The migration of radionuclides and volatile chemicals through a thick sequence of unsaturated basalts and sedimentary interbeds has been documented in the Subsurface Disposal Area (SDA) at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex (RWMC) of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). The three mechanisms by which this migration may have occurred are seasonal infiltration from the ground surface within the SDA; flood events in 1962, 1969, and 1982; and the lateral movement of water from the spreading areas located nearby. It is currently thought that the contaminants migrated through the unsaturated sediments and basalt flows during the three flood events. Transducers were used to monitor water level changes in seven wells: Two completed in a perched zone associated with an interbed at 110 feet (34 meters), and five completed in a perched zone associated with an interbed at 240 feet (73 meters). The data suggest that one of the wells completed in the perched zone associated with the interbed at 110 feet receives recharge from seasonal infiltration at the ground surface. This recharge occurs primarily from February to May. Snowmelt is the major source of water for infiltration. One water sample was taken from this well, one water sample was taken from snowmelt at the surface within the SDA, and one water sample was taken from the Big Lost River, which is the source of water diverted into the spreading areas. The three water samples were analyzed for major ions, minor ions, and trace constituents. The water sample from the well was more similar chemically to the water sample from the snowmelt than to the water sample from the Big Lost River. The chemical data support the conclusion that the snowmelt is the source of recharge to the perched zone associated with the interbed at 110 feet. The transducer data from the five wells completed in the perched zone associated with the interbed at 240 feet indicate that one well is dry, and one well has standing water that showed virtually no change in water level. Two of the remaining wells showed seasonal recharge, probably from precipitation. These two wells, and the remaining well, showed rapid water-level rises, and declines, shortly after 157 acre-feet (194,000 m3 ) of water were diverted into the spreading areas. The perched water body associated with the interbed at 240 feet probably receives recharge from both precipitation and from water diverted into the spreading areas.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(エネルギー科学) / 甲第19904号 / エネ博第336号 / 新制||エネ||67(附属図書館) / 32981 / 京都大学大学院エネルギー科学研究科エネルギー社会・環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 手塚 哲央, 教授 石原 慶一, 教授 杉万 俊夫 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Energy Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Marine debris is an ever growing environmental and human health concern. Beach litter is a major contributor to the issue of marine debris, especially in the Global South where lack of awareness and successful policy are factors in the continuous accumulation of debris on beaches and in coastal communities. Under the community-based, participatory action framework, this study will explore beach users’ and other key stakeholders in the local government and non-governmental organization sectors’ knowledge of waste in their environment and potential solutions to the issue of plastic marine pollution. It will also examine the waste composition on a local beach in São Sebastião, Brazil by collecting, quantifying and characterizing the waste to determine the major polluters. The study will explore ways of improving awareness and environmental education of beach users, as well as investigating ways to reduce littering of waste on beaches. Results from this research will help to provide suggestions for local decision makers to improve policy that addresses marine debris and beach littering. / Graduate / 2022-04-15

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / Here in, comprehensive management model of municipal solid waste collection and transportation, “MIGRU,” is proposed, based on the Lean Six Sigma, VSM, and Servqual methods. This model considers and includes three important management systems for an efficient collection value chain: quality management, route management, and HR and community management. The proposed model was implemented and validated in the municipality of Lima, Peru, and the results showed that municipal costs were reduced up to 40%, solid waste was reduced in the streets, and routes and processes were updated and improved in addition to an improvement in the participation and environmental education of citizens. Thus, correct management of the proposed model’s three general approaches to a very positive municipal impact at economic and environmental levels, without the investment of excessive amounts of money observed in first-world countries.

The purpose of the study is to contribute to an increased understanding of the application of Lean service management in the production and monitoring phase of the construction process within real estate companies. The research questions investigate how Lean service management can improve customer satisfaction and efficiency, what obstacles can arise during implementation, and how Lean can develop in the future. Real estate companies must offer high-quality services while streamlining their operations to increase profitability as the industry has become increasingly service-focused. This study uses a qualitative, deductive method with a comparative research design to analyze how Lean service management is applied in real estate companies. Collected data consists of a literature review and semi-structured interviews with three respondents from different companies. The results show that Lean service management can streamline the production and monitoring phase of the construction process by identifying and eliminating waste of resources. The study emphasizes the importance of measuring improvements and using digital tools to create a holistic project approach. Implementing Lean requires management commitment, Lean training, and the involvement of the entire organization. With proper application, Lean service management can create win-win situations where the company, its employees, and the customer benefit. Future development of Lean service management in the production and monitoring phase of the construction process may include increased digitization and the use of AI models to streamline more processes. The study also concludes that a more efficient construction process is necessary to meet future environmental requirements and create sustainable solutions.

