Petrochemical Complex Research Articles

Air quality improvement at urban bus stops: Optimal air purification placement using CFD

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels are often elevated near roadways due to vehicle emissions, while sulfur dioxide (SO2) is predominantly found near petrochemical complexes as a result of industrial activities such as oil refining and chemical manufacturing. Considering the detrimental effects of these emissions on the environment and human health, the optimal placement of air purification systems at two bus stops in Ulsan, a heavily industrialized city in South Korea, was investigated in this study to reduce NO2 and SO2 concentrations. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to identify strategic installation locations, resulting in a significant reduction in pollutant levels. The largest impact was noted for the Deokha Market bus stop, whereby the added health risk (AR) decreased by 1.93 % and the exposure reduction effectiveness (ERE), a measure of air purification system efficiency, increased by 13.8 %. Similarly, at the Hyomun Intersection bus stop, placing the system near the sidewalk led to a significant reduction in AR by 1.60 % and an increase in ERE by 11.63 %. Additionally, air purification systems at Ulsan bus stops are expected to reduce NO2 levels by 9.1 ppb, decreasing mortality risk by 1.44 %, saving 7 lives annually, and yielding an economic benefit of 33.06 million USD.

Blood mercury concentrations in preschool children and potential risk factors in São Paulo, Brazil

Environmental exposure of preschool children to mercury can elevate blood mercury levels (BML) and negatively affect their health. This study aimed to determine BML in preschool children from Brazil's largest city and explore potential associated risk factors. Blood samples were collected in 2013 from 2436 children (age 1–5 years) attending 50 daycare centers (DCC) located in São Paulo, Brazil. Parents or guardians answered questionnaires collecting information on sociodemographics and potential risk factors. BML was determined by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (CV-AAS) and categorized using a cutoff point of 2.77 μg L⁻1, corresponding to the 75th percentile. Multiple logistic regression was performed (p < 0.05). Data were georeferenced and associations with air pollution, wind frequency and direction were evaluated. The results showed a geometric mean for BML of 1.65 μg L⁻1 (95% CI: 1.60–1.70), arithmetic mean of 2.15 μg L⁻1 (95% CI: 2.09–2.22), 75th percentile of 2.77 μg L⁻1 (95% CI: 2.67–2.91) and 95th percentile of 5.51 μg L⁻1 (95% CI: 5.18–5.92). DCCs located in the Northwest and East zones (p < 0.001) and fish consumption in the past two days (p = 0.04) were associated with high BML. The elevated BML observed in children living in the eastern zone might be attributed to the southeasterly winds passing through a petrochemical complex located nearby. The 95th percentile of BML in this study exceeded the U.S. 95th percentile by five times. BML in São Paulo preschool children was associated with individual and environmental risk factors. This finding highlights the need to identify and control hot spots in São Paulo, Brazil, especially in peripheral and surrounding areas, where individuals are more vulnerable. Further research is needed in Latin America to identify additional sources of urban environmental mercury exposure and guide interventions for protecting the environment and safeguarding children's health.

Potentially Toxic Elements in Urban-Grown Lettuce: Effectiveness of Washing Procedures, Risk Assessment, and Isotopic Fingerprint

This study investigates the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in urban gardens in a highly industrialized city in Brazil and evaluates the effectiveness of different washing methods in reducing contamination. Ten elements (arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn)) were analyzed for their concentration, and a health risk assessment was performed. The results showed that Pb concentrations in lettuce from gardens near the Capuava Petrochemical Complex reached 0.77 mg kg−1, exceeding both national and international safety limits. The most effective washing procedure involved the use of sodium hypochlorite, which reduced As by 46%, Pb by 48%, and V by 52%. However, elements such as Ba, Cd, Cr, and Ni showed limited reductions of less than 10% across all washing methods. Health risk assessments revealed a particular concern for children, with the total cancer risk (TCR) exceeding acceptable limits in some gardens. Isotopic analysis of Pb revealed that atmospheric pollution from gasoline emissions and industrial activities were the primary sources of contamination. The elevated levels of Pb, Cr, and As highlight the need for targeted health education in local communities, especially regarding the importance of proper washing techniques. Risk management strategies, including improved contamination control and public awareness, are crucial to minimize exposure to these harmful elements, particularly in vulnerable populations like children.

