Next Sustainability最新文献

{"title":"Integrating experimental-based vulnerability mapping with intelligent identification of multi-aquifer groundwater salinization","authors":"Mohamed A. Yassin ,&nbsp;Sani I. Abba ,&nbsp;A.G. Usman ,&nbsp;Syed Muzzamil Hussain Shah ,&nbsp;Isam H. Aljundi ,&nbsp;Shafik S. Shafik ,&nbsp;Zaher Mundher Yaseen","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100115","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100115","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater salinization is a pressing global issue, threatening water security and sustainable development in many regions. In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this study addresses groundwater salinity challenges in the coastal regions of eastern Saudi Arabia through comprehensive experimental analysis and advanced mapping techniques. Groundwater samples were analyzed using ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine salinity levels. The data were processed using ArcGIS 10.3 software to create vulnerability maps, supported by five artificial intelligence (AI)-based models for robust predictions and enhanced insights. Model performance was assessed using statistical parameters, including Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), root mean square error (RMSE), Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC), and mean square error (MSE). Among the models, interactive learning (ILR-M3) delivered the best results (RMSE=0.0385; MSE=0.0015), while all models were validated as satisfactory. This research highlights the potential of combining experimental data with AI-driven approaches for effective water resource management. The outcomes directly support Saudi Vision 2030 and contribute to achieving the SDGs by advancing sustainable and intelligent solutions for global water security challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100115"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143487382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced biodegradation of GTL process wastewater using immobilized bacteria in PVA/TiO2 nanoparticles hydrogel matrix","authors":"Riham Surkatti ,&nbsp;Mark C.M. Van Loosdrecht ,&nbsp;Muftah H. El-Naas","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100137","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100137","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A spouted bed bioreactor (SBBR) was utilized to treat GTL process wastewater in batch mode incorporating a special biocatalyst using an immobilized bacterial consortium in PVA/TiO₂ (1.0 w% nanoparticles) composite hydrogel. Batch experiments were carried out in the SBBR at different operating parameters that influence the GTL process wastewater treatment. Parameters optimization was carried out using Response surface methodology (RSM), where the effect of temperature, pH, and initial COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) on the removal of the organic compounds was investigated. The experimental design results were used to determine the influence of the operation parameters on the biodegradation rate of the contaminants. The optimization results indicated that the optimum pH, temperature, and initial COD were 6.0, 30˚C, and 2100 mg/L, respectively. Under these conditions, the maximum biodegradation rate was 255 mg/L.h. The airflow rate influences the COD reduction by maintaining the dissolved oxygen (DO) level and providing mixing in the bioreactor. The optimum DO value was obtained at an airflow rate of 3 L_a/L_r.min. At the optimum conditions, the system can reduce the COD content by 85 % at 12 h HRT; this residence time can be applied in the continuous biological treatment of GTL process water.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100137"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144154406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of KOH activation on the biocarbon materials derived from Polyalthia longifolia seeds towards the germination and seedling growth of mung bean","authors":"Sivashunmugam Sankaranarayanan ,&nbsp;Duraikkannu Shanthana Lakshmi ,&nbsp;Mahesh Kumar Siva Sankari ,&nbsp;Vellaiyan Ganesan ,&nbsp;Sankaralingam Muthuramkumar ,&nbsp;Singaravelu Vivekanandhan ,&nbsp;Rodrigo Navia","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100181","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100181","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Polyalthia longifolia</em> (PL) seed biomass was effectively converted into pristine and activated biocarbon using KOH mediated chemical activation process at 800°C under N₂ atmosphere for 1 h. Both the synthesized pristine and activated biocarbon materials were characterized by PXRD, FT-IR, RAMAN, SEM, TG and BET surface analyses in order to understand their physicochemical, structural, morphological and thermal properties. The obtained biocarbon materials showed the turbostratic structure possessing both the graphitic and amorphous features. Activation process greatly enhanced the specific surface area of the biocarbon material and it is found to be 688 m²/g, whereas their pristine form showed as low as 1 m²/g. Under the studied conditions, mung bean seeds treated with the activated biocarbon (PL-AC) exhibited the superior germination efficiency with enhanced shoot and leaf growth compared to their pristine counterpart (PL-PC) and control. Mung bean seed treated with 1000 mg PL-AC exhibited enhanced plant growth (total length/weight of plant ∼24.4 cm/0.482 g; leaf length/weight/width of plant 5.08 cm/0.068 g/1.84 cm) than mung bean seed treated with 1000 mg PL-PC (total length/weight of plant ∼20.3 cm/0.480 g; leaf length/weight/width of plant 5.2 cm/0.078 g/1.64 cm). The statistical analysis of the obtained plant parameters indicate the P value of &lt; 0.05 (P = 0.010 for PL-PC and P = 0.006 for PL-AC), which suggests a strong statistical confidence of the results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100181"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145095210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Maximum scour depth estimation around side-by-side piers due to spacing effects for sustainable hydraulic infrastructure design","authors":"Buddhadev Nandi ,&nbsp;Subhasish Das","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A lot of research has been done on single bridge piers using experimental, numerical or database-driven models. However, there have not been many studies on groups of piers placed next to each other in the cross-flow direction. This is important for bridge design, especially with increased traffic and new bridge structures being built. Closely spaced piers often have to be placed side by side to meet the growing traffic demand. This paper reviews past research on how water flows around side-by-side piers, focusing on its impact on scouring around the piers under clear water conditions. This paper thoroughly examines how various hydraulic factors, as discussed in previous studies, influence the maximum depth of scour (<em>d</em>_<em>m</em>) including flow intensity, flow shallowness, sediment coarseness, constriction ratio, time, and side-by-side pier spacing<em>.