Waste Matter Research Articles

Biodegradation of Model Solid Waste from Palm Oil production by Micromycete Strains

The study employed micromycetes of the genus Penicillium isolated from solid waste generated in palm oil production. For P. goetzii strain ZCMC-01M and P. chrysogenum strain ZCMC-02M, the lipolytic activity on tributyrin agar and the potential of palm oil as a growth substrate were revealed. Both strains showed specific activity of laccases, peroxidases and Mn-peroxidases. The biodegradation of solid waste by Penicillium strains was studied in the experiments conducted using a mixture of coconut fiber and palm oil in a 1:1 ratio. After 30-day incubation at 22℃ and 32℃, the mass fraction of dry matter in waste was found to decrease in both strains by not less than 11% and 7% respectively, compared to the control. The mass fraction of lipids decreased by not less than 9% and 6%, respectively. The maximum acid value at both temperatures was recorded for P. goetzii strain ZCMC-01M; it increased more than 4-fold compared to the control. For P. chrysogenum strain ZCMC-02M, the acid value increased 3.9 and 3.7 fold at 22℃ and 32℃ respectively. The results obtained indicate that representatives of P. chrysogenum and P. goetzii isolated from waste with a high content of palm oil can effectively biodegrade this type of waste.

Carbon footprints of centralized and decentralized food waste utilization pathways

Food waste is usually utilized in centralized treatment facilities and is sometimes treated in decentralized facilities; however, the latter has not been evaluated systematically regarding carbon emissions. This study surveyed fifty-nine centralized and decentralized food waste treatment projects in Shenzhen, and incineration, anaerobic digestion, composting, and emerging technologies such as insect bioconversion and organic acid production were applied. Their carbon footprints were analyzed based on real data covering collection and transport, energy and material consumption, secondary pollutant control, and impurity disposal. The results showed that centralized facilities had a lower overall carbon footprint, although carbon emissions from their collection and transportation were higher. Anaerobic digestion performed best with an average carbon emission of −136.63 kg CO2-eq/t, followed by black soldier fly larvae cultivation (−12.86 kg CO2-eq/t), incineration (−11.02 kg CO2-eq/t), and organic acid production (−6.86 kg CO2-eq/t). All decentralized facilities were operated with net carbon emissions because they consumed a large amount of electricity or thermal heat without the full use of organic matter in the food waste. An optimal route was recommended by combining centralized anaerobic digestion and decentralized squeezing dewatering with adequate oil recovery, and this can make the overall carbon emission decrease from −6.72 kg CO2-eq/t to −17.75 kg CO2-eq/t. These results can provide decision-makers with guidance on food waste management to support net zero and sustainable development goal 12 and 13.

Surface-derived groundwater contamination in Gulu District, Uganda: Chemical and microbial tracers

Groundwater is consumed by over 2 billion people globally, though it can be impacted by microbial and chemical contamination in both rural and (peri-)urban areas. This issue is particularly pertinent in regions like East Africa, where rapid urbanisation has strained local infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems. We use selected tracers of human and animal waste to assess the quality of community drinking sources with regards to surface-derived groundwater inputs and to compare urban versus rural water quality, under the rapidly developing urban area of Gulu, Northern Uganda. Specifically, we examine bulk and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (DOM), microorganisms (total coliforms, E. coli) and inorganic tracers of anthropogenic waste (NO3−, SO42−, Cl/Br) from various sources: boreholes (12–76 m depth; n = 90), protected springs (n = 11) and municipal taps (n = 4). Our results show that NO3− and SO42− were elevated in groundwater sources in the Gulu city urban area and the Cl/Br ratio was elevated in springs, compared to concentrations in the more rural Aswa and Omoro County area (p < 0.05). Interestingly, human and animal waste indicators E. coli and Tryp:FA (the ratio of tryptophan-like to fulvic-like fluorescence) displayed no significant difference between rural and urban settings (p > 0.05), though total coliforms were significantly higher in rural boreholes (p < 0.05). The presence of a pollution source, pollution carrier and a breakdown of a sanitary barrier at the borehole, as spot-checked by a visual sanitary risk assessment, was significantly associated with groundwater E. coli abundances. Evidence suggests monitoring and mitigation should be improved for all water types in Gulu District to meet WHO and Uganda Standard guidelines for potable water. This study offers valuable insights for water management planning and risk assessment of community water sources particularly in the context of East Africa and similar settings.

