Emission Sources Research Articles

Industrial air emissions and breast cancer incidence in a United States-wide prospective cohort.

We evaluated air emissions of industrial compounds, many of which have carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting properties, in relation to breast cancer incidence. Using the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Toxics Release Inventory, we quantified air emissions of 28 compounds near Sister Study participants' residences during the 10 years leading up to study enrollment (2003-2006; n=46,150). We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations of residential emission levels of single pollutants with incident breast cancer. We assessed pollutant mixtures using an Exposure Continuum Mapping (ECM) framework and characterized associations using a joint-exposure response function. During follow-up (median=13.4 years), we identified 4,155 breast cancer cases. We observed non-monotonic but elevated associations with breast cancer for emissions within 3km of the residence for nickel compounds (HRquintile5vs.none = 1.3; 95% CI 1.0, 1.6) and trichloroethylene (HRquintile5vs.none = 1.3; 95% CI 1.0, 1.6). ECM identified 25 mixture profiles that explained 72% of the variance in emissions patterns, with most participants experiencing relatively low emissions profiles. The joint-exposure response function suggested that higher incidence of breast cancer occurred among individuals with relatively rare, high emissions profiles; however, the overall trend was not associated with breast cancer (p=0.09). In our study, breast cancer incidence was associated with air emissions of certain industrial carcinogens. Although the overall emissions mixture did not show a trend related to breast cancer, this may not reflect the importance of individual compounds or specific emissions sources.

Sources, levels, and determinants of indoor air pollutants in Europe: A systematic review.

Clean air is a requirement for life, and the quality of indoor air is a health determinant since people spend most of their daily time indoors. The aim of this study was to systematically review the available evidence regarding the sources, determinants and concentrations of indoor air pollutants in a set of scenarios under study in K-HEALTHinAIR project. To this end, a systematic review was performed to review the available studies published between the years 2013-2023, for several settings (schools, homes, hospitals, lecture halls, retirement homes, public transports and canteens), conducted in Europe, where sources and determinants of the indoor pollutants concentrations was assessed. After a two-stage screening in abstract and full-text, 148 papers were included for data extraction. For particulate matter, carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds, several emission sources were identified (occupancy, human activities, resuspension, cleaning products, disinfectants, craft activities, cooking, smoking), with ventilation, number of occupants, building characteristics, being considered as important determinants. This review made also possible to discuss some of the actions that are already in place or should be implemented in the future to prevent and control the presence of pollutants indoors.

Spatio-temporal analysis of formaldehyde and its association with atmospheric and environmental variables over the Southeast Asian region using satellite data.

This study investigates the spatio-temporal distribution of formaldehyde (HCHO) over the mainland Southeast Asian region (including Northeast India) from 2019 to 2022 using TROPOMI satellite data. HCHO is a key atmospheric trace gas which is influenced by both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. We analyze HCHO levels in relation to atmospheric species including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and environmental factors such as land surface temperature (LST), precipitation (PPT), fire radiative power (FRP), and enhanced vegetation index (EVI). Peak levels of HCHO are particularly observed in March and April, which coincide with the dry and warm seasons and reflect seasonal variability arising from both fluctuating emission sources and regional climate patterns. Correlation analyses reveal significant associations between HCHO and CO (r = 0.727), followed by HCHO and NO2 (r = 0.577) and HCHO and LST (r = 0.539). Conversely, a negative correlation with PPT (r = - 0.233) is observed as HCHO decreases with increased precipitation due to washout. The negative correlation with EVI (r = - 0.319) is unexpected since biogenic emissions are significant contributors to HCHO. This outcome likely results from the confounding effect of precipitation. A robust multiple regression model incorporating these variables is developed which is able to explain 61.8% of the variance in HCHO. It enhances predictive capabilities facilitating the estimation of HCHO distribution and supporting air quality management efforts in the region. This research contributes to understanding the complex interactions of HCHO with atmospheric chemistry and climate variability in Southeast Asia. Insights gained from this study are crucial for informing environmental policies aimed at reducing air pollution and protecting public health in rapidly developing regions.

