ABSTRACT The mangroves are exposed to threats such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events, in addition to socioeconomic pressures. This study aimed to carry out a vulnerability and risk climate analysis for the Colombian mangrove socioecosystem. 22 threat indicators, eight of sensitivity and 18 of adaptive capacity were used, and through multivariate numerical analysis, the vulnerability and climate risk indices for Colombian Pacific and Caribbean mangroves were generated. The mangroves that presented the highest risk in the Caribbean were located in the Manaure, Tubará and, Puerto Escondido municipalities, while in the Pacific these high-risk areas were located on the southern coast in the Olaya Herrera, Francisco Pizarro, and La Tola municipalities, and in the northern coast in the Bahía Solano municipality. The threat indicators that captured the greatest variability in the analysis were: sea level rise, change in the coastline, change in water supply, change in mangrove coverage due to change in the coastline, change in temperature and precipitation due to El Niño and La Niña, and human footprint. These results are input for climate management of mangroves in Colombia and will contribute to the National Mangrove Program. Likewise, it can contribute to the National Mangrove Restoration Plan, the Nationally Determined Contribution of Colombia (NDC), the Long-Term Climate Strategy of Colombia E 2050, and the Territorial Plans for Climate Change Adaptation of the states and municipalities.

RESUMEN Los manglares están expuestos a amenazas como el aumento del nivel del mar, la erosión costera, el aumento de la frecuencia e intensidad de eventos extremos, además de presiones socioeconómicas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo realizar un análisis de vulnerabilidad y riesgo climático para el socioecosistema de manglar de Colombia. Se utilizaron 22 indicadores de amenaza, 8 de sensibilidad y 18 de capacidad adaptativa; mediante un análisis numérico multivariado se generaron los índices de vulnerabilidad y riesgo climático para los manglares del Pacífico y del Caribe de Colombia. Los manglares que presentaron mayor riesgo en el Caribe se ubicaron en los municipios de Manaure, Tubará y Puerto Escondido, mientras que en el Pacífico estas áreas de alto riesgo se ubicaron en la costa sur, en los municipios de Olaya Herrera, Francisco Pizarro y La Tola, y en la costa norte de Bahía Solano. Los indicadores de amenaza que capturaron la mayor variabilidad del análisis fueron: el aumento del nivel del mar, el cambio en la línea de costa, el cambio en la oferta hídrica, el cambio en la cobertura de manglares por cambio en la línea de costa, el cambio en la temperatura y la precipitación debido a El Niño y La Niña, y la huella humana. Estos resultados son un insumo para la gestión climática de los manglares en Colombia y contribuirán al Programa Nacional de Manglares. Asimismo, podrán contribuir al Plan Nacional de Restauración de Manglares, la Contribución Nacionalmente Determinada de Colombia (NDC), la Estrategia Climática de Largo Plazo de Colombia E2050, y los Planes Territoriales de Adaptación al Cambio Climático de los departamentos y municipios.

Resumen Antecedentes: Los periodos de sequía en el Desierto Sonorense aumentan el interés por cultivos con baja huella hídrica. Stenocereus thurberi es una alternativa, incluyendo beneficios económicos para los pobladores. Hipótesis: La propagación vegetativa de tallos con areolas diferenciadas de Stenocereus thurberi con fines productivos, mostrará una alta supervivencia tomando en cuenta los patrones estacionales, actividad metabólica y asimilación de CO2, reflejando así la adaptabilidad, resistencia y productividad de la especie. Especie de estudio: Stenocereus thurberi. Sitio de estudio y fechas: Hermosillo, Sonora, México; 2014. Métodos: Se evaluó supervivencia de tallos propagados vegetativamente, producción de calor metabólico (CM) de areolas reproductivas, intercepción de luz diaria integrada (LDI) y asimilación instantánea de CO2. Resultados: Los tallos mostraron una supervivencia del 100 %, crecimiento vegetativo anual de 9.3 ± 0.6 cm y producción de 2.0 ± 0.8 frutos por tallo. La mayor cantidad de LDI se registró en mayo (27.2 mol m-2 d-1) y el lado oeste (23.4 mol m-2 d-1). Las areolas reproductivas mostraron mayor producción de CM en mayo con 2 µW mg-1 peso seco (ps) y el mayor gasto energético con 1,759.6 kJ mol-1. La menor tasa respiratoria en areolas fue en junio con 0.003 nmol mg-1s-1 mg-1 ps. Las tasas de mayor asimilación de CO2 se presentaron en marzo, septiembre y octubre con 6.3, 3.8 y 6.5 µmol CO2 m-2s-1, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Es posible reproducir vegetativamente pitayas a partir de tallos con areolas reproductivas diferenciadas con fines productivos, promoviendo un cultivo eficiente con bajo consumo de agua y potencial económico.

