Design and test of wirelessly powered IPMC artificial muscle for aquatic ecosystem health applications

Aquatic environments and water resources face a variety of risks from numerous sources of pollution. In this paper, we propose a preliminary mechanism for realizing robotic technology practically and cost-effectively for monitoring these pollutions. The presented system is a small robotic fish propelled by a beam of ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) artificial muscle that imitates the motion of a small Scorpis Georgiana fish. One of the superiorities of the proposed model is the IPMC actuation mechanism powered by a battery that is charged wirelessly from a solar panel source. This approach enables us to produce a robotic fish that works ceaselessly without being forced to carry the solar panel load. Moreover, we present a method to control the flapping motion of a robotic fish by taking advantage of a tiny Wi-Fi module that yields more working range, bulky data sending, low power consumption, simple programing, and convenient communication for creating a network with other similar robots. All these beneficial characteristics make the proposed structure a promising candidate for detecting pollution on the surface of aquatic environments and sending/recording necessary data in collaboration with desirable sensors. Theoretical considerations support experimental results reported in the paper.

Analysis of Air Pollution around a CHP Plant: Real Measurements vs. Computer Simulations

This study examines the concentrations of air pollution in the vicinity of a combined heat and power plant (CHP) and a communication route, using computer modeling of pollutant dispersion and spatial analysis based on real measurements in the city of Łódź, Poland, Europe. The research takes into account the concentrations of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0) and gaseous pollutants (SO2 and VOC) in winter and summer. The spatial distribution of pollutants is discussed, including the presence of areas with increased accumulations of pollutants. Because atmospheric air has no natural boundaries, when analyzing any location, not only local sources of pollution, but also background pollution, should be analyzed. A clear difference was observed between the concentrations of pollutants in the summer and winter seasons, with significantly higher concentrations in the winter (heating) period. The impacts of road transport, individual heating systems, and combined heat and power plants were also assessed. Computer calculations confirmed that road transport accounted for the largest share of both PM and SO2 emissions. The CHP plant was responsible for the smallest percentage of dust emissions and was the next largest producer of SO2 emissions. The share of the total emissions from the individual sources were compared with the results of detailed field tests. The numerical analysis of selected pollution sources in combination with the field analysis shows that the identified pollution sources included in the analysis represent only a part of the total observed pollutant concentrations (suggesting that other background sources account for the rest).

Policies to combat nitrogen pollution in South Asia: Gaps and opportunities

Assessing and managing nitrogen sustainably is imperative for achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted for 2030. South Asian countries, aware of the environmental and health impacts of nitrogen pollution, regionally as well as globally, piloted the 2019 UN resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management, calling for urgent policy action. This paper assists South Asia policy development by providing new insights into nitrogen-related policies in the region; it makes a step-change advance on an existing global analysis and database. We built on available methods to better identify, classify and analyse 966 nitrogen-related policies for the region. We compared the global and regional nitrogen policy landscapes to explain the benefits of a deeper policy assessment. The policies we classified as having ‘higher’ relevance – those with direct reference to nitrogen and/or its potential impacts – represent the current nitrogen policy landscape for South Asia. We show that a small proportion of policies (9%) consider multiple pollution sources, sectors, nitrogen threats and impacts, with integrative policy instruments. 5% of policies also consider both non-point and point sources of pollution, representing standout policies. More such policies with an integrated approach are vital in addressing the complexities of nitrogen pollution. Adapting existing and drafting new policies are both required to deal with other current and emerging nitrogen issues. Our analysis provides evidence for a roadmap for sustainable nitrogen policy in South Asia and beyond and supports efforts to reduce the threats posed by nitrogen pollution to achieve the SDGs.

Industrial area environmental monitoring based on transducers with MODBUS communication

The monitoring of environmental parameters in industrial areas where potential sources of pollution exist is very important from the point of view of prevention of environmental accidents. In this paper, we propose a solution for the monitoring of the environmental parameters with the local acquisition through specific environmental and movement sensors and data transmission to a higher hierarchical level through the use of MODBUS communications. A flexible hardware structure and software development concept are presented to offer local information and to be integrated into an environmental quality monitoring network.

Treands in atmospheric turbidity over India

Annual mean values of the turbidity coefficients at Indian Background Air Pollution Monitoring Network' (BAPMoN) were compared for the periods 1973-1980and 1981-1985. It was found that there is a general increase of turbidity during the latter period at all the stations except at Kodaikanal and Pune, suggesting the effect of anthropogenic sources of pollution. Short term influence of volcanic eruptions were also discernible from the observations at Kodaikanal. Spectral analysis (FFT) at these stations brought out the predominant modes which could be explained on the basis of climatology and aerosol dispersion characteristics. The long term atmospheric turbidity observations (1973-1985) presented in this paper provide reliable data set for assessing the aerosol impact on radiation climate.

