Joaquim C.G. Esteves da Silva

Abstract This work aims to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of seamless leggings produced by a Portuguese textile company, following a “cradle-to-gate” approach. This includes all life cycle stages from raw material production to the packaging of the seamless leggings, ready to leave the company gate. Primary data for the foreground processes were obtained from the actual industrial practices of the Portuguese company, complemented by data from the ecoinvent V3.5 life cycle inventory database and literature sources, primarily for the background processes. The ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (E) V1.02 methodology was employed to evaluate potential environmental impacts, using the SimaPro V8.5.2 LCA software. Results indicate that the production and spinning of fibers have the highest environmental impacts, mainly due to their high energy consumption. Dyeing operations are more impactful than confection operations, particularly contributing to water use and freshwater ecotoxicity. Therefore, efforts to reduce overall environmental impacts should initially focus on these life cycle stages. Switching the electricity source from the national grid mix to entirely photovoltaic energy resulted in a significant reduction in several environmental impact categories, including a 30% reduction in global warming potential. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Abstract Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are an important atmospheric aerosol constituent. However, there still needs to be a standard procedure for their sampling and size fractionation, which is an obstacle to the aggregation and critical analysis of results obtained by different research groups. This review focuses on the sampling and fractionation methodologies used for MNPs. Moreover, a streamlined, simplified methodology for sampling and fractionation is proposed.

Abstract <jats:p>Green carbon-based materials (GCM), i.e. carbon materials produced using renewable biomass or recycled wastes, ought to be used in order to processes become sustainable and carbon neutral. Carbon nanomaterials, like for example carbon dots and nanobichar families, and carbon materials, like for example activated carbon and biochar substances, are sustainable materials with great potential to be used in different technology applications. In this review, the following four applications were selected, and the works published in the last two years (since 2022) critically reviewed: agriculture; water treatment; energy management; and, carbon dioxide reduction and sequestration. GCM improved the performance of the technological applications under revision and play an important role in the sustainability of the processes, contributing to the mitigation of the climate change, namely by reducing emission and increase sequestration of CO2eq..</jats:p>

Abstract Green carbon-based materials (GCM), i.e., carbon materials produced using renewable biomass or recycled waste, ought to be used to make processes sustainable and carbon-neutral. Carbon nanomaterials, like carbon dots and the nanobichar families, and carbon materials, like activated carbon and biochar substances, are sustainable materials with great potential to be used in different technological applications. In this review, the following four applications were selected, and the works published in the last two years (since 2022) were critically reviewed: agriculture, water treatment, energy management, and carbon dioxide reduction and sequestration. GCM improved the performance of the technological applications under revision and played an important role in the sustainability of the processes, contributing to the mitigation of climate change, by reducing emissions and increasing the sequestration of CO2eq.

Abstract <jats:p>Mozambique is one of the poorest countries of the world. However, it has natural resources and if they are managed under sustainable development principles, Mozambique can overcome the current problems. In the present socio-economic status, soil is one of its most important resources and must be protected from pollution and from degradation. This review focuses on the identification and discussion of the main soil quality stressors, namely: soil fertility; deforestation and its sources: agriculture, timber harvesting, charcoal production and uncontrolled fires; mining activities, manly gold artisanal explorations and industrial open-pit coal mining. The sustainable use of the natural resources is mandatory to allow future generations to continue profiting for this nature-based wealth.</jats:p>