Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management最新文献

New approach methodologies (NAMs) are emergent tools and methods that are increasingly being viewed by the regulatory and scientific community as ones that can support or even replace traditional (ie, conventional) approaches for use in chemical hazard, exposure, and risk assessments. New approaches ultimately promise to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, resource requirements, and ethical challenges associated with conventional assessment approaches. Despite escalating activity in the field, less common in the 'NAMs' discourse is the consideration of the specific priorities and needs of Environmental Justice (EJ) communities. These communities are racialized, marginalized, and low-income communities who face disproportionate health impacts related to environmental contamination. Traditional risk, exposure, and hazard assessment methods have been critiqued as generic, institutionalized, and failing to capture the unique and disproportionate health risks of importance to communities themselves. Despite an understanding of the need to include EJ communities in chemicals management, there remains little to no information on their inclusion in the design of NAMs (which are expected to eventually be adopted for regulatory use). This commentary argues that "now" is the time to ensure that EJ considerations are designed into NAMs, and that EJ communities are meaningfully involved. We separate the paper into sections on exposure, hazard and risk assessment. For each section, we provide some comments on the challenges with conventional methods that have been documented in EJ community contexts, followed by our perspectives on opportunities to build new approaches. We conclude by ideating future directions in three areas: the role of regulatory systems, the design of NAMs for EJ community contexts, and the building of capacity for researchers and EJ communities to collaborate on NAMs design and implementation. With the ultimate goal of more equitable chemicals management, these perspectives and ideas hope to inform the development of EJ community-relevant NAMs.

Graphene-related materials (GRMs) are revolutionizing sectors such as electronics, energy storage, agriculture, and biomedicine due to their exceptional properties. However, concerns are emerging about their environmental impact, particularly regarding their persistence, potential toxicity to aquatic ecosystems, and challenges in safe disposal. These issues highlight the need for more robust sustainable-by-design and risk-assessment strategies. In this context, this research investigated the influence of GRMs on lignin peroxidase (LiP) and laccase (Lac), key enzymes involved in lignin breakdown with significant potential in bioremediation. These enzymes are crucial for degrading complex molecules, and understanding their interaction with GRMs could provide valuable insights into the degradation of 2D nanomaterials, particularly graphene oxide (GO), few-layer graphene (FLG), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). In-vitro enzymatic assays conducted with varying GRMs concentrations (12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 µg/mL) revealed that Lac remained unaffected, while LiP exhibited a noteworthy reduction in catalytic activity, particularly in the presence of GO at the highest concentration. A sequestration study to quantify the bioavailable fraction, confirmed these effects, indicating significant enzyme loss, notably with GO at 50 µg/mL. These findings prompted a mechanistic exploration of enzyme inhibition dynamics, revealing the complex nature of GRM-catalytic enzyme processes. By considering factors such as zeta potential (electrostatic forces), hydrophobicity, dispersion stability and oxidation state, this study addresses a key knowledge gap and provides a foundation for understanding these interactions, offering crucial insights into the environmental fate of GRMs and guiding their sustainable use and management.

Textile clothing is a significant contributor to microfiber pollution in aquatic ecosystems. A large portion of these emissions are cellulosic-based, either natural (e.g.,, cotton, linen) or semi-synthetic (e.g.,, viscose, lyocell), which can be ingested by aquatic organisms, posing harmful effects even at environmentally relevant concentrations. Studies comparing the effects of cellulosic and synthetic fibers report conflicting results: some suggest synthetic fibers are more harmful, others the opposite. However, despite their high environmental abundance, the lack of a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) for cellulosic microfibers (CMFs) has prevented comparison of their effects with synthetic microfibers (SMFs). Further, while SMFs have been integrated into Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) through characterization factors (CFs), equivalent CFs for CMFs are missing, due to a lack of an exposure and effect factor (EEF) specific to these fibers. We derived CFs for six CMFs (cotton, linen, viscose, lyocell, rayon, and modal) by combining modelled fate factors in marine water and sediments with an EEF calculated from a hazardous concentration for 20% of species (HC20), using an SSD of EC10eq values. Taxonomically split SSDs were also obtained for further analysis of the mode of action of CMFs and microplastics. The HC20 for CMFs was not significantly different from that of MPs, suggesting similar physical effect mechanisms. Fate modelling indicated lower persistence for CMFs, resulting in CFs one to two orders of magnitude lower than those for SMFs. Computed CFs were applied in an LCA comparing the ecosystem quality impacts of a cotton and a polyester T-shirt while accounting for microfiber emissions. Results show that polyester emissions caused significant impacts compared to other lifecycle impacts, while cotton emissions did not. This work therefore provides the first comparative LCA of a cellulosic and a synthetic textile that considers impacts of microfiber emissions, and computes CFs compatible with different LCIA methods.

