Assessing Public Preferences for Forest Biomass Based Energy in the Southern United States

This article investigated public preferences for forest biomass based liquid biofuels, particularly ethanol blends of 10% (E10) and 85% (E85). We conducted a choice experiment study in three southern states in the United States: Arkansas, Florida, and Virginia. Reducing atmospheric CO₂, decreasing risk of wildfires and pest outbreaks, and enhancing biodiversity were presented to respondents as attributes of using biofuels. Results indicated that individuals had a positive extra willingness to pay (WTP) for both ethanol blends. The extra WTP was greater for higher blends that offered larger environment benefits. The WTPs for E10 were $0.56 gallon^?1, $0.58 gallon^?1, and $0.48 gallon^?1, and for E85 they were $0.82 gallon^?1, $1.17 gallon^?1, and $1.06 gallon^?1 in Arkansas, Florida, and Virginia, respectively. Although differences in WTP for E10 were statistically insignificant among the three states, significant differences were found in the WTP for E85 between AR and FL and between AR and VA. Preferences for the environmental attributes appeared to be heterogeneous, as respondents’ were willing to pay a premium for E10 in all three states to facilitate the reduction of CO₂ and the improvement of biodiversity but were not willing to pay more for E85 in order to enhance biodiversity.     

Aliphatic–Aromatic Polyols by Thiol–Ene Reactions

Aliphatic–aromatic polyols were synthesized by thiol–ene reactions (photochemical or thermal) using mercaptanized starting materials from bio-based compounds: limonene dimercaptan, thioglycerol, mercaptanized castor oil and isosorbide (3-mercaptopropyl) ether. Aromatic starting materials were phenols containing double bonds; ortho-allyl phenol (OAP, petrochemical-based) and eugenol (EUG, bio-based). The phenolic hydroxyl groups were blocked by alkoxylation with propylene oxide (PO) or glycidol (GLY) prior to use in thiol–ene reaction. The aromatic rings were attached to the mercaptans by reacting thiol groups with the double bonds of alkoxylated OAP (OAP–PO and OAP–GLY) and alkoxylated EUG (EUG–PO and EUG–GLY). These synthesized aliphatic–aromatic polyols were utilized for preparation of rigid polyurethane foams whose physical–mechanical properties were superior to those made only from bio-based aliphatic polyols. These rigid PU foams can be used in a wide range of applications; such as thermal insulation of freezers, buildings, pipes and storage tanks for food and chemical industries, as wood substitute, packaging materials and flotation materials.     

General equilibrium effects of a supply side GHG mitigation option under the Clean Development Mechanism

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is considered a key instrument to encourage developing countries' participation in the mitigation of global climate change. Reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the energy supply and demand side activities are the main options to be implemented under the CDM. This paper analyses the general equilibrium effects of a supply side GHG mitigation option-the substitution of thermal power with hydropower--in Thailand under the CDM. A static multi-sector general equilibrium model has been developed for the purpose of this study. The key finding of the study is that the substitution of electricity generation from thermal power plants with that from hydropower plants would increase economic welfare in Thailand. The supply side option would, however, adversely affect the gross domestic product (GDP) and the trade balance. The percentage changes in economic welfare, GDP and trade balance increase with the level of substitution and the price of certified emission reduction (CER) units.     

Isolation of a novel yeast strain Candida digboiensis TERI ASN6 capable of degrading petroleum hydrocarbons in acidic conditions

A novel yeast species Candida digboiensis TERI ASN6 was isolated from soil samples contaminated with acidic oily sludge (pH 1–3) from the Digboi refinery (Northeast India). The strain TERI ASN6 could degrade 73% of the total petroleum hydrocarbons present in the medium at pH 3 in a week. This strain presents a dimorphic behaviour and showed mycelia morphology when grown under stressed conditions such as low pH and in a medium containing petroleum hydrocarbons. The C. digboiensis strain could efficiently degrade the aliphatic and aromatic fractions of the acidic oily sludge at pH 3 as confirmed by gas chromatography. During the growth of TERI ASN6 in dibenzothiophene (DBT), DBT-sulfone and biphenyl-2-ol were detected. An active cytochrome P450 system, implicated in hydrocarbon oxidation, was also detected in this yeast using degenerated primers based on its conserved regions. This yeast is a potential candidate for petroleum bioremediation treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated acidic soils. Its physiological behaviour allows the strain to work efficiently where other hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria may not survive.     

