Your search found 17 records
1 Mulamoottil, G.; McBean, E. A.; Rovers, F. (Eds.) 1999. Constructed wetlands for the treatment of landfill leachates. Boca Raton, FL, USA: Lewis Publishers. 281p.
(Location: IWMI-HQ Call no: 628.39 G810 MUL Record No: H039124)
2 Samanraja, N. S. P.; Bandara, N. J. G. J. 2005. Effect of soild waste landfills on groundwater quality. In Galagedara, L. W. (Ed.). Water resources research in Sri Lanka: Symposium Proceedings of the Water Professional’s Day 2005. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka: PGIA. pp.179-187.
Landfills ; Water pollution ; Groundwater ; Water quality ; Heavy metals ; Nitrates ; Phosphates ; Leachates ; Analysis ; Pollution control / Sri Lanka / Colombo District / Gampaha District / Kalutara District
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 631.7 G744 GAL Record No: H040715)
3 Jayawardena, L. P.; Mathur, S. 2005. Design approach to protect water resources from MSW disposal. Engineer, 38(4):32-51.
Water resource management ; Solid wastes ; Urban wastes ; Waste disposal ; Simulation models ; Waste management ; Landfill leachates ; Landfills / Sri Lanka
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: PER Record No: H043273)
(1.25 MB)
4 Menard, C.; Ramirez, A. A.; Nikiema, Josiane; Heitz, M. 2012. Biofiltration of methane and trace gases from landfills: a review. Environmental Reviews, 20(1):40-53. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1139/A11-022]
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044751)
(0.16 MB)
Concerns about biogas from landfills are reviewed in terms of biogas generation, composition, and elimination. Biogas is mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide but it also contains a few hundred non-methane organic compounds. The solutions available to reduce its harmful effects on the environment and on human health are valorization as electricity or heat, flaring, or biofiltration. The main parameters affecting the biofiltration of methane are reviewed: temperature, moisture content, properties of the packing material, nutrient supply, oxygen requirements, formation of exopolysaccharides, and gas residence time. An analysis is performed on the co-metabolic properties and the inhibition interactions of the methane-degrading bacteria, methanotrophs.
5 Global Water Intelligence (GWI). 2012. Sludge management: opportunities in growing volumes, disposal restrictions and energy recovery. Oxford, UK: Media Analytics Ltd. 296p.
Waste management ; Sludge treatment ; Waste disposal ; Resource recovery ; Energy recovery ; Industrial wastes ; Urban wastes ; Regulations ; Frameworks ; European Union ; Waste water treatment plants ; Technology ; Strategies ; Dewatering ; Anaerobic digestion ; Drying ; Thermal energy ; Pollutants ; Chemical reactions ; Biogas ; Nutrients ; Landfills ; Agricultural sector ; Market access ; Market research ; Market segmentation ; Costs ; Public opinion ; Case studies / North America / Europe / Middle East / North Africa / USA / Canada / China / Brazil / Japan
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: 628.364 G000 GLO, e-copy SF Record No: H048869)
(1.08 MB)
6 Kulkarni, B. N.; Anantharama, V. 2020. Repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic on municipal solid waste management: challenges and opportunities. Science of the Total Environment, 743:140693. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140693]
Coronavirus disease ; Pandemics ; Waste management ; Solid wastes ; Municipal wastes ; Waste collection ; Waste treatment ; Recycling ; Landfills ; Public health ; Risk ; Developing countries ; Socioeconomic environment ; Households
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049832)
(0.96 MB)
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused global emergency and has raised social and economic concerns which will also spill over to environmental issues. Amid this natural experiment, current study evaluates prevailing municipal solid waste (MSW) management practices, with the emphasis on MSW treatment and disposal facilities in select developed and developing countries. The data and information used in this paper is collected from several scientific research papers from different disciplines, publications from governments and multilateral agencies and media reports. Despite limited literature on MSW management during such pandemics, this article presets a global backdrop of MSW management during COVID-19 outbreak and examines various aspects of MSW management. Discussion includes identifying parameters of disease transmission through solid waste handling, consequences of medical waste surge on current municipal waste treatment and disposal systems. Further, based on previous pandemic and disaster waste management studies, this study also presents challenges and opportunities in the aftermath of the ongoing pandemic. The paper recommends alternatives approaches for MSW treatment and disposal and outlines the future scope of work to achieve sustainable waste management during and aftermath of the pandemics.
