Featured
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Perspective
| Open AccessScientists’ warning on affluence
Current environmental impact mitigation neglects over-consumption from affluent citizens as a primary driver. The authors highlight the role of bottom-up movements to overcome structural economic growth imperatives spurring consumption by changing structures and culture towards safe and just systems.
- Thomas Wiedmann
- , Manfred Lenzen
- & Julia K. Steinberger
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Article
| Open AccessAssessing the effectiveness of a national protected area network for carnivore conservation
Assessing the effectiveness of protected areas for wildlife conservation is challenging. Here, Terraube et al. combine statistical matching and hurdle mixed-effects models to show that PAs have limited impact on population densities of large carnivores across Finland.
- J. Terraube
- , J. Van doninck
- & M. Cabeza
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Article
| Open AccessNon-natural ruthenium isotope ratios of the undeclared 2017 atmospheric release consistent with civilian nuclear activities
A cloud of enhanced ruthenium concentrations has been observed over Europe in 2017, but no country has acknowledged responsibility for this nuclear release. Here, the authors show that the stable isotopic composition of ruthenium emitted from nuclear fuel reprocessing during the 2017 event is consistent with the isotopic signature of civilian Russian nuclear reactor fuel.
- Timo Hopp
- , Dorian Zok
- & Georg Steinhauser
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Article
| Open AccessQuantifying the drivers and predictability of seasonal changes in African fire
Fire is an important component of many African ecosystems, but prediction of fire activity is challenging. Here, the authors use a statistical framework to assess the seasonal environmental drivers of African fire, which allow for a better prediction of fire activity.
- Yan Yu
- , Jiafu Mao
- & Yaoping Wang
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Article
| Open AccessFast sulfate formation from oxidation of SO2 by NO2 and HONO observed in Beijing haze
How sulfur dioxide emitted through coal combustion is oxidized to sulfate particles during winter haze pollution events has been the subject of debate. Here, the authors show that rapid oxidation takes place by nitrogen dioxide and nitrous acid, producing nitrous oxide together with sulfate.
- Junfeng Wang
- , Jingyi Li
- & Daniel J. Jacob
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Article
| Open AccessFires prime terrestrial organic carbon for riverine export to the global oceans
Black carbon is a recalcitrant and unique form of organic carbon formed from incomplete combustion. Here the authors use global sampling to reduce uncertainty in the flux of terrestrial black carbon to the oceans, predicting that 34% of black carbon produced by fires has an oceanic fate.
- Matthew W. Jones
- , Alysha I. Coppola
- & Timothy A. Quine
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Article
| Open AccessA big data approach to improving the vehicle emission inventory in China
There lacks a method to measure the rapid changes of vehicle emissions. Here the authors proposed a big data approach ‘TrackATruck’, and their estimates using the new approach show that the heavy-duty trucks (HDT) emissions of primary cargo routes/terminals were underestimated by 2–10 times in proxy-based emission inventories.
- Fanyuan Deng
- , Zhaofeng Lv
- & Huan Liu
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Article
| Open AccessChemical multi-fingerprinting of exogenous ultrafine particles in human serum and pleural effusion
Exposure to ambient particulate matter is one of the leading global health risks. Here, the authors reveal, by means of chemical multi-fingerprinting, the presence of exogenous ultrafine particles with diverse species and morphology in non-occupational human serum and pleural effusion.
- Dawei Lu
- , Qian Luo
- & Guibin Jiang
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Article
| Open AccessMicroplastics affect sedimentary microbial communities and nitrogen cycling
Plastic pollution has infiltrated every ecosystem, but few studies have quantified the biogeochemical or ecological effects of plastic. Here the authors show that microplastics in ocean sediment can significantly alter microbial community structure and nitrogen cycling.
- Meredith E. Seeley
- , Bongkeun Song
- & Robert C. Hale
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Article
| Open AccessMapping global urban land for the 21st century with data-driven simulations and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways
Here the authors develop a set of global, long-term, spatial projections of urban land expansion for understanding the planet’s potential urban futures. The global total amount of urban land increases by a factor of 1.8-5.9 over the 21st century, and the developed world experiences as much new urban development as the developing world.
