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Liu L, Ouyang X, Gao T, Dai T, Tan J, Liu X, Zhao H, Zeng A, Chen W, He C, Liu G. Spatiotemporal and Multilayer Trade Network Patterns of the Global Cobalt Cycle. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39150153 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed increasing attempts to track trade flows of critical materials across world regions and along the life cycle for renewable energy and the low carbon transition. Previous studies often had limited spatiotemporal coverage, excluded end-use products, and modeled different life cycle stages as single-layer networks. Here, we integrated material flow analysis and complex network analysis into a multilayer framework to characterize the spatiotemporal and multilayer trade network patterns of the global cobalt cycle from 1988 to 2020. We found substantial growth and notable structural changes in global cobalt trade over the past 30 years. China, Germany, and the United States play pivotal roles in different layers and stages of the global cobalt cycle. The interlayer relationships among alloys, batteries, and materials are robust and continually strengthening, indicating a trend toward synergistic trade. However, cobalt ore-exporting countries are highly concentrated and rarely involved in later life cycle stages, resulting in the weakest relationship between the ore layer and other layers. This causes fluctuations and uncertainty in the global cobalt trade. Our model, linking industrial ecology, supply chain analysis, and network analysis, can be extended to other materials that are critical for the future green transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Litao Liu
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xin Ouyang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Tianming Gao
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and China Geological Survey, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Tao Dai
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and China Geological Survey, Beijing 100037, China
- SinoProbe Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Juan Tan
- Center for Minerals and Materials, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Xiaojie Liu
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Huilan Zhao
- Exploration and Development Research Institute of Huabei Oilfield Company, China National Petroleum Corporation, Cangzhou 061000, Hebei, China
| | - Anqi Zeng
- Institute of Marxism, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Wu Chen
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Canfei He
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Gang Liu
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Dai T, Han Z, Chen W, Wen B, Ouyang X, Li Q, Pan Z, Liu Q. Uncovering Availability of the Secondary Iron Resources in China: Integrating Material Flow Analysis and Secondary Resources Reserve Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39137304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
As the largest iron and steel producer, China still cannot meet its demand of iron and steel only through domestic primary supply in the last few decades. Hence, secondary iron resources are increasingly significant in meeting China's iron supply and demand balance. However, the secondary iron resource availability in China and how it impacts the future supply demand balance were still insufficiently discussed. In this work, we developed a material flow analysis and secondary resources reserve assessment (MFA-SRRA) integrated model, assessed secondary iron resources availability, and conducted a supply demand analysis through nine scenarios for irons in China. The results showed that China's secondary iron reserves will increase from 8.9 Gt in 2021 to 14.04 to 19.01 Gt in 2050. With the increasing secondary iron supply, more than 60% of iron ore as a source of steelmaking can be replaced by 2050. Landfills, as a significant reserve of iron but always ignored, will accumulate 1.42-1.51 Gt secondary iron resources by 2050 and should be noticed to be mined and utilized in the future. Last, we suggest that promoting innovation in landfill mining technology and making sustainable material management policies are urgent to prevent these secondary iron resources from becoming real waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Dai
- China MNR Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, 100094 Beijing, China
- Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, 100037 Beijing, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, 100037 Beijing, China
| | - Zhongkui Han
- Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, 100037 Beijing, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, 100037 Beijing, China
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Wu Chen
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Bojie Wen
- China MNR Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, 100094 Beijing, China
- Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, 100037 Beijing, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, 100037 Beijing, China
| | - Xin Ouyang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Qiangfeng Li
- GanJiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 341119 Ganzhou, China
| | - Zhaoshuai Pan
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081 Beijing, China
| | - Qiance Liu
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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Shi YL, Chen WQ, Zhu YG. Direct, Embedded, and Embodied Trade of Arsenic: 1990-2019. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:12008-12017. [PMID: 38920967 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c04715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
