Search Results (109)

Palm oil mill effluent (POME), a byproduct of palm oil processing, has substantial resource recovery potential. Its rich biodegradable content supports methane (CH₄) production via anaerobic digestion, enabling renewable energy generation. Additionally, the significant water content of POME can be reclaimed for use in boiler feed, irrigation, and drinking water. However, selecting appropriate technologies to recover valuable resources from POME is challenging, particularly for the purification and upgrading of biogas. Membrane technologies offer an effective approach for transforming POME treatment from an energy-intensive process into a resource recovery system, supporting the decarbonization of palm oil production and advancing global sustainability objectives. This technique is cost-effective and ecofriendly for biogas purification and water reclamation. For biogas purification and upgrading, membrane systems offer the lowest capital and operational costs at 5.654 USD/m³, compared to other technologies, such as 6.249 USD/m³ for water scrubbers and 6.999 USD/m³ for chemical absorbers. This review primarily explores the potential of membranes for gas purification from POME and examines their integration with other processes to develop advanced systems, such as ultrasonicated membrane anaerobic systems and membrane anaerobic systems, to enhance biogas production. In addition, water reclamation from POME is discussed, with ultrafiltration membranes emerging as the most promising candidates. Proton exchange membranes, such as Nafion, are used extensively in microbial fuel cells to improve electricity generation, and this is also summarized. Finally, challenges and future perspectives are highlighted, emphasizing the broader potential of membrane technology in POME wastewater resource recovery. Full article

Mining significantly impacts terrestrial ecosystems despite its importance to the global economy. As part of soil ecosystems, fungi are highly responsive to environmental and human-induced drivers, shifting community composition and structure. Indeed, fungi play a key role in maintaining ecosystem resilience. Thus, we aim to address the question of whether soil fungal communities maintain similar ecological functions despite changes in community composition due to the impact of mining across ecosystems. To evaluate the ecological role of fungi across four ecosystems with varying iron mining impact levels, we used the FUNGuild database to assign functional guilds at the genus level. Co-occurrence network and ordination analyses were used to infer ecological relationships among fungal taxa and visualize the correlation between edaphic properties and fungal communities. A total of 22 functional guilds were identified, with dung saprotrophs, wood saprotrophs, fungal parasites, plant pathogens, ectomycorrhizal fungi, animal pathogens, and endophytes being the most abundant. Soil properties such as pH, organic matter, texture, and nutrients drive taxonomic and functional shifts. Our findings indicate that while mining activities shift fungal community compositions across ecosystems, the profiles of functional guilds show overlap between highly, moderately, and lowly impacted ecosystems, indicating functional redundancy. Network analysis reveals that highly connected hub taxa contribute to ecological redundancy across ecosystems and might act as a buffer against environmental disturbances. Our findings emphasize the important ecological role of soil fungi and indicate a potential for using fungal communities as bioindicators of ecological recovery in post-mining landscapes. From a mining and restoration perspective, this offers a low-cost, ecologically meaningful tool for monitoring soil recovery and guiding reclamation efforts. Full article

Settlement issues at airports pose a significant threat to operational safety, particularly in coastal regions, where land reclamation introduces unique challenges. The complexities of marine foundations, the difficulties in investigating reclaimed land, and the heightened risks of excessive settlement require timely and accurate monitoring and prediction to effectively identify risks and minimize unnecessary maintenance costs. To address these challenges, this study introduces a dynamic prediction model based on grey system theory, enhanced by a variable-size sliding window mechanism that continuously integrates the latest monitoring data. Validation using datasets from Kansai International Airport and Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport demonstrates that the model improves prediction accuracy by over 20% compared to existing models. Additionally, an exponential forecasting mechanism for long-term settlement prediction is developed and verified with data from Pudong International Airport. The proposed model demonstrates robust predictive capabilities across both long-term and short-term forecasting scenarios. Full article

Decision-making in how to manage environmental issues around mine sites is generally a complicated task. Furthermore, the large amount of data and information involved in the management process is cumbersome. However, Decision Support Tools (DSTs) based on Geographic Information Systems (GISs) are of great interest to environmental managers in order to help them to make well-informed and thoroughly documented decisions regarding reclamation plans, especially for abandoned mine sites. The current study highlights the implementation of a cost-effective and efficient GIS-based database as a DST that will be used to assess and manage environmental challenges, particularly those related to water resources, such as hydrographic network issues surrounding mine sites. Based on GISs, a prototype of a national geodatabase was designed and implemented for Moroccan mine sites. It consisted of a set of GIS layers that facilitated the dissemination of an extensive array of multidisciplinary environmental data concerning Moroccan mines to decisionmakers. By applying GIS tools, such as buffer zone analysis, to environmental and hydrological datasets, high-priority mines requiring urgent intervention were identified based on their proximity to water resources, their acid mine drainage (AMD) potential, and their environmental impact on ecosystems. The results highlight the effectiveness of GIS-based approaches in assessing environmental risks, particularly concerning water resources, while also contributing to sustainable mining management in Morocco. Finally, using the GIS-based database is expected to raise the awareness of decisionmakers in government agencies and mining companies for implementing a reclamation program for mine sites. Full article

