Using LMDI method to analyze the influencing factors of carbon emissions in China’s petrochemical industries

China’s petrochemical industries are playing an important role in China’s economic development. However, the industries consume large amounts of energy and have become primary sources of carbon emission. In this paper, the change in carbon emissions from China’s petrochemical industries between 2000 and 2010 was quantitatively analyzed with the Log-Mean Divisia Index method, which was decomposed into economic output effect, industrial structural effect and technical effect. The results show that economic output effect is the most important factor driving carbon emission growth in China’s petrochemical industries; industrial structural effect has certain decrement effect on carbon emissions; adjustment of industrial structure by developing low-carbon emission industrial sectors may be a better choice for reducing carbon emissions; and the impact of technical effect varies considerably without showing any clear decrement effect trend over the period of year 2000–2010. The biggest challenge is how to make use of these factors to balance the relationship between economic development and carbon emissions. This study will promote a more comprehensive understanding of the inter-relationships of economic development, industrial structural shift, technical effect and carbon emissions in China’s petrochemical industries and is helpful for exploration of relevant strategies to reduce carbon emissions.     

Using LMDI method to analyze the influencing factors of carbon emissions in China’s petrochemical industries

China’s petrochemical industries are playing an important role in China’s economic development. However, the industries consume large amounts of energy and have become primary sources of carbon emission. In this paper, the change in carbon emissions from China’s petrochemical industries between 2000 and 2010 was quantitatively analyzed with the Log-Mean Divisia Index method, which was decomposed into economic output effect, industrial structural effect and technical effect. The results show that economic output effect is the most important factor driving carbon emission growth in China’s petrochemical industries; industrial structural effect has certain decrement effect on carbon emissions; adjustment of industrial structure by developing low-carbon emission industrial sectors may be a better choice for reducing carbon emissions; and the impact of technical effect varies considerably without showing any clear decrement effect trend over the period of year 2000–2010. The biggest challenge is how to make use of these factors to balance the relationship between economic development and carbon emissions. This study will promote a more comprehensive understanding of the inter-relationships of economic development, industrial structural shift, technical effect and carbon emissions in China’s petrochemical industries and is helpful for exploration of relevant strategies to reduce carbon emissions.

     

Inter-comparison of Aermod and ISC3 modeling results to the Alaska tracer field experiment

AERMOD is an advanced plume model that incorporates updated treatments of the boundary layer theory, understanding of turbulence and dispersion, and includes handling of terrain interactions as well as the PRIME downwash algorithm. It was reported that the US EPA approved AERMOD for short-range dispersion modeling. It was the high time that AERMOD would replace ISC3. ISC3 is a traditional Gaussian plume model regarded as the regulatory model of US EPA with the capacity of building downwash similar to that of AERMOD. In this paper, the authors describe the advantages of AERMOD over the regulatory model of ISC3 by comparing their predicted ground level concentrations (GLC) along downwind distance to the Alaska tracer field data. The field experiment features buoyant release of effluent at elevated height over a flat terrain and local flows influenced by building downwash. Three measures to compare the observed and simulated concentration data, such as linear regression, quantile-quantile (QQ) and residual box are utilized. To sum up, AERMOD shows significantly better space-time correlation and probability distribution than the ISC3, which frequently overestimates the GLC for effluent released with significant plume rise under stable atmospheric conditions. The performance of AERMOD is greatly enhanced by introducing the state-of-the-art knowledge of boundary layer meteorology as well as the turbulence parameterization method. In particular, AERMOD takes into account the meander effect on coherent plume in stable condition with current state-of-the-art Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) parameterizations, while ISC3 is not capable of producing such important effect. Generally speaking, 1.17 is the overall predicted-to-observed ratio for short-term averages using AERMOD. 1.94 is the overall predicted-to-observed ratio for short-term averages using ISC3.     

