Environmental Assessment Tool Research Articles

Life Cycle Assessment of Pervious Pavements: Integrative Review and Novel Ideas of Analysis

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA) are essential tools for environmental and economic assessment and decision-making in an evolving world with continuous climate change. In the same conditions, one of the most used and assessed solutions for facing climate change is using pervious pavements, with many papers proving its benefits. However, the literature has shown a need for more research on the LCA methodological aspects in the context of new green infrastructure. This research aims to review pervious pavements, LCA and LCCA combined, while discussing possible differences in boundaries, functional units, and other parameters. Thus, a string search was performed, leading to 89 documents. The main results indicate LCA is usually scope-bounded in the field of pervious pavements, with different benefits and characteristics, such as traffic impact, urban heat island effects, and carbonation. As for LCCA, private and public cost differentiation provide a scope definition and monetisation difficulties. In conclusion, both tools offer promising applications in pervious pavements. As a significant deliverable and recommendation of this paper, both LCA and LCCA theoretical frameworks were provided based on the benefits and specific characteristics included in the literature. These frameworks introduce novel ideas and perspectives, inviting further exploration and discussion.

Assessing Interprofessional Collaboration at Clinical Learning Sites: Methodology on Developing the IP-CLEAR Tool

Interprofessional Clinical Learning Environment Assessment and Reflection (IP-CLEAR) tool was developed by a team of faculty from the schools of nursing, pharmacy, and medicine at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), with the support of the North Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (NC AHEC) and the UNC-CH Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice (IPEP). The IP-CLEAR tool is intended for use by clinical sites that have or want to have clinical learners engaged and integrated into an excellent interprofessional CLE. The development of the IP-CLEAR and projections for future work are described here.

Analysis of swimming trajectories in Daphnia similis as an environmental impact assessment tool

Analysis of swimming trajectories in <i>Daphnia similis</i> as an environmental impact assessment tool

The European Union's Ecodesign Directive – Analysis of Carbon Footprint Assessment Methodology and Implications for Photovoltaic Module Manufacturers

With an increasing shift away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources within the European Union (EU), photovoltaics (PV) are projected to see substantial growth with estimates of nearly 600 GWp of capacity by 2030. As the use of PV technology continues to expand, the European Commission has introduced various policy instruments, enabling consumers to make informed choices. Among those, the Ecodesign directive 2009/125/EC sets a carbon footprint threshold as a minimum qualification for the European market to cut out the least sustainable PV modules. For this directive, the methodological guidelines for the complex carbon footprint calculation of PV modules are under development. To this end, this analysis compares the two methodologies, namely Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) and the Ecodesign adaptation of Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR), emphasizing the implications of choosing one over the other for the PV industry. This study illustrates how varying parameters, like module lifetime, degradation rate, and purchased renewable electricity certificate allowance limit, stemming from the differing methodological approaches can influence the carbon footprint calculation. Apart from the strengths and weaknesses of each methodology, this article emphasizes the need for globally harmonized standards to ensure consistency in evaluating the carbon footprint of PV modules. The observations made in this study should be considered not just for Ecodesign directive but for any such market regulation policy like the recently passed EU Net Zero Industry Act or the EU Ecolabel for PV modules. It underlines the significance of choosing a transparent and fair approach to ensure the credibility of carbon footprint labels and meet the EU's decarbonization objectives successfully, propelling the transition toward a more sustainable energy landscape.

A Randomized Controlled Cluster Trial of an Obesity Prevention Program for Children with Special Health Care Needs: Methods and Implications.

