Environmental Indicator Values Research Articles

Optimizing Palm Oil Biomass Supply Chain Logistics through Multi-Objective Location-Routing Model

Malaysia can convert agricultural wastes (biomass) into biofuel to reduce fossil fuel dependency and solve the disposal problem. As one of the largest palm oil producers, Malaysia has an abundance of palm oil biomass, but the biomass has high humidity, low energy density, and is scattered geographically. Establishing collection facilities with pretreatment operations is suggested to collect the biomass and improve its quality. Nevertheless, the facility placement and vehicle routing decisions significantly affect the total cost and operational efficiency. Hence, this study develops a model to address the location-routing problem and quantifies the pretreatment operation to customize the process in the biomass supply chain. This research also addresses sustainability from all dimensions through multi-objective optimization. The model minimizes costs, reduces negative social impacts by considering population densities, and measures environmental performance through CO2 emissions. The study first optimized each objective function separately and then conducted a multi-objective optimization using a weighted sum approach. Optimizing each objective function individually will achieve the best outcome for each dimension, but enhancing one objective would impair the others. However, multi-objective optimization shows some compensation for the performances where economic, social, and environmental indicator values decreased by 0.36%, 6.58%, and 15.28%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the model adjusts the locational and routing decisions based on different goals.

Sustainability Assessment of Cementitious Ceramic Tile Adhesives

This article presents the results of analyzing environmental impact indicators of thirteen ceramic tile adhesives (CTAs). The analyzed data came from ten third-party-verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) created in 2016–2022. The paper examines seven environmental impact indicators for modules A1–A3 (cradle-to-gate). Significant differences were observed between the values of environmental indicators, which, in the case of Global Warming Potential (GWP), differed by almost 270% in the most extreme case. For the depletion of abiotic resources (elements) (ADPe), the values of products differed by nearly fourteen thousand times. Results are discussed from the perspective of the CTAs’ manufacturer assessing the product. The analysis focused on issues such as the historical dimension of data, which is the basis for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the need for their constant updating, and the subject of uncertainty—usually wholly omitted in the considerations on the environmental impact of construction products. The results of the analysis were also evaluated in terms of the planned introduction of the new 3+ assessment system in connection with the future amendment of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). The results of the CTAs’ analysis of environmental indicators showed that, despite the EPDs functioning for a decade, the obligatory assessment of construction products in terms of sustainability using the 3+ system did not create the conditions for its proper occurrence. This analysis showed that, without obtaining reliable data on the environmental impact of CTAs, correct AVCP is not possible, and the consumer is not able to make proper choices.

Incorporating potential environmental impacts in building seismic design decisions

Seismic losses due to earthquakes have been shown to have significant economic, social and environmental consequences. Over recent years, research to predict potential economic and social impact due to seismic risk has been increasing. Recognizing that the traditional philosophy of life safety design can lead to extensive damage and demolition which has a large environmental cost, incorporating environmental impacts associated with the expected seismic damage over a building’s life is a key step as the building industry moves towards both sustainable and seismically resilient design. This paper introduces a framework that uses environmental indicators quantifying losses from seismic response that can then be used to advocate for a change in seismic performance objectives. First, existing literature and previously developed approaches for quantifying potential environmental impact due to seismic damage are summarized. Next, performance based earthquake engineering concepts are used to demonstrate a probabilistic approach to quantify potential environmental impacts using a range of environmental and resource use indicators over the life span of a case study building. In addition, a case study is presented to compare different environmental indicators between a Code Minimum building and the same building redesigned for a higher seismic performance. The majority of the composition of the environmental indicator values are from the inclusion of the non-repairable scenario, and from the repair activities, the majority of the impacts are from damage to drift sensitive components including curtains walls, partitions and elevators. For the Code Minimum building the non-repairable scenario contributes to between 8 to 11% the total seismic cost. For the Stronger Stiffer building, the non-repairable scenario contributes around 3% of the initial impact. Neglecting non-repairable scenarios does significantly reduce the potential environmental impacts when analyzing buildings designed for current code minimum structural standards.

