International Journal of Environmental Research最新文献

{"title":"The Mechanism for Remediation of Low-Permeable Soil Contaminated with Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Thermally-Enhanced Soil Vapor Extraction Combined with Sand Mixing","authors":"Ying Yu, Wenhui Kang, Jianan Song, Zhenli He, Jianguo Wang, Yu Liu, Zhiyu Yan","doi":"10.1007/s41742-024-00639-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00639-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Thermally-enhanced soil vapor extraction (T-SVE) combined with sand mixing is an alternative technology for remediating low-permeable soil polluted by organic contaminants. In this study, a T-SVE apparatus with a large heating cylinder was constructed for exploring removal mechanisms of typical petroleum hydrocarbons of <i>n</i>-C₁₁ and C₁₃₋₁₆ alkanes, and dynamics of heat propagation within soils during T-SVE operation was simulated by CMG-STARS software. After 6 days of T-SVE, most of the soil concentration-gradient curves of <i>n</i>-alkanes almost coincided with their isothermal contours, suggesting the crucial role of heat conductivity on T-SVE remediation efficiency. The instantaneous concentration of <i>n</i>-alkanes in extracted gas showed great fluctuations, and higher than 90% of spiked <i>n</i>-alkanes was removed from soils. <i>n</i>-alkanes were more easily eliminated from soil with lower organic matter due to the less retention ratio despite the trivial impact of organic matter on heat transfer. By contrast, the higher soil moisture adopted in the study retarded heat transfer in the initial 2 days due to thermal consumption induced by water evaporation. During the last 4 days, however, the average temperature of more humid soil was obviously elevated, especially in the zones receiving less energy input. It was attributed to the fact that soil temperature was mainly determined by heat conduction, and soil pores still occupied by water were more beneficial for heat conduction, leading to the promoted evaporation of <i>n</i>-alkane and therefore eventual remediation efficiency. Suitable original soil moisture is important for T-SVE remediating low-permeable soil combined with sand mixing.</p>","PeriodicalId":14121,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141777497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green Energy Dynamics: Exploring the Nexus Between Renewable Energy Utilization and Environmental Quality in the Middle East and North Africa","authors":"Emmanuel Baffour Gyau, Daniel Adu, Ransford Opoku Darko, Michael Opoku Adomako","doi":"10.1007/s41742-024-00634-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00634-1","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Abstract</h3><p>This empirical study addresses environmental sustainability and clean energy transitions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). By analyzing panel data from 2000 to 2020, this study explores the linear and nonlinear connections between renewable energy usage and environmental quality in MENA, using the pooled mean group for short- and long-term relationships, reinforced by the mean group and dynamic common correlated effect mean group models for robustness. The results show a substantial negative relationship between renewable energy utilization and CO₂ output, highlighting renewables' potential for enhancing environmental quality. Nonlinearly, beyond a threshold, incremental renewable energy gains yield diminishing CO₂ reductions, indicating a monotonical reducing pattern. This finding demonstrates a nonlinear relationship between the use of renewable energy sources and CO₂ outflows. Economic growth has a significant long-term negative effect on environmental sustainability and varying short-term effects, while energy intensity has a negative relationship with CO₂ emissions. Foreign investment’s dual dynamics in linear and nonlinear models indicate complexities surrounding its ecological footprint. The robustness tests validate results, reinforcing policy implications. Causality tests highlight bidirectional influences between renewable energy consumption, energy intensity, and environmental quality, and unidirectional links between economic growth, foreign investment, and environmental quality underscoring a multifaceted connection. These empirical results inform effective policies and strategies. MENA countries can leverage findings to expedite sustainable energy transitions, mitigate environmental degradation, and contribute to global climate change efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":14121,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research","volume":"62 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141777502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Climate Warming Effects on Income Polarization in China","authors":"Yefei Sun","doi":"10.1007/s41742-024-00638-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00638-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Climate warming poses a serious threat to sustainable economic development in China. The impact of climate warming on income polarization is often overlooked. This study combines a neural network model and household electricity data to estimate income. Furthermore, a regression model is constructed to examine