Environments

17 pages, 1519 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Applicability of a Freundlich-Like Model for Plant Uptake at an Industrial Contaminated Site with a High Variable Arsenic Concentration

by Francesca Pedron^1,*, Martina Grifoni¹, Meri Barbafieri¹, Gianniantonio Petruzzelli¹, Irene Rosellini¹

, Elisabetta Franchi²

, Roberto Bagatin² and Marco Vocciante³

¹ Institute of Ecosystem Study, National Council of Research, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy

² Eni S.p.A., Renewable Energy &Environmental R&D, Via Maritano 26, 20097 San Donato Milanese (MI), Italy

³ DCCI, Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy

Environments 2017, 4(4), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040067 - 23 Sep 2017

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6702

Abstract

Phytoextraction is a low-cost technology with negligible environmental impacts. A major issue at the field scale is the heterogeneity of contaminant concentration since the entire site needs to be treated evenly even though zones may need different incisiveness in the treatment. The concentration [...] Read more.

Phytoextraction is a low-cost technology with negligible environmental impacts. A major issue at the field scale is the heterogeneity of contaminant concentration since the entire site needs to be treated evenly even though zones may need different incisiveness in the treatment. The concentration ratio (C_shoot/C_soil) is generally used to evaluate plant species performance and it includes for simplicity an assumption of linearity in the uptake behavior, although deviation from linearity has been observed in several studies. This work describes a phytoextraction feasibility test, conducted at a greenhouse scale for the remediation of an arsenic-contaminated site. Since a feasibility test should also provide an uptake model that accounts for plant growth in heterogeneous areas, the investigation focused on defining the uptake behavior of the various selected species growing in a site with homogeneous soil properties, but with considerable differences in arsenic concentration. Among the many models selectable to describe the soil-to-plant transfer, the Freundlich-like approach was tested. While remaining easy to handle, the non-linear model selected proves to be adequate to predict the arsenic uptake despite the complex contamination considered, thus allowing a more realistic prediction of the potential of a field-scale phytoremediation procedure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Contamination, Remediation and Conservation)

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13 pages, 2030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fine-Tuning of a Protected Area Effectiveness Evaluation Tool: Implementation on Two Emblematic Spanish National Parks

by David Rodríguez-Rodríguez^1,2,*, Paloma Ibarra³, Javier Martínez-Vega¹

, Maite Echeverría³ and Pilar Echavarría¹

¹ Institute of Economy, Geography and Demography, Spanish National Research Council (IEGD-CSIC), Associated Unit GEOLAB. C/Albasanz, 26-28, 28037 Madrid, Spain

² European Topic Centre-Universidad of Malaga, Andalucía Tech, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain

³ Aragonese University Research Institute on Environmental Science, Department of Geography and Territorial Management, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain

Environments 2017, 4(4), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040068 - 26 Sep 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5951

Abstract

As global biodiversity trends worsen, protected area (PA) environmental effectiveness needs to be assessed to identify strengths and areas to improve. Through a participatory process including PA managers and scientists, we refined the System for the Integrated Assessment of Protected Areas (SIAPA), in [...] Read more.

As global biodiversity trends worsen, protected area (PA) environmental effectiveness needs to be assessed to identify strengths and areas to improve. Through a participatory process including PA managers and scientists, we refined the System for the Integrated Assessment of Protected Areas (SIAPA), in order to increase its legitimacy, credibility and salience to end users in Spain. Then, we tested the optimised version of the SIAPA on two emblematic Spanish national parks (NPs): Ordesa y Monte Perdido NP (Ordesa NP) and Sierra de Guadarrama NP (Guadarrama NP). PA managers and scientists largely coincided in the ratings of SIAPA’s indicators and indices. Collaboration with Ordesa NP’s managers was regular, allowing a nearly complete evaluation of the NP. However, greater collaboration between PA managers and scientists remains a priority in Guadarrama NP. Results show that potential effectiveness is moderate for Ordesa NP and low for Guadarrama NP, according to the indicators that could be evaluated. For Ordesa NP, lack of data on focal habitats and other focal features determined a deficient valuation of its conservation state, although the remaining indicators in that category showed adequate or moderate values. The compilation of those data should be overriding in the NP. In contrast, only climate change posed a serious threat in that NP. The social perception and valuation of both NPs was good, suggesting broad support from local populations and eased management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Territorial Management)

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13 pages, 1420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biological Treatment by Active Sludge with High Biomass Concentration at Laboratory Scale for Mixed Inflow of Sunflower Oil and Saccharose

by Pedro Cisterna

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Bío Bío, Concepción, Z.C. 378000, Chile

Environments 2017, 4(4), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040069 - 28 Sep 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 6558

Abstract

We studied and quantified the elimination of sunflower oil from a wastewater influent using a biological treatment by activated sludge. Estimation of the biodegraded material was obtained doing a mass balance, and we conducted a follow-up of the different operational parameters and design. [...] Read more.

We studied and quantified the elimination of sunflower oil from a wastewater influent using a biological treatment by activated sludge. Estimation of the biodegraded material was obtained doing a mass balance, and we conducted a follow-up of the different operational parameters and design. We delivered information about the operation of a system for treatment by activated sludge fed with an influent with sunflower oil and saccharose. The influent was previously agitated before entering the effluent sludge in a lab-scale plant. The working range for oil concentration was 100 to 850 mg/L in the influent. Biodegradation was in the range of 60% to 51%. The process works better with a high initial concentration of biomass (7500 mg/L) in order to absorb the impacts caused by the oil on the microorganisms. The lowest total suspended solids concentration was 4500 mg/L. The elimination of sunflower oil in biodegradation and flotation was on the order of 90%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Environmental Engineering)

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7 pages, 1394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nitrate Leaching from Sand and Pumice Geomedia Amended with Pyrogenic Carbon Materials

by Jihoon Kang^1,*

, Marissa Davila², Sergio Mireles¹ and Jungseok Ho³

¹ School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA

² Harlingen Waterworks System, Harlingen, TX 78550, USA

³ Civil Engineering, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA

Environments 2017, 4(4), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040070 - 3 Oct 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 7393

Abstract

There is increasing interest in using pyrogenic carbon as an adsorbent for aqueous contaminants in stormwater. The objective of this study was to investigate pyrogenic carbon materials as an amendment to geomedia to reduce nitrate leaching. Batch adsorption and column experiments were conducted [...] Read more.

