Search Results (109)

The increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability has placed biomass as a versatile and renewable resource, while the management and disposal of forest byproducts remain a significant challenge. This study explores the valorization of forest biomass residues derived from Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea, and the invasive species Acacia dealbata, with a focus on their potential application as bioadsorbents. A comprehensive physicochemical characterization was conducted for different biomass fractions (leaves, needles, and branches of varying diameters). Leaves and needles contained higher amounts of extractives (from 7.7% in acacia leaves to 18.8% in maritime pine needles) and ash (3.4 and 4.2% in acacia leaves and stone pine needles, respectively), whereas branches contained more holocellulose (from 59.6% in P. pinea small branches to 79.2% in P. pinaster large branches). ATR-FTIR and pHpzc analyses indicated compositional and surface charge differences, with higher pHpzc values in A. dealbata relative to Pinus. TG analysis showed that acacia large branches degraded at a lower temperature (320 °C) compared to Pinus species (440–450 °C). Overall, the findings highlight the suitability of these underutilized forest byproducts as bioadsorbents, contributing to the advancement of circular economy practices. Full article

Varuna litterata is an estuarine crab species widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, commonly dwelling in brackish waters, mangrove forests, and tidal estuaries. In Bangladesh, while four Scylla species dominate the commercial crab market, the locally consumed V. litterata remains a biologically overlooked gem of the coastal waters. These crabs are frequently captured as a byproduct during shrimp fry collection from coastal estuaries. In this context, the current study investigates the reproductive biology, morphometric dynamics, and market potential of V. litterata collected from the Pasur River, a coastal mangrove forest-adjacent estuary of southern Bangladesh. A total of 75 individuals were collected from March to April 2023, comprising 35 males and 40 females, resulting in a sex ratio of 1:1.14 (♂:♀), with a predominance of females. A visual observation of ovary development revealed four distinct maturation stages, with Stage IV (fully mature) being the most prevalent (43%), indicating peak reproductive activity during the sampling period. Morphometric analysis revealed that the average carapace width (CW) was 31.2 ± 5.7 mm and 31.9 ± 5.8 mm and the mean carapace length (CL) was 29.3 ± 4.7 mm and 30.1 ± 4.9 mm in males and females, respectively. However, the mean body weight (BW) was 13.1 ± 4.3 g in males and 12.7 ± 3.8 g in female crabs. The dominant CW class ranges from 33 to 33.99 mm (males) and 28.99–29.99 mm (females), appear to be the most vulnerable to fishing pressure. BW-CW and CL-CW relationships demonstrated negative allometric growth, with high correlations in both sexes. Significant sexual dimorphism was observed, with males having larger cheliped dimensions, while females had broader abdomens, likely supporting reproductive functions that are essential to their conservation. The marketing of this crab remains largely informal, yet rising local demand and prices highlight its emerging commercial potential. Therefore, incorporation into aquaculture and coastal fishery development of this crab species could enhance food security, support livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable blue economy initiatives in Bangladesh. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) printing based on polymers reinforced with lignocellulosic components is an accessible and sustainable technology. Cellulose-based byproducts from industry, as well as crops, food, and forestry wastes, represent potential resources for additive manufacturing and have been evaluated in recent years, primarily in combination with polymers such as PLA or ABS. During fused deposition modeling (FDM), several parameters must be considered during raw material conditioning, blending, extrusion, and 3D printing. It is essential to understand how these parameters influence the final properties and their impact on the final application. This review focuses on the latest studies of lignocellulosic byproducts for 3D printing filaments and how the parameters involved during filament production and 3D printing influence the properties of the final product. Recent studies concerning applications, technical issues, and environmental and regulatory aspects were also analyzed. Full article

The objective of this study was to analyze price variability and the factors influencing the formation of monthly prices of by-products of the wood industry in Poland between October 2017 and January 2025. The analysis considered the impact of economic variables, including energy commodity prices (natural gas and coal) and industrial wood prices, on the pricing of wood industry by-products. The adopted approach enabled the identification of key determinants shaping the prices of these by-products. The effectiveness of two tree-based regression models—Random Forest (RF) and CatBoost (CB)—was compared in the analysis. Although RF offers greater interpretability and lower computational requirements, CB proved more effective in modeling dynamic, time-dependent phenomena. The results indicate that industrial wood prices exerted a weaker influence on by-product prices than natural gas prices, suggesting that the energy sector plays a leading role in shaping biomass prices. Coal prices had only a marginal impact on the biomass market, implying that changes in coal availability and pricing did not directly translate into changes in the prices of wood industry by-products. The growing role of renewable energy sources derived from natural gas and wood biomass is contributing to the emergence of a distinct market, increasingly independent of the traditional coal market. In Poland, due to limited access to alternative energy sources, biomass plays a critical role in the decarbonization of the energy sector. Full article

