Environmental Matter Research Articles

Experimental study on electrical discharge machining of porous and pure 316L stainless steel

Porous metal materials are widely used in heat-absorbing, biomedical parts and other fields because of their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Further applications of porous metal materials are inseparable from secondary precision machining. However, traditional cutting methods tend to compromise the original porosity of the material surface. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a type of non-conventional machining method which is more preferable to overcome these defects. In the present study, the main target is to investigate the effect of four input electrical machining parameters (current, frequency, efficiency and gap voltage) on the five output responses (material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear, surface roughness (SR), noise and time consumption value of environmental particulate matter (PM2.5)) when electrical discharge machining porous 316L stainless steel and compared with that of pure 316L stainless steel. The Taguchi method was employed to determine the relationship between electrical discharge machining parameters and output responses. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the effect of input parameters on output responses. The effects of electrical machining parameters on above responses were analyzed by main effects, and the order of influence was obtained, respectively. Finally, the surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the effect of electrical machining parameters on the characteristics and formation of machined surface of porous stainless steel was mainly analyzed.

Star formation efficiency across large-scale galactic environments

ABSTRACT Environmental effects on the formation and evolution of galaxies have been one of the leading questions in galaxy studies during the past few decades. In this work, we investigate the relationship between the star formation activity of galaxies and their environmental matter density using the cosmological hydrodynamic simulation Simba. The galactic star formation activity indicators that we explore include the star formation efficiency (SFE), specific star formation rate (sSFR), and molecular hydrogen mass fraction ($f^{*}_{\mathrm{H_2}}$), and the environment is considered as the large-scale environmental matter density, calculated based on the stellar mass of nearby galaxies on a 1 h−1 Mpc grid using the cloud in cell method. Our sample includes galaxies with $9\lt \log \frac{M_*}{{\rm M}_{\odot }}$ at 0 < z < 4, divided into three stellar mass bins to disentangle the effects of stellar mass and environment on the star formation activity of galaxies. For low- to intermediate-mass galaxies at low redshifts (z < 1.5), we find that the star formation efficiency of those in high-density regions are ∼0.3 dex lower than those in low-density regions. However, there is no significant environmental dependence of the star formation efficiency for massive galaxies over all our redshift range, and low- to intermediate-mass galaxies at high redshifts (z > 1.5). We present a scaling relation for the depletion time of cold molecular hydrogen (tdepl = 1/SFE) as a function of galaxy parameters including environmental density. Our findings provide a framework for quantifying the environmental effects on the star formation activities of galaxies as a function of stellar mass and redshift. The most significant environmental dependence is seen at later cosmic times (z < 1.5) and towards lower stellar masses ($9\lt \log \frac{M_*}{{\rm M}_{\odot }}\lt 10$). Future large galaxy surveys can use this framework to look for the environmental dependence of the star formation activity and examine our predictions.

Innovation under environmental constraints: Does corporate environmental responsibility matter in green innovation?

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">When human civilization is thriving to the rapid economic and social development, the deteriorating ecological environment has also pressured the society to put environmental protection issues on the agenda future development. Therefore, green innovation is not merely a requirement for a corporate’s long-term development but the basics of sustainable development of human society. As an objective indicator to measure a company's commitment to social responsibility, corporate environmental responsibility has an extremely important impact on a corporate's business philosophy and innovation strategy. However, the existing literature rarely studies between these two variables. This paper collects the data of listed companies from 2010 to 2019 and empirically tests the impact of corporate environmental responsibility on corporate green innovation. The study finds that corporate environmental responsibility can promote green innovation by reducing financing constraints, improving corporate governance and increasing government subsidies and R&D investment, and the result is still significant under a series of robustness checks. The placebo test suggests that the Jiangsu enterprise responsibility construction pilot has facilitated the development of enterprises' green innovation to a great extent. The conclusions enrich existing literature on corporate environmental responsibility and corporate green innovation, providing implications for government policy orientation, social atmosphere guidance and corporate strategic decision-making process.</span></p>

Does environmental policy stringency matter for eco-innovation? Evidence from the EU countries

Does environmental policy stringency matter for eco-innovation? Evidence from the EU countries

Environmental pollutants PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) impair human cognitive functions.

