research papers on environmental science

Click through the PLOS taxonomy to find articles in your field.

For more information about PLOS Subject Areas, click here .

Ecology and environmental sciences

• All Subject Areas
• Aquatic environments
• Biogeochemistry
• Biogeography
• Conservation science
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental economics
• Environmental geography
• Environmental impacts
• Environmental justice
• Environmental management
• Environmental protection
• Natural resources
• Species colonization
• Sustainability science
• Terrestrial environments
• Water quality
• Get an email alert for Ecology and environmental sciences
• Get the RSS feed for Ecology and environmental sciences

Showing 1 - 13 of 26,516

View by: Cover Page List Articles

Sort by: Recent Popular

The impact of high-temperature treatments on maize growth parameters and soil nutrients: A comprehensive evaluation through principal component analysis

Zhen Guo, Jichang Han, Yang Zhang, Hua Zhuang

Genetic structure of black soldier flies in northern Iran

Afrooz Boukan, Jamasb Nozari,  [ ... ], Mohammad Ali Oshaghi

Place-based estimates of cigarette butt litter raise environmental justice concerns in the United States

Alexander T. Lowe, Alexander Maki, Carla Figueroa, P. Dilip Venugopal

Sustainable development Universities—Opportunities & challenges on the road to society 5.0 from the key stakeholder perspective

Joanna ROSAK-SZYROCKA, Krzysztof KNOP

Land suitability analysis in monocentric post-socialist city: Case of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Galmandakh Boldbaatar, Gantulga Gombodorj,  [ ... ], Myagmartseren Purevtseren

Research on the enhancement path of green technology innovation efficiency under the group perspective

Lei Liu, Li Zhang, Wei Xu

The evolution of aquaculture in the Mediterranean region: An anthropogenic climax stage?

Benedetto Sicuro

Community-based health insurance beneficiaries’ satisfaction on laboratory services and associated factors in selected public hospitals in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Southwest, Ethiopia

Nigusu Getachew, Mujahid Girma,  [ ... ], Amit Arora

Social mechanisms for integrating community cats into community governance in urban China

Di Wu, Jintu Gu

(Panthera leo) kills: Costs of disturbance and implications for carnivore conservation">Human procurement of meat from lion (Panthera leo) kills: Costs of disturbance and implications for carnivore conservation

Paula A. White, Laura D. Bertola, Kennedy Kariuki, Hans H. de Iongh

Finding common development paths in voluntary national reviews reporting on sustainable development goals using aspect-based sentiment analysis

Christoph Funk, Elena Tönjes, Ramona Teuber, Lutz Breuer

Taphonomic signatures of early scavenging by black and turkey vultures

Marian L. Wahl, Grant N. Burcham,  [ ... ], Bryan M. Kluever

Geospatial interpolation and hydro-geochemical characterization of alluvial aquifers in the Thal Desert, Punjab, Pakistan

Irfan Raza, Perveiz Khalid,  [ ... ], Salman Farooq

Connect with Us

• PLOS ONE on Twitter
• PLOS on Facebook

Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

100+ Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

• Ecology /ecological science
• Atmospheric science
• Oceanography
• Soil science
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental economics
• Environmental ethics
• Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

• The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
• The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
• Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
• The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
• The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
• The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
• The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
• The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
• The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

• The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
• The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
• The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
• Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
• The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
• The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
• The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
• The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
• The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

• The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
• The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
• The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
• Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
• The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
• The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
• The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
• The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
• The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
• The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

• The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
• The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
• The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
• Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
• The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
• The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
• The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
• The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
• The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Topics & Ideas: Geology

• The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
• The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
• The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
• Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
• The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
• The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
• The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
• The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
• The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
• The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

• The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
• The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
• The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
• Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
• The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
• The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
• The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
• The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
• The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
• The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

• The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
• The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
• The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
• Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
• The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
• The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
• The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
• The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
• The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
• The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

• The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
• The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
• The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
• Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
• The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
• The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
• The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
• The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
• The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
• The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

• The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
• The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
• The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
• Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
• The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
• The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
• The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
• The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
• The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
• The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
• The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
• Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
• Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
• Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
• Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
• The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
• Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
• Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
• Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
• A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
• Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
• Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
• Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your environmental science dissertation or research project, be sure to check out our private coaching services below, as well as our Research Topic Kickstarter .

