Significant Environmental Loads Research Articles

FEATURES OF THE GENESIS OF ANTHROPOGENIC SOILS OF LVIV

FEATURES OF THE GENESIS OF ANTHROPOGENIC SOILS OF LVIV

Benchmarking composting, anaerobic digestion and dark fermentation for apple vinasse management as a strategy for sustainable energy production

Looking for renewable energy sources is one of the main targets in the transition to low-carbon economies. Bioenergy appears as an alternative with great potential, but firstly, it requires addressing all aspects that can limit its environmental viability. Stillage has been identified as an environmental concern of the bioethanol production. Thus, eco-friendly strategies for valorizing this resource should be pursued. In this work, three strategies such as composting (non-energy valorization), one-stage anaerobic digestion (with the aim of biogas production), and dark fermentation followed by anaerobic digestion (scheme under development to produce biohydrogen and biogas) were evaluated under a life-cycle perspective; and through process modeling based on literature data. The aim is to identify the advantages and disadvantages of dark fermentation for the management of apple stillage. To do this, a cradle-to-gate and attributional framework were followed, considering impact and damage perspectives. Results showed a very significant environmental load (around 99%) of composting compared to the selected energy recovery schemes, considering the added value of compost and the associated emissions versus those of biofuels. Otherwise, small differences were found between single-stage anaerobic digestion and dark fermentation (up to 16%), mainly, due to changes in chemical consumption and organic matter degradation efficiency.

A multivariate model to estimate environmental load on an offshore structure

Offshore structures such as oil platforms are subjected to significant environmental loads caused by wind, waves, and current. The complexity of offshore environment requires robust and reliable models to capture dependencies among environmental variables. A vine copula is a powerful tool that can be used to construct multivariate models by decomposing the complex structure into a series of simple pair copulas. Previous studies have shown that simple and symmetric copulas can be used as building blocks to construct vine copula models. In this study, symmetric and asymmetric copula functions are considered building blocks to capture all possible dependency structures. The c-vine model is then used to estimate the total environmental load on an offshore structure. Estimated loads are compared with those using the traditional independent variable approach and a multi-Gaussian distribution function-based method. The results reveal that both symmetric and asymmetric copula functions can be fitted to build c-vine copula models for the trivariate case. C-vine copulas, constructed using asymmetric copulas, provide a better estimation of the total environmental load than the independent and multivariate Gaussian methods. The result of this study is useful in probabilistic structural analysis of offshore structures for design and resilience analysis.

Highly efficient synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite by one-step microwave using desilication solution of coal gasification coarse slag and its application to VOCs adsorption

The increased production of coal gasification coarse slag (CGCS) has placed a significant environmental load on the environment. In this research, one-step microwave synthesis employing coal gasification coarse slag desilication solution as the major source of Si and Na increased the nucleation and crystallization rate of ZSM-5 zeolite. The optimum synthesis conditions were 180 °C, 4 h, Na2O/SiO2 molar ratio of 0.2, and SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of 200, which led to a relative crystallinity of ZSM-5 zeolite higher than 100 % and a specific surface area of 344.27 m2•g−1. The resulting high-purity ZSM-5 zeolite not only has high SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio, good specific surface area, and regular hexagonal prism structure, but also has high crystallinity, smooth crystal surface and great grain homogeneity because of the microwave process. Its static adsorption capacities toward p-xylene and butyl acetate were 106.84 and 115.47 mg•g−1, respectively, and the dynamic adsorption capacities were 81.44 and 176.14 mg•g−1, respectively. The preparation method of ZSM-5 zeolite with high efficiency and low cost proposed in this paper not only contributes to the high-value utilization of CGCS, but also provides an effective method and practical guidance for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Environmental assessment of copper slag aggregate concrete