Potentials of greenhouse gas emission reduction through energy efficiency improvement in Iran's petrochemical sector

Reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency is a key strategy to mitigate greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the petrochemical sector, both because of the high share of energy-related emissions and because of the economic attractiveness in terms of return on investment. This paper aims to calculate the GHG mitigation potentials of the energy reduction projects in Iran's petrochemical sector. firstly, we estimated the trend of GHG emissions until 2035 using data collected from the petrochemical complexes in Iran. Then, by assessing the energy audits and other studies, we calculated the energy consumption reduction potentials as well as their costs and benefits for petrochemical complexes. Finally, we modelled the energy supply and demand of the petrochemical sector in LEAP software to evaluate the mitigation potentials of the energy reduction projects. The results show that a 6.7 % emission reduction in the existing petrochemical complexes can be achieved with a capital of about 160 million dollars. The net present value of the projects will be about 2 billion dollars, and the cost of carbon reduction will be −60.7 dollars per ton. The results of this research can be used for policymakers to plan the mitigation pathway of the sector since the revenues obtained from the energy conservation measures can be used to fund capital-intensive GHG mitigation projects.

Spatial variation, emissions, transport, and risk assessment of organophosphate esters in two large petrochemical complexes in southern China

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) serve as significant flame retardants and plasticizers in various petrochemical downstream products. The petrochemical industry could be a potential source of atmospheric OPEs, but their emissions from this industry are poorly understood. The present study revealed the spatial variation, emission, and atmospheric transport of traditional and novel OPEs (TOPEs and NOPEs, respectively) in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) across Hainan and Guangdong petrochemical complexes (HNPC and GDPC, respectively) in southern China. The total concentrations of TOPEs ranged from 232 to 46,002 pg/m3 and from 200 to 20,347 pg/m3 in the HNPC and GDPC, respectively, which were substantially higher than those of NOPEs (HNPC: 23.5−147 pg/m3, GDPC: 13.9−465 pg/m3). Enterprises involved in the production of downstream petrochemical products presented relatively high concentrations of OPEs, indicating evident emissions of these pollutants in the petrochemical industry. The correlations of PM-bound OPEs in the atmosphere are determined mainly by their coaddition to industrial products or their coexistence in technical mixtures. The annual emissions of TOPEs and NOPEs in the HNPC were 42.6 kg and 0.34 kg, respectively, and those in the GDPC were 116 kg and 1.85 kg, respectively. OPEs from the HNPC can reach Vietnam, Cambodia, and Guangxi Province, China, and those from the GDPC can reach Guangxi Province and Hunan Province via atmospheric transmission after 24 h of emission. The OPE concentrations reaching the receptor regions were generally less than 3.20 pg/m3. Risk assessment revealed that OPE inhalation exposure on two petrochemical complexes likely poses minor risks for people living in the study areas, but the risk resulting from two chlorinated OPEs should be noted since they are close to the threshold values. This study has implications for enhancing control measures for OPE emissions to reduce health risks related to the petrochemical industry.

