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Iacovidou E, Voulvoulis N. A multi-criteria sustainability assessment framework: development and application in comparing two food waste management options using a UK region as a case study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:35821-35834. [PMID: 29948712 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2479-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Preventing food wastage is a key element of sustainable resource management. But as food waste is still generated at high volumes, priority is placed on its proper management as a resource, maximising sustainability benefits. This study, by integrating a multi-criteria decision analysis with a sustainability assessment approach, develops a screening and decision support framework for comparing the sustainability performance of food waste management options. A structured process for selecting criteria based on the consideration of environmental, economic and social aspects related to region-specific food waste system planning, policy and management has been developed. Two food waste management options, namely the use of food waste disposal units, which grind food waste at the household's kitchen sink and discharge it to the sewer, and the anaerobic co-digestion of separately collected food waste with sewage sludge, were selected for comparison due to their potential to create synergies between local authorities, waste and water companies, with local circumstances determining which of the two options to adopt. A simplified process used for assessing and comparing the two food waste management options in the Anglian region in the UK, indicated that there are benefits in using the framework as a screening tool for identifying which option may be the most sustainable. To support decision-making, a detailed analysis that incorporates stakeholders' perspectives is required. An additional use of the framework can be in providing recommendations for optimising food waste management options in a specific region, maximising their sustainability performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Iacovidou
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse lane, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Nikolaos Voulvoulis
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, 15 Prince's Gardens, London, SW7 1NA, UK
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Gredilla A, Fdez-Ortiz de Vallejuelo S, de Diego A, Arana G, Stoichev T, Amigo JM, Wasserman JC, Botello AV, Sarkar SK, Schäfer J, Moreno C, Guardia MDL, Madariaga JM. A chemical status predictor. A methodology based on World-Wide sediment samples. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2015; 161:21-29. [PMID: 26143082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
As a consequence of the limited resources of underdeveloped countries and the limited interest of the developed ones, the assessment of the chemical quality of entire water bodies around the world is a utopia in the near future. The methodology described here may serve as a first approach for the fast identification of water bodies that do not meet the good chemical status demanded by the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). It also allows estimating the natural background (or reference values of concentration) of the areas under study using a simple criterion. The starting point is the calculation the World-Wide Natural Background Levels (WWNBLs) and World-Wide Threshold Values (WWTVs), two indexes that depend on the concentration of seven elements present in sediments. These elements, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, have been selected taking into account the recommendations of the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) and USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), that describe them as elements of concern with respect to environmental toxicity. The methodology has been exemplified in a case study that includes 134 sediment samples collected in 11 transitional water bodies from 7 different countries and 4 different continents. Six of the water bodies considered met the good chemical status demanded by the WFD. The rest of them exceeded the reference WWTVs, at least for one of the elements. The estuaries of the Nerbioi-Ibaizabal (Basque Country) and Cavado (Portugal), the sea inlet of Río San Pedro (Spain), the Sepetiba Bay (Brazil) and the Yucateco lagoon (Mexico) belong to that group.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gredilla
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
| | - S Fdez-Ortiz de Vallejuelo
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - A de Diego
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - G Arana
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - T Stoichev
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - J M Amigo
- Department of Food Science, Spectroscopy and Chemometrics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - J C Wasserman
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rede UFF de Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento, Av. Litorânea s/n, Boa Viagem, Niterói 24020 149, Brazil
| | - A V Botello
- Laboratorio de Contaminación Marina, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, National Autonomous University of Mexico, 70-305, México, 04510 D.F., Mexico
| | - S K Sarkar
- Department of Marine Science, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Calcutta 700 019, West Bengal, India
| | - J Schäfer
- University of Bordeaux, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - C Moreno
- Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Cádiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - M de la Guardia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, 50 Dr. Moliner Street, E-46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - J M Madariaga
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
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Guittonny-Philippe A, Masotti V, Höhener P, Boudenne JL, Viglione J, Laffont-Schwob I. Constructed wetlands to reduce metal pollution from industrial catchments in aquatic Mediterranean ecosystems: a review to overcome obstacles and suggest potential solutions. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 64:1-16. [PMID: 24361512 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In the Mediterranean area, surface waters often have low discharge or renewal rates, hence metal contamination from industrialised catchments can have a high negative impact on the physico-chemical and biological water quality. In a context of climate and anthropological changes, it is necessary to provide an integrative approach for the prevention and control of metal pollution, in order to limit its impact on water resources, biodiversity, trophic network and human health. For this purpose, introduction of constructed wetlands (CWs) between natural aquatic ecosystems and industrialised zones or catchments is a promising strategy for eco-remediation. Analysis of the literature has shown that further research must be done to improve CW design, selection and management of wetland plant species and catchment organisation, in order to ensure the effectiveness of CWs in Mediterranean environments. Firstly, the parameters of basin design that have the greatest influence on metal removal processes must be identified, in order to better focus rhizospheric processes on specific purification objectives. We have summarised in a single diagram the relationships between the design parameters of a CW basin and the physico-chemical and biological processes of metal removal, on the basis of 21 mutually consistent papers. Secondly, in order to optimise the selection and distribution of helophytes in CWs, it is necessary to identify criteria of choice for the plant species that will best fit the remediation objectives and environmental and economic constraints. We have analysed the factors determining plant metal uptake efficiency in CWs on the basis of a qualitative meta-analysis of 13 studies with a view to determine whether the part played by metal uptake by plants is relevant in comparison with the other removal processes. Thirdly, we analysed the parameters to consider for establishing suitable management strategies for CWs and how they affect the whole CW design process. Finally, we propose monitoring and policy measures to facilitate the integration of CWs within Mediterranean industrialised catchments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Guittonny-Philippe
- Aix-Marseille Université-CNRS, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie marine et continentale UMR 7263/IRD 237 IMBE, 3 pl. Victor Hugo, Case 4, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France; ECO-MED SARL, Tour Méditerranée, 65 Avenue Jules Cantini, 13298 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
| | - Véronique Masotti
- Aix-Marseille Université-CNRS, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie marine et continentale UMR 7263/IRD 237 IMBE, 3 pl. Victor Hugo, Case 4, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France.
| | - Patrick Höhener
- Aix-Marseille Université-CNRS, Laboratoire Chimie Environnement, FRE 3416, 3 pl. Victor Hugo, Case 29, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France.
| | - Jean-Luc Boudenne
- Aix-Marseille Université-CNRS, Laboratoire Chimie Environnement, FRE 3416, 3 pl. Victor Hugo, Case 29, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France.
| | - Julien Viglione
- ECO-MED SARL, Tour Méditerranée, 65 Avenue Jules Cantini, 13298 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
| | - Isabelle Laffont-Schwob
- Aix-Marseille Université-CNRS, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie marine et continentale UMR 7263/IRD 237 IMBE, 3 pl. Victor Hugo, Case 4, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France
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