Journal of Environmental Quality

A new study by Yadav et al. investigated the pollution and ecological impacts of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (IOMNPs). IOMNPs of two sizes, 20–50?nm, synthesized using a biogenic method, and 104?nm, synthesized using a chemical method, were tested for aggregation, bioavailability, and toxicity at multiple concentrations. Toxicity assessments showed that biogenic IOMNPs of smaller size were non-toxic, while commercial IOMNPs of larger size significantly reduced bacterial cell density and microalgal lipid and carotenoid content at higher concentrations. These findings provide crucial insights into the differential impacts of IOMNPs based on their size and synthesis methods on key aquatic microorganisms. Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/gb_xeP4r

Excessive phosphorus (P) concentrations can limit the amenity of freshwater resources. This problem is particularly acute in agricultural catchments, where fertilizer and manure amendments have been used to increase soil fertility and productivity. In these catchments, P indices are often used to help target critical source areas in order to reduce P exports. However, the overall impact of agricultural mitigation efforts on receiving waters has not always been consistent with declines in total P exports from catchments. A new paper in the Journal of Environmental Quality proposes a model of dissolved P mobilization in surface runoff that accounts for this outcome and examine modifications to P indices that better accommodate dissolved P mobilization. Read this #OpenAccess paper for free here: https://lnkd.in/gTTFGDFA

Water Reuse 101 at the 2025 WateReuse Symposium: Tampa, FL, March 16. Learn the BASICS from the EXPERTS! If you're new to water reuse or looking to get a survey of the important issues, challenges, and examples of reuse, this is your first stop. Register today to attend the WateReuse Symposium: https://lnkd.in/gJnpypzm Water Reuse 101 is sponsored by KUBOTA MEMBRANE USA CORPORATION.

Landscape position and watershed management are the major factors that affect soil quality. A new paper in JEQ linked the effectiveness of campaign-based community watershed management interventions in improving soil quality across the landscapes. The bottom landscape positions under well-managed watersheds exhibited superior soil quality compared to the top positions within the same well-managed watershed setting. Conversely, the middle landscape positions under the poorly managed watersheds displayed significantly diminished soil quality. Campaign-based community watershed management is instrumental in attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as sustainable agriculture (SDG 2) and land degradation reduction (SDG 15). Farmers must adopt watershed management interventions to mitigate the risk of rainfall-induced soil nutrient depletion. However, to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and long-term environmental resilience, it is recommended to synergize these efforts with multipurpose biological measures, organic amendments, and continuous monitoring of the social, economic, and climate change aspects. Subscribers can read the full paper here: ?https://lnkd.in/gPU49Dy2 Hailu Kendie Addis Simegnew Tamir Endalew shigdaf mekuriaw gedefaw beyene Tilaye Teklewold Deneke Almaz Giziew

Farmers who raise animals like cows and pigs want to make their products less harmful to the environment. A major problem they face is a gas called methane, which can come from manure. A new study in JEQ explores cheap and simple solutions farmers can use right now to cut back on this gas. A commercial chemical, called calcium sulfate, can be used to significantly reduce the emissions of methane from manure. This fertilizer is a safe, cheap, solid material that is already in the market, which means that many farmers, especially owners of small and medium-sized farms, can have access it immediately. Read the #OpenAccess paper for free here: https://lnkd.in/geXnZ9HC Photo by Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Invasive wild pigs pollute surface waters with pathogenic bacteria. This poses a public health risk to humans, wildlife, and livestock. Population control efforts that reduce the number of wild pigs also reduce pathogenic bacteria levels. But how long does this reduction last? A new study in JEQ measured pathogenic bacteria levels after the conclusion of population control efforts and found that pathogenic bacteria levels returned to pre-population control levels within a year. More research is needed to determine the cause of this effect and how to best protect communities from bacterial threats posed by wild pigs. Elizabeth Bradley Steven Madere Sara Bolds Latif Kalin

Phosphorus loss from non-point agricultural sources is a crucial contributor to decreased surface water quality. Phosphorus can be lost from fields as sediment-bound and dissolved in the runoff. This study, conducted at the Kansas Agricultural Watershed field laboratory in Manhattan, Kansas, evaluated the effects of fertilizer management and cover crops on phosphorus speciation in surface runoff sediments and source soil collected from the no-till corn and soybean rotation. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gerFNGjs

Welcome to the official LinkedIn page for the Journal of Environmental Quality! Journal of Environmental Quality papers cover anthropogenic impacts on environmental quality in natural and agricultural ecosystems, including water, soil, and the atmosphere. JEQ publishes research, review, and perspectives papers and is a joint publication of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA.