Hasil untuk "Environmental protection"

Lin Fu, Jiawei Deng, Changbo Zhang et al.

Simultaneous inhibition of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) absorption and transport in rice (Oryza sativa L.) remains a critical challenge for safeguarding food security. This study investigated the mitigating effects of dicarboxylicdimethylammonium chloride ([Glu][Cl]) on combined Cd and As stress in rice seedlings through hydroponic experiments and identified the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. Exogenous [Glu][Cl] application effectively and simultaneously reduced Cd and As accumulation in rice seedlings. At 1.5 mmol·L−1 [Glu][Cl], Cd and As content in roots decreased by 46.0 %–47.3 % and 53.8 %–56.5 %, respectively, and in the shoots by 37.5 %–38.7 % and 39.5 %–42.8 %, respectively. [Glu][Cl] significantly increased the proportion of Cd and As in the rice cell wall. Additionally, [Glu][Cl] downregulated OsNramp5 expression and upregulated OsGLR3 expression, which is associated with the transmembrane transport of Cd. OsLsi1,2 expression was down-regulated, which mediate the entry of As into cells and xylem. Quantum chemical calculations indicated that Cd/As can be chelated by glutamate, Cysteine, glutathione, and other substances, whose synthesis was promoted by the addition of [Glu][Cl]. In conclusion, [Glu][Cl] inhibited Cd/As absorption and transport in rice by enhancing cell wall sequestration, regulating relevant gene expression, and promoting the synthesis of chelating ligands, which provides new strategies for safe rice production in heavy metal-contaminated environments.

Junlin He, Chao Feng, Tao Lin et al.

Catalytic conversion of CO2 is a clean technology that converts CO2 into usable energy, possessing significant environmental protection and energy utilization value. This article reviews the reaction mechanism, catalyst types and performance, challenges, and future development potential of CO2 catalytic conversion. The CO2 activation stage is a key step in the catalytic conversion process, converting CO2 into high-value energy sources such as syngas, methane, and hydrogen through reactions such as hydrogenation, reduction, and methanation. The catalyst type has the greatest impact on the efficiency and selectivity of the CO2 catalytic conversion reaction. This article details the characteristics and adaptability of metal-based catalysts, metal oxide catalysts, carbon-based catalysts, and composite catalysts. Although current research has made some progress, many challenges remain in terms of catalytic efficiency, selectivity, and economics. Future research will focus on catalyst innovation and optimization, improvement of low-carbon energy coupling technologies, system integration, and intelligent development. Catalytic conversion of CO2 to gas has significant potential in energy production, industrial applications, and carbon capture and utilization, contributing to the early achievement of the global carbon neutrality goal.

Love Kumar Dhandole, Jun-Tae Kim, Hyoung-il Kim et al.

The photochemical conversion of plastic waste into valuable resources under ambient conditions is challenging. Achieving efficient photocatalytic conversion necessitates intimate contact between the photocatalyst and plastic substrate, as water molecules are readily oxidized by photogenerated holes, potentially bypassing the plastic as the electron donor. This study demonstrated a novel strategy for depositing polystyrene (PS) waste onto a photoanode by leveraging its solubility in specific organic solvents, including acetone and chloroform, thus enhancing the interface contact. We used an anodization technique to fabricate a skeleton-like porous tungsten oxide (WO3) structure, which exhibited higher durability against detachment from a conductive substrate than the WO3 photoanode fabricated using the doctor blade method. Upon illumination, the photogenerated holes were transferred from WO3 to PS, promoting the oxidative degradation of plastic waste under ambient conditions. Consequently, the oxidative degradation of PS on the anode side generated carbon dioxide, while the cathodic process produced hydrogen gas through water reduction. Our findings pave the way for sunlight-driven plastic waste treatment technologies that concurrently generate valuable fuels or chemicals and offer the dual benefits of cost savings and environmental protection.

En-Hsuan Lu, Lucie C. Ford, Zunwei Chen et al.

