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Dust explosions occur frequently during production, transportation, and storage processes involving combustible dusts, with dust explosions caused by de-dusting systems being the most common. To prevent such accidents, we need to perform timely and accurate risk assessment. Therefore, we have developed a risk assessment model for dust explosion of dust duct deposition based on convolutional neural network with an attention mechanism (ConvNeXt-Tsc). By enhancing the ConvNeXt block and introducing an attention mechanism, we can more accurately extract the critical features related to the thickness of deposited dust in images of the ducts, achieving a model recognition accuracy of 95.15%. We have verified that the model has a high assessment accuracy in practical applications, which helps to detect potential hazards in dust ducts in time and avoid explosion accidents. The results show that the model has a wide range of application prospects in sedimentary dust explosion risk assessment, with high reliability, practicality, and scientific rigor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust deposition can supply nutrients to the upper ocean, and subsequently affect primary production and biodiversity in planktonic ecosystem, but the differential response among taxa and their interactions are not fully understood. Here, we performed 7-day onboard incubation experiment amended with different dust loadings (0, 0.2 and 2 mg L-1) in the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition region of the Northwest Pacific Ocean and characterized the community structure and microbial network of a planktonic microbiome in response to dust addition. Chlorophyll a and nutrient analysis indicated that dust-derived nitrogen promoted the growth of phytoplankton (165.8-293.6%) and phytoplankton size structure shifted towards larger cells (>3 µm).Metabarcoding sequencing, targeting prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes, revealed the changes in community structure and co-occurrence network in response to dust addition. Dust induced a shift from dinoflagellate dominance toward diatom dominance in phytoplankton, and favored members of Cercozoa, Labyrinthulomycetes and Saprospirae, which showed positive correlation with diatom. Temporal response patterns among taxa were categorized into five clusters, and collectively pointed to a more sensitive microeukaryotic community than prokaryotic one in response to dust. The community turnover during the incubation was dominated by moderate taxa with 55.71-62.26% moderate OTUs transitioning to abundant or rare taxa, and dust addition stimulated the transitions of rare taxa. Moreover, biotic factors shaped planktonic microbiome more than abiotic factors, particularly the cross-domain interaction significantly affected microeukaryotic community. Notably, dust addition enhanced the co-occurrence network complexity, with the number of keystone taxa increased, suggesting more interspecies interactions were induced by dust. With integrated analysis, our findings highlight the differential sensitivity of planktonic microbiome to dust deposition and the effects could pass on other organisms through interspecies interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall filtration process is viewed from a new perspective: There is a continuous, systematic change in the structure of the active deposition zone of a given filter layer, here as the so‐called active filtering layer. During the overall filtration process, the filtering layer is transformed from the initial clean filter medium, via continuous particle deposition under the given filtration conditions, to a new, dynamically preserved stable porous structure, i.e. the active deposition zone on the upstream side of the dust cake. Based on 3D simulations of cake formation on model filters for fabric filters, 1D deposition profiles during the continuous filtration process are evaluated and converted into a dimensionless form, to describe the structural changes in the filtering layer. The stable 1D deposition profile during the phase of surface filtration can be well described with a logistic function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichodesmium plays a key role in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in the Tropical Atlantic Ocean. A complex interplay of physicochemical factors control the growth of Trichodesmium. However, owing to the large spatial and temporal variability, the relative influence of these factors in controlling Trichodesmium distribution and abundance remains unclear. In this study, we examined the basin‐scale distribution pattern of Trichodesmium in the upper 200 m water column of the Atlantic Ocean (25°N–30°S and 70°W–20°E) using a large data set (n = 33,235) and tried to constrain the distribution based on various physicochemical parameters. We suggest that the combined effect of warm temperatures and phosphate (PO43−) availability determines the zonal spatial extent and the abundance of Trichodesmium in the Tropical North Atlantic Ocean. However, the availability of dissolved iron, along with high sea surface temperatures and meteorological parameters such as the wind direction and precipitation, likely govern the meridional distribution of Trichodesmium across the Atlantic Ocean. Excess PO43− at the surface rules out the possibility of PO43− limitation in regulating the meridional distribution of the Trichodesmium. Depth‐integrated nitrogen fixation rates, based on a multiple linear regression, vary from 0.07 to 306 μmol N m−2 d−1. The presence of Trichodesmium colonies down to a depth of 200 m and the depth‐integrated nitrogen fixation rates reflect the pivotal role of Trichodesmium in the nitrogen budget of this region. Plain Language Summary: Microbial nitrogen fixation is the key to carbon sequestration in the ocean. Trichodesmium, being the ubiquitous nitrogen fixing microbe in the Tropical Atlantic Ocean, contributes significantly to nitrogen inputs. Limited availability of data, however, restricts our understanding of environmental parameters in controlling the distribution and abundance of Trichodesmium. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive analysis using large‐scale field‐based data of Trichodesmium abundance to investigate the role of various physical, chemical, and meteorological parameters on the distribution and abundance of Trichodesmium along the zonal and meridional transects of the Tropical Atlantic Ocean. We conclude that Trichodesmium distribution is governed by a complex interplay of environmental factors. Along the zonal transect, Trichodesmium abundance is primarily governed by the availability of PO43− and high sea surface temperatures. Conversely, the inter‐hemispheric variability seems to be influenced by dust deposition (a proxy for iron inputs) and high sea surface temperatures. Furthermore, our estimation of high modeled depth‐integrated nitrogen fixation rates based on Trichodesmium underscores its crucial role in the nitrogen budget. These findings provide valuable insight into the role of environmental factors driving Trichodesmium abundance and its significance toward the global nitrogen budget. Key Points: Trichodesmium distribution across the east‐west continuum in the Tropical North Atlantic Ocean is governed by the availability of phosphate and elevated sea surface temperaturesThe interhemispheric variability in Trichodesmium distribution in the Atlantic Ocean is regulated by the cumulative effect of high temperature and dust depositionTrichodesmium niche may have been overlooked in the past, potentially leading to underestimation of associated N2 fixation rates [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We quantify the effect of dust accumulation at Jezero crater by means of a Dust Correction Factor (DCF) for the solar radiation measured by the photodiodes of the Radiation and Dust Sensor of the Mars 2020 mission. After one Mars Year, dust on the photodiode surface attenuated 25%–30% of the incoming solar radiation. The DCF did not decrease monotonically; we use a model to reproduce its evolution and to derive dust deposition and lifting rates, showing that dust removal is 9 times larger at Jezero crater than at InSight's location in western Elysium Planitia. The model fit obtained using observed opacities is further improved when fed with dust sedimentation rates simulated by a GCM that considers a particle size distrtibution. Projections show seasonal net dust removal, being encouraging for the long‐term survival of solar‐powered missions to Jezero or similarly active dust lifting regions. Plain Language Summary: Dust is ubiquitous in the Martian atmosphere, accumulating on both natural and artificial surfaces. Dust particularly affects the performance and lifetime of missions: the termination of InSight and MER‐B operations are recent examples. Dust accumulation shows a seasonal behavior, and attenuated 25%–30% of the incoming solar radiation on Perseverance after the first Mars Year of the mission. Dust removal is almost 10 times larger than at InSight's location: projections indicate that surfaces at Jezero will be periodically partially cleaned. The estimations of the effect of the accumulated dust as a function of time are encouraging for solar‐powered missions to regions with similar amounts of dust lifting, which might be determined from orbital data on where dust storms originate, dust devils or their tracks are found, or seasonal albedo changes are noted. In addition, the quantification of the effect of accumulated enables future studies requiring more accurate knowledge of incoming solar radiation at the surface. Key Points: We present the evolution of dust accumulation at Jezero crater for more than one Mars YearWe derive dust deposition and removal rates: removal is 9 times more efficient than at the InSight location in western Elysium PlanitiaProjections show that surfaces at Jezero will experience seasonal net dust removal, encouraging solar‐powered missions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road transport and traffic congestion significantly contribute to dust pollution, which negatively impacts the growth of roadside plants in urban areas. This study aims to quantify the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and analyze the impacts of dust deposition on different plant species and trees planted along a busy urban roadside in Lahore, Pakistan by considering seasonal variations. The APTI of each species is determined based on inputs of various biochemical parameters (leaf extract pH, ascorbic acid content, relative water content, and total chlorophyll levels), including dust deposition. In this study, laboratory analysis techniques are employed to assess these factors in selected plant species such as Mangifera indica, Saraca asoca, Cassia fistula, and Syzygium cumini. A statistical analysis is conducted to understand the pairwise correlation between various parameters and the APTI at significant and non-significant levels. Additionally, uncertainties in the inputs and APTI are addressed through a probabilistic analysis using the Monte Carlo simulation method. This study unveils seasonal variations in key parameters among selected plant species. Almost all biochemical parameters exhibit higher averages during the rainy season, followed by the summer and winter. Conversely, dust deposition on plants follows an inverse trend, with values ranging from 0.19 to 4.8 g/cm2, peaking during winter, notably in Mangifera indica. APTI values, ranging from 9.39 to 14.75, indicate varying sensitivity levels across species, from sensitive (Syzygium cumini) to intermediate tolerance (Mangifera indica). Interestingly, plants display increased tolerance during regular traffic hours, reflecting a 0.9 to 5% difference between the APTI at peak and regular traffic hours. Moreover, a significant negative correlation (−0.86 at p < 0.05 level) between APTI values and dust deposition suggests a heightened sensitivity to pollutants during the winter. These insights into the relationship between dust pollution and plant susceptibility will help decision makers in the selection of resilient plants for urban areas and improve air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the deposition rates (Td) of mineral aeolian sediments in a forest patch in the semiarid Pampas agroecosystem and to analyze the seasonal variability of such deposition. The average Td was 520.15 kg ha-1 year-1 with high interannual variability. In spring-summer, Td was higher than in autumn-winter. Air temperature and average maximum wind speed influenced Td more significantly. However, the soil cover and management of the agricultural fields surrounding the forest would determine the production of sediment from wind erosion and consequent deposition within the forest. These results show the importance of maintaining forest patches within the agricultural matrix in the semi-arid environment, since they retain eolian sediments that would eventually be deposited on the forest soil, minimizing the negative impacts of wind erosion processes on these ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current work, the productivity of a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) unit impacted by dust accumulation was improved using magnetic force. The magnetic force was implemented to a cooling duct with Y-shaped fins, while solar irradiation was included as heat sources in the equations. Dust effects were simulated by adjusting the optical properties. The addition of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) layer boosted the electrical output. The cooling fluid was a homogeneous water and iron oxide mixture. Dust accumulation led to a 9.3 % drop in thermal performance, but the use of magnetic force enhanced electrical efficiency. Higher concentrations of additives improved system performance, with a maximum gain of 15.88 % at the highest inlet velocity (Vinlet). Increasing Vinlet further improved thermal efficiency (ηth) by 10.96 %, photovoltaic efficiency (ηPV) by 1.16 %, and thermoelectric efficiency (ηTE) by 33.53 %. Moreover, the application of Lorentz force increased isothermal uniformity by approximately 5.91 %