Due to the extremely large global production and utilization of concrete, the concrete industry is considered a large consumer of energy and natural resources and one of the main sources of greenhouse emissions and waste generation. Reducing its impacts on the environment is one of the most important paths toward sustainable construction development. Replacing cement and natural aggregates with byproducts and waste from other industries is one possible way of achieving this goal. On the other hand, the disposal of industrial waste, which arises from the pyrometallurgical process of copper production, presents a significant environmental load in many developed countries. Research performed so far has shown that concrete made with aggregate obtained from cooper slag instead of natural aggregate can be produced with good physical-mechanical properties for various applications. In this work, a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment of several concrete mixtures where part of the coarse natural aggregate was replaced with copper slag aggregate was performed. The conducted case study was based on Serbian LCI data and local conditions in the vicinity of the town of Bor in Serbia. Results showed that such concrete mixtures can bring environmental benefits regarding natural aggregate preservation and waste reduction if the transport distance of copper slag aggregates is smaller than 20 km. Therefore, from the environmental protection point-of-view, local application of such concrete is recommended.

Material flow analysis and life cycle assessment of food waste bioconversion by black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.)

This study provided a systematic analysis on material flow and environmental impacts of a food waste (FW) bioconversion plant using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), with a daily capacity of 15 tons of FW (wet weight). Food waste feed (FWF) used for BSFL bioconversion consisted of 80% FW (collected from households, restaurants, and canteens) and 20% rice hull powder. Material flow analysis conducted on a dry weight basis showed that 6% of FWF was transformed into BSF pre-pupae, 51% was stored in matured compost, and 43% was emitted to the air. Emissions of high environmental concern such as methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia (NH3) were sampled and quantified by laboratory analysis. The life cycle assessment revealed that the overall impact was 17.36 kg CO2-eq/t FW for global warming potential, 5.54 kg SO2-eq/t FW for acidification, 24.05 mol N-eq/t FW for terrestrial eutrophication, 0.54 kg N-eq NH3/t FW for marine eutrophication, and 0.18 kg PM2.5-eq/t FW of particulate matter up to 2.5 μm diameter. Moreover, emissions from post-composting, energy consumptions of drying and chemical fertilizer substitution ratio were detected by contribution analysis as the main contributors to those impacts. Finally, sensitivity analysis indicated that the substitution ratio of mineral fertilizer and protein feed as well as energy consumption were the most influential parameters, therefore control of the post-composting process of residual material should be closely monitored because it was responsible for significant environmental load caused by N-related emissions.

Assessment of Surface Water Quality in the Udy` River Basin

According to the Water Framework Directive of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, works aimed at the protection, restoration and rational use of water resources in Ukraine are of particular relevance. Purpose. To determine and establish patterns, in temporal and spatial changes, of water quality in the Udy river basin. Methods. Statistical, system analysis Results. At all observation posts, the highest concentration ratio to MPC in such compounds as: nitrites, oil products, copper, iron, total., manganese, chromium 6, BOD5, sulfates, zinc 2+. The quality of the rivers on the border with the Russian Federation according to WPI corresponds to the “clean” class II. In the middle reaches of the rivers Udy, Lopan, Kharkov and the mouth of the Nemyshlya river, water quality deteriorates to class III “moderate pollution”. Water quality, in the estuary area of the river Lopan, class IV "contaminated". Poor water quality in the river basin. Udy near the Khoroshevo village and the village of Eskhar, where the WPI corresponds to the V class “polluted” water. According to the WPI mod water quality at most posts is equal to class III “moderate pollution”. Water quality, in the estuary area of the Lopan river and the Nemyshlya river of the WPI mod corresponds to class IV "very polluted". A high value of the WPI mode is observed at Udy at Khoroshevo village and with Eskhar - V class "polluted" water. According to the pollution coefficient χ using priorities, the water quality at most posts of the Udy river network corresponds to the “small” class II. On the Udy River near the village of M. Danilovka class III "moderate" pollution. The wellhead section of the Lopan and Udy rivers is characterized as “very polluted”. Poor water quality is observed at the post of Udy River - the Khoroshevo village with "intensive" pollution. Without priorities, the calculation of the χ coefficient showed significantly worse water quality indicators. At most posts, pollution is “moderate”. Well section of the Nemyshlya river ` is characterized as “substantial” pollution. Qualitative condition of water of the river Lopan may be defined as “intensive” pollution. Expected at the posts on the Udy River near the village of Khoroshevo and the village of Eskhar, the water quality is V class “catastrophic”. Conclusion. Certain water quality, using the three methods of WPI, WPI mod. and the pollution coefficient χ over a long period, indicates a significant environmental load of the city of Kharkov on the river system of the Udy river. Changes in water quality indicators occur without any temporary patterns. According to the pollution coefficient χ, water quality deteriorates along the length of the rivers, except for the case on the river Udy - Khoroshevo village, where pollution is qualified as “catastrophic”. Further along the length of the river is the Eskhar village, where water quality is improving, due to the self-cleaning of the river.

