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Martins M, Sousa F, Soares C, Sousa B, Pereira R, Rubal M, Fidalgo F. Beach wrack: Discussing ecological roles, risks, and sustainable bioenergy and agricultural applications. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 356:120526. [PMID: 38492423 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The equilibrium of the marine ecosystem is currently threatened by several constraints, among which climate change and anthropogenic activities stand out. Indeed, these factors favour the growth of macroalgae, which sometimes end up stranded on the beaches at the end of their life cycle, forming what is known as beach wrack. Despite its undeniable important ecological role on beaches, as it is an important source of organic matter (OM), and provides food and habitat for several invertebrates, reptiles, small mammals, and shorebirds, the overaccumulation of beach wrack is often associated with the release of greenhouse gases, negatively impacting tourist activities, and generating economic expenses for its removal. Although currently beach wrack is mainly treated as a waste, it can be used for numerous potential applications in distinct areas. This review aimed at providing a solid point of view regarding the process of wrack formation, its spatiotemporal location, as well as its importance and risks. It also contains the current advances of the research regarding sustainable alternatives to valorise this organic biomass, that range from bioenergy production to the incorporation of wrack in agricultural soils, considering a circular economy concept. Although there are some concerns regarding wrack utilisation, from its variable availability to a possible soil contamination with salts and other contaminants, this review comprises the overall beneficial effects of the incorporation of this residue particularly in the organic agricultural model, strengthening the conversion of this wasted biomass into a valuable resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Martins
- GreenUPorto - Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre and INOV4AGRO, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Filipa Sousa
- GreenUPorto - Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre and INOV4AGRO, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristiano Soares
- GreenUPorto - Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre and INOV4AGRO, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sousa
- GreenUPorto - Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre and INOV4AGRO, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ruth Pereira
- GreenUPorto - Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre and INOV4AGRO, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marcos Rubal
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA/ARNET), Department of Biology, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Fidalgo
- GreenUPorto - Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre and INOV4AGRO, Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
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Mainardis M, Ferrara C, Cantoni B, Di Marcantonio C, De Feo G, Goi D. How to choose the best tertiary treatment for pulp and paper wastewater? Life cycle assessment and economic analysis as guidance tools. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167598. [PMID: 37802362 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Pulp and paper wastewater (P&P WW) often requires tertiary treatment to remove refractory compounds not eliminated by conventional biological treatment, ensuring compliance with high-quality effluent discharge or reuse standards. This study employs a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to compare alternative tertiary treatment technologies for P&P WW and rank them accordingly. The evaluated technologies in the scenarios include inorganic (S1) and organic (S2) coagulation-flocculation, ozonation (O3) (S3), O3+granular activated carbon (GAC) (S4), and ultrafiltration (UF)+reverse osmosis (RO) (S5). The analysis focuses on a P&P wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Northeastern Italy. The LCA is complemented by an economic analysis considering each technology's capital and operating costs, as well as potential revenues from internal effluent reuse. Results indicate that S4 (O3+GAC) outranks all the other scenarios in terms of both environmental performance and economic viability, primarily due to the advantages associated with effluent reuse. S5 (UF+RO), which also involves reuse, is limited by the high energy consumption of UF+RO, resulting in increased environmental impacts and costs. The physicochemical scenario S2 (Chem Or), currently utilized in the WWTP under study, remains the best-performing technology in the absence of effluent reuse. In contrast, S3 (O3 alone) exhibits the poorest environmental and economic outcomes due to substantial energy requirements for O3 generation and the inability to reuse the treated effluent directly. Lastly, a sensitivity analysis underscores the strong influence of chemical dosages in S1 and S2 on environmental and economic impacts, which is more significant than the impact of water reuse percentages in S4 and S5. The high electricity cost observed during 2022 negatively affects the energy-intensive scenarios (S3-S5), making coagulation-flocculation (S1-S2) even more convenient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matia Mainardis
- University of Udine, Polytechnic Department of Engineering and Architecture (DPIA), Via del Cotonificio 108, 33100 Udine, Italy.
