Resource Extraction Research Articles

Impact of investments in mining on economic growth of Krasnoyarsk Krai

Aim. To evaluate the impact of investments in mineral extraction on the economic growth of Krasnoyarsk Krai using the dynamics of data for 2004–2021.Objectives. To prepare initial data for modeling in comparable prices; to build statistical models with a time lag; to determine the multiplier and gas pedal coefficients of investment; to demonstrate the possibilities of applying the obtained dependencies.Methods. The authors used the method of economic and mathematical modeling, in particular the calculation of socio-economic indicators using mathematical statistics. The regression model was built using the initial data that meet the requirements of comparability and homogeneity, are relevant and statistically reliable.Results. Dependencies reflecting the investment multiplier effect, i.e. the increase in the gross regional product (GRP) and the volume of shipped products in response to the increase in investment in mining were obtained. Dependencies reflecting the investment gas pedal effect are also obtained, showing how increased income affects the size of investment. The dependencies are applied to solve a number of practical problems.Conclusions. It has been established that investments in mining in Krasnoyarsk Krai have an impact on the growth of GRP and the volume of shipped products. The return on investment has a temporary character. The strongest impact of investments in the current year have on the growth of GRP and shipped products for the next year. The multiplier coefficient is 2.72. Increased income affects the size of investments: the growth of income from mining stimulates the growth of induced investments in the following year with the multiplier coefficient, which is equal to 0.14. The comparison of actual values of investments in mineral resources extraction and volume of shipped products with the target values laid down in the Strategy of socioeconomic development of the region until 2030 has been carried out. The target values, according to the Strategy, are determined with the help of the obtained dependencies. It was established that the actual volume of investments is sufficient to ensure the GRP growth in accordance with the Strategy at the first stage; to ensure growth at the second stage it is necessary to increase investments by 12–15 % annually; to ensure growth at the third stage it is necessary to increase investments by 9–13 % annually from the current state. In order to ensure the values of indicators on the volume of production provided for in the Strategy, it is necessary to increase output by 4–6 % annually compared to 2021.

Descriptive models for lunar High-Ti deposits

High-Ti deposits on the Moon may emerge as a key resource for oxygen extraction. Descriptive models are the first qualitative step toward quantitative assessments of natural resources. Such models provide a structured framework for understanding the formation processes and spatial distribution of discrete types of resource deposits. In this study, we provide the first lunar descriptive models, characterizing high-Ti lunar deposits, drawing parallels with established models used in assessing mineral deposits on Earth.Our methodology involves utilizing remote sensing datasets and geological maps to identify and describe high-Ti deposits. This is supplemented by data extrapolated from Apollo missions. However, there remain critical knowledge gaps, particularly regarding petrography, subsurface information, surface characteristics, and physical properties of high-Ti deposits, which necessitate further exploration and analysis.

The power of space opera: energetic melodrama and the ecologies of Dune

ABSTRACT This essay examines the history of space opera and melodrama through the lens of science fiction and especially Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune, with recent film adaptations by Denis Villeneuve (2021, 2024). Drawing on scholarship that explores the imperial and energy imaginary of science fiction, it argues that space opera is a subgenre of science fiction which amplifies melodrama’s ideological and structural critique of domestic and colonial power and the energetic regimes that produce them. As an energodrama, Dune deploys contemporary ecosystem science, with its tracing of energetic flows and circuits of resource interdependence, to detail the impact of resource extraction on ecologies and colonial territories, reading this pattern across a range of contested histories, from the guano wars of Peru, to the first Arab Revolt of WWI, to the nuclear brinksmanship of the cold war. Recent film adaptations of Dune restore the visual and sonic texture of this critique, amplifying the melodramatic texture of the novel and providing new sonic and visual ecologies that bring the viewer and auditor into visceral contact with those histories and the territories they remade.