Modeling Emissions Sources and Characterization in a Dense Low-Income Township Near Industrial Zones and Mine Dumps (Case of Tsakane, South Africa).

The sources of pollution in Tsakane township, which is situated within the City of Ekurhuleni in the province of Gauteng, South Africa, are investigated in this paper. The City of Ekurhuleni has the most industrial activities reported on South Africa's National Atmospheric Emission Inventory System (NAEIS), accounting for 40% of all listed activities in the country. The problem of suburban air pollution in South Africa is mainly associated with dense low-income areas like townships. The aim of this paper was to investigate atmospheric concentration correlation parameters, emissions roses, and probability modelling functions in order to analyse and classify significant emission sources affecting the township. Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and PM10 were the focus of the investigation. The probability functions for identifying and characterizing unknown or hidden sources of pollution were developed using hourly data. Furthermore, K-clustering algorithm analysis technique was used to provide graphical context for sources. PM10, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide have all been identified as having directional pollution sources that are problematic and the results provide baseline data for a detailed understanding of current emission levels and possible sources.

ECOLOGIZATION OF PETROCHEMICAL PRODUCTIONS

В свете ухудшающихся экологических условий устанавливаются требования по минимизации сбросов и утилизации опасных отходов предприятий для снижения негативного воздействия на окружающую среду.Нефтехимическую промышленность можно отнести к одному из наибольших источников загрязнений. Объем выбросов предприятий зависит не только от мощности технологического оборудования, его качества, но и от систем очистки сточных вод, отработанных газов и систем утилизации отходов. Каждое предприятие выбрасывает в окружающую среду вещества, которые являются «отпечатком» данного производства. При сохранении основного состава загрязняющих веществ в выбросах и сточных водах этот набор компонентов остается практически одинаковым. Наращивание мощностей производства приводит также к росту количества промышленных отходов, представляющих опасность для окружающей среды. Многие нефтехимические предприятия разрабатывают и внедряют мероприятия, направленные на повышение экологичности производства, что соответствует стратегии устойчивого развития. При этом планируются не только модернизация и усовершенствование технологических процессов, внедрение безотходных и ресурсосберегающих технологий, но и использование современных методов минимизации сбросов. В данной статье на примере крупнотоннажных производств фенола и ацетона, этилена, жироперерабатывающего производства рассмотрены возможные выбросы, загрязняющие воздушный и водные бассейны. Приведен обзор исследований, направленных на выделение ценных компонентов загрязнений и возврата их в технологический цикл или утилизацию, с получением целевых продуктов для дальнейшего использования. Рассмотрены способы, внедрение которых позволит повысить степень очистки газообразных выбросов и сточных вод с технологических установок, и приведет к улучшению экологической обстановки. In light of the deteriorating environmental conditions, requirements are established to minimize discharges and utilize hazardous waste from enterprises to reduce the negative impact on the environment. The petrochemical industry can be attributed to one of the largest sources of pollution. The volume of emissions from enterprises depends not only on the capacity of technological equipment, its quality, but also on wastewater treatment systems, waste gases and waste disposal systems. Each enterprise emits substances into the environment that are the "imprint" of this production. While maintaining the basic composition of pollutants in emissions and wastewater, this set of components remains practically the same. The increase in production capacity also leads to an increase in the amount of industrial waste that is dangerous to the environment. Many petrochemical enterprises develop and implement measures aimed at improving the environmental friendliness of production, which is in line with the strategy of sustainable development. At the same time, it is planned not only to modernize and improve technological processes, to introduce waste-free and resource-saving technologies, but also to use modern methods of minimizing discharges. In this article, using the example of large-scale production of phenol and acetone, ethylene, fat-processing production, possible emissions that pollute the air and water basins are considered. An overview of studies aimed at the isolation of valuable components of pollution and their return to the technological cycle or utilization, with the receipt of target products for further use, is given. Methods are considered, the introduction of which will increase the degree of purification of gaseous emissions and wastewater from technological installations, and will lead to an improvement in the environmental situation.

