Large amounts of waste generated by the disposal of non‐biodegradable packaging is a major concern that has stimulated the search for new materials for the development of environmentally friendly ...packaging. This study aims to produce cassava starch‐based foams incorporated with broken rice, a co‐product of rice milling. Foams were obtained by a thermopressing process, and the influence of broken rice concentration on the formulations is investigated. Broken rice addition is tested for 0 (control sample), 10, 15, 20, and 30% (w/w). Foams containing broken rice show lower thickness and higher density. With respect to water absorption capacity, the control foam and those with 10 and 15% (w/w) of broken rice addition do not present significant statistical differences for any of the tested times. Mechanical properties (tensile strain and maximum flexural stress) are positively influenced by the addition of 10% (w/w) broken rice. Foams made from formulations containing 10% (w/w) broken rice demonstrate higher tensile strain and maximum flexural stress values compared to control foams. Additionally, these foams exhibit a good appearance without superficial cracks.
Broken rice is evaluated as an additive in cassava starch‐based foams. Starch‐based foams with broken rice addition (0, 10, 15, 20 and 30%, w/w) are produced by a thermopressing process. Foams containing 10% (w/w) broken rice present higher tensile strain and maximum flexural stress. In addition, these foams are homogeneous, without superficial cracks.
A long-term measurement programme was operated in southern Italy during the 1960s and 1970s, to provide information on the suspended sediment yields from the main river basins. Information obtained ...for the rivers of Calabria suggests that suspended sediment yields in this area are relatively low. However, there is evidence that the intensity of land degradation within the upstream catchments is substantially higher than suggested by the values of specific sediment yield and there is a need to explore the relationship between on-site soil loss and downstream sediment yield more closely. Monitoring time-integrated erosion rates over large areas has traditionally required extensive long-term measurement programmes employing experimental plots. The fallout radionuclide caesium-137 (137Cs) offers an alternative means of documenting medium-term rates of soil loss. This paper describes the use of 137Cs measurements and the available sediment load data to explore the links between soil erosion, sediment redistribution and storage, and sediment output for a medium-scale (41.3 km2) catchment in Calabria. Data available from a sediment load monitoring programme undertaken at the catchment outlet during 1962-1977 have been used to estimate the longer-term catchment sediment yield. This estimate has been combined with information provided by the 137Cs measurements, to establish a medium-term sediment budget for the catchment. The results provided by the 137Cs measurements indicate that the catchment is subject to much higher rates of soil loss and land degradation than suggested by its specific sediment yield. These findings are consistent with the results obtained for other catchments in Calabria for which both 137Cs derived erosion rates and measured sediment yields are available.
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