The reclamation of illegal landfills poses a significant threat to the environment. An example of such a case is Łomianki near Warsaw, where an illegal landfill contained alarming levels of arsenic and chromium, posing a potential risk to the health of local residents due to the possibility of these metals contaminating a nearby drinking water source. Initial geochemical tests revealed high concentrations of these metals, with chromium reaching up to 24,660 mg/kg and arsenic up to 10,350 mg/kg, well above international environmental standards. This study presents effective reclamation strategies that can be used in similar situations worldwide. The reclamation allowed this land to be used for the construction of the M1 shopping center while minimizing environmental hazards. The study is based on a case study of the reclamation of this illegal landfill. The methods used in this project included the relocation of approximately 130,000 m³ of hazardous waste to a nearby site previously used for sand mining. Bentonite mats and geotextiles were used to prevent the migration of contaminants into the groundwater. The waste was layered with sand to assist in the structural stabilization of the site. In addition, proper waste segregation and drainage systems were implemented to manage water and prevent contamination. Eight years after the reclamation, post-remediation soil surveys showed significant improvements in soil quality and structural stability. Specifically, the Proctor Compaction Index (I_S) increased from an estimated 0.5–0.7 (for uncontrolled slope) to 0.98, indicating a high degree of compaction and soil stability, while arsenic and chromium levels were reduced by 98.4% and 98.1%, respectively. Reclamation also significantly reduced permeability and settlement rates, further improving the site’s suitability for construction. The cost-benefit analysis showed a cost saving of 37.7% through local waste relocation compared to off-site disposal, highlighting the economic efficiency and environmental benefits. The main conclusions of this study are that land reclamation effectively reduced environmental hazards; innovative solutions, such as bentonite mats, advanced waste sorting, geotextiles, and drainage systems, improved environmental quality; and the Łomianki case serves as a model for sustainable waste management practices. Full article

Wastewater is a sustainable water supply which uses reclamation and reuse processes to protect freshwater resources. Biochar application is considered an efficient and low-cost wastewater reclamation and reuse technique in recent years. From this perspective, this paper mainly aimed to obtain reclaimed water using biochar application, with an aim of contributing to a circular economy. The major aim of this study was to assess the quality and reuse potential of treated water through the biochar adsorption process. The assessment was based on the EU (741/2020) wastewater reuse legislation. Turbidity, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD₅), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), and E. coli analyses were performed to determine the effluent quality. In the end of the biochar adsorption process, a Class B reclaimed water quality according to EU legislation was obtained. This study validated that malt-dust-derived biochar is an efficient and low-cost adsorbent and can achieve a high quality of reclaimed water. An average reduction of 31.3% in operational costs was reported compared to an activated sludge system. Full article

The construction, demolition, and renovation industries are among the largest contributors to global carbon emissions and waste. With decreased landfill capacities, increased waste diversion targets, resource shortages, and the recognition that material waste is critical to climate change, diverting demolition waste is now a significant priority in waste management. Deconstructing a structure and reusing its building components can significantly reduce the environmental burdens imposed. However, to optimize the reuse of building materials and components for their environmental, societal, and economical benefits, the reclamation procedure must be undertaken in a more rational and robust manner. There are currently gaps in frameworks and tools that involve the assessment of reusable building components in demolition projects. This paper develops a reclamation framework to assess the viability of recovering and reusing building components. The framework first describes a process for conducting a technical audit and uses an assessment tool to suggest a level of deconstruction based on the physical parameters of the building circumstances. The framework complements this initial outcome by then assessing additional comprehensive parameters, such as the cost, the heritage value, and the available timeframe to arrive at a suggested outcome of actions, which can range from complete demolition and basic material recovery to deliberately removing salvageable items. The framework is then applied to an older, detached office building as a conceptual case study for demonstration. The recommended level of deconstruction appears appropriate based on the visual assessment of the structure. The result of this paper promotes the circular economy and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by presenting a notably more insightful and guided approach to capturing deconstruction waste. Full article