Black soldier fly frass (BSFF) is a nutrient-rich organic byproduct with growing potential as a sustainable fertilizer. While its effects on crops have been studied, its impact on tree seedling development for reforestation remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effect of BSFF on the growth and survival of two native Malagasy tree species: the fast-growing Dodonaea madagascariensis and the slow-growing Verpis macrophylla. A six-month nursery experiment tested three BSFF application rates (half-, one-, and two-fold nitrogen equivalence), along with cattle manure, synthetic NPK, and a no-fertilizer control. The survival was highest in the half-fold BSFF (95% for D. madagascariensis, 87.5% for V. macrophylla) and lowest in BSFF two-fold (0% and 22.5%, respectively) treatments. NPK also significantly reduced the survival (5% for D. madagascariensis, 17.5% for V. macrophylla). The growth responses were most pronounced in D. madagascariensis, where the BSFF half- and one-fold treatments led to height growth rates that were 2.0–2.7 times higher than that of the control, cattle manure, and NPK treatments, and diameter growth that was 1.8–2.3 times higher. The biomass accumulation was also significantly higher under the BSFF half- and one-fold treatments for D. madagascariensis. In contrast, V. macrophylla showed limited response to the treatments. These findings indicate that calibrated BSFF application can enhance seedling performance in reforestation efforts, particularly for fast-growing species. Notably, the growth rate of D. madagascariensis doubled (in terms of cm/month) under optimal BSFF treatment—a critical advantage, as time is a key constraint in reforestation and faster growth directly supports more efficient forest restoration. This highlights BSFF’s potential as a sustainable and locally available input for forest restoration in Madagascar. Full article

This paper discusses the possibilities of using stump wood as a raw material for energy generation. The research was based on an analysis of the state of knowledge, forest field studies, and participatory observations. A formula was sought to optimise the procurement cost of stump wood appropriate to Polish conditions. Conceptualisation was carried out in a selected area of the Notecka Forest in the Wielkopolska region, located in western Poland. A pilot study was designed to test a computational formula to assess the profitability of harvesting wood from stump wood resources for energy generation. The potential of stump wood is estimated to be around half a million cubic metres per year from the Notecka Forest area alone. This resource provides an opportunity for business development in both forestry and the renewable energy sources (RESs) sector, despite the barriers and risks shown in this study. Full article

This study investigates the influence of monthly income level (low, medium, and high) on consumer behavior regarding a newly launched cream cheese product enriched with berry by-products. A panel of 345 participants was surveyed, and data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests. Most consumers were environmentally aware, recognizing the impact of personal food waste and expressing support for food products incorporating by-products. Respondents also favored the use of renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the food industry. Higher income levels were associated with greater health awareness and increased acceptance of cream cheese with berry by-products, with the high-income group showing a greater willingness to pay a premium. Health benefits and the product’s natural character were the main advantages identified. Individuals with lower incomes were more open to trying unfamiliar foods when ingredient details were not provided, while higher-income respondents expressed greater hesitation and distrust toward new products. Willingness to try novel items decreased with income level. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between income groups for label reading, support for mountain dairies, and the influence of product origin, health benefits, nutrient diversity, pricing concerns, and consumer confidence in purchasing cream cheese with berry by-products. These findings are important for understanding how income affects consumer perceptions and willingness to consume innovative, sustainable food products like berry-enriched cream cheese, highlighting key areas for targeted marketing and product development. Full article

Softwood bark and twigs represent by-products of forest supply chains rich in extractable bioactive compounds. This study aimed at evaluating the bioactive molecules of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) based extracts of bark and twigs from different conifer plants and exploring their antioxidant capacity. Samples of Picea abies twigs (RAR) and bark (CAR) and Abies alba twigs (SFT) underwent extraction using a pilot-scale Venturi reactor HC device. The freeze-dried extracts were characterized for the antioxidant capacity, through both in vitro and ex vivo assays, the antimicrobial activity, and the content of phenolics and free amino acids by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. HC-based aqueous extracts were obtained quickly and with low energy consumption. We found 10 phenolic acids, nine flavonols, three flavan-3-ols, five flavanones, three procyanidins, two stilbenoids, and 10 other phenolic compounds. Moreover, eight essential and seven dispensable amino acids were found. The principal component analysis showed clear discrimination among the three extracts. The CAR extract showed antimicrobial activity. The SFT extract showed the higher anthocyanins content and antioxidant activity, both through in vitro and ex vivo methods. These preliminary results confirm that by-products of Picea abies and Abies alba are rich in bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities, suggesting potential applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields. Full article