Abstract Background: Periods of drought in the Sonoran Desert increase interest in crops with a smaller water footprint. Stenocereus thurberi is an alternative, including economic benefits for the residents. Hypothesis: Vegetative propagation of Stenocereus thurberi stems with differentiated floral areoles for productive purposes will demonstrate high survival, considering seasonal patterns, metabolic activity, and CO2 assimilation, reflecting the adaptability, resistance, and productivity of the species. Study species: Stenocereus thurberi. Study site and dates: Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico; 2014. Methods: Survival of vegetative propagated stems, metabolic heat production (CM) of reproductive areoles, integrated daily light interception (LDI), and instantaneous CO2 assimilation were evaluated. Results: The vegetatively transplanted stems showed a survival of 100 %, an annual vegetative growth of 9.3 ± 0.6 cm, and a production of 2.0 ± 0.8 fruits per stem. The highest LDI amount was recorded in May (27.2 mol m-2 d-1) and the west side (23.4 mol m-2 d-1). The reproductive areoles showed the highest CM production in May with 2 µW mg-1 dry weight (ps) and the highest energy expenditure with 1,759.6 kJ mol-1. The lowest respiratory rate of the areolas occurred in June with 0.003 nmol s-1 mg-1 dw. The rates of greatest CO2 assimilation occurred in March, September, and October with 6.3, 3.8, and 6.5 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1, respectively. Conclusions: It is possible to reproduce pitayas vegetatively from stems with differentiated reproductive areoles for productive purposes, promoting an efficient cultivation with low water consumption and economic potential.

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.

Abstract Hydrogels are materials that absorb large amounts of water and have been used for horticultural purposes. This work aimed to make a technical and economic assessment of the use of potassium acrylate (PA) hydrogel to reduce water consumption in tomato cultivation by using three doses of PA (0, 3 and 6 g L-1 substrate), two substrates (sand and mixture: 50% sand - 40% compost - 10% perlite) and two varieties (Aquiles and Moctezuma). The experimental work was carried out in one of the greenhouses of the Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, Laguna Unit, in the city of Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, during the spring-summer cycle of 2020. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, 12 treatments and four repetitions. The variables evaluated were: plant height, stem thickness, polar and equatorial diameter of the fruit, pulp thickness, number of locules, degrees Brix, yield, and water footprint. The economic analysis was based on the partial budget methodology proposed by the International Maize and Wheat Center for the analysis of experiments. No statistical differences were found in fruit quality. Yield increased with PA and the water footprint decreased. Marginal income (MgI) exceeded marginal cost (MgC) in the two doses of PA analyzed. PA saved water (20.1% and 21.1%) when incorporated into the substrate mixture, increased yield (25.1 t ha-1), improved income (MgI>MgC) and maintained fruit quality.

Resumen Los hidrogeles son materiales que absorben grandes cantidades de agua y se han utilizado para fines hortícolas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue hacer una evaluación técnica y económica del uso del hidrogel acrilato de potasio (AP) para reducir el consumo de agua en el cultivo de tomate utilizando tres dosis de AP (0, 3 y 6 g L-1 de sustrato), dos sustratos (arena y la mezcla: 50% arena - 40% compost - 10% perlita) y dos variedades (Aquiles y Moctezuma). El trabajo experimental se llevó a cabo en uno de los invernaderos de la Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna, en la ciudad de Torreón, Coahuila, México durante el ciclo primavera verano de 2020. El diseño experimental fue en bloques al azar, 12 tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Las variables evaluadas fueron: altura de planta, grosor del tallo, diámetro polar y ecuatorial del fruto, grosor de pulpa, número de lóculos, grados Brix, rendimiento y huella hídrica. El análisis económico se basó en la metodología de presupuesto parcial propuesta por el Centro Internacional de Maíz y Trigo para el análisis de experimentos. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas en la calidad de fruto. El rendimiento se incrementó con AP y la huella hídrica se redujo. El ingreso marginal (Img) superó al costo marginal (Cmg) en las dos dosis de AP analizadas. El AP ahorró agua (20.1% y 21.1%) cuando se incorporó a mezcla de sustrato, aumentó el rendimiento (25.1 t ha-1), mejoró el ingreso (Img> Cmg) y mantuvo la calidad de los frutos.

