Abstract (Introduction): In the removal of chromium (VI) from tannery wastewater, physicochemical methods are the most used. However, these require high operating costs, and worse still, generate secondary pollutants that again require complementary treatments for their elimination. Given this, the applicability of vegetable organic biomass (VOB) emerges as an environmental alternative based on: the simplicity of its obtaining, the reduction as waste, it does not generate secondary pollutants and, above all, it removes chromium (VI). (Objective): Use VOB waste in an aerobic sequential biological reactor (SBR) for the removal of chromium (VI) in the treatment of tannery wastewater. (Methodology): 3 aerobic SBR systems were implemented; 2 controls (SBR1 and SBR2) and 1 study subject (SBR+VOB). Each system was fed with tannery wastewater (18 L) and connected to an aeration mechanism (12.7 L/min). The bacterial inoculum, a fundamental part of an SBR system, was gained from the selective culture of chromium (VI) reducing bacteria (RBCrVI) taken from the wastewater under study, and integrated into SBR2 and SBR+VOB at 0.6 g/L. The VOB was obtained from Stenotaphrum secundatum residues, fragmented, sieved, sterilized and integrated into the SBR+VOB at 1.5 g/L. (Results): The SBR+VOB system achieved the highest percentage of chromium (VI) removal (93 %), followed by SBR2 (80.1 %), and finally SBR1 (2.8 %). With respect to COD and TSS, the statistical test (Tukey) showed that there was no significant difference between the system under study and the controls, recording COD removal percentages ranging from 87.8 % to 88.4 %, and TSS ranging from 63.8 % to 69.2 %. (Conclusions): The viability of using VOB waste to remove chromium (VI) in the treatment of tannery wastewater has been evidenced. The results of this research create a promising panorama to mitigate the effects derived from inadequate management of tannery wastewater and organic solid waste.

Resumen (Introducción): En la remoción de cromo (VI) de aguas residuales de curtiembre, los métodos fisicoquímicos son los más empleados. Sin embargo, estos demandan altos costos operativos y, peor aún, generan contaminantes secundarios que nuevamente requieren tratamientos complementarios para su eliminación. Ante ello, la aplicabilidad de la biomasa orgánica vegetal (BOV) emerge como una alternativa ambiental sobre la base de: la simplicidad de su obtención, la disminución como residuo, no genera contaminantes secundarios y, sobre todo, de remover cromo (VI). (Objetivo): Usar residuos de BOV en un reactor biológico secuencial (RBS) aerobio, para la remoción de cromo (VI) en el tratamiento de agua residual de curtiembre. (Metodología): Se implementaron 3 sistemas RBS aerobios; 2 controles (RBS1 y RBS2) y 1 materia de estudio (RBS+BOV). Cada sistema fue alimentado con agua residual de curtiembre (18 L) y conectado a un mecanismo de aireación (12.7 L/ min). El inóculo bacteriano, parte fundamental de un sistema RBS, se obtuvo a partir del cultivo selectivo de bacterias reductoras de cromo (VI) (BRCrVI), tomadas del agua residual en estudio e integradas al RBS2 y RBS+BOV a 0.6 g/L. La BOV se obtuvo de residuos de Stenotaphrum secundatum, fragmentado, tamizado, esterilizado e integrado al RBS+BOV a 1.5 g/L. (Resultados): El sistema SRB+BOV alcanzó el mayor porcentaje de remoción de cromo (VI) (93 %), seguido por SBR2 (80.1 %) y, por último, de RBS1 (2.8 %). Con respecto a la DQO y SST, la prueba estadística (Tukey) arrojó que no había diferencia significativa entre el sistema en estudio y los controles, por lo que registró porcentajes de remoción de DQO que van de 87.8 % a 88.4 % y SST que van de 63.8 % a 69.2 %. (Conclusiones): Se ha evidenciado la viabilidad del aprovechamiento de residuos de BOV para remover cromo (VI) en el tratamiento de agua residual de curtiembre. Los resultados de la presente investigación crean un panorama prometedor para mitigar los efectos derivados de la inadecuada gestión de las aguas residuales de curtiembre y de los residuos sólidos orgánicos.

