خيارات البحث
النتائج 11 - 20 من 1,134
Experimental Analysis of Anaerobic Co-digestion: Potential of Fruit Wastes
2024
Sathish, S. | Saravanan, A. | Suresh, R. | Saranya, K. | Sarweswaran, R. | Balaji, G. | Seralathan, S.
This study focuses on converting fruit waste into usable clean energy by an innovative, cost-effective anaerobic biodigester. The biodigester is designed to anaerobically digest various fruit wastes and starter inoculums of cow dung that are locally obtained. A batch vertical digester of 1000 liters capacity built of fiber with a phonematic agitator positioned in the center is used to improve mixing. The retention time is 30 days with a substrate of banana peels co-digested with mango and papaya peels individually in the ratio of 50:50. The combined wastes generated the biogas and the total quantity of biogas generated for all combined wastes over 21 days varies between 530L/day and 480L/day respectively. In this work, banana and mango peel (waste/water) split 50:50 gives a peak yield of 530L/day. The average ambient temperatures are kept in the range of 25°C to 35°C (i.e., mesophilic range). The pH range of 6.4 to 7.8 is consistently maintained and seems to be stable. Therefore, this proposed anaerobic digester would reduce the disposal of solid waste, and it is cost-effective. After cleaning, it is observed that the combined peels of bananas and papaya contained 91.95% of the estimated biogas and methane, which can be used to solve energy issues such as electricity production and cooking purposes.
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]Towards a Greener Tomorrow: Exploring the Potential of AI, Blockchain, and IoT in Sustainable Development
2024
Chauhan, Megha | Sahoo, Deepali Rani
This article examines the potential for artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to advance sustainability. Through a literature review and critical analysis, the study evaluates the possible advantages, difficulties, and opportunities of utilizing these technologies to support a sustainable future. The research study emphasizes how effective AI is at streamlining resource management, increasing system efficiency, and optimizing energy use. It focuses on the potential of blockchain to improve supply chain accountability and transparency, and it also discusses the game-changing potential of IoT to improve resource management. However, some issues must be resolved, including excessive costs, technological difficulties, data privacy concerns, and social repercussions. The essay advocates creating multidisciplinary research programs, funding R&D, and supporting collaborative relationships. It also suggests creating sustainable implementation plans, prioritizing ethical issues and data governance, and encouraging information exchange and awareness. By accepting these proposals, stakeholders may leverage the promise of green technology and innovation to build a sustainable future. It is also clear that the Internet of Things (IoT) can potentially optimize resource management. Real-time data on a variety of topics, including traffic conditions, air and water quality, and water management, can be provided through IoT-enabled sensors. Cities may reduce traffic, increase energy efficiency, enhance environmental conditions, and encourage sustainable water management techniques by utilizing this data to inform their decisions. However, serious consideration must be given to data privacy, security, scalability, and interoperability issues to ensure IoT solutions’ ethical and efficient adoption. Despite their enormous potential, the paper acknowledges the difficulties and constraints in implementing these technologies. Significant obstacles include high implementation costs, complex technical requirements, and the requirement for adequate data privacy and security safeguards. A sustainable and inclusive future also requires resolving ethical issues, including algorithmic prejudice, social fairness, and equitable access to technology. The report recommends encouraging cooperative relationships between academia, business, government, and communities to address these issues. Research and development investments are required to evaluate these technologies’ practical use, scalability, and economic viability. In addition, multidisciplinary research initiatives can comprehensively comprehend green technology and innovation’s social, economic, and environmental effects. It has been concluded that there is great potential for future technologies, such as AI, blockchain, and IoT, to advance sustainability. Stakeholders can use these technologies’ revolutionary potential to build a sustainable future by resolving obstacles, promoting collaboration, and doing additional research. To ensure the ethical and successful application of green technology and innovation for the benefit of the environment and future generations, it is essential to prioritize ethical considerations, establish sustainable implementation strategies, and foster information exchange and awareness.
