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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Sustainable Use of Plastics in Horticulture
The sustainable use of plastics in horticulture is investigated based on 4 criteria, the three Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycling) plus a re-place strategy, taking into account possible alternatives to plastics. Hail (and insect) nets made of HD-PE, with their long-term use mostly on apple and polytunnels of LD-PE for cherry and strawberry as well as solarisation mulches (reuse), were found to be relatively sustainable solutions for their needs and are currently without alternatives. In contrast, standard black mulch, with its largest share among horticultural plastics, had the widest range of sustainable alternatives, ranging from biodegradable to spray mulch; few sustainable alternatives are available for fleeces and reflective mulches. For the third sustainable option, pilot recycling schemes were examined, such as PolieCoTM (Italy), MAPLATM (Spain), and ERDETM (Germany); they collect 30–50% of the agricultural plastics used in their respective areas, with a successful retrieval growth rate of ca. 20% per year in the case of ERDETM. For the fourth new R option (replace), future sustainability perspectives for the predominant black mulch are research into and development of better, biodegradable, non-fossilbased plastics, sprayable mulch; microbes for the digestion of deployed polyolefins and, for a certain limited range (on shade tolerant crops or in high-light intensity environment), hail nets and polytunnels that are equipped/substituted by/with solar panels (“agri pv”) for the concomitant sustainable production of green renewable energy.
235
16 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Sustainable Valorization of Bioplastic Waste
Plastics-based materials have a high carbon footprint, and their disposal is a considerable problem for the environment. Biodegradable bioplastics represent an alternative on which most countries have focused their attention to replace of conventional plastics in various sectors, among which food packaging is the most significant one. The evaluation of the optimal end-of-life process for bioplastic waste is of great importance for their sustainable use.
329
29 May 2023
Topic Review
Sustainable Valorization of Sugarcane Waste from Sugarcane Processing
Sugarcane is a lignocellulosic crop and the juice extracted from its stalks provides the raw material for 86% of sugar production. Globally, sugarcane processing to obtain sugar and/or ethanol generates more than 279 million tons of solid and liquid waste annually, as well as by-products; namely, straws, bagasse, press mud, wastewater, ash from bagasse incineration, vinasse from ethanol distillation, and molasses. If not properly managed, this waste will pose risks to both environmental factors and human health. Valorization of waste has gained momentum, having an important contribution to the fulfillment of policies and objectives related to sustainable development and circular bioeconomy. Various technologies are well-established and implemented for the valorization of waste and by-products from sugarcane processing, while other innovative technologies are still in the research and development stage, with encouraging prospects.
2.3K
19 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Sustainable Waste Management Innovations
The problem of e-waste persists given the absence of sustainable waste management innovations and policies. We advocate for the engineering of policies that create conditions for doing more with less resources, eliminating waste, and recycling as crucial steps in creating sustainable waste management innovations.
662
30 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Sustainable Water Resources Management in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is one of the most water-scarce nations in the world, with a huge demand-supply gap, and the situation is expected to worsen due to climate change. Conventional surface water resources are limited, while nonrenewable groundwater sources are depleted. To build a more resilient and sustainable water sector, the production of non-conventional water resources, specifically desalinated seawater and treated domestic wastewater, has steadily increased in recent years. As the country lacks perennial water resources, such as rivers or water bodies, it relies mainly on nonrenewable groundwater and desalinated water to meet its daily requirements. Although the government is attempting to regulate the agricultural sector, water consumption in agriculture remains relatively high. It presents an environmental challenge due to its heavy reliance on non-renewable groundwater resources. The anticipated increase in temperature and highly uncertain changes in the rainfall patterns in Saudi Arabia could lead to greater uncertainty when attempting to develop effective water resource management plans.
693
22 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Symbiodiniaceae in Antipatharians (Black Corals)
Antipatharians are understudied ecosystem engineers of shallow (<30 m depth), mesophotic (30–150 m) and deep-sea (>200 m) reefs. They provide habitat to numerous organisms, enhancing and supporting coral reef biodiversity globally. Nonetheless, little biological and ecological information exists on antipatharians, including the extent to which global change disturbances are threatening their health. The previous assumption that they were exempted from threats related to the phenomenon known as bleaching was challenged by the recent findings of high densities of dinoflagellates within three antipatharian colonies.
508
02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Symptoms of Heavy Metal Toxicity on Cereal Plants
The contamination of soils by heavy metals poses a substantial environmental quandary with far-reaching repercussions for the growth and development of cereal crops. These crops are indispensable for sustainable food systems as they absorb water and nutrients from the soil, potentially uptaking these toxic metals in the process. This phenomenon, known as bioaccumulation, can lead to elevated levels of heavy metals in edible plant parts, such as grains, thereby endangering consumers when these tainted crops are consumed.
285
24 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Synthesis TiO2/ZnO Nanoparticles Based on Plant Extracts
Possible eco-friendly synthesis of TiO2, ZnO, as well as a few special nanomaterials, using different plant extracts instead of harmful organic solutions. The main role of the biomolecules in the synthesis of different NPs is the reduction of metal salts, as well as capping and stabilizing them. Hence, the plant-mediated nanomaterials have a variety of different shapes and sizes comparing to the general, chemical-based synthesis processes. Furthermore, these bio-compounds not only reduce the metal salts, but also functionalize the surface of the newly synthesized NPs, which includes synergistic effects for various applications. Furthermore, the pure plant extracts can also act as catalysts. Even though, that these phytochemicals are mainly used as reduction agents, they can also possess photoactivity and can be used as photocatalysts.
296
13 May 2024
Topic Review
Synthetic Progestins in Waste and Surface Waters
Synthetic progestins (PGs) are a large family of hormones used in continuously growing amounts in human and animal contraception and medicinal therapies. Because wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are unable to eradicate PGs after excretion, they are discharged into aquatic systems, where they can also be regenerated from conjugated PG metabolites. The PGs were considered of particular interest due to their wide use, activity, and hormonal derivation (from testosterone, progesterone, and spirolactone). It is concluded that PGs had been analysed in WWTPs influents and effluents and, to a lesser extent, in other matrices, including surface waters, where their concentrations range from ng/L to a few µg/L. Because of their high affinity for cell hormone receptors, PGs are endocrine disruptor compounds that may alter the reproductive fitness and development of biota.
641
21 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Systems of Multicriteria Analysis for Housing Environment
The quality of the housing environment (HE) is an important issue that has a direct impact on the life of inhabitants. Aiming for quality in residential architecture begins with a well-designed HE, with the designing process being a value that is difficult to evaluate. Nowadays, a well-designed HE takes into account the energy efficiency of a building. An appropriate degree of thermal comfort, which is required by inhabitants, needs to be considered at the design stage. Designers can use building certification programs and multi-criteria analysis to motivate investors to construct buildings in accordance with energy efficiency requirements. These systems respond to the needs of energy efficiency, thermal comfort, sustainable heating, and ventilation. Defining ways and methods to evaluate quality in architectural projects will allow the value of the HE to be improved.
432
31 Oct 2022
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