The rehabilitation of mining environments poses significant challenges due to the contamination risks associated with hazardous materials, such as arsenic and other chemical products. This research study presents the development of a Digital Twin for the Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park (LTCP), a former mining and metalworking site that is currently undergoing environmental restoration. The Digital Twin integrates advanced technologies, including real-time sensor monitoring, geophysical methods, and 3D modeling, to provide a comprehensive tool for assessing and managing the environmental conditions of the site. Key elements of the project include the monitoring of hazardous-waste storage, the evaluation of contaminated soils, and the assessment of the Park’s infrastructure, which includes both deteriorating buildings and successfully restored structures. Real-time sensor data are collected to track critical parameters such as conductivity, temperature, salinity, and levels of pollutants, enabling proactive environmental management and mitigation of potential risks. The integration of these technologies enables continuous monitoring, historical data analysis, and improved decision making in the ongoing efforts to preserve the site’s ecological integrity. This study demonstrates the potential of using Digital Twins as an innovative solution for the sustainable management and valorization of mining heritage sites, offering insights into both technological applications and environmental conservation practices.

Mining waste management is a significant environmental challenge that requires effective technical and economic solutions. In this context, the use of underground storage systems is sometimes a viable option to isolate this type of mining waste from the outside (especially when it poses a risk of environmental contamination). Despite the applicability and advantages of these structures, it is crucial to conduct thorough monitoring of the isolation and containment measures implemented during their construction. This study demonstrates how ground penetrating radar techniques can provide valuable insights into subsurface insulation layers with the aim of detecting potential water accumulation at depth and verifying the integrity of the seal and the state of buried materials. The results of the georadar survey applied on a mining case study demarcate the areas that should receive more attention in the near future and contribute to defining the most urgent actions to be implemented at the mining site. Beyond the evaluation of the 2D profiles, the research culminates in the creation of a 3D visualization tool for the entire mining site and its insulation layer, enabling users to inspect the structure’s condition at any location and obtain accurate depth measurements.

The formation of ice on roads is one of the leading causes of winter traffic accidents, resulting in significant social and economic costs. Conventional maintenance techniques, such as salting and mechanical clearance, are costly, environmentally harmful, and not always effective. This paper presents the design, implementation, and pilot validation of a passive geothermal anti-icing system tested at a dedicated experimental facility in Spain. The system consists of copper vertical heat exchangers (1 m depth), a thermal diffusion grid beneath the asphalt layer, and an IoT-based monitoring network using LoRaWAN sensors to capture real-time temperature data at three depths. During the monitoring period, the pilot system showed an increase in subsurface temperature compared to the control section, resulting in a lower likelihood of ice formation on the pavement surface. These findings demonstrate that passive geothermal systems can help improve road safety under winter conditions while reducing energy demand and the use of chemical agents. Future research will focus on optimizing system design, integrating deeper heat exchangers, and assessing large-scale economic feasibility.

El presente artículo busca llevar a cabo un análisis teórico del comportamiento de las principales propiedades del biodiesel (densidad, viscosidad, poder calorífico, capacidad calorífica, gravedad API), empleando para ello datos de la normatividad técnica mundial asociada a su producción, así como datos teóricos definidos en la literatura. A partir del análisis de las propiedades se genera una evaluación de los biodiesel en términos de su comportamiento y calidad. El desarrollo se llevó a cabo mediante la simulación de los procesos en Matlab, obteniendo un conjunto de parámetros base para la evaluación de todo biodiesel. Esta investigación emplea métodos estadísticos descriptivos, de muestreo, así como de correlación y, métodos matemáticos como mínimos cuadrados, aplicaciones lineales y exponenciales, entre otros para generar el análisis conjunto de la información, así como de los modelos empleados, logrando un mayor grado de confianza en los análisis. Los datos resultantes de la simulación para las propiedades fisicoquímicas consideradas son cercanos a los valores experimentales reportados en la bibliografía, lo que permite su uso, reduciendo los tiempos en estudios en biocombustibles.

Geothermal energy offers a promising and sustainable approach for maintaining and improving road infrastructure, particularly in mitigating ice formation and enhancing thermal performance. This review systematically examines scientific studies addressing the application of geothermal systems for the thermal management of road pavements. A structured methodological framework, following PRISMA guidelines, was employed to identify and select relevant publications from official scientific databases, focusing on articles considered eligible based on their thematic relevance and practical application within the field. The review pursues three complementary objectives: (i) to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the current literature, (ii) to analyze research trends, including modeling strategies, laboratory experiments, and field applications, and (iii) to evaluate reported system performance in terms of efficiency, design parameters, and environmental considerations. Contributions are categorized into simulation-based studies, experimental investigations, and combined approaches, allowing for comparison across methodologies and climatic contexts. Key findings, technological limitations, and challenges encountered in the literature are discussed, including system efficiency, design constraints, and environmental considerations. By synthesizing the current state of knowledge, this review highlights critical gaps and potential avenues for future research, offering guidance for the development of innovative geothermal-based solutions. The insights presented herein contribute to informed decision-making in research planning and infrastructure development, supporting safer, more energy-efficient, and sustainable road systems.