Stars
Stars: Universe's Chemical Factories For countless generations, humans have gazed upon the stars in awe, captivated by their celestial dance across the night sky. But beyond their mesmerizing beauty lies a hidden truth: stars are the universe's grand chemical factories, churning out the very building blocks of existence. Unlike the primordial hydrogen and helium forged in the Big Bang, all the heavier elements that make up our world, from the oxygen we breathe to the silicon in our devices, owe their creation to the fiery hearts of these celestial giants. Understanding how stars cook up these elements is a captivating scientific quest, one that unveils the intricate interplay between gravity, nuclear fusion, and stellar explosions. Inside a star's core, a realm of unimaginable pressure and temperature reigns supreme. Here, hydrogen atoms engage in a celestial ballet called nuclear fusion, a process that fuses them into helium and releases tremendous energy, fueling the star's light and heat. But this nuclear dance has limitations - it can only create elements up to iron on the periodic table. So, how do elements heavier than iron, the elements that make up most of the visible universe and are crucial for life, come into existence? The answer lies in two dramatic stellar events: supernovae and the collision of neutron stars.
Beyond Minerals
Our world faces a raw deal: rising demand for resources clashes with the need for a sustainable future. As populations grow and economies develop, the pressure on raw materials intensifies. This creates a precarious tightrope walk - meeting current needs without compromising the environment for generations to come. The answer lies in a paradigm shift. Focusing solely on raw demand is unsustainable. We must prioritize efficiency, utilizing resources more effectively. Innovation in recycling, reuse, and alternative materials is key. Sustainable practices throughout the supply chain - from responsible sourcing to minimizing waste - are essential. The path to a sustainable future paved with raw materials requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Consumers must embrace responsible consumption, while industries must prioritize longevity and circularity in design. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and research institutions can unlock new technologies and responsible management practices. By reconciling raw demand with sustainability, we can create a future of abundance without sacrificing the planet's well-being.
Cape Town's Drought
Cape Town's near miss with "Day Zero" during its severe drought serves as a powerful testament to the effectiveness of water conservation efforts. Faced with dwindling dam levels, the city implemented a multi-pronged approach. Public awareness campaigns fostered a culture of water-saving, with residents embracing shorter showers, fixing leaks promptly, and utilizing water-efficient appliances. This collective effort, coupled with infrastructure upgrades to reduce leaks, resulted in a dramatic decrease in water consumption. Additionally, exploring alternative sources like desalination and purchasing water from neighboring regions provided a crucial buffer. Cape Town's experience offers valuable lessons. It demonstrates that a combination of public education, infrastructure investment, and diversification of water sources can overcome even the most daunting water scarcity challenges. The city's success story serves as a blueprint for other regions facing water insecurity, proving that saving water truly works
Cap Barriers
Traditionally, geotechnical design focuses on soil strength and stability. But what about water management? Capillary barriers, innovative layers within soil profiles, are revolutionizing this field. By manipulating water's surface tension, these barriers restrict downward flow, reducing water infiltration into sensitive areas. This opens doors for geotechnical engineers. Imagine slopes stabilized by redirecting rainwater, or landfill caps keeping pollutants contained. Capillary barriers are shaping the future of geotechnical design, promoting sustainable and water-conscious construction.
Unsettled (Updated and Expanded Edition)
In this updated and expanded edition of climate scientist Steven Koonin's groundbreaking book, go behind the headlines to discover the latest eye-opening data about climate change--with unbiased facts and realistic steps for the future. "Greenland's ice loss is accelerating." "Extreme temperatures are causing more fatalities." "Rapid 'climate action' is essential to avoid a future climate disaster." You've heard all this presented as fact. But according to science, all of these statements are profoundly misleading. With the new edition of Unsettled, Steven Koonin draws on decades of experience--including as a top science advisor to the Obama administration--to clear away the fog and explain what science really says (and doesn't say). With a new introduction, this edition now features reflections on an additional three years of eye-opening data, alternatives to unrealistic "net zero" solutions, global energy inequalities, and the energy crisis arising from the war in Ukraine. When it comes to climate change, the media, politicians, and other prominent voices have declared that "the science is settled." In reality, the climate is changing, but the why and how aren't as clear as you've probably been led to believe. Koonin takes readers behind the headlines, dispels popular myths, and unveils little-known truths: Despite rising greenhouse gas emissions, global temperatures decreased from 1940 to 1970 Models currently used to predict the future do not accurately describe the climate of the past, and modelers themselves strongly doubt their regional predictions There is no compelling evidence that hurricanes are becoming more frequent--or that predictions of rapid sea level rise have any validity Unsettled is a reality check buoyed by hope, offering the truth about climate science--what we know, what we don't, and what it all means for our future.
