CO2 from waste to resource by developing novel mixed matrix membranes

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated by the hydrothermal synthesis of ordered mesoporous KIT-6 type silica and incorporating in polyimide...     

Evaluation of olive oil mill wastewater toxicity on spinach

Background, aim, and scope

Olive oil mill wastewater (OMW), a by-product of the olive oil extraction process, is annually produced in huge amounts in olive-growing areas and represents a significant environmental problem in Mediterranean areas. We studied the impact of OMW dilutions (1:20 and 1:10) on spinach plants in order to evaluate OMW dilutions as a low-cost alternative method for the disposal of this waste.

Materials and methods

The effects of OMW dilutions were evaluated on seed germination, shoot and root elongation, biomass production, nutrient uptake and translocation, ascorbic acid content, polyphenols, photosynthetic pigments, and photosynthetic performance of spinach.

Results

Plant biomass was more affected than plant height and total chlorophyll; carotenoid and ascorbic acid content progressively decreased with decreasing OMW dilution. Exposure to both OMW dilutions resulted in overaccumulation of total polyphenols, which were negatively correlated to plant biomass and nutrients. Nutrient (Fe, Ca, and Mg) content was insufficient leading to reduced growth. Water use efficiency decreased mainly due to decreased CO₂ assimilation rate rather than to a decline of transpiration rate. Disturbances in photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency could be better envisaged by the ratio between variable fluorescence and initial fluorescence (Fv/Fo), which showed much greater amplitude than the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm).

Conclusions

From the data obtained, it is suggested that 1:20 OMW dilutions are still phytotoxic and that higher OMW dilutions should be used in order to use this waste for the irrigation of spinach plants.     

Assessing the alteration of physicochemical characteristics in composted organic waste in a prototype decentralized composting facility

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This article presents the pilot experience of an integrated biowaste management system developed in Tinos island, Greece, which promoted source...     

Future heat-related climate change impacts on tourism industry in Cyprus

Tourism is a vital sector of Cyprus economy, attracting millions of tourists every year and providing economic growth and employment for the country. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of projected climate change in the tourism industry in Cyprus (Republic of Cyprus) using both “Tourism Climate Index” (TCI) and “Beach Climate Index” (BCI). TCI refers to tourism activities mainly related to sightseeing, nature-based tourism, and religious tourism etc., while BCI represents beach tourism that constitutes 85 % of tourism activities in Cyprus. The projections of climate change impacts in tourism are performed for 2071–2100 period, using regional climate model output employing the A1B greenhouse gas emissions scenario. The 1961–1990 period is used as the control run to compare the respective results of the future projections. The significant warming anticipated in the distant future (increases in annual and summer temperatures close to 4 °C) will have adverse impacts on Cyprus tourism industry regarding sightseeing tourism. TCI results for the distant future period show only acceptable conditions for general tourism activities during summer in contrast with the good/very good conditions in the present climate. Conversely, this type of tourism seems to be benefited in shoulder seasons, i.e., during spring and autumn; TCI and hence tourist activities improve in the distant future in relation to the present climate. On the other hand, concerning beach tourism, future projections indicate that it will not be negatively affected by future climate change and any changes will be positive.     

Climate change impacts,vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the electrical energy sector in Cyprus

The purpose of this study was to investigate the climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the electrical energy sector in Cyprus. Spatial vulnerability of the island was assessed using the degree-day indicator to investigate heating and cooling demands in the near future using daily temperature projections from regional climate models (RCMs). Using daily electrical energy consumption data for the present climate, an impact model linking consumption and temperature was constructed and this relationship was projected to the future climate using the data from the RCMs and assuming the same technology use. Our impact model results showed that for the period between November and April (‘cold period’), a decreasing trend in electrical energy consumption is evident due to warmer conditions in the near future, while for the period between May and October (‘warm period’), an increasing trend in electricity consumption is evident as warmer conditions dominate by 2050. Regarding the spatial vulnerability assessment, the cooling degree-day indicator testified that major increases in cooling demand, between 100 and 200 degree-days, are expected in inland and southern regions during the summer in the near future. In addition, increases of about 20–50 degree-days are anticipated during autumn. Conversely, energy demand for heating is projected to decrease during spring and winter, especially in the higher elevation parts of the island. More precisely, reductions of about 30–75 degree-days are projected during spring, while greater reductions of about 60–90 degree-days are expected during winter in heating demand, especially for in the near future. The ability of the energy sector to adapt and follow these changes was deemed to be satisfactory reducing the overall vulnerability of the sector to future climate change.     

