https://jes.ut.ac.ir/ Journal of Environmental Studies en daily 1 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_106588.html Objective: Analyzing the role of governance in the context of climate change, particularly in developing countries like Iran, is considered a major challenge. Given the extensive impacts of climate change on the environment and human societies, governance systems must be designed to address these challenges effectively. Therefore, analyzing governance systems based on documents and regulations related to climate change in these countries is one of the ways to understand climate governance. This research uses organizational network analysis to examine the governance structure in Iran's National Climate Change Strategic Program. The innovation of the research is applying this method to identify and evaluate the inter-organizational collaborative and coordinative relationshipsand their impact on the climate change governance structure in Iran, which has been rarely seen in previous studies. This study aims to identify the existing structure within the climate governance system based on the aforementioned document.Method: The methodology involved extracting qualitative and quantitative data from documents and laws related to climate change in Iran, including the National Climate Change Adaptation Program. Relationships related to collaboration and information exchange among the organizations mentioned in various sections of this program were analyzed. Subsequently, using organizational network analysis and UCINET software, network analysis metrics were calculated to examine the structure of this governance system and identify its dominant regime. Results: The results indicated that Iran's climate governance system faced serious challenges, such as lack of coordination among various entities, despite a relative distribution of power and existing structural gaps. Additionally, this lack of cooperation and coordination among entities led to a fragmented governance regime that negatively impacted decision-making effectiveness in the field of climate change. Consequently, reforms in the structure of climate governance and the proposal for establishing new institutions with sufficient authority for coordination and continuity among organizations appeared necessary. Furthermore, enhancing transparency and accountability in policymaking were emphasized as a key factor for improving governance performance. The findings suggested that local institutions should play a more active role as bridges between government and society and better identify local needs and challenges. Organizing workshops and training courses to raise public awareness about climate change and strategies for addressing it could help strengthen social participation.Conclusions: Increasing transparency and accountability in decision-making processes related to climate change should be prioritized to enhance public trust in adopted policies. Ultimately, this research can serve as a model for other countries in analyzing governance structures in the field of climate change and contribute to developing effective strategies for addressing crises arising from climate change.  https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_106246.html Objective: Magnetic biochar can be applied for heavy metal adsorption due to its low cost, high efficiency, large surface area, good thermal stability, and environmental friendliness. Due to porous structures and a larger specific surface area, magnetic biochar can serve as a very effective adsorbant during soil washing. The siderite magnetic biochar absorbent predominantly consists of magnetite, a ferrimagnetic substance characterized by notable magnetic properties. Thus, this absorbent suspension will get separated by using a simple magnet. The magnetic biochar composites serving as the adsorbent during soil washing were pyrolysed of siderite and sawdust under N2 conditions. The characterizations indicated that magnetic biochar has been synthesysied.Method: By pyrolysing siderite and sawdust together, magnetic biochar absorbent was synthesised. Soil samples with high contamination of considered heavy metals from previous research and area monitoring and sampling were prepared for soil-washing tests. The co-washing process of contaminated soil samples with magnetic biochar composites and weak acid elution was set up. The heavy metal adsorption on magnetic biochar during soil-washing remediation was conducted in a range of pH (2-8) and temperature (15-45 °C). After shaking for 10 hours and giving the rest time, solid-liquid phases were easily separated from the supernatant using a magnet. The analysis of heavy metal concentrations was conducted at the Geological Survey of Iran using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) methodology.Results: The characterization results demonstrated that magnetic biochar possessed porous structures and exhibited an increased specific surface area. The siderite magnetic biochar absorbent was determined to be primarily comprised of magnetite, a ferrimagnetic material recognized for its substantial magnetic properties. At a pH of 5 and a temperature of 45°C, maximum adsorption of the magnetic biochar was gained, which was 154.45 for Pb, 272.08 for Cr, 378.35 for As and 3.29 for Cd. The rapid adsorption process could likely be attributed to the active sites present on the biochar. Furthermore, it was concluded that the primary mechanism governing the adsorption of heavy metals onto magnetic biochar was chemisorption and surface complexation.Conclusions: According to the results, the pyrolysis of magnetic biochar was proven to be a cost-effective, highly efficient, and environmentally sustainable approach for soil remediation. The co-washing technique applied to contaminated soil samples significantly decreased the bioavailability of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr) without markedly altering the soil's chemical properties. Consequently, this washing method incurs minimal ecological risks. Owing to its straightforward synthesis process, affordability, enhanced adsorption capacity, ease of separation, and overall environmental compatibility, magnetic biochar emerges as an effective adsorbent for soil remediation.  