Environmental Pollution Research Articles

Utopia of Safe Air: How Soviet Research Challenged Western Air Quality Norms, 1950s-1960s.

During the mid-twentieth century, the Soviet Union developed ambitious hygiene standards for clean air that were grounded in extremely sensitive methods of physiological research. As Western experts sought to develop universal standards for environmental regulation, Soviet hygiene research posed a challenge. This article examines the discussions surrounding the Soviet approach at international conferences on air pollution and industrial hygiene during the mid-twentieth century. The article shows that although the Soviet approach was rejected especially by United States experts, many of its qualities resonated with the ongoing discussions about environmental health in the US. The sensitive and holistic methods of the Soviets were compelling in the effort to reveal the most subtle effects environments had on human health. This article shows how the rejection of Soviet standards stemmed not from different scientific methods but from the differences in the overall ideals of environmental regulation. I argue that Soviet hygiene can be seen as an extreme version of technocratic expertise, and its failure highlights the limits of scientific expertise in managing environmental pollution.

Biogenic and risk elements in wild boar testes and relation to spermatozoa motility

Environmental pollution results in serious health hazards to animals, reflected in biogenic and risk element concentrations in animal tissues. The objective of this study was to examinate concentration of selected elements in testes, and epididymal spermatozoa motility of wild boars. Wild boars were hunted in region Žuhračka - Levice, Slovak Republic. Testes were removed postmortem, spermatozoa were collected from cauda epididymis and assessed by CASA system. Elements concentrations were measured by ICP and by CV-AAS. Spermatozoa motility was 44.29% and progressive motility 18.47%. Concentration of elements in testes was in following order: K > Na > Mg > Ca > Fe > Zn > Al > Cu > Se > Mn > As > Cr > Pb > Mo > Sr > Ni > Ba > Cd > Li > Hg. The most notable correlations indicate association between Se and total spermatozoa motility, as well as with progressive motility, furthermore between As and velocity curved line and beat cross frequency. A high positive significant correlation was found between mercury and beat cross frequency. The data may serve as a fine control indicator to detect potentially toxic elements accumulated from polluted environment that can affect reproduction of wild animals.

Comparison of nutritional value of the wild and cultivated spiny loaches at three growth stages.

Environmental pollution and overfishing of wild spiny loach have led to the increased demand for breeding the fish. However, the nutritional value between the wild and cultivated spiny loaches was unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional components among the wild and cultivated spiny loaches at different growth stages by analyzing and comparing the proximate compositions, fatty acids, amino acids and volatile compounds. Results showed that the cultivated ones had significantly higher energy and fat contents than the wild. Particularly, the cultivated second-age spiny loach contained the highest contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (4.83 ± 0.01%) and EPA + DHA (0.85 ± 0.02%). Besides, the total essential amino acid content of cultivated second-age spiny loach was 2201.28, exceeding that recommended in the FAO/WTO scoring pattern (2,190). And it had the highest flavor amino acid (6.24 ± 0.04 g/100 g), essential amino acid index value (71.82) and higher contents of volatile compounds. Overall, the cultivated spiny loach, especially that at the second growth stage, displayed the highest nutritional value. The findings of this study would help farmers to harvest the suitable breeding stage of spiny loaches from the perspective of nutritional value, which is beneficial to the sustainable fish farming.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM: CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable development is a key topic on today's global agenda due to the threats posed by climate change, environmental pollution, and other ecological issues. Governments and international institutions aim to achieve a balance between economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection. In this context, new technologies and support for green innovations, which have the potential to enhance environmental safety, play a particularly important role. Effective public administration must adapt to these challenges by actively implementing environmental policies and promoting sustainable development. International cooperation is also critical for integrating global commitments into national strategies. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how environmental policy can support sustainable development through the improvement of the public administration system. The study provides a detailed analysis of international legal frameworks that regulate environmental policy and sustainability in public administration. Based on a systems approach, the complex interrelationships between government, society, business, and environmental factors are explored, allowing for a deeper understanding of how these elements interact. Using Switzerland as an example, one of the leading countries in environmental governance, the article identifies key elements for integrating environmental principles into public administration. This example demonstrates specific approaches and tools that other countries can adopt. Additionally, the statistics highlight not only global trends in plastic production and consumption but also the number of countries that have implemented environmental policy instruments between 2010 and 2023. This helps assess the scale of environmental initiatives at the global level. A SWOT analysis was conducted to assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing environmental policies, as well as to identify opportunities and threats for future development. This analysis helped outline the key directions for improving environmental policy to further support sustainable development. As a result, it was found that environmental policy within public administration has significant potential for growth, but its success depends on the establishment of an effective monitoring system, the intensification of international cooperation, the adoption of advanced technologies, and active public participation.

