Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-07-10"
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- Evaluating groundwater storage variations in Afghanistan using GRACE, GLDAS, and in-situ measurementsPublication . Jawadi, Hussain Ali; Farahmand, Asadullah; Roderick Fensham; Nilanchal PatelGroundwater resources are essential for providing drinking water and irrigation in Afghanistan. However, the rising demand due to population growth and climate change is putting increasing pressure on these resources. Despite this, the lack of organized groundwater monitoring and comprehensive long-term data on groundwater storage fuctuations remains a signifcant challenge. This study aims to address this issue by ofering insights into groundwater storage fuctuations and providing a thorough overview of Afghanistan's groundwater situation. The study aims to delineate and explain the variations in groundwater storage within Afghanistan. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate the accuracy of the GRACE model's projected groundwater storage anomalies. By leveraging the GLDAS database, the study also explores several potential factors infuencing changes in groundwater storage. In Kabul, where an in-situ groundwater network and monitoring wells are available for validation, the study confrms the spatio-temporal analysis of groundwater storage. The fndings indicate a signifcant decline in groundwater storage across the region, peaking in February 2005 (exceeding 10 cm) and reaching its lowest point in January 2017 (more than -15 cm). The most afected areas are the Harirud-Murghab, Helmand, and Kabul Basins, with a total change of approximately 116 mm. The northern part of the Helmand River Basin (HRB) remains relatively unafected. Various factors contribute to changes in groundwater storage, including reduced precipitation in the Harirud-Murghab Basin, climate change, and geological conditions. In the Kabul River Basin (KRB), urbanization, population growth, and excessive groundwater extraction play signifcant roles. Additionally, the study suggests a direct correlation between precipitation variability and groundwater storage changes nationwide.
- Nile tilapia and gilthead seabream dietary self-selection of alternative feedsPublication . Luís E. C. Conceição; Jorge Dias; Mendes, Rodrigo; Engrola, Sofia; Engrola, SofiaClassical assessments of new fsh feeds are anthropocentric, focusing mainly on growth. Although this methodology is accurate, it does not consider the fsh’ perspective. This study aimed to investigate the behavioural responses and feed preferences of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) through a self-selection trial using self-feeders. Both species were ofered three feeds: a control (PD) commercial-like feed and two diets (ORG1 and ORG2) formulated with diferent inclusions of alternative ingredients to address some of the current environmental concerns and/ or ethical issues often associated with commercial formulations. Three groups of tilapia with an average weight of 163.0 g±4.3 g (mean±SD) and four groups of seabreams with 174.7 g±27.0 g were tested. Tilapia exhibited a preference for ORG2 (46.5%), infuenced by the sensory properties of the feed and post-ingestion signals. Seabream did not show a preference for any feed. These fndings highlight the efectiveness of self-selection experiments in allowing fsh to express their feeding behaviour and preferences. Therefore, this approach should be considered in the initial screening and design of new aquaculture feeds and ingredients.
- How climate change-related abiotic factors affect the production of industrial valuable compounds in lamiaceae plant species: a reviewPublication . Paixão Mansinhos, Inês Filipa; Gonçalves, Sandra; Romano, AnabelaThe interest in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) has increased significantly in recent years, driven by the growing demand for natural products. MAPs are a valuable source of secondary metabolites, which renders them useful to a number of industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food. The Lamiaceae family includes economically important MAPs that produce valuable secondary metabolites such as essential oils (EOs) and phenolic compounds (PCs). The quantity and quality of these secondary metabolites are affected by abiotic stress factors. In a climate change scenario, the Lamiaceae is one of the most affected families, especially due to its wide distribution in the Mediterranean region. In the present study, the most common climate-related environmental stress factors, namely, drought, salinity, temperature, light, and heavy metals, were reviewed and discussed in order to assess their impact on the chemical profiles of EOs and PCs, as well as on the biological properties (antioxidant, antibacterial, antimelanogenic, pest-repellent, and UV-protective) of Lamiaceae species. It can be posited that these stresses typically act as a catalyst for the secondary metabolism of these plants, resulting in increased production of EO compounds (e.g., 1,8-cineole, linalool, camphor, borneol, and limonene) and PCs (e.g., rosmarinic, caffeic, and salvianolic acids) and subsequent enhancement of their biological activities. In view of the industrial applications of these bioactive compounds, it is of interest to explore the changes in secondary metabolism induced by environmental factors as it is possible to increase the accumulation of valuable secondary metabolites.