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Sustainable development implies the proper use of natural resources, such as water resources, but the environmental, economic, and social benefits should also be considered. In the water sector, for example, sanitation is one of the challenges that arise in rural localities. However, issues related to it may be solved with the use of constructed wetlands (CWs), which may allow the cultivation of ornamental plants with phytoremediation properties. Through a content analysis, the environmental, economic, and social potential of ornamental species used in Mexico for phytoremediation in CWs is documented in this study. The environmental potential of the plants was considered based on their phytoremediation properties. The economic potential was determined from research articles and from the National Agri-Food Information System. The social potential was analyzed considering the ornamental and artisanal use of the plants. In total, 21 species of phytoremediation plants were identified. Anthurium andreanum and Zantedeschia aethiopica stand out for their commercial value, reported in 2018 to be 272,875 and 30,318 USD, respectively, at the national level. The social potential was identified by the ornamental or artisanal use for flower arrangements and weaving. This study reveals that the use of CWs with ornamental vegetation is a sustainable option to clean wastewater, reuse water, and generate economic incentives. Thus, it is essential to provide the community with adequate training for the management of CWs in those sites that lack treatment systems.
Irma Zitácuaro-Contreras; Monserrat Vidal-Álvarez; María Hernández Y Orduña; Sergio Zamora-Castro; Erick Betanzo-Torres; José Marín-Muñíz; Luis Sandoval-Herazo. Environmental, Economic, and Social Potentialities of Ornamental Vegetation Cultivated in Constructed Wetlands of Mexico. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6267 .
AMA StyleIrma Zitácuaro-Contreras, Monserrat Vidal-Álvarez, María Hernández Y Orduña, Sergio Zamora-Castro, Erick Betanzo-Torres, José Marín-Muñíz, Luis Sandoval-Herazo. Environmental, Economic, and Social Potentialities of Ornamental Vegetation Cultivated in Constructed Wetlands of Mexico. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (11):6267.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIrma Zitácuaro-Contreras; Monserrat Vidal-Álvarez; María Hernández Y Orduña; Sergio Zamora-Castro; Erick Betanzo-Torres; José Marín-Muñíz; Luis Sandoval-Herazo. 2021. "Environmental, Economic, and Social Potentialities of Ornamental Vegetation Cultivated in Constructed Wetlands of Mexico." Sustainability 13, no. 11: 6267.
The use of concrete in civil infrastructure is highly demanded in structural and nonstructural elements. However, the high production of concrete could lead to severe pollution in the world. This pollution can be decreased using sustainable materials mixed with cement to obtain sustainable concrete. These sustainable materials include reinforcing fibers (e.g., steel, polypropylene, carbon fibers), recycled materials (e.g., tire rubber, crushed glass, plastic, industrial waste) as well as organic and inorganic elements as concrete aggregates and reinforcement elements. The sustainable construction materials can reduce the amount constitutive elements of concrete required for civil constructions. In addition, some sustainable materials added to cement could improve some properties of the concrete, like the compressive and flexural strength of concrete structural elements. Thus, the maintenance requirements or early replacement of these structural elements could be decreased. This review presents recent investigations about the performance of different sustainable concrete types. In addition, we include the effects on the mechanical properties of the concrete caused by the incorporation of several sustainable materials. In addition, recommendations for the use and testing of sustainable concrete are reported. These materials have potential applications in the sustainable concrete infrastructure in future smart cities.
Sergio A. Zamora-Castro; Rolando Salgado-Estrada; Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo; Roberto Angel Melendez-Armenta; Erick Manzano-Huerta; Enriqueta Yelmi-Carrillo; Agustín L. Herrera-May. Sustainable Development of Concrete through Aggregates and Innovative Materials: A Review. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 629 .
AMA StyleSergio A. Zamora-Castro, Rolando Salgado-Estrada, Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo, Roberto Angel Melendez-Armenta, Erick Manzano-Huerta, Enriqueta Yelmi-Carrillo, Agustín L. Herrera-May. Sustainable Development of Concrete through Aggregates and Innovative Materials: A Review. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (2):629.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergio A. Zamora-Castro; Rolando Salgado-Estrada; Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo; Roberto Angel Melendez-Armenta; Erick Manzano-Huerta; Enriqueta Yelmi-Carrillo; Agustín L. Herrera-May. 2021. "Sustainable Development of Concrete through Aggregates and Innovative Materials: A Review." Applied Sciences 11, no. 2: 629.
The methodologies to predict the safety levels of highway bridges must consider suitable live load models from real and critical traffic conditions. This research is focused on the reliability assessment of prestressed simply supported Mexican bridges, which are the most common structures for short and medium spans in Mexico. The safety levels of highway bridges are determined to show the impact generated by two different kinds of live models on using prestressed type AASHTO I beams in Mexico, with spans of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 m. These safety levels are obtained using a probabilistic approach based on the reliability theory. Selected highway bridges are designed according those procedures proposed by the Mexican Institute of Transportation rules and AASHTO LRFD bridge specifications, which are commonly used by Mexican bridge designers. For all the cases, results of IMT-66.5 live load model achieve higher safety levels than T3-S2-R4 truck. Shear reliability analyses indicate high level overdesign using Mexico City design code, leading to high safety levels for all evaluated cases. For bending moment analysis, the bridges with spans higher than 20 m have reliability indices under 3.5 for both live load models and a traffic scenario with 35% trucks. Therefore, we propose new live load factors for bridges with spans longer than 20 m to achieve the target reliability index of 3.5. For traffic scenarios with 18% and 35% trucks, proposed live load factors for IMT 66.5 and T3-S2-R4 trucks have increments of 6.7% and 7.8%, and 16.7% and 16.8%, respectively. An overall methodology was also proposed to be applied in other places with similar truck overloading problems for evaluating new and current bridge infrastructure.
