Environments

15 pages, 628 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Ambient Air Pollution Exposure Assessment Methods in Determining Childhood Respiratory Health Effects in Children under Five

by Sheena Muttoo, Prakash M. Jeena, Martin Röösli, Kees de Hoogh and Rajen N. Naidoo

Environments 2022, 9(8), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080107 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3702

Abstract

Various epidemiological studies have reported on air pollution exposure-related lung function decline and respiratory health effects in children. Children have increased susceptibility to ambient air pollutants as physiological and structural changes of the lung are still occurring within the first five years of [...] Read more.

Various epidemiological studies have reported on air pollution exposure-related lung function decline and respiratory health effects in children. Children have increased susceptibility to ambient air pollutants as physiological and structural changes of the lung are still occurring within the first five years of life after birth. This review examines applications in air pollution exposure assessment methods when evaluating lung function and respiratory health concentration–response effects in young children, while considering the effects of critical windows of exposure. We identified 13 studies that used various methods of exposure assessment in assessing respiratory health outcomes (presence of lower respiratory tract infections, respiratory symptoms, wheezing and asthma) in children under five. The methods applied included personal monitoring (n = 1), proximity-based methods (n = 3), inverse distance weighting (n = 2), geographic weighted regression (n = 1), dispersion modeling (n = 1), satellite-based methods (n = 2) and land use regression modeling (n = 5). These studies assessed exposure and outcomes at different “windows of susceptibility”: antenatally/specific trimesters (n = 8), infancy (n = 5) and early childhood (n = 6). In most studies, the reported measures of air pollutants were noted to be below the prescribed limits, though for some, a cause–effect association was observed. It was also noted that there was very little variation in estimates between time points or trimesters of exposure, likely attributed to limitations in the selected exposure assessment method. Moderate to high correlations between trimesters were reported for most studies. Full article

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13 pages, 1519 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Assessment of Radiolysis for the Cooling Water System in the Rotating Target of SORGENTINA-RF

by Camillo Sartorio, Massimo Angiolini, Davide Flammini, Antonino Pietropaolo, Pietro Agostini, Ciro Alberghi, Luigi Candido, Marco Capogni, Mauro Capone, Sebastiano Cataldo, Gian Marco Contessa, Marco D’Arienzo, Alessio Del Dotto, Dario Diamanti, Danilo Dongiovanni, Mirko Farini, Paolo Ferrari, Angela Fiore, Nicola Fonnesu, Manuela Frisoni, Gianni Gadani, Angelo Gentili, Giacomo Grasso, Manuela Guardati, David Guidoni, Marco Lamberti, Luigi Lepore, Andrea Mancini, Andrea Mariani, Ranieri Marinari, Giuseppe A. Marzo, Bruno Mastroianni, Fabio Moro, Agostina Orefice, Valerio Orsetti, Tonio Pinna, Antonietta Rizzo, Alexander Rydzy, Stefano Salvi, Demis Santoli, Alessia Santucci, Luca Saraceno, Salvatore Scaglione, Valerio Sermenghi, Emanuele Serra, Andrea Simonetti, Ivan Panov Spassovsky, Nicholas Terranova, Silvano Tosti, Alberto Ubaldini, Marco Utili, Pietro Zito, Danilo Zola, Konstantina Voukelatou and Giuseppe Zummo Show full author list Hide full author list

Environments 2022, 9(8), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080106 - 18 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4182

Abstract

The SORGENTINA-RF project aims at developing a 14 MeV fusion neutron source featuring an emission rate in the order of 5–7 × 10

^{13}

s

^{- 1}

. The plant relies on a metallic water-cooled rotating target and a deuterium (50%) and tritium [...] Read more.