The state of female reproductive health in a city with a large petrochemical complex

Introduction. The demographic situation in the country is characterized by a natural decline in the population, which determines the special importance of the protection of motherhood and childhood. The system of obstetrics largely affects the health status of the population and the future generation. Therefore, the study of the state of obstetrics has a high social significance and is relevant. Purpose of the study. To assess the state of female reproductive health of the population living in a city with a large petrochemical complex. Materials and methods. An analysis of primary digital data characterizing the intensive and extensive indicators of the state of obstetric care in the city of Salavat for 2020 was performed. According to the report of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bashkortostan “The state of health of the population and the activities of medical institutions of the Republic of Bashkortostan in 2020” a comparative analysis was carried out. Results. An analysis of the state of obstetric care in the city of Salavat showed that women began to give birth less, they interrupted one third of the onset of pregnancies with abortions. The number of abortions per 1,000 women of childbearing age is 1.5 times higher than in the republic. Over the years, the number of abortions is growing against the background of their decline in the republic. Women who wish to give birth in the vast majority come under the supervision of an antenatal clinic until the 12-week gestation period. The results of the course of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, the absence of maternal mortality indicate to a high level of obstetric care. However, he draws attention to the fact that 45.6±1.5% of deliveries and the postpartum period proceeded against the background of complications, among which the most significant were anemia, premature rupture of the amniotic membrane, and violations of labour activity. Every third woman in labour underwent a caesarean section, every fifth - vacuum extraction. The health indicators of the fetus and newborn in the trend in years are improving and more favourable than in the republic as a whole, but 58.9±1.3% of neonates were born sick and fell ill. Mainly in the form of asphyxia during childbirth (18.6±1.2%) and infectious diseases (39.5±4.4%). Preterm infants get sick 2 times more often than full-term ones and the main reason is asphyxia during delivery and respiratory disorders over the perinatal period. Limitations. The analysis of the primary digital values of obstetric care indicators of the forms of federal statistical observation and accounting of medical institutions in Salavat for 2020 was carried out. Conclusion. More favourable health indicators of pregnant women, mothers, fetuses in Salavat in comparison with republican and all-Russian ones indicate to the high-quality, qualified obstetric care. The higher incidence of respiratory diseases in infants during the first year of life living in a city of large petrochemistry determines the need for special in-depth studies.

Consequence Analysis and Safety Assessment of an Ethylene Oxide Unit in a Petrochemical Complex

Abstract Aim: This study focuses on the consequence analysis and safety assessment of an ethylene oxide (EO) unit in a petrochemical complex. This study evaluates the potential consequences of process accidents in the tankage, tank truck loading, and cylinder filling areas of an EO unit. Methods: The analysis was conducted using DNV’s PHAST software (2023), which models and quantifies the consequences of chemical releases by considering various factors such as material characteristics, storage tanks, weather conditions, and the number of people at risk. This study considers scenarios such as fire, flammable and toxic gas dispersion, and vapor cloud explosion. Results: The results provide insights into the safety measures and precautions required in different areas of the petrochemical complex. The analysis of hazard zones allows for the prioritization of protective measures and ongoing monitoring of operational hazards. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the consequences and risks associated with the use of the EO unit in a petrochemical complex.

Indian Oil lets contract for proposed Paradip petrochemical complex

Indian Oil lets contract for proposed Paradip petrochemical complex

Development prospects for production of filtration equipment in the Russian Federation at the present stage

The article examines the challenges caused by changes in the global situation that the production of filtration equipment faced. The equipment is used for the petrochemical complex. The article assesses prospects for technological independence in the petrochemical complex, including the auxiliary market of filtration and separation equipment. The article provides a statistical analysis of the indicators of the Russian filtration sector and analyses the applied filtration and separation methods in a comparative manner. To determine the prospects of companies producing the corresponding equipment and its individual structural elements, the method of situational analysis was used, with the help of which the features of products manufactured at the present stage that influence the development of business in this economic segment are identified. With the method of economic forecasting, the perspective position of domestic manufacturers in the filtration market was determined. With consideration to the modern developments in the field of industry management and to the given basic concepts used in the management of western companies, the possible ways of introduction of advanced managerial decisions were proposed. It is done in order to improve the position of domestic producers, to develop business and to switch to a new level of product improvement, process optimisation, continuous development of companies’ approaches, and thus respond quickly to the emerging challenges.

