bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustainability and Risk Management under the Digital Services Act: A Touchstone for the Interpretation of ‘Systemic Risks’
Authors: Kaesling Katharina , Wolf Annegret 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The Digital Services Act (DSA) obliges very large online platforms and online search engines to identify, analyse and assess ‘systemic risks’ stemming from the design or functioning of their service and its related systems, including algorithmic systems, or from the use made of their services. This contribution develops the definition of the relevant ‘system’ and applies it to the unlisted risks related to sustainability, thus answering the questions: What system does the term ‘systemic risk’ refer to? When is an unlisted risk a systemic risk? Are risks in the context of sustainability systemic risks within that meaning?
RGB sensor integrated into unmanned aerial vehicle for monitoring cyanobacterial density in reservoirs
Authors: da Silva Will Jones Moura Soares , Farias Alex Bruno da Silva , Nery Janiele França , Silva Emanuel Araújo , Molica Renato José Reis 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The proliferation of cyanobacteria has become a significant water management challenge due to the increasing eutrophication of water supply reservoirs. Cyanobacterial blooms thrive on elevated nutrient concentrations and form extensive green mats, disrupting the local ecosystem. Furthermore, many cyanobacterial species can produce toxins that are lethal to vertebrates called cyanotoxins. Traditional monitoring methods are inefficient for assessing water quality in reservoirs as a whole, given that sampling is only carried out in the catchment area for the public water supply, which exposes the population to the risk of contamination due to the multiple uses of these reservoirs. Therefore, novel monitoring methods supported by recent technological advances, such as the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are being tested for their effectiveness in monitoring cyanobacterial densities in aquatic ecosystems. This study analyzed UAV images of two water supply reservoirs to assess the effectiveness in monitoring cyanobacterial density. The UAVs were equipped with RGB sensors and flew over the study areas on the same day and at the same locations as water sampling performed for the determination of phytoplankton density, biovolume and chlorophyll-a. The phytoplankton community was dominated by cyanobacteria in both reservoirs. High coefficients of determination were obtained in the predictive models for chlorophyll-a concentration (r2 = 0.92), total phytoplankton and cyanobacterial densities (r2 = 0.89 and r2 = 0.97, respectively), and total phytoplankton and cyanobacterial biovolumes (r2 = 0.96 for both). Applying the predictive models to the orthomosaics generated from the UAV RGB images enabled the visualization of the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton and cyanobacterial biomass through distribution maps. This method has potential application in the management of water bodies that are crucial to the public water supply.
Review of Indian studies on environmental impact assessment
Authors: Kritika  , Sharma Anjali 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Environmental clearance in India is a legal instrument that determines potential environmental implication of organized projects in India. It entails an assessment of sensitive projects, focal points, and proposals that have potential and likely effects on social, environmental, and economic matters before they are commenced. The intended goal of this procedure is to detect negative effects on local societies, the environment in this case, so as to foster sustainable development. In India, environmental impact assessment (EIA) is governed by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and EIA Notification, 2006, that outline how and what EIAs should be prepared for different projects. Subsequent research has been executed on various aspects of EIA in a bid to improve the utility of the assessment tool in the Indian environment. This article provides a rigorous synthesis of existing literature on the subject of EIA in the context of India. A total of 47 research papers related to the subject were retrieved and subjected to a rigorous analysis through the PRISMA method. The objectives of the research are (1) to assess existing literature for the effectiveness of EIA processes in different contexts and identify gaps or areas for improvement; (2) to compile and synthesize findings from various studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of EIA research in India; (3) to identify patterns and indicators across different studies; (4) to analyze the evolution of environmental policies related to EIA in India and assess their impact; and (5) to provide recommendations for future research directions, policy enhancements, and practical improvements in the EIA process in India based on the synthesized findings. These summaries the comprehensive characteristic of the EIA studies related to India that might be useful for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners engaged in environmental management and sustainable development interventions in India.
