Article
Horticulture
Gianluigi Farru, Chau Huyen Dang, Maja Schultze, Jurgen Kern, Giovanna Cappai, Judy A. Libra
Summary: New technologies are needed to produce peat-substitutes in order to meet growing demand in horticulture and preserve natural peatlands. Hydrothermal conversion of organic residues into hydrochars shows potential as a substitute, reducing environmental impacts and CO2 emissions. Cress seed germination tests and a nitrification bioassay are used to assess the potential of hydrochars, and pre- and post-treatments are applied to remove phytotoxic compounds and predict toxicity.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Christian Aragon-Briceno, Artur Pozarlik, Eddy Bramer, Gerrit Brem, Shule Wang, Yuming Wen, Weihong Yang, Halina Pawlak-Kruczek, Lukasz Niedzwiecki, Agnieszka Urbanowska, Krzysztof Moscicki, Michal Ploszczyca
Summary: Anaerobic digestion is an efficient method for utilizing wet municipal solid waste (MSW) to produce biogas. This study focused on the determination of optimum hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process conditions to recover water from MSW digestate. Results showed that HTC treatment increased water recovery during the dewatering process compared with the original feedstock. A process model was built, demonstrating a positive energy balance and electrical efficiency.
Article
Thermodynamics
Xiaodi Xie, Chao Peng, Xinyu Song, Nana Peng, Chao Gai
Summary: This study investigates a strategy combining microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization (MHTC) pretreatment with subsequent pyrolysis for the treatment of food waste digestate (FWD). The MHTC pretreatment effectively converts FWD to hydrothermal carbons (HCs) and improves their fuel properties. Thermal decomposition experiments reveal that the pyrolysis behavior of FWD-derived HCs is similar to that of platform biomass. Kinetic analysis determines the activation energy and reaction mechanism for the pyrolysis of FWD and HCs.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hailong Ma, Shuaixiang Zhao, Jun Hou, Tesema Feyissa, Zhiping Duan, Zhaolong Pan, Kaiye Zhang, Weifeng Zhang
Summary: The use of vermicompost in growing medium can improve the physicochemical properties of the medium and promote plant growth. This study provides quantitative evidence of the positive effects of vermicompost on nutrient content, water-holding porosity, and plant growth parameters.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mi Yan, Feng Chen, Tian Li, Li Zhong, Hongyu Feng, Zhang Xu, Dwi Hantoko, Haryo Wibowo
Summary: This study investigates the effect of reaction temperature and residence time on solid and liquid products from the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process of food waste digestate solids (FWDS). The results show that temperature has a more significant effect on the properties of hydrochar, while the effect on the liquid product is relatively small. It is also discovered that the increase of temperature can significantly reduce the concentrations of COD and TOC in the liquid product.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Wei Wang, Jo-Shu Chang, Duu-Jong Lee
Summary: The flourishing of anaerobic digestion (AD) in waste treatment highlights the importance of valorization of digestate, which determines the benefits of the AD process. The perception of digestate has shifted from waste to products to realize the concept of circular economy and maximize its benefits. This review provides an overview of the current status of digestate valorization, focusing on thermal-chemical methods, and summarizes novel valorization methods from recent research, highlighting prospects for digestate valorization.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Noah Luciano Taufer, Vittoria Benedetti, Matteo Pecchi, Yukihiko Matsumura, Marco Baratieri
Summary: This study investigated a combined process of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and supercritical water gasification (SCWG) to fully utilize digestate from anaerobic digestion. The results showed that increasing SCWG temperature led to higher carbon yield and hydrogen content in the gas phase, while increasing residence time resulted in a decrease in carbon yield in the gas phase. Increasing feedstock concentration led to a higher gas generation rate.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Wei Wang, Jo-Shu Chang, Duu-Jong Lee
Summary: The flourishing of anaerobic digestion highlights the importance of digestate valorization, which is crucial in determining the benefits of the process. Recently, digestate has gradually been perceived as a product rather than waste, in order to achieve the concept of a circular economy and maximize its benefits. Land application is the simplest way for valorization, but legislative restrictions and environmental concerns necessitate novel valorization methods. This review outlines the current methods for solid/liquid digestate valorization, nutrient recovery, microalgae cultivation, and integration with biological and thermochemical processes. The proposed novel valorization routes and their challenges and prospects are discussed, with the integration of anaerobic digestion and thermochemical methods showing potential market value for hydrochar/biochar-derived products.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shule Wang, Yuming Wen, Ziyi Shi, Lukasz Niedzwiecki, Marcin Baranowski, Michal Czerep, Wangzhong Mu, Halina Pawlak Kruczek, Par Goran Jonsson, Weihong Yang