Aromatic volatile organic compounds and their role in ground-level ozone formation in Russia

This paper reports proton mass spectrometry data on aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (benzene, toluene, phenol, styrene, xylene, and propylbenzene) obtained in different Russian regions along the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok, based on expedition data retrieved using the TRO-ICA-12 mobile laboratory in the summer of 2008. The contribution of aromatic VOCs to ozone formation in the cities and regions along the measurement route has been estimated quantitatively. The greatest contribution of aromatic VOCs to ozone formation is characteristic of large cities along the Trans-Siberian Railway (up to 7.5 ppbv O₃) specified by the highest concentrations of aromatic VOCs (1–1.7 ppbv) and nitrogen oxides (>20 ppbv). The results obtained are indicative of a considerable contribution (30–50%) of anthropogenic emissions of VOCs to photochemical ozone generation in the large cities along the Trans-Siberian Railway in hot and dry weather against the background of a powerful natural factor such as isoprene emissions controlling the regional balance of ground-level ozone in warm seasons.

     

A case study on the correlation of micro-contaminants and potassium in the Leine River (Germany)

River monitoring with focus on the correlation of 41 micro-contaminants with K⁺ and its temporal and spatial variation was carried out in the Leine River (Germany). A positive correlation of concentrations of wastewater-related micro-contaminants and K⁺ is to be expected in receiving waters of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent since urine is a significant source of K⁺ in WWTP effluent. This correlation was found for compounds, which meet the following criteria: (1) WWTP effluent is the dominating source of the compound, (2) variability of its mass flux in the WWTP is negligible, and (3) the compound is persistent in WWTPs and in the environment. The excellent positive correlation of carbamazepine with K⁺ resulted in the fitting of a universal linear equation to the summer and winter data. For almost all other correlating compounds (1H-benzotriazole, citalopram, diclofenac, metoprolol, sotalol, sulfamethoxazole and tolyltriazole), slopes of the line fittings were steeper in winter (x-axis: K⁺, y-axis: respective micro-contaminant). This has been attributed to a presumed lower degree of degradation and attenuation within WWTPs and in the environment due to low temperatures as well as an increase in consumption of these compounds in the winter months. As part of this research, a sampling event along the entire flow path of the Leine River (∼280 km) was conducted to identify compounds demonstrating stable ratios of various respective micro-contaminants with K⁺. Among other compounds, carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, and tolyltriazole demonstrated the best correlations with R² > 0.89. Potassium-equivalents of the individual micro-contaminants depended on land use and population structure of the investigated river section.     

某石油化工场地土层挥发性有机物的污染特征

在调查华北平原一个污染年限超过35年的石油化工场地时,采用便携式仪器土层测气方法,快速、准确地测定了场地内40多个钻孔不同深度土层中挥发性有机物(VOCs)的浓度。基于对场地地质水文地质条件的认识,以及通过对大量数据的分析对比和应用空间变异分析方法,得出了对场地土层介质中VOCs污染特征的如下认识:(1)土层VOCs浓度的垂向变化可概括为污染源淋滤型、包气带扩散污染型、地下水波动带污染型和混合污染型四种污染类型;(2)在包气带砂土层和粉土层中,VOCs的扩散规律可近似用指数模型描述;(3)包气带土层中VOCs优先积聚在渗透性强的砂性土层中,砂土层中VOCs浓度是粉土层中VOCs浓度的1.5～12倍,平均3.76倍;(4)土层VOCs浓度的水平变异性表现为包气带土层的变异性要比地下水波动带土层大,且水平变异性能在25m尺度内得到充分显示;而土层VOCs浓度的垂向变异性随地而异,变化复杂,很难用统一的一个量化尺度来表征。本文对这一典型污染场地的剖析,有助于从事污染场地调查人员认识我国华北平原石油化工类场地的污染特征,并为调查与治理类似污染场地提供技术依据。     

Predictive environmental impact assessment of total petroleum hydrocarbons in petrochemical wastewater effluent and surface sediment

