Morphology of Salina offshore (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea)

In this paper, we present the first complete morphological map of the Salina offshore at a scale of 1:100,000. The submarine flanks of the Salina edifice extend down to −650 to −1300 m, are steep and characterized by an uneven morphology due to the presence of volcanic and erosivedepositional features. The volcanic features cover ∼30% of the submarine portion and include volcanic cones and bedrock outcrops. The remaining ∼70% is affected by a wide series of erosive-depositional features. Among these, features related to Late Quaternary sea level fluctuations comprise the insular shelf surrounding the island and overlying submarine terraced depositional sequences. Mass-wasting features include landslide scars, channels, fanshaped deposits and waveforms. The presented map provides useful insights for a better understanding of the morphological evolution of the edific

Submarine depositional terraces at Salina Island (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) and implications on the Late-Quaternary evolution of the insular shelf

The integrated analysis of high-resolution multibeam bathymetry and single-channel seismic profiles around Salina Island allowed us to characterize the stratigraphic architecture of the insular shelf. The shelf is formed by a gently-sloping erosive surface carved on the volcanic bedrock, mostly covered by sediments organized in a suite of terraced bodies, i.e. submarine depositional terraces. Based on their position on the shelf, depth range of their edge and inner geometry, different orders of terraces can be distinguished. The shallowest terrace (near-shore terrace) is a sedimentary prograding wedge, whose formation can be associated to the downward transport of sediments from the surf zone and shoreface during stormy conditions. According to the range depth of the terrace edge (i.e., 10–25 m, compatible with the estimated present-day, local storm-wave base level in the central and western Mediterranean), the formation of this wedge can be attributed to the present-day highstand. By assuming a similar genesis for the deeper terraces, mid-shelf terraces having the edge at depths of 40–50 m and 70–80 m can be attributed to the late and early stages of the Post-LGM transgression, respectively. Finally, the deepest terrace (shelf-edge terrace) has the edge at depths of 130–160 m, being thus referable to the lowstand occurred at ca. 20 ka. Based on the variability of edge depth in the different sectors, we also show how lowstand terraces can be used to provide insights on the recent vertical movements that affected Salina edifice in the last 20 ka, highlighting more generally their possible use for neo-tectonic studies elsewhere. Moreover, being these terraces associated to different paleo-sea levels, they can be used to constrain the relative age of the different erosive stages affecting shallow-water sectors

Biomethane Production and Utilization Pathways: an MDCA-based Impact Assessment in Sardinia, Italy

Biogas from the anaerobic digestion of organic substrates represents a renewable and sustainable fuel widely deployed in Sardinia, supported by the high share of rural areas and the generation of agro-industrial residues and by-products. On the wave of new economic incentives, interest is gradually shifting to biomethane. Nonetheless, the possible uses of biomethane are compelled by the local energy system, which defects in the implementation of the natural gas grid and gas fuelling stations. This is the reason why heat and power production may still be considered one of the most plausible biomethane utilization. Multiple options for upgrading biogas into biomethane exist. Chemical absorption represents an established and reliable upgrading solution. However, innovative alternatives such as biological methanation have emerged characterized by high sustainability and versatility. In the present paper, six scenarios for biomethane generation and utilization are presented and analysed to determine an integrated impact benchmark for each of them. The impact assessment is structured in criteria that depict the environmental, economic, technological and social dimensions. It is carried out using the Multi-criteria Decision Analysis. An in-depth literature review allowed to identify quantitative and qualitative indicators for each dimension according to a rationale described in the paper. The results describe the processes and technologies involved and determine the integrated impacts for the considered scenarios. The method adopted emphasizes the regional worth of the assessment process, and the critical importance of collecting technological data at the pilot or commercial scale, given the distinctiveness of the experiences developed at the laboratory-scale

Environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Jatropha Biodiesel in Egypt

AbstractThe main goal of this paper is to evaluate the environmental performance for the system of Jatropha biodiesel production from cradle to wheel according to the unique Egyptian Jatropha biodiesel model because it depends on waste water which is sewage water and waste land which is desert. This evaluation is performed through a life cycle analysis study which is implemented according to the international standard organization guidelines ISO 14040 and the environmental impacts assessment is executed through SimaPro LCA. The main motivation behind this life cycle analysis is the absence of any environmental life cycle analysis studies for Jatropha biodiesel production in Egypt so such study would be helpful in future Jatropha biodiesel projects in Egypt. Results show that Jatropha biodiesel production in Egypt has many environmental benefits such as combating desertification and fewer impacts compared to fossil diesel which makes Jatropha more than an energy crop. However, there is a need for further social and economic life cycle analysis for Jatropha biodiesel production in Egypt on both small farmers and commercial projects levels. The targeted audiences concerning the results are scientists and stakeholders interested in Jatropha biodiesel productio

Morphology of Lipari offshore (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea)

