Environmental Sectors Research Articles

Mussel-inspired superhydrophilic and antibacterial membranes for effective gravity-driven separation of oil-in-water emulsions

Substantial discharge of industrial oily wastewater calls for an efficient and sustainable treatment for resource recovery. Superwetting membranes offer a feasible approach to fractionate oil species and water from oily wastewater for addressing this technical challenge. In this study, we proposed a useful strategy for constructing a superhydrophilic membrane with superior antibacterial properties through rapid co-deposition of dopamine and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) initiated by ammonium persulfate on the Cu nanoparticles-loaded porous PVDF substrate. The resultant superhydrophilic membrane yielded an underwater oil contact angle of 163.5°, enabling a fast and robust gravity-driven filtration for various oil-in-water emulsions with a separation efficiency of >99.9 %. Additionally, incorporating of Cu nanoparticles and polydopamine endowed the superhydrophilic membrane with superior antibacterial activity (100 % inhibition efficiency against Escherichia coli), and thereby remarkably enhancing the anti-biofouling performance. This study provides a viable approach to design high-performance membranes for separation of oil-in-water emulsions, with promising applications in the industrial and environmental sectors.

Psycho-social conditions of urban communities in the complexity of waste management: Are awareness and waste banks the main solution?

Waste management in urban areas is a critical issue in developing countries. As an environmental awareness emergency country, Indonesia faces significant waste production, particularly in its third-largest metropolis, Bandung. With the majority of its population utilizing cell phones or computers, the city has generated approximately 1500 tons of waste per day in 2022. Even though Bandung is one of the big cities in Indonesia, a staggering 54.7% of the total waste finds its way to landfills, exerting adverse impacts on the economic, social, and public health sectors. The government has pursued remedies through initiatives such as waste banks, collection services, and public education through social media. However, when delving into the intricacies of waste management, the psycho-social conditions of the community should be considered, which are often characterized by an ethos of tireless work, colloquially referred to as “crazy to work” or “hustle culture.” Consequently, waste, including its associated health risks, may be perceived as a marginal concern.This research assessed public environmental awareness and the willingness to contribute to diverse waste management endeavors financially. Such endeavors may be in household waste collection or the establishment of government-operated facilities, such as waste banks and waste collection services within the psycho-social conditions of urban communities. By employing a quantitative approach, the study surveyed 74 heads of urban households in Bandung using convenience sampling techniques and analyzed the data using SPSS tools to address the formulated hypotheses. Results demonstrate the effect of household waste management practices on the environmental awareness of urban communities. Nevertheless, the influence of waste management services, the perspectives of waste bank management, or concerns about infectious waste–related diseases on the environmental awareness of urban communities are generally not substantiated. However, the latter two aspects exert an influence on the community's inclination to support waste collection services financially. In sum, this study suggests that cultural and knowledge factors in Bandung may impede progress in the environmental sector. Therefore, recommendations encompass stringent environmental policies and laws, technological integration, and subsidies for waste reduction efforts in Indonesia's urban waste management practices.

Green Budgeting and Factors Affecting Green Regional Gross Domestic Product (GRDP) in The Forestry Sector in Karangasem District, Bali Province

Environmental issues The level of carbon emissions in the world has brought about very dangerous environmental changes. The Regional Government's commitment to prioritizing environmental interests in regional development priorities is the most important factor in efforts to preserve the regional environment. This commitment will affect the quality of environmental policies, programs and the quantity of budget allocated to the environment sector. The purpose of this study was to see how the influence of Green Budgeting (ABLH), the influence of APBD, the influence of Local Own Revenue (PAD), the effect of Population, the effect of Economic Growth on Green GRDP in the forestry sector in Karangasem Regency, Bali Province. This study uses secondary data obtained from various sources. The results of the analysis with the application of Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS 26 show that the factors that influence the green regional gross domestic product (GRDP) in Karangasem Regency, Bali Province, all have a positive and significant effect, meaning that Green Budgeting, APBD, Regional Original Income (PAD), Population and Economic Growth if it increases will have an effect on increasing the Environment-based Gross Regional Domestic Product (Green GRDP). If seen from the data from the Karangasem Regency Forestry and Environment Service, the budget allocation for regional apparatuses with the Environment function in Karangasem Regency shows a fairly high increase in budgeting from 2017 to 2018 and then there is a decrease in the following year until 2021 of 1.0%. It is hoped that the local government of Karangasem Regency will increase budgeting and commitment to place the environment in an important position in development planning, so that environmental sustainability and prosperity can be realized.

