Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15060073

Authors: Melike Yildirim Ayyildiz Jasemin Ayse Ölmez Christoph Hilgers

The European Union aims to reduce its dependency on imported critical and strategic raw materials. Therefore, the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act defines benchmarks for strategic raw materials on domestic mining, recycling, refining, and the diversification of import sources to be achieved by 2030. This study investigates the feasibility of the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act mining benchmark for strategic rare earth elements, which aims for 10% of the EU’s annual demand to be met through domestic mining. We assess whether domestic rare earth element supply from mining within the EU can meet the projected future demand for 2030 and 2050. The study also examines the extent to which the total demand of rare earth elements for the EU could be met proportionally. An uncertainty estimation with Monte Carlo simulation with consideration of uniform and Gaussian distribution, based on individual project development stages, highlights that reaching the 10% benchmark for strategic rare earth elements is theoretically likely by 2030; however, with an incorporated nine-year lead time, meeting the 2030 benchmark is no longer feasible. Furthermore, obstacles such as social license to operate, mining permits and appeals in practice may additionally prolong procedures. The study concludes that in order to mine domestic rare earth elements and to reduce import dependency, the EU needs to invest in geological exploration and mining. Moreover, establishing a whole rare earth elements supply chain from mining to refining is highly complex and, as illustrated by the Japan–Australia partnership, which required 14 years without including the geological exploration phase.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15060072

Authors: Fernando Pacheco Torgal

The construction sector must simultaneously meet rising global demand and cut embodied carbon deeply enough to satisfy European Green Deal and Bioeconomy Strategy targets—two pressures that conventional petrochemical-derived materials are poorly placed to resolve. Bio-based alternatives offer a credible path: they sequester carbon, carry lower embodied emissions, improve indoor air quality, and fit naturally within circular economy models. Yet they remain marginal in specification practice. This paper reviews the evidence on bio-based construction materials and maps the barriers that keep them there. The analysis organises these barriers into four levels—structural, economic, technical, and enabling—and traces the conditional relationships between them, with direct consequences for how policy interventions should be sequenced. The strategic case for this transition extends beyond environmental policy: the 2026 Strait of Hormuz disruption is used here as a scenario to show how dependent European construction is on fossil-derived material inputs, and how exposed that dependence leaves the sector to geopolitical supply shocks. The principal obstacles to adoption prove to be institutional and economic rather than technical—regulatory fragmentation, absent harmonised standards, fragile supply chains, and market structures that systematically undervalue bio-based solutions. The paper concludes that meaningful scaling requires coordinated action across governance, market design, and industrial policy, and that material and performance advances alone will not deliver it.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15060071

Authors: Ihsen Abid

This study investigates the macroeconomic, institutional, and energy-related determinants of agricultural value added in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries over the period 2000–2023, with particular emphasis on whether international clean energy finance operates as a conditionally effective driver depending on energy endowments. Using a panel fixed-effects framework with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors to address cross-sectional dependence, heteroskedasticity, and serial correlation, the analysis incorporates an interaction term between clean energy finance and an oil-exporting dummy to capture structural heterogeneity. Robustness is ensured through Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSEs), Granger causality tests, and System GMM estimation. The findings reveal that GDP per capita and clean energy finance are positively and significantly associated with agricultural value added, while trade openness negatively affects the sector. Importantly, the interaction results indicate strong asymmetry: the positive contribution of clean energy finance is concentrated in non-oil economies but becomes weak or insignificant in oil-exporting countries, consistent with diminishing marginal returns in energy-abundant contexts. Inflation captures nominal price effects, while short-run dynamics suggest the presence of adjustment costs. Overall, the study highlights that clean energy finance acts as a structurally conditional mechanism, offering nuanced and policy-relevant insights for sustainable agricultural transformation in MENA economies.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050070

Authors: Cesar Yahir Canales Barrientos Fredy Alberto Aliaga Yupanqui Yoisdel Castillo Alvarez Reinier Jiménez Borges Luis Angel Iturralde Carrera Berlan Rodríguez Pérez José Manuel Álvarez-Alvarado Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz

Decarbonizing the building sector requires integrating on-site renewable generation with systematic energy management. Among the most widely adopted alternatives are photovoltaic (PV) systems in buildings; however, they are often implemented as a standalone technological intervention (size–install–estimate savings), without being formally incorporated into an Energy Management System (EnMS) aimed at continuous improvement. In this context, this research addresses this gap through an integrated methodological framework aligned with ISO 50001, in which PV is explicitly included in energy performance management through energy review, the definition of an Energy Baseline (EnB), and the monitoring of Energy Performance Indicators (EnPIs) within the PDCA cycle. The approach articulates the analytical sizing of the PV system based on electricity demand and solar resources; its validation through simulation to ensure operational consistency and a technical, economic, and environmental assessment that translates PV generation into a verifiable reduction in energy imported from the grid and, consequently, into traceable improvements in EnPI under an audit-compatible scheme. The methodology is demonstrated in a multi-family building in Chorrillos, Lima (Peru), where a 14.5 kWp rooftop PV system (25 modules of 580 Wp) is designed to maximize self-consumption during daylight hours. The results show technical performance consistent with the demand profile, economic viability under the conditions of the case, and environmental benefits from replacing grid electricity, along with offsets associated mainly with the manufacture of PV components. The residual gap between the Post-PV EnPIs and the ISO 50001 target confirms that PV integration is a necessary but not sufficient first-cycle action within a comprehensive building decarbonization strategy, with demand-side management and envelope improvements identified as subsequent PDCA cycle priorities. In summary, the central contribution is not the PV sizing itself, but its operational and traceable integration within ISO 50001, making PV a quantifiable, verifiable, and scalable energy improvement action for residential buildings in emerging economies.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050069

Authors: Noura Ben Mbarek

Environmental implications of resource dependence remain a central concern for hydrocarbon-based economies undergoing energy transition. Using panel data for GCC countries over 1990–2024 and second-generation econometric techniques that account for cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity, this study identifies a stable long-run relationship between natural resource rents, renewable energy, and CO2 emissions. The results show that a 1% increase in natural resource rents is linked to a 0.21% rise in CO2 emissions, highlighting the persistence of carbon-intensive economic structures. By contrast, renewable energy is associated with a 0.15% reduction in emissions, although its environmental contribution remains modest. The interaction effect is negative (−0.048) but only partially robust, indicating that renewable energy weakens, but does not fully offset, the environmental pressure associated with resource dependence. These findings suggest that energy transition in GCC economies remains gradual and structurally constrained, requiring not only renewable expansion but also deeper transformation of hydrocarbon-based growth models.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050068

Authors: Abu Ibrahim Shivani Mathur Roderick Eggert

The rapid growth of battery energy storage and electric vehicles has increased lithium demand and intensified the attention given to the environmental performance of alternative extraction pathways. Conventional life cycle assessments (LCA) of lithium production typically report midpoint indicators in physical units, which limits cross-category comparison and reduces their usefulness for economic and policy analysis. This study presents a comparative monetized LCA of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) production from three pathways: solar brine evaporation, hard-rock spodumene mining, and geothermal brine recovery. Using the TRACI 2.1 midpoint results reported in a prior LCA, six impact categories—global warming, smog formation, acidification, respiratory effects, carcinogenic toxicity, and non-carcinogenic toxicity—are converted into monetary values through a benefit-transfer, damage-cost approach. Total environmental external costs are estimated at USD 11.85/kg LCE for solar brine evaporation, USD 9.45/kg LCE for spodumene mining, and USD 4.11/kg LCE for geothermal brine recovery (all USD amounts are expressed in $2025 unless otherwise mentioned). Smog formation contributes more than 80% of the total monetized damages across all pathways, while toxicity-related impacts account for a smaller share than implied by the normalized midpoint results. Monetization changes the relative ranking of the solar brine and spodumene pathways, while indicating that geothermal brine recovery has the lowest monetized external cost among the impact categories evaluated. These findings show that monetized LCA can complement conventional midpoint assessment and provide more decision-relevant insights for policy and economic evaluation.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050067

Authors: Wagner Alves Carvalho Alessandro Lamarca Urzedo Natalí Romero Luciana Regaldo Leticia Ferreira Lima Machado Ana Maria Gagneten

Sustainable fertilization strategies are required to reduce dependence on synthetic inputs, enhance waste recycling, and improve agricultural resilience under climate change. This study evaluates the effects of wastewater-derived sludge, particularly when modified with Fe-montmorillonite, on phosphorus availability and early development of Zea mays. Methods: Germination and early growth of Zea mays were assessed under four treatments: (i) untreated soil (Control); (ii) soil amended with sludge from the Cardeal Wastewater Treatment Plant (SC); (iii) soil amended with Fe-montmorillonite-modified sludge (TechPhos, ST); and (iv) soil amended with a commercial phosphorus salt (PS). Soil characterization was conducted using XRF, XRD, and FTIR. Plant responses were evaluated through laboratory (5 days) and pot (22 days) experiments. Results: ST showed the highest performance, with a germination index of 171.7 and improved biomass, leaf development, and chlorophyll content compared to Control and SC. ST also performed similarly to or better than the commercial fertilizer (PS), indicating high phosphorus efficiency. Conclusions: The integration of nanostructured modified montmorillonite with wastewater-derived sludge represents a promising alternative phosphorus source for early maize development. Its application supports waste valorization and circular economy approaches while contributing to improved soil fertility and more sustainable nutrient management under climate change scenarios.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050066

Authors: Nilofar Asim Marzieh Badiei Khadijehbeigom Ghoreishi

Although geopolymer and alkali-activated binders are promoted as low-carbon OPC alternatives, their resource-centric performance remains complex and geographically dependent. This review examines these systems from a resource-efficiency perspective and evaluates alkaline activator demand; precursor availability, including fly ash, slag, calcined clays, and mining residues; and embodied energy across mix designs and curing regimes. Recent mechanical and durability analyses, together with life cycle assessments, reveal important trade-offs in alkali-activated geopolymer systems. Customized precursors may unintentionally compromise their inherent resource efficiency, while the declining availability of industrial waste increasingly competes with alternative waste valorization processes. Developing one-part activator systems and implementing data- or machine-optimized mix designs capable of handling extremely highly variable waste streams will be necessary to achieve meaningful reductions in mineral consumption, energy demand, and emissions. The study reframes these binders as enablers of urban mining and industrial symbiosis. Policy changes toward resource-oriented governance, including performance-based standards, carbon-responsive procurement, and more transparent end-of-waste legislation, are also needed to promote a circular material economy. Strategic, large-scale deployment requires the integration of regional resource mapping with predictive performance modeling to navigate resource constraints in the construction sector.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050065

Authors: Ihsen Abid

Purpose: This study examines the asymmetric effects of economic growth, energy consumption, renewable energy, trade openness, and innovation on CO2 emissions in China and India. It aims to determine whether positive and negative shocks in these variables generate different environmental responses across economies undergoing energy transition. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis employs a Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model using annual data from 1990 to 2023. The framework decomposes explanatory variables into positive and negative partial sums to estimate asymmetric long-run and short-run effects. Dynamic multipliers are used to trace adjustment paths, while a symmetric ARDL model serves as a robustness check. Findings: The results reveal strong and persistent asymmetries in China, particularly in energy use, renewable energy, and innovation. Positive energy shocks significantly increase emissions, while reductions produce limited environmental gains, reflecting structural rigidities. Renewable energy reduces emissions asymmetrically, and innovation exhibits direction-dependent effects. In contrast, India shows weaker and more selective asymmetries, with emissions primarily driven by short-run energy demand and limited long-run structural effects. The symmetric model fails to capture these dynamics, confirming the importance of nonlinear modeling. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that emissions dynamics are nonlinear and country-specific. Asymmetry is more pronounced in structurally advanced economies undergoing energy transition, while developing economies remain demand-driven. These results highlight the need for differentiated and context-specific environmental policies.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050064

Authors: Alloysius Joko Purwanto Ridwan Dewayanto Rusli Citra Endah Nur Setyawati Tanawat Papaeng Nadiya Pranindita Ryan Wiratama Bhaskara Samantha Wibawa

This study examines the economics of blue and green hydrogen as feedstock for large industrial facilities in Southeast Asia. To understand how industries can adopt low-emission and renewable hydrogen, the levelised costs of blue and green hydrogen are calculated. Four pathways are examined, including a large-scale carbon capture and sequestration facility located a distance away from an existing steam methane reforming hydrogen plant, a gigawatt-scale electrolysis facility adjacent to a large industrial site fed by an adjacent solar photovoltaic electricity source, as well as two pathways with either remote electrolyser and solar photovoltaic, necessitating hydrogen transport and storage, or a remote solar photovoltaic source with a dedicated power transmission line. The region’s transition to green hydrogen must overcome the challenges of high renewable electricity costs, the need for large land banks for solar photovoltaic farms and efficient long-distance hydrogen transport solutions or power transmission lines. Moreover, the region must improve its inconsistent track record in implementing billion-dollar public–private projects within budget and on time.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050063

Authors: Julia Chmiel Krystian Wolski Karolina Bakalorz Emmanuel Manirafasha Nikodem Kuźnik

Natural resources play a fundamental role in ensuring global food security, while agricultural production itself strongly influences their demand, extraction, and availability. This article discusses natural strategies for increasing crop productivity within the framework of sustainable intensification, focusing on the integrated role of plant biostimulants and micronutrients. Both groups of substances are analyzed from a resource-oriented perspective, highlighting their potential to be derived from renewable sources, particularly agro-industrial by-products and plant biomass. Plant extracts obtained from fruit, vegetable, and cereal processing residues contain numerous bioactive compounds, including phenolics, amino acids, peptides, and organic acids, which can stimulate plant growth, improve nutrient uptake, and enhance tolerance to abiotic stress. Micronutrients such as Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and B are also strategic resources in crop production because they regulate key metabolic processes and influence the efficiency of macronutrient utilization. Their effectiveness, however, depends strongly on chemical form and bioavailability in soil–plant systems. The novelty of this work lies in integrating perspectives from plant physiology, coordination chemistry, and resource management to propose a conceptual framework in which plant-derived extracts and micronutrient complexes act as complementary tools supporting circular and resource-efficient agricultural systems.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050062

Authors: Marcin Pigłowski Maria Śmiechowska

Despite relatively low per capita rice consumption in the European Union (EU), averaging approximately 9 kg annually between 2010 and 2023, imports from Asian countries have shown a sustained upward trend since 2013. This study assessed hazards associated with rice available on the EU market. Data were obtained from Faostat, Eurostat, the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), and the Web of Science. Pivot tables and a two-way joining cluster analysis were applied to examine temporal and geographical patterns in reported notifications. Notifications primarily concerned genetically modified rice (32%), pesticide residues (21%), and mycotoxins (17%). During 2006–2014, notifications mainly related to unauthorized genetic modifications in rice originating from China and the United States, whereas between 2017 and 2023, they predominantly involved excessive pesticide residues and mycotoxin contamination in rice from India and Pakistan. Most hazards were classified as border rejections (37%), reflecting the effectiveness and vigilance of EU food safety authorities. While rice is generally considered low risk for European consumers, rising cultural integration and the growing popularity of Asian cuisine may increase consumption in the future. Continuous monitoring, rigorous risk assessment, and collaboration with exporting countries are therefore essential to maintain high food safety standards and ensure consumer protection across the EU market.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050061

Authors: Linda Karlina Sari Muchamad Bachtiar Noer Azam Achsani Reni Lestari

This study examines the dynamic interlinkages among energy, food, and metal commodity markets under geopolitical tensions using daily data from January 2022 to July 2025. The empirical framework integrates correlation analysis, Granger causality tests, and a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to capture both short- and long-run transmission mechanisms, with robustness assessed through impulse response functions, forecast error variance decomposition, and a Diebold–Yilmaz connectedness analysis across three structurally distinct geopolitical event windows. The results reveal asymmetric and sector-specific transmission patterns in which geopolitical risk significantly influences key commodity prices—particularly WTI crude oil, wheat, copper, and aluminium—confirming its role as a primary external shock driver. WTI emerges as the dominant transmitter of shocks, while industrial metals exhibit strong internal connectedness. Critically, gold’s role proves to be conditional and context-dependent: within an integrated energy–food–metal network under geopolitical stress, it functions primarily as a net receiver and passive absorber of macroeconomic uncertainty rather than as a systemic transmitter, a finding that complements, rather than contradicts, its established safe-haven role in financial asset pricing frameworks. These findings are subject to limitations, including reliance on futures price data and a linear VECM framework that may not fully capture nonlinear or regime-dependent dynamics.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15050060

