High Amount Of Carbon Research Articles

Quantification of Green Carbon Changes in Relation with LULC Changes using Remote Sensing - GIS Technology in Kuantan River Basin

Land use land cover changes (LULCC) is a process that is influenced by anthropogenic effect. The growth of population is increasing, which leads to a demand on metropolitan regions. However, these urbanization and development are significant contributors to the expansion of LULCC conflict at an alarming rate to fulfil the human needs. LULCC has derived huge effects towards the environment which is biomass and green carbon changes. LULCC has caused vegetation covers of the land being degraded which reducing the total biomass of the area and implemented to that, the carbon stock for the area is increasing causing climate change and global warming. Therefore, the estimation of total carbon is important to be conducted. The existing map of LULCC is not update, the inventories information about the total carbon in Kuantan is not well covered, people in this region are lack of awareness about the harmful of carbon in the air, and conventional method is hard to be applied for carbon estimation are the problems that have derived for this study to be conducted. This study is focused on quantification of total carbon in Kuantan district to raise the awareness towards the local communities about the danger of high amount of carbon. The objective of this study is to classify LULC types in Kuantan district using geospatial artificial intelligent (GeoAI) approach on satellite images, to relate soil types, vegetation index and satellite – based total biomass in Kuantan River basin and to map green carbon changes in Kuantan based on quantified biomass using remote sensing – GIS technology. Therefore, this study is focused on Kuantan district to quantify the total biomass and carbon in this area by using selected multispectral satellites images with high spatial resolution Landsat 8 OLI, and Landsat 5 TM.

Effect of phytic acid on chemical, structural, and mechanical characteristics of nickel–titanium endodontic files

This study investigated phytic acid (IP6) effect on chemical, structural, and mechanical characteristics of nickel–titanium (NiTi) files. The tested files were equally divided into groups according to the immersion protocol: sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), IP6, EDTA followed by NaOCl, and IP6 followed by NaOCl. These groups were then compared in terms of Ni, Ti, and chromium (Cr) ions release from the files. Microstructural changes using field emission scanning electron microscope (Fe-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and surface roughness were analyzed. The mechanical characterization was conducted using cyclic fatigue resistance test. Fractured segments were scanned under SEM. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey test, Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U test. Results showed that NaOCl caused significant release of Cr, followed by IP6 and EDTA (P < 0.05). When files were pre-immersed in EDTA, NaOCl tended to induce less release of Ti and Cr. EDX evaluation revealed that the main surface elements were Ni, Ti, carbon, and oxygen. EDTA group contained the highest amount of carbon, while the control group showed the lowest. Surface roughness evaluation revealed no significant differences between groups despite the minor increases after immersion in certain groups. Black areas were observed in the NaOCl group which indicated corrosion. However, the cyclic fatigue test showed no significant differences between the groups.

Conversion of farmland to forest or grassland improves soil carbon, nitrogen, and ecosystem multi-functionality in a subtropical karst region of southwest China

The conversion of farmland to forest in China has been recognized for its positive impact on above-ground vegetation and carbon sequestration. However, the impact on soil quality during land conversion, particularly in vulnerable karst areas, has received less attention. In this study conducted in a karst area of southwest China, eight different farmland conversion strategies were investigated to assess improvements in surface soil carbon, nitrogen, and ecosystem multi-functionality (EMF). Our results showed that farmland converted to afforestation areas or farmland that was abandoned contained higher amounts of carbon (total, organic, active) and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) in the soil compared to farmland converted to grassland or maize crop. Soluble organic carbon levels were higher in afforestation and grassland areas compared to maize crop controls. By contrast, soil from grassland and abandoned land exhibited higher levels of nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) compared to afforestation land or maize crop controls. There were no differences in NH4+-N content between any condition, except for afforestation land that specifically contained the Zenia insignis plant species. Afforestation land consistently exhibited higher EMF values than grassland. Pearson correlation analysis revealed positive relationships between soil indices and EMF scores, except for NO3--N.Random forest analysis explained 95% of the variation in soil EMF and identified specific soil factors: total carbon, organic carbon, active labile organic carbon, total nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen, as the main drivers of soil multi-functionality. Our studies show how various reforestation strategies can enhance soil nutrient sequestration and improve soil multi-functionality of farmland in the karst areas.These findings provide insight into sustainable soil management practices for converting farmland into natural areas.

