Sci. Total Environ. [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Global near-surface methane distribution and emission hotspots from TROPOMI: A geospatial machine-learning approach.
Lee D, Choi W, Lee H
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42134172 · Publisher ↗
Methane (CH) is a major greenhouse gas; however, the global information on its near-surface distribution and emission hotspots remains sparse. Although satellite instruments provide column-averaged CH (XCH), the link bet...
Methane (CH) is a major greenhouse gas; however, the global information on its near-surface distribution and emission hotspots remains sparse. Although satellite instruments provide column-averaged CH (XCH), the link between these and surface-level concentrations remains unclear, especially across diverse source environments. This study combines Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument XCH mixing ratios with meteorological and environmental variables to estimate global near-surface CH mixing ratios from May 2018 to May 2024. Four machine-learning models were trained and evaluated using near-surface CH measurements from 44 World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases sites. Among these, the RF model performed most consistently (root mean squared error = 0.033 ppmv, mean absolute percentage error = 1.23%). Satellite XCH, tropospheric NO, season, and surface temperature emerged as key drivers of the estimated CH variability, linking the model to both emission strength and boundary-layer conditions. The resulting fields reproduce large-scale gradients between continents and reveal enhanced CH over industrial, agricultural, and wetland regions, with localized increases of up to approximately 0.06 ppmv above nearby background levels. These hotspot patterns are broadly consistent with previously reported anthropogenic and natural source regions. Furthermore, comparisons with the emission database indicate stronger correlation between our estimates and actual emissions (correlation coefficient (R) = 0.73) than XCH (R = 0.06), especially in fossil fuel sectors. Thus, our model effectively extracts surface signals, extending CH₄ information to areas with little or no in situ monitoring. This study effectively combines satellite observations and machine learning to link column and surface CH₄ information, thereby supporting regional methane emission assessment and future mitigation efforts.
Corrigendum to "Mapping per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in England's surface waterbodies: Urban water cycle pathways and governance challenges" [Sci. Total Environ. 1030 (2026) 181779].
García Herrera A, Iacovidou E, Giakoumis T
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42128707 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Effects of elevated ozone on life history traits, olfactory detection, and behavior in Drosophila.
Arumugam S, Rihani K, Venkateswaran V … +5 more , Shiota Y, Thiagarajan D, Hansson BS, Knaden M, Sachse S
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42127877 · Publisher ↗
Rising ozone levels pose a significant threat to the ecological balance and biodiversity of insects. Previous research has shown that high ozone levels can disrupt volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which affects insect...
Rising ozone levels pose a significant threat to the ecological balance and biodiversity of insects. Previous research has shown that high ozone levels can disrupt volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which affects insect foraging and mating behavior. However, comprehensive studies examining how ozone affects insect fitness, olfactory behavior, and physiology remain limited. To address this gap, we exposed Drosophila melanogaster to ozone concentrations comparable to those found in polluted urban environments for four days. We then assessed the flies' general fitness, along with their neuronal and behavioral responses to odors. While the flies' general fitness was not clearly affected, we observed that ozone exposure modified their olfactory behavior. Flies exposed to ozone showed significantly reduced responses to specific attractive single and complex odors, while their aversion to repulsive odors increased. To investigate the underlying neurophysiological consequences, we employed functional imaging and electrophysiological experiments to monitor odor responses in olfactory sensory neurons, revealing subtle alterations in neuronal processing. Additionally, RNA sequencing revealed that ozone exposure induced subtle yet coordinated transcriptional changes in sensory tissues and brain consistent with a conserved stress-adaptive response. Together, these findings highlight how air pollutants can influence insect olfactory perception and behavior, offering new insights into the broader ecological consequences of atmospheric pollution and opening avenues for future research.
Antibiotics in wastewater and removal efficiency of treatment plants: A systematic review.
Ebrahimzadeh Sarvestani M, Bonato T, Phillips AJ … +2 more , Pal T, Di Maria F
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42127876 · Publisher ↗
The environmental spreading of antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes, along with a plethora of other chemical compounds via wastewater systems, represents a critical interface betwee...
