Environmental Load Research Articles

Indication of air pollution based on the comparison of mercury and other elements in the faeces of marmots from the Western Carpathians and the Dzungarian Alatau.

The Dzungarian Alatau in Central Asia and the Western Carpathians in Central Europe are exposed to anthropogenic sources of pollution that are impacting high-altitude mountain systems through long-range transport of emissions. Based on analyses of the autumn faeces of two species of marmots (Marmota baibacina from the alpine habitats of Zhongar Alatau National Park, Marmota marmota latirostris from the alpine habitats of the Western Tatras), we determined the environmental load of mercury and other chemical elements. Our results show significantly higher levels of total mercury amounts (p < 0.0001) in faeces of marmots from the Western Tatras, Slovakia (mean = 0.066 µg/g dry weight; SD = 0.43), than in Zhongar Alatau National Park, Kazakhstan (mean = 0.034 µg/g dry weight; SD = 0.01), as well as sulphur and heavy metals (Ba, Mn, Mo, Zn, Cu, and Cr) that originate from anthropogenic activities. Other significant differences in levels of mineral nutrients (K, Cl, Ca, Fe) and Sr rather indicate differences in food sources reflecting environmental factors.

Numerical Simulation Study on Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Offshore Floating Photovoltaics

With the development of renewable energy and the utilization of marine resources, large-scale offshore floating photovoltaics have gradually attracted widespread attention. In order to develop offshore floating photovoltaics and promote sustainable development, it has become necessary to explore the hydrodynamic characteristics of floating photovoltaic units and floating arrays. In this work, based on the viscous flow theory, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM) methods are used to analyze the hydrodynamics of the floating body unit of offshore floating photovoltaics. The influencing factors include mooring length, mooring radius, and floating unit length. In addition, the hydrodynamic performance of the floating body unit and the floating body array under different wave heights and periods is also discussed to explore the influence of environmental loads on the floating body unit and the floating body array. The results indicate that the mooring tension exhibits an opposite trend with the surge and heave motions when the mooring line length and radius are varied. The motion is found to be more pronounced when the floating body unit length is 0.4 times the wavelength. The heave motion of the floating body unit exhibits a strong linear relationship with wave height, increasing by 0.01 m for every 0.015 m increase in wave height. The motion of the floating body units on both sides connected to the mooring lines decreases as the array length increases.

Optimum design, nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of graphene-reinforced laminated composite with negative Poisson’s ratio under dynamic load in thermal environment

Optimum design, nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of graphene-reinforced laminated composite with negative Poisson’s ratio under dynamic load in thermal environment

Performance degradation of glued-laminated timber beams under multi-factor environmental aging and sustained load

Performance degradation of glued-laminated timber beams under multi-factor environmental aging and sustained load

Strength and fatigue analysis of mudline wellhead and its tie-back system in offshore drilling

This article presents a new operational approach for mudline wellheads, aimed at transforming exploration wells into development wells, thus reducing costs and construction time in marginal oil fields. It includes a fatigue life analysis of mudline wellhead systems and tie-back systems at different platform heights (20 m and 100 m). The study develops mechanical models to assess structural integrity under environmental loads such as wind, waves, and currents. Stress concentrations, especially at connection points, are analyzed to determine fatigue life. The study not only establishes the service life for both water depth scenarios but also offers structural optimization suggestions for the tie-back system. Incorporating marine environmental data, it provides a comprehensive strength and fatigue analysis, ensuring the structural safety of the mudline wellhead and tie-back system. This research underpins the economic viability of the mudline wellhead tie-back operation mode, contributing significantly to offshore drilling design, efficiency, and sustainability, marking progress in offshore engineering.

Structure failure and strength evaluation of honeycomb-based sandwich composites under variable hydro-thermal-mechanical load

The high-strength and lightweight sandwich structures have broad application prospect in aerospace, wind turbine generator, traffic and civil engineering. The sandwich structures usually service with severe environment and complicated mechanical load, structure failure and strength prediction are crucial issues. Under time-varying and optional position hydro-thermal–mechanical loading, this paper systematically analyzes strength failure, buckling and delamination of a sandwich beam with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer face sheet and aluminum honeycomb core. Effects of elastic boundary conditions, hydrothermal stress, configuration of honeycomb cell and thickness of face sheet on failure pattern and critical failure loading are evaluated. The theoretical deformation model is verified by performing a bending experiment of cantilever beam. For the honeycomb core with small re-entrant angle and shot horizontal cell wall, the sandwich cantilever beam occurs strength failure of face sheet and delamination is happened in simply supported beam. With increase of re-entrant angle and cell wall length, buckling of horizontal cell wall becomes the primary failure pattern of sandwich beam. With thickness increase of face sheet, the failure pattern switches from face sheet’s strength failure to delamination. The critical load for delamination decreases to a volley value and then increases with thickness of face sheet.