The Impact of Illegal Mining on Sports Participation and Community Well-being in Ghana: Challenges and Prospects for Sustainable Development

This study aims to evaluate the effects of illegal mining on sports participation and community well-being in Ghana. The study specifically seeks to determine the impact of galamsey activities on community health, athlete development, sports infrastructure, and general sports participation in areas affected by mining. This study evaluates the effects of illegal mining on sports engagement and community well-being in Ghana. The Galamsey, an illegal small-scale mining practice, negatively impacts social infrastructures, particularly community well-being and sports participation. The report suggests that there are health hazards from environmental pollution, deteriorating sporting facilities, and a decline in youth involvement due to unlawful mining activities. However, the shift towards mining has disrupted sustainable livelihoods and communal cohesiveness, impeding local talent and community growth. The study used a qualitative research technique to examine the effects of illicit mining on Manso Datano and Keniago in Amansie West and Amansie South Districts. Thirty participants, including youth leaders, teachers, coaches, health workers, and community elders, were interviewed. This study highlights the devastation of sports facilities, health risks, and mitigating measures. It also highlights the decline in parental and school involvement in sports, as well as the absence of equipment, upkeep, and enthusiasm for sports activities. The study recommends community engagement tactics, public awareness campaigns, school assistance, community activities, and legal actions to lessen these effects. Policy reforms, funding for sports infrastructure restoration, and the integration of health and sports activities are proposed as vital steps towards sustainable development and recovery in affected areas.

Ethical and Legal Protection of Drinking Water Resources in Islamic Jurisprudence (with Emphasis on Drinking Water Resources in Kabul)

Water is a vital resource for all living beings. The increase in population and decrease in rainfall in many cities around the world have led to serious water scarcity and pollution of wells and water resources in countries. The expansion of industrial production has resulted in the release of pollutants into surface and groundwater in cities and farmlands of countries. Therefore, this research has been conducted in a library way to examine the views and solutions of Islamic jurisprudence on resolving the problems and preserving the health of drinking water resources and wells, especially in Kabul. The findings of this research are that to preserve the health of water resources, a legal or spatial boundary between neighboring wells or farmers is required to be 500 meters in soft land, but in hard land, at least 250 meters between them is necessary to prevent the resulting damages. However, the distance between a well and a septic tank is 2.5 meters in hard land, and at least 7 cubits or 3.5 meters in soft areas. This is to purify water pollutants and prevent the resulting damages to neighbors. The legal boundary approach has been stated to compensate for the damage caused by a well or a water canal. Moral boundary means the growth of human responsibility to prevent water and environmental pollution in Islamic jurisprudence. Natural pollutant filters for well and canal water are the elements of soil, sand, abundant or flowing water, and oxygen present in water in Islamic jurisprudence.

