Environmental Systems Analysis Research Articles

Development of compact electrolytic enrichment system for environmental tritium analysis.

The new electrolytic enrichment system with compact glass cell was designed. Three (Ni-Fe-Ni) electrodes are used, and electrolysis is carried out at a rate of 2.45g per h with constant current density of 120mA per cm2. This enrichment system allows the enrichment for small, limited sample volumes (e.g. Tritiated Water (HTO) recovered from air). With an initial water volume of 100ml, the tritium enrichment factor of 7 within 2days and a detection limit of 0.12Bq per L can be obtained by Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) measurement for 1000minutes, which is better than the direct measurement with 50ml sample water using large vial. It is also possible to perform the high enrichment process. The initial sample volume of 700ml enriched for 12days by manual refilling yields a tritium enrichment factor of around 43 and detection limit of 0.02Bq per L for 1000minutes of LSC measurement.

Design and research of a monitoring and environmental testing analysis system for substation status

Abstract By testing and analyzing the real substation environment, and analyzing and fitting on-site data, a system that simulates the operating environment of the real substation is designed, and the goal of replicating a typical on-site electricity environment is achieved. Testing and analysis are conducted on the selected substation area, and light and heavy load noise is collected for spectrum analysis and measurement point attenuation analysis. The LMF (Late Multimodal Fusion) algorithm is used and test data are fitted based on the trust region theory. Conducting noise testing and attenuation analysis in the substation area has laid the foundation for research on substation status monitoring and environmental monitoring.

Innovations for Holistic and Sustainable Transitions

Energy system planning has evolved from a narrow focus on engineering and supply works towards addressing more complex, multifactorial challenges. Increasingly challenged by climate change, extreme events, economic shocks, and altered supply demand patterns, the analysis of energy systems requires holistic approaches based on data-driven models, taking into account key socio-economic factors. We draw insights from reviewing the literature, indicating the need to cover the following major gaps: the shift to transdisciplinary approaches, incorporating environmental system analysis; resilient and sustainable energy designs based on flexible portfolios of renewable mixes; the integration of socio-economic aspects, economic analyses and behavioural models to ensure energy systems are not only technically sound but socially acceptable and viable; the need for stakeholder engagement considering the human angle in energy security and behavioural shifts. Responding to these pressing challenges and emerging needs, the Global Climate Hub (GCH) initiative, operating under the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, offers a conceptual framework, leveraging transdisciplinary approaches. In this Concept Paper, we present for the first time the idea of the GCH as a framework that we believe has the potential to address the modern holistic needs for energy system analysis and policymaking. By setting the conceptual/theoretical ground of our suggested approach, we aim to provide guidance for innovative combinations of cutting-edge models, socio-economic narratives, and inclusive interaction with relevant stakeholders for the development and the long-term implementation of sustainable pathways.

Connecting environmental systems analysis to manufacturing technology: A catalogue of the world's steel and aluminium components

In pursuit of greenhouse gas emissions reductions, the environmental systems community has developed material flow analyses to describe the transformation of resources into goods, while the manufacturing technology community has developed innovations that can affect the production of individual components. However, these two communities have remained disconnected, because neither is able to relate their insights to their point of common interest: the global production of components. For the first time, this paper connects global analyses of the use of steel and aluminium to the production of components, classified by the metal forming processes which shape them. The results demonstrate the proportions of steel and aluminium used in ten distinct component groups, at global level, and for the major product groups which drive demand for these two metals. This helps both to prioritise requirements for innovation in design and manufacturing and to evaluate of the emissions potential of such innovations.