The number of people on Earth and human activities are currently taking on frightening proportions with far-reaching consequences for our planet, its biodiversity and ultimately the human race itself. Ten thousand years ago, humans represented 1% of the total biomass of all land vertebrates. The rest was made up by wild animals. Currently, humans, livestock and pets make up 99% of terrestrial vertebrate biomass, while wild animals represent only 1%. It took millennia for the human population to reach the 1 billion mark and that only by 1890. By 1960, however, the world population had grown to 3 billion. Today there are 8 billion people living on our planet. According to Population Matters, the world population will be approximately 10,4 billion by the end of this century, despite the gradual decline in the growth rate in some countries. There is only a 23% chance that the total population growth rate will tail off before 2100. The population of the 47 least developed countries is likely to triple between 2017 and 2100 to around 3 billion. There are currently 62 million people in South Africa. About 67,9% of our population (in 2021) live in urban areas. The South African population grew by 0,87% in 2023. The fertility rate is 2,30 (2023). It is estimated that by 2050 75,5 million people will be living in South Africa, with 8 out of every 10 people living in urban areas, which would significantly increase the pressure on infrastructure. The Global Footprint Network states that humans currently use the resources of 1,75 Earths. If the situation does not improve, by 2050 we would need the equivalent of three Earths to survive. More than 4 billion people will have little or no water by 2050, and South Africa even now has been classified as a "water-stressed" country. Medical science is continually contributing to more babies surviving their entry into the world and to our living increasingly longer. Life expectancy has risen from 46 years in 1950 to 73,2 years in 2023. By 2050 it will be 77 years. What can be done? Empowerment of women is important. Population growth can be curbed to a reasonable extent by giving more girls access to education. This certainly does not mean that girls or women alone should be held responsible for the current population growth, but much more will have to be done about sex education, women's rights will have to be actively promoted and there will have to be better provision and use of contraceptives. Obviously, these issues should be approached and handled with due caution. In this regard, countries such as Thailand and South Korea have, in the recent past, proved that good education may result in lower birth rates. In Africa, women with no education have an average of 5,4 children; women who completed high school an average of 2,7 children and women with tertiary education an average of 2.2. In Nigeria, every year of school attendance by girls cuts the birth rate by a tenth. In addition, intensified efforts to reform economies and societies should be considered. For the sake of the survival of the human species and the sustainability of the Earth, ecological and economic justice and the empowerment ofwomen have to be encouraged. The Millennium Project - a global participatory think tank that was founded in 1996 under the auspices of the American Council for the United Nations University, but which became independent in 2009 and has since grown into a global network of institutions and individuals - aims to improve humankind's prospects for a better future. It recommends, among other things, the following: • Support a policy aimed at improving the survival of children, responsible family planning and educational opportunities for (especially) girls. • Improve methods that will ensure skills and employment opportunities for young people, as well as care and services for the elderly. • Implement the UN's urban agenda. • Create enough smart cities where citizens with urban intelligence can help in eco-smart ways with the necessary improvements in the city. • Increase training in resilience, and improve disaster prediction and management. • Provide guidance for people about urban ecology. • Intensify research and development in saltwater agriculture (halophytes or salt plants) on coastlines to produce food for humans and animals, biofuel and pulp for the paper industry, and to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2). This will ease the pressure on freshwater agriculture. • Improve agricultural and irrigation management. • Invest in precision agriculture and aquaculture. • Reduce food losses from the "farm to the mouth" (one third or 1,3 billion tons of agricultural production is wasted in this way every year). • Establish seaweed to restore wild fish populations along coastlines. The World Bank estimates that 90% of marine life is completely depleted. • Expand the production of insects for animal feed and human diets (insects have a low environmental impact, and 2 billion people already supplement their diet with insects today). • Encourage vegetarianism. Although there are more ways to address these important global challenges, responsible family planning remains one of the most important. This is an extremely sensitive issue for many people (especially in Africa), but if it is not promoted in a humane, informed and responsible way, the sustainability of life on our planet will increasingly come under tremendous pressure in various respects.

Die aantal mense op aarde en hulle/ons aktiwiteite neem tans skrikwekkende afmetings aan met wydlopende gevolge vir ons planeet, biodiversiteit en uiteindelik onsself. Die moderne mens het sy teenwoordigheid op die aarde en die benutting van hulpbronne baie lank as sy onaantasbare reg gesien. Die huidige uitwerking van byvoorbeeld bevolkingsgroei en besoedeling versteur die aarde se natuurlike ritme in so 'n mate dat ons nou nie meer op 'n kitsoplossing kan hoop nie. Die mens se getalle neem teen so 'n tempo toe dat dit nie net nadelig vir die planeet is nie, maar ook vir die mensdom self. Wat kan gedoen word? Bemagtiging van vroue speel 'n belangrike rol. Dit beteken beslis nie dat meisies en vroue alleen vir die huidige bevolkingsgroei verantwoordelik gehou moet word nie. Die bevolkingsgroei kan egter in 'n redelike mate vertraag word deur veral meer meisies toegang tot onderwys en opleiding te gee - asook hul lewensomstandighede te verbeter. Ook sal daar heelwat meer aan seksopvoeding gedoen moet word, vroueregte sal daadwerklik bevorder moet word en daar sal beter voorsiening en gebruik van voorbehoedmiddels moet wees. Uiteraard moet hierdie kwessies met die nodige omsigtigheid benader en hanteer word. In hierdie verband kan onder andere Thailand en Suid-Korea genoem word wat in die onlangse verlede bewys het dat goeie onderwys geboortesyfers laat daal. In Afrika het vroue wat geen onderwys ontvang nie, gemiddeld 5,4 kinders; vroue wat hoërskool voltooi het gemiddeld 2,7 kinders en vroue wat tersiêre studie deurloop het, gemiddeld 2,2 kinders. In Nigerië sny elke jaar wat meisies skool bywoon, die geboortesyfer met 'n tiende. Hiermee saam sal daar ook verskerpte pogings moet wees om ekonomieë en samelewings te hervorm. Ter wille van die mens se voortbestaan en die volhoubaarheid van lewe op aarde moet ekologiese en ekonomiese geregtigheid, en die bemagtiging van vroue aangemoedig word.

