The North Sea is one of the most industrialised marine regions globally. We integrated cetacean-dedicated aerial surveys (2015–2022) with environmental covariates and ship positions from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to investigate the disturbance radius and duration on harbour porpoise distribution. This study is based on 81,511 km of line-transect survey effort, during which 6511 harbour porpoise groups (8597 individuals) were sighted. Several proxies for ship disturbance were compared, identifying those best explaining the observed distribution. Better model performance was achieved by integrating maritime traffic, with frequent traffic representing the most significant disturbance to harbour porpoise distribution. Porpoises avoided areas frequented distance over time improved model performance, while reasons for the lower performance of predicted ship sound levels remain unclear. This study demonstrates the short-term effects of maritime traffic on harbour porpoise distribution.

In this paper, we propose improved nitrogen dioxide (NO2) to nitrogen oxide (NOx) scaling factors for several data-driven methods that are used for the estimation of NOx power plant emissions from satellite observations of NO2. The scaling factors are deduced from high-resolution simulations of power plant plumes with the MicroHH large-eddy simulation model with a simplified chemistry and then applied to Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) NO2 satellite observations over the Matimba/Medupi power stations in South Africa. We show that due to the non-linear chemistry the optimal NO2 to NOx scaling factors depend on both the method employed and the specific segments of the plume from which emission estimate is derived. The scaling factors derived from the MicroHH simulations in this study are substantially (more than 50%) higher than the typical values used in the literature with actual NO2 observations. The results highlight the challenge in appropriately accounting for the conversion from NO2 to NOx when estimating point source emissions from satellite NO2 observations.

Marine plastic pollution poses significant ecological, economic, and social challenges, necessitating innovative detection, management, and mitigation solutions. Spectral imaging and optical remote sensing have proven valuable tools in detecting and characterizing macroplastics in aquatic environments. Despite numerous studies focusing on bands of interest in the shortwave infrared spectrum, the high cost of sensors in this range makes it difficult to mass-produce them for long-term and large-scale applications. Therefore, we present the assessment and transfer of various machine learning models across four datasets to identify the key bands for detecting and classifying the most prevalent plastics in the marine environment within the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) range. Our study uses four different databases ranging from virgin plastics under laboratory conditions to weather plastics under field conditions. We used Sequential Feature Selection (SFS) and Random Forest (RF) models for the optimal band selection. The significance of homogeneous backgrounds for accurate detection is highlighted by a 97 % accuracy, and successful band transfers between datasets (87 %–91 %) suggest the feasibility of a sensor applicable across various scenarios. However, the model transfer requires further training for each specific dataset to achieve optimal accuracy. The results underscore the potential for broader application with continued refinement and expanded training datasets. Our findings provide valuable information for developing compelling and affordable detection sensors to address plastic pollution in coastal areas. This work paves the way towards enhancing the accuracy of marine litter detection and reduction globally, contributing to a sustainable future for our oceans.

A bottleneck in restoring self-sustaining beds of the European oyster (Ostrea edulis) is the successful development and settlement of larvae to bottom habitats. These processes are largely governed by temperature but a mechanistic understanding of larval performance across ecologically relevant temperatures is lacking. We reared larvae at low (20–21 °C) and high (20–24 °C) fluctuating temperatures and applied short-term exposures of larvae to temperatures between 16 and 33 °C to assess vital rates and thermal coping ranges. Larval thermal preference was between 25 and 30 °C for both rearing treatments which corresponded with optimum temperatures for oxygen consumption rates and locomotion. Larvae had 5.5-fold higher settling success, however, when reared at the high compared to the low fluctuating temperatures. Higher mean and periods of increased temperature, as projected in a future climate, may therefore enhance recruitment success of O. edulis in northern European habitats.

Sargassum spp. strandings in the tropical Atlantic harm local ecosystems due to toxic sulfide levels. We conducted a mesocosm experiment to test the efficacy of iron(III) (hydr)oxides in (a) mitigating sulfide toxicity in mangroves resulting from Sargassum and (b) reducing potentially enhanced greenhouse gas emissions. Our results show that iron addition failed to prevent mangrove mortality caused by highly toxic sulfide concentrations, which reached up to 15,000 μmol l−1 in 14 days; timely removal may potentially prevent mangrove death. Sargassum-impacted mesocosms significantly increased methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide emissions, producing approximately 1 g CO2-equivalents m−2 h−1 during daylight hours, thereby shifting mangroves from sinks to sources of greenhouse gasses. However, iron addition decreased methane emissions by 62 % and nitrous oxide emissions by 57 %. This research reveals that Sargassum strandings have multiple adverse effects related to chemical and ecological dynamics in mangrove ecosystems, including greenhouse gas emissions.

Cadmium (Cd) is ubiquitous and an unessential trace element existing in the environment. Anthropogenic activities and applications of synthetic phosphate fertilizers greatly enhance the concentration of Cadmium in the environment, which proves to be carcinogenic. The long-term effects of heavy metals contamination on plants and animals have recently become a major public health concern. Thanks to the application of science and technology, new environmental initiatives can have a lower environmental impact significantly. The role of microbes is very well known and must be considered as potential pollutant removers. Microbial flora can remove heavy metals and oil from contaminated soil and water. In comparison to conventional techniques, bioremediation itself proved to be a more potent technique because the established mechanisms render it ineffective. Biotechnological advancements are inherently harmful to the environment because they have the potential to reduce metal pollution. Pollutants in the environment can be effectively removed using bioremediation. Both native and introduced species can thrive in a microorganism-friendly environment.

