Alternative Disposal Research Articles

Farm dairy effluent application

Dairy intensification produces a large amount of farm dairy effluents (FDE). The final disposal of FDE is generally to the soil as fertilizer. While this use of FDE as fertilizer has numerous benefits, such as reducing the application of synthetic fertilizers or improving soil quality, there are concerns about the environmental and health risks associated with microbial pathogens from animal waste, the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, nutrient losses and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. Furthermore, how this agricultural practice impacts the composition and functionality of soil microbial communities has not yet been elucidated. This thesis aimed to evaluate the impact of FDE applications on soil GHG emissions, the composition, activity and diversity of its microbial community, and health risks. The FDE were collected raw and from a two-stage stabilization lagoon. The N application rate normalized to 200 kg N ha−1 was divided into four seasonal applications compared to urea fertilization or a no-aggregate control. Soil samples were taken after each application for microbial and physicochemical characterization and GHG fluxes were measured up to twenty days after each application. The pasture was harvested according to typical grazing management. Repeated application of both types of FDE increased the soil nutrient status and enhanced microbial activity. Higher fescue pasture production and macronutrient content with FDE than the control positioned FDE application to soil as an alternative disposal. However, N2O emissions increased after applying both FDE’s, most notably with raw FDE. Soil microbial community composition was not significantly influenced by FDE applications, but functional diversity shifted with raw FDE. Lagoon storage effectively reduced organic C and total N along with pathogenic indicator bacteria and changed the bacterial community composition except in winter. Beta-lactam resistance genes were detected in both FDEs, but not in the soil after repeated applications.

Indigenous Knowledge Systems of Solid Waste Management in Bushbuckridge Rural Communities, South Africa

Indigenous knowledge systems related to solid waste management in economically marginalized communities have been largely overlooked in the scientific literature, even though the indigenous communities of developing nations struggling to manage solid waste rely on these practices. It is startling that indigenous solid waste management practices are scarcely documented in the scientific literature despite their position as potential alternative disposal methods. This gap persists amid limited municipal budgets, inadequate waste collection services, and poor infrastructure in economically marginalized indigenous rural communities in developing nations. Subsequently, in the discipline of solid waste management, this obstacle impedes the recognition and inclusion of indigenous waste management practices into integrated waste management plans. As a result, this causes a delay in their progress or elevation to the same level of credibility as mainstream scientific knowledge. In the process, this relegates the waste management practices of indigenous communities to the background. Against this background, the current study sought to investigate the indigenous solid waste management practices of rural communities in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. As such, ten cases that captured the spatial cultural diversity of indigenous communities’ practices across Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (BLM) were selected for sampling. Data were collected using ethnographic research methods. Data analysis was carried out using the thematic analysis approach. Inductive logic was used in the interpretation of the current study results. The results of the current study indicate that indigenous communities of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, in the absence of formal waste management services from the local authority, resort to an indigenous knowledge system to manage solid waste. Waste burning (100%), open-air dumping (100%), and backyard pits (90%) are some of the indigenous waste management practices espoused by the rural communities of BLM. The similarity in practices was corroborated by statistical inferences that revealed that between BLM communities, the amount of indigenous waste management practices is not significant (p > 0.05). However, there are concerns that despite the sustainability aspect associated with recycling (<25%) practices, these disposal methods are not common in the rural communities of BLM. This is a setback for an indigenous knowledge system that is supposed to advance environmental sustainability practices.

