Sustainability within automotive industry has been an important topic that is covered in several studies. Due to the multi-aspect nature of sustainability and the variety of the factors need to be taken in consideration when choosing a material, the decision-making process could be challenging. This study focuses on lubricants within the automotive industry and proposes a framework consisted of three milestones that aspire to assist automotive manufacturers in sustainable lubricant selection. The study uses LCA as an environmental assessment tool for fully formulated lubricants and multicriteria decision matrix to include other criteria indicators in the decision-making process quantitively. The study also contributes to the literature by performing LCA for fully formulated lubricants. The framework was applied on well-established case company within the automotive industry (Volvo Cars Corporation) in Sweden. The results showthe importance and significant impacts of the inclusion of the additives in LCA studies done on lubricants using CV joint grease as a case study. It also shows the effect of the organisational preferences on the final results of the framework.

Increasing global temperatures due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases is one of our times most dire and urgent challenges to overcome if we are to achieve a sustainable healthy planet. The primary way of accomplishing this is by reducing the amount of released greenhouse gases. However, a complementary measure that has been proposed by IPCC (UN, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) to combat this challenge is the carbon dioxide removal technology bio-energy carbon capture and storage (BECCS). This study aims to investigate the suitability of areas located in the south-central part of Sweden for in-situ mineral carbonation, a relatively newly implemented method of permanently storing carbon dioxide in for instance Iceland. The project has been conducted in connection with the research project INSURANCE at Luleå University of Technology (LTU), which has as one of its main objectives to investigate the geological potential for land-based carbon dioxide storage in Sweden. Samples were taken from five different localities in the southern-central part of Sweden: Skutskär, Falun, Öje, Grums, and Åsensbruk. Fifteen representative field samples were then examined with optical microscopy, whole rock geochemistry analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and micro-XRF in order to characterize the area's bedrock with respect to their potential suitability for in-situ mineral carbonation. The investigations showed that the examined mafic rock units all contained various degrees of metamorphism and alteration, differing them from bedrock in which earlier in-situ mineral carbonation has been successfully tested (Carbfix, Iceland). However, the areas also generally contained considerable amounts of minerals with high Mg, Ca, and Fe ratios, indicating they have a potential for future in-situ mineral carbonation, however, further carbonation experiments are needed to better evaluate the potential.

Geometallurgy describes a holistic approach to mining (integrating geological, metallurgical, geotechnical, environmental, and more parameters) with the goal to improve the efficiency and sustainability of a mining operation. The potential of systematic optical petrography in a geometallurgical context was investigated in this study, as well as how petrography may be useful across disciplines in several blocks of the mining value chain. In a case study, twelve boulder samples (non-mineralized and mineralized) from the Rajapalot exploration property in Finland were characterized by detailed optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with the aim to delineate the origin of the respective boulders. This allowed to demonstrate some benefits and challenges of systematic optical petrography in the mining value chain and geometallurgical programs. The study was performed through the geology department at Mitta AB in Luleå, Sweden, using rock samples supplied by Mawson Gold Ltd, Finland. The Rajapalot Au-Co property lies a few km east of the Rompas Au-U property, both owned by Mawson Gold Ltd and located in the Paleoproterozoic Peräpohja belt in northwest Finland. When determining the boulders’ origin, geochemical gradients of the Peräpohja belt lithostratigraphy; oxidized sodic rocks in the Kivalo group and reduced potassic rocks in the Paakkola group were crucial factors. The mineralization style of the Rompas Au-U association and the Rajapalot Au-Co association (including the “Palokas” Fe-Mg type and the “Rumajärvi” K-Fe type) were further crucial to classify the mineralized boulders. Results show that the rock types (and suggested origin) vary between boulder samples. Most samples are presumed to originate from the Paakkola group, one sample from the Kivalo group, and a few samples are inconclusive. Furthermore, the samples impact on the mining value chain was discussed based on the results of the petrographic analysis. A method description for a more systematic way of examining rock material is presented, including for example quantitative parameters such asmodal mineralogy and grain size distribution. However, the applicability of this method description needs further study.