Gabriele Costa, Renata Manconi, Gabriele Sanna et al.

This study presents novel information on sponge (Porifera) colonization of artificial substrates in the framework of the LIFE EU Strong Sea Life Project, focusing on the northwestern Sardinian Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea). Five abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gears (ALDFGs) of the local artisanal fishery from circum-seas of the Asinara Island Marine Protected Area (MPA) were focused. The composition, taxonomic richness, relative abundance, and lifestyle of sponge assemblages are reported. Taxonomic richness is notably high with 2 classes and 13 orders comprising 26 families, 36 genera, and 47 species of Porifera displaying miniaturized body size and dominant encrusting to massive/erect growth forms. New records at species level are reported for the MPA, the Sardinian Sea, and the Western Mediterranean Sea. The successful colonization of the recovered ghost fishing gears by sponges highlights that adaptive strategies of these basal metazoans support their ability to settle and persist on synthetic materials. This dataset contributes to the inventory of (i) recovered ALDFGs in MPAs, (ii) exogenous substrata as suitable substrata for sponge settlement, and (iii) species richness of an MPA and (iv) promotes the biodiversity assessment of the plastisphere in a global context of ocean pollution.

Francisco Asensio-Montesinos, Rosa Molina, Giorgio Anfuso et al.

Coasts are the most densely populated regions in the world and are vulnerable to different natural and human factors, e.g., sea-level rise, coastal accretion and erosion processes, the intensification of sea storms and hurricanes, the presence of marine litter, chronic pollution and beach oil spill accidents, etc. Although coastal zones have been affected by local anthropic activities for decades, their impacts on coastal ecosystems is often unclear. Several papers are presented in this Special Issue detailing the interactions between natural processes and human impacts in coastal ecosystems all around the world. A better understanding of such natural and human impacts is therefore of great relevance to confidently predict their negative effects on coastal areas and thus promote different conservation strategies. The implementation of adequate management measures will help coastal communities adapt to future scenarios in the short and long term and prevent damage due to different pollution types, e.g., beach oil spill accidents, through the establishment of Environmental Sensitivity Maps.

Di Zhou, Alexios Kythreotis

Abstract This article explores two primary questions: first, whether the issuance of green bonds contributes to environmental protection, particularly regarding their performance after the adoption of net-zero emission policies; and second, whether issuers of green bonds can have economic benefits. Using the Difference-in-Differences (DID) model to analyze green and conventional bonds issued from 2013 to 2023, the study finds no significant correlation between green bond issuance and CO2 emissions following net-zero adoption. Nevertheless, our findings are important and deserve attention as they indicate that the carbon reduction policies have not exerted sufficient pressure on bond issuers to reduce emissions. At the same time, however, a closer examination of issuing entities reveals that those issuing only green bonds tend to have higher ESG ratings, lower CO2 emissions, and lower financing costs. This suggests that such issuers achieve substantial environmental benefits and economic advantages. In contrast, entities issuing both conventional and green bonds do not demonstrate the same environmental benefits. This finding raises concerns about potential greenwashing, suggesting that entities issuing both green and conventional bonds may engage in practices that contradict environmental protection while presenting their activities as environmentally friendly through green bonds. The study also highlights that the impact of bond features on ESG scores and CO2 emissions varies significantly across different types of issuers. Finally, the paper recommends that policymakers strengthen carbon reduction policies, establish mechanisms to prevent greenwashing, and integrate CO2 emissions and ESG factors into assessment systems. Additionally, it calls for special attention to the carbon emissions of entities in low- and middle-income countries, as well as those in the manufacturing sector, to support the healthy development of green finance.

