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Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse Gases and Their Impact on Global Warming

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Abstract

The Greenhouse effect is a leading factor in keeping the Earth warm because it keeps some of the planet's heat that would otherwise escape from the atmosphere out to space. The study report on the Greenhouse gases and their impact on Global warming. Without the greenhouse effect the Earth's average global temperature would be much colder and life on Earth as we know it would be impossible. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide (N2O) and other gases. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases turn like a blanket, gripping Infra-Red radiation and preventing it from escaping into outer space. The clear effect of the greenhouse gases is the stable heating of Earth's atmosphere and surface, thus, global warming. The ability of certain gases, greenhouse gases, to be transparent to inbound visible light from the sun, yet opaque to the energy radiated from the earth is one of the best still events in the atmospheric sciences. The existence of greenhouse effect is what makes the earth a comfortable place for life. The study also reveals the importance of greenhouse gases to the warming of the planet earth.

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... For example, soil, the ocean, and forests are "carbon sinks" because they absorb carbon dioxide. Only in the upper atmosphere can sunlight destroy fluorinated gases [8]. Greenhouse gases have varied effects on global warming based on these primary factors: ...
... To sum up, NO is essential to plants' ability to adapt to climate change. (Kweku et al., 2018) [8] The implications of the greenhouse gas research report for global warming. Because it reduces the average global temperature of Earth, the greenhouse effect impedes the existence of life on Earth. ...
... To sum up, NO is essential to plants' ability to adapt to climate change. (Kweku et al., 2018) [8] The implications of the greenhouse gas research report for global warming. Because it reduces the average global temperature of Earth, the greenhouse effect impedes the existence of life on Earth. ...
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Natural environments have a direct or indirect impact on all living things' well-being, growth, nourishment, and development. Globally, the main contributors to climate change include industrialisation, agriculture, urbanisation, and greenhouse effects. Every year, the earth's surface temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels rise due to these climatic changes. The primary goal of this review article is to study the effect of greenhouse gases in climate change. The pace at which the planet's temperature has increased over the last 50 years has deeply alarmed a number of scientists, engineers, and environmentalists. More flexibility in their adaptation will help plant species withstand fluctuations in the frequency of harsh weather occurrences. One of the factors causing climate change is GHG. The results show how climate change affects the environment, which usually shows up as rising temperatures and CO2 levels.
... Since the industrial revolution, a large number of carbon emissions have led to severe environmental pollution and global climate change, which has affected the economic and social development and the climate environment on which human beings depend. Many studies have been conducted on the sources of greenhouse gases [1][2][3] and environmental governance and detection [4][5][6]. Especially since the 1990s, the world has reached a consensus that global climate governance needs to work together to develop carbon emission reduction targets and plans through strong cooperation among countries in the world so that carbon neutrality can be achieved globally in the second half of this century. ...
... This paper discussed the possibility of realizing the "double carbon" target in Gansu Province and put forward some countermeasures and suggestions for Gansu Province to realize this target. The purpose of this research is as follows: (1) to understand the primary energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in Gansu Province during the "double carbon" target period and the possibility of achieving the "in Gansu Province to achieve the carbon neutrality target; (2) to explore the path and measures to achieve the "double carbon" target in double carbon" target in Gansu Province; (3) to understand the importance of the endowment advantages of non-fossil energy in Gansu Province for the realization of the "double carbon" goal in Gansu Province; (4) to understand the significance of carbon sinks in Gansu province. The research results are very important for the formulation and implementation of relevant energy policies in order to achieve the "double carbon" goal in Gansu Province and can provide reasonable guidance for energy supply and demand balance, energy management, new energy development, and energy security in Gansu Province. ...
... As mentioned above, we have obtained the total primary energy consumption in the period of the "double carbon" target under different scenarios. As long as the share of different types of energy consumption in the total energy consumption during the "double carbon" target period is understood, CO 2 emissions can be calculated according to formula (2). Chinese researchers generally believe that China's carbon emissions will peak around 2030, and the share of non-fossil energy consumption will increase to 30% in 2021-2035. ...
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Gansu Province in China has the characteristics of an underdeveloped economy, low forest carbon sink, and rich non-fossil energy, making it a typical area for research to achieve the “double carbon” target. In this paper, the primary energy consumption and carbon emissions and their development trends in Gansu Province during the “double carbon” target period were predicted by the fixed-base energy consumption elasticity coefficient method, and the possibility of achieving the “double carbon” target in Gansu Province was explored. In the three hypothetical scenarios, it was estimated that the total primary energy consumption of Gansu Province will be 91.9–94.81 million tons of standard coal by 2030 and 99.35–110.76 million tons of standard coal by 2060. According to the predicted share of different energy consumption in Gansu Province, the CO2 emissions of Gansu Province in the three scenarios were calculated and predicted to be between 148.60 and 153.31 million tons in 2030 and 42.10 and 46.93 million tons in 2060. The study suggests that Gansu Province can reach the carbon peak before 2030 in the hypothetical scenarios. However, to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2060, it was proposed that, in addition to increasing carbon sinks by afforestation, it is also necessary to increase the share of non-fossil energy. As long as the share is increased by 0.3% on the basis of 2030, the goal of carbon neutrality by 2060 in Gansu Province can be achieved. The results show that the increase in the share of non-fossil energy consumption is the most important way to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality in Gansu Province, and it also needs to be combined with the optimization of industrial structure and improvement of technological progress. Based on the research results, some countermeasures and suggestions are put forward to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality in Gansu Province.
... Current research progress and development for H 2 biosynthesis is also being explored by using different conversion techniques like steam reforming and water-gasshift reaction. More discussions took place concerning the process or technology development for enhancing bioH 2 yield/biosynthesis processes (Sandaka and Kumar, 2023;Kweku et al., 2018). ...
... This fuel can be used as an energy source in passenger cars, fuel cells may be used in buses as an alternative fuel to gasoline/higher carbon fuel/ biofuels. Furthermore, H 2 fuel may be utilized in spacecraft propulsion (Kweku et al., 2018). Clean fuel like H 2 can be produced from diverse domestic resources and it could be made available as an alternative fuel/ energy from its infancy stage in the market and used as a transportation fuel (Kweku et al., 2018;Hosseini and Butler, 2020). ...
... Furthermore, H 2 fuel may be utilized in spacecraft propulsion (Kweku et al., 2018). Clean fuel like H 2 can be produced from diverse domestic resources and it could be made available as an alternative fuel/ energy from its infancy stage in the market and used as a transportation fuel (Kweku et al., 2018;Hosseini and Butler, 2020). Normally, thermal decomposition and also catalytic cracking techniques (such as electrolysis/ electrochemical oxidation processes) are applied for ammonia (NH 3 ) gas decomposition into nitrogen (N 2 ) and hydrogen (H 2 ). ...
