Effects of climate change and anthropogenic activity on ranges of vertebrate species endemic to the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau over 40 years

Over the past 40 years, the climate has been changing and human disturbance has increased in the vast Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). These 2 factors are expected to affect the distribution of a large number of endemic vertebrate species. However, quantitative relationships between range shifts and climate change and human disturbance of these species in the QTP have rarely been evaluated. We used occurrence records of 19 terrestrial vertebrate species (birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles) occurring in the QTP from 1980 to 2020 to quantify the effects of climate change and anthropogenic impacts on the distribution of these 4 taxonomic groups and estimated species range changes in each species. The trend in distribution changes differed among the taxonomic groups, although, generally, ranges shifted to central QTP. Climate change contributed more to range variation than human disturbance (the sum of the 4 climatic variables contributed more than the sum of the 4 human disturbance variables for all 4 taxonomic groups). Suitable geographic range increased for most mammals, amphibians, and reptiles (+27.6%, +18.4%, and +27.8% on average, respectively), whereas for birds range decreased on average by 0.9%. Quantitative evidence for climate change and human disturbance associations with range changes for endemic vertebrate species in the QTP can provide useful insights into biodiversity conservation under changing environments.     

Machine learning and computational chemistry to improve biochar fertilizers: a review

Traditional fertilizers are highly inefficient, with a major loss of nutrients and associated pollution. Alternatively, biochar loaded with phosphorous is a sustainable fertilizer that improves soil structure, stores carbon in soils, and provides plant nutrients in the long run, yet most biochars are not optimal because mechanisms ruling biochar properties are poorly known. This issue can be solved by recent developments in machine learning and computational chemistry. Here we review phosphorus-loaded biochar with emphasis on computational chemistry, machine learning, organic acids, drawbacks of classical fertilizers, biochar production, phosphorus loading, and mechanisms of phosphorous release. Modeling techniques allow for deciphering the influence of individual variables on biochar, employing various supervised learning models tailored to different biochar types. Computational chemistry provides knowledge on factors that control phosphorus binding, e.g., the type of phosphorus compound, soil constituents, mineral surfaces, binding motifs, water, solution pH, and redox potential. Phosphorus release from biochar is controlled by coexisting anions, pH, adsorbent dosage, initial phosphorus concentration, and temperature. Pyrolysis temperatures below 600 °C enhance functional group retention, while temperatures below 450 °C increase plant-available phosphorus. Lower pH values promote phosphorus release, while higher pH values hinder it. Physical modifications, such as increasing surface area and pore volume, can maximize the adsorption capacity of phosphorus-loaded biochar. Furthermore, the type of organic acid affects phosphorus release, with low molecular weight organic acids being advantageous for soil utilization. Lastly, biochar-based fertilizers release nutrients 2–4 times slower than conventional fertilizers.

     

Nickel accumulation in paddy rice on serpentine soils containing high geogenic nickel contents in Taiwan

We investigated the extractability of nickel (Ni) in serpentine soils collected from rice paddy fields in eastern Taiwan to evaluate the bioavailability of Ni in the soils as well as for demonstrating the health risks of Ni in rice. Total Ni concentrations in the soils ranged were 70.2–2730 mg/kg (mean, 472 mg/kg), greatly exceeding the natural background content and soil control standard in Taiwan. Available Ni concentration only accounts for <10% of total soil Ni content; 0.1 N HCl-extractable Ni was the more suitable index for Ni bioavailability in the soil to rice than was diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Ni. The accumulation ability of rice roots was much higher than that of its shoots; however, compared with those reported previously, our brown and polished rice samples contained much higher Ni concentrations, within the ranges of 1.50–4.53 and 2.45–5.54 mg/kg, respectively. On the basis of the provisional tolerable Ni intake for adults recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), daily consumption of this rice can result in an excessive Ni intake.     

Utilisation of environmentally friendly okara-based biosorbent for cadmium(II) removal

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Heavy metals released by various industries are among the major pollutants found in water resources. In this research, biosorption technique was...     

Production and uptake of dissolved carbon,nitrogen, and phosphorus in overlying water of aquaculture shrimp ponds in subtropical estuaries,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Water quality deterioration can adversely affect the long-term sustainability of aquaculture industry. Understanding the processes of nutrient...     

The Impact of Typhoon Morakot on Heavy Metals of Dapeng Bay and Pollution from Neighboring Rivers

This study demonstrates that prior to Typhoon Morakot, the index of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cr was above moderate pollution levels in Dapeng Bay and the three neighboring rivers. During January 2007, the content of Zn metal in Dapeng Bay and Tungkang River was also above moderate pollution levels, while after the Typhoon Morakot event, all metals were at levels below the criteria for low pollution. This work has demonstrated that the samples collected from Dapeng Bay and the three neighboring river systems displayed individual crowd–distribution phenomena, indicating variability between the heavy metal content of sediments collected from Dapeng Bay and the three neighboring rivers. Understanding the spatial and temporal variability of heavy metal pollutants in the sediments of Dapeng Bay, along with pollution sources from three neighboring rivers, provides useful information in the fields of disaster management, habitat recovery, operative management, as well as ecotourism specification.     

The relationship between typhoons' peripheral circulation and ground-level ozone concentrations in central Taiwan

Surface data of meteorological parameters (wind speed, wind direction, and mixing height) and air pollutant concentrations (O₃, NO, and NO₂) were collected for a 92-day period associated with typhoon formation in 2005. The influence of typhoons on O₃ concentration were defined by azimuth and distance from Taiwan, and Types A, B, and C correspond to typhoons less than 1,500 km from Taiwan and located between azimuths 45° and 135°, 135° and 225°, and 225° and 45°, respectively. Type D corresponds to typhoons more than 1,500 km from Taiwan. Titration reactions were conducted at three temporal phases: 2000–0700, 0800–1100, and 1200–1400 LST (Local Standard Time). The air pollution model (TAPM) was used to simulate wind fields and trajectories of air masses. It was determined that typhoon position affected O₃ concentration, temporal and spatial patterns of O₃ titration and vertical meteorological characteristics, which were not all at the statistically significant level.