Search

• Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) is generated as a by-product in the bitumen extraction process. It is stored in man-made reservoirs on mining sites. • OSPW forms a complex mixture of biotic and abiotic components that vary due to multiple factors. • Abiotic components such as naphthenic acids (NAs), inorganic ions, and residual bitumen all contribute to the toxicity of OSPW in vivo and in vitro. The microbial community are involved in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in addition to the bioremediation of OSPW. • Both the biotic and chemical constituents of OSPW should be considered to properly treat OSPW and to understand its toxicity. The oil sands in Northern Alberta are the largest oil sands in the world, providing an important economic resource for the Canadian energy industry. The extraction of petroleum in the oil sands begins with the addition of hot water to the bituminous sediment, generating oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), which is acutely toxic to organisms. Trillions of litres of OSPW are stored on oil sands mining leased sites in man-made reservoirs called tailings ponds. As the volume of OSPW increases, concerns arise regarding the reclamation and eventual release of this water back into the environment. OSPW is composed of a complex and heterogeneous mix of components that vary based on factors such as company extraction techniques, age of the water, location, and bitumen ore quality. Therefore, the effective remediation of OSPW requires the consideration of abiotic and biotic constituents within it to understand short and long term effects of treatments used. This review summarizes selected chemicals and organisms in these waters and their interactions to provide a holistic perspective on the physiochemical and microbial dynamics underpinning OSPW. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable long-term use of land rehabilitated following mining is required to be resilient to fire and other disturbances. We analysed the vegetation responses to three fires in grassland pasture and open woodland on rehabilitated open-cut coal mine sites in Queensland, Australia. Two fires in central Queensland were controlled burns to manage fuel loads and test the vegetation and landform response, while the third fire, in southeastern Queensland, was an unintended wildfire. We monitored several ecological variables at the study sites for up to five years following the fires and found that vegetation cover, biomass and species richness recovered to pre-fire or unburnt control values within two years. However, one study site experienced lower than average rainfall during the three to five-year post-fire period, resulting in a significant reduction in vegetation cover of between 14 and 31 %, and biomass between 45 and 57 % compared to pre-fire values. Tree and shrub densities changed significantly at two of the sites, reflected in a 635 % increase in stem density of Acacia stenophylla (A.Cunn. ex Benth.) and 82 % mortality of Atriplex nummularia Lindl. subsp. nummularia individuals <2 m in height and 100 % mortality in the 2-5 m height class. The results suggest that rehabilitated pasture systems in central and southern Queensland are resilient to fire in the short-term but are vulnerable to long-term shifts in climate, particularly if a fire precedes a long period of drought. Further resilience work is needed to i) compare rehabilitation recovery with unmined vegetation communities to determine residual risk of future fire impacts, ii) account for seasonality in resilience assessments and iii) understand recovery traits of seed mix combinations sourced from disparate regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Assessed the market and non-market benefits, costs, and benefit-cost ratios of different paddy systems. • Reclaiming saline-sodic soils can relieve food shortages and enhance ecosystem services. • Rice-crab and rice-fish co-culture systems had the highest market value. • Ecosystem service values increased with market benefits over extended cultivation periods. Reclamation of saline-sodic soils can unlock vast potential resources, relieve food shortages, and increase valuable ecosystem services. While previous investigations have focused on the current ecosystem service (ES) value of reclaimed paddy fields, the potential long-term costs and benefits of reclamation are still largely unknown. To fill this important research gap, we assessed ES values of reclaimed paddies at the field scale, using primary data collected from 15 different paddy management systems. We assessed the market and non-market benefits, costs, and benefit-cost ratios (BCR) of three different reclamation models and two coculture models across a chronosequence of paddy sites (cultivated for up to 50 years). Our results demonstrate that the addition of cellulose sulfonated modified composite (CSMC) and flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) substantially increased the net ecosystem service value (NESV) by 16.53 % and 52.21 %, respectively, compared to control paddy cultivation sites. Additionally, integrated rice-crab and rice-fish coculture systems presented great increases in market value (48.48 % and 51.39 %, respectively) compared with that of monoculture systems. Ecosystem provisioning and gas regulating services increased alongside market benefits over longer cultivation periods, indicating potential advantages of long-term paddy cultivation. After 50 years of operation, the cumulative benefit of the CSMC system was approximately 455058.88 ¥ ha−1, which was approximately 1.6 times greater than the control. These results indicate that additional investment in the CSMC system can produce a high margin benefit-cost ratio (MBCR). Given appropriate management models and policies, CSMC inputs and rice-fish co-culture represent the best-performing reclamation system in this study. Our study lays the foundation for associated studies on related government policy, corporate investments, and agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the long-term dynamics of saltmarsh vegetation and their driving factors is crucial for the restoration of degraded coastal wetlands. Reclamation and plant invasion, identified as the two most significant environmental contributors to saltmarsh vegetation degradation, profoundly influence the evolution of saltmarsh vegetation. However, the long-term impacts of reclamation and plant invasion on native saltmarsh vegetation remain unclear. This study utilized multi-source time series remote sensing data to quantify the long-term impacts of Spartina alterniflora invasion and reclamation on native saltmarsh vegetation in the Yangtze River estuary from 1985 to 2020. Unlike other studies, this study generated annual saltmarsh cover data using image composite, zoning classification, object-based phenology algorithm, and random forest algorithm, which largely addressed the problem that existing studies could not capture transient change and gradual change because of insufficient observation frequency. Results showed that: (1) Reclamation had resulted in a loss of 503.93 km2 of native saltmarsh vegetation from 1985 to 2020, including 286.16 km2 of Phragmites australis community and 217.77 km2 of Scirpus spp. community; Spartina alterniflora invasion had resulted in a loss of 78.96 km2 of native saltmarsh vegetation from 1985 to 2020, including 12.48 km2 of Phragmites australis community and 66.48 km2 of Scirpus spp. community; (2) Significant differences of spatial-temporal evolution patterns of native saltmarsh vegetation were observed under different degrees of Spartina alterniflora invasion and reclamation, including irrecoverable scenario under severe plant invasion and excessive reclamation, recoverable scenario under moderate degree of reclamation and plant invasion, and competitive scenario under plant invasion and without reclamation.; (3) From a long-term remote sensing perspective, spread limitation determined by reclamation intensity was a decisive factor in the evolution of Phragmites australis community in the study area, while interspecific competition between invasive Spartina alterniflora and Scirpus spp. determined the evolution of Scirpus spp. community. This study provides a theoretical basis and baseline for the protection strategies of native saltmarsh vegetation in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semi-enclosed bays often have weak water exchange capacities, leading to frequent environmental pollution, particularly localized pollution. This study examines the local effects of changes in local factors on water circulation within Bohai Bay after land reclamation. To address the limitations of previous methods in measuring sub-regional water exchange, we introduce the concept of Local Average Influence Time (LAIT) to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the impact of land reclamation on water exchange between sub-regions in semi-enclosed bays. Results indicate that land reclamation can enhance the self-purification capacity of sub-regions with significant shoreline changes in Bohai Bay, but this improvement is closely linked to dynamic factors such as wind, tide, and runoff. The degree of water exchange between sub-regions shows significant spatial heterogeneity, with land reclamation influencing the primary direction of water transport. This is largely due to the obstruction caused by newly constructed artificial headlands, making the neighbor area new high-risk zones for pollution. Wind can promote water circulation within the bay, but its effects are spatially heterogeneous and sensitive to shoreline topography changes. River discharge can enhance local water exchange but is weakened by obstruction from artificial headlands. Tide promotes water exchange between the bay mouth and inner bay areas, while their impact on sub-regional water exchange is also spatially heterogeneous and sensitive to changes in shoreline and topography. This study provides a quantitative method for assessing water exchange between regions and offers insights into the impact of land reclamation on water circulation within semi-enclosed bays. • Proposing LAIT to measure the water exchange between sub-regions in semi-enclosed bays • Using TRACLUS to describe the water exchange path effectively • Offering insights into the impact of reclamation on water circulation within semi-enclosed bays [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saline-sodic soils have experienced severe organic carbon loss worldwide. In recent years, various types of cropping systems have been employed to reclaim saline-sodic wastelands, with the aim of increasing food production and improving soil conditions. However, the complex effects of this rapid and intense land-use change on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and stability remain unclear. In this study, we compared how these effects varied across unperturbed saline-sodic wasteland, paddy fields, upland fields, and upland fields converted from paddy fields (CF) in the Songnen Plain, northeast China. Our assessment of plant- and microbial-derived carbon biomarkers, including lignin phenols, amino sugars, and glomalin-related soil proteins, revealed that the cultivation of saline-sodic wasteland increased total SOC by increasing particulate, mineral-associated, and labile organic carbon. Across cropping systems, the largest