bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary hydro-geochemistry characterization of the complex geological framework of the Coreca area (Calabria, South Italy).
Authors: Vespasiano Giovanni , Apollaro Carmine
Published: November 2022

Hydrogeochemical characterization combined with statistical methods has been used to investigate groundwater quality and related geochemical processes in the complex geological framework of Coreca (Calabria, South Italy). Coreca is characterized by a peculiar geological setting that affects the groundwater quality mainly exploited for irrigation use. Two groups of waters were identified: Ca-HCO3 waters strongly controlled by the interaction with Ca-rich phases; Mg-HCO3 waters related to the interaction of meteoric water with the metamorphic Units. In Mg-HCO3 group was identified a good correlation between Cr and Ni (not observed in Ca waters) and a negative correlation between Cr, Ca and Al in agreement with direct interaction with ultramafic rocks characterized by low concentration in CaO and Al2O3. The concentration of major and trace elements has been compared with the Italian law limit values and the drinking water guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). Only samples S20, S25 and S29 showed Mn and Ni concentration higher than the Italian law threshold. The study allows defining how a multidisciplinary approach represents a useful tool to trace the factors controlling the groundwater evolution and quality especially in areas with an articulate geological and hydrogeological asset.
Exploitation of Crowdsourcing Tools and Earth Observation data: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Tsiakou D. , Tsimiklis G. , Tsiakos V. , Karagiannopoulou K. , Amditis A.
Published: November 2022

Crowdsourcing is a method gaining ever wider use in practice and leverages human intelligence to solve problems in a considerable number of study fields. Howe (Howe 2006) coined the concept defining: “Crowdsourcing represents the act of a company or institution taking a function once performed by employees and outsourcing it to an undefined network of people in the form of an open call.” This systematic review aims to understand the Crowdsourcing tools and Earth Observation (Satellite, aerial & in-situ) data and their contribution to environmental conservation and sustainability. The review involved 29 papers with particular focus on Technology Readiness Level (TRL), data fusion methods applied and topics such as types of users and their incentives and tools used to engage users and to collect the data. This article provides a glimpse of the Citizen Science (CS) data collection combined with Earth Observation data and explores the development of this swiftly emerging and evolving subject. We discuss two central implications in terms of research-implementation spaces for Crowdsourcing tools and EO data fusion: (1) the need to centralize the role of the people in order to have more accurate outcomes and (2) the most commonly used tools for crowdsourcing. This systematic literature review provides collective insights about the most commonly used tools for crowdsourcing that characterize well it’s one of the monitored domains, concluding that in complex environments remote sensing still exceeds citizen information. Our review identified limitations and recommendations derived from the monitored papers, that will improve the efficiency and provide an opportunity to look at multifaceted problems from numerous standpoints.
Forage crops nitrogen use efficiency changes under drought conditions
Authors: Žaltauskaitė Jūratė , Dikšaitytė Austra , Miškelytė Diana , Sujetovienė Gintarė , Januškaitienė Irena , Kacienė Giedrė
Published: November 2022

Ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security is one of the biggest challenges under changing climate. The frequency and severity of droughts is increasing as a result of climate change. These extreme events may lead to decreased forage crop productivity and financial incomes. Forage crop productivity strongly depends on plants nitrogen use efficiency which in turn may be affected by changed climate conditions. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of drought on the growth and nitrogen use efficiency of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and festulolium (Festulolium loliaceum (Huds.) P.Fourn.) at different rates of nitrogen (N) supply (background, 60 and 90 kg N ha-1). Alfalfa and festulolium, grown in a climate-controlled glasshouse, were subjected to short-term drought (7 days) under ambient CO2 (400 ppm) concentration. After the cease of stress, plants were rehydrated and left for 7 days to recover under control conditions. The growth (aboveground and belowground biomass, height), plant N content, nitrogen use efficiency (uptake (NupE), use (NUE) and utilization (NutE)) of both plant species were evaluated. Drought had an adverse effect on N accumulation and N uptake, use and utilization efficiency in alfalfa and festulolium. Additional N supply reduced efficiency of N uptake and use.
Catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) using recovered Silicon from end-of-life photovoltaic panels as a catalyst
Authors: Papadopoulou Konstantina , Pavlopoulos Charalampos , Kyriakopoulou Vasiliki , Lyberatos Gerasimos
Published: November 2022

