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Life cycle assessment (LCA) is becoming an increasingly important environmental systems analysis tool in the construction sector for the identification of measures and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of buildings throughout the whole value chain. Geotechnical processes, such as earthworks, ground improvement and foundation construction, are often energy- and resource-intensive. Geotechnical works can thus play an important role in moving towards more sustainable building construction practices. This article reviews recent applications of LCA of buildings, including foundations as the focus or part of the system studied, based on the ISO 14040/44 standards. The system boundaries of geotechnical works are defined and a conceptual model for LCA of geotechnical works in building construction is proposed. The results of the literature review showed that the application of LCA to the building substructure is currently under development, but still in a fragmented state. There is a need for a unified framework for LCA of geotechnical works in building construction, especially regarding the definition of the functional unit, the choice of system boundaries, the appropriateness of inventory data, and the selection of impact categories. The conceptual model focuses on the demonstration of inventory flows and system boundaries and can serve as a basis for scope definition in future LCA studies of geotechnical works in building construction. It may also support effective communication between different actors and stakeholders regarding environmental sustainability in the construction sector.
Xingqiang Song; Christel Carlsson; Ramona Kiilsgaard; David Bendz; Helene Kennedy. Life Cycle Assessment of Geotechnical Works in Building Construction: A Review and Recommendations. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8442 .
AMA StyleXingqiang Song, Christel Carlsson, Ramona Kiilsgaard, David Bendz, Helene Kennedy. Life Cycle Assessment of Geotechnical Works in Building Construction: A Review and Recommendations. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (20):8442.
Chicago/Turabian StyleXingqiang Song; Christel Carlsson; Ramona Kiilsgaard; David Bendz; Helene Kennedy. 2020. "Life Cycle Assessment of Geotechnical Works in Building Construction: A Review and Recommendations." Sustainability 12, no. 20: 8442.
Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are an alternative technology to tackle the major environmental challenges associated with conventional cage culture systems. In order to systematically assess the environmental performance of RAS farming, it is important to take the whole life cycle into account so as to avoid ad hoc and suboptimal environmental measures. So far, the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) in aquaculture, especially to indoor RAS, is still in progress. This study reports on an LCA of Atlantic salmon harvested at an indoor RAS farm in northern China. Results showed that 1 tonne live‐weight salmon production required 7,509 kWh farm‐level electricity and generated 16.7 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (eq), 106 kg of SO2 eq, 2.4 kg of P eq, and 108 kg of N eq (cradle‐to‐farm gate). In particular, farm‐level electricity use and feed product were identified as primary contributors to eight of nine impact categories assessed (54–95% in total), except the potential marine eutrophication (MEU) impact (dominated by the grow‐out effluents). Among feed ingredients (on a dry‐weight basis), chicken meal (5%) and krill meal (8%) dominated six and three, respectively, of the nine impact categories. Suggested environmental improvement measures for this indoor RAS farm included optimization of stocking density, feeding management, grow‐out effluent treatment, substitution of feed ingredients, and selection of electricity generation sources. In a generic context, this study can contribute to a better understanding of the life cycle environmental impacts of land‐based salmon RAS operations, as well as science‐based communication among stakeholders on more eco‐friendly farmed salmon.
Xingqiang Song; Ying Liu; Johan Berg Pettersen; Miguel Brandão; Xiaona Ma; Stian Røberg; Björn Frostell. Life cycle assessment of recirculating aquaculture systems: A case of Atlantic salmon farming in China. Journal of Industrial Ecology 2019, 23, 1077 -1086.
AMA StyleXingqiang Song, Ying Liu, Johan Berg Pettersen, Miguel Brandão, Xiaona Ma, Stian Røberg, Björn Frostell. Life cycle assessment of recirculating aquaculture systems: A case of Atlantic salmon farming in China. Journal of Industrial Ecology. 2019; 23 (5):1077-1086.
Chicago/Turabian StyleXingqiang Song; Ying Liu; Johan Berg Pettersen; Miguel Brandão; Xiaona Ma; Stian Røberg; Björn Frostell. 2019. "Life cycle assessment of recirculating aquaculture systems: A case of Atlantic salmon farming in China." Journal of Industrial Ecology 23, no. 5: 1077-1086.