Precarious Petroleum

As a major source of energy and revenue, “oil” has been rightly seen as a driver of the world's far-reaching twentieth-century social, political, and cultural transformations. But this conceptual abstraction of petroleum as a homogenous substance—lifted to the surface from static reservoirs and shipped around the world—is belied by the compositional heterogeneity of its deposits and the unpredictable dynamism of the buried geographies that hold them. Such factors have had important consequences within the histories of hydrocarbon-rich states like Iran. In the 1960s and 1970s, Iranian officials sought to build a new industry via the Shahpur Petrochemical Complex, a choice enabled by the unexpected availability of high-sulfur natural gas within the existing spaces of Iran's oil industry, and one that faced opposition from British Petroleum, which operated and largely controlled Iran's oil industry. Using archival and published materials, this article delves beneath the earth to focus on petroleum's sulfur impurities, the uncontrolled transformations of underground petroleum geographies, and the subterranean migrations of natural gas that resulted. It argues that centering notions of uncontrollability and petroleum's multiplicity opens new avenues for studying the histories of developing states like Iran, showing how the spaces opened by uncertainty were politically productive.

Estimates of the global burden of cancer-related deaths attributable to residential exposure to petrochemical industrial complexes from 2020 to 2040

The petrochemical industry is a major industrial emitter of greenhouse gas (CO2) and environmental pollution, posing health risks to nearby communities. Although previous studies have indicated that residents living near petrochemical industrial complexes are at a higher risk of cancer, they have focused on local or regional burdens. This study aimed to estimate the global cancer burden attributable to residential exposure to petrochemical industrial complexes. The geographical coordinates of petrochemical plants and oil refineries were retrieved and verified from published sources. The ArcGIS software and global population data were used to estimate the number of people living within specific distances (exposed population). The exposure time window was framed as ranging from 1992 to 2035, extending to the latest period of the exposure time window for all cancer types to estimate the attributable deaths between 2020 and 2040. The relative risk of cancer was estimated from 15 published studies. Population attributable fraction (PAF) method was used to estimate the risk of cancer attributable to residential exposure and calculate the number of cancer-related deaths. Our findings indicate that >300 million people worldwide will be estimated to live near petrochemical industrial complexes by 2040. The overall global burden of cancer-related deaths was 19,083 in 2020, and it is estimated to increase to 27,366 deaths by 2040. The region with the highest attributable cancer deaths due to exposure is the high-income region, which had 10,584 deaths in 2020 and is expected to reach 13,414 deaths by 2040. Residential exposure to petrochemical industrial complexes could contribute to global cancer deaths, even if the proportion is relatively small, and proactive measures are required to mitigate the cancer burdens among these residents. Enforcing emissions regulations, improving monitoring, educating communities, and fostering collaboration are vital to protecting residents’ health.

Occupational health risk for women employed in industries with harmful working conditions

