Công bố quốc tế lĩnh vực môi trường số 22-2024

Về quản lý môi trường

– Hành vi khí dung sinh học của các vi sinh vật gây bệnh tiềm tàng từ các nhà máy xử lý nước thải: Hồ sơ xuất hiện, chức năng xã hội và rủi ro sức khỏe.

– MAS-Cloud+: Kiến trúc đa tác nhân mới với các mô hình lý luận để quản lý tài nguyên ở nhiều nhà cung cấp.

– Biến đổi khí hậu: Những chuyển dịch về phía cực do thị trường thúc đẩy trong sản xuất đất trồng trọt tạo cơ hội bảo tồn đa dạng sinh học nhiệt đới và phục hồi môi trường sống.

– Một cách tiếp cận tích hợp cho môi trường du lịch xanh đô thị: Các yếu tố quy hoạch, lợi ích và rào cản mà người sử dụng và nhà quy hoạch nhận thức được.

– Từ xa xôi đến đô thị hóa: Phát tán vi khuẩn kháng kháng sinh dưới khía cạnh ảnh hưởng của con người.

– Học tập trải nghiệm trong khóa học dựa trên vấn đề về quy hoạch và quản lý rừng đô thị.

– Tác động của việc quản lý lề đường vận chuyển hàng hóa đối với các thành phố bền vững: Bằng chứng và con đường phía trước.

– Trình điều khiển quy mô khái quát của thời tiết hỏa hoạn ở Hy Lạp.

– Mở khóa quản lý tài nguyên bền vững: Phân tích chuyên đề và SWOT toàn diện về FinTech với trọng tâm là quản lý khoáng sản.

– Mạng lưới các trình điều khiển hợp tác để phát triển môi trường năng lượng thông minh.

Về môi trường đô thị

– Xác định các chỉ số phiên mã của nước thải đô thị đã được xử lý cấp ba ở cá mũi dài (Rhinichthys đục thủy tinh thể) được nuôi trong điều kiện bán kiểm soát trong các mương thí nghiệm.

– Thiết kế Tuyên bố thành phố tuần hoàn cho công trình xây dựng của Nhật Bản trên cơ sở nghiên cứu điển hình của Liên minh Châu Âu.

– Phân tách thành phần hạt mịn (PM2.5) tại Hà Nội, Việt Nam: Nguồn phát thải và khả năng oxy hóa.

– Theo dõi sự thay đổi chất hữu cơ hòa tan trên toàn hệ thống cấp nước thành phố bằng chỉ số quang học.

– Mối quan hệ giữa chất lượng nước với virut và điện trở của vi sinh vật trong dòng suối đô thị ở Brazil.

– Sử dụng mô hình huyết tương cá để đánh giá tác động tiềm ẩn của dược phẩm trong nước thải từ nhà máy xử lý nước thải đô thị lớn.

– Định lượng sự đóng góp của các nguồn NOx vào khí dung nitrat xung quanh, phân tích độ không đảm bảo và phân tích độ nhạy trong siêu đô thị.

– Định lượng sự đóng góp của giao thông đường bộ và hàng không đối với các hạt siêu mịn xung quanh ở hai cộng đồng đô thị.

– Động lực học luồng không khí trên tán đô thị: Một cuộc điều tra bằng số về lực cản và sự phân bổ cho các vùng lân cận chung cũng như mối quan hệ của chúng với khả năng thở.

– Chim là chỉ số sinh học về ô nhiễm nhựa trong môi trường trên cạn và nước ngọt: Đánh giá 30 năm.

– Loại bỏ các chất gây ô nhiễm có trong nước và nước thải bằng chất hấp phụ dựa trên cyclodextrin: Đánh giá thư mục từ năm 1993 đến năm 2022.

Về môi trường khu công nghiệp

– Mối quan tâm của công chúng về môi trường, quy định về môi trường của chính phủ và giảm phát thải carbon đô thị – Phân tích vai trò điều tiết của tài chính xanh và tích tụ công nghiệp.

– Tiết lộ sức mạnh của giá trị xã hội: Xúc tác nền kinh tế tuần hoàn ở các doanh nghiệp vừa và nhỏ ở thị trường mới nổi.

– Ảnh hưởng của các vật liệu điện cực khác nhau đến hệ thống đồng phân trộn có sự hỗ trợ của điện trường trong việc xử lý đất ô nhiễm kim loại nặng.

– Các phương pháp đơn giản hóa mô hình năng lượng công nghiệp để tối ưu hóa vận hành.

– Sản xuất PHA và EPS từ nước thải công nghiệp bằng công nghệ bùn hoạt tính thông thường, công nghệ màng phản ứng sinh học và bùn hạt hiếu khí: So sánh toàn diện.

– Nghiên cứu xử lý xanh nước mặn cao trong công nghiệp và hiệu quả của nó như là chất kích hoạt để chế tạo vật liệu chôn lấp chất thải rắn gốc than magie cho mỏ.

– Loại bỏ đồng thời cacbon và chất dinh dưỡng trong lò phản ứng sinh học A2O tuần hoàn nội bộ kép một giai đoạn khỏi nước thải công nghiệp chế biến sữa: Tối ưu hóa quy trình, đặc tính bùn và đánh giá chi phí vận hành.

– Hướng tới tách rời trong ngành hóa chất: Thay thế đầu vào bị ảnh hưởng bởi tiến bộ công nghệ.

– Tác động của các hạt nano oxit sắt trong không khí lên Tillandsia usneoides như một nhà máy mẫu để đánh giá ô nhiễm ở các khu vực có mật độ giao thông đông đúc.

– Thiết kế quy trình khử muối lai sử dụng nhiệt và năng lượng lạnh thải từ nhà máy điện LNG nhằm tăng cường tiềm năng năng lượng và kinh tế.

– Acesulfame và các chất làm ngọt nhân tạo khác trong nhà máy xử lý nước thải ở Alberta, Canada: Sự xuất hiện, suy thoái và phát thải.

CHUYÊN TRANG QUẢN LÝ MÔI TRƯỜNG
Tạp chí Môi trường và Đô thị Việt Nam
Xin trân trọng giới thiệu!

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT / QUẢN LÝ MÔI TRƯỜNG

1. Bioaerosolization behaviour of potential pathogenic microorganisms from wastewater treatment plants: Occurrence profile, social function and health risks

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 923, 1 May 2024, 171300

Abstract

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are the leading sources of potential pathogenic bioaerosol that cause non-negligible health risks. However, bioaerosolization behaviour of potential pathogenic microorganisms (PPMs) migrating from wastewater to the atmosphere is still unclear. This study investigated the occurrence profile of PPMs in wastewater, sludge and bioaerosol, then analyzed bioaerosolization level, impact factors and social function. Staphylococcus aureus was selected as the target due to its pathogenicity, and the health risks of workers, engineers and researchers wearing various masks (N90, N95 and medical masks) were evaluated. The results showed that there were 38 and 64 PPMs in bioaerosol from plant A and B. Streptomyces in plant A (average bioaerosolization index, BI= 237.71) and Acinetobacter in plant B (average BI = 505.88) were more likely to migrate from wastewater to the atmosphere forming bioaerosol. Environmental factors (relative humidity, wind speed and temperature) affected both BI and microbial species of PPMs in different ways. PPMs related to fermentation, aerobic chemoheterotrophy, and chemoheterotrophy are the most abundant.

Meanwhile microbial networks from plants A and B showed that PPMs were well-connected. Emission level of Staphylococcus aureus bioaerosol can reach 980 ± 309.19 CFU/m3 in plant A and 715.55 ± 44.17 CFU/m3 in plant B. For three exposure population, disease burden (DB) and annual probability infection (Py) of Staphylococcus aureus bioaerosol in two plants were both higher than the U.S.EPA benchmark (10−4 DALYs pppy). All three masks (N90,N95 and medical masks) can decrease Py and DB by at least one order of magnitude. This study illustrated the bioaerosolization behaviour of PPMs comprehensively, which provides a scientific basis for exposure risk prevention and control.

2. MAS-Cloud+: A novel multi-agent architecture with reasoning models for resource management in multiple providers

Future Generation Computer Systems, Volume 154, May 2024, Pages 16-34

Abstract

Nowadays, scientific and commercial applications are often deployed to cloud environments requiring multiple resource types. This scenario increases the necessity for efficient resource management. However, efficient resource management remains challenging due to the complex nature of modern cloud-distributed systems since resources involve different characteristics, technologies, and financial costs. Thus, optimized cloud resource management to support the heterogeneous nature of applications balancing cost, time, and waste remains a challenge. Multi-agent technologies can offer noticeable improvements for resource management, with intelligent agents deciding on Virtual Machine (VM) resources. This article proposes MAS-Cloud+, a novel agent-based architecture for predicting, provisioning, and monitoring optimized cloud computing resources. MAS-Cloud+ implements agents with three reasoning models including heuristic, formal optimization, and metaheuristic. MAS-Cloud+ instantiates VMs considering Service Level Agreement (SLA) on cloud platforms, prioritizing user needs considering time, cost, and waste of resources providing appropriate selection for evaluated workloads.

To validate MAS-Cloud+, we use a DNA sequence comparison application subjected to different workload sizes and a comparative study with state-of-the-art work with Apache Spark benchmark applications executed on the AWS EC2. Our results show that to execute the sequence comparison application, the best performance was obtained by the optimization model, whereas the heuristic model presented the best cost. By providing the choice among multiple reasoning models, our results show that MAS-Cloud+ could provide a more cost-effective selection of the instances reducing 58 of execution average cost of WorkdCount, Sort, and PageRank BigDataBench benchmarking workloads. As for the execution time, the WorkdCount and PageRank present reduction, the latter with 58. The results indicate a promising solution for efficient cloud resource management.