https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_106591.html Objective: This study uses a spatio-temporal approach to investigate the dispersion pattern of carbon monoxide emitted by vehicle traffic at near-ground altitude levels, on a local scale and within a part of Tehran, an environment whose complex and heterogeneous urban structure significantly influences the dispersion process of air pollutants.Method: After identifying the parameters affecting the movement of carbon monoxide, these parameters were classified into 3 categories: climatic, spatial, and traffic-related criteria. The GRAL model was used to analyze the behavior of carbon monoxide. The movement dynamics and concentration of CO were modeled within a one-hour period after emission, at 5 altitude levels along a section of North Kargar Street in Tehran. To evaluate the model's performance, the Pearson correlation coefficient and the mean bias error statistical indices were evaluated.Results: The highest correlation between predicted and measured values was obtained at the altitude level of 10.5 meters, and the lowest value at a height of 26 meters. It shows that building walls and the height of the sampling station play an effective role. At lower altitudes (2 and 4.5 meters), due to the presence of building obstacles and weak wind currents, higher CO concentrations and a positive model bias were observed. Nevertheless, the results obtained were statistically significant. Besides, the highest concentration of carbon monoxide was recorded at street level and near the entrances of alleys. If the wind direction is aligned with the street axis, the street acts as a duct for the evacuation of carbon monoxide; however, if the wind blows perpendicular to the traffic direction, the alley entrances become focus point for the accumulation and evacuation of pollutant.Conclusions: Variables such as the geometry of urban thoroughfares, building heights, wind direction, and atmospheric stability give rise to various scenarios of CO dispersion in the urban environment. The evidence obtained indicates that the highest density of carbon monoxide, both in terms of persistence duration and accumulation volume, occurs at altitudes below 30 meters, coinciding with the typical human breathing height. These findings underscore the critical importance of local-scale air quality modeling that accounts for the complex morphological features and turbulent flow regimes characteristic of the urban environment.  https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_106593.html Objective: The efficient operation of excess biological sludge treatment processes, including thickening, digestion, and dewatering, is crucial to the overall performance of activated sludge wastewater treatment systems. This study aimed to evaluate the key operational parameters affecting these stages in order to optimize the use of nano montmorillonite and its acid–thermally modified form as sludge conditioners. The objective was to assess the effectiveness of these materials in improving sludge dewaterability, enhancing sludge digestibility, and increasing methane productionMethod: Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted using real sludge samples, provided from the South Tehran Wastewater Treatment Plant. The primary parameters assessed included time to filtration (TTF), specific resistance to filtration (SRF), capillary suction time (CST), zeta potential, bound water content, and sludge digestibility. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to explore the relationships between the nanomaterials and these parameters. Additionally, a heatmap was generated to illustrate the interdependencies among them.Results: The greatest reduction in SRF was observed with 300 mg/g dry solids of nano montmorillonite, yielding SRF values of 6.7×10¹² and 52.8×10¹² m/kg for excess and digested sludge, respectively. Using 200 mg/g of the modified form produced SRF values of 6.2×10¹² and 45.3×10¹² m/kg for excess and digested sludge, respectively. At the same optimal dosages, TTF and CST were improved significantly by nano montmorillonite and its acid-thermal modified: 31, 26, 2, and 2.3 seconds for excess sludge and 192, 164, 6, and 5 seconds for digested sludge, respectively. The modified nanomaterial reduced zeta potential and bound water content by 93.8% and 80.4% in excess sludge and by 89.7% and 77.9% in anaerobically digested sludge. The heatmap analysis at dosages of 0, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, and 350 mg/g revealed strong correlations (97–98%) among TTF, CST, and SRF. Therefore, the related results showed methane production improvement in anaerobic digestion phase.Conclusions: Both investigated materials, nano montmorillonite and acid-thermally modified nano montmorillonite, despite their different