Environmental Implications Research Articles

Preparation of NaA zeolite with graphite tailings and its adsorption of ammonia nitrogen.

Environmental pollution caused by the accumulation of graphite tailings (GT) is a significant global challenge. In this study, GT was utilized as a raw material to synthesize NaA zeolite (GTA), with synthesis conditions optimized. The synthesized GTA was characterized by SEM, EDS, BET, XRD, and FTIR, and its ammonia nitrogen (AN) adsorption performance was investigated under varying conditions, including dosage, pH, adsorption time, and temperature. The optimized synthesis conditions were an alkali melting temperature of 700°C, alkali-ore ratio of 1.2:1, aging time of 8h, hydrothermal temperature of 90°C, liquid-solid ratio of 6:1, and hydrothermal time of 8h, yielding a specific surface area of 36.62m2/g. In a 100mg/L AN solution at pH 7 and 30°C, GTA exhibited an adsorption capacity of 13.88mg/g within 1h. The adsorption process follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption isotherm conforms to the Langmuir model, suggesting that the mechanism involves uniform monolayer adsorption on the surface. The adsorption of AN on zeolite is primarily controlled by chemical rather than physical adsorption. This study provides a foundation for the resource utilization of GT and AN treatment, with practical environmental implications.

The role of patient-specific variables in protein corona formation and therapeutic efficacy in nanomedicine.

Despite their potential, the adoption of nanotechnology in therapeutics remains limited, with only around eighty nanomedicines approved in the past 30years. This disparity is partly due to the "one-size-fits-all" approach in medical design, which often overlooks patient-specific variables such as biological sex, genetic ancestry, disease state, environment, and age that influence nanoparticle behavior. Nanoparticles (NPs) must be transported through systemic, microenvironmental, and cellular barriers that vary across heterogeneous patient populations. Key patient-dependent properties impacting NP delivery include blood flow rates, body fat distribution, reproductive organ vascularization, hormone and protein levels, immune responses, and chromosomal differences. Understanding these variables is crucial for developing effective, patient-specific nanotechnologies. The formation of a protein corona around NPs upon exposure to biological fluids significantly alters NP properties, affecting biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, cytotoxicity, and organ targeting. The dynamics of the protein corona, such as time-dependent composition and formation of soft and hard coronas, depend on NP characteristics and patient-specific serum components. This review highlights the importance of understanding protein corona formation across different patient backgrounds and its implications for NP design, including sex, ancestry, age, environment, and disease state. By exploring these variables, we aim to advance the development of personalized nanomedicine, improving therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.

Fisheries in Himachal Pradesh- Economic and Environmental Implications with special reference to the Pong Reservoir

Fisheries in Himachal Pradesh- Economic and Environmental Implications with special reference to the Pong Reservoir

Challenges and Responsibilities in the UX Design of Text-to-Image AI Models: A Discussion Through a Comparative Heuristics Evaluation

The rapid advancement and adoption of generative AI in creative and professional domains mark a significant evolution in technological interaction, raising pivotal discussions on its integration, usability and broader societal impact. This paper delves into the multifaceted challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI, focusing in particular on text-to-image tools and their integration into daily work practices of artists, designers, architects and researchers. As these creators increasingly incorporate AI's inherent unpredictability and ambiguity into their work, a critical examination of the ethical, legislative and environmental implications becomes imperative. We highlight how the User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) aspects of these groundbreaking technologies remain mostly underexplored. UX pioneer Jakob Nielsen has recently warned that professionals in the field must adapt to the fast-paced advancements in AI or become obsolete for an industry that is becoming pivotal in the contemporary creative field. He draws a parallel between the current AI era and the dot-com boom of the 1990s, highlighting how UX professionals were slow to adapt to the Internet, which led to missed opportunities and a lack of user-centred design. Consequently, the usability of generative AI tools is a paramount concern, especially as non-expert users increasingly engage with these systems. This paper explores the usability challenges, specifically the articulation barrier where users struggle to effectively communicate prompts to AI, and the consequent need for more intuitive and accessible interfaces. Through comparative analysis and a heuristic evaluation of four leading models, i.e. Midjourney, Dall.E, Stable Diffusion and Adobe Firefly, which presents a unique case study for comparison due to their divergent UI and UX elements, we aim to provide insights into the current state of AI tools and propose pathways for their responsible and effective use.