As installed photovoltaic panels (PVP) approach their end of life, the need for a sustainable recovery plan becomes imperative. This work aims to reuse Silicon from End-of-Life PVP as a potential catalyst/photocatalyst for wastewater treatment. PVPs were pretreated thermally (550°C for 30 min). The resulting mixture of glass, silicon, electrodes, and ash was separated into different fractions in a trommel. Recovered Silicon flakes were washed with water, acetone, ΗΝΟ3, and HF in order to obtain pure Si. Then Si was etched through a single stage Ag-assisted Chemical etching process and doped with copper. Doping was performed in aqueous HF solutions containing CuSO4. Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in the presence of 5mM citric acid was carried out in a 600 mL batch reactor irradiated by a Xenon 150W arc lamp as well as under dark conditions. It was found that in the presence of 1.2 g/L of the Si catalyst, Cr(VI) at an initial concentration of 15 mg/L can be reduced below detection limit (>99%),under dark conditions in 90-240 min, depending on the pH of the solution. Irradiation, however, was shown to inhibit the process, contrary to previous reports that had not examined catalysis in the dark.
Environmental attitudes in times of a pandemic
Authors: Antonopoulou Eleni , Meniki Dimitra , Meniki Chrysovalantou Chrysoula , Papadonta Lamprini
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had severe impacts on health care and economies everywhere in the world. This disaster, however, provided us with a unique opportunity: the privilege to watch nature healing due to the restriction measures applied on a global scale. Even though the positive environmental effects proved temporary, could this period serve as an example of what sustainable human behavior is? Has this disaster brought people closer to understanding the effects of their choices? Do people realize the connection between natural processes and the pandemic? Can people actually learn and adapt to a new normal? The present study aims to test the hypothesis that individual environmental beliefs and COVID-19 perceptions influence environmental attitudes and behavior. For this purpose, an on-line questionnaire survey was conducted, within the academic community of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, investigating the relationship between the effect of the pandemic on individual environmental behavior and attitudes. The results of this study hope to contribute to the efforts of the global community to effectively answer these questions, in order to gain a clear view on how to respond to future climate and other environmental challenges, which are, in a broader sense, pandemics as well.
Intercomparison of satellite and ground-based precipitation in the area of Cyprus
Authors: Loulli Eleni , Bühl Johannes , Michaelides Silas , Loukas Athanasios , Hadjimitsis Diofantos
Published: November 2022

Cyprus has an excellent location for studying meteorology, climatology of atmospheric aerosols and aerosol-cloud-precipitation interaction. Aerosol-cloud-precipitation dynamics in the region of Cyprus are responsible for the country’s precipitation budget. This study uses observations from the NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission and from the two ground-based radars of the Department of Meteorology (DoM) to measure the distribution of precipitation over Cyprus. The DPR (Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar) aboard of GPM is used in order to derive precipitation rate at the ground with a spatial resolution of 5-25km for 120km wide swath. The ground-based radar stations provide raw information with a spatial resolution of 0.1° and a radius of 150km. The two datasets are interpolated on a universal grid in order to enable the calibration of the raw data and their validation with the GPM data. The results will contribute to the development of an automated method for the estimation of the precipitation budget over the area of Cyprus and thus, drought monitoring in the region of the eastern Mediterranean.
The presented work is under the EXCELSIOR project that received funding from the European Union [H2020-WIDESPREAD-04-2017: Teaming Phase2] project under grant agreement no. 857510, and from the Republic of Cyprus.
Particulate Matter impacts on public health in a Mediterranean coastal city, Patras, Greece
Authors: Nastos P. , Moustris K. , Kosmopoulos G. , Salamalikis V. , Kazantzidis A.
Published: November 2022

It is of great consensus among the scientific community that particulate matter (less than 10 μm or 2.5 μm in diameter, hereafter PM10 and PM2.5, respectively) has become a significant threat for human health in modern urban agglomerations. Taking into consideration the intensification of urbanization, given that in 2030 more than 60% of the world's population is expected to live in cities, urban morbidity and mortality due to adverse impacts of PMs is very likely to increase. This is the case of a Mediterranean coastal city, Patras, which is Greece's third-largest city and the regional capital of Western Greece, in the northern Peloponnese.
The goal of this study is to examine the effects of PMs on the cardiopulmonary mortality within the framework of the AirQ+ model, developed by the World Health Organization. We focus on the Relative Risk (RR) of cardiopulmonary mortality attributed to PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. The datasets used in the analysis concern daily means of PM concentrations acquired from the network of the Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Department of Physics, University of Patras, covering background, urban city center and north/south urban areas of Patras, within the period 2017-2019.
Novel super-hydrophobic carbon nanotube-based nanomaterial for membrane distillation
Authors: Hasan Shadi , Ouda Mariam , Wadi Vijay , Hai Abdul , Naddeo Vincenzo , Banat Fawzi
Published: November 2022