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]Underlying Anthropogenic Driving Factors of Forest Landscape Degradation in the Kilimanjaro World Heritage Site, Tanzania Using Survey-based Data
2024
Enoguanbhor, E. A. | Chukwurah, G.O. | Enoguanbhor, E. C. | Isimah, M.O. | Kosun, A. E. O. | Ewurum, N. I. | Albrecht, Eike
This study aimed to investigate the underlying anthropogenic driving factors of forest landscape degradation in the Kilimanjaro World Heritage Sites (WHS), Tanzania using survey-based data. The essence is to support strategic policies for forest landscape protection and natural heritage sustainability. The research employed empirical data using mixed questionnaires of experts and residents to identify various indirect anthropogenic driving factors of forest degradation, analyze rural poverty and causal mechanisms as indirect anthropogenic drivers of forest degradation, and evaluate the level of awareness and community involvement in forest protection. ArcGIS was used to generate the Maps. About 140 sample sizes were utilized for this study. Using purposive and simple random techniques, about 46 and 100 mixed questionnaires were distributed to experts in forest guard and residents, respectively. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative techniques. Findings showed that indirect factors of forest degradation include high tourism demand, poverty, culture and tradition of local communities, lack of forest protection and conservation education, and insufficient land availability. Also, findings showed that rural poverty as an indirect anthropogenic driving factor of forest degradation is attributed to unemployment in rural areas, inadequate land for agriculture, and insufficient productive forestry availability. Additionally, this study revealed that residents are aware that the forest is under the government’s protection, and most people in local communities are not involved in activities for forest protection. Therefore, the study suggests that the locals should be involved in the activities that promote forest protection for effective control and management. Alternative heating methods should also be explored to reduce much pressure on the available forest to improve the natural heritage sustainability of natural WHS found in Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the Global South.
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]Evaluation of Grid-Based Aridity Indices in Classifying Aridity Zones in Iraq
2024
Alawadi, Wisam | Hassan, Ayman Alak | Dakhil, Ammar
In this study, the aridity index (AI) based on gridded climate data was validated for defining aridity and classifying aridity zones in Iraq through comparison with the results obtained by the station-based aridity index. Gauge-based gridded climate data taken from Climatic Research Unit Timeseries (CRU TS) were used to determine the annual value of four aridity indices (Lang, De Martonne, Ernic and UNEP AI) over the period 1998-2011. The results showed that the aridity distribution maps derived using grid-based aridity indices were reasonably close to those found using station-based ones. The four aridity indices properly identified similar aridity (dryness) classifications in both the station-based and grid-based aridity maps. The area percentage of each aridity class predicted by grid-based AIs was also compared with that obtained by the station-based AIs. The results showed that the variances between the area percentages predicted by grid-based AIs and those estimated using station-based AIs are fairly slight. The Lang AI exhibited the least variance (0.4%) while the De Martonne AI had the biggest variance (-4.8%). Despite these minor variances, it is however possible to conclude that the grid-based aridity index classified the aridity zones of Iraq as properly as the station-based aridity index did.
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]An Appraisal of the Legal Frameworks and Policy Shift in the Nigerian Energy Sector
2024
Otu, Michael | Anyatang, Brian F. I. | Kooffreh, Bassey | Ugbe, Rose Ohiama
This paper will explore policy shifts in Nigeria’s oil and gas, solar, nuclear, and mineral energy sectors. This policy shift by way of a transition, indigenization, and Nigerianization, has given way to deregulation, decentralization, and de-indigenization of many industries, most notably in the oil and gas sector, through the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021 and the Local Content Act of 2010 (LCA). The paper recommends, amongst others, the establishment of a new legal regime that grants resource-based and property rights to resource-bearing communities and incorporates principles of international law, energy diplomacies, International Environmental Law, and international best practices.
