Publications

No abstract is provided for this article.

Here we describe and evaluate the success of a multi‐institutional Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), which was established to address a UK skills shortage in Soil Science. The government‐funded ‘STARS’ (Soils Training And Research Studentships) CDT was established in 2015 across a range of universities and research institutes in the UK. It recruited 41 PhD students equitably split across the institutions under four core research themes identified as being central to the national need, namely, (1) Understanding the soil–root interface, (2) Soils and the delivery of ecosystem services, (3) Resilience and response of functions in soil systems and (4) Modelling the soil ecosystem at different spatial and temporal scales. In addition, the STARS CDT provided a diverse skills programme, including: Holistic training in soils, the promotion of collegiality and joint working, strategies to promote science and generate impact, internships with end users (e.g., policymakers, industry), personal wellbeing, and ways to generate a lasting soils training legacy. Overall, both supervisors and students have reported a positive experience of the CDT in comparison to the conventional doctoral training programmes, which have less discipline focus and little chance for students to scientifically interact with their cohorts or to undertake joint training activities. The STARS CDT also allowed students to freely access research infrastructure across the partner institutions (e.g., long‐term field trials, specialised analytical facilities, high‐performance computing), breaking down traditional institutional barriers and thus maximising the students' potential to undertake high‐quality research. The success and legacy of the STARS CDT can be evidenced in many ways; however, it is exemplified by the large number and diversity of journal papers produced, the lasting collaborations, final career destinations, and creation of a web‐based legacy portal including new and reflective video material. Highlights Soil science was identified as having a scientific skills shortage in the UK. A dedicated soil science Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) was established to address this skills gap. The multi‐institutional, discipline‐focused CDT proved more successful than conventional generic PhD training programmes. The CDT model provides critical mass to provide more effective training of soil scientists.

In contrast to the situation in plants inhabiting most of the world's ecosystems, mycorrhizal fungi are usually absent from roots of the only two native vascular plant species of maritime Antarctica, Deschampsia antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis. Instead, a range of ascomycete fungi, termed dark septate endophytes (DSEs), frequently colonise the roots of these plant species. We demonstrate that colonisation of Antarctic vascular plants by DSEs facilitates not only the acquisition of organic nitrogen as early protein breakdown products, but also as non-proteinaceous d-amino acids and their short peptides, accumulated in slowly-decomposing organic matter, such as moss peat. Our findings suggest that, in a warming maritime Antarctic, this symbiosis has a key role in accelerating the replacement of formerly dominant moss communities by vascular plants, and in increasing the rate at which ancient carbon stores laid down as moss peat over centuries or millennia are returned to the atmosphere as CO2 .

The present publication surveys several applications of in silico (i.e., computational) toxicology approaches across different industries and institutions. It highlights the need to develop standardized protocols when conducting toxicity-related predictions. This contribution articulates the information needed for protocols to support in silico predictions for major toxicological endpoints of concern (e.g., genetic toxicity, carcinogenicity, acute toxicity, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity) across several industries and regulatory bodies. Such novel in silico toxicology (IST) protocols, when fully developed and implemented, will ensure in silico toxicological assessments are performed and evaluated in a consistent, reproducible, and well-documented manner across industries and regulatory bodies to support wider uptake and acceptance of the approaches. The development of IST protocols is an initiative developed through a collaboration among an international consortium to reflect the state-of-the-art in in silico toxicology for hazard identification and characterization. A general outline for describing the development of such protocols is included and it is based on in silico predictions and/or available experimental data for a defined series of relevant toxicological effects or mechanisms. The publication presents a novel approach for determining the reliability of in silico predictions alongside experimental data. In addition, we discuss how to determine the level of confidence in the assessment based on the relevance and reliability of the information.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 contaminated wastes such as animal manures and abattoir wastes, may be applied directly onto vegetation, the soil surface, or injected deep into the soil. Our aim was to determine the influence of method of waste application to land on E. coli O157:H7 survival. Bovine slurry and ovine stomach contents containing E. coli O157:H7 were applied to the surface vegetation or sub-surface injected at 25cm below the soil surface. E. coli O157 survived but did not proliferate on grassland vegetation for up to 6 weeks and in the underlying soil for 8 weeks. Our results suggest that sub-surface injection of organic wastes into soil may reduce the risk of pathogen persistence in the environment.

