AHP based life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) framework: a case study of six storey wood frame and concrete frame buildings in Vancouver

Construction and building industry is in dire need for developing sustainability assessment frameworks that can evaluate and integrate related environmental and socioeconomic impacts. This paper discusses an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based sustainability evaluation framework for mid-rise residential buildings based on a broad range of environmental and socioeconomic criteria. A cradle to grave life cycle assessment technique was applied to identify, classify, and assess triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability performance indicators of buildings. Then, the AHP was applied to aggregate the impacts into a unified sustainability index. The framework is demonstrated through a case study to investigate two six storey structural systems (i.e. concrete and wood) in Vancouver, Canada. The results of this paper show that the environmental performance of a building in Canada, even in regions with milder weather such as Vancouver, is highly dependent on service life energy, rather than structural materials.     

Sub-lethal toxic effects of deltamethrin on blood biochemical parameters of Japanese quail,Coturnix japonica

Feeding deltamethrin-contaminated grains to domestic poultry, such as quails may result in toxic effects in these birds. This study was done to investigate the effects of recommended doses of deltamethrin, sometimes used in grain storage silos, on Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Quails were fed grains contaminated with 0.25 and 0.50 mg deltamethrin per kg diet for 21 days and the effects on survival and blood biochemical parameters were studied. Plasma uric acid, creatinine levels, and creatinine phosphokinase activity in the blood were increased. Aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities and glucose levels significantly increased in birds treated with the high dose of deltamethrin. Alanine aminotransferase activity and albumin or cholesterol levels were not changed, and acetylcholinesterase and alkaline phosphatase activities, total protein and globulin in plasma were decreased. Administration of 0.25 mg/kg deltamethrin caused increased blood triglyceride levels, 0.50 mg/kg deltamethrin decreased triglyceride levels.     

Simultaneous Removal of Nitrate and Natural Organic Matter from Drinking Water Using a Hybrid Heterotrophic/Autotrophic/Biological Activated Carbon Bioreactor

Simultaneous removal of nitrate ([Formula: see text]) and natural organic matter (NOM) from drinking water using a hybrid heterotrophic/autotrophic/BAC bioreactor (HHABB) was studied in continuous mode. The HHABB consisted of three compartments: ethanol heterotrophic part, sulfur autotrophic part, and biological activated carbon (BAC)-part (including anoxic and aerobic sections). Experiments were performed with [Formula: see text] concentration 30?mg N/L, [Formula: see text] loading rate 0.72?kg N/m(3)/d, C?:?N ratio 0.53, and three concentrations of NOM (0.6, 2.6, and 5.7?mg C/L). Overall denitrification rate and efficiency of the HHABB were not affected by NOM concentration and were in the suitable ranges of 0.69-0.70?kg N/m(3)/d and 96.0%-97.7%, respectively. NOM removal at concentration 0.6?mg C/L was not efficient because of organic carbon replacement as soluble microbial products. At higher NOM concentrations, total NOM removal efficiencies were 55%-65%, 55%-70%, and 55%-65% for dissolved organic carbon, trihalomethane formation potential, and UV absorbance at 254?nm (UV(254)), respectively. The more efficient compartments of the HHABB for the removal of NOM were the ethanol heterotrophic phase and aerobic BAC-phase. The efficiency of the HHABB in the removal of NOM was considerable, and the effluent dissolved organic carbon and trihalomethane formation potential concentrations were relatively low. This study indicated that the HHABB without the anoxic BAC-phase could be a feasible alternative for simultaneous removal of [Formula: see text] and NOM from drinking water at full scale.     

Visitor impact on rocky shore communities of Qeshm Island, the Persian Gulf, Iran

The influence of visitors on macroinvertebrates of rocky intertidal shores was investigated in southern coasts of the Qeshm Island, the Persian Gulf, Iran. Qeshm Island located at the Strait of Hormuz, with an area of 1,491 km², is the largest island in the region. This island consists of a number of important natural habitat types including creeks, mangroves, corals, and sandy, muddy, and rocky shores that accommodate diverse marine flora and fauna communities. Two rocky shores were selected at the touristic beaches being visited regularly, and further two control locations selected at pristine shores. Intertidal macroinvertebrates were collected from six microhabitats including rock platforms, cobbles, boulders, crevices, sea walls, and rock pools during two different periods representing high and low tourist seasons. Species richness, density, and assemblage structure in heavily visited shores were compared with that of control locations. Striped barnacles (Balanus amphitrite) were present on platforms of all locations, thus the changes in their size were used as the obvious contrast associated with visitor’s impact. A total of 70 macroinvertebrate species from 11 phyla were recorded. Significant differences were detected in taxonomic richness, density, and assemblage structure of macroinvertebrates between heavily visited and pristine shores, suggesting that macroinvertebrates were adversely affected by visitors’ impact at heavily visited shores. The test of changes in species richness, density, and assemblage structure from high to low seasons yielded mixed results. The significant changes in density and assemblage structure from high to low seasons were only observed in one heavily visited shore. A significant reduction in size of striped barnacles was observed only in one heavily visited shore. The opportunistic or fugitive species (e.g., small macroalgae and barnacles) were dominant macroinvertebrates on heavily visited shores indicating early succession stage. The results presented here showed that macroinvertebrates were adversely affected by human activities in subtropical rocky shore.     

