Environmental Impact Research Articles

Impact of Oil Viscosity on Emissions and Fuel Efficiency at High Altitudes: A Response Surface Methodology Analysis

This study investigates the effect of oil viscosity on pollutant emissions and fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine (ICE) at high altitudes using a response surface methodology (RSM). A Chevrolet Corsa Evolution 1.5 SOHC gasoline engine was used in Cuenca, Ecuador (2560 m above sea level), testing three lubricating oils with kinematic viscosities of 9.66, 14.08, and 18.5 mm2/s, measured at a temperature of 100 °C under various engine speeds and loads. Key findings include the following: hydrocarbon (HC) emissions were minimized from 150.22 ppm at the maximum load to 7.25 ppm with low viscosity and load; carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions peaked at 15.2% vol with high viscosity and load; carbon monoxide (CO) ranged from 0.04% to 3.74% depending on viscosity and load; nitrogen oxides (NOx) were significantly influenced by viscosity, RPM, and load, indicating a need for model refinement; and fuel consumption was significantly affected by load and viscosity. RSM-based optimization identified optimal operational conditions with a viscosity of 13 mm2/s, 1473 rpm, and a load of 78%, resulting in 52.35 ppm of HC, 13.97% vol of CO2, 1.2% vol of CO, 0 ppm of NOx, and a fuel consumption of 6.66 L/h. These conditions demonstrate the ability to adjust operational variables to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize emissions. This study underscores the critical role of optimizing lubricant viscosity and operational conditions to mitigate environmental impact and enhance engine performance in high-altitude environments.

Towards Eco-Friendly Waste Solutions: Environmental Impact of Engineered Cementitious Composites in Solid Waste Management

Towards Eco-Friendly Waste Solutions: Environmental Impact of Engineered Cementitious Composites in Solid Waste Management

Performance and Sustainability of Organic and Conventional Cotton Farming Systems in Egypt: An Environmental and Energy Assessment

Cotton cultivation is resource-intensive, posing significant environmental challenges, especially with conventional farming methods. Growing interest in sustainable agriculture drives the exploration of organic farming as a potential alternative with lower environmental impacts. Despite its benefits, organic farming often faces criticism for lower crop yields, sparking debates on the trade-offs between productivity and environmental impact. This study hypothesizes that organic cotton farming will have a smaller environmental footprint and higher energy efficiency compared to conventional methods. To test this hypothesis, a cradle-to-farm gate energy analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA) were conducted on both organic and conventional seed cotton production systems in the Beheira governorate of Egypt. The ReCiPe 2016 midpoint and endpoint characterization model was used for an environmental impact assessment. The impacts were evaluated using two functional units: one ton of seed cotton and one hectare of cultivated cotton. The findings revealed that organic cotton outperforms conventional cotton in net energy gain, efficiency, and profitability, with higher productivity and lower energy intensity. Regardless of the functional unit used (mass- or land-based), the assessed organic systems generally show a better environmental performance than the conventional systems in the local context, even when accounting for data uncertainty. This is due to lower input intensity and the use of less energy-intensive organic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers. Fertilization and irrigation are key factors influencing environmental impacts, with fertilization affecting midpoint impacts and irrigation affecting endpoint impacts. Therefore, precision fertilization, efficient irrigation practices, and effective nutrient and soil moisture management are recommended to minimize environmental impacts. Subsequent studies could explore whether similar patterns are observed in different geographic regions and evaluate additional social and economic aspects of cotton sustainability beyond environmental impacts. Future agricultural LCAs should use both mass-based and area-based functional units to capture a broader range of environmental effects and evaluate the co-benefits and trade-offs between organic and conventional practices.

