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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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2
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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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3
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Langhorst M, Billy RG, Schwotzer C, Kaiser F, Müller DB. Inertia of Technology Stocks: A Technology-Explicit Model for the Transition toward a Low-Carbon Global Aluminum Cycle. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9624-9635. [PMID: 38772914 PMCID: PMC11155245 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Low-carbon technologies are essential for the aluminum industry to meet its climate targets despite increasing demand. However, the penetration of these technologies is often delayed due to the long lifetimes of the industrial assets currently in use. Existing models and scenarios for the aluminum sector omit this inertia and therefore potentially overestimate the realistic mitigation potential. Here, we introduce a technology-explicit dynamic material flow model for the global primary (smelters) and secondary (melting furnaces) aluminum production capacities. In business-as-usual scenarios, we project emissions from smelters and melting furnaces to rise from 710 Mt CO2-eq./a in 2020 to 920-1400 Mt CO2-eq./a in 2050. Rapid implementation of inert anodes in smelters can reduce emissions by 14% by 2050. However, a limitation of emissions compatible with a 2 °C scenario requires combined action: (1) an improvement of collection and recycling systems to absorb all the available postconsumer scrap, (2) a fast and wide deployment of low-carbon technologies, and (3) a rapid transition to low-carbon electricity sources. These measures need to be implemented even faster in scenarios with a stronger increase in aluminum demand. Lock-in effects are likely: building new capacity using conventional technologies will compromise climate mitigation efforts and would require premature retirement of industrial assets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Langhorst
- Industrial
Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7034, Norway
| | - Romain Guillaume Billy
- Industrial
Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7034, Norway
| | - Christian Schwotzer
- Department
for Industrial Furnaces and Heat Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52064, Germany
| | - Felix Kaiser
- Department
for Industrial Furnaces and Heat Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52064, Germany
| | - Daniel Beat Müller
- Industrial
Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7034, Norway
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4
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Yuan X, Ma Z, Wang A, Li T, Zhong W, Li B, Li P, Wei J, Hao H. Structural analysis of global mineral governance system from the perspective of country. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23793. [PMID: 38205279 PMCID: PMC10777007 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The uneven spatial distribution of mineral resources necessitates the construction of mature global mineral governance system to ensure rational allocation of mineral resources. To this end, it is essential to analyze the structure of the global mineral governance system to provide a theoretical basis for the construction. The governance actor is the crucial element in driving the governance process, and country serves as the most central actor. Therefore, clarifying the roles and statuses of different countries in the governance system will be helpful to analyze the structure of the governance system. In the context of advancing globalization, a complex cooperative relationship has been presented between countries based on international organizations. Thus, we establish a national cooperation network based on the principle of the co-existence of countries in international organizations, to quantify these relationships between countries and identify the role and status of different countries, as well as the country communities in the cooperation network, by combining the characteristics of the countries in the network with the actual performance in the organizations. The research findings are as follow: (1) The UK, Germany, France, Sweden, and Canada play pivotal roles in promoting international cooperation as well as leading governance in the governance system. (2) Emerging economies are more actively engaged in these organizations and can promote international cooperation, but lack the capacity to assume leadership roles in governance. (3) The U.S. and China have a stronger ability to lead than to cooperate in the governance system. (4) Most African and South American countries, as well as some European nations, are marginalized in the governance system. (5) Countries with the same needs and similar economic and political conditions belong to the same community: The European countries and the U.S., consumer with a high level of economic and political development but low mineral resource endowment are in the first community. Canada, Australia, and certain African and South American countries, producers with high mineral resource endowments are in the second community. Most African and South American countries with lower levels of economic and political development are in the third group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Yuan
- MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Resources Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Ma
- MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Resources Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Anjian Wang
- MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Resources Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianjiao Li
- MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Resources Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weiqiong Zhong
- MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Resources Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bujie Li
- MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Resources Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pengyuan Li
- MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Resources Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangqiao Wei
- School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China
| | - Hongchang Hao
- School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China
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Berr M, Hischier R, Wäger P. Assessing Short-Term Supply Disruption Impacts within Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment─A Case Study of Electric Vehicles. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19678-19689. [PMID: 37956219 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05957] [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: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
In this article, the recently published SPOTTER approach, which allows for identifying potential supply disruption impacts along the entire supply chain within life cycle sustainability assessment in the short term (i.e., < 5 years), is applied to a case study addressing the cobalt and aluminum supply chains of electric vehicles (EVs) used in Switzerland. Existing studies within the field assessing supply disruption impacts for EVs and other technologies focus on impacts related to raw material supply and thus neglect impacts along full supply chains. The present study identifies hotspots and overall impacts along the full supply chains by analyzing six supply disruption events (i.e., geopolitical instability, child labor restrictions, trade barriers, price volatility, limited recyclability, and economic resource depletion) for two impact categories (i.e., cost variability and limited availability). Identified hotspots suggest that supply chains are potentially disrupted mainly through events occurring in Asian, African, or other developing countries and affecting the Western economies. The highest risks are indicated in relation to the supply of EVs, EV wiring, traction batteries, cobalt powder, and cobalt ore. Suitable measures to mitigate these supply risks are suggested showing that some of the suggestions could not have been made based on the results of existing studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Berr
