Ana Luisa Fernando

Perennial Grass Production Opportunities on Marginal Mediterranean Land

An increasing global awareness that the supply and security of petroleum-based materials is diminishing, coupled with environmental concerns related to climate change, water availability, and soil degradation, has increased demand for more renewable, diversified, and sustainable agricultural production systems. The objective of this work was to determine if a biogenic approach, focused on producing perennial grasses on marginal Mediterranean land as feedstock for bioenergy or bio-based products, could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions without depleting soil nutrients, water supplies, or negatively impacting biological and landscape diversity. This study, funded by European Union (EU), was conducted under project optimization of perennial grasses for biomass production (OPTIMA) using environmental impact assessment (EIA) protocols to quantify local environmental impacts of producing perennial grasses, in the Mediterranean region. Different end uses were investigated and biogenic products were compared with conventional ones. The EIA assessment indicated that the biogenic system had low erodibility potential, reduced disturbance of soil properties, and minimal hydrological impacts. Less tillage and high biomass production supported biological and landscape diversity, but site-specific factors should be used to appropriately match the specific crop and location. We conclude that producing perennial grasses on marginal Mediterranean land is feasible and if appropriately managed will have relatively few environmental side effects.

Miscanthus x Giganteus: Contribution to a Sustainable Agriculture of a Future/Present - Oriented Biomaterial

The main purpose of this work was to study the phytoremediation capacity of Miscanthus x giganteus to soils contaminated with heavy metals and also to evaluate the environmental risks due to its utilisation as a biomaterial. Indeed, the concentration of metals in the aerial part of the plant might represent a question of its future use. Four levels of contamination were studied: P0 = 0 t; P50 = 50 t; P100 = 100 t; P200 = 200 t domestic sludge.ha -1 . The results obtained permit to conclude that in terms of the productivity there are significant differences among the plants obtained with different levels of contamination. P50 and P100 presented significantly higher values. In relation to the ash, nitrogen and phosphorous contents, the results showed an increase in mineral matter and an accumulation in nitrogen and phosphorous, in the plants, with the increase of the level of contaminants. But this increase was not significant. No significant differences were observed in the plants among the different levels of sludge, for most of the metals studied. This fact leads to the conclusion that the utilisation of the biomass, obtained in those contaminated fields, is possible, as a biomaterial. Thus, contributing not only to increase its economical value but also to a sustainable agriculture.

Co-composting of sweet sorghum biomass with different nitrogen sources

Abstract Composting of waste biomass from sweet sorghum seems to be a good alternative for its valorization in Portugal. The purpose of this work was to establish the best experimental conditions for the aerobic bioconversion of this material, starting with different C:N ratios and using different nitrogen sources. The material came from two fields with a fertilization level of 100 kg N/ha, and it was composted using bovine blood, domestic sludge and yeast extract as nitrogen sources, starting with initial C:N ratios of approximately 20 and 30. The experiment was carried out in a constant temperature chamber at 37°C and lasted for two and a half months. Samples were periodically collected and analyzed. The hygienic state of the product was also evaluated. The best quality compost from a fertilizer perspective was obtained with domestic sludge as a nitrogen source and starting from an initial C:N ratio equal to about 20:1. Starting from this C:N ratio could bring problems with the content of cadmium, so the recommended starting conditions must be about 30:1.

Phytoremediation of Inorganic Compounds

Phytoremediation, the use of plants and their associated microbes for soil, water, and air decontamination, is a cost-effective, solar-driven, and alternative/complementary technology for physicochemical approaches. Plants can be used for extraction, stabilization, degradation, and volatilization as well as for the conversion of many inorganic compounds as nitrates, phosphates, metals, and radionuclides to less toxic forms, reducing their associate risks to humans, animals, and the environment. The applicability of these mechanisms is reviewed here, including its applicability for soils contaminated with heavy metals and radionuclides, as well as the application of plants for the improvement of water quality in polluted waters (phytodepuration). Main polluted sites in Europe and main polluting anthropogenic activities where identified. The main soil remediation technologies, and, in particular, the application of phytoremediation technology using industrial crops and their mechanisms with the generation of economic value was referred. The advantages and limitations of this approach are also presented. Bridging phytoremediation with the production of a multipurpose biomass could provide environmental benefits and social and economic opportunities, by improving the overall sustainability of the biosystem.