Exploring the Interaction and Impact of Green Building Design on People and Space

Abstract: With the progress and development of society, people's living standards improve at the same time, environmental pollution and resource shortages environmental problems also come. Construction engineering is one of the largest energy-consuming industries in China, and the implementation of a sustainable development strategy has become a top priority. Therefore, the state put forward the concept of greening and sustainable development, and green building has become a mainstream design concept. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the principles and design points of green building design and to study and discuss the application cases of green building design. Analyze the interaction and impact of green building design on people and space by analyzing the effects and impacts of the implementation of different designs in green building design cases, including focusing on siting design, ventilation design, energy efficiency design, recyclable design, plant design, and lighting design. Summarise the importance of applying green building design concepts and effective designs that have a positive impact on people. The results of the study can provide practical suggestions on improving the sustainability and eco-friendliness of green buildings for green building design stakeholders, such as architects, policymakers, and related stakeholders, and this study has certain reference values and significance.

Microbial remediation of heavy metal-polluted water

Heavy metal pollution in water has become a global environmental problem, threatening aquatic ecosystems and human health. Physical and chemical methods can effectively remove heavy metal pollutants, while their applications are limited due to the high costs, complex operation, and susceptibility to secondary pollution. Bioremediation is the most promising method for eliminating toxic pollutants. Microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and algae can convert toxic heavy metals into less toxic forms, which has become an effective and environmentally friendly solution for the remediation of heavy metal pollution in water environments. This paper expounds the toxicity and mechanism of heavy metal pollution, microbial remediation mechanisms, and primary microbial remediation strategies, providing a reference for the removal or reduction of metal pollutants in water environments as well as the development of related technologies.

Atlas of Microscopic Images of Raw Biomass Used in Fuel Production

As nations strive toward achieving sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, biomass has emerged as an indispensable component of worldwide energy portfolios. Biomass, derived from organic materials such as plants, agricultural residues, forestry byproducts, and organic waste, is a renewable energy source and abundant resource with significant potential across various sectors. Responsible biomass energy production can aid in waste management, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate environmental pollution by utilizing organic materials that would otherwise be discarded. With the anticipated growth in biomass use for energy, it is essential to establish analytical techniques for assessing the quality of the fuel feedstock materials. This will enable to better comprehend the implications of using biomass fuels on public health and our ecosystem. One such technique is reflected light microscopy, which has the potential to significantly enhance the conventional (physical and chemical) quality assessment of biomass-derived fuels. This technique enables rapid observations of material constituents and identification of impurities, and it can be applied not only to fuels but also to biomass-based pellets used in animal feed and bedding. Given the scarcity of publicly accessible microscopic images of biomass materials, the “Atlas of Microscopic Images of Raw Biomass” fills this gap by offering a comprehensive collection of 553 images. These photomicrographs capture the optical characteristics of a diverse array of biomass feedstock, demonstrating unique morphological and structural features. This visual documentation can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, industry professionals, educators, and enthusiasts interested in investigating the complexities of biomass forms.

Pilot-scale bioremediation of rare earths wastewater by Chlamydomonas sp. YC

The extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) through in-situ leaching with ammonium sulphate [(NH4)2SO4] had resulted in the production of a large volume of ammonium-rich wastewater, causing severe environmental pollution. This study aimed to assess the ability of an indigenous microalga Chlamydomonas sp. YC, isolated from REEs wastewater, to directly treat real REEs wastewater under outdoor conditions in 50 L airlift photobioreactors (AL-PBRs) and 5.0 m3 open race-way photobioreactors (ORWPs). Additionally, the harvested Chlamydomonas sp. YC biomasses from these two pilot photobioreactors were comprehensively analyzed to evaluate the nutritional values. The results showed that Chlamydomonas sp. YC in AL-PBRs exhibited higher biomass production (1.1 g/L), greater removal efficiencies in NH4+-N (24.9%) and total nitrogen (20.4%), as well as higher CO2 fixation rate (125.0 mg/(L·d)), compared to those of ORWPs. Moreover, the Chlamydomonas sp. YC biomasses obtained from the two pilot photobioreactors contained 44.5% and 49.4% protein, 9.1% and 14.3% lipids. Moreover, Chlamydomonas sp. YC in the two pilot photobioreactors displayed essential amino acid indexes (EAAI) of 0.900, which was higher than that of soybean protein (0.657), indicating superior nutritional values. In conclusion, the implementation of the process involving Chlamydomonas sp. YC in AL-PBRs under outdoor conditions holds promise as a coupled microalgal biotechnology for the simultaneous removal of NH4+-N from REEs wastewater, and the capture of CO2 for the production of valuable biomass.

