Displaying publications 21 - 34 of 34 in total

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  1. The status of forest carbon markets in Latin America
    Blanton A, Mohan M, Galgamuwa GAP, Watt MS, Montenegro JF, Mills F, et al.
    J Environ Manage, 2024 Feb 14;352:119921.
    PMID: 38219661 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119921
    Tropical rainforests of Latin America (LATAM) are one of the world's largest carbon sinks, with substantial future carbon sequestration potential and contributing a major proportion of the global supply of forest carbon credits. LATAM is poised to contribute predominantly towards high-quality forest carbon offset projects designed to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, halt biodiversity loss, and provide equitable conservation benefits to people. Thus, carbon markets, including compliance carbon markets and voluntary carbon markets continue to expand in LATAM. However, the extent of the growth and status of forest carbon markets, pricing initiatives, stakeholders, amongst others, are yet to be explored and extensively reviewed for the entire LATAM region. Against this backdrop, we reviewed a total of 299 articles, including peer-reviewed and non-scientific gray literature sources, from January 2010 to March 2023. Herein, based on the extensive literature review, we present the results and provide perspectives classified into five categories: (i) the status and recent trends of forest carbon markets (ii) the interested parties and their role in the forest carbon markets, (iii) the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) approaches and role of remote sensing, (iv) the challenges, and (v) the benefits, opportunities, future directions and recommendations to enhance forest carbon markets in LATAM. Despite the substantial challenges, better governance structures for forest carbon markets can increase the number, quality and integrity of projects and support the carbon sequestration capacity of the rainforests of LATAM. Due to the complex and extensive nature of forest carbon projects in LATAM, emerging technologies like remote sensing can enable scale and reduce technical barriers to MRV, if properly benchmarked. The future directions and recommendations provided are intended to improve upon the existing infrastructure and governance mechanisms, and encourage further participation from the public and private sectors in forest carbon markets in LATAM.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
  2. Biorefineries of carbon dioxide: From carbon capture and storage (CCS) to bioenergies production
    Cheah WY, Ling TC, Juan JC, Lee DJ, Chang JS, Show PL
    Bioresour Technol, 2016 Sep;215:346-56.
    PMID: 27090405 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.04.019
    Greenhouse gas emissions have several adverse environmental effects, like pollution and climate change. Currently applied carbon capture and storage (CCS) methods are not cost effective and have not been proven safe for long term sequestration. Another attractive approach is CO2 valorization, whereby CO2 can be captured in the form of biomass via photosynthesis and is subsequently converted into various form of bioenergy. This article summarizes the current carbon sequestration and utilization technologies, while emphasizing the value of bioconversion of CO2. In particular, CO2 sequestration by terrestrial plants, microalgae and other microorganisms are discussed. Prospects and challenges for CO2 conversion are addressed. The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive knowledge and updated information on the current advances in biological CO2 sequestration and valorization, which are essential if this approach is to achieve environmental sustainability and economic feasibility.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration*
  3. Utilization of rice husk to enhance calcium oxide-based sorbent prepared from waste cockle shells for cyclic CO2 capture in high-temperature condition
    Mohamed M, Yusup S, Quitain AT, Kida T
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Nov;26(33):33882-33896.
    PMID: 29956260 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2549-2
    The CO2 capture capacity and cyclic stability of calcium oxide (CaO) prepared from cockle shells (CS) were enhanced by incorporating rice husk (RH) and binder through wet-mixing method. The cyclic reaction of calcination and carbonation was demonstrated using thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA) which the calcination was performed in a pure N2 environment at 850 °C for 20 min and carbonation at 650 °C for 30 min in 20 vol% of CO2 in N2. The analysis using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) identified silica (Si) as the major elements in the sorbents. The RH-added sorbents also contained several types of metal elements such as which was a key factor to minimize the sintering of the sorbent during the cyclic reaction and contributed to higher CO2 capture capacity. The presence of various morphologies also associated with the improvement of the synthesized sorbents performance. The highest initial CO2 capture capacity was exhibited by CS+10%RH sorbent, which was 12% higher than the RH-free sorbent (CS). However, sorbents with the higher RH loading amount such as 40 and 50 wt% were preferred to maintain high capture capacity when the sorbents were regenerated and extended to the cyclic reaction. The sorbents also demonstrated the lowest average sorption decay, which suggested the most stable sorbent for cyclic-reaction. Once regenerated, the capture capacity of the RH-added sorbent was further increased by 12% when clay was added into the sorbent. Overall, the metal elements in RH and clay were possibly the key factor that enhances the performance of CaO prepared from CS, particularly for cyclic CO2 capture. Graphical abstract Cyclic calcination and carbonation reaction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration*
  4. Soil carbon stocks in Sarawak, Malaysia
    Padmanabhan E, Eswaran H, Reich PF
    Sci Total Environ, 2013 Nov 1;465:196-204.
