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Managing automotive end-of-life NiMH and Li-ion batteries in Mongolia: a Material Flow Analysis to assess challenges and opportunities for circular batteries in the Global South
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2026-02-12) Gantuya Ganbat; Daniel Karthe
Introduction: Mongolia’s transition to electric mobility presents environmental opportunities to mitigate air pollution and potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also generates complex waste streams such as end-of-life (EoL) Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIB). This study investigates the status of Mongolia’s waste management system and how it can be optimized to enhance the circularity of such waste streams.
Methods: Original data was collected through field research at collection, repair, storage, and disposal sites, and complemented by stakeholder interviews and an analysis of the country’s waste management legislation. Official vehicle fleet statistics (2010–2023) were used to forecast the quantity of EoL NiMH and LIB until 2050 and conduct a Material Flow Analysis for 10 different scenarios. The dataset comprises both qualitative data, describing the current waste management scenario, and quantitative data on vehicle imports, fleet composition, and battery specifications, with assumptions for missing values based on market trends.
Results: Results reveal that Mongolia lacks infrastructure and policy for safe and sustainable EoL battery management. EoL battery outflows were estimated using a two-parameter Weibull distribution model; forecast reliability was assessed via out-of-sample backcasting of the vehicle-fleet projection against historical fleet statistics (2019–2023 hold-out: MAPE = 4.71%). The results of the EoL battery quantities are scenario- and parameter-dependent projections for the lifetime and battery-specification assumptions. The results show that cumulatively (from 2023 to 2050), in the Current Scenario, 10,302 tons of EoL NiMH and 38,650 tons of EoL LIB are expected to be generated. In contrast, for the Climate Focus Scenario, 10,455 tons of EoL NiMH and 102,586 tons of EoL LIB are expected.
Discussion: The lower values of NiMH in 2050 are due to the expected transition from NiMH to LIB in HEV. Recommendations to enhance EoL battery management’s circularity include focusing on improving EoL battery collection, implementing Extended Producer Responsibility, integrating the existing informal sector, enhancing regional and international cooperation, and improving data acquisition and management. In summary, a combined approach involving local and international cooperation and socio- and technological development is essential for improving the circularity of EoL battery management in Mongolia.
1 Introduction
Spatiotemporal Variability of Near-Surface Temperature Inversion over Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia
(MDPI, 2026-08-14) Gantuya Ganbat
Near-surface temperature inversions are prevalent during the cold months in Ulaanbaatar city, Mongolia, and significantly degrade urban air quality by trapping hazardous pollutants within a shallow atmospheric boundary layer. This study investigates spatiotemporal variability, physical mechanisms, and long-term evolution of near-surface temperature inversions over Ulaanbaatar by integrating 25 years (2000–2024) of ground-based meteorological and radiosonde observations, with high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulations for 2012–2023. Our results demonstrate the fourdimensional data assimilation (FDDA) grid nudging effectively captures localized topographic influences in the WRF simulations, showing a strong agreement with radiosonde observations (R2 = 0.783, p < 0.000). Near-surface temperature inversions are strongly controlled by the Siberian High, with the highest frequency occurring from December to February, when up to 67% of morning observations exhibit inversion conditions. A pronounced diurnal cycle was identified, with inversion intensity peaking at 5.6–6.8 ◦C during the early morning hours (02:00–08:00 LST) before reaching a minimum around 14:00 LST. Spatially, the strongest inversions occur along the low-lying Tuul River valley, where the planetary boundary layer is compressed to below 350 m and wind speeds decrease to less than 2.4 m·s−1, creating persistent atmospheric stagnation. Despite these favorable conditions for inversion formation, long-term observations indicate that regional warming (+2.0 ◦C) and the urban heat island effects have reduced inversion frequency by 31%, inversion thickness by 170 m, and inversion intensity by 0.9 ◦C over the past 25 years. These findings demonstrate the strong coupling between regional complex terrain, and boundary layer thermodynamics, highlighting the need to incorporate urban ventilation corridors and topography-informed planning into climate adaptation and winter air-quality management strategies.