Implementation Dynamics and Project Delivery: A Case Study of Tullow Oil Exploration in Turkana, Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of community stakeholder involvement in the implementation process on project delivery by the Tullow Oil Exploration Company in South Lokichar Basin in Turkana, Kenya. Methodology: The study utilized a descriptive research design that incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection. While qualitative design was predominantly utilized, a small amount of quantitative methodology was included to assess perceptions. A triangulated methodological design was employed to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data. The study involved the use of questionnaire method to collect quantitative data and key informants guide and focus group discussion to collect qualitative data. This research adopted multistage sampling utilizing cluster sampling as one of the sampling methods and the first stage of sampling, where villages were divided into clusters which were later randomly sampled based on their proximity to the oil wells. Two villages from Lokori / Kochodin Ward in Turkana South Sub-County and eight villages in Lokichar Ward in Turkana South Sub-County were randomly picked. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and inferential analysis (cross-tabulation with chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses) by use of SPSS version 25. Qualitative data was analysed based on Content Analysis (CA) method. Findings: The study revealed community stakeholder involvement in the implementation process had statistically significant effect on community project delivery by Tullow Oil Exploration Company in South Lokichar Basin in Turkana, Kenya (X2=8.161, df=1, p-value = .000 and p-value=.037 (<0.05 respectively). Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Stakeholder Theory emphasizes the need for companies to take a wider view of their economic activities and consider all other stakeholders' interests, not just the shareholders. Its contributions to the descriptive, normative, and instrumental elements of Stakeholder Theory are thus underlined by the fact that community engagement may make or break the success and sustainability of community projects in this industry even during the implementation phase itself. It hence requires a balancing of the expectations of a Company with those of the community so that all the stakeholders really share goals and vision in similar ways concerning the community project at hand. The actual study indicates that, in practice, the effective participation of community stakeholders throughout the entire community project cycle-identification, planning, and especially implementation-enhances project delivery while at the same time enhancing ownership and cooperation at the local level. Such understanding of stakeholder management is key when companies operate their business in marginalized areas for the purpose of mitigating risks, community resistance, and ensuring easier ways of executing community projects. This research, therefore, calls for legal and regulatory environments that enhance stakeholder involvement in resource extraction projects. From a policy perspective, the government of Kenya and any other relevant country should develop policies that ensure that companies adopt formal mechanisms involving direct consultations of communities in the decision-making and operations processes. It is through this that the process reflects transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability-one of the facets of successful long-term community projects in resource-rich areas. These contributions are aimed at the improvement of project delivery in a sustainable manner together with social harmony across large-scale extraction-impacted areas.

Lattice Boltzmann modeling of forced imbibition dynamics in dual-wetted porous media

Forced imbibition dynamics are critical for enhancing recovery rates in reservoirs, as efficient fluid displacement directly impacts resource extraction. This study employs the Zou-He velocity boundary condition and a modified convective boundary condition (mCBC) within the multi-component Shan-Chen lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), thus facilitating unobstructed flow of multi-component fluids at the outlet while maintaining constant outlet pressure. The model's validity was established through outflow tests of immiscible droplets in channels. Its accuracy was further confirmed by comparing results from forced imbibition dynamics tests in dual-wetted pores with theoretical predictions. A symmetrical porous medium was constructed using the stacking method, achieving dual wettability by fixing the contact angle in the upper region and varying it in the lower region. We performed 20 simulation sets under unfavorable viscosity ratios and varying capillary numbers, focusing on overall displacement efficiency before and after breakthrough, and employing energy balance equations to evaluate the dominant forces. Results reveal that capillary forces predominantly dictate forced imbibition dynamics in low capillary number scenarios. In strongly wetted regions, the invading fluid fully occupies pore spaces; however, in weakly wetted regions, displacement efficiency significantly declines as wettability approaches neutrality, even nearing zero. As capillary numbers increase, viscous forces become more prominent, controlling dynamics and leading to fingering and trapping of defending fluids. In weakly wetted areas, the increasing influence of viscous forces enhances fluid displacement, resulting in significant improvements in overall displacement efficiency compared to conditions dominated by capillary forces.

Automatic Detection and Extraction of Key Resources from Tables in Biomedical Papers.

Tables are useful information artifacts that allow for easy detection of data "missingness" by humans and have been implemented by several publishers to improve the amount of information present for key resources and reagents such as antibodies, cell lines, and other tools that constitute the inputs to a study. To improve the availability of these tables in the broader biomedical literature, we introduced four pipelines for key resource table extraction from biomedical documents in PDF format. Our approach reconstructs key resource tables using image level table detection and structure detection generated table boundary, column (and row) bounding box information together with PDF text alignment. To remedy row over-segmentation resulting from overflowing table cell contents, we introduced a language modeling (LM) based row merging solution where a character-level generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) model was pre-trained on more than 11 million scientific table contents from PubMed Central Open Access Subset (PMC OAS). All introduced pipelines significantly outperformed GROBID baseline while our Table LM based row merging based pipeline, significantly outperformed all other pipelines including our OCR based pipeline.

