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To enhance productivity, aquaculture is intensifying, with high-density fish ponds and increased feed input, contributing to nutrient load and eutrophication. Climate change further exacerbates cyanobacterial blooms and cyanotoxin production that affect aquatic organisms and consumers. A review was conducted to outline this issue from its inception - eutrophication, cyanobacterial blooms, their harmful metabolites and consequential effects (health and economic) in aquacultures. The strength of evidence regarding the relationship between cyanobacteria/cyanotoxins and potential consequences in freshwater aquacultures (fish production) globally were assessed as well, while identifying knowledge gaps and suggesting future research directions. With that aim several online databases were searched through June 2023 (from 2000), and accessible publications conducted in aquacultures with organisms for human consumption, reflecting cyanotoxin exposure, were selected. Data on cyanobacteria/cyanotoxins in aquacultures and its products worldwide were extracted and analyzed. Selected 63 papers from 22 countries were conducted in Asia (48%), Africa (22%), America (22%) and Europe (8%). Microcystis aeruginosa was most frequent, among over 150 cyanobacterial species. Cyanobacterial metabolites (mostly microcystins) were found in aquaculture water and fish from 18 countries (42 and 33 papers respectively). The most affected were small and shallow fish ponds, and omnivorous or carnivorous fish species. Cyanotoxins were detected in various fish organs, including muscles, with levels exceeding the tolerable daily intake in 60% of the studies. The majority of research was done in developing countries, employing less precise detection methods, making the obtained values estimates. To assess the risk of human exposure, the precise levels of all cyanotoxins, not just microcystins are needed, including monitoring their fate in aquatic food chains and during food processing. Epidemiological research on health consequences, setting guideline values, and continuous monitoring are necessary as well. Further efforts should focus on methods for elimination, prevention, and education. [Display omitted] • 63 publications from 22 countries are reviewed. • The global "south" tropical zones burdened with increased dependence and climatic factors conducive for blooms. • The most affected are small and shallow fish ponds, omnivorous or carnivorous fish. • Cyanotoxin levels exceeding the tolerable daily intake in 60% of the studies. • Impossible to compare values due to imprecision and lack of validated testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverse Logistics (RL) of end-of-use/end-of-life products is a key approach for supporting the transition to a circular economy. However, lack of knowledge and experience in designing RL is one of the barriers for companies in implementing successful RL. This research proposes an RL support tool (RLST) for designing RL systems, developed through iterative cycles of theoretical development and empirical testing/feedback from potential users. The RLST builds upon the principles of configuration systems to adapt the various aspects of RL design into a knowledge base and, subsequently, into an Excel-based support tool - in addition to allowing companies to assess their motivation/driver and set the context (e.g., product characteristics, the existence and nature of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation), it supports the design of the RL network/channel and other aspects such as stakeholder collaboration, legislation, consumer behaviour and incentives, use of digital technologies, key performance indicators and factors around governance/programme management. Such a tool can be helpful for practitioners in addressing the knowledge gaps, stimulating discussions among stakeholders for scenario building and for analysing how different scenarios might work. The research advances the knowledge on RL systems design for the circular economy along with, for the first time, building knowledge and application of configuration systems in the field of RL. [Display omitted] • Research outlines a Reverse Logistics (RL) tool theoretically and empirically designed from configuration principles • RL tool includes several dimensions (e.g., drivers, channels, stakeholders, regulations, incentives, governance and digital technologies) • Demonstrated approach to build a knowledge-base on RL for configuration of alternative concepts • Case studies demonstrate the usefulness of the RL tool to address knowledge gaps and build scenarios • Play book as support tool offers additional insights and aid decision-making in RL [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world's largest energy-related mercury emitter, proper reduction policy is urgently needed in China. However, a quantitative analysis on how different factors affect China's national and regional mercury emissions has been lacking, which hinders the design and implementation of mercury control strategies. To fill the knowledge gap, this study applies a temporal and spatial logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) model to reveal the important determinants of mercury emissions across China from 2007 to 2015. The results show a descendant trend generally in energy-related mercury emissions at both national and regional level. Economic scale is the main driving factor while its effect is largely offset by the decreasing mercury