1
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Jin Y, Yuan Y, Liu Z, Gai S, Cheng K, Yang F. Effect of humic substances on nitrogen cycling in soil-plant ecosystems: Advances, issues, and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119738. [PMID: 38061102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) cycle is one of the most significant biogeochemical cycles driven by soil microorganisms on the earth. Exogenous humic substances (HS), which include composted-HS and artificial-HS, as a new soil additive, can improve the water retention capacity, cation exchange capacity and soil nutrient utilization, compensating for the decrease of soil HS content caused by soil overutilization. This paper systematically reviewed the contribution of three different sources of HS in the soil-plant system and explained the mechanisms of N transformation through physiological and biochemical pathways. HS convert the living space and living environment of microorganisms by changing the structure and condition of soil. Generally, HS can fix atmospheric and soil N through biotic and abiotic mechanisms, which improved the availability of N. Besides, HS transform the root structure of plants through physiological and biochemical pathways to promote the absorption of inorganic N by plants. The redox properties of HS participate in soil N transformation by altering the electron gain and loss of microorganisms. Moreover, to alleviate the energy crisis and environmental problems caused by N pollution, we also illustrated the mechanisms reducing soil N2O emissions by HS and the application prospects of artificial-HS. Eventually, a combination of indoor simulation and field test, molecular biology and stable isotope techniques are needed to systematically analyze the potential mechanisms of soil N transformation, representing an important step forward for understanding the relevance between remediation of environmental pollution and improvement of the N utilization in soil-plant system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxu Jin
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China; International Cooperation Joint Laboratory of Health in Cold Region Black Soil Habitat of the Ministry of Education, China
| | - Yue Yuan
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China; International Cooperation Joint Laboratory of Health in Cold Region Black Soil Habitat of the Ministry of Education, China
| | - Zhuqing Liu
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China; International Cooperation Joint Laboratory of Health in Cold Region Black Soil Habitat of the Ministry of Education, China
| | - Shuang Gai
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China; International Cooperation Joint Laboratory of Health in Cold Region Black Soil Habitat of the Ministry of Education, China
| | - Kui Cheng
- International Cooperation Joint Laboratory of Health in Cold Region Black Soil Habitat of the Ministry of Education, China; College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.
| | - Fan Yang
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China; International Cooperation Joint Laboratory of Health in Cold Region Black Soil Habitat of the Ministry of Education, China.
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2
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Xiao R, Hao H, Zhang H, Liu Y, Liu M. The development of ecological civilization in China based on the economic-social-natural complex system. AMBIO 2023; 52:1910-1927. [PMID: 37889463 PMCID: PMC10654307 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01937-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
China is making great efforts to build an ecological civilization. To reveal the effectiveness and spatial characteristics of the ecological civilization development in China, we constructed an Ecological Civilization Evaluation Index (ECI) based on the economic-social-natural complex system. We evaluated the development level of the ecological civilization in China from 2004 to 2020 and discussed the coupling and coordination relationship between subsystems. We found that the ecological civilization of China has achieved remarkable results. The relationship among the three subsystems has been improved to some extent, but the high-quality development of the economic system still requires effort. The development level of the ecological civilization in China presents spatial heterogeneity. From east to west, 30 provinces can be classified into four different types of development. On the whole, the development of China's ecological civilization has provided experiences for the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xiao
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, No. 8 Dayangfang, Anwai Beiyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Haiguang Hao
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, No. 8 Dayangfang, Anwai Beiyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Huiyuan Zhang
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, No. 8 Dayangfang, Anwai Beiyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Yujie Liu
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, No. 8 Dayangfang, Anwai Beiyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Mengxiao Liu
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, No. 8 Dayangfang, Anwai Beiyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, China
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3
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Zhao X, Hou S, Zhang X, Hubacek K, Tillotson MR, Liu Y, Liu J. Revealing Trade Potential for Reversing Regional Freshwater Boundary Exceedance. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:11520-11530. [PMID: 37491875 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Applying the planetary boundary for the freshwater framework at the regional level is important in supporting local water management but is subject to substantial uncertainty. Previous estimates have not fully investigated the potential of trade in mitigating regional freshwater boundary (RFB) exceedance. Here, we estimate RFB based on the average results of 15 different hydrological models to reduce uncertainty. We then propose a framework to divide the RFB exceedance/maintenance into contributions from both consumption and trade and further identify trade contribution into six types. We applied the framework to China's provinces, which are characterized by intensive interprovincial trade and a significant mismatch in water resource supply and demand. We found that the current trade pattern limits the role of trade to mitigate RFB exceedance. For the importing provinces exceeding RFBs, 78% of their imported goods and services came from other RFB exceeding provinces. Scenario analysis showed that relying on increased imports alone, even to its greatest extent, will not reverse RFB exceedance in most importing provinces. Increased imports, however, will have an aggregate effect on the trade partners, leading to the exceedance of the national freshwater boundary. We also found that promoting export of goods and services from non-RFB exceeding provinces and reducing their water intensity will help address the imbalance both locally and, in the aggregate, nationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhao
- Institute of Blue and Green Development, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Hou
- Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society (IREES), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), University of Groningen, Groningen 9747 AG, Netherlands
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Business School, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, People's Republic of China
| | - Klaus Hubacek
- Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society (IREES), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), University of Groningen, Groningen 9747 AG, Netherlands
| | - Martin R Tillotson
- water@leeds, School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Liu
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Junguo Liu
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Hydrosphere and Watershed Water Security, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450046, People's Republic of China
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4
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Falk J, Hannl TK, Öhman M, Hedayati A, Skoglund N. Ash Transformation during Fixed-Bed Co-combustion of Sewage Sludge and Agricultural Residues with a Focus on Phosphorus. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:13162-13176. [PMID: 37065071 PMCID: PMC10099419 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c00415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
This work investigates the ash transformation during fixed-bed co-combustion of sewage sludge mixtures with the agricultural residues wheat straw and sunflower husks, focusing on the fate of phosphorus (P) in the resulting ash fractions. The study aims to determine suitable process parameters for fixed-bed combustion of fuels previously investigated in single-pellet experiments. The pure fuels and fuel mixtures were combusted in a 20 kWth residential pellet burner while monitoring the flue gas composition, temperature, and particulate matter formation. Subsequently, the different ash fractions were collected and characterized by CHN, SEM/EDS, and XRD analysis. The results showed that co-combustion of sewage sludge and agricultural residues reduced the formation of particulate matter as well as the formation of slag. Co-combustion of sewage sludge with either agricultural residue resulted in a change in phosphate speciation, displaying higher shares of Ca and lower shares of Fe and Al in the formed orthophosphates as well as amorphous phases containing higher shares of K. The formation of K-bearing phosphates was hindered by the spatial association of P with Ca and Fe in the sewage sludge, the incorporation of available K in K-Al silicates, and the depletion of K in the P-rich melt phase. Compared to mono-combustion, co-combustion experiments showed the potential for improving the combustion performance and reducing the risk of slag formation. The outcome suggests that co-combustion is a feasible path to integrate waste streams in fixed-bed energy conversion with simultaneous formation of phosphates enabling P recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Falk
- Energy
Engineering, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Thomas Karl Hannl
- Energy
Engineering, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Marcus Öhman
- Energy
Engineering, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Ali Hedayati
- Energy
Engineering, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Nils Skoglund
- Thermochemical
Energy Conversion Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden
- BEST−Bioenergy
and Sustainable Technologies GmbH, Inffeldgasse 21b, AT-8010 Graz, Austria
- Institute
of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, TU Vienna, AT-1060 Vienna, Austria
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5
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Wattiaux MA. Sustainability of dairy systems through the lenses of the sustainable development goals. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1135381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we propose to view the sustainability of dairy farming as nested within the sustainability of agriculture, a subset of the sustainability of food systems, which in turn could be construed as a subset of the national commitments of a country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Disciplinary, multidisciplinary, and interdisciplinary research are essential to study bio-physical system components and their interactions. However, when dairy farming is viewed as nested within broader societal systems, the inclusion of human elements calls for transdisciplinary research. Few of the 17 SDGs are left untouched by the livestock sector. Research should aim at identifying relevant farm-level metrics that are in alignment with any of the 231 indicators supporting the SDGs. We used two examples to illustrate the approach. In the first, SDG 13 (Climate Action) is used as a reminder that despite the current emphasis on reducing milk carbon footprint (kg CO2-e/kg milk), the contribution of the sector to Climate Action depends on reducing its annual emission (kg CO2-e/year; indicator 13.2.2). In the second example, indicator 2.4.1 (land use for sustainable agriculture) of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) is used to illustrate the potential tradeoffs between Milk N/Intake N as a metric of nitrogen use efficiency at the cow level and metrics such as the input:output ratio of human-edible protein (Milk N/Intake of human-edible N) that prioritize the use of human-inedible feed in dairy rations as a way to enhance efficiency and circularity at the food system level.
