| 1. |
- Martin, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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Developing Adequate Communication of Waste Footprints of Products for a Circular Economy—A Stakeholder Consultation.
- 2018
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI. - 2079-9276. ; :78
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Relatively few consumers are conscious of the waste generated in the course of producing the goods that they consume, although most are aware of the amount of waste they dispose of. This article reports on a small-scale survey (N = 28) among stakeholders aimed at developing adequate communication of preconsumer waste footprints of consumer goods in the context of the circular economy. Life cycle assessment (LCA) practitioners and consumers assessed five methodological details of an approach for calculating and communicating a product waste footprint (PWF). Most of the respondents expressed that the guidelines described in the proposed PWF methodology are good enough for the purposes of differentiating waste and byproducts, and defining which material flow shall be accounted for. Some LCA practitioners declared that the proposed streamlined method may not be adequate for conveying the environmental significance of waste types. The respondents also expressed that the PWF concept would be primarily useful and/or needed for consumers and government, and in the contexts of improving environmental awareness of consumers, environmental policy making, visualizing waste flows in a circular economy, and improving resource efficiency in industry, and less useful/needed in a business-to-business context. The PWF has been successfully used by diverse stakeholder groups in Sweden mostly to promote sustainable production and consumption across society. A notable example is the ‘invisible waste’ (#invisiblewaste) campaign of the Swedish Waste Management Association (Avfall Sverige). The concerns of the LCA experts have therefore not held true. The symbolic power and parsimony of the PWF concept appears to be effective in sensitizing consumers towards waste issues so that circular economy strategies beyond recycling are possible to be fully realized.
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| 2. |
- Vassileva, Iana, 1983-, et al.
(författare)
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From Goals to Action : The Efforts for Increasing Energy Efficiency and Integration of Renewable Sources in Eskilstuna, Sweden
- 2015
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 4:3, s. 548-565
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cities’ energy usage accounts for two thirds of global primary energy consumption. Energy efficiency in urban areas is, therefore, one of the most important topics to consider when dealing with urban sustainability. This paper evaluates the goals for increasing energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources in the areas of transportation, buildings and consumers’ awareness, as stated in the Climate action plan, for the municipality of Eskilstuna, Sweden. The efforts of the municipality to successfully reach their energy efficiency goals, are described in this paper including future perspectives. The results show that although the municipality counts with the advantage of owning and working together with the local housing company and energy provider, in order to reach the established goals, additional strategies need to be considered. For an increased use of renewable energy sources, analysis of rooftops suitable for photovoltaic (PV) installation should be carried out as well as the integration of goals for self-consumption. In the transport field, the city needs to prepare for large-scale electric vehicle (EV) market penetration and to consider different bike or car sharing options. Finally, more specific awareness campaigns are needed to engage the citizens in reducing their energy consumption and living a more sustainable life.
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| 3. |
- Bergström, Pauline, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainability Assessment of Food Redistribution Initiatives in Sweden
- 2020
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Food banks that redistribute surplus food from retailers and the food industry to people in need are not a new concept globally, but their connection to food waste prevention is new. As a result, new types of food redistribution units are emerging and diversifying to find new target groups and distribution methods. The aim of this study was to identify and study surplus food redistribution units in Sweden,and then to assess the impact on several sustainability indicators for selected redistribution units, in order to increase knowledge on the types of values these redistribution concepts generate. The methods used for analyzing the scenarios were Environmental Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Costing and Social Life Cycle Assessment. The results showed that providing food bags to socially exposed people generated the largest reduction of greenhouse gas emissions per kg of redistributed food (−1.2 kg CO2eq./FU). Reprocessing surplus food to a high-quality end-product was attributed a high social value, due to job creation effects in the high number of working hours required per kg of redistributed food. With regard to economic impacts, all but two scenarios studied had monthly financial losses,and therefore needed other sources of financial support.
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| 4. |
- Bett, Cheruioyt Rawlynce, et al.
(författare)
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Cattle Breeds: Extinction or Quasi-Extant?
