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Sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) was cultivated for two 90-day sequences at two spacings, and with various soil amendments, to evaluate its potential to arrest the increase in soil salinity and sodicity associated with irrigation using paper- and pulp-mill effluent. Its phytodesalination capacity (PDC) with respect to Na ranged from 162 to 226 kg/ha in the first sequence and 167 to 250 kg/ha in the second sequence; the PDC is reliable even under drought stress. Addition of amendments, in particular pressmud compost, increased the average Na+ uptake by 38%, leading to the highest PDC of 250 kg/ha for a single crop sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper and pulp mills use a huge quantity of water in the manufacturing process and release a substantial quantity of salts in the effluent. The use of industrial effluents for irrigating crops due to the nutrient content in arid zones is under practice. The long-term use of paper and pulp mill effluent as a source of irrigation accumulates salts in the soil surface and rhizospheric zone. In this study, halophytes, namely Sesuvium portulacastrum, Salicornia brachiata, and Suaeda maritima were evaluated for their phytodesalination potential in paper and pulp mill effluent irrigated soil. Among these Sesuvium portulacastrum recorded the highest dry matter production (8.21 g pot-1), and the sodium accumulation was 6.7% greater than S. brachiata on 120th day. Furthermore, the soil EC was also 7.7 % lower in pots cultivated with S. portulacastrum than pots cultivated with S. brachiata. Hence, Sesuvium portulacastrum could effectively be used to phytodesalinate saline soils and ensure the sustainable cultivation of crops using paper and pulp mill effluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I thank the discussors for their critique of the above paper. In geology there are rarely any absolute models but working hypotheses, which will be modified with new data. The paper under discussion, Charrach (Carbonates Evaporites 33:727–766, 2018a), presents a very new large data set, which is multi-disciplinary and integrated the most recent research. The critique by Möller et al. (Carbonates Evaporites 10.1007/s13146-019-00486-3, 2019) and their paper of 2018 (Int J Earth Sci 107:2409–2431, 2018), presents a computer simulation, which must be validated with field evidence and recent research in the area, and not based on assumptions, which have turned into facts over time. The discussors may be unfamiliar with the geological research that has been published over the last 20 years in the areas under consideration. Furthermore, the research on marine–non-marine evaporite formations is hardly considered in their discussion, yet much has been published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2011, Texas experienced record heat and drought that escalated concerns about environmental flows for rivers. In response to these worries, fishes and water quality were sampled in the Lower Neches River, Texas, from May-August 2012 during continued drought. Potential effects of hydrology on environmental parameters and assemblages of small (seine samples) and large (gillnet samples) fishes were evaluated at multiple locations. Approximately 1 km downstream from the saltwater barrier, paper mill effluent discharges into the river. Salinity was higher and dissolved oxygen lower below the saltwater barrier during low-flow intervals. Fish species richness in seine samples, was higher when the barrier was open, and species richness for both gear types was lowest at sites closest to the paper mill effluent discharge. Overall, species richness was higher at sites below the barrier, with more estuarine and marine species present. When the barrier was closed, richness and abundance of sensitive freshwater species were lower below the barrier. Closure of the barrier during drought results in accumulation of dissolved organic compounds from paper mill effluent and lower dissolved oxygen in the reach below the barrier. To sustain biodiversity in the system, subsistence flows must pass across the saltwater barrier during droughts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urochloa brizantha is the main forage grass to raise cattle in Brazil, but salt stress can reduce yield. Physiological and molecular mechanisms of adaptation to salt stress remain poorly understood in this species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of three cultivars of U. brizantha to in vitro salt stress. Seeds of three cultivars (Piatã, Marandu, and Xaraés) germinated in filter paper and then transferred to growth on culture media in vitro containing 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg L-1 of sodium chloride (NaCl). Biometric parameters and proline content were determined after 28 days. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the separation of means was performed by the LSD test (p<0.05). Semiquantitative expression of the Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS1) gene was performed. In all cultivars, increase of NaCl concentration in the media affected roots and shoots growth. Xaraes cultivar presented the greater biomass reduction while Marandu cultivar was the least affected. Salt stress increased by approximated 0.6 folds transcription of the P5CS1 gene in all cultivars. However, Marandu cultivar presented a higher proline content and least biomass reduction suggesting a better response to in vitro to salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper-based microfluidic devices have many advantages such as low cost, flexibility, light weight and easy disposability. Especially, since they can intrinsically generate capillary-driven flow (no pumps are needed), paper-based microfluidic devices are widely used in analytical or diagnostic platforms. Along with advancements in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs), energy generation using paper materials has received significant attention. In this study, environment-friendly and flexible paper-based energy harvesting with a simple configuration is demonstrated by using the principle of reverse electrodialysis (RED). RED is a promising clean energy generation method, which converts Gibbs free energy into electricity by salinity gradients without discharging any pollutants. However, the power efficiency in a conventional RED device is limited by the essential requirement of active pumping for providing high and low concentration electrolytes. Capillary pumping from the proposed paper-based RED can save this waste of energy, and moreover, the flexible device is realized with cost effective materials and a simple fabrication step, and is environmentally friendly. By thoughtful analysis of voltage–current experiments and capillary flow rates in paper channels, the optimized channel width interfacing with a selective membrane is determined as 2 mm and the maximum power and power density are achieved as 55 nW and 275 nW cm−2, respectively. 25.8% of the generated maximum power is successfully saved by realizing the pumpless RED system. This paper-based RED device can be integrated directly with μPADs as a practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizobacteria play a crucial role in plant growth and yield, stimulating primary production and improving stress resistance. Climate change has several consequences worldwide that affect arable land and agriculture. Studies on plant–soil–microorganism interactions to enhance plant productivity and/or resistance to abiotic stress may open new perspectives. This strategy aims to make agricultural‐relevant plant species able to complete their biological cycle in extreme soils with the help of inoculated or primed plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR).We provide an overview of the evolution of interest in PGPR research in the last 30 years through: (i) a quantitative search on the Scopus database; (ii) keyword frequencies and clustering analysis, and (iii) a keyword network and time‐gradient analysis.The review of scientific literature on PGPR highlighted an increase in publications in the last 15 years, and a specific time gradient on subtopics, such as abiotic stresses. The rise in PGPR as a keyword co‐occurring with salinity and drought stresses aligns with the growing number of papers from countries directly or partly affected by climate change.The study of PGPR, its features, and related applications will be a key challenge in the next decades, considering climate change effects on agriculture. The increased interest in PGPR leads to deeper knowledge focused specifically on researching agriculturally sustainable solutions