Article
Environmental Sciences
Shiya Zhao, Cai Li, Zhen Wang, Shuxia Yu, Zhihua Shi
Summary: This study examines the emissions of PAHs in interprovincial trade in China and emphasizes the importance of consumption-based accounting and critical transfer paths. By using structural path analysis, key pathways that could impact the overall system performance were identified.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Weiwei Wang, Jialu Xu, Xiaolei Qu, Daohui Lin, Kun Yang
Summary: This study analyzed the temporal trend of PAHs in China over the past 20 years and found a positive correlation between the concentrations of low and high molecular weight PAHs and their total emissions. By assessing future scenarios, the study showed that technological improvement and control of biomass burning can effectively reduce PAH emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
A. Berthiaume, E. Galarneau, G. Marson
Summary: This article presents the current knowledge on Canadian PAC emission sources, with forest fires dominating the emissions nationally. Non-industrial sources are estimated to be the second largest contributor, showing moderate decreases in recent decades. Industrial point sources have seen considerable reductions, while fugitive emissions from other industrial sources remain a gap in our understanding. Overall, there is uncertainty in emissions data and regional/local scale examination is needed to determine the sources contributing most to human and ecosystem exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhiyang Lu, Weijun Tian, Surong Zhang, Meile Chu, Jing Zhao, Bingkun Liu, Kun Yang, Huimin Cao, Zhuo Chen
Summary: This study investigated the spatiotemporal distribution, source, and ecological risk of PAHs and SPAHs in surface sediments in Laizhou Bay. The results showed seasonal differences in concentrations of PAHs and SPAHs and a spatial distribution trend of estuary > coast > offshore. Combustion sources, including petroleum, coal, and biomass, were identified as the main contributors to PAHs and SPAHs. The risk level of PAHs was low-to-moderate, while SPAHs posed a moderate-to-high ecological risk.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lionel J. Clarke
Summary: Biochar has significant potential as a negative emissions technology, but the generation of PAHs during its production poses risks. Setting limits on total PAH loading without considering biochar's ability to bind PAHs and the different toxicity levels within the total may hinder its affordable and effective large-scale deployment.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Niki Marjerrison, Tom K. Grimsrud, Johnni Hansen, Jan Ivar Martinsen, Karl-Christian Nordby, Raymond Olsen, Marit B. Veierod, Kristina Kjaerheim
Summary: The study aimed to develop indicators for specific firefighting exposures and examine associations with urinary tract cancer (UTC), including bladder cancer. The findings did not show clear dose-response associations between the exposure indicators and UTC, indicating the need for future studies with more cases.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yusuke Nakakuki, Takashi Hirose, Hikaru Sotome, Min Gao, Daiki Shimizu, Ruiji Li, Jun-Ya Hasegawa, Hiroshi Miyasaka, Kenji Matsuda
Summary: Helically twisted conductive nanocarbon materials are suitable for optoelectronic and electromagnetic molecular devices on the nanometer scale, showing a large effective conjugation length and ultrafast decay dynamics. The extended π-helicenes achieved a large effective conjugation length through helical fusion, leading to an absorption edge in the near-infrared region.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alimire Abulikemu, Dan Wang, Weijiang Hu, Meili Shen, Xin Sun, Huawei Duan
Summary: This study found that coke oven emissions-induced lung cancer mainly occurred in the manufacturing industries, and coke oven workers exposed to higher levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons had a higher risk of occupational lung cancer. Therefore, efforts should be made to greatly reduce emissions from coke production and effectively monitor the health of workers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiushang Xu, Amy L. Vonder Haar, Rengo Yoshioka, Qizheng Zhang, Serhii Vasylevskyi, Andrew J. Musser, Akimitsu Narita
Summary: A benzo[rst]pentaphene derivative, BPP-MeOPA, was synthesized and characterized by NMR and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Investigation of its photophysical properties, including transient absorption spectroscopy, revealed improved absorption and emission features from an S-1 state with excitonic and charge-transfer character by introducing MeOPA groups.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elyse Caron-Beaudoin, Pierre Ayotte, Amira Aker, Caty Blanchette, Sylvie Ricard, Veronique Gilbert, Ellen Avard, Melanie Lemire
Summary: This study found that Inuit people are exposed to numerous volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Smoking habit is an important contributor to the elevated levels of benzene and PAHs exposure. Other local sources of exposure need to be further investigated and reduced.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Meng Qiao, Weixiao Qi, Huijuan Liu, Jiuhui Qu
Summary: Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) have higher concentrations and toxicity in water environments, posing significant ecological risks to surface water ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Yushi Ohno, Shogo Ando, Daisuke Furusho, Ryoyu Hifumi, Yuuya Nagata, Ikuyoshi Tomita, Shinsuke Inagi
Summary: Here, a facile and selective synthesis of cationic azatriphenylene derivatives was achieved through electrochemical intramolecular cyclization, where the key step involves atom-economical C-H pyridination without a transition-metal catalyst or an oxidant. This proposed strategy provides a practical approach for introducing cationic nitrogen (N (+)) into pi-electron systems, thus expanding the molecular design of N (+)-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Huimin Zhong, Cong Jiang, Jiahui Zou, Guancheng Zhu, Yanyan Huang
