by Kristin Shrader-Frechette

Received: 09 February 2022;  Published: 17 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2203031

Scientific data are almost nonexistent regarding the health-protectiveness of most hazardous-waste-site remediation. Given this data-gap, recently the World Health Organization (WHO) urged scientists to develop methods of “cost-efficient health surveillance” of toxics’ cleanups, including any “illegal operations”. Following WHO, this article’s importance is to develop one such cost-efficient method. Given the assumption that remediators’-redevelopers’ public misrepresentations of their cleanups’ safety may warrant [...]

by Thales Almeida Barbosa  , Marcelo Costa Flores  and Katia Cecília de Souza Figueiredo

Received: 09 May 2022;  Published: 16 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2203030

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) consist of a polymeric phase and a dispersed solid filler such as zeolites or carbon nanotubes. We prepared symmetric and asymmetric polysulfone-based MMMs containing functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT-O) for CO2/N2 separation. Maxwell’s model was used to predict the permeabilities of MMMs. The permeability achieved using the model exhibited a good fit of the model in symmetric MMMs, especially for CO2. This can be potentially attributed to the high affinity of the syst [...]

by Omar Alkhalil

Received: 23 May 2022;  Published: 11 August 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2203029

Multi-rotor and fixed-wing drones are extensively used to collect the data needed for producing large-scale topographic maps and plans. Several types of drone products are available, and the most important one for surveyors is an orthophoto. Flight planning, the quality of the control data, the assessment of drone products, and the image processing software need to be considered when using these drones. In this study, we explained these concepts and discussed their theoretical and practical importance in providing [...]

by Karine Dornela Rosa  , Tara Rava Zolnikov  , Rodrigo Souza Leite  , Sérgio Caldas  , Job Alves de Souza Filho  , Raquel Sampaio Jacob  and Marcos Paulo Gomes Mol

Received: 05 May 2022;  Published: 11 July 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2203028

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease that is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum and transmitted to humans and other mammals through the bites of infected female sandflies. VL has been prevalent in Minas Gerais, Brazil, since the 1940s. As the vector completes its reproductive cycle in the soil with organic matter, the association between the occurrence of VL and unimproved solid waste disposal sites has been investigated. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the relationship of waste disposal [...]

by Vinayak Kaushal  and Mohammad Najafi

Received: 20 April 2022;  Published: 30 June 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2202027

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of concrete in sanitary sewer pipe and manholes is the result of dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4) dissolving the cement matrix. The acid is produced by a complex series of chemical and biochemical reactions. The objectives of this paper are: (1) to review the basic science of the MIC process starting with the various biological processes leading to the production of dilute sulfuric acid; (2) to discuss historical attempts to fortify concrete; (3) to present methods to reduce [...]

by Chris Fraser  , Genia Hill  and Paul Dargusch

Received: 10 January 2022;  Published: 16 June 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2202026

The first step in managing an entity’s carbon emissions involves measurement as ‘what gets measured gets managed’ and measurement lies at the heart of carbon management. The study of carbon management is important to all stakeholders as it enables calculation of emissions that can help determine opportunities for emissions reductions to address climate change which can improve energy efficiency and brand reputation. Alphabet is an interesting company to study given its main commercial activities relate to the devel [...]

by Danae M. Maes  , August Finke  , Chuck R. Smallwood  , J. Bryce Ricken  , Jerilyn A. Timlin  and Anne M. Ruffing

Received: 11 April 2022;  Published: 14 June 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2202025

Expanded industrial globalization has resulted in the release of high concentrations of heavy metals into environmental water sources and soils. Phytoremediation may help to remove these heavy metals from contaminated soils. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) exhibits phytoremediation potential due to its endurance and high stress tolerances. Here, we report photochemical and structural responses in tall fescue to acute and chronic doses of heavy metals, copper (Cu) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). Visual si [...]

by Cristina Lull  , Antonio Lidón  and María Desamparados Soriano

Received: 25 March 2022;  Published: 10 June 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2202024

Soil pollution is a major challenge for ensuring a healthy environment and for human health. One of the critical points in soil pollution policy is the education and public awareness of the problem caused by soil pollution. Education influences decision-making on soil and water care. It is crucial to spread knowledge to undergraduate and graduate students about the determinantal effects of soil pollution on ecosystems and humans, considering today’s students are tomorrow’s guardians of soil and human health. A cour [...]

by Siera Sylvester  , Jalaycia Hughes  and Clayton Clark

Received: 23 March 2022;  Published: 07 June 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2202023

Building performance is often expressed according to primary energy use; however studies should also include environmental load. To mitigate the effects of increased CO2 emissions, green building designs are now increasingly popular options for stakeholders. In contrast, impacts of green design parameters, building performance assessment, and design optimization objectives are not addressed sufficiently for American infrastructure. Designing low-energy architecture to minimize carbon emissions requires thoughtful a [...]

by Gemechu Fanta Garuma

Received: 29 March 2022;  Published: 06 June 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2202022

An increase in global temperature will likely result in more intense and frequent heatwaves that would last longer. Simultaneously, the growth of urban population requires more areas of land incorporated into urbanization, because most people are expected to live in cities, which will increase the intensity and duration of urban heat islands. However, the extent of the link between global warming induced heatwaves and urbanization caused heat islands is barely understood. Understanding the link would give a new inf [...]