Reduce Water Consumption Research Articles

Innovative cultivator for cultivating soil and applying liquid fertilizers to reduce the use of irrigation water

In the course of these scientific studies, a cultivator of the KR 3-25 type was developed to stimulate the root system of cotton and apply liquid fertilizers to increase its yield. In the course of scientific work, liquid fertilizer was applied to the root system of cotton using a KR 3-25 cultivator; scientific research was carried out for 3 years. The effect on plant growth, yield and thirst was studied. As a result, this has led to an improvement in the underground balance of moisture and nutrients in the soil where the roots of the cotton plant are located, leading to significant savings in water consumption and an increase in cotton yield. This also helped reduce soil salinity. This paper presents the results of many years of scientific research on the effect of an innovative top-dressing cultivator on reducing water consumption and increasing crop yields.

HYDROCHLORIC ACID PHENAZINE IN THE TECHNOLOGY OF PRODUCTION OF EMULSION RUBBERS

The proposed work is devoted to improving the stage of formation of crumbs of emulsion butadiene-styrene synthetic polymer. For the first time, an organic compound containing two nitrogen atoms – phenazine hydrochloride – was used to isolate rubber from latex. The effect of this salt was compared with previously studied flocculants such as sodium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N,N-diallylammonium chloride and a polymer based on it. The study found that the consumption of phenazine hydrochloride to separate 1 ton of rubber was 2.5 kg, which is close to the amount of polymer cationic flocculants introduced into the technological process of extracting rubber from latex. In previous studies, it was noted that the consumption of organic compounds containing one nitrogen atom in their structure is almost 10 times higher than the consumption of polymer cationic electrolytes. The use of this product is of more theoretical importance, as it allows one to expand information on the stability of dispersed systems to electrolytes of different natures. The temperature regime for the release of rubber from latex was maintained at a given level - 20 °C. The consumption of sulfuric acid in all considered cases was kept constant - 15 kg/t of rubber. Low costs of a coagulating agent can ensure the creation of a closed technological cycle on an industrial scale. This will reduce water consumption by workshops producing emulsion polymerization rubbers and reduce the environmental risks of their production. The results of testing rubbers and vulcanizates based on them showed that the main physical and mechanical indicators comply with the regulatory requirements of GOST and TU.

Efeito do estresse hídrico na qualidade pós-colheita de flores de Lilium longiflorum

Abstract The limited availability of water due to agricultural, industrial, technological, and urban expansion requires a greater effort to make its use more efficient and achieve substantial savings in ornamental productions without affecting the commercial value quality, and final presentation of flowers and plants. Water stress is an environmental factor that causes physiological effects in plants and accelerates the senescence of leaves and flowers on cut stems. Considering crop evapotranspiration (ETc), an alternative way to reducing water consumption in intensive crops is the use of controlled, restricted irrigation, coupled with the application of phytohormones in pre-harvest to mitigate the effects of water stress, i.e. 6- Benzylaminopurine (6-BAP). The objective of this study was to determine the quality and vase life of Lilium stems under restricted irrigation combined with phytohormones application. An experiment with four treatments was designed, concerning normal (NI, 100% ETc) or restricted irrigation (RI, 35% ETc) and with or without application of 6-BAP (300 ppm). A completely randomized ANOVA design with 6 repetitions per treatment was used. The vase life of cut Lilium flowers was not significantly affected (13.9 vs. 12.5 days under NI and RI respectively). The application of 6-BAP had no influence on vase life, but delayed the foliage yellowing and therefore reduced the rate of deterioration of the floral stem. Restricted irrigation and the application of phytohormones can be useful tools to improve the water use efficiency in lily crops.