emission and energy intensities. However, Jiangsu and Shanxi in 2012–2015 are exceptions with emission growth because of their rebounded emission factors and energy intensities. Moreover, a decoupling effect between energy-related mercury emissions and GDP growth is found, reflecting that there is ongoing green energy transition in China. The spatial decomposition verifies that effects of economic scale and energy intensity are the mainly determinants for mercury emission differences between national average and provincial emissions. Other factors' effects are prominent in several provinces such as Xinjiang, Chongqing and Heilongjiang, where the emission gap is primarily resulted by the differences between national and local mercury intensities. By identifying the determinants of emission changes as well as the differences between the national average and provincial emissions, this study provides insights for formulating more targeted mercury mitigation strategies. • Time-series inventories for provincial energy-related mercury emissions were compiled. • The tempo-spatial decomposition model is employed to reveal mercury' determinants. • Economic scale and energy intensity mainly determine the emissions changes or gaps. • The negative effect of emission factor was prominent in most provinces. • Economic growth and energy-related mercury emissions strongly decoupled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective prediction of qualitative and quantitative indicators for runoff is quite essential in water resources planning and management. However, although several data-driven and model-driven forecasting approaches have been employed in the literature for streamflow forecasting, to our knowledge, the literature lacks a comprehensive comparison of well-known data-driven and model-driven forecasting techniques for runoff evaluation in terms of quality and quantity. This study filled this knowledge gap by comparing the accuracy of runoff, sediment, and nitrate forecasting using four robust data-driven techniques: artificial neural network (ANN), long short-term memory (LSTM), wavelet artificial neural network (WANN), and wavelet long short-term memory (WLSTM) models. These comparisons were performed in two main tiers: (1) Comparing the machine learning algorithms' results with the model-driven approach; In order to simulate the runoff, sediment, and nitrate loads, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was employed, and (2) Comparing the machine learning algorithms with each other; The wavelet function was utilized in the ANN and LSTM algorithms. These comparisons were assessed based on the substantial statistical indices of coefficient of determination (R-Squared), Nash-Sutcliff efficiency coefficient (NSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE). Finally, to prove the applicability and efficiency of the proposed novel framework, it was successfully applied to Eagle Creek Watershed (ECW), Indiana, U.S. Results demonstrated that the data-driven algorithms significantly outperformed the model-driven models for both the calibration/training and validation/testing phases. Furthermore, it was found that the coupled ANN and LSTM models with wavelet function led to more accurate results than those without this function. [Display omitted] • Runoff, sediment, and nitrate are simulated using Soil and Water Assessment Tool. • WANN, LSTM, and WLSTM techniques are developed as data-driven models. • Model-driven and data-driven models are compared using error indices. • Data-driven models lead to more accurate results than model-driven ones. • WT model improves evaluation indices for daily runoff, sediment, and nitrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Invasive alien species are a well-recognised driver of social-ecological change globally. Much research has focused on ecological impacts, but the role of invasive species for livelihoods and human well-being is less well known. Understanding the effects (benefits and costs) of invasive species on livelihoods and human well-being is important for guiding policy formulation and management. Here we review the literature on the role of invasive species in livelihoods to assess what is known, identify knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for future research. Literature was collected using key word searches and included both journal publications and grey literature. Slightly less than half (48%) of species studied had both substantial positive and negative impacts on local livelihoods (e.g. Australian Acacia spp. species; Camelus dromedaries; Lantana camara ; Prosopis spp.), with 37% inducing mainly costs (Chromolaena odorata; Lissachatina fulica; Opuntia stricta) and 16% producing mainly benefits (Opuntia ficus-indica ; Acacia spp.). Some species, such as Acacia dealbata, fell into different categories depending on the social-ecological context. Key benefits or services included the provision of fuelwood, fodder, timber and food products for local households communities and to a lesser extent supporting and regulating services such as soil improvement and shade. A number of species also provided cultural services such as recreation and spiritual values and provided many with an opportunity to earn a cash income. However, invasive species also harm livelihoods and increase vulnerability through encroaching on land and reducing mobility or access. They can also decrease the supply of natural resources used by households and reduce agricultural production (livestock