Scaling Renewables
The transition to renewable energy is gaining momentum, with solar and wind power becoming major players. However, integrating these variable sources into the grid presents challenges. Sunshine doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blow, leading to fluctuations in power supply. But these hurdles aren't insurmountable. Upgrading the grid infrastructure is key, allowing for efficient transmission from new wind and solar farms. Additionally, energy storage solutions like large-scale batteries can capture excess renewable energy and release it when needed, ensuring a stable flow of power. By embracing innovation and strategic planning, we can overcome the challenges of scaling renewables. This paves the way for a future powered by clean energy, ensuring a reliable and sustainable electricity supply
Sustaining Paradise SD in SIDS
"Sustaining Paradise: Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)" is a compelling exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing some of the world's most vulnerable yet vibrant regions. Through a rich tapestry of research, case studies, and personal narratives, this book delves into the complex interplay of environmental, social, and economic factors shaping sustainable development in SIDS. From the preservation of fragile ecosystems to the promotion of renewable energy solutions, each chapter offers valuable insights into the innovative approaches and grassroots initiatives driving progress in these communities. Importantly, the voices of local stakeholders and indigenous peoples resonate throughout, illuminating the human dimension of sustainability efforts. As a rallying cry for action, "Sustaining Paradise" underscores the urgent need for global cooperation and solidarity in addressing the existential threats facing SIDS, including climate change, sea-level rise, and biodiversity loss. This book serves as both a roadmap for policymakers and a source of inspiration for individuals committed to forging a more equitable and resilient future for all inhabitants of our planet.
50 Essential Facts About Climate Change
A topical book of facts and images for all readers who are curious about climate change. It contains a wealth of information that identifies the problems the world currently faces and looks at ways in which we can work together to help the situation. It also discusses what we as individuals can do in our daily lives.The 50 facts are presented in a way that is easy to understand by readers aged 6 -18+. The carefully chosen images help to illustrate the information and stimulate interest in the world that young people live in.Remember: There is only one Planet Earth. It is our home. Please look after it!
Remote Sensing Techniques for Landslides Studies and Their Hazards Assessment
Landslides can cause extensive property damage and human casualties and thus influence socio-economic conditions in many countries. In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the frequency of landslides related to climate change and the expansion of urbanized areas. The level of risk from landslides depends, among other things, on the distribution and typology of these processes and the temporal probability of these processes affecting a unit of land. Therefore, spatial mapping of these processes and knowing their frequency or temporal reactivation would provide valuable information to help us predict the hazard of these geological processes and thus evaluate the associated risks in certain areas. While it is possible to conduct landslide studies by direct ground observation, data collection in inaccessible and extensive land is time-consuming and expensive and can sometimes be very difficult. Remote sensing images (aerial, satellite, or terrestrial) are increasingly used in different landslide investigations, thus allowing the spatial and multi-temporal mapping of these processes, offering detailed monitoring of changes in the ground surface, and allowing data to obtain factors to be used in the assessment of landslide hazards. This Special Issue includes research papers with studies covering different applications of remote sensing in landslide investigations: Identification and inventory of landslides, Monitoring of landslide activity, and Spatial and temporal analysis of different factors to assess landslide hazard mapping.
Advance in Sedimentology and Coastal and Marine Geology
This Special Issue "Advances in Sedimentology and Coastal and Marine Geology" brought together thirteen research articles and one review article, improving the state of the art of the corresponding sub-disciplines. Beach rocks, hybrid event beds, Quaternary marine sedimentation, and shallow gas represent important topics highlighted in this Special Issue. Different areas locations have been studied in the articles included, including both Mediterranean and extra-Mediterranean areas. In the Mediterranean areas, the Bay of Naples and the Cilento offshore (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) have been studied, along with the Red Sea (Saudi Arabia). The content of this Special Issue significantly improves enhances previous knowledge of the marine geological and sedimentological processes of continental margins. The audience will include academics and researchers in the field of geology, geotechnical engineers, as well as geological scholars.
Intentional - Workbook
Used with its companion book, Intentional: A Holistic Approach to Building and Maintaining a Sustainable Lifestyle, this workbook provides practical exercises, tools and strategies to live more sustainably, reduce waste and develop meaningful connections to nature.
Deep Learning and Transformers’ Methods Applied to Remotely Captured Data
The areas of machine learning and deep learning have experienced impressive progress in recent years. This progress has mainly been driven by the availability of high processing performance at an affordable cost and a large quantity of data. Most state-of-the-art techniques today are based on deep neural networks or the more recently proposed transformers. This progress has sparked innovations in technologies, algorithms, and approaches and led to results that were unachievable until recently. Among the various research areas that have been significantly impacted by this progress is the processing of remotely captured data such as airborne and spaceborne passive and active imagery, underwater imagery, mobile mapping data, etc. This collection gathered cutting-edge contributions from researchers using deep learning and transformers for remote sensing and for processing remotely captured data.
Woody Bog Plants
Woody Bog Plants: A Field Guide for New England and Adjacent Canada, describes and illustrates with color photos more than 50 of the most typical encountered trees and shrubs in the region's sphagnum moss-dominated environments. Each plant's characteristics, such as growth form, leaves, flowers, and fruit, are described, with additional information on each plant's usual flower and fruiting times. County-level and North American range maps provide insight into each plant's distribution. An easy-to-use key to the species is helpful in identifying unknown plant specimens. Plants are organized within plant families, grouping related species together helping readers learn important characteristics of each family. The guide includes a list of selected references, a botanical glossary, and an index of scientific and common names (including those used in French-speaking portions of Quebec).