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Roland Hischier
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Wäger
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Yu G, Mao J, Tang Y, Pei S. Analysis of the coupled flows of aluminum and copper in household air conditioning system. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:123643-123656. [PMID: 37991616 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30861-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
The global "copper-poor and aluminum-rich" situation has made the possibility of "copper saving with aluminum" an important topic. This study established a framework for analyzing multiple substances' coupled flows at the product level based on material flow analysis (MFA), and took the household air conditioning system of the Chinese mainland in 2020 as an example to characterize the coupled flows of aluminum and copper. The results showed that the system consumed 0.69 million tons of aluminum and 2.10 million tons of copper, and discharged 0.17 million tons of aluminum and 0.43 million tons of copper to the environment cumulatively to achieve 13.2 million terajoules of final heat exchanged and serve 1.24 billion square meters during lifetime in mainland China alone, secondary aluminum and copper accounted for only 22.61% and 24.83% of the total consumption, and the in-use stocks increased by 0.19 million tons of aluminum and 0.70 million tons of copper. The external dependency of copper ore was 92.83%, which was significantly higher than the 44.29% of bauxite. The comprehensive utilization efficiency of copper reached 77.88%, which was slightly higher than the 70.80% of aluminum. The conclusion indicates that under the premise of meeting use requirements, promoting "replacing copper with aluminum" can improve the stability and safety of China's material supply chain, but there is a need to further boost the production efficiency of aluminum in primary production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjie Yu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St, Beijing, 100875, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiansu Mao
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St, Beijing, 100875, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuanyuan Tang
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St, Beijing, 100875, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyuan Pei
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, Beijing, 100010, People's Republic of China
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7
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Wang J, Liu W, Chen L, Li X, Wen Z. Analysis of China's non-ferrous metals industry's path to peak carbon: A whole life cycle industry chain based on copper. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 892:164454. [PMID: 37268144 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Copper is an essential nonferrous metal, and the adjustment of its whole industry chain structure is conducive to realizing a carbon peak in the nonferrous metal industry. We have performed a life cycle assessment to calculate the carbon emissions of the copper industry. Based on the carbon emissions scenarios of shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs), we have utilized material flow analysis and system dynamics to analyze the structural changes in the copper industry chain from 2022 to 2060 in China. The results show that (1) the flows and in-use stocks of all types of copper resources will increase significantly. The overall copper supply may meet demand around 2040-2045 due to secondary copper production potentially replacing primary copper production to a large extent, and trade supply is the primary pathway for meeting copper demand. (2) The total carbon emissions from the regeneration system are the smallest (4 %), followed by the production and trade subsystems, accounting for 48 %. The embodied carbon emissions from copper product trade in China have expanded annually. (3) Under the SSP scenario, the copper chain carbon emission peak will be achieved by approximately 2040. Based on a balanced copper supply and demand scenario, the recycled copper recovery efficiency must reach 84.6 %, and the energy structure (the proportion of non-fossil energy in electricity) must reach 63.8 % by 2030 to achieve the carbon peak target for the copper industry chain in China. The above conclusions indicate that actively promoting adjustments in the energy structure and resource recovery processes may help encourage the carbon peak of nonferrous metals in China by realizing the carbon peak of the copper industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junbo Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei Liu
- College of Management Science, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Lu Chen
- College of Management Science, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China.
| | - Xin Li
- College of Management Science, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China.
| | - Zongguo Wen
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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8
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Qiao D, Dai T, Ma Y, Gao T. Insights into the evolution of cobalt use and implications through dynamic analysis of cobalt flows and stocks and the recycling potential of cobalt from urban mines in China during 2000-2021. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 163:122-133. [PMID: 37011560 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Several countries regard cobalt as a critical material due to its extensive use in clean energy technology and high-tech industries. To comprehensively examine how China's cobalt industry developed and evolved from 2000 to 2021, our study quantified cobalt flows, stocks and the recycling potential of cobalt from China's urban cobalt mines using dynamic material flow analysis. In 2021, China's in-use cobalt stocks for cobalt-containing end products reached 131 kt, of which battery products and superalloys accounted for 83.8% and 8.1%, respectively. The theoretical cumulative recycling potential of cobalt from China's urban cobalt mines reached 204-356 kt between 2000 and 2021 under different scenarios. However, the actual cumulative exploitation of cobalt from urban cobalt mines was 46-80 kt, of which consumer electronics, cemented carbides, and superalloys were the main recycled products. The cumulative exports and imports of cobalt in all commodities reached 558 and 1117 kt, respectively. China exported a large quantity of cobalt chemicals, chemical derivatives and cobalt-containing end products produced from imported cobalt raw materials. China imported 84.7% of the cobalt raw materials consumed domestically, and 32.6% of the domestically produced cobalt-containing end products were exported. Over the entire life cycle of cobalt, cobalt losses totaled 288 kt, with 51.0% of losses coming from refining, and a 73.8% cobalt utilization efficiency was achieved. China recovered 76.7 kt of cobalt, and the recycling rate of cobalt from end-of-life cobalt-containing end products reached 20.0%. The findings can serve as a scientific basis for China's cobalt industry to develop efficiently and economically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghai Qiao
- College of Geographical Science, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010022, China; Provincial Key Laboratory of Mongolian Plateau's Climate System, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China; Inner Mongolia Plateau Key Laboratory of Disaster and Ecological Security, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010022, China.
