Search Results (6,630)

The Haiyang-2B (HY-2B) satellite, launched on 25 October 2018, carries both active and passive microwave sensors, including a scanning microwave Radiometer (SMR), to deliver high-precision, all-weather global observations. Sea surface temperature (SST) is among its key products. We evaluated the HY-2B SMR Level-4A (L4A) SST (25 km resolution) over the North Pacific (0–60°N, 120°E–100°W) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025 using the extended triple collocation (ETC) and dual-pairing methods. These comparisons were made against the Remote Sensing System (RSS) microwave and infrared (MWIR) fused SST product and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in situ SST Quality Monitor (iQuam) observations. Relative to iQuam, HY-2B SST has a mean bias of –0.002 °C and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.279 °C. Compared to the MWIR product, the mean bias is 0.009 °C with an RMSE of 0.270 °C, indicating high accuracy. ETC yields an equivalent standard deviation (ESD) of 0.163 °C for HY-2B, compared to 0.157 °C for iQuam and 0.196 °C for MWIR. Platform-specific ESDs are lowest for drifters (0.124 °C) and tropical moored buoys (0.088 °C) and highest for ship and coastal moored buoys (both 0.238 °C). Both the HY-2B and MWIR products exhibit increasing ESD and RMSE toward higher latitudes, primarily driven by stronger winds, higher columnar water vapor, and elevated cloud liquid water. Overall, HY-2B SST performs reliably under most conditions, but incurs larger errors under extreme environments. This analysis provides a robust basis for its application and future refinement. Full article

In southern China, the long-term irrational utilization of land resources has caused severe damage to the ecology and environment of the entire region. Serious issues such as soil degradation and water erosion have led to the decline of soil quality and productivity. In this study, the spatial distribution characteristics of soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in Zhuxi watershed, Changting County, southern China, were analyzed by coupling geostatistics with GIS. The analysis generated several important results: (1) The concentrations of soil organic matter (OM), alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN), and available phosphorus (AP) are at moderate levels, and AP exhibits local enrichment in the downstream farmland, while the concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) remain at low levels. (2) The optimal theoretical model for AN is an exponential model, while other nutrients follow spherical models. Except for AP, which has a nugget effect exceeding 75%, the nugget effects of other nutrients range between 25% and 75%, indicating that their spatial distribution is moderately correlated. According to Kriging interpolation results, the distribution of OM, TN, and AN shows a clear trend of decreasing from northeast to southwest, followed by a gradual increase, which is generally consistent with the direction of rivers. The trends of TP and AP are more irregular, generally decreasing from downstream to upstream. (3) OM, TN, and AN exhibit a negative correlation with the degree of soil erosion, indicating that soil erosion is associated with the loss of carbon and nitrogen nutrients. However, the impact on phosphorus is relatively insignificant. Full article

Propsilocerus akamusi (Tokunaga, 1938) larvae serve as key bioindicators for water quality assessment. This study identifies optimal reference genes for RT-qPCR under diverse experimental conditions. Fifteen candidate genes commonly employed in other insect species were selected, candidate genes commonly used in other insect species. Homologous genes were identified in the P. akamusi genome through sequence alignment with their Drosophila melanogaster counterparts. Expression stability across developmental stages, body parts, temperature variations, and deltamethrin/nickel chloride exposures was systematically evaluated using geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and ΔCt methods. RPL32 exhibited the highest expression stability across different body parts of adults under varying temperature conditions, and RPS11 and RPL8 showed the greatest stability across developmental stages and in larvae exposed to different temperatures. Furthermore, under nickel chloride and deltamethrin treatments, RPS11 and RPL8 maintained the highest expression stability. The results indicated that the expression stability of reference genes varied under different conditions. Among different body parts of adults, RPL32 and RPL4 exhibited the most stable expression. Across different developmental stages, RPS11 and RPL8 performed best in terms of expression stability. Under different temperature treatments, RPL32 and RPL4 remained stable in adults, while RPS11 and RPL8 showed the greatest stability in larvae. Similarly, under nickel chloride and deltamethrin treatments, RPS11 and RPL8 demonstrated the most stable expression in larvae. Through the above research, we can advance ecosystem-impact insights and bolster environmental protection and water quality monitoring. Full article

