Summary

Environmental science emerged from the fields of natural history and medicine during the Enlightenment. Today, it provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. Environmental studies are incorporating more of the social sciences in order to understand human relationships, perceptions and policies towards the environment. This entry collection features information about design and technology for improving environmental quality in every aspect.

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Topic Review
Circularity and Energy Production in the Built Environment
Building materials, due to their mass and energy-consuming production processes, drastically increase the embodied energy of construction. There is a significant decrease in environmental impacts results from a shift to recycled materials in the construction phase, as well as from changing the landfill disposal method to recycling. In particular, it was found that the use of recycled building materials (such as recycled cement, metal, concrete, or glass) during the construction phase and recycling disposal methods lead to an overall decrease of impact up to 65%. 
  • 321
  • 16 May 2022
Topic Review
Artificial Island Developments
Artificial island development (AID) to tackle rampant urbanization on scarce land puts all marine biodiversity at huge risk and is recognized as a global conservation issue worldwide.
  • 3.3K
  • 16 May 2022
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Resistance in Companion Animals
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently one of the main concerns worldwide, signalled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the top 10 global public health threats in 2019. Indeed, the prevalence of multi-resistant bacteria and the difficulty of treating bacterial infections in both animals and humans have increased in recent years. Moreover, AMR is considered a One Health issue, as it englobes animal, human and environmental health.
  • 383
  • 16 May 2022
Topic Review
Arsenic Toxicity in Plants
 The non-essential metalloid arsenic (As) is widely distributed in soil and underground water of many countries. Arsenic contamination is a concern because it creates threat to food security in terms of crop productivity and food safety. Plants exposed to As show morpho-physiological, growth and developmental disorder which altogether result in loss of productivity. At physiological level, As-induced altered biochemistry in chloroplast, mitochondria, peroxisome, endoplasmic reticulum, cell wall, plasma membrane causes reactive oxygen species (ROS) overgeneration which damage cell through disintegrating the structure of lipids, proteins, and DNA. Therefore, plants tolerance to ROS-induced oxidative stress is a vital strategy for enhancing As tolerance in plants. Plants having enhanced antioxidant defense system show greater tolerance to As toxicity. Depending upon plant diversity (As hyperaccumulator/non-hyperaccumulator or As tolerant/susceptible) the mechanisms of As accumulation, absorption or toxicity response may differ. There can be various crop management practices such as exogenous application of nutrients, hormones, antioxidants, osmolytes, signaling molecules, different chelating agents, microbial inoculants, organic amendments etc. can be effective against As toxicity in plants. 
  • 1.3K
  • 16 May 2022
Topic Review
Approaches in Enhancing Arsenic Tolerance in Plants
The non-essential metalloid arsenic (As) is widely distributed in soil and underground water of many countries. Arsenic contamination is a concern because it creates threat to food security in terms of crop productivity and food safety. Plants exposed to As show morpho-physiological, growth and developmental disorder which altogether result in loss of productivity. At physiological level, As-induced altered biochemistry in chloroplast, mitochondria, peroxisome, endoplasmic reticulum, cell wall, plasma membrane causes reactive oxygen species (ROS) overgeneration which damage cell through disintegrating the structure of lipids, proteins, and DNA.  Thirst of plants researchers are increasing for searching and establishing proper strategies to increase plant defense mechanisms upon As-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, exogenous different elicitors like plant nutrients, hormone, antioxidants, osmolytes, signaling molecules, different chelating agents, microbial inoculants, organic amendments etc. were used in different plant species upon exposure to As stress to evaluate their roles in reducing oxidative injury through upregulating antioxidants activities.
  • 308
  • 10 May 2023
Topic Review
Thermal Energy Storage for Grid Applications
Thermal energy systems (TES) contribute to the on-going process that leads to higher integration among different energy systems, with the aim of reaching a cleaner, more flexible and sustainable use of the energy resources. Energy storage is also a key component of decarbonisation scenarios, such as the ones indicated in the European Roadmap to 2050, whose main targets include high energy efficiency, diversification of the production resources, and increase in the percentage of renewable energy sources (RES). TES-based solutions in systems connected to the electrical grid facilitate the energy system integration to get additional flexibility for energy management, enable better use of variable renewable energy sources (RES), and contribute to the modernisation of the energy system infrastructures.
  • 1.2K
  • 16 May 2022
Topic Review
Effects of biostimulants in horticulture
The biostimulant segment is becoming increasingly important worldwide. One of the reasons for this is that fewer plant protection products are placed on the market in the European Union, and environmental sustainability also plays an important role in their use. Biostimulants are often used in several horticultural sectors, including ornamentals, to strengthen plants, achieve commercial standards, produce quality goods, increase plant vitality, and aid harvesting.
  • 358
  • 12 May 2023
Topic Review
Historical Global Durum Wheat Area
Durum wheat is grown globally on 13.5 million ha in 2020/2021, which amounts to 6.2% of the wheat area. It is assumed that in the past it was more important, but the extent of that importance is unknown.
  • 741
  • 13 May 2022
Topic Review
Perception of Farm-Fed Anaerobic Digestion Plants
Anaerobic digestion (AD) plants undoubtedly represent an integral and irreplaceable element in rural energy transition and sustainable waste management.
  • 422
  • 13 May 2022
Topic Review
Biodiesel as Renewable Biofuel in Current Diesel Engines
Many countries are immersed in several strategies to reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of internal combustion engines. One option is the substitution of these engines by electric and/or hydrogen engines. However, apart from the strategic and logistical difficulties associated with this change, the application of electric or hydrogen engines in heavy transport, e.g., trucks, shipping, and aircrafts, also presents technological difficulties in the short-medium term. In addition, the replacement of the current car fleet will take decades. This is why the use of biofuels is presented as the only viable alternative to diminishing CO2 emissions in the very near future. Nowadays, it is assumed that vegetable oils will be the main raw material for replacing fossil fuels in diesel engines.
  • 777
  • 13 May 2022
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