Environmental Sustainable Development Research Articles

In Situ Conductive Heating for Thermal Desorption of Volatile Organic-Contaminated Soil Based on Solar Energy

A novel conductive heating method using solar energy for soil remediation was introduced in this work. Contaminated industrial heritage sites will affect the sustainable development of the local ecological environment and the surrounding air environment, and frequent exposure will have a negative impact on human health. Soil thermal desorption is an effective means to repair contaminated soil, but thermal desorption is accompanied by a large amount of energy consumption and secondary pollution. Therefore, a trough solar heat collection desorption system (TSHCDS) is proposed, which is applied to soil thermal desorption technology. The effects of different water inlet temperature, water inlet velocity and soil porosity on the evolution of soil temperature field were discussed. The temperature field of contaminated soil can be numerically simulated, and a small experimental platform is built to verify the accuracy of the numerical model for simulation research. It is concluded that the heating effect is the best when the water entry temperature is the highest, at 70 °C, and the temperature of test point 4 is increased by 50.71% and 1.42%, respectively. When the inlet water flow rate is increased from 0.1 m/s to 0.2 m/s, the heating effect is significantly improved; when the inlet water flow rate is increased from 0.5 m/s to 1.5 m/s, the heating effect is not significantly improved. Therefore, when the flow rate is greater than a certain value, the heating effect is not significantly improved. The simulation analysis of soil with different porosity shows that larger porosity will affect the thermal diffusivity, which will make the heat transfer effect worse and reduce the heating effect. The effects of soil temperature distribution on the removal of petroleum hydrocarbon C6–C9 and trichloroethylene (TCE) were studied. The results showed that in the thermal desorption process of petroleum hydrocarbon C6–C9-contaminated soil, the removal rate of pollutants increased significantly when the average soil temperature reached 80 °C. In the thermal desorption of trichloroethylene-contaminated soil, when the thermal desorption begins, the soil temperature rises rapidly and reaches the target temperature, and a large number of pollutants are removed. At the end of thermal desorption, the removal of both types of pollutants reached the target repair value. This study provides a new feasible method for soil thermal desorption.

Assessment of the relationship between mineral extraction in the southern hemisphere and sustainable development

Sustainable mineral policies are needed to achieve environmental and social equity in the global South. This study explores the need to align mineral mining in the global South with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It studies the impact of mineral mining on sustainability in 29 global South economies from 2000 to 2021. It also conducts robustness analysis and heterogeneity tests to analyze the mediation effect and the impact of the release of SDGs on sustainability. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Mineral mining has an inhibitory effect on sustainable development and has become a constraint for the achievement of sustainable development goals in the global South; (2) The more mineral-rich a country is, the more serious the adverse impact of mining activities is. The harm of mineral mining to sustainable development is most serious in Africa; (3) Mineral mining leads to an increase in ecological footprint and undermines environmental sustainability, while mineral rents may become a source of funds for clean production, offsetting the adverse effects of mineral mining; (4) The release of SDGs has prompted leaders of various countries to legislate and reform in the field of minerals, helping countries achieve sustainable development goals. The research results provide an effective reference for promoting environmental and social sustainable development in the global South.

Spatial-temporal characteristics of port infrastructures on sulfur-oxide concentrations of coastal port in China

Port infrastructure is an important guarantee to support the development of shipping trade and a main link to connect shipping routes, where its construction and expansion promote economic progress whereas exacerbating regional pollution. Based on the panel data of 18 above-scale coastal ports in China from 2005 to 2020, the spatial characteristics and correlation of sulfur-oxide (SOX) concentrations are first analyzed, then the spatial Durbin model (SDM) is established to evaluate the extent of port infrastructure's impact on the concentrations, further the intermediation effects of three dimensions on the concentrations are explored. From the outcome, the influences of port infrastructures on the SOX concentrations are from decreasing the SOX concentrations through improving the operational efficiencies and increasing the SOX concentrations by adding the operational equipment, which also shows significant spatial spillover effects. In addition, the mechanical dimension as a mediation makes the trade dimension have an indirect effect on the SOX concentrations. This paper employs a spatial econometric model to analyze panel data from 18 coastal ports and ports of higher tiers in China, spanning from 2005 to 2020. It uncovers the intricate mechanism by which port infrastructure influences SOX concentration, thus providing a scientific foundation and decision support for environmental protection and sustainable port development.