The increasing global population has placed significant pressure on meeting food demands, leading to the widespread use of fertilizers to enhance crop yields. Urea, being the most used fertilizer globally, has contributed to improved agricultural productivity. However, conventional urea production technologies heavily rely on fossil fuels, resulting in substantial greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to climate change.  As the demand for urea fertilizer is projected to rise in the future, there is a growing societal concern for environmental sustainability. Consequently, alternative technologies are being developed to produce urea with claims of reduced environmental impacts compared to conventional production technologies.  The objective of this master's thesis was to identify available production technologies for the materials involved in urea production, analyse different technological pathways and compare their environmental impacts and cost implications. The analysis considered several scenarios involving variations in the sources of electricity, methane gas and water used during the production process.  The analysis focused on Global Warming Potential (GWP), Primary Energy use (PE) and associated costs. The environmental analysis was conducted through a cradle-to-gate perspective based on a life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA). The cost analysis was based on a material flow cost accounting (MFCA).  The results for the green, hybrid and progressive technological pathways were benchmarked against the traditional pathway for urea production. The findings indicate that all these alternative pathways can reduce the GWP or PE values, which could be linked to the utilization of electricity sources with low GWP, such European and Swedish electricity mix, and the generation of by-products in the pathways However, within the context of the research assumptions, it was not possible to achieve a simultaneous reduction that included cost reductions alongside GWP and PE.  The study highlights the challenges of outperforming the efficiency levels of traditional technologies with other technological alternatives. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of carefully considering the integrations of the technologies and better utilization of residues and by-products exploring an integration of systems under an industrial symbiosis approach.  Finally, it is important to consider the trade-offs between environmental performance and cost when defining technological pathways for urea production.

An investigation to assess the anthropogenic pollutant loads, transport and impact on shallow groundwater in one of Kampala’s peri-urban areas (Bwaise III Parish) was undertaken. Bwaise III is a densely populated informal settlement with a high water table (<1.5 m) and inadequate basic social services infrastructure (e.g, sanitation, safe water supply, roads, etc). Field surveys were undertaken to identify, locate and quantify various pollutant sources. Information on the usability and operational aspects of the excreta and solid waste management systems was obtained from consultations with the residents. Water from installed monitoring wells and one operational protected spring and wastewater (sullage) characteristics (quality, discharges for drains and spring, water levels for the wells) as well as soil characteristics (soil stratigraphy, physical and chemical) were determined through field and laboratory measurements. Laboratory batch experiments were undertaken to estimate phosphorus sorption potential of the soils. The results reveal that excreta disposal systems, solid waste and sullage are the major contributors to shallow groundwater contamination. High contaminant loads from these sources accumulate within the area resulting in widespread contamination. The water table responds rapidly to short rains (48hr) due to the pervious and shallow (<1 m) vadose zone, which consists of mostly organic fill material. Rapid water quality deterioration (increased thermotolerant coliforms, organic content in the form of total kjedahl nitrogen, phosphorus) following rains potentially follows from leaching, desorption and macropore flow. Spatial variation of the water quality in the area is largely related to anthropogenic activities within the vicinity of the well sources. Animal rearing, solid waste dumps and latrines are seen to result in increased localised microbial and organic content during the rains. The spring discharge with high nitrate levels does not respond to short rains suggesting that this source is fed by regional baseflow. The corresponding high microbial contamination in this case is a result of observed poor maintenance of the protection structure leading to direct ingress of contaminated surface runoff. Natural attenuation of contaminants is very limited. Estimated bacteria die-off rates are very low, about 0.01hr-1, suggesting a high risk for microbial contamination. The soils still have potential to retain additional phosphorus, whose sorption is largely a function of iron, available phosphorus and moisture content of the soils. This is also seen with the model results in which the phosphorus contaminant plume sticks to the surface irrespective of the rainfall infiltration rates. Simulation results show that continuous heavy intense rains (> 0.25mm/min) result in rapid flooding occurring within 1hr to 2 days. With lower rains, the water table does not rise to the surface, and no flooding takes place. Protection of the shallow groundwater in the area requires socio-technical measures targeting reduction of pollutant loads within the area as well as a wider spring catchment. Re-protection of the spring, coupled with awareness creation, should be immediately addressed so as to reduce microbial contamination. Community participation in solidwaste management should be encouraged. Resource recovery systems such as composting of the mostly organic waste and use of ecological sanitation toilet systems should be piloted in the area. Successful operation of the systems however depends on continuous sensitisation of the communities. / QC 20101207

