Kyoto University International ONLINE Symposium 2021 on Education and Research in Global Environmental Studies in Asia : Restarting International Cooperation After Covid-19 Pandemic

Kyoto University International ONLINE Symposium 2021 on Education and Research in Global Environmental Studies in Asia : Restarting International Cooperation After Covid-19 PandemicDate: NOV.29 (Mon.) to NOV.30 (Tue.), 2021Organized by: Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES)Supported by: MEXT supporting project “Kyoto University Environmental Innovator Program–Cultivating Environmental Leaders across ASEAN Region”Study Field 1; Engineering・Technology・Science; E01-E40, except E02, E08, E17, E39Study Field 2; Agriculture・Forestry・Biology; A01-A20Study Field 3; Rural & Urban Development; R01-R16, E02, E08, E17, E39Study Field 4; Policy・Economics・Culture; P01-P1

Monitoring biological wastewater treatment processes: Recent advances in spectroscopy applications

Biological processes based on aerobic and anaerobic technologies have been continuously developed to wastewater treatment and are currently routinely employed to reduce the contaminants discharge levels in the environment. However, most methodologies commonly applied for monitoring key parameters are labor intensive, time-consuming and just provide a snapshot of the process. Thus, spectroscopy applications in biological processes are, nowadays, considered a rapid and effective alternative technology for real-time monitoring though still lacking implementation in full-scale plants. In this review, the application of spectroscopic techniques to aerobic and anaerobic systems is addressed focusing on UV--Vis, infrared, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, chemometric techniques, valuable tools to extract the relevant data, are also referred. To that effect, a detailed analysis is performed for aerobic and anaerobic systems to summarize the findings that have been obtained since 2000. Future prospects for the application of spectroscopic techniques in biological wastewater treatment processes are further discussed.The authors thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit, COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and the project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. The authors also acknowledge the financial support to Daniela P. Mesquita and Cristina Quintelas through the postdoctoral Grants (SFRH/BPD/82558/2011 and SFRH/BPD/101338/2014) provided by FCT - Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Composting modelling : towards a better understanding of the fundamentals, applications for enhanced nutrient recycling, greenhouse gas reduction, and improved decision-making

Cette thèse de doctorat vise à consolider, développer et appliquer nos connaissances sur la modélisation du compostage, dans le but de fournir des informations, des outils et des perspectives accessibles et utilisables pour les chercheurs et les décideurs. L'espoir est que les travaux développés tout au long de cette thèse puissent aider à optimiser les procédés de compostage, notamment en réduisant les émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) et en améliorant le recyclage des nutriments. A ce titre, la thèse est divisée en trois phases : (1) la phase 1 est une consolidation et un développement des notions fondamentales de la modélisation du compostage, (2) suivie de la phase 2, où la modélisation de la perte de nutriments et des émissions de GES est étudiée, (3) avec la phase 3 qui est axée sur la manière d'assurer que ce travail puisse être utilisé par les décideurs et acteurs dans le milieu de compostage. Dans la première phase, une revue complète et systématique de l'ensemble de la littérature sur la modélisation du compostage a été entreprise (chapitre 2), cherchant à fournir une meilleure compréhension du travail qui a été fait et sur la direction des travaux futurs. Ceci a été suivi d'une étudie détaillée des approches de modélisation cinétique actuelles, notamment par rapport aux facteurs de corrections cinétiques appliqués à travers le domaine (chapitre 3). La phase 2 s'est ensuite focalisée sur les notions spécifiques relatives aux émissions de GES et aux pertes de nutriments lors du compostage, et à la modélisation de ces phénomènes. Cette thèse présente les réacteurs expérimentaux et le plan conçu pour suivre et évaluer le processus de compostage (chapitre 4), ainsi que le modèle de compostage compréhensif développé pour prédire avec précision les émissions et la transformation des nutriments pendant le compostage (chapitre 5). Enfin, la phase 3 visait à rendre ces informations facilement et largement utilisables. Cela a commencé par une évaluation des meilleures pratiques pour développer des modèles et des systèmes d'aide à la décision pour la prise de décision environnementale (chapitre 6), suivi par le développement de nouvelles approches de modélisation cinétique simples (chapitre 7), culminant avec le développement, l'ajustement paramétrique et la validation d'un modèle de compostage parcimonieux (chapitre 8). Grâce à ce travail, une base consolidée de l'état actuel de la modélisation du compostage a été développée, suivie par l'exploration et le développement de connaissances et d'outils à la fois fondamentaux et applicables.This PhD thesis aims consolidating, developing, and applying our knowledge on composting modelling, with the goal of providing accessible and usable information, tools, and perspectives for researchers and decision-makers alike. The hope is that the work developed throughout this dissertation can help in optimizing composting, notably by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving nutrient recycling. As such, the thesis is divided into three phases: (1) phase 1 is a consolidation and development of the fundamentals of composting modelling, (2) followed by phase 2, where the modelling of nutrient loss and GHG emissions is investigated, (3) with phase 3 focusing on how to ensure that this work can be used by decision-makers. In the first phase, a comprehensive and systematic review of the entirety of the literature on composting modelling was undertaken (chapter 2), seeking to provide a better understanding on the work that has been done and guidance on where future work should focus and how it should be approached. This review then raised some interesting questions regarding modelling approaches, notably regarding modelling of composting kinetics, which was studied in detail through the evaluation of current modelling approaches (chapter 3). Phase 2 then focused on the specific notions relating to GHG emissions and nutrient loss during composting, and how to model these phenomena. This section starts with a presentation of the experimental reactors and plan designed to monitor and evaluate the composting process (chapter 4), followed by the comprehensive composting model developed to accurately predict emissions and nutrient transformation during composting (chapter 5). Finally, phase 3 aimed to make this information easily and widely usable, especially for decision-makers. This started with a review on the best practices to develop models and decision support systems for environmental decision-making (chapter 6), followed by the development of novel simple kinetic modelling approaches (chapter 7), culminating with the development, calibration, and validation of a parsimonious composting model (chapter 8). Through this work, a consolidated basis of the current state on composting modelling has been developed, followed-up by the exploration and development of both fundamental and applicable knowledge and tools

