Search Results (6,838)

In the context of occupational environments and sustainable employment, this review explores the effects of declining workers’ health, environmental degradation, and the depletion of marine resources on workers’ psychological well-being. As seas and oceans are increasingly exploited and used as dumping sites for both solid and liquid waste, marine ecosystems are severely degraded, with negative impacts on biodiversity, water quality, and ecosystem processes. Marine biodiversity is crucial to maintaining global food security and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. Moreover, this study examines the role of digital technology in the marine industry in safeguarding workers’ sustainable well-being. It emphasizes the complementary roles of law and technology in promoting it. The risks to the health and well-being of marine workers are greatly increased by the occupational consequences of climate change on the sustainable environment and the effects of working in marine environments. Working conditions, incomes, and even unemployment among marine workers have been directly affected by the degradation of marine environments and the depletion of marine resources. Anxiety, panic, depression, rage, and other unpleasant emotions that affect workers’ health and pose mental health risks are detrimental to the psychological well-being of marine workers. The challenges of employment in the marine industry adversely affect the physical and mental well-being of marine employees and hinder economic growth. However, digital technology in marine environments has fundamentally altered the regulations governing marine operations. Full article

Red mud (RM), a waste residue from alumina extraction, poses serious environmental impacts on water resources, land resources, and ecological systems due to its large production, high alkalinity, and low resource utilization. To enhance the overall utilization rate of RM solid-waste materials, this study focuses on RM, blast furnace slag (BFS), and fly ash (FA) cementitious materials as the research objects. Through mechanical tests and microstructural analysis, the optimal mix ratio of the ternary RM-based cementitious material is determined, and a systematic study of its microstructural evolution is conducted. Concurrently, fractal theory was used to quantify the microstructure of the material, revealing the evolution laws of the mechanical properties of ternary red-mud-based cementitious materials from a mesoscopic perspective. The results indicate that reducing the proportion of RM or slag alone to increase the FA content yields inferior modification effects compared to simultaneously reducing the proportions of both RM and BFS to increase FA content. Compared with the binary RM-based cementitious material made of RM and BFS, the 28-day compressive strength increases by approximately 25%, reaching 50 MPa. The incorporation of FA can reduce the volume of harmful pores in the cementitious matrix, providing ample reactive material for subsequent hydration reactions, promoting later hydration products, and improving the distribution of the internal pore structure. This leads to increases in both fractal dimensions, and a rational mix proportion can effectively improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of the ternary RM-based cementitious material. Full article

The growing volume of construction and demolition waste has made discarded concrete a major source of urban solid waste, placing increasing pressure on land resources and the environment. Recycling waste concrete into recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) offers an effective solution for resource conservation and carbon reduction, aligning with the goals of sustainable development. However, due to the residual mortar, high porosity, and microcracks of recycled aggregates, RAC generally exhibits lower compactness, strength, and durability than conventional concrete, particularly under freeze–thaw conditions where degradation accelerates and service life decreases. To address these challenges, this study investigates the optimization of RAC mix design and its frost resistance performance for pavement base applications. An orthogonal experimental design was employed, with the water-to-binder ratio, recycled aggregate replacement ratio, and air-entraining agent dosage as key variables, while 7-day compressive strength, permeability coefficient, and rebound modulus served as evaluation indices. The influence and interaction of these factors were analyzed to determine an optimal mix meeting both mechanical and durability requirements. Rapid freeze–thaw cycling tests were then conducted to examine the variations in mass loss, relative dynamic modulus, and compressive strength retention, followed by exponential and damage variable modeling to characterize the degradation process. Results show that the water-to-binder ratio primarily governs strength, the replacement ratio affects stiffness and permeability, and the air-entraining agent significantly enhances frost resistance by improving pore structure. The optimized mix retained over 70% of its relative dynamic modulus after 300 freeze–thaw cycles, exhibiting superior durability. This work establishes a systematic framework for multi-factor optimization and durability evaluation of RAC, providing theoretical and practical guidance for its application in cold-region pavement bases. Full article

