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This paper offers a comprehensive review of previous studies and articles on international standards and certification criteria for biodegradable plastics. It highlights key insights into the biodegradation environment and certification processes for these materials. As various countries and organizations intensify research efforts on biodegradable plastics, certification standards for biodegradability are evolving and expanding. This trend is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping international standards. Nonetheless, several challenges persist, including the absence of universally recognized testing methods, inconsistencies between real-world and laboratory biodegradation conditions, and a lack of clear definitions and standardized criteria. Above all, establishing international standards is critical to advancing biodegradable plastics as a viable alternative to conventional plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution has been a significant concern for the last few years. The leather industry significantly contributes to the economy but is one of Bangladesh's most prominent polluting industries. It is also responsible for several severe diseases such as cancer, lung diseases, and heart diseases of leather workers because they use bleaching agents and chemicals, and these have numerous adverse effects on human health. The study was aimed at isolating, identifying, and molecularly characterizing bacteria that produce protease enzymes that are highly capable of dehairing goat hide. Several attempts were made to isolate and identify protease‐producing bacterial strains from different soil samples of tannery wastes. Initially, a total of four isolates were selected from tannery soil. After the different phenotypic and morphological characterization, one isolate (BS2) showed Gram‐positive, rod‐shaped, and spore‐forming characteristics and could produce novel hair‐degrading protease enzymes. The growth profile and protease activity of the bacteria at 37°C were observed; a basal level of extracellular protease increased with time. The enzyme's proteolytic activity was measured, and the unit of enzyme activity of the enzyme sample was 18.1. The ExPASy server (ProtParam) tool was used to estimate the physicochemical characteristics of the proteins and found molecular weight (MW) (7375.94 Da), aliphatic index (71.56), instability index (II, 80.63), Grand Average of Hydropathy (GRAVY) (−0.231), and isoelectric point (11.41). The protein–protein interactions (PPI) networks were generated using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database and Cytoscape software. The PSIPRED v.4.0 and SAVES v.6.0 programs were used to determine the secondary and three‐dimensional assembly of the selected protein. They found alpha helix (16, 25.00%), extended strand (6, 9.38%), beta‐turn (5, 7.81%), and random coil (37, 57.81%). DNA isolation and purification were carried out, and the purity ratio was ~2.17 at 260 and 280 nm. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplifying the 16S rRNA gene was conducted, and the isolate was authentically recognized as Bacillus cereus (BS2) based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. The quantitative assessment has shown that 40 mL of culture centrifugation could dehair 2 × 1 cm of goat leather sample in 9 h. This potential bacterial strain can be used in the leather industry as an ecofriendly alternative to chemical dehairing, which can reduce environmental pollution and the risk of severe diseases among leather industry workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although plastic pollution and exposure to plastic-related compounds have received worldwide attention, health risks associated with micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are largely unknown. Emerging evidence suggests MNPs are present in human biofluids and tissue, including blood, breast milk, stool, lung tissue, and placenta; however, exposure assessment is limited and the extent of human exposure to MNPs is not well known. While there is a critical need to establish robust and scalable biomonitoring strategies to assess human exposure to MNPs and plastic-related chemicals, over 10,000 chemicals have been linked to plastic manufacturing with no existing standardized approaches to account for even a fraction of these exposures. This review provides an overview of the status of methods for measuring MNPs and associated plastic-related chemicals in humans, with a focus on approaches that could be adapted for population-wide biomonitoring and integration with biological response measures to develop hypotheses on potential health effects of plastic exposures. We also examine the exposure risks associated with the widespread use of chemical additives in plastics. Despite advancements in analytical techniques, there remains a pressing need for standardized measurement protocols and untargeted, high-throughput analysis methods to enable comprehensive MNP biomonitoring to identify key MNP exposures in human populations. This review aims to merge insights into the toxicological effects of MNPs and plastic additives with an evaluation of analytical challenges, advocating for enhanced research methods to fully assess, understand, and mitigate the public health implications of MNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on using Stipagrostis plumosa for phytoremediation to eliminate total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and heavy metals (HMs) like cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) from oil-contaminated soil. Conducted over six months at a field-scale without artificial pollutants, soil samples were analyzed using gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC‒MS) for TPHs and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‒OES) for HMs. Results after six months revealed that plots with plants had significantly higher average removal percentages for TPHs (61.45%), Cd (39.4%), Cr (46.1%), Pb (41.5%), and Ni (44.2%) compared to the control group (p <0.05). Increased microbial respiration and bacteria populations in planted plots indicated enhanced soil microbial growth. Kinetic rate models aligned well with the first-order kinetic rate model for all pollutants (R2 >0.9). Overall, the study demonstrates that S. plumosa can effectively reduce TPHs and HMs in oil-contaminated soil, making it a promising option for pollutant absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few authors have investigated the origins of green chemistry (GC). Most literature relies on a narrative of its birth at the US Environmental Protection Agency in the 1990s through the original work by Paul Anastas and John Warner and the successful networking and institutionalizing activities that followed. However, this perspective has two drawbacks: it fails to consider the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) political background (without which individual action would not have been possible), and it highlights a contradiction between the revolutionary theoretical message of the founders of GC and their strategy of promotion, which is uncritical of "brown" chemistry and excludes participation by civil society and the public. I argue that GC is not only the success of enthusiastic individuals who took advantage of existing political resources to promote a new vision of greening research and innovation but is also an expression of major political changes and a tool for managing chemical risks at the EPA in the 1990s. Using the concept of "design," I argue that GC is a tool illustrating the EPA's comanagement approach with the regulated industry. The paper sheds light on how authorities react to the difficulties of regulating chemical risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) attributable to particulate matter (PM) pollution in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries and territories, and its relationship with the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). A cross-sectional analysis was conducted. The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and the SDI data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Spearman's regression coefficients (r h o) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were used to evaluate the relationship of interest. We computed a total of 22,231,164 disability-adjusted life years DALYs due to CVD in 2021, with an age-standardized rate of 3742 DALYs per 100,000 population. Ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke were predominant. PM pollution was responsible for 2,974,358 DALYs (12.1 % of total CVD DALYs), varying widely across regions, with the highest attributable fractions observed in Haiti, Honduras, and Guatemala. A negative linear relationship (r h o = −0.73, 95 % CI -0.95 to −0.51) was observed between PM pollution-attributable CVD burden and SDI, indicating a higher burden in regions with lower SDI. Public health interventions targeting PM pollution could substantially mitigate the burden of CVD, particularly in vulnerable populations identified in this study. These findings underscore the critical importance of environmental policies and interventions aimed at reducing PM pollution, and underlying socio-economic disparities, to alleviate the health impact of CVD in LAC countries and territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the proposed federal policy platforms that include substantial changes to environmental regulation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Topics include the authority given by the Clean Air Act (CAA) to the EPA to develop policies to reduce emissions of major air pollutants, health benefits of air pollution control devices, and role of the CAA in healthy decarbonization.