and/or crops) which can result in losses of income and increased vulnerability. Furthermore, some invasive species were seen to have negative implications for human health and safety and reduce the cultural value of landscapes. Economic impacts on livelihoods as a result of invasive species were highly variable and very dependent on the social-ecological contexts. These negative implications can reduce resilience and adaptive capacity of households and communities thus increasing their vulnerability to change. Drawing on case studies we highlight that efforts for managing invasive species need to safeguard livelihood benefits while mitigating negative impacts. In concluding we highlight future research and policy needs on the topic of invasive species, livelihoods and human well-being. Highlights • Invasive alien species affects people's livelihoods and human well-being. • They provide both benefits and costs in different contexts leading to complexity. • A better understanding of this is therefore needed to aid decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) stimulated by conductive materials (CMs) enables intercellular metabolic coupling that can address the unfavorable thermodynamical dilemma inherent in anaerobic digestion (AD). Although the DIET mechanism and stimulation have been extensively summarized, the methanogenesis contribution, characterization techniques, and downstream processes of CMs-led DIET in AD are surprisingly under-reviewed. Therefore, this review aimed to address these gaps. First, the contribution of CMs-led DIET to methanogenesis was re-evaluated by comparing the effect of various factors, including volatile fatty acids, free ammonia, and functional enzymes. It was revealed that AD systems are usually intricate and cannot allow the methanogenesis stimulation to be singularly attributed to the establishment of DIET. Additionally, considerable attention has been attached to the characterization of DIET occurrence, involving species identification, gene expression, electrical properties, cellular features, and syntrophic metabolism, suggesting the significance of accurate characterization methods for identifying the syntrophic metabolism interactions. Moreover, the type of CMs has a significant impact on AD downstream processes involving biogas purity, sludge dewaterability, and biosolids management. Finally, the central bottleneck consists in building a mathematical model of DIET to explain the mechanism of DIET in a deeper level from kinetics and thermodynamics. [Display omitted] • CMs-led DIET brings a new opportunity to stimulate methanogenesis in AD. • CMs-led DIET and independent-DIET jointly enhance the methanogenesis. • Characterization development is a prerequisite for further research of DIET. • CMs have significant influence on downstream processes of AD. • Mathematical models and density functional theory may be a new field for DIET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Megacities exploit enormous amounts of lands from outside of the city boundary. However, there is a large knowledge gap in the impact of socioeconomic activities associated land-use changes on carbon emissions of megacities during the urbanization. In the current work, we combined the material-flow analysis, environmental extended input–output model, and land matrix data to construct a hybrid network framework. Such a framework was used to estimate the carbon emissions driving from trade between sectors and associated land use changes during 2000–2015 in Shenzhen, China. Results indicated that the total carbon emissions of Shenzhen had a growth rate of 262.7% from 2000 to 2010 and a declining rate of 17.6% from 2010 to 2015. This pattern is associated with large declining rates in the overall energy and carbon intensities by 53.8% and 63.2% during the period of 2000–2015. Meanwhile, embodied carbon emissions of Shenzhen kept rising by approximately twofold, accompanied by the increasing trends in the land-use related carbon emissions both inside and outside of city boundary. The land uses per unit GDP showed a dramatical decline by 85.7% and with a large contribution of the transportation and industrial land, and this caused a gradual increase in overall land-use related emissions with average growth rate of 7.1%. In addition, the land-use change related carbon emissions of the transportation and industrial land had a cumulative growth of 85%. As for the embodied land-use related carbon emissions, the dominated contributor was the Agriculture sector which drove an average of 0.13 MtC yr−1 emissions via importing agricultural products from outside of Shenzhen. This study provides a scientific foundation for corporately mitigate carbon emissions between megacities and their surrounding regions. [Display omitted] • The carbon emissions owing to the sectoral trade and associated land-use changes were estimated. • The overall carbon emissions have declined whereas the embodied emissions raised. • The land demand per GDP declined whereas the land use-related carbon emissions raised. • Agriculture sector drove an average of 0.13 MtC yr−1 emissions outside of city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a primary policy instrument for managing and protecting coral reefs. Successful MPAs ultimately depend on knowledge-based decision making, where scientific research is integrated into management actions. Fourteen coral reef MPA managers and sixteen academics from eleven research, state and federal government institutions each outlined