increase in SOC (217.77 %) was measured under long-term cultivation. Microbial-derived carbon was the primary contributor to SOC in saline-sodic farmland, but the proportion of SOC formed by plant-derived carbon increased under long-term cultivation. Our analysis of lignin phenols and soil enzymes (cellulase and ligninase) suggests that microbial decomposition of plant-derived carbon was enhanced in long-term compared to short-term farmland. Despite greater overall accumulation of plant- and microbial-derived carbon in CF, the stability of microbial-derived carbon in this cropping system was relatively low due to lower ratios of glucosamine to muramic acid. Additionally, random forest modelling indicates that the increases in microbial biomass and improvements in basic soil properties associated with the cultivation of saline-sodic wasteland were the key factors influencing plant- and microbial-derived carbon. These findings demonstrate that the cultivation of saline-sodic wasteland increases carbon sequestration in the soil by increasing both plant- and microbial-derived SOC. [Display omitted] • Farmland reclamation effectively enhances saline-sodic soil SOC storage. • Converting saline-sodic paddy to upland fields still achieves accumulation of plant- and microbial-derived carbon. • Lignin phenols, amino sugars, and glomalin-related soil proteins has different contribution to SOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Remote sensing data supports research on reclaimed post-mining sites. • Key factors affecting SOC, TN, and SWS in post-mining ecosystems were identified. • DTM significantly impacts SOC, while TN is mainly influenced by NIR and NDVI. • TWI and CHM are particularly important for SWS assessment in post-mining ecosystems. The estimation of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), Total Nitrogen (TN), and Soil Water Storage (SWS) is crucial in comprehending ecosystem services and environmental sustainability. It plays a crucial role in guiding sustainable restoration strategies and supporting the long-term health of post-mining sites. Remote sensing technology provides valuable tools for modelling and mapping soil properties in reclaimed post-mining sites efficiently and cost-effectively. This study aimed to utilize remote sensing data to estimate SOC, TN, and SWS in a reclaimed post-mining site. Field data was collected from 130 research plots to obtain reference data for SOC, TN, and SWS from the Sonica hard coal post-mine spoil heap. Remote sensing data were: airborne laser scanning (ALS) point clouds and Planets cope satellite imageries. Generalized Additive Models (GAM) were used to develop predictive models. Wall-to-wall predictions of analyzed variables were performed. The results identified topographic and remote sensing indicators that significantly influence SOC, TN, and SWS. Digital Terrain Model (DTM), aspect, and blue spectral band are variables that explain SOC storage, with a significant influence of DTM, ranging from −8 to 18 Mg ha−1. TN was explained by DTM, Canopy Height Model (CHM), blue and Near Infrared (NIR) spectral bands, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), mainly influenced by NIR and NDVI, ranging from −1.1 to 0.8 and −0.9 to 1.4 Mg ha−1, respectively. The values of Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), aspect, CHM, blue and NIR spectral bands explained SWS, highlighting their importance in assessing soil water dynamics in post-mining landscapes, with TWI and CHM being particularly influential, ranging from −2 to 5.1 and −6 to 2 mm, respectively. However, caution is advised when predicting SOC and TN using remote sensing in post-mining sites due to geogenic carbon considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the influence of challenges posed by both human and natural factors, tidal wetlands in the Bohai Rim have been confronting severe threats. It is imperative to comprehend the evolution, as well as the losses and gains of tidal wetlands in the Bohai Rim, for effective coastal management and planning. However, the dynamic fluctuations in the losses and gains of tidal wetlands in this region are frequently overlooked. In this study, employing image data cubes and frequency method, we systematically monitored tidal wetlands in the Bohai Rim spanning the period from 1986 to 2022. Additionally, we performed an exhaustive analysis of the evolution, losses, and gains of tidal wetlands within the provinces and municipality surrounding the Bohai Rim, as well as a detailed analysis of typical areas. This study unveiled three key findings. Firstly, tidal wetlands in Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, and Shandong had experienced significant declines of 42%, 66.3%, 71.08% and 60.52% from 1986 to 2022, respectively; they had contracted spatially and changed from a contiguous complete distribution to a scattered fragmented distribution. Secondly, reclamation and erosion had led to the loss of tidal wetlands, while sedimentation had led to the gain of tidal wetlands. The loss area of tidal wetlands caused by reclamation and erosion, as well as the gain area of tidal wetlands caused by sedimentation, had exhibited fluctuating changes from 1986 to 2022. Finally, the area of tidal wetlands in the Liaohe River Delta, Tianjin Port, and Yellow River Delta had decreased by 46.48%, 74.96% and 22.36% from 1986 to 2022, respectively; and tidal wetlands in these three typical areas had spatially contracted. Our findings offer a fresh perspective and a solid scientific foundation for the effective management and strategic planning of tidal wetlands in the Bohai Rim region. • Extract tidal wetlands from image data cubes based on the method of inundation frequency. • Conduct a detailed analysis of tidal wetlands' evolution, tidal wetlands' losses and gains in the. • Bohai Rim region. • Conduct a detailed analysis of tidal wetlands' evolution at three typical areas. • Declaration of competing interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the key challenges in achieving large-scale ecological reclamation of coal gangue in situ, this study utilized loess from a mining area in Northwest China to prepare a biomimetic soil. A new inorganic curing agent (ISA) was developed using coal-based solid waste and cement. The study investigates the influence of different ISA dosages and their interaction with Polyacrylamide (PAM) on the environmental characteristics of biomimetic soil, including geotechnical, ecological, and heavy metal stabilization properties. Results indicate that the addition of ISA significantly enhanced the geotechnical performance of the in-situ soil, with unconfined compressive strength exceeding 350 kPa when ISA content was above 6 %. Soil evaporation experiments and soil water characteristic curve tests demonstrated that a 6 % ISA dosage combined with 0.05 ‰ PAM could maintain soil's good water retention capability while preserving a bimodal pore structure. The biomimetic soil exhibited effective stabilization of heavy metals, including Pb, Zn, Cu, and As. The particles of PAM and the hydration products of ISA not only filled soil pores and increased soil strength but also adsorbed, encapsulated, and immobilized heavy metals. "Biomimetic soil-gangue" leaching test results confirmed that the gangue samples treated with biomimetic soil met the standards for Class III underground water in China regarding heavy metal leaching values. This study provides an effective solution for the large-scale in-situ disposal and resource utilization of gangue in Northwestern mining areas of China. [Display omitted] • ISA and PAM are sustainable curing agents for biomimetic soil. • ISA can enhance the geotechnical, ecological, and environmental properties of soil. • Biomimetic soil can effectively solidify heavy metals in gangue. • Biomimetic soil-gangue reclamation can restore deep soil structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The design method was simple and effective. • Experimental and simulated performances matched well. • Purity of 99.9% was obtained experimentally after 22 h. • Save 36.5% and 43.7% in terms of operating cost and TAE, respectively. • The use of an advanced distillation configuration in industrial applications is viable. In this study, the reclamation of Halon 1301 from an industrial waste gas mixture using an existing heat-pump-assisted batch distillation system was investigated. A cold water circuit and a hot water circuit are added to the conventional vapor compression heat pump for easy operation. To design and optimize the separation, where several design variables and constraints must be verified and satisfied, a modification of the design methodology proposed by Long et al. (2020) was used. Following design using Aspen Hysys software in the simulation of the shortcut column and heat pump system and Aspen Batch Modeler in the simulation of batch distillation, experimental operation of the existing heat-pump-assisted batch distillation system was performed to purify Halon 1301. The experimental performance matched well with that in the simulation. The purification of Halon 1301 with purity of 99.9% was accomplished after 22 h under the designed and optimized operating conditions. The results show that the reboiler duty and operating costs of the existing industrial system can be saved by as much as 100.0% and 36.5%, respectively, compared with a conventional batch distillation column. In addition, the total CO 2 emission was reduced by as much as 43.7% compared with that of the conventional process. Moreover, the proposed design is convenient and gives reliable performance. This study demonstrated that the use of an advanced distillation configuration in industrial applications is practically viable and economical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban brownfield remediation and reclamation have attracted much attention, but rural spaces do not receive the same focus and suffer from the effects these sites have on society, the economy, and land. The objective of this study is to evaluate how social, economic, and environmental features affect agricultural brownfield regeneration between 2004 and 2018 through two case study regions in the southern Czech Republic. In 1221 muncipalties where a communist agricultural cooperative or a state farm operated in 1989, agricultural brownfields existed in 832 of the municipalities in 2004. A multinomial non-parametric regression method and CCA ordination revealed ties between agricultural brownfield reclamation and the characteristics of those municipalities. This shows a deep and before unknown consequence of agricultural brownfield regeneration. There was not a relationship between the size of an agricultural premise and its probability of being an agricultural brownfield. Larger agricultural brownfields are more likely to be (at least partially) regenerated. Lower agrcultural land costs drove the higher probability that a brownfield was reused between 2004 and 2018. Housing reuses more frequently occur in areas with low agricultural land costs. Similarly, agricultural reuses of those derelict premises is more likely in areas with a low price of agricultural land. However, larger municipalities did not experience a reclamation of their agricultural brownfields, and long-term brownfields may occur alongside any other type of reclaimed land. • The probability of an agricultural brownfield occurring is not