Supercritical CO2 power cycle

The article is focused on summarizing the issue of energy circuits working with supercritical carbon dioxide sCO2. Carbon dioxide is currently coming to the forefront of many research institutions with regard to its possible use in its supercritical conditions, thanks to which higher efficiency and compactness of equipment can be achieved compared to conventional steam-water cycles. The article describes the basic properties of this medium, including a description of sCO2 cycles (Brayton, Rankine, etc.). Furthermore, the possible use of energy cycles with sCO2 is discussed, especially in solar and nuclear power plants and in power plants burning fossil fuels. In the case of solar power plants, the sCO2 Brayton cycle can offer higher cycle efficiencies than using super-critical steam cycles. The use of sCO2 in nuclear or coal power plants in turn increases efficiency and reduces water consumption. In addition, the use of the sCO2 circuit in new nuclear reactors of the IV generation is currently being considered, in which the operating temperatures are in the range of 500 - 900 °C, i.e. they are generally higher than operating water-cooled reactors. Even though the use of CO2 refrigerant in power systems has been known for a long time (e.g. use in the first Czechoslovak power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice), they are still not used commercially in the energy industry. One of the reasons is the ongoing research into the behavior of materials at high temperatures in sCO2, corrosion protection, or the effect of carbon dioxide purity on behavior in the supercritical region.

Wastewater management from municipal slaughterhouses in Mexico: quantities produced, existing legislation, treatment processes applied and future challenges

Wastewater from municipal slaughterhouses remains a persistent issue in the world, owing to its inherent characteristics it has been categorized as one of the most environmentally detrimental water sources. Mexico has 972 registered facilities dedicated to meat processing, so it is necessary to establish the best treatment options in order to achieve efficient control of the wastewater produced, reduce water consumption and enhance the utilization of natural resources. The objective of this study was to estimate the quantities of municipal slaughterhouse wastewater produced in Mexico and to provide information on the legislation applicable to the disposal and discharge of these effluents. It also presents the nature-based solutions that could be applied and that are technically and economically feasible, as well as future opportunities for the sustainable management of this type of wastewater. The state of Jalisco is the largest generator of wastewater and solid waste in the country, and significant progress has been made in the transition of public policies toward a sustainability model nationwide. These advancements are supported by legal foundations, institutional frameworks, and governmental bodies. The competitive advantages of nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands over other treatment technologies include low operation and maintenance costs, ease of implementation, low energy consumption, and the fact that they are not harmful to nature and receiving bodies. While significant progress has been made in the management and sanitation of slaughterhouse wastewater, challenges persist with regard to the technologies employed (design and operation parameters, scaling up, biochemical processes involved, etc.) which in turn become excellent areas of opportunity for future research.

Fabrication of sustainable flame retardant cotton fabrics via foam finishing with sodium polyborate

The conventional process of imparting flame retardancy to cotton fabrics requires the consumption of large amounts of water, chemicals, and energy, which usually involves halogen-containing and phosphorus-containing chemicals. In this work, an eco-friendly sodium polyborate (SPB) foam was creatively introduced onto the cotton fabric surface by a bladed coater to improve the fire resistant performance. For the cotton sample with only 6.7% weight gain (WG) of SPB coating, the LOI value of cotton fabric (SPB treated cotton-1) was enhanced to 32.6% from 18.5%, the damaged length was decreased to 5.7 cm, and the sample self-extinguished in the vertical burning test. The peak of heat release rate value, total heat release value, and total smoke production (TSP) value decreased by 87.0%, 72.7%, and 22.2% respectively compared with those of the control sample. The TSP was further decreased by 80.6% when the WG of SPB was 16.7%. Besides, the SPB treated cotton showed enhanced antibacterial activities against S.aureus and E.coli. Particularly worth mentioning is in the SPB foam finishing procedure, no organic solvent and P or Cl-containing chemicals were involved, and the processing time was only around 3 min with obviously reduced water consumption, compared with dip-padding finishing. More importantly, SPB treated cotton kept good softness, whiteness, water vapor permeability, and air permeability. The SPB foam finishing in this work shows considerable potential in realize good flame retardancy on cotton fabrics by eco-friendly and high-efficient strategy.