There is increasing interest in using pyrogenic carbon as an adsorbent for aqueous contaminants in stormwater. The objective of this study was to investigate pyrogenic carbon materials as an amendment to geomedia to reduce nitrate leaching. Batch adsorption and column experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of a commercial activated carbon and two biochars incorporated (5% by weight) into sand and pumice columns. The batch adsorption with 50 mg L−1 of nitrate solution showed that only activated carbon resulted in a substantial adsorption for nitrate up to 41%. Tested biochars were not effective in removing aqueous nitrate and even released nitrate (<1%) with 1 h reaction time. Column experiment with a pulse input of nitrate solution (50 mg L−1) confirmed that the sand or pumice columns amended with biochars were not as effective as those amended with activated carbon for reducing nitrate leaching. Our results suggested that net negatively charged surfaces of biochar may inhibit nitrate anion adsorption while activated carbon has reactive sites containing acidic functional groups to improve nitrate retention. There was no difference between sand and pumice for nitrate retention in any of the carbon amendments. Additional surface activation process during biochar production may be needed to improve adsorptive capacity of biochar for aqueous nitrate removal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Contamination, Remediation and Conservation)

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9 pages, 943 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Ambient Temperature and Mental Health in the USA

by Patrick E. Phelan^1,* and Bernadette E. Phelan²

¹ School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, 501 E Tyler Mall ECG303, Tempe, AZ 85287-6106, USA

² Phelan International LLC, 8525 E San Jacinto Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, USA

Environments 2017, 4(4), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040071 - 8 Oct 2017

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5645

Abstract

Climatic variables such as temperature have been shown to correlate with demand for mental health services in other countries. An attempt by the present study to replicate this correlation using existing USA treatment data on mental health was not substantiated. Using annual state-level [...] Read more.

Climatic variables such as temperature have been shown to correlate with demand for mental health services in other countries. An attempt by the present study to replicate this correlation using existing USA treatment data on mental health was not substantiated. Using annual state-level data from 2007 through 2015, the rate of mental health service utilization per 1000 population was correlated with average temperature and precipitation, while adjusting for Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment, and urbanization. No statistically significant correlation was found. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk and Climate Change)

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16 pages, 9656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid Urban Growth in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Monitoring Land Use Land Cover Dynamics of a Himalayan City with Landsat Imageries

by Asif Ishtiaque^1,*, Milan Shrestha²

and Netra Chhetri³

¹ School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA

² School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA

³ School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA

Environments 2017, 4(4), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040072 - 8 Oct 2017

Cited by 115 | Viewed by 26761

Abstract

The Kathmandu Valley of Nepal epitomizes the growing urbanization trend spreading across the Himalayan foothills. This metropolitan valley has experienced a significant transformation of its landscapes in the last four decades resulting in substantial land use and land cover (LULC) change; however, no [...] Read more.

The Kathmandu Valley of Nepal epitomizes the growing urbanization trend spreading across the Himalayan foothills. This metropolitan valley has experienced a significant transformation of its landscapes in the last four decades resulting in substantial land use and land cover (LULC) change; however, no major systematic analysis of the urbanization trend and LULC has been conducted on this valley since 2000. When considering the importance of using LULC change as a window to study the broader changes in socio-ecological systems of this valley, our study first detected LULC change trajectories of this valley using four Landsat images of the year 1989, 1999, 2009, and 2016, and then analyzed the detected change in the light of a set of proximate causes and factors driving those changes. A pixel-based hybrid classification (unsupervised followed by supervised) approach was employed to classify these images into five LULC categories and analyze the LULC trajectories detected from them. Our results show that urban area expanded up to 412% in last three decades and the most of this expansion occurred with the conversions of 31% agricultural land. The majority of the urban expansion happened during 1989–2009, and it is still growing along the major roads in a concentric pattern, significantly altering the cityscape of the valley. The centrality feature of Kathmandu valley and the massive surge in rural-to-urban migration are identified as the primary proximate causes of the fast expansion of built-up areas and rapid conversions of agricultural areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Territorial Management)

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13 pages, 216 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sociology in Global Environmental Governance? Neoliberalism, Protectionism and the Methyl Bromide Controversy in the Montreal Protocol

by Brian J. Gareau

Department of Sociology, and the International Studies Program, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA

Environments 2017, 4(4), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040073 - 10 Oct 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6575

Abstract

Sociological studies of global agriculture need to pay close attention to the protectionist aspects of neoliberalism at the global scale of environmental governance. With agri-food studies in the social sciences broadening interrogations of the impact of neoliberalism on agri-food systems and their alternatives, [...] Read more.

Sociological studies of global agriculture need to pay close attention to the protectionist aspects of neoliberalism at the global scale of environmental governance. With agri-food studies in the social sciences broadening interrogations of the impact of neoliberalism on agri-food systems and their alternatives, investigating global environmental governance (GEG) will help reveal its impacts on the global environment, global science/knowledge, and the potential emergence of ecologically sensible alternatives. It is argued here that as agri-food studies of neoliberalism sharpen the focus on these dimensions the widespread consequences of protectionism of US agri-industry in GEG will become better understood, and the solutions more readily identifiable. This paper illustrates how the delayed phase out of the toxic substance methyl bromide in the Montreal Protocol exemplifies the degree to which the US agri-industry may be protected at the global scale of environmental governance, thus prolonging the transition to ozone-friendly alternatives. Additionally, it is clear that protectionism has had a significant impact on the dissemination and interpretation of science/knowledge of methyl bromide and its alternatives. Revealing the role that protectionism plays more broadly in the agriculture/environmental governance interface, and its oftentimes negative impacts on science and potential alternatives, can shed light on how protectionism can be made to serve ends that are at odds with environmental protection. Full article

13 pages, 5664 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Production of Geopolymeric Mortars Containing Forest Biomass Ash as Partial Replacement of Metakaolin

by Sebastiano Candamano^1,*, Pierantonio De Luca^1,*, Patrizia Frontera²

and Fortunato Crea¹

¹ Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Calabria, Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy

² Department of Civil Engineering, Energy, Environmental and Materials, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria 89122, Italy

Environments 2017, 4(4), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040074 - 15 Oct 2017

Cited by 44 | Viewed by 6878

Abstract

Geopolymers are a new class of binders based on alkali activation of natural and by-products raw materials. Their properties and eco-compatibility highly depends on the reaction system. The (Na,K)₂O-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O system shows a distinguishing [...] Read more.