Variability of microbial taxonomic and functional diversities across management boundaries in a boreal podzol

Land capability classification describes boreal podzols as soils with severe to moderately severe limitations that restrict the capability of the land to produce crops. Nevertheless, they are used for crop production and it is predicted that more boreal podzols will be converted from forestry use to agricultural uses. This usually requires intensive conservation and fertility improvement practices aimed at correcting the excessively low pH and improving soil carbon parameters. Under such management, it is expected that the biotic parameters and drivers of soil fertility would be drastically affected. It is hypothesized that mass and energy fluxes across the edge of a cropped field, between natural and managed conditions of soil, will alter the diversity of microbial populations and their fertility relevant functions. To verify this, I surveyed a cropped field and its immediate surrounding areas, located within a Boreal Forest Ecosystem in Western Newfoundland. The surrounding areas, outside the four field edges covered four distinct non-cropped conditions, i.e. forested, wetland, grassland and grassed farm road border. Bacterial taxonomic diversity was assessed via a 16S rRNA obtained through an Illumina MiSeq PE 250bp amplicon sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region. Fungal taxonomic diversity was assessed on an ITS dataset obtained through an Illumina MiSeq PE 250bp amplicon sequencing of the ITS1-2 region. A predictive functional profiling of the bacterial community, based on the 16S rRNA results (PICRUSt) was then carried out. Results are contextualized by standard abiotic soil parameters and compared to potential nitrogen mineralization rates along a management intensity gradient, i.e. a gradient crossing from natural to cropped conditions. Both surface and subsurface layers were considered. Standard and exploratory statistics were carried out and included an analysis of ecological indicators for population diversity. Statistical analysis was carried out separately on soil physicochemical properties, microbial taxonomic diversity, and microbial functional diversity. Correlational analyses between microbial diversity and physicochemical properties and were carried out separately. It was found that, while the natural conditions tested had distinct diversities, the results became increasingly similar towards the field centre, away from the natural edge. Thus, land management affects the taxonomic and functional diversity of microorganisms and also found that the shift in taxonomic and functional diversity is directly related to the distance from the natural areas

Integrated Waste Management

This book reports research on policy and legal issues, anaerobic digestion of solid waste under processing aspects, industrial waste, application of GIS and LCA in waste management, and a couple of research papers relating to leachate and odour management

Actions for Bioenergy and Biofuels: A Sustainable Shift

The topic of bioenergy is a multidisciplinary one, where the use of resources and skills can be optimized for the development of sustainable models. It is a time for green strategies, but also for action. It is, therefore, necessary to implement projects that address virtuous examples of the circular bioeconomy. All politicians are called on to contribute, because this global goal can only be achieved if a contribution is made by all countries

Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation

Soil degradation is one of the most topical environmental threats. A number of processes causing soil degradation, specifically erosion, compaction, salinization, pollution, and loss of both organic matter and soil biodiversity, are also strictly connected to agricultural activity and its intensification. The development and adoption of sustainable agronomic practices able to preserve and enhance the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils and improve agroecosystem functions is a challenge for both scientists and farmers. The Special Issue entitled “Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation” collects 12 original contributions addressing the state of the art of sustainable agriculture and soil conservation. The papers cover a wide range of topics, including organic agriculture, soil amendment and soil organic carbon (SOC) management, the impact of SOC on soil water repellency, the effects of soil tillage on the quantity of SOC associated with several fractions of soil particles and depth, and SOC prediction, using visible and near-infrared spectra and multivariate modeling. Moreover, the effects of some soil contaminants (e.g., crude oil, tungsten, copper, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are discussed or reviewed in light of the recent literature. The collection of the manuscripts presented in this Special Issue provides a relevant knowledge contribution for improving our understanding on sustainable agriculture and soil conservation, thus stimulating new views on this main topic