Religion, Extraction, and Just Transition in Appalachia

This paper employs approaches from religious studies and Appalachian studies to examine the history, influence, and future of a multifaceted ethos of extraction, particularly as it influences the coal industry, in the Appalachian region of the United States. While many studies of extraction and the coal industry focus on their economic and political dimensions, by examining a broader ethos of extraction, this paper highlights multiple religious influences, including the entanglements between religious communities and extraction-based industries, the powerful moral narratives that serve to interpret and justify extraction, and the dynamics involved in shaping local identities and perceptions of place that enable this ethos to influence post-coal transition efforts. The result is a broad survey of the influences and impacts of resource extraction in Appalachia that challenges many of the longstanding stereotypes that can still be commonly found deployed about the region. In examining these influences, the paper also describes how academic interpreters have helped to shape popular conceptions of the Appalachian region that ultimately support ongoing extractive practices. Building upon insights from grassroots, anti-extractive activist communities in the region, the paper concludes by suggesting some ways that academics might adopt restorative ethics and practices in their work to address the entanglements between extractive scholarship and exploitation and devise alternative paths for just futures.

Anthropogenic impacts on the terrestrial subsurface biosphere.

The terrestrial subsurface is estimated to be the largest reservoir of microbial life on Earth. However, the subsurface also harbours economic, industrial and environmental resources, on which humans heavily rely, including diverse energy sources and formations for the storage of industrial waste and carbon dioxide for climate change mitigation. As a result of this anthropogenic activity, the subsurface landscape is transformed, including the subsurface biosphere. Through the creation of new environments and the introduction of substrates that fuel microbial life, the structure and function of subsurface microbiomes shift markedly. These microbial changes often have unintended effects on overall ecosystem function and are frequently challenging to manage from the surface of the Earth. In this Review, we highlight emerging research that investigates the impacts of anthropogenic activity on the terrestrial subsurface biosphere. We explore how humans alter the constraints on microbial life in the subsurface through drilling, mining, contamination and resource extraction, along with the resulting impacts of microorganisms on resource recovery and subsurface infrastructure.

SYSTEMATIC AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ILLEGAL ACTS WITH AMBER

The article is devoted to the disclosure of certain systemic and legal aspects of responsibility for illegal actions with amber. Relevant judicial practice is analyzed. Proposals for improvement of Art. 240-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine “Illegal extraction, sale, purchase, transfer, forwarding, transportation, processing of amber”. The issue of the application of the criminal law norm of insignificance for the legal assessment of illegal amber mining and its illegal handling was considered. The existence of a conflict between the investigated criminal law ban and Art. 47 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses “Violation of the State Property Right to Subsoil”, comments are expressed regarding its (collision) overcoming in the aspects of de lege lata and de lege ferenda. It is argued that the socially dangerous consequences of illegal mineral extraction (in particular, amber) should be labeled as damages. It is shown that carried out within the limits of Art. 240-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the differentiation of responsibility related to the size of illegal actions with amber is insufficient. The relevant provisions of the project of the new Criminal Code of Ukraine were analyzed, the advantages and disadvantages of the relevant formulations were clarified. In particular, the proposal of the drafters of a potential criminal law to distinguish the grounds of criminal responsibility for the illegal acquisition of natural resources, on the one hand, and individual manifestations of involvement in the behavior of those who commit illegal extraction of natural resources from their natural environment, on the other, was supported. The issue of the appropriateness of anchoring in Part 1 of Art. 240-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine instructions on actions other than illegal amber mining.