Abstract The main objective of the research was to determine the feasibility of using the Water Footprint (WF) as an environmental indicator in the construction sector, for which a field quantification of this indicator was carried out in four selected single-family housing residential projects in the Greater Area. Metropolitana de Costa Rica, seeing construction as a productive process, and analyzing the results by activity and globally. The direct blueprint in the construction process was calculated through field measurements, carrying out weekly inspections of each project, thus assigning a water consumption per activity according to the progress that was observed. The indirect water footprint (blue and green) for the materials was estimated, based on a series of data on the use of water in production, consulted from the available environmental declarations of each product. Due to the lack of data available in the national context, gray HH could not be estimated. It is concluded that the results obtained could be considered as a first advance in the calculation of HH in the construction industry. To achieve a standard at the national level, it is necessary to encourage local producers or importers to develop environmental product declarations for construction materials and thus generate a robust database on water consumption in their production process. In addition, it is necessary to improve the practices of direct use of water in construction and the quantification of consumption as an indicator of efficiency in potential water savings.

Resumen El objetivo principal de la investigación fue determinar la factibilidad de utilizar la Huella Hídrica (HH) como indicador ambiental en el sector constructivo, para lo cual se realizó una cuantificación en campo de este indicador en cuatro proyectos residenciales de vivienda unifamiliar seleccionados en el Gran Área Metropolitana de Costa Rica, viendo la construcción como un proceso productivo, y analizando los resultados por actividad y de forma global. Se calculó la huella azul directa en el proceso constructivo mediante mediciones en campo, realizando inspecciones semanales a cada proyecto, así se asignó un consumo de agua por actividad según el avance que se observó. Se estimó la huella hídrica indirecta (azul y verde) para los materiales, basándose en una serie de datos de uso de agua en la producción, consultados de las declaraciones ambientales disponibles de cada producto. Debido a la falta de datos disponibles en el contexto nacional, no se pudo estimar la HH gris. Se concluye que los resultados obtenidos podrían ser considerados como un primer avance del cálculo de la HH en la construcción. Para lograr un estándar a nivel nacional se requiere incentivar a los productores locales o importadores a desarrollar declaraciones ambientales de producto de los materiales de construcción y así generar una base de datos robusta sobre el consumo de agua en el proceso productivo de estos. Además, se requiere mejorar las prácticas de uso directo del agua en la construcción y la cuantificación del consumo como indicador de eficiencia de potenciales ahorros de agua.

Abstract Sustainable agriculture allows the efficient use of natural resources, particularly water. This study aimed to compare the water footprint of the lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivation in two production systems: aquaponic and hydroponic, in order to understand its impact on water resources. Both production systems were established in a shade house in the state of Sonora, Mexico. The experiment was conducted from May 20 to July 29, 2020. The estimation of the WFtotal was calculated by adding the blue water footprints, consumption of water sheet in the development of the crop and of the inputs and materials used in each system (based on information from the scientific literature). The results indicated an average harvested lettuce weight of 0.056 kg (±0.005 kg) in the aquaponic system and 0.097 kg (±0.007 kg) in the hydroponic system. The statistical analysis was evaluated with the Student’s t-test with a significance level of 5%. The estimated BWFs were 0.2941 and 0.1721 m3 kg-1, the WFtotal were 2.6841 m3 kg-1 and 0.1821 m3 kg-1 for the aquaponic system and hydroponic system, respectively, for 19 plants in each system. The values of the WFtotal were high since they represent the sum of the blue water footprints and the WFinputs and materials. The results of this research confirmed the hypothesis proposed as the aquaponic system registered a greater water footprint. However, it is advisable to generate more knowledge on the subject.