... Due to its deficiencies, however, the use of recycled aggregate (RA) from substandard concrete, which is frequently contaminated with other building materials, has been restricted. Moreover, the construction industry is a big source of CO2 emissions, which contributes to the greenhouse effect worse and contributes to climate change, and global warming 7,8 . The industry is also to blame for the rise in greenhouse gas emissions, particle, and noise pollution, and C&D waste. ...
... However, C&D waste is typically characterised by heterogeneity and lower mechanical property and durability values, which can present challenges. A significant issue is also spontaneous carbonation, which reduces the pH of concrete, creates cracks, and enlarges pore size 1,2,7,9 . Researchers have investigated the possibility of strengthening RAs by inducing the carbonation process using climate-controlled chambers for carbonate curing in order to mitigate these issues 10-14 . ...
Conference Paper
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The aim of this research was to examine the potential utilization of construction and demolition (C&D) waste for the production of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks. To enhance the efficacy of the C&D waste, it was treated in a carbonation chamber before incorporation into the AAC blocks. The study utilized two types of C&D waste granulometry: construction and demolition waste coarse or fine i.e., (CDWC) and CDWF respectively. The AAC blocks were produced using 50% of CDWC/CDWF, fly ash (FA), and glass powder (GLP), which were used interchangeably in different batches. The study aimed to investigate the effects of the addition of CDWF or CDWC, as a partial replacement of FA, on the mechanical strength and durability resistance of the AAC blocks. The findings of the study revealed that the incorporation of CDWF or CDWC increased the mechanical strength and durability resistance of the AAC blocks. The results suggested that CDWC particles contributed to a more tightly packed AAC block mix, resulting in better particle interlocking and reduced voids and higher flexural strength (FS) values. In contrast, CDWF particles may have contributed to the formation of micro-cracks during the drying process, resulting in decreased FS values. Overall, the study demonstrated that using C&D waste as a substitute for natural aggregates in the production of AAC blocks is a feasible and environmentally friendly approach. The results further indicated that the addition of CDWC and FA resulted in higher strength and durability of the AAC blocks compared to other batches.
... Te use of fuid fossil fuels for transportation is the primary source of nursery gases such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), water vapor (H 2 O), nitrous oxide (N 2 O), methane (CH 4 ), fuorinated gases, and others. Nursery gases absorb and emit enormous energy into the atmosphere, resulting in global warming and obliterating climate models owing to ice cap melting, increasing ocean levels, and other threats [2]. Global transportation fuel consumption is expected to rise by nearly 55% by 2040, increasing the risk of nursery gas emissions. ...
... In order to evaluate the compositions of treated cane molasses using AAS and assess the efcacy of acidic centrifugation treatment processes, the distinct samples were collected from the locations of plate and frame fltration and microfltration. Along with this, the percentage removal of CaO and other impurities throughout plate and frame fltration and microfltration of molasses is determined using equations (2) and (3), respectively, as stated in Abo and Hailegiorgis [6]. ...
Article
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In the present investigation, process parameters were optimized in order to enhance the reduction of calcium oxide (CaO) from sugarcane molasses using acid centrifugation treatment. To predict the effects of process factors on CaO reduction efficiency, a response surface approach with a central composite design was selected. The polynomial quadratic equation was used to predict CaO removal efficiency, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was utilized to assess the relevance of process factors. The appropriateness of the developed model was determined by regression analysis, which yielded a higher R-squared value of 0.99334 ± 0.01. At the optimum process parameters of 100°C temperature, 50°Bx, and 3.50 pH, the CaO clarification efficacy of 66.17 wt.% was achieved. The experimental results indicated that for acidic centrifugation treatment, the experimentally observed CaO reduction of 65.94 wt% is in close agreement with the model equation’s predicted maximum CaO reduction of 66.17 wt% with a t-test value of 0.497726. Under such conditions, 0.982 wt.% CaO sugarcane molasses was obtained, which is low when compared to the world average of 1.5% CaO content of sugarcane molasses. Furthermore, the implementation of an artificial neural network (ANN) provided a better prediction model for CaO reduction, with a substantial R-squared value of 0.99866. However, the genetic algorithm (GA) optimization resulted in an actual CaO reduction of 66.21 wt.% with a t-test value of 0.497726.
... 1,2 The primary driver of climate change is the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a warming effect known as the greenhouse effect. 3 Major GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O). 3 Human activities, particularly burning fossil fuels for energy, are the largest sources of these emissions, making them anthropogenic GHG emissions. A carbon footprint quantifies the total GHG emissions caused by an individual, organization, event or product, typically expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO 2 e) to account for the different global warming potentials (GWP) of various gases. ...
... 3 Major GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O). 3 Human activities, particularly burning fossil fuels for energy, are the largest sources of these emissions, making them anthropogenic GHG emissions. A carbon footprint quantifies the total GHG emissions caused by an individual, organization, event or product, typically expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO 2 e) to account for the different global warming potentials (GWP) of various gases. ...
Article
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Aims Healthcare accounts for 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with medicines making a sizeable contribution. Product‐level medicine emission data is limited, hindering mitigation efforts. To address this, we created Medicine Carbon Footprint (MCF) Classifier, to estimate, standardize, stratify and visualize medicine carbon footprints. Methods We used molecular weight and chemical structure to estimate the process mass intensity and global warming potential of the active pharmaceutical ingredient in small molecule medicines. This allowed us to estimate medicine carbon footprints per dose, which we categorized into MCF Ratings, accessible via a searchable web application, MCF Formulary. We performed comparison and sensitivity analyses to validate the ratings, and stratification analyses by therapeutic indication to identify priority areas for emission reduction interventions. Results We generated standardized medicine carbon footprints for 2214 products, with 38% rated LOW, 35% MEDIUM, 25% HIGH and 2% VERY HIGH. These products represented 2.2 billion NHS England prescribed doses in January 2023, with a total footprint of 140 000 tonnes CO2e, equivalent to the monthly emissions of 940 000 cars. Notably, three antibiotics—amoxicillin, flucloxacillin and penicillin V—contributed 15% of emissions. We estimate that implementing the recommended 20% antibiotic prescription reduction could save 4200 tonnes CO2e per month, equivalent to removing 29 000 cars. Conclusions Standardized medicine carbon footprints have utility in assessing and addressing the carbon emissions of medicines, and the potential to inform and catalyse changes needed to align better healthcare and net zero commitments.