Potatoes are a strategic crop in Poland, particularly important for agriculture in the southern and southeastern parts of the country. Environmental variability makes assessing yield stability and quality traits of varieties crucial for food security. Research Objective and Methodology: This three-year field study (2021–2023) aimed to comprehensively assess the yield stability and quality traits of mid-early potato varieties. The research was conducted in four pedologically diverse locations (rendzinas, brown soils, alluvial soils, and pseudopodzolic soils), according to the COBORU methodology. Key yield parameters (total and marketable tuber yield) and quality traits (dry-matter and starch content and yield) were analyzed. Interregional stability was also assessed. The environmental characteristics were supplemented with detailed analyses of soil physicochemical and biological properties, monitoring of agroclimatic parameters, and an assessment of the impact of geographical location. The collected data was subjected to advanced statistical analyses (ANOVA, correlations, descriptive statistics). Results analyses revealed significant yield variation across soil types, with the highest yields on alluvial soils and the lowest on pseudopodzolic soils. Geographic location significantly influenced yield stability, highlighting the role of local factors. Strong correlations were also found between soil properties and starch content (r = 0.61–0.73), indicating a key influence of the soil matrix on tuber quality. Conclusions and Recommendations: This study provides practical recommendations for selecting potato varieties adapted to specific soil types, precision fertilization strategies, and climate-change-adaptation protocols. Further research should focus on the impact of extreme weather events, optimized water management, and the use of precision agriculture. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of long-term nutrient dynamics in the northern South China Sea (NSCS), a region that hosts the world’s largest marine ranching cluster and serves as a cornerstone of China’s “Blue Granary” initiative. By integrating multi-sensor satellite remote sensing data (Landsat and Sentinel-2, 2002–2024) with in situ observations, we developed robust retrieval algorithms for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), achieving high accuracy (TN: R² = 0.82, RMSE = 0.09 mg/L; TP: R² = 0.94, RMSE = 0.0071 mg/L; n = 63). Results showed that TP concentrations increased significantly faster than TN, leading to a decline in the TN:TP ratio (NP) from 19.2 to 13.2 since 2013. This shift indicates a transition from phosphorus (P) limitation to nitrogen (N) limitation, driven by warming sea surface temperatures (SST) (about 1.16 °C increase) and increased anthropogenic phosphorus inputs (about 27.84% increase). The satellite-based framework offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for monitoring aquaculture water quality. When integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, these near-real-time nutrient anomaly data can support early warning of harmful algal blooms (HABs), offering key insights for ecosystem-based management and climate adaptation. Overall, our findings highlight the utility of remote sensing in advancing sustainable marine resource governance amid environmental change. Full article

A good way to produce large-sized wood products from small-diameter logs is by using laminated boards. The lamina undergoes an impregnation pretreatment to improve its quality before being formed into laminated boards (LBs). This research was performed to analyze the effects of an impregnation treatment on Jabon lamina with citric acid, boric acid, and polystyrene solutions on the physical and mechanical properties of Jabon LB. The Jabon lamina was first pretreated with citric acid, boric acid, and polystyrene by vacuuming for 30 min and pressing for 30 min at a pressure of 6.6 bar. The laminas were glued using isocyanate adhesive with a spreading rate of 280 g/m², consisting of three layers, which were cold pressed for 24 h. LB’s physical and mechanical properties were affected by the nature of the impregnating agent. Impregnating the lamina with citric acid and boric acid increased the density and moisture content of the laminated board, decreasing its mechanical properties. On the contrary, polystyrene-impregnated LB improved. After soaking in hot water, no LB displayed delamination, indicating high bonding performance. The best impregnating agent for lamina pretreatment was polystyrene, followed by boric acid and citric acid. The chemical compound, functional group, and degree of crystallinity of treated Jabon LB all changed due to the impregnation process. Full article

Synergizing iron nutrition and rice quality is essential for the development of integrated high-quality rice. In this study, a two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of ferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃ NPs) foliar spraying on rice yield, quality, and iron bioavailability, with spraying water as the control (CK). Our results demonstrate that Fe₂O₃ NPs foliar application increase grain yield by 1.22–3.97% for the improved filled grain rate and 1000-grain weight, essentially attributed to improved net photosynthetic rate and SPAD value after heading. In addition, Fe₂O₃ NPs application achieved a higher rate of brown rice, polished rice, and head rice, and decreased chalkiness grain rate and chalkiness degree. Rice taste value treated with Fe₂O₃ NPs application was notably increased by 2.75–9.43% compared to CK, respectively, which is also reflected in the superior breakdown value (5.85–15.18%) and inferior setback value (12.38–28.19%). Meanwhile, foliar spraying Fe₂O₃ NPs significantly increased the iron content (16.97–58.74% and 26.48–94.01%) and proportion (2.90–5.35% and 13.10–26.44%), while they decreased the molar ratio of phytate to Fe (19.70–33.67% and 31.55–45.77%) in brown rice and polished rice, increasing iron bioavailability. Our findings indicate that Fe₂O₃ NPs can be effectively applied as a foliar fertilizer to enhance rice yield, quality, and iron nutrition. Full article