ABSTRACT Biochar can promote crop production and soil quality. However, its characteristics depend on the waste used in its production and its effects may vary according to the species being cultivated and the management adopted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of biochar from animal waste on soil quality and the agronomic characteristics of the cowpea. An experiment was set up to test three types of biochar (bovine-BB, swine-SB and poultry-BP), with added fertiliser (BBF, SBF and BPF) and two control treatments, including the addition of calcium magnesium oxide (CT) and calcium magnesium oxide with fertiliser (CTF), giving a total of eight treatments with four replications. There was a respective increase of up to 102.94%, 1048%, 1560% and 360.22% in stem diameter, number of pods, number of grains per pod and stem dry matter from adding the biochar. The poultry biochar increased each of the above parameters even with no added fertiliser. There was no difference in basal soil respiration or β-glucosidase enzyme activity, whereas organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), microbial carbon and soil labile carbon were greater with biochar. BBF gave the highest TOC content (24.40 g kg-1), while BP and BPF increased TN by around 61%. The application of biochar + fertiliser contributed to an average reduction of 56% in the soil metabolic quotient. Poultry biochar favoured both the agronomic characteristics of the cowpea and soil quality, while bovine biochar showed more marked results with the addition of fertiliser. However adopted bovineBB, bovineBB BB, BB (bovine-BB swineSB swine SB poultryBP, poultryBP , poultry-BP) BBF, (BBF CT (CT CTF, CTF (CTF) replications 10294 102 94 102.94% 1048 1048% 1560 36022 360 22 360.22 diameter pods βglucosidase β glucosidase activity TOC, (TOC) TN, (TN) 24.40 2440 24 40 (24.4 kg1, kg1 kg 1 kg-1) 61 61% 56 quotient poultry-BP (CTF 1029 10 9 102.94 104 156 3602 36 2 360.2 (TOC (TN 24.4 244 4 (24. kg-1 6 5 102.9 15 3 360. 24. (24 kg- 102. (2 (

This study presents a solution to solid waste problems, focusing on spent lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) and iron ore tailings (IOT) from the Mariana environmental accident in Brazil. The approach involves the production CoFe2O4 from LiBs and IOT, which serves as a catalyst for solar photo-Fenton reactions for methylene blue (MB) decolorization and as an electrochemical sensor for ascorbic acid (AA) detection. Chemical analysis showed recycling potential, with 45.22 ± 0.22% m m−1 Co from LiBs and 14.9 ± 1.5% m m−1 Fe from IOT, determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP OES) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The sol-gel synthesized CoFe2O4 exhibited a crystallite size of 51.9 ± 1.3 nm and agglomerated crystal clusters. Recycled-CoFe2O4 exhibited a 98.1% MB decolorization efficiency in 60 min under solar irradiation and remained above 92.3% in all 7 reuse cycles. The electrochemical sensor exhibited a coefficient of determination of 0.9987, a sensitivity of 3.352 ± 0.0428 μA mol L−1, and a limit of detection of 0.5511 µM in the concentration range of 1.96 to 23.08 mmol L−1 for AA detection. This study demonstrates the potential of recycled-CoFe2O4 in an environmentally friendly dye removal and as an electrochemical sensor, offering sustainable waste management and resource utilization with solar energy. problems lithiumion lithium ion (LiBs IOT (IOT Brazil CoFeO CoFe O CoFe2O photoFenton photo Fenton (MB (AA 4522 45 22 45.2 022 0 0.22 m1 1 m− 149 14 9 14. 15 5 1.5 ICP OES FAAS. FAAS . (FAAS) solgel sol gel 519 51 51. 13 3 1. clusters RecycledCoFe2O4 RecycledCoFeO Recycled Recycled-CoFe2O 981 98 98.1 6 923 92 92.3 cycles 09987 9987 0.9987 3352 352 3.35 00428 0428 0.042 L1 L 05511 5511 0.551 196 96 1.9 2308 23 08 23.0 L− recycledCoFe2O4 recycledCoFeO recycled recycled-CoFe2O energy 452 4 2 45. 02 0.2 (FAAS RecycledCoFe RecycledCoFe2O 98. 92. 0998 998 0.998 335 35 3.3 0042 042 0.04 0551 551 0.55 19 230 23. recycledCoFe recycledCoFe2O 0. 099 99 0.99 33 3. 004 04 0.0 055 55 0.5 09 0.9 00 05