... CO 2 emissions stem largely from fossil fuel combustion, cement production, and deforestation (Xi-Liu et al., 2018). CH 4 concentrations have also risen sharply, primarily due to anaerobic decomposition and anthropogenic sources like coal mining, energy production, and agriculture (Kweku et al., 2018). According to the World Meteorological Organization, the atmospheric concentration of CH 4 has increased more than two and a half times from the pre-industrial level to the present, reaching approximately 1900 ppb in 2023 (GML, 2023). ...
... According to the World Meteorological Organization, the atmospheric concentration of CH 4 has increased more than two and a half times from the pre-industrial level to the present, reaching approximately 1900 ppb in 2023 (GML, 2023). Similarly, N 2 O concentrations have increased, mainly from natural and anthropogenic sources such as soil nitrogen compounds and industrial activities (Kweku et al., 2018;Jain et al., 2016). The estimated atmospheric concentration of N 2 O in 2023 is 336.6 ppb, approximately 125% higher than the preindustrial level (GML, 2023). ...
Article
Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are a prime concern that needs our attention, not only in megapolitan states but also in developing small states. The increase in GHGs-emission could lead to severe climate change scenarios and global warming. In India, it is measured that the energy sector (68.7%) accounts for a significant GHGs-emission, followed by agriculture (19.6%), industry (6.0%), land use change and forestry (3.8%), and waste sector (1.9%). This article aims to investigate temporal changes and trends in greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions in the energy sector of India. We have used GHGs-emission as Carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent and compared the top per capita emitting states versus their total emissions and vice versa. Most of this increase has occurred in small states, where urbanisation, population growth, and economic expansion have been significant factors. Odisha and Maharashtra were listed as top-emitting states releasing more than 240 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), mainly through industrial energy and electricity-related emissions, respectively, followed by Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. In contrast, Chhattisgarh was recorded as the top per-capita emitting state, followed by Odisha. Among all the states studied, Lakshadweep has shown a significant trend in GHGs per capita reduction, while the other shows an increasing trend due to a lack of robust and effective legislation. This review will help to seek the attention of policymakers and the government towards the increasing emissions from the small states which are emerging in day to day life.
... The exploitation of tropical forests, the burning of fossil fuels, and the rearing of livestock are only a few examples of how human actions are changing the earth's climate and temperature [1]. In addition to the greenhouse gases already naturally present in the atmosphere, these activities result in the disclosure of massive greenhouse gas emissions, which are a factor in both global warming and the greenhouse effect [2]. Renewable energy (RE) applications, such as creative solar ovens, are among the most endorsed and encouraged options. ...
Article
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The energy crisis is a major issue in developing countries, with fossil fuels being the main source of cooking. Induction cookers have received attention due to their safe operation and eco-friendliness, but traditional AC induction cookers are costly and inefficient due to an inverter and rectifier. In this regard, this paper aims to model and develop a solar-powered, low-cost, and highly efficient induction cooker that can be operated directly by solar panels through a battery. By utilizing the solar panels’ maximum output, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT)-based solar power controller has been utilized to charge the battery. A modified coil structure for the cooker is proposed to decrease the coil’s excitation time and increase the resonant frequency. A quasi-resonant converter topology has been used in the proposed induction cooker, as it operates at high frequencies above 20 kHz to avert audible noise and below 100 kHz to minimize losses in switching. The performance of the suggested induction cooktop has been validated by modifying the circuit and the coil of a traditional 220 V, 2 kW induction cooker. Based on the outcomes, it is observed that the efficiency of the proposed induction cooker reached 93%, which is better than that of existing induction cookers.
... The mechanism that controls Earth's temperature and renders it habitable is known as the natural greenhouse effect. The Earth's surface would be around 19 degrees Celsius colder in the absence of this impact (Kweku et al., 2018). This impact is caused by greenhouse gases (GHGs), which take in and release radiation into the atmosphere of the world. ...
Article
The growing global population has resulted in an increased demand for agricultural products. The second-largest source of releases of greenhouse gases is agriculture, which includes land use, agricultural production, and animal husbandry. Consequently, there has been a rise in GHG emissions. The three main greenhouse pollutants (often referred to as GHGs) that are contributing to the phenomenon of global warming and its many catastrophic effects are carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4). Despite being generated in lesser amounts than the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and the gases nitrous oxide (N2O) have a higher potential to contribute to global warming. This paper presents an extensive review on the factors affecting greenhouse gas emissions, including organic (crop species, animal dung, composted manure, and biosolids) and inorganic (such as fertilizers containing phosphate, nitrogen, and potassium) variables. Major sources of agricultural GHG emissions include agricultural soils, field burning of agricultural wastes, enteric fermentation, manure management, and liming. Strategies to mitigate GHG emissions from agriculture encompass improving crop residue management, enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in plants, optimizing nutrient management, implementing sustainable livestock production and feeding practices, adopting climate-smart agriculture, and reducing methane emissions. This paper deals with the future trends in carbon reduction.
... The earth's surface temperature has increased by 20-34 degrees Celsius as a result of global warming. The average temperature of the earth would be about 19 degrees Celsius (Kweku et al., 2018), if not for the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases are gases that absorb radiations in the range that the earth's surface emits. ...
Chapter
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Demand for agricultural goods is currently higher than it has ever been before due to the expansion of the World’s population. This has lead to the transformation of grasslands into agricultural lands, adopting energy-intensive production systems. Dependency on chemical and synthetic inputs has been increased without scientific methodologies in order to achieve higher production levels. Therefore, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission has been grown as CH4, CO2 and N2O are the three main GHG’s causing a range of catastrophic effects as a result of climate change. The agricultural sector constitutes a significant source and contributor of GHG emissions, primarily due to the utilization of nitrogen rich fertilizers that augments the release of CH4 and N2O. Our study examined the various critical strategies for mitigating these emissions, including the optimization of fertilizers application, refinement in livestock diets, implementation of soil conservation practices and plant genetic modifications. To keep up the pace of agricultural sustainability and our well being, the continuous emission of these harmful gases have to be restricted on immediate basis. These These emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless emissions will continue to rise and contribute global warming unless substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them.substantial measures are implemented to reduce them.substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them.substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them.substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them.substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. substantial measures are implemented to reduce them. The approaches derived from the comprehensive research presents viable methodologies for reducing GHG emissions.
... However, until recent decades, much of the waste was disposed of without real concern for damage to the ecosystem [15]. In addition, the increasing emission of greenhouse gases into the Earth's atmosphere contributes to global warming [16]. Thus, the international community is increasingly aware of the dangers facing the environment due to human activity, which can endanger the survival of the Earth and future generations if not controlled [17]. ...
