Brandt Crouch (carpbody0)

eral knowledge gaps, which were highlighted. Hence, further research is required to address these constraints and knowledge gaps before the benefits of the biochar-based air filters are realized.This article provides a comprehensive review on aerobic composting remediation of soil contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs). The studies reviewed have demonstrated that composting technology can be applied to treat TPH contamination (as high as 380,000 mg kg-1) in clay, silt, and sandy soils successfully. Most of these studies reported more than 70% removal efficiency, with a maximum of 99%. During the composting process, the bacteria use TPHs as carbon and energy sources, whereas the fungi produce enzymes that can catalyze oxidation reactions of TPHs. The mutualistic and competitive interactions between the bacteria and fungi are believed to sustain a robust biodegradation system. The highest biodegradation rate is observed during the thermophilic phase. However, the presence of a diverse and dynamic microbial community ensures that TPH degradation occurs in the entire composting process. this website Initial concentration, soil type, soil/compost ratio, aeration rate, moisture content, C/N ratio, pH, and temperature affect the composting process and should be monitored and controlled to ensure successful degradation. Nevertheless, there is insufficient research on optimizing these operational parameters, especially for large-scale composting. Also, toxic and odorous gas emissions during degradation of TPHs, usually unaddressed, can be potential air pollution sources and need further insightful characterization and mitigation/control research.This study reports the results from continuous measurement of indoor and outdoor radon concentrations in the area surrounding an unconventional shale gas exploration site in North Yorkshire, England, prior to the commencement of hydraulic fracturing. Public Health England has monitored the baseline radon levels in homes and in outdoor air in the Vale of Pickering since 2015. The statistical analysis presented here includes three full years (November 2015- -December 2018) of indoor and four and half years (October 2015 - April 2019) of outdoor radon measurements. Stratified sampling was used to select 171 dwellings in four areas, with two different radon potential. Statistical analysis confirms that homes in Kirby Misperton and Little Barugh and those in Yedingham are situated in areas with low radon potential, as was predicted by the UK radon potential map. On the other hand, both Pickering and Malton are confirmed as radon Affected Areas. Radon was measured continuously in the outdoor air using a newly developed outdoor kit containing passive radon detectors. The monitoring points were set up at 36 locations in the same local areas as those selected for the indoor monitoring. The results from statistical analysis show that outdoor radon had a different seasonality pattern to indoor radon. The monitoring of outdoor radon levels over the four and half years indicates a year-to-year variation in outdoor radon concentrations with levels fluctuating between 3 and 9 Bq m-3. There was a very good agreement between long-term average radon concentrations measured using passive detectors and using an active AlphaGUARD monitor.Drought responses of mature trees are still poorly understood making it difficult to predict species distributions under a warmer climate. Using mature European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), a widespread and economically important tree species in Europe, we aimed at developing an empirical stress-level scheme to describe its physiological response to drought. We analysed effects of decreasing soil and leaf water potential on soil water uptake, stem radius, native embolism, early defoliation and crown dieback with comprehensive measurements from overall nine hydrologically distinct beech stands across Switzerland, including records from the exceptional 2018 drought