Climate change, causes, economic impact and mitigation

The earth and its environment is currently undergoing changes, which may be natural as a result of the earth’s processes or artificial, as a result of man’s activities that has altered the natural earth processes. Climate change is a result of the alteration of the atmospheric balance which in-turn has diverse effects on the earth’s processes and her inhabitants. The aim of this review is primarily to elaborate the climate change, the causes, economic impact and methods of mitigating climate change. The effect of climate change is massive but this article is targeted towards the economic impact of climate change and methods of eliminating this effect in this area. It is a universal challenge, it therefore requires universal attention. This article is a review work on the previous publications on climate change including journals and other articles that are closely related to this topic, it goes ahead to reveal the current situations and effect of climate change in our society today and scientifically proven means of mitigating such effects. Fossil fuels are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 90% of all carbon emissions. Human activities have warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land, producing widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere. The methods of mitigating climate change are primarily by reducing the use of fossil fuels in order to stop adding more CO2, Nitrous acid and methane (which are all greenhouse gases) to the atmosphere, by using more of renewable energy such as solar energy, geothermal energy, and hydroelectricity. Practicing better farming systems to improve crop yield other than using harmful chemicals. Implementing policies against gas flaring, faulty automobiles discharging high amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, bush-burning, deforestation etc, should be practiced more.

Oxide scale microstructure and failure mechanism of alloy 601 under varying metal dusting conditions

Chemical plants which process highly carbonaceous gases at elevated temperatures are prone to catastrophic corrosion by metal dusting. Typically, commercial alloys with high amounts of protective oxide scale formers (Cr, Al, and Si) are used in these environments. However, scale failure is still frequently observed after an incubation time initiating pits. In this study, the microstructure and subsequent metal dusting-induced failure of the oxide scale on the commercial Ni-based alloy 601 was analyzed. Samples were exposed in different aggressive metal dusting gases and characterized using metallographic cross sections, electron beam microanalysis (EPMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A thin and protective chromia scale formed in some regions with a continuous silica layer below. Across most of the alloy 601 surfaces, internal oxidation of Al could be linked to metallic particles in the outer scale. Additionally, MnCr2O4 was observed in the outer scale. Together with pores in the chromia, the spinel and metallic particles in the outer scale combined to provide pathways for carbon ingress. After exposure in a gas with a higher driving force for carbon deposition, a higher amount of carbon was incorporated in the growing oxide scale, resulting in earlier scale failure and metal dusting pit initiation.Graphical

Agronomic and Carbon Productivity of Corn (Zea Mays Linn.) and Corn-Legume Intercropping Under Conservation Agriculture Practice System (Caps)

Carbon productivity is important in plant life and corn is important for human consumption throughout the world. A study was conducted to determine the agronomic and carbon productivity of corn and corn legumes under the conservation agriculture practice system. Agriculture practice system using a Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments and replicated four times. The objective of the study was to determine the agronomic characteristics of corn intercrop with soybean and cowpea; to determine the carbon productivity of corn and legumes, and to evaluate the total productivity of corn-legumes in intercropping. The result revealed that among the agronomic parameters plant height, harvest index, partitioning coefficient, and total biomass the statistical analysis showed significant differences among treatment means, while 50 % days to flower analysis of variance showed no significant differences among treatments. In the yield parameters including shelling, percentage had shown significant differences among treatments but yield showed no significant difference they are not comparable to each other. The carbon productivity including total dry matter yield t/ha and carbon productivity t/ha, based on the result on carbon productivity Treatment 3 corn intercropped with cowpea obtained a high amount of carbon with (1.63). Thus, it recommended that corn intercropped with cowpea is better to determine the level of carbon productivity under the conservation agriculture practice system.

Ex-situ spark plasma sintered MgB2 with Ge-based organometallic additions: Key ingredients for superconductivity enhancement

Dense samples of MgB2, with a relative density of 98.3–99.1 %, were prepared by ex-situ spark plasma sintering using a raw powder supplied by Alfa Aesar. Samples were added with Ge-based organometallics (repagermanium/RGe, propagermaniu/PGe, linear Ge-based organometallic/GeSP, and Na-doped octamer/8THGP-Na) for the starting composition (MgB2)(Ge-based organometallics)0.0014. Except for the 8THGP-Na, they have a similar chemical composition in respect to Ge and C, while the crystal structure differs. Below 20 K, all studied additions increased the critical current density, Jc, and the irreversibility field, Hirr. Samples added with GeSP and 8THGP-Na have marginal differences regarding superconducting characteristics. The best Jc and Hirr are obtained for the sample added with RGe. This sample has the highest amount of carbon in the crystal lattice of MgB2. Results point out that there is a complex influence of the additive on carbon behaviour. Although in general it is accepted that a higher amount of carbon produces higher Jc and Hirr, a comparison with the literature indicates that C-rich raw MgB2 powders (e.g. the C-enhanced MgB2 nanopowder produced by Pavezyum) are not suitable to promote strong superconductivity enhancement in the samples added with indicated organometallics, and the origin, states, and evolution of carbon should to be carefully assessed.

