Alternative Management Research Articles

What monetary incentives are rice farmers willing to accept to stop straw burning? Evidence from a choice experiment in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Producing rice generates straw, which is often conveniently burned, causing substantial atmospheric pollution. Increasing straw utilization efficiency and reducing straw burning will improve the agricultural ecological environment and promote sustainable development of agricultural production. Little is known about farmers’ perceived costs of alternative straw management practices and what it would take for them to stop straw burning. We conduct choice experiments with 543 Vietnamese farmers in the Mekong Delta to elicit their preferences for improved straw management practices under varying monetary incentives and enabling environments of mechanization and governance. The attributes and levels used in this study include sustainable practice (i.e., incorporation of rice straw, partial removal, and complete removal), availability of machinery (i.e., low, medium, and high), governance (i.e., individual farmer, farmer organization, and local government), and monetary incentives (US$43–87/ha). Results from a mixed logit model suggest that farmers are willing to stop straw burning and adopt sustainable straw management practices in return for monetary incentives. Farmers require lower monetary incentives when machinery services for chopping and collecting rice straw are available and when rice straw management is governed collectively by farmer organizations or the local government. Policy makers can use these results to prioritize investments and design optimal policies for mitigating air pollution by diverting farmers away from straw burning towards sustainable rice straw management practices.

Effects of pesticides on soil bacterial, fungal and protist communities, soil functions and grape quality in vineyards

Abstract Pesticides can have unintentional effects on non‐target organisms and change biotic communities. Such changes might be particularly important in soil microbial communities, which drive many ecosystem functions and may affect crop quality. Here, we investigated, in a three‐year study, how vegetation control (by herbicide application) and soil copper content (from long‐term copper‐based fungicide application) affect biodiversity and the community structure of soil bacteria, fungi and protists, and associated soil functions (respiration, decomposition) in Swiss vineyards. Furthermore, we determined the effects of these two management practices on grape quality as the most direct ecosystem service to farmers. Across all study years, the community composition of microorganisms was affected by herbicide application, however, a significant loss of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was only observed in fungi and protists. Soil copper content reduced OTU richness of bacteria and protists in some years but had no significant effect on fungal richness. Copper changed the community composition in all three groups of soil microorganisms. While we found no effect of copper on soil functions, herbicide application reduced microbial respiration and biomass by about 39% and 45%, respectively. However, decomposition rates remained virtually unchanged by any pesticide. Yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) levels in grape were below the critical threshold of 140 mg/L in 40% of the vineyards without herbicide application and the variety Chasselas, whereas in vineyards with herbicide application, it was only 20%. Application of pesticides led to changes in richness and composition of soil microbial communities and directly reduced some soil functions (microbial biomass and respiration) but not all (decomposition). Some grape quality parameters can be indirectly enhanced by pesticide application, highlighting the trade‐off between the interests of nature conservation and the interests of the farmer. Balancing these two diverging interests requires the establishment of alternative vineyard management allowing reduced pesticide application.

Trade‐offs among management objectives in mature Douglas‐fir forests of the Pacific Northwest

