Sustainable Capacity Research Articles

Are We on the Same Page? Chinese General Visitors’ Perception of the Role of Museums in Sustainable Development

The issue of sustainability has emerged as a focal point within the museum sector. This article aims to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of Chinese general visitors towards museums and sustainability. To achieve this, we employed a visitor evaluation approach, with inhabitants of the Chinese mainland serving as the target population. We conducted a survey using an online questionnaire, yielding a total of 1260 valid samples. The study finds that most museum visitors in mainland China see a strong link between museums and sustainable development, with factors like age, gender, education, familiarity with sustainable development, and museum interaction shaping these perceptions. The results indicate that large segments of the Chinese visitors hold a favourable perception of the significance of museums in terms of environmental, social, economic, and cultural sustainability. However, the visitor generally does not wish to sacrifice their own visiting experience to enhance museums’ sustainable development capacities. The article examines the relationship between museums and sustainability and offers recommendations for museum practice and policymaking in China and beyond.

A Quantified Methodology for Evaluating Engineering Sustainability: Ecological Footprint Measurement Modeling

With the gradual increase in public awareness of ecological environmental protection, how to manage the increasingly tight supply of natural ecological energy and resources and the more evident greenhouse effect, how to properly treat and deal with the relationship between people, engineering and the ecological environment during the construction phase of engineering projects as well as how to evaluate the degree of environmental friendliness and sustainable development ability of engineering projects will become an urgent issue. Stakeholders in engineering projects must seriously consider these vital issues. Existing studies on the evaluation of engineering–ecology sustainable development capacity mainly focus on the regional and industry levels, with less research focusing on the sustainability of individual engineering projects; furthermore, they are primarily concentrated on the qualitative evaluation perspective. In order to refine these shortcomings, based on the viewpoint of the ecosystem of construction projects, this paper integrates the concept of whole life cycle with the ecological footprint measurement model and defines the notion of the ecological footprint of the whole life cycle of construction projects. Subsequently taking the above concept as the foundation and making the ecological footprint of various activities throughout the life cycle of a construction project a specific study object, the research establishes the ecological footprint measurement model of the whole life cycle of the project, and comprehensively evaluates the impacts on the surrounding environment, which include the consumption of energy resources, CO2 and the absorption of solid wastes across the whole life cycle of the project. We then measure the sustainable development ability of engineering projects by comparing the ecological footprint with the ecological carrying capacity of a certain surrounding region. Finally, the practicability and reliability of the model is verified through the example’s application. Thus, the results of the study have significant theoretical and practical implications: (1) the introduction of the ecological footprint addresses the gap about the quantitative evaluation of the sustainability of individual engineering projects from a micro perspective; (2) it compensates for the shortcomings of other evaluation methods that only evaluate a single element, such as only CO2, resources, energy or solid waste and so on; and (3) stakeholders can use the measured model to quantitatively assess the sustainability of new projects or urban renewal projects, providing strong support for project feasibility studies and project-establishment.

Conversion of recovered phosphorus tailings into high-value lightweight ceramic materials and evaluation of environmental safety

In recent years, the substantial production and underutilization of phosphorus tailings have prompted an intensified search for innovative strategies to mitigate their accumulation and the associated hazards they present. This investigation the utilization of phosphorus tailings as a raw material for the cost-effective production of lightweight ceramic materials using the foaming-gel casting method. The impact of the stirring process on lightweight ceramic materials was investigated, encompassing mineral composition, pore structure, properties, and environmental safety assessment. The investigation utilized slurry volumetric foaming rate, XRD, SEM, ICP-MS, and potential ecological risk index (RI) for analysis. The findings suggested that the lightweight ceramic material, obtained by stirring at 1300rpm for 15min, exhibited the densest structure and excellent properties. It had a porosity of 79.19%, a bulk density of 0.59g/cm3, and a compressive strength of 6.08MPa. Besides, the leaching concentration and RI of lightweight ceramic materials complied with national (GB 8978-1996) and US EPA standards. This study aimed to enhance the sustainable production capacity of lightweight ceramic materials and offered data support for the value-added application and performance optimization of phosphorus tailings in the production of lightweight ceramic materials.