Peculiar Dust Emission within the Orion Molecular Cloud

It is widely assumed that dust opacities in molecular clouds follow a power-law profile with an index, β. Recent studies of the Orion Molecular Cloud (OMC) 2/3 complex, however, show a flattening in the spectral energy distribution (SED) at λ > 2 mm, implying nonconstant indices on scales ≳0.08 pc. The origin of this flattening is not yet known, but it may be due to the intrinsic properties of the dust grains or contamination from other sources of emission. We investigate the SED slopes in OMC 2/3 further using observations of six protostellar cores with Northern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) from 2.9–3.6 mm and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Atacama Compact Array in Band 4 (1.9–2.1 mm) and Band 5 (1.6–1.8 mm) on core and envelope scales of ∼0.02–0.08 pc. We confirm flattened opacity indices between 2.9 mm and 3.6 mm for the six cores with β ≈ −0.16 to 1.45, which are notably lower than the β-values of >1.3 measured for these sources on 0.08 pc scales from single-dish data. Four sources have consistent SED slopes between the ALMA data and the NOEMA data. We propose that these sources may have a significant fraction of emission coming from large dust grains in embedded disks, which biases the emission more at longer wavelengths. Two sources, however, had inconsistent slopes between the ALMA and NOEMA data, indicating different origins of emission. These results highlight how care is needed when combining multiscale observations or extrapolating single-band observations to other wavelengths.

Quantification of Fugitive Carbon Emissions from Uncontrolled Combustion in Coal Fire Area: the Sandaoba Coalfield, Xinjiang, China.

Spontaneous coal fires are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming. However, the lack of reliable estimation methods and research has obscured the full environmental impact of these emissions. This paper presents a novel quantification method for fugitive carbon emissions from spontaneous coal combustion. A combination of field measurements, laboratory tests, and geostatistical analysis led to the development of the Carbon Emission Flux (CEF) model, which was applied to the Sandaoba coalfield fire areas. The study quantitatively estimates the average CO2 emission fluxes from borehole, fissure, and soil sources: 517 g/m2·s, 61.5 g/m2·s and 5.33 mg/m2·s, respectively. Borehole fluxes exhibit the highest intensity, while fissures contribute the most carbon emissions. Both temperature and gas velocity significantly and positively influence the CO2 concentration in borehole and fissure emissions. Surface fissure density, measured across different fire areas, averages 1.039×10-3 per unit area. Using chamber flux measurement and Kriging geostatistical interpolation, the net soil-diffuse flux was determined to be 2.406 mg/ m2·s after background removal. Methane emissions are also considered, with a correction factor of 1.004%. The total annual fugitive carbon emissions from the Sandaoba coalfield fire are estimated at (6.53±1.86)×10⁵ tons/yr (CO₂ equivalent), with a robust uncertainty of 28.6%. The study further highlights the significant carbon reduction achieved through local fire suppression efforts, applicable across all emission sources.

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface soils and street dusts in Detroit, Michigan.

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic contaminants that were produced and used in large quantities for their stability, inertness, and other desirable electrical, cooling, and lubricating properties. Due to their environmental persistence and improper disposal, these contaminants have become broadly distributed in the environment. This study examines the levels, composition, distribution, and potential sources of these compounds in surface soils and street dusts collected at 19 residential and industrial areas in Detroit, Michigan. Each sample was analyzed for 32 PCN and 37 PCB congeners using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The geometric mean concentrations of total PCNs and total PCBs were 61 (range:11-1933) and 432 (range: 32-18,637) ng/g, respectively. The most common PCNs were tetra- to hexacongeners and PCN-59 was most prevalent individual congener. For PCBs, hexaPCBs were most common and PCB-158 was dominant. PCN and PCB levels in soils at most sites exceeded health-based guideline levels. Given the short half-lives of PCNs and restrictions on PCN and PCB production, our results imply ongoing or recent releases. Emission sources identified by principal components and other analyses include industrial thermal processes included fuel combustion and electrical waste handling at a scrap metal processor for PCNs and PCBs, respectively. The presence of sources and "hotspots" of these toxic "legacy" contaminants in urban settings like Detroit highlight the potential for human exposure and the need to identify and control sources to prevent further environmental dispersal, exposure and risk.

Multi-platform observations and constraints reveal overlooked urban sources of black carbon in Xuzhou and Dhaka

Here we use multi-waveband single scattering albedo observations from ground-based instruments and satellite to constrain black carbon aerosol's physical properties and loading over Xuzhou, China, and Dhaka, Bangladesh. Our daily high-resolution findings reveal smaller black carbon cores and spatially variable morphology dominate both regions. Column loadings reveal higher black carbon mass in Dhaka, while higher total aerosol mass and number are observed in Xuzhou. These findings reflect differences in emission sources, atmospheric conditions, and regulatory policies. Spatial analysis reveals notable enhanced black carbon along Dhaka’s urban riverbanks (8–9 mg m−2), and over rapidly changing, small industrial sites in China, indicating overlooked sources. Complex daily interactions between wind, accumulation, and dispersion challenge traditional seasonal dynamics. These findings demonstrate high-resolution data can be tailored from available remote sensing platforms, providing nuanced insights into regional air quality, enhancing assessment capabilities and informing targeted mitigation strategies.