AI-empowered Search Drone: Advanced AI-based Tiny Object Search Drone for Broad Areas

Abstract. Detecting the garbage distribution and position in broad terrains(beaches, grasslands, squares, etc) is extremely important for environmental protection and urban image. Manually screen these terrains is time-consuming and ineicient. Autonomous robot may find the wastes automatically, but they may hinder and even endanger the pedestrians. Unmanned aerial systems(UAS) are ideal tools for monitoring broad areas and detecting garbage. In this project we create an AI-empowered Search Drone for extensive garbage search in broad regions. The camera on our drone and the external image transmission module on the computer receive and process top-view image from the sky. The images from high altitude lead to the reduction in target size and object distortion. We innovately modified the network structure of the oicial YOLOv5 model by adding layers specifically for small object detection, enhancing its adaptability to small targets captured by drones.To address camera image distortion, we leveraged the OpenCV (cv2) library to obtain and apply a distortion correction matrix. Furthermore, we devised an algorithm that calculates the real-world location of targets based on their pixel positions, the drones height, and the ratio between pixel and real-world dimensions.To strengthen the models garbage search capabilities, we simulated various garbage search scenarios in open environments and collected image datasets using drones for specialized training. Finally, we utilized the PyQt library to develop a simplistic front-end interface for data analysis and comparison of the detection performance between the original and optimized models. Experimental results demonstrate that the optimized model outperforms the original model, effectively enhancing garbage search eiciency in extensive areas. This project represents a significant step forward in leveraging technology to combat environmental pollution.

Advances in photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline using graphene-based composites in water: a systematic review and future directions.

In this study, a comprehensive systematic review was conducted to better recognize the applicability of graphene-based photocatalytic processes for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) from water. A broad search strategy was developed for English language articles available in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The effect of parameters such as pH, TC concentration, photocatalyst dose, radiation source intensity, and the effect of graphene on the process, kinetics, and reuse of the photocatalyst were investigated. A total of 63 out of a possible 3498 retrieved records met inclusion criteria. The results showed that most related studies have increased since 2019. About 46.7% of the articles showed 90-100% TC removal efficiency and 59.52% of the studies had optimal pH equal to 5 and 6. Also, the widespread use of visible light had a significant trend. The effect of the dose of graphene in the catalyst was one of the most important and effective factors on the process; hence, the difference in efficiency with and without graphene was completely evident. This review indicated that the presence of graphene has been able to have a positive effect on increasing the efficiency of oxidation processes, and it can be used for environmental pollutants remediation.

New Eco-Friendly Thermal Insulation and Sound Absorption Composite Materials Derived from Waste Black Tea Bags and Date Palm Tree Surface Fibers

A tremendous amount of waste black tea bags (BTBs) and date palm surface fibers (DPSFs), at the end of their life cycle, end up in landfills, leading to increased pollution and an increase in the negative impact on the environment. Therefore, this study aims to utilize these normally wasted materials efficiently by developing new composite materials for thermal insulation and sound absorption. Five insulation composite boards were developed, two were bound (BTB or DPSF with polyvinyl Acetate resin (PVA)) and three were hybrids (BTB, DPSF, and resin). In addition, the loose raw waste materials (BTB and DPSF) were tested separately with no binder. Thermal conductivity and sound absorption coefficients were determined for all boards. Thermal stability analysis was reported for the components of the tea bag (string, label, and bag) and one of the composite hybrid boards. Mechanical properties of the boards such as flexural strain, flexural stress, and flexural elastic modulus were determined for the bound and hybrid composites. The results showed that the thermal conductivity coefficients for all the hybrid composite sample boards are less than 0.07 at the ambient temperature of 24 °C and they were enhanced as the BTB ratio was reduced in the hybrid composite boards. The noise reduction coefficient for bound and all hybrid composite samples is greater than 0.37. The composite samples are thermally stable up to 291 °C. Most composite samples have a high flexure modulus between 4.3 MPa and 10.5 MPa. The tea bag raw materials and the composite samples have a low moisture content below 2.25%. These output results seem promising and encouraging using such developed sample boards as eco-friendly thermal insulation and sound absorption and competing with the synthetic ones developed from petrochemicals in building insulation. Moreover, returning these waste materials to circulation and producing new eco-friendly composites can reduce the number of landfills, the level of environmental pollution, and the use of synthetic materials made from fossil resources.