for soils affected by salinity and drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic and agronomic advances consistently lead to an annual increase in global barley yield. Since abiotic stresses (physical environmental factors that negatively affect plant growth) reduce barley yield, it is necessary to predict barley resistance. Artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) models are new and powerful tools for predicting product resilience. Considering the research gap in the use of molecular markers in predicting abiotic stresses, this paper introduces a new approach called GenPhenML that combines molecular markers and phenotypic traits to predict the resistance of barley genotypes to drought and salinity stresses by ML models. GenPhenML uses feature selection algorithms to determine the most important molecular markers. It then identifies the best model that predicts atmospheric resistance with lower MAE, RMSE, and higher R2. The results showed that GenPhenML with a neural network model predicted the salinity stress resistance score with MAE, RMSE and R2 values of 0.1206, 0.0308 and 0.9995, respectively. Also, the NN model predicted drought stress scores with MAE, RMSE and R2 values of 0.0727, 0.0105 and 0.9999, respectively. The GenPhenML approach was also used to classify barley genotypes as resistant and stress-sensitive. The results showed that the accuracy, accuracy and F1 score of the proposed approach for salinity and drought stress classification were higher than 97%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed conditioning with ultraviolet light (UV-C) might (1) improve crop yield and quality, (2) reduce the use of agrochemicals during cultivation, and (3) increase plant survival in high salinity environments. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of UV-C conditioning of white oat seeds at two doses (0.85 and 3.42 kJ m−2) under salinity stress (100 mM NaCl). Seeds were sown on germination paper and kept in a germination chamber at 20°C. Germination and seedling growth parameters were evaluated after 5 and 10 days. Data demonstrated that excess salt reduced germination and initial growth of white oat seedlings. In all the variables analyzed, exposure of seeds to UV-C under salt stress exerted a positive effect compared to non-irradiated control. The attenuating influence of UV-C in germination was greater at 0.85 than at 3.42 kJ m−2. Thus, data indicate that conditioning white oat seeds in UV-C light produced greater tolerance to salt stress. These findings suggest that UV-C conditioning of white oat seeds may be considered as a simple and economical strategy to alleviate salt-induced stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the present research is to propose a comprehensive attitude of the salinity in groundwater resources of Iran using 116 papers in the assessment of groundwater quality in different areas of the country. The conducted study contains the measurement of the values of physicochemical parameters of which electrical conductivity (EC), as the fundamental parameter for salinity determination of groundwater, was considered mostly, and by comparing it with standards, as well as employing the Wilcox diagram, the quality of water was assessed for drinking and agricultural purposes, respectively. Study of the previous papers revealed that in only the west and northwest of the country, the groundwater quality was suitable for drinking, and in the majority of provinces, EC values exceeded the recommended limits. The highest EC level was seen in central provinces which led to the aggravation of groundwater and the largest proportion of salinity, putting the quality of water in an unsuitable class for drinking. Additionally, the assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation uses using the Wilcox diagram showed high and very high salinity rates in most areas of the study area. Northwestern provinces relatively had the lowest level putting in C3–S1 class, while central areas reached the highest with C4–S4 classification. Deficiency of rainfall, high rate of groundwater exploitation, and the intrusion of saltwater from Salt Lake were the principal reasons for groundwater deterioration in central parts of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stratigraphic and temporal framework of the sedimentary filling of the Messinian–Zanclean transition in Malaga basin is discussed. From this framework, the main features of an alternative model for the Lago-Mare event in the Mediterranean are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large‐scale seepage faces occur on tidal flats with gentle slope, which are widely distributed worldwide. Evaporation on these seepage faces, leading to salt retention and accumulation, may significantly impact the density‐dependent groundwater flow beneath the tidal flats. However, due to nonlinear complexities of the groundwater flow and solute transport on seepage faces, explicit boundary conditions and numerical models to quantify these processes are lacking. In this study, we present both mathematical and numerical models to quantify these processes. Compared to the results of our previous study, this paper shows that seepage‐face evaporation can (a) significantly increase the groundwater salinity in the upper intertidal zone, and form multiple groundwater circulation cells in the intertidal zone, (b) cause the disappearance of multiple seepage‐faces and reduce the spatial extent of seepage faces notably, (c) and intensify the groundwater and salt exchange as well as the seawater‐groundwater circulation through the intertidal zone. Plain Language Summary: Tidal flats with very gentle slopes are ubiquitously distributed around the world. Due to these minimal slopes, the intertidal zone can extend for several kilometers, leading to large‐scale seepage faces during ebb and low tides. Previous studies have shown that evaporation without seepage face causes salt retention and accumulation, which not only increases groundwater salinity significantly, but also alters the groundwater density and its subsurface pathways. However, explicit mathematical expression and associated numerical models to quantify the process of evaporation on seepage faces are lacking, due to the mathematically nonlinear complexities to deal with the density‐dependent groundwater flow and solute transport. Here, a new boundary condition considering evaporation on seepage faces as well as salt retention and accumulation was proposed. Compared with the seepage‐face boundary conditions of our previous study, we found that multiple seepage‐faces disappear and multiple groundwater circulation cells develop due to evaporation. Seepage‐face evaporation significantly increases the salinity in the upper intertidal zone, reduces the scale and existence of seepage faces, and promotes groundwater/salt exchange. This study systematically reveals the effects of seepage‐face with evaporation on the density‐dependent groundwater flows and salinity distributions in coastal aquifers, which have strong implications on biogeochemical processes within the intertidal zone. Key Points: A new evaporation boundary condition was proposed on seepage face with salt retained and accumulatedMultiple seepage‐faces disappear and multiple groundwater circulation cells develop due to evaporation in the intertidal zoneSeepage‐face evaporation significantly promotes groundwater and salt exchange within the intertidal zone [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In their recent paper, Williams et al. (2022) evaluated salinity management in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) as 'unsustainable', and a risk to water availability and quality in the Basin. However, this evaluation was weakened first by a failure to analyse the Basin salinity strategies of the last thirty-five years, noting that these have led to Basin salinity target being met since 2010; and second to not providing Basin-specific data to support their evaluation. Contrary to Williams et al. comments, existing evidence indicates that infrastructure intended to improve water use efficiency (e.g. salt leaching, salt disposal basins) will generally reduce stream salinity. The requirement for a leaching efficiency means that there is a lower limit to water use efficiency improvements, but this is unlikely itself to be a major risk. We agree that the changes that have occurred over the last twenty years would warrant a review of salt storage options in the MDB that better matches future needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The upcoming Salinity Satellite, scheduled for launch in 2024, will feature the world's first phased array radar