Article
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The environmental management system (EMS) is a structured framework that entities use to manage environmental impacts, ensure compliance with regulations, and incorporate sustainability initiatives. For this reason, the study aims to identify the level of perception regarding implementing the EMS in universities. For this purpose, a study with a mixed approach has been carried out, in a sample composed of 321 students, 114 teachers, 190 administrators, 33 researchers, and 5 university authorities. The results show that the perception of the level of implementation of the EMS is at a medium level, evidencing weaknesses in institutional, pedagogical, investigative, and social responsibility management. This situation shows the lack of training activities, awareness campaigns, and educational programs that allow the adequate development of environmental skills and culture in all university community members. The lack of participation and involvement in institutional environmental management could seriously harm the effectiveness of the university's EMS, which would compromise the fulfillment of its environmental objectives and goals, as well as its commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection.
... The increase in atmospheric greenhouse gasses (GHG) emission has led to global warming [1]. Zero emission of GHG is mandatory to stall climate change. ...
Preprint
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The increasing electricity demands of personal computers, communication networks, and data centers contribute to higher atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn lead to global warming and climate change. Therefore the energy consumption of code must be minimized. Code can be generated by large language models. We look at the influence of prompt modification on the energy consumption of the code generated. We use three different Python code problems of varying difficulty levels. Prompt modification is done by adding the sentence ``Give me an energy-optimized solution for this problem'' or by using two Python coding best practices. The large language models used are CodeLlama-70b, CodeLlama-70b-Instruct, CodeLlama-70b-Python, DeepSeek-Coder-33b-base, and DeepSeek-Coder-33b-instruct. We find a decrease in energy consumption for a specific combination of prompt optimization, LLM, and Python code problem. However, no single optimization prompt consistently decreases energy consumption for the same LLM across the different Python code problems.
... The primary driver of this growth is the expansion of their data center infrastructure, specifically designed and optimized to accommodate the escalating computational demands of artificial intelligence workloads. It is incontrovertible that the magnitude of carbon emissions continues to escalate, making substantial contributions to anthropogenic climate change [7]- [9]. ...
Preprint
Human behavioral patterns and consumption paradigms have emerged as pivotal determinants in environmental degradation and climate change, with quotidian decisions pertaining to transportation, energy utilization, and resource consumption collectively precipitating substantial ecological impacts. Recommender systems, which generate personalized suggestions based on user preferences and historical interaction data, exert considerable influence on individual behavioral trajectories. However, conventional recommender systems predominantly optimize for user engagement and economic metrics, inadvertently neglecting the environmental and societal ramifications of their recommendations, potentially catalyzing over-consumption and reinforcing unsustainable behavioral patterns. Given their instrumental role in shaping user decisions, there exists an imperative need for sustainable recommender systems that incorporate sustainability principles to foster eco-conscious and socially responsible choices. This comprehensive survey addresses this critical research gap by presenting a systematic analysis of sustainable recommender systems. As these systems can simultaneously advance multiple sustainability objectives--including resource conservation, sustainable consumer behavior, and social impact enhancement--examining their implementations across distinct application domains provides a more rigorous analytical framework. Through a methodological analysis of domain-specific implementations encompassing transportation, food, buildings, and auxiliary sectors, we can better elucidate how these systems holistically advance sustainability objectives while addressing sector-specific constraints and opportunities. Moreover, we delineate future research directions for evolving recommender systems beyond sustainability advocacy toward fostering environmental resilience and social consciousness in society.
... El CC es un fenómeno o alteración lenta y gradual de las condiciones climáticas, el cual provoca un aumento en los gases de efecto invernadero, cambios en la temperatura, sequias e inundaciones frecuentes, así como otros cambios en los patrones climáticos a nivel global, poniendo en peligro a todos los organismos del planeta incluyendo al humano (Muluneh, 2021). El origen del CC son la deforestación, la agricultura intensiva y extensiva y las actividades antrópicas que generan gases de efecto invernadero como el dióxido de carbono (CO 2 ), metano (CH 4 ), óxido nitroso (N 2 O) y clorofluorocarbonos (CFC), entre otros (Kweku et al., 2018). ...
Article
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esticide pollution, such as that caused by glyphosate, affects marine and terrestrial ecosystems globally. This agrochemical pollution is exacerbated by climate change, which leads to fluctuations in temperatures and increases in greenhouse gases. These factors stress organisms and their microbiomes. Additionally, the stress caused by climate change forces organisms to adapt to changes in precipitation patterns, resulting in droughts and floods. Consequently, the use of pesticides has also changed, often leading to the application of larger quantities than were previously required, due to the growing resistance of some pests. It has been documented that climate change has driven many organisms to migrate geographically. The interaction between pesticide uses and temperature fluctuations promotes plant diseases, reducing the availability and quality of food, while also causing damage to the reproduction of certain organisms, such as insects, amphibians, and fish, among others. In the case of glyphosate, its intensive and widespread use—primarily due to genetically modified seeds—has led to contamination of virtually all ecosystems with this compound, including humans. Keywords: Pesticides, Glyphosate, Climate change.
... The effects of GHG emissions on the environment are profoundly impactful [6]. When GHGs, particularly carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), accumulate in the atmosphere, this process involves trapping additional heat within the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a gradual increase in global temperatures-a phenomenon known as global warming [7]. ...
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The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) plays a pivotal role in achieving decarbonization within the transportation sector. However, the widespread adoption of EVs faces multifaceted challenges, particularly concerning infrastructure development. This paper investigates the intersection of sustainability, decarbonization, and EV adoption, with a focus on identifying and analyzing the challenges associated with infrastructure deployment. Strictly adhering to the methodological principles and process of systematic literature reviews, this paper analyzes research spanning the fields of engineering, energy, computer science, environmental science, social sciences, and others to elucidate the barriers hindering EV adoption, ranging from technological limitations to regulatory complexities and market dynamics. Furthermore, it examines the critical role of infrastructure, encompassing charging networks, grid integration, and supportive policies, in facilitating EV uptake and maximizing environmental benefits. The findings are finally used to present the implications for theory, practice, and policies and to highlight the avenues for future research.
... Fossil fuel consumption and demand are increasing as a result of factors like population increase, growing urbanization, and industrialization (Mudakkar et al., 2013). However, continued use of these fuels leads to the release of greenhouse gases into the atmospheric, contributing to global warming (Kweku et al., 2018). Additionally, the open dumping of biomass causes problems such as soil erosion, air pollution, and unpleasant odors, as well as the spread of diseases (Babu et al., 2021). ...
