A Guide to the Manufacture, Performance, and Potential of Plastics in Agriculture
A Guide to the Manufacture, Performance, and Potential of Plastics in Agriculture

Author: Michael Orzolek

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2017-03-16

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 0081021763

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The use of plastics in agriculture – to increase crop output, improve food quality and improve sustainability – has grown substantially in both quantity and the range of applications. Many of the early researchers that conducted field research in the use of plastics in agriculture have either retired or are deceased. These early pioneers in plasticulture research, the basis of plant production using plastics, were very creative and persistent in discovering uses of plastics in agricultural applications. A Guide to the Manufacture, Performance, and Potential of Plastics in Agriculture contains both references not only to their accomplishments but also their publications. The book discusses plasticulture-the basis of plant production using plastics – including topics such as plastic mulch, row covers, drip irrigation, and high/low tunnels. It covers the process of producing polyethylene and polypropylene plastics that are used in plant and animal production agriculture, and the many uses of plastics in all aspects of agriculture, including plastic greenhouses, rigid mold plastics, disposal of plastics, and plastics in animal production. This book introduces a range of academics and industrial practitioners to the impact of plastics in agriculture, both historically and in a range of current applications. It also provides new perspectives on future developments to enable further research and application. It is an invaluable reference on the use of polyethylene, polypropylene films, and such products in all aspects of agricultural production. - Discusses plasticulture, the basis of plant production using plastics, including topics such as plastic mulch, row covers, drip irrigation, and high/low tunnels - Contains 10 chapters that cover the process of producing polyethylene and polypropylene plastics that are used in agriculture - Covers the many uses of plastics in all aspects of agriculture, including plastic greenhouses, rigid mold plastics, disposal of plastics, and plastics in animal production

Particulate Plastics in Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments
Particulate Plastics in Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments

Author: Nanthi S. Bolan

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2020-07-30

Total Pages: 466

ISBN-13: 1000081419

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The manufacture of plastic as well as its indiscriminate disposal and destruction by incineration pollutes atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems. Synthetic plastics do not break down; they accumulate in the environment as macro-, micro-, and nanoplastics. These particulate plastics are a major source of pollutants in soil and marine ecosystems. Particulate Plastics in Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments provides a fundamental understanding of the sources of these plastics and the threats they pose to the environment. The book demonstrates the ecotoxicity of particulate plastics using case studies and offers management practices to mitigate particulate plastic contamination in the environment. Features · Describes physical and chemical properties of particulate plastics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems · Presents information on characteristics of particulate plastics as impacted by weathering processes · Provides numerous approaches for managing particulate plastic contamination · Identifies sources of particulate plastics in the environment; distribution and characteristics of particulate plastics; and management strategies of particulate plastics Written by a global team of scientists, this book is for researchers in the fields of environmental safety and waste management or individuals interested in the impact of particulate plastics on environmental health.

Plastics and the Environment
Plastics and the Environment

Author: Anthony L. Andrady

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2003-02-20

Total Pages: 792

ISBN-13: 9780471095200

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Plastics offer a variety of environmental benefits. However, their production, applications, and disposal present many environmental concerns. Plastics and the Environment provides state-of-the-art technical and research information on the complex relationship between the plastic and polymer industry and the environment, focusing on the sustainability, environmental impact, and cost—benefit tradeoffs associated with different technologies. Bringing together the field’s leading researchers, Anthony Andrady’s innovative collection not only covers how plastics affect the environment, but also how environmental factors affect plastics. The relative benefits of recycling, resource recovery, and energy recovery are also discussed in detail. The first of the book’s four sections represents a basic introduction to the key subject matter of plastics and the environment; the second explores several pertinent applications of plastics with environmental implications–packaging, paints and coatings, textiles, and agricultural film use. The third section discusses the behavior of plastics in some of the environments in which they are typically used, such as the outdoors, in biotic environments, or in fires. The final section consists of chapters on recycling and thermal treatment of plastics waste. Chapters include: Commodity Polymers Plastics in Transportation Biodegradation of Common Polymers Thermal Treatment of Polymer Waste Incineration of Plastics The contributors also focus on the effectiveness of recent technologies in mitigating environmental impacts, particularly those for managing plastics in the solid waste stream. Plastic and design engineers, polymer chemists, material scientists, and ecologists will find Plastics and the Environment to be a vital resource to this critical industry.

Saving the Planet with Pesticides and Plastic
Saving the Planet with Pesticides and Plastic

Author: Dennis T. Avery

Publisher:

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 504

ISBN-13:

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The second edition of Dennis Averys 1995 seminal work, Saving the Planet Through Pesticides and Plastics provides the flip side to environmentalist cries of spiraling cancer rates, rising global temperatures and decreasing rainforest acreage. Thoroughly updated and re-written with new information and data, Averys controversial book shows how agricultural technology can save the planet for both people and wildlife.

