Search Results (179)

Changes in river runoff resources, volumes of water intake from surface water sources, and discharge of wastewater into them under contemporary global warming in the basins of the Volga–Kama and Angara–Yenisei reservoirs were analyzed by comparison with the base period, characterized by colder climatic conditions and the largest volumes of water intake and wastewater discharge. The water stress index (WSI) and the index of reciprocal dilution of polluted wastewater (RDI) were examined to reveal features of the change in the water-industry load on river runoff resources in reservoir basins during the period of contemporary global warming (compared to the previous base period) as a result of climate change combined with changes in the volumes of water intake and discharge of polluted wastewater. Both indices were calculated relative to the annual free flow for years of average river flow and the flow of low-water years. The dilution factor was estimated relative to the annual total flow. 1. The basins of the Volga–Kama reservoirs are characterized by a higher level of water-industry load, which is especially noticeable in the significantly lower RDI. 2. When calculating the dilution factor relative to the annual total flow, the level of water-industry load turns out to be much lower both in the base period and in the period of contemporary global warming. 3. At the same time, under global warming conditions, the dilution level of polluted wastewater in the basins of all reservoirs exceeds the minimum required level. Full article

Understanding Holocene high sea levels in the South China Sea (SCS) is critical for understanding climate change and assessing future sea-level rise risks. We provide a comprehensive review of the Holocene highstand in the SCS, focusing on its age, height, and mechanisms. Records reveal a wide range for this highstand: ages span 3480–7500 cal yr BP, while elevations range from −7.40 to 7.53 m relative to the present. Positive elevations dominate (80.5% of records), with the most frequent range being 2–3 m. Regionally averaged formation times suggest a broadly synchronous mid-Holocene high-sea-level event across the SCS, potentially reflecting a global background. The observed variability is attributed to the interplay of multiple factors: global processes like glacial meltwater input and seawater thermal expansion, particularly during the Holocene warm period, and regional neotectonic movements (uplift/subsidence), which are the primary cause of spatial differences in reconstructed elevations. Significant debate persists regarding precise timing, height, and dominant mechanisms due to limitations in data coverage, dating precision, and challenges in quantifying tectonic influences. Future research priorities include obtaining high-resolution data from stable marine sediments, employing diverse dating techniques and modern crustal deformation monitoring, quantifying tectonic impacts, developing regional sea-level models, and enhancing international collaboration to refine understanding and improve predictions of future sea-level rise impacts. Full article

The degradation of modern and ancient permafrost-affected soils and organic-rich sediments and the release of relict soil organic matter from the frozen state are critical for understanding the global carbon cycle in a changing climate. The molecular structure of humic acids isolated from modern Cryosols and paleosoils from the Ice Complex deposits in the Batagay megaslump area was investigated. The elemental composition analysis was performed using a CHN analyzer, and molecular composition analysis was determined by CP/MAS ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. Analysis of the molecular structure of humic acids showed that MIS 5e paleosoils are characterized by a relatively high content of aliphatic structural fragments (C,H-AL—29–36%) and a low content of aromatic structural fragments (AR/AL—0.49–0.43), which reveals low humification rates in this time period. The composition of humic acids from MIS 7 paleosoils shows a relatively high content of aromatic structural fragments compared to modern soils (AR/AL—0.47) and MIS 5e deposits (AR/AL—0.67–0.54), indicating a longer humification process in heterogenic conditions (warm and cold periods). The results indicate that the molecular structure of humic acids is a dynamic parameter of the environment that reflects the local conditions of pedogenesis and organic matter formation. Permafrost thawing leads to the release of organic matter (including matter that is relatively weakly resistant to biodegradation where aliphatic structural fragments dominate the composition of humic acids) that may strengthen the emission of climate-active gases into the atmosphere and boost climate change. Full article