The preservation and strengthening of the health of the able-bodied population is the most important indicator of the socio-economic potential of the country.&#x0D; A modern working woman experiences the complex impact of adverse factors of the production environment and the labor process, which are potentially dangerous to health, contribute to the formation of production-related and occupational diseases.&#x0D; The study aims to analyze the occupational health risk of women employed in jobs with harmful working conditions at the processing plant of the mining and processing plant and the petrochemical complex of the Republic of Bashkortostan.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The authors studied the state of health by analyzing the occupational risk of female workers in contact with harmful production factors of a processing enterprise (407 people) and a petrochemical complex (473 people). The experts used clinical, functional, clinical and statistical research methods in their work and analyzed the levels and structure of chronic non-communicable diseases to determine the degree of industrial conditionality. The calculations were performed using the Microsoft Excel program.&#x0D; The combined effect of a complex of harmful production factors of the mining and processing plant (dust of polymetallic ores, chemicals, noise and severity of labor — class of working conditions 3.1) contributes to the development of chronic non-communicable diseases in female workers in 80.3±2.0% of cases, versus 54.6±4.4% of cases in the control group. A number of identified diseases have the character of production-related, while a very high degree of its conditionality is characteristic of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (RR — relative risk = 4.3, EF — etiological proportion = 75%), a high degree was inherent in respiratory diseases (RR=3.1; EF=67.7%). Diseases of the circulatory system (RR=1.6, EF=37.5%) and diseases of the nervous system (RR=1.58, EF=36.7%) had an average degree of occupational &#x0D; conditionality.&#x0D; In the workers of the main group of the petrochemical complex, chronic non–communicable diseases were diagnosed significantly more often than in the control, respectively — 84.0±1.7 and 67.0±3.5% of cases, p&lt;0.01. The combined effect on the workers of the complex of chemicals in combination with the intensity of the labor process associated with the 3-shift nature of work (class of working conditions 3.1), was the cause of the industrial conditionality of diseases of the nervous system, circulatory system, blood, digestive organs of moderate degree.&#x0D; Female employees of the enterprises of the concentrating plant of the mining and processing plant and the petrochemical complex, engaged in work with harmful working conditions, represent a "risk group" for the occurrence of changes from various organs and systems, depending on the current etiological production factors. Based on the indicators of the degree of occupational conditionality of a number of diseases in female workers, mining and petrochemical complexes belong to industries with a high and medium occupational risk of health disorders.&#x0D; Ethics. The survey of female employees was conducted with their informed consent, approved by the bioethical committee of the Institute. The fundamental documents are: "Ethical principles of conducting scientific medical research with human participation" (amendments 2008) of the Helsinki Declaration, as well as "Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation" (approved by Order of the Ministry of Health dated 06/19/2003 No. 266).

Integrated assessment of inhalation health risk and economic benefit of improving ambient targeted VOCs in Petrochemical industrial area

AbstractThe Maptaphut industrial area, one of the largest petrochemical complexes in Thailand, is the major cause of the various air pollutants. The larger concern is that a significant volume of air pollution is emitted and that air quality management needs to be improved. This is in part due to a lack of deeper understanding of how anthropogenic emissions are emitted from different sources in this area— especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Moreover, it has complicated relationship results of air pollution, disease mechanisms, and health effects. As a result, its available data can only give a rough indication of them. These factors are often assumed to be associated with economic consequences, but assessing the health-related economic losses caused by air pollution remains limited in many ways.Four targeted VOCs were analyzed, including benzene, 1,3-butadiene, 1,2-dichloroethane, and vinyl chloride from industrial and non-industrial sources, namely stacks, flares, storage tanks, wastewater treatment plants, transportation and marketing, fugitive losses, slurry/open equipment/vessel, and on-road mobile emissions. Source apportionment can be conducted using emissions inventory (EI) to establish pollution source databases, the dispersion model, and then imported on the risk model by determining receptors. The AERMOD dispersion model coupled with the IRAP-h view model was used to predict the spatial distribution of the ground-level concentration and analyze the inhalation health risk covering cancer and non-cancer risks— as well as the prioritization of pollutants.The risk assessment results indicated that the highest risk occurred most from 1,3-butadiene for cancer and chronic non-cancer risks contributed to fugitive sources, about 83% and 94%, and most benzenes for acute non-cancer risk contributed to on-road mobile sources, at about 56%.Consequently, the benzene classified as the most important priority depending on its risk results, comprehensive epidemiological studies, and discharge volumes.With the economic benefits assessment, BenMAP-CE was further utilized to estimate the health impacts and economic value of multiple scenarios to facilitate decision-making for benzene reduction. Overall, the 10% rollback policy for benzene concentration, monetized value of about 13.13 billion US dollars for all mortalities, gave the best practical scenario for the most economically viable option based on the B/C (benefit/cost) ratio results in Maptaphut. Ultimately, policymakers need to take additional measures to improve air quality and reduce health impacts while also considering economic benefits, especially benzene reduction.