Alternative cellular disposal pathway-related health issues: A review

Keeping cells in a state of balance and optimal function requires proper cellular waste management. Autophagy and the (ubiquitin-proteasome system) UPS, two well-established routes, have been the subject of substantial research. A growing body of evidence suggests that alternate cellular disposal pathways may play a role in several health problems. This review delves into the inner workings of these alternate routes and how they relate to health and illness. Microautophagy, chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), and production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) are our main areas of interest. Our discussion centres on their role in neurodegenerative illnesses, cancer, and metabolic disorders, with an emphasis on possible treatments for these conditions. Novel insights into disease causes and possible treatments can be gained by understanding these pathways. Microautophagy entails direct lysosomal engulfment of cellular material, CMA selectively targets cytosolic proteins for lysosomal degradation, while EV secretion controls waste by exporting it out of the cell. Dysfunction in these pathways can result in pathological diseases, as they are essential for cellular integrity maintenance. This study highlights the significance of potential alternative disposal systems in cellular health and disease management by outlining their functions in different diseases and investigating new treatments that aim to block these pathways.

Impacts of advanced metals recovery on municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash: aggregate characteristics and performance in portland limestone cement concrete

The optimization of alternative materials in concrete production continues to garner considerable attention in order to meet sustainability goals and supplement natural materials. Portland limestone cement (PLC) and municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash (BA) have been proposed separately as green cement and coarse aggregate supplement in low-strength concrete production, creating sustainable products and alternative disposal scenario for a waste material. This study discusses the impact of advanced ash processing techniques on aggregates and presents the performance of concrete incorporating both of these products with PLC for the first time. Two sources of MSWI BA were investigated, one as-produced (TMR) and one processed with novel advanced metals recovery (AMR). The AMR process reduced total Al content in ash compared to TMR (20,500 vs 17,000 mg/kg), though not aluminum oxide content, as the AMR process targets metallic aluminum. A composition study on both aggregates supports a reduction in ferrous and non-ferrous metals following the AMR process. All control and test mixes met 28-day compressive strength requirements (17 Mpa). Both AMR and TMR MSWI BA-amended concretes yielded compressive strengths below control specimens (no ash) ranging from 17 to 23 MPa, with little to no difference observed dependent on MSWI BA processing. The life-cycle discussion supports benefits deriving from supplementing naturally mined materials and recovering ferrous and nonferrous metals with the AMR process.

Evaluating the economic and environmental benefits of deploying a national-scale, thermo-chemical plastic waste upcycling infrastructure in the United States

Emerging chemical technologies can upcycle plastic waste by producing high-value polymers and other products. In this work, we study the economic and environmental benefits of deploying an upcycling infrastructure in the continental United States for producing low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) from post-consumer plastic waste. Our analysis is based on a computational framework that integrates techno-economic analysis, life-cycle assessment, and value chain optimization. Our results demonstrate that the infrastructure could generate a market of nearly 20 billion USD per year and that this market is robust to various externalities. Our analysis also indicates that the infrastructure can achieve a plastic-to-plastic degree of circularity of 34% relative to residential plastic waste production, and leads to significant environmental benefits over alternative waste disposal methods, including 69%–75% lower greenhouse gas emissions than waste-to-energy systems and 38 million tonnes of avoided landfill waste per year.

Origami-inspired microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) for microorganism detection

AbstractPathogenic microorganisms impose great risk especially in resource-limited settings due to inaccessibility of diagnostic tools and monitoring devices. This is mainly caused by current methods often being economically demanding and complex in practice; while these methods are sensitive and accurate, they rarely follow Point-of-care (POC) approaches, which is essential for rapid detection and intervention. Incorporating origami into paper-based analytical devices (μPAD) presents an innovative alternative, offering affordability, portability, and ease of disposal. Herein, a colorimetric origami μPAD that is suitable for use in POC applications was developed. The μPAD was fabricated via laser ablation utilizing PVDF and cellulose membranes. In order to develop the biosensor platform, fabrication parameters were optimized and hydrophilicity of PVDF membranes was improved using various solvents. The PVDF membranes were characterized through light microscopy imaging, protein adsorption assay and contact angle measurements. Then, optimization of the assay parameters was carried out in order to improve sensitivity and resolution of the μPAD, utilizing Box-Behnken experimental design. The responses generated by the origami μPAD in form of visible color development were then analyzed using image processing. After optimization is concluded, E. coli detection was carried out as a model system. Resulting calculations showed a limit of detection (LoD) of 2 CFU/mL and a dynamic working range up to 106 CFU/mL for E. coli. Overall, developed origami μPAD promises an economic advantage compared to conventional methods, and provides rapid and sensitive results without the requirement of expertise or complex equipment.

