Search Results (45)

This study conducts a detailed and systematic Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of demineralized (DEMI) water production at the Al-Hilla Second Gas Power Plant in Iraq, employing the Open LCA-ReCiPe 8 Midpoint (H) method to evaluate potential environmental impacts across 18 midpoint categories. The analysis focuses on the production of 1 cubic meter of high-purity water, offering a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental burdens associated with chemical usage, energy consumption, and resource depletion. The results indicate that terrestrial ecotoxicity is the most dominant impact category (20.383 kg 1,4-DCB-eq), largely driven by the extensive use of treatment chemicals such as coagulants, disinfectants, and antiscalants. Climate change follows as the second highest impact category (3.496 kg CO₂-eq), primarily due to significant electricity consumption during energy-intensive stages, particularly reverse osmosis (RO) and electro-deionization (EDI). These stages also contribute notably to fossil resource depletion (1.097 kg oil-eq) and particulate matter formation, reflecting the heavy reliance on fossil fuel-based energy in the region. Additional environmental concerns identified include human toxicity (both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic), freshwater and marine ecotoxicity, and metal/mineral resource depletion, all of which underscore the need for improved chemical and material management throughout the treatment process. While impacts from categories such as ozone layer depletion, ionizing radiation, and eutrophication are relatively low, their cumulative effect over time remains a concern for long-term sustainability. The energy assessment reveals that the RO and EDI units alone account for over 70% of the total energy consumption, estimated at 3.143 kWh/m³. This research provides insights into minimizing environmental burdens in water treatment systems, especially in regions facing energy and water stress. Full article

Modern agriculture relies heavily on the use of pesticides, with one-third of them being herbicides. Chloroacetamides are the most widely used herbicides because of their high effectiveness, but their extensive use poses environmental challenges and threatens the health of living organisms due to toxicity risks. Since the pharmacokinetic behavior and toxicity of a compound are influenced by its lipophilicity, this essential physicochemical parameter for disubstituted chloroacetamides was determined in silico and experimentally through thin-layer chromatography on reversed phases (RPTLC C18/UV254s) in mixtures of water and distinct organic modifiers. The pharmacokinetic profile of chloroacetamides was analyzed by using the BOILED-Egg model. The correlation between the obtained chromatographic parameters and software-based lipophilicity, pharmacokinetic, and ecotoxicity predictors of the studied chloroacetamides was assessed by using linear regression, but more comprehensive insight was obtained through multivariate methods—Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis. It was observed that the total number of carbon atoms in the structure of their molecules, along with the type of hydrocarbon substituents, are the most important factors affecting lipophilicity, pharmacokinetics, and potential toxicity to non-target organisms. Full article