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]The Passive Environmental Effect of the Fungicide Benomyl on Soil Promoting Bacteria and Concentration of Some Important Soil Elements
2024
Abbas, Zaid Raad | Al-Ezee, Aqeel Mohammed Majeed | Authman, Sawsan Hassan | Shafeeq, Maan Abdul Azeez
Loam examples were gathered through the 2020-2021 rising periods, and the following measurements were made: Viable bacterial count by reducing root colonization. The outcomes of reviewing the impact of the fungicide Benomyl on development and viable microflora count revealed that the highest microbial count was in Al-Madaein 80 ×103 CFU/mL was recorded ., and the lowest count was 60 ×103 CFU/mL for the Aushtar area, The microbial viable count values for the affected microorganisms with Benomyl were decrease to 27×103 and 65 × 103 CFU/mL respectively. Those consequences specify that Benomyl has a robust choosiness contrary to microflora, especially when compared to the benomyl effect as folded dose, the microflora l count decreases to 25 ×103 CFU /mL in the Aushtar area and increases to 60 ×103 CFU/mL in Al-Madaein area. Whereas the study estimated the level of eight elements in soil (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, NO3, P, K, and NH4) cultured with Cyperus rotundus L. Which mentioned the effect of benomyl on these levels after three days of treatment. Mn concentration ranged between 5.96 to 9.11 ppm, while after fungicide benomyl, it decreased to 5.63 -6.53 ppm similar results were observed for other elements. The highest affected element was Mn in the Aushtar area. Those consequences designate that Benomyl has a stout fussiness in contrast to soil nutrients. The greatness of benomyl impacts on loam ingredients and procedures were minor, qualified to impact on mycorrhizal root foundation (reduction through benomyl).
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]Study of Temporal Dynamics of Urban Heat Island Surface in Padang West Sumatra, Indonesia
2024
Novio, Rery | Mariya, Sri | Prarikeslan, Widya | Ramon, Sophia Aulia
Padang as the capital of the province, is a strategic area and also the center of the economy. Annual population growth affects changes in land use from vegetated land to built-up areas. An increase in barren land will trigger an increase in temperature. SUHI is a temperature phenomenon that occurs on the surface resulting from the increase in temperature. SUHI can be observed through surface temperature data or Land Surface Temperature. This study aims to identify changes in land surface temperature that are affected by changes in land use in the form of building density conditions. In analyzing this using Landsat 7 ETM+ imagery in 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2020. The building density measurement method LST transformations to measure surface temperature and helps the Surface Urban Heat Island phenomenon. The results of the analysis showed that there was an increase in the building density of the city of Padang over a period of 20 years. This phenomenon affects the surface temperature, indicating that the surface temperature has increased by around 0.47°C. The highest temperature from 2001-2020 occurred in 2016, with the highest temperature of 36°C.
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]Enhanced Natural Attenuation Technique, Edaphic and Microbiological Changes in Oil-Impacted Soil of Odhiaje Community, Rivers State
2024
Muonye, P. N. | Nnaji, C. C.
Oil spills in the Niger Delta could exert environmental pressures on the soil component. We investigated the impacts of oil spills and the effect of the Enhanced Natural Attenuation (ENA) remediation method on contaminated soil and resident microbial populations in the Odhiaje community in Rivers State, Nigeria. Soil samples for microbiological studies were collected weekly during a 17-week remediation period, while those for edaphic parameters were taken before and after remediation, all at 4 sampling points (SPs). Serial dilution of the oil-impacted soils for microbial density enumeration was carried out according to standard methods. Results revealed that mean concentrations of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contents (THC) (Sig.value = 0.009), SO42- ions (Sig.value = 0.001), and sand compositions (Sig.value = 0.045) all differed markedly across the sampling points at p<0.05. Mean levels of EC (Sig.tvalue = 0.039) and ΣN (Sig.tvalue = 0.058) & K+ ions (Sig.tvalue = 0.004) differed significantly before and after the remediation exercise at the 95% confidence interval. Application of nutrients was rapidly accompanied by microbial population increases, leading to the consumption of oil contaminants in soils to levels comparable to control over the remediation period. Total Heterotrophic Bacteria counts correlated with pH (r = 0.501) and SO42- ions (r = 0.500) (p<0.05), and K+ ions (r = -0.800) (p<0.01); Total Heterotrophic Fungi correlated with pH (r = 0.520) (p<0.05), and Mg2+ ions (r = 0.820) (p<0.01); Hydrocarbon Utilizing Bacteria correlated with available P (r = 0.530) and silt composition (r = -0.504) (p<0.05), and K+ (r = 0.626) and Mg2+ ions (r = 0.733) (p<0.01); and Hydrocarbon Utilizing Fungi correlated with K+ (r = 0.500) & Mg2+ ions (r = 0.506) (p<0.05). Results indicate improvement in C/N ratios and effectiveness of the current cost-effective bioaugmentation technique in the restoration of arable soil productivity in the Odhiaje community.
