Can Green Plants Mitigate Ammonia Concentration in Piglet Barns?

For animal welfare and for farmers’ health, the concentration of ammonia (NH3) in animal houses should be as low as possible. Plants can remove various atmospheric contaminants through the leaf stomata. This study examined the effect of ornamental plants installed inside a piglet barn on the NH3 concentration in the air. Gas measurements of the air in the ‘greened’ compartment (P) and a control compartment (CTR) took place over two measuring periods (summer–autumn and winter). Differences between the NH3 emissions were calculated based on the ventilation rates according to the CO2 balance. Fairly low mean NH3 concentrations between 2 and 4 ppm were measured. The NH3 emissions were about 20% lower (p < 0.01) in P than in CTR, in summer–autumn and in winter period.

Integrating Aquatic Metabolism and Net Ecosystem CO2 Balance in Short- and Long-Hydroperiod Subtropical Freshwater Wetlands

How aquatic primary productivity influences the carbon (C) sequestering capacity of wetlands is uncertain. We evaluated the magnitude and variability in aquatic C dynamics and compared them to net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and ecosystem respiration (Reco) rates within calcareous freshwater wetlands in Everglades National Park. We continuously recorded 30-min measurements of dissolved oxygen (DO), water level, water temperature (Twater), and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). These measurements were coupled with ecosystem CO2 fluxes over 5 years (2012–2016) in a long-hydroperiod peat-rich, freshwater marsh and a short-hydroperiod, freshwater marl prairie. Daily net aquatic primary productivity (NAPP) rates indicated both wetlands were generally net heterotrophic. Gross aquatic primary productivity (GAPP) ranged from 0 to − 6.3 g C m−2 day−1 and aquatic respiration (RAq) from 0 to 6.13 g C m−2 day−1. Nonlinear interactions between water level, Twater, and GAPP and RAq resulted in high variability in NAPP that contributed to NEE. Net aquatic primary productivity accounted for 4–5% of the deviance explained in NEE rates. With respect to the flux magnitude, daily NAPP was a greater proportion of daily NEE at the long-hydroperiod site (mean = 95%) compared to the short-hydroperiod site (mean = 64%). Although we have confirmed the significant contribution of NAPP to NEE in both long- and short-hydroperiod freshwater wetlands, the decoupling of the aquatic and ecosystem fluxes could largely depend on emergent vegetation, the carbonate cycle, and the lateral C flux.

Role of sequestration of CO2 due to the carbonation in total CO2 emission balance in concrete life

Calculation of the carbon footprint of cement concrete is a complex process including consideration of the phase of primary life (components and concrete production processes, transportation, construction works, maintenance of concrete structures) and secondary life, including demolition and recycling. Taking into consideration the effect of concrete carbonation can lead to a reduction in the calculated carbon footprint of concrete. In this paper, an example of CO2 balance for small bridge elements made of Portland cement reinforced concrete was done. The results include the effect of carbonation of concrete in a structure and of concrete rubble after demolition. It was shown that important impact of carbonation on the balance is possible only when rubble carbonation is possible. It was related to the fact that only the sequestration potential in the secondary phase of concrete life has significant value.

INFLUENCE OF THE MANAGED FORESTS ON CO2 BALANCE IN EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE

Technical energy costs required for forest cultivation, estimation of C-CO2 fluxes in model experiments with coniferous species of pine Pinus sylvestris L. and leaves species, natural form and gene modified clone of the ordinary aspen tree Populus tremula L., have been analyzed. At plantation cultivation of transgenic aspen clone with nitrogen fertilizers indirect costs of technical energy made up 85 % of total power input. A new three-stage method has been developed for assessing the impact of forests on the CO2 balance in the Earth's atmosphere. The final value of CO2 sink from the atmosphere at afforestation depends on the way wood is used.

Lime kiln conversion from coke to natural gas operation – an option in direction of sustainable energy

This paper deals with the conversion of coke fired lime kilns to gas and the conclusions drawn from the completed projects. The paper presents (1) the decision process associated with the adoption of the new technology, (2) the necessary steps of the conversion, (3) the experiences and issues which occurred during the first campaign, (4) the impacts on the beet sugar factory (i.e. on the CO2 balance and exhaust gas temperature), (5) the long term impressions and capabilities of several campaigns of operation, (6) the details of available technologies and (7) additional benefits that would justify a conversion from coke to natural gas operation on existing lime kilns. (8) Forecast view to develop systems usable for alternative gaseous fuels (e.g. biogas).

The CO2 balance of a boreal fen is more sensitive to drought than surrounding forests

&lt;p&gt;The boreal zone is one of the most carbon-dense biomes in the world and is comprised of a highly interconnected mosaic of forest and wetlands which are warming at a rate several times the global average with extreme weather events, such as droughts, becoming increasingly common. At the ecosystem scale, both forests and peatlands are often vulnerable to drought-induced carbon loss, however, the relative resilience of these two ecosystems within the boreal landscape is not well understood. Here we study the effect of the 2018 drought on CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; fluxes in two boreal forests and a boreal peatland within &lt;20km radius, i.e. experiencing the same weather conditions. The peatland displayed the strongest response to the drought, with the site becoming a net annual source for CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; for the first time in 17 years, with the CO&lt;sub&gt;2 &lt;/sub&gt;sink slow to recover after the drought broke. In contrast, the response of the forests was mixed, a&amp;#160; spruce/pine forest on glacial till remained unaffected by the drought, whereas a nearby pine forest, situated on drier sandy soil, responded strongly to vapour pressure deficit and declining soil moisture content, decreasing with CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; uptake weakening, but still allowing the forest to function as a CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; sink. In contrast to the bog, the pine forest CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; sink quickly recovered following the end of the drought. We conclude that boreal peatlands are likely to be the most vulnerable component of the boreal landscape to drought and that soil type is likely to play a role in regulating the response of boreal forests.&lt;/p&gt;

Biofuels in Automobiles: Advantages and Disadvantages: A Review

Background: Biofuels are one of the promising alternative fuel sources for automobiles. The use of biofuels in combustion engines of automobiles showed many advantages and disadvantages. In this study, the advantages and disadvantages of using biofuels in internal combustion engines are reviewed and summarized based on early studies. Biofuels can offer favorable well-towheel CO2 balance in our environment and improve engine power and efficiency. Oxygen contents in biofuels also provide advantages for the fuel combustion. However, biofuels, also showed some disadvantages, like corrosiveness to engine systems and low heating values of biofuels. Boiling temperature, absorption with water, vapor toxicity, and autoignition of biofuels showed advantages for some types and drawbacks for others.