Summary: Anaerobic digestion is a promising method for organic waste treatment, and combining hydrothermal carbonization with pyrolysis could be a suitable solution for digestate management. The study revealed that HTC treatment decreased the activation energy range of AWD pyrolysis.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Niloufar Ghavami, Karhan Ozdenkci, Simeone Chianese, Dino Musmarra, Cataldo De Blasio
Summary: This study proposes the use of energetic yield as a performance indicator for selecting optimum conditions in hydrothermal carbonization. The study also investigates the required experimental data and simulation aspects for producing hydrochar. The findings provide insights into the energy and mass balances of the process.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jiacheng Sun, Veronica Benavente, Stina Jansson, Ondrej Masek
Summary: Microalgae, derived from municipal wastewater treatment, can be used as sustainable feedstock to produce biochar and hydrochar. This study compared the properties and phytotoxicity of biochar and hydrochar produced from microalgae at different temperatures and residence times. The results showed that biochar promoted germination and seedling growth, while raw hydrochar exhibited strong phytotoxicity. Post-treatments such as dichloromethane washing and further pyrolysis were effective in mitigating hydrochar phytotoxicity. Biochar also had higher carbon sequestration potential compared to hydrochar.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Judith Gonzalez-Arias, Marta E. Sanchez, Jorge Cara-Jimenez, Francisco M. Baena-Moreno, Zhien Zhang
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization is a promising method for producing renewable biofuels by treating various biomass wastes at lower temperatures. It can generate gases, liquids, and solids, with the solid product being the main one used as a substitute for fossil coal. Integration with other processes like anaerobic digestion, catalytic conversion, and membrane technology is crucial for commercial profitability.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Loreto Suarez, Tomas Emilio Diaz, Iria Benavente-Ferraces, Cesar Plaza, Monica Almeida, Teresa A. Centeno
Summary: The rapid spread of invasive Pampas grass has significant impacts on ecosystems, economy, and society. Hydrothermal treatment is a challenging alternative for proper disposal of the bulky waste from the plant, offering the potential for on-site management and utilization of resulting byproducts. The research shows that hydrothermal treatment at certain temperatures can effectively inertize seeds, produce stable carbon-enriched solids, and potentially improve soil properties.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Joanna Mikusinska, Monika Kuznia, Klaudia Czerwinska, Malgorzata Wilk
Summary: In agricultural biogas plants, the by-product digestate is produced along with biogas. This paper examines the properties of agricultural digestate and its hydrothermal conversion into hydrochar and process water. The parameters of the hydrothermal carbonization process affect the characteristics of hydrochar, making it suitable for various applications such as biofuel, fertilizer, soil improver, adsorber, or catalyst. The properties of hydrochar derived from agricultural digestate are extensively discussed in this paper.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zebin Cao, Benedikt Huelsemann, Dominik Wuest, Hans Oechsner, Armin Lautenbach, Andrea Kruse
Summary: The study shows that HTC treatment of biogas digestate can improve the slagging and fouling indices of hydrochar, with the specific methane yield of process water minimally affected by varying HTC residence time. Energy assessment reveals that HTC for 0.5 hours achieves the highest process efficiency and net energy gain, suggesting the use of 210 degrees C, 0.5 hours HTC condition for energy production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Riccardo Fedeli, Andrea Vannini, Silvia Celletti, Viviana Maresca, Silvana Munzi, Cristina Cruz, Dmitry Alexandrov, Massimo Guarnieri, Stefano Loppi
Summary: In this study, the foliar application of wood distillate (WD) on chickpea plants was tested, showing increased diameter, weight, and content of important nutrients in the seeds. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of using WD to improve the nutritional qualities of crop species and address human malnutrition and environmental concerns.
ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ida Rascio, Concetta Eliana Gattullo, Carlo Porfido, Ignazio Allegretta, Matteo Spagnuolo, Raphael Tiziani, Silvia Celletti, Stefano Cesco, Tanja Mimmo, Roberto Terzano
Summary: Fire events can modify the distribution and speciation of potentially toxic elements in soil. The high temperatures during fire events can increase the mobility and bioavailability of certain toxic elements, potentially leading to pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Marco Signorini, Gabriele Midolo, Stefano Cesco, Tanja Mimmo, Luigimaria Borruso
Summary: This study conducted the first meta-analysis to investigate the effect of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) additions on soil microbial alpha-diversity. The results showed a negative dose-dependent response for Cu but not for Cd, and extreme doses of Cu did not cause a dramatic loss in alpha-diversity. The study highlights the different behaviors of bacterial communities in response to soil pollution, depending on the metal.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Riccardo Fedeli, Dmitriy Alexandrov, Silvia Celletti, Elvira Nafikova, Stefano Loppi
Summary: This study investigated the effects of gasoline contamination on oat plants and tested the potential benefits of adding biochar to polluted soils. The results showed a negative impact of gasoline on oat plants, but the addition of biochar significantly reduced these negative effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ignazio Allegretta, Giacomo Squeo, Concetta Eliana Gattullo, Carlo Porfido, Antonio Cicchetti, Francesco Caponio, Stefano Cesco, Carlo Nicoletto, Roberto Terzano
Summary: The increased demand for safe and high-quality food products from customers has made food traceability a priority for identifying frauds and certifying quality. Elemental profiling, particularly using TXRF spectroscopy, is a widely used strategy for food traceability, although its full potential has not been fully explored. In this study, a new method using directly TXRF spectra coupled with multivariate analyses was tested for food traceability. The study focused on 24 different genotypes of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in two different locations. After developing the method for bean analysis, the TXRF spectra were collected and processed using PCA combined with SNV and GLSW filters, resulting in a perfect clustering of the beans based on their geographical origin. Finally, using PLS-DA, the beans were correctly classified, demonstrating that TXRF spectra can be successfully used as a fingerprint for food and seed traceability and that elemental quantification is not necessary for this purpose.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sebastian B. Feil, Monica Yorlady Alzate Zuluaga, Stefano Cesco, Youry Pii
Summary: The use of copper-based fungicides in crop protection plans has resulted in high accumulation of copper in soils, especially in vineyards. While copper is an essential micronutrient for plants, high concentrations in soil can lead to toxicity and interfere with the plant's growth and nutrient acquisition.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giuseppe Cantarella, Mallikarjun Madagalam, Ignacio Merino, Christian Ebner, Manuela Ciocca, Andrea Polo, Pietro Ibba, Paolo Bettotti, Ahmad Mukhtar, Bajramshahe Shkodra, A. K. M. Sarwar Inam, Alexander J. Johnson, Arash Pouryazdan, Matteo Paganini, Raphael Tiziani, Tanja Mimmo, Stefano Cesco, Niko Munzenrieder, Luisa Petti, Nitzan Cohen, Paolo Lugli
Summary: A sustainable and green technology for fabricating electronics on fruit-waste derived paper substrate is reported, which can be used in smart agriculture and the Internet-of-Thing applications. By optimizing laser parameters, various electronic devices are realized, and the cellulose-based substrate allows for twofold strategies for electronics recycling. The results show the realization of green, low-cost and circular electronics with no waste creation and positive impact on the ecosystem.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Stefano Cesco, Paolo Sambo, Maurizio Borin, Bruno Basso, Guido Orzes, Fabrizio Mazzetto
Summary: Smart agriculture, through the use of information technologies and digital tools, can contribute to food security, reduced resource consumption, and increased profitability. However, the adoption rate of these technologies is still low and varies across different regions. This paper proposes a framework for smart agriculture and digital twins, presents a case study on nitrogen fertilization, and discusses the challenges and future prospects. The study emphasizes the need for optimizing fertilizer input and considering spatial and temporal variabilities. It also highlights the potential benefits of digital twins for predictive analysis and sustainability.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eleonora Coppa, Silvia Celletti, Francesco Sestili, Tanja Mimmo, Maria Dolores Garcia Molina, Stefano Cesco, Stefania Astolfi