The Science of Our Changing Climate
This compelling textbook provides a broad overview of the science underpinning our understanding of our climate, and how it is changing. Presented in clear and accessible language, and requiring only minimal algebra, it enables students to understand how our planet "behaves" under "normal conditions" and how human activity has moved us away from that normal. It walks the student comprehensively through the basic science, including how greenhouse gases absorb radiation and, crucially, a chapter on aerosols, major players in climate change. Diverse case studies and examples illuminate the impact and connections to real world events while review questions and exercises consolidate knowledge. Including the latest results from the IPCC 6th Assessment Report, it concludes by exploring climate modelling, equipping students with an understanding of how to simulate both past climate changes and projections of future climate change. Online resources include lecture slides, solutions and Excel code.
The Science of Our Changing Climate
This compelling textbook provides a broad overview of the science underpinning our understanding of our climate, and how it is changing. Presented in clear and accessible language, and requiring only minimal algebra, it enables students to understand how our planet "behaves" under "normal conditions" and how human activity has moved us away from that normal. It walks the student comprehensively through the basic science, including how greenhouse gases absorb radiation and, crucially, a chapter on aerosols, major players in climate change. Diverse case studies and examples illuminate the impact and connections to real world events while review questions and exercises consolidate knowledge. Including the latest results from the IPCC 6th Assessment Report, it concludes by exploring climate modelling, equipping students with an understanding of how to simulate both past climate changes and projections of future climate change. Online resources include lecture slides, solutions and Excel code.
Through Pine Shadows
About Through Pine ShadowsIn word play and word music, in narratives and lyrics, formal and free verse, Carol R. Sunde shares real and imaginary experiences and observations. She muses about stumbling and dancing through a life full of lessons, losses, gains; times of exaltation, despair, and in-betweens accompanied by peace or boredom, or many tears or much laughter-an ordinary life as unique as each person's existence. Excerpt from the poem "Dear Ones"Just be.Diving ducks will dabble in shallow water.Kestrels hover and drop straight down slipping through the molecules.Reflected in the eye of the owl, is a great rose window of a cathedral.Loons, known for their haunting wail, wail songs that tumble through the air. Try asking: What wonders are these?Why is there so much love in them- hope, the thing with feathers?
Black Holes to Big Bang
The growing catalog of gravitational-wave signals from compact object mergers has allowed us to study the properties of black holes and neutron stars more precisely than ever before and has opened a new window through which to probe the earliest moments in our universe's history. Population-level measurements of the masses and spins of compact objects can reveal how these systems form and evolve. Multimessenger observations of compact object mergers can shed light on the properties of the electromagnetic counterparts of these systems, such as short gamma-ray bursts and kilonovae. Finally, observations of the stochastic gravitational-wave background can constrain early-universe physics inaccessible with other means.
One Moment on Earth
"One Moment on Earth" invites readers on a profound journey through the eyes of an ordinary individual, offering a captivating perspective on our planet. Through the lens of this everyday observer, the book transcends the mundane, delving into the profound questions of existence, creation, and human ingenuity. With subtle yet powerful strokes, it unveils the intricate tapestry of life on Earth, portraying moments both ordinary and extraordinary with equal reverence.In this exploration, the author skillfully weaves together threads of observation, reflection, and insight, illuminating the beauty and complexity of our world. From the gentle rustle of leaves in a quiet forest to the bustling energy of a city street, each moment is imbued with significance, inviting readers to pause and contemplate the wonders that surround us.Through its pages, "One Moment on Earth" serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and the boundless creativity inherent in the universe. It is a testament to the power of perspective, urging readers to embrace each fleeting moment with gratitude and awe. Thought-provoking and deeply moving, this book is a celebration of life in all its myriad forms-a testament to the enduring beauty of our shared home, Earth.
Highway to Hell
What will the climate crisis mean for Australia? What is the price of our inertia?Australia is in peril. Do we truly grasp the impact of a warming planet - in particular, what it will mean for our sunburnt country? As temperatures rise, the climates of our capital cities will change. The sea will rise, and we will see increased fire and drought.In this powerful essay, Jo禱lle Gergis, a leading climate scientist, depicts the likely future in vivid and credible detail. Working from the science, she discusses the world's and Australia's efforts to combat climate change. She outlines how far Australia is from keeping its promises to cut emissions. She takes aim at false solutions and the folly of "adaptation" rather than curbing fossil fuel use. This is an essay about government paralysis and what is at stake for all of us. It's about getting real, in the face of an unprecedented threat."How many disasters does it take to wake people up to the fact that Australia's climate is becoming more extreme, with today's destruction set to be dwarfed by things to come? Do people realise that adapting to climate change won't be possible in some parts of the country?" Jo禱lle Gergis, Highway to HellThis essay contains correspondence relating to Quarterly Essay 93 Bad Cop from Niki Savva, Thomas Mayo, Lachlan Harris, Mark Kenny, Robert Wood, Paul Strangio, and Lech Blaine.
