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Topic Review
Applications of Biochar in Agriculture
Biochar has gained attention as an alternative source of solid energy and for the proper disposal of agricultural biomass waste (ABW). Microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) is a promising approach for the production of biochar. The use of biochar as a soil amendment can be an attractive option for farmers. The incorporation of biochar into soil has been shown to improve soil fertility, water retention, and crop productivity. This can lead to reduced dependence on synthetic fertilizers and increased agricultural yields. The development of a biochar economy has the potential to create new job opportunities and increase the national gross domestic product (GDP). Small-scale enterprises can play a significant role in the production and distribution of biochar, providing value-added products and helping to promote sustainable agriculture.
  • 808
  • 08 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Bioplastics Biodegradation
Bioplastics have entered everyday life as a potential sustainable substitute for commodity plastics. The wide array of biopolymers and commercial blends available make predicting the biodegradation degree and kinetics quite a complex issue that requires specific knowledge of the multiple factors affecting the degradation process. Understanding the material-related and environment-related aspects that determine the actual biodegradation of bioplastics is necessary to harmonize their treatment with biowaste using the typical processing conditions of waste treatment plants.
  • 804
  • 24 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Road Safety Near a Landfill Assessment in Europe
In Europe, many governments are struggling with the ambitious target of zero road deaths by 2050. On the other hand, they are facing remediation of illegal waste dumps, subject to European infringement procedures and involving a lot of workers and heavy materials transportation. In Italy, a specific department was started in 2017 to carry out the remediation of 200 illegal landfills of urban/industrial solid waste. According to the Italian legislative framework on construction site management, risk assessment should also include risks for the external context caused by the working site.
  • 799
  • 26 May 2023
Topic Review
Semi-Aerobic Landfill by Life Cycle Assessment Modeling
The potential impacts and the environmental performance of the semi-aerobic landfill technology were assessed through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. Project data that referred to a hypothetical Italian plant design were used and ISO 14040/14044 standards were applied. All the life cycle phases were considered, from landfill construction to filling, aftercare, closure and conversion for future use. All the landfill processes and the inflow of materials, energy and rainwater, and the outflow of biogas and leachate, were included in the system boundaries.
  • 796
  • 14 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Dynamic Capabilities for Environmental Sustainability and Economic Sustainability
Economic growth and technological progress, while driving societal advancements, have also contributed to challenges such as inefficient resource utilization, social inequality, climate change, and unsustainable production. Given the dynamism of internal and external environments, the dynamic capabilities theory arises to enhance the understanding of strategic actions, particularly those aimed at gaining a competitive advantage. These capabilities are specific capabilities that contribute to both the company and market evolution through the integration of knowledge, both internal and external to the company.
  • 796
  • 21 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Key Processes in Managing Building Materials
The new construction of numerous infrastructures and buildings, particularly in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, has led to an exponential increase in the demand for raw materials and energy, which is leading to the depletion of natural resources. The approach to treating these buildings at the end of life has also raised concerns worldwide. Transforming the current linear development model into a circular economy is considered an effective solution.
  • 794
  • 30 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Solar Wall Technology
Solar walls provide transformative solutions by harnessing solar energy to generate electricity, improve thermal comfort, and reduce energy consumption and emissions, contributing to zero-energy buildings and mitigating climate change. In hot and humid regions, solar walls can reduce indoor temperatures by 30% to 50%, significantly improving energy efficiency. Optimizing the performance of solar walls includes factors such as glazing, shading, solar orientation, ventilation, and catalytic techniques, allowing them to be adapted to different climates. Innovative solar wall variants that include photovoltaic panels, water storage, and phase-change materials offer multifunctionality and sustainability in building design and are in line with global energy efficiency and environmentally conscious goals.
  • 792
  • 27 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Aerosol Characteristics on the Himalayan Energy Budget
The extensive work on the increasing burden of aerosols and resultant climate implications shows a matter of great concern.
  • 776
  • 11 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Resourceful Utilization Status for Decommissioned Power Batteries
With the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, the number of power battery decommissioning is increasing year by year. The recycling of power batteries is of great significance for protecting the ecological environment, improving the efficiency of resource utilization, and ensuring the sustainable and healthy development of the new energy automobile industry.