The environmental spreading of antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes, along with a plethora of other chemical compounds via wastewater systems, represents a critical interface between human activity and aquatic ecosystems. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified by the latest EU directive 2024/3019 as points of primary control for limiting these emissions; however, conventional WWTPs, substantially designed for organic matter and nutrient removal, are often not able to remove such chemicals. As a result, treated effluents and sewage sludge may act as continuous sources of selective pressure for antimicrobial resistance in receiving environments. This systematic review critically evaluates the performance of advanced treatment technologies and monitoring strategies applied in wastewater systems for the removal of antibiotics and identifies research gaps while proposing recommendations for optimizing treatment processes and monitoring frameworks. Peer-reviewed studies published between January 2015 and March 2025 were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus and screened following PRISMA 2020; 28 studies were included after eligibility assessment. Conventional biological treatment achieved only partial and variable antibiotic removal, with macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and sulfonamides frequently persisting in effluents at environmentally relevant levels. Advanced and quaternary treatments generally showed higher efficiencies, often >90%, though performance was compound- and process-dependent. The occurrence of transformation products and the presence of antibiotics in sewage sludge indicate additional exposure pathways, while heterogeneous monitoring approaches limited cross-study comparability. Overall, the evidence indicates that conventional WWTPs act as incomplete barriers to antibiotic release, supporting the need for optimized advanced treatment implementation, harmonized monitoring, and integrated management strategies.
Projected changes in sea-land breeze dynamics and pollutant transport under future climate conditions.
Ventura S, Badia A, Segura-Barrero R … +2 more , Martilli A, Villalba G
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42127875 · Publisher ↗
Sea-land breezes play multiple roles in coastal environments. Among them, they moderate urban temperatures and enhance ventilation, preventing extreme heat and pollution accumulation during extended periods of atmospheri...
Sea-land breezes play multiple roles in coastal environments. Among them, they moderate urban temperatures and enhance ventilation, preventing extreme heat and pollution accumulation during extended periods of atmospheric stability. However, they can also transport ozone precursors inland, shifting air quality impacts to rural regions. Despite their importance, high-resolution projections of sea-land breeze and ozone interactions under future climates remain scarce. To address this critical gap, this study provides a high-resolution (1 km) projection of the sea-land breezes response in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona under the SSP3-7.0 scenario for 2050 and 2100. Here we apply the Pseudo Global Warming approach with the WRF-Chem model and BEP + BEM urban canopy scheme. Our simulations reveal a novel climate-driven shift: an acceleration of the breeze parallel to the coastline, reducing inland penetration and delaying the breeze front by 1-2 h by 2100. These changes, combined with rising temperatures, modify planetary boundary layer dynamics, which substantially alter ozone formation and transport. Consequently, we project significant ozone increases by 2100, trapping this pollutant particularly in densely populated coastal zones, raising new concerns about future health risks and the need for adapted mitigation strategies.
Seasonal variability in trace metal deposition and total organic carbon fluxes on a productive South Atlantic western continental margin.
de Oliveira Pires AC, Belém AL, Albuquerque ALE … +1 more , Kütter VT
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42127874 · Publisher ↗
Metals and metalloids play fundamental roles in ocean biogeochemical cycling, modulating processes in the carbon cycle. In the South Atlantic, there are still significant gaps in knowledge about the distribution and biog...
Metals and metalloids play fundamental roles in ocean biogeochemical cycling, modulating processes in the carbon cycle. In the South Atlantic, there are still significant gaps in knowledge about the distribution and biogeochemical dynamics of these elements, particularly in offshore regions of the Brazilian continental margin. This study investigated the fluxes of these elements on the continental margin of Cabo Frio (RJ), using sediment traps for 263 days (24 samples). Total mass fluxes showed a wide range of variation. Metal fluxes also varied considerably among the analyzed elements. Among them, V exhibited the highest variability, whereas Mn showed the most stable behavior, with the narrowest range. TOC fluxes similarly displayed noticeable variability over the study period from 4.5 × 10 to 6.4 × 10 mg/m/day. Multivariate analyses revealed the organization of the elements into groups with distinct geochemical behaviors: lithogenic elements associated with terrigenous transport (Al, Ti, and As), elements related to biogeochemical and nutritional processes (Ni, Zn, and Cr), and manganese exhibiting redox control. During periods of upwelling, TOC exhibited decoupled behavior with respect to metals, indicating distinct sources and deposition mechanisms for organic matter and inorganic elements. The results indicated wide variability in mass fluxes and the analyzed elements, reflecting the strong influence of specific hydrodynamic processes, such as upwelling and downwelling.