scatterometer. To validate its capability in measuring ocean surface backscatter coefficients, this paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the onboard verification flight test for the Salinity Satellite scatterometer. This paper provides a detailed introduction to the system design of the Salinity Satellite scatterometer, which utilizes phased array radar technology and digital beamforming techniques to achieve accurate measurements of sea surface scattering characteristics. The paper elaborates on the derivation of backscatter coefficients, system calibration, and phase amplitude correction for the phased array scatterometer. Furthermore, it describes the process of the onboard calibration flight test. By analyzing internal noise signals, onboard calibration signals, and external noise signals, the stability and reliability of the scatterometer system are validated. The experiment covers both land and ocean observations, with a particular focus on complex sea surface conditions in nearshore areas. Through the precise analysis of backscatter coefficients, the paper successfully distinguishes the different backscatter coefficient characteristics between ocean and land. The research results effectively demonstrate the feasibility of the Salinity Satellite scatterometer for measuring backscatter coefficients in a phased array configuration, as well as its outstanding performance in complex marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, An-Najah National University, Palestine under growth chamber and greenhouse conditions. Methods: To study the effect of NaCl on germination, fifty seeds in each treatment for each cultivar were germinated on a filter paper in petri dishes moistened with the different NaCl concentration levels (0.0, 50 and 100 mM ). To study the effect of NaCl on plant growth and productivity, 2 seeds per variety were grown in 10 liter pots filled with peat moss-sand. Pots were irrigated with the different NaCl levels. Result: The tested chickpea cultivars showed different tolerance levels in response to NaCl stress levels. NaCl reduced final germination percentage (FGP) and germination index (GI). The highest plant height was obtained by Einalbeda (38.63 cm) in the control group, while the lowest one was found in Arij (28.25 cm) under 100 mM NaCl. NaCl did not affect root/shoot ratio in all genotypes. Reduction in fresh weight ranged between 25.6 and 74.2% under 50 and 100 mM NaCl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in soil salinity has a negative effect on the growth and yield of plants. Mitigating the negative effects of soil salinity is therefore a difficult task and different methods are being used to overcome the negative effects of salt stress on crop plants. One of the often-used approaches is seed priming that can increase plants' vigor and resilience. In this paper, we tested the effects of hydropriming, proline priming, and salicylic acid priming on the mitigation of the negative effects of salt stress on two bell pepper varieties (Capsicum annuum L.): Herkules and Kurtovska kapija. Sweet bell pepper seeds were primed following desiccation to achieve the original water content, and subsequently cultivated in salt-supplemented medium. The positive effects on vigor (in the form of increased germination and seedling establishment) as well as on level of tolerance for salt stress were recorded for both cultivars. The positive effects varied between the priming treatments and pepper cultivar used. The results of germination, seedling performance, photosynthetic pigments, and osmolytes were measured for seedlings grown from unprimed and primed seeds with under 0, 25, and 50 mM of NaCl. Both cultivars demonstrated greater germination when primed with proline and salicylic acid, while the Herkules cultivar demonstrated a higher tolerance to salt when proline was used as the priming agent. Priming with salicylic acid and proline in the seed improved germination and seedling performance, which could be related to the increase in proline content in the seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying soil composition is vital for agricultural and edaphology disciplines. Presently, colorimetry serves as a prevalent method for the on-site visual examination of soil characteristics. However, this technique necessitates the laboratory-based analysis of extracted soil fragments by skilled personnel, leading to substantial time and resource consumption. Contrastingly, sensor techniques effectively gather environmental data, though they mostly lack in situ studies. Despite this, sensors offer substantial on-site data generation potential in a non-invasive manner and can be included in wireless sensor networks. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to develop a low-cost red, green, and blue (RGB)-based sensor system capable of detecting changes in the composition of the soil. The proposed sensor system was found to be effective when the sample materials, including salt, sand, and nitro phosphate, were determined under eight different RGB lights. Statistical analyses showed that each material could be classified with significant differences based on specific light variations. The results from a discriminant analysis documented the 100% prediction accuracy of the system. In order to use the minimum number of colors, all the possible color combinations were evaluated. Consequently, a combination of six colors for salt and nitro phosphate successfully classified the materials, whereas all the eight colors were found to be effective for classifying sand samples. The proposed low-cost RGB sensor system provides an economically viable and easily accessible solution for soil classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity gradient power generation based on nanochannels has drawn much attention for its green and sustainable advantages. However, previous studies have tended to focus on regularly shaped nanochannels, while rough and irregular surfaces are naturally formed during the preparation of nanochannels (similar to sinusoidal nanochannels). In this paper, a model of salinity gradient energy conversion in sinusoidal nanochannels is established. The impacts of the geometrical parameter dimensions of the sinusoidal channel (including initial phase, channel length, average radius, amplitude, and angular frequency) on the power generation performance under different salinity gradients are systematically investigated. The results show that the sinusoidal nanochannel has better salinity gradient power generation performance than cylindrical nanochannel. It obtains the best power generation performance when the initial phase is zero. Besides, increasing the nanochannel length facilitates ion selectivity and energy conversion efficiency. At high concentration difference, decreasing the average radius or increasing the amplitude help increase the maximum output power and enhance the energy conversion efficiency. The maximum output power of about 1.27 pW and energy conversion efficiency of about 32.8% were obtained by optimizing the sinusoidal channel amplitudes. It is also found that increasing the angular frequency is favorable to improving energy conversion performance at the high concentration difference. These results provide helpful information for designing and optimizing salinity gradient energy conversion systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among biotic and abiotic stresses, the most restrictive for plant distribution is salt stress, where different concentrations might exert harmful effects on seed germination. Recently, nanomaterials were used successfully to mitigate these stresses, indicating that plants may be able to develop normally in adverse conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of graphene oxide (GO) on the germination of Persian clover seedlings under salt stress conditions. Following sown on substrate paper, seeds were tested after exposure to different concentrations of graphene oxide (0, 125, 250, or 500 mg L-1 GO), sodium chloride (0; -0.1; -0.2; -0.3, or -0.4 MPa NaCl) and/or GO + salt concomitantly, and then stored for 7 days in a germination chamber at 20°C in the presence of light. Seed germination and growth parameters of seedlings were determined. Graphene oxide demonstrated protective effect against salt stress as evident by no marked adverse effects on seed germination where GO blocked the salt-induced reduction in germination. The results obtained provide references for the safe application of nanomaterials and emphasize the significance of GO as a promising material for reducing the toxicity of salts in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trees have developed a broad