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Dead leaves falling into sea waters trigger an amazing process that turns them into valuable biological fertilizer. This natural composting process not only helps decompose plant material, but also helps produce oxygen, which is essential for the ocean ecosystem. Dead leaves thus become key elements in maintaining marine life, ensuring the health of aquatic ecosystems and promoting a sustainable balance of nature.

Underwater composts of the Mediterranean: carbon fluxes and photosynthetic activity of Posidonia

Scientists from the University of Liege (Belgium) have investigated the fate of material produced in Posidonia seagrass meadow ecosystems. The study, conducted in the Mediterranean Sea as part of the STARESO project, shows that dead leaves, known as Neptune grass, accumulate in shallow waters where they decompose through a process called composting, restoring organic matter. This process plays a previously underestimated role in carbon flows in Mediterranean coastal ecosystems.

Surprisingly, in addition to carbon dioxide emissions, oxygen production was also recorded. This is due to the presence of photosynthetic organisms living in the marine compost, which significantly distinguishes it from compost formed on land. The results of the study were published in the journal Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science.

Posidonia, the flowering plant that has become a symbol of the Mediterranean and is known as Neptune’s grass, forms vast underwater meadows in shallow waters less than 40 metres deep. “This land plant, which recolonised the ocean environment a few million years ago, is a bit of an evolutionary surprise,” explains Alberto Borges, an oceanographer at ULiège. “Like many land plants in our region, Posidonia loses its old leaves in autumn. These dead leaves accumulate as litter, just as they do at the base of trees, forming large clumps around the sea grass meadows.”

These massive accumulations of fallen Posidonia leaves, their decomposition and transformation processes attracted the attention of scientists who went to the oceanographic station STARESO in Calvi (Corsica). Here they conducted a study dedicated to the study of the primary production and decomposition of organic matter in the remains of sea grass in order to better understand the processes of transformation of organic matter in the underwater meadows of the Mediterranean Sea.

“The organic matter in the litter decomposes, releasing nutrients and carbon dioxide, just like compost in a garden,” comments Gilles Lepoint. “These layers accumulate in sunny, open areas.”

“Any gardener knows that plants need light and nutrients to grow. Based on this principle, we conducted our study and made a surprising discovery: oxygen production was detected in the litter, which seemed dead and inert. This turned out to be the result of photosynthetic activity of macroalgae, detached shoots of Posidonia from nearby meadows and microscopic diatoms present in the litter,” the researchers explained.

In conclusion, it can be noted that in the nutrient medium created by the litter, all living plants associated with it actively develop and participate in photosynthesis. Although they produce oxygen, its quantity is insufficient to compensate for the volume absorbed during the decomposition of dead leaves. Therefore, such accumulations remain net consumers of oxygen and continue to act as sources of CO2 emissions, similar to the processes in above-ground composts and litters.

The second conclusion of the study was unexpected for the scientists. “We thought that the litter of Posidonia decomposed quite quickly, but this study showed the opposite, based on the data on the loss of litter mass – the decomposition process is slower,” explains Alberto Borges. “We used short-term (one day) incubations with very precise measurements of oxygen levels to study respiration.” These data provided a more precise estimate, which was lower than the values ​​obtained by long-term observations of mass loss (over several months). This discovery may revise current carbon balance calculations for such ecosystems, which until now have been based on traditional methods.

Exploring the depths: the role of Posidonia in supporting life on rocky sites and their mutual influence

During the study, the scientists also looked at the primary production and breakdown of organic matter by macroalgae growing on rocky areas adjacent to the Posidonia meadows. “We hypothesized that there might be some interaction between these two systems, which at first glance appear to be isolated and independent. And again, the result was unexpected,” says Willy Champenois.

“Despite the ability of these macroalgae to photosynthesize, they turned out to be net consumers of oxygen, rather than producers, as we expected. This suggests that the bacteria and invertebrates living among the algae use more oxygen than the algae themselves are able to create. Therefore, we can conclude that additional organic matter comes from some external source, supporting this process,” the researchers explain.

