Environmental Issues Research Articles

A GIS-based catastrophe approach for optimal site selection for installation of solar power plants, East Azerbaijan province case study, Iran.

Due to depletion of fossil fuels and environmental issues, renewable energy consumption is increasingly growing. Solar energy as the most abundant renewable energy source available is becoming more popular around the world. In the current study, the optimal sites for solar photovoltaic power plants in East Azerbaijan province, Northwest Iran, were investigated. A total of 17 variables were categorized into four groups: climatic, geomorphological, environmental, and access-economic. In order to integrate the variables, a model based on catastrophe theory in the context of GIS was applied. The relative importance and weight of the criteria are computed based on the internal mechanism of the catastrophic system, thus greatly reducing subjectivism and uncertainties of the decision-making process. Five optimal sites located in the western part of the province within the counties of Malekan, Bonab, Ajabshir, Shabestar, and Tabriz were identified as suitable sites for the construction of solar photovoltaic power plants, where there are ideal conditions in terms of many environmental-human variables such as high potential of solar energy, high sunshine hours, low relative humidity, suitable slope, poor vegetation, distance to protected areas, proximity to the population centers, excellent access to the roads and to the main power lines.

The influence of electronic word of mouth on green cosmetics purchase intention: evidence from young Vietnamese female consumers

Purpose This study aims to examine the direct and indirect influence of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on green cosmetics purchase intention of young Vietnamese female consumers through health concern, environmental concern and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) factors. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from a survey of Vietnamese young female consumers that were analyzed using a partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The results reveal that eWOM has a direct effect on consumers’ purchase intention of green cosmetics. Among TPB factors, attitude was a greater influential predictor of purchase intention than subjective norms. However, the influence of perceived behavioral control on purchase intention was not supported. There were significant indirect effects of eWOM on purchase intention through the mediation of health concern, environmental concern and attitude. Practical implications Therefore, the findings of this study are relevant for marketers and managers as they provide valuable insights into understanding the motivational factors of consumers’ green cosmetics purchase intention. The results highlighted that eWOM could increase young female consumers’ environmental concern and health concern, which, in turn, influence a positive attitude toward green cosmetics. Hence, eWOM is a powerful vehicle for environmental and health messages; also, it can be an important channel of sensitization toward environmental and health issues and motivation of proenvironmental behavior and healthy lifestyle. Originality/value The study contributed to the literature by confirming the utility of the TPB model in predicting young women’s green cosmetics purchases in the context of Vietnam, an emerging market, which has largely been overlooked in the literature. The findings show that eWOM has a direct influence on green cosmetics purchase intentions of young Vietnamese female consumers and indirectly eWOM through health concern, environmental concern and two TPB factors (attitude and subjective norms).

The effect of leachates on the physical and engineering properties of subsoil varies across different rock types and depth layers

Waste disposal on land is a major environmental issue that affects groundwater through soil. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the physical and engineering properties of subsoil at varying depths from different dumpsites and to determine the effects of leachates and parent rock types on these soil properties. Thirty-six subsoil samples were obtained from twelve trial pit profiles at depths of 0.5 m, 1.0 m and 1.5 m respectively. These soil samples were subjected to both geotechnical index and strength tests. Grain size analysis, linear shrinkage, CBR and compaction tests revealed that many of the soil samples from dumpsites and their environs met the criteria of a good landfill material. All the soil samples have low permeability that ranges from 2.07 × 10–6 to 1.49 × 10–4. Liquid limit, plasticity index and MDD values were higher in the control samples while the dumpsite soils became more permeable. The results of grain size analysis, linear shrinkage and CBR revealed that there was no significant difference in the properties of dumpsite and control soils. All the soil samples have TDS and EC values below 1000 ppm and 1000 µS/cm, except for trial pit 1, suggesting that the soil has a low risk of leaching contaminants into groundwater. For analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the P values of some parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, CBR, OMC, MDD, SG, LS, PI and LL were significant at a 0.05 level of significance. The following pairwise parameters: pH-MDD, TDS-CBR, EC-CBR, OMC-MDD and TDS-EC recorded strong positive correlation values for the three dumpsites. The statistical analyses reveal that the soil's properties were only slightly influenced by parent rock types and can be used to limit contaminant flow into the groundwater in the short term.

