International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology最新文献

Solar energy, recognized for its potential in direct conversion into electricity and heat, offers a sustainable energy source with minimal environmental impact. Despite Iran’s significant solar potential, the country’s reliance on fossil fuels has hindered the widespread adoption of solar energy. This study evaluates the relative potential of different regions in Iran for solar power plant development using a novel integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Fuzzy Inference Systems (FIS). The findings indicate that the most suitable regions for photovoltaic (PV) power plant construction are located in Isfahan, Khorasan-Razavi, and Kerman provinces, where over 70% of the highly suitable land is identified. Conversely, the northern provinces such as Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan show minimal suitability. The study’s outcomes provide critical insights for policymakers and stakeholders to optimize site selection for solar energy infrastructure, potentially increasing Iran’s renewable energy capacity significantly.

Agriculture (e.g., rice paddies) emissions have been considered one of the main sources contributing to the revived atmospheric methane (CH₄) increase since 2007 while it remains debated. In this study, we synthesized available paddy field CH₄ emissions from publications in a representative region of China. The results showed that CH₄ emissions exhibited strong variation among the 416 samples. Compared to the period 2000–2009, CH₄ emissions significantly (p < 0.01) increased during 2010–2018 and the average (252.17 kg ha^-1) was 1.52 times higher than that in 2000–2009 (146.02 kg ha^-1), which was consistent with the trend of atmospheric CH₄ concentrations. CH₄ emissions were significantly affected by both air temperature and water saving practices, however, this was not likely the reason for the increase after 2009. This study provides a quantitative estimate of regional CH₄ emissions based on available data, although the connection with the revived atmospheric CH₄ increase since 2007 remains uncertain.

Suitable plant species required to initially facilitate a phytoremediation process for any pollutant should be established to avoid pollutant toxicity to plants leading to inefficient phytoremediation process. The goal of this study was to search for native plants (Pennisetum purpureum, Cyperus surinamensis and Phragmites karka) that can tolerate and survive in sludge containing total petroleum hydrocarbon. Each plant species was planted in pots at a density of three plants in each pot containing 3 kg petroleum sludge. As for plant control, each plant species was planted in garden soil. Control contaminant contained petroleum sludge without plants. All pots were watered in an alternate day to ensure constant humidity during the observation period. This study was performed in a greenhouse over a period of 15 days. At the end of the exposure period, all three and two plants of P. purpureum and C. surinamensis died, respectively, with dried stalk and leaf. While P. karka ended up with one dead plant. The survival percentages were 0%, 33.3% and 66.7% for P. purpureum, C. surinamensis and P. karka, respectively, at the end of 15-day exposure period. As a conclusion, P. karka achieved the highest plant survival in the phytoremediation process of hydrocarbon based on the number of withered plants resulting in P. karka as a promising candidate for phytoremediation agent.

Blockchain-based waste management investments are key to increase the performance for achieving sustainable growth for both businesses and the country's economy. In this context, a new study should be conducted to identify the most important variables. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to examine blockchain-based waste management investments via a novel model. The scope of this study is the smart cities that are defined as settlements that aim to improve the quality of life and ensure sustainability by using technology to manage and improve services. Firstly, artificial intelligence (AI) methodology is taken into consideration to compute the weights of the experts. Secondly, the weights of the criteria for blockchain-based waste management investments are computed. Finally, selected investment alternatives for smart cities are ranked with Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) methodology. Additionally, a comparative analysis is also performed by technique for order preference by similarity (TOPSIS). In addition to this issue, a sensitivity analysis is also conducted with four different cases to check the coherency of the analysis results. The main contribution of this study is the calculation of the expert weights by AI. It is identified that participating in waste to energy schemes has the greatest significance. Similarly, optimizing the lifecycle management has also high weight. It is also defined that integration of physical and digital infrastructures is the most critical alternative. Moreover, urban innovativeness is another critical factor for this situation.