Optimization Of The Use Of Inorganic Waste As A Planting Media For Pachira Aquatica In Pucuksari Village

Waste is quite a serious problem that impacts the environment and the existence of awareness from the public For handling the problem of waste said. Utilization of waste is one of the ways that can done in public Village Pucuksari. The utilization carried out village The Pucuksari to waste is with recycling repeat waste gallon plastic very use to be a pot for plant pachira. Besides For utilization of waste matter, this aims to introduce plant pachira to the public village Pucuksari. Method research used​ that is qualitative with type descriptive. Study studies fieldwork carried out when the researcher carries out devotion in the village or Studying Work Real (KKN) in the village Pucuksari, District Weleri, Kendal Regency. An object from study This is the public village Pucuksari. Data collection techniques, namely through observation, interviews, and documentation.

Development of graphene oxide and magnesia immobilized kaolin supported dual biopolymeric hybrid material for methyl orange and malachite green removal from water

Industrial usage of various dyes seriously depends on the efficient treatment of industrial effluents. Efficient retention of waste matter using a variety of adsorbent materials has as a result turned into dangerous. In this research article, graphene oxide (GO) cum magnesium oxide (MgO) impregnated kaolin (KA) based chitosan (CS) and pectin (Pect) composite namely GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect as an adsorbent material for effective methyl orange (MO) and malachite green (MG) removal in aquatic system. The physico-chemical properties like bonding, structural morphology and elemental composition of GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect were explored with numerous sophisticated instrumental techniques viz., FTIR, SEM, XRD, EDAX and elemental mapping analysis. The influencing parameters of adsorption method, with effect of reaction time, solution pH, dosage, pHzpc, initial MO/MG concentration and temperature were investigated for MO and MG removal under batch scale. The removal of MO and MG rate of the GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect was incredibly fast and the adsorption kinetic method was driven with intraparticle diffusion (IPD) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models. The adsorption isotherm strongly well-adapted with Langmuir isotherm and the maximum removal efficiency of GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect was found to be 45.50 and 42.00 mg/g for MO and MG respectively within 40 min. The MO and MG uptake by GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect was majorly owing to chemical adsorption namely electrostatic adsorption, hydrogen bonding and π-π interaction mechanism. The prepared GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect was productively regenerated with absolute ethanol and could be repetitively reused. This exploration reveals the feasibility and selectivity of the GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect as genuine adsorbent material for removal of MO and MG from the aquatic system.

Evaluation of the biodegradability of hazardous industrial solid waste: Study of key parameters.

The biological stability of solid waste is one of the main problems related to the environmental impact of landfills and their long-term emission potential. Current European legislation (European Landfill Directive, EC/99/31) introduced the need to reduce biodegradable organic compounds deposited in landfills; however, it set neither official parameters nor methods to define the stability of such a waste. In Spain, biodegradability is generally evaluated using the biological oxygen demand/chemical oxygen demand (BOD5/COD) ratio, measuring it on the leachate, thus not considering the non-soluble fraction and therefore creating false negatives. To solve this problem, the biodegradability of hazardous industrial waste has been determined by measuring its respirometric activity (AT4). Our results show that the measure of the AT4 is independent of the enrichment with a microbial inoculum, and a sample size no higher than 20g could be a reasonable value for a sensitive biodegradability determination. The highest respirometric index is obtained in waste with pH values between 6.5 and 10.5. Furthermore, respirometric biodegradability values are independent of traditional parameters of organic matter characterization such as BOD5/COD ratio, volatile content, and total and dissolved organic carbon. Consequently, the AT4 parameter provides new information on the composition and stability of organic matter in hazardous industrial waste. Its incorporation into pre-disposal waste characterization protocols allows to identify waste that exceeds recommended biodegradability thresholds. This approach ensures that only waste meeting specified biodegradability standards is deposited, avoiding landfill emissions and related environmental impacts, and thereby improving the overall effectiveness and sustainability of waste management practices.

