Green Energy from Soil Remediation
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A: Sustainable Energy".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 December 2024 | Viewed by 2921
Special Issue Editors
Interests: soil microbiological diversity; soil enzymatic activity; soil quality and soil health evaluation
Interests: soil remediation; phytoremediation; biomass for energy; microbiome of soil; soil and plant biodiversity; soil enzymes
Interests: environmental science; microbiological and biochemical properties of soils; soil biochemistry; environmental microbiology; microbiome; microbial communities; soil contamination; biofuels; biomass for energy purposes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The concept of sustainable development inherently carries paramount importance for environmental protection and the preservation of resources by establishing ecological boundaries beyond which the environment's capacity to renew its resources is threatened. Green energy is recognized as a sustainable solution to socio-economic issues related to environmental concerns and the depletion of non-renewable energy sources. It also aligns with the circular economy, which is sustainable and is recommended as a pragmatic alternative for mitigating the negative impact of a wide range of soil contaminants. These contaminants include heavy metals (such as arsenic, chromium, mercury, lead, cadmium, and zinc), petroleum products like gasoline and various oils, chlorophenols, furans, POPs, PCBs, dioxins, insecticides, pesticides, and various solvents. Green energy is not only a theoretical idea but also involves promoting renewable energy production and focusing on energy efficiency by implementing hydro, wind, and solar (PV) projects and projects centered on biomass utilization.
A sustainable strategy for soil remediation should consider using biomass not only for producing bioplastics, biomaterials, and chemicals but also for processing it into bioenergy in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms. Solid forms can include wood charcoal or biochar, liquid forms can include biodiesel, biofuels from algae, bioethanol, and other bio-oils, whereas gaseous forms can include biogas or biohydrogen. The answer lies in a new integrated strategy for phytoremediation and bioenergy, based on the supported and enhanced cultivation of energy crops on contaminated soil in accordance with the concept of sustainable development. Integrated and innovative approaches also include green microbiology, which relies on sustainable microbiological technologies. The potential of microorganisms is harnessed for producing renewable and biodegradable biofuels and the complete degradation of less or more toxic pollutants, ultimately generating clean, renewable energy.
This Special Issue aims to present the latest achievements and in-depth research in this field, focusing on all aspects of soil remediation under the pressure of a wide range of contaminants, resulting in green energy, which is crucial in the sustainable development strategy.
We look forward to receiving your submission.
Dr. Magdalena Zaborowska
Prof. Dr. Jadwiga Wyszkowska
Dr. Agata Borowik
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- soil remediation
- xenobiotics
- phytoremediation
- biomass for energy
- green microbiology
- biofuel
- bioenergy
- environmental sustainability
- green energy
Planned Papers
The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.
Title: Jerusalem artichoke: energy balance in annual and perennial cropping systems. A case study in north-eastern Poland
Authors: Krzysztof Józef Jankowski; Bożena Bogucka
Affiliation: Department of Agrotechnology and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 8, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Abstract: This article presents the results of a three-year experiment (2018–2020) conducted at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Bałcyny (north-eastern Poland) with the aim of determining Jerusalem artichoke (JA) yields and the energy balance of biomass production in (i) a perennial cropping system (only aerial biomass was harvested each year) and (ii) an annual cropping system (both aerial biomass and tubers were harvested each year). When JA was grown as a perennial crop, the demand for energy reached 25.2 GJ ha–1 in the year of plantation establishment and 12.3–13.4 GJ ha–1 in the second and third year of production. The energy inputs associated with the annual cropping system were determined in the range of 31.4–37.1 GJ ha–1. Biomass yields were twice higher in the annual than the perennial cropping system (20.98 vs. 10.30 Mg DM ha–1). Tuber yield accounted for 46% of the total yield. The energy output of JA biomass was 1.8 times higher in the annual than the perennial cropping system (275.4 vs. 157.3 GJ ha1). The average energy gain in JA cultivation ranged from 140 (perennial crop) to 241 GJ ha–1 (annual crop). The energy efficiency ratio of JA biomass production reached 7.7–13.3 in the perennial cropping system, and it was 20% lower in the annual cropping system. These results imply that when JA was grown as an annual crop, an increase in energy inputs associated with plantation establishment (tillage and planting) and the harvest and transport of tubers was not fully compensated by the energy output of tubers.