7 Pharino, C. 2017. Challenges for sustainable solid waste management: lessons from Thailand. Singapore: Springer. 141p. (SpringerBriefs on Case Studies of Sustainable Development) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4631-5]
Waste management ; Solid wastes ; Sustainable development ; Waste treatment ; Recycling ; Waste collection ; Waste disposal ; Municipal wastes ; Household wastes ; Hazardous wastes ; Toxic substances ; Electronic equipment ; Landfills ; Pollution control ; Environmental impact ; Integrated management ; Costs ; Technology ; Strategies ; State intervention ; Policies ; Community involvement ; Public opinion ; Public health ; Developing countries ; Case studies / Thailand / Bangkok / Phang Khon / Sakol Nakorn
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy SF Record No: H049700)
8 Reitemeier, Maren; Aheeyar, Mohamed; Drechsel, Pay. 2021. Perceptions of food waste reduction in Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, Colombo. Sustainability, 13(2):838. (Special issue: Sustainable Food Waste Management in Foodservice Establishments) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020838]
Food wastes ; Waste reduction ; Strategies ; Waste management ; Food surplus ; Waste treatment ; Recycling ; Resource recovery ; Urban areas ; Landfills ; Stakeholders ; Local authorities ; Awareness raising ; Training ; Policies ; Livestock feed ; Sustainable Development Goals / South Asia / Sri Lanka / Colombo
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050177)
(3.20 MB) (3.20 MB)
In 2019, Sri Lanka introduced two policies that referred to food waste and the need to reduce it. To understand key stakeholders’ readiness in this context, this study analyzed the food waste perceptions of private and public sectors in Colombo (open markets, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, canteens, food caterers and key authorities). Interviews were carried out with operational managers and public officials, as well as other stakeholders who have roles in food waste redistribution and reuse, such as NGOs and the livestock sector. So far, the food-waste-related policy recommendations lack an operational inter-institutional home which can build on measures, like standards, regulations and incentives. Thus, most food waste reduction initiatives are initiated by NGOs or by the private sector, e.g., by larger hotels and supermarket chains. These entities were ready to lead by example, based on the understanding that urban food waste is an internal (financial) management challenge. Among smaller local entities, food waste was perceived more as an external issue to be handled by the city’s waste collection services. Although perceptions varied between entities generating smaller or larger quantities of food waste, there was general agreement that suboptimal capacities and mechanisms to quantify, monitor and cost food waste generation appeared to be obstacles for in-depth awareness creation and action. There was significant interest in communication platforms for cross-sectoral learning, win/win collaborations with reliable collection (reuse) services that are currently operational, such as those provided by piggeries, as well as surplus redistribution initiatives if food safety and related liabilities can be addressed effectively.
9 Jayathilake, Nilanthi; Drechsel, Pay; Dominish, E.; Carrard, N. 2021. Organic waste system assessment: Kaduwela Municipal Council. Report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) as part of Activity 1 within the project “From Urban Waste to Sustainable Value Chains: Linking Sanitation and Agriculture through Innovative Partnerships”. Sydney, Australia: University of Technology Sydney. Institute for Sustainable Futures. 53p.
Organic wastes ; Urban wastes ; Municipal authorities ; Waste management ; Assessment ; Solid wastes ; Faecal sludge ; Waste collection ; Waste treatment ; Waste disposal ; Treatment plants ; Recycling ; Composting ; Biogas ; Landfills ; Resource recovery ; Sanitation ; Private sector ; Financial analysis ; Parameters / Sri Lanka / Kaduwela
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050835)
https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/148959/2/Waste%20Supply%20Assessment_From%20urban%20waste%20to%20sustainable%20value%20chains.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050835.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050835.pdf
(4.99 MB) (4.99 MB)
10 Nguyen, M. D.; Thomas, M.; Surapaneni, A.; Moon, E. M.; Milne, A. N. 2022. Beneficial reuse of water treatment sludge in the context of circular economy. Environmental Technology and Innovation, 28:102651. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2022.102651]
Water reuse ; Wastewater treatment ; Sludge ; Circular economy ; Recycling ; Recovery ; Drinking water treatment ; Landfills ; Heavy metals ; Water quality
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051188)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352186422001997/pdfft?md5=efca8178a17990d7acd551009085602d&pid=1-s2.0-S2352186422001997-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051188.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051188.pdf
(0.41 MB) (420 KB)
Water treatment processes produce large volumes of drinking water that must meet regulatory quality requirements. In the process of so doing, the treatment of water generates large volumes of ‘alum sludge’; a by-product typically considered a waste and disposed to landfill. However, reductions in access to landfill sites, increased disposal costs, and concepts of achieving zero-waste are spurring different approaches to sludge management and disposal. Principles of Circular Economy that seek to promote regenerative design, eliminating waste and continual use of resources, are becoming increasingly important for water authorities. This paper comprehensively reviews the general properties of water treatment sludge, contemporary disposal practices, and its sustainable resource management, including sludge reuse, recycling, and recovery options. The paper also discusses potential social, economic and environmental benefits and barriers of implementing sustainable resource management with water treatment sludge in the context of the Circular Economy. Future research opportunities are discussed with a focus on promoting sustainable management practices where water treatment sludge is considered a value-add resource.