Authors: Zhonggeng Luo Handong Liang Cai Tie Xiulong Gao

Coal resource exploitation may alter hydrogeological conditions and influence the occurrence and migration of coal-derived organic contaminants in mining regions. Among these contaminants, naphthenic acids (NAs) have received increasing attention, whereas their occurrence and environmental behavior in coal mining areas remain insufficiently understood. For the first time in an open-pit coal mining setting, this study systematically investigated the concentrations and molecular compositions of NAs in surface water, groundwater, and source-related water samples from the Shenfu Coalfield, a representative mining area in China. NAs were detected in all samples, with concentrations exhibiting clear spatial variability. Groundwater consistently contained substantially higher NA levels than surface water, and elevated concentrations in downstream river reaches coincided spatially with groundwater discharge zones, identifying groundwater as a key reservoir and transport pathway for NAs in the mining-affected watershed. Principal component analysis further revealed compositional similarities among groundwater, coal-washing wastewater, and certain surface-water samples, indicating contributions from both coal-bearing strata and coal-processing activities. These findings highlight the necessity of incorporating NAs into routine mine-water monitoring and groundwater protection programs in open-pit coal mining regions.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040059

Authors: Nader Naifar

This paper investigates whether water-related climate stress predicts tail movements in food system assets and whether these spillovers vary across market regimes and investment horizons. Using daily data from January 2012 to January 2026, we examine the relationships among a water-risk proxy, agricultural commodities, agribusiness, and food supply-chain equities, and a fertilizer-related proxy. The analysis combines the cross-quantilogram with quantile spillover analysis in the frequency domain, allowing us to capture directional dependence in the tails of the distribution and short- and long-run connectedness. To account for structural change, we employ data-driven break detection and identify three major regimes: a pre-disruption period, a COVID-related adjustment phase, and a broader food system stress regime from early 2022 onward. The findings indicate that water-related climate stress has its strongest predictive power in the tails, especially for agribusiness and fertilizer-related assets, while the broad agricultural commodity basket is comparatively less sensitive. Lower-tail dependence is predominantly negative and often significant, whereas upper-tail dependence is generally positive, indicating asymmetric transmission under extreme market conditions. The spillover results further show that connectedness in the water–food system is mainly short-run, with agribusiness and fertilizer channels acting as the primary conduits of transmission. From a practical perspective, these findings suggest that investors and risk managers can use water-related market signals as early warning indicators of stress in food system assets, while policymakers can strengthen food system resilience through integrated water management, input market monitoring, and supply chain adaptation measures. The findings suggest that water-related climate stress is not merely an environmental constraint but a systemic source of food system risk with implications for resilience, risk monitoring, and integrated water-agriculture governance.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040058

Authors: Bożena Gajdzik Radosław Wolniak Dominik Bałaga Wiesław Grebski

This study develops econometric models to examine greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal and natural gas consumption in Poland between 2015 and 2023. Poland has one of the most carbon-intensive energy systems in Europe. Three complementary log–log econometric models were estimated: a model explaining total CO2 emissions, a model assessing emission intensity (CO2 per unit of GDP), and a model capturing short-term variations in emission intensity. The results demonstrate that coal consumption remains the dominant determinant of absolute emissions, whereas the expansion of renewable energy significantly contributes to lowering the carbon intensity of economic growth. However, short-term fluctuations in emission intensity are still largely influenced by changes in fossil fuel consumption patterns. The findings highlight the gradual and sequential character of Poland’s energy transition, where gains in environmental efficiency precede a consistent reduction in total emissions. The proposed modeling framework offers an empirical basis for evaluating the effectiveness of climate and energy policies and can support the formulation of decarbonization strategies in economies heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040057

Authors: Liudmila I. Boguslavskaya Olga Batova Elena Katysheva Yulia Lyubek

This paper proposes an adaptive decarbonization model for the Russian non-ferrous metallurgy sector. The model accounts for the specific structure of the national energy balance (with nuclear and hydropower accounting for up to 40%), existing technological constraints, and regulatory risks, including the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Based on a comparative analysis of key companies (RUSAL, Norilsk Nickel, and UMMC), an algorithm for the sequential assessment of decarbonization priorities is developed. Its core element is an integrated urgency indicator, which enables the ranking of enterprises according to their sensitivity to carbon-related restrictions. The model aims to minimize potential financial losses arising from external carbon taxation while leveraging the structural competitive advantages of the Russian energy system. The priority in decarbonization in Russia is determined not by the absolute level of technological development or the current carbon intensity of production, but by the degree of exposure to external regulatory and market risks combined with the ability to adapt. It is proven that in the current geopolitical and economic realities, the successful decarbonization of Russian non-ferrous metallurgy is impossible either as exclusively technological modernization or as a passive reaction to external regulatory pressure. The findings indicate that directly adopting international decarbonization strategies developed for the EU and North America (such as the EU Green Deal and CBAM) is ineffective due to fundamental differences in raw material bases, climatic conditions, and logistics.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040056

Authors: Ornprapa Thepsilvisut Nuengruethai Srikan Preuk Chutimanukul Jutamas Romkaew

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) represents a high-value horticultural crop in Thailand with significant export potential; however, optimizing productivity in tropical environments requires a precise understanding of how cultivation practices and harvest seasons influence marketability. Here, a split-plot experiment arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted to examine how different crop methods and harvest seasons affect asparagus yield and quality in Lopburi Province, Thailand. The main plots were categorized by harvest season—summer, rainy, and winter—while the subplots included three crop methods: conventional, GAP, and organic. Summer produced the highest yield and asparagus with the greatest levels of total chlorophyll, phenolics, and DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to other seasons. Although the conventional methods yielded the most spears per plant, these spears contained higher levels of contaminants, including cadmium, lead, and nitrate. In contrast, spears from GAP and organic methods had higher phosphorus levels. However, no pesticide residues were found in any spear samples. Economically, the organic method had the shortest payback period, owing to lower production costs; despite a lower annual yield, stable market prices kept it profitable. In addition, organic soils had the highest levels of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Overall, while conventional methods enhance the yield and certain qualities, organic farming, particularly when harvested in summer, yields the highest economic returns and the most sustainable system among those tested.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040055

Authors: Andrzej Chmiela Beata Barszczowska Stefan Czerwiński Olena Trokhymets Małgorzata Magdziarczyk Adam Smoliński

Reducing and managing emissions of mine waters and the minerals dissolved in them, and above all, using these wastes as resources, is an important element of sustainable development in regions undergoing a gradual phase-out of fossil fuel extraction. This article examines selected aspects of mine water management and the mineral substances contained therein, using the Polish hard coal mining industry as a case study, providing valuable insights for both Poland and other mining regions reducing raw material extraction regarding the sustainability of social water demand, mining sector restructuring, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Poland, underground hard coal mining remains a significant source of mine water and mineral salt emissions. Mine waters, discharged into the catchments of major rivers (approximately 200 million m3 per year) along with their dissolved mineral compounds (approximately 1.5 million Mg per year), have repeatedly contributed to serious environmental disruptions, e.g., the phenomena of so-called “fish kill”. This study analyzes both the scale of emissions and the economic utilization of mineralized mine waters discharged to the surface by underground hard coal mining in Poland. Key processes and potential causes for the observed increase in environmental burdens are discussed. Furthermore, the paper presents a current statistical assessment of the trends and scale of emission changes, which can serve as a basis for environmental management decision-making amidst the decarbonization of the economy. Utilizing potential water resources and mineral compounds from mine waters for internal use or within circular economy applications can reduce environmental pressure, support compliance with sustainable development policies, and mitigate long-term impacts on post-mining regions.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040054

Authors: Thunyanat Hutangkoon Chumpol Yuangyai Tongchai Puttongsiri Viachaslau Filimonau Jarotwan Koiwanit

The global urgency to mitigate environmental degradation and promote sustainable resource use necessitates effective waste management strategies, particularly in the retail sector, which is a significant contributor to food waste. This study explores the carbon ramifications of food waste disposal methods within a hypermarket’s fresh food department in Bangkok, Thailand. Using the method of life cycle assessment (LCA) under the CML2001 framework, this study evaluates three food waste management methods: anaerobic digestion (AD), sanitary landfill, and mechanical and biological waste treatment (MBT). The analysis is structured to quantify the carbon footprint associated with each waste management strategy, measured in kilograms (kg) of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent (eq.) per kg of food waste. The estimated carbon footprint is 0.0066 kg CO2 eq./kg of food waste for MBT, 0.1221 kg CO2 eq./kg of food waste for AD, and 1.4667 kg CO2 eq./kg of food waste for sanitary landfill. These values were derived from defined system boundaries, modeling assumptions, and available operational data used to construct the life cycle inventory (LCI). In addition, a formal sensitivity analysis was not conducted in this study. Therefore, the reported values should be interpreted within the context of the modeling assumptions and data sources applied.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040053

Authors: Nader Naifar

Commodity and carbon markets are central to natural resource allocation, energy security, and the effectiveness of carbon-pricing policies, yet their risk linkages can intensify sharply during crises. This study examines nonlinear, tail-dependent volatility spillovers across strategically important resource markets using a Quantile-on-Quantile connectedness framework. We employ weekly observed data from 3 January 2010 to 27 April 2025 for eleven futures markets spanning metals (copper, silver, gold), energy (WTI crude oil, heating oil, natural gas, gasoline), agricultural commodities (sugar, coffee, corn), and carbon emissions. Volatility is measured using GARCH-based estimates and embedded in quantile VAR dynamics to map state-contingent shock transmission across the distribution. The results indicate strong asymmetries: connectedness rises markedly in tail regimes and attains its highest levels during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war, relative to the 2015–2016 energy market adjustment. Heating oil, gold, and natural gas frequently act as key volatility transmitters, while the carbon market shifts from a peripheral receiver to a more integrated and sometimes systemic node within the broader commodity risk network. The findings indicate that carbon-price risk propagates through resource markets in a regime-dependent manner, with implications for stress testing, tail-sensitive hedging, and the coordination of resource and climate policy under turbulent market states.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040052

Authors: Praxedes Jeanpierre Merino-Ramirez Rebeca Salvador-Reyes

This systematic review examines the use of plant-derived extracts as antibacterial and antifungal agents in medical textiles, with an emphasis on active components, extraction techniques, biological efficacy, target microorganisms, and fabric application methods. This study is framed within the context of natural resource-based plant biomass and agro-industrial residues as a sustainable source of high-value functional compounds for resource valorization. Searches in Scopus and Web of Science followed the PIOC framework and PRISMA protocol. From an initial 389 records, 38 studies met the eligibility criteria. We identified a sustained growth in publications between 2020 and 2025, and six predominant thematic lines related to medical textiles, sustainability, antimicrobial assessment, structural characterization, natural dyeing optimization, and antioxidant functionalization. Among the most studied species, Aloe barbadensis and Salvia officinalis were prominent. Leaves were the most frequently used plant organ, highlighting their relevance as readily available renewable biomass resources. Maceration was the most common extraction method, although ultrasound-assisted extraction yielded a broader metabolite profile and better preserved thermolabile compounds, demonstrating the impact of biomass conversion techniques on resource efficiency and extract quality. Cotton 100% (plain weave) was the most widely used substrate, and the exhaustion method (immersion/exhaust dyeing) was the preferred application technique. Overall, plant extracts obtained through the sustainable management and valorization of plant resources achieved high inhibition against pathogenic bacteria, including resistant strains, and consistent antifungal activity, supporting their potential for developing functional and sustainable medical textiles. These findings align with the goals for responsible production and good health and well-being and reinforce the role of biomass-based resource systems within a circular bioeconomy, opening avenues to optimize formulations, standardize methodologies, and evaluate post-laundering performance and in vivo biocompatibility.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040051

Authors: Cintia Monreal Jiménez Jonathan Rojas Ricca Robert Jäckel Joseph Adhemar Araoz Ramos Guillermo Barrios Alberto Ramos Blanco Geydy Gutiérrez-Urueta

The variability of solar energy limits its reliability as a thermal resource, motivating the use of thermal energy storage (TES) to extend heat availability beyond periods of direct irradiance. This study numerically compares latent and sensible TES integrated into a solar dish system from a resource-oriented perspective across representative Mexican climates. Rather than focusing only on stored energy, the analysis evaluates how each storage strategy affects the temporal availability and post-irradiation persistence of usable thermal energy over 24 h charge–discharge cycles. A salt-based PCM (58.1LiNO3–41.9KCl) was assessed against steel-based sensible storage under identical operating conditions. Under average-day forcing, the minimum PCM mass required to effectively utilize latent heat while sustaining a 320 W test load was found to be 13 kg. Under these conditions, the PCM case showed smoother thermal transients and longer post-irradiation energy availability, enabling nocturnal operation. In contrast, a mass-matched 13 kg steel store showed negligible post-irradiation availability, while a volume-matched 55 kg steel configuration achieved similar nocturnal operation only by substantially increasing mass, with limited improvement in accumulated energy. Hot-day forcing extended the operating window, whereas cold-day forcing yielded negligible charging so that operation could not be sustained within a single daily cycle.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040050

Authors: Ubaldo Richard Marin Castro Marisol Castillo-Morales Guadalupe Luna-Solano Enrique Flores-Andrade Marco Antonio Salgado-Cervantes Manuel Vargas-Ortiz Adrien Servent

Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum) processing is characterized by early biomass exclusion and thermal stabilization, which may limit in-process retention of phytochemicals. This study evaluated an integrated sequence combining Flash Vacuum Expansion (FVE) under different processing conditions with whey protein-based cryostructuring as a strategy to enhance the redistribution and structural immobilization of tamarillo bioactives. FVE promoted migration of phenolics and pigments prior to mechanical fractionation. Selected FVE-treated puree was incorporated into a whey protein matrix and subjected to cryostructuring and freeze-drying to generate a porous stabilization scaffold. Structural characterization by scanning electron microscopy and gas adsorption confirmed the formation of an interconnected porous matrix. Cryostructuring reduced water activity to 0.17 ± 0.01 and produced high porosity (91.9%) with low bulk density (0.109 g·cm−3). Total phenolic retention exceeded 83%, while anthocyanins showed greater sensitivity (46% retention). No statistically significant additional losses of phenolics or antioxidant activity were observed during cryostructuring relative to gelation. The integrated approach illustrates a process-level stabilization pathway in which redistributed phytochemicals are physically confined within a porous scaffold, providing a structurally differentiated alternative to conventional drying for improved in-stream resource utilization.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15040049

Authors: Daniela Freitas Henrique Ribeiro Miguel Cabral Jorge Gominho

A characterization study of two by-products from the cork stopper industry was conducted to assess their suitability as components of growing media (substrate). Granulate of natural cork stopper (GNCS) and granulate of technical cork stopper (GTCS) were studied, evaluating their chemical composition, fractionation, effects on physical and chemical properties, mineral elements, and phytotoxicity. The two by-products were granulometrically classified into four categories: very fine fractions (≤1 mm), fine fractions (>1 and ≤2 mm), intermediate fractions (>2 and ≤5 mm), and coarse fractions (>5 and ≤10 mm). The highest proportion of granulates was observed within the intermediate fraction (>2 and ≤5 mm). GTCS presented significant limitations regarding the assessed properties, while the very fine fractions (≤1 mm) were the most attractive in both granulates. Therefore, selecting raw materials and their fractionation are vital for predicting the performance of growing media and establishing their suitability for promoting plant growth and productivity. Thus, these two by-products of the cork stopper industry have desirable characteristics as components of growing media.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030048

Authors: Andres Canul-Manzanero Jorge Carlos Trejo-Torres Edgar Olguin-Maciel

Global energy demand relies heavily on fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, municipal solid waste, driven by population growth, represents another source of emissions. In Mexico, organic waste contributes 61 million tons of CO2eq annually due to inadequate disposal. In Mérida, Yucatan, over 231,000 tons of organic waste are generated yearly, including Urban Tree Pruning (UTP) from 760 public spaces—a significant, undervalued lignocellulosic resource. This study presents a comprehensive, year-round compositional characterization of Mérida’s UTP to establish its chemical profile and assess its seasonal stability as a precursor for bio-based products (i.e., bioethanol). Characterizing local and stable feedstocks, such as UTP, is a fundamental step to enabling Mexico’s compliance with biofuel policies like the 5.8% gasoline blend mandate (NOM-016-CRE) and the Alcohol-to-Jet strategy, supporting progress toward SDGs 7, 11, and 13. Based on a stratified random sampling, monthly analysis (May 2024–April 2025) revealed a consistent biochemical profile with mean annual contents of 23.32% lignin and 62.46% holocellulose. Statistical analysis (Tukey’s test) confirmed its structural homogeneity throughout the year. This uniformity is a key operational attribute, as it allows for the use of standardized industrial pretreatment parameters. Furthermore, the characterized composition supports a theoretical ethanol yield of 170 g/kg of dry biomass, a value competitive with traditional feedstocks like sugarcane bagasse. Consequently, Mérida’s UTP is characterized as a reliable and consistent biomass resource, supporting a transition from linear waste disposal to a circular bioeconomy model.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030047

