Environmental Management Problems Research Articles

Extrusion Technologies in Ensuring Sustainable Development

The relevance of the research is environmental management is the basis for natural resources conservation, environmental protection and environmental safety. Meanwhile, it is important to use the best available technologies for neutralization and processing of production and consumption waste in addition to observance of the legal and environmental rules. Waste management of production and consumption is one of the main directions of the transition to a circular economy and the use of low-waste and non-waste production, which has recently been actively demonstrated by developed countries. The main aim of extrusive processing of meat waste is considered. Extrusive processing of waste - an effective solution of problems of rational environmental management as allows to make in addition secondary resources products, thereby realizing the principles of economy of the closed cycle; and considerably to reduce environmental pollution due to refusal of burning and waste disposal of livestock production and the meat-processing enterprises. Subject, tasks and methods of a research is processing of meat waste which call still biological waste and which are formed, generally in livestock production and at the meat-processing enterprises. One of perspective technologies of high-quality processing of waste is extrusive processing. Research results confirm that In Russia outdated neutralization and recycling of agro-industrial waste technologies lead to the loss of resources. Moreover they have a significant negative impact on the environment. This article deals with the method of extrusion recycling of meat waste. Extrusion recycling of waste is an effective solution to the environmental management problems, as additionally it allows to produce products from secondary resources, thereby the principles of closed-cycle economy are implemented, and significantly reduce environmental pollution by eliminating the burning and disposal of animal waste and meat processing plants. Thus, use of extrusive technologies will allow not only to make waste products, to get additional profit, but also to prevent pollution of air, water and land resources harmful substances, providing thereby rational environmental management, and will form a basis of transition to circular economy which formation is impossible without environmental safety.

Bioengineering systems for protection and improvement of urbanized areas of coastal and recreational zones

The problems of protection and environmental management of disturbed and urbanized areas of coastal and recreational zones are urgent for the southern regions of Russia. Exogenous natural processes, intensively developing in the basins of small rivers of mountain zones, pose dangerous situations for populated areas and tourist centers. The applied methods of controlling exogenous processes require ecologization and adaptation to the natural environment. Engineering systems are required to solve the complex problem of reliable protection of urbanized and recreational areas and restoration of disturbed land areas. Bioengineering systems, interconnected structures, which effectively perform engineering and biological functions of protecting territories and restoring disturbed lands have to be developed. For scientific substantiation of proposed bioengineering systems, theoretical and experimental research methods were used, as well as scientific and technical achievements in the fight against exogenous natural processes. The main study results are new constructive and technological solutions for environmental bioengineering systems in disturbed areas of coastal and recreational zones. In compliance with the regulatory requirements for environmental technologies, protective and regulatory structures and slope fastenings have been developed, forming bioengineering systems. Theoretical foundations and recommendations for the design and construction of bioengineering systems for river bed regulation, protection and restoration of disturbed lands in protected areas have been developed. For further studies, scientific, technical and technological foundations for the development of bioengineering protective systems from the proposed structures have been developed. In the future, technical conditions and projects of standard structures of protective and regulatory structures will be developed.

The need for environmental competence of teachers for rational use of natural resources and environmental protection

Environmental education is one of the main tools for solving the problems of environmental management and environmental protection. In all highly developed countries, there is a tendency to develop technologies that contribute to reducing the harmful effects of human activities on the environment. The sustainable development of society and the economy in the face of growing demands for natural resources involves the careful treatment and transmission to future generations of clean air, genetic biodiversity and soil fertility. This can be achieved through the development of high-tech technologies based on environmental principles ,which largely depends on the quality of environmental education not only for specialists in the field of environmental management, but also for all people. We hold the view that environmental education has a great impact on the ability and skills of people to make decisions in accordance with environmental norms and standards. In order for environmental education to become an effective part of universal education, it is necessary first of all that every teacher has a competence in the field of ecology.

