Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can enter the lungs and cause premature death in millions of people worldwide every year. More and more international scholars are paying attention to the potential harm of PM_2.5 and how to reduce its negative impact. Reducing air pollution and its negative impacts is an important function of green spaces. Many scholars have conducted research on the impact of green spaces on PM_2.5. This article attempts to comprehensively review past related research. This is undoubtedly beneficial for people to better understand the impact of green spaces on PM_2.5 and optimize green spaces accordingly to reduce PM_2.5 concentration. This article first provides a detailed introduction to the impact of plants on PM_2.5 pollution from the perspective of the mechanism of action. Then, this article provides a review of the different impacts of green space types and morphological factors on the surrounding environment PM_2.5. In addition, this article outlines the range of the impact of green spaces on PM_2.5 in the environment. This article categorizes green spaces into different types such as road green spaces, commercial and residential green spaces, and parks and squares, and explores the impact of green spaces on PM_2.5 in the environment. This article analyzes the impact of various parts of a single plant on PM_2.5 in the environment from a single plant perspective. Finally, this article analyzes which factors in the surrounding environment can affect the impact of green spaces on PM_2.5 pollution in the environment. A review of relevant research is also beneficial for people to have a more comprehensive understanding of current research progress and guide future research to better carry out.

One of the important air pollutants is ammonia, which is mainly emitted from the agriculture sector. This sector is responsible for over 81% of global ammonia emissions. The main threat related to ammonia emissions is water eutrophication and soil acidification. The aim of the research was a preliminary assessment of the implementation status of methods for reducing ammonia emissions on farms and to learn the views and awareness of agricultural producers on reducing emissions of pollutants into the air. The research was conducted using a survey questionnaire that was made available to farmers in various ways. Based on the results of pilot surveys, it can be concluded that farmers have general knowledge of environmental protection and generally agree that people have an impact on the state of the environment. Low-emission practices to reduce ammonia emissions from agricultural sources are not widely used. The best situation is regarding reduction practices in the storage of natural fertilizers and the use of low-emission fertilizer application techniques. Some reduction activities are not obligatory, therefore it is difficult to determine the scope of application of these practices. Therefore, such periodic research will allow monitoring the activity of agricultural producers in implementing reduction methods.

Lanthanides and actinides are emerging contaminants, but little is known about their uptake and distribution by plants and their interactions in the rhizosphere. To better understand the fate of these metals in plants, we assessed the bioassociation of 2, 20 and 200 µM Eu(III) by five hydroponically grown crops endemic to Europe. The metal’s concentration and its speciation was monitored by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopy, whereas root exudation was investigated by chromatographic methods. It has been shown, that Eu(III) bioassociation is a two-stage process, involving rapid biosorption followed by accumulation in root tissue and distribution to the stem and leaves. Within 96 h of exposure time, the plant induces a change of Eu(III) speciation in the liquid medium, from a predominant Eu(III) aquo species, as calculated by thermodynamic modelling, to a species with longer luminescence lifetime. Root exudates such as citric, malic, and fumaric acid were identified in the cultivation medium and affect Eu(III) speciation in solution, as was shown by a change in the thermodynamic model. These results contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the fate of lanthanides in the biosphere and provide a basis for further investigations with the chemical analogues Cm(III) and Am(III).

This study evaluated ground-level concentrations (GLCs) of aerosols and criteria pollutants using the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reanalysis dataset over the Himawari-8 observational land area, including China, Indonesia, and Australia, for the past eight years. A square root transformation of the data was used to normalize and mitigate skewness. Monthly-hourly long-term averages were subtracted to determine abnormalities and identify significant pollution events. Geographic Weighted Regression (GWR) and the Jacobian matrix (dY/dX) methods were used to determine the spatial variability in pollutant concentrations and correlations with meteorological factors. The findings revealed complex interactions between atmospheric dynamics, such as wind components, specific humidity, and pollutant distribution. The analysis highlighted the limitations of traditional point monitoring methods and the need for incident-based spatiotemporal approaches to understand pollution dynamics. This comprehensive evaluation, covering roughly 10% of the globe, demonstrated CAMS's effectiveness in providing detailed insights into air quality trends, which can support targeted public health interventions and compliance with sustainability goals. Integrating CAMS data with high-resolution satellite data like Himawari-8 could revolutionize air quality monitoring by delivering dynamic, near real-time outputs with high spatiotemporal resolution.

Marine litter, comprising persistent and human-made solid materials discarded in marine environments, poses a severe threat to Nigeria's coastal and marine ecosystems. Despite existing international, regional, and national regulations, ineffective enforcement and compliance have led to widespread environmental degradation (UNEP, 2021). This study examines the factors contributing to the proliferation of marine litter in Nigeria, focusing on regulatory gaps, insufficient waste management infrastructure, and the lack of public awareness. The findings reveal that the marine ecosystem is deteriorating due to inadequate waste disposal practices and limited understanding of the impacts of marine litter on both the environment and human health (UNEP, 2021). The paper concludes with recommendations for improving regulatory enforcement, enhancing public education, and investing in waste management infrastructure to address the growing crisis of marine litter. Throughout this article, the limited information on the impacts of marine pollution across Africa is highlighted, emphasizing the value of these insights despite their scarcity.