spectrum of molecular mechanisms to counteract oxidative stress. Secondary metabolites via phenolic compounds emblematized the hidden bridge among plant kingdom, human health, and oxidative stress. Although studies have demonstrated that abiotic stresses can increase the production of medicinal compounds in plants, research comparing the efficiency of these stresses still needs to be explored. Thus, the present research paper provided an exhaustive comparative metabolomic study in Dalbergia odorifera under salinity (ST) and waterlogging (WL). Results: High ST reduced D. odorifera's fresh biomass compared to WL. While WL only slightly affected leaf and vein size, ST had a significant negative impact. ST also caused more significant damage to water status and leaflet anatomy than WL. As a result, WL-treated seedlings exhibited better photosynthesis and an up-regulation of nonenzymatic pathways involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species. The metabolomic and physiological responses of D. odorifera under WL and salinity ST stress revealed an accumulation of secondary metabolites by the less aggressive stress (WL) to counterbalance the oxidative stress. Under WL, more metabolites were more regulated compared to ST. ST significantly altered the metabolite profile in D. odorifera leaflets, indicating its sensitivity to salinity. WL synthesized more metabolites involved in phenylpropanoid, flavone, flavonol, flavonoid, and isoflavonoid pathways than ST. Moreover, the down-regulation of L-phenylalanine correlated with increased p-coumarate, caffeate, and ferulate associated with better cell homeostasis and leaf anatomical indexes under WL. Conclusions: From a pharmacological and medicinal perspective, WL improved larger phenolics with therapeutic values compared to ST. Therefore, the data showed evidence of the crucial role of medical tree species' adaptability on ROS detoxification under environmental stresses that led to a significant accumulation of secondary metabolites with therapeutic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Spirulina powder, Yeast, Yeast + β-Carotene were used as feed to explore the effects of feed on the growth and carotenoids accumulation of Artemia at different temperatures （20℃, 25℃, 30℃） and salinities （10, 30, 50, 70, 90）. The results showed that the survival rate and body length of Artemia fed with spirulina powder were better than those of other feed at the same temperature and salinity. On the 10th day, at 25℃, Artemia fed with spirulina powder and yeast had maximum average body length at salinity 30 （7.52 mm, 5.88 mm） （P<0.05）, while Artemia fed with yeast + β-carotene had the largest average body length （4.0 mm） at salinity 10 （P<0.05）. The average body length of Artemia in the 30℃ group was significantly longer than that in the other temperature groups at salinity 50 （P<0.05）. On the 15th day, at 25℃, Artemia fed spirulina powder had the highest survival rate （93.7%） at salinity 30. At salinity 50, the survival rate of Artemia fed with spirulina powder in the 20℃ group （94.0%） and 25℃ group （92.0%） was significantly higher than that in the 30℃ group （P<0.05）. The egg-holding rate of Artemia in each group fed with spirulina powder was significantly higher than that of other feed （P<0.05）, and gradually increased with the increases of salinity or temperature. After 15 days, the detection of carotenoids of Artemia showed that only echinenone and canthaxanthin were detected in each feed group, and β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin were not detected. The total carotenoid content of Artemia fed with spirulina powder was significantly higher than that of other groups （P<0.05）, and decreased with the increase of salinity, and the salinity 10 group was the highest （46.25 μg/g）. With the increase of temperature, it first increased and then decreased, and 25 ℃ group was the highest （46.28 μg/g）. In conclusion, Artemia fed with Spirulina powder grew best, Artemia could convert β-carotene to echinenone and canthaxanthin, with the increase of temperature, the survival rate of Artemia decreases, which accelerates Artemia growth, sexual maturity and carotenoid metabolism. If the salinity is too high or too low, the survival rate and growth rate of Artemia will be reduced, but high salt can promote sexual maturity and deplete carotenoids in Artemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In summer 1999, an extensive survey of the tropical Atlantic ocean was operated during the EQUALANT99 cruise. Several experiments were carried out on board including, for the first time in that area, eXpendable Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (XCTD) launches. The aim of this experiment was first to evaluate XCTD temperature and salinity profiles, and secondly to check how XCTD could be used together with altimetric satellite missions in order to capture a good picture of the tropical Atlantic surface circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new generation of airborne salinity imager, the Salinity Temperature and Roughness Remote Scanner (STARRS), has been designed and is currently under construction with delivery expected shortly. With both significantly lower noise levels and enhanced capability to measure secondary parameters, including sea surface temperature and roughness, STARRS will serve as both an operational survey tool and as a test-bed for refinement of retrieval algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The salinity of the open ocean is important for understanding ocean dynamics and for modelling energy exchange with the atmosphere. But existing data are sparse and much of the ocean is unsampled. Sea surface salinity can be measured remotely with passive microwave sensors operating near 1.4 GHz (L-band). Salinity differences have been observed from space and aircraft instruments have demonstrated that salinity can be measured with an accuracy of better than 1 psu. Sensor technology has improved sufficiently to seriously propose a satellite system to map salinity over the open oceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marine context of the Lago Mare deposit near Malaga has received agreement as well as its ascription to the third Lago Mare event of Clauzon et al. (2005). This deposit is not a “transitional unit towards normal marine conditions” but followed the marine reflooding of the Mediterranean Basin, allowing the connection with the Dacic Basin (Eastern Paratethys). We show that this Lago Mare event did not result from a climatic change leading to a dilution episode but from a high sea-level connection. Different interpretations on the respective effects of tectonics and eustatism on the sedimentary archives linked to the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) are once more debated. They depend on (1) the duration assigned to the MSC and its subdivisions, (2) the amplitude of the successive sea level variations, and at last (3) the dimensional (local or regional) view of the MSC. Such discrepancies concern subsidiary matters which cannot mask first order facts and progresses in their knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of water resources in the Murray-Darling Basin has historically focussed on water security and the allocation of water for users with competing needs. This focus was reflected in the seminal paper on multiple risks to shared water across the basin by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 15 years ago. That paper captured key concerns that were at the forefront for decision-makers, managers and policy-makers who were, at that time, experiencing the early impacts of the Millennium Drought. Water quality, then, was secondary to the issues of water security. Across the following years, new water quality risks have emerged along with a more nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between climate, floodplain/catchment vegetation, hydrology, and water quality. Critically, this improved understanding applies to the systemic shocks of extreme events, such as the 2020 bushfires and hypoxic blackwater events, as well as the variability, duration and volumes of natural and regulated river flows. In this paper, we explore the key water quality issues that currently face the Basin, and reframe water quality as an integral rather than incidental component of the risks to shared water in the Basin, with the associated implications for policy development that this implies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies suggested that tropical sea surface salinity (SSS) can influence tropical Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) through mixing and entrainment and thus it may be a signal for