Per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are man-made compounds involved in compositions of many industrial processes and consumer products. The largest-volume man-made PFAS are made up of refrigerants and fluoropolymers. Major concerns for our society related to these substances are their contribution to global warming as greenhouse gasses and the potential for adverse effects on living organisms, particularly by long-chain perfluoroalkyl acid derivatives. Restrictions on manufacturing and applications will increase in the near future. The full remediation of historical and current contaminations of air, soil and water remains problematic, especially for ultra-short PFASs, such as trifluoroacetic acid. Future monitoring of PFAS levels and their impact on ecosystems remains important. PFASs have become integrated in the lifestyle and infrastructures of our modern worldwide society and are likely to be part of that society for years to come in essential applications by closing the fluorine loop. Full article

With the acceleration of global climate warming and agricultural modernization, the energy and carbon emission issues of agricultural parks (APs) have drawn increasing attention. An AP equipped with biogas-based combined heat and power (CHP) generation and photovoltaic systems serves as a prosumer terminal in a distribution network (DN). This paper introduces carbon emission flow (CEF) theory into the coordinated dispatch of APs and DNs. First, a CEF model for APs is established. Then, based on this model, a carbon–energy coordinated dispatch is carried out under bidirectional CEF interaction between the park and DN. A bidirectional carbon tax mechanism is adopted to explore the low-carbon synergy potential between them. Finally, the Stackelberg game approach is employed to address the pricing of electricity purchase/sale and carbon taxes in a DN, and the particle swarm optimization algorithm is used for rapid generating solutions. The case study shows that the proposed CEF model can effectively determine CEF distribution in the park. Moreover, the proposed bidirectional carbon tax mechanism significantly enhances the low-carbon economic benefits of both the AP and the DN. Full article

Automotive air conditioning systems improve passenger comfort and safety while keeping pace with changing environmental and technological requirements. This review evaluates the historical development, technological progress, and future trends of automotive air conditioning systems, primarily focusing on passenger vehicles, where cabin comfort and individualized thermal control are essential. The analysis examines the transition from early, energy-intensive cooling systems typically operating at a coefficient of performance (COP) of around 1.5 to modern, environmentally friendly alternatives that achieve COP values of approximately 3.0 or higher, highlighting the impact of regulatory measures such as the Kigali Amendment. A particular focus is placed on comparing refrigerants, especially the transition from HFC-134a to HFO-1234yf, with a discussion of their ecological impact and compliance with regulations. Innovative technologies, including adsorption cooling, AI-enhanced climate control, and the integration of renewable energy, are being explored as potential solutions to current challenges. Initially, 121 articles were reviewed, with 84 chosen for detailed examination based on their relevance, methodological soundness, and contributions to the field. The results reveal the trade-offs among efficiency, cost, and sustainability, highlighting the need for ongoing innovation to balance energy usage and environmental stewardship. Future studies should focus on creating refrigerants with extremely low global warming potential, improving battery efficiency in electric vehicles, and utilizing AI for tailored climate control. By tackling these issues, the automotive sector can offer more sustainable and efficient air conditioning options that align with consumer expectations and environmental regulations. Full article

Flood events have become more frequent as a result of seasonal changes, global warming, and changes in sea level. In terms of basin management, it is necessary to know the hydrodynamics of the basin in order to produce faster solutions in emergency action plans. The Filyos River is one of the two most important floodplains in the western Black Sea basin and has so far only been analyzed to a limited extent using modern hydrological and hydraulic models. In order to analyze the flood dynamics and determine the flood risks in the Filyos River. In this context, flood hydrographs, rainfall depths, peak flows, and excess water volumes were calculated for different return periods (2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 years) using HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, and Hyfran Plus software. The analyses showed that the rainfall depth and peak flow rate increased significantly as the return period increased. It was also observed that although the volume of precipitation increased, the amount of water converted into surface runoff remained limited due to infiltration and other losses. The results of the study contribute to the identification of high flood-risk areas in the Filyos River basin, the improvement of flood prevention infrastructure, and the development of sustainable water management policies. Analyses using modeling tools such as HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS provide a scientific basis to help local governments and decision makers strengthen flood prevention strategies, update risk maps, and make emergency response plans more effective while making flood scenarios more reliable. Full article

