Amount Of Emissions Research Articles

Characterization and quantification of atmospheric emissions of dioxins, dl-PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from municipal solid waste open burning in Southeast Asia.

Characterization and quantification of atmospheric emissions of dioxins, dl-PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from municipal solid waste open burning in Southeast Asia.

Quantification of methane emissions from typical natural gas stations using on-site measurement technology

Quantification of methane emissions from typical natural gas stations using on-site measurement technology

Growing Digital Trade and Sustainability: What Lies Ahead?

p class="MsoNormal"This article explores sustainability issues in the context of the growing digital trade globally. Increasing digital trade is leading to digital transformation of economies across the globe. Governments are emphasizing on the development and adoption of digital tools and technologies. Digital technologies are considered engines of growth that help in increasing productivity, reducing transaction costs, and achieving economies of scale through access to a larger population. However, increasing digital trade is also leading to enhanced concerns for environmental sustainability due to higher amounts of carbon emissions and enhanced demands for electricity in the use of new-age technologies, such as the blockchain. In addition to ‘environmental sustainability’, growing digital trade is also creating challenges for ‘economic sustainability’ and ‘social sustainability’, the other two dimensions of sustainability. Several countries are signing digital economy partnership agreements (DEPA) that have provisions to promote digital trade and look at the entire economy from the perspective of ‘digital trade’. However, sustainability issues arising out of rising digital trade remain primarily untouched in government policies and these new age trade and digital economy agreements. Without sustainabilityfocused policies, the environmental, economic, and social costs of digital trade could reduce the benefits of the digital revolution. Therefore, while it is important to promote digital trade, the sustainability aspects should not be ignored.o:p/o:p

Energy Consumption of Conventional and Solar Air Conditioning Systems: A Comparative Study

The significant energy consumption systems in the world are air conditioning devices. This issue becomes a crisis when the required energy needs in the world is met by fossil fuels. In this study, conventional and solar air conditioning systems are compared. Real weather data of the city of Baghdad-Iraq were used. Matlab has been used to model the cooling power of electric chillers and solar radiation. Results showed that the use of a solar cooling system with a capacity of 2.5 kW can reduce the energy consumption by 65% compared to conventional air conditioning systems. Reducing energy consumption will reduce customer costs and profitability and reduce environmental emissions to a significant extent, which indicates the effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed model reduces the daily energy demand, the energy cost, and the amount of CO2 emission as well. This comparison gives a significant indictor to the energy efficiency market.

Energy Consumption of Conventional and Solar Air Conditioning Systems: A Comparative Study

The significant energy consumption systems in the world are air conditioning devices. This issue becomes a crisis when the required energy needs in the world is met by fossil fuels. In this study, conventional and solar air conditioning systems are compared. Real weather data of the city of Baghdad-Iraq were used. Matlab has been used to model the cooling power of electric chillers and solar radiation. Results showed that the use of a solar cooling system with a capacity of 2.5 kW can reduce the energy consumption by 65% compared to conventional air conditioning systems. Reducing energy consumption will reduce customer costs and profitability and reduce environmental emissions to a significant extent, which indicates the effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed model reduces the daily energy demand, the energy cost, and the amount of CO2 emission as well. This comparison gives a significant indictor to the energy efficiency market.

Advancing scientific verification of plug and abandonment activities

To realise ‘net-zero’ methane emission targets by 2050, the industry must adopt a program of baseline emissions quantification and proactive remediation. Establishing low-rate, low-pressured venting baselines to atmosphere requires precise ‘point-source’ measurements unattainable using gas monitors, optical imaging technologies, positive displacement, differential pressure, and ultrasonic and vortex flow meters. These are critical requirements, not only during the productive life of oil and gas wells, but in particular following plug and abandonment (P&A) activities. It is often the case that wells that have been abandoned come ‘back to life’ years later – so-called ‘Zombie wells’. Ventbuster® is a patented, precision, flow quantification device, with a low limit of detection and a high dynamic range. It uses flow channel technology to accurately quantify gas emissions, even under low-pressure conditions. The device is portable and adaptable onto any wellhead or plant equipment to quantify and record emission events, with measurements transmitted in real-time to a secure Internet of Things platform. An increasingly common application is to monitor the execution of P&A activities, enabling real-time decision-making on changes to the program design that may be required to meet compliance criteria. The device then autonomously transmits data for a protracted period post-abandonment to provide the asset owner with auditable proof of a successful P&A. The outcome of a single case study is disclosed to showcase system operating principle, functionality, operation envelope, and perceived features and benefits.