correlated with premise size. • Larger agricultural brownfields are more likely to be regenerated. • Housing reuses are found in areas with low prices of agricultural land. • Reusing an agricultural brownfield for agriculture again is more likely in areas with low land costs. • Long-term brownfields can occur alongside any other type of reclaimed premises or land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The present study aimed at determining the presence and removal rate achieved through the main treatment stages of a full-scale wastewater reclamation plant for some classes of Organic Micropollutants. Furthermore, the human health risk due to the reuse of the final effluent containing residual concentrations of these pollutants for non-potable applications was assessed. The 8-months monitoring campaign on the influent and effluent of the treatment stages of the plant highlighted that the main removal took place in the bioreactor, reaching median removal of 99 %, 97 %, 60 % 76 %, 71 %, 96 % and 100 %, for benzoylecgonine, cocaine, methamphetamine, trimetoprim, sulfadiazine, ketoprofene and caffeine, respectively. This result was also confirmed by the application of the principal component analysis. A further abatement, although slight, occurred in the tertiary compartment (made up by filtration, UV disinfection and chlorination) for sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and ketoprofen, determining a final median removal of 50 %, 94 % and 98 %, respectively. A significant correlation between the removal processes of the investigated organic micropollutants and the traditional water quality parameters was also found out. The human health risk for incidental ingestion and dermal contact resulted to be always below 1 under average and worst scenarios, which indicates that the risk can be considered acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unbeknownst to us, natural radiation is in close proximity to human existence. Post-mining practices can generate naturally occurring radionuclides that have the potential to cause radiological effects on human health. This study utilized soil samples obtained from ex-mining reclamation land in Banko Barat, South Sumatra Province, to assess the concentration of natural radioactivity and the corresponding radiation dose. Eight composite soil samples were collected from reclaimed land. The samples underwent processing and analysis through gamma spectrometry in order to ascertain the activity concentration of the radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K. The RESRAD-ONSITE 7.2 software utilizes the activity concentration of soil samples as an input parameter to accurately predict the dose rate for workers. The projected dose rate was determined by considering four routes of exposure: external gamma radiation, inhalation, radon, and ingestion of soil. The measured activity values of soil samples from reclamation land for 226Ra ranged from 25.6704 ± 0.5082 to 58.8555 ± 0.6917 Bq/kg. The activity values for 232Th ranged from 30.5546 ± 0.1757 to 42.53020.3004 Bq/kg. Lastly, the activity values for 40K ranged from 533.902 ± 6.4023 to 988.081 ± 9.6948 Bq/kg. The total effective dose rate measured in the reclaimed land falls between 0.08673 and 0.1469 millisieverts per year. The value does not surpass the maximum limit set by BAPETEN, which is one mSv/year. Therefore, no additional protective measures are required for workers. • Study on reclaimed mining land's radioactivity and health impact. • The soil in Banko Barat was analyzed for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K via gamma spectrometry. • RESRAD-ONSITE 7.2 was used to predict radiation dose using various exposure routes. • The reclaimed land's dose is under one mSv/year limit; no extra measures are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A total of 680 samples of SOC in coastal China were collected and analyzed. • The SOC tended to decrease in first 10 years and then increase after reclamation. • The SOC in different land use types after reclamation was no significant variation. • Soil moisture and nitrogen are most important contributors affecting coastal SOC. As an important blue carbon pool, the content, dynamics, and related hydrological environment of coastal soil organic carbon (SOC) are extremely vulnerable to coastal reclamation; however, a full understanding of this is still lacking, mainly due to the heterogeneity in space. In this study, a dataset encompassing 680 samples gathered from 128 literatures related to SOC variation in China's coastal areas has been constructed. Moreover, meta -analysis combined with structural equation model have been adopted to quantitatively explore the characteristics and causal mechanism of SOC change following reclamation. The results show that: (1) After reclamation, reclamation history has become an overriding control variable dominating all environmental factors, including soil physical and biochemical factors, and directly alters the content and dynamics of SOC. The SOC has tended to decrease substantially within first 10 years after reclamation and then increase significantly over time. After reclamation, forest and paddy generally have a positive effect on SOC. (2) In natural saltmarshes (before reclamation), soil biochemical factors are the dominant forces driving SOC. However, after reclamation, soil physical factors have played an increasingly important role in SOC variation, of which soil moisture is a relatively important contributor. Total nitrogen is another driving force controlling the variation of SOC acting as a gate valve role. (3) For coastal carbon sequestration, cultivating terricolous salt-tolerant vegetation to establish integrated high salinity eco-system in reclaimed zones, wetland silting promotion projects should be encouraged in natural salt marshes. And, land uses of forest and paddy should be popularized for promoting SOC in reclaimed zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Recent advancements in reclamation and recycling of waste carbon fibers. • Reuse of waste/recycled carbon fibers to remanufacture thermoplastic composites. • Reinforcing impact of waste/recycled carbon fiber on the mechanical properties of composites. • Environmental considerations, embodied energy, and economic benefits of waste carbon fibers. Carbon fibers are increasingly in demand due to their exceptional mechanical properties and low density affording a new generation of lightweight structures. However, concerns about their sustainability and energy consumption during manufacture may well represent a limit to their further proliferation. Consequently, the reclamation of waste carbon fibers and their reformatting using reclaimed carbon fibers has gained significant attention recently as a promising approach to address both of these challenges. This review paper seeks to deepen the understanding of waste/recycled carbon fiber and its role in enabling sustainable polymer composites and the wider use of carbon fiber during the transition to a net zero world. Although reclamation, reformatting, environmental considerations, and economic benefits are covered, the specific focus of this review lies in the reuse of waste/recycled carbon fibers as reinforcements in thermoplastic composites. Through an in-depth review, light is shed on the advantages and obstacles associated with utilizing waste/recycled carbon fibers with potential applications and future research directions are discussed. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-series interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) provides a unique tool for measuring large-scale and long-term land surface deformation. Under the assumption of a single linear deformation model in conventional InSAR, it is difficult to quantify and interpret the impacts of multiple environmental factors that presumably induce nonlinear deformations. In this paper, we propose a SAR-Transformer method to decompose InSAR time-series signals into various physics-related components and apply the method to evaluate the deformation of the world's longest cross-sea bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB). We first developed an improved bridge geometry-based InSAR network to monitor the deformation of the HZMB using Sentinel-1 and COSMO-SkyMed images from 2019 to 2022, which were validated using the leveling and GPS data. The SAR-Transformer model was trained using synthetic InSAR time-series samples and applied to decompose the monitored InSAR measurements. Compared with that of conventional curve-fitting and seasonal-trend decomposition using LOESS, SAR-Transformer reduced the mean absolute error at least by 58.32% and mean absolute percentage error at least by 8.84% for time-series signal reconstruction. We evaluated the decomposed patterns according to the geotechnical, meteorological, and marine processes, and found that: 1) Seasonal thermal expansion owing to temperature changes was significant in all parts of the bridge, and deflection due to concrete shrinkage and creep was observed on cable-stayed bridges. 2) The artificial islands experienced evident ground subsidence with a decelerating trend. In particular, the newly adopted non-dredged reclamation method resulted in a lower decelerated settlement than that of fully-dredged reclamation areas. 3) The seawall showed linear horizontal movement from the outward stretching of the reclaimed soil consolidation and periodic displacement related to sea tidal loading. Furthermore, typhoons and coastal earthquakes had limited effects on the permanent movement of the bridge. These results improve the understanding of the interactions between artificial super-infrastructures and environmental factors, and provide valuable guidelines for the maintenance and management of the HZMB. • An improved BGN was developed to monitor bridge deformations in TSInSAR. • The SAR-Transformer model was proposed to decompose the InSAR time series. • Three indexes were generated for time-series deformation characterization. • The decomposed patterns were evaluated using various environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosion following human disturbance threatens ecosystem health and inhibits effective land use. Mountaintop removal/valley fill (MTR/VF) mined landscapes of the Appalachian Coalfields region, USA, provide a unique opportunity to quantify the geomorphic trajectory of disturbed lands. Here we assess how MTR/VF-induced changes to topography and vegetation influence spatiotemporal erosion patterns in five mined watersheds. We use landscape evolution models starting from pre- and post-MTR/VF topographic data to isolate the influence of mining-induced topographic change. We then constrain ranges of erodibility from incision depths of gully features on mine margins, and use those estimates to model the influence of vegetation recovery trends on erosion. Topographic alterations alone reduce total sediment export from mined catchments. Model runs that incorporate the disturbance and recovery of vegetation in mined watersheds show that complete vegetation recovery keeps millennial sediment export from mined catchments within the range of unmined catchments. If vegetation recovery is anything less than complete, vegetation disturbance drives greater total sediment export from mined catchments than unmined catchments. Full vegetation recovery causes sediment fluxes to decline over millennia