Industrial Emissions Research Articles

The relationship between geographic distance to environmental protection agencies and industrial pollution emissions

ABSTRACT The distance between governments and firms is associated with firms’ economic activities, while the association of geographic proximity to environmental agencies with industrial pollution emissions is unclear. To explore the effects of geographic distance on firms’ pollution emissions, we use the fixed-effect models with data from the China Industrial Enterprise Database. Our results show that the firms located further away from environmental agencies release more SO2 (β = 0.102, p < 0.01) than those close to those environmental agencies. Subsequent investigations reveal that geographic distance has a positive correlation with the short-term performance of firms (total production value and fixed investment) but a negative correlation with firms’ long-term performance (green innovation, technological updates and clean energy use). Heterogeneous checks show that the influence of geographic distance on SO2 emissions is mainly found in non-local firms, suggesting a possibility of collusion between proximate firms and local government. This study highlights how the firm-agency distance relation affects pollution emissions and suggests that policymakers should consider more efficient instruments for environmental management.

Chemical characterization and source identification of PM2.5 in the Huaxi urban area of Guiyang

In 2020, 123 PM2.5 samples were collected across different seasons in Huaxi District, Guiyang. The primary chemical components of PM2.5, including water-soluble ions (WSIIs), metallic elements, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC), were analyzed. During the sampling period, the average PM2.5 concentration was 39.7 ± 22.3 µg/m2. Chemical mass closure (CMC) was used to reconstruct PM2.5 mass, yielding a reconstructed concentration of 29.1 ± 16.5 µg/m2. The major components were organic matter (OM), sulfate + nitrate + ammonium (SNA), and mineral dust (MD), with mean concentrations of 12.2 ± 6.3 µg/m2, 8.2 ± 4.0 µg/m2, and 6.3 ± 4.6 µg/m2, respectively. From clean days (CD) to lightly-moderately polluted days (LMPD), nitrate oxidation ratio (NOR) increased from 0.09 to 0.16, while sulfate oxidation ratio (SOR) and OC/EC ratio rose by 21.7% and 13.5%, indicating stronger secondary reactions on polluted days. The study also examined changes in chemical components under different atmospheric oxidizing and humidity conditions, revealing that sulfate and nitrate concentrations increased with relative humidity (RH) between 60 and 80%, while other components, especially MD, showed a declining trend due to hygroscopic growth and subsequent gravitational settling and precipitation. The average NO3−/SO42− ratio was 0.67, indicating that fixed sources such as industrial and coal emissions were the main contributors to PM2.5. This study provides insights into the chemical composition, pollution processes, and formation mechanisms of PM2.5, which are crucial for developing effective air pollution control strategies. Furthermore, source apportionment was conducted with the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. The Coal combustion, secondary, traffic, Industrial and dust source contributions to the PM2.5 mass were approximately 30.5%, 20.0%, 18.3%,16.7% and 14.5%, respectively.

Research on Industrial CO2 Emission Intensity and Its Driving Mechanism Under China’s Dual Carbon Target

As global climate change becomes increasingly severe, industrial CO2 emissions have received increasing attention, but the impact factors and driving mechanisms of industrial CO2 emission intensity remain unclear. Based on panel data from 2010 to 2021 in Shandong Province, a key economic region in eastern China, the industrial CO2 emission intensity under China’s dual carbon target was analyzed using multivariate ordination methods. The results showed that (1) total CO2 emissions from industry are increasing annually, with an average growth rate of 3.74%, and electricity, coal, and coke are the primary sources of CO2 emissions. (2) Total CO2 emissions originated primarily from the heavy manufacturing, energy production, and high energy intensity industry categories, and the CO2 emission intensity of different types of energy increased by 21.24% from 2010 to 2021. (3) CO2 emission intensity is significantly positively correlated with the proportion of high energy intensive industry, energy consumption intensity, and investment intensity and significantly negatively correlated with gross industrial output. In addition, the effects of different types of energy on industrial CO2 emission intensity varied, and coal, coke, electricity, and diesel oil were significantly positively correlated with CO2 emission intensity. Therefore, to reduce the CO2 emission intensity of the industrial sector in the future and to achieve China’s dual carbon target, it is necessary to adjust and optimize the industrial and energy structure, strengthen technological progress and innovation, improve energy utilization efficiency, improve and implement relevant policies for industrial carbon reduction, and then ensure the sustainable development of the economy, society, and environment.