Resumen La agricultura sostenible permite el uso eficiente de los recursos naturales, particularmente del agua. El objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar la huella hídrica del cultivo de lechuga (Lactuca sativa L.) en dos sistemas de producción: acuapónico e hidropónico, para conocer su impacto en los recursos hídricos. Ambos sistemas productivos se establecieron en una casa sombra en el estado de Sonora, México. El experimento se realizó del 20 de mayo al 29 de julio de 2020. La estimación de la HHtotal se calculó mediante la suma de las huellas hídricas azules, consumo de lámina de agua en el desarrollo del cultivo) y de los insumos y materiales utilizados en cada sistema (con base en información de la literatura científica). Los resultados indicaron un peso promedio de lechuga cosechada de 0.056 kg (±0.005 kg) en el sistema acuapónico y de 0.097 kg (±0.007 kg) en el sistema hidropónico. El análisis estadístico se evaluó con la prueba t de student con un nivel de significancia de 5%. Las HHA estimadas fueron 0.2941 y 0.1721 m3 kg-1, las HHtotal fueron 2.6841 m3 kg-1 y de 0.1821 m3 kg-1 para los sistema acuapónico y sistema hidropónico, respectivamente, para 19 plantas en cada sistema. Los valores de las HHtotal fueron elevados ya que representan la suma de las huellas hídricas azules y de la HHinsumos y materiales. Los resultados de esta investigación confirmaron la hipótesis planteada, al registrar una mayor huella hídrica el sistema acuapónico. Sin embargo, es conveniente generar mayor conocimiento en el tema.

SYNOPSIS An oolitic iron ore from Gara Djebilet, Algeria was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrosopy and the phosphorus distribution between various phases studied. Two ore types were identified - a haematite-dominated, oolitic type and a more massive, magnetite-dominated type. The haematite-dominated ore had a higher phosphorus content, up to 0.6% in the iron oxide minerals, than the magnetite-dominated type (0.3% P). Owing to the very fine-grained texture of the gangue minerals, reducing the phosphorus content to levels suitable for steelmaking (below 0.05% P) by conventiobal means would entail an energy-intensive process with a high carbon footprint. Preliminary leaching test work using a sulphurous geothermal water as lixiviant, assisted by solar thermal acceleration, gave very promising results, removing 0.13% of the residual P (or 21.7% removal of total P) from the high-phosphorus oolitic ore.

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) provides a unique opportunity for water conservation. This research aimed to assess the performance of two types of RWH systems (gravity and pump-driven) at a local public school in replacing non-potable water for toilet flushing. The volume of harvested water, efficiency to meet demand, expenses involved and associated environmental burdens were key criteria of performance. Economic considerations included capital costs and return periods, while the environmental aspects encompassed simplified life cycle assessments (LCAs) as well as specific carbon footprints. The gravity-fed system supplied 452.5 kL/annum and covered 31.8% of the demand for flushing water for toilets for the school investigated. The pumped system provided 476.8 kL/annum representing 33.5% of the demand. Together they would be able to supply 65.3% of the demand. The catchment area of these two systems differed and there was no overlap. As expected, the gravity-fed system outperformed the pumped system, both economically and environmentally, because no energy for pumping was needed. In terms of costs, the difference was small, and the payback periods of both systems were similar. However, environmentally, the LCA scores for the pumped system were an order of magnitude higher for all 18 impact categories considered. Carbon footprints showed that in the construction stage both systems have similar footprints. For the operation stage, the comparison was extended, as there were higher energy requirements for the pumped system (about 4 times higher than those from the provision of municipal potable water), but in the same range or lower when compared with other alternative sources of water like groundwater abstraction, recycling of municipal water and desalination. The gravity-fed system required no energy for pumping. This study shows how trade-offs in assessing the overall performance of RWH systems can be considered, leading to better decision making.

ABSTRACT In this empirical investigation, the effect of four concrete mixtures was examined, namely, control concrete (CC), binary blended metakaolin concrete (BBMC), binary blended pond ash concrete (BBPC), and ternary blended metakaolin and pond ash concrete (TBMPC). In this study, a total of 288 specimens were manufactured, including CC, BBMC, BBPC, and TBMPC, which were subjected to curing for 28 and 90 days. The mix compositions used were in a ratio of 1:1.75:2.22, with a water-binder ratio of 0.44. The study delved into an extensive examination of both the fresh and mechanical properties of these concrete mixtures. Additionally, the sustainability analysis for all mix proportions were computed. The results demonstrate significant enhancements in compressive strength (fcs), split tensile strength (fsts) and flexural strength (ffs) with an increase of 17.82% and 19.81%, 12.32% and 13.50%, 13.34% and 14.39%. These improvements were observed specifically in the M6P6 mix, composed of 88% PC, 6% MK, and 6% PA. In the context of sustainability analysis, the PA20 mix displayed the lowest carbon footprint emissions, measured at 351 kgCO2/m3. On the other hand, the MK6PA6 mix demonstrated the highest CO2 intensity, with values of 0.095 MPa/kgCO2·m3 and 0.114 MPa/kgCO2·m3. investigation examined namely CC , (CC) BBMC (BBMC) BBPC (BBPC) TBMPC. TBMPC . (TBMPC) manufactured 2 9 days 11.752.22, 1175222 1 1.75 2.22, 75 22 1:1.75:2.22 waterbinder water binder 044 0 44 0.44 Additionally computed fcs, fcs (fcs) fsts (fsts ffs (ffs 1782 17 82 17.82 1981 19 81 19.81% 1232 12 32 12.32 1350 13 50 13.50% 1334 34 13.34 1439 14 39 14.39% MP M P M6P 88 PC 6 MK PA PA2 emissions 35 kgCO2m3 kgCOm kgCO2 m3 kgCO m kgCO2/m3 hand MKPA MK6PA CO intensity 0095 095 0.09 MPakgCO2m3 MPakgCOm MPa MPa/kgCO2·m 0114 114 0.11 (CC (BBMC (BBPC (TBMPC 11 752 11.752.22 117522 175 1.7 222 2.22 7 1:1.75:2.2 04 4 0.4 (fcs 178 8 17.8 198 19.81 123 3 12.3 135 5 13.50 133 13.3 143 14.39 kgCO2m kgCO2/m 009 09 0.0 MPakgCO MPakgCO2m 011 0.1 11.752.2 11752 1. 2.2 1:1.75:2. 0. 17. 19.8 12. 13.5 13. 14.3 00 01 11.752. 1175 2. 1:1.75:2 19. 14. 11.752 117 1:1.75: 11.75 1:1.75 11.7 1:1.7 11. 1:1. 1:1 1:

Abstract The objective of this study is to measure the countries' agribusiness in terms of income (Gross Domestic Product - GDP) and water (water footprint), in addition to estimating a sustainability indicator (water per unit of income). The methodology is based on the input-output matrix and was applied to 189 countries with a focus on the twenty largest economies (GDP) in 2015. The GDP of world agribusiness was US$12.3 trillion and the water footprint of 151 trillion cubic meters, the values represented respectively 18% and 97.5% of the total production system. The share of agribusiness income in the total productive system of the countries ranged from 4% to 61%. The highest agribusiness GDP figures were obtained for China (US$ 2.5 trillion), the United States (US$ 1.4 trillion), India (US$ 0.67 trillion), Japan (US$ 0.5 trillion) and Brazil (US$ 0.43 trillion). The environmental cost of agribusiness measured in cubic meters of water per thousand dollars of income generation (m3/US$) ranged from less than one hundred cubic meters for every thousand dollars of income generated to more than 200 thousand, which indicates that there is the possibility of increasing the efficiency of water use and sustainability through the development of new technologies. Gross footprint, , footprint) income. . income) inputoutput input output 18 (GDP 2015 US123 US 12 3 US$12. 15 975 97 5 97.5 4 61 61% US$ (US 25 2 2. trillion, 14 1 1. 067 0 67 0.6 05 0. 043 43 0.4 trillion. m3/US$ m3US mUS m3 m (m3/US$ 20 technologies 201 US12 US$12 9 97. 6 06 04 m3/US (m3/US US1 US$1

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo é dimensionar o agronegócio dos países em termos de renda (Produto Interno Bruto - PIB) e água (pegada hídrica), além de estimar um indicador de sustentabilidade (água por unidade de renda). A metodologia é baseada na matriz insumo-produto e foi aplicada para 189 países com enfoque sobre as vinte maiores economias (PIB) no ano de 2015. O PIB do agronegócio mundial era de US$12,3 trilhões e a pegada hídrica de 151 trilhões de metros cúbicos, os valores representavam respectivamente 18% e 97,5% dos totais do sistema produtivo. A participação da renda do agronegócio no total do sistema produtivo dos países variou entre 4% e 61%. Os maiores valores do PIB do agronegócio foram obtidos para a China (US$ 2,5 trilhões), Estados Unidos (US$ 1,4 trilhão), Índia (US$ 0,67 trilhão), Japão (US$ 0,5 trilhão) e Brasil (US$ 0,43 trilhão). O custo ambiental do agronegócio mensurado em metros cúbicos de água para mil dólares de geração de renda (m3/US$) variou entre menos de cem metros cúbicos para cada mil dólares de renda gerada para mais de 200 mil, o que indica que existe a possibilidade do aumento da eficiência do uso da água e sustentabilidade por meio do desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias. Produto hídrica, , hídrica) renda. . renda) insumoproduto insumo produto 18 (PIB 2015 US123 US 12 3 US$12, 15 975 97 5 97,5 4 61 61% US$ (US 25 2 2, trilhões, trilhões) 14 1 1, trilhão, trilhão 067 0 67 0,6 05 0, 043 43 0,4 trilhão. m3/US$ m3US mUS m3 m (m3/US$ 20 tecnologias 201 US12 US$12 9 97, 6 06 04 m3/US (m3/US US1 US$1

ABSTRACT Recent research focus towards development of green and ecofriendly concrete with reduction in emission of carbon dioxide. The emission of CO2 can be highly reduced by reducing the usage of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) clinkers. This paper evaluates the reduction of OPC clinkers percentage in concrete with the replacement of slag, and flyash as cementitious materials. Different types of concrete specimens such as Slag Concrete (SC), Composite Concrete (CC), Green Concrete (GC), and Geopolymer Concrete (GPC) were cast with various percentages of flyash and slag. The test results were compared with Normal Concrete (NC). Coarse aggregate and Recycled Coarse Aggregate (RCA) were mixed with the ratio 50:50 and Quarry Rock Dust (QRD) was used as fine aggregate in all concrete specimens. 3% of gypsum and 1% of sisal fibers were added to all specimens with respect to volume of concrete. Strength properties such as compressive strength, tensile strength, and water absorption in immersion were conducted. Also resistance to sulphate attack were carried out. The test results shows that Composite Concrete (CC) with 35% slag and 35% flyash and 30% OPC clinkers, in addition with 50% activator solution reveals excellent strength and durability properties. Thus, 70% usage of OPC clinkers were reduced in concrete which drive towards development of ecofriendly environment. dioxide CO (OPC materials SC, SC , (SC) CC, CC GC, GC (GC) GPC (GPC NC. NC . (NC) RCA (RCA 5050 50 50:5 QRD (QRD 3 1 conducted out (CC 35 30 Thus 70 environment (SC (GC (NC 505 5 50: 7

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a produtividade de frutos e da água em bananeira 'Prata Anã', sob diferentes combinações de densidades de plantio e lâminas de irrigação no seu quarto ciclo de produção. O experimento foi delineado em blocos ao acaso, em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições, com os seguintes fatores: dois níveis de lâmina de irrigação (50 e 100% da evapotranspiração da cultura) nas parcelas e quatro níveis de densidade de plantio (1.666, 2.083, 2.666 e 3.333 plantas por hectare) nas subparcelas. Foram avaliadas a evapotranspiração e as características de produtividade da cultura. Foram observadas reduções na massa de pencas, no número de pencas e no número de frutos à medida que aumentou a densidade de plantio, bem como incrementos no rendimento de pencas e na produtividade hídrica e redução na pegada hídrica. É possível aumentar a produtividade da bananeira ao aumentar sua densidade de plantio e reduzir a lâmina de irrigação aplicada no seu quarto ciclo de produção. Prata Anã, Anã , Anã' produção acaso subdivididas repetições fatores 50 (5 100 cultura 1.666, 1666 1 666 (1.666 2083 2 083 2.083 2666 2.66 3333 3 333 3.33 hectare subparcelas 5 ( 10 1.666 166 66 (1.66 208 08 2.08 266 2.6 33 3.3 1.66 16 6 (1.6 20 0 2.0 26 2. 3. 1.6 (1. 1. (1

Abstract The objective of this work was to determine the fruit yield and water productivity of the 'Prata Anã' banana plant, under different combinations of planting densities and irrigation depths in its fourth production cycle. The experiment was designed in randomized complete blocks in a split-plot arrangement with four replicates, with the following factors: two levels of irrigation depth (50 and 100% crop evapotranspiration) in the plots and four levels of planting density (1,666, 2,083, 2,666, and 3,333 plants per hectare) in the subplots. Crop evapotranspiration and yield characteristics were evaluated. Reductions in the mass of hands, number of hands, and number of fruits were observed as planting density increased, as well as increments in the yield of hands and in water productivity and a reduction in water footprint. It is possible to increase the yield of the banana plant by increasing its planting density and reducing the irrigation depth applied in its fourth production cycle. Prata Anã cycle splitplot split plot replicates factors 50 (5 100 1,666, 1666 1 666 (1,666 2083 2 083 2,083 2666 2,666 3333 3 333 3,33 hectare subplots evaluated increased footprint 5 ( 10 1,666 166 66 (1,66 208 08 2,08 266 2,66 33 3,3 1,66 16 6 (1,6 20 0 2,0 26 2,6 3, 1,6 (1, 2, 1, (1

Resumo: As crescentes preocupações ambientais e o aumento do desenvolvimento sustentável fizeram com que os planejadores mudassem o foco da priorização dos benefícios econômicos e sociais para a incorporação da consciência ecológica no planejamento urbano. Desafios ecológicos, como a degradação do habitat devido à expansão urbana descontrolada e à insuficiência de espaços verdes, destacam as lacunas na consciência ecológica entre os planejadores urbanos. Questões como as ilhas de calor urbanas e a má gestão da água exemplificam ainda mais a necessidade de um planejamento ecológico aprimorado. A fim de enfrentar esses desafios, o documento propõe várias estratégias de governança. Ele defende um planejamento abrangente para cidades civilizatórias ecológicas, incluindo infraestruturas verdes e restauração de paisagens naturais, para mitigar os impactos ambientais. O aumento da responsabilidade ecológica, por meio da educação e do envolvimento da comunidade, é vital para promover uma cultura de sustentabilidade. O desenvolvimento de uma economia circular ecológica aborda a ineficiência dos recursos e os problemas de desperdício, enquanto a promoção de opções de transporte com baixo teor de carbono visa a reduzir as pegadas de carbono urbano. Orientada pelo conceito de consciência ecológica, esta análise oferece caminhos práticos para melhorar a governança ecológica urbana. Resumo urbano ecológicos urbanos aprimorado desafios ecológicas naturais comunidade sustentabilidade desperdício