PERFORMANCE OF A CIRCULATION TYPE PURIFICATION SYSTEM DURING THE TREATMENT OF SLUDGE FROM MANILA BAY AND TWO PORTS IN JAPAN

Ocean sludge seriously exerts significant environmental load to local sea areas and has a negative effect on the marine ecosystem. In this study, the use of fine-bubble technology for the purification of sludge is being investigated. The principle behind this technology is that the bacteria that can degrade sludge are activated by the aerobic conditions induced by the fine-bubbles. Fortunately, one of the authors successfully developed a fine-bubble decomposition system (circulation type) for ocean sludge. Hence, to verify and check the system’s performance it was used and tested in the treatment of sludge that was obtained from Manila Bay and from Funabashi and Hidaka ports, in Japan. Interestingly, the results of the study showed that the system performed very well in treating the sludge. It is noteworthy to mention that through this study, potentially beneficial bacteria isolated from the sludge sample was successfully identified using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis.

MODERN MECHANISM OF STRENGTHENING INNOVATIVE ACTIVITY OF TRANSPORT ENTERPRISES

In order to create a well-functioning mechanism for the operation of the transport complex of the national economy of Ukraine and to increase the competitiveness of domestic transport in the world transport markets, a number of problems facing transport enterprises and the transport infrastructure of Ukraine in general need to be solved. The main issues are: a low level of service, non-compliance of the technical and technological level of domestic transport with European requirements, lagging development of transport services technologies, unsatisfactory level of transportation safety, a significant environmental load of transport to the environment, etc. The International Transport Corridor is a complex of land and water traffic arteries with appropriate infrastructure in a particular direction, including auxiliary structures, access roads, border crossings, service points, cargo and passenger terminals, equipment for traffic management, organizational and technical measures, legislative and regulatory acts that ensure the carriage of goods and passengers at the level corresponding to the requirements of the European Community. ITC №№ 3, 5, 7, 9 pass the territory of Ukraine and have a priority development in the national transport network. Relevant innovations that should support the transport industry and improve the service of providing transport services are as follows: electronic freight technology and single-window technology as a factor of acceleration of cargo movement; introduction of electronic document flow in logistics and transport activities (e.g., implementation of projects of electronic submission of information, electronic booking of queues, electronic declaration); development and implementation of standards for electronic document flow; methods of management and control over transportation costs in order to reduce the cost of delivery of goods by vehicles; application of cloud technologies and mobile devices; management of delivery terms; creation of new supply chains/transport corridors and multimodal formats, etc. The advantage of electronic document flow is that this system allows quickly sharing information. This is the implementation of single-window principle in transport terminals, where the most labour-intensive processes are associated with the processing of documents – both on arrival of cargo and on shipment. Therefore, it provides an opportunity to accelerate the time to handle a fairly large amount of information, multimodality – the possibility to transfer information from one mode of transport to another and make decisions at the junctions of transport modes. To date, the UIS has been used in the most developed ports, airports, and other intensive border crossing points in the world, attempts have been made to use it in Odesa, Illichivsk, “Yuzhnyi”, and Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi ports. For developing the mentioned structural transformations, we propose to introduce an improved organizational-economic mechanism of regulation of innovative activity. The proposed structure should have inherent functions related to the state innovation and investment policy in the transport and road complex, which will allow ensuring the effectiveness of the organizational-economic mechanism for regulating the innovation activity of transport enterprises.