El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) prediction. This paper explores the influence of SSS on ENSO spring predictability barrier (SPB) using an empirical dynamic model ‐ Linear Inverse Model (LIM). By coupling and decoupling SSS in the LIM, we find that tropical Pacific SSS plays a significant role in weakening both Central‐Pacific and Eastern‐Pacific ENSO SPB. The evolution of optimal initial structure also shows the importance of SSS dynamics in ENSO. We found an SSS mode that plays the dominant role in SSS impacting ENSO prediction. By the analysis of lead‐lag correlation, we find that this mode can induce easterlies during the spring, which finally leads to a La Niña‐like SST pattern in the winter through zonal advective and thermocline feedbacks. Plain Language Summary: The spring predictability barrier (SPB) is a phenomenon of forecast skill reduction of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) when it comes to the boreal spring, regardless of the initial month. Sea surface salinity (SSS) can influence sea surface temperature by altering sea surface density and thus it may be a signal for ENSO prediction. Using a linear dynamical model, we find that SSS plays an important role in improving the forecast skill of ENSO and weakening SPB. We further find that SSS can induce the easterlies during the spring, which finally leads to a La Niña‐like SST pattern. Our study suggests that SSS can be used to predict ENSO about 1 year later. Key Points: A linear dynamical model suggests that taking sea surface salinity (SSS) into consideration can strongly weaken Central‐Pacific and Eastern‐Pacific El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) spring predictability barrier (SPB)A new SSS mode is found to be important for weakening ENSO SPBThe SSS mode can predict ENSO events about 1 year earlier by inducing sea surface temperature and wind anomalies in the early spring [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summer visits to coastal sea destinations are the most represented in world tourism, accounting for 55% of global tourist travel. A seaside vacation is a form of relaxation and recreation with numerous benefits for a person's psychological, physical, and mental health. Sea water and air rich in marine minerals have a profound effect on the human psyche and provide a pleasant holiday in relation to oceanographic motifs as the main tourist attractions during the summer season. This paper explores the key tourism attributes of seawater from the perspectives of sea recreational tourism and humans' health and comfort. Chemical composition, temperature, salinity, dynamics, and water purity have been identified as major attractiveness factors (elements) for planning healthy sea activities and the swimming tourist season at coastal destinations. It was found that tropical and subtropical coastal regions are mostly touristically significant, while coastal desert regions are gaining significant popularity. The study's findings are educational and applicable to the tourist valorisation and tourism planning of the seas, as well as for understanding the new trends in global sea tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both natural and anthropogenic processes can lead to the increasing salinity of surface waters. The knowledge about the ecological consequences of salinization on the biota is limited especially in case of microbiota, like diatoms. We collected the existing knowledge about the relationship between salinity and diatoms in fresh and saline waters. Based on the available papers, conductivity and ion composition are the most important variables shaping diatom communities. Secondary salinization can mask regional differences in diatom assemblages. Trait-based analyses highlight the competitive advantages of motile guild and the extreme trait categories in these environments. The increasing conductivity along a wide conductivity scale decreases the alpha-diversity. Salinization induces the spread and invasion of marine and brackish species into inland freshwaters as well as that of freshwater species tolerating elevated conductivity and/or need specific ions. Concerning food webs, salinity can directly change diatom communities and the subsequent upper trophic levels but most likely this effect manifests as a top-down regulation. Applicable diatom indices are available to assess the level of salinization. Furthermore, diatom-inferred salinity reconstructions are widely applied to assess the past changes of salinity. However, future models predicting ecological consequences of salinization are scarce and sometimes contradictory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This paper provides a novel approach to integrating available environmental information into fishery data using gradient-dependent optimal interpolation. Comparative verifications of observations show that the constructed subsurface temperature and salinity profiles were very consistent with the in situ observations. The data assimilation method, named gradient-dependent optimal interpolation, gave refined matching results applied to represent the relationship between squid and environmental information. Our new method represents a useful tool in the deep research of fishery oceanography. A key issue in fishery forecasting is the collection of high-precision subsurface environmental data. A data assimilation method, named gradient-dependent optimal interpolation, was used to construct the near-real-time vertical temperature and salinity structure of a squid fishery ground based on Argo observations. The results were verified by truth-finding comparisons and applied to analyze the relationship between neon flying squid and the subsurface environment in the Kuroshio–Oyashio Confluence Region. The temperature and salinity differences between the constructed results and survey data were less than ±0.5 °C and ±0.02, respectively. Most of the relative analysis errors were less than the observational errors. Statistical analysis revealed that the most suitable temperature for squid was 18–24 °C at the near-surface (<5 m), although the squid can endure a temperature range from 11 to 12 °C at a depth of 300 m. There was an obvious thermocline in the fishery ground, with a thermocline depth of 65 m and a mean strength of approximately 0.10 °C/m. The regressive relationship between vertical temperature (thermocline parameters) and squid catch per unit effort (CPUE) followed the exponential (Gaussian) function. The most suitable salinity was 33.0–34.2 at depths shallower than 300 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a halophyte, consumed not only as an edible vegetable but also as a traditional medicine. This plant can adapt to extreme salinity and drought conditions and their effects on plant growth, yield and quality were elucidated, but the effects on seed germination was still unclear. Seed germination is an important stage for establishing P. oleracea seedlings that contribute to plant yield and productivity. Thus, the objective of the present study was to examine the individual effects of salinity and drought stress at different levels on the characteristics of seed germination, which the seeds suffered from −0.22, −0.45, −0.89, and −1.78 MPa osmotic stresses induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG), or from 50, 100, 200, and 400 mM NaCl stresses with equivalent osmotic pressures. The seeds sown in petri dishes containing filter paper layers that were flooded with NaCl or PEG-6000 solutions for the treatments and germination parameters were determined daily for 15 days. Data showed that germination percentage (GP), germination rate (GR), germination energy (GE), and mean germination time (MGT) were significantly decreased with increasing levels of salt and osmotic stresses, suggesting that the salinity and drought stress reduced the germination capability of seeds. Moreover, the seeds maintained germination with PEG osmotic pressure above −0.22 MPa, but not with NaCl concentration greater than 50 mM that induced a similar osmotic pressure, suggesting that the ion toxicity effect on the seed germination might be higher than the osmotic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the transient behavior of a salinity gradient solar pond (SGSP) under Mediterranean climate. For this purpose, a 2D numerical model is developed in which the absorption of solar radiation by different layers of saline water, the wind effect at the SGSP free surface, the heat losses from the SGSP free surface, and the development of the double-diffusive convection in the lower and upper convective zones are considered. The governing equations of continuity, momentum, thermal