Authors: Dang Thi Hong Ngoc Ngo Thi Hieu Tran Van Ty Nigel K. Downes Nguyen Thi Hong Diep Huynh Vuong Thu Minh

Drought is an increasing threat to livelihood security and sustainable development in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), particularly in Kien Giang Province. This study examines the spatiotemporal dynamics of meteorological drought from 1992 to 2024 using daily rainfall data from 10 rain gauges. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was calculated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month timescales to assess short-, medium-, and longer-term precipitation deficits across the province. The results show that the most severe drought events were concentrated in the most recent decade, especially during the 2015–2016 and 2019–2020 dry seasons. Spatial analysis identified clear drought hotspots: the northern coastal zone, including Ha Tien and Hon Dat, exhibited the strongest long-timescale drought signal, while central inland areas such as Go Quao experienced more frequent short-timescale drought conditions. A significant negative relationship was also observed between SPI and the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), indicating that El Niño conditions intensified drought severity, particularly in coastal areas. These findings highlight the need for spatially differentiated drought adaptation in Kien Giang Province, with stronger emphasis on water storage and water-use efficiency in inland districts and on early warning and integrated drought–salinity management in high-risk coastal zones.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030046

Authors: B. Lokeshwari P. Saranraj Hawraa F. H. Al-Abedi Semaa F. H. Al-Abedi Haider H. E. Al-Magsoosi Mohammed T. Jaafar Israa M. Essa Hasanain A. J. Gharban K. Gayathri Alexander Machado Cardoso

The rapid expansion of the poultry industry has led to the large-scale generation of feather waste, creating serious environmental and public health concerns due to the recalcitrant nature of keratin. Poultry feathers are composed mainly of highly cross-linked keratin proteins stabilized by numerous disulfide bonds, which confer resistance to conventional proteolytic enzymes and natural degradation processes. This review examines the potential of keratinolytic fungi and their enzymes as sustainable, eco-friendly, and value-added strategies for poultry feather waste management and resource recovery. It discusses the environmental and health risks associated with improper feather disposal, such as pathogen proliferation, odor generation, and ecosystem contamination. Conventional management approaches, steam pressure hydrolysis, mechanical grinding, thermal treatment, acid–alkali hydrolysis, and oxidation, are critically evaluated in terms of efficiency and environmental impact. The review further highlights biological degradation pathways mediated by keratinolytic fungi and enzymes, with emphasis on fungal genera such as Aspergillus and Chrysosporium. Key mechanisms of fungal keratin degradation, including sulfitolysis, proteolysis, deamination, hyphal penetration, enzyme secretion, and biofilm formation, are discussed. Finally, industrial, agricultural, and feed applications of keratinases, along with advances in strain improvement, omics technologies, synthetic biology, and associated biosafety and regulatory considerations, are addressed.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030045

Authors: Cláudio da Silva Junior Anantcha de Holanda Cavalcanti Clécio Lima Italo Durval Attilio Converti Andréa Costa Leonie Sarubbo

Agro-industrial waste-derived materials are promising candidates for short-cycle packaging applications. Here, we report a proof-of-concept for biodegradable biocomposites formulated with cassava residue (CR), sugarcane bagasse (SCB), and bacterial cellulose (BC) produced by symbiotic fermentation (SCOBY). This approach addresses the mechanical limitations typically associated with cassava starch-based matrices by introducing natural reinforcements to improve structural integrity and cohesion. A set of formulations with varying CR/BC/SCB ratios was processed and assessed through tensile and flexural testing, elongation at break, thermal analysis, and water-related behavior (sorption, absorption, and contact angle). Among the evaluated blends, formulation F1 (80% CR, 5% BC, 15% SCB) delivered the best overall balance between performance and moldability, achieving a tensile strength of 11.97 MPa and showing good dimensional stability. Biodegradability was confirmed by composting, reaching 72.74% mass loss after 84 days. Overall, BC incorporation improved matrix cohesion and enabled control of mechanical integrity and wettability in the blends, as highlighted for F1 (tensile strength 11.97 MPa; peak force 560.32 N; contact angle 65°; water absorption rate, WAR, 58.68%; sorption time 5.4 s). Given the abundance of sugarcane and cassava residues in Northeast Brazil, this low-complexity route leverages locally available feedstocks to add value to regional waste streams and support the partial replacement of synthetic polymers.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030044

Authors: Amina Hamdouni

This study investigates the dynamic and causal effects of climate stress and Artificial Intelligence-enabled agricultural monitoring on cultivated land quality, productivity, and sustainability in Saudi Arabia. Using a balanced panel of region–crop observations covering 13 administrative regions and six major crops over the period 2010–2024, the analysis integrates high-resolution climate variables with remote sensing-based indicators, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Enhanced Vegetation Index, Net Primary Productivity, Water-Use Efficiency, and crop water productivity. A comprehensive econometric framework combining the System Generalized Method of Moments, Difference-in-Differences, and event-study approaches is employed to address persistence, endogeneity, and causal identification. The results show that water availability—captured by soil moisture and precipitation—significantly enhances cultivated land outcomes (coefficients ≈ 0.05–0.11), while heat stress and wind speed exert strong negative effects (coefficients ≈ −0.04 to −0.12), highlighting the vulnerability of arid agricultural systems. Artificial Intelligence-enabled monitoring and smart irrigation adoption consistently improve land quality and productivity, with the largest gains observed in water-use efficiency and crop water productivity. Artificial Intelligence adoption increases water-use efficiency and crop water productivity by approximately 8–10%, while heat stress reduces vegetation indicators by about 9–12%. Event-study evidence confirms that these effects emerge after adoption and persist over time, supporting a causal interpretation. Overall, the findings demonstrate that AI technologies mitigate climate stress primarily through improved water management and adaptive decision-making. The study provides policy-relevant insights aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, emphasizing digital agriculture as a key instrument for sustainable cultivated land governance, climate adaptation, and food security in water-scarce environments.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030043

Authors: Crescenzo Pepe Silvia Maria Zanoli

In order to pursue the energy goals defined for 2030 and 2050 [...]

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030042

Authors: Dritan Topi Aleksander Petre

The olive oil extraction industry produces large amounts of olive pomace and wastewater, both of which contain high levels of pollutants. In Albania, olive oil production has increased, while by-product challenges persist. Uncontrolled wastewater discharge and pomace burning have caused environmental issues and inefficient resource use. This study combines published data with field information to examine country pomace utilization and wastewater management. The regional distribution of extraction units and production volumes was analyzed to identify mismatches between processing capacity and output. The findings reveal discrepancies between official statistics and field data. Regional analysis highlights notable imbalances between the number of olive mills and their production volumes, especially in Elbasan, Fier, Vlora, and Berat. Projections, assuming three-phase technology, indicate increased generation of olive pomace and wastewater, thereby raising environmental risks associated with wastewater disposal. The potential for olive pomace oil production was estimated to reach up to 1600 tons. While progress has been made in establishing a pomace oil extraction plant, infrastructure gaps, weak regulation, and limited producer awareness need to be addressed to convert by-products into valuable resources and help Albania’s olive oil sector achieve sustainability goals.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030041

Authors: Enola Brecht Peter Kovalsky

New Zealand’s kiwifruit and apple industries generate substantial quantities of organic residues during thinning and harvest, much of which is composted or disposed of in landfills due to logistical constraints. This study evaluates the potential of these residues as feedstock for biomethane production via anaerobic digestion (AD), followed by hydrogen generation through steam methane reforming (SMR). Two feedstock mixtures were examined: a 50:50 kiwifruit–apple blend and a 40:40:20 kiwifruit–apple–potato mixture, designed to mitigate acidification. Cow manure served as a cost-effective inoculum. Physicochemical analysis confirmed high moisture and volatile solids content, indicating strong biodegradability, although low nitrogen content suggests the need for co-digestion in full scale systems. Biomethane potential (BMP) tests yielded up to 45 mL CH4/gVS at an ISR of 4, corresponding to 46.5% carbon conversion. Scaling to an annual waste volume of 476 t suggests a potential biomethane yield of approximately 18,000 m3. SMR simulations demonstrated technical feasibility, with methane conversion increasing from 46% under baseline conditions to >85% under optimized steam to carbon ratios and residence times. Hydrogen yields of ~7600 m3/year were estimated. This study provides a practical foundation for valorizing fruit waste into renewable biomethane and hydrogen, supporting New Zealand’s circular economy and decarbonization goals.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030040

Authors: Ludmilla Ferreira Justino Alexandre Bryan Heinemann David Henriques da Matta Luís Fernando Stone Felipe Waks Andrade Silvando Carlos da Silva

Addressing the intertwined challenges of food security and climate vulnerability requires robust and regionally tailored strategies for staple crops such as common beans. Although adjusting sowing dates is a key adaptive practice, spatio-temporal climate variability complicates the identification of optimal planting windows. This study integrates crop modeling with Functional Data Analysis (FDA) to quantify sowing-date-dependent yield losses for rainfed common beans across Central-Southern Brazil. The CSM-CROPGRO-Dry Bean model, driven by long-term climate data (1980–2016), soil properties, and management practices, was used to simulate yields for the BRS Estilo cultivar. FDA was subsequently applied to cluster yield-loss curves across municipalities and growing seasons, generating representative regional risk profiles. The results reveal clear spatial patterns. During the wet season, earlier sowing minimizes losses in Goiás, Minas Gerais, and western Paraná, whereas later sowing is beneficial in São Paulo, Santa Catarina, and eastern Paraná. In the dry season, earlier sowing consistently reduces losses across most regions. These patterns are primarily driven by water deficits and suboptimal temperatures during critical phenological phases. The resulting spatio-temporal sowing calendar provides an evidence-based decision-support tool to help farmers mitigate climatic risks. Moreover, it offers a scientific foundation for policymakers to refine sustainable management practices, improve crop insurance design, and enhance agricultural resilience and productivity under increasing climate uncertainty.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030039

Authors: Marcela Mariel Maldonado-Villegas Alondra del Pilar Castillo-Gutiérrez Blanca Catalina Ramírez-Hernández Paulina Beatriz Gutiérrez-Martínez Eduardo Juárez-Carrillo Javier García-Velasco Sara Villanueva-Viramontes Héctor Leal-Aguayo Jonathan Manuel López Carlos Alvarez-Moya Mónica Reynoso-Silva

Lake Chapala is the main freshwater reservoir in Mexico and faces notable environmental pressure associated with urban, industrial, and agricultural activities, with documented evidence of heavy metal contamination. Thus, the artisanal fishers from Lake Chapala occupy a strategic position for understanding the socio-environmental dynamics of this lacustrine system. The objective of this study was to analyze their perceptions of pollution in Lake Chapala and the health risks associated with heavy metal contamination, with particular emphasis on the consumption of charal (Chirostoma spp.). Based on the results, 70% of fishers agreed that Lake Chapala is polluted, and 50% identified solid waste as the main source of contamination. Regarding water quality, 41% considered that it had not changed in recent years, while 37% perceived that it had deteriorated. With respect to heavy metals, 50% reported being aware of their presence in the lake; however, slightly more than 50% expressed concern about the possibility that charal could be contaminated. Fishers acknowledged the environmental pressure faced by Lake Chapala but prioritized risks based on visibility and their everyday experiences. Incorporating the perceptions of key stakeholders is essential for addressing socio-environmental problems, strengthening environmental communication and public health strategies, and effectively managing this lacustrine system.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030038

Authors: Amina Hamdouni

Water scarcity poses a critical challenge to sustainable agricultural development, particularly in arid regions such as Saudi Arabia. This study examines whether AI-compatible smart irrigation, digital water monitoring, and integrated water resource management (IWRM) are associated with improvements in agricultural water sustainability. Using a regional–crop panel dataset covering 13 Saudi administrative regions and six major crops over the period 2010–2024, the analysis evaluates their relationships with water-use efficiency, crop water productivity, and crop yield. To address persistence, endogeneity, and unobserved heterogeneity, the study employs a comprehensive multi-method empirical strategy combining dynamic panel models (System GMM), difference-in-differences, and event-study designs. The results provide internally consistent and empirically robust evidence in support of the proposed hypotheses. AI-compatible smart irrigation is positively and significantly associated with improvements in agricultural water efficiency and productivity, with effects that strengthen over time, reflecting gradual technology assimilation and learning processes. These findings capture the performance gains from irrigation modernization that enables data-driven and algorithm-supported decision-making, rather than the direct causal impact of autonomous artificial intelligence deployment. Integrated water resource management independently exhibits a positive association with higher agricultural performance, underscoring the importance of coordinated governance alongside technological adoption. Digital water monitoring shows a positive and statistically significant relationship with all outcome measures and appears to reinforce the effectiveness of both AI-compatible irrigation and integrated water governance. Robustness analyses excluding extreme drought years confirm that these relationships reflect persistent efficiency patterns rather than transitory climatic shocks. Overall, the findings provide context-specific and methodologically rigorous evidence that AI-compatible irrigation, digital monitoring, and integrated water governance operate as complementary components of agricultural water sustainability in a highly water-scarce economy, offering evidence-informed and policy-relevant insights, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030037

Authors: Valentino Sandoval-Peraza Octavio Ramos-Ocharán Karla Alcalá-Escamilla Magdalena Molina-Rosas Luis Chel-Guerrero David Betancur-Ancona

Global challenges in food security and sustainable biomass management highlight the need to diversify resource streams that can supply accessible, safe, and environmentally responsible protein. Delonix regia (flamboyant) seed germ (FG) represents an abundant but largely underutilized biomass resource in tropical and subtropical regions, where its seeds are routinely discarded as green waste. This study assesses the resource potential of FG by evaluating its nutritional composition, safety profile, and suitability for integration into sustainable protein provision strategies. The FG fraction was recovered from locally available seed residues and analyzed to determine their proximate composition, essential amino acid profile, and antinutrient content, providing insights into the qualitative attributes of this emerging resource. Safety was examined through in vivo acute toxicity assays and detailed histopathological evaluation of hepatic and renal tissues of CD1/ICR strain female mice, which revealed no morphological indicators of toxicity, inflammation, or cellular damage. The results indicate that FG contains a high protein concentration (78.35%) with a favorable essential amino acid pattern, supporting its potential as a renewable and locally accessible plant-based protein source. Beyond its nutritional value, the valorization of FG contributes to resource efficiency, waste-to-value pathways, and circular economy approaches by transforming an abundant municipal biomass residue into a functional component for sustainable food systems. Overall, the study underscores the feasibility of integrating FG into resource diversification strategies, enhancing protein availability while reducing environmental burdens associated with biomass disposal.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030036

Authors: Katarzyna Kocur-Bera

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting biodiversity are currently among the key orientations of European climate policy. The increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations (including carbon dioxide) is caused, among others, by the environmental impacts of human activities. Carbon capture and storage are at the heart of climate and energy security. This study aimed to analyze scenarios that assume various ways of using and managing common land. Common land is found in many countries. However, the legal status of these lands varies. This status often determines how the land can be managed. The article uses online surveys (CAWI), the land morphology concept (LMC), the scenario method, and an analysis of precedent events. The scenarios considered the stakeholders in the process. The results demonstrated that the optimal approach is to use regenerative agriculture with cover cropping. The diagnosis of precedent events showed that this method of use may be difficult to apply under local conditions due to low social involvement in the process of obtaining autonomy and self-determination by the parties entitled to common land, as well as by national-level authorities.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030035

Authors: Rosaura Hernández-Montelongo Humberto Gutiérrez-Pulido Juan Paulo García-Sandoval Abraham Gabriel Alvarado-Mendoza