Geopolymers are a new class of binders based on alkali activation of natural and by-products raw materials. Their properties and eco-compatibility highly depends on the reaction system. The (Na,K)₂O-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O system shows a distinguishing pseudo-zeolitic network structure, but reaction requires a high amount of activators. The aim of this work is to investigate how the use of forest biomass ash (FBA), as partial replacement material in the production of metakaolin (MK) based geopolymeric mortar, and affect its properties. FBA is a by-product of the combustion process of forest biomass in thermal power plants. Mortars with a FBA content of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% wt have been tested for workability, flexural, and compressive strength. Capillary absorption, micro-morphological features, thermal, and shrinkage behavior have been investigated. The addition of FBA allowed for a decrease in the use of alkaline activator up to 20%, while preserving the characteristic broad hump centered at approximately 28° 2θ Mechanical properties of the geopolymeric mortars decrease proportionally with metakaolin replacement, even if a compression strength of more than 35 MPa is still obtained with a FBA content of 30% wt. After thermal cycles of up to 700 °C, all of the mortars still retain their cohesiveness, with an overall loss of mechanical strength of about 80% of the initial value that can be attributed to the formation of microcracks as a consequence of the network strain and distortion due to dehydration and shrinkage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmentally Friendly Geopolymer Composites)

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21 pages, 1861 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In the Dark Shadow of the Supercycle Tailings Failure Risk & Public Liability Reach All Time Highs

by Lindsay Newland Bowker¹ and David M. Chambers^2,*

¹ Bowker Associates Science & Research in the Public Interest, 15 Cove Meadow Rd, Stonington, ME 04681, USA

² Center for Science in Public Participation, 224 North Church Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA

Environments 2017, 4(4), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040075 - 21 Oct 2017

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 12184

Abstract

This is the third in a series of independent research papers attempting to improve the quality of descriptive data and analysis of tailings facility failures globally focusing on the relative occurrence, severity and root causes of these failures. This paper updates previously published [...] Read more.

This is the third in a series of independent research papers attempting to improve the quality of descriptive data and analysis of tailings facility failures globally focusing on the relative occurrence, severity and root causes of these failures. This paper updates previously published failures data through 2010 with both additional data pre-2010 and additional data 2010–2015. All three papers have explored the connection between high public consequence failure trends and mining economics trends especially grade, costs to produce and price. This work, the third paper, looks more deeply at that connection through several autopsies of the dysfunctional economics of the period 2000–2010 in which the greatest and longest price increase in recorded history co-occurred across all commodities, a phenomenon sometimes called a supercycle. That high severity failures reached all-time highs in the same decade as prices rose to highs, unprecedented since 1916, challenges many fundamental beliefs and assumptions that have governed modern mining operations, investment decisions, and regulation. It is from waste management in mining, a non-revenue producing cost incurring part of every operation, that virtually all severe environmental and community damages arise. These damages are now more frequently at a scale and of a nature that is non-remediable and beyond any possibility of clean up or reclamation. The authors have jointly undertaken this work in the public interest without funding from the mining industry, regulators, non-governmental organizations, or from any other source. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact Assessment)

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10 pages, 1261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying Dustiness, Specific Allergens, and Endotoxin in Bulk Soya Imports

by Howard J. Mason^1,*, Susana Gómez-Ollés², Maria-Jesus Cruz², Paul Roberts¹, Andrew Thorpe¹

and Gareth Evans¹

¹ Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK

² Pneumology Research Group, VHIR-Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca, Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain

Environments 2017, 4(4), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040076 - 2 Nov 2017

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 6649

Abstract

Soya is an important bulk agricultural product often transported by sea as chipped beans and/or the bean husks after pelletisation. There are proven allergens in both forms. Bulk handling of soya imports can generate air pollution containing dust, allergens, and pyrogens, posing health [...] Read more.

Soya is an important bulk agricultural product often transported by sea as chipped beans and/or the bean husks after pelletisation. There are proven allergens in both forms. Bulk handling of soya imports can generate air pollution containing dust, allergens, and pyrogens, posing health risks to dockside workers and surrounding populations. Using an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standardised rotating drum dustiness test in seven imported soya bulks, we compared the generated levels of dust and two major soya allergens in three particle sizes related to respiratory health. Extractable levels of allergen and endotoxin from the bulks showed 30–60 fold differences, with levels of one allergen (hydrophobic seed protein) and endotoxin higher in husk. The generated levels of dust and allergens in the three particle sizes also showed very wide variations between bulks, with aerolysed levels of allergen influenced by both the inherent dustiness and the extractable allergen in each bulk. Percentage allergen aerolysed from pelletized husk—often assumed to be of low dustiness—after transportation was not lower than that from chipped beans. Thus, not all soya bulks pose the same inhalation health risk and reinforces the importance of controlling dust generation from handling all soya bulk to as low as reasonably practicable. Full article

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15 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Households’ Willingness to Pay for Improved Waste Collection Service in Gorkha Municipality of Nepal

by Bijan Maskey^1,* and Mrinila Singh²

¹ Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, 1-5-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8529, Japan

² Independent Researcher, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-0014, Japan

Environments 2017, 4(4), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040077 - 2 Nov 2017

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 7277

Abstract

Municipal solid waste management is a growing problem in urban areas of Nepal where municipalities are severely constrained by budget to manage it effectively. Collecting fees from the public can aid finance for improving waste management service. This study evaluates willingness to pay [...] Read more.

Municipal solid waste management is a growing problem in urban areas of Nepal where municipalities are severely constrained by budget to manage it effectively. Collecting fees from the public can aid finance for improving waste management service. This study evaluates willingness to pay (WTP) by 401 households, selected using a stratified sampling method from all 15 wards of Gorkha municipality of Nepal for improved waste collection service and the factors influencing it. We employed a contingent valuation method to elicit households’ WTP, logit regression model to determine factors influencing WTP and tobit regression model to determine factors influencing the maximum amount households are willing to pay for improved waste collection service. Majority of households (61%) are willing to pay an average amount of NRs. 73.38 (0.72 US$) per month. Factors that significantly influence households’ WTP are monthly household income, education of household head, environmental awareness and waste collection service. Except for education of household head, all these factors significantly influence the maximum amount of money households are willing to pay. Concerned stakeholders and policy makers should consider these traits of households before enforcing a waste collection fee. Full article

20 pages, 8341 KiB

Open AccessArticle

L’Aquila Smart Clean Air City: The Italian Pilot Project for Healthy Urban Air

by Alessandro Avveduto^1,*

, Francesco Ferella^1,2

, Marina De Giovanni¹, Valentina Innocenzi², Lorenzo Pace¹ and Paolo Tripodi³

¹ Società Progetti Innovativi srl, Via C. D’Andrea snc, 67100 Bazzano, Italy

² Department of Industrial Engineering, Information and Economics, University of L’Aquila, Via G. Gronchi 18, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy

³ IsCleanAir srl, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068 Rovereto, Italy

Environments 2017, 4(4), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040078 - 3 Nov 2017

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7240

Abstract

Exposure to atmospheric pollution is a major concern for urban populations. Currently, no effective strategy has been adopted to tackle the problem. The paper presents the Smart Clean Air City project, a pilot experiment concerning the improvement in urban air quality. Small wet [...] Read more.