11 Gu, C.; Waldron, S.; Bass, A. M. 2022. Anthropogenic land use and urbanization alter the dynamics and increase the export of dissolved carbon in an urbanized river system. Science of the Total Environment, 846:157436. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157436]
Land use change ; Anthropogenic factors ; Rivers ; Dissolved organic carbon ; Dissolved inorganic carbon ; Urbanization ; Methane ; Carbon dioxide ; Groundwater ; Grasslands ; Landfills ; Farmland / Scotland / Glasgow / River Kelvin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051351)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004896972204534X/pdfft?md5=ab22891b9b461fdebd25d5fef1d0f829&pid=1-s2.0-S004896972204534X-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051351.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051351.pdf
(5.97 MB) (5.97 MB)
Greenhouse gas emissions from urban rivers play a crucial role in global carbon (C) cycling, this is tightly linked to dissolved C in rivers but research gaps remain. The effects of urbanization and anthropogenic land-use change on riverine dissolved carbon dynamics were investigated in a temperate river, the River Kelvin in UK. The river was constantly a source of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere (excess concentration of CH4 ranged from 13 to 4441 nM, and excess concentration of CO2 ranged from 2.6 to 230.6 µM), and dissolved C concentrations show significant spatiotemporal variations (p < 0.05), reflecting a variety of proximal sources and controls. For example, the concentration variation of dissolved CH4 and dissolved CO2 were heavily controlled by the proximity of coal mine infrastructure in the tributary near the river head (~ 2 km) but were more likely controlled by adjacent landfills in the midstream section of the rivers main channel. Concentration and isotopic evidence revealed an important anthropogenic control on the riverine export of CO2 and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). However, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) input via groundwater at the catchment scale primarily controlled the dynamics of riverine DIC. Furthermore, the positive relationship between the isotopic composition of DIC and CO2 (r = 0.79, p < 0.01) indicates the DIC pool was at times also significantly influenced by soil respiratory CO2. Both DIC and DOC showed a weak but significant correlation with the proportion of urban/suburban land use, suggesting increased dissolved C export resulting from urbanization. This research elucidates a series of potentially key effects anthropogenic activities and land-use practices can have on riverine C dynamics and highlights the need for future consideration of the direct effects urbanization has on riverine C dynamics.
12 Bhattacharya, S.; Ghosh, Surajit; Bhattacharyya, S. 2022. Analytical hierarchy process tool in Google Earth Engine platform: a case study of a tropical landfill site suitability. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 194(4):276. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-09878-w]
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051499)
(2.01 MB)
Kolkata being a metropolitan city in India has its main municipal solid waste dumpsite situated at Dhapa just adjacent to the East Kolkata Wetlands (Ramsar site). The current prevalent situation at Dhapa is open dumping leading to various contaminations and hazards putting forth the need to look for alternative sites where the landfiilling operation can be shifted to using scientific methods. A user interface (UI)–based analytical hierarchy process (AHP) tool has been developed within the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform to find out the alternative dumping sites using geospatial layers. AHP function is not available as a native algorithm or developed by any researcher in GEE. The tool has three major functionalities, of which the first one handles the UI elements. The AHP procedure is within another function, and the last function integrates the AHP coefficients to the layers generating the final suitability layer. Users can also upload comparison matrix as GEE asset in the form of CSV file which gets automatically integrated into the AHP to calculate the coefficients and consistency ratio to generate the spatial suitability layers. This approach showcases a generalized AHP function within the GEE environment, which has been done for the first time. The tool is designed in the cloud platform which is dynamic, robust and suitable for use in various AHP-based suitability analysis in environmental monitoring and assessment.
