Cleaner production for achieving the sustainable development goals

Cleaner production is a lively concept in which new procedures and technologies constantly emerge introducing methods and practices to prevent damages to the environment. A broad range of cleaner production initiatives contribute to sustainable development not only through the efficient management of resources and energy, but also through the development of new and smart technologies, new ways of assisting policies development, and organizing supply chains, sectors and individual companies. The authors of this Virtual Special Issue sought to introduce first-hand knowledge and discussions identifying and highlighting the ways cleaner production can contribute to reach the United Nations sustainable development targets. The intent of the Virtual Special Issue is to provide an overview of the recent trends that cleaner production practitioners/researchers are following in the chase of the sustainable development goals, and in this context, this editorial was designed to summarize and underscore the link between cleaner production concepts and practices and the sustainable development goals. An adequate response to this challenge required scientific knowledge and reassessment of the papers ensuring that the science is responsive to the evolving needs of sustainable development. This Virtual Special Issue of the Journal of Cleaner Production is mainly dedicated to the 7th International Workshop on Advances in Cleaner Production, held at Universidad de La Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia on 21–22 June 2018. Based upon the examination of the papers of this Virtual Special Issue, the authors were able to establish that there is an pressing need for research on the assessment on which/when cleaner production interventions are more effective; inter and multidisciplinary cooperation among social and technical scientists to distinguish and address the cleaner production/sustainable development goals interactions and connect cleaner production solutions and large-scale sustainability approaches

Fast methodology for the reliable determination of nonylphenol in water samples by minimal labeling isotope dilution mass spectrometry

In this work we have developed and validated an accurate and fast methodology for the determination of 4-nonylphenol (technical mixture) in complex matrix water samples by UHPLC–ESI-MS/MS. The procedure is based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) in combination with isotope pattern deconvolution (IPD), which provides the concentration of the analyte directly from the spiked sample without requiring any methodological calibration graph. To avoid any possible isotopic effect during the analytical procedure the in-house synthesized 13C1-4-(3,6-dimethyl-3-heptyl)phenol was used as labeled compound. This proposed surrogate was able to compensate the matrix effect even from wastewater samples. A SPE pre-concentration step together with exhaustive efforts to avoid contamination were included to reach the signal-to-noise ratio necessary to detect the endogenous concentrations present in environmental samples. Calculations were performed acquiring only three transitions, achieving limits of detection lower than 100 ng/g for all water matrix assayed. Recoveries within 83–108% and coefficients of variation ranging from 1.5% to 9% were obtained. On the contrary a considerable overestimation was obtained with the most usual classical calibration procedure using 4-n-nonylphenol as internal standard, demonstrating the suitability of the minimal labeling approach

Comparison of approaches to deal with matrix effects in LC-MS/MS based determinations of mycotoxins in food and feed

This study deals with one of the major concerns in mycotoxin determinations: the matrix effect related to LC-MS/ MS systems with electrospray ionization sources. To this end, in a first approach, the matrix effect has been evaluated in two ways: monitoring the signal of a compound (added to the mobile phase) during the entire chromatographicrun, and by classical post-extraction addition. The study was focused on nine selected mycotoxins: aflatoxin B1, fumonisins B1, B2 and B3, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, T-2 and HT-2 toxins and zearalenone in various sample extracts giving moderate to strong matrix effects (maize, compound feed, straw, spices). Although the permanent monitoring of a compound provided a qualitative way of evaluating the matrix effects at each retention time, we concluded that it was not adequate as a quantitative approach to correct for the matrix effect. Matrix effects measured by post-extraction addition showed that the strongest ion suppression occurred for the spices (up to -89%). Five different calibration approaches to compensate for matrix effects were compared: multi-level external calibration using isotopically labelled internal standards, multi-level and single level standard addition, and two ways of singlepoint internal calibration: one point isotopic internal calibration and isotope pattern deconvolution. In general, recoveries and precision meeting the European Union requirements could be achieved with all approaches, with the exception of the single level standard addition at levels too close to the concentration in the sample. When an isotopically labelled internal standard is not available, single-level standard addition is the most efficient option.The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs is acknowledged for financially supporting this work. The authors acknowledge the financial support from Generalitat Valenciana (Research group of excellence Prometeo 2009/054 and Collaborative Research on Environment and Food Safety ISIC/2012/016). N. Fabregat-Cabello also acknowledges the Generalitat Valenciana for her Ph.D. research grant under the Program VALi+D