The Legal Amazon Region has numerous lignocellulosic biomasses with unknown technological properties, contrasting with an urgent demand for energy transition towards a more sustainable economy. This study analyzed the biomasses of baru husk (BH), cupuaçu husk (CH), and pequi seed (PS) through slow pyrolysis at 650 °C to assess the suitability of the bio-oils and biochars as potential biorefinery bioproducts. The physicochemical characterizations showed that all residues are potential candidates for bioproduct production, with CH biomass obtaining the best results for biochar production due to its high carbon content (80.65%) and surface area of 298.0491 m2 g-1, while BH and PS are more suitable for bio-oil production due to their high volatile matter content (> 84%). The main compounds in the bio-oil identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were phenolic (48.5, 56.7, and 60.36% for BH, CH, and PS, respectively) and furanic (22, 12.17, and 10.28% for BH, CH, and PS, respectively). Finally, it is concluded that based on the physicochemical and morphological characteristics obtained in this study, the pyrolysis products have potential for future investigation in various processes such as adsorption, carbon sequestration, and obtaining valuable chemical compounds, contributing to the promotion of the bioeconomy through sustainable waste management. properties economy , (BH) (CH) (PS 65 C biooils bio oils bioproducts 80.65% 8065 80 (80.65% 2980491 298 0491 298.049 m g1, g1 g 1, 1 g-1 biooil oil > ( 84%. 84 84% . 84%) chromatographymass chromatography mass GCMS GC MS (GC-MS 48.5, 485 48 5 (48.5 567 56 7 56.7 6036 60 36 60.36 respectively 22, 22 (22 1217 12 17 12.17 1028 10 28 10.28 respectively. Finally adsorption sequestration management (BH (CH 6 80.65 806 8 (80.65 298049 29 049 298.04 g- 48.5 4 (48. 56. 603 3 60.3 2 (2 121 12.1 102 10.2 80.6 (80.6 29804 04 298.0 48. (48 60. 12. 10. 80. (80. 2980 0 298. (4 (80 (8

ABSTRACT Proper waste management is a major worldwide concern; waste is disposed of directly into the environment, affecting water, soil and air quality. The development and production of green energy sources is strongly encouraged in modern society. The aim of this study, in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2 and 7 of the 2030 Agenda of the UN, is to combine the correct disposal of animal waste with the generation of energy to mitigate the energy insecurity of families in an extremely vulnerable semi-arid region in the north-east of the country using biodigesters. To this end, a conceptual proposal was drawn up for a low-cost, easy-to-maintain and easy-to-use biodigester. A small-scale prototype was used to assess its operation by evaluating the main factors that affect biogas production (pH, temperature and the biomass properties: total solids, fixed solids, volatile solids, concentration of volatile fatty acids and C/N ratio). Evaluation of the test prototype gave satisfactory results that corroborate other studies and make it possible to propose an economically viable and efficient full-scale biodigester for biogas production. concern environment water quality society study SDGs (SDGs 1 203 UN semiarid semi arid northeast north east biodigesters end lowcost, lowcost low cost, cost low-cost easytomaintain easy maintain easytouse use smallscale small scale pH, pH (pH properties solids CN C N ratio. ratio . ratio) fullscale full 20

Abstract The organic composition of 65 °% of urban solid waste of the Metropolitan District of Quito originates from food waste, which has negative environmental effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors related to food waste in homes in the capital and characterize urban solid waste management. The study is quantitative and exploratory. An association analysis was performed for the main categorical variables through calculation of statistical chi squared and an assessment of polychoric relation. A descriptive and multi-scale statistical analyses were performed for focus of the social metabolism to characterize waste management. A noteworthy element was the relation between expenses for purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages in the last month-household income in the last month (p value < 5 %). Between 2012-2021, the most representative median for waste generation corresponded to the Eugenio Espejo administration, with 141470 t/ year, with a metabolic waste rate of 2.45E-05 (t/year). On the other hand, the Tumbaco administration obtained 30217 t/year and 1.22E-05 t/year, respectively.

