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Search Results (1,523)

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Keywords = Water Resource Sustainable Utilization

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33 pages, 16665 KB  
Article
Optimization of Water–Nitrogen–Salinity Management for Improving Yield, Quality, and Resource Use Efficiency of Pigment Pepper Under Brackish Water Irrigation in Arid Regions
by Xi Yang, Yao Guan, Xinghong He, Jiaxin Sun, Xiaozhe Liu and Yongrui Pang
Plants 2026, 15(17), 2573; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15172573 - 24 Aug 2026
Abstract
Brackish water utilization provides an alternative strategy for alleviating freshwater scarcity in arid agricultural regions; however, the synergistic regulation of salinity, irrigation, and nitrogen management remains unclear. A two-year field experiment was conducted in 2025 and 2026 to investigate the effects of water–nitrogen–salinity [...] Read more.
Brackish water utilization provides an alternative strategy for alleviating freshwater scarcity in arid agricultural regions; however, the synergistic regulation of salinity, irrigation, and nitrogen management remains unclear. A two-year field experiment was conducted in 2025 and 2026 to investigate the effects of water–nitrogen–salinity interactions on growth, yield formation, resource use efficiency, and fruit quality of pigment pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under arid conditions in Xinjiang, China. An L9(33) orthogonal experimental design was adopted with three levels of brackish water salinity, irrigation amount, and nitrogen application rate. The comprehensive production performance of different management strategies was further evaluated using a combined weighting Cloud–TOPSIS approach. The results showed that water–nitrogen–salinity interactions significantly regulated pigment pepper growth, yield formation, and resource utilization, with consistent responses observed across the two experimental years. Increasing irrigation water salinity reduced leaf chlorophyll content (CHL) and nitrogen balance index (NBI), whereas flavonoid content (FLAV) exhibited an increasing trend under moderate salinity stress. Low-salinity irrigation combined with appropriate water and nitrogen inputs maintained higher photosynthetic capacity and nitrogen nutritional status. Yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN) were jointly affected by salinity, irrigation, and nitrogen supply. Excessive salinity significantly reduced crop productivity, while optimized irrigation and nitrogen management alleviated salt stress effects. The T2 treatment (1 g L−1 salinity, 2400 m3 ha−1 irrigation, and 300 kg ha−1 nitrogen application) achieved the highest yield and maintained favorable WUE and PFPN values in both years. Fruit quality responses demonstrated that moderate salinity promoted capsaicinoid accumulation, whereas excessive salinity restricted biomass production and quality improvement. Correlation analysis revealed that photosynthetic nitrogen metabolism indicators were closely associated with yield formation, while flavonoid accumulation showed stronger relationships with quality attributes. The Cloud–TOPSIS evaluation identified T2 as the optimal management strategy under the experimental conditions by balancing yield, quality, and resource use efficiency. These findings indicate that coordinated regulation of irrigation water salinity, water supply, and nitrogen input is essential for achieving efficient brackish water utilization and sustainable pigment pepper production in arid regions. Full article
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38 pages, 40683 KB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Distribution Heterogeneity and Nonlinear Driving Factors of Accommodation Establishments in Xinjiang: An XGBoost–SHAP Approach
by Minhui Zhang, Wenjie Wu, Zhenxuan Ma, Yuze Chi and Chengwu Wang
Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 8662; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18178662 - 24 Aug 2026
Abstract
Accommodation establishments constitute a core component of tourism infrastructure, and their location choices directly affect water resource utilization, land pressure, and the spatial equilibrium of tourism development—issues that are particularly acute in vast arid regions. Yet the spatial organization of accommodation supply across [...] Read more.