Exposure to atmospheric pollution is a major concern for urban populations. Currently, no effective strategy has been adopted to tackle the problem. The paper presents the Smart Clean Air City project, a pilot experiment concerning the improvement in urban air quality. Small wet scrubber systems will be operating in a network configuration in suitable urban areas of L’Aquila city (Italy). The purpose of this work is to describe the project and show the preliminary results obtained in the characterization of two urban sites before the remediation test; the main operating principles of the wet scrubber system will be discussed, as well as the design of the mobile treatment plant for the processing of wastewater resulting from scrubber operation. Measurements of particle size distributions in the range of 0.30–25 µm took place in the two sites of interest, an urban background and a traffic area in the city of L’Aquila. The mean number concentration detected was 2.4 × 10⁷ and 4.5 × 10⁷ particles/m³, respectively. Finally, theoretical assessments, performed by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes, will show the effects of the wet scrubber operation on air pollutants under different environmental conditions and in several urban usage patterns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Control)

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29 pages, 14425 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Land Use-Cover Changes and Modelling Change Scenarios in Two Mountain Spanish National Parks

by Javier Martínez-Vega^1,*

, Andrés Díaz², José Miguel Nava², Marta Gallardo³ and Pilar Echavarría¹

¹ Institute of Economy, Geography and Demography, Spanish National Research Council (IEGD-CSIC), Associated Unit GEOLAB, Albasanz, 26–28, 28037 Madrid, Spain

² Department of Geology, Geography and Environment, University of Alcalá, Colegios 2, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain

³ Department of Geography. University of Murcia, Santo Cristo 1, 30001 Murcia, Spain

Environments 2017, 4(4), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040079 - 7 Nov 2017

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 7630

Abstract

Land Use-Cover Changes (LUCCs) are one of the main problems for the preservation of biodiversity. Protected Areas (PAs) do not escape this threat. Some processes, such as intensive recreational use, forest fires or the expansion of artificial areas taking place inside and around [...] Read more.

Land Use-Cover Changes (LUCCs) are one of the main problems for the preservation of biodiversity. Protected Areas (PAs) do not escape this threat. Some processes, such as intensive recreational use, forest fires or the expansion of artificial areas taking place inside and around them in response to their appeal, question their environmental sustainability and their efficiency. In this paper, we analyze the LUCCs that took place between 1990 and 2006 in two National Parks (NPs) belonging to the Spanish network and in their surroundings: Ordesa and Monte Perdido (Ordesa NP) and Sierra de Guadarrama (Guadarrama NP). We also simulate land use changes between 2006 and 2030 by means of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), taking into account two scenarios: trend and green. Finally, we perform a multi-temporal analysis of natural habitat fragmentation in each NP. The results show that the NPs analyzed are well-preserved and have seen hardly any significant LUCCs inside them. However, Socioeconomic Influence Zones (SIZs) and buffers are subject to different dynamics. In the SIZ and buffer of the Ordesa NP, there has been an expansion of built-up areas (annual rate of change = +1.19) around small urban hubs and ski resorts. There has also been a gradual recovery of natural areas, which had been interrupted by forest fires. The invasion of sub-alpine grasslands by shrubs is clear (+2735 ha). The SIZ and buffer of the Guadarrama NP are subject to urban sprawl in forest areas and to the construction of road infrastructures (+5549 ha and an annual rate of change = +1.20). Industrial area has multiplied by 3.3 in 20 years. The consequences are an increase in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), greater risk of forest fires and greater fragmentation of natural habitats (+0.04 in SIZ). In the change scenarios, if conditions change as expected, the specific threats facing each NP can be expected to increase. There are substantial differences between the scenarios depending on whether or not incentives are accepted and legal restrictions are respected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Territorial Management)

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10 pages, 1414 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Behaviour of Soil Improved by Alkali Activated Binders

by Enza Vitale^1,*

, Giacomo Russo¹, Gianfranco Dell’Agli¹

, Claudio Ferone²

and Chiara Bartolomeo²

¹ Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern of Lazio, G. Di Biasio, 43, 03043 Cassino, Italy

² Department of Technology and INSTM Research Unit, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Centro Direzionale, Is. C4, 80143 Naples, Italy

Environments 2017, 4(4), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040080 - 11 Nov 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6438

Abstract

The use of alkali activated binders to improve engineering properties of clayey soils is a novel solution, and an alternative to the widely diffused improvement based on the use of traditional binders such as lime and cement. In the paper the alkaline activation [...] Read more.

The use of alkali activated binders to improve engineering properties of clayey soils is a novel solution, and an alternative to the widely diffused improvement based on the use of traditional binders such as lime and cement. In the paper the alkaline activation of two fly ashes, by-products of coal combustion thermoelectric power plants, has been presented. These alkali activated binders have been mixed with a clayey soil for evaluating the improvement of its mechanical behaviour. One-dimensional compression tests on raw and treated samples have been performed with reference to the effects induced by type of binder, binder contents and curing time. The experimental evidences at volume scale of the treated samples have been directly linked to the chemo-physical evolution of the binders, investigated over curing time by means of X Ray Diffraction. Test results showed a high reactivity of the alkali activated binders promoting the formation of new mineralogical phases responsible for the mechanical improvement of treated soil. The efficiency of alkali activated binders soil treatment has been highlighted by comparison with mechanical performance induced by Portland cement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmentally Friendly Geopolymer Composites)

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18 pages, 31893 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identifying Reliable Opportunistic Data for Species Distribution Modeling: A Benchmark Data Optimization Approach

by Yu-Pin Lin^1,*

, Wei-Chih Lin², Wan-Yu Lien¹, Johnathen Anthony¹ and Joy R. Petway¹

¹ Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan

² Geographic Information Technology Co., 4F.No. 310, Sec. 4, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Taipei 10694, Taiwan

Environments 2017, 4(4), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040081 - 14 Nov 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6981

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to increase the number of species occurrence data by integrating opportunistic data with Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) benchmark data via a novel optimization technique. The optimization method utilizes Natural Language Processing (NLP) and a simulated annealing [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study is to increase the number of species occurrence data by integrating opportunistic data with Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) benchmark data via a novel optimization technique. The optimization method utilizes Natural Language Processing (NLP) and a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm to maximize the average likelihood of species occurrence in maximum entropy presence-only species distribution models (SDM). We applied the Kruskal–Wallis test to assess the differences between the corresponding environmental variables and habitat suitability indices (HSI) among datasets, including data from GBIF, Facebook (FB), and data from optimally selected FB data. To quantify uncertainty in SDM predictions, and to quantify the efficacy of the proposed optimization procedure, we used a bootstrapping approach to generate 1000 subsets from five different datasets: (1) GBIF; (2) FB; (3) GBIF plus FB; (4) GBIF plus optimally selected FB; and (5) GBIF plus randomly selected FB. We compared the performance of simulated species distributions based on each of the above subsets via the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). We also performed correlation analysis between the average benchmark-based SDM outputs and the average dataset-based SDM outputs. Median AUCs of SDMs based on the dataset that combined benchmark GBIF data and optimally selected FB data were generally higher than the AUCs of other datasets, indicating the effectiveness of the optimization procedure. Our results suggest that the proposed approach increases the quality and quantity of data by effectively extracting opportunistic data from large unstructured datasets with respect to benchmark data. Full article