beyond the recovery period, while watersheds without full recovery experience fluxes that increase over the same time period. Spatiotemporal erosion trends depend on 1) the extent of vegetation recovery and 2) the extent to which MTR/VF creates slope–area disequilibrium. Valley fills and mine scarps experience erosion rates several times higher than those found in the unmined landscapes. Rapid erosion of mined areas drives deposition in colluvial hollows, headwater stream valleys, and below scarps. Our experiments suggest that reclamation focused on maximizing vegetation recovery and reducing hotspots of slope–area disequilibrium would reduce MTR's influence on Appalachian watersheds both during and long after the vegetation recovery period. Insights from MTR/VF-influenced landscapes can inform mined land management as the renewable energy transition drives increased surface mining. [Display omitted] • We model 10,000 years of erosion beginning from both pre- and post-mining topography. • Mining-driven topographic changes alone reduce total erosion due to ridge flattening. • Incomplete vegetation recovery increases erosion in mined over unmined basins. • Erosion is focused in valley fills, deposition in low-order valleys and below scarps. • Vegetation recovery sets decadal sediment pulses and millennial landscape trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface mining may be humanity's most tangible impact on Earth's surface and will become more prevalent as the energy transition progresses. Prediction of post-mining landscape change can help mitigate environmental damage, but requires understanding how mining changes geomorphic processes and variables. Here we investigate surface mining's complex influence on surface processes in a case study of mountaintop removal/valley fill (MTR/VF) coal mining in the Appalachian Coalfields, USA. The future of MTR/VF landscapes is unclear because mining's effects on geomorphic processes are poorly understood. We use geospatial analysis—leveraging the existence of pre- and post-MTR/VF elevation models—and synthesis of literature to ask how MTR/VF alters topography, hydrology, and land-surface erodibility and how these changes could be incorporated into numerical models of post-MTR/VF landscape evolution. MTR/VF reduces slope and area–slope product, and rearranges drainage divides. Creation of closed depressions alters flow routing and casts doubt on the utility of models that assume steady flow. MTR/VF creates two contrasting hydrologic domains, one in which overland flow is generated efficiently due to a lack of infiltration capacity, and one in which waste rock deposits act as extensive subsurface reservoirs. This dichotomy creates localized hotspots of overland flow and erosion. Loss of forest cover probably reduces cohesion in near-surface soils for at least the timescale of vegetation recovery, while waste rock fills and minesoils also likely experience reduced erosion resistance. Our analysis suggests three necessary ingredients for numerical modeling of post-MTR/VF landscape change: 1) accurate routing and accumulation of unsteady overland flow and accompanying sediment across low-gradient, depression-rich, engineered landscapes, 2) separation of the landscape into cut, filled, and unmined regions, and 3) incorporation of vegetation recovery trajectories. Improved modeling of post-mining landscape evolution will mitigate environmental degradation from past mining and reduce the impacts of future mining that supports the energy transition. [Display omitted] • Mountaintop removal mining flattens topography and moves drainage divides. • Cut and filled domains generate different quantities of erosive runoff. • Creation of many closed depressions reduces applicability of common models. • Vegetation loss and material property changes increase erodibility. • Our work reveals the necessary elements for models of post-mining landscape change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Vegetation Quality Assessment measures losses and gains in vegetation quality and extent. • An objective, repeatable workflow for quantifying impacts and monitoring restoration progress. • Stratified-random sampling reduces bias and enables estimation of error and uncertainty. • Quality measured by overlap between indicator distributions in impacted and undisturbed vegetation. • Distribution overlap provides a novel and intuitive index of similarity to benchmark. Governments and society increasingly are demanding that industrial projects result in a net positive impact (NPI) on biodiversity. Impacts are commonly measured in terms of losses and gains of area and quality of vegetation, where quality refers to how closely a site matches the condition of native vegetation in its undisturbed state. Existing vegetation quality frameworks share a number of limitations, including little or no replication, uncertain scope of inference, vulnerability to bias, and inability to measure error. Here we present the Vegetation Quality Assessment (VQA) framework, a sampling-based extension of Quality Hectares that measures vegetation quality in terms of overlap between the probability distributions of ecological indicators at a project site and in undisturbed (benchmark) vegetation of the same kind. Distribution overlap incorporates natural variation at the landscape scale and provides an intuitive measure of quality that varies between 0 and 1. Indicators are measured using a stratified-random sampling design that minimizes bias and supports inference at the scale of the project landscape. Confidence limits of quality and quality hectares are determined by bootstrapping; power and minimum sample sizes are estimated by Monte Carlo simulation. Multiple assessments track losses and gains of quality hectares and enable accurate accounting of progress to NPI. The VQA framework can be implemented using a variety of vegetation sampling methods, allowing existing vegetation databases to be leveraged as sources of data. We conclude by demonstrating the application of VQA at several mining operations in the Elk Valley of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future of salt marshes depends in a large part on the balance between the future rate of marsh accretion and the future rate of sea-level rise (SLR). Current accretion rates can provide some insight into future resilience of salt marshes to SLR, but representative long-term rates across the complete salt marsh area are difficult to obtain. Here, we introduce a new method based on the elevation difference between a natural marsh and a neighbouring reclaimed marsh. The method, referred to as the 'reclaimed salt marsh method', was applied to 19 UK salt marshes and yielded a UK-averaged accretion rate of 4.5 mm/yr with considerable inter-site variability (0.68–7.88 mm/yr). Accretion rates were positively correlated with the mean spring tide range, with tide range explaining 37% of the inter-site variability in accretion rate. Observed accretion rates were found to be generally larger than that predicted for SLR according to RCP2.5, comparable to that predicted according to RCP4.5 and less than that predicted according to RCP8.5. However, future accretion rates are unlikely to remain the same. It is suggested that UK salt marshes in macrotidal settings are likely to be more resilient to SLR than those in micro- and meso-tidal settings. The reclaimed salt marsh method can be readily applied to other sites to obtain a global data base of marsh accretion rates. • Long-term salt marsh accretion rates can be estimated from the elevation difference between a natural marsh and a neighbouring reclaimed marsh. • Accretion rates for 19 UK salt marshes suggests an average accretion rate of 4.5 mm/yr with considerable inter-site variability. • Salt marsh accretion rate increases with mean spring tide range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the saline-affected ecosystem, fungi have huge potential to promote growth, induce disease resistance and enhance tolerance against salt-stress of host plants. Since areas of plowland are gradually decreasing, the reclamation of coastal saline lands could play a crucial role in maintaining agricultural productivity and crop security globally. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the fungal diversity in the coastal saline ecosystem. Here, we collected saline soil samples from unflooded areas and tidal flat areas, the two typical distinct landforms in coastal saline ecosystems, and used ITS metabarcoding to depict the diversity of fungal communities. We found that fungal species evenness had a remarkably higher variation from the tidal flat compared to unflooded soil samples. Furthermore, we also confirmed that the fungal niches differentiation reports in the coastal saline ecosystem. Our ITS based DNA sequencing revealed that both unflooded and tidal flat soil were mainly composed of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) belonging to Ascomycota (93.43% and 86.91% respectively). Based on our findings, understanding the associations and distinctions of fungal microbiome between unflooded soil and tidal flat could provide the basis for the development of reclamation in coastal saline lands. Unlabelled Image • This is the first report on differentiation of fungal niches in two different types of coastal saline ecosystem. • The variation of community evenness in coastal saline ecosystem exhibits significant differences. • ITS based sequencing reveals that both unflooded and tidal flat soil are mainly composed of Ascomycota fungal species. • Tidal flats soil are colonized with more fungal saprotrophs than unflooded soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic carbon (SOC) was re-analysed 10 years after application of source-segregated green waste compost at a 1 ha previously-developed UK site to compare with the increases suggested by the 4 per mille initiative proposed at COP21 in Paris. Compost prepared to PAS100 standard had been incorporated once at rates of 250, 500 and 750 t·ha−1 in 2007 in clay subsoil prior to planting of perennial energy crops. Our results show statistically significant differential increases in SOC, total nutrients N and P, or contaminants Zn, Pb, Cu, As and B, remain from the compost application after a decade. For the 500 or 750 t·ha−1 compost rates the SOC increments in the upper 10–15 cm were 0.85% or 1.6% over the 4.9% developed from a baseline of 1.8% in control areas by a decade of natural regeneration. Calculation of the elemental loadings from the compost analyses compared to the present-day levels suggests SOC declines after application at an average annual rate approaching 10%, compared to 5% for the nutrients or contaminants, roughly equivalent to half-lives of 5 or 10 years respectively. The study demonstrates the long-term soil organic matter (SOM) additions, fertility benefits and technical feasibility of a one-off, high-rate application of waste-derived compost to improve urban soils, compared to the potential trade-off of adding to PTE loadings. This longevity of SOC addition, previously unrecognised in brownfield soils, may be inferred for other areas where further cultivation is precluded, as is typical after landscape restoration or under perennial energy crops for the production of biomass. This unprecedented result has wider implications for marginal land use for bioenergy and the opportunities therein for SOC management