The indiscriminate increase in impervious surface area, mainly associated with anthropogenic activities, is causing important environmental changes. Given the relevance of impervious surface area, this paper introduces an approach designed to map impervious areas. The proposed method was applied to the State of São Paulo, southern Brazil, using nighttime light imagery collected by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day–Night Band from the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite. Our hypothesis is that impervious surface area is primarily related to the presence of persistent nighttime light in space and time, and that its quantification basically depends on the brightness pattern emitted by the urban surface. Thus, brightness patterns extracted from monthly composites of nighttime light were associated with impervious surface area established through a random forest regression model. The results for the entire study area (248,000 km²) showed that the method was quite effective in predicting impervious surface area (R² = 0.90, p < 0.001), although, on average, an underestimation deviation (~ 20%) occurred. Focusing on densely urbanized areas, on the other hand, an overestimation error was reported, mainly around downtown areas. Despite this error, graduated values of impervious surface area were found in intra-urban spaces, making it possible to characterize, consistently, differences in the land-use patterns.

A newly developed bio-hybrid material comprising luteolin as a bioactive dye and a Zinc-Aluminum layered double hydroxide as an adsorbent was synthesized using two distinct methods. In the first method, Zinc-Aluminum layered double hydroxide was initially produced using the co-precipitation technique. Subsequently, the bioactive luteolin was intercalated onto the synthesized layered double hydroxide through an ion exchange mechanism. Response surface methodology and analysis of variance studies were employed to design experiments leading to achieve optimized adsorption onto the Zinc-Aluminum layered double hydroxide, considering effective variables like pH, dye concentration, layered double hydroxide weight, and operating time. Under the optimized conditions, the maximum adsorption efficiency (94.2%) and adsorption capacity (47.11 mg g⁻¹) were achieved. Kinetic studies indicated the pseudo-second order model characterized the luteolin adsorption, and the Langmuir model served as a suitable representation of the adsorption isotherm. In the second method, a co-precipitation approach was employed to simultaneously synthesize and intercalate luteolin onto layered double hydroxide with varying concentrations (5%, 15%, and 25%) under optimized conditions. The maximum adsorption efficiency and capacity reached 99.9% and 49.98 mg g⁻¹, respectively. Analytical characterization confirmed successful luteolin adsorption and stabilization of the layered double hydroxide. Furthermore, sustained luteolin release over an extended period was observed which attributed to its incorporation within the layered double hydroxide structure. The study also investigated the antioxidant activity of luteolin on the synthesized complexes, providing a comprehensive exploration of the bio-hybrid structure, Luteolin-Zinc-Aluminum Layered Double Hydroxide, with potential biomedical applications.

Benzimidazoles are important heterocyclic compounds that exhibit a wide range of pharmacological and biological properties. Among all, sensitivity to Lewis acids provide a possibility to act as a fluorescent detectors for senzing the cathions, radicals, highly reactive low-molecular species with hazardous effects to environment and human health. Herein, we present the design and synthesis of N-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methyl)cinnamamide (I) for the detection of readily reactive thionyl chloride (SOCl₂). Treatment of SOCl₂ with a novel benzimidazole-based compound I is accompanied by immediate color change. Although the process is irreversible the change noticeable by eye is profitable for a simple and rapid protection against the SOCl₂ exposure at amounts harmful for surroundings and body. In the context of environmental issue, the chemical reaction between the detector I and thionyl chloride is beneficial for the safe waste disposal. Thionyl chloride is recaptured in the structure of I throughout the reaction leading to a formation of stable compound II. Incorporation of residual traces of SOCl₂ into the structure of organic-type detector I represents effective route to achieve non-reactive and non-damaging derivatives. Accordingly, the organic non-liquid waste is subsequently stored and disposed in a safe manner.

