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Green and Sustainable Solutions for the Environment
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Green and Sustainable Solutions for the Environment

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021) | Viewed by 21688

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Yongju Choi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Interests: urban water and resource cycle; sediment management; decentralized wastewater management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Traditionally, solutions for environmental problems have been developed based on the goal of being in compliance with regulatory standards for selected environmental pollutants. However, the current pressure to improve the sustainability of our society necessitates a more holistic approach in developing such solutions. This Special Issue deals with innovation in environmental science and engineering, which addresses beyond the traditional goal of meeting the regulatory limit, such as the development of greener and/or more sustainable environmental solutions, and evaluation of the sustainability of existing and/or novel environmental solutions. This Special Issue welcomes manuscripts presenting efforts to develop environmental solutions that use greener energy/resources, convert wastes into greener products, and are designed to improve the environmental/economic sustainability of the currently-implemented processes. Manuscripts discussing the life-cycle of environmental impacts and/or life-cycle costs of the currently-implemented and/or novel processes for environmental solutions are also welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Yongju Choi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Environmental science
  • Environmental engineering
  • Pollution
  • Sustainability
  • Resource recirculation
  • Green chemistry
  • Life-cycle assessment
  • Life-cycle cost

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 4439 KiB  
Article
A Text-Mining Approach to Compare Impacts and Benefits of Nature-Based Solutions in Europe
by Leydy Alejandra Castellanos, Pierre-Antoine Versini, Olivier Bonin and Ioulia Tchiguirinskaia
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7799; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12187799 - 21 Sep 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2854
Abstract
Worldwide, a large set of initiatives have been carried out aiming to understand the benefits offered by Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in urban areas. The European Commission (EC) has founded different projects that have performed scientific literature reviews regarding this topic. To objectively compare [...] Read more.
Worldwide, a large set of initiatives have been carried out aiming to understand the benefits offered by Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in urban areas. The European Commission (EC) has founded different projects that have performed scientific literature reviews regarding this topic. To objectively compare their results and consolidate the consensus about the impacts and benefits of NBS, we performed a text mining analysis. This methodology coupled with a visual representation of the data allowed to convert the EC funding projects reports (corpus) into a meaningful structured analysis. This method demonstrated that despite the different literature review methodologies of each report, there are common trends exhibited by the results, e.g., the NBS installation as a strategy of urban resilience, the recognition of ecosystem services (ESS) delivered by nature in urban spaces, or the importance of the EC’s supporting role in the promotion of NBS. In addition, some network specific trends have also emerged and complemented the analysis: the assessment of the NBS performance with indicators, the participatory planning approach to NBS (involving citizen and local communities) and the economic value of their services. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Solutions for the Environment)
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14 pages, 7005 KiB  
Article
The Implications of Vertical Strategic Interaction on Green Technology Investment in a Supply Chain
by Simeng Wang, Yongsheng Cheng, Xiaoxian Zhang and Chenchen Zhu
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7441; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12187441 - 10 Sep 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1539
Abstract
Numerous studies on supply chains have indicated that vertical strategic interactions usually involve the classical double marginalization problem, leading to a downward distortion in profitability. However, at present, the implications of vertical strategic interactions for green technology investment in a supply chain are [...] Read more.
Numerous studies on supply chains have indicated that vertical strategic interactions usually involve the classical double marginalization problem, leading to a downward distortion in profitability. However, at present, the implications of vertical strategic interactions for green technology investment in a supply chain are not all that clear. In particular, such a vertical interaction not only can translate into profits between different parties, but usually also involves differentiated environmental performance. A question which arises is: who is the right undertaker for green technology investment in a supply chain, the supplier or retailer? To answer this question, we highlight the implications of vertical strategic interaction for green technology investment in a supply chain. To fill this gap, using a game-theoretic approach, we formulate two models: (a) Model M, in which an upstream manufacturer adopts technologies to meet consumer demand; and (b) Model R, where a retailer integrates environmental concerns into their supply chain decisions. We find that the retailer, who is closer to the customer, is the more effective undertaker for green technology investment, as this not only creates higher profitability for both parties, but also achieves a more sustainable scheme for our environment. When green technologies are invested in by the manufacturer, the double marginalization effect not only may downward-distort their economic performance but can also reduce the equilibrium of product greenness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Solutions for the Environment)
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14 pages, 1208 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Salinity on the Removal of Ni and Zn by Sorption onto Iron Oxide- and Manganese Oxide-Coated Sand
by Jiyeon Choi, Ardie Septian and Won Sik Shin
Sustainability 2020, 12(14), 5815; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12145815 - 20 Jul 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2138
Abstract
The influence of salinity on the single and binary sorption of Ni and Zn onto iron oxide- and manganese oxide-coated sand (IOCS and MOCS) was investigated at pH = 5. The single sorption experimental data were fitted to Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Sips [...] Read more.