“We have to join forces…” – Current status and future European policies as discussed at the One Health EJP conference “Collaborating to face future One Health challenges in Europe”

Abstract Ideally, discussions on the One Health policy should bring together actors from several sectors. This was the case at the conference organised by the One Health European Joint Programme (One Health EJP) “Collaborating to face future One Health challenges in Europe”, which took place from the 19 to the 21 June 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. Here we report on the discussions and interactions that occurred among lead European One Health stakeholders from the animal health, public health, wider environmental (including ecosystem health), and social sciences sectors, coming from the public and private sectors, and non-governmental organisations. The participants included policy makers, risk assessors, risk managers, experts from the academia, as well as representatives of national, European, and international organisations. The conference served two purposes. First, it highlighted the achievements of the One Health EJP on prevention, detection, and response to health threats. Second, it served as a forum to discuss current and future European One Health policies, analysing interactions across sectors, and setting the scene for the One Health policy agenda of tomorrow. In this article, we highlight the main messages and viewpoints of a wide range of European stakeholders on One Health and its future needs. Discussions covered topics such as policies of the European Commission, operationalisation of these policies through EU agencies, the broadening of the One Health concept to increasingly integrate sectors other than public health and animal health, and the role of the private sector in One Health initiatives. These dialogues gave insights into future One Health policies, providing information that integrate the publicly available policy documents, and aiming at shaping the European One Health approach in preparation for upcoming challenges.

Partition of humic acids using alkaline aqueous two‐phase systems constituted of alcohol and hydroxides

AbstractBACKGROUNDHumic acids (HAs) are macromolecules classified within the group of humic substances that are mainly related to the agricultural and environmental sectors, but they have attracted interest from the medicine, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. However, these latter sectors depend on developing extraction and purification technologies for adequate use. Thus, this paper aims to study the partitioning and recovery of HA using alkaline two‐phase aqueous systems (ATPSs) based on alkali metal‐based hydroxides and alcohols. Initially, the influence of alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1‐propanol, and 2‐propanol) and hydroxides [sodium (NaOH), potassium (KOH) and lithium (LiOH)] in the phase diagrams construction was addressed.RESULTSThe phase formation is correlated to an increase in the hydrophobicity of alcohols and hydroxides, which allows for the enlargement of the biphasic region. In the proposed systems, HA is always partitioned to the hydroxide‐rich phase. Increasing the hydrophobicity of the alcohol favors the migration of HA to the opposite phase, while increasing the hydrophilicity of the hydroxides leads to better partition and recovery values. It was observed that increasing TLL favors the recovery of HA. Furthermore, there was a decrease in alcohol concentration in the hydroxide‐rich phase with an increase in the alkyl chain and TLL, improving the recovery. Finally, the best reached‐recovery value was 98.18 ± 0.41% (KHA = 0.038 ± 0.02) for ATPS formed by 1‐propanol + NaOH with TLL ≈ 55 at 298 K.CONCLUSIONSAlkaline systems can be a novel route for recovering humic substances from the environment. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Dampak Investasi Asing di Pulau Komodo

Komodo Island, as Indonesia's famous tourism destination, has attracted foreign investment which has the potential to influence the economic, social and environmental sectors. This investment brings benefits in the form of opening jobs, increasing local community income, and developing tourism infrastructure. However, the impact also creates economic disparities between local and foreign workers, as well as social problems related to cultural interactions and local community access to the benefits of tourism. Meanwhile, developing tourist infrastructure also threatens the Komodo dragon habitat and the Komodo Island ecosystem. Therefore, mitigation measures are needed to ensure foreign investment supports sustainable development and preservation of the Komodo Island ecosystem. This research uses a literature review method which involves analysis from various sources such as scientific journals, books, reports and articles related to the impact of foreign investment on Komodo Island. This research aims to analyze the impact of foreign investment on Komodo Island on the economic, social and environmental sectors. The research focus includes discussing the economic impact through opening jobs and increasing income, the social impact related to cultural interactions, and the environmental impact of tourism infrastructure development.