Sustainable upcycling of mixed spent cathodes to a high-voltage polyanionic cathode material

Sustainable battery recycling is essential for achieving resource conservation and alleviating environmental issues. Many open/closed-loop strategies for critical metal recycling or direct recovery aim at a single component, and the reuse of mixed cathode materials is a significant challenge. To address this barrier, here we propose an upcycling strategy for spent LiFePO4 and Mn-rich cathodes by structural design and transition metal replacement, for which uses a green deep eutectic solvent to regenerate a high-voltage polyanionic cathode material. This process ensures the complete recycling of all the elements in mixed cathodes and the deep eutectic solvent can be reused. The regenerated LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4 has an increased mean voltage (3.68 V versus Li/Li+) and energy density (559 Wh kg–1) compared with a commercial LiFePO4 (3.38 V and 524 Wh kg–1). The proposed upcycling strategy can expand at a gram-grade scale and was also applicable for LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4 recovery, thus achieving a closed-loop recycling between the mixed spent cathodes and the next generation cathode materials. Techno-economic analysis shows that this strategy has potentially high environmental and economic benefits, while providing a sustainable approach for the value-added utilization of waste battery materials.

Increasing Challenges and Shrinking Roles of Environmental Journalists in Nepal

ABSTRACT This study investigates the perceived challenges of environmental journalists in Nepal, examining individual and organizational barriers to effectively covering environmental issues. Based on in-depth interviews with 10 journalists, it highlights the impact of global trends, such as reliance on international news, limited editorial autonomy, and unique challenges faced within the Nepali context. The study reveals how shifts in the media industry and budget constraints impede journalists’ ability to conduct thorough investigations, with implications for the quality and depth of environmental news coverage. Utilizing the hierarchy of influence model, the article critically analyzes these challenges, including the influence of NGOs and INGOs on news content and agendas, which can constrain journalistic independence. The findings suggest a decline in environmental news coverage attributed to time constraints and the transition to online media, further exacerbated by the diminishing role of environmental journalists due to the downsizing of the news media. This research sheds light on the evolving landscape of environmental journalism in Nepal and calls for further exploration into these challenges.

Synthesis, modifications, and applications of iron-based nanoparticles.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are appealing materials as assistant to resolve environmental pollution issues and as recyclable catalysts for the oxidative degradation of resistant contaminants. Moreover, they can significantly influence the advancement of medical applications for imaging, diagnostics, medication administration, and biosensing. On the other hand, due to unique features, excellent biocompatibility, high curie temperatures and low cytotoxicity of the Iron-based nanoparticles, they have received increasing attention in recent years. Using an external magnetic field, in which the ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (FMNPs) in the reaction mixtures can be easily removed, make them more efficient approach than the conventional method for separating the catalyst particles by centrifugation or filtration. Ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (FMNPs) provide various advantages in food processing, environmental issues, pharmaceutical industry, sample preparation, wastewater management, water purification, illness therapy, identification of disease, tissue engineering, and biosensor creation for healthcare monitoring. Modification of FMNPs with the proper functional groups and surface modification techniques play a significant role in boosting their capability. Due to flexibility of FMNPs in functionalization and synthesis, it is possible to make customized FMNPs that can be utilized in variety of applications. This review focuses on synthesis, modifications, and applications of Iron-based nanoparticles.