An explainable AI approach to deciphering groundwater depth responses to climate variability and human activities in Western U.S.
Dai Q, Siegel D, Xu T
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42119202 · Publisher ↗
Groundwater is critical to water security in the arid and semi-arid Western U.S., yet a comprehensive, large-scale understanding of its response to climate variability and human activities remains elusive. This knowledge...
Groundwater is critical to water security in the arid and semi-arid Western U.S., yet a comprehensive, large-scale understanding of its response to climate variability and human activities remains elusive. This knowledge gap persists due to sparse observational data, the computational cost of physical process-based models, and complex, nonlinear relationships. To overcome these limitations, the objective of this study is to generate monthly Depth-to-Water maps at a ~ 4 km resolution from 2001 to 2020 for surficial aquifers in the Western U.S. and to explicitly quantify the relative roles of climate versus human factors. This study employs an eXtreme Gradient Boosting machine learning model integrating diverse meteorological, geological, topographical, hydrological, and anthropogenic datasets. Furthermore, an explainable AI technique, SHapley Additive exPlanations, is tailored to interpret the trained model and examine the spatial patterns of climate-driven versus anthropogenic effects on Depth-to-Water changes. The model achieved strong predictive performance (R = 0.91, RMSE = 36.89 ft) on the independent test dataset (2017-2020). Trend analysis revealed significant groundwater declines in the southern Central Valley, Central and Southern High Plains, and Texas. The tailored explainable AI analysis demonstrated that driver importance exhibits high spatial variability: climate factors primarily control Depth-to-Water dynamics in the Columbia Plateau and Arizona Alluvial aquifers, whereas anthropogenic influences prevail in the High Plains, Central Valley, and Snake River Plain aquifers. Results confirmed that deeper groundwater systems appear more affected by anthropogenic pressures from prolonged extraction and land cover change, while shallower groundwater is more sensitive to climatic variability. Furthermore, climate variability has an indirect effect in accelerating groundwater depletion in heavily agricultural regions by increasing pumping demand. By bridging machine learning predictions with physical attributions, this study provides spatially explicit insights for developing sustainable and targeted water management strategies across the West.
Rural livelihood vulnerability to climate variability: a district-level assessment in Ethiopia.
Tarekegn GB, Goshu KG, Enyew FB … +12 more , Hama S, Umer Y, Marti-Cardona B, Sahani J, Cheneka BR, Endris HS, Gebre SL, Shenga ZD, Dadi DK, Kovats S, Jahan Y, Debele SE
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42119201 · Publisher ↗
Climate variability poses significant risks to Ethiopia's rainfall-dependent smallholder farming systems. Since meteorological patterns can vary widely across agro-ecological zones, understanding differences in vulnerabi...
Climate variability poses significant risks to Ethiopia's rainfall-dependent smallholder farming systems. Since meteorological patterns can vary widely across agro-ecological zones, understanding differences in vulnerability across these zones is essential for targeted adaptation. However, many existing vulnerability studies rely on basin-, zonal-, or inter-district analyses and apply composite indices without robustness testing, which can obscure within-district heterogeneity and limit policy relevance at the scale where adaptation decisions are implemented. This study assesses smallholder farmers' vulnerability to climate variability across three agro-ecological zones (midland, highland, and cold highland) in Legambo District, north-central Ethiopia. It examines spatial differences in vulnerability levels, identifies key biophysical and socio-economic drivers, and generates evidence to inform locally differentiated adaptation and development interventions. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining household survey data from 347 randomly selected households with focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and long-term climate data. Forty-eight indicators were grouped into twelve major components and analyses using the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and the LVI-IPCC framework, which conceptualise vulnerability in terms of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The robustness of the composite indices was assessed using a PCA-based sensitivity analysis, and household-level vulnerability distributions were examined to capture within-zone heterogeneity. The results reveal modest but consistent differences in vulnerability across agro-ecological zones. The cold highland zone was the most vulnerable (LVI = 0.370), driven by high exposure to climatic hazards, limited infrastructure, weak social networks, low innovation uptake, and constrained adaptive capacity. The highland zone exhibited moderate vulnerability, largely associated with inadequate water and health services and limited soil and water conservation practices. In contrast, the midland zone was the least vulnerable (LVI = 0.285), benefiting from greater livelihood diversification, better access to assets, and stronger adaptive capacity. The LVI-IPCC analysis confirmed these patterns, indicating higher exposure and sensitivity in the cold highlands and comparatively stronger adaptive capacity in the midlands. These findings indicate the interest of differentiated policy responses to strengthen resilience among smallholder farmers. In particular, the results indicate that improved rural roads, water supply, and health services, together with agro-ecological-zone-specific extension support and improved access to climate-resilient inputs, should strengthen adaptation planning and rural development program.