Greenhouse gas emissions from dry season rice irrigation in Bangladesh

Pumping groundwater for irrigation in Bangladesh is a major energy-consuming process and mostly depends on diesel fuel, which is related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But that issue has not yet been addressed in Bangladesh. `In this study, we have estimated GHG emissions for dry season (DS) irrigated rice considering all irrigation devices with their lifting heads, area coverage, and water sources (surface and groundwater) and power sources (diesel and electricity) during 2019–2020. GHG emissions varied with locations, sources of irrigation, fuel and water sources used. Irrigation water driven GHG emission in Bangladesh is about 2.27 million tons (Mt) CO2e DS−1, which is about only 4% of agricultural sector GHG emission. Groundwater pumps contributed the lion shares (2.04 Mt CO2e DS−1), and surface water pumps contributed only 0.23 Mt CO2e DS−1. Based on the GHG emissions, Rajshahi Division is the main hotspot followed by Rangpur and Mymensingh Divisions, because of intensive groundwater used in these areas. Current deep tubewells (DTWs), shallow tubewells (STWs) and low lift pumps (LLPs) area coverage is about 19.2%, 56.8% and 24.0% of the total cultivable areas of the country; but it contributes about 49.1%, 40.6% and 10.3% of emitted GHG, respectively. The results revealed that withdrawal of groundwater is an important source of GHG emission. Therefore, expansion of surface water irrigation facilities with the adoption of different improved distribution systems, water and energy saving technologies like alternate wetting and drying practices, conservation agriculture along with water use-efficient varieties for rice cultivation can be promoted for reducing GHG emission.

Distribution and bioconcentration of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in soils and vascular plant Colobanthus quitensis from Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions.

Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are widely distributed across the globe, including polar regions. This study investigates the distribution and bioconcentration of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils and Colobanthus quitensis, while also estimating potential emission sources. Results indicated high concentrations of PAHs in soils and plants from the Sub-Antarctic region, while OCPs and PCBs were more prevalent in the Antarctic region, with higher contaminant concentrations found in soils than in plant tissues. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) were significantly higher in the Antarctic region, suggesting historical dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) use, while PCB 153 and 180 were the most representative PCBs in the Antarctic region. Phenanthrene (Phe) was the dominant PAH in both regions. The bioconcentration factor analysis from soils (BCFSoils) revealed potential anthropogenic influences for certain contaminants, including γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) and PCB 9 in the Sub-Antarctic region, and HCB, p,p'-DDE, PCB 9, and benzo-naphtho-thiophene in the Antarctic region. However, compounds with higher hydrophobicity showed lower Bioconcentration factor (BCFSoils) values, indicating a tendency to accumulate in soil rather than plant tissues. This was consistent with the inverse relationship found between BCFSoils and the octanol-water partition coefficient (Log KOW). Diagnostic ratios of PAHs revealed a predominantly pyrogenic source in the Sub-Antarctic region, while a mixture of sources was observed in the Antarctic region.

Southern California ozone exposure disparities under different emissions control strategies in a low-carbon future.

Environmental justice (EJ) has emerged as a critical consideration when planning new air pollution control strategies. In this study we analyze how traditional ozone (O3) control strategies for the year 2050 will affect exposure disparities, defined as departures from the population average exposure, for O3 and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in Southern California. Future air quality fields were simulated using a chemical transport model under five emission scenarios that explore a range of traditional controls that target the largest sources of precursor emissions using a novel O3 source apportionment technique but without considering exposure disparities. We find that traditional O3 control strategies reduce O3 exposure disparities by <1.6% and reduce NO2 exposure disparities by <9% in Southern California. For the Black and African residents living in the urban core of Los Angeles, the relative NO2 exposure disparities increase from +23.1% to +66.2% and O3 exposure disparities increase from -3.3% to +0.1% due to NOx emissions reductions mainly in outlying regions and the NOx-rich environment in the urban core. Additional analysis shows that complete elimination of NOx emissions from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) would reduce the NO2 exposure disparities by up to 50%, but there is currently no practical method to achieve this goal. The results of the current study highlight the challenge of simultaneously attaining O3 standards and reducing exposure disparities for O3 and NO2 in cities with NOx-rich urban cores. Reducing emissions by region may be a solution to this challenge.