The influence of salinity on the single and binary sorption of Ni and Zn onto iron oxide- and manganese oxide-coated sand (IOCS and MOCS) was investigated at pH = 5. The single sorption experimental data were fitted to Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Sips models, and a nonlinear sorption isotherm was observed (NF = 0.309–0.567). The higher Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area (ABET) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of MOCS contributed to the higher maximum sorption capacities (qmL) of Ni and Zn than that of IOCS. The Ni sorption capacities in the single sorption were higher than that in the binary sorption, while the Zn sorption capacities in the single sorption were less than that in the binary sorption. The single and binary sorptions onto both IOCS and MOCS were affected by the salinity, as indicated by the decrease in sorption capacities. Satisfactory predictions were shown by the binary sorption model fitting including P-factor, ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST)–Freundlich, IAST–Langmuir, and IAST–Sips; among these, the P-factor model showed the best fitting results in predicting the influence of salinity of Ni and Zn in the binary sorption system onto IOCS and MOCS. IOCS and MOCS offer a sustainable reactive media in a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) for removing Ni and Zn in the presence of salinity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Solutions for the Environment)
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15 pages, 4395 KiB  
Article
Hematite/Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanofilm for Fenton and Photocatalytic Oxidation of Methylene Blue
by Sangbin Lee and Jae-Woo Park
Sustainability 2020, 12(7), 2866; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12072866 - 03 Apr 2020
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3677
Abstract
Hematite (α-Fe2O3)/graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanofilm catalysts were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass by hydrothermal and chemical vapor deposition. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses of the synthesized [...] Read more.
Hematite (α-Fe2O3)/graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanofilm catalysts were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass by hydrothermal and chemical vapor deposition. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses of the synthesized catalyst showed that the nanoparticles of g-C3N4 were successfully deposited on α-Fe2O3 nanofilm. The methylene blue degradation efficiency of the α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 composite catalyst was 2.6 times greater than that of the α-Fe2O3 single catalyst under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The methylene blue degradation rate by the α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 catalyst increased by 6.5 times after 1 mM of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was added. The photo-Fenton reaction of the catalyst, UV, and H2O2 greatly increased the methylene blue degradation. The results from the scavenger experiment indicated that the main reactants in the methylene blue decomposition reaction are superoxide radicals photocatalytically generated by g-C3N4 and hydroxyl radicals generated by the photo-Fenton reaction. The α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 nanofilm showed excellent reaction rate constants at pH 3 (Ka = 6.13 × 10−2 min−1), and still better efficiency at pH 7 (Ka = 3.67 × 10−2 min−1), compared to other methylene blue degradation catalysts. As an immobilized photo-Fenton catalyst without iron sludge formation, nanostructured α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 are advantageous for process design compared to particle-type catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Solutions for the Environment)
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21 pages, 3579 KiB  
Article
Water Quality Improvement and Pollutant Removal by Two Regional Detention Facilities with Constructed Wetlands in South Texas
by Javier Guerrero, Ahmed Mahmoud, Taufiqul Alam, Muhammed A. Chowdhury, Adeniyi Adetayo, Andrew Ernest and Kim D. Jones
Sustainability 2020, 12(7), 2844; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12072844 - 03 Apr 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2838
Abstract
Stormwater runoff introduces several pollutants to the receiving water bodies that may cause degradation of the water quality. Stormwater management systems such as detention facilities and wetland can improve the water quality by removing various pollutants associated with the runoff. The objective of [...] Read more.
Stormwater runoff introduces several pollutants to the receiving water bodies that may cause degradation of the water quality. Stormwater management systems such as detention facilities and wetland can improve the water quality by removing various pollutants associated with the runoff. The objective of this research project is to determine the performance and efficiency of two major regional detention facilities (RDFs) with different designs and structures in reducing pollutants based on various storm events in McAllen, Texas. The two sites are the McAuliffe RDF and the Morris RDF; each site was incorporated with a constructed wetland with a different design and structure to enhance the pollutant removal process. The McAuliffe RDF reduced the concentration and load of many stormwater constituents in comparison to the Morris RDF. The observed concentrations and pollutant loads of suspended solids were much lower in the runoff of the inlet compared to the outlet for both sites. The McAuliffe RDF showed better concentration and load reduction for nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, of different species. However, both sites did not show a significant improvement of organic material. In addition, the indicator bacteria concentration represented a fluctuation between the inlet and outlet at each site. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Solutions for the Environment)
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13 pages, 2398 KiB  
Article
New Environmentally Friendly Acid System for Iron Sulfide Scale Removal
by Hany Gamal, Khaled Abdelgawad and Salaheldin Elkatatny
Sustainability 2019, 11(23), 6727; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11236727 - 27 Nov 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5081
Abstract
Iron sulfide scale is a common problem in the oil and gas industry. The precipitation of the iron sulfide scale on the well completion tools or inside surface flow lines restricts the flow of the produced fluids and might affect the integrity of [...] Read more.