PASSPORTATION OF SOURCES OF NON-CENTRALIZED WATER SUPPLY OF THE VILLAGE OF POROMIV, VOLYN REGION

The article is devoted to the problems of studying the quality of drinking water from decentralized water supply sources of rural settlements. The preparatory stage of the study included: creation of a cartographic basis of the settlement; field reconnaissance routes; express analysis of drinking water quality; creation of situational plans of wells locations, and the basis for the ecological passport of the source of decentralized individual water supply (well). The relevance of the study is due to the deterioration of the quality of water as a source of domestic water supply. This is especially true for the rural population. There is a need to conduct an inventory and certification of wells in accordance with European standards and requirements, as well as modern technical and information capabilities. The ecological passport of a natural object is a system of diagnostic characteristics that allow one to get an idea of its condition and develop ways to improve it. In the process of researching the issue of certification of drinking water sources, we analyzed the accounting systems of these facilities in Canada and Germany. Our sample environmental passport was developed based on a study of groundwater in the village of Poromiv, Volyn region of Ukraine. The quality of drinking water is influenced by both the natural factors – geological structure and climate, and the intensive economic development of the surrounding area. The sample consisted of 40 wells. We used theoretical research methods: analysis, synthesis, abstraction and idealization. Such approaches implied the search for relationships between topological, hydrological and chemical parameters of individual observation points, as well as the ability to build idealized regression models to delineate areas for certification and detailed research. The formation of the information database was carried out using the methods of empirical knowledge. In particular, visual observations have identified potential sources of contamination (private farms – livestock sites, latrine pits, farmland, and infrastructure). They can affect the condition and quality of water in wells. With the help of a level meter, pH-meter, TDS meter and rapid tests for nitrates, the measurements of qualitative indicators that determine the overall hydrochemical state of groundwater were carried out. The general observations revealed non-compliance with the norms of placement of these objects. In particular, in many cases the norms of distance from sheds (more than 20 m) and cesspools (more than 50 m) relative to wells were violated. In addition, there is a general tendency to neglect the rules of formation of cesspools and manures, which contributes to the ingress of pollutants into the soil and subsequently into groundwater. In general, the accounting of wells and their diagnostic characteristics was developed in the form of a database in the ArcGIS environment and a passport of a separate source of water supply. It is proposed to add a situational plan with the location of the water supply source for the main polluting objects to the general technical characteristics. The number of indicators in the passport table can be adjusted depending on the potential sources of pollution and the abilities to monitor the water quality of a particular water user. The purpose of forming documentation of this type is to account and record the problems arising in the arrangement, location and operation of the well for their further solution. This will be the basis for identifying areas vulnerable to nitrate contamination. We identified a number of violations in the location of water supply sources in relation to economic facilities and structures within the study area, which was reflected in the increase of general hydrochemical indicators. Relationships between building density and quantitative values of pH, mineralization and nitrate content were recorded. The final step of the research is to identify problematic sources of decentralized water supply from the viewpoint of population ecological well-being, as well as to develop proposals for the community and individual owners to improve the quality of drinking water. Keywords: well, water supply, ecological passport, sources of pollution.

Assessment of solar energy potential at the facilities of the port of Kaliningrad

В настоящее время из-за интенсивного роста морской торговли наблюдается тенденция развития морских портов. Прибрежные территории и районы расположения порта становятся источниками загрязнения, а техногенное воздействие на окружающую среду и возникающие при этом неблагоприятные воздействия на природную обстановку оказывают негативное влияние на среду обитания человека. Для снижения негативных воздействий на окружающую среду необходимо замещение ископаемых видов топлива возобновляемыми источниками энергии. Сегодня одним из перспективных направлений развития и совершенствования систем электроснабжения является применение фотоэлектрических панелей, благодаря которым можно достичь целей по обеспечению экологической безопасности морской среды. В статье описана методика аналитической оценки солнечного потенциала. На примере Калининградского морского торгового порта дана точная оценка количества поступающей солнечной радиации на поверхность фотоэлектрических панелей, проведен расчет эффективности применения различных способов установки фотоэлектрических панелей на территории порта и определены перспективы использования фотоэлектрических панелей с различными способами установки в качестве дополнительных источников генерации. Currently, due to the intensive growth of maritime trade, there is a tendency for the development of seaports. Coastal territories and port areas become sources of pollution, and man-made impacts on the environment and the resulting adverse impacts on the natural environment have a negative impact on the human environment. To reduce the negative impact on the environment, it is necessary to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. Today, one of the promising directions for the development and improvement of power supply systems is the use of photovoltaic panels, thanks to which it is possible to achieve the goals of ensuring the ecological safety of the marine environment. The article describes a technique for analytical assessment of solar potential. Using the example of the Kaliningrad Commercial Sea Port, an accurate assessment of the amount of incoming solar radiation on the surface of photovoltaic panels is given, the effectiveness of using various methods of installing photovoltaic panels on the port territory is calculated, and the prospects for using photovoltaic panels with various installation methods as additional sources of generation are determined.