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
The NifA–NifL System for Nitrogen Fixation
Nitrogen–fixing bacteria execute biological nitrogen fixation through nitrogenase, converting inert dinitrogen (N2) in the atmosphere into bioavailable nitrogen. Elaborating the molecular mechanisms of orderly and efficient biological nitrogen fixation and applying them to agricultural production can alleviate the “nitrogen problem”. Azotobacter vinelandii is a well–established model bacterium for studying nitrogen fixation, utilizing nitrogenase encoded by the nif gene cluster to fix nitrogen. In Azotobacter vinelandii, the NifA–NifL system fine–tunes the nif gene cluster transcription by sensing the redox signals and energy status, then modulating nitrogen fixation. 
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Tailing Covering Technology for Oxidation Prevention
Water and oxygen are the main reactants to produce Acid mine drainage (AMD), and the inhibition methods should consider controlling the availability of one or two components. Therefore, two strategies are adopted: (i) preventing oxygen from entering the tailings pile and thus reducing the rate of sulfide oxidation; and (ii) isolating the infiltration of external water and thus weakening the role of dissolved oxygen. According to different coverage principles, tailing cover systems can be divided into dry covers, wet covers, and organic covers.
  • 334
  • 31 Jan 2023
Biography
Mirza
Mirza Bichurin is Professor and Head of the Department of Design and Technology of Radioelectronic Equipment, Yaroslav-the Wise Novgorod State University, Russia. He has authored 6 books and more than 160 articles in international refereed journals and holds credit for 20 patents. His most famous works: 1.“Magnetoelectricity in Composites.” Eds. M. I. Bichurin and D. Viehland, Pan Stanf
  • 475
  • 29 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Radon Flux Characteristics
Radon is a noble radioactive gas, and almost half of the effective doses from all ionising radiation comes from exposure to radon and its short-lived decay products. Radon flux measurements provide information about how much radon rises from the ground toward the atmosphere, thus, they could serve as good predictors of indoor radon concentrations. Although there are many different mapping methods with many different input data, radon flux data are generally missing and are not included for the delineation of radon priority areas (RPA).
  • 562
  • 19 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Salt's Thermophysical Parameters and Thermal Energy Storage Costs
Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate (MNH) has the appropriate phase transition temperature for use in solar thermal energy storage. Understanding the thermophysical parameters of the substances, supported by the results of experimental studies in solar installations, may prove helpful for the environmental assessment of these substances.
  • 417
  • 18 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Soil Constraints in an Arid Environment
Arid environments are characterized by a higher evaporation than precipitation, as well as persistent water shortages, frequent droughts, high climate variability, and high wind velocity. These soil constraints can be ameliorated and the crop yields increased through case-specific optimization of irrigation and drainage management, enhancing the native beneficial soil microbes, and combinations of soil amendments, conditioners, and residue management.
  • 928
  • 18 Jan 2023
Topic Review
The Influencing Factors of Loess Carbon Sink
The relationship between the source and sink of atmospheric CO2 has always been a widely discussed issue in global climate change research. As one of the main overburdened parts of the earth, loess is one of the important driving factors for atmospheric CO2 consumption.
  • 543
  • 13 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Three Species of Lycium Genus
The genus Lycium belongs to the Solanaceae family and comprises more than 90 species distributed on diverse continents. Lycium barbarum is by far the most studied and considered to possess healthy properties. The biological properties of L. barbarum fruits are mainly attributed to polysaccharides, particularly complex glycoproteins with different compositions. In contrast, L. europaeum, L. intricatum, and L. schweinfurthii found particularly in the Mediterranean region, are poorly studied, although used by native populations. The evaluation of the chemical composition and biological, nutritional, or pharmacological properties of these species must be unveiled. Such studies will not only enrich knowledge but may also lead to the use of some of these species in food to replace L. barbarum or other plant species. Since L. europaeum, L. intricatum, L. infaustum and L. schweinfurthii generally occur in impoverished areas, the culture and transformation of these species products could contribute to the sustained enrichment of the populations living in those zones.
  • 524
  • 17 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Bast Fiber Plants
Heavy metal pollution in the environment is a major concern for humans as it is non-biodegradable and can have a lot of effects on the environment, humans as well as plants. A solution to this problem is suggested in terms of a new, innovative and eco-friendly technology known as phytoremediation. Bast fiber plants are typically non-edible crops that have a short life cycle. It is one of the significant crops that has attracted interest for many industrial uses because of its constant fiber supply and ease of maintenance. Due to its low maintenance requirements with minimum economic investment, bast fiber plants have been widely used in phytoremediation.
  • 548
  • 04 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Bioaccumulation and Biotransformation of Chlorinated Paraffins
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), a class of persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulated compounds, have received increasing attention for their environmental occurrence and ecological and human health risks worldwide. Understanding the environmental behavior and fate of CPs faces a huge challenge owing to the extremely complex CP congeners. The bioaccumulation and biotransformation of CPs, including the occurrence of CPs in biota, tissue distribution, biomagnification, and trophic transfer, and biotransformation of CPs in plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates in detail are summarized and integrated. Biota samples collected in China showed higher CP concentrations than other regions, which is consistent with their huge production and usage. The lipid content is the major factor that determines the physical burden of CPs in tissues or organs. Regarding the bioaccumulation of CPs and their influence factors, inconsistent results were obtained.
  • 348
  • 29 Dec 2022
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