Digital Technologies in Reducing Carbon Emissions in the Construction Industry: China, Heibei

Global warming caused by carbon emissions has become the focal point of the international community, requiring global cooperation and proactive actions to deal with it. With the continuous development of digital technology, its presence in people's lives is getting higher. The development and application of these technologies are driving the arrival of the digital era. So far, there is still a gap in the application of digital technology in the field of carbon emission management in the construction industry and the application framework in different life cycles is still unclear. Therefore, this study intended to explore the application of digital technologies in the construction industry’s carbon emissions. Furthermore, this intended to study the role of digital technology in different life cycles of carbon emissions, aiming to provide reasonable suggestions for reducing carbon emissions in different life cycles of projects，such as planning, Operation &amp; Maintenance, Tear Down. This systematic literature review uses PRISMA, identified 305 documents from ScienceDirect. A growing trend in publications on this topic was observed, indicating an increasing use of digital technologies in the study of carbon emissions. There is an important impact on reducing carbon emissions such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data, Blockchain, Digital Twin, Machine Learning, etc. Then we use mixed research methods to conduct analysis through Focus Group and AHP and obtain the results through weight ranking. The result of this study can be used as a guideline for digital technology in the process of managing carbon emissions. Driving the guideline, this research helps establish a digital technology carbon emissions in construction management system, which is crucial for promoting digital technology in carbon emissions.

Spatial Correlation Network Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Industrial Carbon Emission Efficiency of Cities in Pearl River Basin

China has experienced rapid development of urbanization and industrialization, and urban industrial carbon reduction has become the key to green and sustainable development. Exploring urban industrial carbon emissions and its spatial correlation characteristics is of great importance for promoting collaborative cooperation between cities and achieving the "dual carbon" goal. Considering 49 cities in the Pearl River Basin as research objects, the super slacks-based measure model was used to measure the urban industrial carbon emission efficiency from 2010 to 2020, and exploratory spatiotemporal data analysis was used to explore its spatial pattern. On this basis, we used social network analysis and quadratic assignment procedure （QAP） methods to explore the spatial correlation network characteristics and influencing factors of urban industrial carbon emission efficiency. The results indicated that the industrial carbon emission efficiency of the Pearl River Basin showed a downward trend. Additionally, a strong spatial imbalance and heterogeneity was observed. The Pearl River Delta Region always dominated the spatial correlation network of carbon emission efficiency, forming a multi-level composite network system with the core network as the primary component and the conventional network as the auxiliary component. Economically developed cities, such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Dongguan have long been in the center of the network and have extensive connections with other cities, while playing an intermediary role. The level of urbanization, science and technology, and industrialization have an increasingly significant positive impact on the strength of the connection between urban industrial carbon emission networks. The Pearl River Basin industrial carbon emission efficiency network has significant individual differences and hierarchical characteristics. According to the individual centrality, network role, and clustering characteristics, combined with the corresponding influencing factors, the Pearl River Basin urban collaborative carbon emission reduction strategy was formulated. This study can provide reference for the formulation and implementation of regional low-carbon collaborative development strategies.

Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds in Shijiazhuang High-tech Industrial Development Zone in Autumn

