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Bromine atom (Br) reactions lead to ozone depletion in the troposphere and stratosphere. Photodegradation of bromocarbons is one of the main sources of bromine atoms in the atmosphere. Here, we use high-level ab initio methods, including spin–orbit effects, to study the photodissociation of the CH2Br radical. All possible fragmentation pathways, namely CH2Br + hν → CH2 + Br, HCBr + H, and CBr + H2, have been analyzed. Potential-energy curves of the ground and several excited electronic states along the corresponding dissociating bond distance of each pathway have been calculated. Considering the actinic fluxes of solar irradiation in the troposphere and in the stratosphere in the relevant range of frequencies, it is found that the first five excited states of CH2Br can be accessed from the ground state. Analysis of the potential curves shows that the pathways producing CH2 + Br and HCBr + H can proceed through a fast direct dissociation mechanism, while the pathway leading to CBr + H2 involves much slower dissociation mechanisms like internal conversion between electronic states, predissociation, or tunneling through exit barriers. The main implications are that the two faster channels are predicted to be dominant, and the slower pathway is expected to be less relevant. The tropospheric and stratospheric solar actinic fluxes also allow for further dissociation of the HCBr and CBr fragments, generating additional Br atoms, provided that they survive possible collisions with other atmospheric reagents. Finally, we discuss the possible effect of each of the three CH2Br dissociation pathways on the depletion of atmospheric ozone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remote sensing of abundance and properties of HCl—the main atmospheric reservoir of Cl atoms that directly participate in ozone depletion—is important for monitoring the partitioning of chlorine between "ozone-depleting" and "reservoir" species. Such remote studies require knowledge of the shapes of molecular resonances of HCl, which are perturbed by collisions with the molecules of the surrounding air. In this work, we report the first fully quantum calculations of collisional perturbations of the shape of a pure rotational line in H35Cl perturbed by an air-relevant molecule [as the first model system we choose the R(0) line in HCl perturbed by O2]. The calculations are performed on our new highly accurate HCl(X1Σ+)–O2( X 3 Σ g − ) potential energy surface. In addition to pressure broadening and shift, we also determine their speed dependencies and the complex Dicke parameter. This gives important input to the community discussion on the physical meaning of the complex Dicke parameter and its relevance for atmospheric spectra (previously, the complex Dicke parameter for such systems was mainly determined from phenomenological fits to experimental spectra and the physical meaning of its value in that context is questionable). We also calculate the temperature dependence of the line shape parameters and obtain agreement with the available experimental data. We estimate the total combined uncertainties of our calculations at 2% relative root-mean-square error in the simulated line shape at 296 K. This result constitutes an important step toward computational population of spectroscopic databases with accurate ab initio line shape parameters for molecular systems of terrestrial atmospheric importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive use of halogenated compounds has led to ozone layer depletion, increasing ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface. UV radiation significantly impacts plant growth and performance. The observed rise in malondialdehyde (MDA) and other aldehydes indicates increased free radical production under UV radiation, overwhelming the plant's defense capacity and causing damage to biological membranes. While UV-A rays elevate malonaldehyde levels in leaves, the damage to cell membranes is less severe than UV-B and UV-C. Plants respond by developing resistance mechanisms to cope with this stress. Defensive compounds such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), dehydroascorbic acid, proline, and antioxidant enzymes (e.g., catalase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase) play a crucial role in reducing UV-induced damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), the UVR8 protein, and photoreceptors such as phytochrome and cryptochrome are integral components of the UV signaling pathway. The text also discusses how UV light can impede photosynthesis and growth processes, while also highlighting the beneficial effects of UV that promote the production of various pigments, including flavonoids and carotenoids, and enhance the stress tolerance of plants. Understanding these defense mechanisms is essential for sustainable plant health and ecosystem resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the content accuracy in the representation of causes of ozone layer depletion in children's books. The current study analyzed a total of nine trade books, storybooks and dual-purpose books about ozone layer depletion focused on a target audience of preschool and primary school-aged children in Greece. A qualitative content analysis of the texts was performed following the principles of inductive category development. Four main causes of ozone layer depletion were identified among seven texts of the children's books: (1) Exhaust gases and/or smoke emissions, (2) Chemicals, (3) Anthropogenic air pollution, and (4) The Greenhouse Effect. The results showed that the causes presented in the texts did not always conform with the scientific consensus view. Educators, authors, publishers, and parents could acknowledge such misrepresentations to improve the scientific accuracy of the content and turn children's books into learning opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) is a common adjuvant to general anaesthesia. It is also a potent greenhouse gas and causes ozone depletion. We sought to quantify the influence of N 2 O as an adjuvant to general anaesthesia on postoperative patient outcomes. We searched Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central for works published from inception to July 6, 2023. RCTs comparing general anaesthesia with or without N 2 O were included. Risk ratios (RRs) and standardised mean differences (SMDs) were calculated, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using a random-effects model. Outcomes were derived from the Standardised Endpoints for Perioperative Medicine (StEP) outcome set. Primary outcomes were mortality and organ-related morbidity, and secondary outcomes were anaesthetic and surgical morbidity. Of 3305 records, 179 full-text articles were assessed, and 71 RCTs, totalling 22 147 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. Addition of N 2 O to general anaesthesia did not influence postoperative mortality or most morbidity outcomes. N 2 O increased the incidence of atelectasis (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.12) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.40), and decreased intraoperative opioid consumption (SMD –0.19, 95% CI –0.35 to –0.04) and time to extubation (MD –2.17 min, 95% CI –3.32 to –1.03 min). N 2 O did not influence postoperative mortality or most morbidity outcomes. Considering the environmental effects of N 2 O, these findings confirm that current policy recommendations to limit its use do not affect patient safety. PROSPERO CRD42023443287. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Civil supersonic aviation may return in the near future. Their emissions have been found to lead to changes in the composition of the stratosphere, affecting the ozone layer and climate. To keep up with the rapid developments in supersonic aircraft technology and alternative fuels there is an increasing need for the development of surrogate modeling methods, which requires knowledge of the sensitivities to these emissions. We present a parametric study which evaluates the first‐ and second‐order sensitivities of the ozone column and radiative forcing (RF) to supersonic emissions across two flight corridors and three altitudes. For a given increase in global fuel burn, we find that the increase in emission of NOx ${\text{NO}}_{x}$ is the main driver of both the changes in the global ozone column and RF, the latter of which is linked through changes in the ozone distribution. Followed by the increase in the emission of SOx ${\text{SO}}_{x}$, which leads to O3 ${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ loss and has a cooling effect. The ozone column and climate are least sensitive to increases in H2O ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ emissions. We also show that interactions between NOx ${\text{NO}}_{x}$, SOx ${\text{SO}}_{x}$, and H2O ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ emissions lead to non‐linear behavior in the atmospheric response. The effect of these interactions can lead to < ${< } $5% differences in the ozone column impacts and up to 7.3% increases in RF. Our results demonstrate that the majority of second‐order sensitivities may be neglected in surrogate models for small errors, which could greatly simplify their development. Our results also indicate that reductions in flight altitude and fleetwide NOx ${\text{NO}}_{x}$ emissions may effectively reduce the environmental footprint of supersonic aviation emissions. Plain Language Summary: Supersonic civil aircraft may return in the next decade, and their emissions may cause long‐term changes to the climate and the ozone layer. To keep up with this rapidly developing sector we need fast surrogate models, which can be incorporated in design optimisation processes. In this work we evaluate how the ozone layer and climate respond to 26 different emission scenarios, to determine the sensitivity to common emission species and the location of emissions. We show that, for an increase in fuel burn, the ozone column and climate are most sensitive to the associated NOx ${\text{NO}}_{x}$ emissions, followed by SOx ${\text{SO}}_{x}$ and H2O ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$. We also show that when two emissions are increased simultaneously, interactions between them lead to a different response than if they were considered individually. These interactions change the ozone response by up to 5%, and the climate response by up to 7.3%. Often their effect is smaller, which implies that we could neglect them to simplify model development. Key Points: NOx emissions are the main driver of global ozone loss and the climate impact of supersonic emissionsSupersonic emissions above the Arabian sea have almost twice the ozone and radiative forcing (RF) impact of equivalent over the AtlanticSecond‐order interactions between NOx, SOx, and H2O emissions affect ozone depletion and RF, albeit at a small scale [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a review of advances made in evaporative cooling technologies, emphasizing their application in indoor thermal comfort. It highlights that the rising demand for cooling has primarily been met by conventional mechanical vapor compression systems. However, these systems face two significant issues: high electrical energy requirements and the use of refrigerants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which contribute to ozone layer depletion and global warming. The findings indicate that evaporative cooling technology is a promising alternative due to its low energy demand and potential to integrate renewable energy, therefore enhancing its environmental benefits. The study also details various evaporative cooling technologies, recent improvements in their performance, practical applications, challenges, and opportunities for providing indoor thermal comfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, available large ensemble datasets in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Phase 6 (CMIP6) archive were used to provide the first multi-variate overview of the evolution of extreme seasons over Antarctica and the Southern Ocean during the 20th and 21st centuries following medium-to-high radiative forcing scenarios. The results show significant differences between simulated changes in background mean climate and changes in low (10th percentile) and high (90th percentile) extreme seasons. Regional winter warming is most pronounced for cold extremes. In summer, there are more pronounced increases in high extremes in precipitation and westerly wind during the ozone hole formation period (late 20th century), affecting coastal regions and, in particular, the Antarctic Peninsula. At midlatitudes, there is a reduction in the range of summer season wind extremes. Suggested mechanisms for these differences are provided relating to sea ice retreat and westerly jet position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the contributions of different forcings to the temperature and atmospheric composition changes between 1980 and 2020, we exploited the chemistry-climate model (CCM) SOCOLv3. The study examined ozone content and atmospheric temperature response to (1) ozone-depleting substances; (2) greenhouse gas concentrations, ocean surface temperature, and sea ice coverage; (3) solar irradiance; and (4) stratospheric aerosol loading and, separately, (5) greenhouse gas concentrations, (6) ocean surface temperature and sea ice coverage, and (7) NOx surface emissions. To evaluate the impacts of specific factors, we performed model runs driven by each factor (1–7) variability as well as a reference experiment that accounted for the influence of all factors simultaneously. We identified the relative contribution of different factors to the evolution of the temperature and ozone content of the lower troposphere and stratosphere from 1980 to 2020. The model results were in good agreement with the reanalyses (MERRA2 and ERA5). We showed that stratospheric ozone depletion before the Montreal Protocol introduction and partial recovery after that were chiefly driven by ODS. Stratospheric aerosol from major volcanic eruptions caused only short-term (up to 5 years) ozone decline. Increased greenhouse gas emissions dominate the ongoing long-term stratospheric cooling as well as tropospheric and surface warming. Solar irradiance contributed to short-term fluctuations but had a minimal long-term impact. Furthermore, our analysis of the solar signal in the tropical stratosphere underscores the complex interplay of solar radiation with volcanic, oceanic, and atmospheric factors, revealing significant altitudinal distributions of temperature and ozone responses to solar activity. Our findings advocate further innovative methodologies to take into account the nonlinearity of the atmospheric processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of next-generation refrigerant fluids is preferred to improve the global environment's livability. In this context, the thermodynamic properties of R466A, a new-generation refrigerant with low ozone depletion potential and global warming potential, have been modelled using various methods. Linear regression, artificial neural network (ANN), and gene expression programming (GEP) models were used to predict R466A's temperature–pressure relationship in the saturated liquid–vapor phase and its enthalpy-entropy relationship in the superheated vapor phase. The models' performance was evaluated based on statistical parameters such as the determination coefficient (R2), mean absolute error, and root mean square error (RMSE), and compared with actual values. The research results indicate that the GEP model achieved the lowest RMSE values for predicting thermodynamic properties in the saturated vapor phase. On the other hand, ANN models were found to be more suitable for estimating properties in the superheated vapor phase. The R2 values for ANN models ranged from 0.999 to 0.986, whereas GEP models exhibited R2 values between 0.999 and 0.982. Despite slightly lower performance compared to some ANN models, GEP models employed explicit equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have suggested that injection of solid particles such as alumina and calcite particles for stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) instead of sulfur-based injections could reduce some of the adverse side effects of SAI such as ozone depletion and stratospheric heating. Here, we present a version of the global aerosol–chemistry–climate model SOCOL-AERv2 and the Earth system model (ESM) SOCOLv4 which incorporate a solid-particle microphysics scheme for assessment of SAI of solid particles. Microphysical interactions of the solid particle with the stratospheric sulfur cycle were interactively coupled to the heterogeneous chemistry scheme and the radiative transfer code (RTC) for the first time within an ESM. Therefore, the model allows simulation of heterogeneous chemistry at the particle surface as well as feedbacks between microphysics, chemistry, radiation and climate. We show that sulfur-based SAI results in a doubling of the stratospheric aerosol burden compared to the same mass injection rate of calcite and alumina particles with a radius of 240 nm. Most of the sulfuric acid aerosol mass resulting from SO2 injection does not need to be lifted to the stratosphere but is formed after in situ oxidation and subsequent water uptake in the stratosphere. Therefore, to achieve the same radiative forcing, larger injection rates are needed for calcite and alumina particle injection than for sulfur-based SAI. The stratospheric sulfur cycle would be significantly perturbed, with a reduction in stratospheric sulfuric acid burden by 53 %, when injecting 5 Mtyr-1 (megatons per year) of alumina or calcite particles of 240 nm radius. We show that alumina particles will acquire a sulfuric acid coating equivalent to about 10 nm thickness if the sulfuric acid is equally distributed over the whole available particle surface area in the lower stratosphere. However, due to the steep contact angle of sulfuric acid on alumina particles, the sulfuric acid coating would likely not cover the entire alumina surface, which would result in available surface for heterogeneous reactions other than the ones on sulfuric acid. When applying realistic uptake coefficients of 1.0, 10-5 and 10-4 for H2SO4 , HCl and HNO3 , respectively, the same scenario with injections of calcite particles results in 94 % of the particle mass remaining in the form of CaCO3. This likely keeps the optical properties of the calcite particles intact but could significantly alter the heterogeneous reactions occurring on the particle surfaces. The major process uncertainties of solid-particle SAI are (1) the solid-particle microphysics in the injection plume and degree of agglomeration of solid particles on the sub-ESM grid scale, (2) the scattering properties of the resulting agglomerates, (3) heterogeneous chemistry on the particle surface, and (4) aerosol–cloud interactions. These uncertainties can only be addressed with extensive, coordinated experimental and modelling research efforts. The model presented in this work offers a useful tool for sensitivity studies and incorporating new experimental results on SAI of solid particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serious concerns exist that the increasing frequency of fires may delay the recovery of ozone given increasing temperatures due to climate change. Australian bushfires from September 2019 to February 2020 were catastrophic. A random forest spatial-temporal (RF sp) analysis using satellite data to detect an association between Australian bushfires and stratosphere ozone on the local depletion of ozone in the vicinity of fires in three regions of Australia (Pacific Ocean, Victoria, NSW) has shown a significant reduction in ozone attributable to aerosols from fires. By intervention analysis, increases in aerosols in all three regions were shown to have a significant and ongoing impact 1–5 days later on reducing ozone (p < 0.0001). Intervention analysis also gave similar periods of aerosol exceedance to those found by Hidden Markov models (HMMs). HMMs established a