Potential of Eco-enzyme Averrhoa bilimbi L. Fruit as an Innovation in Tempeh Wastewater Treatment in Plaju District, South Sumatra

Tempeh home industries have been established in residential areas, one of which is in the assisted village of PT Pertamina Internasional RU III Plaju Factory, Palembang, South Sumatra. Eco-enzyme is one of the methods for processing and reducing pollutant organic matter in liquid waste. This study aims to determine the eco-enzyme characteristics of Averrhoa bilimbi L. fruit and exploit its potential to reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solid (TSS), and total dissolved solid (TDS) in tempeh wastewater. Eco-enzymes are characterized by measuring pH, COD, TSS, TDS, and most probable number (MPN). The reduction in COD, TSS and TDS of tempeh wastewater was observed using a simple bioreactor which was treated with the addition of 10% eco-enzyme (three replicates) and without the addition of eco-enzyme (control). The characterization results showed that the eco-enzyme of A. bilimbi L. fruit had a pH of 1.84, COD of 85.33 mg/L, TSS of 440 mg/L, TDS of 15,800 mg/L, protein concentration of 0.459 U/mg, and MPN value of 0.03 CFU/100 mL. The COD value of tempeh liquid waste can be reduced from the initial COD of 256 to 154.67 mg/L. The TSS value of tempeh wastewater decreased by 60% from the initial value of 4,000 mg/L. It takes 18 days to reduce the TSS content below the quality standard. The TDS value of tempeh liquid waste can be reduced by 70% from the initial TDS of 7,333.33 to 1,666.67 mg/L.

Microbial Induced Biotechnological Processes for Biofuel Production from Waste Organics Conversion

In the current era there are huge quantities of waste organic matter available, creating a big burden to the environment. To address these issues, researchers started to apply effective and microbial induced biotechnological processes that can mitigate these waste matters. In this context, different nature of microbial systems are involved in hydrolysing the waste organic material into fermentable sugar. These can be easily consumed by specific microbial systems like Saccharomyces cerevisiae MTCC 3821 and Clostridium acetobutylicum that produced bioethanol and biobutanol, respectively. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was cultured in specific media and incubated at rotary shaker with 150 rpm at 30°C for 72 to 96 hours. Ethanol concentrations from different waste matters were found in the range of 1.2-1.5 g.L-1. Ethanol synthesis was done by shake flask experiment with addition of glucose (50 g.L-1) to waste organic hydrolyzed solution. Non-glucose media produced less than 3 g.L-1 ethanol but glucose media produced 4.5 g.L-1. Next, Clostridium acetobutylicum was grown in culture media containing waste organics as sole carbon substrate with pH 7 and then was incubated in anaerobic conditions at 35°C for 72 hours, produced butanol (0.7 to 1.25 g.L-1). This research work promoted biofuels synthesis by keeping a waste mitigation strategy.

Application of Differential Equation in the Design of Dialysis Machine

In this work, I have discussed the application of differential equations in the design of a dialyzer machine. A dialyzer is a device through which blood flows from the patient's body into the machine. A substance called dialysate flows through the machine in the opposite direction to the blood. This aids in separating waste materials with the help of a semipermeable membrane attached to the machine. This membrane possesses minute pores that allow the passage of waste matter, which has much smaller molecules than the blood cells, but restrict the passage of blood itself. The design of the dialyzer machine concerns the flow rate of the waste material through the membrane. This flow-rate is determined by the differences in concentration of waste material on either side of the membrane, where, the flow occurs from high concentration to low concentration.