Evaluation of LEED-certified office buildings in Turkey in terms of sustainable material use

Environmental issues such as ozone depletion, global warming, water pollution, and melting glaciers in the polar regions have been exacerbated by industrial and chemical activities, as the Industrial Revolution led to unlimited use of our limited natural resources. Approaches have been developed to solve human and environmental health problems. Efforts are underway to minimize the adverse effects of buildings on the environment. This process helps reduce materials' environmental damage and select environmentally friendly materials. For these reasons, producing recyclable, ecologically friendly, and energy-saving materials has gained importance. This article used a case study method to analyze sustainable material usage using twenty LEED-certified office projects in Turkey. Twenty new buildings, including Certificate One, Silver Three, Gold Eight, and Platinum Eight, have been evaluated regarding sustainable materials according to LEED criteria. Tables containing material and resource application principles have been created to assess the selected buildings in terms of sustainable material principles, and these prepared tables provide information about sustainable material use. The evaluation is based on eight criteria and sources of LEED material, including recyclable materials, renewable materials, rapidly renewable, certified wood, regional materials, construction waste management, and re-use of materials. As a result of the study, it was determined that 95% to 75% of the five categories with the weakest application among the eight basic materials and resource principles failed to be below the desired level and should be improved.

Nursing assessment of mental health issues in the general clinical environment: A descriptive study.

To evaluate the effectiveness of a mental health screening form for early identification and care escalation of mental health issues in general settings. A secondary aim was to explore general nurses' use of the form and their confidence to discuss mental health issues with patients. A cross-sectional design comprising a review of clinical records to determine use of the form, instances of missed care and escalation to the mental health team. The survey focused on nurses' confidence in general settings to engage in discussions with patients about mental health. Data were collected from April to December 2022. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement guided this study. Of 400 patient records, 397 were analysed; 293 (73.8%) of those had mental health screening by nurses. Age was a significant factor, with younger patients more likely to be screened although concerns were typically recognized in older patients. Of the 20 patients identified with mental health concerns, 9 (45%) were referred for further evaluation by the Clinical Liaison Team. While nurses were proactive in assessing physical risks, assessing risk factors that required deeper conversations with patients, including psychiatric history, was lacking. The survey highlighted fewer than half of the respondents (46%, n = 10) felt competent to engage in discussions about mental health; however, most (59%, n = 13) knew when to seek a mental health referral. General nurses have a role in the early identification and referral of patients with mental health challenges. However, training is imperative to facilitate deeper patient interactions concerning mental health. Integrating mental health checks within general settings is crucial for early detection and intervention, aligning with global quality care standards. STROBE guidelines. We received feedback that shaped the research protocol from a consumer representative.

Facile fabrication of next-generation sustainable brick and mortar through geopolymerization of construction debris

Waste from construction and demolition (also known as CDW) is one of the most harmful environmental issues. This study's primary goal is to produce new mortar and brick materials from recycled concrete powder (RCP) and recycled brick powder (RBP), two of the most popular CDW. Geopolymeric mortar and brick samples were produced by passing RCP and RBP through sieve No. 50 (with sand filler if necessary) and combining them with an alkaline solution made of water glass (WG) and NaOH. In this study, the mixture was then cured for three days at 80 °C in an oven. The effects of filler, RBP amount, WG amount, and the concentration of NaOH alkaline solution on the samples’ strength were examined. Additionally, XRF and SEM/XRD tests were performed to verify the materials' composition and microstructure. The mechanical strength of the samples showed an increase with the increase of RCP values, so the brick sample with filler showed the highest compressive strength, measuring 59.53 MPa. The study's samples exhibited strong mechanical properties. Additionally, all of the bricks' water absorption fell within the standard range. In summary, according to different standards, both waste concrete and waste brick can be used to produce geopolymer materials especially bricks for construction and paving purposes.

Environmental impacts of artificial turf: a scoping review

AbstractArtificial turfs represent a large environmental issue in terms of waste, microplastic pollution and leaching of chemicals. Artificial turfs are made of several components, the shock absorbing pad, backing, stabilizing infill, performance infill and artificial grass fibers. Common for these, except the stabilizing infill, is being made of plastic and chemicals being released to the environment. The purpose of this article is to investigate current research on the environmental impact of artificial turfs for football fields. This is done by presenting the state-of-the-art through a review of 40 articles and grey reports. Studies concerning the chemical content of rubber granules and microplastics lost to the environment represent most of the findings. The methods applied vary to a great extent, and more research is needed to further understand the environmental impact of artificial turfs. This study provides an overview of the previous work performed and highlights knowledge gaps and will be of help during further research on the environmental impacts of artificial turfs.

