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Marczak D, Lejcuś K, Lejcuś I, Misiewicz J. Sustainable Innovation: Turning Waste into Soil Additives. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2900. [PMID: 37049194 PMCID: PMC10095766 DOI: 10.3390/ma16072900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, a dynamic increase in environmental pollution with textile waste has been observed. Natural textile waste has great potential for environmental applications. This work identifies potential ways of sustainably managing natural textile waste, which is problematic waste from sheep farming or the cultivation of fibrous plants. On the basis of textile waste, an innovative technology was developed to support water saving and plant vegetation- biodegradable water-absorbing geocomposites (BioWAGs). The major objective of this study was to determine BioWAG effectiveness under field conditions. The paper analyses the effect of BioWAGs on the increments in fresh and dry matter, the development of the root system, and the relative water content (RWC) of selected grass species. The conducted research confirmed the high efficiency of the developed technology. The BioWAGs increased the fresh mass of grass shoots by 230-420% and the root system by 130-200% compared with the control group. The study proved that BioWAGs are a highly effective technology that supports plant vegetation and saves water. Thanks to the reuse of waste materials, the developed technology is compatible with the assumptions of the circular economy and the goals of sustainable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Marczak
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Lejcuś
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Iwona Lejcuś
- Institute of Meteorology and Water Management-National Research Institute, 01-673 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Jakub Misiewicz
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
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Markiewicz A, Koda E, Kawalec J. Geosynthetics for Filtration and Stabilisation: A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14245492. [PMID: 36559859 PMCID: PMC9781037 DOI: 10.3390/polym14245492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Geosynthetics have been commonly used for the construction of civil engineering structures such as retaining wall, road and railways, coastal protection, soft ground improvement work, and landfill systems since the 1960s. In the past 40 years, the development of polymer materials has helped to prolong the life of geosynthetics. In terms of the practical use of geosynthetics, engineers must understand their appropriate application. The first part of this paper provides a basic description of geosynthetics, including their types, components, and functions. The second part deals with the geosynthetics used as filters. This part briefly presents the mechanism of filtration, the factors affecting the durability of geotextile filters, design concepts, laboratory tests, and case studies. The third part of the study covers the use of geosynthetics for stabilisation. Its mechanism was explained separately for geogrids and for geocells. Several examples of applications with geosynthetics intended for the stabilisation function are described in the last part of this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Markiewicz
- Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Eugeniusz Koda
- Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Kawalec
- Department of Geotechnics & Roads, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
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Krasnopeeva EL, Panova GG, Yakimansky AV. Agricultural Applications of Superabsorbent Polymer Hydrogels. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315134. [PMID: 36499461 PMCID: PMC9738811 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
This review presents data from the past five years on the use of polymeric superabsorbent hydrogels in agriculture as water and nutrient storage and retention materials, as well as additives that improve soil properties. The use of synthetic and natural polymeric hydrogels for these purposes is considered. Although natural polymers, such as various polysaccharides, have undoubted advantages related to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low cost, they are inferior to synthetic polymers in terms of water absorption and water retention properties. In this regard, the most promising are semi-synthetic polymeric superabsorbents based on natural polymers modified with additives or grafted chains of synthetic polymers, which can combine the advantages of natural and synthetic polymeric hydrogels without their disadvantages. Such semi-synthetic polymers are of great interest for agricultural applications, especially in dry regions, also because they can be used to create systems for the slow release of nutrients into the soil, which are necessary to increase crop yields using environmentally friendly technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena L. Krasnopeeva
