Research

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21 pages, 14104 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Furrow Diking Equipment-Design Aimed at Increasing Water Consumption Efficiency in Vineyards

by Marius Remus Oprescu, Sorin-Stefan Biris and Florin Nenciu

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 2861; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15042861 - 04 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1422

Productivity in viticultural practices is highly dependent on seasonal availability of rainfall and the efficiency of soil and water conservation strategies. Sustainable water consumption has been regarded as a business, social, and environmental responsibility, since resource availability becomes more challenging. The present research [...] Read more.

Productivity in viticultural practices is highly dependent on seasonal availability of rainfall and the efficiency of soil and water conservation strategies. Sustainable water consumption has been regarded as a business, social, and environmental responsibility, since resource availability becomes more challenging. The present research evaluates a new agricultural equipment design, employed in furrow compartmentalization works, with the aim of improving the efficiency of rainwater storage in the soil, reducing the runoff and the erosion on sloping soils. The newly developed equipment operates on the basis of a rigid memory and employs the cam-tappet mechanism, known for its high customization potential. The system functionality has been improved by integrating enhanced hoe shapes, adapted for the demanding working conditions encountered in vineyards. The evaluated performance indicators showed an increased up to 7% of the water storage effectiveness, while the micro-basins construction performance improved by 10%. The furrow diking phase is integrated into the weeding works, and recorded low additional fuel consumption of only 3–5%, being appreciated by farmers due to its constructive simplicity. As a result, the equipment has shown a significant application potential to increase deep water storage in vineyards and reduce the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessment and Sustainable Remediation Approaches)

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16 pages, 4368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Zero-Waste” Food Production System Supporting the Synergic Interaction between Aquaculture and Horticulture

by Florin Nenciu, Iulian Voicea, Diana Mariana Cocarta, Valentin Nicolae Vladut, Mihai Gabriel Matache and Vlad-Nicolae Arsenoaia

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13396; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su142013396 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2386

Abstract

Inadequate production practices are widely used in aquaculture management, causing excessive water and energy usage, as well as ecological damage. New approaches to sustainable aquaculture attempt to increase production efficiency, while reducing the quantities generated of wastewater and sludge. The sustainable operating techniques [...] Read more.

Inadequate production practices are widely used in aquaculture management, causing excessive water and energy usage, as well as ecological damage. New approaches to sustainable aquaculture attempt to increase production efficiency, while reducing the quantities generated of wastewater and sludge. The sustainable operating techniques are often ineffective, expensive, and difficult to implement. The present article proposes a zero-waste production system, designed for growing fish and vegetables, using a new circular operational concept that creates synergies between fish farming and horticulture. In order to optimize the operational flows with resources, products, and wastes in an integrated zero-waste food production cluster, a business model was designed associating three ecological production practices: a closed fishing pond, a technology for growing vegetables in straw bales, and a composting system. The design had the role to assist the transition toward multiple circular material flows, where the waste can be fully reintegrated into the production processes. A comparative evaluation was conducted in three alternative growing environments, namely, a soilless culture established in straw bales, a culture grown in soil that had received compost fertilizer, and the conventional farming technique. When compared to conventional methods, experiments showed a significant increase in the cluster’s cumulative productivity, resulting in a 12% improvement in energy efficiency, 18% increase in food production, and 25% decrease in operating expenses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessment and Sustainable Remediation Approaches)

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12 pages, 901 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

An Evaluation of Hospital Cleaning Regimes—Microbiological Evaluation and LCA Analysis after Traditional and Sustainable/Green Procedures

by Riccardo Fontana, Mattia Buratto, Marco Marzola, Giulia Trioschi, Beatrice Bandera, Cesare Buffone, Luciano Vogli and Peggy Marconi

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11465; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141811465 - 13 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1850

Abstract

The development of sustainable processes has a significant role in balancing social productivity demands, environmental protection, and natural resources. The control of microbial contamination has so far been concentrated on the use of chemical-based sanitation procedures, which may have various limitations, as testified [...] Read more.

The development of sustainable processes has a significant role in balancing social productivity demands, environmental protection, and natural resources. The control of microbial contamination has so far been concentrated on the use of chemical-based sanitation procedures, which may have various limitations, as testified by the persistence of contamination itself, by the growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of hospital microbes, and by chemical-related pollution. This communication aims to present a comparative analysis between the use of traditional and green sanitation products and processes in hospital environments. The sampling campaign was conducted in a day hospital ward of a general hospital (Imola, Santa Maria della Scaletta Hospital). Each sample comes from a specific surface, furniture or sanitary, and was taken using RODAC contact plates and swabs with a neutralizing agent in order to standardize the result of the microbiological evaluation. Sampling occurred before and after traditional and green cleaning procedures. The green experimental protocol using 100% natural and biodegradable products in sanitization procedures of hospital areas at a medium-high health risk was found to be a technique of relevant interest. From CAM requirements, the green protocol must give equal or better results than the traditional protocol. It can be concluded that the green experimental system meets this criterion and has shown better antimicrobial activity performance than the traditional system; all findings are in an acceptable state of sanitation, with no evidence of pathogenic micro-organisms specified in the guideline. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessment and Sustainable Remediation Approaches)