Evaluating Technical properties of fired clay Brick production with mosaic sludge: A comprehensive study on heavy metal leachability for sustainable environmental and economic benefits

Mosaic sludge, generated from mosaic industrial activities such as cutting, polishing, and grinding, is often disposed of in landfills or discharged into drainage systems without adequate treatment. This study aims to reuse mosaic sludge from the mosaic industry by incorporating it into fired clay bricks. This approach offers an alternative disposal method, improves brick quality, and minimizes heavy metal leachability, contributing to environmental and economic sustainability. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) was conducted to determine the heavy metal concentration from two types of mosaic sludge bodymill mosaic sludge (BS) and polishing mosaic sludge (PS). The result indicates that the highest element concentration in mosaic sludge (BS and PS) shows that barium is the highest with 3253 ppm and 3260 ppm. Meanwhile, the lowest element concentration obtained in BS and PS is cesium with 14 ppm and 17 ppm. SPLP and TCLP also conducted in this study and the result show that, even though the element such as ferum (Fe) and cadmium (Cd) was not detected in XRF but in SPLP and TCLP, it shows that these two elements exist in clay, BS and PS with low concentration. In order to evaluate the compressive strength conducted by incorporating with different proportions 0 %, 1 %, 5 %, 10 %, 20 % and 30 % of BS and PS into fired clay brick. The result shows that compressive strength BS brick was stronger than PS brick. The maximum sludge percentage used in BS brick is 5 % with value of compressive strength is 28.10 MPa. Meanwhile, PS brick had the higher value of compressive strength at 30 % sludge percentage with the value 23.46 MPa. Static Leachate Test (SLT) was performed to evaluate heavy metal leachability from bricks containing different proportions of BS and PS sludge. In the SLT results, Fe exhibits the highest concentration of heavy metals at various proportions of BS and PS: 2.11 mg/L and 2.27 mg/L at 1 %, 1.77 mg/L and 1.88 mg/L at 5 %, 2.34 mg/L and 3.29 mg/L at 20 %, and 2.79 mg/L and 3.64 mg/L at 30 % respectively, among other elements. On the other hand, elements including Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb demonstrated lower concentrations ranging from 0.00 mg/L - 1.0 mg/L. The result for control brick, BS brick and PS brick shows the same pattern. However, overall results show that the concentration still under limit set by USEPA.

Permeable Reactive Barrier Remediation Technique Using Carbonized Food Waste in Ground Contaminated with Combined Cu and Pb

In recent years, with the escalation of food waste generation, stringent legal constraints on landfill usage and incineration have necessitated the exploration of alternative disposal methods, augmenting interest in diverse recycling strategies. Notably, carbonized food waste (CFW), a byproduct of food waste carbonization, has emerged as an efficacious adsorbent for pollutant removal. This study focuses on the application of in situ remediation techniques, specifically electrokinetic (EK) remediation combined with enhancers, to decontaminate soil afflicted with single or multiple heavy metals. The utilization of a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) infused with CFW aims to mitigate secondary environmental repercussions, including the propagation of contaminants in soil and groundwater. Experiments were conducted on clay samples contaminated with copper, lead, or a combination thereof. Observations revealed that the current density peaked during the initial 1–2 days of the experiment, experienced a resurgence post-electrode exchange, and subsequently diminished. The efficacy of metal removal was predominantly pronounced for copper, with remediation rates ranging from 85% to 92% in singly contaminated samples and 75% to 89% in dually contaminated samples after a 10-day treatment period, incorporating an electrode exchange on the eighth day. Conversely, the efficacy of lead removal was markedly lower, with rates of 0.6% to 33% in singly contaminated samples and 14% to 25% in combined contamination scenarios, suggesting the necessity for extended treatment durations. The post-experimental moisture content indicated successful enhancer injection. Additionally, pH measurements affirmed that heavy metals migrated effectively within the sample matrix, facilitated by the EK phenomenon after the electrode exchange. This study highlights the potential of CFW within PRBs for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils, although the removal efficiencies between different metals is variable, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in the treatment of lead-contaminated environments.