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 199004, Russia
| | - Gaiane G. Panova
- Agrophysical Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 195220, Russia
| | - Alexander V. Yakimansky
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 199004, Russia
- Correspondence:
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Adjuik TA, Nokes SE, Montross MD, Wendroth O. The Impacts of Bio-Based and Synthetic Hydrogels on Soil Hydraulic Properties: A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14214721. [PMID: 36365717 PMCID: PMC9656743 DOI: 10.3390/polym14214721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil hydraulic properties are important for the movement and distribution of water in agricultural soils. The ability of plants to easily extract water from soil can be limited by the texture and structure of the soil, and types of soil amendments applied to the soil. Superabsorbent polymers (hydrogels) have been researched as potential soil amendments that could help improve soil hydraulic properties and make water more available to crops, especially in their critical growing stages. However, a lack of a comprehensive literature review on the impacts of hydrogels on soil hydraulic properties makes it difficult to recommend specific types of hydrogels that positively impact soil hydraulic properties. In addition, findings from previous research suggest contrasting effects of hydrogels on soil hydraulic properties. This review surveys the published literature from 2000 to 2020 and: (i) synthesizes the impacts of bio-based and synthetic hydrogels on soil hydraulic properties (i.e., water retention, soil hydraulic conductivity, soil water infiltration, and evaporation); (ii) critically discusses the link between the source of the bio-based and synthetic hydrogels and their impacts as soil amendments; and (iii) identifies potential research directions. Both synthetic and bio-based hydrogels increased water retention in soil compared to unamended soil with decreasing soil water pressure head. The application of bio-based and synthetic hydrogels both decreased saturated hydraulic conductivity, reduced infiltration, and decreased soil evaporation. Hybrid hydrogels (i.e., a blend of bio-based and synthetic backbone materials) may be needed to prolong the benefit of repeated water absorption in soil for the duration of the crop growing season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby A. Adjuik
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40503, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Sue E. Nokes
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40503, USA
| | - Michael D. Montross
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40503, USA
| | - Ole Wendroth
- Department of Plant & Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40503, USA
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Śpitalniak M, Bogacz A, Zięba Z. The Assessment of Water Retention Efficiency of Different Soil Amendments in Comparison to Water Absorbing Geocomposite. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14216658. [PMID: 34772181 PMCID: PMC8587147 DOI: 10.3390/ma14216658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Soil amendments are substances added to the soil for moisture increment or physicochemical soil process enhancement. This study aimed to assess the water conservation efficiency of available organic soil amendments like bentonite, attapulgite, biochar and inorganics like superabsorbent polymer, and nonwoven geotextile in relation to the newly developed water absorbing geocomposite (WAG) and its biodegradable version (bioWAG). Soil amendments were mixed with loamy sand soil, placed in 7.5 dm3 pots, then watered and dried in controlled laboratory conditions during 22-day long drying cycles (pot experiment). Soil moisture was recorded in three locations, and matric potential was recorded in one location during the drying process. The conducted research has confirmed that the addition of any examined soil amendment in the amount of 0.7% increased soil moisture, compared to control, depending on measurement depth in the soil profile and evaporation stage. The application of WAG as a soil amendment resulted in higher soil moisture in the centre and bottom layers, by 5.4 percent point (p.p.) and 6.4 p.p. on day 4 and by 4.5 p.p. and 8.8 p.p. on day 7, respectively, relative to the control samples. Additionally, an experiment in a pressure plate extractor was conducted to ensure the reliability of the obtained results. Soil density and porosity were also recorded. Samples containing WAG had water holding capacity at a value of −10 kPa higher than samples with biochar, attapulgite, bentonite, bioWAG and control by 3.6, 2.1, 5.7, 1 and 4.5 percentage points, respectively. Only samples containing superabsorbent polymers and samples with nonwoven geotextiles had water holding capacity at a value of −10 kPa higher than WAG, by 14.3 and 0.1 percentage points, respectively. Significant changes were noted in samples amended with superabsorbent polymers resulting in a 90% soil sample porosity and bulk density decrease from 1.70 g∙cm−3 to 1.14 g∙cm−3. It was thus concluded that the water absorbing geocomposite is an advanced and most efficient solution for water retention in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Śpitalniak
