Microbial platforms for sustainable aviation fuel production: Metabolic pathways, engineering constraints, and biorefinery integration.

Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mediated by Functional Microbial Dynamics under Optimized Composting Condition.

Valorization of coal gasification slag via Fischer-Tropsch tail gas driven calcination: hydration mechanisms, life cycle sustainability and heavy metal leaching assessment of composite cement.

Trends in Diet Quality and Associated Comprehensive Environmental Impacts in the United States, 2001-2018: A Serial Cross-Sectional Study.

Intensifying global climate change has increased wildfire frequency. Wildfire-altered soil water-extractable organic matter (burned-WEOM) is hydrologically transported to unburned areas, profoundly affecting cross-ecosystem carbon-nitrogen cycling and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Taking soils from unburned subtropical forests as the research object, this study combined anaerobic incubation with high-resolution mass spectrometry and metagenomic sequencing to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of burned-WEOM on soil GHG emissions under anaerobic conditions. The results showed that burned-WEOM increased CO2 emissions by 17.0%, induced a 164.6% surge in N2O emissions, and simultaneously inhibited CH4 emissions by 52.9%. With unique properties of high unsaturation and strong electron exchange capacity, burned-WEOM not only reshapes soil organic matter composition but also drives differential GHG emissions by enhancing complete carbon fixation pathways and recalcitrant carbon decomposition, increasing the abundance of anaerobic methane oxidation (AMO) genes and methanotrophs, enriching denitrifying microorganisms (especially fungi), and boosting N2O-generating gene activity without altering the reduction pathway. Moreover, WEOM molecular characteristics drive differences in GHG emissions: CH4 is mainly fueled by reduced, unsaturated lipid-like compounds, N2O is associated with nitrogen-rich, complex aromatic compounds, and CO2 has a broader range of source substrates. This study provides insights that may improve mechanistic understanding of postfire GHG dynamics and inform process representations in climate models.

Diets low in quality represent a large risk for global mortality, morbidity, and environmental deterioration. In 2019, the EAT-Lancet commission published a universal reference diet, the 'planetary health diet' (PHD), focusing on human health and sustainability. We aimed to compare the average Swiss diet, four Swiss dietary patterns, and the sex- and language-specific dietary habits with the PHD with respect to adherence and sustainability. Data of the cross-sectional population-based National Nutrition Survey menuCH (2014-2015, n = 2057) were used. Food consumption was assessed with 24-hours dietary recalls. Using the multiple source method, the usual dietary intake was determined. Sustainability impacts were examined by determining Greenhouse Gas emissions, total land and grassland use, the Social Hotspots Index, and diet's costs. Adherence and sustainability of the Swiss diet were analyzed descriptively. Participants consumed on average more red meat, dairy products, and added sugar and less whole grains, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and unsaturated fats than recommended by the PHD. None or few of the participants adhered to the whole grains (0.0%), legumes (0.0%), and nuts (5.1%) recommendations, whereas nearly all adhered to the tubers and starchy vegetables (97.7%) and saturated fats (99.9%) recommendations. Overall, diets low in animal-source products tended to have reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions and land use, whereas diets high in fruits and vegetables tended to have higher costs and risks of adverse social impacts. In the subgroup analyses, closer adherence to the PHD was seen among females and among participants following the Prudent dietary pattern, while the differences in sustainability impacts were generally small among subgroups. A dietary shift decreasing consumption of animal-based protein sources and increasing consumption of plant-based foods would be beneficial for Swiss residents' health and lower the environmental footprint of the average Swiss diet. Policy measures should incentivize this dietary shift towards a healthier and more sustainable diet, especially among males and individuals following a traditional or Western dietary pattern, as they have the highest potential for improvement.