Assessment of Air Pollution and Lagged Meteorological Effects in an Urban Residential Area of Kenitra City, Morocco

Complex mixtures of air pollutants, including ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), black carbon (BC), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), present significant health risks. To understand the factors influencing air pollution levels and their temporal variations, comprehensive high-resolution long-term air pollution data are essential. This study analyzed the characteristics, lagged meteorological effects, and temporal patterns of six air pollutant concentrations over a one-year period at an urban residential site in Kenitra, Morocco. The results reveal pronounced seasonal and diurnal variations in pollutant levels, shaped by meteorological factors, emission sources, and local geographic conditions. PM2.5, SO2, and CO concentrations peaked during winter, while NO2 and CO exhibited consistent diurnal peaks during morning and evening rush hours across all seasons, driven by traffic emissions and nocturnal pollutant accumulation. In contrast, O3 concentrations were highest during summer afternoons due to photochemical reactions fueled by strong UV radiation, while winter levels were the lowest due to reduced sunlight. Lagged meteorological effects further highlighted the complexity of air pollutant dynamics. Meteorological factors, including temperature, wind speed, humidity, and pressure, significantly influenced pollutant levels, with both immediate and lagged effects observed. Lag analyses revealed that PM2.5 and BC levels responded to wind speed, temperature, and humidity over time, highlighting the temporal dynamics of dispersion and accumulation. CO is sensitive to temperature and pressure changes, with delayed impacts, while O3 formation was primarily influenced by temperature and wind speed, reflecting complex photochemical processes. SO2 concentrations were shaped by both immediate and lagged meteorological effects, with wind direction playing a key role in pollutant transport. These findings emphasize the importance of considering both immediate and lagged meteorological effects, as well as seasonal and diurnal variations, in developing air quality management strategies.

Basic Characteristics of Ionic Liquid-Gated Graphene FET Sensors for Nitrogen Cycle Monitoring in Agricultural Soil.

Nitrogen-based fertilizers are crucial in agriculture for maintaining soil health and increasing crop yields. Soil microorganisms transform nitrogen from fertilizers into NO3--N, which is absorbed by crops. However, some nitrogen is converted to nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas with a warming potential about 300-times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2). Agricultural activities are the main source of N2O emissions. Monitoring N2O can enhance soil health and optimize nitrogen fertilizer use, thereby supporting precision agriculture. To achieve this, we developed ionic liquid-gated graphene field-effect transistor (FET) sensors to measure N2O concentrations in agricultural soil. We first fabricated and tested the electrical characteristics of the sensors. Then, we analyzed their transfer characteristics in our developed N2O evaluation system using different concentrations of N2O and air. The sensors demonstrated a negative shift in transfer characteristic curves when exposed to N2O, with a Dirac point voltage difference of 0.02 V between 1 and 10 ppm N2O diluted with pure air. These results demonstrate that the ionic liquid-gated graphene FET sensor is a promising device for N2O detection for agricultural soil applications.

Impact of Soil Use On Winter Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The Agricultural Sector in Alagoas Through An Emissions Inventory

Objective: To prepare a greenhouse gas inventory within the state of Alagoas for 2019, using data and factors from livestock and agriculture. Theoretical framework: Preparing an inventory is an important tool for understanding climate change that is directly related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mostly resulting from anthropogenic activities. In Brazil, agriculture stands out as one of the main sources of emissions, driven by the production of grains and animals for domestic and foreign consumption. Due to the difficulty of direct measurement, emissions are often assessed through inventories. The GHG emissions inventory is one of the basic tools that provides relevant data to direct certain public policies, or civil society actions, to reduce GHG emissions into the atmosphere, given that the state of Alagoas has few scientific productions on GHG sources and emissions. Methodology: Emissions were calculated by multiplying the emission coefficient following the methodology proposed by the IPCC, GHG Protocol, using the multiplication of the emission coefficient also indicated by the IPCC, MCTIC, EMBRAPA by the total number of heads or by the number of hectares of each crop in 2019 to calculate emissions. The results were then transformed into figures to facilitate understanding and analysis. Results and Discussions: N2O emissions from temporary and permanent crops, and N2O and CH4 emissions from flooded rice crops; as well as CH4 and N2O emissions from the livestock sector, totaling 10.53 MtCO2e of emissions in 2019. Comparing with other results, differences were noted in the total emissions due to the adoption of different methodologies and factors, as well as in what to measure, so this article presents advances and limitations, contributing to a greater depth of understanding of emissions. Research Implications: This research contributes to the scientific literature, public policy actions and environmental planning, as well as understanding and analyzing the impacts on the agricultural sector, and methodological and scientific advances, and the promotion of new research and data updates that can guide new research and updates. Originality/value: This study provides a regional focus on Alagoas, with consistent applications of international methodologies (IPCC, GHG Protocol) in local contexts. It serves as a basis for local public policies, environmental and climate impacts, expanding knowledge about the state's emissions, and encouraging innovation in local methods, as well as awareness and social mobilization.