This study presents a fit-for-purpose evaluation of commercially available portable sensor systems, measuring PM, NO2 and/or BC, through extensive lab- and field benchmarking. The main aim of the study is to identify sensor systems that can be used for mobile monitoring by citizens to assess dynamic exposure in ambient air. After an initial literature study and market search resulting in 39 sensor systems, 10 sensor systems were ultimately purchased and benchmarked in laboratory and real-word conditions. We evaluated comparability to reference analyzers, sensor precision and sensitivity to temperature, humidity and O3. Moreover, we evaluated if accuracy can be improved by the lab and field calibration. Because the targeted application of the sensor systems under evaluation is mobile monitoring, we conducted a mobile field test in an urban environment to evaluate the GPS accuracy and potential impacts from vibrations on the resulting sensor signals. Results of the considered sensor systems indicate that out-of-the-box performance is relatively good for PM and BC, but maturity of the tested NO2 sensors is still low and additional efforts are needed in terms of signal noise and calibration. The horizontal accuracy of the build-in GPS was generally good achieving a <10m horizontal accuracy for all sensor systems. More accurate and dynamic exposure assessments in contemporary urban environments are crucial to study real-world exposure of individuals and exposome impacts on potential health endpoints. A greater availability of mobile monitoring systems capable of quantifying urban pollutant gradients will further boost this line of research.

(max 200 words): The contamination of groundwater is a serious concern for ecosystems and human health. In this regard, biochar represents a promising low-cost and sustainable material for in-situ groundwater remediation. Herein, biochar waste of biomass energy production process derived from pine wood gasification at 950°C was used as active carbonaceous material in combination with different biopolymers: chitosan (CS), alginate (ALG), potato starch (PST), and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) to produce BC@biopolymer composite materials. Different concentrations of biochar (0.3–1.0 g·L-1) and biopolymers (0.2–20.0 g·L-1) were tested and blending mode was used as simple and straightforward strategy to obtain BC composites. Scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), UV-Visible, infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, specific surface area (BET method), pore volume, and pore size distribution (textural parameters), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and ζ-potential were used to investigate the composite chemical structure, stability, and to assess the interaction among counterparts. On optimized formulations, breakthrough tests and batch adsorption isotherms on trichloroethylene (TCE) as a model contaminant were performed to evaluate the capability of composites to be delivered through a porous medium determining the transport properties, (hydrodynamic dispersion retention percentage, and adsorption capacity). This biopolymer-modified biochar holds significant promise as a sustainable and effective solution to address various groundwater pollution challenges.

Criteria air pollutant exposure has always been a major factor that negatively impacts human health through different pathways. One of the critical concerns is adverse birth outcomes associated with criteria air pollutant exposure such as low birth weight, preterm births, neonatal mortality, etc. Recent studies show that criteria air pollutant exposures are strongly associated with the elevated risk of preterm births defined as any birth occurring before 37 weeks of gestation. Bangladesh is one of the most polluted and has the highest preterm birth rate compared to other countries of the world. Although numerous global and regional studies investigate the impacts of criteria air pollutant exposure on preterm births, limited studies are available that investigated the impacts of the major criteria air pollutants on preterm births in recent years for Bangladesh. In this study, we employ the criteria air pollution data from the MERRA-2 model and satellite-sensed data regionally scaled for Bangladesh from NASA Giovanni (version 4.38) coupled with exposure-response modeling to quantify the impacts of CO, O₃, PM_2.5, SO₂, and NO₂ exposure on preterm births in Bangladesh during the 2015-2019 period. Based on the air quality analysis, the highest CO, O₃, PM_2.5, SO₂, and NO₂ exposures were observed in 2018 up to 272.8 /m³, 88.2 ppbv, 62.9 /m³, 20.5 /m³, and 11.6 ppbv respectively. This elevated amount of criteria air pollutant exposure has had direct implications for the increased rate of preterm births in Bangladesh. During 2015-2019, CO, O₃, PM_2.5, SO₂, and NO₂ exposures from all natural and anthropogenic emissions combinedly caused from 0.18 million [95% confidence interval (95CI): 0.08 – 0.29 million] up to 0.20 million [95CI: 0.08 – 0.32 million] preterm births among 4.3 million annual total live births each year which indicated a 4.4-4.9% preterm birth rate exclusively attributable to criteria air pollutant exposure in Bangladesh. Our study is critical for the overall wellbeing of the under-represented women and children in Bangladesh as it facilitates the quantitative evidence of preterm births caused by major air pollutant exposure and advocates the reduction of countrywide air pollution and establishment of well-aware community by facilitating low-cost air quality monitoring system in each household, necessary reformation of pollution prevention policies & regulations in national level and strict as well as vigilant law enforcement on human activities that causes air pollution.

In the last decades, numerous studies indicated the substantial role semiconductors could play in photocatalytic processes for environmental applications. Materials that contain a semi-conductor as a photo-catalyst have a semi-permanent capacity for removing harmful gases from the ambient air. In the present work, the focus is on TiO2. Heterogeneous photo-catalysis using TiO2 leads to the degradation of NO/NO2, benzene, toluene, and other priority air pollutants once in contact with the semiconductor surface. Preliminary evidence indicates that TiO2 containing construction materials and paints efficiently destroy the ozone precursors NO and NO2 up to 80% and 30%, respectively. Therefore, the development of innovative coatings containing TiO2 as a photo-catalyst was in the foreground of research activities with the aim to be used as building and construction materials mainly outdoors, e.g. on building facades in high traffic roads for the degradation of priority air pollutants (NOx and volatile organic compounds) in the polluted urban atmosphere. Though the advantages connected with the application of TiO2 due to its band gap of 3.2 eV are limited. TiO2 is effective only in the UV-region (ca. 5%) of the solar spectrum with wavelengths λ