Measures toward effective management of hazardous solid waste at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT)

Abstract Hazardous waste (HW) management poses significant challenges in Vietnam, particularly within higher education institutions (HEIs), despite regulatory advancements. This study focuses on the effective management of HW at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), considering the risks posed by HW generation and the need for sustainable practices. This research aims to explore and propose comprehensive strategies for HW categorization, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal within HEIs, emphasizing sustainable management practices to mitigate adverse health and environmental impacts. Adopting an Environmental Systems Analysis framework, this study employs expert interviews and a SWOT analysis to assess the current state of HW management at HCMUT. Structured interviews probe experts on key challenges, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, providing insights for strategic interventions. The investigation reveals critical issues in HW management at HCMUT, including commendable execution of procedures but persisting ambiguities in regulations, financial challenges, and difficulties in controlling input data. The SWOT analysis identifies internal strengths, weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats, guiding proposed solutions. Addressing identified challenges, this study proposes a tailored HW management process integrating educational initiatives and a structured Handbook on Hazardous Solid Waste Management for HCMUT. These recommendations aim to enhance awareness, compliance, and sustainability in HW management, contributing to effective risk mitigation and sustainable practices within HEIs.

Performance analysis of a new multifunctional aircraft environmental control system under variable operating conditions

Performance analysis of a new multifunctional aircraft environmental control system under variable operating conditions

Analysis of Chinese Environmental Legal System and International Legal Frameworks on Supporting Green and Low-Carbon Development

The aim of this study is to analyze the Chinese legal system and international legal frameworks on supporting green and low-carbon development, one of the strategies adopted to achieve sustainable development while effectively addressing climate change. However, different projects and measures supporting green and low-carbon development may affect one another if legal and policy measures are not well established and implemented. Globally, different international instruments highlight various commitments that guide the implementation of green and low-carbon development. At the domestic level, China has numerous plans and policies aimed at achieving these goals, and both international and domestic measures on green and low-carbon development are interdependent. This study found that China has different environmental laws that can advance green and low-carbon development. However, these laws often lack specific references to “green and low-carbon development,” a phrase that appears primarily in policies. This gap may lead to a lack of coherence between those policies and the absence of specific institutions dedicated to these goals. This study recommends that specific laws can be enacted from different existing Chinese plans and policies to ensure a coherent and long-term framework for green and low-carbon development. With the existence of such a law, responsible institutions will be established, and the enforcement of policies and plans related to green and low-carbon development will be ensured.

Diverse Applications of Two-Dimensional Correlation Spectroscopy (2D-COS).

This second of the two-part series of a comprehensive survey review provides the diverse applications of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) covering different probes, perturbations, and systems in the last two years. Infrared spectroscopy has maintained its top popularity in 2D-COS over the past two years. Fluorescence spectroscopy is the second most frequently used analytical method, which has been heavily applied to the analysis of heavy metal binding, environmental, and solution systems. Various other analytical methods including laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, capillary electrophoresis, seismologic, and so on, have also been reported. In the last two years, concentration, composition, and pH are the main effects of perturbation used in the 2D-COS fields, as well as temperature. Environmental science is especially heavily studied using 2D-COS. This comprehensive survey review shows that 2D-COS undergoes continuous evolution and growth, marked by novel developments and successful applications across diverse scientific fields.

Environmental system analysis on formic acid synthesis from captured CO2 and green H2 using life cycle assessment methodology

Abstract Hydrogen (H2) is highly promising as an alternative energy source because it does not emit CO2 when used; thus, H2 utilization is a potential solution to fossil fuel depletion and global warming. In our previous studies, green H2 was developed through biomass pyrolysis. Meanwhile, the development of carbon dioxide capture utilization technologies to recycle CO2 gas from fossil fuel is being considered. Moreover, formic acid (FA) synthesis is among the candidate procedures for utilizing captured CO2. FA is a vital chemical substance with numerous industrial applications. As the simplest carboxylic acid, FA produces various chemical products. The demand for FA will continue to increase, mainly due to recent technological advancements in fuel cells and renewable energy. The primary pathway for FA synthesis involves the hydrolysis of fossil fuel–derived formic acid methyl. In this study, we investigated FA synthesis using CO2 from fossil fuel and green H2 from biomass as raw materials. Subsequently, we evaluated the environmental impact of the synthesized FA compared with the conventional fossil fuel–derived FA by applying the life cycle assessment methodology. The evaluation focuses on Japan, aiming to reduce environmental impact as an evaluation metric while considering the constraints on CO2 emissions and H2 production scale. Furthermore, we sought to identify the conditions that would reduce the environmental impact of FA synthesis.