Rinat Tantashev, Bahtiyor Eshchanov

This article explores the current state and future prospects of developing a green economy in Afghanistan, focusing on renewable energy and fossil resources. It also examines regional cooperation and Afghanistan’s politico-economic relations with its neighbors, especially Uzbekistan. Afghanistan has a significant potential for a green economy due to its reserves of lithium and rare earth metals, essential for modern green technologies. The country is rich in renewable energy resources, which could address environmental challenges, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and create new economic opportunities. This study looks into renewable energy infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and related challenges and opportunities. The paper starts by providing a literature review which analyzes the data on Afghanistan’s geology, economy, and environmental issues. It conducts stakeholder analysis by collecting data on perceptions and expectations from local communities, environmental organizations, and industry experts. The analysis is conducted through reviewing the current mining sector policies and comparing them with successful international models to propose policy reforms. Key areas for development include expanding renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar and wind power projects, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. International organizations and donors are supporting these initiatives. In conclusion, Afghanistan’s transition to a green economy is viable and beneficial, requiring sustained efforts from the government, international partners, and the private sector. Strategic investments and cooperation can unlock the full potential of Afghanistan’s green economy, contributing to sustainable development and environmental protection.

Dorina Camelia Ilieș, Andrei-Ionuț Apopei, Cristina Mircea et al.

Natural stone can undergo disaggregation from various causes, including physical actions such as freeze–thaw cycles, temperature and humidity variations, chemical actions such as the solubilization of minerals by organic and inorganic acids, as well as biological actions due to the colonization of organisms that can produce biocorrosion and biomineralization. This research investigates the impact of microclimatic conditions and microbial activity on the physical and chemical integrity of stone heritage, particularly the biodeterioration caused by fungi in the case of a Romanian rock church. Various analytical techniques were employed, including macroscopic and optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and culture-based identification methods, to characterize the mineral composition and microbial contamination of the rock samples. The analyses revealed that the sandstone consists primarily of quartz (over 90%), muscovite (5–10%), and feldspars. The identified fungi included <i>Cladosporium herbarium</i>, <i>Aspergillus niger</i>, and <i>Mortierella hyalina</i>. The SEM images showed fungal hyphae and spores within the kaolinite–illite matrix, indicating significant microbial colonization and its role in rock deterioration. Additionally, microclimatic data collected over a 12-week period highlighted the substantial fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity within the church, which contribute to the physical and chemical weathering of the stone. This study also noted high levels of particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) and volatile organic compounds, which can exacerbate microbial growth and stone decay. The comprehensive analysis underscores the need for targeted preservation strategies that consider both microclimatic factors and microbial colonization to effectively conserve stone heritage sites, ensuring their longevity and structural integrity.

Quang Hung Bui, Tu Anh Trinh, Hanh An Le Thi et al.

AbstractThe growing importance of a sustainable university transition model is evident in developing countries, where the challenge lies in balancing economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection. This is further complicated by the need to address global issues locally, known as glocal perspectives, and reconcile short-term versus long-term thinking. Sustainable universities (SU) go beyond traditional roles by incorporating sustainability into daily operations. However, universities in emerging markets differ significantly from mature institutions in developed countries, facing limited autonomy and unique social and prioritization factors. Therefore, it is essential to consider the differences between universities in various stages when developing a sustainable university strategy. A narrative literature review methodology was utilized, involving literature search and screening, data extraction, and analysis to provide insights into several relevant models for approaching and implementing SU in emerging markets. The proposed model accentuates the “Sustainability on Campus” concept, a nexus between Education, Research, and Connecting communities with a shared interest in sustainability. It extends the university campus’s role beyond a test bed and strives to inculcate sustainable practices within every facet of the institution, encompassing global, national, regional, organizational, and individual levels. Moreover, this approach seeks to contribute significantly to the national economy as part of the institution’s third mission.

Enora Cléro, Claire Demoury, Bernd Grosche et al.

Abstract Background The SHAMISEN (Nuclear Emergency Situations - Improvement of Medical And Health Surveillance) European project was conducted in 2015-2017 to review the lessons learned from the experience of past nuclear accidents and develop recommendations for preparedness and health surveillance of populations affected by a nuclear accident. Using a toolkit approach, Tsuda et al. recently published a critical review of the article by Cléro et al. derived from the SHAMISEN project on thyroid cancer screening after nuclear accident. Main body We address the main points of criticism of our publication on the SHAMISEN European project. Conclusion We disagree with some of the arguments and criticisms mentioned by Tsuda et al. We continue to support the conclusions and recommendations of the SHAMISEN consortium, including the recommendation not to launch a mass thyroid cancer screening after a nuclear accident, but rather to make it available (with appropriate information counselling) to those who request it.

