Optimizing Sustainability:Exergoenvironmental Analysis of a Multi-Effect Distillation with Thermal Vapor Compression System for Seawater Desalination

Seawater desalination stands as an increasingly indispensable solution to address global water scarcity issues.This study conducts a thorough exergoenvironmental analysis of a multi-effect distillation with thermal vapor compression(MED-TVC)system,a highly promising desalination technology.The MED-TVC system presents an energy-efficient approach to desalination by harnessing waste heat sources and incorporating thermal vapor compression.The primary objective of this research is to assess the system’s thermodynamic efficiency and environmental impact,considering both energy and exergy aspects.The investigation delves into the intricacies of energy and exergy losses within the MED-TVC process,providing a holistic understanding of its performance.By scrutinizing the distribution and sources of exergy destruction,the study identifies specific areas for enhancement in the system’s design and operation,thereby elevating its overall sustainability.Moreover,the exergoenvironmental analysis quantifies the environmental impact,offering vital insights into the sustainability of seawater desalination technologies.The results underscore the significance of every component in the MED-TVC system for its exergoenvironmental performance.Notably,the thermal vapor compressor emerges as pivotal due to its direct impact on energy efficiency,exergy losses,and the environmental footprint of the process.Consequently,optimizing this particular component becomes imperative for achieving a more sustainable and efficient desalination system.

Impact Analysis of Coastal Engineering Projects on Mangrove Wetland Area Change with Remote Sensing

In the past decades, two large scale coastal engineering projects have been carried out in the Deep Bay surrounded by Shenzhen City and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. One project is Shenzhen River channel regulation and the other is the sea reclamation along the seashore on the Shenzhen side. The two projects are very close to the two national nature reserves, specifically Futian in Shenzhen and Mai Po in Hong Kong, which are important wetland ecosystems worldwide. This paper aims to identify and monitor the mangrove wetland changes with time series of Landsat Thematic Mapper images pre and post to the two engineering projects being launched. Coupled analysis of the image interpretation results and tidal data acquired at the same time in the context of the two works reveals that the mangrove wetland area has increased from year 1989 to 1994, and has changed little from year 1994 to 2002. Binary coding is applied to reveal the distribution image of mangrove at each phase, and the coding image shows that the construction of the two coastal engineering projects has caused frequent changes in mangrove spatial distribution. The study also shows that the change is not significant regarding to the precision of the method and the natural evolution of mangrove wetland, and the projects do not cause apparently influences upon the two national mangrove conservation zones at least for the research time period.

Environmental damage costs from fossil electricity generation in China, 2000~2003

Electricity consumption increases rapidly with the rapid development of China. The environmental damage costs of electricity generation are very important for both policy analysis and the proper management of the environment. A method was developed in this work to estimate gross environmental damage costs according to emission inventory and environmental cost factors, and to extend the costs from provincial to national level with population density. In this paper, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter less than 10 μm in diameter (PM10), and carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fired power plants over 6000 kW were selected as index pollutants to quantify the environmental costs of damages on human health and global warming. With the new developed method, environmental damage costs, caused by 3 types of fired power plants in 30 provinces and 6 economic sectors during the years 2000 to 2003, were evaluated and analyzed. It can be seen that the calculated total national environmental damage costs of electricity have rapidly increased from 94930.87×106 USD in 2000 to about 141041.39×106 USD in 2003, with an average annual growth rate of 14.11%. Environmental damage costs of SO2, NOx, PM10, and CO2 are 69475.69×106, 30079.29×106, 28931.84×106, and 12554.57×106 USD and account for 49.26%, 21.33%, 20.51%, and 8.90% of total environmental costs in fossil electricity generation, respectively. With regard to regional distribution, external costs caused by fossil electricity generation are mainly concentrated in the more populated and industrialized areas of China, i.e., the Eastern Central and Southeastern areas.

Global Production Estimation of Rare Earth Elements and Their Environmental Impacts on Soils

Due to high demand and limited availability of rare earth elements (REEs), Europe is unable to meet its industrial needs, especially High Tech needs, today for the manufacturing sector. Therefore, the EU has included them in the group of 14 critical minerals. China currently controls completely the mining activity, the enrichment technologies and metallurgy, and end-metal products of rare earths, resulting both Europe and the U.S.A. in full industrial dependency. The exploitation and wide use of REEs in fertilizers have led to accumulation of these elements in soils, resulting in an agriculture field pollution, which affects directly the soil microfauna with a toxic potential effect.

