NRU :: Browsing by Author "Pindozzi, Stefania"

Browsing by Author "Pindozzi, Stefania"

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Appraising Bioenergy Alternatives in Uganda Using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT)-Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and a Desirability Functions Approach
(Energies, 2014) Okello, Collins; Pindozzi, Stefania; Faugno, Salvatore; Boccia, Lorenzo
Poor access to clean and reliable energy technologies is a major challenge to most developing countries. The decision to introduce new technologies is often faced by low adoption rates or even public opposition. In addition, the data required for effective decision making is often inadequate or even lacking, thus constraining the planning process. In this study, a methodology for participatory appraisal of technologies, integrating desirability functions to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)-analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methodology was developed. Application of the methodology was illustrated with an example for participatory appraisal of four bioenergy technologies in Uganda. Results showed that the methodology is effective in evaluating stakeholder preferences for bioenergy technologies. It showed a high potential to be used to identify and rate factors that stakeholders take into consideration when selecting bioenergy systems. The method could be used as a tool for technology screening, or reaching consensus in a participatory setup in a transparent manner.
Assessment of Nitrogen Content in Buffalo Manure and Land Application Costs
(Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 2012) Faugno, Salvatore; Pindozzi, Stefania; Okello, Collins; Ripa, Maria Nicolina
Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) livestock for mozzarella cheese production plays a fundamental role in the economy of southern Italy. European and Italian regulations consider nitrogen content in buffalo manure to be the same as that of cattle manure. This study aimed to assess whether this assumption is true. The first aim of the study was to assess nitrogen content in buffalo manure. Samples were taken from 35 farms to analyse nitrogen and phosphorous concentration in the manure. Analysis confirmed a lower nitrogen concentration (2%) in buffalo manure. A secondary aim of the study was to evaluate whether manure application techniques that are apparently less suitable, e.g. splash plate spreader, could be feasible. The cost of different methods of land application of manure and their characteristics were evaluated on the basis of one operational cycle. Considering losses for volatilisation, and taking into account cost assessment, the immediate incorporation of buffalo manure (nitrogen content 2%) is a suitable method of ammonia volatilisation. However, it is expensive and involves high fuel consumption in relation to the environmental benefit.
Bioenergy Potential of Agricultural and Forest Residues in Uganda
(Biomass and bioenergy, 2013) Okello, Collins; Pindozzi, Stefania; Faugno, Salvatore; Boccia, Lorenzo
Biomass is the major source of energy in most developing countries. However, there are concerns about the sustainability of biomass supplies and the environmental impacts resulting from their use. Use of residues could contribute to ensuring sustainable supply of biomass energy. This study presents findings of an evaluation of the energy potential of agricultural and forest residues in Uganda using census data of the year 2008/2009. Annual productions of crop and forest residues were estimated using residue-to-product ratio (RPR) method. Energy potential of each residue class was then determined basing on their respective lower heating values. The biogas generation potential of each animal category was used to evaluate the energy potential of animal manure. Results showed that the total energy potential of the residues amount to 260 PJ y−1, which is about 70% of gross biomass energy requirement of Uganda for the year 2008. Crop residues had the highest contribution of about 150 PJ y−1, followed by animal residues with a potential of 65 PJ y−1. Maize residue is the predominant crop residue with energy potential of 65 PJ y−1 followed by beans and banana, each at 16 PJ y−1. This study indicates that agricultural and forest residues can be a major renewable energy source for Uganda. When sustainably utilised, biomass residues could contribute to reduction in environmental degradation in the country.
Experimental Evaluation of Manure Evaporation in The Paddock for a Management Algorithm Development
(IEEE, 2012) Pindozzi, Stefania; Faugno, Salvatore; Okello, Collins; Boccia, Lorenzo
The aims of this study was to evaluate the possibility of reducing the weight of manure in paddocks by natural evaporation according to an appropriate management plan. The weight of buffalo manure was recorded by an experimental platform equipped with load cells and installed within the paddock. The data was used for assessing the real evaporation of manure in situ. A model for predicting manure evaporation was developed by adapting a soil evapotranspiration model. On the basis of the model an optimal management strategy was established, which corresponds to minimizing the use of the scraper from the 100th day of the year (DOY) to the 250th DOY. This lead to a potential reduction in weight of the manure by 650 kg/m2/year which corresponds to management cost reduction of about 30%. This approach is effective for reducing the bulkiness of buffalo manure for which the spreading costs per kg of nitrogen and the fuel needs for land application is very substantial considering its low nitrogen content of about 2 mg/m3
Indirect Field Technology for Detecting Areas Object of Illegal Spills Harmful to Human Health: Application of Drones, Photogrammetry and Hydrological Models
