Reduction Of Environmental Pollution Research Articles

Green way of Practicing Dentistry’ for the Budding Dentists- Need of the Hour!!-A Review

Global warming is the today’s biggest problem facing in the entire world. Apart from industrial, vehicular, and waste and carbon prints generating from the household, health sector also polluting the earth in different forms. No exception for dental practice, which is generating reasonable percentage of waste, in different stages of dental practice. Worldwide various organizations insisting for the reduction of environmental pollution including ADA and other Dental Authorities of all the countries. It is the duty of every dental clinician to take proper preventive measures to reduce the generation of waste in any form, from their clinics. The beginners of dental practice may follow properly the guidelines, to reduce the waste from their clinical practice. Hence this review article aimed to suggest the budding dentists how to start their clinic and also, discussed various methods to make the conventional dent al practice in to Green dental practice.

N-heterocyclic carbene functionalized boehmite-supported silver nanoparticles as nanocatalyst for reduction of environmental pollutants

The drastic change in the industrial sector and the commercialization has led to the exposure of various hazardous molecules in the atmosphere wherein modern catalytic techniques have played a crucial role in the advancement of technologies to overcome this problem. In this work, we have reported an efficient method for the synthetic fabrication of novel N-heterocyclic carbene functionalized boehmite-supported silver nanoparticles (BML@Ag) as a sustainable nanocatalyst for treating water pollutants like 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and Congo red (CR) dye. Further, to confirm the successful development of the prepared nanocatalyst we have carried out various spectroscopic and microscopic analyses like FT-IR, p-XRD, FE-SEM, EDS, HR-TEM, BET and TGA. The average crystallite size was found to be 6.69 nm. Further, the BML@Ag nanocatalyst was explored for its catalytic efficacy in the reduction of 4-NP and degradation of the organic diazo dye CR using an aqueous solution of NaBH4 as the reducing agent. The reduction of 4-NP was observed to occur in 2.5 min (99.9%), while CR degraded in 5 min (98.8%), with the rate constants of 36.2×10-3 and 13.6×10-3 s-1 respectively. The recyclability study was demonstrated for both 4-NP and CR dye and recyclability was achieved up to 3 cycles with an excellent conversion efficiency. To explore the convenience of the BML@Ag nanocatalyst, the effects of changing parameters such as catalyst loading, pH, and salt concentration were thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, the ability of the BML@Ag nanocatalyst to reduce/degrade the pollutants was demonstrated with spiked tap and lake water samples. The efficiency of BML@Ag nanocatalyst was found to give the best conversion efficiency for the lake water samples of both 4-NP and CR dye with 99.5% and in the tap water the efficiency was noted to be reduced in both cases. The real-time investigation validated the competence of the BML@Ag nanocatalyst to be extended for commercial use.

Biogas Generation from Poultry Manure as an Indicator of Reduction in Environmental Pollution and Biomass Potential Contribution to the Energy Grid in Jordan

Biogas Generation from Poultry Manure as an Indicator of Reduction in Environmental Pollution and Biomass Potential Contribution to the Energy Grid in Jordan

Green synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles from discarded computer PCBs on reduction of environmental pollution

The economic value of gold content in electronic waste, particularly waste printed circuit boards (PCBs), has generated interest in recovering gold from this material. Unfortunately, due to the severe environmental hazards associated with such waste, there is a pressing need for efficient and selective methods of gold nanoparticle recovery. A novel technique has been developed to synthesize gold nanoparticles that employ chlorate leaching and Punica granatum extract to minimize the environmental impact of electronic waste. Multiple analytical methods, including UV-Vis, XRD, EDS, SEM, and TEM analysis, were utilized to identify and characterize the extracted gold nanoparticles. The UV-Vis spectrum showed GNP-absorption peaks at a narrow range of wavelengths, primarily at 520 nm, confirming the formation of gold nanoparticles from the e-waste. The XRD analysis identified the material as metallic gold with characteristic peaks of gold crystals (111), (200), (220), and (311), corresponding to the FCC crystal structure. The SEM and TEM analysis revealed that most of the Au nanoparticles were less than 40 nm in size, with some larger particles resulting from the agglomeration of smaller ones. The EDS spectrum analysis indicated that the gold atoms emitted strong signals. At the same time, other elements such as carbon, oxygen, and metals such as Sn, Zn, Pd, Cu, and Cd showed weaker signals. The recovered gold nanoparticles were found to have a bandgap of 2.2 eV, indicating that they are a direct bandgap semiconductor suitable for use in optoelectronic applications. The environmental impact of the PCBs and the chemicals used in the process were also analyzed to address the necessity of using discarded electronic waste to reduce environmental pollution. The proposed method showed high efficiency for extracting gold nanoparticles from e-waste, with simple process steps, low chemical usage, and low cost, as demonstrated by the results.

