Search Results (98)

The appearance rate of nutrients into systemic circulation affects hormones like insulin and through that efficiency of growth. This also affects mineral requirements critical for metabolism, notably phosphate (P), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K). Fasting animals have a downregulated metabolism, upon which P, Mg, and K are exported from their cells into the blood and are subsequently excreted in their urine. Abrupt resumption of feed intake, especially of highly glycemic feeds, creates an acute need for these minerals, which can result in deficiency symptoms, particularly with P deficiency. In human medicine, this is called refeeding syndrome: a large meal after a period of fasting can prove fatal. Young animals seem to be especially sensitive, likely driven by their ability to grow rapidly and thus to drastically upregulate their metabolism in response to insulin. Symptoms of P deficiency are fairly a-specific and, consequently, not often recognized. They include edema, which makes it appear as if piglets are growing well, explaining the high gain/feed rate typically seen immediately after weaning, even when piglets are eating at or below the maintenance requirements. Phosphate deficiency can also result in hypoxia and hypercarbia, which may trigger ear necrosis, Streptococcus suis infections, or even death. Hypophosphatemia can also trigger rhabdomyolysis, which may contribute to tail-biting, but this requires further study. Arguably, when fasting cannot be avoided, diets for newly weaned piglets should be formulated to avoid these problems by lowering their glycemic load and by formulating diets according to the piglets’ actual requirements inspired by their genuine intake and health and not simply by extrapolating from older animals. Full article

Globalization and the spread of technological innovations have made world markets and economies increasingly unified and conditioned by international trade, not only for sales markets but above all for the supply of raw materials necessary for the functioning of the production complex of each country. Alongside oil and gold, the main commodities traded include industrial metals, such as aluminum and copper, mineral products such as gas, electrical and electronic components, agricultural products, and precious metals. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine tested the unification of markets, given that these are countries with notable raw materials and are strongly dedicated to exports. This suggests that commodity prices were able to influence the stock markets, especially in the countries most closely linked to the two belligerents in terms of import-export. Given the importance of industrial metals in this period of energy transition, the aim of our study is to analyze whether Industrial Metals volatility affects G7 stock markets. To this end, the BEKK-GARCH model is used. The sample period spans from 3 January 2018 to 17 September 2024. The results show that lagged shocks and volatility significantly and positively influence the current conditional volatility of commodity and stock returns during all periods. In fact, past shocks inversely influence the current volatility of stock indices in periods when external events disrupt financial markets. The results show a non-linear and positive impact of commodity volatility on the implied volatility of the stock markets. The findings suggest that the war significantly affected stock prices and exacerbated volatility, so investors should diversify their portfolios to maximize returns and reduce risk differently in times of crisis, and a lack of diversification of raw materials is a risky factor for investors. Full article

For the European Union in the field of raw material policy, it is primarily important to ensure reliable, seamless, and unrestricted access to raw materials in all EU countries. An important aspect in assessing the European Union’s raw material policy is a detailed analysis of selected significant raw materials. This paper focuses on raw material policy within the European Union (EU). Specifically, it examines five types of raw materials: critical raw materials, metal ores, non-metallic minerals, fossil energy materials, and biomass. The research is oriented to analyzing the materials from the perspectives of consumption, mining, export, and import. The objective is to assess the European Union’s (EU) raw material policy by employing specific tools and statistical methodologies to analyze individual data. We aimed to assess the European Union (EU) raw material policy using selected statistical methods such as regression and correlation analysis, multivariate analysis, and pairwise correlation to reveal and describe the relationships between variables. Based on the examination of import and export data, it is evident that imports are on the rise while exports are declining. This trend underscores the EU’s continued reliance on raw materials sourced from other global regions. The results show that domestic production and consumption are sufficient; on the other hand, the EU remains dependent on imports of critical raw materials. The results are useful for the development of future EU raw material policy. Full article

Serpentinites are metamorphic rocks constituted primarily by serpentine-group minerals (antigorite, chrysotile, lizardite) resulting from the transformation and low-temperature hydration of previous olivine-rich ultramafic rocks, such as dunite, lherzolite, wehrlite, and harzburgite. The peculiar features of the serpentinites such as the greenish color and the intricate vein and mesh-like texture, as well as their role in CO₂ sequestration when carbonated, have hugely increased interest in studying these rocks over recent decades. Moreover, since antiquity, serpentinites have long been exploited, traded, and exported worldwide as daily tools, as well as in buildings and decorative stones in both internal and external architectural elements, because of their aesthetic appeal, attractiveness, and durability. In this work, we analyzed and compared petrographic features, geochemical signatures, and physical–mechanical properties of serpentinites from historical quarries from Andalusia (southern Spain), Basilicata, and Calabria (southern Italy) where they have been used as dimension stones in religious and civil buildings and as construction materials. We aim to evaluate and assess differences in petrographic, carbonation, uniaxial compressive strength, and seismic behavior, that could affect the efficiency when these serpentinites are used as either building and construction materials or for preservation/renovation purposes in cultural heritage. Results obtained from petrophysical investigations of serpentinites from these regions highlight that these materials are suitable for use in construction to various extents and are considered a valuable georesource, behind a detailed characterization carried out before their implementation in construction or conservation/restoration of architectural heritage. Full article

