Article
Thermodynamics
Lei Jiang, Haifeng Zhou, Shixiong He
Summary: The Chinese government has set quantitative and binding energy efficiency improvement targets, with specific targets assigned to manufacturing firms. Research shows a positive correlation between energy efficiency and output efficiency in textile firms, while no such trade-off is found in energy-intensive chemical firms.
Article
Management
Chiang Kao, Shiuh-Nan Hwang
Summary: This paper proposes a model to determine the minimum level of undesirable outputs that cannot be avoided in producing desirable outputs under weak disposability. The model can separate the effect of generating undesirable outputs from the inefficiency of producing desirable outputs. Weak disposability has two forms, one requiring all production units to have the same proportion, and the other allowing each production unit to have its own proportion in reducing desirable and undesirable outputs.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Management
Chiang Kao, Shiuh-Nan Hwang
Summary: The data envelopment analysis technique produces higher efficiency scores for decision making units (DMUs) when more input/output factors are considered, suggesting a concept to determine the minimum amount of undesirable outputs allowed for a DMU. Results show that efficiency of DMUs can be decomposed into parts accounting for desirable and undesirable outputs, which can help identify inefficiencies and formulate standards for allowable undesirable outputs.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinli Dong, Manhong Shen, Xuan Yu
Summary: The marine ecological and environmental problems caused by China's mariculture industry have received significant attention. The study evaluated the eco-economic efficiency of the industry using the Slacks-based measure (SBM) model, with nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants as non-desired outputs. The results showed that the average eco-economic efficiency of mariculture in different provinces of China exceeded 0.8, indicating a higher level. Convergence analysis confirmed a significant reduction in the differences in eco-economic efficiency among coastal provinces. However, imbalances were observed in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. The Chinese government should continue to provide economic and policy support for the long-term sustainable development of the mariculture industry.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Wei Chen, Si-Si Li, Mukesh Kumar Mehlawat, Lifen Jia, Arun Kumar
Summary: This paper presents a portfolio selection problem model based on fuzzy data envelopment analysis cross-efficiency evaluation, and demonstrates its effectiveness through a real-life case study.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUZZY SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yongjun Li, Hanbing Xue, Lin Lin, Feng Li, Liang Liang, Gang Kou
Summary: This paper proposes a new approach for evaluating the eco-inefficiency of two-stage structures and applies it to production and pollution treatment activities in 30 Chinese provincial regions. The results show that China performs well overall, with higher pollution treatment inefficiency than production inefficiency, and the eastern area outperforms the western area in both production and pollution treatment.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ramon Sala-Garrido, Alexandros Maziotis, Manuel Mocholi-Arce, Maria Molinos-Senante
Summary: Evaluating the eco-efficiency of wastewater treatment plants is important for improving environmental and economic performance in the water utility sector. Previous studies relied on self-evaluation, leading to potential overestimation and biased policy recommendations. This study applies a cross-evaluation strategy to assess the eco-efficiency of WWTPs, providing a comprehensive understanding for decision-making and policy development.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yufeng Chen, Longshan Liu
Summary: The research found that the eco-efficiency in the Longkou coal mining area showed an upward trend from 2008 to 2020, with the circular industrial chain playing a key role in achieving high eco-efficiency. It is recommended to focus on developing circular economy and cleaner production, as well as promoting the development of new energy industries.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Runxi Liu, Runyao Huang, Ziheng Shen, Hongtao Wang, Jin Xu
Summary: This study explores the balance between energy recovery and eco-efficiency in a wastewater treatment plant in China, finding that seasonal variations and carbon source shortages can impact eco-efficiency. The most efficient performance was achieved under tech-portfolios of CHP + PV or CHP + PV + HP. Eco-efficiency distribution exhibited a similar normal distribution to energy recovery, with optimal eco-efficiency achieved at energy recovery rates of 85-90%.
Article
Operations Research & Management Science
Yuanxiang Zhou, Shan Wang, Shuqi Xu, Qingyuan Zhu
Summary: This study proposes a new algorithm to handle massive data with undesirable output and proves its applicability in practice.
ANNALS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Mohammad Afzalinejad
Summary: This paper discusses the issues of data envelopment analysis in considering undesirable outputs and proposes a new model for measuring eco-efficiency. The proposed model can assess radial efficiency and handle weak disposability condition for undesirable outputs, leading to a deeper evaluation.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiaoqi Zhang, Feng Yang, Fangqing Wei, Yangyang Wang
Summary: This study analyzes the provincial CO2 emission efficiency in China from 2013 to 2019 using data on energy consumption and carbon emissions. A game cross-equilibrium efficient frontier DEA approach is proposed, considering CO2 as a fixed-sum undesirable output and the interdependence between decision-making units (DMUs). The results indicate significant variation in CO2 emissions efficiency among provinces, with Beijing performing the best and Ningxia the worst. The national average CO2 emission efficiency shows a slow increasing trend over time, with the eastern region performing the best.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Mohammad Reza Mozaffari, Samira Mohammadi, Peter F. Wanke, Henrique L. Correa
Summary: This study presents an innovative two-stage DEA model for evaluating DMUs with imprecise data using triangular fuzzy values, considering undesirable outputs. The proposed models are successfully applied to a real case in the Iranian petrochemical sector, obtaining promising results.