(Geospatial health, 2014) Capolupo, Alessandra; Pindozzi, Stefania; Okello, Collins; Boccia, Lorenzo
The accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils is a serious environmental problem. The Campania region in southern Italy has higher levels of cancer risk, presumably due to the accumulation of geogenic and anthropogenic soil pollutants, some of which have been incorporated into organic matter. The aim of this study was to introduce and test an innovative, field-applicable methodology to detect heavy metal accumulation using drone-based photogrammetry and microrill network modelling, specifically to generate wetlands wetlands prediction indices normally applied at large catchment scales, such as a large geographic basin. The processing of aerial photos taken using a hexacopter equipped with fifth-generation software for photogrammetry allowed the generation of a digital elevation model (DEM) with a resolution as high as 30 mm. Not only this provided a high potential for the study of micro-rill processes, but it was also useful for testing and comparing the capability of the topographic index (TI) and the clima-topographic index (CTI) to predict heavy metal sedimentation points at scales from 0.1 to 10 ha. Our results indicate that the TI and CTI indices can be used to predict points of heavy metal accumulation for small field catchments.
Measurement and Prediction of Buffalo Manure Evaporation in the Farmyard to Improve Farm Management
(Biosystems engineering, 2013) Pindozzi, Stefania; Okello, Collins
In order to evaluate the performance of two empirical models for buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) manure evaporation, predictions were compared with measured data. The two models were developed by adapting the potential evapotranspiration (ETo) models of Tombesi–Lauciani and Hargreaves. The data used for assessing the manure evaporation in situ, were derived from the manure weights recorded using an experimental platform installed within the farmyard and equipped with load cells. The experiments were carried out in Serre (SA), in the South of Italy in the period from 23 June to 24 September 2011. The most efficient model, in terms of closeness between estimates and measures, was implemented from 2006 to 2010, allowing for annualised calculation of evaporation. On this basis, an optimal management strategy was established, which corresponds to maximising manure evaporation, minimising the use of the scraper from the 100th day of the year (DOY) to the 250th DOY. This leads to a potential reduction in weight of the manure by 650 kg m−2 [yard] year−1, which corresponds to management cost reduction of about 30%.
Photogrammetry for Environmental Monitoring: The Use of Drones and Hydrological Models for Detection of Soil Contaminated by Copper
(Science of the Total Environment, 2015) Capolupo, Alessandra; Pindozzi, Stefania; Okello, Collins
Campania Region of Southern Italy has a complex environmental situation, due to geogenic and anthropogenic soil pollution. Some of the pollutants such as copper are mobilized in the organic matter. It has been shown that wetlands provide physical as well as biogeochemical barriers against pollutants. Therefore, the objective of this study was to introduce and test an innovative approach able to predict copper accumulation points at plot scales, using a combination of aerial photos, taken by drones, micro-rill network modelling and wetland prediction indices usually used at catchment scales. Data were collected from an area measuring 4500m2 in Trentola Ducenta locality of Caserta Province of southern Italy. The photos processing with a fifth generation software for photogrammetry resulted in a high resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM), used to study micro-rill processes. The DEM was also used to test the ability of Topographic Index (TI) and the Clima-Topographic Index (CTI) to predict copper sedimentation points at plot scale (0.1–10ha) by comparing the map of the predicted and the actual copper distribution in the field. The DEM obtained with a resolution of 30mm showed a high potential for the study of micro-rill processes and TI and CTI indices were able to predict zones of copper accumulation at a plot scale.
Using Historical Maps to Analyze two hundred Years of Land Cover Changes: Case Study of Sorrento Peninsula (South Italy)
(Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 2016) Pindozzi, Stefania; Okello, Collins; Boccia, Lorenzo
Historical maps are effective sources of geographical information and useful for historical and territorial research. In this study, the examination of landscape dynamics on the basis of historical maps over a period of more than 200 years was conducted. The study area is Sorrento peninsula and part of the near Sarno river basin in South Italy. This study provides a general framework for the assessment of the overall quality and accuracy of historical maps. The application of the methodology used in this specific case study can contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of the landscape in the long term. The derived knowledge can be applied in the planning of the landscape in order to implement correct conservation strategies. The comparison was made on four maps 1817, 1875, 1960, and 2006. Geodetic accuracy of the sheet maps of 1817 and 1875 offer a right basis for a macro analysis of land cover dynamics, evaluating conversion from one land cover category to another. Main transformation, identified in the period between 1875 and 1960, was the disappearance of vineyards, which covered 25% of the total study area in 1875. Agricultural areas increased in this period to cover 57% of the total area.

Browsing by Author "Pindozzi, Stefania"

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