Need a helping hand?

12 Comments

research topics on climate change and environment

Researched PhD topics on environmental chemistry involving dust and water

I wish to learn things in a more advanced but simple way and with the hopes that I am in the right place.

Thank so much for the research topics. It really helped

the guides were really helpful

Research topics on environmental geology

Thanks for the research topics….I need a research topic on Geography

hi I need research questions ideas

Implications of climate variability on wildlife conservation on the west coast of Cameroon

I want the research on environmental planning and management

I want a topic on environmental sustainability

It good coaching

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

• SpringerLink shop

Environmental Sciences

Being an interdisciplinary field of study and research, environmental sciences explore the question of what influence humans exert on the environment and how the resulting problems can be solved. Springer's prestigious publishing program provides specialist knowledge for research, study, policy, and science. We offer a broad spectrum of journals, textbooks, reference works, and specialist books. Authors have the option to publish their articles open-access across our entire portfolio of quality peer-reviewed journals and are encouraged to do so. Titles include the journals Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Climatic Change, and Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.

Subdisciplines

The Springer books and journals on environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology and ecological chemistry provide reliable information for the professional practice of environmental and natural scientists, food chemists, experts from the nutrition sciences, food technology, microbiology, pharmacy as well as human and veterinary medicine. In addition to first-class specialist books, our range also includes numerous textbooks. Our publications include the journal Ecotoxicology and The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry.

Well-known authors convey their expertise on environmental economics, european and international environmental law, environmental policy and environmental justice in our reference books and journals. The textbooks provide a practical introduction to fundamental knowledge of environmental economics and law and explain the contents in an understandable and competent manner. Springer books make an important contribution to continuing education in the fields of law, the environment and nature with their particularly appealing didactic presentation of the extensive subject matter, the explanation of the respective technical terms, the presentation of appealing diagrams and cross-references to the respective technical terms. Our publications include the journal Environmental and Resource Economics and the book series Environment & Policy .

Our books on environmental technology & environmental physics provide a complete overview of the fundamentals, methods and regulations of technical environmental protection, including ethical, social, legal and economic contexts. All Springer textbooks convince with practice-oriented examples and are therefore particularly suitable for universities and technical colleges. Our publications include Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology and the book series Environmental Science and Engineering .

The range in this field includes books and journals on environmental health, radiation effects and radiation protection. Our renowned textbooks and journals comprehensively describe the many factors that affect environmental health and hygiene. The limits of analytics and proposed solutions for improved environmental health are pointed out. In addition, we keep reference books that provide factual information on current radiation and radiation protection problems - based on the latest scientific research. Our publications include the journal Exposure and Health and the book series Current Topics in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine .

In our online shop, we offer you comprehensive research material and numerous reference works on global change. These contain the latest scientific findings on the causes of global warming and their consequences for people, the environment, the economy and politics. Use the Springer books to sharpen your awareness of the great complexity of global change. We show you different disciplinary perspectives from economics, geography and law to political science and sociology. Our publications include the journal Climatic Change and the book series Advances in Global Change Research .

With our range on freshwater and marine research, we offer you a broad spectrum of topics on aquatic ecology with over 70 English-language books and journals: Oceans and Marine Resources in a Changing Climate, Water, Cultural Diversity, and Global Environmental Change, Environmental Microbiology of Aquatic and Waste Systems are just a few of our first-class titles that take up and focus on the latest research results in aquatic science. Among our publications are the journal Aquatic Sciences and the Handbook on Marine Environment Protection . And we look forward to discussing your proposal!