Concentrations and origins of ultrafine particles at a major European harbor.

The maritime transport sector poses significant air quality concerns, particularly in nearby cities. Ultrafine particles (UFP, diameter<100nm) are of particular concern due to their potential health impacts. This study measured particle number concentrations (PNC), size distributions (PNSD), and other pollutants including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOX), black carbon (BC), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3), organic markers and trace elements at a major European harbor and an urban background (UB) location. The average PNC at the harbor was 1.8-fold higher than at the UB, with particularly marked differences in the Aitken mode (2.4-fold higher). NOx levels were 10.5-fold higher at the harbor, and NO2, NOX and BC concentrations were 2.0 to 2.9 times greater compared to the UB site. SO2 concentrations were also 1.7-fold higher at the harbor. Two distinct types of PNC peaks were observed: daytime peaks with high Aitken mode particles likely linked to transit ship emissions, and late afternoon/nighttime peaks with higher nucleation mode particles likely linked to thermal power plant emissions, docked cruise ships, and vehicular traffic related to ferry boarding. Source apportionment of PNC-PNSD through Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) identified four key contributors to PNC at the harbor: Regional recirculation (9%, modes: 100nm and 35nm), Nucleation (30%, mode: 18nm), Coastal background (22%, mode: 75nm), and Ship transit (33%, mode, 35nm). Concentrations of Ti, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sb, Pb and Na in the quasi-UFP range were more than twice at the harbor compared to the UB. This study provides insights into UFP concentrations and their sources within a major touristic and commercial harbor, highlighting the complexity of identifying specific contributions from various UFP emission sources in large harbors.

Inventory optimisation in a two-echelon cold chain: Sustainable lot-sizing and shipment decisions under carbon cap emissions regulations

Abstract Cold chains are a major source of carbon emissions because they make use refrigerated trucks and warehouses for distribution and storage of inventory. Consequently, inventory management in cold chains should prioritise both profitability and environmental sustainability. This paper optimises inventory in a cold chain system consisting of a single warehouse and retail outlet, responsible for storing and selling cold items, respectively. To maintain product quality and safety, these items must be transported and stored in temperature-controlled environments. Two inventory models for the proposed cold chain are formulated and compared under two distinct carbon emissions regulations, namely, cap-and-trade and cap-and-offset, using both financial and environmental metrics. The proposed models factor in carbon emissions from refrigerated trucks and warehouses used for transporting and storing cold inventory. This study examines both a numerical example and a real case study involving a frozen seafood supply chain. The numerical analysis reveals that cap-and-trade regulation is more effective in reducing environmental impact, leading to 4.4% lower carbon emissions compared to carbon cap-and-offset regulation. However, from an economic standpoint, carbon cap-and-offset regulation performs marginally better, generating a 1% higher profit. The study identifies three key factors that significantly influence both financial and environmental outcomes in the cold chain: truck capacity, fuel efficiency, and freezer performance. As a result, management can best improve profitability and reduce emissions in cold chain operations by focusing on optimising these critical elements.

Examining the influence of port ship activities on pollutant emissions in port environments.