Sustainable development is vital in order for Thailand to continue to develop as in previous years. However, sustainable development cannot be achieved if the amount of macroplastic littering into the oceans does not decrease. In order to facilitate future decision making regarding this issue, this report aims to identify which human activities that contribute the most to the present macroplastic waste items on Thai shorelines. This identification was performed through a simplified material flow analysis based on observations and simple calculations on the island Koh Chang in Ranong. A comparative study was performed on the dissimilar island Koh Larn in Pattaya in order to eliminate any error factors caused by the specific environment on Koh Chang. It was deduced that Grocery Consumption, Fishing and Dining were the Key Activities on the two islands that contributed to the present macroplastic waste. Tourism was also shown to be a great contributor. The study did not find any signs of a current Rate of Accumulation on Koh Chang. However, there were always macroplastic waste items present in the sampling areas which implies that they might pose a threat to the ecosystems. Further research is needed in order to find a suitable solution for this problem. / En hållbar utveckling är central för att Thailand ska kunna fortsätta utvecklas på samma sätt som skett de senaste åren. Hållbar utveckling kan dock inte uppnås om mängden makroplaster som hamnar i haven inte minskar. För att underlätta framtida beslutsfattande ämnar denna rapport att identifiera de mänskliga aktiviteter som i störst utsträckning bidrar till de makroplastföremål som går att finna på thailändska kuststräckor. Denna identifiering utfördes genom en simplifierad materialflödesanalys som baserades på observationer och simpla beräkningar på ön Koh Chang i Ranong. En jämförande studie utfördes på den annorlunda ön Koh Larn i Pattaya för att eliminera felfaktorer som kan ha uppstått på grund av Koh Changs specifika förutsättningar. Studien visade att Livsmedelskonsumption, Fiske, och Restaurangbesök var de Nyckelaktiviteter som bidrog till det befintliga makroplastavfallet. Turism visade sig också vara en stor bidragare till makroplastavfall. Studien kunde inte visa på någon Ackumuleringsgrad på Koh Chang. Trots detta fanns alltid makroplastföremål närvarande i provtagningsområdena på Koh Chang, vilket antyder att dessa föremål skulle kunna innebära ett hot mot ekosystemen. Vidare efterforskningar krävs för att hitta en passande lösning på problemet.

