High Environmental Costs Research Articles

A circular economy for electric vehicle batteries: driving the change

PurposeWith the UK’s accelerating plans to transition to electric mobility, this paper aims to highlight the need for policies to prepare for appropriate management of electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as they reach the end of their life.Design/methodology/approachThis is a regulatory review based on projections of EV LIBs coming off the market and associated problems of waste management together with the development of a servitisation model.FindingsCircular economy in EV LIBs is unlikely to shape itself because LIB recycling is challenging and still in development. LIB volumes are insufficient for recycling to be currently profitable, and a circular economy here will need to be driven by regulatory intervention. Ignoring the problem carries potentially high environmental and health costs. This paper offers potential solutions through new EV ownership models to facilitate a circular economy.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors suggest a new EV ownership model. However, despite environmental benefits, re-shaping the fundamentals of market economies can have disruptive effects on current markets. Therefore, further exploration of this topic is needed. Also, the data presented is based on future projections of EV markets, battery lifespan, etc., which are uncertain at present. These are to be taken as estimates only.Originality/valueThe paper proposes regulatory interventions or incentives to fundamentally change consumer ideas of property ownership for EVs, so that EV automotive batteries remain the property of the manufacturer even when the consumer owns the car.

Water-based highly conductive graphene inks for fully printed humidity sensors

Conductive graphene inks have attracted extensive research interests for printed electronics due to the excellent electrical and mechanical properties of graphene. While the traditional organic solvents used for graphene inks will result in high environmental cost, environmentally friendly solvents are required for conductive graphene inks. In this work, we demonstrate a highly conductive aqueous graphene ink printed on a paper substrate using screen printing technique. The well-tuned rheological properties of the graphene ink enable the printed lines to achieve a high resolution as fine as 45 µm in width. After being dried at 70 °C and roller compressed, the printed graphene lines present a high conductivity, up to 4.23 × 104 S m−1 at 3 µm thickness. It also shows an excellent bending stability during the roller compression process, which is compatible for large-scale manufacturing. Combining with inkjet-printed graphene oxide as the sensing layer, the graphene lines are exploited as the electrodes for a fully printed humidity sensor on the paper substrate. Such a low drying temperature, high printing resolution and low-cost printing method offers an example that two-dimensional materials are cooperatively utilized for fully printed flexible electronic devices.

A framework for developing completion criteria for mine closure and rehabilitation

The mining industry is a major contributor to Australia's economy. However, such returns may come at high environmental and social costs, including loss of biodiversity or heritage values. Thus, companies worldwide are required to rehabilitate mine sites to a state that is safe, non-polluting and capable of supporting an agreed post-mining land use. While national and international guidelines on mine rehabilitation and closure exist, there is a lack of guidance on how to define achievable and measurable criteria that reflect rehabilitation success. This often leads to discrepancies between proponents and regulators, which hinder progression towards mine closure and relinquishment. The purpose of this study was to develop a systematic framework for the definition of completion criteria for mine closure and rehabilitation. The study was informed by a global review of the literature and collaborative research with mining stakeholders from Western Australia. The proposed framework consists of six fundamental steps: 1) selection of post mining land use; 2) definition of aspects and closure objectives; 3) selection of reference(s); 4) selection of attributes; 5) definition of completion criteria; and 6) evaluation of performance. This framework is the first to provide a step-by-step guide for defining site-specific completion criteria and applying a risk-based monitoring approach throughout the life of mine. The framework is applicable across jurisdictions and industries, in Australia and internationally, that require similar rehabilitation of disturbed lands.

