Article
Environmental Sciences
Xuan Li, Chaofan Wu, Michael E. Meadows, Zhaoyang Zhang, Xingwen Lin, Zhenzhen Zhang, Yonggang Chi, Meili Feng, Enguang Li, Yuhong Hu
Summary: The study analyzed the spatiotemporal variations in key factors influencing PM2.5 in Zhejiang Province, China from 2000 to 2019 using random forest and SHAP algorithms. The results showed that factors influencing PM2.5 varied significantly, with meteorological factors being the most important, followed by socioeconomic factors and topography/land cover factors. While GDP and transportation factors initially increased in importance, their contribution has declined recently, indicating that economic and infrastructural development may not necessarily lead to higher PM2.5 concentrations. Vegetation productivity, as indicated by NDVI changes, has become more essential in improving air quality in the region.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhou Yuhe, Yang Guangfei, Li Xianneng
Summary: Understanding the changes in PM2.5 concentrations is crucial for assessing and controlling air pollution in classrooms. This study investigated PM2.5 concentrations in a primary school in North China and utilized an intelligent data-driven symbolic regression method to model the relationships between various factors and PM2.5 concentrations. Results showed that outdoor PM2.5 concentrations can affect indoor concentrations through meteorological variations, and student behaviors can lead to rapid changes in indoor PM2.5 over a short timeframe.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kyungmo Kang, Taeyeon Kim, Hyungkeun Kim
Summary: The study revealed that indoor air pollution from particles, mainly caused by indoor activities like cooking, leads to prolonged indoor particle concentrations. Outdoor sources were found to be the predominant sources of particle exposure, suggesting that reducing outdoor penetration is crucial in lowering indoor PN concentration by improving building airtightness through the addition of air filtration.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weizhen Li, Zhaowen Qiu, Xin Wang
Summary: This study conducted mobile and fixed-site monitoring of PM mass and number concentrations, as well as comparative analysis, at an adjacent roundabout and intersection. The results showed that the distribution and variation of PM characteristics differed between the roundabout and intersection. A Generalized Additive Model (GAM) quantified the contribution of different factors to PM2.5 at the roundabout and intersection, identifying their different influential levels. The study also estimated the average respiratory deposition dose (RDD) rates for adults and children using field data, providing insights for formulating effective urban traffic pollution control strategies.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Maarten Bassier, Florent Poux, Shayan Nikoohemat
Summary: This Special Issue brings together research papers on various aspects of using low-cost photogrammetric and lidar sensors for reconstructing indoor buildings. The papers include improvements in aligning mobile mapping systems with and without a prior 3D BIM model, interpreting indoor scenery from both imagery and lidar data, and reconstructing and enriching existing 3D point clouds and meshes with BIM information. Specifically, the publications showcase methods for restoring wall segments for indoor navigation, aligning mixed reality devices with existing building data, normalizing pose of indoor mapping datasets, robust registration of 3D indoor scene point clouds, semantic augmentation for instance segmentation of panoramic images, and coarse registration of smartphone point clouds with CAD drawings for low-cost digital twin buildings.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Soyoung Park, Sanghun Son, Jaegu Bae, Doi Lee, Jae-Jin Kim, Jinsoo Kim
Summary: This study successfully predicted daily PM10 concentrations using boosting algorithms including GBM, XGB, and LightGBM. The LightGBM model outperformed the other models, but showed lower spatial prediction accuracy in the southwest of the study area and temporal differences at high concentrations. These methods provide reliable PM10 concentration values for air pollution management, but could be further improved by considering spatial and seasonal variables.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shan Xu, Bin Zou, Ying Xiong, Neng Wan, Huihui Feng, Chenxia Hu, Yan Lin
Summary: This study proposes a new method for spatial prediction of PM2.5 pollution based on the pollution scene assumption, and validates the potential effectiveness of this assumption through geographically weighted regression kriging. The research finds that PM2.5 concentration varies between urban microenvironments, and pollution scene-based GWRK is effective for high-resolution mapping.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniele Pala, Vittorio Casella, Cristiana Larizza, Alberto Malovini, Riccardo Bellazzi
Summary: In the Po Valley in northern Italy, air pollution is a serious concern due to factors such as high population density and industrial activity. During the lockdown, there was a reduction in car traffic and industrial activity, but a drastic decrease in pollution levels was not observed. Factors such as weather conditions and other external factors play a role in determining the severity of pollution.