Nudging food waste off the plate? An explorative study investigating the generation of plate waste over time and the effectiveness of information nudges to bridge the attitude-behavior gap

ABSTRACT Changing consumer behavior is key to tackle the global food waste challenge. While nudging consumers to reduce food waste has shown promising results in promoting behavioral change, its application within the expansive hospitality sector remains limited. Particularly, its capacity to bridge the attitude-behavior gap and the effectiveness of nudging interventions over time remain nearly unexplored. To address this gap, we conducted an exploratory field experiment implementing simple information nudges at a 3-star hotel breakfast buffet combined with a survey. Findings reveal that guests were indeed conscious of food waste, but it was the implementation of information nudges that led to more sustainable behavior, evidenced by a reduction in food waste. This demonstrates that a simple “nudge,” such as the message at the buffet, can effectively translate positive attitudes into tangible behavioral changes. While we noticed a decreasing trend in food waste throughout the one-week holiday, the efficacy of the nudge remained consistent over time, although on a lower level. This enduring effectiveness is promising, addressing a common concern with nudging, which is the potential for short-term effects that fade quickly after exposure to the choice environment. Future studies should investigate whether the effectiveness persists after the removal of the nudge, or if a permanent intervention in the choice architecture is necessary for a more sustained impact. From a business perspective, the current task at hand involves raising companies’ awareness regarding the matter of food waste and highlighting the easy and cost-effective solutions offered by nudging strategies.

Geology as Unconforming Infrastructure For the Hosting of Nuclear Waste

As the dramatic consequences of climate change finally begin to motivate governments around the world to explore how to move away from a dependence on fossil fuels, nuclear power is back on the agenda in the UK as a potential energy source. However, this new-found enthusiasm confronts a fundamental challenge—namely, that the radioactive wastes, accumulating since the very first nuclear power stations were built in the 1950s, have yet to be made safe for the long-term future. At the governmental level, there is a clear international commitment to the view that the most secure option for the management of radioactive waste matter is burial deep underground in an engineered geological disposal facility (GDF). Finland leads the international field, and the repository at Onkalo is expected to be fully operational by 2025. The Swedish government approved plans for the construction of an underground repository for spent nuclear fuel in 2022, with Canada, France, Japan, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA all actively engaged in siting and design initiatives. Strategies for generating public acceptance of geological disposal vary, as do the modes of engagement, the investments of time and money afforded, and the decision-making processes. These processes are conceptually and politically challenging. They require not only technical expertise and scientific understanding across an entire range of disciplines, but also the imaginative capacity to think across scales of time and space in what Ele Carpenter (2016: 14) has suggestively referred to as ‘reverse mining’.

A comprehensive review on unleashing the power of hydrogen: revolutionizing energy systems for a sustainable future.

Population growth and environmental degradation are major concerns for sustainable development worldwide. Hydrogen is a clean and eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, with a heating value almost three times higher than other fossil fuels. It also has a clean production process, which helps to reduce the emission of hazardous pollutants and save the environment. Among the various production methodologies described in this review, biochemical production of hydrogen is considered more suitable as it uses waste organic matter instead of fossil fuels. This technology not only produces clean energy but also helps to manage waste more efficiently. However, the production of hydrogen obtained from this method is currently more expensive due to its early stage of development. Nevertheless, various research projects are underway to develop this method on a commercial scale.

“EMPLACED” WASTE: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF FOOD WASTE HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS

ABSTRACT Waste materials are ontologically inseparable from the context of their production. While much early food waste research has focused on quantification and consumer psychology, researchers in a range of disciplines would now benefit from alternate frameworks in which to spatialize the chimerical matter of food waste. To suggest generative paths for the future of food waste research, this study investigates spatial concepts already engaged in “emplaced” household food waste surveys published between 2012 and 2022. Surveys administered within defined geographic areas are considered emplaced. Sixty-eight relevant papers were identified in a systematic literature review. Resulting themes, including regional memberships, questions of scale and synecdoche, qualities of place, food cultures resulting from specific socio-spatial arrangements, and temporal consequences for organic matter, were structured according to Massey’s 2005 spatial provocations and propose fruitful directions for geographers to continue advancing the study of food waste.