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10 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toward a Circular Bioeconomy within Food Waste Valorization: A Case Study of an On-Site Composting System of Restaurant Organic Waste

by Cristina (Soricu) Feodorov, Ana Maria Velcea, Florin Ungureanu, Tiberiu Apostol, Lăcrămioara Diana Robescu and Diana Mariana Cocarta

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8232; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14148232 - 06 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2376

Abstract

In the present and projected context of an increasing worldwide demand for food, the intensification of climate change effects on agriculture, and the depletion and degradation of natural resources, global actions must be taken to assure future food security for all people. Improper [...] Read more.

In the present and projected context of an increasing worldwide demand for food, the intensification of climate change effects on agriculture, and the depletion and degradation of natural resources, global actions must be taken to assure future food security for all people. Improper practices along the food supply chain, from primary production to consumption, generate huge quantities of food waste. Building a circular bioeconomy that feeds recycled materials back into the economy and minimizes the loss of resources will be an important step in introducing the world’s food system to a sustainable path. The present case study describes an enclosed on-site composting system for food waste, operated in real-life conditions. The composting equipment was installed for a restaurant with specific needs in November 2020, located near a shopping center in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the compost came from a mix of food waste from a retail restaurant and sawdust pellets used as absorbent material, and these were analyzed to monitor compost quality and establish valorization opportunities. Two different monitoring campaigns were developed and the biological parameters were analyzed. The second monitoring campaign indicated that the compost was contaminated with Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. When handled correctly and according to instructions, the composting process eliminates pathogens that may be present in food waste, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., etc., resulting in a high-quality compost that can be valorized in agriculture such as fertilizer or soil improver. Our results demonstrated that even when maintaining the same composition of raw materials in the composter, the quality and properties of the compost are greatly influenced by its operating conditions. Quality management procedures must be enforced and procedures must be strictly followed for the compost to be considered compliant. Compost that does not meet the requirements according to the regulation in force is again subjected to composting. If, after repeating the operation, the compost is still noncompliant, it is declared nonrecyclable waste, and must follow the specific procedure for such waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessment and Sustainable Remediation Approaches)

22 pages, 4009 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Decentralized Processing Performance of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Discarded from Retail, Using an Automated Thermophilic Composting Technology

by Florin Nenciu, Iustina Stanciulescu, Horia Vlad, Andrei Gabur, Ovidiu Leonard Turcu, Tiberiu Apostol, Valentin Nicolae Vladut, Diana Mariana Cocarta and Constantin Stan

Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2835; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14052835 - 28 Feb 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3985

Abstract

Food waste generation is increasing at an exponential rate, affecting the environment, food security, and causing major economic issues worldwide. The main aim of the current research is to investigate a novel composting technology that is still in its early stages of development. [...] Read more.

Food waste generation is increasing at an exponential rate, affecting the environment, food security, and causing major economic issues worldwide. The main aim of the current research is to investigate a novel composting technology that is still in its early stages of development. The proposed composting technology combining thermophilic composting with the use of advanced automated processing reactors. Starting from a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the waste generated at retail-stores, the most significant difficulties associated to waste management as well as the main characteristics of the discarded waste were identified. The findings allowed to design and evaluate the real operating performance of an automated thermophilic composting prototype (working in a decentralized regime), with the goal of delivering a faster processing system, improving operational efficiency, reducing expenses, and lowering environmental impacts. The proposed operating technique showed a high capacity for pathogens and seeds removal, the waste input mass reduction of 88%, and efficiency in food processing (2235 kg of fruits and vegetables in a 14-days timeframe). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessment and Sustainable Remediation Approaches)

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19 pages, 5486 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Grade Chemicals and Biofuels Produced from Marginal Lands Using an Integrated Approach of Alcoholic Fermentation and Pyrolysis of Sweet Sorghum Biomass Residues

by Florin Nenciu, Maria Paraschiv, Radu Kuncser, Constantin Stan, Diana Cocarta and Valentin Nicolae Vladut

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 402; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14010402 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2209

Abstract

New global directions align agricultural land resources towards food production; therefore, marginal lands could provide opportunities for second-generation energy crops, assuming that in the difficult conditions of plant development, productivity can be maintained at relatively high levels. Sustainable bioenergy production on marginal lands [...] Read more.