Post-Extractivism and Bioeconomy: An Experimental Analysis of Combustion and Pyrolysis Processes as Alternatives to Add Value to Agro-Residues (Coffee Husks) Generated in Farmer Cooperatives of the Ecuadorian Amazon

A post-extractivist development model for communities in the Amazon that is not based on non-renewable resource extraction demands the study and demonstration, in the field, of alternative economic activities that add value to currently generated residual biomass. Following the principles of bioeconomy, this study presents an experimental analysis of a retort burner and a pilot-scale auger-type pyrolysis reactor used to convert coffee husks generated in a collection and post-harvesting center of a farmer’s cooperative into thermal energy and biochar, respectively. This study shows that coffee husks, whether used as feedstock for combustion or pyrolysis processes, can supply the thermal energy required by the post-harvesting processes. The combustion or pyrolysis of coffee husks avoids its accumulation and decomposition while replacing fossil fuels used in post-harvesting operations, reducing costs and making farmers independent of fossil fuel subsidies. Unlike combustion (11,029.4 mg/Nm3), the CO concentration in the flue gas during the pyrolysis process was 458.3 mg/Nm3, which is below the eco-design standard of 500 mg/Nm3. According to the European Biochar Certificate, carbon content (67.4 wt%) and H/Corg, O/Corg (0.6 and 0.1, respectively) are within the typical values of biochars used for soil amendment and carbon sequestration. Nonetheless, the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons must be assessed to fully regard this material as biochar. Finally, further studies are required to assess the ability of cooperatives to generate and trade carbon credits linked with the application of biochar in their cropping systems.

Visceral value: Nature-based recreation and embodied more-than-capitalist practices on United States Forest Service trails

On United States public lands, large-scale structural capitalocentric valuations are at odds with the embodied non-monetary valuations expressed by nature-based recreators. Valuing United States Forest Service lands through a capitalocentric lens does not account for the more-than-capitalist (MtC) valuations occurring within these sites, and has facilitated large-scale selloffs and reduction of these lands for commercial and extractive purposes. Capitalocentric valuations often fail to express the local, embodied, and intimate valuations of nature in these spaces. These lands are covered by the US public lands multiple-use mandate which defines recreational access as equal in importance to that of natural resource extraction. However, in practice, recreational and non-extractive (ie. non-monetary) access is not well represented in valuation methods, and its true value is not reported and recognized as equally valuable against corporate and national capitalocentric monetary valuations. So recreational, non-monetary, and local valuations of US public lands are un-accounted for or under- represented in large-scale structural valuations of US public lands. This article argues that nature-based trail recreators actually value US public lands via non-monetary visceral value – valuation strategies that are rooted in intimate and embodied interactions with nature – directly challenging the strictly monetary value given to these lands by national and corporate entities. The article develops the concept of visceral value in MtC valuations, using the embodied experiences of nature-based recreators using USFS trails. Rescaling the assessment of value to the site of the individual recreator body directly confronts capitalocentric urges to universalize all used, usable and potential resources into monetary, extractive, production or labor use-values.

Magnesite hosted by the Neoarchean ultramafic rocks in Attappadi, southern India: Insights from spectral and stable isotope investigation

Magnesite is an economically important mineral commonly found in ultramafic complexes worldwide, primarily in Archean to Proterozoic ultramafic complexes. This study focuses on the chemical and spectral characterization of magnesite found in the Neoarchean ultramafic rocks in the Attappadi region in the Southern Granulite Terrane of southern India. The research utilizes x‐ray diffraction analysis, hyperspectral, laser Raman, Fourier Transform Infrared, and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry. The studied ultramafic rocks are part of a well‐exposed ophiolitic suite known as the Agali ophiolitic complex. Magnesite primarily occurs as veins, veinlets, and lenses within weathered ultramafic rocks. The hyperspectral analysis of the magnesite samples shows absorption bands in the shortwave infrared region, particularly around 2.3 and 2.5 μm, which correspond to the stretching and bending of the CO bond in the (CO3)2− ion in MgCO3. The laser Raman spectra show intensity peaks at 1095, 738, and 330 cm−1, which may be attributed to the translational and librational vibrations. The Fourier transform infrared data reveal transmittance at 1434, 880, and 747 cm−1, corresponding to MgO bond stretching and asymmetrical CO stretching. The x‐ray powder diffraction spectra exhibit diffraction peaks at 32°, 35°, 42°, 46° and 53°, characteristic of pure magnesite. The spectroscopic parameters derived from various analyses indicate that the magnesite is high quality and free from gangue minerals. Stable isotope analysis of the magnesite samples yielded δ13C values ranging from −5‰ to −9‰ and δ18O values in the range of 21‰–25‰. The estimated water temperature from which the magnesite has been precipitated is ~59 ± 3.9°C. Based on the field relations, mode of occurrence and isotopic signatures, the mineralization is considered to have been formed by the low‐temperature alteration of ultramafic rocks facilitated by CO2‐rich fluids in the near‐surface environment. This study compares the characteristics of magnesite from the study area with a few Neoproterozoic serpentinite‐hosted magnesite veins in the ophiolitic sequence of the Egyptian Eastern Desert, which is part of the Arabian Nubian shield. The research aims to contribute to understanding magnesite formation in Archaean to Proterozoic mafic–ultramafic rocks on the Earth's crust. It also provides insights into the geological processes that govern the genesis of ultramafic‐hosted magnesite globally, particularly in East Gondwana fragments. This information can enhance mineral exploration and resource evaluation in these regions, helping to identify economic prospects and assess the feasibility of magnesite resource extraction and utilization in East Gondwana fragments.

