Summary

Environmental science emerged from the fields of natural history and medicine during the Enlightenment. Today, it provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. Environmental studies are incorporating more of the social sciences in order to understand human relationships, perceptions and policies towards the environment. This entry collection features information about design and technology for improving environmental quality in every aspect.

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Topic Review
Applications of Ant Colony Optimization
Ant-inspired metaheuristic algorithms known as ant colony optimization (ACO) offer an approach that has the ability to solve complex problems in both discrete and continuous domains. ACOs have gained significant attention in the field of water resources management, since many problems in this domain are non-linear, complex, challenging and also demand reliable solutions. 
  • 2.0K
  • 10 May 2023
Topic Review
Regional Flood Frequency Analysis
Regional flood frequency analysis (RFFA) consists of two principal steps: identification of homogeneous regions and development of regional flood estimation equations.
  • 413
  • 08 May 2023
Topic Review
Optical Sensors
Detection systems using optical principles for ion sensing have become widely used. Optical detection typically relies on the color change resulting from the interaction or reaction between the focal object and the detection reagent. Optical sensors offer the advantages of simplicity and low cost. At the same time, there is no direct contact between the sensor and the sample during analysis, thereby minimizing the effects of contamination of the sensing probe. The portable optical sensors highlighted in this section include fluorescent, colorimetric, Raman scattering, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors.
  • 536
  • 05 May 2023
Topic Review
Emerging Residual Chlorine Quenchers
Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are the most common organic contaminants in tap water and are of wide concern because of their highly developmental toxic, cytotoxic, and carcinogenic properties. Researchers have attempted to find emerging chlorine quenchers. For inorganic DBPs (bromate, chlorate, and chlorite), sodium sulfite has been proven to be the ideal chlorine quencher. For organic DBPs, although ascorbic acid caused the degradation of some DBPs, it remains the ideal quenching agent for most known DBPs. Among the studied emerging chlorine quenchers, n-acetylcysteine (NAC), glutathione (GSH), and 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene are promising for their application as the ideal chlorine quencher of organic DBPs. 
  • 334
  • 05 May 2023
Topic Review
Types of Pipeline Anomalies
Pipelines are considered the most efficient way to transport oil and gas resources. However, this advantage of pipelines may be lost if pipeline integrity is not ensured. Geometric deformations, metal losses, and crack-type anomalies caused by various reasons in the pipeline threaten the integrity of the pipeline. Therefore, it is important to examine the causes of occurrence, hazard potentials, and management methods of pipeline anomalies as part of pipeline integrity management. 
  • 1.4K
  • 27 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Health Effects of PM2.5
Particulate matter (PM) is a widespread air pollutant, consisting of a mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, covering a wide range of sizes and chemical compositions. Among ambient air pollutants most commonly investigated are PM with diameters < 10 μm and <2.5 μm (PM2.5, PM10).
  • 520
  • 17 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Processes Responsible for Nitrate Pollution in Water
Nitrate (NO3−) pollution of surface and groundwater bodies is a global problem of increasing concern, which has stimulated significant research interest. Nitrogen is crucial for life as a macronutrient for living organisms on Earth, but the global nitrogen cycle has been seriously altered by intensification of human activities, leading to eutrophication and hypoxic conditions of aquatic ecosystems. Due to nitrogen overfertilization, intensive agricultural practices generate huge nitrate fluxes that inadvertently deteriorate water quality. Different industrial processes also contribute to NO3− pollution in the environment. 
  • 426
  • 14 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Dust-Associated Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
The occurrence of sand and dust storms (SDSs) is essential for the geochemical cycling of nutrients; however, it is considered a meteorological hazard common to arid regions because of the adverse impacts that SDSs brings with them. One common implication of SDSs is the transport and disposition of aerosols coated with anthropogenic contaminants. Studies have reported the presence of such contaminants in desert dust; however, similar findings related to ubiquitous emerging contaminants, such as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have been relatively scarce in the literature. 
  • 468
  • 17 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Sewage Sludge Management
One of the most pressing environmental problems worldwide is sewage sludge (SS) management. Every year, wastewater volume increases and thus, the amount of SS produced increases as well. The disposal of SS in landfills, as practiced in many countries, is not a sustainable solution. Instead, SS, rich in organic matter and other nutrients, can be used as an alternative soil additive or fertilizer. The properties of these materials depend on their chemical composition and the method of treatment. Experience from a number of countries, such as the US and Europe, has shown that SS can be transformed from waste into a valuable resource, provided that the final product fulfils the relevant regulatory standards. 
  • 465
  • 06 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Biochar for Remediation of Polluted Soils
Soil contamination with organic contaminants and various heavy metals has become a global environmental concern. Biochar application for the remediation of polluted soils may render a novel solution to soil contamination issues.
  • 451
  • 06 Apr 2023
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