Unpacking Demographics-Based Impediments to Professionalization in the South African Built Environment

Despite South Africa’s unique demographics, shaped by a history of apartheid and ongoing inequality, its built environment has so far been unable to extricate itself from its inglorious past. This portends that the quality and impact of infrastructure developed concentrates on the few at the expense of the many. This study delves into the multifaceted challenges that impede the full realization of an inclusive built environment sector by reviewing extant studies on these issues through a mixed review and blending this with statistical evidence from document analysis on professional development in the South African built environment. We explore how diversity factors intersect to create structural impediments in the pursuit of professionalization. The findings underscore the critical importance of inclusion in the built environment profession, potential policy and institutional changes required to address these challenges, and the web of demographic factors influencing access, opportunities, and success within the built environment.

Inorganic Fe-O and Fe-S oxidoreductases: paradigms for prebiotic chemistry and the evolution of enzymatic activity in biology.

Oxidoreductases play crucial roles in electron transfer during biological redox reactions. These reactions are not exclusive to protein-based biocatalysts; nano-size (<100nm), fine-grained inorganic colloids, such as iron oxides and sulfides, also participate. These nanocolloids exhibit intrinsic redox activity and possess direct electron transfer capacities comparable to their biological counterparts. The unique metal ion architecture of these nanocolloids, including electron configurations, coordination environment, electron conductivity, and the ability to promote spontaneous electron hopping, contributes to their transfer capabilities. Nano-size inorganic colloids are believed to be among the earliest 'oxidoreductases' to have 'evolved' on early Earth, playing critical roles in biological systems. Representing a distinct type of biocatalysts alongside metalloproteins, these nanoparticles offer an early alternative to protein-based oxidoreductase activity. While the roles of inorganic nano-sized catalysts in current Earth ecosystems are intuitively significant, they remain poorly understood and underestimated. Their contribution to chemical reactions and biogeochemical cycles likely helped shape and maintain the balance of our planet's ecosystems. However, their potential applications in biomedical, agricultural, and environmental protection sectors have not been fully explored or exploited. This review examines the structure, properties, and mechanisms of such catalysts from a material's evolutionary standpoint, aiming to raise awareness of their potential to provide innovative solutions to some of Earth's sustainability challenges.

Potential types of bias when estimating causal effects in environmental research and how to interpret them

To inform environmental policy and practice, researchers estimate effects of interventions/exposures by conducting primary research (e.g., impact evaluations) or secondary research (e.g., evidence reviews). If these estimates are derived from poorly conducted/reported research, then they could misinform policy and practice by providing biased estimates. Many types of bias have been described, especially in health and medical sciences. We aimed to map all types of bias from the literature that are relevant to estimating causal effects in the environmental sector. All the types of bias were initially identified by using the Catalogue of Bias (catalogofbias.org) and reviewing key publications (n = 11) that previously collated and described biases. We identified 121 (out of 206) types of bias that were relevant to estimating causal effects in the environmental sector. We provide a general interpretation of every relevant type of bias covered by seven risk-of-bias domains for primary research: risk of confounding biases; risk of post-intervention/exposure selection biases; risk of misclassified/mismeasured comparison biases; risk of performance biases; risk of detection biases; risk of outcome reporting biases; risk of outcome assessment biases, and four domains for secondary research: risk of searching biases; risk of screening biases; risk of study appraisal and data coding/extraction biases; risk of data synthesis biases. Our collation should help scientists and decision makers in the environmental sector be better aware of the nature of bias in estimation of causal effects. Future research is needed to formalise the definitions of the collated types of bias such as through decomposition using mathematical formulae.