Portuguese farmers seek evidence that organic fertilisers, particularly manure-based ones, can be safely used as partial replacements for mineral fertilisers (MFs), taking advantage of their nutrient and organic matter (OM) content. This study aimed to clarify the effects of applying organic fertilisers, especially under no-till practices in maize production. The experiment involved replacing basal mineral nitrogen (N) fertilisation with composted animal manure (CM) and pig slurry (PS) across three contrasting fields with varying soil characteristics, tillage techniques, and OM supplementation. Results indicated that site 1, which had the lowest clay and OM content, benefited the most from organic fertilisers, particularly in enhanced nutrient absorption in both maize leaves and grain. In this site, partial nutrient balance of N was significantly higher in the PS treatment (0.56 kg grain N exported kg N applied⁻¹) compared with the treatment with only MF (0.44). The impacts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions depended on site characteristics. CM led to higher emissions at site 2 (CH₄) and site 3 (N₂O), while PS did not increase GHG emissions at any site. Under no-till practices at site 3, CM resulted in higher global warming potential (154 kg CO_2-eq ha⁻¹) compared with the PS (128 kg CO_2-eq ha⁻¹) and MF (109 kg CO_2-eq ha⁻¹) treatments. Overall, this study suggests that organic fertilisers, particularly PS, can be a viable strategy for improving soil health and maintaining sustainable maize production in Portuguese agriculture. However, their effectiveness depends on factors such as soil texture, OM content, and tillage practices. In soils with lower OM content or under no-till practices, pig slurry emerges as a suitable alternative, replacing 30% of total mineral N fertilisation without compromising productivity or increasing GHG emissions. Full article

Climate change effects have a significant global negative impact, prompting global leaders to promote clean energy use to reduce carbon emissions. Electric vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries are crucial to achieving this goal. Lithium is an essential material for the efficient operation of electric batteries, so in recent years, its demand has increased, and it is considered a strategic mineral. This paper aims to describe and analyze the scientific development of lithium-based clean energy technologies and reveal future areas of scientific production priority. This research is conducted through a bibliometric analysis in the Scopus database from 1929 to April 2024. Using the software Bibliometrix 4.1 and Biblioshiny the exported literature data are analyzed. The number of papers on lithium topics has significantly increased since 2018, with China leading in publications and collaborating with many countries. The trending topics are geological prospection, lithium ore characterization, chemical engineering, and lithium energy technologies. Lithium research is a growing field, but its development is uneven. Only a few countries lead in scientific production and lithium energy technologies, and sustainability lithium topics related to Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) require further attention. Lithium research development is influenced by global economic trends. Full article

In Peru, overweight and obesity affect 20–38% of adults, increasing the risk of NCDs (type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and others) that emphasize the need for healthy foods. Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds contain high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acid essentials (omega-3) (17–23%), antioxidants, proteins, and minerals that prevent NCDs. Chia grows in the regions of Arequipa and Puno–Peru, with 4098 tn of production in 2023. Chia mucilage is a soluble fiber with a high water-holding capacity that possesses the techno-functional properties that would improve the properties of gelification and emulsification of foods: jams, ice cream, yogurt, and others. Peru holds the N°1 position in the ranking of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) exporters. This berry contains antioxidants and flavonoids. Cushuro (Nostoc sphaericum) is a gelatinous spherical blue-green alga; it grows over 3000 masl on the Peruvian highland, and it contains good protein and polysaccharide contents. The work aimed to develop a hydrogel-type jam with chia mucilage (0.05–1.00%), blueberries (36–40%), and fresh cushuro (54–60%), compared with a control sample containing pectin and sugar. The characterization of the hydrogel-type jam was moisture (79.53 ± 1.51%), ash (0.20 ± 0.01%), protein (1.02 ± 0.28%), total carbohydrates (19.05 ± 1.76%), fat (0.21 ± 0.03%), antioxidants (318.56 ± 61.5 µm Trolox/g), and phenolic content (2.43 ± 0.93 mg GAE/g). Then, after 30 days of storage, the °Brix (9.9 ± 0.3), viscosity (3921.62 ± 1373.19), pH (3.18 ± 0.02), and water activity (0.82 ± 0.5) values of the hydrogel type-jam complied with the Peruvian applicable legislation (NTP 203.047) and health law (No. 30021). The hydrogel’s functional properties could help reduce the percentage of NCD, promoting the food industry with healthy products. Full article