Stainless steel dust and aluminum dross are large-volume solid wastes in the metallurgical industry. Synergistic treatment of these wastes recovers some metals but yields an Al-rich residue (Al₂O₃ > 50%) that represents both a resource loss and an environmental threat if untreated. In this work, boehmite (γ-AlOOH) was synthesized via a hydrothermal route using the Al-rich residue as the aluminum source. The aim was to valorize this waste stream while comprehensively evaluating the product’s phase, morphology, pore characteristics, efficacy and underlying mechanism for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions. The hydrothermal process was optimized as pH = 11.0, under which high-purity and well-crystallized γ-AlOOH was successfully prepared without harmful by-products. The product had uniform particle size distribution without obvious agglomeration, with a specific surface area of 156.7 m²/g, pore volume of 0.60 cm³/g and average pore diameter of 14.6 nm. The boehmite synthesized at pH 11.0 achieved a Cr(VI) removal efficiency of 31.28% and a maximum adsorption capacity of 15.64 mg/g. This study provides a new path for the resource utilization of high-aluminum residue, with both environmental and economic benefits and potential application value. Full article

Bioenergy production from agro-industrial waste has the potential to contribute to climate change mitigation. In Brazil, the pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) production chain makes an economic, environmental, and social contribution. However, the collection and processing of the fruit produce large amounts of waste, such as the peel, whose improper disposal leads to significant environmental impacts. This study evaluated how moisture and carbonization temperature influence the energy properties of charcoal briquettes made from pequi peel waste. Carbonization was performed at two final temperatures (360 °C/480 °C) with a heating rate of 1.5 °C min⁻¹ and residence times of 4 h and 5 h 20 min, respectively. Carbonization yields were calculated based on dry mass. Briquettes were produced from pequi peel at moisture contents of 5%, 7.5%, and 10% (wet basis). After carbonization, the charcoal briquette samples were characterized by proximate analysis, higher heating value (HHV), bulk density, energy density, and mechanical durability. Carbonization temperature exerted a more pronounced effect on the properties of the carbonized briquettes than the initial moisture content. Carbonization at 480 °C increased the fixed carbon content (76.38%, 74.25%, and 75.10% for treatments 1, 2, and 3) and the HHV (25.10–25.31 MJ kg⁻¹), while reducing the gravimetric yield (32.84–33.25%). The influence of moisture content was more evident in carbonizations carried out at 360 °C, indicating a temperature-dependent interaction. The use of pequi peel for solid biofuel production promotes the valorization of agro-industrial residues and supports strategies aimed at the circular bioeconomy and the decarbonization of the energy matrix. Full article

Biomass pyrolysis has emerged as a flexible platform for converting low-value residues into higher-value energy carriers (bio-oil, biochar and gas) and carbon-rich materials, with realistic potential for negative emissions when biochar is deployed in long-lived sinks. Over the last decade, three developments have driven the field forward: first, a finer mechanistic understanding of devolatilization and secondary reactions; second, major improvements in analytical techniques for characterising feedstocks and products; and third, more rigorous techno-economic and life-cycle assessments that place pyrolysis in a broader energy-system context. Recent experimental work on forestry and agro-industrial residues has clarified how biomass composition, ash chemistry and operating conditions jointly govern product yields, energy content and stability. Parallel advances in GC×GC–MS, high-resolution mass spectrometry, NMR and thermogravimetric methods have shifted the discussion from bulk “bio-oil” and “char” to families of molecules and well-defined structural domains, which can be deliberately targeted by reactor and catalyst design. Data-driven models, ranging from support vector machines applied to TGA curves to ANFIS and random forests for yield prediction, are now accurate enough to support process screening and multi-objective optimisation. At the system level, commercial fast pyrolysis biorefineries report overall useful energy efficiencies on the order of 80–86%, while slow pyrolysis configurations centred on biochar can be economically viable when carbon storage and co-products are appropriately valued. Thermodynamic analyses confirm that indirect gasification via fast-pyrolysis oil sacrifices some energy and exergy efficiency relative to direct solid-biomass gasification but may offer logistical and integration advantages. This review synthesises recent work on (i) feedstock and process characterisation; (ii) state-of-the-art analytical methods for bio-oil, biochar and gas; (iii) modelling and machine-learning tools; and (iv) energy-system deployment of pyrolysis products. Throughout, the emphasis is on how characterisation and modelling inform concrete design choices and on the trade-offs that arise when pyrolysis is considered as part of a wider decarbonisation portfolio. By integrating laboratory-scale characterisation with system-level modelling, this review aligns biomass pyrolysis with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The optimisation of thermochemical conversion pathways for forestry and agro-industrial residues directly supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by enhancing the efficiency of bio-oil and syngas production. Furthermore, the deployment of biochar as a stable carbon sink for negative emissions and soil amendment addresses SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By converting low-value waste streams into high-value energy carriers and chemicals within a circular bioeconomy framework, the research further contributes to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Full article

