Vol. 3, No. 3 (2015): Regular Issue

The implementation process of sustainable development goals poses considerable challenges to policy makers, as well as to scientists. This requires improving the knowledge on linkages between the key types of resources, the resources and the environment and the resources and the economy. The underlying challenges are inherently integrated and shall be pursued in combination. This calls for an integrated approach, which still suffers of a lack of cohesion in quantitative sustainability assessment tools and cooperation among different disciplines. A conceptual framework for life cycle sustainability analysis (LCSA) which could embrace life cycle thinking methods, stakeholders analysis supported by multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) and dynamic system modelling has been advanced by some authors, but it still lacks of operationalization. This is the right moment to tackle this challenge because of the shared consensus on the need, added value and feasibility of creating new LCSA methodologies and tools to derive consumer information, supply chain improvements and policy support. This special issue does not present a solution for an integrated operational framework, however represents an attempt to enhance cooperation of scientists belonging to different disciplines under the overarching umbrella of a lifecycle based perspective.

The implementation process of sustainable development goals poses considerable challenges to policy makers, as well as to scientists. This requires improving the knowledge on linkages between the key types of resources, the resources and the environment and the resources and the economy. The underlying challenges are inherently integrated and shall be pursued in combination. This calls for an integrated approach, which still suffers of a lack of cohesion in quantitative sustainability assessment tools and cooperation among different disciplines. A conceptual framework for life cycle sustainability analysis (LCSA) which could embrace life cycle thinking methods, stakeholders analysis supported by multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) and dynamic system modelling has been advanced by some authors, but it still lacks of operationalization. This is the right moment to tackle this challenge because of the shared consensus on the need, added value and feasibility of creating new LCSA methodologies and tools to derive consumer information, supply chain improvements and policy support. This special issue does not present a solution for an integrated operational framework, however represents an attempt to enhance cooperation of scientists belonging to different disciplines under the overarching umbrella of a lifecycle based perspective.

This paper deals with the optimization of key decision variables of a potable water production plant. To this end we propose a multi-objective constrained optimization approach which trades-off operational costs and environmental impact while satisfying outlet water drinkability criteria. The proposed solution approach consists in coupling a meta-heuristic global optimization algorithmand EVALEAU, which is a state-of-the-art process modelling - life cycle assessment (LCA) tool for simulating potable water treatment chains. The proposed eco-design optimization approach is successfully illustrated on a real-world model of a water production plant, and the relative performances of two highly praised stateof- the-art derivative-free global optimization algorithms,namely the Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm (SPEA2) and Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II),are compared.

This paper deals with the optimization of key decision variables of a potable water production plant. To this end we propose a multi-objective constrained optimization approach which trades-off operational costs and environmental impact while satisfying outlet water drinkability criteria. The proposed solution approach consists in coupling a meta-heuristic global optimization algorithmand EVALEAU, which is a state-of-the-art process modelling - life cycle assessment (LCA) tool for simulating potable water treatment chains. The proposed eco-design optimization approach is successfully illustrated on a real-world model of a water production plant, and the relative performances of two highly praised stateof- the-art derivative-free global optimization algorithms,namely the Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm (SPEA2) and Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II),are compared.

Toxicity characterization of chemicals’ emissions is a complex task which proceeds via multimedia fate and exposure models attached to models of dose–response relationships. Several different environmental multimedia models exist, but in any case a vast amount of data on the properties of the chemical compounds being assessed is required. This paper deals with the selection of informative variables in the problem of deriving characterization factors for eco-toxicology and human toxicology of chemical compounds starting from molecular-based properties. The Random Forest algorithm has been applied to single out the most relevant variables when modelling one toxicity factor at the time. The set of variables retained varies according to the modeled output factor, but certain variables are almost always retained among the top three most important ones, regardless the output factor taken into consideration. The modelling performed in this paper is one of the first applications of nonlinear techniques to the database of organic substances made available by the multimedia fate and exposure model USEtox, largely used by the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) community.

Toxicity characterization of chemicals’ emissions is a complex task which proceeds via multimedia fate and exposure models attached to models of dose–response relationships. Several different environmental multimedia models exist, but in any case a vast amount of data on the properties of the chemical compounds being assessed is required. This paper deals with the selection of informative variables in the problem of deriving characterization factors for eco-toxicology and human toxicology of chemical compounds starting from molecular-based properties. The Random Forest algorithm has been applied to single out the most relevant variables when modelling one toxicity factor at the time. The set of variables retained varies according to the modeled output factor, but certain variables are almost always retained among the top three most important ones, regardless the output factor taken into consideration. The modelling performed in this paper is one of the first applications of nonlinear techniques to the database of organic substances made available by the multimedia fate and exposure model USEtox, largely used by the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) community.