Resumen La composición orgánica del 65 % de residuos sólidos urbanos del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito proviene de restos de alimentos, lo que provoca efectos medioambientales negativos. El propósito de esta investigación es evaluar los factores que inciden en el desperdicio de alimentos en los hogares capitalinos y caracterizar la gestión de sus residuos sólidos urbanos. La investigación es cuantitativa de tipo exploratoria. Se realizó un análisis de asociación entre las principales variables categóricas mediante el cálculo del estadístico chi-cuadrado y una evaluación de correlación policórica. Se aplicaron análisis estadístico descriptivo y multiescala del enfoque del metabolismo social para caracterizar la gestión de residuos. Destaca la relación entre el gasto en compra de alimentos y bebidas no alcohólicas en el último mes -ingreso del hogar en el último mes (p valor < 5 %). Entre 2012-2021, la mediana más representativa de generación de residuos corresponde a la administración Eugenio Espejo, con 141 470 t/año, y su tasa metabólica de residuos de 2,45E-05 t/año. En contraste, la administración Tumbaco obtuvo 30 217 t/año y 1,22E-05 t/año, respectivamente.

Resumo A composição orgânica do 65 °% dos resíduos sólidos urbanos do Distrito Metropolitano de Quito provém de restos de alimentos, o qual provoca efeitos negativos ao meio ambiente. O objetivo dessa investigação foi avaliar os fatores incidentes no desperdício de alimentos nos lares da capital e caracterizar a gestão dos resíduos sólidos urbanos. A pesquisa foi quantitativa e exploratória. Fez-se uma análise de associação das variáveis principais com o cálculo do chi-quadrado estatístico e uma avaliação da correlação policórica. Usaram-se análises estadísticos descritivos e multiescala do foco do metabolismo social para caracterizar a gestão dos resíduos. Destacou-se a relação do gasto para a compra de alimentos e bebidas não alcoólicas no último mês -rendas do lar no último mês (p valor < 5 %). Entre os anos 2012-2021, a mediana mais representativa de geração de resíduos foi da administração Eugenio Espejo, com 141 470 t/ano, e uma taxa metabólica de resíduos de 2,45E-05 t/ano. Em contraste, a administração Tumbaco teve 30 217 t/ano e 1,22E-05 t/ano, respetivamente.

Abstract Nowadays, organizations have the responsibility to commit themselves to actions that favor environmental conservation. The present study sought to explore an accompaniment for the management of the environmental component in the activities developed by an organization located in Armenia, Quindío-Colombia. Inter-institutional meetings were held in which a recognition, dialogue and workshop were conducted with the collaborators. A previously validated checklist was used. Subsequently, a descriptive analysis was made of the results obtained. It was found that 40 % of the components lacked actions for environmental conservation. Thus, the accompaniment showed that the collaborators committed themselves to use solid waste, save water and energy. The monitoring resulted in three strategic actions for the water, soil and energy components. The organization showed great interest in the process and an intersectoral link was established. The study proposes a baseline for the management of the environmental component of the study area; it resulted in an accompaniment and representative participation with significant progress towards the conservation of the environment within the organization.

Resumen Actualmente, las organizaciones se encargan de comprometerse con acciones que favorezcan la conservación del medioambiente. El presente estudio explora un acompañamiento para la gestión del componente ambiental en las actividades desarrolladas de una organización ubicada en Armenia, Quindío-Colombia. Se realizaron reuniones interinstitucionales en las que se realizó un reconocimiento, diálogo y taller con los colaboradores. Se utilizó una lista de verificación previamente validada. Posteriormente, se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los resultados obtenidos. Se encontró que el 40 % de los componentes carecen de acciones para la conservación del medioambiente. De tal manera, el acompañamiento arrojó que los colaboradores se comprometieron a aprovechar los residuos sólidos, ahorrar agua y energía. El acompañamiento derivó en tres acciones estratégicas para los componentes de agua, suelo y energía. La organización demostró un gran interés en el proceso y se logró establecer un vínculo intersectorial. El estudio plantea una línea base de gestión del componente ambiental del área de estudio; derivó en un acompañamiento y participación representativa con avances significativos hacia la conservación del medioambiente dentro de la organización.