Green chemistryis defined asa set of principles that reduce or preventthe use or generationof hazardoussubstances during the design, production, andutilizationof chemical products. The vision of such a paradigm shift in the chemical sciences is that the concept of being green is directly introduced to the molecular design process and is centered on atom economy and the prevention of waste. Thisreview examinesthe principles of green chemistry in relation toagro-industrial wastevalorization, with specific reference to the ecological and economic conditions of India, where approximately 350 million metric tons of annual agro-residues have become a source of serious environmental management issues, such as greenhouse gas emissions through open burning, leachate waste generation through landfills, and effects on the health of the population through poor disposal practices. The analysis summarizes the latest developments in nanotechnology-based catalytic systems, new solvent platforms (ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, and supercritical fluids), and integrated biorefineries, and critically reviews the scalability limitations and commercial feasibility. It also discusses more recent developments, such as systems based on nanotechnology, catalyst transformations (homogeneous, heterogeneous, and biocatalysts), and the creation of alternative solvents, such as ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, and supercritical fluids. The virtues of agri-industrial residues and biomass-based feeds are given particular attention in terms of their role in models of the circular economy and the generation of value-added chemicals, fuels, and materials. By illustrating how green chemistry can minimize the environmental footprint of traditional processes and create safer and more economically viable alternatives, this review makes it clear why green chemistry has become a revolution in the field of industrial practice. Lastly, the paper addresses contemporary issues of scalability, economic competitiveness, and regulatory integration and outlines opportunities that will make green chemistry the foundation of sustainable, resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible chemical companies.

Depth-temperature coupling shapes denitrifier community assembly and metabolic adaptation in drinking water reservoir sediments.

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome plays essential roles in regulating nutrient metabolism and greenhouse gas emissions in ruminants. In the rumen, complex microbial consortia perform anaerobic fermentation of structural carbohydrates, converting plant biomass into volatile fatty acids (VFAs) that provide the principal energy supply to the host, while microbial assimilation of nitrogen delivers microbial protein that contributes substantially to absorbable amino acids. Microbiome-mediated metabolite exchange across digestive segments also links rumen function to hindgut fermentation and epithelial homeostasis, implying that whole-tract interactions are important for interpreting metabolic phenotypes such as feed efficiency, nitrogen utilization, and methane (CH4) emission. The generation, transfer, and consumption of metabolic hydrogen (H2 and formate) impose thermodynamic constraints on fermentation and underpin methanogenesis versus alternative hydrogen sinks. Recent studies increasingly highlight that the efficacy of methane mitigation strategies depends on hydrogen-flow redistribution, diet context, and individual variation, and that intermediate phenotypes (e.g., VFA spectra, hydrogen and nitrogen flows, and metabolite signatures) may be closer to causal mechanisms than taxonomic shifts alone. With the expansion of large-scale gene catalogs and metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) resources, the field is shifting from descriptive community profiling toward mechanistic inference via multi-omics integration. This review synthesizes current understanding of how ruminant gut microbiomes regulate energy, nitrogen, and hydrogen metabolism; summarizes key dietary, management, and intervention determinants; outlines major multi-omics approaches and integration frameworks; and discusses major challenges and future directions in multi-omics research and translation.

Recent advances in biochar-mediated mitigation of microplastics: A comprehensive review on removal mechanisms, toxicity alleviation strategies, and synergistic environmental impacts.

Strategies for decarbonizing printed circuit board supply chain.

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of three distinct urban arenas: greenfields (new suburban developments), brownfields (post-industrial sites with compact development around transit), and greyfields (middle-ring suburbs with low-rise infill), in the sprawling city of Perth, Western Australia. Analysis of the 50-year emissions reveals that the greyfield case study, composed mostly of single-level detached and attached dwellings, has the lowest emissions, slightly lower than the brownfield case study, which comprises mostly apartments, indicating that density is not the sole predictor of emissions. Nonetheless, the greenfield case studies have much higher GHG emissions, particularly influenced by house size.

Scaling lithium-ion battery recycling: Systemic failures, innovation pathways, and policy imperatives.