Prenatal and childhood exposure to common plasticizers in relation to emotional and behavioral development through adolescence.
Meerts L, El Marroun H, Mou Y … +7 more , Liu M, Trasande L, Tiemeier H, Kannan K, Jaddoe VWV, White T, Ghassabian A
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42119200 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Individuals are ubiquitously exposed to bisphenols and phthalates, common plasticizers that may affect neurodevelopment. We examined associations of prenatal and childhood bisphenol and phthalate exposure wit...
BACKGROUND: Individuals are ubiquitously exposed to bisphenols and phthalates, common plasticizers that may affect neurodevelopment. We examined associations of prenatal and childhood bisphenol and phthalate exposure with internalizing and externalizing problems from early childhood through adolescence. METHODS: Within the Generation R study, prenatal urinary concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate metabolites were assessed in early, mid- and late pregnancy and in childhood at age 6 years. Pregnancy levels were averaged and used in analyses. Internalizing and externalizing problems were reported by parents at child age 3, 6, 10 and 14 years and by children at ages 10 and 14 years. Mother-child dyads with at least one prenatal exposure measure and one internalizing or externalizing problem score during follow-up were included (n = 1361). Among children with childhood exposure measures, n = 651 had at least one internalizing or externalizing problem score. Associations were examined using linear mixed models. Mixture analysis was performed for self-reported scores at age 14 with G-computation. FINDINGS: Associations between phthalate/bisphenol levels and child outcomes were largely null. Except, prenatal mono-n-butylphthalate and mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate were associated with higher self-reported internalizing problem scores in girls (B = 0.16, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.28 and B = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.03,0.19, respectively). Prenatal mono-isobutyl phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl)phthalate and mono-(4-carboxymethyl-hexyl)phthalate were associated with higher self-reported externalizing problem scores in boys (B = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.20, B = 0.17, 95%CI: 0.07, 0.28 and B = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.08, 0.30, respectively). Childhood mono-methyl was associated with lower parent-reported externalizing problem scores in boys (B = -0.12, 95%CI: -0.22, -0.03). Childhood mono-Benzyl phthalate was associated with higher self-reported externalizing problem scores in boys (B = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.20). No associations with BPA were found. G-computation showed positive, but non-significant, associations for the same metabolites as in single chemical analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Associations of BPA and phthalate exposure with internalizing and externalizing problem scores in adolescents were largely null, associations with childhood phthalate exposure were less consistent and harder to interpret.
High-resolution temporal biogeochemical variations in a seagrass-coral cohabitate ecosystem: day-night, rain, and coral spawning.
Lin HT, Yen YC, Hsieh CC … +6 more , Watanabe H, Yang YJ, Wang HY, Ong HS, Chen SM, Wang PL
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42119199 · Publisher ↗
Seagrass meadows and coral reefs are global hotspots for productivity, yet they are often studied in isolation despite their intense biogeochemical connectivity. Significant gaps remain in understanding how coupled inorg...
Seagrass meadows and coral reefs are global hotspots for productivity, yet they are often studied in isolation despite their intense biogeochemical connectivity. Significant gaps remain in understanding how coupled inorganic and organic processes within the water column drive blue carbon services in such mixed habitats, particularly during rapid environmental disturbances. Here, we investigated a unique, intertwined ecosystem in the Dongsha Atoll, where massive Porites corals are distributed on seagrass meadows, creating a natural laboratory for studying water column carbon biogeochemistry. During a 10-day sampling period, we collected continuous hydrological and discrete biogeochemical data at two- to four-hour intervals. Our results reveal that the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) covaried with dissolved oxygen and pH in strong diurnal patterns, which were governed by photosynthesis and respiration. As an outcome, variable but mostly high pCO values (141-2070 μatm) indicate the seagrass meadow was a source of CO to the atmosphere due to strong night-time respiration. Particulate organic carbon (POC) increased with temperature but showed no diurnal pattern. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) showed a weak diurnal pattern and was linked to variations in POC and total alkalinity, highlighting the tight coupling between the organic production of the meadow and the inorganic chemistry of the calcification framework. Additionally, coral spawning led to a surge in organic content and changed inorganic nutrient levels. Rainfall events significantly acidified the ocean and enhanced submarine groundwater discharge to the seagrass-coral habitat. The distinctive contributions of this study are the extremely high temporal resolution of discrete samples, allowing the simultaneous tracking of multiple organic and inorganic pools during natural disturbances. The high-resolution data provide fundamental information for parametrizing models that explain DIC, POC, and DOC, which yield insights into organic carbon cycling in seagrass meadow-coral habitats.