Resumo Atualmente, as organizações têm a responsabilidade de se comprometerem com acções que favoreçam a conservação do ambiente. O presente estudo procurou explorar um acompanhamento para a gestão da componente ambiental nas actividades de uma organização situada em Armenia, Quindío-Colômbia. Foram realizadas reuniões interinstitucionais em que se procedeu a um reconhecimento, diálogo e workshop com os colaboradores. Foi utilizada uma lista de controlo previamente validada. Posteriormente, procedeu-se a uma análise descritiva dos resultados obtidos. Verificou-se que 40 % dos componentes careciam de acções para a conservação do ambiente. Desta forma, o acompanhamento mostrou que os colaboradores se comprometeram a utilizar os resíduos sólidos, a poupar água e energia. O acompanhamento resultou em três acções estratégicas para as componentes água, solo e energia. A organização mostrou grande interesse no processo e foi estabelecida uma ligação intersectorial. O estudo fornece uma base de referência para a gestão da componente ambiental da área de estudo; resultou num apoio e numa participação representativa com progressos significativos para a conservação do ambiente na organização.

RESUMEN En la presente investigación se realiza una contribución metodológica para la gestión integral de los residuos de construcción y demolición en Cuba. Se valora la literatura especializada sobre los diversos modelos de gestión, para conocer sus regularidades. La mayoría carecen de estudios de la demanda y no realizan el control de la gestión mediante la evaluación de impactos. Se elabora un modelo para la gestión, que concibe mediante un esquema gráfico y conceptual, la forma de organizar su ciclo de aprovechamiento. Se estructura en tres niveles: generación, valorización y evaluación; y se establecen las relaciones internas y externas de los actores económicos que intervienen. El modelo se valida por el método de expertos. Estos coinciden en que las cualidades valoradas son adecuadas, ya que los valores de My oscilan entre 4,35 y 4,86, por lo que se evalúan de muy alto en una escala de 1 a 5.

ABSTRACT In this research, a methodological contribution is made for the management of construction and demolition waste in Cuba. Specialized literature on the various management models is valued to know their regularities. The majority lack demand studies and do not carry out management control through impact evaluation. A management model is developed, which conceives, through a graphic and conceptual scheme, the way to organize its use cycle. It is structured in three levels: generation, valuation and evaluation; and the internal and external relationships of the economic actors involved are established. The model is validated by the expert method. They agree that the qualities evaluated are adequate, because the values range are between 4.35 and 4.86, which is why they are evaluated as very high on a scale of 1 to 5.

Abstract (Objective) The objective of this study was to collect the perception of Costa Ricans on environmental issues in order to generate information to influence decision-makers. (Methodology) A descriptive-quantitative research was conducted from June 13th to 17th and June 20th, 22nd, and 23rd, 2022 through a telephone poll of 702 people, using a sampling of active cellphone banks in the country. (Results) Opinion polls provide elements of the population’s sentiments and help measure actions developed in different areas; therefore, this study is relevant to show what the population thinks about environmental matters. For example, six out of ten people consider that the country’s international prestige on environmental matters is an accurate representation of reality, but it is evident that 67.8% of the people polled think the government is not clear on environmental policies. However, the government must address 11 environmental issues as a priority. Furthermore, interviewees agree with the statements in the Escazú Agreement, as an instrument of international regulations regarding the right to citizen participation and information on environmental issues. On another issue, seven out of ten people indicate that the country’s wastewater is dumped into the rivers, thus contaminating water sources. Regarding solid waste management, little progress is perceived regarding solutions to this problem. (Conclusions) Finally, there is evidence of knowledge about environmental issues and an expectation for the government to solve the problems identified as priorities.