Hydrogenation properties and kinetic study of MgH2 - x wt% AC nanocomposites prepared by ball milling

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The high de-/hydrogenation temperature of magnesium hydride is still a challenge in solid-state hydrogen storage system for automobiles applications....     

Herders’ Perceptions of and Responses to Climate Change in Northern Pakistan

Migratory pastoralism is an adaptation to a harsh and unstable environment, and pastoral herders have traditionally adapted to environmental and climatic change by building on their in-depth knowledge of this environment. In the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, and particularly in the arid and semiarid areas of northern Pakistan, pastoralism, the main livelihood, is vulnerable to climate change. Little detailed information is available about climate trends and impacts in remote mountain regions; herders’ perceptions of climate change can provide the information needed by policy makers to address problems and make decisions on adaptive strategies in high pastoral areas. A survey was conducted in Gilgit–Baltistan province of Pakistan to assess herders’ perceptions of, and adaptation strategies to climate change. Herders’ perceptions were gathered in individual interviews and focus group discussions. The herders perceived a change in climate over the past 10–15 years with longer and more intense droughts in summer, more frequent and heavier snowfall in winter, and prolonged summers and relatively shorter winters. These perceptions were validated by published scientific evidence. The herders considered that the change in climate had directly impacted pastures and then livestock by changing vegetation composition and reducing forage yield. They had adopted some adaptive strategies in response to the change such as altering the migration pattern and diversifying livelihoods. The findings show that the herder communities have practical lessons and indigenous knowledge related to rangeland management and adaptation to climate change that should be shared with the scientific community and integrated into development planning.     

Gaining forests but losing ground: A GIS evaluation in a Himalayan watershed

GIS overlay techniques were used to provide a quantitative historic documentation of deforestation and land-use dynamics in the Middle Mountains of Nepal between 1947 and 1990. Deforestation was most critical in the 1960s, but active afforestation programs in the 1980s have reversed the process. In spite of these trends, the degradation problem is more complex. The GIS evaluation showed that 86% of the recently afforested land is now under pine plantations located primarily at lower elevations and moderately steep slopes. In contrast, rainfed agricultural expansion is most pronounced on acidic soils and steeper, upper elevation sites, suggesting marginalization of agriculture. Agricultural expansion coupled with major losses of grazing land to pine forests are the key processes pointing towards major animal feed deficits. An alternative animal feed source is suggested through GIS using a topographically based microclimatic classification to generate a tree-planting map where the optimum ecological conditions for selective native fodder tree species are identified.     

Assessing Economic Changes Due to an Expanding Dairy Industry in the Texas High Plains

The dairy industry in the Texas High Plains has experienced rapid expansion in the past two decades. This study assesses the impact of the increased presence of dairies on overall water use, crop composition, and the local economy. The increase in water use related to the dairy industry from 2000 to 2015 was primarily due to an increase in demand for drinking by the cows (direct water) as well as an increased demand for silage (indirect water). However, a comparative analysis (dairy presence vs. no dairy presence) from a single year indicates minimal impacts on total water use due to dairies. During the same time period, the number, size, and employment of related local business establishments have increased economic activity in rural areas. Editor's note : This paper is part of the featured series on Optimizing Ogallala Aquifer Water Use to Sustain Food Systems. See the February 2019 issue for the introduction and background to the series.     

Comparative study of leaching of silver nanoparticles from fabric and effective effluent treatment

Nano silver (Ag_n) is employed as an active antimicrobial agent, but the environmental impact of Ag_n released from commercial products is unknown. The quantity of nanomaterial released from consumer products during use should be determined to assess the environmental risks of advancement of nanotechnology. This work investigated the amount of silver released from three different types of fabric into water during washing. Three different types of fabric were loaded with chemically synthesized Ag nanoparticles and washed repeatedly under simulated washing conditions. Variable leaching rates among fabric types suggest that the manufacturing process may control the release of silver reaching the waste water treatment plants. In an attempt to recover the Ag_n for reutilization and to save it from polluting water, the effluents from the wash were efficiently treated with bacterial strains. This treatment was based on biosorption and was very efficient for the elimination of silver nanoparticles in the wash water. The process ensured the recovery of the Ag_n leached into the effluent for reutilization, thus preventing environmental repercussions.