Reingkhyongkine (Pukur Para) Lake is the largest hilly natural lake under Belaichhari Upazila in the Hill district of Rangamati, Bangladesh. Due to remoteness and rugged terrain this lake is never being investigated and not documented in the literature. This research is done following standard method and state-of-art-technology. As natural resource management foster sustainable development the present research is of immense importance. Global Positioning System (GPS) is used for water depth point positioning along with sounding techniques was used for water depth measurement. The highest and lowest depths are observed 145 m and 0.50 m respectively. The worldwide available Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS imagery of 13 May 2015 was considered as the base imagery to know the lake area at present context compare with other different years. The Lake depth and 3D configuration maps are developed based on field depth and derived contour data. In addition to this, surface elevation profile in different direction of lake and bathymetric mapping based on longitudinal and horizontal transect bottom topographic profile, lake surface area and water volume are also calculated to understand the real scenario of this largest lake. All these studies are integrated with local as well as the regional geological structures. The study using geo-integrated technology on Reingkhyongkine lake reveals that the changes of lake area which is 35.02 hectare (May 2015 Landsat 8 OLI Imagery), 40.65 hectare and 34.91 hectare (2010 and 1989 Landsat TM imagery) respectively which indicate an decreasing-increasing-decreasing trend scenario and changing at the rate of 0.11 percent per year and this changing phenomenon is related with the active tectonism of the area as the study area has suffered extensive thrusting, faulting and folding. Besides this the surface elevation of lake is not similar and it varies from 353 meter to 409 meters. Results shows that changes in the configuration and reduction of water volume of Reingkhyongkine Lake establish fragile conditions which indicate of its future drying status and needs continuous monitoring of water depth by considering environmental factors which are involved for the lake changes and finally researcher seeks urgent attention to international scientific community for protection and conservation of this hilly natural lake.

Reingkhyongkine (Pukur Para) Lake is the largest hilly natural lake under Belaichhari Upazila in the Hill district of Rangamati, Bangladesh. Due to remoteness and rugged terrain this lake is never being investigated and not documented in the literature. This research is done following standard method and state-of-art-technology. As natural resource management foster sustainable development the present research is of immense importance. Global Positioning System (GPS) is used for water depth point positioning along with sounding techniques was used for water depth measurement. The highest and lowest depths are observed 145 m and 0.50 m respectively. The worldwide available Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS imagery of 13 May 2015 was considered as the base imagery to know the lake area at present context compare with other different years. The Lake depth and 3D configuration maps are developed based on field depth and derived contour data. In addition to this, surface elevation profile in different direction of lake and bathymetric mapping based on longitudinal and horizontal transect bottom topographic profile, lake surface area and water volume are also calculated to understand the real scenario of this largest lake. All these studies are integrated with local as well as the regional geological structures. The study using geo-integrated technology on Reingkhyongkine lake reveals that the changes of lake area which is 35.02 hectare (May 2015 Landsat 8 OLI Imagery), 40.65 hectare and 34.91 hectare (2010 and 1989 Landsat TM imagery) respectively which indicate an decreasing-increasing-decreasing trend scenario and changing at the rate of 0.11 percent per year and this changing phenomenon is related with the active tectonism of the area as the study area has suffered extensive thrusting, faulting and folding. Besides this the surface elevation of lake is not similar and it varies from 353 meter to 409 meters. Results shows that changes in the configuration and reduction of water volume of Reingkhyongkine Lake establish fragile conditions which indicate of its future drying status and needs continuous monitoring of water depth by considering environmental factors which are involved for the lake changes and finally researcher seeks urgent attention to international scientific community for protection and conservation of this hilly natural lake.

A brief exploration of the concept of information is undertaken to parse the different meanings and measures. We agree with Odum (1996) that information might best be expressed as complexity and posit that the shape or form of an object is a type of information and with increasing complexity of form there is a corresponding increase in emergy required to make it. We also agree with Odum that an increase in concentration of a material increases its emergy per mass (i.e. its UEV) and a decrease in concentration as when a material is dispersed requires a decrease in the emergy stored. We present new thoughts related to the emergy in form as distinct from the emergy of the materials that make up the form. We suggest that the emergy of form is lost when the form is consumed, but the emergy of the substance is maintained. We define recycle pathways in such a way as to clarify emergy accounting for products and by-products. These considerations are important when evaluating “circular economies” where products and by-products are recycled once their useful life is finished. This proposed method of dealing with recycled material is a refinement of the emergy accounting procedure.