at least five pertinent research needs for improving the management of MPAs situated in Australian coral reefs. From this list of 173 key questions, we asked members of each group to rank questions in order of urgency, redundancy and importance, which allowed us to explore the extent of perceptional mismatch and overlap among the two groups. Our results suggest the mismatch among MPA managers and academics is small, with no significant difference among the groups in terms of their respective research interests, or the type of questions they pose. However, managers prioritised spatial management and monitoring as research themes, whilst academics identified climate change, resilience, spatial management, fishing and connectivity as the most important topics. Ranking of the posed questions by the two groups was also similar, although managers were less confident about the achievability of the posed research questions and whether questions represented a knowledge gap. We conclude that improved collaboration and knowledge transfer among management and academic groups can be used to achieve similar objectives and enhance the knowledge-based management of MPAs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Integrated pest risk maps and their underlying assessments provide broad guidance for establishing surveillance programs for invasive species, but they rarely account for knowledge gaps regarding the pest of interest or how these can be reduced. In this study we demonstrate how the somewhat competing notions of robustness to uncertainty and potential knowledge gains could be used in prioritizing large-scale surveillance activities. We illustrate this approach with the example of an invasive pest recently detected in North America, Sirex noctilio Fabricius. First, we formulate existing knowledge about the pest into a stochastic model and use the model to estimate the expected utility of surveillance efforts across the landscape. The expected utility accounts for the distribution, abundance and susceptibility of the host resource as well as the value of timely S. noctilio detections. Next, we make use of the info-gap decision theory framework to explore two alternative pest surveillance strategies. The first strategy aims for timely, certain detections and attempts to maximize the robustness to uncertainty about S. noctilio behavior; the second strategy aims to maximize the potential knowledge gain about the pest via unanticipated (i.e., opportune) detections. The results include a set of spatial outputs for each strategy that can be used independently to prioritize surveillance efforts. However, we demonstrate an alternative approach in which these outputs are combined via the Pareto ranking technique into a single priority map that outlines the survey regions with the best trade-offs between both surveillance strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is well recognised that local ecological knowledge is an important facet of natural resource management in rural regions of the developing world. However, techniques to assess levels and to integrate it into formal or informal management approaches require further development. In particular, quantitative tools are missing, which would allow more robust analysis of the factors that positively or negatively affect local ecological knowledge and vice versa. This paper reports on a quick assessment approach that provides a quantitative score of generalist local ecological knowledge at the household level. It does so by comparing responses to the knowledge of local people identified as experts within the community. In this way it is both locally constructed and contextualized, and thereby avoids pitfalls of trying to score local ecological knowledge relative to conventional scientific knowledge which frequently cannot account for local constructs. The approach is applied at eight villages throughout the savanna biome in South Africa. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aquatic plants play effective in removing heavy metal (HM) as a prominent factor of bioremediations, however, there are still knowledge gaps in species selection and configuration for high removal efficiency (RE) of compound HM and ornamental value. In this study, seven emergent-aquatic-plant species were configured into seven groups and planted in a simulated swine wastewater (SW) with Cu, Zn, and Cd for 75 days in summer. REs of Cu, Zn, and Cd were 45.06–86.93%, 42.40–87.22%, and 73.85–85.52% at day 75, respectively. Higher REs were observed from day 30–45 for Cu and Zn, whereas days 15–30 for Cd. The synergistic removal of Zn and Cu or Zn and Cd was almost observed (p < 0.05). The configuration of G5 (S. tabernaemontani , I. sibirica , and P. cordata) was generally efficient roles in the removal at day 45, with REs of 85.14%, 87.06%, and 83.56% for Cu, Zn, and Cd, respectively. The dry weight of roots, water NH 4 +-N, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen acted on heavy-metal removal. During days 45–75, concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Cd in G5 were 0.52–0.66, 0.54–0.65, and 0.23–0.33 mg L−1. The former two were below the limits of Grade Ⅱ (1.0 mg L−1) and the latter was above the limits of Grade Ⅴ (0.1 mg L−1; GB3838-2002). Thus, G5 could be optimal for Cu and Zn removal from simulated SW, however, efficient Cd removal is required to ensure efficient SW recycling. • Compound HMs almost exist in SW, restrict SW reuse, and threaten human health. • REs of compound HMs were estimated