- 2013
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 2, s. 335-357
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract: Uniquely selected breeds bred over thousands of years of domestication in a wide range of environments have been declared extinct over the last century. Still more breeds are at risk of becoming extinct and the rate continues to accelerate. Assessing the current status and possible future dynamics of livestock breeds is therefore a critical step in the management of Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR). This study applies a qualitative approach to comprehensively analyze cattle genetic resources in selected countries in order to better understand the risk status of cattle breeds and those that need to be considered extinct and/or quasi-extant. The status of each breed, i.e., not at risk, critical, endangered and extinct, was verified using information available at the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS) web site, as well as cattle statistics (where available) and a breed survey. In most examples, breeds listed as extinct have played important roles in the development of new breeds, and should not be classified as extinct, unless proven otherwise, given that even breeds existing in vivo are developing. Therefore, a new risk status quasi-extant for this category of cattle breeds is suggested. In addition, based on the findings of this study, the concept of breed needs to be questioned as relates to it being a good measure of genetic diversity. Further investigations of the situation of cattle breeds (and other livestock species) in more countries/continents using similar categories are deemed necessary.
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| 5. |
- Drielsma, Johannes A., et al.
(författare)
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Abiotic raw-materials in life cycle impact assessments: An emerging consensus across disciplines
- 2016
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI. - 2079-9276. ; 5:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper captures some of the emerging consensus points that came out of the workshop "Mineral Resources in Life Cycle Impact Assessment: Mapping the path forward", held at the Natural History Museum London on 14 October 2015: that current practices rely in many instances on obsolete data, often confuse resource depletion with impacts on resource availability, which can therefore provide inconsistent decision support and lead to misguided claims about environmental performance. Participants agreed it would be helpful to clarify which models estimate depletion and which estimate availability, so that results can be correctly reported in the most appropriate framework. Most participants suggested that resource availability will be more meaningfully addressed within a comprehensive Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment framework rather than limited to an environmental Life Cycle Assessment or Footprint. Presentations from each of the authors are available for download [1].
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| 6. |
- Eller, Franziska, et al.
(författare)
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Biomethane yield from different European Phragmites australis genotypes, compared with other herbaceous wetland species grown at different fertilization regimes
- 2020
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Ingår i: Resources. - Basel : MDPI. - 2079-9276. ; 9:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia, T. angustifolia and Arundo donax are tall wetland graminoids with the potential to replace fossil fuels under sustainable cultivation conditions. We investigated the biomethane (CH4) production of these four species, including four different genotypes of P. australis, which represent the high intraspecific diversity of European reed. All plants were grown under three different macronutrient supplies (no nutrients added, an equivalent of 75 kg N ha−1 year−1 added and an equivalent of 500 kg N ha−1 year−1 added). Biomethane production was measured in four independent batch digestion tests. Across all experiments, fertilization regime had little effect on CH4 yield, which was on average 222 ± 31 L kg−1 volatile solids (VS). The lowest yield was produced by T. angustifolia (140 L kgVS−1) receiving no nutrients, while the highest yield was produced by A. donax (305 L kgVS−1) in the highest nutrient treatment. The intraspecific diversity of P. australis did not affect biomethane production. All P. australis genotypes produced on average 226 ± 19 L CH4 kgVS−1, which, although high, was still lower than conventional biogas species. The biomass production of P. australis was less increased by fertilization than that of Typha sp. and A. donax, but all species had similar biomass without fertilization.
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| 7. |
- Finnveden, Göran, et al.
(författare)
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Exergy as a Measure of Resource Use in Life Cycle Assessment and Other Sustainability Assessment Tools
- 2016
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 5:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A thermodynamic approach based on exergy use has been suggested as a measure for the use of resources in Life Cycle Assessment and other sustainability assessment methods. It is a relevant approach since it can capture energy resources, as well as metal ores and other materials that have a chemical exergy expressed in the same units. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the use of the thermodynamic approach in case studies and to compare the results with other approaches, and thus contribute to the discussion of how to measure resource use. The two case studies are the recycling of ferrous waste and the production and use of a laptop. The results show that the different methods produce strikingly different results when applied to case studies, which indicates the need to further discuss methods for assessing resource use. The study also demonstrates the feasibility of the thermodynamic approach. It identifies the importance of both energy resources, as well as metals. We argue that the thermodynamic approach is developed from a solid scientific basis and produces results that are relevant for decision-making. The exergy approach captures most resources that are considered important by other methods. Furthermore, the composition of the ores is shown to have an influence on the results. The thermodynamic approach could also be further developed for assessing a broader range of biotic and abiotic resources, including land and water.
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| 8. |
- Gałaś, Andrzej, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of Covid-19 on the Mining Sector and Raw Materials Security in Selected European Countries
- 2021
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI. - 2079-9276. ; 10:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Events that change the global economy rapidly, without warning, in principle strongly affect mining, which is one of the pillars of global development. After the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic, the mining pillar seems to be relatively stable. In this study, thanks to the meeting of an international team, it was possible to collect and compare a set of data on the impact on mining. In contrast to the general assessments of the stability of the mining sector, the authors decided to assess the impact of Covid-19 at individual stages of the mining project life cycle. In this way, it was possible to identify the most impacted fragments of the mining pillar. It was assessed that the highest influence of Covid-19 is observed in projects implementing feasibility studies and in projects for the development of new mines. The same is true of extracting residual resources in mines prior to the closure decision. The medium impact was confirmed at the exploration and discovery stage. The authors conclude that the impact on the current mining production is smaller and the effects in this case are short term, which is mainly due to a continued strong demand for minerals in China, which has balanced the weaker demand in other parts of the world. On the other hand, stopping the exploration and development of new mines will have a long-term impact, including an increased possibility of disruption of the future security of supplies of raw materials.
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| 9. |
- Gauffin, Alicia, et al.
(författare)
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The Global Societal Steel Scrap Reserves and Amounts of Losses
- 2016
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 5:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study a newly developed method called the Progressing and Backcasting models were used to evaluate the annual resource utilizations of steel scrap in Sweden and globally. The model results show that it is possible to assess the amounts of steel scrap available for steelmaking at a given point in time, based on statistical dynamic material flow models. By a better mapping of the available amounts of steel scrap reserves on a country basis, it is possible to ease the trade of scrap across country boarders. This in turn can optimize the supply of recyclable metals as a raw material used in the industry. The results for Swedish steel consumption show that export bans used to secure the domestic market of steel scrap do damage the internal market due to increased amounts of losses. This suggests that export bans should be lifted to optimize recycling in countries. The model results also show that the global losses of steel are higher than for an industrialized country such as Sweden. Furthermore, the results show that the Backcasting and Progressing models can be used to calculate robust forecasts on the long term availability of steel scrap assets. This information could be used for future structural plans of scrap consuming steelmaking mills and waste management facilities. Hence, it is possible to contribute to a sustainable industrial development and a circular economy.
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| 10. |
- Ghosh, Ruchira, et al.
(författare)
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Urban water security assessment using an integrated metabolism approach – case study of the National Capital Territory of Delhi in India
- 2019
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Ingår i: Resources. - Switzerland : MDPI. - 2079-9276. ; 8:2, s. 1-15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Water is a non substitutable resource and a social good, which governments must perforce provide to its citizens in the right quantity and quality. An integrated urban metabolism model is useful in understanding the status quo of an urban water and sanitation system. By defining and measuring the values of relevant hydrological performance indicators-deliverables of the model referred to-a thorough knowledge of the present performance and the gaps, which need to be plugged en route to a sustainable urban water infrastructure, can be obtained, as demonstrated in this paper. This then forms the bedrock for decision-making and policy formulation for change to be introduced top-down as well as advice, which would enable the much needed bottom-up support to policies. The authors have chosen Delhi as the case study city, but would like to point out that this application can be reproduced for any other town/city/region of the world. The water balance within the chosen system boundaries shows that the annual unutilized flows, amounting to 1443 million cubic meters, dominate the metabolic flows of water in Delhi, and the annual groundwater withdrawal, which exceeds 420 million cubic meters, is much greater than the recharge rate, resulting in a rapid depletion of the groundwater level. There is an urgent need thereby to improve the rate of infiltration of stormwater and reduce the rate of runoff by focusing on increasing the share of permeable surfaces in the city, as well as to consider the wastewater streams as potential sources of water, while not forgetting demand side of management measures, as the pressure on the urban water system in the city is likely to intensify with a combination of population growth, economic development, and climate change in the near future. The recommendations provided by the authors towards the end of the article, can, if suitable measures are undertaken and robust policies are implemented, result in Delhi's enjoying a water surplus in the short term, and progressively attain complete sustainability with regard to the utilization of its water resources.