Iopamidol (IPM), as a typical recalcitrant emerging pollutant and precursor of iodinated disinfection by-products (I-DBPs), is unsuccessfully removed by conventional wastewater treatment processes. This study comprehensively evaluated the ozone/peracetic acid (O₃/PAA) process for IPM degradation, focusing on degradation kinetics, environmental impacts, transformation products, ecotoxicity, disinfection byproducts (DBPs), and microbial inactivation. The O₃/PAA system synergistically activates PAA via O₃ to generate hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) and organic radicals (CH₃COO^• and CH₃CO(O)O^•), achieving an IPM degradation rate constant of 0.10 min⁻¹, which was significantly higher than individual O₃ or PAA treatments. The degradation efficiency of IPM in the O₃/PAA system exhibited a positive correlation with solution pH, achieving a maximum degradation rate constant of 0.23 min⁻¹ under alkaline conditions (pH 9.0). Furthermore, the process demonstrated strong resistance to interference from coexisting anions, maintaining robust IPM removal efficiency in the presence of common aqueous matrix constituents. Furthermore, quenching experiments revealed ^•OH dominated IPM degradation in O₃/PAA system, while the direct oxidation by O₃ and R-O^• played secondary roles. Additionally, based on transformation products (TPs) identification and ECOSAR predictions, the primary degradation pathways were elucidated and the potential ecotoxicity of TPs was systematically assessed. DBPs analysis after chlorination revealed that the O₃/PAA (2.5:3) system achieved the lowest total DBPs concentration (99.88 μg/L), representing a 71.5% reduction compared to PAA alone. Amongst, dichloroacetamide (DCAM) dominated the DBPs profile, comprising > 60% of total species. Furthermore, the O₃/PAA process achieved rapid 5–6 log reductions of E. coli. and S. aureus within 3 min. These results highlight the dual advantages of O₃/PAA in effective disinfection and byproduct control, supporting its application in sustainable wastewater treatment. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of seismic resilience and sustainability between steel and reinforced concrete structures. With growing demand for environmentally responsible and disaster-resilient infrastructure, evaluating the life cycle performance of construction materials has become critical. Three building typologies—10-, 20-, and 30-story residential structures—are analyzed using a life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle costing (LCC), and incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) to assess environmental, economic, and seismic performance. The results reveal that reinforced concrete structures tend to exert greater environmental impacts, particularly in categories such as carcinogenic emissions, ecotoxicity, and acidification, primarily due to cement production. Steel structures, while associated with higher energy consumption and mineral resource depletion, demonstrated superior seismic performance across all building heights, characterized by a greater level of ductility and collapse capacity. For instance, the 30-story reinforced concrete structure generated approximately 6.93 million kg CO₂ eq, compared to 6.79 million kg CO₂ eq for its steel counterpart. Steel structures, while associated with higher energy consumption and mineral resource depletion, demonstrated superior seismic performance across all building heights, sustaining up to a 15% greater spectral acceleration before collapse. Additionally, the LCC analysis showed that reinforced concrete is more cost-effective in high-rise construction, especially during the construction stage. These findings offer valuable insights for engineers and decision makers aiming to balance sustainability and structural performance in urban development. Full article

Nanotechnology is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in agriculture, offering innovative solutions to support sustainable crop production. This review examines the interactions between nanoparticles (NPs) and plants, elucidating the underlying mechanisms that govern NP uptake, translocation, and interactions at the cellular level. We explore how NPs influence key physiological processes and modulate plant defense responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses, highlighting their potential for enhancing stress resistance. The diverse applications of NPs in agriculture are also comprehensively surveyed, encompassing targeted delivery of nutrients, enhanced biocontrol of phytopathogens, and engineering improved tolerance to environmental extremes. We also address the broader environmental and socioeconomic implications of the widespread use of NPs in agriculture, critically evaluating their ecotoxicity, impacts on biodiversity, and the associated economic costs and benefits. Finally, we offer a perspective on future directions for research, including emerging trends in NPs synthesis and characterization, challenges to sustainable implementation, and the prospects for large-scale deployment of nanotechnology-enabled agricultural solutions. This review provides a rigorous and balanced assessment of the potential of nanotechnology to revolutionize agricultural practices while acknowledging the need for responsible innovation and risk mitigation. Full article

Microbial remediation is an eco-friendly and cost-effective method for treating organic-contaminated soil, essential for sustainable land use due to its minimal secondary pollution and operational simplicity. However, during the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the formation of polar or toxic intermediate metabolites can lead to unpredictable ecotoxicological impacts. In this study, we investigated the effects of the microbial remediation of organic-contaminated soils on wheat seedling growth and physiology, and evaluated soil ecotoxicity throughout the remediation process. The results showed that the concentrations of benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) decreased by 70.4% and 49.9%, respectively, following microbial degradation, with the degradation process following a second-order kinetic model. Despite the reduction in pollutants, soil toxicity increased from days 10 to 20, peaked on day 20, and then gradually decreased, but it remained elevated throughout the remediation process. Increased ecotoxicity inhibited wheat seed germination, seedling growth, and chlorophyll content, induced oxidative stress, and suppressed soil enzyme activity. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified toxic intermediate metabolites as the primary contributors to enhanced ecotoxicity. Wheat seed germination potential, plant height, root length, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in roots can effectively indicate soil ecotoxicity throughout the microbial remediation process. These parameters facilitate the optimization of remediation strategies to ensure restored soil functionality and long-term ecological sustainability. Full article