Membrane distillation (MD) is a low-grade heat-based emerging technology found viable for seawater desalination. Membrane properties such as high hydrophobicity, mechanical strength, and thermal stability are crucial in assessing the compatibility of a membrane for use in this application. In this work, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified with oleylamine (Ol), which is an 18-carbon chain hydrocarbon. The attachment of oleylamine was confirmed via thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The modification resulted in an increase in the contact angle (CA) of MWCNTs from 104.0±2.1 to 140.5 ± 6.5°. Non-solvent Induced Phase Separation (NIPS) was then used to fabricate five polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based composite membranes by varying nanomaterial concentration from 0 up to 15 wt% of the polymer. The incorporation of the nanomaterial in the membrane was confirmed via SEM, and fourier-transform infrared radiation. CA, porosity, liquid entry pressure (LEP), and tensile strength were utilized to investigate the membrane properties. A 5% and 15% increase in the CA and LEP, respectively, was observed. An increase in the tensile properties was also achieved, where the membrane consisting of 5.0 wt% nanomaterial exhibited maximum tensile stress of 34.0 MPa, compared to 23.6 MPa in the pristine PVDF. The developed nanomaterials were found to enhance the membrane properties and result in a stable overall flux of the MD system.
Creating the base for MSP; depicting the environmental status of Inner Ionian-Korinthiakos Gulf
Authors: PARAMANA THEODORA , KARDITSA AIKATERINI , MILATOU NIKI , PETRAKIS STELIOS , MEGALOFONOU PERSEFONI , POULOS SERAFIM , DASSENAKIS MANOS
Published: November 2022

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) reflects the need to plan and regulate all human uses taking place in the marine environment, under the scope of protecting marine ecosystems. MSP requires the identification of the specific ecological characteristics of the marine area to be managed, as well as the human uses taking place and the main pressures and impacts induced. The present work focused on Inner Ionian-Korinthiakos Gulf, situated in Western Greece, defining the status of the coastal and marine environment of the area in the framework of MSP. Existing information was collected, gathered in a geodatabase and mapped; biological and ecological distributions, areas of importance for particular species, communities or habitats; oceanographic and other physical environmental features (bathymetry, currents, sediments, seismicity), spatial and temporal information regarding human activities and pressures caused. The data collected was related to MSFD characteristics and pressures, based on Directive 2017/845, Annex III. The outputs included maps depicting the interrelation of the physicogeographical features with important biological and ecological characteristics as well as the current pressures in the Inner Ionian-Korinthiakos Gulf marine area.
Effect of current density value and current application period on the wastewater treatment performance of Electrochemically Enhanced Self-Forming Dynamic Membrane Bioreactors (e-SFDMBRs)
Authors: Almalvez J. , Morales-Corpuz M. , Borea L. , Castrogiovanni F. , Napodano P. , Belgiorno V. , Naddeo V. , Ballesteros F.
Published: November 2022

The use of membrane reactor in wastewater treatment gained interest for the past years due to its high-quality effluent. However, expensive membranes and high operational costs due to membrane fouling limit the wide application of this process. Research on fouling control by combining membrane use with different techniques have been studied to address this challenge. This study particularly uses electrochemically-enhanced self-forming dynamic membrane bioreactor (e-SFDMBR). The main feature of the SFDMBR technology is that the biological filtering layer self-forms on a support of cheaper, inert coarse-pore membrane. This work focuses on describing the treatment performance of the bioreactor and the effect of lowering the current density and application period of electric current on the effluent quality and membrane fouling. Two systems of e-SFDMBR were operated and compared in terms of ammonium-nitrogen and orthophosphate removal and concentration of fouling precursors. The lower application period system (0.5 mA/cm2, 3 min ON/27 min OFF) posted 99.71% ammonium-nitrogen removal while the lower current density system (0.3 mA/cm2, 5 min ON/20 min OFF) achieved 99.68% removal. Both systems were able to completely remove phosphate and produce low concentration values of known fouling precursors.
Gas mixture candidates for SF6 replacement in medium voltage switchgear: Analysis and modeling of the filling episodes
Authors: Espinazo Ane , Lombraña José Ignacio , Alonso María Luz , Alonso Rosa María , Izcara Jesús , Izagirre Josu , Pereda-Ayo Beñat
Published: November 2022

A more environmentally friendly replacement for SF6 must be found for medium voltage switchgear, as a change in European regulations will come into force soon. The mixing process of alternative binary and ternary gas mixtures is studied, which are made up of the hydrofluoroolefin HFO-1336mzz(E) (C4F6H2) and the heptafluoroisopropil trifluoromethyl ketone (C5F10O), using dry air or N2 as carrier gases. The mixture's monitoring, meaning the evolution of the concentration concerning time and position, is carried out by UV-VIS spectroscopy technology in a gas chamber that has been designed to be analogous to a medium voltage cell. The mixing process is described using a mathematical model that considers molecular diffusion, Fick’s Law, and natural convection, the effect of gravity. This work aims to configure a tool for predicting the dynamics of gas mixtures of different components, estimating the diffusivities of the mixture's components, and analyzing the behaviors derived from the use of different concentrations.
Topographical map of infrastructures in forest areas and site inspections for nature development and protection, produced by using a low-cost Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles - evaluation case
Authors: Stergiadou Anastasia , Kolkos George
Published: November 2022

