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- Influence of a Bubble Curtain Device on Microplastics DynamicsPublication . Santos, César Augusto Vaz; Camacho, E. A. R.; Silva, André; Fael, Cristina Maria SenaAir bubble curtains have been applied to a wide range of situations, from the attenuation of underwater noise, debris control, and containment of suspended sediment to the reduction in saltwater intrusion. This work conducts a preliminary numerical study on the influence of a bubble curtain device on microplastic dynamics. Simulations are conducted with a two-phase unsteady model, and the trajectories of the microplastic particles are computed with the Discrete Phase Model (DPM). Particles are injected upstream of the bubble curtain, and their transport is analyzed under different flow conditions. Results show that the ratio between the water velocity and the air injection velocity can significantly impact the efficiency of the device in directing the particles toward the surface. Furthermore, a higher degree of turbulent mixing is seen for lower water velocities. This study highlights the intricate flow behavior, and the need for a deeper understanding of other variables such as the microplastic size and concentration and the geometry of the air injection system.
- Exploring irrigation and water supply technologies for smallholder farmers in the Mediterranean regionPublication . Pereira, Dina; Leitão, João; Gaspar, Pedro Dinis; Fael, Cristina; Falorca, Isabel; Khairy, Wael M.; Wahid, Nadya; Yousf, Hicham El; Bouazzama, Bassou; Siering, Jan; Hansmann, Harald; Zaščerinska, Jeļena; Camilleri, Sarah; Busuttil, Francesca; Borg, Malcolm; Mizzi, Joseph; Micallef, Reno; Cutajar, JosephWater security is a hot topic all over the world, due to global warming, climate change, natural calamities such as droughts and floods, overuse of water, and other factors. Water issues have been scientifically investigated from several perspectives, namely institutional, economic, social, environmental, managerial, and technological. However, the technological aspects of irrigation and water supply for smallholder farmers in the Mediterranean region have not been adequately addressed. This paper explores irrigation and water supply technologies for smallholder farmers in the selected Mediterranean countries (Egypt, Malta, Morocco, and Portugal). The methods of analysis are literature review, fieldwork, and observation. The literature survey reveals that Mediterranean countries share many common features in terms of climate, water and land resources, and development issues. Nevertheless, the selected countries in the Mediterranean region (Egypt, Malta, Morocco, and Portugal) differ in terms of type of crops, water management regulations, labor force availability, financial sustainability, and economic approaches. These remarks signal the need for applying a specific approach in selecting a technology for irrigation and water supply according to the regional context. Additionally, the financial and economic perspectives of the three key technologies (i.e., SLECI, desalination technology, and engineering constructed wetlands) require further analysis.