Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Leonardo Bertassello, Marc F. Mueller, Adam Wiechman, Gopal Penny, Marta Tuninetti, Michele C. Mueller-Itten
Summary: The water needed to produce food consumed by refugees can have a significant impact on water stress in vulnerable countries. Changes to food trade and refugee resettlement policies can help alleviate this burden.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maria Elisa Quinteros, Carola Blazquez, Salvador Ayala, Dylan Kilby, Juan Pablo Cardenas-R, Ximena Ossa, Felipe Rosas-Diaz, Elizabeth A. Stone, Estela Blanco, Juana-Maria Delgado-Saborit, Roy M. Harrison, Pablo Ruiz-Rudolph
Summary: Air pollution caused by biomass burning is a significant public health issue. This study developed spatial-temporal land use regression models to predict the concentrations of fine particulate matter and wood-burning tracers. The models were used to estimate exposure for an epidemiological study.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
William L. Taylor, Steven J. Schuldt, Justin D. Delorit, Christopher M. Chini, Teodor T. Postolache, Christopher A. Lowry, Lisa A. Brenner, Andrew J. Hoisington
Summary: Exploratory studies suggest a potential link between indoor PM2.5 exposure and major depressive disorder. Modifying input parameters can estimate the burden of major depressive disorder in the US due to indoor PM2.5 exposure, with findings indicating that improving HVAC filter efficiency may slightly reduce depressive disorders.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Elham Rafiei-Sardooi, Ali Azareh, Sharif Joorabian Shooshtari, Eric J. R. Parteli
Summary: Water scarcity is a serious issue globally, with land use and climate change as major factors contributing to its increase. The study found that climate change has a greater impact on water yield and supply, while land-use change has a significant effect on water consumption. Combining scenarios of land-use and climate change can have the most significant impact on water yield and supply.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
G. Harik, Ibrahim Alameddine, R. Zurayk, M. El-Fadel
Summary: A spatio-temporal Agent Based Modeling (ABM) framework is developed to probabilistically predict farmers' decisions concerning their future farming practices when faced with potential water scarcity induced by future climate change. The proposed framework forecasts farmers' behavior assuming varying utility functions and successfully captures the actions and interactions between farmers and their environment. Including social factors in the model significantly improves the accuracy of predicting farmers' decisions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kalomoira Zisopoulou, Dionysia Panagoulia
Summary: This study provides an analytical review of physical blue and green water scarcity in agricultural use, focusing on definitions, classifications, reserves and resources. It examines the causal connection with climate and human interventions, highlighting critical issues such as water availability, access, loss, uneven distribution of precipitation and climate uncertainty. The conclusion emphasizes the challenge of translating physical variables into economic instrumental variables and the importance of considering uncertainty in regional and global water scarcity assessments.
Article
Business
Kerstin Unfried, Krisztina Kis-Katos, Tilman Poser
Summary: Climate change and increasing water demand are intensifying the global water cycle, altering the distribution of water and potentially leading to conflicts. Empirical evidence shows a link between local conflict likelihood and water mass declines, with droughts and an intensifying water cycle more than tripling the chances of conflict. Access to groundwater and surface water can help mitigate these effects.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaozhe Yin, Meredith Franklin, Masoud Fallah-Shorshani, Martin Shafer, Rob McConnell, Scott Fruin
Summary: This study presents the largest scale research conducted in a single urban area, using monitoring of different particulate matter concentrations and developing regression and machine learning models to successfully predict 24 elemental components in eight Southern California communities. It was found that incorporating spatiotemporally resolved meteorology into the models improved the accuracy of predictions for particle distribution, especially near roadways for non-tailpipe emissions.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patricia Tarin-Carrasco, Ulas Im, Camilla Geels, Laura Palacios-Pena, Pedro Jimenez-Guerrero
Summary: The study estimates that the annual excess mortality rate from fine particulate matter in Europe will increase by 73% in the 2050s, mainly due to ischemic heart disease, despite a decrease in population according to UN estimates. This future increase in premature deaths is attributed to climate penalties and changes in population demographics, highlighting the urgent need for effective air quality control measures.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vimal Mishra, Kaustubh Thirumalai, Sahil Jain, Saran Aadhar
Summary: The severity of the 3-year cumulative Northeast monsoon rainfall deficit in South India was the driest in nearly 150 years, with the drought conditions linked to cool phases in the equatorial Indian and Pacific Oceans. Future changes in these teleconnections will pose challenges for drought prediction.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Zhongwei Huang, Xing Yuan, Xingcai Liu, Qiuhong Tang