AbstractMature conifer‐dominated forests are an important component of the Pacific Northwest landscape, and the conservation of species associated with late‐successional forests has been a primary management focus in these forests for decades. Increasingly, these forests are also valued as carbon stores, with considerable climate change mitigation potential. However, there are also increasing concerns about the effects of climate change, particularly drought, on late‐successional forests. Despite the complexity of balancing these diverse management concerns, few studies have examined the compatibility of biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, and drought adaptation. We used a spatially and temporally synchronous empirical dataset from mature Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) stands representing three alternative management strategies, passive management (“unmanaged”), thinning, and retention harvest, to examine trade‐offs among management objectives related to drought adaptation, carbon storage, and the conservation of early‐successional and late‐successional forest songbirds. Although previous studies have evaluated drought adaptation in Douglas‐fir, none have focused on mature stands. Therefore, we also examined tree resistance and resilience to the 2001 drought. Trees in retention harvest stands displayed significantly higher drought resistance and resilience than trees in thinned or unmanaged stands, but no differences were observed between trees in the latter two management conditions, potentially due to the long (average of 22 years) period between treatment and drought in our thinned stands. Despite this, thinned stands provided a better multiobjective compromise than unmanaged or retention harvest stands in our trade‐off analysis. Across all mature stands, trade‐offs were largest for objective combinations that involved early‐ or late‐successional forest birds. While our analysis supports the consistency of managing late‐successional forest birds and carbon storage, trade‐offs between early‐successional birds and carbon storage were much larger. Given projected changes in climate, the substantial trade‐offs that we observed between drought adaptation and late‐successional forest birds are notable and imply that achieving these two objectives will be challenging at the stand scale. Our results suggest that a diversity of management approaches, incorporating both active management and reserve‐based strategies, may be necessary to foster a combination of drought adaptation, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation goals in these forests.

Emerging alternatives in megaproject management

Aim: The aim of this paper is to contribute to the project management studies by systematization, generalization, and structurization of information about an energy megaproject in Cyprus, as well as to provide practical insights and guidance on how megaprojects can be started and managed in other locations. Design / Research methods: By its research design, this paper is a case study analysis. The major focus of the case study is the decision-making process of the LNG energy megaproject in Cyprus. Conclusions/findings: Even positive emerging alternatives, like the discovery of newly natural resources, can delay a megaproject instead of speeding up it due to impact on the decision-making process and reassessment of the value creation. Originality/value of the article: The LNG energy megaproject in Cyprus provides a unique example of an emerging strategic alternative which requires a reassessment of the initial approach and its comparison in terms of value creation with the newly appeared opportunity. Keywords: project management, emerging alternatives, megaprojects, LNG energy project, value creation, risk assessment, ESG JEL: G31, H43, P28.

Possibility to use decision-making methods for project management information system

Project management in today's world is an important task that requires constant decision-making to successfully complete projects. Project Management Information Systems (IMS) help with this, but their ability to use decision-making methods is often limited and the decision-making process itself is the responsibility of the project manager or other stakeholders. However, the use of decision-making techniques can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of project management by considering various factors and alternatives. In the course of the study, an analysis of decision-making methods, such as the method of decision-making based on data, the method of optimization, the method of selecting scenarios, the method of prioritization, the method of balancing resources, the method of multi-criteria analysis, was carried out for the possibility of integration into the modules of the IMS to improve project management. The classification of project management information systems based on modules is also presented and described and a description of these modules is provided. As a result, it is found that the method of selecting scenarios, the method of prioritization and the method of multi-criteria analysis can be effectively used in separate, defined, modules for decision-making in the project environment. Integrating these methods into the IMS can help project managers make better decisions that meet the needs and goals of the project. This study confirms the importance of using decision-making techniques in IMS to improve project management. The integration of these methods will reduce risks, optimize costs and increase management efficiency. These findings stimulate further development of the functionality of the IMS and contribute to further research in this area.

A framework for evaluation of construction and demolition waste management alternatives using MCDA techniques in the context of Dhaka City

Landfilling and dumping are the common strategies to manage generated construction and demolition waste (C&DW) in Dhaka City. These strategies of C&DW management (C&DWM) affect the environment adversely and fill the old landfill sites quickly. Besides, there isn’t any framework to manage C&DWs effectively. This study introduces a Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)-based C&DWM framework for Dhaka City by incorporating the expanded Waste Management Hierarchy (E-WMH). The E-WMH principles are considered as the C&DWM alternatives. Through a comprehensive literature review, the criteria are determined and grouped into social, economic, environmental, and technical criteria to achieve sustainability and effectiveness. To construct the initial decision matrix, the ordinal data (i.e. rating) is collected through interviews with the subject-matter experts of Dhaka City. Also, the ranking system method is used to determine the weight of the criteria. Finally, the ELECTRE I and ELECTRE II MCDA methods are employed to rank the alternatives. Results show that reuse and recovery are suitable strategies for managing C&DWs in Dhaka city. Future studies may consider the hybridization of MCDA tools, quantitative data to form the initial decision matrix, and other mathematical models to weigh the criteria so that the performance of the framework can be enhanced.