significant and quantifiable decline in ozone due to bushfire-induced aerosols, with significant lags of 10–25 days between times of aerosol exceedance and subsequent ozone level decline in all three regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-service teachers’ (PTs) knowledge about climate change issues is essential to a greater willingness to act on environmental problems. However, existing studies have not addressed knowledge of ozone layer depletion (OLD) and climate change among Russian PTs. To address this gap in the literature, this study examined Russian PTs’ knowledge of OLD and climate change. The results showed that most participants correctly had scientific knowledge about OLD and climate change. However, the results also showed that participants had misunderstood and inaccurate knowledge about the relationship between acid rain and the ozone layer, the role of carbon dioxide in ozone depletion, the impact of acid on the greenhouse effect (GE), and the impact of the GE on ultraviolet radiation, skin cancer risk, and radioactive waste. Furthermore, the findings revealed no significant differences in gender and major areas in knowledge of OLD and climate change. The results also showed that the media and the Internet were the primary sources of participants and significant differences between major and non-major science participants’ knowledge sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industry is under pressure to adopt sustainable production methods because its contribution to global warming is expected to rise by 50% by 2030. One solution is to increase the use of recycled raw material. The use of recycled raw material must be considered holistically, including its environmental and economic impacts. This study examined eight scenarios for sustainable denim fabric made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber, conventional PET fiber, and cotton fiber. The evaluation based on the distance from average solution (EDAS) multicriteria decision‐making method was used to rank scenarios according to their environmental and economic impacts, which are assessed using life cycle assessment and life cycle costing. Allocation, a crucial part of evaluating the environmental impact of recycled products, was done using cut‐off and waste value. Life cycle assessments reveal that recycled PET fiber has lower freshwater ecotoxicity and fewer eutrophication and acidification impacts. Cotton outperformed PET fibers in human toxicity. Only the cut‐off method reduces potential global warming with recycled PET. These findings indicated that recycled raw‐material life cycle assessment requires allocation. Life cycle cost analysis revealed that conventional PET is less economically damaging than cotton and recycled PET. The scenarios were ranked by environmental and economic impacts using EDAS. This ranking demonstrated that sustainable denim fabric production must consider both economic and environmental impacts. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2347–2365. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: This study investigated denim fabrics produced using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber instead of virgin cotton and conventional PET fiber in eight scenarios.The life cycle cost (LCC), life cycle assessment (LCA), and evaluation based on distance from average solution methodologies were used to analyze, and a sensitivity analysis was performed to assess LCA uncertainty.Using recycled PET with the cut‐off method instead of cotton resulted in positive environmental outcomes across most categories, indicating a significant reduction in impacts such as global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, and ionizing radiation.Using recycled PET with the waste valuation method often leads to more negative outcomes than the cut‐off method, suggesting that the allocation method plays a crucial role in determining the environmental benefits of recycled materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas that is also responsible for significant stratospheric ozone depletion, have increased in response to the intensified use of agricultural fertilizers and other human activities that have accelerated nitrogen cycling processes. Microbial denitrification in soils and sediments is a major source of N2O, produced as an intermediate during the reduction of oxidized forms of nitrogen to dinitrogen gas (N2). Substrate availability (nitrate and organic matter) and environmental factors such as oxygen levels, temperature, moisture, and pH influence rates of denitrification and N2O production. Here we describe the role of physicochemical perturbation (defined here as a change from the ambient environmental conditions) in influencing rates of denitrification and N2O production. Changes in salinity, temperature, moisture, pH, and zinc in agricultural soils induced a short-term perturbation response characterized by lower rates of total denitrification and higher rates of net N2O production. The ratio of N2O to total denitrification (N2O : DNF) increased strongly with physicochemical perturbation. A salinity press experiment on tidal freshwater marsh soils revealed that increased N2O production was likely driven by transcriptional inhibition of the nitrous oxide reductase (nos) gene and that the microbial community adapted to altered salinity over a relatively short time frame (within 1 month). Perturbation appeared to confer resilience to subsequent disturbance, and denitrifiers from an environment without salinity fluctuations (tidal freshwater estuarine sediments) demonstrated a stronger N2O perturbation response than denitrifiers from environments with more variable salinity (oligohaline and mesohaline estuarine sediments), suggesting that the denitrifying community from physicochemically stable environments may have a stronger perturbation response. These findings provide a framework for improving our understanding of the dynamic nature of N2O production in soils and sediments, in which changes in physical and/or chemical conditions initiate a short-term perturbation response that promotes N2O production that moderates over time and with subsequent physicochemical perturbation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl bromide (CH3Br) is an important ozone-depleting substance whose use is regulated under the Montreal Protocol. Quantifying emissions on the national scale is required to assess compliance with the Montreal Protocol and thereby ensure the timely recovery of the ozone layer. However, the spatial-temporal patterns of China's national CH3Br emissions remain unclear. Here we estimate the national emissions of CH3Br in China during 2011−2020 using atmospheric observations at 10 sites across China combined with an inversion technique (top-down) and compare those with an updated inventory of identified emission sources (bottom-up). Measured CH3Br mole fractions are enhanced well above the background mole fractions, especially at sites in eastern China. Top-down emission estimates exceed bottom-up estimates by 5.5 ± 1.4 gigagrams per year, with the largest fraction (60%) of observationally derived CH3Br emissions arising from underestimated or unidentified emissions sources. This study shows the potential impacts of the unaccounted emissions on stratospheric ozone depletion, with implications for the Montreal Protocol. Methyl bromide (CH3Br) is an important ozone-depleting substance whose use is regulated under the Montreal Protocol. However, the spatial-temporal patterns of China's national CH3Br emissions remain unclear. Here, the authors find that China's top-down emission estimates exceed bottom-up estimates by 60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of alternative (electric and hydrogen) and conventional diesel buses in a large metropolitan area. The primary focus was on hydrogen derived from coke oven gas, a byproduct of the coking process, which is a crucial step in the steel production value chain. The functional unit was 1,000,000 km traveled over 15 years. LCA analysis using SimaPro v9.3 revealed significant environmental differences between the bus types. Hydrogen buses outperformed electric buses in all 11 environmental impact categories and in 5 of 11 categories compared to conventional diesel buses. The most substantial improvements for hydrogen buses were observed in ozone depletion (8.6% of diesel buses) and global warming (29.9% of diesel buses). As a bridge to a future dominated by green hydrogen, employing grey hydrogen from coke oven gas in buses provides a practical way to decrease environmental harm in regions abundant with this resource. This interim solution can significantly contribute to climate policy goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian Summer Monsoon (ASM) convection transports aerosols and their precursors from the boundary layer to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). This process forms an annually recurring aerosol layer near the tropopause. Recent observations have revealed a distinct property of the aerosol layer over the ASM region, it is nitrate‐rich. We present a newly implemented aerosol formation algorithm that enhances the representation of nitrate aerosol in the Community Aerosol and Radiation Model for Atmospheres (CARMA) coupled with the Community Earth System Model (CESM). The simulated aerosol chemical composition, as well as vertical distributions of aerosol size and mass, are evaluated using in situ and remote sensing observations. The simulated concentrations (ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate) and size distributions are generally within the error bars of data. We find nitrate, organics, and sulfate contribute significantly to the UTLS aerosol concentration between 15°–45°N and 0°–160°E. The two key formation mechanisms of nitrate‐containing aerosols in the ATAL are ammonium neutralization to form ammonium nitrate in regions where convection is active, and condensation of nitric acid in regions of cold temperature. Furthermore, including nitrate formation in the model doubles the surface area