Toward Low-Emission Agriculture: Synergistic Contribution of Inorganic Nitrogen and Organic Fertilizers to GHG Emissions and Strategies for Mitigation.

Nitrogen (N) and organic-source fertilizers in agriculture are important to sustain crop production for feeding the growing global population. However, their use can result in significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), which are important climate drivers. This review discusses the interactive effects, uncovering both additive and suppressive outcomes of emissions under various soil and climatic conditions. In addition to examining the effects of nitrogen and the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), it is crucial to comprehend the mechanisms and contributions of organic fertilizers to GHG emissions. This understanding is vital for developing mitigation strategies that effectively reduce emissions while maintaining agricultural productivity. In this review, the current knowledge is utilized for the management of nitrogen practices, such as the optimization of fertilization rates, timing, and methods of application, in terms of the nitrogen use efficiency and the related GHG emissions. Moreover, we discuss the role of organic fertilizers, including straw, manure, and biochar, as a mitigation strategy in relation to GHG emissions through soil carbon sequestration and enhanced nutrient cycling. Important strategies such as crop rotation, tillage, irrigation, organic fertilizers, and legume crops are considered as suitable approaches for minimizing emissions. Even with the progress made in mitigating fertilizer-related emissions, research gaps remain, specifically concerning the long-term effect of organic fertilizers and the interactions between microbial communities in the soil and fertilization practices. Furthermore, the differences in application practices and environmental conditions present considerable obstacles to accurate emission quantification. This review underlines the importance of conducting more thorough research on the combined application of N and organic fertilizers in multiple cropping systems to evolve region-specific mitigation strategies.

The Application of an Empirical Method for the Estimation of Vehicles’ Contribution to Air Pollution in an Urban Environment: A Case Study in Athens, Greece

This research focuses on monitoring and analyzing air pollutant emissions, mainly from passenger vehicles, at a busy urban intersection with 19 traffic lanes at the junction of Thivon Avenue and Iera Odos, located in the Egaleo municipality, an urban region of Athens, Greece. To collect data, a monitoring study was conducted specifically on the four central traffic streams of this specific intersection. On each segment of the road, a specific length was assigned through which vehicles pass at an average speed in order for their emissions to be estimated. For each vehicle, the engine type (gas or diesel) and engine displacement were taken into account to calculate the predicted mass of vehicle emissions. These measurements were conducted separately for each segment and recorded during three signal phases (from green to red) for two weekdays and one non-working day. This approach allows pollutant levels to be monitored at various hours and under various traffic conditions. The analysis revealed not only the overall quantity of emissions from vehicles but also their fluctuations throughout the day and traffic conditions, comparing them with the regulatory limits set by the EU. Significant findings regarding the impact of traffic on air quality are highlighted.

Effects of herbivory amount and within‐plant variability by a specialist caterpillar on volatile emissions mediating inter‐plant signalling in wild cotton

Abstract Plant–plant signalling via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been widely documented, but its contingency on herbivory amount and its within‐plant distribution variability (i.e., how dispersed vs. aggregated it is throughout the canopy) remains poorly understood. Here we tease apart these factors by investigating whether signalling between wild cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) plants in response to herbivory by the specialist caterpillar Alabama argillacea was affected by different levels of herbivore density (proxy for herbivory intensity or amount) and patterns of within‐plant herbivore distribution (proxy of within‐plant damage variability). We conducted a greenhouse experiment for which we placed plant triplets in mesh cages, where in each case one plant acted as a VOC emitter and the other two as receivers. We subjected emitters to one of the following treatments: control (no larvae), low density (one larva on one leaf), high concentrated density (four larvae, two on each of two leaves) and high dispersed density (four larvae, one on each of four leaves). After 2 days of herbivory, we collected emitter VOCs to test for treatment effects on volatile emissions and placed A. argillacea larvae on receivers and measured the amount of damage to test for signalling effects on leaf resistance. Both high caterpillar density treatments similarly increased total VOC emissions, although the difference relative to controls was only significant under high concentrated density. Low density had virtually the same amount of emissions as controls. In addition, high dispersed density was the only treatment that caused a significant change in VOC composition relative to controls. In turn, our test of signalling effects indicated that only receivers exposed to highly dispersed density emitters showed a significantly lower amount of herbivory (i.e., greater resistance) than controls. These results suggest that the amount of herbivory primarily drives quantitative changes in VOC emissions, whereas within‐plant variability mainly causes qualitative changes. Further, the impact of these VOC induction patterns on inter‐plant signalling appears to be most pronounced when within‐plant herbivory variability is high.