Liver impairment status toward workers exposed to vinyl chloride under different techniques

To analyse potential differences towards liver impairment status on vinyl chloride monomer(VCM) exposed population from technique under acetylene hydrochlorination to the one of ethylene oxychlorination respectively and to explore the possible reasons, which will pave the way for occupational health promotion in terms of hazard reduction. a cross-sectional study was initiated between June and September in 2022 towards 2 groups of VCM exposed population from the facility of acetylene hydrochlorination(n=78) and the one of ethylene oxychlorination(n=69) in a PVC petrochemical complex enterprise(abbreviation of H) in Tianjin City. The demographic information concerning age, gender, messages on occupational history, field investigation were inquired through questionnaire interview. Then, venous blood(4 mL/person) and urine(10-50 mL/person) were collected during the physical exam phase and indices of 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine(8-OHdG) in blood and thiodiglycolic acid(TDGA) in urine were detected through ELISA and solid phase extraction-ion chromatography respectively. The 2 groups of population were matched well in terms of average age distribution and gender composition ratio, with significant differences on population composition ratio were found on variables of working years, alcohol consumption and daily sleeping duration(P&lt;0.01 or P&lt;0.05). It was found that the average content of TDGA in acetylene hydrochlorination group was(0.81±0.05)mg/L while the content in ethylene oxychlorination group reached to(0.83±0.06)mg/L, noteworthy differences were only found among 6 posts in the acetylene hydrochlorination group and 5 others in the ethylene oxychlorination group after classification for specific posts, however, the average concentration of 8-OHdG in acetylene hydrochlorination group(122(78.3, 168.8) μg/m~3) was different from the one in ethylene oxychlorination group(101.7(79.6, 149.7) μg/m~3)(Z=6.82, P&lt;0.05). Moreover, a series of positive correlations in moderate intensity between 8-OHdG concentration and TDGA content were observed among posts of polymerization cleaners(r=0.53), aggregation operators(r=0.47), maintenance repairers(r=0.45), sampling operators(r=0.41) in acetylene hydrochlorination group(P&lt;0.05) and posts of cracking reactants(r=0.64), DCS operators(r=0.51), oxychlorination operators(r=0.50) and chemical loaders(r=0.44) in ethylene oxychlorination group(P&lt;0.05). Liver function indices such as content on ALT(χ~2=15.41, P&lt;0.01), AST(χ~2=9.95, P&lt;0.01) and ALP(χ~2=3.79, P&lt;0.01) were different in the 2 groups population with statistical significance, then proportions on population composition ratio that exceeded normal ranges of indices on ALT, AST, AST/ALT ratio, ALP and Alb/Glb ratio were higher in acetylene hydrochlorination group than ones in ethylene oxychlorination group with great significance(P&lt;0.05), so as to the abnormalities in liver B altrosonography test between groups(χ~2=17.33, P&lt;0.01). Binary logistic regression model indicated that 8-OHdG concentration in blood that exceed 90 μg/m~3, TDGA content in urine that exceed 0.60 mg/L, working years that were over 10a, alcohol consumption, sleeping duration less than 6 h per day and male workers were potential risky factors for liver impairment(P&lt;0.05). The degree on liver impairment status was higher in acetylene hydrochlorination group than ones in in ethylene oxychlorination group under the same PVC factory, which might be associated with the oxidative stress injury induced from the combination of higher VCM concentration at workplaces, longer cumulative exposure time, longer working years, alcohol consumption habits and sleep shortage caused by shift work patterns.