Modern environmental art design based on Artificial Intelligence technology and ecological civilization

This study delves into a novel approach for energy conservation and environmental pollution reduction through modern environmental art design, guided by the ecological civilization concept and powered by artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The environmental art framework, aligning with the ecological civilization paradigm, is intricately designed. The data acquisition layer employs diverse sensors to gather equipment status, environmental, and pollution data, transmitting it to the executive controller layer via internal WIFI connectivity. The collected data undergoes meticulous analysis and processing within the data layer before reaching the actuator control layer. Leveraging support vector machines in artificial intelligence, the executive controller layer amalgamates the analyzed equipment and environmental data to devise energy-saving equipment and environmental pollution control schemes. Real-time visualization of these outcomes is achieved through the display operation layer. Findings affirm the effectiveness of this method in acquiring pertinent data for modern environmental art design and managing equipment states. Implementation of this approach successfully diminishes power consumption, dust concentration, and formaldehyde levels in the modern environmental art design zone, showcasing its prowess in energy conservation and pollution control. The integration of AI within the ecological civilization framework highlights its potential in fostering sustainable and environmentally conscious practices in modern art creation.

Sustainable production of biodiesel enabled by acid-base bifunctional ZnF2 via one-pot transformation of Koelreuteria integrifoliola oil: Process optimization, kinetics study and cost analysis

Against the backdrop of energy crisis and quest for carbon neutrality, efficient utilization of heterogeneous catalysts to facilitate one-pot conversion of low-quality nonedible oils into biodiesel, shows enormous promise for the reduction of carbon footprints and environmental pollution. In this study, an effective heterogeneous catalyst, acid-base bifunctional mesoporous ZnF2 (MP-ZnF2) was successfully fabricated for biodiesel synthesis from Koelreuteria integrifoliola oil (KIO, acid values of 8.26 mg KOH/g) via facile one-pot process. Meanwhile, systematic characterization showed the large specific surface area (62.9 m2/g), abundant mesoporous (12.15 nm), outstanding thermal stability, and plentiful stable acid-base sites (1.22 and 0.56 mmol/g) of MP-ZnF2. Consequently, MP-ZnF2 achieved a high biodiesel yield of 97.15% under moderate conditions (103 °C, 6.2 h, 10.2 wt% catalyst dosages, 29:1 MeOH/KIO molar ratio) optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). More importantly, through the kinetic investigation, a low activation energy of 49.24 kJ/mol explained the reason for its high activity, and the possible reaction mechanism of (trans)esterification was also proposed. In addition, MP-ZnF2 demonstrated satisfactory reusability (6th cycle, >90%), water resistance (8 wt% water content, 89.25%), and versatility (all yields >90%). According to cost analysis, the price of biodiesel in this work was about 0.64 $/kg. Notably, the as-prepared biodiesel conformed to ASTM D6751 and EN 14,214 standards, indicating great application prospects. It was demonstrated that one-pot transformation of KIO into biodiesel using acid-base bifunctional MP-ZnF2 contributes to the sustainable development of clean energy.

