环境•农林最新文献

{"title":"Trade agreements and environmental provisions: a counterfactual analysis of environmental impact shifting under global economic inequality","authors":"Truly Santika,&nbsp;Valerie Nelson,&nbsp;Jeremy Haggar,&nbsp;Indika Thushari","doi":"10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.103028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.103028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Regional trade agreements (RTAs) have proliferated in recent decades, with increasingly stringent environmental clauses aimed at mitigating trade impacts. However, studies on the environmental effects of RTAs typically focus on a few agreements and indicators, hindering a comprehensive understanding of their effects across various resources. Additionally, the long-term effectiveness of environmental provisions within RTAs remains unclear. To address this gap, we applied a rigorous counterfactual analysis to evaluate changes in multiple resource footprints associated with RTAs and environmental provisions across 195 countries annually from 1990 to 2018. We examined four key resources: primary energy, raw materials, blue water, and land use. Findings revealed that RTAs were linked to the outsourcing of environmental footprints across all resource types while reducing footprint insourcing, a phenomenon known as environmental impact shifting. This effect was particularly evident in wealthier countries, where outsourcing of primary energy, primarily from lower-income nations, rose by 11.6%, raw materials by 13.6%, and land use by 33.5%, compared to similar non-RTA countries. Furthermore, these countries’ insourcing of primary energy was reduced by 48.3% and blue water by 15.4% relative to non-RTA counterparts. Environmental provisions within RTAs had limited long-term effectiveness in reducing environmental footprints outsourcing. Global trends show a growing disparity in resource use between wealthy and poor countries, exacerbated by RTAs. Rigorous footprint accounting and a resource-equity mechanism, including ecological premiums for resource-intensive imports, are essential within RTAs. Wealthier nations must adopt more accountable consumption-based governance, prioritising reductions in material consumption to alleviate the socio-ecological impacts on poorer countries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":328,"journal":{"name":"Global Environmental Change","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 103028"},"PeriodicalIF":8.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144291653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transformation in the context of uncertainty and compounding effects: Insights from marginal environments in India and Bangladesh","authors":"Devanathan Parthasarathy ,&nbsp;Shilpi Srivastava ,&nbsp;Lyla Mehta ,&nbsp;Shibaji Bose ,&nbsp;Synne Movik","doi":"10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.103025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.103025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The TAPESTRY project explores how deliberate transformation may arise from 'below’ in marginal environments with high levels of uncertainty. TAPESTRY is short for<!--> <!-->‘Transformation as Praxis: Exploring Socially Just and Transdisciplinary Pathways to Sustainability in Marginal Environments’. TAPESTRY focuses on three ‘patches of transformation’ in India and Bangladesh – vulnerable coastal areas of<!--> <!-->Mumbai, the<!--> <!-->Sundarbans<!--> <!-->and<!--> <!-->Kutch which are experiencing diverse uncertainties emanating from climate change as well as anthropogenic factors including neoliberal urban development, economic growth and aggressive infrastructure development. The project focused on existing and emergent transformative alliances and asked how we can seek and support socially just and ecologically sound alternatives based on local people’s plural understandings of what transformation entails. What kind of hybrid alliances are emerging to facilitate these transformative processes in these locations? And what are the possibilities for scaling up and out of the positive learnings from these patches?</div><div>A key conceptual innovation across all three patches was to think of<!--> <em>transformation as praxis</em>, by putting bottom-up change and the agency of marginalised people at the centre highlighting the practices and pathways of emergent changes and their barriers. In doing so, we address commonalities and differences across the three patches. A fragile coastline, shrinking and increasingly exploited mangrove forests, increasing exposure to climate hazards (such as cyclones, coastal erosion, flooding, sea level rise and extreme precipitation events), and diverse threats to marginal people’s livelihoods are the commonly observed factors. In terms of difference, we specifically focus on islanders in the transboundary Sundarbans forests (across the Bengal Delta in eastern India and Bangladesh), coastal fishing communities in the metropolitan region of Mumbai, and dryland pastoralists in Kutch in western India.</div><div>Using a transdisciplinary approach, a central focus is on exploring pathways to transformation through a bottom-up approach using participatory methods including stakeholder roundtables, photovoice, and mixed methods. Through local and regional collaborations, we attempted to co-produce hybrid knowledge combining Indigenous understandings of ecosystem changes and climate impacts with science-based scenarios. The aim was to restore resource-based livelihoods by showcasing local community perspectives in local-level environmental governance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":328,"journal":{"name":"Global Environmental Change","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 103025"},"PeriodicalIF":8.