Research on the influence of environmental loads on the rheological properties of laterite nickel ore during liquefaction

Research on the influence of environmental loads on the rheological properties of laterite nickel ore during liquefaction

Dynamic estimation of the soil environmental carrying capacity for Benzo(a)pyrene in an industrial city, China: Insight from both duration and rate of regional emission.

An in-depth investigation of the maximum environmental load is crucial for soil security and pollution prevention. This research focused on soil environmental carrying capacity (SECC) for different risk receptors in a Chinese industrial city. By determining risk threshold for various land use types, we integrated mass balance and iterative models to capture dynamic net input fluxes with spatial heterogeneity. This enabled quantitative characterization of Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) SECC through top-down and bottom-up approaches (corresponding to duration (D) and rate of regional emission, respectively). The thresholds were in the order of agricultural land<residential land<forest<industrial land<park. The top-down analysis showed D increased ∼1.5x with a 5% input flux decline until 2031. The bottom-up analysis suggested industrial emissions decreased by approximately 10% as the pollution control period was extended from 20 to 50 years. Both methods showed that at maximum background values (C0), D was ∼4x and the industrial emission rate was ∼10% higher than at minimum C0. SECC values near industrial areas significantly decreased, even reaching negative values, signifying complete carrying capacity loss. This study provided an approach to the dynamics of SECC under diverse scenarios, aiding informed decision-making for sustainable land management.

Appraising annual post-maintenance functional performance of asphalt roadway based on causal inference approach

ABSTRACT To maintain good functional pavement performance and extend the service life of asphalt pavements, the long-term performance of pavements under maintenance policies needs to be evaluated and favourable options need to be chosen based on the condition of the pavement. A major challenge in evaluating maintenance policies is to produce valid treatments for the outcome assessment under the control of uncertainty of vehicle loads and the disturbance of freeze-thaw cycles in the climatic environment. In this study, a novel causal inference approach, combining a classical causal structural model and a potential outcome model framework, is proposed to appraise the annual post-maintenance performance of four preventive preservation treatments of pavements for longitudinal cracking over a 5-year period of upkeep. Three fundamental issues were brought to our attention: detection of causal relationships prior to variables under environmental loading (identification of causal structure); obtaining direct causal effects of treatment on outcomes excluding covariates (identification of causal effects) and sensitivity analysis of causal relationships. The results show that the method can accurately evaluate the effect of preventive maintenance treatments, assess the maintenance time to cater well for the functional performance of different preventive maintenance approaches and develop appropriate maintenance strategies for pavements.

Development of smart films based on soy protein and cow horn dissolved in a deep eutectic solvent: Physicochemical and environmental assessment.

With the urge to reduce the use of petroleum-based materials, the aim of this work is to valorize biowaste to develop smart films through a sustainable fabrication way. In this regard, choline chloride/urea (1:2) deep eutectic solvent (DES) at different concentrations (25, 40, 50 and 75 wt%) was used to dissolve cow horn, used as reinforcement agent in soy protein films. The film fabrication was carried out by compression molding, a fast and cost-effective. As proved by SEM/EDX, cow horn was well-dispersed in the films, suggesting a homogeneous distribution of the sulfur from the cysteine present in keratin, the main component of cow horn. FTIR spectroscopy suggested interactions between the components of the formulation, which reduce the water uptake from 180 % to 140 %. Additionally, the films could be heat-sealed. With the aim of developing smart films, blueberry extract was incorporated into the formulation. This extract provided the films with pH sensitivity, which was followed by the film color change in presence of ammonia vapor. In particular, it is worth noting the ability of those films prepared with 40 wt% Horn/DES and 15 wt% blueberry extract to detect food spoilage. Finally, the environmental assessment of the films showed a minimal environmental impact of the procedure, with DES preparation and soybean production as the main relative contributors of the environmental load.