Corrigendum to "Identification of carbon dioxide flux drivers in a High Arctic tundra environment" [Sci. Total Environ. 1031 (2026) 181793].
di Valdengo FA, Forni P, Giamberini M … +3 more , Magnani M, Provenzale A, Marta S
Sci Total Environ · 2026 May · PMID 42115025 · Publisher ↗
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Corrigendum to "Data-driven estimates of undocumented orphan oil and gas wells with implications to the environment"[Sci. Total Environ. Volume 967 (2025) 178746].
Jahan I, Mehana M, Kang M … +4 more , Boutot J, Govert A, O'Malley D, Viswanathan HS
Sci Total Environ · 2026 May · PMID 42115024 · Publisher ↗
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Reconstruction of the radiological component of the exposome in the CONSTANCES cohort.
Sauce J, Renaud P, Chaikh A … +22 more , Métivier JM, Ribet C, Michel C, Mandin C, Henyoh AMS, Cœuret-Pellicer M, Saey L, Goldberg M, Blanchardon E, Gréau C, Vignaud C, Broggio D, Isambert A, Huet C, Ancelet S, Cléro E, Trompier F, Ielsch G, Bernier MO, Zins M, Lequy E, Laurent O
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42114231 · Publisher ↗
As an innovative approach to contribute to the study of the health effects of ionizing radiation (IR) exposure, we developed a method to characterize the radiological component of the exposome as exhaustively as possible...
As an innovative approach to contribute to the study of the health effects of ionizing radiation (IR) exposure, we developed a method to characterize the radiological component of the exposome as exhaustively as possible. We estimated annual equivalent IR doses in millisieverts (mSv) received by six target organs (brain, breast, lung, colon, prostate and thyroid) from the largest possible set of sources, for 21,720 adult participants in the French general population cohort CONSTANCES from birth (age 0 year) until the age they reached in 2020. We considered the following environmental sources of IR: indoor radon, telluric and cosmic radiation (at ground level and from air travel), ingestion of natural radionuclides, fallout from the Chernobyl accident and atmospheric nuclear tests, emissions from normally operating nuclear plants. In addition, we included doses from frequent medical procedures, namely diagnostic nuclear medicine, computed tomography, mammograms, panoramic dental radiographs and repeated chest X-rays from occupational medicine check-ups. We estimated organ equivalent doses considering year, age at exposure and sex where appropriate, based on CONSTANCES data, supplemented with responses from a specific questionnaire related to IR exposures. At the end of follow-up in 2020, the mean attained age was 53 years (standard deviation: 13 years) and the average doses from all sources cumulated up to this age from age 0 (with 25th and 75th percentiles) are for colon: 98 mSv (61-107); brain: 79 mSv (55-92); breast: 98 mSv (60-115); thyroid: 89 mSv (54-97); lung: 1712 mSv (1110-2133) and prostate 74 mSv (52-87). This first reconstruction of the radiological exposome will be used for analyses of the health effects of low-dose IR integrated over lifetime.
A driver-pressure-state-impact-response and system dynamics framework for climate change adaptation in vulnerable wetlands.
Afshari E, Bavani ARM, Mahabadi SA … +3 more , Malekmohammadi B, Mamaqani YAA, Gohari A
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42114230 · Publisher ↗
Wetlands are among the ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change, providing critical services such as biodiversity support and water regulation; however, the Shadegan Wetland in Iran, the country's largest Ramsar site...