Does sustainable digital economy have implications for climate change? Novel evidence in the context of sustainable energy technologies

China has developed a wide variety of solutions to enhance environmental quality to address the challenges posed by climate change. In recent years, China has shifted more of its attention toward the digital economy to overhaul the structure of its economy. The digital economy is becoming increasingly essential, and its role in achieving sustainability is becoming gradually linked. The aims of sustainable development and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are being worked on using digital technologies. In the context of China, this research paper investigates the impact of digital economy on China's climate change from 1996 to 2017. The study comprehensively analyzes the carbon footprint of China's digital technologies, including data centers, e-commerce, and mobile devices. It identifies the key drivers of carbon emissions in China's digital economy and proposes practical strategies to reduce them. Using quantile regressions approach, this study finds that digital economy has a greater impact on CO2 emissions in provinces that already emit a relatively high amount of carbon and is diminished in provinces that already emit a relatively low amount of carbon. However, digital economy does not have any bearing on CO2 emissions for the first three quantiles (Q0.25, Q0.50 and Q0.75). This suggests that the effect of digital economy on CO2 emissions is only seen over the longer term. Therefore, it is important to build the digital structure in such a way as to optimize the structure of energy consumption. This can be accomplished by optimizing the structure. This allows for the possibility of the digital economy eventually achieving reduced levels of CO2 emissions.

Syngas methanation over a metal hydride catalyst: Technology performance, efficiency and economic profitability

In the last decade, biomass has been considered one of the main renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels and consequently, biomass conversion technologies for the production of alternative fuels will play a specific role in the future energy as green biofuels for the transport sector or a power generation at small-scale distributed plants. During the thermal conversion - gasification, biomass is converted into more valuable products - syngases which could be used for biomethane production. Though, some challenges still exist related to the broad applicability of the thermal conversion of biomass to biomethane: costly short-life catalysts and a low conversion efficiency due to the high amount of carbon monoxide/dioxide in syngas.To overcome these challenges, an innovative biomethane production concept based on the plasma-assisted gasification and conversion of synthetic gases to biomethane was developed and tested, including research on the adaptability of two catalysts, magnesium nickel and magnesium nickel hydride, for raw syngas conversion. The performance of catalysts was investigated in a fixed bed type reactor using raw syngas obtained from plasma-assisted gasification.The results indicate the magnesium nickel hydride catalysts' good activity and functionality for converting carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide-containing syngas. A high conversion of 0.997 is reached. Determined that the surplus of hydrogen promotes the conversion of carbon oxides, though the volumetric concentration of methane (the maximum of 86.4 vol%) in product gas is reduced. Considering that the developed technology concept can be integrated into small combined heat and power plants, bio-waste generating plants, or decentralized areas as an additional source of renewable energy or biofuel production, the energy-mass balance and economic analysis for the optimization of 1 MWh bio-CH4 production concept was provided.

Logging Residue Assessment in Salvage Logging Areas

Salvage logging operations often occur after large disturbances and usually leave behind a substantial quantity of residues, which is fundamental for maintaining soil fertility and facilitating ecosystem dynamics. This study aims to estimate the amount of logging residues following salvage operations categorized by two wood harvesting systems: Cut-To-Length (CTL) and Full-Tree System (FT). Logging residues in the harvested areas were sampled using linear transects and the data collected were divided into classes based on diameter. The quantity of residues was estimated using the Brown method for Fine Wood Debris (FWD) and the Van Wagner method for Coarse Wood Debris (CWD). Furthermore, the carbon and nutrient content associated with logging residues were also determined, considering their interaction with the soil organic layer. Overall, a higher quantity of FWD was detected in the sites cleared with the FT system and a higher quantity of CWD in the sites logged with the CTL system. Differences could be observed for all three years and systems considered, but only the third year reported statistically significant results (p&amp;lt;0.01). The soil and residue chemical analysis for carbon and nutrient contents revealed a high amount of carbon stored in a potential layer of 10 cm of soil (up to 85 Mg·C·ha-1), while only up to 15 Mg·C·ha-1 for the woody material.