3. Climate change market-driven poleward shifts in cropland production create opportunities for tropical biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 923, 1 May 2024, 171198

Abstract

Although the impacts of climate change on the yields of crops have been studied, how these changes will result in the eventual realized crop production through market feedbacks has received little attention. Using a combination of attainable yield predictions for wheat, rice, maize, soybean and sugarcane, computable general equilibrium and land rent models, we project market impacts and crop-specific land-use change up to 2100 and the resulting implications for carbon and biodiversity.

The results show a general increase in crop prices in tropical regions and a decrease in sub-tropical and temperate regions. Land-use change driven by market feedbacks generally amplify the effects of climate change on yields. Wheat, maize and sugarcane are projected to experience the most expansion especially in Canada and Russia, which also present the highest potential for habitat conversion-driven carbon emissions. Conversely, Latin America presents the highest extinction potential for birds, mammals and amphibians due to cropland expansion. Climate change is likely to redistribute agricultural production, generating market-driven land-use feedback effects which could, counterintuitively, protect global biodiversity by shifting global food production towards less-biodiverse temperate regions while creating substantial restoration opportunities in the tropics.

4. An integrated approach for urban green travel environments: Planning factors, benefits and barriers as perceived by users and planners

Journal of Transport Geography, Volume 117, May 2024, 103849

Abstract

Integrated urban infrastructures provide multiple benefits to people and society. Efforts to develop green spaces and active mobility infrastructures both share concerns about the environment and public health but are understudied in an integrated manner. This study focuses on this integration in core urban areas through urban green travel environments. The involvement of both lay and expert knowledge can benefit the planning of integrated urban infrastructures like these. Therefore, this study applies a mixed method approach: perceptions of and requests for urban green travel environments were explored through public participatory GIS (PPGIS) survey with residents in Copenhagen, and semi-structured expert interviews were used to explore how Danish planners perceive the benefits, barriers, and planning factors for planning urban green travel environments.

Residents perceived green spaces as urban green travel environments and requested further greening of the streets. In interviews, planners acknowledged the benefits of planning urban green travel environments. Through analysis of these interviews, we identified four key planning factors: infrastructure design and management, balance with other green space functions, collaboration, and people’s awareness, as well as the main barriers being related to lack of space and budget. Further, the knowledge from residents and the planners were integrated. This study discusses ways to overcome identified barriers, and provides guidance not only for planning urban green travel environments but also engaging them in political agendas. This study contributes to scholarship on active mobility and urban green space planning by providing a case that combines the knowledge of both residents and planners.

5. From remote to urbanized: Dispersal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria under the aspect of anthropogenic influence

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 924, 10 May 2024, 171532

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global concern, but our understanding of the spread of resistant bacteria in remote regions remains limited. While some level of intrinsic resistance likely contributes to reduced susceptibility to antimicrobials in the environment, it is evident that human actions, particularly the (mis)use of antibiotics, play a significant role in shaping the environmental resistome, even in seemingly distant habitats like glacier ice sheets.

Our research aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the direct influence of human activities on the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in various habitats. To achieve a comprehensive assessment of anthropogenic impact across diverse and seemingly isolated sampling sites, we developed an innovative approach utilizing Corine Land Cover data and heatmaps generated from sports activity trackers. This method allowed us to make meaningful comparisons across relatively pristine environments.

Our findings indicate a noteworthy increase in culturable antibiotic-resistant bacteria with heightened human influence, as evidenced by our analysis of glacier, snow, and lake water samples. Notably, the most significant concentrations of antibiotic-resistant and multidrug-resistant microorganisms were discovered in two highly impacted sampling locations, namely the Tux Glacier and Gas Station Ellmau.

6. Experiential learning in a problem-based course on urban forest planning and management

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Volume 95, May 2024, 128283

Abstract

Environmental management in urban spaces involves creative problem-solving with regard for public communication, economics, and socio-political dynamics. As post-secondary institutions provide increasing opportunities for developing these skills, there is little discussion about pedagogical approaches in urban forestry and sustainability programs. A seminar-format university course was designed and implemented to teach management planning in urban forestry.

The course employed experiential learning to enhance students’ capacity for identifying problems and proposing novel solutions to classroom-confined and live case studies in urban forest management. Student focus group participants valued the incorporation of operational aspects into post-secondary education, as well as reflective opportunities provided through peer-to-peer learning, peer-based evaluations, and opportunities for autonomous active experimentation. Students experienced a positive shift in perceptions of operational staff, underscoring the importance of arborists’ work and their experiential knowledge. The experiential framework thusly provides a valuable opportunity to introduce real-world management and operations to students within a safe space for exploration.

7. Nocturnal ozone enhancement in Shandong Province, China, in 2020–2022: Spatiotemporal distribution and formation mechanisms

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 925, 15 May 2024, 171542

Abstract

Nighttime ozone enhancement (NOE) can increase the oxidation capacity of the atmosphere by stimulating nitrate radical formation and subsequently facilitating the formation of secondary pollutants, thereby affecting air quality in the following days. Previous studies have demonstrated that when nocturnal ozone (O3) concentrations exceed 80 μg/m3, it leads to water loss and reduction of plant yields. In this study, the characteristics and mechanisms of NOE over Shandong Province as well as its 16 cities were analyzed based on observed hourly O3 concentrations from 2020 to 2022. The analysis results show that NOE predominantly occurred in the periods of 0:00–3:00 (41 %). The annual mean frequency of NOE events was ~64 days/year, approximately 4–7 days per month.

The average concentration of nocturnal O3 peak (NOP) was ~72.6 μg/m3. Notably, high NOP was observed in the period from April to September with the maximum in June. Coastal cities experienced more NOE events. Typical NOE events characterized by high NOP concentrations in the coastal cities of QingDao, WeiHai and YanTai in June 2021 were selected for detailed analysis with a regional chemical transport model. The results showed that high levels of O3 in eastern coastal cities during NOE events primarily originate from horizontal transport over the sea, followed by vertical transport. During the daytime, O3 and its precursors are transported to the Yellow Sea by westerly winds, leading to the accumulation of O3 near the sea and coastline. Consequently, under the influence of prevailing winds, the movement of O3 pollution belts from the sea to land causes rapid increases in near-surface O3 levels. Meanwhile, vertical transport can also contribute to NOE in coastal areas. The high-level O3 in the upper atmosphere generally originates from long-distance transport and turbulent transport of O3 produced near the ground during the daytime. At night, the absence of chemicals that consume O3 in the upper air and descending air flow carries O3 to the near-surface. The impacts of other O3-depletion processes (such as dry deposition) on NOE are less pronounced than those of transport processes.

8. Effects of freight curbside management on sustainable cities: Evidence and paths forward

Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Volume 130, May 2024, 104165

Abstract

Freight curbside management has become a contentious issue as various stakeholders claim access to public urban space. Although prior research has offered solutions to mitigate freight-related conflicts in the use of space, a deeper understanding of the extent to which those interventions contribute to cities’ sustainable development goals is needed. This paper presents the results of a meta-analysis that examines the effects of four freight curbside interventions: curbside space allocation for freight, data sharing, parking duration limits, and enforcement. The paper pinpoints benefits and drawbacks of those interventions on last-mile deliveries, the urban environment, and the use of public transport infrastructure. The findings suggest positive impacts and underscore the necessity of incorporating people-centred approaches in the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies concerning public space. Nevertheless, trade-offs when implementing those interventions have been identified. The paper concludes by outlining directions for future research and suggesting implications for urban freight policies.

9. Synoptic-scale drivers of fire weather in Greece

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 925, 15 May 2024, 171715

Abstract

The identification of the large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns which are associated with extreme fire weather is of great importance for developing early warning systems, management strategies, and for increasing awareness and preparedness of all the involved entities, including both the public and practitioners. Such a forecasting approach is currently missing in Greece and many other countries. Furthermore, considering climate projections over the Mediterranean, which indicate an environment more conducive to wildfire activity, the need for timely forecasting of extreme fire weather becomes increasingly urgent. Here, we present an alternative fire weather forecasting framework using ERA5 reanalysis data of atmospheric variables and fire weather indices of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System (CFFWIS) during the period June–October from 1979 to 2019. Within this framework, we define the critical fire weather patterns (CFWPs) of Greece associated with different levels of fire weather severity by applying Self-Organizing-Maps (SOMs) on mid-tropospheric geopotential height. We quantify the fire weather conditions associated with each CFWP.

Using a set of CFFWIS indices and key fire weather variables, our SOM-based analysis reveals five distinct CFWPs linked to different levels and characteristics of fire weather severity. The lowest fire weather severity is associated with lower than average geopotential heights, and anomalous cold and moist weather. The highest fire weather severity is associated with higher than average geopotential heights, and anomalous hot, dry, and windy conditions, suggesting the potential for wind-driven wildfires. Our analysis yields elevated fire weather severity linked to a CFWP, when hot and dry conditions are accompanied by atmospheric instability, suggesting the potential for plume-driven wildfires and the potential for pyroconvection. The main advantage of this forecasting framework is that it could be used for providing valuable information regarding the upcoming fire weather conditions even up to 7–12 days in advance depending on the atmospheric predictability.