INDICE DE SOSTENIBILIDAD DE LA PRODUCCIÓN DE CAMOTE (Ipomoea batatas Lam.): ANÁLISIS MULTIVARIADO

<p><strong>Background</strong>. The area under sweet potato cultivation on the Peruvian coast has grown in the last 10 years due to increased market demand; however, its level of sustainability is unknown due to crop intensification. <strong>Objective</strong>. To determine the level of sustainability of sweet potato production units (SPU), considering economic, environmental and social aspects, applying multivariate analysis techniques and methodological proposals. <strong>Methodology</strong>. Surveys with structured questions were applied to farmers responsible for managing their SPU. The values of the economic, environmental and social indicators were found according to a methodological proposal of multidimensional analysis. The data were adapted to an ordinal scale from 1 to 5, in which 1 was considered the least sustainable and 5 an ideal level of sustainability.<strong> Implications</strong>. The value of economic, environmental and social indicators determines the level of sustainability of agricultural production systems. <strong>Conclusions</strong>. The economic, social and environmental indicators contribute with a General Sustainability Index (GSI) of 2.93; value that places the SPU in a critical condition due to the fact that the value of the environmental indicators fails to exceed the minimum sustainability threshold established in the applied methodology.</p>

Using Mathematical Modeling to Evaluate the Performance of a Passenger Car When Operating on Various Fuels

This article presents the results of experimental and computational studies of the performance of a car with a gasoline engine with spark ignition when retrofitted with a system of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). To analyze the impact of the use of LPG instead of gasoline, the mathematical model of the car’s movement according to the modes of the European driving cycle has been refined. It was established that when using LPG for a car in the driving cycle, fuel consumption in energy units decreases by 10.38%. Gas consumption, determined in mass units, is lower than gasoline consumption. In load modes, this difference is about 8% and in idle mode, it reaches 16–18%. The adequacy of the mathematical model is confirmed by experimental studies of the car on modern equipment with the measurement of fuel efficiency and environmental performance in motion, according to the specified cycle. The deviation of the calculated fuel consumption from the results of experimental studies does not exceed 0.86%. The values of environmental indicators obtained by calculations on the mathematical model differ from the experimental ones by an average of 15%. The conducted studies showed the expediency of using LPG by retrofitting a car with a gasoline engine with an LPG power supply system and the possibility of using mathematical modeling to assess the feasibility of such retrofitting.

Global benchmarking for monitoring environmental, economic, and social performance for metallurgical production enterprises

The development of the ideology of sustainable development stimulated the emergence of companies’ Performance Management Systems with an emphasis on the environmental aspects of their activities. Benchmarking, as a modern management tool, is often used for competitive analysis and setting development goals. This study’s scientific problem is to assess the feasibility of applying benchmarking studies to assess the global industry’s environmental aspects. The purpose of the study is to identify the prerequisites for using benchmarking to improve environmental performance, as well as to identify best practices among world-leading companies. For benchmarking, a logical information model is proposed in the study. On its basis, eight world leaders were selected, trends in the industry’s development were analysed, and reference values of environmental indicators were established. For environmental performance assessment, it is proposed to use such indicators as greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, material efficiency, environmental management systems. Comparative benchmarking analysis of world leaders and 16 largest Ukrainian companies allowed determining the reserves for increasing environmental performance. The directions for increasing environmental performance are Investment in resource-saving technologies, production of higher value-added products, investments in energy-saving and new technologies, improvement of management systems, and certification. These ideas are complemented by recommendations for improving environmental performance, based on the Circular Economy Concept’s philosophy and Industry 4.0. The study’s practical significance is that Ukrainian companies can use their results to achieve higher environmental and economic outcomes.