and assessed under seven EAP groups. • The optimal configuration was the group of S. tabernaemontani , I. sibirica , and P. cordata. • Selected EAP configuration was proposed to plant about 45 days in summer. • Further steps should be taken for Cd removal with EAPs for SW recycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between climate change and biological invasions is a global conservation challenge with major consequences for invasive species management. However, our understanding of this interaction has substantial knowledge gaps; this is particularly relevant for invasive snakes on islands because they can be a serious threat to island ecosystems. Here we evaluated the potential influence of climate change on the distribution of invasive snakes on islands, using the invasion of the California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) in Gran Canaria. We analysed the potential distribution of L. californiae under current and future climatic conditions in the Canary Islands, with the underlying hypothesis that the archipelago might be suitable for the species under these climate scenarios. Our results indicate that the Canary Islands are currently highly suitable for the invasive snake, with increased suitability under the climate change scenarios tested here. This study supports the idea that invasive reptiles represent a substantial threat to near-tropical regions, and builds on previous studies suggesting that the menace of invasive reptiles may persist or even be exacerbated by climate change. We suggest future research should continue to fill the knowledge gap regarding invasive reptiles, in particular snakes, to clarify their potential future impacts on global biodiversity. • We used the invasion of Lampropeltis californiae to contribute to filling knowledge gaps regarding invasive species and climate change synergy. • Most of the archipelago is currently suitable to host the invasive snake, and future climatic conditions are likely to foster its expansion. • Climate change may aggravate the impact of invasive snakes on islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is essential to plug inefficiencies due to agrifood losses and wastes, which pose a significant threat to the sustainable supply of nutritional agrifood commodities/products. Country-specific evaluations of the extent of agrifood losses/wastes, including the pathways and impacts on net agrifood production, are crucial to inform interventions, research, policies and investments. This kind of knowledge is scarce in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, many of which are food insecure. This paper presents an estimation of and the bioenergy potential for agrifood loss and waste (AFW) – the edible and inedible residual biogenic fractions of crops and animal commodities/products – in Nigeria. Our findings reveal that Nigeria generates 183.3 ± 8.9MT of AFW per annum. About 27% of the average annual total domestic supply of edible agrifood commodities/products is lost before reaching markets/consumers. The intrinsic bioenergy potential of the inedible AFW fraction generated annually in Nigeria is estimated to be 1,816.8 ± 117.3PJ; this is sufficient to meet 2030's bioenergy targets and replace a third of its total (grid, off-grid and self-generation) supply targets. However, Nigeria lacks regulatory, policy and institutional frameworks specific to AFW management. This study recommends a sustainable approach to managing AFW, addressing the interlinked challenges of bioenergy production, public health and environmental sustainability. Besides addressing knowledge gaps in the Nigerian agrifood sector, the information generated in this study is well-timed to inform decision-making and policy formulation on decentralised AFW-based bioenergy interventions to achieve energy supply targets in the country by 2030 and beyond. This study is also strategic to guide future research/interventions that align with AFW utilisation/clean energy generation in SSA. • In Nigeria, agrifood waste (AFW) remains underexploited and poorly managed. • On average, 56.9 ± 3.3MT of edible agrifood is lost or wasted annually. • Inedible AFW bioenergy potential could meet 1 3 of Nigeria's 2030 electricity target. • Barriers, and an enabling environment for exploiting AFW bioenergy, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous researches have been carried out to study the effects of emerging contaminants in wastewater, such as antibiotics, nanomaterials, heavy metals, and microplastics, on the anammox process. However, they are fragmented and difficult to provide a comprehensive understanding of their effects on reactor performance and the metabolic mechanisms in anammox bacteria. Therefore, this paper overviews the effects on anammox processes by the introduced emerging contaminants in the past years to fulfill such knowledge gaps that affect our perception of the inhibitory mechanisms and limit the optimization of the anammox process. In detail, their effects on anammox processes from the aspects of reactor performance, microbial community, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and functional genes related to anammox and nitrogen transformation in anammox consortia are summarized. Furthermore, the metabolic mechanisms causing the cell death of anammox bacteria, such as induction of reactive oxygen species, limitation of substrates diffusion, and membrane binding are proposed. By offering this review, the remaining research gaps are identified, and the potential