This study investigates the efficacy of applying a Lorentz force to improve the efficiency of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system featuring a finned duct, while also addressing challenges associated with dust accumulation. The magnetic field helps to prevent nanoparticle aggregation, enhancing the cooling process. The use of a finned duct combined with a nanofluid as the cooling medium efficiently dissipates excess heat from the silicon layer. Dust accumulation on the glass layer reduces transmissivity, negatively impacting system performance. The magnetic field's interaction with the nanoparticles enhances convective cooling of the upper layer, leading to an overall improvement in performance. Increased pumping power results in higher cooling rates, with improvements of approximately 3.48 % in thermal efficiency (ηth), 75.01 % in thermoelectric generator efficiency (ηTEG), and 39.37 % in photovoltaic efficiency (ηPV). An increase in the Hartmann number (Ha) improves ηth by about 1.87 %, with corresponding enhancements in electrical performance components. A higher concentration of ferrofluid further boosts performance, with the effect being roughly 1.7 times more significant in the absence of MHD compared to when Ha = 97. Dust presence decreases ηth, ηTEG, and ηPV by approximately 9.39 %, 8.55 %, and 25.77 %, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of Ha diminishes the influence of Vin on ηth by around 1.33 %.

The study investigates dust management at the Albert Ilemobade library, The Federal University of Technology Akure. Dust deposition and accumulation poses a major challenge for the university library as all the units, sections, and divisions are affected. Dust not only adversely affects all materials, equipment, and facilities including books, audiovisual collections, and computers, but also constitutes a health hazard to library personnel and users. Major sources of dust include visitor activities and infiltration through openings like windows and doors. Dust mats, special computer enclosures, dusters, dust blowers, and respiratory masks were made available for dust protection and management in the library. The library lacked equipment like High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) filters and dust collection, and suppressions systems. Lack of awareness and training, inadequate funding, and lack of equipment were identified as the challenges to dust management in the library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study aims to track the changes in electrical properties and energy behavior of two technically identical photovoltaic modules of the RAGGIE type (RG-M165W model) under different operating conditions. The first is the reference photovoltaic module, while the second is the targeted photovoltaic module. Both modules were tested under the same climatic conditions in the Algerian region of El-Oued. Numerous practical experiments were conducted to demonstrate the effect of using a solar tracking system (a horizontal single-axis tracking system manually moved from east to west), changing the tilt angle of the photovoltaic modules, and the cleanliness of the effective photovoltaic module area on their productivity. The study results showed a convergence between experimental and theoretical results. The optimal tilt angle of the photovoltaic modules in El-Oued during the study days is 33°, and any inaccurate selection of this angle results in an efficiency loss of 19.31 %. Additionally, manually tracking the solar path improved the photovoltaic module efficiency by 1.63 %. A decrease in energy productivity by 34.68 % was recorded due to dust deposition of 14.5 g.m−2. Economically, it was shown that installing a photovoltaic system consisting of 14 RAGGIE modules can feed a typical Algerian house with 136.6 MWh over 25 years, with a Levelized Cost of Energy of $0.037/kWh, and the CO2 mitigation is 59.15 tons with a saving of $858.

Abstract We quantify the effect of dust accumulation at Jezero crater by means of a Dust Correction Factor (DCF) for the solar radiation measured by the photodiodes of the Radiation and Dust Sensor of the Mars 2020 mission. After one Mars Year, dust on the photodiode surface attenuated 25%–30% of the incoming solar radiation. The DCF did not decrease monotonically; we use a model to reproduce its evolution and to derive dust deposition and lifting rates, showing that dust removal is 9 times larger at Jezero crater than at InSight's location in western Elysium Planitia. The model fit obtained using observed opacities is further improved when fed with dust sedimentation rates simulated by a GCM that considers a particle size distrtibution. Projections show seasonal net dust removal, being encouraging for the long‐term survival of solar‐powered missions to Jezero or similarly active dust lifting regions.

Accurately evaluating dust deposition characteristics on photovoltaic modules is vital for improving power generation prediction and formulating cleaning cycles. This study analyzed the composition and size characteristics of dust collected from a solar photovoltaic power station in the Kubuqi Desert. Relationships were established among dust density, solar cell output parameters, actual radiation intensity, and spectral transmittance through experiments. Based on this, a monitoring model for dust deposition on PV modules was proposed and validated in the laboratory. Results showed that the composition and particle size of dust deposited on PV modules did not significantly differ across various areas of the station.Under the same dust deposited density, spectral transmittance exponentially decayed with increased dust density, with shorter wavelengths being more affected. Operating current loss accurately reflected dust deposition compared to other output parameters. The proposed monitoring model achieved 94% accuracy in reflecting the degree of dust deposition. This study provides theoretical support for intelligent operation schemes of solar PV power generation stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar power generation has great development potential as an abundant and clean energy source. However, many factors affect the efficiency of the photovoltaic (PV) module; among these factors, outdoor PV modules are inevitably affected by stains, thus reducing the power generation efficiency of the PV panel. This paper proposes a framework for PV module stain detection based on UAV hyperspectral images (HSIs). The framework consists of two stain detection methods: constrained energy minimization (CEM)-based and orthogonal subspace projection (OSP)-based stain detection methods. Firstly, the contaminated PV modules are analyzed and processed to enhance the data's analytical capability. Secondly, based on the known spectral signature of the PV module, stain detection methods are proposed, including CEM-based stain detection and OSP-based stain detection for PV modules. The experimental results on real data illustrate that, in comparison with contrasting methods, the proposed method achieves stain detection results that closely align with known stain percentages. Additionally, it exhibits a fitting curve similar to the more maturely developed electroluminescence-based methods currently in use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a key factor, it is vital to mathematically model the electrical efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems. This paper investigates the efficient modeling of a 2.5 kW grid-connected PV system, located in Mahan, Kerman, Iran, with respect to different factors like solar radiation, humidity, dust deposition, temperature, and shading. For this aim, different nonlinear models are considered and a curvefitting approach is used to optimally determine the unknown parameters. Over the case study, simulation results show that when the dust deposition is not included in the modeling (solar radiation, ambient temperature, cell temperature, humidity, and shading as inputs), the third-degree polynomial model leads to more accurate result than the other models. By use of the third-degree polynomial model, the value of root mean square error (RMSE) for train and test data sets is obtained 0.0123 and 0.0109, respectively. In this case, the average RMSE value is 0.0116. On the other hand, when dust impact is included in the modeling (solar radiation, ambient temperature, humidity, and number of dusty days as inputs), the accuracy of the exponential model is more than the other ones. In this case, the value of RMSE for both train and test data sets is obtained 0.0018. Sensitivity analysis shows that the system efficiency depends mainly on the radiation, cell temperature, and dust and less on the humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conversion efficiency, power production, and cost of PV panels' energy are remarkably impacted by external factors including temperature, wind, humidity, dust aggregation, and induction characteristics of the PV system such as tilt angle, altitude, and orientation. One of the prominent elements affecting PV panel performance and capability is dust. Nonetheless, dust features including size, shape, type, etc. are geologically known. Several mitigation methods have been studied for the reduction of dust concentration on the exterior face of the PV modules. The outcomes have demonstrated that dust concentration and pollutants remarkably affect the PV panel energy production. This paper reviews the recently developed research on the outcomes of the dust effect on PV panels in different locations and meets the needs of future research on this subject. Moreover, different cleaning methods that could be advantageous for future researchers in opting for the most applicable technique for dust removal are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the most significant sources of microplastics (MPs) for humans is indoor dust. However, very few researchers have studied the properties and abundance of MPs that existed in dust from different indoor environments. The current study investigated microplastic fallout in 90 locations (5 kindergartens, 6 mosques, 5 schools, 10 shops, 5 cafeterias, 6 hospitals, 25 dormitories, 7 barber salons, 6 offices, 5 scientific laboratories, 5 pharmacies, and 5 medical clinics) during six months. Among the ninety sampling sites, the most significant average of MPs was actually found in the kindergartens (4.743x103 ± 427 MP/m2 /d), in contrast, the lowest abundance was in the medical clinics (302 x102 ±62 MP/m2 /d). The majority of indoor dust samples contained MPs in the form of fibers. The dominant colour of dust samples was transparent, followed by black, red, blue, green, and yellow. A total of six types of polymers were identified, including polystyrene (PS, 39%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 20%), polypropylene (PP, 17%), polyethylene (PE, 13), polyamide (PA, 7%) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 3%). PS, PET, and PP represent most of the MPs polymer types discovered in indoor dust samples from various locations. These polymers are frequently used in fabrics, furniture, carpets, packaging, and synthetic fibers. Statistical analysis was performed on the results using Excel 2019. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in each site with the other sites, except between (schools and mosques), (pharmacies, and medical clinics). The similarity between these sites in terms of people’s activity or in terms of furniture, the lack of carpets and curtains could explain the insignificant difference.