Rolando Salgado-Estrada; Sergio A. Zamora-Castro; Agustín L. Herrera-May; Yessica A. Sánchez-Moreno; Yair S. Sánchez-Moreno. Reliability Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Bridges in Mexico: Assessment and Live Load Factors Proposal. International Journal of Civil Engineering 2021, 19, 481 -499.
AMA StyleRolando Salgado-Estrada, Sergio A. Zamora-Castro, Agustín L. Herrera-May, Yessica A. Sánchez-Moreno, Yair S. Sánchez-Moreno. Reliability Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Bridges in Mexico: Assessment and Live Load Factors Proposal. International Journal of Civil Engineering. 2021; 19 (4):481-499.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRolando Salgado-Estrada; Sergio A. Zamora-Castro; Agustín L. Herrera-May; Yessica A. Sánchez-Moreno; Yair S. Sánchez-Moreno. 2021. "Reliability Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Bridges in Mexico: Assessment and Live Load Factors Proposal." International Journal of Civil Engineering 19, no. 4: 481-499.
Wastewater treatment (WWT) is a priority around the world; conventional treatments are not widely used in rural areas owing to the high operating and maintenance costs. In Mexico, for instance, only 40% of wastewater is treated. One sustainable option for WWT is through the use of constructed wetlands (CWs) technology, which may remove pollutants using cells filled with porous material and vegetation that works as a natural filter. Knowing the optimal material and density of plants used per square meter in CWs would allow improving their WWT effect. In this study, the effect of material media (plastic/mineral) and plant density on the removal of organic/inorganic pollutants was evaluated. Low (three plants), medium (six plants) and high (nine plants) densities were compared in a surface area of 0.3 m2 of ornamental plants (Alpinia purpurata, Canna hybrids and Hedychium coronarium) used in polycultures at the mesocosm level of household wetlands, planted on the two different substrates. Regarding the removal of contaminants, no significant differences were found between substrates (p ≥ 0.05), indicating the use of plastic residues (reusable) is an economical option compared to typical mineral materials. However, differences (p = 0.001) in removal of pollutants were found between different plant densities. For both substrates, the high density planted CWs were able to remove COD in a range of 86–90%, PO4-P 22–33%, NH4-N in 84–90%, NO3-N 25–28% and NO2-N 38–42%. At medium density, removals of 79–81%, 26–32, 80–82%, 24–26%, and 39–41%, were observed, whereas in CWs with low density, the detected removals were 65–68%, 20–26%, 79–80%, 24–26% and 31–40%, respectively. These results revealed that higher COD and ammonia were removed at high plant density than at medium or low densities. Other pollutants were removed similarly in all plant densities (22–42%), indicating the necessity of hybrid CWs to increase the elimination of PO4-P, NO3-N and NO2-N. Moreover, high density favored 10 to 20% more the removal of pollutants than other plant densities. In addition, in cells with high density of plants and smaller planting distance, the development of new plant shoots was limited. Thus, it is suggested that the appropriate distance for this type of polyculture plants should be from 40 to 50 cm in expansion to real-scale systems in order to take advantage of the harvesting of species in these and allow species of greater foliage, favoring its growth and new shoots with the appropriate distance to compensate, in the short time, the removal of nutrients.
Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo; Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman; María Cristina López-Méndez; Albino Martínez-Sibaja; Alberto A. Aguilar-Lasserre; Sergio Zamora-Castro; José Luis Marín-Muñiz. Effects of Ornamental Plant Density and Mineral/Plastic Media on the Removal of Domestic Wastewater Pollutants by Home Wetlands Technology. Molecules 2020, 25, 5273 .
AMA StyleLuis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo, Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman, María Cristina López-Méndez, Albino Martínez-Sibaja, Alberto A. Aguilar-Lasserre, Sergio Zamora-Castro, José Luis Marín-Muñiz. Effects of Ornamental Plant Density and Mineral/Plastic Media on the Removal of Domestic Wastewater Pollutants by Home Wetlands Technology. Molecules. 2020; 25 (22):5273.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo; Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman; María Cristina López-Méndez; Albino Martínez-Sibaja; Alberto A. Aguilar-Lasserre; Sergio Zamora-Castro; José Luis Marín-Muñiz. 2020. "Effects of Ornamental Plant Density and Mineral/Plastic Media on the Removal of Domestic Wastewater Pollutants by Home Wetlands Technology." Molecules 25, no. 22: 5273.