| | - Tao Dai
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Institute of Mineral Resources, CAGS, Beijing 100037, China.
| | - Yanling Ma
- College of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010022, China.
| | - Tianming Gao
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Institute of Mineral Resources, CAGS, Beijing 100037, China
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9
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Smith E, Bilec MM, Khanna V. Evaluating the Global Plastic Waste Management System with Markov Chain Material Flow Analysis. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2023; 11:2055-2065. [PMID: 36969727 PMCID: PMC10034734 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c04270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We present a global Markov chain-based material flow analysis of plastic waste of all types to estimate global virgin waste generation and waste mismanagement rates. We model nine alternative scenarios related to the elimination of plastic waste trade and improvements at various stages of the recycling chain, including "limitless" recycling promised by certain new chemical recycling technologies. We found that the elimination of trade increased global mismanagement when displaced waste was disposed but decreased mismanagement when it was instead recycled. Recycling scenarios showed little benefit for limitless recycling without prior increases in collection rates, which are currently the main constraint in the recycling chain. The most ambitious scenario only led to a 34% decrease in virgin waste generation. While significant, this implies that, given our current 40% mismanagement rate and 2050 forecasts of waste generation, landfilling and incineration capacity must increase 2.5-fold in addition to these extreme recycling targets to eliminate waste mismanagement. These results highlight the requirement for waste exporters to increase domestic recycling capacity as trade restrictions become tighter and express the urgent global need for alternative waste reduction interventions in addition to recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elijah Smith
- Department
of Industrial Engineering, University of
Pittsburgh, 3700 O’Hara Street, 1025 Benedum Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15261, United States
| | - Melissa M. Bilec
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O’Hara Street, 742 Benedum Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15261, United States
| | - Vikas Khanna
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O’Hara Street, 742 Benedum Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15261, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University
of Pittsburgh, 3700 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15261, United States
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Qiao D, Dai T, Wang G, Ma Y, Fan H, Gao T, Wen B. Exploring potential opportunities for the efficient development of the cobalt industry in China by quantitatively tracking cobalt flows during the entire life cycle from 2000 to 2021. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 318:115599. [PMID: 35780676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Owing to its key role in high-tech industry and clean energy technology, cobalt has been regarded as a critical material in many countries. In this paper, material flow analysis was used to quantitatively track cobalt material flows in China throughout the entire life cycle from 2000 to 2021. Based on data pertaining to cobalt commodity trade, cobalt loss during raw material processing, and recovered cobalt, we analysed the actual cobalt consumption in China. During the study period from 2000 to 2021, the main findings were as follows: (1) China's cobalt raw material imports accounted for 84.7% of the total raw materials acquired, while the export of cobalt-containing end products amounted to 32.6% of the total production. (2) China's cumulative net import of all cobalt commodities reached 561 kt, and battery products accounted for 73.3% of the total cobalt consumption. (3) China recovered 77 kt of cobalt from end-of-life products, while 327 kt of cobalt was not recovered. (4) The cumulative cobalt loss during raw material processing reached 288 kt, with the highest loss occurring in refining (51.0%), followed by manufacturing and fabrication (26.5%), beneficiation (12.3%), and ore mining (10.2%). The overall utilization efficiency of cobalt was 73.8% throughout the entire life cycle. (5) China's actual cobalt consumption reached 497 kt, accounting for 51.9% of the apparent cobalt consumption. Moreover, 61.1% of the cobalt products produced in China was consumed domestically, while 38.9% was exported. The massive export of cobalt commodities resulted in China bearing a disproportionate responsibility for carbon emission reduction. The research results can provide a scientific reference for the reasonable adjustment of the trade structure of cobalt commodities and realization of the economic and efficient utilization of cobalt resources in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghai Qiao
- College of Geographical Science, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010022, China; Inner Mongolia Plateau Key Laboratory of Disaster and Ecological Security, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010022, China.
| | - Tao Dai
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Institute of Mineral Resources, CAGS, Beijing, 100037, China.