Our product range is aimed at students of mainly engineering disciplines as well as practitioners who are familiarising themselves with various methods of environmental analysis. With us you will get a well-founded overview of the current state of research. Our environmental analysis books, eBooks and journals summarize the necessary methodological knowledge and present a variety of illustrative and practical application examples. In addition, we offer you further concepts and approaches to environmental analysis. Among our titles are the journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment and the series Environmental and Ecological Statistics .

The Springer books on nature conservation and biodiversity convey both comprehensive basic knowledge and detailed expert knowledge. Our portfolio is aimed at students studying environmental science as well as at physicists, chemists and biologists who wish to address and deepen environment-related topics. The range of services includes a wide variety of textbooks, which explain the connection between nature, nature conservation and biodiversity. Our well-known titles include the journal Biodiversity and Conservation and the related book series Topics in Biodiversity and Conservation .

Our range includes extensive reference works by renowned authors on the causes of global environmental pollution and on the most effective methods of protecting nature and the environment. Students and teachers of environmental and engineering engineering courses will find numerous papers on the theory and practice of integrated climate protection management. Springer books provide information on the causes of air and water pollution and noise emissions. Our comprehensive encyclopedias provide experts in waste management companies and environmental authorities with concrete instructions and descriptive working materials on the topics of resource conservation, the elimination of pollutants and energy conservation. They are a valuable aid in mastering the challenges of global climate protection. Our titles include the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research and the Handbook of Global Environmental Pollution.

Springer books and magazines on soil science and soil protection describe and illustrate soil-forming factors in all ecozones worldwide. Our excellent reference works deal with acute pollution situations and show comprehensive approaches to dealing with contaminated soils. Our portfolio is rounded off by a variety of field reports and case studies from the professional experience of soil ecologists. Our titles include the Journal of Soils and Sediments , Plant and Soil , the Encyclopedia of Soil Science , and the World Soils Book Series .

Discover our wide range of books, journals and extensive book series on the subject of sustainable development. Our portfolio is aimed at practitioners in companies and consulting firms on the one hand, and researchers, lecturers and students at colleges and universities on the other. Current case studies and practical project examples show how energy and materials can be saved in manufacturing companies and how sustainability can be permanently implemented. Springer's technical literature also promotes the exchange of experience and information between researchers and scientists from universities, research centers, companies, and other institutions. With our books and journals, we offer you an insight into the theory and practice of sustainability research, with the focus on interdisciplinary and cross-departmental research. Our titles include the journal Sustainability Science , the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology and the World Sustainability Series .

Find our products

Visit our shop on SpringerLink with more than 300,000 books. Read over ten million scientific documents on SpringerLink.

Join our mailing list

Get access to exclusive content, sales, promotions and events. Be the first to hear about new book releases and journal launches. Learn about our newest services, tools and resources.

Publish with us

Selecting the right publisher is one of the most important decisions an author will make. At Springer, we recognize that our authors are the heart of what we do and we are committed to provide the resources, support and advice you need to help you succeed.

Environmental Systems Research

Guest Editors: A.K.M. Saiful Islam,Achlesh Daverey, Khaled Benis Submission Status: Open from 15 July 2024   |   Submission Deadline: 25 March 2025

Guest Editors: Qaisar Mahmood, Sunil Kumar and Paromita Chakraborty Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline:   30 June 2024

Affiliated with

Environmental Systems Research is associated with  the global Network on Persistent, Emerging and Organic Pollution in the Environment (PEOPLE Network).