Utilizing the online monitoring data of volatile organic compounds （VOCs） and ozone （O3） in the Shijiazhuang high-tech industrial development zone during October 2020, the pollution characteristics of VOCs were analyzed. Subsequently, ·OH estimation, secondary organic aerosol formation potential （SOAP）, and ozone formation potential （OFP） were applied to assess the chemical reactivity of VOCs. Additionally, the source apportionment was identified using the positive matrix factorization （PMF） model. The results revealed that the hourly φ[total VOCs （TVOCs）] were （11-281）×10-9, and the components were ranked by volume fraction in the following order： oxygenated volatile organic compounds （OVOCs） （60.83%）, alkanes （19.98%）, halohydrocarbons （5.64%）, aromatics （5.91%）, alkenes （4.83%）, and alkynes （2.48%）. Although the VOC concentration levels posed negligible non-carcinogenic risks to human health, benzene and ethylbenzene presented carcinogenic risks. The m/p-xylene to ethylbenzene ratio （X/E） varied from 2.5 to 3.4, indicating short-range transport of fresh air masses. Based on the X/E value, the ·OH concentration was 1.75×106 molecule·cm-3, and the ·OH exposure from 07：00 to 14：00 was calculated as 3.77×1010 molecule·s·cm-3. Aromatics played a dominant role in SOA, with a contribution rate as high as 93.35%, while alkenes dominated O3 formation, with the OFP contribution rate reaching up to 46.79%. By applying the PMF model, five major VOC sources were identified, including industrial sources （37.20%）, process flow and solvent use （33.80%）, vehicle and oil/gas evaporation sources （15.47%）, combustion sources （8.03%）, and plant emissions （5.50%）. Industrial and process emissions emerged as the primary contributors to VOCs in the ambient air of the high-tech zone, necessitating targeted control measures within this region.

Renewable Energy, Financial Growth and Technological Progress: Analyzing the Dynamics of Sectoral Emissions in Pakistan

The study examined the role of renewable energy, financial growth, and technical progress in Pakistan's industrial, manufacturing, and service sector emissions. The study collected consistent time series data from 1975 to 2022 and employed the ARDL-Bounds testing approach to estimate the short- and long-term parameter estimates. The study assessed three broad models. The first model linked renewable energy to carbon emissions in the cement industry. Carbon emissions and renewable energy were negatively related. Further, a negative relationship exists between information and communication technologies (ICTs) and carbon emissions, with a one-unit increase in ICT reducing CO2 emissions by 0.135 units. A substantial and positive association was found between GDP per capita and CO2 emissions in Pakistan. At the same time, the square term decreases carbon emissions, supporting a country's environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. In the second model, high technology exports were positively connected with manufacturing CO2 emissions, while energy use's interaction term had a significant negative impact. Manufacturing CO2 emissions were positively correlated with renewable energy in the short and medium term. Financial development is assessed by money supply, which directly affects carbon emissions to support financial-led emissions in a country. The third model used GHG emissions as the dependent variable and focused on the service sector. The interaction term between energy consumption and clean fuel technology (CFT) was negative and significant, although GHG emissions and CFT were positively correlated. Non-renewable energy raised GHG emissions, while renewable energy decreased them.

Trade-Embodied Carbon Emissions in China's Manufacturing Industry Based on the MRIO Model

With the rapid development of the economy in China, as early as 2013, China had overtaken the United States as the largest trader of goods. According to the OECD database, since joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), carbon emissions from manufacturing trade have accounted for more than 80% of all sectors in China. Reducing carbon emissions from manufacturing trade can effectively alleviate the carbon emission challenges faced by China. This study constructs a Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) model to estimate the scale of carbon emissions embodied in China's manufacturing trade from 2012 to 2018, and analyzes the differences in carbon emissions among various manufacturing sectors. The results show that between 2012 and 2018, China's manufacturing export trade embodied carbon decreased while import trade embodied carbon increased, with the basic metals sector contributing significantly. Further analysis indicates that the proportion of carbon emissions from intermediate product exports is more than half and is on the rise, while the proportion of direct import of intermediate products and indirect trade energy consumption in the import trade embodied carbon has declined. China, as the "world's factory," has undertaken a large amount of carbon emissions caused by intermediate product trade from developed countries.