dosage requirements, exhibited good performance in sludge conditioning, thickening, and dewatering. In addition, a strong correlation was observed among the three parameters of TTF, CST, and SRF. https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_107568.html Objective: The dramatic increase in population and the growing demand for food have necessitated a rise in agricultural production and, consequently, the consumption of chemical fertilizers worldwide. However, the excessive consumption of these chemical inputs beyond recommended levels has resulted in significant environmental and public health consequences. To maintain optimal consumption and ensure appropriate planning regarding chemical fertilizers, it is essential to have accurate knowledge of the current situation. This study aims to examine the status and trends of chemical fertilizers consumption in Iran and identify the associated challenges and information gaps.Method: This qualitative study was conducted in 2025, and data were collected through four complementary approaches: document review, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, online and face-to-face consultations, and focus group discussions conducted during expert meetings. The data obtained from these methods were subsequently reviewed and validated by senior managers and experts from relevant organizations.Results: According to the results, the majority of chemical fertilizers used in Iran are produced domestically. However, some fertilizers available in the market are counterfeit products manufactured locally and packaged under foreign brand names. Approximately 85 percent of the fertilizers used in Iran are subsidized and supplied by the Agricultural Support Services Company, sourced from either domestic production or imports. Private-sector producers and importers provide the remaining 15 percent. Access to accurate, up-to-date statistics on actual chemical fertilizers consumption in Iran is limited. Furthermore, data from both domestic and international sources often exhibit significant ambiguities and discrepancies. The estimated minimum consumption of all types of chemical fertilizers in Iran for the year 2023, as agreed upon by relevant stakeholders, ranges from 3.5 to 4.1 million tonnes, equating to 223 to 261 kilograms per hectare (total/ non-pure). While the long-term trend in chemical fertilizers consumption in Iran has generally increased, it has also experienced notable fluctuations. Additionally, there are significant provincial variations in consumption patterns. Many stakeholders in Iran rely on average consumption indicators to assess adequacy; however, these indicators are limited and often ineffective, leading to error-prone interpretations.Conclusions: Despite the limitations and challenges encountered, this study successfully provides a more comprehensive and transparent overview of chemical fertilizers consumption by using reliable statistics and incorporating stakeholder consensus. In addition to identifying gaps and challenges in information, this research highlights the inefficacy of average consumption indices in assessing adequacy. It emphasizes the necessity of shifting the approach from “quantity of consumption” to “consumption efficiency” when evaluating and planning for the supply and distribution of the country’s fertilizers needs and optimizing its consumption https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_107566.html Objective: Botanical gardens are of particular importance worldwide as centers for preserving biodiversity and as genetic and environmental reserves for education, cultural development, scientific research, and tourism. The National Botanical Garden of Iran, with its history spanning more than half a century and a high diversity of native and exotic plants, as well as various animal species, is considered a unique institution in Iran and the Middle East. However, urban development in the area has become a serious threat to its preservation over the past two decades. This study aims to reveal the impact of urban development on the formation of heat islands within the boundaries and buffer zone of the National Botanical Garden of Iran.Method: In this study, Landsat 8 satellite imagery from five years (1990, 2000, 2010, 2020, and 2025) was used to assess two indices: land surface temperature (LST) and urban thermal field variation index (UTFVI).Results: The temporal and spatial analysis of temperature over the 35 years from 1990 to 2025 indicated an upward trend. As a result the temperature class above 45 degrees Celsius increased from zero percent in 1990 to 24.55 percent in 2025. The study of spatial trends in the area and territory of the National Botanical Garden of Iran indicated that heat islands have occurred more frequently within the garden. Accordingly, the images of the LST index in 2025 clearly showed that the highest level in the temperature class above 45 degrees Celsius was observed in the garden area. On the other hand, the highest level in the class below 30 degrees Celsius was observed in the garden area. An examination of the spatial and temporal changes in the thermal comfort variance index (UTFVI) showed that over 35 years, the trend in changes in the thermal comfort index in the upper and middle classes within the garden area increased, reaching from 37.47 and 0 percent in 1990 to 45.81 and 1.99 percent in 2025, respectively. However, the bad, worse, and worst classes were mostly within the garden area.Conclusions: The results of the present study clearly