Generation Of Pollutants Research Articles

Construction of hybrid nanocatalyst with enhanced enzymatic and photo-Fenton catalytic activity for the efficient detoxification of profenofos.

Construction of hybrid nanocatalyst with enhanced enzymatic and photo-Fenton catalytic activity for the efficient detoxification of profenofos.

Study on tunnel ventilation and pollutant diffusion mechanism during construction period.

Ventilation technology is an important means to ensure effective control of pollutant concentration and safe production during tunnel drilling and blasting construction. This study combines theoretical derivation, numerical simulation, and mathematical statistics to explore the extraction of flow field distribution characteristics and pollutant transport and diffusion mechanisms in tunnels. The research results indicate that the instability and turbulence effects of fluids work together to form a vortex zone near the tunnel working face. Fluid instability refers to the tendency of fluids to undergo changes under the influence of tunnel sidewalls or airflow in ducts. Turbulence effect is caused by the chaotic and irregular flow of fluids, leading to fluid mixing and rotation. The complex flow field changes inside the tunnel result in the retention of pollutants generated during construction in specific zone. The main reasons for the formation of pollutant stagnant zones are the bypass effect, low-velocity regions, and vortex of fluid. The emission process of pollutants can be divided into two stages: extraction and dilution. The dilution effect of pollutants is inversely proportional to the distance between the air duct and the working face, and the extraction amount is directly proportional to the airflow of the fan. The shorter distance allows fresh air to directly reach high concentration pollutant zone from the air duct, accelerating the mixing and dilution process. A larger airflow can provide stronger power and carry more pollutants out of the tunnel. The improved Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution method can optimize the layout of ventilation parameters and improve ventilation conditions. Finally, an empirical calculation formula for air supply volume is derived through in - depth research and data analysis. This formula takes into account multiple factors related to the tunnel structure, pollutant generation, and ventilation requirements. This empirical formula provides a scientific basis for the selection of ventilation fans in the construction preparation stage. Construction planners can accurately calculate the required air supply volume according to the specific situation of the tunnel, and then select the appropriate ventilation fan, which can not only ensure the ventilation effect but also save energy and reduce costs.

Ecotechnologies for Glucose Oxidase-GOx Immobilization on Nonconductive and Conductive Textiles for Heterogeneous Catalysis and Water Decontamination

The need for sustainable and efficient water decontamination methods has led to the increasing use of redox enzymes such as glucose oxidase (GOx). GOx immobilization on textile supports provides a promising alternative for catalyzing pollutant degradation in bio-Fenton (BF) and bio-electro-Fenton (BEF) systems. However, challenges related to enzyme stability, reusability, and environmental impact remain a concern. This communication paper outlines innovative strategies developed to address these challenges, notably the use of ecotechnologies to achieve efficient GOx immobilization while maintaining biocatalytic activity. Plasma ecoprocesses, amino-bearing biopolymer-chitosan, as well as a bio-crosslinker genipin have been used efficiently on conductive carbon and non-conductive polyester-PET nonwovens. In certain cases, immobilized GOx can retain high catalytic activity after multiple cycles, making them an effective biocatalyst for organic dye degradation (Crystal Violet and Remazol Blue) via bio-Fenton reactions, including total heterogeneous bio-Fention system. Moreover, the conductive carbon felt-based bioelectrodes successfully supported simultaneous pollutant degradation and energy generation in a BEF system. This work highlights the potential of textile-based enzyme immobilization for sustainable wastewater treatment, bio-electrochemical energy conversion, and also for bacterial deactivation. Future research will focus on optimizing enzyme stability and enhancing BEF efficiency for large-scale applications.

Turning the tide on microplastic pollution: Leveraging the potential of geopolymers for mitigation.

Turning the tide on microplastic pollution: Leveraging the potential of geopolymers for mitigation.

Catalytic Oxidative Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by Perovskite Catalysts: A Review.

Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions have become a critical environmental concern due to their contributions to photochemical smog formation, secondary organic aerosol generation, and adverse human health impacts in the context of accelerated industrialization and urbanization. Catalytic oxidation over perovskite-type catalysts is an attractive technological approach for efficient VOC abatement. This review systematically evaluates the advancements in perovskite-based catalysts for VOC oxidation, focusing on their crystal structure-activity relationships, electronic properties, synthetic methodologies, and nanostructure engineering. Emphasis is placed on metal ion doping strategies and supported catalyst configurations, which have been demonstrated to optimize catalytic performance through synergistic effects. The applications of perovskite catalysts in diverse oxidation systems, including photocatalysis, thermal catalysis, electrocatalysis, and plasma-assisted catalysis, are comprehensively discussed with critical analysis of their respective advantages and limitations. It summarizes the existing challenges, such as catalyst deactivation caused by carbon deposition, sulfur/chlorine poisoning, and thermal sintering, as well as issues like low energy utilization efficiency and the generation of secondary pollutants. By consolidating current knowledge and highlighting future research directions, this review provides a solid foundation for the rational design of next-generation perovskite catalysts for sustainable VOC management.