Sustainable Mining as the Key for the Ecological Transition
This reprint reproduces the eleven articles (ten original papers plus an introductory Editorial) included in the Special issue of Minerals entitled "Sustainable Mining as the Key for the Ecological Transition: Current Trends and Perspectives". Specifically, the reprint contains an introductory paper dealing with general issues and nine papers dealing with resource exploration, the impact of mining activities, and waste recovery.
Bioresource Utilization and Management
The need for exploration, conservation, and sustainable utilization of bioresources is undeniable for the survival and growth of mankind. This new book throws light on new and recent research on and development of effective strategies for sustainable utilization of bioresources using modern tools and techniques to help meet this challenge. This volume addresses the utilization of bioresources in therapeutics, in biofuel, in agriculture, and in environmental protection. Beginning with the diverse potential applications of bioresources in food, medicine, and cosmetics, the volume goes on to address the various different underutilized bioresources and their sustainable uses. It discusses important advances in biofuel and patents that highlight recent developments that address the energy crises and the continuously fluctuating cost of petroleum. It explores new renewable energy sources from bioresources and their sustainable utilization in the bioenergy and biofuel industry. Several chapters focus on the sustainable utilization of bioresources in the agricultural sector. The volume considers that developing countries have huge agricultural resources that could be employed for production of value-added byproducts for the sustainable development of a bio-based economy. The book discusses efficient use of underexploited natural bioresources, new chemical approaches for the generation of novel biochemicals, and the applications of genetics approaches for bioresource conservation and production of value-added products. Further, strategies for the production of biopesticides utilizing bioresources are also discussed.
Economic Strategies and Policy Suggestions of Agricultural Sustainable Food Production
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a keyword for viable agri-food systems. Alongside Agenda 2030, sustainability is acknowledged as a multidimensional issue involving three main spheres of knowledge and action: economic, social, and environmental. Agriculture and food are strongly influenced by climate change, increasing the scarcity of natural resources and changes in land availability and use. These affect, in turn, the economic performance of farms and the social organization in agriculture. At the same time, the agri-food system is at the center of relevant economic interests, in which the primary sector is often the weakest link of the supply chain. This calls for a new approach to primary agricultural activities and food production, and also for a different perspective in research. A sustainable approach to agriculture, in the context of global governance, can lead to the improvement of ecosystems, the reduction of waste of food and natural resources, and an equitable access to food. It also requires a new set of policies able to overcome the trade-offs among objectives and searching for win-win solutions. The articles in this Special Issue contribute to explore, discuss at a scientific level, and disseminate at an international level the possible economic strategies and policies for implementing sustainable agricultural systems and food products, and making rural areas more attractive, reducing unbalances with urban areas. The result is a combination of rich, interesting, and innovating approaches and challenging methodologies, with contributions from all over the world.
Reflecting on the Future of the Built Environment
This reprint explores the landscape of the Built Environment, an area undergoing transformative shifts in response to contemporary challenges. The collective insights presented stem from a wide array of disciplines, offering forward-looking perspectives on urban climate mitigation, adaptive planning, and the integration of nature-based solutions, reflecting on the imperatives of resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity in urban planning and development in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue comprises pioneering visions on how to construct our urban spaces, from site-specific interventions to broader urban infrastructural planning, addressing key themes such as green infrastructure, sustainable communities, and environmental justice while aiming to redefine the Built Environment in terms of property, construction, and open spaces. Through trans-disciplinary contributions from leading experts, this reprint aims to chart a path from the current status quo towards a more equitable, livable, and resilient future, acting as a call to action for urban planners, architects, policymakers, and environmental advocates alike. It encourages a collaborative approach to reshaping our Built Environment, making it an essential read for anyone committed to fostering sustainable, just and healthy cities.
Resolving the Climate Crisis
This book brings together a team of renowned social scientists to ask not why climate change is happening, but how we might learn from its human dimensions to raise public and political will to fight against the climate crisis.
Diversity and Dynamics in Forest Ecosystems
Providing a wealth of in-depth knowledge of forest ecosystems, this new volume explores a collection of important topics on forest community dynamics. It looks at the diversity of forest ecosystems and explores such aspects as forest products in enhancing local livelihoods and community participation, forage production, forest conservation and sustainable management, regeneration patterns, seed handling, and more.Chapters in Diversity and Dynamics in Forest Ecosystems present new research on forest products, livelihood generation mechanisms of forest-dependent communities, utilization patterns of untapped resources from forests, and the structure of different ecosystems from the tropical to the temperate landscape. This book also features different drivers of community dynamics, such as the role of seed handling in forests, the influence of altitudinal variations, and protected and community-conserved forests on the forest diversity.Chapters also consider the role of non-timber forest products and their significance in livelihood diversification for tribal communities and forage crop genetic resources, and forest resource extraction by forest fringe dwellers. Also explored are aspects of soil organic carbon in agroforestry systems and integrated approaches of sustainable agroforestry development in diverse forest ecosystems. This edition also examines the vegetation structure and regeneration aspects of timberline zone, including diversity of herbaceous flora along the altitudinal gradient.The abundance of in-depth knowledge of the diversity and dynamics of forest ecosystems in this volume will be valuable in conservation and management of forests, which play an important role in the world environment. Forests are presently facing multiple disturbances, and this volume will help forestry professionals and others formulate further strategies to mitigate global climate change and other challenges.