Optimization of Biogas Liquid Waste from Livestock Manure as a Source of Renewable Energy through Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) Technology

This study examines the potential of biogas liquid waste as a source of electrical energy through microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology. The results showed that biogas effluent in one-room MFC produced a maximum voltage of 1302.2 mV. In the two-room MFC with KMnO4 electrolyte, the voltage reached 1084.3 mV with an electric current of 0.1 mA. At the same time, the two-chamber MFC with K2Cr2O4 advanced a maximum voltage of 1675.8 mV and an electric current of 0.99 mA. Characterization of the MFC substrate showed a decrease in organic matter of biogas liquid waste, with C-organic content of 2.20%, total nitrogen of 1.85%, and C/N ratio of 1.19. The COD value decreased to 500.96 mg/L, while the BOD level decreased to 300.23 mg/L. Bacteria in MFC from biogas effluent are dominantly Gram-positive with rod and Sarcina forms, except for one Gram-negative isolate in the form of Spirillum.

Spatial distribution and health risk assessment of toxic metal(oid)s in soils of coal mining areas of the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan

Long-term coal mining operations have been linked to increases in HM concentrations in subterranean soils, which degrades soil quality. The clusters of coal mines and mine tailings considerably increase metal(loid)s concentrations in the surrounding soils and air of the Eastern (ESR), Central (CSR), and Trans-Indus Salt Range (TSR). The present study was conducted in this scenario to ascertain the occurrence and dispersion of toxic metals from mine tailings to different environmental components and their pollution load in soils and possible risk. The geochemical characterization of the soil, coal waste, and dust particulate matter revealed that waste samples are highly enriched in As, Cd, Pb, Fe, and Zn. In terms of soil quality standards, geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), and contamination factor (CF), Fe, Mn, and Zn are extremely contaminated. However, As, Cd, Co, and Cr show moderate contamination. These harmful soil contaminants, primarily originate from coal-associated tailings. Further, the principal component analysis, multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR), and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) signify that mineralization and weathering of sulfide and carbonate minerals within the coal wastes and lithological units of the present study area cause the release of environmentally sensitive trace elements, which upon dispersion, leaching, and atmospheric deposition enters the air and soils of the present study area. We propose that higher HI index of Co (4), Fe (35), Mn (11), and Zn (13) values can be a significant human health concern.

Research progress and perspectives of biogas production from municipal organic solid waste

Abstract Anaerobic digestion is a prevailing technology for the treatment and utilization of municipal organic solid waste (MOSW). In this technology, the macromolecular organic matter in waste degrades into small molecular substances through the anaerobic decomposition of microorganisms, producing biogas that can provide enormous energy. This paper focuses on the research progress of anaerobic digestion of various organic wastes for biogas production. The principle and process of anaerobic digestion for biogas production are introduced, along with the key factors affecting anaerobic digestion efficiency, such as temperature, pH, and sealing conditions. At the same time, the current cycle treatment technology and comprehensive treatment system of MOSW are also summarized. Furthermore, the paper explores biogas purification technologies, including desulfurization, deoxidation, drying, and decarbonization. Finally, the state-of-the-art of the utilization of MOSW for biogas production in the world and the problems faced by the utilization of MOSW for biogas production in China are reviewed. By summarizing the anaerobic digestion technology of MOSW, this review hopes to provide some reasonable solutions for the high-value utilization of MOSW.