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| 11. |
- Gutberlet, Jutta, et al.
(författare)
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Waste Picker Organizations and Their Contribution to the Circular Economy: Two Case Studies from a Global South Perspective
- 2017
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 6:4, s. 52-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The discussion on the circular economy (CE) has attracted a rising interest within global policy and business as a way of increasing the sustainability of production and consumption. Yet the literature mostly portrays a Global North perspective. There is a diverse spectrum of community-based organizations playing important roles in resource recovery and transformation, particularly, but not only, in Global South countries, providing innovative examples for grassroots involvement in waste management and in the CE. This article proposes to add a Southern lens, situated in the context of waste picker organizations, to the concept of CE. The discursive framework in this article couples ecological economy (EE) with social/solidarity economy (SSE), focusing not only on environmental sustainability but also on social, economic, political and cultural dimensions involved in production, consumption and discard. We acknowledge that grassroots movements contribute to policy making and improve urban waste management systems. The paper outlines two empirical studies (Argentina, Brazil) that illustrate how waste picker organizations perform selective waste collection services, engage with municipalities and industries, and practice the CE. The research reveals that social and political facets need to be added to the debate about the CE, linking environmental management and policy with community development and recognizing waste pickers as protagonists in the CE. Our findings emphasize a need for a change of persisting inequalities in public policy by recognizing the importance of popular waste management praxis and knowledge, ultimately redefining the CE.
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| 12. |
- Keskitalo, E. Carina H., et al.
(författare)
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Why Organization May Be the Primary Limitation to Implementing Sustainability at the Local Level : Examples from Swedish Case Studies
- 2017
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 6:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Much of the effort to address environmental issues at the local level has focused on defining principles and aims rather than addressing the operational difficulties of implementation. Drawing upon insights from sustainability scholarship, this study reviews two cases: the development of a Swedish standard for implementing sustainable development at municipality, county council, and regional levels, and attempts by a small rural municipality to establish a process towards implementing the Aalborg Commitments. The research illustrates the specific organizational and managerial complexity of these case study experiences. It concludes that an organizational focus on integration and mainstreaming deserves particular attention to achieve broader sustainability, or related environmental or adaptation goals. The results, in particular, highlight the role that integrated management systems can play for sustainability work at the local level.
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| 13. |
- Machacek, Erika, et al.
(författare)
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Governance and Risk–Value Constructions in Closing Loops of Rare Earth Elements in Global Value Chains
- 2017
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 6:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article addresses a research gap on the challenges—specifically risk and value—connected to realizing the potential for closing loops for rare earth elements (REE). We develop an analytical framework from conceptual elements of the global value chain (GVC) framework and the relational theory of risk to examine several empirical REE industry cases for loop closure. The aim of the paper is to identify how risk–value relationships are constructed by different actors as governance structures form in transactions prior to price setting and how these have impacts on the closure of REE loops. Often, REE loops are not closed, and we find that constructions of the risk–value relationship by industrial actors and by government agencies are unstable as they pursue different motivations, consequently hindering REE loop closure in GVCs. In light of this, we propose that governments mediate against the construction of risk–value relationships by facilitating information on the characteristics of end-of-life materials that qualify these for re-entry into loops.