Performance of a new household composter during in-home testing

This article presents the methodology and the results of the performance testing of a prototype system for the production of high quality compost from biodegradable household waste separated at the source. Selected households in three municipalities of the Attica Region in Greece constituted the users of the home composter. The results indicated the effective operational performance of the prototype household composter in practice (use of the system by the householders on a daily basis), as well as the high level of response of the householders in adopting the composting practice in their daily activities as common practice. The compost that was produced in the households was characterized by high quality, which is in accordance with the quality standards that are set for its use. In only a few cases (in the first cycle of the pilot implementation) the quality of the compost was not high due to the fact that some householders were not yet familiar with the use of the composter, but these operational problems were solved and the compost that was later produced was considered high quality.     

Copper bioaccumulation,photosystem II functioning,and oxidative stress in the seagrass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cymodocea nodosa</Emphasis> exposed to copper oxide nanoparticles

Photosynthetic activity, oxidative stress, and Cu bioaccumulation in the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa were assessed 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after exposure to two copper oxide nanoparticle (CuO NP) concentrations (5 and 10 mg L^?1). CuO NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering measurements (DLS). Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis was applied to detect photosystem II (PSII) functionality, while the Cu accumulation kinetics into the leaf blades was fitted to the Michaelis-Menten equation. The uptake kinetics was rapid during the first 4 h of exposure and reached an equilibrium state after 10 h exposure to 10 mg L^?1 and after 27 h to 5 mg L^?1 CuO NPs. As a result, 4-h treatment with 5 mg L^?1 CuO NPs, decreased the quantum yield of PS II photochemistry (Φ _PSΙΙ ) with a parallel increase in the regulated non-photochemical energy loss in PSII (Φ _NPQ ). However, the photoprotective dissipation of excess absorbed light energy as heat, through the process of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), did not maintain the same fraction of open reaction centers (q _p ) as in control plants. This reduced number of open reaction centers resulted in a significant increase of H₂O₂ production in the leaf veins serving possibly as an antioxidant defense signal. Twenty-four-hour treatment had no significant effect on Φ _PSΙΙ and q _p compared to controls. However, 24 h exposure to 5 mg L^?1 CuO NPs increased the quantum yield of non-regulated energy loss in PSII (Φ _NO ), and thus the formation of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) via the triplet state of chlorophyll, possible because the uptake kinetics had not yet reached the equilibrium state as did 10 mg L^?1. Longer-duration treatment (48 and 72 h) had less effect on the allocation of absorbed light energy at PSII and the fraction of open reaction centers, compared to 4-h treatment, suggesting the function of a stress defense mechanism. The response of C. nodosa leaves to CuO NPs fits the “Threshold for Tolerance Model” with a threshold time (more than 4 h) required for induction of a stress defense mechanism, through H₂O₂ production.     

Plant response to lead in the presence or absence EDTA in two sunflower genotypes (cultivated H. annuus cv. 1114 and interspecific line H. annuus × H. argophyllus)

The aim of the present work was to study the response of two sunflower genotypes (cultivated sunflower Helianthus annuus cv. 1114 and newly developed genotype H. annuus?×?Helianthus argophyllus) to Pb medium-term stress and the role of exogenously applied EDTA in alleviating Pb toxicity in hydroponics. Plant growth, morpho-anatomical characteristics of the leaf tissues, electrolyte leakage, total antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging capacity, total flavonoid content, and superoxide dismutase isoenzyme profile were studied by conventional methods. Differential responses of both genotypes to Pb supplied in the nutrient solution were recorded. Pb treatment induced a decrease in the relative growth rate, disturbance of plasma membrane integrity, and changes in the morpho-anatomical characteristics of the leaf tissues and in the antioxidant capacity, which were more pronounced in the cultivated sunflower H. annuus cv. 1114. The new genotype demonstrated higher tolerance to Pb when compared with the cultivar. This was mainly due to increased photosynthetically active area, maintenance of plasma membrane integrity, permanently high total antioxidant activity, and free radical scavenging capacity as well as total flavonoid content. The addition of EDTA into the nutrient solution led to limitation of the negative impact of Pb ions on the above parameters in both genotypes. This could be related to the reduced content of Pb in the roots, stems, and leaves, suggesting that the presence of EDTA limited the uptake of Pb. The comparative analysis of the responses to Pb treatment showed that the deleterious effect of Pb was more pronounced in the cultivated sunflower H. annuus cv. 1114. The new genotype H. annuus?×?H. argophyllus was more productive and demonstrated higher tolerance to Pb medium-term stress, which could indicate that it may possess certain mechanisms to tolerate high Pb concentrations. This character could be inherited from the wild parent used in the interspecific hybridization. The ability of EDTA to prevent Pb absorption by the plants could underly the mechanism of limiting of the negative impact of Pb ions. Hence, EDTA cannot be used to enhance Pb absorption from nutrient solution by sunflower plants for phytoremediation purposes.