Children with disabilities have higher prevalence estimates of obesity than typically developing children. The Healthy Caregivers-Healthy Children Phase 3 (HC3) project implemented an obesity prevention program adapted for children with special health care needs (CSHCN) that includes dietary intake and physical activity (PA) components. The primary outcome was a change in dietary intake, PA, and the body mass index (BMI) percentile. Ten childcare centers (CCCs) serving low-resource families with ≥30 2- to 5-year-olds attending were randomized to either the intervention (n = 5) or control (n = 5). The HC3 CCCs received (1) snack, beverage, PA, and screen time policies via weekly technical assistance; (2) adapted lesson plans for CSHCN; and (3) parent curricula. The control CCCs received a behavioral health attention curriculum. HC3 was delivered over three school years, with data collected at five different timepoints. It was delivered weekly for six months in year one. To ensure capacity building, the HC3 tasks were scaled back, with quarterly intervention delivery in year 2 and annually in year 3. Adaptations were made to the curriculum to ensure appropriate access for CSHCN. Given that the program was being delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic, special modifications were made to follow CDC safety standards. The primary outcome measures included the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) tool, standardized dietary intake and PA assessments, and the child BMI percentile. CCCs are an ideal setting for targeting CSHCN for obesity prevention efforts as they provide an opportunity to address modifiable risk factors.

Preliminary Development of Items for a Nurses' Physical Environmental Stress Scale.

This study aimed to develop a preliminary Nurses' Physical Environmental Stress Scale (NPESS) that explores the relationships between the physical environment in the intensive care unit (ICU) and work-related stress among ICU nurses. Working within the healthcare field is stressful and comes with a high level of responsibility for nurses, especially ICU nurses. The ICU work environment is associated with risk factors such as excessive workload, increased expectations, and long working hours that can lead to burnout among nurses. There is some evidence that environmental design has the potential to prevent or mitigate work-related stress; however, an adequate assessment tool to identify physical environmental stressors or supports for moderating stress is lacking. To develop the preliminary environmental assessment tool, an exploratory sequential methodology was used. The approach consisted of three distinct phases, including (a) a qualitative content analysis of existing focus group data, (b) a qualitative content analysis of pertinent literature related to environmental assessment tools in a healthcare context, and (c) the development and refinement of the NPESS assessment tool. Tool refinement was based on interviews with ICU nurses. The resulting NPESS tool was comprised of seven sections (sounds, lighting, smells, staff respite spaces, staff workspaces, patient rooms, and aesthetic qualities) containing a total of and 81 items that address factors that were identified as potential moderators of environmental stress in ICU settings. The resulting NPESS assessment tool provides a feasible approach for evaluating ICU settings to identify possible improvements to reduce stress among nurses. Future research will be conducted to assess the validity and reliability of the final tool by distributing it to a larger sample of ICU nurses.

Green preconcentration procedures for the determination of aluminium in bottled beverages prior to electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy: a comparative study with environmental assessment tools

Green preconcentration procedures for the determination of aluminium in bottled beverages prior to electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy: a comparative study with environmental assessment tools

Rationing of nursing care and assessment of work safety and a healthy work environment in intensive care units: A cross-sectional, correlational study

IntroductionRationing of nursing care, whichrefers to the aspects of care not delivered by nurses in an intensive care unit (ICU), has implicationsfor patient outcomes and experiences. ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the extent to which nursing care is rationed in intensive care units, as well as asses quality of nursing care, and the level of job satisfaction and its correlation with an assessment of the climate of work safety, teamwork, and a healthy work environment. MethodologyA cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted. The study included 226 ICU nurses. It was conducted with the use of three instruments: the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PRINCA) questionnaire on the rationing of nursing care, assessment of patient care quality and job satisfaction, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) and the Safe Attitudes and Behaviours Questionnaire questionnaire in the version: Teamwork and Safety Climate (BePoZa). SettingsIntensive Care Units in Warmia and Mazury Region in Poland. Main Outcome MeasuresLevel of Nursing Care Rationing in Intensive Care Units. ResultsThe majority of participants were women (89.82 %) with a mean age of 42.47 years. The average score for nursing care rationing across all groups was 0.58. The mean score for the HWEAT was 2.7 and BePoZa was 3.72. The scores from the questionnaires were negatively correlated with the nursing care rationing scores, being −0.36 for the HWEAT and −0.45 for BePoZa. All correlation coefficients were statistically significant at a p-value of less than 0.05. ConclusionsIt is important to monitor work safety, teamwork climate, and standards of a healthy work environment in ICUs to minimise the risk of rationing nursing care. Implications for Clinical PracticeInterventions that enhance work organisation and teamwork can elevate nursing quality and job satisfaction in ICUs, while underestimating patient care tasks; thus, highlighting the need for further research on the factors influencing nursing performance.

