Recycling phosphorus and calcium from aquaculture waste as a precursor for hydroxyapatite (HAp) production: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Water contaminated with phosphorus needs to be managed efficiently to ensure that clean water sources will be preserved. Aquaculture plays an...     

Applying rail transit construction waste to make building materials: using the theory of sustainable development

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - With the rapid development of the rail industry, a large amount of construction waste will be generated during the construction phase, posing a...     

Recycling of crushed waste rock as backfilling material in coal mine: effects of particle size on compaction behaviours

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Crushed waste rocks can be used as materials for backfilling goafs, so as to achieve the simultaneous goals of processing solid waste and controlling...     

Evaluation of a sustainable remediation option: Beneficial reuse of petroleum-contaminated sediment as an energy source

The characteristics of petroleum-contaminated sediment (PCS) have been evaluated to assess whether the practice of its beneficial reuse as a sole or supplemental energy source is sustainable relative to other sediment remediation options such as monitored natural recovery (MNR), capping, or off-site disposal. Some of these remediation options for PCS are energy-intensive and/or require land utilization. The energy and compositional analysis results indicate a low carbon content (15–17%(wt)) and corresponding low energy values of 5,200 kJ/kg (2,200 Btu/lb) to 5,600 kJ/kg (2,400 Btu/lb). However, given other decision-making criteria, the sediment may contain enough value to be added as a supplemental fuel given that it is normally considered a waste product and is readily available.

The thermogravimetric profiles obtained under both combustion and pyrolytic conditions showed that the sulfur contents were comparable to typical low sulfur bituminous or lignite coals found in the United States, and most of the volatiles could be vaporized below 750°C. The heavy metal concentrations determined before and after combustion of the PCS indicated that further engineering controls may be required for mercury, arsenic, and lead. Due to the potential for reduction of public health and environmental threats, potential economic savings, and conservation of natural resources (petroleum and land), removal of PCS by dredging and beneficial reuse as a supplemental fuel clearly has merit to be considered as a sustainable remediation option.

Implications: This study will provide a logical evaluation process to determine whether petroleum-contaminated sediment can be reused as an energy source. The energy and emissions values were determined and evaluated whether the sediment could be combusted for viable and sustainable use, considering several factors pertinent to evaluate in the remediation decision process. Various analysis methods were employed to determine elemental compositions, heating values, thermal and emission characteristics. This evaluation process may be used as a general methodology for the determination of petroleum-contaminated sediment as a supplemental fuel that may have merit to be considered as a sustainable remediation option.     

Organic textile waste as a resource for sustainable agriculture in arid and semi-arid areas

New vegetation in barren areas offers possibilities for sequestering carbon in the soil. Arid and semi-arid areas (ASAs) are candidates for new vegetation. The possibility of agriculture in ASAs is reviewed, revealing the potential for cultivation by covering the surface with a layer of organic fibres. This layer collects more water from humidity in the air than does the uncovered mineral surface, and creates a humid environment that promotes microbial life. One possibility is to use large amounts of organic fibres for soil enhancement in ASAs. In the context of the European Commission Waste Framework Directive, the possibility of using textile waste from Sweden is explored. The costs for using Swedish textile waste are high, but possible gains are the sale of agricultural products and increased land prices as well as environmental mitigation. The findings suggest that field research on such agriculture in ASAs should start as soon as possible.     

Upcycling of wastes for sustainable controlled low-strength material: A review on strength and excavatability

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In recent decades, the use of controlled low-strength material (CLSM) in densely populated cities has increased. CLSM is designed for future...     

Drivers of food waste generation and best practice towards sustainable food waste management in the hotel sector: a systematic review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The growing volumes of food globally are lost or wasted along the entire food chain. However, a high effort in investigating why food waste (FW)...     

Yard waste compost as a stormwater protection treatment for construction sites.