Evaluating Landfill Diversion Strategies for Municipal Organic Waste Management Using Environmental and Economic Factors

Municipal organic waste (MOW) contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions leading to global climate change. Incentives that encourage consumers to adopt MOW disposal strategies that minimize environmental impacts are needed. Policymakers must ensure that incentive programs align with environmental objectives and are economically competitive. The MOW disposal infrastructure in the city of Milwaukee, WI, was evaluated using a coordinated market model capturing the inherent value of environmental indicators (estimated with partial life cycle assessment methods) in the context of the city’s MOW supply chain. Tax programs are identified that incentivize consumers to reduce emissions through MOW disposal patterns. Results indicate that the existing MOW management infrastructure in Milwaukee incentivizes residents to minimize MOW GHG emissions by sending MOW to composting and digestion sites that have lower tipping fees and are located closer to the city (have lower transport costs). Therefore, limitations associated with MOW collection likely decrease alternative landfill disposal options. GHG reduction policy prioritizes anaerobic digestion systems for MOW disposal, but the outcome can be altered depending upon the tipping fees and transport distances. Composting and digestion hold few opportunities for reducing ammonia emissions from landfills, but there is a need to expand ammonia emissions measurements from landfill systems to improve model predictions as ammonia losses can redeposit, resulting in environmental issues and indirect formation of N2O.

The potential sensitivity to climate change of selected endangered and important Natura 2000 Habitats and plants from Bucegi Natural Park, Romania

This study was carried out in the Bucegi Natural Park, a protected area of the Romanian Carpathians. It aims at documenting the potential sensitivity of six widespread Natura 2000 habitat types and of all plants with conservative value (200 taxa) in the mountain area, to the changes in temperature and humidity, predicted for this century. Regional expert knowledge and environmental indicator values were considered in assessing the potential habitat’s sensitivity. The results support the evidence that sensitivity to temperature may be potentially higher for habitats at alpine and subalpine levels (bushes and grasslands) and medium for forest habitats. Sensitivity to moisture was detected as potentially high for forest habitats and as medium for bushes and grasslands at high mountain elevation. Microthermophilic plants have shown a greater share (76-79%) in alpine and subalpine communities, and the hydrophilic plants (86-96%) in forest communities. About 80% of plants of conservation value (microthermophilic or hydrophilic plants) may be potentially sensitive to predicted warming and drought and 44% of them (microthermophilic and hydrophilic plants) to the changes of both parameters. Climate scenarios (2011-2100) and sensitivity maps (Sat – image interpretation with GIS for the whole mountain area) are included.

Seed testing of foliar-fertilised red clover crops after various periods of storage

This study was carried out in the Bucegi Natural Park, a protected area of the Romanian Carpathians. It aims at documenting the potential sensitivity of six widespread Natura 2000 habitat types and of all plants with conservative value (200 taxa) in the mountain area, to the changes in temperature and humidity, predicted for this century. Regional expert knowledge and environmental indicator values were considered in assessing the potential habitat’s sensitivity. The results support the evidence that sensitivity to temperature may be potentially higher for habitats at alpine and subalpine levels (bushes and grasslands) and medium for forest habitats. Sensitivity to moisture was detected as potentially high for forest habitats and as medium for bushes and grasslands at high mountain elevation. Microthermophilic plants have shown a greater share (76-79%) in alpine and subalpine communities, and the hydrophilic plants (86-96%) in forest communities. About 80% of plants of conservation value (microthermophilic or hydrophilic plants) may be potentially sensitive to predicted warming and drought and 44% of them (microthermophilic and hydrophilic plants) to the changes of both parameters. Climate scenarios (2011-2100) and sensitivity maps (Sat – image interpretation with GIS for the whole mountain area) are included.

Consistency of Targeted Metatranscriptomics and Morphological Characterization of Phytoplankton Communities.