Study of basic environmental performance indicators of a coal mining enterprise

Current processes of environmental law enforcement require the use of innovative approaches to the problem of environmental management. In this regard, an adequate choice of the environmental performance indicators of an enterprise and the technique for their analysis, aimed at developing efficient, environmentally friendly management decisions, is of great importance. The technique for calculating the environmental and eco-economic performance indicators of a coal mining enterprise, including using the weighted average hazard class of pollutants or production and consumption waste is discussed in the article. Various options for the application of this approach, which is of practical importance for reducing the labor intensity of management decision-making by industrial enterprises, are considered.

English

Crabs play an important economic and bio-ecological role in most aquatic ecosystems and occupy an important place in the variety of trophic niches. Callinectes amnicola Rochebrune and Cardisoma armatum Herklots are two edible species widely exploited in Benin. The present work aims to i) evaluate the socio-economic and cultural importance of those two crab species, ii) analyze the dynamics of the value chain, and iii) monitor the flow of their resources. Surveys were carried out during February 2018 to September 2019 among target groups in Oueme, Atlantic and Littoral administrative Departments of Benin through structured and semi-structured interview methods as well as free interview. Results indicate that fishermen/catchers (12.76%), wholesalers/collectors (25.53%) and retailers (61.70%) are the actors involved in the crab value chain. Between 40 and 50% of fishery products are exported to markets in Togo and Ghana. Not all of the exoskeletons resulting from post-capture losses and those resulting from treatments for consumption, in particular C. amnicola (74.46%) and C. armatum (76.59%) are used, which poses an environmental management problem. The gains made in the sector vary from 8.000±2.828 Financial Community African Franc (FCAF) (C. amnicola) to 20.000±21.213 FCAF (C. armatum). The study found that crabs (C. armatum and C. amnicola) have remarkable socio-economic importance in Southern Benin, Africa. Key words: Crab, economic analysis, monitoring, Benin.

Overcoming barriers to transfer of scientific knowledge: integrating biotelemetry into fisheries management in the Laurentian Great Lakes

The science–practice divide is a stubborn problem in environmental management. Existing research tells us that a range of factors affects the uptake of new science into practice and policy, including socio-organizational, individual, and evaluative variables. Here, we seek to understand the variables influencing the uptake of biotelemetry-derived information in the Laurentian Great Lakes fishery management system. To do so, we used semi-structured telephone interviews (n = 50) to capture the views of managers, researchers, and assessment biologists affiliated with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC). Our results suggest that biotelemetry offers epistemological value (generating new and important information), but faces barriers tied to perceptions concerning practicalities of the technology, such as its cost. The practical limitations facing the use of biotelemetry evidence were more specific and potentially more easily resolved than the entrenched individual and socio-organizational challenges of using types of knowledge other than biotelemetry. The persistence of the science–practice divide was evident in our findings. Formal entities and boundary organizations such as the GLFC and inter-sectoral networks that promote interactions, meetings, and connections among researchers and practitioners can help overcome this gap. The Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (GLATOS) network can play a boundary role in facilitating biotelemetry science transfer by focusing on overcoming its evaluative limitations (e.g., costs, technological limitations). Further, the GLFC and GLATOS are well positioned to play a greater role in science transfer by facilitating interactions among scientists and practitioners to help reconcile differences in perceptions.

Ortak Mülkiyet Çerçevesinde İklim Değişikliği Sorununun Çözümünde Kyoto Protokolü’nün Etkisi