Studies on Heavy Metal Accumulation and Quality of Irish Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) Tubers Grown with Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

The aim of this work was to determine the nutritional quality and heavy metal concentration of irish potato tubers grown with inorganic and organic fertilizer. Forty five (45) tubers obtained from the National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) Kuru were planted in a randomized complete block experimental design (RCBD). Three treatments were applied namely: inorganic fertilizer, poultry dung (positive control) and without treatment (negative control). Each treatment was replicated thrice in three different plots. At maturity, tubers were investigated for protein, lipid and calcium level while heavy metal contents were determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA while mean separation was done using the LSD method at 95% confidence limit. Levels of three heavy metals (Cd, Zn and Co) in Irish potato tubers were higher than their respective permissible limits of 0.02, 1.3 and 0.06 in all samples. Fertilizer application (organic and inorganic) had no significant effect on the concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Co and Cu. Both organic and inorganic fertilizers had significant influence on Ni, As and Mn. Inorganic fertilizer significantly lowered the crude protein, lipid and calcium level in Irish potato tubers when compared with other treatments. This research has provided useful information to stakeholders in the Environmental and Health Science sectors to enlighten growers of Irish potato on the need to limit the use inorganic fertilizer and seek alternative yield enhancers that are effective and safer to the environment and human health.

Heating of the Atmospheres of Short-orbit Exoplanets by Their Rapid Orbital Motion through an Extreme Space Environment

Exoplanets with short orbit periods reside very close to their host stars. They transition very rapidly between different sectors of the circumstellar space environment along their orbit, leading to large variations of the magnetic field in the vicinity of the planet on short timescales. This rapid change of the magnetic flux through the conducting and resistive layer of the planetary upper atmosphere may drive currents that dissipate in the form of Joule heating (JH). Here, we estimate the amount of JH dissipation in the upper atmosphere of Trappist-1e, and two hypothetical planets orbiting the Sun in close-in orbits. We find that the rapid orbital motion could drive a significant amount of atmospheric heating and could significantly affect the planetary atmosphere escape rate. Thus, the process should be accounted for when studying the long-term evolution of exoplanetary atmospheres.

Driving the Ecological Transition of Agriculture through Voluntary Certification of Environmental Impacts: An Exploratory Literature Review on the Olive-Oil Sector

Human population growth has resulted in increased food consumption, followed by agrifood production intensification. Human activities have a significant impact on the environment, causing, among other things, air and water pollution and biodiversity degradation. In an international context where there is strong concern about environmental issues, it is also necessary to direct food production towards more sustainable models. In this context, the use of frameworks for certifying the environmental footprint of agrifood products can be a lever to promote sustainable production and consumption. The objective of this paper is to explore the opportunities for certifying the environmental footprint of products, focusing in particular on some of the main environmental claims: global warming, water depletion, and biodiversity loss. The olive sector was selected as a case study since it is the major tree crop in the Mediterranean countries, and it has strong impacts on human health and the environment. We employed a literature review in the SCOPUS database and the knowledge of experts in the main environmental certification sectors. The study revealed the possibility of adopting various mitigation strategies and improving environmental performance, while also pursuing certain market objectives related to certified products.

Graphene and nanocomposites—Imprints on environmentally sustainable production and applications based on ecological aspects