The composition of phytoplankton community is the basis for environmental monitoring and assessment of the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems. Community composition studies of phytoplankton have been based on time-consuming and expertise-demanding light microscopy analyses. Molecular methods have the potential to replace microscopy, but the high copy number variation of ribosomal genes and the lack of universal primers for simultaneous amplification of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes complicate data interpretation. In this study, we used our previously developed directional primer-independent high-throughput sequencing (HTS) approach to analyze 16S and 18S rRNA community structures. Comparison of 83 boreal lake samples showed that the relative abundances of eukaryotic phytoplankton at class level and prokaryotic cyanobacteria at order level were consistent between HTS and microscopy results. At the genus level, the results had low correspondence, mainly due to lack of sequences in the reference library. HTS was superior to identify genera that are extensively represented in the reference databases but lack specific morphological characteristics. Targeted metatranscriptomics proved to be a feasible method to complement the microscopy analysis. The metatranscriptomics can also be applied without linking the sequences to taxonomy. However, direct indexing of the sequences to their environmental indicator values needs collections of more comprehensive sample sets, as long as the coverage of molecular barcodes of eukaryotic species remains insufficient.

ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY AT THE ADDRESS WITH WASTE OF CONSTRUCTION AND DISMANTLING OF BUILDINGS

In the article the estimation of ecological safety of schemes of handling was executed building wastes that are used presently. А comparative analysis is conducted with the perspective methods of handling wastes (recycling, incineration). Basic indicatos are set for the estimation of ecological safety of construction. The quantitative values of environmental indicators for each of the ways of waste management have been deter-mined. Results show that in terms of the Global Warming Potential, the most environmentally friendly treat-ment was recycling, followed by incineration and lastly landfilling.

Environmental improvement in the printing industry: the case study of self-adhesive labels.

Labels are used for marketing, technical information, local of production and environmental declarations of products. The aim of the study was to evaluate the life cycle of two sets of front and back adhesive labels made with different liners: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and glassine paper. The study is a pioneering initiative in the labelling industry using life cycle assessment, especially in Brazil. The attributional life cycle assessment method was based on the ISO 14044 standard and covered the entire life cycle, cradle to grave. Primary data for key suppliers, printing facility and label use composed the foreground data, while the ecoinvent database composed the background data. The material efficiency was assessed through mass balance. The impact assessment methods were cumulative energy demand for non-renewable energy and ILCD 2011 midpoint for the environmental categories. The glassine liner is heavier than the PET which resulted in larger environmental indicator values for production, transportation and waste treatment. On the other hand, energy demand of label set with glassine liner was lower than the PET. Furthermore, the hotspot analysis of each impact category was presented per process and substance. The label set made with glassine liner tended to present larger environmental indicator values in most categories, 13 of the 16 assessed, compared to the label set made with PET liner, despite the uncertainties. Contribution analysis identified that the pre-manufacturing step presented larger environmental indicator values than manufacturing, use and post-use steps along the label set life cycle. Therefore, environmental improvement opportunities were evaluated through scenarios of end of life, recycled inputs, domestic suppliers, waste prevention and product redesign. Moreover, the life cycle assessment was useful for diagnosing the energy and environmental profiles of self-adhesive labels and planning cleaner production measures that avoid environmental tradeoffs.

Process of fruit peel waste biorefinery: a case study of citrus waste biorefinery, its environmental impacts and recommendations.

Fruit peels are a rich source of cellulose, hemicellulose, phenolic compounds, and terpenic compounds. Thus, they have the potential to be a novel renewable, sustainable, and low-cost raw material (source) for the production of several value-added products based on framework and concepts such as waste hierarchy that includes biofertilizers, dietary fiber, animal feed, industrial enzymes, substrate for the bioactive compounds production, synthesis of nanomaterials, and clean energy (from residual biomass). With a view of evaluating the environmental burden of biorefinery, a life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed for a representative citrus waste (CW) biorefinery. The functional unit used for LCA was set as 2500kg of CW processed. The overall GWP was observed to be 937.3kg CO2 equivalent per 2500kg of CW processed. On further analysis of the environmental impact, it was found that different steps contributed significantly, as shown by the various environmental indicator values. Alternative advanced process intensification technologies like microwave and ultrasound-assisted steps replacing the conventional steps when implemented show considerable reduction in environmental indicator values. The variations in the contribution to environmental indicators should be considered during the design and process selection of biorefineries.