Recycling impacts of renewable energy generation-related rare earth resources: A SWOT-based strategical analysis

As the global energy mix transforms and renewable energy technologies rapidly develop, there has been a significant increase in the demand for rare earth elements, which play a crucial role in renewable energy systems. By recycling rare earth resources from obsolete equipment, the reliance on newly mined rare earth resources can be reduced, thereby reducing the related environmental and energy footprints and increasing the stability of the supply chain. This study aims to systematically and strategically analyze and discuss the recycling impacts of renewable energy generation (REG)-related rare earth resources in terms of environmental, economic, social, and governance aspects. A SWOT strategical analysis framework integrating a management cycle and intelligent text data mining is built to address the above tasks from an ESG (Environment, Society, and Governance) perspective. The SWOT analysis of the rare earth recycling impacts focuses on strengths (e.g., reduced dependence on rare resources, reduced environmental and emission pressure), weaknesses (e.g., high cost, technology and management complexity), opportunities (e.g., policy support, technological innovations, diversification of the global supply chain), and threats (e.g., market volatility, the emergence of alternative materials). This analysis framework reveals textual topic changes and suggests cyclic and strategical improvement pathways to analyze the multi-dimensional recycling impacts. The text data analysis results indicate that the trend of rare earth recycling is gradually transformed from technologies, supply and demand, and secondary resources into resource and environment sustainable development. Beyond overcoming identified challenges, future pathways should focus more on the integration of advanced emerging technologies, life cycle management, and dynamic adjustment of recycling strategies. This study could provide policymakers and industry practitioners with recommendations and outlook on current development status and improvement strategies to promote REG-related rare earth recycling.

Application of low energy building thermal energy optimization based on image recognition and light sensors in urban green environment planning

The paper analyzes the application of thermal energy optimization scheme based on image recognition and light sensor technology in low-energy buildings, in order to improve building energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption and provide scientific basis for urban green environment planning. In this paper, image recognition technology is used to monitor the light change in the external environment of the building, and the indoor light intensity data is obtained by the light sensor in real time. Combined with big data analysis, building heat optimization model is established, intelligent control system is designed, and the heating and cooling system of the building is dynamically adjusted, so as to achieve efficient use of heat energy. The experimental results show that the thermal energy optimization method based on image recognition and light sensor has a good application prospect in low-energy buildings, which not only effectively reduces energy consumption, but also contributes to the sustainable development of urban green environment.

Strategic dynamics of local governments in regional collaborative governance: An evolutionary game theory analysis of haze pollution response in the Fen-Wei Plain, China

Regional collaborative governance has become a key strategy for environmental protection, especially in reducing transboundary pollution transfer. This study, set against the backdrop of environmental governance in China's Fen-Wei Plain, employs evolutionary game theory to deeply analyze the strategic choices of local governments in managing haze pollution. We developed a model incorporating 14 key variables to systematically explore the emission reduction strategies of local governments under various policy environments. Through numerical simulations, we not only validate the effectiveness of the model but also focuses on how incentives and punishments from the central government influence the stability of local governments adopting a “strict enforcement” strategy. We find that appropriate incentives from the central government can significantly enhance the tendency of local governments to choose a “strict enforcement” strategy for emission reduction. Under certain conditions, whether adopting “strict enforcement” or “superficial enforcement,” both can lead to an Evolutionarily Stable Strategy (ESS). Moreover, the intensity of rewards and penalties from the central government and the benefits of collaborative governance by local governments are key factors determining the stability of strategies. Our findings underscore the importance of establishing performance-oriented incentive mechanisms, refining reward and punishment measures, and focusing on sustainable and adaptable governance strategies. The strategic recommendations provided by this study offer important guidance for balancing incentives and punishments, thereby stimulating local government enthusiasm for governance, which supports high-quality environmental protection and sustainable development goals.