State of the Art and New Technologies to Recycle the Fertigation Effluents in Closed Soilless Cropping Systems Aiming to Maximise Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Greenhouse Crops

Inappropriate fertilisation results in the pollution of groundwater with nitrates and phosphates, eutrophication in surface water, emission of greenhouse gasses, and unwanted N deposition in natural environments, thereby harming the whole ecosystem. In greenhouses, the cultivation in closed-loop soilless culture systems (CLSs) allows for the collection and recycling of the drainage solution, thus minimising contamination of water resources by nutrient emissions originating from the fertigation effluents. Recycling of the DS represents an ecologically sound technology as it can reduce water consumption by 20–35% and fertiliser use by 40–50% in greenhouse crops, while minimising or even eliminating losses of nutrients, thereby preventing environmental pollution by NO3− and P. The nutrient supply in CLSs is largely based on the anticipated ratio between the mass of a nutrient absorbed by the crop and the volume of water, expressed as mmol L−1, commonly referenced to as “uptake concentration” (UC). However, although the UCs exhibit stability over time under optimal climatic conditions, some deviations at different locations and different cropping stages can occur, leading to the accumulation or depletion of nutrients in the root zone. Although these may be small in the short term, they can reach harmful levels when summed up over longer periods, resulting in serious nutrient imbalances and crop damage. To prevent large nutrient imbalances in the root zone, the composition of the supplied nutrient solution must be frequently readjusted, taking into consideration the current nutrient status in the root zone of the crop. The standard practice to estimate the current nutrient status in the root zone is to regularly collect samples of drainage solution and determine the nutrient concentrations through chemical analyses. However, as results from a chemical laboratory are available several days after sample selection, there is currently intensive research activity aiming to develop ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) for online measurement of the DS composition in real-time. Furthermore, innovative decision support systems (DSSs) fed with the analytical results transmitted either offline or online can substantially contribute to timely and appropriate readjustments of the nutrient supply using as feedback information the current nutrient status in the root zone. The purpose of the present paper is to review the currently applied technologies for nutrient and water recycling in CLSs, as well as the new trends based on ISEs and novel DSSs. Furthermore, a specialised DSS named NUTRISENSE, which can contribute to more efficient management of nutrient supply and salt accumulation in closed-loop soilless cultivations, is presented.

Heterogeneous photosensitization for water reuse in cellars: evaluation of silica, spongin, and chitosan as carrier material.

Photosensitization, a powerful oxidation reaction, offers significant potential for wastewater treatment in the context of industrial process water reuse. This environmentally friendly process can be crucial in reducing water consumption and industrial pollution. The ultimate goal is to complete process water reuse, creating a closed-loop system that preserves the inherent value of water resources. The photosensitized oxidation reaction hinges on three essential components: the photosensitizer, visible light, and oxygen. In this study, we assess the performance of three distinct materials-silica, chitosan, and spongin-as carrier materials for incorporating the phthalocyanine photosensitizer (ZnPcS4) in the heterogenous photosensitization process. Among the three materials under study, chitosan emerged as the standout performer in reactor hydrodynamic performance. In the photooxidation process, the photosensitizer ZnPcS4 exhibited notable efficacy, resulting in a significant reduction of approximately 20 to 30% in the remaining COD concentration of the cellar wastewater. Chitosan demonstrated exceptional hydrodynamic characteristics and displayed a favorable response to pH adjustments within the range of 8 to 10, outperforming the other two carrier materials. To further enhance the efficiency of continuous operation, exploring methods for mitigating photosensitizer bleaching within the reaction medium and investigating the impact of different pH values on the process optimization would be prudent.

THE IMPACT OF STILLAGE FILTRATE ON THE SYNTHESIS OF VOLATILE IMPURITIES OF ALCOHOL AND THE OPTIMIZATION OF THE RECTIFICATION PROCESS