The photovoltaic modules are mostly installed outdoors, exposing them to different conditions. These conditions significantly affect their performance. One of the most influential factors on photovoltaic modules is the soiling phenomenon from dust deposition. Dust deposition on the surface of the modules causes transmittance loss. Some studies in different parts of the world have tried to find mathematical correlations between particulate deposition and transmittance. These correlations are a function of dust characteristics and environmental factors. This study proposes a new methodology to mathematically combine the photovoltaic model and transmittance loss correlations. The proposed model could examine and predict the effect of soiling on photovoltaic modules' performance. Three photovoltaic modules with different capacities are selected. Using the proposed model, they are modeled by assuming clean and dirty photovoltaic surfaces depending on the installation conditions. This study is based on actual data from the center of Tehran, located at 35° 41′ north latitude and 51° 23′ east longitude for 12 months in the year 2020. The module's performance was investigated in the presence of dust. The presented results are validated by comparing them with other studies. The results show that the soiling effect is not dependent on the modules' capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation represents a highly promising technological solution for addressing environmental challenges and energy crises. Dust deposition on the front and back surfaces of solar bifacial PV panels greatly decreases the optical performance and power generation. In this study, the dust deposition characteristics and mechanism of solar bifacial PV panels are investigated using the CFD–DEM method. The effects of the dust deposition rate on the output characteristics of bifacial PV panels are discussed. The research results show that the particle deposition behaviors on the back and front surfaces of bifacial PV panels are influenced by the deposition and separation forces at the left or right inlets. The dust deposition rate of windward surfaces can be 1.48–7.60 times that of the leeward surfaces of bifacial PV panels. The particle motion trajectories on the windward and leeward sides can be mainly divided into five and three kinds, respectively. The dust deposition rate of bifacial PV panels increases when the air inlet velocity decreases and the particle size and concentration and relative humidity increase. The open circuit voltage and short circuit current of bifacial PV panels decreased by 26.7% and 16.4%, respectively, when the dust deposition rate increases by 45.8%. The attenuation rate of the maximum output power of PV panels has a positive linear correlation with the dust deposition rate, as shown in Eq. 22. The bifacial PV panels have better output characteristics than the mono-facial PV panels with consideration of dust deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the most significant sources of microplastics (MPs) for humans is indoor dust. However, very few researchers have studied the properties and abundance of MPs that existed in dust from different indoor environments. The current study investigated microplastic fallout in 90 locations (5 kindergartens, 6 mosques, 5 schools, 10 shops, 5 cafeterias, 6 hospitals, 25 dormitories, 7 barber salons, 6 offices, 5 scientific laboratories, 5 pharmacies, and 5 medical clinics) during six months. Among the ninety sampling sites, the most significant average of MPs was actually found in the kindergartens (4.743×103 ± 427 MP/m2 /d), in contrast, the lowest abundance was in the medical clinics (3.02×102 ± 62 MP/m2/d). The majority of indoor dust samples contained MPs in the form of fibers. The dominant colour of dust samples was transparent, followed by black, red, blue, green, and yellow. A total of six types of polymers were identified, including polystyrene (PS, 39%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 20%), polypropylene (PP, 17%), polyethylene (PE, 13), polyamide (PA, 7%) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 3%). PS, PET, and PP represent most of the MPs polymer types discovered in indoor dust samples from various locations. These polymers are frequently used in fabrics, furniture, carpets, packaging, and synthetic fibers. Statistical analysis was performed on the results using Excel 2019. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in each site with the other sites, except between (schools and mosques), (pharmacies, and medical clinics). The similarity between these sites in terms of people's activity or in terms of furniture, the lack of carpets and curtains could explain the insignificant difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the responses of soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen dynamics to Holocene climate and environment in permafrost peatlands and/or wetlands might serve as analogues for future scenarios, and they can help predict the fate of the frozen SOC and nitrogen under a warming climate. To date, little is known about these issues on the Qinghai‒Tibet Plateau (QTP). Here, we investigated the accumulations of SOC and nitrogen in a permafrost wetland on the northeastern QTP, and analyzed their links with Holocene climatic and environmental changes. In order to do so, we studied grain size, soil organic matter, SOC, and nitrogen contents, bulk density, geochemical parameters, and the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dating of the 216-cm-deep wetland profile. SOC and nitrogen contents revealed a general uptrend over last 7300 years. SOC stocks for depths of 0–100 and 0–200 cm were 50.1 and 79.0 kgC m−2, respectively, and nitrogen stocks for the same depths were 4.3 and 6.6 kgN m−2, respectively. Overall, a cooling and drying trend for regional climate over last 7300 years was inferred from the declining chemical weathering and humidity index. Meanwhile, SOC and nitrogen accumulated rapidly in 1110–720 BP, while apparent accumulation rates of SOC and nitrogen were much lower during the other periods of the last 7300 years. Consequently, we proposed a probable conceptual framework for the concordant development of syngenetic permafrost and SOC and nitrogen accumulations in alpine permafrost wetlands. This indicates that, apart from controls of climate, non-climate environmental factors, such as dust deposition and site hydrology, matter to SOC and nitrogen accumulations in permafrost wetlands. We emphasized that environmental changes driven by climate change have important impacts on SOC and nitrogen accumulations in alpine permafrost wetlands. This study could provide data support for regional and global estimates of SOC and nitrogen pools and for global models on carbon‒climate interactions that take into account of alpine permafrost wetlands on the northeastern QTP at mid-latitudes.