Summary: In this study, CeO2-based porous carbonaceous frameworks (CeO2 PCFs) were used as antioxidant nanozymes to scavenge reactive oxygen species and absorb benzo[a]pyrene. CeO2 PCFs exhibited excellent superoxide dismutase-like and catalase-like activity, effectively eliminating superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radical scavenging assay confirmed the free radical scavenging ability of CeO2 PCFs. Furthermore, CeO2 PCFs with large surface area and porous structure efficiently adsorbed benzo[a]pyrene. The designed CeO2 PCFs can serve as new antioxidant nanozymes for scavenging reactive oxygen species and adsorbing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lai Nguyen Huy, Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, Nguyen Hong Phuc, Chu Phuong Nhung
Summary: Local questionnaire surveys were conducted in the Red River Delta (RRD), Vietnam, to collect representative activity data for residential combustion emissions. The study found large differences in emissions between urban, suburban, rural areas, and deep rural areas due to cooking activities, fuel-stove types, and fuel consumption. Emissions increased over the 6-year period, with a dominant role of black carbon in the global warming potential results. Switching from solid fuels to liquefied petroleum gas was suggested to reduce emissions and bring multiple benefits.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aleksandra Keska
Summary: Most studies on vehicle engine exhaust emissions focus on qualitative and quantitative measurements, without considering the actual toxicity and harmful compounds. These studies measure the concentrations of individual compounds or selected groups, but fail to answer the question of actual toxicity. Current data indicate that cells exposed to exhaust emissions from older vehicles have higher survival rates compared to emissions from newer vehicles.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhenyu Huang, Yi Liu, Heng Dai, Dongwei Gui, Bill X. Hu, Jin Zhang
Summary: Human activities lead to PAH pollution and significant impact on oasis ecological environments, especially in urban centers. Soil PAH concentrations vary in different oasis regions, with health risks mainly from ingestion and dermal exposure pathways. In soils with low PAH concentrations, the bacterial community is diverse and enriched, showing a complex ecological network structure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wenyu Yang, Jin Zhang, Peter Krebs
Summary: This study analyzed the performance of low impact development (LID) under climate change for stormwater management. Results showed that LID practices can mitigate the impact of runoff volume, peak flow, and non-point pollution. Scenario analysis indicated a decline in LID hydraulic performance, while water quality performance varied among different climate patterns. Uncertainty analysis revealed wide-range uncertainties in LID performance due to climate change, with water quality performance being more uncertain than hydraulic performance. Spatial analysis showed spatial heterogeneity in LID performance under climate change. Sensitivity analysis suggested that climate change has a stronger impact on the short-term performance of LID practices.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Qi Liu, Heng Dai, Dongwei Gui, Bill X. Hu, Ming Ye, Guanghui Wei, Jingxiu Qin, Jin Zhang
Summary: This study used wavelet analysis to evaluate the effects of flow regimes of ecological water transport projects (EWTP) on ecohydrological system dynamics. The results showed that the restoration flow exhibited seasonal periodicities different from natural streams, leading to distinct groundwater dynamics and mismatched growth rhythm of riparian vegetation. Two designed flow schemes based on time lags between flow and vegetation growth were proposed to optimize the EWTP and improve ecosystem restoration efficiency. The NARX network was used for ecological restoration prediction, showing a significant increase in restoration flow compared to the original flow. The methodologies used in this study are rigorous and applicable to other EWTPs.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peifeng Li, Jin Zhang, Peter Krebs
Summary: In this study, a rainfall-runoff model based on deep learning algorithms (CNN-LSTM) was proposed to directly compute runoff in watersheds. The model showed high efficiency in predicting runoff during both high-water and low-water periods, making it valuable for estimating water availability and flood alerts.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhuotao Qiu, Zhenyu Wang, Jie Xu, Yi Liu, Jin Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the concentration levels, spatial variance, and source apportionment of PAHs in suspended particulate matter in the Freiberger Mulde river, Germany. The results showed relatively high concentrations of PAHs in the midstream and upstream stations of the river, with an obvious decreasing trend over time. The PMF receptor model identified coke ovens, vehicle emissions, and coal and wood combustion as the potential sources of PAHs. The use of clean energy played a key role in reducing PAHs pollution levels.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lijun Xiong, Jin Zhang, Jie Wu
Summary: This study investigates the distribution, structure characteristics, and ecological risk of PAHs in runoff from typical traffic roads. The results show that the concentrations and load densities of PAHs in runoff are influenced by factors such as dry antecedent time and traffic volume. Intercepting particles in traffic runoff is crucial for controlling PAHs.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pei Hua, Yingjie Chen, Jin Zhang
Summary: The accumulation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in swimming pool water has gained increasing attention. Trihalomethanes (THMs) are the most common DBPs found in swimming pool water. Developing a predictive THM model is an efficient way to optimize chlorine dosage and ensure water safety.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Heidelore Fiedler, Xue Li, Jin Zhang
