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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Air, Climate Change and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 16564

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sudhir Kumar Pandey

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Guest Editor

Department of Botany, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Bilaspur 495009, Chhattisgarh, India
Interests: study of emerging hazardous pollutants; soil-plant-atmosphere interactions; eco-management of environmental contaminants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the advent of modern civilization, air pollution and various aspects of it are studied and focused on from various points of view. Since then, air pollution has been becoming worse every day. However, it is also a bitter fact that one cannot stop developmental activities completely in the name of saving the environment. Therefore, the main focus of environmental research is to manage these harmful substances up to a manageable degree. To this end, various aspects of green management are in focus, and research is underway. Considering the complex and dynamic nature of air pollution and its links to other compartments and biogeochemical processes of the environment, various aspects of environmental research in sustainable air pollution management are of the utmost importance.

The proposed topic will focus on improving our understanding and updating our knowledge on the dynamic processes governing the source and fate of air pollutants in different matrices, their impact on various abiotic and biotic components, and their plausible management. The focus of this Special Issue is to gain deeper insights into the processes, mechanisms, and management strategies being adopted for air pollution management. For this purpose, we invite the submission of original high-quality articles and review papers. Papers should present novel experimental results and/or theories and the modeling of air pollution on local, regional, or global scales. The research area covers all types of research and review articles related to environmental research linking air pollution and its management. This Special Issue aims to disseminate the latest research in the following areas:

Aerosol, air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and global change.
Air toxics (hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs))—sources, control, transport and fate, human exposure.
Source apportionment of particulate matter (PM) and regulation.
New insights into tracking local, regional, and global trends in air pollution
Effects of air pollutants on plants, animals, microbes, and overall functioning of the ecosystem
Air quality and human health.
Indoor air pollution and its link to outdoor pollution.
Air pollution and its current and future challenges.
Environmental technology and innovation in the management of air pollution.
Bioaerosols and their significance with special reference to human health.
Pollution control technologies with a major focus on green remediation.
All other relevant topics related to air pollution management and environmental research.

Dr. Sudhir Kumar Pandey
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

particulate matter
aerosol
trace gases
environmental research
green remediation
air pollution management
environmental policies
biogeochemical processes
biochar
sustainable approaches
sustainable goals
soil–plant–atmosphere exchange
biogenic volatile organic compounds
trace metals
hazardous air pollutants
greenhouse gases
climate change
global warming
ozone
secondary organic aerosols
global carbon balance
carbon sequestration
secondary air pollutants
environmental tobacco smoke
emerging air contaminants
air pollution and respiratory ailments
air pollution and cardiovascular diseases

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 293 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact and Mechanism of the Digital Economy on Carbon Emission Efficiency: A Perspective Based on Provincial Panel Data in China

by Lu Liu, Yuxin Meng and Qiying Ran

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14042; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914042 - 22 Sep 2023

Viewed by 740

Abstract

The regional carbon emission efficiency (RCEE) of 30 provinces in mainland China from 2011 to 2019 was calculated using a super-slack-based measure (Super-SBM) model. Then, using the system generalized method of moments (system GMM) model, spatial Durbin model (SDM), and mediating effect model, we examined the direct effect, spatial effect, and influence mechanism of the digital economy (DE) on RCEE. It was found that DE significantly promoted regional RCEE, but had a negative effect on RCEE in provinces with a high economic correlation. The mechanism studies showed that DE improved RCEE by reducing the energy intensity and promoting industrial upgrading and green technology innovation. Regional heterogeneity analysis found that DE significantly improved RCEE in eastern provinces, but not in central and western provinces. While RCEE in economically developed areas was improved by DE, it was decreased in economically underdeveloped provinces. This paper provides some empirical and theoretical references for the development of DE to improve RCEE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)

15 pages, 1904 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Use of Ziziphus spina-christi as a Sustainable Solution for Biomonitoring of Urban Air Quality: A Case Study from Qatar

by Noora Al-Naimi, Ahmed Abou Elezz, Maryam Al-Adba, Hamood Al-Saadi, Caesar Sorino and Hassan Hassan

