Abatement Techniques Research Articles

Low-temperature thermocatalytic particulate carbon decomposition via urea solution-combustion derived CeO2 nanostructures

A facile, one-pot, urea solution combustion route was utilized to synthesize highly catalytic CeO2 nanostructures. CeO2 prepared under varying thermal conditions was characterized by electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared and Raman techniques. As the synthesis temperature is raised from 400 to 1000 °C, the crystallite size and d-spacing of nanoparticles are observed to reduce while cell parameters remain in the same range. Particle size exhibits an accession from ∼20 to ∼50 nm along the process. Initial CeO2 nanoparticles are detected as a composite structure of CeO2 and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) produced by the pyrolysis of urea. Concerning the solid carbon particulate oxidation capacity, an outstanding performance is exhibited by CeO2 synthesized at 800 °C where the oxidation onset temperature is reduced by 27% compared with the others. The superior performance is attributed to the carbon nitride-generated unique CeO2 nanomorphology consolidating ample reactive sites and facilitated oxygen delivery for a highly efficient thermocatalytic process. Concerning atmospheric pollution mitigation, synthesis of these CeO2 nanostructures represents a cost effective and convenient abatement technique for carbon particulates in comparison to cost-intensive, environmentally detrimental and noble-metal based techniques.

Technical potentials and costs for reducing global anthropogenic methane emissions in the 2050 timeframe –results from the GAINS model

Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide contributing to human-made global warming. Keeping to the Paris Agreement of staying well below two degrees warming will require a concerted effort to curb methane emissions in addition to necessary decarbonization of the energy systems. The fastest way to achieve emission reductions in the 2050 timeframe is likely through implementation of various technical options. The focus of this study is to explore the technical abatement and cost pathways for reducing global methane emissions, breaking reductions down to regional and sector levels using the most recent version of IIASA’s Greenhouse gas and Air pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model. The diverse human activities that contribute to methane emissions make detailed information on potential global impacts of actions at the regional and sectoral levels particularly valuable for policy-makers. With a global annual inventory for 1990–2015 as starting point for projections, we produce a baseline emission scenario to 2050 against which future technical abatement potentials and costs are assessed at a country and sector/technology level. We find it technically feasible in year 2050 to remove 54 percent of global methane emissions below baseline, however, due to locked in capital in the short run, the cumulative removal potential over the period 2020–2050 is estimated at 38 percent below baseline. This leaves 7.7 Pg methane released globally between today and 2050 that will likely be difficult to remove through technical solutions. There are extensive technical opportunities at low costs to control emissions from waste and wastewater handling and from fossil fuel production and use. A considerably more limited technical abatement potential is found for agricultural emissions, in particular from extensive livestock rearing in developing countries. This calls for widespread implementation in the 2050 timeframe of institutional and behavioural options in addition to technical solutions.

Exploring the \u2018solution space\u2019 is key: SOLUTIONS recommends an early-stage assessment of options to protect and restore water quality against chemical pollution

Present evaluations of chemical pollution in European surface and groundwater bodies focus on problem description and chemical classification of water quality. Surprisingly, relatively low attention has been paid to solutions of chemical pollution problems when those are encountered. Based on evaluations of current practices and available approaches, we suggest that water quality protection, monitoring, assessment and management of chemical pollution can be improved by implementing an early-stage exploration of the ‘solution space’. This follows from the innovative paradigm of solution-focused risk assessment, which was developed to improve the utility of risk assessments. The ‘solution space’ is defined as the set of potential activities that can be considered to protect or restore the water quality against hazards posed by chemical pollution. When using the paradigm, upfront exploration of solution options and selecting options that would be feasible given the local pollution context would result in comparative risk assessment outcomes. The comparative outcomes are useful for selecting optimal measures against chemical pollution for management prioritization and planning. It is recommended to apply the solution-focused risk assessment paradigm to improve the chemical pollution information for river basin management planning. To operationalize this, the present paper describes a still-growing database and strategy to find and select technical abatement and/or non-technical solution options for chemical pollution of surface waters. The solutions database and strategy can be applied to help prevent and reduce water quality problems. Various case studies show that implementing these can be effective, and how solution scenarios can be evaluated for their efficacy by comparative exposure and effect assessment.