The improper management of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from food services is a major cause of sewer blockages and environmental damage. This study examines FOG management in the restaurant sector of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Mexico, from three complementary perspectives: the performance of the authorized formal collection system, management practices in food establishments, and the physicochemical characteristics of grease trap residues. These perspectives were addressed using official administrative records and reports from environmental authorities, structured surveys applied to kitchen staff, and laboratory analyses of grease trap samples collected in restaurants. The results reveal important institutional and structural constraints affecting FOG management. Only a limited number of authorized collectors operate actively, serving a small fraction of potential generators, while most food service establishments are micro- or small-sized businesses with limited technical and financial capacity to comply with regulations. A large portion of the sector consists of small, low-cost food service establishments with intensive oil use (e.g., street food vendors, sandwich shops, and set-menu restaurants), which contribute to widespread oil reuse and inadequate disposal practices. Laboratory analyses showed a high free fatty acids (FFAs) content and compositional profiles consistent with repeated oil use, with negative implications for sewer systems and waste management. Overall, the findings highlight the need for stronger regulatory enforcement, collection schemes tailored to micro-scale generators, and awareness campaigns while also indicating opportunities for FOG valorization within circular economy approaches, particularly through energy recovery pathways.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15030034

Authors: Anete Meija Uldis Spulle Ignazia Cuccui Aigars Paze Janis Rizikovs

This study evaluates the environmental performance of plywood manufactured from thermally modified birch veneers using the Thermovuoto® process, bonded with a birch bark–derived suberinic acids adhesive. Framed within the context of sustainable materials development and the circular bioeconomy, the research examines the potential of bio-based adhesive systems as alternatives to conventional phenol–formaldehyde resins. A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed, encompassing birch bark harvesting, adhesive production, veneer thermal modification, plywood manufacturing, distribution to the customer, and end-of-life management. Environmental impacts were modelled using openLCA 2.4 in combination with the Ecoinvent 3.11 database, in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, applying the ReCiPe 2016 v.1.03 (H) midpoint life cycle impact assessment method. The results indicate that the birch bark extraction stage, particularly ethanol use derived from potato fermentation, constitutes the dominant contributor across all assessed impact categories. Overall, the LCA outcomes suggest that thermally modified, suberinic-acid-bonded birch plywood represents a promising niche bio-based material, with clear potential for further environmental improvement through process optimization.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020033

Authors: Hiba Chebli Giovanna Dragonetti Abdelouahid Fouial

Agrivoltaic Systems (AV) constitute a viable alternative to mitigate land-use competition by enabling the simultaneous production of agricultural crops and solar photovoltaic energy. However, the heterogeneous shading and microclimatic modifications induced by AV systems can alter solar radiation, crop physiological performance, and, consequently, its biomass. This study evaluated the effects of two static ground-mounted AV systems—semi-transparent (ST) and conventional opaque (CON) panels—on the growth, physiology, soil water variations, and yield of Arugula (Eruca vesicaria) cultivated in southern Italy from August to October 2022; compared with an open-field control (REF). Daily soil temperature and water content were monitored, alongside leaf-level gas exchange measurements at three vegetative stages. Global solar radiation was reduced by 70% under ST and 80% under CON, reducing Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), transpiration, and net photosynthesis, while leaf water use efficiency remained comparable to REF. Sequential harvests showed that although yields were consistently highest in REF, ST 50% and CON 50% exhibited partial recovery in fresh and dry biomass by the third cutting, reflecting the mitigating effect of seasonal temperature declines on shading. Notably, soil water uniformity improved under AV systems, reaching 90% under ST and 94% under CON compared with 85% in REF, due to reduced evaporative losses and enhanced lateral soil water redistribution. Overall, while AV-induced shading limits radiation and yield in short-cycle leafy arugula, microclimate modulation under AV systems can enhance soil water distribution and partially buffer growth under less favorable seasonal conditions. These findings highlight the trade-offs between crop productivity and resource-use efficiency in AV systems and emphasize the importance of tailoring their design to crop type and local climatic conditions, providing valuable guidance for future experimental research and for policymakers aiming to support sustainable agrivoltaic deployment.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020032

Authors: Tatyana Kukharova Pavel Maltsev Sergey Abramkin Igor Novozhilov

Due to the depletion of traditional hydrocarbon fields in the Russian Federation, the development of structurally complex fields is currently a pressing issue. The challenge is to ensure a high gas recovery factor (GRF). This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the scientific and technical literature, including a classification of factors affecting gas recovery; a review of existing approaches to neutralising their impact; and the identification of unsolved challenges and promising research areas at the pore, layer, and field scales. The study identified and classified the key factors affecting gas recovery. It was determined that, from the standpoint of automating gas production processes, changes in reservoir pressure are the key factor influencing gas recovery. Promising solutions are proposed, including the implementation of digital technologies, machine learning, proxy models, and the concept of digital twins. Unresolved challenges and research gaps are identified. The study results generalise existing knowledge on the challenges and promising approaches to improving the efficiency of developing the resource potential of fields with complex geological structures.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020031

Authors: Samia Rahman Moon Md. Mahbubur Rahman Aminur Rahman Aftab Ahmad Khan Muhammad Altaf Nazir Md. Ariful Islam Md. Abdulla-Al-Mamun

Water resources are the key to human well-being, economic growth, and ecosystems, but the growing pressure on them is caused by climate change, high population rates, industrial development, and unsustainable consumption. The quality of water degradation, overexploitation of groundwater, and the growing water scarcity pose a significant threat to the sustainability of the environment, as well as international security. This review examines key drivers and challenges in water resources management, such as climate variability, pollution by traditional and emerging contaminants, lack of governance, and cross-boundary conflicts. It also discusses innovative solutions like advanced water treatment technologies, reuse and recycling systems, nature-based approaches, smart monitoring networks, and integrated policy frameworks that can contribute to a circular and sustainable water economy. In addition, the interdisciplinary approach, climate-adaptive infrastructure, enhanced governance, and increased international collaboration are also highlighted as necessary to attain resilient and equitable water systems. Through a balance between policy innovation and community participation and technological progress, water resource management will be able to shift towards ensuring environmental sustainability and also towards enhancing the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020030

Authors: Idalina Domingos Miguel Ferreira José Ferreira Bruno Esteves

Olive trees cultivated in the Viseu region (Portugal) were used in the present work. This study investigates the compositional characteristics and hydrothermal behavior of olive branches (OB) and olive leaves (OL) under autohydrolysis, aiming to assess their potential for biorefinery applications. Chemical analysis revealed that during autohydrolysis (140–180 °C, 15–30 min), OL exhibited greater solubilization than OB, consistent with their higher extractive content. Increasing the temperature promoted selective hemicellulose removal and partial cellulose degradation, leading to a relative enrichment of lignin in the solid residues. Nevertheless, the cellulose content of olive branches for 180 °C and 30 min hydrolysis increased. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed progressive structural rearrangements, including enhanced hydroxyl exposure, carbonyl formation, and lignin condensation, indicating the transformation of the solid phase toward more aromatic and thermally stable structures. Autohydrolysis slightly increased the higher heating value of the solid residues while acid-catalyzed liquefaction markedly increased, exceeding those of both native and technical lignins. These results suggest extensive carbon enrichment and oxygen removal during liquefaction. Overall, autohydrolysis proved effective for hemicellulose solubilization and sugar recovery, while liquefaction favored energy densification and lignin condensation. The distinct behaviors of OB and OL highlight the importance of tailoring processing conditions to each feedstock type. Both materials show strong potential as renewable resources for bioenergy and value-added carbon-based products within an integrated olive biomass biorefinery framework.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020029

Authors: Abdelhalim S. Mahmoud Hanaa A. El-Dokouny Mai A. El-Lithy Ali Shebl Maher Dawoud Farouk Sayed Mohamed M. Ghoneim

This study investigates the genesis of gold mineralization at the Rodruin prospect in the central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt, with the aim of constraining the relative contributions of metamorphic and magmatic fluids to ore formation. Gold mineralization at Rodruin is hosted by quartz–carbonate veins emplaced within a shear zone that transects low-grade metasedimentary sequences intruded by Ediacaran post-tectonic granitoids. It exhibits characteristics transitional between orogenic turbidite-hosted and polymetallic vein-type mineralization. Although metamorphic devolatilization is interpreted to have generated the dominant ore-forming fluids, adjacent granitoid intrusions acted primarily as a thermal engine, with only a limited direct input of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. This interpretation is supported by the occurrence of magmatic-affiliated mineral inclusions (monazite, cassiterite, and zircon) coupled with generally low concentrations of trace elements typically enriched in granitic magmatic-hydrothermal fluids (Sb, Bi, Mo, W, Sn, Nb, and Ta), collectively indicating a subordinate magmatic contribution. Rare earth element (REE) patterns of the ore samples closely resemble those of the nearby granitoids, displaying LREE enrichment; however, a distinct positive Eu anomaly is restricted to the ore assemblages and is attributed to hydrothermal feldspar alteration supporting magmatic involvement in ore formation. Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions (δ13C = −6.6 to −2.36‰; δ18O = +15.7 to +19.7‰), together with REE signatures comparable to primitive mantle values and textural evidence for synchronous sulfide–carbonate precipitation, manifested by rhythmic banding of carbonates and sulfides unequivocally indicate a hydrothermal–metasomatic origin. Collectively, these lines of evidence support a hybrid metamorphic–magmatic model in which gold and associated base metals were predominantly transported by metamorphic fluids, whose mobilization and focusing were enhanced by the thermal influence of Younger granitic intrusions, whereas magmatic-hydrothermal fluids contributed only a minor proportion to the overall metal budget.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020028

Authors: Natalia Salgado-Aristizabal Juan Galvis-Nieto Danya Jurado-Erazo Carlos Cardona-Alzate Carlos Orrego-Alzate

Rice processing generates substantial residual biomass globally—about 170 million tons of husk, 62–71 million tons of bran and 23–39 million tons of broken rice annually—which remains largely underutilized and creates environmental burdens and lost economic opportunities. This study was conducted to address the necessity for integrated sustainability assessments of rice mill biorefineries. The focus of this study is on transitioning from a global context of residual biomass generation to a local-scale application in small and medium mills (100–300 tons/day). We apply a resource-centric framework, combining process simulation, techno-economic analysis, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA—selected for its capacity to quantify trade-offs and avoid burden-shifting across multiple impact categories) with Social-LCA. Five valorization scenarios are assessed. Results demonstrate that biorefinery pathways fundamentally alter supply provision: husk cogeneration boosts energy self-sufficiency (SGI = 12.54), displacing fossil fuels, while silica and nutrient recovery create new, local material flows, substituting for virgin resources. However, chemically intensive routes increase human toxicity impacts (up to 4.0 × 10−1 kg 1,4-DB eq/kg) despite product diversification. Social analysis reveals a tension between worker preferences for advanced technology and community priorities for low-chemical, employment-generating options. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis identifies a diversified configuration (oil, flour, feed, cogeneration) as most robust, optimizing overall resource productivity and circularity. This work transitions the conceptual model of a rice mill from a linear processor to a multi-output bio-resource hub, offering actionable pathways to enhance regional energy, mineral, and nutrient security through circular economy implementation.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020027

Authors: Mariusz Ptak Teerachai Amnuaylojaroen Bogumił Nowak Soufiane Haddout Mariusz Sojka

The emission of greenhouse gases associated with the combustion of hydrocarbons is a key factor in climate change, and in this context, increasing emphasis is being placed on the development of clean energy sources. The novel contribution of the article lies in identifying the energy potential of surface waters within energy systems transitioning away from fossil fuels. In the case of Poland, whose energy system has been based on coal for many decades, there are still many opportunities to expand energy production from renewable sources. One such source is the heat contained in surface waters. The research presented in this article focuses on the thermal structure of nine stratified lakes in Poland, examining changes over time and across different spatial profiles. Considering all temperature profiles, values ranged from 8.3 °C in May to 10.1 °C in September. In general, water warming occurs from May to the July–August transition, reaching a maximum of over 6 °C, while cooling takes place in the later phase of the analyzed season at a lower level, not exceeding 6 °C. It was found that the most thermally stable part of the water body was the layer between 15 m in depth and the bottom of the lakes, for which the heat resources were calculated. Using the basic physical properties of water, the amount of heat for this layer was determined. Assuming that technological processes do not reduce the water temperature below 4 °C (maximum water density), the hypothetical amount of available energy ranges from 630 to 101,000 MWh. The results indicate the high energy potential of lakes, which could be utilized in the future, provided further legal and economic analyses are conducted for specific cases. The study highlights the need to expand the long-term thermal monitoring of lakes, covering their entire vertical structure. Priority for such measurements should be given to lakes located near human settlements, as these have the highest potential for practical use.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020026

Authors: Sebastião De Hermínia Lucas Vilanculos Sosdito Estevão Mananze Mário Campos Cunha

This study analyzes forest cover change patterns, agricultural expansion, and economic growth in Mozambique from 2001 to 2024, using remote sensing data from Global Forest Watch and socioeconomic indicators from the World Bank and FAO. Mozambique lost approximately 4.6 million hectares of forest during the analyzed period, with agriculture accounting for 97.4% of total deforestation. GDP per capita increased by 90.5%, while cultivated area expanded by 116.4%. However, agricultural productivity declined by 25.3%, revealing a paradox: production growth relied on extensive land expansion rather than intensification. Statistical analysis of three 8-year sub-periods identified significant differences in GDP per capita, agricultural GDP per capita, population, and agricultural employment (p < 0.001), but agricultural deforestation remained statistically stable (p = 0.065). This pattern suggests premature decoupling between economic growth and deforestation at income levels (USD 604) substantially below historical Environmental Kuznets Curve thresholds (USD 8000–10,000). However, this decoupling is fragile, driven by capital-intensive extractive sectors that generate GDP growth without absorbing rural populations. The persistence of extensive agricultural expansion, combined with weak governance, demographic pressures, and climate variability, indicates that observed stabilization represents an initial, vulnerable phase requiring structural transformation through agricultural intensification, inclusive industrialization, land tenure reform, and climate resilience building.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020025

Authors: Gennady Stroykov Andrey Lebedev Aida Belous Ekaterina Kolganova

Many companies in the mining industry include decarbonization of production among their key strategic goals as part of their internal sustainability strategy. This need is driven by a number of factors: stricter regulation in the area of carbon footprint (introduction of carbon taxes, emissions quotas, reporting requirements); sustained growth in demand for electricity and rising market prices; economic feasibility—the need to optimize operating costs and improve energy efficiency. This study provides a comprehensive technical and economic justification for implementing a hybrid power supply system—combining a solar power plant (SPP) and a gas engine power plant (GPP)—at Solidcore Resources’ Varvarinsky hub in Kazakhstan. The methodology includes modeling the energy balance of the real asset (156.9 GWh of annual energy consumption), calculating the output of a 22.6 MW SPP based on local GHI/PR/η parameters, forming and determining the adaptability coefficient Kₐ (proportion of PV in total monthly electricity generation), conducting an economic assessment (NPV, payback period, sensitivity), and inventorying CO2 emissions under Scope 1–2. The SPP provides approximately 41.3 GWh of electricity generation per year, with an average annual Ka = 0.263; the 40 MW installed capacity of the gas piston power plant covers the residual demand, forming a stable daily and seasonal balance. The project demonstrates a positive NPV (After Tax) = USD 23.65 million with an estimated payback period of 10 years, while the cost of energy in extraction and processing is reduced by almost three times, and the total reduction in CO2 emissions will be 51%. Thus, hybridization of energy supply systems is a practical compromise between reliability and decarbonization. Determining the adaptability coefficient Ka allows the flexibility of the system to be taken into account, shows how effectively the new energy system uses renewable energy sources, and can be used to optimize the operation of the energy system to achieve the company’s internal sustainable development goals.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020024

Authors: Irmadi Nahib Yudi Wahyudin Widiatmaka Widiatmaka Suria Tarigan Wiwin Ambarwulan Fadhlullah Ramadhani Bono Pranoto Nunung Nugroho Turmudi Turmudi Darmawan Cahya Mulyanto Darmawan Suprajaka Suprajaka Jaka Suryanta Bambang Winarno