Gunumuzde cevre sorunlari iklim degisikligi uzerinden tartisilmaktadir. Iklim degisikligi, kuresel duzeyde insan varligini tehdit etmektedir. 1990’larda neoliberal politikalarin etkisinde, dogal kaynaklarin hesapsizca kullanimi, gezegenin ekosisteminin bozulmasinin onemli nedenlerinden biri olmustur. Sanayilesmenin uluslararasi niteligi, cevre sorunlarinin da kuresel duzeyde tartisilir olmasi sonucunu getirmistir. Bu yuzden gunumuzde devletler, ortak bir sorun olarak iklim degisikligini tartismaya ve ortak cevre politikalariyla cozum uretmeye calismaktadirlar. Devletler ortak bir mulkiyet olarak dogal kaynaklarin kullanimini sinirlandirmak ve bu kaynaklarin kalitesinin devamliligini saglamak icin ortak hareket ederek iklim degisikliginin onune gecmek arzusundadirlar. Bu calismada, 1980’lerden sonra neoliberal politikalarin etkisiyle kuresel pazara donuk rekabetin sinirsiz dogal kaynak kullanimini tesvik eden ortaminda, ortak mulkiyet (common property) kavrami uzerinden uluslararasi cevre politikalarinin onemi ve uluslararasi isbirliginde ortak cevre yonetimi sorunu tartisilacaktir. Calismada ele alinan sorun, 2005’te yururluge giren ve karbon gazi salinimini azaltma amaci ile devletlere yaptirim uygulayan Kyoto Protokolu uzerinden degerlendirilmeye calisilacaktir.

Decision support tools for wind and solar farm site selection in Isfahan Province, Iran

Optimizing the location of wind and photovoltaic solar power plants is a significant environmental management problem. The effectiveness of the site selection process for renewable energy systems (RES) could be strengthened by flexible spatial and environmental planning strategies using decision support systems (DSS) to critically identify the most productive, environmentally friendly and acceptable sites for the production of sustainable and reliable wind and solar energy. This study discusses hybrid DSS, using multi-criteria evaluation based on the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), a geographical information system (GIS), fuzzy logic, and a weighted linear combination (WLC) approach to determine optimal locations for renewable energy generation infrastructure. In the first stage, the most decisive factors for evaluating the site suitability were identified, based on experts’ opinions. Next, raster layers of ecological and socioeconomic sub-criteria were prepared GIS software. After incorporating the raster maps of each parameter, fuzzy membership functions were applied to normalize each raster layer between 0 and 1. The relative weights of different indicators were calculated using super decision software. Prioritizing vital elements were performed using AHP. In the final stage, the WLC approach was utilized to amalgamate layers in the GIS environment, which afforded the final site suitability maps. In Isfahan Province, Iran, 26% of the land area was found to be highly suitable for solar farms with 18% being highly suitable for wind farms. The results illustrate that using and comparing the results from combinations of computer-based DSS are more likely to result in better decisions than using individual DSS tools for the determination of the most suitable sites for RES location.

Waste Slag from Heating Plants as a Partial Replacement for Cement in Mortar and Concrete Production. Part I—Physical–Chemical and Physical–Mechanical Characterization of Slag

Numerous factors influence the complexity of environmental and waste management problems, and the most significant goal is the reuse of materials that have completed their “life cycle” and the reduction in the use of new resources. In order to reduce impact of waste slag on the environment, in the present study, waste slag, generated in heating plants after lignite combustion, was characterized in detail and tested for application as a replacement for cement in mortar or concrete production. For physical–chemical characterization of slag, different experimental and instrumental techniques were used such as chemical composition and determination of the content of heavy metals, investigation of morphological and textural properties, thermal analysis, X-ray, and infrared spectroscopy. Physical–mechanical characterization of slag was also performed and included determination of activity index, water requirement, setting time and soundness. A leaching test was also performed. Presented results show that waste slag may be used in mortar and concrete production as a partial cement replacement, but after additional combustion at 650 °C and partial replacement of slag with silica fume in the minimal amount of 12%. The maximal obtained cement replacement was 20% (17.8% slag and 2.2% of silica fume).

