Hasil untuk "Environmental effects of industries and plants"

Senem Koç Arslan and Gülsüm Gürler Hazman

One of the most crucial tools used by governments in addressing environmental issues is public environmental protection expenditure. This study aims to assess the efficiency of public environmental protection expenditures and identify the factors influencing this efficiency. In this study, we use environmental data of 30 OECD countries between 2008 and 2020 employing a two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology. In the first stage, we utilize the super-efficiency DEA model. Public environmental protection expenditures are considered as inputs, while carbon dioxide emissions, renewable energy production, forest area percentage, and particulate matter concentration in the air are treated as outputs. In the second stage, we conduct a classical panel data analysis, using the efficiency scores obtained in the first stage as the dependent variable. Independent variables include population density, urbanization, industrialization, per capita national income, and primary energy intensity. The empirical findings reveal a negative relationship between efficiency scores and both population density and primary energy intensity. Conversely, urbanization and industrialization exhibit a positive relationship with efficiency scores. No significant relationship is found between per capita national income and efficiency scores. These results suggest that urbanization and industrialization may affect the efficiency of public environmental protection expenditures. The study contributes to the literature by combining Super-Efficiency DEA with panel data analysis and by addressing a notable gap in empirical research on the efficiency of public environmental protection expenditures, specifically in OECD countries, offering policy-relevant insights for sustainable fiscal planning.

M. Caporgno, Lukas Böcker, Christina Müssner et al.

Abstract Alternatives to animal proteins with similar texture, appearance and taste are demanded by an increasing group of consumers. Plant-based meat analogues produced by high moisture extrusion cooking can provide relevant solutions. Here, microalgae combined to soy concentrates were shown to create fibrillary textured extrudates. The incorporation of spray-dried microalgae biomass in up to 50% affected the formation of fibers, which could be balanced by reducing moisture levels. The elevated fat content of microalgae biomass led to lubrication effects, while probably undisrupted microalgae cells acted as passive fillers and limited the access of intracellular proteins. Both effects may have reduced texturing but increased tenderness in comparison to pure soy based extrudates. By using heterotrophically cultivated Auxenochlorella protothecoides with a light-yellow coloration, a consumer-adverse visual appearance could be omitted. Microalgae integration improved the extrudate's nutritional profile by incorporating vitamins B and E, where over 95% was retained in the final product. Industrial relevance The meat analogue industry strives to be more than an alternative for vegetarian and vegan customers. Large initial public offerings of relevant players underline the current economic and industrial interest. Besides animal wellbeing, meat analogues are praised mainly for their reduced ecological and environmental impact. Yet, most of the products on the market are based on environmentally questionable resources, such as soy. Hence, this study with focus on microalgae as a protein alternative to the ubiquitously applied soy protein concentrate is relevant to the evolving industry and research. In this manuscript, a fibrillary textured plant-based product using microalgae is shown without an adverse color.

Rick C. Leong, Paul E. Gribben, Ezequiel M. Marzinelli et al.

Malena Antmann

Sumithra Palraj, Loganathan Appaia, Deneshkumar Venugopal and Gunasekaran Munian

Different approaches are being adopted in practice for determining models for given time series. The approaches can be categorized broadly into three, viz., statistical, machine learning and deep learning. Since they differ with respect to their theoretical base, their outcomes also differ. Decision-making based on the values predicted from the time series models seeks the accuracy of the forecast values. This paper studies the effectiveness of the three approaches by comparing the performance of the autoregressive moving average method developed by applying statistical principles, the Facebook Prophet method developed from a Machine Learning approach and the long short-term memory method developed from deep learning. The study is carried out for real data of time series of air quality indices.