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144280085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nanoparticles in water purification: multifunctional roles, challenges, and sustainable applications","authors":"Adnan I. Khdair, Ghaida A. Aburumman, Shayan Gholipour, Masoud Afrand","doi":"10.1039/d5en00268k","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en00268k","url":null,"abstract":"Advanced nanoparticles represent a new direction in water purification technology because they remove water pollutants which traditional methods cannot handle effectively. This review examines the diverse functionality of nanoparticles that combines adsorption properties with photoreactivity and nanomembrane composition features, high surface area and reactivity, among other characteristics. The water purification efficiency can be significantly improved by using nanoparticles including iron, titanium dioxide, and metal oxides because these materials demonstrate strong potential for removing heavy metals and organic pollutants. The filtration process using graphene oxide membranes achieves pathogenic bacteria and salt removal exceeding 98%. Water treatment using nanoparticles faces three main disadvantages including expensive fabrication methods, limited scalability and unclear toxicity and lasting effects of nanoparticles. The review emphasizes sustainable nanoparticle analysis by warning that researchers must carefully examine these applications to prevent environmental harm. This paper presents the challenges related to nanotechnology applications in water treatment while providing recommendations for future research studies.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144278817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond adjustment: A new paradigm for climate change adaptation in a complex world","authors":"Ana Terra Amorim-Maia ,&nbsp;Marta Olazabal","doi":"10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.103027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.103027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change adaptation is central to political and scientific agendas that aim to reduce the impacts of a warming world. However, despite three decades of research and practice, adaptation remains conceptually ambiguous, lacking a clear and comprehensive definition that enables effective on-the-ground action. The foundational idea that adaptation is the process of adjusting to climate and its effects remains central to scientific advancements in the field. Yet, emerging paradigms like adaptation as justice, resilience, or development are gaining traction, reflecting a much larger variety of local needs, knowledge systems, and lived experiences. To examine the notion of adaptation through these evolving lenses, we conducted 50 in-depth interviews with key internationally recognised experts in climate adaptation, including scientists and practitioners from around the globe, with 950 years of combined experience. Over 36 h of interview time, we explored their career trajectories and evolving views to identify key narratives, realisations and catalysts that shifted their conceptualisation and practice of adaptation. Our findings support an updated heuristic framework for adaptation as a process of responding to climate change and its impacts by integrating risk reduction into broader development strategies, ensuring that all individuals can maintain dignified lives in the face of climate challenges. The framework acknowledges the inherent complexity and limitations of adaptation, blending systemic governance with psychosocial insights to address power dynamics and uphold the fundamental right to survival. Findings call for a reconceptualisation of adaptation beyond mere adjustment to risks, in response to shifting paradigms in contemporary adaptation thought and practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":328,"journal":{"name":"Global Environmental Change","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 103027"},"PeriodicalIF":8.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144254050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing the proportion of three-coordinated Al active sites on Co/Al2O3 for efficient CF4 decomposition†","authors":"Heping Chen, Hang Zhang, Xiaojian Wang, Wenjie Luo, Jialin Zheng, Kang Liu, Junwei Fu, Hongmei Li, Zhang Lin, Liyuan Chai, Nan Hu and Min Liu","doi":"10.1039/D5EN00355E","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5EN00355E","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Aluminum (Al)-based catalysts are the most widely used materials for CF<small>₄</small> catalytic hydrolysis, where three-coordinated Al (Al<small>_III</small>) active sites play a pivotal role in C–F bond activation. The limited proportion of Al<small>_III</small> active sites in conventional Al-based catalysts suppresses their catalytic activity, thereby requiring high temperatures to achieve complete CF<small>₄</small> decomposition. In this work, we developed a Co-modified strategy to enhance CF<small>₄</small> hydrolysis performance by increasing the proportion of Al<small>_III</small> active sites. Structure characterization revealed that Co modification significantly raised the proportion of Al<small>_III</small> sites from 2% (pure Al<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small>) to 13%. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) analysis showed that the 0.1Co/Al<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small> catalyst exhibits a CF<small>₄</small> adsorption capacity that is 2.0 times higher than that of unmodified Al<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small>. Furthermore, <em>in situ</em> diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) detected a 2 cm<small>⁻¹</small> red shift in the characteristic C–F bond peaks on the 0.1Co/Al<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small> catalyst, indicating enhanced C–F bond activation. As a result, the 0.1Co/Al<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small> catalyst achieved 100% CF<small>₄</small> decomposition at 580 °C for over 170 hours, significantly outperforming pure Al<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small> (58% and 20 hours). This work opens up a new approach for developing highly efficient catalysts for CF<small>₄</small> hydrolysis at low temperatures.