Wetland soils are important stores of soil carbon (C) in the biosphere, and play an important role in global carbon cycles in the response strategy to climate change. However, there areknowledge gaps in our understanding of the quantity and distribution in tropical regions. Specifically, Mexican wetlands have not been considered in global carbon budgets or carbon balances for a number of reasons, such as: (1) the lack of data, (2) Spanish publications have not been selected, or (3) because such balances are mainly made in the English language. This study analyzes the literature regarding carbon stocks, sequestration and fluxes in Mexican forested wetlands (Forest-W). Soil carbon stocks of 8, 24.5 and 40.1 kg cm−2 were detected for flooded palms, mangroves, and freshwater or swamps (FW) wetland soils, respectively, indicating that FW soils are the Forest-W with more potential for carbon sinks (p = 0.023), compared to mangroves and flooded palm soils. While these assessments of carbon sequestration were ranged from 36 to 920 g-C m−2 year−1, C emitted as methane was also tabulated (0.6–196 g-C m−2 year−1). Subtracting the C emitted of the C sequestered, 318.2 g-C m−2 year−1 were obtained. Such data revealed that Forest-W function is mainly as carbon sink, and not C source. This review can help to inform practitioners in future decisions regarding sustainable projects, restoration, conservation or creation of wetlands. Finally, it is concluded that Forest-W could be key ecosystems in strategies addressing the mitigation of climate change through carbon storage. However, new studies in this research line and public policies that protect these essential carbon sinks are necessary in order to, hopefully, elaborate global models to make more accurate predictions about future climate.
Sergio Zamora; Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo; Gastón Ballut-Dajud; Oscar Andrés Del Ángel-Coronel; Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres; José Luis Marín-Muñiz. Carbon Fluxes and Stocks by Mexican Tropical Forested Wetland Soils: A Critical Review of Its Role for Climate Change Mitigation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 7372 .
AMA StyleSergio Zamora, Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo, Gastón Ballut-Dajud, Oscar Andrés Del Ángel-Coronel, Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres, José Luis Marín-Muñiz. Carbon Fluxes and Stocks by Mexican Tropical Forested Wetland Soils: A Critical Review of Its Role for Climate Change Mitigation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (20):7372.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergio Zamora; Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo; Gastón Ballut-Dajud; Oscar Andrés Del Ángel-Coronel; Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres; José Luis Marín-Muñiz. 2020. "Carbon Fluxes and Stocks by Mexican Tropical Forested Wetland Soils: A Critical Review of Its Role for Climate Change Mitigation." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 20: 7372.
Recirculation in a combustion chamber is required for stabilizing the flame and reducing pollutants. The swirlers can generate recirculation in a combustion chamber, inducing a swirling flow that breaks vorticity and improves the mixing of air and fuel. The swirl number (Sn) is related to the formation of recirculation in conditions of high-intensity flows with Sn > 0.6. Thus, the optimized design of a swirler is necessary to generate enough turbulence that keeps the flame stable. We present the optimized design of a swirler considering the main parameters for a non-premixed combustion chamber. This optimization is made with genetic algorithms to ensure the generation of a recirculation zone in the combustion chamber. This recirculation phenomenon is simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models and applying the renormalization group (RNG) k-ε turbulence method. The chemistry is parameterized as a function of the mixture fraction and dissipation rate. A CFD comparison of a baseline swirler model and the proposed optimized swirler model shows that a recirculation zone with high intensity and longer length is generated in the primary zone of the combustion chamber when the optimized model is used. Furthermore, the CFD models depict swirling effects in the turbulent non-premixed flame, in which the stabilization is sensitive to the recirculation zone. The temperature results obtained with the CFD models agree well with the experimental results. The proposed design can help designers enhance the performance of combustion chambers and decrease the generation of CO and NOx.
Daniel Alejandro Zavaleta-Luna; Marco Osvaldo Vigueras-Zúñiga; Agustín L. Herrera-May; Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro; María Elena Tejeda-Del-Cueto. Optimized Design of a Swirler for a Combustion Chamber of Non-Premixed Flame Using Genetic Algorithms. Energies 2020, 13, 2240 .
AMA StyleDaniel Alejandro Zavaleta-Luna, Marco Osvaldo Vigueras-Zúñiga, Agustín L. Herrera-May, Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro, María Elena Tejeda-Del-Cueto. Optimized Design of a Swirler for a Combustion Chamber of Non-Premixed Flame Using Genetic Algorithms. Energies. 2020; 13 (9):2240.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Alejandro Zavaleta-Luna; Marco Osvaldo Vigueras-Zúñiga; Agustín L. Herrera-May; Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro; María Elena Tejeda-Del-Cueto. 2020. "Optimized Design of a Swirler for a Combustion Chamber of Non-Premixed Flame Using Genetic Algorithms." Energies 13, no. 9: 2240.