Using mass balance calculations, the scientists determined that the excess organic matter most likely comes from the Posidonia, a process that occurs through the diffusion of dissolved organic molecules that move from underwater seagrass meadows and their litter to adjacent rocky areas.

In summary, it can be concluded that a two-way exchange occurs between the macroalgae on the rocks and the Posidonia meadows. The macroalgae, detaching from the rocks, can settle in the Posidonia litter, thereby facilitating primary production in these areas. At the same time, the sea grass supplies the rocky areas with organic molecules, which the bacteria living among the macroalgae effectively assimilate. Thus, both ecosystems are interconnected and benefit each other.

This study opens up new horizons in the quantification and analysis of the organic carbon balance in the underwater meadows of Posidonia seagrass located in the Gulf of Calvi. Since the 1980s, this region has been under the close attention of oceanographers and marine biologists from the University of Liège, who carry out their research, including with the help of the marine research station STARESO.

A new study has found that Scottish taxis emit significantly more nitrogen oxides (NOx) than passenger cars, at 84%. The worrying finding highlights the environmental problems associated with urban transport and calls into question the sustainability of existing pollution control standards. As taxis continue to play a vital role in public transport, their impact on air quality is becoming an increasingly pressing topic of discussion among environmentalists and urban planners.

TRUE study: Scottish taxis and rental cars emit significantly more emissions than cars

Taxis, which are used extensively in cities, are significant sources of polluting emissions, according to a three-year study covering 1.4 million vehicle emissions measurements in Scotland by The Real Urban Emissions (TRUE). The report, Real Vehicle Emissions in Four Major Scottish Cities: A Comprehensive Analysis of Remote Sensing Data 2021–2023, collected and analyzed real emissions data from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.

The study found that diesel taxis and private hire cars emit significantly more nitrogen oxide (NOx) than passenger cars, due to their emission control systems wearing out faster due to high levels of use. Taxis registered between 2009 and 2016 produced 84% more NOx emissions than passenger cars of the same age. In the cities of Dundee and Edinburgh, average emissions from taxis and private hire cars increased despite fleets being updated with new models, confirming this trend. In addition, some older diesel taxis fitted with DPFs showed levels of particulate matter (PM) emissions that suggested the filters had either been removed entirely or were in a critically poor condition.

New diesel and petrol models from Scotland’s passenger cars show significant improvements in real-world nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, driven by the introduction of stricter exhaust emissions standards across Europe. For example, the latest Euro 6d models emit 95% less NOx than Euro 3. Three-year tests have shown a 7% annual reduction in NOx emissions from private passenger cars, driven by the natural replacement of older cars with newer ones. However, some of the latest models (Euro 6d-TEMP and Euro 6d) still exceed road-going emissions (RDE) limits, with the worst offenders emitting more than twice the legal limit.

The report notes that Euro V trucks, which are among the oldest in the fleet, are subject to significant emissions increases over time. These vehicles are often found to have faulty or modified emission control systems, highlighting the need to identify these trucks and remove them from service. The document makes a number of recommendations based on the research, including:

• Introduce mandatory NOx emissions testing as part of annual national vehicle inspections to enable early detection of major polluters.
• Local authorities impose mileage or age restrictions on taxis and rental cars.
• Taking measures to accelerate the renewal of the vehicle fleet and the transition to zero-emission transport.

Scotland rethinks transport habits as new data highlights need for greener alternatives

Derek McCreadie, Senior Air Quality Adviser at Transport Scotland, said: “Remote sensing technology provides accurate data on the actual emissions of diesel and petrol vehicles in urban environments. It helps to identify deviations from the standard standards and limits set for different vehicle types. The introduction of low emission zones in four major cities allows us to better assess the real levels of emissions and create effective strategies to improve air quality and the health of people in Scotland.”