Soil Erosion Measurement Techniques and Field Experiments
This Reprint is a collection of papers by international authors dealing with experimental sites for measuring soil erosion at different spatial (plot, hillslope, basin) scales and field experiments that aim to study the soil erosion processes (interrill, rill, and gully erosion). Papers dealing with new methods and procedures for measuring soil erosion processes (e.g., three-dimensional photoreconstruction techniques, measurement of erosion features using aerial and terrestrial acquisition platforms, and tracers) are also included in this Reprint.
Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series
The use of synthetic chemical products, both organic and inorganic, has been important since the mid-20th century. The effects of these compounds and elements on organisms, their behavior in different environments such as aquatic systems, and the description of new disruptive technologies that mitigate their impacts are described in this work.This Special Issue demonstrates the fate of pollutants in aquatic environments, such as rivers and seas, and potential mitigation technologies. It contributes to expanding knowledge of the adverse effects of pollutants that reach aquatic environments, their fate once they enter the food chain, and the effectiveness of mitigating, including through circular economy approaches.
My Schools and Schoolmasters; Or, The Story of My Education
My Schools and Schoolmasters; Or, The Story of My Education, a classical book, has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.
My Experiments with Volcanoes
My Experiments with Volcanoes, a classical book, has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.
Algae-derived biofuel production and opportunites for sustainable bioenergy in Nigeria
Document from the year 2016 in the subject Energy Sciences, Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus, language: English, abstract: This paper deals with the use of algae in the creation of biofuels as a form of renewable energy. Algae, a group of living organisms uniquely adapted to aquatic environment; they exhibit conversion ability of radiation energy into carbon source aimed at reducing emission from conventional fuel. The most assured interest of algae as a biofuel agent is the abundance storage of lipid which is converted to various energy yields. Civilization, urbanization and competition of tillage land with crops for production of bioenergy have been among the challenges facing the bioenergy sector. However, an excellent panacea is the cultivation of algae from waste, non-waste water or industrial waste water, which has been found to be a positive platform for algae-derived biofuel; numerous attempts have been made by so many nations to reduce carbon emissions; amongst are the developments of frameworks for the prospective utilization of renewable energy resources, due to its abundance and sustainability. There is no gainsaying that countries in African are endowed with renewable energy resources, especially Nigeria. Lack of expertise, inadequate management and failure to adhere to policies has been a great challenge in actualizing the promising benefit of renewable energy and implementation in Nigeria. According to Ladokun et al (2013), Nigeria is a tropical rich zone which lies between latitudes 4簞N and 14簞N and longitudes 2簞2'E and 14簞30'E, it occupies wide coverage of 923 770 km2. Owing to its hydrological potentials which are considered as great assets to the algae biofuel energy industry. The country is a coastal region with boundaries along the southern area by the Atlantic Ocean. The country's north-south part extents to about 1 050 km and its east-west extent is about 1 150 km, which is bordered to the western part by Benin Republic, also to th
Salt of the Earth, Tracing the Global Journey of Salt
Ever wondered about the humble mineral that has shaped civilizations and played a crucial role in human history? Are you curious about the fascinating journey of salt and its profound impact on our world? If so, you're not alone.Do these questions resonate with you: - How did salt, a seemingly ordinary mineral, become an indispensable part of human civilization? - What role has salt played in shaping cultures, economies, and historical events throughout the ages? - Is there a comprehensive exploration of salt's significance, beyond its culinary use?Meet the Author: The Salt HistorianThe author, known as The Salt Historian, is a seasoned researcher passionate about unearthing the hidden stories of everyday elements. They empathize with readers who share a curiosity about the profound impact of salt on our world, having delved deep into the historical significance and global journey of this essential mineral.What to Expect: - Embark on a captivating journey tracing the global history of salt, from ancient civilizations to the modern era. - Uncover the surprising roles salt has played in shaping cultural practices, trade routes, and historical events. - Explore the economic, social, and political impact of salt on societies throughout different periods of history. - Discover the untold stories of salt mining, production, and its significance in various industries. - Gain insights into salt's influence on culinary traditions, preservation methods, and cultural practices. - Explore the science behind salt and its applications beyond the kitchen. - Understand how salt has been a catalyst for exploration, innovation, and conflict throughout history. - Delve into the cultural symbolism and rituals associated with salt in different parts of the world.