Determinación de profundidad óptima para intercambiadores de calor tierra-aire en Saltillo, Coahuila

Saltillo Coahuila, due to the lack of an adequate architectural design, some homes do not meet the thermal environment conditions required during the winter period, it is estimated that 471,725 habitants are affected by temperatures until - 3.4°C, which causes morbidity problems, so that the need for the use of electromechanical air conditioning systems with electrical energy consumption of high economic and environmental cost arises. The objective of the work was to study the feasibility of applying a geothermal heat exchanger for home heating. Periodic variation of soil temperature at different depths was studied to determine the optimum by experimentally validated equations. An ideal depth of 3 m was determined due to a variation of 25 y 30% and lower excavation cost compared to depths of 6, 9 and 12 m.

Towards sustainable development in China: do political rights and civil liberties matter for environmental quality?

China is a rising power of the twenty-first century with its brilliant economic performance as a result of the transition to the free market economy model. However, China's economic development process has caused high environmental costs. For the past decade, China has been the leading country responsible for global carbon dioxide emissions (CO2). Therefore, determining the dynamics that have a reducing effect on CO2 emissions in China is very important for the development of sustainable environmental policies. This paper aims to examine the impacts of the institutional structure on environmental sustainability in China. To this end, the study follows the method of cointegration with multiple breaks that produce robust econometric results and consider structural changes. According to the results, (i) the validity of an N-shaped EKC relationship is supported between economic growth and environmental pollution. (ii) Industrialization and trade have an increasing impact on environmental pollution. (iii) Political rights and civil liberties have a reducing effect on environmental pollution. Consequently, this study implies that political rights and civil liberties can make an important contribution to achieving sustainability goals in China.

Investigating Long Run Relationship Among Renewable Energy Consumption, Fossil Fuel Energy Consumption and Economic Growth in South Asia With Time Series Analysis

Excessive consumption of fossil fuel leading to high environmental cost and the possibility of exhaustion of these nonrenewable energies is a compelling man to switch to alternative energy sources. These resources include renewable energies that are clean and sustainable. Renewable energy is such energy sources that are naturally replenished and are abundantly available. These energy sources beget from solar energy, wind, geothermal and hydro-power plants, etc. Therefore, instead of growing reliance on declining underground resources (fossil fuel resources), it must invest in the development of renewable energy utilization. This paper aims to provide renewable energy consumption patterns, in the long run, incorporating economic growth and fossil fuel energy consumption. In this analysis four, South Asian counties have been taken. These are Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka. By analyzing the data from 1990 -2014 with the Johansen Co-integration Method, renewable energy consumption is negatively related to economic growth (except India), whereas fossil fuel energy consumption is increasing with economic growth in the long run for the mentioned South Asian counties. Considering the climate issues, we addressed the opportunities and challenges providing some policy recommendations to increase renewable energy consumption.

Learning from the Past in the Transition to Open-Pollinated Varieties

In Nepal, hybrid seed introduction caused major yield gains in agricultural production, but at high environmental costs. The development of high-yielding open-pollinated varieties has spurred hope for more sustainable production systems. Nepal’s government is interested in boosting their use. This research aimed to identify farmer perceptions on the factors behind the past adoption of hybrid seeds in order to propose guidelines to support the diffusion of open-pollinated varieties. Using in-depth interviews, a focus group and participant observation we explored how the process of hybrid seed diffusion has taken place in Panchkhal valley, a representative case study. Social influencers such as change agents, peers, neighbours and seed sellers, as well as economic gains emerged as major reasons for hybrid seed adoption. We learnt that the role of external agents, on which most of the governmental strategies rely, changed over time as peer-based strategies became essential after the diffusion process started. To boost the adoption of open-pollinated seeds, efforts should concentrate in developing high-yielding varieties, engaging early-adopters among influential caste members and seed sellers, distributing seeds to both disadvantaged and wealthy farmers, and using different instruments, from institutional agencies to NGOs, to deliver training on sustainable farming techniques and their economic and environmental advantages.