Environmental Aspects of Kenaf Production and Use

This chapter outlines the environmental aspects of kenaf production and utilization, focusing on the impact on biotic and abiotic resources, through the analysis of the crop’s interaction with its environment and management practices. In this study, the assessment of data retrieved from literature was supplemented with results obtained from the Biokenaf project. As a bioenergy and biomaterials carrier, kenaf offers ecological advantages over fossil sources by contributing to reduction of greenhouse gases and energy savings. Nevertheless, a negative impact may be perceived in terms of acidifying emissions. Although the different indicators did not yield a common pattern, overall results suggest that kenaf crop have an advantage over other annual energy crop systems, namely regarding pesticides and fertilizers inputs. However, risks associated with soil quality, erodibility, use of resources, and biodiversity are equivalent to most annual energy crops. Crop management options can influence the outcomes, but site specific factors should be accurately assessed to evaluate the adequacy between crop and location. In addition, environmental hot spots in the systems are detected and options for improvement are presented.

Chronic Hyperglycemia Modulates Rat Osteoporotic Cortical Bone Microarchitecture into Less Fragile Structures

There is controversy concerning the diabetes impact on bone quality, notorious in type 2 diabetic postmenopausal women. One pointed cause might be uncontrolled glycemia. In this study, the effect of chronic hyperglycemia in bone turnover, morphology, and biomechanics was evaluated in female Wistar rats in the presence/absence of estrogens (ovariectomy). Animals (n = 28) were divided into sham, ovariectomized (OVX), hyperglycemic (streptozotocin 40 mg/kg, single-dose i.p.-STZ), and hyperglycemic-ovariectomized (STZ + OVX) animals. Blood biomarkers were estimated 60 days postovariectomy. Body weight, vertebral microarchitecture (L4-histomorphometry), femur biomechanical properties (bending tests), tibia ultrastructure (scanning electron microscopy), and femur and urinary calcium (atomic absorption) were also evaluated. The increased PINP/CTX ratio of hyperglycemic animals and the similar ratio between STZ + OVX and healthy animals contrasting with the lower ratio of OVX (in line with its histomorphometric data) suggest a tendency for improved bone formation in hyperglycemic-ovariectomized animals. The increased tibia medullar canal, which contrasts with the unaffected cortical thickness of both hyperglycemic groups while that of OVX decreased, was associated to the increased stiffness and strength of STZ + OVX bones compared to those of OVX, in line with the observed ultrastructure. Concluding, chronic hyperglycemia in ovariectomized female rats causes bone morphological changes that translate positively in the ultrastructure and mechanical properties of cortical bones.

New Insights from the BIOKENAF Project

This chapter summarizes the most important achievements of the European research project entitled “BIOKENAF—Biomass Production Chain and Growth Simulation Model for Kenaf” (www.cres.gr/biokenaf) that carried out for 2003–2007. The overall objective of the BIOKENAF project was to introduce and evaluate kenaf as a non-food crop through an integrated approach for alternative land use in South EU that will provide diversified opportunities for farmers and biological materials for the “bio-based industries” of the future. Several fields’ trials were carried out in South EU aiming to identify the appropriate crop management for yields maximization (sowing dates, plant densities, best varieties, irrigation and fertilization needs, harvesting time). A dynamic crop-growth simulation model was developed to produce quantitative estimates of the yielding potential of kenaf at regional level. The model was based on the detailed crop data that were collected from the field trials and were included in photosynthetic capacity, respiratory losses, phenology, dry matter distribution, and data on leaf area. The appropriate harvesting time for south EU countries that ensure the highest possible yields with the lowest possible moisture content investigated as well as best storage method in order to the minimum losses in the quality and quantity of the feedstock to be achieved. The suitability of kenaf for both selected industrial products (composites, building materials, nonwovens, paper, and board and absorption particles) and for thermo-chemical energy applications (combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis) was investigated. Following an environmental/economic assessment and market studies insight in the feasibility of kenaf for industrial and energy applications was provided that was used not only for comparison of the crop with other conventional crops with similar cultural practices but also for the development of scenarios for alternative land use and diversified opportunities for farmers in order to produce industrial bio-products that will supply the “bio-based industries” of the future.

