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
Artificial Light at Night and Associated Neuronal Changes
Artificial light at night (ALAN) has changed the pattern of the natural day-night environment. In recent times, a good amount of focus has been put on the research related with changes in night illumination due to rapid urbanization. It has shown to affect circadian rhythms that regulate almost all physiological processes in animals including sleep and cognition. In the early 2010s, most behavioural and molecular studies of light at night were focused on nocturnal rodents. However, until recently, songbirds have taken the front seat, as most are diurnal and show higher cognitive behaviour like mammalian model systems. Artificial light at night (ALAN) affects circadian rhythms and physiology in songbirds. Most of the studies, both in wild and captive birds, have shown negative consequences of ALAN on daily timing, sleep, physiology and higher brain functions.
  • 553
  • 24 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Transformation Pathway in a Model Organism
The scientific community has increasingly focused on forming transformation products (TPs) from environmental organic pollutants. However, there is still a lot of discussion over how these TPs are generated and how harmful they are to living terrestrial or aquatic organisms. Potential transformation pathways, TP toxicity, and their mechanisms require more investigation. 
  • 366
  • 22 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Climate Services
The use of climate services (CS) for the provisioning of climate information for informed decision-making on adaptation action has gained momentum. CS is a scientifically-based information and products that enhance users’ knowledge and understanding about the impacts of climate on their decisions and actions.) “Climate services, involve the timely production, translation, and delivery of useful climate data, information and knowledge for societal decision-making and climate-smart policy and planning”.
  • 695
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review
β-glucosidases
β-glucosidases (EC. 3.2.1.21) are enzymes that hydrolyze glucosidic bonds of oligosaccharides, in special disaccharides, such as cellobiose, realizing glucose at the end of the process. They are highly used in second-generation biofuel production. 
  • 873
  • 29 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Growth Enhancement of Camellia sinensis with Biochar
Biochar is a pyrolysis product of biomass and is recommended for soil amendment for improving soil health and increasing crop yield. Biochar application in the agriculture sector is a practical approach to minimize waste and maintain sustainable farming. However, the information regarding biochar application in tea cultivation is limited and especially rare in field research
  • 543
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Fresh Produce with Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Fresh produce, when consumed raw, can be a source of exposure to antimicrobial residues, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) of clinical importance. The most commonly observed ARB were E. coli (42.5%) followed by Klebsiella spp. (22.5%), and Salmonella spp. (20%), mainly detected on lettuce.
  • 1.0K
  • 22 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Innovative Industrial Use of Bamboo
Industrial and service development has led researchers to focus on non-conventional materials with significant roles in innovation development and implementation. Entrepreneurs aim to develop innovative and creative strategies using good, valuable, durable, and sustainable materials that serve industrial and economic development. As result, the use of natural construction and production materials has increased interest related to the desire of developing greener and/or environmentally friendly processes. Several natural, re-emerging materials used in the past (e.g., bamboo, straw, reeds, and hemp) have been found useful again and deserving of research to fully understand their potential for different applications. 
  • 3.2K
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Assimilation of Key Data in Land Surface Models
The correction of Soil Moisture (SM) estimates in Land Surface Models (LSMs) is considered essential for improving the performance of numerical weather forecasting and hydrologic models used in weather and climate studies. Along with surface screen-level variables, the satellite data, including Brightness Temperature (BT) from passive microwave sensors, and retrieved SM from active, passive, or combined active–passive sensor products have been used as two critical inputs in improvements of the LSM.
  • 554
  • 22 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Aquatic Ecology of Southern African Watersheds
Southern Africa (SA) is rich in large river basin networks, from the over 1.4 million km2 Zambezi River Basin in the upper parts and extending further to the 0.4 million km2 Limpopo and 0.9 million km2 Orange River Basin systems southwards. Given that most SA river basins hold vast mineral deposits, the mining waste generated by artisanal and mechanised mining industries has significantly affected the health of its aquatic ecosystems.
  • 866
  • 17 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Removal Mechanisms for Emerging Contaminants
Emerging contaminants (ECs) can refer to many types of chemicals such as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), fire retardants, therapeutics, personal care or household cleaning products, lawn care and agricultural products. These compounds can bioaccumulate in the food web and can adversely affect human health and the environment.
  • 733
  • 17 Feb 2022
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