Feeding citrus pomace fermented with combined probiotics improves growth performance, meat quality, fatty acid profile, and antioxidant capacity in yellow-feathered broilers.

The reasonable and efficient utilization of agricultural by-products as animal feed has the capacity to not only mitigate the scarcity of conventional feedstuff but also alleviate the environmental load. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of feeding citrus pomace (CP) fermented with combined probiotics on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidant capacity in yellow-feathered broilers. A cohort of 540 female yellow-feathered broilers (Qingyuan partridge chicken, 90-day-old) were randomly divided into three groups and, respectively, fed the basal diet (Control), diet containing 10% unfermented CP (UFCP) and diet containing 10% fermented CP (FCP). The results showed that dietary FCP significantly increased (p < 0.05) the final-body-weight and average-daily-gain of broilers, and the pH45 min and b*24 h values in breast muscle, while tendentiously lowering the feed-to-gain ratio (p = 0.076). The levels of inosine monophosphate (p < 0.05) and intramuscular fat (p = 0.083) in the FCP group were higher than those in the control group. Remarkably, dietary FCP and UFCP increased the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and n-6 PUFAs (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary FCP decreased (p < 0.05) the malondialdehyde content and increased (p < 0.05) the glutathione peroxidase content in serum. Ingestion of FCP and UFCP increased the levels of total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity in serum, and concentrations of glutathione peroxidase and catalase in breast muscle (p < 0.05). Additionally, diet containing FCP or UFCP upregulated the expression of SREBP - 1c, FAS, NRF2, GSH-Px, and CAT in breast muscle (p < 0.05). Overall, dietary supplementation with FCP obviously improved meat quality, enhanced the antioxidant capacity and regulated the lipid metabolism, contributing to the improvement of growth performance of yellow-feathered broilers.

Effect of pre-training on cognitive load and achievement in a computer-based learning environment

Effect of pre-training on cognitive load and achievement in a computer-based learning environment

Detection of Stress Corrosion Cracking in SS304 under Calcium Silicate Thermal Insulation Using Acoustic Emission Technique

Despite its remarkable structural strength, austenitic stainless steels such as SS304 are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) under thermal insulation due to the synergism of cyclic loading and chloride-containing environments. This study aims to detect SCC for insulated SS304 samples using the acoustic emission technique (AET) as monitoring tool to characterize the various stages of SCC damage mechanism. As-received (AR) and sensitized (SEN) SS304 samples were prepared as per ASTM G30 and experimented with soluble chloride drip test under calcium silicate thermal insulation following ASTM C692. Both AR and SEN samples revealed SCC behavior correlated with measured acoustic signals. AR samples exhibited a single crack with low energetic signals, whereas SEN showed multiple cracks with higher energetic signal events. The difference can be attributed to microstructure change by heat sensitization and the enhancement of the corrosion environment under calcium silicate insulation when wetted by salt solution. The acoustic emission (AE) parameters were characterized and correlated with different stages of SCC phenomena, showing that AET is useful for predicting SCC to avoid catastrophic failures in industries.

Metabolic Profiles of Encapsulated Chondrocytes Exposed to Short-Term Simulated Microgravity.

The mechanism by which chondrocytes respond to reduced mechanical loading environments and the subsequent risk of developing osteoarthritis remains unclear. This is of particular concern for astronauts. In space the reduced joint loading forces during prolonged microgravity (10-6g) exposure could lead to osteoarthritis (OA), compromising quality of life post-spaceflight. In this study, we encapsulated human chondrocytes in an agarose gel of similar stiffness to the pericellular matrix to mimic the cartilage microenvironment. We then exposed agarose-chondrocyte constructs to simulated microgravity (SM) for four days using a rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor to better assess the cartilage health risks associated with spaceflight. Metabolites extracted from media and agarose gel constructs were analyzed on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Global metabolomic profiling detected a total of 1205 metabolite features, with 497 significant metabolite features identified by ANOVA (FDR-corrected p-value < 0.05). Specific metabolic shifts detected in response to SM exposure resulted in clusters of co-regulated metabolites, with glutathione, nitrogen, histidine, vitamin B3, and aminosugars metabolism identified by variable importance in projection scores. Microgravity-induced metabolic shifts in gel constructs and media were indicative of protein synthesis, energy and nucleotide metabolism, and oxidative catabolism. Microgravity associated-metabolic shifts were consistent with our previously published early osteoarthritic metabolomic profiles in human synovial fluid, suggesting that even short-term exposure to microgravity (or other reduced mechanical loading environments) may lead to the development of OA. This work further suggests the potential to detect these metabolic perturbations in synovial fluid in vivo to ascertain osteoarthritis risk in astronauts.