Monopiles subjected to uni- and multi-lateral cyclic loading

Offshore wind turbines are subjected to significant environmental loads from a combination of current, wind and wave action. Under such conditions, the directions of these environmental loads vary over the service life of the structure and therefore the cyclic lateral loading on the foundation also changes direction. The work reported in this paper examines the effects of multi-directional loading on the performance of offshore wind turbine monopile foundations. Tests were carried out in a model sand bed and a mobile loading platform was manufactured to apply loading on the pile in various directions. Tests were also carried out where the cyclic loading was applied under both one-way and two-way loading. The observations indicate significant differences in the stiffness of monopiles between uni-directional and multi-directional lateral cyclic loading. Multi-directional lateral cyclic loading generally results in higher displacements and lower stiffness compared to uni-directional loading, most likely due to shear deformation of a larger volume of soil mass adjacent to the pile.

Environmental assessment of waste management in Greenland: current practice and potential future developments

The majority of the waste in Greenland is disposed of in open dumps or incinerated in simple small-scale incinerators. There are relatively few environmental regulations that control the emissions of leachate, landfill gas and/or flue gases from incineration. Only some scrap metal and hazardous waste are collected separately and exported to Europe. The impacts from the current waste management system were modelled from a life-cycle perspective using the LCA-waste model EASEWASTE. Impacts with regard to global warming, acidification, etc. are small (a few hundred person-equivalents (PE) for a system serving 56 000 inhabitants), but significant environmental loads are caused by air emissions from the incinerators and leachate from the landfills. Several alternative management scenarios were modelled and results show that increased use of incineration, full utilization of the heat production for district heating and separation of hazardous waste probably could improve Greenland's waste management system. Segregation of recyclable materials as paper, cardboard and biowaste will do little to environmentally improve the waste management system due to loss of energy recovery from incineration and the long transport of the recyclables to markets. Export of waste to Denmark for incineration at modern waste incinerators with advanced flue gas cleaning could also be considered as a means to achieve better environmental performance of the waste management system.

Life cycle inventory analysis of chemical processes

AbstractEffective pollution prevention is greatly facilitated by identifying and quantifying adverse effects to the environment during the product's life cycle, including raw material extraction and processing, manufacturing, use, recycling, and ultimate disposal. Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) analysis is a thorough procedure accounting for the environmental loads during the product's life cycle. Through the detailed information gathered in LCI's one can identify the aspects of their plant/process that create the most significant environmental loads, and act to either substitute raw materials or modify process steps to reduce the generated environmental loads. In this paper, an LCI methodology which is generalized to account for environmental loads generated in all periods of operation (e.g., production, startup, shutdown, maintenance), as well as risk related events (e.g., accidents, off‐spec. production, disposal of perishable materials) is presented. This methodology utilizes the eco‐vector approach for tracking environmental loads. Recognizing that the scope and coverage of an LCI can vary substantially depending on goals and financial resources, our general LCI framework provides guidance for focusing on these aspects which are expected to contribute the most significant environmental loads. The approach is demonstrated through a simplified example.

Man's Impact on the Barents Sea

The Barents Sea ecosystem is a polar system with high biological production. Production takes place during a short season, mainly along the ice margin. As biological production is very limited in both space and time, the ecosystem is vulnerable to the influence of human activity. Fishing activity represents the most significant environmental load by man on the Barents Sea. In recent years offshore oil and gas exploration activity has increased, resulting in environmental problems as well as conflicts with fishing operations. Heavy metals and organic contaminants of man-made origin have been observed in both sediments and organisms at different trophic levels. Both long-range atmospheric transport and transport by ocean currents are important. Organic contaminants accumulate mainly in the body fat of the organisms; northern ecosystems are therefore especially vulnerable because fat has much greater ecological importance in such systems than in more southerly ecosystems. In recent years there has been public concern in both Norway and Russia over the possibility of radioactive pollution. Nuclear power plants, nuclear vessels and weapons are present in the area and produce radioactive wastes. Reports of wastes have influenced public opinion in many countries. The Barents Sea is strongly influenced by ocean climate variations. Global climate models forecast that the most elevated ocean temperatures due to possible greenhouse effects will probably occur in polar regions. Key words: Barents Sea, fishing, offshore oil activity, organic contaminants, radioactivity