The contamination level of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in wastewater and surface sediment samples from the Petrochemical Special Economic Zone (PETZONE) and adjacent coastal area in Musa Bay (in Northwest of Persian Gulf) was examined. Concentrations of TPH in the Musa Bay sediments ranged from 16.48 to 97.15 µg/g dry weight (dw) with average value of 48.98 ± 30.36 µg/g dw. The highest concentrations were estimated in stations close to the coastline, locations affected by intensive petrochemical discharges and shipping activities. The average TPH concentration in the PETZONE wastewater effluent samples was 5.22 mg/L, with a range of 0.06–35.33 mg/L. Regarding environmental impact assessment, the concentration of TPH was lower than the wastewater effluent discharge standard at most of the monitoring stations inside PETZONE companies, with the exception of stations 15, 16 (Imam Khomeini petrochemical company 1, 2) and 17 (Razi petrochemical company). These stations were considered as moderate environmental aspects, suggesting that concentration of TPH in the wastewater effluents of these petrochemical companies could be considered as contaminants of concern in the PETZONE area.     

Including an Odor Impact Potential in Life Cycle Assessment of waste treatment plants

Odors occupy a leading position among air quality issues of growing concern. Odors can be emitted from different economic sectors, from industrial to agricultural, including waste treatment activities. Although there are different techniques to determine odor emissions, a standardized indicator has not still been defined to include odor impact into methodological tools such as Life Cycle Assessment. In this sense, some proposals can be found in current literature. Considering these approaches, the present work proposes the Odor Impact Potential, an indicator to be used in Life Cycle Assessment or in waste treatment technologies benchmarking. A simple method is reported to calculate the Odor Impact Potential value from different types of data: chemical analysis of odorants or olfactometric determinations. Data obtained in a previous work for an industrial scale anaerobic digestion plant have been used to present an example of application. Additional Odor Impact Potential calculations from other published data (thermal waste treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant) are also included. The aim of Odor Impact Potential is not to replace parameters such as odor emission rates, odor concentration, or odor emission factors but to use those values to calculate the odor-derived impact in Life Cycle Assessment studies.     

Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from open-cut coal mining: application to the Sydney Basin

A new site-specific (Tier 3) method has been developed to determine greenhouse gas emissions from open coal mining. The Tier 3 method presented here is based on extensive measurement of gas emissions from open-cut coal mines and the physics of gas desorption from coal. It was adopted by Australian National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting in 2009 and since 2012 formed the scientific basis for the Australian Government guidelines on calculating greenhouse gas emissions from open cut mines. The main strength of this method is its site-specific nature and accuracy, as well as its ability to be integrated with routine coal exploration programs. New concepts were produced for the model: a coal mine is regarded as a ‘gas reservoir,’ with coal seam gas being emitted from a ‘gas release zone’ that consists of sedimentary geological units (emission layers) above and below the base of the mine. The primary data required for the method are the in situ gas content and gas composition of the coal and carbonaceous rocks contained within the gas-release zone. These data are obtained through direct measurement of gas desorption from bore cores. To reduce gas drilling, a mine lease is compartmentalised into ‘gas zones’ of similar gas content and reservoir properties. The outputs of the method are emission density (the potential volume of gas emitted from mining site per unit area of the ground surface) and emission factor (the gas volume emitted per tonne of raw coal extracted). Owing to spatial variability and errors of measurement, the estimate of emissions is associated with uncertainty. A simple method of calculating uncertainty of emissions is presented in this work.     