| | - Gaoshang Wang
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Institute of Mineral Resources, CAGS, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Yanling Ma
- College of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010022, China
| | - Hailong Fan
- School of Construction Machinery, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710064, China
| | - Tianming Gao
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Institute of Mineral Resources, CAGS, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Bojie Wen
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Institute of Mineral Resources, CAGS, Beijing, 100037, China
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11
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Liu Q, Sun K, Ouyang X, Sen B, Liu L, Dai T, Liu G. Tracking Three Decades of Global Neodymium Stocks and Flows with a Trade-Linked Multiregional Material Flow Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:11807-11817. [PMID: 35920659 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Neodymium (Nd), an essential type of rare earth element, has attracted increasing attention in recent years due to its significant role in emerging technologies and its globally imbalanced demand and supply. Understanding the global and regional Nd stocks and flows would thus be important for understanding and mitigating potential supply risks. In this work, we applied a trade-linked multiregional material flow analysis to map the global and regional neodymium cycles from 1990 to 2020. We reveal increasingly complex trade patterns of Nd-containing products and a clearly dominant but slightly weakening role of China in the global Nd trade (for both raw materials and semi- and final products) along the life cycle in the last 30 years. A total of 880 kt Nd was mined accumulatively and flowed into the global socioeconomic system, mainly as NdFeB permanent magnets (79%) in semi-products and conventional vehicles and home appliances (together 48%) in final products. Approximately 64% (i.e., 563 kt Nd) of all the mined Nd globally were not recycled, indicating a largely untapped potential of recycling in securing Nd supply and an urgency to overcome the present technological and non-technical challenges. The global Nd cycle in the past three decades is characterized by different but complementary roles of different regions along the global Nd value chain: China dominates in the provision of raw materials and semi- and final products, Japan focuses on the manufacturing of magnets and electronics, and the United States and European Union show advantages in the vehicle industry. Anticipating increasing demand of Nd in emerging energy and transport technologies in the future, more coordinated efforts among different regions and increased recycling are urgently needed for ensuring both regional and global Nd supply and demand balance and a common green future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiance Liu
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Green Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Kun Sun
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Green Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Xin Ouyang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Burak Sen
- SAU Center for Research & Development, and Applied Research (SARGEM), Faculty of Engineering, Sakarya University, 54050 Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Litao Liu
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Tao Dai
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and China Geological Survey, 100037 Beijing, China
| | - Gang Liu
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Green Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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12
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Gao Z, Geng Y, Xiao S, Zhuang M. Mapping the Global Anthropogenic Chromium Cycle: Implications for Resource Efficiency and Potential Supply Risk. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:10904-10915. [PMID: 35822514 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00709] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Chromium (Cr) is a critical metal due to its non-substitutable application in the metallurgy industry and highly uneven distribution of global reserve. However, there is a lack of in-depth analysis of global Cr flow patterns and its trade networks among individual cycles, which leaves the potential barriers and opportunities unexplored for improving chromium resource efficiency. Here, we employ a trade-linked multilevel material flow analysis (MFA) to map the global anthropogenic Cr cycle for year 2019. Social network analysis is also used to identify the key countries involved in the global Cr trade network. The results highlight that the global Cr cycle depends substantially on international trade in different forms, of which stainless steel is the leading application. Although South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Turkey are the major Cr primary resource suppliers, China and India play substantial roles in manufacturing Cr-containing products. Regional disparities exist in the scrap contents of individual country cycles, varying from 7% (uncertainty ranges from 4 to 11%) in China to 88% (uncertainty ranges from 87 to 89%) in India. Additionally, several countries are essential in the global Cr redistribution and in the connectivity of the Cr trade network, which may lead to their strong import dependence and even supply disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan Gao
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yong Geng
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- China Institute for Urban Governance, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 1954, Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Shijiang Xiao
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Mufan Zhuang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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13
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LAYERS: A Decision-Support Tool to Illustrate and Assess the Supply and Value Chain for the Energy Transition. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14127120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Climate change mitigation strategies are developed at international, national, and local authority levels. Technological solutions such as renewable energies (RE) and electric vehicles (EV) have geographically widespread knock-on effects on raw materials. In this paper, a decision-support and data-visualization tool named “LAYERS” is presented, which applies a material flow analysis to illustrate the complex connections along supply chains for carbon technologies. A case study focuses on cobalt for lithium-ion batteries (LIB) required for EVs. It relates real business data from mining and manufacturing to actual EV registrations in the UK to visualize the intended and unintended consequences of the demand for cobalt. LAYERS integrates a geographic information systems (GIS) architecture, database scheme, and whole series of stored procedures and functions. By means of a 3D visualization based on GIS, LAYERS conveys a clear understanding of the location of raw materials (from reserves, to mining, refining, manufacturing, and use) across the globe. This highlights to decision makers the often hidden but far-reaching geo-political implications of the growing demands for a range of raw materials that are needed to meet long-term carbon-reduction targets.