Fertilization is a crucial factor influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. While the effects of fertilization strategies on SOC sequestration have frequently been investigated, their impacts on mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) accumulation and their global distribution patterns remain unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis of 870 observations to assess the effects of fertilization on soil C fractions and their stability and identify the main drivers. Fertilization increased MAOC and POC contents by 18 % and 68 %, respectively, while reducing the ratio of MAOC to SOC by 10 %. Co-application of mineral and organic fertilisers led to the most significant increases in MAOC (30 %) and POC (125 %) contents. Significant increases in SOC pools occurred in arid regions with low soil C/N ratio, low clay content, high soil pH (≥7.3), and fertilization duration exceeding 10 years. The increase in alkyl C, carbonyl C, and carboxyl C and a decrease in O-alkyl C in soil organic matter under fertilization indicate a shift toward more stable molecular structures, reflecting the increased SOC stability. SOC responses to fertilization were enhanced in mid-latitude to high-latitude regions compared to lower latitudes. In conclusion, under fertilization, SOC accumulation is primarily driven by POC increases and greater molecular structural stability of SOC; this offers crucial insights for understanding soil carbon sequestration under agricultural management. • Fertilization reduces the contribution of mineral-associated organic carbon to soil organic carbon by 10 %. • Soil organic carbon accumulation is primarily driven by increases in particulate organic carbon (68 %) under fertilization. • Fertilization shifts soil organic carbon fractions to more stable molecular structures (alkyl C, carbonyl C). • Soil organic carbon, including mineral-associated carbon, responds more to fertilization in mid- to high-latitude regions.

No abstract is provided for this article.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the epidemiological value of monitoring wastewater into sharp focus. The challenges of implementing and optimising wastewater monitoring vary significantly from one region to another, often due to the array of different wastewater systems around the globe, as well as the availability of resources to undertake the required analyses (e.g. laboratory infrastructure and expertise). Here we reflect on the local and shared challenges of implementing a SARS-CoV-2 monitoring programme in two geographically and socio-economically distinct regions, São Paulo state (Brazil) and Wales (UK), focusing on design, laboratory methods and data analysis, and identifying potential guiding principles for wastewater surveillance fit for the 21st century. Our results highlight the historical nature of region-specific challenges to the implementation of wastewater surveillance, including previous experience of using wastewater surveillance, stakeholders involved, and nature of wastewater infrastructure. Building on those challenges, we then highlight what an ideal programme would look like if restrictions such as resource were not a constraint. Finally, we demonstrate the value of bringing multidisciplinary skills and international networks together for effective wastewater surveillance.

The respiration of forest soils and the major factors controlling its rate are fairly well understood. The process is of utmost significance because its balance with the fixation of CO2 in the biomass defines whether a particular site is a source or sink of atmospheric CO2. Currently, the measurement of soil respiration in the field requires rather expensive experimental installations. Nevertheless, there are still some caveats in our understanding, such as the separation of autotrophic and heterotrophic soil respiration, the relevance of different groups of soil organisms, the effect of ecosystem disturbances in different types of forests on soil respiration with respect to magnitude and duration, the adaptation of soil respiration to changing site conditions, and the regional prediction of soil respiration, based on proxy data. Technical progress and additional contributions on process understanding will put us in the position of better predictions of the forest soil respiration. We encourage studies from all fields, including experimental studies, monitoring approaches and models, to contribute to this Special Issue in order to promote knowledge and adaptation strategies for the preservation, management, and future development of forest ecosystems.