Dry topsoil restricts root growth and nutrient uptake in arid regions, thereby significantly reducing crop yield. Hydraulic lift occurs due to the dry topsoil and wet deep soil. This study investigates the effects of topsoil drought intensity (three field capacities in topsoil: 60–70% (W1), 50–60% (W2), and 40–50% (W3)) and nitrogen application rate (N1: 120, N2: 240, and N3: 360 kg ha⁻¹) on cotton quality and the distribution of nitrogen in soil and plant under hydraulic lift using a root-splitting device. The upper pot of the root-splitting device was 22 cm high, with a 26 cm top diameter and a 23 cm bottom diameter; the lower pot of the root-splitting device was 45 cm high, with a 48 cm top diameter and a 36 cm bottom diameter. Topsoil moisture was maintained at W1 without nitrogen application under the control treatment (CK). The W2 and W3 treatments (representing different topsoil drought intensities) were designed to compare the interactive effects of water and nitrogen fertiliser on nitrogen distribution and cotton quality with the CK treatment. Results indicate that the concentrations of nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) in the 10–20 cm soil were generally higher than those in the 0–10 cm soil. The topsoil drought intensity and nitrogen application rate had significant impacts on nitrogen concentrations in cotton organs. The W2 treatment produced the maximum nitrogen concentration, except for the root nitrogen concentration in 2021. The nitrogen concentration in the roots and stems peaked at 240 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen application rate. The topsoil drought intensity and nitrogen application rate had considerable influences on the cotton dry matter. The nitrogen application rate had a significant impact on the following indexes: internal nitrogen-fertiliser use efficiency (INUE), physiological nitrogen-fertiliser use efficiency (PNUE), and nitrogen-fertiliser recovery efficiency (NRE), except for PNUE in 2020. The INUE of other treatments decreased by 13.82–43.44% compared with CK treatment. In 2021, fibre length and elongation were significantly impacted by the topsoil drought intensity, nitrogen application rates, and their interactions. The nitrogen application rate’s effects on the uniformity index were significant in 2020 and 2021. The hydraulic lift magnitude, NRE, and NO₃⁻-N in the 0–10 cm soil were significantly correlated with each other. There were correlations among cotton quality indexes: fibre length and strength, uniformity index and micronaire, and micronaire and elongation. These findings provide a reference for future research on the mechanism by which hydraulic lift participates in nitrogen distribution in soil and crops and also offer a new direction to utilize deep water to improve the utilization rate of water resources. Full article

The incorporation of leafy vegetables into meat products offers a promising strategy for enhancing nutritional value and shelf-life while reducing reliance on synthetic additives. This study evaluated the substitution of lamb (Edilbaev breed) with spinach (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) in meat dumplings to assess effects on composition, functionality, microbial stability, lipid oxidation, and sensory quality. Spinach addition enriched the products with minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber while moderating fat and protein content. Functional properties such as water- and fat-binding capacity were improved, contributing to lower cooking losses, and microbiological tests confirmed slower proliferation of spoilage organisms during chilled storage. Moreover, spinach components contributed to improved oxidative stability, as evidenced by lower thiobarbituric acid values and reduced acid numbers, indicating slower lipid oxidation and hydrolysis. Sensory evaluation revealed that substitution up to 20% maintained favorable appearance, texture, and taste, while higher levels diminished acceptability. Overall, incorporating spinach at a 20% substitution level provides an optimal balance of nutritional enhancement, functional performance, microbial and oxidative stability, and sensory acceptance, making it a practical approach for developing healthier lamb-based dumplings with strong potential for consumer acceptance and market application. Full article

Small streams often underwent engineering works conducted without special care for the hydromorphological and ecosystemic consequences. To allow small Walloon watercourses to comply with the European Water Framework Directive, renaturation is required. However, the cost of such projects is often prohibitive for small streams. Therefore, the Rivialis project aims at designing a methodology to support such works, based on a “small river quality index” that requires the collection of various data under the form of an “ID card” of the investigated river reach, allowing to obtain a synthetic overview of the key features of the study reach. Such an ID card, and ultimately the index, should include the most relevant components among existing morphological and biological indicators. To reduce the project costs, the number of field measurements to build this ID card should be limited; the data should be obtained from online and publicly available data sources or easily collected on site. In this paper, key metrics are identified from the literature. They are then determined along a reach of the Petit Bocq River with the aim of assessing those that can be obtained at a low cost from available databases and those that require more costly field investigations. The results show that combining available databases and numerical simulations allows determining a river reach ID card yielding a first set of valuable information at a low cost. Field surveys can then be limited to the verification of these values and to the collection of biological information. Full article

Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, LINNAEUS, 1758) is a protein-rich edible insect. In this study, low-gluten wheat flour was formulated with mealworm protein powder at various concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) to investigate its influence on the pasting, farinographic, and extensographic properties of low-gluten wheat flour, as well as the changes in the overall quality of the resulting biscuits (soda crackers and cookies). The viscosity of the composite flour decreased with an increasing substitution level of mealworm protein powder, and the setback significantly decreased from 69.31 ± 0.16 RVU (M0) to 19.00 ± 0.71 RVU (M20), indicating enhanced resistance to starch retrogradation. Farinographic and extensographic analyses revealed that the addition of mealworm protein powder reduced dough water absorption, significantly prolonged dough development time and stability time, and enhanced overall dough stability. However, extensibility gradually decreased, with a further reduction observed as the proofing time increased. Concurrently, the baking expansion ratio and hardness of the biscuits decreased. Specifically, for soda crackers, the baking expansion ratio decreased from 198.96 ± 3.88% (M0) to 135.74 ± 1.28% (M20), and hardness dropped from 26.40 ± 1.53 N (M0) to 6.32 ± 0.08 N (M20). For cookies, the baking expansion ratio and hardness decreased from 93.77 ± 0.72% (M0) to 86.06 ± 1.08% (M20) and from 1.76 ± 0.06 N (M0) to 1.10 ± 0.16 N (M20), respectively. The impact of mealworm protein powder (5–20%) was relatively minor in cookies but more pronounced in soda crackers, likely due to differences in formulation and processing methods. Additionally, the crunchiness of soda crackers was 3.42 times greater than that of cookies, whereas resilience was only 0.15 times that of cookies under controlled conditions. Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) further elucidated the relationships between the dough properties and final product quality. Furthermore, the substitution of mealworm protein powder affected the sensory properties of the product but significantly enhanced its nutritional value, confirming the feasibility of replacing low-gluten wheat flour with mealworm protein powder and offering a theoretical foundation for its development and application in diverse biscuit formulations. Full article

This study evaluates the trade-offs and environmental impacts of transitioning from coal to natural gas (NG) for electricity generation in San Juan County, with a focus on greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption. It addresses key questions, including how water use and emissions change as the county shifts from coal to natural gas. The research analyzes water usage and emissions of CO₂, NO_x, and SO₂ during both the extraction and combustion phases of coal and natural gas. Specifically, it compares water consumption and direct emissions from coal-fired and natural gas-fired power plants. The analysis utilizes ten years of combustion-phase data from the Four Corners (coal-fired) and Afton (natural gas-fired) power plants in New Mexico. Linear regression was applied to the historical data, and four transition scenarios were modeled: (1) 100% coal-generated electricity, (2) a 20% reduction in coal with a corresponding increase in NG, (3) a 50% reduction in coal with a corresponding increase in NG, and (4) a complete transition to NG. Regression analysis and scenario calculations indicate that switching to NG results in significant water savings and reduced emissions. Water savings in the combustion phase decrease by up to 2750 gallons per MWh, valued at USD 0.743 per MWh when electricity is generated 100% from NG. CO₂ emissions are substantially reduced, with the largest decrease being 0.6127 metric tons per MWh, valued at USD 61.26 per MWh. NO_x emissions in the combustion phase decline by 0.0018 metric tons per MWh, with an economic valuation of USD 14.61 per MWh, while SO₂ emissions decrease by 0.0006 metric tons per MWh, valued at USD 11.91 per MWh when electricity generation is 100% NG-based. The results highlight the environmental and economic advantages of transitioning from coal to NG. The findings underscore the environmental and economic advantages of transitioning from coal to natural gas. Water conservation is particularly vital in San Juan County’s semi-arid climate. Additionally, lower emissions support climate change mitigation, enhance air quality, and improve public health. The economic valuation of emissions reductions further highlights the financial benefits of this transition, positioning natural gas as a more sustainable and economically viable energy source for the region. Ultimately, this study emphasizes the need to adopt cleaner energy sources such as renewable energy to achieve long-term environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. Full article

