could be improved for these smallholder farmers if they had more access to land and water, these two factors alone are insufficient. These farmers also need access to agricultural extension services, markets, cost-effective transport and capital. Although the commercialization of these farmers is a way to improve rural livelihoods, the prevailing conditions in the province significantly inhibit this.

The synergistic regulation of the water–energy–food nexus in irrigation districts is important for promoting the sustainable management of agricultural resources in irrigation districts. In this paper, a new integrated optimization–evaluation modelling framework for the water–energy–food nexus in agricultural irrigation areas is developed. It can measure the synergistic effects of economic, social and environmental multidimensional objectives on the sustainable management of agricultural resources in irrigation areas. The model couples an optimisation module and an evaluation module, combines a multiobjective nonlinear planning model with an opportunity-constrained planning model and uses an entropy-weighted TOPSIS assessment approach to sustainably assess the multidimensional indicators of the water–energy–food nexus in irrigation districts, with full consideration given to the effects of uncertainty in agricultural water and soil resources and social systems. The feasibility of the constructed model is verified through a study of the Jinxi irrigation district. The results show that compared to the actual area, the optimised surface water and groundwater availability increased by 23.5% and 22.7%; the optimised total area increased by 4%, whereas corn decreased by 40%, rice increased by 34.6% and soybean decreased by 33.8%; the energy consumption decreased by 17.6% and the total recycled resources amounted to 8.97 × 10⁹ kg, with a combined net economic benefit of CNY 1.25 × 10⁹ more than the actual current amount. The synergistic development of the water–energy–food nexus (WEFN) in the district is relatively harmonious, suggesting that the district should focus on developing agricultural mechanisation and balancing economic benefits with environmental and ecological protection; furthermore, the model constructed should provide decision-making support for the efficient use of agricultural resources in the irrigation district.

Traditional rice (Oryza sativa L.) management (tillage and flooding) is unsustainable due to soil degradation and the large amount of irrigation water used, an issue which is exacerbated in the Mediterranean region. Therefore, there is a need to explore rice management strategies in order to improve water-use efficiency and ensure its sustainability. Thus, field experiments were conducted to determine the medium-term effects of different irrigation and tillage methods combined with a single compost application on water and rice productivity, as well as food safety in a semiarid Mediterranean region. The management systems evaluated were: sprinkler irrigation in combination with no-tillage (SNT), sprinkler irrigation in combination with conventional tillage (ST), which were implemented in 2015, and flooding irrigation in combination with conventional tillage (FT), and their homologues (SNT-C, ST-C, and FT-C) with single compost application in 2015. In reference to rice grain yield, the highest values were observed under ST treatment with 10 307 and 11 625 kg ha&minus:1 in 2018 and 2019 respectively: whereas between FT and SNT there were no significant differences, with 8 140 kg ha&minus:1 as mean value through the study. Nevertheless, sprinkler irrigation allowed saving 55% of the total amount of water applied in reference to flooding irrigation. Furthermore, the highest arsenic concentration in grains was found under FT but it decreased with compost application (FT-C) and especially with sprinkler irrigation, regardless of tillage management systems. However, sprinkler irrigation favors the cadmium uptake by plants, although this process was reduced under SNT in reference to ST, and especially under amended compost treatments. Therefore, our results suggested that a combination of sprinkler irrigation and compost application, regardless of the tillage system, could be an excellent strategy for rice management for the Mediterranean environment in terms of water and crop productivity as well as food safety.