13 Tsvuura, S.; Mudhara, M.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2023. An analysis of the perceived societal benefits of and threats from trees for the delivery of livelihoods and community development. Plants, People, Planet, 5(3):424-436. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10364]
Trees ; Restoration ; Community development ; Livelihoods ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Gender ; Women ; Natural resources ; Nature conservation ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Climate change ; Land tenure ; Landfills ; Poverty / South Africa / KwaZulu-Natal / Buffelsdraai / Osindisweni
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051759)
https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ppp3.10364
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051759.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051759.pdf
(0.27 MB) (277 KB)
Societal Impact Statement:
Understanding the perceptions of benefits and threats from trees is important for the livelihoods of communities. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a questionnaire survey of 226 households in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The findings showed that household socio-economic factors such as gender and land tenure influenced perceptions of tree growing, and households that were involved in a tree restoration project viewed trees as contributing toward their livelihoods by reducing hunger. Hence there is a need to design strategies that promote socio-economic inclusivity of all households and genders and promote programs that increase awareness of ecosystem services within communities.
Summary:
Understanding the socio-economic factors that shape the way households value and utilize natural resources is critical in developing nature-based solutions. The study was aimed at understanding how the socio-economic circumstances of households determined their perceptions of the role of trees in livelihood delivery.
A case study of Buffelsdraai and Osindisweni communities was used; these sites are adjacent to a municipal landfill where a tree restoration project intended to mitigate the effects of climate change is being implemented, and some of the households are involved in this project. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a questionnaire survey of 226 households. It explored gender perspectives on the perceived benefits and threats of tree restoration. It analyzed the influence of households' economic characteristics and spatial configuration (the subdivisions of the landscape) to assess the impact of land tenure.
The findings showed that gender influenced the perceptions that economic benefits can be derived from participating in the project. Households involved in the tree restoration project viewed trees as contributing to their livelihoods by reducing hunger. Households in peri-urban settlements, permanently resident in the area, showed greater reliance on natural resources than those in informal settlements and rural areas. Such differences can be attributed to differences in land tenure.
Hence, there is a need to design strategies and operations that promote socio-economic inclusivity of all households and genders and reduce inequality. These findings are important for informing scaling to yield better climate change considerations and policies.
Understanding the perceptions of benefits and threats from trees is important for the livelihoods of communities. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a questionnaire survey of 226 households in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The findings showed that household socio-economic factors such as gender and land tenure influenced perceptions of tree growing, and households that were involved in a tree restoration project viewed trees as contributing toward their livelihoods by reducing hunger. Hence there is a need to design strategies that promote socio-economic inclusivity of all households and genders and promote programs that increase awareness of ecosystem services within communities.
Summary:
Understanding the socio-economic factors that shape the way households value and utilize natural resources is critical in developing nature-based solutions. The study was aimed at understanding how the socio-economic circumstances of households determined their perceptions of the role of trees in livelihood delivery.
A case study of Buffelsdraai and Osindisweni communities was used; these sites are adjacent to a municipal landfill where a tree restoration project intended to mitigate the effects of climate change is being implemented, and some of the households are involved in this project. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a questionnaire survey of 226 households. It explored gender perspectives on the perceived benefits and threats of tree restoration. It analyzed the influence of households' economic characteristics and spatial configuration (the subdivisions of the landscape) to assess the impact of land tenure.
The findings showed that gender influenced the perceptions that economic benefits can be derived from participating in the project. Households involved in the tree restoration project viewed trees as contributing to their livelihoods by reducing hunger. Households in peri-urban settlements, permanently resident in the area, showed greater reliance on natural resources than those in informal settlements and rural areas. Such differences can be attributed to differences in land tenure.
Hence, there is a need to design strategies and operations that promote socio-economic inclusivity of all households and genders and reduce inequality. These findings are important for informing scaling to yield better climate change considerations and policies.