Constructed wetlands (CWs) are sustainable technologies where the channels are filled with porous material and plants, which collectively remove pollutants, depending on the type of substrate and vegetation. This study evaluated CWs and their functionality by comparing three ornamental plants (Canna indica, Cyperus papyrus, and Hedychium coronarium) as a phytoremediation process of wastewater, in CWs filled with layers of porous stone–tepezil–plastic residues–soil (S-A), or in microcosms with layers of porous stone–tepezil–soil without the presence of plastic (S-B). The findings during 180 days showed that the removals of pollutants (chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids suspended (TSS), nitrogen as ammonium (N-NH4), as nitrate (N-NO3), and phosphate (P-PO4) were 20%–60% higher in microcosms with plants than in the absence of plants. Statistical differences were not observed when comparing removal effects among S-A and S-B, indicating that plastic residues as filter material in CWs did not affect the pollutant removal, growth, flowering, and shoots of plants. The use of plastic residues as filter may represent a less costly alternative in CW establishments. Dependence on N-NH4 and TSS removal was observed according to plant species. The three species used are suitable for using in CWs as wastewater treatment. In addition, the ornamental plants could generate interest for a commercial option.
Sergio Zamora; J. Luis Marín-Muñíz; Carlos Nakase-Rodríguez; Gregorio Fernández-Lambert; Luis Sandoval. Wastewater Treatment by Constructed Wetland Eco-Technology: Influence of Mineral and Plastic Materials as Filter Media and Tropical Ornamental Plants. Water 2019, 11, 2344 .
AMA StyleSergio Zamora, J. Luis Marín-Muñíz, Carlos Nakase-Rodríguez, Gregorio Fernández-Lambert, Luis Sandoval. Wastewater Treatment by Constructed Wetland Eco-Technology: Influence of Mineral and Plastic Materials as Filter Media and Tropical Ornamental Plants. Water. 2019; 11 (11):2344.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergio Zamora; J. Luis Marín-Muñíz; Carlos Nakase-Rodríguez; Gregorio Fernández-Lambert; Luis Sandoval. 2019. "Wastewater Treatment by Constructed Wetland Eco-Technology: Influence of Mineral and Plastic Materials as Filter Media and Tropical Ornamental Plants." Water 11, no. 11: 2344.
Modern concrete infrastructure requires structural components with higher mechanical strength and greater durability. A solution is the addition of nanomaterials to cement-based materials, which can enhance their mechanical properties. Some such nanomaterials include nano-silica (nano-SiO2), nano-alumina (nano-Al2O3), nano-ferric oxide (nano-Fe2O3), nano-titanium oxide (nano-TiO2), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene and graphene oxide. These nanomaterials can be added to cement with other reinforcement materials such as steel fibers, glass, rice hull powder and fly ash. Optimal dosages of these materials can improve the compressive, tensile and flexural strength of cement-based materials, as well as their water absorption and workability. The use of these nanomaterials can enhance the performance and life cycle of concrete infrastructures. This review presents recent researches about the main effects on performance of cement-based composites caused by the incorporation of nanomaterials. The nanomaterials could decrease the cement porosity, generating a denser interfacial transition zone. In addition, nanomaterials reinforced cement can allow the construction of high-strength concrete structures with greater durability, which will decrease the maintenance requirements or early replacement. Also, the incorporation of nano-TiO2 and CNTs in cementitious matrices can provide concrete structures with self-cleaning and self-sensing abilities. These advantages could help in the photocatalytic decomposition of pollutants and structural health monitoring of the concrete structures. The nanomaterials have a great potential for applications in smart infrastructure based on high-strength concrete structures.
Karla P. Bautista-Gutierrez; Agustín L. Herrera-May; Jesús M. Santamaría-López; Antonio Honorato-Moreno; Sergio A. Zamora-Castro. Recent Progress in Nanomaterials for Modern Concrete Infrastructure: Advantages and Challenges. Materials 2019, 12, 3548 .
AMA StyleKarla P. Bautista-Gutierrez, Agustín L. Herrera-May, Jesús M. Santamaría-López, Antonio Honorato-Moreno, Sergio A. Zamora-Castro. Recent Progress in Nanomaterials for Modern Concrete Infrastructure: Advantages and Challenges. Materials. 2019; 12 (21):3548.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKarla P. Bautista-Gutierrez; Agustín L. Herrera-May; Jesús M. Santamaría-López; Antonio Honorato-Moreno; Sergio A. Zamora-Castro. 2019. "Recent Progress in Nanomaterials for Modern Concrete Infrastructure: Advantages and Challenges." Materials 12, no. 21: 3548.
Improving water quality is a relevant environmental aspect, and using constructed wetlands (CWs) is a sustainable option for this; both porous material filled cells and plants that collectively remove contaminants must be readily available and inexpensive. This study evaluated CWs and their functionality by comparing two ornamental plants (Spathiphyllum wallisii and Hedychium coronarium) planted in experimental mesocosm units filled with layers of porous river rock, tepezil, and soil, or in mesocosms with layers of porous river rock, and tepezil, without the presence of soil. The findings during the experiments (180 days), showed that the removal of pollutants (chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids suspended (TSS), nitrogen as ammonium (N-NH4), as nitrate (N-NO3), and phosphate (P-PO4) was 20–50% higher in mesocosms with vegetation that in the absence of this, and those mesocosms with the soil layer between 33–45% favored removal of P-PO4. Differences regarding of vegetation removal were only observed for N-NH4, being 25–45% higher in CWs with H. coronarium, compared with S. wallisii. Both species are suitable for using in CWs, for its functionality as phytoremediation, and aesthetic advantages could generate interest for wastewater treatment in rural communities, parks, schools or in domiciliary levels like floral flower boxes in the backyard. The study also revealed that a soil layer in CWs is necessary to increase the removal of P-PO4, an ion hardly eliminated in water treatment.