Odours in Sewerage—A Description of Emissions and of Technical Abatement Measures

Malodorous compounds arise at practically every stage of wastewater management, starting from the sewer network, via the technological sewage-treatment system, through to the sludge-management stage. The formation of hydrogen sulphide is a significant problem even while sewage remains in sewers, as anaerobic conditions prevalent in the network are conducive to wastewater putrefaction, and therefore contribute to increased malodorous emissions. The development of such anaerobic conditions is favoured by the oversizing of conduits or designs that feature inadequate gradients, causing wastewater in the network to stagnate. Where emissions to the air from wastewater occur, they are found to constitute a complex mixture of perhaps even 1000 different substances, produced under varying process conditions. Among those present are compounds of sulphur and nitrogen, chlorinated compounds, and other organics. In Poland, the issue of odour annoyance has not yet been subject to standardisation in either legal or methodological terms. Indeed, as only 11 EU Member States have regulations in place regarding air-quality standards, it is likely that such a law will soon be developed to try and resolve problems with odour annoyance, including those originating in the systems dealing with wastewater. This denotes a need to develop methods of counteracting the formation of odours, and those of a chemical nature are regarded as among the most effective, hence their growing popularity. They also abide by green-technology principles. Against that background, this article seeks to consider the process by which malodorous substances arise in sewer and wastewater-treatment systems, as well as to discuss methods of odour abatement. The work also presents the current legal regulations of relevance to the issue.

Acoustic Absorption Analysis and Modeling of Asphalt Mixtures

Abstract Highway traffic noise is a major environmental issue all over the world. This is particularly annoying to residents who live nearby major transportation corridors. Noise pollution adversely affects the quality of their life. It also causes sleep disturbance and anxiety. The most commonly used noise abatement technique is the use of noise barrier walls, which is costly and not always effective. Reducing the tire–pavement noise at the source is a viable alternative to cut down the noise level. This study examined the use of an impedance tube to measure the acoustic absorption of asphalt mixtures in the laboratory. The effect of various parameters on the acoustic absorption was investigated including aggregate gradation, aggregate type, binder type, percent air voids, and specimen thickness. In addition, factors that could affect the acoustical performance of asphalt mixtures after pavement construction were also investigated including air void structure, surface texture, temperature, and surface conditions. Percent air voids and layer thickness were found to have a significant influence on the acoustic absorption of asphalt mixtures. An analytical model was proposed to estimate the acoustic absorption coefficient of asphalt mixtures during the design stage. A good correlation was found between predicted and measured absorption coefficients in the laboratory. In addition, a double-layer system of asphalt mixtures was found to be effective in providing improved acoustical performance that overcomes the issues associated with the use of open-graded friction course as a wearing surface.

Anatomy of Emissions Trading Systems: What is the EU ETS?

An anatomy identifies four main components of actual or proposed Emissions Trading Systems (ETS): (1) Pursued policy goals with the ETS instrument; (2) Public authority allocations of permits to the regulated participants; (3) Carbon emissions price levels; and (4) Participants’ abatement expenses dependent on the ready availability of affordable abatement techniques or of low-carbon innovation opportunities. These components cover a range of options. A different assemblage of options delivers different ETS exemplars. Two main exemplars are identified. The actual EU ETS is highly successful in meeting the goal of low financial burdens on EU industry, thereby precluding carbon leakage. The other exemplar opts for high carbon emissions prices in the EU to induce industrial innovations towards a low-carbon economy. Incumbent industrial interests oppose this exemplar. Contrary to current policy discourse and to wishful proposals, both ETS exemplars cannot co-exist. ETS anatomy offers insight and structure for thorough analysis and evaluation of existing ETS, resulting in context–specific and appropriate designs of the carbon trading systems.

Local Transmission of Zika Virus in Miami-Dade County: The Florida Department of Health Rises to the Challenge.