Ю.С. Голік, Г.І. Шарий, О.П. Крот et al.

The possibilities of using energy-resource solid household waste, agricultural waste, logging waste from forestry enter-prises, green waste from landscaping and growing energy crops as alternative renewable fuels to meet the goals of small-scale heat and power generation in Poltava Oblast are investigated. To study this issue, the specialists from the Departments of Applied Ecology and Nature Management and Heat and Gas Supply, Ventilation and Heat Power En-gineering of National University "Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic" were invited to join the project and a new specialization "Renewable Heat and Power Engineering, Alternative Fuels and Environmental Protection" was opened in the specialty 183 "Environmental Protection Technologies". The problem was included in the strategic development plan of Poltava region and included in the development of the Action Plan for Sustainable Energy Development and Climate of Poltava City Territorial Community until 2030 in accordance with the European initiative "Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy". The assessment of the bioenergy potential may become a significant environmental and economic basis for improving the regional bioenergy sector in Poltava Oblast in the future. A complex of methods of system analysis and the method of data analysis has been applied to achieve the goal of the research. An analysis of modern international literary sources, an analysis of the morphological composition of municipal and green waste, and an analysis of the energy potential of plant biomass were reviewed. As a result of research, the scientific and applied task of using local energy resources at the level of each individual community of the Poltava region, taking into account ecological, economic and social development, has been formulated and substantiated. Ref. 10, figure.

Vitaly Y. Prikhodko, Josh A. Pihl, Todd J. Toops et al.

A three-way catalyst (TWC) and a TWC with a NOx storage component (NS-TWC) were evaluated on a lean spark ignition (SI) engine platform to reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of a passive selective catalytic reduction (pSCR) emission control system. The pSCR system is an approach for controlling NOx emissions from lean SI engines. It relies on onboard NH3 generation over a TWC during brief periods of fuel-rich operation. The NH3 is then stored on a downstream SCR catalyst and is available for NOx reduction during subsequent periods of lean engine operation. The NS-TWC addition enabled longer lean operation and more efficient NH3 use, which lowered fuel penalty of the pSCR system. Over a pseudo-transient drive cycle, the lean SI engine with pSCR that included NS-TWC demonstrated a 8.3% reduction in gasoline consumption over stoichiometric-only engine operation, and the NOx and non-CH4 organic gas emissions were consistent with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 3 levels. The CO emissions, primarily from rich operation, exceeded the EPA Tier 3 levels. A cleanup catalyst (CUC) with high oxygen storage capacity was used to oxidize tailpipe CO during rich excursions by using the stored oxygen from the preceding lean operation. Although the CUC decreased CO emissions and reduced NH3 slip, some of the NH3 was converted back to NOx. Furthermore, rich CO control remains challenging. The results of this work demonstrate significant improvement in fuel consumption and emissions with a modified pSCR system architecture.

Koon-Hui Wang, Philip Waisen, Alan W. Leslie et al.