Mechanical degradation model of porous coal with water intrusion

To study the mechanical degradation of deep coal seam due to geothermal and groundwater effects, a nonlinear constitutive model of porous coal in humid environments, considering water-coal interaction, is proposed from the perspective of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Wet coal damage is attributed to interfacial degradation of coal matrix and dissolution of inorganic salt, which can be described together by the product of an internal variable and a degradation parameter. A linear correlation is identified between the fixed carbon content and the degradation parameter, indicating that coal is more prone to mechanical degradation after water absorption if it contains a higher amount of carbon. After water saturation, the elastic modulus of coal with a fixed carbon content of 56.59% is significantly reduced by 46%, while that of coal with fixed carbon content of 40.81% is reduced by 29%. This study also confirms that the water content in porous coal first increases rapidly, by more than 60% during the first 25% water intrusion time, and then stabilizes gradually. The accuracy and the applicability of the model are validated by comparing the experimental data with the theoretical predictions of the changes in elastic modulus and porosity during coal water absorption.

Characterization of tamarind biomass to substantiate the feasibility towards alternative fuel

Sustainable energy resources development from every possible route is the utmost priority in today’s modern scenario around the globe. This situation reaches highly alarming rate after the pandemic situation due to the shortcomings on ease transportation viability among all the countries. Therefore, the present work aims at developing a sustainable biofuel from Tamarind seed biomass samples and to evaluate its suitability for various power generation applications. The proposed work consists of three samples: tamarind shell (TAN1), tamarind nut with peel (TAN2) and tamarind nut without peel (TAN3) undergoing physicochemical and thermal analyses to analyse their feasibility as a biofuel. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) concluded high oxygenated compounds mainly alcohols, esters and carboxylic acids were determined at higher wave numbers. Ultimate and proximate analyses gave high amounts of carbon, volatile matter and low nitrogen and ash content. Thermogravimetric (TG) analyses showed the maximum mass loss in the temperature range of 150 °C–400 °C and confirm the presence of volatile compounds. It was mainly due to the degradation of hemicellulose. Calorimetry test gave high heating value (HHV) results and those compared with the empirical values calculated using the ultimate analysis equation. TAN3 is selected as a promising feedstock for pyrolysis and the characterization results signify the presence of organic compounds and infer high energetic value and bio refining potential. The bio oil obtained was characterized and analysed using GC–MS, FTIR, and H NMR to assess the bio oil potential as alternative fuel and presented in this paper.

Modeling and mapping spatial distribution of baseline soil organic carbon stock, a case of West Hararghe, Oromia Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Location-specific information on soil organic carbon (SOC) helps to identify potential sources and sinks of carbon. The objective of this study was to produce a 30m-resolution digital map of SOC stock for selected districts in West Hararghe Zone of Ethiopia. 148 soil samples(0-30cm) were collected for SOC analysis and BD estimation. Eighteen environmental covariates were acquired from satellite sources, digital elevation model (DEM), and maps. A random forest model was fitted to the data. The accuracy of the prediction was tested using the 10-fold cross-validation method. The model explained 36% of the variance (R2) with a root mean square error of 9.51. The most relevant predictors were normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), temperature, and elevation. The predicted total SOC stock value was 240.5TgC and ranged between 17.91 and 70.16 t/ha, with a mean of 38.82 t/ha. The soils under agricultural land had a higher amount of carbon than forestland. The mean SOC stock was relatively higher in fine-textured soils and lower in soils, which are dominantly found in drier areas. This study could help provide information on a less expensive method of SOC stock estimation. In addition, the study produced an updatable baseline SOC stock map.