There is a direct and close relationship between ship emissions in port waters and the operational status of the ships. Precisely identifying the operational status of ships in port waters and thoroughly exploring the specific relationship between these activities and ship emissions is crucial for achieving accurate control and scientific reduction of emissions from ships in port areas. With advancements in technology, AIS data can accurately capture the operational status of ships, facilitating a macro-level analysis of ship behavior and emission characteristics. This study proposes a method for extracting ship activity states using AIS data and conducts a detailed examination of ship activities at various container terminals and berths within Shanghai Port. Additionally, it analyzes the correlation between ship activities and their emissions. The research findings indicate that container ships are the most prevalent ships at Shanghai Port, followed by bulk carriers, general cargo ships, and tankers. Notably, bulk carriers and tankers exhibit the longest berthing times, with tankers showing the most significant fluctuations. Mingdong Terminal is identified as the most active, featuring the longest anchorage and berthing time, whereas Jungonglu and Zhanghuabang Terminals have the shortest. The calculation of pollutant emissions reveals that container ships and oil tankers are the primary contributors, particularly for CO2 and NOx emissions. Mingdong Terminal recorded the highest total CO2 emissions, followed by Guandong and Shengdong Terminals. These findings emphasize the importance of berth service efficiency, suggesting that increased emissions are associated with heightened ship activity. CO2 emissions from container ships increase linearly with the number of berthed ships and show a cubic nonlinear relationship with berthing time. The analysis highlights terminals such as Guandong, Zhendong, Shengdong, and Yangshan Phase IV as critical areas for emission reduction strategies. This study not only enhances our understanding of the dynamics of ship emissions in port waters but also provides a theoretical foundation for implementing effective emission control and reduction strategies. Through this detailed research approach, it is possible to more accurately identify emission sources and optimize port operations, thereby offering strong data support and scientific guidance for environmental management and policy-making in port waters.

Energy Use and Environmental Impact of Three Lithium-Ion Battery Factories with a Total Annual Capacity of 100 GWh

The rapid evolution of Li-ion battery technologies and manufacturing processes demands a continual update of environmental impact data. The general objective of this paper is to publish up-to-date primary data on battery manufacturing, which is of great importance to the scientific community and decision-makers. The environmental impacts have been calculated and estimated based on publicly available data disclosed under Hungarian government regulations and official decrees. The gate-to-gate energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water consumption, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) consumption are estimated for three battery factories in Hungary, with a total annual capacity of approximately 100 GWh. The factories use around 30–35 kWh energy per kWh of battery capacity and the associated GHG emissions are around 10 kgCO2eq per kWh of cell production. The water consumption varies considerably among factories, with one plant using 28 L per kWh and the other two using 56 and 67 L per kWh. The specific consumption of NMP was calculated for two factories, resulting in close values of 0.51–0.56 kg per kWh of cell production. As a new approach, we distinguish between global and local GHG emissions related to battery production. The main component of the latter is carbon dioxide from the combustion of natural gas, but the local transport related to the battery factories is also a source of emissions. Our estimations include not only the consumptions required directly for the manufacturing technology, but also those for social purposes (e.g., heating offices), giving a more complete picture of the factory’s environmental impact. We believe that up-to-date primary data are crucial for ensuring transparency and holds significant value for both the scientific community and decision-makers.

Melt inclusion bubbles provide new insights into crystallisation depths and CO2 systematics at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat

Improved understanding of the magmatic system of Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat (SHV) is needed to inform future hazard management strategy, and remaining uncertainties include the depth of magma storage and the source of ongoing gas emissions. Eruptive activity between 1995 and 2010 has been proposed to be sourced from either a dual chamber or transcrustal mush-based magmatic system, with volatile solubility models using H2O and CO2 from melt inclusion (MI) glass estimating depths of 5–6 km. To date, published SHV MI volatile data have neglected the vapour bubbles now known to sequester the bulk of MI magmatic carbon. Total CO2 concentrations in SHV magma are therefore underestimated, together with volatile-derived entrapment pressures and inferred magma storage depths. Here, we present a new dataset of volatile (H2O and total CO2) and major element concentrations in plagioclase- and orthopyroxene-hosted SHV MI, that span almost all of the eruptive activity (Phases 1, 2, 4, and 5), and include the first measurement of bubble-hosted CO2 for SHV and indeed the Lesser Antilles Arc. Analyses were conducted using Raman spectroscopy, ion microprobe, and electron probe analysis. Dacitic–rhyolitic MI occur within andesitic whole rock compositions. Volatiles in MI glass are similar to published studies (H2O 2.47–7.26 wt%; CO2 13–1243 ppm). However, bubble-hosted CO2 contributes 9–3,145 ppm, to total inclusion CO2 with 5%–99% (median 90%) of CO2 sequestered within bubbles, and total CO2 concentrations (131–3,230 ppm) are significantly higher than previously published values. Inferred entrapment depths from our dataset range from 5.7 to 17 km – far greater than previous estimates – and support a vertically elongated magmatic system where crystallisation spanned both upper- and mid-crustal depths. Our CO2 measurements enable new estimation of CO2 sources and fluxes. As a total of 4.5 Mt of CO2 was held in SHV magma during the aforementioned phases, the maximum amount of CO2 that can be emitted from a batch of SHV magma is ∼1500–1750 tonnes/day. Measured CO2 fluxes are significantly higher, indicating additional input of CO2 into the system from greater depths. Our study shows that including bubble-hosted CO2 redefines understanding of the SHV plumbing system.