Although the coking industry is a major polluter, it is still an important and irreplaceable industry in many countries. Wastewater from the coking industry typically contains large amounts of various hazardous substances, including phenols, cyanides, and thiocyanates; we conducted a comprehensive study on their ecotoxicity. This included five different toxicity tests with common species from different trophic levels: the bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri and Pseudomonas putida, the microalgae Chlorella sp., the duckweed Lemna minor, and the onion plant Allium cepa. These tests have rarely or never been used for these three toxicants. The results show that cyanide generally has the highest toxicity, while phenol has a relatively equal or higher toxicity than thiocyanate, depending on the test. Since no data on the joint toxic action of these three toxicants can be found in the literature, and although their joint occurrence in the aquatic environment is very likely, we performed joint toxic action analysis. The analysis was performed for binary and ternary mixtures of the toxicants using the Aliivibrio fischeri test. The concentration addition model was used as a reference model for the toxic behavior of these mixtures. The results obtained showed a synergistic deviation from the concentration addition model for combinations of phenol with cyanide and with thiocyanate, while the combination of cyanide and thiocyanate led to additive toxic behavior. Full article

TiO₂ nanoparticles are found as pigments in coatings and paints and are, therefore, released into the environment through runoff. To assess their environmental impact, comprehensive fate and ecotoxicity studies necessitate particles closely resembling those released into the environment. In response, we developed a method designed to isolate TiO₂ particles from commercial paints. Using six contrasting paints alongside a pure TiO₂ pigment, we evaluated two extraction methods in terms of recovery, purification rate, and preservation of both inorganic and organic particle coatings. The paints and extracts were characterized using cryogenic-TEM, ICP-OES, thermogravimetry, and infrared spectroscopy. In contrast to the alkaline-based extraction method, the extraction with acetic acid facilitated the retention of both inorganic and organic coatings and ensured good removal of organic polymers. Recovery rates exceeded 70% for all paints and extraction methods, yet the complete removal of SiO₂, when present, was not achieved. CaCO₃ removal was effective with both extraction methods. Our developed extraction method enables the isolation of TiO₂-particles similar to those aged within paints. However, we recommend using silicate-free paints when SiO₂ interference is of concern for the study design. Furthermore, this method could be interesting for pigment recycling, offering a gentler alternative to existing techniques which compromise particle coatings. Full article

The study of ecotoxicity induced by vanadium (V) represents an area of increasing interest due to the growing use of V in both the industrial and pharmaceutical areas. This leads to its introduction into water environments, marking a developing problem, especially since rising global temperatures appear to intensify its toxic properties. Cytotoxicological approaches carried out on whole marine embryos represent a valid research tool since they grow directly in contact with the pollutants and are equipped with highly responsive cells to stressors. Here, we discuss the detrimental impact on Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryos resulting from the combination of V and higher temperatures, reflecting the effects of climate variation. The results demonstrate the remodeling of embryonic architecture at the morphometric level, revealing developmental delays and anomalies. These malformations involve variations in the total skeletal mass due to the almost total absence of the skeleton, with the exception of small calcareous aggregates. Furthermore, both a modulation in total tissue remodeling enzymatic activities and a variation in the amount of three MMP-like gelatinases (MMP-2, -9, and -14) were observed. This research demonstrates that climate change significantly increases the harmful effects of V, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive toxicity assessments in environmental evaluations. Full article

