Regimes of human and climate impacts on coastal changes in Vietnam

Vietnam is a tropical to subtropical country located on the eastern Asian coast where the Red (Song Hong) and Mekong rivers discharge into the sea. The catchments of these two transboundary rivers cover parts of six countries, and their water and sediment discharges greatly influence the coastal seas of Vietnam. The impact of human activities include changes in the supply and distribution of water, sediments, and nutrients; changes in the relationships and balance among dynamically interacting factors and processes; and changes in the quality of the coastal and marine environments due to the increased use and accumulation of pollutants and the loss of habitats. These impacts have resulted in increasing unpredictability and severity of coastal problems such as floods, erosion, sedimentation, and saltwater intrusion; environmental pollution; and the degradation of ecosystems, with accompanying decrease in biodiversity and fishery productivity.     

Sustainability assessment of coastal ecosystems: DPSIR analysis for beaches at the Northeast Coast of Vietnam

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The Northeastern coastal zone of Vietnam possesses high biodiversity and rich ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrasses, beaches and mangroves. It also...     

Comparative study on water-soluble inorganic ions in PM2.5 from two distinct climate regions and air quality

Recently, air quality has significantly improved in developed country, but that issue is of concern in emerging megacity in developing country.In this study, aerosols and their precursor gas were collected by NILU filter pack at two distinct urban sites during the winter and summer in Osaka, Japan and dry and rainy seasons in Ho Chi Minh City(HCMC),Vietnam.The aims are to investigate the contribution of water-soluble inorganic ions(WSIIs) to PM_(2.5), thermodynamic characterization and possible formation pathway of secondary inorganic aerosol(SIA).The PM_(2.5) concentration in Osaka(15.8 μg/m~3) is lower than that in HCMC(23.0 μg/m~3), but the concentration of WSIIs in Osaka(9.0 μg/m~3) is two times higher than that in HCMC(4.1 μg/m~3).Moreover, SIA including NH_4~+, NO_3~-and SO_4~(2-)are major components in WSIIs accounting for 90% and 76%(in molar) in Osaka and HCMC,respectively.Thermodynamic models were used to understand the thermodynamic characterization of urban aerosols.Overall, statistical analysis results indicate that very good agreement(R~2 0.8) was found for all species, except for nitrate aerosol in HCMC.We found that when the crustal species present at high amount, those compositions should be included in model calculation(i.e.in the HCMC situation).Finally, we analyzed the characteristics of NH_4~+– NO_3~-– SO_4~(2-)system.A possible pathway to produce fine nitrate aerosol in Osaka is via the homogeneous reaction between NH_3 and HNO_3, while nonvolatile nitrate aerosols can be formed by the heterogeneous reactions in HCMC.     

Developing a framework for integrating local and scientific knowledge in internationally funded environment management projects: case studies from Kien Giang Province,Vietnam

Local and scientific knowledge, when adequately and properly integrated, produces enormous benefits for natural resource management in comparison to a single knowledge system being used. Adequate and proper integration has major constraints that include ineffective use of the integrated knowledge, thoroughly inclusive processes, and true public participation. A six-stage framework is developed using the results and conclusions of two case studies regarding sustainable management of eroding mangrove-dominated muddy coasts in Vam Ray, Hon Dat district, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. The framework does not stop with the creation of integrated knowledge, but should undergo a longer process. The new knowledge developed in this framework is the understanding gained and lessons learnt during the testing of products of multiple knowledge systems in a local context rather than products of integrated knowledge systems themselves. The Vam Ray framework promotes a high level of participation, effective use of products of multiple knowledge systems, maximum integration of local and scientific knowledge, local ownership, and sustainability. Therefore, the Vam Ray framework adds a new dimension to the literature in relation to integration of local and scientific knowledge in natural resource management.     

In-use polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) stocks and atmospheric emissions in Japan

We estimated the in-use stocks of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Japan using a population balance model. The estimation is based on the domestic demand of PBDEs and the assumed survival rate of these products. Two cases relevant to the future regulation of commercial deca-BDE are considered, namely (1) deca-BDE declines at the same rate as the current rate of decline, and (2) deca-BDE is discontinued after 2020. The estimates of the decreasing rates of in-use penta-, octa-, and deca-BDE stocks were proportional with the measured decreases in the atmospheric concentrations of these substances. The in-use penta- and octa-BDE stocks could be depleted in the near future (500 and 60 tonne in 2013, and an estimated 20 and <1 tonne in 2020, respectively). Relevant to case 1, the in-use stocks of deca-BDE-containing products would be 28,000 tonne in 2013 and an estimated 1900 tonne in 2040, providing an ongoing source of deca-BDE emission to the environment. On the other hand, relevant to case 2, most of the deca-BDE would be phased out by 2040. The atmospheric emissions of deca-BDE were predicted at 84–841 kg/year in 2013 and an estimated 43–425 kg/year in 2020.     

Selective catalytic reduction of NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> using RDF char and municipal solid waste char based catalyst

Experiments were performed in order to investigate the possibility for the development of catalysts for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) using municipal waste char and RDF byproduct. Physical and chemical activations, using water, and HCl and KOH, were employed to increase the catalytic activities. The characteristics of the activated catalysts were investigated using N₂ adsorption–desorption and FT-IR. The catalysts activated chemically using basic treatment showed higher NO _x removal efficiencies than those activated physically or chemically using acidic treatment. The de-NO _x performance of the activated catalysts was dependent on the chemical properties, such as oxygen functional groups as well as physical properties, such as specific surface area and pore volume. In order to investigate the effect of MnO _x , which has been reported to be efficient for the removal of NO _x in low-temperature SCR processes, the chemically activated catalyst was impregnated with manganese. The Mn-impregnated catalyst had the highest NO _x conversion at all of the temperatures tested in this study.     

Methylation mechanism of tin(II) by methylcobalamin in aquatic systems

The methylation reaction of tin(II) with methylcobalamin (CH(3)B(12)) in aquatic systems was modeled in the laboratory. The products were detected by a sensitive gas chromatography-flame photometric detector (GC-FPD), and further identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Both monomethyltin (MMT) and dimethyltin (DMT) were found as methylation products. Three important effecting factors during the methylation reaction, salinity, pH and aerobic or anaerobic, were studied. The results showed that methyl group can be transferred from CH(3)B(12) to tin in aquatic solutions as a radical or carbonium, as well as a carbanion. Two explanations for the pH-dependency of the methylation reaction between tin(II) and CH(3)B(12) were proposed: pH-dependency of the equilibrium states of CH(3)B(12), and pH-dependency of inorganic tin(II) species whose reactivity vary with the redox potential in the solution. Salinity can influence the activity of the methyl donor, which cause changes in the methylation efficiency. Kinetic experiments showed that the methylation reaction was pseudo-first-order for CH(3)B(12).     

Performance evaluation of using evacuated tubes solar collector,perforated fins,and pebbles in a solar still – experimental study and CO2 mitigation analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The combination of various methods of increasing evaporation rate can highly impact the performance of solar desalination. This investigation aims to...