Distribution, health and ecological risk assessments of trace elements in Nigerian oil sands

The Nigerian oil sands represent the largest oil sand deposit in Africa, yet there is little published information on the distribution and potential health and ecological risks of trace elements in the oil resource. In the present study, we investigated the distribution pattern of 18trace elements(including biophile and chalcophile elements) as well as the estimated risks associated with exposure to these elements. The results of the study indicated that Fe was the most abundant element, with a mean concentration of 22,131 mg/kg while Br had the lowest mean concentration of 48 mg/kg. The high occurrence of Fe and Ti suggested a possible occurrence of ilmenite(Fe TiO_(3)) in the oil sands. Source apportionment using positive matrix factorization showed that the possible sources of detected elements in the oil sands were geogenic, metal production, and crustal. The contamination factor, geo-accumulation index, modified degree of contamination, pollution load index, and Nemerow pollution index indicated that the oil sands are heavily polluted by the elements. Health risk assessment showed that children were relatively more susceptible to the potentially toxic elements in the oil sands principally via ingestion exposure route(HQ > 1E-04). Cancer risks from inhalation are unlikely due to CR < 1E-06 but ingestion and dermal contact pose severe risks(CR > 1E-04). The high concentrations of the elements pose serious threats due to the potential for atmospheric transport, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability.

A New Geochemical Classification of Elements

The geochemical classification proposed by Goldschmidt was based on meteoritic analysis and elemental partition in blast furnace. There are many surprises when applied to the discussion of natural occurrences. A modified classification of ele- ments based on basic chemical properties and their occurrences. A modified classification of elements based on basic chemical properties and their occurrences in nature is, therefore, proposed for students learning geochemistry and geologists working in the field. Elements are classified into six groups including lithophile, oxyphile, siderophile, chalcophile, biophile, and at- mophile elements. Five terms are taken from Goldshcmidt’s original classification. Oxyphile is a new term.

Review: Physical Coloration-Nanoscopic Science and Macroscopic Impact

Physical coloration stimulated the development of a new era of science and technology some hundred years earlier.It is now again presenting us new opportunities and challenges on multiple fronts.This article focuses on a selectively few of them that are more directional in nature:scalable nanomanufacturing of physical coloration,physical amplification of colorimetric sensing,and provision of biophilic lighting with real-time full-spectrum physical coloration.Physical coloration is a rather large multi-dimensional field that is open and awaiting for creative minds and hands.Its impact has been broad and profound to the well-being of humankind.This article attempts to complement the reviews of broad scopes available in literature by one with a narrower focus on the more recent advances on the three fronts.

The Design Characteristics of Innovative Nature-Inspired Architecture for Building Design

This paper analyses what is the concept of nature inspiration in relation to the innovative design of buildings, and the design characteristics of innovative design as well as the harmonious interactions of the past and the future in urban regeneration. This is with the aim of determining how to acquire inspirations from nature, and how to subsequently apply the visual or conceptual nature-inspired designs. Such nature-inspired designs seek to exploit the new concepts of biophilic design, such as bio-eco-friendly sustainable processes, creative designs, and systems which can be used to improve the urban environment. The goal of this research is to uncover out ways by which to apply new ideas inspired by nature for an innovative building design.

Designing for well-Being: Using facial micro-expression analysis and EEG biosensor to evaluate human responses to 2D biophilically-driven geometries

This research explores the capacity of emerging technologies to enhance well-being. It involves the generation of 2D biophilically-driven geometries to represent human-response-oriented built environments and conducts inter and intra-individual analyses to assess human responses using a range of technologies within the realms of facial micro-expression analysis and EEG biosensor use. The outcomes of this analysis allow for the grading of these geometries in terms of emotional valences, meditation levels, and subjective preferences. These graded geometries can subsequently be employed in specific architectural contexts, such as interior decor, wallpapers, furniture surfaces, or other architectural and interior components. It is an interdisciplinary effort that underscores the importance of incorporating emerging technological means with human-response-oriented design approaches to foster built environments that promote well-being.