Political polarization is a barrier to enacting policy solutions to global issues. Social psychology has a rich history of studying polarization, and there is an important opportunity to define and refine its contributions to the present political realities. We do so in the context of one of the most pressing modern issues: climate change. We synthesize the literature on political polarization and its applications to climate change, and we propose lines of further research and intervention design. We focus on polarization in the United States, examining other countries when literature was available. The polarization literature emphasizes two types of mechanisms of political polarization: (1) individual-level psychological processes related to political ideology and (2) group-level psychological processes related to partisan identification. Interventions that address group-level processes can be more effective than those that address individual-level processes. Accordingly, we emphasize the promise of interventions leveraging superordinate identities, correcting misperceived norms, and having trusted leaders communicate about climate change. Behavioral interventions like these that are grounded in scientific research are one of our most promising tools to achieve the behavioral wedge that we need to address climate change and to make progress on other policy issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research was to better understand the spatial characteristics and hot areas of heavy metal concentrations in the soil-rice system, which was critical for implementing heavy metal pollution prevention and control strategies. The amounts of heavy metals in soil-rice were determined using high-precision testing methods such as XRF, ICP-MS, and AFS based on the systematic collection of 285 pairs of soil-rice samples from Wanjiang Economic Zone, China. The Getis-Ord index, Kriging method, and geostatistical method were used to reveal the spatial distribution of heavy metal contamination hot spots in the soil-rice system. The results revealed that the average concentration of heavy metals in soil was Zn>Cr>Cu>Pb>Ni>As>Cd>Hg, whereas it was Zn>Cu>Ni>Cr>Cd>As>Pb>Hg in rice. The average concentrations of heavy metals in the soil were all well below the maximum allowable limit, except for Cd, which was slightly above the allowable limit. Only Cd and Ni concentrations in rice exceeded the maximum permitted limits. In soil, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn pollution hotspots were mostly found in the southeast, while Cr and Ni were mostly found in the northeast. An intriguing discovery was that there was a weak relationship between heavy metal concentrations in soil and rice and the spatial pattern of their distribution. The study's findings offer a scientific foundation for establishing a long-term agricultural development strategy for the soil-rice system in the Wanjiang Economic Zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As industrialization accelerates, China's industrial development pace has been rapidly increasing. However, this growth has been accompanied by an increase in high-pollution and high-emission industries, leading to the release of a significant amount of air pollutants and exacerbating haze pollution nationwide. This article utilizes the spatial dynamic Durbin model and panel threshold regression model to analyze the impact of the thermal power industry and other high-haze-pollution industries on atmospheric environmental quality. The results indicate a negative correlation between the thermal power industry and other high-haze pollution industries and atmospheric environmental quality. There is a spatial spillover effect of the thermal power industry and other high-haze-pollution industries on air pollution. Environmental regulations have a single-threshold characteristic in their impact on atmospheric quality in the thermal power industry and other high-haze-pollution industries, as does green technology innovation. Additionally, cumulative rainfall has a significant single-threshold effect on the atmospheric environmental quality in regions with the thermal power industry and other high-haze-pollution industries. The article suggests policies for severely polluted areas, including reducing high-haze-pollution enterprises, optimizing industrial structures rationally, strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing regional haze pollution prevention and control coordination mechanisms, increasing the intensity of environmental regulations, utilizing the threshold effect of environmental regulations, promoting green technological innovation and application in heavily polluted areas, and exploring options to improve air pollution through increased rainfall. These recommendations aim to provide reference points for China to further optimize its industrial structure and comprehensively manage haze pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2023 Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emission from Ships offers few specifics from a legal perspective, but is an important political signal. IMO Member States have committed to adopt binding rules to incentivise greenhouse gas emission reductions in 2025 which will enter into force by 2027. Moreover, the Strategy calls for the elimination of shipping emissions by or around 2050 and sets checkpoints to track progress. IMO now faces key decisions to implement the Strategy, including how to structure a goal-based fuel standard, how to integrate an economic element (e.g., an emission levy) into its regulatory framework, its methods for assessing upstream emissions and effects of fuel production, and specific reduction pathways. These measures will likely be effectuated as amendments to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, leveraging its existing compliance and enforcement tools, including port State controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-time monitoring of riverine-dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and its controlling factors is critical for formulating strategies regarding the river basin and marginal seas pollution prevention and control. In this study, we established a linear regression formulation that relates the permanganate index (CODMn) to the DOC concentration based on in situ measurements collected on five field surveys in 2023–2024. This regression formulation was used on a large number of data collected from automatic monitoring stations in the Qiantang River area to construct a daily quasi-in situ database of DOC concentration. By combining the quasi-in situ DOC data and Sentinel-2 measurements, an enhanced algorithm for empirical DOC estimation was developed (R2 = 0.66) using the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) method and its spatial and temporal variations in the Qiantang River were analyzed from 2016 to 2023. Spatially, the main stream of the Qiantang River exhibited an overall decreasing and increasing trend influenced by population density, economic development, and pollutant discharge in the basin area, and the temporal distribution of DOC was controlled by meteorological conditions. The DOC contents had the highest in summer, primarily due to high rainfall and leaching. The inter-annual variation in DOC concentration was influenced by the total annual runoff volumes, with a minimum level of 2.24 mg L−1 in 2023 and a maximum level of 2.45 mg L−1 in 2019. The monthly DOC fluxes ranged from 6.3 to 13.8 × 104 t, with the highest values coinciding with the maximum river discharge volumes in June and July. The DOC levels in the Qiantang River remained relatively high in recent years (2016–2023). This study enables the concerned stakeholders and researchers to better understand carbon transportation and its dynamics in the Qiantang River and its coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This article reports on research exploring the perspectives of Australian social work and human service professionals about environmental practice. An online survey consisting of quantitative and qualitative questions was conducted, recruiting 303 participants from the human services sector. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS and qualitative data analyzed thematically using NVivo. Findings: Overall, results indicated that participants strongly supported an environmental focus in human services at personal and professional levels of practice. However, while participants expressed values supporting environmental practice, its implementation was less frequently reported. The adverse impacts of climate change were reported as strongly impacting the well-being of service users, and a general lack of support from employing organizations to facilitate environmental practice was evident. Despite a strong belief in the value of Australian First Nations knowledges, limited engagement with Australian First Nations peoples was practiced. Applications: Implications suggest the need to examine the practical realities of environmental practice including the disconnect between values and action. Given that participants reported adverse impacts of climate change on people and communities, but faced significant challenges implementing environmental action, the need to disrupt barriers caused by the dominant neoliberal discourse is critical. Likewise, disrupting the prevailing colonialist discourse by working alongside First Nations peoples to decolonize society and the profession is essential for enacting principles of environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil electrokinetics (SEK) research has been widely used in various fields such as soil remediation, dewatering, land restoration, geophysics, sedimentation, pollution prevention, consolidation, and seed germination. According to our most recent published research on SEK process design modifications during the last 30 years (1993–2022), more than 150 designs have been introduced to assure SEK's maximum performance. Incorporating lateral electrodes/anodes was not documented in the existing literature, which motivated us to investigate the output of this design. In this study, we aimed to enhance the performance of the perforated cathode pipe soil electrokinetic remediation (SEKR) system (PCPSS) for removing inorganic pollutants by installing lateral anodes (LA-PCPSS) using two approaches. In the first approach, the LA-PCPSS was connected to different sources of applied voltages (DSAV) from different power supplies, while in the second approach, the entire operation system was connected to the same source of applied voltage (SSAV). We used the Taguchi approach (L9OA) to determine the optimal levels of applied voltages for the DSAV system. The results indicated that the DSAV-(LA-PCPSS) could be optimized at an applied voltage of 1 V cm−1 for the surface and the first and second lateral anodes. The indigenous Sr (elements found in the tested soil without artificial pollution) in kaolinite showed the best response among other elements (Ni and other indigenous elements) when optimizing the DSAV-(LA-PCPSS) using the Taguchi approach. Installing lateral anodes (position B) supplied to low applied voltage (0.5 V cm−1) improved the electroosmosis (EO) rate/dewatering. Reverse migration of ions was observed during the remediation of real contaminated soil using the SSAV-(LA-PCPSS). The DSAV-(LA-PCPSS) is considered an appropriate design for the SEKR of inorganic pollutants, and increases the EO flow/dewatering. Additionally, the increased energy consumption employing the DSAV-(LA-PCPSS) was extremely minimal compared to the traditional PCPSS, which is an economic advantage for SEKR research. The DSAV-(LA-PCPSS) is still under optimization/intensification process, and subsequent processes will be examined to achieve high efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the distribution, occurrence forms, and influencing factors of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu) in soil aggregates, a five-step extraction method was used to determine their forms in soil aggregates of different sizes in a mountainous area of northern Hebei Province. The ecological risk was evaluated using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and primary and secondary comparison value method (RSP). Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to identify the main factors affecting the distribution and morphology of Cr, Ni, and Cu in soil. The results showed that in vertical distribution, Cr, Ni, and Cu were concentrated in the surface soil, but there was no clear relationship between soil depth and heavy metal content. The distribution characteristics revealed that Cr, Ni, and Cu in soils mainly existed in relatively stable Fe-Mn oxides and residue states, and their morphology in aggregates did not vary considerably with particle size. Furthermore, the RSP results showed that the pollution risk of Cr, Ni, and Cu was higher, with Cr and Ni posing the highest risk in the 0.5–1 mm and 1–2 mm particle size ranges. The RDA results showed that available phosphorus and soil organic matter (SOM) were the main factors that caused the characteristic difference of 1–2 mm aggregate components. Additionally, hydrolyzed nitrogen, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and calcium exchange have positive effects on the residual state of Cr. For Ni, SOM, CEC and exchangeable calcium have positive effects on the binding state of Fe and Mn oxides and carbonate. For Cu, CEC and exchangeable calcium are the key factors that cause the morphological differences of aggregates. Based on the above results, a theoretical basis has been provided for the prevention and control of pollution in the subsequent research area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Changing dietary patterns is essential to reducing the substantial environment impact of agriculture and food production systems. We performed a cross-country comparison of dietary patterns and their associated environmental impact in Europe, including by sociodemographic factors. Methods We analyzed pooled cross-sectional dietary records collected during 2010–18 from 10 European countries using the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Comprehensive European Food Database (16 508 adults; aged 18–79 years). Each food consumed was mapped to the corresponding environmental impact data using the SHARP Indicators Database, which provides greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) and land use (LU) values of approximately 900 foods. Total diet-associated environmental impact was calculated for each person and averaged across multiple days. Multivariable linear regression models were used to compare diet-associated GHGE and LU between population subgroups (gender, age, education and diet type) with country-level fixed effects. Results The mean dietary GHGE and LU per capita ranged from 4.0 kgCO2/day and 5.0 m2*year/day in Spain to 6.5 kgCO2eq/day and 8.2 m2*year/day in France. Diet-related GHGE and LU (per kg/food) were lower among females (2.6 kgCO2eq/day, B = −0.08, P  < 0.01; 3.2 m2*year/day, B = −0.11, P  < 0.01), older population aged 66–79 (2.6 kgCO2eq/day, B = −0.03, P  < 0.01; 3.4 m2*year/day, B = −0.4, P  < 0.01), people following vegetarian diets (1.7 kgCO2eq/day, B = −0.07, P  < 0.01; 2.0 m2*year/day, B = −0.07, P  < 0.01), and higher among individuals with secondary education (2.7 kgCO2eq/day, B  = 0.05, P  < 0.01; 3.6 m2*year/day, B = −0.05, P  < 0.01). Conclusions Environmental footprints vary substantially across countries, dietary patterns and between different sociodemographic groups in Europe. These findings are crucial for the development of country-specific food policies aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable manufacturing practices (SMPs) aim to minimize environmental effects throughout the manufacturing process by employing measures such as waste reduction, resource optimization, pollution prevention, energy‐efficient manufacturing processes and effective management of products at the end of their lifecycle. Although SMPs are widely studied in developed countries, their advocation and implementation are still in the early stages of development in emerging economies. Consequently, this article aims to identify SMPs among small and medium‐sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Data were collected based on a quantitative research method using online and offline mail. A total of 189 manufacturing SMEs were selected based on judgmental sampling techniques, and structural equation modelling AMOS was used to analyse the data. The results indicated a high positive correlation between perceived environmental performance, perceived quality performance, product innovation and process innovation. In addition, the perceived quality performance positively and directly affects process and product innovation. Thus, perceived environmental performance plays a role in directly and positively impacting product and process innovation. However, despite this, the perceived quality performance also affects SMPs directly and positively, with process innovation directly and positively impacting product innovation. The study's findings and recommendations can help Malaysian manufacturing SMEs to integrate and assist in understanding the current body of knowledge on the challenges of implementing SMPs in SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's unsustainable agricultural production activities have caused severe agricultural non-point source pollution (ANPSP), particularly nitrogen source pollution (NSP), which impacts farmland ecological environments. Understanding NSP is important for managing ANPSP and improving environmental water quality. Thus, inventory analysis methods were used to assess county-level total nitrogen (TN) loads in large-scale agricultural areas, analyze spatial and temporal variations in TN loads, examine the major sources of TN loads and identify the driving factors of DITN using Pearson correlation and random forest (RF) methods. The results showed that (1) TN loads and discharge intensity decreased by 4.59% and 12.7%, respectively, increasing and then decreasing via market regulations, policy incentives, and policy constraints. The eastern and northern Henan Province plain areas were highly discharged. (2) The major pollution sources varied, with the total contributions of mineral fertilizers and livestock and poultry breeding to TN being 73.53% and 81.78%, respectively. Farmland solid waste contributed minimally but increased yearly from 10.84 to 19.74%. (3) The discharge intensity of TN was highly significantly negatively correlated with the urbanization rate, economic development and slope; neither was significantly correlated with arable land. The RF results showed that total mineral fertilizer consumption and total livestock and poultry production were the major factors controlling the NSP in Henan Province. China's agricultural policies have slightly reduced pollutant discharge intensities, but the situation remains grim. This study provides a scientific basis for the development of differentiated TN control measures in Henan Province, which