A significant proportion of construction and demolition (C&D) waste is encompassed within the broader category of global waste. The handling of C&D waste is subject to the influence of a tripartite of environmental, social, and economic factors. An extensive comprehension of C&D waste management can be attained by examining the construction industry, waste management, transportation, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The escalating aggregate demand and landfill practices significantly threaten developing nations' natural resources, despite the national government's regulatory measures. The present study employed a qualitative research approach and a multi-level perspective (MLP) framework to investigate the various actors, factors, and levels that impact the management of C&D waste. The present analysis relates independently to investigating lock-in determinants, encompassing exogenous and endogenous pressures and socio-technical transitions. Bengaluru's management of C&D waste encompasses a diverse array of stakeholders, including real estate organizations, urban development agencies, construction firms, both formal and informal markets, a solitary C&D processing plant situated at the periphery of the city, unapproved landfills located in abandoned stone quarries, local transportation providers, governance bodies, and low-carbon building methodologies. Furthermore, it is imperative to note that there exist significant deficiencies in the execution of C&D waste management by established protocols, as well as their enforcement. This is compounded by an acute shortage of facilities for the collection and disposal of such waste, insufficient vehicular resources at the disposal of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), limited participation from stakeholders, negative attitudes towards the effective use of recycled materials and the repurposing of building components, a lack of incentivisation and punitive measures, inadequate awareness among proprietors and constructors of private edifices, and the indiscriminate dumping of C&D waste, which has led to the obstruction of commuting and communal well being. The effects of landfills on wildlife, such as avian migration and urban inundation, have prompted a transition towards more ecologically sound management of C&D waste in Bengaluru. Formulating sustainable strategies for managing C&D waste in Bengaluru is encouraged to incorporate socio-economic and environmental factors, business models, and governmental cooperation. The importance of sharing information, the power of nudging people to alter their habits, and the value of considering new approaches to building are also highlighted.

