Use Of Renewable Natural Resources Research Articles

SUSTAINABLE URBAN ARCHITECTURAL REHABILITATION OF AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURES

This paper presents a proposal for the sustainable urban-architectural rehabilitation of the former Quito airport building in Ecuador. The research focuses on exploring the implementation of nature-based solutions to optimize environmental performance and mitigate the impacts of climate change at the urban scale. Additionally, sustainable, and bioclimatic design strategies are investigated to enhance energy efficiency and resource consumption at the architectural scale. A notable aspect of the rehabilitation of the existing building is the use of glued laminated timber as the main material. This construction system has become an increasingly popular solution due to its technical, aesthetic, and environmental advantages, positioning it as a sustainable alternative capable of significantly reducing carbon emissions associated with construction. This approach not only enables the conversion of an obsolete urban area but also contributes to the preservation of important architectural heritage, making this proposal a flagship project in the responsible use of renewable natural resources in the construction industry.

Methodological aspects of the formation of mechanisms of economic activity of Russia's forest complex

Subject. This article discusses the issues of development of forestry and use of renewable natural resources. Objectives. The article aims to develop and assess the benefits of various forest management mechanisms. Methods. For the study, I used structural and comparative analyses. Results. The article presents the developed vertical and horizontal mechanisms of forest management, as well as the mechanism of structuring objective economic processes. The article also analyzes the advantages of the cluster model for the development of the Russian forest complex. Relevance. The results of the study are important for the development of the theory of strategic management of economic systems.

Overview of conceptual approaches to circular economy in AIC of Kazakhstan

The goal is to outline conceptual foundations of the circular economy in agriculture, to study the directions of its development. Methods – comparisons, generalizations, expert opinion, statistical based on obtaining primary data, as well as theoretical analysis of scientific literature of foreign and domestic authors. Results – features of the circular transformation of the industry and main differences from the traditional way of agricultural production are determined. The article shows its essence and principles of implementation in agricultural sector. The prospects for world development require the creation of a resource-efficient agri-food system. As a result of the study, indicators were analyzed that can measure the circularity of agro-industrial production: slowdown, reduction and regeneration. It was revealed that in conditions of resource scarcity, climate change, environmental degradation, increasing demand for food, the circular economy is a strategy for the rational use of renewable natural resources, contributes to solving global problems. Conclusions – the proposed approaches to creating a new, rational food and nutrition chain are aimed at maintaining the value of products and resources for a long period, returning them to production cycle after the end of use, minimizing waste generation, reducing food losses, ensuring food security and economic growth. Based on the study of foreign experience, the authors substantiate the importance of state support and scientific support for circular economy. The speedy solution of the issues revealed in the article is of interest in the preparation of draft state, sectoral programs for socio-economic development of the agro-industrial complex, will ensure a more efficient use of raw materials in the framework of production processes.

The Republic of Srpska forestry innovative opportunities in green economy and climate change

Current economic models based on fossil resources and the concept of highpressure growth endangers not only life on our planet, but also the world economy. The need to respond to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis represents a unique opportunity for transition to a sustainable economy focused on the well-being of people and nature. Green, circular and bio economy provide a conceptual framework for the use of renewable natural resources for holistic transformation and the management of land, food, health care and industrial systems with the aim to achieve sustainable development in harmony with nature. There are many innovative activities harmonized with the concept of green economy that can be conducted in the forestry sector. In addition to the traditional use of wood as a raw material in wood processing industry, some of the examples of innovative activities are the following: carbon projects, biomass as an energy source, plantation production and the use of other forest products. No other sector provides such long-term and multidimensional positive effects. Considering the role of forests and forestry sector in our region, one of the main obstacles to the adoption of new concepts lies in the fact that forests are often seen exclusively as a wood source for different needs. Logs, and more recently biomass as well, have been the focus of forest benefits, while many other benefits have not been properly defined or evaluated. In order to change the current paradigm, it is necessary to constantly promote the fact that forests are the largest green infrastructure in the region and the largest source of terrestrial biological resources. They can provide a wide range of ecosystem services and play a significant but often underestimated role in the overall economy. Focusing on the territory of the Republika Srpska, it is certain that forests and forest land provide a large number of ecosystem services and products, which can significantly contribute to achieving the goals of green economy. The main goals are related to climate change (through adaptation and mitigation) and the use of renewable energy sources, as well as to other sectors such as ecotourism, construction, rural development, agroforestry, urbanforestry, water management, textile and chemical industry, use of other forest products, hunting, the use of forest ecosystems for health purposes, pharmacy, etc. In order to fully exploit the RS forestry potentials in green, circular and bio economy on a sustainable basis, it is necessary to continue a deep transformation in terms of planning, management, control and sustainable use of natural resources.