Sheila Watson, deputy director of the FIA ​​Foundation and co-founder of the TRUE Initiative, expressed surprise: “It is striking that the most heavily used vehicles in Scottish cities are also the biggest polluters. Even with fleet renewal in Dundee and Edinburgh, emissions continue to rise. This clearly highlights the need to rethink how we travel in urban areas. Reducing reliance on cars and promoting public transport, walking and cycling are essential to protecting the environment and health.”

“A multi-year analysis of the study’s results gave us a more complete picture of the actual emission levels in the four cities,” said Kailin Li, a researcher at ICCT. “This allowed us to provide evidence-based recommendations that take into account gradual changes in vehicle fleets over several years, rather than relying on data collected at a single point in time.”

The aim of the Remote Air Monitoring Project was to create a database of actual vehicle emissions in Scotland and to develop recommendations for the further development of a remotely sensed air quality monitoring system in low emission zones. Transport Scotland commissioned a consortium comprising TRUE partners the International Council on Clean Transport, Hager Environmental & Atmospheric Technologies (HEAT) and Environmental Resources Management (ERM) to collect and analyze data on actual vehicle emissions from the Scottish vehicle fleet.

Under the influence of human activities, our planet is experiencing large-scale global changes, leading to many serious consequences. One of the most threatening phenomena is the emergence and rapid expansion of dead zones, which actually destroy and deplete ecosystems within their borders.

Expansion of the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico: exceeding forecasts and increasing environmental risks

The Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone, a critically low-oxygen region that threatens marine life, has expanded to 10,790 square kilometers this year, nearly the size of the US state of New Jersey. Such a rapid expansion of the zone, which destroys all life within its limits, has caused serious concern among scientists, The Byte reports.

Scientists working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have documented an increase in the dead zone, primarily due to nutrient-rich runoff from the Mississippi River. Although the zone was the 12th largest on record, it exceeded previous projections, highlighting the challenges in reducing it. This year, the dead zone area exceeded the predicted 6,920 square kilometers, maintaining a five-year average that is twice the target size set for 2035.

Nancy Rabalais, a Louisiana State University professor and leading dead zone researcher, said she is surprised by the annual change in the size and distribution of these zones during the summer. This demonstrates the complex and changing nature of the problem. Dead zones form due to pollution from excess nutrients, primarily from agricultural runoff and urban wastewater. These pollutants lead to rapid algae blooms, which, when they die, deplete oxygen in the water, creating hypoxic conditions. This causes serious environmental consequences such as changes in fish diet composition, slower growth, and reduced shrimp populations, which negatively impacts both the marine ecosystem and the fishing industry.

The main factor in the appearance of a dead zone in the bay is human activity, although such zones can also form naturally. Nutrients from agricultural and urban runoff enter the Mississippi River and eventually reach the Gulf, promoting intense algae blooms that cause hypoxia in aquatic life. Globally, the number of dead zones has quadrupled since 1950 and climate change has only exacerbated this problem.

Increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation are increasing nutrient runoff, requiring careful monitoring of these areas. Nicole LeBeouf, assistant administrator for NOAA’s National Ocean Service, emphasized the importance of hypoxia assessment for monitoring ocean health and assessing its impact in a changing climate. Effective management and reduction strategies are required to combat the growing dead zone. Scientists believe that long-term data collection and analysis will allow authorities to adjust their methods to minimize the impact on coastal resources and local communities.

Combating the Growing Dead Zone: Necessary Steps to Preserve Ecosystems

Combating the growing dead zone is a complex task that requires a systematic approach and effective strategies. A dead zone, or hypoxic zone, is an area of ​​a body of water with low oxygen levels, making it dangerous for marine life. These zones are formed due to excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus that enter water bodies with agricultural and urban runoff. The growing dead zone threatens ecosystems and fishing grounds, so urgent and effective action is needed.