In the ongoing shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) primarily utilizing lithium-ion battery technology, a significant population of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) remains operational, which are reliant on established NiMH battery systems. Over the last twenty years, these HEVs have generated a substantial number of NiMH batteries that are either inoperable, experiencing performance degradation, or approaching the end of their service life. This situation results in a twofold challenge: (i) a growing volume of environmentally hazardous waste due to the difficulty of NiMH battery reclamation and (ii) escalating maintenance costs for HEV owners necessitated by replacement battery purchases. To overcome this scenario, patent WO2015092107A1, published in 2015, proposed a ‘Method for regenerating NiMH batteries.’ This method claimed the ability to restore NiMH batteries to their original functionality based on a non-intrusive approach. However, a comprehensive review of the relevant scientific literature fails to identify any empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of this regeneration technique. Within this context, this study provides a detailed analysis and evaluation of the regeneration process based on an unsupervised and non-intrusive prototype. The proposed prototype can be used not only to implement and evaluate the previous patent, but also to test any other process or methodology based on controlled charging/discharging periods under certain current conditions. NiMH battery cells from a Toyota Prius were included in this work as a real case study. The experimental results from this prototype demonstrate the reduced potential for battery regeneration using the proposed method. Future contributions should offer a promising solution for mitigating the challenges associated with NiMH battery disposal, maintenance within the HEV domain, and other second-life alternative options. Full article

Coal mine tailings can lead to a range of environmental problems, including toxic metal contamination, soil erosion, acid mine drainage, and increased salinity. Mine spoils from coal mining activities accumulated as gob piles are difficult to reclaim due to constraints such as a steep slope, unsuitable pH, insufficient nutrient supply, metal toxicity, low water-holding capacity, and poor soil structure. We investigated the efficiency of low-cost amendments on coal gob spoils from Carthage Coal Field (CCF) in New Mexico in improving the quality of coal gob spoils. Gob spoil was incubated for 90 days with various rates of organic amendments such as biochar, compost, and a biochar–compost mix. Gob spoil quality parameters such as the pH, water-holding capacity, and total and plant-available nitrogen and phosphorus content of the gob spoil were measured over a period of 90 days. Both biochar and compost amendment led to a significant increase (40–60% for biochar and 70% for compost, p < 0.05) in water-holding capacity of the coal gob spoil. Plant-available nitrogen content increased from <200 mg N/kg to between 400 and 800 mg N/kg in the amended gob spoil. The period of incubation was a significant factor in the improvement of plant-available nitrogen content. Plant-available phosphorus content also increased; compost amendment was more effective than biochar in increasing plant-available P. This study provides crucial information about the optimum organic amendments that would help in optimizing a sustainable reclamation method for CCF. Full article

As an indispensable part of the marine ecosystem, the health status of the sea affects the stability and enhancement of the overall ecological function of the ocean. Clarifying the future land and sea utilization pattern and the impacts on the carbon stocks of island ecosystems is of great scientific value for maintaining marine ecological balance and promoting the sustainable development of the island ecosystem. Using Pingtan Island as an example, we simulate and predict changes in island utilization and carbon stocks for historical periods and multiple scenarios in 2030 via the PLUS-InVEST model and the marine biological carbon sink accounting method. The results show that (1) from 2006 to 2022, the carbon stock of Pingtan Island decreased by 7.218 × 10⁴ t, resulting in a cumulative economic loss of approximately USD 13.35 million; furthermore, from 2014 to 2018, the implementation of many reclamation and land reclamation projects led to a severe carbon stock loss of 6.634 × 10⁴ t. (2) By 2030, the projected carbon stock under the three different policy scenarios will be greater than that in 2022. The highest carbon stock of 595.373 × 10⁴ t will be found in the ecological protection scenario (EPS), which will be 4.270 × 10⁴ t more than that in 2022. With the strong carbon sequestration effect of the ocean, the total social carbon cost due to changes in island utilization is projected to decrease in 2030. (3) The factors driving changes in island utilization will vary in the design of different future scenarios. The results of this study not only provide a solid scientific basis for the sustainable development of island areas, but they also highlight the unique contribution of islands in the field of marine ecological conservation and carbon management, contributing to the realization of the dual-carbon goal. Full article

This article presents issues related to the rational management of foundry sand in the context of sustainable development. Attention was drawn to the need to take appropriate measures to protect available natural deposits of good foundry sands in terms of their depletion. The main objective of the analyses undertaken was to find out whether more expensive but more efficient thermal regeneration can compensate for the higher energy consumption in relation to mechanical regeneration of spent moulding sand with an organic binder. This aspect was considered from the point of view of the multiple operations performed to clean the grain matrix from the spent binder, taking into account the direct and indirect costs of the process. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the mechanical and thermal regeneration of spent moulding sand on equipment offered by an exemplary manufacturer. Attention was drawn to the successively increasing price of the regeneration process. When analysing the grain matrix recovery process for sustainability reasons, attention was drawn to an important factor in grain matrix management related to its yield in different regeneration methods. Based on an analysis of the costs of regenerating 1 tonne of spent moulding sand, it was concluded that, in the long term, thermal regeneration, which is more expensive due to the cost of equipment and energy consumption, can offset the outlay incurred. Sand consumption was found to be 4.6 times higher by mechanical regeneration in the case studied. At the same time, the grain matrix after thermal regeneration was found to have significantly better and more stable technological parameters in subsequent sand mould preparation cycles. The reproducibility and stability of the technological process can also be an important component of economic growth as part of sustainable development. Full article