Anthropogenic gadolinium as a micropollutant in river waters in Pennsylvania and in Lake Erie, northeastern United States

“Anthropogenic” gadolinium, Gd, used in contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging, is a micropollutant that enters river and lake waters with the discharge from wastewater treatment plants, WWTPs. Such discharge is also the source of other micropollutants, for example pharmaceuticals, such as steroids, antihistamins, and antibiotics. Together with the “natural” Gd, the anthropogenic Gd produces positive Gd anomalies in rare-earth element distribution patterns and is, therefore, easily detectable. This pilot study reports on the occurrence of anthropogenic Gd in rivers in Pennsylvania (Ohio, Beaver, Allegheny, Monongahela, Juniata, and Susquehanna) and in near-shore surface water from Lake Erie close to the city of Buffalo. Additional data are reported for the Delaware River and the headwaters of Spring Creek in Central Pennsylvania, and for Lake Ontario and Niagara River, all of which do not show significant anthropogenic Gd. Most pronounced impact of anthropogenic Gd discharged from WWTPs is observed in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan area. Such contamination is similar to that observed in densely populated areas with highly developed medical and healthcare systems in Europe and Japan. Its worldwide applicability adds to the promising potential of anthropogenic Gd as a cost-effective tracer for the presence of WWTP effluent in river, lake, ground, and drinking waters.     

高拱坝动力试验模型气幕隔震的数值模拟及试验研究

基于坝体坝基相互作用和流体-气体-固体耦合理论模型,采用动力有限元时程分析的数值仿真方法,对锦屏一级高拱坝动力试验的模型,进行了气幕隔震的三维数值模拟。基于动力试验模型的相似原理、模型材料的单轴抗压强度试验以及超声波检测,得到了试验模型的基本相似物理参数;保证试验模型的基本动力相似;气室材料采用厚度为1 cm的工程塑料ABS,坝体上游面的左、右两岸直接用聚苯乙烯塑料(简称ABS)拉通覆盖,均匀地分布在坝体上游面,达到整体气室隔震的效果。数值计算及试验结果基本相符,气幕显著降低了上游坝面的动水压力。与无气幕相比,动水压力削减可达70%以上。通过数值计算分析及试验研究相结合的手段,论证了气幕减震蕴含的工程价值。     

Analysis of model-based PM2.5 emission factors for on-road mobile sources in Mexico

This study investigates the effects of using the US-EPA MOVES2010a model for estimating PM2.5 emission factors in the Mexican vehicle fleet; the results are compared with the current PM2.5 emissions estimates in the 2005 Mexican National Emissions Inventory (MNEI). Our results show that model-based PM2.5 emissions factors updated from recent studies can have significant impacts on the estimated PM2.5 emissions from mobile sources in Mexico. Higher fractions of older vehicles tend to increase PM2.5 emissions estimates using MOVES2010a with respect to the 2005 MNEI estimates; however, the overall impact on PM emissions varies depending on the vehicle population and vehicle age composition for each Mexican state fleet. These effects are primarily driven by the higher PM2.5 emission factors from the gasoline-powered vehicles and by the high fractions of older gasoline and diesel vehicles. The results also indicate that the estimated MOVES2010a PM2.5 emission factors for Mexico were particularly sensitive to vehicle speed, ambient temperature and sulfur content, but not the relative humidity. There is a strong need to better understand the characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM) emitted from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles in major urban areas in Mexico.     

BrO formation in volcanic plumes

Volcanoes have only recently been recognized as a potentially major source of reactive bromine species to the atmosphere, following from the detection of bromine monoxide (BrO) in the plume emitted by Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat. However, BrO is not expected to be emitted in significant quantity from magma, presenting a puzzle regarding its formation. We report here new field measurements of the tropospheric plume emitted by Mt. Etna, Italy, which provide the first direct evidence of fast oxidation of halogen species in a volcanic plume, and lead to an explanation of how BrO is generated from magmatic HBr emissions. We show that the timescale of BrO formation (a few minutes after emission into the atmosphere) is consistent with rapid heterogeneous halogen chemistry involving sulphate aerosol in the plume. The model highlights considerable complexity to the oxidative chemistry of volcanic plumes.     

