Hasil untuk "Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering"

A. Jimoh, Johnson Lin

Petroleum hydrocarbons, oil, heavy metals pollution is becoming additional severe problem due to the growing call for crude oil and crude oil products related products in several fields of application. Such pollution have fascinated much considerations and attractions as it leads to ecological damages in both marines, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Thus, different techniques including chemical surfactants and complex technologies have been proposed for their clean up from the environment, which in turn has detrimental effects on the environment. As of late, biosurfactant compounds have added much deliberation since they are considered as a reasonable option and eco-accommodating materials for remediation technology. The present society is confronting a few difficulties of usage, authorizing ecological protection and environmental change for the next generations. Biosurfactants hold the special property of minimizing and reducing the interfacial tension of liquids. Such features endure biosurfactants to afford a major part in emulsification, de-emulsification, biodegradability, foam formation, washing performance, surface activity, and detergent formulation, which have potential applications in the diverse industrial set-up. Conversations on cost-effective technologies, renewable materials, novel synthesis, downstream, upstream, emerging characterization techniques, molecular, and genetical engineering are substantial to produce biosurfactant of quality and quantity. Therefore, greater attention is being paid to biosurfactant production by identifying their environmental, and biotechnological applications. Be that as it may, the extravagant cost drew in with biosurfactants biotechnological synthesis and recovery can hamper their application in those areas. Notwithstanding these costs, biosurfactants can be used as these parts shows outstandingly high benefits that can at present beat the expenses incurred in the initial purification and downstream processes. Biosurfactant production by microorganisms is relatively considered one of the crucial know-how for improvement, growth, advancement, and environmental sustainability of the 21st century. There is a developing conversation around environmental safety and the significant role that biosurfactants will progressively play soon, for instance, the use of renewable by-products as substrates, potential reduction, re-use and recycling of waste and waste products. The review confers the usefulness of biosurfactants in the removal of environmental contaminants and, consequently, expanding environmental safety and drive towards greener technology.

Yu Ma, Jiahang Zhang, Qixuan Zhou et al.

Rotenone, a widely used agricultural pesticide has been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD) following chronic exposure. Our previous study found that rotenone not only caused motor deficits in mice, but was also able to cause cognitive deficits, a common non-motor symptom in PD. This study aimed to explore whether activation of the SIRT1-Nrf2 axis confers neuroprotection against rotenone-induced cognitive impairments. We found that rotenone significantly decreased the expression and activation of SIRT1 and Nrf2 in the hippocampus of mice. Pharmacological activation of SIRT1 and Nrf2 using resveratrol and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), respectively, markedly ameliorated rotenone-induced learning and memory impairments and neuronal damage. Mechanistically, resveratrol and TBHQ suppressed microglial activation and the expression of proinflammatory genes (iNOS, TNFα, IL-1β), attenuated C3-CR3 signaling, and restored the levels of synaptic proteins (PSD95, mBDNF, TrkB), indicating suppression of abnormal glia-mediated synaptic pruning. Furthermore, SIRT1-Nrf2 axis activation reduced iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus, accompanied by increased GPX4 and decreased COX2 and ACSL4 expression, suggesting suppression of neuronal ferroptosis. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that activation of the SIRT1-Nrf2 axis alleviates rotenone-induced cognitive deficits by inhibiting microglia-mediated synaptic pruning and neuronal ferroptosis. These results provide mechanistic insight and a potential therapeutic target for pesticide-induced neurotoxicity and PD-related cognitive dysfunction.

Fahrudi Ahwan Ikhsan, Sumarmi Sumarmi, Sugeng Utaya et al.