Urban air pollution is a critical global environmental issue, necessitating an understanding of the spatiotemporal characteristics and driving factors for effective environmental protection and urban planning. This study introduced an advanced air quality assessment system that integrates environmental, socio-economic, and urban layout factors, addressing gaps in traditional models that often overlook the impact of urban spatial structures. Analyzing air quality data from Beijing's main urban area (2016-2020) alongside multi-source geographic data, the research develops a comprehensive evaluation system, incorporating 14 key driving factors. Employing Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR), the study quantitatively assessed the influence and spatial heterogeneity of these factors. Findings revealed an annual improvement in air quality, with a U-shaped seasonal pattern and significant spatial clustering (Global Moran’s I = 0.922). The MGWR model, in particular, provided a superior fit over GWR, effectively capturing the spatial variability of factors. Variables such as NDVI), economic output (GDP), and humidity space adjustment capability (HSAC) showed significant positive spatial impacts on air quality, while population density (POP), temperature (TEMP), and road density (RD) exhibited negative effects. These insights enhance the understanding of air pollution dynamics and aid in refining urban planning strategies.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, the scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) is a critically endangered species, primarily due to intense fishing and other anthropogenic effects such as pollution. Nowadays, plastic debris contamination is a subject of concern due to its extensive presence in the sea and the digestive tracts of many fish species. The possible effects of plastic debris as a vector of other pollutants are still unknown. We analyzed the digestive tract of hammerhead sharks to investigate the correlation between plastic and other anthropic debris contamination and feeding habits in the eastern region of the Gulf of California. A total of 58 specimens were analyzed from the coastal area, revealing a plastic occurrence frequency of 79.3%. Of these, 91.4% corresponded to fibers, and 8.6% to fragments. The composition of the polymers was primarily cellulose (64.4%). According to their diet, these organisms exhibit benthopelagic habits, feeding both in the water column and on the seabed. These results indicate a high level of contamination of anthropogenic cellulosic microfibers in the area. This changed according to the year, indicating that the anthropic debris ingestion is related to the discharges of human activities and their seasonality rather than to a selection process by the sharks. Although cellulosic microfibers are recognized as a biomaterial, they can harm marine species, posing an additional threat to this iconic shark.

(1)Background：To date, no studies have epidemiologically examined whether the concentration of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and its ionic components is related to the prevalence of skin symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify this association in patients with allergic diseases. (2)Methods: From February 1 to May 31, 2020, we evaluated the daily prevalence of skin symptoms in outpatients with allergic diseases being treated at Fukuoka Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan, and measured the concentration of PM2.5 and its ionic components. （3）Results: Univariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between skin symptoms and the concentration of PM2.5 and the ionic components SO42-, NH4+, K+, and Mg2+, and multivariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between the daily prevalence of skin symptoms and the concentration of the ionic components SO42- or Mg2+. (4)Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the concentration of some PM2.5 ionic components may affect skin symptoms in patients with allergic diseases.

An emissions baseline for a city is the foundation to building an informed clean air action plan. This includes an understanding of the sources and their intensities to device cost-effective measures with the least health impacts. In an urban environment, emissions from road transport is one of the major contributors to the air pollution problem, and accounting for this sector requires a detailed profile of in-use vehicles, covering their age-mix, usage, and fuel economy. In this paper, we present a simplified framework to survey at select fuel stations to establish the necessary inputs and use them to build a localized vehicle emissions inventory. The methodology is illustrated with an application in the city of Patna, India. Here, the FuSS was employed to profile the in-use passenger vehicle characteristics by 19 trained students, over nine days and at ten fuel stations, to collect 9,775 survey points. The methodology outlined in this paper, along with the tools and training framework, is also replicable in settings other than the fuel stations.

Industrial fires at facilities including waste management sites, warehouses, factories, chemical works and fuel storage depots are relatively frequent occurrences. Often, these fires occur adjacent to urban communities and result in ground-level airborne pollutant concentrations that are well above guideline values. Land, water, livestock and crops may also be contaminated by the emissions and by firefighting activities. Moreover, impacted communities tend to have a higher proportion of minority ethnic populations, individuals with underlying health vulnerabilities, as well as those of lower socio-economic status. Nevertheless, this is an aspect of air quality that is under-researched, and so this review aims to highlight the public health hazards associated with industrial fires and the need for an effective, coordinated, public health response. We also review the range of monitoring techniques that have been utilised in such fires and highlight the role of dispersion modelling in predicting plume trajectories and in estimating population exposure. We recommend establishing 1-h guideline values for particulate matter to facilitate timely public health interventions and we highlight the need to review regulatory and technical controls for sites prone to fires, particularly in the waste sector.

This study aimed at characterizing the composition and performing chemical speciation modelling to determine species that are abundant in the coal fly ash (CFA) and soil samples sourced from Hendrina Power station located in Mpumalanga Province. All CFA samples were alkaline in nature with pH values ranging between 8.11 ± 0.07 and 8.60 ± 0.03 with an electrical conductivity (EC) ranging between 301.70 and 1515.00 µS/cm while EC of control soil was 103.10 µS/cm. The control soil pH was found to be 6.24 ± 0.13 and total organic carbon values ranged between 2.68 and 85.82 mg/kg and some percentage organic carbon values of CFAs were found to be greater than 8%, which is above the permissible limits of hazardous waste dumping. Oxidation-reduction potential values were negative in all CFA samples and positive in soil. The speciation modelling showed that the potential for a trace metal to have hazardous effects in soil systems depends on its concentration, specific form and interactions with other constituents in CFA. The slow release of metals from CFA to soil was assessed by looking at how a given metal is distributed throughout its several possible chemical forms. The presence of divalent cations (Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, etc.) in CFAs might pose a threat to soil quality. In the competition for binding sites on ferric hydroxides, dissolved metal ions faced off against other metals. Protons (H+) were seen to be in competition with Pb, Cu and Zn for the ability to bind to hydroxyl (OH-) groups and this is due to chemical precipitation and surface complexation.