The challenges of climate change require in-depth attention and targeted strategies for specific sectors, such as energy and mining. Within the mining sector, climate change imposes constraints on the sustainable extraction of minerals, thereby heightening the importance of several minerals in addressing these challenges. Chile emerges as a pivotal nation due to its substantial reserves of copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite, which are essential for energy transition and decarbonization processes. Consequently, Chile must foster gradual processes to establish competitive advantages based on technological and innovative capabilities, thus projecting a competitive and sustainable mining industry. This endeavor should be accompanied by enhancements in policies and instruments to guide development, expanding local value creation. This study examines the global challenges faced by the mining sector in the context of the energy transition and evaluates Chile’s response through an assessment of public policies for mining development. It provides an analysis of the scope of various public policy instruments to establish the link between international agreements and development opportunities, subsequently proposing a series of indicators to assess policy progress. To this end, the Environmental Observatory of Mining Projects is developing indicators to evaluate compliance with these policies. In addressing the nation’s challenges related to green and sustainable mining, 20 indicators have been developed in collaboration with civil society and public and private stakeholders through a design thinking process. These indicators enable the evaluation of aspects such as air quality, water quality, and the surface area affected by tailings, among others. The initial section of the document outlines the global challenges in achieving the carbon neutrality goals set by the IPCC. The subsequent section elaborates on the theoretical framework of the research, addressing theories of economic development and sustainability, public policy approaches considered in recent years, as well as the governance of mining development, with an emphasis on its capacity to articulate industrial policies, promote environmental sustainability, and foster technological innovation. The third section details the research methodology and framework of the study. This study examines how Chile’s mining policies align with the global energy transition. Amid growing demand for critical minerals, climate change, and decarbonization, Chile faces both opportunities and socio-environmental risks. Addressing these challenges requires integrated sustainability strategies and an active state role to ensure inclusive, environmentally responsible, and innovation-driven mining development. Full article

To increase the reliability of three-dimensional (3D) geological models in areas characterized by sparse well data and poor seismic quality, a sedimentary dynamics simulation was conducted on the J7 tidal delta sedimentary reservoir in the Y gas field, which is located in the West Siberian Basin. A 3D sedimentary model of the study area was developed by defining parameters such as bottom topography, water level, tidal range, river discharge, and wave amplitude. By integrating the reservoir characteristics, the sedimentary dynamics simulation results were transformed into a three-dimensional training template for multipoint geostatistical modeling. Simultaneously, the channel and bar parameters derived from the sedimentary dynamics simulation served as variable inputs for attribute modeling. Combined with well data, a 3D geological model of the reservoir was constructed and subsequently validated using verification wells. The results demonstrate that the reliability of reservoir lithology modeling—when constrained by three-dimensional training templates generated through sedimentary dynamics simulation—is significantly higher than that achieved using sequential Indicator simulation. Three-dimensional modeling of tidal delta reservoirs, employing coupled sedimentary dynamics simulations and multipoint geostatistical methods, can effectively enhance the reliability of reservoir geological models in areas with sparse well data, thereby providing a robust foundation for subsequent well deployment and development. Full article

Gluten-free (GF) baked goods often lack nutritional balance due to the limited protein and fiber content of standard cereal flours like rice and maize. A mixture design methodology was used to evaluate the interaction effects between cereal and legume flours on the physical and textural properties of the biscuits, including hardness, water activity (aw), CIE color parameters (L*, a*, and b*), spread ratio, and baking loss. The results indicated that incorporating legume flour, particularly chickpea flour, significantly increased biscuit hardness (from 22.00 N to 34.66 N) and reduced water activity (from 0.23 to 0.17). All three legume flours reduced the spread ratio, with chickpea flour having the most pronounced effect (from 4.91 to 4.75). Nutritionally, the inclusion of legume flours improved the protein (from 6.46 g/100 g to 11.90 g/100 g), mineral (from 0.58 g/100 g to 1.25 g/100 g), fiber (from 15.73 g/100 g to 21.13 g/100 g), and polyphenol contents (0.34 mg GAE/g compared to 0.18 mg GAE/g for the control). Moreover, DPPH scavenging activity was significantly higher (72.72% vs. 31.49% for the control). Sensory evaluations indicated that the inclusion of legume flours positively affected the biscuits’ overall sensory attributes, especially appearance, but had a minor negative effect on texture. This study aimed at utilizing local legume flours: faba bean, chickpea, and lentil, besides the traditional standard flours: rice and maize, to develop nutritious and flavorful gluten-free biscuits. These results highlighted the use of combinations of local legume with cereal flours to produce GF biscuits with improved physical, sensory, and nutritional qualities. Full article