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Many recent studies show that most of the crop production systems in developing countries are not environmentally sustainable. This study uses the life cycle assessment (LCA) to investigate the potential impacts of corn production in Pakistan on global warming and human health damages and also suggests mitigation strategies to reduce environmental impacts towards sustainable crop production based on the results. Land-based, mass-based, and energy-based functional units were used. IMPACT 2002+ methodology—a combination of IMPACT 2002, Eco-Indicator 99, CML, and intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC)—is used for the impact assessment. The results demonstrated that the global warming potential of one-ton production of corn, one-hectare corn farm, and production of 1000 MJ energy were 354.18, 34,569.90, and 1275.13 kg CO2 equivalents, respectively. The off-farm and on-farm emissions of nitrogen-based chemical fertilizers were the hotspots in the most impact categories. Moreover, human health damages followed by global warming as environmental externalities were also associated with corn production. We also highlighted the production areas with light, medium and extreme environmental externalities with Toba Tek Singh and Okara districts in the Punjab province of Pakistan being the most and least contributing districts towards global warming, respectively. Results further indicated that a 5 to 100% reduction of chemical fertilizers would mitigate the environmental impacts of corn production by 4.38 to 87.58% and 2.16 to 43.30% in terms of aquatic acidification and global warming, respectively. Modern farming systems and conservation technologies were suggested to reduce emissions and improve the environmental performance of corn production. Furthermore, agricultural extension and the ministry of agriculture should pay more attention to farmers’ education on emissions from farming inputs and their impact on climate.
Adnan Abbas; Chengyi Zhao; Waheed Ullah; Riaz Ahmad; Muhammad Waseem; Jianting Zhu. Towards Sustainable Farm Production System: A Case Study of Corn Farming. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9243 .
AMA StyleAdnan Abbas, Chengyi Zhao, Waheed Ullah, Riaz Ahmad, Muhammad Waseem, Jianting Zhu. Towards Sustainable Farm Production System: A Case Study of Corn Farming. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (16):9243.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAdnan Abbas; Chengyi Zhao; Waheed Ullah; Riaz Ahmad; Muhammad Waseem; Jianting Zhu. 2021. "Towards Sustainable Farm Production System: A Case Study of Corn Farming." Sustainability 13, no. 16: 9243.
The extensive use of traditional cooking stoves to meet daily cooking and heating requirements has highlighted the serious problem of indoor and outdoor air pollution. This study evaluates three improved cooking and heating stoves (ICHSs) and compared them with a traditional stove as a baseline reference. The stoves’ performance regarding emission and thermal efficiency was evaluated with burning raw coal. All ICHSs surpassed the baseline stove in combined heating and cooking thermal and emission performance. Among the ICHSs, Model ICHS-3 was found to have the highest average thermal efficiency, 69.6±0.8%. The lowest emission of PM2.5 was 3.2±1.6 mg/MJNET, CO 2.9±0.34 g/MJNET, and CO/CO2 2.3±0.3%, respectively. It is concluded that the use of the ICHSs should be promoted for daily cooking and heating needs. The adoption of ICHSs could contribute to significant reductions of PM2.5 and CO emissions as well as save fuel to the benefit of the household.
Riaz Ahmad; Adnan Abbas; Wang Jufei; Li Hua; Muhammad Sultan; Bohong Li; Samuel M Nyambura; Pan Xingjia. Experimental and comparative study of Chinese commercial improved coal-fired cooking and space-heating stoves. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2021, 1 -7.
AMA StyleRiaz Ahmad, Adnan Abbas, Wang Jufei, Li Hua, Muhammad Sultan, Bohong Li, Samuel M Nyambura, Pan Xingjia. Experimental and comparative study of Chinese commercial improved coal-fired cooking and space-heating stoves. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2021; ():1-7.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRiaz Ahmad; Adnan Abbas; Wang Jufei; Li Hua; Muhammad Sultan; Bohong Li; Samuel M Nyambura; Pan Xingjia. 2021. "Experimental and comparative study of Chinese commercial improved coal-fired cooking and space-heating stoves." Environmental Science and Pollution Research , no. : 1-7.
In Pakistan, many subsurface (SS) drainage projects were launched by the Salinity Control and Reclamation Project (SCARP) to deal with twin problems (waterlogging and salinity). In some cases, sump pumps were installed for the disposal of SS effluent into surface drainage channels. Presently, sump pumps have become dysfunctional due to social and financial constraints. This study evaluates the alternate design of the Paharang drainage system that could permit the discharge of the SS drainage system in the response of gravity. The proposed design was completed after many successive trials in terms of lowering the bed level and decreasing the channel bed slope. Interconnected MS-Excel worksheets were developed to design the L-section and X-section. Design continuity of the drainage system was achieved by ensuring the bed and water levels of the receiving drain were lower than the outfalling drain. The drain cross-section was set within the present row with a few changes on the service roadside. The channel side slope was taken as 1:1.5 and the spoil bank inner and outer slopes were kept as 1:2 for the entire design. The earthwork was calculated in terms of excavation for lowering the bed level and increasing the drain section to place the excavated materials in a specific manner. The study showed that modification in the design of the Paharang drainage system is technically admissible and allows for the continuous discharge of SS drainage effluent from the area.