International arsenic trade, physical and virtual, has resulted in considerable transfer of arsenic pollution across regions. However, no study has systematically captured, estimated, and compared physical and virtual arsenic trade and its relevant impacts. This study combines material flow analysis and embodied emission factors to estimate embedded (including direct and indirect trade) and embodied arsenic trade during 1990-2019, encompassing 18 arsenic-containing products among 244 countries. Global embedded arsenic trade increased considerably from 47 ± 7.3 to 450 ± 68 kilotonnes (kt) during this time and was dominated by indirect arsenic trade, contributing 94 and 90% to global arsenic trade in 1990 and 2019, respectively. Since the 1990s, global arsenic trade centers and the main flows have shifted from European and American markets to developing countries. The mass of arsenic involved in embodied trade increased from 87.5 ± 26 kt in 1990 to 800 ± 236 kt in 2019. Direct trade and indirect trade aggravate arsenic environmental emissions in major importing countries, like China, while embodied trade aggravates arsenic environmental emissions in major exporting countries, like Peru and Chile. The trade-related arsenic pollution transfer calls for a rational arsenic emission responsibility-sharing mechanism and corresponding policy recommendations for different trading countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Lan Shi
- College of Tourism, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, Fujian 362021, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Qiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, People's Republic of China
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Dai T, Liu YF, Wang P, Qiu Y, Mancheri N, Chen W, Liu JX, Chen WQ, Wang H, Wang AJ. Unlocking Dysprosium Constraints for China's 1.5 °C Climate Target. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14113-14126. [PMID: 37709662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Some key low-carbon technologies, ranging from wind turbines to electric vehicles, are underpinned by the strong rare-earth-based permanent magnets of the Nd, Pr (Dy)-Fe-Nb type (NdFeB). These NdFeB magnets, which are sensitive to demagnetization with temperature elevation (the Curie point), require the addition of variable amounts of dysprosium (Dy), where an elevation of the Curie point is needed to meet operational conditions. Given that China is the world's largest REE supplier with abundant REE reserves, the impact of an ambitious 1.5 °C climate target on China's Dy supply chain has sparked widespread concern. Here, we explore future trends and innovation strategies associated with the linkage between Dy and NdFeBs under various climate scenarios in China. We find China alone is expected to exhaust the global present Dy reserve within the next 2-3 decades to facilitate the 1.5 °C climate target. By implementing global available innovation strategies, such as material substitution, reduction, and recycling, it is possible to avoid 48%-68% of China's cumulative demand for Dy. Nevertheless, ongoing efforts in REE exploration and production are still required to meet China's growing Dy demand, which will face competition from the United States, European Union, and other countries with ambitious climate targets. Thus, our analysis urges China and those nations to form wider cooperation in REE supply chains as well as in NdFeB innovation for the realization of a global climate-safe future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Dai
- Institute of Mineral Resource, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Yan-Fei Liu
- School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yang Qiu
- Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 5825 University Research Court, Suite 3500, College Park, Maryland 20740, United States
| | - Nabeel Mancheri
- Rare Earth Industry Association, Diestsevest 14, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wei Chen
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jun-Xi Liu
- Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University Tokyo (Hongo Campus), 113-8654, 7 Chome-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo Japan
| | - Wei-Qiang Chen
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Heming Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Eco-Industry, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110819, China
| | - An-Jian Wang
- Institute of Mineral Resource, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
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Lapo B, Pavón S, Bertau M, Demey H, Meneses M, Sastre AM. Neodymium Recovery from the Aqueous Phase Using a Residual Material from Saccharified Banana-Rachis/Polyethylene-Glycol. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15071666. [PMID: 37050279 PMCID: PMC10096945 DOI: 10.3390/polym15071666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neodymium (Nd) is a key rare earth element (REE) needed for the future of incoming technologies including road transport and power generation. Hereby, a sustainable adsorbent material for recovering Nd from the aqueous phase using a residue from the saccharification process is presented. Banana rachis (BR) was treated with cellulases and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to produce fermentable sugars prior to applying the final residue (BR–PEG) as an adsorbent material. BR–PEG was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), compositional analysis, pH of zero charge (pHpzc), Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A surface response experimental design was used for obtaining the optimized adsorption conditions in terms of the pH of the aqueous phase and the particle size. With the optimal conditions, equilibrium isotherms, kinetics and adsorption–desorption cycles were performed. The optimal pH and particle size were 4.5 and 209.19 μm, respectively. BR–PEG presented equilibrium kinetics after 20 min and maximum adsorption capacities of 44.11 mg/g. In terms of reusage, BR–PEG can be efficiently reused for five adsorption–desorption cycles. BR–PEG was demonstrated to be a low-cost bioresourced alternative for recovering Nd by adsorption.
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