Russian fuel and energy complex modernization in the circular economy direction

The article discusses promising areas that contribute to the formation of a closed-cycle economy or, in other words, a circular economy in the Russian fuel and energy complex. The basic principles of the circular economy model aimed at preserving the environment through the transition from linear business models to more closedones and by increasing the efficiency of natural resources use have been outlined. The data on the estimates of the negative impact combustion of associated petroleum gas have been presented, the methods of its rational utilization and further use as raw materials for high-grade products have been analyzed. The petrochemical complex is presented as one of the fundamental elements of the circular economy. The advantages of using biogas as a supplement and alternative to fossil natural gas when moving towards a circular economy have been substantiated. The importance of implementing biogas projects in Russia in modern conditions has been emphasized. Factors’ number of constraining the development pace of the circular economy in the fuel and energy complex sectors have been identified. The key support measures and stimulation of companies by the state have been outlined.

Enhancing bilateral ties: the escalation of Azerbaijan's economic investments in Turkey

This research explores the strengthening economic partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkey, particularly focusing on Azerbaijan's increasing investments in the Turkish economy since the signing of the "Trade and Economic Cooperation" agreement in 1992. It analyzes significant projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipelines, which transcend mere infrastructural achievements to become strategic assets in the geopolitical landscape. These pipelines facilitate the safe transportation of hydrocarbons from the Caspian basin, bypassing traditional transit routes, and thereby reducing political and economic vulnerabilities. Additionally, Azerbaijan’s substantial investments in Turkey's PETKIM petrochemical complex and the STAR Oil Refinery are examined as strategic steps enhancing the economic depth of both countries. These investments represent more than capital inflows; they symbolize a deep-rooted strategic alliance that promotes energy independence and industrial diversification. The STAR Oil Refinery plays a pivotal role in Turkey's energy supply chain, significantly contributing to its self-sufficiency in processed oil products. This bilateral economic engagement exemplifies how states with complementary resources and strategic visions can create sustainable economic corridors, highlighting the role of economic diplomacy in shaping international relations in an increasingly interconnected global economy. The evolving partnership not only exemplifies successful bilateral cooperation but also indicates strategic foresight in using economic synergies for regional stability and prosperity.

Multiple potentially toxic elements in urban gardens from a Brazilian industrialized city.

Urban agriculture should be promoted as long as the food produced is safe for consumption. Located in the metropolitan region of São Paulo-Brazil, Santo André has intense industrial activities and more recently an increasing stimulus to urban gardening. One of the potential risks associated to this activity is the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In this study, the concentration of PTEs (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Mo, Pb, Sb, Se, V and Zn) was evaluated by soil (n = 85) and soil amendments (n = 19) in urban gardens from this municipality. Only barium was above regulatory limits in agricultural soil ranging from 20 to 112mgkg-1. Geochemical indexes (Igeo, Cf and Er) revealed moderate to severe pollution for As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Pb Se and Zn, especialy in Capuava petrochemical complex gardens. A multivariate statistical approach discriminated Capuava gardens from the others and correlated As, Cr and V as main factors of pollution. However, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were below the acceptable range for regulatory purposes of 10-6-10-4 for adults. Soil amendments were identified as a possible source of contamination for Ba, Zn and Pb which ranged from 37 to 4137mgkg-1, 20 to 701mgkg-1 and 0.7 to 73mgkg-1, respectively. The results also indicated the presence of six pathogenic bacteria in these amendments. Besides that, the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance for Shigella, Enterobacter and Citrobacter isolates suggests that soil management practices improvement is necessary.

Airborne observation with a low-cost hyperspectral instrument: retrieval of NO2 vertical column densities (VCDs) and the satellite sub-grid variability over industrial point sources

