Environmental Assessment Studies Research Articles

Assessing the accuracy of an infrared-converted drone camera with Orange-Cyan-NIR filter for vegetation and environmental monitoring

Drones equipped with cameras sensitive to near-infrared wavelengths are increasingly being used in environmental assessment studies and in agriculture. These cameras are sensitive to vegetation cover, extent of eutrophication in water bodies, and aspects of crops such as growth vigour, biomass and potential yield. Single-sensor (‘RGB’) cameras with modified spectral filters that allow for capturing near-infrared wavelengths offer a low-cost alternative to multi-sensor multispectral cameras or spectrometers. However, some studies point to lower measurement accuracies by such infrared converted sensors. So, to what extent can infrared converted cameras be used to quantify vegetation condition? This case study compared vegetation indices calculated from infrared converted camera imagery to those measured by a drone-borne multispectral camera and a handheld NDVI meter, as captured over soybean and potato fields. The study found that infrared converted camera derived NDVI was consistently lower over vegetation than NDVI measured from the multispectral and handheld sensors. Further, all considered indices of the infrared converted camera displayed relative underestimation at high index values, but over estimation at low index values. The study builds on previous case studies with similar results by further evaluating the reflectance patterns of the individual image bands to find possible reasons for the discrepancy in vegetation index measurements. There is good agreement between the near-infrared bands of the respective sensors (r=0.87), but the respective red bands have weak correlation (r=−0.03). We discuss possible reasons for the lower vegetation index measurements observed by the infrared converted camera, noting broad band sensitivities, and differing central wavelengths, which may have caused overestimated reflectance in the red band. All processing and analysis were executed with open-source software, and source code is made available to support reproducible research.

Pharmacokinetic and Environmental Risk Assessment of Prime-2-CoV, a Non-Replicating Orf Virus-Based Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

Viral vector vaccines represent a substantial advancement in immunization technology, offering numerous benefits over traditional vaccine modalities. The Orf virus (ORFV) strain D1701-VrV is a particularly promising candidate for vaccine development due to its distinctive attributes, such as a good safety profile, the ability to elicit both humoral and cellular immunity, and its favorable genetic and thermal stability. Despite ORFV's theoretical safety advantages, such as its narrow host range and limited systemic spread post-inoculation, a critical gap persists between these theoretical benefits and the empirical evidence regarding its in vivo safety profile. This discrepancy underscores the need for comprehensive preclinical validations to bridge this knowledge gap, especially considering ORFV's use in humans. Our research introduces Prime-2-CoV, an innovative ORFV-based vaccine candidate against COVID-19, designed to elicit a robust immune response by expressing SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid and Spike proteins. Currently under clinical trials, Prime-2-CoV marks the inaugural application of ORFV in human subjects. Addressing the aforementioned safety concerns, our extensive preclinical evaluation, including an environmental risk assessment (ERA) and detailed pharmacokinetic studies in rats and immunocompromised NOG mice, demonstrates Prime-2-CoV's favorable pharmacokinetic profile, negligible environmental impact, and minimal ERA risks. These findings not only affirm the vaccine's safety and efficacy but also pioneer the use of ORFV-based therapeutics, highlighting its potential for wider therapeutic applications.

A comparative study of environmental and economic assessment of vegetation-based slope stabilization with conventional methods