Environmental pollution is an emerging global public health problem across the world and causes serious threats to ecosystems, human health, and the planet. This study is designed to explore the impact of environmental pollution particulate matter PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) on cognitive functions in students from schools located in or away from air-polluted areas. In this study, two schools were selected: one was located near a traffic-polluted area (school #1), and the second was in an area away from the traffic-polluted area (school #2). In this study, a total of 300 students were recruited: 150 (75 male and 75 female) students from school #1 located in a traffic-polluted area, and 150 students (75 male and 75 female) from school #2 located away from a traffic polluted area. The overall average age of students was 13.53±1.20 years. The students were selected based on age, gender, health status, height, weight, BMI, ethnicity, and homogenous socio-economic and educational status. The pollutants PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO2, O3, and SO2 were recorded in the surrounding environment. The overall mean concentration of environmental pollutants in school #1 was 35.00±0.65 and in school #2 was 29.95±0.32. The levels of airborne particles were measured, and the cognitive functions were recorded using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). The students performed the cognitive functions tasks, including the attention switching task (AST), choice reaction time (CRT), and motor screening task (MOT). The results revealed that the AST-Mean 928.34±182.23 vs. 483.79±146.73 (p=0.001), AST-mean congruent 889.12±197.12 vs. 473.30±120.11 (p=0.001), AST-mean in-congruent 988.98±201.27 vs. 483.87±144.57 (p=0.001), CRT-Mean 721.36±251.72 vs. 418.17±89.71 (p=0.001), and MOT-Mean 995.07±394.37 vs. 526.03±57.83 (p=0.001) were significantly delayed among the students who studied in school located in the traffic polluted area compared to students who studied in school which was located away from the traffic-polluted area. Environmental pollution was significantly higher in motor vehicle-congested areas. Cognitive functions were impaired among the students who were studying in a school located in a polluted area. The results further revealed that the students studying in schools located in environmentally polluted areas have attention, thinking, and decision-making abilities related to cognitive function impairment.

Occupational exposure to vapors, gasses, dusts, and fumes in relation to causes of death during 24 years in Helsinki, Finland

PurposeEnvironmental particulate matter (PM) exposure has been shown to cause excess all-cause and disease-specific mortality. Our aim was to compare disease-specific mortality by estimated occupational exposure to vapors, gasses, dusts, and fumes (VGDF).MethodsThe data source is the Helsinki part of the population-based FinEsS study on chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases including information on age, education level, main occupation, sex, and tobacco smoking combined with death registry information. We compared estimated VGDF exposure to mortality using adjusted competing-risks regression for disease-specific survival analysis for a 24-year follow-up.ResultsCompared to the no-exposure group, the high occupational VGDF exposure group had sub-hazard ratios (sHR) of 1.7 (95% CI 1.3–2.2) for all cardiovascular-related and sHR 2.1 (1.5–3.9) for just coronary artery-related mortality. It also had sHR 1.7 (1.0–2.8) for Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia-related mortality and sHR 1.7(1.2–2.4) for all respiratory disease-related mortality.ConclusionLong-term occupational exposure to VGDF increased the hazard of mortality- to cardiovascular-, respiratory-, and dementia-related causes. This emphasizes the need for minimizing occupational long-term respiratory exposure to dust, gasses, and fumes.

Enhanced Cr(VI) stabilization by terrestrial-derived soil protein: Photoelectrochemical properties and reduction mechanisms

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is a stable iron-organic carbon mixture that can enhance heavy metal sequestration in soils. However, the roles of GRSP in the transformation and fate of Cr(VI) have been rarely reported. Herein, we investigated the electrochemical and photocatalytic properties of GRSP and its mechanisms in Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction. Results showed that GRSP had a stronger ability for Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction than other biomaterials, with the highest adsorption amount of up to 0.126 mmol/g. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) by GRSP was enhanced (4–7%) by ultraviolet irradiation due to the hydrated electrons produced by GRSP. Fe(II) ions, persistent free radicals, and oxygen-containing functional groups on the GRSP surface as electron donors participated in the reduction of Cr(VI) under dark condition. Moreover, Cr(III) was mainly adsorbed on the –COOH groups of GRSP via electrostatic interactions. Based on 2D correlation spectroscopy, the preferential adsorption occurred on the GRSP surface for Cr(VI) in the sequential order of CO → COO– → O–H → C–O. This work provides new insights into the Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction mechanism by GRSP. Overall, GRSP can serve as a natural iron-organic carbon for the photo-reduction of Cr(VI) pollution in environments.

Contagion network of idiosyncratic volatility: Does corporate environmental responsibility matter?