Phytochemical analysis of crop extracts and assessment of their allelopathic effect on germination and seedling growth of wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) and faba bean (Vicia faba var. minor)

This study explored the allelopathic potential of sorghum, rapeseed, and oat extracts at various concentrations on wild mustard and faba bean seeds. The chemical composition of these extracts, including flavonoids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds, was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Wild mustard seeds showed significant susceptibility to aqueous extracts, with complete suppression of germination observed at concentrations of 75% and 100% (v/v). Conversely, the germination rate of faba bean remained largely unaffected, whereas root and shoot lengths exhibited differential responses based on the concentration and specific plant extract. Notably, certain treatments, particularly rapeseed (at 75%) and rapeseed-sorghum combinations (at 50% and 75%), inhibited wild mustard germination and stimulated radicle and hypocotyl growth in faba beans. This differential reactivity suggests the potential of faba beans as an alternative to weed management in its cultivation. Overall, aqueous extracts from sorghum, rapeseed, and oats displayed significant phytotoxic effects on wild mustard, while inducing varied responses in faba bean seeds. These findings underscore the promise of these extracts as eco-friendly alternatives for weed management in faba bean crops, warranting further exploration and optimization of sustainable agricultural practices.

Bibliometric Aspects of Scientific Publications on the Circular Economy and Landfill

Objective: This article aims to identify the trends of scientific publications on sanitary landfills in the context of the circular economy as an instrument for urban solid waste management. Theoretical framework: The theoretical basis of this research sought to discuss the theme of circular economy and its relationship with solid waste management in different contexts of countries. Method: The methodology of this study was based on the bibliometric search in the Web of Science database from the keywords ("landfill" AND "environmental impact" OR "solid waste" AND "circular economy"), followed by the statistical analysis of the results and generation of graphs and tables in the bibliometrix application, qualitative analysis of the most cited articles and the methods used for 30 selected articles on waste management and circular economy was also carried out. Results and conclusion: The results identified 667 publications between the years 2008 and 2021, presenting a scientific growth and important contribution of the authors to studies on the circular economy applied to solid waste management in world countries. In view of the results, he realized that the circular economy contributes to the management of solid waste by establishing strategies in the countries to minimize the impacts and disposal of waste in landfills and insert the criteria of reuse, recycling and reinsertion of a product in the production chain. Research implications: The bibliometric research allows the creation of a reliable database of scientific publications, whose state-of-the-art on the circular economy applied to solid waste management allows the identification of the main practices applied in different countries worldwide. Originality/value: The study applies different methods to analyze the field of studies of the circular economy applied to landfills, in order to highlight the importance of the theme in the world scenario, as well as the innovations and strategies already executed. This article sought to present scientific trends, from which new research can be developed in different countries that seek to adopt sustainable alternatives for solid waste management.

Mechanisms and Applications of Nature-Based Solutions for Stormwater Control in the Context of Climate Change: A Review