The first step to solving the problem is about improving nutrient runoff management. This includes adopting more sustainable farming practices, such as precision fertilization and using technology to reduce runoff. It is also important to strengthen control over wastewater treatment plants in cities in order to reduce the level of pollutants entering water bodies.

Second step— carrying out continuous monitoring and data collection. Creating and maintaining detailed databases of oxygen levels and nutrient concentrations will help scientists and authorities quickly detect and respond to changes. This will allow you to more accurately predict the development of dead zones and make informed decisions.

Third step is a collaboration at the local, national and global levels. Combating dead zones requires the joint efforts of various countries and regions, since pollution often has a transboundary nature. The exchange of information and experience, as well as joint projects to improve the condition of water bodies, can significantly increase the effectiveness of measures to combat hypoxia.

Finally, the key element is raising public awareness of the problem. Educational campaigns and awareness programs will help residents understand the importance of reducing pollution and supporting sustainable practices.

Thus, to effectively combat the growing dead zone, comprehensive and multi-level approaches are needed, including runoff management, monitoring, international cooperation and increased public awareness. Only combined efforts will help preserve the vitality of our ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for marine resources.

In today’s era, as environmental issues become increasingly prominent in public discussions, it is important to pay particular attention to environmental responsibility when traveling. Research shows that international tourism significantly increases total carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, reaching approximately 8% of global levels. This indicator covers not only the direct combustion of fuel by vehicles, but also the indirect use of resources associated with the provision of services in hotels, restaurants and other tourism infrastructure.

These data prompt us to think about the importance of a more responsible approach to the organization of holidays and travel. Each of us has a choice: continue to travel as usual, adding to the burden on the environment, or seek alternative holiday options that help reduce our carbon footprint. This applies not only to the choice of transport, but also to everyday habits while traveling, such as the use of disposable items, water and electricity consumption.

By making environmentally responsible decisions, we not only reduce our carbon emissions, but also help preserve the natural resources and beauty of our planet for future generations. This could mean choosing buses over planes for short trips, staying in eco-friendly hotels, using reusable containers and water bottles, and respecting natural resources in holiday destinations.

Conscious consumption: everything you need to know about your carbon footprint

A carbon footprint is the sum of the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gasses, expressed in CO2 equivalents, that are released into the atmosphere as a result of human activity. This indicator includes various sources of emissions, from industrial processes and transport use to household energy consumption and waste management.

The carbon footprint measures the impact of the actions of an individual, a company, or even an entire nation on global warming and climate change. Awareness and control of your carbon footprint are important steps towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible lifestyle, helping to reduce your negative impact on the environment and slow down global warming.

The most polluting industries: where is the maximum environmental damage?

• Electricity generation and heating (25%): The largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions is the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil used to heat and light cities.
• Agricultural sector (24%): Intensive livestock farming, agricultural production, cultivation and deforestation for agricultural purposes result in significant greenhouse gas emissions.
• Industrial sector (21%): Manufacturing greenhouse gas emissions come not only from fuel combustion, but also from chemical reactions, metallurgical processes, mineral extraction and processing, and waste disposal.
• Transportation industry (14%): A significant number of vehicles around the world still run on gasoline and diesel, making cars, ships, trains and planes the main sources of carbon dioxide.

China ranks first in the world in terms of CO2 emissions, twice as large as the United States.

How to travel eco-friendly: tips for minimizing harm to nature

The choice of vehicle has a decisive influence on the traveler’s ecological footprint. Despite its speed, air travel is a major source of carbon dioxide, accounting for approximately 2.2% of global emissions.

Petrol-powered vehicles contribute 14% of global CO2 emissions, highlighting the need to choose greener alternatives.

International bus transport offers an effective alternative. Capable of carrying many passengers at once, buses significantly reduce the carbon footprint per passenger compared to private cars or air travel.

Although buses cannot completely eliminate their environmental impact, using them as a primary means of transport when traveling can significantly reduce their negative impact on the planet.