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13590; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813590 - 12 Sep 2023

Viewed by 986

Abstract

Globally, urbanization, industrialization, and transportation have worsened urban air quality in recent decades. Using sustainable, cost-effective methods to monitor and reduce air pollution is crucial. The best Nature-based Solution (NbS) for urban environmental cleanup is plants. Roadside plants are key carriers of air pollution and have various tolerances. Ziziphus spina-christi’s air pollution tolerance was assessed using the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI). The Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) examined the heavy metal accumulation capacity of Ziziphus spina-Christi’s fruits and leaves. Two sampling sites were studied: a reference location remote from human activity and a densely populated metropolitan region. Ziziphus spina-christi is considered a tolerant species in Qatar, based on its calculated value of APTI in this study. Both total chlorophyll and ascorbic acid influence APTI levels and have a strong positive correlation with APTI. BCF values in leaves were higher than fruits indicating that the leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi have a greater potential for metal absorption than its fruits. Moreover, the leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi showed a potential for mercury accumulation (BCF > 1), thus it is a good candidate to be used for phytoremediation in areas of mercury contamination. The integration of both APTI and BCF methods is significant and beneficial in advising policymakers and urban planners regarding suitable tree species for sustainable urban development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)

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23 pages, 8929 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Ship Emissions on Air Quality in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA): With a Particular Focus on the Role of Onshore Wind

by Qinyu Cheng, Xiaotong Wang, Dongsheng Chen, Yizhe Ma, Ying Zhao, Jianghong Hao, Xiurui Guo, Jianlei Lang and Ying Zhou

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8820; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118820 - 30 May 2023

Viewed by 1144

Abstract

Background: ship emissions have an adverse effect on air quality in coastal regions, and this effect can be exacerbated by onshore winds. Objectives and methods: to investigate the impact of ship emissions on air pollutant concentrations during the onshore wind period in a low-latitude region in China, this study applied the WRF/Chem model to simulate the contribution of ship emissions to PM_2.5 and O₃ by “zero-out” in 2018, in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Results/findings: results show that the onshore winds facilitated the transport of ship-emitted pollutants to inland areas, causing the contribution of ship emissions to PM_2.5 exceeding 4 μg/m³ to areas north of Guangzhou in April and west of the GBA in October. The impact of onshore winds on the ship contribution to the O₃ concentration shows a bidirectional trend both spatially and monthly. The onshore winds raised the ship contribution to O₃ concentrations in April by 1.54 μg/m³, while exacerbated the decreasing contribution in other months. In VOC-sensitive cities such as Foshan, onshore winds exacerbated the negative contribution of ship emissions to O₃ concentrations; while in NOx-sensitive cities such as Huizhou, they enhanced the contribution of ship-induced O₃. Novelty/Improvement: this paper fills a gap in the study of pollutants transportation characteristics from ship emissions under the influence of onshore winds in the GBA. Our results demonstrate the importance of considering meteorological conditions and atmospheric chemical mechanisms regarding the coastal air pollution prevention caused by ship emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)

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19 pages, 2333 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Impact of Economic Policy Uncertainty on Environmental Sustainability in Developed and Developing Economies

by Huafang Huang, Sharafat Ali and Yasir Ahmed Solangi

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5860; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075860 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2610

Abstract

The literature on the impact of policy uncertainty on climate change has grown rapidly in recent years as policymakers and researchers have become increasingly concerned about the potential adverse effects of policy uncertainty on environmental sustainability. This study aims to investigate the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU), GDP per capita, renewable energy consumption (REC), and foreign direct investment (FDI) on environmental sustainability from the perspectives of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) and pollution halo/haven hypotheses. The research employs panel data analysis techniques, including panel corrected standard errors (PCSE) and generalized least squares (GLS), to analyze the data from a panel of 19 developed and developing countries from 2001 to 2019. The results reveal that EPU, GDP per capita, REC, and FDI significantly impact GHG emissions, contributing to climate change. The results of the study confirm a U-shaped EKC and pollution haven hypothesis in the selected economies. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers, as they highlight the need to consider the interplay between economic growth, foreign investment, and environmental policy in addressing climate change. The results also suggest that reducing policy uncertainty and promoting sustainable economic growth can mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure environmental sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)