Designing with nature:Advancing threedimensional green spaces in architecture through frameworks for biophilic design and sustainability

In the transition to a more sustainable built environment over the last two decades,the“greening”of architecture as a popular approach has received widespread attention.However,there are still many open questions and contradictions regarding how to design with“nature”and contribute to sustainability.In addition,explorations of built examples are rare,and three-dimensional(3D)green spaces in buildings are often overlooked.Therefore,we introduce“green pockets”(3D green spaces)as a typology distinct from two-dimensional green roofs and walls/facades.We draw on a mixed-method approach to study two cases(Erasmus MC and Hotel Jakarta),comprising 12 semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders,design document analysis,and site observation.We develop a critical reflection(a framework)on the impacts of“green architecture”on sustainability from unpacked benefits and adopt a biophilic design framework to analyse designing with“nature”in architectural practice.These findings demonstrate that green pockets contribute to integrating multiple experiences of“nature”into buildings and developing sustainable architecture.Designing green pockets with visibility,accessibility,and spatial characteristics(e.g.,prospect and refuge,organised complexity,peril,and mystery)of“nature”improves building quality.Furthermore,we provide design recommendations to advance green pocket designs and make suggestions for future research.

The impact of biophilic design in Maggie’s Centres:A meta-synthesis analysis

This paper presents a meta-synthesis conducted to identify,compare and synthesize published qualitative data related to the Maggie’s Centres,as a paradigmatic architectural example in the provision of non-institutional cancer support.These centres are internationally renowned for their unique architecture,where the careful design of indoors and outdoors spaces plays a critical role in their agenda for supporting care.Previous research has thoroughly analysed this approach to therapeutic environments,not only confirming the importance of designed space as originally conceived in Maggie’s philosophy but also identifying precise supporting effects associated with specific elements within their design.This paper aims to provide a new reading of Maggie’s contribution to cancer support by offering an examination of all these data through the lens of biophilia,which clarifies the impact of design decisions connected to nature on cancer patients’lives.The analytic process included a systematic search strategy,extraction and classification of salient concepts using an opencoding approach,and lastly an interpretive evaluation.The systematically selected data helped to identify and rank the biophilic design parameters that appear the most critical for promoting and supporting human health and wellbeing in non-clinical therapeutic environments,from the user’s perspective.It also provided a compilation of distinctive design interventions related to biophilic parameters,which provides benchmark information for future research and design guidance in these environments.

Biophilic design in architecture and its contributions to health,well-being,and sustainability:A critical review

In the last ten years,‘nature’and biophilic design have received widespread attention in architecture,especially in response to growing environmental challenges.However,open questions and controversies remain regarding conceptualizing and addressing‘nature’in practice and research.This study conducts a literature review to discuss biophilic design as a theoretical framework to interpret‘nature’in architecture.The following questions are answered:(1)How has the concept of biophilic design emerged,and how can it be defined?(2)In what ways can biophilic design contribute to the goals of sustainable architecture?(3)What are the key design strategies in biophilic design?This review identifies and compares the key frameworks of biophilic design and explains their major elements.We then analyse the benefits(e.g.,enhance health,well-being,productivity,biodiversity,and circularity)of biophilic design in achieving sustainability,as framed through the UN Sustainable Development Goals.The results indicate that biophilic design is more complex and richer than the mere application of vegetation in buildings;it broadens the variety through encompassing different types of nature from physical,sensory,metaphorical,morphological,material to spiritual.Moreover,knowledge gaps are identified to motivate future research and critical reflections on biophilic design practices.

Developing biophilic intermediate spaces for Arctic housing:Optimizing the thermal,visual,and energy performance

Connecting occupants to the outdoor environment and incorporating biophilic design principles are challenging in extreme Arctic climatic conditions.Existing Arctic housing models do not provide efficient thermal and daylight transitions which are essential for the well-being and cultural needs of their occupants.To address these challenges,this research develops free-running biophilic intermediate spaces,integrated into an existing Arctic housing model.Numerical simulation methods are employed to optimize the primary and secondary architectural design variables for 26 case studies of intermediate spaces.Primary variables include volume,transparency ratio,and orientation.Secondary variables include materials and physical adjacency.Temperature,Daylight Factor/Autonomy,and Energy Use are evaluated as performance indicators.Results reveal that free-running intermediate spaces with 6 meters depth and a transparency ratio above 50%provide efficient indoor–outdoor transitions regarding thermal,visual,and energy performance.Such architectural configurations contribute to an approximately 5%reduction in energy consumption within the housing unit compared to the baseline.Opening side windows prevents the risk of overheating during the summer by reducing the average indoor temperature of intermediate spaces by 7°C but increases the overall energy consumption.As a potential alternative to double-glazing,polycarbonate sheets enable efficient thermal performance by increasing the average indoor temperature of intermediate spaces by approximately 15°C during the cold Arctic seasons.Using polycarbonate sheets results in a 16.6%reduction in energy consumption compared to using double-glazing material in intermediate space,and a 26%reduction from the baseline.Research outcomes contribute to efficient indoor–outdoor connections and energy efficiency in Arctic housing.