Effect of Waste-Derived Fuels (SRF/RDF) Composition on the Cement Industry’s Environmental Footprint

Abstract Solid recovered fuels (SRF) can be effectively produced in a Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Treatment Plant (SMSWTP), after applying all the adequate R-processes. It was found that SRF can be used as an alternative solid fuel (ASF) in the cement production process, with substantial regulation of environmental emissions and economic benefits. The adequate replacement of conventional fossil fuels is a promising solution to reduce the environmental footprint of the cement industry. SRF classification in 5 categories, concerning the composition of pollutant generation compounds (e.g., Cl, Hg), tries to contribute toward its use as an ASF in cement kilns. This paper seeks to find a correlation between the SRF composition with the environmental impact of the cement industry. A thorough investigation of recently reported literature data, with emphasis on the ASF composition and the obtained cement kiln emissions, showed that their chlorine content is the main factor that aggravated the environmental impact of ASFs compared to conventional fuels. Chlorine is the crucial compound responsible for the generation of toxic and harmful pollutant compounds such as Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/Furans (PCDD/Fs). ASFs with low chlorine content ≤ 0.2 wt. %, classified as SRF of class 1, were considered in this study. These harmful emissions of a cement kiln are well correlated with the chlorine content of the ASF. Following the derived correlation, it is suggested that the use of ASFs with a chlorine content ≤ 0.078 wt. % can only lead to acceptable cement kiln emissions. The use of low-emission SRF in the cement industry can achieve the goal of the drastic reduction of landfill waste with no extra need in the construction of polluting waste combustion installations while fulfilling the zero-waste target. ASFs with a chlorine content ≤ 0.078 wt. %, particularly lower than that of the class 1 SRF (≤ 0.2 wt. %), must be used in the cement industry to meet the exhaust standards and improve its environmental footprint. Graphical Abstract Adequate preparation and use of SRF can result in sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management towards almost zero waste to landfills.

Stress-induced phase separation in plastics drives the release of amorphous polymer micropollutants into water

Residual stress is an intrinsic property of semicrystalline plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene. However, there is no fundamental understanding of the role intrinsic residual stress plays in the generation of plastic pollutants that threaten the environment and human health. Here, we show that the processing-induced compressive residual stress typically found in polypropylene and polyethylene plastics forces internal nano and microscale segregation of low molecular weight (MW) amorphous polymer droplets onto the plastic’s surface. Squeeze flow simulations reveal this stress-driven volumetric flow is consistent with that of a Bingham plastic material, with a temperature-dependent threshold yield stress. We confirm that flow is thermally activated and stress dependent, with a reduced energy barrier at higher compressive stresses. Transfer of surface segregated droplets into water generates amorphous polymer micropollutants (APMPs) that are denatured, with structure and composition different from that of traditional polycrystalline microplastics. Studies with water-containing plastic bottles show that the highly compressed bottle neck and mouth regions are predominantly responsible for the release of APMPs. Our findings reveal a stress-induced mechanism of plastic degradation and underscore the need to modify current plastic processing technologies to reduce residual stress levels and suppress phase separation of low MW APMPs in plastics.

Fashion’s environmental toll: Textile waste and the urgency for sustainable solutions

The world is on the verge of an impending crisis of textile waste, brought about as a result of the combined effects of a rising global population, burgeoning living standards and the shorter lifecycle of textile products. Textile recycling is the answer to help combat the enormous amount of waste created by the fashion and textile industries. While this is crucial to the growth of the textile waste recycling industry, practical and actionable interim solutions are still necessary. Textile waste is a significant stain on human life from both economic and environmental perspectives. From raw materials to finished products, clothing production from natural or synthetic sources can play a role in pollution and waste generation. This review article analyzes the economic and environmental implications of the fashion and textile industries. It assesses these waste recovery technologies and techniques, as well as the recycling at various stages of production and the use of the resulting recycled products. The recycling processes for textile waste have made some notable advances; however, some gaps remain unaddressed. Challenges include multi-scaler industrialization, waste treatment and separation processes, as well as waste contamination, such as mixed chemicals. And greater awareness is needed among consumers of the value of fiber-to-fiber recycling, as technological progress in this field has not matched its need. On the whole, this article is a good resource to gain a sense of the current landscape of recycling and recovery in textiles, clothing, and fashion.

