Search Results (201)

Facing water scarcity and environmental contamination, a sustainable approach combining bioeconomy and circular economy principles has emerged: the use of onshore oil and gas produced water (PW) to irrigate Nopalea cochenillifera. This study evaluated the ability of Nopalea cochenillifera to phytoextract contaminants, focusing on translocation and bioaccumulation factors for the recovery of degraded soils. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with five treatments (T1: 100% supply water; T2: 75% supply water + 25% PW; T3: 50% supply water + 50% PW; T4: 25% supply water + 75% treated PW; T5: 100% PW) and five replicates in 20 L pots. After 240 days, plant and soil samples were analyzed for micronutrients (Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Na⁺) and heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb). The highest median TF was observed for Mn in treatment T3 (10.55), while the highest median BF occurred for Cu in treatment T2 (10.852). Nopalea cochenillifera effectively translocated Mn, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Pb from roots to shoots and bioaccumulated all analyzed nutrients, particularly Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn. PW irrigation altered elemental transport and intensified metals accumulation. Thus, Nopalea cochenillifera demonstrates strong phytoextraction potential for environmental remediation in semi-arid regions. Full article

The Amazon Deforestation Arc remains a critical region for environmental governance, where land-use strategies must consider distinct legal and institutional frameworks across the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. This study applies the Potential Productivity Model (M3P), a theoretical radiation-based framework, to estimate the upper physiological limits of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) productivity on degraded pastures within the Arc of Deforestation. The model integrates satellite-derived solar radiation with climatic variables to quantify potential productivity under optimal biophysical conditions, providing an objective benchmark for planning-oriented bioenergy assessments. Estimated potential yields range from 153 to 178 t·ha⁻¹·yr⁻¹, consistent with global reference values reported for sugarcane in high-radiation environments and relevant for informing public policies such as Brazil’s Agroecological Zoning of Sugarcane. The results demonstrate that agroclimatic potential alone is insufficient to guide land-use decisions. While degraded pastures associated with the Cerrado biome may accommodate sugarcane cultivation as part of productive land recovery strategies, areas belonging to the Amazon biome require priority actions focused on ecological restoration through agroforestry and integrated crop–livestock–forest systems. Overall, the M3P model offers a scalable and scientifically grounded decision-support framework for strategic planning in environmentally sensitive tropical regions. Full article

Birds are important indicators of ecosystem health and provide a range of benefits to society. It is important, therefore, to understand the impacts of agricultural land use changes on bird populations. The cultivation of energycane (EC)—a sugarcane hybrid—for biofuel production represents one form of agricultural land use change in southern Florida. We used passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) to examine bird community use of experimental EC fields and other agricultural land uses at two study sites in southern Florida. We deployed 16 acoustic recorders in different study plots and used the automatic species identifier BirdNET to identify 40 focal bird species. We found seasonal differences in daily avian species diversity and richness between EC experimental plots and reference agricultural fields (corn fields, orchards, pastureland), and between time periods (pre-planting, post-planting). Daily avian species diversity and richness were lower in the EC experimental plots during Fall and Winter months when plants reached maximum height (>400 cm in some areas). Despite seasonal differences in daily measures of species diversity and richness, we found no differences in cumulative species richness, suggesting that there may be little overall (season-long) effects of EC production. These findings could provide insight to avian seasonal habitat preferences and underscore the potential limitations of PAM in areas experiencing dynamic vegetation changes. More research is needed to better understand if utilization of EC cropping systems results in positive or negative effects on avian populations (e.g., foraging habitat quality, predator–prey dynamics, nest success). Full article

This study presents a comprehensive methodology for assessing the technical potential of hay biomass from permanent grasslands (TUZ) in Poland, aimed at evaluating its energy use possibilities. This research was based on detailed data from the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture (ARiMR) and included both environmentally subsidized and non-subsidized parcels. Using statistical hay yield values adjusted for drought impacts through the Climatic Water Balance (KBW), a realistic estimation of technical hay potential was obtained. Results show a total theoretical hay potential of 15 million tonnes in 2024. The results indicate that the total theoretical hay potential in the country in 2024 amounted to 15 million tons, but its technical potential is reduced to almost zero. The methane productivity of this biomass could generate 3.5 Mt CH₄ (at STP) if most of it could not be used for animal feeding purposes. The findings highlight the underutilized energetic potential of grasslands and the critical role of land use policy in unlocking sustainable bioenergy resources. Research into the potential of biomass is important in view of supporting energy independence, sustainable use of agricultural resources and agroecological synergy by combining production, energy and environmental objectives. It should be remembered that biomass potential studies are subject to limitations resulting from the uncertainty of statistical data, variability of climatic and soil conditions and model assumptions, which may affect the accuracy and comparability of the obtained results. Full article