Sonophotocatalytic Degradation of Chitosan in the Presence of Fe(III)/H2O2 System

The degradation of chitosan by means of ultrasound irradiation and its combination with homogeneous photocatalysis (photo-Fenton) was investigated. Emphasis was given on the effect of additive on degradation rate constants. 24 kHz of ultrasound irradiation was provided by a sonicator, while an ultraviolet source of 16 W was used for UV irradiation. To increase the efficiency of degradation process, degradation system was combined with Fe(III) (2.5 × 10⁻⁴mol/L) and H₂O₂ (0.020–0.118 mol/L) in the presence of UV irradiation and the rate of degradation process change from 1.873 × 10⁻⁹−6.083 × 10⁻⁹ mol^1.7 L s⁻¹. Photo-Fenton process led to complete chitosan degradation in 60 min with the rate increasing with increasing catalyst loading. Sonophotocatalysis in the presence of Fe(III)/H₂O₂ was always faster than the respective individual processes. A synergistic effect between ultrasound and ultraviolet irradiation in the presence of Fenton reagent was calculated. The degraded chitosans were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and average molecular weight of ultrasonicated chitosan was determined by measurements of intrinsic viscosity of samples. The results show that the total degree of deacetylation (DD) of chitosan change, partially after degradation and the decrease of molecular weight led to transformation of crystal structure. A negative order for the dependence of the reaction rate on total molar concentration of chitosan solution within the degradation process was suggested. Results of this study indicate that the presence of catalyst in the reaction medium can be utilized to reduce molecular weight of chitosan while maintaining the power of irradiated ultrasound and degree of deacetylation.     

Aminobenzenesulfonamide functionalized SBA-15 nanoporous molecular sieve: A new and promising adsorbent for preconcentration of lead and copper ions

A rapid method for the extraction and monitoring of nanogram level of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions using uniform silanized mesopor (SBA-15) functionalized with aminobenzenesulfonamide groups and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is presented. Aminobenzenesulfonamide functionalized SBA-15 was synthesized according to procedure in the literature and the presence of organic groups in the silica framework was demonstrated by FT-IR spectra. The functionalized product showed the BET surface area 110 m²/g and pore diameter 5.1 nm, based on adsorption-desorption of N₂ at 77 K. The effect of several variables such as (amount of adsorbent, stirring time, pH and presence of other ions in the medium) has been studied. Lead and copper were completely extracted at pH greater than 3 after stirring for 10 min. The maximum capacity of the adsorbent was found to be 191.3 ± 1.4 and 155.0 ± 1.0 μg of lead and copper ions/mg functionalized SBA-15, respectively. The preconcentration factor of the method was found to be 200. The detection limit of the technique was 3.4 and 0.4 ng/mL for Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺, respectively. The applications of this methodology for real samples were examined by various water type, black tea and pepper samples.     

Performance of Cow Dung Reinforced Biodegradable Poly(Lactic Acid) Biocomposites for Structural Applications

In this work, performance of cow dung (CD) reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites was investigated for the potential use in load bearing application. CD of average 4 mm size was blended with PLA at different CD ratios (0–50 wt%) and their effects on the biocomposite properties were studied. The results showed an improvement in the flexural properties, while the tensile and impact strength dropped by 20 and 28% with the addition of 50% CD. The decline in the tensile and impact strength was due to micro-cracking and voids formation at higher CD content. Also, the incorporation of CD slightly decreased the thermal stability of the biocomposite. However, dynamic mechanical properties of the biocomposites generally improved. SEM analysis of tensile and impact fractured surfaces indicated that the CD had a reasonable adhesion with matrix. Moreover, the SEM micrographs of soil burial studies showed an accelerated degradation of higher CD wt% biocomposites.     

Systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between phthalates exposure and insulin resistance

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study aims to provide an overview of human studies on the association of exposure to phthalates and insulin resistance. We systematically...     

Application of polyamide thin-film composite layered on polysulfone-GO/TiO2 mixed matrix membranes for removal of nitrotoluene derivatives from petrochemical wastewaters

Release of harmful organic intermediates or byproducts during the manufacture of petrochemical compounds is a serious problem in petrochemical plants. In this work, polysulfone membranes blended with GO/TiO₂ nanocomposite were synthesized by phase inversion method and coated with a polyamide layer formed by interfacial polymerization to prepare a thin-film composite (TFC) sample. Analysis and characterization of the sample were carried out by XRD, FE-SEM, BET, FTIR/ATR, AFM, TGA, and zeta potential. Results indicated that incorporation of GO/TiO₂ into the membrane structure enhanced porosity, surface roughness, and macrovoid formation along the cross-section of the sublayer and permeability of the membrane. The TFC membranes were applied to remove mononitrotoluene (MNT) and dinitrotoluene (DNT) as the basic intermediates of toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The membranes demonstrated high efficiency (>?90%) for the removal of MNT and DNT according to the charge exclusion mechanism and Donnan effect. Application of the TFC membrane for treatment of wastewater in the TDI plant showed that the removal of pollutants is variable in the range of 45–65% and 53–69% for the membrane with the highest flux and highest rejection in different transmembrane pressure, respectively.