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38 pages, 12722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Testing Extended Accounts in Scheduled Conservation of Open Woodlands with Permanent Livestock Grazing: Dehesa de la Luz Estate Case Study, Arroyo de la Luz, Spain

by Pablo Campos^1,*, Bruno Mesa¹, Alejandro Álvarez¹, Francisco M. Castaño² and Fernando Pulido²

¹ Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Instituto de Políticas y Bienes Públicos (IPP), C/Albasanz, 26–28, E-28037 Madrid, Spain

² Institute for Dehesa Research (INDEHESA), Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain

Environments 2017, 4(4), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040082 - 15 Nov 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6555

Abstract

Standard Economic Accounts for Agriculture and Forestry do not measure the ecosystem services and intermediate products embedded in the final products recorded, and omit the private non-commercial intermediate products and self-consumption of private amenities. These limitations of the standard accounts are addressed by [...] Read more.

Standard Economic Accounts for Agriculture and Forestry do not measure the ecosystem services and intermediate products embedded in the final products recorded, and omit the private non-commercial intermediate products and self-consumption of private amenities. These limitations of the standard accounts are addressed by the extended Agroforestry Accounting System, which is being tested at the publicly-owned Dehesa de la Luz agroforestry estate. The extended accounts simulate conservation forestry of holm oak and cork oak for the current as well as successive rotation cycles during which scheduled conservation of the cultural woodland landscape of the Dehesa de la Luz is carried out, improving the natural physical growth of the firewood and cork. The estimated results for 2014 reveal that private ecosystem services make up 50% of the firewood and grazing products consumed; the private environmental income accounts for 13% of the total private income; and the private environmental asset represents 53% of the total opening capital. The net value added is more than 2.3 times the amount estimated using the standard accounts. The landowner donates intermediate products of non-commercial services at a value of 85 €/ha, which are used to enhance the supply of public products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Territorial Management)

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23 pages, 4431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vulnerability of Coastal Beach Tourism to Flooding: A Case Study of Galicia, Spain

by Diego R. Toubes^1,*

, Stefan Gössling^2,3,4, C. Michael Hall⁵

and Daniel Scott⁶

¹ Department of Business Organization, Business Administration and Tourism School, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain

² School of Business and Economics, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden

³ Service Management and Service Studies, Lund University, 25108 Helsingborg, Sweden

⁴ Western Norway Research Institute, 6851 Sogndal, Norway

⁵ Department of Management, Marketing & Entrepreneurship, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand

⁶ Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada

Environments 2017, 4(4), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040083 - 16 Nov 2017

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 12658

Abstract

Flooding, as a result of heavy rains and/or storm surges, is a persistent problem in coastal areas. Under scenarios of climate change, there are expectations that flooding events will become more frequent in some areas and potentially more intense. This poses a potential [...] Read more.

Flooding, as a result of heavy rains and/or storm surges, is a persistent problem in coastal areas. Under scenarios of climate change, there are expectations that flooding events will become more frequent in some areas and potentially more intense. This poses a potential threat to coastal communities relying heavily on coastal resources, such as beaches for tourism. This paper develops a methodology for the assessment of coastal flooding risks, based on an index that compares 16 hydrogeomorphological, biophysical, human exposure and resilience indicators, with a specific focus on tourism. The paper then uses an existing flood vulnerability assessment of 724 beaches in Galicia (Spain) to test the index for tourism. Results indicate that approximately 10% of tourism beaches are at high risk to flooding, including 10 urban and 36 rural beaches. Implications for adaptation and coastal management are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Territorial Management)

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9 pages, 1016 KiB

Open AccessReview

Ammonia Oxidizing Archaea and Bacteria in East Asian Paddy Soils—A Mini Review

by Hussnain Mukhtar, Yu-Pin Lin^*

and Johnathen Anthony

Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan

Environments 2017, 4(4), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040084 - 18 Nov 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 8091

Abstract

Ammonia oxidation is crucial in nitrogen removal and global nitrogen dynamics since it is the first step of the nitrification process. In this review, we focus on the distribution and community structure of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in East Asian [...] Read more.

Ammonia oxidation is crucial in nitrogen removal and global nitrogen dynamics since it is the first step of the nitrification process. In this review, we focus on the distribution and community structure of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in East Asian paddy soils with variable soil properties. The available East Asian paddy soil data shows that the ammonium concentration and pH ranges from 0.4 to 370 mg/kg and 5.1 to 8.2, respectively. Our meta-analysis suggest that AOA specific gene sequences are generally more abundant than those of AOB in both acidic and alkaline paddy soils, where Nitrosophaera and Nitrosospira amoA clusters mainly dominate the microbial community, respectively. In addition, the contribution of ammonia oxidizers to the nitrification process has been demonstrated using DNA-SIP (DNA-based stable-isotope probing); the results of these studies indicate that pH is the most important factor in niche separation of AOA and AOB under a variety of edaphic conditions. Finally, we discuss a number of other environmental variables that affect the abundance, distribution, and activity of AOA and AOB in East Asian paddy soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil and Water Contamination, Remediation and Conservation)

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20 pages, 912 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biodesulfurization of Petroleum Distillates—Current Status, Opportunities and Future Challenges

by Olawumi O. Sadare, Franklin Obazu and Michael Olawale Daramola^*

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa

Environments 2017, 4(4), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040085 - 25 Nov 2017

Cited by 72 | Viewed by 15004

Abstract

Sulfur oxide (SO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) are considered as one of the major air pollutants in the world today. In addition, high sulfur levels in petroleum distillates can promote the deactivation of catalysts through poisoning in fluidized catalytic [...] Read more.