- Jing Gao
- & Brian C. O’Neill
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Article
| Open AccessMapping global carbon footprint in China
There lacks a spatially explicit mapping of global carbon footprint in China that considers both international and interprovincial trade. Here the authors map the carbon footprints of global regions in China and show the hotspots concentrated in key manufacturing hubs, including the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and North China Plain.
- Yuantao Yang
- , Shen Qu
- & Ming Xu
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Article
| Open AccessArsenic contamination of Bangladesh aquifers exacerbated by clay layers
Generally it is thought that confining clay layers provide protection to low-arsenic groundwaters against intrusion of shallower, high-arsenic groundwater bodies. Here, the authors show that impermeable clay layers can increase arsenic input to underlying groundwater systems due to reduction of iron oxides coupled to carbon oxidation.
- Ivan Mihajlov
- , M. Rajib H. Mozumder
- & Alexander van Geen
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Article
| Open AccessFire deficit increases wildfire risk for many communities in the Canadian boreal forest
A primary element of modern wildfire management is to aggressively suppress small fires before they become large, but benefits can be offset by the fact that these practices promote older forests that are more ‘flammable’. Here the authors show that this downside puts numerous human communities at elevated risk of fires in boreal Canada.
- Marc-André Parisien
- , Quinn E. Barber
- & Sean A. Parks
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Article
| Open AccessLocal conditions and policy design determine whether ecological compensation can achieve No Net Loss goals
Countries are adopting ecological compensation policies aimed at achieving no net loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Here, Sonter and colleagues apply spatial simulation models to case studies in Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, and Mozambique to show that compensation alone is not sufficient to preserve biodiversity.
- Laura J. Sonter
- , Jeremy S. Simmonds
- & Martine Maron
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Comment
| Open AccessOpportunities for big data in conservation and sustainability
Big data reveals new, stark pictures of the state of our environments. It also reveals ‘bright spots’ amongst the broad pattern of decline and—crucially—the key conditions for these cases. Big data analyses could benefit the planet if tightly coupled with ongoing sustainability efforts.
- Rebecca K. Runting
- , Stuart Phinn
- & James E. M. Watson
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Article
| Open AccessBiological weed control to relieve millions from Ambrosia allergies in Europe
Invasive plants can adversely affect ecosystems and economic costs. Here, the authors quantify the impact of the invasive plant Ambrosia artemisiifolia on seasonal allergies and health costs across Europe, finding that the costs are considerably higher than what previously reported, and estimate also the reduction in the number of patients and health costs that may be obtained with biological control
- Urs Schaffner
- , Sandro Steinbach
- & Heinz Müller-Schärer
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Article
| Open AccessNon-linear interaction modulates global extreme sea levels, coastal flood exposure, and impacts
The non-linear interaction between tide and non-tidal residual impacts current and future extreme water levels. Here, based on 620 gauge records, the authors find a large non-linear interaction in the US East Coast, North Sea and parts of southern Japan, that results in a reduction of extreme sea levels.
- Arne Arns
- , Thomas Wahl
- & Jürgen Jensen
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Article
| Open AccessInvasive earthworms unlock arctic plant nitrogen limitation
Arctic plant growth is predominantly nitrogen limited, where the slow nitrogen turnover in the soil is commonly attributed to the cold arctic climate. Here the authors show that the arctic plant-soil nitrogen cycling is also constrained by the lack of larger detritivores like earthworms.
- Gesche Blume-Werry
- , Eveline J. Krab
- & Jonatan Klaminder
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Article
| Open AccessBionic 3D printed corals
Corals have evolved as finely tuned light collectors. Here, the authors report on the 3D printing of coral-inspired biomaterials, that mimic the coral-algal symbiosis; these bionic corals lead to dense microalgal growth and can find applications in algal biotechnology and applied coral science.
- Daniel Wangpraseurt
- , Shangting You
- & Silvia Vignolini
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-performance particulate matter including nanoscale particle removal by a self-powered air filter
Particulate matter (PM) pollutants have been considered serious threats to public health but effective removal of nanoscale particles (NPs) by filter materials is challenging. Here, the authors fabricate an ionic liquid based self-powered air filter that can be used in high-efficiency removal of PM, including NPs.
