Search Results (3,161)

The anthropogenic impact on the ozone layer is expressed in anomalies in the total ozone content (TOC) on a global scale, with periodic enhancements observed in high-latitude areas. In addition, there are significant variations in TOC time trends at different latitudes and seasons. The reliability of the TOC future trends projections using climate chemistry models must be constantly monitored and improved, exploiting comparisons against available measurements. In this study, the ability of the Earth’s system model SOCOLv4.0 to predict TOC is evaluated by using more than 40 years of satellite measurements and meteorological reanalysis data. In general, the model overpredicts TOC in the Northern Hemisphere (by up to 16 DU) and significantly underpredicts it in the South Pole region (by up to 28 DU). The worst agreement was found in both polar regions, while the best was in the tropics (the mean difference constitutes 4.2 DU). The correlation between monthly means is in the range of 0.75–0.92. The SOCOLv4 model significantly overestimates air temperature above 1 hPa relative to MERRA2 and ERA5 reanalysis (by 10–20 K), particularly during polar nights, which may be one of the reasons for the inaccuracies in the simulation of polar ozone anomalies by the model. It is proposed that the SOCOLv4 model can be used for future projections of TOC under the changing scenarios of human activities. Full article

The Sri Lankan transport sector still depends predominantly on petroleum fuels, mainly diesel and gasoline. Gasoline holds the second highest market share, and with the increasing number of gasoline-fueled vehicles, its proportion in the transport fuel mix is continuously expanding. The main objective of this study is to assess the ecological burden associated with the gasoline supply chain in Sri Lanka by conducting a life cycle assessment from a ‘well-to-tank’ perspective. In the scenario analysis, the environmental impacts of four potential gasoline distribution scenarios were assessed and compared with the existing distribution model. According to the results, the refining process was predominant, contributing more than 50% to climate change, terrestrial acidification, marine and freshwater eutrophication, human toxicity, and water and marine ecotoxicities. Meanwhile, crude oil extraction dominates in its contribution to ozone depletion, photochemical oxidant formation, freshwater ecotoxicity, and fossil depletion. The results of the scenario analysis show a remarkable reduction in the environmental load when rail transport is solely used to transfer gasoline from bulk terminals to regional depots. The reduction is over 65% in most impact categories compared to the existing distribution method, which involves a combination of both road and rail transport. This study identifies the key areas that need to be further analyzed to lower the environmental impacts while also establishing a foundation for conducting comparative environmental assessments of alternative fuel options in the Sri Lankan context. Full article

Rising rates of depression among youth present a growing mental health crisis. Despite growing concerns regarding the risks of air pollution exposure on youth mental and physical health, associations between ambient air pollutants and depression have been largely overlooked in youth. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated associations between ozone, particulate matter, and depressive symptoms in adolescents across 224 Colorado census tracts (average age of 14.45 years, 48.8% female, 48.9% of minority race/ethnicity). Students in participating schools reported depressive symptoms and demographic information, and school addresses were used to compute ozone and particulate matter levels per census tract. Possible confounding variables, including sociodemographic and geographic characteristics, were also addressed. Exploratory analyses examined demographic moderators of these associations. Census tracts with higher ozone concentrations had a higher percentage of adolescents experiencing depressive symptoms. Particulate matter did not emerge as a significant predictor of adolescent depressive symptoms. Secondary analyses demonstrated that associations with ozone were moderated by racial/ethnic and gender compositions of census tracts, with stronger effects in census tracts with higher percentages of individuals with marginalized racial/ethnic and gender identities. Ultimately, this project strengthens our understanding of the interplay between air pollution exposures and mental health during adolescence. Full article

This review provides a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a cosmetic cream to assess the environmental impacts throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal, using the methodology according to international standards. The LCA was performed using the OpenLCA 2.0.1 software, with data from the Ecoinvent 3.8 database and relevant literature. The assessment focused on multiple impact categories, including climate change, acidification, eutrophication (freshwater, marine and terrestrial), ecotoxicity (freshwater), human toxicity (cancer and non-cancer), ionizing radiation, land use, ozone depletion, photochemical ozone formation, resource use (fossils, minerals and metals), and water use. The LCA of a cosmetic cream containing gold nanoparticles revealed significant environmental impacts across critical categories. The total climate change potential was 2596.95 kg CO₂ eq., driven primarily by nanoparticle synthesis (60.7%) and electricity use (31.9%). Eutrophication of freshwater had the highest normalized result (3.000), with nanoparticle synthesis contributing heavily, indicating the need for improved wastewater treatment. The resource use (minerals and metals) scored 1.856, while the freshwater ecotoxicity reached 80,317.23 CTUe, both driven by the nanoparticle production. The human toxicity potentials were 1.39 × 10⁻⁶ CTUh (cancer) and 7.45 × 10⁻⁵ CTUh (non-cancer), linked to emissions from synthesis and energy use. The LCA of the cosmetic cream revealed several critical areas of environmental impact. The most significant impacts are associated with gold nanoparticle synthesis and electricity use. Addressing these impacts through optimized synthesis processes, improved energy efficiency, and alternative materials can enhance the product’s sustainability profile significantly. Full article