Transit passenger-oriented optimisation of arrival aircraft sequencing

Abstract This study presents a model that aims to optimise the sequencing arrival aircraft around the terminal manoeuvring area (TMA). The model considers the transit passenger counts of these aircraft and employs the point merge at Sabiha Gokcen Airport. In this study, aircraft were categorised into two groups, namely ‘High or Low Transit Passenger (HTP/LTP)’. Subsequently, multi-objective models were employed to solve the test problems. Weighted sum scalarisation (WSS), conic scalarization (CS), and epsilon constraint (EC) models were utilised to increase robustness and their results were compared with a single-objective optimisation model. This approach aims to provide decision-makers with a variety of outcomes, thus expanding their options. Simultaneously, efforts are made within the model to allow aircraft with HTP counts to have minimal delays. Additionally, emission calculations were conducted to offer a critical perspective on the environmental implications, and the delay results of the multi-objective optimisation (MOO) models underwent statistical analysis.

Impact of TiO2, ZnO, and Ag nanoparticles on anammox activity in enriched river Nile sediment cultures: unveiling differential effects and environmental implications.

The increasing use of nanoparticles (NPs) necessitates investigation of their impact on wastewater treatment processes, particularly anammox, a critical biological nitrogen removal pathway. This study explored the effects of short-term exposure to TiO2, ZnO, and Ag-NPs on anammox activity in enriched cultures derived from River Nile sediments. Anammox bacteria were identified and enriched, with activity confirmed through 16S rRNA and hydrazine oxidoreductase (hzo) gene amplification and sequencing. Activity assays demonstrated efficient ammonium removal by the enriched culture. Subsequently, the impact of different sized and concentrated NPs on anammox activity was assessed. XRD analysis confirmed NP behavior within the microcosms: TiO2 transformed, ZnO partially dissolved, and Ag remained ionic. hzo gene expression served as a biomarker for anammox bacterial activity. Interestingly, 100nm TiO2-NPs up-regulated hzo expression, potentially indicating a non-inhibitory transformed phase. Conversely, ZnO and Ag-NPs across all sizes and concentrations significantly down-regulated hzo expression, suggesting detrimental effects. Ag-NPs amended microcosms showed a significant reduction (79%) in hzo gene expression and a detrimental effect on bacterial populations. Overall, anammox activity mirrored hzo expression patterns, with TiO2 (21 and 25nm, respectively) exhibiting the least inhibition, followed by ZnO and Ag-NPs. This study highlights the differential effects of NPs on anammox, with the order of impact being Ag > ZnO > TiO2. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential environmental risks of NPs on anammox-mediated nitrogen cycling in freshwater ecosystems.

Nanofoamed Polyamide Membranes: Mechanisms, Developments, and Environmental Implications.

Thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes have been widely applied for environmental applications, such as desalination and water reuse. The separation performance of TFC polyamide membranes strongly depends on their nanovoid-containing roughness morphology. These nanovoids not only influence the effective filtration area of the polyamide film but also regulate the water transport pathways through the film. Although there have been ongoing debates on the formation mechanisms of nanovoids, a nanofoaming theory─stipulating the shaping of polyamide roughness morphology by nanobubbles of degassed CO2 and the vapor of volatile solvents─has gained much attention in recent years. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the nanofoaming mechanism, including related fundamental principles and strategies to tailor nanovoid formation for improved membrane separation performance. The effects of nanovoids on the fouling behaviors of TFC membranes are also discussed. In addition, numerical models on the role of nanovoids in regulating the water transport pathways toward improved water permeance and antifouling ability are highlighted. The comprehensive summary on the nanofoaming mechanism in this review provides insightful guidelines for the future design and optimization of TFC polyamide membranes toward various environmental applications.