As early as 2015, Florida and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health officials recognized the potential danger of Zika for US residents and visitors. The Zika virus, a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. A physician in Miami-Dade notified the Florida Department of Health (DOH) of the first non-travel-related Zika case in the United States. A 23-year old pregnant woman had presented on July 7, 2016, at 23 weeks of gestation, with a 3-day history of fever, widespread pruritic rash, and sore throat. Three more cases, involving men, were reported in Dade and Broward counties. These notifications set into motion additional activities from the DOH's Zika Playbook: increased mosquito surveillance; collaboration with the CDC on recommendations for mosquito abatement techniques; and increased awareness of the risks of Zika. In August, the department reported that active transmission of Zika virus was occurring in one small area in Miami-Dade County known as Wynwood. Mosquito trapping in the area with local transmission identified large numbers of the Zika vector, Aedes aegypti females and a large number of mosquito larval sites. Control efforts included larviciding, eliminating standing water, and backpack and truck spraying of insecticides. A communication strategy was developed that addressed risk mitigation, public concerns over application of noxious pesticides, loss of tourist revenue, and reproductive issues. It was reported on December 28, 2016, that there had been 256 locally acquired cases of infection of Zika, 1011 travel-related cases, and 208 pregnant women with laboratory evidence of Zika. At the end of 2018, 2 years after active Zika virus transmission was controlled in Florida, there have been 101 reported cases of Zika during 2018 but none have been linked to local transmission.

Heavy metals in urban and peri-urban soils of a heavily-populated and industrialized city: Assessment of ecological risks and human health repercussions

Increasing levels of heavy metals in soil have become a serious concern for human health because they can be easily transferred into the human body through contaminated food web. It is imperative to evaluate pollution levels, origin and ecological risks of heavy metals. The geoaccumaualtion (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI) and human health risk were estimated to determine the soil pollution in Faisalabad, a heavily-populated and industrialized city of Pakistan. The maximum CF (1.58) and PLI (1.22) values were estimated for Cd and Pb, respectively, and maximum Igeo (−0.19) value was observed for Cd. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis suggested that common industrial sources for Cd and Pb were identified in the study sites. It clearly indicates that the significant levels of heavy metals pollution arise from local industries, busy commercial centers and heavy traffic load in the last few decades in heavily-populated and industrialized city. Further, soil heavy metals concentration were used to evaluate the human health risk such as chronic or non-carcinogenic including hazard indexes HIexP (ingestion, inhalation and dermal and carcinogenic) and cancer risk (CR). The HIexP values of Pb (10.30) and Cd (4.56) were found above the permissible limit (HI = 1) for children. The CR due to carcinogenic metals (Co, Cr and Cd) are within the safe limit (1E-06 to 1E-04). However, CR was comparatively higher in adults as compared to children. The results from the current investigation can help to develop a sustainable strategy in the study region to minimize the entry of heavy metals in food chain through source identification and pollution abatement techniques.

Enhanced adsorption mechanism of carbonyl-containing volatile organic compounds on Al-decorated porous graphene monolayer: A density functional theory calculation study

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a type of typical toxic and harmful air pollutants. Among many abatement techniques for VOCs, there is no doubt that adsorption technology is cost-effective one. In this work, to understand the adsorption mechanisms of VOCs on porous graphene (PG) monolayer and Al-modified PG system, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed. Our results suggest that PG monolayer has promising adsorption performance to VOCs molecules with relatively strong adsorption energy. While Al-decorated porous graphene monolayer can obviously enhance the adsorption energies of carbonyl-containing volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) by nearly 2 times, but only slight changes for other VOCs. Projected electronic density of states (PDOS), electronic distribution and Mulliken charge analysis show that the decoration of Al atom induces chemical bonding between the O atom in carbonyl of CVOCs and Al-decorated PG substrate, which enhances its adsorption capacity remarkably. The computational work proposes a promising adsorbent for selective VOCs removal, and also provides theoretical guidance for high performance VOCs adsorbents design.