Leaching carbon residue (LCR) is a carbonaceous solid waste generated during the hydrometallurgical recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries. Although its high graphite content offers substantial potential for resource recovery, the residual heavy metals and fluorides present in LCR pose considerable environmental risks. Currently, LCR has not garnered sufficient attention within the industry, and the lack of recycling technologies suitable for large-scale disposal results in resource wastage and environmental pollution. To address these challenges, this study proposes an innovative strategy based on the concept of multi-field synergistic enhancement. The proposed approach involves recovering and regenerating graphite (RG) from LCR via low-temperature molten salt roasting assisted by high-pressure and mechanical activation. A combination of advanced characterization techniques was employed to compare the physicochemical properties of RG and commercial graphite (CG) and to systematically evaluate the technical feasibility of using regenerated graphite as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The results demonstrate that, under optimized molten salt roasting and aqueous leaching conditions, the carbon content of RG reaches 99.94 wt%, indicating the efficient removal of non-carbon impurities from the graphite matrix. Compared to CG, RG retains a typical layered structure; however, a lower carbon content (99.94 wt%) and poorer structural order (I_D/I_G = 0.30) are observed. In terms of electrochemical performance, RG delivers a discharge specific capacity of 394.64 mAh/g during the first cycle and exhibits excellent cycling stability, with a capacity retention of 86.50% after 100 cycles. This electrochemical performance is comparable to that of commercial graphite. The proposed multi-field-assisted low-temperature molten salt roasting technique enables the efficient recovery of high-value graphite resources from LCR, establishing a full-lifecycle recycling strategy tailored for lithium-ion battery applications. Full article

This study estimates China’s methane (CH₄) emissions from 43 specific emission sources in 2020 and projects future trends through 2050 under two scenarios: Current Legislation (CLE) and Maximum Technically Feasible Reduction (MFR). The analysis utilises the Greenhouse gas and Air pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model methane framework, incorporating updated province-level activity data to capture the pronounced regional heterogeneity inherent in emission profiles and mitigation capacities. The results reveal a national CH₄ budget of 1114 MtCO₂e in 2020, with the energy sector (59%) and agriculture (28%) emerging as the primary contributors. A substantial technical mitigation potential is identified; by 2050, emissions could be curtailed by up to 48% relative to the CLE scenario, representing a 46% reduction from 2020 levels. The energy and waste sectors emerge as the primary contributors to this potential. Specifically, coal mining CH₄ abatement constitutes 58% of the energy sector’s total reduction potential, while enhanced solid waste management accounts for 97% of the mitigation within the waste sector. Key measures include ventilation air methane (VAM) oxidation and pre-mining degasification, as well as anaerobic digestion and recovery and utilization for energy use. Owing to regional disparities in hydrothermal conditions (representing the combined influence of temperature and moisture), demographic status, economic development, the most effective mitigation strategies vary across provinces. For example, pre-mining degasification and VAM oxidation are most impactful in major coal-producing regions such as Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, and Shaanxi. In contrast, anaerobic digestion, recovery and utilization, and waste incineration play a dominant role in more economically developed and densely populated provinces such as Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang. By delineating region-specific technological priorities, this study quantifies the maximum technical mitigation potential for China and offers guidance for other nations facing similar mitigation challenges. Full article