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18 pages, 961 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization Methods of Ions and Metals in Particulate Matter Pollutants on PM2.5 and PM10 Samples from Several Emission Sources

by Mauricio A. Correa, Santiago A. Franco, Luisa M. Gómez, David Aguiar and Henry A. Colorado

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4402; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054402 - 01 Mar 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2102

Abstract

This research investigated the current methods of characterization of ions and metals in particulate matter pollutants from different emission sources. The study was conducted through the Proknow-C methodology, in which a portfolio that includes scientific and review articles was selected. The document addresses different methodologies currently used to quantify diverse ions and metals (IIMM) found in particulate matter (PM), specifically focused on PM₁₀ and PM_2.5. The investigation was made going through the types of filters used to capture the pollutant, the equipment and the corresponding characterization techniques. Results show the Proknow-C method is a reliable way to analyze PM pollution research, revealing the state of art for metals and ions types, characterization technologies, current situations and trends. Sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium ions are found in concentrations between 70 and 80% of the PM. Among the main metals found are chromium, nickel, lead, cadmium, iron, manganese, coper, and zinc. The main detection method found in the studied research was inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. It was also found that geographic information systems are a good tool for integrating special data with PM and air pollution, which could accelerate the diagnosis and thus the actions to give solution to the problem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)

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12 pages, 2826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Correlations and Cross-Correlations in Meteorological Variables and Air Pollution in a Coastal Urban Region

by Anderson Palmeira, Éder Pereira, Paulo Ferreira, Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas and Davidson Martins Moreira

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14470; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114470 - 04 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1094

Abstract

In this work, we evaluated the evolution of some atmospheric pollutants (O₃, NOx and PM10) over time and their relationship with four different climate variables (solar irradiation, air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed). To this end, we assessed the long-range dependence of those concentrations with a Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) and analyzed the cross-correlation of such dependence with the climate variables through a Detrended Cross-Correlation Coefficient Analysis (

ρ D C C A

). The results show that air pollution tends to increase over time, impairing air quality and likely affecting human health. The results indicate a cross-correlation between air pollution and the climatic variables, which persisted for a certain period, with a greater correlation between O₃ concentration and wind, mainly temperature, and a negative correlation with humidity for all monitoring stations. Moreover, unlike O₃ and PM10, NOx concentrations always had a persistent behavior in the region of study for the entire analyzed period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)

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21 pages, 2701 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Carbon Emission Trading Policy Reduce PM2.5? Evidence from Hubei, China

by Ruiqi Wang, Huanchen Tang and Xin Ma

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10755; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710755 - 29 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1612

Abstract

China is facing serious haze pollution while its economy is developing at a high speed. Nevertheless, traditional command-and-control environmental regulation has been ineffective in reducing haze pollution. The Chinese government must find more effective ways to combat haze pollution immediately. Through the synthetic control method, this paper uses the provincial PM2.5 concentration and economic data from 2000 to 2016 to examine the causal effect between the Hubei carbon emission trading pilot and haze pollution, and further establish a mediating effect model to explore the impact mechanism between the carbon emission trading market and haze pollution. The results show that the pilot of carbon emission trading in Hubei Province has led to a decrease of PM2.5 by 10% in five years, which is significant at least at the level of 10%. It mainly achieves the purpose of reducing haze pollution by adjusting the energy structure and increasing R&D investment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)

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Review

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23 pages, 2495 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on the Characterization and Measurement of the Carbonaceous Fraction of Particulate Matter

by Mauricio A. Correa-Ochoa, Roxana Bedoya, Luisa M. Gómez, David Aguiar, Carlos A. Palacio-Tobón and Henry A. Colorado

