Comprehensive Environmental Assessment Research Articles

A Comprehensive Technical, Environmental, Economic, and Bibliometric Assessment of Hydrogen Production Through Biomass Gasification, Including Global and Brazilian Potentials

A Comprehensive Technical, Environmental, Economic, and Bibliometric Assessment of Hydrogen Production Through Biomass Gasification, Including Global and Brazilian Potentials

Green Light for Bidirectional Charging? Unveiling Grid Repercussions and Life Cycle Impacts

Bidirectional charging, such as Vehicle-to-Grid, is increasingly seen as a way to integrate the growing number of battery electric vehicles into the energy system. The electrical storage capacity can be enhanced by using electric vehicles as flexible storage units. However, large-scale applications of Vehicle-to-Grid may require significant expansion of distribution grids. Previous studies lack a comprehensive environmental assessment of related impacts. Contributing to this research gap, this article combines techno-economic grid simulations with scenario-based Life Cycle Assessments. The case study focuses on rural distribution grids in Southern Germany, projecting the repercussions of different charging scenarios by 2040. Besides a Vehicle-to-Grid scenario, a mixed scenario of Vehicle-to-Home, Vehicle-to-Grid, and direct charging is investigated. Results indicate that Vehicle-to-Grid charging increases grid impacts due to higher charging simultaneities and power losses, especially when following spot market prices. Despite these challenges, the secondary use of battery electric vehicles as storage units can offset adverse environmental effects. Bidirectional charging allows for higher use of volatile renewable energies and can accelerate their integration into the power system. When considering these diverse environmental effects, bidirectional charging scenarios show overall lower impacts on climate change per battery electric vehicle compared to direct charging. The insights provided are valuable for researchers, industry, utilities, and policymakers to understand the potential positive and negative impacts of large-scale battery electric vehicle integration. The article highlights the most influential parameters that should be considered before large-scale penetration.

Molecular properties of dissolved organic matter leached from microplastics during photoaging process

The occurrence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) derived from microplastics (MPs) and its effect on aquatic systems has attracted great interest recently. However, the photoaging effect on the molecular structure of MP-derived DOM (MP-DOM) remains unclear. This paper presents the characteristics of DOM leached from three commercial MPs, i.e., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) under UV irradiation. With prolonged aging periods, the surface roughness and oxygen-containing groups on the surface of MPs increase as more DOM leachate is generated. Moreover, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content of the leached DOM from PET MPs varies from 0.52 mg/L to 2.25 mg/L, which is higher than PE and PP MPs, due to the larger increased surface reaction area and the cleavage of the benzene ring. According to the excitation-emission matrix and parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC), the plastic-derived protein/phenolic-like components (C1 and C3) in MP-DOM were changed into photo-induced humic-like components (C2), which were closely related to the intermediates during photo-oxidation. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC−MS) analysis further identified that the highest proportion of antioxidants (24.8 %∼34.6 %) was contained in MP-DOM. Plasticizers, intermediate additives, and antimicrobial agents were also detected in DOM leachate. Correlation analysis identified that the composition of leached DOM was positively correlated with the surface roughness, the carbonyl index (CI), and the chemical groups of MPs. Moreover, a partial least square structural equation model (PLS−SEM) analysis further verified that the change of morphology and the chemical structure of MPs could affect the DOM structures and fractions directly. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the composition of MP-derived DOM during the aging process, as well as a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of MPs.

Identification of polar bioactive substances in the Upper Rhine using effect-directed analysis

