Evaluating Ports Environmental Performance based on the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP)

Appropriate environmental performance is considered one of the most important indicators in the sustainable development of organizations and industries. Evaluating the environmental performance in ports as one of the two main parts of the maritime transport system is of particular importance. Therefore, the current study was designed and conducted to develop a method for evaluating the environmental performance of ports based on the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP). In the present study, 22 experts in the field of environment and marine sciences were selected in 2020. Firstly, various studies on the factors affecting the environmental performance of ports were reviewed. Secondly, a questionnaire was designed to assess ports’ environmental performance. Thirdly, this questionnaire was developed using the Delphi technique. Finally, by determining the weight of each parameter, the method of environmental performance assessment in ports was developed based on the FAHP. The final normalized weights for six environmental performance factors including reactive and proactive performance, sustainability, socio-cultural, economic, and governance were estimated 0.202, 0.241, 0.226, 0.070, 0.080, and 0.182. Additionally, it was found that each of the parameters had a different weight and impact on these factors. The highest and lowest impact on the environmental performance index belonged to environmental risk assessment (weight=0.217), cultural effects, and justice (weight=0.107). In the current study, a new method was developed for evaluating the environmental performance of ports based on six factors, 32 parameters, and FAHP. Therefore, this method may provide an effective step in reducing environmental impacts and improving the level of environmental performance in ports to achieve the goal of green port.

Mobility of Organotin Pesticides: Azocyclotin And Cyhexatin In Clayey And Sandy Soils From The Northern Paraná State - Brazil

Azocyclotin and cyhexatin are pesticides commonly used in mite control. However, these organotin compounds are highly harmful to the aquatic ecosystem and supposedly mobile in the soil. In addition to not existing defined rules of use, few studies have been carried out on organotins' behavior and environmental control. Liquid chromatography has been pointed out for the OTC quantitation because of gas chromatography's thermal stability and derivatization limitations. Hence, a new high-performance liquid chromatography method with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) was developed for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) and environmental performance assessment purposes. Hysteresis index (\emph{HI}) and mobilization factor were determined from sorption/desorption in sandy and clayey soils to assess mobility and environmental risk. Mobilization was observed for the two compounds by applying the dual-mode Freundlich-Langmuir model to the isotherms. Azocyclotin showed greater mobility, 23\% and 19\%, and \emph{HI} of $-$0.15 and 7.8$\times$10$^{-4}$ for clayey and sandy soil samples, respectively. Although cyhexatin was practically immobile for both soil samples, it can be mobilized as an azocyclotin metabolite, increasing the environmental impact and risk for agricultural uses.

Environmental Performance Assessment of Batch Type Hot Mix Plant Using LCA

The environmental impacts from production of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) in batch Hot Mix Plant (HMP) has been evaluated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The hot mix technology has been in use since long time for production of HMA used in construction of road pavements. The functional unit adopted is 100 tonnes of HMA production and CML 2001 method is used for assessment using GaBi 10.5. The study found that the production of HMA in batch HMP had very high environmental impacts on marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential (MAETP) impact category (8,25,573 kg DCB eq.), abiotic depletion fossil (ADP fossil) (2,87,295 MJ) impact category and global warming potential (GWP) impact category (2,770 kg CO2 eq.). The raw material phase had higher environmental impacts compared to production process phase on all the impact categories. It was also concluded that the use of renewable energy and fuel and adoption of cold mix technology will reduce the environmental impacts.

The Life Cycle of Biodegradable and Compostable Packaging from the Perspective of Developing a Sustainable Bioeconomy

This paper aims to present a study linked with the evaluation of the life cycle of both biodegradable and compostable packaging focusing on the impact these have upon the environment, regardless of the life-cycle stage, actually looking at it as a whole. In this article, the evaluation process will focus on the final stage of the product's life - decommissioning and reintegration into the environment. At present, in order for products to be approved by consumers, who are increasingly selective about health and environmental protection, they need to send an appropriate message. The message for consumers can take different forms, being informed about: rational use of resources in the production process, economical and sustainable packaging, attestation of the quality of the product in question, the fact that they are sustainable (compared to similar products in trade). The explosive development of design technologies and software allows the identification of design solutions that lead to the optimization of the project in a new, clean, environmentally friendly formula. Eco-design must ensure technical and aesthetic accuracy, while identifying the optimal shape depending on the chosen material. Consumers are particularly concerned about its persistence in the environment, due to the decomposition time of 100 to 400 years (Zins Beauchesne et al., 2008), its non-renewable fossil resources and the amount of waste allocated to it. The presence of dispersed plastics in nature associated with their persistence in the environment causes major impacts on terrestrial and marine ecosystems (Allsopp et al., 2006). In this context, the objectives of this article are risk assessment, environmental performance assessment, environmental impact assessment and identification of possible changes in each phase of the life cycle of both biodegradable as well as compostable packaging, which in turn may be the originator source of environmental benefits.