| | - Carmen Ferrara
- University of Salerno, Department of Industrial Engineering, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Beatrice Cantoni
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA) - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Camilla Di Marcantonio
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering (DICEA), Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Feo
- University of Salerno, Department of Industrial Engineering, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Daniele Goi
- University of Udine, Polytechnic Department of Engineering and Architecture (DPIA), Via del Cotonificio 108, 33100 Udine, Italy
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Ramos BD, Costa MFD. BeachLog: A multiple uses and interactive beach picture. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 193:115156. [PMID: 37331276 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
There are some tools in place that classifies and/or rank beaches according to a series of parameters. It is possible to identify a gap in the development of tools that map and describe beaches without putting the results into a classification status of good or bad. Since beaches are important from different points of views such as ecology, tourism, economy, pollution or invasive species studies and management, fisheries, estate development, protected areas, among others it is relevant to describe and understand parameters in detail. This work offers a multi-purpose and interactive beach descriptor called BeachLog. It can be used by beachgoers to keep their own records in the same way a diver uses a Diver's LogBook, managers can use the tool to support coastal management projects, long-term monitoring, and beach description baseline. Also, BeachLog can be a didactic tool to aiming to bring environmental sciences closer to technology through the use of spreadsheets and dashboards. BeachLog is based on the more frequent parameters in the literature, selected, organized, accounted for, and altered/added according to expert opinion. We created a list of 28 parameters, all of which were described in details of what is expected to be observed by the user. They were divided into 5 groups (Environmental characteristics, Services & Infrastructure, Information & Security, Planning & Management, and Descriptive). Here, we describe 14 Brazilian beaches using the BeachLog by inputting the results as parameters presence or absence (0/1) and descriptives in a table that can be transformed into an interactive dashboard for better/easier visualization. Planning & Management was absent on all 14 beaches studied, pointing out the relevance and gaps in this group. In the other groups it was possible to observe variation in the parameter occurrence, indicating that each beach is different and it is important to observe parameters individually. Beach Litter and Invasive Species parameters from the Environmental characteristics group were present in all beaches. BeachLog showed as an easy way to describe a beach and can be a tool to support diagnosis and understanding of the beach's status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna de Ramos
- Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-550, Brazil.
| | - Monica Ferreira da Costa
- Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-550, Brazil
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Gadaleta G, Ferrara C, De Gisi S, Notarnicola M, De Feo G. Life cycle assessment of end-of-life options for cellulose-based bioplastics when introduced into a municipal solid waste management system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:161958. [PMID: 36737011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The partial degradation of cellulose-based bioplastics in industrial treatment of organic fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) opened to the investigation of further disposal routes for bioplastics in the waste management system. For this purpose, the environmental footprint of three MSW management scenarios differing only for the bioplastics final destination (organic, plastic or mixed waste streams) was assessed through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. Results revealed how the treatment of bioplastics with organic waste achieved the worst environmental performance (5.8 kg CO2 eq/FU) for most impact categories. On the other hand, treatment with plastics and mixed waste achieved negative impact values (that mean avoided GHG emissions) of -9.8 and -7.7 kg CO2 eq/FU respectively, showing comparable benefits from these scenarios. The key reason was the lower quality of compost obtained from the organic treatment route, which reduced the environmental credits achieved by the energy recovery during anaerobic digestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Gadaleta
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Via E. Orabona n.4, I-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Carmen Ferrara
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II n. 132, I-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Sabino De Gisi
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Via E. Orabona n.4, I-70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Michele Notarnicola
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Via E. Orabona n.4, I-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Feo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II n. 132, I-84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
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Ferrara C, Migliaro V, Ventura F, De Feo G. An economic and environmental analysis of wine packaging systems in Italy: A life cycle (LC) approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159323. [PMID: 36216063 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The main aim of this study was to perform a combined life cycle assessment and life cycle costing of the most used wine packaging systems in Italy. Packaging plays a key role in food and beverage production and supply chain, but the increasing volume of packaging used causes many environmental concerns. The wine sector is no exception, especially in Italy that is the largest producer in the world. Eight packaging alternatives were compared in environmental and economic terms assuming a functional unit of three litres and a cradle to grave approach: one aseptic carton system, two bag-in-box systems, two PET bottle systems, and three glass bottle systems. The results were analysed with an eco-efficiency portfolio approach. There was consistency between the LCA and LCC results for most of the packaging systems. From both the environmental and economical point of views, aseptic cartons and bag-in-box systems were the most sustainable alternatives, while the glass systems had the worst global performances due to the high weight and consequent huge energy consumption during bottle production. The size of the containers was the key factor that most affected the results both in environmental and economic terms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Ferrara
- DIIn, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano (Sa), Italy
| | - Valeria Migliaro
- DIIn, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano (Sa), Italy
| | | | - Giovanni De Feo
- DIIn, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano (Sa), Italy.
