Unsustainable rice straw management causes environmental impacts; hence, utilisation of rice straw for bioenergy is a promising strategy for sustainable rice straw management. Although rice straw has a high potential for bioenergy generation, the whole production cycle and application may cause environmental damage that is not fully understood. Hence, environmental performance studies are required to determine the most effective rice straw utilisation options. A comprehensive approach, such as life-cycle assessment (LCA), can give comprehensive information on the possible environmental effects of rice straw utilisation for bioenergy. Therefore, this study briefly overviews the LCA of rice straw utilisation for bioenergy production. It is found that utilisation of rice straw for bioenergy could reduce global warming potential compared to energy production from fossil fuels. However, it is suggested that other impact categories in LCA be evaluated in the bioenergy production from rice straw research to determine the overall sustainability of the production.
This paper provides a brief review on wastewater treatment system and the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) for assessing its environmental performance. An extensive review regarding the geographical relevance of LCA for WWTPs, and the evaluation of sustainable wastewater treatment by LCA in both developed and developing countries are also discussed. The objective of the review is to identify knowledge gap, for the improvement of the LCA application and methodology to WWTPs. A total of 35 published articles related to wastewater treatment (WWT) and LCA from international scientific journals were studied thoroughly and summarised from 2006 to 2022. This review found that there is lack of studies concerning LCA of WWTPs that consider specific local criteria especially in the developing countries. Thus, it is important to: (1) assess the influence of seasonality (i.e., dry and wet seasons) on the environmental impact of WWT, (2) investigate environmental impacts from WWTPs in developing countries focusing on the site-specific inventory data, and (3) evaluate environmental sustainability of different processes for upgrading the wastewater treatment system. The environmental impact and cost assessment aspects are crucial for the sustainable development of WWTP. Therefore, environmental impacts must be thoroughly assessed to provide recommendation for future policy and for the water industry in determining environmental trade-offs toward sustainable development.
27 May 2025 in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Aquaculture’s role has expanded over the past two decades, with the industry contributing to nearly 50% of the overall fish production. Aquaculture production in Asia and Africa contributes a significant share of total global aquaculture output growth. Aquaculture supports livelihoods and income improvement in a number of states, despite the fact that economic situations have indeed been unfavourable and environmental concerns remain undeniable. To meet the growing demand for fish, aquaculture must expand. However, this expansion will not be sustainable unless management and planning are significantly improved. Local, national, and international management are needed to address the social, economic, and environmental problems. These provide the foundation to proper aquaculture management strategies. In considering the involved ecology, water quality, and genetics, aquaculture can have a detrimental impact on the environmental sustainability. This paper highlights the review on site selection with capacity evaluation, analysis of threats and risks, as well as certification and standards, which are all important considerations in achieving a sustainable aquaculture industry.
This study investigates the impact of landfill leachate contamination on the geotechnical properties of granitic sandy-clayey soil, with implications for sustainable soil management and remediation strategies. Laboratory experiments were conducted to simulate contamination scenarios by incorporating leachate at concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% by dry weight. A Comprehensive suite analyses including particle size distribution, pH measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), specific gravity assessment, and soil organic content characterization was performed. Key geotechnical properties, such as Atterberg limits, hydraulic conductivity, and shear strength, were also evaluated. The findings revealed that leachate contamination significantly altered soil properties, leading to reducing shear strength, decreased liquid and plastic limits, and increasing permeability. These changes pose substantial risks to soil stability and infrastructure sustainability in regions adjacent to landfills. This study advances knowledge on leachate-induced soil degradation and offers actionable insights for achieving sustainable landfill and soil management practices and promoting long-term environmental stability.