Runoff water quality improvement from three yard waste compost erosion control treatments were compared with two conventional treatments and an untreated control on plots of 3:1 slope during two growing seasons, using natural events and simulated rainfall. Runoff volume, suspended solids, nutrients, biomass, turf shear strength, and turfgrass color scale were monitored. The most effective compost treatment, a 5-cm thick blown compost blanket, produced 12.7 times less runoff and 9.8 times less sediment load than a straw mat and silt fence treatment. The compost treatments generated eight times more biomass than the straw mat treatments. Root development was significantly better on the compost treatments based on turf shear strength measurements. Tilled-in compost was not as effective as a compost blanket at reducing sediment loss, particularly before the establishment of grass on the plot. The cost of compost treatments was similar to that of straw mat with silt fence treatments.     

一种新型滤料在循环养殖水处理中的应用

实验研究了填充新型无剩余污泥悬浮型生物滤料的曝气生物滤池处理养殖废水的挂膜情况及水力停留时间（HRT）变化对曝气生物滤池处理效果及运行特性的影响。结果表明,含氨氮和亚硝酸氮浓度较高的模拟养殖污水用活性污泥挂膜,大约1个月就能使生物滤池启动。当模拟养殖污水氨氮起始浓度在2 mg/L左右时最佳水力停留时间（HRT）为0.6 h循环6 d能使氨氮浓度降到0.03 mg/L左右,亚硝酸氮有短期积累问题,但最终都能被降到0.05 mg/L以下。水力停留时间影响氨氮的去除时间,从而影响亚硝酸氮的积累。水力停留时间（HRT）对有机物（CODMn）去除影响不大,且该种滤料对有机物（CODMn）去除效果较差,去除率在28%左右。     

Energy and environment as the foundations for sustainable development

Environmental Science and Pollution Research -     

Co-processing of plastic waste in a cement kiln: a better option

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper deals with the techniques to use plastic waste for co-processing in cement kiln for energy recovery. Plastics, a versatile material and...     

Nanomaterials photocatalytic activities for waste water treatment: a review

Water is necessary for the survival of life on Earth. A wide range of pollutants has contaminated water resources in the last few decades. The presence of contaminants incredibly different dyes in waste, potable, and surface water is hazardous to environmental and human health. Different types of dyes are the principal contaminants in water that need sudden attention because of their widespread domestic and industrial use. The toxic effects of these dyes and their ability to resist traditional water treatment procedures have inspired the researcher to develop an eco-friendly method that could effectively and efficiently degrade these toxic contaminants. Here, in this review, we explored the effective and economical methods of metal-based nanomaterials photocatalytic degradation for successfully removing dyes from wastewater. This study provides a tool for protecting the environment and human health. In addition, the insights into the transformation of solar energy for photocatalytic reduction of toxic metal ions and photocatalytic degradation of dyes contaminated wastewater will open a gate for water treatment research. The mechanism of photocatalytic degradation and the parameters that affect the photocatalytic activities of various photocatalysts have also been reported.

     

建筑垃圾转化砷吸附材料的方法及其吸附性能

水环境中的砷污染问题近年来越来越突出,吸附是主要的净化途径之一。以建筑垃圾为主要原材料,合成了一种新型的廉价除砷颗粒吸附剂。首先通过烧结制备多孔陶粒,再利用水热过程将陶粒基体转变为沸石基体,最后利用铁离子对沸石基体进行表面改性,制备出具有复合多级孔结构的铁负载沸石陶粒（简称IMZC）产品。XRD图谱显示负载的铁主要以无定形体存在,显著增加了沸石基体的比表面积。吸附实验表明,老化时间和pH值对铁改性沸石颗粒的吸附能力有显著影响,该吸附过程可以用Langmuir模型表征,最大吸附量达到18.727 mg·g-1。该吸附材料在面源污染和突发事件中砷的净化去除方面具有良好的应用前景     

Use of waste recycling coal bottom ash and sugarcane bagasse ash as cement and sand replacement material to produce sustainable concrete

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Concrete is widely used as a building material all over the world, and its use is increasing the demand of cement and sand in the construction...     