Ecology in Action
Providing students with a solid understanding of core ecological concepts while explaining how ecologists raise and answer real-world questions, this second edition weaves together classic and cutting-edge case studies to bring the subject to life. It is fully updated throughout, including two chapters devoted to climate change ecology, along with extensive coverage of disease ecology, and has been designed specifically to equip students with the tools to analyze and interpret real data. Each chapter emphasizes the linkage between observations, ideas, questions, hypotheses, predictions, results, and conclusions. Additional summary sections describe the development and evolution of research programs in each of ecology's core areas, providing students with essential context. Integrated discussion questions, along with end-of-chapter questions, encourage active learning. These are supported by online resources including tutorials that teach students to use the R programming language for statistical analyses of data presented in the text.
Role of Rock Mineralogy and Oil Composition in Wettability Alteration
Previous studies have documented that increased oil production during the injection of immiscible CO2 is mainly due to oil viscosity, oil swelling and the increase in dissolved gas. This study will attempt to focus and fill this gap by investigate the role played by rock mineralogy, brine composition, carbonated water and polar compounds present in a crude oil on rock wettability under conditions of a typical shallow reservoir. Also, In this study, pendant drop techniques and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were combined to investigate the effect of adding CO2 on the water/oil/rock interface.
Archaeoseismology in the Atalanti Region, Central Mainland Greece
Identifying earthquakes as benchmarkers in archaeological stratigraphies is part of an old tradition of site and excavation interpretation dating back to the early archaeologists of the 19th century. In the past two decades a surge of research in seismology and seismic hazard led to increased interest from geologists for the potential of archaeologically derived seismic information to seismic research. The subject of this work is, therefore, a study of archaeological remains as a proxy data source for earthquake geology and palaeoseismology. This was carried out through an examination of the previous work (both archaeological and geological). Based on the findings of the methodological and theoretical discussion an alternative to the universal identification criteria approach is proposed by the author. This advocates a wholly interdisciplinary approach and is further explored with the application of a Geographical Information System (GIS) as a means to full integration of the disparate data sets, i.e. numerical and textual. The proposed method is tested by means of its application to two representative case studies; the inland (settlement) site of Kyparissi and the coastal site of Alai in Atalanti, central mainland Greece. In theprocess of testing the working hypothesis a regional database of information is constructed, which although an integral part of the research carried out for this work, can stand alone as a reference database.
A Guide to Habitat Creation
Back in the 1980s nature conservation was regarded as largely a rural issue concerned with the preservation of a dwindling series of unspoiled sections of landscape and their wildlife. In parallel, the focus of urban nature conservation was on creation or restoration of damaged parts of the environment. Now, well into the millennium the experience of urban habitat conservation has been followed throughout the UK, which in turn has led to green infrastructure becoming an important part of urban planning and people's well-being, and a sustainable managed landscape is understood to be valuable to the economy. Anyone can use this handy pocketbook, and it will appeal to wildlife gardeners and designers, woodsmen, farmers and land managers, park-keepers and groundsmen, school teachers, parish and local authority planners end environmental officers.
Environmental Pollution Loads on Surface Water Chemistry and Potentially Ecological Risks of Inland
The study assessed water chemistry of Nworie inland aquatic ecosystem in South eastern, Nigeria from January, 2020 to December 2022. Water samples were taken from the upper, middle, and lower river at 200m interval. Data collected were subjected to multivariate analyses. Results of physicochemical tracers indicated mean CaCO3, Ca2+& Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) to be 172.8mg/l, 103.1mg/l, 16.50mg/l respectively above the World Health Organisation (WHO) critical limits, while turbidity (NTU), dissolved oxygen (DO) mgl-1, chloride (Cl- ) mg/l, Magnesium (Mg) mg/l, Sodium (Na) mg/l, sulphate (SO42+) mg/l, nitrate (NO3-) mg/l, potassium (K) mg/l and phosphate (PO34) were below the limits. Heavy metals (mg/l) showed mean values viz: Cd 2+(0.053), Cr2+(0.049), Fe2+(0.443), Ni2+(0.024), and Pb (0.787) which were all above some critical global limits, except for Cu2+ and Zn2+ and in decreasing abundance: Pb2+>= Fe2+ >= Cu2+ >= Zn2+ >= Cd2+ >= Cr2+ >= Ni2. Physicochemical tracers and elements in water correlated in both positive and negative directions. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significant loads of PC3; CaCO3, NO3, COD, DO, Ca, PO4, Cu, Fe, Zn, PC2; moderate loads of SO4, Cl, & Na originating from complex human activities. Contamination factor (Cf), recorded high for cadmium while pollution load & ecological risk recorded low in decreasing order: Cr2+ >= Zn2+ >= Ni2+ >= Cd2+ >= Pb2+ >= Cu2+ >= Fe2+ with contamination degree in order of: Lower River (LR)>=Upper River(UR) >= Middle River(MR) and low risk index. Continuous monitoring of human activities along the whole River is important to mitigate any aquatic ecosystem damage for water quality sustainability.
