Browsing by Author "Mateus, D. M. R."
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- Bioenergy routes for valorizing constructed wetland vegetation: An overviewPublication . Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Mateus, D. M. R.Valorizing constructed wetlands vegetation into biofuels can be a way to contribute to mitigating the increasing energy demand, avoiding the use of arable land, freshwater, and fertilizers consumption, while simultaneously treating wastewater with eco-friendly technology. This work shortly overviews the main genera of wetland plants and the main routes of vegetal biomass conversion into biofuels including biochemical and thermochemical processes, and through a cross-search, in the Scopus database, the research intensity in bioenergy application for each genus was assessed. A total of 283 genera of wetland plants were identified and classified into five groups, from very common to very rare genera. The very common group includes 10 genera and contributes to 62% of the literature hits, while the 147 genera classified as very rare contribute to only 3% of the hits. Concerning the bioenergy applications, four genera stand out from the remaining. The plants of the genus Sorghum are the most referred to in bioenergy applications, followed by the genera Brassica, Miscanthus, and Saccharum. Miscanthus is a less common wetland plant, while the other genera are rarely applied in constructed wetlands. The relevance of bioenergy routes depends on the plants' group. For common wetland plants, the most relevant applications are biogas production, followed by bio-ethanol production, and pyrolysis processing. As a recommendation for future research works the genera with high energy potential should be evaluated as wetland vegetation, and it is recommended that the goal to recover wetland vegetation for bioenergy applications be viewed as an integral step of the design and implementation of constructed wetlands facilities.
- Combination of various solid wastes with fragmented limestone as filler for constructed wetlands used for wastewater treatmentPublication . Mateus, D. M. R.; Graça, Nuno; Alves, Ana; Pinho, Henrique J. O.This study aims to contribute to the development of eco-efficient constructed wetlands through the concept of circular economy and the use of waste to treat waste Combinations of five solid wastes were evaluated as filler materials for CWs used for wastewater treatment To evaluate the combined capability of the waste materials to wastewater treatment, five sets of unplanted lab-scale CWs were established The CWs were operated in a discontinuous mode for three successive fill and drain cycles The highest COD removal rate was obtained for a CW filled with limestone and cork waste 90.3+/-0.9%. The highest total nitrogen removal rate was obtained for a CW filled with limestone and clay brick fragments 84.8+/-0.1%. Total phosphorus removal percentage of 91.8+/-0.1% was achieved for a control CW filled with limestone It was observed that layer packed solid waste combination fillings are adequate in improving COD removal in limestone based CWs, and that all but the limestone snail shells filling have a very good performance for total nitrogen and total phosphorus removal from wastewater.
- Contribution of Constructed Wetlands for Reclaimed Water Production: A ReviewPublication . Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Mateus, D. M. R.Freshwater scarcity is a growing threat to sustainable development, which can be mitigated by adequate management of water resources. Agriculture and related activities consist in the main use of freshwater, but several other human activities present relevant contributions. Because most of the water uses imply the generation of resultant wastewater, the production and use of reclaimed water by appropriate technologies can be part of the solution to that issue. Considering that the use of constructed wetlands (CWs) can be a relevant contribution to the production of reclaimed water, as an eco-friendly alternative to costly advanced water treatment technologies, this work is a review of the last decade of literature on the use of CWs to produce reclaimed water. The results point to a usual focus on the production of reclaimed water for agriculture or urban spaces irrigation. In order to potentiate a broader application of CWs, some directions of future research and use of this green technology are proposed.
- Cultivation of Energy Crops in Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: An OverviewPublication . Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Mateus, D. M. R.The need for sustainable, clean, and secure energy sources is a current issue for all nations. All kinds of vegetal biomass can be used as energy-source or as raw material for biofuel production, but some species are commonly classified as energy crops. This work evaluates the energy potential of 35 species of energy crops when produced in constructed wetlands (CW). Producing energy crops in CW is a route to link wastewater treatment to energy production, avoiding the abstraction of freshwater for crop irrigation, and simultaneously avoiding the use of arable land. However, for most of the energy crops, there are no data available in the literature about biomass productivity in CWs. Although 20 of the 35 crops have been tested as CW vegetation, the biomass productivity in CWs was only found for 13 species. Reported biomass productivity in CW is similar to or even higher than the productivity reported for conventional production, but most reported data is for pilot-scale CW, which points to the need for future work in full-scale systems. From the combination of biomass productivity and the biomass calorific value, Arundo donax, Miscanthus x giganteus, Cynodon dactylon, Phragmites australis, and Typha latifolia show higher ranges up to 3064 MJ/ha year for Arundo donax. Future works on CW design can be focused on the potential of using energy crops as vegetation.
- Descrição e objetivos do projeto ValorBioPublication . Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Mateus, D. M. R.; Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Mateus, D. M. R.
- Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria from Tunisian SoilsPublication . Amri, Marwa; Rjeibi, Mohamed Ridha; Gatrouni, Marwa; Mateus, D. M. R.; Asses, Nedra; Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Abbes, ChaabaneSoil microorganisms play an important role in maintaining natural ecological balance through active participation in carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous cycles. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are of high importance in the rhizosphere, enhancing the solubilization of inorganic phosphorus complexes into soluble forms available for plant nutrition. The investigation of this species of bacteria is of major interest in agriculture, as they can be used as biofertilizers for crops. In the present study, 28 isolates of PSB were obtained after the phosphate enrichment of soil samples from five Tunisian regions. Five PSB species were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing including Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. putida, and P. taiwanensis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Pantoea agglomerans. Solid and liquid Pikovskaya’s (PVK) and National Botanical Research Institute’s (NBRIP) media containing insoluble tricalcium phosphate were used for the evaluation of the phosphate solubilization ability of the bacterial isolates by two methods: visual evaluation of the solubilization zone around colonies (halo) and determination of solubilized phosphates in liquid medium by the colorimetric method of the vanado-molybdate yellow. Based on the results of the halo method, the isolate of each species that showed the higher phosphate solubilization index was selected for evaluation of phosphate solubilization by the colorimetric method. In the liquid media, the bacterial isolates showed phosphate solubilization ranging from 535.70 to 618.57 µg mL−1 in the NBRIP medium, and 374.20 to 544.28 µg mL−1 in the PVK medium, with the highest values produced by P. fluorescens. The best phosphate solubilization ability and higher reduction in broth pH, which indicates higher organic acid production, were achieved in NBRIP broth for most of the PSB. Strong correlations were observed between the average capability of PSB to solubilize phosphates and both the pH and total phosphorous content in the soil. The production of the hormone indole acetic acid (IAA), which can promote plant growth, was observed for all five PSB species. Among them, P. fluorescens obtained from the forest soil of northern Tunisia showed the highest production of IAA (50.4 ± 0.9 µg mL−1).
- Participation of students in the project Valorbio: A case study to accelerate the implementation of sustainability principles in the curriculumPublication . Mateus, D. M. R.; Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Nogueira, Isabel; Rosa, Manuel; Cartaxo, Marco; Nunes, ValentimPurpose – The present work describes the case of the Valorbio research project, in which students of different high-level programs were involved in the experimental work and in the dissemination of results in collaboration with the research team. Design/methodology/approach – The inclusion in higher education curricula of content related to the sustainable development should be a preferred mechanism for the dissemination of good practices of sustainability. Another equally important way to achieve this is to involve students in research projects that seek solutions to the societal challenges related to sustainable growth. The Valorbio project aims to meet the needs for treating and reusing wastewater and solid waste. Its main goal was the development of modular systems for wastewater treatment based on constructed wetlands,exploring the possibility of the treatment systems being composed of solid waste and by-products from significant industrial sectors. Findings – The students’ contributionto the research workwas relevant, and simultaneously allowedthem to acquire skills on sustainable development. Additionally, the students contributed to the dissemination of the results. The Valorbio project can thus be considered a successful application of the concept of project-based learning,as a way to include sustainability issues content in the higher education curricula. Originality/value – The applied experimental work had an original approach regarding the equipment design, the waste materials valuation, as well as the integration of waste treatment processes in the circular economy paradigm.This paper is the first reported project-based learning experience involving students of short-cycle technical-professional programs in partnership with first and second-level students and a research team.
- Projeto VALORBIO Tratamento de Águas Residuais por Zonas Húmidas Construídas Modulares - Uma contribuição para a economia circularPublication . Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Mateus, D. M. R.O projeto VALORBIO, Valorização de resíduos através de zonas húmidas construídas modulares usadas para tratamento de águas residuais, foi cofinanciando por fundos FEDER (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-23314). O projeto foi desenvolvido durante 18 meses, entre julho de 2017 e janeiro de 2019, e visou o tratamento de águas residuais através de Zonas Húmidas Construídas (ZHCs), que consistem em sistemas biológicos baseados em plantas, também designados por fito-ETARs (Estações de Tratamento de Águas Residuais baseadas em plantas) ou Leitos de Macrófitas.
- Promoting Education for Sustainable Development: A Collaborative Project Between a Higher Education Institution and the Surrounding School CommunityPublication . Mateus, D. M. R.; Costa, Maria Cristina; Gomes, Marcela M. M. S.; Pinho, Henrique J. O.This chapter describes good practices developed by a higher education institution from Portugal in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In addition to discussing the role of higher education in society, it also focuses on an intervention project on the local school community aimed at raising awareness and disseminating good attitudes related to Sustainable Development (SD). The intervention project results from a partnership between a higher education institution, a teachers training centre and schools. In this context, several hands-on experiments were developed by higher education teachers, researchers and students, and implemented in a teachers’ professional development programme. Based on questionnaires (N = 63) and participant observation, an empirical study was conducted. Besides increasing their knowledge about SDG, teachers recognized the role of schools in raising awareness to promote SD practices, and valued the role of higher education in supporting them in these initiatives. It is concluded on the importance of developing collaborative partnerships with schools and other stakeholders to raise awareness, disseminate and increase SD practices in the community. The experience developed in the field may interest researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in promoting Sustainable Development initiatives.
- Raising Awareness for Sustainable Development Goals Through Hands-On ExperimentsPublication . Costa, Maria Cristina; Mateus, D. M. R.; Pinho, Henrique J. O.With the aim of protecting our planet, the United Nations defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which requires the involvement of all countries to make an endeavour to achieve better living conditions. In this regard, stakeholders such as governments, regional and international organizations, and civil society need to work together to make efforts to meet these objectives. In addition, Higher Education Institutions have a crucial role, not only in developing research and disseminating SDG practices but also in intervening in society. This paper presents a collaborative project led by a Higher Education Institute and targeted to the school community. With the objective of strengthening consciousness for the development of good practices related to SDG, a workshop was prepared and implemented with primary school teachers. Besides providing knowledge about SDG, several hands-on experiments were presented to teachers to be reproduced with their students. Based on participant observation and enquiry forms applied to teachers and students, it was verified that the project was effective in enhancing recognition of teachers and students about the importance of providing good practices related to SDG. It is concluded that collaboration between higher education institutions and schools can trigger the implementation of sustainable development practices in the community.