Novel entities may pose risks to humans and the environment. The small particle size and relatively large surface area of micro- and nanoparticles (MNPs) make them capable of adsorbing other novel... Show moreNovel entities may pose risks to humans and the environment. The small particle size and relatively large surface area of micro- and nanoparticles (MNPs) make them capable of adsorbing other novel entities, leading to the formation of aggregated contamination. In this dissertation, we utilized advanced computational methods, such as molecular simulation, data mining, machine learning, and quantitative structure-activity relationship modeling. These methods were used to investigate the mechanisms of interaction between MNPs and other novel entities, the joint toxic action of MNPs and other novel entities, the factors affecting their joint toxicity to ecological species, as well as to quantitatively predict the interaction forces between MNPs and other novel entities, and the toxicity of their mixtures. The results indicate that understanding the mechanisms of interactions between novel entities and their modes of joint toxic action can provide an important theoretical basis for establishing effective risk assessment procedures to mitigate the effects of novel entities on ecosystems and human health. Furthermore, this dissertation provides important technical support and a practical basis for the quantitative prediction of the environmental behavior and toxicological effects of novel entities and their mixtures by applying various advanced in silico methods individually or in combination. Show less
This thesis pioneers diatom molecular identification and quantification through genome-scale methods, with four key aims: (i) reviewing DNA/RNA sequencing methods in aquatic biomonitoring to... Show moreThis thesis pioneers diatom molecular identification and quantification through genome-scale methods, with four key aims: (i) reviewing DNA/RNA sequencing methods in aquatic biomonitoring to highlight their strengths and limitations; (ii) unraveling the evolutionary history of Nitzschia palea and investigating species delimitation within the species complex; (iii) identifying silica genes in N. palea for insights into ecology and evolution; and (iv) assessing a genome-scale quantification method for diatom biomonitoring to improve accuracy and scalability in estimating abundances. The review (Chapter 2) emphasizes disparities between molecular and morphology-based approaches and introduces the challenges in accurately estimating species abundances. Chapter 3 explores N. palea's evolutionary history using transcriptome data and reveals reticulate evolutionary patterns resulting in a putative hybrid between populations with different morphological characteristics. Chapter 4 pinpoints silica genes in N. palea and reveals variations among different populations that may lead to differences in silica metabolism. Chapter 5 introduces a genome-scale quantification approach that provides a promising alternative for molecular diatom biomonitoring due to its improved taxonomic resolution and quantification accuracy. In summary, this thesis underscores that genome-scale methods' have a critical role in diatom identification and quantification, and in advancing our understanding of microalgal taxonomy, ecology, and evolution. Show less
To contribute to the body of knowledge aiming at a better coverage of ecosystem service assessment in LCA studies, this thesis dives into the challenges of incorporating existing ecosystem service... Show moreTo contribute to the body of knowledge aiming at a better coverage of ecosystem service assessment in LCA studies, this thesis dives into the challenges of incorporating existing ecosystem service methods within the impact assessment phase of the conventional LCA framework. Through this thesis, we present an overview of ecosystem service categories that could represent an optimal coverage for their inclusion in LCA, and provide a clear example on how to overcome the challenges of characterizing key environmental impacts that are otherwise missing or misrepresented in LCA results and that influence the quality and supply of ecosystem services. We demonstrate the approach proposed with the development of readily applicable CFs that will allow future LCA studies to account for land use impacts on pollinator abundance, and provide further evidence on the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration as a way to strengthen our capacity to estimate anthropogenic impacts, with the use of expert elicitation methods as a valuable tool to fill in key data gaps. Lastly, we recommend to continue efforts towards an overarching archetype classification that can facilitate the inclusion of multiple biogeographical and socio-economic factors for the identification of representative patterns, and provide input across multiple impact categories at relevant spatial scales. Show less
Sheltering is an immediate human need and determines well-being andhealth. However, we face many challenges in providing homes and offices for allon this rapidly changing planet. In the 21st... Show moreSheltering is an immediate human need and determines well-being andhealth. However, we face many challenges in providing homes and offices for allon this rapidly changing planet. In the 21st century, climate change, resourcecrises, and population expansion will combine to exacerbate existingchallenges. We need to better understand and tackle these issues. Therefore,the overarching research question of this thesis is: What are the mainchallenges and opportunities in delivering decent shelters for nearly 10billion people in a warming and resource-scarce world? To this end, this thesismakes the first steps in exploring several key intersecting challenges relatedto resources scarcity, global warming, and natural hazards. Show less