An Actor-Interest-Power (AIP) governance indicator framework for operationalising the Actor-Centred Power approach
(Elsevier, 2026-08-03) Daniel Karthe
Systematic analysis of complex social relations in environmental governance requires clear identification of actors, their interests, power distribution, and interactions. While the Actor-Centred Power (ACP) approach provides a theoretical foundation for analysing governance processes, its application has remained predominantly qualitative, limiting transparency, comparability, and reproducibility across governance contexts. This study develops a structured Actor-Interest-Power (AIP) analytical framework that operationalises the ACP approach by integrating actor interests and power distribution within a transparent and comparable analytical procedure. The framework combines structured actor-interest scoring, power assessment, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to enable systematic exploration and comparison of governance configurations. Drawing on empirical data from mangrove forest management in Thailand, a subset of actors and interests is reanalysed to demonstrate the application of the framework. To further illustrate its analytical utility, six conceptually constructed AIP typologies representing contrasting governance configurations are developed, ranging from aligned high-power structures to fragmented and asymmetric arrangements. Together, the empirical application and conceptual typologies demonstrate how different Actor-Interest-Power (AIP) configurations can be systematically represented and compared within a consistent analytical framework. By operationalising Actor-Interest-Power relationships into a structured analytical framework, this study advances the practical application of the ACP approach and contributes to the development of transparent, reproducible, and configuration-based governance indicators for comparative sustainability assessment and planning.
Inference of Subsidence Prediction Model Parameters Based on InSAR Data
(GMIT, 2025-12-05) Suvd-Erdene Tsend-Ayush; First supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jörg Benndorf,; Second supervisor: Prof. Dr. Altangerel Lkhamsuren
Mining and storage operations can cause ground subsidence that threatens infrastructure. Satellite InSAR measures millimeter‑level motion but only along the radar line of sight, which mixes vertical and horizontal components. This
thesis builds a controlled synthetic framework to test how well three subsidence parameters - the influence angle β, convergence rate μ, and horizontal-tilt factor λ can be recovered from synthetic InSAR line-of-sight (LOS) data. A Gaussian influence function generates vertical, tilt, and horizontal fields that are projected into ascending and descending viewing geometries and perturbed with 1–2 mm Gaussian noise. A series of numerical experiments was performed, including baseline inversion, ASC-only vs. DES-only geometry tests, noise-level sensitivity, and multi-scenario horizontal-factor cases (λ = 0.3, 0.5, 1.0). Parameters are estimated with weighted nonlinear least squares and
assessed with residual diagnostics, Monte‑Carlo uncertainty, and sensitivity tests for noise and geometry. Limited Bayesian (MCMC) and Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) trials demonstrate probabilistic and sequential extensions.
Results show accurate recovery of (β, μ, λ) with residuals at the noise level (~1 mm). Histograms and Q–Q plots indicate near‑normal errors, and per‑orbit RMSE closely matches the standard deviation. Using both orbits (ASC+DES)
reduces uncertainty relative to single‑track inversions and weakens parameter coupling, especially for λ. Monte‑Carlo spreads are narrow and scale with noise as expected. The Bayesian and EKF tests agree with the deterministic solution
and provide credible intervals and time‑update capability. These findings support combined‑geometry InSAR as a practical basis for estimating subsidence parameters and suggest a clear path to applying the framework to real time‑series.
Power systems dynamic simulation developments for power quality monitoring:
(GMIT, 2023-05-23) Ankhbayar Vandandorj; Supervisor 1st : Prof. Dr. Ariunbolor Pu.; Supervisor 2nd : Dr. Enkh-Amgalan B.
This Master's thesis addresses the critical issue of high harmonics impacting the power grid system's power quality, resulting in financial losses, equipment heat generation, transmission and distribution line problems, and electrical shock to end-users. These harmonics are especially problematic within industrial environments such as steel melting furnaces, where significant voltage and current volatility are observed. This study utilized real-time data measurement at the highest and lowest potential points within these furnaces. It developed MATLAB's dynamic simulation to accurately represent and analyze the sinusoidal waveform of fundamental harmonics and the distinctive harmonics generated
within the power system's energy conversion process. This analysis adheres to the specifications outlined in the MNS 1778:2007 and IEEE 519-2014 standards, contributing to understanding and preserving power quality in energy dynamics. The gathered data was imported into Microsoft Excel for further processing and evaluation. MATLAB's Graphical User Interface simulated the harmonic oscillations and changes under varying load conditions. The preliminary findings reveal that the odd harmonics, particularly those not divisible by three, are causing substantial damage to the fundamental harmonics waveform, significantly impacting the electrical grid system. Given the current lack of
quality control or standardization in the MNS 1778:2007, it is crucial to integrate the IEEE 519-2014 standard's current quality control measures. Future research will delve into the differences in odd harmonics divided by three and not divided by three and develop strategies to filter them using a hybrid filtering system. Furthermore, the research anticipates implementing current harmonics or quality standards into the Mongolian electrical system, promoting electrical purity in the industrial and mining sectors.