Site inspections of the road network and the infrastructures in forest areas are crucial for development and protection of natural environment from several disasters such as forest fires. A digital topographical map can be an administrative tool to the Civil Protection and to Forest Offices for infrastructure inspection. The road network is usually inspected twice a year before the fire protection period by the forest service authorities, in order to record any abnormalities such as landslides and soil erosions and to secure the movement of the fire fighting vehicles. These inspections have major cost and working hours for the services’ personnel. Due to the long length of the road-network the inspections are not carried out adequately and the implementation of repairs is delayed. This paper demonstrates the evaluation of a low-cost UAVs for the production of maps in order to implement photogrammetry analysis for observation of the functionality of road network. A case-study in the university forest of Taxiarchis - Chalkidiki, Greece is presented. Drone flights have taken place in the study area and orthophotos have been analyzed. The method is being compared with the regular in-situ methods in terms of cost and quality. Low-cost and fast inspection could ensure the damage repair and the safe movement of ground fire-firefighting vehicles.
The presence of organochlorinated pesticides in the marine environment of the Mediterranean Sea: A Systematic Review
Authors: VAGI M , TZOURTZOUKLI H , PETSAS A
Published: November 2022

Plant protection products, also known as pesticides, are chemical compounds that are used for the protcection of plants against pests, weeds and diseases which affect the quantinty and quality of agricultural products. The present study is a systematic review of the scientific literature regarding the scientific research on the presence of residual organochlorinated plant protection products (OCPs) concentrations in the Mediterranean Sea, which is an important semi-enclosed marine ecosystem of great biodiversity. Based on the gathered information derived from the collected and classified articles, useful conclusions, and observations are reported about research trends. Furthermore, knowledge gaps in the current research are highlighted and suggestions for future research on this topic are also discussed.
Quantification of feedstocks and outputs for a regional Bioeconomy using the AD Biorefinery concept.
Authors: Curry Robin , Blaine Lauren
Published: November 2022

Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG’s) from agriculture in Northern Ireland account for over 27% of regional emissions, as opposed to 7% for the UK overall, leaving the region with challenges in meeting climate abatement targets. The development of a sustainable regional Bioeconomy has been identified as a key requirement for regional sustainability. Previous research carried out as part of the Northern Ireland Biogas Research Action Plan, had quantified the feedstock available for Anerobic Digestion (AD) in Northern Ireland, and estimated potential biogas and biomethane yields. This research builds upon and extends that work by applying the AD biorefinery concept to include both biological and thermochemical feedstocks and utilisation pathways. The research has quantified the potential feedstocks for AD coupled with gasification and has explored utilisation pathways for the outputs of the processes, including AD digestate to gasification and applications of biochar. The utilisation pathways have been evaluated for their potential in meeting GHG reduction targets and suitability indicators have been applied to a range of scenarios and a scenario analysis model developed. The limitations of this research have been identified and recommendations have been made for future research priorities.
Data Visualization Techniques for Contaminated Site Investigation and Remediation
Authors: Toskos Theodoros
Published: November 2022

Site investigations and remedial actions generate large amounts of data. While tabulating the data is necessary for the purpose of satisfying reporting requirements and comparisons to standards, it does not allow us to understand and explore relationships in the data to obtain important information on items such as contaminant source or fate and transport. Data visualization tools allow us to explore and understand these relationships. However, application of these tools requires planning and proper selection of assumptions, to avoid reaching improper conclusions. We are providing examples of how simple tools provide powerful information for site closure.
Citizens' awareness and education for tackling microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Rodrigues Carolina , Ribeiro Andreia , Silva Nuno , Silva Ana Luísa , Gravato Carlos , Ribeiro Carlos
Published: November 2022

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous and persistent contaminants, particularly in river sediments reaching high abundances with potential to impair ecosystem functions and services of great importance to humankind. Thus, monitoring programmes and public awareness are pivotal to implement mitigation and remediation strategies. This study evaluated the abundance of MPs in freshwater sediments and in benthic macroinvertebrates collected at four sites with different anthropogenic pressures of Costa/Couros river (Guimarães - Portugal), in order to alert, raise awareness and educate local citizens for (micro)plastic pollution. Results showed higher levels of MPs in the sediments of sites with more anthopogenic preassure. High number of MPs was also observed inside macroinvertebrates’ gut from all sites, particularly in low weight organisms indicating malnutrition and digestive disorders. Such results were incorporated into public awareness campaigns to increase the citizens' knowledge and understanding about MPs prevalence and threats to the environment, human health and the economy, as well as spread individual measures and actions that can reduce MP contamination in aquatic ecosystems. This educational study also promoted the artistic creation in public spaces to raise awareness about plastic pollution.
Pedestrian preferences of urban design features in city squares of Athens, Greece
Authors: Pantavou Katerina , Koletsis Ioannis , Lykoudis Spyridon , Tsiros Ioannis
Published: November 2022