is important for improving pollution prevention and control capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pb metallic nanospheres embedded within conductive carbon frameworks (Pb@C) are prepared by a facile coprecipitation and pyrolysis method using MOFs as the precursor and template. The Pb@C electrode presents a high reversible capacity of 379.1 mAh/g at 2 A/g and capacity retention of 88.2% after 6000 cycles, corresponding to a capacity loss of 0.00748% per cycle. [Display omitted] Alloying-type anode materials are considered promising candidates for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high theoretical capacities. However, their application is limited by the severe capacity decay stemming from dramatic volume changes during Na+ insertion/extraction processes. Here, Pb nanospheres encapsulated in a carbon skeleton (Pb@C) were successfully synthesized via a facile metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived method and used as anodes for SIBs. The nanosized Pb particles are uniformly incorporated into the porous carbon framework, effectively mitigating volume changes and enhancing Na+ ion transport during discharging/charging. Benefiting from this unique architecture, a reversible capacity of 334.2 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 is achieved after 6000 cycles corresponding to an impressive 88.2 % capacity retention and a minimal capacity loss of 0.00748 % per cycle. Furthermore, a high-performance full sodium-ion battery of Pb@C//NVPF was constructed, demonstrating a high energy density of 291 Wh kg−1 and power density of 175 W kg−1. This facile MOFs-derived method offers insights into the design of high-capacity alloy-type anode materials using Pb sources, opening up new possibilities for innovative approaches to Pb recycling and pollution prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to draw attention to the problem of emitting toxic compounds into the atmosphere by seagoing ships. Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, which came into force in 2005, concerns the prevention of air pollution from ships, forced shipowners to use solutions aimed at limiting the emission of these harmful substances into the atmosphere. One of the instruments enabling the implementation of these guidelines is the design energy efficiency index EEDI, introduced obligatorily for designed and newly built ships. Since 2013, the regulations oblige the shipowners to maintain an effective energy management plan during ship's operation, called the SEEMP (Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan). The paper presents factors that influence the reduction of fuel consumption by ships, leading to a reduction in emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere and thus achieving the required EEDI and other indicators. These are factors related to the ship's hull, the main propulsion engine and the propeller-rudder system. The influence of each of these factors on the level of fuel consumption by the ship was indicated. The manuscript highlights the methods of reducing fuel consumption by seagoing ships aimed at reducing emissions of toxic compounds into the atmosphere, which are currently the most popular and effective, and relate mainly to the hull and main propulsion engines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) is the core of a comprehensive international legal regime for the prevention of pollution from ships. Over the past fifty years, it has developed a dynamic and comprehensive set of regulations, continuously amended and updated by sixty-six resolutions of Marine Environment Protection Committee and tacitly accepted by the Contracting Parties. In order to supplement and effectively apply the MARPOL requirements, the International Maritime Organization has produced extensive secondary legislation in the form of codes and guidelines, which by reference are incorporated into the Convention as binding law. MARPOL 73/78 has proven to be a suitable instrument for largely preventing discharges of harmful substances from ship operations and, in the event of accidents, for limiting the release quantity. However, it remains necessary to constantly adapt the regulations to new developments, in particular further reduction of CO2 emissions in shipping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports an analysis using the computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to calculate the economic development and emissions under different air pollution prevention strategies, with a focus on the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei rim surrounding the cities in the 'Capital Economic Circle'. It appeared that raising the emission tax effectively suppressed air pollution but also suppressed economic development. Raising the emission subsidy promoted economic development, but did not suppress air pollution. A stepwise tax collection mode can be used to formulate the emission tax. When using emission subsidies to encourage manufacturers to improve their exhaust treatment technology, the policy should be tilted towards small enterprises to reduce economic pressure on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial heterogeneity of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in a typical green tea-producing area in Zhejiang was investigated with application of geostatistics. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) was conducted for analysis of pollution sources and risk assessment of the soil of the tea garden. The results revealed that 93.52% of the study area did not exceed the PTEs risk screening value in the soil pollution risk control standard of agricultural land. The results of the spatial heterogeneity analysis showed that Cd and Pb had moderate spatial auto-correlation, exhibiting similar spatial distribution patterns. The high-value locations were distributed in the southeast of the study area, while low-value locations were distributed in the southwest of the study area. The Cr, As, and Hg had strong spatial auto-correlation, while Cr and As had similar spatial distribution patterns whose high-value areas and low-value areas were concentrated in the west and center of the study area, respectively. The Cd, Pb, and As originated from the agricultural source, transportation source, and industrial source, respectively, while Cr and Hg were from the natural source on the basis of the results of the PMF model. The results of a potential ecological risk assessment revealed that five PTEs in the study area were of low potential risk. The single-factor ecological risk ranking was Cd > As > Hg > Cr > Pb. The overall ecological risk in the study area was slight. The human health risk model indicates that there was a non-carcinogenic risk for children in the study area, and the high-value area was concentrated in the northwest of the study area. It is concluded that emphasis shall be given to excessive Cd caused by agricultural sources in the southeast of the study area, and control and monitoring will be strengthened in the northwestern part of the study area. The relevant measures for prevention of soil pollution must be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of historical waste piles is a difficult and hot topic in environmental protection management workcurrently, especially for waste piles with limited storage sites and steep slopes, the collaborative governance technology of in situ pollution prevention and ecological restoration is one of the challenges in preventing and controlling pollution from historical legacy waste piles. Taking the slag pile control project of a closed mine ecological restoration project as an example, a new type of in situ pollution prevention and ecological restoration technology for historical legacy waste piles has been proposed, so called reinforcement of waste residue pile soil protection horizontal and vertical flexible barriers ecological restoration and management plan, abbreviated as "Reinforced Soil Protection Flexible Barrier Ecological Restoration Technology". This technology uses geotextile bags and grid reinforcement to stabilize the slope of the waste residue pile. HDPE film is set as the main anti seepage barrier layer on the surface of the pile, and geotextile chambers are hung for soil protection and greening* Flexible vertical pollution prevention and control barriers are set up around the waste residue pile to effectively prevent and control the pollution of the waste residue pile to surrounding groundwater and soil in a three dimensional vertical manner. Meanwhile, the surface barrier of the waste heap is made of HDPE film, with a permeability coefficient less than 1 X 10-13 cm/s, the overall permeability coefficient of the flexible vertical barrier walls used around is less than 1 X 10-7 cm/s, the ultimate goal is to achieve the synergy between pollution prevention and ecological greening, achieving a dual effect of in situ pollution control and ecological restoration of waste residue piles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The underwater acoustic sensor network is a fundamental source for ocean exploration. The potential applications of underwater acoustic sensor network (UASN) include seismic imaging, disaster prevention, mine reconnaissance, pollution monitoring, exploration of natural resources, and military surveillance. To acquire accurate results, implementing all applications of underwater sensor networks requires an adequate network connection and communication technology. The precise placement of underwater sensor nodes needs to be identified in order to achieve effective communication. To accomplish the