Does ICT lessen CO2 emissions for fast-emerging economies? An application of the heterogeneous panel estimations

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study examines the effects of electricity consumption, financial development, economic growth, trade and ICT on CO2 emissions in the...     

Institutional isomorphism and environmental sustainability: a new framework from the Shariah perspective

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Islam emphasizes the importance of environmental care, as prescribed in its primary sources of Shariah, the Quran and the authenticated actions and...     

Design and Characterization of PVA–Methacrylic Acid Based Smart Polymeric System for Controlled Release of Metoprolol

In the present work covalently crosslinked smart polymeric system of hydrogel based on poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and methacrylic acid (MA) was designed by free radical polymerization with different compositions using glyoxal (40 % water solution) as crosslinker. It was observed that swelling of hydrogel had a pronounced enhancing effect on increasing the concentration of MA due to availability of more ionized carboxylic groups of MA but produced an opposite effect on increasing the concentration of glyoxal owing to less porous structure. As far as PVA is concerned, swelling did not show significant effect on increasing the concentration of PVA. Hydrophilic polymer PVA rich in hydroxyl group pertained to be highly interactive with water. It was examined that the release of metoprolol tartrate decreased with increased concentration of glyoxal, but increased with increase in concentration of MA. PVA/MA hydrogel was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to study the structure and crystallinity of hydrogel respectively. Morphology was studied through scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were also performed to characterize thermal stability. It may be concluded that the mechanism of drug release was mainly non-Fickian diffusion.     

Carbon storage potential in natural fiber composites

The environmental performance of hemp based natural fiber mat thermoplastic (NMT) has been evaluated in this study by quantifying carbon storage potential and CO₂ emissions and comparing the results with commercially available glass fiber composites. Non-woven mats of hemp fiber and polypropylene matrix were used to make NMT samples by film-stacking method without using any binder aid. The results showed that hemp based NMT have compatible or even better strength properties as compared to conventional flax based thermoplastics. A value of 63 MPa for flexural strength is achieved at 64% fiber content by weight. Similarly, impact energy values (84–154 J/m) are also promising. The carbon sequestration and storage by hemp crop through photosynthesis is estimated by quantifying dry biomass of fibers based on one metric ton of NMT. A value of 325 kg carbon per metric ton of hemp based composite is estimated which can be stored by the product during its useful life. An extra 22% carbon storage can be achieved by increasing the compression ratio by 13% while maintaining same flexural strength. Further, net carbon sequestration by industrial hemp crop is estimated as 0.67 ton/h/year, which is compatible to all USA urban trees and very close to naturally, regenerated forests. A comparative life cycle analysis focused on non-renewable energy consumption of natural and glass fiber composites shows that a net saving of 50 000 MJ (3 ton CO₂ emissions) per ton of thermoplastic can be achieved by replacing 30% glass fiber reinforcement with 65% hemp fiber. It is further estimated that 3.07 million ton CO₂ emissions (4.3% of total USA industrial emissions) and 1.19 million m³ crude oil (1.0% of total Canadian oil consumption) can be saved by substituting 50% fiber glass plastics with natural fiber composites in North American auto applications. However, to compete with glass fiber effectively, further research is needed to improve natural fiber processing, interfacial bonding and control moisture sensitivity in longer run.     

Antimony speciation in the environment: Recent advances in understanding the biogeochemical processes and ecological effects

Antimony(Sb) is a toxic metalloid, and its pollution has become a global environmental problem as a result of its extensive use and corresponding Sb-mining activities. The toxicity and mobility of Sb strongly depend on its chemical speciation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the biogeochemical processes(including emission, distribution,speciation, redox, metabolism and toxicity) that trigger the mobilization and transformation of Sb from pollution sources to the surrounding environment. Natural phenomena such as weathering, biological activity and volcanic activity, together with anthropogenic inputs, are responsible for the emission of Sb into the environment. Sb emitted in the environment can adsorb and undergo redox reactions on organic or inorganic environmental media, thus changing its existing form and exerting toxic effects on the ecosystem. This review is based on a careful and systematic collection of the latest papers during 2010–2017 and our research results, and it illustrates the fate and ecological effects of Sb in the environment.     

Effects of energy consumption and ecological footprint on CO2 emissions: an empirical evidence from Pakistan

Environment, Development and Sustainability - This study aims twofold; first, to analyze the effects of traditional energy, renewable energy, ecological footprint, urbanization, transportation on...     

Role of green innovation,trade and energy to promote green economic growth: a case of South Asian Nations

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The objective of this study is to contribute to the existing debate of green economic growth by empirically investigating the role of cleaner energy...     

Investigation on the role of graphene-based composites for in photocatalytic degradation of phenol-based compounds in wastewater: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The ineptitude of conventional water management systems to eradicate noxious compounds leads to the development of advanced treatment systems. The...