Does the Material Recycling Rate Matter in the Effect of the Generated Waste on Environmental Pollution? Panel Smooth Transition Regression Approach

This study examined the effect of material recycling on the relationship between the waste amount and environmental pollution in EU-15 countries for the 1995-2019 period through panel smooth regression analysis by using the material recycling rate as the threshold variable. Based on the analysis results, the material recycling rate threshold level was estimated as 11.79%. In these countries, if the material recycling rate is below the threshold level, the rise in the waste amount will increase environmental pollution. If the material recycling rate is above the threshold value, the rise in the waste amount will still increase environmental pollution, but the pollution increase rate will decrease. With the increase in the waste amount in the long term, environmental pollution can only be reduced by raising the material recycling rate. For the reduction of environmental pollution, which is one of the most prioritized issues in Europe in recent years, policy makers should take measures to increase the material recycling rate by taking the results of this study into consideration and pay attention to the implementation of these measures.

Application of NaOH modified micro-polyethylene as storage material for H2

H2 is increasingly regarded as a decarbonized solution for the increasing energy demand. However, due to its low density, H2 cannot be easily compressed, and there is a need for materials that can store large amounts of H2. Here we tested H2 adsorption capacity of micro-polyethylene (MicroPE) – a significant environmental pollutant - at 1–70 bar and 30 °C. H2 adsorption capacity increased with increasing the adsorption pressure (from 0.06 mol/kg at 17.21 bar to 0.20 mol/kg at 68.11 bar for raw MicroPE). MicroPE activated with aqueous NaOH significantly changed H2 adsorption under the same operating conditions. H2 adsorption increased to 0.50 mol/kg at 68.11 bar when MicroPE was treated with 0.002 mol/L aqueous NaOH. We conclude that MicroPE is a feasible material to store H2, competitive to other storage materials in in terms of the availability, cost-effective, environmental pollution mitigation and slightly higher H2 adsorption rates under the condition studied. This work provides fundamental information, and thus aids in the reduction of environmental microplastic pollution, while further enabling a green energy transition.

How natural resources and technological advancements affect environmental quality: Evidence from load capacity factor in N‐11 nations

AbstractThe pressing issues of global climate change and environmental degradation necessitate the development of novel sustainable growth models by humanity. The efficacy of growth policy is strongly contingent upon the fundamental principles of productivity, such as efficient resource management. This study contributes to the investigation of the influence of natural resources (NRs) and several indices measuring productive capacity index (CI) on the environment of developing N‐11 countries (Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Korea, Pakistan, Turkey, and Vietnam) during 2000–2022. The research employed the cross‐sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS‐ARDL) model to examine the relationship between the variables. The empirical evidence indicates that there is a positive relationship between CI, technical innovation (TEC), NR, and gross domestic product (GDP) with the load capacity factor (LCF). Evidently, the sub‐indicators of CI present diverse results. The enhancement of productive CI in human capital, information, and communication technology (ICT), structural change, and governance has been found to foster ecological sustainability. Conversely, the domains of transport, private sector development, and energy utilization have been observed to contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution. This study posits that enhancing operational efficiencies and productive CI is associated with improved ecological outcomes.

Comprehensive identification, localization, and validation of innovation measurement indices at the farm level in Iran

IntroductionInnovation is a fundamental component of agricultural infrastructure, fostering the sector’s development and productivity. Innovation indices tailored to the farm level are benchmarks for assessing innovation within this agricultural context. Therefore, this study aims to discover, localize, and validate comprehensive innovation measurement indices at the farm level. A distinguishing feature of this research is its endeavor to discover and validate a comprehensive tool for measuring innovation at the farm level. Notably, there has been no prior research on discovering comprehensive innovation indices at the farm level, marking a novel aspect of this study.Method and resultsThe current research is applied in terms of its purpose and falls into the category of mixed research (quantitative and qualitative), as well as exploratory and descriptive research. This study has been conducted in three stages: The first phase involved reviewing existing literature and extracting indices for measuring innovation. In the second phase, a tool was designed specifically to gauge innovation at the farm level. The third phase entailed face and content validation of the identified indices. This validation process was conducted quantitatively and qualitatively through surveys of subject-matter experts in Iran, and by calculating the content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI).To measure innovation at the farm level, 90 items across 7 dimensions (education, infrastructure, market sophistication, business sophistication, knowledge and technology outputs, creative outputs, and innovative outputs) were extracted, localized, and developed. According to the results, dimensions such as innovative outputs (product innovation, process innovation, and marketing innovation), education (farmers’ education status in technology and innovation), and infrastructure (familiarity, access, and application of Information and Communication Technology [ICT]) demonstrated high credibility based on CVR and CVI scores.ConclusionThe utilization of innovation assessment indices can help mitigate the challenges associated with evaluating innovation status on farms, thereby enhancing their condition and increasing farmers’ profitability. Accurate and reliable data on innovation status empower farmers in market competition and improve economic performance. Attention to innovation and the use of assessment tools can facilitate the attraction of new investors to the agricultural industry. Furthermore, improving agricultural processes through innovative technologies can contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the reduction of environmental pollution.