Regulatory issues surrounding the management of selenium—introduction to a special series of papers
Authors: Gilron Guy , Palace Vince 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Selenium (Se) is a naturally occurring metalloid in soils and rocks that is released by weathering processes; it is also enriched by some anthropogenic activities, including mining and agriculture. The mechanism of Se aquatic toxicity has been understood for several decades; at elevated concentrations, dietary Se can accumulate in maternal tissues of fish and birds, become deposited into their eggs, and can potentially result in impaired embryological development. North American environmental regulations have acknowledged differences in species sensitivity and variation among aquatic environments (i.e., lentic and lotic) that influence Se toxicity. The above subjects were thoroughly reviewed in a state-of-science SETAC Pellston workshop and book, entitled Ecological assessment of selenium in the aquatic environment, published in 2010. Since the publication of that book, regulatory guidance in North America has evolved further to enhance the protection of aquatic life exposed to Se. This IEAM special series entitled “Regulatory issues surrounding the management of selenium” is a compilation of recent research and reviews from North American experts addressing critical environmental, physiological, and operational factors warranting consideration in support of Se regulatory frameworks.
The European regulatory system for plant protection products—cause of a “Silent Spring” or highly advanced and protective?
Authors: Schriever Carola , Jene Bernhard , Resseler Herbert , Spatz Robert , Sur Robin , Weyers Arnd , Winter Mark 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Current publications that are shaping public perception repeatedly claim that residues of plant protection products (PPP) in the environment demonstrate gaps in assessing the exposure and effects of PPP, allegedly revealing the inability of the European regulatory system to prevent environmental contamination and damage such as biodiversity decline. The hypothesis is that environmental risk assessments rely on inappropriate predictive models that underestimate exposure and do not explicitly account for the impact of combinations of environmental stressors and physiological differences in stress responses. This article puts this criticism into context to allow for a more balanced evaluation of the European regulatory system for PPP. There is broad consensus that the decline in biodiversity is real. This article analyzed current literature for causes of this decline and of chemical contamination. The main drivers identified were land use changes and structural uniformity of agricultural landscapes or multiple contaminants emitted by various sources such as wastewater discharge systems. Comparing measured environmental concentrations from published monitoring studies with exposure predictions from the regulatory risk assessment reveals only slight occasional exceedances for a few environmental scenarios and compounds. Therefore, the call for greater conservatism in the European authorization process for PPPs will not lead to an improvement in the environmental situation. We suggest enhancing landscape diversity through the European Union Common Agricultural Policy and reducing contamination from wastewater and farmyard effluents. The current regulatory risk management toolbox should be expanded to include flexible localized mitigation measures and treatment options to reduce applied amounts and off-target exposure.
Integrating ex situ biomimetic extraction analyses into contaminated sediment assessment and management decisions
Authors: Parkerton Thomas F , Redman Aaron D , Letinski Daniel J , Rakowska Magdalena I , Reible Danny D 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This study evaluated a novel ex situ passive sampling biomimetic extraction (BE) method to estimate toxic potency in sediments. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) analysis of polydimethylsiloxane fibers equilibrated with field sediments was used to quantify bioavailable polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other unresolved, site-specific contaminant mixtures. This method is biomimetic because contaminants partition to the fiber based on hydrophobicity and abundance, and GC-FID quantification accounts for all constituents absorbed to the fiber that may contribute to toxicity. This measurement was compared with conventional approaches that rely on bulk sediment or porewater measurements of a targeted suite of PAHs. The specific objectives of the study were to (1) describe the BE method and explain measurement translation into toxic units (TUs); (2) report sediment BE data collected across 17 diverse field sites; (3) compare TUs predicted from (i) equilibrium partitioning (EqP) calculations based on sediment total organic carbon and bulk PAH chemistry, (ii) PAH porewater concentrations derived using ex situ passive sampling, and (iii) BE concentrations; and (4) discuss implications of this analysis for benthic toxicity assessment. Results showed that TUs obtained from EqP calculations were typically 10× higher than TUs derived from measured porewater PAH concentrations, indicating reduced PAH bioavailability in field sediments. Toxic units derived using the new BE method were more conservative than EqP in one-third of the sediments investigated, which was attributed to unquantified sediment contaminants, possible fiber fouling in the more contaminated sediments, and potential background interferences in less contaminated sediments. Preliminary data are also presented, showing that fluorometric analysis provides a simpler, promising alternative for estimating sediment BE concentrations. Based on this analysis, a decision-support framework is proposed using EqP and BE based TU metrics. Future research priorities are described for supporting framework implementation and extending use of BE analyses to remedial design and monitoring.