This study aimed to check how herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) affects the production of EPS and its composition, growth, and biomass, as well as morphology in a cyanobacterial species isolated from a rice field in Meghalaya, India. Compared to the control cells, the growth of the organism measured in terms of chlorophyll concentration increased after being exposed to 10 and 20 ppm 2,4-D. However, cultures treated with 30 and 40 ppm experienced a decrease in their growth. Likewise, the biomass content of the organism experienced a minuscule increase in content upon exposure to 10 and 20 ppm 2,4-D but was compromised upon exposure to higher doses. When exposed to 10 ppm, the total EPS content, which includes the RPS and CPS content, showed a substantial increase. Maximum EPS production was seen at 20 ppm 2,4-D. However, exposure to 30 and 40 ppm 2,4-D, EPS production in the organism experienced a significant reduction, respectively. All components of EPS, such as uronic acid, neutral sugar, and proteins, individually showed an increase in 10 and 20 ppm 2, 4-D. A similar trend was seen in the organism’s bio-flocculating activity, which increased when exposed to 10 and 20 ppm, respectively. However, this activity in cells exposed to 30 and 40 ppm 2,4-D was severely reduced. Not only the content of EPS but the rate of EPS production was also enhanced in lower concentrations of 2,4-D. Although exposure to 30 ppm 2,4-D, the rate of EPS production was not significantly compromised, 40 ppm exposure adversely affected the rate of EPS production. Furthermore, visualization using scanning electron microscopy revealed the morphological changes induced by the herbicide 2,4-D.

Biofuels are the cheapest source of energy, and the continuous decline of traditional sources of energy with the increasing population leads to looking for alternatives to reduce the consumption of traditional sources of energy. Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic wastes and cellulosic wastes is not a new approach for fuel production but a cheap and accessible way for the production of fuel. Bacillus is one of the major species that can act as a source of diversified enzymes. In this study, it was emphasized on screening and isolation of a novel, characterization, and best catalytic action on both celluloses and proteins in the presence of different carbon and nitrogen sources. It was observed the effective catalytic breakdown of cellulose with the crude enzyme to glucose allowed fur for fermentation with Saccharomyces, ultimately leading to the generation of alcohol. The study aims to isolate the microbes that can produce cellulases and enzymes and could be used for biodegradation to produce ethanol in the reaction. The maximum enzyme activity was achieved at 3.112 UI with optimized pH and temperature, and the maximum conversion of sugars into alcohol was about 70% in the newspaper, cartons, colored paper, and disposable paper cups. An essential observation was the decolorization of the origami craft paper within 24 hours. The study was involved in enhancing the maximum Enzyme activity of cellulases from different cellulosic raw materials. Hence, it was achieved by JCB strain, optimization of pH, temperature, and acids for the biodegradation. The presence of peaks at 3200 and 2900 was a confirmation of ethanol bonds in the biodegradation reaction mixtures.

In order to ensure water sustainability, alarming levels of water scarcity across the globe is a critical issue warranting urgent address. The present study aims to bring to light the perception of farmers regarding water conservation and management practices from the selected five districts of the Haryana region of India. By analyzing the responses of 125 farmers, collected through a self-administered questionnaire, the impact of socio-demographic factors, current irrigation system, and cost-benefit perception of the farmers was studied on water conservation and management practices. Using ordinal regression analysis, the study revealed that the cost-benefit perception of the farmers, viz. willingness to pay an additional price for canal water and an increase in the availability of water due to canal lining, are the major factors responsible for undertaking conservation and sustainability measures. Further, socio-demographic variables such as age and education also influence water conservation behavior. The study recommends vital policy reforms and initiatives for efficient water use and management to resolve the grave concern of scarcity of usable water. The present study is unique in its suggestion of a comprehensive water conservation and management framework.

Dual concerns involving the rise in airborne pollutant levels and bulging need to protect-preserve human health have propelled the search for innovative means for air quality monitoring to aid in evidence-based decision-making (pollution prevention-mitigation). In this regard, moss bags have gathered a great deal of attention as active biomonitors. In this reflective discourse, we systematically review the world literature to present a bird’s eye view of moss bag applications and advances while highlighting potential concerns. We begin with a brief note on mosses as biomonitors, highlighting the advantages of moss bags over the passive technique (native moss), other living organisms (lichens, vascular plants), and instrument-based measurements. A major strand of moss bag research involves urban ecosystem sustainability studies (e.g., street tunnels and canyons, parks), while others include event-specific monitoring and change detection (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 Lockdown), indoor-outdoor air quality assessment, and change detection in land use patterns. Recent advances include biomagnetic studies, radioisotopic investigations, and mobile applications. Efforts are currently underway to couple moss bag results with a suite of indicators [e.g., relative accumulation factor (RAF), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor (EF)] and spatially map the results for holistic appraisal of environmental quality (hot spot detection). However, while moss bag innovations and applications continue to grow over time, we point to fundamental concerns/uncertainties (e.g., lack of concordance in operational procedures and parameterization, ideal species selection, moss vitality) that still need to be addressed by targeted case studies, before the moss results could be considered in regulatory interventions.