Utilizing Waste Materials to Enhance Crop Production: A Review

Waste management is a crucial aspect of modern societies, encompassing various activities to ensure the safe and effective disposal of waste materials. It can be classified as hazardous waste, electronic trash (e-waste), industrial waste, and municipal solid waste (MSW). Sustainable waste management practices aim to reduce environmental impact while protecting public health. Urbanization leads to increased residential water consumption, however reusing wastewater for non-potable applications like agriculture can be cost-effective. The overall costs of delivering wastewater for agricultural reuse, including treatment, storage, and transportation, are less the total costs of safe environmental disposal alternatives. Drainage may also be a source of macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), which reduces the cost of wastewater for agricultural reuse. The adoption of these principles could lead to a 48% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The management of hazardous waste, including toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive materials, is also a significant concern. In order to safeguard public health and stop the spread of infectious illnesses, animal manure management is crucial. The global generation of construction and demolition waste is expected to double by 2025, with the majority generated in Asia. Sustainable waste management practices are necessary to ensure public health and the environment.

MCDM MODEL PROPOSAL AND SOLUTION FOR EVALUATION OF MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL TECHNIQUES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF ZERO WASTE APPROACH

The world is constantly changing and developing. With the effect of this change, development, industrialization and globalization, resources are consumed irregularly and inefficiently. As a result of these consumptions, various wastes are generated. The recycling and disposal of these wastes, which accumulate over time and create negative effects on human-environmental health, individual, family and society, is a very important issue today. This study is carried out in order to evaluate the disposal techniques of medical wastes, which contain various viruses, bacteria, microorganisms and have negative effects on both the environment and human health. Within the scope of the study, a multi-criteria decision-making model consisting of medical wastes and disposal techniques have been proposed and this model has been solved with a two-stage methodology. In the first stage of the solution, medical wastes have been prioritized with the ENTROPY method, and in the second stage, alternative disposal techniques have been evaluated with the WASPAS and EDAS methods. At the end of the calculations, the results obtained by both methods have been compared and the alternatives have been ranked.

Nitrogen-Rich Sewage Sludge Mineralized Quickly, Improving Lettuce Nutrition and Yield, with Reduced Risk of Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil and Plant Tissues

Sewage sludge should primarily find use in agriculture, reducing the quantity directed towards alternative disposal methods like incineration or deposition in municipal landfills. This study evaluated the agronomic value and the risk of soil and plant tissue contamination with heavy metals in sewage sludge obtained from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The experiment was arranged as a 2 × 5 factorial (two sewage sludges, five sanitation treatments), involving lettuce cultivation in pots over two growing cycles. The two sewage sludges were sourced from the WWTPs of Gelfa and Viana do Castelo and underwent five sanitation and stabilization treatments (40% and 20% calcium oxide, 40% and 20% calcium hydroxide, and untreated sewage sludge). The Gelfa sewage sludge, characterized by a higher initial nitrogen (N) concentration, resulted in greater dry-matter yield (DMY) (12.4 and 8.6 g plant−1 for the first and second growing cycles, respectively) compared to that from Viana do Castelo (11.0 and 8.1 g plant−1), with N release likely being a major factor influencing crop productivity. The high N concentration and the low carbon (C)/N ratio of sewage sludge led to rapid mineralization of the organic substrate, which additionally led to a higher release of other important nutrients, such as phosphorus (P) and boron (B), making them available for plant uptake. Alkalizing treatments further stimulated sewage sludge mineralization, increasing soil pH and exchangeable calcium (Ca), thereby enhancing Ca availability for plants, and indicating a preference for use in acidic soils. Cationic micronutrients were minimally affected by the sewage sludge and their treatments. The concentrations of heavy metals in the sewage sludge, soils, and lettuce tissues were all below internationally established threshold limits. This study highlighted the high fertilizing value of these sewage sludges, supplying N, P, and B to plants, while demonstrating a low risk of environmental contamination with heavy metals. Nevertheless, the safe use of sewage sludge by farmers depends on monitoring other risks, such as toxic organic compounds, which were not evaluated in this study.