Hydrogen Depolarised Anode: Proof of Concept and Operational Overpotential Determination

Lithium hydroxide world demand is growing very fast and will drastically increase in the next years. It could become a critical material in the coming years. This lightning growth is mostly due to lithium-ion batteries development. In particular, the proportion always more important of hybrid and electric cars sell worldwide. This consumer change is mainly driven by a better environmental concern. However, the battery production price and its high environmental cost are breaking the market potential.In order to jointly decreasing these two limitations, Nemaska Lithium is developing a non conventional approach to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide from his spodumene mine located in the north of Quebec. Its electro-membrane process mainly consumes green electricity and avoid the utilization of huge quantity of chemical products. In a constant improvement ambition, Nemaska Lithium decided to study the opportunity to use a Hydrogen Depolarized Anode (HDA) in order to save energy for the direct electro-membrane synthesis of high purity Lithium Hydroxide.This new approach is inspired from proton exchange membrane fuel cells because the anode reaction is similar (H2 → 2H+ + 2e-). This similarity has oriented the general architecture of the electrode. Thus, it was chosen to supply with hydrogen the back of the HDA and to privilege a porous structure. The other side of the HDA is in close contact with the electrolyte composed of lithium sulfate and sulfuric acid (to enhance the conductivity). The cell porosity orients the reactant to the platinum catalytic sites where the reaction itself is taking place. From this place, produced protons must travel through the Nafion and the electrolyte while electrons circulate on the opposite way across the cell porosity. As if global operation is similar between fuel cells and HDA, a certain number of specificities that do not exist in fuel cell can influence the performance of the HDA. To name just a few main examples, the influence of a liquid phase in contact with the anode and the impact of the lithium sulfate on the kinetic reaction.To reach a most complete possible comprehension of this new technology, a R&D equipment has been specifically developed to support the operation of a 50 cm2 cell. This study will demonstrate the ability of an HDA to oxidize efficiently hydrogen without needing an important overpotential. Two approaches will be developed to isolate the anode overpotential induced during its operation. Following that, the influence of different parameters like salt concentration and Nafion humidity will be quantified. By crossing the cell operation data with different ex-situ characterisations (pH or conductivity measurements, microscopy images, etc...), the influence of the different components will be deconvoluted, leading to a complete understanding of the HDA operation. Following this, an optimized composition will be proposed with a very competitive operational overpotential versus standard used anode.

Optimisation of cutting parameters for minimising carbon emissions and cost in the turning process

This study investigates how to minimise environmental cost and maximise economic benefits in the turning process with regard to high carbon emission characteristics in mechanical processing enterprises. Based on the processing task-based evaluation method, carbon emissions and cost are taken as the optimisation objectives. Based on the multi-objective optimisation algorithm concept, NSGA-II was selected to obtain the Pareto frontier. In addition to carbon emissions and cost, the effects of processing time are simultaneously considered, and the Pareto frontier is sorted using the TOPSIS method to determine the optimal combination of the cutting parameters. Contour and single factor analyses were carried out to analyse the influence of cutting parameters on the optimisation objectives. The concept of the processing interval with high economy and low environmental cost was proposed and the calculation method of the interval was presented, which is helpful for mechanical processing enterprises to select reasonable cutting parameters on the premise of meeting the environmental costs and economic benefits.

Fruit Fly as a Model Organism for Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration and Infectious Disease in the Nanomedical Niche

Drosophila melanogaster, a.k.a. the common fruit fly, is a simple organism that may give a rapid, high-throughput response in regard to the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles and drugs, while circumventing the high environmental and monetary cost of today’s typical in vivo assays involving more complex animals, along with the immeasurable suffering imposed onto them. Here we give the progress report on our effort to turn D. melanogaster into a model organism for the in vivo testing of Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) penetration of nano-particles and the treatment of infectious disease. We show that orally ingested superparamagnetic nanoparticles successfully cross the BBB in D. melanogaster and localize to the optic lobes of the third instar larval brain, while causing no adverse effects to the invertebrate organisms. We also show that both orally ingested calcium phosphate nanoparticles and biofilm-forming P. aeruginosa localize to the Drosophila crop, the food storage organ of the fly, which shrinks in response to infection. The model does not induce mortality consequential to infection and the effects of the internalization and proliferation of the microbes are evaluable by measuring the crop parameters, including fluorescence intensity and size. Continued development of these two models could simplify the preclinical testing of medical treatments and of pharmaceutical agents for neurological and infectious disease, while ensuring robust and reliable levels of statistical significance at low cost.