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Fruit and vegetables waste are a promising feedstock for production of ethanol have garnering significant attention due to its potential and environmentally sound energy source including reducing waste sent to landfills, providing a source of renewable energy, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. In this study, fruit wastes from orange, pomegranate, and papaya, as well as vegetable wastes from potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots, were selected as feedstocks for ethanol production. Orange, pomegranate, and papaya wastes exhibited the highest concentrations of fermentable sugars, followed by tomato and carrot wastes. The fermentation of these feedstock using appropriate microorganisms resulted in the production of ethanol with yields ranging from 25 to 50%. The analysis of ethanol performance results showed that orange, pomegranate, papaya, and potato samples were within allowable range whereas tomato and carrot samples were above the allowable range. Moreover, the purified ethanol used in the experiment was clear and colourless. This paper conclude that fruit and vegetable waste represent a promising feedstock for ethanol production showing the highest potential for ethanol production. However, further research is required to optimize fermentation processes and address challenges of using these feedstock and processing for scalable ethanol production.
... Anthropogenic activities have a relatively minor direct influence on water vapor levels. However, the increase in other GHGs can indirectly enhance the water vapor feedback effect, amplifying the overall warming effect (Kweku et al., 2018). ...
Chapter
Abstract Climate change-induced environmental adversities pose significant challenges to agricultural productivity, impacting food security and livelihoods worldwide. This chapter aims to examine the diverse range of environmental adversities resulting from climate change, including extreme weather events, shifting precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, and increased frequency of pests and diseases, and their profound impacts on agricultural systems. Such adversities often lead to reduced crop yields, altered growing seasons, and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, jeopardizing the stability and productivity of agricultural systems. Changes in precipitation patterns, such as prolonged droughts or intense rainfall, disrupt water availability and irrigation systems, affecting crop growth and soil quality. Rising temperatures accelerate the rate of evaporation and moisture loss, leading to heat stress, reduced plant growth, and diminished yields. Furthermore, the proliferation and altered distribution of pests and diseases, driven by changing climatic conditions, pose additional threats to agricultural productivity. These environmental adversities disproportionately affect small-scale farmers and vulnerable communities, exacerbating inequalities and increasing the risk of food insecurity. Mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change on agriculture requires a comprehensive approach, integrating adaptive strategies, such as the development of climate-resilient crop varieties, improved water management techniques, sustainable farming practices, and enhanced access to information and resources. Furthermore, global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming are crucial in preventing further escalation of climate change-induced adversities and safeguarding agricultural productivity for future generations.
... Carbon emissions play a pivotal role in global warming by driving the greenhouse effect that leads to rising temperatures and extreme weather events [21,28,37,40,45]. With the ambitious goal of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to cap the global warming temperature increase at 1.5 degrees Celsius 1 , reducing carbon emissions becomes crucial [21]. ...
... These changes are due to the growing climate crisis, which is linked to an increase in the planet's average temperature. According to statistics, the average temperature on Earth is 14 • C, estimated to have risen by 0.9-1.5 • C since before the industrial revolution [1,2]. The most visible effects of climate change are the increased risk of extreme weather events, such as category 4-5 hurricanes, the incidence of which has increased by 25-30% per 1 • C of global warming [3]. ...
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... Peningkatan konsentrasi gas CO2 ini disebabkan oleh kegiatan pembakaran bahan bakar fosil seperti minyak, batu bara, dan materi organik lainnya, yang melebihi kemampuan tumbuhan dan laut untuk menyerapnya. Efek ini merangsang perubahan cuaca yang signifikan di seluruh dunia (Kweku et al., 2018;Mikhaylov et al., 2020). ...
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... It is noteworthy that several weed control and fertilization practices might facilitate carbon sequestration, but concurrently release CO 2 (Sukhdevb et al. 2015;Johnsen et al. 2001). Certain silvicultural practices, such as fertilization and site preparation, designed to enhance carbon sequestration, may inadvertently emit greenhouse gases, potentially disrupting the carbon equilibrium within forestry and agroforestry systems (Kweku et al. 2017;Echeverria et al. 2004;Johnson and Curtis 2001;Knoepp and Swank 1997;Markewitz 2006). Despite the fact that herbicides and other agrochemicals might foster aboveground carbon sequestration by suppressing competitors, parasites, and predators, their impacts are intricate (Mbow et al. 2014). ...
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... Alexey Mikhaylov, Nikita Moiseev, and Kirill Aleshin (2020) stated that the climate is changing significantly due to human behavior. This climate change has many consequences for human health around the world. Meanwhile, (Kweku et al . 2018) state that the greenhouse effect is the main factor in keeping the Earth warm because it keeps some of the planet's heat that should escape from the atmosphere into outer space. The existence of the greenhouse effect is what makes the Earth a comfortable place for life. The study also reveals the importance of greenhouse gases to plane ...
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We propose an electrolyser model for steady-state load flow analysis of multi-carrier energy networks, where the electrolyser is capable of producing hydrogen gas and heat. We show that there are boundary conditions that lead to a well-posed problem. We derive these conditions for two cases, namely with a fixed and non-fixed ratio between gas and heat output. Furthermore, the derived conditions are validated numerically.
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Soil ecosystem services (SEC) are the benefits provided by soil that support life on Earth. Nutrient cycles are an important part of SEC, but human activities can disrupt the input-output of nutrients from soil to atmosphere and vice versa. This can lead to the deposition or emission of large quantities of different nutrient forms in the soil or atmosphere, affecting environmental sustainability. Different types of GHGs are emitted from different sources, mainly fossil fuel combustion and industrialization. However, agriculture also contributes significantly to GHG emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). CO2 and CH4 are released to the atmosphere during the oxidation of organic matter (OM) in aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively, while N2O is released during nitrogen (N) mineralization. These emissions are a natural part of nutrient cycling, but agriculture and other human activities can increase them to unsustainable levels. Due to this, carbon emitted from soil has increased to 320 PgC, CH4 emissions by 49% and N2O emissions by 30%, which is an alarming situation. For example, excessive use of inorganic fertilizers, faulty land management practices, and land use changes can all stimulate the emission of GHGs from soil. This is a serious concern because it contributes to global climate change. Carbon sequestration processes can be used to mitigate GHG emissions from soil. Soil restoration and soil provisioning services are also vital to reducing GHG emissions and maintaining environmental sustainability. In this chapter, GHGs emitted from the agricultural sector are discussed, and different mitigation measures are mentioned relating to the soil ecosystem to reduce the emission of GHGs.
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Uncontrolled emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants due to industrialisation and land use change are causing global warming and climate change. Elevated CO2 triggers global warming by absorbing infrared radiation and warming the Earth's atmosphere. Increased CO2 and higher temperatures interact with C3 and C4 plants and affect plant growth and productivity through changes in various physiological and biochemical processes. Photosynthesis is affected by various physiological mechanism such as photorespiration, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, transpiration and phenological processes. Therefore, it is expected that reduced crop quality and productivity would be a challenge in terms of food security for future generations. For this reason, it is necessary to develop adaptation strategies to ensure sustainable agricultural production. Thus, improving plants adaptation ability to environmental and geographical conditions is now an important issue to preclude reduced crop quality and yield loss. This reviews examines the physiological effects of global climate change on plants and determines the measures that can be taken for this situation.
