International Journal of Environmental Engineering (5 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Assessment of the Management System for Lubricant Oils and Used Lubricant Oils: The case of Mozambique  
  by Malaquias Zildo Antonio Tsambe, Pita Raul Sitoe, Herieta Massango 
  Abstract: This study aims to analyse the Mozambican used lubricant oil (ULO) management system and review the probable environmental impacts of its inappropriate disposal. The assessment was based on the identification of the different sources of ULO generation in the ingrowth automotive and industrial park in Mozambique. The quantification included an estimate of the level of consumption of lubricant oil with a view to determining the level of the ULO generation. From 2010 to 2019, Mozambique registered consumption of around 1,290.61 tons of lubricant oil, with a generation of around 1,051.84 tons of ULO. In terms of distribution, the automotive sector is the most consumers with around 56%, followed by the industrial sector with 30% and the rest 14% in diverse automotive equipment. The generations of ULO constitute an environmental problem since it was noted an absence of specific legislation to be applied for lubricant and ULO system.
  Keywords: lubricant oil; used lubricant oil; ULO; oil management assessment.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2023.10048447
   
  
• Adsorption investigation of physico-chemical characteristics of different water samples by coalesce Coconut shell  
  by Mehvish Bilal, Simarjot Kaur, Jasir Mushtaq 
  Abstract: Adsorption of physico-chemical characteristics from solid surfaces is an important technique for removing them from wastewater (WW) and dyeing water (DyW). Adsorbent from coconut shells was synthesised and used for the analysis of various physico-chemical characteristics of different water samples. The study aims to turn the physico-chemical parameters of WW and DyW to neutral by using an adsorbent within a contact period of 2 hours (h). The findings depicted that the pH value of WW and DyW attained a neutral value of 7.01 and 7.4 after using an adsorbent. Further, the potential of prepared adsorbent for the removal of excess chlorine was evaluated for WW and DyW, which have depicted concentration values of 0.78 and 0.51 mg/L. The outcomes suggested that industrial waste can be utilised as a low-cost alternative to commercial adsorbents for removing pollutants from a variety of water samples.
  Keywords: adsorption; coconut shell; wastewater; dyeing water; DyW.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2023.10049957
   
  
• Influencing factors of provincial population mortality in China from the perspective of environment  
  by Bizhen Chen, Minjie Li, Yihui Chen 
  Abstract: As the environment deteriorates, research on influencing factors of population mortality can significantly reduce mortality through environmental protection and reduction of carbon emissions, and ultimately achieve the goal of sustainable development. This paper analyses the spatial and temporal evolution trend and influencing factors of population mortality in provinces in China. The conclusions are as follows: 1) Chinas overall population mortality rate showed an upward trend from 2004 to 2018. Moreover, population mortality rates in the central and western regions were higher than that in the eastern region; 2) The influence of environmental factors on population mortality had obvious spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Specifically, the waste gas pollution had a positive effect on population mortality. The wastewater pollution would not increase population mortality as a whole. Medical and health resources had a negative impact on population mortality. The increase in the number of medical and health personnel can effectively reduce mortality.
  Keywords: population mortality; social environment; natural environment; environmental factors; best subset selection; BSS; geographically and temporally weighted regression; GTWR; waste gas pollution; wastewater pollution; medical and health resources.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2024.10053438
   
  
• Design and Evaluation of Ecological Index for Small and Medium-sized Cities in Yangtze River Delta  
  by Wang Guilin 
  Abstract: In order to strike the right balance between protection and development, we have established ecological index evaluation system and evaluated the ecological index for small and medium-sized cities of Yangtze River Delta by the entropy index method, and the driving forces of environment change and the mechanisms of their effects were revealed. The results have showed that: 1) the main driving factors affecting the environment change were air quality, urbanisation rate, income, number of vehicles, green coverage ratio; 2) the averages ecological index of 57 cities is 66.82, the average ecological index in Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui is 73.06, 66.01, 65.58, 56.21, respectively; there are significant differences in ecological indexes among regions; 3) the differences in the rankings of different sub-indexes in the same city are large, showing that each having its own advantages and disadvantages; 4) human activities have an increasing significant impact on the environment. Finally, countermeasures and suggestions for the functional maintenance were proposed.
  Keywords: ecological index; environmental pollution; entropy index.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2024.10054505
   
  

Special Issue on: Sustainability of Environmental Engineering in the 21st Century

• Sustainability Development in Geotechnical Conceptual Design  
  by N.U.R. IRFAH MOHD PAUZI, Zakaria Che Muda, Mohd Shahril Mat Radhi 
  Abstract: The sustainability development in geotechnical conceptual design is to be developed for future generation. A tool box which consist of materials selection for construction, cost factor, life cycle cost analysis, construction method, technical, time, safety and public health, societal, culture, legal, environmental control are developed for sustainability in geotechnical area. This concept is critical when planning for the sustainability in the geotechnical conceptual design. The geotechnical work is the first stage in construction that will determine the success of the project in preserving the environment. Geotechnical for the earthwork design will decide the appropriate platform levels and profiles for the construction site which to reduce the environmental impact. In conclusion, the sustainability of the geotechnical engineering must take into account the eco-centric, techno-centric and socio-centric aspect of its development. The development in construction usually consider the technology but impacting the environmental and societal requirement. For the future generation benefit, the present resources should be preserved from depleting to maintain the sustainability needs of the later generations.
  Keywords: Sustainability development; environmental control; societal impact; geotechnical conceptual design.