    PMID: 23541401 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.03.024
    The relationship between greenhouse gas emission and climate change has led to research to identify and manage the natural sources and sinks of the gases. CO2, CH4, and N2O have an anthropic source and of these CO2 is the least effective in trapping long wave radiation. Soil carbon sequestration can best be described as a process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and relocating into soils in a form that is not readily released back into the atmosphere. The purpose of this study is to estimate carbon stocks available under current conditions in Sarawak, Malaysia. SOC estimates are made for a standard depth of 100 cm unless the soil by definition is less than this depth, as in the case of lithic subgroups. Among the mineral soils, Inceptisols tend to generally have the highest carbon contents (about 25 kg m(-2) m(-1)), while Oxisols and Ultisols rate second (about 10-15 kg m(-2) m(-1)). The Oxisols store a good amount of carbon because of an appreciable time-frame to sequester carbon and possibly lower decomposition rates for the organic carbon that is found at 1m depths. Wet soils such as peatlands tend to store significant amounts of carbon. The highest values estimated for such soils are about 114 kg m(-2) m(-1). Such appreciable amounts can also be found in the Aquepts. In conclusion, it is pertinent to recognize that degradation of the carbon pool, just like desertification, is a real process and that this irreversible process must be addressed immediately. Therefore, appropriate soil management practices should be instituted to sequester large masses of soil carbon on an annual basis. This knowledge can be used effectively to formulate strategies to prevent forest fires and clearing: two processes that can quickly release sequestered carbon to the atmosphere in an almost irreversible manner.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
  5. Fulltext Microwave Hydrothermal Carbonization of Rice Straw: Optimization of Process Parameters and Upgrading of Chemical, Fuel, Structural and Thermal Properties
    Nizamuddin S, Qureshi SS, Baloch HA, Siddiqui MTH, Takkalkar P, Mubarak NM, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2019 Jan 28;12(3).
    PMID: 30696042 DOI: 10.3390/ma12030403
    The process parameters of microwave-induced hydrothermal carbonization (MIHTC) play an important role on the hydrothermal chars (hydrochar) yield. The effect of reaction temperature, reaction time, particle size and biomass to water ratio was optimized for hydrochar yield by modeling using the central composite design (CCD). Further, the rice straw and hydrochar at optimum conditions have been characterized for energy, chemical, structural and thermal properties. The optimum condition for hydrochar synthesis was found to be at a 180 °C reaction temperature, a 20 min reaction time, a 1:15 weight per volume (w/v) biomass to water ratio and a 3 mm particle size, yielding 57.9% of hydrochar. The higher heating value (HHV), carbon content and fixed carbon values increased from 12.3 MJ/kg, 37.19% and 14.37% for rice straw to 17.6 MJ/kg, 48.8% and 35.4% for hydrochar. The porosity, crystallinity and thermal stability of the hydrochar were improved remarkably compared to rice straw after MIHTC. Two characteristic peaks from XRD were observed at 2θ of 15° and 26°, whereas DTG peaks were observed at 50⁻150 °C and 300⁻350 °C for both the materials. Based on the results, it can be suggested that the hydrochar could be potentially used for adsorption, carbon sequestration, energy and agriculture applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
  6. Fulltext The environment: an agricultural perspective on what we know and what we need to know
    Devendra, C.
    ASM Science Journal, 2015;9(1):1-20.