How Organizations Can Help Climate Change
The role of organizations in addressing climate change cannot be overstated. By implementing sustainable practices, adopting green technologies, and collaborating with stakeholders, organizations can make a meaningfuldifference in reducing carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting environmental sustainability. As individuals, we can support and advocate for organizations that prioritize climate action and sustainability. Together, we can work towards a greener, more resilient planet for current and future generations. It is through collective effort and commitment that we can combat climate change and create a more sustainable and equitable world for all.
The Living Great Lakes
Award-winning nature author Jerry Dennis reveals the splendor and beauty of North America's Great Lakes in this "masterwork"* history and memoir of the essential environmental and economical region shared by the United States and Canada. No bodies of water compare to the Great Lakes. Superior is the largest lake on earth, and together all five contain a fifth of the world's supply of standing fresh water. Their ten thousand miles of shoreline border eight states and a Canadian province and are longer than the entire Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. Their surface area of 95,000 square miles is greater than New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island combined. People who have never visited them--who have never seen a squall roar across Superior or the horizon stretch unbroken across Michigan or Huron--have no idea how big they are. They are so vast that they dominate much of the geography, climate, and history of North America, affecting the lives of tens of millions of people. The Living Great Lakes: Searching for the Heart of the Inland Seas is the definitive book about the history, nature, and science of these remarkable lakes at the heart of North America. From the geological forces that formed them and the industrial atrocities that nearly destroyed them, to the greatest environmental success stories of our time, Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario are portrayed in all their complexity. A Michigan native, Jerry Dennis also shares his memories of a lifetime on or near the lakes, including a six-week voyage as a crewmember on a tallmasted schooner. On his travels, he collected more stories of the lakes through the eyes of biologists, fishermen, sailors, and others he befriended while hiking the area's beaches and islands. Through storms and fog, on remote shores and city waterfronts, Dennis explores the five Great Lakes in all seasons and moods and discovers that they and their connecting waters--including the Erie Canal, the Hudson River, and the East Coast from New York to Maine--offer a surprising and bountiful view of America. The result is a meditation on nature and our place in the world, a discussion and cautionary tale about the future of water resources, and a celebration of a place that is both fragile and robust, diverse, rich in history and wildlife, often misunderstood, and worthy of our attention. "This is history at its best and adventure richly described."--*Doug Stanton, author of In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors and 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award WinnerWinner of Best Book of 2003 by the Outdoor Writers Association of America
Forest Under Siege
Gifford Pinchot, Chief of the United States Forest Service (USFS) from 1905 to 1910, marveled at the Cascades' old growth trees. Yet sadly, despite what its namesake championed, no current visitor to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest can see the forest he revered. Instead, by mid-century the USFS dramatically increased allowable timber industry logging for all national forests and began replacing ancient forests with younger, faster-growing trees--alarming changes that threatened the loss of these amazing northwest woodlands as well as some of the distinctive creatures that inhabit them. By 1990 less than thirteen percent of the Pacific Northwest's original old growth remained, and projected USFS plans were to log most of the unprotected remnant by 2023.Focusing primarily on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, environmental activist Rand Schenk reviewed numerous USFS reports and interviewed its leaders, timber war stakeholders, and prominent environmentalists to examine 100 years of Pacific Northwest forestry. He reveals just how close regional forests came to extinction--discussing why the USFS moved away from decades of stewardship to relentless and unsustainable harvest, consequences of intensive management, and why attempts to replant trees failed. He explores how new laws like the Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act and surprise discoveries following the Mount St. Helens volcanic eruption slowly initiated change. Finally, he reviews efforts to restore the damage and offers hope for old growth rebirth.
Stratigraphic profiles of Cs-137 activity in sedimentary rocks
Sediment cores are considered environmental archives, as they can provide information on past conditions and constitute reliable records of the evolution of ecosystems. Environmental reconstruction through sediments is based on the assumption that the sediment layers are in the same order in which they were deposited (superposition principle), so that, if these layers are not mixed, they reflect the temporal sequence of previous events and it is possible to reconstruct the environmental conditions when they were formed. By studying sediment cores from aquatic environments, information can be obtained on the temporal variation of sediment accumulation rates, nutrient fluxes and contaminants such as heavy metals and persistent organic compounds.
Many Layers of Ecocentrism
This book unveils the myriad streams of ecocentric thoughts that have been flowing through the human mind - in indigenous communities, in the wisdom of philosophers, in the creative expressions of poets and writers - sometimes latent, but sometimes more explicit.