Ozone pollution and global warming are affecting plant growth and ecosystem functions considerably. However, the information is limited on the effects of these factors on foliar traits and carbon sequestration (CS). This study evaluated the effects of elevated ozone (EO, ambient air +80 ppb) and increased air temperature (IT, ambient air +2 °C) alone and the combination of these on foliar traits and CS in Quercus mongolica and Pinus tabuliformis under single (SP) and mixed planting (MP) conditions. The results showed that CS increased by 24.3% in Q. mongolica and decreased by 5.3% in P. tabuliformis under MP. EO decreased CS, while IT increased it (p < 0.05). Under MP, IT mitigated ozone’s negative impact on CS of P. tabuliformis, but exacerbated it on Q. mongolica. Structural equation modeling revealed that ozone reduced CS by reducing the photosynthesis rate (P_n) under SP and by reducing leaf length under MP in Q. mongolica. IT enhanced CS by increasing P_n, leaf thickness (LT) under SP, and LT under MP only in P. tabuliformis. P_n had the highest total effect. Overall, MP can modulate environmental stress effects on CS, but this varies by species. Future research should focus on long-term, cross-species studies to provide practical strategies for ecosystem management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic skin wounds are characterized by inflammation, persistent infections, and tissue necrosis. The presence of bacterial biofilms prolongs the inflammatory response and delays healing. Ozone is a potent antimicrobial molecule, and many formulations have been used in the advanced therapeutic treatment of chronic wounds. The aim of this work was to determine the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative activity of a stable ozone-gel formulation over time. Methods: The antimicrobial property was assessed by measuring the minimal inhibitory concentration and the antibiofilm activity. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by TNF-α determination, and the regenerative effect was measured by scratch assay. Results: The ozone gel demonstrated antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity in all ATCC microorganisms examined and on most clinical isolates. Higher concentrations of the ozone gel were also useful in the dispersion of preformed biofilm. The ozone gel also showed anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the production of TNF-α and regenerative activity in human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Conclusions: Given all these antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative characteristics, the ozone gel could be, in this formulation, used in the treatment of wounds. The ozone-gel formulation described here retains stability for over 30 months, which facilitates its use compared to formulations that lose efficacy quickly. Full article

This study explores the connection between tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) vertical column density levels and asthma hospitalization cases in Louisiana from 2005 to 2020. Utilizing NO₂ data from NASA’s Ozone Measurement Instrument (OMI) aboard the Aura satellite, the research integrates these atmospheric measurements with socioeconomic data at the census tract level. This study employs a generalized linear mixed model (GLIMMIX) with a logit link and Beta distribution to analyze the relationship between seasonal NO₂ levels and asthma hospitalization cases during winter, fall, spring, and summer. By analyzing OMI data, this research quantifies seasonal variations in NO₂ levels and their corresponding impact on asthma hospitalizations. The findings reveal a relationship between NO₂ levels and asthma hospitalizations, particularly in communities with high Black and/or low-income populations, with the strongest effects observed during winter. Specifically, the analysis shows that, for each unit increase in NO₂ levels, the odds of asthma-related hospitalizations increase by approximately 26.3% (p < 0.0001), with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 23.3% to 29.5%. Assuming a causal link between NO₂ and asthma, these findings suggest that reducing NO₂ emissions could alleviate healthcare burdens associated with respiratory diseases such as asthma. Full article

Calcareous stones, such as marble and limestone, have been widely used in ancient architecture due to their durability, abundance, and ease of extraction and workability. However, their chemical nature renders them vulnerable to atmospheric pollutants. With industrialization and socio-economic growth, air pollution has severely impacted built heritage, including numerous historical buildings and monuments, particularly under changing climate and environmental conditions. Various forms of degradation, such as acid corrosion, mineral crystallization, and black crusts, are widespread and typically driven by atmospheric pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_X), ozone (O₃), and particulates (PM), which accelerate the deterioration of stone surfaces. To develop sustainable mitigation strategies, it is essential to gain an in-depth understanding of these deterioration mechanisms and current technological advancements. This paper first reviews the influencing factors and underlying mechanisms of atmospheric deterioration of calcareous stones. Subsequently, it discusses the advantages and limitations of traditional and advanced conservation and restoration techniques at the micro-level, as well as pollution management strategies that can be adopted. Finally, the challenges of research in this field are highlighted, and directions for the sustainable conservation of calcareous stones are proposed. Full article