Effect-Directed Analysis (EDA) was used to identify bioactive compounds in surface and well water from the Upper Rhine, and to evaluate their properties against the criteria set for Persistent, Mobile and Toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances. A multi-layered solid-phase extraction was implemented to enrich a broad range of polar substances from the collected samples. The extracts were fractionated into 108 fractions and tested in the transthyretin (TTR)-binding assay measuring displacement of fluorescently labeled thyroxine (FITC-T4 TTR-binding assay) and the Aliivibrio fischeri bioluminescence (AFB) bioassay. Bioactive fractions guided the identification strategy using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Chemical features were systematically annotated using library databases and suspect lists, incorporating an automated assessment of the quality of each annotation. Based on this assessment, each chemical feature was assigned a specific identification confidence level. Identification of bioactive compounds was facilitated by using bioassay specific suspect lists that were extracted from an in-house developed database of positive and negative TTR-binding compounds and from a recently published database of active inhibitors of AFB. This resulted in the identification and confirmation of ten bioactive substances, including four evaluated as PMT and vPvM substances (diclofenac, trifloxystrobin acid, 6:2 FTSA and PFOA), and one as a potential PMT substance (4-aminoazobenzene). This study demonstrates the effectiveness of EDA in the identification of PMT/vPvM substances in the aquatic environment, facilitating their prioritization for comprehensive environmental risk assessment and possible regulation.

Sustainable mega-seaports with integrated multi-energy systems: Life-cycle environmental and economic evaluation

Ports play a critical role in modern society by acting as crucial links between water and land transportation, and integrating transportation with energy systems. This integration results in a high demand for various types of energy uses, with polluting emissions produced by the diverse energy sources. Integrated renewable energy systems represent promising solutions to achieving high levels of energy supply while lowering carbon footprints. In this research, a framework is proposed for a port multi-energy system that encompasses solar energy, wind energy, a hydrogen system and a number of energy storage systems. The proposed framework is tailored for implementation at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the largest port globally. Different system design schemes are compared based on the number and rated power of wind turbines. Then, a comprehensive life-cycle economic and environmental assessment of the system is conducted through simulation. The economic and environmental metrics such as LCOE, REF and CO2 emissions are considered. The outcomes demonstrate that the design scheme incorporating two wind turbines with high rated power outperforms others in both environmental and economic metrics. Over the life-cycle, the renewable energy fraction exceeds 72%, and the levelized cost of energy plummets to 0.46 yuan/kWh. The implementation of the proposed port integrated multi-energy system yields substantial environmental and economic benefits. Specifically, it allows for a reduction of 66.68% in CO2 emissions and a cost reduction of 70.94%. These outcomes highlight the potential that the proposed system holds for enhancing environmental sustainability and economic efficiency within the port context.

Ecotoxicity and Mutagenicity Assessment of Novel Antifungal Agents VT-1161 and T-2307.

Antifungal substances are essential for managing fungal infections in humans, animals, and plants, and their usage has significantly increased due to the global rise in fungal infections. However, the extensive application of antifungal agents in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and agriculture has led to their widespread environmental dissemination through various pathways, such as excretion, improper disposal, and agricultural runoff. Despite advances in wastewater treatment, many antifungal compounds persist in the environment, affecting non-target organisms and contributing to resistance development. This study investigates the environmental impact of two novel antifungal agents, VT-1161 and T-2307, recently introduced as alternatives for treating resistant Candida spp. We assessed their ecotoxicity and mutagenicity using multiple bioassays: immobilization of Daphnia magna, growth inhibition of Raphidocelis subcapitata, luminescence inhibition of Aliivibrio fischeri, and mutagenicity on Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100. Results indicate that both VT-1161 and T-2307 exhibit lower toxicity compared to existing antifungal compounds, with effective concentrations (EC50) causing 50% response ranging from 14.34 to 27.92 mg L-1. Furthermore, both agents were classified as less hazardous based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Despite these favorable results, further research is needed to understand their environmental behavior, interactions, and potential resistance development among non-target species. Our findings highlight the importance of comprehensive environmental risk assessments to ensure the sustainable use of new antifungal agents.

