Abstract:Lightweight materials are more viable for use in invariably hot or cold climates than in temperate climates. However, it is possibleto use lightweight construction systems and specifically membranes even in housing buildings in temperate climate areas, if theirproperties are well explored, allowing better environmental performance and cost effectiveness than conventional solutions. In theouter skin and in dividing elements, architectural membranes can be used as thermal regulators, for ...
Autori: António Pedro Reis, Joăo Pedro Couto, Paulo Mendonça
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25781

Abstract Environmental contamination by antimony has been described as a critical issue in many articles. In this study, the Sb(III) removal by two brown algae, Sargassum muticum and Aschophylum nodosum, has been tested. Algae were collected in Viana do Castelo beach (Portugal). Preliminary tests were carried out and, based on the results, Sargassum muticum was chosen for subsequent experiments. Kinetic data were described by pseudo second order model. After about four hours contact time the...
Autori: Gabriela Ungureanu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26659

Abstract The current study aims at analyzing the perceptions of people exposed to wind turbine noise. Noise measurements were carried out in a wind farm in the north of Portugal and the data were analyzed and crossed with the answers to a survey applied in four nearby villages. It was concluded that the direct visibility of the wind turbines from the respondents’ houses seems to affect the reported annoyance due to noise exposure. Besides, there is a significant relationship between th...
Autori: Pedro M. Arezes
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26845

Oceanic islands face very serious environmental issues such as climate change, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and proliferation of invasive alien species. The delimitation of the IES shall consider the many inter-relationships between all biophysical and cultural variables, contributing therefore to a better understanding of the socio-ecological system. The Island Ecological Structure (IES) includes the key natural resources, biophysical functions and ecological processes wit...
Autori: Artur Gil
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27085

Against a background of growing concern with environmental issues, resource consumption and waste production in the construction sector, this article presents the results of a study on the implementation of environmental management systems (EMS) certification in Portuguese construction companies. It reports on how construction companies perceive motives, difficulties, benefits and effectiveness of implementing EMS certification. A questionnaire served as the basis for data collection. It was sen...
Autori: Caroline Dominguez
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27174

This article addresses CO2 dynamics in school classrooms and analyses the improvement of ventilation and indoor air quality resulting from the simple window-opening ventilation strategies. CO2, temperature and relative humidity were measured in four different naturally ventilated classrooms of a Northeastern Portuguese education institution for a wide range of environmental conditions. Indoor CO2 levels were also simulated with a numerical model to help manage the indoor air quality of these ...
Autori: Filipe Rodrigues
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28030