The growing global demand for mined commodities has intensified the environmental challenges associated with mine tailings. Currently, an estimated 62,381 mining properties impact approximately 50 million square kilometers of the Earth’s land surface. Annual tailings production exceeds 10 billion tonnes and is projected to reach 19 billion tonnes by 2025. This review examines phytoremediation strategies and the associated legal framework in South Africa, highlighting a critical disconnect between existing remediation approaches, environmental legislation, and the broader sustainable development agenda. To address these gaps, a fundamental shift towards a circular economy paradigm is essential—one that aligns research, policy, and practice to foster innovative, sustainable solutions. Phytoremediation using bioenergy crops such as Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) offers a holistic approach that integrates environmental restoration with circularity and economic viability, while avoiding competition with food crops for arable land. Full article

Conflicting priorities between policymakers and local communities often compromise conservation outcomes in landscapes reliant on natural resources. Understanding how diverse stakeholders value ecosystem services (ESs) across coexisting land uses is essential; however, empirical evidence from rural Southeast Asia remains limited. This study examined ES perceptions and priorities among community members (n = 500) and experts (n = 30) within a bamboo forest, rice paddy, and teak plantation in Sangthong District, Lao PDR. A two-step survey methodology was employed: initially assessing ES perceptions to filter locally relevant services using a ≥50% recognition threshold, followed by quantifying priorities for this subset through a 100-point allocation task. The results revealed a systematic divergence in priorities rooted in differing knowledge systems. Communities, grounded in traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), prioritized tangible provisioning and cultural services (e.g., food and raw materials). In contrast, experts emphasized regulating services (e.g., carbon sequestration and hazard regulation) and habitat services (e.g., biodiversity and habitat provision). Distinct “ES bundles” also emerged by land use: bamboo (raw materials and freshwater), rice (food and medicine), and teak (timber/bioenergy and regulating services). Our findings suggest a policy transition from single-objective management toward optimizing landscape-level ES portfolios, alongside institutionalizing participatory co-management that formally integrates local knowledge and enhances ES literacy. Full article

Agrivoltaics (APV) mitigates land-use competition between photovoltaic installations and agricultural activities, thereby supporting multifaceted policy objectives in energy transition and sustainability. The availability of organic residuals from agrifood practices may also open the way to their energy valorization. This paper examines a small-scale farm in the Basilicata Region, southern Italy, to investigate the potential installation of an APV plant or a combined APV and bioenergy system to meet the electrical needs of the existing processing machinery. A dynamic numerical analysis is performed over an annual cycle to properly size the storage system under three distinct APV configurations. The panel shadowing effects on the underlying crops are quantified by evaluating the reduction in incident solar irradiance during daylight and the consequent agricultural yield differentials over the life period of each crop. The integration of APV and a biomass-powered cogenerator is then considered to explore the possible off-grid farm operation. In the sole APV case, the single-axis tracking configuration achieves the highest performance, with 45.83% self-consumption, a land equivalent ratio (LER) of 1.7, and a payback period of 2.77 years. For APV and bioenergy, integration with a 20 kW cogeneration unit achieves over 99% grid independence by utilizing a 97.57 kWh storage system. The CO₂ emission reduction is 49.6% for APV alone and 100% with biomass integration. Full article

Solid biomass (agro-residue) is the most important source of renewable energy. The accelerating impacts of climate change and global population growth contribute to air pollution through the use of fossil fuels. These processes increase the demand for energy. The European Union has adopted a climate action plan to address the above challenges. The main aim of this study was to assess the economic performance of the producers of biomass for energy generation in Poland. The detailed objectives were to determine land resources in the studied agricultural farms and to determine the value of fixed and current assets in the analyzed farms. We used questionnaires as the main method to collect data. Purposive sampling was used to choose the farms. We conducted various tests to analyze the revenues from biomass sales and their normality, such as the Dornik–Hansen test, the Shapiro–Wilk test, the Liliefors test, and the Jargue–Berra statistical test. Moreover, we conducted regression analysis to find factors that are the basis for the economic performance (incomes) of farms that sell biomass. Results: This study demonstrated that biomass sales had a minor impact on the performance of agricultural farms, but they enabled farmers to maintain their position on the market. The economic analysis was carried out on a representative group of Polish agricultural farms, taking into account fixed and current assets, land use, production structure, and employment. The findings indicate that a higher income from biomass sales was generally associated with better economic results per farm and per employee, although not always per hectare of land. This suggests that capital intensity and strategic resource management play a crucial role in the profitability of bioenergy-oriented agricultural production. Conclusions: We concluded that biomass sales had a negligible influence on farm income. But a small income from biomass sales could affect a farm’s economic viability. Full article