Orthopaedic surgery has a significant environmental impact, yet limited research has explored the perspectives of orthopaedic surgeons and trainees regarding operating room (OR) sustainability. The OR contributes extensively to healthcare waste, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the need for innovative solutions to address these challenges. The purpose of this study is to assess current sustainable OR practices, attitudes and barriers to sustainability within orthopaedic surgery. A 36-question survey addressing demographics, climate beliefs, OR sustainability attitudes, practice patterns and educational exposure was distributed across five US orthopaedic surgery programmes. Responses were analysed using χ² and analysis of variance tests to evaluate differences by age group, training level, fellowship type and geographic region. 92 participants completed the survey. While almost all respondents (98.9%) believed climate change is occurring, fewer believed human actions can meaningfully alter its course (64.4%) or that OR waste is a major contributor to the crisis (46.0%). Most respondents (79%) considered reusing single-use devices, but less than 3% factored in life cycle assessments when making decisions, and only 21% considered environmental impact when ordering imaging.Although respondents identified significant opportunities to reduce OR waste and improve environmentally friendly practices at their institutions, few expressed satisfaction with current efforts, and 79% were unaware of any existing plans for improvement. Barriers included lack of incentives (79%), cost (62.9%) and insufficient knowledge (62.9%). Notably, respondents emphasised the need for formal education on sustainability within orthopaedic training programmes. Orthopaedic surgeons and trainees recognise the need for better OR sustainability practices but face systemic barriers to progress. Addressing these gaps through institutional support, cost-effective strategies and targeted education could significantly reduce environmental impacts in orthopaedic surgery.

Over the past decades, the considerable increase in greenhouse gas emissions has caused alarming issues such as global warming. Numerous investigations have been carried out to enhance CO2 capture. One of the promising methods is to functionalize the MWCNTs, but different conditions and factors for functionalizing have significant effects on the adsorption. In this study, raw multi-wall carbon nanotubes were functionalized in two stages. First, they were modified using a mixture of 5 molars of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Then, the carboxylated MWCNTs were functionalized with 1,3 Diaminopropane solutions. To obtain the optimum adsorbent parameters, the ratio of amine to solvent concentration and the reflux time of amine solution were changed. FTIR, FESEM, TGA, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analyses were used to determine the characterizations of optimum adsorbents. Based on the experimental results, the maximum capacity equal to 3.37 mmolg- 1, obtained under conditions of 303K, and an initial pressure of 18.5bar when the amine to ethanol concentration ratio was 60% w/w. Furthermore, the effect of the MWCNTs diameter on adsorption capacity was investigated as well. Results proved that by increasing the MWCNTs diameter in the raw and amine-functionalized samples, the adsorption capacity increased. Additionally, the adsorption isotherms were evaluated by Langmuir and Freundlich models, and the isosteric heat of adsorption, the adsorption mechanism and the adsorption capacity were measured. Ultimately, the regeneration cycles of optimal adsorbent was performed in five stages, indicating that the adsorbent was stable enough for the regeneration process.

Ambitious conservation efforts are needed to curb biodiversity loss as drought severity intensifies globally. Here, we assess the exposure of resident terrestrial vertebrates within global biodiversity hotspots to drought severity surpassing the extremes experienced during their pre-industrial history. We show that 22.5% of threatened terrestrial vertebrates (especially reptiles and amphibians) have recently experienced drought severity exceeding their historical extremes across at least half of their current geographic range. Under an intermediate greenhouse gas emission scenario (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 2-4.5), this proportion is projected to reach 36.5% by the latter half of the 21st century, with mid-latitude dryland biodiversity hotspots facing the most severe drought exposure. Importantly, a low-warming future (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 1-2.6) will reduce exposure estimates of species by 8.5% compared to Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 2-4.5, highlighting the urgency of ambitious climate mitigation. However, as future drought exposure is projected to increase across most biodiversity hotspots, and many exposed regions face inadequate protection and substantial social burdens, expanding adaptive conservation without compromising local well-being is essential. Our findings offer spatial guidance for prioritizing conservation and adaptive strategies in biodiversity hotspots, contributing to global biodiversity targets.