TMIC-19. EXCESSIVE LIPID PRODUCTION SHAPES GLIOMA TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT

Abstract Disrupted lipid metabolism is a characteristic of gliomas. This study utilizes an ultrastructural approach to characterize the prevalence and distribution of lipids within gliomas. This study made use of tissue from IDH1 wild type (IDH1-wt) glioblastoma (n=18) and IDH1 mutant (IDH1-mt) astrocytoma (n=12) tumors. We uncover a prevalent and intriguing surplus of lipids. The bulk of the lipids manifested as sizable cytoplasmic inclusions and extracellular deposits in the tumor microenvironment (TME); in some tumors the lipids were stored in the classical membraneless spheroidal lipid droplets (LDs). Frequently, lipids accumulated inside mitochondria, suggesting possible dysfunction of the beta-oxidation pathway. Additionally, the tumor vasculature has lipid deposits in their lumen and vessel walls; this lipid could have shifted in from the tumor microenvironment or have been produced by the vessel-invading tumor cells. Lipid excess in gliomas stems from disrupted beta-oxidation and dysfunctional oxidative phosphorylation pathways. The implications of this lipid-driven environment include structural support for the tumor cells and protection against immune responses, non-lipophilic drugs, and free radicals.

Exposure to Gas Flaring Among Residents of Oil-Producing Communities in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study of Haematological Indices

Air pollution contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality globally. The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria flares the second largest amount of natural gas in the world, with residents of oil-producing communities bearing the burden of outdoor pollution that may have adverse effects on their health and well-being. Our study aimed to investigate the haematological indices of residents of a selected gas-flaring site. We conducted a cross-sectional study, wherein a total of eighty adults aged 24 to 73 years were recruited from communities located within a radius of approximately 5 to 10 km from the gas-flaring facility. Blood specimens were collected from consenting participants and analysed for various haematological parameters, including Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (HB), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH), platelet count (PLT), White Blood Cell (WBC) count, neutrophil (NEU), lymphocytes (LYMs), and Monocyte + Basophil + Eosinophil (MXD). The analysis was performed using an automated Sysmex KX21N haematological analyser. Overall, there was a significant decrease in RBC counts (p < 0.001) and a significant elevation in WBCs (p < 0.001) among people residing within a 5 km radius compared to those residing within a 10 km radius. About 42.5% of males residing within a 5 Km radius exhibited low RBC counts in contrast to only 15% of males residing within a 10 km radius. The WBC levels were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the reference range among both males and females residing within a 5 km radius compared to those residing at a distance of 10 km. In the female population, 15% of individuals residing within a 5 km and 10 Km radius exhibited RBC levels below the reference category, while 7.5% showed RBC levels above the reference range. Exposure to gas flaring may alter haematological indices. It is, therefore, recommended that a comprehensive longitudinal study be conducted among residents of oil-producing communities and workers at gas-flaring facilities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to assess the potential environmental and health implications of their exposure to chemical pollutants.

Sustainable Strategies and Value Creation in the Food and Beverage Sector: The Case of Large Listed European Companies

Food and beverage in Europe represents a central sector in terms of contribution to GDP, employment, and the trade balance. At the same time, it has significant environmental, economic, and social implications, making the adoption of sustainable strategies of vital importance for companies in the sector. This study explores how sustainable business practices can create long-term strategic value, with a particular focus on the food and beverage sector. The research analyzes the relationship between sustainability and business strategy, focusing on how companies can thrive in the context of environmental uncertainties, social fluctuations, and economic interconnectedness. Specifically, the study aims to identify the key sustainability practices and strategies adopted by leading food and beverage companies and determine how these practices affect their ESG performance (environmental, social, and governance) results. The study uses a reasoned selection of case studies from one of the primary CSR regulatory categories—listed companies with considerable size (excluding tobacco companies and those with a capitalization of less than EUR 10 billion)—comparing companies’ sustainability reports and the latest 2023 integrated annual report to assess every aspect of each company, from market position to sustainability policies and sustainable reporting.

Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in delhi landfills: analyzing factors affecting emissions and environmental implications

Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in delhi landfills: analyzing factors affecting emissions and environmental implications

From Fossil Fuels to Renewables: Clustering European Primary Energy Production from 1990 to 2022

This study examines the structural shifts in primary energy production across European countries from 1990 to 2022, focusing on changes in energy sources and their implications for energy security and sustainability. Set against a backdrop of evolving geopolitical landscapes, economic pressures, and climate policies, including significant recent impacts such as the conflict in Ukraine, this research highlights the critical importance of a stable and diversified energy supply. The analysis utilizes the k-means clustering method, examining countries for which data are available in the Eurostat database and considering primary energy sources as defined by the Standard International Energy Product Classification (SIEC), including solid fossil fuels, natural gas, crude oil, nuclear energy, renewable energy sources, peat, and non-renewable waste. By categorizing European nations into clusters based on their energy production profiles, the study reveals substantial transitions from fossil fuel-based systems to those increasingly dominated by renewable energy sources. While some countries have made significant progress in integrating renewables, others remain heavily dependent on traditional energy sources such as coal and natural gas. The findings underscore the growing role of natural gas as a bridge fuel and the relatively stable contribution of nuclear energy in certain regions. A key outcome is the observed disparity between energy production and consumption across Europe, with many large economies facing a persistent deficit in domestic energy production, resulting in a high reliance on energy imports, particularly of natural gas and oil. This dependency poses significant challenges to energy security, especially given recent geopolitical disruptions and market fluctuations. The paper also discusses the environmental implications of these energy trends, emphasizing the vital role of renewable energy in achieving the European Union’s decarbonization goals.

Colonial development policies as tools of ecological imperialism in Southeast Asia

ABSTRACT The study employed an epistemological framework of ecological imperialism to highlight the environmental implications of colonial development policies in Southeast Asia. The analysis focused on the environmental justice, equity, and fairness implications of colonial development initiatives in five domains: the built environment, land, agriculture, forestry, and mining. It reveals that the initiatives were tantamount to ecological imperialism in each domain. The study is not only of historical importance as it contains lessons on the environmental implications of economic development initiatives for the region’s contemporary planners and policymakers.

The current state of sunscreen development and analysis of its scientific application and safety

Regular and adequate use of broad-spectrum sunscreen has been proven to offer significant protection against acute Ultraviolet-induced photodamage, photoaging, immunosuppression, and the development of skin tumors. However, concerns regarding the safety and standardized use of sunscreens persist, including potential allergenicity and irritability of certain organic sunscreens, the impact of systemic absorption on the endocrine system, the effect on vitamin D synthesis and absorption, and environmental implications. Special caution is advised when using small molecule organic sunscreens and nanoparticle inorganic sunscreens, especially for infants, pregnant women, and areas with damaged skin.

Two-dimensional network scene design for traffic simulation: An approach using computational Delaunay triangulation

Traffic network design is a pivotal aspect of urban planning, necessitating a harmonious blend of theoretical and practical approaches. In this paper, we propose a novel network design methodology utilizing Delaunay triangulation. We address the limitations of raw Delaunay networks, particularly their triangular configurations, by introducing edge-reduction techniques guided by a newly developed metric, detour redundancy. This metric is instrumental in assessing edge importance, facilitating the transformation of the network to better mirror real-world traffic scenarios. The efficacy and practical application of the designed networks are then evaluated through traffic simulations using the principles of cellular automata. Our findings underscore the potential of this approach in enriching traffic network design and pave the way for future investigations into diverse network characteristics and their implications in urban environments.