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6
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Drangert JO. Urban water and food security in this century and beyond: Resource-smart cities and residents. AMBIO 2021; 50:679-692. [PMID: 33001342 PMCID: PMC7882668 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-020-01373-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The urban world population will increase from 3 to 8.5 thousand million in the 21st century. Cities become hot spots of both demand for water and global food and for disposed used water and nutrients. Sustainability requires that resource flows through our cities are co-managed and connected to agriculture. Reduced use of harmful chemicals in consumer products facilitates treatment to a quality that allows reuse/recycling of water and nutrients. A solid and liquid waste hierarchy can assist in ordering measures. A novel flexible water balance can guide city infrastructure and keep toilet water separate. New water-saving equipment can substantially reduce water use without losing personal comfort. The combination of these new approaches ascertains access to safe urban water, and that recovered nutrients from cities can substitute half of chemical fertilisers needed in food production. Now, thousands of new cities and suburbs provide unique opportunities to develop resource-smart and sustainable flows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Olof Drangert
- Department of Water and Environmental Studies, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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7
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Abstract
Climate change is one of the processes that have already overstepped the safe planetary boundaries, together with the rate of biodiversity loss and human interference with the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles. The three processes are related to agriculture and, as such, to both food safety and food security, and ultimately to human health. Adaptation to climate change is a difficult breeding objective because of its complexity, its unpredictability, and its location specificity. However, one strategy exists, which is based on a more dynamic use of agrobiodiversity in agriculture through the cultivation of evolutionary populations. In this review, we show how the translation into agricultural practice of nearly 100 years of research on evolutionary populations and mixtures is able to address the complexity of climate change while stabilizing yield, decreasing the use of most agrochemicals, thus reducing emissions and producing healthy food.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefania Grando
- Independent Consultant, Corso Mazzini 256, 63100 Ascoli Piceno, Italy
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8
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Hileman J, Kallstenius I, Häyhä T, Palm C, Cornell S. Keystone actors do not act alone: A business ecosystem perspective on sustainability in the global clothing industry. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241453. [PMID: 33125411 PMCID: PMC7598521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Global industries are typically dominated by a few disproportionately large and influential transnational corporations, or keystone actors. While concentration of economic production is not a new phenomenon, in an increasingly interconnected and globalized world, the scale of the impacts of keystone actors on diverse social-ecological systems continues to grow. In this article, we investigate how keystone actors in the global clothing industry engage in collaboration with a variety of other organizations to address nine interrelated biophysical and socioeconomic sustainability challenges. We expand on previous theoretical and empirical research by focusing on the larger business ecosystem in which keystone actors are embedded, and use network analysis to assess the contributions of different actor types to the architecture of the ecosystem. This systemic approach to the study of keystone actors and sustainability challenges highlights an important source of influence largely not addressed in previous research: the presence of organizations that occupy strategic positions around keystone actors. Such knowledge can help identify governance strategies for advancing industry-wide transformation towards sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Hileman
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivan Kallstenius
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tiina Häyhä
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Celinda Palm
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sarah Cornell
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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9
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Hydroclimatic Effects of a Hydropower Reservoir in a Tropical Hydrological Basin. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12176795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The consequent change in land cover from vegetation to water surface after inundation is the most obvious impact attributed to the impoundment of reservoirs and dam construction. However, river regulation also alters the magnitude and variability of water and energy fluxes and local climatic parameters. Studies in Mediterranean, temperate and boreal hydrological basins, and even a global-scale study, have found a simultaneous decrease in the variation of runoff and increase in the mean evaporative ratio after impoundment. The aim here is to study the existence of these effects on a regulated tropical basin in Colombia with long-term data, as such studies in tropical regions are scarce. As expected, we observed a decrease in the long-term coefficient of variation of runoff of 33% that can be attributed to the impoundment of the reservoir. However, we did not find important changes in precipitation or the expected increasing evaporative ratio-effect from the impoundment of the reservoir, founding for the latter rather a decrease. This may be due to the humid conditions of the region where actual evapotranspiration is already close to its potential or to other land cover changes that decrease evapotranspiration during the studied period. Our study shows that the effects from impounded reservoirs in tropical regulated basins may differ from those found in other climatic regions.