Swedish power plants have in general an overcapacity which means that they must import waste from abroad. The imported fuel consists of several types of waste, but the majority originates from municipal and commercial waste. EFO is one of the leading fuel supplying and transport companies in Sweden. The company is owned by eight power plants located all around Sweden. The waste is purchased from other countries and then shipped to Sweden. During the unloading of the ship, when the cargo hatches opens, the malodourous gases will escape and be released in to the air. These malodours can travel quite far and are extremely unpleasant to people who live close by. The aim of this thesis was to suggest ways on how to prevent or reduce the emission of malodours during unloading of bales containing municipal waste. The aim of the project was to determine the causes of malodours, to identify the most common odorants in municipal waste, what properties they have, how they can be affected and how to prevent the formation of them. The problem was tackled by theoretical and practical studies. The theoretical study was a literature study and the practical study was observation at Mälarenergi combined heat and power plant. The results are presented as a number of suggestions for how to prevent or reduce the emission of malodours during unloading of bales containing municipal waste. These suggestions were divide in to the three categories Storage, Unloading and At Port. The suggestions varied from using better sorted waste to researching the possibility to use a portable tent covering the cargo ship during unloading. It was recommended that EFO should use both short- and long-term plans and also conduct further research on other ways to reduce emission of malodours.The suggestions were not tested so it cannot with certainty be determined if the suggestions will reduce or prevent emission of malodour. No laboratory tests were done on the waste. Therefore, the contents and concentrations could not be confirmed. However, it is almost certain that even if there were a slight difference it would not lead to a change of the current treatment process of the MSW. Obviously, there should have been multiple observations carried out at Mälarenergi`s power plant on various occasions and at different weather conditions. Several observations should also have been done on EFO´s other power plants to confirm that the core of the malodour emission problem is the same for all power plants. Basing suggestions on results taken from one instance might not give the correct answer to the problem. Common for malodours found in MSW is that they are formed as a product of degrading MSW. Reducing or stopping the degradation process, will prevent the formation of these compounds. This can be done either by lowering the temperature of the waste bales, altering the pH, decreasing the water content and increasing the level of Oxygen. / De svenska kraft- och värmeverken är så effektiva att det svenska bränslet inte räcker till utan man måste importera från andra länder. Bränslet består till stor del av hushållsavfall och kommersiellt avfall. EFO är ett energianskaffnings- och transportföretag som delägs av åtta svenska el- och värmeleverantörer. De förser sina ägare med bränsle till deras kraft- och värmeverk runt om i landet. Majoriteten av det inköpta bränslet kommer från utlandet och fraktas till Sverige med fartyg. Problemet för boende i närområdet är att avfallet avger dålig lukt när det lastas av från fartyg till hamn. Syftet med den här rapporten var att undersöka hur man kan förhindra eller minska utsläpp av dålig lukt vid avlastning från fartyg till hamn samt att ge förslag på metoder som kan minska luktproblematiken. Övriga mål var att fastställa vilka de mest förekommande luktämnena är, orsaken till att de bildas, vilka egenskaper de har och hur man kan förhindra att de bildas. Arbete består av en litteraturstudie tillsammans med observation gjord på Mälarenergis kraftvärmeverk. Resultaten presenterades i form av ett antal förslag på sätt att minska utsläpp av dålig lukt vid avlastning. Dessa förslag indelades i de tre områdena Lagring, Avlastning och Hamn. Förslagen var breda och sträckte sig från användning av bättre sorterat avfall till att utreda om det finns möjligheter till användning av ett portabelt tält kring fartyget under avlastning. Utöver de presenterade förslagen för minskning av luktutsläpp gavs också rekommendationen att EFO bör använda sig av både kortsiktiga och långsiktiga planer samt forska på ytterligare sätt för att minska utsläpp av dålig lukt. Förslagen har inte prövats och det kan därför inte fastställas om de reducerar och förhindrar utsläpp av dålig lukt. Det gjordes heller inte några laboratoriska analyser på avfallets innehåll därför kan det inte bestämmas om avfallet innehåller samma ämnen och koncentrationer. Sannolikt skiljer sig inte värdena så pass mycket att det skulle kräva andra typer av luktreducerande metoder. Fler observationer borde ha gjorts både på Mälarenergis anläggning och på de andra delägarnas anläggningar. Observationerna skulle då också utförts vid olika tidpunkter samt vid olika väderlek. Det är möjligt att resultatet skulle vara annorlunda om det funnits data från fler observationer. Gemensamt för ämnen som avger dålig lukt är att de uppkommer som en produkt av nedbrutet avfall. Genom att bromsa eller stoppa nedbrytningsprocessen kommer uppkomsten av dessa luktämnen förhindras. Detta kan man göra genom att förändra pH, sänka temperaturen, minska fukthalten och öka syrenivån.

Solid Waste Management has become an issue of increasing global concern. As the population continues to grow and consumption patterns change municipal authorities are facing immense challenges to manage the increasing amounts of solid waste in a sustainable way. This report is composed by interviews, observations and literary studies and aims to map the Solid Waste Management system of Inhaca Island in Mozambique, in order to identify challenges and recommend for further actions of improvement. At Inhaca Island, waste is deposited on an open dumpsite or otherwise buried or burned around the house yards. The lack of financial means contributes to an improper waste management on the with challenges in areas such as collecting, disposal and treatment of waste. For Inhaca Island it is important to focus on improvements of the Solid Waste Management system that are not as dependent on the financial means of Maputo municipality, such as improvement in public awareness and informal waste-picking. These factors need to be addressed before establishing a technical system. Inadequate collection and handling of waste exposes the population to hazardous waste and endanger both public health and the environment. Therefore it is important to improve the waste management conditions on the island. / I samband med att populationen ökar världen över och att konsumtionsmönstren förändras har olika kommunala myndigheter svårigheter med att hantera avfallshanteringen på ett hållbart sätt. Syftet med denna rapport är att kartlägga avfallshanteringen på Inhaca Island i Mozambique samt att identifiera olika svårigheter och att rekommendera potentiella framtidslösningar för det aktuella systemet. Datainsamlingen har gjorts genom intervjuer, observationer och litteraturstudier. Avfallet på Inhaca Island transporteras till en öppen dump-plats eller grävs ner eller bränns på befolkningens bakgårdar. Bristen på finansiellt stöd bidrar till en olämplig avfallshantering och därför är det viktigt att Inhaca Island fokuserar på förbättringar som inte är beroende av höga finansiella kostnader såsom information till allmänheten och den informella avfalls-plockningen. Dessa faktorer måste bli täckta innan ett tekniskt system implementeras. Det är viktigt att förbättra avfallshanteringen på ön då en bristande avfallshantering utsätter både människor och miljön för olika risker.