Processing Model of LUCC Temporal Characteristics in Urban and Rural Space Based on Remote Sensing Data Validation

The spatial land change of villages and towns can be analyzed through external spatio-temporal characteristics, which can realize the evaluation of historical development and assist the implementation of planning and design norms and the implementation of problem rectification. To explore the specific process and the overall pattern of land use change, it is necessary to analyze and predict all kinds of data in a unified way to grasp the law of development and the direction of future development. This paper takes the spatial development and planning of villages and towns as the research object, selects the remote sensing image data of regional historical development as the driving factor, combines with Gaussian function fitting to calculate the training samples, and constructs the regional spatial environment analysis system. According to the processing model of external characteristics of time series, the spatial distribution and evolution of Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) and its components are analyzed. The multi-dimensional remote sensing data is innovatively fused into the time series processing model. Besides, the curve which can characterize the spatial change law and is not completely symmetrical is obtained through the least square method fitting so that the data with unequal time series intervals can be flexibly processed. Finally, through the experimental analysis, the traditional Asymmetric Gaussian model (A-G) and Savitzky-Golay (S-G) are taken to compare and analyze the effect of various factors on the processing of time series characteristics. Tests show that the proposed algorithm is superior to the comparison method in noise removal of remote sensing data. The data fitting coefficient is 0.02, and the root mean square measurement error is more than 7% higher than the comparison method. It can predict the trend of land use change distribution, play a key role in assisting decision-making for different land use transformations and utilization in villages and towns, and make a scientific evaluation for the impact of social and economic development potential.

Environmental Justice and Systems Analysis for Air Quality Planning in the Port of Oakland in California.

Many frontline communities experience adverse health impacts from living in proximity to high-polluting industrial sources. Securing environmental justice requires, in part, a comprehensive set of quantitative indicators. We incorporate environmental justice and life-cycle thinking into air quality planning to assess fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and monetized damages from operating and maintaining the Port of Oakland, a major multimodal marine port located in the historically marginalized West Oakland community in the San Francisco Bay Area. The exposure domain for the assessment is the entire San Francisco Bay Area, a home to more than 7.5 million people. Of the more than 14 sources included in the emissions inventory, emissions from large container ships, or ocean-going vessels (OGVs), dominate the PM2.5 intake, and supply chain sources (material production and delivery, fuel production) represent between 3.5% and 7.5% of annual intake. Exposure damages, which model the costs from excess mortalities resulting from exposure from the study's emission sources, range from USD 100 to 270 million per annum. Variations in damages are due to the use of different concentration-response relationships, hazard ratios, and Port resurfacing area assumptions. Racial and income-based exposure disparities are stark. The Black population and people within the lowest income quintile are 2.2 and 1.9 times more disproportionately exposed, respectively, to the Port's pollution sources relative to the general population. Mitigation efforts focused on electrifying in-port trucking operations yield modest reductions (3.5%) compared to strategies that prioritize emission reductions from OGVs and commercial harbor craft operations (8.7-55%). Our recommendations emphasize that a systems-based approach is critical for identifying all relevant emission sources and mitigation strategies for improving equity in civil infrastructure systems.

Heart-to-heart: infant heart rate at 3 months is linked to infant-directed speech, mother-infant interaction, and later language outcomes.

Previous studies underscore the importance of speech input, particularly infant-directed speech (IDS) during one-on-one (1:1) parent-infant interaction, for child language development. We hypothesize that infants' attention to speech input, specifically IDS, supports language acquisition. In infants, attention and orienting responses are associated with heart rate deceleration. We examined whether individual differences in infants' heart rate measured during 1:1 mother-infant interaction is related to speech input and later language development scores in a longitudinal study. Using a sample of 31 3-month-olds, we assessed infant heart rate during mother-infant face-to-face interaction in a laboratory setting. Multiple measures of speech input were gathered at 3 months of age during naturally occurring interactions at home using the Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) system. Language outcome measures were assessed in the same children at 30 months of age using the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (CDI). Two novel findings emerged. First, we found that higher maternal IDS in a 1:1 context at home, as well as more mother-infant conversational turns at home, are associated with a lower heart rate measured during mother-infant social interaction in the laboratory. Second, we found significant associations between infant heart rate during mother-infant interaction in the laboratory at 3 months and prospective language development (CDI scores) at 30 months of age. Considering the current results in conjunction with other converging theoretical and neuroscientific data, we argue that high IDS input in the context of 1:1 social interaction increases infants' attention to speech and that infants' attention to speech in early development fosters their prospective language growth.