Introduction to Bioplastics Engineering
Introduction to Bioplastics Engineering

Author: Syed Ali Ashter

Publisher: William Andrew

Published: 2016-03-29

Total Pages: 302

ISBN-13: 0323394078

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Introduction to Bioplastics Engineering is a practical, user-friendly reference for plastics engineers working with biopolymers and biodegradable plastics that addresses topics that are required for the successful development of cohesive bioplastic products. While there has been considerable demand for the use of bioplastics in industry, processing these bioplastics is a big challenge. The book provides plastics engineers and researchers with a fundamental, practical understanding of the differences between bioplastics and biodegradable polymers, along with guidance on the different methods used to process bioplastics. The book also covers additives and modifiers for biopolymers and their effect on properties. Examples include commercial applications of bioplastics, current bioplastics being developed, and future trends in the industry. This enables engineers, researchers, technicians, and students to understand the decisive relationship between different processing techniques, morphology, mechanical properties, and the further applications of bio-based polymers. The book presents a true engineering approach for the industry on the processing of biopolymers and biodegradable plastics – discussing the ease of use of the polymer, mechanical and thermal properties, rate of biodegradation in particular environments, and pros and cons of particular bioplastics. - Enables engineers, researchers, technicians, and students to understand the decisive relationship between different processing techniques, morphology, mechanical properties, and the further applications of bio-based polymers. - Covers additives and modifiers for biopolymers and their effect on properties - Includes examples that illustrate the commercial applications of bioplastics, current bioplastics being developed, and future trends in the industry

Handbook of Sustainable Concrete and Industrial Waste Management
Handbook of Sustainable Concrete and Industrial Waste Management

Author: Francesco Colangelo

Publisher: Woodhead Publishing

Published: 2021-12-01

Total Pages: 730

ISBN-13: 0128230134

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The Handbook of Sustainable Concrete and Industrial Waste Management summarizes key research trends in recycling and reusing concrete and industrial waste to reduce their environmental impact. This volume also includes important contributions in collaboration with the CRI-TEST Innovation Lab, Naples – Acerra. Part one discusses eco-friendly innovative cement and concrete and reviews key substitute materials. Part two analyzes the use of industrial waste as aggregates and the mechanical properties of concrete containing waste materials. Part three discusses differences between innovative binders, focusing on alkali-activated and geopolymer concrete. Part four provides a thorough overview of the life cycle assessment (LCA) of concrete containing industrial wastes and the impacts related to the logistics of wastes, the production of the concrete, and the management of industrial wastes. By providing research examples, case studies, and practical strategies, this book is a state-of-the-art reference for researchers working in construction materials, civil or structural engineering, and engineers working in the industry. - Offers a systematic and comprehensive source of information on the latest developments in sustainable concrete; - Analyzes different types of sustainable concrete and innovative binders from chemical, physical, and mechanical points of view; - Includes real case studies showing application of the LCA methodology.

Bioremediation of Agricultural Soils
Bioremediation of Agricultural Soils

Author: Juan C. Sanchez-Hernandez

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2019-03-14

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 135179311X

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The quality of agricultural soils are always under threat from chemical contaminants, which ultimately affect the productivity and safety of crops. Besides agrochemicals, a new generation of substances invades the soil through irrigation with reclaimed wastewater and pollutants of organic origin such as sewage sludge or cattle manure. Emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials and microplastics are now present in agricultural soils, but the understanding of their impact on soil quality is still limited. With focus on in situ bioremediation, this book provides an exhaustive analysis of the current biological methodologies for recovering polluted agricultural soils as well as monitoring the effectiveness of bioremediation.

Global Plastics Outlook Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options
Global Plastics Outlook Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2022-02-22

Total Pages: 201

ISBN-13: 9264584064

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While plastics are extremely useful materials for modern society, plastics production and waste generation continue to increase with worsening environmental impacts despite international, national and local policy responses, as well as industry commitments. The first of two reports, this Outlook intends to inform and support policy efforts to combat plastic leakage.

Engineered Nanomaterials and Phytonanotechnology: Challenges for Plant Sustainability
Engineered Nanomaterials and Phytonanotechnology: Challenges for Plant Sustainability

Author:

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2019-11-20

Total Pages: 344

ISBN-13: 0128213213

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Engineered Nanomaterials and Phytonanotechnology: Challenges for Plant Sustainability, Volume 87 in the Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on the Environmental application of nanomaterials: A promise to sustainable future, Plant-nanoparticle interactions: Mechanisms, effects, and approaches, A general overview on application of nanoparticles in agriculture and plant science, Engineered nanomaterials uptake, bioaccumulation and toxicity mechanisms in plants, Engineered nanomaterials in plants: Sensors, carriers, and bio-imaging, Antioxidant role of nanoparticles for enhancing ecological performance of plant system, Toxicity assessment of metal oxide nanoparticles on terrestrial plants, and much more. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in the Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry series - Includes the latest information on the field of engineered nanomaterials in plants

Photovoltaic Water Pumping Systems
Photovoltaic Water Pumping Systems

Author: Tamer Khatib

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2020-10-29

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 0128227400

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Photovoltaic Water Pumping Systems: Concept, Design and Methods of Optimization looks at the potential of effectively designed PVPS and how they can be commercially efficient and economically competitive to grid connected or diesel generator (DG) based pumping systems. The low energy conversion efficiency of PV modules, nonlinearity of PV module/array I-V characteristics and the unique maximum power operation point are major challenges of this technology, this book provides readers with design and optimization methods, codes and critical analysis of the recent developments in PV pumping systems. Focusing on system feasibility and suitable applications with design procedures, this reference presents a critical analysis of PVPS field performance, modeling and control strategies using artificial intelligence techniques. A suitable text for researchers, engineers and graduate students who are working in the field of photovoltaics and pumping and systems. - Uses open source Matlab codes for PV pumping system optimization - Provides global cases studies and design examples for comparison - Includes a data source sheet for proposed systems for successful implementation methods