Environmental Management Challenges and Possible Solutions Regarding Chemical Pollution Caused by Households in Latvia: A Qualitative Pilot Study

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine public perception of chemical pollution and environmental management problems in Riga, Latvia, and obtain possible solutions to these problems. This is a qualitative study where data was obtained by organizing focus group interviews. A total of 3 focus groups were held with 18 participants taking part. The first focus group consisted of adults living in apartments, the second group – of adults living in houses, and the third group consisted of students; all respondents live in Riga city or its peri-urban area. The results have shown that the main problems defined by respondents regarding chemicals and environmental management is lack of information, low level of environmental education, complexity of available information on chemicals and environmental aspects, inappropriate infrastructure and lack of availability of environmental services. The potential solutions for determined problems are qualitative environmental education in schools, improved informative material accessibility by creating applications for smartphones, advertisement and social campaigns, ensuring provision of infrastructure and services, and implementation of packaging deposit system.

Game theory for analyzing and improving environmental management in the mining industry

The interactions, negotiations and decision-making involved in environmental sustainability in the mining industry are intricate and multi-faceted. Negotiations between communities, companies, governments and countless other stakeholders occur predominantly during the permitting stage where potential impacts are estimated, management plans are established, site remediation is planned, and the sharing of benefits is discussed. Game theory is a structured tool that can investigate the interactions between two or more players to understand their actions under given conditions. There are many applications of game theory in economics, environmental economics, business, policy, and sciences; however, there are limited examples of applications in the mining industry. With a multi-criteria approach, this research develops five games to explore game theory for the mining industry. The games are developed to investigate scenarios that maximize both overall sustainability and environmental sustainability. A discussion is provided on the challenges of incorporating multi-criteria as well as the general issues with modelling environmental management problems with game theory for the mining industry. Finally, this paper concludes by providing future direction for further research and mineral policy.

Spatial optimization of watershed best management practice scenarios based on boundary-adaptive configuration units

Spatial optimization of watershed best management practice (BMP) scenarios based on watershed modeling is an effective decision support tool for watershed management. During such optimization, existing types of BMP configuration units for configuring BMPs (or BMP configuration units, e.g. subbasins, hydrologic response units, farms) remain fixed boundaries once they have been created through spatial discretization prior to BMP scenario optimization. This sort of “boundary-fixed” method does not allow for adjustments to the spatial characteristics of BMP configuration units. Hence, it runs the risk of missing superior BMP scenarios that could have been obtained by adjusting unit boundaries and may produce less effective spatial optimization. In this article, we propose a new approach to the spatial optimization of BMP scenarios based on boundary-adaptive configuration units. The proposed optimization approach adopts slope positions (basic landform units along hillslopes inherently related to physical hillslope processes) as BMP configuration units and dynamically adjusts their boundaries by using quantitative information about their spatial gradation (i.e. fuzzy slope positions) during the optimization. A case study conducted in the Youwuzhen watershed in Fujian, China, showed that the proposed optimization approach can significantly enlarge the search space and obtain optimal BMP scenarios with better cost-effectiveness and higher optimization efficiency than with boundary-fixed units. The proposed optimization approach provides a new alternative framework for spatial optimization of BMP scenarios, in which other watershed models, intelligent optimization algorithms, and BMP configuration units available for boundary adjustment can be applied to BMP scenario optimization in a boundary-adaptive manner. This study also exemplifies the potential for transforming qualitative, vague, and empirical geographical knowledge about slope position units related to physical hillslope processes and BMPs into quantitative, explicit, and automated geospatial algorithms for effectively resolving environmental management problems in a more geographically meaningful way.

Bayesian decision network modeling for environmental risk management: A wildfire case study

Environmental decision-making requires an understanding of complex interacting systems across scales of space and time. A range of statistical methods, evaluation frameworks and modeling approaches have been applied for conducting structured environmental decision-making under uncertainty. Bayesian Decision Networks (BDNs) are a useful construct for addressing uncertainties in environmental decision-making. In this paper, we apply a BDN to decisions regarding fire management to evaluate the general efficacy and utility of the approach in resource and environmental decision-making. The study was undertaken in south-eastern Australia to examine decisions about prescribed burning rates and locations based on treatment and impact costs. Least-cost solutions were identified but are unlikely to be socially acceptable or practical within existing resources; however, the statistical approach allowed for the identification of alternative, more practical solutions. BDNs provided a transparent and effective method for a multi-criteria decision analysis of environmental management problems.

