https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/314 2026-11-10T15:07:46Z 2026-11-10T15:07:46Z Attard, George Comparetti, Antonio Jotautienė, Eglė Juostas, Antanas Mira, Francesco https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150856 2026-11-09T13:28:34Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Manure management in EU for biosecurity increase and livestock farming footprints reduction Authors: Attard, George; Comparetti, Antonio; Jotautienė, Eglė; Juostas, Antanas; Mira, Francesco Abstract: The spread of livestock diseases, such as African swine fever (ASF) or the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), caused by viruses and/or bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli, are currently reducing biosecurity; as such, EU regulations avoid the use of derived manure for biofertilisation. This is happening in a global context, where the price of food, fertilisers, and energy have a strong correlation. In fact, surges in the cost of these commodities contribute to strong tensions in food-insecure countries, very often resulting in food riots. This review paper addresses the current technologies available in the EU for the treatment of manure, including that derived from livestock affected by the above diseases. Additionally, within the agricultural sector, livestock farming is the major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as methane, nitrogen monoxide, and carbon dioxide, which contribute to global warming and, therefore, climate change. Thus, this paper also discusses manure management technologies aimed at reducing GHG emissions, considered as livestock farming footprints according to EU regulations. The literature review followed a widely implemented method divided into three phases: planning (theoretical background), execution (search strategy), and result analysis. The current technologies available in the EU for manure management are aerobic treatment, composting, anaerobic digestion (AD), decanter centrifuge, VP-HoBe, BENAS AD, Geamix housing system, belt press sieve–reverse osmosis, vibrating reverse osmosis, granulation, gasification, and pyrolysis. RENURE (REcovered Nitrogen from manure), i.e., an organic fertiliser that is partially or totally derived from manure, can replace synthetic chemical/mineral fertilisers, thereby building up a resilient food production chain capable of using locally available resources. This review indicates that pyrolysis and AD are the best suited technologies for processing manure that may be affected by the above diseases, as they have been proven to effectively avoid the spread of those specific pathogens. Moreover, these two technologies can reduce livestock footprints. However, further research will need to assess the selected manure management technologies through the computation of energy balance, in order to maximise energy efficiency.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150650 2026-10-30T12:52:10Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Environmental monitoring of spores at a historic chapel Abstract: This study explores the airborne fungal spores, and pollen, present in and around the Church of the Annunciation, located in the uninhabited settlement of Ħal Millieri. Additionally, it assesses how environmental conditions may influence the presence of bioaerosols and the threat these may pose to the frescoes within the church. This church was chosen due to the unique paintings that adorn its walls, depicting twelve Catholic Saints. The paintings were executed in the fresco secco and buon affresco styles and date back to the fifteenth century. The frescoes are of particular importance to Malta’s cultural heritage as surviving medieval wall paintings are few and far between. A 24-hour pilot study was conducted to determine the ideal sampling duration and locations for the passive deposition method. Low bioaerosol counts highlighted the need for a longer sampling period. Therefore, three week-long sampling periods were conducted, with slides placed at twelve locations, both inside and outside the church. The passive sampling method was supplemented with active volumetric sampling using a portable Burkard volumetric air sampler. The samples were analysed via light microscope; the Burkard slides were converted to absolute and relative values of grains/m3. Results indicate that the building was largely effective at blocking the entry of bioaerosols, with only 3.55% of the total spores and 0.76% of the total pollen grains recorded indoors. The two sampling methods were complementary, with passive and active sampling better suited to detecting heavier and lighter particles, respectively. These findings highlight a conservation paradox: while maintaining indoor relative humidity above 75% prevented halite crystallization, it also created favourable conditions for fungal growth. Improving drought-proofing, alongside limiting visitor frequency and duration, could help reduce the ingress of bioaerosol. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150571 2026-10-28T12:29:35Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Invasiveness versus sustainability : supply chain perceptions of Opuntia ficus-indica in the Maltese food system Abstract: This research seeks to outline key contradictions in the agricultural uses, cultural values, economic opportunities, and ecological practices associated with the prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI). Understanding contradictions in perspectives on invasive species like OFI aids in informing policy surrounding the environmental management of such species and contributes towards global research of invasive-food system integration, which is becoming increasingly important as climate change threatens traditional agricultural systems. This project analyzes necessary trade-offs associated with managing OFI in Malta through supply chain perceptions and valuation in primary markets, and consumer-side interviews in informal markets to capture perceptions and uses of the prickly pear cactus. Alongside a policy and literature review on historic and current uses, markets, and management practices, these data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis to create themes. Three major findings emerged from these analyses: contradictions between perceived nativeness and nonnative origins; nuanced views of plant classification impacted by cultural and food systems associations; and limited commercial development and institutional support despite OFI's climate resilience. A SWOT analysis was then used to evaluate potential futures for OFI. These findings presented three key pathways for OFI: increased investment, continuing current practices, and increased environmental regulation. These findings ultimately suggest that the role of OFI must be understood by the sum of its functions, as an environmental concern, agricultural resource, commercial product, and a cultural symbol. Any pathways for OFI are dependent on how stakeholders weigh trade-offs between these functions. Description: MSc. (EMS)(Melit.)

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150565 2026-10-28T11:26:14Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Seasonal variability and multi-decadal trends of the mixed layer depth in the central Mediterranean Abstract: This study examined seasonal variability and multi-decadal trends of the Mixed Layer Depth (MLD) in the central Mediterranean. The primary objectives included addressing regional research gaps and evaluating three estimation methodologies to determine the most physically consistent approach for the region. The methods examined were the vertical temperature gradient, fixed temperature threshold, and density threshold (TEOS-10). MEDSEA_MULTIYEAR_PHY_006_004 physical reanalysis product from Copernicus Marine Service was used to provide daily temperature and salinity fields at a 1/24° (~4.5 km) horizontal resolution across 141 vertical levels. These reanalysis data were used to identify long-term trends and shifts in the MLD through daily estimates analyzed over 39 years, from 1 January 1987 to 1 January 2026. The findings indicate that the density threshold method (TEOS-10) was the most suitable framework. The most noteworthy result was a statistically significant spring shoaling trend of -0.87 m per decade that is indicative of seasonal stratification occurring earlier every decade. A possible association between MLD anomalies and to the presence of a gyre is identified. The results contribute to current regional knowledge of seasonal variability and multi-decadal trends, identify a statistically significant shoaling trend, and identify a possible association of MLD anomalies to the Malta-Sicily Gyre (MSG). Description: MSc. (EMS)(Melit.)

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z