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, The Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki Sq. 24, 50-363 Wroclaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Adam Bogacz
- Institute of Soil Sciences and Environmental Protection, The Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, ul. Grunwaldzka 53, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Zofia Zięba
- Department of Civil Engineering, The Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki Sq. 24, 50-363 Wroclaw, Poland;
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Bárek V, Kováčová M, Kišš V, Paulen O. Water Regime Monitoring of the Royal Walnut ( Juglans regia L.) Using Sap Flow and Dendrometric Measurements. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:plants10112354. [PMID: 34834717 PMCID: PMC8622544 DOI: 10.3390/plants10112354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the distribution of annual rainfall totals, together with the increase in temperature over the last 40 years, are causing more frequent periods of drought, and plants are more often exposed to water stress. The aim of this study was to monitor the effect of different water regimes (irrigated and non-irrigated) of individuals of walnut tree (Juglans regia L.) in a private orchard located in the West of Slovakia. Our research was focused on dendrometric and sap flow measurements in the period from 28 March to 2 June 2019. The results showed differences in the sap flow of walnut trees during the budbreak period: when trees were irrigated, sap flow in the diurnal cycle was around 130 g·h-1 (20.48%), higher than in the non-irrigated treatment. Dendrometric differences between the irrigated and non-irrigated treatments were not significant. The sap flow data in the flowering period of the irrigated variant were slightly higher at 150 g·h-1 (35.62%) than non-irrigated. Dendrometric differences were more significant when the difference between the variants was more than 1.5 mm. Continuation of this research and analysis of the data obtained in the coming years will allow us to evaluate the effects of the environment on fruit trees in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viliam Bárek
- Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Martina Kováčová
- Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Vladimír Kišš
- Research Centre Agrobiotech, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Oleg Paulen
- Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Institute of Horticulture, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
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Enhanced whole-cell biotransformation of 3-chloropropiophenone into 1-phenyl-1-propanone by hydrogel entrapped Chlorella emersonii (211.8b). Biotechnol Lett 2021; 43:2259-2272. [PMID: 34665367 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-021-03194-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study focuses on dehalogenation of halogenated organic substrate (3-Chloropropiophenone) using both free and hydrogel entrapped microalgae Chlorella emersonii (211.8b) as biocatalyst. We aimed at successful immobilization of C. emersonii (211.8b) cells and to assess their biotransformation efficiency. RESULTS Aquasorb (entrapping material in this study) was found to be highly biocompatible with the cellular growth and viability of C. emersonii. A promising number of entrapped cells was achieved in terms of colony-forming units (CFUs = 2.1 × 104) per hydrogel bead with a comparable growth pattern to that of free cells. It was determined that there is no activity of hydrogenase that could transform 1-phenyl-2-propenone into 1-phenyl-1-propanone because after 12 h the ratio between two products (0.36 ± 0.02) remained constant throughout. Furthermore, it was found that the entrapped cells have higher biotransformation of 3-chloropropiophenone to 1-phenyl-1-propanone as compared to free cells at every interval of time. 1-phenyl-2-propenone was excluded from the whole-cell biotransformation as it was also found in the control group (due to spontaneous generation). CONCLUSION Hence, enhanced synthesis of 1-phenyl-1-propanone by entrapped Chlorella (211.8b) can be ascribed to either an enzymatic activity (dehalogenase) or thanks to the antioxidants from 211-8b, especially when they are in immobilized form. The aquasorb based immobilization of microalgae is highly recommended as an effective tool for exploiting microalgal potentials of biocatalysis specifically when free cells activities are seized due to stress.