Oetami Dwi Hajoeningtijas, Teguh Pribadi, Hamami Alfasani Dewanto, Noor Faizul Hadry Nordin and Raidar Tri Sagita

This study was conducted to test several indigenous Trichoderma harzianum Th-B18 formulations to determine their effects on the growth and yield of shallots on Pb-contaminated land, in an effort to increase shallot productivity. This study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a single factor with four levels. The treatment of T. harzianum ThB18 formulations were tested on shallots planted in polybags contaminated with lead, namely control (without treatment; indigenous T. harzianum formulation in the form of Breynia androgyna (sweet leaf) pellets, dose 3 g.polybag-1; indigenous T. harzianum ThB18 formulation in the form of dry corn rice, dose 3 g.polybag-1; commercial Trichoderma formulation in the form of solution, 10 mL.polybag-1, all of which were applied 0 days after planting. The treatment of the indigenous Trichoderma harzianum Th-B18 fungi formulation had a significantly different effect on the leaf length variable. In the observation of leaf length 14 and 63 days after planting, the formulation of T. harzianum Th-B18 sweet leaf pellets 3 g. polybag-1 (+ 10 grains)showed the longest leaf length and was significantly different from the treatment without T. harzianum Th-B18, formulation of T. harzianum Th-B18 solid dry corn 3 g.polybag-1 and liquid formulation of T. harzianum commercial product 100 mL.polybag-1. The best formulation of indigenous T. harzianum Th-B18 fungus on the growth and yield of shallots on Pb-contaminated land was the formulation of T. harzianum Th-B18 sweet leaf (Sauropus androgynous) pellets 3 g.polybag-1.

Feifeng Jiang, Jun Ma

Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to air pollution due to their proximity to pollutant sources and elevated respiratory rates during physical activity, amplifying cumulative health risks. However, existing studies focus on concentration- or residence-based exposure assessment, overlooking the dynamic interaction between pollution patterns and pedestrian activity. This study therefore introduces a novel methodological framework to assess pedestrian-specific exposure to PM2.5 in diverse urban environments. Applied to New York City, the framework leverages graph-based machine learning to predict street-level PM2.5 concentrations from vehicle-sensed pollution data, while estimating high-resolution pedestrian volume derived from street view imagery and ground-truth count data. The results reveal significant divergences between traditional exposure assessments and pedestrian-specific exposure patterns, uncovering previously overlooked high-risk zones. High-exposure hotspots are not limited to areas with elevated pollution levels but also include locations where moderate pollution coincides with high pedestrian activity. This study also explores the spatial relationship between exposure patterns and urban vegetation coverage, providing actionable insights for targeted interventions. By bridging the gap between pollution dynamics and pedestrian activity, this research provides urban planners and policymakers with new insights for developing pedestrian-centered air quality management strategies, contributing to healthier and more sustainable urban environments.

Stefan Galley, Rita Saleh, Patrick Bottazzi

In this study, we focus on non-members’ benefit perception of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and their willingness to join. We look into how information impacts the perception of CSA benefits, their relevance, and how these benefits and other factors such as trust levels, subjective knowledge, sustainable food shopping behaviour, political orientation and socio-demographics, influence the willingness to join. We conducted an online between-subject experiment. Respondents (N = 754) were divided in six groups, five groups were exposed to one benefit of CSA (i.e., either to the nutritional, sustainability, solidarity, transparency or community benefit) each, with the sixth group being the control group. Our experiment revealed that regardless of the information given, farmers were perceived to benefit the most from CSA, followed by society and lastly by the individual. However, all participants ranked individual benefits and environmental sustainability as most important for them, followed by solidarity with farmers, transparency and community aspects. Moreover, the results show that the more beneficial CSAs are seen, the higher the willingness to join. While information on benefits such as solidarity with farmers, nutritional quality and community are effective in reaching young, educated and often female members, nutritional benefits are addressing environmentally conscious and conservative consumers. Overall, information on nutrition and environmental sustainability led to the highest wilingness to join. By communicating primarily about the nutritional benefits and environmental sustainability of CSAs, and not only about altruistic benefits, a wider spread and integration of CSA could be achieved, ultimately fostering a sustainable food production and consumption mindset.

Guozhe Zhang, Yuke Sun, Dengpeng Li et al.

The heat shock transcription factor (HSF) family plays a crucial role in regulating plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stresses, particularly those caused by high temperatures and drought. In this study, we systematically characterized the HSF gene family in Paeonia suffruticosa and identified 15 PosHSF genes, which exhibited a high degree of conservation in both gene structure and function. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the PosHSF genes shared strong similarities with the HSF genes of Arabidopsis thaliana and could be categorized into three groups (HSF A, HSF B, and HSF C). Furthermore, gene evolution and cis-acting element analyses indicated that the promoter region of PosHSF genes was enriched with multiple regulatory elements involved in plant growth, development, and stress responses—particularly in response to high-temperature stress. WGCNA analysis demonstrated that the expression changes of PosHSF03 and PosHSF08 at the early stage of high-temperature treatment suggested their key roles in heat tolerance. This study not only provides new insights into the function of the P. suffruticosa HSF gene family but also offers a theoretical foundation for improving stress resistance and driving varietal innovation in P. suffruticosa, thereby promoting the high-quality development of the P. suffruticosa industry.