Environmental Impact Study of Bagasse Valorization Routes

India is the world’s second largest producer of sugarcane and a major manufacturer of molasses-derived ethanol. The sugarcane produced is widely used in the production of sugar and 1G ethanol, leaving behind a huge amount of bagasse as waste. However, sugarcane bagasse also has some end-use value, for example, its utilization for the production of methanol, 2G ethanol, and electricity. Although the technologies for the production of these value-added products are well established, it is important to analyze the social, economic, and environmental impacts associated with their production processes. This work compares the environmental impacts of various sugarcane conversion processes on the life cycle basis. The functional unit used is 1 Ton of sugarcane cultivated on field. Four routes were identified for bagasse utilization: (i) conversion to methanol (route 1), (ii) conversion to ethanol via a two-stage dilute acid process (route 2), (iii) conversion to ethanol via an enzymatic process (route 3), and (iv) electricity generation (route 4). The comparison of bagasse management scenarios to obtain various products is made based on midpoint indicators, such as global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, ozone depletion potential, and photochemical ozone creation potential. It was observed that methanol production had the highest environmental indicator values. Ethanol production processes and cogeneration process have nearly similar impacts, although it can be said that cogeneration is more eco-friendly.

Environmental Activity of Mining Industry Leaders in Poland in Line with the Principles of Sustainable Development

As mining companies reveal more and more public information about themselves, the behaviour fosters a better image. This article aims to present two industry leaders in the context of environmental requirements they have met (status at the end of 2015), acting in compliance with the general principles of a socially responsible business. The choice of KGHM (Kombinat Gorniczo-Hutniczy Miedzi) companies (copper ores and other accompanying elements) CG PGE (Capital Group Polska Grupa Energetyczna S.A.) (lignite) was dictated by their significant share in the mining industry in Poland. The environmental aspects of the integrated monthly reports were listed and grouped in detail in accordance with the applicable Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and GRI G4 Mining and Metals guidelines. The values of environmental indicators have been analysed over the years, including inter alia data concerning gas emissions, that is, CO2, SOx, NOx, PM or generated waste and sewage. Also, with regard to the environmental aspect of the work, energy consumption in companies is presented together with the characteristics of the fuel balance. The final part of the article compares the value of the revenues to the budgets of local government units (communes) from the operating fee paid by entrepreneurs and expenditures of these municipalities on environmental protection, as additional support by these entities (2013–2015).

Baseline characterisation and monitoring protocols for development of shale and tight gas resources, northern Perth Basin

CSIRO, in collaboration with Latent Petroleum, AWE Limited, Origin Energy, Norwest Energy and the WA Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) have established a research program into methods of calculating baseline values of environmental indicators and monitoring techniques during development of tight gas resources in the northern Perth Basin. As part of the project, a desktop review of available groundwater monitoring data around the sponsors’ permit areas was conducted, along with measurements of ambient methane (CH4) concentrations. The groundwater study indicated a lack of monitoring wells within the permit areas, apart from those being monitored by explorers, and provides a valuable update to the regional groundwater models built by the WA Department of Water (DoW). The mobile CH4 survey measured ambient levels of CH4 across the basin, and CH4 concentrations were close to those measured at the Cape Grim atmospheric research station (Tasmania). The soil-gas flux survey measured very low or negative CH4 flux, closely associated with carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, indicating the flux rate was controlled by microbial action. The outcomes of the project are intended to assist operators to address community assurance, adhere to or surpass regulatory requirements and establish industry best practice standards.