Road transport and traffic congestion significantly contribute to dust pollution, which negatively impacts the growth of roadside plants in urban areas. This study aims to quantify the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and analyze the impacts of dust deposition on different plant species and trees planted along a busy urban roadside in Lahore, Pakistan by considering seasonal variations. The APTI of each species is determined based on inputs of various biochemical parameters (leaf extract pH, ascorbic acid content, relative water content, and total chlorophyll levels), including dust deposition. In this study, laboratory analysis techniques are employed to assess these factors in selected plant species such as Mangifera indica, Saraca asoca, Cassia fistula, and Syzygium cumini. A statistical analysis is conducted to understand the pairwise correlation between various parameters and the APTI at significant and non-significant levels. Additionally, uncertainties in the inputs and APTI are addressed through a probabilistic analysis using the Monte Carlo simulation method. This study unveils seasonal variations in key parameters among selected plant species. Almost all biochemical parameters exhibit higher averages during the rainy season, followed by the summer and winter. Conversely, dust deposition on plants follows an inverse trend, with values ranging from 0.19 to 4.8 g/cm2, peaking during winter, notably in Mangifera indica. APTI values, ranging from 9.39 to 14.75, indicate varying sensitivity levels across species, from sensitive (Syzygium cumini) to intermediate tolerance (Mangifera indica). Interestingly, plants display increased tolerance during regular traffic hours, reflecting a 0.9 to 5% difference between the APTI at peak and regular traffic hours. Moreover, a significant negative correlation (−0.86 at p < 0.05 level) between APTI values and dust deposition suggests a heightened sensitivity to pollutants during the winter. These insights into the relationship between dust pollution and plant susceptibility will help decision makers in the selection of resilient plants for urban areas and improve air quality.

Numerous factors affect how well a solar PV system performs, and continuous monitoring of these parameters while it is in operation is necessary to suggest improvements and attain peak optimum performance. This study examines the impacts of irradiance, cell temperature, wind velocity, water cooling, and dust deposition are examined on a 50W PV module in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Experimental results suggest that the preferred wind velocity and water flow rate for the PV panel's top surface cooling were around 5 m/s and 0.0045 m3/min (0.113 m3/min per m2 of panel area), respectively. The cooling system's water circulation at 0.0045 m3/min boosted the PV panels' output power, energy efficiency, and exergy efficiency by 20.47%, 12%, and 37.5%, respectively, at 730–780 W/m2 irradiation. The dust deposition of the PV panel reduced the power output to 21W from 46.81W (without dust) upon applying 42 gm of dust with a 0.29 mm particle size. Wind velocity (5 m/s) increases efficiency from 14.8% to 16.5%. The findings of this study may be useful to investors and policy makers in helping them to take right actions to minimize losses associated with the effects these operational and environmental factors.

We examined the flux and composition of sinking particles collected at a water depth of 800 m in the northwest Pacific from November 2017 to August 2018 to assess the impact of dust deposition on organic carbon export. The fluxes of total particulate matter and particulate organic carbon averaged over the study period were 88 ± 63 mg m-2 d-1 and 9.0 ± 5.8 mg m−2 d−1, respectively. Biogenic particles accounted for 82% of the sinking particles, on average. There were two notable pulses in the particle fluxes of both biogenic and lithogenic material in February and May 2018. These flux peaks were decoupled from net primary production in the surface waters but coincided with intervals of high rates of atmospheric dust deposition. The biogenic component of the two peaks was dominated by two different phytoplankton communities, which may have influenced carbon export efficiency. Correlations between the sinking particle flux and the lithogenic flux are found at several locations in the northwest Pacific, implying that East Asian dust deposition has a prevalent influence on the biological pump. Attention should be paid to the effects of changes in the continental dust supply to the oceans on oceanic carbon export.

