Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother experience.
Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort by:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review
PFAS in the Environment
The current article reviews the state of art of the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) compounds and provides an overview of PFASs occurrence in the environment, wildlife, and humans. This study reviews the issues concerning PFASs exposure and potential risks generated with a focus on PFAS occurrence and transformation in various media, discusses their physicochemical characterization and treatment technologies, before discussing the potential human exposure routes. The various toxicological impacts to human health are also discussed. The article pays particular attention to the complexity and challenging issue of regulating PFAS compounds due to the arising uncertainty and lack of epidemiological evidence encountered. The variation in PFAS regulatory values across the globe can be easily addressed due to the influence of multiple scientific, technical, and social factors. The varied toxicology and the insufficient definition of PFAS exposure rate are among the main factors contributing to this discrepancy. The lack of proven standard approaches for examining PFAS in surface water, groundwater, wastewater, or solids adds more technical complexity. Although it is agreed that PFASs pose potential health risks in various media, the link between the extent of PFAS exposure and the significance of PFAS risk remain among the evolving research areas. There is a growing need to address the correlation between the frequency and the likelihood of human exposure to PFAS and the possible health risks encountered.  The current entry highlighted the significance of the future research required to fill in the knowledge gap in PFAS toxicology and to better understand this through real field data and long-term monitoring programs.
  • 1.4K
  • 19 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Photo-Fermentative Bacteria Used for Hydrogen Production
Photo-fermentation is an efficient hydrogen production pathway in which purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) play an active role and produce hydrogen as a part of their metabolism under optimal conditions. These bacteria work under the influence of light to advance their metabolism and use various substrates, such as simple sugars and volatile fatty acids, to produce hydrogen. 
  • 1.4K
  • 18 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Masonry in the Context of Sustainable Buildings
The process of combining various parts to create a structure is called building. The most effective and significant component of any construction is masonry. The Colosseum, buildings from ancient Greece and Rome, Central American buildings, and Mycenaean structures all used this material as one of their primary building elements. The oldest form is dry masonry of irregularly shaped stones. The ecological qualities of masonry, as a restorative material with a low impact on the environment, as well as the environmental control capacity of the massive wall, bring masonry back to attention as a suitable material for sustainable building in the context of current concerns for sustainable architecture.
  • 1.4K
  • 22 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Initiatives for Reducing the Carbon Footprints at Ports
Seaport activities account for 3% of global carbon emissions, and as an important industrialised economic centre, ports engage in numerous industrial and financial activities that could increase their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon footprints (CF). The 13th sustainable development goal (SDG) states that these activities must be balanced with environmental considerations.
  • 1.4K
  • 06 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Eco-Friendly Energy Source in Bangladesh
Global fossil fuel reserves are declining due to differential uses, especially for power generation. Everybody can help to do their bit for the environment by using solar energy. Geographically, Bangladesh is a potential zone for harnessing solar energy. In March 2021, the renewable generation capacity in Bangladesh amounted to 722.592 MW, including 67.6% from solar, 31.84% from hydro, and 0.55% from other energy sources, including wind, biogas, and biomass, where 488.662 MW of power originated from over 6 million installed solar power systems. Concurrently, over 42% of rural people still suffer from a lack of electricity, where solar energy can play a vital role.
  • 1.4K
  • 21 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Using Pyrolysis to Create Biochar
Pyrolysis is a combustion process of woody biomass conducted under low or no oxygen conditions. It converts any kind of biomass into biochar, bio-oil, or biogas. Hence plants’ woody material can also be converted into bioenergy products. Valorization of woody biomass in the form of energy-rich compound biochar is a more sustainable technique as compared to conventional burning which leads to toxicity to the environment. Innovations and the need to limit open burning have resulted in numerous mobile and fixed plant pyrolysis methods that burn a variety of woody residues. 
  • 1.4K
  • 25 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Development of the Russian Rare-Earth Metal Industry
Global energy transition trends are reflected not only in oil and gas market dynamics, but also in the development of related sectors. They influence the demand for various types of metals and minerals. It is well-known that clean technologies require far more metals than their counterparts relying on fossil fuels. Nowadays, rare-earth metals (REMs) have become part and parcel of green technologies as they are widely used in wind turbine generators, motors for electric vehicles, and permanent magnet generators, and there are no materials to substitute them. Consequently, growth in demand for this group of metals can be projected in the near future.