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| 14. |
- Persson Osowski, Christine, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
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From Old Habits to New Routines : A Case Study of Food Waste Generation and Reduction in Four Swedish Schools
- 2022
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI. - 2079-9276. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Public food service organizations are large producers of food waste, which leads to greenhouse gas emissions and the waste of natural resources. The aim of the present article was to gain insight into reasons for food waste and possible solutions for lowering food waste in schools in Sweden. In order to do so, food waste quantification in school canteens in two Swedish municipalities and nine qualitative interviews with key actors were conducted. Both municipalities displayed a high degree of variation in food waste, but the common pattern was that serving waste constituted the largest fraction of food waste, followed by plate waste and storage waste, as well as a gradual decrease in food waste over time. Food waste was mainly a result of old, disadvantageous habits, such as overproduction due to forecasting difficulties, whereas new, better routines such as serving fewer options, better planning, and a less stressful environment are the key to lowering food waste. Because food waste varies from one case to the next, it becomes important to identify and measure the causes of food waste in each school in order to be able to establish tailor-made, conscious, and flexible food waste mitigation routines.
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| 15. |
- Schellens, Marie K., et al.
(författare)
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Critical Natural Resources : Challenging the Current Discourse and Proposal for a Holistic Definition
- 2018
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 7:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Studies on critical natural resources have grown in number over the last decade out of concern for resource availability and its potential impacts. Nonetheless, only a handful of studies explicitly define criticality for natural resources. Through a systematic literature review, we identified four main perspectives in the descriptions of critical natural resources: (1) economic importance is overemphasized at the expense of sociocultural and ecosystem support functions of natural resources; (2) a Western perspective dominates the research discourse; (3) apart from the field of economics, the debate lacks input from social sciences; and (4), non-renewable resources are overrepresented compared to renewables. Based on the current discourse and its apparent inclinations, we propose a new definition of criticality for natural resources aligned with risk theory. We argue for the need to balance out the perspectives described above to provide decision-makers with impartial information for the sustainable management of natural resources.
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| 16. |
- Simonsson, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Experiences from City-Scale Simulation of Thermal Grids
- 2021
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI. - 2079-9276. ; 10:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dynamic simulation of district heating and cooling networks has an increased importance in the transition towards renewable energy sources and lower temperature district heating grids, as both temporal and spatial behavior need to be considered. Even though much research and development has been performed in the field, there are several pitfalls and challenges towards dynamic district heating and cooling simulation for everyday use. This article presents the experiences from developing and working with a city-scale simulator of a district heating grid located in Luleå, Sweden. The grid model in the case study is a physics based white-box model, while consumer models are either data-driven black-box or gray-box models. The control system and operator models replicate the manual and automatic operation of the combined heat and power plant. Using the functional mock-up interface standard, a co-simulation environment integrates all the models. Further, the validation of the simulator is discussed. Lessons learned from the project are presented along with future research directions, corresponding to identified gaps and challenges.
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| 17. |
- Vassileva, Iana, et al.
(författare)
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Consumers' Perspective on Full-Scale Adoption of Smart Meters : A Case Study in Vasteras, Sweden
- 2016
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 5:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Large-scale deployment of reliable smart electricity metering networks has been considered as the first step towards a smart, integrated and efficient grid. On the consumer's side, however, the real impact is still uncertain and limited. This paper evaluates the consumer's perspective in the city of Vasteras, Sweden, where full implementation of smart meters has been reached. New services, such as consumption feedback and the possibility to choose dynamic electricity pricing contracts, have been available from the adoption of this infrastructure. A web-based survey evaluating customers' perception of these new services was carried out. The survey included consumers' personal information, preferences about the type of information and the frequency of delivery and the preference for electricity pricing contracts. The results showed that the electricity consumption information offered by distribution system operators (DSOs) today is not detailed enough for customers to react accordingly. Additionally, while variable pricing contracts are becoming more popular, the available pricing schemes do not encourage customers to increase their consumption flexibility. Therefore, more detailed information from the smart meters should be made available, including disaggregated electricity consumption per appliance that would allow consumers to have more control over their energy consumption activities.