Study on Isolation, Identification of A Petroleum Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacterium Bacillus fusiformis sp. and Influence of Environmental Factors on Degradation Efficiency

A hydrocarbon degrading bacterium KL2-13 was isolated from ten sites of oil contaminated soil in the Karamay oilfield. It was identified as the Bacillusfusiformis sp. bacterium based on its morphological and physiological characteristics and the 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The factors influencing the hydrocarbon degradation by the bacterium KL2-13 were determined. The test results have showed that the hydrocarbon degrading bacterium KL2-13 requires an optimum pH range of 6-8, and the optimum inoculation quantity is 3%. The low-concentration metal ions Fe^2＋, Mg^2＋ and Ca^2＋can improve the degradation ability of the bacteria KL2-13. A too low concentration of Tween-80 does not show obvious promotion to the degrading bacterium KL2-13, and an excessively high concentration can decrease the degradation ability of the bacterium, the best dosage of which is 2%. The hydrocarbon degrading rate reached 59.07%4-0.37% under the optimum culture conditions.

Environmental and Ethical Aspects of Sustainable Mining in Greenland

The increased use of scarce metals in combination with climate changes pave way for extensive extraction of mineral resources in Greenland. The focus of this study is on environmental ethical aspects of mining activities in a vulnerable and unspoiled arctic nature. Mining can have several economic and social benefits for Greenland. On the other hand, the environmental impacts from mining are well known. Through DPSIR （Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, Responses） and Stakeholder analysis, we assess how future mining in Greenland can be sustainably implemented. The analysis revealed that numerous stakeholders have to be taken into consideration with a wide range of different interests. The DPSIR analysis clarified the availability of various potential political responses that could affect the drivers, pressures, states and impacts of mining mainly focused on implementation of effective environmental regulation strategies. Our findings revealed different environmental ethical dilemmas of which the most critical is how Greenland can open up for mining, gain economical revenue while averting destruction of unspoiled regions and aesthetic impairment. We recommend strict environmental legislation involving use of the ＂polluter pay principle＂, continuous monitoring of pollution and establishment of an industry-funded catastrophe trust fund. These initiatives can ensure economic benefits while environmental impacts remain negligible.

Environmental Effects of Water Quality of Melendiz Stream and Mamasin Dam Site in Aksaray City in the Central Anatolia of Turkey

The main purpose of this study was to determine the changes in the water quality of Melendiz and Karasu streams, which recharge the Mamasin dam, and to evaluate its environmental impacts on the dam site that provides drinking water and irrigation demand in Aksaray city in the Central Anatolia of Turkey. The field researches were focused on estimating the main sources of contamination, determining and evaluating the changes in the water quality due to the direct wastewater discharges into the Melendiz and Karasu rivers, which recharge the Mamasin dam sites. During the study, water samples were collected from Melendiz and Karasu stream and Mamasin dam, and then, the physical and chemical analyses of water samples were conducted. The relevant in-situ and laboratory analyses were carried out during the dry and wet seasons. The results of the analyses showed that in term of the surface water quality criteria in terms of NO3-N value of both rivers and dam waters, the water quality is always considered as the 1st class in Melendiz stream, the 2nd class in Karasu stream and the 3rd class in Mamasin dam lake. Whereas, in terms of NO4-N values of both rivers and dam waters, the water quality is always considered as the 1st class in Melendiz stream, the 2nd-3rd class in Karasu stream. The total organic carbon （TOC） range for Karasu river is usually from 20 mg/L to 40 mg/L. The high value of organic matter in the Karasu stream can be explained by the availability of intensive green wetlands around this water resource. Finally, the Ministry of Forest and Water Authority give some suggestions for estimating protection zones of Melendiz stream and Mamasin basin＇s area, such as using the results of environmental tracers to investigate the agricultural contamination, including more sophisticated applications of multiple-tracer analyses to evaluate the travel time of contaminants and estimate the boundary of protection zones.

CORROSION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Ti_3Al-Nb-Mo COMPOSITES FOR BIO-AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS PREMRED BY SELF-PROMGATING HIGH TEMPERATURE REACTION

Ti3 AL-Nb-Mo composites were prepared by SHS using initial powder mixtures of Ti-Al-Nb-Mo and their corrosion and mechanical properties were studied to develop bioand environmental materials. The composites reached 99.8% of theoretical density after the direct consolidation. The composites shows equiaxed primary a2 in a matrix of fine secondary a2 plates and ordered 82 (Bo) forming a basket weave structure. The strain rate sensitivity (m = dlnσ/dlne) at 2% strain is 0.008. Corrosion potential and corrosion rate of the composites formed by SHS were -151. 5m VSHE and 5. 72× 10^(-8)A/cm2 for Ti3 Al-10Nb-1. 5Mo and - 138.4m VSHE and 4. 12×10^(-8)cm2 for Ti3 Al-12Nb-1.5Mo in a 50% NaOH-10%FeCI3 solution, respectively. Corrosion resistance decreased with niobium content in the composites and chloride content in the aqueous solution. Selective corrosion of a2 phase in a matrix occurred in the corrosion environment which suggests that the corrosion potential and rate changes are related to the niobium content and Q2 phase in a matrix.