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10
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Dai T, Yang Y, Lee R, Fleischer AS, Wemhoff AP. Life cycle environmental impacts of food away from home and mitigation strategies-a review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 265:110471. [PMID: 32292177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Food production and consumption are major drivers of global environmental change, endangering the safe operating space of many environmental areas. Globally, there has been a growing trend of dining out, termed food away from home (FAFH) here, but its environmental sustainability has received insufficient attention. In this review, we examine studies quantifying the life-cycle environmental impacts of FAFH and identify mitigation strategies across the food supply chain. Overall, previous life cycle assessment (LCA) studies focused on the composition of FAFH meals and pre-use life cycle stages, especially food production. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of FAFH meals range from 0.134 kg CO2 e/meal to 13.2 kg CO2 e/meal for school canteen meals, and from 0.60 kg CO2 e/meal to 9.6 kg CO2 e/meal for other catering services. Meat ingredients are the dominant source in a variety of environmental impact categories, and the food production stage usually accounts for over half of the total GHG emissions in the FAFH life cycle. Supply side mitigation strategies include advancing farming practices, updating cold transportation technology, and improving building energy efficiency. Demand side mitigation focuses on dietary change towards meals with less meat ingredients, with nudging and sustainable menu-designing as the two primary groups of strategies. Areas of focus for LCA include improving modeling of building energy consumption related to food consumption, advancing uncertainty characterization of life cycle results, and capturing geographical variations in food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Dai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA, 19085, USA.
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, University of Minnesota, St Paul, 1390 Eckles Ave, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA; Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, PR China.
| | - Ross Lee
- Sustainable Engineering Program, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA, 19085, USA
| | - Amy S Fleischer
- College of Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
| | - Aaron P Wemhoff
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA, 19085, USA.
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11
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Koschorreck M, Downing AS, Hejzlar J, Marcé R, Laas A, Arndt WG, Keller PS, Smolders AJP, van Dijk G, Kosten S. Hidden treasures: Human-made aquatic ecosystems harbour unexplored opportunities. AMBIO 2020; 49:531-540. [PMID: 31140158 PMCID: PMC6965596 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01199-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Artificial water bodies like ditches, fish ponds, weirs, reservoirs, fish ladders, and irrigation channels are usually constructed and managed to optimize their intended purposes. However, human-made aquatic systems also have unintended consequences on ecosystem services and biogeochemical cycles. Knowledge about their functioning and possible additional ecosystem services is poor, especially compared to natural ecosystems. A GIS analysis indicates that currently only ~ 10% of European surface waters are covered by the European Water Framework directive, and that a considerable fraction of the excluded systems are likely human-made aquatic systems. There is a clear mismatch between the high possible significance of human-made water bodies and their low representation in scientific research and policy. We propose a research agenda to build an inventory of human-made aquatic ecosystems, support and advance research to further our understanding of the role of these systems in local and global biogeochemical cycles as well as to identify other benefits for society. We stress the need for studies that aim to optimize management of human-made aquatic systems considering all their functions and to support programs designed to overcome barriers of the adoption of optimized management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Koschorreck
- Department Lake Research, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Brückstrasse 3a, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Andrea S. Downing
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Josef Hejzlar
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sádkách 7, 37003 Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Rafael Marcé
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Alo Laas
- Chair of Hydrobiology and Fishery, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5D, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Witold G. Arndt
- Eule GDI, Steinbrede 4, 48163 Münster, Germany
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstraße 2, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Philipp S. Keller
- Department Lake Research, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Brückstrasse 3a, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany
- Eule GDI, Steinbrede 4, 48163 Münster, Germany
| | - Alfons J. P. Smolders
