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Kipkoech R, Takase M, Ahogle AMA, Ocholla G. Analysis of properties of biodiesel and its development and promotion in Ghana. Heliyon 2024; 10:e39078. [PMID: 39502209 PMCID: PMC11535965 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2024] [Accepted: 10/07/2024] [Indexed: 11/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing global population and the challenges associated with fossil fuel has led to a surge in energy demand, necessitating research on renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources. Biodiesel, is produced from biomass materials like vegetable oil and fats, is a promising alternative. Transesterification is a principal method used in biodiesel production, as it is simple, versatile, and efficient. Biodiesel offers several advantages, including emissions, lubricity, and safety, making it a sustainable fuel option and its properties conforms to the international standards. However, it has lower energy content, cold weather performance issues, and slightly reduced engine power compared to petroleum diesel. The choice of biodiesel feedstock depends on its properties, with jatropha oil and other feedstocks being potential in Ghana. Research on biodiesel in Ghana is still in early stages and the Ghanaian government's policy aims to replace 10 % of petroleum fuel with biofuel by 2020 and 20 % by 2030, but these goals have not been achieved due to barriers. Despite these challenges, the government and stakeholders in the biofuel industry are working to optimize the biodiesel sector for sustainability, efficiency, and scalability. Innovative cultivation techniques and low-cost oil extraction methods are required, necessitating interdisciplinary research collaborations. By capitalizing on these opportunities and implementing targeted interventions, Ghana can become a regional leader in sustainable biodiesel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogers Kipkoech
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Mohammed Takase
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Arcadius Martinien Agassin Ahogle
- Research Unit of Soil Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Soil and Water Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Gordon Ocholla
- Department of Spatial and Environmental Planning, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Social and Development Studies, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
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Ge X, Ding J, Amantai N, Xiong J, Wang J. Responses of vegetation cover to hydro-climatic variations in Bosten Lake Watershed, NW China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1323445. [PMID: 38689846 PMCID: PMC11058830 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1323445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Amidst the backdrop of global climate change, it is imperative to comprehend the intricate connections among surface water, vegetation, and climatic shifts within watersheds, especially in fragile, arid ecosystems. However, these relationships across various timescales remain unclear. We employed the Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) method to analyze the multifaceted dynamics of surface water and vegetation in the Bosten Lake Watershed across multiple temporal scales. This analysis has shed light on how these elements interact with climate change, revealing significant insights. From March to October, approximately 14.9-16.8% of the areas with permanent water were susceptible to receding and drying up. Both the annual and monthly values of Bosten Lake's level and area exhibited a trend of initial decline followed by an increase, reaching their lowest point in 2013 (1,045.0 m and 906.6 km2, respectively). Approximately 7.7% of vegetated areas showed a significant increase in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). NDVI volatility was observed in 23.4% of vegetated areas, primarily concentrated in the southern part of the study area and near Lake Bosten. Regarding the annual components (6 < T < 24 months), temperature, 3-month cumulative NDVI, and 3-month-leading precipitation exhibited the strongest correlation with changes in water level and surface area. For the interannual components (T≥ 24 months), NDVI, 3-month cumulative precipitation, and 3-month-leading temperature displayed the most robust correlation with alterations in water level and surface area. In both components, NDVI had a negative impact on Bosten Lake's water level and surface area, while temperature and precipitation exerted positive effects. Through comparative analysis, this study reveals the importance of temporal periodicity in developing adaptive strategies for achieving Sustainable Development Goals in dryland watersheds. This study introduces a robust methodology for dissecting trends within scale components of lake level and surface area and links these trends to climate variations and NDVI changes across different temporal scales. The inherent correlations uncovered in this research can serve as valuable guidance for future investigations into surface water dynamics in arid regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Ge
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart City and Environment Modelling of Higher Education Institute, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jianli Ding
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart City and Environment Modelling of Higher Education Institute, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Nigenare Amantai
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ju Xiong
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Smart City and Environment Modelling of Higher Education Institute, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jingzhe Wang
- Institute of Applied Artificial Intelligence of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen, China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen, China
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Energy Planning. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15072621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
This Special Issue focuses on progress in energy transition planning [...]
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