Summary: This study found that limiting the sulfate level can enhance the plant's uptake of selenium, and different wheat genotypes express different genes during selenium uptake.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Monica Yorlady Alzate Zuluaga, Andre Luiz Martinez de Oliveira, Fabio Valentinuzzi, Nadia Souza Jayme, Sonia Monterisi, Roberto Fattorini, Stefano Cesco, Youry Pii
Summary: This study found that Enterobacter sp. strain 15S and its secreted organic acids had significant effects on P nutrition and growth of cucumber plants, enhancing their P acquisition and improving morpho-physiological traits.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Andrew H. Hubble, Bridget A. Childs, Matteo Pecchi, Hanifrahmawan Sudibyo, Jefferson W. Tester, Jillian L. Goldfarb
Summary: By using transition metal catalysts during pyrolysis, either in situ within the biomass or ex situ downstream on an alumina substrate, the quality of bio-oil produced from liquid biofuels can be improved by reducing the acidity and increasing the stability. Different transition metals have different effects on the bio-oil yield and composition, with in situ catalysts increasing the yield and ex situ catalysts cracking the molecules into smaller organics and water. The use of ex situ catalysts also leads to a decrease in aromatic carbon content and an increase in alcohol concentration in the bio-oil.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raphael Tiziani, Marion Pranter, Fabio Valentinuzzi, Youry Pii, Borruso Luigimaria, Stefano Cesco, Tanja Mimmo
Summary: Nutrient deficiencies have a significant impact on agricultural production globally. However, combined deficiencies of iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) have been poorly studied. This study investigated the effects of single and combined deficiencies of Fe and P in barley and tomato plants. The results showed that tomato plants exhibited reduced root morphology and ionome in all deficiency treatments, while barley plants displayed enhanced root growth under double deficiency. Multivariate statistics highlighted significant differences in all treatments in tomato plants, while only Fe deficiency was statistically different in barley plants.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elizabeth Alvarez-Chavez, Stephane Godbout, Mylene Genereux, Caroline Cote, Alain N. Rousseau, Sebastien Fournel
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of alternative filtering materials and bed aeration on the retention of nutrients and fecal bacteria in woodchip bedded stand-off pads for cows. The results showed that the alternative biofilters were more efficient in removing COD, SS, TN, and NO3-N, while conventional biofilters were more efficient for PO4-P removal. Aeration did not have a significant effect under the tested temperature conditions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yike Zhang, Zengyi Ma, Zhuoting Fang, Yuandong Qian, Zhiping Huang, Yilong Ye, Jianhua Yan
Summary: This study investigates the application of oxygen enrichment melting technology in the melting of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash. The results demonstrate that oxygen enrichment technology can reduce energy consumption and operating costs, as well as decrease pollution emissions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liangang Xiao, Mingkai Leng, Philip Greenwood, Rongqin Zhao, Zhixiang Xie, Zengtao You, Junguo Liu
Summary: This study investigates the effects of grazing exclusion on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and vegetation recovery. It finds that grazing exclusion can increase the potential for SOC accumulation, and higher annual precipitation is positively correlated with SOC accumulation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Beatrice Cantoni, Jessica Ianes, Beatrice Bertolo, Selena Ziccardi, Francesco Maffini, Manuela Antonelli
Summary: This study evaluates the performance of ozonation and adsorption as in-series processes compared to standalone processes for the removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in drinking water. The combination of both processes proves to be more effective than adsorption and ozonation alone. Ozonation improves the adsorption performance of poorly-oxidizable CECs but worsens that of well-oxidizable compounds. This research highlights the importance of considering both processes in the removal of CECs in drinking water treatment plants.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dan Li, Bingjun Liu, Yang Lu, Jianyu Fu
Summary: A new Standardized compound Drought and Saltwater intrusion Index (SDSI) was developed to detect changes in the severity of CDSEs in six estuaries. The study found that saltwater intrusion plays a dominant role in influencing SDSI severity, and CDSEs vary in frequency, duration and severity among different estuaries.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yong-Qiang Li, Rui Sun, Chong-Miao Zhang, Zi-Xuan Liu, Rui-tao Chen, Jian Zhao, Hua-dong Gu, Huan-Cai Yin