density in the tropical tropopause region between 15°–45°N and 0°–160°E, which alters the chlorine partitioning and subsequently impacts the rate of ozone depletion. Plain Language Summary: The Asian Summer Monsoon can efficiently transport pollutants into the upper troposphere and form a layer of aerosols called the Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer (ATAL). This research investigates the two key formation mechanisms for nitrate aerosol in the ATAL: one is due to cold temperature, and one is due to ammonium neutralization. The simulations are validated against in situ measurements. It also found that O3 chemistry inside ATAL is influenced by nitrate aerosol. Key Points: A new nitrate aerosol formation algorithm is implemented for the community model CARMA to represent the Asian Tropopause Aerosol LayerThe simulated aerosol size distributions and compositions are within error bars of observationsIncluding the new nitrate formation scheme doubles the simulated surface area, changing the chlorine partitioning and ozone depletion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is dedicated to the investigation of the relationship between the wave activity in February and temperature variations in the Arctic lower stratosphere in March. To study this relationship, the correlation coefficients (CCs) between the minimum temperature of the Arctic lower stratosphere in March (Tmin) and the amplitude of the planetary wave with zonal number 1 (PW1) in February were calculated. Tmin determines the conditions for the formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) following the chemical destruction of the ozone layer. The NCEP and ERA5 reanalysis data and the modern and future climate simulations of the Earth system models INM CM5 and SOCOLv4 were employed. It is shown that the maximum significant CC value between Tmin at 70 hPa in the polar region in March and the amplitude of the PW1 in February in the reanalysis data in the lower stratosphere is 0.67 at the pressure level of 200 hPa. The CCs calculated using the model data are characterized by maximum values of ~0.5, also near the same pressure level. Thus, it is demonstrated that the change in the planetary wave activity in the lower extratropical stratosphere in February can be one of the predictors of the Tmin. For further analysis of the dynamic structure in the lower stratosphere, composites of 10 seasons with the lowest and highest Tmin of the Arctic lower stratosphere in March were assembled. For these composites, differences in the vertical distribution and total ozone content, surface temperature, and residual meridional circulation (RMC) were considered, and features of the spatial distribution of wave activity fluxes were investigated. The obtained results may be useful for the development of forecasting of the Arctic winter stratosphere circulation, especially for the late winter season, when substantial ozone depletion occurs in some years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Environmental Trace Gases Monitoring Instrument (EMI) series are second-generation Chinese spectrometers on board the GaoFen-5 (GF-5) and DaQi-1 (DQ-1) satellites. In this study, a comparative analysis of EMI series data was conducted to determine the daily trend of ozone concentration changes owing to different transit times and to improve the overall quality and reliability of EMI series datasets. The daily EMI total ozone column (TOC) obtained using the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) method were compared to vertical column density (VCD) gathered by the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI). The results from October to November 2023 indicated a fine correlation (R = 0.98) between the daily EMI series data and a fine correlation (R ≥ 0.95) and spatial distribution closely resembling that of the TROPOMI TOCs. Furthermore, the EMI series data fusion results were highly correlated with TROPOMI TOCs (R = 0.99). Since the EMI series instruments had two different overpass times and the volume of available data at same pixel was increased by approximately three-fold, the temporal and spatial resolution was improved a lot. The results indicated that, compared to a single sensor, the EMI series DOAS TOCs generated more accurate and stable global TOC results and also enabled looking at the changes in the intraday TOCs. These outcomes highlight the potential of the EMI instruments for reliably monitoring the ozone variations in polar regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the efficiency and applicability of a HONO collection system that incorporates an ultrasonic nozzle and spray chamber for the measurement of ambient air. The system demonstrates (1) a remarkable efficiency of 97.7% across two serial stages, (2) lower detection limits of 0.15 ppbv for HONO, and (3) an absence of interference from NO2 or OH radicals. Practical ambient monitoring with the HONO collection system revealed typical diurnal variations in HONO, O3, and HNO3 concentrations, aligning with photolysis dynamics. Notably, HONO concentrations peaked at 0.37 ppb during nighttime and decreased to 0.27 ppb by midday. O3 demonstrated an inverse relationship with HONO, especially during ozone depletion phases, with r2 values of 0.94, 0.81, and 0.52 across various intervals. The HONO/NOx ratio during periods of enhanced HONO suggested the presence of additional formation mechanisms beyond heterogeneous NOx reactions. Moreover, ozone levels often fell below 20 ppb, indicating a consistent inverse correlation with HONO, thereby reaffirming further mechanisms of HONO formation beyond heterogeneous NOx reactions. The real-time atmospheric chemical reactions involving HONO, monitored concurrently with O3 and NOx, were effectively validated by the HONO collection system employed in this investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The upper atmosphere of polar regions exhibits two distinct patterns of energetic particle precipitation that can lead to ozone destruction by ionizing the atmosphere: one is the energetic proton precipitation in the polar cap region during solar proton events (SPEs), and the other is the energetic electron precipitations (EEPs) in the auroral oval region from the radiation belt. In this study, we conduct case studies and statistical analyses of ozone observations from the Aura satellite to present the quantitative difference in the impact patterns of SPEs and EEPs on polar mesospheric ozone. According to our statistical analysis of 13 SPEs and 19 EEPs during the MLS time frame, the magnitude of ozone depletion during SPEs is greater than during EEPs. The ozone depletion during SPEs is more pronounced at higher geomagnetic latitudes and negatively correlates with the proton flux, while during EEPs the ozone depletion is more in favor of the geomagnetic latitude band of 60–70° but independent of the electron count rates. In addition, hydroxyl enhancement also exhibits different patterns during SPEs and EEPs, similar to that of ozone depletion. This study further validates the physical link between the magnetosphere and atmosphere and promotes our understanding of the solar influence on Earth's climate. Plain Language Summary: The Earth's middle and upper atmosphere is continuously impacted by charged energetic particles from space. During periods of intense space weather, substantial amounts of protons and electrons are injected into different latitudes of the polar regions, leading to solar proton events (SPEs) and energetic electron precipitations (EEPs). These energetic particles can substantially affect atmospheric components, including hydroxyl and ozone. While previous research has demonstrated the influence of energetic particles on atmospheric components, the different impacts of SPEs and EEPs on ozone depletion and the latitudinal effects have not been thoroughly investigated in a quantitative approach. This study uses ozone measurements from the Aura satellite to conduct case studies and statistical analyses. Our findings indicate that the peak ozone depletion aligns with the precipitation latitudes of protons and electrons during both SPEs and EEPs. In addition, more energetic protons are associated with more severe ozone depletion. Our results suggest that during the selected events, SPEs exert a more significant influence on ozone than EEPs. This research validates the correlation between energetic particles and ozone and enhances our understanding of the solar influence on climate. Key Points: SPEs and EEPs exert distinct latitudinal effects on ozone depletionOzone depletion during SPEs negatively correlates with proton flux, while no significant correlation is found between ozone and ECRsHydroxyl enhancement during SPEs and EEPs presents similar differences in latitudinal distribution [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The international standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 do not specify a single method for the performance of life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). As a result, many different LCIA methods have been developed and the choice between them is not always obvious. Therefore, the main aim of this research is to systematically compare the most commonly used multi-impact LCIA methods worldwide to support practitioners in confronting the question of how the choice of LCIA method affects the LCA results. Methods: Four LCIA methods: ReCiPe 2016, ILCD 2011, CML-IA baseline and IMPACT 2002+ at the midpoint level were applied to compare the environmental profiles of the electricity consumption mix in the EU-27, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, taking into account the electricity consumption mix in individual countries. The results of the impact categories were converted into common metrics using unit conversion factors to allow the comparison of the results in absolute values across LCIA methods. Results and discussion: In the LCA study, four common LCIA methods were compared across 12 defined midpoint areas of impacts. Results were consistent for climate change and ozone depletion, with