Straw return and plastic film mulching are two critical management measures that not only maintain high and stable crop yields, but also have a significant impact on the ecological environment. However, there is still a lack of research on the comprehensive effects of straw return and different film mulching treatments on the ecological environment. Thus, a 2-year field experiment was conducted and six treatments, which included two main treatments, namely straw return (SR) and non-straw return (NR), and three sub-treatments, namely no film mulching (CK), plastic film mulching (PM) and fully biodegradable film mulching (BM), were applied in a garlic cropping system. Based on the life cycle assessment method, six endpoint damage categories, resource consumption, global warming potential, environmental acidification, eutrophication, human health, and ecotoxicity, were assessed. Furthermore, we also evaluated the costs and economic benefits of the six treatments and optimized the treatment of used mulch and straw off-farm. The results indicated that the environmental impacts of the six endpoint damages in the garlic cropping system were ranked as ecotoxicity, eutrophication, environmental acidification, global warming potential, human health, and resource consumption. The SR-BM treatment had the lowest life cycle environmental impact composite index at 27.68 per unit area, followed by SR-PM at 27.75. All six endpoint damage categories for the PM and BM treatments were lower than the CK treatment per t of yield, with the SR-BM treatment being the most economically efficient, yielding at 3691.03 CNY·t⁻¹ and exceeding that of the SR-CK treatment by 7.26%. Fertilizer inputs were the primary contributor to resource consumption, global warming potential, environmental acidification, eutrophication, and ecotoxicity, accounting for about 72.80% of these five environmental impacts. Crop protection significantly affected human health, and garlic mulching helped minimize pesticide use, thereby reducing potential health impacts. Compared to straw incineration and waste mulch power generation, straw power generation and waste mulch recycling granulation offered positive environmental benefits and were more effective offset strategies. In conclusion, straw return with biodegradable mulch is a synergistic cultivation measure that offers both environmental and economic benefits. For straw return with plastic film mulch, environmental impacts can be reduced by waste mulch recycling granulation. Full article

This review provides a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a cosmetic cream to assess the environmental impacts throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal, using the methodology according to international standards. The LCA was performed using the OpenLCA 2.0.1 software, with data from the Ecoinvent 3.8 database and relevant literature. The assessment focused on multiple impact categories, including climate change, acidification, eutrophication (freshwater, marine and terrestrial), ecotoxicity (freshwater), human toxicity (cancer and non-cancer), ionizing radiation, land use, ozone depletion, photochemical ozone formation, resource use (fossils, minerals and metals), and water use. The LCA of a cosmetic cream containing gold nanoparticles revealed significant environmental impacts across critical categories. The total climate change potential was 2596.95 kg CO₂ eq., driven primarily by nanoparticle synthesis (60.7%) and electricity use (31.9%). Eutrophication of freshwater had the highest normalized result (3.000), with nanoparticle synthesis contributing heavily, indicating the need for improved wastewater treatment. The resource use (minerals and metals) scored 1.856, while the freshwater ecotoxicity reached 80,317.23 CTUe, both driven by the nanoparticle production. The human toxicity potentials were 1.39 × 10⁻⁶ CTUh (cancer) and 7.45 × 10⁻⁵ CTUh (non-cancer), linked to emissions from synthesis and energy use. The LCA of the cosmetic cream revealed several critical areas of environmental impact. The most significant impacts are associated with gold nanoparticle synthesis and electricity use. Addressing these impacts through optimized synthesis processes, improved energy efficiency, and alternative materials can enhance the product’s sustainability profile significantly. Full article

This study employed an integrated field monitoring approach, combining chemical analysis and ecotoxicity testing of multiple environmental matrices—water, sediment, and sediment elutriates—to comprehensively assess the environmental health of the Andong watershed, located near a Zn smelter and mining area. The primary objectives were to evaluate the extent of metal contamination, identify key toxicants contributing to ecological degradation, and trace the sources of these pollutants. Our findings revealed severe metal contamination and significant ecotoxicological effects both in proximity to and downstream from industrial sites. Specifically, Cd, Zn, and Pb were strongly linked to the smelter, while Hg, Ni, Cu, and As were predominantly associated with mining activities in the tributaries. To further assess toxicity of field-collected sediment and their elutriates, a logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate benchmark values for distinguishing between toxic and non-toxic samples, using the sum of toxic units for sediment elutriates and the mean probable effect level (PEL) quotient for sediment toxicity. These models demonstrated greater predictive accuracy than conventional benchmarks for determining toxicity thresholds. Our results highlight that integrating chemical and ecotoxicological monitoring with site-specific concentration–response relationships enhances the precision of ecological risk assessments, facilitating more accurate identification of key toxicants driving mixture toxicity in complex, pollution-impacted aquatic ecosystems. Full article