Secure grayscale image communication using significant visual cryptography scheme in real time applications

An increase in information sharing and growth of Cloud Computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning and mobile applications have brought human life in the digital world. Many times, financial transactions, medical communications that involve the transfer of images impose threats to our Privacy, Personal Identity and Personal Health Information (PHI). Such image data are being stolen while in transfer and made the processing of digital images vulnerable in World Wide Web (WWW). Protecting the image data from intruders becomes an essential demand. Various techniques such as Encryption, Steganography and Watermarking are in place to protect image data. Such techniques imply complex computations for encryption and decryption and the quality of image decrypted is reduced. Visual Cryptography (VC) is a new encryption method uses combinational techniques to encode the image into ‘n’ shares and decodes by stacking the shares without complex traditional cryptographic algorithms. The Signific Visual Cryptography (SVC) aims to transfer the real time images securely without compromising the quality. SVC is implemented for (k, n) scheme and (n, n) scheme of VC and supports several real time images such as natural images, medical images, and Quick Response (QR) images. To develop SVC scheme, a new Error Abatement Technique (EAT) is proceeded with two filtering strategies namely, Value Discretization Filtering (VDF) and Reduced Error Filtering (REF) to provide significant meaning to pixel values. The performance analysis proves that (k, n) SVC improves the quality of the reconstructed secret image with increased Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) up to 21% and Pixel error is calculated as Mean Square Error (MSE) and it is reduced up to 77%. (n, n) SVC maintains integrity of the secret image with zero MSE without complex computations.

Cost-effective opportunities for climate change mitigation in Indian agriculture

Long-term changes in average temperatures, precipitation, and climate variability threaten agricultural production, food security, and the livelihoods of farming communities globally. Whilst adaptation to climate change is necessary to ensure food security and protect livelihoods of poor farmers, mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can lessen the extent of climate change and future needs for adaptation. Many agricultural practices can potentially mitigate GHG emissions without compromising food production. India is the third largest GHG emitter in the world where agriculture is responsible for 18% of total national emissions. India has identified agriculture as one of the priority sectors for GHG emission reduction in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Identification of emission hotspots and cost-effective mitigation options in agriculture can inform the prioritisation of efforts to reduce emissions without compromising food and nutrition security.We adopted a bottom-up approach to analyse GHG emissions using large datasets of India's ‘cost of cultivation survey’ and the ‘19th livestock census’ together with soil, climate and management data for each location. Mitigation measures and associated costs and benefits of adoption, derived from a variety of sources including the literature, stakeholder meetings and expert opinion, were presented in the form of Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACC). We estimated that by 2030, business-as-usual GHG emissions from the agricultural sector in India would be 515 Megatonne CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) per year with a technical mitigation potential of 85.5 MtCO2e per year through adoption of various mitigation practices. About 80% of the technical mitigation potential could be achieved by adopting only cost-saving measures. Three mitigation options, i.e. efficient use of fertilizer, zero-tillage and rice-water management, could deliver more than 50% of the total technical abatement potential.

Photocatalytic effect of addition of TiO2 to acrylic-based paint for passive toluene degradation

ABSTRACTVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to be hazardous and associated with several human health problems. Thus, many technologies have been developed in recent years for their removal, such as thermal catalysis, photocatalysis and ozonization. In this study, the main objective was to evaluate the effects of incorporating titanium dioxide into an acrylic-based paint for gaseous toluene abatement. Paints with photocatalytic properties were prepared by adding TiO2 P25 powder to an acrylic-based paint, using the following proportions: 0, 10, 15, 20 and 50 wt% (dry basis). Toluene and CO2 concentrations at the reactor input and output were determined using GC/MS, and GC/FID, respectively, and the toluene conversion and CO2 formation were assessed. The compounds adsorbed onto photocatalytic paints were extracted and then identified by GC/MS. The results indicated that the addition of 50 wt% of TiO2 P25 results in a paint of reduced quality. The addition of 20 wt% of TiO2 P25 to the paint led to higher values for the photocatalytic conversion of toluene to CO2. The occurrence of two simultaneous processes was observed: the photocatalytic oxidation of toluene to CO2 and the self-degradation of the organic compounds, such as polymeric acrylic, in the paint. The adsorption of different compounds onto the photocatalytic paints was identified by GC/MS analysis. The use of photocatalytic paints is a promising technique for toluene abatement, but it requires further study and improvement particularly with regard to the effects of the self-degradation of the paint.