Article
Transportation Science & Technology
Yuyi Chang, Wen Xiao, Benjamin Coifman
Summary: This paper presents a non-model based vehicle tracking methodology using a 3D LiDAR sensor to extract road user trajectories. The method postpones target segmentation until after collecting LiDAR returns, reducing errors. The study develops the methodology with a single LiDAR sensor, but suggests that multiple sensors with overlapping fields of view can extend the surveillance region indefinitely.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART C-EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wanli Hou, Xi Chen, Jinhao Wu, Chong Zhang, Jianghua Yu, Jie Bai, Tiantian Chen
Summary: This study investigated the spatiotemporal variations and sources of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants based on long-term monitoring data in Liaodong Bay. The results showed evident variations in nutrients, with hot-spots of pollutants mainly concentrated in estuarine and aquaculture areas.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Torres-Agullo, A. Karanasiou, T. Moreno, S. Lacorte
Summary: Airborne microplastics have become a concern in recent years due to their potential risks to human health. This study evaluated the concentrations of microplastics in indoor environments and found that public transport had the highest levels. The most common polymers identified were polyamide, polyester, and polypropylene, which are commonly used in personal care products and synthetic textiles.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jordi Massague, Miguel Escudero, Andres Alastuey, Enrique Mantilla, Eliseo Monfort, Gotzon Gangoiti, Carlos Perez Garcia-Pando, Xavier Querol
Summary: This study evaluates the spatial variation and trends of ground-level ozone (O3) in Spain to support the country's Ozone Mitigation Plan. The results show that O3 spatial variation depends on the part of the O3 distribution being analyzed. The study proposes a classification of atmospheric regions in Spain based on O3 pollution patterns, highlighting priority areas for O3 mitigation. The trends assessment reveals varying O3 trends among different hotspots, emphasizing the importance of designing local/regional mitigation measures.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rebecca Talbot, Elise Granek, Heejun Chang, Rosemary Wood, Susanne Brander
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between microplastic concentrations and various spatiotemporal factors in urban rivers and finds that microplastic concentrations in urban rivers are influenced by season, flow rate, and precipitation. The findings suggest that near stream factors have a stronger influence on the presence and abundance of microplastics. Fragmented microplastics are the most commonly observed morphology.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Peng-Yeng Yin
Summary: This paper proposes an interactive analysis platform for spatiotemporal retrieval and feature analysis of air pollution episodes. The platform allows domain experts to search similar pollution episodes based on local factors and conduct spatiotemporal feature analysis to infer insights into how local factors result in particular pollution episodes.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chin-Yu Hsu, Hong-Xin Xie, Pei-Yi Wong, Yu-Cheng Chen, Pau-Chung Chen, Chih-Da Wu
Summary: This study is the first to predict spatial-temporal variations in benzene concentrations for the entirety of Taiwan using a mixed spatial prediction model and multiple machine learning algorithms. The results show the value of the proposed ensemble-based model for estimating spatiotemporal variation in benzene exposure.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Shafeeq Ur Rahman, Yanliang Li, Sajjad Hussain, Babar Hussain, Waqas-ud-Din Khan, Luqman Riaz, Muhammad Nadeem Ashraf, Muhammad Athar Khaliq, Zhenjie Du, Hefa Cheng
Summary: The toxic effects of heavy metals on plants are a global concern, as they directly threaten the food supply chain. Studies have shown that exogenous application of phytohormones can mitigate the negative effects of heavy metal stress in plants and promote their growth and development. However, further research is needed to fully understand the potential pathways of phytohormones in mitigating heavy metal toxicity.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ke Jiang, Yatai Men, Ran Xing, Bo Fu, Guofeng Shen, Bengang Li, Shu Tao