Ecological analysis of agricultural environmental management problems in the Central Chernozem Region

Abstract. Land resources of the Central Chernozem Region are intensively used in economic activities that have affected the degradation of the natural environment components. The 100-year observation period revealed changes in biogenic components and humus in the regions soils. To determine the environmental problems of agricultural environmental management, we have calculated modular indicators of geochemical impact of various agricultural sectors. We have calculated the modular indicator of agricultural impact assessment on agricultural systems of the Central Chernozem Region. In order to preserve land resources it is important to quantify the impact of agricultural production. To assess the impact the authors have introduced three types of coefficients: taking into account the agricultural, livestock and technogenic impact. They can be used as the main diagnostic indicators to identify environmental problems. The coefficients make it possible to determine trends in environmental management and by the results of geochemical analysis environmental problems and the degree of impact of different types of agricultural production are identified. Balance violations of the substances cycle in forest-steppe landscapes have been revealed. The landscape and geochemical approach reveals migration processes, the cycle of substance and violations of self-regulating properties of the natural landscape. The analysis of potassium and phosphorus distribution is important in agrochemical aspect. The coefficient was calculated based on the mass of matter introduced and removed from the soil in relation to their content in the soil. The degree of geochemical agricultural impact exceeds the natural geochemical background. It gives an opportunity to define negative features of agricultural nature use. A complex geochemical analysis of different nature users will make it possible to determine the degree of their impact on the natural environment in the region. Soil transformation in agrosystems is accompanied by ecological losses both for the natural environment and for life activity of the population. Due to wide application of chemicalization means for implementation of the agricultural intensification program, it became necessary to determine quantitatively the geochemical load on the landscape in order to optimize and protect it. In this regard, issues of renewal of natural material and energy resources are relevant for agricultural production.

ФОРМУВАННЯ ЕКОЛОГІЧНОГО МЕНЕДЖМЕНТУ НА ПІДПРИЄМСТВІ

У статті визначено особливості формування та імплементації екологічної політики на підприємстві. Досліджено основні проблеми екологічного менеджменту та визначено переваги від упровадження екологічної політики на підприємстві. Запропоновано послідовність етапів розроблення екологічної програми та політики щодо вдосконалення діяльності підприємства. Доведено, що імплементація екополітики сприяє підвищенню економіки та розвитку країни у цілому. Здійснено аналіз становлення і розвитку екологічного менеджменту, в основі якого – дотримання вимог екологічної безпеки, проведення ефективних і комплексних заходів щодо раціонального використання природних ресурсів. Сформовано портфоліо управління екологічним менеджментом на підприємстві. Розроблено програму заходів щодо вдосконалення екологічного менеджменту на підприємстві.

Does environmental knowledge drive pro-environmental behaviour in developing countries? Evidence from households in Ghana

Ghana and other developing countries in Africa are currently facing severe environmental problems with their associated health implications. In the environment and development literature, environmental knowledge is generally believed to influence people’s behaviour. To help in dealing with environmental management problems commonly found in developing countries, this study models environmental knowledge as a predictor of variation in the pro-environmental behaviour of households in Ghana. Using a household survey approach, and a multinomial logit regression analysis, we found that environmental knowledge is positive and statistically highly significant in explaining pro-environmental behaviour. Also, this study acknowledges that changes in pro-environmental behaviour are accounted for by environmental knowledge (internal factors) as well as socio-economic (external) factors. Based on the findings, the study attempts to draw lessons for policy decision-making in Ghana and other developing countries with similar characteristics.