Iron sulfide scale is a common problem in the oil and gas industry. The precipitation of the iron sulfide scale on the well completion tools or inside surface flow lines restricts the flow of the produced fluids and might affect the integrity of the pipelines or the surface and subsurface tools. Failure of the downhole completions tools will not only reduce the production rates but it might require workover and remedial operations that will add extra cost. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate a new environmentally friendly acid system (NEFAS) for iron sulfide scale removal using an actual field sample. The scale sample collected from a natural gas well is dominated by pyrrhotite (55%) in addition to calcite (21%), pyrite (8%), and torilite (6%) with minor traces of hibbingite, siderite, geothite, akaganeite, and mackinawite. High-temperature solubility tests were performed by soaking 2 g of the scale field sample with 20 cm3 of the NEFAS under static condition at 125 °C for different time periods (2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h). The solubility results were compared with commercial solutions for iron sulfide scale removal such as hydrochloric acid (15 wt.%), glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA, 20 wt.%), and high density converters (HDC-3) under the same conditions. The corrosion test was performed at 125 °C for the developed solution after mixing with 2 wt.% corrosion inhibitor (CI) and 2 wt.% corrosion intensifier (CIN). The results were compared with HCl (15 wt.%) under the same conditions. NEFAS consists of 75 wt.% biodegradable acid at pH of 0.04. NEFAS achieved 83 g/L solubility of iron sulfide scale after 6 h at 125 °C under static conditions. The solubility efficiency was very close to 15 wt.% HCl after 24 h where the solubility was 82 and 83 g/L for NEFAS and HCl, respectability. HDC-3 and GLDA (20 wt.%) achieved a lower scale solubility; 18 g/L and 65 g/L respectively, after 24 h. NEFAS achieved a corrosion rate of 0.211 kg/m2 after adding the CI and and CIN compared to 0.808 kg/m2 for HCl. The new environmentally friendly biodegradable acid system provides efficient performance for the scale removal without harming the environment and causing any side effects to the operation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Solutions for the Environment)
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18 pages, 2131 KiB  
Article
Do Ecosystem Service Value Increase and Environmental Quality Improve due to Large–Scale Ecological Water Conveyance in an Arid Region of China?
by Xiyi Wang, Shuzhen Peng, Hongbo Ling, Hailiang Xu and Tingting Ma
Sustainability 2019, 11(23), 6586; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11236586 - 21 Nov 2019
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2501
Abstract
With the rapid development of the economy and the intensification of human activities, ecological systems have been degraded, especially in arid areas. The lower reaches of the Tarim River represent a typical arid area in China. Since 2000, the Chinese government has been [...] Read more.
With the rapid development of the economy and the intensification of human activities, ecological systems have been degraded, especially in arid areas. The lower reaches of the Tarim River represent a typical arid area in China. Since 2000, the Chinese government has been heavily investing in the protection and restoration of the natural ecological environment of the lower reaches of the Tarim River. In this study, we aimed to resolve two key scientific issues: (1) reveal the changing characteristics of land-use in the region and identify the changes in ecosystem service value caused by these land-use changes and (2) evaluate whether the environmental quality has improved or worsened. The objective of this study is to verify whether the ecological water conveyance project promotes an increase in the ecosystem service value, with an improvement in the ecological environment, to thereby provide references for the evaluated effects of ecological water conveyance for the management of water resources. In this way, economic development can support environmental protection. Thus, the economy can be sustainably developed. Hence, based on the remote sensing data of land-use in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2016, with the value coefficients proposed by Constanza in 1997 and changing characteristics in the land-use, the ecological service value, and environmental conditions from 1990 to 2016 were analysed. According to our results, from 1990 to 2016, the ecosystem service value has increased substantially, indicating that the benefits of ecological water conveyance were significant. The environmental condition index increased by 21.14%, showing that the ecological environment has improved. However, the environmental quality remained low. In the future, we should formulate plans for reasonable land-use that control the replacement of woodlands and grasslands with farmlands and construction. The results of this study provide a scientific basis and practical guide for restoring inland river ecosystems in arid regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Solutions for the Environment)
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