Annual Journal Metrics

Speed 2023 Submission to first editorial decision (median days): 4 Submission to acceptance (median days): 58

Usage 2023 Downloads: 505,317 Altmetric mentions: 46

• More about our metrics
• ISSN: 2193-2697 (electronic)

Environmental Science Research Network

Welcome to EnvironSciRN

The Environmental Science Research Network

• Conference Proceedings
• Job Openings
• Partners in Publishing
• Professional Announcements
• Research Paper Series

Environmental Science Preprints

Environmental Science studies how the natural world works to understand how we as humans interact with the environment, and how we affect the environment. The Environmental Science Research Network on SSRN is an open access preprint server that provides a venue for authors to showcase their research papers in our digital library, speeding up dissemination and providing the scholarly community access to groundbreaking working papers and early-stage research. SSRN provides the opportunity to share different outputs of research such as preprints, preliminary or exploratory investigations, book chapters, PhD dissertations, course and teaching materials, presentations, and posters, among others. Scholars and researchers in environmental science analyze a wide variety of environmental problems and potential solutions, such as climate change and conservation. Practitioners help businesses follow regulations or improve their practices to limit their impact on the environment, advise government officials in writing policies, and assess the potential effects of development projects to prevent new environmental issues. SSRN helps environmental scientists discover the latest research in their own and other related areas of research including biology, chemistry, ecology, engineering, geology and sustainability, while providing a unique opportunity for researchers to submit early and novel work for review, feedback, and use by researchers within and beyond environmental science.

Environmental Science Papers

Recommended Environmental Science Articles & Journals

Information about what is happening in the scientific community reaches us a variety of ways. Some may be through a group you follow on social media. Some may be via word of mouth, or CNN, BBC, in a class, on the radio as a public notice, overheard at a restaurant, etc. One tried and true way to get news is through print. Articles can be written by any scientific journalist with little regard to the “form” of the article. But a publication that goes through a peer review process, and is published in some of the following magazines, undergoes a much more scientific process of writing.

Daily Environmental Science News Articles

Although we have multiple choices of information for finding out local and national news, most of us have a specific source we use, whether it is radio, TV, or internet, or some combination. Environmental Science has its own news venues, and you may find one whose style is well suited for you.

For up-to-date information about happenings in the scientific world…

• Environmental News Network covers a variety of world environmental issues
• LiveScience also has updates throughout the day in their Planet Earth section
• Even NBCNews has an Environment section in their Science news
• ScienceDaily has an Environmental Science News
• Scientific American has an Earth and Environment section
• The New York Times has an Environmental section in their science news

Environmental Science Journals

If you are going to become an Environmental Scientist, then you need to be familiar with some major publications. Scientific journals that publish peer reviewed research present it in specific formats that should be familiar to you. The sooner you become comfortable reading papers this way, the easier it will be to both “think scientifically”, and to write your own papers. Many journals that are available online are only free to read if you are associated with a college or university that pays to access them. However, you can usually find the abstract, and determine if you need to pursue the article further.

• The American Meteorological Society publishes a number of journals, listed here , dealing with many specialty fields in Environmental Science.
• Energy & Environmental Science links environmental sciences to sciences concerned with energy and its storage.
• Environmental Health Perspectives is a leading magazine looking at the interactions between human health and the environment and is published through a cooperate effort by a number of leading human health agencies.
• Environmental Science and Policy looks to promote political solutions to environmental problems through awareness and communication.
• Environmental Science and Technology is a publication of The American Chemical Society which focuses on the latest worldwide environmental science innovations and issues.
• Journal of Environmental Engineering has a broad scope covering solutions and policies for environmental resources and sanitation and is published by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Journal of Environmental Health is published by the National Environmental Health Association and covers current issues concerning health safety such as air and water quality, among other issues.
• Journal of Environmental Sciences is designed to both promote awareness of discoveries, and strengthen professional relationships among academics.
• Journal of Geophysical Research breaks down many subjects of Earth Science into separate journals studying earth and solar system components; Atmospheres , the Biogeosciences , Earth Surface , Oceans , Planets , and Solid Earth . Environmental Scientists work in all of these fields.
• Water, Air, and Soil Pollution cover many aspects of environmental pollution and remediation throughout the world.

Recommended Readings

How ‘Silent Spring' Ignited the Environmental Movement - a little knowledge of environmental science history can go a long way for your career.