Keywords: contamination; bioaccumulation; fish and mollusks tissue; ecosystem components; heavy metals; organochlorine pesticides; polychlorinated biphenyls; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

In this study, data analysis methods from ecology were applied to litter surveys to evaluate patterns among urban litter items found in two types of streets in England (High Streets and Central Business Districts). Results indicate that sites characterised as a High Street (predominantly leisure activities such as shopping and dining) contained lower densities, less variety, yet featured items with higher potential for environmental contamination than sites categorised as Central Business District (identified by high numbers of professional workers and transport links). Although litter were significantly different between sites, the litter community structure was not. Our results suggest that litter typologies and associated activities can lead to specific knowledge of key influential items in a site and inform future evidence based and sustainable mitigation systems.

Seawater contamination is a global challenge due to its hazardous effects on marine organisms and human health. Twenty-three surface seawater samples were collected from Al Lith intertidal area along the Saudi Red Sea coast to evaluate the ecological risks and document the potential sources of Cr, Cd, Fe, Zn, and Pb. Contamination factor (CF), contamination degree (Cd), water quality index (WQI), and heavy metal pollution index (HPI), as well as multivariate tools were applied. The averages of HMs (μg/L) had the following order: Zn (6.616) > Pb (0.284) > Cd and Cr (0.268) > Fe (0.197). Results of CF showed moderate contamination of seawater with Cd and low contamination for Cr, Fe, Zn, and Pb. However, 26.09% of the samples showed considerable contamination for Cd. Average Cd values revealed low contamination for HMs, while 17.39% of the samples showed moderate contamination. HPI average values indicated medium pollution for Al Lith seawater, meanwhile 13 samples reported high pollution. The higher HPI values were reported in samples characterized by higher concentration of HMs, particularly Cd and Zn. Correlation matrix and principal component analysis suggested anthropogenic sources for Pb and Zn, mostly from industrial and agricultural effluents, landfilling and domestic wastewaters, apart from their natural sources.

This article critically examines existing wastewater management legislation, highlighting its detrimental impact on environmental and public health. It emphasizes the urgent need for a mentality shift among water managers, advocating responsible stewardship of water resources. By promoting collaboration between regulatory bodies and scientific communities, the article seeks tailored solutions for complex challenges. It underscores the necessity of integrating technological innovation, rigorous monitoring, and public engagement for sustainable management. Additionally, it calls for the implementation of easy-to-adopt technological solutions, alongside rigorous monitoring and financial support. Ultimately, the article advocates for a paradigm shift in wastewater management policies towards accountability, innovation, and environmental sustainability. Directives governing wastewater management in Europe, particularly in Spain, have faced scrutiny due to significant shortcomings. Legislation has inadvertently facilitated untreated or poorly treated wastewater discharge, resulting in widespread pollution. Despite EU efforts, punitive measures have proven ineffective, with fines often borne by the public sector, although private sector responsibility. The lack of robust monitoring mechanisms and technical support exacerbates the situation, perpetuating a regressive mindset among water managers. Urgent reforms are needed to enforce strict discharge prohibitions, promote reuse, and provide financial and technical assistance. However, systemic barriers and entrenched mentalities pose formidable challenges to meaningful change.

In air quality management, at urban and regional levels, road transport remains the cornerstone of residential, commercial, and industrial activities, and the vehicle exhaust emissions maintain the position of one of the key contributing sources. In Indian cities, big and small, vehicle exhaust emissions and dust from vehicle movement on the roads, contribute to as much as 50% of particulate matter pollution in a year. So, having access to a vehicle exhaust emissions inventory that is reliable and replicable is critical for air quality management and this exercise starts with access to vehicle stock numbers. These numbers are typically obtained from vehicle registration databases, traffic surveys, and other governmental records, and often require time consuming data cleaning protocols before they can used for emissions and pollution baseline analysis. This paper provides a cleaned and open-access vehicle stock database, as registered and in-use fleet, for the period covering 1993 and 2018, for all India and states, along with an estimate of age-mix of the vehicles using survival functions.

The presence of organic dyes in aqueous environments is of extreme hazardousness against life due to the toxicity of these compounds. Thus, its removal from these various aquatic media is of the utmost importance and several technologies are constantly proven to match this goal. Among these technologies, various types of degradation and adsorption are the most widely used, and of the various types of materials used within these technologies, nanomaterials are constantly developed and investigated, probably due to the various properties that these nanomaterials presented. This work reviewed recent developments (2023 year) about the use of these nanomaterials on the treatment of solutions contaminated with these toxic organic dyes.

This paper focuses on environmental policies for mitigating the impacts of climate change on the Taj Mahal, an iconic structure built on the banks of the Yamuna River from 1632 to 1653 with a blend of Persian and Indian architectural styles. The Taj Mahal is threatened by damage caused by climate change, including air pollution resulting in acid rain and floods that lead to erosion and discoloration of the main marble material of the Taj Mahal. This study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of peer-reviewed journal articles with a primary focus on environmental policy, the impacts of climate change, and the preventive measures undertaken by the Indian government. Based on the analysis of 270 papers, it is concluded that out of the total, 30 papers specifically address objectives relevant to this research. The study period spans from 2014 to 2024. The research findings reveal that air pollution has a significantly adverse impact on the Taj Mahal. Furthermore, nine policies are generally identified from the journal literature review aimed at preserving and protecting the Taj Mahal from the negative effects caused by air pollution.