Evaluation of a Sustainable Production of Encapsulated Chili Pepper Powder (Capsicum pubescens) through Convective and Vacuum Drying

Throughout the world, chili and chili powders are spices of considerable economic importance. Rocoto (Capsicum pubescens R. & P.) is a chili pepper used in Andean cuisine. Fresh chili is perishable and therefore it is convenient to protect the capsaicin, color and other bioactive compounds through preservation methods such as encapsulation. The present study systematically evaluates the technical and environmental aspects of producing encapsulated Rocoto red chili powder using three different wall materials—maltodextrin, rice protein and rice flour—in conjunction with two drying methods, namely convection drying and vacuum drying. Our technical objectives focused on developing an encapsulated product with high heat and vibrant red color, key attributes that significantly influence consumer purchasing behavior. In addition, the study aimed to mitigate the loss of polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. After identifying the optimal conditions for each wall material and drying process, a comprehensive environmental assessment was conducted to identify the most efficient and sustainable production methods. The results demonstrate that rice flour encapsulation (20%) in conjunction with hot air drying (40 °C) represents the most efficacious method for the preservation of chili powder’s pungency. This approach resulted in a mere 24% reduction in Scoville units while maintaining the powder’s vibrant red coloration. This method not only preserved key bioactive compounds, including capsaicin, polyphenols and flavonoids, but also significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the product. From an environmental perspective, this approach offers significant sustainability benefits, reducing the overall environmental impact by approximately 72% compared to vacuum drying of unencapsulated chili. The use of rice flour as an encapsulant aligns with sustainability goals, making it the most efficient option for balancing product quality and environmental performance.

Community flood risk assessment in selected areas in Muntinlupa City

The study's objective is to hopefully create a profound awareness in the city government of Muntinlupa of the plight the community is experiencing. A quantitative research design was utilized in this study. Flood risk perception: The probability of whether a retention pond, increasing the diameter of the existing reinforced concrete pipes, and or increasing the road elevation can be a permanent or a quick-fix solution is still unknown until the local government can conduct a comprehensive technical and environmental assessment of the different vulnerability factors in the community. No significant differences were found between age, years of residency, and flood risk perception. Flood risk preparedness: No significant differences existed between age, years of residency, and flood risk preparedness. Substantial differences were found between gender and flood preparedness, and they favor the male gender. Flood risk awareness: No significant differences existed between age, years of residency, and flood risk awareness. There were substantial differences between gender and flood awareness, and they favored the male gender. The study's recommendations encourage the local government of Muntinlupa to conduct a comprehensive administrative, technical, and environmental assessment of the different vulnerability factors facing the selected areas in the community.

Comprehensive techno-economic and environmental assessment for 2,3-butanediol production from bread waste

Bread waste (BW) is a common food waste in Europe and North America and has enormous potential as a biorefinery substrate for the sustainable synthesis of various platform chemicals. Our previous work made use of BW for the fermentative production of 2,3–butanediol (BDO). The present work evaluated the economic prospects and environmental consequences associated with the overall processes, handling 100 metric tons BW per day. The comprehensive process design using Aspen Plus and integrated techno-economic and environmental assessment was carried out for two different BW hydrolysis scenarios: acid and enzyme hydrolysis, followed by fermentation and extraction-based downstream BDO separation. The optimal heat exchanger network was designed using pinch analysis, which improved the energy efficiency of the process significantly, with about 10 % savings of BDO production costs. Despite this improvement, the BDO derived from BW was exorbitant (4.2–6.9 $/kg) compared to the market price (3.23 $/kg) due to relatively higher capital investment for the current plant capacity. Further, the process inventory was modelled in SimaPro v9.1.0 to estimate the environmental consequences of these production processes for impact categories, such as global warming (2.63 – 3.19 kg CO2 eq.), marine eutrophication (3.55 × 10-4 – 4.01 × 10-4 kg N eq.), terrestrial ecotoxicity (6.44 – 7.88 kg 1,4 − DCB), etc. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were also conducted to establish the reliability of the results. It was found that the enzyme hydrolysis was associated with lower environmental impacts than acid hydrolysis. This comprehensive study can be used as a guideline for developing sustainable BW-based biorefinery in the future.