Public health resilience and recovery in Ukraine: Academic partnerships to improve population health

Abstract Background Strengthening the public health workforce is among top priorities for the transformation of Ukraine’s public health system. As part of the USAID Public Health System Recovery and Resilience Activity, an Academic Partnership Collaborative brought together three Ukrainian universities (National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Sumy State University), two American universities (Temple University and Drexel University), and the All-Ukrainian Association of Public Health Specialists (UPHA) to enhance the competencies of public health graduates in Ukraine. Objectives The collaborative focuses on strengthening the Ukrainian universities’ public health curricula and the teaching and research competencies of the Ukrainian faculty, making the curricular changes in Ukraine better aligned with US and European academic standards. The university partners are collaborating with the newly established UPHA in building partnerships with peer organizations in the US (American Public Health Association) and Europe (EuPHA) and sharing advancements in public health education with the broader community of public health practitioners in Ukraine to enhance their competencies to improve population health and align with European systems of public health. Results We have established linkages among all partners via an initial meeting in Uzhhorod, Ukraine in April 2024. We anticipate results by November 2024 to include curriculum review recommendations, coaching on prioritized topics for the Ukrainian partners, faculty development plans, and the establishment of continuing professional development programs in collaboration with UPHA. Conclusions Through this partnership, selected Ukrainian universities will have an enhanced and sustainable capacity to train the public health workforce and will become leading examples for other public health programs to simulate and collaborate with beyond the project. Key messages • Ukraine’s resilience and recovery relies upon the strength of the current and future public health workforce; mechanisms for building public health training are essential to a healthy population. • A collaborative process of strategic activities among American and Ukrainian universities and professional associations can be effective in building a resilient public health system in Ukraine.

Sustainability of a dual language program during and beyond COVID-19 challenges

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the Dual Language Program (DLP) implemented at a Title I public school in Baltimore City during the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 school years. Building on previous research, the DLP's implementation, sustainability, and effects on students’ learning outcomes were examined. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study’s second phase included participants from the school’s mainstream, English-only program (MP), enriching the overall understanding of the school community’s perception of the program. Data were collected through surveys, classroom observations, and standardized assessments—the DIBELS and the iReady Diagnostic assessments. Findings showed challenges with curriculum standardization and prevalent misconceptions about bilingualism. Nevertheless, the program's successes were evident in DLP students’ enhanced engagement, parental involvement, and community support. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DLP demonstrated its capacity for scaleability and sustainability. During the 2020–2021 school year, regardless of virtual learning, DLP students not only maintained but, in the case of Cohort 1, showed greater growth in reading skills compared to MP students, with Cohort 3 DLP students improving to reach statistically similar performance levels to their MP peers. Findings indicate that the DLP has the potential to serve as a sustainable educational program, fostering both dual language proficiency and academic outcomes.

Enhancing Sustainable Development Competence in Undergraduates: Key Determinants in the Context of “Dual-Carbon” Targets

Sustainable development is vital for achieving balanced progress across the economic, environmental, and health domains, and it is closely tied to the global drive for addressing climate change and environmental challenges. In this context, reaching the “Dual-Carbon” targets—carbon peaking and carbon neutrality—have become critical priorities both domestically and internationally. As a result, the cultivation of Dual-Carbon professionals is essential for driving sustainable development. This paper investigates the sustainable development capacity of Dual-Carbon professionals through an empirical study of 613 undergraduates in China utilizing Astin’s I-E-O theoretical model. This research examines the impact of course experience, self-efficacy, and learning engagement on sustainable development capacity. The results demonstrate that the course experience has a significant positive direct effect on sustainable development capacity. Moreover, self-efficacy mediates the relationship between the course experience and sustainable development capacity, while both self-efficacy and learning engagement serve as chain mediators. Based on these findings, this paper offers practical strategies to enhance the sustainable development capacity of Dual-Carbon undergraduates, providing valuable insights for the education and training of future Dual-Carbon professionals.

Analysis on Ecological Network Pattern Changes in the Pearl River Delta Forest Urban Agglomeration from 2000 to 2020