Many anthropogenic pressures are being exerted on terrestrial ecosystems globally, perhaps the most pressing of which include microplastics (MPs; <5 mm in size) pollution and climate change, both of which may have unpredictable consequences on soil ecosystem functioning. We therefore hypothesized that a dual pressure (MPs and warming) on plant-soil functioning would be more severe than either stress alone. Thus, we studied the interactive effects of MPs and warming on soil quality and ecosystem multifunctionality. Maize (Zea mays L.) was grown for 6 weeks under ambient and warming (+5 °C) conditions in the absence (control) or presence (5 % loading) of either polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), or biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). We found that PHA stimulated microbial biomass and enzyme activity due to the additional C resources, thus changing soil quality and ecosystem multifunctionality under ambient temperature. However, the accelerated microbial growth in PHA-treated soils also promoted N immobilization and plant–microbe nutrient competition, consequently decreasing plant health index by 65 % relative to the Control. As PVC and PE are chemically more stable than PHA, they had limited effect on soil quality and plant health under ambient temperature in the short term (6 weeks). Most of the negative impacts of MPs only occurred under ambient temperature, with few effects evident under warming conditions. This suggested that the effect of heat stress (evidenced by stunted growth and chlorophyll content) was noticeably more acute than the effect of MPs. In conclusion, we showed that MPs do affect plant health, soil quality, and ecosystem multifunctionality but these effects on plant-soil health were not exacerbated by the effects of a warmer climate.

