Hazardous Waste Research Articles

Sosialisasi Penerapan Prinsip 3R (Reduse, Reuse and Recycle) dalam Menumbuhkan Karakter Peduli Lingkungan di Kampung Panggang Kota Serang

The accumulation of waste or throwing it carelessly into open areas will result in soil pollution which will also have an impact on groundwater channels. Waste must be handled from the source, namely from producers by applying the 3R principles of Reuse, Reduce and Recycle. Because without public awareness, the basic principles of an environmentally friendly lifestyle such as the 3Rs are difficult to implement and no matter how sophisticated the technology applied, the results will also never be optimal, which ultimately results in wasted budget funds. To provide knowledge and insight to the community about the importance of village cleanliness, hazardous waste management and prevention of infectious diseases, Community Service activities were carried out in socialization and training to the community of Kp. Panggang Serang City Banten. The goal is to foster the character of environmental care in Kp. Panggang. This activity was attended by 41 people and involved 2 students of the Islamic Broadcasting Communication Department, Faculty of Da'wah. The results of the implementation of this PKM activity are expected to add insight to the community of Kp. Panggang regarding environmental cleanliness, waste management and the application of the 3Rs. The results of this activity can be concluded that this PKM activity can add insight to facilitators in Kp. Panggang Serang City Banten, especially regarding waste management and to Foster Environmental Care Character is an initial effort to realize an eco-village through community empowerment starting with handling waste independently through the 3R method.

Heavy metal loading effects on special nuclear material and waste of an uprated Indonesian Reaktor Daya Eksperimental

This technical policy study investigated the effect of heavy metal loading (HML) quantity in the pebble fuel on the special nuclear material (SNM) and waste quantities in an uprated Indonesian pebble bed reactor design, the Reaktor Daya Eksperimental (RDE). A set of Monte Carlo simulations, performed using OpenMC, was deployed to simulate the pebble fuel depletion using an infinite lattice reactor calculation. This study considers HML, fuel residence time, leftover 235U, total Pu, medium- and long-lived wastes, number of depleted pebbles, and volume of waste at different HML values, at attainable discharged fuel burnup, at a target burnup of 80 GWd/MTU and at different reactor powers (10 and 40 MWt). Due to an over-moderation effect, a higher HML quantity shortened the attainable discharged fuel burnup level, which also translated to a lower fuel utilization. An 80% higher HML quantity resulted in about a 25% lower burnup level. Assuming a five-pass refueling scheme, this resulted in approximately three times more leftover 235U, 2.4 times more Pu, 1.4 times more medium-lived waste, and 1.5 times more long-lived waste collections per year. The study showed that a power uprating by a factor of four increased the SNM and waste quantities by four times.

From lava to leaf: Physiological responses and trace element mobility in Tilia cordata L. trees grown in volcanic ash amended urban soil

This study investigates the potential of utilizing volcanic ash (VA), classified as special waste, as an inorganic soil amendment to enhance tree growth and resilience in urban areas near volcanic regions. Lime trees were transplanted into pots filled with urban soil (Cnt) or amended with 10 % VA. Tree’s physiological traits were monitored over the growing season. Notably, VA-treated trees showed improved net CO2 assimilation (Pn) and stomatal conductance (gs) during the leaf senescent stage. The analysis of ash, and Cnt and VA soils, showed low concentrations of trace elements. In addition, trace element accumulation in the leaves of VA trees was not observed. In summer, during a 12-day drought stress test, VA-stressed trees exhibited enhanced water absorption, reduced lipid peroxidation, and higher Pn and gs values in the initial days compared to control-stressed trees. Importantly, the VA also promoted a 33 % larger tree root system, potentially enhancing drought resilience. This could offer an important advantage for trees, especially during the tree's critical establishment phase. Thus, VA could be a promising amendment for urban soils to bolster tree tolerance to drought.

Socioeconomic Disparities in Privatized Pollution Remediation: Evidence from Toxic Chemical Spills

Governments often privatize the administration of regulations to third-party specialists paid for by the regulated parties. We study how the resulting conflict of interest can have unintended consequences for the distributional impacts of regulation. In Massachusetts, the party responsible for hazardous waste contamination must hire a licensed contractor to quantify the environmental severity. We find that contractors’ evaluations favor their clients, exhibiting substantial score bunching just below thresholds that determine government oversight of the remediation. Client favoritism is more pronounced in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods and is associated with inferior remediation quality, highlighting a novel channel for inequities in pollution exposure. (JEL D63, J15, K32, L51, Q53, R23)

Sensitive and rapid determination of tetracycline antibiotic by carrot juice-derived carbon dots as a fluorescent probe.