the exception of the ReCiPe 2016 method, and acidification and eutrophication, with the exception of the IMPACT 2002+ method. Significant disparities were noted for ozone formation/respiratory organics, particulate matter/respiratory inorganics ecotoxicity and water consumption. The rankings of environmental profiles remained largely consistent across LCIA methods, with only a few exceptions concerning the following midpoint areas of impacts: ozone formation/respiratory organics, ecotoxicity and resource scarcity (minerals). Contribution analysis highlighted the crucial role of only a few key substances in each area. Conclusions: The methodological choices during LCIA have significant implications for the characterisation results in absolute values, but lead, in most cases, to comparable conclusions on the ranking of environmental profiles of the electricity consumption mix in the EU-27, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. This results from large methodological discrepancies between LCIA methods, concerning, among others, the geographical differentiation (either the European or global context), the scope of the impact categories grouped into the same midpoint area of impacts (for instance eutrophication) and the contribution of specific environmental flows to a given result of the impact category. Consequently, the findings of this research underpin the importance of careful selection of the LCIA method and impact categories, following the goal and scope definition and unique attributes of each method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have received huge attention towards monitoring solar ultraviolet radiation due to ozone depletion caused by industrialization and urbanization. Ozone layer is a main significant constituent of the stratosphere and makes life possible on the earth's surface by absorbing the hazardous UV radiation. Adverse effects of UV radiations can be seen in different chemical and biological processes of plants and animals, it damages aquatic life, effects conservation and durability of materials and even human health and also shows its impact on global energy balance and climate change. Light-exposed tissues effected by photo oxidative stress causes and promotes diseases, including skin cancer, cataract and age-related macular degeneration. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation potentially damages the skin, the immune system and structures of the eye. Chronic UV exposure affects the cornea and lens, making effective UV protection crucial for all age groups. Monitoring of solar UV-B and UV-E radiations were performed by measuring the intensities of solar UV radiations using Kipps & Zonen radiometer sensors having spectral sensitivity. In this piece of work, three sites of Uttarakhand were selected for measurement of solar UVB and UV-E radiation and average summer peak of ultraviolet (ASPUV) and average winter peak ultraviolet (AWPUV) were calculated. Altitudinal, monthly and diurnal variations were observed and average summer and winter peak value were calculated. Natural solar UV-B level was minimum in January and maximum in months of June to September. It was found that the intensity of UV-B increases with increase in altitude and also sun's position, altitude, latitude, climate, pollution, dust and cloud affect the solar UV radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1989 Montreal Protocol that banned chlorofluorocarbons is probably the best example of international cooperation to resolve a common problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of March 2024 Arctic (63°N–90°N) total column ozone set a record high of 477 Dobson Units (DU) against the 1979–2023 satellite era time series. It was about 60 DU higher than average and 6 DU higher than the previous March 1979 471 DU record. Daily Arctic ozone was above average for every day in March 2024, and set record highs from 11–26 March 2024. Microwave Limb Sounder data show this record ozone anomaly was concentrated in the lower stratosphere (10–30 km). These record values developed over the 2023–2024 winter and can be associated with vertically propagating planetary‐scale wave events that caused significant stratospheric warmings. These wave events forced poleward and downward ozone advection into the lower stratosphere, leading to record column ozone levels. The above average levels persisted through August 2024 and across the northern hemisphere. Plain Language Summary: Man‐made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) depleted the Earth ozone layer. The 1987 Montreal Protocol curbed CFC growth, but because CFCs have multi‐decadal lifetimes, Arctic ozone is not expected to recover back to 1980 levels until ∼2045. Current high CFC levels combined with persistent and cold polar vortices led to severe Arctic ozone spring depletion in 1997, 2011, and 2020. Contrary to expectations, March 2024 Arctic ozone showed a record high level, dramatically contrasting against the severe depletion events. Meteorological and ozone profile information show that the exceptional 2024 ozone was mainly found in the lowermost Arctic stratosphere, in association with record high lowermost stratospheric temperatures. The ozone levels incrementally increased during the 2023–2024 winter because of large‐scale weather systems that propagated from the troposphere into the stratosphere. Collectively, these weather systems also were at a record level, moving higher ozone concentrations from the mid‐latitudes and upper stratospheric into the Arctic region. This record high ozone would likely have not occurred if CFC levels had not begun slowly declining in response to the Montreal Protocol. Given the absence of high Arctic ozone since the 1970s, the March 2024 record high should be considered a positive harbinger of the future Arctic ozone layer. Key Points: Arctic total column ozone in March 2024 set a record high for the 1979‐present periodPolar lower stratosphere temperatures also set a record high in March 2024 in the MERRA‐2 reanalysis dataA record amount of Rossby waves propagating upward from the troposphere caused the record total ozone and lower stratospheric temperature [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there has been a growing interest on the concept of Circular Economy (CE), its correlation with sustainability remains controversial. In this work, the combination of Statistical Entropy Analysis (SEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is proposed as a new methodology to evaluate recycling processes from the perspective of materials circularity and environmental impacts using a Li‐ion battery recycling process as a case study. This work addresses the need of quantitative circularity indicators, as SEA evaluates the concentration of materials at a systems level, while LCA measures the environmental impact of recycling processes in comparison with virgin raw materials production. It was found that process optimization points can be found by simultaneously accounting for materials recovery and the LCA categories of global warming potential, ozone depletion and mineral resource scarcity. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found for the first time between the recovery of critical elements and the environmental impact of raw materials production. The proposed methodology thus offers a robust analysis of a product lifecycle that aids in its design and optimization from the CE perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the sorption and residues of phosphine in fruits and vegetables relevant for export. Sorption patterns varied among the commodities: mango exhibited a constant sorption range of 10–12%, bitter gourd displayed a distinct pattern with peak sorption of 20% at 8 hours, and chilli demonstrated a higher range of sorption percentage, peaking at 60% at 8 hours. ANOVA (F (4,8) = 0.449, p = 0.771) and regression (F (1,11) = 0.851, p = 0.376) analysis revealed a non-significant relationship between the sorption percentage and exposure period. Residue analysis using Gas Chromatography with FPD detector revealed relatively low levels of phosphine residues in mango (0.009–0.01 µL/L), negligible traces in chilli samples, residues within the maximum residue limit (MRL) range for bitter gourd after 4–6 hours of aeration. Detecting phosphine residues within acceptable limits underscores the significance of post-fumigation protocols to meet stringent food safety standards, thereby safeguarding product integrity for global trade. Therefore, phosphine fumigation could serve as a viable alternative to methyl bromide fumigation for quarantine treatment of perishables as it doesn’t leave detectable toxic residues in produce following aeration and has no role in ozone depletion thus making it a more sustainable solution for international trade in fresh produce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of four acrylic acid production routes. Acrylic acid, an important industrial chemical, is currently produced using fossil fuel-based propylene but it can be sustainably produced from biodiesel derived glycerol through different pathways that involve intermediates such as acrolein, allyl alcohol, or lactic acid. Environmental impacts, including global warming potential, water footprint, acidification, eutrophication, ozone layer depletion, photochemical smog, and human toxicity, are evaluated. Glycerol-based processes exhibit significant environmental impacts mainly due to the energy-intensive production of epichlorohydrin-derived glycerol. The total potential global warming for glycerol-based processes having intermediates allyl alcohol, lactic acid and acrolein, was 1.67 × 105, 1.80 × 105 and 1.34 × 105 kg CO2 eq. FU-1 respectively, with epichlorohydrinderived glycerol, whilst this value was 0.552 × 105 kg CO2 eq. FU-1 for the propylene-based process. However, changing the source of glycerol to purified crude glycerol from the biodiesel industry results in a considerable reduction of the environmental impact. A sensitivity analysis using the two-factor interaction (2FI) model showed that the global warming