High-Selective Separation Recovery of Ni, Co, and Mn from the Spent LIBs Via Acid Dissolution and Multistage Oxidation Precipitation.

For recovering Ni, Co, and Mn from lithium-ion batteries, traditional chemical precipitation methods demonstrate low selectivity and significantly contribute to environmental pollution. This study proposes a separation recovery technique for transition metals, specifically Ni, Co, and Mn, from spent LIBs, involving "acid dissolution" and "multistage oxidation precipitation". More than 98 % of transition metals can be extracted from spent LIBs using a low acid concentration (0.5 M) without reducing agents. The feasibility of separating different metals via multistage oxidation precipitation, based on their different electrode potentials for oxidizing Me2+ (Me=Mn/Co/Ni), was confirmed. The combination of oxidizing agent S2O8 2- and the precipitant OH- was universally applied to the fractional precipitation of Mn, Co, and Ni respectively. About 99 % of Mn, 97.06 % Co, and 96.62 % Ni could be precipitated sequentially by changing the concentrations of S2O8 2- and the pH value of solution. XRD, XPS, XRF, ICP-MS and other methods were employed to elucidate the mechanism behind the multistage oxidation precipitation of target metal compounds, exploiting the differential electrode potentials for oxidizing Me2+ ions. This technique surpasses traditional solvent extraction in cost-effectiveness and selectivity, showing promise for large-scale industrial applications in recovering Mn, Co, and Ni.

Environmental pollution by plasticizers and the relationship to vector dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti: Bisphenol A (BPA) affect the development and viral immune pathway response

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used industrial chemical found in various products, leading to human exposure through dietary and non-dietary sources. It acts as an endocrine disruptor, affecting reproductive processes in vertebrates by binding to estrogen receptors. While its effects on vertebrates have been extensively studied, much less is known about its impact on invertebrates. This study investigates the effects of BPA on the development and immune response of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are important vectors for arboviral diseases, such as dengue, an emergent viral disease worldwide. Artificial aquatic niches (AAN) were sampled, and BPA concentrations were quantified. Ae. aegypti larvae were exposed to varying BPA concentrations, and their development, fecundity, fertility, and immune response were assessed. Results show delayed development and decreased emergence of mosquitoes exposed to BPA. Females exposed to BPA exhibited reduced oviposition while hatching rates remained unaffected. Furthermore, BPA exposure altered the expression of immune response genes in adult mosquitoes, with differential effects observed between sexes. This suggests that BPA exposure during early developmental stages can modulate the antiviral immune response in adult mosquitoes, possibly through the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling pathway. Overall, this study highlights the potential impact of BPA on the development and immune function of mosquito vectors, with implications for vector competence and disease transmission.

