1,807 research outputs found
Environmental and economic benefits due to substitution of traditional cooking stoves in Mozambique
No full textEmissions derived from inefficient biomass burning have an important impact on climate change. Around 3 million people in the world use solid biomass such as wood and charcoal for cooking. This study provides an analysis of emission mitigation potential due to the replacement of traditional charcoal stoves with more efficient cook stoves in one area of Maputo, in Mozambique. Fuel consumption reduction has been estimated using a data collection campaign in the project area. The results show that daily fuel consumption has decreased from 2.57 kg to 0.53 kg per day and family. The total carbon emission reduction has been estimated in 627 tons in all the project area. The use of efficient stoves results in gas emissions reduction of around 12,466 tons of CO2 equivalent during 2015. Charcoal production processes are extremely inefficient in Mozambique and the ratio from charcoal to wood is of 1/6. Considering that the average quantity of biomass available per hectare in Miombo forests in Mozambique, the usual supply area, is of 50,5 tons per hectare, the reduction in charcoal consumption, as a result of efficient stove use, results in a forest cutting reduction of 13 hectares. In addition, the use of environmentally efficient stoves has also important economic effects for local families, each of which saving approximately 168 $ yearly. This study represents the first phase of a wider research project in which the analyses are to be extended to other areas of Mozambique and other fuel supply chains
Environmental assessment of flax straw production for non-wood pulp mills
No full textNowadays, there is an increasing interest for using non-woody fibres as raw materials for production of
paper ́s pulp. The present work aims to identify and quantify the environmental impacts associated with the
production of flax fibres, through 3-year field experiment, carried out in Bologna and Pisa representative of the
pedoclimatic characteristics of central Italy. Life Cycle Impact of “a one ton of fibre ready to be processed in a
pulp mill” was assessed taking into account: farming, straw process (drying, scutching and baling) and
transport. Inventory data for agricultural inputs and outputs were obtained directly from field experimentation
and from bibliographic data about heat, transport and electricity consumption on straw processing. An
economic allocation approach to assign impacts within flax seed and processed straw has been used. The
CML baseline 2000 methodology was selected to quantify the potential environmental impact associated to
the crops. Specifically, global warming (GWP), acidification (AP), eutrophication (EP) and photochemical
oxidant formation (POP) were evaluated together with energy use (EU). Major impacts contribution arise from
fertilizers use and straw processing. Cultivation phase of flax fibre at Pisa reported higher values
(approximately 3 times greater) for all the impact categories. The lower impact in the flax cultivation scenario
at Bologna was due to no use of mineral fertilizer and the higher flax-straw yield. It resulted also a strong
reduction of the impacts with respect to those of hemp pulp in Spain as well as to the impacts of the
conventional wood-pulp reported in Simapro. Furthermore, LCA tool aided to identify the materials and
process that most affected the impacts: fertilizers use, diesel consumption and straw processing were
identified as hot spots in both crops. Finally, non-wood pulp derived from Bologna ́s Flax straw represents an
opportunity to replace conventional wood pulp in Italian paper industry
Environmental analysis of productive chain of an oleaginous Camelina (Camelina sativa) for the production of bio products
No full textThis study evaluated the environmental impact of renewable jet fuel derived from Camelina oil. The indicator chosen is the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the functional unit (1 MJ of Jet Fuel) and its associated by-products. The impacts of the farming were determined with agronomic and qualitative data obtained as part of the SUSCACE project activities on the cultivation of Camelina in Pisa and Bologna. As source of secondary data was used several publications and BioGrace, while the impact assessment of the downstream sector from farming to pressure extraction was performed, according to IPCC, taking into account the transformation processes implemented for the exploitation of by-products obtained along the entire production chain as well as transportation. The results of the LCA of considered chains were compared with those of equivalent conventional products. Regarding the cultivation phase of Camelina, the impact related to the functional unit in Bologna is found to be on average 28% higher than that in Pisa, as consequence of a greater diesel requirement (30 % lower in Pisa), and its lower yield (41% lower than Pisa). However, it is relevant to show that N requirements of Bologna were considerably lower than Pisa. Consequently, N2O emissions are lower with significant repercussions on the impact of the final product and on each production step. Regarding the end life scenario the advantage of bio-products derives from their biodegradability that substantially reduces or eliminates the disposal processes and their lower toxicity when it is compared to fossil-based product
Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) under low-input management systems in northern Italy: Yields, chemical characterization and environmental sustainability
No full textCamelina can be considered a valuable crop for bio-based products and biofuels, but, to date, there are still many uninvestigated aspects concerning the optimization of its agricultural management and its environmental impact. Consequently, a low-input camelina cultivation has been realized, in northern Italy environment, through a 4-year camelina-wheat rotation in open field. In these conditions, camelina was grown as winter crop. Camelina reached, over the years, a variable (CV=28%) mean seed yield of 0.82 Mg ha–1. This notwithstanding, the oil content - 39.17%. (CV=3%) - and its related quality were rather stable, reaching an oil yield of 320 kg ha–1 particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The low input cultivation system here adopted implied an
energy ratio (output energy/input energy) of 4 and a 30% decrease in Global Warming Potential per hectare, compared to the standard value reported by the European Renewable Energy Directive for sunflower, reducing, at the same time, other relevant environmental burdens. However, due to its relatively low oil production, the full use of all camelina co-products should be considered in order to fulfil the sustainability requirements for European jet fuel production. In fact, stability of yields and quality of oil, oilcake and straws makes low-input camelina eligible for many other novel green chemistry applications
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF BIOPRODUCTS DERIVED FROM NON-CONVENTIONAL OLEAGINOUS: FALSEFLAX (Camelina sativa), SAFFLOWER (Carthamus tinctorius), CRAMBE (Crambe abyssinica) AND FLAX (Linum usitatissimum)
No full textA REVIEW OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT: AGROPRODUCTS MODELING
No full textEl Análisis de Ciclo de Vida es una metodología ampliamente usada con el fin de evaluar los impactos ambientales y sociales asociados a un ciclo productivo completo, en una visión “de la Cuna a la Tumba” o de una nueva “de la Cuna a la Cuna” la cual toma en cuenta también el reciclaje de productos y subproductos, intentando tener en cuenta cada uno de los componentes de estos impactos, o almenos casi todos. En particular, esta revisión bibliográfica considera que; las cadenas agro-productiva tienen componentes y consideraciones específicas, que deben ser tomados en cuenta en el proceso de evaluación de ciclos de vida. Estas consideraciones han sido comentadas en el texto y algunas consideraciones de cálculo fueron citadas. // Life Cycle Assessment is a trendsetter methodology in order to assess environmental and social impacts associated to an entire productive cycle in a vision “Cradle to Grave” or in a further vision “Cradle to Cradle” that considers the reuse of product wastes and side products, trying to take in count every single component of these impacts or almost all of them. In particular, this review considers that agro-productive chains have unique components and considerations, which need to be counted in the assessment process. These have been commented in the text and some calculation considerations were cited
Plan de mitigación de la contaminación ambiental en el sector porcino del cantón El Guabo
No full textEl avance de las actividades económicas contribuye a la contaminación ambiental, tal es el caso de las actividades de origen agropecuario, es por ello que se ha planteado como objetivo: establecer el impacto de la producción porcina del cantón El Guabo en la contaminación ambiental mediante análisis multivariado entre las dimensiones de la productividad de las unidades de producción porcina y sus niveles de contaminación ambiental; la investigación presenta un diseño transeccional correlacional causal entre las dimensiones de la productividad y los niveles de contaminación ambiental, para esto se recurrió a un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple, la población estuvo conformada por 9 unidades de producción porcina; se llegó a la conclusión que la producción porcina del cantón El Guabo tiene un impacto significativo en la contaminación ambiental, es decir,
existe correlación significativa entre las variables manejo de residuos y el destino de los efluentes
Determination of Radon Gas (222Rn) concentrations in houses of San Miguel de Urcuquí
No full textIndoor radon exposure is a significant cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. Radon concentration can vary depending on factors such as local geology, building materials, temperature, and relative humidity. This variation underscores the need for localized radon measurements to assess exposure risks and implement mitigation strategies.
In this study, radon, temperature, and humidity measurements were recorded using three Corentium Home digital radon detectors and three HTC-1 temperature and hygrometer devices. Short-term daily average radon values were recorded three times a day over a week, alongside temperature and humidity data. The short-term 7-day average was also recorded.