potential varies from 0.676 × 105 to 1.45 × 105 kg CO2 eq. FU-1 depending on the purification method used to purify crude glycerol and the glycerol content in the crude glycerol. It showed that a vacuum distillation purification process with 50% glycerol content had the least global warming values. This assessment provides insights into environmental performance trade-offs, guiding efforts towards more sustainable acrylic acid production and emphasizing the potential of using by-products from other industries to enhance the sustainability in chemical production processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iodine and bromine play central roles in polar atmospheric chemistry: iodine influences the atmospheric oxidative capacity and can generate cloud condensation nuclei, while bromine participates in ozone depletion reactions, known as bromine explosions. Here we present a very sensitive analytical method for Br and I speciation by coupling the ion chromatography system (IC) with an inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SFMS). We achieved sub-picogram-per gram (pg g−1) as limits of detection (LODs) ranging from 0.4 pg g−1 for I−, 0.8 pg g−1 for IO3−, 4 pg g−1 for Br−, and 1 pg g−1 for BrO3−, respectively. These values represent a decrease of up to 30 times compared to the LODs reported in other studies. The method was validated using deep snow samples from the Svalbard Islands, collected at the end of the polar night to quantify various oxidized compounds during their seasonal minimum. In the future, this method could prove useful in the paleoclimatic study of ice cores and snow, as well as in ice chemistry research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stratospheric temperature perturbations (STPs) caused by for example, variations in stratospheric ozone, are an important driver of changes in tropospheric dynamics, particularly pertinent to the long‐term climatic evolution of the Southern Hemisphere. However, the impact of ocean feedbacks on this interaction has not been fully examined. To study it, positive STPs were applied in three otherwise identical, idealized model configurations –atmosphere‐only (A), atmosphere + slab‐ocean (AS), and fully‐coupled atmosphere‐ocean (AO)–and the resulting atmospheric changes compared. In the AO model, changes in the tropics (extratropics) experienced a poleward‐expansion (shift) and positive (negative) feedback after ∼100–200 years, whilst the AS model showed atmospheric and sea surface temperature changes that did not resemble those seen in the AO model. In the AO model, changes in tropical ocean heat content were responsible for the atmospheric changes, attributable to changes in the Ekman transport. These results indicate that full atmosphere‐ocean coupling should be accounted for when studying the long‐term (100+ years) tropospheric response to STPs in the Southern Hemisphere. Validation with higher‐resolution and more realistic models is necessary. Plain Language Summary: In recent decades, the Southern Hemisphere has seen significant climatic changes in response to stratospheric ozone depletion. It is important to understand what impact oceanic feedbacks might have on this response. To that end, experiments were performed, in which temperature perturbations were applied to the stratospheres of three otherwise identical atmospheric models–with/without oceans present–and their results compared. Ocean feedbacks were found to significantly amplify (weaken) and expand (shift) the atmospheric responses toward the poles in the tropics (extratropics) after about 100–200 years. This was caused by wind‐driven changes in sea surface temperatures in the tropics. These results underscore the importance of accounting for oceanic feedbacks when studying long‐term (100+ years) climatic changes, caused by stratospheric changes, in the Southern Hemisphere. However, further verification of these results with higher‐resolution and more realistic models will be necessary to ensure their applicability, and to better quantify their effects. Key Points: Ocean feedbacks significantly alter the atmospheric response to applied stratospheric temperature perturbations after 100–200+ yearsChanges in the tropical and midlatitude ocean heat content, driven by alterations to the Ekman transport, are responsible [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a new class of fourth-generation, zero ozone depletion potential, hydrofluoroolefin-based blowing agents were used to prepare phenolic foam. While hydrofluoroolefin blowing agents have been used previously to prepare polyurethane foams, few studies have been reported on their use in phenolic foams. We introduce an effective method for foam preparation using two low-boiling blowing agents, cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene, and their combinations with hexane. Traditionally, phenolic foams have been prepared using chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which can have harmful effects on the environment due to their high ozone depletion potential or global warming potential. Conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS) modeling studies were performed to understand the effects of different blowing agent combinations on their boiling points. A series of phenolic foams were prepared by varying the concentration of the hydrofluoroolefin and the hydrofluoroolefin–hexane blowing agent combinations. The concentrations of the surfactant, Agnique CSO 30, and the toughening agent, polyethylene glycol, were also varied to yield a formulation with the optimal properties. The foams formulated with the hydrofluoroolefin–hexane mixture displayed a higher compressive strength and a lower thermal conductivity than those prepared with either hydrofluoroolefin or hexane alone. The cell microstructure of all the foams was examined using scanning electron microscopy. By introducing flexible chains into the resin matrix, PEG facilitates proper distribution of hydrofluoroolefin–hexane blowing agents and other reagents and thereby increases the mechanical strength of the foam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ozone layer is often noted to exhibit self-healing, whereby depletion of ozone aloft induces ozone increases below, explained as resulting from enhanced ozone production due to the associated increase in ultraviolet (UV) radiation below. Similarly, ozone enhancement aloft can reduce ozone below (reverse self-healing). This paper considers self-healing and reverse self-healing to manifest a general mechanism we call photochemical adjustment, whereby ozone perturbations lead to a downward cascade of anomalies in UV and ozone. Conventional explanations for self-healing imply that photochemical adjustment is stabilizing, damping perturbations towards the surface. However, photochemical adjustment can be destabilizing if the enhanced UV disproportionately increases the ozone sink, as can occur if the enhanced UV photolyzes ozone to produce atomic oxygen, which speeds up catalytic destruction of ozone. We analyze photochemical adjustment in two linear ozone models (Cariolle v2.9 and LINOZ), finding that (1) photochemical adjustment is destabilizing above 40 km in the tropical stratosphere and (2) self-healing often represents only a small fraction of the total photochemical stabilization. The destabilizing regime above 40 km is reproduced in a much simpler model: the Chapman cycle augmented with destruction of O and O 3 by generalized catalytic cycles and transport (the Chapman+2 model). The Chapman+2 model reveals that photochemical destabilization occurs where the ozone sink is more sensitive than the source to perturbations in overhead column ozone, which is found to occur when the window of overlapping absorption by O 2 and O 3 is optically unsaturated, i.e., when overhead slant column ozone is below approximately 10 18 molec. cm -2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lichens are important components of high‐latitude boreal and Arctic habitats. While stress tolerant, they are among the most sensitive ecosystem components to climate change, in particular, an increase in ultraviolet light (UV) arising from polar ozone depletion and deforestation. This study is the first to explore the effects of UV‐B on gene expression in lichens to predict metabolic pathways involved in tolerance. Using transcriptome profiling and bioinformatic analyses, here we studied the effects of UV‐B on gene expression in lichens using Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoff. as a model species. UV‐B exposure causes significant browning of the upper cortex of the thallus, which correlates to an increased expression of biosynthetic gene clusters involved in the synthesis of eu‐ and allomelanins and melanin precursors. Based on transcriptome analyses, we suggest that the biosynthesis of melanins and other secondary metabolites, such as naphthalene derivates, tropolones, anthraquinones, and xanthones, is a trade‐off that lichens pay to protect essential metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. Expression profiles of general stress‐associated genes, in particular, related to reactive oxygen species scavenging, protection of proteins, and DNA repair, clearly indicate that the mycobiont is the more UV‐B‐responsive and susceptible partner in lichen symbiosis. Our findings demonstrate that UV‐B stress activates an intricate gene network involved in tolerance mechanisms of lichen symbionts. Knowledge obtained here may enable the prediction of likely effects on lichen biodiversity caused by climate change and pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UV-B radiation is becoming a bigger threat to plants as a result of the ozone layer's depletion. As an alpine plant, Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. (R. chrysanthum) may grow regularly under UV-B radiation throughout its lengthy acclimatization period, although the mechanism of acclimatization is still poorly understood. The current investigation uncovered a number of adaptation strategies that R. chrysanthum has developed in reaction to UV-B rays. UV-B radiation impeded photosynthesis and damaged the photosystem, according to OJIP testing. Through transcriptomics and proteomics analyses, this study found that the differential proteins and differential genes of R. chrysanthum were significantly enriched in glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle pathways after UV-B treatment. The metabolomics results showed that a total of eight differential metabolites were detected in the glycolytic and TCA cycle pathways, and the changes in the expression of these metabolites reflected the final outcome of gene regulation in the glycolytic and TCA cycle pathways. The combined experimental results demonstrated that R. chrysanthum's photosynthetic system was impacted by UV-B stress and, concurrently, the plant activated an adaptation mechanism in response to the stress. To maintain its energy supply for growth, R. chrysanthum adapts to UV-B stress by adjusting the expression of the relevant proteins, genes, and metabolites in the glycolytic and TCA cycling pathways. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the changes in the carbon metabolism of R. chrysanthum under UV-B stress and its mechanisms for UV-B resistance, and provides an important theoretical basis for the study of enhancing plant resistance to stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zusammenfassung: Unser Beitrag ist ein theoretischer Artikel, der die Bildung im Anthropozän durch die Brille einer kritischen Pädagogik betrachtet. Die Diskussion stützt sich vor allem auf Philosophie und Anthropologie, greift aber auch auf zahlreiche Konzepte der Erziehungswissenschaften und der Bildung zurück. Wir beginnen mit einer Beschreibung des globalen Systemphänomens Anthropozän und der Gefahr plötzlicher irreversibler Veränderungen, die die Fähigkeit des Menschen, in einer Gesellschaft zu leben, gefährden würden, wenn bestimmte Kipppunkte überschritten werden. Es wird gezeigt, dass die Menschheit und insbesondere die Pädagog_innen angesichts der anstehenden Probleme vor einer großen Herausforderung stehen, aber auch angesichts der Tatsache, dass der politische und soziale Wandel nur sehr langsam vonstatten geht, obwohl wir uns der Situation durchaus bewusst sind. Es gilt also, spezifische Formen der Entfremdung zu berücksichtigen, die über das Problem der Unwissenheit hinausgehen, das seit der Zeit der Aufklärung angeklagt wird. Unter diesem Gesichtspunkt mag es schließlich angebracht sein, eine Pädagogik der Befreiung, wie die von Paulo Freire, zu unterstützen, da sie den Wunsch nach individueller und politischer Emanzipation – d.h. die verschiedenen Ebenen, die im Zusammenhang mit dem Phänomen des Anthropozäns eine Rolle spielen – klar zum Ausdruck bringt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, organic Rankine cycle (ORC) combined with geothermal energy applied for distributed generation (DG) was developed to resolve the problem in Indonesia, especially for remote areas. High investment cost for building traditional power plant in remote areas is a big problem. To increase the utilization of renewable energies, geothermal energy is a great heat source and able to be chosen for resolving energy shortage in Indonesia, in which the useful range of heat source temperature for ORC is between 110 and 180 °C on predictions in this work. The potential energy calculated in Mataloko-02, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, for geothermal was 11,795.57 kW. The predictions of net power generation, net thermal efficiency and exergy were carried out with various heat source temperatures with different working fluids, which were R245fa, R1233zde, R1224ydz, Novec649, R1336mzzz, R1234zez, R141b and Butane. The result showed that R141b has a good performance with the highest net thermal efficiency and exergy. The highest net power generation achieved by using Butane. According to environmental consideration, R141b had high values of Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) compared with other working fluids selected. Based on predictions, R1233zde and R1224ydz presented as potential working fluids to replace the R141b with the best performance in ORC system. In addition, there is an idea proposed to combined ORC and DG to resolve the problem facing of sustainability electricity development and decrease the high investment cost on grid power supply and power losses for the remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) play a crucial role in ozone depletion in the polar stratosphere. In this study, the space-based PSCs record from CALISPO and an offline three-dimensional chemical transport model (SLIMCAT) are used to analyze the PSCs in the Arctic and the Antarctic for the period 2006−2021. Observations indicate that the seasonal evolution of the Antarctic PSC area is similar from year to year. In contrast, the Arctic PSCs show large differences in seasonal variations of coverage and duration in different years. The SLIMCAT simulations effectively capture the seasonal and interannual variations of PSCs. However, the simulated PSC areas are larger than CALIPSO observations, which can be attributed to the relatively high instrumental detection threshold of CALIPSO. SLIMCAT can capture the zonal asymmetry of PSCs in both the Antarctic and Arctic, and it can reproduce a more accurate spatial distribution of PSCs when the PSC coverage area is larger. In addition, accurate simulation of HNO3 is important for PSC simulation. Because the simulation of denitrification processes is poor in SLIMCAT, which uses the thermodynamic equilibrium PSC scheme, the PSCs modeled by SLIMCAT are located at higher altitudes compared to the observation in the Antarctic, where the denitrification processes are strong. In contrast, for ice PSCs of which HNO3 is not required in calculations and the Arctic where denitrification is weak, the simulated PSC at different altitudes closely matches the observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO2 conversion is gradually seen as a better way for society to effectively use carbon sources and avoid climate crisis associated with fossil CO2 emissions. And the decision to deploy CO2 technology scale should be relied on its environmental impact. In this work, life cycle assessment model evaluates the environmental performance of CO2 conversion by photocatalytic reaction process with two different catalysts (NiAl-LDH and Co-ZIF-9). Six impact categories considered in this analysis, including climate change, acidification potential, depletion of abiotic resources, eutrophication potential, ozone layer depletion potential, and photochemical oxidation potential. Results indicated that CO2 conversion with Co-ZIF-9 photocatalyst has a better environmental impact than the NiAl-LDH photocatalyst route. Moreover, the Co-ZIF-9 catalyst scenario also has a lower total environmental burden than the conventional CO production route. Sensitivity analysis shows that recycle performance of the catalyst is highly sensitive to the production process in two scenarios. This study could provide a framework for robust decisions in CO2 conversion by photocatalytic reaction, which is useful for policymakers to decide the feasibility of industrialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable airport buildings aim to minimize environmental impacts through energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. This is achieved by employing green building materials and utilizing renewable energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint. In this study, life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to assess the environmental impacts of three main construction materials—concrete, steel, and wood—used in sustainable airport buildings. These materials were selected for their widespread use in eight different airport terminal buildings with sustainability certifications. The environmental impacts of these materials were calculated and compared using OpenLCA 1.9.0 software and the ECOinvent database, adhering to the standards set forth by the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) initiative. The findings indicate that wood, as a construction material, has a significantly lower impact on global warming compared to steel and concrete, with a global warming potential (GWP) ratio of less than 60%. Steel, with a GWP of approximately 90% of that of concrete, also showed a lower impact than concrete. Additionally, other environmental impacts, such as stratospheric ozone depletion potential (ODP) and acidification potential (AP), were also examined, highlighting the trade-offs associated with each material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a global threat to the environment and human health. Two of the main greenhouse gases that cause the greenhouse effect and raise global temperatures are carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. In this review paper, we investigated the effects of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides on climate change and the effects of climate change on Afghanistan. We found that high concentrations of carbon dioxide, which is now CO2 levels, have increased by 50% than before the Industrial Revolution, contributing to a rise in global temperature and precipitation. At the same time, Nitrous oxide is an important greenhouse gas, with 310-fold higher potential for global warming than CO2 and leads to the depletion of stratospheric Ozone and other Nitrogen oxides, has a significant impact on plant health, including effects on chlorophyll levels, oxidative stress, and antioxidant responses. Afghanistan's climate change is predicted to increase the country's prevalence of illnesses linked to dust storms and poor air quality, especially in Kabul, the nation's capital. In addition, air pollution in Kabul is also likely to increase as a result of climate change. The alarming impacts of air pollution, with more than 3,000 deaths attributed to air pollution annually. Additionally, at least 700,000 individuals in Kabul have experienced various respiratory diseases. Due to climate change, Afghanistan's total glacier area has shrunk by 13.8%. In 2023, Afghanistan experienced early snow melt and below-average precipitation, causing second-season and irrigated crops to have less access to water. Reducing emissions and coping with the changing climate are essential steps towards tackling the complex issues these gases present and their wider effects on the environment and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood is considered a promising raw material for the circular bioeconomy and has the ability to store biogenic carbon, and this is one reason why we want to extend the service life of the wood. In order to consider the influence of durability in our study, we used two wood species with different lifespans. Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) belongs to the group of very sensitive wood species, as the durability of the untreated wood is estimated to be around 5 years; meanwhile, pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) belongs to the group of moderately resistant wood species, where the durability of the untreated wood is estimated to be up to 15 years. While toxic chemicals are often used for wood preservation, hydroxyapatite offers an environmentally friendly solution for wood mineralization. This study presents life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analyses comparing a novel hydroxyapatite (HAp) mineralization method with a service life of 50 years to a non-mineralized reference alternative. LCA was based on EN ISO 14040 and EN ISO 14044, while LCC was adapted from the European Commission's LCC tool for public procurement. The results of the LCA show that mineralized wood has a lower overall impact on the environment than surface-treated beech wood but a higher impact than surface-treated pine wood. Most impact categories were determined by electricity consumption with the exception of stratospheric ozone depletion, water consumption, and land use. Water consumption proved to be the category where the mineralization process was problematic due to water consumption during the leaching process. The LCC showed that mineralized wood is the most cost-effective solution for the exterior façade, as all costs, but especially investment costs, were lower. The differences in the LCA and LCC results are mainly due to the different lifetimes of the two alternatives. It can be concluded that if energy-intensive processes and chemicals are used in the production of the material, the extended lifetime must be sufficient to account for the additional impacts that occur during the production phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The recycling of lithium-ion batteries is an emerging field faced with the challenge of recovering more than the most valuable elements from the batteries. While the literature presents many innovative approaches to the problem, an overview of the technical and environmental prospects of hydrometallurgical black mass recycling remains crucial. The goal was to analyze the impacts of a black mass process flowsheet and suggest ways to further reduce the impacts of battery recycling. Methods: The flowsheet was drafted from the literature by combining both state-of-the-art and experimentally demonstrated unit processes by starting with the leaching system, where reductive leaching is performed using only the copper and iron impurities already present in the black mass. The process targeted copper, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and lithium recovery, and three scenarios for manganese recovery were investigated. The flowsheet was simulated using HSC Sim software, and the mass and energy balances were adapted into internally consistent life cycle inventories. The scope was "gate-to-gate" in Europe and CML methodology was used for impact assessment. Results and discussion: Assuming that mechanical pre-treatment carries more environmental benefits than burdens, the results indicated that hydrometallurgical black mass recycling had a tentatively lower environmental footprint compared to virgin raw materials in all impact categories except ozone depletion, the results indicated that hydrometallurgical black mass recycling had a tentatively lower environmental footprint compared to virgin raw materials in all impact categories except ozone depletion. Sulfuric acid and neutralizing chemicals were among the most significant contributors to the impacts, and therefore further analysis was conducted based on an experimental study on low acid leaching with a low (< 0.5 M) initial sulfuric acid concentration instead of the baseline 2 M. This reduced the impacts by approximately 30–40% in all categories by decreasing downstream chemical consumption, and more significantly decreased ozone depletion. The challenges and opportunities for further process improvement were also considered. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of process optimization to improve the environmental sustainability of battery chemical production, but also revealed critical research gaps in the experimental literature. Rather than focusing on a single unit process, experimental black mass recycling research should aim at finding solutions that are optimal for the up- and downstream units, such as minimization of aluminum in the black mass and acid consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of planetary health examines the impact of human actions on the Earth's ecosystems and human health. It recognizes that human behaviors and systems are interconnected with environmental factors and that addressing environmental degradation is crucial for human well-being. Planetary health research reveals the extensive health effects of humanity's environmental footprint, including the spread of infectious diseases, the impact on mental health, and the risks of food and water scarcity. There is a moral imperative to prioritize sustainability and justice, as the poorest nations are most vulnerable to the planetary health crisis. Practical actions to promote planetary health include disseminating information to the public, engaging with influencers and communities, implementing policy changes, and investing in research and education. The planetary health movement calls for a transition towards sustainable practices and a holistic approach to address the environmental and health crises. [Extracted from the article]

We use measurements of trace gases from the Microwave Limb Sounder and polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) from the Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization to investigate how the extraordinary stratospheric water vapor enhancement from the 2022 Hunga eruption affected polar processing during the 2023 Antarctic winter. Although the dynamical characteristics of the vortex itself were generally unexceptional, the excess moisture initially raised PSC formation threshold temperatures above typical values. Cold conditions, especially in early July, prompted ice PSC formation and unusually severe irreversible dehydration at higher levels (500–700 K), while atypical hydration occurred at lower levels (380–460 K). Heterogeneous chemical processing was more extensive, both vertically (up to 750–800 K) and temporally (earlier in the season), than in prior Antarctic winters. The resultant HCl depletion and ClO enhancement redefined their previously observed ranges at and above 600 K. Albeit unmatched in the satellite record, the early‐winter upper‐level chlorine activation was insufficient to induce substantial ozone loss. Chlorine activation, denitrification, and dehydration processes ran to completion by July/August, with trace gas evolution mostly following the climatological mean thereafter, but with chlorine deactivation starting slightly later than usual. While cumulative ozone losses at 410–550 K were relatively large, probably because of the delayed chlorine deactivation, they were not unprecedented. Thus, ozone depletion was unremarkable throughout the lower stratosphere. Although Hunga enhanced PSC formation and chemical processing in early winter, saturation of lower stratospheric denitrification, dehydration, and chlorine activation (as is typical in the Antarctic) prevented an exceptionally severe ozone hole in 2023. Plain Language Summary: The 2022 eruption of the Hunga volcano produced an increase in stratospheric water vapor unmatched in the satellite record. Excess moisture pervaded the Antarctic stratosphere at the beginning of the 2023 Southern Hemisphere winter. Cold moist conditions prompted formation of ice clouds in the Antarctic stratosphere at higher altitudes than usual. Falling ice particles caused unusually severe permanent removal of water vapor from these levels and deposited it at lower altitudes. Chemical processing on polar stratospheric cloud particles occurred both earlier in the season and over a broader vertical domain than typical, resulting in exceptional early‐winter upper‐level conversion of chlorine from nonreactive into ozone‐destroying forms. Chemical processing ran its course by midwinter (i.e., July/August), with trace gases, including ozone, mostly following average behavior thereafter. Deactivation (reconversion of chlorine into nonreactive forms) started slightly later than in most years. While cumulative seasonal ozone losses were relatively large at some levels, probably because of the delayed chlorine deactivation, they were not unprecedented. Thus, although Hunga accelerated and expanded the vertical extent of chemical processing in early winter, that chemical processing reached completion as usually happens in Antarctic midwinter, preventing an extraordinarily severe ozone hole in 2023. Key Points: Hydration from Hunga led to unusually early and vertically extensive polar stratospheric cloud activity in the 2023 Antarctic vortexAs a result, heterogeneous chlorine activation occurred weeks earlier and at higher altitudes and dehydration removed more H2O than typicalDespite exceptional early‐winter conditions, cumulative ozone losses were unremarkable because stratospheric chemical processing saturated [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]