A thiazole-based colorimetric and photoluminescent chemosensors for As3+ ions detection: Density functional theory, test strips, real samples, and bioimaging applications

A Schiff-base Ethyl (E)-2-(3-((2-carbamothioylhydrazono)methyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methylthiazole-5-carboxylate (TZTS) dual functional colorimetric and photoluminescent chemosensor which includes thiazole and thiosemicarbazide has been synthesized to detect arsenic (As3+) ions selectively in DMSO: H2O (7:3, v/v) solvent system. The molecular structure of the probe was characterized via FT-IR, 1H, and 13C NMR & HRMS analysis. Interestingly, the probe exhibits a remarkable and specific colorimetric and photoluminescence response to As3+ ions when exposed to various metal cations. The absorption spectral changes of TZTS were observed upon the addition of As3+ ions, with a naked eye detectable color change from colorless to yellow color. Additionally, the chemosensor (TZTS) exhibited a new absorption band at 412 nm and emission enhancements in photoluminescence at 528 nm after adding As3+ ions. The limit of detection (LOD) for As3+ ions was calculated to be 16.5 and 7.19 × 10−9 M by the UV–visible and photoluminescent titration methods, respectively. The underlying mechanism and experimental observations have been comprehensively elucidated through techniques such as Job’s plot, Benesi-Hildebrand studies, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. For practical application, the efficient determination of As3+ ions were accomplished using a spike and recovery approach applied to real water samples. In addition, the developed probe was successfully employed in test strip applications, allowing for the naked-eye detection of arsenic ions. Moreover, fluorescence imaging experiments of As3+ ions in the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) demonstrated their practical applications in biological systems. Consequently, these findings highlight the significant potential of the TZTS sensor for detecting As3+ ions in environmental analysis systems.

Thermodynamic analysis of a new electric environmental control system with energy recovery turbine

Thermodynamic analysis of a new electric environmental control system with energy recovery turbine

Life cycle assessment, quo vadis? Supporting or deterring greenwashing? A survey of practitioners

LCA has been recognised as an important environmental systems analysis tool. However, the variability in its practice enables greenwashing, and counterproductive decisions that fall short of guiding sustainable production and consumption systems.

Factors of parental investment in the home language environment in peri-urban China: A mixed methods study.

The home language environment is a critical point of investment in early language skills. However, few studies have quantitatively measured the home language environment of low-socioeconomic-status households in non-western settings. This mixed methods study describes the home language environment and early child language skills among households in a low-socioeconomic-status, peri-urban district of Chengdu, China, and identifies factors influencing parental investment in the home language environment. Audio recordings were collected from 81 peri-urban households with children ages 18-24 months and analysed using the Language Environment Analysis (LENATM) system. The Mandarin version of the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory was administered to each child's primary caregiver. The quantitative results revealed large variation in home language environments and child language skills among the sample, with relatively low average scores when compared to other Chinese samples. Qualitative interviews with a subset of 31 caregivers revealed that many caregivers face constraints on their knowledge of interactive parenting, compounded, in some households, by time constraints due to work or household responsibilities. The findings indicate a need for increased sources of credible parenting information for peri-urban caregivers of young children to promote investment in the home language environment.

Latest features of the ecosystem management decision support system, version 8.0

The Ecosystem Management Decision Support (EMDS) system is a spatially enabled system for environmental analysis and strategic and tactical planning. EMDS combines various sophisticated analytical tools within a GIS environment. Originally released by the Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA in 1997, EMDS has been maintained and actively extended since then. Building on its core functionality of logic processing and decision modeling and availability as an ArcMap component, recent advances include more advanced geodatabase processing, integration with open-source GIS platforms, incorporation of two new analytical engines, support for scripting tools, implementation of a graphical workflow environment, advanced tactical planning, portfolio management, and a cloud-based collaboration manager. Because EMDS is a generic solution framework, it can be applied to an extremely broad array of problems at virtually any and all spatial scales. This paper presents an overview of the EMDS technology and describes some of the projects in which it has been used.