Analysis on the relationship between water resources and environmental change in Northern Thailand

How do people perceive environmental change when coping with scarcity? Previous studies on scarcity tend to overlook the aspect of perception. By analyzing repeated water conflicts in northern Thailand, this study sheds light on this aspect and solves the puzzle posed by repeated water conflicts in a small watershed.

Environmental Profile of NO_xReduction by a Photocatalytic Surface Coating and a Vehicle Catalytic Converter

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) in urban air close to ground have significant health implications. Restrictions in traffic, mandatory use of catalytic converters on vehicles, and novel photocatalytic coatings on surfaces contribute to reducing the level of NOx in cities. The aim of this study is to establish environmental profiles of NOx removal by a Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) car converter and by a photocatalytic surface coating (for asphalt and concrete pavements) for fostering technological development in reducing the levels of NOx in urban air. We assessed the environmental performance for the removal of 1 kg NOx by the two technologies with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA;EF.3 impact assessment method). In order to do so, we established Life-Cycle-Inventory (LCI) data representing production, operation and end-of-life of the two technologies based on data from literature and industry. The production of photocatalytic surface coatings, used on concrete and asphalt, has environmental loads two orders of magnitude lower than the environmental benefits of NOx reduction expressed as a reduction in Photochemical Ozone Formation (POF), Acidification (A), and Terrestrial Eutrophication (TE). The vehicle catalytic converter shows similar results except that the use of rare earth elements in the production constitutes a significant load to Freshwater Ecotoxicity (FET) and that additional use of fuel during operation induces a modest Climate Change (CC) impact. For both technologies, the environmental benefits of reducing NOx far exceed any adverse environmental aspects of the production of the technologies.

Environmental State of a Harbor in Terms of Waters Renewal. A Case Study for a Fishery Harbor in Thessaloniki Gulf

The waters renewal of the fishery harbor of Nea Krini is presented here. The harbor is located at the east Thessaloniki Gulf (NE Thermaikos Gulf, Greece). The main research point is focused on the environmental state of the harbor which is under construction. Under that point of view, the description of a two-dimensional, depth average, hydrodynamic model follows, in order to simulate the wind generated circulation of waters, initially on the greater area of Thermaikos Gulf and then on the coastal basin of the fishing harbor. The renewal of waters in the harbor’s basin is subsequently studied. Tidal effects on the waters’ renewal are also studied. The calculation of the concentration of Biochemically Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the fishing harbor for the average time of waters’ renewal is then examined for three different cases, concerning the existence and operation of openings on the body of the groins. Finally, the analysis of the results shows a good environmental state of the harbor. It is obvious that the use of numerical models for different scenarios of engineering and design approaches can lead to the prognosis of hydrodynamic and environmental sate of a harbor’s basin so that the best possible technical design can be adopted.

Technical,Economic and Environmental Analysis of Electricity Production from Wind--Case Study in Synej Area,Kavaja Municipality(Albania)

The contribution of the use of RE(Renewable Energy)sources in general and wind source in particular in the Albanian electricity sector is very important to strengthen national energy security,diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on imports.It also directly affects economic growth,employment and reduces the release of pollutants into the atmosphere,which are contributing to global warming and the greenhouse effect.The purpose of this paper is to assess the theoretical,technical and economic potential of the wind source in the Synej Area,Kavaja Municipality for electricity production in the absence of field measurements.Calculations of all technical,economic and environmental parameters are performed through the RETScreen Expert program.This analysis is sufficient for pre-implementation studies that do not require very detailed calculations and at the same time facilitates decision-making on project implementation.The study area has considerable technical potential for the use of wind energy.In this area,the analyzed project envisages the installation of 7 turbines of the Vesta 110 type,each with a power of 2 MW.The height of the turbines is 85 m.The total amount of electricity produced by this plant is estimated at 24 GWh/year,at a cost of 0.06€/kWh.The total emission reduction for all proposed projects is 477,500 tCO_(2) per year.The project has a positive net present value and a benefit-cost ratio greater than 1.The payback time is 8 years.