Evaluation of kinetic behaviour of refused derived fuel samples by using thermogravimetric analysis

The intensification of municipal-solid-waste (MSW) production, energy usage, and the curb of the landfill have developed the need for our society to use MSW under the vision of a waste-to-energy (WTE) approach to eradicating MSW as well as to address the energy issues across the world. The WTE alteration is an environment-friendly way of disposing of MSW. This study examines the usage of plastic, wood, and paper for refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production. The RDF is solitary of MSW energy yields, whose dependability and superiority are analysed in the current work. Two different RDF have been obtained from diverse waste streams at the plant site to find the finest RDF based on energy efficiency. Plastics, wood, and paper are the principal constituents in the method of occupied RDF. The results exhibited that the RDF-PA holds a high amount of carbon as-well-as hydrogen content and a decent calorific value, which leads to better fuel quality. The retention time under combustion and pyrolysis, the volatile matter portion of RDF, has increased accordingly. As per obtained results, RDF-PA is a good option for energy applications and fuel for combustion and pyrolysis reactions.

Drivers of global mangrove loss and gain in social-ecological systems

Mangrove forests store high amounts of carbon, protect communities from storms, and support fisheries. Mangroves exist in complex social-ecological systems, hence identifying socioeconomic conditions associated with decreasing losses and increasing gains remains challenging albeit important. The impact of national governance and conservation policies on mangrove conservation at the landscape-scale has not been assessed to date, nor have the interactions with local economic pressures and biophysical drivers. Here, we assess the relationship between socioeconomic and biophysical variables and mangrove change across coastal geomorphic units worldwide from 1996 to 2016. Globally, we find that drivers of loss can also be drivers of gain, and that drivers have changed over 20 years. The association with economic growth appears to have reversed, shifting from negatively impacting mangroves in the first decade to enabling mangrove expansion in the second decade. Importantly, we find that community forestry is promoting mangrove expansion, whereas conversion to agriculture and aquaculture, often occurring in protected areas, results in high loss. Sustainable development, community forestry, and co-management of protected areas are promising strategies to reverse mangrove losses, increasing the capacity of mangroves to support human-livelihoods and combat climate change.

ESTIMATION OF DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON IN RIVER FLOWS AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEAT HUMIC FRACTIONS AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL QUALITIES

Peatlands are wetlands that contain higher amounts of carbon, some of which is often released with water in dissolved form, especially when land use change occurs. However, peatland carbon is mostly stabilized in humic fractions where it forms complexes with metallic elements. This study sought to measure the levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in rivers and analyze the link between physicochemical parameters and humic fractions along the Buhandanda and Lushala peat profiles. Inductively-Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry, chemical fractionation followed by sulfochromic oxidation, and dosing by indirect chemical oxidation were used to determine major geochemical elements (MGE), humic fractions (HS), and DOC, respectively. Average MGE concentrations were 4.1±1.4, 3.6±0.5, 2.8±0.6, 1.8±0.7, 1.1±0.4, 0.3±0.1, 0.1±0.0, 0.5±0.3, 0.1±0.0, 0.03±0.0, 0.03±0.0 and 1.9±0.9, 3.6±0.8, 2.5±0.6, 2.0±0.5, 1.1±0.4, 0.3±0.0, 0.09±0.01, 0.18±0.1, 0.06±0.04, 0,02±0.0 for Ca, Fe, Si, Al, S, Ti, K, Mg, Mn, Na for Lushala and Buhandanda, respectively. Fulvic acid (FA) fractions were constantly higher than humic acid (HA) from 0 to 80 cm and lower beyond on Buhandanda peaty profile. FA was also higher than HA for Lushala peat except for depths 20, 90, 140, and 200 cm. Humin (HU) was the highest fraction on the two peatlands. Humification index (HI) and degree of transformation (DT) of HS had values of the same order of magnitude (from 0.32 to 2.43). No association was found between physicochemical properties and HS, except for FA and Fe, Ca, S, Mg, Mn, Se on Lushala peat. DOC showed a downward trend from entry to exit of peatlands. The two sites were not statistically different. Mountainous peat can contain high levels of MGE and loses a tiny fraction of its carbon with runoff waters.

Carbon storage potential of Eucalyptus urophylla at several density levels and forest management types in dry land ecosystems