Assessment of municipal waste compost as a daily cover material for odour control at landfill sites

The ability of municipal waste compost as a daily cover material to reduce the odorous emissions associated with landfill surfaces was investigated. Trials were carried out using landfill gas, a certified sulphurous gas mix and ambient air as a control. Odorous gas was passed through portable test column filled with compost at different densities (590 kg/m3 and 740 kg/m3). Gas samples were taken from the inlet, outlet and at varying column depths and examined using a combination of sensory analysis (olfactometry) and a novel analytical method (Transportable Selected Ion Flow Tube--TSIFT). Results for the trials using landfill gas showed a 69% odour reduction (OU/m3) through the column for compost with a bulk density of 590 kg/m3, and a reduction of 97% using compost with a bulk density of 740 kg/m3. TSIFT analysis showed an overall decrease in the concentration of terpenes, and sulphurous compounds in the outlet gas from the column for both bulk densities. No significant trend could be identified for the concentrations at different depths within the column. Results show the ability of compost to reduce landfill odours under differing conditions. The inconclusive data provided by TSIFT analysis may be due to the analysis of compounds that are not contributing to odour, and thus highlights the potential for synergetic effects and the importance of sensory measurement when examining odorous emissions.     

Advancements in solar technologies for sustainable development of agricultural sector in India: a comprehensive review on challenges and opportunities

Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of people in India. The majority of the population in India is dependent (directly or indirectly) on agriculture as an occupation. The agriculture sector requires more freshwater and power for better yield in the current scenario. Nevertheless, the ever-increasing rate of energy consumption, limited fossil fuels, and rising pollution have made the expansion of renewable resources essential. Due to the suitable solar potential available in India, the deployment of solar energy has been more as compared to other renewable resources. The current study aims to discuss the various technologies, initiatives and policies of solar energy usage in agriculture. This work delivers an assessment of the advancement of solar energy vis-à-vis agricultural applications through the greenhouse concept and photovoltaic approach in India. Various agricultural applications of solar energy, such as solar water desalination system, solar water pumping system, solar crop dryer system for food safety, etc. are discussed as a means to promote solar-based technology. It also highlights the scenario of solar energy in India with important accomplishments, developmental approaches, and future potential. In-depth studies of various policies and government initiatives including those in research and development are also discussed. The current survey on solar technologies will be an aid to agribusiness frameworks to comprehend the statuses, obstructions, and extent of advancement. Finally, some future recommendations for further developments in this approach are discussed. This work sheds light on varied areas of solar energy-assisted agricultural systems as a potentially sustainable and eco-friendly pathway.

Graphical abstract

     

Quantities of bisphenol a leached from plastic waste samples

To quantify the leaching of bisphenol A into water, various samples of plastic waste were cut into small pieces, soaked in water for two weeks at room temperature in the dark, and the concentration of bisphenol A in the water determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The amount of bisphenol A leached from the plastic wastes ranged from undetectable to 139 micrograms/g. The detection limit was 2 ng/g when 100 g of plastic waste was used. Polyvinyl chloride products yielded the highest concentrations because bisphenol A is used in its manufacture as a stabilizer.     

Earthworms,pesticides and sustainable agriculture: a review

The aim of this review is to generate awareness and understand the importance of earthworms in sustainable agriculture and effect of pesticides on their action. The natural resources are finite and highly prone to degradation by the misuse of land and mismanagement of soil. The world is in utter need of a healthy ecosystem that provides with fertile soil, clean water, food and other natural resources. Anthropogenic activities have led to an increased contamination of land. The intensification of industrial and agricultural practices chiefly the utilization of pesticides has in almost every way made our natural resources concave. Earthworms help in a number of tasks that support many ecosystem services that favor agrosystem sustainability but are degraded by exhaustive practices such as the use of pesticides. The present review assesses the response of earthworm toward the pesticides and also evaluates the relationship between earthworm activity and plant growth. We strictly need to refresh and rethink on the policies and norms devised by us on sustainable ecology. In an equivalent way, the natural resources should be utilized and further, essential ways for betterment of present and future livelihood should be sought.