Public open spaces improve the quality of life in cities and form places for community gatherings and outdoor activities. This study examines the preference of pedestrians for the design features of urban squares. Field surveys on the perception of environmental stimuli were conducted in five squares in Athens, Greece in three seasons (summer, autumn and winter), while a mobile station monitored environmental conditions at the moment of the interview. The questionnaire included an item on the preference for improvement of urban design features (i.e., vegetation, water elements, view, and sport spaces) at the monitoring sites. Overall, 1,858 pedestrians participated in the survey. Of these, 84.4% reported a preference for the monitoring site to be improved for urban design. More vegetation (60.7%) and adding water elements (28.9%) were the most popular suggestions. The preference for increasing vegetation was prevalent in all three seasons (summer, 63.8%; autumn, 61.5%; winter, 57.3%; p=0.05). The preference for water elements was more prevalent in summer (39.6%) than autumn (31.5%) and winter (17.3%; p<0.001). The results show that most participants would prefer the monitoring sites to be improved for urban design reporting vegetation as the main element for improvement.
Photoluminescence spectroscopy on commercially available plastic products
Authors: Konde Srumika , Brackmann Stefan , Hüppe Franziska , Koch Martin
Published: November 2022

Commercially available plastic products are produced for specific applications. They represent polymeric compounds, i.e. base materials mixed with various types of additives such as pigments. The identification of the plastic type is the key goal in microplastics analysis but also the key process when it comes to recycling macroscopic plastic litter. Established methods to analyze microplastic particles are FTIR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Both methods have shortcomings regarding plastic size and measurement speed. In 2020 Ornik et al. demonstrated that polymeric base materials can be differentiated from natural materials using photoluminescence spectroscopy. Here, we extend this method by examining commercial polymeric packaging materials found in the supermarket, which are colored by different pigments.
Environmental Monitoring from Space & Geoinformation through the Excelsior H2020 Teaming Project
Authors: Tzouvaras Marios , Papoutsa Christiana , Mamouri Rodanthi-Elisavet , Nisantzi Argyro , Mettas Christodoulos , Evagorou Evagoras , Prodromou Maria , Loulli Eleni , Melillos George , Akylas Evangelos , Danezis Chris , Kyriakides Phaedon , Themistocleous Kyriacos , Schreier Gunter , Kontoes Haris , Ansmann Albert , Bühl Johannes , Komodromos George , Hadjimitsis Diofantos
Published: November 2022

The "EXCELSIOR" H2020 Widespread Teaming Phase 2 Project titled ERATOSTHENES: EXcellence Research Centre for Earth SurveiLlance and Space-Based MonItoring Of the EnviRonment is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 857510 for a 7-year project period to establish a Centre of Excellence in Cyprus. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus is providing additional resources to support the establishment of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE). The ECoE seeks to fill the gap by carrying out spaceborne Earth Observation (EO) activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and becoming a regional key player in the Earth Observation sector. The ECoE as a Digital Innovation Hub adopts a two-axis model, where the horizontal axis consists of three Thematic Clusters for sustained excellence in research of the ECoE in the domains of Atmosphere and Climate, Resilient Society and Big Earth Data Analytics, while the vertical axis consists of four functional areas: Infrastructure, Research, Education, and Entrepreneurship. This paper presents existing state of the art research examples within the Centre that deals with the integration of earth observation and geoinformation for monitoring systematically the environment in the areas of Agriculture monitoring, Atmospheric monitoring and Disaster risk reduction in terms of earthquakes and landslides, fires and floods.
Implementation of flow duration curves for evaluating the environmental flow
Authors: Lagogiannis Sergios , Bournas Apollon , Hatzigiannakis Evangelos , Baltas Evangelos
Published: November 2022

In this research work, the implementation of Flow Duration Curves (FDC) was assessed, as a mean of estimating the environmental flow (e-flow) in rivers segments in Greece. The FDC of fifteen river basins varying in size and geomorphological characteristics and covering a wide area of mainland Greece, were derived by using high quality monthly discharge measurements of two years period. The e-flows were first calculated by applying the current Greek regulation method, which makes use of measurements of only the summer and September months, and by relating the e-flow as a percentage of the Mean Annual Flow (MAF). The e-flows were then plotted upon the FDC and compared with specific quartiles. The results show that the e-flows calculated by both the Greek regulation methodology and the 10% of MAF are a very good approximation of the 90% quantile of the FDC (Q90) while the 30% MAF falls very close to the 70% quantile (Q70). Therefore this study suggests that the Q90 could be used insted of the Greek regulation method, as it produces quite similar but safer (higher) discharge values. It was also indicated, that a strong correlation of 10% MAF to Q90 and 30%MAF to Q70 exists.
Application of a GIS based distributed model for rainfall runoff simulations
Authors: Andrikopoulou Theodora , Bournas Apollon , Baltas Evangelos
Published: November 2022