Wetlands are among the ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change, providing critical services such as biodiversity support and water regulation; however, the Shadegan Wetland in Iran, the country's largest Ramsar site, faces severe degradation from upstream dam construction, agricultural expansion, industrial wastewater, and climate-induced hydrological alterations. This study integrates the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework with System Dynamics (SD) modeling to diagnose these problems, simulate future climate change impacts, and evaluate adaptation strategies. The DPSIR framework was used to systematically map causal relationships, which directly informed the development of an SD model incorporating hydrological, socioeconomic, and environmental subsystems. The model was calibrated and validated using observational data (2001-2017). Future climate scenarios (2030-2059) were generated using eight AOGCM models under SSP2-4.5, projecting a 1.74 °C temperature increase and a 5.21% precipitation increase. Under climate change alone, the wetland water area is projected to decrease by 31.12%, with the water quality index (WQI) deteriorating by 18.12%. Individual adaptation strategies showed limited effectiveness, while combined strategies-particularly integrating a 15% irrigation efficiency improvement with the elimination of rice cultivation-increased wetland water area by over 10% and significantly improved water quality. The integrated DPSIR-SD framework effectively identifies synergistic strategies for mitigating adverse climate change impacts on vulnerable wetland ecosystems.
Integrative assessment of cadmium stress adaptation in Ocimum spp.: Linking biochemical defense, anatomical plasticity, and essential oil biosynthesis.
Mishra S, Sharma RK, Singh RS … +1 more , Nandi MK
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42114229 · Publisher ↗
Cadmium (Cd), a non-essential toxic metal with high mobility and bioavailability, poses a severe threat to plant productivity and environmental sustainability. The present study systematically evaluated the Cd uptake pat...
Cadmium (Cd), a non-essential toxic metal with high mobility and bioavailability, poses a severe threat to plant productivity and environmental sustainability. The present study systematically evaluated the Cd uptake patterns and consequent physiological, biochemical, and antioxidant responses of two Ocimum species, namely, Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum basilicum, under increasing Cd concentrations (0, 25, and 50 mg kg dw). Both species accumulated Cd in a dose-dependent manner, with the majority retained in roots, followed by stems and leaves. At higher Cd concentration, O. basilicum exhibited 13.8% higher Cd uptake than O. tenuiflorum, and maintained bioconcentration and translocation factors within physiologically acceptable limits. Enhanced Cd tolerance in O. basilicum was further supported by significantly better preservation of photosynthetic pigments, effective activation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems, and improved membrane stability under oxidative stress. Detailed anatomical studies showed pronounced effects on stomatal and oil gland density (73% and 48.4%, respectively) in O. basilicum, indicating structural acclimatization mechanisms that support resilience to Cd stress. Cd treatment also triggered a remarkable increase in essential oil production in both species, with a much larger increase in O. basilicum, along with distinct biochemical modifications as evident from FTIR spectral analysis. The present findings showed that O. basilicum clearly outperforms O. tenuiflorum under Cd-induced oxidative stress, indicating its potential for phytoremediation. However, Cd accumulation in plant tissues and in residual biomass generated after essential oil extraction highlights the need for regulated and safe valorization strategies, such as controlled utilization for biobrick or energy production, to ensure the safe and sustainable use of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Zooplankton spatial patterns along the Ob River continuum: Integrating hydrology, chemistry, and landscape controls.
Ermolaeva NI, Fetter GV, Barsukova NN … +6 more , Kolesnichenko YY, Zinchenko DO, Tokareva IV, Popkov VK, Pokrovsky OS, Kolesnichenko LG
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42105421 · Publisher ↗
Large Arctic rivers transport substantial amounts of freshwater, carbon (C), and nutrients from land to the Arctic Ocean and play an important role in continental-ocean biogeochemical coupling. Although these systems hav...
Large Arctic rivers transport substantial amounts of freshwater, carbon (C), and nutrients from land to the Arctic Ocean and play an important role in continental-ocean biogeochemical coupling. Although these systems have been intensively studied with respect to C cycling, greenhouse-gas emissions, and hydrochemistry, the biodiversity and environmental controls of their plankton communities remain less well resolved, particularly along large latitudinal gradients sensitive to permafrost thaw and climate warming. To address this issue, we quantified zooplankton abundance, taxonomic structure, phytoplankton biomass, and nutrient concentrations during summer (July) along a >2000-km main-stem transect of the Ob River, the largest river of western Siberia, extending from the Novosibirsk reach to the southern margin of the permafrost zone. Across the full transect, we identified 118 zooplankton species, with rotifers dominating both richness and numerical abundance. Zooplankton assemblages displayed a discrete-continuous longitudinal pattern shaped jointly by basin-scale landscape heterogeneity and local physicochemical conditions. Community structure and total abundance were strongly influenced by the response traits of dominant rotifers to phytoplankton biomass, pH, and related environmental variables. A central finding is that zooplankton responses to nutrients, temperature, and trophic conditions operated with a predictable ecological lag corresponding to one to two generations (approximately 7-10 days), equivalent to a 300-500 km downstream shift during summer flow. Thus, environmental controls on zooplankton cannot be inferred from instantaneous local measurements alone, but must be interpreted in the context of water travel time and the reproductive dynamics of key taxa. Together, these results provide the first basin-scale mechanistic understanding of zooplankton dynamics in the Ob River and show that large Arctic rivers can serve as sensitive indicators of climate-driven ecological change across northern watersheds.