Sergio Zamora; Luis Sandoval; J. Luis Marín-Muñíz; Gregorio Fernández-Lambert; M. Graciela Hernández-Orduña. Impact of Ornamental Vegetation Type and Different Substrate Layers on Pollutant Removal in Constructed Wetland Mesocosms Treating Rural Community Wastewater. Processes 2019, 7, 531 .
AMA StyleSergio Zamora, Luis Sandoval, J. Luis Marín-Muñíz, Gregorio Fernández-Lambert, M. Graciela Hernández-Orduña. Impact of Ornamental Vegetation Type and Different Substrate Layers on Pollutant Removal in Constructed Wetland Mesocosms Treating Rural Community Wastewater. Processes. 2019; 7 (8):531.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergio Zamora; Luis Sandoval; J. Luis Marín-Muñíz; Gregorio Fernández-Lambert; M. Graciela Hernández-Orduña. 2019. "Impact of Ornamental Vegetation Type and Different Substrate Layers on Pollutant Removal in Constructed Wetland Mesocosms Treating Rural Community Wastewater." Processes 7, no. 8: 531.
Demand for electrical energy and rising production costs, coupled with the need to favor renewable energies, mean that alternative solutions must be proposed which, in addition to reducing consumption costs, are sustainable solutions with very low environmental impact. Although a solution has been given with the use of solar cells, these can still be expensive or require additional maintenance in the fixation and support systems when they are in zones of high nitrate concentrations. As a rule these coastal areas have the advantage of receiving wind of different speeds during prolonged periods of time during the day, which can facilitate the placement of electric generators by windmills. In the Faculty of Engineering, a zoned study was carried out on wind speeds and directions over a long period of time, in order to establish the conditions and feasibility of the placement of these generators, considering the topography and typology of the place measured speeds and directions on one of the complex buildings. Thus, a register was obtained that allows calculating the energy production and the convenience of exploiting this clean and sustainable energy solution.
Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro; Antonio Molina-Navarro; María Eugenia Alicia Diaz-Vega; Jesús Santamaria-Lopez. Estudio de corrientes y velocidades de aire, para la implementacion de generadores eolicos. Revista de Sistemas Experimentales 2019, 14 -18.
AMA StyleSergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro, Antonio Molina-Navarro, María Eugenia Alicia Diaz-Vega, Jesús Santamaria-Lopez. Estudio de corrientes y velocidades de aire, para la implementacion de generadores eolicos. Revista de Sistemas Experimentales. 2019; ():14-18.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro; Antonio Molina-Navarro; María Eugenia Alicia Diaz-Vega; Jesús Santamaria-Lopez. 2019. "Estudio de corrientes y velocidades de aire, para la implementacion de generadores eolicos." Revista de Sistemas Experimentales , no. : 14-18.
The effects of Canna indica (P1), Pontederia sagittata (P2), and Spathiphyllum wallisii (P3) growing in different filter media materials (12 using porous river rock and 12 using tepezyl) on the seasonal removal of pollutants of wastewater using fill-and-drain constructed wetlands (FD-CWs) were investigated during 12 months. Three units of every media were planted with one plant of P1, P2, and P3, and three were kept unplanted. C. indica was the plant with higher growth than the other species, in both filter media. The species with more flower production were: C. indica > P. sagittate > S. wallisii. Reflecting similarly in the biomass of the plants, C. indica and P. sagittata showed more quantity of aerial and below ground biomass productivity than S. wallisii. With respect to the removal efficiency, both porous media were efficient in terms of pollutant removal performance (p > 0.05). However, removal efficiency showed a dependence on ornamental plants. The higher removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), nitrates (NO3−-N), ammonium (NH4+-N), and phosphates (PO4−3-P) oscillated between 81% to 83%, 80% to 84%, 61% to 69%, 61% to 68%, 65% to 71%, 62% to 68%, and 66% to 69%, respectively, in P1 and P2, removals 15% to 30% higher than P3. The removal in planted microcosms was significantly higher than the unplanted control units (p = 0.023). Nitrogen and phosphorous compounds were highly removed (60%–80%) because in typical CWs, such pollutant removals are usually smaller, indicating the importance of FD-CWs on wastewater treatments using porous river rock and tepezyl as porous filter media. (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), (NO3−-N), (NH4+-N), (TKN), and (PO4−3-P).
Sergio A. Zamora-Castro; José Luis Marín-Muñiz; Luis Sandoval; Monserrat Vidal-Álvarez; Juan Manuel Carrión-Delgado. Effect of Ornamental Plants, Seasonality, and Filter Media Material in Fill-and-Drain Constructed Wetlands Treating Rural Community Wastewater. Sustainability 2019, 11, 2350 .