EXPERT SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Junwen Yang, Bin Chen
Summary: This study evaluated the energy efficiency of municipal wastewater treatment plants in China using data envelopment analysis, revealing regional differences in energy efficiency and pollutant emissions levels. It emphasizes the importance of increasing technical efficiency in wastewater treatment industries.
Article
Management
Alireza Amirteimoori, Vincent Charles, Saber Mehdizadeh
Summary: In this paper, a new efficiency analysis model is proposed, which combines the use of weak and managerial disposability assumptions. A deterministic efficiency analysis model is developed to handle undesirable outputs in a production process. Due to the importance of data variability and uncertainty, the technical efficiency analysis is sensitive to these variations. Using chance-constrained programming theory, the proposed deterministic model is extended to a stochastic production system. An empirical application based on actual Iranian gas distribution company data is conducted to demonstrate the real-world applicability of the proposed models. Although this empirical application is illustrative, the proposed scheme could be used to evaluate the relative efficiency of many real-life stochastic production units.
JOURNAL OF THE OPERATIONAL RESEARCH SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ramon Sala-Garrido, Manuel Mocholi-Arce, Maria Molinos-Senante, Alexandros Maziotis
Summary: This study evaluates the integrated efficiency of several water utilities in Chile using a data envelopment analysis model and quantifies the contribution of various factors to efficiency scores. The results show that the water industry in Chile has high levels of production and environmental efficiency, which can be further improved by controlling production costs and adopting best managerial practices.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maria Molinos-Senante, Alexandros Maziotis, Ramon Sala-Garrido, Manuel Mocholi-Arce
Summary: Improving eco-efficiency in municipal solid waste provision is crucial for a sustainable economy. This study utilizes the double-bootstrap DEA model to derive robust eco-efficiency scores and explores the environmental factors affecting the eco-efficiency of MSWSPs in Chile. The findings highlight the importance of addressing data noise and uncertainty in benchmarking analysis and reveal the significant influence of variables such as region, tourism, population density, and waste per capita on the eco-efficiency of Chilean MSWSPs.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Maria Molinos-Senante, Alexandros Maziotis, Ramon Sala-Garrido, Manuel Mocholi-Arce
Summary: This study experimented with a new efficiency assessment method called the Efficiency Analysis Tree (EAT). By employing a combination of classification, regression tree methods, and non-parametric analyses, this method overcomes the limitations of traditional approaches and provides a better evaluation of water company performance.
EXPERT SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ramon Sala-Garrido, Manuel Mocholi-Arce, Alexandros Maziotis, Maria Molinos-Senante
Summary: Regulation of water companies is important in protecting citizens' interests, as they are natural monopolies. This study proposes a common set weights (CSW) DEA model for efficiency assessment of Chilean water companies, which showed greater discriminatory capacity compared to traditional techniques. The DEA-CSW approach provides reliable ranking of companies based on their efficiency scores, facilitating regulatory decision-making.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manel Poch, Carolina Aldao, Lluis Godo-Pla, Hector Monclus, Lucia Alexandra Popartan, Joaquim Comas, Manuel Cermeron-Romero, Sebastia Puig, Maria Molinos-Senante
Summary: The article proposes a framework that extends the theory of nudges to all stages of the urban water cycle and to various decision-making levels, in order to address the challenges associated with the urban water cycle and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The framework integrates four main drivers, including the fourth water revolution, digitalization, decentralization, and climate change, which influence how different stakeholders approach the challenges posed by the urban water cycle. The proposed framework serves as a reference for policymakers to develop medium and long-term strategies and policies for improving the sustainability and resilience of the urban water cycle.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alexandros Maziotis, Ramon Sala-Garrido, Manuel Mocholi-Arce, Maria Molinos-Senante
Summary: Assessing carbon efficiency in the provision of drinking water services is crucial for achieving a net-zero greenhouse gas urban water cycle. This study estimated the carbon efficiency of English and Welsh water companies using the Efficiency Analysis Trees approach, combining machine learning and non-linear programming techniques. The findings provide insights for policymakers to develop low-carbon urban water cycle policies.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandros Maziotisa, Manuel Mocholi-Arce, Ramon Sala-Garrido, Maria Molinos-Senante
Summary: Drinking water treatment systems (DWTSs) are energy intensive facilities. Benchmarking energy efficiency is important for improving economic and environmental performance. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is commonly used to assess efficiency, but it has limitations for cross-unit comparison. This study explored using common sets of weights within DEA to evaluate the energy efficiency of DWTSs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Alexandros Maziotis, Maria Molinos-Senante, Ramon Sala-Garrido, Manuel Mocholi-Arce
Summary: Benchmarking the dynamic performance of water companies is important for developing policies. This study used the StoNED method to evaluate productivity and eco-productivity changes of Chilean water companies. The results showed that Chilean water companies focus more on reducing operational costs than improving service quality. Full private water companies performed better than concessionary companies and the public company.