- Guo-Hao Zhang
- , Qiu-Hong Zhu
- & Guo-Hong Tao
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Article
| Open AccessPrompt rewetting of drained peatlands reduces climate warming despite methane emissions
Drained peatlands are sources of CO2, and though rewetting could curb emissions, this strategy results in elevated methane release. Here, the authors model peatland emissions scenarios and show that rewetting is a critical way to mitigate climate change despite potential methane increases.
- Anke Günther
- , Alexandra Barthelmes
- & John Couwenberg
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Article
| Open AccessEstimating the size distribution of plastics ingested by animals
Plastic pollution is an escalating problem and there is a need to predict the range of plastic sizes that an organism of interest could feasibly ingest. Here the authors use previously published data to develop an allometric equation for plastic size ingested as a function of animal body size, a relationship which could help predict risk of plastic introduction into food webs.
- Ifan B. Jâms
- , Fredric M. Windsor
- & Isabelle Durance
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Article
| Open AccessUrban vacant lands impart hydrological benefits across city landscapes
The authors investigate the infiltration potential of more than 500 vacant lots in the City of Buffalo, NY, USA. They found that the expanding footprint of pervious cover as urban vacant land provides stormwater volume retention benefits on an event and annual basis.
- Christa Kelleher
- , Heather E. Golden
- & William Shuster
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Article
| Open AccessMapping anthropogenic mineral generation in China and its implications for a circular economy
While a large quantity of underground mineral resources can be converted into manufactured products, a majority is still solid waste disposal. Here the authors found a large increase in total weight of anthropogenic mineral from 2010 to 2050 with faster growth rate for precious metals.
- Xianlai Zeng
- , Saleem H. Ali
- & Jinhui Li
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Article
| Open AccessSustainability of global Golden Inland Waterways
The exploitation of rivers has been at the detriment of river ecosystems. Here the authors propose a concept of Golden Inland Waterways (GIWs) to represent large waterways and find that the exploitation ratio threshold around the turning point for most GIWs appear to be less than 80%, subject to ecological constraints.
- Yichu Wang
- , Xiabin Chen
- & Jinren Ni
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Article
| Open AccessSingle-atom catalysts reveal the dinuclear characteristic of active sites in NO selective reduction with NH3
Identification of active sites is one key prerequisite for rational design of efficient catalysts. Here, the authors achieve a common feature of catalytic active sites for NO selective reduction with NH3, which assists precise identification of active sites and effective design of optimal catalysts.
- Weiye Qu
- , Xiaona Liu
- & Yaxin Chen
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Article
| Open AccessCoral skeletons reveal the history of nitrogen cycling in the coastal Great Barrier Reef
Coastal pollution degrades ecosystems, but long term impacts are unknown in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Using a 333 year record of coral skeleton nitrogen isotopes, Erler and colleagues show that increasing nutrient inputs since European settlement have led to unexpected feedback responses.
- Dirk V. Erler
- , Hanieh Tohidi Farid
- & Janice M. Lough
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Article
| Open AccessStronger policy required to substantially reduce deaths from PM2.5 pollution in China
Chinese government has implemented the air pollution control measure-the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan in 2013, whose effects have not been fully studied. Here the authors show that from 2013 to 2017, the plan has achieved substantial public health benefits.
- Huanbi Yue
- , Chunyang He
- & Brett A. Bryan
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Article
| Open AccessCarbon dots-fed Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 for bioelectricity enhancement
Bacterial fuel cells have generated attention with the prospect of green energy production; current research is focused on optimising the system to improve efficiency. Here, the authors report on the feeding of carbon dots to S. oneidensis MR-1 to enhance metabolic activity and bioelectric generation.
- Chenhui Yang
- , Hüsnü Aslan
- & Miao Yu
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Article
| Open AccessChanges in global groundwater organic carbon driven by climate change and urbanization
Groundwater is Earth’s largest source of freshwater, but the cost and ease with which it is turned to drinking water is dependent on the concentration of organic carbon. Here the authors show that climate change and urbanization will likely elevate future levels of groundwater dissolved organic carbon across the globe.