High-resolution multibeam bathymetry was recently collected around Lipari, the largest and most densely populated island of the Aeolian Archipelago (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea). The data were acquired within the context of marine geological studies performed in the area over the last 10 years. We present the first detailed morphological map of the Lipari offshore at 1:100,000 scale (Main Map). A rugged morphology characterizes the submarine portions of Lipari volcano, reflecting both volcanic and erosive-depositional processes. The volcanic features include cones, lava flows and bedrock outcrops. Erosive-depositional features include an insular shelf topped by submarine depositional terraces related to LateQuaternary sea-level fluctuations, as well as landslide scars, channelized features, fanshaped deposits and wavy bedforms. The different distribution of volcanic and erosivedepositional features on the various sectors of Lipari is mainly related to the older age of the western flank with respect to the eastern one. The map also provides insights for a first marine geohazard assessment of this active volcanic area

Tool Development for Carbon Footprint Evaluation of Packaging Alternatives

With the increasing concern of pollution, any business willing to reduce its carbon footprint embraces sustainability and positively impacts the progress towards achieving climate neutrality. Well-prepared and presented information to the business customer before purchasing can be a strong driver for better decision-making towards less impactful product alternatives. This study presents the development of a tool that informs customers of an online marketplace for packaging products about the carbon footprint of customer-preferred packaging concerning possible alternatives and, in this way, promotes the reduction of packaging carbon footprint. For tool development, the LCA-based approach includes the raw material extraction stage, packaging production, and transportation to the customer. The impact assessment in the tool is performed according to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2021 methodology for assessing greenhouse gas emissions based on information obtained from the database Ecoinvent 3.8. The final output of carbon footprint calculation is provided with a colour indicator marking the carbon footprint performance of customer-defined alternatives clearly and simply to educate the customer, foster informed purchasing decisions, and improve environmental outcomes

EITROFIKĀCIJAS SAMAZINĀŠANAS RISINĀJUMI, IZMANTOJOT LATGALES EZERU MAKROAĻĢES BIOGĀZES RAŽOŠANAI

Aļģes ir nozīmīgs dabas resurss, kura izmantošanas jomas arvien pieaug, tādēļ ir nepieciešams veikt padziļinātu izmantošanas risinājumu izpēti. Gandrīz puse no Latvijā esošajiem ezeriem atrodas Latgalē, kas padara šo novadu par piemērotu teritoriju makroaļģu biomasas iegūšanai. Makroskopiskās aļģes ir dabiski sastopams resurss, kas var veiksmīgi tikt izmantots dažādiem nolūkiem, tajā skaitā biogāzes ieguvei. Biogāze, kas Latvijā pašreiz tiek iegūta no lauksaimniecības biomasas un lopkopības atlikumiem, var tikt iegūta arī no aļģēm, kam, salīdzinot ar augu biomasu, ir vairākas priekšrocības. Galvenā aļģu priekšrocība ir lielāks biomasas pieaugums uz vienu izmantotās zemes platības vienību, turklāt tām nav nepieciešams piegādāt papildu mēslojumu un nav vajadzīga papildu laistīšana. Aļģes patērē ūdenstilpē esošās barības vielas un ogļskābo gāzi, tādā veidā samazinot eitrofikāciju un uzlabojot ekosistēmas kvalitāti. Barības vielas ūdenī nokļūst gan dabisko, gan antropogēno procesu rezultātā. Nozīmīgākais eitrofikāciju izraisošais avots ir minerālmēsli un organiskais mēslojums, kas tiek izmantots lauksaimniecībā un kas, nokļūstot ūdenstilpēs, viegli iesaistās barības ķēdēs, izraisot aļģu un ūdens augu masveida savairošanos. Ūdenstilpju aizaugšana ir eitrofikācijas jeb pārbagātināšanās ar barības vielām sekas. Biomasai noārdoties, ūdenstilpē tiek patērēts liels skābekļa daudzums, kas kaitē ezera dabiskajai ekosistēmai. Kā perspektīvu risinājumu var minēt aļģu un ūdensaugu biomasas izmantošanu enerģijas ieguvei, tādā veidā attīrot ūdenstilpes un uzlabojot ekosistēmas kvalitāti, tajā pašā laikā nodrošinot biogāzes stacijas ar vērtīgu biomasu. Aļģes tiek dēvētas par trešās paaudzes biodegvielu, jo tām ir mazāk trūkumu nekā pirmās un otrās paaudzes biodegvielas izejvielām, t. i., lauksaimniecības kultūrām vai atkritumiem. Makroaļģēm ir ļoti augsts ūdens (70%–90%) saturs. Olbaltumvielu, lipīdu un taukskābju daudzums makroaļģēs ir atkarīgs no dažādiem faktoriem – sugas, ģeogrāfiskā novietojuma, temperatūras, gaismas daudzuma, gadalaika. Makroaļģes ir bagātas ar ogļhidrātiem, kas cietes un celulozes veidā atrodas šūnapvalkā. Atkarībā no sugas ogļhidrātu daudzums un veids var atšķirties. Tieši augstais pieejamo ogļhidrātu daudzums padara aļģes par piemērotu biomasu biogāzes ieguvei. Oglekļa un slāpekļa attiecība aļģu biomasā ir parametrs, pēc kura var spriest par piemērotību biogāzes ieguvei. Turpmāk ir nepieciešams veikt papildu izpēti, lai noteiktu, kuras no Latgales ezeros mītošajām aļģu sugām ir visvairāk piemērotas biogāzes ieguvei, kā arī ir nepieciešams izstrādāt likumisko ietvaru, lai aļģu audzēšanas un ievākšanas darbības būtu nekaitīgas videi. Pētījums veikts Valsts pētījumu programmas „LATENERGI“ projektā „Energoefektīvi un oglekļa mazietilpīgi risinājumi drošai, ilgtspējīgai un klimata mainību mazinošai energoapgādei“

