Research Spotlights

This study, in Water Research, shows that agricultural ponds and drains are significant sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Including them in GHG mitigation strategies is essential.

The costs of flooding can be serious, but these losses are exacerbated when flood follows a period of drought. A study from Central Europe, published in Environmental Research Letters, offers insights for flood risk management.

Swales are a type of green infrastructure used to manage stormwater. This study, in Basic and Applied Ecology, proposes that native plants, rather than species-poor grass mixes, could be used in swales, since they can tolerate urban stressors – like heat and pollution – while enhancing biodiversity.

Harm caused by plastic waste continues, despite public education. This study, in the Journal of Cleaner Production, looks at the effect of artwork on public engagement with the issue, finding that art educated and encouraged people to reduce plastic consumption.

Some countries are adopting AI technologies to increase circularity in their economies – for example AI robots to detect metal and plastic in recycling. This study in Technological Forecasting and Social Change looks at how uptake in G7 countries has affected waste management.

This study in the Journal of Environmental Management looks at how clams and their milled shells remove nine different contaminants from wastewater, including caffeine and fluoxetine.

High-rise buildings have small footprints relative to their height, giving them good potential as sites for photovoltaic solar panels. This Serbian study provides an analysis of high-rise installations using modelling software, resulting in a low-cost assessment method for urban solar projects.

Understanding how invasive species, such as the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), perform in European salt marshes is important for protecting these ecosystems. Researchers conducted an 18-month survey of a Spanish salt marsh to provide useful data for conservation as the climate warms.

Swedish social supermarkets offer surplus food at reduced prices to people on low income. This study assessed the trade-offs between environmental sustainability and social impact, finding that these venues provide positive climate and social impacts, and boost nutritional value and user autonomy.