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14
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Plank B, Streeck J, Virág D, Krausmann F, Haberl H, Wiedenhofer D. Compilation of an economy-wide material flow database for 14 stock-building materials in 177 countries from 1900 to 2016. MethodsX 2022; 9:101654. [PMID: 35402170 PMCID: PMC8987645 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2022.101654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
International datasets on economy-wide material flows currently fail to comprehensively cover the quantitatively most important materials and countries, to provide centennial coverage and to differentiate between processing stages. These data gaps hamper research and policy on resource use. Herein, we present and document the data processing and compilation procedures applied to develop a novel economy-wide database of primary stock-building material flows systematically covering 177 countries from 1900- 2016. The main methodological novelty is the consistent integration of material flow accounting and analysis principles and thereby addresses limitations in terms of transparency, data quality and uncertainty treatment. The database systematically discerns four processing stages from raw materials extraction, to processing of raw and semi-finished products, to manufacturing of stock-building materials. Included materials are concrete, asphalt, bricks, timber products, paper, iron & steel, aluminium, copper, lead, zinc, other metals, plastics, container and flat glass. The database is compiled using international and national data sources, using a transparent and consistent 10-step procedure, as well as a systematic uncertainty assessment. Apart from a detailed documentation of the data compilation, validations of the database using data from previous studies and additional uncertainty estimates are presented. • Systematically compiled historical database of primary stock-building material flows for 177 countries. • Consistent integration of economy-wide material flow accounting and detailed material flow analysis principles. • Methodological enhancements in terms of transparency, data quality and uncertainty treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Plank
- Institute of Social Ecology, BOKU Vienna; Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna 1070, Austria
| | - Jan Streeck
- Institute of Social Ecology, BOKU Vienna; Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna 1070, Austria
| | - Doris Virág
- Institute of Social Ecology, BOKU Vienna; Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna 1070, Austria
| | - Fridolin Krausmann
- Institute of Social Ecology, BOKU Vienna; Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna 1070, Austria
| | - Helmut Haberl
- Institute of Social Ecology, BOKU Vienna; Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna 1070, Austria
| | - Dominik Wiedenhofer
- Institute of Social Ecology, BOKU Vienna; Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna 1070, Austria
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15
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Billy RG, Monnier L, Nybakke E, Isaksen M, Müller DB. Systemic Approaches for Emission Reduction in Industrial Plants Based on Physical Accounting: Example for an Aluminum Smelter. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:1973-1982. [PMID: 35042334 PMCID: PMC8812049 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting in industrial plants usually has multiple purposes, including mandatory reporting, shareholder and stakeholder communication, developing key performance indicators (KPIs), or informing cost-effective mitigation options. Current carbon accounting systems, such as the one required by the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS), ignore the system context in which emissions occur. This hampers the identification and evaluation of comprehensive mitigation strategies considering linkages between materials, energy, and emissions. Here, we propose a carbon accounting method based on multilevel material flow analysis (MFA), which aims at addressing this gap. Using a Norwegian primary aluminum production plant as an example, we analyzed the material stocks and flows within this plant for total mass flows of goods as well as substances such as aluminum and carbon. The results show that the MFA-based accounting (i) is more robust than conventional tools due to mass balance consistency and higher granularity, (ii) allows monitoring the performance of the company and defines meaningful KPIs, (iii) can be used as a basis for the EU ETS reporting and linked to internal reporting, (iv) enables the identification and evaluation of systemic solutions and resource efficiency strategies for reducing emissions, and (v) has the potential to save costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain G. Billy
- Industrial
Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Louis Monnier
- Industrial
Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
- Utopies, 25 Rue Titon, 75011 Paris, France
| | - Even Nybakke
- Hydro
Aluminium, Drammensveien 264, 0283 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Daniel B. Müller
- Industrial
Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
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16
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Wang W, Chen WQ, Diao ZW, Ciacci L, Pourzahedi L, Eckelman MJ, Yang Y, Shi L. Multidimensional Analyses Reveal Unequal Resource, Economic, and Environmental Gains and Losses among the Global Aluminum Trade Leaders. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:7102-7112. [PMID: 33913696 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Disputes around trade inequality have been growing over the last 2 decades, with different countries claiming inequality in different terms including monetary deficits, resource appropriation and degradation, and environmental emission transfer. Despite prior input-output-based studies analyzing multidimensional trade consequences at the sector level, there is a lack of bottom-up studies that uncover the complexity of trade imbalances at the product level. This paper quantifies four types of flows, monetary, resource, embodied energy use, and embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resulting from aluminum trade for the four economies with the highest aluminum trade, that is, the United States, China, Japan, and Australia. Results show that the United States has a negative balance in monetary flows but a positive balance in resource flows, embodied energy use, and GHG emissions. China has a positive balance in monetary and resource flows but a negative balance in embodied energy use and GHG emissions. Japan has a positive balance in all flows, while Australia has a negative balance in all flows. These heterogeneous gains and losses along the global leaders of aluminum trade arise largely from their different trade structures and the heterogeneities of price, energy use, and GHG emission intensities of aluminum products; for example, Japan mainly imports unwrought aluminum, and its quantity is 3 times that of the exported semis and finished aluminum-containing products that have similar energy and GHG emission intensities but 20 times higher prices, while Australia mainly exports bauxite and alumina that have the lowest prices, the quantity of which is 25 times that of imported semis and finished products. This study suggests that resource-related trade inequalities are not uniform across economic and environmental impacts and that trade policies must be carefully considered from various dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanjun Wang
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Fujian Institute of Innovation, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China
| | - Wei-Qiang Chen
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Fujian Institute of Innovation, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China
| | - Zhou-Wei Diao
- BP (China) Investment Company Limited., Beijing 100020, China
| | - Luca Ciacci
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna 40136, Italy
| | - Leila Pourzahedi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Matthew J Eckelman
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yi Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China.,Environmental Studies Program, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Lei Shi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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17
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Yizhong W, Ye H, Qunwei W, Dequn Z, Bin S. Cleaner production vs end-of-pipe treatment: Evidence from industrial SO 2 emissions abatement in China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 277:111429. [PMID: 33069148 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the roles and regional differences associated with cleaner production (CP) and end-of-pipe treatment (ET) can provide valuable information for the reduction of pollutant emissions. Considering the differences of these impact pathways, this paper proposes a two-stage decomposition method for investigating the contributions of CP and ET to the reduction of pollutant emissions. This two-stage method enhances the accuracy and obtainable detail of the decomposition results. Then, empirical research was conducted by decomposing the changes of China's industrial sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions during 2005-2015. At the national level, CP and ET both decreased Chinese SO2 emissions, and CP has become the dominant approach for SO2 emission reduction in 2010-2015. Moreover, coal pollution intensity and treatment strength are key factors that need to be improved in CP and ET, respectively. At the provincial level, CP exerts a stronger impact on SO2 emission differences among different regions, while ET exerts less impact on SO2 emission differences among different regions. Based on the decomposition results, this paper presents targeted policy implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Yizhong
- College of Economics and Management &Research Centre for Soft Energy Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
| | - Hang Ye
- College of Economics and Management &Research Centre for Soft Energy Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
| | - Wang Qunwei
- College of Economics and Management &Research Centre for Soft Energy Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China.
| | - Zhou Dequn
- College of Economics and Management &Research Centre for Soft Energy Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
| | - Su Bin
- Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore, 119620, Singapore.