Soil tillage is generally recognized as having a negative effect on soil health and weed seed predators. Recent advancements in conservation tillage practices allow for further comparison of how different levels of soil disturbances could influence soil food web communities. Field trials were conducted in 2017 and 2018 at two different sites to measure the effects of four cover crop termination treatments: conventional till (CT), no-till (NT), strip-till following roller-crimping (ST-RC), and strip-till with a living mulch between crop rows (ST-LM) on soil health using nematode community indices as soil health bioindicators. Following cover crop termination, the soil was monitored in the subsequent bell pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>) crop over three sampling dates (June, August, and October). In the ST-RC treatment plots, soil nutrients were enriched (increased Enrichment Index, EI) and the soil food web structure was improved (higher Structure Index, SI) by the mid-season of the 2017 trial. In the 2018 trial, the ST-RC treatment enhanced fungal decomposition pathways (fungivore/fungivore + bacterivore ratio) throughout the bell pepper crop cycle and enhanced bacterial decomposition (abundance of bacterivorous nematodes) by the end of the cropping cycle compared to the no-till treatment, suggesting that the ST-RC treatment can further improve soil health conditions achieved by the NT treatment. Scatter plots of sampling points revealed that the treatments CT and NT had very distinct nematode-weed community assemblages in both trials, with the ST-RC and ST-LM treatments distributed closely with the NT treatment. Multivariate analysis among soil health bioindicators, weed pressure and weed seed predation explained 76.4 and 55.7% of the variance in the 2017 and 2018 trials, respectively. Weed pressure was consistently negatively related to (1) the SI, indicating soil disturbance would lead to more weed pressure; (2) the EI, indicating soil with higher weed pressure was linked to poor soil nutrient cycling, (3) cover crop residues left in the field from conservation tillage, or (4) how well the living mulch of red clover covered the ground. This study did not show that weed seed predation would lead to lower weed pressure but weed seed predation increased as weed biomass increased.

Fahad Khan, Pratibha Pandey, Tarun Kumar Upadhyay

Sustainable agriculture is crucial for stimulating both developing and developed countries. Agriculture needs modernization and innovation to meet the increasing demands of food for the growing global population and to maintain environmental sustainability simultaneously. Nanotechnology has gained wider attention in food safety improvement and environment protection by augmenting the efficacy of agricultural inputs and giving potent solutions to agricultural issues for improving food security and productivity. Modern agricultural practices have been found to be associated with the degradation of the environment, ecosystems, and land due to agricultural pollution. Our review provides a detailed insight into the recent developments in nanotechnology-based agrochemicals which have transformed the agriculture sector with better plant growth, crop yields, nano-facilitated soil remediation, and identifying environmental contaminants. The incorporation of nanoscale bioagrochemicals such as nano-pesticides, nano-fertilizers, nanoformulations, and nanosensors in agriculture has revolutionized the traditional agro-practices making them more sustainable, ingenious, and environmentally efficient. Furthermore, we also list recently explored nanotechnology-based agrochemicals including nanocomposites that have significantly overcome the crucial issues associated with food packaging and agricultural sustainability. However, further research is still warranted to study their migration in food products and their environmental implications. Altogether, this review will be highly beneficial for future researchers to understand and exploit the potential of nanomaterials for better food security and sustainable agriculture.

Luigi Germinario, Chiara Coletti, Giampaolo Girardi et al.

An innovative experimental method for the long-term monitoring of outdoor microclimate and material decay at cultural heritage sites was developed to aid the formulation of new damage functions and models for climate-change risk assessment. To that end, an apparatus for field exposure tests was designed to monitor a variety of historical building materials in different environmental settings. The data series acquired, i.e., surface temperature and moisture, are compared with the corresponding meteorological datasets on a local and regional scale. The apparatus is designed for supporting also the monitoring of the physical and chemical changes caused by weathering. This novel method is expected to provide insights into the interaction between historical materials and the environment, which can be exploited for the protection and conservation of cultural heritage.

Ines Yacoubi, Agata Gadaleta, Nourhen Mathlouthi et al.