Sulfur oxide (SO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) are considered as one of the major air pollutants in the world today. In addition, high sulfur levels in petroleum distillates can promote the deactivation of catalysts through poisoning in fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) during hydrocracking of the heavy distillates to lighter ones. The presence of high sulfur-containing compounds in the process streams could cause corrosion of piping and fittings and equipment, thereby damaging the pipelines and leading to air emissions of sulfur-containing compounds, which are undesirable for mankind and his environment. In many cases, a large quantity of SO_x is released into the atmosphere when petroleum distillates that contain substantial amount of sulphur-containing compounds are used as fuel and combust. In this article, a short overview of different desulfurization methods that are employed to remove sulfur from petroleum distillates is provided. In particular, the review concentrates on biodesulfurization technique. In addition, this article intends to provide its readers current status of biodesulfurization (BDS). It critically analyses the trend in the development of the technology to showcase its strength and weakness that could pave a way for future opportunities. Approaches that are suitable to remediate sulfur-contaminated environment are discussed as well. Lastly, speculations on future directions or opportunities that require exploration are provided as a way of provoking the thoughts of researchers in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate of Toxic Pollutants in the Environment)

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13 pages, 3888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Porous Geopolymer Insulating Core from a Metakaolin/Biomass Ash Composite

by Annalisa Natali Murri^1,*

, Valentina Medri¹, Elettra Papa¹, Luca Laghi²

, Claudio Mingazzini³ and Elena Landi¹

¹ CNR-ISTEC, National Research Council-Institute for Science and Technology for Ceramics, via Granarolo, 64-48018 Faenza, Italy

² CertiMaC ScarL, via Granarolo, 62-48018 Faenza, Italy

³ ENEA SSPT/PROMAS TEMAF, Laboratory of Materials Technologies Faenza, Department for Sustainability/Division Sustainable Materials, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, via Ravegnana, 186-48018 Faenza, Italy

Environments 2017, 4(4), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040086 - 1 Dec 2017

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 7908

Abstract

Ashes derived from the combustion of vegetal and animal biomass still represent a mostly unexplored secondary raw material for the production of alkali-activated materials, given their peculiar chemical nature. In this work, calcium phosphate biomass ashes were successfully used as partially reactive fillers [...] Read more.

Ashes derived from the combustion of vegetal and animal biomass still represent a mostly unexplored secondary raw material for the production of alkali-activated materials, given their peculiar chemical nature. In this work, calcium phosphate biomass ashes were successfully used as partially reactive fillers in a metakaolin-based geopolymer composite to produce, by direct foaming, sustainable and lightweight boards with thermal insulating properties. The investigated materials were obtained by activating a blend of metakaolin and biomass ash in a weight ratio of 1: 1 and foamed with the addition of H₂O₂ in measure of 5 wt. %, to maximize the volume of disposed ash and ensure adequate properties to the material at the same time. The obtained geopolymer composite was characterized by microstructural, chemical-physical, mechanical and thermal analysis: the obtained results showed that biomass ash and metakaolin well integrated in the microstructure of the final porous material, which was characterized by a density of about 310 kg/m³ and a thermal conductivity of 0.073 W/mK at a mean test temperature of 30 °C, coupled with an acceptable compressive strength of about 0.6 MPa. Dilatometric and thermogravimetric analysis, performed up to 1000 °C, highlighted the thermal stability of the composite, which could be regarded as a promising material for low-cost, self-bearing thermal insulating partitions or lightweight cores for thermostructural sandwich panels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmentally Friendly Geopolymer Composites)

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19 pages, 1780 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diffusive Uptake Rates of Volatile Organic Compounds on Standard ATD Tubes for Environmental and Workplace Applications

by Chunrong Jia^*

and Xianqiang Fu

Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA

Environments 2017, 4(4), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040087 - 5 Dec 2017

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 8118

Abstract

Passive sampling for airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has gained popularity; however, diffusive uptake rates (URs) have been experimentally determined for only a small subset of VOCs. This study aims to develop empirical models that can interpolate effective URs ( [...] Read more.

Passive sampling for airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has gained popularity; however, diffusive uptake rates (URs) have been experimentally determined for only a small subset of VOCs. This study aims to develop empirical models that can interpolate effective URs (UR_eff) for a wide range of VOCs. The modelling was based on the standard automated thermal desorption (ATD) tubes packed with Tenax TA and targeted the sampling efficiency (α), defined as the ratio between the ideal UR (UR_ideal) and UR_eff. Available experimentally determined URs were compiled from literature. Method detection limits were determined on a thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) system. The 8-h UR_eff can be modeled with retention volumes or boiling points (BPs) and the biases were within ±20%. The α for 7-day UR_eff can be estimated by the model: α = 0.3626 Ln(BP) − 1.2324. The 8-h and 7-day UR_eff values were then compiled for 75 VOCs commonly encountered in the environmental and occupational settings. The TD analytical method showed high precision, linearity and sensitivity, suitable for measuring indoor and outdoor VOCs. The approach and data presented here are anticipated to ease passive monitoring of VOCs for the general users. Full article

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20 pages, 1613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Do Users Really Need? Participatory Development of Decision Support Tools for Environmental Management Based on Outcomes

by Richard J. Hewitt^1,2,* and Christopher J. A. Macleod¹

¹ Information and Computational Sciences Group, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK

² Observatorio para una Cultura del Territorio, 28012 Madrid, Spain

Environments 2017, 4(4), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040088 - 6 Dec 2017

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 7976

Abstract

There is increasing demand from stakeholders for tools to support outcomes-based approaches in environmental management. For such tools to be useful, understanding user requirements is key. In Scotland, UK, stakeholders were engaged in the development of an Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) to [...] Read more.

There is increasing demand from stakeholders for tools to support outcomes-based approaches in environmental management. For such tools to be useful, understanding user requirements is key. In Scotland, UK, stakeholders were engaged in the development of an Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) to support the management of land and freshwater resources for multiple policy outcomes. A structured participatory engagement process was employed to determine stakeholder requirements, establish development principles to fulfil these requirements and road-test prototypes. The specification that emerged from this bottom-up process was for an EDSS to be spatially-explicit, free at the point of use, and mobile device compatible. This application, which is under development, does not closely resemble most existing published EDSS. We suggest that there is a mismatch between the way scientists typically conceptualise EDSS and the kinds of applications that are likely to be useful to decision-makers on the ground. Interactive mobile and web-based geospatial information services have become ubiquitous in our daily lives, but their importance is not reflected in the literature on EDSS. The current focus in environmental management on adaptive, stakeholder-centred strategies based on outcomes offers an opportunity to make better use of these new technologies to aid decision-making processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Territorial Management)

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11 pages, 4570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Addition of WEEE Glass to Metakaolin-Based Geopolymeric Binder: A Cytotoxicity Study

by Michelina Catauro^1,*

, Isabella Lancellotti² and Cristina Leonelli²

¹ Department of Industrial and Information Engineering, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Roma n. 29, 81031 Aversa, Italy

² Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Vivarelli n. 10, 41125 Modena, Italy