Microorganisms play an essential role in the performance of constructed wetlands (CWs) for wastewater treatment. However, there has been limited discussion on the characteristics of microbial communities in CWs for treatment of effluents from marine recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). This study is aimed at characterizing the microbial communities of pilot-scale CWs with Salicornia bigelovii for treatment of saline wastewater from a land-based Atlantic salmon RAS plant located in Northern China. Illumina high-throughput sequencing was employed to identify the profile of microbial communities of three CWs receiving wastewater under different total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations. Results of this study showed remarkable spatial variations in diversity and composition of microbial communities between roots and substrates in three CWs, with distinct response to different TAN concentrations. In particular, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were predominant in roots, while Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, and Bacteroidetes were prevalent in substrates. Moreover, redundancy analysis indicated that specific functional genera, such as Nitrosopumilus, Vibrio, Pseudoalteromonas, Nitrospina, and Planctomyces, played key roles in the removal of nitrogen/phosphorus pollutants and growth of wetland plants. From a microorganism perspective, the findings of this study could contribute to better understanding of contaminants’ removal mechanism and improved management of CWs for treatment of effluents from land-based marine aquaculture.
Xiaona Ma; Xingqiang Song; Xian Li; Songzhe Fu; Meng Li; Ying Liu. Characterization of Microbial Communities in Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetlands with Salicornia for Treatment of Marine Aquaculture Effluents. Archaea 2018, 2018, 1 -12.
AMA StyleXiaona Ma, Xingqiang Song, Xian Li, Songzhe Fu, Meng Li, Ying Liu. Characterization of Microbial Communities in Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetlands with Salicornia for Treatment of Marine Aquaculture Effluents. Archaea. 2018; 2018 ():1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleXiaona Ma; Xingqiang Song; Xian Li; Songzhe Fu; Meng Li; Ying Liu. 2018. "Characterization of Microbial Communities in Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetlands with Salicornia for Treatment of Marine Aquaculture Effluents." Archaea 2018, no. : 1-12.
Jiangyu Dai; Shiqiang Wu; GuoYi Han; Josh Weinberg; Xinghua Xie; Xiufeng Wu; Xingqiang Song; Benyou Jia; Wanyun Xue; Qianqian Yang. Water-energy nexus: A review of methods and tools for macro-assessment. Applied Energy 2018, 210, 393 -408.
AMA StyleJiangyu Dai, Shiqiang Wu, GuoYi Han, Josh Weinberg, Xinghua Xie, Xiufeng Wu, Xingqiang Song, Benyou Jia, Wanyun Xue, Qianqian Yang. Water-energy nexus: A review of methods and tools for macro-assessment. Applied Energy. 2018; 210 ():393-408.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJiangyu Dai; Shiqiang Wu; GuoYi Han; Josh Weinberg; Xinghua Xie; Xiufeng Wu; Xingqiang Song; Benyou Jia; Wanyun Xue; Qianqian Yang. 2018. "Water-energy nexus: A review of methods and tools for macro-assessment." Applied Energy 210, no. : 393-408.
Xingqiang Song; Johan Berg Pettersen; Kristine Bondo Pedersen; Stian Røberg. Comparative life cycle assessment of tailings management and energy scenarios for a copper ore mine: A case study in Northern Norway. Journal of Cleaner Production 2017, 164, 892 -904.
AMA StyleXingqiang Song, Johan Berg Pettersen, Kristine Bondo Pedersen, Stian Røberg. Comparative life cycle assessment of tailings management and energy scenarios for a copper ore mine: A case study in Northern Norway. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2017; 164 ():892-904.