Geophysical-based assessment of hydrological sustenance in inhabited relict rock glaciers of the semi-arid Western Himalaya, India.
Pandey P, Ali SN, Kannaujiya S … +7 more , Malviya A, Khan MAR, Gupta SK, Haeberli W, Bhardwaj A, Sam L, Giannakis I
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42105420 · Publisher ↗
The future of High Mountain Himalayan Communities (HMHC) is increasingly precarious due to significant threats from retreating glaciers, diminishing snow cover, and thawing permafrost, which historically provided a stabl...
The future of High Mountain Himalayan Communities (HMHC) is increasingly precarious due to significant threats from retreating glaciers, diminishing snow cover, and thawing permafrost, which historically provided a stable and reliable source of freshwater. In response to declining water availability, indigenous communities are adopting innovative agro-pastoral strategies, including upslope migration. In the Western Himalayas, local populations are increasingly relocating to higher valleys in search of water and cultivable land, often settling atop rock glaciers. This study presents the first systematic field-based investigation of two such inhabited relict rock glaciers (IRRGs; Komic and Chicham) in the western Indian Himalaya, using geomorphological analysis and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to examine their internal structure. Isotopic analysis of meltwater was also conducted to determine its primary source. Field investigations revealed the presence of significant perennial supra-wetlands/ponds on the two landforms, even during the peak ablation season, serving as the source of livelihood for the inhabited community on these IRRGs. Since these two IRRGs are located in a periglacial environment, we conducted eight ERT profiles along the two IRRGs to assess the presence/absence of ice (permafrost) and determine the origin of water. The internal structure of the landforms exhibited well-defined, confined super-saturated zones, possibly developed by the thawing of internal palaeo-permafrost ice and sustained by infiltrated permafrost-thawed water from upstream. However, accelerating, elevation-dependent warming and lesser seasonal snowfall place these HMHC under severe threat to water security, with potentially catastrophic consequences for their livelihoods and survival. By providing the first comprehensive field-based assessment of IRRGs in this region, the study establishes these landforms as valuable modern analogues for other under-researched areas of the Himalayas, offering a crucial foundation for future research on water reserves, permafrost dynamics, and community adaptation strategies.
Wildland fire smoke, severe maternal morbidity, and health equity: A population-based cohort study in California.
Gao X, Ma C, Stone J … +5 more , Lurmann F, Pavlovic NR, Main EK, Carmichael SL, Padula AM
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42102415 · Publisher ↗
Despite the recent increase in the intensity and frequency of wildland fires in the United States, there is limited investigation into the impact of wildland fires on pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity. This study...
Despite the recent increase in the intensity and frequency of wildland fires in the United States, there is limited investigation into the impact of wildland fires on pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity. This study examined associations between maternal exposure to wildland fire smoke and severe maternal morbidity (SMM), or potentially life-threatening complications related to pregnancy or delivery, in a population-based cohort of California birthing people between 2007 and 2018. We measured pregnancy smoke-day burden using the Hazard Mapping System smoke product and wildland fire-specific fine particulate matter (PM, particles ≤2.5 μm) using bias-corrected Community Multiscale Air Quality Model results, linked to birthing people's residential locations. Logistic regression models estimated severe maternal morbidity risk associated with pregnancy smoke-day burden and average wildland fire-specific PM, during the whole pregnancy and within each trimester, adjusting for individual-level sociodemographic and health covariates. To investigate whether the impact of wildland fire smoke was more pronounced among racially marginalized populations, we conducted stratified analysis by race and ethnicity. In a sample of 4,584,110 individuals with singleton births, exposure to high pregnancy smoke-day burden and average wildland fire-specific PM, compared to low exposure, was associated with elevated risk of SMM (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.13-1.19; OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.09-1.14, respectively). Exposure during the second and third trimesters was more strongly associated with SMM, compared to first trimester exposure. Exposure to pregnancy smoke-day burden was most strongly associated with SMM among births to Asian and Pacific Islander individuals, and exposure to wildland fire-specific PM was more strongly associated with SMM among births to Asian and Pacific Islander and Black individuals. Results demonstrate the urgency to understand how wildland fire smoke affects maternal health, as well as its role in shaping racial and ethnic inequities in SMM.