Field and laboratory evaluation of a high time resolution x-ray fluorescence instrument for determining the elemental composition of ambient aerosols

Abstract. Measuring the chemical composition of airborne particulate matter (PM) can provide valuable information on the concentration of regulated toxic metals, support modelling approaches for source detection and assist in the identification and validation of abatement techniques. Undertaking these at a high time resolution (1 h or less) enables receptor modelling techniques to be more robustly linked to emission processes. This study describes a comprehensive laboratory and field evaluation of a high time resolution x-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrument (CES XACT 625) for a range of elements (As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pt, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) against alternative techniques: high time resolution mass measurements, high time resolution ion chromatography, aerosol mass spectrometry, and established filter-based, laboratory analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Laboratory evaluation was carried out using a novel mass-based calibration technique to independently assess the accuracy of the XRF against laboratory generated aerosols, which resulted in slopes that were not significantly different from unity. This demonstrated that generated particles can serve as an alternative calibration method for this instrument.The XACT was evaluated in three contrasting field deployments; a heavily trafficked roadside site (PM10 and PM2.5), an industrial location downwind of a nickel refinery (PM10) and an urban background location influenced by nearby industries and motorways (PM10). The XRF technique agreed well with the ICP-MS measurements of daily filter samples in all cases with a median R2 of 0.93 and a median slope of 1.07 for the elements As, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Ti, V and Zn. Differences in the results were attributed to a combination of inlet location and sampling temperature, variable blank levels in filter paper and recovery rates from acid digestion. The XRF technique also agreed well with the other high time resolution measurements but showed a clear positive difference (slopes between 1.41 and 4.6), probably due to differences in the size selection methodology, volatility and water solubility of the PM in aerosol mass spectrometry (SO4) and ion chromatography (Ca, Cl, K and SO4), respectively.A novel filter analysis technique using the XACT showed promising initial results: filters analysed off-line with the XACT compared well to in situ XACT measurements with a median R2 of 0.96 and median slope of 1.07. The resulting range of slopes was comparable to slopes produced in the ICP-MS comparison. This technique provides an opportunity to use the XACT when it is not deployed in the field; thus expanding the potential use of this instrument in future studies.

Maritime Energy Contracting for Clean Shipping

Abstract To reduce the Sulphur emission from shipping and ensure clean shipping, a number of Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA) were enforced in special areas around the globe. From 2015, in SECA, ship owners are not allowed to use fuel with more than 0.1% Sulphur content. One of the major concerns for the SECA regulation is that maritime stakeholders have had to take into consideration the costs as well as the tolerable risks of their compliance investment options. Besides that, low freight rates have increased the competition and had caused financial pressure on ship owners so that lower capital reserves and low credibility levels limit the manoeuvring space for investment activities. The indications from BSR after 2015 showed that the low fuel price has eased the economic effects of the SECA regulation and as a result, most ship owners have delayed their investment decisions. Even though the postponement of emission abatement techniques seems to have reduced the compliance expenses for SECA, they, however, did not improve the position of shipowners relative to their competitors. Consequently, new policy instruments to stimulate innovation, to raise competitiveness and to comply with the new environmental regulations are needed. It would have been easier to hedge fuel price volatility and offer maritime logistics services for a lower price, but to be able to ensure sustainable results in long-term, maritime stakeholders must be ready to device astute strategies that can propel them to unparalleled advantage. This research first appraised the investment risks and payback period associated with the scrubber using different capital budgeting methods. It further illustrated the Maritime Energy Contracting (MEC) model as a market mechanism for the delivery of a cost-effective emission reduction using the scrubber technology as well as an instrument to realise a competitive advantage for ship operators. The results are empirically validated by case studies from BSR.