Agusalim Masulili, Sutikarini, Ida Ayu Suci et al.

Histosols pose considerable potential for soybean cultivation but are highly susceptible to degradation. One critical constraint is the soil water threshold required to maximize soybean growth. This study aimed to determine the critical soil water content of degraded Histosols amended with rice husk ash and to assess its effect on soybean development. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse and laboratory at the Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Universitas Panca Bhakti, from January to March 2024. A randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement was employed, comprising two factors: rice husk ash at three application rates (12, 18, and 24 t ha-¹) and soil moisture levels at three percentages (25% below field capacity, at field capacity, and 25% above field capacity). Results indicated that leaf water potential, as an indicator of water availability for soybeans, was significantly influenced by soil moisture level. In contrast, rice husk ash treatment did not exert a significant effect. To attain the critical soil water threshold for optimal soybean performance on degraded Histosols, a moisture level 25% above field capacity was required. The best soybean growth was observed under the combined treatment of 12 t ha-¹ rice husk ash and soil moisture 25% above field capacity.

I. Mustafa, M. Hussein

Declines in crop yield due to pests and diseases require the development of safe, green and eco-friendly pesticide formulations. A major problem faced by the agricultural industry is the use of conventional agrochemicals that contribute broad-spectrum effects towards the environment and organisms. As a result of this issue, researchers are currently developing various pesticide formulations using different nanotechnology approaches. The progress and opportunities in developing nanoemulsions as carriers for plant protection or nanodelivery systems for agrochemicals in agricultural practice have been the subject of intense research. New unique chemical and biologic properties have resulted in a promising pesticide nanoformulations for crop protection. These innovations—particularly the nanoemulsion-based agrochemicals—are capable of enhancing the solubility of active ingredients, improving agrochemical bioavailability, and improving stability and wettability properties during the application, thus resulting in better efficacy for pest control and treatment. All of these—together with various preparation methods towards a greener and environmentally friendly agrochemicals—are also discussed and summarized in this review.

Mohammed T. Zaki, Lewis S. Rowles, Jeff Hallowell et al.

Thermochemical conversion technologies are emerging as preferred resource recovery practices for managing animal manure in agricultural regions. Although the implementation of such technologies has been previously studied, difficulties exist in maintaining balance between high rate of resource recovery and low environmental, economic, and social impacts, particularly in rural regions with limited resources. We developed a data-driven framework by integrating machine learning with life cycle thinking that can be used as an open-source tool to help overcome these barriers. The framework was applied to compare two emerging technologies: pyrolysis versus hydrothermal carbonization for managing the excess poultry litter in a rural agricultural region. Among different machine learning models, random forest regression was the most successful to predict resource recovery of both technologies. Next, sustainability analysis indicated that the environmental (global warming), economic (annual worth), and social (system intrusiveness) impacts of pyrolysis was lower than hydrothermal carbonization. Finally, the framework revealed that implementation of pyrolysis at 600 °C for 1 h with the heating rate of 20 °C/min would result in the highest rate of resource recovery that corresponded to the lowest impacts. These results can be helpful in providing operational conditions for implementing emerging resource recovery technologies in rural agricultural regions.

Soumita Kundu, Bhuvanesh Kumar Sharma, Dhoha AlSaleh

Consumer product disposition is an area of research that needs particular attention to mitigate environmental pollution and natural resource conservation. Unlike product acquisition and consumption behaviour, consumer product disposition decisions and behaviour researches are limited. Few literature reviews are available to list several variables that impact the phenomena. However, these studies limit in following a logically structured framework to synthesise findings from existing studies. Therefore, this research study aims to review and exhaustively synthesise the findings from the past literature on consumer product disposition domain by following the theory-context-characteristics-methodology framework Accordingly, this study examines the development of consumer product disposition research over the years, journals of publications, focus areas of studies, authorship, theory used, context of the studies, predominantly used variables, and methodology used to conduct the research works. Further, based on the synthesis, a conceptual framework by integrating predominantly used antecedents, mediators, moderators, and consequences identified from the past literature also proposed. Finally, the future research directions based on theory, context, characteristics, and methodology were also discussed. This systematic review has various extensive implications for academia in expanding the existing knowledge base of consumer product disposition domain.