AMA StyleSergio A. Zamora-Castro, José Luis Marín-Muñiz, Luis Sandoval, Monserrat Vidal-Álvarez, Juan Manuel Carrión-Delgado. Effect of Ornamental Plants, Seasonality, and Filter Media Material in Fill-and-Drain Constructed Wetlands Treating Rural Community Wastewater. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (8):2350.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergio A. Zamora-Castro; José Luis Marín-Muñiz; Luis Sandoval; Monserrat Vidal-Álvarez; Juan Manuel Carrión-Delgado. 2019. "Effect of Ornamental Plants, Seasonality, and Filter Media Material in Fill-and-Drain Constructed Wetlands Treating Rural Community Wastewater." Sustainability 11, no. 8: 2350.
The vegetation in constructed wetlands (CWs) plays an important role in wastewater treatment. Popularly, the common emergent plants in CWs have been vegetation of natural wetlands. However, there are ornamental flowering plants that have some physiological characteristics similar to the plants of natural wetlands that can stimulate the removal of pollutants in wastewater treatments; such importance in CWs is described here. A literature survey of 87 CWs from 21 countries showed that the four most commonly used flowering ornamental vegetation genera were Canna, Iris, Heliconia and Zantedeschia. In terms of geographical location, Canna spp. is commonly found in Asia, Zantedeschia spp. is frequent in Mexico (a country in North America), Iris is most commonly used in Asia, Europe and North America, and species of the Heliconia genus are commonly used in Asia and parts of the Americas (Mexico, Central and South America). This review also compares the use of ornamental plants versus natural wetland plants and systems without plants for removing pollutants (organic matter, nitrogen, nitrogen and phosphorous compounds). The removal efficiency was similar between flowering ornamental and natural wetland plants. However, pollutant removal was better when using ornamental plants than in unplanted CWs. The use of ornamental flowering plants in CWs is an excellent option, and efforts should be made to increase the adoption of these system types and use them in domiciliary, rural and urban areas.
Luis Sandoval; Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro; Monserrat Vidal-Álvarez; José Luis Marín-Muñiz. Role of Wetland Plants and Use of Ornamental Flowering Plants in Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: A Review. Applied Sciences 2019, 9, 685 .
AMA StyleLuis Sandoval, Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro, Monserrat Vidal-Álvarez, José Luis Marín-Muñiz. Role of Wetland Plants and Use of Ornamental Flowering Plants in Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: A Review. Applied Sciences. 2019; 9 (4):685.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuis Sandoval; Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro; Monserrat Vidal-Álvarez; José Luis Marín-Muñiz. 2019. "Role of Wetland Plants and Use of Ornamental Flowering Plants in Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: A Review." Applied Sciences 9, no. 4: 685.
The current knowledge about the role terrestrial ornamental plants play in constructed wetlands (CWs) has scarcely been evaluated. Likewise, little attention has been given towards the use of new support or fill media for subsurface flow CWs, which may result in the reduction of costs when implemented on a large scale. This study evaluated, during nine months, the effect of three terrestrial ornamental plants and two substrates on the elimination of pollutants in wastewaters by using fill-and-drain vertical subsurface flow CWs (FD-CWs). Sixteen microcosms were used, nine filled with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and nine with porous river stone (PRS). For each type of substrate, duplicates of microcosms were used, utilizing Anthurium sp., Zantedeschia aethiopica, and Spathiphyllum wallisii as vegetation and two other CWs without vegetation as controls. The environmental conditions, number of flowers, and height of the plants were registered. The results revealed that both substrates in the FD-CWs were efficient in removing pollutants. The average removal of pollutants in systems with vegetation revealed a positive effect on the reduction of the biochemical oxygen demand (55–70%), nitrates (28–44%), phosphates (25–45%), and fecal coliforms (52–65%). Meanwhile, in units without vegetation, the reduction of pollutants was nearly 40–50% less than in those with vegetation. The use of PET as a filling substrate in CWs did not affect the growth and/or the flowering of the species; therefore, its use combined with the species studied in CWs may be replicated in villages with similar wastewater problems. This may represent a reduction in implementation costs when utilizing PET recycled wastes and PRS as substrates in these systems in comparison with the typical substrates used in CWs. More studies are needed to better understand the interactions among these novel support media and the commercial terrestrial ornamental plants.
Luis Sandoval; José Luis Marín-Muñiz; Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro; Fabiola Sandoval-Salas; Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman. Evaluation of Wastewater Treatment by Microcosms of Vertical Subsurface Wetlands in Partially Saturated Conditions Planted with Ornamental Plants and Filled with Mineral and Plastic Substrates. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 167 .
AMA StyleLuis Sandoval, José Luis Marín-Muñiz, Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro, Fabiola Sandoval-Salas, Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman. Evaluation of Wastewater Treatment by Microcosms of Vertical Subsurface Wetlands in Partially Saturated Conditions Planted with Ornamental Plants and Filled with Mineral and Plastic Substrates. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (2):167.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuis Sandoval; José Luis Marín-Muñiz; Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro; Fabiola Sandoval-Salas; Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman. 2019. "Evaluation of Wastewater Treatment by Microcosms of Vertical Subsurface Wetlands in Partially Saturated Conditions Planted with Ornamental Plants and Filled with Mineral and Plastic Substrates." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 2: 167.
