Search Results (759)

The North China Plain faces severe water scarcity, and the efficient use of brackish water has become a crucial pathway for sustaining agricultural development. In this study, we combine scenario analysis with Data Envelopment Analysis to establish a multi-scenario efficiency evaluation framework. Focusing on six counties in Handan, Hebei Province, we employ an input-oriented Slack-Based Measure Data Envelopment Analysis (SBM-DEA) model to systematically evaluate brackish water irrigation efficiency (BWIE) across a baseline year (2020) and eight projected scenarios for 2030. The results show that the mean efficiency values across scenarios range from 0.646 to 0.909. Scenarios combining universal adoption of water-saving irrigation with normal hydrological conditions achieve the highest mean efficiency (>0.9), with minimal regional disparities and optimal system stability. The promotion of water-saving irrigation technologies is the primary driver of improved BWIE, whereas simply increasing brackish water application yields only limited marginal benefits. Redundancy analysis further indicates that water resource inputs are the main source of efficiency loss, with brackish water redundancy (42.3%) far exceeding that of land inputs (10.5%). These findings provide quantitative evidence and methodological support for optimizing regional water allocation and advancing sustainable agricultural development. Full article

Oases in arid regions are crucial for sustaining agricultural production and ecological stability, yet few studies have simultaneously examined the coupled dynamics of land use/cover change (LUCC), carbon emissions, and ecosystem service value (ESV) at the oasis–agricultural scale. This gap limits our understanding of how different land use trajectories shape trade-offs between carbon processes and ecosystem services in fragile arid ecosystems. This study examines the spatiotemporal interactions between land use carbon emissions and ESV from 1990 to 2020 in the Wensu Oasis, Northwest China, and predicts their future trajectories under four development scenarios. Multi-period remote sensing data, combined with the carbon emission coefficient method, modified equivalent factor method, spatial autocorrelation analysis, the coupling coordination degree model, and the PLUS model, were employed to quantify LUCC patterns, carbon emission intensity, ESV, and its coupling relationships. The results indicated that (1) cultivated land, construction land, and unused land expanded continuously (by 974.56, 66.77, and 1899.36 km²), while grassland, forests, and water bodies declined (by 1363.93, 77.92, and 1498.83 km²), with the most pronounced changes occurring between 2000 and 2010; (2) carbon emission intensity increased steadily—from 23.90 × 10⁴ t in 1990 to 169.17 × 10⁴ t in 2020—primarily driven by construction land expansion—whereas total ESV declined by 46.37%, with water and grassland losses contributing substantially; (3) carbon emission intensity and ESV exhibited a significant negative spatial correlation, and the coupling coordination degree remained low, following a “high in the north, low in the south” distribution; and (4) scenario simulations for 2030–2050 suggested that this negative correlation and low coordination will persist, with only the ecological protection scenario (EPS) showing potential to enhance both carbon sequestration and ESV. Based on spatial clustering patterns and scenario outcomes, we recommend spatially differentiated land use regulation and prioritizing EPS measures, including glacier and wetland conservation, adoption of water-saving irrigation technologies, development of agroforestry systems, and renewable energy utilization on unused land. By explicitly linking LUCC-driven carbon–ESV interactions with scenario-based prediction and evaluation, this study provides new insights into oasis sustainability, offers a scientific basis for balancing agricultural production with ecological protection in the oasis of the arid region, and informs China’s dual-carbon strategy, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

With growing urban populations and rapid technological advancement, major cities worldwide are facing pressing challenges from surging energy demands. Interestingly, substantial unused space within residential buildings offers potential for installing renewable energy systems coupled with energy storage. This study innovatively proposes a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system integrated with pumped hydro storage (PHS) and battery storage for residential applications. A novel optimization algorithm is employed to achieve techno-economic optimization of the hybrid system. The results indicate a remarkably short payback period of about 5 years, significantly outperforming previous studies. Additionally, a threshold is introduced to activate pumping and water storage during off-peak nighttime electricity hours, strategically directing surplus power to either the pump or battery according to system operation principles. This nighttime water storage strategy not only promises considerable cost savings for residents, but also helps to mitigate grid stress under time-of-use pricing schemes. Overall, this study demonstrates that, through optimized system sizing, costs can be substantially reduced. Importantly, with the nighttime storage strategy, the payback period can be shortened even further, underscoring the novelty and practical relevance of this research. Full article