M. T. Moulaye Taher, A. M. El Mokhtar, E. C. S’Id and A. Mahfoudh

Mauritania is a fishing country. However, the Mauritanian coast is increasingly exposed to environmental issues mainly due to anthropogenic activities such as the mining, gas, oil, and fishing industries, as well as new agricultural practices that unreasonably use inputs. Environmental monitoring of the Mauritanian coast faces several challenges; thus, improving the fisheries sector begins with enhancing the state of marine ecosystems and implementing environmental monitoring adapted to climatic conditions and local needs. This study aims to evaluate the quality of the sediments of the “Baie du Repos” in the town of Nouadhibou, Mauritania, through the study of organic matter and the quantification of trace metallic elements in the Quaternary sediments of the Bay. Six samples deemed representative of this Bay were taken and transported to the laboratory. The physicochemical analysis of these samples shows that the superficial horizons of 30 cm depth have overall organic matter contents higher than the average threshold value proposed by the literature for 4 out of 6 of the points studied. The contents recorded for the different metallic trace elements indicate that point 1 is the most exposed to contamination, with the highest concentrations of cadmium, lead, copper, iron, and zinc. The ACP (Principal Component Analysis) showed that the metallic trace elements Pb, Cu, Fe, Cd, and Zn are closely related and evolve positively in the same direction. Additionally, it was found that the points studied are divided into three groups: Group 1 contains only point 1, which is the most exposed to contamination by these toxic elements (Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Cd). Group 2 contains points 3, 5, and 6, which are moderately contaminated by metallic elements with a significant dominance of organic matter (OM). Finally, Group 3 is the least contaminated, with a very high content of organic matter (OM).

Kemalo Abdulmalik Boru, Lalit Tukaram Ingale and Kassahun Mulatu Lemt

Wetlands are a vital source of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The study investigated the plant species diversity and assessed the perception of the ecosystem services of the area and drivers of wetland degradation in Sinana district, Southeast Ethiopia. Vegetation inventory, household surveys, focused group discussions, and key informant interviews were employed to gather information. A total of 45 sample plots laid along transacts were inventoried. A plot size of 5 m × 5 m (25 m2) and 1 m × 1 m (1 m2) nested within the major plot was used for shrubs and herbs, respectively. A total of 137 households were surveyed to collect socioeconomic data. The study identified 20 plant species belonging to 14 families. Family Cyperaceae was dominant within the studied wetland. The Shannon diversity (H=1.15) indicates that the wetland has low vegetation diversity with an uneven distribution (E=0.385) of vegetation. A total of 20 ecosystem services thought to be underprovisioning, regulating, and cultural services were identified. According to plaintiffs, major provision services are grazing livestock (77.4%), irrigation (76.6%), and harvesting of grass for fodder (68.6%). Important drivers of wetland degradation are a shortage of cropland (70.8%), lack of awareness (69.3%), upland land degradation (65.7%), and increasing population (62%). The main driver, a shortage of cropland, was the key driver, followed by a lack of awareness and upland land degradation. Therefore, the result heightened that the studied wetland is under serious degradation due to high human pressure associated with population growth and climate change. Thus, an appropriate wetland management strategy must be designed.

Katherine Lucas, Linda G T Gaines, Tamara Paris-Davila et al.

BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a class of chemicals used in nearly all sectors of industry and many consumer products. Their resistance to degradation, however, means that PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and bioaccumulate. PFAS exposure has also been linked to a variety of adverse health effects. Occupational PFAS exposure is of particular concern as research on PFAS exposure in worker populations has historically been limited and generally restricted to fluorochemical plant workers involved in PFAS production. METHODS A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed scientific literature was conducted to investigate which worker populations may experience occupational exposure to PFAS. Serum PFAS levels reported in various occupations were analyzed and compared to serum PFAS levels published on the general public exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water and the study population of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). RESULTS Our analysis indicates that professional ski waxers and firefighters may be exposed to several different PFAS at levels often similar to or higher than levels among fluorochemical plant workers and individuals in communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking water, and higher than levels in the general public. PFAS serum level data on other occupations were largely absent. CONCLUSIONS Results highlight a need for additional research on occupational PFAS exposures and concomitant environmental exposures in these populations. Research on exposure levels in occupations and industries known or suspected to utilize PFAS is critically needed to foster informed recommendations for exposure mitigation measures to protect workers from adverse health effects of PFAS exposure.