Dietary inclusion of white lupine seeds and their byproducts in rabbits can contribute to EU agricultural sustainability: a review

This review explores the potential of white lupin seeds (Lupinus albus) as a sustainable protein source for rabbit nutrition and examines their effects on growth performance, carcass traits, health status, milk yield, milk composition and nutrient availability. The dietary inclusion of white lupin seeds leads to comparable or superior growth, milk yield, milk composition, nutrient digestibility and digestive health of rabbits, as well as meat quality and carcass outcomes relative to traditionally used protein sources for feeding rabbits, such as soybean meal and sunflower meal. Studies also show that it is possible to use white lupin byproducts, such as the hull and bran, for rabbit diets, which can be convenient in terms of providing an adequate supply of lignocellulose and enhancing the sustainability of rabbit feed, promoting circular economy principles. The cultivation of white lupin can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of synthetic fertiliser. Future research should focus on breeding improvements and comprehensive environmental assessments of white lupin seeds to maximise the benefits of white lupin for rabbit nutrition. These findings support the role of white lupin as a viable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional protein sources, such as soybean meal, which could support productivity and sustainability in rabbit farming.

Environmental assessment of the hydrogen combustion process in non-premixed gas turbines

Using cleaner fuels, such as hydrogen and developing more efficient combustion technologies are crucial in reducing NOx and N2O emissions, contributing to environmental concerns like air pollution and global warming. However, studies focusing on gas turbines using H2 as fuel often overlook the emissions resulting from H2 combustion. Given that gas turbines play a significant role in electricity generation globally, even minor improvements in their efficiency can lead to substantial cumulative benefits. Therefore, this study aims to address this gap by conducting a comprehensive environmental assessment using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. By evaluating the environmental impacts of emissions from the combustion process of a conventional gas turbine and comparing them with potential emissions from H2combustion, this research seeks to provide valuable insights into the overall environmental performance of these technologies and contribute to sustainable energy development efforts. There have already been several LCA studies on H2 production. In this study, we have identified the potential emissions and environmental impacts of H2 combustion in gas turbines and compared them with the impact values of H2 production regarding reference studies. The result shows that emissions during combustion should be considered in the identified life cycle impact categories.

Microplastic predictive modelling with the integration of Artificial Neural Networks and Hidden Markov Models (ANN-HMM).

Microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to our environment, necessitating effective predictive modelling approaches for better management and mitigation. In this study, we introduce a pioneering methodology that fuses the power of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Hidden Markov Models (HMM) for microplastic predictive modelling. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset, our integrated model exhibits exceptional performance, with an Accuracy of 0.96, Precision of 0.96, Recall of 0.97, and an F1 Score of 0.96. The achieved Accuracy underscores the model's proficiency in distinguishing microplastic and non-microplastic entities, promising robust and reliable predictions. Precision, as a measure of correct positive identifications, demonstrates our model's effectiveness in minimizing false positives, a crucial aspect for environmental monitoring. Moreover, the perfect Recall score signifies the model's ability to detect all relevant microplastic instances, addressing concerns about false negatives. The F1 Score encapsulates this dual proficiency, showcasing a harmonious trade-off between precision and recall. Our research not only advances the field of microplastic prediction but also highlights the potential of synergizing ANN and HMM methodologies for comprehensive environmental assessments. The reported performance metrics underscore the practical applicability of our approach, offering a valuable tool for tackling the pervasive issue of microplastic pollution and fostering proactive environmental stewardship.

Cumulative collision risk and population-level consequences of industrial wind-power plant development for two vulture species: A quantitative warning