The heavy rainfall induced by global warming has increased the risk of landslides. Eco-friendly approaches, such as employing vegetation, prove effective in satisfying the requirements of both engineering and environmental considerations in slope engineering. The research aims to comprehensively assess and compare the environmental, economic, and slope stability of new stabilization methods, including vegetation cover, in comparison to conventional approaches such as anchorage and nailing. The research initially explored the stability of slopes in various geometries, identifying areas prone to slope failure. Subsequently, slope stabilization designs were implemented using three methods: vegetation, nailing, and anchoring. To enable a comprehensive comparison from environmental and economic perspectives, both life cycle assessment and life cost assessment were conducted. According to the results, employing vegetation proves effective in stabilizing slopes at lower heights, particularly up to 8 m, leading to a negative carbon emission attributed to photosynthesis, reaching up to −249 kg CO2. In the mid-angle range (30°≤ θ ≤ 60°), anchoring emits less carbon dioxide than nailing due to fewer elements. As the slope angle is increased, the nailing method becomes preferable to the anchoring method due to its use of materials and equipment with lower carbon emissions. During slope stabilization through nailing and anchoring, cement and steel emerge as the primary contributors to carbon emissions. Vegetation stands out as the most cost-effective slope stabilization option, with costs potentially reduced by 250% compared to conventional methods. Based on this research, vegetation emerges as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative for slope stabilization in particular conditions where plants effectively ensure stability. Decisions regarding the use of anchoring or nailing can be made based on environmental and economic aspects, considering the slope geometry.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF POLLUTION IN AN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT USING HEAVY METAL POLLUTION INDICES AND STABLE ISOTOPES, CASE STUDY OF THE INDUSTRIAL ZONE OF SKIKDA, NORTH-EAST ALGERIA

An environmental assessment study was conducted in the industrial area of Skikda in the Northeast of Algeria which involved physicochemical parameters, heavy metal concentrations, and stable isotopes of surface water, groundwater, and soil. The results revealed high concentrations of Cd, Ni, Fe, Cu, As, Cr, Pb, Co, and Mn in groundwater. The southern part exhibited the lowest heavy metal concentrations, while the industrial zone in the North contained the highest levels. Therefore, the industrial area showed significant pollution in groundwater by Cr, Pb, and As with respectively 0.5, 0.69, and 0.44 mg/l, surpassing the respective WHO(World Health Organization) standards of 0.05, 0.01, and 0.01 mg/l. Spatial analysis showed that the industrial area presents higher concentrations of As, Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Fe which demonstrated similar trends in spatial distribution, their concentrations increasing within the industrial zone. However, the western part had no significant pollution sources except for a public landfill and SONATRACH industrial complex, high concentrations of Co and Mn in the south and the west parts were observed. Mean concentration in soils indicated that Cd is ranged between35.32 to 95.12 ppm, for Fe between 145.1 and 702 ppm, As varies between 1.03 and 81.85 ppm, and Zn between 50 and 520.32 ppm and considered as dominant metals. However, Mn, Co and Cr were lower respectively with 1.97, 12.11 and 7.25 ppm. Cd and As were most influenced by the polluting companies, while Cr was mainly influenced by natural factors, such as pH and soil type. Based on the contamination degree index, the soil pollution levels of Cd, Pb, and As were classified as extremely contaminated. The statistical analysis indicated substantial anthropogenic contributions to groundwater contamination concentrated in the industrial area. The groundwater exhibits a range of δ18O and δ2H values, varying from 2.45 to -5.33‰ and 19.82 to -1.67‰ vs. the V-SMOW (Vienna-Standard Mean Ocean Water) standard, respectively. The mean isotopic composition is -2.50‰ for δ18O, -19.32‰ for δ2H, with a mean deuterium excess of 6.45. These values align with the Meteoric Water Line observed in the western Mediterranean region. It indicates a hydrological connection between recharge and groundwater which suggests a significant interaction between groundwater and surface water. Due to their proximity to the river and the shallow aquifer, the downstream area is more vulnerable to surface pollution. Furthermore, the young groundwater in the downstream can be attributed to the rapid recharge and replenishment of the aquifer caused by rainfall and quick infiltration and sustained by the shallow aquifer depth and sandy soil. Consequently, the rainwater and industrial wastes lead to faster pollutant infiltration. Anthropogenic sources, including industrial effluents from smelting, refining, manufacturing, steel and textile industries, electroplating, nickel-cadmium battery production, welding, PVC product and paint pigment manufacturing, were identified as major contributors to heavy metal pollution.