10. Unlocking sustainable resource management: A comprehensive SWOT and thematic analysis of FinTech with a focus on mineral management

Resources Policy, Volume 92, May 2024, 105028

Abstract

The mining sector faces growing demands for sustainable and responsible mineral management practices in light of the changing global economy and growing environmental concerns. This sector plays a role in economic growth in both developed and developing nations, which in turn contributes to the nation’s overall social and economic well-being. The goal of sustainable mineral management is to achieve a balance between the need to reduce harmful effects on ecosystems and communities and the economic benefits of mineral resources.

The integration of Financial Technology (FinTech) into organizations’ workflow has gained attention in the field of sustainability and environmental protection. In order to acquire the requisite knowledge for informing strategic planning, decision-making processes, and strategy development, a comprehensive review of pertinent literature is imperative. This study aims to address this issue by conducting a thematic analysis of the literature in the context of sustainability and Fintech. Following that, an in-depth Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of FinTech in sustainable mineral management is deployed. The study investigates FinTech’s integration into sustainable mineral management to advance responsible resource extraction practices and sheds light on effective FinTech utilization while highlighting implementation challenges.

11. Collaborative drivers’ networks for the development of Smart Energy environments

Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, Volume 65, May 2024, 103749

Abstract

The evolution of technology and the diversification of service offerings have significantly influenced how energy is produced, distributed, stored, and consumed in cities. These new platforms are part of the Smart Energy concept and are aligned with the UN’s 7th SDG by creating new business models that promote the growth of investment in infrastructure for clean energy technology. This development has several drivers, along with the various services offered to users, such as energy forecasting, intelligent measurement, and demand response programs. In this sense, this article aims to identify the development of technological drivers of Smart Energy, map collaborative networks among these drivers, and discuss best management practices for establishing collaborative relationships. The research was developed from a systematic literature review and a meta-analysis carried out with the aid of statistical software. Six key drivers and 20 collaborative drivers were identified. These drivers integrate four collaborative networks structured to offer an understanding of how energy systems are organised under the concept of Smart Energy. From this, the article provides insights into the development, implementation, and management of these networks and drivers to accelerate the diffusion of Smart Energy to users at all levels.

12. Dynamic effects of digital governance and government interventions on natural resources management: Fresh findings from Chinese provinces

Resources Policy, Volume 92, May 2024, 105004

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamic effect of digital government on natural resource management in 30 Chinese provinces, considering the government intervention policies, GDP, foreign direct investment, trade openness, and energy prices. In this context, QLARDL, QR, and Dumitrescu Hurlin Panel Causality approach estimate the panel data collected from 2010 to 2020. Results suggested that the digital government positively impacts natural resources management at various quantile levels. On the contrary, government intervention has a limited effect, while Foreign direct investment boosts natural management, especially in the long run. At the same time, energy prices and openness trade significantly negatively impact natural resources management. Based on the empirical findings, several policy implications are suggested for the Chinese provinces.

13. Optimizing agricultural management in China for soil greenhouse gas emissions and yield balance: A regional heterogeneity perspective

Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 452, 1 May 2024, 142255

Abstract

Balancing soil greenhouse gas emissions (SGE) with crop production is crucial for sustainable agriculture in China. Optimizing field management practices regionally can effectively promote carbon reduction and food security, given the varying SGE responses across agroecological regions. This study employed meta-analysis and machine learning techniques to assess SGE responses to nine different farming practices in seven distinct agroecological regions. It aimed to identify optimal management strategies for balancing SGE and crop production within each region. Findings underscore substantial spatial heterogeneity in the effects of management practices on SGE, with the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers (MOF-MF) demonstrating the most pronounced variability (standard deviation, SD = 1.80), where MOF resulted in SGE 610% of that with MF in the Southern China (SC) region, yet only 54% in Northwestern China (NWC).

Conversely, straw incorporation exhibited the most minor variability (SD = 0.27), influencing SGE by 35%–62%. Additionally, the study reveals that soil and climatic conditions significantly modulate SGE responses. In scenarios characterized by humid and warm climates with soil pH ranging from 5.5 to 8.5 or initial SOC ≤10, the environmental impact on SGE was marginal. However, in highly acidic or alkaline soils or with initial SOC >10, SGE responses varied markedly with management practices in arid and cold conditions. The study further proposes agricultural management strategies to achieve the lowest SGE while maximizing crop yield. It recommends specific methods for fertilizer applications, straw management, irrigation, and tillage practices meticulously tailored to the unique conditions of each agroecological region. This research offers essential insights for agricultural stakeholders regarding cultivation strategies and delivers theoretical guidance for enhancing agricultural management and land-use planning throughout China’s heterogeneous landscapes.

14. Renewable energy supply chain in Malaysia: Fostering energy management practices and ecological performance

Renewable Energy, Volume 226, May 2024, 120441

Abstract

The trade-off between environmental issues and economic outcomes has challenged manufacturing firms to manage the renewable energy supply chain (RESC). The Malaysian manufacturing industry has been challenged for its capacity to contribute to renewable energy development and reliance on imported components. The renewable energy supply chain has risks for uncertainty, higher costs, longer lead times, and disruption. Prior studies uncover the impact of fostering energy management practices (EMPs) and ecological performance (EC) in the renewable energy supply chain under a natural resource-based view (RBV). The government has provided the incentive to drive the successful implementation of energy management to obtain clean energy and business sustainability.

This study contributes to developing a theoretical model that examines the intervening effect of the RESC on EMPs and EC. This study analysed the responses of 129 manufacturing firms to understand energy management practices. The findings show that energy auditing positively relates to RESC and that government incentives have impacted energy management practices. Management commitment and energy knowledge directly affected manufacturing firms’ ecological performance. The results show that manufacturing firms can best design energy management, green strategy, and competitiveness for business sustainability. Theoretical, policy and managerial implications are discussed.

15. Optimal low-impact development Facility Design in Urban Environments: A multidimensional optimization approach employing slime mould and nondominated sorting genetic algorithms

Urban Climate, Volume 55, May 2024, 101963

Abstract

This study presents the application of the slime mould algorithm (SMA) and the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) to optimize low-impact development (LID) strategies in urban areas. The focus is on minimizing costs and improving water quality, using three LID practices (vegetated swales, bioretention systems, and porous pavements) in combination with a drainage system. The effectiveness of this stormwater management model (SWMM)-SMA-NSGA-II model is demonstrated in Tehran, Iran, where bioretention is found to be the most successful approach for improving water quality. The results also show that the SMA outperforms the NSGA-II in optimizing cost-effective LID solutions and is more computationally efficient, potentially due to its crossover operator. This research highlights the importance of considering qualitative aspects of urban runoff management. The study demonstrates that the combination of multiple LID strategies and the use of SMA and NSGA-II have the potential to achieve optimal solutions for managing stormwater in urban areas.

16. Evolution and determinants of precipitation chemistry in a plateau city, China: Insight from the pollutants source identification and environmental effect

Urban Climate, Volume 55, May 2024, 101872

Abstract

Rainfall-related chemical ions deposition processes have important environment effects on earth-surface, which is also a vital sink of urban air pollutants. Therefore, identifying the rainwater chemical evolution and determinants, and source is essential. The daily-based rainwater samples during 2022– 2023 and the historical rainwater data in a typical plateau city (Kunming) were investigated. The Ca2+ and NH4+, SO42− and NO3− dominated the rainwater cations and anions, with the cationic and anionic percentages of 78% and 10%, 50% and 33%. The historical variations in ions percentages revealed the achievement of environmental protection. The precipitation amount and the seasonal changes of source emission were critical determinants for the variations of rainwater chemistry.

Using the stoichiometry and receptor model, the contributions of potential origins to rainwater chemicals were assessed. 86% of NO3− and 40% SO42− were from combustion-related anthropogenic source, volatilization-related source contributed 85% of NH4+ (e.g., agricultural/municipal wastes emissions), whereas marine input was the main contributor of Cl− (59%) and Na+ (52%). Mg2+ (58%) and Ca2+ (41%) were primary from terrestrial input source. The risk of wet deposition-caused acidification was limited due to the high rainwater neutralization level, whereas the impact of nitrogen-related deposition on gross primary productivity (GPP) was non-negligible and further attention was need. Overall, the present study clarified the rainfall chemical features of plateau city region and further provided decision support for more effective urban air environmental management programs.

URBAN ENVIRONMENT/ MÔI TRƯỜNG ĐÔ THỊ

1. Identifying transcriptomic indicators of tertiary treated municipal effluent in longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) caged under semi-controlled conditions in experimental raceways

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 923, 1 May 2024, 171257

Abstract

To evaluate effects of tertiary treated wastewater treatment plant effluent (MWWE) on transcriptomic responses in longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae; LND) we conducted a semi-controlled study in experimental raceways (Advancing Canadian Water Assets facility) imbedded in the Pine Creek treatment plant (Calgary, AB). LND collected from a reference site in the Bow River (REF) were caged in raceways containing either 5 % Pine Creek effluent (PC) or Bow River water (BR; control) over 28 d. Liver transcriptomes were analyzed in males and females sampled on days 7, 14 and 28 from BR and PC, and compared to REF fish on day 0. Concurrent with the caging, selected environmental substances of concern were analyzed in the BR and PC. Significantly different unigenes (SDUs) in females (vs males) within both BR and PC raceways increased over time and compared to REF fish. Moreover, SDUs in females and males within the same treatment (i.e., BR, PC) showed a temporal increase as well as compared to REF fish.

