Global Environmental Issues Research Articles

Fabrication of visible light active Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites for wastewater remediation

Recently, research on photocatalysis has become indispensable in tackling the key global environmental issues caused by rapid urbanization and industrialization. In the present work, novel Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites were designed for visible light driven wastewater remediation and explored the optimum concentration of CuO with enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. The study aimed to tailor the optical response of the photocatalysts to utilize the visible spectrum with enhanced performance against organic pollutants. For the development of Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites, CuO flowers were prepared via a simple hydrothermal technique, whereas a chemical co-precipitation procedure was used to create Sn-doped ZnS nanoparticles (NPs). The X-ray diffraction confirmed the monoclinic phase of CuO, whilst ZnS crystallized in a wurtzite structure. The diffraction patterns of the Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites comprised of Sn-doped ZnS and CuO co-existing phases. The crystallite sizes were determined to be in the range between 8-28 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy further confirmed the elemental information of the photocatalysts. The FESEM images demonstrated a flower-like morphology for CuO, while Sn-doped ZnS revealed agglomeration of NPs. Furthermore, the optical response of Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites was significantly improved towards the visible region with the addition of CuO. Particularly, the Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites with a 75 % CuO ratio (marked as W1) revealed an outstanding methylene blue (MB) removal efficiency of 96 %. The current work suggests that the novel Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites can be utilized for the degradation of toxic pollutants from the aquatic environment.

Topical Issues of International Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Safety

INTRODUCTION. Environmental problems, today, in terms of the degree of harm to the environment and all living things on the Planet, it is not possible to compare with other problems. In January 1997, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, in resolution 15/157, called on States to take decisive measures in matters of carrying out activities in all directions exclusively in accordance with the norms of international law, to implement international legal principles and take measures to join multilateral agreements in order to ensure the development of international law in general and all its branches. Most developed countries have set a course to ensure comprehensive security, the implementation of which is possible only if they take a clear course to ensure the protection of the population through a set of socio-economic, political and environ[1]mental measures. Ensuring environmental safety is an essential part of the problem of the security of the existence of the state as a whole, the resolution of which at the present stage of society's development is becoming as much a priority as ensuring military and economic security. Environmental safety is a set of conditions, processes and phenomena that ensure an ecological balance in the natural environment, the state of protection of all components of the natural environment, a category aimed at maximizing the protection of all natural objects and natural ecosystems from danger (man–made, biological, radiation, chemical, etc.). Environ[1]mental security is opposed to the uncontrolled economic growth that humanity is facing, as well as the complex problem of contradictions between the growing needs of society and the inability of the bio[1]sphere to provide them. In this regard, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, speaking at the Conference on the Problems of the Oceans, rightly stressed the inability of human society to improve what it cannot appreciate. Today, there is no need to prove that environmental problems in terms of the degree of destructive impact and catastrophic consequences for all living things and the planet as a whole cannot be compared with problems of a different nature. The rapid increase in population, the development of new fertile territories, economic growth and, in this regard, the increasingly intensive use of Land spaces and resources have led to serious and sometimes irreversible consequences that negatively affect its condition. Humanity is faced with the difficult problem of contradictions between its growing needs and the inability of the biosphere to provide them.MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study uses the works of both Russian and foreign experts in the field of international environmental and international maritime law. The research used general scientific methods of cognition – analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction. Special legal methods were also used in the work – formal legal, technical legal, the method of legal analogy, as well as the comparative legal method.THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY. The analysis of the current practice on environmental safety issues allowed us to draw logical conclusions that, taking into account the need to resolve international and national environmental problems, modern society needs to form a new system of environmental relations, where international relations will be transformed towards giving the highest priority to the problem of environ[1]mental safety, including the primary requirements concerning the rational use of all natural objects: land, waters, forests, etc. in order to ensure the optimal possibility of realizing the ecological function of nature.DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS. The preservation of the natural environment is a complex task that requires not only legislative regulation at both the international and domestic levels, but also the formation of a correct public consciousness about its importance for the existence of all life on our Planet, the unity of ecosystems and the value of all components of the natural environment, which, among other things, will allow the world community to unite in ensuring cooperation on global environmental issues, creating a system of universal environmental safety.