Accommodation establishments constitute a core component of tourism infrastructure, and their location choices directly affect water resource utilization, land pressure, and the spatial equilibrium of tourism development—issues that are particularly acute in vast arid regions. Yet the spatial organization of accommodation supply across extensive drylands characterized by fragmented oasis distribution, and the reasons why standard and non-standard accommodation follow divergent location logics, remain poorly understood. This study addresses three questions: (1) How are nine accommodation categories, differentiated by type and quality, distributed across Xinjiang? (2) Do directional spatial associations exist among categories that are consistent with hierarchical, path-dependent development? (3) Which factors drive these patterns, and do their effects exhibit the nonlinearity and threshold behavior predicted by location theory? Drawing on 12,073 accommodation establishments from the Ctrip platform, we construct a staged analytical framework in which each technique answers a specific question: the nearest-neighbor index and standard deviational ellipse characterize global patterns; kernel density estimation and OPTICS clustering identify local agglomerations; directional local co-location quotients measure asymmetric spatial associations; and XGBoost–SHAP isolates nonlinear drivers and threshold effects. Results reveal a highly concentrated “single-core, multi-center” structure anchored by Urumqi, Yining, and Kashgar, with rapid expansion toward the Ili Valley, Kashgar, and Altay since 2019. Standard accommodation tracks urban centrality and transport nodes, while non-standard accommodation tracks tourism resource endowments, consistent with location-theoretic expectations. Directional co-location analysis reveals hierarchical spatial associations among categories, and driving factors exhibit pronounced nonlinear threshold effects. From a sustainability perspective, the identified thresholds—elevation (1360 m), water-body proximity, and distance to rural tourism demonstration sites (3 km)—constitute quantifiable, spatially explicit sustainability indicators that can be incorporated into planning tools to monitor and steer accommodation development away from ecologically sensitive zones. Global Moran’s I diagnostics of model residuals (reduction of 83–99.7%) suggest that these findings are unlikely to be artifacts of spatial autocorrelation; this diagnostic, however, complements rather than replaces spatially blocked validation. The study contributes category-differentiated, spatially directed evidence for policies balancing tourism expansion against water security and ecosystem integrity, serving sustainable tourism development in arid-region destinations. Full article
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41 pages, 8371 KB  
Article
Evaluation, Obstacle Diagnosis, and Trend Prediction of Water Resources Conservation and Intensive Utilization Capacity
by Xuexiu Huang, Shuai Zou, Ennan Zheng, Zhijuan Qi, Bo Pang and Yuting Wang
Agriculture 2026, 16(16), 1792; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16161792 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 190
Abstract
Water resource conservation and intensive utilization is an important pathway for promoting sustainable regional water resource management and high-quality development. Against the backdrop of increasing constraints on water resources, existing studies have paid insufficient attention to the multidimensional comprehensive assessment of water resource [...] Read more.
Water resource conservation and intensive utilization is an important pathway for promoting sustainable regional water resource management and high-quality development. Against the backdrop of increasing constraints on water resources, existing studies have paid insufficient attention to the multidimensional comprehensive assessment of water resource conservation and intensive utilization capacity and its underlying evolutionary mechanisms. Therefore, Heilongjiang Province was selected as the study area, and an evaluation system comprising 15 indicators was established. The game-theoretic combination weighting method, TOPSIS model, obstacle degree model, and GM(1,1) grey forecasting model were employed to comprehensively evaluate, diagnose obstacle factors, and predict the trend of water resource conservation and intensive utilization capacity in Heilongjiang Province from 2004 to 2023. The results showed that the overall capacity exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, with the comprehensive evaluation value increasing from 0.44 to 0.62. The industrial water reuse rate, effective utilization coefficient of farmland irrigation water, comprehensive water consumption rate, per capita water consumption, and ecological water use rate were the indicators with relatively high obstacle contributions. The obstacle factors exhibited distinct stage-specific characteristics: the constraining effects of efficiency-related indicators gradually weakened, whereas those of the comprehensive water consumption rate and per capita water consumption generally intensified, indicating that the factors constraining water resource conservation and intensive utilization in Heilongjiang Province underwent distinct stage-specific changes. The prediction results indicated that the capacity for water resource conservation and intensive utilization in Heilongjiang Province would continue to increase steadily in the future. However, balancing ecological water use requirements with growing water demand remains an important factor affecting sustainable water resource utilization. The evaluation–diagnosis–prediction framework developed in this study can provide a reference for the assessment and optimized management of regional water resource conservation and intensive utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Water Management)
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23 pages, 1542 KB  
Article
Pilot-Scale Integration of Phosphorus Precipitation and Negative-Pressure Ammonia Stripping for Municipal Reject Water Treatment
by Przemysław Kowal, Sławomir Kasiński, Anna Remiszewska-Skwarek, Eliza Kulbat and Krzysztof Czerwionka
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(16), 8265; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16168265 - 19 Aug 2026
Viewed by 196
Abstract
Recovering nitrogen from wastewater is vital for a circular economy, yet conventional air stripping is limited by aerodynamic backpressure and CO2-induced pH drops. This study evaluates a novel pilot-scale engineering approach for municipal reject water, integrating chemical phosphorus precipitation with a [...] Read more.