Prioritizing renewable energy generation over the conservation of natural habitats and species on a large spatial scale, leads to the paradox of impacting biodiversity to mitigate climate change. In this study, we aim at quantifying the long-term demographic impact of the excess mortality caused by collisions with wind turbines on the populations of two vulture species of conservation concern. Using long-term monitoring data and Integrated Population Models (IPMs), we quantified demographic parameters and projected population trends under various wind power development scenarios. Our findings indicate that even under our most optimistic scenarios, annual collision mortality could reach up to 30 % of the current Cinereous vulture population and 7 % of the Griffon vulture population. Without further wind power expansion, both vulture populations are predicted to remain stable or increase over the next 20 years. However, the addition of 85 wind turbines is likely to drive the Cinereous vulture to local extinction within 18 years and significantly slow the growth of the Griffon vulture population. Scenarios involving larger numbers of turbines could result in the extinction of both species within two to five years for Cinereous vultures and up to 20 years for Griffon vultures, depending on space use intensity. Our results underscore the vulnerability of long-lived species to excess mortality and highlight the need for comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) that incorporate population dynamics analyses. Effective conservation strategies must include rigorous pre- and post-construction monitoring, the availability of monitoring data, and cumulative impact assessments that consider the entire foraging range of these species. Additionally, strategic planning to avoid critical vulture habitats and implementing mitigation measures in buffer zones are essential. This study emphasizes the necessity of integrating biodiversity considerations into renewable energy planning to balance the goals of energy production and wildlife conservation.

Assessing the sustainability of Blue Economy activities using an ecosystem and life cycle-based approach: Possibilities, challenges and implications for an informed policy making

The global ocean faces increasing exploitation to meet the demand of a rapidly growing globalisation. Human marine activities are leading to local environmental pressures/benefits, for example on marine ecosystems and their services, but also through their value chains on terrestrial ecosystem services, and to global pressures such as global warming. Effective management of marine activities is essential for the conservation of the natural environment. There is a growing need for holistic sustainability assessment tools capable of quantifying environmental impacts at various geographical scales, alongside evidence-informed policies. This study examines the evolving marine policy landscape, identifies key legislation that supports the sustainable growth of the Blue Economy, traces its historical development, and explores the integration of ecosystem services assessment and life cycle assessment as methodologies for assessing environmental sustainability within this legislation. The review shows that current legislation falls short in providing instructions on how to measure sustainability impacts in a consistent way, i.e., which methods/indicators to use. Therefore, this study supports evidence-informed policy-making by proposing a quantitative and comprehensive environmental sustainability impact assessment methodology, integrating both ecosystem and life-cycle based methods, to a Belgian multi-use case study involving offshore wind energy and mussel farming. Considering the impacts that were possible to assess and the limits of the methodology used, the value of the positive impacts of the MUOF was +61.3 M€ y−, while the negative ones were −4.0 M€ y−1, resulting in a net handprint of +57.0 M€ y−1, primarily attributed to the benefits of the local ecosystem service ‘offshore renewable energy’ However, such a solution is not necessarily scalable, due to cumulative impacts. An analysis was conducted to identify areas for enhancing the methodology to more effectively meet policy needs. The study highlights the importance of using scientifically grounded methods to inform policy decisions.

Environmental impacts and decarbonization pathways of oily sludge pyrolysis based on life cycle assessment

Oily sludge is a major hazardous waste generated in the petroleum and petrochemical industry. The increasing accumulation of oily sludge necessitates safe and sustainable management. In recent years, pyrolysis has gained great attention as an effective treatment method for oily sludge. However, a comprehensive environmental assessment of industrial-scale oily sludge pyrolysis remains limited. Based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, this study employs data collected from oily sludge treatment plants to investigate the environmental impacts of the whole pyrolysis system, specifically its carbon footprint. The utilization and final disposal of pyrolysis products are in accordance with the real industrial operations. The contributions of each unit process in the pyrolysis treatment of oily sludge to global warming potential (GWP), as well as the decarbonization pathways, are explored in detail. Results indicate that, in general, pyrolysis has lower adverse environmental impacts than incineration does. Within the pyrolysis system, processes such as pyrolysis, flue gas purification, and hot washing are major contributors to GWP. The recycling and utilization of pyrolytic oil and solid residues can significantly mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of oily sludge pyrolysis. Given the combined applications of co-pyrolysis, green electricity, and other low-carbon technologies, the carbon footprint of oily sludge pyrolysis could be reduced from 635.9 to 31.8 kg CO2-eq in the most ideal scenario.