A single coelomic cell type is involved in both immune and respiratory functions of the coastal bioindicator annelid: Capitella C-Channel1 from the English Channel

The polychaete Capitella is a typical member of the ‘thiobiome’, and is commonly used as an eutrophication indicator species in environmental assessment studies. To deal with a sulfide-rich and poisonous surrounding, cells in close contact with the environment, and thus able to play a major role in detoxication and survival, are circulating cells. This work aimed to morpho-functionally describe the circulating coelomic cells of Capitella from the English Channel inhabiting the sulfide-rich mud in Roscoff Harbor. In general, worms have three types of circulating cells, granulocytes involved in bacterial clearance and defense against microorganisms, eleocytes with an essentially trophic role and elimination of cellular waste, and erythrocytes which play a role in detoxification and respiration via their intracellular hemoglobin. By combining diverse microscopic and cellular approaches, we provide evidence that Capitella does not possess granulocytes and eleocytes, but rather a single abundant rounded cell type with the morphological characteristics of erythrocytes i.e. small size and production of intracellular hemoglobin. Surprisingly, our data show that in addition to their respiratory function, these red cells could exert phagocytic activities, and produce an antimicrobial peptide. This latter immune role is usually supported by granulocytes. Our data highlight that the erythrocytes of Capitella from the English Channel differ in morphology and bear more functions than the erythrocytes of other annelids. The simplicity of this multi-task (or polyvalent) single-cell type makes Capitella an interesting model for studies of the impact of the environment on the immunity of this bioindicator species.

Method for the molecular and quantitative identification of oocytes and their developmental stage in teleost fish gonads

Fish display diverse reproductive strategies and their gametogenesis is influenced by numerous genetic, physiological and environmental factors. The analysis of 5S rRNA expression levels in gonads has been proposed as useful method for the molecular identification of the presence of oocytes in fish tissues. The present method provides an easy and unbiased approach to analyse the expression of tRNAs and 5S rRNA in teleost gonads and stablish the presence and developmental stage of oocytes. Total RNA extracted from gonads is analysed through capillary electrophoresis in a Bioanalyzer 2100 (Agilent Technologies) using Small RNA Assays. Electropherograms allow quantifying the concentrations of tRNAs, 5S rRNA and 5.8S rRNA per sample and calculate their tRNA/5.8S rRNA and 5S/5.8S rRNA indices. Both indices clearly differentiate ovaries from testes and can be used to identify testes that present oocytes due to exposure to environmental xenoestrogens. The tRNA/5.8S and 5S/5.8S indices show the highest values in ovaries in previtellogenic stage, values decreasing as they advance towards maturity.•Detailed molecular method to sex fish and quantitatively identify the maturity stage of females.•tRNA levels in gonads can help in the study of teleost reproduction (female fecundity assessment, molecular gonad sexing) and environmental health assessment.

Residual determination and acute toxicity of the neonicotinoid clothianidin in the neotropical stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula Latreille, 1811 (Apidae: Meliponini)

Bees play a crucial role as natural pollinators, ensuring the maintenance and stability of the world’s biodiversity and agricultural crops. Native bees in neotropical regions belong to the Meliponini tribe, a larger group that differs significantly in behavior and biology from honeybees (e.g., Apis mellifera) and solitary bees (e.g., Osmia spp.). Hence, the exposure and effects of pesticides is also likely to vary among these different species. The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method to determine the presence of the neonicotinoid clothianidin in the Brazilian native stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula (local common name: Jataí). The method used for the chemical analysis involved a QuEChERS technique combined with UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. The developed method was subsequently used to analyze collected field samples. In addition, the acute toxicity of the pesticide to T. angustula was evaluated in a laboratory bioassay evaluating both lethal and sublethal endpoints. The analytical method was successfully developed with detection and quantification limits of 1.55 and 5 μg L−1, respectively, along with a linear range of 1–5 ng mL−1. Clothianidin was detected in environmental samples (9.2–32.9 ng g−1), and the exposure experiments demonstrated acute oral toxicity to adults of T. angustula, (24 h-LD50 of 0.16 ng a.i./bee), as well as no significative interference in acetylcholinesterase activity. Considering the obtained toxicity endpoints for T. angustula and those reported in the literature for other bee species, this study revealed that T. angustula is more (lethally) sensitive to clothianidin than other bee species, including those commonly used in environmental risk assessment studies. This thus also supports the call for using native test species in (regional) risk assessment evaluations.