This study seeks to explore the impact of corporate environmental responsibility (CER) on idiosyncratic volatility contagion. We first adopt the general dynamic factor model to extract the idiosyncratic volatility. The long-term variance decomposition network is then constructed to examine the contributions of CER the contagion network of idiosyncratic volatility. The results demonstrate that idiosyncratic volatility contagion between sectors will be significantly strengthened during the stock market instability. CER play important role in the idiosyncratic volatility contagion, it will change the contagion ability and direction of idiosyncratic volatility during the stock market instability.

Export diversification and disaggregate energy consumption in BRICS economies: Does environmental degradation matter?

The role of exports as a catalyst for income growth necessitates the utilization of energy resources in manufacturing industries. Consequently, major exporting nations are embracing a dual approach, employing both renewable and non-renewable energy sources, to enhance export promotion while addressing environmental concerns. In this study, we examine the intricate relationship between export diversification and disaggregated energy consumption, specifically focusing on renewable and non-renewable energy, within the framework of the BRICS countries from 1990 to 2020. Notably, our investigation contributes significantly to the understanding of the moderating influence of environmental degradation, employing the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) panel quantile regression method. Our findings reveal that initially, export diversification exerts a negative impact on renewable energy consumption. However, as countries attain a comparative advantage in diversification, this relationship transitions into a positive correlation. Additionally, we observe a significant positive association between export diversification and non-renewable energy consumption, which subsequently turns negative once the level of comparative advantage is reached. Moreover, we uncover that CO2 emissions, serving as a proxy for environmental degradation, partially moderate the link between export diversification and renewable energy consumption, while fully moderating the relationship with non-renewable energy consumption. Furthermore, we identify heterogeneous effects of outward foreign direct investment (FDI), innovation, human capital, and institutional quality on the disaggregated levels of energy consumption across the BRICS economies. In light of these findings, we propose the adoption of a prudent approach towards energy resource utilization, taking into account environmental safety considerations within the BRICS countries.

Effects of digitalization on energy security risk: do financial development and environmental trade matter?

Trade in environmental goods and financial development may harness factors such as green investment, technological development, and renewable energy production, which are crucial in reducing energy security risks by diversifying energy sources. However, not many empirics have shed light on the impact of digitalization, environmental trade, and financial development on energy security risks in top energy-consuming countries. To fill this vacuum, this study intends to investigate the influence of digitalization, environmental trade, and financial development on energy security risk in top energy-consuming countries from 2003 to 2021. The study employs the 2SLS and GMM estimates for empirical estimation of top energy-consuming developed and developing economies. The results show that ICT negatively affects energy security risks in developed economies. The findings of the analysis also suggest that environmental trade and financial development cause energy security risks to be reduced in both developed and developing economies. Likewise, the energy security risks in both developed and developing nations are mitigated by ICT, GDP, carbon emissions, and renewable energy production. In contrast, the energy security risks are escalated by the rise in natural resource rents. In order to fully capitalize on the potential advantages of these elements and eventually ensure a more sustainable and secure energy future, governments, businesses, and financial institutions must work together.

Board Diversity and Corporate Sustainability Performance: Do CEO Power and Firm Environmental Sensitivity Matter?

The study assesses whether CEO power and firm environmental sensitivity matter to board diversity (i.e., board cultural (BCD) and board gender (BGD) diversity) and corporate sustainability performance nexus. Australian S&P/ASX300′s firm data for a period of ten years (2011–2020) were used in the study’s analysis. Although board diversity positively influences ESG performance, the presence of powerful CEOs and when firms operate in environmentally sensitive industries weaken the board diversity and sustainability performance nexus. Additionally, the study found that although board diversity is essential, the effect of BGD has a greater statistical power on sustainability than BCD, affirming the present focus on BGD.

Does environmental policy matter for renewable energy production and economic activity? Evidence from Granger causality in quantiles

The rapid development of renewable energy and the increasing significance of environmental policy have spurred scholarly interest in their economic and environmental implications. The present research extends existing literature beyond previous energy–growth debates by analyzing the causal linkages among environmental policy, renewable energy, and economic activity in the United States from January 1990 to March 2019 using Granger causality in quantiles analysis. Unlike the results obtained from the mean-based approach, which suggest mutual Granger causality among all variables, our quantile estimation reveals that not every variable causes each other and the causalities vary across quartiles. Our findings indicate that moderate strengthening of environmental policy significantly contributes to renewable energy development. We also find that the substantial improvement in environmental policy significantly contributes to industrial activity in the United States. These findings underscore the importance of government attention to the development of more active environmental policies to realize sustainable development.