The SORGENTINA-RF project aims at developing a 14 MeV fusion neutron source featuring an emission rate in the order of 5–7 × 10

^{13}

s

^{- 1}

. The plant relies on a metallic water-cooled rotating target and a deuterium (50%) and tritium (50%) ion beam. Beyond the main focus of medical radioisotope production, the source may represent a multi-purpose neutron facility by implementing a series of neutron-based techniques. Among the different engineering and technological issues to be addressed, the production of incondensable gases and corrosion product into the rotating target deserves a dedicated investigation. In this study, a preliminary analysis is carried out, considering the general layout of the target and the present choice of the target material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ionising and Non Ionising Radiation Protection Issues in the Environment and Workplaces)

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18 pages, 3388 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Soil Physicochemical Characteristics and As, Cu, Pb and Zn Contamination in Non-Active Mines at the Portuguese Sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt

by Paula Alvarenga, Clarisse Mourinha, Patrícia Palma, Nuno Cruz and Sónia Morais Rodrigues

Environments 2022, 9(8), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080105 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4472

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate soil physicochemical characteristics (pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total N, and extractable P and K), and potentially toxic elements (As, Cu, Pb, and Zn), in non-active mines located in the Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). [...] Read more.

This study aimed to evaluate soil physicochemical characteristics (pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total N, and extractable P and K), and potentially toxic elements (As, Cu, Pb, and Zn), in non-active mines located in the Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). A total of 70 sampling sites were surveyed at Aljustrel and Lousal, in areas already rehabilitated, and at São Domingos, where rehabilitation was only beginning. The soils at São Domingos were very heterogeneous, with extreme values for some properties (e.g., minimum soil pH 2.0 and maximum As concentration, 4382.8 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight basis (DW)). Aljustrel was the site that presented soils with a higher total As, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentration (median values: 441.5, 545.9, 1396.8, and 316.5 mg kg⁻¹ DW, respectively), above the soil quality guidelines values proposed by the Portuguese Environmental Agency (18, 230, 120, and 340 mg kg⁻¹ DW, respectively). A principal component analysis identified the most relevant soil properties to explain the data variance, which were the soil pH and Pb total concentration, followed by Cu and Zn total concentrations, allowing a separation of Aljustrel from the other mines. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed very strong associations between Pb and As, markedly found at higher concentrations in São Domingos, whereas Aljustrel had an elevated concentration of As and Pb, but also of Cu and Zn. It is evident the risk that persists in the Aljustrel mine area, which was not alleviated by the “dig, dump, and cover” techniques that were implemented to rehabilitate the area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal and Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) Contamination of Soil)

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20 pages, 5187 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Allometric, Growth, and Biomass Estimation Models for Acacia dealbata Link.: A Case Study in Serra da Estrela Natural Park (Portugal)

by Leonel J. R. Nunes, Catarina I. R. Meireles, Carlos J. Pinto Gomes and Nuno M. C. Almeida Ribeiro

Environments 2022, 9(8), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080104 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3704

Abstract

Allometric, growth, and biomass estimation models for the quantification of missing parameters in trees are widely used to estimate the productivity of a stand. However, regarding species with lower economic interest, or exotic invasive species, the creation of these tools did not occur [...] Read more.

Allometric, growth, and biomass estimation models for the quantification of missing parameters in trees are widely used to estimate the productivity of a stand. However, regarding species with lower economic interest, or exotic invasive species, the creation of these tools did not occur in the same way as for other species, lacking the development of relationships to allow a deeper study of these species. Thus, data were collected in a settlement of Acacia dealbata Link. in Portugal, in an area known for the current infestation of this species. After a bibliographic review, some of the identified models were tested to select those who best fit the characteristics of this stand, which were used to develop relationships that, based on the data collected, would be able to estimate parameters, such as height, volume, or mass. It was found that the models established, at least for the initial 20 years of the life of the trees, followed close to a linear model. However, the model still presents some weaknesses. For being considered an invasive species in Portugal, A. dealbata is frequently controlled, and for this reason it is very difficult to find trees older than 20 years. Full article

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13 pages, 1342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Combined Disinfection Method on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm in Freshwater Swimming Pool

by Melani Sigler Zekanović, Gabrijela Begić, Alan Medić, Ivana Gobin and Dijana Tomić Linšak

Environments 2022, 9(8), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080103 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4260

Abstract

Pool water must meet certain chemical and microbiological conditions to ensure high water quality and a safe environment for users. A recreational swimming pool treated with a combined disinfection method (chlorination and UV radiation) was monitored for 18 months. Selected chemical and microbiological [...] Read more.