Time was the dominant factor affecting SDUs, whereas sex and treatment had less of an impact on the transcriptome profiling. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of BR vs PC over time revealed effects on genes involved in growth, metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, and immune system on day 7; however, by day 28, 80–100 % of the transcripts localized to enriched biomarkers were associated with tissue immune responses in both sexes. Exposure to 5 % effluent had significant effects on female liver somatic index but no effects were observed on other phenotypic health indices in either sex. BR was used as the source of reference water, but analyses showed trace amounts of ESOCs. Analyses did not point towards definitive response patterns that could be used in field-based ecotoxicogenomic studies on the impacts of well-treated MWWE but suggested compromised adaptive immune responses.

2. Designing a circular cities declaration for Japan building on the European Union’s case study

Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 358, May 2024, 120819

Abstract

Japan is progressing towards its circular economy (CE) goals as many of its cities have adopted circular city (CC) policies and programs, although further progress is constrained as a result of the lack of a common framework. A novel framework was proposed with the “European circular cities declaration” (ECCD) (2020), consisting of a list of 10 principles committing to integrate circularity into the city’s design, development, and management. As a foremost finding, and building on the authors’ previous studies of Japan’s CE and CC, this work shaped a circular cities declaration (CCD) for Japan following a triple-axis methodology; It (1) evaluates the ECCD as a baseline, (2) adapts it to Japan’s unique socio-economic landscape, and (3) considers the three pillars of sustainable development, offering practical guidance for governments facing similar challenges. This environmental management tool goes beyond the EU one providing a model of hybrid governance and monitoring and evaluation mechanism. The resulting declaration is intended for the government to facilitate a transition from insulated CE policies to holistic CC ones, but also for businesses, academia, and communities; Thus, it may aid in endorsing a cities’ common framework and shared vision to harness the potential of CC to address environmental issues, foster innovation and collaboration toward a resilient future in Japan.

3. Disentangling fine particles (PM2.5) composition in Hanoi, Vietnam: Emission sources and oxidative potential

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 923, 1 May 2024, 171466

Abstract

A comprehensive chemical characterization of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was conducted at an urban site in one of the most densely populated cities of Vietnam, Hanoi. Chemical analysis of a series of 57 daily PM2.5 samples obtained in 2019–2020 included the quantification of a detailed set of chemical tracers as well as the oxidative potential (OP), which estimates the ability of PM to catalyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in vivo as an initial step of health effects due to oxidative stress. The PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 8.3 to 148 μg m−3, with an annual average of 40.2 ± 26.3 μg m−3 (from September 2019 to December 2020). Our results obtained by applying the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) source-receptor apportionment model showed the contribution of nine PM2.5 sources. The main anthropogenic sources contributing to the PM mass concentrations were heavy fuel oil (HFO) combustion (25.3 %), biomass burning (20 %), primary traffic (7.6 %) and long-range transport aerosols (10.6 %). The OP activities were evaluated for the first time in an urban site in Vietnam.

The average OPv levels obtained in our study were 3.9 ± 2.4 and 4.5 ± 3.2 nmol min−1 m−3 for OPDTT and OPAA, respectively. We assessed the contribution to OPDTT and OPAA of each PM2.5 source by applying multilinear regression models. It shows that the sources associated with human activities (HFO combustion, biomass burning and primary traffic) are the sources driving OP exposure, suggesting that they should be the first sources to be controlled in future mitigation strategies. This study gives for the first time an extensive and long-term chemical characterization of PM2.5, providing also a link between emission sources, ambient concentrations and exposure to air pollution at an urban site in Hanoi, Vietnam.

4. Tracking the changes of dissolved organic matter throughout the city water supply system with optical indices

Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 358, May 2024, 120911

Abstract

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is important in determining the drinking water treatment and the supplied water quality. However, a comprehensive DOM study for the whole water supply system is lacking and the potential effects of secondary water supply are largely unknown. This was studied using dissolved organic carbon (DOC), absorption spectroscopy, and fluorescence excitation-emission matrices-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC). Four fluorescent components were identified, including humic-like C1–C2, tryptophan-like C3, and tyrosine-like C4. In the drinking water treatment plants, the advanced treatment using ozone and biological activated carbon (O3-BAC) was more effective in removing DOC than the conventional process, with the removals of C1 and C3 improved by 17.7%–25.1% and 19.2%–27.0%.

The absorption coefficient and C1–C4 correlated significantly with DOC in water treatments, suggesting that absorption and fluorescence could effectively track the changes in bulk DOM. DOM generally remained stable in each drinking water distribution system, suggesting the importance of the treated water quality in determining that of the corresponding network. The optical indices changed notably between distribution networks of different treatment plants, which enabled the identification of changing water sources. A comparison of DOM in the direct and secondary water supplies suggested limited impacts of secondary water supply, although the changes in organic carbon and absorption indices were detected in some locations. These results have implications for better understanding the changes of DOM in the whole water supply system to help ensure the supplied water quality.

5. Cardiorespiratory effects of indoor ozone exposure during sleep and the influencing factors: A prospective study among adults in China

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 924, 10 May 2024, 171561

Abstract

Ambient ozone (O3) is recognized as a significant air pollutant with implications for cardiorespiratory health, yet the effects of indoor O3 exposure have received less consideration. Furthermore, while sleep occupies one-third of life, research on the health consequences of O3 exposure during this crucial period is scarce. This study aimed to investigate associations of indoor O3 during sleep with cardiorespiratory function and potential predisposing factors. A prospective study among 81 adults was conducted in Beijing, China. Repeated measurements of cardiorespiratory indices reflecting lung function, airway inflammation, cardiac autonomic function, blood pressure, systemic inflammation, platelet and glucose were performed on each subject. Real-time concentrations of indoor O3 during sleep were monitored. Associations of O3 with cardiorespiratory indices were evaluated using linear mixed-effect model.

Effect modification by baseline lifestyles (diet, physical activity, sleep-related factors) and psychological status (stress and depression) were investigated through interaction analysis. The average indoor O3 concentration during sleep was 20.3 μg/m3, which was well below current Chinese indoor air quality standard of 160 μg/m3. O3 was associated with most respiratory indicators of decreased airway function except airway inflammation; whereas the cardiovascular effects were only manifested in autonomic dysfunction and not in others. An interquartile range increases in O3 at 6-h average was associated with changes of −3.60 % (95 % CI: −6.19 %, −0.93 %) and −9.60 % (95 % CI: −14.53 %, −4.39 %) in FVC and FEF25–75, respectively. Further, stronger effects were noted among participants with specific dietary patterns, poorer sleep and higher level of depression. This study provides the first general population-based evidence that low-level exposure to indoor O3 during sleep has greater effects on the respiratory system than on the cardiovascular system. Our findings identify the respiratory system as an important target for indoor O3 exposure, and particularly highlight the need for greater awareness of indoor air quality, especially during sleep.

6. The relationship between water quality and the microbial virulome and resistome in urban streams in Brazil

Environmental Pollution, Volume 348, 1 May 2024, 123849

Abstract

Urban streams that receive untreated domestic and hospital waste can transmit infectious diseases and spread drug residues, including antimicrobials, which can then increase the selection of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Here, water samples were collected from three different urban streams in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, to relate their range of Water Quality Indices (WQIs) to the diversity and composition of aquatic microbial taxa, virulence genes (virulome), and antimicrobial resistance determinants (resistome), all assessed using untargeted metagenome sequencing. There was a predominance of phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes in all samples, and Pseudomonas was the most abundant detected genus. Virulence genes associated with motility, adherence, and secretion systems were highly abundant and mainly associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, some opportunistic pathogenic genera had negative correlations with WQI.

Many clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and efflux pump-encoding genes that confer resistance to critically important antimicrobials were detected. The highest relative abundances of ARGs were β-lactams and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin. No statistically supported relationship was detected between the abundance of virulome/resistome and collection type/WQI. On the other hand, total solids were a weak predictor of gene abundance patterns. These results provide insights into various microbial outcomes given urban stream quality and point to its ecological complexity. In addition, this study suggests potential consequences for human health as mediated by aquatic microbial communities responding to typical urban outputs.

7. Occurrence, distribution and annual emissions of chlorinated paraffins in hazardous byproducts from municipal solid waste incineration plants in South China

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 925, 15 May 2024, 171764

Abstract

Nowadays incineration technology has become the most mainstream way for the disposal of municipal wastes. Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) and medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) are currently classified as new persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and candidate POPs under the Stockholm Convention, respectively. However, the occurrence and contamination characteristics of these main hazardous byproducts (e.g., leachate, fly ash, and bottom ash) from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) plants have remained unknown. This study focused on the SCCPs and MCCPs (defined as CPs) contamination and their annual emissions from leachate, fly ash, and bottom ash among three typical MSWI plants in Shenzhen, South China. Compared to the dissolved phase of the leachate, higher concentrations of CPs were detected in the adsorbed phase. The total concentrations of CPs ranged from lower method detection limits (<MDLs) to 448 ng/g in fly ash and 124 to 7230 ng/g in bottom ash.

The ratios of MCCPs to SCCPs were generally >1 in leachate (i.e., adsorbed phase) and bottom ash, while the opposite results were found in fly ash. The dominant SCCP congener groups were C10Cl6–7 in leachate and fly ash, and C13Cl6–7 in bottom ash. The dominant MCCP congener groups were C14Cl7–8 in leachate, fly ash and bottom ash samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the dominant CPs in fly ash were obviously different from those in leachate and bottom ash. Estimated total annual emissions of CPs from the three main hazardous byproducts generated from typical MSWI plants were estimated between 66.2 and 7510 kg/y and bottom ash contributed the most to the CP emissions. Overall, this study is the first report on CP contamination in hazardous byproducts from MSWI plants, and can provide basic data support for CP contamination control.