Microwave-driven synthesis of bisphosphonate nanoparticles allows in vivo visualisation of atherosclerotic plaque

A fast and reproducible microwave-driven process has allowed us to synthesise neridronate-functionalised nanoparticles. Contrary to tradition, the phosphate groups decorate the outside layer of the particles providing Ca2+ binding properties in vitro and selective accumulation in vivo in the atheroma plaque. In vivo and ex vivo detection by T2-weighted MRI is demonstrated and validated by histology. The accumulation in the plaque takes place in less than one hour following the intravenous injection, which is particularly suitable for clinical applications

Effect of Dietary Supplements with ω-3 Fatty Acids, Ascorbic Acid, and Polyphenolic Antioxidant Flavonoid on Gene Expression, Organ Failure, and Mortality in Endotoxemia-Induced Septic Rats

Sepsis syndrome develops through enhanced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Sepsis syndrome is characterized by vascular hyperpermeability, hypotension, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and increased mortality, among others. Endotoxemia-derived sepsis is an important cause of sepsis syndrome. During endotoxemia, circulating endotoxin interacts with endothelial cells (ECs), inducing detrimental effects on endothelium function. The endotoxin induces the conversion of ECs into fibroblasts, which are characterized by a massive change in the endothelial gene-expression pattern. This downregulates the endothelial markers and upregulates fibrotic proteins, mesenchymal transcription factors, and extracellular matrix proteins, producing endothelial fibrosis. Sepsis progression is modulated by the consumption of specific nutrients, including ω-3 fatty acids, ascorbic acid, and polyphenolic antioxidant flavonoids. However, the underlying mechanism is poorly described. The notion that gene expression is modulated during inflammatory conditions by nutrient consumption has been reported. However, it is not known whether nutrient consumption modulates the fibrotic endothelial gene-expression pattern during sepsis as a mechanism to decrease vascular hyperpermeability, hypotension, MODS, and mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the consumption of dietary ω-3 fatty acids, ascorbic acid, and polyphenolic antioxidant flavonoid supplements on the modulation of fibrotic endothelial gene-expression patterns during sepsis and to determine the effects on sepsis outcomes. Our results indicate that the consumption of supplements based on ω-3 fatty acids and polyphenolic antioxidant flavonoids was effective for improving endotoxemia outcomes through prophylactic ingestion and therapeutic usage. Thus, our findings indicated that specific nutrient consumption improves sepsis outcomes and should be considered in treatment

Kinetic determination of a highly reactive impregnated Fe2O3/Al2O3 oxygen carrier for use in gas-fuelled chemical looping combustion

The objective of this work was to determine the kinetic parameters for reduction and oxidation reactions of a highly reactive Fe-based oxygen carrier for use in chemical looping combustion (CLC) of gaseous fuels containing CH4, CO and/or H2, e.g. natural gas, syngas and PSA-off gas. The oxygen carrier was prepared by impregnation of iron on alumina. The effect of both the temperature and gas concentration was analysed in a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). The grain model with uniform conversion in the particle and reaction in grains following the shrinking core model (SCM) was used for kinetics determination. It was assumed that the reduction reactions were controlled by two different resistances: the reaction rate was controlled by chemical reaction in a first step, whereas the mechanism that controlled the reactions at higher conversion values was diffusion through the product layer around the grains. Furthermore, it was found that the reduction reaction mechanism was based on the interaction of Fe2O3 with Al2O3 in presence of the reacting gases to form FeAl2O4 as the only stable Fe-based phase. The reaction order values found for the reducing gases were 0.25, 0.3 and 0.6 for CH4, H2 and CO, respectively, and the activation energy took values of between 8 kJ mol-1 (for H2) and 66 kJ mol-1 (for CH4). With regard to oxidation kinetics, the reacting model assumed a reaction rate that was only controlled by chemical reaction. Values of 0.9 and 23 kJ mol-1 were found for reaction order and activation energy, respectively. Finally, the solids inventory needed in a CLC system was also estimated by considering kinetic parameters. The total solids inventory in the CLC unit took a minimum value of 150 kg MW-1 for CH4 combustion, which is a low value when compared to those of other Fe-based materials found in the literature.This paper is based on the work carried out within the framework of the SUCCESS project, funded by the European Commission under the seventh Framework Programme (Contract 608571). This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN Project: ENE2011-26354) and by FEDER.Peer reviewe