Chemical and Mechanical Properties for Rosin-based Hybrid Resins

The increasing concern for the protection of the environment, through the use of renewable natural resources, has led in the last decades to the realization of a number of natural polymers or hybrids to be able to replace petroleum-based polymeric materials. Rosin is a low-cost wood resin extracted from conifers. In this paper, based on FTIR and Raman analyses, the spectra of natural Rosin resin and some hybrid resins with volume proportions of 45, 55 and 65% Rosin were studied. Some mechanical properties such as modulus of elasticity, elongation at break, tensile strength were determined from stress-strain diagrams obtained from tensile stress. Increasing the volume proportion of Rosin leads to a decrease in stiffness and strength properties and obtaining a visco-elastic behavior.

Valorisation of phytochemical from Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) needles: Impact of ultrasound/microwave-assisted extraction

Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) needles contain a variety of bioactive compounds including phenolic compounds and flavonoids, many of which have been used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries. This study aimed to investigate the effects of novel extraction techniques, including ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and simultaneous ultrasound–microwave-assisted extraction (UMAE) on the recovery of phenolic, flavonoids and associated antioxidant and anti-cancer properties from Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) needles. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity, and the Alamar Blue assay using the human brain glioblastoma cancer cell line (U-251 MG) was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity activity. Results showed that US-probe accomplished the highest recovery of phenolic and flavonoids at 38 W cm−2 for 10 min (106.3 ± 2.5 mg GAE g−1 DW and 63.2 ± 3.8 mg QE g−1 DW, respectively). Hence, the highest cytotoxicity activity of IC50 (0.0114% w/v) was achieved by US-probe at 19 W cm−2 for 10 min. However, the antioxidant capacity of (2591.3 ± 92.5 mM TE g−1 DW) was achieved under UMAE at ultrasound intensity of 38 W cm−2, microwave power of 302.4 W for 10 min. This study emphasised the potential application of UAE and MAE in the extraction of bioactive as an environmentally friendly method to be used in the valorisation of by-products in food and agro-industries. This supports the use of renewable natural resources in an efficient way to produce high-value compounds therefore it is in line with the new era of bioeconomy and its new biorefinery concepts Data Availability StatementNot applicable

Empirical knowledge of the organizational and economic orientations (basis) of the current legal system of land and natural use in Ukraine (emphasis on the agricultural sector)

An analysis and synthesis of ecological, socio-economic and normative-legal aspects as factors of objectivity and subjectivity of land-nature use, which are based on the laws of inanimate and living nature and society and are fully consistent with the current norms of the Constitution of Ukraine, has been carried out. It has been proven that economic and legal relations in Ukraine require the urgent construction of a constitutionally motivated system of economic approach to the process of land and nature use, primarily for the benefit of its citizens. It has been established that a special approach is required to model relations in relation to the use of renewable natural resources, which include soils, animal life, microbiota, solar, wind and other energy, atmosphere, hydrosphere, terrestrial vegetation and other natural resources. The main empirical knowledge based on the analysis and synthesis of socio-economic and normative-legal aspects of the balanced use of natural objects of property rights of the Ukrainian people, especially in the agricultural sphere, which are based on the laws of inanimate and living nature and society and are fully consistent with the current norms of the Constitution of Ukraine, are summarized. The necessary and sufficient set of fundamental scientific and theoretical aspects as the basis of organizational and economic guidelines for balanced nature management as a result of land reform in Ukraine as a new paradigm has been formulated.

Analysis of existing applications of the biopolymer chitin and its derivatives

The introduction presents scientific data on the structure, chemical composition and properties of chitin, chitosan and the chitin-glucan complex. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the biopolymer chitin and its derivatives. Due to their unique properties: biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, they have found application in more than 70 areas: medicine, ecology, food industry, agriculture. Sources for the production of chitin can be the shell of commercial crustaceans, the biomass of fungi, and the cuticle of insects. The main part describes the modern fields of application of these biopolymers and raw materials for the production of chitin and its derivatives. At present, interest has increased in the problems of more rational use of renewable natural resources, both from an environmental and economic point of view. There are various biopolymers in the world, in particular, the biopolymer of the 21st century – chitin and its derivatives. The recommended daily intake of chitin is from 3 to 7 g. The consumption of such an amount of chitin or chitosan is used to remove toxins and harmful substances, radionuclides, and pathogenic microorganisms from the body. On the industrial scale of the Republic of Belarus, fungi, insect carrion, earthworms can serve to isolate chitin and its derivatives. Due to the fact that on the industrial scale of the Republic of Belarus, the use of crustaceans as a source of chitin for the Republic of Belarus is very costly. In addition, a negative factor is the increase in pollution of sinks with heavy metals and other toxic waste.