Recovering nitrogen from wastewater is vital for a circular economy, yet conventional air stripping is limited by aerodynamic backpressure and CO2-induced pH drops. This study evaluates a novel pilot-scale engineering approach for municipal reject water, integrating chemical phosphorus precipitation with a fundamentally redesigned ammonia stripping column. Upstream calcium hydroxide dosing achieved >99.9% phosphorus recovery and spontaneously alkalized the effluent (pH > 12.1), eliminating supplementary caustic addition. The downstream stripping column utilized negative-pressure (vacuum) operation and high-pressure liquid atomization to maximize mass transfer while preventing flooding and alkalinity neutralization. Comprehensive on-site testing established a clear mathematical relationship between aerodynamics and efficiency. Results demonstrate that high-efficiency recovery requires gas-to-liquid (G/L) ratios exceeding 70:1, a threshold uniquely unlocked by this negative-pressure design. Under optimal conditions, the continuous-flow system achieved 87.6% ammonia removal. A low-resistance acid scrubber captured ~100% of the volatilized ammonia (exhaust 0–1 ppm), producing a concentrated ammonium sulfate bio-fertilizer. This integrated technology provides a scalable, applied engineering blueprint for advancing sustainable Water Resource Recovery Facilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies in Water Treatment)
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17 pages, 3758 KB  
Article
Trade-Offs of Soil Quality, Wheat Yield and Nutrient Efficiency Under Long-Term Combined Chemical and Manure Fertilization in Vertisols
by Jiacheng Gu, Yuekai Wang, Xun Xiao, Yue Zhang, Zhenkang Zhou, Xinyu Zhao, Daozhong Wang and Fengmin Li
Agronomy 2026, 16(16), 1588; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16161588 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 204
Abstract
Organic fertilization is a key strategy for improving soil structure and fertility in China’s Vertisols, yet the trade-offs among soil quality enhancement, grain yield performance, and nutrient use efficiency under different organic amendment regimes remain insufficiently elucidated. Based on a unique 43-year field [...] Read more.
Organic fertilization is a key strategy for improving soil structure and fertility in China’s Vertisols, yet the trade-offs among soil quality enhancement, grain yield performance, and nutrient use efficiency under different organic amendment regimes remain insufficiently elucidated. Based on a unique 43-year field fertilization experiment, this study systematically evaluated the effects of long-term chemical fertilization (NPK) alone, low-dose (NPKLS) and high-dose straw incorporation (NPKHS), combined chemical fertilizer with cattle manure (NPKCM), and pig manure (NPKPM) fertilization on soil physical, chemical properties, crop yields and plant nutrient utilization efficiency. The results showed that NPKCM and NPKPM significantly improved soil physical properties by reducing soil bulk density, improving soil pore structure, and enhancing soil water retention capacity and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Although long-term manure application led to slight soil salt accumulation, the rate of accumulation remained substantially lower than that associated with commercial organic fertilizers and did not approach the crop salinity damage threshold, suggesting low ecological risk. Compared with NPK treatment, manure amendment effectively counteracted soil acidification induced by prolonged chemical fertilization, while also significantly increasing soil total phosphorus and available phosphorus content, and elevated the proportion of active phosphorus (PAC). The improved soil phosphorus activation capacity and comprehensive soil quality further contributed to substantial increases in wheat grain yield under NPKCM and NPKPM treatments. Despite these agronomic benefits, the additional nitrogen and phosphorus inputs from manure resulted in soil nutrient surpluses, which considerably reduced nitrogen and phosphorus partial factor productivity as well as agronomic efficiency. In contrast, straw incorporation treatments (NPKLS, NPKHS) sustained stable crop yield without notable declines in nutrient efficiency, positioning them as a greener and more sustainable approach to balancing grain production with resource use efficiency. These findings highlight the need to integrate nutrient credits from manure into fertilization program. Given the 43-year evidence, fertilization strategy should consider not only the nutrients supplied by manure but also the quantities exported through harvested products, with adjustments based on annual soil fertility analyses. Such nutrient budgeting is essential to maximize fertilizer use efficiency, prevent excessive phosphorus accumulation, and maintain balanced soil fertility over time. Full article
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21 pages, 3494 KB  
Article
An Analysis of Growth Characteristics and Population Dynamics of Cynoglossus gracilis in the Offshore Waters of Liaoning Province, China
by Lin Zhang, Yingyou Zhou, Zengqiang Yin, Qifa Zhang, Yikai Lan, Quan Yu, Jiahang Wei, Fan Du and Lei Chen
Fishes 2026, 11(8), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11080470 - 12 Aug 2026
Viewed by 215
Abstract
This study investigated the population dynamics of Cynoglossus gracilis in the offshore waters of Liaoning Province, China, to support sustainable fisheries management. Biological samples were collected from five major fishing ports between March and November 2024. Population dynamics were assessed based on growth, [...] Read more.