The advancement of urbanization has led to a decline in the ecological function and environmental quality of cities, seriously reducing the services and sustainable development capacity of urban ecosystems. The construction of the National Forest Urban Agglomeration of China is conducive to alleviating the ecological and environmental problems brought about by rapid urbanization and promoting sustainable urban development. A time series analysis of ecological network changes can quickly and effectively explore the development and changes of ecological spatial patterns over time. Identifying ecological protection and restoration areas in urban agglomerations is an important way to promote ecosystem restoration and optimize ecological networks. This paper takes the Pearl River Delta forest urban agglomeration as the research area, uses multi-source remote sensing data from 2000 to 2020 (every 5 years), identifies ecological sources based on the morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) method, generates ecological corridors based on the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model, constructs a time series ecological network pattern in the Pearl River Delta region, and analyzes the evolution process of the ecological network pattern over time. The results indicate that over time, the core green area in the ecological network pattern of the Pearl River Delta first decreased and then increased, and the complexity of ecological corridors first decreased and then increased. The main reason is that the urbanization process in the early 21st century led to severe ecological fragmentation. Under the promotion of the national forest urban agglomeration construction, the ecological network pattern of the Pearl River Delta was restored in 2015 and 2020. The time series analysis of the ecological network pattern in the Pearl River Delta region of this research confirms the effectiveness of the construction of forest urban agglomerations, providing a scientific reference for the identification of ecological networks and optimization of spatial patterns in forest urban agglomerations.

Dual Method for Comprehensive Evaluation of Sustainable Water Resources’ Utilization Capacity in Huangshui River in Yellow River Basin, China

The evaluation of sustainable water resources’ utilization capacity in the Huangshui Basin is essential for effective management and development in the water-scarce regions of northwest China. This research provides valuable insights into the basin’s potential capacity for sustainable water resource use by developing a comprehensive evaluation index that addresses the following three critical aspects: climate factors, water resource systems, and socio-economic conditions. The evaluation is conducted using a dual method, as follows: the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model and the ELECTRE III evaluation method. The results indicate that the Huangshui Basin’s water resources, as a whole, exhibit a medium sustainable utilization capacity. Climatic factors and socio-economic characteristics are the main factors affecting the sustainable utilization of water resources in the Huangshui Basin. Remarkably, both methods yield consistent results, indicating that the overall sustainable utilization capacity of the Huangshui Basin’s water resources is medium. Climatic factors and socio-economic characteristics are identified as the primary aspects influencing the sustainable utilization of water resources in the basin. Based on these findings, recommendations such as enhancing the introduction of external water resources, improving water resources’ management, and implementing comprehensive remediation efforts can help to elevate the level of sustainable water use. This research not only contributes to a deeper understanding of the basin’s water resources’ dynamics, but also serves as an important reference for informed decision making regarding sustainable utilization in the Huangshui Basin.

Lowering the burden: Shorter versions of the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) and Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool (CSAT)

BackgroundAlthough significant advances have been made in the conceptualization of sustainability, having pragmatic, psychometrically valid tools remains a need within the field. Our previous work has developed frameworks and tools to assess both program sustainability and clinical sustainability capacity. This work presents new, psychometrically tested short versions of the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) and the Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool (CSAT).MethodsThese methods were conducted in identical, parallel processes for the CSAT and PSAT. Previously collected data for these instruments was obtained across a variety of settings, contexts, and participants. We first conducted testing to determine cronbach’s alpha of shortened domains (3 items each) and then conducted Confirmatory Factor Analysis to ensure that the domains were still appropriate for the tool. After, the team met to review the results and determine the final versions of the short PSAT and short CSAT.ResultsThe short PSAT retained cronbach’s alpha’s of 0.82 – 0.91 for each domain of the tool, with which maintains excellent reliability for the tool. Confirmatory factor analysis highlights that the short PSAT retains conceptual distinction across the 8 domains, with CFI scores greater than 0.90, RMSEA scores below 0.6, and SRMR scores less than 0.08. The short CSAT had cronbach’s alpha of 0.84 – 0.92 for each of the domains of the tool, also suggesting excellent reliability of the domains within the measure after dropping two items/domain. Confirmatory factor analysis of the short CSAT meets the same specifications as above, again highlighting conceptual distinction across the domains.ConclusionEach tool was able to be shortened to three items per domain while maintaining strong psychometric properties. This results in a tool that takes less time to complete, meeting one of the key calls for pragmatic measures within implementation science. This advances our abilities to measure and test sustainability within implementation science.

Adult Education Program Implementers’ Understanding and Usage of Strategy Policy Documents in Addis Abab City Administration, Ethiopia

This study was targeted to assess adult education program implementers’ understanding towards adult education policy documents and usage of the documents in Addis Ababa City Administration. In order to guide the study qualitative method was applied. Accordingly, qualitative data was gathered using interview and document analysis. Qualitative data like views of respondents and result gained from document analysis were discussed by narrating the evidences/responses in words. As the findings of this study reveals, majority of adult education program implementers lack understanding about the policy documents of adult education sector; there is no established and sustainable awareness creation system and capacity building program for newly employed and other personnel; non-existence an established structure to lead adult education program according to the designed strategy documents are some of the results of the research. In order to overcome the challenges mentioned above adult education implementing organizations have to launch continuous professional development (CPD) program for implementers of adult education program. Consequently, implementers of the program can get first-hand information on the policy documents on one hand and they can also upgrade their profession on the other hand.