Effect of biosurfactants on the transport of polyethylene microplastics in saturated porous media

Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a significant global environmental issue, and the potential application of biosurfactants in soil remediation has attracted considerable attention. However, the effects of biosurfactants on the transport and environmental risks of MPs are not fully understood. This study investigated the transport of polyethylene (PE) in the presence of two types of biosurfactants: typical anionic biosurfactant (rhamnolipids) and non-ionic biosurfactant (sophorolipids) using column experiments. We explored the potential mechanisms involving PE surface roughness and the influence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on PE transport in the column under the action of biosurfactants, utilizing the Wenzel equation and fluorescence analysis. The results revealed that both the concentration of biosurfactants and the surface roughness of PE were advantageous for the adhesion of biosurfactants to the PE surface, thereby enhancing the mobility of PE in the column. The proportion of hydrophobic substances in various DOM sources is a critical factor that enhances PE transport in the column. However, the biosurfactant-mediated enhancement of PE transport was inhibited by the biosurfactant-DOM mixture. This was mainly due to DOM occupying the adhesion sites of biosurfactants on PE surfaces. Moreover, the mobility of PE in the presence of sophorolipids is higher than that in the presence of rhamnolipids because the combined hydrophobic and electrostatic forces between PE and sophorolipids create synergistic effects that improve PE stability. Additionally, the mobility of PE increased with rising pH and decreasing ionic strength. These findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of MP transport when using biosurfactants for soil remediation.

Characteristics of soil microplastics and ecological risks in the Qilian Mountains region, Northeast Tibetan Plateau

Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a vital global environmental issue. However, comprehensive understanding of the ecological risks of MPs in soils of Northeast Tibetan Plateau still requires further study. In this study, we used the Agilent 8700 Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) spectroscopy to analyze the characteristics of 10–1000 μm MPs in soils of different vegetation types throughout the Qilian Mountains basin, and to comprehensively explore the ecological risks of MPs in various ecological environments. The results indicate that MPs abundance is highest in soil of shrub areas (26,369 ± 32,147 items kg−1-dry weight (dw)), followed by woodland (22,215 ± 22,544 items kg−1-dw), desert (17,769 ± 9,040 items kg−1-dw), grassland (16,462 ± 12,872 items kg−1-dw), and forest (15,662 ± 13,857 items kg−1-dw). MPs in soils of different vegetation types show similar physical and chemical characteristics, with the shape dominated by fragments (93%–96%), followed by fibers and a few beads, with dominant sizes of 10–30 μm (63%–76%), and polymers dominated by polyamide (PA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Additionally, the environmental risks posed by the fundamental characteristics of MPs have been quantified through the Pollution Load Index (PLI), Pollution Hazard Index (PHI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) models. According to the PLI assessment, the current levels of MPs in the environment have not yet imposed significant burdens on the ecosystem. However, the results of PHI and PERI indicate a higher risk of MPs pollution in the Qilian Mountains. This study offers vital information for MPs pollution in the whole Qilian Mountains regions and their potential environmental risks in remote areas’ soil.

Advances in the structure and function of MHETase

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the widely used plastics, but its waste pollution has become a global environmental issue. The discovery of polyethylene terephthalate hydrolase (PETase) has provided a green and environmentally friendly approach for PET degradation. However, PETase produces intermediate products that inhibit the enzyme's further activity, leading to a decrease in enzyme efficiency. Mono(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate hydrolase (MHETase) works synergistically with PETase to further degrade the intermediate product MHET into ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalic acid (TPA). MHETase exhibits extremely high specificity for MHET and is crucial for the complete degradation of PET. This article comprehensively reviews MHETase from various perspectives, including its three-dimensional structure, substrate binding, and catalytic mechanism. It demonstrates the structural features and key residues associated with the enzyme's degrading activity and discusses the progress in enzyme engineering modifications. Additionally, the study envisions the development of a two-enzyme PET degradation system by combining MHETase with PETase, aiming to provide valuable references for designing and developing more efficient PET hydrolytic enzyme systems.

