Environmental Engineering
M. Shariati; M. Afrazi; H. Kamyab; S. Rouhanifar; E. Toghroli; M. Safa; Sh. Chelliapan; H. Afrazi
Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive exploration of the utilization of scrap tires in geotechnical engineering, focusing on their applications, mechanical behavior, environmental impact, and potential challenges. The utilization of waste tires in engineering applications is of paramount importance, offering ...
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This study provides a comprehensive exploration of the utilization of scrap tires in geotechnical engineering, focusing on their applications, mechanical behavior, environmental impact, and potential challenges. The utilization of waste tires in engineering applications is of paramount importance, offering a sustainable solution to the escalating challenge of waste tire management. The accumulation of discarded tires poses significant environmental and economic concerns globally, with traditional disposal methods often leading to environmental degradation, fire hazards, and increased land use. By harnessing the inherent properties of scrap tires, such as their durability and energy-absorbing characteristics, geotechnical engineering presents a promising path for repurposing these materials. This review examines how integrating scrap tires into geotechnical projects, such as retaining walls, slopes, and drainage systems, can offer sustainable alternatives while addressing environmental concerns. The paper extensively analyzes the mechanical behavior of sand-rubber mixtures through laboratory investigations. Factors including rubber proportions, aspect ratios, and interaction mechanisms are dissected to understand their influence on shear strength, deformation behavior, and modulus properties. These insights pave the way for optimizing the performance of sand-rubber mixtures in engineering applications. Additionally, the article delves into modeling approaches that simulate the intricate behavior of these mixtures, facilitating better design and analysis. The economic feasibility of incorporating scrap tires is investigated, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness achieved through reduced material costs and enhanced infrastructure durability. The environmental benefits of diverting rubber waste from landfills are discussed, highlighting the alignment with sustainability goals and regulations. Despite the advantages, engineering challenges associated with rubber particles' behavior are acknowledged, and potential solutions are explored. Through a comprehensive synthesis of research findings and practical implications, this review aims to provide a deep understanding of the potential of scrap tires in geotechnical engineering. It concludes by advocating for further research and innovation to harness the full potential of scrap tires, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient built environment.
Environmental Management
S.E. Kabir; M.N.I. Mondal; M.K. Islam; I.A. Alnaser; M.R. Karim; M.A. Ibrahim; K. Sopian; M. Akhtaruzzaman
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extended producer responsibility has been a policy tool for managing solar photovoltaic waste in European Union countries for approximately a decade. Furthermore, EPR has been widely used in many countries for electronic waste and other forms of waste management. Several studies ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extended producer responsibility has been a policy tool for managing solar photovoltaic waste in European Union countries for approximately a decade. Furthermore, EPR has been widely used in many countries for electronic waste and other forms of waste management. Several studies have recommended this tool to sustainably manage solar photovoltaic waste in countries transitioning to large-scale solar energy usage. Nevertheless, implementing a policy tool varies depending on numerous factors, particularly context differences in developed and developing countries. The research on adopting and implementing this tool for solar photovoltaic waste management is limited in developing countries. Bangladesh requires appropriate regulations to manage the impending waste, which will soon encounter substantial end-of-life solar photovoltaic panel volumes. Therefore, this study investigated the adoption and implementation of the extended producer responsibility policy tool within the context of Bangladesh.METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the enabling and challenging factors influencing the implementation of this tool. Subsequently, a Likert Scale-based questionnaire incorporating the enabling and challenging factors was framed. A survey targeting stakeholders in the solar photovoltaic sector was then performed. Data analysis involved univariate and bivariate analyses, and Bangladesh was selected as a representative developing country for this study.FINDING: The results revealed that stakeholders in the solar PV industry significantly emphasized (mean > 3) all enabling factors associated with extended producer responsibility for adoption in their country to manage end-of-life photovoltaic panels. This observation signified the importance of adopting and implementing extended producer responsibility to manage the impending disposal of end-of-life solar photovoltaic panels. Among the enabling factors, the public expense reduction (mean = 3.97), user acceptance (mean = 3.89), eco-design encouragement (mean = 4.02), and the local recycling facility with secondary material market establishments (mean = 3.89) emerged as the most crucial factors. The solar photovoltaic waste-specific regulations (mean = 3.72), the absence of a pre-established collection network (mean = 4.20), and weak institutional capacity (mean = 4.03) were identified as challenging factors requiring special attention during this tool adoption. The inter-item correlation matrix analysis for enabling and challenging factors also demonstrated high significance. Moreover, Cronbach's alpha for enabling and challenging factors were 0.885 and 0.749, respectively. This outcome suggested a good and acceptable internal consistency level among the factors.CONCLUSION: Adopting extended producer responsibility was essential in developing countries to ensure the sustainable management of end-of-life solar photovoltaic panels. Nonetheless, successful implementation required addressing specific domestic concerns, such as the absence of a pre-existing waste take-back system and weak institutional capacity. Regulators should also proactively take measures to leverage enabling factors, including gaining users' acceptance, reducing costs, and potentially tapping into secondary material markets. Consequently, this study can assist in formulating appropriate regulations regarding the sustainable management of hazardous end-of-life solar photovoltaic panels. The findings can be utilized in Bangladesh and other countries encountering similar challenges, contributing to environmental preservation and eco-friendly development.
Environmental Science
T.R. Soeprobowti; N.D. Takarina; P.S. Komala; L. Subehi; M. Wojewódka-Przybył; J. Jumari; R. Nastuti
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The lakeside has an enormous sediment carbon storage potential; however, it is susceptible to various environmental changes and can easily become a source of carbon emissions. Understanding the amount of carbon storage in lakeside sediments and organic matter sources may provide ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The lakeside has an enormous sediment carbon storage potential; however, it is susceptible to various environmental changes and can easily become a source of carbon emissions. Understanding the amount of carbon storage in lakeside sediments and organic matter sources may provide information about the potential of lakeside zones in climate change mitigation, particularly for sustainable lake management. This study aims to estimate sediment organic carbon stock and the sources of organic matter in the Maninjau Lakeside-West Sumatera, Indonesia.METHODS: Sediment sampling was performed at five research sites, with a depth of 0–100 centimeters. Sediment samples were divided into 4 subsamples: 0–15; 15–30; 30–50; and 50–100 centimeters. Bulk density and total nitrogen content were analyzed, and the percentage of organic carbon was calculated from the loss of ignition. The sediment organic carbon stock was calculated based on the bulk density and organic carbon content. Carbon per nitrogen ratio was also calculated to determine temporal changes in the sources of organic matter in the lake.FINDINGS: This study demonstrated that Maninjau Lakeside has an enormous potential sedimentary organic carbon stock range between 284.23–442.59 megagrams per carbon per hectare. The highest total sediment carbon stock was found in Duo Koto (442.59 megagrams per carbon per hectare), with the lowest in Koto Kaciak (284.23 megagrams per carbon per hectare). In addition, the study’s results also exhibited significant differences in sediment organic carbon stocks at each location with different land use and cover; in this case, the forest area has a higher carbon stock value than the agricultural and settlement areas. Therefore, it is essential to take initiatives for the restoration and conservation of lakeside areas because of their essential role in mitigating the climate change. The mean ratio of organic carbon and total nitrogen was between 9.96 to 16.91, indicating that phytoplankton, a mixture of floating macrophytes, and submerged vegetation were the sources of organic matter.CONCLUSION: In general, the value of sediment organic carbon stocks tends to be lower in locations with intensive agricultural settlements than in forest areas. This study emphasizes that restoring lakeside wetland is vital in increasing sediment organic carbon stocks and maintaining lake sustainability.