Graphene, an innovative nanocarbon, has been discovered as a significant technological material. Increasing utilization of graphene has moved research towards the development of sustainable green techniques to synthesize graphene and related nanomaterials. This review article is basically designed to highlight the significant sustainability aspects of graphene. Consequently, the sustainability vision is presented for graphene and graphene nanocomposites. Environmentally sustainable production of graphene and ensuing nanomaterials has been studied. The formation of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and other derivatives has been synthesized using ecological carbon and green sources, green solvents, non-toxic reagents, and green routes. Furthermore, the utilization of graphene for the conversion of industrial polymers to sustainable recycled polymers has been studied. In addition, the recycled polymers have also been used to form graphene as a sustainable method. The implication of graphene in the sustainable energy systems has been investigated. Specifically, high specific capacitance and capacitance retention were observed for graphene-based supercapacitor systems. Subsequently, graphene may act as a multi-functional, high performance, green nanomaterial with low weight, low price, and environmental friendliness for sustainable engineering and green energy storage applications. However, existing challenges regarding advanced material design, processing, recyclability, and commercial scale production need to be overcome to unveil the true sustainability aspects of graphene in the environmental and energy sectors.

The Importance Of Whistleblower Protection In The Environmental Sector

Whistleblower protection in the context of the environmental and Natural Resources sector is a key element in efforts to prevent corruption and sustainable management. This sector has a direct impact on human lives and societal well-being, and therefore, maintaining its integrity is essential. This research outlines the importance of whistleblower protection in the environmental and natural resources sectors. The method used in this research is normative with a doctrinal approach. Protection of whistleblowers has an important role in maintaining transparency and accountability in the environmental and natural resources sectors. Through the protection provided to whistleblowers, corrupt practices can be exposed and accountability can be realized. However, challenges and limitations still exist, and concerted efforts are needed to improve the implementation and effectiveness of these laws. With continued efforts, whistleblower protection laws can become a powerful tool in promoting transparency and accountability in the environmental and natural resources sectors.

Carbon emission trading, technological progress, synergetic control of environmental pollution and carbon emissions in China

This study introduces three production technology shocks (Energy manufactures, Brown enterprises, and Green enterprises) by constructing different models, namely, the environment sector (baseline) model, the carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS) model, and the carbon emissions rights trading mechanism. The fluctuation trend of China's macroeconomic and environmental quality before and after the establishment of carbon market is compared and analyzed. Additionally, the study examines the welfare of the implementation of carbon market policies. The carbon trading market policy can promote the synergistic efficiency of China's pollution reduction and carbon reduction using energy and green production technologies. From the perspective of social welfare, the optimal range of the initial carbon quota ratio issued by the government to enterprises is [0.7,0.8]. The findings of this study provide theoretical support and contribute toward understanding the impact mechanisms of carbon market and technological progress on synergizing the reduction of pollution and carbon emissions in China.

Identifying, Prioritizing, and Assessing Factors Influencing Customer Satisfaction Covered by Supplemental Insurance: A Mixed-Method Study

Background: With increasing specialization in various sectors of the market environment, it has become essential to identify customer satisfaction indicators and prioritize them to enhance the provision of supplementary health insurance services. Objectives: This study aimed to identify, prioritize, and assess satisfaction indicators among individuals covered by supplemental insurance. Methods: This exploratory mixed-method study involved 20 participants, including university faculty members, managers, and insurance experts in Khuzestan province. In the qualitative phase, a scoping review of relevant literature was initially conducted using electronic databases such as Scopus and Web of Science to extract key axes. Subsequently, in two stages of fuzzy Delphi, relevant indicators were extracted and then prioritized by a panel of experts using the fuzzy AHP method. Results: A total of 33 articles were retrieved through the database search. Following semi-structured interviews, 11 indicators were identified, including premium, insurance obligations limit, timely payment of expenses, provision of online services, respectful treatment, reasonableness of required documents, waiting period, complaint handling, franchising information, and discrimination in service provision. Among these factors, the premium had the highest priority, with a final weight of 0.190. Conclusions: The results highlight the significance of premium as the most influential factor in the study. Therefore, insurance company managers should focus on increasing insured individuals' satisfaction and enhancing their companies' overall perception.