This study aims to assess the impact of land use and land cover (LULC) changes on the monetary valuation of ecosystem services valuations (ESVs) in the coal mining-affected region of Ramgarh district, Jharkhand, India. The key objectives include: (i) analyzing LULC dynamics from 1990 to 2021 and predicting changes for 2061, and (ii) quantifying the gains and losses in ESVs across different land categories. To achieve this, satellite imagery was used to generate LULC maps for the years 1990 and 2021, while future projections for 2061 were developed using the Cellular Automata-Markov (CA-Markov) model. The benefit transfer method was employed to estimate the ESVs based on per-hectare value coefficients assigned to specific land use types. Results reveal that between 1990 and 2021, the total ESV declined by approximately USD 18.52 million, primarily due to the loss of vegetation and water bodies. A further projected decline of USD 38.82 million is anticipated between 2021 and 2061, totaling a cumulative loss of USD 57.34 million over the study period. While cropland and built-up areas recorded marginal increases in ESVs, these gains were insufficient to compensate for the substantial losses in regulating and supporting services. The findings underscore the critical need to integrate ecosystem service valuation into land-use planning, particularly in mining-intensive landscapes. The study demonstrates that without policy interventions favoring ecological conservation, continued land transformation will undermine long-term environmental sustainability and socio-economic resilience in the region.

Complex substances such as multi-constituent substances and 'substances of unknown or variable composition, complex reaction products and biological materials' (UVCBs) usually result from the industrial processing, or extraction of natural substances, or from chemical reactions. Because of the variable and complex nature of source materials and the potential variability inherent to production processes, these substances can contain many, sometimes uncharacterized, constituents whose concentrations may vary between production batches. UVCBs make up approximately 20-25% of substances registered under regulatory frameworks globally. To identify and advance the various challenges associated with UVCB testing and assessment, the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) organized an international workshop on Exploring the complexities of UVCB testing and risk assessment. The HESI UVCB workshop was aimed at initiating multi-sectoral, tripartite discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of the whole substance vs. representative constituent testing and assessment approaches, at identifying further research needs, and at establishing potential consensus for solutions for UVCB environmental risk assessment. Ultimately, the insight from the workshop contributed to the further refinement and strengthening of the exposure-centric tiered approach developed previously for consideration in the environmental risk assessment of UVCBs and multi-constituent substances. More specifically, it contributed to developing a systematic process to efficiently balance the characterization and testing of the whole substance and representative constituents to ensure the assessment of UVCBs is fit for purpose.

The decommissioning of oil & gas infrastructure is a highly intricate process that necessitates meticulous planning, adherence to regulatory frameworks, and specialized engineering expertise. Engineers and project managers engaged in decommissioning operations often encounter difficulties in accessing comprehensive documentation that consolidates information on various structural types, methodologies, inventories, components, equipment, logistical requirements, environmental impacts, remediation strategies, and decision-making tools essential for ensuring safe and effective decommissioning. This review presents a structured framework to aid engineers in understanding the fundamental aspects of decommissioning, encompassing infrastructure classifications, structural components, removal techniques, equipment selection, cost considerations, environmental implications, remediation strategies, and key decision-making criteria. The study categorizes oil & gas infrastructure with a specific focus on offshore platforms, detailing their structural components and operational functions Furthermore, present study introduces a structured framework to support decommissioning decisions that integrate sustainability, feasibility, and operational efficiency. By comparing different decommissioning scenarios, this study underscores the balance between sustainability, economic feasibility, and operational constraints. The review concludes by discussing future challenges associated with oil & gas infrastructure decommissioning. This structured approach equips engineers with the essential knowledge to assess strategies, anticipate impacts, and make well-informed decommissioning decisions while ensuring both environmental sustainability and economic viability.

