International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology最新文献

As a typical cold-region city in China, Hohhot exhibits significant energy consumption in high-rise office buildings, while local designers lack systematic design strategies for guidance. Previous studies relied on simulation algorithms to adjust urban building designs, but this approach suffers from high time costs and limited generalizability. To address these challenges, this study proposes an innovative data-driven optimization framework for analyzing building energy performance in Hohhot’s cold climate and providing actionable design strategies. The framework integrates parametric modeling, machine learning (XGBoost/Random Forest/LightGBM/SVR), and explainable AI (SHAP) to deliver energy-efficient design solutions for high-rise offices. A case study of Hohhot’s typical high-rise building demonstrated that the XGBoost model outperformed alternatives in predicting heating/cooling/lighting demands (R² > 0.83). Key findings revealed that heating systems account for 70–78% of total energy consumption, emphasizing compact building forms as the core design principle. SHAP analysis identified critical optimization directions for window-to-wall ratio (WWR): reducing WWR on east/west/ north facades by 30–40% decreases heating loads by 18–25%, while maintaining south-facing WWR at 35–45% balances daylight autonomy without thermal performance penalties. The proposed self-shading configuration (staggered south-facing layouts) strategically reduces cooling demand through solar occlusion. This methodology establishes a design workflow combining simulation-based approaches with explainable machine learning, offering scientific decision-making support for energy-efficient urban development in northern Chinese cities.

Dispersive clays are more erodible than typical clays due to the high concentration of sodium cations in their pore water. Using eco-friendly materials instead of conventional stabilizers (e.g., lime and cement) may play an important role in reducing energy and natural resource consumption while addressing environmental problems. This research investigated the use of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and recycled glass powder (RGP) for dispersive soil stabilization. The results indicated that upon adding CNF and RGP compounds to the dispersive soil, dispersion potential decreased considerably. The maximum increase in UCS was observed for the compound with 1.5% CNF and 8% RGP. The UCS of these samples increased by 5.9, 10.4, and 12.5-fold after 7, 14, and 28 days of baking, respectively. XRD analysis showed that relatively strong reflections from CSH gel formed when CNF and RGP were added to the soil. Therefore, the main reason for the increase in sample strength might be the changes in the structure of the divergent soil in response to pozzolanic reactions and the formation of CSH gel. All these have led to denser structure and, ultimately, improved the strength properties of dispersive soil. Also, upon adding CNF and RGP to the soil, the increase in soil particle cohesion (c) and the internal friction angle (ϕ) enhanced shear strength. This increment would enhance the load-bearing capacity of the samples and increase the CBR value.

Anthropogenic pollution of border waters can be a source of contention between neighboring countries. However, little information is available on West African transboundary lagoon contamination by trace metals. The objectives of this research were to investigate into the spatial and seasonal fluctuations of mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium, the amount of metal pollution, and the potential health risks involved with cutaneous contact in the waters of the Aby Lagoon, a border lagoon in West Africa. The water samples were collected from February 2020 to October 2020. A one-way analysis of variance was used to investigate differences in trace metal total concentration between stations and, between seasons. Trace metal evaluation index and Human Health Risk Indices were used to assess the quality of water and the potential human health risk, respectively. Overall, the amounts of mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic did not vary between the stations, indicating that human activities in the area around these stations are similar. Throughout the research period, there was no seasonal change in total mercury and lead concentrations. However, total arsenic and cadmium concentrations differed greatly from season to season. The averages mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead concentrations were 2.28 ± 1.37 µg/L, 9.58 ± 5.80 µg/L, 0.72 ± 0.68 µg/L, and 1.16 ± 1.24 µg/L, respectively. Dermal contact with the water may expose the population to arsenic and cadmium-related cancers, as indicated by the results of the prospective human health risk indices. Based on the trace metal pollution index, most of the water is moderately to severely polluted. This study provides preliminary data on trace metals concentrations in the Côte d’Ivoire portion of the Aby Lagoon.