Sustaining high-value salmonid populations in regulated rivers: Insights from individual-based modelling of brown trout and Atlantic salmon

To combat climate change, societal pressure to develop fossil-free hydroelectricity is growing. There is a great need, however, for environmental assessment tools that can predict the effects of streamflow regulation on biodiversity in hydropower-regulated rivers. Ecological modelling lets practitioners: 1) set broad bounds on population-level responses of key species and 2) identify knowledge gaps and prioritize research needs. Individual-based models (IBMs) are powerful tools for assessing relative benefits of alternative management actions, and therefore help to develop more sustainable hydropower solutions. We applied the inSALMO 7.3-SD IBM for populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic salmon (S. salar) in the lower Gullspång River, Sweden. We simulated the effects of various minimum hydropeaking flow releases (from 9 to 21 m3/s) on outmigration production. We found that the number of age-1 outmigrants of both species decreased with increasing minimum flow release of the hydropeaking scenarios. The number of age-2 trout outmigrants did not change considerably with increasing the minimum release, but decreased sharply at the highest flow. The most age-2 salmon outmigrants were produced by flow scenarios with minimum releases of 15 and 18 m3/s. The model predicts, therefore, varying species- and life stage-specific effects of flow regulation. Moreover, increased flow caused juveniles to stay in the river longer and outmigrate at larger size, which exposes them to simulated predation longer but could increase post-outmigration survival. By providing insights into mechanisms driving population dynamics, IBMs can help promote the sustainability of high-conservation-value fish species.

Surface Water Quality: A Statistical Perspective on the Efficacy of Environmental and Human Health Assessment Tools

Surface Water Quality: A Statistical Perspective on the Efficacy of Environmental and Human Health Assessment Tools

Analysis of Potential Environmental Risks in the Hydraulic Fracturing Operation in the “La Luna” Formation in Colombia

This article presents an in-depth analysis of potential environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing operations within the “La Luna” formation in Colombia. Using the Conesa methodology, it assesses the environmental impacts of unconventional reservoir production in Colombia, including water usage, chemical additives, air emissions, and the potential for groundwater contamination. This study incorporates comprehensive data on geological characteristics, operational procedures, and environmental conditions specific to the region. This analysis highlights the need for a proactive approach to managing potential environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing in Colombia. The findings underscore the importance of implementing robust regulatory measures, comprehensive monitoring systems, and the industry’s best practices to mitigate and prevent adverse environmental impacts. This research contributes to the ongoing global dialogue on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing in regions with sensitive ecological conditions. The environmental impacts of unconventional reservoirs are widely recognized as a general consensus; however, the absence of applied studies with the rigor of an explicit methodology in Andean countries highlights the need for specific research in this region. This article addresses this gap by proposing a detailed and structured methodology to assess and mitigate environmental impacts in unconventional reservoirs. Emphasizing the importance of knowing the characteristics of reservoir fluids, this research highlights that this critical information is only revealed by drilling exploration wells and PVT (pressure, volume, and temperature) analysis. Obtaining this data is crucial for shaping specific mitigation measures, thus allowing for the formulation of a robust environmental management plan tailored to the conditions of the reservoirs in the Andean region. This precise and contextualized approach contributes to closing the knowledge gap and promotes more sustainable practices in the exploitation of unconventional reservoirs in this specific geographical context. The methodology used in this study proved its effectiveness by accurately quantifying the risks associated with each of the environmental alterations inherent to the hydraulic fracturing process in the La Luna formation. The results obtained allowed for the identification of the critical points most susceptible to environmental impacts, serving as a solid basis for the elaboration of an environmental management plan. This strategic approach not only enabled the delineation of specific mitigation measures but also facilitated the selection of the most appropriate locations for the implementation of the plan, maximizing the effectiveness of corrective actions. It is noteworthy that the successful application of the Conesa methodology in this unconventional reservoir context evidences the versatility and applicability of this approach, consolidating it as a valuable tool for environmental assessment and effective planning in the hydraulic fracturing industry.