8. Using the fish plasma model to evaluate potential effects of pharmaceuticals in effluent from a large urban wastewater treatment plant

Environmental Pollution, Volume 348, 1 May 2024, 123842

Abstract

Several pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were evaluated using the fish plasma model (FPM) for juvenile Chinook salmon exposed to effluent from a large urban wastewater treatment plant. The FPM compares fish plasma concentrations to therapeutic values determined in human plasma as an indication of potential adverse effects. We used human Cmax values, which are the maximum plasma concentration for a minimum therapeutic dose. Observed and predicted plasma concentrations from juvenile Chinook salmon exposed to a dilution series of whole wastewater effluent were compared to 1%Cmax values to determine Response Ratios (RR) ([plasma]/1%Cmax) for assessment of possible adverse effects. Several PPCPs were found to approach or exceed an RR of 1, indicating potential effects in fish.

We also predicted plasma concentrations from measured water concentrations and determined that several of the values were close to or below the analytical reporting limit (RL) indicating potential plasma concentrations for a large number of PPCPs that were below detection. Additionally, the 1%Cmax was less than the RL for several analytes, which could impede predictions of possible effect concentrations. A comparison of observed and predicted plasma concentrations found that observed values were frequently much higher than values predicted with water concentrations, especially for low log10Dow compounds. The observed versus predicted values using the human volume of distribution (Vd), were generally much closer in agreement. These data appear to support the selection of whole-body concentrations to predict plasma values, which relies more on estimating simple partitioning within the fish instead of uptake via water. Overall, these observations highlight the frequently underestimated predicted plasma concentrations and potential to cause adverse effects in fish. Using measured plasma concentrations or predicted values from whole-body concentrations along with improved prediction models and reductions in analytical detection limits will foster more accurate risk assessments of pharmaceutical exposure for fish.

9. Quantification of NOx sources contribution to ambient nitrate aerosol, uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis in a megacity

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 926, 20 May 2024, 171583

Abstract

Dual isotopes of nitrogen and oxygen of NO3− are crucial tools for quantifying the formation pathways and precursor NOx sources contributing to atmospheric nitrate. However, further research is needed to reduce the uncertainty associated with NOx proportional contributions. The acquisition of nitrogen isotopic composition from NOx emission sources lacks regulation, and its impact on the accuracy of contribution results remains unexplored. This study identifies key influencing factors of source isotopic composition through statistical methods, based on a detailed summary of δ15N-NOx values from various sources. NOx emission sources are classified considering these factors, and representative means, standard deviations, and 95 % confidence intervals are determined using the bootstrap method.

During the sampling period in Tianjin in 2022, the proportional nitrate formation pathways varied between sites. For suburban and coastal sites, the ranking was (NO2 + OH radical) > (N2O5 + H2O) > (NO3 + DMS/HC), while the rural site exhibited similar fractional contributions from all three formation pathways. Fossil fuel NOx sources consistently contributed more than non-fossil NOx sources in each season among three sites. The uncertainties in proportional contributions varied among different sources, with coal combustion and biogenic soil emission showing lower uncertainties, suggesting more stable proportional contributions than other sources. The sensitivity analysis clearly identifies that the isotopic composition of 15N-enriched and 15N-reduced sources significantly influences source contribution results, emphasizing the importance of accurately characterizing the localized and time-efficient nitrogen isotopic composition of NOx emission sources. In conclusion, this research sheds light on the importance of addressing uncertainties in NOx proportional contributions and emphasizes the need for further exploration of nitrogen isotopic composition from NOx emission sources for accurate atmospheric nitrate studies.

10. Quantifying the contributions of road and air traffic to ambient ultrafine particles in two urban communities

Environmental Pollution, Volume 348, 1 May 2024, 123892

Abstract

Traffic-related activities are widely acknowledged as a primary source of urban ambient ultrafine particles (UFPs). However, a notable gap exists in quantifying the contributions of road and air traffic to size-resolved and total UFPs in urban areas. This study aims to delineate and quantify the traffic’s contributions to size-resolved and total UFPs in two urban communities. To achieve this, stationary sampling was conducted at near-road and near-airport communities in Seattle, Washington State, to monitor UFP number concentrations during 2018–2020. Comprehensive correlation analyses among all variables were performed. Furthermore, a fully adjusted generalized additive model, incorporating meteorological factors, was developed to quantify the contributions of road and air traffic to size-resolved and total UFPs. The study found that vehicle emissions accounted for 29% of total UFPs at the near-road site and 13% at the near-airport site. Aircraft emissions contributed 14% of total UFPs at the near-airport site. Notably, aircraft predominantly emitted UFP sizes below 20 nm, while vehicles mainly emitted UFP sizes below 50 nm. These findings reveal the variability in road and air traffic contributions to UFPs in distinct areas. Our study emphasizes the pivotal role of traffic layout in shaping urban UFP exposure.

11. Urban-canopy airflow dynamics: A numerical investigation of drag forces and distribution for generic neighborhoods, and their relationships with breathability

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 926, 20 May 2024, 171836

Abstract

Thorough investigations of urban-canopy drag primarily stemming from pressure drag on building surfaces are necessary given the turbulent flows within complex urban areas. Moreover, a gap persists regarding the relationships between canopy drag and breathability. Therefore, this work delves into the canopy-layer airflow dynamics for generic urban neighborhoods by performing three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes simulations.

A total of 32 subcases are examined, encompassing uniform- and varying-height and diverse plan area densities (λp, categorized into groups of sparse: 0.0625/0.067, medium: 0.23/0.25, and dense: 0.53/0.56). Results for the drag distribution highlight the windward-row shelter effect for the medium and the dense, local shelter by taller buildings, and distinct shapes of sectional drag forces (F⁎Z). Local velocity and mean age of air are found strongly positively and negatively correlated to F⁎Z, respectively, with distinct slopes in relation to λp. For the uniform-height, the normalized bulk drag (F⁎bulk, referred to as drag coefficient in literature) peaks for the medium with wake-interference regime; F⁎bulk demonstrates a maximum increase of over two times with height variation; moreover, F⁎bulk for varying-height groups exhibits a marked increase from the sparse to the medium, while remaining comparable values for the dense. The frontal area averaged drag (FAf,ave) exhibits a decreasing trend against λp across all cases. Further, FAf,ave exhibits strong correlations with λp and porosity, and with bulk ventilation indices such as spatially averaged velocity, air change rate, and normalized net escape velocity. Throughout the ‘suburban-urban-suburban’ canopy, medium neighborhoods exerting larger drag cause greater streamwise outdoor pressure drops and flow reductions compared to the sparse. However, dense neighborhoods with lower drag exhibit even larger pressure losses, which should be carefully scrutinized. The findings can inform urban planners in designing more aerodynamically efficient neighborhoods and guide strategies for improving air quality within urban environments.

12. Birds as bioindicators of plastic pollution in terrestrial and freshwater environments: A 30-year review

Environmental Pollution, Volume 348, 1 May 2024, 123790

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a global concern that has grown ever more acute in recent years. Most research has focused on the impact of plastic pollution in marine environments. However, plastic is increasingly being detected in terrestrial and freshwater environments with key inland sources including landfills, where it is accessible to a wide range of organisms. Birds are effective bioindicators of pollutants for many reasons, including their high mobility and high intra- and interspecific variation in trophic levels. Freshwater and terrestrial bird species are under-represented in plastic pollution research compared to marine species. We reviewed 106 studies (spanning from 1994 onwards) that have detected plastics in bird species dwelling in freshwater and/or terrestrial habitats, identifying knowledge gaps. Seventy-two studies focused solely on macroplastics (fragments >5 mm), compared to 22 microplastic (fragments <5 mm) studies.

A further 12 studies identified plastics as both microplastics and macroplastics. No study investigated nanoplastic (particles <100 nm) exposure. Research to date has geographical and species’ biases while ignoring nanoplastic sequestration in free-living freshwater, terrestrial and marine bird species. Building on the baseline search presented here, we urge researchers to develop and validate standardised field sampling techniques and laboratory analytical protocols such as Raman spectroscopy to allow for the quantification and identification of micro- and nanoplastics in terrestrial and freshwater environments and the species therein. Future studies should consistently report the internalised and background concentrations, types, sizes and forms of plastics. This will enable a better understanding of the sources of plastic pollution and their routes of exposure to birds of terrestrial and freshwater environments, providing a more comprehensive insight into the potential impacts on birds.

13. Variability in molecular composition and optical absorption of atmospheric brown carbon aerosols in two contrasting urban areas of China

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 926, 20 May 2024, 171820

Abstract

Atmospheric brown carbon (BrC) aerosols were investigated at two urban sites in southern (Hefei) and northern (Shijiazhuang) China during summer and winter of 2019–2020 to explore regional variability in their compositional and optical properties. Organic matter in ambient PM2.5 samples were characterized at molecular level using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Although the molecular composition of organic aerosols varied substantially over different ambient environments, they were mainly composed by CHO and CHON species in positive ionization mode while CHO and CHOS species in negative mode. The mass absorption coefficients of BrC aerosols at wavelength range 250–450 nm were relatively higher for winter samples in both cities and for Shijiazhuang samples in both seasons, partly attributed to the higher concentration levels of anthropogenic air pollutants in these environments.

