Resources

816 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Economics of Mitigation of Water Pollution Externalities from Biomass Production for Energy

by Naveen Adusumilli, Taesoo Lee, M. Edward Rister and Ronald D. Lacewell

Resources 2014, 3(4), 721-733; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/resources3040721 - 05 Dec 2014

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6028

To fulfill the national bioenergy goals of the United States, conversion of marginal lands to intensive biomass crop production and/or application of greater amounts of nutrients to existing cropland could be expected. Such change in agricultural practices could produce unintended environmental consequences such [...] Read more.

To fulfill the national bioenergy goals of the United States, conversion of marginal lands to intensive biomass crop production and/or application of greater amounts of nutrients to existing cropland could be expected. Such change in agricultural practices could produce unintended environmental consequences such as water quality degradation. Select Best Management Practices (BMPs) are evaluated for water quality mitigation effectiveness as well as for their relative cost-effectiveness, issues that are often ignored in evaluation of biofuels as a sustainable solution for energy demand. The water quality impacts of converting pastureland to intensive biomass production for biofuel, evaluated using the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), indicate significant increases in erosion and nutrient loadings to water bodies. Hydrologic and economic evaluation of the BMPs indicate their implementation produced effective water pollution mitigation but at substantial costs, accentuating the sustainability issue related to the economics of renewable fuels. U.S. national energy policy designed around achieving energy independence should also consider environmental and economic trade-offs for biofuels to be an economically and environmentally sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative Energy Sources in Developing and Developed Regions)

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247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Economics of Bulk Water Transport in Southern California

by Andrew Hodges, Kristiana Hansen and Donald McLeod

Resources 2014, 3(4), 703-720; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/resources3040703 - 03 Dec 2014

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 11475

Abstract

Municipalities often face increasing demand for limited water supplies with few available alternative sources. Under some circumstances, bulk water transport may offer a viable alternative. This case study documents a hypothetical transfer between a water utility district in northern California and urban communities [...] Read more.

Municipalities often face increasing demand for limited water supplies with few available alternative sources. Under some circumstances, bulk water transport may offer a viable alternative. This case study documents a hypothetical transfer between a water utility district in northern California and urban communities located on the coast of central and southern California. We compare bulk water transport costs to those of constructing a new desalination facility, which is the current plan of many communities for increasing supplies. We find that using water bags to transport fresh water between northern and southern California is in some instances a low-cost alternative to desalination. The choice is constrained, however, by concerns about reliability and, thus, risk. Case-study results demonstrate the challenges of water supply augmentation in water-constrained regions. Full article

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490 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resilience Attributes of Social-Ecological Systems: Framing Metrics for Management

by David A. Kerner and J. Scott Thomas

Resources 2014, 3(4), 672-702; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/resources3040672 - 03 Dec 2014

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 12657

Abstract

If resilience theory is to be of practical value for policy makers and resource managers, the theory must be translated into sensible decision-support tools. We present herein a set of resilience attributes, developed to characterize human-managed systems, that helps system stakeholders to make [...] Read more.

If resilience theory is to be of practical value for policy makers and resource managers, the theory must be translated into sensible decision-support tools. We present herein a set of resilience attributes, developed to characterize human-managed systems, that helps system stakeholders to make practical use of resilience concepts in tangible applications. In order to build and maintain resilience, these stakeholders must be able to understand what qualities or attributes enhance—or detract from—a system’s resilience. We describe standardized resilience terms that can be incorporated into resource management plans and decision-support tools to derive metrics that help managers assess the current resilience status of their systems, make rational resource allocation decisions, and track progress toward meeting goals. Our intention is to provide an approachable set of terms for both specialists and non-specialists alike to apply to programs that would benefit from a resilience perspective. These resilience terms can facilitate the modeling of resilience behavior within systems, as well as support those lacking access to sophisticated models. Our goal is to enable policy makers and resource managers to put resilience theory to work in the real world. Full article

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284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying the Recoverable Resources of Companion Metals: A Preliminary Study of Australian Mineral Resources

by Gavin M. Mudd, Mohan Yellishetty, Barbara K. Reck and T. E. Graedel

Resources 2014, 3(4), 657-671; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/resources3040657 - 01 Dec 2014

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6987

Abstract

The long-term availability of mineral resources is crucial in underpinning human society, technology, and economic activity, and in managing anthropogenic environmental impacts. This is increasingly true for metals that do not generally form the primary product of mines (“host” metals), such as copper [...] Read more.