Socio-economic and regulatory aspects of enviromental management based on the current standards of the Constitution of Ukraine

The analysis and synthesis of ecological, socio-economic and normative-legal aspects as factors of objectivity and subjectivity of land-nature use, which are based on the laws of animate and inanimate nature and society and are fully consistent with the current norms of the Constitution of Ukraine, have been carried out. The need for in-depth disclosure (for separate tasks) of various facets of these aspects is substantiated. It has been proven that economic and legal relations in Ukraine require the urgent construction of a constitutionally motivated system of economic approach to the process of land and nature use, primarily for the benefit of its citizens. It has been established that a special approach is required to model relations — in relation to the use of renewable natural resources, which include: soils, animal life, microbiota, solar, wind and other energy, atmosphere, hydrosphere, terrestrial vegetation and other natural resources. It is considered a logical and basic statement that is manifested by the axiom of the absolute monolithic state of Ukraine, because it (the state) is located within the borders of a specific geospace of the Planet Earth, is unitary, integral and inviolable, and all citizens of sovereign Ukraine, who have a single citizenship, are absolute co-owners (owners, users and managers) of their land and its natural resources (abbreviated as “land”) as natural objects located in the same geospace. It was determined that only citizens who have a single citizenship are (should be) full-fledged founders and co-owners of their own Ukrainian state, in which the highest constitutionally motivated normative-legal, socio-economic and ecological standards of life will function.

Automated Information System for Land Homogeneity (AISLH)

The AISLH is a free-to-use software by its authors for research, assessment and consultation purposes in socioenvironmental, agro-ecological, socio-economic and quality of life projects in rural, peri-urban and urban media. In general, the application of the AISLH is of great use for the definition of a sustainable territorial management based on the use of renewable natural resources and the intervention of ecosystems to satisfy human needs without deteriorating the ecosystem.

Sustainable building materials based on hemp shives and geopolymer paste

European regulations states that the construction industry must encourage the rational and prudent use of non-renewable natural resources, as well as and increase the use of reusable resources and promote the use of renewable natural resources in production. Bio-compositesbased on natural aggregates such as hemp shives are widely studied and used in building sector due to their extensive properties of a range that primarily is so wide, as hempshives are increasingly combined with various binders and as their production technology is evolving rapidly. In this study three series of geopolymer paste (GP) samples were studied to obtain the most suitable binder for the production of hemp shive-based bio-composites, as well as a bio-composites were created from the most suitable binder and described their compressive strength and thermal conductivity performance.

A REVIEW OF THE TECHNO – ECONOMIC POTENTIALS OF BALANITES AEGYPTIACA OIL

Plants oil are becoming important in commerce and nutrition worldwide as they are good source of dietary energy and raw material for the manufacture of industrial products. Despite this fact little attention has been given to Balanites aegyptiaca oil. Therefore there is growing interest in understanding the potential of Balanites aegyptiaca oil as feedstock for improving livelihoods of communities in dryland areas. Balanites aegyptiaca is a multipurpose tree species in dry land of Africa. The plant seed kernel produces high quality oil that amounts for 9-10 % by weight of the whole fruit. Its seed kernel has high oil content (50 %) whose extraction is economically worthwhile. The oil parameters revealed that the oil composed of long chain fatty acids with high degree of unsaturation, making it a good feedstock for biodiesel production. It also has biologically active properties which contribute in its medicinal application. The oil is fulfilling in saturated fatty acids, as such are accustomed as cooking oil. Balanites aegyptiaca oil may be useful for industrialists that produce eco-friendly soap. Therefore, conversion of the oil to different products will help in domestication of this neglected and underuse dryland tree species. This may advocate wise use of renewable natural resources and not protection without possible economic benefit. Thus, Balanites aegyptiaca oil is a multipurpose feedstock with high economic potential and industrial applications if richly exploited. Furthermore, many prospective exploitation possibilities will emerge when further researches are made on this multipurpose oil.