Comparative evaluation of European methods for sampling and sample preparation of soils — the Portuguese contribution

The main purpose of this work was to prepare a Portuguese sampling strategy, according to the existing Portuguese recommendations, for the soil sampling exercise at Dornach in the framework of the CEEM soil project of the SMT Programme of the EU. Within this project, the results obtained from the Dornach study were compared with the results obtained by other European participants and also with the reference sampling. The objective of this comparison was to validate the method used and to evaluate possible factors of uncertainty that may arise from the application of our national guideline as well as possible advantages. Another objective, also important, was to provide information regarding the need for a harmonised procedure within the European Union related to soil sampling and sample preparation of soils. The results obtained were consistent with the results obtained by other participants, however, in the Portuguese recommendations there is a general lack of specific information that may complicate its application to polluted scenarios. In fact, those guidelines are valuable to detect the average contamination of the soil, but they are not useful to identify hot spots or the edge influence in a contaminated land. As a conclusion, the results obtained by the CEEM soil project helped to evaluate the Portuguese sampling plan. This may provide a basis for further standardisation of soil sampling for specific purposes, e.g. contaminated land, and to establish a technical support for criteria used in the accreditation of laboratories for soil sampling.

Efficient coverage of ZnO nanoparticles on cotton fibres for antibacterial finishing using a rapid and low cost in situ synthesis

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) have received considerable attention as an antibacterial agent particularly in the textile industry. In the present work a successful procedure for in situ growth of ZnONPs in textiles was developed. The results obtained showed that a combination of in situ synthesis and the sol–gel method promoted a uniform and dense adsorption of the nanoparticles both inside and on the surface of fabric fibres. The fabrics finished with ZnONPs have been investigated for antibacterial properties by the agar diffusion method and by the absorption method according to the ISO 20743:2013 standard and exhibited an antibacterial effect against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC33591, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC1228, Staphylococcus aureus RN4220 and Propionibacterium acnes ATCC6919. Moreover, tests conducted with hydrogen peroxide suggested the involvement of reactive oxygen species, namely the involvement of hydrogen peroxide, in the antibacterial activity of the zinc oxide nanoparticles. Therefore, the synthesised nanoparticles showed great potential to be used as coatings for medical, cosmetic or sports fabrics.

Screening of Giant Reed Clones for Phytoremediation of Lead Contaminated Soils

The contamination of soil with lead is one of the most common problems of pollution, especially in areas characterized by industrialization. Some species, such as the energy crop giant reed (Arundo donax L.), are particularly suitable to be cultivated in contaminated areas due to their capacity to attenuate and stabilize the contamination while bringing additional revenue to owners. In this context, this research work aimed to study the phytoremediation response of different Arundo donax L. clones to soils contaminated with lead (450 and 900 mg Pb kg−1, dry matter). Results showed that growth and biomass productivity of the studied giant reed clones were not significantly affected by the lead contamination. Genotypes 27 and 30 were the most productive in all levels of the tested Pb contaminations. Increased higher lead content in the biomass was obtained with increased lead contamination of the soil. Highest accumulation of lead was observed in the roots and rhizomes. Considering the totality of the biomass (aerial and belowground), a higher quantity of accumulated lead was obtained with genotypes 27 and 30. However, genotypes 22 and 27 are the most interesting in terms of phytoextraction once higher quantities of lead were accumulated in the harvestable biomass (leaves and stems).