Influence of Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Sustained Load on the Durability and Bearing Capacity of Reinforced Concrete Columns.

The deterioration of concrete structures is mainly due to the combined action of the environment and external load. In this study, 32 reinforced concrete columns were prepared to evaluate the coupling actions on the properties of reinforced concrete structures. The durability, bearing capacity, and failure mode of reinforced concrete columns were investigated under the combined action of freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles, sustained load, and salt corrosion (water or composite salt solution). Results show that the mass fluctuation of reinforced concrete columns under a sustained load was more obvious during F-T cycles. During the early F-T cycles, the sustained load was beneficial to the F-T resistance of the reinforced concrete columns. With the increase in F-T cycles, the damage to the columns with a sustained load gradually aggravated. In the composite salt solution, the damage to the reinforced concrete columns was postponed, and its durability showed a two-stage evolution. After 100 F-T cycles, the mass loss and relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME) deterioration of the columns with a sustained load sped up significantly. The combined action of salt corrosion, load, and F-T cycles has the most significant influence on the bearing capacity, stiffness deterioration, and crack development of reinforced concrete columns.

Advances in the Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Ultrasonic Techniques for Monitoring Concrete Structures: A Comprehensive Review

This review examines the integration of advanced ultrasonic techniques and artificial intelligence (AI) for monitoring and analyzing concrete structures, focusing on detecting and classifying internal defects. Concrete structures are subject to damage over time due to environmental factors and dynamic loads, compromising their integrity. Non-destructive techniques, such as ultrasonics, allow for identifying discontinuities and microcracks without altering structural functionality. This review addresses key scientific challenges, such as the complexity of managing the large volumes of data generated by high-resolution inspections and the importance of non-linear models, such as the Hammerstein model, for interpreting ultrasonic signals. Integrating AI with advanced analytical models enhances early defect diagnosis and enables the creation of detailed maps of internal discontinuities. Results reported in the literature show significant improvements in diagnostic sensitivity (up to 30% compared to traditional linear techniques), accuracy in defect localization (improvements of 25%), and reductions in predictive maintenance costs by 20–40%, thanks to advanced systems based on convolutional neural networks and fuzzy logic. These innovative approaches contribute to the sustainability and safety of infrastructure, with significant implications for monitoring and maintaining the built environment. The scientific significance of this review lies in offering a systematic overview of emerging technologies and their application to concrete structures, providing tools to address challenges related to infrastructure degradation and contributing to advancements in composite sciences.

Finite Element Simulation of Acoustic Emissions from Different Failure Mechanisms in Composite Materials

Damage in composite laminates evolves through complex interactions of different failure modes, influenced by load type, environment, and initial damage, such as from transverse impact. This paper investigates damage growth in cross-ply polymeric matrix laminates under tensile load, focusing on three primary failure modes: transverse matrix cracks, delaminations, and fiber breaks in the primary loadbearing 0-degree laminae. Acoustic emission (AE) techniques can monitor and quantify damage in real time, provided the signals from these failure modes can be distinguished. However, directly observing crack growth and related AE signals is challenging, making numerical simulations a useful alternative. AE signals generated by the three failure modes were simulated using modified step impulses of appropriate durations based on incremental crack growth. Linear elastic finite element analysis (FEA) was applied to model the AE signal propagating as Lamb waves. Experimental attenuation data were used to modify the simulated AE waveforms by designing arbitrary magnitude response filters. The propagating waves can be detected as surface displacements or surface strains depending upon the type of sensor employed. This paper presents the signals corresponding to surface strains measured by surface-bonded piezoelectric sensors. Fiber break events showed higher-order Lamb wave modes with frequencies over 2 MHz, while matrix cracks primarily exhibited the fundamental S0 and A0 modes with frequencies ranging up to 650 kHz, with delaminations having a dominant A0 mode and frequency content less than 250 kHz. The amplitude and frequency content of signals from these failure modes are seen to change significantly with source–sensor distance, hence requiring an array of dense sensors to acquire the signals effectively. Furthermore, the reasonable correlation between the simulated waveforms and experimental acoustic emission signals obtained during quasi-static tensile test highlights the effectiveness of FEA in accurately modeling these failure modes in composite materials.