energy, and diffusion are solved using the finite volume method with SIMPLE algorithm. The validity of the numerical model developed in fortran 95 programing language is achieved through the comparisons of the results computed with the available numerical and experimental results obtained by literature studies. Results show that the developed numerical model can predict transient behavior of the SGSPs with a good accuracy. As an application of this model, the temperature, salt concentration, energy stored, and storage efficiency variations of a proposed SGSP are analyzed under Mediterranean climate. The results show that the lower convective zone (LCZ) temperature increases from 15 °C to around 95 °C whereas the temperature of the upper convective zone (UCZ) varies sinusoidally depending on that of the ambient air. Furthermore, the salt concentration of the LCZ decreases from 250 kg/m³ to around 248 kg/m³ while that of the UCZ increases from 50 kg/m³ to about 52 kg/m³. Additionally, the thermal energy stored is around 135 MJ with an efficiency of about 38%, which confirms the capacity of the SGSP to store thermal energy as sensible heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an interview with Ari Sadanandom, a Professor of Plant Molecular Sciences at the University of Durham. Sadanandom discusses his interest in plant science, his decision to pursue a career in research, and his motivations as a scientist. He also mentions his role models and inspirations throughout his career. Additionally, Sadanandom highlights some of his favorite papers from the journal New Phytologist, focusing on topics such as plant immunity, root development, and protein modifications. Finally, he shares his favorite plant, the Mimosa plant, and provides information about his research on protein modifications and its implications for agriculture. [Extracted from the article]

This paper presents a study on the salinity determination and flow rate estimation in a two-phase air-water system. For this purpose, an automated air-water test loop capable of generating different flow patterns in a horizontal pathway was utilized to do numerous experiments at varying flow rates. A nuclear measuring setup, comprising Cs-137 and Am-241 as radiation sources, one NaI (Tl) scintillation detector to register transmission counts of Cs and three scintillator detectors for registering transmission and scattering counts from Am, was prepared. A pressure drop pipe was also employed for flow rate measurement, with MLPs were selected as the processing element. Notable innovations of this paper can be considered from two perspectives. Firstly, a novel paradigm in nuclear measurement geometry. This novelty uses the benefits of three scintillator detectors to extract features with the maximum potential for classifying and determining salinity. Secondly, there is a new method in data processing and utilizing optimum features to achieve the best performance in predicting flow rates. Results in flow rate prediction independent of salinity and flow regime indicate that the proposed paradigm and method are reliable for using in industrial fields related to multi-phase metering. • This paper proposes a novel paradigm in nuclear measurement geometry. • This paper employs seven ANNs to develop the optimal prediction model. • The combination of wavelet transform and statistical features shows the best performance to determine the flow rates. • The results indicated that the proposed prediction model achieved an MAE of less than 4/237 L/min and an MRE% of 4/842 % for predicting flow rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a method for retrieving salinity in the Sea of Azov. The method is based on combining in situ and remote sensing measurements. The operational results of the salinity reconstruction are necessary for the assimilation of thermohaline fields, which is used to set initial conditions to the hydrodynamic model and achieve higher accuracy of its results. The proposed method consists of implementing a general regression between historical in situ measurements and L2 MODIS optical measurements. We used properly calibrated and validated satellite data taken from open internet services. The results show different approaches to obtain the linear regression in spring and summer. Particular emphasis is made on analysing the precision of the reconstructed salinity fields relative to in situ measurements. These estimates are based on the comparison of reconstructed salinity with the long-term seasonal trends on in situ data for the periods of 1990–2018 and 2000–2018. The final reconstructed salinity fields are computed from linear regressions for spring and summer. These reconstructed fields are stored as data sets on a regular grid of the Sea of Azov and they are ready for visualization and use as input data for the ocean circulation models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the effects of salinity on activated sludge biological treatment systems, including the effects on sludge properties such as settling performance and sludge activity, and system treatment effects such as degradation efficiency of organic matter and ammonia nitrogen, and further elaborates the mechanisms. The development direction of this research field is prospected to provide a reference for future efficient and stable operation of activated sludge treatment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity stress affects plant growth and development by causing osmotic stress and nutrient imbalances through excess Na+, K+, and Cl− ion accumulations that induce toxic effects during germination, seedling development, vegetative growth, flowering, and fruit set. However, the effects of salt stress on growth and development processes, especially in polyploidized leguminous plants, remain unexplored and scantly reported compared to their diploid counterparts. This paper discusses the physiological and molecular response of legumes towards salinity stress-based osmotic and ionic imbalances in plant cells. A multigenic response involving various compatible solutes, osmolytes, ROS, polyamines, and antioxidant activity, together with genes encoding proteins involved in the signal transduction, regulation, and response mechanisms to this stress, were identified and discussed. This discussion reaffirms polyploidization as the driving force in plant evolution and adaptation to environmental stress constraints such as drought, feverish temperatures, and, in particular, salt stress. As a result, thorough physiological and molecular elucidation of the role of gene duplication through induced autopolyploidization and possible mechanisms regulating salinity stress tolerance in grain legumes must be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin is a highly conserved and ubiquitous molecule that operates upstream of a broad array of receptors in animal systems. Since melatonin was discovered in plants in 1995, hundreds of papers have been published revealing its role in plant growth, development, and adaptive responses to the environment. This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge of melatonin's involvement in regulating plant ion homeostasis and abiotic stress tolerance. The major topics covered here are: (i) melatonin's control of H+-ATPase activity and its implication for plant adaptive responses to various abiotic stresses; (ii) regulation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)–Ca2+ hub by melatonin and its role in stress signaling; and (iii) melatonin's regulation of ionic homeostasis via hormonal cross-talk. We also show that the properties of the melatonin molecule allow its direct scavenging of ROS, thus preventing negative effects of ROS-induced activation of ion channels. The above 'desensitization' may play a critical role in preventing stress-induced K+ loss from the cytosol as well as maintaining basic levels of cytosolic Ca2+ required for optimal cell operation. Future studies should focus on revealing the molecular identity of transporters that could be directly regulated by melatonin and providing a bioinformatic analysis of evolutionary aspects of melatonin sensing and signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Groundwater salinization is a major environmental problem, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Different natural processes and anthropogenic activities can cause groundwater salinity. Factors such as rainfall, evaporation, groundwater pumping, agricultural and industrial activities, and artificial recharge of aquifers can affect the salinity of groundwater. One of the important factors that cause the salinity of freshwater aquifers is natural saline waters. Natural salinization