Rapid land use and land cover (LULC) changes in densely populated watersheds pose serious challenges to the sustainability of ecosystem services (ES), yet their spatially explicit economic consequences remain insufficiently understood. This study analyzes the spatio-temporal dynamics of LULC and ecosystem service values (ESVs) in the Citarum Watershed, Indonesia, one of the country’s most critical and intensively transformed watersheds. Multi-temporal Landsat imagery from 2003, 2013, and 2023 was classified using a Random Forest algorithm, while future LULC conditions for 2043 were projected using a Multi-layer Perceptron–Markov Chain (MLP–MC) model under three scenarios: Business-as-Usual (BAU), Protecting Paddy Field (PPF), and Protecting Forest Area (PFA). ESVs were quantified at multiple spatial scales (county, 250 m grids, and 100 m grids) using both the Traditional Benefit Transfer (TBT) method and a Spatial Benefit Transfer (SBT) approach that integrates biophysical indicators with socio-economic variables. The contribution of LULC transitions to ESV dynamics was further assessed using the Ecosystem Service Change Intensity (ESCI) index. The results reveal substantial historical forest and shrubland losses, alongside rapid expansion of settlements and dryland agriculture, indicating intensifying anthropogenic pressure on watershed functions. Scenario analysis shows continued degradation under BAU, limited mitigation under PPF, and improved forest retention under PFA; although settlement expansion persists across all scenarios. Total ESV declined from USD 2641.33 million in 2003 to USD 1585.01 million in 2023, representing a cumulative loss of 46.13%. Projections indicate severe ESV losses under BAU and PPF by 2043, while PFA substantially reduces, but does not eliminate economic degradation. ESCI results identify forest and shrubland conversion to settlements and dryland agriculture as the dominant drivers of ESV decline. These findings demonstrate that integrating multi-scenario LULC modeling with spatially explicit ESV assessment provides a more robust basis for ecosystem-based spatial planning and supports sustainable watershed management under increasing development pressure.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020023

Authors: Edoardo Bigolin Milena Rajić Tamara Rađenović Serena Caucci Giannis Adamos Marco Frey

Ecolabelling has emerged as a key instrument to communicate environmental performance to consumers, particularly in the agri-food sector where resource use and ecological pressures are highly interlinked. Conventional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based ecolabels often suffer from methodological discretion, lack of territorial specificity, and limited consumer trust. This study investigates how the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus could be integrated into LCA-based ecolabelling, with a specific focus on pasta production as a representative case in the food industry. Indicators were collected from recent literature on LCA and Nexus applications, selected for simplicity and clear attribution to one WEFE dimension, and then evaluated by experts from COST Action CA20138 (NexusNet) through a two round Delphi protocol. The process yielded 23 indicators distributed across the four dimensions, which were subsequently compared with six Environmental Product Declarations to assess data availability and compatibility. The results suggest that many indicators can be computed with standard LCA inventories, while the Nexus perspective adds value by capturing multidimensional impacts and regional resource pressures. Further refinement and empirical testing are expected to enhance the framework’s applicability, but the findings already indicate that incorporating WEFE-based indicators into pasta ecolabelling could represent a promising pathway to improve analytical depth and consumer relevance, aligning circular economy principles with corporate assessment practices.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020022

Authors: João Garcia Rafael Lima Pedro Resende André Rosa Alexandre Afonso Leandro Morais

The lack of interest in the reuse of phosphorus in agriculture is mainly due to the high abundance of pathogens, organic pollutants, microplastics, and possibly toxic metals. Therefore, different forms of treatment are necessary to take advantage of phosphorus recovery potential, one of which is the use of ash from incinerated/calcined biological sludge. A high rate of conversion of the non-apatite inorganic phosphorus fraction into apatite phosphorus was obtained in this study because of the use of commercially pure CaO additive in the dry sludge calcination tests, which is more bioavailable to plants. The obtained phosphorus pentoxide content ranged from 12 to 17%, surpassing several phosphorus-based raw materials and fertilizers. In addition, the ashes have been shown to contain toxic metals far below those recommended by Brazilian and international environmental legislation, so they can be applied directly to the soil for crop fertilization, or be used in P extraction and separation technologies for fertilizer production.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020021

Authors: Kwan Tun Lee Jen-Kuo Huang Pin-Chun Huang

This study presents an integrated decision support system (DSS) designed to optimize real-time reservoir operation during typhoons by balancing flood control and water supply. The system combines ensemble quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPF) from WRF/MM5 models, a physically based rainfall–runoff model (KW-GIUH), and a three-stage optimization algorithm for reservoir release decisions. Eighteen ensemble rainfall members are processed to generate 6 h inflow forecasts, which serve as inputs for determining adaptive outflow strategies that consider both storage requirements and downstream flood risks. The DSS was tested using historical typhoon events—Talim, Saola, Trami, and Kong-rey—at the Tseng-Wen Reservoir in Taiwan. Results show that the KW-GIUH model effectively reproduces hydrograph characteristics, with a coefficient of efficiency around 0.80, while the optimization algorithm successfully maintains reservoir levels near target storage, even under imperfect rainfall forecasts. The mean deviation of reservoir water levels from the recorded to the target values is less than 0.18 m. The system enhances operational flexibility by adjusting release rates according to the proposed outflow index and flood-stage classification. During major storms, the DSS effectively allocates storage space for incoming floods while maximizing water retention during recession periods. Overall, the integrated framework demonstrates strong potential to support real-time reservoir management during extreme weather conditions, thereby improving both flood mitigation and water-supply reliability.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15020020

Authors: Juliana Melo Teresa Dias Ana M. Santos Sanaa Kamah Silvia Castillo Khalid Akdi Cristina Cruz

Drought poses a major challenge for global agriculture, demanding strategies that improve crop resilience while safeguarding water and nutrient resources. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)-based biostimulants offer a sustainable approach to enhance resource-use efficiency under water-limited conditions. This study evaluated two commercial PGPR biostimulants applied to maize (Zea mays L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings grown under well-watered (80% field capacity) and water-stressed (40% field capacity) conditions. Both products improved plant growth and physiological performance, although responses were crop-specific. Inoculated tomato seedlings accumulated up to 35% more shoot biomass under optimal watering (1.6 g in non-inoculated seedlings compared with 2.5 g in inoculated seedlings), whereas maize maintained biomass production under drought, consistent with its higher intrinsic water-use efficiency, showing increases of approximately 50% (well-watered: 0.5 g versus 0.8 g; water-stressed: 0.3 g versus 0.7 g in non-inoculated and inoculated seedlings, respectively). Biostimulant application enhanced the acquisition and internal utilization of essential mineral resources, increasing leaf concentrations of (i) the macronutrients P (up to 300%), K (up to 70%), Mg (up to 220%), and Ca (up to 85%), and (ii) the micronutrients B (up to 400%), Fe (up to 260%), Mn (up to 240%), and Zn (up to 180%). Maximum nutrient increases were consistently observed in water-stressed maize seedlings inoculated with biostimulant 2. Antioxidant activities, particularly ascorbate peroxidase and catalase, increased by 20–40%, indicating more effective mitigation of oxidative stress. Principal component analysis revealed coordinated adjustments among growth, nutrient-use efficiency, and physiological traits in inoculated plants. Overall, PGPR-based biostimulants improved early drought tolerance and resource-use efficiency, supporting their potential as sustainable tools for climate-resilient agriculture. Field-scale studies remain necessary to confirm long-term agronomic benefits.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010019

Authors: Randima De Silva Prasanna Divigalpitiya

Rapid urban growth in many Global South cities strains waste systems and slows the shift to circular economy (CE) practice. Colombo, Sri Lanka, exemplifies this challenge, where overstretched state-led services coexist with neighborhood groups, NGOs, and informal collectors driving circular activities. This study adopts a layered social network diagnostic framework to examine how community-based waste management networks operate and how they might be reshaped to enable a city-wide CE. Using survey and interview data from 185 actors, information-sharing, collaboration, and resource-exchange networks are analyzed separately and in combination. The results reveal three principal findings: (i) Social-capital forms operate largely in parallel, with limited conversion between information, collaboration, and material exchange; (ii) the network exhibits “thin bridges and thick clusters,” in which a small number of NGO hubs mediate most cross-cluster connectivity; (iii) layers operate with mismatched coordination logics, producing gaps between awareness, collective action, and resource mobilization. As a result, ideas circulate widely but rarely translate into joint projects, local teams coordinate effectively yet remain isolated, and material flows depend on a narrow and fragile logistics spine. By diagnosing these structural misalignments, this study demonstrates a key novelty: scalable circular economy adoption depends not only on technology and policy but also on the design and alignment of underlying coordination networks.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010018

Authors: Ionela Gavrila-Paven Ramona Giurea Elena Rada

This study provides an integrated assessment of progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by applying a multivariate, indicator-based framework to a comprehensive set of EU-27 performance metrics. Rather than proposing new indicators, the analysis advances SDG 12 monitoring by systematically integrating official indicators of material efficiency, circularity, waste generation, consumption-based environmental pressure, and environmental economic activity with key cross-sectoral drivers. Using harmonized statistical data, the study examines raw material consumption, circular material use rates, hazardous chemical consumption, consumption footprints, hazardous waste generation, and the economic value added of the environmental goods and services sector, complemented by energy productivity and average CO2 emissions from new passenger cars. Through z-score normalization, correlation analysis, and exploratory factor analysis, the research identifies structural interdependencies and latent systemic regimes that characterize responsible consumption and production dynamics in the EU. The results reveal a persistent divergence between efficiency- and circularity-oriented improvements and ongoing material and waste pressures, highlighting structural constraints within current sustainability pathways. By offering a replicable and integrative analytical framework, the study contributes to the literature by supporting evidence-based policymaking and identifying priority areas for advancing resource efficiency and circular economy transitions.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010017

Authors: Josephine Mutwale Ephraim Zulu Francis Mulolani Sambo Lyson Zulu

This study examines the social factors shaping solar energy transitioning in Zambia’s mining sector, a key contributor to the national resource economy. It focuses on how policies, incentive systems, communication channels, training and skills development, and stakeholder engagement and partnership influence the sector’s readiness to adopt solar energy and support more reliable operations. A quantitative design was used, with a 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire administered to 192 respondents from mining companies, regulatory bodies, energy suppliers and local authorities. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability tests and hierarchical regression. The results show that stakeholder engagement and partnership and incentive systems are the strongest predictors of transition intentions, underscoring their role in improving energy security and supporting sustainable production. Policies, communication and training had weaker effects, indicating the need for stronger institutional coordination and targeted capacity building. Overall, the findings illustrate how social conditions shape renewable energy adoption and contribute to more resilient mining activities.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010016

Authors: Luis López-Sosa Carlos García Ana Martínez Villalba Ricardo González Cárabes

The study of energy needs in rural areas continues to be an active field of research. Although numerous gaps hinder the achievement of a sustainable energy transition in these areas, it is necessary to develop comprehensive strategies that integrate local participation with the implementation of efficient and appropriate energy technologies. This research analyzes local energy needs using a community participatory approach and considers four main stages, including a participatory diagnosis at the community level to identify energy needs, defining priority energy needs from the community’s viewpoint, estimating a baseline of the identified needs, their economic costs, and environmental impacts, constructing a scenario with a 20-year projection, and the benefits of implementing more efficient technologies. The results show that 98.9% of energy is destined for residential needs, 0.6% for community needs, and 0.5% for productive needs, and the economic expenditure follows the same hierarchy, while total emissions are estimated annually at just over 30,000 tCO2e and 3 tPM2.5. With the proposed scenario, at the end of year 20, a reduction in consumption of just over 200 TJ is estimated, together with present value savings of USD 490,000, and a decrease in emissions of approximately 27,000 tCO2e and 2.7 tPM2.5. This proposal is expected to contribute to encouraging research with broad community participation and to the formulation of strategies that enable a sustainable energy transition in rural contexts.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010015

Authors: Pablo Fernández-Arias Antonio del Bosque Georgios Lampropoulos Diego Vergara

Green hydrogen has become a fundamental pillar in the transition towards a low-carbon economy, due to its ability to produce energy without polluting emissions and from renewable sources such as solar and wind. Unlike other hydrogen production technologies, green hydrogen is obtained through water electrolysis using renewable electricity, which makes it a clean and sustainable fuel, ideal for hard-to-decarbonized sectors such as heavy industry and long-distance transportation. The main objective of this review is to analyze the evolution, trends, and knowledge gaps related to the sustainability of green hydrogen, identifying the main research focus areas, scientific actors, and emerging opportunities. To do this, 1935 scientific articles indexed in Scopus and WOS were examined under PRISMA 2020. Among the most relevant results, an exponential growth in scientific production on hydrogen and sustainability is observed, with Asian authors leading due to strong national commitments. The main challenges identified by the scientific community are related to efficiency, profitability, optimization, integration into sustainable energy systems, and emission reduction. Green hydrogen technologies are central to future energy, and success depends on international collaboration, innovation, and stable policies that support large-scale, sustainable clean energy adoption.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010014

Authors: Sonaly Bhatnagar Rashmi Chaudhary Yasmin Janjhua Akhil Kashyap Pankaj Thakur Prashant Sharma

Climate change brings considerable danger to India’s economic progress, with the agricultural sector and farmers’ livelihoods being particularly vulnerable. Himachal Pradesh is especially susceptible owing to its reliance on climate-sensitive economic activities and limited capacity to adapt to climate variability. Strengthening adaptation strategies in Himachal Pradesh is crucial for fortifying the resilience of communities reliant on environmental resources for their sustenance and economic well-being. This study examines the extent of adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAPs), identifies the factors influencing their uptake, and assesses their impact on the livelihood vulnerability of farm households in the temperate region of Himachal Pradesh. Using a multistage random sampling framework, data were collected from 432 farm households through primary surveys and secondary sources. The analysis employs descriptive statistics, a composite livelihood vulnerability index, and Ordinal Logistic and Multiple Linear Regression models. Results show higher adoption of low-cost practices such as composting, fruit-based agroforestry, crop–livestock integration, and mulching, while capital-intensive practices like micro-irrigation were limited due to financial constraints. Adoption is positively influenced by education, extension access, farming experience, financial resources, and climate information exposure. Importantly, CSAPs adoption is found to significantly reduce livelihood vulnerability, indicating enhanced resilience and reduced exposure to climate-induced risks among farm households. The findings highlight climate-smart agriculture as an effective adaptation strategy and underscore the need for policies that strengthen extension services, improve access to credit, and promote affordable climate-smart technologies to enhance resilience in vulnerable hill regions.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010013

Authors: Julio Wasserman Tácila Freitas

The management of landfill leachate remains a persistent environmental issue for municipalities globally. Although dedicated treatment in engineered landfills mitigates environmental contamination, it is often cost-prohibitive. Co-treatment of landfill leachates in sewage treatment plants has been broadly studied, but there are a lot of issues associated with it. Sewage treatment plants apply physical, chemical, and biological processes, and the co-treatment of leachates—contaminated with metals, pesticides, emerging contaminants, and other toxic compounds—can impair the biological equilibrium of the system and compromise the quality of effluents and sludges. In the present research, the processes leading to the formation of landfill leachates and the processes that promote the removal of contaminants in sewage treatment plants were discussed. A theoretical, early screening level mixing model, incorporating removal rates and leachate concentrations from the literature, was employed to simulate effluent concentrations from a co-treatment process involving sequential decantation and an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB). Under a conservative worst-case scenario obtained from the literature, the model predicts that adsorption of contaminants onto the particulate phase enables removal of metals from the solution. However, considering the volumes of sludge involved, the predictions indicate that concentrations should be lower than naturally occurring in the sediments. It is proposed that continuous monitoring follow-up is a mandatory safeguard for any co-treatment operation.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010012

Authors: Amir Noviyanto Fadhlullah Ramadhani Valensi Kautsar Yovi Avianto Sri Gunawan Yohana Theresia Maria Astuti Siti Maimunah

Reliable estimation of oil palm carbon stock is essential for climate mitigation, concession management, and sustainability certification. While satellite-based approaches offer scalable solutions, redundancy among spectral indices and inter-sensor variability complicate model development. This study evaluates machine learning regressors for predicting oil palm carbon stock at tree (CO_tree, kg C tree−1) and hectare (CO_ha, Mg C ha−1) scales using spectral indices derived from Landsat-8, Landsat-9, and Sentinel-2. Fourteen vegetation indices were screened for multicollinearity, resulting in a lean feature set dominated by NDMI, EVI, MSI, NDWI, and sensor-specific indices such as NBR2 and ARVI. Ten regression algorithms were benchmarked through cross-validation. Ensemble models, particularly Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and XGBoost, outperformed linear and kernel methods, achieving R2 values of 0.86–0.88 and RMSE of 59–64 kg tree−1 or 8–9 Mg ha−1. Feature importance analysis consistently identified NDMI as the strongest predictor of standing carbon. Spatial predictions showed stable carbon patterns across sensors, with CO_tree ranging from 200–500 kg C tree−1 and CO_ha from 20–70 Mg C ha−1, consistent with published values for mature plantations. The study demonstrates that ensemble learning with sensor-specific index sets provides accurate, dual-scale carbon monitoring for oil palm. Limitations include geographic scope, dependence on allometric equations, and omission of belowground carbon. Future work should integrate age dynamics, multi-year composites, and deep learning approaches for operational carbon accounting.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010011

Authors: Nesrine Gafsi

Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model cointegration framework, this paper examines the long- and short-run impact of domestic financial investment and natural resource rents on economic growth in Niger within the period 1990–2021. The Bounds test confirms a long-run relationship among variables: F = 4.646 > 3.79 at 5%. Long-run results indicate that increasing domestic investment by 1% raises real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita by approximately 0.30%, whereas 1% increase in natural resource rents leads to a reduction in growth by approximately 0.06%. At the same time, exports have a positive but very small effect, while imports and labor have negative long-run influences. Short-run dynamics further support a significant positive impact of domestic investment, at p = 0.0007, and a lagged effect of natural resources at p = 0.0308. The error-correction term is negative and significant, at −0.75, showing rapid adjustment toward equilibrium. Diagnostic tests confirm an absence of serial correlation and heteroskedasticity, while stability is confirmed by CUSUM and CUSUMSQ tests. The findings reveal a dualism in the growth path of Niger in that domestic financial investments favor sustainable expansion, whereas resource-based revenues undermine the growth process in the long run and call for financial market deepening and improved governance of resource revenues.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010010

Authors: Agnieszka Pusz Dominik Rogalski Arkadiusz Kamiński Peter Knosala Magdalena Wiśniewska

This study investigates the accumulation potential of Brassica napus L. and Zea mays L. cultivated on soils contaminated with Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb, using HEDTA—Hydroxyethyl Ethylenediamine Triacetic Acid—to enhance metal mobility. The research addresses a gap in the literature regarding the dual-purpose use of energy crops for assisted phytoextraction and bioenergy recovery. Two pot experiments were conducted on soils of different textures, with HEDTA applied at 2.5 and 5 mmol·kg−1. Metal concentrations in soil and plant tissues were measured, and indices such as the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), bioconcentration factors (BCF), translocation factor (TF), metal tolerance index (MTI), crop growth rate (CGR) and higher heating value (HHV) were calculated. Results showed that HEDTA significantly increased Cd and Zn mobility, leading to higher accumulation in rapeseed shoots. Maize demonstrated phytostabilization by retaining metals in roots. Rapeseed biomass exhibited a higher HHV (up to 20.6 MJ·kg−1) and greater carbon and hydrogen content, indicating suitability for thermochemical conversion. Maize, with lower ash content, showed potential for bioethanol production. The findings support the integration of chelate-assisted phytoextraction with energy recovery from biomass.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010009

Authors: Astou Sarr Mamadou Dramé Serigne Niang Abdoulkader Idriss Haitham Ramadan Ali Younous Kharouna Talla John Bagarino Marissa Jasper Ismaila Diallo

This study presents the first comprehensive techno-economic assessment of wind-based green hydrogen production across Senegal, a country highly dependent on fossil fuel imports. Using a novel integrated approach combining 30 years of ERA5 reanalysis data (1993–2023), turbine performance modeling and electrolyzer comparison, it fills an important gap for renewable hydrogen development in West Africa. Wind resources were analyzed at multiple altitudes, revealing strong potential in both coastal and northeastern regions, particularly during the dry season, with higher wind speeds at higher turbine heights. Four turbines (Vestas_150, Goldwind_155, Vestas_126 and Nordex_N100) and two electrolyzer types (alkaline and PEM) were evaluated. The alkaline system performed best. Vestas_150 and Goldwind_155 achieved the highest hydrogen yields of 241 and 183 tons/year and CO2 reductions of 2951 and 2241 tons/year, generating carbon credits of 0.118 M$ and 0.089 M$, respectively. Their levelized cost of electricity remained low (0.042 and 0.039 $/kWh), while smaller turbines showed higher costs. Vestas_150 also had the shortest payback period of 2.16 years, making it the most competitive option. Sensitivity analyses showed that longer system lifespans and high-performance turbines significantly reduce the levelized cost of hydrogen. Priority investment zones include Saint-Louis, Matam, Louga and Tambacounda, with levelized cost of hydrogen values as low as 3.4 $/kg.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010008

Authors: Giulia Castanho Kiril Bahcevandziev Leonel Pereira Olga Filipe João Cotas

Salicornia spp. is a halophytic plant with great potential in sustainable agriculture due to its ability to thrive in saline environments where conventional crops cannot grow. This study investigated Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods cultivated under two systems: hydroponics and substrate environments. The plants produced were subsequently preserved for food applications and chemically characterized within biorefinery processes. Analyses were performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR), Ultraviolet/Visible Spectrophotometry, and Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC). The hydroponic system proved to be the most promising cultivation method, promoting superior aerial growth ranging from 14% to 50% higher than substrate-grown plants throughout the cultivation period and achieving a higher biomass yield. Regarding pigment preservation, freezing best maintained compound integrity, as observed through TLC analysis, while desiccator and vacuum storage at room temperature were most suitable for hydroponically grown samples. Under vacuum storage, pigments pheophytin A and B and chlorophyll A showed an estimated 33% higher retention compared with desiccator storage. Both cultivation methods demonstrated potential for large-scale applications, highlighting Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods as a valuable crop for saline agriculture and sustainable food production.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010007

Authors: Anna Chrobak-Žuffová Marta Bąk Agnieszka Ciurej Piotr Strzeboński Ewa Welc Sławomir Bębenek Anna Wolska Karol Augustowski Krzysztof Bąk

This paper presents an innovative concept for the musealization of everyday public space through the use of natural stone cladding as an in situ palaeontological exhibition. Polished slabs of Holy Cross Mts marble, widely used as flooring in public buildings, contain abundant and well-preserved Devonian marine fossils, offering a unique opportunity to revitalize public engagement with palaeontology and geoheritage. The proposed exhibition transforms passers-by into active observers by integrating authentic fossil material directly into daily circulation routes, thereby emphasizing the educational and geotouristic potential of ordinary architectural elements. The case study focuses on the main hall of the University of the National Education Commission (Kraków, Poland), where over 1000 m2 of fossil-bearing limestone flooring is used as a continuous exhibition surface. The target audience includes students of Earth sciences, zoology, biological sciences, pedagogy, social sciences, and humanities, for whom the exhibition serves as both an educational supplement and a geotouristic experience. The scientific, educational, and touristic value of the proposed exhibition was assessed using a modified geoheritage valorization method and compared with established palaeontological collections in Kraków and Kielce. The expert valuation method used in the article enables a comparison of the described collection with other similar places on Earth, making its application universal and global. The results demonstrate that polished stone cladding can function as a valuable geoheritage asset of regional and global significance, offering an accessible, low-cost, and sustainable model for disseminating palaeontological knowledge within public space.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010006

Authors: David Choque-Quispe Sandra Diaz Orosco Carlos Ligarda-Samanez Fidelia Tapia Tadeo Sofía Pastor-Mina Miriam Calla-Florez Antonieta Mojo-Quisani Lucero Quispe Chambilla Rosa Huaraca Aparco Hilka Carrión Sánchez Jorge Elias-Silupu Luis Tolentino-Geldres

Growing concern about the environmental impact of traditional packaging has driven the development of biodegradable edible films made from natural and functional biopolymers. Various by-products generated during harvesting can be subjected to valorization. Potato, a tuber with high starch content, and carrot, rich in β-carotene, represent important sources of polymeric matrix and bioactive compounds, respectively. Similarly, the use of biodegradable plasticizers such as pectin and polysaccharides derived from nopal mucilage is a viable alternative. This study assessed the physical and chemical properties of edible films composed of potato starch (PS), cactus mucilage (NM), carrot extract (CJ), citrus pectin (P), and glycerin (G). The films were produced by means of casting, with three mixtures prepared that had different proportions of CJ, P, and PS. The experiments were adjusted to a simple mixture design, and the data were analyzed in triplicate, using Pareto and Tukey diagrams at 5% significance. Results showed that adding CJ (between 5 to 6%), P (between 42 to 44%) and PS (between 43 to 45%) significantly affects all of the evaluated physical and chemical properties, resulting in films with luminosity values greater than 88.65, opacity ranging from 0.20 to 0.54 abs/mm, β-carotene content up to 26.11 μg/100 g, acidity between 0.22 and 0.31% and high solubility with a significant difference between treatments (p-value < 0.05) and low water activity (around of 0.47) (p-value > 0.05). These characteristics provide tensile strength up to 5.7 MPa and a suitable permeability of 1.6 × 10−2 g·mm/h·m2·Pa (p-value < 0.05), which ensures low diffusivity through the film. Similarly, increasing the CJ addition enables the functional groups of the other components to interact. Using carrot extract and potato starch is a promising approach for producing edible films with good functional qualities but with high permeability.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010005

Authors: Medet Junussov Geroy Zholtayev Ahmed Moghazi Yerzhan Nurmakanov Mohamed Oraby Zamzagul Umarbekova Moldir Mashrapova Kuanysh Togizov

The Carboniferous coal seams in Northeast Kazakhstan remain insufficiently investigated, with a lack of comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical assessments necessary to understand the geological processes controlling coal quality. This study examines 15 coal samples from the Karagandy Coal Formation (KCF) at the Saradyr and Bogatyr mines using proximate and ultimate analyses, FTIR, XRD, SEM–EDS, ED-XRF, and ICP-OES, providing the first detailed comparison of mineralogical and geochemical characteristics—including depositional signals and inorganic constituent distribution—between these mines within the KCF. The coals exhibit an average ash yield of 24.1% on a dry basis, volatile matter of 21.6% on a dry and ash-free basis, and low moisture content of 1.1% (air-dry), with low sulfur levels of 0.7% in whole coal across both mines. Mineralogical composition is dominated by quartz and clay minerals, with minor pyrite, apatite, chalcopyrite, and rutile. Major oxides in the coal ash average 68.2% SiO2 and 19.5% Al2O3, followed by Fe2O3, K2O, and TiO2 (3–12.1%). Among the 24 identified trace elements, Sm is the most abundant at 6.3 ppm with slight enrichment (CC = 2.8), Lu remains at normal levels (CC < 1), and most other elements are depleted (CC < 0.5). The Al2O3/TiO2 ratios (3.8–10.8) indicate contributions from intermediate to mafic parent materials. The detrital mineralogy, parting compositions, and elevated ash content indicate significant accommodation space development during or shortly after peat accumulation, likely within a vegetated alluvial plain depression. These findings provide new insights into the depositional environment and coal-forming processes of the KCF and contribute to regional assessments of coal quality and resource potential.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010004

Authors: Barbara Ruffino Katarzyna Pietrucha-Urbanik Giuseppe Campo

Accessible freshwater, which is already limited, is threatened by overdemand and mismanagement, and the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution is pushing the hydrological cycle out of balance [...]

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010003

Authors: Dang Thi Hong Ngoc Nguyen Van Toan Nguyen Phuoc Cong Bui Thi Bich Lien Nguyen Thanh Tam Nigel K. Downes Pankaj Kumar Huynh Vuong Thu Minh

Climate change and river flow alterations in the Mekong River have significantly exacerbated drought conditions in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD). Understanding the temporal dynamics and propagation mechanisms of drought, coupled with the compounded impacts of human activities, is crucial. This study analyzed meteorological (1992–2021) and hydrological (2000–2021) drought trends in the Lower Mekong River Basin (LMB) using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Streamflow Drought Index (SDI), respectively, complemented by Mann–Kendall (MK) trend analysis. The results show an increasing trend of meteorological drought in Cambodia and Lao PDR, with mid-Mekong stations exhibiting a strong positive correlation with downstream discharge, particularly Tan Chau (Pearson r ranging from 0.60 to 0.70). A key finding highlights the complexity of flow regulation by the Tonle Sap system, evidenced by a very strong correlation (r = 0.71) between Phnom Penh and the 12-month SDI lagged by one year. Crucially, the comparison revealed a shift in drought severity since 2010: hydrological drought has exhibited greater severity (reaching severe levels in 2020–2021) compared to meteorological drought, which remained moderate. This escalation is substantiated by a statistically significant discharge reduction (95% confidence level) at the Chau Doc station during the wet season, indicating a decline in peak flow due to upstream dam operations. These findings provide a robust database on the altered hydrological regime, underlining the increasing vulnerability of the VMD and motivating the urgent need for comprehensive, adaptive water resource management strategies.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010002

Authors: Joana Jesus Cristina Máguas Helena Trindade

The increasing challenges posed by climate change demand holistic approaches to mitigate ecosystem degradation. In Mediterranean-type regions—biodiversity hotspots facing intensified droughts, fires, and biological invasions—such strategies are particularly relevant. Among invasive species, Acacia longifolia produces substantial woody and leafy biomass when removed, offering an opportunity for reuse as soil-improving material after adequate processing. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of invasive A. longifolia Green-waste compost (Gwc) as a soil amendment to promote soil recovery and native plant establishment after fire. A field experiment was carried out in a Mediterranean ecosystem using Arbutus unedo, Pinus pinea, and Quercus suber planted in control and soils treated with Gwc. Rhizospheric soils were sampled one year after plantation, in Spring and Autumn, to assess physicochemical parameters and microbial community composition (using composite samples) through Next-Generation Sequencing. Our study showed that Gwc-treated soils exhibited higher moisture content and nutrient availability, which translated into improved plant growth and increased microbial richness and diversity when compared with control soils. Together, these results demonstrate that A. longifolia Gwc enhances soil quality, supports increased plant fitness, and promotes a more diverse microbiome, ultimately contributing to faster ecosystem recovery. Transforming invasive biomass into a valuable resource could offer a sustainable, win–win solution for ecological rehabilitation in fire-affected Mediterranean environments, enhancing soil and ecosystem functioning.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources15010001

Authors: Joyce Kumah Benedicta Fosu-Mensah Benjamin Ofori Millicent Kwawu Christopher Gordon

This study assessed the concentrations and health risks of heavy metals in cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivated across three urban land surface temperatures in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA): Atomic (low land surface temperature, LST), Ashaiman (moderate LST), and Korle-Bu (high LST). The objective was to assess the influence of urban land surface temperature on heavy metal accumulation and associated human health risks. Results revealed that arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) levels were consistently low (≤0.002 mg/kg) and remained below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) at all sites. However, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) concentrations exceeded MRLs in both vegetables. Cd ranged from 1.40 ± 0.27 mg/kg (lettuce, Ashaiman) to 3.13 ± 0.99 mg/kg (cabbage, Atomic), while Pb varied between 0.90 ± 0.84 mg/kg (lettuce) and 2.62 ± 1.22 mg/kg (cabbage). Ni concentrations exceeded the permissible limit (0.2 mg/kg) across all LST zones, with the highest at Korle-Bu (0.65 ± 0.07 mg/kg). Cumulative heavy metal concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.005) with rising LST, particularly in cabbage. Noncarcinogenic risk assessment indicated that Cd and Ni were the dominant contributors to human health risk, with target hazard quotients (THQ) and hazard indices (HI) exceeding the safety threshold (HI > 1) for both adults and children, especially in Atomic and Korle-Bu. Children were more vulnerable, exhibiting higher exposure levels. Carcinogenic risk (CR) analysis further identified As, Cd, and Ni as the main carcinogens, with total cancer risk (TCR) values across all sites and age groups exceeding the USEPA acceptable range (1 × 10−6–1 × 10−4). The findings suggest that increasing urban temperatures exacerbate heavy metal accumulation in leafy vegetables, posing significant noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, particularly to children.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120191

Authors: Graziela dos Santos Paulino Júlia Santos Pereira Clara Suprani Marques Kyssila Vitória Reis Vitalino Victor G. L. Souza Ananda Pereira Aguilar Lucas Filipe Almeida Taíla Veloso de Oliveira Andréa de Oliveira Barros Ribon Sukarno Olavo Ferreira Eveline Teixeira Caixeta Moura Deusanilde de Jesus Silva Tiago Antônio de Oliveira Mendes

Most polymeric plastics used as food packaging are obtained from petroleum or made with non-biodegradable synthetic molecules, which slowly degrade and leach into the environment, resulting in the accumulation of microplastics along the trophic chains. To mitigate these impacts, biodegradable packaging derived from agro-industrial biomass residues has emerged as a promising alternative. In this study, bio-based methylcellulose films reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from low-quality coffee beans were developed and fully characterized. The extracted CNCs presented a needle-like morphology, with an average height of 7.27 nm and a length of 221.34 nm, with 65.75% crystallinity, were stable at pH 7–8, and presented thermogravimetric mass loss of 8.0%. Methylcellulose films containing 0.6% w/w of CNC were produced by casting and characterized in terms of thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. Notably, the incorporation of CNCs resulted in significantly more flexible and less rigid films, as evidenced by the higher elongation at break (57.90%) and lower Young’s modulus (0.0015 GPa) compared to neat methylcellulose film. The tensile strength was not affected (p > 0.05). Additionally, the MCNC 0.6% films effectively blocked UV light in the 200–300 nm range without compromising transparency. Altogether, these findings underscore the MCNC 0.6% film as a flexible, biodegradable packaging material suitable for food industry application.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120192

Authors: Anil Kumar Anal Abhishek Khadka Daniel Lee Rice Nabindra Kumar Shrestha Johnmel Abrogena Valerozo Khin Nyein Chan Zaw Ryunosuke Nagase

The global population is rising sharply and is expected to be 10 billion by 2050. Nutrition security, especially protein, is a major concern, as it is one of the essential ingredients for body growth. However, consumption of meat is unsustainable, as the use of natural resources and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are relatively high compared to plant-based protein sources. Aquatic plants like duckweed, Azolla, and water spinach, as well as macroalgae and microalgae, contain good amounts of protein, ranging from 25% to 60% dry weight (DW) and comprising major essential amino acids (EAAs). These plants are rich in vitamins and minerals and possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anti-fatigue properties. In addition, green food processing (GFP) technologies minimize the antinutritional factors, which in turn increase the bioaccessibility and biodigestibility of aquatic plants. Fermentation is one of the oldest known GFP methods. Recent advances include high-pressure processing, pulsed electric field, ultrasound-assisted, and microwave-assisted extraction, which are among the most promising techniques. Hence, government initiatives, as well as research and private sector collaboration for cultivation, processing, and advocating for such nutrient-dense food, are necessary. This will ensure sustainable production and consumption.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120190

Authors: Moses Nyakuwanika Manoj Panicker

While artisanal gold mining (AGM) has been credited as a sector that sustains many households in Zimbabwe, it has at the same time been criticized as the chief driver of ecological degradation and social vulnerability. This study qualitatively examines the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of AGM by conducting in-depth interviews with miners, residents, and policymakers across six central mining districts. The study findings indicate that the use of mercury has resulted in severe contamination of water bodies, while clearing land to pave the way for mining has led to severe deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and declining agricultural productivity due to the loss of fertile soils. It was also found that most AGMs were unregulated, and their unregulated operations have intensified health risks, social inequality, and land-use conflicts with the local community. This study provides an insight into how dependence on AGM has perpetuated a cycle of ecological degradation and poverty among many Zimbabweans. The study, therefore, attempts to combine community narratives with policy analysis, thereby proposing a framework for sustainable AGM in Zimbabwe. This involves advocating for the use of environmentally friendly technologies and promoting participatory environmental governance among all key stakeholders. The study contributes to achieving a balance between economic benefits and environmental management by advancing the discourse on sustainable development and community resilience in resource-dependent economies.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120189

Authors: Ammar El-Husseiny

The characterization of carbonate subsurface reservoirs, which host significant natural resources such as water and hydrocarbon, is crucial for earth scientists and engineers. Key characterization methods include seismic and downhole sonic techniques. This study explores the relative influence of mineralogy versus pore geometry on acoustic velocity and velocity–porosity relationships in carbonate rocks, which is important for seismic and sonic interpretation in reservoir characterization. A global dataset from ten localities encompassing different carbonate lithologies—including limestones, fabric-preserving (FP) and non-fabric-preserving (NFP) dolostones, and siliceous carbonates—was analyzed using laboratory measurements and Differential Effective Medium (DEM) modeling. Results show that the mineralogy influence decreases with porosity, so it is limited only to tight rocks where dolostones show higher velocity than limestones while siliceous carbonates show the least velocity. As porosity increases, FP dolostones retain higher velocities, whereas NFP dolostones have comparable or lower velocities than limestones, contrary to expectations from mineral elastic properties. This behavior is mainly governed by pore geometry, as supported by petrographic analysis and DEM modeling. Siliceous carbonates display notably lower velocities, which is entirely attributed to smaller pore aspect ratios (about 50% less than in limestones) rather than mineralogical effects. Overall, this study highlights that pore geometry dominates over mineralogy in determining acoustic velocity within porous carbonates, providing a valuable framework for improving seismic and sonic-based porosity estimation across variable carbonate lithologies.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120188

Authors: Shoraia Germani Winter Antonio José Vinha Zanuncio Amélia Guimarães Carvalho Marcos Vinícius Ferreira Olivia Pereira Lopes Angélica de Cassia Oliveira Carneiro Solange de Oliveira Araújo

Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer, resulting in the production of 1 kg of husk and 0.5 kg of parchment for every 1 kg of coffee beans. Given the large amount of biomass and the constant need for energy production, this study raises the possibility of using waste for pellet production. Samples of coffee husks and parchment were characterized by moisture content (dry basis), proximate analysis (volatile matter, ash and fixed carbon), calorific value, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetry, and the pellets were characterized by moisture content (dry basis), bulk density, energy density, mechanical durability, percentage of fines, and hardness. The results were compared with the ISO 17225-6. The parchment had a higher carbon, 49.5%, C/N 45.1%, and lignin 26.2% and lower ashes 2.8% and extractives 14.2%, resulting in higher calorific value, while coffee husks obtained 46.5%, 26.3%, 24.6%, 5.5%, and 34.3%, respectively. Pellets produced with parchment had a higher density 622 kg/m3 and lower moisture content 10.5%, resulting in higher energy density. The parchment pellets met all the parameters of the ISO 17225-6, while the coffee husk pellets did not meet the parameters for moisture, which is less than 15%, and bulk density, greather than 600 kg/m3. Both types of biomass showed potential for pellet production, with further studies needed on coffee husks.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120187

Authors: Nesrine Gafsi

This paper examines the impact of natural resource rents on the economic growth of Tunisia between 1990 and 2023, emphasizing the aspect of resource diversification. The annual time-series data extracted from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators were analyzed using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model to outline both the short- and long-run dynamics. The results confirm the existence of a long-term relationship between economic growth and oil, natural gas, mineral, and forest rents. Among them, oil and forest rents have strong positive long-term impacts, whereas natural gas and mineral rents contribute relatively moderately due to the structural inefficiencies and absence of value-added activities in these sectors. It was also found that the labor force participation has been affecting growth adversely with continuous impacts, which are driven by skill mismatches, low productivity, and high unemployment, hence indicating structural labor market imbalance that weakens the growth effect of labor. On the other hand, capital formation is still one of the key drivers of long-term growth. The findings highlight the rationale for diversification of the economy, governance reforms, and sustainable management of resources. However, the study suffers from some limitations due to data availability and excluded institutional variables, apart from being narrowed to a single-country case study, which might affect the generalizability of the results. Future works could consider incorporating the indicators of governance, examining nonlinear effects, or expanding the analysis into a multi-country framework.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120186

Authors: Dinara Mukhiyayeva Aigul Alibekova Lyazzat Sembiyeva Nadiia Shmygol Bakhytzhamal Zhumatayeva Dariga Khamitova

The global shift towards sustainable development and low-carbon growth has intensified the need for efficient management of natural resources. This study proposes an integrated economic assessment framework to evaluate how ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) integration and circular economy strategies influence resource productivity and long-term economic performance. The research focuses on the water–energy–land nexus as a critical driver of global economic systems. Using a combination of multi-criteria decision analysis (AHP/TOPSIS), material flow analysis (MFA), life-cycle assessment (LCA), and panel econometric modeling on a broad dataset of countries (2018–2023), we examine the relationship between resource efficiency, ESG adoption, and economic competitiveness. The results indicate that circular business models and strong ESG practices significantly reduce resource intensity, enhance total factor productivity, and strengthen economic resilience. Scenario modeling demonstrates that transitioning from linear to circular resource flows can yield substantial economic and ecological benefits, including a ~1–3% rise in GDP and a ~15–20% drop in resource intensity under a high-circularity scenario. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and businesses, emphasizing that sustainable resource governance is not only an environmental necessity but also a key driver of global economic transformation.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120185

Authors: Maria Soares de Lima André Gobbi Farina Nelson Kadel Miguel Afonso Sellitto

This article investigates technological choices for Waste-to-Energy (WtE) implementations in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management. It identified challenges and opportunities, thereby transforming the perspective of MSW from waste into a valuable resource. The methodology included a systematic literature review, following PICO and PRISMA protocols. The analysis included 118 open-access review articles, published between 2018 and 2024, from Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, concerning thermochemical, biochemical, and chemical technologies. Key challenges for new implementations include economic barriers, social issues, and regulatory shortcomings. Opportunities arise from education, supportive policies, and lessons learned from developed countries such as Germany and Japan. Limitations include the focus on specific databases and the potential oversight of data from other sources or unexamined data. Implications for future research should expand coverage as well as assess longer periods to enhance MSW valorization. Implications also include guidance for public managers and policymakers in formulating MSW management strategies, including policies, WtE technology selection, public education, and reducing misinformation to boost implementation and social acceptance of WtE initiatives. Effective WtE implementation improves public health and the environmental performance of regions by reducing landfills and generating economic and employment opportunities for vulnerable communities. The study’s originality lies in bridging a significant research gap on WtE implementation through a comprehensive examination of its challenges and opportunities. By integrating international experiences and lessons learned, it generates guidance for the sustainable development of MSW management systems.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120184

Authors: Mariusz Ptak Mariusz Sojka Muhammad Yousuf Jat Baloch Teerachai Amnuaylojaroen

Seeking solutions that expand the energy market with new possibilities is a natural approach in the context of greenhouse gas emissions and associated climate change. One renewable energy source is water, which, in addition to kinetic energy, can also serve as a source of heat. Having up-to-date hydrological data is crucial for assessing the scale and rate of water circulation in the environment, and subsequently its potential for economic use. This study reconstructs water temperature with the application of the hybrid air2water model for several dozens of rivers in the Odra basin (Central Europe) and, on this basis, estimates heat flux and subsequently its predictability across different temporal scales. The average annual heat flow of all the analyzed rivers was 3.36 × 106 GJ and varied widely, from 0.09 to 51 × 106 GJ, depending on the size of the river. On an annual scale, the heat flow corresponds to the distribution of seasonal changes in key variables (river discharge and water temperature) characteristic of rivers in the temperate zone. The lowest average heat flow was recorded in January (0.74 × 106 GJ), and the highest in July (5.73 × 106 GJ). Considering the obtained results and the spatial distribution of the river network in the analyzed area, it can be concluded that the energy transported by river systems may be regarded as a potential heat source. This is significant in the context of expanding opportunities for obtaining clean energy, which aligns with the current framework of the European Union’s policy aimed at achieving climate neutrality.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120183

Authors: Zarzouki Rachid Nouayti Nordine El Fadili Hamza Krime Anas Hasni Soufiane Elisabete P. Carreiro

The worldwide issue of surface water contamination by heavy metals is a matter of great concern, as it has the potential to affect human health. This study intended to compute heavy metal contamination and human health risks in surface water using the following pollution indices: heavy metal pollution index (HPI), contamination index (CI), metal index (MI), ecological risk index (ERI), human health risk and statistical analysis. For this purpose, eleven water samples were gathered and analyzed by ICP-AES for trace metals such as Pb, As, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ni. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations varied significantly throughout the study area, with Pb, As, and Cd levels exceeding the WHO limits for drinking purposes. Pollution indices indicated low to high water contamination, with HPI results ranging from 16.41 to 862.18 and from 12.76 to 774.03, above the critical value of 100, requiring serious interventions to reduce heavy metal pollution. MI results range from 0.90 to 20.92 and from 0.70 to 18.41 and CI values range from 0.34 to 20.38 and from 0.15 to 17.86 in the dry and wet periods, respectively, with different contamination levels observed throughout the study area; ERI showed low to considerable ecological risk. Nonetheless, the non-carcinogenic risk, THI < 1, indicates low health risks, while the carcinogenic risk for As and Cd was significantly higher than the negligible threshold of 10−6, suggesting tolerable health risks. However, managing the contaminated area and minimizing the metal concentrations and predominant routes through which metals impact human health should be priorities for long-term development and to establish a favorable environment.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120182

Authors: Beata Gebus-Czupyt Miłosz Huber Jacek Stienss Greta Brancaleoni Joanna Hryciuk Urszula Maciołek Krzysztof Siwek Stanisław Chmiel

Phosphorus is one of the elements necessary for life and the proper growth of organisms, including humans, yet its natural resources are very limited. The bioavailability of phosphorus is especially critical during the initial phases of plant growth. A deficiency at this stage cannot be fully compensated for later, even despite increased phosphorous supplementation. Global reserves of phosphate rocks, the main source of phosphorus used in fertilizer production, are gradually being depleted. This situation prompts the need to search for alternative sources and to pay closer attention to the sustainable management of available resources. In this article, we focus on the Vistula–Bug interfluve in southeastern Poland, where relatively high phosphate concentrations have been documented. Our goal is to present geochemical and mineralogical data from bedrock in the areas richest in phosphorus and to discuss their significance in the context of domestic phosphorous management, with particular reference to southeastern Poland. We also discuss phosphate fertilizer production in Poland and its use in agriculture as well as phosphorus content in groundwater and surface water in the study area, with emphasis on the most readily assimilable forms, orthophosphates. Finally, we address the challenges of sustainable phosphorous management at both the local and global scale.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120181

Authors: Krzysztof Kud Aleksandra Badora

This study presents the results of an analysis of public perceptions of flood safety and river valley management in southeastern Poland. The aim of the study was to identify sociodemographic and spatial factors influencing preferences for two distinct river valley management models: the traditional, technical model (a strategy to move water away from people, MWAfP), and the ecosystem-based model (leaving space for the river, LSfR). A diagnostic survey was employed using a custom-designed questionnaire completed by 563 respondents residing in southeastern Poland. The research tool enabled the identification of flood risk perceptions and attitudes toward retention and flood control solutions. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and exploratory analysis was conducted to identify clusters of respondents and to test for differences between groups. Correlation analysis between items was performed, and a model of determinants of river valley management strategy selection was calculated using logistic regression. The results enabled the identification of three dominant perception clusters, reflecting diverse approaches to hydrological safety and environmental adaptation. The calculated logistic regression model includes a number of factors, among which significant determinants of the LSfR strategy selection include level of education, belief in the need to slow water runoff from the catchment, and support for the cultivation of permanent meadows in floodplains. The applied methodological approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of the social determinants of flood risk perception and supports the development of adaptive water management strategies in flood-prone areas.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120180

Authors: Elena Tamisari Daniela Summa Fabio Vincenzi Marta Massolin Marco Rivaroli Giuseppe Castaldelli Elena Tamburini

Sustainable agriculture is a key pillar of the transition to agri-food systems that ensure global food security and the preservation of resources and ecosystems. This study evaluates the environmental impacts of different soil management practices in an agricultural system producing energy crops (maize and sorghum), using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, comparing conventional tillage, minimum tillage and no-tillage agricultural practices. The results show no significant differences between conventional and minimum tillage in most impact categories, while no-tillage shows a significant reduction in environmental impact of almost 50%. The hotspot analysis shows that organic fertilisation, especially the application of digestate, is the main contributor to environmental impacts, particularly in the Climate Change and Eutrophication categories. The results highlight key methodological challenges in LCA, such as the allocation of impacts between digestate and biogas production, and the need to integrate biological and chemical soil processes. While conservation agriculture can improve soil health, its environmental benefits are not fully captured by LCA. This study highlights the need to integrate LCA methodologies with complementary analyses to better assess the sustainability of agricultural practices and support informed decision-making.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120179

Authors: Michel Vázquez Vázquez Reynaldo Iracheta Cortez Adán Acosta Banda Joel Pantoja Enríquez Hugo Jorge Cortina Marrero José Rafael Dorrego Portela Liliana Hechavarría Difur Quetzalcoatl Hernández-Escobedo David Muñoz-Rodriguez Alberto-Jesus Perea-Moreno