- B-WARE Research Centre, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gijs van Dijk
- B-WARE Research Centre, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sarian Kosten
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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12
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Immerzeel WW, Lutz AF, Andrade M, Bahl A, Biemans H, Bolch T, Hyde S, Brumby S, Davies BJ, Elmore AC, Emmer A, Feng M, Fernández A, Haritashya U, Kargel JS, Koppes M, Kraaijenbrink PDA, Kulkarni AV, Mayewski PA, Nepal S, Pacheco P, Painter TH, Pellicciotti F, Rajaram H, Rupper S, Sinisalo A, Shrestha AB, Viviroli D, Wada Y, Xiao C, Yao T, Baillie JEM. Importance and vulnerability of the world’s water towers. Nature 2019; 577:364-369. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1822-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 477] [Impact Index Per Article: 95.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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13
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Quesne MG, Silveri F, de Leeuw NH, Catlow CRA. Advances in Sustainable Catalysis: A Computational Perspective. Front Chem 2019; 7:182. [PMID: 31032245 PMCID: PMC6473102 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The enormous challenge of moving our societies to a more sustainable future offers several exciting opportunities for computational chemists. The first principles approach to "catalysis by design" will enable new and much greener chemical routes to produce vital fuels and fine chemicals. This prospective outlines a wide variety of case studies to underscore how the use of theoretical techniques, from QM/MM to unrestricted DFT and periodic boundary conditions, can be applied to biocatalysis and to both homogeneous and heterogenous catalysts of all sizes and morphologies to provide invaluable insights into the reaction mechanisms they catalyze.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Quesne
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Fabrizio Silveri
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Nora H de Leeuw
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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14
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Cross-Scale Water and Land Impacts of Local Climate and Energy Policy—A Local Swedish Analysis of Selected SDG Interactions. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11071847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper analyses how local energy and climate actions can affect the use of water and land resources locally, nationally and globally. Each of these resource systems is linked to different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); we also explore related SDG interactions. A municipality in Sweden with the ambition of phasing out fossil fuels by year 2030 is used as illustrative case example. The local energy system is modelled in detail and indirect water and land requirements are quantified for three stylised decarbonisation scenarios of pathways to meeting climate and energy requirements (related to SDG13 and SDG7, respectively). Total local, national and global implications are addressed for the use of water and land resources, which relate to SDG6 for water, and SDG2 and SDG15 for land use. We find that the magnitude and location of water and land impacts are largely pathway-dependent. Some scenarios of low carbon energy may impede progress on SDG15, while others may compromise SDG6. Data for the studied resource uses are incoherently reported and have important gaps. As a consequence, the study results are indicative and subject to uncertainty. Still, they highlight the need to recognise that resource use changes targeting one SDG in one locality have local and non-local impacts that may compromise progress other SDGs locally and/or elsewhere in the world.
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15
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Automated Geospatial Models of Varying Complexities for Pine Forest Evapotranspiration Estimation with Advanced Data Mining. WATER 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/w10111687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The study goal was to develop automated user-friendly remote-sensing based evapotranspiration (ET) estimation tools: (i) artificial neural network (ANN) based models, (ii) ArcGIS-based automated geospatial model, and (iii) executable software to predict pine forest daily ET flux on a pixel- or plot average-scale. Study site has had long-term eddy-flux towers for ET measurements since 2006. Cloud-free Landsat images of 2006−2014 were processed using advanced data mining to obtain Principal Component bands to correlate with ET data. The regression model’s r2 was 0.58. The backpropagation neural network (BPNN) and radial basis function network (RBFN) models provided a testing/validation average absolute error of 0.18 and 0.15 Wm−2 and average accuracy of 81% and 85%, respectively. ANN models though robust, require special ANN software and skill to operate; therefore, automated geospatial model (toolbox) was developed on ArcGIS ModelBuilder as user-friendly alternative. ET flux map developed with model tool provided consistent ET patterns for landuses. The software was developed for lay-users for ET estimation.
