| 1. |
- Pemunta, Ngambouk Vitalis, Dr, 1973-
(author)
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The logic of benevolent capitalism : the duplicity of Sithe Global Sustainable Oils Cameroon land grab and deforestation scheme as sustainable investment
- 2018
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In: International Journal of Global Environmental Issues. - : InderScience Publishers. - 1466-6650 .- 1741-5136. ; 17:1, s. 80-109
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This ethnographic study documents the concurrent debates pitting neoliberal ideology promoting economic growth and the generation of employment opportunities championed by the agro-industrial giant Herakles Farms, alongside the World Bank and the government of Cameroon - inherent in the establishment of a 73,086 ha oil palm plantation in Southwest Cameroon against the need for sustainable environment advocated for by local communities, NGOs and their transnational allies. Claims of benevolent capitalism are at odds with the perception and experiences of home loss and environmental degradation orchestrated by this project. The dissonance between the discourses and claims of benevolent capitalism with the perception and experiences of home loss and environmental degradation orchestrated by this project demonstrates that the neoliberal discourse of capitalist benevolence is a self-interested discourse that benefits the powerful at the expense of the subaltern. Local people should be empowered to negotiate with multinational corporations, laws recognising customary land rights instituted and implemented.
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| 2. |
- Bjerketorp, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Formulation and stabilization of an Arthrobacter strain with good storage stability and 4-chlorophenol-degradation activity for bioremediation
- 2018
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In: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0175-7598 .- 1432-0614. ; 102:4, s. 2031-2040
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chlorophenols are widespread and of environmental concern due to their toxic and carcinogenic properties. Development of less costly and less technically challenging remediation methods are needed; therefore, we developed a formulation based on micronized vermiculite that, when air-dried, resulted in a granular product containing the 4-chlorophenol (4-CP)-degrading Gram-positive bacterium Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6. This formulation and stabilization method yielded survival rates of about 60% that remained stable in storage for at least 3 months at 4 °C. The 4-CP degradation by the formulated and desiccated A. chlorophenolicus A6 cells was compared to that of freshly grown cells in controlled-environment soil microcosms. The stabilized cells degraded 4-CP equally efficient as freshly grown cells in two different set-ups using both hygienized and non-treated soils. The desiccated microbial product was successfully employed in an outdoor pot trial showing its effectiveness under more realistic environmental conditions. No significant phytoremediation effects on 4-CP degradation were observed in the outdoor pot experiment. The 4-CP degradation kinetics from both the microcosms and the outdoor pot trial were used to generate a predictive model of 4-CP biodegradation potentially useful for larger-scale operations, enabling better bioremediation set-ups and saving of resources. This study also opens up the possibility of formulating and stabilizing also other Arthrobacter strains possessing different desirable pollutant-degrading capabilities.
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| 3. |
- Ambashta, Ritu D., et al.
(author)
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Supported iron-based catalysts under influence of static magnetic field for the removal of TBP and EDTA
- 2015
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In: Desalination and Water Treatment. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1944-3994 .- 1944-3986. ; 54:10, s. 2700-2709
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Zerovalent metals offer decontamination of organic toxins in aqueous medium. In the present study, alumina-based iron and iron-nickel in the presence and the absence of magnetic field for the decontamination of tributyl phosphate (TBP) and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) has been compared. TBP decontamination was improved in the presence of zerovalent metals. EDTA decontamination was not enhanced in the presence of zerovalent metals. The decontamination of TBP using iron-based alumina was higher than iron-nickel. The surface interaction on alumina surface, as characterized by attentuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the surface interaction on metallic elements, as characterized by evaluating the magnetic moment values helped to understand the reason for the difference in role of alumina-based iron and iron-nickel on decontamination of TBP and EDTA.
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| 4. |
- Stenis, Jan, et al.
(author)
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A Theoretical Model for Ore Mining Waste Management with regard to Pollution of Food Webs in Water Bodies
- 2019
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In: Madridge Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. - : Madridge Publishers. - 2643-5500. ; 2:1, s. 48-50
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dam disasters occur sometimes frequently around the world as they did recently in 2015 and 2019 in Minas Gerais, Brazil. As a result, hundreds of families were displaced, and many cities suffered from water shortages. The study aimed to reduce ore mining waste pollutions in rivers and ocean currents and therefore mitigate their impact on the food webs. A model based on the equality principle named EUROPE (Efficient Use of Resources for Optimal Production Economy) was used to estimate shadow costs of economic systems. It was applied to ore mining wastes management in order to mitigate their negative impact on rivers and oceans. As a result, it gave a comprehensive picture of that management system in economic, technical as well as environmental terms.
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| 5. |
- Fatima, Masoom, et al.
