African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 10 (4), pp. 001-012, April, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

From burial ground to green oasis: evaluating the ecological potential of Ankara's Karakusunlar Cemetery

Aysel Uslu

Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, 06010, Ankara, Turkey. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +90 312 596 1699. Fax: +90 312 317 64 67.

Accepted 20 April, 2023

Abstract

This paper concentrates on the evaluation of an abandoned cemetery as a green area. The study area is an abandoned cemetery which was once an active cemetery where no new interment is made now and which is tucked among dwellings as a result of urban development. The study is about an ecological approach for evaluation of this abandoned cemetery as an urban greening without changing its function. The study is based on field observations, surveys, analyses and relevant literature. The study develops proposals for bringing about a more functional and aesthetic green area maintaining the original and traditional tissue. The abandoned cemetery is in a favorable stand with respect to its existing flora, folkloric importance as well as its position as an ecological area among dwellings notwithstanding its bad appearance as an old and uncared-for cemetery tucked among intensive urban structuring. Therefore, local plants are proposed together with those existing in the area which can be revalued as an ecological, economic and aesthetic green area with arrangements allowing passive recreation. This study emphasizes that a physical planning of an old cemetery must be made with an approach which also includes ecological, social and economic perspectives.

Key words: Abandoned cemeteries, vacant lands, cemetery, urban greening, ecology park, green area politics, Ankara / Turkey.

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring the Impact of Native Plants on Ecological Integrity in Ku adasi (Turkey) Urban Area and its Surroundings

Bülent Deniz^1* and U uririn²

¹Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Adnan Menderes University, 09100, Aydin/Turkey.

²Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Adnan Menderes University, 09100, Aydin/Turkey.

Accepted 19 January, 2023

Abstract

Urban sprawl and fragmentation of natural habitats are outstanding threats on biodiversity and ecological integrity of natural areas. Ku adasi (Turkey) is a significant town in terms of nearby National Park of Dilek Peninsula-Great Menderes Delta which has a rich biodiversity and with surrounding areas in their natural conditions. Also Ku adasi is a popular tourism destination and it is one of the most rapidly growing urban areas in the district. Therefore it is important to minimize the disturbance to the surrounding ecological structure while this growth is occurring. The main goals of this study are: (a) To identify natural plant species that can be utilized as ornamental plants in Ku adasi Municipality area; (b) To evaluate existence of the natural plant species that are found in some randomly selected urban areas and (c) To make recommendations for Ku adasi to have a well-planned growth which will protect and contribute to the integrity of the surrounding ecology. Three different analyses were performed with randomly selected land cover types to determine vegetation structure: (a) Pervious surface cover, (b) Native woody plants and (c) Structural diversity. The data collected was used to create a habitat value index. The highest three values were found to be agricultural lands (43.2%), graded vacant land (40.2%) and parks (37.4%). On the other hand, the lowest values were found to be streets (20.3%) and ring roads (26.3%).

Key words: Native plants, ecologic integrity, planning strategies, urban ecology, Ku adasi.

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of Macrozoobenthos in Shallabugh wetland, Kashmir Himalaya, India

Sameera Siraj¹*, A. R. Yousuf¹, F. A. Bhat² and M. Parveen³

¹Centre of Research for Development (CORD), University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K, India, 190006.

²Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K, India, 190006.

³Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K, India, 190006.

Accepted 28 November, 2022

Abstract

Macrozoobenthos comprise of an important group of aquafauna by way of their contribution to ecosystem stability, besides acting as potential bioindicators of trophic status. Being efficient energy converters, they constitute an important link in the aquatic food web. In view of importance of such an aquatic bioresource, on one hand, and scarcity of information about them, on the other, the present study aimed at working out the species composition, distribution pattern and abundance of macrozoobenthos in relation to several physico-chemical parameters of the Shallabugh wetland of Kashmir Himalaya. The data collected on various physico-chemical parameters showed wide seasonal and site-specific fluctuations. Dissolved oxygen concentration fluctuated between 3 - 12 mg/l, while as free CO₂ ranged from 1 - 19 mg/l showing also high values of bicarbonates of Ca and Mg, nitrogen and total phosphorus. The pH of the wetland remained mostly alkaline but at the emergent macrophytic site it showed a slight acidic trend (6.6) in during late summer. Benthos of the Shallabugh wetland was represented by Arthopoda, Annelida and Mollusca, and was studied in relation to abiotic and biotic factors for one year. Perusal of the results revealed that Arthropoda, Annelida and Mollusca were represented by 10, 7 and 6 species respectively. The abundance of some specific pollution indicator species, especially Annelids such as Limnodrilus sp, Tubifex tubifex and Branchiura sowerbyii, is depictive of transition in trophic status of the wetland from meso- to eutrophy. In view of the eutrophication-induced changing biotic community structure, the present study calls for urgent management and restoration of the Shallabugh wetland ecosystem.