An Innovative Green Dust Suppressant for Dry Climate Mining Areas in a Copper–Nickel Mine: Integration of Moisture Retention and Erosion Resistance

Mine ramps, serving as a critical transportation hub in underground mining activities, are beset by severe issues of dust pollution and secondary dust generation. While dust suppressants are more efficient than the commonly used sprinkling methods in mines, traditional single-function dust suppressants are inadequate for the complex application environment of mine ramps. Building on the development of conventional single-function dust suppressants, this research optimized the components of bonding, wetting, and moisturizing agents. Through single-factor optimization experiments, a comparison was made of the surface tension water retention property and viscosity of diverse materials, thus enabling the identification of the primary components of the dust suppressant. By means of synergistic antagonism experiments, the optimal combination of the wetting agent and bonding agent with excellent synergy was ascertained. Ultimately, the wind erosion resistance and rolling resistance were measured through three-factor orthogonal experiments, and the optimal ratio of the dust suppressant was established. Specifically, fenugreek gum (FG) was selected as the bonding agent, cane sugar (CS) as the moisturizing agent, and alkyl phenol polyoxyethylene ether (Op-10) as the wetting agent. The research findings demonstrate that the optimal ratio of dust suppressant is 0.3 wt% fenugreek gum (FG) + 0.06 wt% alkyl phenol polyoxyethylene ether (Op-10) + 3 wt% cane sugar (CS). Under these conditions, the dust fixation rate can reach up to 97~98% at a wind speed of 8 m/s. The maximum rolling resistance can reach 65~73% after grinding the samples for 1 min. The surface tension of the solution is 13.74 mN/m, and the wetting performance improved by 81% compared to pure water. This dust suppressant is of great significance for improving the working environment of workers and ensuring the sustainable development of the mining industry.

Development and Performance Study of Continuous Oil-Water Separation Device Based on Superhydrophobic/Oleophilic Mesh.

Oil-water separation is an important method for treating oily wastewater and recovering oil resources. Based on the different affinities of superhydrophobic surfaces to water and oil, long-term oil-water separation devices with low-energy and high efficiency can be developed through the optimization of structure and process parameters. Superhydrophobic coatings were prepared on stainless-steel mesh surfaces using a spray method to construct single-channel oil-water separation equipment with superhydrophobic/oleophilic meshes, and the effects of structural and process parameters on separation efficiency were systematically investigated. Additionally, a multi-channel oil-water separation device was designed and fabricated to evaluate the feasibility and stability of long-term continuous operations. The optimized single V-shaped channel should be horizontally placed and made from 150-mesh stainless-steel mesh folded at an angle of 38.9°. For the oil-water mixtures containing 20 wt.% oil, the oil-water separation efficiencies for single and two-stage separation were 92.79% and 98.96%, respectively. After 36 h of continuous operation, the multi-channel separation device achieved single-stage and two-stage separation efficiencies of 94.60% and 98.76%, respectively. The maximum processing capacity of the multi-channel device reached 168 L/h. The modified stainless mesh can remain stable with a contact angle (CA) higher than 150° to water for 34 days. The average residence time and contact area during the oil-water separation process significantly affect separation efficiency. By optimizing oil-water separation structures and process parameters, and using a superhydrophobic spray modification method, separation efficiency can be improved while avoiding the generation of secondary pollutants.

Scaling of urban environmental performance in Chinese cities

Modeling how green performance attributes scale over cities of different size reveals how an urban system performs environmentally as a whole, establishes population-adjusted limits for expected urban management targets, identifies cities doing better or worse than expected for their size, and is a starting point for systematically explaining such variation from the mean. This seems a useful contribution to devising strategies for sustainable urban development and environmental management. However, existing studies have focused solely on the scaling of limited pollutants, hindering a comprehensive understanding of urban environmental performance scaling. Our study investigates scaling patterns of urban environmental attributes covering the full cycle of generation-treatment-outcomes on environmental quality of key types of urban pollution and the economic-technical support capacity of cities. We examine 28 environmental performance indicators in seven categories for Chinese cities in 2020. Our findings reveal that 27 indicators show good alignment with urban scaling theory. Larger cities tend to perform better than smaller ones, exhibiting lower per capita pollution generation and carbon emissions, higher environmental investment, stronger technological innovation capabilities, and more efficient waste treatment and recycling. We also find systematic geographical effects, with cities in northeastern and Midwestern China underperforming compared to the national average for their size. Gross domestic product per capita has the most far-reaching impact on variation in population-adjusted urban environmental performance. The study reveals regularities in the relationships between city size and environmental performance, which will improve the sophistication of differentiated pollution control strategies aimed at mitigating human-environment conflicts arising from rapid urbanization.