requirement, the paper presents an efficient localization algorithm to compensate the stratification effect based on an improved underwater salp swarm optimization technique (LAS‐IUSSOT). To compute the location of sensor nodes with high accuracy, the nodes are initially randomly deployed in three‐dimensional underwater acoustic sensor network (3D‐UASN). After that, the hybridization of centroid‐based localization and the ray theory technique is used, and then, the degree of coplanarity is analyzed among the underwater sensor nodes. Then, the computation of the location of unknown nodes is performed using improved underwater salp swarm optimization technique (IUSSOT) to obtain the optimized location and compensate the impact of the stratification. The comparison of the simulation results of the existing algorithm and the proposed algorithm is performed. The LAS‐IUSSOT achieves 40.46% and 28.00% accuracy in terms of localization of underwater sensor nodes for both the sparse and dense regions in 3D‐UASN. The LAS‐IUSSOT achieves 49.39% and 62.57% accuracy in terms of ranging of underwater sensor nodes for both the sparse and dense regions in 3D‐UASN. Simulation results illustrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing algorithm in terms of localization and ranging accuracy in both sparse and dense regions in 3D‐UASN, root mean square error (RMSE), normalized localization error (NLE), computation time, and convergence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traceability of groundwater nitrate pollution is crucial for controlling and managing polluted groundwater. This study integrates hydrochemistry, nitrate isotope (δ15N-NO3− and δ18O-NO3−), and self-organizing map (SOM) and end-member mixing (EMMTE) models to identify the sources and quantify the contributions of nitrate pollution to groundwater in an intensive agricultural region in the Sha River Basin in southwestern Henan Province. The results indicate that the NO3−-N concentration in 74% (n = 39) of the groundwater samples exceeded the WHO standard of 10 mg/L. According to the results of EMMTE modeling, soil nitrogen (68.4%) was the main source of nitrate in Cluster-1, followed by manure and sewage (16.5%), chemical fertilizer (11.9%) and atmospheric deposition (3.3%). In Cluster-2, soil nitrogen (60.1%) was the main source of nitrate, with a significant increase in the contribution of manure and sewage (35.5%). The considerable contributions of soil nitrogen may be attributed to the high nitrogen fertilizer usage that accumulated in the soil in this traditional agricultural area. Moreover, it is apparent that most Cluster-2 sampling sites with high contributions of manure and sewage are located around residential land. Therefore, the arbitrary discharge and leaching of domestic sewage may be responsible for these results. Therefore, this study provides useful assistance for the continuous management and pollution control of groundwater in the Sha River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharia texts have repeatedly stated that the obligation to protect the environment from pollution is necessary to prevent damage and to preserve the right of the neighbor in order to ensure a clean environment free from sources of pollution. The study aimed to show the importance of protecting the right of the adjacent neighbor to a clean environment in the Saudi system compared to Islamic jurisprudence. The study adopted the descriptive, analytical and comparative approach, and the study reached several results, most notably : -Neighborhood damage is not limited to those that affect the people of neighbors or their private money, but also to damage the elements of the natural environment such as water, air, soil and plant or animal organisms that surround the neighborhood . -Protecting the right of neighbor from familiar neighborly harms is guaranteed in the Saudi system. -The agreement of all legal systems to protect the right of the neighbor to a clean environment and to arrange liability for harming him . -Neglecting the right of the neighbor would lead to the loss of the values of tolerance, affection and charity between neighbors. -Positive law is consistent with Islamic jurisprudence in how to estimate unusual damage, which has been adopted by the objective criterion in its assessment rather than the personal criterion, as Islamic scholars consider the same incident of infringement regardless of the personal circumstances of the injured neighbour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sound ecological and environmental governance systems are critical for promoting green and low-carbon economic transformation and high-quality development. However, financing constraints are major obstacle to the revitalization and transformation of China's real economy. In this study, we constructed an environmental dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (E-DSGE) model that incorporates two types of environmental expenditure and financing constraints, and discussed their economic and environmental effects. Based on this, we further considered the impacts of financing constraints on policy effects. Firstly, we found that increases in carbon emission reduction subsidies in government expenditure (1) increase total economic output and (2) motivate enterprises to increase emission reduction efforts and reduce pollution intensity and emissions, thereby reducing the inventory of environmental pollutants while balancing economic benefits and emission reduction. Secondly, increasing the proportion of government special expenditure on environmental protection promote output growth and directly reduces the pollution stock in the environment. However, such policies may also reduce the emission reduction efforts of enterprises, leading to increases in their pollution emissions and intensity. Lastly, the existence of financing constraints is not conducive to the growth of total output but increases the pollution control effect of emission reduction subsidies and pollution prevention expenditure. Application of the E-DSGE model offers new theoretical insight into environmental economics and macroeconomics. Moreover, the results of this study provide a reference for optimizing the structure of fiscal expenditure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the role of social norms, family norms, and community attachment in the intention to reduce plastic bag consumption and promote pro-environmental behaviors in Vietnam Central Coastal communities. The study used SEM techniques to analyze the quota sample of 450 households collected in three cities (Dong Hoi, Da Nang, and Nha Trang). The results showed that the intention to reduce plastic bag consumption acts as a mediator in the relationship between social influence, family influence, and community attachment to pro-environmental behaviors. Simultaneously, the analysis of the moderator variable indicated that the impact of social factors on the intention to reduce plastic bag consumption and the pro-environmental behaviors was stronger among women than men. The implications of policy on education and communication in coastal communities to reduce plastic bag consumption in the future are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compliance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions regulation requires using low sulphur content fuel or an alternative compliance mechanism certified by national administrations. The latter includes installation of an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) to remove SOx prior to emission, which entails the discharge at sea of highly acidic washwater containing harmful substances, resulting in a new form of marine pollution. This article discusses how the certification and use of EGCS are incompatible with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provisions on the protection and preservation of the marine environment and explores regulatory strategies for IMO to remove the incompatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed photovoltaic (DPV) is a promising solution to climate change. However, the widespread adoption of DPV faces challenges, such as high upfront costs, regulatory barriers, and market uncertainty. Addressing these barriers requires coordinating the interests of stakeholders in the promotion of DPV. Therefore, this paper constructs a three-party evolutionary game model in a social network with the government, investment companies and residents as the main subjects and examines the influence of different subjects' behavioral strategies on the promotion of DPV under the social learning mechanism. The results show that: (1) In the game equilibrium, both the government and residents hold a positive attitude towards the promotion of DPV; (2) Companies will obtain most of the subsidies through market power and information differences, resulting in the increase of government subsidies that do not always benefit residents; (3) The increase of energy consumption and pollution prevention costs can promote companies' investment in DPV; (4) The increase of environmental protection taxes to a certain extent helps companies to take responsibility for promoting DPV, reducing the pressure on the government to promote it and increasing residents' income. This study provides insights into the sustainable development of DPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioaccumulation predictions can be substantially improved by combining in vitro metabolic rate measurements derived from rainbow trout hepatocytes and/or hepatic S9 fractions with quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling approaches. Compared with in vivo