Moringa oleifera (MO), a nutritionally and pharmacologically potent species, is emerging as a sustainable candidate for applications across bioenergy, agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and biomedicine. This review explores recent advances in MO-based biotechnologies, highlighting novel extraction methods, green nanotechnology, and clinical trial findings. Although MO’s resilience offers promise for climate-smart agriculture and public health, challenges remain in standardizing cultivation and verifying therapeutic claims. This work underscores MO’s translational potential and the need for integrative, interdisciplinary research. MO is used in advanced materials, like electrospun fibers and biopolymers, showing filtration, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties—important for the biomedical industry and environmental remediation. In textiles, it serves as an eco-friendly alternative for wastewater treatment and yarn sizing. Biotechnological advancements, such as genome sequencing and in vitro culture, enhance traits and metabolite production. MO supports green biotechnology through sustainable agriculture, nanomaterials, and biocomposites. MO shows potential for disease management, immune support, metabolic health, and dental care, but requires further clinical trials for validation. Its resilience is suitable for land restoration and food security in arid areas. AI and deep learning enhance Moringa breeding, allowing for faster, cost-effective development of improved varieties. MO’s diverse applications establish it as a key element for sustainable development in arid regions. Full article

Climate change resulting from human development necessitates increased land use, food, and energy consumption, underscoring the need for sustainable development. Incorporating various feedstocks into value-added liquid fuels and bioproducts is essential for achieving sustainability. Most biomass consists of cell walls, which serve as a primary carbon source for bioenergy and biorefinery processes. This structure contains a cellulose core, where lignin and hemicelluloses are crosslinked and embedded in a pectin matrix, forming diverse polysaccharide architectures across different species and tissues. Nineteen agro-industrial waste products were analyzed for their potential use in a circular economy. The analysis included cell wall composition, saccharification, and calorific potential. Thermal capacity and degradation were similar among the evaluated wastes. The feedstocks of corn cob, corn straw, soybean husk, and industry paper residue exhibited a higher saccharification capacity despite having lower lignin and uronic acid contents, with cell walls comprising 30% glucose and 60% xylose. Therefore, corn, soybeans, industrial paper residue, and sugarcane are more promising for bioethanol production. Additionally, duckweed, barley, sorghum, wheat, rice, bean, and coffee residues could serve as feedstocks for other by-products in green chemistry, generating valuable products. Our findings show that agro-industrial residues display a variety of polymers that are functional for various applications in different industry sectors. Full article

Land-based bioenergy systems are increasingly promoted for their potential to support climate change mitigation and energy security. Building on previous productivity and efficiency analyses, this study applies the MiscanFor and SalixFor models to evaluate land use energy intensity (LUEI) for Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) and willow (Salix spp.) under baseline (1961–1990) and future climate scenarios, and Business-as-Usual (B1) and Fossil Intensive (A1FI) scenarios, projected to 2060. The study also assesses the impact of biomass transport on energy use efficiency (EUE) and quantifies soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration by Miscanthus. Under current conditions, Miscanthus exhibits a higher global mean LUEI (321 ± 179 GJ ha⁻¹) than willow (164 ± 115.6 GJ ha⁻¹) across all regions (p < 0.0001), with energy yield hotspots in tropical and subtropical regions such as South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. Colder regions, such as Europe and Canada, show limited energy potential. By 2060, LUEI is projected to decline by 9–15% for Miscanthus and 8–13% for willow, with B1 improving energy returns in temperate zones and A1FI reducing them in the tropics. Global EUE for Miscanthus declines significantly (p < 0.0001) by 21%, from 15.73 ± 7.1 to 12.37 ± 5.2 as biomass transport distance increases from 50 km to 500 km. Mean SOC sequestration is estimated at 1.20 ± 1.46 t C ha⁻¹, with tropical hotspots reaching up to 4.57 t C ha⁻¹ and some cooler regions exhibiting net losses (–7.93 t C ha⁻¹). Climate change significantly reduces SOC gains compared to baseline (p < 0.0001), although differences between B1 and A1FI are not statistically significant. These findings highlight the importance of region-specific, climate-resilient biomass systems to optimize energy returns and carbon benefits under future climate conditions. Full article

This study explores the use of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), Total Sustainability Assessment, and Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) as tools to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts in Agri-industry. It highlights the unique trajectory of LCA and LCSA implementation in Latin America, shaped by the region’s distinct environmental, social, and economic contexts, contrasted with global research trends. Evidence shows the importance of biodiversity, conservation, and deforestation mitigation in Latin American LCA applications, which differ from the urban-focused impacts seen in regions like Europe or North America. Furthermore, it emphasizes the significant role of LCSA in addressing socio-economic challenges unique to Latin America, such as inequality and labor conditions. The research reveals the benefits of LCA and LCSA methodologies in the agro-industrial sector, particularly in addressing social issues like land use rights and rural community welfare. Despite challenges such as limited access to high-quality data and the need for capacity building, the innovative application of these methodologies in Latin America offers valuable insights for the global community. Our work relies on Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to analyze the LCSA literature from 1990 to 2024, identifying evolving trends and research focal areas in sustainability. The analysis herein presented highlights the need for a multi-dimensional and holistic approach to sustainability research and practice. Our findings also emphasize the importance of developing comprehensive models and integrated methodologies to effectively address complex sustainability challenges. Environmental information remains crucial for policy processes, acknowledging uncertainties in estimations and the connection between land use change, agriculture, and emissions from the global food economy and bioenergy sectors. The research underscores the dynamic nature of LCSA and the importance of continually reassessing sustainability efforts to address pressing challenges. Full article