Genotype x environment interaction in cassava multi-environment trials via analytic factor.

The variability in genetic variance and covariance due to genotype × environment interaction (G×E) can hinder genotype selection accuracy, especially for complex traits. This study analyzed G×E interactions in cassava to identify stable, high-performing genotypes and predict agronomic performance in untested environments using factor analytic multiplicative mixed models (FAMM) within multi-environment trials (METs). We evaluated 22 cassava genotypes for fresh root yield (FRY), dry root yield (DRY), shoot yield (ShY), and dry matter content (DMC) across 55 Brazilian environments. FAMM was applied to estimate genetic values and environmental loads, revealing significant genetic variance, especially for FRY (0.16-0.92) and broad-sense heritability ([Formula: see text]) above 0.70 in advanced yield trials. In joint analyses, analytic factor FA4 explained over 88% of genetic variation for all traits despite high G×E and data imbalance. Positive genetic correlations were found between environments for ShY and DRY (0.99 and 1.0, respectively), while FRY and DMC showed negative correlations (-0.82 and -0.95). Latent regression analysis identified hybrids adaptable to a range of environments, as well as genotypes suited to specific conditions. Moderate correlations between environmental covariables (rainfall, altitude, solar radiation) and FA model loadings suggest these factors contribute to high G×E interactions, notably for FRY. The FAMM model provided a robust approach to G×E analysis in cassava, yielding practical insights for breeding programs.

Effective Stress-Based Numerical Method for Predicting Large-Diameter Monopile Response to Various Lateral Cyclic Loadings

Extreme marine environmental cyclic loading significantly affects the serviceability of monopiles applied for the foundation of offshore wind turbines (OWTs). Existing research has primarily used p-y methods or total stress-based models to investigate the behavior of monopile–marine clay systems, overlooking the pore pressure development in subsea clay. Studies on the effective stress-based behavior of clay under various lateral cyclic loading conditions are limited. This paper presents an effective stress-based 3D finite element numerical method developed to predict key behaviors of pile–clay systems, including permanent pile rotation under cyclic loading, pile bending moment, and the evolution of pore pressure in subsea clay. The model is verified by contrasting the simulations results to centrifuge experimental results. Cyclic lateral loading is divided into average cyclic load and amplitude of cyclic load to investigate their impacts on the pile–clay system response. The research findings offer insights for the design of large-diameter monopiles under complex cyclic loading conditions.

Greening the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

ABSTRACTThe pharmaceutical sector is critical from a life‐saving perspective. However, it also poses significant environmental challenges due to large consumptions of non‐renewable materials and energy, as also extensive by‐product and waste generation. Addressing these issues is paramount, though surprisingly, research on it has largely been theoretical, fragmented and incomplete. These shortcomings are sought to be addressed in this work where a comprehensive green supply chain management (GSCM) framework for the sector is first developed through a systematic literature review. It is then empirically assessed and validated for UK's pharmaceutical sector through 47 interviews and analyses of 112 corporate environmental reports that covered all key stakeholders. Innovative and Bio‐pharma players were found to be at the forefront of the greening efforts with generic players lagging behind. High levels of solvent recycling, AI‐based drug design, and emphasis on Ecopharmacovigilance were observed for the Innovative players. The key drivers for greening were found to be regulatory pressures (e.g., f‐gas, ERA, IED) and cost saving potential, with their influence being particularly greater for the Innovative players. Similarly, complex marketing authorization process, high investment requirements, lack of green culture and time pressure were revealed as the key barriers to greening. On the downstream side, lack of environment‐related regulatory guidance on prescribing and contradictory regulatory guidance on disposing unused/expired drugs were identified as factors having a significant impact on the environmental loading of drugs. Overall, the study findings can help assess the green readiness of the sector, as also develop stakeholder‐specific policy interventions and support mechanisms to increase green adoption.