National-Scale Geospatial Modelling of Pyrrhotite in Bedrock Across Canada: A Pilot Study

The most abundant iron sulphide minerals in igneous, metamorphic, and some sedimentary rocks are FeS2 (pyrite/marcasite) and Fe1-xS (pyrrhotite). The oxidation of pyrite and pyrrhotite in bedrock aggregates and mine tailings is undesirable to infrastructure and the environment because such chemical reactions are linked with concrete deterioration and acid mine drainage, respectively. The oxidation rate of pyrrhotite is up to one hundred times greater than that of pyrite; thus, pyrrhotite oxidation is of particular concern to society. Pyrrhotite-bearing concrete aggregates may lead to rapid expansion cracking and failure of critical concrete infrastructure including bridges, buildings, and houses, posing a significant safety concern. Additionally, premature disintegration of concrete requires replacement of concrete, leading to excessive aggregate resource extraction and associated increases in CO2 emissions. Considering the widespread concrete infrastructure across Canada, the distribution of pyrrhotite in bedrock used for aggregate is of fundamental importance to the short- and long-term safety of Canadians at the national, regional, and local scales. This pilot study details the initial steps taken to generate national-scale geospatial models of pyrrhotite occurrences in bedrock across Canada and illustrates the associated map products. In total, 12,577 known pyrrhotite occurrences were identified from publicly available provincial and territorial mineral occurrence datasets. The overall modelling strategy involved normalizing the number of pyrrhotite occurrences with respect to the total surface area of major bedrock types and characterizing three different classes of pyrrhotite occurrence density (< 1, 1–4, and 4–10 occurrences/1000 km2). The maps illustrate that pyrrhotite occurrence density is highest in volcanic rocks and undifferentiated sedimentary and volcanic rocks, moderate in intrusive and unknown rocks, and lowest in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rocks with no pyrrhotite occurrences span large surface areas across central-western Canada thus resulting in an overall low pyrrhotite occurrence density (< 1 occurrence/1000 km2) for this rock type, despite the fact that numerous pyrrhotite occurrences are identified in sedimentary rocks and may be abundant locally or regionally. Volcanic, undifferentiated sedimentary and volcanic, intrusive, and unknown rocks occur throughout the Canadian Shield of central and northern Canada, the Cordillera of western Canada, and the Appalachians of eastern Canada, but bedrock type and associated occurrence density are highly variable within these geological domains. Comparison of pyrrhotite occurrence density maps for Canada with pyrrhotite permissive geology maps for the United States of America illustrates that rocks with a high pyrrhotite occurrence density in Canada (volcanic rocks and undifferentiated sedimentary and volcanic rocks), are contiguous overall with areas of pyrrhotite potential in the United States. Inconsistencies across the international border reflect the differing methodologies and assumptions consisting of a statistically based approach for Canada and a qualitative approach for the United States. In the Cordillera and Appalachians, such discontinuities across the international border may reflect the underestimation of pyrrhotite occurrences in sedimentary rocks of Canada because of the impact of high surface area on the pyrrhotite occurrence density calculations. The maps presented herein are a first step in illustrating the distribution of pyrrhotite-bearing bedrock across Canada and greater North America. These national-scale map products are useful first-order references for selecting regions for follow-up studies on bedrock pyrrhotite occurrences. Regional and local geospatial analysis combined with field work for ground truthing will be important aspects of future research, especially in the vicinity of population centres where bedrock is utilized for concrete aggregate. Detailed regional and local studies of pyrrhotite occurrences in bedrock will help guide the extraction of safe concrete aggregate and contribute to the long-term sustainability of bedrock resources, safe infrastructure, and a habitable climate.