Evaluation Of Drainage Canal Mitigation In Banjarmasin City Post Hydrometeorological Disaster

Data from the Environmental Health Risk Assessment (EHRA) study in 2012 stated that 52% of inundation in Banjarmasin City was caused by a problematic drainage system, the causes of which included siltation of the canals and the large number of weeds growing around the drainage canals, which would interfere with the function of the drainage canals. The data used are road canal cross-sectional dimensions, topographical data, canal alignment data, and land use data in North Banjarmasin Sub District. The calculation analysis method uses the Mononobe method. The results of these calculations will later be used for modeling which are indicated to exceed the water capacity, of course also by adding topographical parameters, land use, and canal alignment. Meanwhile, the planned discharge data from the results of the calculated rainfall and the measuring data of the channel cross-sectional dimensions are used for detailed modeling of the channel cross-section using HecRas. The condition of drainage channels is over-capacity, influenced by the presence of several channels covered with bushes and concrete, the amount of sediment that has not been dredged, the absence of an adequate catchment area system due to the characteristics of the soil in the form of peat soil.

A comparative environmental Life Cycle Assessment study of hydrogen fuel, electricity and diesel fuel for public buses

Hydrogen fuel and electricity are energy carriers viewed as promising alternatives for the modernization and decarbonization of public bus transportation fleets. In order to choose development pathways that will lead transportation systems toward a sustainable future, the authors developed an environmental model based on the Life Cycle Assessment approach. The model tested the impact of energy carrier consumption during driving as well as the electricity origin employed to power electric buses and produce hydrogen. Energy sources such as wind, solar, waste and grid electricity were investigated. The scope of the study included the life cycles of the energy carrier and the necessary infrastructure. The results were presented from two perspectives: the total environmental impact and global warming potential. In order to create a roadmap, an original method for choosing sustainable development pathways was prepared. It was shown that the modernization of conventional bus fleets using hydrogen and electrical pathways can provide significant environmental benefits from both perspectives, but especially in terms of global warming potential. It was emphasized that attention should be paid to the use of low- and zero-emission energy sources, because their impact often strongly influenced the final environmental judgment. The energy carrier consumption also had a strong impact on the results obtained, and that is why efforts should be made to reduce it. In addition, it was confirmed that hydrogen and electricity production systems based on electricity generated by a waste-to-energy plant could be an environmentally reasonable dual solution for both sustainable waste management and meeting transport needs.

Pesticide Residues Impact on Drinking Water and Farmers Using Environmental Health Risk Assessment Study (EHRA)

Public health problems and decreased environmental health can be caused by pesticides because they are dangerous toxic substances. Pesticides have had a risky impact on farmers in Jonggol village. Assessing the risk of pesticide exposure to drinking water sources in agricultural areas in Jonggol village in 2022 is the aim of this study. The research used the Environmental Health Risk Assessment study. Conducting interviews with questionnaires, measuring pesticides in drinking water sources, and observing are part of the research data collection. The results of research conducted at 3 points only found pesticides at the first point, namely in the well water in Kampung Kujang with a value above the standard of 0.0855 mg/l the location is only 2 m from the agriculture. In the next two points, namely well water in Karni village and river water in Bengkok village, no pesticides were detected and the distance from the agriculture was 20 m. Most of the water from wells in agricultural areas is consumed by farmers for drinking. The calculation result was 0.00246 mg/kg/day for non-carcinogenic intake values (real-time) and 0.001056 mg/kg/day for carcinogenic intake values (real-time). The results showed there was no non-carcinogenic risk with RQ value of ≤ 1 with a value of characteristics of non-carcinogenic risk was 0.246. The conclusion is that both in real-time and in a lifetime, farmers in Jonggol village are already at risk. The risk of health problems for farmers can be reduced by the importance of protecting farmers by carrying out risk management.