- Liza K. McDonough
- , Isaac R. Santos
- & Andy Baker
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Article
| Open Access233U/236U signature allows to distinguish environmental emissions of civil nuclear industry from weapons fallout
The dominant emission sources of anthropogenic radionuclides come from either atmospheric nuclear weapons tests or the nuclear industry (i.e., reprocessing plants or reactor accidents). Here, the authors identify a new environmental isotope tracer (\(^{233}\)U/\(^{236}\)U) which can help distinguish emissions from nuclear weapons tests, and can also provide constraints on past weapon designs and fuel sources, for which many details remain classified or lost.
- K. Hain
- , P. Steier
- & A. Sakaguchi
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Article
| Open AccessUltra-high open-circuit voltage of tin perovskite solar cells via an electron transporting layer design
Despite the lower device efficiency, tin perovskite based solar cells are preferred choices compared to lead-based counterparts due to much lower toxicity. Here Jiang et al. use a fullerene derivative to greatly suppress carrier interface recombination and obtain record high cell efficiency of 12%.
- Xianyuan Jiang
- , Fei Wang
- & Zhijun Ning
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Article
| Open AccessMeasured greenhouse gas budgets challenge emission savings from palm-oil biodiesel
Palm oil biofuels are touted as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Meijide and colleagues use greenhouse gas measurements to update life cycle assessments of oil palm growth scenarios and show that despite the promise, emission savings do not meet sustainability standards.
- Ana Meijide
- , Cristina de la Rua
- & Alexander Knohl
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Article
| Open AccessPredominant regional biophysical cooling from recent land cover changes in Europe
Land cover change contributes to regional climate trends. Here, the authors use high-resolution land cover maps and state-of-the-art climate modelling to assess land cover change effects across Europe over 1992-2015, showing widespread cooling after agricultural abandonment but also different, region-specific effects.
- Bo Huang
- , Xiangping Hu
- & Francesco Cherubini
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Article
| Open AccessActivating low-temperature diesel oxidation by single-atom Pt on TiO2 nanowire array
Supported metal single-atom catalysts face challenges on both durability and practicality. Here, the authors demonstrate that a sustained 90% diesel oxidation conversion at ~160 oC is achieved by single-atom Pt on TiO2 nanowire-array integrated catalytic converter.
- Son Hoang
- , Yanbing Guo
- & Pu-Xian Gao
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Article
| Open AccessCarbon footprint of global natural gas supplies to China
The carbon footprints of natural gas supplies at the field level are unclear. Here the authors analysed the GHG intensities of gas supplies from 104 fields and show that their GHG intensities range from 6.2 to 43.3 g CO2eq MJ-1.
- Yu Gan
- , Hassan M. El-Houjeiri
- & Michael Wang
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Article
| Open AccessRanking environmental degradation trends of plastic marine debris based on physical properties and molecular structure
Accumulation of micro and nano-plastic in the oceans has emerged as a global challenge. Here, the authors predict a hierarchy of features that regulate their degradation and surface erosion by a thorough analysis of polymer structure, composition, physical properties and degradation data.
- Kyungjun Min
- , Joseph D. Cuiffi
- & Robert T. Mathers
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Article
| Open AccessElectronic parameters in cobalt-based perovskite-type oxides as descriptors for chemocatalytic reactions
Design of efficient catalysts requires understanding the decisive electronic parameters for catalytic efficacy and their dependence on elemental composition. Here, the authors report covalency as suitable descriptor of perovskite-type transition metal oxides as chemo-catalysts.
- Johannes Simböck
- , M. Ghiasi
- & Regina Palkovits
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Article
| Open AccessThe Red Sea Deep Water is a potent source of atmospheric ethane and propane
The Middle East is known to emit large amounts of non-methane hydrocarbon pollutants to the atmosphere, but the sources are poorly characterized. Here the authors discover a new source—deep water in the Red Sea—and calculate that its emissions exceed rates of several high gas-production countries.