metabolic mechanisms in anammox consortia are highlighted. [Display omitted] • Anammox process is feasible for specific wastewater treatment containing emerging pollutants. • The effects of different emerging pollutants on anammox processes are summarized. • The metabolic mechanisms causing inhibition to anammox bacteria are proposed. • Molecular-level understanding of the inhibitory effect is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past decade has seen the rapid development of constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) technology in many aspects. The first publication on the combination of constructed wetland (CW) and microbial fuel cell (MFC) appeared in 2012, subsequently, research on the subject has grown exponentially to improve the performance of CW-MFCs in their dual roles of wastewater treatment and power generation. Although significant research has been conducted on this technology worldwide, a comprehensive and critical review of effective controlling parameters is lacking. More broadly, research is needed to draw up-to-date conclusions on recent developments and to identify knowledge gaps for further studies. This review paper systematically enumerates and reviews research studies published in this area to determine the key design factors and their role in CW-MFC performance. Moreover, a taxonomy of all CW-MFC design parameters has been synthesised from the literature. Importantly, this original work provides a comprehensive conceptual framework for future researchers, designers, builders, and users to understand CW-MFC technology. Within the taxonomy, parameters are placed in three main categories (physical/environmental, chemical, and biological/electrochemical) and comprehensive details are given for each parameter. Finally, a comprehensive summary of the parameters has been tabulated showing their impact on CW-MFC operation, design recommendations from literature, and the significant research gaps that this review has identified within the existing literature. It is hoped that this paper will provide a clear and rich picture of this technology at its current stage of development and furthermore, will facilitate a deeper understanding of CW-MFC performance for long-term and large-scale development. [Display omitted] • The taxonomy of CW-MFC design parameters is identified. • CW/MFC performance is highly dependent on the specific design parameters. • Research gaps regarding effective factors on CW-MFC performance are presented. • There is a growing need for pilot-scale studies to move the technology forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-based monitoring is increasingly recognised as one solution to sustainable environmental management. However, the development of community-based monitoring has led to confusion or misconceptions regarding other similar initiatives. Through a review of the characteristics and synthesising criteria of effective community-based monitoring, this article addresses how to distinguish community-based monitoring from other forms of community engagement research. A review of relevant community-based monitoring literature identifies the characteristics of and knowledge gaps in procedures and governance structures. Additionally, evidence of common benefits, challenges and lessons learned for successful community-based monitoring are deliberated. As an outcome of the review, the article synthesises a set of community-based monitoring criteria as follows: (1) efficacy of initiatives, (2) technicality aspects, (3) feedback mechanisms and (4) sustainability. These synthesised criteria will be instrumental in designing customised community-based monitoring initiatives for environmental sustainability. • CBM is increasingly recognised as solution to sustainable environmental management. • The design of CBM should consider community motivation and capacity. • CBM criteria: efficacy, technicality, feedback mechanisms and sustainability. • Effective CBM should couple with sound implementation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant quantities of tailings are produced during the extraction of bitumen from oil sands. Tailings are stored in tailings ponds for several years before they can be appropriately managed. Current fine tailings management approaches include mechanical and/or chemical amendments of fine tailings (FT) to speed up tailings reclamation. However, complex structures of fine tailings, stringent tailings management regulations, failure in production of trafficable deposits with current FT reclamation technologies and biogenic gas (e.g., CH 4) generations have prompted the re-evaluation of current FT remediation technologies and exploration of alternative biological treatments (e.g. , bioaugmentation and biostimulation). Biological treatments have proven to effectively remediate environmental pollutants by creating favourable environments for the desire microorganisms. Thus their effects on FT reclamation have been increasingly investigated in the last two decades. Many of these studies confirmed that biological treatments can improve FT dewatering and densification. However, other studies found that not all biological treatments can effectively suppress CH 4 generations or they may lead to the generation of other biogenic gases (e.g., H 2 S, N 2 O, NO). Therefore, it is critical to identify potential environmental risks associated with the biological treatments before their full-scale applications. This review revolved around two questions. First, whether