Population and Environment - a detailed look at the interaction between humans and their environment, good practice for reading a scientifically formatted article.

• Recent Posts
• Gaining International Experience in Environmental Science - September 11, 2014
• Recommended Environmental Science Articles & Journals - September 11, 2014
• Is Environmental Science Really a Good Major? - August 27, 2014

Related Articles

Meteorology: Something in the Air

Climatology: The Science of Global Weather Systems over the Long Term

Natural Gas 101: Pros & Cons

History of Agriculture

Featured Article

Ambient Air Quality and Environmental Health

Grab your spot at the free arXiv Accessibility Forum

Help | Advanced Search

Computer Science > Information Retrieval

Title: from clicks to carbon: the environmental toll of recommender systems.

Abstract: As global warming soars, evaluating the environmental impact of research is more critical now than ever before. However, we find that few to no recommender systems research papers document their impact on the environment. Consequently, in this paper, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impact of recommender system research by reproducing a characteristic recommender systems experimental pipeline. We focus on estimating the carbon footprint of recommender systems research papers, highlighting the evolution of the environmental impact of recommender systems research experiments over time. We thoroughly evaluated all 79 full papers from the ACM RecSys conference in the years 2013 and 2023 to analyze representative experimental pipelines for papers utilizing traditional, so-called good old-fashioned AI algorithms and deep learning algorithms, respectively. We reproduced these representative experimental pipelines, measured electricity consumption using a hardware energy meter, and converted the measured energy consumption into CO2 equivalents to estimate the environmental impact. Our results show that a recommender systems research paper utilizing deep learning algorithms emits approximately 42 times more CO2 equivalents than a paper utilizing traditional algorithms. Furthermore, on average, such a paper produces 3,297 kilograms of CO2 equivalents, which is more than one person produces by flying from New York City to Melbourne or the amount one tree sequesters in 300 years.

Submission history

Access paper:.

• HTML (experimental)
• Other Formats

References & Citations

• Google Scholar
• Semantic Scholar

BibTeX formatted citation

Bibliographic and Citation Tools

Code, data and media associated with this article, recommenders and search tools.

• Institution

arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators

arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.

Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.

Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs .

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

The characteristics and mechanisms of carbon finance development on green economic efficiency: an empirical analysis based on endogenous economic growth model.

• University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

Select one of your emails

You have multiple emails registered with Frontiers:

Notify me on publication

Please enter your email address:

If you already have an account, please login

You don't have a Frontiers account ? You can register here

In this paper, I explore the impact mechanisms and characteristics of carbon finance on economic sustainability. The results indicate that green total factor productivity has a spatial spillover effect and there are two mediators between carbon finance and green total factor productivity, including technological progress and the increase in technology market turnover. My findings can provide policy implications for sustainable economic development, environmental protection, and resource conservation. Different from previous academic research to study the relationship between carbon finance and green total factor productivity from the theoretical aspect, this paper studies the relationship between carbon finance and green total factor productivity from the empirical aspect and applies spatial econometric models to analyze spatial heterogeneity by using the Romer Endogenous Economic Growth Model. In addition, early scholars were more interested in green finance rather than carbon finance, and just viewed carbon finance as an indicator to construct a green finance index This paper provides suggestions for environmental protections, carbon finance development, and the development of green total factor productivity through data analysis.

Keywords: Green total factor productivity, spatial Durbin model, Sustainable economic growth, mediating effects, spatial spillover effects. (Min

Received: 21 Apr 2024; Accepted: 13 Aug 2024.

Copyright: © 2024 Chen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Yiru Chen, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

• DOI: 10.24940/ijird/2023/v12/i6/jun23008
• Corpus ID: 263091243

Depictions of Nature Imagery in Literature: An Eco-critical Perspective

• Rebecca Ufuoma Davies
• Published in International Journal of… 26 August 2023
• Environmental Science

Related Papers

Showing 1 through 3 of 0 Related Papers

Environmental Chemistry

Uncover the latest and most impactful research in Environmental Chemistry. Explore pioneering discoveries, insightful ideas and new methods from leading researchers in the field.