Božena Šerá, František Hnilička

Plants have evolved various strategies allowing them to be successful in heterogeneous habitats, including the number and size of the seeds they produce, mechanisms for their dispersal, seed dormancy, seed vigor, seed germination, etc [...]

N. P. Nisha and J. Prakash Arul Jose

Microscopic examination was used to begin investigating the changes in geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) specimens that had been hydrated with two separate solutions: pure water and a 50 percent concentration NaCl solution. After already being hydrated with NaCl aqueous solution, the GCL samples were examined under an electron microscope. Even though the treated GCL samples’ surfaces mirrored those of the untreated GCL, a crystal deposit was found there. It was found that the bentonite particles in the GCL sample appeared more solid after being hydrated with distilled water as opposed to the NaCl solution using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It seems that wetting the salt solution decreases the bentonite particles’ tendency to swell. Additionally, it was demonstrated by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) data that distilled water hydration had no impact on the distribution of the elements identified in the GCL samples. On the other hand, the presence of bound chlorine demonstrated that the bentonite particles had absorbed the NaCl solution. The hydrated GCL sample’s hydraulic conductivity showed some variation as well.

L. He, Z. Du, J. B. Tian and Y. H. Chen

As China’s natural resource governance has turned to high-quality management, establishing reasonable and ecological land-use patterns is an effective means of promoting natural resource utilization and improving the quality of the ecological environment. Therefore, this study used ecological land as the expansion source to construct an ecological land-use pattern with the minimum cumulative resistance model in Haixing County, China, based on regional food security, ecological security, and construction land expansion patterns. This work also involved designing ecological corridors, radiation channels, strategic nodes, and other ecological components. The results demonstrate that (1) the ecological land source is 7976.93 hm2, accounting for 9.19% of the total area. It is mainly distributed in the southeast of the county, mainly in the river system and woodland; (2) the food security situation of Haixing County can be divided into four zones, most of which are agricultural adjustment areas, indicating that the ecological security of cultivated land in this area needs to be improved; (3) the ecological security level of Haixing County is divided into four areas, and the ideal safety zone accounts for the smallest area, indicating that the regional ecological situation is very unstable; (4) construction land expansion zone is divided into four parts. A suitable construction zone occupies the largest area and is mainly distributed around the current construction land; (5) the expansion of the ecological land-use pattern of Haixing County includes four zones, 15 ecological corridors, 12 radiation channels, and 35 strategic nodes, which is conducive to optimal land allocation from an ecological security perspective. This paper puts forward some suggestions for ecological protection and intensive urban development.

R. C. Sartika, Y. Purwaningsih, E. Gravitiani and P. Nitiyasa

Rice farming plays a crucial role in maintaining national resilience and stability. However, its sustainability is faced with complex and multidimensional challenges. One of the challenges agricultural sustainability faces is the reduction of farmland due to the construction of toll roads. The development of the Solo-Mantingan-Ngawi toll road has significantly impacted the reduction of agricultural land in Sragen Regency, the second-largest rice-producing area in Central Java after Grobogan. This issue will threaten national food security if left unaddressed without further intervention. The development of sustainable agriculture is expected to be a solution to promoting food resilience. However, stakeholder involvement is necessary for successful development. This research aims to identify the stakeholders involved in developing sustainable agriculture to promote food resilience in Sragen Regency. This study adopts a mixed-method approach with data collection through in-depth interviews. The analytical tool used in this research is MACTOR (Matrix of Alliance and Conflict: Tactic, Objectives, and Recommendation). The study identified the stakeholders influencing the development of sustainable agriculture in Sragen Regency as Farmer Groups, Farmers, Village Heads, Agriculture Extenders, and the Department of Agriculture and Food Security. These findings serve as a basis for developing collaborative patterns among all stakeholders required to develop sustainable agriculture to achieve food resilience in the Sragen Regency.