Summary: Fuel combustion provides basic energy for the society but also produces CO2 and incomplete combustion products that threaten human survival, climate change, and global sustainability. This study evaluates the absolute and relative contributions of different fuels, sectors, and regions to combustion emission-associated climate forcing using updated emission inventories and an earth system model. The results have important implications for energy transition and emission reduction actions to combat climate change, as different fuels and sectors have distinct climate efficiencies and spatial heterogeneity requires differentiated energy utilization strategies and pollution control policies by region and sector.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guowei Wang, Hefa Cheng
Summary: In recent decades, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics have been detrimental to aquatic ecosystems. This study successfully developed a recyclable WO3/NiFe2O4/BiOBr (WNB) composite with a unique dual Z-scheme heterojunction for the degradation of levofloxacin (LEV) in water. The WNB composite exhibited the highest sonocatalytic activity with a 97.97% removal efficiency of LEV (at 10 mg/L) within 75 minutes under ultrasonic irradiation. The enhanced catalytic activity of WNB was attributed to its dual Z-scheme structure, which facilitated the transfer and spatial separation of photo-generated electron-hole pairs and increased the carrier lifespan.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yafeng Wang, Hefa Cheng
Summary: Potentially toxic elements from geothermal springs in the Yangbajain geothermal field on the Tibetan Plateau have caused significant pollution and potential risks to the local ecosystem, particularly in rivers and animal feeds. Evaluation: 8 points
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ping Wang, Jiangshan Li, Yuanan Hu, Hefa Cheng
Summary: This study investigated the solidification and stabilization of abandoned mine tailings using municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) to fabricate unfired bricks. The results showed that unfired bricks exhibited good mechanical and environmental performance, and replacing cement with MSWIFA blended with GGBFS could save energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yanliang Li, Shafeeq Ur Rahman, Zhixin Qiu, Sher Muhammad Shahzad, Muhammad Farrakh Nawaz, Jianzhi Huang, Sadiq Naveed, Lei Li, Xiaojie Wang, Hefa Cheng
Summary: Anthropogenic activities contaminate the environment with heavy metals, posing a greater threat than natural phenomena. Cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal, affects food safety and plant growth. Plants absorb and accumulate cadmium, causing detrimental effects on their morphology and physiology. Plants activate defense mechanisms to tolerate cadmium toxicity by producing antioxidants, up-regulating tolerant genes, and secreting phytohormones.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kai Yang, Xilong Wang, Hefa Cheng, Shu Tao
Summary: The aging processes of biochars in soils can slowly change their physicochemical properties, influencing their interaction with heavy metals. The effects of aging on immobilization of co-existing heavy metals in contaminated soils amended with contrasting biochars remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of wet-dry and freeze-thaw aging on the bioavailability and chemical fractionation of Cd and Pb in contaminated soil amended with chicken manure (CM) biochar and wheat straw (WS) biochar. The results showed that CM biochar effectively reduced the bioavailability of Cd and Pb, while WS biochar only immobilized Pb under freeze-thaw aging. The changes in heavy metal immobilization resulted from aging-induced alterations in biochar surface functional groups, porous structure, and dissolved organic carbon release. These findings are important for selecting suitable biochars for immobilizing multiple heavy metals in co-contaminated soil under changing environmental conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenjun Meng, Lei Zhu, Zhuang Liang, Haoran Xu, Wenxiao Zhang, Jin Li, Yuanzheng Zhang, Zhihan Luo, Guofeng Shen, Huizhong Shen, Yilin Chen, Hefa Cheng, Jianmin Ma, Shu Tao
Summary: A clean heating campaign in northern China replaced coal with electricity or natural gas among 13.9 million rural households, resulting in significant reductions in PM2.5 emissions and exposure, as well as a decrease in premature deaths attributable to residential emissions. However, the benefits and costs were unevenly distributed, with residents in mountainous areas experiencing less benefit but paying more due to higher costs. Targeted investment and subsidies in less developed areas, as well as promoting less expensive alternatives, could help achieve improved air quality, reduced health impacts, and reduced inequity in future clean heating interventions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaojie Wang, Yue Yin, Zhiqiang Yu, Guofeng Shen, Hefa Cheng, Shu Tao