Latest research

Unveiling the potential of bacterial isolates from plastic-polluted environments: enhancement of polyhydroxybutyrate biodegradation.

• Diana A. Garza Herrera
• Marija Mojicevic
• Margaret Brennan-Fournet

Metal Doped Nanocages and Metal Doped Nanotubes as Effective Catalysts for ORR and OER

• Mohamed J. Saadh
• Mohammed Ahmed Mustafa
• Irfan Ahmad

Potential of ecological water treatment elements to reduce pollution of river water used for urban agriculture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• Terusaw Solomon
• Kumelachew Yeshitela
• Wondmagegn Taye Abebe

A critical review of hydrochar based photocatalysts by hydrothermal carbonization: synthesis, mechanisms, and applications

• Zeliang Chen
• Yanchuan Guo

Crosslinked Chitosan-Sulfonated Polyphenylsulfone Electrospun Nanofibers: A Highly Water-Stable and Versatile Adsorbent for Organic Dye Removal

• Fekri Abdulraqeb Ahmed Ali
• Mansour Alhoshan

Assessment of Carbon Footprint from Household Solid Waste in Tamil Nadu, India: Pathways for Achieving Low-Carbon Economy

• A. Premkumar

Related journals

Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

The Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutritionis an international, peer reviewed journal devoted to publishing original research findings in the...

Biochar is a professional academic journal covering multidisciplinary subjects such as agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It...

Journal of Soils and Sediments

The Journal of Soils and Sediments (JSSS) is devoted to soils and sediments; it deals with contaminated, intact and disturbed soils and sediments....

• Find a journal
• Publish with us
• Track your research

Search form

Umces scientists identify toxin found in chesapeake bay phytoplankton.

BALTIMORE, MD —  From a 60-year-old Karlodinium Veneficum (K. veneficum) culture kept at the U.K.’s Plymouth Laboratory, a research team led by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) discovered the cause of the Chesapeake Bay’s fish-kill, which was originally blamed on another phytoplankton, Pfiesteria piscicida. UMCES researchers determined that Pfiesteria was not, in fact, the cause of the Bay’s fish-kill; rather, the karlotoxins found in K. veneficum were to blame. In a paper recently published in Nature Scientific Reports , using surface plasma resonance and a suite of bioassays, the authors report the specific functions of membrane pores formed by these karlotoxins. Moreover, the formation is a highly targeted mechanism involving the cell membrane and sterol-specificity; cholesterol, in this case. "What is so unique about this toxin is its mode of action, how it works," said Allen Place , an UMCES Professor and expert in biochemistry, serving as the primary investigator on the project. "To consume other phytoplankton, it generates holes in their cell walls, creating a porous membrane through which other ions can flow; this incapacitates and eventually kills its prey, which it then eats." This analysis proves karlotoxins generate pores in membranes with desmethyl sterols – like cholesterol, phytosterols and ergosterol – that weaken membranes, disrupt motor function, cause cells to swell, and eventually, burst, all for the sake of capturing and devouring susceptible organisms. They use the toxin as a defense mechanism, too. "Think of a venomous snake that stores venom inside special glands – the venom can’t harm the snake, in other words, it can’t self-intoxicate due to the make-up of its anatomy, but it can certainly harm creatures it comes into contact with," Place said. "The same holds true for K. veneficum , and it’s not unique to Chesapeake Bay; this has a world-wide distribution. And it’s sensitive to environmental inputs such as global warming, so the higher the temperature, the more abundant this organism becomes." Although the toxin has proven deadly to fish, shellfish, small sharks and even laboratory mice, it’s important to note that the presence of cholesterol deactivates the threat, similar to how vinegar neutralizes lye. There is little physical impact to people. The impact to the environment, however, could potentially be significant. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science leads the way toward better management of Maryland’s natural resources and the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. From a network of laboratories located across the state, UMCES scientists provide sound evidence and advice to help state and national leaders manage the environment, and prepare future scientists to meet current global challenges.   