Performance Analysis of Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) towards POLMEDs Green Campus

UI GreenMetric is a guide for higher education institutions to raise awareness of sustainable development, sustainable research, building a green campus, and social influence. There are six assessment categories in UI GreenMetric. One of them is energy and climate change. The assessment point in energy and climate change is the implementation of smart buildings within the campus area. There is often pollution on campus. The campus still uses groundwater for daily sanitation; workshops' waste is discharged directly into the ground without any sewage treatment process; many private vehicles are in the campus area; and 30% of campus land has been used as vehicle parking lots. It is necessary to carry out a monitoring process to determine the concentration of CO2 in the air. For this reason, further study is needed on smart features that will be built to support UI GreenMetric concepts. It is expected to help monitor water, soil, and air environmental parameters. This smart would later be monitored remotely using the Internet of Things (IoT) method. The maximum result of air temperature is 32,3°C, the maximum level of CO2 is 526,8 ppm, the minimum humidity level is 47,2%RH, and the maximum level of PAR is 589,3 µ*mol/m2*s. The noise maximum level is 84 dB, and pH water maximum is 7,01. The density of students also caused an increase in some parameters. POLMED must concentrate on environmental sustainability. Therefore, we should pay for internal recycling water treatment, reducing the use of private vehicles, and expanding green open space.

Parental verbal responsiveness to infant vocalizations from 9 to 14 months of age

Parental communication styles and language usage may undergo changes during the course of child development, exhibiting variations across language backgrounds and cultures. This study aimed to explore how infant-parent interactions within Korean-speaking environments evolve over time through meticulous coding of day-long home audio recordings. The study examined whether the ratio and types of parental verbal responses vary based on infants’ age and vocalization types. A total of 16 infants and their parents participated in all-day home recordings using the Language Environment Analysis (LENA) system. The recordings were conducted in two rounds per family when the infants were aged 9–11 months and 12–14 months, with a three-month gap between each round. The frequency and types of infant vocalizations were analyzed and the contingency and types of parental verbal responsiveness were determined based on semantic and phonetic connection, as well as temporal appropriateness. The results showed that parents did not verbally respond to approximately 50 % of the infant vocalizations in the natural home environment. However, parents’ lack of verbal responses decreased significantly, and their contingent responses increased significantly with infant age. Parents were also not selectively responsive to infants’ canonical vocalizations over non-canonical vocalizations. Nevertheless, parents demonstrated a higher frequency of responses that were not only linguistically meaningful but also socially appropriate and contextually relevant to infants’ vocalizations as infants developed, which may play a significant role in scaffolding speech and language development.

Analysis of environmental legal system of shale gas fracturing in China

Hydraulic fracturing is a technique for shale gas production. The use of this technology allows natural gas and oil to be economically produced from shale formations. However, the application of fracturing is accompanied by potential environmental risks such as water waste and pollution, ecological damage, air pollution and earthquakes. In China, shale gas development as one of the key ways to achieve energy supply security and its 2030 peak carbon target. China has liberalized the restrictions on extraction entities and has taken numerous measures to encourage shale gas development. The regulation of hydraulic fracturing and other environmental issues poses a new challenge to the harmonization of energy and environmental legislation in China. Based on the analysis of the existing system, this study proposed the shortcomings of the current Chinese shale gas environmental regulatory framework, which indicate that the legal level for hydraulic fracturing is low; there are loopholes in the legal rules regulating the environmental problems caused by hydraulic fracturing, and the environmental and energy laws are not compatible. A typical case of Fuling, China was selected for analysis. In addition, it is suggested that Chinese regulators should develop a special shale gas law, introducing appropriate hydraulic fracturing regulations to fill the legal regulatory loopholes.