Traditional rice (“Oryza sativa” L.) management (tillage and flooding) is unsustainable due to soil degradation and the large amount of irrigation water used, an issue which is exacerbated in the Mediterranean region. Therefore, there is a need to explore rice management strategies in order to improve water-use efficiency and ensure its sustainability. Thus, field experiments were conducted to determine the medium-term effects of different irrigation and tillage methods combined with a single compost application on water and rice productivity, as well as food safety in a semiarid Mediterranean region. The management systems evaluated were: sprinkler irrigation in combination with no-tillage (SNT), sprinkler irrigation in combination with conventional tillage (ST), which were implemented in 2015, and flooding irrigation in combination with conventional tillage (FT), and their homologues (SNT-C, ST-C, and FT-C) with single compost application in 2015. In reference to rice grain yield, the highest values were observed under ST treatment with 10 307 and 11 625 kg ha-1 in 2018 and 2019 respectively; whereas between FT and SNT there were no significant differences, with 8 140 kg ha-1 as mean value through the study. Nevertheless, sprinkler irrigation allowed saving 55% of the total amount of water applied in reference to flooding irrigation. Furthermore, the highest arsenic concentration in grains was found under FT but it decreased with compost application (FT-C) and especially with sprinkler irrigation, regardless of tillage management systems. However, sprinkler irrigation favors the cadmium uptake by plants, although this process was reduced under SNT in reference to ST, and especially under amended compost treatments. Therefore, our results suggested that a combination of sprinkler irrigation and compost application, regardless of the tillage system, could be an excellent strategy for rice management for the Mediterranean environment in terms of water and crop productivity as well as food safety. | This research was funded by Grant GR21038 and IB16075 funded by the Extremadura Regional Government, Grant RTI2018-095461-B-I00, PID2021-123062OB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, and by “ERDF A way of making Europe” and TED2021-129790B-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. Jaime Terrón Sánchez and Carmen Martín are recipients of a grant from the Extremadura Regional Government’s Consejería de Economía, Comercio e Innovación, co-financing ESF A way of making Europe (PD18025; PD18026). | peerReviewed

IntroductionIn the face of escalating apprehensions surrounding food security, the sustainability of food systems, and food quality, the ingenuity of resource management strategies becomes paramount. A key component within these strategies is the enhancement of chemical fertilizer utilization, an element that bears significant weight on agricultural yields and the preservation of our environment. The emergence of Integrated Water-Fertilizer Systems (IWFS) thus presents a significant innovation in boosting the efficiency of chemical fertilizer usage, necessitating in-depth examination.MethodsUtilizing a rigorous analytical framework that combines meta-frontier production function with a Two-Stage Residual Inclusion model, this study delves into the multi-dimensional impacts of IWFS adoption on fertilizer use efficiency among cotton growers in Xinjiang, China.ResultsEmpirical evidence demonstrates that those who have adopted IWFS achieve a fertilizer use efficiency score of 0.452, markedly outstripping the mean score of 0.382 among non-adopters. Intriguingly, efficiency increases proportionately with the size of the farm, hinting at a sophisticated interplay between the adoption of technology and operational parameters.DiscussionThe research further unveils additional benefits including augmented cotton yields and diminished labor inputs among adopters. These multifaceted outcomes bear significant policy implications, highlighting the transformative potential of IWFS in promoting sustainable food systems, bolstering food security, and enhancing food quality.

El grupo Nutresa S.A es la empresa líder en alimentos procesados en Colombia, y tiene una amplia gama de productos en la canasta familia como lo son Chocolates, golosinas, galletas, café, helados, pastas y cárnicos. Alimentos cárnicos se especializa en el deshuese y almacenamiento de la materia prima cárnica que se distribuye para Zenú. Su objetivo principal es la explotación de la industria cárnica, ofreciendo una variedad de productos derivados de la carne, como salchichas y embutidos. El área de mantenimiento es el grupo general que contiene al área de generación, esta es una de las áreas más importantes ya que desde allí se controlan las temperaturas del proceso cárnico, además los consumos de agua, energía eléctrica y térmica que se generan en la empresa. Durante el proceso de prácticas en este lugar, la practicante tuvo la oportunidad de adquirir conocimientos significativos en el ámbito ambiental y también de explorar otras áreas que estaban relacionadas de manera indirecta con las responsabilidades del practicante. Uno de los logros más destacados fue la obtención del consumo energético de un equipo que no se tenía mapeado. El centro de prácticas contribuyó considerablemente al desarrollo profesional del practicante, ya que el ambiente laboral fomentaba la colaboración y el aprendizaje mutuo. Los compañeros siempre estuvieron dispuestos a brindar orientación y compartían su conocimiento para que pudiera mejorar en las tareas. Sin duda, uno de los mayores aprendizajes que se obtuvo como practicante fue la correcta gestión y disposición de los residuos, ya que la planta era muy estricta en este aspecto. | Pregrado | Ingeniero(a) Ambiental

