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Carbonating metallurgical slags plays a pivotal role in achieving efficient mineral CO2 sequestration and waste valorization. This research introduces a novel integrated approach that combines the carbonation of Ladle Furnace Slag (LFS) with the simultaneous degradation of Methyl Orange (MO) in synthetic water. The comprehensive characterization of LFS was conducted using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The adsorption experiments reveal the high LSF capacity for MO degradation (149.25 mg/g) following pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2 = 0.99) and Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.98). The adsorption process was primarily governed by chemical and electrostatic interactions. Analysis of LFS-loaded MO indicated a reduction in Ca(OH)2 phases, responsible for CO2 mineralization and the formation of calcite (CaCO3). Furthermore, the study explored the reusability of LFS-MO composites through chemical and thermal modifications. Pyrolysis of carbonated LFS with KOH impregnation exhibited potential for regenerating Ca(OH)2 phases, while thermal modification induced significant mineral and microstructural changes, creating new active sites at various temperatures. Additionally, the Fenton-like reaction followed by thermal modification resulted in a highly organized and microporous LFS structure with enhanced surface area and porosity. Moreover, modification with ZnSO4 followed by thermal activation promoted the formation of ZnO nanoxides on the LFS surface. This research proposes an innovative carbonating approach for metallurgical slags and wastewater treatment, extending their utility and enhancing industrial sustainability. Carbonated LFS-MO composites hold promise for applications in construction, CO2 capture, and wastewater treatment, thereby fostering sustainable industrial practices with ongoing research and development efforts.

Introduction. Today, the study of climate is one of the most important tasks of modern science. Particular attention is paid to issues of climate variability on different time scales. The El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the leading signal of interannual climate variability that influences the weather and climate of the globe. It has been revealed that during the onset of its different phases, weather and climate anomalies (up to extreme ones) are observed not only over the tropical zone of the Pacific Ocean, but also in extratropical latitudes, which are transmitted through teleconnections in the ocean-atmosphere system. Numerous studies have shown that ENSO modulates tropical cyclone activity in the northwest Pacific Ocean. The purpose of the study is to determine the relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) changes in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and the frequency of tropical cyclones of varying intensity in the northwestern Pacific Ocean under current climatic conditions. Materials and methods of research. The work uses data of the number of cases and intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs) for the period 1991-2020, and series of indices ONI and SOI. Using these data, statistics on the frequency of TCs in the study area were calculated and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated. The scientific novelty lies in obtaining quantitative characteristics of the relationship between SST and the number of TCs of varying intensity in modern climatic conditions. The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that TCs are associated with the occurrence of severe weather conditions, which, when a TC reaches the densely populated coast of Southeast Asia, can pretend to be significant losses. Therefore, information that can be used in forecasting TCs and their trajectories is very high importance. Research results. Analysis of the frequency of TCs of different intensity in the northwestern Pacific Ocean during the 1991-2020 showed that there was a decrease in the number of tropical depressions and typhoons. However, there has been a slight increase in the occurrence of tropical storms. The results of the analysis of the influence of SST variability in the equatorial Pacific Ocean on the frequency of TCs, showed that there is a statistically significant relationship only with the frequency of typhoons. The establishment of positive SST in the center of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, associated with the El Niño episode, is associated with an increase in typhoons in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

This paper presents a simple design of a compact 4-port multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) microstrip antenna using polarization diversity technique. The proposed structure consists of four monopole elements operating in the fifth generation n79 band (4800–5000 MHz). To achieve good performance with a more compact design, the four identical elements are arranged orthogonally to each other. The proposed antenna is fabricated using a Rogers RT6010 substrate with a compact size of 28 × 28mm2. The measured results of the manufactured antenna in terms of S-parameters and radiation pattern are in good agreement at the operating frequency band. Moreover, the diversity performance of the proposed MIMO antenna is evaluated through the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), the diversity gain (DG), the total active reflection coefficient (TARC) and the channel capacity loss (CCL).