A brief exploration of the concept of information is undertaken to parse the different meanings and measures. We agree with Odum (1996) that information might best be expressed as complexity and posit that the shape or form of an object is a type of information and with increasing complexity of form there is a corresponding increase in emergy required to make it. We also agree with Odum that an increase in concentration of a material increases its emergy per mass (i.e. its UEV) and a decrease in concentration as when a material is dispersed requires a decrease in the emergy stored. We present new thoughts related to the emergy in form as distinct from the emergy of the materials that make up the form. We suggest that the emergy of form is lost when the form is consumed, but the emergy of the substance is maintained. We define recycle pathways in such a way as to clarify emergy accounting for products and by-products. These considerations are important when evaluating “circular economies” where products and by-products are recycled once their useful life is finished. This proposed method of dealing with recycled material is a refinement of the emergy accounting procedure.

Multi-criteria analysis was used to compare technology solutions for 3 Selection of soil remediation technologies for contaminated sites is difficult given the large number of technologies available and the economic, social, and environmental impacts of site remediation activities. In this paper, we take into account a multitude of consequences and analyze their impacts with multi-criteria utility theory. By establishing the AHPPROMETHEE II (Analytic Hierarchy Process-Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations II) method, an Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) has been developed for the purpose of identifying optimum soil remediation approaches for contaminated site. In the EDSS, AHP is used to structure the decision problem and to attribute weights to the criteria, whereas PROMETHEE is used to obtain a final ranking of the proposed alternatives. In addition, the hierarchical decision tree was constructed according to 4 criteria, i.e., time and economic costs, technical levels, technical applicability and social benefits, 12 indicators, and 21 soil remediation alternatives. The system has been applied to a case study, in which the best option of soil remediation technology for the particular remediation goal could be achieved. The effectiveness and shortcomings of this system are also discussed.

Multi-criteria analysis was used to compare technology solutions for 3 Selection of soil remediation technologies for contaminated sites is difficult given the large number of technologies available and the economic, social, and environmental impacts of site remediation activities. In this paper, we take into account a multitude of consequences and analyze their impacts with multi-criteria utility theory. By establishing the AHPPROMETHEE II (Analytic Hierarchy Process-Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations II) method, an Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) has been developed for the purpose of identifying optimum soil remediation approaches for contaminated site. In the EDSS, AHP is used to structure the decision problem and to attribute weights to the criteria, whereas PROMETHEE is used to obtain a final ranking of the proposed alternatives. In addition, the hierarchical decision tree was constructed according to 4 criteria, i.e., time and economic costs, technical levels, technical applicability and social benefits, 12 indicators, and 21 soil remediation alternatives. The system has been applied to a case study, in which the best option of soil remediation technology for the particular remediation goal could be achieved. The effectiveness and shortcomings of this system are also discussed.

the different meanings and measures. We agree with Odum (1996) that

the different meanings and measures. We agree with Odum (1996) that

This paper addresses the potential for industrial ecology application at Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, between a consortium of arable farmers and a waste-to energy company. For improved onsite production, the average annual energy required to maintain the farmers’ proposed 3 ha greenhouse at optimal temperature (21°C during the day and 16°C at night) was calculated as 1448.8 MJ/m2. The coldest average temperatures, registered in February result in an energy requirement of around 3000 MJ/m2. The optimal quantity of carbon dioxide for the proposed glasshouse equates to 4032 kg of CO2 per day. In addition, the fertiliser produced by the waste-to-energy company will reduce the pesticide and chemical based nitrogen/potassium/phosphate demand. The authors identified that the heat, carbon dioxide and fertiliser produced at the proposed 10 MW CHP plant could be utilised by the consortium to produce higher quality food products in a symbiotic manner. The calculations undertaken indicate that the project is technically viable.

This paper addresses the potential for industrial ecology application at Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, between a consortium of arable farmers and a waste-to energy company. For improved onsite production, the average annual energy required to maintain the farmers’ proposed 3 ha greenhouse at optimal temperature (21°C during the day and 16°C at night) was calculated as 1448.8 MJ/m2. The coldest average temperatures, registered in February result in an energy requirement of around 3000 MJ/m2. The optimal quantity of carbon dioxide for the proposed glasshouse equates to 4032 kg of CO2 per day. In addition, the fertiliser produced by the waste-to-energy company will reduce the pesticide and chemical based nitrogen/potassium/phosphate demand. The authors identified that the heat, carbon dioxide and fertiliser produced at the proposed 10 MW CHP plant could be utilised by the consortium to produce higher quality food products in a symbiotic manner. The calculations undertaken indicate that the project is technically viable.