Extremely Stable Ag-Based Photonics, Plasmonic, Optical, and Electronic Materials and Devices Designed with Surface Chemistry Engineering for Anti-Tarnish.

Silver (Ag) metal-based structures are promising building blocks for next-generation photonics and electronics owing to their unique characteristics, such as high reflectivity, surface plasmonic resonance effects, high electrical conductivity, and tunable electron transport mechanisms. However, Ag structures exhibit poor sustainability in terms of device performance because harsh chemicals, particularly S2- ions present in the air, can damage their structures, lowering their optical and electrical properties. Here, the surface chemistry of Ag structures with (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTS) ligands at room temperature and under ambient conditions is engineered to prevent deterioration of their optical and electrical properties owing to S2- exposure. Regardless of the dimensions of the Ag structures, the MPTS ligands can be applied to each dimension (0D, 1D, and 3D). Consequently, highly sustainable plasmonic effects (Δλ < 2nm), Fabry-Perot cavity resonance structures (Δλ < 2nm), reflectors (ΔRReflectance < 0.5%), flexible electrodes (ΔRelectrical < 0.1 Ω), and strain gauge sensors (ΔGF < 1), even in S2- exposing conditions is achieved. This strategy is believed to significantly contribute to environmental pollution reduction by decreasing the volume of electronic waste.

Empowering Sustainability: A Mobile App for Environmental Pollution Reduction

The present work has as main objective, to reduce the levels of contamination of the district of the olive trees, for this it was necessary to know the problem and its multiple factors, such as the age of the public interested in the cause and the commitment of each one, through a survey carried out and promoted by google forms that was answered by the public (friends, family and acquaintances) thanks to social networks, through this means it was possible to determine and know the different main causes of contamination in the district of los olivos one of for them it was due to the lack of information in public places or institutions. During the investigation, different ideas were sought as a project team and the conclusion was reached to implement a mobile application with the help of software development programs such as Android Studio and as a firebase database to store our user data in the cloud for On the other hand, background information from other mobile applications that also have our same mission was used as a guide in the application. The objective of our app was to help reduce environmental pollution in different parts of the district, such as in green areas, recreational centres, and to inform the population, with the main mission of promoting recycling in multiple ways, incentivizing prizes or points with the support of brands or sponsors who want to help the environment ,thus gradually reducing pollution in the olive district.

Comparative Study of Monte Carlo Simulation and the Deterministic Model to Analyze Thermal Insulation Costs

The main purpose of this paper is to implement a simulation model in @RISKTM and study the impact of incorporating random variables, such as the degree days in a traditional deterministic model, for calculating the optimum thickness of thermal insulation in walls. Currently, green buildings have become important because of the increasing worldwide interest in the reduction of environmental pollution. One method of saving energy is to use thermal insulation. The optimum thickness of these insulators has traditionally been calculated using deterministic models. With the information generated from real data using the degree days required in a certain zone in Palestine during winter, random samples of the degree days required annually in this town were generated for periods of 10, 20, 50, and 70 years. The results showed that the probability of exceeding the net present value of the cost calculated using deterministic analysis ranges from 0% to 100%, without regard to the inflation rate. The results also show that, for design lifetimes greater than 40 years, the risk of overspending is lower if the building lasts longer than the period for which it was designed. Moreover, this risk is transferred to whomever will pay the operating costs of heating the building. The contribution of this research is twofold: (a) a stochastic approach is incorporated into the traditional models that determine the optimum thickness of thermal insulation used in buildings, by introducing the variability of the degree days required in a given region; (b) a measure of the economic risk incurred by building heating is established as a function of the years of use for which the building is designed and the number of years it is actually used.