Legal analysis of the interaction between the state and citizens in the context of solid household waste regulation in the Republic of Kazakhstan

In the modern world, the problem of waste management is becoming more urgent and requires society to constantly regulate and adopt effective legislative mechanisms. In the article, the authors consider an important aspect in this area — the interaction between the state and citizens in the context of waste management. The interaction of these entities plays a key role in creating an effective solid waste management system aimed at ensuring environmental safety and sustainable development of society through the analysis of regulatory legal acts, statistical data and good practices in this area. The article discusses several key problems related to solid waste management in Kazakhstan, including a lack of information for citizens (for example, it is not enough to publish materials on websites, they must be updated regularly), unavailability of infrastructure (sorting centers are located far from public accommodation, it is not possible to take garbage to specially designated places), low motivation (due to monthly utility bills for garbage collection, many people consider, that the relevant institutions should be engaged in the collection and sorting of solid household waste or do not understand the danger of consequences for the environment), inconsistencies in legislation have been identified (there are no mechanisms for imposing fines for nonsorting garbage, as abroad) and insufficient financing (if we do not have finances, whatever industry we take, we cannot achieve high results). In order to improve the situation in society, the need to develop mass educational programs related to garbage sorting, develop infrastructure related to the sorting of solid household waste, further reform legislation related to environmental and sustainable development, and focus on strategies to attract investors and funds to this industry was justified. In the article, based on the comprehensive directions adopted by the state to support citizens in the collection and sorting of solid household waste, we came to the conclusion of a settlement of the problem associated with waste recycling. A concrete solution to these problems is manifested in the definition of general directions of development in waste management.

Assessment of Urban Wastewater Reuse for Irrigation – Environmental Feasibility and Sustainable Development – A Case Study in El Jadida

Assessment of Urban Wastewater Reuse for Irrigation – Environmental Feasibility and Sustainable Development – A Case Study in El Jadida

Enhancing Women Education for a Sustainable Environmental Development

Women represent a good proportion of any society’s Population and they have been known to have contributed in very many ways to the development and betterment of the society of most nations, notably the developed nations. In Nigeria, Women are the Primary environment mangers, extractors and the users of environmental resource, so they have close affinity with the environment. The rural women relate with nature to provide the basis for their day-to-day struggle for survival. They have an essential role to play in the development of sustainable and ecological sound consumption, Production Patterns and approaches to natural resources management. This paper focuses on strategies that will aid women to better cope with maintaining the environment in their multi-faceted roles. It is the view of this paper that, urgent attention should be given to the education of women if true and Sustainable environmental development is to be achieved. Keywords: Women Education, Sustainable Environmental Development, Consumption. Production Aims Research Journal Reference Format: Ibhafidon-Momodu, G.O. (2024): Enhancing Women Education for a Sustainable Environmental Development Advances in Multidisciplinary and Scientific Research Journal Vol. 10. No. 3. Pp 7-12 www.isteams.net/aimsjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/V10N3P12

ТҰРАҚТЫ ДАМУ ЖАҒДАЙЫНДА КҮН ЭНЕРГИЯСЫН ЕНГІЗУ ЕРЕКШЕЛІКТЕРІ

The article examines the content and importance of the introduction of solar energy in the global market in conditions of sustainable development. According to the authors, the growth potential of solar energy directly depends on the electricity consumption in the region, the policy of state support for solar energy or restrictions. The development of solar energy depends on the favorable policies of many countries that contribute to climate change. These measures include electricity tariffs, tax incentives and regulatory reforms to facilitate the deployment of solar photovoltaic systems. The authors of the article recommended directions for the introduction of solar energy in the framework of environmental safety and sustainable development. The article proves that when introducing solar energy, it is necessary to take into account such requirements as efficiency, profitability, reliability and government regulation. Keywords: sustainable development, renewable energy sources, solar energy, government support, environmental safety.