Assessment of blue and green agricultural water footprint in the Gaza Strip, Palestine
Authors: Mizyed Amjad , Mogheir Yunes , Hamada Mazen 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The water system in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating as the agricultural sector consumes more than 50% of the available water. There is an urgent need for effective tools that rationalize agricultural water consumption. The concept of the blue and green water footprint (WF) was applied to determine the actual water consumption of all crops in the Gaza Strip and evaluate the sustainability of the agricultural water footprint. The CROPWAT 8.0 model was used to calculate the crop water requirements (CWR) and estimate evapotranspiration (ET) according to the Hoekstra manual. The results show that the blue water footprint of crops was 82.15 mm3 distributed among 59.4 mm3 of horticulture trees, 3.65 mm3 of field crops, and 19.2 mm3 of vegetables whereas the green water footprint was 33.82 mm3. The main insight is that the water footprint's sustainability reflects a serious indicator of the depletion of blue water in the Gaza Strip and if WF is applied, 40 mm3 of water can be saved annually, which constitutes 33% less than the current usage. It is promising to use the water footprint concept as a distinct tool in supporting the decision-maker to reduce water consumption and enhance water resource sustainability.
Quantifying the economic impact: a methodological approach to estimate soil pollution costs in Luxembourg
Authors: Espinoza-Tofalos Anna , Fourvel Gaëtan , Tock Pol , Biwer Arno 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Soil provides fundamental life-support services without which human civilizations would cease to thrive. Soil ecosystem services offer both direct and indirect use values. Indirectly, soil benefits society by ensuring public health and well-being while directly serving as a crucial production factor in agriculture, forestry, and settlement spaces, thereby conferring monetary value to land. Furthermore, soil holds nonuse value, reflecting its societal heritage. Soil pollution, a form of soil degradation, disrupts soil properties and functions, thereby impairing the ecosystem services provided and resulting in economic costs for society. Although the cost of soil pollution is likely substantial, there is no consensus on a methodology for estimating it. One approach involves quantifying the loss of value from degraded soil ecosystem services, but this is impractical due to insufficient knowledge of the quantitative relationships between soil properties, ecosystem services, and their economic values. An alternative concept consists of defining an exhaustive list of cost types induced by soil pollution and valuing them. This study proposes a novel staged methodology based on this concept. It leverages real field data and extrapolates findings to the national level in Luxembourg, making it replicable for any country, provided the necessary data are available. According to the methodology developed, the annual cost of soil pollution in Luxembourg would range from 85 to 149 million euros. This initial estimation, although cautious due to uncertainties such as limited field data affecting national representativeness and the focus on point source soil pollution, offers a promising starting point for understanding the economic impact of soil pollution. This practical application will provide valuable insights into the economic effects of polluted sites, aiding policymakers in devising strategies to mitigate these costs and enhance land management practices.
Metal-rich lacustrine sediments from legacy mining perpetuate copper exposure to aquatic-riparian food webs
Authors: Perrotta Brittany G , Kidd Karen A , Campbell Kate M , Croteau Marie-Noële , Kane Tyler J , Marcarelli Amy M , McCleskey R Blaine , Paterson Gordon , Stricker Craig A , Walters David M 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Historic copper mining left a legacy of metal-rich tailings resulting in ecological impacts along and within Torch Lake, an area of concern in the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan, USA. Given the toxicity of copper to invertebrates, this study assessed the influence of this legacy on present day nearshore aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We measured the metal (Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd) and metalloid (As) concentrations in sediment, pore water, surface water, larval and adult insects, and two riparian spider taxa collected from Torch Lake and a nearby reference lake. Overall, elevated metal and metalloid concentrations, particularly Cu, were measured in all sediment samples and some surface and pore water samples collected from Torch Lake. For instance, Cu concentrations in the Torch Lake sediment were ∼200% higher than the reference lake and all measured concentrations exceeded predicted effects concentrations by at least ninefold. Within larval insect tissues, we observed 160% higher Cu concentrations than measured in the reference lake, and Cu was the only measured element above predicted effects concentrations in Torch Lake. Adult insects collected at both lakes had similar metal concentrations irrespective of exposure levels. Yet we found 100% higher copper concentrations in Torch Lake riparian spiders, demonstrating elevated exposure risk to insectivores across the aquatic-terrestrial boundary. Our results highlight that other metals in the mixture may not be as concerning to adjacent riparian ecosystems, but copper remains a contaminant of concern in Torch Lake 60 years after mining ceased.