Plant diversity is essential for us and our planet as it sustains the stability of our ecosystems, provides vital materials and food to us and supports many ecosystem services. However, plant... Show morePlant diversity is essential for us and our planet as it sustains the stability of our ecosystems, provides vital materials and food to us and supports many ecosystem services. However, plant diversity has shown a strong decline throughout human history, particularly in the past decades. Multiple factors have been and are threatening plant species persistence, particularly climate change and land use change that result from intensive human activities. However, it is well known that different species may respond differently to threats, with some species being vulnerable to environmental change while others are less likely to be threatened. To understand how anthropogenic pressures will affect plant communities and find proper plant conservation strategies, it is important to identify how species change over time and to what extent species differ in their response to environmental pressures. In this study, I identified the importance of natural land cover, habitat structure and pollination mode to different plant species and provided practical suggestions for the conservation of different species in the Netherlands. Show less
This thesis investigates how the assessment of circular economy (CE) at the macro-economic level can be facilitated and promoted. First, a study on the socio-economic environmental impacts of... Show moreThis thesis investigates how the assessment of circular economy (CE) at the macro-economic level can be facilitated and promoted. First, a study on the socio-economic environmental impacts of international agricultural supply chain is presented to better exemplify how Multi-Regional Environmental Extended Input-Output (MR EEIO) data can be used to support policy making. Then, a Python software package (pycirk) and methods for standardized and replicable CE scenarios are presented with a case study on the global environmental and socio-economic impacts CE strategies. The thesis also presents an easy to use and open-source web-based tool for CE scenario construction and analysis (RaMa-Scene). Through these studies, MR EEIO appears to be an adequate tool to assess CE scenarios. However, the implementation of CE interventions will require a variety of micro-level changes across the current international production and consumption system and in many cases more detailed data is required than what is currently available in existing MR EEIO databases. Data availability for CE assessment could be increased through the use of Computer-Aided Technologies and Artificial Intelligence methods in combination with Life Cycle Inventory modelling and MR EEIO databases, but this is only one potential way forward. In fact, the industrial ecology and circular economy communities have many opportunities ahead to improve data collection practices by leveraging digital technologies and artificial intelligence methods. However, coordination in these scientific communities is needed to ensure that the full potential of these technological developments is harvested for the benefit of a sustainable circular economy and society. Show less
Soil biodiversity is of great importance for the maintenance of multifunctionality in terrestrial ecosystems. Due to the complexity of belowground biodiversity, novel insights about the combined... Show moreSoil biodiversity is of great importance for the maintenance of multifunctionality in terrestrial ecosystems. Due to the complexity of belowground biodiversity, novel insights about the combined influences of plant-soil interactions have been rarely empirically examined under realistic field conditions. To cope with this challenge, a soil inoculation approach in a field experiment was conducted to manipulate soil community composition. This thesis aims to shed light on the impacts of plant-soil interactions on the aboveground and belowground processes in primary dune ecosystems examined with the aid of such manipulation. Show less
This dissertation investigates the energy and material related impacts of the transition towards a low-carbon heating system in the Netherlands, in the context of its 2050 climate and circular... Show moreThis dissertation investigates the energy and material related impacts of the transition towards a low-carbon heating system in the Netherlands, in the context of its 2050 climate and circular economy policy goals. Multiple heating system pathways for the Netherlands from 2020-2050 based on the local availability of sources of heat are used. Four main research questions are answered in this dissertation: 1. What is the size of the material stock of the current Dutch natural-gas based heating system, and can this material be used in a circular economy? 2. What are the possible development pathways and operational GHG emissions of the Dutch heating system towards 2050? 3. What are the consequences of the heating transition for the use of materials and how can this transition contribute to the circular economy transition? 4. What is the impact on GHG emissions of the transition towards a low-carbon heating system from 2021-2050? This dissertation shows that taking into account emissions related to materials has major consequences for the achievability of the Dutch climate goals Show less