Assessing relative risks of municipal wastewater disposal options for Southeast Florida.

A comparative assessment of the risks of the three current wastewater effluent disposal options and three other potential options was conducted for Southeast Florida communities. The question was how the risk to humans from the use of potable reuse compares to the other five available wastewater disposal alternatives. The need for this type of risk assessment is due to the potential to use potable reuse as a water supply and the potential resistance from the public as a result of such a proposal. Water quality data relevant to disposal of wastewater treatment plant effluent from South Florida utilities along with water quality data on the receiving waters and drinking water standards were obtained for the project. The comparison of the public health risks associated with these disposal alternatives indicated that health risks associated with deep wells and direct potable reuse were generally lower than those of the other alternatives.

Effect of Food Waste on The Growth Performance, Waste Reduction Efficiency and Nutritional Composition of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens (L.), Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larvae

The rate of solid waste generation, especially in Malaysia, has become one of the major concerns for environmental and public health issues. Food waste accounts for the highest percentage of solid waste that ends up in landfills. Due to the living nature of humans and their involvement in agricultural, industrial, and municipal activities, the disposal of food waste happens on a regular basis. Due to the absence of an incineration plant, these wastes are commonly sent into landfills which are considered to be the most cost-effective method for disposal. Nevertheless, consideration for an alternative disposal method such as composting shall not be ruled out entirely. One of the established methods for composting food waste is the utilization of the larvae of the Black Soldier Fly. A study was conducted to assess the growth and nutritional composition, waste reduction capacity and nutritional composition of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) reared on food waste. We found that the larvae reared with the food waste and effective microorganism (EM), LFWEM (BSFL reared with a mixture of food waste and effective microorganisms), have a slightly better relative growth rate (2.66 ± 0.35 day-1) compared to larvae reared with only food waste (2.44 ± 0.17 day-1). The waste reduction index was higher in the LFWEM group (5.36 ± 0.18 g/day) compared to the control group, LFC (BSFL reared with chicken feed) (4.85 ± 0.03 g/day) and the LFW (BSFL reared with food waste) group (5.13 ± 0.17 g/day). The nutritional composition of the BSFL reared using food waste shows some potential as it surpasses some of the amount of essential amino acids including Arginine, Histidine, Threonine and Valine, found in the commercially available animal feeds. This finding serves as a baseline to propose potential replacements for animal protein by using BSFL reared with food waste.

Ethical consumption and food recovery hierarchy behaviors: a clustering analysis in Japan

AbstractConsumption and waste disposal decisions can have a profound impact on the environment. The present research is focused on understanding the adoption profiles of pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) within the Japanese population. The scope of the evaluated PEB covered the purchase, usage, and disposal of food products. Ethical consumption behaviors (the purchase of little packaging, organic, eco-friendly and/or refillable goods), food waste prevention actions (leftovers avoidance, meal planning, and food waste reduction/avoidance), and alternative disposal measures (feeding animals, composting, giving food to neighbors) were analyzed. The profiles were found via a two-step clustering technique using self-reported data from a survey done in nine Japanese prefectures. The first step of the clustering algorithm comprised a hierarchical technique, and the second was a K-means with an Euclidean distance. Four significantly distinct clusters were found, namely: sporadic adopters, average practitioners, responsible consumers, and environmentally involved. Approximately 51% of the sample was allocated to the responsible consumers cluster, which was characterized by having more women in part-time jobs or in-house duties and older respondents than the other groups. Environmentally involved tended to be young respondents with children and gardening/farming interest. They were also the ones who ate plant-based meals more frequently and had healthier eating habits.

