Manganese-based activated carbon composites promote nitrogen removal in low temperature constructed wetlands via enhanced extracellular electron transfer.

ABSTRACT Accurate measurement of carbon is stored in plants is essential for evaluating strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) is a native species of South America with high potential for oil production, ecological restoration, and carbon sequestration. Traditional methods to estimate carbon stocks, such as cutting down trees and performing laboratory analysis, are destructive, expensive, and impractical on a large scale. This study tested an alternative approach that combines UAV imagery, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to estimate carbon in macauba palms without damaging the plants. High-resolution aerial images were collected at four sites in Brazil, and a deep learning model (YOLOv8s-seg) was trained to automatically detect and measure palm crowns, achieving a mean Average Precision (mAP@50) of 0.956, precision of 0.946, and recall of 0.944. Plant height was estimated from canopy height models derived from photogrammetric processing of the UAV imagery. Crown diameter and height estimates showed strong correlations with field measurements (r = 0.81 and r = 0.82, respectively), with mean absolute errors of 0.26 m for diameter and 0.61 m for height. Both parameters were used in allometric equations to calculate carbon stock. Carbon estimates ranged from less than 1 ton per hectare in young plantations to more than 190 tonnes per hectare in older stands. These results demonstrate that artificial intelligence and UAV imagery provide a fast and scalable approach for estimating structural variables of macauba palms. However, carbon stock estimates remain sensitive to the allometric equations used and should be interpreted with caution, particularly at the individual level. Therefore, the proposed approach should be understood as a non-destructive monitoring framework rather than a fully generalized carbon prediction model, while still offering a valuable tool to support sustainable agriculture, carbon markets, and land-use policies.

Aviation is a major source of greenhouse gases emission in the world, and the invention of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a hope that this source of carbon footprint can be minimized. This article assesses the economic and environmental trade-offs of different feedstock routes in China to produce SAF considering the waste cooking oil (WCO), agricultural residues, and municipal solid waste (MSW). A cost-benefit analysis, conducted under explicit modeling assumptions including an 8% discount rate and 20-year project horizon, reveals WCO to be highly efficient in terms of conversion and large-scale emission cuts (up to 80%), but its economic viability is undermined by fluctuations in prices. The MSW and agricultural residues are more stable and cost-effective sources of alternative but need more complex conversion technologies to yield higher. The study identifies the considerable importance of the government policies, including subsidies and carbon prices, to make SAF production feasible. The research article adds new information to SAF sourcing in China, and the findings have practical suggestions on multi-feedstock strategies and technology to boost the scalability of SAF production. The future of the research should be to understand the socioeconomic effects, regional differences, and longitudinal research in order to enlighten policy and industry stakeholders of the area.

We link voluntary and mandatory disclosure of carbon emissions with stock returns and volatility in a global cross-section of publicly listed firms. We find that voluntary disclosure of scope 1 emissions predicts lower stock returns relative to non-disclosing companies. We also find that UK mandatory carbon disclosure rules for publicly traded companies resulted in lower stock-level uncertainty. The effect of these mandatory disclosure rules also spilled over into other markets, especially those with close geographic and economic proximity, and companies in the same industry.

A large fraction of global thermal energy demand will remain combustion-based for decades, making the decarbonization of gaseous fuels a critical challenge. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) remains widely used, particularly where rapid electrification is constrained, but its propane-butane composition results in significant carbon emissions. In this study, we demonstrate that controlled reformulation of LPG with hydrogen and stoichiometric oxygen can reduce carbon intensity while preserving combustion performance. LPG-H2-O2 blends were experimentally evaluated through emission measurements (CO2, NO, NOx), burning potential analysis, and a multi-criteria decision matrix. The optimal blend, formulated through LPG replacement with 40% H2and O2 corresponding to 30% of the blend stoichiometric oxygen demand, achieved substantial reductions in CO2 emissions and LPG consumption while maintaining stable operation.. To assess broader impacts, experimental results were integrated with demographic-based projections of LPG demand across all Brazilian states. Under a full substitution scenario, cumulative avoided emissions could reach ~ 2.9 × 108 tons of CO2 by 2045 without requiring infrastructure changes. These findings highlight hydrogen-assisted LPG reformulation as a scalable decarbonization strategy for combustion-based energy systems.

Pilot-scale biomass pyrolysis dual fluidized bed with in-situ biochar recovery for high-quality bio-oil and negative carbon emissions.