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Robust Assessment of Uncertain Freshwater Changes: The Case of Greece with Large Irrigation—and Climate-Driven Runoff Decrease. WATER 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/w10111645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We develop a data-driven approach to robustly assess freshwater changes due to climate change and/or human irrigation developments by use of the overarching constraints of catchment water balance. This is applied to and tested in the high-uncertainty case of Greece for five nested catchments of different scales across the country and for freshwater changes from an early period (1930–1949) with small human influences on climate and irrigation to a recent period (1990–2009) with expected greater such influences. The results show more or less equal contributions from climatic decrease in precipitation and from human irrigation development to a considerable total decrease in runoff (R) over Greece. This is on average −75 ± 10 mm/year and is greatest for the Ionian catchment in the west (−119 ± 18 mm/year) and the Peloponnese catchment in the south (−91 ± 16 mm/year). For evapotranspiration (ET), a climate-driven decrease component and an irrigation-driven increase component have led to a net total increase of ET over Greece. This is on average 26 ± 7 mm/year and is greatest for the Mainland catchment (29 ± 7 mm/year) and the Aegean catchment in the east (28 ± 6 mm/year). Overall, the resulting uncertainties in the water-balance constrained estimates of R and ET changes are smaller than the input data uncertainties.
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17
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18
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Reppas-Chrysovitsinos E, Sobek A, MacLeod M. In Silico Screening-Level Prioritization of 8468 Chemicals Produced in OECD Countries to Identify Potential Planetary Boundary Threats. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 100:134-146. [PMID: 29285590 PMCID: PMC5775374 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-017-2253-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Legislation such as the Stockholm Convention and REACH aim to identify and regulate the production and use of chemicals that qualify as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) chemicals, respectively. Recently, a series of studies on planetary boundary threats proposed seven chemical hazard profiles that are distinct from the POP and vPvB profiles. We previously defined two exposure-based hazard profiles; airborne persistent contaminants (APCs) and waterborne persistent contaminants (WPCs) that correspond to two profiles of chemicals that are planetary boundary threats. Here, we extend our method to screen a database of chemicals consisting of 8648 substances produced within the OECD countries. We propose a new scoring scheme to disentangle the POP, vPvB, APC and WPC profiles by focusing on the spatial range of exposure potential, discuss the relationship between high exposure hazard and elemental composition of chemicals, and identify chemicals with high exposure hazard potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Sobek
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew MacLeod
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Damkjaer S, Taylor R. The measurement of water scarcity: Defining a meaningful indicator. AMBIO 2017; 46:513-531. [PMID: 28299747 PMCID: PMC5547033 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-017-0912-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Metrics of water scarcity and stress have evolved over the last three decades from simple threshold indicators to holistic measures characterising human environments and freshwater sustainability. Metrics commonly estimate renewable freshwater resources using mean annual river runoff, which masks hydrological variability, and quantify subjectively socio-economic conditions characterising adaptive capacity. There is a marked absence of research evaluating whether these metrics of water scarcity are meaningful. We argue that measurement of water scarcity (1) be redefined physically in terms of the freshwater storage required to address imbalances in intra- and inter-annual fluxes of freshwater supply and demand; (2) abandons subjective quantifications of human environments and (3) be used to inform participatory decision-making processes that explore a wide range of options for addressing freshwater storage requirements beyond dams that include use of renewable groundwater, soil water and trading in virtual water. Further, we outline a conceptual framework redefining water scarcity in terms of freshwater storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Damkjaer
- University College London Institute for Sustainable Resources, Central House, 14, Upper Woburn Place, London, WC1H 0NN UK
| | - Richard Taylor
- Department of Geography, University College London, Pearson Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT UK
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20
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Mathias JD, Anderies JM, Janssen MA. On our rapidly shrinking capacity to comply with the planetary boundaries on climate change. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42061. [PMID: 28169336 PMCID: PMC5294404 DOI: 10.1038/srep42061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The planetary boundary framework constitutes an opportunity for decision makers to define climate policy through the lens of adaptive governance. Here, we use the DICE model to analyze the set of adaptive climate policies that comply with the two planetary boundaries related to climate change: (1) staying below a CO2 concentration of 550 ppm until 2100 and (2) returning to 350 ppm in 2100. Our results enable decision makers to assess the following milestones: (1) a minimum of 33% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2055 in order to stay below 550 ppm by 2100 (this milestone goes up to 46% in the case of delayed policies); and (2) carbon neutrality and the effective implementation of innovative geoengineering technologies (10% negative emissions) before 2060 in order to return to 350 ppm in 2100, under the assumption of getting out of the baseline scenario without delay. Finally, we emphasize the need to use adaptive path-based approach instead of single point target for climate policy design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Denis Mathias
- IRSTEA, UR LISC, 9 avenue des landais, 63170 Aubière, France.,School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States
| | - John M Anderies
- School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States.,School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States.,Center for Behavior, Institutions and the Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States
| | - Marco A Janssen
- School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States.,Center for Behavior, Institutions and the Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States
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Juston J, Lyon SW, Destouni G. Data-driven Nutrient-landscape Relationships across Regions and Scales. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2016; 88:2023-2031. [PMID: 28661321 DOI: 10.2175/106143016x14504669768255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have identified relationships between nutrient exports and upstream conditions, but have often disconnected interpretations from hydrological flows and changes. Here, we investigated basic relationships between largely flow-independent nutrient concentrations and two key descriptors of upstream landscape and human activity: population density and arable land cover. Consistent data were gathered from previous studies of the Baltic Sea and Mississippi River basins. These data span wide ranges of subcatchment scales, hydroclimatic conditions, and landscape characteristics. In general, investigated relationships were stronger in the Baltic than in the Mississippi region and stronger for total nitrogen (TN) than total phosphorous (TP) concentrations. However, TN concentration was both highly and consistently correlated to arable land cover across all scales and both regions. These findings support that TN export from catchments is dictated principally by retention and slow release from subsurface legacy stores while export TP concentrations appear to be dictated more by faster particulate surface transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Juston
- Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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22
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Vollmer D, Regan HM, Andelman SJ. Assessing the sustainability of freshwater systems: A critical review of composite indicators. AMBIO 2016; 45:765-780. [PMID: 27250097 PMCID: PMC5055483 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-016-0792-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative indicators are a common means of assessing the complex dimensions of a sustainable freshwater system, and framing scientific knowledge for policy and decision makers. There is an abundance of indicators in use, but considerable variation in terms of what is being measured and how indicators are applied, making it difficult for end-users to identify suitable assessment methods. We review 95 water-related indices and analyze them along their normative, procedural, and systemic dimensions to better understand how problems are being defined, highlight overlaps and differences, and identify the context(s) in which a particular index is useful. We also analyze the intended use, end-users, and geographic scale of application for each index. We find that risk assessment is the most common application (n = 25), with indices in this group typically focusing either on hazard identification (biophysical assessments) or vulnerability of human populations. Indices that measure freshwater ecological health are not explicitly linking these indicators to ecosystem services, and in fact the concept of ecosystem services is rarely (n = 3) used for indicator selection. Resource managers are the most common group of intended end-users (n = 25), but while 28 indices involved consultation with potential end-users, 11 did not specify an intended use. We conclude that indices can be applied as solution-oriented tools, evaluating scenarios and identifying tradeoffs among services and beneficiaries, rather than only assessing and monitoring existing conditions. Finally, earlier engagement of end-users is recommended to help researchers find the right balance among indices' salience, legitimacy, and credibility and thus improve their decision relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Vollmer
- Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202 USA
| | - Helen M. Regan
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521 USA
| | - Sandy J. Andelman
- Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202 USA
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23
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Reduced Runoff Due to Anthropogenic Intervention in the Loess Plateau, China. WATER 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/w8100458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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24
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Climate Change and Increased Irrigation Demands: What Is Left for Hydropower Generation? Results from Two Semi-Arid Basins. ENERGIES 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/en9030191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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25
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Jaramillo F, Destouni G. Local flow regulation and irrigation raise global human water consumption and footprint. Science 2015; 350:1248-51. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aad1010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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26
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The Environmental Sustainability of Nations: Benchmarking the Carbon, Water and Land Footprints against Allocated Planetary Boundaries. SUSTAINABILITY 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/su70811285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Gerten D, Rockstrom J, Heinke J, Steffen W, Richardson K, Cornell S. Response to Comment on "Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet". Science 2015; 348:1217. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aab0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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