Analysis of Challenges Related to Poor Environmental Regulatory Framework on Mineral Exploration Projects: A Case of Tanzania

In the United Republic of Tanzania (URT), all environmental issues related to the mining industry are regulated according to two principle Acts: The Mining Act and the Environmental Management Act, and their respective regulations. The current acts were enacted in 2010 and 2004 respectively. Mineral exploration (that includes all on-site activities performed before a mining project is declared feasible) projects in URT appears to be “unforgotten phenomena” in the two major legislative documents, when it comes to environmental considerations. This phenomenon is believed to be causing detrimental effects to the environment. This paper, therefore, analyzes the current environmental regulatory framework on mineral exploration projects in URT and discusses few examples in which mineral exploration projects have caused damage to the indigenous environment. Furthermore, this study reviews environmental regulatory frameworks from other few countries in comparison with existing environmental regulatory framework prevailing in URT.

Environmental Impact of Lefa Gold Mining on Its Local Population, Republic of Guinea

Republic of Guinea’s environmental situation is characterized by the continued degradation of natural resources. Lefa gold mine is one of the Guinean Republic’s gold companies which support the socioeconomic improvement. It operates in the northeastern part of the country and extracts the ore gold by open pit method by using cyanide. The exploitation of the Lefa Gold Mine impacts?the natural resources and the surrounding population. This paper considers the impact of Lefa Gold Mine activities on the environment and its local population including ecological disturbance, destruction of fauna and flora, land and landscape degradation. The study was carried out in April to July 2013 in two villages, Fayalala Carrefour, and Lèro Karta. Questionnaires were illustrated for data collection, and the proposed sampling size number (1204 respondents) consisted of the two villages and the surrounding villages was?founded on the proximity to the mine sites and their degree of suffering?after a direct impact of mining activities. 961 (79.82% of respondents) adhered?to the research to provide information about the situation. The principal objective of this paper was to provide new information on the problems existing in the achievement of mining policies that will help to mitigate the environmental impacts of gold mining activities on the local population. From the respondents, the results showed that the Lefa gold mine’s activities contaminated the farmland (31.21%), allowed the extinction of many animals and plant species (28.19%), which caused the change of the landscape of the study area. However, the most important situation was the life of the surrounding population. Therefore, the study has proposed a serial of recommendation to help Lefa gold mine reduce the impact of their activities on the environment and local population.

Metal-organic framework-based single-atom electro-/ photocatalysts: Synthesis, energy applications, and opportunities

Single-atom catalysts(SACs)have gained substantial attention because of their exceptional catalytic properties.However,the high surface energy limits their synthesis,thus creating significant challenges for further development.In the last few years,metal–organic frameworks(MOFs)have received significant consideration as ideal candidates for synthesizing SACs due to their tailorable chemistry,tunable morphologies,high porosity,and chemical/thermal stability.From this perspective,this review thoroughly summarizes the previously reported methods and possible future approaches for constructing MOF-based(MOF-derived-supported and MOF-supported)SACs.Then,MOF-based SAC's identification techniques are briefly assessed to understand their coordination environments,local electronic structures,spatial distributions,and catalytic/electrochemical reaction mechanisms.This review systematically highlights several photocatalytic and electrocatalytic applications of MOF-based SACs for energy conversion and storage,including hydrogen evolution reactions,oxygen evolution reactions,O_(2)/CO_(2)/N_(2) reduction reactions,fuel cells,and rechargeable batteries.Some light is also shed on the future development of this highly exciting field by highlighting the advantages and limitations of MOF-based SACs.

磁性石化污泥生物炭对土壤镉污染修复研究

生物炭普遍被认为是一种很有前途的土壤修复材料,特别是因为它能够通过吸附作用而降低土壤中镉(Cd)的生物有效性。然而,长期修复过程中可能会导致Cd从稳定状态释放出来,这使得生物炭作为Cd吸附剂的回收逐渐得到关注。本研究旨在利用含铁石油污泥一步合成磁性生物炭,研究其对Cd的吸附效率、钝化机理及其在土壤中的应用效果。结果表明,通过缺氧热解可直接将石化污泥废弃物资源化成磁性生物炭(PSMBCs),且PSMBCs在水/土壤中具有良好的回收性能。具体来说,由于其具有表面矿化和阳离子-π配位作用,本研究制备的PSMBCs对Cd的吸附能力为18.4~29.8 mg/g。在水稻泥土中施用1.5%PSMBCs 30 d后,生物有效态Cd含量降低85%,且伴随着土壤pH值和溶解有机质的增加。此外,生物炭浸出液对小麦根系伸长无毒性影响。因此,本研究为石化污泥的资源化处理及其对Cd污染土壤的修复提供了技术参考。

Smart electrochemical sensing of amyloid-beta to manage total Alzheimer's diseases

Need for Alzheimer's disease progression monitoring:Alzheimer's disease(AD)is an irreversible progressive brain disorder that causes severe and incurable neuro-impairment.The World Health Organization estimates that 55 million people are affected by AD dementia by 2020 which may exceed 78 million by 2030 and 139 in 2050.The estimated cost to manage AD is above US$1.3 trillion,which will further increase to US$2.8 trillion by 2030.