Chicago/Turabian StyleXingqiang Song; Johan Berg Pettersen; Kristine Bondo Pedersen; Stian Røberg. 2017. "Comparative life cycle assessment of tailings management and energy scenarios for a copper ore mine: A case study in Northern Norway." Journal of Cleaner Production 164, no. : 892-904.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is increasingly used for environmental assessment of products and production processes to support environmental decision-making both worldwide and in the Arctic. However, there are several weaknesses in the impact assessment methodology in LCA, e.g., related to uncertainties of impact assessment results, absence of spatial differentiation in characterization modeling, and gaps in the coverage of impact pathways of different “archetypal” environments. Searching for a new resource base and areas for operation, marine and marine-based industries are continuously moving north, which underlines the need for better life cycle impact assessment in the Arctic, particularly to aid in industrial environmental management systems and stakeholder communications. This paper aims to investigate gaps and challenges in the application of the currently available impact assessment methods in the Arctic context. A simplified Arctic mining LCA case study was carried out to demonstrate the relevance of Arctic emissions at the midpoint and endpoint levels, as well as possible influences of the Arctic context on the impact assessment results. Results of this study showed that significant research gaps remain in Arctic-dependent life cycle impact assessment, particularly on: (i) the possible influences of the Arctic-specific features on characterization factors for impact assessment (such as seasonality, cold climate, precipitation, and marine dependence); and (ii) the coverage of impact pathways, especially on the under-addressed marine impacts and marine/near-shore dispersion processes. Addressing those identified research gaps and demand for future Arctic life cycle impact assessment could increase the credibility of LCA as an environmental decision-making support tool for Arctic industries and better support sustainable Arctic development.
Johan Berg Pettersen; Xingqiang Song. Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the Arctic: Challenges and Research Needs. Sustainability 2017, 9, 1605 .
AMA StyleJohan Berg Pettersen, Xingqiang Song. Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the Arctic: Challenges and Research Needs. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (9):1605.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJohan Berg Pettersen; Xingqiang Song. 2017. "Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the Arctic: Challenges and Research Needs." Sustainability 9, no. 9: 1605.
Xingqiang Song; Wim Ravesteijn. Dilemmas in water systems development in China. What is Sustainable Technology? 2017, 213 -234.
AMA StyleXingqiang Song, Wim Ravesteijn. Dilemmas in water systems development in China. What is Sustainable Technology?. 2017; ():213-234.
Chicago/Turabian StyleXingqiang Song; Wim Ravesteijn. 2017. "Dilemmas in water systems development in China." What is Sustainable Technology? , no. : 213-234.
Sweden is actively engaged in accelerating the sustainable transformation of existing building and energy systems. Most traditional investigations of this subject have been based on final energy savings and CO2 emission analysis, while most existing evaluation methods for energy-retrofitting have not accurately taken into account the influences of flow temperature patterns of different low-temperature heating (LTH) radiators to operational energy. In addition, comprehensive environmental impact analyses by energy systems, as well as the contributions to indoor air quality (IAQ), have not been fully achieved. Moreover, critical mapping of the sustainability of energy-efficient retrofitting have not yet been done. This omission leads to inaccuracies and misleading estimates of the benefits of LTH retrofitting from system and primary energy perspective. In order to fill these knowledge gaps, the present study evaluated two types of LTH systems combined with ventilation retrofitting, namely heat recovery jointed ventilation radiators (VRs) and baseboard radiators (BRs). A typical Swedish multi-family house was selected for retrofitting practice. This study aims at evaluating ventilation heat recovery jointed low temperature heating (VJLTH) retrofitting on energy conservation, environmental impacts and indoor air quality (IAQ) in typical Swedish multifamily houses. The compatibility of building performance and sustainability contributions were critically analyzed by delivered/primary energy usage, life cycle assessment (LCA), and IAQ modeling. IDA ICE (indoor climate and energy simulation program), SimaPro (LCA environmental impact modeling program), analytical model and on-site measurement data provided by both radiator and heat pump manufactures were employed. The results showed that the studied VJLTH retrofitting can save up to 55% of the final energy. And the corresponding primary energy savings are more than 25%. Compared with conventional radiators, low-temperature heating radiators can improve the COP by 12–18% for air-source heat pumps. The studied retrofit can positively contribute 11 of 16 environmental indicators, 7 of which had environmental impacts reduced by more than 50%. However, neglecting the indicators with negative impacts will increase the risk of over-representing the environmental contributions. The sustainability improvements of retrofitting, particularly for future large-scale implementation, should be critically evaluated from a broader perspective than final energy savings.