Production and current expenditures: A study of CO2 emissions in Ecuador's manufacturing industry

The activities developed in industrialization processes contribute to the deterioration of the environment. In this context, global organizations generate mitigation alternatives through sustainable strategies. Thus, the main aim is to analyze the impact of manufacturing industry production in Ecuador on the environment caused by the total emissions present in the atmosphere. This research has a quantitative approach and empirical level, and the source of information was a structural survey of companies in 2020 issued by the National Institute of Statistics and Census. The methodological process was developed through the description, correlation of variables, and a multiple regression econometric model to explain the relationship between industrial production, current expenditure, and CO2 emissions. The results show that the manufacturing industry generates two million tons of polluting gases annually because of economic activity and the use of fossil fuels. The activities in which fuels are used are first boilers, then motive power, and finally transportation. This study shows a directly proportional relationship between production, current expenditure, and CO2 emissions, where an increase in production implies a greater generation of emissions and, therefore, more current expenditure. This behavior is driven by the dependence on fossil fuels and industrial use. However, it is important to note that air pollution does not depend solely on these factors.

Ovule and seed development of crop plants in response to climate change

The ovule is a plant structure that upon fertilization, transforms into a seed. Successful fertilization is required for optimum crop productivity and is strongly affected by environmental conditions including temperature and precipitation. Climate change refers to sustained changes in global or regional climate patterns over an extended period, typically decades to millions of years. These shifts can result from natural processes like volcanic eruptions and solar radiation fluctuations, but in recent times, human activities—especially the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial emissions—have accelerated the pace and scale of climate change. Human-induced climate change impacts the agricultural sector mainly through global warming and altering weather patterns, both of which create conditions that challenge agricultural production and food security. With food demand projected to sharply increase by 2050, urgent action is needed to prevent the worst impacts of climate change on food security and allow time for agricultural production systems to adapt and become more resilient. Gaining insights into the female reproductive part of the flower and seed development under extreme environmental conditions is important to oversee plant evolution, agricultural productivity, and food security in the face of climate change. This review summarizes the current knowledge on plant reproductive development and the effects of temperature and water stress, soil salinity, elevated carbon dioxide, and ozone pollution on the female reproductive structure and development across grain legumes, cereal, oilseed, and horticultural crops. It identifies gaps in existing studies for potential future research and suggests suitable mitigation strategies for sustaining crop productivity in a changing climate.

Collaboration and regulation: A dual regulatory game for the sustainable development of green housing

The promotion of green housing can significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the construction industry, thereby contributing to the achievement of the dual-carbon goal. However, the frequent occurrence of greenwashing, loan defaults, green debt, and other risks has created an urgent need for stronger government supervision of the green housing market, improved bank capital supervision mechanisms, and greater collaboration between property developer and residents to promote the sustainable development of green housing, ensuring its sustainability and compliance. This study constructs a four-party evolutionary game model involving the core stakeholders of green housing—government, bank, property developer, and resident—to clarify the long-term stable choices of each stakeholder under the dual regulation mode of government and bank. The effectiveness of dual regulation is further confirmed through simulation and sensitivity analysis. The study results indicate that: (1) Under the collaboration strategy, increased government regulation raises the likelihood that bank will also regulate, facilitating the formation of a dual regulation mode. Property developer is more likely to engage in compliant green housing development under this mode, and residents will choose to buy green housing. (2) Under the regulatory strategy, both incentive subsidies and mandatory penalties are effective. The stronger these measures, the more likely property developer will choose compliant green housing development. Finally, based on the study's conclusions, recommendations are proposed to promote the sustainable development of green housing.

The effect of chelation on bone Pb stores in Pb poisoned children.

Lead exposure remains a key problem for children during development. One treatment for lead poisoning is chelation - a topic that remains controversial with varied results. Bone lead serves as a marker of total body burden of lead and encompasses between 60-90% of lead storage in children. In this study, we aimed to identify the change in bone lead as a result of chelation therapy in a group of lead poisoned children (blood lead >25 µg/dL). Upon diagnosis with lead poisoning at Xinhua Hospital in Shanghai, China, children were recruited to our study, had their bone lead levels measured, and underwent one-week of intravenous, in-patient ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid chelation treatment. Up to three clinical visits with the same treatment protocol and bone lead measurements were completed over the two-year study. We measured biomarkers of lead exposure for children exposed via various potential sources, including home contaminants, local industrial emissions, traditional medicines, or lead cookware. We observed significant differences with bone lead after chelation therapy (p < 0.0001), even after calculating a conservative model for theoretical decay from known bone turnover (p = 0.01). The difference identified between our observed change in bone lead and literature established bone lead change significantly increased with more chelation treatments. A significant reduction in bone lead was observed following chelation treatment of children with lead poisoning - a difference that increased more with more chelation. Study results indicate that chelation treatment is effective in reducing bone lead stores in children with initial blood lead levels greater than 25 µg/dL. Lead exposure in children is a consistent problem - drastically impacting health across the life span. After exposure, lead stores in the bone of children serving as a potential endogenous source of exposure for years to decades. Our study demonstrated that chelation therapy, while reducing blood lead levels, additionally reduced bone lead levels. A reduction in bone lead would effectively reduce the potential for endogenous release of lead and restrict the damage done by lead exposure.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Spray Scrubber Dust Collection Efficiency

