Topic Review
Net Zero Energy Buildings
Buildings contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that cause environmental impacts on climate change. Net Zero Energy (NZ) buildings would reduce greenhouse gases. The current definition of NZ lacks consensus and has created uncertainties, which cause delays in the adoption of NZ. There is a need to re-evaluate the existing definitions, standards, and requirements to advance the use of renewable technologies, improved energy efficiency, and electrification. This approach will help to speed up achieving the NZ targets.
  • 919
  • 06 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Particle-Bound Mercury Characterization
Particulate Bound Hg (PBM) consists of all airborne particulate containing Hg, including both stable condensed and gaseous forms adsorbed on atmospheric particulate matter (PM); it is operationally sampled and quantified by pulling air through a glass fiber or a quartz filter. PBM usually includes all those particles with a diameter <2.5 μm, even if its characterization depends on the pore size of the filter used for its collection. The accurate dimensional characterization is then essential to estimate the dry deposition of PBM, as well as any other particulate pollutant; the particles diameters directly influence gravitational sedimentation and the PBM residence time in the atmosphere. In addition, PBM chemical speciation, as well as for the other Hg forms, is fundamental to understand PBM bioavailability and therefore the effects on human .
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Groundwater Remediation Technologies
Groundwater contamination is one of the most concerning issues from uranium mining activities. Radionuclides cannot be destroyed or degraded, unlike some organic contaminants (and similar to metals). Besides, sites, where radionuclides may be found, are mainly radioactive and mixed waste disposal areas, and therefore many other contaminants may also be present in groundwater.
  • 1.0K
  • 05 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Radioactivity in Plastic Materials
All fossil combustible materials, such as coal and crude oil, contain radioactive elements, which origin from the natural decay series of uranium and thorium. The basic material for the synthesis of plastics is crude oil. Therefore, plastics may contain radionuclides. The gamma ray analysis of different rubbish bags used in the city of Basel show a clear contamination with uranium, radium (226Ra and 228Ra) and lead (210Pb), resulting in a yearly charge of 300, 300, 150 and 3,000 MBq each. In comparison with the contamination level of the burning ashes, these charges are not relevant (less than 1% of the content in the slags from the waste incineration). Nonetheless, we note a permanent displacement of long-lived natural radionuclides to landfill-sites.
  • 1.7K
  • 05 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Sediment load of River Birs-System
In 2015, the environmental laboratories of the cantons of Berne, Jura, Basel-Country and Basel-City, started a coordinated monitoring of the sediments of the River Birs and its major Affluents. In general, stannane concentrations in the sediments of the river Birs and its major tributaries were low and well below any target values. The sediments of the tributaries Lucelle and Lüssel showed slightly elevated concentrations for monobutyl-tin, and the sediments of the rivulet Chaluet for dibutyl-tin compounds. The same stannane groups were also elevated in the sediments of the river Birs at Birsfelden, above the confluence with the Rhine. Tri-substituted tin compounds were below the detection limit in the entire catchment. The catchment area of the river Birs is free of any nuclear industry and of industries dealing with radioactive materials. Therefore, our investigations showed the “normal” background contamination with artificial radionuclides, including the global fallout and the Chernobyl fallout. The found activities are well below the immission limits.
  • 608
  • 05 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Coastal Structures in Malaysia
The shoreline of Malaysia is exposed to threats of coastal erosion and a rise of sea level. The National Coastal Erosion Study, 2015 reported that 15% of an 8840 km shoreline is currently eroding, where one-third of those falls under the critical and significant categories that require structural protection. The Study of Sea Level Rise in Malaysia, 2017 presented a sea-level increase of 0.67–0.74 mm on average yearly.  
  • 3.0K
  • 05 Jul 2021
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.
  • 681
  • 05 Jul 2021
Topic Review
E-Region Auroral Ionosphere Model
E-region Auroral Ionosphere Model (AIM-E) is a numerical model involving both solar EUV radiation and electron precipitation as ionization sources. The AIM-E model allows to evaluate the concentration of the main ionospheric ions N+, N2+, NO+, O2+, O+(4S), O+(2D), O+(2P), electrons and  minor neutral components NO, N(4S), N(2D), for quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions at specified date, time and geographic location. The model design allows to  calculate the ionospheric composition in the entire high-latitude E-region in the retrospective, nowcast and forecast modes and shows good agreement with measurements.
  • 678
  • 02 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Forward Osmosis in Wastewater Treatment
Forward osmosis (FO), driven by the osmotic pressure difference between solutions divided by a semi-permeable membrane, has been recognised as a potential energy-efficient filtration process with a low tendency for fouling and a strong ability to filtrate highly polluted wastewater.
  • 937
  • 02 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Sand Dam Technology
Sand dam technology filters and protects water from contamination and evaporation with low to no maintenance cost. Sand dams improve the socio-economy of the community and help to cope with drought and climate change. However, success depends on the site selection, design, and construction. The ideal site for a sand dam is at a transition between mountains and plains, with no bend, intermediate slope, and impermeable riverbed in a catchment with a slope greater than 2°. The spillway dimensioning considers the flow velocity, sediment properties, and storage target, and the construction is in multi-stages. Recently, the failure of several sand dams because of incorrect siting, evaporation loss, and one-stage construction were reported. Revision of practitioners’ manuals by considering catchment scale hydrological and hydrogeological characteristics, spillway height, and sediment transport are recommended. Research shows that protected wells have better water quality than open wells and scoop holes. Therefore, the community should avoid open defecation, pit latrines, tethering of animals, and applying pesticides near the sand dam. 
  • 1.2K
  • 01 Jul 2021
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