  • 1.4K
  • 17 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Carbon Capture Storage and/or Utilization
Energy from fossil fuels combustion always generates carbon dioxide, leading to a considerable environmental concern with the values of CO2 produced in the world. The increase in emissions leads to a significant challenge in reducing the quantity of this gas in the atmosphere. To decrease this problem, green and efficient solutions have been extensively studied, such as Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) processes. Broadly recognized as having an enormous potential to meet climate change targets, CCS and CCUS appear as solutions to deliver low carbon heat and power, decarbonize the industry, and, more recently, facilitate the net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere.
  • 1.4K
  • 11 May 2021
Topic Review
Heavy Metals Biosorption by Algae
Seaweeds are mostly used in the wastewater treatment for removing toxic heavy metals.
  • 1.4K
  • 10 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Natural Gums as Oleogelators
The natural gums used as high molecular weight oleogelators are mainly polysaccharides that deliver a broad spectrum of possible utilization methods when structuring liquid fats to solid forms. The entry discusses natural gums’ structuring and gelling behaviour to capture the oil droplets and form the water/oil gelling emulsions based on their structural conformation, internal charge, and polymeric characteristics. The specific parameters and characteristics of natural gums based oleogels are also discussed. In the future, oleogels may eliminate saturated and trans fats from food products and allow the production of low-fat products, thus reducing the environmental damage caused by the excessive use of palm oil. The increasing knowledge of molecular interaction in polysaccharide chains of natural gums allows applying of more sustainable and wiser strategies towards product formulation. Innovative solutions for using oleogels based on natural polysaccharide biopolymers let incorporate them into the food matrix and replace fats completely or create blends containing the source of fats and the addition of the oleogel. The profound insight into molecular characteristics of natural gums in the function of being oleogelators is presented.
  • 1.4K
  • 07 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Polyurethanes and Green Chemistry
Polyurethanes are most often called “green” when they contain natural, renewable additives in their network or chemical structure, such as mono- and polysaccharides, vegetable oils, polyphenols, or various compounds derived from agro-waste white biotechnology. The use of these natural substrates is in line with the principles of green chemistry. However, other principles among all 12 can also be used in the production of polyurethanes.
  • 1.4K
  • 11 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Full-scale Odour Abatement Technologies in WWTPs
The release of air pollutants from the operation of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is often a cause of odor annoyance for the people living in the surrounding area. Odors have been indeed recently classified as atmospheric pollutants and are the main cause of complaints to local authorities. In this context, the implementation of effective treatment solutions is of key importance for urban water cycle management. An overview of these technologies is given by discussing their strengths and weaknesses. A sensitivity analysis is presented, by considering land requirements, operational parameters and efficiencies, based on data of full-scale applications. Biofilters and biotrickling filters represent the two most applied technologies for odor abatement at full-scale plants, due to lower costs and high removal efficiencies. Innovative and sustainable technologies are also presented and discussed, evaluating their potential for full-scale applicability.
  • 1.4K
  • 20 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Treatment Techniques of Urban Artificial Landscape Water Bodies
Throughout the literature, terminologies such as “urban artificial water bodies”, “landscape water bodies”, “scenic water bodies”, and “landscape water” are all used to refer to any body of water that is created artificially or organically to enhance the aesthetic of towns, cities, and tourist destinations. They are referred to as artificial landscape water bodies (ALWs). ALWs are among the many green strategies adopted to improve the biodiversity, aesthetics, and general environmental health of urban environments. The challenge of pollution control in ALWs has seen the implementation of physical, chemical, and bio-ecological techniques. Generally, chemical techniques have been credited with providing rapid and effective solution to ALWs eutrophication and algae bloom, however their use may result in secondary pollution and harm to the ecological integrity of these water bodies. Physical techniques have also achieved some success in the control and remedy of ALWs.