Wastewater manholes are crucial infrastructure components in sewage systems. They provide necessary access points for inspection and maintenance. However, limited studies were conducted on the life-cycle cost analysis of manholes. The primary objective of this study is to compute and compare the Life-Cycle Unit Cost (LCUC) of cement concrete and polymer concrete manholes to identify a cost-effective alternative for public agencies. To achieve the objective, this study analyzed commonly used 1.83 m diameter manhole data; 343 cement concrete manhole and 88 polymer concrete manhole cost data were collected from the Clark County Water Reclamation District (CCWRD), Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The results show that the initial costs of polymer concrete are higher than those of traditional cement concrete. Statistical tests were conducted to determine the group differences. The findings show that the LCUCs of polymer concrete manholes are significantly cost-effective when compared to traditional cement concrete manholes. Public agencies can utilize polymer concrete manholes to save costs in future water and wastewater pipeline manhole construction projects. Full article

The exceptional photoelectromagnetic characteristics of rare-earth elements contribute significantly to their indispensable position in the high-tech industry. The exponential expansion of the demand for high-purity rare earth and related compounds can be attributed to the swift advancement of contemporary technology. Nevertheless, rare-earth elements are finite and limited resources, and their excessive mining unavoidably results in resource depletion and environmental degradation. Hence, it is crucial to establish a highly effective approach for the extraction and reclamation of rare-earth elements. Adsorption is regarded as a promising technique for the recovery of rare-earth elements owing to its simplicity, environmentally friendly nature, and cost-effectiveness. The efficacy of adsorption is contingent upon the performance characteristics of the adsorbent material. Presently, there is a prevalent utilization of porous adsorbent materials with substantial specific surface areas and plentiful surface functional groups in the realm of selectively separating and recovering rare-earth elements. This paper presents a thorough examination of porous inorganic carbon materials, porous inorganic silicon materials, porous organic polymers, and metal–organic framework materials. The adsorption performance and processes for rare-earth elements are the focal points of discussion about these materials. Furthermore, this work investigates the potential applications of porous materials in the domain of the adsorption of rare-earth elements. Full article

Many countries banned asbestos due to its toxicity, but considering its colossal use, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, disposing of waste containing asbestos is the current problem. Today, many asbestos disposal technologies are known, but they usually involve colossal investment and operating expenses, and the end- and by-products of these methods negatively impact the environment. This paper identifies a unique modern direction in detoxifying asbestos minerals, which involves using microorganisms and plants and their metabolites. The work comprehensively focuses on the interactions between asbestos and plants, bacteria and fungi, including lichens and, for the first time, yeast. Biological treatment is a prospect for in situ land reclamation and under industrial conditions, which can be a viable alternative to landfilling and an environmentally friendly substitute or supplement to thermal, mechanical, and chemical methods, often characterized by high cost intensity. Plant and microbial metabolism products are part of the green chemistry trend, a central strategic pillar of global industrial and environmental development. Full article

This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution of the regional cropping structure and its influencing factors. Using Landsat satellite images, field surveys, and yearbook data, we developed a planting structure extraction model employing the classification regression tree algorithm to obtain data on the major crop cultivation and structural characteristics of Alar reclamation from 1990 to 2023. A dynamic model and transfer matrix were used to analyze temporal changes, and a centroid migration model was used to study spatial changes in the cropping structure. Nonparametric mutation tests and through-traffic coefficient analysis were utilized to quantify the main driving factors influencing the cropping structure. During the period of 1990–2023, the cotton area in the Alar reclamation region expanded by 722.08 km², while the jujube exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease in the same period. The primary reasons are linked to the cost of purchase, agricultural mechanization, and crop compatibility. In the Alar reclamation area, cotton, chili, and jujube are the primary cultivated crops. Cotton is mainly grown on the southern side of the Tarim River, while chili cultivation is concentrated on the northern bank of the river. Over the years, there has been a noticeable spatial complementarity in the distribution and density of rice and cotton crops in this region. In the Alar reclamation, the main factors influencing the change in cultivated land area are cotton price, agricultural machinery gross power, and population. Consequently, implementing measures such as providing planting subsidies and other policy incentives to enhance planting income can effectively stimulate farmers’ willingness to engage in planting activities. Full article