Amid global climate warming, agricultural low-carbon transition is critical for ecological governance. In China’s ecologically fragile contiguous karst areas of Yunnan–Guizhou, intensifying rural population decline poses unique challenges to emission reduction. This study analyzes population and agricultural production data from 25 cities (prefectures) (2013–2022) to quantify rural population decline rates and agricultural carbon emission efficiency. We map their spatiotemporal evolution patterns, apply spatial autocorrelation models to assess spatial dependencies, and investigate mechanisms through a mediation model integrated with agricultural modernization’s three core systems: industrial, production, and management. Key findings reveal (1) divergent trajectories of carbon emission efficiency across regions with varying population decline types; (2) a global Moran’s I of −0.3519, indicating significant negative spatial correlation between population decline intensity and emission efficiency; and (3) dual impact mechanisms where population decline directly alters emission efficiency and indirectly modulates it through interactions with agricultural systems, with mechanism heterogeneity across decline patterns. To reconcile carbon reduction and agricultural growth, region-specific strategies must align population decline gradients with dynamic adjustments to agricultural systems, ensuring synchronized demographic transition and modernization. Full article

Power systems’ increased running costs and overuse of fossil fuels have resulted in continuing energy scarcity and momentous energy gap challenges worldwide. Renewable energy sources can meet exponential energy growth, lower reliance on fossil fuels, and mitigate global warming. An MINLP optimization method to solve the RES-hybrid system economic dispatch of electric vehicle charging stations is proposed in this paper. This technique bridges the gap between theoretical models and real-world implementation by balancing technical optimization with practical deployment constraints, making a timely and meaningful contribution. These contributions extend the practical application of MINLP in modern grid operations by aligning optimization outputs with the stochastic character of renewable energy, which is still a gap in the existing literature. The proposed economic dispatch simulation results over 24 h at an hourly resolution show that all generation units contributed proportionately to meeting EVCS demand: solar PV (51.29%), ESS (13.5%), grid (29.92%), and wind generator (8.29%). The RES-hybrid energy management systems at charging stations are designed to make the best use of solar PV power during the EVCS charging cycle. The supply–demand load profile problem dynamic in EVCS are designed to reduce reliance on grid electricity supplies while increasing renewable energy usage and reducing carbon impact. Full article

Coral reefs are well known for their diversity and value, providing habitats for a third of marine species within just 0.2% of the ocean. However, these natural habitats face significant threats and degradation, leading to unresolved issues related to coral loss inventory, coral protection, and the implementation of long-term conservation policies. In this study, we examined two decades of changes in coral spatial distribution within the Nha Trang Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) using remote sensing and machine learning (ML) approaches. We identified various factors contributing to coral reef loss and analyzed the effectiveness of management policies over the past 20 years. By employing the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) and Deep Forest (DF) models on Landsat (2002, κ = 0.83, F₁ = 0.85) and Planet (2016, κ = 0.89, F₁ = 0.82; 2024, κ = 0.92, F₁ = 0.86) images, we achieved high confidence in our inventory of coral changes. Our findings revealed that 191.38 hectares of coral disappeared from Nha Trang Bay MPA between 2002 and 2024. The 8-year period from 2016 to 2024 saw a loss of 66.32 hectares, which is in linear approximation to the 125.06 hectares lost during the 14-year period from 2002 to 2016. It is concluded that the key factors contributing to coral loss include land-use dynamics, global warming, and the impact of starfish. To address these challenges, we propose next a modern community-based management paradigm to enhance the conservation of existing coral reefs and protect potential habitats within Nha Trang Bay MPA. Full article