This study provides a bibliometric analysis of 926 scientific publications on Argania spinosa, representing the first investigation covering all aspects of the argan tree. By combining bibliometric performance indicators and scientific mapping, based on commonly used approaches in previous studies, the analysis examines the evolution, structure, and gaps in argan-related research. The results reveal that scientific production accelerated after 1996 during an industrial exploitation period, driven by the emergence of women’s cooperatives, international certifications, and national development programs. Morocco dominates the argan research landscape, benefiting from targeted policy support, international collaborations, and the species’ endemic status. Two major research aspects were identified: the valuation of argan oil, focusing on its chemical and therapeutic properties; and ecological restoration, encompassing genetic diversity, reforestation practices, and climate adaptation strategies. Despite these advancements, critical gaps remain in operational reforestation, assisted migration, post-plantation monitoring, and the integration of ecological modeling. Research remains skewed toward oil valuation, with insufficient attention to long-term forest sustainability under climate change. Future efforts should adopt a multidisciplinary framework that integrates genomics, nursery innovation, biotechnology, molecular genetics, digital monitoring tools, and socio-institutional governance. Research should also emphasize optimizing by-product use, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting gender-equitable, community-based forest management. Full article

The development of sustainable seed coating formulations is essential to enhance crop performance while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. This study evaluates biochar-enriched coatings incorporating olive pomace, buffalo digestate, and microbial consortia from Fagus, Quercus, and Pinus forest litters, including Trichoderma harzianum, for their effects on seed germination and plant growth. Four crops (Diplotaxis tenuifolia, Lactuca sativa, Solanum lycopersicum, and Zea mays) were tested through germination assays and field trials. Treatments containing digestate or pomace alone significantly reduced germination and seedling growth in D. tenuifolia and L. sativa (below 25%, compared to control), due to the phytotoxic effects of ammonia, salts, and polyphenols. In contrast, biochar-based coatings mitigated these effects, enhancing germination and root elongation. The addition of T. harzianum further improved seedling establishment, likely by enhancing nutrient uptake and suppressing soilborne pathogens, with increases exceeding 100% (compared to control). Field trials confirmed these findings, showing that biochar–T. harzianum combinations improved both shoot and root biomass, particularly in L. sativa and S. lycopersicum. Z. mays displayed greater tolerance to raw by-products, though biochar remained essential for optimal growth. While forest-derived microbial consortia supported microbial balance, their effect on biomass was less pronounced. These results highlight the potential of biochar-based coatings, especially when combined with T. harzianum, as sustainable alternatives to conventional seed treatments. Full article

The main objective of energy balance analysis is to guide farmers in making informed decisions that promote the efficient management of natural resources, optimise the use of agricultural inputs, and improve the overall economic performance of their farms. In addition, it supports the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop diversification, the use of renewable energy sources, and the recycling of agricultural by-products and residues into natural energy sources or fertilisers. This paper analyses the variation in energy efficiency between 2019 and 2022 of the main crops in Angola: maize, soybean, and rice, and the forest production of eucalyptus biomass in agroforestry farms. The research was based on the responses to interviews conducted with the managers of the farms regarding the machinery used, fuels and lubricants, labour, seeds, phytopharmaceuticals, and fertilisers. The quantities are gathered by converting data into Megajoules (MJ). The results show variations in efficiency and energy balance. In corn, efficiency fluctuated between 1.32 MJ in 2019 and 1.41 MJ in 2020, falling to 0.94 MJ in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic before rising to 1.31 MJ in 2022. For soybeans, the energy balance went from a deficit of −8223.48 MJ in 2019 to a positive 11,974.62 MJ in 2022, indicating better use of resources. Rice stood out for its high efficiency, reaching 81,541.33 MJ in 2021, while wood production showed negative balances, evidencing the need for more effective strategies. This research concludes that understanding the energy balance of agricultural operations in Angola is essential not only to achieve greater sustainability and profitability but also to strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems against external factors such as climate change, fluctuations in input prices, and economic crises. A comprehensive understanding of the energy balance allows farmers to assess the true cost-effectiveness of their operations, identify energy inefficiencies, and implement more effective strategies to maximise productivity while minimising environmental impacts. Full article

Integrating green spaces into urban designs and planning for ecosystem services has become vital; however, in creating these spaces, the growth phase is often overlooked. This study provides insight into the changing energy and carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes in a developing forest, “The Forestias” project in Thailand. The eddy covariance technique was applied to determine real-time surface energies and CO₂ fluxes from December 2021 to September 2023. The results suggest that under fast growing conditions of the green areas, the diurnal latent energy flux corresponded with the area gained. This effect was supported by increasing evapotranspiration through the byproduct of canopy gas exchange. Consequently, the influence of green areas on lowering the average ambient temperature compared with the urban non-green surroundings was observed. In terms of CO₂ flux dynamics, the increasing efficacy of photosynthesis was parallel with the growing forest canopy. Changes in flux dynamics due to urban green areas show their potential as a mitigation tool for moderating ambient air temperatures. Moreover, they can serve as a carbon sink within tropical cities and provide a pivotal contribution in reaching carbon neutrality. Full article