Climate change vulnerability assessment in the new urban planning process in Tanzania

Climate change vulnerability assessment is an essential tool for identifying regions that are most susceptible to the impacts of climate change and designing effective adaptation actions that can reduce vulnerability and enhance long-term resilience of these regions.This study explored a framework for climate change vulnerability assessment in the new urban planning process in Jangwani Ward,Tanzania.Specifically,taking flood as an example,this study highlighted the steps and methods for climate change vulnerability assessment in the new urban planning process.In the study area,95 households were selected and interviewed through purposeful sampling.Additionally,10 respondents(4 females and 6 males)were interviewed for Focus Group Discussion(FGD),and 3 respondents(1 female and 2 males)were selected for Key Informant Interviews(KII)at the Ministry of Lands,Housing and Human Settlements Development.This study indicated that climate change vulnerability assessment framework involves the assessment of climatic hazards,risk elements,and adaptive capacity,and the determination of vulnerability levels.The average hazard risk rating of flood was 2.3.Socioeconomic and livelihood activities and physical infrastructures both had the average risk element rating of 3.0,and ecosystems had the average risk element rating of 2.9.Adaptive capacity ratings of knowledge,technology,economy or finance,and institution were 1.6,1.9,1.4,and 2.2,respectively.The vulnerability levels of socioeconomic and livelihood activities and physical infrastructure were very high(4.0).Ecosystems had a high vulnerability level(3.8)to flood.The very high vulnerability level of socioeconomic and livelihood activities was driven by high exposure and sensitivity to risk elements and low adaptive capacity.The study recommends adoption of the new urban planning process including preparation,planning,implementation,and monitoring-evaluation-review phases that integrates climate change vulnerability assessment in all phases.

A Biogas Production Model from the Combination of Pig Manure and Cow Dung in N’Zérékoré City, Republic of Guine

This present research work focuses on the valorization of pig droppings for production of biogas in mono digestion and co-digestion with proportions of cow dung from the urban commune of N’Zérékoré. It was carried out in December 2020 in the Physics laboratory of the University of N’Zérékoré. The anaerobic digestion process took 25 days in an almost constant ambient temperature of 25˚C. Five digesters were loaded on 12/06/2020, two of which with 1 kg of pig dung and 1 kg of cow dung both in mono-digestion. The 3 other digesters in co-digestion with different proportions of pig manure and cow dung. The substrate in each digester is diluted in 2 liters of water, with a proportion of (1/2). The main results obtained are: 1) the evolution of the temperature and pH during digestion process, 2) the average biogas productions 0.61 liters for (D1);1.20 liter for (D2);1.65 liter for (D3);1.51 liter for (D4) and 1.31 liter for (D5). The cumulative amounts of biogas are respectively: D1 (7.95 liters), D2 (15.60 liters), D3 (21.50 liters), D4 (19.65 liters) and D5 (17.05 liters). The total cumulative production is 81.75 liters at the end of the process. The originality of this research work is that the proposed model examines the relation between the daily biogas production and the variation of temperature, pH and pressure. The combustibility test showed the biogas produced during the first week was no combustible (contains less than 50% methane). Combustion started from the biogas produced from the 15th day and it is from the 20th day that a significant amount of stable yellow/blue flame was observed. The results of this study show the combination of pig manure and cow dung presents advantages for optimal biogas production.

Carbon Footprint in Waste Sector of Hydropower Plant: A Case Study of Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Plant

While hydropower is generally considered a clean energy source, it is important to recognize that their waste can still contribute to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The purpose of this study is to assess the carbon footprint associated with the waste sector throughout the operational phase of the Nam Theun 2 hydropower plant in Laos. Understanding the environmental impact of the waste sector is crucial for ensuring the plant’s sustainability. This study utilizes the theoretical estimation method recommended in the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, as well as the Requirements for Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of GHG emissions and removals. We emphasize the significance of implementing sustainable waste management practices to reduce GHG emissions and minimize the environmental impact of hydropower operations. By conducting a comprehensive analysis, this paper also provides insights into the environmental implications of waste management in hydropower plants and identifies strategies to mitigate the carbon footprint in the waste sector. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the environmental sustainability of hydropower plants and provide valuable guidance for policymakers, energy producers, and environmental practitioners involved in hydropower plant design and operation.