An ecological approach to printing industry: Development of ecofriendly offset printing inks using vegetable oils and pine resin as renewable raw materials and evaluation of printability

AbstractPetroleum‐based solvents and synthetic resins are used as raw materials for the production of varnish, which is one of the main components of offset printing inks. These petrochemical compounds that are released to the surrounding in printing process demonstrates harmful effects on environment and human health. In the light of these facts, this study was carried out to investigate the use of renewable natural resources for offset printing inks production to lower environmental impacts and protect human health. In this study, different vegetable‐based offset printing inks were developed with safflower oil (SO); grape seed oil (GSO) and Pinus pinaster resin (PPR) and printability analysis were performed. To understand the effect of pine resin in the ink formulation an ink sample with mineral oil (MO) was also produced. Printing tests were carried out with coated papers and the IGT C1 offset printability tester. Color, gloss, rub resistance, viscosity and tack values were measured on the test prints. Comparison of results with standard values figured out the suitability of using the newly developed offset printing inks for printing industry. The color difference values of color differences were in range of tolerance value. The density value of SO‐PPR ink was found as same with standard values while the density value GSO‐PPR and MO‐PPR inks were measured close to standards as 1.45, 1.42, and 1.46, respectively. The results of printability analysis demonstrated appropriate utilization of the renewable sources for ecological development of offset printing inks.

Agro-industrial Wastes as Bioactive Molecules Source

Sustainable use of renewable natural resources, through value addition, using biological life processes, is an ideal transition from an oil-based economy to bioresource economy. Addressing climate change, renewable resources such as agro-industrial wastes, currently seen as low value materials, are in fact natural sources of value-added compounds that can be used, for example, as economic sources of bioactive substances of high interest for chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries. Moreover, agro-industrial by-products such as most of organic effluents have a high organic load content and can be vaporizable through a gaseous energy carrier production (methane/hydrogen) and a digested flow for agricultural purposes, using anaerobic digestion techniques. Once adopted, biological processes of these materials may contribute to reduce the environmental pollution burden.The present work refers to different procedures and methodologies applied to wastes valorisation that, within a biorefinery concept, had the achievement of valuable biomolecules as a core of the entire recovery line system. Several wastes/wastewaters mainly produced in the Mediterranean area were under study.

Economic Aspects Related to Investments in Energy-Efficient Houses in the Framework of Bioeconomy

The challenges related to the sustainable use of renewable natural resources and the European Union's attention to the bioeconomy provide Romania with the legislative framework and building and innovation opportunities in the field of construction, with benefits for consumers, society, and the environment. EU-wide regulation focuses on nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB), with a differentiated degree for each member state of the European Union. That is the reason why, in this article, the authors focus on the economic and the technical aspects, on the minimal way in which it is approached in the scientific literature, as it is reflected in the national legislative structure, and as it is present in the applied practice in Romania.

Economic Efficiency of Forest Enterprises—Empirical Study Based on Data Envelopment Analysis

Countries are forced to develop bio-based economic strategies to promote efficient use of renewable natural resources. The transition towards a sustainable forest bio-based economy is associated with resource efficiency optimization, adoption of innovative bio-based approaches in terms of technological improvements and cost effectiveness, and an opportunity to reach multiple societal challenges. This paper is focused on a comparative analysis of the forestry sector in the Republic of Bulgaria and the Slovak Republic by estimating the economic efficiency of four Bulgarian state-owned forest enterprises and four Slovak forest enterprises. The evaluation of economic efficiency was carried out using selected indicators of the studied enterprises over a period of five years. A data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach was used as a non-parametric linear technique for measuring the relative efficiency of a set of production decision-making units (DMUs). The Malmquist productivity index (MPI) was used to assess the pure efficiency changes (PEC) and technological changes (TCs) of the studied forest enterprises. Data for 2014–2018 were processed. The results obtained for the economic efficiency study outlined the major factors affecting the differences in efficiency scores. The long-term sustainability and increased economic efficiency of forest enterprises in both countries can be achieved by improvements in forest management and investments in research and development activities.

Establishing the multi-criteria roadmap and metrics for the evaluation of active films for food packaging

Food industry is one of the sectors with the highest production volume, with disposable plastic films being the most widespread packaging method. The production of these packaging materials is characterized by a linear process, based on an abusive consumption of non-renewable fossil resources and with significant environmental problems. This management model must be modified according to the principles of green and sustainable chemistry: circularity, reduction of waste streams, appropriate use of resources, increase in the useful life of products and use of renewable natural resources. To achieve this, the early stages of product design, which must consider the applicability of the packaging product, its efficiency and its impact on the environment and on the consumer, are crucial. Within this framework, this report provides a roadmap based on holistic criteria together with quantitative metrics to analyze the opportunities and challenges of bioactive food packaging prototypes. Five main categories have been selected for analysis: packaging evaluation, environmental, circularity, economic and social criteria. The multi-decision criteria map will help researchers and stakeholders to examine the suitability of bio-based packaging from environmental, technical and consumer health preservation perspectives.