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 7","pages":" 3530-3538"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144260179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alternative reproductive strategies in two cryptic species of the European earwig complex.","authors":"Laura Pasquier, Simon Dupont, Séverine Devers, Charlotte Lécureuil, Joël Meunier","doi":"10.1007/s00114-025-01999-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-025-01999-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reproductive strategies often reflect species-specific adaptations to ecological pressures. However, identifying such strategies within cryptic species complexes remains challenging. We addressed this gap in two cryptic species of the European earwig complex (Forficula dentata and Forficula auricularia), both known for their agricultural importance, invasive potential, and maternal care. Using a common garden experiment with adults from seven populations, including sympatric ones, we quantified four forms of maternal egg care (egg gathering, egg defence, egg retrieval, and frequency of mother-egg contacts) and 20 additional life-history traits across the female life cycle. Species identity was then determined using COI analyses. Our results revealed that nine traits were species-specific, indicating distinct reproductive strategies. Both species produced a similar number of eggs. However, F. dentata females prioritized pre-ovipositional investment by delaying oviposition, a strategy that enhanced egg provisioning and offspring quality but shortened post-ovipositional egg development and reduced hatching success. Conversely, F. auricularia females invested more post-ovipositionally by laying earlier, which limited pre-ovipositional egg provisioning and resulted in lower-quality juveniles, but prolonged egg development, thereby increasing hatching success. These strategies did not alter three of the four maternal care behaviours, although F. dentata mothers showed stronger egg defence. Overall, these strategies may confer species-specific advantages in colonizing and competing for new environments, potentially contributing to the global invasive success of the European earwig complex.</p>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"112 4","pages":"48"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144245658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Graphene oxide composited with nano-Fe3O4 for enhancing root reducibility in ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)†","authors":"Wenwen Li, Ruoyao Shen, Yi Zhang, Yu Ran, Wenbin Yang and Shiyong Yang","doi":"10.1039/D4EN01227E","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4EN01227E","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Graphene derivatives are the fastest developing nanomaterials of the 21st century. Graphene oxide (GO) is versatile and is usually used in the form of composite materials and is inevitably introduced into the environment. However, studies on the potential effects on plant physiological parameters and metabolism, particularly concentration-dependent effects, remain limited. In this study, four concentrations (0, 10.0, 100, and 500 mg L<small>⁻¹</small>) of GO/Fe<small>₃</small>O<small>₄</small> (a laboratory-made graphene oxide and nano ferroferric oxide composite) were added to hydroponic ryegrass (<em>Lolium perenne</em> L.) <em>via</em> root application to investigate the impact on physiological parameters. Scanning electron microscopy, elemental mapping, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed that GO/Fe<small>₃</small>O<small>₄</small> is highly aggregated and negatively charged, making it difficult for the composite to enter plant cells. Results showed that GO/Fe<small>₃</small>O<small>₄</small> at low and medium concentrations (10.0 mg L<small>⁻¹</small> and 100 mg L<small>⁻¹</small>) increased ryegrass root reducibility and catalyzed H<small>₂</small>O<small>₂</small> reduction. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and the Fe content of ryegrass roots indicated that GO/Fe<small>₃</small>O<small>₄</small> facilitated root accumulation of Fe in a concentration-dependent manner. Reverse transcription-qPCR results demonstrated that an appropriate concentration of GO/Fe<small>₃</small>O<small>₄</small> significantly down-regulated the expression of genes associated with proline synthesis and up-regulated <em>LpGCLC</em>, <em>LpGR</em>, <em>LpGST6</em>, and <em>LpDHAR</em> in the glutathione–ascorbic acid (GSH–ASA) cycle. These findings provide a basis for the use of GO/Fe<small>₃</small>O<small>₄</small> in modulating physiological processes in ryegrass.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 7","pages":" 3669-3680"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144219241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental behavior, hazard and anti-corrosion performance of benzotriazole-based nanomaterials for sustainable maritime applications†","authors":"Joana Figueiredo, Fernando Perina, Diana Carneiro, Muhammad Ahsan Iqbal, Tânia Oliveira, Cláudia Rocha, Frederico Maia, João Tedim and Roberto Martins","doi":"10.1039/D4EN00919C","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4EN00919C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Metal corrosion is a colossal technical, economic, and environmental challenge worldwide. Protective coatings containing corrosion inhibitors (CIs) are commonly used to address this natural process, particularly severe in immersed structures in seawater. However, high-performance CIs, such as benzotriazole (BTA), often exhibit toxicity towards aquatic organisms and leach prematurely. This study introduces safe and sustainable-by-design engineered nanomaterials, specifically layered double hydroxides loaded with BTA (Mg–Al LDH–BTA and Zn–Al LDH–BTA), as an innovative and eco-friendly approach compared to state-of-the-art CIs. This study aims to