(author)
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A review on biocatalytic decomposition of azo dyes and electrons recovery
- 2017
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In: Journal of Molecular Liquids. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0167-7322 .- 1873-3166. ; 246, s. 275-281
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Discharge of waste water from textile industry during coloring processes contains high concentrations of biologically difficult-to-degrade dye chemicals along with antifouling agents. Azo dyes considered to be the largest class of synthetic dyes used in the textile industries and are present in significant amounts in its effluents. These are highly stable because of its complex aromatic structure and covalent azo bonds. Traditional physico-chemical methods are not considered sufficient because of their high cost, partial degradation and more sludge production. The use of biocatalysts for decolorization is a gaining momentum due to having redox-active molecules. Current review explored techniques for the decomposition of textile dyes, their merits, limitations and recommended the emerging microbial fuel cell technology followed by aerobic treatment for complete degradation of dye intermediate metabolites.
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| 6. |
- Gewert, Berit, 1989-
(author)
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Chemical Pollutants Released to the Marine Environment by Degradation of Plastic Debris
- 2018
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Since the beginning of the mass production in the 1940s, plastic has been manufactured in quickly increasing amounts. Plastic debris accumulates in the environment and lately much attention has been drawn to the pollution in the world’s oceans. Despite the rapid development and ubiquitous presence of plastic, degradation in the marine environment and potential risks associated with plastic are not fully understood. Thus, these knowledge gaps were addressed in this thesis, which adds information about exposure and hazards of marine plastic debris.Although sampling studies have been conducted all over the world, the concentrations of plastic debris in the Baltic Sea have hardly been investigated. In Paper I, the level and distribution of plastic debris in the Stockholm Archipelago were assessed. Plastic concentrations were higher close to suspected point sources compared to remote areas. Fibers accounted for the most common form and the predominant polymer types were polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE).In Paper II, the literature was critically reviewed for the most important degradation pathways for plastic under environmentally relevant conditions. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, leading to photo-oxidation, is the most important initiating factor for buoyant plastic. Consequently, a UV lamp was used in Paper III for an artificial weathering setup in the laboratory to degrade pristine plastics and analyze the chemical leachates by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for degradation products using a nontarget approach. Carboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids of polymer fragments were the most commonly identified degradation products of the plastic polymers, confirming predictions made in Paper II.To evaluate potential hazards posed by leachates from weathering plastic debris to marine organisms, an acute toxicity screening study with Nitocra spinipes was conducted in Paper IV. Field-exposed plastic and the corresponding newly purchased plastic were artificially aged with the same weathering setup as in Paper III. Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and PP leachates were generally most toxic, while leachates from polystyrene (PS) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were least toxic among the tested materials. For plastics, which were supposed to contain only few additives, we observed no difference in toxicity between leachates from the field-exposed and the newly purchased plastic. However, the other plastic products exposed to the marine environment were more toxic than their corresponding newly bought products. This indicates that the toxicity of the leachates not only depends on the polymer type, but also on the weathering condition of the plastic.
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| 7. |
- Mendez, V., et al.
(author)
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Novel hydrocarbonoclastic metal-tolerant Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas strains from Aconcagua river oil-polluted soil
- 2017
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In: Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. - 0718-9516. ; 17:4, s. 1074-1087
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bioremediation of sites polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals is a major challenge. The aim of this study was the isolation and characterization of hydrocarbon-degrading and heavy metal-tolerant bacteria. Sixteen hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria were isolated by enrichment from a crude oil-contaminated soil at Aconcagua river mouth, Central Chile. Most strains were cocci-shaped and exhibited circular cream-colored colonies with smooth texture. Isolates were resistant to bacitracin and penicillin, and two isolates were motile. Isolates were identified by 16S rRNA and rpoD and rpoB genes sequence analyses. Most isolates belonged to Gammaproteobacteria including Acinetobacter radioresistens (4 isolates), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (1), Pseudomonas stutzeri (2) and Pseudomonas chloritidismutans (1). Seven isolates possessed 97% 16S rRNA gene similarity with A. calcoaceticus ATCC 23055T, suggesting that these probably represent a new Acinetobacter species. One isolate is an Actinobacteria of the Kocuria genus. All isolates were able to grow on crude oil, whereas eleven Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas strains grew on n-hexadecane. Pseudomonas isolates grew on fluorene (DM88 and DM95) and naphthalene (DD74). Acinetobacter isolates grew on fluorene (DD75, DD79 and DM81) and phenanthrene (DM82). Remarkably, most isolates (except DD79) exhibited copper or cadmium tolerance. These novel hydrocarbonoclastic and heavy metal-tolerant Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter strains are potential biocatalysts for bioremediation.
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| 8. |
- Ermolaev, Evgheni, et al.