Research Progress in the Joint Remediation of Plants–Microbes–Soil for Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil in Mining Areas: A Review

Plants growing in heavy metal (HM)-contaminated soil have evolved a special detoxification mechanism. The rhizosphere gathers many living substances and their secretions at the center of plant roots, which has a unique ecological remediation effect. It is of great significance to thoroughly understand the ecological process of rhizosphere pollution under heavy metals (HMs) stress and develop biotechnology for joint remediation using plants and their coexisting microbial systems according to the mechanism of rhizosphere stress. Microbes can weaken the toxicity of HM pollutants by transforming the existing forms or reducing the bioavailability in the rhizosphere. Microbes survive in the HM-polluted soils through the production of stress-resistant substances, the participation of proteins, and the expression of heavy metal resistance genes, which strengthens the resistance of plants. Moreover, microbes can improve the nutritional status of plants to improve plant resistance to HMs. Plants, in turn, provide a habitat for microbes to survive and reproduce, which greatly accelerates the process of bioremediation. Briefly, the combined remediation of soil HMs pollution by plants and microbes is a promising, green, and sustainable strategy. Here, we mainly elucidate the joint remediation mechanism of plant–microbe symbiosis and introduce the coping characteristics of plants, microbes, and their symbiotic system, hoping to provide a scientific basis for the remediation of HM-contaminated soil in mining areas and the sustainable development of the ecological environment.

A newly-constructed technology to remove and recover diethyl phthalate from wastewater by using the instant plasticization assembly ability of PVC

Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a typical environmentally organic pollutant, widely used in the production process of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to improve the flexibility of plastic materials. Its interaction with living organisms can inflict considerable harm to reproductive system functions. This research aims to utilize tetrahydrofuran (THF) to selectively break the chemical bonds in PVC molecules to provide more adsorption sites. Then incorporates the plasticizing assembly process of PVC to instantly remove and recover DEP from wastewater, achieving waste utilization, and sustainable environmental development. The research found that PTFR with a concentration of around 75 mg/L shows the best DEP removal efficiency. Sequencing batch processing removes more DEP compared to direct processing under the same material usage conditions. Furthermore, the recovery rate of DEP can reach over 90%. The technology demonstrates notable enhancements in removal efficiency and adsorption duration when compared to conventional adsorption techniques. This research has established an instant and efficient method for DEP removal, providing a new idea and technology for plasticizer treatment in practical wastewater.

Water–carbon–economy multivariate spatial–temporal collaborative relationships and nonlinear projections in urban agglomerations

A complex dynamic coupling process exists among water resource consumption, carbon emissions, and economic growth; however, their intricate collaborative mechanisms remain unclear. This study proposes a new barycenter formula-based multivariate spatial–temporal collaborative relationship model for identifying the complex relationships and interactions among the water footprint (WF), carbon footprint (CF), and gross domestic product (GDP) in the three largest urban agglomerations in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) of China. A nonlinear grey Bernoulli model is then advanced for illustrating the future evolution in WF–CF–GDP and their multivariate collaborative relationship. Results reveal that WF and CF of all urban agglomerations increase continuously, with annual growth rates of 0.59% and 5.63%, respectively. WF, CF, and GDP are significantly positively correlated, and they exhibit similar spatial clustering characteristics and centroid migration directions along the main course of the Yangtze River. Moreover, their multivariate temporal collaborative relationship (0.79) significantly surpasses their spatial (0.63), while the spatial–temporal (0.77) is intermediate. WF has the greatest impact on the binary spatial–temporal collaborative relationship between CF and GDP. In contrast, GDP has the least impact on the relationship between CF and WF. The projected WF, CF, and GDP indicate that the YREB will face more severe water and carbon pressures as its economy grows. Their multivariate spatial–temporal collaborative relationships are projected to decrease by 10.26% in 2050. These findings contribute to promoting collaborative and sustainable development of inter-regional socio-economic and ecological environment.