characterize both nanomaterials, assess their anti-corrosion performance when incorporated in polyurethane coatings, and evaluate their environmental behavior when dispersed in water, short-term acute and chronic effects on temperate marine species, and the environmental hazard. Key findings include a superior anti-corrosion performance of coatings containing Zn–Al LDH–BTA compared to BTA-coatings. Aqueous dispersions of nanomaterials exhibit instability of particle size and zeta potential over time, while concentrations of metals (Al, Zn) and nitrates reach high levels in the highest tested concentration due to partial dissolution, which may explain the observed toxicity patterns (median effect concentrations in the mg L<small>⁻¹</small> range). The tested compounds were not toxic for most tested species, apart from bacteria (<em>Aliivibrio fischeri</em>) and/or echinoderms (<em>Paracentrotus lividus</em>) and, in case of Mg–Al LDH–BTA, also on two microalgae species. The highest statistical PNEC value was observed for Mg–Al LDH–BTA (PNEC = 0.326 mg BTA per L), while the highest deterministic PNEC value was found for Zn–Al LDH–BTA (PNEC = 0.00041 mg BTA per L). These findings indicate that both nanomaterials are environmentally sound and efficient alternatives for anti-corrosion maritime applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 7","pages":" 3565-3580"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/en/d4en00919c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144229086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Curcumin protects extracellular matrix to maintain microenvironmental stability inhibiting colon cancer metastasis through HPSE/IL-6/STAT5 axis.","authors":"Xiangling Wang, Rundong Chai, Jiaying Li, Yinxiao Chen, Zhaodong Li, Yuhong Bian, Shuwu Zhao","doi":"10.1007/s00114-025-01988-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-025-01988-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Our previous research demonstrated that curcumin suppresses mouse colorectal cancer (CRC) cell CT26 migration and invasion by inhibiting heparanase (HPSE) mRNA expression. To further elucidate the mechanism of curcumin in human CRC treatment, we hypothesized that HPSE plays a pivotal role in human CRC metastasis and that curcumin inhibits this process by downregulating HPSE expression through epigenetic regulation mediated by non-coding RNAs. For further research, human CRC cells were infected with lentivirus to establish overexpression of HPSE cell lines and corresponding negative control cell lines. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that curcumin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and metastasis of CRC cancer by inhibiting HPSE expression. In the tumor microenvironment, HPSE played an important role in activating the IL-6/STAT5 axis signaling pathway by destructing the extracellular matrix and releasing large number of cytokines, while changing the tumor microenvironment and EMT process, thus promoting tumor metastasis. RNA-seq analysis combined with qRT-PCR results showed that curcumin's inhibition of HPSE expression involved the regulation of non-coding RNAs. Taken together, our results suggested that HPSE promotes CRC metastasis by activating the IL-6/STAT5 signaling axis, disrupting the ECM, releasing cytokines, and altering the tumor microenvironment to facilitate EMT. Curcumin significantly inhibits CRC cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis by downregulating HPSE expression via non-coding RNAs, which related to IL-6/STAT5 axis signal pathways. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying curcumin's anti-CRC effects, emphasizing the role of HPSE and non-coding RNAs in tumor metastasis. These findings pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting HPSE and its regulatory pathways in CRC.</p>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"112 4","pages":"47"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nano-biochar supported Zn delivery in plants to enhance seedling growth and ROS management in rice†","authors":"Poonam Sashidhar, Kalyan Yakkala, Rupam Kumar Bhunia, Suparna Patowary, Mandira Kochar, Shovon Mandal, Lambert Brau, David Cahill and Mukul Dubey","doi":"10.1039/D4EN00578C","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4EN00578C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Rice husk (RH) is a major agro-waste in rice-producing countries and its management is a serious concern. RH biochar (RHB) is generally used for soil amelioration; however, its functionality can be further enhanced by tailoring its properties to meet specific requirements of crops. Herein, we report that the conversion of RHB to its nanoform (hereafter termed as NRB) and employing surface engineering could enable its use as a slow-release carrier for the delivery of micronutrients to plants. We used Zn, a key plant micronutrient, to study its effect in rice seedling growth. The results showed that the Zn loaded functionalized biochar (Zn-FRB) contributed to the enhanced root and shoot growth of rice compared to that of NRB. Zn-FRB at a high concentration (100 μg mL<small>⁻¹</small>) showed ∼11% increase in the soluble protein content. Zn-FRB (30 and 200 μg mL<small>⁻¹</small>) also showed reduction in antioxidative enzyme activity (CAT and APX) compared to that of NRB suggesting an imperative role of Zn in protecting against oxidative damage of membrane lipids. Zn-FRB application caused a change in expression of Zn homeostasis genes and phloem transporter gene and increased their transcript levels as revealed by qPCR studies. According to these results, Zn-FRB was found to be more effective than NRB in enhancing plant growth, reducing oxidative damage and transportation of Zn. These results suggest the potential of this approach as a new slow delivery system of micronutrients to plants.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 7","pages":" 3791-3807"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144201412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}