Resumo (Objetivo) O objetivo deste estudo foi coletar informações referentes à percepção dos cidadãos costarriquenhos sobre questões ambientais que permitissem gerar dados para influenciar os tomadores de decisão. (Metodologia) Foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva-quantitativa por meio de uma pesquisa telefônica com 702 pessoas, usando uma amostra de bancos de telefones celulares ativos no país, de 13 a 17 e nos dias 20, 22 e 23 de junho de 2022. (Resultados) As pesquisas de opinião fornecem elementos do sentir da população e permitem medir as ações desenvolvidas em diferentes áreas, por exemplo, seis em cada dez pessoas consideram que o prestígio internacional do país em termos ambientais corresponde à realidade, mas é evidente que 67,8% das pessoas consultadas consideram que o governo não tem clareza sobre a política ambiental. No entanto, deverá dar atenção prioritária às questões ambientais, e as pessoas pesquisadas concordam com as declarações do Acordo de Escazú, como um instrumento de regulamentação internacional relativa ao direito à informação e participação cidadã sobre questões ambientais. Em outra questão, sete em cada dez pessoas indicam que as águas residuais do país são despejadas nos rios, contaminando as fontes de água, e na gestão de resíduos sólidos, percebe-se pouco progresso em termos de soluções para resolver esse problema. (Conclusões) Por fim, há evidências de conhecimento sobre questões ambientais e esperam que o governo resolva os problemas identificados como prioritários.

Resumen (Objetivo) El objetivo de este estudio fue recolectar información sobre la percepción de la ciudadanía costarricense en temas ambientales que permitiera generar información para incidir en los tomadores de decisión. (Metodología) Se realizó una investigación descriptivo-cuantitativo por medio de una encuesta telefónica a 702 personas, utilizando un muestreo de bancos telefónicos celulares activos del país, se ejecutó del 13 al 17 y el 20, 22 y 23 junio de 2022. (Resultados) Las encuestas de opinión aportan elementos del sentir de la población y permiten medir las acciones desarrolladas en diferentes áreas, por eso este estudio se torna relevante al mostrar lo que piensa la población en materia ambiental; por ejemplo, seis de cada diez personas consideran que el prestigio internacional del país en términos ambientales corresponde a la realidad, pero queda en evidencia que el 67,8 % de las personas consultadas considera que el Gobierno no tiene claridad sobre política ambiental. Sin embargo, deberá atender de forma prioritaria 11 temas ambientales, además las personas encuestadas están de acuerdo con los enunciados del Acuerdo de Escazú, como instrumento de normativa internacional en cuando al derecho a la participación e información ciudadana en temas ambientales. En otro tema 7 de cada 10 personas indican que las aguas residuales del país se vierten en los ríos contaminando las fuentes de agua y en gestión de residuos sólidos se percibe poco avance en soluciones para atender este problema. (Conclusiones) Finalmente, se evidencia un conocimiento sobre temas ambientales y esperan que el Gobierno solucione los problemas identificados como prioritarios.

SIGNIFICANCE: During the 120 years in which the South African Journal of Science (SAJS) has been published, a number of important environmental milestones have occurred in South Africa and globally. The Journal has included passing commentary on many of these events, while specific events such as the inception of the Working for Water Programme have been the focus of numerous papers. The Journal has consistently reflected the key issues of the time. In recent years, the portfolio of Earth and Environmental Sciences has been dominated by submissions on water quality and climate change, in addition to geology conservation, environmental policy and planning, waste management, and environmental health.

The water resources within the lower section of the Upper Vaal catchment, where the Vaal Barrage is situated, are highly utilised and developed, and water quality regulation has become a contested space between resource users and the regulators. The credibility and scientific defensibility of discharge standards in water-use licences (WULs), the relationship between upstream and downstream waste loads, the relationship between flows and water quality standards in WUL, and the water quality components of the resource quality objectives (RQOs) are being contested. This study explores the perceptions and motivations underlying these contestations as a contribution to scientific understanding of water quality management in a highly developed system. Perceived unrealistic RQOs, perceived lack of scientific credibility of the methods for deriving water quality standards in WUL, data inadequacy, as well as poor institutional capacity were identified as the top motivations for contesting applicable regulatory instruments in the catchment. Punitive measures, incentives, and education and awareness-raising were identified as key to accelerating compliance. Overall, this paper contributes to our general understanding of the intricacies of water quality management within a contested space. SIGNIFICANCE: Water quality management in South Africa is increasingly becoming a contested space, particularly in catchments that are highly developed and utilised. The findings in this study imply that (1) there is a need for a multi-pronged approach to increase water quality compliance, (2) there is a need for trust within the regulatory system to foster confidence among actors and stakeholders, and (3) transparent, open processes and scientifically credible and defensible methods, and data are needed for deriving standards in water-use licences (WULs).