Wildfires in the western U.S. have increased in severity and duration in recent decades. Severe wildfires can enhance the rates of nutrient mineralization, causing large exports of inorganic nitrogen and other ions from forests to streams. Measuring the degree to which streams respond to severe, stand-replacing wildfires is critical to estimate in ecosystems prone to disturbance. In 2003, two severe crown wildfires burned in Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA. We studied the extent to which these fires increased nitrogen (ammonium, nitrate and nitrite), sulfate, chloride, and total dissolved phosphorus concentrations and export in three watersheds prior to and during the first four years post-fire. We measured higher concentrations of most ions after wildfire, and nitrate and chloride concentrations increased the most, increasing > 1000 µg/L. Concentrations of nitrate (≤146 times pre-fire concentrations), total dissolved nitrogen (≤11 times), chloride (≤9 times), and total dissolved phosphorus (≤7 times) were higher four years post-fire than before the wildfires burned. Exports of nitrate (≤1392 times), sulfate (≤14 times), and chloride (≤37 times) were also higher after wildfire, while nitrite (≤2.9 times) and ammonium (≤6.4 times) increased to a lesser degree. Stream concentrations of most ions were higher in watersheds that had a larger percent of the area burned. Comparing ion concentrations in streams before and after severe wildfires provides critical information to managers as the climate warms and the frequency of fire-conductive weather increases. Full article

Pseudomonas putida PCL1760 is a well-studied bacterium that can be used for a wide range of biotechnological applications. In our study we investigated the effect of deletion of the genes involved in alginate accumulation (algA), flagellar export (flhA), and pili formation pilQ on the behavior of the strain in bioreactors. We obtained the knockout mutant P. putida LN6160 with the deletion of these genes and showed that the absence of these genes reduces mobility and biofilm formation (40% lower after 72 h) in the mutant. At the same time, we noted the positive effect of these deletions on the growth of the mutant strain on rich medium (1.39 × 10¹⁰ CFU/mL in the mutant and 6.4 × 10⁹ CFU/mL in the wild type) and on mineral medium (6.11 × 10⁹ CFU/mL in the mutant and 1.36 × 10⁹ CFU/mL in the wild type) by growing them in small-volume bioreactors. A significant decrease in the biofilm and the foam formation was also observed for LN6160 in a small-volume bioreactor. Most probably, the rapid growth of the deletion strain occurs due to a decrease in the energy load on the bacterial apparatus. Full article

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral renowned for its exceptional tensile strength, chemical resistance, and low thermal and electrical conductivity. Due to these properties, it has been widely used in various industries. However, asbestos exposure is strongly linked to severe health conditions, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Although over 70 countries have banned asbestos-containing materials, significant health risks persist due to ongoing use and poor management practices in many regions. To mitigate these risks, robust occupational health measures are essential. These include safe removal protocols, comprehensive worker training, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), regular exposure monitoring, rigorous compliance checks, and severe penalties for non-compliance. Moreover, effective asbestos waste management and the development of advanced disposal technologies are essential to reducing risks. Public awareness campaigns, regulatory enforcement, and a global ban on asbestos production, use, and export are also necessary, particularly in countries where asbestos is still in use. Lessons from asbestos management in Australia and New Zealand provide valuable insights for nations currently dealing with asbestos issues. This paper reviews current practices in asbestos surveying, removal, and disposal, comparing them to the stringent regulatory frameworks in Australia and New Zealand. It highlights strategies that can be adopted globally to ensure safer management and complete elimination of asbestos. Full article

Sustainability in agroecosystems relies on the optimized use of resources to achieve consistent yields while maintaining or improving soil health. The monitoring of soil quality is crucial when changes from rainfall-fed to irrigated crop systems occur. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of different crop successions in the Mediterranean area under irrigation and different technical practices. The soil nitrogen–phosphorous–potassium (NPK) and soil organic carbon (SOC) balances were observed in four fields with irrigated annual crops in a two-year succession timeframe, namely, sunflower–maize (P1), sunflower–clover (P2), maize–sunflower (P3), and alfalfa–alfalfa (P4). The SOC and nutrient balance, integrating the total irrigation, mineral fertilizers, and exported yield, was calculated for each farm. Except for maize–sunflower succession (P3), all fields presented a negative SOC balance at the end of the two-year crop succession, indicating losses from 2.84 to 4.91 Mg SOC ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. While in N-fixing plants the soil N decreased, in the remaining crops a surplus was observed, possibly leading to future N losses. The continuous depletion of soil P revealed a potential underestimation of this nutrient. Soil K appears to be related to specific crop management practices, namely, crop residue incorporation after harvest. In annual irrigated crops under Mediterranean conditions, crop succession can induce soil fertility degradation if conservation practices are absent. Full article