Finding microbial composition and biological processes as predictive signature to access the ongoing status of mangrove preservation.

Mangroves are complex land-sea transition ecosystems whose microbiota are essential for their nutrient recycling and conservation. Brazil is the third-largest estuarine area in the world and "Baía de Todos os Santos" (BTS) is one of the largest bays of the country, with wide anthropogenic exploration. Using a metagenomic approach, we investigated composition and functional adaptability as signatures of the microbiome of pristine and anthropized areas of BTS, including those under petroleum refinery influence. The taxonomic analysis showed dominance of sulfate-reducing Desulfobacteraceae, Rhodobacteraceae, and Flavobacteriaceae. Taxa were significantly diverse between pristine and disturbed areas. Disturbed mangroves showed a notary increase in abundance of halophilic, sulfur-related, and hydrocarbon-degrading genera and a decrease in diatoms compared to pristine area. The metabolic profile of BTS mangroves was correlated with the differentially abundant microbiota. Two ecological scenarios were observed: one marked by functions of central metabolism associated with biomass degradation and another by mechanisms of microbial adaptability to pollution conditions and environmental degradation. Part of the microbiome was distinct and not abundant in Brazilian estuarine soils. The microbiome signature observed in each BTS mangrove reflects how human actions impact the diversity of these ecosystems and also emphasize their role in attempting to restore disturbed mangroves. The microbiome may act as a potential biological indicator of the preservation status of these soils, despite the limitation of soil property conditions. Additionally, our data pointed to metagenomics as an additional tool for environmental assessment and reinforced the need for protective measures for the mangroves under study.

Can Italian wines outperform European benchmarks in environmental impact? An examination through the product environmental footprint method

Nowadays, there is a pressing demand for precise tools to quantify sustainability and assess the contributions of products and processes to sustainable development. This requirement extends to the wine industry as well. In 2013, the European Commission introduced the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), providing a standardized methodology grounded in life cycle thinking for evaluating the environmental impacts of products across various industries. Despite its potential and the availability of specific guidelines for wine, the application of PEF remains unexplored in the sector. This study contributes to the knowledge by applying PEF to assess environmental impacts of Italian still and sparkling wines production, identifying variations from European benchmarks. Additionally, it aims to pinpoint pivotal hotspots and provide guidance for effective mitigation strategies.Average data from 27 wines certified as sustainable under Italian VIVA program, were collected and used to perform a life cycle assessment in accordance with PEF protocol. Results revealed that Italian still wines exhibited a greater environmental impact than the European reference value, while sparkling wines displayed a slightly more favourable environmental performance compared to the European average. Notably, specific impact categories remained consistent across different wines and countries, with climate change, resource utilization, land use, and particulate matter harmful for human health accounting for nearly 80 % of the overall environmental footprint. Hotspot analysis identified the plantation/destruction of vines, energy usage in the winery, and packaging as significant factors influencing the environmental footprint of Italian wines. Addressing these elements could enhance the environmental competitiveness of the Italian wine sector relative to its European counterparts. However, to validate these findings, further studies are necessary, both within Italy and in other European wine-producing regions. Such research initiatives will improve and strengthen PEF methodology, bolstering its adoption as the primary tool for environmental impact assessment of wine at the community level.

Designing for everyone: can the principles of dementia-friendly design inform design for neurodiversity in health-care settings?