The escalating challenge of solid waste disposal necessitates innovative recycling strategies. This study aims to constructed technosols from bulk solid wastes (fly ash, straw and sewage sludge) for the dual purpose of sustainable waste management and the rehabilitation of degraded land. Following a 150-day incubation period, six resulting technosols were systematically evaluated for aggregate stability, bacterial community structure, and biological safety to assess their viability as functional soil materials. All constructed technosols had a pH of 7.44–7.71 and were enriched in soil organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Aggregate stability (R_0.25: 46.6–64.0%) surpassed that of typical Chinese soils. Bacterial analysis revealed a stable consortium of 165 core genera, accounting for 92.93–98.11% of the total relative abundance, and were dominated by six phyla (Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Planctomycetota, Gemmatimonadota, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota). The addition of straw modulated phylum structure, elevating Bacteroidota and reducing Proteobacteria. The bacterial communities exhibited clear functional hierarchy at class and order levels, with dominant groups forming a complementary carbon–nitrogen–phosphorus cycling network. Functional prediction further indicated distinct differentiation in carbon and nitrogen metabolic pathways. The technosols were non-phytotoxic and significantly enhanced the growth of Portulaca oleracea, increasing plant height (4.9–86.7%), dry weight per plant (67.3–605.4%), and SPAD values (8.1–15.9%), respectively. This study provides a sustainable strategy for repurposing solid wastes into functional technosols, aligning with circular economy principles and offering a viable solution for the ecological restoration of degraded lands such as mining areas. Full article

AI data-center (DC) growth is increasingly constrained by limited deliverable electricity, interconnection capacity, and cooling demand. This study develops a boundary-consistent screening framework for waste-to-energy (WtE)-coupled AI DC cooling, treating cooling as an energy service that can be supplied through grade matching rather than solely through electricity-driven mechanical chilling. The framework translates plant-side exportable heat into corridor-level planning objects by explicitly accounting for thermal attenuation, absorption-based conversion, and parasitic electricity associated with delivery and auxiliaries. Three results structure the analysis. First, a reference-case energy-service ledger shows how a representative regulated WtE plant with municipal solid-waste throughput of 1500 t/day and lower heating value of 10 MJ/kg yields ~78.1 MWth of exportable driving heat and, at a 20 km corridor, ~53.0 MWcool of delivered cooling and ~8.0 MWe of net avoided cooling electricity after parasitic debiting. Second, the coupled system is governed by operating regimes, not a single efficiency score. Under the baseline package, full thermal coverage is maintained up to ~20.9 km, the stricter quality-adjusted criterion remains positive to ~22.9 km, and the electricity–relief criterion remains positive to ~44.7 km. Third, deployment-scale translation for a 1 GW IT campus (u = 0.70, L = 5 km) implies a net grid relief of ~116.9–264.4 MW across scenario packages, while the required WtE footprint ranges from roughly three to 148 equivalent representative plants, or about 0.6–40 full-load-equivalent plants at a 25% displacement target. The contribution is a siting-ready planning framework that identifies when WtE-coupled cooling remains corridor-feasible, when it becomes hybrid and marginal, and when infrastructure scale rather than thermodynamic benefit becomes the binding constraint. It is intended as a screening tool for planning and comparison, not as a project-specific hydraulic or plant-cycle design. Full article