There are several incentives for using bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI bottom ash) as a construction material, such as for road construction. These incentives include decreased disposal of material on landfills and a reduced amount of raw material extracted for road building purposes. However, one of the main obstacles to utilising the material is uncertainties regarding its environmental properties. The overall objective of this thesis is to describe the potential environmental impacts of utilising MSWI bottom ash in constructions and to improve the tools for environmental assessments. An environmental systems analysis (ESA) approach based on a life cycle perspective was outlined and used in a case study, with the aim of describing the differences in resource use and emissions that can be expected if crushed rock in the sub-base of a road in the Stockholm region in Sweden were to be substituted by MSWI bottom ash. The whole life cycle of the road was taken into account and the alternative disposal of the bottom ash was included. It was found that the studied alternatives would cause different types of potential environmental impact; whereas the conventional alternative with only crushed rock in the road’s sub-base would lead to larger use of energy and natural resources, the alternative with MSWI bottom ash in the sub-base would lead to larger contaminant leaching. It was concluded that a life cycle approach is needed in order to include both resource use and emissions in the comparison between the two alternative scenarios. The leaching of metals turned out to be the most important environmental aspect for the comparison and in particular the difference in copper (Cu) leaching was shown to be large. However, a large amount of Cu may not pose an environmental threat if the Cu is strongly bound to dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In order to improve the basis for toxicity estimates and environmental risk assessments, and thereby provide better input values for ESAs, the speciation of Cu to DOC in MSWI bottom ash leachate was studied. It was found that Cu to a large extent was bound to DOC, which is consistent with previous research. The results also suggest that the hydrophilic fraction of the MSWI bottom ash DOC is important for Cu complexation and that the pH-dependence for Cu complexation to MSWI bottom ash DOC is smaller than for natural DOC. This implies that models calibrated for natural DOC may give inconsistent simulations of Cu-DOC complexation in MSWI bottom ash leachate. / QC 20101217

This thesis investigates the challenges and opportunities for waste management and circular innovation in the context of sustainable development in Zanzibar, with a specific focus on the relevance of youth circular entrepreneurship. Addressing the low integration of stakeholders, inadequate technical support for young innovators, and challenges in leveraging funding, this study aims to provide insights and recommendations to enhance circularity and waste management systems on the islands. Through a comprehensive literature review, qualitative interviews, and analysis of relevant policies and initiatives, the research uncovers the complex dynamics within Zanzibar's waste management value chain. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved stakeholder collaboration, emphasizing the active participation of government agencies, businesses, communities, civil society organizations, and youth entrepreneurs to drive sustainable practices. The study highlights the crucial role of youth circular entrepreneurship in fostering innovation and driving the transition to a circular economy. It identifies the limited technical support, resources, and infrastructure available to young innovators as key barriers, underscoring the necessity of capacity-building programs, mentorship initiatives, and tailored support mechanisms to empower and enable youth entrepreneurs to contribute to waste management and circular innovation. Furthermore, the research reveals the challenges associated with funding and investment for circular initiatives. It emphasizes the significance of climate finance, public-private partnerships, and the mobilization of international funding sources to overcome financial constraints and create an enabling environment for youth circular entrepreneurship. Based on the analysis, this thesis proposes a range of strategies to enhance circularity in Zanzibar, with a particular emphasis on engaging and empowering youth. These strategies encompass stakeholder collaboration, policy development, education and awareness campaigns targeted at youth, technological advancements, and the establishment of financial mechanisms to support youth-led circular innovation. By addressing the identified challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities, Zanzibar can foster a circular economy that not only addresses environmental concerns but also unlocks economic opportunities, resource efficiency, and community well-being. This research contributes to the knowledge base on waste management and circular innovation in Zanzibar, providing a foundation for future research and action toward sustainable development, with a specific focus on youth circular entrepreneurship.