Controlling land degradation in conservation areas requires improvement, especially given the spatial impacts of human-environment interactions within the Meru Betiri National Park Biosphere Reserve, Indonesia. Drawing upon geosystem theory, this study investigated land change issues stemming from human-environment interactions within Meru Betiri National Park's conservation area. This study adopted a mixed-methods design that incorporated field observations, surveys, and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were obtained from observations of the degradation landscape and a survey of forest farmers, while qualitative data were collected through interviews with key observer participants. Data analysis was triangulated through a Forum Group Discussion (FGD) involving forest farmers and policymakers. The findings indicate that forest farmer conservation practices influence knowledge transformation, environmental education, and funding mechanisms. These elements are integral to a sustainable "translation approach" to restore the conservation area's ecological landscape. The impact of ecosystem restoration leads to significant spatial and contextual changes within the biosphere reserve's geosystem landscape. This study highlights the implications of the interplay among farmer thinking patterns, funding, and policies for enhancing welfare through a sustainable critical land conservation model. Applying this "translation approach" offers valuable spatial and temporal conservation insights in protected areas.

Latifa Ben Akka, Oussama Gliti, Z. Bejjaji et al.

Urban drinking-water systems increasingly face a dual challenge: trace metal contamination and disturbed mineral balance, yet many utilities still rely on descriptive monitoring rather than optimisation-driven management. Although machine learning and multi-objective evolutionary optimisation are widely applied in environmental modelling, their end-to-end integration under small-sample monitoring constraints remains under-demonstrated for actionable utility decision support. This study develops a surrogate-assisted multi-objective optimisation framework that transforms routine laboratory measurements into implementable management strategies for urban drinking-water quality. Fourteen household taps across seven distribution zones in Kénitra (Morocco) were analysed for health-relevant trace elements and macro-minerals. Gradient-boosted tree models (XGBoost) were trained under leave-one-out cross-validation to quantify predictive skill under small-sample conditions. Predictive performance was element-dependent, with R² ≈ 0.70 for Ni, 0.53 for P, 0.29 for Cr, and 0.08 for Ag, consistent with stronger signal for Ni/P and attenuated learnability for near-detection and highly variable trace elements. The trained sur - rogates were then coupled to a four-objective NSGA-III optimisation to simultaneously reduce regulatory exceed - ance (sanitary risk), compress inter-zone disparities (homogeneity), improve Ca/Mg/Na/K mineral balance, and constrain intervention effort under contrasting sanitary-priority and mineral-priority profiles. The resulting Pareto fronts reveal a narrow compromise region in which sanitary risk and mineral imbalance are jointly suppressed with marginal increases in operational effort. From this region complemented by extreme non-dominated points seven operator-facing scenarios were derived, linking explicit reduction fractions and mineral adjustments to predicted system-wide outcomes (e.g., exceedance objective as low as 0.0023, inter-zone variance down to ~0.0000–0.0004, mineral deviation as low as 10.5075, and effort proxy as low as 2.4162, in the reported objective units). By dem - onstrating robust optimisation under small-sample conditions typical of municipal monitoring programmes, this study provides a transferable modelling architecture for data-limited urban utilities and strengthens the integration of machine learning with environmental decision-making.

A. K. Wani, Farida Rahayu, I. Ben Amor et al.

Xiaoying Chen, Lingjie Liu, Yanmeng Bi et al.

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is a promising low carbon and economic biological nitrogen removal technology. Considering the anammox has been easily restricted by environmental factors in practical engineering applications, it is necessary to understand the metabolic response characteristics of anammox bacteria to different environmental factors, and then guide the application of the anammox process. This review presented the latest advances of the research progress of the effects of different environmental factors on the metabolic pathway of anammox bacteria. The effects as well as mechanisms of conventional environmental factors and emerging pollutants on the anammox metabolic processes were summarized. Also, the role of quorum sensing (QS) mediating the bacteria growth, gene expression and other metabolic process in the anammox system were also reviewed. Finally, interaction and cross-feeding mechanisms of microbial communities in the anammox system were discussed. This review systematic summarized the variations of metabolic mechanism response to the external environment as well as cross-feeding interactions in the anammox process, which would provide an in-depth understanding for the anammox metabolic process and a comprehensive guidance for future anammox-related metabolic studies and engineering applications.

Denisa BILÍKOVÁ, Petr AIGEL, Michał JUSZCZYK et al.