Slaving, Colonial Diplomacy, and Resource Extraction in Seventeenth-Century Maritime Asia

This study combines perspectives of social change and resource exploitation from two angles: the intercultural diplomacy conducted by the VOC in early modern maritime Asia, and the trajectories of slavery, slave routes, and zones of coerced labour in this macro-region. The use of enslaved people by European polities for production of cash crops and domestic work in maritime South and Southeast Asia has been widely researched. The local consequences of the widespread slaving need however to be better understood, not least in terms of the exploitation of natural resources and their entanglement with social change in the affected areas. The article discusses how early colonial diplomacy and treatymaking with indigenous societies in the period 1600-1700 had a role in shaping slave circuits while impacting on local economic systems. A combination of slaving and extraction of commercial items of ‘luxury’ type is often found in the diplomatic instruments. The study highlights the possibilities of Dutch contracts and agreements to trace historical processes in combination with other types of sources. By looking at negotiating practices, we can better understand the structures of geographical distribution of slaving activities, trading practices, forced deliveries of manpower, and resistance to enslavement. In sum, the consequences of enforced movement of people in the contact zones between colonial and indigenous groups.

Aeromagnetic Data Analysis for Sustainable Structural Mapping of the Missiakat Al Jukh Area in the Central Eastern Desert: Enhancing Resource Exploration with Minimal Environmental Impact

This study integrates aeromagnetic data with geological information to develop a consistent interpretation of both shallow and deep structural frameworks at various depths in the Missiakat Al Jukh area, located in the Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. The research begins by processing reduced-to-the-north magnetic pole (RTP) anomalies, using Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) techniques to distinguish between local residual structures and broader regional features. This multi-scale approach enables a more detailed understanding of the geological complexity in the region, revealing its subsurface structures. Advanced geophysical methods such as upward continuation, Euler deconvolution, source parameter imaging (SPI), and global particle swarm optimization (GPSO) were applied to further refine the determination of structural depths, offering critical insights into the distribution and orientation of geological features at varying depths. The study reveals dominant structural orientations aligned in the NNW-SSE, ENE-WSW, north–south, and east–west directions, reflecting the region’s complex tectonic history. This research is of great importance in terms of sustainability. By delivering detailed subsurface maps and providing more accurate depth estimates of basement rocks (between 0.6 and 1.3 km), it contributes to sustainable resource exploration in the region. A better understanding of the geological structure helps minimize the environmental impact of exploration by reducing unnecessary drilling and concentrating efforts on areas with higher potential. Additionally, the use of non-invasive geophysical techniques supports the transition toward more environmentally conscious exploration practices. The integration of these advanced methods promotes a more sustainable approach to mineral and resource extraction, which is crucial for balancing economic growth with environmental preservation in geologically sensitive areas. Ultimately, this work provides a thorough geological interpretation that not only aids future exploration efforts but also aligns with the global push for sustainable and eco-friendly resource management.

The Role of Environmental Bonds in the Settlement of Environmental Debts

The concept of environmental debt, which has several dimensions, emerged in the nineties. One of these dimensions is spatial, referring to the debts that southern countries sustain due to the extraction of natural resources and environmental damage inflicted upon northern countries. Another dimension, the temporal dimension, concerns the environmental debts that current generations owe to their predecessors. That means past generations are culpable for overuse of natural resources and mismanagement. The debt issue is complex, despite many mechanisms to resolve it. Most important are the recently introduced environmental bonds, an important step forward in the field of sustainable financing of environmental debts.

Seaweed as a Valuable and Sustainable Resource for Food Packaging Materials.

Plastic food packaging causes massive pollution in the environment via resource extraction, gas emissions, and the enduring plastic waste accumulation. Hence, it is of crucial importance to discover sustainable alternatives in order to protect ecosystems and conserve precious resources. Recently, seaweed has been emerging as a promising sustainable solution to plastic pollution. Seaweed is a fast-growing marine plant that is abundant in tropical coastlines and requires minimal resources to cultivate. In addition, seaweed is rich in valuable polysaccharides such as alginate, fucoidan, carrageenan, agar, and ulva, which can be extracted and processed into biodegradable films, coatings, and wraps. This ability allows the creation of an alternative to plastic food packages that are completely biodegradable, made from renewable resources, and do not linger in landfills or oceans for centuries. In this context, this review discusses the main classification of seaweed, their production and abundance in the world, and provides a summary of seaweed-based materials developed in the last 2-5 years for potential usage in the food packaging sector.