Summary: This study investigated the diversity and distribution patterns of microbial sub-communities in hot spring sediments on the Tibetan Plateau and identified their major environmental drivers using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that stochasticity and heterogeneous selection played important roles in shaping the bacterial sub-community assemblages. Salinity was found to be a major environmental factor driving the composition of the bacterial communities. Additionally, the study highlighted the importance of conditionally rare taxa in constructing bacterial communities and provided insights into the ecological mechanisms maintaining ecosystem stability and services in extreme environments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qiang Wang, Jie Fan, Mei-Po Kwan, Kan Zhou, Guofeng Shen, Na Li, Bowei Wu, Jian Lin
Summary: Since 2013, China has made remarkable progress in transitioning from traditional solid fuels to clean energy. However, this transition has disproportionately affected poor households, leading to concerns about the increasing energy burden. Although there has been a decrease in energy cost inequality, there is a growing disparity in energy burden between rural and urban households.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sadeeq Ullah, Qingling Liu, Shiyong Wang, Amin Ullah Jan, Hafiz M. Adeel Sharif, Allah Ditta, Gang Wang, Hefa Cheng
Summary: Chromium is a significant environmental pollutant released through human activities and has detrimental effects on human health and the environment. Phytoremediation offers a promising solution to remediate chromium-contaminated soils, and over 400 plant species with hyperaccumulation abilities have been identified globally. Understanding the sources and impacts of chromium contamination, as well as the factors influencing chromium uptake in plants and the mechanisms behind phytoremediation, is crucial for the development of effective strategies.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lifan Qin, Mengkun Zhai, Hefa Cheng
Summary: Burning coal significantly affects indoor air quality, with high concentrations of various gaseous pollutants. The use of clean fuel and improved stoves can effectively reduce indoor air pollution.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Guowei Wang, Hefa Cheng
Summary: In this work, a unique recyclable interfacial Z-scheme NiFe2O4/{0 1 0}BiVO4 composite was successfully designed for the removal of norfloxacin in aqueous solution. The composite exhibited a high removal efficiency and superior stability due to its interfacial Z-scheme structure. The formation of the composite occurs when specific facets of BiVO4 are exposed, creating a surface heterojunction.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Teng Ma, Silu Zhang, Yilong Xiao, Xiaorui Liu, Minghao Wang, Kai Wu, Guofeng Shen, Chen Huang, Yan Ru Fang, Yang Xie
Summary: The rural energy transition is crucial for China's carbon neutrality and air quality improvement. By decarbonizing rural cooking and heating, energy poverty can be reduced, energy consumption can be increased, and health benefits can be improved. However, the transition requires significant costs and more financial support for rural residents in certain areas.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Economics
Dawit Guta, Hisham Zerriffi, Jill Baumgartner, Abhishek Jain, Sunil Mani, Darby Jack, Ellison Carter, Guofeng Shen, Jennifer Orgill-Meyer, Joshua Rosenthal, Katherine Dickinson, Rob Bailis, Yuta Masuda
Summary: Household solid fuel use is detrimental to health and the environment. The Indian government's PMUY subsidy has successfully promoted the adoption of LPG by millions of households. However, there is limited understanding of the decision-making process to reduce solid fuel use after transitioning to cleaner fuels. This study found that factors such as household wealth, social status, education level, and the prevalence of LPG use in the village are positively associated with LPG consumption and the discontinuation of solid fuel use. On the other hand, factors such as distance to LPG refill delivery, household size, and the PMUY subsidy are negatively associated with the share of LPG use.