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Björk M, Rosenqvist G, Gröndahl F, Bonaglia S. Methane emissions from macrophyte beach wrack on Baltic seashores. AMBIO 2023; 52:171-181. [PMID: 36029461 PMCID: PMC9666566 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01774-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Beach wrack of marine macrophytes is a natural component of many beaches. To test if such wrack emits the potent greenhouse gas methane, field measurements were made at different seasons on beach wrack depositions of different ages, exposure, and distance from the water. Methane emissions varied greatly, from 0 to 176 mg CH4-C m-2 day-1, with a clear positive correlation between emission and temperature. Dry wrack had lower emissions than wet. Using temperature data from 2016 to 2020, seasonal changes in fluxes were calculated for a natural wrack accumulation area. Such calculated average emissions were close to zero during winter, but peaked in summer, with very high emissions when daily temperatures exceeded 20 °C. We conclude that waterlogged beach wrack significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and that emissions might drastically increase with increasing global temperatures. When beach wrack is collected into heaps away from the water, the emissions are however close to zero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats Björk
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Rosenqvist
- Blue Centre Gotland, Uppsala University-Campus Gotland, 621 67 Visby, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Gröndahl
- KTH, Royale Institute of Technology, KTH Teknikringen 10B, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefano Bonaglia
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Kuqo A, Mai C. Seagrass Leaves: An Alternative Resource for the Production of Insulation Materials. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:6933. [PMID: 36234271 PMCID: PMC9570856 DOI: 10.3390/ma15196933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass wracks, the remains of dead leaves accumulated on seashores, are important ecosystems and beneficial for the marine environment. Their presence on the touristic beaches, however, is a problem for the tourism industry due to the lack of aesthetics and safety reasons. At the present time, seagrass leaves are landfilled, although this is not considered an ecological waste management practice. Among other proposed practices for more sustainable and environmentally friendly management, such as composting and biogas or energy generation, in this study we aim to use seagrass leaves for the production of insulation materials. Insulation boards from two types of seagrass leaves (Posidonia oceanica and Zostera marina) at densities varying from 80 to 200 kg m-3 were prepared and their physical and mechanical properties were examined and compared to those of wood fiber insulation boards. The thermal conductivity of seagrass-based insulation boards varied from 0.042 to 0.050 W m-1 K-1, which was up to 12% lower compared to the latter. The cone calorimetry analysis revealed that seagrass-based insulation boards are more fire resistant than those from wood fibers, as they release very low amounts of heat during combustion and do not ignite when exposed to a single flame (Bunsen burner). A simplified cost analysis showed that insulation boards made from seagrass leaves can be up to 30% cheaper compared to those made from wood fibers. After their end of life, seagrass leaves can again be considered a valuable resource and be further utilized by adopting other management strategies.