The antibiotic tetracycline can be efficiently used as medicine for the deterrence of bacterial infections in humans, animals, and plants. However, the unprecedented use of tetracycline is of great concern owing to its low biodegradability, extensive usage, and adverse impacts on the environment and water quality. In this study, a sensitive spectrofluorometric method was proposed for the direct determination of tetracycline, based on biocompatible fluorescent carbon dots (CDs). The synthesis of CDs was performed by adopting a green hydrothermal procedure from carrot juice without requiring surface passivation or outflowing any environmentally hazardous waste. X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy revealed amorphous spherical-shaped CDs that exhibited blue emission under blue illumination. The fabricated fluorescent probe directly detected tetracycline in the concentration range of 4.00 ×10-6 to 1.55 ×10-5mol L-1 with an LOD of 1.33 ×10-6mol L-1. The performance of the probe was assessed in a tap water sample, with recovery values between 80.70 and 103.60%. The method's greenness was evaluated using the Analytical Green metric approach (AGREE) and confirmed to be within the green range. The developed method is facile, rapid, cost-effective, and offers a wide linear range and satisfactory selectivity, making it potentially suitable for determining tetracycline in water applications.

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials and Heavy Metals in Photovoltaics: Insights into Short- and Long-Term Waste Hazards

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials and Heavy Metals in Photovoltaics: Insights into Short- and Long-Term Waste Hazards

Existing Green Port Sustainable Practices under Fuzzy AHP Model: A Case Study of Karachi Port

Maritime transport drives globalization and international trade. Ports worldwide handle 80% of seaborne trade by volume and 70% by value. Sustainable development is more important due to unexpected worldwide environmental changes. Ports are vital to economic progress. Port construction and operation polluted the environment, prompting the green concept. The present study used the "Fuzzy AHP Model"to assess Karachi Port's sustainable green port practices based on previous research. The study identified five key characteristics of a green port: little hazardous waste handling, a weak air and water pollution control system, poor port greenery, and habitat quality maintenance below international standards at Karachi port. Future research should create and apply solutions to improve this study's prioritized features. Innovative technology, policies, and collaborations can sustain green ports. Port and regional studies uncover green port best practices and contextual differences. Monitor and evaluate strategies to adapt to changing environmental standards and maritime transport issues.

Разработка критериев оценки эффективности методов обращения с твердыми коммунальными отходами

One of the most socially significant environmental problems is the problem of solid municipal waste (SMW) management. In Russia, the most common method of waste management is waste disposal, i.e., landfilling depositing. However, waste disposal in such a way prevents the use of their resource potential, and also, harms the environment. Along with this method, such methods as recycling, incineration, anaerobic digestion, and thermal destruction are used. The choice of a particular waste management method depends on many factors, for example the morphological composition of the waste, the cost of its implementation, the total impact on the environment, etc. Thus, development of a comprehensive criterion that allows evaluating the effectiveness of a specific waste management method under specified conditions is relevant. The substantiation of the most effective method of waste management, as well as the development of a comprehensive criterion for evaluating efficiency, is carried out using the method of analyzing hierarchies by T. Saati. Six criteria have been developed to assess the reduction of waste volume, the impact of the SMW recycling process on the environment, volume of greenhouse gas emissions, and the energy and economic attractiveness of various waste management methods. A comprehensive criterion has been proposed. The use of this criterion with the expert assessments makes it possible to choose a method for the disposal of SMW. As a result of the analysis of the results obtained, it is found that the most effective method of waste management is thermal destruction, and waste disposal is less preferable. A method has been developed to compare and select a method for the disposal of SMW of a given composition based on a comprehensive account of energy, environmental and economic factors.

Development of a 3D Digital Model of End-of-Service-Life Buildings for Improved Demolition Waste Management through Automated Demolition Waste Audit

This paper presents the development of a 3D digital model of end-of-service-life buildings to facilitate a step change in preparation of pre-demolition protocols that can eliminate problems of inadequate documentation and extensive time spent in preparing pre-demolition audits. The 3D digital model consists of the following four main components: (i) digitization of paper-based drawings and their conversion to CAD; (ii) automated generation of a 3D digital model from CAD; (iii) corrections to the 3D digital model to account for changes in the lifetime of a building; (iv) a sub-model for performing pre-demolition audit. This paper proposes the innovative approaches of incorporating a minimal amount of human intervention to overcome numerous difficulties in automated drawing analysis, application of augmented reality (AR) in corrections to the 3D digital model, and data compatibility for pre-demolition audit. These processes are demonstrated using one building as case study. Using the digital model, a pre-demolition audit can be prepared in minutes rather than the many days required in current practice without a digital model. The accurate quantification of the quantities and locations of different demolition waste materials and products in buildings to be demolished will enable a systematic and quantitative evaluation of potentials of material and product reuse and eliminate contamination of different demolition waste streams (which may contain hazardous waste), which is the main cause of environmental degradation and downcycling of demolition waste materials.