Globally, the demand for mineral products is ever increasing. Extraction of these mineral resources results in the continuous production of a huge volume of waste material, including tailing dumps. The mass of tailings usually exceeds the actual resource and often contains hazardous contaminants. This study investigated the effects of tailings disposal on soil, water, and air quality in the Nampundwe area. Water, soil, and dust samples were collected from different locations in the surrounding communities. The constituents analysed in the samples included copper, cobalt, iron, sulfate, and silica. According to the results obtained, some seepages occurred from the tailings impoundment to the shallow aquifer in the area. However, the general water quality meets the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) statutory limits. Recorded concentrations of sulfate (1500 mg/l), copper (1.5 mg/l), cobalt (1.0 mg/l), iron (2.0 mg/l), and silica were between 0.003 mg/l and 705 mg/l, which is far below ZEMA's statutory limit. Silica concentration was also evident in the air. The highest concentration recorded was 260 ppcc (particle per cubic centimeter) recorded in July 2019 from the northern direction of the tailings dam. The concentration was below the statutory limit of 350 ppcc. The topsoil from the northern part of the tailings recorded a silica dust concentration of 39.9 ppcc. Iron was evident in the underground soil with a concentration of 8.01 ppcc, cobalt 0.005 ppcc, copper 0.051 ppcc, while sulfate was recorded as 0.41 ppcc.

Resumen La transición de lo rural a lo semiurbano en Yucatán ocurre principalmente en las cabeceras municipales, y trae consigo problemas de gestión de los residuos. Las autoridades municipales son las encargadas del Manejo Integral de los Residuos Sólidos Urbanos (MIRSU); pero en últimos años, la asociación entre el sector público y el privado para la gestión de los residuos resulta una estrategia eficaz. Existen pocos estudios sobre el MIRSU en zonas rurales o semiurbanas y la disposición a pagar de los usuarios, información que ayudaría a los creadores de política pública a diseñar planes y programas adecuados para su gestión. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio es determinar los factores socioeconómicos asociados a la disposición a pagar por el MIRSU de los usuarios de municipios semiurbanos de Yucatán. Se realizaron 1,144 encuestas en 6 localidades semiurbanas de Yucatán, los datos se analizaron mediante estadística descriptiva e inferencial con un modelo econométrico de regresión Tobit. El 69,75% de los usuarios encuestados declararon estar dispuestos a pagar por el manejo integral de los residuos sólidos un monto promedio de 17,65 pesos mexicanos (0,85 dólares estadounidenses). La disposición a pagar disminuye cuando predomina el idioma maya, y mientras menos activos físicos y habitaciones tenga el hogar. Existen elementos culturales y sociales arraigados en la recolección de residuos sólidos, este sistema integral puede ir acompañado de otro tipo de incentivos económicos para modificar el comportamiento de los consumidores hacia algo más beneficioso para el medio ambiente, tal como el ingreso familiar.

Abstract In Yucatan, the transition from rural to semi-urban communities has occurred mainly in the municipality seats; this transition comes with the problems of waste management. The municipalities oversee the Integral Urban Solid Waste Management (IUSWM); but in recent years, the public-private partnership for waste management has proved to be an effective strategy. There are few studies on the IUSWM in rural or semi-urban areas and the users’ willingness to pay, information that would help public policymakers to design adequate plans and programs for its management. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the socioeconomic factors associated with the willingness to pay for the IUSWM of users in semi-urban municipalities of Yucatan. A total of 1,144 interviews were conducted in 6 semi-urban localities in Yucatan, and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with a Tobit regression econometric model. 69.75% of the surveyed users declared that they were willing to pay an average of 17.65 Mexican pesos (0.85 U.S. dollars) for the integral urban solid waste management. The willingness to pay decreases when the Mayan language predominates among the member of the household, and when they have fewer tangible assets and rooms. There are cultural and social factors rooted in solid waste collection, this integrated system may be accompanied by other types of economic incentives to modify consumers’ behavior towards something more beneficial for the environment, such as the homes’ income.