In this research work, the development and application of a distributed rainfall – runoff model, to be used in flood related simulations was performed. The model utilizes the time–area diagram theory in order to calculate and route the runoff of each grid to the basin’s outlet. The selected study area is the upper part of the Alfeios river basin, the Karitaina basin, located in southern Greece, while historic rainfall data from regional rain gauges were used, which were interpolated through GIS tools into spatially gridded rainfall fields, with a one-hour temporal scale. The performance of the distributed model was evaluated through its comparison with two lumped models, one based on GIS techniques and the other one based on the unit hydrograph derived from historical rainfall-runoff events. Finally, the abovementioned models were also compared and evaluated with the observed hydrograph of the studied event. The results showed that the distributed model performed well considering that no calibration has been carried out regarding the hydrological losses.
Shipyards, Shipbreaking industry and the contribution of the Industry 4.0
Authors: Pournara A. , Konstantinidis F.
Published: November 2022

Over the past years, a trend to monitor and control the procedures in various industries, has been attempted. It is known that the ship recycling procedure produces waste that turn to be highly dangerous for the environment, while the threat of atmospheric emissions is not yet solved. Today the majority of the ship building and ship breaking industrial activities take place in countries of eastern and south Asia, under the worst conditions in terms of working safety and environmental damage, even though there is an established legal framework. On the other hand, the initiative of Industry 4.0 offers a solution that can handle the environmental hazardous conditions and improve the recycling procedures. Environmental degradation, climate change, air pollution and other major environmental problems are the outcome of the rapid industrialization of the past centuries. The rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution with the probable benefits of the new technologies can constitute the “payoff” to the environmental damage of the past. Main technology pillars of the Industry 4.0 in such as Big Data, Analytics, Machine Vision, Collaboration Platforms, Simulation and Additive Manufacturing Augmented Reality, can scientifically diminish the environmental footprint of the ship breaking and ship building industry.
Novel hybrid technology for the sustainable development of the circular economy in urban agriculture
Authors: Giaquinto Domenico , Senatore Vincenzo , Oliva Giuseppina , Nesticò Antonio , Hasan Shadi Wajih , Zarra Tiziano , Belgiorno Vincenzo , Naddeo Vincenzo
Published: November 2022

Climate change and environmental pollution are just some of the main challenges to be addressed. A number of actions have been taken, in particular the circular economy has proved to be among the most effective in overcoming the traditional approach of the linear economy. Circular economy means not only minimizing the waste produced by giving it a new life, but also preserving the use of resources such as energy and water.
Among the different technologies developed by a circular economy approach, the use of photobioreactors and aquaponics systems are growing. They are closed systems of cultivation and growth of microalgae, which are the most important microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems for the global carbon balance and are fundamental for the capture and bioconversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into energy, are widely used.
The aim of this study is to highlight the synergistic action that could be provided by the combinated action between a photobioreactor microalgae and an aquaponic system.
Specifically, the algal biomass obtained, after being dehydrated, could be partly used to feed the fish species in aquaculture, while the remaining part is treated in order to produce biofuels and biopolymers that are produced with high added value.
The aquaculture system, in turn, thanks to the metabolism of the fish species involved and specific treatment, i.e. disinfection with UV + ozone, and biological treatment with self forming dynamic membrane, provides a source of nutrients indispensable for algal and vegetables growth.
Optimum technical operating conditions and treatments for the production of high-purity struvite fertilizer from livestock wastewater.
Authors: Antoniou Maria , Kallikazarou Nomiki , Koutsokeras Loukas , Constantinide Emorfia , Constantinides Georgios
Published: November 2022

Inadequate treatment of nutrient-rich waste streams originating from human activities such as agriculture, animal breeding, urbanization, and industrialization causes an array of environmental problems. Among them are eutrophication of surface water, nutrients and pathogens leaching into groundwater, soil acidification, and destruction of fragile ecosystems. Moreover, food security will be jeopardized, since industrial P-fertilizers are manufactured using phosphate rocks which is non-renewable resource that is constantly depleting. Nutrient recovery (N and P) from wastewater matrices could be a sustainable solution to mitigate this problem. Struvite is a crystalline mineral, which constitutes a slow-release high-value organic fertilizer, containing equal molar concentrations (1:1:1) of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate (struvite MgNH4PO4·6H2O), that can be recovered from nutrient-rich wastewater streams. This presentation will focus on the optimum operating conditions that should be applied, in order to produce high-quality struvite fertilizer from livestock wastewater. The tested experimental conditions for struvite crystallization included: solution pH, molar ratio Mg2+: N-NH4+: P-PO43-, temperature, added Mg-sources, retention time, and seeding-material addition. Moreover, the effect of matrix composition is discussed. The produced struvite from each process was analyzed for its quality and purity, which was higher than 90%, and in most of the cases the precipitate was complying with the legislative requirements for fertilizers.
Environmental Sustainability Indicators applied to Tourism Sector in Sicily
Authors: Matarazzo Agata , Zerbo Antonio , Serrano Carla
Published: November 2022