Under intensifying global warming and extreme climate events, the climate adaptability of folk houses in Xinjiang’s arid regions faces critical challenges. However, existing studies predominantly focus on traditional folk houses under current climate conditions, neglecting modern material hybrids and long-term performance under future warming scenarios. This study develops a data-driven framework to assess and enhance building envelope performance across historical-to-future climate conditions (2007–2021 TMY data, 2024 observations, and 2050/2080 SSP3–7.0 projections) using the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method and NSGA-II algorithm. Analyzing rammed earth, brick–wood, and brick–concrete folk houses in Kashgar, Hotan, Kuqa, and Turpan, the optimization targets thermal discomfort hours (TDHs), heating energy consumption (HEC), and net present value (NPV). The results demonstrate optimized solutions achieve 30–60 year climate resilience, reducing HEC by 51.54–84.76% (43.02–125.78 kW·h/m²·a) compared to baseline buildings, TDH by 15–52.93% (301–1236 h) in arid Zone A and by 5.54–10.8% (208–352 h) in the extreme hot-arid Zone B (Turpan), and NPV values by CNY 31,000–85,000. Rammed earth constructions demonstrate superior performance in Zone A, while brick–concrete exhibits optimal extreme hot-arid adaptability, and brick–wood requires prioritized retrofitting. The findings advocate revising China’s design standards to address concurrent winter overcooling and summer overheating risks under future warming. This work establishes a climate-resilient optimization paradigm for arid-region folk houses, advancing energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Full article

Due to the increasing concern about the negative impact of the modern food system and the need to design foods to improve their healthiness and sustainability, in the current study, a fortified cheesecake was developed by using juice, peels, and pomace from prickly pears, which are fruit by-products rich in active compounds. After proper dehydration and being ground to produce a fine powder, some traditional ingredients were substituted with fruit juice and by-products. The water content loss during dehydration and the energy consumed per g of dehydrated by-product were assessed using a proper mathematical approach. A sensory evaluation was carried out using a panel test, thus verifying that the new dessert made with prickly pears was comparable to the traditional one; both recorded high scores of acceptability (sensory score ranged between 8 and 9). The centesimal composition of the two cheesecakes also demonstrated that the ingredient substitution did not affect the energetic value of the final product (290 vs. 248 kcal/100 g); on the contrary, it promoted an increase in carbohydrates (27.38 vs. 26.26 g/100 g), lipids (16.98 vs. 12.94 g/100 g), and total fibers (5.7 vs. 4.2 g/100 g). To demonstrate that the recycling of by-products from prickly pears could represent an advantage from an environmental point of view, a full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was carried out. In relation to this, three environmental impact categories, such as Global Warming Potential, Acidification and Eutrophication, which are associated with three different biowaste treatment options—such as composting, landfilling, and recycling—were assessed. The results from the LCA highlighted that recycling always emerged as the most sustainable biowaste management option. For all environmental impact categories analyzed, recycling resulted in an overall environmental saving (−7.63 kgCO₂eq/kg biowaste; −0.116 kgSO₂eq/kg biowaste; and −0.055 kgPO₄³⁻eq/kg biowaste). In addition, the comparison between the traditional cheesecake and the fortified one, in terms of impacts per kg of cheesecake, demonstrated that replacing food items with recycled biowaste may result in a general reduction in emissions and resources. Therefore, this case study represents a valid example of zero-waste production, offering a concrete suggestion as to how processed foods can be redesigned to make them healthier from a more sustainable perspective. Full article

The confluence of global warming, the urban heat island effect, and alterations in the nature of underlying surfaces has led to a continuous escalation in the frequency, scale, and intensity of fires within urban green spaces. Mitigating or eliminating the adverse effects of such fires on the service functions of urban ecosystems, while enhancing the resilience of urban greening systems in disaster prevention and risk reduction, has become a pivotal challenge in modern urban development and management. Academic focus has progressively broadened from isolated urban and forest domains to encompass the more intricate environments of the Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) and urban–suburban forests, with a particular emphasis on the distinctive characteristics of urban greening and in-depth research. This study employs a combination of CiteSpace bibliometric analysis and a narrative literature review to comprehensively examine three critical aspects of urban fire safety as follows: (1) the evaluation of the fire-resistant performance of landscape plants in urban green spaces; (2) the mechanisms of fire behavior in urban greening systems; and (3) the assessment and prediction of urban fire risks. Our findings indicate that landscape plants play a crucial role in controlling the spread of fires in urban green spaces by providing physical barriers and inhibiting combustion processes, thereby mitigating fire propagation. However, the diversity and non-native characteristics of urban greenery species present challenges. The existing research lacks standardized experimental indicators and often focuses on single-dimensional analyses, leading to conclusions that are limited, inconsistent, or even contradictory. Furthermore, most current fire spread models are designed primarily for forests and wildland–urban interface (WUI) regions. Empirical and semi-empirical models dominate this field, yet future advancements will likely involve coupled models that integrate climate and environmental factors. Fire risk assessment and prediction represent a global research hotspot, with machine learning- and deep learning-based approaches increasingly gaining prominence. These advanced methods have demonstrated superior accuracy compared to traditional techniques in predicting urban fire risks. This synthesis aims to elucidate the current state, trends, and deficiencies within the existing research. Future research should explore methods for screening highly resistant landscape plants, with the goal of bolstering the ecological resilience of urban greening systems and providing theoretical underpinnings for the realization of sustainable urban environmental security. Full article

