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Topic Review
Respirable Coal Mine Dust Exposure
Respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) exposure is associated with black lung and silicosis diseases in underground miners. Although only RCMD mass and silica concentrations are regulated, it is possible that particle size, surface area, and other chemical constituents also contribute to its adverse health effects. This review summarizes measurement technologies for RCMD mass concentrations, morphology, size distributions, and chemical compositions, with examples from published efforts where these methods have been applied. Some state-of-the-art technologies presented in this paper have not been certified as intrinsically safe, and caution should be exerted for their use in explosive environments. RCMD mass concentrations are most often obtained by filter sampling followed by gravimetric analysis, but recent requirements for real-time monitoring by continuous personal dust monitors (CPDM) enable quicker exposure risk assessments. Emerging low-cost photometers provide an opportunity for a wider deployment of real-time exposure assessment. Particle size distributions can be determined by microscopy, cascade impactors, aerodynamic spectrometers, optical particle counters, and electrical mobility analyzers, each with unique advantages and limitations. Different filter media are required to collect integrated samples over working shifts for comprehensive chemical analysis. Teflon membrane filters are used for mass by gravimetry, elements by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, rare-earth elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and mineralogy by X-ray diffraction. Quartz fiber filters are analyzed for organic, elemental, and brown carbon by thermal/optical methods and non-polar organics by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Polycarbonate-membrane filters are analyzed for morphology and elements by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray, and quartz content by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy.
  • 807
  • 07 May 2021
Topic Review
Floating Photovoltaics
Floating photovoltaics (FPV) addresses this issue by installing solar photovoltaics (PV) on bodies of water. Globally, installed FPV is increasing and becoming a viable option for many countries. 
  • 807
  • 18 Aug 2022
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.
  • 807
  • 07 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Bacteriophages as Fecal Pollution Indicators
Bacteriophages are promising tools for the detection of fecal pollution in different environments, and particularly for viral pathogen risk assessment. Having similar morphological and biological characteristics, bacteriophages mimic the fate and transport of enteric viruses. For this reason, enteric bacteriophages, especially phages infecting Escherichia coli (coliphages), have been proposed as alternatives or complements to fecal indicator bacteria.
  • 805
  • 25 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Integrated Landscape Approaches
Integrated Landscape Approaches (ILAs) are increasingly presented as socio-environmental conceptual frameworks for holistic management and governance of sustainable landscapes. There is a wealth of literature, case studies, and widespread international interest in ILAs to reconcile and harmonize multiple goals for conservation, development, climate change, and human well-being at the landscape level.  
  • 805
  • 15 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Place Attachment and Behavioral Intentions
Place attachment is a key concept in understanding affective person–place relationships, and it provides an appropriate approach for the study of human behavior.
  • 805
  • 23 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Remote Sensing Land Surface Temperature-Based ET Algorithms
Evapotranspiration (ET) is a process that includes evaporation from the surface, such as open water bodies, soil and vegetation, and transpiration as the water released mostly by the plant leaves transported from the root system. ET is a key factor in the hydrological cycle, since it describes the mechanism and energy needed to transport the liquid water stored in the soil-watershed-canopy system to the atmosphere, converted into water vapour.  Remote sensing technology is a globally consistent and economically feasible means to estimate ET values at regional and meso-scales on the Earth’s surface, since the approach directly links surface radiances and the components of the surface energy balance. Over the past, combined use of satellite remote sensing data from optical and thermal infrared sensors has provided substantial progress in the estimation of ET. Based on the concept of surface energy balance and net radiation, most remote sensing models have estimated ET for application studies such as water consumption, water resources planning and management over watersheds or modeling ecological processes and analyzing biophysical characteristics of landscape.
  • 804
  • 02 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Microbial Electrolysis Cell as a Diverse Technology
Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) have been explored for various applications, including the removal of industrial pollutants, wastewater treatment chemical synthesis, and biosensing. On the other hand, MEC technology is still in its early stages and faces significant obstacles regarding practical large-scale implementations. MECs are used for energy generation and hydrogen peroxide, methane, hydrogen/biohydrogen production, and pollutant removal. 
  • 805
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Biological-Based Produced Water Treatment Using Microalgae
Produced water (PW) is the most significant waste stream generated in the oil and gas industries. The generated PW has the potential to be a useful water source rather than waste. While a variety of technologies can be used for the treatment of PW for reuse, biological-based technologies are an effective and sustainable remediation method. Specifically, microalgae, which are a cost-effective and sustainable process that use nutrients to eliminate organic pollutants from PW during the bioremediation process. In these treatment processes, microalgae grow in PW free of charge, eliminate pollutants, and generate clean water that can be recycled and reused. This helps to reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere while simultaneously producing biofuels, other useful chemicals, and added-value products. 
  • 804
  • 12 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Wood-based pellets in Southeastern US
Effects of pellet production on selected Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) are evaluated using industry information, available energy consumption data, and published research findings. Challenges associated with identifying relevant SDG goals and targets for this particular bioenergy supply chain and potential deleterious impacts are discussed. We find that production of woody pellets in the SE US and shipments to displace coal for energy in Europe generate positive effects on affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and life on land (SDG 15). Primary strengths of the pellet supply chain in the SE US are the provisioning of employment in depressed rural areas and the displacement of fossil fuels. Weaknesses are associated with potential impacts on air, water, and biodiversity that arise if the resource base and harvest activities are improperly managed. The SE US pellet supply chain provides an opportunity for transition to low-carbon industries and innovations while incentivizing better resource management.
  • 805
  • 31 Jan 2021
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