Abstract: Growing environmental concerns and the rise of sustainable development have made planners shift focus from prioritizing economic and social benefits to incorporating ecological consciousness into urban planning. Ecological challenges, such as habitat degradation from unchecked urban expansion and insufficient green spaces, underscore gaps in ecological awareness among urban planners. Issues, like urban heat islands and water mismanagement, further exemplify the need for enhanced ecological planning. To address these challenges, the paper proposes several governance strategies. It advocates for comprehensive planning for ecological civilization cities, including green infrastructures and natural landscape restoration to mitigate environmental impacts. Enhancing ecological responsibility, through education and community engagement, is vital for fostering a culture of sustainability. Developing an ecological circular economy addresses resource inefficiency and waste problems, while promoting low-carbon transportation options aims to reduce urban carbon footprints. Guided by the concept of ecological consciousness, this analysis offers actionable paths for improving urban ecological governance. Abstract challenges spaces Issues mismanagement strategies cities impacts responsibility engagement sustainability problems lowcarbon low footprints

Summary: Intensive use of water, growing cities, and lack of wastewater treatment are some factors increasing hydric stress worldwide. Coagulation/flocculation is one of the preferred treatments for wastewater. However, aluminum salts are traditionally used in this process. This coagulant has a high environmental footprint and residual aluminum in wastewater is a public health concern. The preparation and use of chitosan as a coagulant aid in coagulation/flocculation with aluminum sulfate were investigated. The effect of the order of addition of coagulants (aluminum sulfate followed by chitosan, or chitosan followed by aluminum sulfate), dose of the coagulants, pH, and slow mixing velocity for flocculation were studied. It was found that the removal of total suspended solids (TSS) with aluminum sulfate was relatively unaffected by pH (aluminum sulfate dose of 100 mg L-1 at pH of 5 units achieved 94% removal of TSS and at pH of 8.2 units 89% removal of TSS), whereas with chitosan was highly affected (chitosan dose of 180 mg L-1 at pH of 4 units achieved 96% removal of TSS and at pH of 8.2 units 25% removal of TSS). In the coagulation/flocculation experiments where both coagulants were used, it was found that the order of coagulant addition and pH of wastewater have a statistically significant effect (P-value < 0.05) on the removal of TSS. Higher removal of TSS was achieved when aluminum sulfate was added followed by chitosan at a wastewater pH of 5 units. Chitosan can be effectively used to reduce the use of aluminum salts in wastewater treatment. However, it is necessary to optimize the preparation of this coagulant and investigate other factors, such as variation in the wastewater quality, that can affect the robustness of the process.

Resumen: Entre los factores que aumentan el estrés hídrico se encuentran la creciente demanda de agua, el incremento de las zonas urbanas y la falta de tratamiento de aguas residuales, entre otros. La coagulación/floculación con sales de aluminio está entre los tratamientos para aguas residuales más utilizados. Sin embargo, estas sales tienen una huella ambiental alta y el aluminio residual en el agua tratada está asociado a problemas de salud. En este trabajo se investigó la preparación y uso de quitosano como coadyuvante en la coagulación/floculación con sulfato de aluminio. Se estudió el efecto del orden de adición de los coagulantes (sulfato de aluminio seguido de quitosano o quitosano seguido de sulfato de aluminio), la dosis de los coagulantes, el pH del tratamiento y la velocidad lenta de floculación. Se encontró que la remoción de los sólidos suspendidos totales (SST) con sulfato de aluminio no presentó cambios significativos en el rango de pH estudiado ( remoción de 94% de SST con dosis de 100 mg L-1 y pH 5, y remoción de 89% con pH 8.2), mientras que la remoción con quitosano es altamente dependiente del pH (remoción de 96% de SST con dosis de 180 mg L-1 y pH 4, y remoción de 25% con pH 8.2). En los experimentos donde los dos coagulantes se usaron se encontró que el orden de adición de los coagulantes y el pH tienen un efecto estadísticamente significativo (P < 0.05) en la remoción de SST. La mayor remoción de SST se encontró al adicionar sulfato de aluminio seguido de quitosano a un pH de 5. El quitosano se puede utilizar para disminuir el uso de sales de aluminio en el tratamiento de agua residual. Sin embargo, es necesario optimizar su preparación e investigar otros factores que pueden afectar el proceso de coagulación/floculación.