Coleta, acondicionamento e preparo de amostras: Solos: amostragem; criterios para a divisao da area de amostragem; numero de amostras simples ou subamostras; composicao da amostra; material para a amostragem; epoca de amostragem; frequencia de amostragem; algumas recomendacoes gerais para a amostragem; acondicionamento e identificacao da amostra; registro e preparo da amostra: registro; secagem; moagem, peneiragem e armazenagem; Agua: quando, onde e como amostrar; acondicionamento de amostras: tipo e procedimentos de limpeza; preservacao de amostras; Tecidos vegetais: amostragem; procedimentos para coletar amostras de folhas no campo: coleta de amostra; moagem; armazenagem; integridade da amostra; problemas de contaminacao; arquivo de amostras; Tecidos e produtos animais: aspectos importantes relacionados a coleta de amostras; objetivo da preparacao das amostras; preparacao das amostras: recebimento; identificacao e registro; pre-acondicionamento: amostras de origem vegetal; amostra de fezes; pre-secagem; Moagem; acondicionamento: fluxogramas e figuras das etapas de preparacao de amostras; Preparo de amostras de ingredientes e suplementos mineiras; Outros tipos de amostras de origem animal: osso; figado: biopsia; necropsia; observacoes; Sangue: plasma; soro; desproteinizacao; liquidos de rumen; liquidos de abomaso e de ileo; urina; extrusa, leite; pelo; Alimentos para consumo humano: Fundamento; Equipamentos; Procedimentos: inspecao e identificacao da amostra; solubilizacao da amostra; preparo da amostra; conservacao da amostra.

Coleta, acondicionamento e preparo de amostras: Solos: amostragem; criterios para a divisao da area de amostragem; numero de amostras simples ou subamostras; composicao da amostra; material para a amostragem; epoca de amostragem; frequencia de amostragem; algumas recomendacoes gerais para a amostragem; acondicionamento e identificacao da amostra; registro e preparo da amostra: registro; secagem; moagem, peneiragem e armazenagem; Agua: quando, onde e como amostrar; acondicionamento de amostras: tipo e procedimentos de limpeza; preservacao de amostras; Tecidos vegetais: amostragem; procedimentos para coletar amostras de folhas no campo: coleta de amostra; moagem; armazenagem; integridade da amostra; problemas de contaminacao; arquivo de amostras; Tecidos e produtos animais: aspectos importantes relacionados a coleta de amostras; objetivo da preparacao das amostras; preparacao das amostras: recebimento; identificacao e registro; pre-acondicionamento: amostras de origem vegetal; amostra de fezes; pre-secagem; Moagem; acondicionamento: fluxogramas e figuras das etapas de preparacao de amostras; Preparo de amostras de ingredientes e suplementos mineiras; Outros tipos de amostras de origem animal: osso; figado: biopsia; necropsia; observacoes; Sangue: plasma; soro; desproteinizacao; liquidos de rumen; liquidos de abomaso e de ileo; urina; extrusa, leite; pelo; Alimentos para consumo humano: Fundamento; Equipamentos; Procedimentos: inspecao e identificacao da amostra; solubilizacao da amostra; preparo da amostra; conservacao da amostra.

A rapid and efficient method based on a novel nitrogen-doped porous graphene nanostructure (NDPG) was used for the speciation of mercury in water and human blood samples by the CV-AAS. The mixture of the NDPG, ionic liquid, and acetone was rapidly injected into the human blood, water, and food samples for mercury separation by the cloud point assisted dispersive ionic liquid-micro solid-phase extraction (CPA-DIL-μ-SPE) at pH 7.5. The UV-microwave accessory converted the organic mercury (R-Hg) to inorganic mercury, and total mercury (TM) was determined. Finally, the organic mercury was calculated by subtracting the inorganic and entire mercury contents. By optimizing, the linear range, LOD, and enrichment factor were obtained (0.01–6.80 µg/L; 0.005–3.60 µg/L), (2.6 ng/L; 1.2 ng/L) and (9.8; 20.2) for the mercury species in human blood and water/food samples, respectively (Mean of RSD < 1.9 %). The CRM samples obtained the validation of the procedure.