using anthropogenic organic wastes to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Unlabelled Image • SOC from green waste compost addition to brownfield soils declines at 7–9% pa. • Mineralisation of N from compost is 4–5% pa under brownfield energy crops. • Pb and Zn levels from compost decline in soil at similar rates to major nutrients. • One-off high-rate compost applications for restoration provide >10-year benefits. • SOC added from >500 t·ha−1 compost averages +0.4% per annum after a decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first three years of net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide (NEE) for a wetland constructed on bitumen mine tailings show its progression towards becoming an annual carbon dioxide sink. • A reclaimed wetland was a source of CO 2 for the first 2 years after construction. • In year 3 the wettest region absorbed 77 g C m−2, similar to natural peatlands. • Drier regions remained net CO 2 sources due to greater rates of soil respiration. Northern peatlands contain up to 20% of the ∼3000 Pg of global soil organic carbon. Carbon-rich peatlands cover upwards of 65% of the landscape in northern Canada where resource extraction activities disturb both the carbon pools and the future carbon sequestration capacity of the landscape. Previous estimates of the carbon losses from this disturbance predict a complete loss of the region's peatland carbon pool. Mining industries operating in these sensitive environments have recently begun constructing closure landscapes which are intended to develop carbon cycle processes similar to undisturbed northern peatlands. This study investigates eddy covariance fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO 2) at one of Canada's first fully constructed boreal plains watersheds, the Sandhill Fen Watershed. During the first three years since inception, only the lowland region had an annual net ecosystem exchange of CO 2 (NEE) indicative of increasing CO 2 sink potential. The lowland region was characterized by saturated salvaged peat soils, standing water, thriving communities of Typha and Carex spp. and was a net CO 2 sink of 77 g C m−2 in the third year. At the same time the upland and the midland regions characterized by moist salvaged peat soils and a mix of herbaceous, shrub and planted Picea glauca and Pinus banksiana remained net sources of CO 2. Despite similar rates of gross primary production, ecosystem and plot-level respiration rates in the lowland were significantly lower than in the midland region, likely due to very low reduction potentials within the lowland's saturated soils. With no other significant outflows of carbon, the lowland of the Sandhill Fen Watershed may be in the early stages of organic matter accumulation. Due to limited oxidation of the salvaged peat substrate in the lowland region, wetland reclamation employing these techniques may reduce the disturbance loss of the carbon pool in the boreal plains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water resources are becoming scarce meaning that reuse options are receiving more and more attention. In this perspective, zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) is considered as an emerging technique to minimize waste, recover resources, treat toxic industrial waste streams, and mitigate potential water quality impacts in receiving water streams. Although ZLD systems are capable of minimizing contamination of water sources and amplifying water supply, its industrial scale applications are restricted due to their high cost and intensive energy consumption. In ZLD systems, membrane-based technologies are an attractive future strategy for industrial wastewater reclamation. Therefore, this review examines why a greater focus on environmental protection and water security is leading to more widespread adoption of ZLD technology in various industries. We highlight existing ZLD processing schemes, including thermal and membrane-based processes, and discuss their limitations and potential solutions. We also investigated global application of ZLD systems for resource recovery from wastewater. Finally, we discuss the potential environmental impacts of ZLD technologies and provide some focus on future research needs. Unlabelled Image • Encapsulated the ZLD systems, operational principle and their significance • Detailed study of existing ZLD technologies, their benefits, drawbacks and industrial application • Described global status of ZLD systems commissioned, in progress or planned in near future • Presented environmental and operational aspects of ZLD with possible solutions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earth and its resources are the most important assets of humankind; they are valuable not only for the present generation but also for future communities. Therefore, a mined land area should be closed and reclaimed to protect the environment from probable contaminants. This study develops a new approach by integrating an intelligent multi-goal fuzzy cognitive map and a fuzzy analytical network process to evaluate and prioritize mined land reclamation strategies. The approach is exemplified based on the data of a limestone mine area by examining sustainable development goals, several criteria and related sub-criteria, and important reclamation strategies. Results of the fuzzy cognitive map indicate that the criteria have nearly similar effects on sustainable goals. The prioritization results of the developed approach indicate that the strategy of "mine closure and installation of solar cells" is the most appropriate alternative for reclaiming the studied mine area. An expert team has approved results along with an evaluation of the effective factors and conditions of the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rehabilitation demonstrated recovery trajectories towards or beyond pre-fire levels within 2 years. • Open woodland and grassland became more dissimilar in the 2-years following the fire. • Vegetation communities varied significantly from their pre-fire condition. • Land managers can use controlled fire to manipulate ecological outcomes for post-mine rehabilitation communities. • Future studies should examine the resilience of mine site rehabilitation following disturbance events across a range of locations, seasons and climatic conditions. The application of controlled fire on post-mine rehabilitation is currently underutilised as an ecological tool throughout fire prone landscapes such as eastern Australia. Despite widely accepted benefits of fuel management and ecological outcomes, mined land managers are generally reluctant to incorporate fire regimes on rehabilitated lands. We applied an experimental fire to 117 ha of 19- to 21-year-old coal mine rehabilitation in sub-tropical, semi-arid Central Queensland, Australia, and assessed the vegetation changes in five successive assessments for the two years following the burn. Vegetation metrics all showed trajectories towards pre-fire levels, or recovered to surpass pre-fire levels. Within two years of the burn, native species richness was significantly higher than pre-fire levels for both grassland and open woodland areas and vegetation cover had returned to pre-fire levels. Woody plant density (<2 m) increased from an average of 425–3,255 stems ha−1 in open woodland areas reaching values higher than those recorded at unburnt historical transects (n = 145); while stems greater than 2 m in height declined from 585 to 220 ha−1 due to the death of mature Acacia spp. The vegetative response following two wet seasons demonstrates short-term recovery following a range of fire impacts and demonstrates the potential to enhance the quality of the rehabilitation and increase the possibility of early relinquishment by reducing ecological, financial and reputational risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rendering plant secondary effluent (SE) was reclaimed with coagulation, sand filtration and ultrafiltration for reuse in the plant and for potential reuse in irrigation. The best coagulant was selected and the pH and coagulant dosage were optimized with response surface methodology (RSM) to achieve low turbidity, conductivity, and content of carbon at a higher pH. Residual flocs from the coagulation were separated with sand filtration, and afterward, the effluent was treated with six ultrafiltration membranes. The pretreatment (coagulation and sand filtration) drastically reduced fouling (50–95%). The main water parameters (turbidity, conductivity, pH, content of carbon, chemical oxygen demand, and content of cations and anions) were determined in each treatment step. The physico-chemical parameters and microbiological analysis of the resulting permeate showed that it could be reused in the rendering plant for washing purposes, and it satisfies the main regulations and guidelines for wastewater reuse, i.e. US EPA and FAO. Image 1 • Rendering plant secondary effluent was treated with coagulation and ultrafiltration. • Coagulation was optimized for pH and FeCl 3 dosage. • After coagulation turbidity was reduced 96% and total carbon 75%. • Coagulation reduced membrane fouling (flux decline) by 50–95%. • The permeate can be reuse in the rendering plant and for irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fouling and wetting of membranes are significant concerns that can impede the widespread application of the membrane distillation (MD) process during high-salinity wastewater reclamation. Fouling, caused by the accumulation of undesirable materials on the membrane surface and pores, causes a decrease in permeate flux. Membrane wetting, the direct permeation of the feed solution through the membrane pores, results in reduced contaminant rejection and overall process failure. Lately, the application of MD for water recovery from various types of wastewaters has gained increased attention among researchers. In this review, we discuss fouling and wetting phenomena observed during the MD process, along with the effects of various mitigation strategies. In addition, we examine the interactions between contaminants and different types of MD membranes and the influence of different operating conditions on the occurrence of fouling and wetting. We also report on previously investigated feed pre-treatment options before MD, application of integrated MD processes, the performance of fabricated/modified MD membranes, and strategies for MD membrane maintenance during water reclamation. Energy consumption and economic aspects of MD for wastewater recovery is also discussed. Throughout the review, we engage in dialogues highlighting research needs for furthering the development of MD: the incorporation of MD in the overall wastewater treatment and recovery scheme (including selection of appropriate membrane material, suitable pre-treatment or integrated processes, and membrane maintenance strategies) and the application of MD in long-term pilot-scale studies using real wastewater. Unlabelled Image • MD application is gaining interest for reclamation of different types of wastewater • Complex interactions of contaminants and membranes lead to fouling and wetting in MD • Pre-treatment lowers membrane fouling and wetting potential of wastewater in MD • Novel modification approaches of MD membranes mitigate fouling and wetting • Membrane cleaning recovers flux with fading reusability in sequential treatment cycles [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The breakthrough of formation water increases the risk not only of gas hydrate formation but also of corrosion. Switching between corrosion strategies may be necessary as formation water increases the risk of scale formation in the presence of methyl diethanolamine (MDEA), acetic acid, and cations. The switchover from pH stabilization with MDEA to a film-forming corrosion inhibitor (FFCI) was investigated when studying the effect of pH changes on the removal of MDEA, FFCI, acetic acid, and salts in the reclamation unit. The natural gas hydrate inhibitory performance (35 wt%) of the reclaimed monoethylene glycol (MEG) samples were also assessed. The study found that an optimum operating pH for the whole system was not achievable because of the contrasting pH requirements in the pretreatment and reclamation units. The study recommends operating the pretreatment unit at pH > 8 to precipitate out the divalent salts, and injecting acid before the regeneration unit, which allows for the volatile acetic acid to be removed via the reflux drum. We found that FFCI and MDEA accumulation in the reclamation unit resulted in a highly viscous residue (1430.53 mPa-s) and a discoloration (from brown to very dark brown). Further, new natural gas hydrate equilibria data for reclaimed MEG have been reported. The performance of reclaimed MEG varied compared with that of pure MEG, and was lower at the end of the experiment, whereas MDEA showed a hydrate-inhibiting effect. Highlights • A bench-scale MEG regeneration and reclamation plant was used to simulate corrosion control strategies. • MDEA and acetic acid cannot be removed in the reclamation unit simultaneously due to contrasting pH required. • FFCI and MDEA cause a very viscous residue in the reclamation unit and cause discoloration. • New natural gas hydrate equilibria data for reclaimed MEG have been reported. • The performance of reclaimed MEG varied compared with that of pure MEG, and was lower at the end of the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bauxite residue (red mud) generation is increasing largely following the high demand for aluminium worldwide. Thus to manage the residue, different phytotechnologies need to be developed which offer sustainable and eco-friendly options. Considering this, the present study was conducted to assess the phenotype and distribution of metals in herbaceous species at forest (FS) and abandoned red mud dumping (RMD) sites. The study also encompassed the categorization of dominant species in relation to their metal tolerance capabilities at RMD site. Soil at RMD site was marked by high alkalinity, salinity and poor nutrient status. Also, contents of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Co, Cr, Cd and Pb in soil at RMD site were higher, but their phytoavailabilties were less as compared to FS site. Herbaceous community at both the sites were dominated by Poaceae and Asteraceae families. Biological spectrum of vegetation at FS site showed predominance of therophytes followed by chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes, whereas RMD site showed preponderance of therophytes followed by hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes. Based on metal tolerance index, 51.4, 10.8 and 37.8% of herbaceous species exhibited sensitive, moderate and high metal tolerant behaviour, respectively. Dominant species e.g. Brachiaria mutica , Cynodon dactylon , Dactyloctenium aegyptium , Digitaria ischaemum , Digitaria longiflora , Eragrostis cynosuroides , Launaea asplenifolia , Parthenium hysterophorus , Sporobolus diander and Stylosanthes scabra with high metal tolerance capabilities indicated their tendency towards a definite selection strategy in response to altered soil properties at RMD site. The study thus offers a potential avenue towards phytomanagement of abandoned red mud dumps by reclamation using dominant and metal tolerant plant species. • Poaceae and Asteraceae prevailed the forest and abandoned red mud dumping sites. • Herbaceous community at both the study sites was dominated by therophytes. • Metal contents in herbs were higher at forest than abandoned red mud dumping sites. • Contents of Pb, Cr and Cd in herbs were less at both the study sites. • Dominant species at abandoned red mud dumps showed high metal tolerance index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Urban industrialization has caused severe land contamination at hundreds of thousands of sites in cities all around the world, posing a serious health risk to millions of people. Many contaminated brownfield sites are being left abandoned due to the high cost of remediation. Traditional physical and chemical remediation technologies also require high energy and resource input, and can result in loss of land functionality and cause secondary pollution. Nature-based solutions (NBS) including phytoremediation and conversion of brownfield sites to public greenspaces, holds much promise in maximizing a sustainable urban renaissance. NBS is an umbrella concept that can be used to capture nature based, cost effective and eco-friendly treatment technologies, as well as redevelopment strategies that are socially inclusive, economically viable, and with good public acceptance. The NBS concept is novel and in urgent need of new research to better understand the pros and cons, and to enhance its practicality. This review article summarizes NBS's main features, key technology choices, case studies, limitations, and future trends for urban contaminated land remediation and brownfield redevelopment. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Reviewed pros and cons of nature based solution (NBS) in contaminated land remediation • Summarized contaminant removal and risk reduction by nature based technologies • Summarized planning and redevelopment methods integrating natural components • Additional research is needed to enhance the feasibility or efficacy. • Provided policy implications and suggestions for future studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Combination of coagulation and ozonation was used to treat brine derived from a three-stage reverse osmosis (RO) process during coal gasification wastewater reclamation. Effects of operating parameters on the removals of total organic carbon (TOC), color and UV absorbance at 254 nm (A 254) were investigated during coagulation and ozonation. All the removal efficiencies of TOC, A 254 and color of FeCl 3 coagulant are about twice those of AlCl 3 coagulant at the same molar dose since almost all the molecular weight fractions of RO concentrate (ROC) could be removed effectively by FeCl 3 coagulant while only the fractions of molecular weight > 3 k Da could be removed effectively by AlCl 3 coagulant. The TOC removal increases with the increasing of ozone dose and reaction temperature during ozonation of ROC after coagulation pretreatment. TOC and color of ROC after pretreated by coagulation could be further removed effectively during ozonation since ozonation can significant reduce the fluorescence response of all the fractions of effluent organic matter in ROC. It is unexpectedly found that the increase of A 254 is observed after ozonation, this is because the intensity of absorbance at 254 nm by the low molecular weight transformation products (<2 k Da) increases significantly with the reaction time after 30 min. The coagulation coupling with ozonation is efficient in the removals of both TOC and color of ROC. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Coagulation coupling with ozonation is efficient in ROC treatment. • Removals of TOC, color and A 254 by FeCl 3 coagulant is about twice that of AlCl 3. • Ozonation is efficient in the removals of TOC and color of ROC after coagulation. • A 254 of the < 2 k Da transformation products increases significantly in ozonation. • Increasing ozone dose and reaction temperature are positive to remove TOC from ROC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bryophytes and vascular plants were successfully established in a constructed fen. • Moss transfer with Juncus balticus seedlings facilitated bryophyte establishment. • Carex aquatilis had the highest cover of all species but decreased richness. • Moss transfer and seedling plantings limited invasion of Typha latifolia. • Areas with near surface water tables had lower plant cover and richness. Oil sands mining in Alberta has disturbed large areas of peatland, the dominant regional ecosystem type, and no formal strategies exist to reconstruct the landscape. Peatland reclamation is challenging, but approaches are now being tested to determine the feasibility of rebuilding these valuable ecosystems. To evaluate our design concept, a pilot reclamation fen and associated watershed was constructed in an oil sands mine near Fort McMurray, Alberta. We implemented a large-scale multifactorial field experiment to test the introduction of bryophytes and vascular plants by moss layer transfer (MLT), seeds, and nursery grown seedlings under wood-strand mulch and with a Typha latifolia removal treatment. Four years after planting, the MLT and Juncus balticus seedling treatment supported the highest bryophyte and vascular plant cover and species richness. Removal reduced T. latifolia cover but was not necessary in areas where seedlings or MLT were introduced as it may have been competitively excluded by the planted species. The most successful fen species to establish was Carex aquatilis that spread quickly but also reduced the cover and species richness of bryophytes and other vascular plants. Water level influenced species distributions, with near surface water tables supporting higher cover of T. latifolia and lower bryophyte and other vascular plant cover and species richness. Our research demonstrates that it is possible to establish and maintain fen bryophytes and vascular plants and limit T. latifolia invasion in a constructed fen. To prioritize fen plant species richness and bryophyte cover, future projects should design for lower water levels, select species tolerant of expected abiotic conditions, and introduce nurse plants such as J. balticus. This research is the first of its kind to evaluate a range of species introduction approaches and demonstrates that it is possible to establish fen plants in the post-mined landscape of Alberta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Strength development of BOS-treated clay were studied from immediately after mixing. • Strength development of BOS-treated clay can be classified into three zones. • Cementitious compounds is found in BOS-treated clay. • BOS is feasible as a binder to replace ordinary Portland cement. Abstract This paper presents the results of the strength development and macrostructure properties of soft dredged clay stabilized with basic oxygen furnace steel (BOS) slag, using the vane shear test, the unconfined compression test, and scanning electron microscope. The results indicate that the flowability exhibited a strong correlation with the undrained shear strength. A dormant period was observed, during which the BOS-treated clay strength did not increase during the 0.5–2 h curing times. Moreover, the strength development can be classified into three zones according to the strength increment rate in the log-log scale graph: 1) inactive zone (0.5–5 h), 2) active zone (5 h to 3 d), and 3) moderate zone (3–90 d). Empirical equations for each zone were proposed based on