This study investigates the concentrations of physicochemical and heavy metal contaminants in the groundwater of the Middle Awash Basin, Ethiopia, to inform targeted water management strategies. A total of 32 groundwater samples were collected from 16 stations via piezometers and boreholes at the end of both the dry (June 2021) and wet (October 2021) seasons. Utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), and in situ metering, 22 physicochemical and 24 heavy metal parameters were analyzed. The data revealed significant levels of contamination; notably, sample GW11 had extraordinarily high concentrations of total dissolved solids (10,826 mg/L), strontium (908 µg/L), molybdenum (802.4 µg/L), zinc (6060 µg/L), and electrical conductivity (15,645 µS/cm), while GW12 exhibited elevated levels of aluminum (2615 µg/L), zinc (4446 µg/L), and arsenic (117.2 µg/L). Contaminants such as arsenic, vanadium, gallium, lithium, rubidium, chromium, manganese, copper, and zinc were found enriched in groundwater near Lake Beseka, influenced by agricultural runoff from sugarcane plantations and agro-industry activities. Over half of the groundwater sources were unsuitable for drinking, posing significant health risks to local communities that rely heavily on these sources due to limited access to clean surface water. The findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive groundwater management and remediation plans in the Middle Awash region to ensure safe and sustainable water use, particularly addressing the variation in contamination levels influenced by Lake Beseka. These measures are critical to protect public health and support local development in the face of ongoing environmental and anthropogenic pressures.

The fractional advection-dispersion equation FADE plays an important role, especially in explaining the process of solute-transport in natural porous media with different degrees of heterogeneity. However, studies of the flow and transport of contaminants in the underground environment are based on the knowledge of many functional parameters of the subsoil. The delay factor caused by nonlinear absorption is one of these parameters inheriting significant ambiguities in its estimation in heterogeneous media. In the study, a fractional advection-dispersion FADE model was developed by the implicit Euler method, based on a Grunwald and Caputo-Liousville approximation to explicitly evaluate and simulate the transport mechanism of contaminants in media with unsaturated porous materials subjected to a nonlinear sorption model. Better solute mass retention was observed for fractional advection-dispersion FADE model. Moreover, the absorption parameter of the retardation coefficient has a better impact on the motion of the solute in a saturated porous medium. In other words, it has a significant effect on the dispersion of pollutants in aquifers. This study highlights the need to characterize the aquifer to predict solute transport in porous media.

The removal of chromium(VI) from acidic (HCl) medium through non-dispersive extraction with strip dispersion (NDXSD) was investigated using a microporous PVDF membrane support in a permeation cell. The ionic liquid Cyphos IL102 (phosphonium salt) in Solvesso 100 was used as organic phase. In NDXSD the stripping phase (NaOH) is dispersed in the organic phase in the cell side with an impeller stirrer adequate to form a strip dispersion. This pseudo-emulsion phase (organic + strip solutions) provides a constant supply of the Cyphos IL102/Solvesso 100 to the membrane phase. Various hydrodynamic and chemical parameters, such as variation in the feed and pseudo-emulsion stirring speeds, HCl and Cr(VI) concentrations in the feed phase, and carrier concentration, were investigated. From the experimental data, several mass transfer coefficients were estimated, as well as it was investigated the performance of the present system against other ionic liquids and the presence of base metals in the feed phase.

The literature shows that both in laboratory and in industrial conditions, photocatalytic oxidation method copes quite well with the degradation of the most organic substances, including environmental toxins and molecular components of pathogenic microorganisms. However, the effective utilization of photocatalytic processes for environmental decontamination and disinfection require significant technological advancement both in the area of semiconductor material synthesis and its application. Here we focused on the presence and ‘photocatalytic capability‘ of photocatalysts among soil minerals, and their potential contribution to the environmental decontamination in vitro and in vivo. (The issue is sketched from the perspective of chemists and environmental scientist.) Reactions caused by sunlight on the soil surface are involved in its normal redox activity. It appears that some of them may take part in the soil decontamination. However, their importance for decontamination in vivo cannot be overstated due to diversity of soils on the Earth caused by the environmental conditions, such as climate, parent material, relief, vegetation etc. The solar-light induced reactions are just a part of extremely complicated processes dependent on a plethora of environmental determinates. Such multiplicity of affecting factors, which we tried to sketch from the perspective of chemists and environmental scientist, makes us rather sceptical about the effectiveness of the photocatalytic processes in vivo. On the other hand, there is a huge potential of the soils as the alternative source of useful photocatalytic materials of unique properties

Retiring coal power plants can reduce air pollution and health damages. However, the spatial distribution of those impacts remains unclear due to complex power system adjustments and pollution chemistry and transport. Focusing on coal retirements in Pennsylvania (PA), we analyze six counterfactual scenarios for 2019 that differ in retirement targets (e.g., reducing 50% of coal-based installed capacity vs. generation) and priorities (e.g., closing plants with higher cost, closer to Environmental Justice Areas, or with higher CO₂ emissions). Using a power system model of the PJM Interconnection, we find that coal retirements in PA shift power generation across PA and the Rest of PJM region leading to scenario-varying changes in the plant-level release of several air pollutants. Due to air pollution chemistry and transport and socio-demographics, these changes in turn give rise to a reduction of 10 to 182 PM_2.5-attributable deaths in PJM across the six scenarios, with most reductions occurring in PA. Scenarios that reduce more coal power generation yield greater aggregate health benefits due to air quality improvements in PA and adjacent downwind regions. In addition, vulnerable populations—in both PA and Rest of PJM—benefit most in scenarios that prioritize plant closures in PA near Environmental Justice Areas. These results demonstrate the importance of considering cross-regional linkages and socio-demographics in designing equitable retirement strategies.

