scholarly journals Environmental Engineering Techniques to Restore Degraded Posidonia oceanica Meadows

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 661
Author(s):  
Luigi Piazzi ◽  
Stefano Acunto ◽  
Francesca Frau ◽  
Fabrizio Atzori ◽  
Maria Francesca Cinti ◽  
...  

Seagrass planting techniques have shown to be an effective tool for restoring degraded meadows and ecosystem function. In the Mediterranean Sea, most restoration efforts have been addressed to the endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica, but cost-benefit analyses have shown unpromising results. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of environmental engineering techniques generally employed in terrestrial systems to restore the P. oceanica meadows: two different restoration efforts were considered, either exploring non-degradable mats or, for the first time, degradable mats. Both of them provided encouraging results, as the loss of transplanting plots was null or very low and the survival of cuttings stabilized to about 50%. Data collected are to be considered positive as the survived cuttings are enough to allow the future spread of the patches. The utilized techniques provided a cost-effective restoration tool likely affordable for large-scale projects, as the methods allowed to set up a wide bottom surface to restore in a relatively short time without any particular expensive device. Moreover, the mats, comparing with other anchoring methods, enhanced the colonization of other organisms such as macroalgae and sessile invertebrates, contributing to generate a natural habitat.

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 336-339
Author(s):  
Lucy Godfrey

The use of transfused blood, be it from an allogenic (donor) or autologous (same patient) source, is not a new treatment and in fact has been experimented with since the mid 1800s. The role of cell salvage and re-infusion of a patient’s own blood, however, has only begun to gain real popularity in the last 20 years, after the undertaking of several large scale meta-analyses which have shown that not only is autologous transfusion no less efficacious when compared to allogenic transfusion, but also potentially safer for a number of reasons. Autologous transfusion is also more cost effective overall and potentially quicker to initiate in an emergency situation. Despite the body of evidence to support the use of salvaged blood for transfusion, hesitation around its use still persists, with staff apprehension around set up of cell salvage equipment and general underestimation of intraoperative blood loss being key factors in its underuse.


2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1667) ◽  
pp. 20140129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamiel Spoelstra ◽  
Roy H. A. van Grunsven ◽  
Maurice Donners ◽  
Phillip Gienapp ◽  
Martinus E. Huigens ◽  
...  

Artificial night-time illumination of natural habitats has increased dramatically over the past few decades. Generally, studies that assess the impact of artificial light on various species in the wild make use of existing illumination and are therefore correlative. Moreover, studies mostly focus on short-term consequences at the individual level, rather than long-term consequences at the population and community level—thereby ignoring possible unknown cascading effects in ecosystems. The recent change to LED lighting has opened up the exciting possibility to use light with a custom spectral composition, thereby potentially reducing the negative impact of artificial light. We describe here a large-scale, ecosystem-wide study where we experimentally illuminate forest-edge habitat with different spectral composition, replicated eight times. Monitoring of species is being performed according to rigid protocols, in part using a citizen-science-based approach, and automated where possible. Simultaneously, we specifically look at alterations in behaviour, such as changes in activity, and daily and seasonal timing. In our set-up, we have so far observed that experimental lights facilitate foraging activity of pipistrelle bats, suppress activity of wood mice and have effects on birds at the community level, which vary with spectral composition. Thus far, we have not observed effects on moth populations, but these and many other effects may surface only after a longer period of time.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Leyva-Noyola ◽  
O. Solorza-Feria

Nanoparticles of Ru3Pd6Pt have been previously produced by different synthesis routes that involve high temperatures and relative high pressures and long time. The usage of a conventional microwave assisted synthesis reduces environmental risk impact as well as the cost effective production in large scale with minimum set up modifications. These features are the motivations for the use of microwaves in the synthesis of the Ru3Pd6Pt catalyst for PEM fuel cell applications to reduce the Pt loading. In this communication a tri-metallic electrocatalyst was produced by the reduction of the corresponding metallic salts, RuCl3, PdCl2, and H2PtCl6 in ethylene glycol using a modified conventional microwave device. Oxygen reduction reaction kinetic analysis results conducted to a Tafel slope, (-b = 41.2 ± 1.7 mV dec-1) at low overpotential, and exchange current density (i0 = 3.01 ± 0.39 × 10-5 mA cm-2) in 0.5M H2SO4. This electrocatalyst exhibited good performance and stability in a single H2/O2PEM fuel cell.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Sachin Kumar Vaid ◽  
Prakash Chandra Srivastava ◽  
Satya Pratap Pachauri ◽  
Anita Sharma ◽  
Deepa Rawat ◽  
...  

Low Zn in staple food grains like rice is closely related to large scale Zn malnutrition in many countries of the World. Zinc biofortification of rice grains by some cost effective agronomic method is important for low income farmers. To explore the possibility of enhancing the bioavailability of Zn in rice grains besides higher yields of two cultivars, the combinations of varying Zn fertilizer doses with or without inoculation of rhizobacteria consortium under split plot design set up were evaluated in two years field trials. Microbial inoculation + 5 kg Zn ha-1 to I year rice crop resulted in the highest number of effective tillers, grain yields, Zn concentration and uptake in grains and straw and total Zn uptake in both years. Grain yield of rice during two years increased by 19.7-27.9 and 17.1-20.4 percent over control under treatments receiving microbial inoculation + 5 kg Zn ha-1 to I year rice and 5 kg Zn ha-1 alone to I year rice crop, respectively. The highest concentration of Zn (10.9-19.1 mg kg-1) and the lowest concentration of phytic acid (18.5-25.3 g kg-1) in dehulled rice grains were recorded with soil application of 5 kg Zn ha-1; however, the values were at par with those observed under microbial inoculation + 5 kg Zn ha-1 (12.0-17.0 mg Zn kg-1 and 19.2-26.9 g phytic acid kg-1). The percent utilization of soil applied Zn increased with microbial inoculation in both the years and it was relatively higher in NDR 359 as compared to PD 16.


