Topic Review
Pyrolysis of Technogenic-Redeposited Coal-Bearing Rocks
Hydrocarbon products formed under high-temperature and low-temperature pyrolysis of coal-bearing rocks were studied by using a chromatography-mass spectrometer GCMS-QP2010NC Plus (made by Shimadzu Company). The average temperature of low-temperature natural pyrolysis does not exceed 120°C, and its average speed is approximately 2 m/year. In this case, three pyrolysis zones gradually built metamorphic rock mass (from bottom to top) are clearly established: heating (focal) activated and enriched. The average temperature of high-temperature pyrolysis reaches 850°C, and its average speed is approximately 20 m/year. Unlike low-temperature pyrolysis, high-temperature pyrolysis is accompanied by the presence of two major zones (from bottom to top): pyrogenic (focal) and enriched (coke). The chemical composition of the enriched pyrolysis zone was studied in detail. It has been established that hydrocarbon compounds in samples of the pyrolysis zone are presented by six classes: asphaltic-resinous substances; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic compounds, organic sulphur compounds; pyrolytic hydrocarbon and heavy hydrocarbon residue. Quantitative content of hydrocarbon compounds in the analyzed samples varies from 0.35% to 41.88%.   Based on the materials of fieldwork, we created a video film that can be seen on the website https://youtu.be/Tqs6YiKfDdE
  • 946
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Data Used in Urban Flooding Management
Data-driven approaches to urban flooding management require a comprehensive understanding of how heterogenous data are leveraged in tackling this problem.
  • 947
  • 27 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Fissure Ridges
Fissure ridges consist of elongated travertine masses with an apical fissure that follows the long axis of the body. Two symmetrical or asymmetrical walls made up of bedded travertine are typically dipping away from the central fissure. The internal part of the fissure is often cut by a network of sealed fractures, almost parallel to the long axis of the ridge, normally filled by banded Ca-carbonate (i.e., calcite and/or aragonite), almost parallel to the vein-walls (the so called “banded travertine” in). These veins developed within the fault zone and represent conduits along which geothermal fluids move towards the surface. Therefore, their analysis, in terms of geometry, age (using U/Th, U/Pb, and 14C geochronology), and geochemical properties, provides information about the structural features and timing of the fault system, and on the fluid path from depth to surface. Furthermore, travertine deposited in a fissure ridge is characterized by distinct petrographic and geochemical features preserving information on the parent fluids and ancient depositional conditions. The shape of the fissure ridge body depends on the flow rate, carbonate precipitation rate, and surface topography upon which deposition took place.
  • 945
  • 13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor air pollution (IAP) is a serious threat to human health, causing millions of deaths each year. A plethora of pollutants can result in IAP; therefore, it is very important to identify their main sources and concentrations and to devise strategies for the control and enhancement of indoor air quality (IAQ). Herein, we provide a critical review and evaluation of the major sources of major pollutant emissions, their health effects, and issues related to IAP-based illnesses.
  • 944
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review Video Peer Reviewed
Lorenz’s View on the Predictability Limit of the Atmosphere
To determine whether (or not) the intrinsic predictability limit of the atmosphere is two weeks and whether (or not) Lorenz’s approaches support this limit, this entry discusses the following topics: (A). The Lorenz 1963 model qualitatively revealed the essence of a finite predictability within a chaotic system such as the atmosphere. However, the Lorenz 1963 model did not determine a precise limit for atmospheric predictability. (B). In the 1960s, using real-world models, the two-week predictability limit was originally estimated based on a doubling time of five days. The finding was documented by Charney et al. in 1966 and has become a consensus. Throughout this entry, Major Point A and B are used as respective references for these topics. A literature review and an analysis suggested that the Lorenz 1963 model qualitatively revealed a finite predictability, and that findings of the Lorenz 1969 model with a saturation assumption supported the idea of the two-week predictability limit, which, in the 1960s, was estimated based on a doubling time of five days obtained using real-world models. However, the theoretical Lorenz 1963 and 1969 models have limitations, such as a lack of certain processes and assumptions, and, therefore, cannot represent an intrinsic predictability limit of the atmosphere. This entry suggests an optimistic view for searching for a predictability limit using different approaches and is supported by recent promising simulations that go beyond two weeks.
  • 942
  • 07 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Zero Solid Waste in the Sedimentary Phosphate Industry
The phosphate industry produces huge volumes of waste (hundred million tons per year). These wastes are generally surface landfilled, leading to significant environmental impacts and a large footprint. All the waste streams generated during the life cycle of phosphoric acid production going from the extraction of phosphate rock to its enrichment and transformation are considered. Great circularity opportunities have been identified and they aim (i) to recover the residual phosphorus and other critical minerals and metals, and (ii) to consider phosphate wastes as alternative resources in the civil engineering and building sectors. The purpose is to shift from linear thinking to circular thinking where synergy between different mining and other industries is highly encouraged. 
  • 942
  • 16 Nov 2021
Topic Review Video
Humipedon
The soil covers our entire planet and corresponds to the most superficial part of the earth's crust. Exposed to the attack of atmospheric agents and living organisms, the soil is organized in layers recognizable to the naked eye, more organic towards the atmosphere or water (if submerged), more mineral towards the rocky part of the bottom. To facilitate its study, specialists divided the soil into three sections: richer in organisms part -> 1. Humipedon; bottom still in contact with the unaltered rock section -> 3. Lithopedon; in-between, central, mineral part -> 2. Copedon. The present encyclopedia entry describes the variability of the humipedons of planet Earth. They have been subdivided in ecological groups and classified into different humus systems. The aim is to display them and diffuse their knowledge.
  • 940
  • 30 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Volatile Fatty Acid recovery
Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are low-molecular-weight carboxylic acids containing two to six carbon atoms that are produced as the final product of acidogenic fermentation in anaerobic digestion process.
  • 941
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Mechanism of the Phytoremediation Technique
A natural ecosystem can become contaminated due to the excessive release of toxic substances by various anthropogenic and natural activities, which necessitates rehabilitation of the environmental contamination. Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly and cost-efficient method of biotechnological mitigation for the remediation of polluted ecosystems and revegetation of contaminated sites.
  • 941
  • 25 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Global Warming Policy Foundation
The Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF) is a lobby group in the United Kingdom whose stated aims are to challenge "extremely damaging and harmful policies" envisaged by governments to mitigate anthropogenic global warming. While their position is that the science of global warming or climate change is "not yet settled," the GWPF claims that its membership comes from a broad spectrum ranging from "the IPCC position through agnosticism to outright scepticism." The GWPF as well as some of its prominent members have been characterized as promoting climate change denial. In 2014, when the Charity Commission ruled that the GWPF had breached rules on impartiality, a non-charitable organisation called the "Global Warming Policy Forum" was created as a wholly owned subsidiary, to do lobbying that a charity could not. The GWPF website carries an array of articles "sceptical" of scientific findings of anthropogenic global warming and its impacts.
  • 941
  • 30 Nov 2022
  • Page
  • of
  • 271
Video Production Service