Due to the increasing demands of quality products, efficient monitoring systems in the current control and operation of industrial processes are essentials. However, in particulate processes as cane sugar crystallization, accurate, inexpensive and suitable sensors for the online monitoring of key process variables are not available. In this work, an alternative using the image analysis of micrographs captured in batch cooling crystallizer is presented. The propose is based on a combined treatment between fractal analysis and conventional binarization techniques, obtaining a normalized fractal index (NFI) that allow the dynamic monitoring of crystal mean diameter, D(4,3). In order to evaluate the monitoring system, the crystallizer was operated at different cooling profiles, finding that the methodology proposed can be used as an alternative technique, inexpensive and easy to implement, for monitoring crystal growth.
Armando Campos-Dominguez; Yessica I. Ceballos-Ceballos; Sergio Zamora; Eliseo Hernandez-Martinez; Oscar Velázquez-Camilo. Indirect Monitoring Cane Sugar Crystallization via Image Fractal Analysis. Computación y Sistemas 2018, 22, 1 .
AMA StyleArmando Campos-Dominguez, Yessica I. Ceballos-Ceballos, Sergio Zamora, Eliseo Hernandez-Martinez, Oscar Velázquez-Camilo. Indirect Monitoring Cane Sugar Crystallization via Image Fractal Analysis. Computación y Sistemas. 2018; 22 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleArmando Campos-Dominguez; Yessica I. Ceballos-Ceballos; Sergio Zamora; Eliseo Hernandez-Martinez; Oscar Velázquez-Camilo. 2018. "Indirect Monitoring Cane Sugar Crystallization via Image Fractal Analysis." Computación y Sistemas 22, no. 4: 1.
The high costs involved in treating wastewater are problems that developing countries confront, mainly in rural areas. Therefore, Constructed Wetlands (CWs), which are composed of substrate, vegetation, and microorganisms, are an economically and ecologically viable option for wastewater treatment in these places. There is a wide variety of possibilities for substrates and ornamental plants that have not yet been evaluated to be implemented in future CW designs. The goal of this study was to evaluate the process of adaptation and removal of wastewater pollutants in CW microcosms using different terrestrial ornamental plants (Lavandula sp., Spathiphyllum wallisii, and Zantedeschia aethiopica). Those plants were sown in two types of substrate: red volcanic gravel (RVG) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). CWs with vegetation reduced 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) by 68% with RVG substrate and 63% with PET substrate, nitrates 50% in RVG substrate and 35% in PET substrate, phosphates 38% in RVG substrate and 35% in PET substrate, and fecal coliforms 64% in RVG and 59% in PET substrate). In control microcosms without vegetation, reductions were significantly lower than those in the presence of plants, with reduction of BOD5 by 61% in RVG substrate and 55% in PET substrate, nitrates 26% in RVG substrate and 22% in PET substrate, phosphates 27% in RVG substrate and 25% in PET substrate. Concerning fecal coliforms 62% were removed in RVG substrate and 59% in PET substrate. Regarding the production of flowers, Lavandula sp. did not manage to adapt and died 45 days after sowing and did not produce flowers. Spathiphyllum wallisii produced 12 flowers in RVG and nine flowers in PET, while Zantedeschia aethiopica produced 10 in RVG and 7 in PET. These results showed that the use of substrates made of RVG and PET is a viable alternative to be implemented in CWs. In addition, the reuse of PET is an option that decreases pollution by garbage. The plants Spathiphyllum wallisii and Zantedeschia aethiopica remarkably contribute in the removal of pollutants in wastewater. Additionally, the use of ornamental plants, with commercial interest such as those evaluated, enables an added value to the CW to be given, which can be used for flower production purposes on a larger scale and favor its acceptance within rural communities.
Luis Sandoval-Herazo; Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman; José Marín-Muñiz; Juan Méndez-Contreras; Sergio Zamora. Effects of the Use of Ornamental Plants and Different Substrates in the Removal of Wastewater Pollutants through Microcosms of Constructed Wetlands. Sustainability 2018, 10, 1594 .
AMA StyleLuis Sandoval-Herazo, Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman, José Marín-Muñiz, Juan Méndez-Contreras, Sergio Zamora. Effects of the Use of Ornamental Plants and Different Substrates in the Removal of Wastewater Pollutants through Microcosms of Constructed Wetlands. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (5):1594.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuis Sandoval-Herazo; Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman; José Marín-Muñiz; Juan Méndez-Contreras; Sergio Zamora. 2018. "Effects of the Use of Ornamental Plants and Different Substrates in the Removal of Wastewater Pollutants through Microcosms of Constructed Wetlands." Sustainability 10, no. 5: 1594.