Reusable and Recyclable Graphene Masks with Outstanding Superhydrophobic and Photothermal Performances.

The 2019 coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) is affecting over 210 countries and territories, and it is spreading mainly by respiratory droplets. The use of disposable surgical masks is common for patients, doctors, and even the general public in highly risky areas. However, the current surgical masks cannot self-sterilize in order to reuse or be recycled for other applications. The resulting high economic and environmental costs are further damaging societies worldwide. Herein, we reported a unique method for functionalizing commercially available surgical masks with outstanding self-cleaning and photothermal properties. A dual-mode laser-induced forward transfer method was developed for depositing few-layer graphene onto low-melting temperature nonwoven masks. Superhydrophobic states were observed on the treated masks' surfaces, which can cause the incoming aqueous droplets to bounce off. Under sunlight illumination, the surface temperature of the functional mask can quickly increase to over 80 °C, making the masks reusable after sunlight sterilization. In addition, this graphene-coated mask can be recycled directly for use in solar-driven desalination with outstanding salt-rejection performance for long-term use. These roll-to-roll production-line-compatible masks can provide us with better protection against this severe virus. The environment can also benefit from the direct recycling of these masks, which can be used for desalinating seawater.

Mitigation potential for carbon and nitrogen emissions in pig production systems: lessons from the North China Plain

China produces approximately half of the world’s pork at a high environmental cost. Implementing mitigation measures requires a better understanding of pig farming systems that are often diverse in practice. Nutrient uses and losses can be largely altered due to these variations but have not, however, been fully evaluated; moreover, attention is rarely paid to pollution swapping. Our study evaluated carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) flows among pig farms on the North China Plain using the mass flow approach. The impacts of advanced mitigation measures on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and on C and N emissions were further analyzed via scenario analyses. The results showed that large variations among farms were observed by comparing the best-performing farms (“top 20%”) with the “other” farms; the comparisons showed 31.3 vs. 21.3% for the system NUE, 3.0 vs. 5.7 kg N ·100 kg liveweight gain (LWG)−1 for manure N losses, and 108.1 vs. 146.4 kg CO2-eg·100 kg LWG−1 for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, respectively. Lower system NUE was caused by lower NUEs of pigs, followed by high N emissions from manure and excessive manure application. Scenario analyses indicated that the total N loss of systems can be mitigated by 10–13% through dietary manipulation and by 26%, 27%, and 13% by low-emission storage, biogas production with improved storage, and balanced fertilization, respectively. Anaerobic digestion was solely effective for GHG mitigation (46% reduction), but no impacts were observed for all other low-NH3 measures. Combining mitigation measures simultaneously decreased total N and GHG losses by 56% and 54%, respectively, and increased the system NUEs by 89%. The wide variations among farms suggest largely attainable improvements in productivity and nutrient use by closing the management gaps related to these factors. Proper combinations of advanced measures are further needed to achieve more effective mitigation goals for multiple pollutants.