Industrial sources of CO2 emissions in Poland in the light of underground storage possibilities

Industrial sectors responsible for large part of CO₂ emissions in Poland are characterized from the point of view of possibilities of sequestration of this gas by underground storage. On the basis of official statistics and data obtained from local administration and individual plants, attempt was made to evaluate the magnitude of emissions from selected categories, sub-categories and sectors of the industry (in accordance with methodology of IPCC), concentration of CO₂ in combustion gases and those emitted by industry, and to identify major point sources of emission of this gas in Poland. A special attention was paid to those sectors of industry that may be the first to act as a source of carbon dioxide for sequestration by underground storage in the nearest future. To cite this article: R. Tarkowski, C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Phytotoxicity test applied to sewage sludge using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca sativa</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepidium sativum</Emphasis> L. seeds

Sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has increased in recent years in Spain and Europe in general. Agriculture seems a viable solution when seeking alternatives for its final disposal. Sewage sludge reuse can, however, pose risks given presence of heavy metals, pathogen microorganisms or toxic compounds, which must be controlled to minimize risks for human health and the environment. In the present study, the phytotoxicity of sewage sludge from the Alcázar de San Juan WWTP using two types of seeds (Lactuca sativa L. and Lepidium sativum L.) in bioassays was analyzed. The relative germination rates (RGP), relative radicle growth (RRG) and germination index were determined for both species. Hypocotyl length was measured in lettuce. Negative (distilled water) and positive (zinc sulfate) controls were prepared. Depending on the biological material and residue phytotoxicity dose, analyses can be modified given the different sensitivities of plants. Lepidium sativum L. was more sensitive to phytotoxic compounds than Lactuca sativa L. Hypocotyl measurements provide complementary toxicity information. A general agreement between authors and researchers to standardize this type of analysis would be useful to make criteria uniform.     

Heavy metal assessment and water quality values in urban stream and rain water

Water quality monitoring in developing countries is inadequate, especially in stream water affected by urban effluents and runoff. The purpose of this study was to investigate heavy metal contaminants in the Nakivubo Stream water in Kampala, Uganda. Water samples Nakivubo Channelized Stream, tributaries and industrial effluents that drain into the stream were collected and analysed for the total elemental concentration using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that: 1) the wastewater was highly enriched with lead and manganese above the maximum permissible limit; 2) the levels of dissolved oxygen were below the maximum permissible limit, while the biological oxygen demand was above the maximum permissible limit. All industrial effluents/wastewater were classified as strong (> 220 mg/L). Factor analysis results reveal two sources of pollutants; 1) mixed origin or chemical phenomena of industrial and vehicular emissions and 2) multiple origin of lead (vehicular, commercial establishment and industrial). In conclusion, Nakivubo Channelized Stream water is not enriched with heavy metals. These heavy metals (lead, cadmium and zinc) were rapidly removed by co-precipitation with manganese and iron hydroxides and total dissolved solids into stream sediments. This phenomena is controlled by pH in water.     

Experimental Study on Treatment of High-concentrated Sulfur Wastewater by Process of Depositing Natrojarosite and Its Environmental Significance

High-concentrated sulfur wastewater with sodium and COD （chemical oxygen demand） up to 26000 mg/L from a chemical plant, Jiangsu Province of China has been treated by deposition of natrojarosite in lab. The results indicated that the COD of the wastewater was decreased sharply from 26000 mg/L to 1001 mg/L, with removal rate of COD up to 96% by twice precipitations of natrojarosite and twice oxidation of H202. The treated sulfur wastewater reached the requirement of subsequent biochemical treatment to water quality. The optimal operational parameters should be controlled on pH value between 2.50 and 3.20 and 50 g FeCly6H2O solid added in per liter wastewater. The study provided an experimental basis for pretreatment of high-concentrated sulfur wastewater and proposed a new mineralogical method on treatment of other wastewaters. Depositing process of jarosite and its analogs should be able to be used to treat wastewater from mine and other industries to remove S, Fe and other toxic and harmful elements, such as As, Cr, Hg, Pb, etc. in the water.     

