{"title":"Impact of topographic and hydrological parameters on urban health in Jaipur City","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100584","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100584","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the relationship between hydrological factors and waterlogged regions, emphasizing the critical role of robust urban drainage systems in reducing urban flood risks and improving urban health. Using satellite data and GIS technologies, the study revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.65, p < 0.01) between the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), Land Surface Temperature (LST), and turbidity. Additionally, the Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI) exhibited an upward trend from 2015 to 2022, indicating a 15 % increase in stagnant water. Notably, waterlogged areas were most vulnerable to environmental stress between October and December. The research highlights that areas with high TWI values have a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) with increased disease transmission risk due to stagnant water. The findings underscore the impact of land-use changes and precipitation patterns on urban hydrology and emphasize the necessity for efficient urban drainage systems to safeguard public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52296,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142533657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bioinsecticide synergy: The good, the bad and the unknown","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100583","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100583","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Synergy between certain conventional chemical insecticides has been known for decades. However, heightened awareness and interest in bioinsecticides (microbials, botanicals and arthropod venoms) have led to numerous studies demonstrating synergy between bioinsecticides and conventional insecticides, between different bioinsecticides, and among specific constituents in botanicals, which are themselves chemically complex. At the same time, bioinsecticides have often been shown to be less deleterious to non-target organisms, particularly natural enemies and pollinators, although they are not entirely without negative impacts. However, the influence of synergy among these compounds, mixtures of bioinsecticides, or combinations of bioinsecticides and conventional insecticides on non-target species remains relatively unexplored. The taxonomic diversity of target (pest) insects for which such synergy has been documented suggests that this action could also occur in non-target species. However, the impact of this synergy on non-targets in actual field conditions remains difficult to predict.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52296,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142533658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Non-target effects of biopesticides on stingless bees (Apidae, Meliponini): Recent trends and insights","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100580","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100580","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The international market for biopesticides has grown in recent years, increasing the probability of pollinator exposure to these products. Even though stingless bees are the main group of wild tropical pollinators, the non-target effects of biopesticides have scarcely been studied in these bees. Herein, we performed a systematic review of the literature following the PRISMA guidelines and provided a summary of recent trends in the field. One of our main findings was that most of the studies found significant effects on various of the variables investigated, such as increases in mortality, development modifications, behavioral disruptions, morphophysiological alterations, immune and microbiome reductions, and effects on reproduction. These findings demonstrate that the presumption that biopesticides are safe for stingless bees is not true for many species. However, more holistic protocols using field tests should be carried out to provide realistic data for an appropriate risk assessment of biopesticides in these bees.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52296,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142320112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ecological costs of botanical nano-insecticides","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100579","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100579","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Botanical nano-insecticides are a trend in pest control. The natural origin of the active substances, alongside with the methodological approach granted by nanotechnologies are a promising combination of innovation and eco-sustainability, hot topics in the context of ecological transition in agriculture. Nevertheless, their field application is still limited, due to production challenges and risk assessment concerns. Nanoformulations have some advantages over traditional bioinsecticides, including increased bioactivity and persistence, and slow-release rates. Recent research reported promising insecticidal activity of nano-emulsions, micro-emulsions, and nanoparticles loaded with different botanical extracts, oils, and essential oils. Though, despite their proven efficacy against insect pests and vectors, a limited number of studies investigated their safety towards nontarget organisms and fate in the environment. This mini-review provides an overview of the side-effects of botanical nano-insecticides and the main challenges to improve their sustainability in term of ecological and production cost.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52296,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142322195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Unlocking the potential of remote sensing for arsenic contamination detection and management: Challenges and perspectives","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100578","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100578","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This work explores the current status of remote sensing (RS) applications for managing global arsenic (As) pollution in water, impacting health and ecosystems. We detailed the complex, indirect relationship between remote sensing and arsenic contamination detection. Satellite imagery from Landsat, Sentinel, and Hyperion satellites are notably effective in identifying As minerals, providing a proxy for groundwater As pollution. These methods can be further enhanced by integrating GRACE satellite data on groundwater fluctuations, land use maps, and machine learning. Despite these advances in the RS technologies, challenges of data accuracy, interpretations, and ground-truthing are likely to persist. This work also adds to the narrative and the perspective of AI applications in environmental data improvement, diagnostics and prognostics for groundwater, and that further understanding of environmental complexity is needed to boost innovation in mitigating and democratizing As-related challenges.