The findings in this thesis improve the understanding of 1) the relationship between exposure characteristics and toxicity of ENPs, 2) the joint toxic action of ENP mixtures and the comparison to... Show moreThe findings in this thesis improve the understanding of 1) the relationship between exposure characteristics and toxicity of ENPs, 2) the joint toxic action of ENP mixtures and the comparison to metal salt mixtures, 3) how NOM affects the individual and joint toxicity of ENPs, 4) the extent of trophic transfer of ENPs along aquatic food chains, 5) the influence factors on trophic transfer, and 6) bioaccumulation, distribution and toxic effect on predators. This knowledge would provide a basis for data on individual and joint toxicity, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer of ENPs for more realistic environmental risk assessment. Show less
As a non-invasive genetic method, eDNA based approaches have become an important component of ecologists' and environmental managers' toolkits for biomonitoring in conservation and an increasingly... Show moreAs a non-invasive genetic method, eDNA based approaches have become an important component of ecologists' and environmental managers' toolkits for biomonitoring in conservation and an increasingly important source of ecological knowledge. This thesis focuses on aquatic eDNA based approaches beyond detections of species presence by 1) enhancing the knowledge of the characteristics of aquatic eDNA particle size distribution (PSD), 2) exploring the possibility of eDNA analysis in physiological investigation and 3) performing functional gene analysis across species. Aquatic eDNA PSD changes with degradation interacting with environmental factors and species. This knowledge supports the capability of eDNA PSD analysis in assessing false- and real-positive of species presence, as well as contributing to abundance assessment and guiding sampling strategy development when using eDNA based approaches. eDNA methylation varies between life stages, and supports life stage evaluations, and brings up the possibility of using eDNA methylation analysis in assessing physiological information. eDNA based approaches support functional gene analysis across species. Functional gene analysis promotes investigating ARGs pollution and the interaction of pollution between different types of agricultural regions. Thanks to the continuously increasing insights on environment-related gene function and expression level, it becomes potentially possible to use eDNA functional gene (and methylation) analysis to evaluate environmental changes. Overall, this thesis contributes to expanding the application of aquatic eDNA based approaches beyond detections of species presence, and provides efficient and non-invasive approaches for biomonitoring and ecological assessments. Show less
Material circularity and energy efficiency are highly relevant and intertwined issues for the transition towards a carbon-neutral and circular built environment. In the Netherlands, the building... Show moreMaterial circularity and energy efficiency are highly relevant and intertwined issues for the transition towards a carbon-neutral and circular built environment. In the Netherlands, the building sector has been rendered a priority towards a circular and low-carbon society. This thesis explored potential solutions for these twin issues in light of a novel technological system. This system presents an energy–material efficiency solution for energy renovation of building stocks with prefabricated concrete elements (PCEs) with recycled CDW as feedstock. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) were combined with dynamic material flow analysis (MFA) to estimate the economic and environmental implications at both a product level and a national level. Show less
The rapidly increasing commercial application of metallic nanoparticles within products will inevitably enhance the amount of NPs being released into soil. Assessment of the impact of metallic... Show moreThe rapidly increasing commercial application of metallic nanoparticles within products will inevitably enhance the amount of NPs being released into soil. Assessment of the impact of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) in soil ecosystems is a necessity for ensuring their safe and sustainable application. In this thesis, we integrated exposure routes and exposure dynamics of NPs to investigate the uptake, translocation and impacts of metallic NPs in plants upon long-term exposure. We furthermore investigated the long-term impacts of NPs on the rhizosphere soil bacterial community and the potential transfer and biomagnification within the lettuce - terrestrial snails food chain. Our results demonstrate that 1) root exposure induced more phytotoxicity than foliar exposure at equal exposure concentrations; 2) the phytotoxicity and accumulation of AgNPs in plants was shape- and size-dependent; 3) nanoparticulate Ag present in AgNPs suspensions that predominantly drive their impacts on green leafy plants; 4) the dissolution of AgNPs in soil is the dominant process influencing Ag uptake and translocation in lettuce; 5) long-term exposure to high concentrations of AgNPs altered the structure and composition of rhizosphere bacterial community; 6) NPs can be transferred from lettuce leaves to snails, as associated with increased potential risks to higher trophic level organisms. Show less