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Cecconet D, Mainardis M, Callegari A, Capodaglio AG. Psychrophilic treatment of municipal wastewater with a combined UASB/ASD system, and perspectives for improving urban WWTP sustainability. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 297:134228. [PMID: 35271894 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
According to new paradigms of urban wastewater management, energy savings and resources and energy recovery from sewage will assume an ever-increasing importance. Anaerobic processes, aside from being more energy efficient than conventional aerobic ones, are particularly suited to recover embedded organic energy, improving the overall energy balance of treatment processes, however, their performance is limited by low temperatures and slower kinetics. In this study, a pilot Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor was operated to treat municipal wastewater at low temperature regime (16.5-18.5 °C) for 22 weeks, both as standalone process and combined with a sidestream anaerobic sludge digester. Process performance highlighted good system robustness, as proved by stable pH and volatile fatty acid/total alkaline buffer capacity ratio, even though observed methane yield was low. Observed COD and TSS removal efficiencies were in the ranges of 60-69% and 63-73%, respectively. Methane production ranged between 0.106 and 0.132 Nm3CH4/kgCODrem. An economic assessment was carried out to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of implementing UASB pre-treatment of municipal wastewater in existing conventional facilities (activated sludge and anaerobic sludge digestion), showing that significant energy demand reduction could be achieved for both biological secondary treatment and sludge management, leading to considerable operational economies, and possible positive economic returns within a short pay-back period (3-4 yrs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Cecconet
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Architettura, Università Degli Studi di Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matia Mainardis
- Dipartimento Politecnico di Ingegneria e Architettura (DPIA), Università Degli Studi di Udine, Via Del Cotonificio 108, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Arianna Callegari
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Architettura, Università Degli Studi di Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea G Capodaglio
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Architettura, Università Degli Studi di Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Sustainable Alternatives for Tertiary Treatment of Pulp and Paper Wastewater. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14106047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In this work, different alternatives to conventional tertiary treatment of pulp and paper (P&P) wastewater (WW), i.e., physicochemical coagulation-flocculation, were investigated to enhance the environmental and economic sustainability of industrial wastewater treatment. In particular, following a preliminary characterization of secondary effluents, cloth filtration and adsorption were studied, the former by pilot-scale tests, while the latter at laboratory scale. An economic analysis was finally accomplished to verify the full-scale applicability of the most promising technologies. Cloth filtration showed excellent total suspended solids (TSS) removal efficiency (mean 81% removal) but a very limited influence on chemical oxygen demand (COD) (mean 10% removal) due to the prevalence of soluble COD on particulate COD. Adsorption, instead, led to a good COD removal efficiency (50% abatement at powdered activated carbon—PAC—dosage of 400 mg/L). The economic analysis proved that adsorption would be convenient only if a local low-cost (100 €/ton) adsorbent supply chain was established. Ultrafiltration was considered as well as a potential alternative: its huge capital cost (19 M€) could be recovered in a relatively short timeframe (pay-back time of 4.7 years) if the ultrafiltrated effluent could be sold to local industries.
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The Energetic Aspect of Organic Wastes Addition on Sewage Sludge Anaerobic Digestion: A Laboratory Investigation. ENERGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/en14196113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the possibilities to achieve energy neutrality of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is the implementation of the anaerobic co-digestion strategy. However, a key factor in its successful implementation on the technical scale is the application of components with complementary composition to sewage sludge (SS). In the 7resent study, the influence of adding various co-substrates on the energy balance of anaerobic digestion was evaluated. The following organic wastes were used as additional components to SS: organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and distillery spent wash (DW) applied in two- and three-component systems. The experiments were performed in semi-flow anaerobic reactors with the volume of 40 L under mesophilic conditions (35 °C) at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 20, 18, and 16 d. The application of substrates to SS resulted in enhancements of methane yields as compared to SS mono-digestion. The statistically significant differences were observed in tertiary mixtures at both HRT of 18 and 16 d. Therein, average values were 0.20 and 0.23 m3 kg−1VSadd at HRT of 18 and 16 d, respectively. Among all co-digestion series, the most beneficial effect on energy balance was found in 20% v/v DW presence in both two- and three-component systems at HRT of 16 d.
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