Purpose There is increasing interest in the UK in developing environments that support people who are neurodiverse. This paper aims to report on a project to develop a cognitively supportive environmental assessment tool to improve the design of health centres, where the majority of National Health Service consultations take place, for all users, including people living with dementia and those who are neurodiverse. Design/methodology/approach A three-stage process was used: a literature review; the development of a matrix of key design features for people living with dementia, autism and other neurodiverse conditions; and the development of an environmental assessment tool and guide for users, which included easy-to-read versions to maximise service user involvement. Findings The overarching concepts of dementia-friendly design can be adapted to create designs for everyone, including those who are neurodiverse. Research limitations/implications There is a paucity of research in environmental design for primary care from the patient’s perspective, and, more generally, further research on design for adults with learning disabilities and autism is needed. Practical implications The tools are free to download. With adaptation, they have potential applicability across health and care settings. Originality/value This project has confirmed that the principles of dementia-friendly design are applicable, with modifications, to a wider group of neurodiverse people. Critically, each person’s response to sensory stimuli is individual rather than determined by their condition.

Can environmental legislation protect a threatened apex predator across different land tenures?

Ecological impact assessments are undertaken in compliance with legislative mandates to evaluate the effects of proposed habitat modification. This task becomes complex when evaluating the impacts on highly mobile species like apex predators. Despite their importance to ecosystem function, environmental policies may inadequately protect apex predator habitat. Here we provide a case study that examines the efficacy of legislation and impact assessment tools in protecting habitat for a wide-ranging and threatened apex predator. The high resource requirements of apex predators, and their utilisation of large areas of high-quality habitat make them ideal conservation surrogates for other less resource demanding species, and as such good case studies in assessing the effectiveness of policy. The powerful owl (Ninox strenua) occurs across many landscape types throughout its distribution, including large tracts of private property and public landholdings, making this species difficult to assess through impact assessments. To examine the level of legislative protection for powerful owls, and how well their habitat use is captured, we compared GPS tracking data to environmental policy and industry impact assessment tools. We found that legislation has limited potential to protect powerful owl habitat and owls are likely dismissed from impact assessments due to their cryptic and wide-ranging behavioural traits. The existing legislative safeguards seem inadequate, and these shortcomings are likely contributing to species decline. There is a critical need for policy to be applicable to both public and private land tenure, and for legislation and impact assessment tools to incorporate research data for effective conservation and management.

Nine principles of green heritage science: life cycle assessment as a tool enabling green transformation

AbstractThis literature review presents a comprehensive review of life Cycle Assessmernt (LCA), as an emerging tool in the field of cultural heritage research and demonstrate how this tool could be useful to support the development of green heritage science into an environmentally responsible field of scientific endeavour. LCA is a standardised, structured, comprehensive, international environmental assessment tool and a rapidly evolving field of research that leverages and harmonises efforts across many sectors to inform environmentally-friendly solutions and choices. LCA has been growing in importance as an evidence-based tool in the field of heritage science, being used as a decision-support tool at micro level (typically for questions related to specific products/processes) and macro levels (e.g. strategies, scenarios, and policy options). This review explores applications of LCA (and the complementary Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCC), and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA)) to a wide array of conservation and preservation actions. The paper also examines challenges associated with the application of these life cycle-based methods in heritage science, in order to put forward a set of recommendations to guide the domain of heritage science towards greener and more sustainable practices and impacts.Based on a review of the principles of green chemistry, green analytical chemistry, green engineering, and nature conservation, the paper also attempts to formulate nine principles of green heritage science, taking into account the complexity of research challenges and the environmental and socio-economic sustainability.

Formation of environmental quality assessment tools

Currently, the location of the property is very related to the environment. An important factor for the implementation of an investment and construction project is to reduce the duration of the project. The index of the quality of the surrounding infrastructure during the pre-investment phase will help to reduce the construction time, reduce risks and increase the efficiency of the project, which will allow the developer to implement the project more profitably. During the implementation of an investment and construction project, it is important to carry out the control procedure, starting from the pre-investment phase and ending with the operation of the facility (before the developer exits the project). Risk reduction and compliance with all standards of control and management of the life cycle of an investment and construction project will allow the developer to finish construction on time and make a profit. By applying environmental quality assessment tools in practice, it is possible to successfully assess the level of development of the city’s infrastructure, citywide space, and housing. Also, in addition to urban areas, this technique can be used to assess the quality of the environment for suburban real estate and agricultural areas in terms of environmental safety.