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8717; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118717 - 28 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1764

Abstract

The carbonaceous particles represent a significant fraction in the particulate matter (PM) and are considered an environmental hazard due to their effects on climate and health. The main goal in this research is to identify and analyze the scope that have been achieved so far on the characterization and measurement of the carbonaceous fraction present in PM, a great contribution to global pollution and thus to the deterioration of public health. The ProKnow-C methodology was used to build a bibliographic portfolio and perform a bibliometric and systemic analysis of the information found in the chosen databases. The contribution of these carbonaceous compounds to PM is very significant, reaching values up to 50%. The most used methods for the determination of organic and elemental carbon are thermo-optical reflectance and transmittance. Positive Factorization models are used worldwide to determine potential sources of particulate matter emissions. Even though various studies have been developed to understand these carbonaceous substances, there are several limitations in the measurements and limited knowledge on the subject. The positive outcomes and future possibilities were analyzed as well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)

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23 pages, 2513 KiB

Open AccessReview

Systematic Search Using the Proknow-C Method for the Characterization of Atmospheric Particulate Matter Using the Materials Science Techniques XRD, FTIR, XRF, and Raman Spectroscopy

by Mauricio A. Correa-Ochoa, Juliana Rojas, Luisa M. Gómez, David Aguiar, Carlos A. Palacio-Tobón and Henry A. Colorado

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8504; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118504 - 24 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1888

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM), particle pollution that can travel long distances, is a big concern because it contains liquid droplets or microscopic solids resulting in significant health issues such as respirational and cancer problems. Therefore, the characterization of these particles is very significant as a hazard to public health. PM can be identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy (RS), both powerful and non-destructive technologies. RS, in particular, allows the identification of black carbon, considered one of the pollutants with the greatest influence on climate change. Another important technology for the evaluation of inorganic and organic functional groups present in PM compounds is the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). X-ray fluorescence (XRF) provides elemental analysis, revealing, in many cases, the original source of the sample. In order to understand the current state of the art, the Proknow-C method was applied to track the most recent information on PM characterization. Aspects such as sample collection, filter material, characterization parameters, PM components, and the advantages and limitations of each technique are discussed. PM minerals are found to be composed of silicates, oxides, sulfates, and carbonates. The elemental components of PM are classified into five categories: marine aerosol, mineral material, anthropogenic elements, organic carbon, and elemental carbon. The XRD technique is a powerful, fast, and non-destructive tool to identify various minerals present in PM. On the other hand, the XRF technique requires minimal sample treatment, but its sensitivity is limited for the determination of trace metals and some relevant environmental elements. FTIR spectroscopy is able to identify and quantify all organic functional groups present in atmospheric PM. Despite its advantages, a proper choice of calibration method is crucial to ensure its effectiveness. RS is fast and simple, although it only detects Raman-active functional groups. These are some of the advantages and limitations of these techniques addressed in the following review article. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)

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26 pages, 9318 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

A Bibliographic Analysis of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Industrial Environments

by Francesco Lolli, Antonio Maria Coruzzolo, Samuele Marinello, Asia Traini and Rita Gamberini

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10108; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610108 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1726

Abstract

Air pollution is a major risk factor, and it still remains a global cause of death for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays an important role in human health as people spend most of their time in confined spaces. Many studies have recently addressed this issue, but no systematic analysis has been conducted, which is the aim of our study. We present a bibliographic analysis of articles on IAQ in industrial environments from 2010 to 2021. A total of 658 articles were collected, and 409 were used. The NVivo tool was used to analyze the collected documents both quantitatively and qualitatively. This analysis of the literature enables us to identify the most studied working environments and pollutants, the analysis tools, and the types of measurement used to provide a clear overview of the theme, which includes a comparison between the studied working environments and the state of origin of the authors. Our analysis of each working environment and the related frequently cited pollutants provides a clear approach to identifying the specific areas of focus when improving the quality of the air in a specific working environment. In addition, a research gap and future research areas have been identified in the conclusions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)

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