New global directions align agricultural land resources towards food production; therefore, marginal lands could provide opportunities for second-generation energy crops, assuming that in the difficult conditions of plant development, productivity can be maintained at relatively high levels. Sustainable bioenergy production on marginal lands represents an ambitious objective, offering high-quality biofuels without competing with the agri-food industry, since it allows successful feedstock production to be performed on unmanaged areas. However, marginal land feedstock production generally shows several agronomic, techno-economic, and methodological challenges, leading to decreases in the obtained quantities of biomass and profitability. Sweet Sorghum is a technical plant that has the needed qualities to produce large amounts of biofuels on marginal lands. It is a high biomass- and sugar-yielding crop, characterized by a high photosynthetic efficiency and low fertilizer requirement, is resistant to drought, and adapts well to different climate areas. Marginal lands and contaminated soils provide a favorable development environment for plants such as sweet sorghum; however, in-depth research studies on biomass productivity must be carried out, as well as advanced quality evaluation of the products, in order to develop combined technologies that use resources efficiently. The present study starts with a comparative evaluation of two sweet sorghum crops established on both marginal and regular lands, assessing plant development characteristics and juice production, and an evaluation of bioethanol generation potential. The vegetal wastes resulting from the processing were treated by pyrolysis, with the aim of maximizing the productivity of high-quality liquid biofuels and chemicals. The charcoal obtained in the thermal processes was considered as an amendment of the soil so that marginal land quality could be improved over time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessment and Sustainable Remediation Approaches)

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14 pages, 1776 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Regulations and CO₂ Mitigation for Sustainability: Panel Data Analysis (PMG, CCEMG) for BRICS Nations

by Muddassar Sarfraz, Larisa Ivascu and Lucian-Ionel Cioca

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 72; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14010072 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3670

Abstract

The relationship between income and pollution is contested, yet wealth alone is insufficient to regulate emissions, which necessitates environmental regulations. Even if inadequate environmental laws may overcome market failures produced by pollution’s negative externality, a thorough examination of their function in pollution management [...] Read more.

The relationship between income and pollution is contested, yet wealth alone is insufficient to regulate emissions, which necessitates environmental regulations. Even if inadequate environmental laws may overcome market failures produced by pollution’s negative externality, a thorough examination of their function in pollution management is critical. This research takes a step forward in offering a fresh viewpoint on the function of environmental laws in pollution reduction for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations to better understand the role of environmental regulations in CO₂ emission mitigation. The research presented here uses panel data econometric methodologies to achieve this goal, using data from 1995 to 2018. In addition, to provide country-specific findings, the research employs a completely modified ordinary least squares estimator. Environmental laws provide a beneficial influence in reducing carbon emissions. According to the empirical findings, the present environmental regulation positively meets pollution reduction objectives in chosen nations. The environment Kuznets curve (EKC) between pollution and income is controlled by environmental restrictions. Climate change mitigation in BRICS nations is driven by strong environmental policies and economic growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessment and Sustainable Remediation Approaches)

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Review

Jump to: Research

27 pages, 1313 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Valorization of Waste and By-Products from Sugarcane Processing

by Nicoleta Ungureanu, Valentin Vlăduț and Sorin-Ștefan Biriș

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 11089; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141711089 - 05 Sep 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 7540

Abstract

Sugarcane is a lignocellulosic crop and the juice extracted from its stalks provides the raw material for 86% of sugar production. Globally, sugarcane processing to obtain sugar and/or ethanol generates more than 279 million tons of solid and liquid waste annually, as well [...] Read more.

Sugarcane is a lignocellulosic crop and the juice extracted from its stalks provides the raw material for 86% of sugar production. Globally, sugarcane processing to obtain sugar and/or ethanol generates more than 279 million tons of solid and liquid waste annually, as well as by-products; namely, straws, bagasse, press mud, wastewater, ash from bagasse incineration, vinasse from ethanol distillation, and molasses. If not properly managed, this waste will pose risks to both environmental factors and human health. Lately, valorization of waste has gained momentum, having an important contribution to the fulfillment of policies and objectives related to sustainable development and circular bioeconomy. Various technologies are well-established and implemented for the valorization of waste and by-products from sugarcane processing, while other innovative technologies are still in the research and development stage, with encouraging prospects. We propose a sustainable sugarcane processing flow and present an analysis of the physico-chemical characteristics of generated wastes and by-products. We emphasize the available possibilities of valorizing each waste and by-product, considering that they are important biomass resources for obtaining biofuels and a wide range of other products with added value, which will contribute to the sustainability of the environment, agriculture, and human health worldwide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessment and Sustainable Remediation Approaches)

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