Summary: Study in the northern part of China has shown that the trend of water scarcity has changed from positive to negative after 2001. While increased water withdrawal was the main factor exacerbating water scarcity before 2001, climate change, with its increased precipitation, has become the major contributor to alleviating water scarcity from 2001 to 2020. Future projections also indicate that climate change will further alleviate water scarcity in the region by increasing water availability. These findings highlight the growing significance of climate change in influencing water scarcity and have important implications for regional water policy-making.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Chiara Macchi, Cesare R. Sirtori, Alberto Corsini, Pier Mannuccio Mannucci, Massimiliano Ruscica
Summary: According to the WHO, the entire global population is exposed to air pollution levels higher than recommended for health preservation. Air pollution, a complex mixture of particles and gases, poses a major global threat to public health. Particulate matter PM2.5 has been identified as a causal factor for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular mortality. This review explores the proatherogenic effects of PM2.5, including endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial dysfunction, and arterial plaque instability.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Alireza Daneshi, Roy Brouwer, Ali Najafinejad, Mostafa Panahi, Ardavan Zarandian, Fatemeh Fadia Maghsood
Summary: This study simulated water yield, supply, and consumption in a watershed in northern Iran using the InVEST tool, showing substantial spatial variation of negative impacts of water supply and future water security across the watershed.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alberto F. Gomez-Tagle, Alberto Gomez-Tagle, Diana J. Fuerte-Velazquez, Alma G. Barajas-Alcala, Fernando Quiroz-Rivera, Pablo E. Alarcon-Chaires, Hilda Guerrero-Garcia-Rojas
Summary: Mexico is the world's leading avocado producer, with the municipality of Uruapan being a major production area. A study was conducted to analyze the water footprint of avocado cultivation in this municipality and compare it with different irrigation conditions. The findings showed that avocado production in dry years consumed more water than the allocated agricultural water, leading to water stress and conflicts.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Hsiang-Lin Yu, Tsang-Jung Chang
Summary: This study proposes a new 3D approach for modeling indoor airborne particulate matter (PM) concentration using cellular automata (CA) framework. By considering four major PM transport mechanisms, the CA approach achieves high accuracy and efficiency in numerical simulations, making it a useful tool for 3D simulations of indoor PM transport and distribution.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Serena Fabbri, Mikolaj Owsianiak, Michael Z. Hauschild
Summary: The environmental performance of different sugar feedstocks for bio-based chemicals was assessed, and it was found that sugar cane performed the best while wheat performed the worst. The results highlight the importance of considering by-products and geographic differences when selecting sugar feedstocks.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY BIOENERGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Zijian Li, Peter Fantke
Summary: The degradation kinetics of pesticides in plants play a crucial role in modeling pesticide residual concentrations. This study proposes a modeling approach using potatoes as a model crop to estimate the degradation rate constants of pesticides in plants. The simulations show that the growth dynamics of potatoes and variations in weather conditions and soil properties can significantly affect the degradation kinetics of pesticides in plants.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cecilia Askham, Valentina H. Pauna, Anne-Marie Boulay, Peter Fantke, Olivier Jolliet, Jerome Lavoie, Andy M. Booth, Claire Coutris, Francesca Verones, Miriam Weber, Martina G. Vijver, Amy Lusher, Carla Hajjar
Summary: Current efforts focus on quantifying and describing the magnitude of plastic pollution and its impacts on human and environmental health. This study examines existing approaches for gathering and reporting data on micro-and nanoplastics (MNPs) exposure and effects in order to improve the integration of this data into Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The outcomes suggest the need for improved data collection, validation, and reporting, and propose a set of requirements for increasing the potential use of receptor-oriented studies in LCA.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
V. Pusateri, S. I. Olsen, M. Z. Hauschild, S. Kara
Summary: This study proposes a holistic framework to investigate the resource-use efficiency and environmental impact potentials of additive manufacturing (AM) for metal object production. Through an industrial case demonstration, the framework highlights trade-offs in choosing the best circular economy strategies and manufacturing technology. The most promising circular economy strategies in this case were improved propulsive efficiency and closed-loop recycling.