Land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) is a major source of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, yet projections remain scarce. Here, we use the reduced-complexity Earth system model OSCAR to generate national LULCC carbon emission trajectories through 2100, across 150 socioeconomic and policy-relevant scenarios. Deforestation and forest regrowth dominate variability in LULCC carbon emission, with policy timing and ambition exerting strong control. Ending gross deforestation by 2030 yields large, persistent removals (about -30 Pg C by 2100), whereas net forest area balance still emits 4-9 Pg C. The strongest sinks are projected to emerge in China and Indonesia, while Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominate global sources. The accompanying open dataset enables country-level scenario assembly and policy evaluation. Our findings underscore that early and ambitious land governance, particularly in tropical regions, is essential for transforming the land sector into a durable carbon sink aligned with global temperature goals.

Recent regulatory and voluntary initiatives to estimate supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity of liquefied natural gas (LNG) have emphasized the use of direct measurements as activity-based national inventories tend to systematically underestimate GHG emission intensities. In this work, we demonstrate how measurement data can be integrated into a life cycle assessment (LCA) framework for assessing the GHG emissions of LNG supply chains by synthesizing results from a three year measurement campaign over 54 sites across production, midstream, and liquefaction stages. Measurement-informed GHG emission intensity ranges from 13.8 to 17.2 g of CO2 equiv/MJ of LNG produced, about 19-39% higher than those derived from an activity-based inventory assessment. We also observe large variation in the contribution of each stage to the total supply chain emission intensity. Critically, we find that stages downstream of gas production account for up to 73% of the production to liquefaction GHG emission intensity of LNG. Thus, relying on aggregate production-only emission intensities as the basis to assess the emission impact of the LNG is likely to underestimate emissions, leading to potentially ineffective public or corporate policies. Finally, we find that supply-chain-specific GHG intensities can significantly differ from basin-level, representative GHG intensities; thus, assessments of the GHG intensity of LNG can benefit from being tied to individual transactions and specific gas pathways where data allow.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the world's largest ongoing infrastructure endeavor, tackles urgent development needs in underserved regions. However, its construction phase, especially material extraction and processing, may have far-reaching climate implications that remain poorly known. Here, we present the first global, project-level assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions embodied in the construction of over 700 individual BRI projects (2008-2024) across 105 countries. By integrating a detailed project data set with a physically grounded global supply chain model that captures material-specific sourcing patterns, we estimate 134 Mt of CO2 equiv emissions, around half of which occur outside the project host countries. This reveals the previously unquantified global supply chain reach of the BRI. Depending on operational performance, BRI renewable energy projects may achieve emission reductions comparable in scale to the construction-phase emissions within 2 years. Our results underscore the need and opportunity to embed cleaner material sourcing and sustainability assessment into BRI and other transnational infrastructure efforts.

N-propyl nitrate (NPN, CH3CH2CH2ONO2), a prevalent atmospheric alkyl nitrate (RONO2), is a key component of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and a critical NOx reservoir. To support atmospheric pollution control, its •OH-initiated degradation mechanism, kinetics, atmospheric lifetime, and subsequent reactions were systematically investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and multistructural canonical variational transition state theory with small curvature tunneling (MS-CVT/SCT). Conformational searches identified the most stable conformers of NPN and the transition states for α-, β-, and γ-C-H H-abstraction, with α- and β-C-H abstractions as dominant pathways. Rate constants and branching ratios were calculated with multistructural torsional (MS-T) anharmonicity correction. The total rate constants show minimal variation (±2%) at 200-263 K, with an average value of ∼7.03 × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1; at 263-1000 K, they agree well with experimental values and display weak positive temperature dependence, with a calculated value of 7.59 × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 at 298 K. The atmospheric lifetime of NPN is 1.02-18.56 days at 217-298 K. Given the scarcity of experimental data on •OH-initiated oxidation of NPN, the comprehensive kinetic and mechanistic results presented herein provide valuable supplementary data for atmospheric chemistry databases and offer guidance for future experimental investigations.

Incorporating benthic microbial thresholds into ecological carrying capacity to sustain ecosystem services of coastal oyster farming.

