Article
Engineering, Environmental
David Quiroz, Jonah M. Greene, Jason C. Quinn
Summary: This study quantifies the water footprint and water scarcity footprint of renewable diesel derived from algal biomass, and finds that algal cultivation requires less water compared to traditional ethanol and biodiesel feedstocks. The analysis also identifies the most suitable region for algal cultivation and highlights the potential of algal systems in managing wastewater streams.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Nur Izzah Hamna A. Aziz, Marlia M. Hanafiah
Summary: In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the sustainability performance of desalination processes, particularly seawater reverse osmosis. While previous studies have mainly assessed environmental performance, future research should pay more attention to the economic and social aspects of desalination technology.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(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
Environmental Sciences
Fernanda Rocha Thomaz, Marcelo Gomes Miguez, Joao Gabriel de Souza Ribeiro de Sa, Gabriel Windsor de Moura Alberto, Joao Pedro Moreira Fontes
Summary: Drought events have negative impacts on regions worldwide, causing economic, environmental, and social consequences. Increased water demands coupled with drought events amplify water scarcity. To predict meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological droughts, hazard indexes are commonly used. However, they fail to provide information on the timing and location of potential negative consequences. This study introduces the Water Scarcity Risk Index (W-ScaRI) as a planning and decision-support tool for monitoring water scarcity situations.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rosa Gemma Raluy, Paula Quinteiro, Ana Claudia Dias
Summary: This study provides a review of water footprint (WF) assessment on forest and orchard trees, highlighting the focus on orchard trees and the lack of consideration for sustainability and impact in most studies. The review emphasizes the need for further research to harmonize the quantification of green water scarcity footprint and addresses key challenges such as selecting appropriate methods for estimating evapotranspiration (ET) and adopting high spatial and temporal resolution for WF assessment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abhishek, Tsuyoshi Kinouchi
Summary: The study reveals significant interannual variations in land water storage in the study basins, despite minimal linear trends. Groundwater storage shows a slow but persistent response to seasonal hydrological fluxes and remains the major contributor to land water storage. The PCR-GLOBWB model demonstrates potential in analyzing land water storage beyond GRACE data records, and the land water storage-based index is considered a better drought indicator.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marleine Boutros, Sabine Saba, Rima Manneh
Summary: Decision making for environmental issues should be based on modeling tools like life cycle assessment (LCA). The study compares the environmental impacts of PET and returnable glass packaging for carbonated beverages, finding that PET has lower impacts in the waste scenario but glass becomes more favorable when open-burning is considered. It emphasizes the importance of sound waste management policies and promoting the use of LCA in industries to reduce life cycle impacts.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kirsi Usva, Sanna Hietala, Jouni Nousiainen, Virpi Vorne, Marja-Liisa Vieraankivi, Marja Jallinoja, Ilkka Leinonen
Summary: The production and consumption of poultry meat is increasing in Finland, but there is a lack of updated information on the climate change impact of broiler production and no previous study on its water scarcity impact. This study used the Life Cycle Assessment methodology to quantify the climate change and water scarcity impacts of Finnish broiler chicken meat, and applied the AWARE method for the first time in broiler chicken production. The results showed that the feed chain played a significant role in both the climate change and water scarcity impacts.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Camille Maeseele, Philippe Roux
Summary: Wastewater reuse is an alternative water resource that can address water scarcity issues in arid or semi-arid climates. Current research focuses on specific locations and the environmental efficiency of wastewater reuse is influenced by factors such as geographical location, level of water scarcity, water resource origin, and electricity mix.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hailey M. Summers, Jason C. Quinn
Summary: The study introduces a novel method for improving the determination of water scarcity footprint in arid regions, and demonstrates its effectiveness through a case study, which enhances resolution and decision-making abilities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Lago-Olveira, Sherif R. M. El-Areed, Maria Teresa Moreira, Sara Gonzalez-Garcia
Summary: Soil plays a crucial role in providing habitat, nutrients and support for vegetation. Egypt has implemented a Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy to promote environmentally friendly practices among farmers. However, agricultural activities in Egypt have negative impacts on soil properties and nutrient reserves, with irrigation and fertilization identified as critical hotspots.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Suphichaya Suppipat, Allen H. Hu, Lien T. K. Trinh, Chien-Hung Kuo, Lance Hongwei Huang
Summary: Toothpaste tablets are considered a sustainable oral care solution, but they may pose health risks, calling for a reconsideration of their ingredients. The study compared the environmental impacts of using toothpaste cream and tablets, with results showing that tablets have a higher score but potential health concerns.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Krystian Czuba, Anna Bastrzyk, Aleksandra Rogowska, Kamil Janiak, Kornelia Pacyna, Nina Kossinska, Michal Kita, Przemyslaw Chrobot, Daria Podstawczyk
Summary: This study introduces a new approach for wastewater reuse through a membrane process to recover valuable components for various purposes. The research indicates that different process configurations and membrane types impact water treatment efficiency and composition, with MF/UF/NF serving not only as RO pre-treatment processes but also as sources of water for different applications.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriel A. Cardenas Belleza, Marc F. P. Bierkens, Michelle T. H. van Vliet
Summary: Water use for various sectors is increasing due to population growth and economic development, while the frequency and severity of droughts, heatwaves, and compound events are intensifying water scarcity. This study quantifies the impacts of these hydroclimatic extremes on sectoral water use at global, country, and local scales. The findings reveal that different sectors and regions exhibit different water use patterns during extreme events.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Michael J. Lathuilliere, Laure Patouillard, Manuele Margni, Ben Ayre, Pernilla Lofgren, Vivian Ribeiro, Chris West, Toby A. Gardner, Clement Suavet
Summary: Supply chain information is crucial for regionalizing product life cycle assessments, but detailed production-consumption linkages are often lacking. The introduction of the commodity supply mix (CSM) aims to improve inventory relevance and impact allocation by analyzing the combined geographic areas for commodity production. Applying CSM to the Brazilian soybean supply chain, the study found varying impacts on biodiversity and water scarcity across different markets, highlighting the importance of regionalization in LCAs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)