This study examines the causal impact of China’s New Energy Demonstration City construction policy on corporate energy consumption. The results demonstrate that this policy effectively reduces corporate energy consumption. The policy significantly decreases the consumption of coal, natural gas, and diesel. Although the policy significantly reduces energy consumption in both local state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and non-SOEs, its effect does not show statistically significant variation across different types of controlling shareholders. The energy-saving effect is particularly pronounced in the following industries: Manufacturing, Electricity, Heat, Gas, and Water Production & Supply, Wholesale & Retail Trade, Information Technology Services, Leasing & Business Services, and Water Conservancy, Environment, and Public Infrastructure Management. The policy operates through multiple channels: internal mechanisms including direct innovation effect, accelerated green M&As effect as well as digital empowerment effect, and external moderators including marketization level and green finance environment. The findings yield important insights for scholars, policymakers and corporate stakeholders. Full article

Traditional thermal concentration processes for LiCl, such as multi-effect evaporation and mechanical vapor recompression (MVR), suffer from drawbacks including high energy consumption and severe equipment corrosion. However, electrodialysis (ED) technology offers several advantages in the concentration process, including high efficiency, energy conservation, selective separation, and the absence of phase-change requirements. This study presents an innovative two-level ED process for efficient LiCl concentration, addressing the limitations of conventional thermal methods. Through systematic small-scale and scale-up experiments, we developed an optimized process achieving exceptional performance. The system attained Li⁺ concentrations of 22.17 g/L in the concentrated solution and 21.17 g/L in the recycled dilute solution, while reducing residual Li⁺ in discharge water to just 1.08 g/L. Remarkably, the process demonstrated significant energy efficiency, with a total consumption of only 85.22 kWh/t LiCl and a minimal water migration amount of 4.21 L/(m²·h). Economic analysis revealed substantial cost savings of 14.66 USD/t LiCl compared to traditional evaporation methods. These findings establish ED as a technically and economically viable solution for industrial LiCl concentration, offering both high efficiency and environmental benefits. Full article

Climate change is expected to reduce water availability during cropping season, while growing populations and rising living standards will increase the global water demand. This creates an urgent need for national water management tools to optimize water allocation. In particular, agriculture requires targeted approaches to improve efficiency. Alongside field measurements and remote sensing, agro-hydrological models have emerged as a particularly valuable resource for assessing and managing agricultural water demand. This study introduces WaterCROPv2, a state-of-the-art agro-hydrological model designed to estimate national-scale irrigation water demand while effectively balancing accuracy with practical data requirements. WaterCROPv2 incorporates innovative features such as hourly time-step computations, advanced rainwater canopy interception modeling, detailed soil-dependent leakage dynamics, and localized daily evapotranspiration patterns based on meteorological data. Through comprehensive analyses, WaterCROPv2 demonstrates significantly enhanced reliability in estimating irrigation water needs across various climatic regions, particularly under contrasting dry and wet conditions. Validation against independent data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) for maize cultivation in Italy in 2010 confirms the model’s accuracy and underscores its potential for broader international applications. A spatial analysis further reveals that the estimation errors align closely with regional precipitation patterns: the model tends to slightly underestimate irrigation needs in the wetter northern regions, whereas it somewhat overestimates demand in the drier southern areas. WaterCROPv2 has also been used to analyze irrigation water requirements for maize cultivation in Italy from 2005 to 2015, highlighting its significant potential as a strategic decision-support tool. The model identifies optimal cultivation areas, such as the Pianura Padana, where the irrigation requirements do not exceed 200 mm for the entire maize growing period, and unsuitable regions, such as Salentino, where over 500 mm per season are required due to the local climatic conditions. In addition, estimates of the water volumes required for the current extent of maize cultivation show that the Pianura Padana region demands nearly three times the amount of water used in the Salentino area. The model has also been used to identify regions where adopting efficient irrigation technologies could lead to substantial water savings. With micro-irrigation currently covering less than 18% of irrigated land, simulations suggest that a complete transition to this system could reduce the national water demand by 21%. Savings could reach 30–40% in traditionally water-rich regions that rely on inefficient irrigation practices but are expected to be increasingly exposed to temperature increases and precipitation shifts. The analysis shows that those regions currently lacking adequate irrigation infrastructure stand to gain the most from targeted irrigation system investments but also highlights how incentives where micro-irrigation is already widespread can provide further 5–10% savings. Full article