This study addresses the impending challenge of construction and demolition waste (CDW) generation from the Czech Republic’s extensive panel housing estates, constructed between the 1950s and 1990s. These structures, representing a significant portion of the national housing stock, will eventually reach their operational lifespan, necessitating systematic waste management strategies. A novel estimation methodology is proposed to quantify demolition waste volumes through material-specific decomposition of panel building structures. The T06B panel system, widely deployed in Czech housing estates, serves as a selected case study. The structure, according to the Waste Catalogue, is used for the classification of specific waste types. From a cost perspective, individual fees for waste disposal or recycling are taken from the budgeting program database. The proposed methodology facilitates the predictive modelling of both demolition waste quantities and associated financial expenditures for disposal/recycling of individual waste categories, such as concrete, bricks, iron, plastic, etc.

Dongyu Cui, Yike Kang, Beidou Xi et al.

Organic pollutants remain a persistent threat to ecosystems and human health. In soils, humification gradually converts these compounds into stable humic substances and attenuates their toxicity, but the transformation can take decades—far too slow to match current pollution loads. In this Perspective, we argue that mature compost offers a pragmatic means to accelerate this process: it delivers partially humified intermediates that can “seed” soil humification and shorten its timescale from decades to seasons. Spectroscopic evidence shows that compost-derived humus is enriched in aromatic backbones and reactive functional groups (–COOH, –OH) that both catalyze further condensation of organic matter and immobilise pollutants through π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding and covalent coupling. By merging these catalytic and sorptive functions, compost amendments provide a scalable, low-cost route to the long-term stabilization of organic contaminants. We outline the key mechanistic questions that now need resolution—particularly the reactivity of specific intermediates in situ—to guide field trials and unlock the full potential of compost-driven accelerated humification as an environmental remediation platform.

Xinyue Hu, Haitao Han, Shanshan Wang et al.

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for plankton, but excessive amounts can be toxic and threaten the ecosystems and human health. However, the determination of low concentration labile Cu (CuLabile) in complex water environments remains a huge challenge. In this work, a gold microelectrode (μ-GE) with high sensitivity and anti-fouling capability was fabricated based on a double-layer membrane framework consisting of ion-exchange polymer (Nafion) and agarose gel (LGL). The Nafion stabilized on the surface of μ-GE not only enhanced the voltammetric response significantly through its specific cation-exchange ability with Cu2+, but also improved the chemical and mechanical stability. In addition, the LGL formed an another efficient anti-fouling membrane which could prevent the contamination of electrode by microorganisms, particulate matters, etc. Benefiting from the synergistic effects of the double-layer membrane framework, the so-designed LGL/Nafion functionalized μ-GE (LGL/Nafion/μ-GE) exhibited excellent detection performance for Cu, as well as anti-biofouling capability. Two linear ranges (0.5–10 nM and 10–1000 nM) were achieved for Cu2+, with a detection limit of 0.043 nM in NaCl solution with a salinity of 30 ‰. The LGL/Nafion/μ-GE was successfully applied for the determination of CuLabile in complex environmental water samples including natural seawater and artificial algae culture medium. Furthermore, the real-time changes of CuLabile in culture medium of Synechococcus sp.PCC 7002 was obtained successfully with the LGL/Nafion/μ-GE via in situ continuous monitoring.

Solecka Adriana, Gworek Barbara, Gabryszewska Marta

Fly ash, as waste generated from the combustion of coal and other solid fuels, is an important topic in the context of a circular economy in any industry. There are many variables that affect the amount of waste generated, including the type and quality of fuel and the efficiency of dust collection systems. Statistics on the consumption of coal and lignite in Poland, as well as other sources of waste (such as municipal and sewage sludge) indicate a significant amount of fly ash produced.