Environments 2017, 4(4), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040089 - 7 Dec 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5639

Abstract

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) types of glass, including Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) glass, are now separately collected in European Union 28 (EU28) zone. Due to the high level of Pb and Ba in their compositions, this type of waste finds its [...] Read more.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) types of glass, including Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) glass, are now separately collected in European Union 28 (EU28) zone. Due to the high level of Pb and Ba in their compositions, this type of waste finds its way to the disposal. In the present research, a geopolymer matrix based on metakaolin is used to blend in fine powder panel and funnel glass from personal computer (PC) and television (TV) monitors. Such waste glass, which cannot be directed to glass melting furnaces, is safely incorporated into a geopolymer matrix. The consolidation of the geopolymeric matrix containing the waste glass was followed by pH and conductibility up to 28 days of curing. Scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was used to obtain information on the microstructure of the consolidated products. Cytotoxicity tests helped the environmental evaluation of these materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmentally Friendly Geopolymer Composites)

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17 pages, 8492 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Post-Fire Vegetation Recovery Using Fire Severity and Geographical Data in the Mediterranean Region (Spain)

by Alba Viana-Soto^1,*, Inmaculada Aguado² and Susana Martínez²

¹ Complutum Tecnologías de la Información Geográfica (COMPLUTIG) S.L, University of Alcala, Calle Colegios, 2, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain

² Department of Geology, Geography and Environment, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain

Environments 2017, 4(4), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040090 - 12 Dec 2017

Cited by 77 | Viewed by 10343

Abstract

Wildfires cause disturbances in ecosystems and generate environmental, economic, and social costs. Studies focused on vegetation regeneration in burned areas acquire interest because of the need to understand the species dynamics and to apply an adequate restoration policy. In this work we intend [...] Read more.

Wildfires cause disturbances in ecosystems and generate environmental, economic, and social costs. Studies focused on vegetation regeneration in burned areas acquire interest because of the need to understand the species dynamics and to apply an adequate restoration policy. In this work we intend to study the variables that condition short-term regeneration (5 years) of three species of the genus Pinus in the Mediterranean region of the Iberian Peninsula. Regeneration modelling has been performed through multiple regressions, using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographic Weight Regression (GWR). The variables used were fire severity, measured through the Composite Burn Index (CBI), and a set of environmental variables (topography, post-fire climate, vegetation type, and state after fire). The regeneration dynamics were measured through the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) obtained from Landsat images. The relationship between fire severity and regeneration dynamics showed consistent results. Short-term regeneration was slowed down when severity was higher. The models generated by GWR showed better results in comparison with OLS (adjusted R² = 0.77 for Pinus nigra and Pinus pinaster; adjusted R² = 0.80 for Pinus halepensis). Further studies should focus on obtaining more precise variables and considering new factors which help to better explain post-fire vegetation recovery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Territorial Management)

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15 pages, 5200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geopolymer Composites for Potential Applications in Cultural Heritage

by Laura Ricciotti^1,2, Antonio Jacopo Molino^1,2

, Valentina Roviello³, Elena Chianese⁴

, Paola Cennamo⁵ and Giuseppina Roviello^1,2,*

¹ Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università di Napoli ‘Parthenope’, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Napoli, Italy

² INSTM Research Group Napoli Parthenope, National Consortium for Science and Technology of Materials, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy

³ Centro di Servizi Metrologici Avanzati (CeSMA), Università di Napoli ‘Federico II’, Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 80146 Napoli, Italy

⁴ Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Università di Napoli ‘Parthenope’, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Napoli, Italy

⁵ Facoltà di Lettere, Università degli Studi Suor Orsola Benincasa, Corso Vittorio Emanuele 242, 80132 Napoli, Italy

Environments 2017, 4(4), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040091 - 13 Dec 2017

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 7281

Abstract

A new class of geopolymer composites, as materials alternative to traditional binders, was synthesized and its potentialities as restoration material in Cultural Heritage has been explored. This material has been prepared through a co-reticulation reaction in mild conditions of a metakaolin-based geopolymer inorganic [...] Read more.

A new class of geopolymer composites, as materials alternative to traditional binders, was synthesized and its potentialities as restoration material in Cultural Heritage has been explored. This material has been prepared through a co-reticulation reaction in mild conditions of a metakaolin-based geopolymer inorganic matrix and a commercial epoxy resin. The freshly prepared slurry displays a consistency, workability and thixotropic behavior that make it suitable to be spread on different substrates in restoration, repair and reinforcement actions, even on walls and ceilings. Applicability and compatibility tests on tuff and concrete substrates were carried out and the microstructure of the samples in correspondence of the transition zone was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping. Our studies pointed out the formation of a continuous phase between the geopolymer composite and tuff and concrete substrates, highlighting a high compatibility of the geopolymer binder with different kinds of materials. These features indicate a large potential for applications of these materials in Cultural Heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmentally Friendly Geopolymer Composites)

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15 pages, 5799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Simulation of Various Agricultural Land Use Practices for Analysis of Impacts on Environments

by Vladimir Badenko^1,*

, Galina Badenko²

, Alex Topaj³, Sergey Medvedev³, Elena Zakharova³ and Vitaly Terleev²

¹ Department of Cartography & Geoinformatics, Saint-Petersburg State University, 10 Line VO, 33–35, 199178 St. Petersburg, Russia

² Department of Theoretical Mechanics, St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Polytechnicheskaya, 29, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia

³ Agrophysical Research Institute, Grazhdansky pr. 14, 195220 St. Petersburg, Russia

Environments 2017, 4(4), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040092 - 14 Dec 2017

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6310

Abstract

Current intensification and changes in agricultural land use practices increase environmental impact that can be reduced by bridging the gap between socio-economic demands and scientific justification of sustainable agricultural land use. This can be achieved by replacing the goal of maximum crop yields [...] Read more.