Design and Modelling of Urban Stormwater Management and Treatment Infrastructure for Communities in Wuse, Abuja

Effective stormwater management can be used to regulate water quantity and quality for environmental sustainability, flood control, pollution reduction and other advantages of civil engineering infrastructures. Pollution of the environment and contamination of water sources can emanate from improper stormwater management. This study used a small-scale model of rainwater harvesting to analyze the design and model of urban stormwater management and treatment infrastructure for the neighborhoods in Abuja. The water quality of the treated stormwater retrieved has improved as a result of the usage of memory foam, alum, and chlorine to filter out contaminants and pathogens. With the fictitious stormwater treatment model created for this study, average values of the physicochemical parameters were collected from the stormwater discharge after it had been filtered and treated. The use of potash alum has had a variety of effects on the water’s quality. From 697 mg.L-1 to 635 mg.L-1, the total dissolved solids dropped. The DO dropped from 5.87 mg.L-1 to 3.92 mg.L-1 as well. Additionally, the turbidity rose from 4.42 FNU to 4.58 FNU, and the salinity rose from 0.7 PSU to 1.44 PSU, respectively. pH decreases from 19.78 to 15.17 mg.L-1, BOD decreases from 8.35 to 6.51, and COD decreases from 2.55 to 1.9. Calcium hardness has decreased from 287 mg.L-1 to 265.83 mg.L-1. The conductivity increases marginally from 3.24 ms.cm-1 to 3.82 ms.cm-1. The Fe2+ and Zn2+ ions exhibit a little decrease from 0.143 mg.L-1 to 0.055 mg.L-1 and from 0.092 mg.L-1 to 0.045 mg.L-1, respectively. Due to inadequate or nonexistent drainage systems in the many states and villages throughout the country, stormwater run-off management and treatment in Nigeria have been a colossal failure. Effective stormwater management can be sustained by using legal and environmental laws.

Biotechnological potential of Aspergillus niger L-asparaginase supplemented with Euterpe oleracea mart seed as an alternative source for cervical cancer treatment: a literature review

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the Americas, with cervical cancer being the third most common, affecting over 56 thousand women in Latin America, and unfortunately, over 28 thousand of them do not survive this disease. This review study aims to present the enzyme L-asparaginase produced by the fungus Aspergillus niger, supplemented with the seed of Euterpe oleracea Mart (açaí), as an alternative treatment source against cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), thus encouraging biotechnological studies with natural products, promoting future benefits that significantly contribute to the treatment of women affected by HPV. Much research has been conducted on the species of fungus Aspergillus niger, which are widely distributed in nature and have the ability to produce various metabolites, notably L-asparaginase. In this sense, studies confirming the efficacy of this enzyme against HPV could signify a breakthrough in the remission or cure of cervical cancer cases in women with such a diagnosis. The flour from the seed of Euterpe oleracea Mart, when used as a substrate for Aspergillus niger, may possess excellent nutritional value, making it a potential producer of L-asparaginase. Additionally, the pulp of E. oleracea fruits is a source of agro-industrial waste, and with the opportunity for utilization, it becomes a source of promising substances for commercial use. This review sought to present L-asparaginase produced by a natural fungus (Aspergillus niger) as an alternative source for in-depth studies on its potential for treating HPV-induced cervical cancer, discussing the use of Euterpe oleracea Mart seed as a supplement for this fungus, drawing attention to the utilization of this agro-industrial waste and proposing a reduction in environmental pollution.

Can hierarchical healthcare system improve public health efficiency? Evidence from 27 eastern Chinese cities

Healthcare policies have the potential to impact the environment by improving public health efficiency. It is unknown whether the Hierarchical Healthcare System (HHS), an important healthcare policy in China, can impact the environment in the same way. This study addresses two research questions to investigate its impact on public health efficiency. The first question explores the influence of the HHS on patient triage, and the second question examines its effect on the efficiency of medical resource utilization. Using empirical data from 27 cities in eastern China and employing a Time-varying Difference-in-Differences, this study establishes a relationship between the HHS and health efficiency. The findings reveal that the implementation of the HHS significantly reduces the number of patient visits to upper-level hospitals while leading to a substantial increase in patient visits to lower-level hospitals. Furthermore, the HHS is shown to reduce hospitalization time for patients at lower-level hospitals. Based on these comprehensive results, this study concludes that the HHS enhances public health efficiency and contributes to the reduction of environmental pollution.