    MyJurnal
    The natural environment embraces agriculture and all its components-crops, animals, land, water,
    forestry and fisheries. It is the most important user of environmental resources, made more complex
    by the interactions of the various systems, biophysical elements and their implications. Increased food
    production, especially of animal protein supplies are unable to meet current and projected future needs
    for humans, including about 15 %of the world population being malnourished. Agriculture is currently
    waning, and a coordinated and concerted technologically-driven transformation is necessary. Poorly
    managed agriculture for example, can lead to serious environmental degradation and exacerbate
    poverty. Land and water are considered to be the most limiting factors in the future. Non- irrigated
    rainfed areas can be divided into high potential and low potential areas; the former offers considerable
    promise to expand food production. This paper argues for increased Research and Development (R&D)
    focus that can maximise improved natural resource management(NRM), and whether agricultural
    development can maximise productivity yields .Other opportunities include expanding crop–animal
    production systems in less favoured areas (LFAs), intensifying land use for silvopastoral systems in
    rainfed areas , and enhance carbon sequestration. Ruminants can be used as an entry point for the
    development of LFAs, and the presence of about 41.5% of the goat population found in the semi-arid/
    arid AEZs X provides good opportunities for expanding food security and human well-being. Communitybased
    interdisciplinary and systems approaches are essential to provide the solutions. The legacy of
    continuing malnutrition and food insecurity must be overcome by effective development policy, multidonor
    resource allocation, governance and political will that target food insecurity and poverty. The R&D
    agendas and resource allocations are compelling, but dedicated vision can lead the way for sciencedriven
    sustainable environment, efficiency in NRM, and self-reliance to the extent possible , in harmony
    with nature and the environment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
  7. Fulltext A Holistic Approach to Managing Microalgae for Biofuel Applications
    Show PL, Tang MS, Nagarajan D, Ling TC, Ooi CW, Chang JS
    Int J Mol Sci, 2017 Jan 22;18(1).
    PMID: 28117737 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18010215
    Microalgae contribute up to 60% of the oxygen content in the Earth's atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis. Microalgae are abundantly available in the natural environment, thanks to their ability to survive and grow rapidly under harsh and inhospitable conditions. Microalgal cultivation is environmentally friendly because the microalgal biomass can be utilized for the productions of biofuels, food and feed supplements, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. The cultivation of microalgal also can complement approaches like carbon dioxide sequestration and bioremediation of wastewaters, thereby addressing the serious environmental concerns. This review focuses on the factors affecting microalgal cultures, techniques adapted to obtain high-density microalgal cultures in photobioreactors, and the conversion of microalgal biomass into biofuels. The applications of microalgae in carbon dioxide sequestration and phycoremediation of wastewater are also discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
  8. Fulltext Recycling of phenolic compounds in Borneo's tropical peat swamp forests
    Yule CM, Lim YY, Lim TY
    Carbon Balance Manag, 2018 Feb 07;13(1):3.
    PMID: 29417248 DOI: 10.1186/s13021-018-0092-6
    BACKGROUND: Tropical peat swamp forests (TPSF) are globally significant carbon stores, sequestering carbon mainly as phenolic polymers and phenolic compounds (particularly as lignin and its derivatives) in peat layers, in plants, and in the acidic blackwaters. Previous studies show that TPSF plants have particularly high levels of phenolic compounds which inhibit the decomposition of organic matter and thus promote peat accumulation. The studies of phenolic compounds are thus crucial to further understand how TPSF function with respect to carbon sequestration. Here we present a study of cycling of phenolic compounds in five forests in Borneo differing in flooding and acidity, leaching of phenolic compounds from senescent Macaranga pruinosa leaves, and absorption of phenolics by M. pruinosa seedlings.

    RESULTS: The results of the study show that total phenolic content (TPC) in soil and leaves of three species of Macaranga were highest in TPSF followed by freshwater swamp forest and flooded limestone forest, then dry land sites. Highest TPC values were associated with acidity (in TPSF) and waterlogging (in flooded forests). Moreover, phenolic compounds are rapidly leached from fallen senescent leaves, and could be reabsorbed by tree roots and converted into more complex phenolics within the leaves.

    CONCLUSIONS: Extreme conditions-waterlogging and acidity-may facilitate uptake and synthesis of protective phenolic compounds which are essential for impeded decomposition of organic matter in TPSF. Conversely, the ongoing drainage and degradation of TPSF, particularly for conversion to oil palm plantations, reverses the conditions necessary for peat accretion and carbon sequestration.

    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
  9. The contribution of insects to global forest deadwood decomposition
    Seibold S, Rammer W, Hothorn T, Seidl R, Ulyshen MD, Lorz J, et al.
    Nature, 2021 Sep;597(7874):77-81.