(author)
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Effects of moisture on emissions of methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide from food and garden waste composting
- 2019
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In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 240
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Globally, waste generation is continually increasing, with landfill as the main destination for biological waste. Composting is a simple alternative for handling waste, but when poorly managed poses a risk of greenhouse gas emissions. The moisture content of substrate affects emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from composting, but the scale and mechanisms behind these effects are poorly understood. This study examined effects of different moisture levels (44-66%) on CH4, N2O and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during 20 days of composting food and garden waste under controlled conditions (55 degrees C, 16% oxygen) in a 200-L reactor. Total CO2 emissions were 400-500 g CO2-C kg(-1) initial C. Total CH4 emissions were highest, 35 g CH4-C kg(-1) initial C, for the wettest substrate (66% moisture) and decreased exponentially with declining moisture content, with the lowest total emissions, 0.04 g CH4-C kg(-1) initial C, observed with the driest substrate. Total N2O emissions were negatively correlated with moisture content, decreasing from 1.2 g N2O-N kg(-1) initial N at 44% moisture to 0.3 g N2O-N kg(-1) initial N at 59%, but the wettest substrate (66% moisture) had the highest N2O emissions, 1.4 g N2O-N kg(-1) initial N. NH4-N accumulated in the wettest material, suggesting that the increased N2O emissions were due to reduced oxygen availability. The results indicate potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large-scale composting by adjusting the moisture content at different stages of composting, thus lowering its overall environmental impact. This finding can be used in guidelines for large-scale composting process to avoid moisture conditions causing large greenhouse gas emissions. Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Karlsson, Emma, 1980-
(author)
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Compositional clues to sources and sinks of terrestrial organic matter transported to the Eurasian Arctic shelf
- 2015
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The amount of organic carbon (OC) present in Siberian Arctic permafrost soils is estimated at twice the amount of carbon currently in the atmosphere. The shelf seas of the Arctic Ocean receive large amounts of this terrestrial OC from Eurasian Arctic rivers and from coastal erosion. Degradation of this land-derived material in the sea would result in the production of dissolved carbon dioxide and may then add to the atmospheric carbon dioxide reservoir. Observations from the Siberian Arctic suggest that transfer of carbon from land to the marine environment is accelerating. However, it is not clear how much of the transported OC is degraded and oxidized, nor how much is removed from the active carbon cycle by burial in marine sediment.Using bulk geochemical parameters, total OC, d13C and D14C isotope composition, and specific molecular markers of plant wax lipids and lignin phenols, the abundance and composition of OC was determined in both dissolved and particulate carrier phases: the colloidal OC (COC; part of the dissolved OC), particulate OC (POC), and sedimentary OC (SOC). Statistical modelling was used to quantify the relative contribution of OC sources to these phases. Terrestrial OC is derived from the seasonally thawing top layer of permafrost soil (topsoil OC) and frozen OC derived from beneath the active layer eroded at the coast, commonly identified as yedoma ice complex deposit OC (yedoma ICD-OC). These carbon pools are transported differently in the aquatic conduits. Topsoil OC was found in young DOC and POC, in the river water, and the shelf water column, suggesting long-distance transport of this fraction. The yedoma ICD-OC was found as old particulate OC that settles out rapidly to the underlying sediment and is laterally transported across the shelf, likely dispersed by bottom nepheloid layer transport or via ice rafting.These two modes of OC transport resulted in different degradation states of topsoil OC and yedoma ICD-OC. Terrestrial CuO oxidation derived biomarkers indicated a highly degraded component in the COC. In contrast, the terrestrial component of the SOC was much less degraded. In line with earlier suggestions the mineral component in yedoma ICD functions as weight and surface protection of the associated OC, which led to burial in the sediment, and limited OC degradation. The degradability of the terrestrial OC in shelf sediment was also addressed in direct incubation studies. Molecular markers indicate marine OC (from primary production) was more readily degraded than terrestrial OC. Degradation was also faster in sediment from the East Siberian Sea, where the marine contribution was higher compared to the Laptev Sea. Although terrestrial carbon in the sediment was degraded slower, the terrestrial component also contributed to carbon dioxide formation in the incubations of marine sediment.These results contribute to our understanding of the marine fate of land-derived OC from the Siberian Arctic. The mobilization of topsoil OC is expected to grow in magnitude with climate warming and associated active layer deepening. This translocated topsoil OC component was found to be highly degraded, which suggests degradation during transport and a possible contribution to atmospheric carbon dioxide. Similarly, the yedoma ICD-OC (and or old mineral soil carbon) may become a stronger source with accelerated warming, but slow degradation may limit its impact on active carbon cycling in the Siberian Shelf Seas.
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