Analysis of the Carbon Footprint of a Textile Company for the Automotive Industry

This study aims to develop a process to calculate the carbon footprint of a company in the textile sector for the automotive industry, thus addressing a research gap identified in this sector. Based on a structured calculation model, the project aspires to innovate by quantifying not only the greenhouse gas emissions at different stages of the company’s operations, including those generated by the consumed electricity and gas, but also the emissions related to external and in-house transportation and solid waste management. The approach includes the design of a specific calculator, capable of integrating variables such as energy consumption, transport and types of waste, analysing them in the light of recognised conversion factors. This tool not only allows for a detailed assessment of emissions but also supports strategic decision-making, guiding the implementation of more sustainable business practices. The results indicate that, considering the use of renewable energy sources, the company’s total emissions amount to approximately 18 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. On the other hand, considering non-renewable energy, purchased electricity accounts for 31 thousand megawatt-hours per year, corresponding to 5 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, with the twisting area being the largest consumer at 89% of total usage, followed by the dipping area. In terms of mobile combustion, raw materials contribute 1373 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, while finished products generate 1869 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Among the most impactful variables, solid waste, and stationary combustion stand out as the main contributors. These findings highlight the need for concrete measures to mitigate climate change, such as transitioning from stationary natural gas combustion to green electric power; identifying companies with more suitable waste treatment solutions, process changes that reduce disposable, and easily substitutable materials; making use of green electricity; exploring alternative transport methods or combining different modes, such as using electric vehicles for short distances; and optimizing transport routes. These initiatives reinforce the company’s commitment to sustainable development goals and the promotion of responsible environmental practices.

WHY DOES CARBON EMISSION DISCLOSURE MATTER? EXPLORING ITS IMPACT ON FIRM VALUE: A CASE STUDY OF SHARIA-COMPLIANT COMPANIES IN INDONESIA

The large amount of carbon emissions in Indonesia with a percentage reaching 4.1% of total global emissions has made Indonesia ranked 5th as a country that contributes the most CO2 emissions in the world during 1850-2021 and made the public encourage companies to disclose their carbon emissions. Disclosure of carbon emissions can then affect the company's image to investors which leads to its effect on the level of company value. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of disclosure of carbon emissions on the value of Islamic companies in Indonesia. This study uses a quantitative approach by processing secondary data which is panel data using panel data regression analysis and cluster analysis. The sample from the cross-section data includes 30 companies registered with ISSI and issues a company sustainability report, while the sample from the time series data is annual and takes the period 2016-2021. This study uses four control variables, namely earnings per share (EPS), leverage, firm size, and investment opportunity set (IOS). The test results show that partially the variable of disclosure of carbon emissions and simultaneously the variables of disclosure of carbon emissions, earnings per share (EPS), leverage, firm size, and investment opportunity set (IOS) have a significant effect on firm value. This research has implications for companies, governments, and investors related to the disclosure of carbon emissions.

The Concentration of Fine Particulate Matter from Antique Handmade Brick Kilns in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Air quality assessment in particulate matter with a size of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) is essential because it affects urban residential health. Hence, this research studied the analysis of PM2.5 value from antique Mon handmade stove house usage in Chiang Mai, using the AERMOD air quality dispersion model. The data for the modeling was collected from a survey regarding the amounts of production and fuel, and the location of the brick kilns used to calculate the amount of air pollution emissions. The summarized values were the emission factor, the climate data as the surface meteorological data, the upper-air meteorological data obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and national geographic data. The Albedo and Bowen ratios and the surface roughness values were identified using satellite data and then presented in a map of the dust intensity distribution. The results found that the highest value of PM2.5 concentration at the smoke point was 209.19 μg/m3, while the average values were 48.21 μg/m3. The PM2.5 concentration at the stack pointer was higher than the standard scores of Thai and World Health Organization (WHO) general atmospheric air quality standards. However emissions varied, and average PM2.5 concentrations exceeded WHO standards and, in the case of full operation, exceeded Thai standards, posing health risks.