    PMID: 34471275 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03740-8
    The amount of carbon stored in deadwood is equivalent to about 8 per cent of the global forest carbon stocks1. The decomposition of deadwood is largely governed by climate2-5 with decomposer groups-such as microorganisms and insects-contributing to variations in the decomposition rates2,6,7. At the global scale, the contribution of insects to the decomposition of deadwood and carbon release remains poorly understood7. Here we present a field experiment of wood decomposition across 55 forest sites and 6 continents. We find that the deadwood decomposition rates increase with temperature, and the strongest temperature effect is found at high precipitation levels. Precipitation affects the decomposition rates negatively at low temperatures and positively at high temperatures. As a net effect-including the direct consumption by insects and indirect effects through interactions with microorganisms-insects accelerate the decomposition in tropical forests (3.9% median mass loss per year). In temperate and boreal forests, we find weak positive and negative effects with a median mass loss of 0.9 per cent and -0.1 per cent per year, respectively. Furthermore, we apply the experimentally derived decomposition function to a global map of deadwood carbon synthesized from empirical and remote-sensing data, obtaining an estimate of 10.9 ± 3.2 petagram of carbon per year released from deadwood globally, with 93 per cent originating from tropical forests. Globally, the net effect of insects may account for 29 per cent of the carbon flux from deadwood, which suggests a functional importance of insects in the decomposition of deadwood and the carbon cycle.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
  10. Leveraging machine learning algorithms in dynamic modeling of urban expansion, surface heat islands, and carbon storage for sustainable environmental management in coastal ecosystems
    Kafy AA, Dey NN, Saha M, Altuwaijri HA, Fattah MA, Rahaman ZA, et al.
    J Environ Manage, 2024 Nov;370:122427.
    PMID: 39305877 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122427
    Climate change and rapid urbanization are dramatically altering coastal ecosystems worldwide, with significant implications for land surface temperatures (LST) and carbon stock concentration (CSC). This study investigates the impacts of day and night time LST dynamics on CSC in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, from 1996 to 2021, with future projections to 2041. Using Landsat and MODIS imagery, we found that mean daytime LST increased by 3.57 °C over the 25-year period, while nighttime LST showed a slight decrease of 0.05 °C. Concurrently, areas with no carbon storage increased by 355.78%, while high and very high CSC zones declined by 14.15% and 47.78%, respectively. The Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model estimated a 28.64 km2 reduction in high CSC areas from 1996 to 2021. Statistical analysis revealed strong negative correlations between LST and vegetation indices (R2 = -0.795 to -0.842, p 32 °C, while areas with LST <24 °C may decrease to 1.68%. These observations underscore the pressing necessity for sustainable strategies in urban planning and conservation in swiftly evolving coastal areas, especially considering the challenges posed by climate change and population growth.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
  11. Fulltext Reforestation of tropical rainforests as a negative emissions technology in Malaysia: An environmental and economic sustainability assessment
    Saharudin DM, Jeswani HK, Azapagic A
    J Environ Manage, 2024 Dec;371:123250.
    PMID: 39547020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123250
    Forest carbon sequestration is a promising negative emissions technology as it is relatively simple and inexpensive. Its potential for climate mitigation could be particularly high in tropical rainforests as they can store more carbon at a faster rate. However, the understanding of its sustainability is limited due to the scarcity of studies. Focusing on reforestation, this work is the first to present an extensive environmental and economic assessment of forest CO2 sequestration in a tropical rainforest country such as Malaysia. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) are combined to evaluate the sustainability of reforestation with four tropical tree species: keruing (Dipterocarpus spp.), meranti (Shorea leprosula), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and kapok (Ceiba Pentandra). Considering the horizon of 60 years, the system boundaries comprise site infrastructure, land clearing, tree planting and growing, and forest management. The dynamics of greenhouse gas (GHG) and other air emissions are also considered over the period, including carbon sequestration and land use change, nitrous oxide and ethylene emissions. All tree species lead to a net-negative GHG emissions, ranging from -558 to -808 kg CO2 eq./t CO2 removed, with kapok having the highest and rubber the lowest sequestration potential. The latter has the highest values in 13 other impact categories considered, while keruing is the best option for 12 impacts. The main environmental hotspot for all species is the forest management stage. The LCC range from -US$17 to US$12/t CO2 removed. Reforestation on lands available in Malaysia could remove 105.9-473.3 Mt CO2 over 60 years, or 1.8-7.9 Mt CO2/yr, equivalent to 7.4-33 % of the agricultural emissions. Rubber and kapok could generate US$640 M and US$8.06 bn in profits over 60 years from latex and fibre, respectively. Therefore, reforestation has a significant potential to help tropical countries, such as Malaysia, achieve net-negative emissions, while at the same time boosting the economy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
  12. Comparison of the carbon-sequestering abilities of pineapple leaf residue chars produced by controlled combustion and by field burning
    Leng LY, Husni MH, Samsuri AW
    Bioresour Technol, 2011 Nov;102(22):10759-62.