Mechanochemical room-temperature lead reduction: Elucidating the mechanism from structural evolution and electrochemical insights

Mechanochemistry has rapidly advanced as an effective method for recovering metals from hazardous wastes due to its mild reaction conditions, while understanding the underlying mechanisms remains a significant challenge. This work investigates the mechanochemical reduction of lead compounds using iron powder at room temperature, focusing on physicochemical properties and electrochemical performance. Notable transformations were observed in the crystal structures, morphologies, and thermal stability of PbSO4 and PbCl2. Electrochemical tests indicated enhanced redox reactivity, decreased reduction potential, and reduced charge transfer impedance after mechanochemical treatment. Additionally, the reduction of PbSO4 proved more challenging than PbCl2 under the same conditions. Our findings provide valuable insights into the management of toxic lead waste and improve the understanding of the mechanochemical effects on redox reactions, with important implications for environmental applications.

Valorization of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash in low-carbon alkali-activated materials

Municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA) is a hazardous waste with high alkalinity and is rich in heavy metals (HMs) and chlorine. To facilitate resource disposal, this paper proposes recycle MSWIFA as an alkali activator to develop low-carbon and cement-free alkali-activated materials. The designed MSWIFA-activated slag exhibited impressive compressive strength (>70 MPa). The microstructure of the MSWIFA-activated slags was tightly filled with various reaction products, including ettringite, calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (C-A-S-H), and Friedel’s salt. The leaching behaviors of the HMs and chlorine were significantly restricted owing to the chemical fixation of the reaction products and the dense microstructure of the MSWIFA-activated slags. The immobilization of chlorine primarily depended on the formation of Friedel’s salt, and the remaining chlorine could be captured by the positively charged sites of C-A-S-H. The reaction mechanism of the designed MSWIFA-activated slags could be divided into three stages: ettringite precipitation, C-A-S-H formation, and Friedel’s salt generation. This paper provides constructive insights into the resource utilization of hazardous waste and contributes to the development of low-carbon alkali-activated materials.

Effect of glass waste powder and date palm seed ash based sustainable cementitious grouts on the performance of semi-flexible pavement

Cement plays a pivotal role in the production of semi-flexible pavement (SFP), however, it contributes to 8 % of global carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, reducing cement usage in grout production for porous asphalt mixtures is highly desirable to mitigate the overall carbon footprint. Additionally, the substantial generation of agricultural, industrial, and hazardous waste often ends up in environmental disposal without recycling. This research aims to repurpose glass waste powder (GWP) and date palm seed ash (DPSA) as partial substitutes for cement in SFP, aiming to curtail environmental pollution from cement production, decrease costs, and enhance waste and landfill management. Novel cement grouts were formulated by partially replacing Portland cement with GWP and DPSA at varying ratios (10 %, 20 %, and 30 %). These grout blends were assessed for flow characteristics and compressive strength. Furthermore, SFP samples were prepared by integrating 5 % styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-modified bitumen into a porous asphalt structure, subsequently filled with predefined cement grouts. Comparative analysis of compressive strength, Marshall stability, skid resistance, and moisture damage resistance indicated that SFP specimens modified with GWP and DPSA exhibited superior performance over conventional counterparts. Optimal results were achieved with a combination of 20 % GWP and 10 % DPSA replacement ratio, yielding denser microstructure, enhanced skid resistance, and improved adhesion and tensile strength, thereby enhancing overall SFP performance.