the nonlinear effect of temperature on income polarization. The study reveals that temperature is a significant factor of income polarization. The temperature range with the lowest income polarization is 21–27 °C, while other temperatures will significantly exacerbate income polarization. Heterogeneous effects of temperature on income polarization indicate that temperature has a greater impact on income polarization in economically underdeveloped areas. By the end of the century, climate warming could significantly exacerbate income polarization. The main reason may be that, against the backdrop of global warming, low-income groups have weaker adaptability compared to high-income groups, which exacerbates income polarization. The findings are significant for regulating income polarization under climate warming in China.</p>","PeriodicalId":14121,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141744455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Accumulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Their Effects on Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Tissues of the Ark Shell (Anadara kagoshimensis)","authors":"Ludmila Malakhova, Olga Gostyukhina, Alexandra Andreeva, Veronika Voitsekhovskaia","doi":"10.1007/s41742-024-00632-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00632-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widely-spread aquatic pollutants that are toxic to aquatic organisms. The response of the antioxidant system in tissues and organs of bivalves to environmental stress is a commonly accepted biomarker in ecophysiological research. This study aims to evaluate bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in tissues and organs of the ark shell <i>Anadara kagoshimensis</i> as well as effects of various concentrations of PCB mixture Sovol on the antioxidant enzyme activities. Upon in vivo experiments, ark shells were exposed to Sovol mixture in concentrations 0.00264 mg/L, 0.264 mg/L and 2.64 mg/L. PCB accumulation in hepatopancreas was by 4.8 times higher compared to gills and mantle. Tetrachlorobiphenyls and pentachlorobiphenyls accumulated in tissues preferentially compared to other PCB congeners. The bioaccumulation factor for PCB in tissues depended on its environmental concentrations. Exposure to PCBs affected the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GP). Despite gills accumulated less PCBs compared to other organs and tissues, treatment of ark shells with Sovol concentrations 0.00264 mg/L and 0.264 mg/L resulted in losses of SOD and CAT activities and enhanced GP activity. The opposite changes in the antioxidant enzyme activities were detected following the exposure to the highest Sovol concentration (2.64 mg/L). In the mantle the activity of SOD and CAT decreased, despite in hepatopancreas CAT and SOD activities were stable for the most experimental groups. The pattern of changes in GP indicates its critical role in the antioxidant defense following the exposure to PCBs.</p>","PeriodicalId":14121,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141717950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the Role of Bioaerosols in Climate Processes: A Mini Review","authors":"Kiran Kumari, Shweta Yadav","doi":"10.1007/s41742-024-00633-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00633-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Bioaerosols influence the climate processes, human health and overall ecosystem. Their type, concentration and diversity have important implications on various atmospheric processes however the limited understanding of bioaerosols-cloud-climate connection has resulted in existing uncertainty in climate models. Bioaerosols as ice nucleating particles (INPs) and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) govern precipitation initiation, cloud formation and thus the complex hydrological cycle. Homogeneous nucleation takes place at colder temperatures (&lt; − 38 ℃), while owing to their unique properties, certain ice nucleating bioaerosols can initiate freezing at much warmer temperatures (≧ − 10 °C) and thus are important for precipitation initiation through heterogenous nucleation mechanism. Flux of bioaerosols from diverse terrestrial and marine sources lead to their build-up in the atmosphere but rare bioaerosols act as CCN and INP. These rare characteristics of bioaerosols remain largely unexplored and need further attention and research. This work presents fundamental insights on the role of bioaerosols in cloud formation and ice nucleation mechanism along with an overview on the types, diversity and sources of bioaerosols. Most studies reviewed here on bioaerosol-cloud-climate connections are restricted to from specific research groups. Bioaerosol research is still in evolving stage and limited usage of advanced techniques of sampling and characterization is noticed particularly in developing countries. Lack of even baseline database on bioaerosols has resulted in poor understanding of their implications. The discussion presented here on species level information of cloud forming and ice nucleating bioaerosols will help researchers in developing fundamental understanding on characteristics and implications of bioaerosols. Bioaerosol research is expensive and thus joint campaigns by researchers from interdisciplinary areas should be encouraged. Application of high-throughput sequencing allows rapid taxonomic identification and such modern molecular methods should be routinely used for understanding implications of bioaerosols on climate as well as human health.