Pre-ozonation can enhance the removal of algae in source water during cyanobacterial blooms; however, little is known about the influence of the co-existing allochthonous natural organic matter (NOM) on algal removal and algal organic matter (AOM) behavior during ozonation. This study aims to elucidate in the presence and absence of allochthonous NOM and the effects of varying ozone doses on Synechococcus sp. cell removal, membrane integrity, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) release and removal. The results indicate that ozone effectively disrupted algal cell membranes, reducing algal density; however, the presence of allochthonous NOM delayed cell rupture by competing for ozone due to aromatic humic-like substances. Pterin-like and protein-like fluorescent compounds were released upon cell disruption. Due to that, excess ozone led to the oxidation of the released pterin-like compounds, with characteristic fluorescence changes correlating to ozone dosage; these changes are potential to be used as an indicator to determine the optimized ozone dosage, avoiding more adverse release of intracellular AOM to form disinfection byproducts. Full article

The contamination of ground and surface waters with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is of major concern due to their potential adverse effects on human health. The carbon–fluorine bond makes these compounds extremely stable and hardly degradable by natural processes. Therefore, methods for PFAS removal from water are desperately needed. In this context, plasma treatment of water has been proposed as an effective method with reported removal rates exceeding 90%. However, the high reactivity of plasma discharge results in the formation of many reactive species, like radicals, ozone, or even solvated electrons, which lead to a complex reaction cascade and, consequently, to the generation of a wide variety of different chemical products. The toxicological properties of these PFAS breakdown products are largely unknown. The present study focuses on a toxicological assessment of PFAS-containing plasma-treated water samples. Aqueous solutions of long-chain perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) were treated with various plasma-atmospheric regimes. Subsequently, plasma-treated water samples were subjected to in vitro bioassays. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were assessed with the MTS assay using human liver cells (HepG2) and the Ames MPF^TM assay using Salmonella Typhimurium strains. Our results demonstrate varying cyto- and genotoxic properties of water containing PFAS breakdown products depending on the atmosphere present during plasma treatment. Based on the results of this study, the atmosphere used during plasma treatment affects the toxicological properties of the treated sample. Further studies are therefore needed to uncover the toxicological implications of the different treatment parameters, including the PFAS starting compound, the atmosphere during treatment, as well as the quantity of plasma energy applied. Full article

Silicone gel, used in the packaging of high-voltage, high-power semiconductor devices, generates bubbles during the packaging process, which accelerates the degradation of its insulation properties. This paper establishes a testing platform for electrical treeing in silicone gel under pulsed electric fields, investigating the effect of pulse voltage amplitude on bubble development and studying the initiation and growth of electrical treeing in a silicone gel with different pulse edge times. The relationship between bubbles and electrical treeing in silicone gel materials is discussed. A two-dimensional plasma simulation model for bubble discharge in silicone gel under pulsed electric fields is developed, analyzing the internal electric field distortion caused by the response times of different ions and electrons. Additionally, the discharge current and its effects on silicone gel under pulsed electric fields are examined. By studying the influence of different pulse edge times, repetition frequencies, and temperatures on discharge current magnitude and ozone generation rates, the impact of electrical breakdown and chemical corrosion on the degradation of organic silicone gel under various operating conditions is analyzed. This study explores the macroscopic and microscopic mechanisms of dielectric performance degradation in organic silicone gel under pulsed electric fields, providing a basis for research on high-performance packaging materials and the development of high-voltage, high-power semiconductor devices. Full article

This paper reviews recent advances in fresh-cut fruit and vegetable preservation from the perspective of biomacromolecule-based edible coating. Biomaterials include proteins, polysaccharides, and their complexes. Compared to a single material, the better preservation effect was presented by complexes. The functional ingredients applied in the edible coating are essential oils/other plant extracts, metals/metal oxides, and organic acids, the purposes of the addition of which are the improvement of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and/or the mechanical properties of the coating. The application of edible coating with other preservation technologies is an emerging method, mainly including pulsed light, short-wave ultraviolet, modified atmosphere packaging, ozonation, and γ-irradiation. In the future, it is crucial to design coating formulations based on preservation goals and sensory characteristics. The combination of non-thermal preservation technology and edible coating needs to be strengthened in research on food preservation. The application of AI tools for edible coating-based preservation should also be focused on. In conclusion, edible coating-based preservation is promising for the development of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Full article

CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) that were highly dispersed in porous glass showed a rapid decrease in the intensity of their photoluminescence (PL) in response to ozone at concentrations of 0–200 ppm in air (at room temperature and atmospheric pressure), followed by a similarly rapid recovery to full PL in air with no ozone. The response time of the PL quenching in the presence of ozone, and the recovery time to full PL in air after the ozone was removed, showed little dependence on the ozone concentration. Compared to conventional CdSe/ZnS QD films on planar glass substrates, the speed of ozone-induced decrease in the PL intensity of QDs increased, and the recovery speed of the PL intensity, once the ozone was removed from the air, was even more rapid compared to the recovery on planar glass. The 100% PL intensity recovery time in air was reduced to about 10% for CdSe/ZnS QDs that were dispersed in porous glass compared to CdSe/ZnS QD films on planar glass substrates. We hypothesize that this reflects the fact that ozone molecules that are adsorbed on the QD-layer-lined pore surfaces are quickly desorbed in ozone-free air, because the layer of CdSe/ZnS QDs is much thinner in the pores of porous glass than on a planar glass substrate. Thus, CdSe/ZnS QDs that were dispersed in porous glass showed a rapid response to ozone and a similarly rapid recovery in ozone-free air, which has not been seen in previous QD ozone gas sensors, indicating that they are promising as high-performance optical ozone sensor materials. Full article

While microparticles can be removed by a filtration step at a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP), engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), which are widely used in industry, commerce and households, pose a major problem due to their special properties, e.g., size, reactivity and polarity. In addition, many ENPs exhibit toxic potential, which makes their presence in drinking water undesirable. Therefore, this study investigated the removal of ENPs in the laboratory and at a pilot-scale DWTP. Eight ENPs were synthesized and tested for stability in different types of water. Only three of them were stable in natural water: cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-coated gold (CTAB/AuNPs), polyvinylpyrrolidone-stabilized gold and silver nanoparticles (PVP/AuNPs, PVP/AgNPs). Their retention on quartz sand, silica gel and fresh anthracite was low, but CTAB/AuNPs could be retained on fresh river sand and thus should not overcome riverbank filtration, while PVP/AuNPs and PVP/AgNPs showed no retention and may be present in raw water. During ozonation, PVP/AuNPs remained stable while PVP/AgNPs were partially degraded. The advanced oxidation process (AOP) was less effective than ozone. PVP/AgNPs were almost completely retained on the pilot plant anthracite sand filter coated with manganese(IV) oxide and ferrihydrite from raw water treatment. PVP/AuNPs passed the filter with no retention. In contrast to PVP/AuNPs, PVP/AgNPs and CTAB/AuNPs were also retained on activated carbon. The integration of a flocculation step with iron(III) salts can improve ENP removal, with PVP/AuNPs requiring higher flocculant doses than PVP/AgNPs. PVP/AuNPs, in particular, are well-suited for testing the effectiveness of water treatment. Further data on the occurrence of stable ENPs in raw water and their behavior during water treatment are needed to perform a risk assessment and derive the measures. Full article

Background: The effect of air pollution, a major global health issue, on the immune system, particularly on white blood cell (WBC) counts, remains underexplored. Methods: This study utilized data from 54,756 participants in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to investigate the effects of short- (day of examination and 7-day averages), mid- (30- and 90-day averages), and long-term (one-, three-, and five-year averages) air pollutant exposure on WBC counts. We assessed exposure to particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and carbon monoxide (CO). Results: Linear regression with log-transformed WBC counts, adjusted for confounders, showed that PM₁₀ was positively associated with long-term exposure, PM_2.5 was negatively associated with short- and mid-term exposures, SO₂ was consistently negatively associated with short- and mid-term exposures, NO₂ and CO were positive across most periods, and O₃ was negatively associated with short- and mid-term exposures. Logistic regression analysis confirmed these findings, showing that short- and mid-term exposure to PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and SO₂ was negatively associated with the risk of belonging to the high-WBC group, while long-term exposure to PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO₂, and CO showed positive associations with risk. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the time- and pollutant-specific associations between air pollution exposure and WBC counts, underscoring air pollution’s potential impact on systemic inflammation. Full article