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In this analysis, biodiesel derived from used cooking oil (UCO) was synthesized using a renewable heterogeneous catalyst in a high-pressure, high-temperature reactor. Musa Balbisiana Colla underground stem (MBCUS) ash is utilized as a renewable heterogeneous catalyst under optimized reactor conditions. This study explores its effectiveness in improving biodiesel yield, fuel properties, and environmental sustainability. MBCUS ash exhibits promise in transesterification reactions. Performance, combustion, and emission features of CI engine was reported for B100, B10, B20, and B50 blends of biodiesel and compared with petrodiesel. BTE and BSFC for UCOB20 were higher than other tested blends and almost similar to petrodiesel at full load condition. CP and NHRR were superior and more stable than petrodiesel which was an indication of complete combustion instead of LCV of biodiesel. Overall, harmful emissions were also low due to appropriate combustion w.r. to petrodiesel at full load condition. It was investigated that UCOB20 was the best suited blend for CI engine application.
Conference Paper
Advancing towards a green transition necessitates rely in renewable energies and the mitigation of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions through Carbon Capture, Usage, and Storage (CCUS) highlighting the substantial need to store greenhouse gases into geological formations, specifically tight formations. The subsurface storage and the consequent formation fluids displacement is challenging due to the rock’s pore network complexity. This work involved comprehensive laboratory work was performed on Bandera, Kentucky and Scioto sandstones including Routine Core Analyses, Mercury Injection Capillary Pressure (MICP), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)in order to determine novel criterion for optimal tight sand selection for safe and efficient CO2 storage. Accordingly, Scioto sandstone is elected as the most appropriate candidate for CO2–EOR among the tested sandstones due to its high micropore system capacity to store and confine injected CO2. Coreflooding runs were conducted on Scioto sandstone composite coresto assess the storage efficiency under different injection schemes and NMR technology was employed to evaluate fluid distribution pre- and post-flooding, providing insights into fluids distribution in various pore sizes of the pore network. Results indicate that continuous miscible CO2 was able to invade micropores providing the highest microscopic displacement compared to the other tested injection schemes. Such microscopic displacement can lead to permanent CO2 storage in invaded tight pores due to capillarity mechanism. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of NMR measurements in assessing pore fluids distribution and the potential for long term microscopic CO2 storage and trapping in tight formations. Therefore, borehole NMR technology can be utilized to assess the near wellbore performance of CO2 injection for EOR and geo-storage purposes.
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Chapter
The One Health concept recognizes the interconnectedness of humans, biodiversity, and environmental well-being. This chapter highlights that air pollution is a significant global issue that has substantial consequences for humans, biodiversity, and ecosystem status and health. The three main categories of air pollutants are physical pollutants, such as smoke and particulate matter, chemical pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and persistent organic pollutants, and biological pollutants, such as bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Various factors, including geography, weather, emission sources, population density, land use patterns, air mass movements, regulatory actions, seasonal oscillations, and chemical reactions, influence the spread of air pollution. To mitigate the One Health impacts of air pollution, governments, corporations, communities, and individuals need to collaborate in implementing policies aimed at decreasing emissions, embracing cleaner energy and transportation technologies, enhancing urban green areas, and raising public awareness about the health hazards linked to air pollution. To also exert influence on policy changes aimed at achieving a cleaner and healthier environment, one can employ effective strategies such as conducting public awareness campaigns, implementing stringent laws for industries and automobiles, advocating for sustainable energy and transportation alternatives, and developing urban green infrastructure.
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The buildup of so called “greenhouse gases” in the atmosphere - CO2 in particular appears to be having an adverse impact on the global climate. This paper briefly reviews current expectations with regard to physical and biological effects, their potential costs to society, and likely costs of abatement. For a “worst case” scenario it is impossible to assess, in economic terms, the full range of possible non-linear synergistic effects. In the “most favorable” (although not necessarily “likely”) case (of slow - paced climate change), however, it seems likely that the impacts are within the “affordable” range, at least in the industrialized countries of the world. In the “third world” the notion of affordability is of doubtful relevance, making the problem of quantitative evaluation almost impossible.
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It is common practice in wastewater engineering to extend standard activated sludge models (ASMs) with extra process equations derived from batch experiments. However, such experiments have often been performed under conditions different from the ones normally found in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). As a consequence, these experiments might not be representative for full-scale performance, and unexpected behaviour may be observed when simulating WWTP models using the derived process equations. In this paper we want to highlight problems encountered using a simplified case study: a modified version of the Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) is upgraded with nitrous oxide (N2O) formation by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Four different model structures have been implemented in the Benchmark Simulation Model No. 1 (BSM1). The results of the investigations revealed two typical difficulties: problems related to the overall mathematical model structure and problems related to the published set of parameter values. The paper describes the model implementation incompatibilities, the variability in parameter values and the difficulties of reaching similar conditions when simulating a full-scale activated sludge plant. Finally, the simulation results show large differences in oxygen uptake rates, nitritation rates and consequently the quantity of N2O emission (GN2O) using the different models.
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The federal tax code provides preferential treatment for the production and use of renewable energy. We report estimates of the subsidies' effects on greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions developed in a recent National Research Council (NRC) Report. Due to lack of estimates of the impact of tax provisions on GHG emissions, new modeling studies were commissioned. The studies found, at best, a small impact of subsidies in reducing GHG emissions; in some cases, emissions increased. The NRC report also identified the need to capture the complex interactions among subsidies, pre-existing regulations, and commodity markets.
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Bioremediation is a technique that uses microbial metabolism to remove pollutants. Various techniques and strategies of bioremediation (e.g., phytoremediation enhanced by endophytic microorganisms, rhizoremediation) can mainly be used to remove hazardous waste from the biosphere. During the last decade, this specific technique has emerged as a potential cleanup tool only for metal pollutants. This situation has changed recently as a possibility has appeared for bioremediation of other pollutants, for instance, volatile organic compounds, crude oils, and radionuclides. The mechanisms of bioremediation depend on the mobility, solubility, degradability, and bioavailability of contaminants. Biodegradation of pollutions is associated with microbial growth and metabolism, i.e., factors that have an impact on the process. Moreover, these factors have a great influence on degradation. As a result, recognition of natural microbial processes is indispensable for understanding the mechanisms of effective bioremediation. In this review, we have emphasized the occurrence of endophytic microorganisms and colonization of plants by endophytes. In addition, the role of enhanced bioremediation by endophytic bacteria and especially of phytoremediation is presented.