The deployment of energy storage systems (ESS) plays a pivotal role in accelerating the global transition to renewable energy sources. Comprehending the life cycle environmental and economic impacts, as well as the necessary conditions and scenarios required for ESS deployment, is critical in guiding decision-making and supporting sustainable operations. In this study, we first analyzed the life cycle environmental impacts of pumped hydro energy storage (PHES), lithium-ion batteries (LIB), and compressed air energy storage. We then focused on elucidating the potential for carbon neutrality in existing PHES systems compared to LIBs in China by integrating various reduction measures to achieve net-zero emissions scenarios. Ultimately, we combined environmental and economic impacts to demonstrate the eco-efficiency of both ESS, supporting their sustainable deployment. Regarding environmental impacts, LIB is currently the most environmentally favorable ESS, followed by PHES. Various decarbonization measures revealed that transitioning to renewable energy sources is the most effective strategy for carbon reduction, with projected reductions ranging between 75% and 112% in both PHES and LIB systems. When implementing all carbon reduction strategies simultaneously, LIB is expected to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, whereas PHES is projected to reach this milestone by 2040. With anticipated energy mix optimizations, carbon emissions are expected to further decrease to 22.2 kg CO2/MWh for PHES and 48.7 kg CO2/MWh for LIB by 2050. Economic analysis indicates that the life cycle cost per MWh for PHES is $66.5, approximately half that of LIB. Meanwhile, the payback period of PHES is 21 years, while that of LIB is 28 years to reach the break-even point. This disparity clearly underscores the superior economic benefits of PHES. The eco-efficiency of PHES is anticipated to surpass that of LIBs by 2028, rendering PHES a more favorable option in appropriate regions.

Plastics are integral to modern life and are ubiquitous across various environmental matrices. However, their widespread distribution has resulted in persistent contamination, now recognized as a critical environmental issue. Over time, this problem has intensified alongside the exponential increase in plastic production, leading to millions of tons being released into the environment via direct and indirect pathways. This accumulation poses significant risks to marine biota and ecosystem health. Despite ongoing mitigation efforts, projections indicate that plastic pollution will continue to rise in the coming years. The Colombian Caribbean, a region of high biodiversity and diverse industrial activities, has been notably affected by plastic contamination. This literature review aims to evaluate the reported concentrations of micro- and macroplastics in various environmental matrices within the Colombian Caribbean by systematically analyzing studies published over the past two decades. A total of 25 studies investigating plastic pollution in water, sediments, and marine organisms were examined. Additionally, this review evaluates the methodologies employed across these studies, revealing discrepancies in sampling protocols, laboratory analyses, and units of reporting. The lack of standardization in these aspects limits the comparability of results, underscoring the urgent need for harmonized methodologies. To enhance the reliability and comparability of future research on plastic pollution, this review proposes key measures for standardizing sampling techniques, analytical procedures, and data reporting. Furthermore, the promotion of interdisciplinary collaborations, policy development, and educational programs is recommended to address the growing plastic pollution problem in the Colombian Caribbean and mitigate its long-term environmental impacts.

Emerging contaminants (ECs) comprise classes of natural and anthropogenic chemicals that are increasingly detected in the environment especially waterways. The risk of ECs in the environment is recognized as an issue of concern in New Zealand. Environmental managers commissioned two virtual workshops to design a national survey of ECs in New Zealand where the largely primary production-based economy depends on uncontaminated natural resources and the ecosystem services they provide. Two 2- hour virtual workshops were commissioned to discuss the design of a national survey of ECs in New Zealand's waterways. The aim of these workshops was to hold initial discussions supporting the design and establishment of a national ECs survey of New Zealand rivers taking consideration of key technical aspects. The Ministry for the Environment and local authorities (regional councils) acknowledged the uncertainty associated with assessing the impacts of ECs on the New Zealand environment and developing protective actions and policy to minimize risk. Environmental managers, regulators, research scientists from Australasia, and Māori participants agreed that many knowledge gaps remain to fully characterize and assess the hazards of ECs both in New Zealand and globally. The importance of involving Māori is paramount when addressing EC issues and to develop sustainable solutions incorporating Indigenous knowledge and values. A key conclusion was that the large number of potential contaminants requires an approach for ranking ECs. As such, further research is needed to better characterize the type, quantities, sources, and fate of ECs in the environment as a first step towards identifying high-risk priority ECs. This would underpin an effective monitoring frameworks and inform policy that will ensure the sustainable management of ECs. It was recognized that collaboration across academic, industry, and government organizations is needed to coordinate and conduct effective ECs research by enabling prioritization and optimization of the resources and capability.

Artificial intelligence (AI) transforms extreme-weather forecasting by delivering faster and more accurate predictions at a fraction of the computational cost of traditional models. However, these advances are often accompanied by opaque decision processes, raising challenges for trust, equity, and long-term resilience in early warning systems. This article examines transparency in AI-based forecasting across three dimensions-predictive integrity, societal fairness, and long-term resilience-and argues that accuracy alone is insufficient in high-stakes contexts. Drawing on recent regulatory developments and global meteorological practice, we outline practical measures such as harmonized forecast labeling, impact-ready model cards, and extreme-event regulatory sandboxes. Embedding these measures within international frameworks is essential to ensure that the speed and efficiency of AI-driven forecasts translate into effective, trusted, and equitable early warning systems.