Mechanistic exploration of polytetrafluoroethylene thermal plasma gasification through multiscale simulation coupled with experimental validation

The ever-growing quantities of persistent Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) wastes, along with consequential ecological and human health concerns, stimulate the need for alternative PTFE disposal method. The central research challenge lies in elucidating the decomposition mechanism of PTFE during high-temperature waste treatment. Here, we propose the PTFE microscopic thermal decomposition pathways by integrating plasma gasification experiments with multi-scale simulations strategies. Molecular dynamic simulations reveal a pyrolysis—oxidation & chain-shortening—deep defluorination (POCD) degradation pathway in an oxygen atmosphere, and an F abstraction—hydrolysis—deep defluorination (FHD) pathway in a steam atmosphere. Density functional theory computations demonstrate the vital roles of 1O2 and ·H radicals in the scission of PTFE carbon skeleton, validating the proposed pathways. Experimental results confirm the simulation results and show that up to 80.12% of gaseous fluorine can be recovered through plasma gasification within 5 min, under the optimized operating conditions determined through response surface methodology.

An identification of optimal waste disposal method for dumpsite remediation using the Fermatean fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making method.

Improperly managed wastes that have been dumped in landfills over the years pose various challenges, but they also offer potential benefits. The feasibility of recycling such waste depends on the type of wastes, the condition of dumpsites, and the technology implemented for disposal. The selection of an alternative waste disposal method from the many available options for dumpsite remediation is a complex decision-making process among experts. The primary aim of this study is to assist in an extended multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method to reduce complexity in the proposed dumpsite remediation problem influenced by multiple criteria and to identify the optimal waste disposal method. Data uncertainties are managed with the proposed Fermatean fuzzy preference scale, and the importance of all socio-economic criteria is assessed using the full consistency method (FUCOM). The final ranking results of the weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method identify that the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) process could play a significant role in the disposal of land-filled unprocessed wastes, promoting sustainable waste management. Meanwhile, the methodology explores the idea that financial and logistical constraints may limit the feasibility of large-scale recycling efforts. This combination of environmental science and decision science addresses real-world challenges, helping municipal solid waste management authorities implement sustainable waste management practices.

Distinct microbial hydrogen and reductant disposal pathways explain interbreed variations in ruminant methane yield.

Ruminants are essential for global food security, but these are major sources of the greenhouse gas methane. Methane yield is controlled by the cycling of molecular hydrogen (H2), which is produced during carbohydrate fermentation and is consumed by methanogenic, acetogenic, and respiratory microorganisms. However, we lack a holistic understanding of the mediators and pathways of H2 metabolism and how this varies between ruminants with different methane-emitting phenotypes. Here, we used metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, metabolomics, and biochemical approaches to compare H2 cycling and reductant disposal pathways between low-methane-emitting Holstein and high-methane-emitting Jersey dairy cattle. The Holstein rumen microbiota had a greater capacity for reductant disposal via electron transfer for amino acid synthesis and propionate production, catalyzed by enzymes such as glutamate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase, and expressed uptake [NiFe]-hydrogenases to use H2 to support sulfate and nitrate respiration, leading to enhanced coupling of H2 cycling with less expelled methane. The Jersey rumen microbiome had a greater proportion of reductant disposal via H2 production catalyzed by fermentative hydrogenases encoded by Clostridia, with H2 mainly taken up through methanogenesis via methanogenic [NiFe]-hydrogenases and acetogenesis via [FeFe]-hydrogenases, resulting in enhanced methane and acetate production. Such enhancement of electron incorporation for metabolite synthesis with reduced methanogenesis was further supported by two in vitro measurements of microbiome activities, metabolites, and public global microbiome data of low- and high-methane-emitting beef cattle and sheep. Overall, this study highlights the importance of promoting alternative H2 consumption and reductant disposal pathways for synthesizing host-beneficial metabolites and reducing methane production in ruminants.