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Canada's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol has focused attention on the importance of accurately estimating emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) from all sectors. An inventory of emissions of greenhouse gases from Canadian municipal wastewater treatment plants was prepared using a life-cycle approach. Both on-site emissions at the treatment facility due to the biological processes used and fossil fuels consumed for energy and heat and upstream emissions related to off-site production and transmission of fuels and the off-site production of electricity for the plant were included. For the year 2000, the on-site methane (CH4) emission rate from Canadian municipal wastewater treatment facilities was estimated at 1600 Mg/year. The total on-site emission rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) was estimated at 669 100 Mg/year, but the estimated total CO2 equivalent emissions rose to 1 048 500 Mg/year once upstream emissions were included. Clear abatement strategies related to more efficient energy use and energy recovery can be identified once accurate GHG emissions inventories are in place.Key words: municipal wastewater treatment, life-cycle approach, greenhouse gas emissions, anaerobic processes.
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Nitrous oxide (N2O) can be emitted from wastewater treatment contributing to its greenhouse gas footprint significantly. Mathematical modeling of N2O emissions is of great importance toward the understanding and reduction of the environmental impact of wastewater treatment systems. This article reviews the current status of the modeling of N2O emissions from wastewater treatment. The existing mathematical models describing all the known microbial pathways for N2O production are reviewed and discussed. These included N2O production by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) through the hydroxylamine oxidation pathway and the AOB denitrification pathway, N2O production by heterotrophic denitrifiers through the denitrification pathway, and the integration of these pathways in single N2O models. The calibration and validation of these models using lab-scale and full-scale experimental data is also reviewed. We conclude that the mathematical modeling of N2O production, while is still being enhanced supported by new knowledge development, has reached a maturity that facilitates the estimation of site-specific N2O emissions and the development of mitigation strategies for a wastewater treatment plant taking into the specific design and operational conditions of the plant.
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Autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) have been recognized as a major contributor to N2O production in wastewater treatment systems. However, so far N2O models have been proposed based on a single N2O production pathway by AOB, and there is still a lack of effective approach for the integration of these models. In this work, an integrated mathematical model that considers multiple production pathways is developed to describe N2O production by AOB. The pathways considered include the nitrifier denitrification pathway (N2O as the final product of AOB denitrification with NO2- as the terminal electron acceptor) and the hydroxylamine (NH2OH) pathway (N2O as a byproduct of incomplete oxidation of NH2OH to NO2-). In this model, the oxidation and reduction processes are modelled separately, with intracellular electron carriers introduced to link the two types of processes. The model is calibrated and validated using experimental data obtained with two independent nitrifying cultures. The model satisfactorily describes the N2O data from both systems. The model also predicts shifts of the dominating pathway at various dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrite levels, consistent with previous hypotheses. This unified model is expected to enhance our ability to predict N2O production by AOB in wastewater treatment systems under varying operational conditions.
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Mathematical modeling of N2O emissions is of great importance toward understanding the whole environmental impact of wastewater treatment systems. However, information on modeling of N2O emissions from full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is still sparse. In this work, a mathematical model based on currently known or hypothesized metabolic pathways for N2O productions by heterotrophic denitrifiers and ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB) is developed and calibrated to describe the N2O emissions from full-scale WWTPs. The model described well the dynamic ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, dissolved oxygen (DO) and N2O data collected from both an open oxidation ditch (OD) system with surface aerators and a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system with bubbling aeration. The obtained kinetic parameters for N2O production are found to be reasonable as the 95% confidence regions of the estimates are all small with mean values approximately at the center. The model is further validated with independent data sets collected from the same two WWTPs. This is the first time that mathematical modelling of N2O emissions is conducted successfully for full-scale WWTPs. While clearly showing that the NH2OH related pathways could well explain N2O production and emission in the two full-scale plants studied, the modelling results do not prove the dominance of the NH2OH pathways in these plants, nor rule out the possibility of AOB denitrification being a potentially dominating pathway in other WWTPs that are designed or operated differently.
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This study investigates sources of uncertainty in the modelling of greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment, through the use of local and global sensitivity analysis tools, and contributes to an in-depth understanding of wastewater treatment modelling by revealing critical parameters and parameter interactions. One-factor-at-a-time sensitivity analysis is used to screen model parameters and identify those with significant individual effects on three performance indicators: total greenhouse gas emissions, effluent quality and operational cost. Sobol's method enables identification of parameters with significant higher order effects and of particular parameter pairs to which model outputs are sensitive. Use of a variance-based global sensitivity analysis tool to investigate parameter interactions enables identification of important parameters not revealed in one-factor-at-a-time sensitivity analysis. These interaction effects have not been considered in previous studies and thus provide a better understanding wastewater treatment plant model characterisation. It was found that uncertainty in modelled nitrous oxide emissions is the primary contributor to uncertainty in total greenhouse gas emissions, due largely to the interaction effects of three nitrogen conversion modelling parameters. The higher order effects of these parameters are also shown to be a key source of uncertainty in effluent quality.