Pool water must meet certain chemical and microbiological conditions to ensure high water quality and a safe environment for users. A recreational swimming pool treated with a combined disinfection method (chlorination and UV radiation) was monitored for 18 months. Selected chemical and microbiological parameters of the indoor freshwater pool were analyzed, and the in vivo presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was assessed and further correlated to the type of disinfection. P. aeruginosa isolated from biofilm was further examined to determine the effects of combined disinfection methods on the formation and destruction of mature biofilm in vitro. The in vitro application of the combined disinfection methods led to the inhibition of planktonic P. aeruginosa biofilm formation (68.9% compared to the control group) and were more effective in the partial destruction of mature biofilm than individual disinfection methods (from 25.4 to 26.3%). The obtained results indicate the better microbiological and chemical quality of pool water when combined disinfection was applied. Our results contribute to developing the optimization of pool water disinfection methods and biofilm control. Full article

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14 pages, 2781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acoustic Stimulation of Anaerobic Digestion: Effects on Biogas Production and Wastewater Malodors

by John Loughrin, Philip Silva, Nanh Lovanh and Karamat Sistani

Environments 2022, 9(8), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080102 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3394

Abstract

Wastewater created from various solid wastes and agricultural residues was treated by anaerobic digestion, and the biogas and wastewater odors were quantified. One digester was exposed to low-frequency sound (<5 kHz) from underwater loudspeakers, while the other received no sonic treatment. It was [...] Read more.

Wastewater created from various solid wastes and agricultural residues was treated by anaerobic digestion, and the biogas and wastewater odors were quantified. One digester was exposed to low-frequency sound (<5 kHz) from underwater loudspeakers, while the other received no sonic treatment. It was hypothesized that low-frequency sound, by accelerating the breakdown of sludge via mechanisms such as cavitation induction and mechanical vibration, and enhancing biogas production, could also affect the concentrations of wastewater odors. During warm seasons, biogas production from the sound-treated digester was 29% higher than that from the control digester, and 184% higher during the cool season. Malodors—Mainly consisting of typical aromatic malodorants such as p-cresol and skatole, aliphatic secondary ketones, and dimethyl disulfide—were quantified. In contrast to the findings for biogas production, little difference was found in the concentrations of volatile compounds in the control and sound-treated digestates. Concentrations of dimethyl polysulfides increased over time in both the control and sound-treated digestates, likely due to the use of recycled system effluent that contained precipitated elemental sulfur. The digestate contained considerable concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonium, but due to the near neutral pH of the digestate it was surmised that neither made appreciable contributions to the wastewater’s malodor. However, the volatile fatty acid concentrations were reduced by sonic treatment, which was not unexpected, since volatile fatty acids are precursors to methane. Therefore, although sonic treatment of the anaerobic digestate boosted biogas production, it did not markedly affect the wastewater malodors. The biosynthetic origins of wastewater malodors are discussed in this paper. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Environmental Technologies)

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19 pages, 4039 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrophobicity/Oleophilicity of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Grains Coated with Oleic and Stearic Acids for Application as Oil/Water Separating Filtration and Adsorbent Materials in Vietnam

by Akihiro Matsuno and Ken Kawamoto

Environments 2022, 9(8), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080101 - 10 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4636

Abstract

Separation of oil and water is an effective technique to treat oily wastewater. For examining the applicability of porous grains coated with hydrophobic agents (HA) as low-cost and easily available filtration and adsorbent materials in the separation of oil and water, this study [...] Read more.