Pilot-scale study of sorption-enhanced gasification of sewage sludge

Sustainable management and disposal alternatives for sewage sludge (SS) should be pursued due to the substantial increment in its global production, as well as due to the raising interest in the renewable energy and synthetic fuels deployment. Since SS present high moisture (>95 % wt.), drying would play an essential role in SS management. In this work, SS pre-treated in a solar-drying facility has been successfully used as feedstock in a 30 kWth bubbling fluidised-bed (BFB) gasification pilot plant operating under Sorption Enhanced Gasification (SEG) conditions, i.e. using CaO as bed material and steam as gasifying agent. The influence of key operating SEG parameters (such as temperature, steam-to-carbon ratio and sorbent-to biomass proportion) in the syngas yield and composition (H2, CO, CO2, CH4, CxHy, H2S, COS, NH3 and tars) has been carefully assessed. As a matter of comparison, steam-oxygen gasification conditions have been also tested in the facility using solar-dried SS as feedstock. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility of producing a syngas with high H2 contents of 70–73 vol% and relatively low CO and CO2 contents (i.e. 2–3 vol% and 8 vol% respectively).

Proportional picture fuzzy sets and their AHP extension: Application to waste disposal site selection

Picture fuzzy sets are an extension of intuitionistic fuzzy sets preferable when indecision degree is another parameter to define a membership of an element to a set additional to membership and non-membership degrees. A problem with picture fuzzy sets or another extension is that requiring decimal numbers for membership, non-membership and indecision degrees of an element in picture fuzzy sets from the experts is not sufficiently applicable. Instead, requiring proportional relations between membership and non-membership degrees is more applicable than the former. Our methodology is to develop some proportion-based models for picture fuzzy sets including their arithmetic operations and aggregation operators. Proportional picture fuzzy (PPF) sets need only the proportional relations between the parameters of the picture fuzzy set. Their contribution is that these models will ease the use of picture fuzzy sets with more correct data better-representing experts’ judgments. Besides, vague definition of the proportions is incorporated into the PPF models. We also develop PPF AHP method and use it for the comparison of alternative waste disposal site alternatives. The application, sensitivity and comparative analyses result in that proportional picture fuzzy sets are easily applicable to any problem and produce valid outcomes.

Compost and chemical fertilizer triggered pedospheric compartment’s varied response and phyto-morphological alterations in Helianthus annuus

Chemical fertilization of soils has been adopted as a productivity-boosting mode for many years but it is marked by excessive synthetic chemical utilization and significant persistence in the ecological matrices. Current research has for the first adopted a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable mode of soil fertilization and consequent growth augmentation of Helianthus annuus by utilization of kitchen waste and garden waste-based processed compost. Comparative analysis of the prepared compost with chemical fertilizer expressed a profound responsiveness of the soils towards compost in pot experiments conducted at Rawalpindi, Pakistan for assessment of soil quality after modification with compost. Soil amendments were varied including compost amended soil (CAS), di-ammonium phosphate amended soil (DAS), urea amended soil(UAS), and control soil (CS). Organic matter of CAS i.e. 4.67% and 4.91% and micro and macro nutrients excelled in other amendments signifying the potential of CAS to be adopted as a future green manure as an effective substitute to chemical fertilizers. Heavy metals i.e. Ni, Zn, Pb, and Cu concentration determination of soil treatments expressed a slightly higher trend but within permissible limits. Helianthus annuus grown in treated soils expressed outstanding phyto-morphological aspects in CAS and UAS. Composting as an organic fertilizer provides a cost-effective, ecologically friendly, and sustainable way to improve soil fertility. As a result, high-quality, reasonably priced compost will be produced, offering a practical and efficient waste disposal alternative.