The absorption Ångström exponents further revealed that BrC aerosols in winter seasons and in Shijiazhuang had a greater capacity of absorption at shorter wavelengths. A total of 26 BrC species with strong absorption were unambiguously identified from different environments, which mainly consisted of CHO, CHON, and CHN species and had higher degrees of unsaturation and lower degrees of oxidation. The presence and abundance of these BrC species varied dynamically across the seasons and cities, with a greater number of species presented in the winter of Shijiazhuang. The BrC species together contributed 12–26 % in the total absorbance of light-absorbing organic components at 250–450 nm. This study highlights the regional differences in BrC properties influenced by the sources and atmospheric processes, which should be taken into account to assess their climate impacts.

14. Fate of contaminants of emerging concern in two wastewater treatment plants after retrofitting tertiary treatment for reduction of nitrogen discharge

Environmental Research, Volume 249, 15 May 2024, 118344

Abstract

More and more previously designed wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are upgraded to tertiary treatment to meet the higher effluent discharge standards of conventional pollutants. Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) can cause adverse effects on organisms and usually flow into WWTPs along with urban sewage. How the retrofitted WWTPs targeting conventional pollutants will influence the treatment efficiency of CECs is seldom discussed. This study investigates the removal of CECs in two full-scale newly retrofitted WWTPs (CD and JM WWTPs), containing high-efficiency sedimentation tank and denitrification deep bed filter for enhancing total nitrogen removal. The overall CEC removal efficiencies in the CD and JM WWTPs were 73.79 % and 93.63 %, respectively.

Mass balance results indicated that CD WWTP and JM WWTP release a total of 36.89 and 88.58 g/d of CECs into the environment through effluent and excess sludge, respectively. Analysis of the concentration of CECs along the treatment process revealed most CECs were removed in the biological treatment units. The incorporation of newly constructed tertiary treatment proved beneficial for CEC removal and removed 2.93 % and 2.36 % CECs, corresponding to CEC removal of 2.92 and 27.49 g/d in the CD and JM WWTPs, respectively. The data of this study were further used to evaluate the suitability of the SimpleTreat model for simulating the fate of CECs in WWTPs. The predicted fraction of CECs discharged through the biological treatment effluent were generally within ten-fold difference from the measured results, highlighting its potential for estimating CEC removal in WWTPs.

15. Atmospheric CO2 in the megacity Hangzhou, China: Urban-suburban differences, sources and impact factors

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 926, 20 May 2024, 171635

Abstract

Limited observation sites and insufficient monitoring of atmospheric CO2 in urban areas restrict our comprehension of urban-suburban disparities. This research endeavored to shed light on the urban-suburban differences of atmospheric CO2 in levels, diurnal and seasonal variations as well as the potential sources and impact factors in the megacity of Hangzhou, China, where the economically most developed region in China is. The observations derived from the existing Hangzhou Atmospheric Composition Monitoring Center Station (HZ) and Lin’an Regional Atmospheric Background Station (LAN) and the newly established high-altitude Daming Mountain Atmospheric Observation Station (DMS), were utilized. From November 2020 to October 2021, the annual averages of HZ, LAN and DMS were 446.52 ± 17.01 ppm, 441.56 ± 15.42 ppm, and 422.02 ± 10.67 ppm. The difference in atmospheric CO2 mole fraction between HZ and LAN was lower compared to the urban-suburban differences observed in other major cities in China, such as Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing. Simultaneous CO2 enhancements were observed at HZ and LAN, when using DMS observations as background references.

The seasonal variations of CO2 at LAN and DMS exhibited a high negative correlation with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values, indicating the strong regulatory of vegetation canopy. The variations in boundary layer height had a larger influence on the low-altitude HZ and LAN stations than DMS. Compared to HZ and LAN, the atmospheric CO2 at DMS was influenced by emissions and transmissions over a wider range. The potential source area of DMS in autumn covered most areas of the urban agglomeration in eastern China. DMS measurements could provide a reliable representation of the background level of CO2 emissions in the Yangtze River Delta and a broader region. Conventional understanding of regional CO2 level in the Yangtze River Delta through LAN measurements may overestimate background concentration by approximately 10.92 ppm.

16. Removal of contaminants present in water and wastewater by cyclodextrin-based adsorbents: A bibliometric review from 1993 to 2022

Environmental Pollution, Volume 348, 1 May 2024, 123815

Abstract

Cyclodextrin (CD), a cyclic oligosaccharide from enzymatic starch breakdown, plays a crucial role in pharmaceuticals, food, agriculture, textiles, biotechnology, chemicals, and environmental applications, including water and wastewater treatment. In this study, a statistical analysis was performed using VOSviewer and Citespace to scrutinize 2038 articles published from 1993 to 2022. The investigation unveiled a notable upsurge in pertinent articles and citation counts, with China and USA contributing the highest publication volumes.

The prevailing research focus predominantly revolves around the application of CD-based materials used as adsorbents to remove conventional contaminants such as dyes and metals. The CD chemistry allows the construction of materials with various architectures, including cross-linked, grafted, hybrid or supported systems. The main adsorbents are cross-linked CD polymers, including nanosponges, fibres and hybrid composites. Additionally, research efforts are actually concentrated on the synthesis of CD-based membranes, CD@graphene oxide, and CD@TiO2. These materials are proposed as adsorbents to remove emerging pollutants. By employing bibliometric analysis, this study delivers a comprehensive retrospective review and synthesis of research concerning CD-based adsorbents for the removal of contaminants from wastewater, thereby offering valuable insights for future large-scale application of CD-based adsorption materials.

INDUSTRIAL AREA ENVIRONMENT / MÔI TRƯỜNG KHU CÔNG NGHIỆP

1. Public environmental concern, government environmental regulation and urban carbon emission reduction – Analyzing the regulating role of green finance and industrial agglomeration

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 924, 10 May 2024, 171549

Abstract

In the multifaceted realm of environmental governance, emphasizing public environmental participation as an informal regulatory mechanism, alongside the influence of formal governmental environmental regulation on regional carbon emissions, contributes to providing empirical evidence and policy insights for China’s “dual‑carbon target” action plan. Using data from 282 prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2020, this research develops an analytical framework for urban carbon emissions encompassing public environmental concern, environmental regulation, green finance, and industrial agglomeration.

And through an amalgamation of theoretical insights and empirical validation, the study elucidates the mechanisms by which public environmental concern impact urban carbon emissions. It further delves into the mediating role of environmental regulation and the moderating effects of green finance and industrial agglomeration. It reveals that: (1) Public environmental concern significantly reduces urban carbon emissions, particularly in northern cities, non-environmental protection key cities, and resource regeneration cities. And this suppressive influence is markedly more potent via mobile platforms compared to PC channels; (2) Environmental regulation serves as a partially mediating role between public environmental concern and urban carbon emissions, suggesting that public environmental concern reduces emissions by amplifying governmental environmental oversight; (3) Both green finance and industrial agglomeration play a positive moderating role on the effect of public environmental concern in reducing urban carbon emissions.

2. Unveiling the power of social value: Catalyzing circular economy in emerging market SMEs

Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 453, 10 May 2024, 142245

Abstract

The circular economy serves as a dynamic force for sustainability, emphasizing energy conservation, enduring design, and recycling, all while prioritizing value creation. Aligned with the comprehensive triple bottom line framework, encompassing environmental, social, and financial dimensions, circular economy initiatives hold the promise of substantial organizational benefits. This research, deeply rooted in systems thinking, investigates the pivotal role of social value in achieving organizational objectives. Employing structural equation modeling, a serial mediation model is meticulously crafted based on a cross-sectional online survey conducted among small and medium-sized enterprises in Turkey.

The findings bring to light mutually reinforcing relationships among triple bottom line dimensions, accentuating the positive mediating mechanisms between social value initiatives and organizational performance. This study significantly advances our understanding of social value, circular economy practices, and sustainability within the context of Turkish SMEs. The practical implications of this research provide valuable guidance for organizations navigating the realms of social and environmental responsibility. Through the implementation of diverse strategies, organizations can adeptly integrate and manage the multifaceted aspects of the triple bottom line, culminating in favorable outcomes and the cultivation of triumvirate elements that augment organizational performance.

3. The effects of different electrode materials on the electric field-assisted co-composting system for the soil remediation of heavy metal pollution

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 924, 10 May 2024, 171600

Abstract

The electric field-assisted composting system (EACS) is an emerging technology that can enhance composting efficiency, but little attention has been given to electrode materials. Herein, an EACS was established to investigate the effects of electrode materials on humic substance formation and heavy metal speciation. Excitation-emission matrix analysis showed that carbon-felt and stainless-steel electrodes increased humic acid (HA) by 48.57 % and 47.53 %, respectively. In the EACS with the carbon-felt electrode, the bioavailability factors (BF) of Cu and Cr decreased by 18.00 % and 7.61 %, respectively.

Despite that the stainless-steel electrodes decreased the BF of As by 11.26 %, the leaching of Cr, Ni, Cu, and Fe from the electrode itself is an inevitable concern. Microbial community analyses indicated that the electric field increased the abundance of Actinobacteria and stimulated the multiplication of heavy metal-tolerant bacteria. Redundancy analysis indicates that OM, pH, and current significantly affect the evolution of heavy metal speciation in the EACS. This study first evaluated the metal leaching risk of stainless-steel electrode, and confirmed that carbon-felt electrode is environment-friendly material with high performance and low risk in future research with EACS.