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18
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Liu Q, Cao Z, Liu X, Liu L, Dai T, Han J, Duan H, Wang C, Wang H, Liu J, Cai G, Mao R, Wang G, Tan J, Li S, Liu G. Product and Metal Stocks Accumulation of China's Megacities: Patterns, Drivers, and Implications. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:4128-4139. [PMID: 30865821 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The rapid urbanization in China since the 1970s has led to an exponential growth of metal stocks (MS) in use in cities. A retrospect on the quantity, quality, and patterns of these MS is a prerequisite for projecting future metal demand, identifying urban mining potentials of metals, and informing sustainable urbanization strategies. Here, we deployed a bottom-up stock accounting method to estimate stocks of iron, copper, and aluminum embodied in 51 categories of products and infrastructure across 10 Chinese megacities from 1980 to 2016. We found that the MS in Chinese megacities had reached a level of 2.6-6.3 t/cap (on average 3.7 t/cap for iron, 58 kg/cap for copper, and 151 kg/cap for aluminum) in 2016, which still remained behind the level of western cities or potential saturation level on the country level (e.g., approximately 13 t/cap for iron). Economic development was identified as the most powerful driver for MS growth based on an IPAT decomposition analysis, indicating further increase in MS as China's urbanization and economic growth continues in the next decades. The latecomer cities should therefore explore a wide range of strategies, from urban planning to economy structure to regulations, for a transition toward more "metal-efficient" urbanization pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiance Liu
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Environmental Technology , University of Southern Denmark , 5230 Odense , Denmark
- Sino-Danish College , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , 100049 Beijing , China
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 100101 Beijing , China
| | - Zhi Cao
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Environmental Technology , University of Southern Denmark , 5230 Odense , Denmark
| | - Xiaojie Liu
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 100101 Beijing , China
| | - Litao Liu
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 100101 Beijing , China
| | - Tao Dai
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources , Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and Chinese Geological Survey , 100037 Beijing , China
| | - Ji Han
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences , East China Normal University , 200062 Shanghai , China
- Institute of Eco-Chongming , Shanghai 200062 , China
| | - Huabo Duan
- School of Civil Engineering , Shenzhen University , 518060 Shenzhen , China
| | - Chang Wang
- Institute of Metal Resources Strategy, School of Business , Central South University , 410083 Changsha , China
| | - Heming Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Eco-Industry , Northeastern University , 110819 Shenyang , China
| | - Jun Liu
- School of Tourism , Sichuan University , 610064 Chengdu , China
| | - Guotian Cai
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion , Chinese Academy of Science , 510640 Guangzhou , China
| | - Ruichang Mao
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Environmental Technology , University of Southern Denmark , 5230 Odense , Denmark
| | - Gaoshang Wang
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources , Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and Chinese Geological Survey , 100037 Beijing , China
| | - Juan Tan
- Centre for Minerals and Materials (MiMa) , Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) , 1350 Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Shenggong Li
- Sino-Danish College , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , 100049 Beijing , China
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 100101 Beijing , China
| | - Gang Liu
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Environmental Technology , University of Southern Denmark , 5230 Odense , Denmark
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 100101 Beijing , China
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19
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Yu B, Deng S, Liu G, Yang C, Chen Z, Hill CJ, Wu J. Nighttime Light Images Reveal Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of Global Anthropogenic Resources Accumulation above Ground. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:11520-11527. [PMID: 30207716 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization and industrialization represent largely a process of transforming materials from biosphere and lithosphere to anthroposphere. Understanding the patterns of such anthropogenic material stock accumulation is thus a fundamental prerequisite to assess and sustain how humans alter the biophysical movements of resources around Earth. Previous studies on these anthropogenic stocks, however, are often limited to the global and national scales, due to data gaps at higher spatial resolutions. Here, based on a new set of national materials stock data and nighttime light images, we developed a regression model to map the global anthropogenic stocks of three fundamental construction materials (steel, concrete, and aluminum) at a 1 × 1 km level from 1992 to 2008. We revealed an unevenly distributed pattern, with over 40% found in three belts: from England across the Channel to Western Europe; from eastern coast China to South Korea and Japan; and from Great Lakes along eastern coast of United States to Florida. The spatial-temporal dynamics of global anthropogenic stocks at smaller spatial scales reflect a combined effect of physical geography, architectural and construction specifications, and socioeconomic development. Our results provide useful data that can potentially support policy-makers and industry on resource efficiency, waste management, urban mining, spatial planning, and environmental sustainability at regional and urban scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
- School of Geographic Sciences , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
| | - Shunqiang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
- School of Geographic Sciences , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
| | - Gang Liu
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Environmental Technology , University of Southern Denmark , 5230 Odense , Denmark
| | - Chengshu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
- School of Geographic Sciences , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
| | - Zuoqi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
- School of Geographic Sciences , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
| | - Catherine Jane Hill
- SDU Life Cycle Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Environmental Technology , University of Southern Denmark , 5230 Odense , Denmark
| | - Jianping Wu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