Tourism is an important source of revenue for the economy of a country because it brings money to the State which use it as a source to improve services, buildings, facilities and tourism destinations. Its importance extends to a variety of studies and researches aimed to a better and more sustainable development. The aim of this study is to analyze environmental impact caused by tourism, thanks to the use of indicators, which varies regarding the tourism destination they are linked with.
In particular, some environmental indicators on the city of Catania, in east of Sicily, are analyzed and their interaction could give a wide panorama of Sustainability in Catania and to identify all the advantages on sustainable tourism tools in Sicily.
Smart Technologies for the Control of Emerging Contaminants in Ambient Air
Authors: Galang Mark Gino , Zarra Tiziano , Belgiorno Vincenzo , Naddeo Vincenzo
Published: November 2022

Air quality protection and control is an issue of growing interest. The aspects related to the spread of the coronavirus have accentuated this attention. Furthermore, among the emerging contaminants (EC’s) in ambient air, the microplastics (1 – 5 μm) are a great concern arising from anthropogenic activities. These pollutants may bring detrimental effects on human health. To control the EC’s, the first activity is the characterization. To date, limited studies highlight and describe technologies able to identify and measure the presence in the air of these types of emerging pollutants (EP’s). Furthermore, the presented studies show a methodology gap in their experiments.
The research presents and discusses the state-of-the-art adopted technologies to characterize MPs in ambient air and pointing out strengths and weaknesses. Knowledge gap, uncertainties and recommendations are highlighted. The paper provides useful information in enhanced monitoring to support policymakers in emerging microplastics pollutants and related issues, as well as potential smart technology to be implemented.
Non-destructive diagnostics for estimating fungal infection in resin-tapped and non-tapped pine trees
Authors: Zevgolis Yiannis , Zannetos S. , Sazeides Christodoulos , Fyllas Nikos , Troumbis Andreas
Published: November 2022

In pine stands systematic harvesting of forest products, such as resin extraction, are known to affect trees’ vitality and consequently their response to fungal diseases. The latter constitutes a serious threat for standing vigorous trees, thus early warning signals and short diagnosis time of fungal pathogens, are crucial for designing effective forest management practices. In this study, the potential detection of fungal infection in managed pine stands was evaluated, using non-destructive diagnostics. Specifically, indices related to canopy structure and trunks’ temperature distribution in 334 resin-tapped and 185 non-tapped pine trees, in 21 stands, on Lesvos Island, Greece, were developed by analysing hemispherical and infrared photographs. In each stand, tree cores were extracted from the 34% of the total trees, while the fungal presence was confirmed (a) by the sudden change in boring resistance and sound during the core extraction and (b) by the discoloration of the tree cores. Logit models were developed to estimate the fungal presence explained by non-destructive diagnostics, both in resin-tapped and non-tapped pine trees. Results showed that fungal presence was successfully classified in (a) 92.6% of the cases as predicted by the canopy structure indices and in (b) 89.8% of the cases explained by the thermal indices. The effectiveness of these non-destructive diagnostics has demonstrated the accurate assessment of pines’ fungal infection, in order to prevent or mitigate forest stands' degradation.
Development of efficient techniques for the removal of brominated flame retardants from polymer blends with composition that simulates WEEE
Authors: Charitopoulou Maria Anna , Papadopoulou Lambrini , Achilias Dimitris
Published: November 2022

Waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) has increased enormously because of the rapid expansion and consumption of electronic devices and their short lifespan. Recycling of WEEE is challenging, due to the presence of various materials including glass, metals and plastics (Buekens and Yang 2014). Brominated flame retardants (BFR), such as tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) that are often added into plastics are toxic substances that must be removed before or during recycling (Ma et al. 2016). Pyrolysis is an environmentally friendly method, since secondary valuable materials or monomers can be recovered (Antonakou et al. 2014). In this work solvent extraction prior to pyrolysis is examined as a pretreatment method, in order to reduce the bromine content in specific brominated-polymeric blends. The blends consist of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP), along with TBBPA, which is the tested BFR. Different solvents as well as different extraction times were investigated. Before and after pretreatment, blends were analysed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) so as to estimate the bromine content; and were also pyrolysed in order to evaluate the derived products and examine if brominated compounds continue to form. XRF and pyrolysis experiments indicate that reduction of bromine can be effectively achieved.
Climate Change and Local Governance: Politics, Policies and Prioritization of Adaptation in Adansi North District
Authors: Enu Kirk Bright , Ahenkan Albert , Ackom Emmanuel
Published: November 2022