Chemical kinetic modeling study of DME conversion products with ammonia on combustion and pollutant generation

Chemical kinetic modeling study of DME conversion products with ammonia on combustion and pollutant generation

Implementation of Ecological Sustainability Goals in Public Industrial Heritage Facilities in Europe

Industrial heritage tourism has been subject to increasing visitor interest, making Europe’s old factories, mines, and steelworks into attractive tourist installations. However, these facilities, like all other market players, impact the environment, and, therefore, their management should take into account achieving sustainable development goals. The purpose of this article is to identify key sustainability measures taken by public industrial heritage tourism facilities in Europe to protect the environment. This article discusses the results of a survey of administrators of public industrial heritage facilities in Europe. This research was carried out using the Computer Assisted Web Interview technique, sending a research questionnaire to facilities associated with the European Route of Industrial Heritage. The results indicate that these entities are taking numerous measures to implement environmental sustainability patterns, particularly in the areas of waste segregation, pollution and waste generation reduction, and low energy consumption in equipment purchases. Unfortunately, the survey shows that many of the stated actions are not being implemented, as only one in four managers has implemented a formal program related to the implementation of at least some sustainability principles or training conducted in this regard. Managers of industrial heritage sites also advocate for increased national and international cooperation between sites. The author also draws attention to the need to acquire green technologies and communicate the effects of these activities to stakeholders.

Atomic Pd Sites on CeO2 Nanorods for Highly Selective Hydrogen Peroxide Generation and Efficient Degradation of Organic Pollutants

Atomic Pd Sites on CeO₂ Nanorods for Highly Selective Hydrogen Peroxide Generation and Efficient Degradation of Organic Pollutants

Upcycling aquaculture waste for textile functional material to facilitate the creation of novel and sustainable jeans

With the increasing emphasis on health, environment, and advancements in science and technology, the sustainability of denim products has garnered growing attention. This study proposes a new denim fabric to enhance the sustainability of jeans in terms of raw materials and usage. UMORFIL Beauty Fiber, a bionic cellulose fiber composed of collagen peptides upcycled from fish-scale waste, was used for this purpose. Considering that fibers combine collagen and plant fibers, they are an excellent choice for fabricating skin-friendly and wash-resistant clothing. Notably, its excellent deodorant properties make it highly suitable for producing denim clothing that requires minimal washing. Therefore, a novel denim fabric utilizing fibers to envelop Lycra elastane was designed and used in this study. The analysis in this study demonstrates that the upgraded denim fabric possesses favorable tactile attributes and effective deodorizing properties. By preventing the occurrence of unpleasant odors in the denim fabric, the number of washings can be reduced, thereby preventing consumer dissatisfaction with deformations and early discarding of jeans. Because contemporary jeans encompass not only durability but also various design and styling elements, rendering them essential in the world of fashion, this innovation holds significant importance. Furthermore, a reduction in the number of washing cycles led to decreased detergent usage and a decline in the generation of pollutants during discharge, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly denim fabric. These findings are crucial for promoting the sustainable development of the jeans industry.

Marine Fish Passage—Underappreciated Threats to Connectivity Within the Marine Environment

ABSTRACTHabitat fragmentation is a major threat to aquatic biodiversity loss. However, much of the focus is on the connectivity of freshwaters, with much less attention given to marine ecosystems. We contend that coastal infrastructure including bridges, causeways, tidal turbines, land infilling and harbours, wharfs, quays, piers and docks have resulted in underappreciated impacts on the connectivity of fish movements resulting in passage challenges at sea. For each type of marine infrastructure, we synthesised the present status of knowledge to characterise the problems and future challenges and also identify mitigation options and passage solutions to restore connectivity for fishes. Bridges can disrupt currents, generate light and noise/vibration, and emit electromagnetic signals, so more work is needed to modify in‐water designs to minimise the negative impacts on fishes. Causeways involve infilling, resulting in full in‐water barriers, requiring fishes to circumnavigate these structures and there is limited research on mitigation (e.g., fishways). Tidal turbines are placed in areas with high currents, which can hinder movements and result in entrainment; however, monitoring fish movements is challenging in these unique areas. Offshore energy has grown in recent years and can impact fish connectivity via altered sediment dynamics and water currents, as well as through the generation of noise pollution and electromagnetic fields. Land filling results not only in habitat loss but also in fragmentation, and it will be imperative to identify important habitats and corridors to minimise impacts there. Finally, infrastructure associated with boats (e.g., harbours, docks) negatively impacts nearshore habitat, which can alter movement trajectories. In the collective, we found evidence that diverse types of marine infrastructure can impact connectivity and, ultimately, fish movement and migrations. Interestingly,bespoke fish passage solutions in marine environments seem rare. As coastal development will increase in the future, it is imperative that we assess the potential connectivity issues resulting from marine infrastructure and that we generate solutions to mitigate these issues for marine organisms.