MEDIA CONTACT: Katie Ross, Communications Coordinator UMCES| [email protected]

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals

Earth and environmental sciences articles from across Nature Portfolio

Earth and environmental sciences cover all aspects of Earth and planetary sciences, and broadly encompasses solid Earth processes, surface and atmospheric dynamics, Earth system history, climate and climate change, marine and freshwater systems, and ecology. It also considers the interactions between humans and these systems.

How nitrogen compounds in fertilizers and fossil-fuel emissions affect global warming

Human activities have led to high levels of nitrogen compounds entering the environment, causing air and ecosystem pollution. Comprehensive modelling now shows that this nitrogen has partly offset global warming — suggesting that efforts to reduce environmental nitrogen levels must be backed up with even greater efforts to mitigate climate change.

Direct and indirect effects of temperature on bird and fish community stability

In the face of rapid climate change, understanding how various temperature components — including the median, variability, trend and extremes — affect community stability remains a challenge. Our study reveals distinct differences in how temperature components affect the stability of birds and fishes, and shows that indirect effects play a crucial part.

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide widens yield gaps

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature unevenly affect the two main rice subspecies, which is predicted to increase the yield gap between low-income and middle- to high-income countries later this century.

• Irakli Loladze

Related Subjects

• Biogeochemistry
• Climate sciences
• Environmental sciences
• Environmental social sciences
• Natural hazards
• Ocean sciences
• Planetary science
• Solid Earth sciences
• Space physics

Latest Research and Reviews

Low methane emissions from Australian estuaries influenced by geomorphology and disturbance

Australian estuaries emit less methane per unit area than global estuaries, with most emissions (80.3%) coming from tidal systems, according to analysis of estuarine water samples.

• Jacob Z.-Q. Yeo
• Judith A. Rosentreter
• Bradley D. Eyre

Environmental variables improve the accuracy of remote sensing estimation of soil organic carbon content

Investigating spatio-temporal variations and contributing factors of land use-related carbon emissions in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, China

• Liuya Zhang

The carbon emission reduction effect of China’s national high-tech industrial development zones

Screening of differentially expressed RNAs and identifying a ceRNA axis during cadmium-induced oxidative damage in pancreatic β cells

Three-stage formation of cap carbonates after Marinoan snowball glaciation consistent with depositional timescales and geochemistry

A new formation mechanism is proposed to explain the presence and characteristics of “cap carbonates”: enigmatic rocks leftover from Snowball Earth events, during which Earth was globally ice-covered for millions of years in the distant past.

• Trent B. Thomas
• David C. Catling

News and Comment

Jupiter mission will attempt first-ever fly-by that harnesses Earth and Moon’s gravity

The JUICE spacecraft will slingshot around the Moon and Earth in quick succession on its way to Jupiter’s moons.

• Elizabeth Gibney

Dinosaur-killing Chicxulub asteroid formed in Solar System’s outer reaches

Rock samples hold clues to origin of impactor that sparked a mass extinction 66 million years ago.

• Michael Marshall

Geology’s biggest mystery: when did plate tectonics start to reshape Earth?

Researchers have spent decades hunting for clues about the origins of the process that moves the continents around. Its deep history is finally starting to come into focus.

The mystery of Stonehenge’s central stone unearthed

A geochemical analysis suggests that Stonehenge’s Altar Stone came from northern Scotland — plus, chemists have finally discovered how to break selenium bonds unevenly.

• Nick Petrić Howe

A Scottish origin for Stonehenge's Altar Stone

Geologists have found the provenance for Stonehenge's central Altar Stone, in the Orcadian Basin in Scotland

• Emily Bates

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies