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Volume 13
Issue 9
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Resources, Volume 13, Issue 9 (September 2024) – 6 articles

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15 pages, 5493 KiB  
Article
Zai Pits as a Climate-Smart Agriculture Technique in Southern Kenya: Maize Success Is Influenced More by Manure Than Depth
by Matthew J. Bowers, Simon Kasaine and Bruce A. Schulte
Resources 2024, 13(9), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13090120 - 28 Aug 2024
Abstract
In semi-arid southern Kenya, climate change is putting rainfed agriculture at risk with major implications for food security. The zai pit, a Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technique, has proven to enhance yields in arid regions, but its labor demands have limited adoption rates. This [...] Read more.
In semi-arid southern Kenya, climate change is putting rainfed agriculture at risk with major implications for food security. The zai pit, a Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technique, has proven to enhance yields in arid regions, but its labor demands have limited adoption rates. This study assessed how the zai pit depth and manure application within zai pits influenced maize (Zea mays) success (i.e., growth, development, and productivity). Three zai pit treatments were prepared at the Wildlife Works Research Center in southeastern Kenya: (1) deep (50 cm) with manure; (2) shallow (25 cm) with manure; and (3) deep (50 cm) without manure, and all were compared to a non-zai pit control (surface planting). Maize growth/development (e.g., height, stage, roots) and productivity (e.g., yield) measurements were taken over two growing periods. For most measures, shallow zai pits performed equally as well as deep zai pits, with both performing better than the control. Zai pits without manure performed significantly worse than zai pits with manure, oftentimes not differing from the control. Results suggest that maize success is influenced more by manure than the depth of the pit. Kenyan farmers are encouraged to dig shallower, manure-enriched zai pits to enhance food security in response to climate change. Full article
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23 pages, 7333 KiB  
Article
The Combined Use of GIS and Generative Artificial Intelligence in Detecting Potential Geodiversity Sites and Promoting Geoheritage
by Paweł Wolniewicz
Resources 2024, 13(9), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13090119 - 27 Aug 2024
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Abstract
The concept of geosites and geodiversity sites that document selected elements of geodiversity has proved to be extremely useful in the preservation and communication of the abiotic diversity of the Earth. However, the process of the designation, description, evaluation and, finally, promotion of [...] Read more.
The concept of geosites and geodiversity sites that document selected elements of geodiversity has proved to be extremely useful in the preservation and communication of the abiotic diversity of the Earth. However, the process of the designation, description, evaluation and, finally, promotion of geosites requires a fair amount of effort. This hinders the recognition of geosites and the development of geoparks in many areas that would otherwise benefit from their rich but undervalued abiotic environment. To rectify this, the present study introduces the use of automated geographic information system (GIS) mapping and generative artificial intelligence (GAI) for the designation and promotion of points of geological interest and potential geodiversity sites. When used effectively, these techniques permit the rapid development of geodiversity site inventories and, eventually, their dissemination to the general public and decision-makers. In this study, GAI is employed to produce diverse promotional content, both textual and visual, that facilitates geoscientific communication. A case study of an aspiring geopark located in Poland (Central Europe) is discussed, showing that GAI has the potential to enable the rapid development of easy-to-understand and diverse educational materials, limiting the amount of resources and labour required for the effective promotion of geodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geosites as Tools for the Promotion and Conservation of Geoheritage)
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29 pages, 4045 KiB  
Article
Produced Water from the Oil and Gas Industry as a Resource—South Kuwait as a Case Study
by Feras Alsalem and Thies Thiemann
Resources 2024, 13(9), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13090118 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 354
Abstract
Produced Water (PW) represents the largest waste stream in the oil and gas industry. As a water resource and as a source of valuable minerals such as alkali salts, it is has been highly under-valued, especially in hyper-arid regions. The beneficial use of [...] Read more.
Produced Water (PW) represents the largest waste stream in the oil and gas industry. As a water resource and as a source of valuable minerals such as alkali salts, it is has been highly under-valued, especially in hyper-arid regions. The beneficial use of PW ranges from water reinjection to elevated oil recovery from reservoirs with almost instantaneous returns, to the extraction of minerals from PW, which involves a number of different processes and setups. The economic value of PW-derived end products offers alternative revenue sources, with market fluctuations and conditions different from those of the hydrocarbon market. The end products of water and industrial salt support local industries such as agriculture, reflecting positively on the gross domestic product (GDP). Furthermore, resource extraction from PW of the oil and gas industry helps countries augment their circular economy. In this regard, the economic feasibility of three scenarios—the use of PW for oil recovery, the use of PW as an alternate source of water and industrial salt, and a hybrid process of both—is explored. The results show that there is great potential for water reuse in Enhanced Oil Recovery operations, as well as in the reduction in freshwater consumption for oil- and gas-extraction operations in the state of Kuwait by up to 4.8 percent when PW generated by SK oilfields is considered, and by 42 percent if PW from all oilfields in Kuwait is reused in the same manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members' Collection Series: Water Resources)
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18 pages, 4868 KiB  
Article
Resource Availability and Use in Restored, Unmanaged, and Aquaculture Mangrove Ecosystems in Indonesia
by Coral Humber, Matthew W. Bulbert, Jessica Chavez, I Nyoman Yoga Parawangsa, Kara Majerus and Marco Campera
Resources 2024, 13(9), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13090117 - 24 Aug 2024
Viewed by 320
Abstract
Mangrove ecosystems are some of the most productive on our planet but have declined globally by 30–50%. Many species rely on mangrove habitats; thus, their conversion to aquaculture farms has led to noticeable losses in commodities such as wild fish stocks. This study [...] Read more.
Mangrove ecosystems are some of the most productive on our planet but have declined globally by 30–50%. Many species rely on mangrove habitats; thus, their conversion to aquaculture farms has led to noticeable losses in commodities such as wild fish stocks. This study aimed to assess the influence of aquaculture and restoration projects on the ecosystem’s ability to provide resources. We collected data on mangrove vegetation (i.e., biomass, richness, and abundance), soil nutrients (i.e., organic carbon, aluminium, and nitrogen), crab abundance, and fishing pressure at six sites. We set up 15 plots at each site and collected data between May and July 2023. Via generalised linear mixed models, we found that the abundance and richness of crabs was significantly higher in aquaculture plots than in non-aquaculture plots. Aquaculture plots had higher topsoil aluminium, higher topsoil and subsoil nitrogen, and lower topsoil carbon than non-aquaculture sites. Restored sites had less nitrogen in the topsoil than unmanaged sites. The biomass did not change between aquaculture, restored, and unmanaged plots. We found a negative correlation between crab abundance and richness and mangrove diameter at breast height (DBH), suggesting that the species of crabs present preferred areas with propagules for feeding (e.g., Grapsidae crabs). The content of nitrogen in the subsoil was positively correlated with mangrove richness, diversity, and height, suggesting the importance of nitrogen availability for mangrove growth. The content of aluminium in the subsoil was negatively correlated with the content of organic carbon in both the topsoil and subsoil, suggesting the detrimental effect of aluminium on the carbon cycle. Fishing practices were observed at all sites during the data collection period. Despite the lack of significant impact on most vegetation parameters and the limited differences between managed and unmanaged sites, key variables such as soil aluminium, carbon, and nitrogen contents and crab assemblages exhibited high variability, highlighting the complex interactions within mangrove ecosystems. Full article
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13 pages, 833 KiB  
Article
Impact of Phycosphere-Isolated Marine Bacteria on Nutritional Value, Growth, and Nutrient Uptake of Co-Cultured Chaetoceros calcitrans
by Mélissa Angeline Liberia Gonçalves, Melissa López-Vela, Alejandro Palacios-Espinosa, Mirella Romero-Bastidas, Maurilia Rojas-Contreras and Paola Magallón-Servín
Resources 2024, 13(9), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13090116 - 24 Aug 2024
Viewed by 475
Abstract
Microalgae offer distinct advantages as a nutritional source for aquaculture and as a means of wastewater bioremediation. Studying the phycosphere bacteria and understanding their complex interactions is essential to optimizing high-quality biomass growth. This study aimed to isolate, characterize, and identify bacteria from [...] Read more.
Microalgae offer distinct advantages as a nutritional source for aquaculture and as a means of wastewater bioremediation. Studying the phycosphere bacteria and understanding their complex interactions is essential to optimizing high-quality biomass growth. This study aimed to isolate, characterize, and identify bacteria from the phycosphere of marine microalgae and to determine their potential to enhance growth, metabolism, and bioremediation capabilities of Chaetoceros calcitrans in stress nutrient-poor media simulating aquaculture wastewater enriched with nitrate, nitrite, or phosphorus. Bacterial characterization included tests for auxin and siderophore production, biofilm formation, amylase activity, phosphate solubilization, mobility, and antagonism evaluation. When Alteromonas macleodii, Bacillus cereus, and Marinobacter sp. were selected and then enriched (107 CFU/mL) in co-culture with C. calcitrans, growth levels significantly increased in four of six Synthetic Aquaculture Wastewater (SAW) media. Pigment levels were higher in five of six SAW media, and lipid levels were higher in SAW rich in nitrite (SAWni50) and phosphorus (SAWpho50). In addition, C. calcitrans with or without the bacterial consortium demonstrated excellent phosphorus bioremediation, achieving 67.6% average removal in SAWpho50. Nitrate and nitrite assimilation rates were approximately 10% in SAWna and SAWni50. This study marks the inaugural identification of these bacteria as microalga growth-promoting bacteria (MGPB) for enhancing growth and lipid and pigment production in C. calcitrans, and it also documents a maximum of 69.13% phosphorus removal. Full article
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24 pages, 7657 KiB  
Article
Monitoring of Woody Biomass Quality in Italy over a Five-Year Period to Support Sustainability
by Thomas Gasperini, Elena Leoni, Daniele Duca, Carmine De Francesco and Giuseppe Toscano
Resources 2024, 13(9), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13090115 - 23 Aug 2024
Viewed by 314
Abstract
Biomass continues to play a key role as an alternative to fossil fuels. Woody biomass produces lower greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. However, in order to consider biomass as ‘green energy’, a number of factors should be taken into account, including the [...] Read more.
Biomass continues to play a key role as an alternative to fossil fuels. Woody biomass produces lower greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. However, in order to consider biomass as ‘green energy’, a number of factors should be taken into account, including the characterization of the quality of the resource. Therefore, monitoring quality parameters, such as moisture, ash, N content, is essential to assess the sustainability of biomass for energy production. This paper presents the results of laboratory analyses performed on wood chip samples from four Italian regions over a five-year period (2019–2023). In particular, all quality parameters defined by ISO 17225-9 for industrial wood chips were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive, parametric, non-parametric statistics, and multivariate analysis. An interest in quality monitoring has been observed, indicated by an increase in the number of samples received from suppliers and an enhancement in the average values of quality parameters. Moreover, an overall decrease in moisture and N content has been observed, while ash content and heating value have undergone non-linear variations. Statistically significant quality differences between samples from different regions may be the result of different practices, such as outdoor or indoor storage, climate differences, different biomass growth conditions. Full article
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