Problem Statement. Wetlands perform many vital functions, in particular: accumulation and storage of surface waters; protection from storms and floods; strengthening the coastline and curbing water erosion; hydraulic connection with groundwater; surface water purification; nutrient content; deposit formation; pollutants retention; stabilization of local climatic conditions, especially the amount of precipitation and temperature of the near-surface layer of the atmosphere. They are the world's most productive ecosystems, focus of biodiversity, sources of water and primary productivity on which the existence of innumerable species of plants and animals depends. Wetlands support numerous species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. The ecological character of wetlands is the totality of their ecosystem components, processes and services at one time or another. Wetland ecosystem services are understood as the benefits that people receive from these. These are providing services (water and food); regulatory services (regulation of floods, droughts, land degradation, etc.); supporting services (soil formation, nutrient cycling, photosynthesis, biodiversity); cultural services (cultural and entertainment, spiritual, religious and other intangible benefits). In Ukraine, there are 2417 wetlands with a total area of about 255 million hectares. Among them are 50 wetlands of international importance with a total area of about 734 thousand hectares, a significant proportion of which falls on the territory of the North-Western Black Sea region coastal zone. The aim of this study is to determine the state, vulnerabilities and climate change impact on the ecosystem services of the «Chilia Branch» wetlands. Research Methodology. To determine the periods of drought, the study used the Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) from April to October 1980-2023. The SPEI index was calculated at a point located in the southern part of the Danube Biosphere Reserve. The assessment of the state of the vegetation cover was carried out on the basis of the analysis of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) the period 2017-2023 at two sites (Ermakov Island and Limba Island). To analyze dynamics land cover in the wetland area, were used Sentinel-2 land use satellite imagery for the period 2017-2021. Results. Analysis of the SPEI index showed that during the study period there was a positive statistically significant linear trend towards an increase in dry conditions (0.26 / 10 years). In the period 1980-2023 during the growing season on the territory of the "Chilia Branch" wetland, there is a change in weather conditions towards arid, which poses a certain threat. At the same time, it should be noted that the unique hydrological complex of the Danube Delta has a mitigating effect of the atmospheric drought impact on the vegetation. Also, it should be noted that the threat to coastal wetlands is the anthropogenic transformation of coastal natural systems (urbanization processes, expansion of land for agricultural needs, pollution of soil and surface waters), which can lead to loss of habitats of living organisms and deterioration of ecosystem services.

Problem Statement. Today, humanity is in search of new sources of energy to make the economy more sustainable, as well as the need for a transition to energy that works on the principles of Carbon-Free Technology. For the Black Sea, this is expressed in the desire for successful implementation of the program Blue Growth Accelerator, which is aimed at the introduction of innovative technologies and alternative energy sources in the energy sector of the Black Sea countries, for the development of the "Blue Economy" and the achievement of its healthy, productive and sustainable state. Salinity gradient power (SGP) is one of the new renewable energy sources. The most studied methods for obtaining SGP energy are technologies based on: Reverse Electrodialysis and Pressure Retarded Osmosis. The interaction of fresh and salt water can provide, in fact, unlimited, free and clean energy. The basis for the generation of such energy is the so-called salinity gradient that occurs when two types of water are mixed. After decades of work and numerous experiments, scientists have developed a way to use the energy of the salinity gradient to generate electricity. This type of electricity is also called "Blue Energy" by association with the color of mixing freshwater and salt water when rivers flow into the ocean. Places (estuaries or deltas), where rivers flow into the oceans and seas, have a truly enormous energy potential. The aim of this study is to identify sites in the northwestern Black Sea region with the necessary conditions for the development of Salinity Gradient Power energy, as well as to assess their potential using the example of estimating the maximum theoretical power of the Pressure Retarded Osmosis process. Research Methodology. In a PRO system, the less concentrated solution flows towards the more concentrated solution due to the positive osmotic pressure difference as long as this difference remains greater than the hydrostatic pressure difference. It is by this principle that osmotic power is produced. Theoretically available amount of energy released when mixing 1 m3 of saturated brine (5 mol/l NaCl solution) and 1 m3 of sea water (0.5 mol/l NaCl) at 293 K is 10 MJ. In the northwestern Black Sea region, along the coast between the Danube and Dnieper rivers, there are 21 limans (lagoons) of which some can be used to generate of Salinity Gradient Power. Results. The results of calculating the maximum net power showed that highest values obtained in the summer months, when the salinity in limans reaches its maximum and, consequently, its difference with the salinity of sea (river) water increases. Proceeding from maximum net power, obtained for the Western Sivash, where the salinity is maintained artificially at certain values, it can be seen that the annual amplitude has a smaller value, which provides more stable conditions. There are objects in the northwestern Black Sea region, in the waters of which, as soon as technologies become available, it will be possible to implement SGP projects. The Kuialnyk Liman, Sasyk- Sivash lake and Western Sivash have the most favorable conditions, where the highest power indicators are shown when using the sea water – hypersaline solution scheme, in which freshwater is not consumed.