the volumetric solid content, initial water content, strength at 1 h of curing, and strength increment coefficients. Finally, the reticulation structure of the amorphous C-S-H gel and platy AFm phases on all samples were observed, with intergrowths of rod-like ettringite within the flat clay structure and flocculated clay-cement cluster, and the cementitious compounds became more evident with an increase in the BOS content and curing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Opencast coal mining has a series of consequences on land resources and places enormous pressure on the ecological environment. Stripping, excavation, transportation and dumping have different effects on soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Moreover, the reconstructed landscape produces increased small-scale spatial heterogeneity of mined soils. Currently, growing concerns for the negative consequences of mining have highlighted the importance of reclamation in minesoil studies. This review has examined the mechanisms of coal mining and reclamation that affect soil properties (physical, chemical, biological) and described soil development in reclamation, with an emphasis on the reclaimed minesoil (RMS) properties of reclamation sites. The major conclusions of this review were: (i) The randomness of soil dumping increased the heterogeneity of minesoil properties, which in turn increased the complexity of reclamation practice. (ii) The negative or positive consequences of mining and reclamation processes on RMS need to be recognized by scientific observations such as soil property multi-index analysis and soil chronosequences, on which the minesoil reconstruction practice are based. (iii) Five phases of reclamation (i.e., geomorphic reshaping, soil reconstruction, hydrological stability, vegetation restoration, and landscape rebuilding) should be considered as a comprehensive system for the reconstruction of minesoils. (iv) The application of new technologies (e.g., micro-terrain reshaping and soil non-destructive detection) and new studies (e.g., systematic study, rebuilding animal habitat, and biodiversity research) to minesoil recovery practice would enhance the new concepts of land reclamation and ecological restoration in mining areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Johor River is the main source of water in Johor Bahru and Singapore as well as a vital maritime passage in the eastern Straits of Johor. However, the Johor River Estuary (JRE) has been experiencing environmental degradation due to construction land sprawl and reclamation (CLSR), which shows a combined effect of anthropogenic environmental change. In this paper, the spatial and temporal variation of CLSR in the JRE was studied based on twelve multi-temporal Landsat images (Landsat MSS, TM and OLI) obtained from 1973 to 2017. The results showed that the area of construction land increased more than 10-fold from 1973 (13.33 km2) to 2017 (135.46 km2). Each type of construction land showed an increasing tendency, and their area-weighted centroids migrated towards the mouth of the Johor River. Over the last four decades, an increased land area of 40.32 km2 contributed by reclamation was mainly distributed in the Tekong Island and the eastern Singapore Islands, which shortened the minimum distance between lands in the JRE. The largest decrease in minimum distance was 1889 m between Johor Bahru and Tekong Island. CLSR is mainly driven by human activities such as population growth, economic development and policy change. To better protect the coastal environment in the JRE, construction land expansion and reclamation activities should be planned properly by the local government. Highlights • The spatiotemporal variation of construction land sprawl and coastal reclamation in Johor River Estuary had been studied. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Electrodialysis (ED) technology has been paid special attention in reclamation of high salinity effluents. Therein, the attempts on how to separate out scale-forming cations are never ending. Different from a conventional scheme, an on-line endowment of mono-cation permselectivity to a conventional ED stack was put forward in this work by electro-deposition of branched polyethyleneimine with an optimized molecular weight. Subsequently, series of work performances, including limiting current, mono-cation permselectivity, permselectivity between specific anions, water transport behavior, current efficiency and energy consumption, were investigated in reclamation of a typical saline wastewater. The pilot-scale ED experiments showed that the modified ED stack displayed a significant mono-cation permselectivity, for examples, P Na + Ca 2+ and P Na + Mg 2+ were reduced from 0.36 and 0.81 to 0.11 and 0.12, respectively. Interestingly, a certain permeability priority for SO42- was also achieved at the same time. Moreover, the five-month service life tests indicated the ED stack can maintain a stable separation performance. On the other hand, some problems induced by the modification were also revealed, such as the facilitated water transport and the increase of energy consumption. Anyway, it is reasonable to believe that the scheme should have broad and promising application perspectives due to its effectiveness, economy and simplicity. Highlights • On-line construction of electrodialyzer with mono-cation permselectivity was carried out. • The improvements of current utilization and permselectivity for specific anions were achieved. • The concentration ability of the modified electrodialyzer was deteriorated to a certain extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Here, we have examine the efficacy of bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (Si69) for physic-chemical recycling of waste rubber tyre (WRT) at two different operating temperatures (i.e., 170 °C and 190 °C). The reclaimed rubbers (RR) have been used to fabricate devices similar to the single electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (SETNG) to realize its future applicability. Sol content, crosslink density, Moony viscosity, and rheology of the RR samples have been investigated to understand the effect of operating temperatures on the reclamation (alias regeneration) process. Although very low content of Si69 (i.e., 1g) reclaims the WRT at both the temperatures, with increasing the concentration (i.e., ≥ 3g), it shows coupling behavior (i.e., re-vulcanization) at 190 °C and reclaiming behavior (i.e., de-vulcanization) at 170 °C. Hot-pressing at 170 °C and 190 °C reproduced the similar observations. SETNG made of RR at 170 °C produced more output voltage than that of the 190 °C, and exhibits distinct tactile sensation towards different objects viz., human finger, latex rubber glove, cotton glove and PTFE sheet. The tactile sensing capability is further visualized by exploiting the principal component analysis (PCA). This work represents a low-cost, low-temperature, time-resolved way for regeneration of eco-hazard waste rubber and its future applicability towards development of tactile sensing materials, energy harvester, etc. Also, the response of TNG can be utilized to know the degree of regeneration. Graphical abstract Image 1033 Highlights • Si69 showed temperature-dependent amphoteric behavior in waste rubber regeneration. • De-/re-vulcanized reclaimed rubber (RR) were obtained at 170 °C/190 °C. • Triboelectric nanogenerator (TNG) made of RR (at 170 °C) showed better response. • The responses were used to predict the regeneration (i.e., de-/re-vulcanization). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Mouth bars are important morphological units in deltaic and estuarine systems, which have encountered with significant topography variations driven by anthropogenic interferences and natural forcings. On the basis of seven selected maritime charts covering from 1960s to 2016, we focus on the morphological evolution of mouth bar with bifurcating channels in the Modaomen Estuary, the main fluvially-dominated estuary of the Pearl River Delta. The bar area is relatively in equilibrium with barely aggregation and degradation before 1990 while overall erosion was found thereafter. Sediment volume of the mouth bar between the −2 m and −7 m isobaths drastically decreased after 1990s. Correspondingly, the area of −4 m isobaths of the bar stepwise decreased from about 18 × 106 m2 to 2 × 106 m2, indicating the body of mouth bar above −4 m almost disappeared. The two side channels also suffered significantly morphological evolution. The West Channel (WC) was subjected to uninterrupted erosion. Especially during 2000–2005, the WC below the −2 m isobath experienced remarkable erosion with the increment of water volume reaching 6.7 × 106 m3. The East Channel (EC) had the potential to expand seaward between 2000 and 2011 yet encountered with accumulation after 2011. Meanwhile, the thalweg of the EC seemed hard to distinguish and the WC displayed more meandering thalweg. Furthermore, Empirical Orthogonal Function was applied to quantify the bathymetric changes with independent modes. The temporal variations of fluvial sediment input displayed significant decreasing trend at MK from 1960 to 2014, which presented a statistically significant relationship with the third mode. However, it only accounts for 13.4% of the overall evolution patterns. Although the remarkable reduction of sediment input generally associates with the degradation in bar area, the sediment load is probably not the primary mechanisms driving morphological changes in the Modaomen Estuary. Anthropogenic interferences including large-scale reclamation and intensive sand excavation should be responsible for the morphological changes. Highlights • Three major evolution patterns of mouth bar are distinguished by Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis. • The phase difference of flow between two distributaries relates with the erosion in the West Channel. • Morphological changes should be more attributed to anthropogenic disturbances rather than fluvial sediment source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract San Juan Coal Company reclaimed 743 ha at its La Plata Mine using the GeoFluv™ fluvial geomorphic reclamation design method from 1999 through 2008 to achieve long-term stability against erosion (no major slope blowouts and rill and gully formation), reduced maintenance, and increased biodiversity as compared to traditional reclamation methods (e.g. terrace, berm, and downdrain designs). Qualitative inspections of the completed reclamation confirmed the fluvial geomorphic reclamation method benefits. In the fall of 2011, the company began implementing a research study to quantify the sediment production rate from these geomorphic landforms and surrounding undisturbed native lands. Data were acquired from subwatersheds differentiated as native (undisturbed by mining), fluvial geomorphic design with topdressing and poorly established vegetation, and fluvial geomorphic design with topdressing and significant vegetation establishment. The three subwatersheds were selected to ensure similar size, aspect, and slope and were located close together to minimize storm variation effects. Temporary check-dam-type sediment control structures designed to impound runoff from a 2-yr, 1-h storm were installed at each subwatershed outlet. Erosion pins in the impounded area facilitated sediment deposition measurement. Precipitation