Global climate crisis and waste disposal costs drive the need for circular industrial models. This study investigates whether industrial symbiosis through co-disposal of papermaking waste and blast furnace slag can convert these materials from waste to resources. Using a system expansion Life Cycle Assessment framework, we assessed alkali-activated mortars based on global warming potential, water footprint, and toxic impacts. Results indicate that high-volume waste substitution significantly improves the material's environmental profile, achieving a net-negative Global Warming Potential of - 7.9kg CO2 eq/m³ and a 129% net environmental benefit for human health damage compared to the baseline. These results occur because the avoidance of landfill-related greenhouse gas emissions and primary material production outweigh the impacts of chemical activation. This study outlines a structured approach to decarbonizing construction materials. It shows how technological innovation can strengthen competitiveness within circular economic systems. This work verifies the technical feasibility of regenerative material strategies and identifies activator optimization as a critical factor for advancing next-generation sustainable materials, thereby offering practical guidance to help industrial sectors meet global sustainability requirements.

Photothermal catalytic dry reforming of methane (PTC-DRM) offers a promising route for greenhouse gas valorization and solar-to-chemical energy conversion. Herein, Zn-doped CeO2 nanorod-supported Ni-Co bimetallic catalysts were synthesized via a hydrothermal and impregnation method for PTC-DRM. Zn doping induces the formation of abundant oxygen vacancies, strengthens the metal-support interaction, and accelerates charge carrier separation and photothermal conversion. The optimized Ni-Co/5Zn-CeO2-NR catalyst displays exceptional activity at 650 °C under illumination, with greatly improved CH4 and CO2 conversions and syngas yields. Light irradiation suppresses the reverse water-gas shift reaction and mitigates graphitic carbon deposition, markedly enhancing catalytic stability. This work establishes Zn-mediated defect engineering as an effective strategy for designing high-performance Ni-based photothermal DRM catalysts.

Impacts of aerosol and greenhouse gas mitigation on future solar and wind energy potentials in Eastern China

Electrified vehicles can substantially reduce emissions from light-duty vehicles (LDVs), but large-scale deployment remains challenging due to their associated demands for critical materials in batteries. The challenge is further complicated by trade-offs among greenhouse gas emissions, costs, and critical materials. We develop an optimization model to explore the cost and technical feasibility of meeting climate targets for U.S. LDVs under various material supply scenarios. To meet a sectoral target consistent with 2 °C, global lithium supply would need to grow by 35%/yr to 2035 or 50%/yr to 2030, assuming: (1) no recycling, (2) the U.S. can access a share of global supply proportionate to its population, and (3) medium- and heavy-duty vehicles electrify as fast as LDVs. Recycling or greater U.S. material allocation (proportionate to gross domestic product) can reduce the necessary growth rates to 30-45%/yr or 5-10%/yr, respectively. In low material supply scenarios, the 2 °C target is sometimes still attainable with preference to hybrid vehicles in the early years, later transitioning to a mix of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) from the 2030s onward. To hedge against future material supply uncertainty, PHEVs can act as transitional technologies in the short term and remain an important technology in the long term.

Effective SF6 capture and recovery are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting resource recycling, yet many porous materials exhibit reduced separation performance for SF6/N2 mixtures in humid environments due to water adsorption competition or structural instability. To address this challenge, we propose a "superhydrophobic nanotrap" strategy by designing a nitrogen-rich superhydrophobic porous organic cage (POC) named IMUPOC-DA. This material incorporates a moisture-blocking shield of superhydrophobic isobutyl chains and an inner cavity with a π-system and Lewis base sites that synergistically enhance SF6 trapping. At 298 K and 1bar, IMUPOC-DA achieves an SF6 adsorption capacity of 53.6 cm3 g-1 and an SF6/N2 uptake ratio of 20.02, a record-high reported thus far for POC-based adsorbents. More importantly, the superhydrophobic surface endows the material with an extremely low water uptake (72.1mgg-1), a high water contact angle (150.11°), and excellent water stability. Dynamic column breakthrough experiments under 80% relative humidity show nearly unchanged SF6 breakthrough time compared with dry conditions, demonstrating outstanding SF6/N2 separation performance even in a moist environment. Therefore, this work not only provides a high-performance candidate for industrial SF6 recovery but also presents a general design strategy for developing moisture-resistant adsorbents for gas separation.