</p>","PeriodicalId":14121,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141721951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Evolutionary Computing Approach For Simultaneous Daylight Optimization in Urban Environments and Buildings Interiors","authors":"Nastaran Abdollahzadeh, Nimish Biloria","doi":"10.1007/s41742-024-00631-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00631-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Rapid population growth globally is resulting in urban densification exponentially. As cities become denser, the environmental quality of urban canyons reduces, resulting in an increase in associated energy use in buildings. Currently, cities are responsible for 70% of the world’s energy consumption. One of the efficient solutions to address this issue is allowing more solar access into interiors and thus making the most of daylight and solar heat gain. Accordingly, this paper presents a novel approach to integrate daylight optimization in both urban environments and buildings’ interiors via the development and application of a custom algorithm based evolutionary computation. This ultimately allows more daylight penetration into urban canyons [vertical daylight illuminance (VDI)] and, subsequently, improves indoor visual comfort [useful horizontal illuminance level (HIL)]. This can also reduce the associated lighting and heating (during winter) energy use of buildings. Furthermore, investigating the correlation between indoor and outdoor illuminance levels aims to bridge the gap between daylight requirements at the urban planning and building scale. A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm-based assessment using computational simulation of design variables is conducted. This determines the extent to which each urban morphology can affect daylight access in both indoor and outdoor environments. Accordingly, the optimal range for different design factors is suggested.</p>","PeriodicalId":14121,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141611674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Review of Phthalates and Phenols in Landfill Environments: Occurrence, Fate and Environmental Implications","authors":"Dohya Monjoa Emily Matike, Veroniva Mpode Ngole-Jeme","doi":"10.1007/s41742-024-00627-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00627-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Landfilling is the preferred method of solid waste disposal globally, but landfills are sources of several pollutants including heavy metals, phthalates, phenols, and other chemicals to the environment. Phthalates and phenols are widely used in the manufacture of everyday household products and are therefore contained in leachate generated in landfills where these products are disposed. These pollutants have endocrine disruptive capabilities and are considered as priority pollutants. Knowledge of their fate in the environment is of relevance to their management and the reduction of associated human and animal exposure risk. Several studies have profiled these pollutants in wastewater, but little information is available on their presence and fate in landfill environments and surrounding soils. Further to this, their degradation pathways have mostly been reported in laboratory simulated studies where the media may not be as complex and dynamic as landfills and surrounding soil environments. The factors and processes affecting their release from waste materials in landfills and their dispersal into surrounding environments has also not been reported, yet this knowledge is relevant for the design of any remediation measures. This article reviews the sources, occurrence, and degradation of phenols and phthalates in landfilled wastes and landfill leachate, and the factors influencing their fate in the landfill and surrounding soils contaminated with landfill leachates. We conclude with a discussion on the exposure pathways and exposure routes of these compounds from landfills to humans and the associated health risk and possible future research opportunities.</p>","PeriodicalId":14121,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141611726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Faecal Sludge Treatment: Unveiling the Potential of the plant Panicum maximum","authors":"Baruc Kpèhouénou Goussanou, Akuemaho Virgile Onésime Akowanou, Mouhamadou Nourou Dine Liady, Hontonho Espérance Justine Deguenon, Mohamed Moukorab Arêmou Daouda, Olouwachêgun Esdras Moïse Ayitchédéhou, Martin Pépin Aina, Jérôme Labanowski","doi":"10.1007/s41742-024-00630-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00630-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study evaluated the effectiveness of three plant species (<i>Panicum maximum, Echinochloa pyramidalis,</i> and <i>Typha domingensis)</i>, in enhancing the removal of salinity, nitrogen, phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand during sludge treatment within sludge treatment reed beds (STRBs). The experimental setup consists of 1 m³ tanks