testing guidelines Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) 305 and Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP; an office of the US Environmental Protection Agency) 850.1730, the recently adopted OECD test guidelines 319A and 319B are in vitro approaches that have the potential to provide a time‐ and cost‐efficient, humane solution, reducing animal use while addressing uncertainties in bioaccumulation across species. The present study compares the hepatic clearance of the S9 subcellular fraction of rainbow trout, bluegill, common carp, fathead minnow, and largemouth bass, discerning potential differences in metabolism between different warm‐ and cold‐water species. With refinements to the in vitro metabolic S9 assay for high‐throughput analysis, we measured in vitro clearance rates of seven chemicals crossing multiple classes of chemistry and modes of action. We confirmed that data from rainbow trout liver S9 fraction metabolic rates can be utilized to predict rainbow trout bioconcentration factors using an in vitro to in vivo extrapolation model, as intended in the OECD 319B applicability domain per the bioaccumulation prediction. Also, we determined that OECD 319B can be applied to other species, modified according to their habitat, adaptations to feeding behavior, and environmental conditions (e.g., temperature). Once toxicokinetics for each species is better understood and appropriate models are developed, this method can be an excellent tool to determine hepatic clearance and potential bioaccumulation across species. The present study could be leveraged prior to or in place of initiating in vivo bioconcentration studies, thus optimizing selection of appropriate fish species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1390–1405. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus system is essential for addressing Water-Energy-Food Security and Environmental Protection in urban agricultural areas. However, there is currently no standardized framework for measuring and comparing sustainability indicators in these areas using the WEF Nexus practices. This study proposes sustainability measurement indicators to evaluate the WEF Nexus sustainability. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to identify the most crucial indicators for policymakers. The WEF nexus sustainability indicators were selected based on three dimensions of sustainability: social, environmental, and economic. The study focused on Varamin, a semi-arid city in Tehran that serves as a center for urban agriculture. Research results indicate that water-related components are crucial in arid and semi-arid regions. Based on the environmental sustainability indicators, pollution prevention, with a priority of 52.8%, is a critical component of sustainability. Finally, several key indicators are recommended for decision-makers to address sustainability. Allocating national budgets to create environmental policies and increasing public education on environmental issues are two priorities for achieving sustainability goals. However, future studies should utilize the Analytic Network Process (ANP), which enables interdependencies among decision components, as the AHP approach has some limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the first in a series of three that describes the development and delivery of the Environmental Health and Land Reuse (EHLR) Basic Training and the first pilot of the EHLR Immersion Training. The EHLR Basic Training is based on the 5-step Land Reuse Model from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Through a collaboration with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), we developed the EHLR Basic Training in two modalities: virtual/live (maintained by ATSDR) and online/asynchronous (maintained by NEHA). The modules include: 1) Engaging With Your Community, 2) Evaluating Environmental and Health Risks, 3) Communicating Environmental and Health Risks, 4) Redesigning With Health in Mind, and 5) Measuring Success: Evaluating Environmental and Health Change. From June 2019--August 2022, ATSDR and NEHA delivered 10 EHLR Classroom Basic Trainings, launched the EHLR Online Basic Training, and developed the EHLR Immersion Training. We piloted the EHLR Immersion Training in July 2022, March 2023, and July 2023. Our participants included science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students from Diné College who were in a Summer Intern Program; tribal environmental professionals; NEHA members in environmental health careers; and environmental professionals, students, and community members who were engaged in environmental work or environmental justice. We have learned that individual training modules can be used for specific learning needs among our participants. Perhaps more importantly, we have learned that undergraduate students and community members can and should be engaged in EHLR Training. The results of the evaluation and longterm follow-up of the EHLR Training will be presented in the second and third articles in this series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Measuring green chemistry: methods, models, and metrics" discusses the importance of comparing processes and substances to determine their sustainability in the context of green and sustainable chemistry. It emphasizes the need for new methods of measuring progress in sustainability, such as atom economy and E-factor, and the importance of multidisciplinary and multivariable analysis. The article highlights the role of green metrics in identifying strengths and weaknesses of substances or technologies to guide future development in a sustainable manner. It encourages researchers to establish metrics to assess the sustainability of their processes and emphasizes the significance of quantifying advantages and disadvantages using green metrics. [Extracted from the article]

Removing impurities that occur in landfill gas, from sulphur and silicon compounds, is crucial for the energetic use of biogas in a cogeneration unit for energy purposes. The aim of this study was to analyse the shaped activated carbon, examining its structure and elemental composition as part of the biogas purification. The qualitative study of the purified landfill gas performed in this study showed a significant overshoot of hydrogen sulphide at 304.1 ppm with respect to the gas engine manufacturer's requirements, while the calculated hydrogen sulphide reduction efficiency was 24.58%. Examination of the surface of the spent carbon and its pores with a scanning microscope revealed a high level of clotting by sulphur compounds, which prevents proper reduction of this compound and reduces the efficiency of the treatment plant. Replacement of the activated carbon bed with a new one showed a hydrogen sulphide value of 7.5 ppm in the purified gas and a calculated reduction efficiency of 97.9%. The results of the study confirmed that continuous monitoring of the quality of the purified gas is necessary to control the adsorption properties of the activated carbon and can be used for the operation of gas engines in cogeneration units. The landfill gas treatment method described in this paper constitutes an environmentally sustainable project within the meaning of the EU regulation on the establishment of a framework to promote and facilitate this type of investment in terms of its financing and operation. The topic of the work fits into three key areas of broad research and implementation activities. The first, technological, is the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable and resource-efficient closed-loop economy; the second, environmental, pollution prevention and control. The third area is economics and finance in terms of making financial products available designed to reduce climate change and reporting on these activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, cigarette butts are the most abundant form of plastic waste in the world, with about 4.5 trillion individual butts polluting our global environment. Solutions need to be found to reduce this negative environmental impact. Nudges could be a simple solution to reduce cigarette butts pollution. In this way, Social Proof and Dueling Preferences nudges were tested in a natural setting. Ashtrays using Social Proof or Dueling Preferences were experimented during 6 weeks in Bordeaux city, France. Comparatively, to control ashtray, Dueling Preferences ashtray was successful in reducing cigarette butts pollution. Social Proof ashtray was efficient too, but less efficient than Dueling Preference. Nudges using voting ashtrays (Dueling Preferences) seem to be a simple and realistic solution to decrease smoker's incivilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, ozone (O3) pollution has been rapidly spreading, restricting further improvement of air quality in China. Investigating the interaction of O3 concentration and identifying their driven cities are important for the prevention and control of O3 pollution in China. However, the interaction between O3 pollution between cities and their driven cities has not yet been revealed. In this study, we fill this gap based on the integration of complex network methods, the Louvain community partitioning algorithm and the maximum matching network control theory. O3 network model exhibits a structured cluster framework, such as Northeast, North China, Sichuan and Chongqing, and Southeast coastal areas. And the driver nodes are mainly concentrated in the central region, while the non-driver nodes are mainly located in the coastal periphery. We also found that the proportion of driven nodes exhibits a positive relation with the threshold. In addition, the coincidence degree of the driven node is related to the choose of threshold. A closer threshold value corresponds to a higher coincidence ratio of the driven nodes. The correlation of driven nodes predicting non-driven nodes is stronger than non-driven nodes predicting driven nodes, suggesting that driven nodes have more influence in the O3 network than non-driven nodes. The results provide scientific guidance for national O3 pollution prevention and regional synergy formatting. Furthermore, the introduced network-based approaches offer a mythological framework for the study of air pollution in key cities and clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, many cities have taken measures to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), an important precursor of ozone (O 3), to alleviate O 3 pollution in China. 