The conflict between food production and environmental protection calls for climate-smart agricultural solutions. This study investigated data-driven climate-smart strategies for optimizing cropping systems and nitrogen management to increase crop yield and cut greenhouse gas emissions in China’s Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region, which is grappling with pronounced climatic and environmental challenges. The study evaluated three cropping systems: spring maize monoculture (M), winter wheat followed by summer maize double-cropping (WM), and a triple-cropping system encompassing winter wheat, summer maize, and spring maize (WMM). Additionally, four nitrogen fertilization treatments were assessed to understand their impacts. The crop climate resilient index was created to identify the optimal management practices. Leveraging the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) model, this study simulated the daily dynamics of crop yields, soil organic carbon (SOC) content, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions over a comprehensive 40-year period spanning from 1981 to 2020. The findings revealed intriguing insights into SOC dynamics and nitrogen fertilizer efficiency. Across all cropping systems, the SOC content augmented with increased nitrogen application, with peak levels reaching 294.9 kg·ha ⁻ ¹ under the highest fertilization treatment. The N₂O emissions displayed an upward trend over time, positively correlated with escalating fertilizer use. Regarding crop yields, higher nitrogen inputs generally correlated with enhanced productivity. Overall, the WM system, when coupled with F2 treatment (90 kg·ha ⁻ ¹ for wheat and 60 kg·ha ⁻ ¹ for maize), emerged as the optimal scenario, achieving the highest climate resilient index value of 0.65. These findings underscore the profound importance of integrating cropping systems with judicious nutrient management in developing agricultural systems that are adaptive, productive, and environmentally sustainable. By adopting such practices, farmers in the BTH region and similar climates can achieve agricultural clean production that is robust enough to withstand climate variability and contribute to global efforts towards food security and ecological preservation. As the climate continues to evolve, the precision and holistic application of these strategies will be crucial in maintaining the vitality and productivity of agricultural landscapes.

Staff Perspectives of Single-use versus Reusable Sterile Textiles: A Qualitative Analysis.

Urbanization serves as an engine for economic development, yet the risk of "carbon lock-in" caused by infrastructure and consumption patterns threatens long-term sustainability. Studying the synergistic effects and regional differences between China's new urbanization (NU) and zero-carbon strategies (ZCS) is a crucial economic and social issue for China to participate in global climate governance and achieve urban modernization. This study systematically analyzed the evolution law and regional differences of the coupling coordination degree (CCD) between NU and TFCEE by employing the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method, coupling coordination model, Dagum-Gini coefficient, and convergence model. The findings are as follows: (1) The coupling coordination level (CCL) between NU and Total-factor carbon emission efficiency (TFCEE) has been increasing year by year, with the eastern region taking the lead in forming intermediate coordination and maintaining a leading position; (2) In terms of intra-regional differences, the CCL in the eastern, central, and northeastern regions exhibit a fluctuating decline, whereas those in the western region demonstrate a fluctuating increase. In terms of inter-regional differences, the disparity between the eastern and western regions (east-west) stands out as the most prominent. Here, inter-regional variations play a primary role in accounting for the overall inequalities; (3) In the σ-convergence and β-convergence analyses, the spatial imbalance in the western region is more pronounced, indicating that although the western region has shown a positive catch-up effect, the absolute gap with the eastern region has not yet narrowed due to differences in initial conditions. In general, the CCD between NU and TFCEE is gradually optimizing, but the spatial imbalance remains prominent, especially in the western region, which urgently needs to be improved through targeted policy guidance.

To address the critical challenge where the excessively high Minimum Miscibility Pressure (MMP) restricts the effectiveness of CO2 flooding, this study proposes a novel strategy utilizing SiO2-ethanol nanofluids (SiO2-C2H6O NFs) as additives to reduce the MMP. By systematically optimizing particle size, concentration, and dispersant types, a 5 nm/5 wt% SiO2 nanofluid with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the dispersant was successfully prepared, demonstrating excellent long-term dispersion stability. Phase equilibrium experiments indicate that after adding 20 vol% of the optimized nanofluid into crude oil model components (n-alkanes and cycloalkanes), the solubility of CO2 in the oil phase is significantly enhanced. The maximum average equilibrium pressure reduction (PAVG) reached 2.24 MPa, effectively lowering the MMP of the system. Furthermore, a modified PR-vdW1 equation of state considering nano-confinement effects was developed and validated to systematically reveal the phase equilibrium behavior of CO2-alkane systems within nanopores. This research not only enriches the fundamental thermodynamic data for CO2-hydrocarbon systems but also provides a novel and efficient technical pathway for improving CO2 flooding efficiency and achieving synergistic carbon emission reduction.