</em> A new formula using Multiple Non-Linear Regression (MNLR) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) has been developed to determine <em>d</em>_<em>m</em> around side-by-side piers and compared with the existing literature formulas. The formulas are evaluated using statistical parameters like correlation coefficient (R), Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Normalised Root Mean Squared Error (NRMSE), and Index Agreement (IA). Notably, the newly developed formula for side-by-side pier using MNLR shows the best performance with R= 0.93, NSE= 0.86, NRMSE= 0.09, IA= 0.96, and 96 % of values within ± 80 % accuracy. This study investigates flow structure interaction, based on how the pier spacing influences <em>d</em>_<em>m</em>. The goal is to enhance the understanding of scour around side-by-side bridge piers, contributing to the development of resilient and sustainable infrastructure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100134"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144068428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lignocellulosic-based hydrochars: Synthesis, characterization and application in water decontamination","authors":"Jonathan Michel Sánchez-Silva ,&nbsp;Angélica Aguilar-Aguilar ,&nbsp;Diakaridia Sangaré ,&nbsp;Raúl Ocampo-Pérez","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The utilization of lignocellulosic biomass for the production of carbonaceous materials has become increasingly prominent in the fields of environmental engineering and the circular economy. With the establishment of new material sources, waste management has improved, and novel materials are being synthesized with a reduced environmental impact. Consequently, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) emerges as a sustainable and environmentally friendly thermochemical technique for the treatment of lignocellulosic biomass, particularly agro-industrial waste. HTC produces a carbonaceous material called hydrochar, which has extensive applications in environmental water decontamination processes. Hydrochars derived from agro-industrial waste serve as a sustainable alternative for the reclamation of agro-industrial byproducts and exhibit desirable properties for use in water treatment processes. The abundance of oxygenated functional groups (OFGs) and the presence of persistent free radicals (PFRs) make hydrochar a carbonaceous material suitable for diverse water decontamination applications. This review offers a thorough analysis of the synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of hydrochars in water decontamination via adsorption and advanced oxidation processes, including heterogeneous photocatalysis and persulfate activation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100150"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144570601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Review of port generations development models: Addressing the energy transition gap","authors":"Anas S. Alamoush ,&nbsp;Ahmed M. Ismail","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to review the development models of port generations, from the first to the proposed Sixth generation, highlighting critical gaps and emphasizing the role of port energy transition in the achievement of the climate goal. In doing so, it examines the interrelated challenges of port energy transition and generational development, culminating in the formulation of a conceptual framework that integrates emerging sustainability imperatives, and decarbonization including energy transition strategies into the prospective next generation of ports<u>.</u> The results suggest that energy transition considerations are advancing, both in research and practice. However, the complexity of port energy transitions is underscored by various barriers, including infrastructure limitations, regulatory challenges, and stakeholder inertia. Notably, while port models have evolved in response to trade, technological, and logistical advancements, none of the models explicitly address the growing need for energy transition to achieve decarbonization goals, stressing the need for integrating energy transition within these frameworks. The findings of this study have significant implications for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners because it inspires them about the port generation development and the concurrent issue of energy transition. This study contributes to scholarly discussions by suggesting a direction for future research that bridges the scientific gap and advances sustainable port development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100186"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145095261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Smart construction strategies: Incorporating fly ash in sustainable city infrastructure through optimized dry lean concrete mixes","authors":"Hrushikesh N. Kedar,&nbsp;Ashwini S. Damale,&nbsp;Gokul H. Nagare,&nbsp;Audumbar B. Jundre","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing volume of industrial waste, particularly fly ash, poses significant environmental challenges. This study explores the innovative utilization of stabilized pond ash in road construction by optimizing its incorporation into layers of Dry Lean Concrete (DLC) for robust pavements. Fly ash was stabilized using hydraulic binders, particularly gypsum and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag. Twenty-seven experimental mixtures were subjected to a series of laboratory experiments assessing compaction, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and durability. The optimal binder mixture of 77 % fly ash, 5 % gypsum, and 18 % GGBS was determined using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Meeting the requirements of IRC:SP-49 for rigid pavement construction, the best mix achieved a 7-day UCS of 2.1 MPa (standard deviation ±0.23 MPa) and a resilient modulus of 1100 MPa. A low cumulative mass loss of 4.8 % during a durability assessment over 12 wetting-drying