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVViewpointNEXTWastewater-Based Epidemiology: Global Collaborative to Maximize Contributions in the Fight Against COVID-19Aaron BivinsAaron BivinsDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United StatesMore by Aaron Bivins, Devin NorthDevin NorthDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United StatesMore by Devin North, Arslan AhmadArslan AhmadDepartment of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 10B, SE-10044 Stockholm, SwedenKWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The NetherlandsMore by Arslan Ahmad, Warish AhmedWarish AhmedCSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, Queensland 4102, AustraliaMore by Warish Ahmed, Eric AlmEric AlmDepartment of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 21 Ames St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United StatesMore by Eric Alm, Frederic BeenFrederic BeenKWR Water Research Institute, Water Quality and Heath, Groningenhaven 7 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The NetherlandsMore by Frederic Been, Prosun BhattacharyaProsun BhattacharyaDepartment of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 10B, SE-10044 Stockholm, SwedenKWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The NetherlandsMore by Prosun Bhattacharyahttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-4350-9950, Lubertus BijlsmaLubertus BijlsmaAnalytical Chemistry in Public Health and the Environment, University Jaume I, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n 12071 Castellón de la Plana, SpainMore by Lubertus Bijlsmahttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-7005-8775, Alexandria B. BoehmAlexandria B. BoehmDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United StatesMore by Alexandria B. Boehm, Joe BrownJoe BrownSchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United StatesMore by Joe Brownhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-5200-4148, Gianluigi ButtiglieriGianluigi ButtiglieriCatalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, E-17003 Girona, SpainMore by Gianluigi Buttiglieri, Vincenza CalabroVincenza CalabroLaboratory of Transport Phenomena & Biotechnology, Department of Computer Engineering, Modeling, Electronics and Systems, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 42/a 87036 Rende, Cosenza, ItalyMore by Vincenza Calabro, Annalaura CarducciAnnalaura CarducciDepartment of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4 bis, 13 56126 Pisa, ItalyMore by Annalaura Carducci, Sara CastiglioniSara CastiglioniDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, Instituto di Richerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri, 2, 20156 Milan, ItalyMore by Sara Castiglioni, Zeynep Cetecioglu GurolZeynep Cetecioglu GurolDepartment of Chemical Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 42, SE-11428 Stockholm, SwedenMore by Zeynep Cetecioglu Gurol, Sudip ChakrabortySudip ChakrabortyLaboratory of Transport Phenomena & Biotechnology, Department of Computer Engineering, Modeling, Electronics and Systems, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 42/a 87036 Rende, Cosenza, ItalyMore by Sudip Chakraborty, Federico CostaFederico CostaInstituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. 40110-040More by Federico Costa, Stefano CurcioStefano CurcioLaboratory of Transport Phenomena & Biotechnology, Department of Computer Engineering, Modeling, Electronics and Systems, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 42/a 87036 Rende, Cosenza, ItalyMore by Stefano Curcio, Francis L. de los Reyes IIIFrancis L. de los Reyes, IIIDepartment of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2501 Stinson Dr, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United StatesMore by Francis L. de los Reyes, IIIhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-3593-0932, Jeseth Delgado VelaJeseth Delgado VelaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Howard University, 2300 Sixth Street, NW #1026, Washington, D.C. 20059, United StatesMore by Jeseth Delgado Velahttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-6171-4400, Kata FarkasKata FarkasSchool of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, U.K.More by Kata Farkas, Xavier Fernandez-CasiXavier Fernandez-CasiLaboratory of Environmental Chemistry, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, SwitzerlandMore by Xavier Fernandez-Casi, Charles GerbaCharles GerbaDepartment of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, 2959 W Calle Agua Nueva, Tucson, Arizona 85745, United StatesMore by Charles Gerba, Daniel GerrityDaniel GerrityApplied Research and Development Center, Southern Nevada Water Authority, 100 S City Pkwy Suite 700, Las Vegas, Nevada 89106, United StatesMore by Daniel Gerrity, Rosina GironesRosina GironesDepartment of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Diagonal, 643 08028 Barcelona, SpainMore by Rosina Girones, Raul GonzalezRaul GonzalezHampton Roads Sanitation District, 1434 Air Rail Ave, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455, United StatesMore by Raul Gonzalezhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-8115-7709, Eiji HaramotoEiji HaramotoInterdisciplinary Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8511, JapanMore by Eiji Haramotohttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-0126-0651, Angela HarrisAngela HarrisDepartment of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2501 Stinson Dr, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United StatesMore by Angela Harris, Patricia A. HoldenPatricia A. HoldenBren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, 3508 Bren Hall, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United StatesMore by Patricia A. Holdenhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6777-5359, Md. Tahmidul IslamMd. Tahmidul IslamDepartment of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 10B, SE-10044 Stockholm, SwedenMore by Md. Tahmidul Islam, Davey L. JonesDavey L. JonesSchool of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Gwynedd, Wales LL57 2UW, United KingdomMore by Davey L. Jones, Barbara Kasprzyk-HordernBarbara Kasprzyk-HordernDepartment of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down Bath, BA2 7AY, United KingdomMore by Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordernhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6809-2875, Masaaki KitajimaMasaaki KitajimaDivision of Environmental Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, JapanMore by Masaaki Kitajimahttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-8142-511X, Nadine KotlarzNadine KotlarzDepartment of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United StatesMore by Nadine Kotlarzhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-7302-9176, Manish KumarManish KumarDiscipline of Earth Science, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382 355, IndiaMore by Manish Kumarhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-3351-7298, Keisuke KurodaKeisuke KurodaDepartment of Environmental & Civil Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu-city, Toyama 9390398 JapanMore by Keisuke Kuroda, Giuseppina La RosaGiuseppina La RosaDepartment of Environment and Health, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Roma RM, ItalyMore by Giuseppina La Rosa, Francesca MalpeiFrancesca MalpeiDipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milano MI, ItalyMore by Francesca Malpei, Mariana MautusMariana MautusBiobot Analytics, LLC, Somerville, Massachusetts 02143, United StatesMore by Mariana Mautushttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-2880-0339, Sandra L. McLellanSandra L. McLellanSchool of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 600 E Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, United StatesMore by Sandra L. McLellanhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-3283-1151, Gertjan MedemaGertjan MedemaKWR Water Research Institute, Water Quality and Heath, Groningenhaven 7 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The NetherlandsDelft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The NetherlandsMichigan State University, Natural Resources, 1405 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, United StatesMore by Gertjan Medemahttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-0475-6465, John Scott MeschkeJohn Scott MeschkeDept. Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle Washington 98105-6099, United StatesMore by John Scott Meschke, Jochen MuellerJochen MuellerQueensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4102 AustraliaMore by Jochen Mueller, Ryan J. NewtonRyan J. NewtonSchool of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 600 E Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, United StatesMore by Ryan J. Newtonhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-8946-0035, David NilssonDavid NilssonDepartment of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 10B, SE-10044 Stockholm, SwedenMore by David Nilsson, Rachel T. NobleRachel T. NobleUNC Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, North Carolina 28557, United StatesMore by Rachel T. Noble, Alexander van NuijsAlexander van NuijsToxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, BelgiëMore by Alexander van Nuijs, Jordan PecciaJordan PecciaDepartment of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, 17 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8292, United StatesMore by Jordan Pecciahttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6482-2084, T. Alex PerkinsT. Alex PerkinsDepartment of Biological Sciences and Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United StatesMore by T. Alex Perkins, Amy J. PickeringAmy J. PickeringCivil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United StatesMore by Amy J. Pickeringhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-6193-2221, Joan RoseJoan RoseDepartment of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United StatesMore by Joan Rose, Gloria SanchezGloria SanchezInstitute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), Catedratico Agustin Escardino Benlloch, 7 46980 Paterna − Valencia, SpainMore by Gloria Sanchez, Adam SmithAdam SmithAstani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, 3620 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesMore by Adam Smithhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-3964-7544, Lauren StadlerLauren StadlerDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St, Houston, Texas 77005, United StatesMore by Lauren Stadlerhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-7469-1981, Christine StauberChristine StauberSchool of Public Health, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30302, United StatesMore by Christine Stauber, Kevin ThomasKevin ThomasQueensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4102 AustraliaMore by Kevin Thomashttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-2155-100X, Tom van der VoornTom van der VoornInstitute of Environmental Systems Research, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastr. 12, D49069, Osnabrück, GermanyMore by Tom van der Voorn, Krista WiggintonKrista WiggintonDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 1351 Beal Avenue, EWRE 181 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2125, United StatesMore by Krista Wiggintonhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-6665-5112, Kevin ZhuKevin ZhuSchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United StatesMore by Kevin Zhu, and Kyle Bibby*Kyle BibbyDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States*Email: [email protected]More by Kyle Bibbyhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-3142-6090Cite this: Environ. Sci. Technol. 2020, 54, 13, 7754–7757Publication Date (Web):June 12, 2020Publication History Received16 April 2020Published online12 June 2020Published inissue 7 July 2020https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c02388Copyright © 2020 American Chemical SocietyRequest reuse permissions This publication is Open Access under the license indicated. Learn MoreArticle Views28086Altmetric-Citations257LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail PDF (2 MB) Get e-AlertscloseSUBJECTS:COVID-19,Genetics,Immunology,Infectious diseases,SARS-CoV-2,Sewage,Wastewater Get e-Alerts