of groundwater has occurred in many regions of the world. This phenomenon has been introduced as "dryland salinity". As a result of this phenomenon, salts accumulate in soil and water and affect human life and natural ecosystems. Several factors cause the natural salinity of groundwater in semi-arid regions. These factors include locally derived cyclic salts, salts in wind deposits, salts in marine deposits, salt domes, unsaturated zone salts and, salts resulting from rock weathering. Delineating the origin and mechanism of salinity is an important help in preventing the degradation of groundwater quality and optimal management of groundwater resources. In recent years, the phenomenon of salinization of groundwater has been observed in some areas of the Faryab plain in southeast Iran. This study aims to identify the origin and mechanism of groundwater salinity in Faryab plain aquifer. Materials and Methods This paper presents an integrated geophysical and hydrochemical investigation of the saline water intrusion into the Faryab plain. Geophysical studies were conducted by the geoelectrical method and include 55 electric soundings. The results of geoelectric studies have been analyzed using iso-resistivity maps and geoelectrical profiles. Twenty-seven water samples were also collected from abstraction wells to assess the quality of groundwater. These samples have been analyzed to determine the concentration of main cations and anions. The results obtained from the chemical analysis of water samples have also been examined and analyzed using spatial distribution maps of qualitative parameters, bivariate diagrams, and time series of water salinity. The mixing rate of saline and fresh groundwater has also been evaluated using ionic ratios of Na/Cl and Cl/HCO3. Results and Discussion The lowest electrical resistance was recorded in the central part of the plain. The specific resistance of the saturated zone decreases towards the center of the plain. Therefore, fresh water and saline water are hydraulically connected. According to the spatial variations of specific resistance, the Faryab plain is divided into two regions: one area with a resistance of more than 50 ohm-m and one region with a resistance of less than 10 ohm-m. The area with low specific resistance (less than 10 ohm-m) is observed in the center of the plain. The most important reasons for the existence of this area are the high groundwater level, the surface saline layers, and the salinity of groundwater. The electrical conductivity of groundwater reaches 64000 μmohs/cm in the center of the Faryab plain. The highest amount of sulfate and chloride ions are also observed in the water samples of this area. According to the Gibbs diagrams, the groundwater has been also influenced by the evaporation process. Conclusion In this study, the origin and mechanism of groundwater salinity in the Faryab plain in southeast Iran were investigated. Fine-grained sediments have been deposited in the central part of this plain. In the past, the underground water level in this area was a little far from the ground level and caused an evaporation zone of surface and underground water. As a result of water evaporation in the central part, evaporative sediments including chalk and salt sediments were formed and the amount of underground water salts increased. Based on the results of geoelectrical studies, in the central areas of the plain, the amount of specific apparent resistance decreases, which indicates the presence of fine-grained sediments containing salt water in these areas. Investigating the quality characteristics of underground water also shows the occurrence of processes such as dissolution of halite, dissolution of gypsum and the occurrence of cation exchange process in the aquifer. Evaporation from underground water has also affected the water quality, especially in the middle part of the plain. As a result of high pumping from the production wells, the hydraulic load of the aquifer has decreased and the saline groundwater zone has expanded towards the production wells. Saltwater intrusion has caused salinity and quality degradation of underground water. According to the results of this research, the most important reason for the salinity of underground water in Faryab plain is excessive extraction of underground water and disturbing the natural balance of the aquifer. The most important solution to deal with the development of the salt water front in the Faryab plain is to reduce the exploitation of the aquifer, especially in its middle areas. It is also suggested to modify and improve existing artificial feeding facilities and locate new artificial feeding projects to control saltwater intrusion. Sampling from different depths of the aquifer and measuring minor ions such as iodine and bromine will greatly help to better understand the groundwater salinization process. Measurement of environmental isotopes such as oxygen-18, deuterium and chloride-36 will also help to enrich future studies. By preparing the mathematical model of the aquifer, the effect of different management measures on the salinity control of the aquifer can be investigated. By using the results of the mathematical model, the aquifer balance can be checked and the amount of underground water withdrawal can be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing discharge of saline wastewater (SWW) from different industries and environmental risks associated with it has compelled researchers to search for efficient treatment methods and safe disposal techniques. Unfortunately, several industries such as agro-food, oil & gas, tannery, and pulp & paper require brine solution units to obtain a finished product that further elevates the salinity of discharged wastewater to a magnitude of 1-3% by weight of NaCl. Among the conventional treatment procedures, electrochemical technologies proved to be more efficient, robust and cost-effective. Electrocoagulation (EC), an electrochemical based technology that produces in situ coagulant which ultimately assist in pollutant removal. It is even more suitable for the treatment of saline water as salinity increases conductivity which further enhances the EC process efficiency. However, the elevated anodic dissolution may increase the cost which can be reduced by using scrap metals as sacrificial electrodes out of iron and aluminum. The mechanism of salt removal from SWW using EC is similar to other pollutant removal mechanisms as salt species being coagulated by the metal hydroxides and are further removed as sludge. However, optimization of process parameters in EC is essential to maintain a balance between anodic passivation and higher metal dissolution so as to make the process efficient. This review paper highlights the theory of the EC technology, process parameters, potential application and recent developments of EC for the treatment of various types of SWW as well as economical assessment associated with this technology. Most of the recent research concerning EC for SWW treatment has been concentrated on the pollutant-specific evaluation without paying special attention to the process optimization, process modeling and commercial usage. This review further outlines the challenges with the recommendations for encouraging research options that can potentially enhance the EC performance, lower the operational costs and expand its range of applications for SWW treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Increasing discharge of saline wastewater (SWW) from different industries and environmental risks associated with it has compelled researchers to search for efficient treatment methods and safe disposal techniques. Unfortunately, several industries such as agro-food, oil & gas, tannery, and pulp & paper require brine solution units to obtain a finished product that further elevates the salinity of discharged wastewater to a magnitude of 1–3% by weight of NaCl. Among the conventional treatment procedures, electrochemical technologies proved to be more efficient, robust and cost-effective. Electrocoagulation (EC), an electrochemical based technology that produces in situ coagulant which ultimately assist in pollutant removal. It is even more suitable for the treatment of saline water as salinity increases conductivity which further enhances the EC process efficiency. However, the elevated anodic dissolution may increase the cost which can be reduced by using scrap metals as sacrificial electrodes out of iron and aluminum. The mechanism of salt removal from SWW using EC is similar to other pollutant removal mechanisms as salt species being coagulated by the metal hydroxides and are further removed as sludge. However, optimization of process