116 VOC species were measured by online and offline methods in the urban area of Jiaozuo from May to October in 2021 to analyze the compositional characteristics. VOC sources were analyzed by a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, and the sensitivity of ozone generation was determined by ozone isopleth plotting research (OZIPR) simulation. The results showed that the average volume concentration of total VOCs was 30.54 ppbv and showed a bimodal feature due to the rush-hour traffic in the morning and at nightfall. The most dominant VOC groups were oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs, 29.3%) and alkanes (26.7%), and the most abundant VOC species were acetone and acetylene. However, based on the maximum incremental reactivity (MIR) method, the major VOC groups in terms of ozone formation potential (OFP) contribution were OVOCs (68.09 µg/m3, 31.5%), aromatics (62.90 µg/m3, 29.1%) and alkene/alkynes (54.90 µg/m3, 25.4%). This indicates that the control of OVOCs, aromatics and alkene/alkynes should take priority. Five sources of VOCs were quantified by PMF, including fixed sources of fossil fuel combustion (27.8%), industrial processes (25.9%), vehicle exhaust (19.7%), natural and secondary formation (13.9%) and solvent usage (12.7%). The empirical kinetic modeling approach (EKMA) curve obtained by OZIPR on O 3 exceedance days indicated that the O 3 sensitivity varied in different months. The results provide theoretical support for O 3 pollution prevention and control in Jiaozuo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coordinated control of PM 2.5 and ozone has become the strategic goal of national air pollution control. Considering the gradual decline in PM 2.5 concentration and the aggravation of ozone pollution, a better understanding of the coordinated control of PM 2.5 and ozone is urgently needed. Here, we collected and sorted air pollutant data for 337 cities from 2015 to 2020 to explore the characteristics of PM 2.5 and ozone pollution based on China's five major air pollution regions. The results show that it is necessary to continue to strengthen the emission reduction in PM 2.5 and ozone precursors, and control NO x and VOCs while promoting a dramatic emission reduction in PM 2.5. The primary method of curbing ozone pollution is to strengthen the emission control of VOCs, with a long-term strategy of achieving substantial emission reductions in NO x , because VOCs and NO x are also precursors to PM 2.5 ; hence, their reductions also contribute to the reduction in PM 2.5. Therefore, the implementation of a multipollutant emission reduction control strategy aimed at the prevention and control of PM 2.5 and ozone pollution is the only means to realize the coordinated control of PM 2.5 and ozone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Realizing a high removal efficiency of Al impurity from cathode powder collected in a peeling and recycling production line of spent Li-ion batteries. • Proposing a novel discovery that fluorine was also leached along with the process of Al removal. • Evaluation of kinetics analysis to the leaching of Al and F. • Realizing a low leaching efficiency of valuable metals including Ni, Co, and Mn. • Investigation and analysis of leaching conditions. The high content of aluminum (Al) impurity in the recycled cathode powder seriously affects the extraction efficiency of Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, and Lithium resources and the actual commercial value of recycled materials, so Al removal is crucially important to conform to the industrial standard of spent Li-ion battery cathode materials. In this work, we systematically investigated the leaching process and optimum conditions associated with Al removal from the cathode powder materials collected in a wet cathode-powder peeling and recycling production line of spent Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Moreover, we specifically studied the leaching of fluorine (F) synergistically happened along with the removal process of Al, which was not concerned about in other studies, but one of the key factors affecting pollution prevention in the recovery process. The mechanism of the whole process including the leaching of Al and F from the cathode powder was indicated by using NMR, FTIR, and XPS, and a defluoridation process was preliminarily investigated in this study. The leaching kinetics of Al could be successfully described by the shrinking core model, controlled by the diffusion process and the activation energy was 11.14 kJ/mol. While, the leaching of F was attributed to the dissolution of LiPF 6 and decomposition of PVDF, and the kinetics associated was described by Avrami model. The interaction of Al and F is advantageous to realize the defluoridation to some degree. It is expected that our investigation will provide theoretical support for the large-scale recycling of spent LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Research progress of observation-based ozone formation sensitivity is reviewed. • Threshold values for Photochemical Indicator methods need to be localized. • Reaction mechanisms and monitoring capability need to be improved for OBM. • Ozone formation sensitivity in China presents the gradual shifting tendency. • Dynamic regulation capability for ozone pollution control needs to be built. Observation-based method for O 3 formation sensitivity research is an important tool to analyze the causes of ground-level O 3 pollution, which has broad application potentials in determining the O 3 pollution formation mechanism and developing prevention and control strategies. This paper outlined the development history of research on O 3 formation sensitivity based on observational methods, described the principle and applicability of the methodology, summarized the relative application results in China and provided recommendations on the prevention and control of O 3 pollution in China based on relevant study results, and finally pointed out the shortcomings and future development prospects in this field in China. The overview study showed that the O 3 formation sensitivity in some urban areas in China in recent years presented a gradual shifting tendency from the VOC-limited regime to the transition regime or the NO x -limited regime due to the implementation of the O 3 precursors emission reduction policies; O 3 pollution control strategies and precursor control countermeasures should be formulated based on local conditions and the dynamic control capability of O 3 pollution control measures should be improved. There are still some current deficiencies in the study field in China. Therefore, it is recommended that a stereoscopic monitoring network for atmospheric photochemical components should be further constructed and improved; the atmospheric chemical mechanisms should be vigorously developed, and standardized methods for determining the O 3 formation sensitivity should be established in China in the near future. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient detection of chemical oxygen demand (COD) is crucial for effective pollution prevention. Traditional Cu‐based electrodes, widely utilized for COD sensors suffer from issues related to low activity and stability. This study introduced a novel approach by employing a copper foam‐supported metal‐organic frameworks (Cu‐MOF), synthesized through a solvothermal method, which is subsequently pyrolyzed to yield a carbon‐capsulated CuOx/Cu foam electrode. Cyclic voltammetry analysis demonstrated that the carbon‐capsulated CuOx/Cu foam electrode exhibited superior redox activity, notably generating an increased amount of Cu(III) species. This enhancement significantly contributed to the electrocatalytic oxidation of organic compounds. The developed electrode demonstrated a wide linear detection range of 5–600 ppm, with a low detection limit of 0.96 ppm (S/N=3) for COD sensing. Notably, the sensor exhibited excellent anti‐interference capabilities, desirable reproducibility, and stability. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine COD in real water samples. Comparative analysis with the standard potassium dichromate method revealed high accuracy and a low relative error (2.89 %–6.72 %). This innovative approach holds promise for rapid and accurate COD detection, presenting a valuable contribution to environmental monitoring and water quality assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The National Health Service (NHS) recognised the risk to public health brought by climate change by launching the Greener NHS National Programme in 2020. These organisational changes aim to attain net zero direct carbon emissions. This article reviews the literature on initiatives aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of ENT practice. Method: Systematic review of the literature using scientific, healthcare and general interest (public domain) databases. Results: The initiatives reviewed can be broken down into strategies for mitigating the carbon footprint of long patient stay, use of operative theatres and healthcare travel. The carbon footprint of in-patient stay can be mitigated by a shift towards day-case surgery. The ENT community is currently focused on the reduction of theatre waste and the use of disposable instruments. Furthermore, supply chains and healthcare delivery models are being redesigned to reduce travel. Conclusion: Future areas of development include designing waterless theatre scrubs, waste-trapping technologies for anaesthetic gases and a continuing investment in virtual healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The imperative goals of reaching peak carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality have become integral to Chinese economic development and societal transformation. Simultaneously, these goals have spurred the need to define legal objectives and construct frameworks within the scope of environmental law. As Earth's largest carbon reservoir, the ocean plays a pivotal role in enhancing ecosystem carbon sequestration capacity. With the increase in marine oil development activities, marine pollution incidents have risen. The imperative to imbue governance over marine ecological pollution with a structured legal framework has evolved into an essential choice for global ecological preservation. The legal framework for marine oil pollution prevention and control has its own distinct characteristics. The governance of marine oil pollution is inherently international, and the current multi-polar era adds complexity to global marine pollution prevention and control. While diverse nations possess dissimilar marine oil pollution governance systems, a comparative analysis underscores a shared reliance on and alignment with national strategic imperatives. These frameworks emphasize value-guided principles and the establishment of cross-boundary legal implementation systems, based on clarified legal responsibilities. Chinese legal efforts to govern marine oil pollution prevention and control face three major challenges: technological intricacies, seamless integration, and functional efficacy. This requires a cohesive approach to creating a multi-faceted legal normative hierarchy, including content delimitation, institutional coherence, and redressal safeguards. A comprehensive construction of the Chinese legal framework for marine oil pollution prevention and control requires a three-dimensional strategy: harmonizing a legal system that integrates statutory and non-statutory laws aligned with national responsibilities; establishing risk prevention, control, and regulatory mechanisms under the purview of cross-border governance; and creating a comprehensive governance-oriented legal remedial system. This approach aims to proactively respond to the evolving patterns of global marine pollution governance, effectively consolidating a consensus on global marine pollution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the top-level design for soil environmental protection in China, the 'Action Plan for Soil Pollution Prevention and Control' (abbreviated as the '10-Chapter Soil Pollution Action Plan') encourages enterprises to actively engage in soil pollution prevention and control. Diverging from conventional soil pollution control policies, the '10-Chapter Soil Pollution Action Plan' serves as a protracted working framework for addressing soil pollution in China. Aimed at safeguarding soil environmental quality through institutional means and rigorously curbing new pollution, this plan inherently prioritizes prevention over remediation. This fundamental orientation may yield divergent conclusions in micro-level studies that assess the sustainable remediation effects of the plan. To evaluate the implementation effect of the '10-Chapter Soil Pollution Action Plan,' this study took the A-share enterprises under key soil pollution supervision from 2013 to 2020 as samples and used the difference-in-differences model (DID) to examine the effect and mechanisms of the plan on corporate sustainability. The study found that the '10-Chapter Soil Pollution Action Plan' significantly promoted corporate sustainability, attributable to the risk management principles embedded in these measures. However, this promoting effect could be subject to the reverse adjustment of the regional industrial structure level. In areas where the proportion of the tertiary industry was higher, the promoting effect of the '10-Chapter Soil Pollution Action Plan' on corporate sustainability was more limited. Further research showed that the local government's land finance mechanism and the enterprises' cash defense mechanism were important channels through which the '10-Chapter Soil Pollution Action Plan' played a facilitating role, and this role in promoting corporate sustainability was more significant in state-owned enterprises, large-scale enterprises, and regions under stronger environmental regulations. This study, adopting the perspective of corporate sustainability, serves as a supplement to existing research on the implementation effects of the '10-Chapter Soil Pollution Action Plan.' It highlights the pivotal role of high polluting enterprises in the field of soil pollution prevention and control. The study provides empirical evidence for the formation of a soil pollution prevention and control system that is led by the government and requires corporate responsibility. Additionally, it points out the direction for strengthening corporate responsibility identification and soil pollution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric vehicles (EVs) are being introduced to lessen greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air pollution, and reliance on fossil fuels. As a result of the government's aggressive promotion of EVs and rising environmental consciousness, EVs are quickly rising to the top of the low-carbon transportation market. Several viewpoints suggested that shifting to electric vehicles has been seen as a potential way to achieve sustainable mobility. Nevertheless, many studies discussed the obstacles and hurdles that obstruct the embracing of various electric-mobility (E-mobility) as EVs and electricscooters (E-scooters) as eco-friendly means. Herein, we discussed these hurdles and determined them through surveys for prior studies. Therefore, appraising these hurdles is the objective of our study. Best Holistic Adaptable Ranking of Attributes Technique - version 2 (BHARAT -v2) as a novel Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) technique is leveraged as an appraiser technique for these hurdles. Tree Soft (TrS) methodology is utilized for modeling these hurdles. Hence, we hybridized and integrated two methodologies for constructing BHARAT v2 Tree Soft (Bv2TrS) as an appraiser model. Subsequently, we discussed the findings of the Bv2TrS appraiser model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. A popular biocementation method, microbially initiated precipitation of calcium carbonate, is accompanied by the release of ammonia and ammonium ions into the environment. The aim of the present study was selection of a producer of acid urease for its application in biocementation based on the calcium phosphate formation. Materials and methods. Isolation, selection, identification, and characteristics of bacterial producer of acid-tolerant urease were conducted. Sequencing the 16S rRNA gene of isolate was done for its identification. Bone meal served as a source of calcium for biocementation using inactivated cells of bacterial producer of acidtolerant urease. Assessment of sand biocementation was provided by the change of its water permeability. Results and discussion. Selection of a bacterial strain that synthesized acid urease was carried out among bacteria isolated from acidic soil. The strain with the highest urease activity was identified by rRNA gene amplification and sequencing as Staphylococcus saprophyticus AU1. The physiological properties of the strain were studied. The maximum growth rate of strain AU1 was 0.15 h-1, the maximum accumulation of biomass was 6.9 g/l of dry biomass, and the maximum urease activity was 8.1 mM hydrolyzed urea/min. The highest urease activity of Staphylococcus saprophyticus AU1 was found in the pH range from 4.5 to 5.5, and it gradually decreased with pH increasing. To ensure environmental biosafety, the use of inactivated bacterial cells that retain urease activity has been proposed. To receive completely inactive cells, they were treated with 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate solution for 90 minutes. Biocementation of sand was conducted using inactivated cells of S. saprophyticus AU1 and acid hydrolysate of bone meal, which has calcium in the form of phosphorus-containing compounds. The water permeability of biocemented sand was 2·10-5 m/s, which makes it possible to use biocementation of this type to strengthen the soil to reduce its liquefaction, for example after an earthquake, or to control dust erosion for prevention of atmospheric pollution. Conclusions. The main advantage of the proposed method for biocementation is the diminishing of urea consumption up to 75% and, thereby, reduction of emissions of ammonium and ammonia into the environment. In addition, the problem of bone waste disposal is solved and the cost of materials for biocementation is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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