Yuequn Chen, Kusheng Wu, Wenlong Huang

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical known for its developmental toxicity. However, the impact of BPA on early embryonic development, particularly during zygotic genome activation (ZGA), remains underexplored. In this study, zebrafish embryos at 3.5 and 4.5 hours post-fertilization (hpf) were collected after 7-day parental exposure to 1.0 µM BPA for transcriptome sequencing. Transcriptomic data underwent differential gene expression functional enrichment and gene set enrichment analyses. Public single-cell transcriptome atlases of zebrafish embryos at different developmental stages (3.3, 4, and 4.8 hpf) were obtained to build signature matrices for digital cell type sorting of the bulk transcriptome using the CIBERSORTx algorithm. Results indicated that parental BPA exposure resulted in muted gene expression response, disturbed energy metabolism profile, and increased pro-inflammatory signatures during ZGA. Digital cell type deconvolution revealed altered cell composition, including deeper multilayer and enveloping layer cells and fewer margin cells. Furthermore, reductions in neural progenitor and heart primordium lineages, alongside expansions in primordial germ and mesendodermal lineages, potentially contribute to later-stage developmental abnormalities. This study elucidates the embryotoxic effects of BPA during the ZGA period, shedding light on the developmental perturbations from early-life exposure to this ubiquitous environmental contaminant.

Weijie Xu, Dong Huang, Dubin Dong et al.

Cadmium (Cd(II)), one of the most toxic heavy metals in paddy soils, poses a major threat to food security. In this study, the effects of biochar derived from maize straw (MB), peanut shells (PB), and their copyrolysis (MPB) on soil properties, Cd(II) immobilization, microbial communities, and rice production were evaluated. MPB exhibited superior physicochemical properties relative to mono-feedstock biochars, including higher porosity, higher cation exchange capacity, and greater enrichment of oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., CO, CC). XRD and SEM analysis showed that MPB had an amorphous carbon structure with decreased crystallinity and a honeycomb-like porous network, providing abundant adsorption sites. Application of MPB significantly increased soil pH, organic carbon, and available K, whereas it decreased CaCl2-extractable Cd(II) by 51.79 % and shifted Cd(II) from the labile to residual fractions. MPB also increased bacterial α diversity, promoted the abundance of beneficial taxa such as Anaerolineaceae and Vicinamibacterales, and strongly reshaped community and environmental relationships. In rice tissues, compared with the control, MPB reduced Cd(II) accumulation by 19.42 % in roots, 23.32 % in stems, 47.18 % in leaves, and 45.56 % in grain, ensuring that Cd(II) levels in grain remained below the national safety threshold. Moreover, MPB improved rice yield (+2.55 %), milling quality, and amylose content. These findings demonstrate that copyrolyzed biochar provides an integrated strategy to simultaneously mitigate Cd(II) risk and increase rice productivity in contaminated paddy soils.

Alessandro Satta, Guido Zampieri, Giovanni Loprete et al.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most marketed aromatic polyesters in the world with an annual demand in 2022 of approximately 29 million metric tons, expected to increase by 40% by 2030. The escalating volume of PET waste and the current inadequacy of recycling methods have led to an accumulation of PET in the terrestrial ecosystem, thereby posing significant global health risks. The pressing global energy and environmental issues associated with PET underscore the urgent need for “upcycling” technologies. These technologies aim to transform reclaimed PET into higher-value products, addressing both energy concerns and environmental sustainability. Enzyme-mediated biocatalytic depolymerization has emerged as a potentially bio-sustainable method for treating and recycling plastics. Numerous plastic-degrading enzymes have been identified from microbial origins, and advancements in protein engineering have been employed to modify and enhance these enzymes. Microbial metabolic engineering allows for the development of modified microbial chassis capable of degrading PET substrates and converting their derived monomers into industrial relevant products. In this review, we describe several engineering approaches aiming at enhancing the performances of PET-degrading enzymes and we present the current metabolic engineering strategies adopted to bio-upcycle PET into high-value molecules.

Damilare Samson Olaleye, Abiodun Charles Oloye., Akinkunle Olanrewaju Akinloye et al.