The aim of this research is to determine the influence stillage filtrate on the synthesis of volatile impurities in alcohol, with subsequent removal through the rectification process in a rectification unit operating in an energy-saving mode at pressures lower than atmospheric. The study was conducted at the state enterprise (hereinafter - SE) "Kozlivsky Distillery" located at: Ternopil region, Kozlivsky district, urban-type settlement Kozliv, using gas chromatographic method for determining the content of microcomponents (acetaldehyde, methanol, fusel oil components, esters) using capillary columns. The rectification unit includes various components such as the mash column, hydroselection column, rectification column, methanol column, impurity concentration column and "zero" column. During the research, technological parameters of operation of each unit component were studied, and the concentration of organic impurities in alcohol at different stages was determined. The results of this study allow improving the efficiency of the rectification unit, which is of great importance in alcohol production. Research was conducted on the impact stillage filtrate on the synthesis of volatile impurities in alcohol during fermentation. The research was carried out with the full use iltrate of stillage at the stage of preparing the fermenting substrate. The mash had different concentrations of dry substances. The stillage filtrate was obtained by centrifugation of native stillage and its suspended matter concentration did not exceed 1%. The influence of the amount stillage filtrate and the number of cycles of its recirculation on the biosynthesis of volatile organic compounds during fermentation was studied. The research results showed that the use stillage filtrate at the stage of preparing the fermenting substrate contributes to reducing water consumption and slows down the synthesis of acetaldehyde and higher alcohols during fermentation. With repeated use stillage filtrate, the synthesis process changes, which affects the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the fermentation mash. This impact should be taken into account when selecting operating modes of the rectification unit. Therefore, to obtain high-quality rectified alcohol, it is necessary to adjust the appropriate operating mode of the rectification unit and consider the influence stillage filtrate on the fermentation process.

A Decision-Making System for Cotton Irrigation Based on Reinforcement Learning Strategy

This article addresses the challenges of water scarcity and climate change faced by cotton cultivation in the Xinjiang region of China. In response, a precise irrigation model based on reinforcement learning and the crop model DSSAT is proposed. The experimental site chosen for this study is Changji City in northwest China’s Xinjiang province. Integrating the cotton model, CSM-CROPGRO, from the DSSAT model with reinforcement learning algorithms, a decision system was developed to provide accurate irrigation strategies that maximize cotton yield. The experimental results demonstrated that our approach significantly improved cotton yield and, compared to genetic algorithms, reduced water consumption while increasing production. This provides a better solution for developing cotton cultivation in the Xinjiang region. Additionally, we analyzed the differences in irrigation strategies among different decision scenarios, and the results showed that the reinforcement learning method achieved higher yields in water application trends during different periods. This research offers new ideas and methods for improving cotton-crop-management decisions. The study’s focus on maximizing cotton yield while reducing water usage aligns with the sustainable management of water resources and the need for agricultural adaptation to changing climate conditions. It highlights the potential of reinforcement learning methods in improving irrigation decision-making and their applicability in addressing water scarcity challenges. This research contributes to the advancement of cotton crop management and provides valuable insights for agricultural decision-makers in the Xinjiang region and beyond.

A new framework for evaluating water use reduction strategies using an integrated, holistic, and transparent approach (Urmia Lake basin case study)

Agriculture and food security have always faced challenges related to water scarcity, so agricultural water conservation is the most important strategy for overcoming this challenge. In this study, the REWAS tool developed by FAO and Future Water was used to evaluate the effects of technological and management strategies on real water savings (RWS) in the Zarrineh River sub-basin, Iran. Nine farms were investigated (wheat, corn, tomato, sugar beet), including control and treatment farms. According to changes in water consumption and return flows, RWS was calculated for various scenarios of field interventions. To assess the water consumption in Basin scale, REWAS was simplified the accounting framework for water consumption (consumed and unconsumed). In the Zarrineh River sub-basin, the use of the techniques applied in the treatment farm, compared to the control farm (according to farmer customary practices), resulted in a significant reduction of non-beneficial consumption. For example, according to the REWAS evaluation in West s17 farn, the treatment farm consumed the most useful water compared to the control farm (331 mm and 267 mm, respectively), which led to the most useful water consumption at basin scale (to the order of 3920 mm and 3166 mm). According to the results on the scale of the basin , the highest amount of recoverable discharge was also obtained in the control farm with an increase of 3774 MCM over the treatment farm. Using strategies to reduce water consumption resulted in apparent water saving (AWS) at the farm scale, but these AWS were very different from their RWS at the basin scale and the RWS at the basin scale (13%) was much lower than the AWS at the farm scale (38%). According to the results, apparent water savings (AWS) at the farm scale do not reduce water consumption, and may actually increase it when viewed in a basin scale. REWAS concepts indicate that significant amounts of “lost” water are actually recoverable return flows that can be used by downstream users or contribute to wetlands. According to REWAS concepts, real water savings can only be achieved by preventing non-recyclable backflows. Assessing RWS can help decision makers select sustainable interventions that will improve agricultural water productivity by providing information on farm flows, irrigation networks, and basin scales.