Green Disposable Packaging and Communication: The Implications of Bring-Your-Own-Container

Problem definition: A growing number of firms are encouraging consumers to participate in “bring-your-own-container” (BYOC) behavior in which consumers bring their own reusable packaging to purchase and consume products, thus reducing single-use packaging waste. In this paper, we study the environmental implications of a firm’s BYOC implementation when considering its disposable packaging choice and communication strategy. Methodology/results: We build a stylized model to study a firm’s joint decisions on BYOC, disposable packaging choice, and communication and their implications on the environment. Our main results follow. First, allowing BYOC reduces the firm’s incentive to make fraudulent green claims about its disposable product packaging; however, BYOC implementation may harm the overall environment while improving the firm’s profit, thereby creating a new form of greenwashing. Second, the adoption of third-party certification for green disposable packaging is an effective remedy to mitigate the negative environmental impact of BYOC. In addition, the environmental implications of adopting third-party certification (either voluntarily or because of government mandates) depend on the relationship between the environmental qualities of green disposable packaging and reusable packaging. Whereas it always benefits the environment when the firm’s green disposable packaging has better environmental performance, adopting certification may negatively impact the environment if consumers’ reusable packaging is greener. Furthermore, we find numerically that offering a price discount for BYOC may encourage the firm to adopt certification because of increased profitability, thereby leading to the aforementioned environmental implications. Managerial implications: We offer operational insights on how firms should make joint decisions on BYOC, disposable packaging choice, and communication. We also generate insights on how governments should regulate firms’ green claims when firms start to allow BYOC. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2021.0605 .

The influence of fine recycled asphalt pavement aggregates on the properties of self-compacting mortar in fresh and hardened state

Sustainable development is a contemporary concern in the field of asphalt pavements, as road construction consumes a significant amount of new aggregates. Furthermore, road maintenance necessitates the milling of old pavement layers, which generates a substantial quantity of bituminous material waste. This study explores the use of recycled sand from asphalt waste as a substitute for 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of natural sand in self-compacting mortar, aiming to achieve both sustainable and economical asphalt production. The differences in physical properties between natural sand (NS) and fine recycled asphalt pavement (FRAP) aggregates are analyzed and compared. The characteristics of the various self-compacting mortars are measured, including spread, flow time, as well as compressive and tensile strength, shrinkage and sorptivity. Compared to the control mortar, the mortars containing RPAS exhibit a rougher surface, additional pores, and more complex pore structures. The need for superplasticizers increases with the substitution rate, as do the rheological parameters. The results indicate that recycled mortar can be an alternative to natural sand, although this comes with negative impacts on the mechanical properties of the mortar. Nonetheless, these effects can be mitigated when considering their economic and environmental implications.

How Severe Was the 2022 Flash Drought in the Yangtze River Basin?

Flash droughts, characterized by their rapid onset and severe impacts, have critical implications for the ecological environment and water resource security. However, inconsistent definitions of flash droughts have hindered scientific assessments of drought severity, limiting efforts in disaster prevention and mitigation. In this study, we propose a new method for explicitly characterizing flash drought events, with particular emphasis on the process of soil moisture recovery. The temporal and spatial evolution of flash droughts over the Yangtze River Basin was analyzed, and the severity of the extreme flash drought in 2022 was assessed by comparing its characteristics and impacts with those of three typical dry years. Additionally, the driving factors of the 2022 flash drought were evaluated from multiple perspectives. Results indicate that the new identification method for flash droughts is reasonable and reliable. In recent years, the frequency and duration of flash droughts have significantly increased, with the Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake basins being particularly affected. Spring and summer were identified as peak seasons for flash droughts, with the middle reaches most affected in spring, while summer droughts tend to impact the entire basin. Compared to 2006, 2011, and 2013, the flash drought in 2022 affected the largest area, with the highest number of grids experiencing two flash drought events and a development rate exceeding 15%. Moreover, the summer heat in 2022 was more extreme than in the other three years, extending from spring to fall, especially during July–August. Its evolution was driven by the Western Pacific Subtropical High, which suppressed precipitation and elevated temperatures. The divergence of water vapor flux intensified water shortages, while anomalies in latent and sensible heat fluxes increased surface evaporation and heat transfer, further disturbing the regional water cycle. This study provides valuable insights for flash drought monitoring and early warning in the context of a changing climate.