Social comparison feedback in decision-making context: Environmental externality levels and psychological traits matter

Social comparison feedback has been widely applied to encourage energy and water conservation, with the ultimate aim to protect ecosystems and the environment. Yet, the effectiveness of social comparison feedback varies. In this study, with 360 UK participants from Prolific, we conducted an online experiment based on a modified dictator game with multi-round purchasing decisions involving trade-offs between individual monetary payoff and real-world carbon offsets donation. A 2 × 3 between-subjects design was implemented, varying in the externality levels associated with the purchase (high versus low), and the type of feedback (self-feedback, social comparison feedback, and tangible emissions feedback – i.e. social comparison enriched with information relating environmental impacts to daily activity and nature). Furthermore, we measured several psychological traits of participants. Our findings show that social comparison interventions are only effective under certain circumstances. Both interventions with social comparison are more effective in the low-externality context. Furthermore, the effect of tangible emissions feedback is moderated by individuals’ tendency to conform to specific social norms and compete with others. Compared to standard social comparison feedback, social comparison feedback enriched with tangible emissions information is overall more effective. We highlight the importance of tailoring social comparison interventions to local environmental and cultural contexts.

Trees made out of fintech: Valuing carbon and accumulating capital in China’s Ant Forest

With China’s increasing international environmental leadership, its emerging models for pursuing environmental goals matter. This article examines one such model, the application of financial technology (“fintech”) to solve environmental problems, through the case of Ant Forest. This highly popular app-based project run by Chinese financial technology giant Ant Group transforms individuals’ green, low-carbon actions into afforestation projects. The article investigates processes of capital accumulation in this project, and finds that Ant Forest’s main innovation, in harnessing fintech, is a techno-epistemological one that defines “green” activities according to political-economic relationships that generate corporate profit but compromise environmental benefit. In models like Ant’s, fintech also shifts processes of value creation, especially in articulation with carbon markets, where nature becomes financialized. This involves multiple linked processes and diverse forms of work to create and realize value. Ant Forest’s entanglements with state power draw attention to the role of the state in sustainability fintech and suggest that fintech capital always works through the state, though in evolving ways.

Impact of renewable energy and agriculture on mineral resources rents: Do economic and environmental aspects matter

The global shift towards renewable energy and sustainable agricultural practices has gained significant momentum in recent years. This transition has not only been driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change but also by the potential economic benefits and the conservation of mineral resources. The impact of renewable energy and agriculture on mineral resource rents is a significant issue today. With the increasing concern of global warming, reducing emissions and increasing renewable energy sources is more pressing than ever. As a result, there is growing interest in using renewable energy sources and agricultural practices to replace the traditional use of mineral resources. This paper examines the impact of renewable energy and agriculture productivity on mineral resource rents in China from 1971 to 2019, using economic growth and total greenhouse gas emissions as moderating variables. The result explains that mineral depletion, agriculture value-added, and economic growth are positively associated with natural resources, while fossil fuel energy consumption and CO2 emissions are negatively associated with natural resources. The policy implications of mineral depletion in China are concerning. In order to address the issue, China needs to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses the depletion of mineral resources and its effects on the environment and economy. In particular, developing strategies to reduce the reliance on coal power and to encourage more sustainable energy sources should be a priority. Policies to protect and restore agricultural land and water quality should also be implemented.

Subchronic exposure to PM2.5 induced renal function damage and intestinal microflora changes in rats

BackgroundExposure to inhalable environmental particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or smaller (PM2.5) is associated with decreased or impaired kidney function, but the underlying biological mechanisms are not fully understood. Gut microbiota is an emerging key player in the homeostasis regulation of the gut-kidney axis. Few studies have investigated its role in PM2.5 exposure-induced gut-kidney axis homeostasis abnormalities. MethodsIn this study, a versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system for medium- to long-term whole-body exposure was used to expose Sprague-Dawley rats to filtered air (FA) or concentrated ambient PM2.5 for 12 weeks. A correlation analysis of renal impairment and the intestinal microbiome was performed. ResultsThe urine flow rate calculation and renal function analysis showed that PM2.5 exposure significantly impaired renal function and increased the urine flow rate. The fecal microbiota analysis showed that renal impairment and increased urine flow rates were consistent with the reduced estimates of the fecal bacteria Chao1, observed-species, Shannon, and Simpson (richness and diversity indices). Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that the estimated bacterial richness and diversity were correlated with the urine flow rate and renal function. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis revealed differences between animals exposed to PM2.5 and FA in 25 bacterial groups. Further correlation of a single bacterial taxon with the urine flow rate and renal function showed that the relative abundances of 30, 29, 21, and 50 distinct bacterial groups were significantly correlated with the urine flow rate, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum cystatin C (CysC), and beta-2 microglobulin (β2-MG), respectively. ConclusionSubchronic exposure to PM2.5 can cause intestinal ecological disorders, which may, in turn, lead to decreased kidney function or the development of impaired kidney function.