  • 773
  • 20 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Water–Energy–Food Nexus for Agro-Industrial Companies
The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus approach is gaining attention due to the challenge of better managing natural elements. Agro-industrial companies, given their environmental impacts, need to take sustainability into proper account. One important sustainability management concept used nowadays is the so-called water–energy–food (WEF) nexus. It means that the aforementioned elements are intrinsically managed together, and one action in one direction can affect both of the others. As a result, these three issues should be considered in an integrated manner because they are connected, and their utilization may expose important tradeoffs.
  • 766
  • 26 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Define–Investigate–Estimate–Map (DIEM) Framework for Modeling Habitat Threats
The DIEM framework illustrates a method of defining threats on the basis of the derived definition, investigating an area using available spatial data, estimating threat severity using the principles used in existing equations, and mapping threats using spatial analysis methods.
  • 757
  • 20 Dec 2021
Topic Review
GIS and MCDM in Flood Risk Management
The identification and classification of flood-prone areas comprise a fundamental step in the Flood Risk Management approach, providing subsidies for land use planning, floodproofing policies, the design of mitigation measures and early warning systems. 
  • 746
  • 25 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Pulsed Flows and Patterned Surfaces Mitigate Membrane Fouling
Patterned membrane surfaces offer a hydrodynamic approach to mitigating concentration polarization and subsequent surface fouling. However, when subject to steady crossflow conditions, surface patterns promote particle accumulation in the recirculation zones of cavity-like spaces. In comparison, a rapidly pulsed crossflow induces mixing mechanisms (i.e., the deep sweep and the vortex ejection) that disrupt recirculation zones and reduce the rate of particle accumulation.
  • 740
  • 31 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Membrane Bioreactors and Hydrogenotrophic Denitrification
Due to low sludge production and being a clean source without residuals, hydrogen-based autotrophic denitrification appears to be a promising choice for nitrate removal from agricultural drainage waters or water/wastewater with a similar composition. Although the incorporation of hydrogen-based autotrophic denitrification with membrane bioreactors (MBRs) enabled almost 100% utilization of hydrogen, the technology still needs to be improved to better utilize its advantages.
  • 739
  • 31 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Active Design Approach Affect the Environmental Psychology
The growing urban population has increased environmental demands and affects human health due to the rise of chronic diseases caused by populations’ inactivity. A new design trend introduced by scientists and researchers for solving this issue is the active design approach. Built environments that were expressly designed to improve physical activity correlated to higher rates of physical activity, which in turn, positively affects health.
  • 737
  • 14 Aug 2023
Topic Review
A Smart Contract Architecture Framework for Industrial Symbiosis
Information Technologies (IT) seem to be promising to promote the development and implementation of the Industrial Symbiosis (IS) concept. For example, Blockchain technology (BCT) may have significant potential to help IS organizations collaborate and exchange data. This technology could provide a robust and reliable information management infrastructure. In particular, it could solve problems related to the lack of trust between organizations through its ability to ensure the immutability and traceability of data. In addition, through smart contracts, it can be useful to improve transparency, communication, awareness and security in IS networks.
  • 733
  • 22 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems
Sustainability has become a broad societal goal, aiming to ensure that human beings coexist safely and harmoniously with nature over a longer time. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy is coming to an end. The development and merits of sustainable energy supply, advanced technology, and economic features have received significant attention over the past. Since 2002, the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (SDEWES) conferences have become a significant meeting venue for researchers to introduce, discuss, share, and disseminate novel concepts and ideas.
  • 730
  • 01 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Climate Change on Water Sensitive Urban Design Technologies
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) technologies are green infrastructures those aim to restore the hydrological balance of urban catchments.
  • 730
  • 04 Jun 2024
Topic Review
Internet of Things Technologies in Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Incorporating smart tools and technologies into Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) has been identified as a natural next step for stormwater management. A plethora of smart stormwater management systems have been proposed, mostly by integrating sensing, control, communication, and computing capabilities. These advancements can augment the operation, performance, and capacity of existing or new infrastructure through enhanced data capture, analysis, and control of infrastructure systems. These methods have been tested in the realm of water management for monitoring, controlling, and managing water volume and quality, and for supporting decision-making practices in water distribution networks.
  • 726
  • 15 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Nature-Based Solutions on Urban Stormwater Management
Urban stormwater management is a critical challenge facing cities globally, with natural-based solutions (NBS) emerging as a promising approach for mitigating the impacts of urban stormwater runoff.
  • 725
  • 11 May 2023
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