Study on the Precise Evaluation of Environmental Impacts of Air Pollution in Cold Regions Using the Cost Control Method

Objective: With the acceleration of industrialization, air pollution has become a global environmental issue, particularly in cold regions where the unique climatic and geographical conditions give rise to distinctive types of air pollution and impacts. Considering the economic evaluation of environmental damage is crucial for effective pollution control policies, this study aims to provide a more precise environmental damage assessment method through the Improved Virtual Control Cost Method (IVCCM) to optimize air pollution governance strategies in cold regions. Method: This study utilizes a case study of a major company producing methanol and coal-based natural gas, where the emissions from the boiler exhaust exceeded the prescribed standards for particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides during a specific period. By employing a segmented counting approach that accounts for downtime, precise calculations were conducted for the actual periods of excess emissions. Adjustments were made to the calculation coefficients within the Virtual Control Cost Method to more accurately reflect the ecological damage caused by air pollution. Results: The IVCCM calculations revealed that the total environmental loss caused by the company’s excessive air pollution emissions amounted to USD 1.6844 million, significantly lower than the original calculation method (USD 2.1885 million). Specifically, the environmental losses due to particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides were USD 0.0032 million, USD 0.3600 million, and USD 1.3212 million, respectively. Conclusions: The IVCCM enables a more precise assessment and prediction of ecological environmental damage caused by air pollution in cold regions. Compared to traditional methods, it effectively reduces assessment costs, mitigates disputes arising from unclear parameter values and calculation methods, and facilitates the development of more rational environmental protection policies and measures.

Carbon emission measurement and regional decomposition analysis of China’s beef cattle farming industry

IntroductionWarming caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has become a global environmental issue of widespread concern, and China, as a responsible power, has the pressing task of reducing carbon emissions. China is one of the world’s major beef producers and consumers, and at the same time, beef cattle, as a large livestock, is the largest source of GHG emissions in the livestock industry.MethodsThis study considered the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2008 to 2022. The kernel density estimation and Dagum Gini coefficient were used to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamic evolution patterns and influencing factors of carbon emissions from China’s beef cattle farming industry.Results(1) The carbon emission trajectory of beef cattle production follows a distinctive “ascend-descend-ascend” three-phase pattern. By 2022, the sector’s cumulative carbon emissions had burgeoned by 37.62% relative to 2008, reflecting an average annual escalation of 2.31%. Despite the overall upward trend in carbon emissions, significant regional differences were observed. The Central Plains region has witnessed a consistent decline, in stark contrast to the Southwest and Northeast regions, which have emerged as hotspots for heightened carbon emissions and intensified emission densities within China’s beef cattle production landscape, underscoring the intensifying significance of carbon mitigation measures. (2) The kernel density curve shows an overall rightward shift with a specific gradient effect on carbon emissions. In addition, the range of the right drag of the curve in 2022 was significantly reduced, which laterally reflects the narrowing of the difference between the provinces with the highest and lowest carbon emissions from beef cattle farming. The principal source of variance in the overall carbon emissions from beef cattle production is the disparities between regions, which accounts for an average annual contribution rate of 52.52%. Conversely, the within-region contribution rates have remained relatively stable, while those for the intensity of transvariation have witnessed a substantial rise, with annual averages of 18.31 and 28.96%, respectively. (3) Regarding the factors influencing carbon emissions reduction, environmental regulations and production efficiency significantly drive carbon emissions reduction in beef cattle farming.DiscussionRelevant government departments should actively guide farmers toward green production, establish perfect policies and regulations for low-carbon beef cattle farming, and promote low-carbon beef cattle farming models based on local conditions.

Extension of scoring-assisted generative exploration for ionic liquids (SAGE-IL) and its application to ionic liquid design for CO2 capture

Greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), pose a significant threat to the climate, driving global warming and numerous environmental issues. Ionic liquids (ILs) have gained attention for CO2 capture due to their tunable properties, which can be optimized through the selection of specific cation-anion combinations. Traditional methods for discovering effective ILs are time-consuming and costly, necessitating the development of innovative computational approaches. This study extended the Scoring-Assisted Generative Exploration for Ionic Liquids (SAGE-IL) to generate novel ILs tailored for CO2 capture. SAGE-IL combines deep learning-based generative models with quantitative structure-property relationship models to design ILs with desired properties. Notably, SAGE-IL successfully performed single property optimization, either increasing or decreasing viscosity and melting point, through iterative interactions between generative and evaluation models. Furthermore, it achieved multiple property optimization, improving either CO2 solubility or activity coefficient while simultaneously optimizing density, melting point, viscosity, and synthetic accessibility. This approach not only accelerates the discovery of high-performance ILs but also highlights the potential of generative models in de novo molecular design, paving the way for future advancements in materials discovery.