The potential of Trichoderma nordicum (Hypocreales, Ascomycota), a recently described species, for antagonism and use in the biocontrol of oomycete-caused plant diseases is unknown. Trichoderma is a well-known genus for containing microbial antagonists and biocontrol agents. The T. nordicum in this study was isolated from decomposing wood, and rpb2 and tef1 barcode sequencing demonstrated that the isolates were a match to the reference T. nordicum and T. nigricans strains. Since T. nordicum was described before T. nigricans, the isolates were assigned to T. nordicum, although taxonomic uncertainty between these species requires future clarification. In dual-culture confrontation assays, T. nordicum overgrew five economically important oomycete plant pathogens (Phytophthora capsici, P. sojae, Pythium aphanidermatum, P. myriotylum, and Globisporangium ultimum). The inability to recover viable P. aphanidermatum and P. capsici from the parts of the plate overgrown by T. nordicum, coupled with protease and endo-cellulase activities, correlates with T. nordicum having antagonistic abilities. Inoculation with T. nordicum preventively reduced the levels of cucumber seedling damping-off caused by P. aphanidermatum by up to 70%. The T. nordicum biocontrol effects against pepper blight caused by P. capsici were greater than 80%, compared to an autoclaved T. nordicum spore control. T. nordicum could also significantly promote the growth of pepper, with plant weight increased by up to 40%, compared to an autoclaved-spore control. In contrast, T. nordicum could not be used to control Pythium soft rot of ginger caused by P. myriotylum, even though P. myriotylum was overgrown by T. nordicum, suggesting host- or pathosystem-specific factors influence biocontrol efficacy. In summary, T. nordicum is a promising biocontrol agent for use in the control of pepper blight caused by P. capsici, and also has potential for use in the control of other oomycete-caused plant diseases in vegetable production systems. Full article

The Ningxia Yellow River Irrigation District in China has long been influenced by flood irrigation and intensive fertilizer input under its particular geological and climatic constraints, and this region is characterized by low soil organic matter, poor nutrient status, low permeability, high pH, and widespread salinization. This cross-sectional field study compared the soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities among saline–alkali soil (SAS), straw-returning farmland (SR), and traditionally managed farmland (FM). EC was higher in SAS (approximately 4.21 dS·m⁻¹) than in SR and FM (approximately 0.23 and 0.30 dS·m⁻¹, respectively), whereas TOC and C/N were higher in SR (approximately 1.00% and 10.58, respectively) than in FM (approximately 0.78% and 8.69) and SAS (approximately 0.43% and 8.81). Bacterial and fungal communities showed different distribution patterns among the three farmland types. Compared with fungi, bacterial community structure and richness varied more clearly across soils differing in salinity and organic matter status. Variations in microbial community composition were accompanied by differences in soil salinity and carbon- and nitrogen-related properties. Acidobacteriota was positively correlated with soil carbon and nitrogen variables and negatively correlated with pH and EC, while Ascomycota was positively correlated with total carbon (TC) and TOC. These results show that straw-returning farmland differed from saline–alkali soil and traditionally managed farmland in both soil properties and microbial community characteristics, highlighting potential soil–microbe associations in saline-affected agricultural systems. Full article

The inefficient utilization of industrial by-product phosphogypsum, coupled with the increasing global demand for cooling, has spurred the development of sustainable radiative cooling materials. Compared with conventional cooling coatings that primarily rely on expensive synthetic materials or complex fabrication processes, this study provides a promising cost-effective and sustainable route for integrating industrial solid waste valorization with zero-energy cooling technologies. In this study, we fabricated a composite coating (β-HPG@CA/SiO₂@OTS) consisting of β-hemihydrate phosphogypsum (β-HPG), a derivative product of phosphogypsum, cellulose acetate (CA), SiO₂ particles and octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) by a facile combination of blade coating and spraying, which exhibited strong solar reflectivity (90.9%), high mid-infrared emissivity (98.7%) and satisfactory superhydrophobicity (157°). The as-prepared composite achieved an ambient temperature drop of 18.7 °C under direct sunlight during sunny weather, achieving a net cooling power of 92.23 W/m². Meanwhile, the composite coating exhibits excellent durability after prolonged immersion in strongly acidic and alkaline solutions, ultraviolet radiation and outdoor testing. Owing to its simple fabrication process and robust cooling performance, this coating shows promise for scalable production and practical outdoor applications, such as building envelopes and equipment enclosures. Full article