Eco Fiction in Child – Nature Pedagogical Interaction

The paper presents the results of an empirical study focused on eco fiction as a tool for facilitating child – nature pedagogical interaction. The priorities of preschool teachers in the field of environmental education and sustainable development are analysed. Reasons are presented for value inclusion in the world of nature through various activities before, during, and after perception of environment-oriented works of fiction. Options are substantiated for innovating environment-oriented interaction by conceptualizing a model design for working with eco fiction and its content and educational-applied provision through tools of dynamic activity integrity consolidated in a positive environment for children's vitality.

Numerical Simulation Study on Flue Gas-Assisted Steam Huff and Puff in Heavy Oil Reservoirs.

In response to challenges such as the rapid rise of water content, the rapid decline of periodic production, and the serious intrusion of edge and bottom water in heavy oil reservoirs after multicycle profile control, the flue gas-assisted steam huff and puff technology is proposed. By focusing on Block Cao128 in the L Oilfield as a research subject, the feasibility of applying the flue gas-assisted steam huff and puff technology in heavy oil reservoirs has been verified through the establishment of a three-dimensional geological model. Additionally, the injection and production parameters in steam huff and puff have been optimized. The research results indicate that when the cyclic steam injection volume is 1000 t, the maximum net oil increment can be achieved, reaching 6308 × 104 t. Furthermore, when the cyclic flue gas injection volume is 9 × 104 Nm3, the efficacy of the flue gas-assisted steam huff and puff is enhanced. The optimal injection method is to inject flue gas in the early stage of steam huff and puff, and the oil-gas ratio is increased to 1.77. The introduction of flue gas can enhance production significantly and exert a significant impact on early-stage production. The earlier the injection time of flue gas, the better the development effect. Flue gas-assisted steam huff and puff technology improves energy utilization efficiency and reduces pollutant emission. It has a significant positive impact on environmental protection and sustainable development.

The effect of low-temperature plasma pretreatment on the biodegradability of polyethylene films

ABSTRACT With the increasing focus on environmental friendliness and sustainable development, extensive research has been conducted on the biodegradation of plastics. The non-hydrolyzable, highly hydrophobic, and high-molecular-weight properties of polyethylene (PE) pose challenges for cell interaction and biodegradation of PE substrates. To overcome these obstacles, PE films were treated with low-temperature plasma before biodegradation. The morphology, surface chemistry, molecular weight, and weight loss of PE films after plasma treatment and biodegradation were studied. The plasma treatment decreased the surface water contact angle, formed C–O and C = O groups, and decreased the molecular weight of PE films. With the increased pretreatment time, the biodegradation efficiency rose to 2.6% from 0.63% after 20 days of incubation. The mechanism was proposed that the surface oxygen-containing groups formed by plasma treatment can facilitate the bio-accessibility and be further decomposed and utilised by the microbes. This study provided an effective and rapid pretreatment strategy for improving biodegradation of PE.

Advocating ‘eco-village’ for sustainable development: The dayalbagh way of life

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; layout-grid-mode: char; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; margin: 12.0pt 0cm 6.0pt 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">India as a country has its identity deeply rooted in its rural culture. Whether we talk about agriculture, tradition, food, art, or music, the rural society of India has always proven itself a representation towards the national front. The Dayalbagh society in Agra city of Uttar Pradesh (India) is engaged to strengthen the nation’s roots through education, technology, sustainability, management, innovation, research, and most importantly, selfless service. The major potential for economic growth in India lies in the development of its rural areas. This article is an attempt to spot the outlook of a society that has its inception for the past 100 years and is continuously making efforts to glorify the message of sustainable development, environmental protection, and rural development through its effective plans in designing an eco-village-based society. Based on the narrative description approach, this article highlights the efforts and strategies employed by the Dayalbagh society to promote sustainable development, environmental protection, and rural development. The focus is on how society integrates education, technology, sustainability, management, innovation, research, and selfless service to achieve these goals. The Dayalbagh society’s initiatives have taken into consideration economic, social, environmental, and human aspects, demonstrating significant contributions towards sustainable development and rural empowerment. The philosophy and successful practices of the Dayalbagh society can inspire and guide others in developing action plans for effective environmental protection and sustainable rural development. By adopting such approaches, other organizations, decision-makers, and individuals can contribute to the overall growth and well-being of rural areas in India.</span></p>