Under the multiple pressures of intensifying global climate change disruption and rapid economic growth, China has become one of the countries facing the most serious water scarcity problems. Based on the ISO 14046 standard and the framework of water scarcity footprint theory, this study will break through the static limitations and lack of dimensions of traditional characteristic factors (i.e., water stress) and construct a water stress evaluation index system that combines nature, economy, and society. The results indicate that in recent years, regional water stress in China has exhibited significant spatiotemporal variations and spatial clustering, primarily driven by composite factors, with an overall decreasing trend. Among them, Shanghai is the highest-pressure area and Shaanxi is the lowest-pressure area, which is mainly due to the spatial projection of the coupling effect of multi-dimensional factors. In addition, the obstacle degree analysis method shows that indicators such as the utilization rate of water resource development constitute cross-regional constraints. To this end, all regions should make efforts to regulate and control the water use structure, introduce water-saving technologies, and strengthen water-saving publicity according to their needs. Therefore, this study not only provides a scientific basis for in-depth understanding of the distribution law and influencing mechanism of water stress but also provides an important reference for the rational allocation and sustainable use of water resources by upgrading the characteristic factors to system control signals. Full article

Achieving net-zero emissions in arid and high-solar-yield regions demands innovative, cost-effective, and scalable energy technologies. This study conducts a comprehensive techno-economic analysis and assessment of a novel hybrid photovoltaic–thermal solar collector (U.S. Patent No. 11,431,289) that integrates a reverse flat plate collector and mini-concentrating solar thermal elements. The system was tested in Qatar and Germany and simulated via a System Advising Model tool with typical meteorological year data. The system demonstrated a combined efficiency exceeding 90%, delivering both electricity and thermal energy at temperatures up to 170 °C and pressures up to 10 bars. Compared to conventional photovoltaic–thermal systems capped below 80 °C, the system achieves a heat-to-power ratio of 6:1, offering an exceptional exergy performance and broader industrial applications. A comparative financial analysis of 120 MW utility-scale configurations shows that the PVT + ORC option yields a Levelized Cost of Energy of $44/MWh, significantly outperforming PV + CSP ($82.8/MWh) and PV + BESS ($132.3/MWh). In addition, the capital expenditure is reduced by over 50%, and the system requires 40–60% less land, offering a transformative solution for off-grid data centers, water desalination (producing up to 300,000 m³/day using MED), district cooling, and industrial process heat. The energy payback time is shortened to less than 4.5 years, with lifecycle CO₂ savings of up to 1.8 tons/MWh. Additionally, the integration with Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems ensures 24/7 dispatchable power without reliance on batteries or molten salt. Positioned as a next-generation solar platform, the Hassabou system presents a climate-resilient, modular, and economical alternative to current hybrid solar technologies. This work advances the deployment readiness of integrated solar-thermal technologies aligned with national decarbonization strategies across MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa, addressing urgent needs for energy security, water access, and industrial decarbonization. Full article

In the context of increasing water scarcity, improving industrial water efficiency and resource management has become an urgent need, particularly in water-intensive sectors such as the cement industry. Based on the Water Life Cycle Assessment (WLCA) framework, in this study, a comprehensive assessment of water use, consumption, reuse, and wastewater discharge during cement production was conducted, and paths were proposed for improving water efficiency. Unlike traditional water footprint assessments, which primarily focus on measuring water consumption, the WLCA integrates a holistic analysis of the operational status of water systems. The research results show that for cement production in the Yellow River Basin, the waste heat power generation system accounts for the highest proportion of water consumption (65%), with its circulating cooling unit functioning as the core water-related subsystem. A large quantity of daily circulating cooling wastewater can be reused in production after treatment. Significant differences exist in unit product water consumption among enterprise types: clinker and cement production enterprises (0.18–0.30 m³/t) have higher water consumption than cement grinding stations (0.02–0.05 m³/t), and some enterprises hold considerable water-saving potential. Wastewater recovery and treatment technologies can markedly reduce water wastage. Meanwhile, waste heat recovery technologies improve energy utilization efficiency and indirectly lower water cooling demand. Additionally, waste co-processing technologies reduce virtual water consumption by replacing part of the coal used in cement production. This research provides practical technical solutions for water conservation and resource optimization in the cement industry, facilitating improvements in water efficiency management. Full article