In this paper, a novel design of compact quad-element MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna for 5G communication networks and satellites is proposed. The four similar elements of this antenna are placed perpendicularly to each other on a 40x40 mm2 FR4 substrate. Each element is fed by a CPW (coplanar waveguide) line. Two slits and an I-shaped slot are etched into the patch, and by varying their parameters; a good matching is achieved in the lower (4.9 GHz) and upper (17 GHz) frequency bands. However, 25 and 30 dB isolations are attained in the lower and upper bands, using the polarization diversity technique and adding stubs on the ground plane. A prototype of the proposed antenna is fabricated and measured. Moreover, the performance of the MIMO antenna is studied in terms of ECC (envelope correlation coefficient), DG (diversity gain), TARC (total active reflection coefficient), realized gain, efficiency, and radiation pattern, validated with the measured results, and showed a good agreement.

Shorelines are subject to constant changes due to natural and anthropogenic factors. Monitoring these changes is imperative for effective coastal management, environmental protection, and sustainable development. This work aims to provide detailed insights into the morphology and transformation of the shoreline within Betoya Bay, home to the strategically positioned Nador West Med (NWM) port complex, which is pivotal in enhancing maritime transport within the Mediterranean region. To achieve this, we have integrated remote sensing data, using LANDSAT satellite imagery from 1993 to 2023, and GIS applications with the help of the Digital Shoreline Analysis System. Shoreline change rates are assessed using End Point Rate (EPR) and Linear Regression Rate (LRR). The resulting maps enable us to pinpoint the shoreline changes after dividing the study area into two distinct zones. The results underscore the moderate dynamic nature of Betoya Bay's coastline, where various zones experience erosion and accretion, with erosion and accretion rates reaching -1.18 m/year and +1.4 m/year, respectively.

Copper (Cu) has been used to treat vines for a long time, which has led to its accumulation in vineyard soils. In the present work, the mobilization of copper from these soils and its transport, and diffusion outside the plots by drain water were investigated. For this, the distribution of copper between the dissolved and colloidal phases, and within the colloidal phase, of these waters was determined using an investigation strategy based on the coupling between a size separation technique, asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation, and several detectors. First, the total copper concentrations in water from different drains were monitored over a period of 2 years: Cu was mainly found in the fraction of < 450 nm. Then, the distribution of copper on the size continuum was more closely studied in water from one of the drains, sampled over a winter period. Between 45 and 75% of Cu was found in the 2–450 nm colloidal fraction. The −1) and clay-rich particles (~100 to 650 mg (Al) L−1). These particles also contained (hydr)oxides of iron and manganese. The concentrations of Fe and Mn were approximately 100 to 200 times lower than those of Al. The majority of humic acids had an apparent molar mass of ≤ 10 kDa. They were distributed along the size continuum: (i) in a population with an average size of ~20 nm, probably consisting of supramolecular entities, and (ii) associated with clay-rich particles with a size of ~120–200 nm. Copper was found to be complexed with humic acids and associated with clays via clay-humic complexes. Copper mobilization from the soil to the water and its transport to the drain water appeared governed by the soil humidity level and the rainfall.