  • 1.4K
  • 06 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Green Innovation (GI)
Green innovation (GI) is an essential measure to realize green growth. The value of GI on achieving sustainable development goals is increasingly recognized in recent years. Promoting GI is also the fundamental requirement of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan. Notwithstanding that the central government has put the sustainable development goals at the heart of policy-making, formulating several environmental policies, the overall efficiency of environmental governance does not meet expectations. The GI of manufacturing industries is insufficient, and the phenomenon of illegally discharging pollutants continues to repeat, making the effects of policies into question. 
  • 1.4K
  • 24 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Pilot and Full-Scale Applications of P Recovery
Elevated phosphorus (P) levels in water sources can result in eutrophication, which in turn causes environmental pollution and adversely affects aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, there is a risk of P depletion due to intensive exploitation and utilization. Therefore, the sustainable and efficient use of P, waste reduction, and P recovery from waste sources have become urgent priorities.
  • 1.4K
  • 01 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Wood Waste Management from the Furniture Industry
Proper management of wood waste (WW) from the furniture industry has become an important issue. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool that is widely used for identifying environmental gains in WW management strategies.
  • 1.4K
  • 04 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Mathematical Descriptions to Study Mangroves
Mathematical formulations based on empirical knowledge and statistics or dimensional analysis to study the behavior of mangroves, providing information about their flux processes and environmental interactions including the most influential variables. Among these interactions, formulations regarding carbon sequestration, below-ground biomass, and annual mangrove growth can be encountered in literature.
  • 1.4K
  • 05 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Jatropha Curcas Biodiesel
J. Curcas is a small and medium sized fern tree, rising to around 5–7 m tall, belonging to the Euphorbiaceae genus, consisting of approximately 800 species, around 321 genera. Jatropha is an herb immune to famine, with a lifespan of around fifty years. It is also called physic nut and Ratanjayot. J. Curcas will generate 2000 L/ha of oil annually. JCL oil is transesterified primarily into (m)ethyl esters (biofuels) and glycerol. One of the greatest challenges of the 21st century is to fulfill the growing energy needs sustainably and cost-effectively. Among the different sources of energy, biodiesel is one of the alternative energy sources that has tremendous potential to become a major mainstream renewable energy mix. Jatropha is an important raw input for biodiesel that provides an ecological and sustainable solution for emerging greenhouse gas emissions over the other biomass feedstock. 
  • 1.4K
  • 09 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Backgrounds of Agroforestry and Social Forestry in Indonesia
Smart agroforestry (SAF) is a set of agriculture and silviculture knowledge and practices that is aimed at not only increasing profits and resilience for farmers but also improving environmental parameters, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity enhancement, and soil and water conservation, while assuring sustainable landscape management. Indonesia has the third largest area of tropical forest as well as the second largest biodiversity and the second highest number of indigenous medicinal plants in the world. It covers 10% of the global tropical forest with 50% of the world’s biodiversity, flora, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, primates, and birds, and provides 25% of the medicinal plants for human health. Social Forestry is a sustainable forest management system implemented in state forests or private/customary forests by local or traditional indigenous communities as the main actors to improve well-being, environmental balance, and sociocultural dynamics in the form of village forests, community forestry, community plantation forests, traditional forests, and forestry partnerships. Social and economic perspectives on SF development received more attention than environmental perspectives. Economic opportunities are deemed to be the main benefit of social forestry, while social and environmental challenges seem to be the major barriers to implementation. Three main keys in the SF program are how to improve the institutional governance, forest governance, and business governance. SF management needs innovation, technology, and collaboration to provide broader benefits for communities in terms of forest land and the use of forest products.
  • 1.3K
  • 16 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Sustainable Development and Environmental Kuznets Curve
Under the Kyoto Protocol which is international law since 2005, 15 EU member countries (the "EU-15") committed to reducing their collective emissions of a set of six greenhouse gases in the 2008-2012 period to 8% below the 1990 level. The EU established the first cap-and-trade system for carbon dioxide emissions in the world in 2005. This entry uses the effect of the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for the European Union using a cross-country panel data set consisting of 12 countries extracted from the EU-15 from 1980 to 2009. 
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Dec 2022
  • Page
  • of
  • 27
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Reprints

>>
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Medieval Royal Iconography
Write an Entry
Feedback