Waste and Effective Methods of Management

This study will discuss the problem of environmental pollution and waste management. Everything that surrounds us is directly or indirectly related to the environment. Man and also other living beings as well as the nature (volcanic eruptions, earthquakes) have effects on environmental pollution. Environmental pollution is present from the very beginning of life, but today it is a serious problem that threatens the survival of mankind. During the preparation of scientific research, we noticed a problem: “What is the influence of the waste management on the environment?” Today, every person living on planet Earth is worried about environmental pollution because the consequences faced every day, through the air we breathe, the food and water we consume, through pollution and radiation we are exposed to. Also, the consequences of environmental problems are manifested through the lack of natural resources, extinction of plant and animal species, as well as the problems in the global ecosystems and biochemical processes. Based on the research problem we can hypothesize: Yes, waste management has a great impact on the environment. Key words : Environment, Waste Management, Environmental Pollution, and Ecosystems. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-4-05 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Stream habitat provided by large wood at risk under drainage law

AbstractWatershed management efforts in agriculturally dominated landscapes of North America face nearly two centuries of laws and policies that encouraged habitat destruction. Although streams and wetlands in these landscapes are actively being restored using designs that incorporate science and engineering, watershed drainage laws can constrain action or impact passively restored or naturalized habitat. In general, drainage laws require removal of any riparian vegetation or wood deemed to obstruct flow in streams regulated as drains. We use a case study from Indiana (USA) to introduce the shortcomings of drainage laws for allowing large wood, which is an important habitat feature, to remain in stream ecosystems. Removals of large wood from monitored stream reaches in a regulated drain were associated with subsequent declines in fish biomass. Such legal activities represent an important environmental management problem that exists under drainage laws which apply to streams over a widespread geographic region of North America. Recent litigation in Wisconsin (USA) suggests that if state legislatures fail to update these antiquated laws, the courts may act in favour of science‐based management of drains. The statutes and regulations that govern agricultural drainage warrant careful consideration if streams within drainage districts are to be managed to improve ecological function. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sustainable supply chains in the Indian context: An integrative decision-making model

Sustainability is gaining importance in the Indian manufacturing industries, as there are increasing considerations from stakeholders for resource utilization and for reducing ecological impacts. Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) can resolve many environmental management problems along with the gain of several competitive advantages for future. We formulate in this research, an integrative decision-making model for SSCM in the Indian context, which considers several strategies, interfaces, and regulations for sustainability along with the attributes contributing to each. A network model is constructed from an initial flow model and the weightings for factors were calculated using the method of paired comparison by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Later, Analytic Network Process (ANP) has been employed for the comparison of alternative schemes for selection of a particular SSCM strategy into implementation. We assess two alternative schemes in practice for sustainability and from the results; we observe that Scheme 2 excels Scheme 1, considering sustainability capabilities. Also, from the factor weightings, we observe that standardization of nature-friendly (NF) technologies and green segment size emerges as important factors for the case supply chain. A comparison of the results from AHP and ANP is conducted with other popular multi-criteria decision-making techniques, TOPSIS and VIKOR and the results were analyzed. Also, we conduct sensitivity analysis of the results. The implications of the study are in a direction to aid the managerial decision-making process, through effectively comparing various schemes to implementation for their sustainability capabilities.

Satellite Image-Based Monitoring of Urban Land Use Change and Assessing the Driving Factors in Pokhara and Bharatpur Metropolitan Cities, Gandaki Basin, Nepal

Urban growth is a key indicator of economic development. At the same time, haphazard urban growth creates serious socioeconomic, environmental and urban land management problems. In this context, understanding the process of urban landscape change is important for guiding the sustainable growth of urban areas. This study analyzes the urban land changes during 1990–2018 in two metropolitan cities of Gandaki basin: Pokhara and Bharatpur. Landsat satellite images were analyzed using supervised classification methods. The results revealed that the built-up area has increased significantly by 300% in Pokhara and by nearly 500% in the Bharatpur during the past 28 years. Population growth, migration from surrounding areas due to urban facilities and the easy lifestyle in cities were found to be major determinants of urban growth within the study area. In addition, the changing urban definition and expansion of municipal boundaries are key factors for rapid urban growth. Both cities are likely to grow in the future as they are both located in areas that encompass the high levels of commercial activity and modern service facilities. The haphazard urban growth should be minimized through planning and policies for sustainable urban development.