Nature-based solutions (NbSs) are considered to form an innovative stormwater management approach that has living resolutions grounded in natural processes and structures. NbSs offer many other environmental benefits over traditional grey infrastructure, including reduced air pollution and climate change mitigation. This review predominantly centers on the hydrological aspect of NbSs and furnishes a condensed summary of the collective understanding about NbSs as an alternatives for stormwater management. In this study, which employed the CIMO (Context, Intervention, Mechanism, Outcome) framework, a corpus of 187 NbS-related publications (2000–2023) extracted from the Web of Science database were used, and we expounded upon the origins, objectives, and significance of NbSs in urban runoff and climate change, and the operational mechanisms of NbSs (including green roofs, permeable pavements, bioretention systems, and constructed wetlands), which are widely used in urban stormwater management, were also discussed. Additionally, the efficacy of NbSs in improving stormwater quality and quantity is discussed in depth in this study. In particular, the critical role of NbSs in reducing nutrients such as TSS, TN, TP, and COD and heavy metal pollutants such as Fe, Cu, Pb, and Zn is emphasized. Finally, the main barriers encountered in the promotion and application of NbSs in different countries and regions, including financial, technological and physical, regulatory, and public awareness, are listed, and future directions for improving and strategizing NbS implementation are proposed. This review gathered knowledge from diverse sources to provide an overview of NbSs, enhancing the comprehension of their mechanisms and applications. It underscores specific areas requiring future research attention.

Socio-demographic, agricultural, and personal protective factors in relation to health literacy among farmers from all regions of Thailand.

Farmers are vulnerable to adverse health effects from pesticide exposure due to their health literacy (HL). Therefore, this study aims to investigate HL among farmers in four main regions of Thailand, investigating socio-demographics, agricultural, and personal protective factors to their HL. This cross-sectional design study was conducted on 4,035 farmers from January to July 2023. The European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire-47 items were used to measure HL. Thai farmers had a mean HL score of 34.7 ± 8.7, and the farmers in the North region of Thailand had the highest frequency of limited HL (75.8%). Socio-demographic factors that were associated with HL included gender, region of living, marital status, education level, co-morbidity, and number of family members. Agricultural factors associated with HL included planting status, working hours on farm, spraying pesticides, harvesting crops, pesticide use of >1 type, access information from government officers, access information from posters/brochures, information from online multimedia, and access information from neighbors. Personal protective factors that were associated with HL included wearing a hat, goggles, a rubber apron, and a long-sleeved shirt. Our study recommends that strategies and interventions to enhance the HL of farmers should be focused on the target populations, which include men, widows, or divorced, those with low levels of education, those who have co-morbidities, and those who applied pesticides of more than 1 type and improper personal protective equipment (PPE) use. The primary emphasis needs to be on the North region of Thailand, making that the target area to improve health equity in Thailand. These efforts would enhance the HL of farmers and sustainably improve pesticide safety behavior. Additionally, there is an urgent need for supportive measures aimed at altering on-farm practices and promoting education on alternative pest management strategies, particularly non-chemical crop protection, to ensure sustainable agriculture.

Comprehensive insights into rheumatoid arthritis: Pathophysiology, current therapies and herbal alternatives for effective disease management.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by immune response overexpression, causing pain and swelling in the synovial joints. This condition is caused by auto-reactive antibodies that attack self-antigens due to their incapacity to distinguish between self and foreign molecules. Dysregulated activity within numerous signalling and immunological pathways supports the disease's development and progression, elevating its complexity. While current treatments provide some alleviation, their effectiveness is accompanied by a variety of adverse effects that are inherent in conventional medications. As a result, there is a deep-rooted necessity to investigate alternate therapeutic strategies capable of neutralizing these disadvantages. Medicinal herbs display a variety of potent bioactive phytochemicals that are effective in the complementary management of disease, thus generating an enormous potency for the researchers to delve deep into the development of novel phytomedicine against autoimmune diseases, although additional evidence and understanding are required in terms of their efficacy and pharmacodynamic mechanisms. This literature-based review highlights the dysregulation of immune tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis, analyses the pathophysiology, elucidates relevant signalling pathways involved, evaluates present and future therapy options and underscores the therapeutic attributes of a diverse array of medicinal herbs in addressing this severe disease.