Building sustainable capacity to adopt, adapt or develop child health guidelines, Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa.

Many national child health guidelines in Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa are outdated and score poorly on rigorous methods and stakeholder participation. In line with the World Health Organization's (WHO) emphasis on local guideline contextualization, the Global Evidence-Local Adaptation (GELA) project supported multistakeholder processes to adapt evidence-informed recommendations for child health in Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa. The GELA project team convened national steering groups, which conducted structured, iterative priority-setting exercises to identify priority topics. We identified appropriate source guidelines by systematically searching and screening available guidelines. We then matched recommendations in potential source guidelines to the relevant questions, and assessed the guidelines for timeliness and quality. Drawing on WHO's guideline process, we applied the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT process to develop contextualized recommendations from existing guidelines. If no source guideline or reviews were identified, we conducted new evidence syntheses. Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa are countries with varying health priorities and systems, all transitioning to universal health coverage. Guideline structures differ between countries, with processes largely led from national health ministries. National guideline groups, supported by GELA researchers and government-academic partners, developed five contextually-tailored child health recommendations. For most of these recommendations, additional evidence was required to inform contextually appropriate national decision-making. Formal capacity-building and on-the-job learning enhanced the competencies of national contributors and researchers in evidence-informed decision-making. Developing context-relevant recommendations requires considerable resources and time. Further investment in strengthening local capacity is needed for sustainable national guideline development.

Decarbonizing Transportation: A critical examination of strategy effectiveness within sustainable energy capacity constraints

In this study, a consequential life cycle assessment to evaluate CO2 emission reduction strategies in transportation is applied. The study focusses on fossil-fuel-driven vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and e-fuel-driven vehicles across various energy scenarios without constrictions to a specific region or period. A key discovery is the critical role of sustainable electricity availability in determining the effectiveness of these strategies. The study highlights the significance of strategically sequencing the electrification of energy subsectors, particularly under a constrained carbon budget. The findings indicate that, given the constraints on sustainable electricity supply in the short to medium term, battery electric vehicles do not achieve the expected reduction in CO2 emissions, potentially rendering optimized fossil-fuel-driven vehicles with over 30% average efficiency a more effective interim solution. However, a tipping point exists where battery electric vehicles become a preferable solution in terms of CO2 emissions, dependent on the share of sustainable electricity in the energy mix. By quantitatively analyzing the CO2 reduction efficiency per unit of added sustainable electricity for different strategies, this study establishes a basis for informed, nuanced policy decisions.

ESG, technological innovation and firm value: evidence from china

In alignment with China's “dual carbon” goals - peak carbon by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, this strategy underlines the necessity for economic transmutation and advancement to realize more sustainable economic growth. Concurrently, it draws attention to the imperative of the green development philosophy and the significance of climate change. In light of these policy directives, more rigorous standards of environmental conservation and social responsibility are imposed on publicly listed companies, particularly those in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The objective of this paper is to explore the synergistic effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and technological innovation on firm value in this context. This research is grounded on panel data from A-share listed pharmaceutical manufacturing companies surveyed over a decade - 2012 to 2021, incorporating 98 firms as the research sample. The findings reveal that: (1) there is a considerable positive correlation between a company's ESG factors and its value. This suggests an escalating interest from investors and the market in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development capacity; (2) technological innovation serves as a conduit, playing a partially mediating role, through which corporate ESG performance not only directly influences firm value but also indirectly boosts it by fostering innovation. The robustness test further validates our findings, demonstrating the reliability of the research outcomes. Advanced research indicates that the synergistic effect of ESG factors and technological innovation on increasing firm value is conspicuously significant in non-state-owned enterprises and those grappling with lower financing constraints. This suggests the role of ESG and technological innovation in enhancing firm value is more pivotal in specific contexts.