This article assesses the use of solar photovoltaic radiation as a renewable resource for a region of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico, where a 163.2 kW grid-connected photovoltaic system is located. The study aims to understand the system’s performance under the specific location conditions and to demonstrate the feasibility of installing photovoltaic systems in the Isthmus region. System monitoring was conducted for one year, with monthly and daily averages of normalized performance parameters determined. A three-month study of the power quality was conducted to assess compliance with interconnection and power quality requirements for power plants with a rated power Pn ≤ 500 kW. Results show higher energy production in the spring–summer months (138.946 MWh) than in autumn–winter (136.500 MWh), while the best overall performance occurred in autumn–winter (PR = 85% vs. 79.5% in spring–summer), probably due to cooler photovoltaic module temperatures. The final yield and PR indicate stable and predictable operation, even without maintenance, with PR = 82.3%. This supports the feasibility of photovoltaic installations in the southwestern region of Mexico. The present work is particularly relevant as it advances understanding of photovoltaic performance in understudied regions with substantial solar potential, such as the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, where policy prioritizes wind resource exploitation over solar energy.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120178

Authors: Monica Carvalho Samara Gonçalves Fernandes da Costa Raíssa Barreto Lins Milca Laís da Luz Macieira Julia Lessa Feitosa Virgolino Claudia Coutinho Nóbrega Raphael Abrahao

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Brazil faces significant challenges related to waste segregation, collection efficiency, and environmentally adequate disposal. This study quantifies the carbon emissions associated with organic solid waste management, from 2022 to 2034, in the city of João Pessoa (Northeast Brazil). To this end, the Life Cycle Assessment methodology is applied to two scenarios: Scenario 1 (where all organic fraction is landfilled) and Scenario 2 (progressive implementation of composting for the domestic organic waste, starting in 2023, with increases each year until reaching 50% in 2034, and the remainder being landfilled). The latter is proposed based on the targets established in the Municipal Solid Waste Plan of João Pessoa. Projection for MSW considered a per capita rate of 0.86 kg/inhab.day, combined with a population growth rate of 1.92%/year. The results indicate that Scenario 1 emits 825 Mt CO2-eq while Scenario 2 emits 704 Mt CO2-eq for the study period (a reduction of 15%). A sensitivity analysis examined the effects of increasing transport distance (25–45 km) and the organic fraction of MSW (35–45%) on GHG emissions. Although total emissions rose under both conditions, the comparative environmental advantage of composting over landfilling remained stable. These results confirm the robustness of the analysis and reinforce composting as a low-carbon, effective strategy for managing urban waste.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14120177

Authors: Santiago M. Barroso Castillo Ignacio de Martín-Pinillos Castellanos Pablo Alonso González

Viticulture in insular and volcanic environments faces mounting pressures from land abandonment, limited mechanization, and climate-related stress on soil and water resources. This study develops an integrated framework combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and soil diagnostics to evaluate the environmental and agronomic performance of vineyards on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). Fifteen representative vineyards located between 100 and 1000 m a.s.l. within the Tacoronte–Acentejo Denomination of Origin were assessed using the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) method and the Ecoinvent 3.8 database. The average carbon footprint reached 1.40 kg CO2-eq kg−1 of grapes, with diesel use for field access and transport contributing over 50% of total impacts and 64% of human toxicity. Copper-based fungicides accounted for ~11% of impacts, underscoring their environmental persistence. Soil analyses revealed widespread Ca/Mg imbalances and sporadic K deficiencies, while organic matter and pH levels were generally adequate. Importantly, vineyards with balanced nutrient ratios exhibited both higher yields and lower environmental burdens, suggesting that improved soil health can enhance eco-efficiency, primarily by supporting higher yields under similar input regimes. Targeted strategies—such as magnesium supplementation, reduced copper inputs, and low-carbon mobility practices—can therefore mitigate emissions while improving productivity. The proposed LCA–soil integration provides a replicable model for sustainable resource management and climate-resilient viticulture in other fragile and topographically constrained agricultural systems.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14110176

Authors: Damayanti Damayanti David Septian Sumanto Marpaung Abdul Rozak Kodarif Andri Sanjaya Desi Riana Saputri Yunita Fahni Lutfia Rahmiyati Putri Zulva Silvia Dewi Qurrota A’yuni Calaelma Logys Imalia Dikri Uzlifah Janah Ho Shing Wu

The rapid accumulation of plastic and textile waste, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), has emerged as a global challenge for sustainable resource management. Conventional recycling methods, including mechanical and chemical routes, recover limited value and often degrade material quality while consuming substantial energy. Biocatalytic recycling, by contrast, offers a resource-efficient alternative that transforms post-consumer PET into high-purity monomers under mild and environmentally benign conditions. This review examines advances in enzymatic PET depolymerization, focusing on hydrolases such as cutinases, PETases, MHETases, and lipases. The discussion highlights enzyme engineering, reactor design, and process integration that improve kinetics, thermostability, and yield. From a resource perspective, biocatalytic recycling redefines PET waste as a renewable carbon feedstock capable of re-entering industrial cycles, thereby reducing reliance on virgin petrochemicals and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, this review positions biocatalytic PET recycling as a cornerstone technology for achieving circularity and advancing global resource sustainability.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14110175

Authors: Aziza Abdulkadir Biubwa Ally Arne Remmen Stig Hirsbak Fredrick Salukele

Tourism-driven growth in Zanzibar has intensified solid waste generation, creating critical environmental and resource management challenges for the hotel sector. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of the volume, composition, and management of solid waste in Zanzibar’s hotels, establishing a quantitative basis for evidence-based sustainable practices beyond prior research on food waste. Ten hotels were examined through direct waste sampling, structured interviews, and field observations. Results show that hotels generate high levels of unsorted waste (2.45 kg/guest/day), with plastics posing major challenges under the prevailing linear disposal system. Findings reveal that waste patterns depend primarily on management, service, and collection practices, with no significant differences across hotel types or sizes. While the assessment covered the entire waste stream, a tailored circular economy framework is proposed for plastic waste, given its significant contribution to environmental pollution and ecological impact, providing a practical, structured guide for sustainable interventions across hotel operations. Achieving these outcomes requires collaboration, institutional support, and capacity building. By embedding waste audits, reduction strategies, and circular innovations into hotel operations, this framework charts a forward-looking pathway for coastal destinations to transform waste challenges into opportunities, promoting sustainable tourism, resource-use efficiency, and the transition toward a circular economy.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14110174

Authors: Thatikonda Naresh Sandeep Bandipally Nannuta Satya Shiva Prasad Krzysztof Skrzypkowski Krzysztof Zagórski Anna Zagórska

Expansive clay soils present major challenges for infrastructure due to their high swelling potential and low bearing capacity. While conventional stabilisers, such as lime and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), are effective, they are environmentally unsustainable due to their high carbon footprint. This study examines the potential of shredded recycled polyethene terephthalate (PET) fibres as a low-carbon alternative for stabilising high-plasticity clays. PET fibres were incorporated at dosages ranging from 0% to 1.2% by dry weight, and their influence on compaction characteristics, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), swelling behaviour, and microstructure was evaluated through laboratory testing and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Among the tested mixes, the 1.0% PET content exhibited the highest measured performance, resulting in a 37% increase in UCS, a 125% enhancement in unsoaked CBR, more than a two-fold increase in soaked CBR, and a 15% reduction in the Differential Free Swell Index (DFSI). SEM analysis indicated the formation of a three-dimensional fibre matrix, which improved particle interlock and reduced microcrack propagation. However, higher fibre dosages caused agglomeration and macrovoid formation, which adversely affected performance. Overall, the findings suggest that the inclusion of PET fibres can enhance both geotechnical and environmental performance, providing a sustainable stabilisation strategy that utilises plastic waste while reducing reliance on OPC.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14110173

Authors: Lara Witte Ronja Herzberg Philip Christoph Richartz Felicitas Schneider Mario Hasler

The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the reliability of global supply chains, the availability of selected products including food, food prices, food purchase and consumption behaviour. The aim of this study is to identify potential differences in food waste levels and behaviours in Germany during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods. The data are based on two highly representative household diary studies on food waste with sample sizes of over 6500 participants each. This study uses descriptive statistics as well as a mixed model approach to examine food waste amounts per product group, disposal reason and life cycle category and compare the survey year 2020 with the years 2016/17. A linear mixed model is applied to examine the effects of the pandemic and lockdown phases on the development of food waste amounts in 2020. The results show that total and unavoidable food waste increased significantly in the 2020 pandemic period compared to the same period in the 2016/17 survey, while avoidable food waste decreased. This suggests an improvement of food management skills while, at the same time, food consumption, and therefore also food waste, shifted from outside to inside the home. Also, the composition of product groups was affected by altered consumption patterns during the pandemic. The results are relevant to the post-pandemic period, as they raise the question of whether a deceleration in everyday life is a prerequisite for adopting more sustainable food behaviours and developing appropriate planning, storage and handling. Policies should therefore focus on encouraging citizens to engage with the issue, prioritise it and develop an interest in food management. Future research should focus on the ways in which behaviours that reduce food waste can be encouraged, as well as on the long-term effects of food supply chain disruptions and events altering everyday life in households in relation to food waste.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14110172

Authors: Chethiya Prasanga Enoka Munasinghe Pasan Dunuwila V. H. L. Rodrigo Ichiro Daigo Naohiro Goto

This study presents a comprehensive organizational carbon footprint assessment that integrates Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions for a rubber plantation company, including often-overlooked non-energy sources such as fertilizer application, employee commuting, company-owned vehicle operations, and wastewater discharge. Using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard, IPCC 2006 guidelines, and locally adapted emission factors, the assessment quantified the company’s total organizational carbon footprint at 3125 tCO2e—revealing a previously undocumented emission profile where methane from wastewater discharge, nitrous oxide from fertilizer application, and carbon dioxide from purchased electricity collectively account for over 75% of total emissions. This finding challenges conventional rubber industry practice, which has historically focused on energy-related emissions alone. Three targeted mitigation scenarios were evaluated: (1) optimized nutrient management to reduce fertilizer usage, (2) solar photovoltaic installation to offset grid electricity consumption, and (3) advanced wastewater treatment using Fenton’s reagent combined with activated carbon. Results demonstrate that substantial emission reductions are achievable while maintaining or enhancing productivity and profitability. By establishing a replicable methodological framework grounded in comprehensive emission accounting, this study advances environmental management practices in the rubber sector and provides actionable strategies for plantation-based industries to meet national sustainability agendas and international climate commitments.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14110171

Authors: Anita Boros Zoltán Lakner

Over the last few decades, the use of materials of biological origin has garnered significant attention due to their favorable substitutional or complementary benefits [...]

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14110170

Authors: Pranda M. P. Garniwa Rifdah Octavi Azzahra Hyunjin Lee Indra Ardhanayudha Aditya Ratih Dewanti Dimyati Inuwa Sani Sani Ramlah Ramlah Iwa Garniwa Josaphat Tetuko Sri Sumantyo Muhammad Dimyati

Accurate estimation of global horizontal irradiance (GHI) is essential for optimizing photovoltaic (PV) systems, particularly in regions with distinct climatic characteristics. Geostationary satellites, such as GK2A and COMS, provide consistent and spatially extensive data, offering a practical alternative to ground-based measurements. However, the performance of semi-empirical GHI models has been sparsely evaluated across diverse geographic zones. This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of four semi-empirical models—Beyer, Rigollier, Hammer, and Perez—applied to two contrasting locations: Seoul, South Korea (temperate) and Jakarta, Indonesia (tropical). Using satellite-derived cloud indices and ground-based pyranometer data, model performance was evaluated via RMSE, MBE, and their relative metrics. Results indicate that the Hammer model achieves the best performance in Seoul (RMSE: 103.92 W/m2; MBE: 0.09 W/m2), while the Perez model outperforms others in Jakarta with the lowest relative RMSE of 58.69%. The analysis outlines the limitations of transferring models calibrated in temperate climates to tropical settings without regional adaptation. This study provides critical insights for improving satellite-based GHI estimation and supports the development of region-specific forecasting tools essential for expanding solar infrastructure in Southeast Asia.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14110169

Authors: Fanny Meliani Reni Sulistyowati Elenora Gita Alamanda Sapan Lena Sumargana Sopia Lestari Jaka Suryanta Aninda Wisaksanti Rudiastuti Ilvi Fauziyah Cahyaningtiyas Teguh Arif Pianto Harun Idham Akbar Yulianingsani Winarno Hari Priyadi Darmawan Listya Cahya Bambang Winarno Bayu Sutejo

The Bekasi River Basin is highly vulnerable to severe and recurrent flooding, as evidenced by significant infrastructure and environmental damage during major events. This study investigates the catastrophic floods of 2016, 2020, 2022, and 2025 by implementing the Rainfall-Runoff-Inundation (RRI) model to simulate key hydrological processes. After validation using historical water level data, the model performed effectively, achieving the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.75) and lowest root mean square error (RMSE = 0.66) at Cileungsi Station. In contrast, the lowest R2 = 0.02, and the highest RMSE = 3.74 at Pondok Gede Permai (PGP) Station. The results reveal a concerning trend of worsening 5-year flood events, with the 2025 flood reaching a peak inundation depth exceeding 3 m and affecting an area of 2.97 km2, caused by a rainfall threshold of more than 180 mm/day. Furthermore, the model shows a rapid hydrological response, with a time lag of approximately 7 h or less between peak rainfall and flood onset across three monitoring stations. Analysis indicates these severe floods were primarily triggered by heavy rainfall combined with significant land cover changes. The findings provide valuable insights for flood prediction and mitigation strategies in this vulnerable region.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14110168

Authors: Edgar A. Terekhin Fedor N. Lisetskii

Analysis of tree vegetation recovery on abandoned agricultural lands is one of the key tasks in landscape research. This study considered the factors of forest cover of postagrogenic lands typical of the Central Russian forest-steppe. We applied a combination of geoinformation and statistical methods to analyze the relationship between climatic, geomorphological, and soil factors and the forest cover of abandoned agricultural lands. The results of this study showed varying strengths of the relationship between the climatic factors of the warm and cold seasons and the afforestation rate of postagrogenic lands. In the flat terrain region, warm-season climatic variables have a major effect on forest cover. Among the climatic factors, the precipitation of the warmest quarter and the hydrothermal coefficient show the strongest direct correlation with the forest cover of the abandoned agricultural lands. The accumulated temperature over the period with values above 10 °C and the average temperature of the warmest quarter show the strongest inverse correlation with forest cover. It has been established that soil type has a significant impact on the rate of abandoned lands afforestation. Forest cover on even-aged abandoned agricultural lands on gray forest soils (Haplic Phaeozems) is, on average, twice that of chernozem soils. The variation in forest cover is higher on abandoned croplands located on Chernozem. We analyzed forest cover as a variable dependent on various environmental conditions and proposed a number of multivariate regression models that estimate forest cover as a response to a combination of climatic, geomorphological, and soil conditions. As a result, the influence of various factors on the afforestation rate of postagrogenic lands was quantitatively shown.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14110167

Authors: George Tzilantonis Eleni Zafeiriou Adam Stimoniaris Athanasios Kanapitsas Constantinos Tsanaktsidis

The precise regulation of water content plays a pivotal role in determining several the critical properties of marine fuels, including combustion stability, corrosion resistance, and the mitigation of pollutant emissions. The present study introduces an innovative, additive-free technique for moisture extraction from Marine Gasoil (MGO) utilizing the hydrophilic polymer polyacrylamide, which leverages its polar amino groups to attract water molecules. This process facilitates the physical extraction of moisture without modifying the fuel’s composition, in contrast to traditional drying techniques or chemical additions. Experimental findings indicate a 34.6% decrease in water content in MGO (from 29.3 mg/kg to 19.15 mg/kg) and a 36.5% reduction in MGO–biodiesel blends (from 32.04 mg/kg to 20.34 mg/kg), accomplished within one hour of treatment. The scientific significance of this work lies in its discovery of polyacrylamide’s ability to retain moisture within a nonpolar fuel matrix—a phenomenon not previously investigated in maritime fuel applications. The findings highlight the potential for further research into polymer–fuel interactions and non-chemical strategies for fuel enhancement. Economically, the proposed technology reduces dependence on costly chemical additives and energy-intensive drying processes, while environmentally, it improves combustion efficiency and lowers emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and smoke. Overall, the results introduce a novel, sustainable, and practical process for improving maritime fuel quality, while supporting compliance with increasingly stringent regional and global environmental regulations.

Resources doi: 10.3390/resources14100166

Authors: Jian Cao

Mineral resources provide basic materials for the development of human society [...]