Article
Economics
Ramon Sala-Garrido, Manuel Mocholi-Arce, Alexandros Maziotis, Maria Molinos-Senante
Summary: The path towards a sustainable water sector requires evaluating the production and carbon efficiency of water companies. This study assesses the PCE of water companies under natural disposability and managerial disposability using the RAM non-parametric technique. The results show that improving management, such as adopting carbon neutral technologies, can lead to higher savings in carbon emissions. Additionally, the source of raw water and advanced water treatment impact the PCE of water companies.
STRUCTURAL CHANGE AND ECONOMIC DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Transportation
Julian Martinez-Moya, Amparo Mestre-Alcover, Ramon Sala-Garrido
Summary: Port connectivity is crucial for the competitiveness of countries, ports, and importing/exporting companies. This paper examines the connectivity of major Mediterranean container ports through the construction of a composite indicator. It is the first study to focus on the connectivity of these ports.
MARITIME ECONOMICS & LOGISTICS
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Maria Molinos-Senante, Alexandros Maziotis, Ramon Sala-Garrido, Manuel Mocholi-Arce
Summary: This study evaluates the economic and water leakage efficiency (ELE) of Chilean water companies using efficiency analysis trees (EAT). It finds that potential savings in operating costs and leakage could reach 58%, equivalent to a reduction of £391.5 million per year in operating costs and 20.6 million cubic metres per year in water leakage. The study also reveals a downward trend in ELE scores from 2007 to 2018, and identifies customer density and the source of raw water as significant factors affecting water company ELE.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Manuel Mocholi-Arce, Ramon Sala-Garrido, Maria Molinos-Senante, Alexandros Maziotis
Summary: This study used a novel method to estimate profit inefficiency and its changes in the water industry in Chile. The main contributor to profit inefficiency was allocative inefficiency, while technical inefficiency had a limited effect.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elena M. Rojo, Maria Molinos-Senante, A. Alejandro Filipigh, Tomas Lafarga, F. Gabriel Acien Fernandez, Silvia Bolado
Summary: The intensification of livestock activities leads to increased waste generation, such as piggery wastewater, which contains high nutrients. However, this type of waste can be used as a culture medium for algae cultivation in thin-layer cascade photobioreactors to reduce environmental impact and produce valuable algal biomass.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Ramon Sala-Garrido, Manuel Mocholi-Arce, Maria Molinos-Senante, Michail Smyrnakis, Alexandros Maziotis
Summary: The management of water companies is crucial for their performance evaluation, as they provide essential services to society. This study analyzed a sample of water companies during the years 2010-2018 and found that service quality significantly affects their performance. Furthermore, customer density and ownership influence economic and environmental efficiency, with public water companies performing the best, although their service quality has deteriorated over time.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elizabeth Alvarez-Chavez, Stephane Godbout, Mylene Genereux, Caroline Cote, Alain N. Rousseau, Sebastien Fournel
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of alternative filtering materials and bed aeration on the retention of nutrients and fecal bacteria in woodchip bedded stand-off pads for cows. The results showed that the alternative biofilters were more efficient in removing COD, SS, TN, and NO3-N, while conventional biofilters were more efficient for PO4-P removal. Aeration did not have a significant effect under the tested temperature conditions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yike Zhang, Zengyi Ma, Zhuoting Fang, Yuandong Qian, Zhiping Huang, Yilong Ye, Jianhua Yan
Summary: This study investigates the application of oxygen enrichment melting technology in the melting of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash. The results demonstrate that oxygen enrichment technology can reduce energy consumption and operating costs, as well as decrease pollution emissions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liangang Xiao, Mingkai Leng, Philip Greenwood, Rongqin Zhao, Zhixiang Xie, Zengtao You, Junguo Liu
Summary: This study investigates the effects of grazing exclusion on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and vegetation recovery. It finds that grazing exclusion can increase the potential for SOC accumulation, and higher annual precipitation is positively correlated with SOC accumulation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Beatrice Cantoni, Jessica Ianes, Beatrice Bertolo, Selena Ziccardi, Francesco Maffini, Manuela Antonelli
Summary: This study evaluates the performance of ozonation and adsorption as in-series processes compared to standalone processes for the removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in drinking water. The combination of both processes proves to be more effective than adsorption and ozonation alone. Ozonation improves the adsorption performance of poorly-oxidizable CECs but worsens that of well-oxidizable compounds. This research highlights the importance of considering both processes in the removal of CECs in drinking water treatment plants.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dan Li, Bingjun Liu, Yang Lu, Jianyu Fu