Screening of novel β-carotene hydroxylases for the production of β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin and the impact of enzyme localization and crowding on their production in Yarrowia lipolytica

Zeaxanthin, a vital dietary carotenoid, is naturally synthesized by plants, microalgae, and certain microorganisms. Large-scale zeaxanthin production can be achieved through plant extraction, chemical synthesis, or microbial fermentation. The environmental and health implications of the first two methods have made microbial fermentation an appealing alternative for natural zeaxanthin production despite the challenges in scaling up the bioprocess. An intermediate between β-carotene and zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, is found only in specific fruits and vegetables and has several important functions for human health. The low concentration of β-cryptoxanthin in these sources results in low extraction yields, making biotechnological production a promising alternative for achieving higher yields. Currently, there is no industrially relevant microbial fermentation process for β-cryptoxanthin production, primarily due to the lack of identified enzymes that specifically convert β-carotene to β-cryptoxanthin without further conversion to zeaxanthin. In this study, we used genetic engineering to leverage the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica as a bio-factory for zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin production. We screened 22 β-carotene hydroxylases and identified eight novel enzymes with β-carotene hydroxylating activity: six producing zeaxanthin and two producing only β-cryptoxanthin. By introducing the β-carotene hydroxylase from the bacterium Chondromyces crocatus (CcBCH), a β-cryptoxanthin titer of 24 ± 6 mg/L was achieved, representing the highest reported titer of sole β-cryptoxanthin in Y. lipolytica to date. By targeting zeaxanthin-producing β-carotene hydroxylase to the endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes, we increased the production of zeaxanthin by 54% and 66%, respectively, compared to untargeted enzyme. The highest zeaxanthin titer of 412 ± 34 mg/L was achieved by targeting β-carotene hydroxylases to peroxisomes. In addition, by constructing multienzyme scaffold-free complexes with short peptide tags RIDD and RIAD, we observed a 39% increase in the zeaxanthin titer and a 28% increase in the conversion rate compared to the strain expressing unmodified enzyme. The zeaxanthin titers obtained in this study are not the highest reported; however, our goal was to demonstrate that specific approaches can enhance both titer and conversion rate, rather than to achieve the maximum titer. These findings underscore the potential of Y. lipolytica as a promising platform for carotenoid production and provide a foundation for future research, where further optimization is required to maximize production.

Hydrogen in Burners: Economic and Environmental Implications

For centuries, fossil fuels have been the primary energy source, but their unchecked use has led to significant environmental and economic challenges that now shape the global energy landscape. The combustion of these fuels releases greenhouse gases, which are critical contributors to the acceleration of climate change, resulting in severe consequences for both the environment and human health. Therefore, this article examines the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable alternative energy source capable of mitigating these climate impacts. It explores the properties of hydrogen, with particular emphasis on its application in industrial burners and furnaces, underscoring its clean combustion and high energy density in comparison to fossil fuels, and also examines hydrogen production through thermochemical and electrochemical methods, covering green, gray, blue, and turquoise pathways. It discusses storage and transportation challenges, highlighting methods like compression, liquefaction, chemical carriers (e.g., ammonia), and transport via pipelines and vehicles. Hydrogen combustion mechanisms and optimized burner and furnace designs are explored, along with the environmental benefits of lower emissions, contrasted with economic concerns like production and infrastructure costs. Additionally, industrial and energy applications, safety concerns, and the challenges of large-scale adoption are addressed, presenting hydrogen as a promising yet complex alternative to fossil fuels.