Fishery plays an important role in world trade; however, the embodied energy associated with fishery remains incompletely quantified. In this study, we applied the multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model and logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) approach to understand the evolution and drivers of embodied energy in the intermediate and final fishery trade between China and countries along the 21st century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) from 2006 to 2021. The findings are as follows: (1) Embodied energy in the intermediate fishery trade averaged 92.2% of embodied energy from the total fishery trade. China has gradually shifted from being a net exporter to a net importer of embodied energy in intermediate, final, and total fishery trade with countries along the MSR. (2) From a regional perspective, the embodied energy in China’s fishery trade with Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia comprises the majority of the embodied energy from China’s total fishery trade (82.0% on average annually). From a sectoral perspective, petroleum, chemical and non-metallic mineral products, and transport equipment were prominent in the embodied energy of China’s intermediate fishery trade (64.0% on average annually). (3) Economic output increases were the main contributors to the increasing embodied energy in all types of fishery trade in China. The improvement in energy efficiency effectively reduced the embodied energy in all types of fishery trade in China, but its negative driving force weakened in recent years owing to minor energy efficiency improvements. Understanding the embodied energy transactions behind the intermediate and final fishery trade with countries along the MSR can provide a theoretical reference for China to optimize its fishery trade strategy and save energy. Full article

The reuse of wastewater from domestic sewage can contribute to forage production in regions with limited water availability. The aim was to study the agronomic performance of Gigante, Miúda, and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana cactus pear cultivars irrigated with treated sewage water; contents of macro- and micronutrients in plant tissues; export of nutrients and productivity. The study was conducted in an area near the domestic sewage treatment plant in the municipality of Guanambi, Bahia, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks, with six replications. A drip irrigation system was used, with a flow rate of 1.6 L h⁻¹ and a watering interval of three days, applying 33% of the reference evapotranspiration. The physical/chemical characteristics of the soil, dry matter content, nutritional content of the forage cactus pear, productivity, and soil quality were evaluated. Without soil correction or application of mineral or organic fertilizers, only with the application of wastewater, the forage cactus pear plants developed within expected standards. The ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ and the ‘Gigante’ show greater green mass productivity and irrigation water productivity for green mass when compared to the ‘Miúda’. The highest dry matter productivity is expressed by the Orelha de Elefante Mexicana cultivar. The decreasing order of macronutrient export by the forage cactus pear is K, Ca, N, Mg, S, and P, and Mn, Fe, Zn, B, and Cu for micronutrients. Irrigation with treated wastewater, using 33% of the reference evapotranspiration, maintains K contents within a sufficient range; however, for the other nutrients, it is insufficient for the forage cactus pear plants. Full article

Substance flow analysis was used to analyze phosphorus (P) flows, accumulations and losses in Lithuania. P and phosphate rock are included in the list of EU critical raw materials, showing their importance for the EU economy, especially agriculture, and supply risks. It is important to minimize P losses as much as possible, avoid inefficient use, and maximize the potential of secondary P. The analysis showed Lithuania’s huge dependence on P imports, which occurred because one of the largest P fertilizer factories operates in the country, and the country also grows and exports a significant amount of cereals. In total, 69% of P addition to soil is from mineral fertilizers. The potential of secondary P is only partially used, mainly via manure, which constitutes 83% of the recycled P and adds 26% of P to agricultural soil. In total, 58% of P “waste” is either lost or accumulated, largely in phosphogypsum stacks. If this P was fully utilized, the country could reduce the current usage of mineral fertilizers by 71%; without P in phosphogypsum, the reduction would be just 7.2%. The P balance in Lithuanian soil is close to neutral. Agricultural leaching and erosion are the main reasons for P entering water bodies (78% of P) and, therefore, should be further reduced. Full article

The complexities of high PV penetration in the electricity grid in Slovenia based on targets proposed in national energy and climate plan were explored. Scenarios modeled an increase in installation power from 1800 MW in 2030 to 8000 MW in 2050. They were analyzed using energy modeling and life cycle assessment to assess the technical and environmental aspects of high PV grid penetration. The results showed that the increase in PV production from 2200 GWh (2030) to 11,090 GWh (2050) showed an unfavorable course of excess electricity in the system, resulting in the need for short-term and long-term storage strategies and exports of electricity. LCA analysis showed that penetration of a high share of PV results in a decrease in the impact category of global warming, which is higher in 2050 green scenarios that phase out coal and lignite electricity sources (80.5% decrease) compared to the 2020 baseline scenario. The increase in mineral resource scarcity can be observed with an increase in PV share when comparing the 2030 (50%) and 2050 (150%) BAU scenarios with the baseline scenario (2020). Factors such as environmental impacts, technical challenges, and the impact on the grid must be considered when implementing a decarbonization strategy. Full article