Summary: Human breast milk has been used to assess human exposure to pollutants, and harmonized protocols for sampling and analysis of POPs have been widely available. Our assessment of breast milk samples from 90 countries showed declining trends for most POPs, but the most recent data no longer showed significant differences from the previous period. Some newly listed POPs were never quantified in these milk pools, suggesting the need to include them in future surveys.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhenyu Wang, Pei Hua, Jin Zhang, Peter Krebs
Summary: Trace metal pollution is a serious threat to the aquatic ecosystem, and understanding the long-term behavior and driving forces of these metals is important for water quality management. This study analyzed data from the German Elbe River basin and found that the concentrations of various trace elements followed a specific order. The study also identified river flow and flooding as the main factors affecting periodic variations in metal pollution. Additionally, the study determined that hydrochemical factors and various sources contributed to trace metal contamination.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wenyu Yang, Jin Zhang, Peter Krebs
Summary: Investigating future flood exposure risk and associated mitigation strategies is vital for sustainable urban development. This study utilized hydrological modeling and future climate and urbanization scenarios to investigate the risk of flood exposure and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies at the city scale. The results showed that the current hydrological pattern in a highly urbanized and densely populated region in China caused a significant portion of the population and GDP to be exposed to flooding threats. Scenario analysis demonstrated that high-carbon emission scenarios increased population and GDP exposures to flood, while a green infrastructure strategy effectively decreased these exposures in low-carbon emission scenarios. Uncertainty analysis showed wide uncertainty ranges in future scenarios, and the green infrastructure strategy reduced the flood exposure uncertainty ranges. Spatial analysis indicated that population- and GDP-intensive regions were more vulnerable to flood exposure, but the effectiveness of the green infrastructure strategy was limited in these regions. The data from this study can assist in sustainable urban development in response to climate change and urbanization.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yichen Zhou, Hao Ding, Zhenyu Wang, Mei Li, Jin Zhang, Xue Li
Summary: This study evaluated the temporal, spatial, and source changes of seven trace metals based on long-term monitoring data from 1999 to 2016. The results showed decreasing concentrations of Al, Cd, Mn, Ni, and Zn. Pollution levels were higher in the midstream compared to the upstream and downstream. Anthropogenic pollution sources, especially historical mining, industrial, agricultural, and geological natural sources, were the main contributors to the contamination.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yihua Huang, Yinong You, Manman Wu, Min Han, Jin Zhang, Wei Gao, Danping Xie, Hongzhan Chen, Hui Ou, Ninghui Song, Chunlei Cheng, Wen Zhuang, Jiaqi Li, Zhipeng Lei, Biao Jin, Zhen Zhou, Mei Li
Summary: Accelerated urbanization and industrialization have led to increased generation of wastewater with complex chemical contents, posing a threat to water quality. Understanding the chemical characteristics and pollution sources of industrial wastewater is crucial for effective water treatment strategies. This study conducted a non-target chemical analysis of industrial wastewater samples from a chemical industrial park in China, identifying volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. Priority was given to persistent, mobile, and toxic substances that could impact drinking water resources. The source analysis revealed the dye production industry as the largest contributor of toxic contaminants. The results provide valuable information for risk-based wastewater management and source reduction strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hao Ding, Shuling Liao, Donghai Tu, Pei Hua, Jin Zhang
Summary: This study assesses the life-cycle CO2 emissions of plastics in China and considers different stages of the supply chain. The results show that China's plastic CO2 emissions increased by 38.07% from 2010 to 2021 and may consume 4.2-5.4% of the global carbon budget by 2050. Different economic sectors have varying responsibilities for emissions at different stages of the supply chain. Despite increasing emissions, China's economic structure has potentially improved the embodied carbon leakage from plastic trade.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenyu Yang, Jin Zhang, Pei Hua, Peter Krebs
Summary: This study proposed a hydraulic and water-quality modeling framework to investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of pollution risk mitigation by low impact development strategies under future scenarios. The results showed that the performance of these strategies declined and became uncertain in future climate and urbanization scenarios. However, through diversified implementation and increased deployment, their performance could be enhanced and the uncertainty reduced. The methods and findings of this study provided valuable insights into sustainable water quality management in response to climate change and urbanization.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hui Li, Xu Zhu, Jin Zhang, Zhenyu Wang, Ruifei Li
Summary: This study systematically assessed the spatiotemporal distribution, periodic fluctuations, source apportionment, and risk evaluation of PFAS in the Rhine River based on long-term measuring data. The results showed a decline in PFAS concentration and flux over the studied period, with agrochemical, pharmaceutical, and textile industries identified as the primary sources. The study also concluded that the ecological and human health risks posed by PFAS exposure were not significant.