Using digital field notebooks in geoscientific learning in polar environments

The emergence of digital tools, including tablets with a multitude of built-in sensors, allows gathering many geological observations digitally and in a geo-referenced context. This is particularly important in the polar environments where (1) limited time is available at each outcrop due to harsh weather conditions, and (2) outcrops are rarely re-visited due to the high economic and environmental cost of accessing the localities and the short field season. In an educational development project, we explored the use of digital field notebooks in student groups of 3–4 persons during five geological field campaigns in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. The field campaigns formed part of the Bachelor and Master/PhD courses at the University Centre in Svalbard in Longyearbyen at 78°N. The digital field notebooks comprise field-proofed tablets with relevant applications, notably FieldMove. Questionnaires and analyses of students’ FieldMove projects provided data on student experience of using digital field notebooks, and insight into what students used the digital notebooks for, the notebooks’ functionality and best practices. We found that electronic and geo-referenced note- and photo-taking was by far the dominant function of the digital field notebooks. In addition, some student groups collected significant amounts of structural data using the built-in sensors. Graduate students found the ability to conduct large-scale field mapping and directly display it within the digital field notebook particularly useful. Our study suggests that the digital field notebooks add value to field-based education in polar environments.

Potencial de aplicação do resíduo de cinza de casca de arroz

The use of agricultural waste has become a necessity due to its high environmental cost. As an example of this, we have rice husk ash (CCA), produced by the indiscriminate burning of rice husk, as well as the need to look for alternatives to reuse the waste sustainably, either by applying it to nanomaterials or by extracting SiO2 present in rice husk ash. This study addresses the use of characterization techniques for rice husk ash residue, showing the quality of SiO2 present in the residue.

Managing high quality timber plantations as silvopastoral systems: tree growth, soil water dynamics and nitrate leaching risk

The management of high-quality timber plantations prioritizes obtaining high productions with short rotation cycles, which results in high economic and environmental costs, similar to intensive agricultural systems. The suppression of the herbaceous understorey by ploughing, and the use of fertilizers to boost tree growth potentially pose high environmental risks. Managing these plantations as silvopastoral systems (e.g. by introducing livestock and sowing legume-rich pastures) could reduce environmental risks. However, this management shift can only be effective if it is accompanied by an increased complementarity in the use of soil resources to maintain production. We evaluated rooting systems, tree water status and growth, pasture production, soil moisture and nitrate content in the soil solution in a 13-year-old hybrid walnut (Juglans major × regia) plantation under alternative management schemes. The management aimed at reducing herbaceous understorey cover (grazing, ploughing and mowing) and fertilizer usage (no fertilization, inorganic fertilization and legume sowing). Grazed and mowed plots had higher root surface density than ploughed plots. Ploughed plots also showed lower values of soil water (in summer) and tree leaf water potential than grazed and mowed plots. Tree growth and nitrate content in the soil solution was higher in ploughed than grazed or mowed plots. Fertilized and sown plots had higher understorey biomass and lower soil water (in summer) than unfertilized plots. Tree growth was higher in fertilized than unfertilized plots, with intermediate values in sown plots. Managing high-quality timber plantations under silvopastoral schemes with improved legume-rich forages might be a feasible way to reduce the high ecological maintenance costs of these plantations, without compromising their productivity.

Environmental life cycle assessment of the production in China of lithium-ion batteries with nickel-cobalt-manganese cathodes utilising novel electrode chemistries

Advances in lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology, offering higher mass specific energies, volumetric energy densities, potential differences and energy efficiencies, are key enablers of the large-scale uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). Nickel-cobalt-manganese oxide (NCM) cathode formulations have emerged as the dominant choice in the battery industry. Further performance improvements are expected from the introduction of silicon-graphite composite anodes and nickel-rich cathodes alongside cost reductions achieved through upscaling the battery manufacturing. This work presents results of life cycle assessments concerning the environmental burdens associated with the production of novel electrode batteries and the impacts of the Chinese domination in lithium-ion battery manufacturing. The production of LIBs in China was shown to come at a high environmental cost of 40% higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) than earlier literature suggests. The novel batteries were shown to exhibit similar threats to humans and ecosystems as the commercialised ones, occurring mainly from the metals used in the battery cells; environmental impact reductions are shown to occur as a result of the increased nominal storage capacities of novel battery technologies. The replicable model presented provides the means to quantify the environmental impacts of production of LIBs including those with novel electrode chemistries and offers robust means of decision making that complement scientific and engineering developments targeting LIB performance improvements and cost reductions.