Clean energy-led tourism development in Malaysia: Do environmental degradation, FDI, Education and ICT matter?

Concerning tourism, two lines of evidence are available in the literature, i.e., tourism's impact on macro fundamentals and determinants of tourism development. Regarding determinants, researchers have documented positive and negative associations between selected macro fundamentals and tourism development. The study's objective is to examine the impact of clean energy, foreign direct investment (FDI), education, and information and communication technology (ICT) on tourism development in Malaysia from 1990 to 2021. The study employed several econometrical techniques in investigating the empirical nexus, including the Bayer-Hancked cointegration test, ARDL Bound testing, Nonlinear ARDL, Toda-Yamamoto causality, and Fourier TY causality test. Moreover, the study employed dynamic OLS, Fully-modified OLS and CCR for the coefficient robust test. The study indicates that the utilization of renewable energy sources has the potential to alleviate the adverse environmental impacts associated with conventional energy sources. This, in turn, can enhance the appeal of tourist destinations to environmentally conscious visitors. Clean energy sources can provide tourism enterprises with cost-saving opportunities, improving profitability and ensuring long-term sustainability. Furthermore, the study reveals a noteworthy correlation between foreign direct investment (FDI) and tourism development. This implies that FDI plays a significant role in fostering tourism activities within the economy. Moreover, it has been found that education plays a crucial role in fostering tourism growth by positively influencing the quality of services and experiences offered to travelers. Finally, the study emphasizes the positive impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on the growth and advancement of the tourism industry. This is particularly evident in utilizing online booking systems, mobile applications, and immersive virtual tourism experiences.

Convergence of CO2 emissions in countries at different stages of development. Do globalisation and environmental policies matter?

Our study compares the convergence of CO2 emissions in countries at different stages of development based on two measures of CO2 emissions (production and consumption approach). It examines the effect of globalisation and environmental policy stringency on CO2 emissions convergence. We employ panel data from 38 countries from the period between 1992 and 2019 and apply the DCCE-MG model. The results reveal absolute convergence, which means that countries at different stages of development converge differently, as well as conditional convergence in both developed and developing economies, although it is faster in latter. The most important finding is that convergence alone is insufficient to positively assess climate policies implemented in particular countries, as in developing countries average CO2 levels increase relatively rapidly, whereas in developed countries they decrease slowly. The analysis of the determinants indicates that the CO2 convergence process in developing countries – unlike in developed countries – is significantly influenced by more stringent environmental policies and increasing globalisation, while renewable energy consumption and industrialisation do not exert any impact on this process. The impact of GDP levels is ambiguous. Moreover, the impact of globalisation depends on the measure of CO2 emissions, and this relationship is stronger in consumption emissions than in production ones.

Do environmental and social practices matter for the financial resilience of companies? Evidence from US firms during the COVID-19 pandemic

Do environmental and social practices matter for the financial resilience of companies? Evidence from US firms during the COVID-19 pandemic

How does corporate organizational identity, environmental project complexity and environmental project effort matter for project success?

The challenge of achieving success in environmental projects persists for many organizations, and the reasons behind it are unclear. This study is aimed at investigating such reasons by testing the impact of corporate environmental identity, project complexity, and environmental intensity on environmental project success. The study seeks to provide practical recommendations to organizations to enhance their efforts to reduce environmental pollution. The study obtained data from sixteen experts of environmental project managers and applied the fuzzy AHP, fuzzy hierarchical models, and fuzzy TOPSIS techniques for empirical findings. The findings show that organizational identity for the environment and environment project complexity are the key triggers for the success of the environment in the Chinese context. Moreover, it is discovered that team functional diversity is critical to team absorptive capability. This research identified links that offer managers information on prospective selection and project improvement models, with enhanced capacity in leadership dimensions leading to increased project management success. The study also suggested several implications for environmental project success and developing pro-environmental behavior among project managers.