Comparison study of methane emissions from landfills with different landfill covers

Atmospheric methane, a more effective heat-trapping gas than CO₂ that may affect climate change, has its greatest man-made source in the US from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. Consequently, the wise management of landfills can reduce these greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Methane from modern MSW landfills built with composite covers is frequently vented directly to the atmosphere. Biofiltration of landfill gas could oxidize CH₄ to CO₂ and water. Methane oxidation in old landfills with conventional soil covers can be effective in reducing the amount of CH₄ emitted. In this study, comparison of methane emissions from three different landfill covers was conducted. Methane emissions from old landfills constructed with conventional soil covers, modern MSW landfills constructed with composite covers, and modern MSW landfills constructed with composite covers plus biofilters were calculated using the calculated CH₄ oxidation rates. The results showed that an average of only 14% of the generated CH₄ was emitted from landfills with modern composite covers plus biofilters, and an average of 85% of the generated CH₄ was emitted from landfills with conventional covers when 100% of the generated CH₄ emissions to the atmosphere from landfills with modern composite covers was assumed. By comparing the CH₄ emission rates from three different landfill types, the use of a properly sized biofilter should be an effective technique to reduce CH₄ emissions from landfills across the USA and potentially in many other areas of the world.     

Oxidation of bisphenol A by a boron-doped diamond electrode in different water matrices: transformation products and inorganic by-products

An electrochemical advanced oxidation process employing a boron-doped diamond anode for the treatment of synthetic waters and secondary effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) was studied. The efficiency and formation of transformation products (TPs) for this treatment process were investigated at different current densities for bisphenol A (BPA) spiked to synthetic water and WWTP effluents. A complete removal of the parent compound was achieved in WWTP effluents. Higher applied current densities resulted in faster removal. At the same time, a correlation between the applied current density and the ozone concentration measured in the bulk solution was revealed. Hence, the observed transformation of BPA is likely due to the generation of reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals and ozone. Based on a suspected target screening approach, four known TPs and two unreported (new) TPs were identified by LC–MS analysis. These results suggest a transformation pathway following three steps: hydroxylation of the aromatic ring, followed by oxidation of the isopropylidene bridge and finally a ring opening and formation of organic acids and other small molecules. The presence of chloride ions in WWTP effluents can result in the generation of excessive concentrations of chlorate and perchlorate during electrochemical oxidation. Applying a current density of 208 mA cm^?2, a complete elimination of BPA was achievable after 15 min (Q/V = 430 mA h L^?1); however, the oxidation resulted in concentrations of chlorate and perchlorate of 2.85 and 5.65 mg L^?1, respectively. These values were directly dependent on the exposure time and desired degree of BPA removal.     

Seasonal transport pattern of chromium(III and VI) in a stream receiving wastewater from tanneries

Water, suspended matter and sediment samples from a system heavily impacted by wastewater from numerous small tanneries (the upper Dunajec River, southern Poland) were collected to establish the annual cycle of Cr. To study possible oxidation processes the speciation of Cr and Mn concentrations were also investigated. This study showed that Cr(III and VI) temporal and spatial distributions are regulated by coupled anthropogenic (source location and emissions) and hydrologic factors (water flow and particle transport). Chromium(III) concentrations in all compartments varied seasonally as a function of the hydrological regime, production cycle in tanneries and distance from the discharge location. Cr(III) was largely associated with the particulate phase and rapidly deposited in river bed sediments. Contaminated river sediments were however flushed during flood periods to the reservoir located downstream from tanneries. During the tanning season (November to March), Chromium(III) concentrations in the water column and total Cr concentration in sediments exceeded relevant ecotoxicological guidelines only upstream from the reservoir, which trapped about 70% of the annual Cr(III) load transported by the Dunajec river. A correlation between Cr(VI)/Cr(III) ratios and Mn concentration in sediments downstream from the reservoir suggests the possibility of Cr(III) oxidation in natural conditions.