The recycling fruit wastes of banana, pomelo, and mangosteen as biosorbents for eliminating methylene blue dye (MBD) were investigated in this study by synthesizing 3 materials of banana (Musa ABB cv. Kluai ‘Namwa’) powder beads (BPB), pomelo (Citrus maxima (Burm.f.) Merr) powder beads (PPB), and mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn) powder beads (MPB) and characterizing with several techniques. Their MBD adsorption performances were examined by a series of batch experiments, desorption experiments, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics studies. MPB had a higher specific surface area and pore volume than BPB and PPB, whereas its pore size was smaller than theirs. All materials had amorphous structures. BPB had rough surfaces, whereas PPB had coarse surfaces with layer structures. MPB had rough surfaces with irregular shapes. They consisted of carbon, oxygen, calcium, chloride, and sodium. The chemical functional groups of hydroxyl, methine, carbonyl, and ether were detected in all materials. The pH_pzc of BPB, PPB, and MPB were 5.41, 5.00, and 5.05. MPB showed a higher MBD removal efficiency of 98.92% and adsorption capacity (q_e) of 6.59 mg/g than BPB and PPB, and all materials could be reused for 3 cycles with the adsorption efficiency of more than 61%. Their adsorption patterns and mechanisms were described by Freundlich and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. BPB and MPB were endothermic processes, whereas PPB was an exothermic process.

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Climate change has a recognized global effect on ozone concentration, yet its impact varies across regions and countries. Local studies are imperative for precisely evaluating the accurate, robust, and up-to-date relationship between climatic variables and ozone concentration at regional scale. In this work, we elucidate the spatiotemporal and seasonal variability of ground-level ozone (O₃) in Malaysia using backward trajectory and Generative Additive Model. Concentrations of O₃ and other air pollutants (NO₂, CO, SO₂ and PM_2.5) from a total of 43 air quality stations across the country from 2107 to 2020 have been analyzed along with the meteorological auxiliary data. Ozone pollution is susceptible in the Central, Northern and Southern of Peninsular Malaysia, and occurs at different times subject to the monsoon variability. In the Central zone, 60% of days during March and April had unhealthy ozone levels with a maximum daily averaged O₃ 73.5 ± 9.3 ppb. The backward trajectory analysis indicates that ozone pollution in the Central zone is strongly affected by northeasterly transboundary air pollution from Indochina and East China. The Generative Additive Model analysis highlights O₃ variability in the Central zone is possibly modulated by stratospheric air intrusion and PM_2.5 inhibitory effect that suppressed surface solar radiation and weakened O₃ production. Overall, the work advances the understanding of O₃ variability in Malaysia, provides valuable insights into complex interplay between O₃ concentrations and climatic variables, and offers a framework for future research in air quality modeling.

The global concern for e-waste necessitates comprehensive research, especially in educational institutions. This paper examines the case study of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), examining the generation, flow, and potential environmental impact of e-waste from 2024 to 2034. The research incorporates life cycle inventory (LCI) and material flow analysis (MFA) to estimate the volume and composition of obsolete electronic and electrical equipment (EEE). The study reveals a substantial increase in discarded devices at HCMUT, aligning with campus expansions. E-waste is estimated to generated 1.5 times from 16,792 kg in 2024 to 25,230 kg in 2034, emphasizing the urgency for effective waste management. MFA models delineate the flow of e-waste materials, emphasizing the need for targeted recycling measures. The examination of specific EEE types (projectors, computers, air conditioners, and lamps) reveals varying recyclability proportions, necessitating tailored management strategies. The absence of a specific e-waste management law in Vietnam, coupled with manual and unsafe processing practices, contributes to environmental and health hazards. The paper emphasizes the imperative for sustainable practices in higher education institutions (HEIs) and presents HCMUT's case as pivotal. The university's commitment to sustainable development is highlighted, underscoring the importance of integrating e-waste management into broader environmental strategies. As HEIs globally struggle with e-waste challenges, the study proposes a framework for effective management, incorporating LCI and MFA for informed decision-making. The results provide valuable insights for developing practical and sustainable e-waste management measures, guiding HEIs toward minimizing environmental impact while fostering a culture of responsible e-waste practices.