Abstract. High-spatial-resolution NO2 vertical column densities (VCDs) were retrieved from airborne observations using the low-cost hyperspectral imaging sensor (HIS) at three industrial areas (i.e., Chungnam, Jecheon, and Pohang) in South Korea, where point sources (i.e., power plant, petrochemical complex, steel yard, and cement kiln) with significant NO2 emissions are located. An innovative and versatile approach for NO2 VCD retrieval, hereafter referred to as the modified wavelength pair (MWP) method, was developed to overcome the excessively variable radiometric and spectral characteristics of the HIS attributed to the absence of temperature control during the flight. The newly developed MWP method was designed to be insensitive to broadband spectral features, including the spectral dependency of surface and aerosol reflectivity, and can be applied to observations with relatively low spectral resolutions. Moreover, the MWP method can be implemented without requiring precise radiometric calibration of the instrument (i.e., HIS) by utilizing clean-pixel data for non-uniformity corrections and is also less sensitive to the optical properties of the instrument and offers computational cost competitiveness. In the experimental flights using the HIS, NO2 plumes emitted from steel yards were particularly conspicuous among the various NO2 point sources, with peak NO2 VCDs of 2.0 DU (Dobson unit) at Chungnam and 1.8 DU at Pohang. Typical NO2 VCD uncertainties ranged between 0.025–0.075 DU over the land surface and 0.10–0.15 DU over the ocean surface, and the discrepancy can be attributable to the lower signal-to-noise ratio over the ocean and higher sensitivity of the MWP method to surface reflectance uncertainties under low-albedo conditions. The NO2 VCDs retrieved from the HIS with the MWP method showed a good correlation with the collocated Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) data (r=0.73, mean absolute error equals 0.106 DU). However, the temporal disparities between the HIS frames and the TROPOMI overpass, their spatial mismatch, and their different observation geometries could limit the correlation. The comparison of TROPOMI and HIS NO2 VCDs further demonstrated that the satellite sub-grid variability could be intensified near the point sources, with more than a 3-fold increase in HIS NO2 VCD variability (e.g., difference between 25th and 75th quantiles) over the TROPOMI footprints with NO2 VCD values exceeding 0.8 DU compared to footprints with NO2 VCD values below 0.6 DU.

Severe photochemical pollution was found in large petrochemical complexes: A typical case study in North China

Large petrochemical complex (PC) widely exists in both developing and developed countries, and is expected to have a special photochemical pollution in local scale due to huge VOCs emissions. Here, a typical large-scale PC in North China was selected as the study case, to explore the character, formation and influence of local photochemical pollution regarding PCs based on an improved 0-D chemical model. In the study PC, VOCs-rich character was apparent with THCs level of 90.8 ± 28.0 ppb and THCs/NOx ratio of ∼26.2 mol/mol. Severe O3 pollution was found in warm months with monthly mean MDA1O3 of 67.3–96.0 ppb. Model simulations showed the heavy O3 pollution in this PC was attributed to high precursors rather than to unfavorable meteorology, and was more sensitive to NOx (with response of 1.42 g/g) than to THCs (with response of 0.12 g/g). The photochemical pollution formation potential of the emission plumes of this PC was very enormous, with production rate of 19.6 ppb h−1 for O3, 2.9 ppb h−1 for HCHO and 1.1 ppb h−1 for CH3CHO on daytime average, 1–5 greater than in normal urban areas. The higher production rates happened in morning hours, which explained the earlier peak time of observed O3 in PCs. And about 70% of photochemical pollution (represented by O3) would be transported to surroundings, leading to the significant photochemical-pollution hazard to the vicinity of PCs.

Environmental constituent of the petrochemical complex sustainable development

This article studies the ongoing processes of environmental safety formation in the context of sustainable development of companies. It is hypothesized that during changes most companies in the petrochemical industry of the Republic of Tatarstan underestimate the need for a comprehensive modernization of the environmental component of sustainable development. In conditions of disturbances and uncertainty in the external environment it leads to increased entropy and loss of effectiveness of discrete measures to improve the environmental safety of enterprises. The study carried out an analysis with a depth of study of more than five years, which is characterized by the emergence of economic and social risks of a global nature and reveals the degree of their influence on the environmental safety of a complex strategically important for the republic. In conclusion, it is concluded that increasing systematicity in environmental safety management under conditions of uncertainty leads to an increase in the rate of sustainable development and the effect of production activities.