The suspension polymerization process of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production involves significant freshwater consumption alongside substantial wastewater emissions. Mass integration strategies have been used to address this problem, but only through direct recycling approaches. Therefore, in this study, a regeneration approach was applied to integrate a PVC suspension process to improve water management. The reuse network was evaluated through a water–energy–product (WEP) technical analysis after being simulated in AspenPlus software v.14. The mass integration allowed for a 61% reduction in freshwater consumption and an 83% reduction in wastewater. However, 258.6 t/day of residual wastewater still remained after regeneration. The WEP analysis found that the process was efficient in handling raw materials and process products due to the high yield and recovery of unreacted materials. Similarly, the integration significantly benefitted the process performance as water usage indicators improved substantially, with freshwater consumption of 83%, a wastewater production rate of 63%, and freshwater water costs of $267,322 per year (from $694,080 before integration). In terms of energy performance, the results were regular. The processes showed high energy consumption (below 50%), with indicators related to the use of natural gas, electricity, and energy costs being affected by the regeneration. However, the limited heat integration provided minor energy savings (11 MJ/h). Finally, this work gives an interesting insight into water conservation and the circular economy, since the study used the latest systems in regeneration of effluents for plastic plants (emerging technologies), showcasing important benefits and trade-offs of these strategies. Full article

Cold stress severely limits legume productivity, threatening global food security, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. This review synthesizes advances in understanding and enhancing cold tolerance in key legumes (chickpea, soybean, lentil, and cowpea), addressing three core questions: (1) molecular/physiological foundations of cold tolerance; (2) how emerging technologies accelerate stress dissection and breeding; and (3) integration strategies and deployment challenges. Legume cold tolerance involves conserved pathways (e.g., ICE-CBF-COR, Inducer of CBF Expression, C-repeat Binding Factor, Cold-Responsive genes) and species-specific mechanisms like soybean’s GmTCF1a-mediated pathway. Multi-omics have identified critical genes (e.g., CaDREB1E in chickpea, NFR5 in pea) underlying adaptive traits (membrane stabilization, osmolyte accumulation) that reduce yield losses by 30–50% in tolerant genotypes. Technologically, AI and high-throughput phenotyping achieve >95% accuracy in early cold detection (3–7 days pre-symptoms) via hyperspectral/thermal imaging; deep learning (e.g., CNN-LSTM hybrids) improves trait prediction by 23% over linear models. Genomic selection cuts breeding cycles by 30–50% (to 3–5 years) using GEBVs (Genomic estimated breeding values) from hundreds of thousands of SNPs (Single-nucleotide polymorphisms). Advanced sensors (LIG-based, LoRaWAN) enable real-time monitoring (±0.1 °C precision, <30 s response), supporting precision irrigation that saves 15–40% water while maintaining yields. Key barriers include multi-omics data standardization and cost constraints in resource-limited regions. Integrating molecular insights with AI-driven phenomics and multi-omics is revolutionizing cold-tolerance breeding, accelerating climate-resilient variety development, and offering a blueprint for sustainable agricultural adaptation. Full article

Food safety management has evolved with the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system serving as a global benchmark. However, conventional HACCP does not explicitly address environmental sustainability, leading to challenges such as excessive water use, chemical discharge, and energy inefficiency. Green HACCP extends traditional HACCP by integrating Environmental Respect Practices (ERPs) to fill this critical gap between food safety and sustainability. This study is presented as a conceptual paper based on a structured literature review combined with illustrative industry applications. It analyzes the principles, implementation challenges, and economic viability of Green HACCP, contrasting it with conventional systems. Evidence from recent reports and industry examples shows measurable benefits: water consumption reductions of 20–25%, energy savings of 10–15%, and improved compliance readiness through digital monitoring technologies. It explores how digital technologies—IoT for real-time monitoring, AI for predictive optimization, and blockchain for traceability—enhance efficiency and sustainability. By aligning HACCP with sustainability goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this paper provides academic contributions including a clarified conceptual framework, quantified advantages, and policy recommendations to support the integration of Green HACCP into global food safety systems. Industry applications from dairy, seafood, and bakery sectors illustrate practical benefits, including waste reduction and improved compliance. This study concludes with policy recommendations to integrate Green HACCP into global food safety frameworks, supporting broader sustainability goals. Overall, Green HACCP demonstrates a cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally responsible model for future food production. Full article