Climate adaptation remains low on political agendas at the local level in most developing countries despite the reality of impacts being experienced already and a projection of the worsening of same. While the factors that account for the lack of climate action by local governments are countless, politics is the heavy hand behind it all, mediating both policy and the allocation of funds. This study sought to evaluate the awareness of relevant actors in AND on climate change and assess the extent to which they participate in planning. The study also sought to assess the extent to which adaptation policies are captured and budgeted for in the AND District Medium-Term Development Plan (DMTDP) and Composite Budget (CB) (2018-2021). The study took on a concurrent nested mixed methods approach as quantitative data on adaptation policies budgeted for in the DMTDP supplemented the vast qualitative data collected through interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. It emerged that while climate change awareness is appreciable among actors, there is lack of consensus on who should initiate climate action at the local level. 41% of the broad policies in the DMTDP also directly align with strategies adopted in Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions.
Influence of common solar and climate cycles on groundwater level variations
Authors: Chapanov Yavor , Bournaski Emil
Published: November 2022

The groundwater is one of the most important natural resources. It provides drinking water and water for businesses. The level of groundwater varies in time. It has significantly seasonal oscillations and long-term variations, induced by rainfalls and climatic droughts. The seasonal, interannual and decadal cycles of groundwater level are studied by reconstructed time series for several groundwater stations in England for the period 1891-2015 provided by the British Geological Survey. The monthly groundwater level time series are created by the program AquiMod by real measurements of groundwater level data, precipitation, temperature and estimation of potential evapotranspiration, soil drainage, unsaturated-zone flow and groundwater flow. The common cycles of Total Solar Irradiance (TSI), precipitation and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) are determined by means of the Method of Partial Fourier Approximation. The solar and climate cycles are compared with the groundwater oscillations in narrow frequency bands with periodicities between 1 and 125 years. The variations of seasonal amplitudes are analyzed together with solar and climate Indices. The possibility of forecast of groundwater variations on the base of common solar, climate and groundwater cycles is discussed.
Application of quorum quenching to improve performance of membrane bioreactors: A comprehensive mini-review
Authors: Banti Dimitra , Samaras Petros , Kampouris Ioannis , Yiangou Minas
Published: November 2022

Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have been widely used for wastewater treatment, presenting however a major disadvantage, the membrane fouling problem. The sludge microorganisms produce soluble microbial products (SMP) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that lead to a formation of a sticky biofilm layer. This biofilm layer causes membrane biofouling since the activated sludge substances attach to the membrane. Quorum quenching (QQ) constitutes an innovative method that effectively reduces membrane fouling with its research being evolved rapidly. Quorum quenching is the disruption of the inter-species and intra-species signaling pathways. The QQ application results in minimization of membrane biofilm formation, SMP and EPS production, and therefore membrane fouling reduction. This review work summarized all the cutting-edge research and patents of the application of the QQ method for membrane fouling reduction, the methods for screening QQ activity and biofouling mitigation, and finally described the challenges of the QQ application in real scale MBR units. This mini-review may be valuable and appropriate for further development work.
GMO POLICIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN THE ERA OF GENOME EDITING
Authors: Argyropoulos Dimitrios , Psallida Charoula
Published: November 2022

In recent years, immediate human interference with nucleic acid sequences has resulted in what is popularly known as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The process, based on molecular technologies under the term genetic engineering, has added new information to the existing pool of genetic modifications produced from classical guided breeding or of spontaneous evolutionary occurrence under environmental pressure. On one hand, these products have been proposed as the future solution in food, medicine, health therapies including human genome modifications. On the other, they have also been accused that affect environmental stability and human health, especially in cases of DNA mix from distant species. Recent genetic engineering technologies, termed as genome editing, like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis (ODM), zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) or directed evolution PCR, are also under examination, as they lead to GMOs. In comparison to their species of origin, GMOs produced with newer technologies contain genetic modifications closer to naturally existing nucleic sequences, being difficult their detection and evaluation. Present and future policies for GMOs are presented under an emerging technology revolution.
Integrating Ecosystem Services (E.S.) in spatial planning: a literature review
Authors: Kesisoglou Doukeni , Pozoukidou Georgia , Papageorgiou Marilena
Published: November 2022

Integration of ES in spatial planning constitutes a critical issue in the context of establishing resilient and sustainable policies. In this paper, a literature review was performed, to evaluate the integration of ES in spatial planning practices through institutional and governmental planning documents. The results indicated that ES have been gradually capturing the interest of the planning scientific community. However, the number of publications concerned with this topic is still very limited and with no clear methodology on the issue of integrating the ES concept in spatial planning. This paper suggests that the integration methodology to be built should focus more on urban environments, and with the intention to achieve integration within areas defined by ecosystem boundaries rather than administrative ones.