Securing universal, safe, inclusive and affordable water and sanitation services, as targeted by SDG 6, is a challenge for urban settings. Particularly in informal settlements of Mukuru, Nairobi, were its crowded population, insecure land tenure and location in areas prone to environmental hazards places their inhabitants at greater risk of water and sanitation insecurity. Policy and research approaches to measure water and sanitation insecurity lack of a standard tool to assess the multiple dimensions that account for inequalities at the individual level. This study aimed to assess individual water and sanitation insecurity at Mukuru SPA. A novel 21 item insecurity scale was developed addressing water and sanitation availability, accessibility, affordability, perceived water quality, inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Three segments of the Mukuru SPA were selected. Data was collected from 302 individuals through a household survey. Statistical analysis was performed with SAS University software to identify water and sanitation conditions in the area, measure levels of water and sanitation insecurity, examine associations of insecurity levels and socio-economic characteristics and test the validity of the tool. Results indicated that most residents used water sources and sanitation facilities considered improved by global monitoring standards. Nonetheless, more than 50% of the residents of two of the studied segments had higher levels of water and sanitation insecurity. Individuals that were females, belonged to the lowest income ranges or that resided in young female or young male (<18 years old) headed-household were found more vulnerable to water and sanitation insecurity. Significant correlations of water and sanitation insecurity with time spent collecting water and sanitation cost/day, as well as correlations with number of trips to collect water and water cost/day validated the use of the tool. / Att borga för universella, säkra, inkluderande och prisvärda vatten- och sanitetstjänster, som riktas mot SDG 6 (Sustainable Development Goal), är en utmaning inom urbana miljöer. Särskilt i de informella, överbefolkade bosättningarna i Mukuru, Nairobi, belägna i förorenade och utsatta områden med oklara ägarförhållanden av marken, utsätts invånarna för ökade sanitära risker kopplade till vattenkvaliteten. Policy- och forskningsmetoder för att mäta vatten-och sanitetssäkerhet saknar ett standardverktyg för att bedöma de många dimensioner som orsakas av ojämlikhet på individnivå. Denna studie syftade till att bedöma individuell vatten- och sanitet osäkerhet hos Mukuru SPA (Special Planning Area). Baserat på 21 punkter har en ny vatten- och sanitet osäkerhetsskala utvecklats för att undersöka tillgänglighet, tillgång, överkomlighet, upplevd vattenkvalitet, sanitet och hygien. Tre områden av Mukuru SPA valdes. Data samlades in från 302 individer genom en enkätundersökning riktad till hushåll. En statistisk analys utfördes med hjälp av SAS University-programvara för att identifiera vatten och sanitetsförhållanden i området, mäta nivåer av vatten- och sanitet osäkerhet, undersöka kopplingar mellan graden av sårbarhet och socioekonomiska förhållanden, samt testa verktygets validitet. Resultaten visar att de flesta boende använde vattenkällor och sanitetsinstallationer vilka anses ha förbättrats med hjälp av internationella övervakningsstandarder. Detta till trots hade mer än 50% av invånarna i två av de studerade områdena höga nivåer av vatten och sanitet osäkerhet. Kvinnor, tillhörande de områden där medelinkomsten var lägst, boende i hushåll med en ung man eller kvinna (<18 år gamla) som “husbonde”, visade sig mest sårbara för vatten- och sanitet osäkerhet. Tydliga samband mellan vatten-och sanitet osäkerhet och kostnad per dag och tid för att hämta vatten, samt korrelation mellan antal resor för att hämta vatten och vattenkostnad per dag, validerar användningen av verktyget. Verktyget kan hjälpa lokala myndigheter att snabbt överblicka vatten-och sanitation osäkerhet och rikta resurser mot de mest sårbara personerna inför de planerade satsningarna på höjd levnadsstandard i Mukuru SPA. Det är önskvärt att ta hänsyn till de olika behov som könsskillnad medför, såväl som att säkerställa kostnadsmässigt överkomliga vatten- och sanitetstjänster för de mest sårbara grupperna i Mukuru SPA. Ett vattenprov bör åtfölja användningen av verktyget för att förstärka tillförlitligheten i mätningar av vattensäkerhet.

Microplastic (MP) pollution has recently been recognized as a threat to the biosphere including humans due to its widespread distribution, persistent nature and infinitesimal size. This study focused on the solid phase degradation of microplastic residues (particularly low density polyethylene, LDPE) in water through heterogeneous photocatalysis process by designed photocatalysts of zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) and platinum nanoparticles deposited on zincoxide nanorods (Pt NPs-ZnO NRs) under visible light irradiation. These photocatalysts were assessed following standard protocol (ISP 10678: 2010), and characterized using SEM, EDX andoptical spectroscopies (UV-VIS and PL). Deposition of Pt-NPs on ZnO NRs for certain minutes has been found optimum that enhanced the photodegradation process about 38% under UV irradiation and 16.5% under visible light irradiation by improving of both electrons-holes pair separation process and visible light absorption. Photocatalytic degradation of LDPE films was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), optical and electron microscopes. When LDPE film irradiated in presence of Pt-ZnO, degradation was found quicker than ZnO alone of similar concentration which exhibited formation of a large number of wrinkles, cracks and cavities on the film surface. Dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) test indicated stiffness and embrittlement of exposed LDPE films in presence of photocatalysts. Thus, the present work provides a new insight about modified catalysts for the degradation of microplastics in water using visible light.