- E. Bourtsoukidis
- , A. Pozzer
- & J. Williams
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Article
| Open AccessBiological impact of lead from halide perovskites reveals the risk of introducing a safe threshold
Halide perovskites are promising for next generation photovoltaic technology but their environmental impact has not been fully evaluated. Here Li et al. show that the lead from perovskites is ten times more dangerous than lead-containing electronics while tin perovskites are much less bioavailable.
- Junming Li
- , Hai-Lei Cao
- & Antonio Abate
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Article
| Open AccessIncrease in global emissions of HFC-23 despite near-total expected reductions
International agreements have been implemented to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to reduce their radiative forcing. Even though reported HFC-23 emissions are at a historical low, observations indicate that emissions have actually increased over recent years to higher levels than previously.
- K. M. Stanley
- , D. Say
- & M. Rigby
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Article
| Open AccessGreenhouse gas emissions resulting from conversion of peat swamp forest to oil palm plantation
The magnitude of greenhouse gas emissions from land use change on tropical peatlands is unclear. Here, the authors measure greenhouse gas fluxes throughout the conversion from peat swamp forest to oil palm plantation, and estimate the contribution to regional and global emissions.
- Hannah V. Cooper
- , Stephanie Evers
- & Sofie Sjogersten
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Article
| Open AccessThe shift of phosphorus transfers in global fisheries and aquaculture
Despite growing aquaculture production and environmental concerns on phosphorus (P) enrichment, the P budgets of fisheries have been largely overlooked. Here, Huang et al. calculate global fishery P budgets and estimate P use efficiency for a wide range of aquaculture systems.
- Yuanyuan Huang
- , Phillipe Ciais
- & Haicheng Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessEl Niño-Southern oscillation and under-5 diarrhea in Botswana
Here, Heaney et al. show that La Niña conditions are associated with higher than average incidence of childhood diarrheal disease in Botswana in the early rainy season. This finding could help to predict childhood diarrhea outbreaks in southern Africa.
- Alexandra K. Heaney
- , Jeffrey Shaman
- & Kathleen A. Alexander
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Article
| Open AccessDelay in recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole from unexpected CFC-11 emissions
The Antarctic ozone hole is decreasing in size due to policies implemented following the Montreal Protocol. Here, model simulations show that if recently discovered increase in unreported CFC-11 emissions continue, they could delay the recovery of the ozone hole by well over a decade.
- S. S. Dhomse
- , W. Feng
- & M. P. Chipperfield
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Article
| Open AccessSensitivity of the global carbonate weathering carbon-sink flux to climate and land-use changes
Carbonate weathering captures CO2 and represents a large sink of terrestrial carbon that is threatened by climate and land-use change. Here the authors build a model that predicts drivers of carbonate weathering into the future, determining that runoff is an overlooked controlling factor.
- Sibo Zeng
- , Zaihua Liu
- & Georg Kaufmann
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Article
| Open AccessBiogenic carbonate mercury and marine temperature records reveal global influence of Late Cretaceous Deccan Traps
The relative role of the Deccan Traps volcanic activity versus the role of the Chicxulub impact event in terms of potential contributions to the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction has been subject to longstanding debate. Here, the authors observe a global signal of abruptly increased ocean temperatures and elevated [Hg] in the same biogenic carbonate specimens, prior to the impact event but aligning with the onset of Deccan volcanism.
- Kyle W. Meyer
- , Sierra V. Petersen
- & Ian Z. Winkelstern
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessIncreases in temperature do not translate to increased flooding
- Conrad Wasko
- , Ashish Sharma
- & Dennis P. Lettenmaier
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Review Article
| Open AccessThe marine geological imprint of Antarctic ice shelves
The recent collapses of ice shelves in Antarctica due to warming make it essential to understand past ice shelf conditions and mechanisms. Here Smith and colleagues review the latest progress in deciphering the geological imprint of Antarctic ice shelves via sediments, landforms and proxy indicators.
- James A. Smith
- , Alastair G. C. Graham
- & Ross D. Powell