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The paper describes the model software REPRO (REPROduction of soil fertility) designed for analyzing interlinked carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fluxes in the system soil–plant–animal–environment. The model couples the balancing of C, N and energy fluxes with the target to estimate the climate-relevant CO 2 , CH 4 and N 2 O sources and sinks of farming systems. For the determination of the net greenhouse effect, calculations of C sequestration in the soil, CO 2 emissions from the use of fossil energy, CH 4 emissions from livestock keeping and N 2 O emissions from the soil have been made. The results were converted into CO 2 equivalents using its specific global warming potential (GWP). The model has been applied in the experimental farm Scheyern in southern Germany, which had been divided into an organic (org) and a conventional (con) farming system in 1992. Rather detailed series of long-term measuring data are available for the farm in Scheyern, which have been used for validating the software for its efficiency and applicability under very different management yet nearly equal site conditions. The organic farm is multi-structured with a legume-based crop rotation (N 2 fixation: 83 kg ha ⁻¹ yr ⁻¹ ). The livestock density (LSU=Livestock Unit according to FAO) is 1.4 LSU ha ⁻¹ . The farm is oriented on closed mass cycles; from the energetic point of view it represents a low-input system (energy input 4.5 GJ ha ⁻¹ yr ⁻¹ ). The conventional farm is a simple-structured cash crop system, based on mineral N (N input 145 kg ha ⁻¹ yr ⁻¹ ). Regarding the energy consumption, the system is run on high inputs (energy input 14.0 GJ ha ⁻¹ yr ⁻¹ ). The organic crop rotation reaches about 57% (8.3 Mg ha ⁻¹ yr ⁻¹ ) of the DM yield, about 66% (163 kg ha ⁻¹ yr ⁻¹ ) of the N removal and roughly 56% (3741 kg ha ⁻¹ yr ⁻¹ ) of the C fixation of the conventional crop rotation. In the organic rotation, 18 GJ per GJ of fossil energy input are bound in the harvested biomass vis-à-vis 11.1 GJ in the conventional rotation. The strongest influence on the greenhouse effect is exerted by C sequestration and N 2 O emissions. In Scheyern, C sequestration has set in under organic management (+0.37 Mg ha ⁻¹ yr ⁻¹ ), while humus depletion has been recorded in the conventional system (−0.25 Mg ha ⁻¹ yr ⁻¹ ). Greenhouse gas emissions (GGEs) due to fuel consumption and the use of machines are nearly on the same level in both crop rotations. However, the conventional system emits an additional 637 kg CO 2 eq ha ⁻¹ yr ⁻¹ , which had been consumed in the manufacture of mineral N and pesticides in the upstream industry. Besides the analyses in the experimental farm Scheyern, the model has been applied in 28 commercial farms (18 org and 10 con) with comparable soil and climate conditions in the surroundings of Scheyern (mean distance 60 km). The program calculations are aimed at benchmarking the results obtained in the farming systems Scheyern; they are expected to disclose management-specific variations in the emission of climate-relevant gases and to rate the suitability of the model for describing such management-specific effects. In order to make the situation in the farms comparable, only the emissions from cropping systems were analyzed. Livestock keeping remained unconsidered. Due to lower N and energy inputs, clearly lower N 2 O and CO 2 emissions were obtained for the organic farms than for the conventional systems. The analyses have shown possibilities for the optimization of management and the mitigation of GGE. Our findings underline that organic farming includes a high potential for C sequestration and the reduction of GGEs. Currently, the model REPRO is tested by 90 farms in the Federal Republic of Germany with the aim to apply it in the future not only in the field of research but also in the management of commercial farms.
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There is increasing evidence showing that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are major contributors to N(2) O emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Although the fundamental metabolic pathways for N(2) O production by AOB are now coming to light, the mechanisms responsible for N(2) O production by AOB in WWTP are not fully understood. Mathematical modeling provides a means for testing hypotheses related to mechanisms and triggers for N(2) O emissions in WWTP, and can then also become a tool to support the development of mitigation strategies. This study examined the ability of four mathematical model structures to describe two distinct mechanisms of N(2) O production by AOB. The production mechanisms evaluated are (1) N(2) O as the final product of nitrifier denitrification with NO 2- as the terminal electron acceptor and (2) N(2) O as a byproduct of incomplete oxidation of hydroxylamine (NH(2) OH) to NO 2-. The four models were compared based on their ability to predict N(2) O dynamics observed in three mixed culture studies. Short-term batch experimental data were employed to examine model assumptions related to the effects of (1) NH 4+ concentration variations, (2) dissolved oxygen (DO) variations, (3) NO 2- accumulations and (4) NH(2) OH as an externally provided substrate. The modeling results demonstrate that all these models can generally describe the NH 4+, NO 2-, and NO 3- data. However, none of these models were able to reproduce all measured N(2) O data. The results suggest that both the denitrification and NH(2) OH pathways may be involved in N(2) O production and could be kinetically linked by a competition for intracellular reducing equivalents. A unified model capturing both mechanisms and their potential interactions needs to be developed with consideration of physiological complexity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Article
Endophytic actinobacterial diversity in the native herbaceous plant species of Korea was analyzed using a culture-based approach. Sixty one actinobacterial strains were isolated, and assigned to 15 genera based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. The members of the genus Streptomyces comprised 45.9% of the total isolates, followed by Micromonospora (18.8%), Rhodococcus (6.6%), Microbispora (4.9%), and Micrococcus (4.9%). Other minor constituents included members of Microbacterium, Streptacidiphilus, Arthrobacter, Dietzia, Kitasatospora, Herbiconiux, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Rathayibacter, and Tsukamurella. Among the isolates, 65.6% exhibited at least one hydrolytic enzyme activity out of four, and 45.9% exhibited antagonistic activity against at least one fungal pathogen out of five, thus demonstrating that endophytic actinobacteria can be an important source of bioactive compounds. Notably, most strains of Streptomyces proved active for both enzymatic and antagonistic activities.
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The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate how greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be quantified during the evaluation of control strategies in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). A modified version of the IWA Benchmark Simulation Model No 2 (BSM2G) is hereby used as a simulation case study. Thus, the traditional effluent quality index (EQI), operational cost index (OCI) and time in violation (TIV) used to evaluate control strategies in WWTP are complemented with a new dimension dealing with GHG emissions. The proposed approach is based on a set of comprehensive models that estimate all potential on-site and off-site sources of GHG emissions. The case study investigates the overall performance of several control strategies and demonstrates that substantial reductions in effluent pollution, operating costs and GHG emissions can be achieved when automatic control is implemented. Furthermore, the study is complemented with a scenario analysis that examines the role of i) the dissolved oxygen (DO) set-point, ii) the sludge retention time (SRT) and iii) the organic carbon/nitrogen ratio (COD/N) as promoters of GHG emissions. The results of this study show the potential mechanisms that promote the formation of CO2, CH4 and N2O when different operational strategies are implemented, the existing synergies and trade-offs amongst the EQI, the OCI and TIV criteria and finally the need to reach a compromise solution to achieve an optimal plant performance.
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Nitrous oxide (N(2)O), a potent greenhouse gas, can be emitted during wastewater treatment, significantly contributing to the greenhouse gas footprint. Measurements at lab-scale and full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have demonstrated that N(2)O can be emitted in substantial amounts during nitrogen removal in WWTPs, however, a large variation in reported emission values exists. Analysis of literature data enabled the identification of the most important operational parameters leading to N(2)O emission in WWTPs: (i) low dissolved oxygen concentration in the nitrification and denitrification stages, (ii) increased nitrite concentrations in both nitrification and denitrification stages, and (iii) low COD/N ratio in the denitrification stage. From the literature it remains unclear whether nitrifying or denitrifying microorganisms are the main source of N(2)O emissions. Operational strategies to prevent N(2)O emission from WWTPs are discussed and areas in which further research is urgently required are identified.
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Greenhouse gas emissions in the form of methane and carbon dioxide are produced when municipal and industrial wastewater and their residual solid by-product (sludge) are handled under or subject to anaerobic conditions, thus contributing to the global warming potential or the greenhouse effect. This paper presents estimation methods used for determining methane emissions from the management of wastewater. Applications for estimating countrywide methane gas emissions from wastewater management are presented with the country of Lebanon as an example. The relative significance of these emissions is assessed in comparison with methane emissions from developing and developed countries. Uncertainty associated with the estimation process and mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts of methane emissions from wastewater management are also discussed.
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