show the role of land-use changes and construction in increasing heat island intensity, and the role of vegetation development in improving thermal comfort. Considering the deterioration and drying of Chitgar Forest Park in the east and southeast of the National Botanical Garden of Iran, which will increase the negative effects of climate change and heat islands, authorities need to prioritize protecting and enhancing vegetation cover to ensure ecological sustainability. Special attention should be given to maintaining diversity and the percentage of vegetation, especially broadleaf trees, within the garden and Chitgar Forest Park, to foster a healthier environment. https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_106589.html The development of low-carbon wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) plays a crucial role in achieving peak carbon and carbon neutrality goals. This study aims to calculate the carbon footprint, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as to provide effective methods for reducing these emissions at the Sari City Wastewater Treatment Plant. This study examined data from the Sari City Wastewater Treatment Plant for the years 1400 to 1402 (Solar Hijri calendar, approximately 2021-2023). The treatment system is an activated sludge type utilizing the modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) process, which is considered an advanced biological process for the removal of carbonaceous organic matter and nitrates. Carbon emissions from WWTPs are divided into two categories: direct emissions and indirect emissions.Direct emissions include carbon dioxide (CO2 ) resulting from aerobic decomposition and the conversion of organic matter in biological treatment processes; CO2 and methane (CH4) from anaerobic digestion processes; and dinitrogen monoxide (nitrous oxide, N2O) from nitrification and denitrification processes.Indirect emissions relate to the consumption of purchased electricity for blowers, pumps, and other equipment within the WWTP, and also include emissions from the transportation of fuel consumed at the plant and other internal activities. Based on the annual electricity consumption, an average of 0.61 kWh of electricity is consumed per cubic meter (M3) of treated wastewater. The total CO2 equivalent CO2eq emissions from the Sari WWTP from 1400 to 1402 are as follows: Off-site emissions (including electricity consumption, diesel fuel, residual biological matter decomposition, sludge disposal, residual degradable matter, and dinitrogen monoxide N2O 48113.7 tons of CO2eq On-site emissions (including endogenous biomass decomposition, removal of carbonaceous biological matter, nitrification, and dinitrogen monoxide (N2O) : 1934.26 tons of CO2eq. The GHG emission rate per cubic meter of treated wastewater at the Sari WWTP was calculated as follows:Year 1400: 0.071 Kg CO2eq, Year 1401: 0.078 kg CO2eq , Year 1401: 0.078 kg CO2eq. These results indicate an increase in emissions from 0.071 to 0.078 kg CO2eqfrom the year 1400 to 1402. High energy consumption and inadequate sludge management are the primary sources of indirect emissions, while the incoming organic load and biological processes, including nitrification and denitrification, are the most significant factors contributing to direct GHG emissions. To mitigate emissions, it is essential to optimize electricity consumption, utilize renewable energies, upgrade primary sedimentation, and improve sludge management. In summary, process modifications, energy optimization, and macro-level policies can contribute to a meaningful reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_106595.html Objective: The study aimed to investigate the impact of citizen responsibility on water resource conservation behaviors in Tehran, a metropolis facing increasing pressure on water resources and challenges caused by water scarcity, for which solutions need to be found. Adopting a sociological approach, the study attempted to highlight the role of people in the dynamics of natural resource conservation and show that sustainable change must begin both at the policy level and within families and citizens' daily lives. The study also provided empirical insights into citizens' responsibility and their willingness to save water resources.Method: Data were collected using a survey method from 380 citizens over the age of 18 in four districts of Tehran, selected through random sampling. The theoretical framework of the study was developed based on Ulrich Beck's risk society theory and Rogers' conservation motivation theory. Based on the above theories, conservation behaviors including reducing consumption, reuse, waste prevention, maintaining quality, education on optimal consumption, encouraging public participation and using efficient equipment were defined. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis were used to analyze the drivers of water resource conservation behaviors and the research findings.Results: The findings showed that the research model had a good fit and the independent variables explained a significant share of the changes in conservation behaviors. Ethical orientation was the most important factor affecting environmental conservation behaviors, followed by commitment to norms and values and social participation. Also, the balance between rights and responsibilities played a significant role in promoting conservation behaviors, while the transfer and strengthening of social responsibility did not show a significant effect. This study was the first dedicated research in Iran that simultaneously examined the level of citizenship responsibility and its impact on water resource conservation. Overall, the findings highlighted the importance of awareness, education, and strengthening the sense of social responsibility in promoting sustainable water resource conservation behaviors and showed that ethical and responsibility-based approaches can be used as an effective strategy for sustainable water resource management.Conclusions: The results of the study emphasized the need for targeted education, strengthening ethics, developing social participation, and promoting environmental norms and values in fostering citizens' conservation behaviors. The research results have a clear message for policymakers, planners, and environmental activists that successful water resources management strategies must be multi-level, integrated, and based on the simultaneous strengthening of various components involved in this field, and that the problem of water resource protection will not be solved by focusing on a single dimension. https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_106590.html Objective: In this paper, the driving cycle on three major freeways, Tehran-Qom, Tehran-Saveh, and Tehran-Karaj, has been analyzed and extracted. These cycles have not yet been calculated comprehensively or even separately, and our goal is to provide new and precise data regarding driving cycles on these routes. The obtained information can be used to improve transportation policies, help create the basis for reducing pollutants, and optimize driving behavior in the future.Method: To conduct this study, a light passenger car and a GPS application on the driver’s cellphone were used. Vehicle speed data was collected at various time intervals along the selected routes. The data were then corrected using data-processing techniques and noise elimination. By employing MATLAB software and utilizing methods such as micro-trip analysis and k-means algorithm, optimal driving cycles were extracted both individually for each route and for the combination of freeways. This process was undertaken to provide an accurate depiction of driving behavior on these routes.Results: The findings indicate that the extracted driving cycles exhibit significant fluctuations in speed and acceleration. These fluctuations may be influenced by factors such as traffic congestion, the occurrence of accidents, and road and weather conditions, and they reflect the dynamic nature of driving conditions in different environments. When compared to global standard driving cycles, the driving pattern on the studied routes shows lower positive and negative accelerations, which may indicate a more cautious or smoother driving style on these routes. Moreover, most drivers tend to maintain higher speeds, such that their average speeds are higher than those of the standard cycles. Another notable point is the high proportion of driving time on these routes, which indicates few stops along the way and contributes to increased travel efficiency. In addition, the analysis shows that drivers’ behavior is strongly influenced by road conditions, pavement quality, traffic flow, and changes in weather, highlighting the necessity of adapting driving strategies to varying environmental conditions in order to improve safety and efficiency. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that accurate extraction of driving cycles on the main freeways of Tehran Province can be used as an effective tool for estimating pollutant emissions and designing air pollution reduction policies. The results of the research, together with the examination of similarities, confirm the high accuracy of the software in extracting driving cycles. The differences emphasize the importance of developing a driving cycle that is compatible with drivers’ behavior and the geographical conditions of each country, in comparison with other countries. https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_107569.html Objective: Northeastern Iran is acutely vulnerable to environmental hazards, a vulnerability largely driven by persistent droughts and widespread land-use changes. Despite this deep-seated ecological sensitivity, the development of robust risk management and hazard mitigation strategies has been severely hindered by a distinct lack of predictive dust simulations. Addressing this critical shortfall, the present study is designed to elucidate exactly how regional dust occurrences respond to global warming. By doing so, we provide a rigorous assessment of future dust emission trajectories under shifting climate conditions.Methodology: Fundamentally, this research leverages the synergy between remote sensing observations and climate projections derived from the CMIP6-HighResMIP. To effectively monitor and extract aerosol optical depth (AOD) dynamics, we processed the MAIAC satellite product at a fine horizontal resolution of 1,000 meters, spanning the 2001–2025 period. Evaluating the intensity of dust source activities alongside the classification of particulate concentrations required a robust statistical approach. To achieve this, an event frequency index was computed across three distinct thresholds: AOD ≥ 0.25, AOD ≥ 0.50, and AOD ≥ 1.0. Projecting future dust aerosol occurrences for the 2026–2050 period involved extracting simulation data from the CNRM-CM6-1 model outputs, which are governed by the HighResMIP protocol at a 50-km horizontal resolution. Ultimately, to capture internal variability, a multi-member ensemble was