Chapter 3 - The composting process

This timely book explores the complex relationship between the alleviation of poverty and the protection of the environment. There is every reason to believe that these issues are in many ways interdependent. However this book demonstrates that there are situations where alleviation of poverty and the protection of the environment appear to be in a fraught relationship. The contributing authors illustrate that the role played by law in this relationship, whether at the international or national level, will vary depending on the situation and will be more successful at pursuing environmental justice in some cases than in others.

A species sensitivity distribution (SSD) is a probability model of the variation of species sensitivities to a stressor, in particular chemical exposure. The SSD approach has been used as a decision support tool in environmental protection and management since the 1980s, and the ecotoxicological, statistical, and regulatory basis and applications continue to evolve. This article summarizes the findings of a 2014 workshop held by the European Centre for Toxicology and Ecotoxicology of Chemicals and the UK Environment Agency in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on the ecological relevance, statistical basis, and regulatory applications of SSDs. An array of research recommendations categorized under the topical areas of use of SSDs, ecological considerations, guideline considerations, method development and validation, toxicity data, mechanistic understanding, and uncertainty were identified and prioritized. A rationale for the most critical research needs identified in the workshop is provided. The workshop reviewed the technical basis and historical development and application of SSDs, described approaches to estimating generic and scenario-specific SSD-based thresholds, evaluated utility and application of SSDs as diagnostic tools, and presented new statistical approaches to formulate SSDs. Collectively, these address many of the research needs to expand and improve their application. The highest priority work, from a pragmatic regulatory point of view, is to develop a guidance of best practices that could act as a basis for global harmonization and discussions regarding the SSD methodology and tools. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:664-674. © 2016 SETAC.

New Tools for Environmental Protection: Education, Information and Voluntary Measures

This first part of this chapter offers an overview of today’s Brazilian energy sector, as well as a review of the government’s development plan for the sector until 2030. In addition, the availability of solar resource in the country is portrayed. The central sections are the steps and results of a case study, consisting of the design of a grid-connected rooftop photovoltaic system for a hypothetical sports building in South Brazil using three solar module technologies (amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and copper indium diselenide). Finally, conclusions are drawn considering the economic and technical feasibility of the three configurations of the case study, the estimated environmental impacts associated with them, as derived from reviewed studies, and the current policy context in Brazil. These technical and economic aspects can be to some extent extrapolated to countries with similar climate conditions and problems to overcome barriers towards a larger deployment of the photovoltaic technology. The expansion of the use of renewable energies as a tool for avoiding the depletion of non-renewable resources; the analysis of environmental impacts as a tool for environmental protection; the study of problems and opportunities in developing countries as part of the environmental planning, as well as sustainability appraisals, are widely discussed within the context of Environmental and Resource Management (BTU 2009).

Diet as a Healthy and Cost-Effective Instrument in Environmental Protection

Summary Countries in the Caribbean region face pressing environmental problems. A policy of environmental education should be pursued as a tool for helping to solve these environmental problems. The pursuit of an active governmental policy of environmental education provision is critical to achieving environmentally sound development. Therefore, the extent to which such provision forms part of a country's programme was assessed for a sample of eight Caribbean countries by consideration of their National Environmental Action Plans. Overall, environmental education has not been given a high priority, although some provisions for its incorporation have been made. Caribbean governments are aware of the need for environmental education as a tool for environmental protection, but the necessary provisions to implement the existing policies are yet to be made.

Tamarindus indica (tamarind) and Persea Americana (avocado) are tropical fruits. They are very nutritious foods contain fatty acids, vitamins, phytosterols and other phytochemicals. The extracts from fruit pulp and seeds can be used as an alternativ dietary supplement. In addition, they have been extensively used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Thus, the present study review the phytochemicals and medicinal uses of tamarind and avocado as sources of plant nutrients.

Field experiment was conducted at GKVK, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka to study the growth and yield parameters of mesta as influenced by varieties, spacing and nutrient sources.The plant height at harvest stage varied significantly due to different plant spacing, varieties and nutrient sources. Among the varieties, HS-108 recorded significantly higher plant height (275.5 cm) and total dry matter (25.01 g) than AMV-4. The seed yield differed significantly due to different plant spacing, varieties and nutrient sources. Among the varieties, AMV-4 recorded significantly higher seed yield (754.5 kg ha-1) than HS-108 (581.5 kg ha-1). Significantly higher seed yield was recorded under 45 cm x 10 cm spacing (687 kg ha-1) than 30 cm x 10 cm (649.5 kg ha-1). Further, application of 5 t of FYM per ha along with 40:20:20 kg NPK per ha fertilizer registered higher seed yield (698.0 kg ha-1) compared to 100 per cent N equivalent through FYM (625.5 kg ha-1). The fibre yield differed significantly due to different plant spacing, varieties and nutrient sources. Among the varieties, HS-108 recorded significantly higherfibre yield (948 kg ha-1) than AMV-4 (850 kg ha-1). Significantly higher fibre yield was recorded under 45 cm x 10 cm spacing (923 kg ha-1) than 30 cm x 10 cm (875 kg ha-1). Further, application of 5 t of FYM per ha along with 40:20:20 kg NPK per ha fertilizer registered higher fibre yield (962 kg ha-1) compared to 100 per cent N equivalent through FYM (803 kg ha-1). The interaction effects between varieties, plant spacing and nutrient sources were found to be significant.