Use of data science in the development of concrete based on construction and demolition waste: a brazilian view

The growth in urbanization and construction activity has led to a growing increase in construction and demolition waste and the extraction of natural resources, energy, and CO2. The projection is that these figures will expand even more in the coming years, making it worrying for a sustainable balance in construction, especially in the manufacture of concrete, which is one of the most consumed materials globally. In this context, recycled concrete has emerged as a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete. Concepts such as urban mining combined with data mining and machine learning techniques are emerging as alternatives that serve as a basis for producing recycled concrete with the required qualities. Therefore, this study aims to map the existing research in the areas of materials and technology, focusing on the recycling and reuse of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and the manufacture of recycled concrete. Surveying this research will provide guidance for future research and encourage more sustainable standards in the construction sector.

Ground subsidence prediction with high precision: a novel spatiotemporal prediction model with Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar technology

ABSTRACT As the extraction of mineral resources intensifies, ground subsidence in mining areas has escalated, posing substantial challenges to sustainable development and operational safety. This subsidence, resulting directly from mining activities, significantly compromises the safety of nearby residents by damaging residential structures and infrastructure. Thus, developing precise and dependable methods for predicting ground subsidence is crucial. This study introduces an innovative Cabs-Unet model, which enhances the U-Net architecture by integrating a Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) and Depthwise Separable Convolutions (DSC). This model aims to predict the spatiotemporal dynamics of the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) time series. Employing Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS InSAR) technology, we gathered and validated data on ground subsidence at the Pengzhuang coal mine from May 2017 to November 2021, covering 130 scenes, with its accuracy corroborated by levelling survey results. An empirical evaluation of the Cabs-Unet model in two distinct subsidence zones demonstrated superior performance over conventional methods like Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM) and Predictive Recurrent Neural Network (PredRNN), with Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of 1.44 and 1.70, respectively. These findings highlight the model’s efficacy in accurately predicting spatiotemporal InSAR ground subsidence. Further predictive analysis using InSAR data indicated an expected increase in subsidence, projecting cumulative declines of −457 mm in Area A and −1278 mm in Area B by 17 July 2022. Our model proves effective in assessing subsidence, promptly detecting potential risks and facilitating the rapid implementation of risk mitigation strategies.

Technological Innovation, Trade Openness, Natural Resources, and Environmental Sustainability in Egypt and Turkey: Evidence from Load Capacity Factor and Inverted Load Capacity Factor with Fourier Functions

The environmental degradation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region leads to significant challenges regarding economic sustainability and the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs). The extensive use of fossil fuels in the region, as well as rapid urbanization and economic growth, has led to significant carbon emissions, together with unprecedented ecological footprints compromising environmental sustainability. The study aims to elucidate the influence exerted by technological innovation, trade openness, and natural resources on environmental sustainability in Turkey and Egypt for the period 1990–2022. In assessing the empirical relations, the study employed the Fourier function incorporate estimation techniques, that is, Fourier ADF for unit root test, Fourier ARDL, and Fourier NARDL for long-run and short-run elasticities of technological innovation (TI), trade openness (TO,) and natural resources rent (NRR) on load capacity factor (LCF) and inverted LCF (ILCF); finally, the directional causality evaluate through Fourier TY causality test. The results revealed that both Turkey and Egypt have severe environmental problems due to their high carbon emissions and ecological footprints. Technological change and international trade separately negatively affect environmental sustainability; however, these negative impacts have mixed character. On the one hand, technology can improve efficiency and reduce ecological footprints by obviating the use of high-impact processes or allowing cleaner production systems. In the same vein, trade openness helps transfer green technologies more quickly, but it can also lead to unsustainable resource extraction and pollution. The findings of the paper propose that in order to move forward, Turkey and Egypt need strategic policy shifts to ensure environmental sustainability, including transitioning towards renewable energy from fossil fuels while bolstering their capacity for energy efficiency. Policymakers must balance economic development with environmental conservation to reduce the harmful effects of climate degradation and help safeguard continued economic survival in the face of increasing climatic instability. This research helps to inform policy and investment decisions about how the SDGs can be achieved and how they are relevant for sustainable development in the MENA region.