14 Schwarz, A. E.; Lensen, S. M. C.; Langeveld, E.; Parker, L. A.; Urbanus, J. H. 2023. Plastics in the global environment assessed through material flow analysis, degradation and environmental transportation. Science of the Total Environment, 875:162644. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162644]
Microplastics ; Pollution ; Material flow analysis ; Environmental degradation ; Accumulation ; Value chains ; Models ; Landfills ; Risk assessment ; Waste management ; Waste treatment ; Uncertainty ; Freshwater ; Sediment
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051852)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723012603/pdfft?md5=55afd91b8603fe841c9af01b818c8ff2&pid=1-s2.0-S0048969723012603-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051852.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051852.pdf
(2.80 MB) (2.80 MB)
Knowledge on environmental plastic emission and spatial and temporal accumulation is vital for the development of successful mitigation strategies and risk assessments of plastics. In this study, emissions of both micro and macro plastic from the plastic value chain to the environment were assessed on a global level through a mass flow analysis (MFA). All countries, 10 sectors, 8 polymers and 7 environmental compartments (terrestrial, freshwater or oceanic) are distinguished in the model. The results assess a loss of 0.8 million tonnes (mt) of microplastics and 8.7 mt of macroplastics to the global environment in 2017. This is respectively 0.2 % and 2.1 % of plastics produced in the same year. The packaging sector contributed most for macroplastic emissions, and tyre wear for microplastic emissions. With the MFA results, accumulation, degradation and environmental transportation are considered in the Accumulation and dispersion model (ADM) until 2050. This model predicts macro- and microplastic accumulation in the environment to 2.2 gigatonnes (Gt) and 3.1 Gt in 2050 respectively (scenario: yearly consumption increase of 4 %). This will be 30 % less when a yearly production reduction of 1 % until 2050 is modeled to 1.5 and 2.3 Gt macro and microplastics respectively. Almost 2.15 Gt of micro and macroplastics accumulate in the environment until 2050 with zero plastic production after 2022 due to leakage from landfills and degradation processes. Results are compared to other modeling studies quantifying plastic emissions to the environment. The current study predicts lower emissions to ocean and higher emissions to surface waters like lakes and rivers. Non aquatic, terrestrial compartments are observed to accumulate most plastics emitted to the environment. The approach used results in a flexible and adaptable model that addresses plastic emissions to the environment over time and space, with detail on country level and environmental compartments.
15 Jayathilake, Nilanthi; Aheeyar, Mohamed; Drechsel, Pay; Bucatariu, C. 2023. Quantitative analysis of food waste from wholesale to households in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Rome, Italy: FAO; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 43p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7810en]
Food waste ; Wholesale markets ; Households ; Quantitative analysis ; Waste management ; Food service ; Food losses ; Waste reduction ; Urban wastes ; Solid wastes ; Waste collection ; Landfills ; Recycling ; Policies ; Strategies ; Feeds ; Local authorities ; Municipal governments ; Social impact ; Environmental impact ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Case studies / Sri Lanka / Western Province / Colombo / Karadiyana / Kerawalapitiya / Kaduwela
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052087)
(2.03 MB) (2.03 MB)
Currently, in Sri Lanka, strategies to address FW prevention and reduction are being considered by different state and non-state stakeholders. However, in the current scenario, solutions for FW are mostly addressing (bio-)waste management.
Quantifying FW is of paramount importance in understanding the magnitude and socio-economic as well as environmental impacts of the problem. A good understanding of the availability and quality of FW data is a prerequisite for tracking progress on reduction targets, analyzing environmental impacts, and exploring mitigation strategies for FLW (Xue et al., 2019). FW quantification aims at creating a robust evidence base for developing strategies, action plans, and policies towards FW prevention, reduction, and management as well as guide prioritization of actions, evaluation of solutions, and monitoring progress (CEC, 2019).
Quantifying FW is of paramount importance in understanding the magnitude and socio-economic as well as environmental impacts of the problem. A good understanding of the availability and quality of FW data is a prerequisite for tracking progress on reduction targets, analyzing environmental impacts, and exploring mitigation strategies for FLW (Xue et al., 2019). FW quantification aims at creating a robust evidence base for developing strategies, action plans, and policies towards FW prevention, reduction, and management as well as guide prioritization of actions, evaluation of solutions, and monitoring progress (CEC, 2019).