    PMID: 21958525 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.08.131
    This study was undertaken to compare the chemical properties and yields of pineapple leaf residue (PLR) char produced by field burning (CF) with that produced by a partial combustion of air-dried PLR at 340 °C for 3 h in a furnace (CL). Higher total C, lignin content, and yield from CL as well as the presence of aromatic compounds in the Fourier Transform Infrared spectra of the char produced from CL suggest that the CL process was better in sequestering C than was the CF process. Although the C/N ratio of char produced from CL was low indicating a high N content of the char, the C in the char produced from CL was dominated by lignin suggesting that the decomposition of char produced from CL would be slow. To sequester C by char application, the PLR should be combusted in a controlled process rather than by burning in the field.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration*
  13. Microbial Community Structure in a Malaysian Tropical Peat Swamp Forest: The Influence of Tree Species and Depth
    Too CC, Keller A, Sickel W, Lee SM, Yule CM
    Front Microbiol, 2018;9:2859.
    PMID: 30564202 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02859
    Tropical peat swamp forests sequester globally significant stores of carbon in deep layers of waterlogged, anoxic, acidic and nutrient-depleted peat. The roles of microbes in supporting these forests through the formation of peat, carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling are virtually unknown. This study investigated physicochemical peat properties and microbial diversity between three dominant tree species: Shorea uliginosa (Dipterocarpaceae), Koompassia malaccensis (legumes associated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria), Eleiodoxa conferta (palm) and depths (surface, 45 and 90 cm) using microbial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Water pH, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, total phenolic contents and C/N ratio differed significantly between depths, but not tree species. Depth also strongly influenced microbial diversity and composition, while both depth and tree species exhibited significant impact on the archaeal communities. Microbial diversity was highest at the surface, where fresh leaf litter accumulates, and nutrient supply is guaranteed. Nitrogen was the core parameter correlating to microbial communities, but the interactive effects from various environmental variables displayed significant correlation to relative abundance of major microbial groups. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum and the most abundant genus, Rhodoplanes, might be involved in nitrogen fixation. The most abundant methanogens and methanotrophs affiliated, respectively, to families Methanomassiliicoccaceae and Methylocystaceae. Our results demonstrated diverse microbial communities and provide valuable insights on microbial ecology in these extreme ecosystems.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
  14. Fulltext Emerging challenges for sustainable development and forest conservation in Sarawak, Borneo
    Alamgir M, Campbell MJ, Sloan S, Engert J, Word J, Laurance WF
    PLoS One, 2020;15(3):e0229614.
    PMID: 32126070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229614
    The forests of Borneo-the third largest island on the planet-sustain some of the highest biodiversity and carbon storage in the world. The forests also provide vital ecosystem services and livelihood support for millions of people in the region, including many indigenous communities. The Pan-Borneo Highway and several hydroelectric dams are planned or already under construction in Sarawak, a Malaysian state comprising part of the Borneo. This development seeks to enhance economic growth and regional connectivity, support community access to services, and promote industrial development. However, the implications of the development of highway and dams for forest integrity, biodiversity and ecosystem services remained largely unreported. We assessed these development projects using fine-scale biophysical and environmental data and found several environmental and socioeconomic risks associated with the projects. The highway and hydroelectric dam projects will impact 32 protected areas including numerous key habitats of threatened species such as the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), Sarawak surili (Presbytis chrysomelas), Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and tufted ground squirrel (Rheithrosciurus macrotis). Under its slated development trajectory, the local and trans-national forest connectivity between Malaysian Borneo and Indonesian Borneo would also be substantially diminished. Nearly ~161 km of the Pan-Borneo Highway in Sarawak will traverse forested landscapes and ~55 km will traverse carbon-rich peatlands. The 13 hydroelectric dam projects will collectively impact ~1.7 million ha of forest in Sarawak. The consequences of planned highway and hydroelectric dams construction will increase the carbon footprint of development in the region. Moreover, many new road segments and hydroelectric dams would be built on steep slopes in high-rainfall zones and forested areas, increasing both construction and ongoing maintenance costs. The projects would also alter livelihood activities of downstream communities, risking their long-term sustainability. Overall, our findings identify major economic, social and environmental risks for several planned road segments in Sarawak-such as those between Telok Melano and Kuching; Sibu and Bintulu; and in the Lambir, Limbang and Lawas regions-and dam projects-such as Tutoh, Limbang, Lawas, Baram, Linau, Ulu Air and Baleh dams. Such projects need to be reviewed to ensure they reflect Borneo's unique environmental and forest ecosystem values, the aspirations of local communities and long-term sustainability of the projects rather than being assessed solely on their short-term economic returns.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Sequestration
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