Characteristics of natural rubber – carbonized pawpaw seed composites

The search for eco-friendly and less expensive fillers and additives has necessitated the use of renewable natural resources of plant origin in rubber compounding. This research work utilized carbonized pawpaw (Carica papaya) seeds as filler in natural rubber compounds in a bid to determining the reinforcing potentials. The carbonized pawpaw seeds (CPS) and dried raw pawpaw seeds (RPS) were separately pulverized, screened with a 75 μm sized test sieve and incorporated into natural rubber, Standard Nigerian Rubber (SNR 10), loaded between 0 – 50 parts per hundred (Phr) of the rubber. The cure characteristics, physicomechanical properties as well as the percentage swelling characteristics of vulcanizates were measured as a function of filler loading and compared with the values obtained using industrial grade carbon black (N330) as a standard reinforcing filler. Results showed that the CPS and RPS filled SNR 10 influenced the cure characteristics and physicomechanical properties of rubber vulcanizates. The scorch and cure times of the vulcanizates decreased as filler loading is increased while maximum torque increased with increase in filler loading. Tensile strength and modulus at 100% strain for all SNR 10 filled vulcanizates increased to optimum level at 40 phr respectively, thereafter decreased, and elongation at break decreased as filler loading is increased. The hardness and abrasion resistance of the vulcanizates increased with increase in filler loading, while compression set and percentage swelling in both petroleum and aromatic solvents decreased as filler loading is increased. The vulcanizates tend to swell more in aromatic solvents than in petroleum solvents. Percentage swelling of the vulcanizates (N330 – SNR 10 < CPS – SNR 10 < RPS – SNR 10) and in the order benzene > toluene > kerosene > diesel solvents. The research work showed that CPS and RPS fillers exhibited considerable reinforcing potentials but somewhat inferior to carbon black, N330.
 Keywords: Natural rubber, pawpaw seeds, fillers, vulcanizates and reinforcement.

Mass Media Reporting and Illicit Harvesting of Russian Crab: Implications for Sustainable Fishery

Existing methods of combating the shadow economy do not always give reliable results. This is particularly true for the illegal use of renewable natural resources. In some parts of the Northwest Pacific basin, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing has become an issue of growing concern for the sustainability of resource management, ecology, and the social environment. Many factors combine to produce these harmful phenomena. The complex legal rights for shared natural marine resources, the weak capacity of state institutions, and the lack of international cooperation between exporters and importers are all relevant. These factors can be eliminated by supplementing the “traditional” analysis of the shadow economy with new data mined from the media. For the crab harvesting regions of Russia, long-lasting benefits can be achieved through improvements in governance, accountability, and public awareness, or more specifically, through extensive mass media coverage of relevant topics. We argue that in the Russian Pacific, levels of illegal crab harvesting and smuggling correlates closely to the frequency of media references. The results suggest possible applications of mass media analysis: developing additional metrics for the dynamics of shadow economies; and the formulation of effective policy recommendations for sustainable fishing.

Ecological aspects of modernization of alcohol industry enterprises at the present stage of development

At the present stage of development, the entire world industry has faced the problem of rational use of renewable natural resources, in particular the most efficient ways of wastewater treatment and the use of accumulated waste in the production process as a secondary raw material. In particular, the alcohol industry, as one of the components of food, medical, chemical and various industries,leads to the formation of huge amounts of waste, including wastewater. The food industry, like any other industry, has a negative impact on the environment. Water bodies are the most affected by the food industry. Almost the first place in terms of water consumption per unit of production is the production of alcohol. Consumption of large amounts of water leads to the formation of wastewater, which is highly polluted and adversely affects the environment. Due to the high chemical and biological consumption of oxygen, specific color and odor, suspended solids, low pH value, the purification of such waste in the filtration fields and discharge into water bodies is not possible. The purpose of our work is: 1) conducting the analysis of the alcohol industry potential in Ukraine in recent years, and methods of waste disposal as a potential source for the development of bioenergy. 2) environmental aspects of the alcohol industry modernization at present stage of development and implementation of modern wastewater treatment technologies.