ASPECTS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN UNIVERSAL ENVIRONMENTAL TREATIES: LEGAL AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

The article emphasises that aspects of international legal cooperation in the field of scientific research have not yet been the subject of a systematic, comprehensive scientific study either in the context of international law doctrine or in relevant publications. The subject of the study is the legal regulation of scientific research in universal international environmental treaties, with the aim of identifying the specific features of such international legal mechanisms. The paper examines the challenges and paradoxes faced by international environmental law in regulating scientific research as a process, as well as in balancing scientific research with the practical needs for appropriate resources. The research uses hermeneutical, prognostic, comparative and systemic analysis of relevant international treaties as components of the modern system of international law. It applies a complex set of methods, including analysis and synthesis, structural and formal-legal methods, as well as scientific deduction and induction approaches. The combination of these methods provides a thorough examination of how international environmental treaties regulate scientific research. The methodology includes a hermeneutic approach to interpret the language and provisions of various environmental treaties, a predictive approach to forecast potential developments and the outcomes of current regulation, a comparative analysis to identify similarities and differences between different treaties, and a systems analysis to understand how these treaties fit into the broader system of international law. Taken together, these methods provide a reliable basis for assessing the current state and future directions of international legal cooperation in environmental research. The main objective of the article is to reveal the unique characteristics and complexities inherent in the international legal mechanisms governing scientific research under environmental treaties. It aims to highlight the current challenges and paradoxes faced by international environmental law in this context. These include the need to address global environmental problems with often limited and unreliable scientific data, the need to respect and encourage scientific research, and the imperative to balance the search for scientific knowledge with the practical needs of natural resources. The results of the study show that environmental conventions reflect several important challenges. One of the main challenges is to address global environmental issues in the face of a lack of reliable scientific information, while respecting scientific research and its results. Another crucial challenge is to maintain a balance between promoting scientific research and meeting the practical resource needs of humanity. The author posits that international environmental law sources represent an enduring endeavour to achieve equilibrium in the formation of convention bodies. This equilibrium strives to reconcile the sovereign interests of participating states with the necessity of maintaining a high level of expertise within relevant commissions and committees. In conclusion, the paper emphasises the necessity for the continuous development and refinement of legal regulation pertaining to scientific research within the field of international environmental law. This is in order to effectively address the dynamic and complex interplay between scientific advancement and environmental sustainability.

Sediment Transport Dynamics Modeling of Overland Flow on Gentle Slopes Based on Flume Experiments

ABSTRACTSoil erosion is a global environmental issue, and sediment transport capacity (Tc) is critical for developing soil erosion models. This study conducted flume drainage experiments at six flow discharges (0.15, 0.25, 0.35, 0.45, 0.55, and 0.65 L s−1) and eight slope gradients (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5, 9.0, 10.5, and 12.0°) to investigate how the Tc of gentle slopes in the northeastern hilly region of China and water erosion factors are related and to establish a Tc model of overland flow. The study demonstrated a power–law relationship between Tc, flow discharge, and slope gradient, as evidenced by a high coefficient of determination (R2; 0.94) and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE; 0.92) values. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between Tc and average flow velocity, with R2 and NSE values of 0.86 and 0.84, respectively. Among the hydrodynamic parameters tested, the average flow velocity was determined to be the most effective Tc predictor, surpassing stream power (R2 > 0.7, NSE > 0.7), shear stress (R2 > 0.6, NSE > 0.6), and unit stream power (R2 < 0.5, NSE < 0.5). These findings lay the foundation for developing process‐based sediment transport models for gentle slopes in the northeastern hilly regions of China.

Detangling past and modern zinc anthropogenic source contributions in an urbanized coastal river by combining elemental, isotope and speciation approaches