In order to achieve greater enhancements in energy sustainability for housing, the function and efficiency of two different passive cooling systems were studied: encapsulated water in recycled bottles of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene plates, in comparison with standard concrete slab systems, which are customarily used in housing. Experiments were placed over a tile surface, in which temperature changes were monitored for a period of 20 days from 08:00 to 20:00. The efficiency of passive thermal storage systems was endorsed through statistical analysis using the “SPSS” software. This resulted in a 17% energy saving, thus promoting energy sustainability in housing units, which reduces the use of electrical appliances required to stabilize conditions to achieve optimum thermal comfort for the human body inside a house, therefore, reducing electrical power consumption, CO2 emissions to the atmosphere and generating savings. Due to the complexity of a system with temperature changes, a fractal analysis was performed for each experimental system, using the “Benoit” software (V.1.3 with self-compatible tools of rescaled range (R/S) and a wavelets method), showing that the thermal fluctuations on the tiles with the thermal storage system adapt to the rescaled range analysis and the regular tiles adapt to the wavelets method.
Tania I. Lagunes Vega; Sergio A. Zamora Castro; Oscar Velazquez Camilo; Ma Eugenia Alicia Diaz Vega; Ricardo Campos Campos. Thermal Storage Systems Assessment for Energy Sustainability in Housing Units. Sustainability 2016, 8, 413 .
AMA StyleTania I. Lagunes Vega, Sergio A. Zamora Castro, Oscar Velazquez Camilo, Ma Eugenia Alicia Diaz Vega, Ricardo Campos Campos. Thermal Storage Systems Assessment for Energy Sustainability in Housing Units. Sustainability. 2016; 8 (5):413.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTania I. Lagunes Vega; Sergio A. Zamora Castro; Oscar Velazquez Camilo; Ma Eugenia Alicia Diaz Vega; Ricardo Campos Campos. 2016. "Thermal Storage Systems Assessment for Energy Sustainability in Housing Units." Sustainability 8, no. 5: 413.
We present a novel approach to multiscale fractal image analysis for monitoring the dynamics of the soil pore/solid network roughness due to moisture content changes. Roughness of the gray-level probability density function (PDF) of subsequent images of the drying soil was expressed in terms of its Hurst exponent (HPDF), which correlated significantly with the soil dielectric permittivity and gravimetric water content, as well as with micro-horizon depth and the temporal progress of drying. We documented an intermittent character of the water content dynamics, correlating with oscillations of the pore/solid interface roughness. Our technique of PDF roughness analysis of digital images, exemplified here for soil moisture monitoring, can be applied for monitoring the other complex systems, for instance plant growth in greenhouse.
K. Oleschko; G. Korvin; L. Flores; F. Brambila; C. Gaona; J.F. Parrot; G. Ronquillo; Sergio Zamora. Probability density function: A tool for simultaneous monitoring of pore/solid roughness and moisture content. Geoderma 2010, 160, 93 -104.
AMA StyleK. Oleschko, G. Korvin, L. Flores, F. Brambila, C. Gaona, J.F. Parrot, G. Ronquillo, Sergio Zamora. Probability density function: A tool for simultaneous monitoring of pore/solid roughness and moisture content. Geoderma. 2010; 160 (1):93-104.
Chicago/Turabian StyleK. Oleschko; G. Korvin; L. Flores; F. Brambila; C. Gaona; J.F. Parrot; G. Ronquillo; Sergio Zamora. 2010. "Probability density function: A tool for simultaneous monitoring of pore/solid roughness and moisture content." Geoderma 160, no. 1: 93-104.
Soil structure depends on its genesis and consists of highly variable pore and solid networks. Several internal and external factors affect the attributes of these networks, with water being the most aggressive agent. In this study, we used selected fractal parameters (called descriptors) to quantify the basic topological attributes—compactness and connectedness—as well as lacunarity and roughness of porous materials, with special attention to sampling error and population variance dynamics. Four microhorizons were sampled from a 1.0- by 1.0- by 1.6-m monolith during a long-term drying period under controlled conditions. A comparative fractal analysis of selected multitemporal (11 mo) and multiscale (50×, 500×, 1000×, and 5000×) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images was accomplished for the following layers with contrasting texture or structure: loam topsoil, pure basaltic compacted sand, and two amorphous lacustrine clays. The scale invariance (self-similarity) of pore and solid networks was documented. A complex relationship was found between the descriptor mean values and corresponding variances. Simple power-law relations were established between the standard deviation (and variance) and layer depth, as well as scale and sampling time. Pearson's r correlation criterion was applied to measure the degree of association between multiobjective fractal descriptors. Systematic and standardized fractal analysis of multiscale images is recommended for the statistical quantitative description of complex and dynamic pore and solid networks. Copyright © 2008. Soil Science Society. Soil Science Society of America
Sergio Zamora; K. Oleschko; L. Flores; E. Ventura; J. F. Parrot. Fractal Mapping of Pore and Solid Attributes. Vadose Zone Journal 2008, 7, 473 -492.
AMA StyleSergio Zamora, K. Oleschko, L. Flores, E. Ventura, J. F. Parrot. Fractal Mapping of Pore and Solid Attributes. Vadose Zone Journal. 2008; 7 (2):473-492.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSergio Zamora; K. Oleschko; L. Flores; E. Ventura; J. F. Parrot. 2008. "Fractal Mapping of Pore and Solid Attributes." Vadose Zone Journal 7, no. 2: 473-492.