Kristina Filipović

Threatening environmental resources such as water, air and soil, and thus indirectly threatening biodiversity, through rapid, uncontrolled and non-ecological industrial production systems must be prevented through appropriate purification methods. In this research, the sorption of Reactive blue 19 anthraquinone dye from aqueous solution was carried out in a batch system using nano zinc–manganese ferrite carbonate (ZnMn–Fe₂O₄–CO₃) synthesized by the co-precipitation method. Various factors affecting the sorption activity of the material were examined, and the most suitable conditions were determined to be pH 2 and ZnMn–Fe₂O₄–CO₃ concentration of 0.25 g/L, whereby an equilibrium sorption capacity of 1463.10 mg/g was achieved. The ZnMn–Fe₂O₄–CO₃ removal efficiency was found to be 88.48% in effluent from a textile manufacturing industry. Utilizing FTIR, SEM, EDS, XRD, TGA and BET methods, the material’s morphological and structural characteristics were thoroughly investigated and reported. Regarding the kinetic and isotherm models that were analyzed, the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order (PSO) models provided the best fit to the aforementioned sorption system. Thermodynamic data confirmed the spontaneity of the sorption reaction and the exothermic nature of the process. An extensive study of ZnMn–Fe₂O₄–CO₃ demonstrated its high efficiency in removing RB19 dye, as well as the safety and simplicity of the synthesis, the cost-effectiveness of the sorption process, and the possibility of regeneration and reuse over multiple cycles. These findings highlight the potential of ZnMn–Fe₂O₄–CO₃ for advanced water and wastewater purification technologies targeting anthraquinone dyes.

The increasing demand for sustainable and resource-efficient buildings has intensified the need for comprehensive environmental assessment tools in the construction sector. Construction materials play a crucial role in determining the environmental performance of buildings throughout their life cycle, influencing energy consumption, resource depletion, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. As the construction industry seeks to reduce its environmental footprint and support sustainable development goals, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has emerged as a widely accepted methodology for evaluating environmental impacts and supporting informed decision-making. This review paper examines the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to the evaluation of construction materials, with a particular focus on their environmental performance and recent developments in sustainable construction. The study reviews the life cycle impacts of commonly used materials, including concrete, steel, timber, aluminium, glass, and other structural and non-structural materials. The findings demonstrate that no construction material is environmentally superior in all situations and emphasize the importance of context-specific material selection based on comprehensive life cycle assessment. Integrating environmental, technical, and functional considerations through LCA can support more sustainable decision-making and contribute to the development of low-carbon, resource-efficient buildings and infrastructure.

Urban air pollution represents one of the most significant environmental health risks worldwide, particularly in rapidly developing urban areas. Epidemiological studies consistently link major air pollutants-including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)-with a range of adverse health outcomes. This study analyzes the health impacts of urban air pollution, with a focus on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and evaluates current prevention and control strategies. The review synthesizes findings from 11 key peer-reviewed studies, including epidemiological analyses, systematic reviews, and policy evaluations, published between 1993 and 2024. The findings indicate that long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with a significant increase in the risk of chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and premature mortality. Landmark cohort studies demonstrate a 6-15% increase in cardiovascular mortality per 10 μg/m³ rise in PM2.5 exposures. Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, are particularly susceptible to these effects. In addition, the synthesis of available evidence highlights that integrated prevention strategies-combining policy measures (e.g., emission standards), urban planning solutions (e.g., green infrastructure, traffic management), and technological innovations (e.g., clean energy, emission control systems)-have proven effective in reducing ambient pollutant levels and associated health burdens.