Thirty-six houses located in Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, were studied. The houses were divided into two groups, old-restored Patrimonial houses and newly built Multifamiliares apartments, were studied over seven days.
Results showed negative correlations between radon and indoor temperature (tau = -0.30) and indoor-outdoor temperature difference (tau = -0.21), and a positive correlation with relative humidity (tau = 0.33). Patrimonial houses exhibited higher levels of radon than Multifamiliares apartments (Mann-Whitney test, p-value = 5.14×10^-7). Average radon concentrations were found to be in the range of 2.96 to 130.95 Bq/m^3 with a combined average of 20.58 Bq/m^3 and a median of 13.88 Bq/m^3. Only one house exceeded the World Health Organization reference level of 100 Bq/m^3, therefore it is recommended to perform long-term measurements in this house.La exposición al radón en interiores es una causa significativa de cáncer de pulmón, solo superada por el tabaquismo. La concentración de radón puede variar dependiendo de factores como la geología local, los materiales de construcción, la temperatura y la humedad relativa. Esta variación subraya la necesidad de realizar mediciones locales de radón para evaluar con los riesgos de exposición e implementar estrategias de mitigación.
En este estudio, se registraron mediciones de radón, temperatura y humedad utilizando tres detectores digitales de radón Corentium Home y tres dispositivos termómetros e higrómetros HTC-1. Los valores promedio diarios de radón a corto plazo se registraron tres veces al día durante una semana, junto con datos de temperatura y humedad. También se registró el promedio de medición a 7 días.
Treinta y seis casas ubicadas en la universidad Yachay Tech, Urcuquí, fueron estudiadas. Las casas fueron divididas en dos grupos: casas patrimoniales que cuentan con una infraestructura antigua y apartamentos multifamiliares de nueva construcción, fueron estudiadas durante siete días.
Los resultados mostraron correlaciones negativas entre el radón y la temperatura interior (tau = -0.30) y la diferencia de temperatura interior-exterior (tau = -0.21), y una correlación positiva con la humedad relativa (tau = 0.33). Las casas patrimoniales presentaron niveles de radón más altos que los apartamentos multifamiliares (test de Mann-Whitney, p = 5.14 × 10^(−7)). Las concentraciones promedio de radón encontradas estaban entre 2.96 y 130.98 Bq/m^3, con un promedio combinado de 20.58 Bq/m^3 y una mediana de 13.88 Bq/m^3. Solo una casa superó el nivel de referencia de 100 Bq/m^3 de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, por lo cual se recomienda realizar mediciones a largo en esta casa.Ingeniero/a Biomédico/
Evaluación in vitro de la capacidad bacteriana para remover plomo en aguas residuales sintéticas
No full textIn this study it has been performed an in vitro characterization of 152 strains and microbial consortia, in order to mitigate the environmental impacts of different industrial activities related to mining, petrochemical and metallurgical sector.
In isolation and biostimulation phase, bacteria were put through a selection in modified crop, in which 20 and 100 ppm lead concentrate was added, finally obtaining five strains that were shown to be resistant and/or tolerant to Pb. Determination of bacterial removal capacity of lead was experienced under two conditions: incubation at controlled temperature of 25˚C and incubation at room temperature (between 5°C and 23°C for the southern area of Quito in the months of study).
The biochemical characterization of bacteria was performed using Microgen GN-ID A + B System, identifying the following genera: Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Aeromona and species: Aeromona hydrophila and Photobacterium damselae, it which obtained a percentage of 99.8% of certainty. During the elaboration of the curves of kinetic bacterial growth and Pb remotion, turbidimetry and atomic absorption techniques were used, where Aeromona hydrophila showed a greater ease of growth at a 20 ppm concentration in incubation at room temperature, while Pseudomona sp registered a total removal percentage of 96.30% with a 100 ppm concentration and room temperature incubation.