Riparian buffer zones in production forests create unequal costs among forest owners

Riparian buffer zones (RBZs) are an important instrument for environmental policies for water and biodiversity protection in managed forests. We investigate the variation of the cost of implementing RBZs within different property size classes across the size range of non-industrial forest owner properties in Southern Sweden. Using the Heureka PlanWise decision support system, we quantified the cost of setting aside RBZs or applying alternative management in them, as the relative loss of harvest volume and of net present value per property. We did this for multiple simulated as well as real-world property distributions. The variation of cost distribution among small properties was 4.2–6.9 times higher than among large properties. The interproperty cost inequality decreased non-linearly with increasing property size and levelled off from around 200 ha. We conclude that RBZs, due to the irregular distribution of streams, cause highly unequal financial consequences for owners, with some small property owners bearing a disproportionally high cost. This adds to previous studies showing how environmental considerations differentially affect property owners. We recommend decision makers to stimulate the uptake of RBZs by alleviating these inequalities between forest owners by including appropriate cost sharing or compensation mechanisms in their design.

Efficacy of Different Botanicals Extracts Against Sclerotinia Blight of Brinjal (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) under In vivo Conditions

Among the various diseases the sclerotinia blight (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) is an important disease which causes loss in quality and quantity of fruits of brinjal. In between crop seasons, the species of Sclerotinia mainly survive through sclerotia which may be present on soil surface in unploughedfields or in crop debris or as admixture with the seed. In past, brinjal sclerotinia blight disease has been managed by various method, viz. chemical, cultural, biological Control and use of resistant varieties. However, it was observed that pathogens have developed resistance against regular use of chemicals. The uses of alternative management are best option for management of this disease such as resistant varieties and bio-agent/biological control.Between crop seasons, Sclerotinia species rely on sclerotia, which can be found on the surface of the soil in unploughed fields, in crop debris, or as an admixture with the seed. In the past, brinjal sclerotinia blight disease was treated with a variety of methods, including chemical, cultural, and biological treatments. Control and the utilisation of resistant cultivars are also important. Pathogens, on the other hand, have acquired resistance to the application of chemicals on a frequent basis. Alternative management strategies, such as resistant varieties and bio-agent/biological control, are the greatest options for managing this disease.Five plant extracts viz., Garlic, Neem, Ocimum, Dhatura, Onion were tested in vivo against Sclerotiniasclerotiorumat 10 per cent and 15 per cent concentration. All plant extracts were more or less effective and exhibited reduction in sclerotinia blight disease incidence. The effectivity of extracts increased with an increase in concentration. At ten per cent concentration, minimum disease incidence was found in Garlic (18.85%) followed by Neem (20.21%), Ocimum (22.67%), Dhatura (24.07%) and Onion (28.11%) extract as compared to untreated plants (33.07%). Maximum disease severity control (42.99%) was recorded in Garlic followed by Neem (38.88%), Ocimum (31.44%), Dhatura (27.14%) While minimum was recorded in Onion (14.99%). At 15% concentration the most effective was found in garlic which exhibited maximum disease severity control (50.57%) was recorded in Garlic followed by Neem (47.69%), Ocimum (38.50%), Dhatura (37.38%) While minimum was recorded in Onion (23.69%).

Prioritisation of Barriers According to Their Impact on Migratory Fish in the Lowland River Basin District

Artificial barriers are one of the most damaging anthropogenic factors, but are also socio-economic constructions, so the decision between removing a barrier and installing a fishway must be justified. The aim was to develop a system to quantify the amount of suitable habitat for migratory fish above barriers, to assess barriers’ passability, to prioritise them in current and historical terms and to take into account the impact of the reservoir in the selection of barrier management alternatives. For this purpose, the proportion of suitable area and the potential number of spawners were calculated separately for the flooded and free-flowing river sections above the barrier. The effect of the flooded area and fishway efficiency on the potential number of individuals was assessed and the historical importance of the areas above each barrier was evaluated. The results show that the proportion of suitable area in the total area above the barriers varies between 5 and 31%. Short river stretches of high habitat quality have a higher reproductive potential than much longer stretches of lower habitat quality. Dams with fishways can still be among the most negatively impacting barriers if they are located in the migration route of fish into a large part of the basin.