Impact of emerging pollutants mixtures on marine and brackish phytoplankton: diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

Pharmaceuticals and ionic liquids (ILs) are emerging as significant micropollutants with environmental presence and potential ecological impacts. The possible simultaneous occurrence of these two groups of pollutants in aquatic environments raises complex challenges due to their diverse chemical properties and potential for interactive effects. Given the documented widespread presence of pharmaceuticals and the emerging concerns about ILs, the study aims to evaluate the adverse effects of binary mixtures of imidazolium ionic liquid IM1-8C(CN)3 and two representatives of pharmaceuticals: antibiotic oxytetracycline (OXTC) and metabolite carbamazepine 10,11 epoxide (CBZ-E) on the brackish cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa and the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum during chronic exposure experiments. A comprehensive approach was employed, incorporating various endpoints including oxidative stress, chlorophyll a fluorescence, detailed photoprotective and photosynthetic pigment profiles of target microorganisms to assess modes of action and identify the mixture effects of the selected substances.The observed alterations in pigment production affecting carotenoids synthesis in both selected species may be attributed to the differential impacts of these substances on the photosynthetic pathways and metabolic processes in the cyanobacterial and diatom cells. Changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence-specific parameters suggest impairment of the photosynthetic activity, particularly affecting the efficiency of photosystem II.The application of Concentration Addition (CA) and Independent Action (IA) mathematical models, complemented by the evaluation of Model Deviation Ratios (MDR), revealed predominantly antagonistic interactions within the studied mixtures. The findings of this study provide important insights into the effects of mixtures of organic micropollutants and their potential impact on environment including brackish and marine waters.

Sustainable Water Management with Photocatalytic Janus Mesh: Efficient Fog Harvesting, Water Purification, and Microbial Disinfection.

Water scarcity is a critical global challenge, especially in arid and semiarid regions. Fog harvesting has emerged as a promising solution; however, concerns about air pollution and bacterial growth in humid environments have raised doubts about the safety and sustainability of such systems. This study introduces a Janus mesh with asymmetric wettability on its two faces, fabricated through a simple and scalable method. The unique design of the Janus mesh enables the transport of water droplets from the superhydrophobic side to the hydrophilic side in a unidirectional manner, enhancing its fog harvesting efficiency. The mesh's photocatalytic properties not only elevate the fog harvesting rate to 4.7 kg·m-2h-1 but also effectively purify the harvested water by removing organic contaminants (94%) and microbial impurities (99.98%). Additionally, its inherent bactericidal activity prevents biofouling, ensuring sustained efficiency in water collection. The mesh's self-cleaning abilities through photocatalysis maintain its surface integrity, promising long-term stability for fog harvesting applications. This technological advancement in fog harvesting offers a sustainable and economical solution to water scarcity concerns, addressing safety and sustainability issues associated with existing systems. By potentially transforming the livelihoods of communities struggling with water scarcity, this innovation paves the way for a more sustainable future.

A fast solid-phase microextraction scheme for in vivo monitoring of bio-accumulation and bio-transformation of arbidol in living plants

Large quantity of the antiviral drug arbidol is used for resisting virus infection like the Corona Virus Disease 2019 and influenza, resulting in unanticipated environmental pollution. Herein, to investigate the environmental risks of the unanticipated arbidol contamination, a novel in vivo sampling probe was developed based on a bromo-substituted porous organic polymer (Br-POP) and then adopted for tracking the bio-accumulation and bio-transformation of arbidol in living plants by coupling with a nano-electrospray ionization fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (Nano-ESI-FT-ICR-MS) method. The established method showed good extraction performance towards arbidol with limit of detection (LOD) of 0.48 ng g−1, and relative standard deviation (RSD) of single-and multiple- probe of 2.2 and 14 %. Owing to the interactions between the Br-POP and the target analytes, as well as the fast analysis process of Nano-ESI-FT-ICR-MS, <6 min was cost for total sampling and analysis duration, achieving hourly tracking of arbidol and its metabolites in this work. During 21-d in vivo tracking, the concentration of arbidol in living plant stems increased rapidly within 6 h and peaked at 413.93 ± 47.09 ng g−1. Meanwhile, it was found that dissolved organic matters (DOM) had significant effect on arbidol behaviors in living plants, resulting in a decrease of the maximum concentration of arbidol in plant stems (152.70 ± 42.44 ng g−1) and the change of dominant metabolite of arbidol that the S-oxidation rather than N-demethylation product of arbidol was dominant with DOM participation. Additionally, the plant root secretion was found to be significantly altered by arbidol exposure. To summarized, the combination of in vivo SPME and the FT-ICR-MS analysis provide new and important information regarding arbidol contamination and related alternation of plant root metabolism.