Balance nutrient management is an approach to soil health management that combines organic and mineral methods of soil fertilization with physical and biological measures for soil and water conservation. The indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides along with improper nutrient management is deleterious to the plant and soil health, environment and human being who consume them. It also causes soil health deterioration and disturbs the soil microorganisms. Due to these practices, the plants also become susceptible to several biotic and abiotic stresses. The quality attributes of different fruits are badly affected due to indiscriminate application of inorganic agro-chemicals which results in quality deterioration with less consumer preference and low returns to the growers. Thus, adequate mineral nutrition is a pre-harvest factor affecting fruit quality. Therefore, it is a holistic approach based on usage of all possible sources of plant nutrients in an integrated manner is considered as alternative source to maintain soil fertility and plant nutrient supply for sustaining the desired crop productivity. Due to huge distinction in the nutrient use efficiency of perennial fruit crops, their nutrient management- based production system is characteristically intricate to understand. Integrated plant nutrient management aims to optimize the condition of the soil, with regard to its physical, chemical, biological and hydrological properties, for the purpose of enhancing farm productivity, whilst minimizing land degradation. There are studies that integrated nutrient management provide tangible benefits in terms of higher yields, but simultaneously and almost imperceptibly conserve the soil resource itself along with produce quality. The replenishment of soil nutrients lost by leaching and/or removed in harvested products through an integrated plant nutrition management approach that optimizes the benefits from all possible on- and off-farm sources of plant nutrients. The review on balanced fertilization on a variety of fruit crops revealed similar combinations. These observations provided a countrywide database that INM module which consists of nutrient sources having three-tier nutrient release pattern, has far reaching consequences on soil and plant health translating into real guard production sustainability, nearer to climate resilient fruit crops.

One of the measures being adopted for relieving environmental problems arising from agricultural production is to recycle animal manure and other organic products as fertilizers and soil amendment. In Japan, this is a usual practice among farmers. In this study, we evaluated the effects of chicken manure (PM), cattle manure (CM), swine manure (SM) and mixed manure (MM = PM + CM + SM) on the growth, dry matter yield, and nutrient [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)] uptake of rice (Oryza sativa Var. koshihikari). Four naturally infertile soils, andosol (A), red-yellow soil (RY), sandune soil (SD), and masatsuchi (M), were amended with 100 Mg ha−1 (dry weight) of each of the manure and allowed to stabilize for 4 weeks before rice was seeded. Changes in rice growth as indicated by plant height and number of leaves and tillers were monitored for 6 weeks, and the biomass yield was determined. Shoot samples were also analyzed for nutrient uptake. The amended A and RY soils produced the best effects on all the rice parameters studied. However, the number of rice leaves were significantly higher in RY than A. The manure effects on rice growth and biomass yield were ranked as CM > MM > SM > PM. Amending the soils with manure significantly delayed seedling emergence. Andosol amended with CM and MM produced significantly greater roots than with other manures. Masatsuchi amended with PM had lower shoot and root biomass than even the control. Among the manures, the uptake of all nutrients was highest in CM. The higher dry matter yield of rice in soils amended with CM and MM may be due to better nutrient balance and relatively lower levels of toxic factors in the material.

Soil serves as the growing medium and source of nutrients for plants. Vertisol soil, however, does bring with it some flaws particularly its physical characteristics. The application of organic fertilizer decomposed with Biofilm biofertilizer, thus, isexpected to improve the physical characteristics of soil and yield of mustard. The aim of the research is to study the effect of the dose of organic fertilizer decomposed by Biofilm biofertilizer to the betterment of Vertisol soil physical characteristics and the mustard yield. The experiment was completed in a field with Randomized Complete Block Design consisting of a single treatment factor in the form of Biofilm biofertilizer. The data obtained from the series of observations was analyzed based on the F test with 95% confidence level followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The variables of the observations involve the mustard plant yield and the soil physical characteristics. The study shows that the application of the organic fertilizer decomposed by Biofilm bio-fertilizer provides significant effects towards the improvement of the vertisol soil’s physical characteristics and the increase in mustard plant yield. The dose 21 tons/ha results in the highest increase in the mustard plant production and the best improvement of the vertisol soil physical characteristics. Organic fertilizer decomposed by Biofilm bio-fertilizer 21 tons/ha helps in developing permeability as much as 685.71%; aggregate stability index 201.6%; organic material 20.74%; and porosity 122.38%. Also, organic fertilizer decomposed by Biofilm bio-fertilizer 21 tons/ha can boost the mustard plant production as much as 4.25 tons/ha compared to the absence of organic fertilizer decomposed by Biofilm bio-fertilizer.