This research is intended as a guide for future studies, so that it can be used as an alternative for more efficient and cheaper remediation regarding conventional remediation technologies.Con la finalidad de mitigar los impactos ambientales ocasionados por diferentes actividades industriales relacionadas con el sector minero, petroquímico, metalúrgico, entre otros, se ha realizado una caracterización in vitro de 152 microorganismos entre cepas y consorcios bacterianos. En la fase de aislamiento y bioestimulación las bacterias fueron sometidas a selección en medio de cultivo modificado, en el cual se adicionó concentraciones de 20 y 100 ppm de Pb, obteniendo finalmente cinco cepas que mostraron ser resistentes y/o tolerantes al Pb. La determinación de la capacidad bacteriana de remoción de Pb se experimentó a dos condiciones: incubación a temperatura controlada de 25˚C e incubación a temperatura ambiente (entre 5°C y 23°C para la zona sur de Quito en los meses de estudio).
La caracterización bioquímica se realizó mediante el Kit Microgen GN-ID A+B, identificándose los siguientes géneros: Acinetobacter, Pseudomona, Aeromona y las especies: Aeromona hydrophila y Photobacterium damselae, la misma que obtuvo el 99,8% de certeza. En la elaboración de las curvas de cinética de crecimiento bacteriano y remoción de Pb, se utilizó técnicas de turbidimetría y absorción atómica, en donde Aeromona hydrophila presentó mayor facilidad de crecimiento a 20 ppm en incubación a temperatura ambiente, mientras que Pseudomona sp registró un porcentaje de remoción total de Pb del 96,30% a 100 ppm e incubación a temperatura ambiente.
La investigación pretende servir de guía para futuros estudios de manera que pueda ser empleada como una alternativa de remediación más eficiente y económica en relación a las tecnologías de remediación convencionales
Detección de antibióticos betalactámicos, tetraciclinas y sulfamidas como contaminantes emergentes en los ríos San Pedro y Pita del cantón Rumiñahui
No full textEach one of the activities that the society does dairy produce alterations in our environment. Very usual activities such as personal hygiene and health care can cause negative effects in the environment, since it adds a series of substances of different chemical compositions, those substances are known like emerging pollutants. In this pollutants groups we can find pharmacists products, while it’s true they’re not considered as persistent substances, its frequent use and discard make them be present in our environment, the main source of income to the ecosystem are the water discharges or treatment plants effluents from surrounding factories.
The study was developed in Amaguaña and Uyumbicho parishes, located at 1km from the San Pedro river shore and in Sangolquí parish near to Pita river, it was evaluated the probable existence of antibiotics residues in 13 sampling points in the following way: 9 in San Pedro river and 4 in Pita river, there were taken 9 samples, those were analyzed twice by month for 3 months, November and December of 2017 and January of 2018.
The results obtained determine a total of 41 positive samples, out of a total of 78 samples, representing 52% of cases with the presence of residues of beta-lactam antibiotics and sulfonamides, located in the San Pedro and Pita rivers. Determining the calibration curve for the calculation of the concentration of antibiotic residues.Cada una de las actividades que realiza la sociedad implica que se genera alteraciones sobre nuestro entorno. Actividades tan usuales como la higiene personal o el cuidado de la salud pueden provocar efectos negativos en el ecosistema, dado que se agrega una serie de sustancias de diferente composición química, sustancias que son reconocidas como contaminantes emergentes. En este grupo de contaminantes se encuentran productos farmacéuticos, si bien, no son considerados como sustancias persistentes, su frecuente utilización y desecho los hace estar presentes en nuestro entorno, la principal fuente de ingreso al ecosistema son las descargas de agua o efluentes de las plantas de tratamiento de fábricas aledañas.
El estudio fue desarrollado en las parroquias de Uyumbicho, Amaguaña ubicadas a 1km de la orilla del río San Pedro y la parroquia de Sangolqui cerca al río Pita, se evaluó la probable existencia de residuos de antibióticos en los 13 puntos de muestreo distribuidos así: 9 en el río San Pedro y 4 en el río Pita, se tomaron 6 muestras las cuales fueron analizadas 2 veces, cada mes, por 3 meses, siendo estos el mes de noviembre y diciembre del año 2017 y enero del año 2018.
Los resultados obtenidos determinan a un total de 41 muestras positivas, del total de 78 muestras, representando el 52% de casos con presencia de residuos de antibióticos betalactámicos y sulfamidas, ubicados en los ríos San Pedro y Pita. Determinándose la curva de calibración para el cálculo de la concentración de los residuos de antibióticos
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