4. Approaches to simplify industrial energy models for operational optimisation

Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 452, 1 May 2024, 141848

Abstract

Minimising energy consumption in today’s industrial sector is a crucial objective for achieving established climate goals. One effective strategy to enhance efficiency is optimising energy system operations within industries. The initial step in establishing operational optimisation involves developing a comprehensive model of the energy system. This model necessitates a specific structure to meet optimisation requirements. However, creating a model from scratch incurs substantial effort. While numerous companies possess energy models, they often lack the requisite structure for optimisation. Consequently, simplifying existing models can significantly reduce the effort needed to implement operational optimisation.

This paper investigates the simplification of intricate industrial energy system models for optimisation purposes. The subsequent sections analyse two distinct approaches. One approach involves linearisation, while the other utilises neural networks. To facilitate a comparative analysis of these approaches, a reference model is developed. The assessment of these methodologies includes an investigation into optimisation robustness, computation time, accuracy concerning the reference model, and the effort required for developing and maintaining the simplified models. It proved that both approaches are suitable for operational optimisation. Linearisation exhibits superior computational efficiency compared to the neural network approach.

The linearisation modelling approach together with the optimisation only required a few milliseconds for the calculation. The neural network approach needed 3 h for the calculation of the optimum with the genetic algorithm. The simulation of the neural network itself only required a few milliseconds. Hence, an improvement of the genetic algorithm is needed. However, the accuracy of linearisation falls short of that achieved by neural networks. The linearisation achieves a mean average percentage error from only 13%. In comparison the neural network’s mean average error is 2.3%. Therefore, the linearisation must be improved. The impact using a piecewise linearisation on the results will be analysed in further research.

5. PHA and EPS production from industrial wastewater by conventional activated sludge, membrane bioreactor and aerobic granular sludge technologies: A comprehensive comparison

Chemosphere, Volume 355, May 2024, 141768

Abstract

The present study has focused on the mainstream integration of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production with industrial wastewater treatment by exploiting three different technologies all operating in sequencing batch reactors (SBR): conventional activated sludge (AS-SBR), membrane bioreactor (AS-MBR) and aerobic granular sludge (AGS). A full aerobic feast/famine strategy was adopted to obtain enrichment of biomass with PHA-storing bacteria. All the systems were operated at different organic loading (OLR) rate equal to 1-2-3 kgCOD/m3∙d in three respective experimental periods. The AS-MBR showed the better and stable carbon removal performance, whereas the effluent quality of the AS-SBR and AGS deteriorated at high OLR. Biomass enrichment with PHA-storing bacteria was successfully obtained in all the systems. The AS-MBR improved the PHA productivity with increasing OLR (max 35% w/w), whereas the AS-SBR reduced the PHA content (max 20% w/w) above an OLR threshold of 2 kgCOD/m3∙d. In contrast, in the AGS the increase of OLR resulted in a significant decrease in PHA productivity (max 14% w/w) and a concomitant increase of extracellular polymers (EPS) production (max 75% w/w).

Results demonstrated that organic carbon was mainly driven towards the intracellular storage pathway in the AS-SBR (max yield 51%) and MBR (max yield 61%), whereas additional stressors in AGS (e.g., hydraulic selection pressure, shear forces) induced bacteria to channel the COD into extracellular storage compounds (max yield 50%) necessary to maintain the granule’s structure. The results of the present study indicated that full-aerobic feast/famine strategy was more suitable for flocculent sludge-based technologies, although biofilm-like systems could open new scenarios for other biopolymers recovery (e.g., EPS). Moreover, the AS-MBR resulted the most suitable technology for the integration of PHA production in a mainstream industrial wastewater treatment plant, considering the greater process stability and the potential reclamation of the treated wastewater.

6. Study on the green disposal of industrial high salt water and its performance as activator to prepare magnesium-coal based solid waste backfill material for mine

Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 452, 1 May 2024, 141933

Abstract

The significant production of bulk solid waste from metallurgy or coal and industrial high-salt wastewater (SW), coupled with limited disposal capacity, high disposal expenses, and uncertain environmental impact, poses technical challenges that impede the green advancement of the metallurgical or coal sector. Based on the aforementioned industry challenges, this study suggests creating an all-solid waste mine backfill material known as magnesium-coal slag (MCBM). The technical requirements of coal mine backfill are assessed through relevant experimentation and microscopic analysis techniques, including fluidity, uniaxial compressive strength, microstructure, and toxicity leaching tests. Additionally, the synergistic reaction mechanism of MCBM is expounded upon. The results show that: (1) The rheological curve of the freshly prepared MCBM slurry is in strong agreement with the Herschel-Bulkley (H-B) model, and the viscosity meets the necessary pumping specifications for coal mine backfilling. It was observed that the fresh MCBM slurry’s slump ranges from 134 mm to 146 mm, whereas the yield stress falls between 25 Pa and 37 Pa. (2) The mass concentration and SW content exert a significant influence on the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of MCBM specimens, primarily governed by the degree of hydration reaction and pore structure characteristics. (3) The leaching of toxic heavy metal elements such as Ni, Pd, and As in bulk metallurgical or coal-based solid waste greatly surpasses the standard levels.

Nevertheless, by mixing such waste within the coal mine backfill materials, the resulting hydration products can achieve stable consolidation of these heavy metal elements through chemical bonding and physical adsorption and storage. Magnesium-coal slag backfilling technology for solid waste is aligned with the primary research objective of supporting green and safe mining, as well as facilitating the clean and efficient usage of coal resources. It represents a popular research topic, aimed at promoting high-quality coal resource development and green, low-carbon growth.

7. Concurrent removal of carbon and nutrients in a one-stage dual internal circulation airlift A2O bioreactor from milk processing industrial wastewater: Process optimization, sludge characteristics and operating cost evaluation

Chemosphere, Volume 355, May 2024, 141804

Abstract

In this work, a one-stage dual internal circulation airlift anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (DCAL-A2O) bioreactor was continuously operated for concurrent removal of nutrients and organics from milk processing wastewater (MPW). Special configuration of the airlift A2O bioreactor created possibility of the formation of desired anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic zones in a single unit. The process functionality of the bioreactor was examined under three influential operating variables i.e. hydraulic retention time (HRT; 7–15 h), air flow rate (AFR; 1–3 L/min) and aerobic volume ratio (AVR; 0.324–0.464). The optimum region was identified at HRT of 13h, AFR of 2L/min and AVR of 0.437, leading to TCOD, TN and TP removal efficiency of 94.5 %, 59.6 %, and 62.2 %, respectively, and effluent turbidity of 8 NTU.

The impact of feed biodegradability on the process performance of the bioreactor treating the MPW, soft drink wastewater (SDW) and soybean oil plant wastewater (SOW) was also assessed. From the results, the feed characteristics affected significantly the nutrients removal. Moreover, the feeding location played an effective role in the nutrient removal while treating the MPW at optimum operating conditions. In this study, the change in residual organic matters as soluble microbial products (SMP) was monitored at various operating conditions. In addition, the impact of SMP extracted from sludge, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) comprising of loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) and tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) was analyzed on sludge characteristics as bio-flocculation and settleability properties. According to the obtained data, the increase in operating variables led to the reduction in contents of effluent SMP, sludge SMP, LB-EPS, turbidity, and SVI, thereby, the enhancement in the sludge characteristics. Meanwhile, analysis of microbial communities verified the presence of various functional bacterial species. The cost operating evaluation confirmed the cost effectiveness of the airlift A2O bioreactor in reduction of energy consumption for the MPW treatment.

8. Towards decoupling in chemical industry: Input substitution impacted by technological progress

Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 452, 1 May 2024, 142040

Abstract

The chemical industry is one of the fundamental industries of economic development. Coordinating the relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions (EGCE) is crucial in realizing the carbon neutrality target. The Tapio model and decomposition models are used to assess the degree of decoupling within the Chinese chemical industry and identify pivotal factors impeding progress. The energy efficiency decomposition model explores the crux of failure to achieve strong decoupling. This framework further decomposed the energy intensity to uncover how technical efficiency, technological progress, and input substitution changes affect energy intensity and CO2 emission.

The paper found that the EGCE of the chemical industry were stable in a weak decoupling mode from 2009 to 2019. The reliance on technological progress to reduce energy intensity and emissions is insufficient (accounting for only 18.2%), far below the cumulative contribution from economic growth (accounting for 57.76%), which has become the crux of the strong decoupling failure. Technological advancements drive energy substitution for labour, resulting in 244.41 Mt of cumulative carbon emissions. The improper factor input allocation hinders the desired reduction in energy intensity and carbon emissions. A series of policy implications are proposed based on the insights derived from the decomposition analysis to foster sustainable practices in the chemical industry.

9. Impact of airborne iron oxide nanoparticles on Tillandsia usneoides as a model plant to assess pollution in heavy traffic areas

Chemosphere, Volume 355, May 2024, 141765

Abstract

Due to the increasing evidence of widespread sub-micron pollutants in the atmosphere, the impact of airborne nanoparticles is a subject of great relevance. In particular, the smallest particles are considered the most active and dangerous, having a higher surface/volume ratio. Here we tested the effect of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (IONPs) with different mean diameter and size distribution on the model plant Tillandsia usneoides.

