http://hdl.handle.net/10174/1027 2026-07-29T23:17:31Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42411 Title: Merchant Ship Recycling as a Strategy for Decarbonization Maritime Sector Authors: Vásquez, Carmen Luisa; Isbaex, Crismeire; Rosa, Luís; Borges, Francisco António; Marinho, Lucas de Aquino; Batista, Teresa Editors: Bolívar, Manuel Pedro Rodríguez; Petrosillo, Irene Abstract: Maritime transport supports 80% of global trade but contributes 2.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite its vital role, ship recycling remains limited, with only 8.9% of the fleet’s gross tonnage recycled annually—contrasting with the ongoing construction of carbon-intensive new ships. The shipbuilding process generates between 5000 and 14,500 tCO2eq per unit, with 70–85% of emissions stemming from material production (mainly steel), and 10–20% from industrial processes at shipyards. In this context, ship recycling emerges as a critical strategy for reducing carbon footprints and fostering circularity in the maritime sector. Depending on the technology used, recycling significantly mitigates environmental impact by recovering materials and reducing the demand for virgin resources and energy. In a global context, Europe leads in this domain, accounting for 23% of global ship recycling activity and hosting 38 of the 48 EU-authorized facilities (Commission Implementing Decision 2025/322). Particularly in merchant segments—bulk carriers, container ships, and tankers—recycling is becoming essential to decarbonization goals. These ship types, which have grown 35.4% globally from 2015 to 2024 (UNCTADstat, 2025), dominate the fleet’s composition and thus offer significant potential for impact. This study assesses merchant ship recycling as a strategy to reduce carbon emissions. It employs a multidimensional methodology: first, a systematic literature review identifies key recycling technologies, regulatory frameworks, and challenges; secondly, an analysis of global trends is carried out regarding adoption, ship types, and geographical distribution; finally, the carbon footprint of building new ships versus recycling old ones is compared. Findings reveal that recycling can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 46.4% compared to new constructions, positioning it as a cornerstone of maritime sustainability and climate mitigation. 2025-12-03T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42399 Title: A critical application of the Agroecology Criteria Tool to evaluate agri-food initiatives in Portugal Authors: Duarte, Luís; Muñoz-Rojas, José; Horstink, Lanka Abstract: Agroecology is being increasingly promoted as a pathway toward more sustainable agri-food systems, but its systemic and multidimensional nature makes agroecological assessment particularly difficult. While several frameworks have been developed to evaluate agroecological compliance, little is known about how agroecology is currently implemented and evaluated at the national level. This study examines 34 agroecological research and advocacy initiatives in Portugal using the Agroecology Criteria Tool (ACT), representing, to our knowledge, the first national-level application of a similar framework. The analysis shows that only a few initiatives considered fully adopt a systemic approach to agroecology, with most demonstrating only partial integration of the agroecological principles. Clear differences appear between types of initiatives: projects focused on agroecosystems tend to highlight ecological aspects, while food-system-focused initiatives mainly act as social and institutional facilitators rather than as leaders of comprehensive agroecological transformation. Meanwhile, applying the ACT reveals its usefulness and limitations, especially regarding overlaps among criteria and how elements are organized, which somehow restricts its ability to capture the dynamics within the groups of initiatives. Based on these results, we suggest targeted improvements to the tool to improve its clarity and usefulness. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for strong, transparent, and context-sensitive assessment frameworks to support evidence-based decisions and effectively guide the transition to agroecology. 2026-05-11T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42397 Title: The Impact of Marine Fossil Fuel Use on Air Quality in Port Cities Authors: Borges, Francisco António; Vasquez, Carmen Luisa; Rosa, Luís; Isbaex, Crismeire; Jamal, Saad Ahmed; Marinho, Lucas de Aquino; Batista, Teresa Editors: Leseure, Michel J. Abstract: The maritime transport sector is vital for global trade, yet it continues to be a significant source of air pollution in port cities due to its reliance on fossil fuels. This review summarizes empirical and epidemiological evidence on the emissions of Heavy Fuel Oil and transitional alternatives, such as Liquefied Natural Gas, with a focus on their contribution to local concentrations. Shipping-related emissions account for a substantial proportion of air pollution across multiple coastal urban regions, particularly during maneuvering and hoteling operations. The reviewed studies consistently associate these emissions with an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and premature mortality among populations living near ports. While sulphur-focused regulations, notably IMO 2020, have achieved significant reductions in SO2 emissions, the literature indicates that nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter remain largely unmitigated. This review concludes that existing regulatory frameworks only partially address the health-related externalities of maritime transport. To address this market failure, the review argues for an integrated policy approach that combines market-based measures with port-level incentives and operational controls to reduce emissions at berth, thereby aligning shipping practices with public health objectives and the sustainable development goals. 2026-02-10T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42293 Title: GCxGC-TOFMS with flow modulation for fingerprinting volatile compounds in Portuguese grape varieties Authors: Fonseca, Daniela; Martins, Nuno; Garcia, Raquel; Cabrita, Maria João Abstract: Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography offers a powerful analytical tool for profiling volatile compounds in complex matrices. The characterization of grapevine varieties that are resilient to water stress, such as autochthonous varieties, while safeguarding quality characteristics, is fundamental to viticulture. For this reason, the objective of this study was to characterize the volatile composition of four white varieties from the Alentejo region (Portugal), subjected to three different irrigation regimes: water comfort, moderate water deficit, and rainfed. The first step was to optimize the modulation conditions, and it was found that the most effective modulation period was 5 s, with a flush time of 0.20 s. After optimizing these conditions, the grapes of the Diagalves, Manteúdo, Perrum and Rabo de Ovelha varieties were analyzed by HS-SPME-GCxGC-TOFMS. A total of seventy-six volatile compounds, of which fifty-one were varietal volatiles, were identified and semi-quantified in these varieties. The results reveal that the irrigation regime influences the volatile profile with varying responses across the varieties. While Diagalves exhibited no significant differences between irrigation regimes, Manteúdo and Perrum demonstrated higher levels of varietal volatile compounds, particularly terpenes and C13 norisoprenoids, under rainfed conditions. According to PCA, irrigation regimes affect each variety differently. In conclusion, Manteúdo and Perrum emerge as the most statistically promising varieties in terms of adaptability to water scarcity. These findings highlight the significance of selecting resilient autochthonous grape varieties as an effective strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change while maintaining the wine's distinctive aromatic character. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z