only. Link to: http://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr/vol1/iss4/3/) Article is nearly identical to Response of Soybean Grown on a Claypan Soil in Southeastern Kansas to the Residual of Different Plant Nutrient Sources and Tillage, previously published in Southeast Agricultural Research Center Reports 2015. The residual effects of turkey litter and fertilizer amendments applied in previous years had little effect on the yield, yield components, and dry matter production of the following soybean crop grown in 2014.

Background: The symbiotic relationship between microorganisms, specifically decomposing bacteria, and organic material, such as organic waste, leads to the decomposition of the substance and its transformation into compost. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of local microorganisms (MOL) tape in accelerating the decomposition process of organic waste compost. Methods: This research used an experimental study strategy known as "control with posttest". This investigation was conducted utilising two distinct groups: the control group and the treatment group. Regarding the intervention group utilising indigenous microorganisms (MOL) stale rice, the research utilised two data analyses: univariate analysis, which involved presenting data in the form of frequency distribution tables, and bivariate analysis, which included conducting a one-way Anova test followed by an LSD test. Results: The findings indicated that the optimal dosage of a local microorganism (MOL) activator for compost formation was 25 ml, resulting in a duration of 11.6 days. The statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the duration of compost formation between the dosage levels of 10 ml, 15 ml, 20 ml, and 25 ml of the local microorganism (MOL) activator. Conclusions: This research aims to explore the potential of MOL activators in accelerating the composting process of organic waste. By utilising MOL activators, it is anticipated that the problem of slow composting can be effectively addressed, offering a viable solution for the community. Moreover, the ease and affordability of producing MOL activators further enhance their practicality.

: A conceptual level development of the use of composting technology for the treatment of explosives-contaminated lagoon sediments has been conducted. Previous investigations of the technical aspects of explosives composting, including recent USATHAMA field demonstrations have indicated that composting can significatly reduce explosives contaminant levels. Conceptual level facility design, construction and operating requirements for implementation of composting have been developed based on the current level of knowledge with respect to the technical and regulatory aspects of the process. The economics of the process has been evaluated to include the economic sensitivity of the process to various design and operating variables. This evaluation is based on the areated static pile method. It does not include mechanical or in-vessel composting since they have not been tested with explosive-contaminated soil. Based upon present field demonstration data, implementation of composting for explosive-contaminated soil would likely prove to be expensive. However, further evaluation of compost mixture soil ratio, amendment costs, process kinetics, and performance criteria result in significant economic improvements.

Systematic approaches to the selection of innovative technologies for environmental protection are investigated. The features and directions of ensuring environmental safety are considered by means of a substantiated method of selecting innovative technologies. A method is used that substantiates the procedure for determining the relative importance of criteria and indicators of environmental protection technologies and methods using the program-analytical method. The basic and fundamental principles of project activities are well developed by specialists, but the practical orientation, application of aspects and algorithms for the implementation of these innovative decision support systems at the level of project activities at the regional level need further development. Decision support systems in the design of innovative environmental protection technologies will increase the complexity and effectiveness of solutions to improve environmental safety. According to the developed approach, criteria formulated as influencing groups of factors. Relevant experts, relying on various types of information on the specific purpose and innovative ecological solutions, give their own judgments regarding the priority of the advantages of the specified criteria. Expert judgments are processed according to the formal procedure of the MAI, which is implemented on a computer, and is the basis for decision-making when choosing the innovative ecological solutions in specific conditions. The criteria hierarchical structure of innovative ecological solutions is represented by a sequence of actions that include the following stages: development of elements of a methodical approach; verification of the consistency of the proposed hierarchical structure for determining priority technologies based on the input data of several objects of settlements; obtaining data on the priority of innovative ecological solutions for implementation on these objects. The advantages of the proposed methodical approach should include the possibility to link to a single algorithm for the justification of the required decision data that differ both in their content and in the form of presentation. Implementation of complex support systems for making innovative decisions in nature protection activities will increase the complexity and effectiveness of decisions to ensure environmental safety. Keywords: environmental safety, system analysis, innovative solutions, environmental protection tools and technologies, sustainable development.