IMPACT OF POLLUTANTS AND LOWER OXYGEN PARTIAL PRESSURE IN THE AIR ON HUMAN HEALTH WITH SOME REMEDIAL PERSPECTIVES

Any combustion to sustain requires oxygen which is taken from air and as result also generates combustion toxic products. Transportation, industries, power plants and others largely use fossil fuel for combustion consuming oxygen from the air and producing combustion pollutants. Due to large activities of men the consumption of oxygen has increased many folds than the oxygen producers on the globe as a result suffered a lowering of the oxygen partial pressure in the air. Heavy transportations, industrial zones, crowded populations, combustion processes and scanty plantations will induce reduced partial pressure of oxygen with toxic pollutants in the air. This may affect health probably leading to type-2 diabetes and other health problems. This may be one of the reasons for increasing diabetes worldwide. Indoor pollution is still worse due to generation of the additional pollutants. All living bodies require oxygen for their activities and for internal defense. Therefore, an insufficient supply of oxygen may hamper health conditions

Interfacially engineered metal oxide nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of pollutants and energy applications.

Escalating global energy demands and environmental pollution necessitate innovative solutions for sustainable development. Conventional methods often prove inadequate, driving research towards advanced materials and technologies. This review critically analyzes existing industrial wastewater treatment approaches, highlighting their merits and limitations, before focusing on the recent advancements in metal oxide-based nanocomposite photocatalysis for both pollutant degradation and energy generation. Moreover, the structural, electronic, and optical properties of metal oxides (MOx) are elucidated. The review discusses various MOx synthesis routes and their nanocomposites and elucidates the underlying photocatalytic mechanisms, emphasizing the influence of operational parameters on photocatalytic efficiency. Moreover, it explores how MOx can be utilized for photocatalytic energy generation, in addition to their role in pollutant degradation. Furthermore, it delves into the synergistic effects achieved by combining MOx with complementary nanomaterials (carbon-based structures, polymers, non-metals, semiconductors, and metal sulfides) to create hybrid nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity for both applications. A cost analysis and SWOT analysis are presented to assess the economic and technological feasibility of this trend. This comprehensive overview provides valuable insights for developing efficient, sustainable, and scalable wastewater treatment solutions using MOx-based nanocomposites, ultimately contributing to improved environmental remediation and water resource management while simultaneously exploring opportunities for energy production.

Study on Drying of Municipal Sludge and Pollutants Release Characteristics

With the rapid development of China’s economy, urban domestic sewage and industrial wastewater treatment efficiency has improved, resulting in a significant increase in sludge production. Thermal drying is essential for reducing, safely disposing of, and resourcefully utilizing sludge. However, this drying process inevitably releases harmful pollutants, posing potential environmental risks that necessitate careful management. This work focused on the thermal drying of municipal sludge at five temperature intervals (90–210 °C) and examined the impact of calcium oxide on sludge drying properties. The results indicated that higher temperatures increased sludge drying rates, with optimal efficiency achieved at a 15% calcium oxide addition. Online detection of NH3, H2S, CO, and CH4 in the exhaust gas revealed that pollutant generation was temperature-dependent. While calcium oxide addition had no significant effect on CH4 and CO emissions, it significantly inhibited the generation of H2S and NH3. This work provided crucial insights into optimizing sludge treatment, which improved drying efficiency and mitigated the release of hazardous pollutants, thereby reducing potential environmental and health risks associated with sludge disposal.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ УТИЛИЗАЦИИ ОТХОДОВ ДОБЫЧИ ИЗВЕСТНЯКА-РАКУШЕЧНИКА ПУТЕМ ПЕРЕРАБОТКИ В НОВЫЕ МАТЕРИАЛЫ

ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ УТИЛИЗАЦИИ ОТХОДОВ ДОБЫЧИ ИЗВЕСТНЯКА-РАКУШЕЧНИКА ПУТЕМ ПЕРЕРАБОТКИ В НОВЫЕ МАТЕРИАЛЫ