Spray scrubbers are widely used in gas purification applications and allow fulfillment of the demands of air quality norms introduced all over the world. They effectively remove harmful gases like sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter from industrial emissions, reducing their impact on air quality. Moreover, by capturing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) in certain applications, spray scrubbers contribute to efforts to reduce climate change. Optimization of scrubber internal elements leads to reduced energy usage and lowered water mass flow while maintaining high pollutant removal efficiency. This makes them cost-effective in the long term. The demister is an additional device which is often used in scrubbing systems, and its main task is to prevent the water droplets from escaping through the upper part of the scrubbing chamber. In this article, the pollution (MgO particles) is introduced to the system upstream the scrubber inlet, the working fluid is air under atmospheric pressure, and water droplets are generated by a single nozzle placed inside the scrubber. Before the experimental part, a preliminary numerical analysis of gas velocity inside scrubber is performed and expectations of particle behavior are indicated. Then, the authors present the spray scrubber laboratory stand designed by them and carry out experimental research on it. Each element of the test stand is described in the article including the self-designed fluidizer, which effectively mixes MgO powder with air. The authors investigate the effect of their innovative construction of demister on separation efficiency and compare the results to the case without demister. The impact of water mass flow rate generated by the nozzle and gas inlet velocity on separation efficiency is presented for several investigated cases. The results show that demisters significantly improve the separation efficiency at lower water mass flow rates and successfully prevent water droplets from reaching the scrubber outlet. The measured separation efficiency was in the range of 80% for lower water mass flow rates up to 97% for the highest water flows.

Advances in the Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Yeasts: A Review

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic organic compounds produced during the incomplete combustion of organic materials and are commonly found in the environment due to anthropogenic activities such as industrial and vehicular emissions as well as natural sources, mainly volcanic eruptions and forest fires. PAHs are well known for their bioaccumulative capacity and environmental persistence, raising concerns due to their adverse effects on human health, including their carcinogenic potential. In recent years, bioremediation has emerged as a promising, effective, and sustainable solution for the degradation of PAHs in contaminated environments. In this context, yeasts have proven to be key microorganisms in the degradation of these compounds, owing to their ability to metabolize them through a series of enzymatic pathways. This review explores the advancements in yeast-mediated degradation of PAHs, with a particular focus on the role of enzymes such as cytochrome P450 (CYPs), epoxide hydrolases (EHs), and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), which facilitate the breakdown of these compounds. The review also discusses the applications of genetic engineering to enhance the efficiency of yeasts in PAH degradation and the use of omics technologies to predict the catabolic potential of these organisms. Additionally, it examines studies addressing the degradation of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) by yeasts such as Debaryomyces hansenii, and the potential future implications of omics sciences for developing new bioremediation.