How Eco are China’s Eco-Cities? An International Perspective

To tackle the problems and challenges posed by the rapid urbanization processes and to purse urban development in sustainable manners, the Chinese government has taken vigorous efforts in developing eco-cities across the nation. After reviewing the studies on concepts, frameworks and indicator systems of eco-city, we have observed a large amount of literature on the selection of indicators under a singular framework in China rather than having a quantity comparison from a broader scope. To obtain a quantitative sense of how well China’s eco-cities are doing compared to the best practices in the international arena, we have selected two cases from Japan and Germany. By examining their indicator quantities under the national eco-city framework of China, we have identified the gap between economic related indicator values, suggesting lower averaged economic values and energy efficiencies of Chinese eco-cities. Targets concerning the waste sector are also lower in China than in the other two cases. The environmental indicator values show lower quality than in the other two cases as well, and the social indicators manifest a specific methodological approach for measurements in China. Discussions and suggestions are made based on the outcomes of comparisons, hopefully to provide reference for the future development of eco-cities in China.

Fifty years of vegetation change in oceanic-montane liverwort-rich heath in Scotland

Background: Liverwort heath is considered in Scotland to be one of the vegetation types most vulnerable to environmental change, yet detailed insights into its dynamics are lacking.Aims: To assess the nature and extent of plant compositional changes in liverwort heath over 50 years and relate this to environmental change drivers.Methods: Vegetation plots previously recorded 20 and 50 years ago were re-surveyed to assess changes in species composition, plot-level species richness and between-plot variability, using several β-diversity indices and partitioning. The environmental indicator values of the species that showed most change were used to identify the environmental drivers of change.Results: Liverwort heath in north-west Scotland has undergone compositional changes over 50 years, becoming more heterogeneous, and losing some of its distinct character. Dwarf shrubs and specialist liverworts have decreased, while graminoids have increased. Partitioning of change in β diversity indicated that mainly changes in species richness, rather than species turnover, have driven the taxonomic differentiation over time. Grazing, eutrophication and warmer and drier conditions were found to be potentially important drivers of the observed vegetation change.Conclusions: Our results highlight the vulnerability of liverwort heath to environmental change.

Plant species diversity in dry coastal dunes of the southern Baltic coast

This study describes plant species diversity in well preserved dry coastal dune systems along the southern Baltic coast. Variations in diversity and in distributional character of plant species and plant communities throughout the study areas result mainly because of the interplay between plant succession, exposure, disturbance and resource availability. Environmental indicator values, used to describe dynamics in dune habitats, show a decline of light and temperature with increased distance to the sea, accompanied by higher soil moisture due to accumulation of organic matter. Species richness and species diversity showed a humped-shaped curve along a coast-to-inland gradient. The highest species richness of vascular plants and cryptogamic species were found in plant communities of grey dunes at intermediate levels of environmental and disturbance gradients, which confirms the intermediate disturbance theory.

Iteratio: calculating environmental indicator values for species and relevés

AbstractQuestion: Is it possible to translate vegetation maps into reliable thematic maps of site conditions?Method: This paper presents a new method, called Iteratio, by which a coherent spatial overview of specific environmental conditions can be obtained from a comprehensive vegetation survey of a specific area. Iteratio is a database application which calculates environmental indicator values for vegetation samples (relevés) on the basis of known indicator values of a limited number of plant species. The outcome is then linked to a digitalized vegetation map (map of plant communities) which results in a spatial overview of site conditions.Iteratio requires the indicator values of a minimum of 10–20% of the species occurring. The species are given a relative weight according to their amplitudes: species with a narrow range are weighted stronger, species with a broad range are weighted weaker.Conclusion: The method presented here enables a coherent assessment of site conditions on the basis of a vegetation survey and the indicator values of a limited number of plant species.