The cementitious properties of alkali-activated municipal solid waste incineration fly ash-phosphorus slag-secondary aluminum dross matrix composites and the mechanism of solidification of heavy metals

Based on the purpose of safe and resourceful disposal of hazardous waste, this paper proposes a new method for the combined treatment of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA), phosphorus slag (PS), and secondary aluminum dross (SAD). A novel alkali-activated binder was synthesized by orthogonal experimental design, and the strength formation mechanism of the binder and the solidification and stabilization (S/S) mechanism of heavy metals were revealed. The results show that the maximum strength of the sample at 60 d is 22.4 MPa. The addition of SAD will affect the development of the strength of the solidified body and the types of hydration products of the gel. The hydration products of the solidified body are mainly calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (C-A-S-H), and calcium alumina (AFt). The solidified body of alkali-activated cementitious material has a good S/S effect on heavy metals, and its solidification efficiency is Zn > Cd > Pb > Cu > Ni > As > Cr. The maximum solidification rates of Zn, Pb, and Cd were 99.97 %, 97.90 %, and 99.68 %, respectively. At the same time, the leaching concentration of various heavy metals meets the threshold requirements stipulated by relevant international norms and has good environmental safety.

Data-driven approaches linking wastewater and source estimation hazardous waste for environmental management

Industrial enterprises are major sources of contaminants, making their regulation vital for sustainable development. Tracking contaminant generation at the firm-level is challenging due to enterprise heterogeneity and the lack of a universal estimation method. This study addresses the issue by focusing on hazardous waste (HW), which is difficult to monitor automatically. We developed a data-driven methodology to predict HW generation using wastewater big data which is grounded in the availability of this data with widespread application of automatic sensors and the logical assumption that a correlation exists between wastewater and HW generation. We created a generic framework that used representative variables from diverse sectors, exploited a data-balance algorithm to address long-tail data distribution, and incorporated causal discovery to screen features and improve computation efficiency. Our method was tested on 1024 enterprises across 10 sectors in Jiangsu, China, demonstrating high fidelity (R² = 0.87) in predicting HW generation with 4,260,593 daily wastewater data.

Assessing an Abandoned Pyrite Cinder Deposit in Southeast Spain with Electrical Resistivity Tomography: A Case Study

Industrial activities have historically generated significant quantities of by-products, including pyrite cinders, a residue produced during the synthesis of sulphuric acid. This study presents a multidisciplinary approach to characterise an abandoned pyrite cinder deposit. Combining geophysical (electrical resistivity tomography—ERT), geochemical, and statistical methods, we assess the physicochemical properties of the deposit and its environmental implications. Our findings reveal the presence of heavy metals, with lead (7017.5 mg.kg−1) being the most concentrated element on the surface of the deposit, exceeding local legal thresholds by more than 163 times, posing environmental risks and inhibiting vegetation growth. Subsurface characterisation indicates a decreasing concentration trend of metals with depth, alongside variations in pH and electrical conductivity. Clustering analysis identifies groups of similar behaviours between resistivity, the most abundant heavy metals, and other variables, providing valuable insights into the complex interplay within the deposit. Our study underscores the importance of integrated approaches in assessing and managing hazardous waste sites, with implications for environmental remediation strategies.

Resource utilization of medical waste incineration fly ash to activate peroxydisulfate for tetracycline degradation: Synergy between adsorption and PDS activation

Medical waste incineration fly ash (MWI FA) is classified as a hazardous solid waste. Therefore, the development of recycling technologies to convert MWI FA into useful products is necessary and challenging. In this study, we developed a sustainable approach for preparing a catalyst through the pyrolysis of water-washed MWI FA (WW FA-x, where x corresponds to the pyrolysis temperature). Subsequently, it was applied as a potent peroxydisulfate (PDS) activator to remove tetracycline (TC) from water. The results showed that the WW FA-800 exhibited remarkable adsorption performance as well as highly efficient catalytic activation of PDS, with a 115 mg/g maximum TC adsorption capacity and 93.5% (reaction kinetic rate = 315 μmol/g/h) TC removal within 60 min. A synergistic effect was achieved by adsorption and PDS activation. TC degradation was primarily driven by non-radical (1O2 and electron transfer) processes. WW FA-800 possesses multiple active sites, including defects, π–π*, O–CO groups, Fe0, and Cu(I). Three possible pathways for TC decomposition have been proposed, with the majority of intermediates exhibiting less toxicity than TC. Furthermore, the WW FA/PDS system exhibited an excellent anti-interference ability, and universality in the degradation of various organic contaminants. Notably, energy consumption was minimal, approximately 2.80 kWh/(g·TC), and the leachability of heavy metals in the WW FA-800 was within acceptable limits. This study provides a MWI FA recycling route for the development of highly active catalysts.

Single-Atom Iron Can Steer Atomic Hydrogen toward Selective Reductive Dechlorination: Implications for Remediation of Chlorinated Solvents-Impacted Groundwater.

