scholarly journals Comparative analysis of Aquaponics and Hydroponic systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 31-43
Author(s):  
Vilma Petkova ◽  
Kristina Krusteva

This article presents an analysis of the Aquaponics and Hydroponic systems. The principles of action have been known since the Middle Ages, but in present times they have developed due to an increase in the planet’s population, food and water scarcity, arable land, and environmental pollution. The Hydroponic system is groundless cultivation of food crops, mainly vegetables in a controlled environment. In Aquaponic system the nutrients circulates while combining the life cycle of suitable plants and aquatic fishes. This ensures the functioning of a system that resembles the circles of biogenic chemical elements in nature. Both systems are highly efficient and ecological cleaning, making them particularly suitable for use in urban environments.

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 01026
Author(s):  
Yu Xie

With the impact of decreasing arable land and the rapid growth of global population, more people are beginning to attach importance to hydroponic systems, which is an innovative solution that may efficiently solve this problem. The incredible growth of the global hydroponic market has already raised many entrepreneurs’ or even countries’ attentions. There is a multitude of research, which has already proven that plants grow much faster in hydroponic systems, and have more nutrients than plants grown from soil. However, many scientists also found out that having a totally closed system may also promote the spread of pathogens and pests, which can cause a great amount of economic loss to hydroponic operators. Therefore, reliable and efficient methods of preventing harmful organisms to enter the system are imperative and crucial for ensuring successful hydroponics management. This research was done in order to discover if there is a semipermeable membrane which can block the algae or fungus outside, but allow the dissolved nutrients to enter the hydroponic system. In addition, this would reduce the cost of cleaning hydroponic systems and utilize a material that is friendly to the environment. It was hypothesized that by combining several coffee filters, which are biodegradable, this goal may be accomplished. In the first experiment, a cup with coffee filters was placed in algae water to observe if coffee filters can work efficiently for at least 3 days. In the second experiment, a “jar test” was performed for different types of filters, and it was indicated that essential coffee filters can block out algae by 100%. Finally, the last experiment involved implementing the filters in a hydroponic system. The results show that coffee filters in the hydroponic system are capable of blocking out most of algae.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-24
Author(s):  
V. N. Fursov ◽  
L. S. Cherney

Darkling beetle Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) is recorded here for the first time as a new species for the fauna of Ukraine. Detailed study on morphology of preimaginal stages and biology of this species recently introduced to Ukraine, is given here. Zophobas atratus is an important species being easily reared in laboratory cultures and widely distributed in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Detailed descriptions of all life stages, including egg, young and older larvae, pupa and adult of Z. atratus are required for further taxonomical study of the genus Zophobas, which isn’t yet definitively established. New identification keys for adults and larvae of the genera of tribe Tenebrionini are presented here, based on a comparative analysis of the taxonomic characters of adults and larvae of Z. atratus and species from the genera Tenebrio and Neatus. Comparative analysis of morphology of larva of Z. atratus and larvae of the tribe Cteniopodini of close subfamily Alleculinae was conducted here. The subfamily Alleculinae previously had the rank of family Alleculidae, but our analysis confirmed the reliability of its current taxonomic position as subfamily. The study of morphology of larvae of 1st and 2nd instars of Z. atratus revealed that they are characterized by special taxonomic structures that are not characteristic for oldest instars of larvae of Z. atratus. These characters include absence of spines on caudal segment, presence of a set of 4 setae at posterior margin of tergites of prothorax, metathorax, and 1st to 8th abdominal segments, strongly convex 2nd antennal segment and sensory zone in the form of an open ring on its apex, and etc. Moreover, structure of antenna of larvae of Z. atratus is similar to that of oldest larvae of most species of darkling beetles of the fauna of Ukraine. The most distinctive features of Z. atratus are: sexual dimorphism in structure of clypeus of adults; filiform sclerotized antenna of larva with a continuous sensory zone at apex of 2nd segment, weakly developed 3rd segment; fusion of sclerotized pleurites of 1st–8th abdominal segments with their tergites; sexual dimorphism in structure of 9th abdominal segment of pupa, and presence of two hooks on apex of its appendages. The data of original study of features of life cycle of Z. atratus are given. The pictures and photos of details of morphology of egg, larvae, pupa and adult of Z. atratus are presented. It was recored that life cycle of Z. atratus from laying of egg to the emergence of adult continues from 169 up to 181 days. Adults lived maximum up to 206 days. Maturation of eggs in female after copulation continues 10-11 days. Stage of egg continues 7 days, larva – up to 151 days, including pre-pupal period from 6 to 22 days, pupa – from 8 to 21 days. Twelve larval stages of Z. atratus were recorded in laboratory culture.