Strands were placed in home-built closed boxes and exposed to levels of airborne IONPs reported for the roadside air, i.e. in the order of 107 – 108 items m−2. Plant growth and other morpho-physiological parameters were monitored for two weeks, showing that exposure to IONPs significantly reduced the length increment of the treated strands with respect to controls. A dose-dependence of this impairing effect was found only for particles with mean size of a few tens of nanometers. These were also proved to be the most toxic at the highest concentration tested. The IONP-induced hamper in growth was correlated with altered concentration of macro- and micronutrients in the plant, while no significant variation in photosynthetic activity was detected in treated samples. Microscopy investigation showed that IONPs could adhere to the plant surface and were preferentially located on the trichome wings.

Our results report, for the first time, evidence of the negative effects of airborne IONP pollution on plant health, thus raising concerns about related environmental risks.

Future research should be devoted to other plant species and pollutants to assess the impact of airborne pollution on plants and devise suitable attenuation practices.

10. Design of hybrid desalination process using waste heat and cold energy from LNG power plant increasing energy and economic potential

Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 452, 1 May 2024, 141998

Abstract

The seawater desalination is considered an energy and cost-intensive procedure and thus, the novel hybrid desalination process, which combines forward osmosis (FO), crystallization, and reverse osmosis (RO), is a promising alternative that can reduce the cost and energy consumption. However, this process still has a drawback in that a significant amount of heat energy is still required to raise the temperature of the draw solution and feed water, and a large amount of cooling energy is required for crystallization. This work designed a novel hybrid desalination process using waste heat and cold energy emitted from liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants for energy efficient desalination, in a bid to increase economic feasibility. To design the suggested system, a process and mathematical model were developed using the experimental results. The process model recovers waste heat emitted from the natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) and waste cold energy emitted from the LNG regasification process.

The economic and energy feasibility of the proposed process and its potential for CO2 capture and utilization were analyzed. The total annualized cost (TAC) of the proposed process could be reduced by 34% compared with the conventional SWRO by efficiently recovering the waste heat and cold energy. In addition, the proposed process could decrease the specific energy consumption (SEC) by 50% compared with conventional SWRO. Furthermore, if the proposed process is applied to CO2 capture and utilization, approximately 2,733,602 tons/y of CO2 can be captured, and the incurred total capital investment (TCI) for the installation of additional processes can be recovered in 2.09 years. Thus, an additional profit of approximately 6,111,677 USD per year can be realized.

11. Acesulfame and other artificial sweeteners in a wastewater treatment plant in Alberta, Canada: Occurrence, degradation, and emission

Chemosphere, Volume 356, May 2024, 141893

Abstract

Acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), cyclamate (CYC), and saccharin (SAC) are widely used artificial sweeteners that undergo negligible metabolism in the human body, and thus ubiquitously exist in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Due to their persistence in WWTPs, ACE and SUC are found in natural waters globally. Wastewater samples were collected from the primary influent, primary effluent, secondary effluent, and final effluent of a WWTP in Alberta, Canada between August 2022 and February 2023, and the artificial sweeteners concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS. Using wastewater-based epidemiology, the daily per capita consumption of ACE in the studied wastewater treatment plant catchment was estimated to be the highest in the world. Similar to other studies, the removal efficiency in WWTP was high for SAC and CYC, but low or even negative for SUC. However, ACE removal remained surprisingly high (>96%), even in the cold Canadian winter months. This result may indicate a further adaptation of microorganisms capable of biodegrading ACE in WWTP. The estimated per capita discharge into the environment of ACE, CYC, and SAC is low in Alberta due to the prevalent utilization of secondary treatment throughout the province, but is 17.4–18.8 times higher in Canada, since only 70.3% of total discharged wastewater in Canada undergoes secondary treatment.

12. A systematic comparison of salt removal efficiency in washing treatment by using fly ashes from 13 MSWI plants in China

Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 358, May 2024, 120831

Abstract

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash contains large amounts of Ca, Si, and other elements, giving it the potential to be used as a raw material for cement production. However, fly ash often contains a high content of salts, which greatly limits its blending ratio during cement production. These salts are commonly removed via water washing, but this process is affected by the nature and characteristics of fly ash. To clarify the influence of the ash characteristics on salt removal, a total of 60 fly ash samples from 13 incineration plants were collected, characterized, and washed. The ash characterization and cluster analysis showed that the incinerator type and flue gas purification technology/process significantly influenced the ash characteristics.

Washing removed a high percentage of salts from fly ash, but the removal efficiencies varied significantly from each other, with the chlorine removal efficiency ranging from 73.76% to 96.48%, while the sulfate removal efficiency ranged from 6.92% to 51.47%. Significance analysis further revealed that the salt removal efficiency varied not only between the ash samples from different incinerators, but also between samples collected at different times from the same incinerator. The high variance of the 60 ash samples during salt removal was primarily ascribed to their different mineralogical and chemical characteristics. Mineralogical analysis of the raw and washed ash samples showed that the mineralogical forms and proportion of these salts in each ash sample greatly influenced their removal. The presence of less-soluble and insoluble chloride salts (e.g., CaClOH, Ca2Al(OH)6(H2O)2Cl etc.) in fly ash significantly affected the chlorine removal efficiency. This study also found that Fe, Mn, and Al in fly ash were negatively correlated with the dechlorination efficiency of fly ash. In summary, the different physical and chemical properties of fly ash caused great discrepancies in salt removal. Consequently, it is suggested to consider the potential impact of the ash source and ash generation time on salt removal to ensure a reliable treatment efficiency for engineering applications.

13. Evolutionary game analysis of factors influencing green innovation in Enterprises under environmental governance constraints

Environmental Research, Volume 248, 1 May 2024, 118095

Abstract

The key to controlling environmental pollution is to promote green innovation in relevant enterprises and achieve a healthy development of the environmental governance system. This paper constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model of environmental protection enterprises, polluting enterprises, and governments, and conducts in-depth research on the influencing factors that promote green innovation in two types of enterprises. MATLAB software is used to analyze the impact of different degrees of influencing variables on system evolution. It has found that (1) increasing the intensity of environmental governance and the level of innovation subsidies by the government can effectively promote green innovation in both types of enterprises. (2) The varying degrees of innovation compensation from polluting enterprises to environmental protection enterprises have a significant impact on system evolution. (3) The initial intention and population size of two types of enterprise entities will have a significant impact on system evolution. In the initial state, subjects with more green innovation are less willing to change their strategies during the evolution process, while the willingness of the other party to green innovation will be suppressed.

14. Mapping the spatial distribution of primary and secondary PM2.5 in a multi-industrial city by combining monitoring and modeling results

Environmental Pollution, Volume 348, 1 May 2024, 123774

Abstract

Industrial cities are strongly influenced by primary emissions of PM2.5 from local industries. In addition, gaseous precursors, such as sulfur oxides (SOX), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), emitted from industrial sources, undergo conversion into secondary inorganic and organic aerosols (SIAs and SOAs). In this study, the spatial distributions of primary and secondary PM2.5 in Ulsan, the largest industrial city in South Korea, were visualized. PM2.5 components (ions, carbons, and metals) and PM2.5 precursors (SO2, NO2, NH3, and VOCs) were measured to estimate the concentrations of secondary inorganic ions (SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+) and secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP).

The spatial distributions of SIAs and SOAs were then plotted by combining atmospheric dispersion modeling, receptor modeling, and monitoring data. Spatial distribution maps of primary and secondary PM2.5 provide fundamental insights for formulating management policies in different districts of Ulsan. For instance, among the five districts in Ulsan, Nam-gu exhibited the highest levels of primary PM2.5 and secondary nitrate. Consequently, controlling both PM2.5 and NO2 emissions becomes essential in this district. The methodology developed in this study successfully identified areas with dominant contributions from both primary emissions and secondary formation. This approach can be further applied to prioritize control measures during periods of elevated PM levels in other industrial cities.

15. Landfill leachate a potential challenge towards sustainable environmental management

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 926, 20 May 2024, 171668

Abstract

The increasing amount of waste globally has led to a rise in the use of landfills, causing more pollutants to be released through landfill leachate. This leachate is a harmful mix formed from various types of waste at a specific site, and careful disposal is crucial to prevent harm to the environment. Understanding the physical and chemical properties, age differences, and types of landfills is essential to grasp how landfill leachate behaves in the environment. The use of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in managing leachate is noticeable, as applying these goals directly is crucial in reducing the negative effects of landfill leachate. This detailed review explores the origin of landfill leachate, its characteristics, global classification by age, composition analysis, consequences of mismanagement, and the important role of SDGs in achieving sustainable landfill leachate management. The aim is to provide a perspective on the various aspects of landfill leachate, covering its origin, key features, global distribution, environmental impacts from poor management, and importance of SDGs which can guide for sustainable mitigation within a concise framework.

16. Organisational sustainability and SMEs performance: The role of control environment

Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 452, 1 May 2024, 142026

Abstract

The study assessed the direct effect of organisational sustainability on firm performance. The moderating role of control environment in the nexus amidst organisational sustainability and performance was also examined. Survey and cross-sectional research designs were adopted. SMEs in all the regions in Ghana formed the population. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data. 384 SMEs formed the sample size. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling in Amos (v.23).

The three dimensions of sustainability were found to influence SMEs performance. Moreover, control environment was found to moderate the nexus between the three dimensions of sustainability and performance. It is recommended that management of SMEs should improve organisations’ control environment. It is recommended that although there are no specific and detailed governance principles for SMEs in Ghana, managers of SMEs should apply governance principles such as upholding integrity and honesty, and understanding and accepting their responsibilities.

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