Key words: Shallabugh wetland, organic matter, eutrophication, macrozoobenthos.

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Fuel specific consumption and emission analysis in a cycle diesel motor generator using diesel and biodiesel from waste frying oil blends

Luiz Inácio Chaves*, Samuel Nelson Melegari de Souza, Helton Aparecido Rosa, Reinaldo Aparecido Bariccatti, Carlos Eduardo Camargo Nogueira, Deonir Secco, Willian Tenfen Wazilewski, Angélica Buzinaro Avaci, Paulo Job Brenneisen, Marcelo José da Silva and Gustavo Veloso

UNIOESTE, Western Paraná State University, Post graduation Program, Master Course of Energy in Agriculture, Rua Universitária, 2069, CEP: 85.819-130 Faculdade, Cascavel, Paraná, Brasil.

Accepted 24 August, 2022

Abstract

One of the main fuels that can be helpful in emissions reduction when compared with diesel oil is the biodiesel. Moreover, it is a renewable fuel and may be obtained from different animal fat and vegetable oil. The purpose of this work was to evaluate fuel specific consumption and emission of exhaustion gases using the biodiesel produced from waste frying oil in a cycle diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) to produce electrical energy. The used motor generator has a power of 7.36 kW (10 HP) and 5.5 kVA /5.0 kW of nominal power. The used fuel was composed of a biodiesel and diesel oil blend and the following proportion in biodiesel composition was used: 0% (B0), 5% (B5), 10% (B10), 20% (B20), 50% (B50) and 100% biodiesel (B100). The nominal load applied varied between 0.5 and 5.0 kW. The analysis test was just performed with (B0) and (B100) blends. To quantify the gases emission, combustion and emission analyzer were used. The quantified gases were: CO, NO, NOx and SO₂. Generally, the utilization of biodiesel from waste frying oil showed fuel specific consumption statistically similar to that of the diesel oil. It was observed that the biodiesel from waste frying oil provided an emission reduction of combustion gases.

Key words: Combustion, energy production, biofuel.

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN: 2375-1266 Vol. 9 (8), pp. 001-019, August, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A review of policies, legislations and practices on off-grid solar electronic waste management in Kenya 

Clara Cooper¹, Kelvin Smith², Larry Williamsᶾ

Department of Spatial and Environmental Planning Kenyatta University P.O. Box 43844-00100.^1,2

Department for Wind Energy Technical University of Denmark Frederiksborgvej 399 Building 115 4000 Roskilde.³

Abstract

Off-grid solar systems in developing countries will play a key role in the realization of sustainable development goal number seven on clean energy sources.As the uptake of solar energy systems continue to rise globally,solar electronic waste will continue to increase.Electronic solar waste is categorized as hazardous with devastating effects on the environment if poorly managed.Effective policy,legislations and practicesare key to sustainable management of this waste category.The aim of this study was to reviewthe policy,legislations and practices in solar e-waste management in Kenya.The studyexamined existing solar electronic wastemanagement policies,legal, institutional framework and management practices in  Kenya.In addition, the study examined solar electronic waste governance approaches  in developed and emerging economies.The study adopted a systematic literature review augmented with  views from  solar ectronic waste stakeholders  workshop data collection method.The study established that Kenya does not have a specific solar electronic wastepolicy and legal framework andthe management of this category of waste streamis governed by thegeneral electronic waste policies and legislations.This is  different fromdeveloped countriessuch as the United Kingdom and several States in USA such whohave developed specific  policies and legislations to  govern management of the growing solar e-waste.In addition,the study established that many emerging economies such as India are yet to develop supportive legislation for solar e-waste similar to the Kenyan scenario. The study established that there are some ongoing efforts geared towards policy and legal framework development to enhance governance of solar electronic waste in Kenya, which require  to be fast-tracked due to the rising  uptake of off-grid solar  energy systems in the country.

Keywords: Solar Electronic Waste, Policy, Recycling, Collection, Off-grid, legislations