Despite the growth in the global cumulative installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity, the efficiency of PV panels is greatly reduced due to dust accumulation and soiling. To enhance this efficiency, consideration must be given to the factors that affect dust deposition ranging from panel configuration to weather conditions. This research aims to determine which of those factors contribute significantly to dust accumulation and model this behavior. Numerical experiments were performed to study those factors based on a planned Design of Experiments (DOE). Dust particle size, dust amount, wind speed, wind direction, and the solar panel tilt angle are the five factors examined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Statistical and regression analyses were then used to determine the most significant factors and model their effect on the deposition rate. Results revealed that the dust diameter, panel tilt angle, and wind speed influence the deposition rate the most. Dust diameter is positively correlated to the dust deposition rate. Larger dust particles have a lower deposition rate as the wind velocity increases. In addition, smaller dust particles will always give the lowest dust deposition rate irrespective of the tilt angle. It was also seen that the maximum dust deposition rate occurs at a panel's tilt angle of approximately 50 deg regardless of the wind speed or the dust particle size. The developed mathematical model shows the factors contributing to soiling and panel efficiency reduction over exposure time. This model can be used further to optimize panel cleaning frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust deposition in northeastern Asia since the Last Glacial Maximum has previously been studied using a variety of archives. However, the mechanisms driving variability in dust are less well constrained. Here, we present records of the Nd‐Sr isotope and major element composition of sediments from Lake Tuofengling, a crater lake located in northeastern China, over the past ∼25 thousand years. The results indicate that the lithogenic fractions of the sediments are a mixture between aeolian dust and local volcanic detritus. Our provenance data suggest that the aeolian dust component is predominantly from the Mongolia Plateau, likely carried by the East Asian Winter Monsoon. Our isotope and calculated dust flux records exhibit similar changing patterns to proxies of global ice volume and the strength of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, potentially implicating ice sheets and ocean circulation as the dominant drivers of the East Asian Winter Monsoon over this time interval. Plain Language Summary: Dust storms occur frequently throughout Central and East Asia today. Several driving factors, particularly related to the East Asian Summer Monsoon, the East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM), and the westerlies, can influence dust production and transport in these regions, both in the modern and during the past. Uncovering the dominant factor(s) can assist in furthering our understanding of atmospheric circulation over Asia during climates both similar and different from today. Here, we collected sediments from a crater lake (Lake Tuofengling (TFL)) located in northeastern Asia and reconstructed dust inputs over the past 25 thousand years. We found that the dust delivered to TFL sediments is mainly sourced from the Mongolian Plateau associated with transport via winds related to the EAWM. Further in‐depth analysis indicates that shifts in ice volume and Atlantic Ocean circulation may be important drivers for the EAWM, at least over the past 25 thousand years. Key Points: Geochemical evidence suggests that the Mongolian Plateau (MP) is the main source of dust for Lake Tuofengling (TFL)The East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM) is likely the dominant carrier of aeolian dust from the MP to TFLDust flux and EAWM variability could be driven by a combination of changes in ice volume and Atlantic Ocean circulation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation centers on the empirical examination of a solar photovoltaic system that is integrated with a dome-shaped solar still in order to facilitate the process of desalination. The objective is to increase the production of freshwater through the utilization of saline water at elevated temperatures. The assessment of the dome-shaped solar still system's efficacy is conducted through the examination of various parameters, including water yield, energy, exergy, concentrator performance, and economic feasibility. The study's results demonstrate that the dome-shaped solar still system's water yield, energy, and exergy were evaluated under varying inlet temperatures and mass flow rates. The study recorded the water yield, energy, and exergy at 4.73, 4.27, and 4.91 L per m², respectively, with respect to the ambient inlet temperature. The water yield was observed to range from 6.9-7.7 L per m² under different input temperatures and air mass-flow rates. The dome-shaped solar still system's energy and exergy efficiency were evaluated, indicating encouraging results for various inlet air temperatures. Furthermore, the economic evaluation revealed that the rate of freshwater production was cost-effective in comparison to conventional solar stills. In summary, this research offers empirical proof of the efficacy of a solar photovoltaic - powered dome-shaped solar still for the purpose of desalination. It emphasizes enhancements in the output of fresh water, energy and exergy efficiency, and the economic viability of this technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the seasonal variations in dry deposition of coarse and fine particles on the foliar surfaces of common indoor plants viz. Ficus elastica, Ficus lyrata, and Schefflera arboricola along with their biochemical changes in the urban households of metropolitan Delhi. The dustfall fluxes were significantly higher at the industrial site as compared to residential site and temporal variations indicated higher dustfall fluxes during the winter months as compared to other seasons. Seasonal concentrations of chlorophylls, pH, and soluble sugars were higher during monsoon season for the indoor plants whereas ascorbic acid content was higher in the winter season indicating more stress. The results of correlation plots revealed that the variations observed in the biochemical traits were interlinked with the changes in dustfall fluxes during different seasons, thereby reflecting the changes in air pollution stress faced by plant foliage. The air pollution tolerance index and anticipated performance index were evaluated to understand the overall tolerance of indoor plants toward air pollution which can be utilized in phytoremediation techniques. It was concluded that among the studied indoor plants, Ficus elastica and Ficus lyrata are better plant species than Schefflera arboricola for improving indoor air quality. The novelty of this work lies in studying the spatial and temporal variations in the deposition of indoor dust on foliar surfaces of plants in the households of a highly polluted metropolitan. Based on the biochemical parameters, the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and anticipated performance index (API) have been calculated for the first time for Ficus elastica, Ficus lyrata, and Schefflera arboricola. The study strengthens the existing knowledge regarding the role of leaves as a platform to capture dust particles and role of indoor plants in improving air quality. The outcomes of this study can be applied in modern day concepts for urban areas such as nature-based solutions for air pollution mitigation, vertical greenery systems (VGS), green roofs, and outdoor green walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel experimental method for power efficiency loss is presented in this paper. It is used to quantitatively determine the impact of dust deposition on the PV power generation panel. To determine the selection range of unknown parameters in the experiment process, a photovoltaic panel with five collected dust samples (Toner (C), Soil, Cement (CaO, SiO4), Gypsum (Ca2SO4.2H2O), and Sand (AL2O3, SiO4)) is designed. According to experimental results, the extinction coefficient for the five pollutants are recorded. Eventually, the impact of dusts on the results is proved by repeating in two continuous days of same conditions. The results show that the proposed process has a high effect on the reduction of output power (62% to 96%), decrease of irradiance (34% to 93%) and increase of output power due to increase of tilt angle as a doubling of power except toner. The experimental and calculated results are in agreement. The results show that non-uniform distribution of dust deposit pollutants on the photovoltaic panel significantly reduces the power output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel experimental method for power efficiency loss is presented in this paper. It is used to quantitatively determine the impact of dust deposition on the PV power generation panel. To determine the selection range of unknown parameters in the experiment process, a photovoltaic panel with five collected dust samples (Toner (C), Soil, Cement (CaO, SiO4), Gypsum (Ca2SO4.2H2O), and Sand (AL2O3, SiO4)) is designed. According to experimental results, the extinction coefficient for the five pollutants are recorded. Eventually, the impact of dusts on the results is proofed by repeating in two continuous days of same conditions. The results show that the proposed process has a high effect on the reduction of output power (62% to 96%), decrease of irradiance (34% to 93%) and increase of output power due to increase of tilt angle as a doubling of power except toner. The experimental and calculated results are in agreement. The results show that non-uniform distribution of dust deposit pollutants on the photovoltaic panel significantly reduces the power output.Received: 09 January 2023 Accepted: 06 February 2023Published: 16 February 2023