bioaugmentation and biostimulation methods can improve FT reclamation. Secondly, what are the potential environmental issues that may arise from the applications of biological treatments. To address these questions, the existing peer-reviewed documents on fine tailings management were carefully reviewed to provide an introduction to the currently practiced FT reclamation technologies. Further discussions on biological treatments and their potentials and limitations were also presented. Finally, the review highlighted the knowledge gap in the area of biological treatments of FT and provided recommendations for future research. [Display omitted] • Generation of biogenic gases can negatively affect tailings strategic closure plan. • Biostimulation & bioaugmentation methods can improve FT dewatering and densification. • Not all biological treatments can permanently suppress biogenic CH 4 generation. • Biological treatments of FT under real conditions need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decades, phosphate is considered the main cause of eutrophication and has received substantial attention from the scientific community. Phosphate is a major pollutant that deteriorates water quality, which has been increasing in water resources, primarily due to the increasing global population and corresponding activities. Adsorption technology is amongst the different technologies used to decrease the phosphate levels in water, and has been found to be highly effective even at low phosphate concentrations. Carbonaceous materials and their composites have been widely used for phosphate removal due to their exceptional surface properties and high phosphate sorption capacity. Considering the importance of the topic, this study reviews the reported literature in the field of adsorptive removal of phosphate over various carbon-based adsorbents such as activated carbon, charcoal, graphene, graphene oxide, graphite and carbon nanotubes. Moreover, insights into the adsorption behaviour, experimental parameters, mechanisms, thermodynamics, effect of coexisting ions and the possible desorption processes of phosphate onto modified and unmodified carbonaceous adsorbents are also considered. Finally, research challenges and gaps have been highlighted. [Display omitted] • Review of the literature of phosphate adsorptive removal by carbon based materials. • Adsorption mechanisms, thermodynamics and desorption studies were considered. • Metals impregnation has significantly increases the phosphate sorption capacity. • Knowledge gaps of phosphate removal by carbonaceous adsorbents were outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The co-processing of secondary wastes during ordinary Portland cement (OPC) can result in high heavy metal concentrations in OPC products. However, earlier studies have not evaluated the concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) in OPC as a function of secondary input materials. Further, the health risk assessment (HRA) model has, thus far, has not been employed to assess the potential health risks associated with secondary raw materials and secondary fuels in OPC. Hence, to address these knowledge gaps, herein, monthly data for six HMs in the input materials and fuels from seven OPC manufacturers in the Republic of Korea were analyzed and modeled. Pb and Cu concentrations were found to be approximately 10–200 and 4–200 times higher than those of the other HMs, respectively. Furthermore, maximum Pb and Cu concentrations were 2–3 and 2–5 times higher than those reported in other countries, respectively. The quantity of input material had a significant influence on the observed patterns, and secondary raw materials, secondary additives, and secondary fuels were also determined to be important. Based on HRA assessment, although the risk levels were within permissible ranges, carcinogenic hazards attributable to Cr and Pb were not negligible. The results can aid in informed decision making and in implementing effective measures for managing risks associated with HMs in the OPC industry, thereby ameliorating threats to human health and environment. • Co-processing approach can result in the heavy metal contamination of cement products. • Heavy metal concentrations depended on the type and quantity of the input material. • Secondary materials were a more prominent source of heavy metals compared to primary. • Health risks due to Cr and Pb were not negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gully pots actively trap sediments transported by urban runoff to prevent in-pipe blockages and surface flooding. However, due to poor maintenance (resulting in sediment build-up) and increasingly extreme wet weather events, the scour of previously-deposited sediments from gully pots is identified as a potential contributor to EU Water Framework Directive failure. While basal sediment scour deterministic models have been developed and validated using laboratory and field gully pot data sets, the ability of these models to predict behaviour at sites other than those for which they were established has not been addressed. Nor has the impact of future rainfall predictions on the role of gully pots as sediment sources been systematically examined. As a contribution to addressing these knowledge gaps, the performance of two gully pot basal sediment scour models of distinct complexity levels are evaluated under current and future rainfall conditions. The output from Model One suggests that the scour-induced total suspended solids in gully pot