Uppsatsens syfte är att belysa hur feminism och jämställdhet diskuteras i den strategiska planeringen i Stockholm. Genom att analysera Stockholms översiktsplan ur ett feministiskt perspektiv ämnar uppsatsen att undersöka hur jämställdhet reflekteras över i stadsbyggandsmålen. Vidare så har även intervjuer genomförts med planerare i Stockholm för att skapa en uppfattning om hur jämställdhet och sociala mål reflekteras över inom samhällsplanering och vilka förutsättningar Stockholm har att planeras jämställt. Resultatet visar på att det finns mycket ambitioner på att planera jämställt och för alla men att många perspektiv bortses från i ambitionen att inkludera alla i planeringen vilket kan leda till upprätthållandet av ojämställda sociala strukturer i samhället. För att utveckla en mer jämställd planering måste fler perspektiv och dimensioner av samhället integreras i planeringen, det kan göras genom ett normkritiskt och intersektionellt synsätt. Vidare visar resultatet på att dessa perspektiv måste integreras i hela planeringsprocessen för att skapa en förändring i strukturer som upprätthåller ojämlika maktförhållanden i staden. / The objective of this thesis is to elucidate how feminism and equality is discussed in relation to strategic urban planning in Stockholm. The analysis will evaluate how equality is treated and discussed in Stockholm’s comprehensive plan and how it is generally discussed within planning in Stockholm. The thesis starts with presenting a background on sustainability and equality in Stockholm followed by a theoretical background on environmental justice and the concept of the right to the city in relation to equality. Further on a theoretical background on post structural feminist theories and the concepts norm critical thinking, subjectivity, intersectionality and a discussion about the implications of language on the discourse will be presented. In the next segment the methods used will be presented, which are Bacchi’s (2009) method to analyse a discourse, ‘What’s the problem represented to be? ́, and semi structural interviews with professionals in Stockholm. The next section is a presentation of the results from the analysis and interviews, which indicates that equality in strategic planning would improve by including feminist perspectives such as intersectionality and norm critic thinking to integrate more people in the objective of the city.

The construction of cities involves the use of land for new spaces and infrastructure. Construction on undeveloped land poses a dilemma on how to deal with the natural resources found on the construction site. Circular economy could provide guidelines on how to harness these resources, so they become products that circulate through as many cycles as possible, therefore decreasing resource consumption and waste. This research aims to explore alternatives to harness the natural materials extracted during the land clearance process of a new urban district: Sollihøgda plussby. Additionally, a new method to examine the circularity of the suggested products will be tested: the longevity indicator. The method of this thesis consists of three parts: (1) an inventory to define which natural materials are found in the construction site and their main characteristics, (2) interviews with industry experts to gain a technical insight on the possible uses for the materials, and (3) a longevity indicator to measure the circularity of the proposed uses. This research found that the forest in Avtjerna consists of Norway spruce, Scots pine and birch. The sediments are mostly humus with a turf sheet cover, while most of Avtjerna’s bedrock is categorized as rhomb porphyry lava. Norway spruce and rhomb porphyry lava have the required quality to become high-quality products for the construction industry, and they could be used directly in the project. High-quality products have longer lifetimes and more possibilities of recycling and reuse, therefore they scored higher when calculating the longevity indicator, which means a higher material retention. The other materials (Scots pine, birch, other sediments and rocks) have also possibilities of becoming products that could be used in Sollihøgda Plussby, but the longevity indicator for these materials was lower than those of Norway spruce and rhomb porphyry. Despite the usefulness of the longevity indicator to provide a preliminary assessment, this method needs to be upgraded so it incorporates other CE parameters. There should be a distinction on how many times the material is recycled, the lifetime of the recycled products, and the quality of the products obtained from the recycling process. Inventorying the natural resources on a construction site is a practice that should become common, since it allows to determine how materials can be harnessed, but also which areas should be preserved due to their ecological value. Additionally, the longevity indicator should not be used in isolation, but the environmental impacts of each suggested product should be assessed too.