A fast, quantitative method for determining the dimensions of nanorods (i.e., length and diameter) is described, based on hyphenation of differential mobility analysis (DMA) with single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS). Seven gold nanorod samples with different dimensions (diameters 11.8 nm to 38.2 nm, aspect ratios 1.8 to 6.9) were used to validate the method. We demonstrate that DMA-spICP-MS can (1) achieve quantification of both length and diameter comparable with TEM analysis, (2) make statistically meaningful measurements in minutes at low concentrations (

Formulation of the problem. Ecosystem services are resources and benefits that modern humanity can receive from the nature. It is the material benefit from abiogenic and biogenic components of various natural ecosystems. There were not large-scale studies according of evaluation ecosystem services in the Ukrainian water area of the Black Sea before, it is the actual environmental and socio-economic problem. Review of previous publications. The main approach to evaluating the state of ecosystems in the EU countries based on the choice of load indicators on the ecosystems and their mapping. Multi-level approach implies the next steps: detection and evaluation of services (indicators, borders, quantitative assessment); calculations and a demonstration of value (assessment in physical units and money equivalent); court fixation and solutions (tools - subsidies, taxes, payments for ecosystem services, etc.). Purpose. The man goal of the paper is analysis and estimation of modern state of ecosystem services, methods and perspectives of their using. Methods. The methodological basis of the study is the critical analysis of existing approaches to the assessment of ecosystem services of marine and coastal ecosystems. During the preparing of the paper published data had been used, as well as the materials of personal research on various aspects of the evaluation of ecosystem services of the Northwestern part of the Black Sea. Results. Marine and coastal ecosystems play a critical role in providing key services such as food supply, sequestration of anthropogenic carbon, waste management, biological regulation and the provision of habitat for hydrobionts. However, along with other ecosystems, today they are under serious anthropogenic pressure. Some types of anthropogenic activities have a very negative effect to the condition of natural ecosystems and to receive of their services. The ecosystems of the Northwestern part of the Black Sea are the living place of numerous organisms. These ecosystems consist on supporting services. Important regulatory services provide wetlands protected by the Ramsar Convention. The most intense cycle of nutrient substances occurs in the river’s mouth areas. The marine environment absorbs, disinfects and processes all sorts of waste production and consumption. Conclusions. Take into account of the limited information of the of ecosystem services under the Northwestern part of the Black Sea, the first task is to determine the needs of local populations for these services, collection and generalization of information about their condition, coordination of their assessment methods for the region and the evaluation itself.

The Gulf of Mexico is a large, productive, marine and coastal ecosystem providing the coastal residents and neighbouring regions with goods and services. The Gulf of Mexico's water area plays a significant role in shaping the climate across the coastal zone and the thermal state of the region's water also has a major impact on development of atmospheric processes over the Atlantic and Europe. Long-term climate variability throughout the Gulf of Mexico may affect both the strength of the Gulf Stream and heat transfer patterns within the ocean and the economic activity and environmental stability of the entire Northwest Atlantic Region. This work aims at determining the characteristics of variability of temperature regime and salinity of the Gulf of Mexico over recent decades. The study was conducted based on the Gulf of Mexico Regional Climatology (GOM RC) data, version 2, available at the website of the NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). It analyzes the temperature and salinity values at different depths for the period of 2005-2017. According to the analysis, over 2005-2017 the spatial distribution of the average annual water temperature on the Gulf of Mexico's surface demonstrates its decrease from south to north. Its highest value is observed next to the northwestern coast of Cuba and along the coastal area of the Bay of Campeche, and the lowest temperature is observed at Apalachee Bay located in the northeastern part of the Gulf of Mexico. Though significant horizontal temperature gradients are observed in winter, during the warm period the temperature field is more homogeneous. The minimum average monthly water temperature on the surface is observed in January, the maximum one – in September. The most distinct seasonal changes in temperature are observed in the water of the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico next to the United States' coast. The distribution of average annual salinity of the most of the Gulf of Mexico is homogeneous with the exception of its northern part, especially in the area where the Mississippi River water flows into it, where salinity decreases sharply. Graphs of water temperature and salinity distribution at different depths across different areas of the gulf were constructed in order to determine the water stratification.