Developing Low-Carbon Pathways for the Transport Sector in Ethiopia

This paper discusses the development of baseline and mitigation scenarios to guide the creation of a long-term plan supporting low-carbon transport in Ethiopia. Developing this method involved comprehensively reviewing policy documents, collecting historical activity data, and modelling the baseline and mitigation scenarios. The paper emphasises the importance of stakeholder engagement, which is instrumental in validating the model inputs, policy targets, and results at each stage, ensuring the credibility and robustness of our findings. The scenario development and analysis are based on the IPCC guidelines, informed by the policies of the Government of Ethiopia, and implemented with the Low-Energy Analysis Platform (LEAP). Three net-zero scenarios are assessed for the time horizon between 2020 to 2050. The so-called maximum ambition, NDC-aligned, and late action scenarios reflect the energy requirements and emissions contribution for varying levels of government ambition towards low-carbon interventions in the transport sector. In the baseline scenario, the total amount of carbon emissions is estimated at 4.81 million tonnes of CO2e in 2020, which is projected to increase to over 15 million tonnes by 2050. Under the mitigation scenarios, significant reductions are projected, with specific interventions like electrification in road freight reducing emissions by 9.68 MtCO2e and expanding rail transport reducing 9.95 MtCO2e by 2050 compared to the baseline. Other strategies identified for mitigating transport sector emissions, like improving energy efficiency, encouraging mass transit and non-motorised transport, show good potential for achieving a greener future. With the transport sector in Ethiopia identified as a major contributor to GHG emissions and climate change, this paper underscores the government’s efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of its transport sector.

ECOLOGICAL STATE OF THE AIR BASIN OF THE ZHYTOMYR REGION AND ITS IMPACT ON BIOTA

In order to ensure environmental safety and fulfill the constitutional right of citizens to a favorable environment, Ukraine constantly monitors the state of the natural environment. One of the key objects of observation is atmospheric air, a vital component of the ecosystem that directly affects human, animal and plant health. According to the results of our research, the urgent task is to implement systematic measures to protect the air environment, which involve preserving its quality composition, gradual restoration of natural characteristics, and effective reduction of pollution levels. To control industrial emissions in the region, environmental experts are developing an Environmental Passport. It allows us to compile a list of enterprises that have a significant impact on air quality and emit the most emissions. It is the volume and composition of emissions from such environmentally hazardous enterprises that are subject to state supervision. It should be noted that, given the current state of technology, the air cannot remain completely clean. In large cities, such as Zhytomyr, the level of pollution is much higher than that recorded over the ocean - almost 150 times higher. Changes in the chemical composition of atmospheric air have a negative impact on ecosystems, human and animal health, and disrupt physiological processes in plants. Plants accumulate toxic substances, especially in urbanized areas, which disrupt not only physiological processes but also lead to anatomical changes. This sensitivity of plant organisms involves them in biological monitoring. Under the influence of atypical air constituents, autoimmune diseases develop, their course is complicated, and histological changes in the vessels of the kidneys, heart, and lungs are recorded. The article presents the results of the analysis of the state and changes in the level of air pollution in the Zhytomyr region over a certain period. The main purpose of the study was to assess the environmental situation in the air basin of the region, as well as to trace the temporal dynamics of changes in its quality characteristics. The tasks to be solved in the course of the study included identifying factors affecting the level of air pollution, studying the volume and composition of pollutants, and establishing the relationship between the intensity of anthropogenic load, in particular industrial development, and the state of the air environment. Atypical for its composition substances are released into the atmosphere of the Zhytomyr region during the operation of stationary and mobile sources. In the Zhytomyr region, there has been a reduction in industry, and therefore a decrease in the share of air emissions from stationary sources. It was found that in 2021, the largest contribution to air pollution was made by road transport, with carbon oxides accounting for more than seventy percent of its emissions. The intake of various compounds from road transport can be four times higher than that from industry. Per capita, the amount of emissions amounted to almost seventy kilograms per year, with a daily value approaching two hundred grams.

Transport mechanisms of particulate emissions from artificial marine structures - A review.

Transport mechanisms of particulate emissions from artificial marine structures - A review.

Quantification of paint flakes and metal emissions during pro-active in-water hull cleaning.