The energy efficiency of the photovoltaic (PV) panel is greatly influenced by the dust deposition, especially in a PV plant covering a wide area. However, hitherto there has been a lack of a real-time measurement technique for the dust deposition degree. To solve this problem, in this paper, some evaluation indicators are defined, and then a real-time evaluation strategy is proposed. In order to calculate these indicators, a method and three simplification methods based on some established equations (or equation sets) are proposed to obtain the equation solution for the irradiance. This solved data is compared with the irradiance directly measured by the sensor, so the dust deposition degree can be successfully evaluated. Finally, some simulations and experiments verify the feasibility, availability and workability of the proposed irradiance solution methods and the designed evaluation strategy. The simulation and experiment results show that the errors of the solved irradiance values are always less than 2.5%. Meanwhile, these results also show that the real-time dust deposition degree can be successfully characterized by the defined indicators in this evaluation strategy, even if it is compared with other work. Therefore, this work is very beneficial to judge the energy efficiency of the PV system and plan the cleaning schedule of the PV panel.

This work discusses the numerical investigation of dust deposition behaviour on solar PV panels. Moreover, installing vortex generators (VGs) as a passive cleaning method on the PV panels is introduced and analysed. Multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed to predict the influence of VGs on both the air flow fields and the dust deposition on the basis of the environmental properties of Cairo, Egypt. The dust deposition reduction is predicted for different dust particle sizes and for different VGs sizes to find the optimum VG size that causes the highest reduction. It is found that installing VGs is effective for dust particles that are smaller than 50 µm. The results show that installing VGs will result in a deposition reduction of about 35%. It is concluded that installing VGs is effective in reducing the dust deposition when wind direction is from north, south, east, or west.

Atmospheric dust in the ocean is a bridge for air-sea interaction, which is an important basis for the study of this phenomenon due to extensive and observable space-time scales. The northeast Indian Ocean, located in the southern wing of the "roof of the world," the Tibetan Plateau, is among the seas with the strongest marine productivity and richest biodiversity in the world. However, there have been no relevant reports on the study of modern marine dust. This study discussed the modern process of atmospheric dust deposition in the northeast Indian Ocean for the first time, in terms of deposition flux, transport path simulation, scanning electron microscopy, and energy spectrum analysis based on atmospheric dust samples collected from September to November 2020 in the study area. The findings showed that the dust deposition flux in the northeast Indian Ocean varied between 221-1,221 mg/cm2/d. The maximum daily dust deposition fluxes appeared in the middle of November when winter monsoon conditions prevailed, and the minimum value appeared in late September under summer monsoon conditions; the former flux was approximately six times that of the latter. The dust deposition flux change was primarily affected by the distance of the dust source, whereas the dust particle size was related to wind intensity. The results of air particle simulation indicate that the dust transport process is controlled by seasonal and regional atmospheric circulation systems, and is specifically dominated by the Indian monsoon in the northeast Indian Ocean. The study area deposits more dust with nutrient elements from the Asian continent, which promotes the ocean's primary productivity and enhances its carbon sequestration capacity. Furthermore, the surface of quartz particles from modern atmospheric dust shows a unique structure in the aeolian environment, good quartz grain roundness, a meander ridge, and a U-shape. These characteristics are markedly different from those in a fluvial condition, such as poor roundness, conchoidal fracture, and a V-shape, which can be used as a reference to distinguish the different continental components in the sediments in the hope of establishing winter monsoon proxies in the northeast Indian Ocean to reconstruct the evolution of the Indian monsoon. This study not only fills a gap in the present-day dust deposition process in the northeast Indian Ocean but also provides new insight for dust research in the study area, with great scientific significance for the study of air-sea interaction and carbon sinks in the ocean, and ideal indicators for reconstructing the evolution of the paleo-Indian monsoon and changes in the paleo-ocean environment. Moreover, it offers important information for the reconstruction of the historical evolution and dynamic mechanism of the ancient Indian monsoon.

This study mainly focuses on understanding the properties of dust particle deposition (cement, brick powder, white cement, fly ash, and coal) on a solar PV panel under dry conditions in an indoor environment to record the percentage efficiency reduction profile. For the experimental study, a solar PV panel is manually drifted at three different tilted angles (0°, 15°, and 30°) with respect to five different dust samples taken to replicate dry conditions. To maintain optimal power storage by ensuring maximum ray reflection as the angle of inclination of the solar PV panel changes. It entails long-term postoperative improvement of the solar PV module by increasing feasibility and meeting user needs. From the experiment result, it is observed that percent of power loss of each dust particle is measured accurately such as cement (0.067), brick (0.190), white cement (0.163), fly ash (0.164), and coal (0.177), consolidated for three different tilt angles. Similarly, percent of power efficiency of each dust particle is measured accurately for three different tilt angles such as cement (76.689%), brick (61.822%), white cement (52.792%), fly ash (59.859%), and coal (75.381%), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is an exploration of the influences of external factors on solar panels in laboratory conditions. In order to study the effect of dust deposition on solar panels, a special testing chamber was fabricated. The effects of dust deposition on short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage and efficiency were tested. All measurements have been performed under the IEC 61853-1-2013 standard for the low-light illumination conditions. The investigation showed that the dust mass increasing on the surface of the solar panel decreased the electrical characteristics of the module. When settling the 16 g/m2 dust mass on the panel surface, the short circuit current and the open circuit voltage decreased. Short-circuit current is more sensitive to dust accumulation than open-circuit voltage. The study highlights the importance of developing strategies to mitigate dust deposition on solar panels to maintain and maximize their power output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dust deposition in northeastern Asia since the Last Glacial Maximum has previously been studied using a variety of archives. However, the mechanisms driving variability in dust are less well constrained. Here, we present records of the Nd‐Sr isotope and major element composition of sediments from Lake Tuofengling, a crater lake located in northeastern China, over the past ∼25 thousand years. The results indicate that the lithogenic fractions of the sediments are a mixture between aeolian dust and local volcanic detritus. Our provenance data suggest that the aeolian dust component is predominantly from the Mongolia Plateau, likely carried by the East Asian Winter Monsoon. Our isotope and calculated dust flux records exhibit similar changing patterns to proxies of global ice volume and the strength of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, potentially implicating ice sheets and ocean circulation as the dominant drivers of the East Asian Winter Monsoon over this time interval.