Performance of Cu- and Fe-based oxygen carriers in a 500 Wth CLC unit for sour gas combustion with high H2S content

Sour gas represents about 43% of the world's natural gas reserves. The sustainable use of this fossil fuel energy entails the application of CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies. The Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) technology can join the exploitation of the energy potential of the sour gas and the CO2 capture process in a single step without the need of a sweetening pre-treatment unit. In this work, a total of 60 h of continuous operation with sour gas and H2S concentrations up to 15 vol% has been carried out in a 500 Wth CLC unit, from which 40 corresponded to a Cu-based oxygen carrier (Cu14γAl) and 20 to a Fe-based material (Fe20γAl). This is the first time that so high H2S concentrations are present in a fuel to be burnt in a CLC process. The Cu14γAl oxygen carrier seems to be not recommendable for the combustion of sour gas because, although all the H2S is burnt to SO2, copper sulfides were formed at all combustion conditions. In contrast, the Fe20γAl oxygen carrier presented an excellent behavior with no agglomeration problems and maintaining the reactivity of the fresh material. The sour gas (CH4, H2 and H2S) was completely burnt, and neither SO2 was released in the AR nor iron sulfides were formed at usual CLC operating conditions. These tests demonstrated the possibility to use sour gas in a CLC process with 100% CO2 capture without any SO2 emissions to the atmosphere.This work has been financed by Shell Global Solutions International B.V. within the frame of the agreement PT22648 signed between Shell Global Solutions International B.V. and Instituto de Carboquímica—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICB—CSIC).Peer reviewe

Energy exploitation of acid gas with high H2S content by means of a chemical looping combustion system

In gas and petroleum industry, the waste gas stream from the sweetening process of a sour natural gas stream is commonly referred as acid gas. Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) technology has the potential to exploit the combustible fraction of acid gas, H2S, to produce energy obtaining a flue gas highly concentrated on CO2 and SO2, which can be cost-effectively separated for subsequent applications, such as sulfuric acid production. At the same time, a concentrated CO2 stream ready for storage is obtained. The resistance of oxygen carriers to sulfur becomes crucial when an acid gas is subjected to a CLC process since the H2S content can be very high. In this work, a total of 41 h of continuous operation with acid gas and H2S concentrations up to 20 vol.% has been carried out in a 500 Wth CLC unit with two oxygen carriers based on Cu (Cu14γAl) and Fe (Fe20γAl). The formation of copper sulfides and the SO2 emissions in the air reactor made the Cu14γAl material not adequate for the process. In contrast, excellent results were obtained during acid gas combustion with the Fe20γAl oxygen carrier. H2S was fully burnt to SO2 in the fuel reactor at all operating conditions, SO2 was never detected in the gas outlet stream of the air reactor, and iron sulfides were never formed even at H2S concentrations as high as 20 vol.%. Furthermore, it was found that a H2S content of 20 vol.% in the acid gas was high enough to turn the CLC process into an auto-thermal process. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the Fe-based materials prepared by impregnation are very adequate to exploit the energy potential of acid gas mixtures with CO2 capture.This work has been financed by Shell Global Solutions International B.V. within the frame of the agreement PT22648 signed between Shell Global Solutions International B.V. and Instituto de Carboquímica – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICB –CSIC).Peer reviewe

Assessing the sensitivity of data-limited methods for resources in the Atlantic waters

ICES Annual Science Conference 2021, online 6-10 SeptemberLength-based methods have been widely applied to estimate biological parameters and to under-stand the dynamics of marine resource populations within the category of data-limited stocksThe authors thank the financial support of the project IMPRESS (RTI2018-099868-B-I00) project, ERDF, Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities - State Research Agency, and also of GAIN (Xunta de Galicia), GRC MERVEX (nº IN607-A 2018-4)N