This study investigated the population dynamics of Cynoglossus gracilis in the offshore waters of Liaoning Province, China, to support sustainable fisheries management. Biological samples were collected from five major fishing ports between March and November 2024. Population dynamics were assessed based on growth, mortality, and exploitation parameters, and four seasonal fishing closure scenarios were evaluated using egg production per recruit (EPR) and spawning biomass per recruit (SBR) models. The estimated exploitation rate (E = 0.53) indicated that the stock was experiencing relatively high fishing pressure but remained close to the sustainable exploitation reference level. Yield-per-recruit analysis suggested that increasing the minimum catchable size could improve resource utilization efficiency. Among the evaluated closure scenarios, the April–September closure provided the greatest conservation benefit by enhancing reproductive potential and protecting spawning stock biomass. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing harvest regulations and seasonal closure strategies, contributing to the sustainable management of Cynoglossus gracilis resources in the offshore waters of Liaoning Province. Full article
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13 pages, 260 KB  
Article
The Effects of Oyster Mushroom Stem Waste Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance, Meat Quality Parameters, and Antioxidant Capacity in Lambs
by Agori Karageorgou, Ioanna Kostogiannou, Vasileios Petrovas, Stella Triantafillou, Pantelis Mytilinis, Dimitrios Konstantas, Theofilos Massouras, Michael Goliomytis, Ioannis Politis, Panagiotis Simitzis and Ouranios Tzamaloukas
Animals 2026, 16(16), 2504; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16162504 - 11 Aug 2026
Viewed by 227
Abstract
Oyster mushroom cultivation results in the generation of large amounts of by-products, the improper disposal of which can have adverse environmental consequences. The utilization of mushroom stem waste as a functional feed ingredient could serve as a promising strategy for its sustainable management [...] Read more.
Oyster mushroom cultivation results in the generation of large amounts of by-products, the improper disposal of which can have adverse environmental consequences. The utilization of mushroom stem waste as a functional feed ingredient could serve as a promising strategy for its sustainable management and the development of alternative feed resources. This experiment investigates the effects of dietary enrichment with dried oyster mushroom stem waste of the Pleurotus ostreatus species (OMSW) on lamb growth performance and meat quality indices. Twenty-four 3-month-old male Chios lambs were randomly assigned to three groups; a control group (C) that received a basal diet; the P2 group that was offered a concentrate supplemented with 2% dried OMSW; and the P4 group, supplemented with 4% OMSW. Individual feed intake and body weight measurements were recorded weekly during the 28-day experimental period for each lamb. At the end of the feeding trial, lambs were fasted for 12 h and slaughtered. The internal organs (spleen, kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart) were then weighed, along with the hot carcass for each lamb. After 24 h at refrigerated storage, cold carcass weight was recorded and samples of longissimus thoracis muscle were collected from each lamb for subsequent meat quality assessment. No significant differences were observed among the three groups in feed intake and body weight throughout the experiment. Hot and cold carcass and internal organs’ weights were also not affected by OMSW addition. Moreover, meat quality characteristics, such as pH, color, water holding capacity, shear force values and intramuscular fat were similar among the experimental groups. Meat oxidative stability during refrigerated storage was ameliorated (p = 0.002), possibly due to the antioxidant activity exerted by the phenolic compounds contained in OMSW, without any adverse effects on the meat fatty acid profile. These findings indicate that OMSW may be successfully incorporated into growing lamb diets up to 4% as an alternative feed without adverse effects on intake, production or meat quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Agro-Industrial Co-Products in Animal Nutrition)
26 pages, 8924 KB  
Article
Life-Cycle Exergy Evaluation of Power Generation from Underground Coal Gasification with CCS
by Ye Feng and Jinglong Chen
Atmosphere 2026, 17(8), 768; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17080768 - 7 Aug 2026
Viewed by 363
Abstract
Under the carbon neutrality context, underground coal gasification combined cycle (UGCC) power generation with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology can effectively mitigate climate change and reduce pollutant emissions. However, due to the complexity of the UCG process and significant fluctuations in syngas [...] Read more.