Development of a VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) Measurement System to Identify Placebo Phenomenon in Emission Areas

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) can be used as a biomarker of placebo phenomenon, such as stress, panic disorder, health conditions, and many others. VOCs from the exhaled breath have different concentration levels that are also related to many health diseases. However, the use of VOCs as biomarkers in exhaled breath are very limited. Hence, this study aims to develop a novel e-nose (electric nose) system based on a VOC measurement system to identify placebo phenomenon in emission areas. For this purpose, a digital semiconductor VOC sensor and a microcontroller were used to detect VOC level. The developed system was tested inside a chamber for the initial calibration and comparation steps using fresh air and a comparator device. After calibration, the system was used to measure the VOC concentrations of 20 exhaled breath samples in the emission sampling areas (control and emission sources). In other sides, the VOC levels surrounding the emission areas were also measured using the comparator device. The placebo levels (PLS) of the exhaled breath samples were divided into PLS(-) or placebo negative and PLS(+) or placebo positive related to the placebo conditions. The sampling areas were divided into indoor and outdoor areas to identify the different placebo percentages and the dependence related to the emission levels. The results show that the emission levels of the emission sources are about 504-528 ppb, meanwhile, the control area (clean area) has &lt;10 ppb of VOC levels. A higher VOC concentration, a higher PLS(+) percentage. The exhaled breath of PLS(+) samples contain &gt;78 ppb of VOC levels, while PLS(-) samples has &lt; 78 ppb of VOC levels (p &lt; 0.05). It can be concluded that VOC concentrations in the emission sources has a potential to influence the placebo quantification in human psycological health. The developed e-nose system can be used to identify VOC levels as a biomarker of a placebo phenomenon.

15N Fractionation of Nitrate Formation Constrained by Dual Oxygen Isotopes Provides Insight Into Its Source Identification in Urban Haze

Abstractδ15N‐NO3− is widely used to trace the NOx/NO3− emission sources without unique source tracers. However, there is still controversy regarding the 15N fractionation effects during NO3− formation, leading to uncertain source apportionment. To address this, this study introduces dual oxygen isotopes (∆17O and δ18O) to constrain the 15N fractionation (∆15N‐∆17O/∆15N‐δ18O) of NO3− formation and compare the impact of δ15N‐NOx (∆17O) and δ15N‐NOx (δ18O) on NOx/NO3− source apportionment. Results found significant differences in ∆15N‐∆17O (−3.7 ∼ +16.1‰) and ∆15N‐δ18O (+8.5 ∼ +16.2‰) in haze, reflecting the ∆15N from three pathways (NO2 + OH, NO3 + HC, N2O5 hydrolysis) and two pathways (NO2 + OH and N2O5 hydrolysis), respectively. The 15N fractionation value differences obtained by dual oxygen isotopes increases with the increase of NO3 + HC contribution (0.02–0.65). Additionally, different results of NOx/NO3− sources apportionment were obtained by δ15N‐NOx(17O) and δ15N‐NOx(δ18O) in NO3 + HC‐induced haze. For example, δ15N‐NOx(17O) identified coal combustion (46 ± 8%) and biomass burning (32 ± 3%) as major NOx/NO3− sources in Zibo haze. Conversely, δ15N‐NOx(δ18O) revealed mobile sources (55 ± 8%) and biomass burning (22 ± 5%) as main contributors. Evidence from diurnal variation of sources and characteristics of source tracers show that δ15N‐NOx(17O) analysis is more sensitive and accurate than δ15N‐NOx(δ18O). These results highlight the non‐negligible role of NO3 + HC in 15N fractionation during NO3− formation and provide insight into improving 15N tracing techniques for NOx/NO3− source identification through the constraint of dual oxygen isotopes.