Impact Assessment of Steel Circularity Scenarios: Case Study of Steel Radiator based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Methodology

Steel is one of the most used materials in the industry and the building sector. Its production causes severe environmental impacts due to direct emissions within extraction and processing stages (e.g. CO, SOx, NOx, and PM2), the intensive use of primary resources, contamination of wastewater, and significant amounts of hazardous and solid waste. In this context, the purpose of the current study is to perform a life cycle analysis (LCA) of four different types of steel used in the manufacturing of a steel-based radiator, namely: standard steel as a baseline scenario, steel with a recycling fraction of 40 % of scrap, steel with a recycling fraction of 60 % of scrap, fully recycled steel from scraps, and a hypothetical ‘Carbon-free’ steel production process. The baseline scenario relies on data from an existing company producing steel radiators. The LCA study is conducted within SimaPro 9.4 software with data obtained from the Ecoinvent 3.8 database and adjusted according to the defined scenarios and the functional unit of ‘1 kg of steel’. The environmental impact is assessed according to EN 15804 requirements for construction product sustainability. The results have shown that standard steel has the highest impact (176.87 μPt), followed by 40 % scrap steel (137.46 μPt), 60 % scrap steel (104.36 μPt), ‘carbon-free’ steel (76.14 μPt), and 100 % scrap steel (38.17 μPt). The climate change indicator is found to be one of the most sensitive for steel production. The selection of ‘carbon-free’ or 100 % scrap steel permits a decrease of impacts by 70 % and 84 %, respectively. The study concludes that the choice of steel is a fundamental point in reducing the environmental impact of construction products such as steel-made radiators within the whole life cycle perspective. Furthermore, the results obtained through the EN 15804 method, tailored explicitly for the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), can be reused or taken as a starting point for further studies in the environmental labelling sector

RFID technology for blood tracking: An experimental approach for benchmarking different devices

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper is to design a testing protocol to measure performances of RFID devices applied to blood supply chain, and to implement an experimental campaign in order to collect performance data. The protocol matches operational conditions in blood supply chain and is particularly tailored to some critical processes, which can benefit from RFID adoption. The paper thus strives at benchmarking performances of inlays, fixed and handheld RFID readers, when deployed in the blood supply chain processes. DESIGN, METHODOLOGY, APPROACH: The adopted testing protocol enables the assessment of performances of RFID devices in processes of the blood supply chain, since it has been developed peculiarly to emulate critical logistics processes. The testing protocol has been designed jointly with hospital personnel involved in every day operations on blood bags and tubes in order to improve processes, in terms of safety and reliability. The testing protocol has been applied to 3 inlays, 2 fixed readers, 1 mobile handheld in 3 logistics processes, all operating according to UHF EPC class 1 gen 2 protocols and ETSI regulations. We measured and compared read rates, accuracies and read times. FINDINGS: The results of the test give a direct insight of performances to be expected from different RFID devices when deployed in a real-world environment. Therefore, it is possible to give answers to how a specific piece of hardware - such as an inlay or a reader - performs, and how it can be effectively used to improve security of patients in healthcare. At the same time, researchers focusing on the business process reengineering of blood supply chain can assess the technical feasibility of the RFID-reengineered logistics processes in order to improve the safety of end users

COVID-19 Effects on Cultural Heritage: The Case of Villa Adriana and Villa D'Este

The paper aims to provide a clarification of assessing insurance risk related to an asset owned by a subject under public law and, more specifically, to an economic cultural asset. This study is aligned with key aspects proposed by the EU for the protection of the cultural heritage from natural disasters. In the first place, given the peculiarity of the material inherent to cultural heritage, a motivation underlies the search for the correlation between the latter and the commonality. Secondly, it appeared necessary to verify the differences, similarities and importance of the economic management of cultural heritage in order to understand the social, economic, material and intangible importance of an asset managed in an economic way within a social axis (municipality). The third reason relates to the general severity and the risk and subsequent damage that a hazard, such as a pandemic outbreak (COVID-19), can cause on one or more cultural heritage. In the final analysis, perhaps the most meaningful aspect underlies the verification of the possible consequences in the analysis of summations of losses generated by a hazard in order to allow a prospect of what could be the consequences of such a catastrophic scenario