The accumulation of trace metals in the environmental compartments of coastal rivers is a global and complex environmental issue, requiring multiple tools to constrain the various anthropogenic sources and biogeochemical processes affecting the water quality of these environments. The Valao fluvio-estuarine system (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) presents a challenging case of a coastal river contaminated by both modern and historical anthropogenic metal sources, located in the land and in the intra-estuary, continuously mixed by tidal cycles. This study employed a combination of spatial distribution analysis of trace metals including gadolinium (Gd), zinc (Zn) isotopic analyses, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to distinguish between these sources. The concentrations of metals in both dissolved (water samples) and surficial sediment compartments (Suspended Particulate Matter and sediment samples) display an overall enrichment trend from upstream to downstream. Multivariate statistical analysis allows to discriminate geogenic elements derived from watershed geology (Ti, K, and Mg) vs anthropogenic contaminants from urban runoff and domestic sewage discharges (Cu, Cr, Pb, Zn, and Gd); and legacy metal contaminants (Zn and Cd) remobilized from ancient metallurgical wastes and transported upstream in the estuary during tidal cycles. The anthropogenic Gd concentration in the dissolved compartment increases along the watercourse, highlighting continuous ongoing sewage discharge. Zinc solid speciation also indicates that Zn contribution from legacy metallurgy waste is primarily associated with sulfide-Zn and Zn-phyllosilicate in the outlet estuary, while in upstream sediments of fluvio-estuarine system, Zn is found bound to organic matter. Zinc isotope systematically reveals a progressive downstream shift to heavier isotope compositions. Upstream, the relatively pristine site and the urbanized section of the river exhibit a relatively uniform δ66/64Zn value (+0.20 ± 0.07 ‰) in suspended particulate matter (SPM) and surficial sediments. These results indicate that domestic sewage discharges contribute to Zn enrichment in sediments of the Valao fluvio-estuarine system but without modifying its isotope signature in sediments. The sediment of the downstream estuarine section shows a heavier δ66/64Zn value (+0.48 ± 0.08 ‰), indicating the strong influence of the intra-estuarine source identified as the historical metallurgic contamination. An integrated view of the geochemical tracers allows thus inferring that the untreated sewage and legacy metallurgical contamination are the primary sources of anthropogenic Zn contamination. It highlights the progressive mixing along the estuarine gradient under tidal dynamics. The influence of the former source continuously expands from the headland towards the estuary.

Assessing sediment dynamics and retention services in the vulnerable mountain ecosystem of the Indian Himalayas.

Sediment loss and export pose significant global environmental issues, profoundly affecting water quality, soil fertility, and ecosystem stability, particularly in vulnerable mountain ecosystems like the Indian Himalayas. The present study used remote sensing data and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) sediment delivery ratio (SDR) model to analyze spatial-temporal variations in soil loss (SL), sediment export (SE), and sediment retention (SR) capabilities in the South Shimla watershed, Himachal Pradesh, India, from 1993 to 2023. The findings showed significant changes in land use and land cover (LULC): evergreen forest and scrub land decreased sharply by 11.53% and 36.43%, respectively, while agricultural areas and built-up areas increased notably by 71.16% and 215.76%, respectively. Despite a decline of 19.18% in SL and 24.43% in SE, sediment loss and export varied across the study area, highlighting the heterogeneous nature of sediment dynamics. The overall retention capacity increased by 2.59%, with scrub forests playing a critical role in SR, while built-up areas showed the lowest retention. Northern and central sub-watersheds (SWs) experienced a significant decrease in retention capacity (from - 1.92 to - 11.6%), whereas those in the southern and eastern regions saw an increase in SR (from 3.69 to 28.24%). These results underscore the complex interactions between LULC changes, sediment dynamics, and retention services, highlighting the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and informing policy for landscape-based conservation and development planning in the vulnerable Himalayan region.

Sensitivity Analysis of Excited-State Population in Plasma Based on Relative Entropy.

A highly versatile evaluation method is proposed for transient plasmas based on statistical physics. It would be beneficial in various industrial sectors, including semiconductors and automobiles. Our research focused on low-energy plasmas in laboratory settings, and they were assessed via our proposed method, which incorporates relative entropy and fractional Brownian motion, based on a revised collisional-radiative model. By introducing an indicator to evaluate how far a system is from its steady state, both the trend of entropy and the radiative process' contribution to the lifetime of excited states were considered. The high statistical weight of some excited states may act as a bottleneck in the plasma's energy relaxation throughout the system to a steady state. By deepening our understanding of how energy flows through plasmas, we anticipate potential contributions to resolving global environmental issues and fostering technological innovation in plasma-related industrial fields.