Optimizing decarbonation and sustainability of concrete pavement: A case study

This study focuses on the actual project of rural road ‘concrete to asphalt’ pavement renovation, deeply integrating the design concept of full structure regeneration and the innovation of in-situ regeneration technology for old cement pavement. Through the life cycle assessment method, an environmental impact quantification assessment model is used. Based on the analysis of the environmental benefits of traditional pavement renovation technology (using multi-hammer crushed stone and hot mix asphalt production technology), the environmental advantages of the full-structure regeneration technology scheme are outlined, including the recycling of recycled asphalt pavement materials, application of emulsified asphalt plant mixing cold regeneration technology, and implementation of resonance crushed stone on-site regeneration technology. At the same time, sensitivity analysis methods are used to deeply analyze the sensitivity of changes in parameters such as surface and base thickness, transportation distance, and environmental factors to the overall environmental impact. The research results indicate that the optimization plan can achieve a 57.97 % reduction in total energy consumption and a 71.45 % reduction in total carbon emissions. Additionally, the recycling and utilization of RAP materials significantly reduce the demand for new mineral materials and asphalt. For a 1-kilometer road surface, mineral materials save up to 82.39 % and asphalt saves up to 27.11 %. The energy consumption and carbon emissions generated during the raw material production stage in both schemes contribute the most to the environmental impact of road construction. The analysis found that the environmental benefits of the optimization plan mainly come from the recycling of the old cement concrete pavement as the base layer after resonance crushing, as well as the use of emulsified asphalt mixture cold recycling instead of the lower layer of hot mix asphalt concrete, achieving full-scale recycling of the pavement renovation. The relevant findings provide a data foundation or the improvement and upgrading of energy-saving and emission reduction technologies in road surface renovation and offer valuable insights for future research on sustainable road surface renovation strategies.

Inhalational anaesthetic agent consumption within a multidisciplinary veterinary teaching hospital: an environmental audit

Inhalational anaesthetic agents are routinely used in veterinary anaesthesia practices, yet their consumption contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. We conducted a 55-day observational study at a veterinary teaching hospital in Switzerland, monitoring isoflurane and sevoflurane consumption across small, equine and farm animal clinics and analysed the resulting environmental impact. Results revealed that in total, 9.36 L of isoflurane and 1.27 L of sevoflurane were used to anaesthetise 409 animals across 1,489 h. Consumption rates varied among species, with small and farm animals ranging between 8.7 and 13 mL/h, while equine anaesthesia exhibited a higher rate, 41.2 mL/h. Corresponding to 7.36 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in total environmental emissions or between 2.4 and 31.3 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per hour. Comparison to human anaesthesia settings showed comparable consumption rates to small animals, suggesting shared environmental implications, albeit on a smaller scale. This research highlights the importance of continued evaluation of veterinary anaesthesia practices to balance patient safety with environmental stewardship; potential mitigation strategies are explored and discussed.

Impact assessment of the residual lifespan of coal-fired power plants on the investment risk of carbon capture and storage retrofit

This research constructs an assessment model for carbon capture and storage (CCS) retrofit of coal-fired power plants (CFPP) by adopting the real option theory. Due to the prohibitive costs associated with retrofitting and insufficient residual lifespan of CFPP, CCS projects may fail to recoup their investment before units are decommissioned. The key contribution of this paper is that it investigates the impact of the residual lifespan of the units on the failure rate of the retrofit investment in addition to the optimal timing of the unit's CCS retrofit. Considering different installed capacities, utilization hours, clean energy subsidy and carbon trading mechanism, this study sets up seven scenarios to assess the impact of different investment environments on the value of project investment. In terms of sensitivity analysis, the residual lifespan of the unit, its interaction with carbon price, carbon price volatility, technological advancement rate, and subsidy level are examined for their impacts on the project investment risk. The findings suggest that the critical period for determining the long-term success of most coal-fired unit retrofits may be present, and more supportive policies need to be examined to facilitate the green transformation and upgrading of coal-fired units.

Comprehensive Environmental Impact Analysis of Dry Processing Methods for Specialty Coffee Beans in Bondowoso, Indonesia Using Life Cycle Assessment

Comprehensive Environmental Impact Analysis of Dry Processing Methods for Specialty Coffee Beans in Bondowoso, Indonesia Using Life Cycle Assessment

Emergoenvironmental analysis and sustainable flexible peaking of a novel solar-assisted solid oxide fuel cell cogeneration system

The development of green and sustainable conversion technologies is imperative to alleviate the current severe energy and environmental crises and to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. This project presents a novel cogeneration system that integrates a solid oxide fuel cell afterburning system, an energy recovery system, and a parallel heating system equipped with multistage utilization, solar-assisted, and flexible peaking technologies. Following the establishment and validation of the system, power source analysis, parameter sensitivity studies, three-objective optimization, and internal exergy flow investigation are carried out. Subsequently, the positive impacts of multistage utilization, solar-assisted, and flexible peaking technologies, as well as the thermoeconomic and emergoenvironmental operating characteristics of the system, are discussed. The numerical results demonstrate that the emergoenvironmental factor and emergy environmental impact difference of the system are 70.15 % and 82.52 %, and the energy efficiency is improved by 1.41 %∼19.09 %, respectively, compared with similar solid oxide fuel cell systems, confirming its favorable thermodynamic performance and emergoenvironmental impact. The system achieves daily heating savings of 3302 kWh and life cycle economic benefits of $19,310,524, with a repayment of the investment cost in 4.17 years, reflecting considerable economic benefits. This project also demonstrates exergy flow, module defects, and improvement mechanisms from the perspective of emergoenvironmental, providing a valuable reference for the promotion of green energy.