Biomethane and propylene glycol synthesis via a novel integrated catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis, carbon capture and biomethanation process

A novel conceptual design for the co-production of biomethane and propylene glycol from integrated catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis (CTH), biogenic CO2 capture and biomethanation reaction was presented in this study. Furthermore, process economics and environmental impact study was performed to appraise the feasibility of the proposed design. The minimum selling price (MSP) of propylene glycol produced considering the overall cost of biomethane as co-product is 1.41 U.S.$/kg. However, if the cost of biomethane was not considered or if the biomethane produced is not enough to yield a yearly revenue then the MSP would increase to 1.43 U.S.$/kg. The MSP of biomethane for the integrated process was 148 U.S.$/MWh. The MSPs of propylene glycol and biomethane were comparable with those of the business-as-usual technology. Factors such as hydrogen donor solvent cost, catalyst cost, electricity price and equipment purchase cost influenced the MSP. Environmental assessment studies showed that the standalone CTH had a higher overall carbon footprint (carbon emissions of 3.7 MM tonnes/yr.). This could be attributed to the consumption of CO2 derived from the process streams via biomethanation process.

Ecological risk assessment of the Paraíba River estuary (Brazil): Plan for a tier 1 screening phase for the ecotoxicological line of evidence

The knowledge produced in temperate regions is still used today to evaluate environmental problems in the tropics, without taking into consideration environmental differences, such as local conditions, the sensitivity and ecology of species, and exposure routes of contaminants, essential for understanding and determining the fate and toxicity of chemicals. Considering that Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) studies for tropical systems are scarce and need to be adjusted, the present study aims at contributing to the awareness and development of tropical ecotoxicology. The estuary of the Paraíba River in Northeast Brazil was selected as a model study-case, as it is a large estuary, subjected to a heavy human pressure due to the numerous social, economic and industrial activities. The present study describes the framework for the problem formulation phase of the ERA process; it first includes a detailed integration of the scientific information available on the study area, to then derive the conceptual model, and finally present the analysis plan for the tier 1 screening phase. The latter is designed to be fundamentally supported by the ecotoxicological line of evidence, to ascertain, without delay, where and why there are environmental problems (i.e., adverse biological effects); ecotoxicological tools developed in temperate climates will be optimized to assess water quality in a tropical system. In addition to its intrinsic value for protecting the study area, the results of the present study are expected to provide an important baseline for conducting ERA in similar tropical aquatic systems across the globe.

Utilizing residual biomasses from agriculture and forestry: Different approaches to set system boundaries in environmental and economic life-cycle assessments

Utilizing residual biomass resources in industrial processes has become a major topic in the scientific and political discourse about the bioeconomy. Especially residues from agriculture and forestry play an important role in the future bioeconomy since there are significant utilizable resource potentials and various high-value product opportunities. However, these resources contain valuable plant nutrients and can be important for soil organic carbon balancing wherefore large amounts of these residues currently remain on the cultivation area to maintain the soil health and fertility. To ensure a sustainable resource provision it is necessary to address the various trade-offs by integrating them into appropriate assessment methods.A review of 162 included studies shall reveal how environmental and economic Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies handle the multi-functionality of agricultural and forest production systems and address the various effects from an extraction. The main findings can be summarized as follows.•There is no unified method to quantify the life-cycle environmental or economic effects from the utilization of residual biomasses from agriculture or forestry, but rather four basic approaches of system boundary settings.•Individual LCA results from the literature are not cross-comparable due to the different system boundary settings, leading to high uncertainties regarding the actual life-cycle impacts of a technical utilization.•Several aspects of a sustainable resource extraction remain neglected by any of the studies, e.g. effects of a soil organic carbon build-up on soil fertility, soil biodiversity, and crop yields or displacement effects when residual biomasses are currently used for other purposes.