Separation of oil and water is an effective technique to treat oily wastewater. For examining the applicability of porous grains coated with hydrophobic agents (HA) as low-cost and easily available filtration and adsorbent materials in the separation of oil and water, this study assessed the hydrophobicity/oleophilicity of porous grains made from autoclaved aerated concrete scrap coated with low-cost and harmless hydrophobic agents such as oleic and stearic acids. Tests using a sessile droplet method showed unique relationships between the contact angles (CA) of water droplets in air (CA_wa), oil droplets in water (CA_ow) and coated HA concentrations. The CA_wa increased linearly with increasing HA concentration and then became almost constant and/or gently increased after a specific point, indicating that a minimum coating amount gives the maximum hydrophobicity to HA-coated porous grains exists. The CA_ow gradually decreased exponentially with increasing HA concentration. In particular, the CA_ow of porous grains coated with stearic acid decreased with increasing of HA concentration in a two-step process. Furthermore, analyses of the Pearson correlation showed that both CA_wa and CA_ow correlated well with the specific surface area (SSA), implying that the SSA is a good indicator as a quick assessment of hydrophobicity/oleophilicity of HA-coated porous grains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Environmental Technologies)

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21 pages, 1885 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Torrefaction Upgrading of Heterogenous Wastes Containing Cork and Chlorinated Polymers

by Andrei Longo, Catarina Nobre, Ali Sen, Roberta Panizio, Paulo Brito and Margarida Gonçalves

Environments 2022, 9(8), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080099 - 6 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3528

Abstract

Torrefaction of two mixed wastes composed of cork and chlorinated polymers was studied at temperatures from 200 to 350 °C, for residence times of 30 and 60 min. These wastes were recovered from sandwich panels with cork core, have different contents of cork [...] Read more.

Torrefaction of two mixed wastes composed of cork and chlorinated polymers was studied at temperatures from 200 to 350 °C, for residence times of 30 and 60 min. These wastes were recovered from sandwich panels with cork core, have different contents of cork biomass and chlorinated polymers and present poor fuel properties for energy recovery applications. The raw wastes and the produced biochars were characterized for proximate and ultimate analysis, chlorine content, mineral composition, calorific value, mass yield, energy density, particle size distribution, and adsorption capacity towards cationic and anionic dyes. Torrefaction enabled the production of biochars with mass yields from 97.2 to 54.5%, with an increase in 12.1 to 37.9% in apparent density relative to the raw wastes, and HHV from 18.2 to 20.7 MJ/kg. Nevertheless, the chlorine content of the biochars was increased to values higher than 5%, inadequate for solid fuels. Dechlorination of the biochars by washing with hot water enabled 84 to 91% removal of the chlorine species achieving final concentrations lower than 1%, without significant reduction in the biochars calorific values. For the waste with higher polymer and ash content, the torrefaction process reduced the heating value; therefore, energy valorization was not adequate. Both the raw wastes and the biochars were tested as adsorbents for cationic and anionic dyes. After activation with KOH, both the raw materials and the biochars had removal efficiencies higher than 90% for methylene blue, a cationic dye often found in industrial effluents. The results showed that torrefaction combined with hot water washing converted these wastes to biochars with the potential for energy or material valorization contributing to a circular economy in the cork industrial sector. Full article

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14 pages, 2173 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting the Impact of Utility Lighting Rebate Programs on Promoting Industrial Energy Efficiency: A Machine Learning Approach

by Phillip Shook and Jun-Ki Choi

Environments 2022, 9(8), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080100 - 6 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4067

Abstract

Implementation costs are a major factor in manufacturers’ decisions to invest in energy-efficient technologies. Emerging technologies in lighting systems, however, typically require small investment costs and offer short, simple payback periods, due, in part, to federal, state, and utility incentive programs. Recently, however, [...] Read more.

