Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a dangerous and invasive aquatic species, of which global concern has sharply risen due to its rapid growth. Despite ample research on its possible applications in the construction field, there are no clear references on the optimal use of the plant in finding the most efficient-use building material. In this paper, a microstructural and chemical characterization of the Water Hyacinth petiole was performed, in order to find the most efficient use as a construction material. Subsequently, two types of binder-less insulation panels were developed, with two types of particle size (pulp and staple). A physical, mechanical, and thermal characterization of the boards was performed. These results demonstrated that it is possible to manufacture self-supporting Water Hyacinth petiole panels without an artificial polymer matrix for thermal insulation. The boards showed good thermal conductivity values, ranging from 0.047–0.065 W/mK. In addition, clear differences were found in the properties of the boards, depending on the type of Water Hyacinth petiole particle size, due to the differences in the microstructure.
The peri-urban area of Puyo, where agricultural, urban and conservation logics are mixed, is a contested area in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Rapid urban growth and agricultural activities are the main threats to the conservation of its biodiversity. To promote the conservation of natural spaces in urban planning instruments, it is necessary to first demonstrate their environmental and ecological value. In this paper, such value was analyzed by quantifying biodiversity value and carbon storage capacity in situ. The results show that Puyo’s periphery (a 4 km radius) is an opportunity space, where the conservation of its biodiversity is a key factor in strategies to promote sustainable urban development. Firstly, there are natural areas of high environmental value (secondary forest, gramalote pastures with trees and gramalote pastures) that all together fix 1,664,683 Mg CO2 and control hydrological risks (with 80% of the green areas linked to flood areas)—valuable ecosystem services. Secondly, the conservation of biodiversity brings associated economic activities that can promote local sustainable development. Despite this, the results reveal that the conservation of peri-urban natural ecosystems is not a goal in Puyo’s urban planning strategy. Therefore, future research should be focused on urban planning tools that promote environmentally, economically and socially sustainable urban development.
Water hyacinth (WH) or Eichhornia crassipes is one of the 100 most dangerous invasive species in the world. Currently, WH has enormous negative impacts on various ecosystems, and its eradication poses a seemingly impossible challenge. Physical extraction has been found to be an adequate process for controlling the spread of WH, but sustainable waste management of WH has not been achieved due to its ability to absorb pollutants. In this study, preliminary research on the possibility of using water hyacinth root ash (WHRA) as an alternative to pozzolans in cement matrices in order to fix these pollutants is presented. Characterization of the samples was carried out by XRF, SEM, BSE, EDX, ICP-OES, XRD and FTIR. A complete study of the pozzolanic activity and hydrated products of WHRA was conducted. Mechanical characterization of 25% replacement mortars was evaluated, and a pollutant fixed/leaching characterization was made. The results indicate that WHRA reacts with calcium ions and other pollutants. Thus, WHRA-cement mortars can be utilized as a green method of fixing the pollutants present in WHRA. The incorporation of WHRA is suitable as a cement addition for non-structural constructive elements, such as pavements or precast products. WHRA-cement composite is a low-cost, greener material, which promotes the reuse of waste and pollutant elimination. STATEMENT OF NOVELTYThis research confirms that WH biomass is a pollutant waste, and its condition as such has not been sufficiently considered in previous investigations. WH roots have a great capacity to absorb pollutants from surrounding water; however, previously proposed uses of WH have not taken this issue into consideration. Therefore, our proposed use of WHRA as an alternative addition to cement matrix is novel. Moreover, our proposal reduces the environmental impact of WH and promotes the valorization of a pest biomass.WH roots accumulate silicon and other pollutants. Nevertheless, previous studies have not focused on the pozzolanic utilization of ashes composed of WH roots. In fact, minor component interactions in such pozzolanic reactions have not been analyzed.In this paper, we present a complete analysis of the hydration components of WH-cement composites during pozzolanic reactions, as well as an analysis of fixed/leaching elements in these composites.
More than 26 million people are recognized globally as refugees and have been forced to flee from their home countries because of poverty, human rights violations, natural disasters, climate change, and other social and political conflicts. What is more, most host communities are usually poor and face social and economic crises. This is why supporting integration between refugees and host communities is imperative at the global humanitarian context. Thereby, this research presents the NAUTIA (Need Assessment under a Technological Interdisciplinary Approach) methodology, an innovative mixed-method approach designed by the Platform on Refugees of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. The main objective of NAUTIA is to identify the basic needs of refugees and locals to improve their quality of life through interdisciplinary and inclusive intervention proposals based on technology. The methodology was applied in the permanent Shimelba Refugee Camp (Ethiopia), where energy, shelter, and food security solutions have resulted essential to improve the living conditions of both population groups. The results are useful for researchers, stakeholders, and practitioners from the humanitarian sector as they provide a more innovative and comprehensive way to support the unprecedented global human mobility there is nowadays.
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