Current intensification and changes in agricultural land use practices increase environmental impact that can be reduced by bridging the gap between socio-economic demands and scientific justification of sustainable agricultural land use. This can be achieved by replacing the goal of maximum crop yields with the goal of minimal environmental impact. This paper presents results of integrated crop simulation system development for analysis of alternative planning strategies in agricultural land use, with focus on the crop rotation influence on environmental sustainability. The effective tools used in analysis include (1) long-term analysis of changes in agricultural land using a dynamic crop model with daily time step; (2) justification of arbitrary crop rotation scheme of different agro-technologies and sparing measures; and (3) analysis of modern farming management methods using model-oriented approach. The results of study also include estimation of two alternative practices of crop harvesting including remaining or removing whole crop residues from the agricultural field and their influence on basic parameters of soil fertility. In addition, we analyzed comparative efficiency of different agricultural measures neglecting the negative influence of possible climate changes in long-term consequences. Corresponding efficiency rating is the following: organic fertilizer, green manure legume sparing harvesting, winter catch crop, and rotation scheme. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Agricultural Land Use Changes on Environments)

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10 pages, 1727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Disinfection Performance in Wastewater Stabilization Ponds in Cold Climate Conditions: A Case Study in Nunavut, Canada

by Lei Liu, Alan MacDougall, Geof Hall and Pascale Champagne^*

Department of Civil Engineering, Queen’s University, 58 University Ave., Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada

Environments 2017, 4(4), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040093 - 14 Dec 2017

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6256

Abstract

Disinfection processes in passive wastewater treatment systems, which are dependent on natural purification, can be greatly influenced by environmental factors. In the Canadian Arctic, the passive systems face more challenges due to the extreme environmental conditions. The new Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER) [...] Read more.

Disinfection processes in passive wastewater treatment systems, which are dependent on natural purification, can be greatly influenced by environmental factors. In the Canadian Arctic, the passive systems face more challenges due to the extreme environmental conditions. The new Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER) were implemented in Canada in 2012. Currently, they do not apply in the far North due to the limited wastewater treatment infrastructure in northern communities. In the summer of 2015, a field investigation was conducted to Pond Inlet, Nunavut, to assess the pathogen removal and inactivation of a wastewater stabilization pond (WSP). Sunlight disinfection was considered only effective at the water surface. The system achieved 0.76–1.2 log removal of E. coli and 0.79–1.02 log removal of total coliforms during the treatment season in 2015. Prior to annual decant, the average concentration of E. coli was 1.3 × 10⁶ CFU/100 mL in the WSP, which exceeded discharge guidelines of 10⁴ to 10⁶ CFU/100 mL set by the Nunavut Water Board (NWB). Existing WSP disinfection models, which were typically designed for temperate or tropical regions, were selected to study their viability to predict the pathogen removal of Arctic WSPs. In general, the models over-predicted disinfection performance by an order of magnitude or more, and some were unable to replicate trends in the data. A modified model for northern WSPs should be developed in order to accurately predict disinfection performance. Full article

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19 pages, 3364 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Buellia dispersa (Lichens) Used as Bio-Indicators for Air Pollution Transport: A Case Study within the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada (USA)

by Douglas B. Sims^1,*

, Amanda C. Hudson¹, Ji Hye Park², Vernon Hodge², Heidi Porter³ and W. Geoffrey Spaulding⁴

¹ Department of Physical Sciences, College of Southern Nevada, North Las Vegas, NV 89030, USA

² Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA

³ Department of Biological Sciences, College of Southern Nevada, North Las Vegas, NV 89030, USA

⁴ Terra Antiqua Research, Henderson, NV 89074, USA

Environments 2017, 4(4), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040094 - 17 Dec 2017

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 8577

Abstract

Hazardous substances (e.g., toxic elements, oxides of nitrogen, carbon and sulfur) are discharged to the environment by a number of natural and anthropogenic activities. Anthropogenic air pollution commonly contains trace elements derived from contaminants and additives released into the atmosphere during fossil fuel [...] Read more.

Hazardous substances (e.g., toxic elements, oxides of nitrogen, carbon and sulfur) are discharged to the environment by a number of natural and anthropogenic activities. Anthropogenic air pollution commonly contains trace elements derived from contaminants and additives released into the atmosphere during fossil fuel combustion (automobiles, power generation, etc.) as well as physical processes (e.g., metal refining, vehicle brake wear, and tire and pavement wear). Analysis of pollutant chemical concentrations in lichens collected across the Las Vegas Valley allows documentation of the distribution of air pollution in the Valley. Analyses of lichen biomass (Buellia dispersa), when compared to windrose diagrams, shows pathways of airborne pollutant transport across the Las Vegas Valley. The west and north sectors of the Las Vegas Valley contained the lowest target contaminates (e.g., Cr, Cu, Co, Pb, Ni) and the highest NO₃⁻ while the east and south sectors contained the highest levels of target contaminates and lowest NO₃⁻. Additionally, metals and NO₃⁻ detected in the east and south sectors of the valley indicate that air pollution generated in the valley is moving from the south to the north-northeast and across the valley, exiting on the north and south side of Frenchman Mountain. Full article

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19 pages, 644 KiB

Open AccessArticle

System-Based Assessments—Improving the Confidence in the EIA Process

by Jeff Wilson^1,2,*, Shawn Hinz^1,2, Jennifer Coston-Guarini³

, Camille Mazé⁴, Jean-Marc Guarini¹ and Laurent Chauvaud⁴

¹ Marine Environmental Sciences, UPMC-UMR 8222 LECOB, 66650 Banyuls sur Mer, France

² Department of Marine Biology, University of Ghent, B-9000 Gent, Belgium

³ Laboratoire des sciences de l’environnement marin—IUEM—Rue Dumont D’Urville, Université de Bretagne Occidentale—UMR 6539 CNRS/UBO/IRD/Ifremer, 29280 Plouzané, France

⁴ Laboratoire des sciences de l’environnement marin—IUEM—Rue Dumont D’Urville, CNRS—UMR 6539 CNRS/UBO/IRD/Ifremer, 29280 Plouzané, France

Environments 2017, 4(4), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4040095 - 18 Dec 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 13468

Abstract

This viewpoint article examines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practices in developed and transitioning nations, identifies weaknesses, and proposes a new quantitative approach. The literature indicates that there exists little to no standardization in EIA practice, transitioning nations rely on weak scientific impact analyses, [...] Read more.

This viewpoint article examines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practices in developed and transitioning nations, identifies weaknesses, and proposes a new quantitative approach. The literature indicates that there exists little to no standardization in EIA practice, transitioning nations rely on weak scientific impact analyses, and the establishment of baseline conditions is generally missing. The more fundamental issue is that the “receptor”-based approach leads to a qualitative and subjective EIA, as it does not adequately integrate the full measure of the complexity of ecosystems, ongoing project risks, and cumulative impacts. We propose the application of a new framework that aims to ensure full life cycle assessment of impacts applicable to any EIA process, within any jurisdictional context. System-Based EIA (SBEIA) is based on modeling to predict changes and rests on data analysis with a statistically rigorous approach to assess impacts. This global approach uses technologies and methodologies that are typically applied to characterize ecosystem structure and functioning, including remote sensing, modeling, and in situ monitoring. The aim of this approach is to provide a method that can produce quantifiable reproducible values of impact and risk and move EIA towards its substantive goal of sustainable development. The adoption of this approach would provide a better evaluation of economic costs and benefits for all stakeholders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact Assessment)

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