Muhammad Imran; Jinlan Xu; Muhammad Sultan; Redmond Shamshiri; Naveed Ahmed; Qaiser Javed; Hafiz Asfahan; Yasir Latif; Muhammad Usman; Riaz Ahmad. Free Discharge of Subsurface Drainage Effluent: An Alternate Design of the Surface Drain System in Pakistan. Sustainability 2021, 13, 4080 .
AMA StyleMuhammad Imran, Jinlan Xu, Muhammad Sultan, Redmond Shamshiri, Naveed Ahmed, Qaiser Javed, Hafiz Asfahan, Yasir Latif, Muhammad Usman, Riaz Ahmad. Free Discharge of Subsurface Drainage Effluent: An Alternate Design of the Surface Drain System in Pakistan. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (7):4080.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Imran; Jinlan Xu; Muhammad Sultan; Redmond Shamshiri; Naveed Ahmed; Qaiser Javed; Hafiz Asfahan; Yasir Latif; Muhammad Usman; Riaz Ahmad. 2021. "Free Discharge of Subsurface Drainage Effluent: An Alternate Design of the Surface Drain System in Pakistan." Sustainability 13, no. 7: 4080.
Okra possesses a short shelf-life which limits its marketability, thereby, the present study investigates the individual and combined effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the postharvest storage life of okra. The treated/ untreated okra samples were stored at ambient (i.e., 27 °C) and low (i.e., 7 °C) temperatures for eight and 20 days, respectively. Results revealed that the 1-MCP and/or MAP treatment successfully inhibited fruit softening, reduction in mucilage viscosity, and color degradation (hue angle, ∆E, and BI) in the product resulting in a longer period of shelf-life. However, MAP with or without 1-MCP was more effective to reduce weight loss in okra stored at both ambient and cold storage conditions. Additionally, ascorbic acid and total antioxidants were also retained in 1-MCP with MAP during cold storage. The 1-MCP in combination with MAP effectively suppressed respiration rate and ethylene production for four days and eight days at 27 °C and 7 °C temperature conditions, respectively. According to the results, relatively less chilling injury stress also resulted when 1-MCP combined with MAP. The combined treatment of okra pods with 1-MCP and MAP maintained the visual quality of the product in terms of overall acceptability for four days at 20 °C and 20 days at 7 °C.
Rabia Kanwal; Hadeed Ashraf; Muhammad Sultan; Irrum Babu; Zarina Yasmin; Muhammad Nadeem; Muhammad Asghar; Redmond R. Shamshiri; Sobhy M. Ibrahim; Nisar Ahmad; Muhammad A. Imran; Yuguang Zhou; Riaz Ahmad. Effect of 1-Methyl Cyclopropane and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on the Storage of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.): Theory and Experiments. Sustainability 2020, 12, 7547 .
AMA StyleRabia Kanwal, Hadeed Ashraf, Muhammad Sultan, Irrum Babu, Zarina Yasmin, Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Asghar, Redmond R. Shamshiri, Sobhy M. Ibrahim, Nisar Ahmad, Muhammad A. Imran, Yuguang Zhou, Riaz Ahmad. Effect of 1-Methyl Cyclopropane and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on the Storage of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.): Theory and Experiments. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (18):7547.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRabia Kanwal; Hadeed Ashraf; Muhammad Sultan; Irrum Babu; Zarina Yasmin; Muhammad Nadeem; Muhammad Asghar; Redmond R. Shamshiri; Sobhy M. Ibrahim; Nisar Ahmad; Muhammad A. Imran; Yuguang Zhou; Riaz Ahmad. 2020. "Effect of 1-Methyl Cyclopropane and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on the Storage of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.): Theory and Experiments." Sustainability 12, no. 18: 7547.
In the 21st century, the poultry sector is a vital concern for the developing economies including Pakistan. The summer conditions of the city of Multan (Pakistan) are not comfortable for poultry birds. Conventionally, swamp coolers are used in the poultry sheds/houses of the city, which are not efficient enough, whereas compressor-based systems are not economical. Therefore, this study is aimed to explore a low-cost air-conditioning (AC) option from the viewpoint of heat stress in poultry birds. In this regard, the study investigates the applicability of three evaporative cooling (EC) options, i.e., direct EC (DEC), indirect EC (IEC), and Maisotsenko-cycle EC (MEC). Performance of the EC systems is investigated using wet-bulb effectiveness (WBE) for the climatic conditions of Multan. Heat stress is investigated as a function of poultry weight. Thermal comfort of the poultry birds is calculated in terms of temperature-humidity index (THI) corresponding to the ambient and output conditions. The heat production from the poultry birds is calculated using the Pederson model (available in the literature) at various temperatures. The results indicate a maximum temperature gradient of 10.2 °C (MEC system), 9 °C (DEC system), and 6.5 °C (IEC systems) is achieved. However, in the monsoon/rainfall season, the performance of the EC systems is significantly reduced due to higher relative humidity in ambient air.