Topicality. Climate change in the Black Sea region in recent decades poses certain risks to the econo- mies of countries of region, and may have a significant negative impact on the state of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The main areas of economic activity in the Black Sea are maritime freight, oil and gas production and transportation, industrial extraction of marine biological resources, recreational and tourist activities in coastal areas, etc. The Black Sea significantly affects the climate of the south-eastern part of the European continent, forming regional climatic features in the area. The development of measures to adapt to climate change requires the collection and analysis of data on the state of the climate system and the current characteristics of their interaction and feedback. Purpose. The purpose of this work is to review and analyze information on regional climate change observed in recent decades to find patterns and possible links with the variability of the hydrological regime of the Black Sea. Results. This paper contains information on the main climatic characteristics of the Black Sea region, such as air temperature, precipitation, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, as well as indicators of cyclonic activity. Conclusions. In recent decades, the Black Sea region has seen an increase in air temperature caused by changes in large-scale atmospheric circulation, in the form of increased recurrence of anticyclonic processes, leading to a decrease in clouds and an increase in shortwave radiation entering the underlying surface. At the same time, since the mid-2000s, the increase in average annual air temperature has increased. The average annual rainfall is maintained in most parts of the region, with the exception of the eastern part of the Black Sea coast of Turkey and the coastal areas of Georgia, where there is an increase in both rainfall and the frequency of extreme rainfall. At the same time, there is some increase in both the intensity and amount of winter precipitation over the Black Sea. Wind speeds in the Black Sea region as a whole show a decrease in their values, with some increase in the western part of the Black Sea, which is also associated with changes in the peculiarities of circulating processes that develop over South-Eastern Europe.

The purpose of the study is to determine the features of the spatial distribution of the wind speed in Marrakesh - Safi region in 2021-2050, as well as the distribution of the specific power of the wind flow at various altitudes above the earth’s surface to determine the wind class of the area in the coming decades. Currently, the region has two large wind farms: Essaouira-Amogdoul and Tarfayer. To assess the future state of climate in Marrakesh − Safi region, the results of calculations of regional climate models (RCM) of the CORDEX-Africa project for the period 2021-2050 were used. The RCM modeling was carried out for the region of Africa, in a rectangular coordinate system with a spatial resolution of ~ 44 km. Model calculation was performed taking into account the greenhouse gas concentration trajectory of RCP 4.5. As a result of simulation for the period 2021-2050, mean monthly values of wind speed "sfcWind" (m·s-1) and the daily maximum near-surface wind speed "sfcwindmax" (m·s-1) at 10 m height were obtained. Then, based on the wind speed rows, the values of the wind power density at a height of 50 m and 100 m were calculated. The results of model calculations of wind speed showed that the ensemble mean of wind speed for the period 2021-2050 will be from 3.8 m∙s-1 in Kelaat Sraghna Province to 7.2 m∙s-1 on the stretch of the Atlantic coast between Cap Sim and Cap Tafelny.The distribution over the territory will be influenced by proximity to the ocean, models predict the highest wind speeds on the coast, and when moving deep into the region, the wind speed will decrease.The analysis of simulation results showed that in the coastal areas of the region favorable conditions in terms of wind energy development will remain, and the highest wind speeds of the model are predicted on the Atlantic coast between Cap Sim and Cap Tafelny. By the size of the specific power of the wind flow, significant wind resources will have the territory lying along the coast from Cap Sim to the southern border of the region, and in the area of the power plants Essaouira-Amogdoul and Tarfayer models predict the conditions corresponding to the outstanding wind power class.