A C-modified engineering strategy of porous In2O3 catalysts for point-concentrated solar-driven photothermal CO2 hydrogenation

The solar-driven photothermal CO2 conversion serves as an effective approach for addressing the substantial challenges of energy crises and global environmental issues. In this work, various forms of In2O3 catalysts, including In2O3-c, In2O3-r, In2O3-s, and porous spherical In2O3, along with a C-modified porous spherical In2O3 catalyst (C-In2O3), were successfully synthesized through a hydrothermal method. An in-depth analysis was conducted to evaluate the performance of these catalysts in the point-concentrated solar-driven photothermal CO2 hydrogenation. As a result, the porous C-In2O3 catalyst exhibited a superior CO2 conversion rate of approximately 13.2 % under simulated sunlight irradiation, with a light intensity of 44.6 mW/cm2. Notably, all catalysts demonstrated nearly 100 % selectivity towards CO (CO production rate of around 8.51 mmol gcat−1h−1) during the photothermal catalytic reaction, without any formation of CH4. The outstanding performance of the C-In2O3 catalyst was attributed to the modification of In2O3 band structure by the incorporation of C, which significantly enhanced the intensive solar light absorption of the catalyst. Furthermore, incorporating C into In2O3 substantially augments its basic strength and significantly elevates the quantity of basic sites, thereby endowing it with outstanding CO2 adsorption and conversion capabilities. This work provides a C-modified engineering strategy to design efficient photothermal catalysts for boosting point-concentrated photothermal CO2 hydrogenation.

Two targets, one strike: Efficient recovery of lithium and simultaneous removal of impurities from spent LFP batteries via ferric ions assisted air oxidation method

Recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has become urgently imperative to address global environmental issues and achieve sustainable development of new energy industries. Prioritizing lithium and aluminum leaching is an ideal path for recovering lithium efficiently from spent LFP and preparing high-purity battery-grade FePO4. Here, a novel ferric ions-assisted air oxidation method was proposed for the simultaneous leaching of Li and Al. Fe3+ was ingeniously introduced playing two roles: acting as a catalyst for air oxidation and leaching aluminum. 98.8% Li and 95.2% Al are selectively leached under optimal conditions. The thermodynamic analysis indicated that the displacement reaction between Al and Fe3+ dominates the leaching of Al. Furthermore, Cl− can promote the leaching of Al by forming a stable complex [AlCl4]− with Al3+. The reaction course and mechanism were clarified by various characterizations, which indicate that the successful selective leaching of lithium does not destroy the original structure of LFP and the presence of carbon coatings. A cycling process was proposed for enriching the Li+ concentration and reusing Fe3+, and then Li2CO3 with a purity of 99wt.% was successfully prepared. This method demonstrates excellent economic efficiency and environmental friendliness, thus providing a sustainable and low-carbon recycling route for the spent LFP industry.

Unveiling the Role of Climate and Environmental Dynamics in Shaping Forest Fire Patterns in Northern Zagros, Iran

Wildfires present a major global environmental issue, exacerbated by climate change. The Iranian Northern Zagros Forests, characterized by a Mediterranean climate, are particularly vulnerable to fires during hot, dry summers. This study investigates the impact of climate change on forest fires in these forests from 2006 to 2023. The analysis revealed significant year-to-year fluctuations, with notable fire occurrence in years 2007, 2010, 2021, and 2023. The largest burned area occurred in 2021, covering 2655.66 ha, while 2006 had the smallest burned area of 175.27 ha. Climate variables such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, heat waves, and solar radiation were assessed for their effects on fire behavior. Strong correlations were found between higher average temperatures and larger burned areas, as well as between heat waves and increased fire frequency. Additionally, higher wind speeds were linked to larger burned areas, suggesting that increased wind speeds may enhance fire spread. Multiple linear regression models demonstrated high predictive accuracy, explaining 84% of the variance in burned areas and 69.6% in the variance in fire frequency. These findings document the growing wildfire risk in the Northern Zagros region due to climate change, highlighting the urgent need to integrate scientific research with policies to develop effective wildfire management strategies for sustainable forest management.

Land degradation vulnerability mapping using geospatial techniques: a case study of Nandakini River basin, NW Himalaya, India

ABSTRACT Land degradation is a significant global environmental issue, and its prevention has become a serious concern of the twenty-first century, particularly in the context of anthropogenic impact and climate change. It is crucial to map and assess the grade of land degradation to determine vulnerable areas. The Indian Himalayan region faces heightened risks with its steep terrain, active tectonics, heavy precipitation, and human interventions. This study focuses on the Nandakini Watershed. Employing AHP technique, the study calculates the Land Degradation Vulnerability Index (LDVI) using slope, terrain ruggedness, rainfall, temperature, LULC, soil depth, and organic carbon content. The results indicate that the upper region is highly vulnerable, and a higher slope influences the runoff in the area, followed by factors like NDVI and rainfall, collectively contributing to 62% of the overall index. In this context, the upstream regions of the watershed display a high LDVI, while most of the area falls within the low LDVI category. This indicates that approximately 2.10% of the study area is highly susceptible to soil erosion. RUSLE-based estimates have been used to further validate the LDVI result. The integrated LDVI offers a valuable tool for prioritising soil conservation and disaster mitigation.