The utilization of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) as a biomaterial for metal recovery has the potential to enhance the economic and environmental aspects of contaminant adsorption. In this study, the optimization of operational parameters and the phenomenological mechanisms involved in copper biosorption by AGS were investigated. A Box-Behnken experimental design was used for the optimization of copper biosorption with AGS. The experiment showed that the optimal parameters for copper biosorption were sludge concentration of 1 gTS L⁻¹, pH 6, and contact time of 6 h for the highest copper removal (30.65%). The tested temperature (18–26 °C) was not relevant in the process. The pseudo-second order kinetics (R² = 0.9721) and the Langmuir isotherm (R² = 0.9716, maximum adsorption capacity = 140.85 mg gST⁻¹) described the biosorption of copper by AGS. The solution of the differential equations governing the phenomenological mechanisms revealed that adsorption on active sites dominates the copper adsorption process in AGS during the first 2.75 h. However, beyond this initial period, all mass transfer mechanisms (external diffusion, intraparticle diffusion, and adsorption at active sites) become equally relevant. In this study, the feasibility and efficiency of copper biosorption were demonstrated, establishing an alternative process for the copper removal using AGS.

Loess soil, due to mechanical weaknesses, such as low strength and high sensitivity to environmental changes, needs stabilization in order to perform better in geotechnical engineering projects. Although the traditional methods of soil stabilization are efficient, due to environmental problems, using nanomaterials with unique properties, such as high specific surface area is recognized as an innovative and effective approach. In this research, the effect of nano iron oxide in different contents and different curing times on the stabilization of loess soil has been investigated. The mechanical and shear properties of the samples were evaluated using standard Proctor compaction, indirect tensile strength (ITS), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), direct shear, scanning electron microscopy and particularly ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests. This study is significant for using UPV testing as a non-destructive approach to monitor structural changes and predict soil strength. The findings indicated that incorporating nano iron oxide reduced the maximum dry density (MDD) while increasing the optimum moisture content (OMC). Furthermore, the ITS and UCS values of the sample stabilized with 1.5% nano iron oxide improved by 41% and 32%, respectively, after a curing time of 14 days. The optimum nano iron oxide content was determined to be 1.5% to achieve maximum strength. In addition, the internal friction angle and cohesion of loess soil treated with 1.5% nano iron oxide increased by approximately 15% and 207%, respectively. Results from the UPV tests further demonstrated that this method can effectively serve as a non-destructive tool for assessing soil strength evolution over time.

In the current study, parthenium hysterophorus-derived biochars (PTCs) were used as low-cost and environment-friendly sorbents in batch mode and fixed-bed columns to assess the adsorption behavior of tartrazine dye (TTZ) by varying operational settings and analyzing mathematical models. In the batch adsorption study, the Langmuir and pseudo-first-order models provided the best expression for TTZ adsorption onto PTCs with an uptake capacity of 95.57 mg/g at maximum. In the fixed bed column, the sorption of TTZ was promoted with greater bed height, reduced flow velocity, and higher dye concentration. Comparing the column models (Yoon-Nelson, Thomas, and Clark), the Clark model provided the best fit with the experimental data and effectively represented the adsorption process. The accompanying experimental data agreed with the breakthrough curves. The maximum adsorption capacity achieved with the column process was 8.32 mg/g. In contrast to other adsorbents, PTCs showed excellent adsorption efficiency and a strong potential for reusability.