16 Taron, Avinandan; Singh, S.; Drechsel, Pay; Ravishankar, C.; Ulrich, Andreas. 2023. Sewage sludge: a review of business models for resource recovery and reuse. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 98p. (Resource Recovery and Reuse Series 23) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2023.211]
Resource recovery ; Resource management ; Reuse ; Sewage sludge ; Business models ; Circular economy ; Nutrients ; Energy recovery ; Organic fertilizers ; Biosolids ; Phosphorus ; Wastewater treatment plants ; Waste management ; Landfills ; Sewage treatment ; Technology ; Sludge dewatering ; Anaerobic digestion ; Incineration ; Gasification ; Pyrolysis ; Biochar ; Solid wastes ; Sludge disposal ; Composting ; Pellets ; Biogas ; Electricity generation ; Public-private partnerships ; Municipal authorities ; Policies ; Regulations ; Frameworks ; Market demand ; Costs ; Profitability ; Value chains ; Public health ; Environmental health ; Soil composition ; Case studies / Europe / USA / UK / Italy / Netherlands / Germany / Belgium / Switzerland / Spain / Denmark / Australia / Japan / China / India / Sri Lanka / Tunisia / Oman / Chile
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H052417)
(3.45 MB)
In many low- and middle-income countries, sewage sludge generated from wastewater treatment systems has potential environmental and health hazards. To tackle this challenge, there is a need for innovative options given the increasing concerns and policies restricting sewage sludge dumping in landfills and elsewhere, and a growing awareness about the resource value of sludge within a circular economy. In developed countries, water utilities, municipalities and the private sector are increasingly engaged in utilizing and innovating modern resource recovery technologies to capture biosolids, nutrients or energy from sewage sludge and reducing disposal. This study reviews existing approaches and business models for resource recovery and moves the discussion beyond technical feasibility. Case studies were analyzed in support of four main sets of business models depending on the targeted resource: (i) organic fertilizers, (ii) crop nutrients, (iii) energy, and (iv) organic fertilizers and nutrients along with energy. The extraction of organic fertilizers through dewatering, thickening, stabilization or long-term storage drives the first set of models followed by technological advances in phosphorus recovery. The business models on energy similarly start from conventional energy recovery processes (anaerobic digestion) and move toward incineration. The discussion covers recent advances in gasification and pyrolysis. Transforming sewage sludge into biochar, for example, can support soil fertility and carbon sequestration. The final set covers integrative approaches supporting soil fertility and energy needs. The critical step for emerging economies is to develop a wastewater management strategy and link it to a circular economy framework without having a negative impact on environmental and human health. While technologies and business models generally have a favorable policy environment, there is a lack of a regulatory framework that allows the marketing, use and export of recovered (waste-derived) resources for certain applications. For example, there needs to be an increase in industry acceptance of phosphorus recovered from sewage sludge to penetrate agricultural markets despite the currently still cheaper phosphate rock, which is a finite resource.
17 Nohara, N. M. L.; Ariza-Tarazona, M. C.; Triboni, E. R.; Nohara, E. L.; Villarreal-Chiu, J. F.; Cedillo-Gonzalez, E. I. 2024. Are you drowned in microplastic pollution? A brief insight on the current knowledge for early career researchers developing novel remediation strategies. Science of The Total Environment, 918:170382. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170382]
Microplastic pollution ; Nanoplastics ; Degradation ; Biodegradation ; Microorganisms ; Waste management ; Recycling ; Landfills ; Mechanical properties ; Polyethylene ; Filtration ; Human health ; Drinking water ; Contaminants
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052618)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724005175/pdfft?md5=cb2d396fd2b98fd29231b06c1b909f08&pid=1-s2.0-S0048969724005175-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052618.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052618.pdf
(5.95 MB) (5.95 MB)
Microplastics (MPs) composed of different polymers with various shapes, within a vast granulometric distribution (1 µm - 5 mm) and with a wide variety of physicochemical surface and bulk characteristics spiral around the globe, with different atmospheric, oceanic, cryospheric, and terrestrial residence times, while interacting with other pollutants and biota. The challenges of microplastic pollution are related to the complex relationships between the microplastic generation mechanisms (physical, chemical, and biological), their physicochemical properties, their interactions with other pollutants and microorganisms, the changes in their properties with aging, and their small sizes that facilitate their diffusion and transportation between the air, water, land, and biota, thereby promoting their ubiquity. Early career researchers (ERCs) constitute an essential part of the scientific community committed to overcoming the challenges of microplastic pollution with their new ideas and innovative scientific perspectives for the development of remediation technologies. However, because of the enormous amount of scientific information available, it may be difficult for ERCs to determine the complexity of this environmental issue. This mini-review aims to provide a quick and updated overview of the essential insights of microplastic pollution to ERCs to help them acquire the background needed to develop highly innovative physical, chemical, and biological remediation technologies, as well as valorization proposals and environmental education and awareness campaigns. Moreover, the recommendations for the development of holistic microplastic pollution remediation strategies presented here can help ERCs propose technologies considering the environmental, social, and practical dimensions of microplastic pollution while fulfilling the current government policies to manage this plastic waste.
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