Hafiz Raza; Hadeed Ashraf; Khawar Shahzad; Muhammad Sultan; Takahiko Miyazaki; Muhammad Usman; Redmond Shamshiri; Yuguang Zhou; Riaz Ahmad. Investigating Applicability of Evaporative Cooling Systems for Thermal Comfort of Poultry Birds in Pakistan. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 4445 .
AMA StyleHafiz Raza, Hadeed Ashraf, Khawar Shahzad, Muhammad Sultan, Takahiko Miyazaki, Muhammad Usman, Redmond Shamshiri, Yuguang Zhou, Riaz Ahmad. Investigating Applicability of Evaporative Cooling Systems for Thermal Comfort of Poultry Birds in Pakistan. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (13):4445.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHafiz Raza; Hadeed Ashraf; Khawar Shahzad; Muhammad Sultan; Takahiko Miyazaki; Muhammad Usman; Redmond Shamshiri; Yuguang Zhou; Riaz Ahmad. 2020. "Investigating Applicability of Evaporative Cooling Systems for Thermal Comfort of Poultry Birds in Pakistan." Applied Sciences 10, no. 13: 4445.
The extensive use of traditional cooking and heating stoves to meet domestic requirements creates a serious problem of indoor and outdoor air pollution. This study reports the impacts of two fuel feeding methods – front-loading and top-loading on the thermal and emissions performance of a modern coal-fired water-heating and cooking stove using a contextual test sequence that replicates typical patterns of domestic use. Known as a low-pressure boiler, when this stove was fueled with raw coal, the findings indicate that front-loading the fuel, which devolatilizes the new fuel gradually, produced consistently higher space heating efficiency and lower emission factors than top-loading the same stove, which devolatilizes new fuel all at once. Comparing the performance at both high and low power gave the similar results: front-loading with raw coal produced consistently better results than top-loading. The average water heating efficiency when front-loading was (58.6±2.3)% and (53.4±1.8)% for top-loading. Over the sixteen-hour test sequence, front-loading produced 22% lower emissions of PM2.5 (3.9±0.6) mg/MJNET than top-loading (4.7±0.9) mg/MJNET. The same pattern was observed for carbon monoxide and the CO/CO2 ratio. CO was reduced from (5.0±0.4) g/MJNET to (4.1±0.5) g/MJNET. The combustion efficiency (CO/CO2 ratio) improved from (8.2±0.8)% to (6.6±0.6)%. Briquetted semi-coked coal briquettes are promoted as a raw coal substitute, and the tests were replicated using this fuel. Again, the same pattern of improved performance was observed. Front loading produced 3.5% higher heating efficiency, 10% lower CO and a 0.9% lower CO/CO2 ratio. It is concluded that, compared with top loading, the manufacturers recommended front-loading refueling behavior delivered better thermal, emissions and combustion performance under all test conditions with those two fuels. Keywords: stoves, front-loading, top-loading, refueling, domestic coal, thermal efficiency, PM2.5 emissions, semi-coked coal briquettes DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191203.3880 Citation: Ahmad R, Zhou Y G, Zhao N, Pemberton-Pigott C, Annegarn H J, Sultan M, et al. Impacts of fuel feeding methods on the thermal and emission performance of modern coal burning stoves. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(3): 160–167.
Riaz Ahmad; Yuguang Zhou; Nan Zhao; Crispin Pemberton-Pigott; Harold John Annegarn; Muhammad Sultan; Renjie Dong; Xinxin Ju. Impacts of fuel feeding methods on the thermal and emission performance of modern coal burning stoves. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2019, 12, 160 -167.
AMA StyleRiaz Ahmad, Yuguang Zhou, Nan Zhao, Crispin Pemberton-Pigott, Harold John Annegarn, Muhammad Sultan, Renjie Dong, Xinxin Ju. Impacts of fuel feeding methods on the thermal and emission performance of modern coal burning stoves. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. 2019; 12 (3):160-167.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRiaz Ahmad; Yuguang Zhou; Nan Zhao; Crispin Pemberton-Pigott; Harold John Annegarn; Muhammad Sultan; Renjie Dong; Xinxin Ju. 2019. "Impacts of fuel feeding methods on the thermal and emission performance of modern coal burning stoves." International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 12, no. 3: 160-167.