Short-time aerobic digestion treatment of waste activated sludge to enhance EPS production and sludge dewatering performance by changing microbial communities: The impact of temperature

Short-time aerobic digestion (STAD) of sludge requires low investment and has the advantages of short sludge retention time and rapid degradation of organic matter in waste activated sludge (WAS). This research conducted STAD at three temperature gradients (15 °C, 25 °C, and 35 °C). Characteristics of EPS and microbial community structure of raw and fermented sludge were analyzed, and environmental application potential of STAD at different temperatures was explored. STAD treatment improved both polysaccharide (PS) and protein (PN) contents in EPS, with increases of 5.7–18.35 % and 20.98–28.57 %, respectively. Aromatic protein-like substances (Peak E) and tryptophan protein substances (Peak F) were main components of PN in EPS. The microbial species richness decreased as the STAD temperature increased. At the class level, STAD temperature significantly affected Alphaproteobacteria, Gemm-1, Chloracidobacteria, Acidimicrobiia, Ellin6529, Betaproteobacteria, and SJA-28. From an application perspective, the specific resistance to filtration (SRF) value of WAS after STAD treatment at 35 °C was decreased to 7.01 × 107 m/kg with a 17.34 % reduction, indicating improvement in the dewaterability of the sludge. The Pb2+ adsorption efficiency per unit volume of EPS increased by 10.0–16.2 % after STAD treatment of WAS at different temperatures for 4 h. This research elucidated the impact of temperature on WAS in STAD systems, finding that microbial abundance correlated with EPS characteristics. The research results provide a basis for optimizing the system temperatures in STAD systems and a deeper understanding of the benefits of STAD in practical applications for sludge resource utilization.

Waste matters: Investigating the knowledge, awareness, and practice of electrical and electronic waste management among undergraduate medical students – A cross-sectional study

Abstract Context: Handling of electronic and electrical waste (E-waste) has adverse effects on the environment and human well-being. To address the environmental and health risks arising from improper e-waste disposal, it is crucial to foster responsible practices and enhance understanding of e-waste management. Aims: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practice of e-waste management and association of these factors with demographic variables among undergraduate medical students. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a private medical university among medical students in Malaysia. Subjects and Methods: The selection of participants was done using purposeful sampling, and the questionnaire was distributed in the form of an online survey using Google Forms. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression were calculated. Results: Out of the 135 medical students surveyed, 39.3% demonstrated a good knowledge and 27.4% displayed a good awareness. In terms of practice, 67.4% of respondents appropriately disposed of electronic gadgets, whereas 41.5% properly disposed of electrical appliances. Notably, no statistically significant associations were found between demographic characteristics and the knowledge, awareness, and practice in e-waste management among the participants. Conclusions: Our research emphasizes the insufficient knowledge, awareness, and inadequate implementation of proper practices concerning e-waste management among medical students. Fostering a supportive environment and emphasizing collaborative efforts are crucial steps that empower medical students to actively participate in and contribute to responsible electronic waste practices. This approach enables students to be proactive agents in promoting a greener and more environmentally conscious approach to electronic waste.

APPLICATION OF EUTECTIC FREEZE CRYSTALLIZATION FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT: A REVIEW

APPLICATION OF EUTECTIC FREEZE CRYSTALLIZATION FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT: A REVIEW

Picturing Sensitive Matters

Within the framework of an anthropology of techniques and material culture focused on the relationship between humans and non-humans in a context of ecological crisis, the objective of this article is to contribute to a discussion on the function of images – animated or static, realistic or imaginary – both as ethnographic tools and as modes of scientific writing and knowledge sharing. This article draws on ethnographic data from the multi-sited PhD research I conducted in Viêt Nam between 2011 and 2018 which focused on urban waste politics, social and environmental lives of plastic waste, and supply chains of globalised plastic recycling. In this authoritarian context, I argue that waste and plastics are sensitive matters that engage politics of representation: between the official ‘good image’ of Viêt Nam and the ethnographic pictures that make these waste matters visible, the researcher has to contend with an ‘elephant in the room’. Through a reflective analysis of different experiences and practices of photography, filmmaking, and drawing illustration, this paper will thus address political, ethical, and aesthetic issues related to the circulation and publishing of research images inside and outside of academia.