Source identification, characteristics, and spatial distribution of airborne microplastic deposition in Lahore City, Pakistan.

A large volume of atmospheric microplastics (MPs) has been observed worldwide and is considered an emerging global environmental issue. Nevertheless, no significant assessment of the atmospheric deposition of MPs in Pakistan has been reported yet. The present study was designed to highlight the source, type, and spatial distribution of MPs in atmospheric fallout in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 23 sites were sampled in Lahore with a heterogeneous background of human activities. All samples were collected in a box with a one-foot depth fitted with a steel tray of 0.1 m2 at the bottom. Fenton's reagent and hydrogen peroxide were used to remove organic matter, and sodium chloride for density separation, while the MPs were quantified through a stereomicroscope, and polymers were identified through ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The highest deposition rate (particles/m2/day) was observed at Badami Bagh, i.e., 6819, followed by Mall Road 4414, and Chung 4263, while the lowest was in Sabzazaar (i.e., 524) and Township (1047) with an average deposition rate of 2340 ± 1392. Among the MPs, the major portion was fiber, i.e., 96%, while fragment was 1.9%, sheets 0.78%, foams 1.12%, beads 0.04%, and other MPs 0.06%. At all sampling sites, 20 different types of polymers were identified with different percentages, of which polyester fibers were predominant with an abundance of 96.09% associated with clothes and textiles. A high frequency of MPs was found in populated areas with dense traffic, plastic wastes, household plastic materials, and mismanagement of wastes, which accelerates the atmospheric deposition of airborne microplastics. Evaluation and characterization of MP help assess health and environmental impacts, cleanup efforts, and guiding regulations. It also provides valuable information for waste management innovation to reduce plastic pollution.

Study of inorganic perovskite RGaO3 (R = Rb and Na) oxide alloys for photocatalytic applications: A DFT insights

Photocatalytic technology has been hailed as one of the most promising ways to alleviate and potentially avoid both the global energy environment and consumption issues. In this regard, the perovskite RGaO3 (R = Rb and Na) oxides are investigated for water splitting applications. DFT based CASTEP code is utilized by employing GGA-PBE exchange-correlation functional. According to structural analysis, compounds have 221 space groups (cubic) with 5 atoms. The structural analysis and band structures of NaGaO3 and RbGaO3 crystals were described as having an indirect bandgap with 3.11 eV and 2.15 eV energy, respectively. Absorption, reflectivity, loss function, conductivity, refractive index, and dielectric function were all explored in terms of optical characteristics. According to the mechanical properties, compounds RGaO3 (R = Rb and Na) are mechanically stable, ductile, anisotropic, and hard by Born stability. These materials are best suited for photocatalytic applications to produce H2 fuel with the highest efficiency.

A Review of Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived Hollow-Structured Photocatalysts: Synthesis and Applications.

Photocatalysis is a most important approach to addressing global energy shortages and environmental issues due to its environmentally friendly and sustainable properties. The key to realizing efficient photocatalysis relies on developing appropriate catalysts with high efficiency and chemical stability. Among various photocatalysts, Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived hollow-structured materials have drawn increased attention in photocatalysis based on advantages like more active sites, strong light absorption, efficient transfer of pho-induced charges, excellent stability, high electrical conductivity, and better biocompatibility. Specifically, MOFs-derived hollow-structured materials are widely utilized in photocatalytic CO2 reduction (CO2RR), hydrogen evolution (HER), nitrogen fixation (NRR), degradation, and other reactions. This review starts with the development story of MOFs, the commonly adopted synthesis strategies of MOFs-derived hollow materials, and the latest research progress in various photocatalytic applications are also introduced in detail. Ultimately, the challenges of MOFs-derived hollow-structured materials in practical photocatalytic applications are also prospected. This review holds great potential for developing more applicable and efficient MOFs-derived hollow-structured photocatalysts.