Straw strip mulch improves soil moisture similar to plastic film mulch but with a higher net income

Soil surface mulch is an important measure for conserving more moisture and increasing yield in rainfed agroecosystems. Straw strip mulch (SM) is a new mulching technique for clean production, but the regulation mechanisms of SM on soil moisture and potato yield formation is lack of systematic understanding yet. Therefore, a five-year (2018–2022) consecutive field trial on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was conducted in the semiarid rainfed region of Northwest China, using three treatments: full-field black plastic film mulch (PM), SM with 42% of the field area mulched using whole corn stalks, and no mulch as the control (NM). Relative to NM, on average across five growing seasons of potato, SM increased (P < 0.05) the soil moisture in 0–200 cm depth by 6.6%, fresh tuber yield ha−1 by 15.0%, dry tuber yield ha−1 by 23.6%, weight per tuber by 13.3%, net income by 26.3% (8268 ¥ ha−1), and output / input ratio by 10.5%, biomass by 16.5%, water use efficiency 28.5%, but reduced the total water consumption (ET) throughout the potato growth period by 12.9 mm. SM had a similar (P > 0.05) soil moisture in 0–200 cm depth, the total ET, the dry tuber yield and WUE as PM but with a 10.7% (2455 ¥ ha−1) higher net income. Mulching practices not only increased the soil moisture at different growth stages, but also regulated its utilization. Compared with NM, the maximum increase of soil moisture in SM and PM occurred at tuber formation stage. SM and PM decreased water consumptions in early period (sowing to tuber formation) and late period (tuber bulking to maturity), as well as their ratios to total ET, but increased them in middle period (tuber formation to tuber bulking). The increased weight per tuber was the primary yield component that leads to the increased yield in SM and PM. It was concluded that mulching practices improve soil moisture by inhibiting evaporation, increase transpiration ratio to ET, reduce water consumption of early period and its ratio to total ET while increasing them of middle period, resulting in significant increases in biomass and weight per tuber, which were the main mechanisms for yield increases in SM and PM compared to NM. SM is suitable to be popularized in a semiarid rainfed agroecosystem for potato production as an alternative to PM.

Water management technology for implementing a water culture for bus operators

Transit operators' concerns regarding water resources are minimal. No standards or policies are available for managing water in washing operations, which are currently accomplished according to local practices. This paper presents a cost-benefit scenario assessment in which an innovative water-reclamation and harvesting technology for the bus sector is applied to washing operations within the European Commission's LIFEH2OBUS project. The theoretical approach (coherent with consolidated methodologies applied in transportation studies developed within past European research projects) is aimed at assessing the performance trends and impacts (associated with several evaluation categories, such as society, environment, operations, and energy) in various scenarios and via cost-benefit and sensitivity analyses. Furthermore, a performance threshold was designed to successfully implement the innovative technology outside the LIFEH2OBUS project. The scenario's results show a 92% reduction in water consumption after one year of implementation; that is, 21,528,000 L saved for a fleet of 500 buses. If this technology can be implemented in 50% of the European transit fleet in five years (342,143 buses), 14,731,309,008 L/year can be saved, along with a 29 GWh/year reduction in energy consumption and 74 ktCO2eq/year fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The research goal is to evidence water saving potential and pioneer a new field of study on water management, thereby launching a new “Water Culture” among bus operators.