Qian Wang; Adnan Ploskić; Xingqiang Song; Sture Holmberg. Ventilation heat recovery jointed low-temperature heating in retrofitting—An investigation of energy conservation, environmental impacts and indoor air quality in Swedish multifamily houses. Energy and Buildings 2016, 121, 250 -264.
AMA StyleQian Wang, Adnan Ploskić, Xingqiang Song, Sture Holmberg. Ventilation heat recovery jointed low-temperature heating in retrofitting—An investigation of energy conservation, environmental impacts and indoor air quality in Swedish multifamily houses. Energy and Buildings. 2016; 121 ():250-264.
Chicago/Turabian StyleQian Wang; Adnan Ploskić; Xingqiang Song; Sture Holmberg. 2016. "Ventilation heat recovery jointed low-temperature heating in retrofitting—An investigation of energy conservation, environmental impacts and indoor air quality in Swedish multifamily houses." Energy and Buildings 121, no. : 250-264.
Effective and efficient water management systems require a comprehensive understanding of anthropogenic pressures on the water environment. Developing a broader systems perspective and extended information systems is therefore essential to systematically explore interlinks between anthropogenic activities and impaired waters at an appropriate scale. For this purpose, this paper identifies information dilemmas in contemporary water monitoring and management from an anthropogenic metabolic point of view. The European Drivers-Pressures-State of the Environment-Impacts-Responses (DPSIR) framework was used as a basis for classifying and discussing two approaches to water management, namely state/impacts-oriented and pressure-oriented. The results indicate that current water monitoring and management are mainly state/impacts-oriented, based on observed pollutants in environmental monitoring and/or on biodiversity changes in ecological monitoring. This approach often results in end-of-pipe solutions and reactive responses to combat water problems. To complement this traditional state/impacts-oriented approach, we suggest moving toward an anthropogenic metabolism-based and pressure-oriented (AM/PO) approach to aid in alleviating human-induced pressures on the water environment in a more proactive way. The AM/PO ideas can equally be applied to water-centric sustainable urbanization planning and evaluation in a broader context.
Xingqiang Song; Ronald Wennersten; Björn Frostell. Moving Toward an Anthropogenic Metabolism-Based and Pressure-Oriented Approach to Water Management. Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions 2014, 229 -244.
AMA StyleXingqiang Song, Ronald Wennersten, Björn Frostell. Moving Toward an Anthropogenic Metabolism-Based and Pressure-Oriented Approach to Water Management. Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions. 2014; ():229-244.
Chicago/Turabian StyleXingqiang Song; Ronald Wennersten; Björn Frostell. 2014. "Moving Toward an Anthropogenic Metabolism-Based and Pressure-Oriented Approach to Water Management." Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions , no. : 229-244.
Xingqiang Song; Wim Ravesteijn. Dilemmas in water systems development in China. What is Sustainable Technology?: Perceptions, Paradoxes and Possibilities 2013, 213 -234.
AMA StyleXingqiang Song, Wim Ravesteijn. Dilemmas in water systems development in China. What is Sustainable Technology?: Perceptions, Paradoxes and Possibilities. 2013; ():213-234.
Chicago/Turabian StyleXingqiang Song; Wim Ravesteijn. 2013. "Dilemmas in water systems development in China." What is Sustainable Technology?: Perceptions, Paradoxes and Possibilities , no. : 213-234.