The Effect of Murottal and Lavender Aromatherapy on Post-Circumition Pain in Pediatric Patients at Oerip Putra Brebes Clinic

Background: Circumcision is a medical procedure involving the removal of the prepuce, resulting in wound and significant postoperative pain that disrupts daily activities. The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage pain has associated side effects, prompting the exploration of non-pharmacological therapies such as murottal and aromatherapy as alternatives for pain management in post-circumcision pediatric patients. Method: This quantitative study utilized a pre-experimental design with a one-group pre-and-post-test approach. A sample of 20 respondents was selected using non-probability purposive sampling at Oerip Putra Brebes Clinic. Pain level was measured using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. The respondents were being asked three times for the pain scale before the intervention, to make sure the pain scale is not temporarily but it’s their final answer. Data analysis employed the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Data collection was condcuted between December 2022 and February 2023. Results: The average pain scale value before intervention was 4,20, and after intervention, it was 4,70. The Wilcoxon test yielded a p-value of 0,197, indicating no significant impact from murottal and lavender aromatherapy on post-circumcision pediatric patients. Conclusion: The administration of murottal and lavender aromatherapy did not yield a significant impact on post-circumcision pain in pediatric patients.

Field identification of Huanglongbing (HLB) and its management alternatives

EObjective: The objective of this investigation is to identify huanglongbing (HLB) in the field and know their control altenatives. Design/methodology/approach: Was investigated the introduction of the phytopathogen Candidatus Liberibacter, symptoms and control of HLB. The generally observed symptoms of this disease are irregular yellowing in the leaves and reversed ripening on the fruit. Results: According to various authors, an integrated control of the disease must be carried out, such as pest control, production of seedlings in certified nurseries, a suitable nutrition management and working together with educational and research institutions. Limitations on study/implications: HLB or citrus greening is the most devastating disease of citrus trees which has caused millions of dollars in losses worldwide. However, although there are several research, there is still no established cure. Findings/conclusions: Research such as that carried out by geneticist Hailing Jin at the University of California Riverside can give hope for the cure or control of this disease, however, there are limitations to this product since it is not yet commercialized

Breaking the budget chains: Empowering Iraqi small- and medium-sized enterprises through Beyond Budgeting

Background: Traditional budgeting has faced criticism, leading researchers to explore alternative management control methods such as Beyond Budgeting. Despite its potential benefits, Beyond Budgeting adoption remains limited.Aim: This research investigates Beyond Budgeting’s effect on Iraqi small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) performance, focusing on competitive advantage.Setting: The study targets Iraqi SMEs, considering their diverse business landscape. A random sample of 353 accountants was chosen from a research community of 22 974 individuals. SPSS and AMOS 26 software and a custom questionnaire were used.Method: The authors conducted multiple linear regression analysis and Structural Equation Modeling to address our study’s objectives. Additionally, we utilised maximum likelihood procedures to assess factor loadings, construct validity and reliability.Results: Beyond Budgeting implementation significantly affected both financial and nonfinancial performance. It demonstrated positive effects on cost leadership and competitive advantage differentiation. However, an indirect negative impact on nonfinancial performance was observed through the influence on cost leadership, suggesting a trade-off between cost reduction and other nonfinancial factors.Conclusion: The study acknowledges limitations in sample size and the need for considering additional factors. Further research is required to understand Beyond Budgeting’s limited adoption in Iraq. The study contributes valuable insights on Beyond Budgeting as a substitute for traditional approaches, benefiting managers and policymakers.Contribution: This study emphasises Beyond Budgeting’s significant impact on Iraqi SME performance, highlighting the relationship between Beyond Budgeting, competitive advantage strategies, financial and nonfinancial performance. The findings provide insights for enhancing budgeting practices in Iraqi SMEs.