The role of material production as a driver of environmental impacts is increasing, which calls for a better understanding of global material flows. This thesis explores the role of in-use stocks... Show moreThe role of material production as a driver of environmental impacts is increasing, which calls for a better understanding of global material flows. This thesis explores the role of in-use stocks of products, buildings and infrastructure as a key driver of global material demand and discusses the implications with regards to availability of waste flows. The method based on detailed product compositions and lifetimes is applied to generate material use scenario’s towards 2050 for appliances, vehicles, buildings and electricity infrastructure. Under most of the developed scenarios, a growing population and increasing affluence are expected to lead to higher demand for products, and consequentially leads to a continued growth in annual material demand worldwide. While the results can be used to identify sector specific challenges and opportunities for achieving a more circular economy, the method also provides a starting point to incorporate material cycles and resource efficiency strategies more explicitly and consistently in integrated assessment models. This would allow for a more comprehensive assessment of resource use in relation to other global challenges such as climate change. Show less
Freshwater and brackish water ecosystems are arguably the most vulnerable ecosystems on earth, due to concentrated human developments in and around them. The Pontocaspian (PC) region located at the... Show moreFreshwater and brackish water ecosystems are arguably the most vulnerable ecosystems on earth, due to concentrated human developments in and around them. The Pontocaspian (PC) region located at the border of Europe and Asia contains a variety of brackish water ecosystems and unique inhabitants, known as the PC biota. The current status and trends in PC biodiversity are poorly known, however, deterioration of PC habitats is evident in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea Basins. This thesis aims to support an establishment of effective PC biodiversity conservation regime. I use the Black Sea Basin as a study system and outline current status and trends in PC biodiversity and assess the direct and indirect anthropogenic drivers of the PC biodiversity change. I show that PC biodiversity is severely declining as a result of human action. Identified direct drivers of decline include damming of rivers; habitat modifications; pollution and eutrophication; invasive alien species and climate change. Indirect drivers of PC biodiversity decline include current suboptimal legal arrangements, inadequate institutional design of environmental stakeholder organizations and non-inclusive governance systems, as well as the limited funding availability for PC biodiversity conservation, institutional instability and low recognition of the need for PC biodiversity conservation. Show less
This thesis focuses on the social dimensions of crane and wetland conservation in rural landscapes in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The focus is predominantly on the Grey Crowned Crane although one... Show moreThis thesis focuses on the social dimensions of crane and wetland conservation in rural landscapes in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The focus is predominantly on the Grey Crowned Crane although one chapter is dedicated to social dimensions of Wattled Crane conservation. Chapter 2 provides an overview of how social factors influence wetland management decision-making, drawing linkages between human actions and ecological changes associated with crane habitat loss. Chapter 3 outlines major human actions that impact Wattled Cranes and their habitats, elaborating the underlying social causations behind the actions. Chapter 4 draws lessons on the effectiveness of community-led conservation approaches through an evaluation of a community-led project in Kenya. Chapter 5 presents results of an evaluation of the institutional development process and the ensuing environmental conservation impacts at three sites where conservation projects were initiated in 2002 in Uganda. Chapter 6 synthesises key findings, addressing the question of what works for cranes and wetland conservation in rural landscapes in East and Southern Africa. The thesis contributes to an improved understanding of interactions between cranes and rural communities and provides insights into strategic approaches for addressing the decline of cranes within their range in East and Southern Africa. Show less
In-use stocks of products can be considered as intermediaries between human needs and the physical world. During use, they fulfil important functions, but they can also be seen as a source of... Show moreIn-use stocks of products can be considered as intermediaries between human needs and the physical world. During use, they fulfil important functions, but they can also be seen as a source of materials for the future: the production of secondary materials. This idea of an urban mine is applied to copper in China in this dissertation. Taking into account that most modern technologies rely on copper, consumption of diverse copper-containing products in China is increasing rapidly. The in-use copper stocks have become a large reservoir for urban mining. It is of crucial importance to secure future supply by closing copper cycles, thereby also reducing environmental pressure. Therefore, the aim of this research is to explore how the stocks and flows related to the Chinese copper cycle can be transformed into a sustainable and circular economy. The material flow analysis and life cycle assessment approaches are used to quantify the in-use stocks, demand and waste generation for copper under the Chinese policies related to general economic development, the energy transition and ambitions with regard to circular economy, and assess associated environmental impacts as well as identify potential options to realize the dematerialization and environmental sustainability of the copper cycle in China. Show less