cycles demonstrated improved resistance to environmental exposure. This approach offers a technically viable and sustainable solution for flexible pavement construction while resolving fly ash disposal challenges, hence promoting the circular economy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Energy-related contaminants in subterranean waterbodies: The role of geocolloids on facilitated and hindered transport","authors":"Mustafa E.S. Akbulut ,&nbsp;Younjin Min","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2024.100094","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2024.100094","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The examination of energy byproduct transport and associated contaminant dynamics in geosystems and aquatic ecosystems is important for evaluating the ramifications of energy generation and consumption. This article critically reviews contemporary studies on the influence of aqueous geocolloids in modulating the transport kinetics of energy-related contaminants within subterranean hydrological systems. The primary objectives of this work are to: i) introduce the morphological and physicochemical properties of prevalent geocolloid varieties and explain their formation mechanisms, ii) outline the mechanistic pathways by which geocolloids alter contaminant transport dynamics, and iii) analyze the ramifications for applications such as coal mining, hydraulic fracturing, chemically-enhanced oil recovery, and radionuclide storage. A systematic literature review was conducted, synthesizing findings from experimental investigations, computational simulations, and field observations. These studies reveal that geocolloids can facilitate or impede contaminant mobility by modifying parameters such as effective diffusivity, rheological properties, and interfacial deposition kinetics across multiple spatiotemporal scales. The presence of geocolloids introduces non-linear complexities in contaminant fate and transport that go beyond conventional advection-dispersion models. These topics have significant implications for risk assessment methodologies and remediation strategies related to energy production and waste management in geological formations, particularly in terms of colloid-facilitated contaminant transport and its impact on the vulnerability of waterbodies and geosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100094"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143163064","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"California’s Senate Bill 596: Spearheading the global transition to sustainable cement","authors":"Kenneth C. Johnson","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100106","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100106","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The so-called “hard to abate” cement industry is at the cusp of a foundational technology transformation. Emerging technologies could make cement production carbon-neutral or carbon-negative, and could potentially do so profitably. California is well-positioned to spearhead the global transition to sustainable cement with its Senate Bill 596 (Becker 2021), which directs the California Air Resource Board (CARB) to “develop a comprehensive strategy for the state’s cement sector to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases associated with cement used within the state as soon as possible […]” CARB’s SB 596 strategy could serve as a model policy framework for other states’ and nations’ climate policies. This paper proposes a regulatory strategy for cement decarbonization, which includes carbon pricing and financing mechanisms to support and accelerate early-stage development and subsequent commercial adoption of sustainable cement technologies in California, pursuant to the broader goal of expediently decarbonizing the global cement industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100106"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143162226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Performance of concrete containing different ratios of metakaolin and magnetized water","authors":"Mostafa M. Keshta ,&nbsp;Mohamed M. Yousry Elshikh ,&nbsp;Ahmed M. Elkerany","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100107","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100107","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metakaolin (MK) is an eco-friendly cementitious material. Incorporating MK as a partial or additive for cement in concrete can negatively affects its workability, especially at higher replacement levels, and may also adversely affect concrete strength. Magnetized water (MW) is a technique of treating regular tap (TW) water by exposing it to a magnetic field with a specific intensity and a certain number of cycles, making the water magnetized. The incorporation of MK and MW in concrete promotes sustainability by reducing cement consumption, thereby lowering carbon emissions. This research investigates the effects of using magnetized water (MW), prepared in a magnetic field of 1.4 tesla, on the workability and compressive strength of concrete containing MK in different ratios. MK was incorporated at 5 %, 10 %, and 20 % as either a partial replacement or additive to cement by weight. Two sets of concrete mixes were prepared: one with MK (ranging from 0 % to 20 % as a replacement and additive) mixed with ordinary tap water (TW), and the other with the same MK percentages mixed with MW. The results of the hardened concrete tests indicated that the optimal MK ratio for concrete was 10 + % (10 % as an addition to cement), whether or not MW was used. The slump of concrete decreased when TW was used; however, using MW improved the slump by up to 2 %. The compressive strength increased by 13 %, 11 %, and − 5 % at 7, 28, and 365 days, respectively, with no MK and the use of MW. When 10 + % MK was used with MW, the compressive strength improved by 5 %, 0 %, and − 5 % at 7, 28, and 365 days, respectively. Also, in the SEM images, the cement pastes in the presence of MK and MW became denser and more cohesive compared to the control mix without them, indicating an improvement in the hydration process with the efficient use of MW. Also, FTIR analysis was conducted to the optimal mixes to show the function groups of these mixes in microscale. Finally, the results of water properties indicated that using MW increase TDS and pH up to 14 % compared to using TW.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100107"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143162227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}