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Walczak A, Lipiński M, Janik G. Application of the TDR Sensor and the Parameters of Injection Irrigation for the Estimation of Soil Evaporation Intensity. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21072309. [PMID: 33806222 PMCID: PMC8037118 DOI: 10.3390/s21072309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the study was to develop a precise method of determination of the evaporation rate in a soil irrigated with the use of a mobile injection irrigation system. Two methods of constructing functions approximating the value of evaporation have been developed. In the first method, the domain comprises the parameters of injection irrigation, i.e., the dose and the depth of injection, and in the second, the volumetric moisture of soil in the layer immediately below the soil surface, which was measured with time-domain reflectometry (TDR) sensors. For that purpose, a laboratory experiment was carried out, based on 12 physical models. The study was conducted on a natural soil material, with particle size distribution of its mineral parts corresponding to that of a loamy sand soil. It was demonstrated that evaporation intensity increases with irrigation and decreases with increase in the depth of water application. Using TDR sensors, it was also shown that evaporation intensity increases proportionally to the weighted arithmetic mean of the volumetric moisture. Comparison of the two methods indicates that the evaporation intensity of injection-irrigated soil can be estimated with higher accuracy when the domain of the approximating function is the injection depth and dose than when the domain of the function is the weighted mean of volumetric moisture of the surface horizon of the soil. However, the method using TDR sensors for the estimation of evaporation intensity of an injection-irrigated soil has a greater potential for the construction of universal approximating models. In addition, the advantage of the method based on the use of TDR sensors is that it uses arguments for the approximating function, f2(θ˜), in real time.
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The Characteristics of Swelling Pressure for Superabsorbent Polymer and Soil Mixtures. MATERIALS 2020; 13:ma13225071. [PMID: 33182827 PMCID: PMC7697157 DOI: 10.3390/ma13225071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are used in agriculture and environmental engineering to increase soil water retention. Under such conditions, the swelling pressure of the SAP in soil affects water absorption by SAP, and soil structure. The paper presents the results of swelling pressure of three cross-linked copolymers of acrylamide and potassium acrylate mixed at the ratios of 0.3%, 0.5% and 1.0% with coarse sand and loamy sand. The highest values of swelling pressure were obtained for the 1% proportion, for coarse sand (79.53 kPa) and loamy sand (78.23 kPa). The time required to reach 90% of swelling pressure for each type of SAP differs. Samples of coarse sand mixed with SAP K2 in all concentrations reached 90% of total swelling pressure in 100 min, while the loamy sand mixtures needed only about 60 min. The results were the basis for developing a model for swelling pressure of the superabsorbent and soil mixtures, which is a fully stochastic model. The conducted research demonstrated that the course of pressure increase depends on the available pore capacity and the grain size distribution of SAPs. The obtained results and the proposed model may be applied everywhere where mixtures of SAPs and soils are used to improve plant vegetation conditions.
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The Green Infrastructure in Cities as A Tool for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Slovakian and Polish Experiences. ATMOSPHERE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos10090552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Climate change could be seen as a 21st century phenomenon. This topic has been taken up equally by professionals as well as the general public. Adaptation and mitigation actions are needed, especially in cities where the concentration of population and an increased demand for resources (e.g., water, food, land) are expected in the coming years. Already, 400 cities have been declared to be in a “climate emergency” state. There are no longer any doubts that current environmental state requires actions and solutions for both the alarming climate situation and urban quality life development. If such action is not going to be taken, the environmental state will deteriorate. One possible solution could be the use of green infrastructure. This research compares approaches to green areas and green infrastructure development in Bratislava (Slovakia) and Wrocław (Poland). A comparison was made for projects realized between 2013 and 2018—i.e., since the publication of the European Union (EU) Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in 2013. The research presents an overview of delivered projects regarding land use. The overview, which is supported by a density map of implemented green projects, verifies whether the new greenery fits and fills in the existing natural areas. Secondly, the green projects were analyzed according to years and land use types using Tableau software. Moreover, the legislation of climate adaptation mechanisms and practical aspects of green infrastructure implementation are shown. Finally, actions concerning the greening of the cities were categorized into practical, educational, and participatory ones, and the potential of green infrastructure as a positive landscape, micro-climate, health, and aesthetic influence was examined.
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