Probabilistic methane source attribution in Greater Accra: A hierarchical Bayesian dual-isotope approach.
Asare EA, Abdul-Wahab D
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42096859 · Publisher ↗
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas requiring accurate source apportionment to inform targeted mitigation, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions where emissions arise from multiple overlapping sectors. This study aim...
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas requiring accurate source apportionment to inform targeted mitigation, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions where emissions arise from multiple overlapping sectors. This study aimed to quantify the methane source mix in Greater Accra, Ghana, using a hierarchical Bayesian mixing model constrained by methane mole fractions and dual stable isotope signatures (δC-CH and δH-CH). Atmospheric methane was characterised using mobile cavity ring-down spectroscopy across 26 localities during March 2023, with observations apportioned among four aggregated source classes: Biogenic, Fossil Gas Leaks, Combustion/Transport, and Industrial/Enriched. Results were reported as posterior distributions to transparently represent attribution uncertainty. The posterior indicated Fossil Gas Leaks as the dominant contributor, with a mean contribution of 34.2% (95% HDI: 10.5-56.6%) and a 62.9% probability of being the maximal source, followed by Biogenic sources at 26.7% (95% HDI: 11.7-43.5%). Combustion/Transport and Industrial/Enriched showed substantial posterior overlap, reflecting weak separability between these anthropogenic categories. Locality-level classifications revealed high-confidence biogenic attribution at documented landfill sites (Ada West, Adenta, Ga South), while mixed-source localities exhibited lower posterior confidence. Cross-validation with Keeling-derived attributions yielded 62% agreement, with strongest consistency for Biogenic and Fossil Gas Leaks categories. This study demonstrates that dual-isotope Bayesian source apportionment can provide actionable, uncertainty-aware guidance for methane mitigation prioritization in data-limited urban environments, identifying fossil fuel infrastructure leakage and solid waste management as primary intervention targets in Greater Accra's rapidly expanding urban landscape.
Enhancing precision nitrogen management in corn through integration of soil properties and remote sensing: A mechanistic approach.
Fathololoumi S, Vasava HB, Chaudhry H … +9 more , Gobezie TB, Ashiq W, Easher TH, de Jesus Montano Lopez F, Saurette D, Niemeyer C, Daggupati P, Sulik J, Biswas A
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42096858 · Publisher ↗
Sustainable intensification of agriculture requires optimizing nitrogen (N) use efficiency while maintaining crop productivity. However, the complex interactions between soil properties, N management, and crop response l...
Sustainable intensification of agriculture requires optimizing nitrogen (N) use efficiency while maintaining crop productivity. However, the complex interactions between soil properties, N management, and crop response limit our ability to develop precise management strategies. This study aimed to (1) quantify how soil properties mediate the relationship between N inputs (fertilizer N) and crop spectral responses, and (2) develop soil-specific N response functions using remote sensing indicators. Multi-source data including soil properties, N treatments (0, regular, and luxury rates), and Sentinel-2 derived spectral indices were collected from a corn field in Ontario, Canada. Structural equation modeling and RF analysis were employed to develop soil-specific N response functions and evaluate prediction accuracy across three scenarios of increasing data integration. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and OM strongly modulated N response patterns, with GNDVI showing the strongest correlation with yield (r = 0.80) in high-CEC zones. Incorporating soil properties improved yield prediction accuracy by 16% compared to using remote sensing alone, while adding N management data further reduced prediction error by 21%. The luxury N rate increased yields by 4.8% compared to regular rates, but the response varied significantly with soil properties. Soil properties fundamentally modulate crop response to N inputs (fertilizer N), challenging the conventional approach of uniform N recommendations. This study provides a framework for developing soil-specific N management strategies that can enhance both productivity and environmental sustainability in spatially variable fields.
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