Guidance for measuring and evaluating biomagnification factors and trophic magnification factors of difficult substances: application to decabromodiphenylethane
Authors: Fremlin Kate M , Elliott John E , Gobas Frank A P C 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
As field based trophic magnification factors (TMFs) and biomagnification factors (BMFs) become more prominent regulatory metrics used in bioaccumulation assessments of commercial chemicals, there is a need to develop standardized guidelines for conducting field-based bioaccumulation studies and to establish methods using weight of evidence analyses of those studies. Hence, the primary objectives of this study were (1) to compile a set of comprehensive criteria and guidelines for conducting field-based biomagnification studies and (2) to develop a weight of evidence meta-analysis for evaluating field-based biomagnification studies and their reported biomagnification metrics for assessing the biomagnification potential of substances. To test the effectiveness of our proposed guidelines and weight of evidence meta-analysis, we reviewed over 25 field studies investigating the biomagnification of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), a substance that is considered super-hydrophobic and difficult to test in bioconcentration tests. Approximately half of the field studies that investigated trophic magnification of DBDPE in food webs or biomagnification of DBDPE in predator-prey interactions were considered of acceptable quality, whereas no studies were of high quality. Quality scores of studies statistically decreased with increasing TMF (r2 = 0.261, p = .035) and/or BMF (r2 = 0.238, p = .0024). The weight of evidence meta-analysis indicated with a high level of confidence that concentrations of DBDPE do not biomagnify in top predators and within food-webs. Given the increasing importance of the TMF and BMF for bioaccumulation assessments and the apparent deficiencies in current biomagnification studies identified in this meta-analysis for DBDPE, there is an urgent need to adopt standardized guidelines and procedures for both conducting and evaluating field-based biomagnification studies.
Rhamnolipid: nature-based solution for the removal of microplastics from the aquatic environment
Authors: Sönmez Vildan Zülal , Akarsu Ceyhun , Sivri Nüket 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Over the past two decades, research into the accumulation of small plastic particles and fibers in organisms and environmental settings has yielded over 7,000 studies, highlighting the widespread presence of microplastics in ecosystems, wildlife, and human bodies. In recent years, these contaminants have posed a significant threat to human, animal, and environmental health, with most efforts concentrated on removing them from aquatic systems. Given this urgency, the purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of rhamnolipid, a biosurfactant, for the removal of microplastics from water. Specifically, this study evaluates the effects of water matrix, initial pH of the solution (7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, and 10.0), concentrations of alum (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/L), and concentrations of rhamnolipid (1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100 mg/L). Optimum removal was achieved at alum and rhamnolipid concentrations of 5.0 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L, respectively, with a solution pH of 8.0. In both types of water tested, a removal efficiency of about 74% was determined, indicating the potential of rhamnolipid as a nature-based solution to control microplastic pollution in surface waters.
Nanotubular clay minerals for simultaneous sorption of pesticides and PFCAs: a molecular simulation study
Authors: Gianni Eleni , Scholtzová Eva , Tyrologou Pavlos , Couto Nazaré , Pospíšil Miroslav , Papoulis Dimitrios , Koukouzas Nikolaos 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and herbicides are important persistent contaminants that require specific management. A variety of herbicides is stored in fluorinated containers in the form of aquatic solutions. In such environments, the simultaneous release of PFAS and herbicides takes place. Nature-based solutions, such as the use of clay materials as possible sorbents, are attractive for the immobilization of such contaminants and environmental protection. Nanotubular clay minerals, such as halloysite and imogolite, are sufficient sorbents for herbicides. Due to their structural morphology, such materials could be efficient sorbents for the simultaneous immobilization of PFAS and herbicides. In this study, the potential sorption of a short chain PFAS, perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), sorbent of PFBA, and herbicides (atrazine and diuron) were investigated. Forcefield calculations were used for the classical molecular simulation study. Different distributions, arrangements, and ratios of the investigated molecules were investigated for the complete structural and energy characterization of the systems. Both clay minerals created stable complexes with PFBA as well as with both PFBA and herbicide molecules. Halloysite mineral led to similar total energies of the system with sorbed PFBA molecules alone, herbicides alone, or both of the pollutants. In contrast, imogolite led to lower energies with sorbed herbicides and showed relatively higher energies when interacting with PFBA. The complexes with both of the pollutants presented moderate energies. Electrostatic interactions were dominant in all the investigated complexes.