Assessing the environmental performance of a novel coal mine brine treatment technique: A case in Poland

Although the energy transition results in decreased use of coal for power production, hard coal extraction will continue due to its importance in steel production and coal mine wastewater will continue generating after mines closure. The coal mining sector produces wastewater which results in environmental burdens and often contains valuable...

Development of Ocean Acidification Endpoint Characterization Model for Life Cycle Assessment

With the current trend in emissions, the pH levels of the oceans are expected to decrease from 8.1 to 7.8 by the end of the century. In combination with the other stressors, it is projected that OA will have a wide range of impacts on marine life and its services to humanity. The representation of these implications is limited in environmental...

The influence of lightweight functional aggregates on the acidification damage in the external anode mortar during cathodic protection for reinforced concrete

Impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) is an effective corrosion protection and prevention technique for reinforced concrete structures served in chloride-contaminated environment. The acidification damage in the external anode mortar caused by the anodic reactions significantly influences the efficiency of ICCP for reinforced concrete....

Fluoride removal from water by Ca-Al-CO₃ layered double hydroxides and simultaneous acidification

Millions of people worldwide are exposed to excessive concentrations of fluoride (F⁻) from groundwater sources. Ca-Al-CO₃ layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have shown promising defluoridation efficiency; however, defluoridation by Ca-Al-CO₃ LDHs is highly pH sensitive. This study showed that simultaneous...

The impact of scrubber discharge on the water quality in estuaries and ports

Background: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set limits on sulphur content in fuels for marine transport. However, vessels continue to use these residual high-sulphur fuels in combination with exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS or scrubbers). Next to high sulphur, combustion of these fuels also results in higher emissions of...

Crumbling Reefs and Cold-Water Coral Habitat Loss in a Future Ocean: Evidence of “Coralporosis” as an Indicator of Habitat Integrity

Ocean acidification is a threat to the net growth of tropical and deep-sea coral reefs, due to gradual changes in the balance between reef growth and loss processes. Here we go beyond identification of coral dissolution induced by ocean acidification and identify a mechanism that will lead to a loss of habitat in cold-water coral reef...

Prospective techno-economic and environmental assessment of carbon capture at a refinery and CO₂ utilisation in polyol synthesis

CO₂ utilisation is gaining interest as a potential element towards a sustainable economy. CO₂ can be used as feedstock in the synthesis of fuels, chemicals and polymers. This study presents a prospective assessment of carbon capture from a hydrogen unit at a refinery, where the CO₂ is either stored, or partly...