A thorough examination of the role of radio frequency (RF) engineering is crucial for promoting sustainability in communications infrastructure. This review explores the complex interplay between environmental concerns in communication systems and RF engineering. It examines RF engineering approaches and strategies that support the design, implementation, and preservation of environmentally friendly infrastructure, including the integration of renewable energy sources into RF systems, and the prospects and challenges associated with employing RF technologies for fostering sustainable actions in the communications industry. The major findings revealed the importance of RF engineering as it relates to reducing carbon footprints, lowering energy consumption, and enabling environmental sustainability in communication networks. RF engineering is an essential driver of sustainability in the communications industry, considering that it supports the integration of renewable energy sources, optimization of power usage, and improvement of spectrum efficiency. Therefore, the adoption of eco-friendly practices and utilization of RF technological innovations can potentially support a more sustainable and greener digital ecosystem.

Limin Liu, Zhurui Shen, Can Wang

Photocatalysis, as a sustainable and environmentally friendly green technology, has garnered widespread recognition and application across various fields. Especially its potential in environmental disinfection has been highly valued by researchers. This study commences with foundational research on photocatalytic disinfection technology and provides a comprehensive overview of its current developmental status. It elucidates the complexity of the interface reaction mechanism between photocatalysts and microorganisms, providing valuable insights from the perspectives of materials and microorganisms. This study reviews the latest design and modification strategies (Build heterojunction, defect engineering, and heteroatom doping) for photocatalysts in environmental disinfection. Moreover, this study investigates the research focuses and links in constructing photocatalytic disinfection systems, including photochemical reactors, light sources, and material immobilization technologies. It studies the complex challenges and influencing factors generated by different environmental media during the disinfection process. Simultaneously, a comprehensive review extensively covers the research status of photocatalytic disinfection concerning bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It reveals the observable efficiency differences caused by the microstructure of microorganisms during photocatalytic reactions. Based on these influencing factors, the economy and effectiveness of photocatalytic disinfection systems are analyzed and discussed. Finally, this study summarizes the current application status of photocatalytic disinfection products. The challenges faced by the synthesis and application of future photocatalysts are proposed, and the future development in this field is discussed. The potential for research and innovation has been further emphasized, with the core on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and strengthening the practical application of photocatalysis in environmental disinfection.

Shaopo Wang, Yu Tian, Yanmeng Bi et al.

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is a promising biological method for treating nitrogen-rich, low-carbon wastewater. However, the application of anammox technology in actual engineering is easily limited by environmental factors. Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the anammox restoration strategies. The latest progress has significantly helped address the issue of poor reaction performance following the inhibition of anammox. This review systematically outlines the strategies employed to recover anammox performance following inhibition by conventional environmental factors and emerging pollutants. Additionally, strategies aimed at promoting anammox activity and enhancing nitrogen removal performance are comprehensively summarized, offering valuable insights into the current research landscape in this field. The review contributes to a comprehensive understanding of restoration strategies of anammox-based technologies.

Enoch Oluwademilade Sodiya, Akoh Atadoga, Uchenna Joseph Umoga et al.

The quest for sustainability has extended its reach into the realm of software engineering, prompting an exploration of tools, techniques, and emerging trends to mitigate the environmental impact of software development and operation. This review provides a critical review of current practices and future directions in sustainable software engineering. In recent years, the software industry has recognized the need to address the environmental footprint of software systems, considering factors such as energy consumption, resource utilization, and carbon emissions. Consequently, a plethora of tools and techniques have emerged to support sustainable software development processes. These range from energy-efficient programming languages and frameworks to eco-friendly software architectures and design patterns. Moreover, methodologies such as Green Software Engineering (GSE) and Sustainable Software Development (SSD) have gained traction, emphasizing the integration of sustainability considerations throughout the software development lifecycle. By adopting practices like green requirements engineering, energy-aware testing, and eco-design principles, organizations can optimize their software systems for reduced environmental impact without compromising functionality or performance. Furthermore, trends in sustainable software engineering extend beyond traditional development practices. The rise of cloud computing, edge computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies presents both challenges and opportunities for sustainability. Techniques such as serverless computing and containerization offer potential benefits in terms of resource efficiency and scalability, while also introducing new considerations regarding data center energy consumption and electronic waste management. Looking ahead, the future of sustainable software engineering is marked by innovation and collaboration. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain hold promise for optimizing resource allocation, enhancing energy efficiency, and fostering transparency in sustainability efforts. Additionally, interdisciplinary collaboration between software engineers, environmental scientists, and policymakers will be essential in shaping a more sustainable digital ecosystem. The journey towards sustainable software engineering involves a multifaceted approach encompassing tools, techniques, and ongoing adaptation to evolving trends. By critically evaluating current practices and embracing future directions, the software industry can contribute to a more environmentally responsible and resilient future.