was recorded by the La Plata Mine Meteorological Station and supplemental site-specific precipitation gauges. Precipitation sufficient to cause sediment transport provided data for the end of the 2012, all of the 2013, and the beginning of the 2014 water years. The site data provided direct relationships between sediment production and precipitation. The sediment yield from the undisturbed native site was 9.53 t ha−1 yr−1, while the fluvial geomorphic design with topdressing and poorly established vegetation site averaged 13% lower than the native site, and the fluvial geomorphic design with topdressing and significant vegetation establishment averaging 41% lower sediment yield than the native site. Land-disturbing activities that can accelerate erosion and sediment yield will accompany global population growth. The results of this study indicate that use of this land reclamation method can mitigate erosion and sediment yield increases associated with that growth. Highlights • New fluvial geomorphology-based alternative to 'hard-engineering' reclamation • Simple, reproducible experimental method developed to quantify sediment yield • Sediment yield less than or equal to undisturbed land in extremely erosive climate • Interpretation of which precipitation characteristic most related to sediment yield • Sediment yield useful for monitoring, and calibrating erosion equations and models [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • First attempt to apply concept of corporate memory to study strategic planning. • Original empirical study on reclamation for a small open economy. • Original neo-institutional economic inquiry of reclamation. Abstract Informed by property rights economics, this paper explores some unique advantages of reclamation, as a form of expansionist dynamic zoning, compared to densification of existing built up urban land and conversion of rural and peri-urban land. One major argument is that modern reclamation package, in light of global circulation of capital, can be one comprehensive project that avoids old mistakes and tries out new ideas without upsetting pre-existing development or interests. It then explains, with the help of statistics collected from a historical study of land reclamation of Hong Kong, that the future urban development in this open economy will be arrested if she gives up reclamation. The loss of corporate memory, using civil service staff movements based on the Staff List, seldom used in Hong Kong studies on town planning, as a proxy, in strategic planning is advanced as a factor behind the current situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Bitumen extraction via surface mining in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region results in permanent alteration of boreal forests and wetlands. As part of their legal requirements, oil companies must reclaim disturbed landscapes into functioning ecosystems. Despite considerable work establishing upland forests, only two pilot wetland-peatland systems integrated within a watershed have been constructed to date. Peatland reclamation is challenging as it requires complete reconstruction with few guidelines or previous work in this region. Furthermore, the variable sub-humid climate and salinity of tailings materials present additional challenges. In 2012, Syncrude Canada Ltd. constructed a 52-ha pilot upland-wetland system, the Sandhill Fen Watershed, which was designed with a pump and underdrain system to provide freshwater and enhance drainage to limit salinization from underlying soft tailings materials that have elevated electrical conductivity (EC) and Na+. The objective of this research is to evaluate the hydrochemical response of a constructed wetland to variations in hydrology and water management with respect to water sources, flow pathways and major chemical transformations in the three years following commissioning. Results suggest that active water management practices in 2013 kept EC relatively low, with most wetland sites <1000 μS/cm with Na+ concentrations <250 mg/L. With limited management in 2014 and 2015, the EC increased in the wetland to >1000 μS/cm in 2014 and >2000 μS/cm in 2015. The most notable change was the emergence of several Na+ enriched zones in the margins. Here, Na+ concentrations were two to three times higher than other sites. Stable isotopes of water support that the Na+ enriched areas arise from underlying process-affected water in the tailings, providing evidence of its upward transport and seepage under a natural hydrologic regime. In future years, salinity is expected to evolve in its flow pathways and diffusion, yet the timeline and extent of these changes are uncertain. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Artificial management of a constructed wetland with pumps reduced salinity in 2013. • A shift to a natural hydrologic regime increased overall salinity in 2014 & 2015. • Sodium reached >800 mg/L in enriched zones at the border of hummocks and wetland. • At enriched zones, oil-sands process water is emerging from depth at surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Naphthenic acids (NAs) are naturally occurring in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) and accumulate in tailings as a result of water-based extraction processes. NAs exist as a complex mixture, so the development of an analytical technique to characterize them has been an on-going challenge. The aim of this study was to use comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry to monitor individual NAs within a wetland reclamation site in the AOSR. Samples were collected from four monitoring wells at the site and the extracts were found to contain numerous resolved isomers of classical (monocyclic-, bicyclic-, adamantane-, indane-, and tetralin-type carboxylic acids) and sulfur-containing NAs (thiamonocyclic- and thiophene-type carboxylic acids). The absolute abundances of the monitored NAs were compared between four monitoring wells and unique profiles were observed at each well. Few significant changes in absolute abundances were observed over the sampling period, with the exception of one well (Well 6A). In addition, isomeric percent compositions were calculated for each set of structural isomers, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-dimensional hierarchical cluster analysis revealed high spatial variation at the site. However, consistent distributions were observed at each of the monitoring wells for some sets of NA isomers (such as: adamantane NAs), which may be useful for forensic applications, such as identifying sources of contamination or demonstrating biodegradation. The methods and results presented in this study demonstrate the utility of monitoring individual NAs, since both changes in absolute abundances of individual NAs and the distribution of NA isomers have the ability to provide insight into their sources and the processes controlling their concentrations that are not only of relevance to the Alberta Oil Sands, but also to other petroleum deposits and environmental systems. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Naphthenic acids (NAs) were monitored at reclamation fen from Alberta oil sands. • Significant spatial differences were observed between four monitoring wells. • Significant temporal changes were observed at one well. • Few significant temporal changes were detected at other three wells. • Proportions of adamantane carboxylic acids were consistent at site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Reclamation soil covers are used in oil sands mine closure to support vegetative growth over tailings. Geochemical processes within these covers may impact solute transport during upward migration of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) from the underlying tailings. In this study, we examined the geochemical processes controlling Na transport and attenuation within the peat and clay-till cover soils at Sandhill Fen in northern Alberta, Canada. We analyzed soil core samples collected along transects of this 54-ha pilot-scale oil sands mine reclamation wetland. The geochemical (Na, Ca, Mg, K, Cl, SO 4 , HCO 3) and isotopic (δ2H, δ18O) compositions of extracted pore water were analyzed statistically to identify OSPW and fresh surface water within the cover. Depth-dependent trends in pore water sodium concentrations were not apparent, suggesting that the soil cover had been fully flushed by a mixture of OSPW and fresh surface water used to flood the fen. Relative concentrations of Na, Ca and Mg were used to define the extent of cation exchange within the clay cover. Complementary laboratory column experiments showed that cation exchange removed up to 50% of dissolved Na as the first pore volume of simulated OSPW passed through the peat and till. However, Na attenuation by these materials declined rapidly and was limited after 4 (peat) to 7 (till) pore volumes of OSPW flushing. Reactive transport modeling confirmed that cation exchange was the dominant control on Na attenuation and corresponding Ca and Mg release within the till and peat columns. Mineral precipitation-dissolution reactions also influenced dissolved Ca and Mg concentrations and, therefore, indirectly impacted Na attenuation. Overall, this study helps constrain the geochemical processes controlling Na transport and attenuation in oil sands reclamation soil covers exposed to OSPW, and indicates that the attenuation of Na from OSPW by these covers is short-lived. Highlights • We examined sodium attenuation by soil covers used in oil sands mine reclamation. • Field, laboratory and modeling studies examined attenuation processes and capacity. • Ion exchange reactions are dominant sodium attenuation process. • Mineral dissolution reactions indirectly influence sodium attenuation. • Reclamation soil covers provide limited, short-term sodium attenuation capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological stability of coastal areas is seriously affected by tidal flat reclamation. Understanding the spatial characteristics of the impact of reclamation on stability, as well as the contribution of different use types of reclamation to stability change, is important for mitigating the negative effects of reclamation. In this study, multi-source and multi-temporal remote sensing images were combined to quantitatively analyze the relationship between reclamation and stability in different regions of the coastal area in Jiangsu Province, as well as the relative contribution of different use types of reclamation to the stability change. The results showed that: Different forms of statistical relationships between reclamation and stability existed in reclaimed area and non-reclaimed area, respectively, while a significant quadratic function relationship existed in the whole affected area, and the stability index decreased first and then increased with the increase of reclamation amount, with a threshold of 1243 km2; In different buffer zones within the non-reclaimed area, the impact intensity of reclamation showed spatial decay characteristics; The use type of reclamation that has the greatest impact on stability in the reclaimed area is aquaculture land, while in the non-reclaimed area it is arable land. In addition, aquaculture land, arable land and hydraulic engineering land have negative effects on stability, while salt industry land has positive effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]