Investigation of heavy metals uptake in root-shoot of native plant species adjoining wastewater channels.

Metal pollution in water, soil, and vegetation is an emerging environmental issue. Therefore, this study investigated the abundance of heavy metals (HMs) within roots and shoots of native plant species i.e., Bromus pectinatus, Cynodon dactylon, Poa annua, Euphorbia heliscopa, Anagallis arvensis, and Stellaria media grown in the adjoining area of municipal wastewater channels of a Pakistani city of Abbottabad. HMs concentrations (mg L-1) in municipal wastewater were: chromium (Cr) (0.55) > nickel (Ni) (0.09) > lead (Pb) (0.07) > cadmium (Cd) (0.03). Accumulation of HMs in both roots and shoots of plant species varied as B. pectinatus > C. dactylon > P. annua > E. heliscopa > A. arvensis > S. media. Irrespective of the plant species, roots exhibited higher concentrations of HMs than shoots. Higher amount of Cr (131.70 mg kg-1) was detected in the roots of B. pectinatus and the lowest amount (81 mg kg-1) in A. arvensis, Highest Cd concentration was found in the shoot of B. pectinatus and the lowest in the E. heliscopa. The highest concentration of Ni was found in the roots of S. media (37.40 mg kg-1) and the shoot of C. dactylon (15.70 mg kg-1) whereas the lowest Ni concentration was achieved in the roots of A. arvensis (12.10 mg kg-1) and the shoot of E. heliscopa (5.90 mg kg-1). The concentration of HMs in individual plant species was less than 1000 mg kg-1. Considering the higher values (> 1) of biological concentration factor (BCF), biological accumulation co-efficient (BAC), and translocation factor (TF), B. pectinatus and S. media species showed greater potential for HMs accumulation than other species. Therefore, these plants might be helpful for the remediation of HM-contaminated soil.

Amine Functionalization of Channels of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Effective Chemical Fixation of Carbon Dioxide: A Comparative Study with Three Newly Designed Porous Networks.

Catalytic transformation of CO2 into value-added chemical products can provide an appropriate solution for the raising environmental issues. To date, various metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with transition metal ions have been explored for CO2 capture and conversion, but alkaline earth metal-based MOFs are comparatively less studied. Metal ions like Sr(II) having relatively large radius give rise to a high coordination number resulting in higher stability of the MOFs. Moreover, the introduction of N-rich functional group in organic linker like -NH2, -CONH- and triazole into MOF backbone enhance their CO2 capture and conversion efficiency. Herein, the effect of amine group on the catalytic efficiency of MOFs for CO2 cycloaddition with epoxides under solvent free and ambient conditions are presented. The di-carboxylates, such as 5-aminoisophthalate (AmIP) and 5-bromoisophthalate (BrIP) were utilized to synthesize Sr(II) based MOFs. The Zn(II) MOF was synthesized using tetra-carboxylate containing amide spacer (OAT) and 4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole (AMT). All three MOFs exhibited porous networks with guest available volume ranging from 15 to 58 %. The catalytic efficiency of the MOFs towards carbon dioxide fixation reaction was explored. The catalytic performances revealed that the presence of amine group in the channels enhances the catalytic efficiency of the MOFs.