Microplastics in bulk atmospheric deposition along the coastal region of Victoria Land, Antarctica

The increasing global concern over microplastic pollution has driven a surge in research efforts aimed at detecting microplastics across various ecosystems. Airborne microplastics (MPs) have been identified in remote environments worldwide, including Antarctica. However, data on bulk atmospheric deposition remain scarce. From January to December 2020, atmospheric deposition was directly collected using passive samplers placed in eight sites across Victoria Land. Using Raman Microspectroscopy, MPs were identified in six out of the seven samples collected (one sample was lost due to the extreme weather conditions). The average daily MP deposition for Victoria Land was 1.7 ± 1.1 MPs m−2 d−1, with values ranging from 0.76 to 3.44 MPs m−2 d−1. The majority (53 %) of MPs found in the atmospheric deposition were in the size class of 5–10 μm, and the main shape of MPs was fragments (95 %). The predominant plastic type was polypropylene (31 %), followed by polyethylene (19 %) and polycarbonate (12 %). Polystyrene, polyester, styrene and polyethylene terephthalate each accounted for ~6 %. Microplastics identified in the coastal sites may have local origins, potentially associated with scientific activities at research stations. Conversely, a backward trajectories analysis suggested a potential contribution of atmospheric transport to microplastic deposition at Larsen Glacier and Tourmaline Plateau, the two most remote sites of the study area, where the highest MP concentrations were detected. Our findings present the first evidence of microplastics in the Antarctic atmospheric deposition directly collected via passive samplers, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and research to assess the environmental impact of MPs, particularly in sensitive and remote ecosystems like Antarctica.

Embodied carbon saving potential of using recycled materials as cement substitute in Singapore’s buildings

Material production and construction activities are key contributors to global carbon footprints, necessitating sustainable alternatives. This study aims to investigate the potential of integrating recycled materials as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) in concrete production to mitigate the substantial carbon emissions of Singapore’s building and construction sector. The research focuses on Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBFS), waste glass powder, and calcined marine clay as alternative SCMs, aiming to reduce environmental impact and waste disposal emissions in Singapore. Employing a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology for 1 m3 of concrete with different grades, this study quantifies embodied carbon savings and assesses the feasibility of substituting these SCMs in concrete. The results reveal that substituting Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) with GGBFS in concrete offers the most significant reduction, up to 56%, in 1 m3 of concrete. In contrast, the use of calcined marine clay and glass powder in concrete results in reductions of up to 21% and 16%, respectively. Two case studies were used to exemplify the impact of using SCM concrete at the project scale. Results indicate that up to 31% of the total embodied carbon could be saved in the building. Additionally, scenario analysis suggests that the total emissions from cementitious materials in Singapore could decrease by 20% through the incorporation of locally recycled marine clay and glass powder. This reduction could potentially reach 56% if the GGBFS supply is not constrained. To further enhance sustainability in Singapore’s construction sector, the study proposes sourcing GGBFS from neighboring countries to minimize transportation emissions and localizing the production and usage of calcined marine clay and glass powder. These measures can improve material circularity and significantly contribute to achieving carbon reduction targets.

Climate change considerations in environmental impacts assessment (EIA) practices: learning from climate sensitive projects in Rufiji Basin Tanzania

Abstract The assessment of climate change mitigation and adaptation in environmental impact assessment practices has been mostly inconsistently addressed. Studies that use data validation from experts and relevant authorities to address the socio-political context that influence the process have been inadequate. This study aimed to bridge the gap by examining the extent to which climate change mitigation and adaptation in environmental impact assessment practices in Tanzania have been considered and the broader social-political context that influence the process. A mixed research design employing sequential methods was adopted. Both primary and secondary data was used. Primary data was obtained from 22 environmental experts through a close-ended questionnaire and interview with 6 key informants, while secondary data was obtained from 19 environmental impact assessment reports issued between January 2020 and January 2022. Purposive sampling was used to select key informants and simple random sampling was used to select environmental experts and environmental impact assessment reports. Content analysis was employed to assess qualitative text data to generate descriptive information. SPSS enabled the processing and analysis of quantitative data through frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that 23.3% and 10.5% of reviewed reports considered climate change mitigation, and adaptation respectively, reflecting that the degree of consideration was low and was mainly limited to mitigation. A close link between the environmental impact assessment legal frameworks and the environmental impact assessment practices was observed and it was recommended for a review of basic frameworks to mandate and include details on climate change mitigation and adaptation assessment in environmental impacts assessment practices. The study recommends building capacity of experts and authority, preparing clear climate change assessment guidelines, and availing reliable climate data at the local level to facilitate modelling.