Pro-active in-water hull cleaning is a viable option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing the transportation of non-indigenous species. Conversely, pro-active in-water cleaning (IWC) might lead to the emission of antifouling paint particles and biocides, posing a risk to the marine environment. However, the analysis of these APPs is particularly challenging. We have therefore adapted a thermoanalytical approach using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to analyze the abrasion of APPs. In this approach, the mass of APPs is determined by analyzing the polymer backbone and external calibration. We investigated the particulate abrasion of antifouling coatings for one ship with a self-polishing coating, one with a foul-release coating and one with an abrasion-resistant coating, in order to evaluate the different abrasion behavior and the suitability of the respective coating types for pro-active IWC. In addition, the zinc and copper emissions were analyzed. The extrapolation of the abrasion for ships with 10,000m2 of wetted surface shows that both the abrasion-resistant coating and the foul-release coating release only small quantities of APPs during IWC, with 1.2-2.1∗10-4kg for the abrasion-resistant coating and 0.015kg for the foul-release coating. The potential emissions for self-polishing coatings showed significantly higher abrasion with 1.9-4.3kg. In addition, copper and zinc emissions showed the same distribution trends for the self-polishing coating samples and were between 2.2-9.5 and 1.1-3.2mg/L, respectively, exceeding common water quality standards by far. These results demonstrate that caution is required when balancing the advantages and disadvantages of IWC, especially with regard to self-polishing coatings.

Temporal patterns and influences of monthly, seasonal and annual temperatures on methane emissions in Greece, Armenia and Russia over two decades.

Temporal patterns and influences of monthly, seasonal and annual temperatures on methane emissions in Greece, Armenia and Russia over two decades.

Ultra-broadband coherent open-path spectroscopy for multi-gas monitoring in wastewater treatment.

Ultra-broadband coherent open-path spectroscopy for multi-gas monitoring in wastewater treatment.

Quantifying Methane Emission Rates Using Downwind Measurements

This entry describes the methods used to quantify methane emissions from either point or area sources using downwind methods. The methods described could be used as a practical guide to quantify emissions of any trace gas type from either a point or area emission source. Methane is a relatively strong greenhouse gas, its GWP is 25 times larger than CO2 over a 100-year period, and an increase in methane anthropogenic emissions has been correlated to a changing global climate. Emission estimates that are calculated and used for national inventories are usually derived from bottom-up approaches, however there is now an increasing pressure for these to be validated by direct measurement. Calculating emission rates from downwind measurements has proven to be a versatile and relatively simple approach for direct measurement. Downwind measurement method descriptions are presented here as a practicable guide to quantifying point and area source emissions. Emission quantification is a two-stage process where methane concentration and meteorological data must be measured downwind of a source and then converted to emissions using an atmospheric dispersion model. Only four technology types currently measure in the range typical of downwind methane concentrations: metal oxide sensors, non-dispersive infrared sensors, tunable diode laser absorption spectrometers and optical cavity instruments. The choice of methane measurement is typically determined by the size of the emission source, location and the budget of the project. Meteorological data are essential to quantifying emissions, especially regarding wind speed and direction. In most cases, simple atmospheric dispersion approaches can be used to quantify both area and point emissions using these downwind measurements. Emissions can be generated using limited data (only methane concentration, wind speed, wind direction, and locations are necessary), but quantification uncertainty can be reduced using more input data. Site selection and location of instrument deployment are essential because quantification approaches assume a flat fetch (no aerodynamic obstructions) and constant wind fields. When modeling assumptions are violated, quantification uncertainty can range between +250% and −100% of the actual emission rate. At present there, is no happy medium between modeling complexity and computational time, and this remains the biggest challenge for downwind emission quantification.

RANKING OF GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS ACCORDING TO CEMENT INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE CRITERIA WITH MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING METHODS

The cement production process uses non-renewable resources to convert large amounts of raw materials into finished products. In this process, high energy use causes high CO_2 emissions. The aim of this study is to rank geographical regions according to selected sustainability performance indicators regarding gray and white cement production, using Getting Numbers Right (GNR) 2018 data. Eleven different geographical regions are included in the reports published by GNR. In the ranking of these countries, total cement production volume, total gross CO_2 emission amount, gross CO_2 emission amount excluding CO_2 resulting from on-site electricity production, total net CO_2 emission amount excluding CO_2 resulting from on-site electricity production, total external power consumption for cement production, total alternative fossil fuels, and the sustainability performance criteria of the mixed fuel consumption amount and the total biomass fuel amount were taken into account. In this problem, MCDM methods were used since the geographical regions would be ranked according to the determined performance criteria. In the proposed integrated approach, entropy was used to determine the weights of the performance criteria, and the Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) method was used to rank the geographical regions. As a result of the study, the first three places were Brazil, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and North America, and the resulting ranking was discussed. It has been determined that the proposed integrated approach is an easy-to-implement and effective method to obtain the sustainability performance ranking of geographical regions.