discharge can be kept well below 25 mg/L if the gully pot fullness level is maintained at under 60%. Results identify the opportunity to incorporate the actual/targeted ecological status of recipients in scheduling gully pot maintenance operations and that proactive gully pots maintenance will reduce the impacts of increased rainfall intensity/duration on the magnitude of sediment scour. Results from Model Two suggest that fine sediments are particularly susceptible to in-pot scour. For example, sediment with a specific gravity of 1.1 and diameter of >63 μm accounts for 50% of scour-induced total suspended solids in gully pot discharge. The effluent suspended solids concentrations predicted by the two models differ by up to two orders of magnitude. However, without further empirical field data pertaining to their respective competences/applications, neither model could be discounted at this stage. For example, the use of Model One is more appropriate in the establishment of gully pot maintenance schedules, with Model Two more suited to the dimensioning of gully pots based on performance requirements. This application, however, relies on the development and adoption of a more stringent regulation on gully pots discharge. • Poor gully pot maintenance contributes to EU Water Framework Directive failure. • Gully pot scour models of differing complexities evaluated against > 450 scenarios. • Recipient ecological status can influence gully pot maintenance schedule. • The need for gully pot effluent suspended solids guidelines described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review critically examined the existing technologies for the treatment of sulfolane, which is an emerging groundwater contaminant. In general, sulfolane plumes are difficult to contain and mitigate because sulfolane is highly mobile and does not biodegrade to an appreciable extent under anoxic conditions typical of many subsurface environments. Several studies have shown that sulfolane biodegradation can be enhanced in the presence of oxygen, suggesting that in situ biosparging or ex-situ (i.e., pump and treat) aerobic biodegradation can potentially be effective means of remediating sulfolane-contaminated sites. While highly reactive species such as SO 4 •- and •OH radicals have been shown to oxidize sulfolane, whether sulfolane can be effectively treated by ex situ advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) or by in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) needs to be further examined. Besides chemical and biological treatments, pump and treat by adsorption on granular activated carbon (GAC) has been applied to remove sulfolane at several sites. To optimize the treatment as well as to identify more effective adsorbents, additional research is needed to investigate the mechanism and factors affecting sulfolane adsorption. In addition to assessing the treatment of sulfolane, this review also discussed the analytical methods for the quantification of sulfolane in the context that guidelines for sulfolane will likely become more stringent and, therefore, analytical methods with lower detection limit will be needed for future research. • Methods for the treatment sulfolane, a groundwater contaminant, are reviewed. • It was found that aerobic biodegradation and adsorption are the two popular methods. • The ability of advanced oxidation to destroy sulfolane is somewhat uncertain. • Knowledge gaps associated with each treatment method is identified. • Existing methods for sulfolane analysis were also critically reviewed. Summary: The treatment of sulfolane in groundwater is reviewed in this manuscript. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability of products and services has become a compulsory requirement and an essential requirement for organizations, governments, markets and society in general. Among the various ways of measuring sustainability that have been developed, those based on life cycle thinking provide one of the frameworks for assessing the potential impacts of products and services. However, despite sustainability of triple bottom line parameters (ecological, financial and social), the life cycle assessment is the most mature and prominent available tool. In addition, integration methodologies have come up, like life cycle sustainability assessment (integrating the three sustainability dimensions) and life cycle engineering (including the technical or functional aspect). The application of these methodologies to emergent materials and technologies represents a huge challenge, because there is lack of proper indicators, lack of information and contradictory information is common. This is the case of biocomposites, built with nature-based materials harvested in a myriad of ways in several regions of the globe. So, this paper presents a systematic literature review about the research done on the realm of sustainability assessment methods application to biocomposites. It reveals knowledge and information gaps to apply these methodologies. The integration of the existing methodologies is proposed as a way to allow a holistic sustainability assessment of biocomposite materials. • Adequate and accurate local/global indicators to life cycle inventory are scarce. • Integration of LCSA and LCE provide a better holistic sustainable perspective. • Selection of suitable stakeholders are strategic for defining the indicators. • Life cycle thinking is key in the material decision-making route for biocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]