Summary: A new Standardized compound Drought and Saltwater intrusion Index (SDSI) was developed to detect changes in the severity of CDSEs in six estuaries. The study found that saltwater intrusion plays a dominant role in influencing SDSI severity, and CDSEs vary in frequency, duration and severity among different estuaries.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yong-Qiang Li, Rui Sun, Chong-Miao Zhang, Zi-Xuan Liu, Rui-tao Chen, Jian Zhao, Hua-dong Gu, Huan-Cai Yin
Summary: In this study, an electron beam excitation multi-wavelength ultraviolet (EBE-MW-UV) system was established and found to have significantly higher microbial inactivation effects compared to single-wavelength UV-LEDs in water. Mechanism analysis revealed that EBE-MW-UV damaged microbial DNA and proteins, and generated additional reactive oxygen species, leading to microbial inactivation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaili Ma, Xinxin Han, Qiujuan Li, Yu Kong, Qiaoli Liu, Xu Yan, Yahong Luo, Xiaopin Li, Huiyang Wen, Zhiguo Cao
Summary: This study reveals that the use of a tryptophan-degrading microbial consortium (TDC) can enhance the hydrolysis efficiency of waste activated sludge (WAS), increasing the yield and quality of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and improving the solubilization and release of organic substances from WAS.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ling Xiong, Rui Li
Summary: Incorporating Ecosystem Service Value (ESV) into land use planning can provide informed land management decisions. This study evaluates the ESV of Guizhou Province in China's karst region. The results show an increase in total ESV over the past two decades due to ecological restoration projects.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Geetha Jenifel
Summary: This article discusses the importance of water and the pollution of freshwater resources, and introduces the use of machine learning models and blockchain technology to predict and protect water quality.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stanslaus Terengia Materu, Taotao Chen, Chang Liu, Daocai Chi, Meng Jun
Summary: The study showed that H2SO4-modified biochar can reduce P leaching, increase soil available P, and enhance plant P uptake in alternate wetting and drying irrigation systems. Biochar additions B20A and IAWDB20A-M were effective in improving yield, reducing P leaching, and increasing APB.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amir Nouri, Ali Akbar Zinatizadeh, Sirus Zinadini, Mark Van Loosdrecht
Summary: This study focuses on the development of an air-lift bio-electrochemical reactor (ALBER) with a continuous feeding regime to enhance nitrogen removal from synthetic wastewater. The effect of temperature, hydraulic retention time (HRT), N -NH+4 /TN ratio, and current density on the reactor performance was investigated, and the ALBER achieved a maximum TN removal of 73%. The results suggest that the ALBER has potential for treating industrial wastewater at low temperatures.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peifang Wang, Guoxiang You, Yang Gao, Juan Chen, Xun Wang, Chao Wang
Summary: This study investigated the ecological processes of microbial communities and N- and P-transformation processes in multistage agricultural drainage ditches. The results showed that the microbial communities were co-shaped by agricultural practices and ditch size, which further governed the N and P removal performance.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaofeng Niu, Huan Wang, Tao Wang, Peiyu Zhang, Huan Zhang, Hongxia Wang, Xianghong Kong, Songguang Xie, Jun Xu
Summary: Microorganisms play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance, and environmental stressors can affect the assembly processes of microbial communities. The study found that different stressors have opposite effects on microbial community assembly in water and sediment, and warming has different influences compared to herbicides and nutrients.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuqing Tan, Qiming Cheng, Fengwei Lyu, Fei Liu, Linhao Liu, Yihong Su, Shaochun Yuan, Wenyu Xiao, Zhen Liu, Yao Chen
Summary: The exacerbation of global warming, extreme weather events, and rapid urbanization have led to increased flooding in urban areas. China has adopted sponge city as an efficient means of preventing and controlling urban floods. Using a SWMM-FVCOM model, the hydrological reduction and control effect of sponge city construction (SPCC) within a university campus were evaluated. The study found that implementing SPCC effectively mitigates surface runoff and reduces the severity of urban flooding. However, the efficacy of runoff control decreases with longer rainfall return periods.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhonghan Chen, Qiuyan Li, Shibo Yan, Juan Xu, Qiaoyun Lin, Zhuangming Zhao, Ziying He
Summary: Tidal rivers are important biochemical reaction channels, receiving carbon from wastewater and agricultural drains, affecting CO2 emissions. Through modeling and data analysis, researchers explored carbon distribution, emissions, and greenhouse effects, emphasizing the potential of river management to change global CO2 emissions under climate change.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)