Under the carbon neutrality context, underground coal gasification combined cycle (UGCC) power generation with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology can effectively mitigate climate change and reduce pollutant emissions. However, due to the complexity of the UCG process and significant fluctuations in syngas composition, the overall power generation efficiency of the plant may be affected to some extent. Existing studies have predominantly focused on single-link energy efficiency analysis, with a lack of full life-cycle resource–environment synergistic evaluation based on the extended exergy analysis framework, and comparative sustainability research between UGCC and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) systems remains inadequate. Accordingly, this study establishes an exergy Life-Cycle Assessment model for UGCC power plants based on Aspen Plus, systematically evaluates the resource utilization rate and environmental sustainability index, identifies key influencing factors, and conducts a comparative analysis with IGCC power plants. The results indicate that the comprehensive sustainability performance of UGCC power plants is significantly enhanced after CCS retrofitting, with exergy efficiency reaching 37.56% at an oxygen-to-coal ratio of 0.6 and a water-to-coal ratio of 0.1; compared with IGCC, UGCC demonstrates a superior resource utilization rate but relatively weaker environmental sustainability; and the underground gasification unit is the critical link affecting exergy efficiency. This study offers a new perspective for sustainability assessment of energy systems and provides theoretical support and technical reference for the construction of a low-carbon reliable supply system in the power industry, thereby facilitating the implementation and refinement of a novel sustainable energy system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue CO2 Sequestration, Capture and Utilization (2nd Edition))
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52 pages, 5050 KB  
Review
Alginate-Based Ternary Composites for Water Treatment: Synthesis, Mechanisms, and Applications
by Jia Li, Alzhan Baimenov, Jechan Lee and Seitkhan Azat
Polymers 2026, 18(16), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18161941 - 7 Aug 2026
Viewed by 345
Abstract
Alginate, as a natural polymer, has been widely used in the removal of pollutants in water due to its renewability, biocompatibility and abundant functional groups. However, it still has some limitations such as low specific surface area, poor mechanical strength and single function. [...] Read more.
Alginate, as a natural polymer, has been widely used in the removal of pollutants in water due to its renewability, biocompatibility and abundant functional groups. However, it still has some limitations such as low specific surface area, poor mechanical strength and single function. Introducing metal oxides can effectively enhance their adsorption capacity and multi-functionality. Nevertheless, binary composites remain insufficient for treating complex water bodies. Therefore, the construction of structurally stable and functionally diverse ternary composites has become an important research direction. The review is based on alginate/metal oxide binary composites, analyzing their deficiencies in structural stability, nanoparticle dispersion and functional synergy. On this basis, the synthetic strategy and structural characteristics for constructing ternary composites by incorporating inorganic non-metallic frameworks, metal nanoparticles, porous carbon-based materials, and other natural polymers are discussed. The synergistic mechanism and performance enhancements of various components during pollutant removal are primarily summarized. Although the ternary composite system has a promising application prospect, it still faces challenges such as complex synthesis processes, insufficient interfacial stability, limited reusability, and poor adaptability to complex water bodies. Therefore, future efforts should focus on structural optimization, green preparation and resource utilization of waste materials to promote their engineering application and sustainable development in the field of water treatment. Full article
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16 pages, 2734 KB  
Article
From Waste to Resource: A Circular Economy Approach for Landfill Leachate Treatment Using Coal Gangue-Based Coagulant and Beneficial Reuse of the Generated Sludge
by Liang Liu, Sen Yang, Xin Lv and Na Wu
Sustainability 2026, 18(16), 8040; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18168040 - 7 Aug 2026
Viewed by 167
Abstract
This study explored the utilization of coal gangue with high iron content to synthesize poly-ferric-alum-sulfate (PAFS) and coal gangue leaching residue-PAFS (CG@PAFS) coagulants, which were subsequently applied to treat landfill leachate and its concentrate. The results demonstrated that the PAFS coagulant exhibited notable [...] Read more.