Atomic hydrogen (H*) is a powerful and versatile reductant and has tremendous potential in the degradation of oxidized pollutants (e.g., chlorinated solvents). However, its application for groundwater remediation is hindered by the scavenging side reaction of H2 evolution. Herein, we report that a composite material (Fe0@Fe-N4-C), consisting of zerovalent iron (Fe0) nanoparticles and nitrogen-coordinated single-atom Fe (Fe-N4), can effectively steer H* toward reductive dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE), a common groundwater contaminant and primary risk driver at many hazardous waste sites. The Fe-N4 structure strengthens the bond between surface Fe atoms and H*, inhibiting H2 evolution. Nonetheless, H* is available for dechlorination, as the adsorption of TCE weakens this bond. Interestingly, H* also enhances electron delocalization and transfer between adsorbed TCE and surface Fe atoms, increasing the reactivity of adsorbed TCE with H*. Consequently, Fe0@Fe-N4-C exhibits high electron selectivity (up to 86%) toward dechlorination, as well as a high TCE degradation kinetic constant. This material is resilient against water matrix interferences, achieving long-lasting performance for effective TCE removal. These findings shed light on the utilization of H* for the in situ remediation of groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents, by rational design of earth-abundant metal-based single-atom catalysts.

Design And Construction Of Metal And Non-Metal Waste Selecting Tools Based On Arduino Uno

This Arduino-based automatic metal and non-metal waste sorting tool is designed to sort waste, making it easier to recycle waste. The main components of this tool include Arduino (as a tool control system), proximity sensor (as a metal scrap detector), servo motor (as a driver to isolate metal scrap) and LCD to display the type of metal scrap. In terms of waste sorting, the Proximity sensor will detect waste. If the waste is detected as metal waste, the servo motor will rotate to the right and direct the waste to a special metal waste bin. The LCD screen will display the type of metal waste. If the proximity sensor does not detect non-metal waste, the servo motor will rotate to the left and direct the non-metal waste to a special non-metal waste bin. This type of waste sorter is very helpful in reducing waste because it can be processed according to the type of waste.

The effect of climatic variables and techno-structural factors on the water pollution caused by nicotine leakage from littered cigarette butts.

Nicotine is one of the main pollutants in cigarette smoke that trapped in the filter. Nicotine leakage from cigarette butts is one of the concerns associated with this hazardous waste. In this study, the concentration of nicotine leaked from cigarette butts into the urban environment was investigated under the influence of three parameters including rainfall, density, and the durability of the littered cigarette butt. The leakage of nicotine into the environment was estimated in six scenarios based on the difference in the durability of cigarette butts in the urban environment and the humidity ratio. The results showed that the density of littered cigarette butts was 0.0019-0.294 number/m2. The density of littered cigarette butts in residential land-use was 52.38% lower than commercial land-use. Nicotine leakage from cigarette butts in commercial, residential, and recreational land-uses was 1.1, 0.484, and .0065 mg/m2, respectively. In the studied scenarios, in the best and worst case, 335,070 and 481,950 gr/year of nicotine will leak from the cigarette butt into the water resources. Considering that cigarette butts are a serious source of toxins including nicotine to the environment, control measures are necessary to reduce its density in the urban environment.

Assessment of Innovative Technologies for Hazardous Waste Treatment and Remediation Review: A Sustainable Approach for Environmental Protection

<p>The management of hazardous waste is a critical environmental challenge that requires innovative and sustainable solutions to mitigate adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health. This research project aims to assess and evaluate cutting-edge technologies for the treatment and remediation of hazardous waste, focusing on their sustainability and effectiveness in environmental protection. The study will investigate various innovative methods such as advanced oxidation processes, bioremediation techniques, nanotechnology applications, and green chemistry strategies. These technologies offer promising opportunities to address hazardous waste contamination while minimizing resource consumption and environmental footprints. The research will include a comprehensive review of existing literature, case studies, and technical reports to gather insights into the performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits of these innovative technologies. Special emphasis will be placed on evaluating their applicability across different types of hazardous waste, ranging from industrial chemicals and pollutants to electronic waste and persistent organic pollutants. Furthermore, the study will analyze regulatory frameworks, policy implications, and socio-economic factors influencing the adoption and implementation of these technologies in diverse industrial sectors and geographical regions. Through rigorous assessment and analysis, this research aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations for stakeholders, policymakers, and environmental practitioners involved in hazardous waste management. The findings will contribute to advancing sustainable approaches for addressing hazardous waste challenges, promoting environmental protection, and fostering a circular economy mindset in waste management practices.</p>