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]Comparative Assessment of Medical Waste Management in Multi-System and Selected Teaching Hospitals in Ekiti State, Nigeria
2023
Oyebode, O.J. | Okpala, C.C. | Ajibade, S.M. | Ogarekpe, N.M. | Afolalu, S.A. | Coker, A.O. | Udeagbara, S.G. | Adeniyi, A.T.
Medical facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and locations where diagnosis and treatment are administered, create dangerous waste that predisposes individuals to deadly infections. Medical waste management aims to improve health and prevent public health and environmental threats. Questionnaires, interviews, site visitations, and observations were utilized to determine the management strategies implemented in the three hospitals and evaluate the efficacy of waste management. The hospitals under review are Afe Babalola University Multi-system Hospital (AMSH), Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), and Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti (FETHI). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilized for the statistical analysis of the questionnaires, and the mean assessment was utilized to compute the waste per bed each day. The results revealed that the three hospitals’ sharp, infectious, and pharmaceutical waste is the most sorted. All hospitals burn their medical waste in incinerators but dispose of the ashes in dumpsites. The mean evaluation of all hospitals’ medical waste was weighed to establish the overall amount generated. The total amount of medical waste created at AMSH, EKSUTH, and FETHI is 31.5 kg, 53.6 kg, and 135.1 kg, respectively. The medical waste generated per bed per day in AMSH, EKSUTH, and FETHI is 0.61 kg, 0.74 kg, and 0.73 kg, respectively. It was determined that the proper management and disposal of waste is a critical obligation of healthcare facilities. There should be a provision for educating personnel about the consequences of inappropriately disposing of medical waste.
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]Efficacy of Nanofertilizers Over Chemical Fertilizers in Boosting Agronomic Production
2023
Khatri, A. | Bhateria, R.
Global agricultural production cannot catch the increasing population’s exigency. At different times, the world has faced food crises of varying intensity. Many steps have been taken after that to encounter the rising concerns. Nowadays, nanofertilizers are being experimented with as an alternative to conventional fertilizers. Nanofertilizers can be classified as macronutrients and micronutrients nanofertilizers. Synthesis of macronutrient nanofertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc.) and micronutrient nanofertilizers (iron, boron, zinc, copper, silicon, etc.) can be done using chemical and green synthesis methods, which involves reducing agents, capping agents, dendrimers, microbial synthesis, solvents, and others. Composition of the nanofertilizers can be done using top-down and bottom-up approaches incorporating hydrocarbon polymer, dendrimers, microbes, etc., which decides their usage in various crops depending upon the requirement of the plant. Engineered nanofertilizers can improve crop yield by mitigating environmental pollution, environmental stress, and plant diseases. However, the unsystematic use of nanofertilizers can be a hurdle in its utilization. This article discusses various types of nanofertilizers with their unique properties and applications. Each category of nanofertilizers is explained considering their composition, particle size, concentrations applied, benefited plant species, and plant-growth enhancement aspects.
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]