- School of Geographic Sciences , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
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20
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Rosa LMT, Botero WG, Santos JCC, Cacuro TA, Waldman WR, do Carmo JB, de Oliveira LC. Natural organic matter residue as a low cost adsorbent for aluminum. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 215:91-99. [PMID: 29567556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of aquatic and terrestrial environments by potentially toxic metals is highlighted by the possible impacts that their high availability can have on the environment. Thus, the development of alternative absorbents that can be used in the remediation of contaminated areas is of great environmental interest. Humin, one of the fractions of natural organic matter, is a promising alternative in studies on the retention of different metals that are environmentally toxic. In this study, the influence of the organic and inorganic humin constituents that are involved in the retention of aluminum species was evaluated. After extraction and calcination to obtain the ashes (inorganic constituents), humin and ash samples were structurally characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Interaction studies between aluminum-humin and ash-humin were performed in the pH range of 4.0-8.0 and with various contact times. The results of the characterization of humin and ash showed different functional groups present in the structures of these materials. Based on the results of the interaction between humin-aluminum and ash-aluminum, it can be inferred that both the organic and inorganic components of humin are efficient at absorbing aluminum. However, the adsorption isotherms showed that humin and the ashes have different adsorption behaviors. Humin is the only fraction of natural organic matter with a significant inorganic constituent content; it is the fraction least used by researchers in this field and is often discarded as waste. In light of this, the results obtained in this work highlight the importance of humin as a natural adsorbent material. Humin may be promising for the removal of aluminum species in contaminated environments due to the presence of organic and inorganic constituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Maria Tavares Rosa
- Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, São Paulo 18052-780, Brazil
| | - Wander Gustavo Botero
- Federal University of Alagoas, Graduate Program in Chemistry and Biotechnology, Alagoas 57072-900, Brazil
| | | | - Thiago Aguiar Cacuro
- Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, São Paulo 18052-780, Brazil
| | - Walter Ruggeri Waldman
- Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, São Paulo 18052-780, Brazil
| | - Janaina Braga do Carmo
- Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, São Paulo 18052-780, Brazil
| | - Luciana Camargo de Oliveira
- Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, São Paulo 18052-780, Brazil.
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21
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Zhang L, Chen T, Yang J, Cai Z, Sheng H, Yuan Z, Wu H. Characterizing copper flows in international trade of China, 1975-2015. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 601-602:1238-1246. [PMID: 28605841 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the economic reform, China has actively participated in the global market with rapid industrialization and gradually dominated the utilization and consumption of some critical materials, one of which is copper. China has reigned the global anthropogenic cycle of copper since 2004. We explore copper flows along with the international trade of China during 1975-2015, through life cycle lens, from ore to final products. Our main finding is that China has become more active in the copper-related trade, indicated by its great increase in trade volume and the number of trade partners. The physical volume of copper flows through trade increased over 119 times between 1975 and 2015, mainly because of more imported raw materials of copper and exported copper products. Generally, China is a net importer of copper, with increasing import dependence through the study period, whereas the degree of dependence slightly decreased from 2010 to 2015. The indicator of Export Support Rate took a decreasing percentage, which has fallen about 35% since 2010. It suggests China's changing position in the global resource and manufacturing market. In terms of trade price of different copper products, the price of imported copper concentrate was noticeably higher than that of exported one, revealing the poor copper resource endowment of China; while the different trend of copper semis in recent years signifies that China is in urgent need to improve its capability of producing high value-added semis. From international trade perspective, the copper resource of China presented stable supply as well as demand. The One Belt One Road strategy proposed by the state will further expand both the resource and market of copper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, PR China
| | - Tianming Chen
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Jiameng Yang
- College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, PR China
| | - Zhijian Cai
- College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, PR China
| | - Hu Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Zengwei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
| | - Huijun Wu
- School of earth and environment, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, PR China
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22
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Allesch A, Brunner PH. Material Flow Analysis as a Tool to improve Waste Management Systems: The Case of Austria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:540-551. [PMID: 27936630 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This paper demonstrates the power of material flow analysis (MFA) for designing waste management (WM) systems and for supporting decisions with regards to given environmental and resource goals. Based on a comprehensive case study of a nationwide WM-system, advantages and drawbacks of a mass balance approach are discussed. Using the software STAN, a material flow system comprising all relevant inputs, stocks and outputs of wastes, products, residues, and emissions is established and quantified. Material balances on the level of goods and selected substances (C, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, N, Ni, P, Pb, Zn) are developed to characterize this WM-system. The MFA results serve well as a base for further assessments. Based on given goals, stakeholders engaged in this study selected the following seven criteria for evaluating their WM-system: (i) waste input into the system, (ii) export of waste (iii) gaseous emissions from waste treatment plants, (iv) long-term gaseous and liquid emissions from landfills, (v) waste being recycled, (vi) waste for energy recovery, (vii) total waste landfilled. By scenario analysis, strengths and weaknesses of different measures were identified. The results reveal the benefits of a mass balance approach due to redundancy, data consistency, and transparency for optimization, design, and decision making in WM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Allesch