Abstract. Marimpan LS, Purwanto RH, Wardhana W, Sumardi. 2022. Carbon storage potential of Eucalyptus urophylla at several density levels and forest management types in dry land ecosystems. Biodiversitas 23: 2830-2837. Tropical forests can store high amounts of carbon because they have suitable environmental factors. Furthermore, they are different from others that grow in dry areas, which tend to experience limited rainfall. Ampupu (Eucalyptus urophylla) is an endemic tree in East Nusa Tenggara, which is continuously damaged. This is caused by various anthropogenic activities, which increase along with the population around the forest. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the carbon content stored in natural forest areas of E. urophylla at different density levels and land use types. Field inventory was carried out in the study location using the stratified sampling method, after which the density levels were divided into three groups, viz. high, medium, and low. Sampling was then carried out in 3 different land-use areas, including production, protection, and conservation forests. Furthermore, a total of 90 plots were used, where each land-use type consists of 30 plots with a size of 25 m × 40 m. The results showed that the carbon content at the low, medium and high-density levels were 108.20, 185.24, and 291.33 MgCha-1, respectively. Values of 211.91, 214.69, and 221.14 MgCha-1 were also obtained from the production, protection, and conservation forests, respectively. Based on the results, the natural forests of E. urophylla have a significant effect on carbon sequestration in East Nusa Tenggara.

Acetylation of Bacterial Cellulose from a Mixture of Palm Flour Liquid Waste and Coconut Water: The Effect of Acetylation Time on Yield and Identification of Cellulose Acetate

Cellulose acetate is a promising thermoplastic polymer to be developed since it has some characteristics, among others are easy to be formed, non-toxic, high stability, and its raw materials are renewable. The most used source of cellulose acetate raw material is bacterial cellulose because bacterial cellulose has the higher purity and the process cost is lower rather than plant cellulose. Nowadays, the production of bacterial cellulose is highly developed using coconut water media. Nevertheless, coconut water costs expensive and the supply is rare. Materials that are being potential to be developed as raw materials of bacterial cellulose through fermentation process is palm flour liquid wasted since it contains high amounts of carbon and nitrogen. This study began with the synthesis of bacterial cellulose from palm flour oil liquid waste and coconut water using Acetobacter xylinum bacteria and then cellulose acetate is synthesized through an acetylation reaction. This study aims to determine the optimum acetylation time on its performance as a reinforcement filler to be applied as a packaging material. Based on the results of Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infra-Red analysis on predetermined variables, it resulted particles in the form of bacterial cellulose and cellulose acetate with the highest yield of cellulose acetate at 3 hours of acetylation was 94.74%.

Trash-to-fuel: Converting municipal waste into transportation fuels by pyrolysis

SummaryIn daily life humankind is producing a significant amount of garbage, creating a great environmental concern. However, garbage consists of high amounts of carbon based materials, making it a very useful resource. An easy way to use it is to produce transport fuels obtained through pyrolysis. Multiple plastic waste materials were investigated here. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of individual polymers shows that almost complete conversion could be achieved. More than 70% liquid fuels were derived from pyrolysis of polypropylene, polystyrene at 450°C, and low-/high-density polyethylene at 500°C. Using gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HR-MS) allows studying the thermal transformation and proposing a mechanism. An examination of carbon number distribution reveals the potential of plastic liquid fuels, which can be used as an alternative to partial substitution of fossil-fuel-derived gasoline and diesel fuel and also provides a final use of polymer materials, which otherwise would be deposited on waste dumps.

Yield, quality and enzyme activity of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) grown on different agricultural wastes

In this study, it was aimed to investigate cultivation of Lentinula edodes by using different agricultural wastes (oak sawdust, poplar sawdust, wheat stalk, peanut shell, corncob and vine pruning waste) and to determine the most suitable growing mixture/mixtures. For this purpose, 12 growing mixtures were tested. Within the scope of the experiment, besides measurement of yield and quality parameters of mushrooms, properties of agricultural wastes and enzyme activities (laccase and cellulase) of mixtures at different periods were measured. Based on results of the study, the highest and lowest amounts of nitrogen were obtained from after harvest (1.71%) and after sterilization (1.34%) periods, respectively. While the highest amount of carbon was at the after-sterilization period (46.6%), the lowest amount was recorded at the after harvest (45.64%) period. The fastest and slowest mycelia development time was observed in A7 (21.67 days) and A4 (50 days) mixtures, respectively. While the highest yield was determined in A5 (299.59 g kg-1) mixture, A9 (55.99 g kg-1), A6 (65.59 g kg-1) and A11 (75.47 g kg-1) gave the lowest results. While the highest biological activity rate was recorded in A3 (93.65 %) and A5 (92.90%), the lowest was observed in A11 (21.45%), A6 (19.85%) and A9 (19.22%) mixtures. The highest and lowest protein amounts were determined in the A5, A7 and A10, A9 and C mixtures, respectively. The highest cellulase and laccase activities were found in A3 (3.16 IU g-1) and A7 (2164.48 U g-1), respectively.