The long-term availability of mineral resources is crucial in underpinning human society, technology, and economic activity, and in managing anthropogenic environmental impacts. This is increasingly true for metals that do not generally form the primary product of mines (“host” metals), such as copper or iron, but are recovered as by-products (or sometimes co-products during the processing of primary ores). For these “companion” metals, it is therefore useful to develop methodologies to estimate the recoverable resource, i.e., the amount that could, if desired, be extracted and put into use over the next several decades. We describe here a methodological approach to estimating the recoverable resources of companion metals in metal ores, using preliminary data for some particular host/companion pairs in Australia as examples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wealth from Waste: Urban Metal Resources and Industrial Ecology)

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233 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Multiple Functions and Services of Community Seedbanks

by Ronnie Vernooy, Bhuwon Sthapit, Gea Galluzzi and Pitambar Shrestha

Resources 2014, 3(4), 636-656; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/resources3040636 - 25 Nov 2014

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 12021

Abstract

Although community-level seed-saving initiatives have existed in many countries around the world for about 30 years, they have rarely been the subject of systematic scientific enquiry. Based on a combination of a literature review and field research, we present a novel comprehensive conceptual [...] Read more.

Although community-level seed-saving initiatives have existed in many countries around the world for about 30 years, they have rarely been the subject of systematic scientific enquiry. Based on a combination of a literature review and field research, we present a novel comprehensive conceptual framework that focuses on the multiple functions and services provided by community-based seed-saving efforts, in particular community seed banks. This framework is output oriented and complements an input oriented typology of community seed banks presented in 1997. The framework identifies three core functions: conserving genetic resources; enhancing access to and availability of diverse local crops; and ensuring seed and food sovereignty. The framework can be used for analysis of existing seed-saving initiatives and serve as a guide for the establishment of new community seed banks. In addition, it can inform the development or revision of national policies or strategies to support community seed banks. The framework’s utility is illustrated by three case studies of community seed banks in Bangladesh, Guatemala and Nepal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Equitable and Sustainable Use of Genetic Resources)

336 KiB

Open AccessReview

Rare Earth Elements: Overview of Mining, Mineralogy, Uses, Sustainability and Environmental Impact

by Nawshad Haque, Anthony Hughes, Seng Lim and Chris Vernon

Resources 2014, 3(4), 614-635; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/resources3040614 - 29 Oct 2014

Cited by 406 | Viewed by 48483

Abstract

Rare earths are used in the renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines, batteries, catalysts and electric cars. Current mining, processing and sustainability aspects have been described in this paper. Rare earth availability is undergoing a temporary decline due mainly to quotas being [...] Read more.

Rare earths are used in the renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines, batteries, catalysts and electric cars. Current mining, processing and sustainability aspects have been described in this paper. Rare earth availability is undergoing a temporary decline due mainly to quotas being imposed by the Chinese government on export and action taken against illegal mining operations. The reduction in availability coupled with increasing demand has led to increased prices for rare earths. Although the prices have come down recently, this situation is likely to be volatile until material becomes available from new sources or formerly closed mines are reopened. Although the number of identified deposits in the world is close to a thousand, there are only a handful of actual operating mines. Prominent currently operating mines are Bayan Obo in China, Mountain Pass in the US and recently opened Mount Weld in Australia. The major contributor to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of rare earth processing is hydrochloric acid (ca. 38%), followed by steam use (32%) and electricity (12%). Life cycle based water and energy consumption is significantly higher compared with other metals. Full article

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300 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Subject Knowledge and Perceptions of Bioenergy among School Teachers in India: Results from a Survey

by Pradipta Halder, Sari Havu-Nuutinen, Janne Pietarinen, Anas Zyadin and Paavo Pelkonen

Resources 2014, 3(4), 599-613; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/resources3040599 - 15 Oct 2014

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5792

Abstract

Teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of bioenergy, and their motivation to teach such a topic, can largely determine the success of implementing bioenergy related education in schools. The study aimed to explore science teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of bioenergy in India. A questionnaire-based survey [...] Read more.

Teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of bioenergy, and their motivation to teach such a topic, can largely determine the success of implementing bioenergy related education in schools. The study aimed to explore science teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of bioenergy in India. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 28 science teachers from four urban schools in India. Results indicated that the science teachers were fairly knowledgeable regarding bioenergy and they also demonstrated positive perceptions of bioenergy. In addition, they were positive towards the prospect of receiving more information to increase their own knowledge of bioenergy. However, the science teachers appeared to have some misconceptions regarding the issue of CO₂ emission from using bioenergy. It also emerged that although the existing Science syllabus for Grade X in Indian schools includes a topic on bioenergy, the majority of the science teachers were not aware of it. Policy makers and educators are recommended to provide science teachers more support to improve their capacity for teaching energy and environmental topics in schools in India. In addition, an improvement of the current learning and teaching environment in Indian schools could help teachers to deliver energy and environmental education more effectively to their students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative Energy Sources in Developing and Developed Regions)

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Resources, Volume 3, Issue 4 (December 2014) – 7 articles , Pages 599-733

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