The Haihe River system, located in the East Asian monsoon climate zone, experiences uneven precipitation and significant variability, leading to frequent droughts and floods that disrupted economic and social development. While many studies have assessed the risks of droughts and floods in the Haihe River Basin, most focus on the basin as a whole, leaving a notable gap in research on the dynamics of the northern region. This study analyzed historical drought and flood data, incorporating instrument precipitation records from 1960 to 2009 to reconstruct conditions in the northern Haihe River Basin from 1470 to 2009. Using methods like the Mann–Kendall test, sliding averages, continuous wavelet technology, and spatial analysis, this study examined the trends, change points, periodicity, and spatial patterns of drought and flood variability. The findings showed that from 1470 to 2009, drought and flood variabilities occurred 73.15% of the time in the northern Haihe system, with peak disaster periods in the 17th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The region has alternated between wet and dry cycles, with a notable dry trend emerging in the 21st century. A prominent 35~50-year cycle in drought and flood occurrences was identified, along with high-frequency oscillations. Flood periods were most frequent in the eastern plains, while drought periods were more prevalent in the western areas, gradually shifting eastward since 1950. The research also revealed correlations between drought and flood variability and solar activity, with peak years coinciding with higher frequencies of these events. El Niño events were associated with drought periods, while La Niña events tended to cause flood periods. Factors such as solar activity, El Niño–Southern Oscillation, monsoon climate patterns, topography, and human influences shaped the dynamics of drought and flood variability in the northern Haihe River Basin. A comparison with other regions showed consistent wet and dry cycles over the past 500 years, particularly between the northern and southern parts of the basin. However, since the 21st century, the southern region has remained humid, while the northern region has become increasingly drier. Despite similar temperature trends, humidity changes have diverged in the modern warming period. Although the underlying factors driving drought and flood variability were not fully understood and required a further exploration of the global climate system’s interactions, these findings emphasized the need for targeted strategies to address the ongoing challenges of drought and flood management in the northern Haihe River Basin. Full article

Concrete, having evolved over the last 2000 years, is integral to modern infrastructure, with continuous innovations aiming to address sustainability challenges. From Roman concrete mixes to the invention of Portland cement (PC), concrete has evolved to meet growing infrastructure demands. As urbanization and energy consumption increase, the construction industry is focusing on high-performance materials, recycling, and minimizing harmful substances. Research on sustainable concrete alternatives shows promising reductions in global warming potential and other environmental impacts compared to traditional PC. However, challenges such as higher material costs and performance limitations remain. Alternatives such as alkali-activated concrete (AAC), self-healing concrete, and bacterial concrete (BC) have emerged in response to environmental concerns, along with fiber-reinforced AAC, waste-based concrete composites, and the reuse of construction and demolition waste (CDW), further enhancing sustainability. Foamed concrete, with its lightweight and insulating properties, offers additional potential for reducing environmental impact due to its ability to incorporate recycled materials and reduce raw material consumption. Technologies like three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) are improving resource efficiency and reducing carbon footprints while also lowering labor and material waste. However, concerns regarding cost-effectiveness and social sustainability persist. Overall, continued innovation is the key to balancing performance, cost, and sustainability in the development of concrete and to meet the growing demands of global infrastructure. Full article