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Ebrahimi Sarindizaj E, Khorsandi M. Letter to the Editor. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169115. [PMID: 38065484 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
A paper recently published entitled "Water crisis in Iran: A system dynamics approach on water, energy, food, land, and climate (WEFLC) nexus" (Barati et al., 2023). In the mentioned study, a WEFLC model is developed to analyze the water scarcity in Iran. Water crisis, as a complex and challenging issue, has different interdependencies in the context of socio-ecological systems (SES), making it an incorrigible issue. The original paper attempted to assess the water resource dynamics through a systemic lens and explore the impact of various driving forces of water resource planning and management on the water crisis. Iran is a well-studied country, especially around water-related problems. Many interesting facts and findings through the water scarcity analysis in the context of WEFLC are mentioned in the original paper. For instance, it is highlighted that "Mitigation and adaptation policies must be system-oriented and coherent at sectors." However, the original paper did not benefit enough from the previous studies and the full potential of available data. Moreover, some arguments contradict previous findings and, in some cases, are logically flawed. The original paper barely alludes to the nonlinear functional relationships among the components of WEFLC, the core expected component in complex system analysis. Incorrect problem statement formation, flawed methodology, insufficient information on the applied method, ambiguity in models' coupling or cohesion, lack of rational explanation, and inappropriate interpretations of abnormal findings may even mislead many readers. This paper aims to point out some concerns related to the problems mentioned above in the published study, with suggestions to improve the current study and methodological notes for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mostafa Khorsandi
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec G1K 9A9, Canada.
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Javan K, Altaee A, BaniHashemi S, Darestani M, Zhou J, Pignatta G. A review of interconnected challenges in the water-energy-food nexus: Urban pollution perspective towards sustainable development. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169319. [PMID: 38110094 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
The swift growth of cities worldwide poses significant challenges in ensuring a sufficient water, energy, and food supply. The Nexus has innovated valuable systems to address these challenges. However, a crucial issue is the potential for pollution resulting from these systems, which directly and indirectly impacts public health and the overall quality of urban living. This study comprehensively reviews the interconnected challenges of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus and various forms of pollution in cities. The primary focus of this review article is to showcase the findings of WEF nexus studies regarding various pollutions across different geographical regions and spatial scales. It aims to examine the problems resulting from these pollutions, specifically their effects on human health and urban life. It also delves into the sources of pollution as identified in these studies. Furthermore, the article will highlight the proposed solutions from the research aimed at effectively mitigating pollution in each sector studied. This article is a systematic review which analyses research sources from the Scopus database. It extensively reviewed 2463 peer-reviewed published articles and focused explicitly on articles related to the WEF nexus that discussed pollution. Our study emphasizes, firstly, raising awareness about the crucial link between the WEF nexus, pollution, urban environments, and human health among policymakers and key stakeholders, including urban planners, industry partners and municipalities. This is to promote the development of policies that encourage sustainable practices and key stakeholders. Secondly, it evaluates WEF nexus and pollution research methods and findings, aiding in identifying research gaps technological innovation and potential, as well as enhancing decision-making. Lastly, it outlines future research challenges, providing a roadmap for researchers and policymakers to advance understanding in this domain and identify opportunities for resource efficiency and collaboration between different sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Javan
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, Australia.
| | - Ali Altaee
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, Australia
| | - Saeed BaniHashemi
- School of Design and Built Environment, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Mariam Darestani
- School of Civil and Environmental Environment, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - John Zhou
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, Australia
| | - Gloria Pignatta
- School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
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Abyar H, Nowrouzi M. Trickling filter systems for sustainable water supply: An evaluation of eco-environmental burdens and greenhouse gas emissions. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:117011. [PMID: 37648187 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Despite the global water crisis, the significant potential of trickling filter systems as a crucial auxiliary option for sustainable water supply has received insufficient attention. Therefore, this study presents the first-ever evaluation of the environmental impacts of trickling filter application in wastewater treatment, focusing on eco-environmental burdens. Additionally, the study explores greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and exergy footprints, providing novel insights into the environmental implications of using trickling filters for wastewater treatment. The study's findings indicate that the consumption of heat and electricity in trickling filters has significant environmental impacts, particularly on land use (93.24%), freshwater/marine eutrophication (∼81.98%), and human health (45.36%). The majority of the energy required for trickling filter operation is supplied by fossil fuels (96.02%), resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions (65.58%). The exergy of trickling filters is highly efficient, accounting for over 95% of the system's energy. Mathematical modeling reveals that anaerobic digestion and secondary clarifier have the highest energy consumption, with contributions of 94.65% and 2.63%, respectively. Construction expenses account for almost 88% of the total cost, with anaerobic digestion (42.15%) and trickling filters (35.39%) being the most costly components. The cost of treating 1 m3 of wastewater is estimated at 0.52 $/m3. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that electricity (14.66%) and heat (18.65%) significantly impact terrestrial ecotoxicity and land use, respectively. This study presents a framework for future investigations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Abyar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, 49189-43464, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Nowrouzi
- Department of Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Nano and Bio Science and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, 75169-13798, Iran.
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Llanaj X, Törős G, Hajdú P, Abdalla N, El-Ramady H, Kiss A, Solberg SØ, Prokisch J. Biotechnological Applications of Mushrooms under the Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Crucial Aspects and Prospects from Farm to Pharmacy. Foods 2023; 12:2671. [PMID: 37509764 PMCID: PMC10379137 DOI: 10.3390/foods12142671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mushrooms have always been an important source of food, with high nutritional value and medicinal attributes. With the use of biotechnological applications, mushrooms have gained further attention as a source of healthy food and bioenergy. This review presents different biotechnological applications and explores how these can support global food, energy, and water security. It highlights mushroom's relevance to meet the sustainable development goals of the UN. This review also discusses mushroom farming and its requirements. The biotechnology review includes sections on how to use mushrooms in producing nanoparticles, bioenergy, and bioactive compounds, as well as how to use mushrooms in bioremediation. The different applications are discussed under the water, energy, and food (WEF) nexus. As far as we know, this is the first report on mushroom biotechnology and its relationships to the WEF nexus. Finally, the review valorizes mushroom biotechnology and suggests different possibilities for mushroom farming integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xhensila Llanaj
- Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi Street, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gréta Törős
- Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi Street, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Péter Hajdú
- Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi Street, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Neama Abdalla
- Plant Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Hassan El-Ramady
- Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi Street, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Soil and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Attila Kiss
- Knowledge Utilization Center of Agri-Food Industry, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi út 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Svein Ø Solberg
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agriculture and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2401 Elverum, Norway
| | - József Prokisch
- Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 138 Böszörményi Street, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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