Graphical abstract

Landfill charging schemes effectively reduce construction and demolition waste (C&DW) sent to landfills, advancing the global circular economy. Their success, however, depends on scientifically sound charging standards. Current methods for setting landfill charges largely rely on waste generators’ willingness to pay, with little consideration for landfill operators’ interests. To address this gap, this study proposes a novel, stakeholder-inclusive approach to develop waste landfill charging standards. Distinct from methods centered on willingness to pay, this approach integrates both generators’ cost considerations and operators’ revenue needs, alongside market realities (e.g., costs of alternative disposal facilities, transportation expenses). It comprises four progressive steps: (1) identifying the generation area and specific locations of the C&DW to be landfilled; (2) calculating the total disposal costs at alternative facilities; (3) estimating transportation costs from waste sources to the target landfill; (4) determining the final charging standard by balancing cost-efficiency for generators and operational sustainability for operators. Validated through a case study of the Litoushan Landfill in Shenzhen, China, the approach yielded an optimal charging standard ranging from CNY 106 to CNY 112/m³. This method provides a valuable, and actionable reference for policymakers worldwide to establish evidence-based C&DW landfill charging standards, strengthening waste management practices globally. Additionally, its adaptable framework can be extended to determine charging standards for other waste types (e.g., municipal solid waste, industrial solid waste), further supporting the global transition to a circular economy.

This study assesses the environmental and economic impacts of a natural gas-fired thermal power plant in Tehran using life cycle analysis and environmental cost accounting. The analysis considers key environmental categories, including global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, water consumption, thermal pollution, and particulate matter formation. This study used a life cycle analysis framework integrated with environmental cost accounting to assess the environmental costs of a natural gas-fired thermal power plant in Tehran. The study covered the entire life cycle of the power plant, including fuel extraction, transportation, electricity generation, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste management. The environmental impacts were then quantified in financial terms to estimate the economic burden associated with these impacts, providing a comprehensive view of the plant’s environmental footprint. The results show that the plant emits 451.5 kg CO₂ equivalent per megawatt-hour, with a total annual emission of 1.63 million tons of CO₂ equivalent, which significantly contributes to global climate change. The plant’s high levels of NOx and SOx emissions, which contribute to acidification and air pollution, are also of concern, along with the plant’s annual water consumption of 10.8 million cubic meters, which leads to water shortages and thermal pollution in Tehran. The economic costs associated with these environmental impacts are estimated at $31.20 per megawatt-hour, indicating hidden social costs related to public health and environmental degradation. The study emphasizes the need for policy interventions, such as upgrading emission control technologies, reducing water consumption through dry cooling systems, and transitioning to renewable energy sources to reduce the environmental and economic burdens of thermal power generation. This study also emphasizes the importance of understanding the water-energy nexus in managing resource interdependencies and achieving long-term sustainability in urban energy systems.

Misuse of antibiotics and their presence in wastewater have led to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Vancomycin residue in water from hospital use, is associated with the appearance and spread of vancomycin resistant bacteria, i.e. considered as a serious threat for human health. This study assessed physicochemical properties of two activated carbons and linked them to their vancomycin adsorptive performance. The influence of contact time (0–168 h), pH (3–11), adsorbent dosage (100–1000 mg), temperature (15–45 °C), and initial vancomycin concentration (5–100 μg/mL) were investigated. The equilibrium of vancomycin adsorption was reached at 120 h for both Filtrasorb 400 and Norit RB4W. The sorbents exhibited peak performance at a solution pH of 5. The highest vancomycin removal efficiency was attained with 600 mg of Filtrasorb 400 at 24 h. It achieved an almost complete removal of vancomycin from solution. 1000 mg of Norit RB4W reduced vancomycin’s concentration from 48.9 to 25.6 μg/mL (47.64%). Temperature modification showed no statistically significant effect on vancomycin concentration of Norit RB4W and control samples at 24 h. However, Filtrasorb 400 presented a notable increase in removal efficiency with increasing temperature. Moreover, removal efficiency was found to be inversely proportional to initial vancomycin concentration. Physisorption was likely to be the prevalent mechanism of vancomycin removal from aqueous samples. Filtrasorb 400 demonstrated superior performance in removing vancomycin from water as it contains wider mesopores as well as higher mesopore content and larger specific surface area, compared to Norit RB4W.