Comparative analysis of solar module configuration and tracking systems for enhanced energy generation in South Sakucia Union, Bhola, Bangladesh: A software based analysis

Bangladesh is blessed with an extensive range of solar energy generation possibilities; however, the primary impediment to attaining its full potential in the solar energy industry is the inadequate budget in the energy sector. As a result, determining the most economical and efficient solar module configuration for each specific scenario has become a critical necessity. This study offers a comprehensive techno-economic analysis and environmental impact assessment of four distinct solar modules: monofacial, bifacial, dual-axis solar tracker, and seasonal tilt solar module, in an open area of South Sakucia Union, Bhola district, in the southwest part of Bangladesh. By integrating energy-generation capabilities, financial metrics, and environmental benefits, this research provides a holistic evaluation framework to ensure optimal economic performance and minimal adverse environmental effects for sustainable solar solutions in Bangladesh. Utilizing PV*SOL, PVsyst, and System Advisor Model (SAM) software, this study assesses energy-generation capabilities and economic viability. Despite the dual-axis solar tracker exhibiting the highest average energy generation (149,070.3 kWh/year), its higher initial cost renders it less financially viable compared to other configurations. Financial metrics reveal that the seasonal tilt configuration is the most cost-efficient, with the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) at $0.0452/kWh and the highest Net Present Value (NPV) of $52,887.70. Additionally, it has the shortest Discounted Payback Period (DPBP) at 12.69 years, a favorable Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 9.460 %, and a Profitability Index (PI) of 1.459, indicating robust returns on investment. These findings emphasize the importance of considering both energy-generation capabilities and financial metrics when evaluating solar module configurations in the southern part of Bangladesh, serving as a valuable reference for policymakers. Moreover, meticulous environmental impact assessments assist in choosing configurations with minimal adverse effects on the environment.

A dataset of spatio-temporal variations in the Pinglu Canal region from 2000 to 2023

The canal is a crucial water transportation channel for regional development, serving not only as a corridor for the circulation of goods but also as a vital link fostering the sustainable development of regional society, economy, and environment. The construction and operation of the canal are directly related to the development of the areas along its route. As one of the significant projects in the Western Land-Sea New Channel, the Pinglu Canal boasts enormous potential for social and economic benefits. Environmental factors are integral to ensuring the sustainability of regional development along the route. To conduct an environmental assessment of the canal basin and meet the requirements for monitoring regional spatio-temporal characteristic changes, we define the basin and administrative divisions of the Pinglu Canal region as the scope of the study area in the paper. By integrating currently available data on various factors including social, economic, and environmental aspects, we employed a standardized grid methodology to obtain a kilometer-level multidimensional, spatiotemporally consistent digital environmental dataset for the canal. The environmental dataset comprises four major categories of parameters: hydro-meteorological, ecological environment, atmospheric quality, and socio-economic. In total, it encompasses 26 sets of parameters, with 19 sets related to the watershed and 7 sets associated with township delineations. All parameters in the dataset are publicly accessible and have undergone rigorous data quality assessments. Leveraging these 26 sets of parameters, we conducted spatiotemporal characteristic analysis on 14 sets of long-time series parameters. We calculated the average annual variation of each parameter, and made 5 data files for the research area. This dataset can facilitate regional data visualization, comprehensive environmental assessments of the canal region, digital twinning of the applications, and provide a data foundation for future research on canal management and sustainable development research in the region.

Decarbonizing urea: Techno-economic and environmental analysis of a model hydroelectricity and carbon capture based green urea production

This study reports a comprehensive techno-economic and environmental assessment of a realistic pathway for decarbonizing the urea industry. The proposed green urea synthesis plant utilizes hydroelectricity-powered electrolysis process and carbon capture from cement flue gas to create sustainable and environmentally friendly production process. Utilizing Aspen Plus and MATLAB, this study first, models the electrolysis, air separation, ammonia synthesis, carbon capture and urea synthesis units, and then evaluates the economic and environmental parameters of the synthesis process. Furthermore, the study highlights the transformative impacts of carbon credit and the renewable energy prices on the profitability metrics of the green urea plant. For the proposed 220 kt/year urea plant, the total energy consumption is 8.18 × 106 GJ/year with the electrolysis unit accounting for half of the energy demand. The estimated total capital investment for the urea plant is 510.79 million USD, with an annual operating expenditure of 156.02 million USD. The urea synthesis unit accounted for half of the total capital expenditure, while electricity contributed to the largest proportion (73%) of the operating expenses. The levelized cost for urea (LCOU) is estimated to be 570.96 USD/t which is approximately 62.2% higher than the urea obtained from conventional process. The electrolyzer unit contributed to 34.4% of the total LCOU. Sensitivity analysis showed that 30% decrease in the electricity price from the base case could lower the LCOU by 27%. The global warming potential of the proposed green urea process is 326.11 kg CO2/t of urea. Lower hydroelectricity prices and carbon credit opportunities significantly improve the economic viability of the green urea production process.