The economic impact of obtaining biomass could become significant to U.S. rural economies via the establishment of a bioeconomy. In 2023, the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory provided a road map to obtain over a billion tons of biomass for conversion to bioenergy and other products. Using information from this roadmap, this study estimates the potential positive and negative economic impacts that occur because of land use change, along with increased technological advances. This is achieved by using the input–output model, IMPLAN, and impacting 179 Bureau of Economic Analysis regions in the conterminous United States. Biomass included in the analysis comprises dedicated energy crops, crop residues, and forest residues. The analysis found that managing pastures more intensively could result in releasing land to produce dedicated energy crops on 30.8 million hectares, resulting in the production of 361 million metric tons of biomass. This, coupled with crop residues from barley, corn, oats, sorghum, and wheat (162 million metric tons), plus forest residues (41 million metric tons), provide 564 million dry metric tons of biomass. Assuming the price for biomass in 2023 dollars was USD 77 per dry metric-ton, this additional production results in an economic benefit for the nation of USD 619 billion, an increase from the Business As Is scenario (Baseline) of almost USD 100 billion per year, assuming a mature biomass industry. An additional 700,000 jobs are required to grow, harvest/collect, and transport the biomass material from the land. Full article

Pinios river basin constitutes the most important agricultural production area in Greece but contributes to the degradation of the quality and quantity of surface water and groundwater bodies. Bioenergy crops implemented as part of the existing cropping systems could be a novel and efficient mitigation strategy against water degradation, contributing to the production of energy through renewable sources. This study uses the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to first develop a representative model of Pinios river basin and evaluate its current state with respect to water availability and nitrate water pollution. A low-input perennial bioenergy crop, switchgrass, is then simulated closely to the Greek conditions to investigate its potential effects on water in three implementation scenarios: the installation and growth of switchgrass in the entire irrigated cropland, exclusively in irrigated sloping (slopes > 1.5%) cropland, and exclusively in irrigated non-sloping cropland. The simulated results demonstrate that under all scenarios, the water quality improvements with respect to the nitrate loads entering surface water and groundwater bodies were significant, with their reduction being directly affected by the extent to which switchgrass replaced resource-demanding conventional crops. Specifically, the reduction in the annual nitrate loads in the surface water under these three scenarios varied from 7% to 18% at the river basin scale, while in certain cropland areas, the respective reduction even exceeded a level of 80%. The potential to improve the water status was also considerable, as the implementation of the bioenergy crop reduced the irrigation water used annually in the basin by 10% (64 Mm³) when switchgrass replaced the conventional crops only on the sloping land and by almost 30% (187 Mm³) when it replaced them throughout the irrigated land. At the same time, significant biomass production above 18 t/ha/y applied in all of the simulations. This study also highlights the contribution of the bioenergy crop to the rehabilitation of the groundwater levels across the basin, with the possibility of increasing them by >50% compared to the baseline, implying that the adoption of switchgrass could be a promising means against water scarcity. Full article

In this study, the CO₂ reduction benefits of wind energy in the transition towards a carbon-neutral energy system are explored. The marginal benefits of wind energy in replacing CO₂ emissions in electricity generation are gradually declining as carbon-emission-reduction targets are fulfilled. However, there is still the potential to reduce emissions by replacing fossil fuels in other energy sectors via electrification. Using the Finnish TIMES-VTT energy system model, this study simulates the impacts of different wind energy scenarios between 2030 and 2050, analyzing the effects of adding or removing 5 TWh of wind energy on power generation. Our findings indicate that the reduction benefits of wind energy vary over time, stemming initially from the generation of electricity but they are increasingly being driven by electrification through lowered electricity prices, and fuel switching, like the replacement of bioenergy in heating and fuel production. Between the years 2030 and 2050, an average marginal emission reduction of 180–270 gCO₂eq/kWh was seen, rising to 250–320 gCO₂eq/kWh if the impact on reduced carbon sinks through wood chip use was taken into account. Issues using marginal, substitution impacts from simulations are discussed; however, no straightforward methods for capturing the cumulative benefits of assets over their lifetime exist. In transitioning towards a net-zero-carbon energy system, other issues like costs, land use, and social aspects will become more relevant than emission substitution. Full article