Breeding for Resistance against Pest and Diseases in Tomatoes: A Review

Diseases and pests have a substantial effect on tomato production, greatly affecting both the quantity and quality of this crucial vegetable crop. Although fungicides and insecticides have been important in controlling plant diseases and pests, their excessive usage raises significant environmental issues. Vegetable breeders are increasingly concentrating on developing cultivars with natural tolerance to biotic stresses to promote sustainability and environmental friendliness. The change in focus is intended to cultivate tomato cultivars with inherent resistance to diseases and pests, hence decreasing the need for chemical treatments. Advancements in creating high-yielding genetically resistant tomato cultivars are a result of detailed study on the genetic basis of pest and disease resistance in tomato crops, as well as the complex interactions between the host plant and pathogens. For effective breeding programs and pre-breeding activities, scientists and breeders must have access to sources of resistance and a thorough grasp of the genetic complexities involved. This requires examining the genetic composition of both the tomato plants and the different infections that are impacting them. Breeders may generate tomato cultivars with strong resistance to common diseases and pests by using the inherent defensive mechanisms found in certain tomato types via selective crossing. Continuing to study how hosts and pathogens interact and the molecular processes involved in resistance is crucial. This information offers vital insights on how to improve and expand resistance, leading to the creation of cultivars with long-lasting and wide-ranging resistance. Currently, the emphasis on breeding is a proactive and sustainable strategy for transfer of resistances in high yielding tomato cultivars. Researchers aim to develop tomato cultivars that provide high yield and demonstrate tolerance to changing disease and pest stresses by integrating genetic knowledge with sophisticated breeding methods. This comprehensive method protects tomato crops and encourages environmental sustainability by decreasing the need on chemical inputs in agriculture.

Environmental Justice Education in Nepal: Policies and Practices

Environmental justice is fundamental to education and policy, ensuring clean environments and sustainable development. The curriculum and constitution of Nepal focus on this, addressing global gaps and encouraging comprehensive wellbeing measures for educational resilience. This paper analyzes how environmental justice is reflected through equitable treatment and meaningful participation of all people in the creation, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regardless of their race, culture, education, and socioeconomic status. To analyze how environmental justice has been enforced in educational policies, interviews were conducted with five policymakers who have long experience in policymaking in the educational sector. The findings revealed that indigenous knowledge, cultural thought, and belief in environmental justice areas were considered major issues in education policies and practices. This study emphasizes the interconnectedness of local and global environmental issues and the need to bridge the gap. The integration of environmental justice in the national curriculum framework highlights the role of local expertise, indigenous knowledge, and practical application. The study recognizes the significance of environmental consciousness, sustainable development, and equal access to education. This study acknowledges constitutional provisions in Nepal supporting environmentally friendly and sustainable development. It emphasizes the importance of environmental education, equitable treatment, and compensation for environmental injustices to safeguard the environment for future generations.

Trinitroethyl hydrazides of dicarbonic acids – Energetic compounds with high oxygen and nitrogen content

AbstractMany currently used energetic materials need to be replaced with new compounds due to toxicity or other drawbacks. Among these is the oxidizer ammonium perchlorate, often used in solid state propellants, which itself, as well as its combustion products, poses health and environmental issues. Herein, three new polynitro energetic compounds are presented containing trinitroethyl moieties. Starting from easily available starting materials, such as malonic acid ethylester, diglycolic and diaminodiacetic acid, simple and straightforward syntheses were performed to obtain first the corresponding hydrazides and subsequently the trinitroethyl hydrazides in good yields and high purity. These compounds have a positive oxygen balance (assuming to the formation of CO), a high oxygen and nitrogen content and moderate densities. Full characterization was performed by NMR spectroscopy, vibrational analysis and elemental analysis. By using the Gaussian program package, the heats of formation were calculated and the energetic parameters were estimated utilizing the EXPLO5 computer code.

Taking sides: Corporate social responsibility and political ideology

AbstractIn the United States and other countries, large private firms are increasingly more likely to take public political stances on controversial issues. Firms behave as ideological actors when they take sides in large public debates on social and economic issues. These stances may involve public speech, changes in the terms of service, or in internal reorganization and intrafirm actions. Despite the increase in firms' political actions, firms' ideological orientations remain unexamined. To answer this question, we collect corporate social responsibility statements from Fortune 1000 firms. Using semisupervised topic models, we identify topics that reflect stances on environmental and social issues. We then examine if firms are more likely to take stances on political issues due to pragmatic or ideological factors. We find that while pragmatic considerations play a role, firms' political stances are more driven by the ideological orientation of employees and managers. This research contributes a novel measure of firm ideology and sheds new light on the determinants of corporate political activity.