Implementation costs are a major factor in manufacturers’ decisions to invest in energy-efficient technologies. Emerging technologies in lighting systems, however, typically require small investment costs and offer short, simple payback periods, due, in part, to federal, state, and utility incentive programs. Recently, however, certain state and federal mandates have reduced the support for and efficacy of electricity utility incentivizing programs. To determine the impact of such support programs, this study examined historical data regarding lighting retrofit savings, implementation costs, and utility rebates gathered from 13 years of industrial energy audits by a U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Assessment Center in a midwestern state. It uses a machine learning approach to evaluate the industrial energy and cost-saving opportunities that may have been lost due to decisions attributable to legislative mandates, utility policies, and manufacturers’ calculations and to evaluate the potential effect of lighting rebates on manufacturers’ decisions to implement industrial energy-efficient lighting retrofits. The results indicate that the decision not to implement lighting energy efficiency recommendations resulted in a loss of more than USD800,000 in potential rebates by industries during the study period and that the implementation of lighting energy assessment recommendations could have increased by about 50% if electric utility rebates had been available. These findings can help industries evaluate the benefits of implementing lighting efficiency improvements, and help utilities determine feasible lighting retrofit rebate values for incentivizing such changes by the industries they serve. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving the Sustainability of Industrial Operations Through Cleaner Production and Energy Efficiency)

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37 pages, 19177 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Remote Sensing Image-Based Analysis of the Urban Heat Island Effect in Bragança, Portugal

by Cátia Rodrigues de Almeida, Leonardo Furst, Artur Gonçalves and Ana Cláudia Teodoro

Environments 2022, 9(8), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080098 - 4 Aug 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5349

Abstract

Urban Heat Islands increase surface temperatures which impact the health and well-being of urban populations. Radiative forcing is impacted by changes to the land surface associated with urbanization that are particularly significant immediately after sunset. This paper aimed to analyze the behavior of [...] Read more.

Urban Heat Islands increase surface temperatures which impact the health and well-being of urban populations. Radiative forcing is impacted by changes to the land surface associated with urbanization that are particularly significant immediately after sunset. This paper aimed to analyze the behavior of UHI in different Local Climate Zones (LCZ) in Bragança city (Portugal), using Air Temperature (Ta), satellite images (Landsat 8), and on-site data. The methodology included a seasonal approach, integrating data with different scales (spatial, radiometric, and spectral) and qualitative and quantitative analyses. Google Earth Engine (GEE) optimized the processing time and computation requirement to generate the Land Surface Temperature (LST) maps. The integration of data with different scales corroborated the complementation of information/analysis and detected the correlation between the Ta and LST. However, the identification of the UHI was compromised due to the time of the passage of Landsat 8, and it was identified as the Urban Cool Island (UCI), a complementary effect of UHI, supporting the results of previous studies and for the use of Remote Sensing (RS) for thermal effects analysis. Full article

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12 pages, 981 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Epistemic Uncertainties in the Assessment of Regional Soil Acidification

by Kurt Benke, Nathan Robinson, Sorn Norng, David Rees and Garry O'Leary

Environments 2022, 9(8), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080097 - 3 Aug 2022

Viewed by 3564

Abstract

The increasing acidification of soil due to pollution and agricultural management practices is a growing problem worldwide, where food production is already under threat by climate change, more frequent droughts, and soil nutrient depletion. Soil acidification is quantified by pH measurements and is [...] Read more.