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| 18. |
- Wårell, Linda
(författare)
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Mineral Deposits Safeguarding and Land Use Planning—The Importance of Creating Shared Value
- 2021
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI. - 2079-9276. ; 10:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- During the last few decades many European countries have developed policies directed towards mineral deposit safeguarding. However, as other land uses often are in conflict with mineral deposit safeguarding, the implementation of these policies is many times more difficult in practice. The aim of this paper is to investigate the link between land use planning and mineral resources, when using a shared value perspective. The analysis is focused on the mineral-rich Nordic countries—Sweden, Norway and Finland—and a number of mining projects are analyzed. The analysis rests in Porter and Kramer’s arguments for the importance of creating shared values. The results indicate that a shared value perspective has been present in the analyzed case studies, as many of the key ways for creating shared value are identified in the projects. This illustrates the importance of linking social value to economic value in mining projects, even if this is not clearly stated in the relevant legislation. As it is often the unpredictability of the regulatory framework that hinders mineral extraction, it is suggested that Social Impact Assessments (or similar) are formalized in the regulatory framework to ensure that social value is linked more clearly to the land use process related to access to minerals.
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| 19. |
- Österlin, Carl, et al.
(författare)
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Fragmented Landscapes and Planscapes—The Double Pressure of Increasing Natural Resource Exploitation on Indigenous Sámi Lands in Northern Sweden
- 2020
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 9:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Human induced land-use change through natural resource extraction has significant ecological, social and cultural effects for indigenous communities. Indigenous rights, cultural practices and identities are strongly interconnected with traditional lands. In northern Sweden, the cumulative effects from natural resource extraction have become increasingly problematic for Sámi reindeer herding. Land use planning and permit processes are organized based on single projects or policy sectors, instead of the needs and rights involving reindeer herding. Existing research has demonstrated loss of ground and arboreal lichen, fragmentation of pastures and reindeer avoidance of otherwise valuable pastures due to disturbance caused by competing land uses. There is however a lack of synthesis of the amount and scale of encroachments on traditional Sámi territories in Sweden so far. Likewise, while research has looked at weaknesses of the sectoral regulations in terms of cumulative impact assessment and the inadequate recognition of Sámi reindeer herding rights, no studies have analyzed the meta-pressure caused by the fragmented planning regime as a whole, as the amount of regulations regarding different land use sectors and permitting processes increases with each new type of competing activity. Through the concept of double pressure caused by the inter-related processes of fragmented landscapes and fragmented ‘planscapes’, this study seeks to capture the actual pressure the affected communities are currently experiencing. Using multiple quantitative and qualitative data sets consisting of Geographical Information Systems, policy documents, workshops discussions and interviews, we study how natural resource extraction like mining and wind energy has increased on traditional indigenous Sámi lands in northern Sweden. By expanding the analytical focus from today’s landscapes to both planscapes and the pressure from not-yet realized future projects, our results highlight the need for a holistic understanding of the situation reindeer herding is facing, calling for more relevant and legitimate land use permitting and planning mechanisms to reduce the industrial pressure on the landscape, and to address the social injustices caused by today’s planscape.
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| 20. |
- Bazargan, Mohsen, et al.
(författare)
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Elastic Wave Propagation in a Stainless-Steel Standard and Verification of a COMSOL Multiphysics Numerical Elastic Wave Toolbox
- 2022
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 11:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Laboratory-based elastic wave measurements are commonly used to quantify the seismic properties of Earth’s crust and upper mantle. Different types of laboratory apparatuses are available for such measurements, simulating seismic properties at different pressure and temperature. To complement such laboratory measurements, we present a numerical toolbox to investigate the seismic properties of rock samples. The numerical model is benchmarked against experimental results from a multi-anvil apparatus, using measurements of a stainless steel calibration standard. Measured values of the mean compressional- and shear-wave velocities at room conditions of the steel block were 6.03 km/s and 3.26 km/s, respectively. Calculated numerical results predicted 6.12 km/s and 3.30 km/s for compressional and shear-wave velocities. Subsequently, we measured Vp and Vs up to 600 MPa hydrostatic confining pressure and 600 °C. These measurements, at pressure and temperature, were then used as the basis to predict numerical wave speeds. There is, in general, good agreement between measurement and predicted numerical results. The numerical method presented in this study serves as a flexible toolbox, allowing for the easy setup of different model geometries and composite materials.
