An analysis of the association among carbon dioxide emissions, energy consumption and economic performance: an econometric model

This work is intended to present an investigation into the macroeconomic reasons for carbon dioxide emissions in Pakistan for the period 1971–2016. This study adds to the current empirical literature on the association among carbon dioxide emissions, energy consumption, economic growth and the level of investment in Pakistan. The data has been checked for its stationarity by applying the augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test, and then a cointegration test helped in the estimation of long-run equilibrium association between environmental variables. The outcomes of the co-integration test suggest the presence of a long-run equilibrium connection between series. The results of Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) demonstrate that all variables transform to sustain long-run equilibrium. The outcomes of a Granger causality test showed that causality runs from economic performance and population toward CO2 emissions, while bi-directional causality is found between carbon dioxide emissions and energy usage, and carbon dioxide emissions and trade openness. The results of cumulative sum of recursive residuals (CUSUM) and cumulative sum of recursive residuals squares (CUSUMSQ) show the stability of the functional relationship established in the present work, which implies that this model is an adequate and useful tool for strategy formulation. So, an upsurge or a decrease in macroeconomic series will cause and has caused variations in carbon dioxide emissions in the long run in Pakistan

Potassium ferrite nanoparticles on DAP to formulate slow release fertilizer with auxiliary nutrients

Low use efficiency of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is major challenge of modern agriculture. Coating of conventional fertilizers with nanomaterials is a promising technique for improved nutrient use efficiency. In current study, nanoparticles (NPs) of potassium ferrite (KFeO2 NPs) were coated on di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer with three rates (2, 5, 10%) of KFeO2 NPs and were evaluated for release of N, P, K and Fe supplementation in clay loam and loam soil up to 60 days. The NPs were characterized for crystal assemblage, bond formation, morphology and configuration using the x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform-infra red spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results showed that size of NPs ranged between 7 and 18 nm. The controlled release of P in 10% KFeO2 nano-coated DAP was observed throughout the incubation period. The P release kept on increasing from day-1 (14.5 µg g−1) to day-60 (178.6 µg g−1) in coated DAP (10%) in loam soil. The maximum release of 50.4 µg g−1 NH4+1-N in coated DAP (10%) was observed after 30 days of incubation. The release of NO3−1-N was consistent up to 45 and 60 days in clay loam and loam soil, respectively. The average release of potassium and iron in 60 days was 19.7 µg g−1 and 7.3 µg g−1 higher in 10% coated DAP than traditional DAP in clay loam soil. It was concluded that KFeO2 nano-coated DAP supplied P and mineral N for longer period of time in both soils, and some higher coating levels should be tested in future