parameters in EC is essential to maintain a balance between anodic passivation and higher metal dissolution so as to make the process efficient. This review paper highlights the theory of the EC technology, process parameters, potential application and recent developments of EC for the treatment of various types of SWW as well as economical assessment associated with this technology. Most of the recent research concerning EC for SWW treatment has been concentrated on the pollutant-specific evaluation without paying special attention to the process optimization, process modeling and commercial usage. This review further outlines the challenges with the recommendations for encouraging research options that can potentially enhance the EC performance, lower the operational costs and expand its range of applications for SWW treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterosigma akashiwo is a golden-brown unicellular phytoflagellate with a high potential to create harmful algal blooms (HABs) and kill fish in many coastal regions worldwide, resulting in significant economic losses. Climate change and global warming have been introduced as triggers that impact the frequency and severity of H. akashiwo and other bloom-forming species in the past decades. In this review paper, the author tried to briefly discuss the morphology and taxonomy of H. akashiwo and show how environmental parameters can influence the physiology and toxicity of this species. Although the toxin production and mechanisms are still a conundrum, the proposed fish-killing mechanisms will be reviewed in the next step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review paper is to identify the production trends of shrimp and rice farming systems and associated hydrobiological parameters such as salinity in the coastal districts of Bangladesh. An intensive literature review has been conducted to explore salt stress-driven land use change, crop production, and changing ecosystem hydrobiology to adapt climate change impact from 2012–2022. The results indicate that a gradual extension of salt-driven land use and land cover (LULC) change has stressed agricultural production to a greater extent from 1973 to 2022 due to the high level of salinity. The unplanned expansion of shrimp culture is creating adverse consequences for the coastal ecosystem. Some suggestions have been proposed by analysing the mechanisms of crops' response to salt stress, including several physiological, biochemical, and molecular bases to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on agricultural production. Alternatively, prawn, shrimp, and crab have similar or slightly higher economic outputs, except for the crop-based agricultural system, which is highly affected by salinity rise. However, due to low input costs, low maintenance, and less environmental impact, farmers are shifting towards crab fattening and thus changing the hydrobiology of coastal land use and land cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous important earthen heritage sites in northwestern China have survived until today because of the arid and semi-arid climate. However, most of them suffer from various types and degrees of deterioration, with many questions not answered. Scaling off is one of the main types of deterioration widely observed at the Site of Yar City. To clarify the underlying mechanisms of cracked surface crust formation, previous experimental achievements are reviewed in the framework of unsaturated soil mechanics in this paper. A series of laboratory tests on the properties of local soil during desiccation, including water retention, volumetric shrinkage, cracking and tensile strength, are presented and analyzed, with a particular emphasis on salinity effect. Results show that suction is the key factor controlling the soil behavior. With the decrease in water content, all suction components increased gradually. The presence of NaCl led to a large increase in total suction, but a negligible change in matric suction. The soil shrinkage characteristic curve, which can be divided into three zones, was not affected by NaCl. The suction-loading curve indicates that the change in void ratio was governed by matric suction. In addition, most of the drying shrinkage of soil took place in saturated and near-saturated conditions. According to the quantitative analysis of final crack patterns, the highly fragmented surface morphology tended to be induced in thinner, less salinized soil specimens. The soil tensile strength also increased during drying, which was further enhanced by the cementation of salt crystals between particles. These preliminary results can provide some insights in understanding the on-site deterioration of earthen heritage sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a systematic review of the research available on salinity optic fiber sensors (OFSs) for seawater based on the refractive index (RI) measurement principle for the actual measurement demand of seawater salinity in marine environmental monitoring, the definition of seawater salinity and the correspondence between the seawater RI and salinity. To further investigate the progress of in situ measurements of absolute salinity by OFSs, the sensing mechanisms, research progress and measurement performance indices of various existing fiber optic salinity sensors are summarized. According to the Thermodynamic Equation of Seawater-2010 (TEOS-10), absolute salinity is recommended for sensor calibration and measurement. Comprehensive domestic and international research progress shows that fiber-optic RI sensors are ideal for real-time, in situ measurement of the absolute salinity of seawater and have excellent potential for application in long-term in situ measurements in the deep ocean. Finally, based on marine environmental monitoring applications, a development plan and the technical requirements of salinity OFSs are proposed to provide references for researchers engaged in related industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monitoring of the coastal environment is a crucial factor in ensuring its proper management. Nevertheless, existing monitoring technologies are limited due to their cost, temporal resolution, and maintenance needs. Therefore, limited data are available for coastal environments. In this paper, we present a low-cost multiparametric probe that can be deployed in coastal areas and integrated into a wireless sensor network to send data to a database. The multiparametric probe is composed of physical sensors capable of measuring water temperature, salinity, and total suspended solids (TSS). The node can store the data in an SD card or send them. A real-time clock is used to tag the data and to ensure data gathering every hour, putting the node in deep sleep mode in the meantime. The physical sensors for salinity and TSS are created for this probe and calibrated. The calibration results indicate that no effect of temperature is found for both sensors and no interference of salinity in the measuring of TSS or vice versa. The obtained calibration model for salinity is characterised by a correlation coefficient of 0.9 and a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.74 g/L. Meanwhile, different calibration models for TSS were obtained based on using different light wavelengths. The best case was using a simple regression model with blue light. The model is characterised by a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and an MAE of 12 mg/L. When both infrared and blue light are used to prevent the effect of different particle sizes, the determination coefficient of 0.98 and an MAE of 57 mg/L characterised the multiple regression model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) is an evolving form of a renewable energy process which utilizes the salinity gradient energy from two solutions of different concentrations. One of the main problems limiting the application of PRO is the low performance of the commercially available spiral-wound modules which have poor flow distribution and high pressure drop. The present paper proposes a new spiral-wound module design for PRO application. The performance of the new module design was investigated numerically and compared with the available spiral-wound module. Compared to the available module, the power density of the new design was higher by 25% and 15% at draw concentrations of 35 g/kg and 60 g/kg respectively, while there was a 35% decrease in the pressure drop. The new spiral-wound module design presents an enhanced overall performance due to the better flow distribution and lower pressure drop, yielding a higher water flux and power density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]