Resumen Durante las últimas décadas en Puno, Perú, la problemática de la contaminación se fue agudizando por la acción combinada del crecimiento desordenado de la población urbana, gestión deficiente de residuos sólidos, descarga de aguas servidas sin tratamiento en la bahía del lago Titicaca y prácticas de sanidad e higiene inadecuadas; situaciones que afectan severamente el ambiente y la salud humana. El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar las actitudes y comportamientos proambientales de la población de la ciudad de Puno en relación al saneamiento, la contaminación y la gestión ambiental. La investigación es no experimental, cuantitativa, trans¬versal, descriptiva, correlacional y nivel de análisis micro. El universo de estudio fue la población mayor de 18 años del área urbana, que comprende 97.264 habitantes; la muestra, deter¬minada al azar simple, fue de 382 personas. Se aplicó un cuestionario estructurado. El análisis descriptivo, inferencial y prueba de hipótesis se realizó con el software estadístico SPSS. Los resultados señalan que las actitudes ambientales de la mayoría de la población son positivas respecto a factores y fuentes de contaminación y efectos en la salud humana; contrariamente, las prácticas ambientales son inadecuadas en gestión ambiental en el hogar y condiciones de sanidad e higiene en la vivienda. Se concluye, que la mejora sostenible de actitudes y comportamientos proambientales, demanda de una nueva política pública de educación ambiental, cuya implementación incorpore la participación efectiva de la sociedad civil con base a un sistema de incentivos.

Abstract During the last decades in Puno, Peru, the problem of contamination has worsened due to the combined action of the disorderly growth of the urban population, poor management of solid waste, discharge of untreated sewage into the bay of Lake Titicaca and practices of inadequate sanitation and hygiene, severely affecting the environment and human health. The objective of the study was to characterize the pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors of the city’s population of Puno in relation to sanitation, pollution and environmental management. The research is nonexperimental, quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational and micro level of analysis. The universe of study was the population over 18 years of age in the urban area, which comprises 97,264 inhabitants; the sample, determined at simple random, was 382 people. A structured questionnaire was applied. Descriptive and inferential analysis and hypothesis testing were performed with SPSS statistical software. The results indicate that the environmental attitudes of the majority of the population are positive regarding factors and sources of pollution and effects on human health. On the contrary, environmental practices are inadequate in environmental management in the home and health and hygiene conditions in the home. It is concluded that the sustainable improvement of pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors demands a new public policy of environmental education, whose implementation incorporates the effective participation of civil society based on an incentive system.

ABSTRACT This work determined the ecological footprint of the National Center for Applied Electromagnetism, a science institution attached at the Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba. The categories analyzed to carry out the calculations of CO2 emissions and the ecological footprint were: Water, Built surface, Electricity Consumption, Mobility, Paper, Non-hazardous solid waste, Hazardous waste, Food, Services and Production of Magnetic Conditioners. The methodology of Doménech (2009) and the methodology for calculating the ecological footprint in universities of López Álvarez et al. (2009) of the Sustainable Development Office, University of Santiago de Compostela were used as a basis. The results obtained for the year 2022 reflect that the National Center for Applied Electromagnetism needs an area of 52,984 ha/year of forest to regenerate the natural resources that the center uses for the satisfaction of it social demand. Similarly, it requires 89,096 hag standard forest to assimilate CO2 emissions.

RESUMEN El presente trabajo desarrolló el cálculo de la huella ecológica del Centro Nacional de Electromagnetismo Aplicado, entidad de ciencia adscrita a la Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba. Las categorías analizadas para realizar los cálculos de las emisiones de CO2 y de la huella ecológica fueron: Agua, Superficie construida, Consumo de Electricidad, Movilidad, Papel, Residuos sólidos no peligrosos, Residuos peligrosos, Alimentos, Servicios y Producción de Acondicionadores Magnéticos. Se utilizó como base la metodología de Doménech (2009) y la metodología para el cálculo de la huella ecológica en universidades de López Álvarez y colaboradores (2009) de la Oficina de Desarrollo Sostenible, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. Los resultados obtenidos para el año 2022 reflejan que el Centro Nacional de Electromagnetismo Aplicado necesita un área de bosques de 52,984 ha/año para regenerar los recursos naturales que se demandan por el centro para satisfacer su objeto social. Asimismo, requiere de 89,096 hag de bosque estándar mundial para asimilar las emisiones de CO2 generadas.