Validation and demonstration of a drone-based method for quantifying fugitive methane emissions.

The development of new measurement methods to assess fugitive methane (CH) emissions from industrial sources is needed to improve our understanding of these emissions and promote mitigation practices. Drone-based measurement methods have rapidly emerged in the last few years, however, there are still challenges in finding accurate drone-based measurement approaches and assessing their suitability. This study aims to validate and demonstrate a drone-based method that simultaneously measures atmospheric gas concentrations and wind vectors while flying downwind of the emission source.

Assessment of whole-site methane emissions from anaerobic digestion plants: Towards establishing emission factors for various plant configurations.

This study examines methane (CH) emission factors from biogas and wastewater treatment plants, based on primary and secondary data collected from 109 facilities. Primary emission data were measured at 19 facilities representing prevalent plant configurations across Europe. Statistical analysis highlights two categorical variables, namely primary feedstock and plant size, expressed as CH production (≤250 kgh: small and medium-sized plants, >250 kgh: large plants), each of which has a significant impact on whole-site CH emissions.

Do compost-based landfill biocover systems designed for methane oxidation emit nitrous oxide in significant amounts?

Landfills constitute a significant source of methane (CH), thereby contributing to climate change. CH emissions from old and smaller landfills can be mitigated by compost-based biocover systems designed for optimal microbial CH oxidation. It is well-known that the strong greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (NO) is generated during the composting process, which potentially could continue after incorporating compost into the biocover system.

Contribution of waste management to a sustainable textile sector.

With increasing textile consumption and limited sorting and recycling capacities, the EU faces major challenges in terms of managing its textile waste. This study investigates the environmental and socio-economic impacts of explorative policy scenarios for a more sustainable textile waste management system in Europe. These scenarios differ substantially in the amounts of textile waste generated and separately collected, closed-loop recycling capacities and textile waste exports.

Microbiological and decomposition analysis of mass mink burial sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Denmark buried approximately four million culled, farmed mink in mass graves treated with slaked lime due to widespread SARS-CoV-2 infections. After six months, environmental concerns prompted the exhumation of these cadavers. Our analysis encompassed visual inspections, soil pH measurements, and gas emission assessments of the grave environment.