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| 21. |
- Gisladottir, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Approaching the Study of Corruption and Natural Resources through Qualitative System Dynamics
- 2022
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-9276. ; 11:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The complexity and scale of the challenges posed by the climate crisis demand knowledge sharing and collaboration between a variety of academic disciplines to address them. In that regard, the way in which natural resources are used matters, and more information is needed on which regulatory framework and policy instruments foster their sustainable management. There is consensus that corruption can seriously obstruct social, economic, and political development. However, research on corruption has tended to be fragmented and investigating the concept itself is a challenging endeavor. Due to the complexity of corruption as a research subject, we argue that in seeking to explore and understand corruption, researchers would benefit from using a framework that facilitates an interdisciplinary and process-oriented approach. This paper suggests that the method of system dynamics can be applied to advance the academic discourse on corruption in relation to natural resources, since it seeks to improve understanding and learning in complex systems in an illustrative manner. More specifically, it offers a platform to explore feedback processes between the different social, economic, and ecological dimensions which ultimately produce undesirable behavior or patterns. The paper outlines how corruption has been approached previously in the academic discourse. It then offers a tool to bridge knowledge from different fields on natural resources, in a way that allows for research from different fields to be integrated, and thus gaps are better identified. A process-oriented approach to exploring corruption in natural resource systems based on qualitative system dynamics methods can inform new questions and thus improve understanding about the conditions under which corruption occurs or corrupt behavior thrives.
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| 22. |
- Poelzer, Gregory A
(författare)
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Pursuing Alignment: A Comparison of Public Officials and Citizen Perception of Mine Development
- 2023
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Ingår i: Resources. - : MDPI. - 2079-9276. ; 12:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Maintaining legitimacy is a crucial objective for public officials to ensure effectiveness. Without legitimacy, political costs rise as the trust in government decreases and policy implementation is delayed; thus, officials handling resource development are encouraged to improve the acceptability of their processes. Therefore, it is essential for the government to understand the values and expectations of the citizens affected by resource development. Such an understanding assists the government in accomplishing its goals. This paper examines two cases, Norrbotten, Sweden, and Saskatchewan, Canada, both of which have established mining operations and similar regulatory frameworks and, during the commodities boom, experienced increased foreign investment and applications for new mines. While most mining projects in Saskatchewan faced little public opposition, some Norrbotten mines met contestation and protest. This paper utilizes survey data that focus on the perspectives of the residents close to the proposed mining operations, as well as interview data from public officials responsible for mine permitting, to examine the relationship between stakeholder influence and trust in government on the acceptability of mining.
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| 23. |
- Simões Dos Reis, Glaydson
(författare)
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Double-Layer Membranes of Chitosan and Sodium Alginate Added to Natural Olive Leaf Extract for Potential Use in Skin Lesions
- 2023
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Ingår i: Resources. - 2079-9276. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study seeks to enhance bilayer membranes using a combination of chitosan and sodium alginate (CS/SA) with phytochemical compounds extracted from olive leaves (CS/SA-OLE), intended for use as a skin dressing. Olive leaf extracts (OLE) were sustainably obtained and showed a phenolic composition of 114.49 mgGAE·g−1 and antioxidant activity of 94.25%. CS/AS and CS/SA-OLE were prepared using the casting method. The results showed that the addition of OLE improved the mechanical and barrier properties of the membranes. The elongation at break increased from 9.99 to 14.68%, and the water transmission rate reduced from 2207.78 to 2094.33 (g·m−2·24 h−1) after the addition of OLE. The FTIR spectra showed functional groups of phenolic compounds, and the thermogravimetric analysis showed that the addition of OLE improved the thermal stability of the membranes. In addition, the CS/SA-OLE membranes showed active potential with inhibition halos (12.19 mm) against the microorganism Escherichia coli. The membranes generated in this research, particularly those with the addition of natural extracts, exhibit significant promise for utilization as wound dressings.
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