A Study of Environmental Organizations in Puerto Rico Advocating for Social and Environmental Justice

After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, we wanted to determine how the islanders viewed environmental organizations as part of an effort to understand the relationships between attitudes, institutions, and environmental and social justice issues. As a category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Maria was one of the strongest to hit Puerto Rico. Yet, the US mainstream media coverage of this and other environmental issues was lacking. From a total of 90 environmental organizations in Puerto Rico, we surveyed 19 that were active in the southwest of the island. We asked: (1) How do local people view environmental and social justice issues and (2) given their organizations’ efforts to deal with these issues, what are their successes? To address these questions, we developed a survey in English and Spanish and conducted personal and online interviews with 30 relevant individuals. Their most successful outcomes included: (1) educating and creating greater awareness of environmental issues; (2) introducing environmental changes into their communities; and (3) becoming and surviving as economically sustainable organizations. The results inform our understanding between environmental organizations and social and environmental justice in Puerto Rico and more broadly, because the organizations surveyed are at the center of fighting climate change and achieving environmental justice.

MINE SLOPE DESIGN SIMULATIONS USING SLIDE 6.0 SOFTWARE OF POST-MINING SLOPE STABILITY

Post-mining slopes are susceptible to landslides due to factors such as slope geometry, rock structure, physical and mechanical properties of rocks, and groundwater content. Monitoring of these slopes is essential to prevent broader environmental issues. This research aims to determine the stability of former mining slopes using soil samples from the Mataraman District, Banjar Regency. The technical analysis method focuses on the physical and mechanical properties of soil, supplemented with mine slope design simulations using Slide 6,0 software to ascertain the safety factors from various slope angles. Safety factor analysis considers the smallest cohesion and bulk density values to represent the material strength of the slope. Findings indicate that the post-mining slopes would remain stable and safe provided no additional destabilizing factors are introduced. The slopes maintain a safety factor greater than 2, implying stability even with a steepness up to 70°. Keywords: mining slope stability, safety factor

Exploiting Waste towards More Sustainable Flame-Retardant Solutions for Polymers: A Review

The development of sustainable flame retardants is gaining momentum due to their enhanced safety attributes and environmental compatibility. One effective strategy is to use waste materials as a primary source of chemical components, which can help mitigate environmental issues associated with traditional flame retardants. This paper reviews recent research in flame retardancy for waste flame retardants, categorizing them based on waste types like industrial, food, and plant waste. The paper focuses on recent advancements in this area, focusing on their impact on the thermal stability, flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and mechanical properties of polymeric materials. The study also provides a summary of functionalization methodologies used and key factors involved in modifying polymer systems. Finally, their major challenges and prospects for the future are identified.

Environmental Care Behavior through Waste Bank (Study at Teratai Waste Bank Pondok Pucung Sub-district, Pondok Aren District, South Tangerang City)

This study investigates the effectiveness of Waste Bank Lotus in enhancing community environmental awareness in South Tangerang, Indonesia. With the escalating waste generation in tandem with population growth, waste management has emerged as a critical issue exacerbated by limited landfill capacity. The Lotus Waste Bank initiative seeks to mitigate these challenges by instilling environmental consciousness among residents. Employing descriptive research methods, including observation, interviews, questionnaires, documentation, and literature review, data were gathered from 63 participants selected through purposive sampling. The results reveal that Waste Bank Lotus has successfully raised community awareness regarding environmental issues, fostered responsible behaviors in waste, water, and energy management, and adopted eco-friendly products. Moreover, various factors, including intention, community support, personal autonomy, access to information, and favorable conditions, influence community environmental behavior. Environmental awareness through waste banks entails building awareness, motivation to act, evaluation, attempted implementation, and integration into daily routines. This research underscores the pivotal role of waste banks in promoting sustainable waste management practices and cultivating a culture of environmental stewardship within communities.