Chemical aging of Cu-SSZ-13 SCR catalysts for heavy-duty vehicles – Influence of sulfur dioxide

Selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides is an efficient technique for emission abatement in heavy-duty vehicles. Cu-SSZ-13 SCR catalysts are more active than vanadium-based catalysts at low temperatures, but are more sensitive to deactivation by sulfur. Consequently, there is a need to study poisoning by sulfur for this catalyst material. This experimental investigation focuses on the effect of sulfur on the low-temperature performance of Cu-SSZ-13 SCR catalysts. The effect of sulfur exposure temperature, and the influence of the NO2/NOx ratio, are considered and two different regeneration temperatures are compared. In addition, catalyst samples from an engine-aged catalyst are evaluated. The SO2 exposure temperature is shown to have an important impact on the deactivation of the Cu-SSZ-13 catalyst. The lowest sulfur exposure temperature (220 °C) results in the most severe deactivation, while the highest temperature during sulfur exposure (400 °C) results in the lowest degree of deactivation. This was found to be related to the amount of sulfur on the catalyst. Additionally, SO2 exposure was shown to decrease the N2O selectivity. The engine-aged catalyst has a decreased performance in terms of both decreased activity and increased N2O selectivity. For this catalyst, impurities from fuel and engine-oil can play a role in the deactivation. Different deactivation mechanisms are seen for the lab- and engine-aged catalysts.

Technical opportunities to reduce global anthropogenic emissions of nitrous oxide

We describe a consistent framework developed to quantify current and future anthropogenic emissions of nitrous oxide and the available technical abatement options by source sector for 172 regions globally. About 65% of the current emissions derive from agricultural soils, 8% from waste, and 4% from the chemical industry. Low-cost abatement options are available in industry, wastewater, and agriculture, where they are limited to large industrial farms. We estimate that by 2030, emissions can be reduced by about 6% ±2% applying abatement options at a cost lower than 10 €/t CO2-eq. The largest abatement potential at higher marginal costs is available from agricultural soils, employing precision fertilizer application technology as well as chemical treatment of fertilizers to suppress conversion processes in soil (nitrification inhibitors). At marginal costs of up to 100 €/t CO2-eq, about 18% ±6% of baseline emissions can be removed and when considering all available options, the global abatement potential increases to about 26% ±9%. Due to expected future increase in activities driving nitrous oxide emissions, the limited technical abatement potential available means that even at full implementation of reduction measures by 2030, global emissions can be at most stabilized at the pre-2010 level. In order to achieve deeper reductions in emissions, considerable technological development will be required as well as non-technical options like adjusting human diets towards moderate animal protein consumption.

Trailing Edge Perforation for Interaction Tonal Noise Reduction of a Contra-Rotating Fan

This study focuses on a passive noise abatement technique in a small contra-rotating fan, aiming at reducing the interaction noise between the two rotors through porous trailing edge (TE) treatment to the forward rotor. A preliminary design with fixed perforation parameters is experimentally investigated, and 6–7 dB overall noise reduction is achieved compared with baseline design under the same aerodynamic output. A three-dimensional (3D), full-wheel, unsteady-flow numerical simulation of the acoustic design is carried out to better understand the noise reduction mechanism. Comparisons of monitored unsteady forces acting on both the forward and the aft rotor between baseline and perforated fan indicate that such treatment reduces all the unsteady forces. Thus, it can be concluded that the noise reduction would be due to not only the mitigation of viscous wake of forward rotor before impinging upon the downstream blades but also the reduction of the response of the upstream rotor to the potential flow interaction with the downstream rotor. Furthermore, a parametric study in a selected range is conducted to minimize the adverse effect of aerodynamic unloading due to TE perforation and to improve the acoustic benefit. The parameters in the parametric study include perforation ratio, aperture diameter, and perforation distribution. Trends are deducted from this, and it is recommended that there exists an optimal perforation ratio; the smallest possible aperture diameter and the decreasing perforation ratio distribution away from the blade TE should be selected in consideration of both aerodynamic and acoustic effects.