This study explored the utilization of coal gangue with high iron content to synthesize poly-ferric-alum-sulfate (PAFS) and coal gangue leaching residue-PAFS (CG@PAFS) coagulants, which were subsequently applied to treat landfill leachate and its concentrate. The results demonstrated that the PAFS coagulant exhibited notable removal efficiency for key pollutants, including chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total phosphorus (TP), with removal rates of 23.8% and 77.5%, respectively. Its performance was comparable to polyferric sulfate (PFS) and superior to aluminum polysulfate (PAS). Mechanistic investigations revealed that Fe3+ in the PAFS coagulant reacted chemically with phosphate ions, forming insoluble precipitates and facilitating phosphate removal through flocculation. Furthermore, PAFS also exhibited moderate removal efficiency for COD and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) via flocculation processes. From a sustainability perspective, this study advances a circular economy model by simultaneously addressing two pressing environmental challenges: the valorization of coal gangue (a massive industrial solid waste) and the treatment of landfill leachate (a hazardous wastewater). Importantly, the post-treatment sludge, rich in available phosphorus and silicon, demonstrates promising potential for beneficial reuse as a soil conditioner, thereby closing the material loop and reducing reliance on virgin chemical resources. This integrated waste-to-resource approach aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the resource-efficient utilization of coal gangue and presents an effective, low-carbon, and sustainable approach for landfill leachate management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)
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24 pages, 29516 KB  
Article
Multi-Level Characteristics of Consumption-Driven Virtual Water Flows: Sustainability Insights from the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration
by Jiangjie Yuan, Jingshen Zhang, Changyu Zhou, Peixi Liu, Min Zhou and Yuan Wei
Sustainability 2026, 18(15), 7946; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18157946 - 5 Aug 2026
Viewed by 278
Abstract
Urban agglomerations rely on both direct physical water intake and substantial virtual water embedded in cross-regional traded commodities and services to meet water demand. It is important to analyze the complex virtual water flows in urban agglomerations to advance sustainable water utilization and [...] Read more.
Urban agglomerations rely on both direct physical water intake and substantial virtual water embedded in cross-regional traded commodities and services to meet water demand. It is important to analyze the complex virtual water flows in urban agglomerations to advance sustainable water utilization and coordinated regional sustainable development. In this study, we constructed a multi-scale hierarchical analysis framework covering industrial sectors, internal cities and external hinterland regions by coupling multi-regional input–output (MRIO), ecological network analysis (ENA), and structural decomposition analysis (SDA). The framework was adopted to quantify consumption-driven virtual water flows across the Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration in 2012, 2017 and 2022. Furthermore, we quantified the economic value of virtual water flows by considering water rights trading prices, which mainly reflect the scarcity value of regional water resources, aiming to provide new perspectives for water resources compensation and sustainable water management decision making. The results showed that the virtual water flows mainly satisfied food-related water requirements in the PRD. Declining water use intensity in external supply regions was the dominant factor reducing the water footprint in the PRD. The virtual water flows had greater economic value in the water-scarce northern provinces. On this basis, we put forward targeted financial subsidy recommendations for water-supplying external regions; the above economic quantification serves as the core evidence supporting this subsidy proposal. This work provides decision support for formulating sustainability-oriented water policies, balancing interregional water ecological benefits, and realizing long-term sustainable utilization of water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Water Management)
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21 pages, 2059 KB  
Review
Autonomous Isolated Power Conversion Architecture for Lunar and Mars Resource Extraction Robots
by Eyob S. Mengesha, Vamsi Borra, Brian Friedrich and Frank X. Li
Electronics 2026, 15(15), 3459; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15153459 - 5 Aug 2026
Viewed by 341
Abstract
Autonomous robotic systems designed for extraterrestrial in situ resource utilization (ISRU) will play a central role in enabling a sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars. These robots are expected to perform tasks such as regolith excavation, water extraction, oxygen production, and [...] Read more.
