Topic Review
Macroplastic
The term macroplastics describes plastic items with a diameter ≥ 5 mm. With this size definition macroplastics can be directly distinguished from microplastics (diameter < 5 mm). Plastic items ≥ 5 mm are commonly considered to be macroplastics once they are released into the environment. Other terminologies used synonymous to macroplastic are “macro litter", “anthropogenic litter”, “plastic litter”, “marine litter”, “marine plastic” and “plastic debris”. 
  • 11.6K
  • 09 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Impacts of River-Engineering on Changjiang-River
       Knowledge of river engineering impacts on water discharge is significant to flow guidelines and sustainable water resource managements for balancing human consumption and the natural environment. In this study, based on the collected multi-decadal discharge data at Yichang, Hankou, and Datong stations, we determined that in October, Three Gorges Dam contributed 34.4%, 24.5%, and 18.7% to the discharge decrease in the upper, middle, and lower reach, respectively, while Gezhouba Dam contributed 14.5%, 10.7%, and 10%. Danjiangkou Reservoir caused the discharge ratio of Hanjiang to Changjiang to decline from 7.2% during 1954–1973 to 6.3% during 1973–2014. Owing to growing water withdrawal and consumption, we suggest that the distribution of water diversion and consumption should be regulated to prevent the probable occurrence of the severe issue of salt water intrusion in the Changjiang Estuary in 2028.
  • 589
  • 09 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Seabed Mapping
Over the last few centuries, mapping the ocean seabed has been a major challenge for marine geoscientists. Knowledge of seabed bathymetry and morphology has significantly impacted our understanding of our planet dynamics. The history and scientific trends of seabed mapping can be assessed by data mining prior studies. Here, we have mined the scientific literature using the keyword “seabed mapping” to investigate and provide the evolution of mapping methods and emphasize the main trends and challenges over the last 90 years. An increase in related scientific production was observed in the beginning of the 1970s, together with an increased interest in new mapping technologies. The last two decades have revealed major shift in ocean mapping. The future of seabed mapping brings high expectations, considering that this is one of the main research and development themes for the United Nations Decade of the Oceans. We may expect a new higher resolution ocean seafloor map that might be as influential as The Floor of the Oceans map.
  • 868
  • 25 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Bioburden in Indoor Environments
The exposure to particles and bioaerosols has been associated with the increase in health e ects in children. The objective of this study was to assess the indoor exposure to bioburden in the indoor microenvironments more frequented by children. Air particulate matter (PM) and settled dust were sampled in 33 dwellings and four schools with a medium volume sampler and with a passive method using electrostatic dust collectors (EDC), respectively. Settled dust collected by EDC was analyzed by culture-based methods (including azole resistance profile) and using qPCR.Results showed that the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in classrooms were higher than in homes and highly exceeded the limit values established by the Portuguese legislation for indoor air quality. The fungal species most commonly found in bedrooms was Penicillium sp. (91.79%), whereas, in living rooms, it was Rhizopus sp. (37.95%). Aspergillus sections with toxigenic potential were found in bedrooms and living rooms and were able to grow on VOR. 
  • 654
  • 24 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Streamflow Duration
Streamflow Duration: The length of time a stream has surface flow or conversely, has no surface flow. It is one of several dimensions that characterize flow regimes of streams[1]. Streamflow duration is used to differentiate reaches into discrete classes (e.g., perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral) for water resource management.  
  • 656
  • 21 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Carbon Cycling in Mangrove Ecosystems
The carbon cycle in mangrove ecosystems is an important biogeochemical pathway in understanding the links between this forest ecosystem and both the atmosphere and the adjacent coastal ocean. Mangroves are a major habitat in the coastal zone for storing carbon in the soils of their deep forest floor, and for exporting to adjacent coastal seas significant quantities of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). The large export of DIC is sufficient to result in adjacent coastal waters becoming a source of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere in tropical and subtropical latitudes.
  • 3.3K
  • 21 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Viable Bacteria in Dust-Generating Area
The distribution of microorganisms in the atmospheric circulation affects the animals that inhabit the area. Also, many organisms that share the environment also influence the distribution of environmental bacteria. In this paper, we focused on microbes that survive on the surface of Asian Dust, and clarified their topographical features and distribution. The characteristics of microorganisms that are easily influenced by environmental factors, and their effects on the atmospheric circulation are considered as issues of the One Health Concept.
  • 1.4K
  • 16 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Environmental Scenario Analysis
Scenario analysis is a useful tool to facilitate discussions about the main trends of future change and to promote the understanding of global environmental changes implications on relevant aspects of sustainability.
  • 2.0K
  • 16 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Soil Washing
Soil contamination with heavy metals and organic pollutants poses an environmental problem due to their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity. Soil washing is one of the most common remediation technologies for permanent removal of undesirable pollutants. The effectiveness of soil washing is affected by many factors such as soil geochemistry, pollutant characteristics, type and chemistry of washing agents, and processing conditions. A variety of washing agents have been tested in soil washing with their different effect on pollutant removal and on the overall quality of treated soil. Development of soil washing is based on searching for an inexpensive, readily-available and environmentally-friendly agents to remediate polluted soils. Despite the unquestionable effectiveness of soil washing, spent washing solutions are generated that need further treatment. This entry presents the principles and application of soil washing technology, as well as the examples of washing agents and methods for liquid waste treatment.  Soil washing is an ex-situ technology, including physical and/or chemical processes that aim to effectively remove pollutants from soil.
  • 3.8K
  • 08 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Outdoor Acid Air Pollutants
Outdoor acid air contaminants are mainly generated by human activities and to a much lesser extent by natural sources such as volcanic activity. Acid air pollutants are known to cause acid deposition which damages the environment. Epidemiological studies have also shown that air pollutants have a harmful impact on human health, by increasing total, respiratory and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. The emission limits imposed by some governments have been helpful, but not conclusive. Outdoor acid air pollutants mainly derive from the combustion of fossil fuels by industrial plants and vehicles. This releases acid gases (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide) and particulate matter (PM). It contributes to global warming and the spread of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
  • 605
  • 01 Sep 2020
  • Page
  • of
  • 270
Video Production Service