NO2 mapping of Perth bushfire utilizing Sentinel-5P TROPOMI

Abstract In the face of escalating environmental concerns, effective management of air quality remains critical. This study focuses on Perth, Australia, a region impacted by frequent bushfires and industrial emissions, necessitating precise monitoring of atmospheric pollutants like NO2. Leveraging advanced remote sensing technologies, including Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-5P satellites, this research assesses the spatial and temporal dynamics of NO2 before, during, and after the 2021 Wooroloo bushfire. A key objective was to convert satellite-derived NO2 data from mol/m2 to μg/m3 to enable accurate environmental assessment. This conversion utilized a unit conversion method, improving accuracy metrics substantially, with a correlation coefficient (r) increasing from 0.59 to 0.82 and root mean square error (RMSE) decreasing from 7.58 μg/m3 to 3.20 μg/m3. A regression model, validated with ground-level measurements, demonstrates robust predictive capability (R2 = 0.76, RMSE = 2.58 μg/m3), aiding in the creation of NO2 distribution maps across Greater Perth. Comparison with six ground stations revealed varying accuracy (RMSE: 2.9249 to 7.2705 μg/m3), likely influenced by proximity to the fire and prevailing wind directions. Spatiotemporal analysis depicted distinct NO2 patterns: stable levels pre-fire, dramatic increases during, and gradual post-fire recovery. Maximum NO2 concentrations peaked during the fire (up to 79.227 μg/m3), exceeding air quality guidelines. Post-fire, concentrations normalized, yet sporadic peaks persisted, indicating an ongoing environmental impact. Furthermore, analysis of environmental parameters such as Land Surface Temperature (LST), precipitation, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) during the study period revealed significant correlations with NO2 levels. LST showed a positive correlation (r = 0.64) with NO2 concentrations during the fire, suggesting temperature influences on atmospheric stability and pollutant dispersion. Precipitation exhibited a negative correlation (r = −0.52), indicating its role in scavenging NO2 from the atmosphere post-fire. NDVI displayed a weak negative correlation (r = −0.30), reflecting vegetation recovery trends post-fire. This comprehensive study integrates advanced remote sensing with statistical modelling to enhance air quality monitoring and inform decision-making in bushfire-prone regions. By elucidating NO2 dynamics and their environmental implications, this research contributes essential insights for mitigating air pollution and safeguarding public health amidst climate-induced challenges.

Environmental behavior and risk of the emerging organic contaminants halogenated carbazoles in chemical industrial park clusters

Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) are emerging organic contaminants and have attracted extensive concern because of their widespread occurrence and dioxin-like toxicity. However, the distribution characteristics, environmental behavior, and fate of PHCZs are still poorly understood. In this study, 74 composite environmental samples from 21 Chinese cities were collected around industrial parks in the Yangtze River Delta. The PHCZ concentration ranges in sediment and soil samples were 12.7–5.21 × 103 and 34.6–1.81 × 103 ng/g, respectively, which is equivalent to or higher than those of well-known persistent organic pollutants in the similar areas. The dominant congeners of PHCZs in sediment and soil were 3-chlorocarbazole and 3,6-dichlorocarbazole. Industrial emissions, especially from printing and dyeing textiles, were the main contributors to the high PHCZ environmental concentrations. Potential toxic effects of the PHCZs were evaluated using the toxic equivalent (TEQ) method. The TEQs of PHCZs in sediment and soil were up to 550 and 554 pg TEQ/g dry weight, respectively. The estimated TEQ value of sediment and soil exceeded the corresponding safety guideline, which indicated that PHCZs in the Yangtze River Delta posed high health risks. This study provides an important theoretical basis for controlling and reducing the ecological risks of PHCZs in the chemical industry. At the same time, it also provides reference for the priority control and revision of discharge standards for PHCZs in sewage treatment plants in future.

Distribution of vanadium in the pedosphere of China and its natural and anthropogenic influencing factors

Vanadium (V) is a strategic element in high demand in the industrial and pharmaceutical sectors. However, anthropogenic activities, including mineral exploration and industrial emissions, increase the risk of V contamination in soils. Consequently, research on V in the fields of mineral exploration and environmental pollution has garnered increasing attention. The China Geochemical Baseline (CGB) Project has conducted the first comprehensive collection and analysis of 12,201 rock samples, 3,382 top soil samples, and 3,380 deep soil samples in mainland China and the data was analysed in this study. High V concentrations occurred in soils in southern and northern China, and that V concentration were scattered in northern China. The concentration of V in soils was influenced by several natural factors, including tectonic activity, the distribution of intermediate–basic rocks (especially basalts) and black rock series; the distribution of laterites, and the occurrence of V deposits. Additionally, certain regions with high V concentrations were impacted by anthropogenic factors, primarily mining and smelting. This study, utilizing fundamental comparative data offered by the CGB Project, presents a comprehensive investigation of the spatial distribution characteristics of V, its migration, and enrichment mechanisms on a regional scale and also provides essential geochemical information on the detailed distribution of V in the pedosphere and rocks of mainland China.