Hydrogen is one of the potential clean energy sources that might help to address two critical global issues: energy scarcity and environmental concerns. Using fossil fuels for hydrogen generation has drawbacks, such as increased greenhouse gas emissions throughout the process. As a result, finding clean, sustainable, and dependable hydrogen generation technology cheaply and with zero emissions has become critical. The purpose of this study is to analyze hydrogen generation from solar energy. Mainly focus on PEM electrolyzer as a source of hydrogen and solar energy as a source of power fed to electrolyzer, so it is necessary to ensure that PV operate at maximum power or close to it, so we used P&O MPPT technique with several controllers like fuzzy logic (FL), proportional integer (PI) and fraction order proportional integer (FOPI) controllers. To achieve optimal tuning for the final two controller parameters, differentiated creative search optimization algorithm (DCSO) is applied and compared to other algorithms such as PSO and GWO. When comparing the outcomes, it was revealed that PI-DCSO is the best, with 6987 W produced power, followed by FOPI-DCSO with 6767 W, and the FLC with 6296 W output power, as detailed in the result chapter, which also contains a comparison of PV production under varying conditions, and a comparison of PEM electrolyzer under different conditions.

Carbon emissions trading systems have become increasingly prevalent amid rising global climate concerns and serve as key market-based tools for sustainable transformation. Agriculture is central to advancing China's "dual carbon" strategy, requiring both emission control and reduction, while rapid digital agricultural development enables more precise carbon monitoring and management. This study examines whether China's pilot carbon emissions trading pilot policy improves the eco-efficiency of digital agriculture. Using the dynamic data envelopment analysis (DEA)-Malmquist index method, we construct an evaluative framework to measure digital agricultural eco-efficiency, and based on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces over the period 2011-2022, we employ a difference-in-differences (DID) model to identify the policy effects. The empirical findings demonstrate that the ecological efficiency of China's digital agriculture has successfully increased because of the implementation of the pilot policy for carbon emissions trading, and this conclusion passes several robustness tests. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the effects of the policy vary across regions and different levels of development of digital agricultural eco-efficiency. According to the results of the mediating effect analysis, the pilot carbon emissions trading pilot policy increases forest coverage, which in turn increases digital agricultural eco-efficiency. The results of this research offer guidance for promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural development in China and for supporting international initiatives aimed at lowering agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

An interpretable multi-task learning model for effluent quality and greenhouse gas emissions prediction in wastewater treatment plants.

Livestock systems represent a considerable environmental challenge. In response, various scientists, non-governmental organisations, and policy makers claim that Western populations in particular need to sharply reduce meat consumption. Given people's attachment to meat, many of these actors favour hard policy interventions based on a range of systemic financial and legal reforms that would go beyond mere nudging and the formulation of recommendations, including the top-down imposition of meat taxes and bans, as well as herd size reductions, which would lead to sharply higher prices. However, arguments in support of such policies tend to oversimplify the issue, ignoring regional variations, mitigation potential, and broader ecological and nutritional contexts. The focus of this article is on dietary greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a main target for environmental policymaking, with all livestock production in the West contributing 2.6% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions globally. From a consumption perspective, reductions in meat eating represent a saving of 1-6% on the total individual carbon (C) footprint of an average Westerner, depending on dietary restrictiveness. However, such estimates need to account for differences in nutritional value when comparing animal and plant-based foods, as well as to factor in co-product benefits, C sequestration in grazing systems, natural baselines in rewilding scenarios, constraints on afforestation, the potential risk of "carbon leakage", and distinct evaluation metrics for biogenic (enteric) methane versus fossil-fuel derived carbon dioxide. Carbon tunnel vision, hyperbolic narratives, and misguided policies risk compromising pathways to reasonable reform of existing meat industries, which are desirable and urgent.