Particleboard is an important forest product that can be reprocessed using wood processing by-products. This approach has the potential to achieve significant conservation of forest resources and contribute to the protection of forest ecology. Most current detection models require a significant number of tagged samples for training. However, with the advancement of industrial technology, the prevalence of surface defects in particleboard is decreasing, making the acquisition of sample data difficult and significantly limiting the effectiveness of model training. Deep reinforcement learning-based detection methods have been shown to exhibit strong generalization ability and sample utilization efficiency when the number of samples is limited. This paper focuses on the potential application of deep reinforcement learning in particleboard defect detection and proposes a novel detection method, PPOBoardNet, for the identification of five typical defects: dust spot, glue spot, scratch, sand leak and indentation. The proposed method is based on the proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm of the Actor-Critic framework, and defect detection is achieved by performing a series of scaling and translation operations on the mask. The method integrates the variable action space and the composite reward function and achieves the balanced optimization of different types of defect detection performance by adjusting the scaling and translation amplitude of the detection region. In addition, this paper proposes a state characterization strategy of multi-scale feature fusion, which integrates global features, local features and historical action sequences of the defect image and provides reliable guidance for action selection. On the particleboard defect dataset with limited images, PPOBoardNet achieves a mean average precision (mAP) of 79.0%, representing a 5.3% performance improvement over the YOLO series of optimal detection models. This result provides a novel technical approach to the challenge of defect detection with limited samples in the particleboard domain, with significant practical application value. Full article

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a critical parameter in water quality management due to its interaction with disinfectants, leading to the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) during water treatment. Forest ecosystems are key contributors of DOC to surface waters, stemming from soil leachate. This study is the first to use DOC solutions directly extracted from soil to examine the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) during chlorination and chloramination under varying environmental conditions. For this purpose, soil samples from a densely forested upland Cedar Lake watershed in Illinois were processed to extract DOC, which was then subjected to controlled disinfection experiments under varying pH, temperature, disinfectant dose, and reaction time. The results demonstrate that chlorination produces significantly higher levels of THMs compared to chloramination, with THM concentrations ranging from 31.996 μg/L to 62.563 μg/L for chlorination and 0.508 μg/L to 0.865 μg/L for chloramination. The yields of DBPs determined by chloramination increased approximately 4, 5, and 10 times with a higher DOC concentration, disinfectant concentration, and reaction time, respectively. For chlorination, these increases were approximately 5, 8, and 3 times, respectively. The presence of bromide in the DOC solutions influenced the concentration of brominated THMs (Br-THMs). The results indicate that a high formation of THMs, during both disinfection processes, occurred in the pH range of 7–8 and temperature range of 20–25 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, all tested water quality indicators (DOC, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and UV254), except for pH and Specific Ultraviolet Absorbance (SUVA), exhibited a strong positive correlation with THM levels during chlorination. In contrast, these parameters displayed a moderate to weak correlation with THM levels in the chloramination process. These findings highlight the critical role of DOC characteristics and disinfection conditions in controlling THM formation, providing valuable insights for optimizing water treatment processes. Full article

This study explores the extraction and utilization of tannins from Acacia sp. bark residues for water treatment applications. As a by-product of forest management, Acacia sp. bark is valorized through tannin-based coagulant production, contributing to the circular (bio)economy. A systematic review with bibliometric analysis was first conducted to assess the technical–scientific landscape, identifying methodologies and technologies applied to extract and produce natural tannin-based coagulants from Acacia sp. bark residues for water treatment. From the portfolio of analyzed publications, and which followed the thematic axis addressed and the inclusion criteria, only a single study focuses on performing a life cycle assessment (LCA). Due to the relevance of the topic and the clear lack of existing literature, an environmental assessment of the extraction and production of condensed tannins was performed using the LCA methodology from a gate-to-gate perspective. Among the six process stages, spray drying and adsorption (purification) were the primary sources of environmental impact due to their high energy consumption and makeup ethanol use, respectively. The most effective strategy to enhance environmental performance would be reducing water consumption in extraction, thereby lowering energy demand in spray drying. Since both extraction and spray drying require significant energy, decreasing water use and allowing higher moisture content in the condensed tannin extract would mitigate energy consumption. The LCA study thus proved essential in guiding process development toward a reduced environmental footprint. Full article