Bottom-up Analysis of GHG Emissions from Shipbuilding Processes for Low-carbon Ship Production in Korea

There are two types of approaches for analyzing various aspects related to green-house gas (GHG) emissions, i.e., top-down and bottom-up approaches. Although the top-down approach focuses on macro-economic perspectives, the bottom-up approach is more suitable to investigate GHG emissions at an industry level utilizing domain-specific knowledge. For example, a bottom-up analysis requires a wide variety of data such as energy demands, conversion factors, and energy efficiency, which may be obtained by analyzing industrial process data. This study aims to provide a bottom-up approach for analyzing GHG emissions from shipbuilding processes in Korea. Reference energy system and energy balance for shipbuilding processes are derived for bottom-up modeling. Based on the midterm forecast on energy demands of the Korean shipbuilding industry, it is shown that the business-as-usual GHG emissions may be obtained. Relevant mitigation measures are then investigated to analyze their mitigation potentials for low-carbon ship production. 1. Introduction Global climate change has recently drawn an increasing attention due to its adverse effects on our environment. Since the inception of Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Frame-work conventions on climate change, local and international experts have long called for more international cooperation in coping with global warming. The main idea of international cooperative efforts is to impose binding obligations for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on participating countries. Even though some countries have withdrawn their commitment and others have been reluctant to adopting definite targets for emission reduction, many countries have already established a designated national authority to manage their GHG emissions. Korea has also established a national authority called "GHG Inventory and Research Center (GIR)" in 2010. One of the most important roles of GIR is to manage the national GHG emission levels and set the abatement target of various sectors through an efficient and integrated management of GHG-related information. Recently, GIR has conducted a series of research projects to analyze GHG emissions of industrial sectors in cooperation with a group of experts. This study presents the results from the analysis of GHG emissions and mitigation potentials for the shipbuilding processes in Korea. It should be noted that the scope of this study is limited to constructions processes in a shipyard even though the shipbuilding industry may encompass a broader range of industrial sectors such as steel production and transport. Adopting Model for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impacts (MESSAGE) developed by International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in 1980s (Messner 1997), a bottom-up mathematical programming model is generated to derive the business-as-usual (BAU) GHG emissions in the construction processes in a shipyard. Abatement potentials of several technical abatement measures are also analyzed to help shipbuilders effectively cope with the issue of climate change.

Analysis of EAWAG-BBD pathway prediction system for the identification of malathion degrading microbes.

Insecticides are the toxic substances that are used to kill insects. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind the increase in agricultural productivity in the 20th century. The organophosphates are now the largest and most versatile class of insecticide used and Malathion is the predominant type utilized. The accumulation of Malathion in environment is the biggest threat to the environment because of its toxicity. Malathion is lethal to beneficial insects, snails, micro crustaceans, fish, birds, amphibians, and soil microorganisms. Chronic exposure of non-diabetic farmers to organophosphorus Malathion pesticides may induce insulin resistance, which might ultimately results in diabetes mellitus. Given the potential carcinogenic risk from the pesticides there is serious need to develop remediation processes to eliminate or minimize contamination in the environment. Biodegradation could be a reliable and cost effective technique for pesticide abatement. Since today as there were no metabolic pathway predicted for the degradation of organophosphates pesticide Malathion in KEGG database or in any of the other pathway databases. Thus in the present study, an attempt has been made to predict the microbial biodegradation pathway of Malathion using bioinformatics tools. The present study predicted the degradation pathway for Malathion. The present study also identifies, Streptomyces sp. and E.coli are capable of degrading Malathion through pathway prediction system.

Biotic conversion of sulphate to sulphide and abiotic conversion of sulphide to sulphur in a microbial fuel cell using cobalt oxide octahedrons as cathode catalyst.

Varying chemical oxygen demand (COD) and sulphate concentrations in substrate were used to determine reaction kinetics and mass balance of organic matter and sulphate transformation in a microbial fuel cell (MFC). MFC with anodic chamber volume of 1L, fed with wastewater having COD of 500mg/L and sulphate of 200mg/L, could harvest power of 54.4mW/m2, at a Coulombic efficiency of 14%, with respective COD and sulphate removals of 90 and 95%. Sulphide concentration, even up to 1500mg/L, did not inhibit anodic biochemical reactions, due to instantaneous abiotic oxidation to sulphur, at high inlet sulphate. Experiments on abiotic oxidation of sulphide to sulphur revealed maximum oxidation taking place at an anodic potential of -200mV. More than 99% sulphate removal could be achieved in a MFC with inlet COD/sulphate of 0.75, giving around 1.33kg/m3day COD removal. Bioelectrochemical conversion of sulphate facilitating sulphur recovery in a MFC makes it an interesting pollution abatement technique.