Agriculture Green Development: a model for China and the world

Realizing sustainable has become a global priority. This holds, in particular, for agriculture. Recently, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Nineteenth National People's Congress has delivered a national strategy for sustainable in China-realizing development. The overall objective of Agriculture Green Development (AGD) is to coordinate green with development to realize the transformation of current agriculture with high resource consumption and high environmental costs into a agriculture and countryside with high productivity, high resource use efficiency and low environmental impact. This is a formidable task, requiring joint efforts of government, farmers, industry, educators and researchers. The innovative concept for AGD will focus on reconstructing the whole crop-animal production and food production-consumption system, with the emphasis on high thresholds for environmental standards and food quality as well as enhanced human well-being. This paper addresses the significance, challenges, framework, pathways and potential solutions for realizing AGD in China, and highlights the potential changes that will lead to a more sustainable agriculture in the future. Proposals include interdisciplinary innovations, whole food chain improvement and regional solutions. The implementation of AGD in China will provide important implications for the countries in developmental transition, and contribute to global sustainable development.

Freshwater ecosystems of Mainland Ecuador: diversity, issues and perspectives

Abstract: Ecuador is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in South America. In spite of this, it is also one of the 17 megadiverse countries worldwide and home to the largest number of species per unit area. Most aquatic ecosystems in mainland Ecuador have historically faced strong environmental pressures because the country’s economy has been based on the exploitation and trade of raw materials and agricultural products at a very high environmental cost. In this review, we provide a broad overview of the diversity of freshwater ecosystems and fish in mainland Ecuador. We address broadly current and historical threats to these ecosystems, including pollution due to oil extraction, mining activities, agriculture and the disruption of hydrological connectivity caused by hydroelectric dams. Despite these problems, we show some examples of promising initiatives at the local and national levels to address this situation.

Corn nitrogen rate recommendation tools’ performance across eight US midwest corn belt states

AbstractDetermining which corn (Zea mays L.) N fertilizer rate recommendation tools best predict crop N need would be valuable for maximizing profits and minimizing environmental consequences. Simultaneous comparisons of multiple tools across various environmental conditions have been limited. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the performance of publicly‐available N fertilizer recommendation tools across diverse soil and weather conditions for: (i) prescribing N rates for planting and split‐fertilizer applications, and (ii) economic and environmental effects. Corn N‐response trials using standardized methods were conducted at 49 sites, spanning eight US Midwest states and three growing seasons. Nitrogen applications included eight rates in 45 kg N ha−1 increments all at‐planting and matching rates with 45 kg N ha−1 at‐planting plus at the V9 development stage. Tool performances were compared to the economically optimal N rate (EONR). Over this large geographic region, only 10 of 31 recommendation tools (mainly soil nitrate tests) produced N rate recommendations that weakly correlated to EONR (P ≤ .10; r2 ≤ .20). With other metrics of performance, the Maximum Return to N (MRTN) soil nitrate tests, and canopy reflectance sensing came close to matching EONR. Economically, all tools but the Maize‐N crop growth model had similar returns compared to EONR. Environmentally, yield goal based tools resulted in the highest environmental costs. Results show that no tool was universally reliable over this study's diverse growing environments, suggesting that additional tool development is needed to better represent N inputs and crop utilization at a larger regional level.

Policy options for Agriculture Green Development by farmers in China

Farmers are the key agents who manage land and water. Agriculture Green Development (AGD) requires a transformation in farming from high resource consumption and environmental cost to sustainable intensification with high productivity, high resource use efficiency and low environmental risk. This paper analyzes the public policy challenge of AGD and makes the case for a location-sensitive policy mix made up of regulation, advice provision, voluntarism and targeted incentives. The public agricultural extension service in China is a key resource, but one that requires reorientation and reform with the aim of better balancing high farm productivity with environmental protection.