- Vienna University of Technology , Institute for Water Quality, Resource and Waste Management, Karlsplatz 13/226, A-1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul H Brunner
- Vienna University of Technology , Institute for Water Quality, Resource and Waste Management, Karlsplatz 13/226, A-1040 Vienna, Austria
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Gamaletsos PN, Godelitsas A, Kasama T, Kuzmin A, Lagos M, Mertzimekis TJ, Göttlicher J, Steininger R, Xanthos S, Pontikes Y, Angelopoulos GN, Zarkadas C, Komelkov A, Tzamos E, Filippidis A. The role of nano-perovskite in the negligible thorium release in seawater from Greek bauxite residue (red mud). Sci Rep 2016; 6:21737. [PMID: 26899139 PMCID: PMC4761986 DOI: 10.1038/srep21737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We present new data about the chemical and structural characteristics of bauxite residue (BR) from Greek Al industry, using a combination of microscopic, analytical, and spectroscopic techniques. SEM-EDS indicated a homogeneous dominant “Al-Fe-Ca-Ti-Si-Na-Cr matrix”, appearing at the microscale. The bulk chemical analyses showed considerable levels of Th (111 μg g−1), along with minor U (15 μg g−1), which are responsible for radioactivity (355 and 133 Bq kg−1 for 232Th and 238U, respectively) with a total dose rate of 295 nGy h−1. Leaching experiments, in conjunction with SF-ICP-MS, using Mediterranean seawater from Greece, indicated significant release of V, depending on S/L ratio, and negligible release of Th at least after 12 months leaching. STEM-EDS/EELS & HR-STEM-HAADF study of the leached BR at the nanoscale revealed that the significant immobility of Th4+ is due to its incorporation into an insoluble perovskite-type phase with major composition of Ca0.8Na0.2TiO3 and crystallites observed in nanoscale. The Th LIII-edge EXAFS spectra demonstrated that Th4+ ions, which are hosted in this novel nano-perovskite of BR, occupy Ca2+ sites, rather than Ti4+ sites. That is most likely the reason of no Th release in Mediterranean seawater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Platon N Gamaletsos
- Center for Electron Nanoscopy, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,Faculty of Geology &Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15784 Athens, Greece.,Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, ANKA Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Athanasios Godelitsas
- Faculty of Geology &Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Takeshi Kasama
- Center for Electron Nanoscopy, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alexei Kuzmin
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Kengaraga str. 8, 1063 Riga, Latvia
| | - Markus Lagos
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Theo J Mertzimekis
- Faculty of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Jörg Göttlicher
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, ANKA Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Ralph Steininger
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, ANKA Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Stelios Xanthos
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nuclear Technology Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Automation Engineering, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Yiannis Pontikes
- KU Leuven, Department of Materials Engineering, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Evangelos Tzamos
- School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anestis Filippidis
- School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Olson DL. Systems perspective of the primary aluminum supply chain: Unintended consequences of participant policies. HUMAN SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT 2015. [DOI: 10.3233/hsm-130851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Supply chains have been proposed as complex adaptive systems. This paper looks at the global aluminum supply chain network in those terms. Developments in this industry have included formation of a cartel by bauxite producing countries, emergence of Australia as a leading producer, the collapse of communism in Europe, and the rise of Chinese production in all phases of primary aluminum production. Complex adaptive systems literature is reviewed, and the world aluminum production system described. This includes identification of system elements, their relationships, interactions, and developments. Analysis in terms of how this production system exhibits complex adaptive systemic behavior across the supply chain is provided. The decentralized behavior of the overall primary aluminum system provides understanding of how individual agents, be they multinational firms, individual governments, or cartels are unable to totally control the system in the long run.
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Müller E, Hilty LM, Widmer R, Schluep M, Faulstich M. Modeling metal stocks and flows: a review of dynamic material flow analysis methods. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:2102-13. [PMID: 24494583 DOI: 10.1021/es403506a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic material flow analysis (MFA) is a frequently used method to assess past, present, and future stocks and flows of metals in the anthroposphere. Over the past fifteen years, dynamic MFA has contributed to increased knowledge about the quantities, qualities, and locations of metal-containing goods. This article presents a literature review of the methodologies applied in 60 dynamic MFAs of metals. The review is based on a standardized model description format, the ODD (overview, design concepts, details) protocol. We focus on giving a comprehensive overview of modeling approaches and structure them according to essential aspects, such as their treatment of material dissipation, spatial dimension of flows, or data uncertainty. The reviewed literature features similar basic modeling principles but very diverse extrapolation methods. Basic principles include the calculation of outflows of the in-use stock based on inflow or stock data and a lifetime distribution function. For extrapolating stocks and flows, authors apply constant, linear, exponential, and logistic models or approaches based on socioeconomic variables, such as regression models or the intensity-of-use hypothesis. The consideration and treatment of further aspects, such as dissipation, spatial distribution, and data uncertainty, vary significantly and highly depends on the objectives of each study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Müller
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology , Technology and Society Laboratory, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
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