In the dry and hot Mediterranean regions wheat is greatly susceptible to several abiotic stresses such as extreme temperatures, drought, and salinity, causing plant growth to decrease together with severe yield and quality losses. Thus, the identification of gene sequences involved in plant adaptation to such stresses is crucial for the optimization of molecular tools aimed at genetic selection and development of stress-tolerant varieties. Abscisic acid, stress, ripening-induced (ASR) genes act in the protection mechanism against high salinity and water deficit in several plant species. In a previous study, we isolated for the first time the TtASR1 gene from the 4A chromosome of durum wheat in a salt-tolerant Tunisian landrace and assessed its involvement in plant response to some developmental and environmental signals in several organs. In this work, we focused attention on ASR genes located on the homoeologous chromosome group 4 and used for the first time a Real-Time approach to “in planta” to evaluate the role of such genes in modulating wheat adaptation to salinity and drought. Gene expression modulation was evaluated under the influence of different variables – kind of stress, ploidy level, susceptibility, plant tissue, time post-stress application, gene chromosome location. ASR response to abiotic stresses was found only slightly affected by ploidy level or chromosomal location, as durum and common wheat exhibited a similar gene expression profile in response to salt increase and water deficiency. On the contrary, gene activity was more influenced by other variables such as plant tissue (expression levels were higher in roots than in leaves), kind of stress [NaCl was more affecting than polyethylene glycol (PEG)], and genotype (transcripts accumulated differentially in susceptible or tolerant genotypes). Based on such experimental evidence, we confirmed Abscisic acid, stress, ripening-induced genes involvement in plant response to high salinity and drought and suggested the quantification of gene expression variation after long salt exposure (72 h) as a reliable parameter to discriminate between salt-tolerant and salt-susceptible genotypes in both Triticum aestivum and Triticum durum.

Aleksandra Jamrozik, Roman Żurek, Andrzej Gonet et al.

Operations conducted by petroleum industry generate an entire range of drilling waste. The chemical composition of drilling waste and its toxicity depend primarily on the geological and technological conditions of drilling, the type of drilled rock deposits and on the type and composition of the drilling mud used. In the course of drilling operations, drilling fluids are in constant contact with bacteria, fungi and other organisms infecting the mud. Pioneer species, capable of surviving and using the resources of this specific environment, are selected. For this reason, the effectiveness of microbiota survival on different types of spent drilling muds and in different dilutions with brown soil was measured. Spent drilling muds samples came from drilling operations in various regions of Poland, e.g. Subcarpathia, the Polish Lowland and Pomerania regions. Oxygen consumption after 96 h was around 20 μg·g‒1 dry mass in soil or soil/drilling water-based mud mixture. Soil mixes contained 10 wt% synthetic base, mud had a higher oxygen consumption – 38 μg · g‒1 dry mass. Oxygen consumption decreases sharply as the content of the spent synthetic base mud fraction increases. A higher concentration of spent SBM (35 wt%) reduced the aerobic metabolism by slightly more than 50%. A high concentration of reduced carbon decreased the respiratory quotient (RQ) value to 0.7. All the researched drilling waste shows microbiological activity. At the full concentration of drilling fluids and non-dilution options, the chemical composition (salinity, inhibitors, etc.) strongly inhibits microbiota development and consequently, respiration

Jehyeok Rew, Yongjang Cho, Jihoon Moon et al.

Biodiversity conservation is important for the protection of ecosystems. One key task for sustainable biodiversity conservation is to effectively preserve species’ habitats. However, for various reasons, many of these habitats have been reduced or destroyed in recent decades. To deal with this problem, it is necessary to effectively identify potential habitats based on habitat suitability analysis and preserve them. Various techniques for habitat suitability estimation have been proposed to date, but they have had limited success due to limitations in the data and models used. In this paper, we propose a novel scheme for assessing habitat suitability based on a two-stage ensemble approach. In the first stage, we construct a deep neural network (DNN) model to predict habitat suitability based on observations and environmental data. In the second stage, we develop an ensemble model using various habitat suitability estimation methods based on observations, environmental data, and the results of the DNN from the first stage. For reliable estimation of habitat suitability, we utilize various crowdsourced databases. Using observational and environmental data for four amphibian species and seven bird species in South Korea, we demonstrate that our scheme provides a more accurate estimation of habitat suitability compared to previous other approaches. For instance, our scheme achieves a true skill statistic (TSS) score of 0.886, which is higher than other approaches (TSS = 0.725 ± 0.010).

Svein Vigeland Rottem