Author(s):  
G. Zuev

Crowdsourcing technologies may solve a wide range of business issues: improve efficiency of HR management, increase customer loyalty and maximize economic efficiency of whole enterprise. The recent years best practice has shown how crowdsourcing is gaining particular relevance of human resource management, allowing HR managers to resolve organization relevant problems in quick and cost-effective manner. Important advantage of crowdsourcing сomes from his main ability: decomposition of tasks into small parts and the ability to perform it’s remotely, via Internet. Thanks to this, not only large corporations, but also small and medium-sized businesses can execute a large-scale projects in a short time. This article discusses the main approaches and principles of practical project management via crowdsourcing platforms, using as the example “Beorg Smart Vision” solution.


Systems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azad Madni ◽  
Shatad Purohit

In the face of ever-increasing complexity of systems and system development programs, several aerospace, automotive, and defense organizations have already begun or are contemplating the transition to model-based systems engineering (MBSE). The key challenges that organizations face in making this decision are determining whether it is technically feasible and financially beneficial in the long-run to transition to MBSE, and whether such transition is achievable given budgetary constraints. Among other cost drivers of this transition, are a new digital infrastructure, personnel training in MBSE, and cost-effective migration of legacy models and data into the new infrastructure. The ability to quantify gains from MBSE investment is critical to making the decision to commit to MBSE implementation. This paper proposes a methodological framework for analyzing investments and potential gains associated with MBSE implementation on large-scale system programs. To this end, the MBSE implementation problem is characterized in terms of: system complexity, environment complexity and regulatory constraints, and system lifespan. These criteria are applied to systems in twelve major industry sectors to determine MBSE investment and expected gains. Results from this cost-benefit analysis are used to justify investment in MBSE implementation where warranted. This approach is generic and can be applied to different sectors for economic evaluation of costs and benefits and justification of transition to MBSE if warranted.


2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 382-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Dirckx ◽  
T. Wambecq ◽  
A. Qvick ◽  
M. Weemaes

This study presents the development of an Early Warning System (EWS) called EPIGONE focusing on the detection of dry weather overflows in the vicinity of throttle structures in sewer systems. Throttle structures are considered as vital parts of a sewer system as they are control sections limiting flow rates to a designed operational value. Because these structures are by definition prone to potential clogging or blockages, a close follow-up of the daily operation by an EWS facilitates increased vigilance or even alarm. Primary goal of EPIGONE is to alert operators and thus allow fast intervention in case of suspected failures of these structures within a settled timeframe. EPIGONE combines overflow water level measurements with rainfall radar information to determine Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) activity during dry weather as this dual condition will indicate malfunctioning. This combination of measurements was found to be the most cost effective set-up to deploy on a large scale. Water level data are recorded and logged on-site and sent to a central controller via GSM/GPRS, where an algorithm determines dry weather overflow conditions. Rainfall radar data are used as criterion to decide on dry weather conditions. From there on alarms are sent out to multiple recipients via e-mail and/or text messages (SMS). Next to this, it is obvious that this system can also be used for ‘regular’ wet weather CSO monitoring.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 2962
Author(s):  
Ciro Del Vecchio ◽  
Marco Di Ludovico ◽  
Andrea Prota

Recent seismic events have demonstrated that the high vulnerability of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings is mainly due to a lack of proper seismic detailing and the employment of poor-quality concrete. The reconstruction process following the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake highlighted that strengthening these buildings using solutions based on fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) can be both efficient and cost-effective. Indeed, their light weight, ease of installation, and the availability of specific guidelines and standards strongly supported their use in design practices, where they were the strengthening technique employed the most. This paper analyses and discusses the data on the actual cost and effectiveness of FRP solutions for seismic strengthening of existing RC buildings. To this end, the large database relating to the L’Aquila reconstruction process was used to select 130 RC buildings strengthened with FRP systems or FRPs combined with other techniques. Details of direct costs, including at the member level, and the types and percentages of strengthened members are analysed for both local and global strategies. This study thus provides readers with valuable data for use in cost-benefit analyses of FRP systems schemes to mitigate seismic risk at large-scale.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Samudrika Wijayapala

In Sri Lanka a huge amount of flowers are cultivated. These flowers are used as decoration purposes or for offering to Buddha and God. A survey report reveals that 40% of the total productions of flowers are unsold and wasted everyday which are thrown in water or dumped which also creates water pollution as well as environmental pollution. These wasted flowers can be used in various ways & we can get wealth from waste materials. These wasted flowers are used in extraction of colourful dyes from these flowers and use it in textile industry for dyeing purposes and the residual water portion can be used as bio-fertilizers.Colourful dye can be extracted from flowers for dyeing textile fibre. These floral dyes are eco-friendly & it has no allergic action on skin like synthetic dye. Moreover the procedure is very cost-effective and depending on it small scale Industry as well as Large scale Industry can be set up. Keeping in view the importance of eco textiles and their demand in the national and international market and to overcome the problem of environmental pollution, allergic reactions to man- kind, and the present investigation was carried out to introduce to use floral dyes for dyeing of bleached cotton fabric and tested its colour fastness properties.


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