Effects of Ecotypes and Reduced N Fertilization on Root Growth and Aboveground Development of Ratooning Sorghum × Sudangrass Hybrids

Reduced N input while maintaining biomass production of sorghum × sudangrass hybrids (Sorghum bicolor L. × Sorghum sudanense; SSG) is essential; however, its effects on root sustainability and photosynthetic capacity during the ratooning period are not well defined in a multiple harvests system. The physiological response and root morphology of SSG were investigated under different N application levels during the ratooning period in a two-year field experiment. Treatments were all combinations of two ecotypes (late-flowering, Greenstar; early-flowering, Honeychew) and four N levels (0, 50, 100, 150 kg N ha−1). The total root length, surface area, volume, tips, and dry matter (DM) were significantly influenced by both ecotype and N level, with Greenstar outperforming Honeychew. Specifically, Greenstar’s root length increased by up to three times with reduced N application (50 kg N ha−1), while Honeychew showed significant root length increases only at higher N levels (100 and 150 kg N ha−1). Our data support the conclusion that a low level of N (50–100 kg N ha−1) was the optimal rate for ratooning root sustainability. The findings highlight the critical role of root development in sustaining biomass production and suggest that the late-flowering ecotype, Greenstar, is more suitable for a multiple harvests system with a robust root system.

Identifying influencing factors and characterizing key issues in urban sustainable development capacity through machine learning

In response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and China’s “Dual Carbon” Goals (DCGs means the goals of “Carbon Peak and carbon neutrality”), this paper from the perspective of the construction of China’s Innovation Demonstration Zones for Sustainable Development Agenda (IDZSDAs), combines carbon emission-related metrics to construct a comprehensive assessment system for Urban Sustainable Development Capacity (USDC). After obtaining USDC assessment results through the assessment system, an approach combining Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression and Random Forest (RF) based on machine learning is proposed for identifying influencing factors and characterizing key issues. Combining Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) analysis, the study further summarizes the systemic patterns and future directions of urban sustainable development. A case study on the IDZSDAs from 2015 to 2022 reveals that: (1) the combined identification method based on machine learning and CCD models effectively quantifies influencing factors and key issues in the urban sustainable development process; (2) the correspondence between influencing factors and key subsystems identified by the LASSO-RF combination model is generally consistent with the development situations in various cities; and (3) the machine learning-based combined recognition method is scalable and dynamic. It enables decision-makers to accurately identify influencing factors and characterize key issues based on actual urban development needs.

Building sustainable local training capacity for maternal and newborn health within the public health system: A training intervention in Palghar District, India

Continuing professional development for the health workforce is of paramount importance and can be implemented using locally available, competent trainers. However, guidelines for the selection, development, and mentorship of such trainers are lacking. Training intervention research conducted in Western Maharashtra, India, aimed to address these gaps by focusing on skills for maternal and newborn health (MNH). In this study, selected trainers from a pilot project in the Pune district received advanced training to become core trainers (CTs) for a scale-up project in Palghar district (2019 – 2022). The CTs trained master trainers (MTs) in Palghar (n = 32) with support from the United Kingdom-based technical partners, following a six-step approach: selection of trainers, training of trainers (ToT) (including knowledge and skills assessment), staggered induction as trainers, continuous support, regular quality assessment, and virtual refresher training. The process and outcomes of this six-step approach were evaluated using mixed-methods research. The skills of local trainers were augmented through hands-on training and further supported by long-term mentorship to develop training excellence. The CTs’ competency as mentors improved due to appreciative feedback. Regular assessments conducted by the expert team also contributed to maintaining quality control. Online learning has emerged as an effective method for refresher training. There was considerable improvement in the clinical knowledge and skills of the health providers from Palghar (n = 505), which attests to the quality of the training delivered by the Palghar MTs. This intervention enhanced both clinical competency and confidence. The approach demonstrated the importance of recruiting suitable participants who could consciously shift their teaching style to become more adult-learner-centric facilitators. However, there is a need for a systematic, long-term evaluation of this model, its application to MNH care, and its institutionalization within the public health system.

Resilient and sustainable B2B chemical supply chain capacity expansions: a systematic literature review