Environmental Analysis, Monitoring, and Process Control Strategy for Reduction of Greenhouse Gaseous Emissions in Thermochemical Reactions

This review paper illustrates the recommended monitoring technologies for the detection of various greenhouse gaseous emissions for solid waste thermochemical reactions, including incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification. The illustrated gas analyzers are based on the absorption principle, which continuously measures the physicochemical properties of gaseous mixtures, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane, during thermochemical reactions. This paper illustrates the recommended gas analyzers and process control tools for different thermochemical reactions and aims to recommend equipment to increase the sensitivity, linearity, and dynamics of various thermochemical reactions. The equipment achieves new levels of on-location, real-time analytical capability using FTIR analysis. The environmental assessment study includes inventory analysis, impact analysis, and sensitivity analysis to compare the mentioned solid waste chemical recycling methods in terms of greenhouse gaseous emissions, thermal efficiency, electrical efficiency, and sensitivity analysis. The environmental impact assessment compares each technology in terms of greenhouse gaseous emissions, including CO2, NOx, NH3, N2O, CO, CH4, heat, and electricity generation. The conducted environmental assessment compares the mentioned technologies through 15 different emission-related impact categories, including climate change impact, ecosystem quality, and resource depletion. The continuously monitored process streams assure the online monitoring of gaseous products of thermochemical processes that enhance the quality of the end products and reduce undesired products, such as tar and char. This state-of-the-art monitoring and process control framework provides recommended analytical equipment and monitoring tools for different thermochemical reactions to optimize process parameters and reduce greenhouse gaseous emissions and undesired products.

Comparisons in molecular weight distributions and size-dependent optical properties among model and reference natural dissolved organic matter.

Humic acid (HA) and reference natural organic matter (NOM) have been widely used in environmental assessment, biogeochemistry, and ecotoxicity studies. Nevertheless, similarities and differences among the commonly used model/reference NOMs and bulk dissolved organic matter (DOM) have rarely been systematically evaluated. In this study, HA, SNOM (Suwannee River NOM) and MNOM (Mississippi River NOM), both from International Humic Substances Society, and freshly collected unfractionated NOM (FNOM) were concurrently characterized to evaluate their heterogeneous nature and size-dependent chemical properties. We found that molecular weight distributions, PARAFAC-derived fluorescent components, and size-dependent optical properties are NOM-specific and highly variable with pH. The < 1kDa DOM abundance followed the order of HA < SNOM < MNOM < FNOM. In addition, FNOM was more hydrophilic and contained more protein-like and autochthonous components with a higher UV-absorbance ratio index (URI) and biological fluorescenceindex, whereas HA and SNOM contained more allochthonous, humic-like components with a higher aromaticity and lower URI. Significant differences in molecular composition and size spectra between FNOM and model/reference NOMs suggest that environmental role of NOMs should be evaluated at the levels of molecular weight and functionalities under the same experimental conditions and that HA and SNOM may not represent bulkNOM in the environment. This study provides new information about similarities and differences in DOM size-spectra and chemical properties between reference NOMs and in-situ NOM and highlights the need to better understand the heterogenous roles of NOMs in regulating the toxicity/bioavailability and environmental fate of pollutants in aquatic environments.

A comparison of four sampling techniques for assessing species richness of adult odonates at riverbanks

Members of the insect order Odonata are known as good ecological indicators. Many are sensitive to habitat modifications and are easily monitored for use in environmental assessment studies. Rapid assessments rely on efficient sampling techniques. However, there is limited information available on sampling techniques for adult odonates, and protocols require evaluation. To do this, we standardized counting methods during sampling of odonates from August to November 2016 at the Mula River, Pune, India. We used four counting techniques; full-width belt transect (FWBT), full-circle point count (FCPC), half-width belt transect (HWBT), and half-circle point count (HCPC). For HWBT and HCPC areas facing the river were sampled, and for each technique we took multiple temporal replicates. We compared species detected per unit time, species detected per unit area, new species detected per unit time, and new species detected per unit area. Additionally, we compared species estimates. With HCPC we detected the maximum number of species and new species per unit area, whereas FWBT returned maximum coverage of recorded species. We recommend our proposed techniques be considered in the future across various habitats to decide the most suitable sampling strategy for the different habitats or situations.