Natural Disasters Occurrence, Reduction, and Restoration in Mountain Regions
Mountain regions are critical because of their diverse geological conditions, dynamic changes, and the multiple natural hazards that often occur. Mountains are high-risk environments that can experience a variety of natural hazards, since initiated hazards often trigger secondary, cascading hazards, having a significant impact not only on the area of occurrence but often also on up- and downstream regions. High economic losses and human casualties are caused by geophysical (rockfalls, earthquakes, and volcanic activities), hydrological (floods, avalanches, and dammed-lake outbursts), and sediment-related hazards (landslides, driftwood, debris/mud flows, and surface erosion). Under the impacts of global warming and climate change, the spatiotemporal patterns of rainfall and other weather events have become more unevenly distributed, often with a more extreme magnitude and/or intensity of events. The complexity of mountainous regions, in addition to the continued changes in climate and land use, have made it more challenging to predict mountainous hazards and their impacts on communities. Based on the countless efforts made worldwide on natural hazards in mountain regions, tight international collaboration is strongly required to answer questions related to the causes of disasters, the monitoring of hazardous phenomena, predicting disasters, and the effective reduction of hazardous consequences.
Exploring Coupled Land-Atmosphere Carbon Dynamics and Seasonal Carbon Forecast Skill
The carbon dioxide concentration of the atmosphere is the primary driver of greenhouse warming, which indirectly affects every human being. This illustration, likely familiar to anyone with even a casual interest in climate, shows recent trends in carbon dioxide concentrations at the reference station at Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. The seasonal oscillation in concentration is apparent. Just by eyeballing the data, it is obvious that understanding the terrestrial carbon cycle's contribution to CO2 concentrations is vital to understanding climate change. Readers should want to read this document because it provides valuable insights into the impacts of regional droughts on land and atmospheric carbon, highlighting the connection between climate change and carbon dynamics. It also presents the potential for seasonal carbon forecasting, which can support decision-making in areas such as fire management, forestry, and agriculture. Additionally, the document addresses the need for improved hydrometeorological prediction and decision-making tools in vulnerable regions like the Mekong River Basin, where water availability forecasts are crucial for comprehensive basin management and addressing the impacts of climate change. This document provides information about ongoing research activities related to the terrestrial carbon cycle and its interactions with the atmosphere. The research is conducted by the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) of NASA and focuses on various aspects of the carbon cycle, including coupled land-atmosphere carbon dynamics, seasonal carbon forecast skill, fire carbon dynamics, and improved hydrometeorological prediction with carbon cycle processes. The document also mentions specific research projects, such as investigating the impact of regional droughts on land and atmospheric carbon, evaluating the predictability of land carbon uptake through seasonal forecasts, and developing subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting tools for informed decision-making in the Mekong River Basin. Overall, the research aims to improve our understanding of the terrestrial carbon cycle and its role in the Earth system. This annotated edition illustrates the capabilities of the AI Lab for Book-Lovers to add context and ease-of-use to manuscripts. It includes several types of abstracts, building from simplest to more complex: TLDR (one word), ELI5, TLDR (vanilla), Scientific Style, and Action Items; essays to increase viewpoint diversity, such as Grounds for Dissent, Red Team Critique, and MAGA Perspective; and Notable Passages and Nutshell Summaries for each page.
Effects of Environmental Organic Pollutants on Environment and Human Health
The papers published in this Special Issue include investigations and risk assessments of organic pollutants in multiple regions, providing a scientific basis for governments and businesses to formulate environmental policies and technological improvements. The toxicity mechanism research provides a foundation and reference for subsequent research. The review papers systematically summarize epidemiological investigation findings and delves into the mechanism of correlation between exposure to emerging pollutants and blood glucose imbalance. This Special Issue comprehensively reviews the development process of WQC in China and systematically provides an overview of WQC, its theoretical methods, and research progress for aquatic organism protection. Moreover, this Special Issue provides important references for subsequent research.
Mining Innovation
Progress in the exploitation of natural raw materials is based on the interconnection between laboratory, numerical, and industrial research and the analysis of the results. These constitute the basis for developing new, more efficient exploitation methods while increasing the safety of the works carried out. The increase in mining depth and the intensification of natural hazards require that both mining machines and support be adapted to the prevailing geological and mining conditions and that the mining crew can shift from a safe place that is not at risk of losing stability.
Advances in Water, Air and Soil Pollution Monitoring, Modeling and Restoration
The pollution of air, water and soil is constantly increasing, becoming a global issue. In this context, this volume emphasizes new methods for monitoring, analyzing and modeling air, soil and water pollution, and proposes solutions for reducing pollution.
Micrometeorology
The book focuses on atmospheric processes that directly influence human environments within the lower 100-1000 meters of the atmosphere, spanning regions of only a few kilometers in size. It represents the English translation of the fourth edition of the German work titled "Applied Meteorology - Micrometeorological Methods". It provides a fundamental understanding of micrometeorology as applied to various disciplines, including biometeorology, agrometeorology, hydrometeorology, technical meteorology, environmental meteorology, and biogeosciences, through carefully selected examples.A central theme of this book revolves around the crucial issues of transport processes and fluxes between the atmosphere and the underlying surface, with special emphasis on vegetated and heterogeneous surfaces. The authors comprehensively cover theory, measurement techniques, experimental methods, and modeling, presenting these concepts in a manner that can be readily applied for teaching, research, or practical applications.Compared to the second edition, the new features include updates and minor additions in all chapters, as well as selected new content that addresses the challenges posed by climate change.