Autonomous robotic systems designed for extraterrestrial in situ resource utilization (ISRU) will play a central role in enabling a sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars. These robots are expected to perform tasks such as regolith excavation, water extraction, oxygen production, and propellant generation under extremely harsh environmental conditions, including large temperature variations, abrasive dust, high radiation levels, and significant communication delays with Earth. Consequently, their onboard electrical systems must operate with high reliability, autonomy, and fault tolerance. A critical enabling technology for these systems is the isolated power conversion architecture, which distributes energy from primary power sources to multiple robotic subsystems, including mobility actuators, drilling systems, sensors, computing units, and thermal management modules. Future lunar and Martian missions are expected to rely on a combination of alternative energy sources, including solar photovoltaic arrays with energy storage, fuel cells, radioisotope power systems, and nuclear surface power reactors, which can provide continuous and high-density energy independent of sunlight availability. These diverse power sources require flexible and highly efficient isolated DC–DC power conversion architectures capable of managing wide input voltage ranges while ensuring electrical isolation, safety, and system stability across distributed robotic platforms. This literature review surveys recent developments in autonomous isolated power conversion architectures suitable for lunar and Martian resource extraction robots. The review examines advanced converter topologies such as resonant converters, phase-shifted full-bridge converters, dual-active bridge converters, and modular multiport power converters designed for high efficiency, high power density, and scalable power distribution. Emphasis is placed on converter architectures capable of interfacing with nuclear-powered systems and other high-energy-density sources while supporting distributed loads in robotic mining and processing systems. In addition, the paper reviews emerging autonomous control strategies, including adaptive digital control, intelligent power management, fault detection and self-recovery mechanisms, and distributed power architectures capable of maintaining stable operation under dynamic load conditions. The role of wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies, including silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), is also examined, highlighting their potential to enable higher switching frequencies, improved efficiency, reduced system mass, and enhanced thermal performance in vacuum environments. Finally, system-level considerations for integrating isolated power conversion within robotic ISRU platforms are discussed, including redundancy strategies, power bus architectures, electromagnetic compatibility, thermal management, and long-duration reliability requirements. By consolidating advances across power electronics, autonomous control, and space power systems, this review identifies key research gaps and outlines design directions for next-generation autonomous power conversion systems capable of supporting scalable lunar and Martian resource extraction infrastructures powered by both renewable and nuclear energy sources. Full article
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26 pages, 12192 KB  
Article
Production, Characterization and Durability Assessment of Sintered Fly Ash Aggregate from Kyzylorda By-Product Hydraulic Ash for Lightweight Cementitious Composite
by Aigerim Khamit, Saken Uderbayev, Guldana Abiyeva, Kamalbek Baitassov, Natalia Chumachenko, Gulnur Zhakypova, Sayat Niyetbay, Seilkhan Auyelbekov and Kulyash Alimova
Constr. Mater. 2026, 6(4), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater6040049 - 3 Aug 2026
Viewed by 240
Abstract
The growing accumulation of coal combustion by-products necessitates the development of sustainable approaches for their utilization in construction materials. This study investigates the production of sintered fly ash aggregate (SFAA) using hydraulic ash waste from the Kyzylorda Combined Heat and Power plant and [...] Read more.
The growing accumulation of coal combustion by-products necessitates the development of sustainable approaches for their utilization in construction materials. This study investigates the production of sintered fly ash aggregate (SFAA) using hydraulic ash waste from the Kyzylorda Combined Heat and Power plant and evaluates its suitability as a coarse aggregate for lightweight cementitious composite. Hydraulic fly ash and clay from the Talsuat deposit were pelletized and sintered at 1100 °C. The physicochemical, mineralogical, and microstructural characteristics of the raw materials and produced aggregate were examined using X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The developed aggregate exhibited a bulk density of 1118 kg m−3, water absorption of 5.4%, crushing strength corresponding to grade M200, and frost resistance of at least F35. Mineralogical analysis revealed quartz and mullite as the predominant crystalline phases, while microstructural observations confirmed the formation of a stable porous aluminosilicate matrix. Chemical durability tests in alkaline, chloride, and sulfate media demonstrated high resistance to aggressive environments. Lightweight cementitious composite produced with the aggregate achieved an average density of 1657 kg m−3, compressive strength of 3.87 MPa, and water absorption of 16.0%, corresponding to density grade D1600 and strength class B3.5. The results confirm the feasibility of converting hydraulic ash waste into a durable lightweight aggregate suitable for structural-insulating lightweight cementitious composite, contributing to waste valorization, conservation of natural resources, and sustainable construction practices. Full article
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17 pages, 4310 KB  
Article
Multi-Year Dynamic Characteristics and Influence Factors of Groundwater Level for Different Karst Groundwater Systems in the Huaibei Region, China
by Zejun Zhu, Shouchuan Zhang and Yan Chen
Sustainability 2026, 18(15), 7758; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18157758 - 31 Jul 2026
Viewed by 195
Abstract
The Huaibei region is a critical grain and energy–chemical base in northern China, characterized by substantial water demand for industrial and agricultural production. Karst groundwater systems constitute the primary water supply source in this area. Under the superimposed impacts of intensive exploitation, climate [...] Read more.