Without monitoring anthropogenic pressures on the water environment, it is difficult to set realistic river restoration targets in relation to water quality. Therefore a more holistic approach is needed to systematically explore the links between socio-economic drivers and observed water quality-related impacts on river ecosystems. Using the DPSIR (Drivers-Pressures-State of the Environment-Impacts-Responses) framework, this study linked ecological river restoration with the socio-economic sector, with the focus on promoting a pressure-oriented water quality monitoring system. Based on the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) and relevant literature, it was found that most water quality-related indicators employed today are state/impacts-oriented, while very few are pressure-oriented. As a response, we call for more attention to a DPR (Drivers-Pressures-Responses) framework in developing an industrial ecology-based pressure-oriented water quality monitoring system for aiding ecological river restoration planning. This approach is characterized in general by accounting for material-related flows throughout the socio-economic sector in relation to river ecosystem degradation. Then the obtained information would help decision makers take appropriate measures to alleviate various significant human-induced wastes and emissions at their sources. We believe that such a pressure-oriented monitoring system will substantially complement traditional state/impacts-oriented environmental and ecological monitoring and help develop more proactive planning and decision-making processes for specific river restoration projects and general water quality management.
Xingqiang Song; Björn Frostell. The DPSIR Framework and a Pressure-Oriented Water Quality Monitoring Approach to Ecological River Restoration. Water 2012, 4, 670 -682.
AMA StyleXingqiang Song, Björn Frostell. The DPSIR Framework and a Pressure-Oriented Water Quality Monitoring Approach to Ecological River Restoration. Water. 2012; 4 (3):670-682.
Chicago/Turabian StyleXingqiang Song; Björn Frostell. 2012. "The DPSIR Framework and a Pressure-Oriented Water Quality Monitoring Approach to Ecological River Restoration." Water 4, no. 3: 670-682.
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W. Ravesteijn; Xingqiang Song; R. Wennersten. European and Chinese Integrated River Basin Management: experiences and perspectives. Regional Airports 2011, 59 -70.
AMA StyleW. Ravesteijn, Xingqiang Song, R. Wennersten. European and Chinese Integrated River Basin Management: experiences and perspectives. Regional Airports. 2011; ():59-70.
Chicago/Turabian StyleW. Ravesteijn; Xingqiang Song; R. Wennersten. 2011. "European and Chinese Integrated River Basin Management: experiences and perspectives." Regional Airports , no. : 59-70.
Xingqiang Song; Karel Mulder; Björn Frostell; Wim Ravesteijn; Ronald Wennersten. Transition in public participation in Chinese water management. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability 2011, 164, 71 -83.
AMA StyleXingqiang Song, Karel Mulder, Björn Frostell, Wim Ravesteijn, Ronald Wennersten. Transition in public participation in Chinese water management. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability. 2011; 164 (1):71-83.
Chicago/Turabian StyleXingqiang Song; Karel Mulder; Björn Frostell; Wim Ravesteijn; Ronald Wennersten. 2011. "Transition in public participation in Chinese water management." Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability 164, no. 1: 71-83.
The emerging water crisis in China shows that the current institutional frameworks and policies with regard to water resources management are incapable of achieving an effective and satisfactory situation that includes Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM). This paper analyses this framework and related policies, examines their deficiencies in relation to all water stress problems and explores alternatives focusing on river basins. Water resources management reforms in modern China are reviewed and the main problems involved in transforming the current river management system into an IRBM-based system are analysed. The Huai River basin is used as an example of current river basin management, with quantitative data serving to show the scale and scope of the problems in the country as a whole. The institutional reforms required are discussed and a conceptual institutional framework is proposed to facilitate the implementation of IRBM in China. In particular, the roles, power and responsibilities of River Basin Commissions (RBCs) should be legally strengthened; the functions of supervising, decision-making and execution should be separated; and cross-sectoral legislation, institutional coordination and public participation at all levels should be promoted.
X. Song; W. Ravesteijn; B. Frostell; R. Wennersten. Managing water resources for sustainable development: the case of integrated river basin management in China. Water Science and Technology 2010, 61, 499 -506.
AMA StyleX. Song, W. Ravesteijn, B. Frostell, R. Wennersten. Managing water resources for sustainable development: the case of integrated river basin management in China. Water Science and Technology. 2010; 61 (2):499-506.
Chicago/Turabian StyleX. Song; W. Ravesteijn; B. Frostell; R. Wennersten. 2010. "Managing water resources for sustainable development: the case of integrated river basin management in China." Water Science and Technology 61, no. 2: 499-506.