composed of sand and gravel, simulating the reed bed configuration. A total of twelve pilot-scale units were used, with each plant species tested in triplicate, while three units were used as non-planted (control) groups. Over a 6-month period, the units received weekly loadings of faecal sludge sourced from a site in southern Benin. Sampling was carried out weekly in order to evaluate the removal efficiency of the assessed parameters. The results showed the superior efficacy of STRBs compared to control beds, attributing this enhancement to the presence of vegetation. At a loading rate of 300 kg TS/m²/year, the system presented good performance. In particular, <i>P. maximum</i> and <i>E. pyramidalis</i> beds demonstrated the highest removal rates (Salinity: 97.95%, PO₄³⁻: 97.75%, TP: 98.08%, NH₄⁺: 98.68, NO₃⁻: 98.71%, TKN: 99.53%, TSS: 99.98%, COD: 99.94%). Moreover, the drying rates of <i>E. pyramidalis</i> and <i>P. maximum</i> beds (49.5% and 48.5%, respectively) surpassed those of <i>T. domingensis</i> beds (34.7%). These findings highlight the potential of <i>P. maximum</i>, a newly tested species, for application in STRBs, emphasizing the need for dedicated research on this species.</p>","PeriodicalId":14121,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141550550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Review of Soil Microplastic Degradation Pathways and Remediation Techniques","authors":"Tingting Xu, Xiyuan Wang, Qingdong Shi, Huapeng Liu, Yutong Chen, Jia Liu","doi":"10.1007/s41742-024-00615-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00615-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Microplastics have received widespread attention in recent years. However, most studies on microplastics have been limited to the aquatic environment. In this review, we categorize and describe the microplastic's degradation pathways and removal methods, including pyrolysis, hydrolysis, biodegradation, and advanced oxidation techniques, such as ultrasonic mechanical degradation. Additionally, we focus on the applicability of photocatalytic degradation as an in-situ removal technique for microplastics in soil, providing a reference for future research. Although soil is an important sink for microplastics and has a much higher abundance than the oceans, there is a lack of comprehensive summary regarding the mechanisms of environmental degradation and removal of microplastics in soil in existing research. In this review, we categorize and describe removal and degradation methods, including pyrolysis, hydrolysis, biodegradation, and advanced oxidation techniques, such as ultrasonic mechanical degradation. Additionally, we focus on the applicability of photocatalytic degradation as an in-situ removal technique for microplastics in soil, providing a reference for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":14121,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research","volume":"97 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141502691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Satellite-based Precipitation Products in Monthly, Seasonal, and Annual Time-Scale over Iran","authors":"Nazanin Nozarpour, Emad Mahjoobi, Saeed Golian","doi":"10.1007/s41742-024-00619-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00619-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation globally is advantageous for advancing climate knowledge and improving weather and climate forecasting models. Despite the complexity of determining precipitation distribution, numerous satellite-based precipitation products (SPPs) have been developed in recent decades to estimate precipitation with sufficient coverage and accuracy. This study evaluates the performance of four SPPs, namely Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG-FRV6), Multi-Source Weighted-Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP), Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM-3B43V7), and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks—Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR) on monthly, seasonal, and annual scales in Iran, and aimed to enhance the accuracy of the evaluation by extending the statistical period and selecting evaluation indicators based on error, efficiency, and correlation. Measured rainfall data from 81 synoptic stations across Iran from 2008 to 2019 were used for this evaluation. To accurately assess the selected SPPs, several statistical indices including Correlation Coefficient (CC), Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Bias were calculated and analyzed at all synoptic stations. The results demonstrate that MSWEP has a significant advantage over other products at all time scales. The performance of all four products in areas with high monthly rainfall is associated with more errors. PERSIANN-CDR exhibited the highest monthly RMSE, while TRMM-3B43V7 performed better in drier regions with low to moderate precipitation. MSWEP showed the closest average precipitation to observational data in spring, summer, and winter, while IMERG-FRV6 overestimated precipitation in all seasons.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000","PeriodicalId":14121,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141502692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}