Author(s):  
Philip James

The focus of this chapter is an examination of the diversity of living organisms found within urban environments, both inside and outside buildings. The discussion commences with prions and viruses before moving on to consider micro-organisms, plants, and animals. Prions and viruses cause disease in plants and animals, including humans. Micro-organisms are ubiquitous and are found in great numbers throughout urban environments. New technologies are providing new insights into their diversity. Plants may be found inside buildings as well as in gardens and other green spaces. The final sections of the chapter offer a discussion of the diversity of animals that live in urban areas for part or all of their life cycle. Examples of the diversity of life in urban environments are presented throughout, including native and non-native species, those that are benign and deadly, and the common and the rare.


Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 313
Author(s):  
Shinya Inazumi ◽  
Sudip Shakya ◽  
Takahiro Komaki ◽  
Yasuharu Nakanishi

This study focused on the middle-pressure jet grouting method, which has a complicated development mechanism for the columnar soil-improved body, with the aim of establishing a computer-aided engineering (CAE) system that can simulate the performance on a computer. Furthermore, in order to confirm the effect of middle-pressure jet grouting with mechanical agitation and mixing, a comparative analysis was performed with different jet pressures, the development situation was visualized, and the performance of this method was evaluated. The results of MPS-CAE as one of the CAE systems showed that the cement slurry jet ratio in the planned improvement range, including the periphery of the mixing blade, by the middle-pressure jet grouting together with the mechanical agitation and mixing was increased and a high quality columnar soil-improved body was obtained. It is expected that the introduction of CAE will contribute to the visualization of the ground, and that CAE will be an effective tool for the visual management of construction for ground improvement and the maintenance of improved grounds during the life cycle of the ground-improvement method.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Li ◽  
Fengyin Xiong ◽  
Zhuo Chen

AbstractBiomass gasification, especially distribution to power generation, is considered as a promising way to tackle global energy and environmental challenges. However, previous researches on integrated analysis of the greenhouse gases (GHG) abatement potentials associated with biomass electrification are sparse and few have taken the freshwater utilization into account within a coherent framework, though both energy and water scarcity are lying in the central concerns in China’s environmental policy. This study employs a Life cycle assessment (LCA) model to analyse the actual performance combined with water footprint (WF) assessment methods. The inextricable trade-offs between three representative energy-producing technologies are explored based on three categories of non-food crops (maize, sorghum and hybrid pennisetum) cultivated in marginal arable land. WF results demonstrate that the Hybrid pennisetum system has the largest impact on the water resources whereas the other two technology options exhibit the characteristics of environmental sustainability. The large variances in contribution ratio between the four sub-processes in terms of total impacts are reflected by the LCA results. The Anaerobic Digestion process is found to be the main contributor whereas the Digestate management process is shown to be able to effectively mitigate the negative environmental impacts with an absolute share. Sensitivity analysis is implemented to detect the impacts of loss ratios variation, as silage mass and methane, on final results. The methane loss has the largest influence on the Hybrid pennisetum system, followed by the Maize system. Above all, the Sorghum system demonstrates the best performance amongst the considered assessment categories. Our study builds a pilot reference for further driving large-scale project of bioenergy production and conversion. The synergy of combined WF-LCA method allows us to conduct a comprehensive assessment and to provide insights into environmental and resource management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Adeagbo ◽  
J.E.T. Akinsola ◽  
A.A. Awoseyi ◽  
F. Kasali

Selection of a suitable Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) model for project implementation is somewhat confusing as there are a lot of SDLC models with similar strengths and weaknesses. Also, the solutions proffered among the researchers so far have been the  qualitative comparative analysis of SDLC models. Hence, this paper proposes a comparative analysis of SDLC models using quantitative approach in relation to strengths and weaknesses of SDLC models. The study adapted comparative analysis and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) models features’ classification using ten characteristics such as project complexity, project size, project duration, project with risk, implementation/initial cost, error discovery, associated cost, risk analysis, maintenance and cost estimation. A quantitative measure that employs online survey using experts in software design and engineering, project management and system analysis was carried out for the evaluation of SDLC models. Purposeful Stratified Random Sampling (SRS) technique was used to gather the data for analysis using XLSTAT after pre-processing, taking into consideration both benefit and cost criteria. The overall performance evaluation showed that Spiral-Model is the best followed by V-Model and lastly Waterfall Model with comparative values of 38.63%, 35.76% and 25.61% respectively. As regards cost estimation, Waterfall Model is the most efficient with value of 41%, then V-Model with 31% and lastly Spiral Model with 28%. V-Model has great error recovery capability with value of 45% which is closely followed by Spiral Model with 37% and lastly Waterfall Model with 18%. The study revealed that, a model with efficient risk assurance does not guarantee efficient cost management. In the future work, more characteristics regarding SDLC models shall be considered.


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