The Huaibei region is a critical grain and energy–chemical base in northern China, characterized by substantial water demand for industrial and agricultural production. Karst groundwater systems constitute the primary water supply source in this area. Under the superimposed impacts of intensive exploitation, climate change, and anthropogenic activities, karst aquifers have encountered a series of geo-environmental problems, including groundwater level decline and expansion of cones of depression. Most previous studies have predominantly focused on water quality assessment and groundwater resource quantification, yet systematic investigations into the multi-scale characteristics and driving mechanisms of karst groundwater level dynamics remain insufficient. In this study, based on long-term groundwater level and rainfall monitoring data (2014–2024) from three monitoring wells representing different types of karst aquifers, continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and wavelet coherence (WTC) approaches are introduced to identify the periodic patterns of karst groundwater levels and reveal the dominant controlling factors of groundwater level dynamics. The results demonstrate that groundwater levels in all types of karst aquifers exhibit distinct multi-scale periodic variations. The groundwater levels of HB01 and HB02 share dominant oscillation periods of 18~19 months and 9 months with regional rainfall, while the groundwater level at HB03 displays a more complex, multi-scale, periodic combination of 41 months, 18~19 months, and 9 months. Periodic variations in regional rainfall serve as the dominant controlling factor for the intra-annual and inter-annual periodic fluctuations of karst water levels, with a prominent resonance relationship identified between the two variables at dominant periodic scales. Distinct heterogeneity is observed in the response magnitude and lag time of different karst aquifer types to rainfall; specifically, the lag time of water level response to rainfall on the annual periodic scale ranges from 2.7 to 2.9 months. The correlation between annual average water level and pumping discharge is moderate for boreholes HB01 and HB03, whereas a strong correlation is detected for borehole HB02, implying that its water level regime is likely subjected to pronounced pumping disturbance. The degree of karst development, aquifer burial depth, and overlying stratum architecture are the key geological factors accounting for such heterogeneous response patterns. For the first time, this study utilizes long-term water level time series data from the karst water exploitation zone of the Huaibei Plain, complemented by synchronous precipitation and pumping records. Integrated with regional hydrogeological settings, wavelet analysis is employed to conduct an in-depth investigation into the dynamic variations in karst water levels in the Huaibei region from the perspective of groundwater recharge–discharge relationships. The results provide a scientific underpinning for the remediation of karst water over-exploitation and the optimal allocation of water resources. Specifically, pumping and artificial recharge schemes can be proactively adjusted based on periodicity forecasts. Zoned management strategies for water resources are put forward: artificial regulation and storage are recommended for zones with sensitive hydrological responses, while preventive protection is prioritized for zones with sluggish responses. By incorporating periodic characteristics and lag durations, targeted pumping strategies for dry and wet seasons can be developed, and a coupled water level–rainfall–pumping early warning system can be established to realize the long-term sustainable regulation of karst water resources. Full article
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21 pages, 5814 KB  
Article
Phytochemical Analysis of Extracts from Waste of Technical Grape Varieties and Pomegranate Peel Processed in South Kazakhstan
by Almira A. Saparbekova, Gulzhan O. Kantureyeva, Alimjon D. Matchanov, Ulugbek R. Togaev, Amanbay J. Pirniyazov, Darikha E. Kudassova, Gulnur M. Kaldybekova and Alina Altekey
Separations 2026, 13(8), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations13080213 - 26 Jul 2026
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Abstract
The food industry is interested in utilizing active compounds from agri-food waste to produce healthy products and promote sustainability and resource efficiency. This study aimed to conduct a phytochemical analysis of grape pomace derived from Vitis vinifera wine grape varieties Saperavi and Cabernet [...] Read more.
The food industry is interested in utilizing active compounds from agri-food waste to produce healthy products and promote sustainability and resource efficiency. This study aimed to conduct a phytochemical analysis of grape pomace derived from Vitis vinifera wine grape varieties Saperavi and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel of the Nar-Shirin variety, which are widely processed in South Kazakhstan. The extraction processes were simple and employed water and ethanol, two food-grade solvents widely used in green extraction due to their low toxicity and compatibility with food applications.Among the extraction methods tested, aqueous–alcoholic extraction demonstrated the highest efficiency in recovering total phenolic content (TPC), yielding 225.5 ± 1.46 mg GAE/g extract from pomegranate peel, 153.9 ± 1.25 mg GAE/g extract from Cabernet Sauvignon pomace, and 98.6 ± 0.83 mg GAE/g extract from Saperavi pomace. Phenolic profiling of the aqueous–alcoholic extract was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF MS/MS). The total ion chromatograms revealed the presence of predominant phenolic compounds in all analyzed samples. Key identified constituents in grape pomace included kaempferol 3-O-β-D-xylofuranoside, kaempferol 3-O-β-glucopyranoside-7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-α-L-arabinoside, genistin, and megastigmane glycoside. In pomegranate peel, compounds such as myricetin, 5-(2Z,8Z)-pentadecadien-1-yl-1,3-benzenediol were identified for the first time. These findings highlight the rich phenolic composition of grape pomace and pomegranate peel’s extracts and support their potential as valuable sources of bioactive compounds for food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Analysis of Food and Beverages, 2nd Edition)
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