Small and medium-sized banks and pollution emissions from industrial enterprises

Drawing upon the theory of comparative advantage of small and medium-sized banks, this paper employs pollution data from industrial enterprises in China spanning 2000 to 2014. Utilizing the establishment of urban commercial bank branches in counties as a quasi-natural experiment, we investigate the impact of the development of small and medium-sized banks on industrial enterprises' pollutant emissions and the underlying mechanisms of this effect. Our findings reveal that the establishment of urban commercial bank branches in counties significantly reduces wastewater and sulfur dioxide emissions from enterprises, a result that remains robust across various tests. Further heterogeneity analyses show that this pollution reduction effect is more pronounced for small and medium-sized, more finance-constrained, start-up firms, and firms located in areas with low carbon pilots and higher levels of marketisation. The analysis of the impact mechanism suggests that the establishment of urban commercial banks achieves this reduction by increasing enterprise output, thereby diluting pollution intensity, and fostering green technological innovation, which enhances pollution treatment capabilities. Additionally, our research highlights that government intervention significantly influences the pollution reduction effect of urban commercial banks and the mode of this influence.

Decadal trends of black carbon and heavy metal accumulation in a lake sediment core from central China: A historical perspective

Black carbon (BC) and heavy metal are vital indicators of historical human activities. This study investigates the historical pollution trends of BC, char, soot, and heavy metals in lake sediments from Yinjia Lake (YJL). BC, char, and soot concentrations exhibit similar historical trends, with average values of 1.59, 1.27, and 0.32 mg/g, respectively. Char, constituting 67.25–85.85 % of BC, indicates a dominant fraction in the lake. A notable increase in BC, char, and soot was observed post-1955, peaking in 2005, followed by a decline, reflecting local economic development and anthropogenic activities. Heavy metals, including Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, and Mn, also displayed a significant increase post-1950, with Cd showing an exceptionally high concentration. The average deposition fluxes of BC, char, and soot were consistent with their concentrations, peaking in 2005. The correlations between BC, char, soot, and heavy metals suggest BC’s role as a metal carrier, influenced by industrial and anthropogenic emissions. The char/soot ratio analysis indicates predominant biomass burning pre-1950 and increased fossil fuel combustion post-1950, with regional variations observed. The study highlights the impact of industrialization, urbanization, and policy changes on pollution trends in YJL.

Deciphering the CO2 hydrates formation dynamics in brine-saturated oceanic sediments using experimental and machine learning modelling approach

One of the potential strategies for limiting global warming is capturing excess amounts of industry CO2 emissions and sequestrating it inside the oceanic sediments as CO2 hydrates. The seabed consists of sediments with different porosity and sizes, which can significantly impede the kinetics of CO2 hydrates. To address these challenges, in this novel work the CO2 hydrate kinetics and morphologies have been investigated in brine-rich [3.5 wt% NaCl] coarse sediments [porosity = 0.28, Ø =0.5-1.5 mm], granule sediments [porosity = 0.43, Ø =1.5-3 mm] and dual sediments [coarse + granules] inside a high-pressure reactor [3.5 MPa, 1-2 oC] with artificial seabed. According to the key experimental results, the water-to-hydrate conversion [%] was estimated to be 67.24 (± 3.02) % for coarse sediments, 49.58 (± 4.97) % for dual sediments (coarse + granules), and 27.68 (± 5.21) % for granules. In-situ Raman spectroscopy was used to evaluate the real-time solubility of CO2 [0.023 mol/mol], and image processing thresholding was used to identify CO2 hydrate distribution patterns. A mathematical model was proposed as a major contribution to predict CO2 hydrates kinetics in sediments, using 94,203 data points. The model was trained via a supervised machine-learning [ML] algorithm and can predict CO2 hydrate kinetics with an AARD of 7.54-8.47%.