Author(s): Zhou S; Chen Z; Huang X; Yang X; Lyu L; An C; Peng H;

Food waste gives rise to many environmental problems. A large amount of food waste is produced by grocery retail stores. It is therefore important to apply efficient food waste treatment technologies with minimal environmental impact and investigate the optimal approach for food waste collection, transportation, and treatment. In the present study, a life ...

Article GUID: 39480576

Author(s): Lyu L; Bagchi M; Ng KTW; Markoglou N; Chowdhury R; An C; Chen Z; Yang X;

The disposal of fossil fuel-based plastics poses a huge environmental challenge, leading to increased interest in biodegradable alternatives such as polylactic acid (PLA). This study focuses on the environmental impact and degradation of PLA face mask components under various conditions (UV (Ultraviolet) radiation, DI water, landfill leachate of various a ...

Article GUID: 39378804

Author(s): Chen Z; Elektorowicz M; An C; Tian X; Wang Z; Yang X; Lyu L;

Ice can serve as a significant temporary repository and conveyance mechanism for microplastics (MPs). MPs present in the water column can become entrapped within developing ice formations, subsequently being sequestered and transported by ice floes. With changing temperatures, MPs stored in ice can be released back into the environment, while freezing con ...

Article GUID: 39031076

Author(s): Shanmugam H; Raghavan V; Rajagopal R; Goyette B; Lyu L; Zhou S; An C;

Farm leftovers, particularly crop residues, are a key source of renewable energy in Canada. The nation's robust agricultural industry provides ample biomass, derived from forestry and agriculture resources, for energy generation. Crop residues, such as straws and husks, play a crucial role in this biomass reservoir, contributing to biofuel production ...

Article GUID: 38927790

Author(s): Lyu L; Bagchi M; Markoglou N; An C;

The unprecedented surge in the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) worldwide during the covid pandemic resulted in a significant increase in PPE consumption and subsequent waste generation. Despite the importance of PPE, its widespread usage and disposal have sparked worries about the environmental impact and its long-term sustainability. The i ...

Article GUID: 38911061

Author(s): Yang X; Huang G; Chen Z; Feng Q; An C; Lyu L; Bi H; Zhou S;

Coastal waters are complex and dynamic areas with unique environmental attributes that complicate the vertical migration of microplastics (MPs). The MPs that enter coastal waters from diverse sources, including terrestrial, riverine, oceanic, and shoreline inputs undergo various aging pathways. In this study, the variations in the physiochemical character ...

Article GUID: 38503206

Author(s): Yang X; Huang G; Feng Q; An C; Zhou S; Bi H; Lyu L;

The estuary is an energetic area connecting the inland, river, and ocean. The migration of microplastics (MPs) in this highly complex area is tied to the entire ecosystem. In this study, the effects of cohesive SPM (clay) and noncohesive SPM (sand) on the vertical migration of positively buoyant MPs, polyethylene (PE), and negatively buoyant MPs, polytetr ...

Article GUID: 38306690

Author(s): Lyu L; Bagchi M; Markoglou N; An C; Peng H; Bi H; Yang X; Sun H;

There has been a considerable increase in the use of face masks in the past years. Managing face mask waste has become a global concern, as the current waste management system is insufficient to deal with such a large quantity of solid waste. The drastic increase in quantity, along with the material's inability to degrade plastic components such as po ...

Article GUID: 37742382

Author(s): Lyu L; Peng H; An C; Sun H; Yang X; Bi H;

Mask waste can affect the natural environment and human health. In this study, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of two types of face masks (Polylactic acid (PLA) and Polypropylene (PP)) was first performed to evaluate the environmental impacts from production to end-of-life, and then, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were estimated for each life stage. The G ...

Article GUID: 37734618

Author(s): Bi H; Mulligan CN; Lee K; An C; Wen J; Yang X; Lyu L; Qu Z;

Oil deposited on shoreline substrates has serious adverse effects on the coastal environment and can persist for a long time. In this study, a green and effective microemulsion (ME) derived from vegetable oil was developed as a washing fluid to remove stranded oil from beach sand. The pseudo-ternary phase diagrams of the castor oil/water (without or witho ...

Article GUID: 37399736