Biodiversity and community structures across the Magellan seamounts and abyssal plains in the western Pacific Ocean revealed by environmental DNA metabarcoding analysis

Seamounts within deep-sea ecosystems are recognized as biodiversity hotspots, yet they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities such as overfishing, resource exploitation, and climate change. To establish environmental baseline data and assess the impacts of current or future anthropogenic activities, we conducted environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding analyses to comprehensively characterize prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity across various water depths of the Magellan seamounts and the adjacent abyssal plains. Metabarcoding analysis revealed higher richness and diversity in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities within the seamounts compared to the abyssal plains. Overall, the analysis identified 9,068 prokaryotic amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), representing 39 phyla and 47 classes. Similarly, 4,569 eukaryotic ASVs were identified, spanning 34 phyla and 93 classes. Furthermore, our results revealed distinct community structures between the seamounts and abyssal plains, with turnover across different water depths. These findings are crucial as they indicate the unique ecological roles and potential vulnerability of seamount communities, emphasizing the need for targeted conservation strategies. Our study underscores the importance of conducting comprehensive long-term environmental assessments of the impacts of anthropogenic activities on seamount ecosystems and highlights the potential of eDNA metabarcoding as a powerful tool for guiding conservation and management efforts in remote and challenging marine environments.

Evaluating coastal lagoon sustainability through the driver-pressure-state-impact-response approach: a study of Khenifiss Lagoon, southern Morocco

Coastal lagoons are valuable ecosystems, providing socioeconomic benefits and supporting human populations and biodiversity. However, these systems face several challenges, making them vulnerable to both natural and human factors. In this study, we apply the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) Approach to conduct a comprehensive socioeconomic and environmental assessment of the Khenifiss Lagoon to promote sustainable development and support decision-makers. Located on the southern Atlantic coast of Morocco, the lagoon was designated a natural reserve in 1962, a biological reserve in 1983, and a protected wetland under the Ramsar Convention since 1980. This study represents the initial endeavor to conduct a comprehensive global and multidisciplinary environmental assessment of the lagoon by using a wide range of data sources, including relevant publications and reports, satellite images and remote sensing data, field observations, and interviews, all analyzed under the DPSIR framework. Our findings show that both natural and human factors have an impact on the ecosystem. Natural Factors associated with the geomorphological features of the region likely contribute to the silting of the lagoon, possibly intensified by a large shipwreck stuck at its inlet. Meanwhile, human factors encompass population growth (at a rate of 2% per year), tourism, shellfish farming, fishing, shellfish harvesting, and salt extraction. Our results reveal significant changes in the lagoon’s condition in recent years, including a reduction in water body extent, a probable decrease in depth, and an increase in the accumulation of solid waste, plastics, and wastewater in three sectors spanning a total surface area of 464 ha (equivalent to 7% of the lagoon), a substantial expansion of the salt mining area encompassing 368 ha, and a remarkable loss of biodiversity, manifested in declining fish stocks and seabird populations. This study showed that the lagoon is positioned as a potential site for economic growth and serves to alert stakeholders and the local population to the ecosystem’s environmental issues. Based on the findings of this study, we highly recommend regulating human activities within the lagoon, the removal of the wreck at the entrance, proper waste management, community awareness programs, and strict monitoring and enforcement of regulations to protect the environment.