Changes in phytochemical properties and water use efficiency of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) using superabsorbent polymer under drought stress

Water consumption management and the application of advanced techniques in the agricultural sector can significantly contribute to the efficient utilization of limited water resources. This can be achieved by improving soil texture, increasing water retention, reducing erosion, and enhancing seedling germination through the use of superabsorbent polymers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Aquasource superabsorbent (AS) on the morphological characteristics, phytochemical properties, antioxidant content, and water use efficiency of peppermint. It was conducted under different irrigation management and using different superabsorbent levels. Therefore, a 3 × 4 factorial design was used to determine the effects of irrigation intervals (2-, 4-, and 6-day) and different levels of AS amount (zero [control], 0.5, 1, and 2 wt%). The effects of these factors on various parameters (morphological characteristics, essential oil percentage, nutrient, protein, proline, carotenoid, antioxidant, and chlorophyll content, leaf area index, relative water content, and water use efficiency [WUE]) were evaluated. The results showed that morphological characteristics and essential oil percentage decreased significantly under drought stress (increasing the irrigation intervals). However, the addition of 0.5 (wt%) AS improved plant growth conditions. Increasing the amount of superabsorbent used to 1 and 2 (wt%) decreased the measured traits, which indicates the creation of unsuitable conditions for plant growth. AS application improved the growth of the root more than the leaf yield of peppermint. A 0.5 (wt%) addition of AS resulted in root length increases of 3, 13, and 15%, respectively, at irrigation intervals of 2, 4, and 6 days, respectively. Additionally, at 0.5 (wt%) AS, root weight increased by 8, 15, and 16% in 2-, 4-, and 6-day irrigation intervals, respectively. Also, the height of the plant increased by 3, 5, and 17% at 2-, 4-, and 6-day irrigation intervals when 0.5 (wt%) of AS was used compared to the control. As well, essential oil percentage increased by 2.14, 2.06, and 1.63% at 2-, 4-, and 6-day irrigation intervals. The nutrient and protein contents decreased as irrigation intervals and AS usage increased, indicating a similar trend. However, compared with the control, the addition of 0.5 (wt%) of AS resulted in some improvements in nutrients and protein. The highest WUE (3.075 kg m−3) was attained in the 4-day irrigation interval and 1 wt% AS addition. This was followed closely by the 2-day irrigation interval with 1 wt% AS addition at 3.025 kg m−3, and the 4-day irrigation interval with 0.5 wt% AS addition, which reached 2.941 kg m−3. Overall, the use of AS in appropriate amounts (0.5 wt%) can reduce water consumption and enhance essential oil yield and WUE in peppermint cultivation in water-scarce arid and semi-arid regions.

IoT-digital twin-inspired smart irrigation approach for optimal water utilization

Agriculture industry faces the challenge of increasing productivity by 50% from 2012 to 2050 while reducing water usage, given that it currently consumes 69% of the world’s freshwater. To achieve this goal, smart technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Twins (DT), and Internet of Things (IoT) are being increasingly utilized. However, the use of DT in agriculture is still in its early stages. This study proposes a smart irrigation framework inspired by digital twins in an application domain. The irrigation framework’s sensors and actuators are linked to their virtual counterparts to create a digital twin. The IoT platform collects, aggregates, and processes data to determine daily irrigation requirements, and the behavior of the irrigation system is simulated. The proposed framework has two main advantages: evaluating the behavior of the digital twin and IoT platform in the context of agriculture before integrating them into the field and comparing various irrigation methods with current farming methods. By providing farmers with information about soil, weather, and crops, the system has the potential to improve farm operations and reduce water consumption.

A Comparative Analysis of the Water Use and Nutritional Value for California Commodities

ABSTRACTTo create a more sustainable food system, this study analyzed the water use and nutritional data for California commodities. The data were separated into quadrants based on median scores, with results that include a list of commodities lower in agricultural water use while being higher in nutritional value. Because the agricultural sector is the dominant water user, there is an opportunity here to influence growers, consumers and policymakers to choose and support the growth of foods that would reduce water consumption while still providing beneficial nutrients. The goal of this paper is to educate the public on this important issue.