Marco Autili, Martina De Sanctis, Paola Inverardi et al.

As testified by new regulations like the European AI Act, worries about the human and societal impact of (autonomous) software technologies are becoming of public concern. Human, societal, and environmental values, alongside traditional software quality, are increasingly recognized as essential for sustainability and long-term well-being. Traditionally, systems are engineered taking into account business goals and technology drivers. Considering the growing awareness in the community, in this article, we argue that engineering of systems should also consider human, societal, and environmental drivers. Then, we identify the macro and technological challenges by focusing on humans and their role while co-existing with digital systems. The first challenge considers humans in a proactive role when interacting with digital systems, i.e., taking initiative in making things happen instead of reacting to events. The second concerns humans having a reactive role in interacting with digital systems, i.e., humans interacting with digital systems as a reaction to events. The third challenge focuses on humans with a passive role, i.e., they experience, enjoy or even suffer the decisions and/or actions of digital systems. The fourth challenge concerns the duality of trust and trustworthiness, with humans playing any role. Building on the new human, societal, and environmental drivers and the macro and technological challenges, we identify a research roadmap of digital systems for humanity. The research roadmap is concretized in a number of research directions organized into four groups: development process, requirements engineering, software architecture and design, and verification and validation.

Ovie Vincent Erhueh, Chukwuebuka Nwakile, Oluwaseyi Ayotunde Akano et al.

Corrosion resistance is a critical consideration in the design and operation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants, where harsh environmental conditions and aggressive chemicals can significantly impact asset integrity and safety. This paper explores engineering lessons learned from past LNG projects, emphasizing the importance of corrosion management strategies to enhance the longevity and reliability of energy infrastructure. The study highlights key factors contributing to corrosion in LNG facilities, including materials selection, environmental exposure, and operational practices. By employing advanced materials such as corrosion-resistant alloys and coatings, engineers can mitigate corrosion risks, leading to reduced maintenance costs and extended equipment lifespan. The paper examines successful case studies where proactive corrosion management has been implemented, showcasing innovative engineering solutions such as cathodic protection, corrosion monitoring systems, and design modifications that enhance resistance to corrosion-related failures. Furthermore, it addresses the role of regular inspections, predictive maintenance, and risk-based approaches in identifying potential corrosion issues before they escalate into significant problems. As LNG plants continue to proliferate globally, the integration of corrosion resistance into design and operational frameworks becomes increasingly vital. This paper also discusses emerging technologies and materials that hold promise for improving corrosion resistance, including nanotechnology and smart coatings that provide real-time monitoring capabilities. By learning from past projects and embracing a proactive approach to corrosion management, future energy projects can enhance safety, reduce operational risks, and achieve greater sustainability in their operations. Ultimately, the lessons derived from this research will contribute to developing best practices for designing and operating LNG plants and other energy facilities, ensuring that they meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Jiaxin Chen, Song Yang, Xianghui Fang et al.

The impact of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) transition on the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) during post-ENSO summer has been investigated widely, but how to quantify ENSO transition precisely is still a challenge. This study proposes a new index to quantify ENSO transition based on the intensity of the spring persistence barrier. After validation through the key processes that influence ENSO transition, the index could be further validated by investigating the relationship between transitive/persistent ENSO events and the EASM. For the transitive ENSO events, the cold sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly in the central Pacific during post-ENSO summer strengthens the anticyclone over the western Pacific and the EASM by reinforcing the Walker circulation and the local Hadley circulation. In contrast, during the persistent ENSO events, the prolonged warm SST anomaly in the central Pacific exerts a relatively weaker impact on the EASM due to a less robust atmospheric response over the western Pacific.