Consumers believe that expired products are unsafe, and, in most cases, misinterpreting the information on food labels often leads to large amounts of food waste. Yogurt is among the most widely eaten dairy products that can still be consumed after its expiration date, even though most consumers throw it away the very day it expires. The aim of this study was to determine whether commercial yogurts currently available on the market remain safe for consumption after their expiration date, with a view to reducing the amount of food waste generated in households. Therefore, the quality, stability, and edible safety of 10 commercial yogurts (two plain with 2% and 4% fat and the others with fruit, such as apricots, strawberries, bananas, blueberries, berries and strawberries, blackberries and raspberries, and cherries) stored at 4°C before and at the expiration date were investigated. Physicochemical, textural, microbiological, and sensory analyses were performed to evaluate changes in functionality, safety, and acceptability of these yogurts. The results showed that, prior to their expiration date, certain yogurt samples (with apricots, strawberries, and blueberries, as well as plain yogurt with 4% fat) tested positive for total coliform bacteria, with values ranging from 20 to 50 CFU/g, suggesting substandard hygiene practices and insufficient sanitary conditions during and following the production process. No Escherichia coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Enterobacter spp., or Enterococcus spp. were detected in any of the yogurt samples that were within their expiration date. Blueberry, berry, and strawberry yogurts change their physical and chemical properties less than other types of yogurts analyzed after expiration. Yogurts containing berries and strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries remain safe at the expiration date, as they do not show the presence of harmful microorganisms such as coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Enterococcus spp., Listeria, or Salmonella. Yogurt with berries and strawberries appears to be the most suitable from a microbiological point of view at expiration, as it has a low total mesophilic bacteria count and lactic acid bacteria exceeding 1 × 10⁶ CFU/g. At the time of expiration, this fruit yogurt type (with berries and strawberries) had a total solids content of 21.29%, 5.22% protein, 2.11% fat, 13.19% carbohydrates, 4.07 pH, 26.79% syneresis, 73.21% water retention capacity, 64.78% total phenolic content, and 10.55% DPPH (inhibition percentage). Nevertheless, at the time of expiration, from a sensory perspective (only appearance and consistency, odor, and color, without taste), the yogurt samples that were most appreciated contained blackberries and raspberries. The obtained results indicate that only certain types of fruit yogurts stored unopened at 4 °C may remain safe and edible after the expiration date, but further studies are needed to help the dairy industry and policymakers promote the reduction in food waste in households. Full article

Thermochemical/catalytic co-processing of biomass and solid wastes is a promising route for waste valorization, low-carbon energy recovery, and the co-production of fuels, chemicals, and carbon materials. Conventional pathways, including pyrolysis, gasification, liquefaction, and carbonization, provide the basic framework for mixed-feed conversion. Emerging routes, such as flash Joule heating, microwave-assisted conversion, plasma processing, supercritical water treatment, solar-driven systems, and machine-learning-assisted optimization, further expand opportunities for process intensification and selective upgrading. Owing to feedstock complementarity, including hydrogen donation from plastics, catalytic effects of ash minerals, and interactions among reactive intermediates, co-processing can enhance deoxygenation, hydrogen generation, aromatization, and carbon utilization. Major challenges remain, however, including feedstock heterogeneity, reactor scale-up, catalyst stability, and the limited transferability of laboratory-scale synergy to realistic waste streams. Future progress should therefore focus on continuous validation, mechanistic clarification, and integrated techno-economic, life-cycle, and data-driven assessments. Full article