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":52296,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468584424000485/pdfft?md5=68d2af7bacef36ef647c9d35d8d7acdf&pid=1-s2.0-S2468584424000485-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142272175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Role of groundwater systems in fulfilling sustainable development goals: A focus on SDG6 and SDG13","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100576","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100576","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study examines the critical role of groundwater in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG13 (Climate Action). The review elucidates the interconnected challenges faced by groundwater systems, including contamination, climate change, and over-extraction, and underscores innovative solutions, i.e., energy-efficient technologies, aquifer recharge, and sustainable management practices. The study analyses case studies from countries like the United Kingdom, USA, India, Germany, China, Australia, and the Netherlands, with a focus on successful integration of groundwater management into SDG fulfillment strategies. It recommends enhanced groundwater data and modeling, improved governance, participatory management, and the adoption of nature-based solutions to ensure groundwater sustainability. This study contributes to the discourse on water security, emphasising the pivotal role of groundwater in fulfilling global sustainability agendas and fostering resilient communities against climate variability.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":52296,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142244164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Expecting the unexpected: Plant-mediated and indirect effects of biopesticides on arthropod pests and their natural enemies","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100577","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100577","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>While direct effects of biopesticides, such as those of plant and microbial origin, on various organisms have been extensively documented, the interactions between biopesticides and plants have been largely neglected. Plant-based (bio) pesticides can include metabolites that signal stress or imminent herbivore attack, activating plant signaling pathways and gene expression involved in antiherbivore defenses. Similarly, entomopathogenic microbes can adopt an endophytic lifestyle, colonizing or being recognized by crop plants and inducing a primed state that makes plants more resistant to subsequent arthropod pest infestations. Besides effects within the biopesticide-treated plants, we predict that biopesticides can influence multitrophic interactions in the agroecosystem due to their interactions between treated and neighboring nontreated plants, as well as indirect effects from volatile organic compounds released by biopesticides on the plant surface, which arthropod pests and their natural enemies use as cues for finding hosts or food resources. Here we review and interpret empirical studies examining plant-mediated effects and indirect effects of biopesticides on arthropod pests and their entomophagous biological control agents in the context of pest management. Unlike synthetic pesticides, most studies indicate conducive effects of biopesticides for pest management, considering the interactions among plants, pests, and natural enemies. However, further efforts to understand plant-mediated and indirect effects of biopes ticides on interactions with natural enemies and plant–plant communication are needed to optimize their use in sustainable pest management strategies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":52296,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142244165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ecotoxicity of bioinsecticides to social wasps","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100575","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100575","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Social wasps can be exceptionally invasive in both natural and urban environments, posing significant challenges to biodiversity conservation efforts and human health. On the other hand, they provide a wide variety of ecosystem services unnoticed by most, such as predation of pest species and pollination, and should be included among beneficial insects. As a result, despite the growing interest in the long-term impacts of biological control agents like biopesticides on ecologically important insects, social wasps are either not evaluated as taxa suffering from ecotoxic effects or, in some cases, are the target species themselves. Aside from this dichotomy, experimental evidence of the effects of biopesticides on these insects is scarce. Keeping in mind these two opposite aspects of social wasps, this review analyzed the existing knowledge of the effects of biopesticides on social wasps, highlighting the current knowledge gaps.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":52296,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246858442400045X/pdfft?md5=f2556abab1b3e0356a02e8b05fb2c5c4&pid=1-s2.0-S246858442400045X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142149365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advances and challenges in assessing antimicrobial resistance in environmental settings","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100571","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100571","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to global public health. Despite substantial efforts and progress, several key questions remain unanswered, especially regarding its spread in environmental settings. Health authorities globally face significant challenges in managing this threat, including the lack of consensus on universal microbial indicators and the need for standardized methods across several stages: from sample collection, storage, and processing to analysis and harmonization of results. Moreover, addressing the complex and multi-sectoral nature of AMR requires a multifaceted response that includes enhanced surveillance, environmental monitoring, standardized methods, and innovative technologies. These efforts are essential to promote the effective implementation of regulations and policies aimed at tackling the risks posed by AMR. This article aims therefore to address the knowledge gap by discussing existing frameworks for detecting AMR in the environment, reviewing current and relevant techniques, and highlighting areas where further research is needed.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":52296,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142096635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bioinsecticides on honey bees: Exposure, sublethal effects, and risk assessment paradigms","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100569","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100569","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>As synthetic pesticides contribute to the global decline of pollinators, biopesticides have gained attention as more sustainable pest management alternatives in agriculture. Despite their perceived safety, there is increasing evidence that bioinsecticides can harm honey bees, which are crucial pollinators of many commercial crops and key ecotoxicological models. This short review aims to summarize key studies on exposure pathways and sublethal effects of bioinsecticides on honey bees, highlighting outdated risk assessment paradigms and critical evaluation issues. We discuss the need for novel approaches, such as molecular techniques and AI technologies, to better understand and mitigate the effects of bioinsecticides on honey bees. We also highlight the importance of long-term field studies and ethical considerations in ecotoxicology to protect honey bees and promote sustainable agricultural practices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":52296,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468584424000394/pdfft?md5=ce99c401f28341f5e5453025088be9e3&pid=1-s2.0-S2468584424000394-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142130043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}