Investigation of natural ventilation using a solar chimney in various solar cases

The high cost of conventional energy production, its uses, and its negative environmental impact led scientists to look for many ways to solve this problem. The main issues are environmental pollution, the high cost of air treatment, and the high cost of energy production. An essential solution is using renewable energy instead of traditional energy (petroleum, coal, natural gas, and electric power). As it is a permanent energy source, it causes no air pollution and is cheaper. In this work, an experimental study was conducted on using solar energy as an energy source in the natural ventilation of buildings and the factors affecting this ventilation. A solar chimney has been installed with and without storage materials to store energy for natural identity during sunrise and after sunset. In this work, the difference in air density with different temperatures is the main factor for energy production, which leads to a change in the airspeed (natural ventilation). The study indicates that indoor air velocity can remain higher than ambient air velocity during the day and at night for several hours. This reduces demand and dependence on conventional energy usage, which leads to cost reductions and a reduction in air and environmental pollution.

A method for rapid demolition of a crossline arch bridge: a case study

To reduce the adverse impact of demolition of the symmetrical rigid frame arch bridge overcrossing the highway with over-saturated traffic flow, a rapid demolition method based on the Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) technique was developed in this study. The calculation formulae for reaction forces of the supporting brackets, as well as driving force and stability of SPMTs, were derived by analyzing the stability, synchronization, and influencing parameters of the cut bridge body—transport system. In addition, a monitoring system during the whole process was developed to ensure the demolition safety. An application of demolishing a crossline symmetrical rigid frame arch bridge in China within 5 h has been presented. The results showed that the proposed method can be successfully applied in real projects, leading to significant reduction in traffic impact, energy consumption, and environmental pollution.

Air pollution, public health expenditure, and physical health: Evidence from China

AbstractAir pollution is known to have adverse effects on physical health, but the influence of public health expenditure (PHE) on physical health has received less attention. This study utilizes 2 years of panel data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to investigate the effects of air pollution and PHE on physical health. The main findings reveal that, for each unit increase in SO2, there is a corresponding decrease of 0.006 in physical health. For each unit increase in PHE, there is a 0.838 increase in physical health. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the impact of air pollution on public health varies among different groups. Notably, air pollution has more detrimental effects on women's health compared to men, and middle‐aged and elderly individuals are more vulnerable to air pollution. Additionally, urban residents are more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution compared to rural residents. Furthermore, PHE positively impacts women's health and significantly enhances the health of rural residents. People residing in western and central regions are more susceptible to air pollution than those in the eastern regions. This underscores the importance of tailoring environmental pollution reduction and PHE increase policies to address the unique needs of various groups and regions in order to promote overall improvements in residents' health.

Extensive Green Roofs (EGRs) and the Five Ws: A Quantitative Analysis on the Origin and Evolution, Aims, Approaches, and Botanical Views

Extensive Green Roofs (EGRs) are nature-based solutions that provide several environmental, health, social, and economic benefits. This review of about 1430 scientific papers, based on the five Ws, When, Where, Why, Who, and Which, aims to understand how interest in these important green infrastructures originated and developed, as well as the nature of such academic research. Special attention was paid to the way researchers approached plant selection. Furthermore, this review made a detailed quantitative evaluation of the growth in interest for such green infrastructures within the scientific literature, which began mainly in Europe around the middle of the last century before spreading to America and Asia, growing rapidly during recent decades. The main impulse behind the study of EGRs came from the fields of engineering and architecture, especially on the themes of thermal mitigation and runoff reduction. In decreasing order, we found the categories aimed at ecological and environmental issues, substrate, and pollution reduction. We also found little evidence of collaboration between different disciplines, with the result that botanical features generally receive little attention. Despite the ecological benefits of plants, not enough attention has been given to them in the literature, and their study and selection are often limited to Sedum species.