Sensing Properties of Metamaterials Utilized as Self-Cleaning Coating for Solar Mirrors

In this work the experimental activity conducted on self-cleaning sensitive metamaterial coatings for solar mirrors is described. The aim of the research activity is the modulation of solar mirrors wettability in order to reduce water consumption in ordinary cleaning operation and, consequently, maintenance costs, as well as the addition of sensoring properties to the mirrors for the remote acquisition of their performance. In particular, cermet metamaterials and hybrid polymers have been selected as matrices and doped with conductive particles. Considering that in the most part of solar mirrors architectures the external layer consists of an amphiphobic alumino-silicate, which has a wetting contact angle (WCA*) of around 50°, in this work different “silica-like” based coatings have been fabricated by means of sputtering deposition (for inorganic cermet metamaterials) and spraying (for polymers ) with the aim of obtaining a more hydrophobic behavior (WCA &gt; 90° can halve the amount of water required for mirrors cleaning), preserving mirrors optical properties and exhibiting, at the same time, electrical properties suitable to sensoring purpose.

The Prioritization of Sustainability Features of Buildings from the Viewpoint of Experts

The reduction of environmental impact in buildings and the enhancement of environmental performance in the built environment are the key objectives of sustainable development. To achieve this, the adoption of green buildings requires a comprehensive construction approach that focuses on delivering environmentally friendly solutions throughout the entire construction process. This research aims to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and the practical realities of construction in Iran. It proposes essential criteria and assigns weights to them for creating green buildings based on the opinions of experts from different backgrounds. To understand how buildings are influenced by the environment, society and economics, relevant factors were identified using library research. Web-based surveys involving experts, including architects, engineers, and environmental specialists, were conducted to gather insights into these criteria. A total of 14 criteria were accepted and categorized into economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) methodology was employed to assess the opinions of 45 expert participants, as provided in the questionnaire. The findings indicate that, among sustainability features, the environmental factor holds the highest significance in Iran, while the social factor is considered the least important. Looking at the sub-criteria, reducing water consumption, financial incentives, and achieving energy efficiency at a reasonable cost are given the highest priority within the environmental, economic, and social aspects of green buildings.

Response of Jasmine rice to different levels of irrigation and organic fertilization under SRI cultivation method

Maintaining a certain level of rice production must coincide with maintaining soil fertility, reducing pollution to the environment, and reducing water consumption. A field experiment was carried out during the 2020 summer growing season in a spot of Al-Issa county-Abbasiya district in the province of Najaf, in order to study the effect of different levels of irrigation and organic fertilizers on the growth, yield and components of the local rice variety Jasmine. The experimental plants were planted on June 17, according to the rice intensification system (SRI) method, by seedling method, at distances of 25 cm between seedlings and lines, with one seedling in the hole. Weeds were removed by hand three times. It was designed as a factorial experiment using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates, where the irrigation levels (daily, 3 or 7 days irrigation intervals) as the main factor, while the organic fertilizers at two levels (10 and 5 ton.hˉ¹) were the secondary factor. The results showed that irrigation at 3 days intervals in clay soil mixed with the use of 10 ton.h-1 of organic fertilizers in SRI gave the highest rates of growth characteristics and yield components of Jasmine rice. In the case of irrigation and soil conditions in the study site, SRI is recommended to reduce water consumption and maintain an acceptable level of soil fertility, taking into account maintaining a level of production.

Solving Food Insecurity and Agricultural Challenges with Hydroponics

In the face of an ever-expanding global population and the impending threat of food insecurity, the limitations of conventional agricultural methods have become evident. However, hydroponics–a crucial agricultural development–could present a sustainable and efficient solution to address the challenges posed by overpopulation. By cultivating food in smaller spaces with higher yields, hydroponics offers a potential remedy to improve food security and nourish the world. This research paper delves into the impact of hydroponics in Ontario, and provides insights into hydroponics' potential to reduce water consumption, mitigate environmental impact, and optimize land use. This paper will also provide lessons for enhancing traditional agriculture's sustainability. Ultimately, this comparison enables informed decisions and promotes environmentally conscious approaches to crop production, fostering a resilient and ecologically harmonious future.