The study evaluates how the environmental impacts of wooden products could be assessed in the early stages of product development using CAD-integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) tools. Focusing on a wooden chair design, the study compares the environmental impact results derived from LCA tools integrated in SolidWorks, NX and Fusion against a traditional LCA analysis performed using SimaPro. Methods involve analysing a chair model to measure the environmental impacts across different life cycle phases, such as material extraction and manufacturing. The results reveal that manufacturing processes, particularly electricity use, significantly contribute to environmental impacts, especially marine and freshwater ecotoxicity. Comparisons between LCA tools integrated into commercial CAD software and SimaPro 9.5.0.1. showed that while the tools deliver comparable results for global warming potential and other categories, they struggle with certain impact categories. The main distinguishing features of the results were methodological. Overall, the results aligned the most with the impact values calculated in Solidworks Sustainability. The study concludes that CAD-integrated tools are useful for early-stage environmental assessments but have limitations, particularly in their material databases and life cycle scope. For a comprehensive assessment, combining these tools with more detailed analysis methods may be necessary. The research suggests improvements for CAD-based tools to enhance their effectiveness in evaluating the environmental impact of wooden products. Full article

This study investigates the extraction of cellulose from Saudi Arabia-based date palm biomass utilizing a natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) integrated with a microwave-assisted process. A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted in accordance with the ISO 14040 standard, encompassing four key stages: goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory analysis (LCI), life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) and interpretation. The analysis was confined to a gate-to-gate boundary in which two impact assessment methods, namely, ReCiPe Midpoint (H) 2016 and ILCD 2011 Midpoint, were used to assess the environmental impacts. The OpenLCA software (version 2.1.1) with the European Life Cycle Database 3.2 (ELCD 3.2) was used in the study. The ReCiPe method identified impact categories such as fossil resource scarcity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity, water consumption, human carcinogenic toxicity and marine ecotoxicity. Conversely, the ILCD method identified freshwater ecotoxicity, water resource depletion, mineral, fossil and resource depletion, human toxicity and cancer effects. The results indicate that freshwater ecotoxicity presents the most substantial environmental impact across both assessment methods, surpassing other categories. Fossil resource scarcity, even though originally appearing impactful, demonstrated a relatively lower normalized score compared to freshwater ecotoxicity. Terrestrial ecotoxicity and water consumption were found to be negligible in their impact. Our findings provide important insights into sustainable material science and waste management, affording potential applications for biomass utilization in the Gulf region. Full article

Antifungal substances are essential for managing fungal infections in humans, animals, and plants, and their usage has significantly increased due to the global rise in fungal infections. However, the extensive application of antifungal agents in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and agriculture has led to their widespread environmental dissemination through various pathways, such as excretion, improper disposal, and agricultural runoff. Despite advances in wastewater treatment, many antifungal compounds persist in the environment, affecting non-target organisms and contributing to resistance development. This study investigates the environmental impact of two novel antifungal agents, VT-1161 and T-2307, recently introduced as alternatives for treating resistant Candida spp. We assessed their ecotoxicity and mutagenicity using multiple bioassays: immobilization of Daphnia magna, growth inhibition of Raphidocelis subcapitata, luminescence inhibition of Aliivibrio fischeri, and mutagenicity on Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100. Results indicate that both VT-1161 and T-2307 exhibit lower toxicity compared to existing antifungal compounds, with effective concentrations (EC₅₀) causing 50% response ranging from 14.34 to 27.92 mg L⁻¹. Furthermore, both agents were classified as less hazardous based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Despite these favorable results, further research is needed to understand their environmental behavior, interactions, and potential resistance development among non-target species. Our findings highlight the importance of comprehensive environmental risk assessments to ensure the sustainable use of new antifungal agents. Full article