Composite edible film mimicking cell wall based on arabinoxylan, β-glucan and nanocellulose: Microstructural, physico-chemical properties, and preservation effect

To achieve sustainable environmental development, various biodegradable films have been designed to replace plastic films. The cell walls of the wheat bran aleurone layers primarily comprise alternately overlapping arabinoxylan (AX), β-glucan (BG) and small quantities of cellulose and ferulic acid. The differences in their composition can affect their mechanical strength and hydration. Therefore, multilayer films of AX, BG, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), and free ferulic acid were prepared to simulate the cell walls of wheat aleurone layers, and the effect of different CNF contents on cell walls characteristics was investigated. The microstructure, physical properties, and hydration characteristics of multilayer films were studied using scanning electron microscopy, time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric analysis. The AX/BG/8%CNF multilayer films possessed excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties along with slow moisture diffusion and flowability. When the CNF content within the films was 8%, the polymer composite structure hindered the diffusion of moisture. Inspired by the biological effects of wheat grain cell walls, cellulose multilayer films were used for blueberries preservation, and the decay rate, weight loss index, and respiration rate of blueberries were found to decrease significantly.

Flexural properties of moso bamboo induced by hydrothermal treatment

The superior flexural properties of bamboo make it widely used in the field of bamboo furniture. However, thick bamboo strips are more susceptible to fracture in bending due to their significant fiber gradient variation, especially the nodes. In this study, the eco-friendly hydrothermal treatment was employed to augment the flexural properties of bamboo and mitigate the fracture. The results showed that the flexural strength, flexural modulus, flexural toughness, and flexural radius of curvature increased with the increase of strip thickness. The strip thickness was positively correlated with vascular bundle content. The structure of bamboo became more uniform after hydrothermal treatment and the nodes were no longer the susceptible fracture point. The moisture content was a pivotal factor influencing the flexural properties, which increased as hydrothermal treatment time and temperature increased. Furthermore, hydrothermal treatment increased bamboo's flexibility by softening it through moisture absorption and the facilitating molecular chain movement within the fibers. The optimal moisture content for bamboo strips when manufacturing curved components was around the fiber saturation point. These findings contributed to the refinement of the green manufacturing techniques for bamboo curved furniture components, aiming to foster sustainable environmental development.

Can Faith be the Key to Environmental Stewardship and Sustainable Development in Nigeria?

Nigeria confronts a dual challenge: pressing environmental degradation and the urgent need for sustainable development. This research explores the underutilized potential of religious institutions, a powerful force in Nigerian society, to champion environmental responsibility. Utilizing Social Ecology theory, the study examines the current engagement of religious bodies through interviews and a targeted survey of 390 participants. The findings reveal a critical need for collaboration between religious institutions, government, and civil society. Overcoming identified barriers is essential for progress. A significant portion (72%) of respondents highlighted a lack of environmental awareness within their communities, while nearly half (46.5%) cited insufficient government support and funding as roadblocks. This study proposes a novel approach: leveraging the moral authority and extensive community networks of religious institutions. The research underscores that there is need for urgent unified action. The paper argues that by addressing environmental challenges through collaborative efforts, religious institutions, government, and civil society can secure a sustainable future for all Nigerians. This study offers a beacon of hope, suggesting that faith-based solutions can be a powerful force for positive environmental change in Nigeria and even to third world nations that are grappling with this challenging phenomenon.