Assessment of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Mediated Effects of Aromatic Sensitizers in Paper Recycling Effluent Employing Zebrafish Embryos and in Silico Docking.

Aromatic sensitizers and related substances (SRCs), which are crucial in the paper industry for facilitating color-forming and color-developing chemical reactions, inadvertently contaminate effluents during paper recycling. Owing to their structural resemblance to endocrine-disrupting aromatic organic compounds, concerns have arisen about potential adverse effects on aquatic organisms. We focused on SRC effects via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), employing molecular docking simulations and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo exposure assessments. Molecular docking revealed heightened binding affinities between certain SRCs in the paper recycling effluents and zebrafish Ahr2 and human AHR, which are pivotal components in the SRC toxicity mechanism. Fertilized zebrafish eggs were exposed to SRCs for up to 96 h post fertilization; among these substances, benzyl 2-naphthyl ether (BNE) caused morphological abnormalities, such as pericardial edema and shortened body length, at relatively low concentrations (1 μM) during embryogenesis. Gene expression of cytochrome P450 1A (cyp1a) and ahr2 was also significantly increased by BNE. Co-exposure to the AHR antagonist CH-223191 only partially mitigated BNE's phenotypic effects, despite the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin being relatively well restored by CH-223191, indicating BNE's AHR-independent toxic mechanisms. Furthermore, some SRCs, including BNE, exhibited in silico binding affinity to the estrogen receptor and upregulation of cyp19a1b gene expression. Therefore, additional insights into the toxicity of SRCs and their mechanisms are essential. The present results provide important information on SRCs and other papermaking chemicals that could help minimize the environmental impact of the paper industry. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-13. © 2024 SETAC.

Assessing the Belt and Road Initiative’s environmental footprint: an impact evaluation analysis of African member countries

This empirical study undertakes a rigorous examination of the environmental sustainability impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on its member countries. Employing a robust difference-in-difference quasi-natural experimental technique, our analysis spans a panel of 69 countries, covering the years from 1990 to 2022. Our primary metric for assessing ecological strain is the total Ecological Footprint consumption (EFP), measured in global hectares, which encapsulates the ecological exhaustion resulting from economic activities. This study not only contributes to the growing body of literature on the BRI’s economic, social, and environmental impacts but also distinguishes itself by providing experimental evidence of its environmental repercussions 10 years post-initiative commencement for member countries and 4 years for African countries in which the majority joined in 2018. Our findings reveal a significant increase in ecological footprint consumption among the BRI member countries after 2014, implying that participation in the BRI has contributed to heightened ecological depletion in these nations. Additionally, our analysis highlights the same impact for African countries, where ecological footprint consumption substantially escalated after joining the BRI in 2018. This pivotal discovery calls for the attention of not only the Chinese government, a driving force behind the BRI, but also all member countries partaking in this international collaboration. It signals a potential ecological deficit and future productivity impairment, urging stakeholders to reconsider and address the environmental ramifications of their endeavors.

Evaluating the impact of a ward environment with 20 single occupancy rooms and two four-bedded bays on patient and staff experiences and outcomes in an acute NHS Trust: a mixed-methods study protocol

IntroductionTraditionally, wards in acute care hospitals consist predominately of multioccupancy bays with some single rooms. There is an increasing global trend towards a higher proportion of single rooms in hospitals,...

Place of high-flow nasal oxygen in nonoperating room anesthesia.

This article aims to assess the utility of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapy in nonoperating room anesthesia (NORA) settings. The number of procedural interventions under deep sedation in NORA is still increasing. Administration of oxygen is recommended to prevent hypoxemia and is usually delivered with standard oxygen through nasal cannula or a face mask. HFNO is a simple alternative with a high warmed humidified flow (ranging from 30 to 70 l/min) with a precise fraction inspired of oxygen (ranging from 21 to 100%). Compared to standard oxygen, HFNO has demonstrated efficacy in reducing the incidence of hypoxemia and the need for airway maneuvers. Research on HFNO has primarily focused on its application in gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures. Yet, it has also shown promising results in various other procedural interventions including bronchoscopy, cardiology, and endovascular procedures. However, the adoption of HFNO prompted considerations regarding cost-effectiveness and environmental impact. HFNO emerges as a compelling alternative to conventional oxygen delivery methods for preventing hypoxemia during procedural interventions in NORA. However, its utilization should be reserved for patients at moderate-to-high risk to mitigate the impact of cost and environmental factors.