Hydro-sediment responses to management options under current and future climate change scenarios in Maybar watershed, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

Climate change coupled with inappropriate land use management is a serious environmental challenge in the highland part of Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to investigate hydro-sediment responses to management options under current and future climate change scenarios in Maybar watershed, Northern Ethiopia. We employed soil and water assessment tool (ArcSWAT 2012.10_7.24) for hydrologic modeling and CORDEX-climate data under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 emission scenarios for climate projections. Soil map was prepared by digitizing soil characterization map of the watershed generated by Weigel in 1986. DEM data with 2 m spatial resolution was obtained from water and land resource center and land use classification was done through digitization of google earth images. Better agreement between calibrated SWAT simulation and observed variables was achieved. Delta change bias correction method was employed to improve the climate simulation in reproducing the observed climate variables. We found a considerable increase in annual precipitation by 18.71 % and 22.33 % for RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, respectively compared with the current climate conditions. Climate change induced hydro-sediment results were observed to be consistent with predicted precipitation. Under the current climatic conditions, average sediment yield at the sub-basin scale varies from negligible (under terrace complementation) to approximately more than 50 t ha−1 yr−1 with a basin average of 32 t ha−1 yr−1 (under no-terrace conditions). The implementation of management alternatives gets the dry season's hydrological behavior of the catchment improved and climate change induced sediment yield reduction. Generally, the information could possibly support decision makers and planners to implement best-fitted management options and thereby reduce current and expected aggressive sediment loss situations.

Assessing Environmental Sustainability of Phytoremediation to Remove Copper from Contaminated Soils

Phytoremediation stands out as a promising technology for removing heavy metals from contaminated soils. This work focuses on studying the environmental performance of phytoremediation in removing copper from contaminated soil located in an old Spanish mine using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. For this purpose, Brassica juncea (brown mustard), Medicago sativa (alfalfa) and their rotary cultivation were assessed along with different options for managing biomass (landfill disposal and biomass cogeneration). In addition, soil excavation and soil washing treatments were also compared to phytoremediation. M. sativa proved superior to B. juncea and their rotary cultivation, regardless of the biomass disposal option, achieving impact reductions of 30–100%. This is due to the ability of M. sativa to fix nitrogen, which reduces fertiliser requirements. Among the biomass management alternatives, cogeneration was superior to landfill disposal in all cases by allowing for energy recovery, thereby reducing environmental impacts by 60–100%. M. sativa + cogeneration is the option that presents the best environmental performance of all the studied treatments, achieving reductions up to negligible values in four of eight impact categories due to the impacts avoided by energy production. On the contrary, soil excavation is the less desirable option, followed by soil washing treatment.

Evaluation of micromobility risk management alternatives using interval-valued q-rung orthopair fuzzy interaction operators-based WISP method

Micro-mobility has become a mode of transportation since the 2010 s. Because this mode is relatively new, there are many unknowns, and the associated risks must be evaluated so they can be managed safely and effectively. This paper aims to introduce a decision support system (DSS) for ranking risk management alternatives in the micro-mobility sector under an interval-valued q-rung orthopair fuzzy (IVq-ROF) context. In this context, firstly IVq-ROF-interaction aggregation operators (AOs) are introduced for aggregating the information from IVq-ROF perspective. These AOs can provide a flexible mode to tackle realistic decision support problems within the IVq-ROF set (IVq-ROFS) context. Second, a definition of entropy and new entropies for IVq-ROFS is introduced. Third, a hybrid weight-determining formula is presented using an entropy-based weighting approach for the objective weight of criteria and a stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) method for the subjective weight of criteria. Fourth, the weighted integrated sum-product (WISP) approach is expanded from the IVq-ROF perspective. Further, the developed model is utilized in a case study of risk management alternative evaluation in the micro-mobility sector, which shows its applicability and feasibility under the IVq-ROF environment. Sensitivity and comparative investigations are studied to confirm the strength and stability of the obtained result. The best alternative has emerged as the state-private sector cooperation in successfully allocating the risk in the micro-mobility sector. The final results conclude that the developed methodology can provide more accurate decisions while considering multiple inducing indicators and input uncertainties.