Conversion efficiency, power production, and cost of PV panels’ energy are remarkably impacted by external factors including temperature, wind, humidity, dust aggregation, and induction characteristics of the PV system such as tilt angle, altitude, and orientation. One of the prominent elements affecting PV panel performance and capability is dust. Nonetheless, dust features including size, shape, type, etc. are geologically known. Several mitigation methods have been studied for the reduction of dust concentration on the exterior face of the PV modules. The outcomes have demonstrated that dust concentration and pollutants remarkably affect the PV panel energy production. This paper reviews the recently developed research on the outcomes of the dust effect on PV panels in different locations and meets the needs of future research on this subject. Moreover, different cleaning methods that could be advantageous for future researchers in opting for the most applicable technique for dust removal are reviewed.

Solar power generation has great development potential as an abundant and clean energy source. However, many factors affect the efficiency of the photovoltaic (PV) module; among these factors, outdoor PV modules are inevitably affected by stains, thus reducing the power generation efficiency of the PV panel. This paper proposes a framework for PV module stain detection based on UAV hyperspectral images (HSIs). The framework consists of two stain detection methods: constrained energy minimization (CEM)-based and orthogonal subspace projection (OSP)-based stain detection methods. Firstly, the contaminated PV modules are analyzed and processed to enhance the data’s analytical capability. Secondly, based on the known spectral signature of the PV module, stain detection methods are proposed, including CEM-based stain detection and OSP-based stain detection for PV modules. The experimental results on real data illustrate that, in comparison with contrasting methods, the proposed method achieves stain detection results that closely align with known stain percentages. Additionally, it exhibits a fitting curve similar to the more maturely developed electroluminescence-based methods currently in use.

Peatland and forest ecosystems located in the Bieszczady Mts. (Carpathians, Central Europe) have been affected by human activity since the Neolithic, with this impact intensifying over time. We conducted long‐term studies to: (i) determine past peatland and forest development and current ecological state; (ii) assess the role of different factors that influenced ecosystem development over the last 3750 years; and (iii) determine natural reference conditions as a basis for the restoration of degraded mountain bogs and forests in the region. High‐resolution multi‐proxy palaeoecological analyses (plant macrofossils, pollen, testate amoebae, macro and microcharcoal, peat stoichiometry and stable isotopes), supported by radiocarbon dating, were performed on peat cores from an ombrotrophic peatland. Our study revealed that the peatland and forest ecosystems have been impacted by both climate change and human activity (fires, deforestation, and grazing) over the past 3750 years and that massive deforestation took place 400 years ago. Changes in forest composition led to the intensification in erosion between 3700–1500 cal. BP and over the past 350 years. Drainage resulted in hydrological disturbances but did neither stop the peat formation process nor decreased the abundance of species forming the natural peat plant communities indicative of oligotrophic conditions. However, hydrological disturbances shifted peat plant composition to dry‐adapted species (e.g. dwarf shrubs, Pinus sylvestris). Average water level depth fluctuated between ca. 10 and 25 cm over the last 3750 years; thus these are conditions that could be considered as hydrological reference for restoration measures. Our approach to identify natural reference conditions may be expanded to peatlands from other temperate mountain ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban atmospheric environmental problems have raised increasing attention in recent years. To confirm the impact of plant dust deposition capacity on urban atmosphere and spectral characteristics, this study carried out experiments in Xuhui District and Minhang District of Shanghai, and 4 common greening species were selected as research objects. In order to explore the changes in vegetation spectral characteristics, ASD FieldSpec 3 Spectrometer and 1/10000 electronic balance were used to measure the spectral data and dust data of samples. The results show as follows: (1) 380–680 nm and 750–1350 nm are the best spectral wavelengths to analyze the influence of dust deposition on spectrum. (2) The canopy reflectance spectra of tree species decrease with the increase of dust deposition, especially in the wavelength range of 750–1350 nm. (3) The first derivative and the second derivative are beneficial to observe the spectral changes and judge the position of the red edge. The red edge position of some tree species is easy to move under the interference of dust deposition. (4) Among the four tree species, the spectrum of Osmanthus fragrans is relatively undisturbed by dust deposition, and Osmanthus fragrans is a great tree species for urban greening. The research made a foundation for the future use of spectral information to estimate vegetation dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact of dust concentration and weather conditions – wind speed and relative humidity – on power generation of photovoltaic (PV) panels investigated experimentally in Tehran, Iran, for the period of April 10–September 22, 2018. Two Photovoltaic panels together with data-logging equipment were applied in this experiment. One panel was cleaned every day, while the other was remained unclean after 45 days. A performance ratio called "cleanness index" (CI) which is a temperature-corrected performance ratio of a soiled PV panel to that of a clean one was also used to indicate the dust deposition effect on PV panel performance. The uncertainty range of experimental results was between 5.27% and 5.55%. The results show that cleanness index had positive correlation with wind speed and negative correlations with relative humidity and dust concentration. Thus, in comparison to the clean PV panel, the output-power of the soiled panel reduced, approximately 8–12% per month. Furthermore, in order to numerically predict daily change of cleanness index (ΔCIPre), a linear regression model was developed and the outcome revealed that dust concentration had the most impact, with 21.56%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]