Background/Objectives: While dentistry plays a critical role in promoting oral health, it also contributes significantly to environmental degradation through high energy consumption, water usage, and reliance on disposable, non-recyclable materials. Periodontology, in particular, involves resource-intensive procedures such as full-mouth disinfection, frequent surgical interventions, and aerosol-generating instrumentation. The aim of the present narrative review is to synthesize current knowledge and delineate feasible, evidence-informed strategies to operationalize sustainability across the full spectrum of periodontal treatment settings. Methods: The electronic search of the present narrative review was performed across PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, BioMed Central, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases. Results: The review identified actionable sustainability strategies across pre-workplace (e.g., eco-conscious procurement and transport reduction), workplace (e.g., energy- and water-saving technologies, digital workflows, and pollution control), and waste management (e.g., reuse protocols, recycling, and sustainable material selection). Particular emphasis was placed on the role of dental education, life cycle assessments, and digital innovations. Conclusions: The transition toward sustainable periodontology requires the adoption of evidence-based practices and leveraging digital innovation to reduce the environmental impact while maintaining high standards of care. Full article

The article presents the material composition of the titanium- and iron-rich ilmenite concentrate from the Satpayev deposit in Eastern Kazakhstan, which is unacceptable for processing by commercial hydro- and pyrometallurgical enrichment methods due to the presence of rutile, soluble only in hydrofluoric acid, and many refractory aluminosilicate associations: kaolinite, kyanite, pyrophyllite and mullite, cementing titanium minerals. The solution to the problem of reducing the cost of titanium sponge production was developed by developing an economically efficient and environmentally safe technology for the conversion of clayey ilmenite sand concentrate, including thermal activation of particularly resistant raw materials in an air atmosphere, soda-carbothermic smelting of cinder, hydrothermal refining of titanium slag with water, then hydrochloric acid and regeneration of reagents. Oxidative roasting ensures disintegration of intergrowths and destruction of mineral grains of the concentrate. The addition of soda ash to the concentrate cinder batch accelerates the reduction and agglomeration of over 98% of the iron, prevents the formation of lower refractory titanium oxides, facilitates the stratification of the thin-flowing titanium slag melt and cast iron and significantly reduces energy costs and the duration of the carbothermic smelting process. Refining primary titanium slag with water provides the production of modified slag with a mass fraction of TiO₂ of at least 83% and FeO of no more than 0.4%, suitable for the production of high-quality titanium sponge. Subsequent refining of modified titanium slag with 20% hydrochloric acid yields synthetic rutile of 96% purity, surpassing in the content of the main substance the branded titanium pigments of the American company DuPont. The resource-saving and environmental significance of this innovative technology is increased by the possibility of recycling easily regenerated soda, hydrochloric acid and recyclable carbon dioxide released during the decomposition of the alkaline reagent during the carbothermic smelting of the concentrate. Full article

An appropriate drip irrigation amount and the straw return method are important ways to save water and achieve efficient maize production in semi-arid areas. A 2-year controlled field plot experiment was performed with two factors: straw return (straw removal, straw mulching) and differing drip irrigation amounts (200, 350, and 500 mm). Changes in growth, development, photosynthesis, yield, the components, and the water-use characteristics of maize under the intercropping conditions of drip irrigation amount and straw return were studied. The results showed that an increase in drip irrigation favored an increase in the net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (G_s), and intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (C_i) of maize, and promoted an increase in maize plant height and leaf area index, which resulted in the accumulation of more dry matter and increased the maize yield. Compared with straw removal, straw mulching maintained a higher photosynthetic capacity at the later stages of maize growth and development under irrigations of 200 and 350 mm; the average increase in P_n over two years ranged from 4.06 to 19.19%; and good plant growth was maintained, thereby leading to the accumulation of more dry matter, with the average increase over two years ranging from 0.51 to 27.22%. Straw mulching also significantly improved water-use efficiency (WUE) at 350 mm of irrigation, with the average increase in yield over two years ranging from 4.58 to 4.83%. Overall, straw mulching had a positive impact on maize when irrigation was low, and when it was high, straw mulching did not adversely affect maize. Therefore, irrigation combined with straw mulching technology may be used to improve maize yield and WUE in semi-arid areas of Jilin Province. Full article