PurposeThis work conducts a comprehensive analysis of how to incorporate resilience and sustainability into capacity expansion strategies for business-to-business (B2B) chemical supply chains. This study aims to guide both researchers and managers on ensuring profitability in B2B chemical supply chains while minimizing environmental impacts, complying with regulations and mitigating disruptions and risks.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review is conducted to analyze the interplay between sustainability and resilience in chemical B2B supply chains, specify the quantitative and qualitative methods used to tackle this challenge and identify the drivers and barriers concerning capacity expansion. In addition, a comprehensive conceptual framework is suggested to outline a compelling research agenda.FindingsThe findings emphasize the increasing importance of modeling and resolving decision-making challenges related to sustainable and resilient supply chains, particularly in capital-intensive chemical industries. Yet, there is no standardized strategy for addressing these challenges. The predominant solution methods are heuristic and metaheuristic, and the selection of performance metrics tends to be empirical and tailored to specific cases. The main barriers to achieving sustainability and resilience arise from resource limitations within the supply chain. Conversely, the key drivers of performance focus on enhancing efficiency, competitiveness, cost effectiveness and risk management.Practical implicationsThis work offers practitioners a conceptual framework that synthesizes the knowledge and tackles the challenges of designing sustainable and resilient supply chains as well as managing their operations in the context of B2B chemical supply chains. Results provide a practical guide for navigating the complex interplay of sustainability, resilience and chemical supply chain expansion.Originality/valueThe key concepts and dimensions associated with capacity expansion planning for a resilient and sustainable chemical supply chain are identified through structured and comprehensive analyses of existing literature. A conceptual framework is proposed for delineating the intersections among sustainability, resilience and chemical supply chain expansions. This mapping endeavor aims to facilitate a future characterized by the deployment of a nexus of resilience and sustainability in chemical supply chains. To this end, a promising future research agenda is accordingly outlined.

Sustainable fashion knowledge: nurturing individual responsibility through spiritual and emotional sustainable capacities in the fashion industry

PurposeThis study aims to explore the role of sustainable fashion knowledge in shaping individual sustainable responsibility within the dynamic landscape of the fashion industry from a novel perspective, by exploring the intricate interplay between sustainable fashion knowledge, emotional and spiritual sustainable capacities.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative study was used, and a causal model with partial least squares structural equation modeling was developed. A total of 211 valid responses were obtained, and data were analysed to confirm the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe findings confirm the positive impact of sustainable fashion knowledge on individual sustainable responsibility, mediated by both spiritual and emotional sustainable capacities. This study underscores the significance of individuals in influencing societal norms, prompting fashion companies to adopt sustainable practices.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed conceptual framework integrates insights from the emotional and spiritual knowledge dynamics. This study uncovers the pathways through which individuals contribute to a more sustainable society.Originality/valueThe study not only advances the understanding of sustainable fashion practices but also provides actionable insights for policymakers, businesses and individuals seeking to foster a culture of sustainability in the fashion ecosystem.

Reutilization of pyrite tailings in peracetic acid-based advanced oxidation process for water purification

Iron-based heterogeneous catalysts in peracetic acid (PAA)-based advanced oxidation technologies are currently a considerable interest, yet the sluggish reduction from Fe(III) to Fe(II) impedes the efficiency of PAA activation. Pyrite tailings (PRT) still contains a certain amount of FeS2 composition, and its reducing sulfur species have the ability of electron-donating for Fe(III) reduction. Therefore, from the view of resource utilization and environmental protection, we applied PRT to activate PAA for removing sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in this work. In-situ Raman spectra verified the activation of PAA by PRT, and 93.67 % of SMX (5 mg/L) can be removed after 50 min in near-neutral circumstance (pH 5.8), which could be mainly attributed to the activation of PAA through the leached Fe ions from PRT. Radical scavenging and probe tests testified that hydroxyl and acetylperoxy radicals are responsible for SMX decomposition. A series of spectroscopic characterizations and theory calculation confirmed that the ability of sulfur sites to donate electrons, thereby boosting Fe(II) regeneration on PRT. The continuous catalytic test proved the sustainable utilization capacity of PRT. This study presented PRT as an effective catalyst with potential uses for PAA-based wastewater treatment process.

Creating sustainable capacity for river science in the Congo basin through the CRuHM project.

In this article, we examine the scientific and sustainable research capacity outcomes of the 'Congo River: user Hydraulics and Morphology' or CRuHM project, a six-year effort supported by the Royal Society's Africa Capacity Building Initiative. This project brought together a consortium of African and UK universities to undertake the first large-scale scientific expeditions to the Congo basin of the modern era in order to better understand the hydraulics and geomorphology of this understudied but globally important river. The river is essential for navigation, irrigation, drinking water and hydroelectric power generation for the 10 basin countries and is critically important for biodiversity and global nutrient, carbon and climatological cycles. This article summarizes the new scientific understanding contributed by the project and the steps taken to ensure a meaningful legacy that would continue long beyond the finite lifetime of available funding. Actions taken to achieve this include establishing a new hydrology research centre at the University of Kinshasa as well as steps to build a wider international community of Congo basin researchers. In this way, we hope to build momentum for future funding initiatives and collaboration.