Influence of Aqueous Phase Salt and Oil Phase Surfactants and Viscosity on the Dynamic Interfacial Tension and Coalescence Timescales.

Liquid-liquid separation is a critically important process in the treatment of emulsions that can occur in our environment, such as oily stormwater, shipboard bilgewater, or off-shore oil spill treatment. Effective filtration systems, including coalescing filters, are essential for mitigating these environmental pollutants. Achieving this requires a comprehensive understanding of liquid-liquid interface dynamics influenced by additives and surfactants. Furthermore, understanding the impact of surfactants on emulsion stability in saline environments is vital for optimizing filtration processes and ensuring the protection of marine and freshwater ecosystems. In this work, these effects are highlighted using measurements performed across a range of droplet size, surfactant concentration, viscosity ratios, and saline presence. Dynamic IFT measurements are conducted using the pendant drop method for water in light mineral oil, with and without salt in the water phase. The effect of salt addition is also highlighted by using microfluidic coalescence experiments, in which it was found that the addition of salt increases the dimensionless drainage time below the critical micelle concentration. The second focus of this work is to study the effect of bulk phase viscosity on the stability. Dynamic IFT measurements are performed at both millimeter and micrometer scales using pendant drop experiments and microfluidic tensiometry, respectively, involving light and heavy mineral oils with varying SPAN80 surfactant concentrations. The surfactant diffusivity and interfacial adsorption and desorption rates are then extracted by fitting a surfactant diffusion and equation of state equations to the dynamic IFT measurements. The results of the IFT decay, surfactant diffusivity, and adsorption rates are compared at two different viscosity ratios. This study also compares the times required for IFT relaxation with the film drainage times in water-in-oil systems. The comparison aids in comprehending the impact of competing timescales during film drainage. The findings presented in this paper offer valuable insights into the design and optimization of liquid-liquid filtration systems, especially when operating under challenging environmental conditions, such as in saline environments. The principles explored here can be applied to improving industrial water treatment and in the design of advanced filtration technologies for chemical and petrochemical industries, particularly those involving flow, contributing to more sustainable and efficient practices in handling emulsified waste streams.

MSA-GCN: Multistage Spatio-Temporal Aggregation Graph Convolutional Networks for Traffic Flow Prediction

Timely and accurate traffic flow prediction is crucial for stabilizing road conditions, reducing environmental pollution, and mitigating economic losses. While current graph convolution methods have achieved certain results, they do not fully leverage the true advantages of graph convolution. There is still room for improvement in simultaneously addressing multi-graph convolution, optimizing graphs, and simulating road conditions. Based on this, this paper proposes MSA-GCN: Multistage Spatio-Temporal Aggregation Graph Convolutional Networks for Traffic Flow Prediction. This method overcomes the aforementioned issues by dividing the process into different stages and achieves promising prediction results. In the first stage, we construct a latent similarity adjacency matrix and address the randomness interference features in similarity features through two optimizations using the proposed ConvGRU Attention Layer (CGAL module) and the Causal Similarity Capture Module (CSC module), which includes Granger causality tests. In the second stage, we mine the potential correlation between roads using the Correlation Completion Module (CC module) to create a global correlation adjacency matrix as a complement for potential correlations. In the third stage, we utilize the proposed Auto-LRU autoencoder to pre-train various weather features, encoding them into the model’s prediction process to enhance its ability to simulate the real world and improve interpretability. Finally, in the fourth stage, we fuse these features and use a Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU) to model time dependencies, outputting the prediction results through a linear layer. Our model demonstrates a performance improvement of 29.33%, 27.03%, and 23.07% on three real-world datasets (PEMSD8, LOSLOOP, and SZAREA) compared to advanced baseline methods, and various ablation experiments validate the effectiveness of each stage and module.