The global agri-food system plays a critical role in food security and environmental issues. Increasing globalization has resulted in a complex international food system where production and... Show moreThe global agri-food system plays a critical role in food security and environmental issues. Increasing globalization has resulted in a complex international food system where production and consumption along the international supply chain can incorporate many geographically distinct regions. This interconnection means that it is difficult for any single producer or consumer to address these impacts. This thesis represents a step towards mapping the global food system from producers to consumers and offers several policy-relevant insights, especially in the national accounting of environmental footprints. Given that many drivers occur locally, but are traded globally, and that inter-regional differences in consumption are increasingly important, it is a natural next step to find approaches that can connect local impacts (production side) with global consumption (consumption side) through trade.Global spatially explicit multi-regional input-output (SMRIO) analyses can help identify hotspots of local production and associated social and environmental impacts driven by global consumption. In this thesis, I assess the use of SMRIO in the past and build a SMRIO model in three different case studies to assess its use. I use SMRIO models to investigate three critical issues (i.e. food security, biodiversity loss, and climate change) in the agri-food system.These sorts of assessments can help provide insights into how we might avoid catastrophic environmental problems in a globalized world. However, any of the benefits highlighted in these studies will require significant international action and collaboration. They will have to be sensitive to local conditions and the economic ramifications of rapid food transitions. Show less
A sustainable resource management is an essential aspect to satisfy the current human needs without compromising the needs of future generations. There is a need to provide resource-efficient... Show moreA sustainable resource management is an essential aspect to satisfy the current human needs without compromising the needs of future generations. There is a need to provide resource-efficient strategies that enables to decrease the risk of disruptive supply chains while maintaining natural resources for the current and future generations. Within this context, circular economy has been proposed as a paradigm that aims to reduce resource extraction and waste flows by retaining materials into the economy. However, there is still a lack of understanding on how a global circularity transition might look like, and what would be the magnitude of the potential economic, social, and environmental implications of material circularity on macro scale. These aspects raise the questions: Is circular economy a sustainable solution to achieve a global economic and environmental sustainability? And what are the macroeconomic, social, and environmental implications of a transition to a circular economy? A macro level assessment of material circularity aims to understand how material circularity could contribute to sustainable resource management, and explore which circularity interventions could support a cost-effective circularity transition on a macro scale. Show less
This thesis describes the role of pollution, specifically neonicotinoid insecticides, as an actor of the ongoing biodiversity decline. Using a new research facility, the Living Lab, the effects of... Show moreThis thesis describes the role of pollution, specifically neonicotinoid insecticides, as an actor of the ongoing biodiversity decline. Using a new research facility, the Living Lab, the effects of field relevant concentrations of neonicotinoids and fertilizers to aquatic invertebrates was assessed in 36 experimental ditches. This showed that neonicotinoids had profound impacts on both single species as well as macroinvertebrate biodiversity and had severe consequences for the ecosystem processes the invertebrates fulfilled. Many of the results found in this thesis have not been discovered before because of the simplicity of standardized ecotoxicological testing, which not fully incorporates the myriad of ecological factors governing toxicity. It was found that the addition of fertilizers directly stimulated primary production which in turn reduced toxic effects indirectly. In addition, the neonicotinoid thiacloprid induced indirect effects on aquatic biodiversity which persisted much longer than the presence of this insecticide in the ditch ecosystem. The results in this thesis therefore show how the inclusion of environmentally realistic testing is essential to predict the actual risks of agrochemicals in the actual environment. Show less
The development of new environmentally sound technologies is seen as a key route towards achieving sustainability. Also technology is regarded as the most important factor in the scientific field... Show moreThe development of new environmentally sound technologies is seen as a key route towards achieving sustainability. Also technology is regarded as the most important factor in the scientific field of industrial ecology for reducing environmental impacts of anthropogenic action. Developing greener, cleaner and more efficient technologies (using fewer resources or using them more efficiently) has therefore increasingly become the focus of many research projects that include the need to assess the potential future environmental impacts of technologies in the early development stages. The aim of this thesis was to develop a forward-looking assessment method based on LCA that can be used to integrate early insights in potential environmental impacts in R&D, with a specific focus on new energy technologies. Show less