generated utilizing three independent realizations of this model.Results: Topographic gradients and proximity to the transboundary Karakum hotspots directly govern the structural heterogeneity of aerosols across the northeast of Iran. Long-term observational data reveal that the aerosol optical depth (AOD) fluctuates between 0.05 and 0.43. The eastern maxima cores, recording historical values from 0.23 to 0.43, are currently experiencing positive upward trends of up to 0.12 per decade. In stark contrast, mountainous terrain acts as an aerodynamic shield that effectively suppresses these concentrations to a significantly lower range of 0.05 to 0.14. Background event frequencies within the eastern cores are 22.7% to 38.7%. When extreme storm thresholds are breached, aerosol generation across the central zones abruptly ceases, confining particle production strictly to the eastern border focal points at a peak of 14%. Historical multi-member ensemble simulations estimate a narrower mean AOD bracket of 0.13 to 0.21, with a dampening effect primarily driven by sub-grid smoothing artifacts. The future projection shows a substantial amplification in aerosol loading along the northeastern corridor, at a rate of between 27.7% and 30.64%. Conversely, anticipated growth throughout the western sectors remains heavily marginalized, restricted to a mere 1.33% to 4.27%.Conclusions: According to the results, the increasing trend of aerosol optical depth (AOD) is fundamentally rooted in thermodynamic shifts, driven by soil moisture depletion and a depressed threshold for wind friction velocity. As aerosols accumulate, their resulting thermal loading disrupts the radiative equilibrium between the surface and the atmosphere. This dynamic cools the ground while simultaneously warming the upper atmosphere. The static stability induced by such a temperature inversion ultimately stifles convective precipitation. To preserve the resilience of regional food security against these cascading impacts, policy frameworks must prioritize climate adaptation strategies anchored in integrated soil and water management. Parallel to these domestic efforts, proactive environmental diplomacy remains essential to mitigate and stabilize transboundary dust emission hotspots. https://jes.ut.ac.ir/article_106592.html Objective:In cold and high-altitude urban environments, snow accumulation and surface icing represent critical threats to transportation safety, traffic continuity, and the long-term durability of bridge structures. Bridges are particularly vulnerable due to increased exposure to wind and lower surface temperatures compared to adjacent roadways. In Iran, snow and ice mitigation strategies are still largely reliant on conventional methods such as chemical spraying and sand spreading. While these approaches are widely used, they are associated with substantial environmental and structural drawbacks, including corrosion of reinforced concrete elements, contamination of soil and groundwater, and elevated maintenance demands. In this context, the present study aims to numerically evaluate the thermal performance of a hydronic surface heating system for snow melting on the B9 Bridge located on Artesh Highway in Tehran, which is currently equipped with a chemical-based anti-icing system. The objective is to assess the feasibility of replacing the existing system with a more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable technology under cold-climate conditions.Method: A transient thermal simulation was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics to model a hypothetical subsurface hydronic heating system embedded beneath the bridge pavement. The system consists of PEX-AL-PEX pipes circulating water at a constant temperature of approximately 40 °C. The numerical model incorporates conductive heat transfer through asphalt layers and insulation, as well as convective heat transfer associated with the internal water flow. Two representative winter scenarios were examined, corresponding to ambient air temperatures of −5 °C and −10 °C. For the more severe scenario, snowfall with an intensity of 30 mm/h was included to simulate realistic operational conditions. Temperature-dependent thermophysical properties of construction materials and the dynamic behavior of the circulating fluid were explicitly considered to ensure accurate representation of field conditions.Results: The simulation results indicate that the hydronic heating system is capable of raising the pavement surface temperature above the freezing point within approximately 15–20 minutes under an ambient temperature of −10 °C. This thermal response is sufficient to effectively melt snow at a rate of 30 mm/h and prevent surface ice formation on the bridge deck. The total energy demand for one hour of continuous system operation was estimated to be approximately 851 kWh. Furthermore, an energy supply scenario demonstrated that the installation of 200 fixed photovoltaic panels, each with a nominal capacity of 700 W, could enable roughly 340 hours of system operation annually, highlighting the feasibility of integrating renewable energy sources.Conclusions: Overall, the results confirm that hydronic surface heating systems offer a proactive, reliable, and environmentally responsible alternative to conventional chemical de-icing methods. Their ability to reduce chemical usage, enhance public safety, and integrate with renewable energy sources supports their application in sustainable urban infrastructure and climate-resilient transportation systems