4E analysis and multi-objective optimization of a novel multi-generating cycle based on waste heat recovery from solid oxide fuel cell fed by biomass

The present study optimizes a novel developed cycle including solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) fed by synthesis gas produced from biomass as well as gas turbine (GT), supercritical carbon dioxide cycle (SCO2), transcritical carbon dioxide cycle (TCO2), Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), thermoelectric generator (TEG), and reverse osmosis (RO)- based desalination. Energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental analyses on the developed cycle were investigated. Multi-objective optimization was carried out using of Genetic algorithm using generated power and exergy destruction as objective functions. Sankey diagram data indicate that afterburner holds the highest portion of the total exergy destruction 46.5% (692.24 kW), followed by SOFC which is 20.48% (304.51 kW). Moreover, optimization results showed that the total net power, first and second laws of thermodynamic efficiencies increased by 2.6%, 0.96% and 0.83%, respectively, while exergy destruction decreased by 1%. Furthermore, such a power increase (18.53 kW) using the freshwater produced by RO leads to daily production of 17040 liters of drinking water. According to the exergoeconomic analysis, the minimum flow value pertains to GT at a value of 0.0119 $/GJ, while the TCO2 turbine has the highest value which is 0.2867 $/GJ. The system product cost rate and exergy destruction cost rate reached 27.0353 $/h, and 10.7012 $/h, respectively. In the case of the exergoenvironmental one, the maximum environmental impact is related to the SCO2 turbine 0.0212 Pts/GJ, while SOFC has the lowest (0.0002 Pts/GJ). The system product environmental impact and exergy destruction were achieved at optimum values of 2.7503 $/h, and 4.1576 ×10-7 $/h, respectively.

Profit first, environmental impact second? Investigating hybrid institutional logics in venture capital investment approaches

Profit first, environmental impact second? Investigating hybrid institutional logics in venture capital investment approaches

Design and Fabrication of Solar Based Electric Vehicle

With rising concerns about fossil fuel dependence and environmental impact, solar-powered electric vehicles (SEVs) represent a promising alternative for sustainable transportation. This research explores the design and fabrication of a functional SEV, focusing on optimizing its efficiency and practicality.

Environmental impact of anesthetic drugs.

The environmental impact of anesthesia far exceeds that of other medical specialties due to our use of inhaled anesthetic agents (which are potent greenhouse gases) and many intravenous medications. Calls for reducing the carbon footprint of anesthesia are ubiquitous in the anesthesia societies of developed nations and are appearing in proposed changes for hospital accreditation and funding in the United States. The body of research on atmospheric, land and water impacts of anesthetic pharmaceuticals is growing and generally reinforces existing recommendations to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of anesthesia care. The environmental impact of anesthesia care should factor into our clinical decisions. The onus is on clinicians to safely care for our patients in ways that contribute the least harm to the environment. Intravenous anesthesia and regional techniques have less environmental impact than the use of inhaled agents; efforts to reduce and properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste are central to reducing environmental burden; desflurane should not be used; nitrous oxide should be avoided except where clinically necessary; central nitrous pipelines should be abandoned; low fresh gas flows should be utilized whenever inhaled agents are used.

Biopreparations for the decomposition of crop residues.

Recently, there has been growing interest in biopreparations that intensify the decomposition of crop residues. These preparations can promote nutrient cycling and soil fertility, ultimately supporting healthy plant growth and increasing agricultural productivity. However, the development and commercialization of biopreparations poses unique challenges. Producers of biopreparations struggle to develop highly effective preparations, which then face regulatory hurdles and must win market acceptance. This literature review provides up-to-date data on microbial preparations available commercially on the European market, along with information on current relevant regulations. Challenges for the development and commercialization of new biopreparations are also discussed. The development and commercialization of biopreparations require a comprehensive approach that addresses the complex interplay of microbial and environmental factors. The need for more specific regulations on biopreparations for decomposing crop residues, clearer instructions on their use, and further research on the overall impact of biopreparations on the soil metabolome and optimal conditions for their application were indicated. Moreover, manufacturers should prioritize the development of high-quality products that meet the needs of farmers and address concerns about environmental impact and public acceptance.