Summary: In this study, an electron beam excitation multi-wavelength ultraviolet (EBE-MW-UV) system was established and found to have significantly higher microbial inactivation effects compared to single-wavelength UV-LEDs in water. Mechanism analysis revealed that EBE-MW-UV damaged microbial DNA and proteins, and generated additional reactive oxygen species, leading to microbial inactivation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaili Ma, Xinxin Han, Qiujuan Li, Yu Kong, Qiaoli Liu, Xu Yan, Yahong Luo, Xiaopin Li, Huiyang Wen, Zhiguo Cao
Summary: This study reveals that the use of a tryptophan-degrading microbial consortium (TDC) can enhance the hydrolysis efficiency of waste activated sludge (WAS), increasing the yield and quality of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and improving the solubilization and release of organic substances from WAS.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ling Xiong, Rui Li
Summary: Incorporating Ecosystem Service Value (ESV) into land use planning can provide informed land management decisions. This study evaluates the ESV of Guizhou Province in China's karst region. The results show an increase in total ESV over the past two decades due to ecological restoration projects.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Geetha Jenifel
Summary: This article discusses the importance of water and the pollution of freshwater resources, and introduces the use of machine learning models and blockchain technology to predict and protect water quality.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stanslaus Terengia Materu, Taotao Chen, Chang Liu, Daocai Chi, Meng Jun
Summary: The study showed that H2SO4-modified biochar can reduce P leaching, increase soil available P, and enhance plant P uptake in alternate wetting and drying irrigation systems. Biochar additions B20A and IAWDB20A-M were effective in improving yield, reducing P leaching, and increasing APB.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amir Nouri, Ali Akbar Zinatizadeh, Sirus Zinadini, Mark Van Loosdrecht
Summary: This study focuses on the development of an air-lift bio-electrochemical reactor (ALBER) with a continuous feeding regime to enhance nitrogen removal from synthetic wastewater. The effect of temperature, hydraulic retention time (HRT), N -NH+4 /TN ratio, and current density on the reactor performance was investigated, and the ALBER achieved a maximum TN removal of 73%. The results suggest that the ALBER has potential for treating industrial wastewater at low temperatures.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peifang Wang, Guoxiang You, Yang Gao, Juan Chen, Xun Wang, Chao Wang
Summary: This study investigated the ecological processes of microbial communities and N- and P-transformation processes in multistage agricultural drainage ditches. The results showed that the microbial communities were co-shaped by agricultural practices and ditch size, which further governed the N and P removal performance.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaofeng Niu, Huan Wang, Tao Wang, Peiyu Zhang, Huan Zhang, Hongxia Wang, Xianghong Kong, Songguang Xie, Jun Xu
Summary: Microorganisms play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance, and environmental stressors can affect the assembly processes of microbial communities. The study found that different stressors have opposite effects on microbial community assembly in water and sediment, and warming has different influences compared to herbicides and nutrients.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuqing Tan, Qiming Cheng, Fengwei Lyu, Fei Liu, Linhao Liu, Yihong Su, Shaochun Yuan, Wenyu Xiao, Zhen Liu, Yao Chen
Summary: The exacerbation of global warming, extreme weather events, and rapid urbanization have led to increased flooding in urban areas. China has adopted sponge city as an efficient means of preventing and controlling urban floods. Using a SWMM-FVCOM model, the hydrological reduction and control effect of sponge city construction (SPCC) within a university campus were evaluated. The study found that implementing SPCC effectively mitigates surface runoff and reduces the severity of urban flooding. However, the efficacy of runoff control decreases with longer rainfall return periods.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhonghan Chen, Qiuyan Li, Shibo Yan, Juan Xu, Qiaoyun Lin, Zhuangming Zhao, Ziying He
Summary: Tidal rivers are important biochemical reaction channels, receiving carbon from wastewater and agricultural drains, affecting CO2 emissions. Through modeling and data analysis, researchers explored carbon distribution, emissions, and greenhouse effects, emphasizing the potential of river management to change global CO2 emissions under climate change.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)