CIRP ANNALS-MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Rachna Bhoonah, Alice Maury-Micolier, Olivier Jolliet
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Susan Anyango Oginah, Leo Posthuma, Michael Hauschild, Jaap Slootweg, Marissa Kosnik, Peter Fantke
Summary: Bridging applied ecology and ecotoxicology is crucial for ecosystem protection. Splitting species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) can improve pollution impact assessments, especially for chemicals with specific modes of action and narcotic chemicals. This study provides a potential framework for using split SSDs in environmental protection, life cycle assessment, and freshwater ecosystem management, with significant implications for decision-support globally.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhehan Huang, Gael Kijko, Kelly Scanlon, Shannon Lloyd, Andrew Henderson, Peter Fantke, Olivier Jolliet, Shaobin Li
Summary: This study proposes a system approach and new data set to characterize and evaluate occupational health impacts in work environments, aiming to improve the comprehensiveness of life cycle assessment methods. The study finds that the data set of characterization factors for occupational health impacts varies significantly by industry, indicating that occupational health impacts are concentrated in a small portion of industries. A case study demonstrates the feasibility and importance of incorporating occupational health impacts into life cycle impact assessment methods.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Daniel Fozer, Philippe Nimmegeers, Andras Jozsef Toth, Petar Sabev Varbanov, Jiri Jaromir Klemes, Peter Mizsey, Michael Zwicky Hauschild, Mikolaj Owsianiak
Summary: This study presents a data-driven hybrid prediction method for assessing the sustainability of waste-to-dimethyl ether (DME) conversion and optimizing process configurations. The results show that selecting suitable waste feedstocks and designing waste-specific synthesis methods can improve techno-economic and environmental performances.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Masaharu Motoshita, Stephan Pfister, Takahiro Sasaki, Keisuke Nansai, Seiji Hashimoto, Ryosuke Yokoi, Kamrul Islam, Matthias Finkbeiner
Summary: Freshwater, a limited natural resource, is distributed unevenly worldwide, leading to virtual water trade in global supply chains that may result in excessive consumption. The dependence on remote water resources is often overlooked, indirectly driving water consumption by consumers. Through a case study of Japan's water footprint, this study highlights the importance of considering remotely induced water consumption and managing water resources sustainably. The blue water consumption induced by Japan's final demand is three times the volume saved through virtual water trade. To achieve global and local sustainability in freshwater use, hotspots in global supply chains must be identified by considering the concentration, pressure, and proportion of overconsumption.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Vanessa Gorasso, Joana Nazare Morgado, Periklis Charalampous, Sara M. Pires, Juanita A. Haagsma, Joao Vasco Santos, Jane Idavain, Che Henry Ngwa, Isabel Noguer, Alicia Padron-Monedero, Rodrigo Sarmiento, Vera Pinheiro, Elena Von der Lippe, Lea Sletting Jakobsen, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Dietrich Plass
Summary: Within the framework of the burden of disease (BoD) approach, this study reviewed the methods used in BoD assessments and risk assessments in Europe. The results showed substantial variation in the methods used in comparative risk assessment (CRA), which can affect the comparability of estimates.
ARCHIVES OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Laura Scherer, Francesca Rosa, Zhongxiao Sun, Ottar Michelsen, Valeria De Laurentiis, Alexandra Marques, Stephan Pfister, Francesca Verones, Koen J. J. Kuipers
Summary: Land use poses a significant threat to terrestrial biodiversity. Life cycle assessment is a valuable tool for evaluating such threats and aiding environmental decision-making. This study focuses on land use impacts and introduces new characterization factors that consider land use intensities and fragmentation, as well as updates the dataset used for modeling. The findings provide practical guidance for the use of these factors and offer a critical assessment of their strengths and limitations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Hongdou Liu, Lizhen Cui, Tong Li, Calogero Schillaci, Xiufang Song, Paolo Pastorino, Hongtao Zou, Xiaoyong Cui, Zhihong Xu, Peter Fantke
Summary: This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on micro-and nanoplastics in soil, revealing trends, key authors and institutions, and international collaborations. The research findings demonstrate a growing interest in studying MNPs pollution in soil over the past decade, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address this complex challenge.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Mads Juhl, Michael Z. Hauschild, Kim Dam-Johansen
Summary: When developing sustainable products in the coatings industry, conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) provides guidance for choosing a sustainable path. This study focuses on the sustainability performance of protective coatings, using the coating of an offshore wind turbine tower as a case study. The assessment reveals that the majority of environmental impacts, including climate change, stem from the manufacturing of the steel. Therefore, prioritizing a durable coating system that protects the steel and prolongs its lifetime, reducing the need for repairs, is crucial for sustainability. The development path includes substituting toxic substances, using zinc-rich epoxy or zinc silicate coatings instead of thermal sprayed metal, replacing organic solvents with water, reducing steel usage, substituting organic binders with alternatives with lower carbon footprints, and facilitating the recycling of structural materials for reuse.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zijian Li, Peter Fantke
Summary: Although models of pesticide uptake into plants exist, there is a lack of modeling studies on the bioconcentration of metabolites in plants. This study offers a metabolite-based plant uptake model to predict the bioconcentration of parent compounds and their metabolites. The findings show that soil properties, dissipation half-life in soil, and metabolic half-life in the plant significantly impact the concentration of metabolites in potatoes. The proposed model effectively predicts the concentration of metabolites in potatoes compared to a non-metabolite model.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Tong Li, Lizhen Cui, Zhihong Xu, Hongdou Liu, Xiaoyong Cui, Peter Fantke
Summary: Soil ecosystems are facing increasing pressure from human activities, including the introduction of micro-and nanoplastics (MNPs), which have become prevalent worldwide. However, the environmental impact of MNPs on soil ecosystem services has not been adequately addressed in current Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods. This study provides an overview of the current understanding of MNPs in soil ecosystems and proposes a conceptual approach to link MNPs impacts to soil ecosystem services damage.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)