Transport infrastructures and mobility for Portugal 2030: insights from the environmental assessment study of the national investments’ plan

Major strategic investments in infrastructures and equipment across four different areas have been outlined by the National Investments’ Program (PNI 2030) in Portugal. This paper in built on the environmental assessment study of the PNI 2030 and focus on its key methodological contributions and policy recommendations addressing the transport and mobility area that represents around 52% of the total investment. One innovative feature of the study is the multi-level system of indicators’ framework developed to assess and monitor impacts along time, within the scope of the five “Critical Decision Factors”, namely “Climate change and energy transition for decarbonisation”, “Territorial cohesion, mobility and accessibility, “Competitiveness and innovation”. Finally, the set of policy recommendations to promote a better incorporation of environmental and sustainability issues are outlined.

Improved Catalytic Performance of Lipase Eversa® Transform 2.0 via Immobilization for the Sustainable Production of Flavor Esters—Adsorption Process and Environmental Assessment Studies

The aim of this study was to produce several flavor esters via esterification of octanoic acid with different commercial short-chain alcohols (methanol, propanol, isoamyl alcohol, hexanol and benzyl alcohol) and fusel oil in solvent-free systems. Lipase Eversa® Transform 2.0 immobilized via mechanism of interfacial activation on poly(styrenene-divinylbenzene) (PSty-DVB) beads was used as heterogeneous biocatalyst and its catalytic performance was compared with that of the soluble lipase. The heterogeneous biocatalyst was prepared by employing 5 mmol·L−1 buffer sodium acetate at pH 5.0 and 25 °C using an initial protein loading of 40 mg·g−1. The maximum amount of immobilized protein reached was 31 mg·g−1, corresponding to an immobilization yield of 80%. Mass transfer studies demonstrated that the lipase was preferentially adsorbed inside the pores of the support, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Lipase immobilization can be described by a pseudo-first-order kinetic model via a physisorption process. When used as biocatalysts of the target reactions, the highest conversion percentage (between 65% and 85% of acid conversion after 60–90 min of reaction) values were achieved for esterification reactions catalyzed by immobilized lipase. Reusability tests revealed high retention of the original activity of the immobilized lipase after six successive batch reactions using isoamyl alcohol (47%) and fusel oil (72%). The proposed reaction systems can be considered green processes (EcoScale score above 80), with exception of methanol medium, classified as an acceptable green process (EcoScale score of 68). These results show that the heterogeneous biocatalyst prepared can be an economic and sustainable option for flavor esters production on an industrial scale.

An environmental assessment study of the role of the National Council for Human Rights and the relevant NGOs in spreading the culture of human rights among different segments of Egyptian society

An environmental assessment study of the role of the National Council for Human Rights and the relevant NGOs in spreading the culture of human rights among different segments of Egyptian society

Selecting south European wine based on carbon footprint

The largest wine producers globally are located in Southern Europe and climate is a major factor in wine production. The European Union aims to complement the consumer’s choice for wine with information about environmental sustainability. The carbon footprint is a worldwide-standardized indicator that both wine producers and consumers perceive as the most important environmental indicator. So far, environmental life cycle assessment studies show variability in the system boundaries design and functional unit selection, and review papers do not include life cycle inventory data, and consider vineyards in various locations worldwide. This study aimed to investigate what are the key factors affecting the carbon footprint of red and white wine production in South European countries with the same climatic conditions, and benchmark both wine types. The results showed that the carbon footprints of white and red wines are comparable. The average carbon footprints were 1.02, 1.25, and 1.62 CO 2 eq. bottle of wine −1 for organic red wine, conventional red wine, and conventional white wine, respectively. The viticulture, winemaking, and packaging stages affect greatly the carbon footprint. Diesel consumption at the viticulture stage, electricity consumption at the viticulture and winemaking stages, and glass production at the packaging stage are the largest contributors to the carbon footprint. Wine consumption stage was omitted from most studies, even though it can increase the carbon footprint by 5%. Our results suggest that consumers should choose (conventional or organic) red wine that is produced locally. • This review investigates the carbon footprint of red and white wines. • The review considers the LC inventories of reviewed studies. • Organic red wine shows the lowest carbon footprint. • Red wine has a lower carbon footprint than white wine.