The increasing acidification of soil due to pollution and agricultural management practices is a growing problem worldwide, where food production is already under threat by climate change, more frequent droughts, and soil nutrient depletion. Soil acidification is quantified by pH measurements and is a primary metric for soil health. High soil acidity is a constraint on the production of grains and other crops because it decreases the bioavailability of important plant nutrients while increasing soil toxicity arising from an imbalance of essential soil elements. Field pH can be estimated by colour test kits which are very cost-effective and particularly suitable for developing countries where laboratory services are not available or fail to provide timely results. Because the pH test kit is based on visual colour matching between a colour card scale and a soil sample in solution, there are epistemic uncertainties, such as variability in expert opinion, differences in colour vision, measurement error, instrumentation, and changes in daylight spectral content. In this study, expert human observers were compared in experiments conducted using a standard pH test kit under a range of environmental conditions. A significant difference in uncertainty in colour discrimination was evident between male and female experts, whereas changes in daylight conditions had lower impact on the variance of pH estimates. In a group of subject matter experts, the male standard error (0.35 pH) was 57% higher on average over the range of pH values (pH = 4 → 10) compared to females (0.22 pH). This error was largest (70%) in the low pH 4 to 6.5 range, which is a critical range for successful amelioration of soil acidification. The results suggest that historical database measurements may have hitherto unrecognised uncertainties that affect confidence intervals for experimental data that in turn will have an impact on predictive models and policy development. Full article

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15 pages, 2126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High and Low Air Temperatures and Natural Wildfire Ignitions in the Sierra Nevada Region

by Matthew D. Petrie, Neil P. Savage and Haroon Stephen

Environments 2022, 9(8), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080096 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3464

Abstract

The Sierra Nevada region has experienced substantial wildfire impacts. Uncertainty pertaining to fire risk may be reduced by better understanding how air temperature (Ta: °C) influences wildfire ignitions independently of other factors. We linked lightning-ignited wildfires to Ta patterns across the region from [...] Read more.

The Sierra Nevada region has experienced substantial wildfire impacts. Uncertainty pertaining to fire risk may be reduced by better understanding how air temperature (Ta: °C) influences wildfire ignitions independently of other factors. We linked lightning-ignited wildfires to Ta patterns across the region from 1992 to 2015 and compared monthly high- and low-air-temperature patterns between ignition and non-ignition locations at local scales (4 km). Regionally, more ignitions occurred in springs with a greater number of high-Ta months and fewer cool Ta months (analyzed separately) and in summers with fewer cool Ta months. Locally, summer ignition locations experienced warmer summer months on a normalized scale than non-ignition locations. The probability of a wildfire ignition was positively associated with a greater number of high-Ta months during and prior to fire seasons. Regionally, springs with a greater number of high-Ta months had more wildfire ignitions. Locally, as individual locations in the region experienced a greater number of high-Ta months preceding and including the fire season, they exhibited substantial increases in spring (+1446%), summer (+365%), and fall (+248%) ignitions. Thus, the frequent occurrence of high-Ta months is positively associated with lightning-ignited wildfires in the Sierra Nevada region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ecosystem Monitoring: Collective Species and Environmental Information)

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21 pages, 654 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biochar: Production, Applications, and Market Prospects in Portugal

by Bruno Garcia, Octávio Alves, Bruna Rijo, Gonçalo Lourinho and Catarina Nobre

Environments 2022, 9(8), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9080095 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 10185

Abstract

Biochar produced during the thermochemical decomposition of biomass is an environmentally friendly replacement for different carbon materials and can be used for carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. In this paper, current biochar production processes and top market applications are reviewed, as well [...] Read more.

Biochar produced during the thermochemical decomposition of biomass is an environmentally friendly replacement for different carbon materials and can be used for carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. In this paper, current biochar production processes and top market applications are reviewed, as well as emerging biochar uses gaining momentum in the market. Various application fields of biochar, including agricultural applications (e.g., soil conditioning), adsorption (for soil and water pollutants), carbon sequestration, catalysis, or incorporation into composites or construction materials, are also presented and discussed. According to this literature overview, slow pyrolysis is the preferred process for biochar production, whereas agricultural applications (for soil conditioning and fertilization) are the most studied and market-ready solutions for biochar use. The Alentejo region (Portugal) shows tremendous potential to be a major player in the developing biochar market considering feedstock availability and large areas for biochar agricultural application. Biochar’s production potential and possible benefits were also estimated for this Portuguese region, proving that agricultural application can effectively lead to many environmental, economic, and social gains. Full article

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Environments, Volume 9, Issue 8 (August 2022) – 13 articles

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