The Perspectives of Key Stakeholders on the Reintroduction of Apex Predators to the United Kingdom

Apex predators were extirpated from the UK hundreds of years ago. Practitioners have recently advocated for reintroductions of predators in the UK given their role as keystone species. For a reintroduction to take place, a survey of public desirability needs to be conducted. We aimed to understand the perspectives of people across the United Kingdom on the reintroduction of Eurasian lynxes, gray wolves, and brown bears. We collected data via mixed-methods questionnaires from 78 key stakeholders, such as farmers, the general public, nature conservationists, and those in environmental sectors, with these areas being seen as the most affected by these reintroductions. It was organizations that front these stakeholder groups which mainly distributed the survey as well as social media groups. We ran a path analysis, which highlighted that there was a negative correlation between respondents viewing the species as a danger toward livestock and humans, and the respondent seeing it as being good to have that species in their region. Overall, participants who stated that rewilding their region was a priority also stated that it would be good to have Eurasian lynx in their region. That said, 70% of farmers strongly disagreed with the reintroduction of Eurasian lynx. These findings showed that much of the United Kingdom would welcome the reintroduction of Eurasian lynx, but both farmers and the public would fear the loss of livestock that may come along with these species. Support can be gained through education and knowledge, which is a necessary step needed especially targeting farmers before any reintroduction plans can be made.

Assessing the Connection between Land Use Planning, Water Resources, and Global Climate Change

The complex interplay between land use planning, water resource management, and the effects of global climate change continues to attract global attention. This study assessed the connection between land use planning, water resources, and global climate change. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that was emailed to 320 professionals in the land and environmental sectors in Greece and Europe. The results showed a significant relationship between land use planning, water resources, and their policies with global climate change. It was also revealed that proper land use planning can guide the establishment of waste management systems that minimize methane emissions, and that land use planning influences agricultural practices, which, in turn, impact greenhouse gas emissions. It was also revealed that changes in precipitation patterns can lead to an increased frequency and severity of droughts, and that changes in water temperature and flow can lead to habitat loss. This study also confirmed that strong policy support helps in the conservation of land and water resources, and stakeholder engagement promotes a shared planning process, leading to commonly agreed-upon spatial measures. This study recommends that governments and policymakers should integrate climate change, land use, and water management policies to ensure a coherent and effective approach towards sustainable development.

German yield and area data for 11 crops from 1979 to 2021 at a harmonized spatial resolution of 397 districts

Long time series with spatially highly resolved crop data are important for research projects on numerous future challenges in the environment and food sector. In this publication, we describe a dataset with crop-yield and area data for Germany from 1979 to 2021. The data are spatially resolved to 397 districts, which have an average size of 900 km2, and include the crops spring barley, winter barley, grain maize, silage maize, oats, potatoes, winter rape, rye, sugarbeet, triticale and winter wheat. The crop-yield data cover, on average, about 9.5 million hectares per year and 80% of Germany’s total arable land. The dataset contains 214,820 yield and area data points. These were obtained by collecting and digitizing crop data from multiple statistical sources and transforming the data to match the district boundaries in 2020. Potential applications of the data include the analysis of interactions between agricultural yields and environmental factors, such as weather; the validation of yield prediction methodologies or the analysis of yield-loss risks in agriculture.

Computational and Theoretical Investigation of Acoustical and Vibrational Properties of Rigid Thin Material

A computational and theoretical investigation of acoustical and vibrational properties of rigid thin fiberglass material was carried out for different boundary conditions. Fiberglass materials could be applied in industries varying from the aircraft and automotive sectors to the built environment and construction sectors. Plate vibration and acoustic radiation were applied to predict the deflection of the thin fiberglass material and sound radiation efficiency at different locations on its surface, while a study-controlled equation of motion known as the Kirchhoff thin plate theory was applied for a COMSOL simulation of the thin material to determine the deflection of the plate and to obtain stress distribution, velocity contour, displacement, and acoustic pressure at the first resonance of the material. The results of this paper show that thin fiberglass material could be applied to sandwich building elements to form panels for reducing airborne noise and to lessen the sound transmission of structural borne noise, to cover noise barriers to make them more sustainable and weather resistant, to dampen the vibration of machines, and to reduce the structural vibration of buildings.