Soil and environment quality in artisanal small-scale mining areas in western Côte d’Ivoire

Artisanal small-scale gold mining activities grow in different regions of Côte d’Ivoire, causing enormous soil and environmental damages. This study was conducted in the vicinity of illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining zones to investigate soil quality using environmental assessment tools, mainly pollution and geochemical accumulation indexes. The mining spoil from artisanal pits was sampled directly between 0 and 20 cm, collecting 500 g of soil per sampling point. Sub-samples of soil were analyzed for multi-element using X-ray fluorescence technique. The results of the XRF analysis revealed higher trace element levels at some sampling points than the recommended levels. High arsenic concentrations were identified at three sampling sites: cavally sites with 7.09 and 16.08 mg kg-1 and Zérégbo with 9.57 mg kg-1. Moreover, significant concentrations of Cu and Pb were found at the Cavally site whilst Singouiné and Zérégbo showed high concentrations of Co and Cr. The study, globally, revealed the environmental hazards caused by the organized artisanal mining.

Green Metrics Evaluation on The Cannizzaro Reaction of p-Anisaldehyde and Benzaldehyde Under Solvent-Free Conditions

In the pursuit of environmentally responsible chemical processes, we conducted a thorough assessment of the green metrics associated with the Cannizzaro reaction using p-anisaldehyde and benzaldehyde under solvent-free conditions. This research elaborates the application of two different methods i.e., reflux and ultrasonication, applying potassium hydroxide (KOH) as the reagent. The progress of the Cannizzaro reaction was methodically followed via thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and the resulting products were characterized using various techniques, including melting point analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). To measure the environmental impact and sustainability of these reactions, a multifaceted approach was used. Green metrics were evaluated by the state-of-the-art Environmental Assessment Tool for Organic Syntheses (EATOS) software, combined with the Andraos algorithm. Moreover, energy consumption calculations were evaluated. Reasonable analysis of the green metrics results was undertaken in the framework of prevailing literature, permitting to measure the level of eco-friendliness attained. Experimental findings revealed optimal conditions for the Cannizzaro reaction concerning p-anisaldehyde at a temperature of 50 °C for 90 minutes, resulting in remarkable of p-anisyl alcohol and p-anisic acid in 95.16% and 95.04% yields, respectively. Likewise, the reaction involving benzaldehyde reached its peak performance at 50 °C for 2 hours, giving benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid in 96.17% and 97.22% yields, respectively. Overall, the green metrics assessment and energy consumption calculations reliably confirmed that the solvent-free Cannizzaro reaction, when performed via ultrasonication, offers a reasonably greener and more energy-efficient method than the traditional ones. This research highlights the importance of sustainable chemical synthesis practices and their potential to reduce the environmental footprint of chemical processes.

EOS - Environment & Oil Spill Response. An analytic tool for environmental assessments to support oil spill response planning: Framework, principles, and proof-of-concept by an Arctic example

The Environment & Oil Spill Response tool (EOS), supports oil spill response planning and decision making. This tool is developed on a research basis, and is an index based, generic and open-source analytic tool, which environmentally can optimise the choice of oil spill response methods for a given spill situation and for a given sea area with respect to environment and nature. The tool is not linked to a particular oil spill simulation model, although it is recommended using oil spill simulation models to have detailed data available for the analysis. The EOS tool consists of an Excel workbook with formulas for calculations and scores followed by screening through decision trees. As case for the EOS tool proof-of-concept, the area of Store Hellefiskebanke, West Greenland, is used. The tool can be downloaded from the Aarhus University home page as a free-of-charge application and is accompanied by a handbook for guidance.