Infoveillance, wastewater and national data.R - The R script used for the analyses and figures present in the manuscript. R functions: flattenCorrMatrix.R -A function for correlation analysis cormtest.R - A function for correlation analysis Data files: Medical data.csv - Data extracted from the UK government portal for COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations South Wales qPCR data.csv - qPCR data for different South Wales sites on each date, with ‘signal’ denoting the signal of SARS-CoV-2 detection in wastewater samples Wales GT data.csv - Google Trends relative search volume data extracted directly from Google Trends for the region of Wales

Declining soil quality is commonplace throughout Southern Asia and sustainable strategies are required to reverse this trend to ensure food security for future generations. One potential solution to halt this decline is the implementation of integrated nutrient management whereby inorganic fertilisers are added together with organic wastes. These organic materials, however, are often quickly broken down in soil and provide only a transitory improvement in soil quality. Biochar, which can potentially persist in soil for centuries, may offer a more permanent solution to this problem. To address this, we undertook a 2-year field trial to investigate the interactions between conventional NPK fertilisers, farmyard manure (FYM) and biochar in a maize cropping system. Biochar application to the nutrient poor soil increased maize yields after year one by approximately 20% although the yield increase was lower in the second year (ca. 12.5%). Overall, there was little difference in grain yield between the 25tha−1 and the 50tha−1 biochar treatments. In terms of soil quality, biochar addition increased levels of soil organic carbon, inorganic N, P and base cations and had no detrimental impact on pH and salinity in this calcareous soil. Overall, this field trial demonstrated the potential of biochar to induce short-term benefits in crop yield and soil quality in maize cropping systems although the long-term benefits remain to be quantified. From a management perspective, we also highlight potential conflicts in biochar availability and use, which may limit its adoption by small scale farming systems typical of Southern Asia.