This study aims to contribute to the characterization of Katangese Copperbelt's mining wastes and soils polluted with trace metals, using pollution indices and direct concentration measurements. The study also evaluated the use of these indices in assessing the success of remediation projects. Analytical data from previous studies and samples collected from six types of discharge and one polluted soil were used to address the first objective. Soil and plant samples were collected at Kipushi and Penga Penga for the second objective. The results revealed very high concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn in all mine tailings and polluted soils, compared with local references. The degree of contamination (DC) values (from 72 to 5440) and potential ecological risk (RI) values (from 549 to 162 091) indicate very high-risk situations associated with polluted discharges and soils. Regarding revegetation trials, the results show lower concentrations and RIs in tree rhizospheres compared with unamended areas at both sites. However, trace metal concentrations are higher in tree rhizospheres compared with local references, and RI values are in the considerable risk range for Penga Penga (RI = 533) and very high (>1500) for Kipushi. Bioconcentration factor values are below 1, indicating low accumulation in roots, wood, and leaves, and low risk of contamination of the trophic chain. In this context, it seems that the pollution indices used are unsuitable for assessing the effectiveness of phytotechnology processes based on metal stabilization. Direct plant performance measurements combined with direct measurements of metals in substrates and plants to assess transfer and efficiency are more appropriate.

Reservoirs created by damming rivers significantly modify the environment and problems may arise: the storage of nutrients and organic matter in reservoirs often leads to decreased water quality due to eutrophication. Reservoirs built on lowland rivers are exposed to significant nutrient loads, often leading to eutrophication. In this article, the Sulejów Reservoir, in Central Poland, was the subject of the research, which focused on the use of Sentinel-2 remote sensing data to detect phytoplankton blooms, and on understanding the pattern of wind-driven surface currents using the CCHE2D model (a depth-averaged hydrodynamic model). The calculation of the total phosphorus load has shown that the reservoir mainly acts as nutrient storage. Still, during the low flow and intensive phytoplankton bloom, it can be a source of nutrients. The distribution of phytoplankton bloom on the Sulejów Reservoir was documented using eight Sentinel-2 satellite images from the vegetation season of 2020 and the Normalized Difference Chlorophyll Index (NDCl). Coupling remote sensing data and numerical modelling helps to interpret the hydrodynamic model results and understand nutrients and sediment dynamics within the reservoir. Hydrodynamic modelling combined with remote sensing data can be a valuable tool for selecting appropriate locations for water quality measurements at monitoring stations.

Environmental pollution is one of today's main ecological and social concerns. Among these pollutants are the heavy metals present in the burning of fossil fuels, mining, smelting of metallic minerals, fertilizers and pesticides. Billions of tons of heavy metals are emitted every year from industrial chimneys and sewers, contaminating the hydrosphere and polluting rivers, lakes and seas. In this context, freshwater fish are the most affected due to their proximity to the source of contamination and are therefore used as bioindicators in assessing environmental impact following exposure to metals. However, our understanding of the effects of heavy metals on detoxification organs - such as the liver and gills - in freshwater fish in situ is still limited. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to determine the main changes and mechanisms involved in morphological modifications in the liver and gills of cichlid fish following exposure to heavy metals in situ. Based on a structured search, 36 original articles were selected from the PubMed and SCOPUS databases. The selection of studies and the identification of duplicates were identified by Rayyan, and the study selection process was presented in the PRISMA statement diagram. Bias analysis was carried out using the Software Review Mananger (RevMan) 5.3, from the Cochrane Collaboration. Thirty-six studies were selected which showed negative effects attributed to environmental contamination by heavy metals, ranging from bioaccumulation to morphophysiological alterations. Almost all the heavy metals analyzed were found in the liver and gill tissues, especially cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, iron and manganese. In view of the continuous morphophysiological changes identified in the liver and gill studies, it is possible to state that bioaccumulation analyses, combined with these configurations, are emerging as crucial tools for assessing and guiding environmental monitoring. This approach aims not only to preserve but also to strengthen the integrity of the aquatic ecosystem and the ichthyofauna.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a challenge for the whole world and it had major secondary effects on humans and environmental health. The viral infection induced, in many situations, secondary bacterial infections, especially enteric infections by destabilizing the balance of the gastrointestinal microbiota. The large-scale use of antibiotics and biocides both for curative and preventive purposes has determined an increase in bacterial resistance and at the same time the possibility of pathogenic microorganisms’ multiplication and their dissemination to natural environments. Wastewater is the main vector of faecal microorganisms that favour their dissemination into natural aquatic ecosystems. The present paper aimed to analyze the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on the microbiological quality of wastewater from sewage treatment plants in Romania and its impact on receiving rivers. In order to highlight different and important areas of Romania, 3 cities from the east, center and west were selected for a microbiological evaluation of their WWTPs influent and effluent between ante-Covid-19 and Covid-19 pandemic peak period, when the Covid-19 pandemic had a direct impact on WWTPs microbial composition. Our study showed a higher contamination with fecal bacteria linked to a higher Covid-19 incidence. The increased usage of pharmaceutical compounds, at their turn, increased the number of resistant bacteria reaching the environment via WWTP effluents.

Non-exhaust road transport emissions in cities contribute to poor air quality and create health impacts. This paper presents a new study of the emitted particles due to the tyres-road wear ‘TRWP’ in real driving and gives their emission factors EF. The most frequently observed particles were <1 µm; followed by particles size between [1µm, 4µm] for urban, suburban and highway areas. These particle sizes are well-known to have a higher degree of toxicity. An overall analysis of all the measured pollutants gave EF equal to 30 10+12 #/km and 35 10+12 #/km, respectively for urban and sub-urban areas; and 5 10+12 #/km on highway. The analysis of the 19 most emitted pollutants, taken individually, showed that their EFs ranged from 0.003 to 18.142 10+12#/km. The obtained EF are above the value of the Euro standard for vehicles, but are below the values for vehicles unequipped with a particle filter. Significant test analysis confirmed that inertia of chemical pollutants is homogeneous. EF assessment of the PM10 and PM2.5 emitted is equal to 1.45 mg/km and 0.35 mg/km respectively. These results should contribute to the emergence of future regulations of non-exhaust emissions and should help to analyse the exposure-impact relationship to TRWP.

Microplastics (MPs) are a critical environmental issue, with impacts ranging from ecosystem contamination to health risks through bioaccumulation. This review addresses the inefficacy of traditional water treatments in removing MPs and proposes photodegradation, particularly via nanomaterial-enhanced photocatalysts, as a solution. Utilizing their unique properties like large surface area and tunable bandgap, nanomaterials significantly improve degradation efficiency. Different strategies for photocatalysts modification to improve photocatalytic performance are thoroughly summarized, with the particular emphasis on element doping and heterojunction construction. Furthermore, this review thoroughly summarizes the possible fundamental mechanisms driving photodegradation of microplastics facilitated by nanomaterials, with a focus on processes like free radical formation and singlet oxygen oxidation. By clearly elucidating these strategies and mechanisms, this review aims to provide valuable insights and inspire further progress in microplastic photodegradation.

The escalating levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) due to anthropogenic activities have raised significant concerns regarding their far-reaching consequences, including potential impacts on human brain function. This study employs Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) and a comprehensive literature review to comprehensively examine the effects of varying atmospheric CO₂ concentrations on human brain activity. Historical and projected CO₂concentration data, along with neuroscientific insights, were integrated into the ABM framework to simulate brain activity responses under different CO₂ scenarios. The simulations revealed that elevated CO₂ levels disrupt neural activity and alter neurotransmitter profiles, indicating potential cognitive consequences. Sensitivity analysis emphasized the importance of accurate parameterization for robust simulations. The findings underscore the urgent need to address global CO₂ emissions to preserve cognitive health. Further research is essential to validate and refine the model, incorporating additional factors for a comprehensive understanding of the cognitive repercussions of rising CO₂ levels, crucial for informed policy-making and public awareness campaigns.

Environment pollution is one of the major problem that faces by our civilization . Textile industry is one of the factor for pollute the environment. In this study various causes that occurs by textile industry and pollute the environment will be shown and described. In textile industry for energy to run the factory various kind of fuel are used and in the industry there are many chemicals and dyes are used for the textile products. Plastic is one of the main substance for making the synthetic fabric. They pollute the air, water, soil and also they pollute the ecosystem of the various animals and destroy the ozone surface of the earth. For various kind of pollution that causes by textile industry the life of normal life hampered. They got ill and many time men and women lost their organs and sometimes they got attacked by various life taking illness.

Preventing the rebound of black and odorous water bodies is critical for improving the ecological environment of water bodies. This study investigated the effect and mechanism of in-situ improvement of sediment microenvironment by nitrate in tailwater of wastewater treatment plants combined with aerobic denitrifying bacteria under low-DO regulation (TailN+CFM+LDO). On the 60th day of remediation, the dissolved oxygen and oxidation-reduction potential in the overlying water increased to 5.6 mg/L and 300 mV, respectively, the acid volatile sulfide in the sediment decreased by 70.4%, and the organic matter in the sediment was reduced by 62.7%, in which the HFOM was degraded from 105 g/kg to 56 g/kg, and the potential risk of water reverting to black and odorous conditions significantly decreased. Amplicon sequencing analysis revealed that the relative abundance of electroactive bacteria Thiobacillus and Pseudomonas with denitrification capacity was found to be significantly higher in the TailN+CFM+LDO group than in the other remediation groups. Functional prediction of 16S sequencing results indicated that both the quantity and activity of critical microbial enzymes involved in nitrification and denitrification processes could enhance in the TailN+CFM+LDO group. These results improved our understanding of the improvement of the sediment microenvironment and could thus facilitate its application.

The application of smartphone-based color evaluation of passive sampling devices for gases has only been sparsely reported. The present review aims to compile available publications with respect to the configuration of the passive samplers, conditions of smartphone photographing, analytical procedure for color detection and quantification (including calibration processes), and their application to different target gases. The performance of the methods - whenever available - is presented regarding the analytical specifications selectivity, sensitivity, and limit of detection in comparison with other color evaluation methods of passive samplers. Practical aspects like requirements of instrumentation and ease of use will be outlined in view of the potential employment in education and citizen science projects. In one section of the review the inconsistent terminology of passive and diffusive sampling is discussed in order to clarify the distinction of information obtained from the uptake of the passive samplers between gas-phase concentration and the accumulated deposition flux of gaseous analytes. Colorimetric gas sensors are included in the review when applied in passive sampling configurations and evaluation is performed with smartphone-based color evaluation. Differences in the analytical procedures employed after the passive sampling step and prior to the detection of the colored compounds are also presented.

The Upper Hunter Valley is a major coal mining area containing approximately 40% of the currently identified total coal reserves in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Due to the ongoing increase of mining activities, PM10 (air-borne particle with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 micrometres) pollution has become a major air quality concern in local communities. This paper summarises the spatial and temporal variability modes of PM10 pollution in the region, based on long-term multi-site monitoring data and the application of the rotated principal component analysis (RPCA) and wavelet analysis techniques. RPCA identified two distinct air quality clusters/subregions in the valley, one in the west/northwest, the other in the southeast. Wavelet analysis revealed the annual cycle to be most persistent temporal mode of PM10 variability in both subregions, with intermittent signals observed at time scales of around 120, 30~90 and under 30 days. How these variation modes are related to the effects of local PM10 emissions and the influence of meteorology at different time scales deserves further attention in future work. The findings will be used in air quality reporting and forecasting in NSW. The methodology and results can also be useful for air quality research in similar regions elsewhere.

Microplastics, which are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size, are a growing environmental concern since they have been found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and even on land. These tiny particles can escape water filtration systems and end up in water bodies as well as through the degradation of the larger plastic products causing serious environmental and food safety concerns. This research represents the magnitude of this pollution, characterization of microplastic contamination, its type of polymer, and possible sources of this pollution in the rivers around Dhaka, Bangladesh. Quantitative analyses were done following the method suggested by the NOAA and other conventional methods. Among the rivers, Buriganga has the highest microplastic pollution with 3.654 items/L in surface water and 43.125 items/kg in sediment. The concentration in Shitalakshya and Turag rivers are 3.011 items/L and 2.051 items/L in surface water and 34.875 and 17.875 items/kg in sediment respectively. ANOVA test revealed a significant difference between the concentration level of microplastic in the surface water of the Burigana and Turag rivers. A positive correlation between the concentration level of microplastic in the surface water and the sediment was also found. On average 58% of the microplastics were found to be fibrous in surface water. Qualitative analyses were done to find the characteristics and chemical composition of the microplastics. Through the use of FTIR spectroscopy, the study identified different kinds of synthetic polymers in the sample including polyamide (Nylon), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyethersulfone (PES), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene were the most abundant polymer in the samples. This study involved the investigation of three distinct rivers located in the vicinity of Dhaka city

A two-year field experiment (2022–2023) was carried out to investigate the impact of different sowing periods (spring and winter) and nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60 kg/ha) on the phytoextraction potential of flax. The study site is characterized by high concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn) and belongs to the Mediterranean climate type. Flax (var. Calista) was sown in the spring of 2022 and in the winter of 2023, following a split plot experimental design with three rep-lications, and applying low-input practices. Results showed that spring-sown flax produced short-er but thicker plants with significantly higher biomass (5.27 tn ha-1) when treated with 30 kg ha-1 N compared to winter-sown (2.30 tn ha-1) when treated with 60 kg ha-1 N. The concentration of contaminants in the aerial biomass varied according to metal type and sowing period. The higher biomass production in spring resulted in a higher quantity of heavy metals being removed from the soil, making flax a promising crop for phytoextraction purposes, especially in soils contami-nated with multiple heavy metals.

This comprehensive review explores recent advancements in heavy metal remediation techniques, focusing on the utilization of cellulose-silica composites and tailored surface modification techniques. We examine the synthesis strategies and properties of cellulose-silica adsorbents, highlighting their enhanced adsorption capacities and structural robustness for removing heavy metal pollutants from aqueous environments. The review investigates various surface modification approaches, including thiol-functionalization, amino acid grafting, and silane coupling agents, for optimizing the surface chemistry and morphology of cellulose-silica composites. Mechanistic insights into the adsorption processes and kinetics of modified adsorbents are discussed, along with considerations for optimizing adsorption performance under different environmental conditions. This review provides valuable perspectives on the development of effective adsorbent materials for sustainable heavy metal remediation applications.

Mercury contamination in the Amazon is a significant public health concern arising from both natural sources and intensive mining activities in the region. This metal is used to separate Au from sediments, forming an amalgam that facilitates the extraction of precious metals. Accordingly, this study aimed to address the following question: What is the impact of mining on mercury contamination in the animal and human populations of the Amazon? The overall objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature to identify gaps in geographic coverage and assess the impact of Hg contamination on human and animal populations in the Amazon region. Our hypothesis was that higher mercury concentrations in tissue samples would be found closer to the mining areas. We employed the PECO and PRISMA-ScR protocols to collect articles published between 2017 and 2023, selected based on criteria representing projected points on a map within the biogeographic boundaries of the Amazon. Mercury concentrations increase with trophic levels, reaching high values of 3.7 µg/g in the muscles of predatory fish and 34.9 µg/g in human hair. The average level of mercury in humans exceeds 6 µg/g, surpassing tolerance levels. Although mining regions show high concentrations of Hg, the highest incidence was observed among populations with fish-based diets. Research on fish is crucial for assessing the risk to human health, given that fish are the main source of protein in the region.

Combustion power plants emit carbon dioxide (CO₂), a major contributor to climate change. Direct emissions measurement is cost-prohibitive globally, while reporting varies in detail, recency, and granularity. To fill this gap and greatly increase the number of power plants worldwide with independent emissions monitoring, we developed and applied machine learning (ML) models using power plant plumes as proxy signals to estimate electric power generation and CO₂ emissions using Landsat 8, Sentinel-2, and PlanetScope imagery. Our ML models estimated power plant activity on each image snapshot, and then an aggregation model predicted plant utilization over a 30-day period. Lastly, emissions factors specific to region, fuel, and plant technology were used to convert estimated electricity generation to CO₂ emissions. Models were trained with reported hourly generation data in the US, Europe, and Australia and were validated with additional generation and emissions data from the US, Europe, Australia, Türkiye, and India. All results with sufficiently large sample sizes indicate that our models outperformed baseline approaches. In conducting external validation to compare modeled versus reported annual generation and emissions in the countries where available, we calculated the root mean square error overall for modeled countries with validation data as respectively 1.75 TWh (236 plants across 17 countries over 4 years) and 2.04 Mt CO₂ (207 plants across 17 countries over 4 years). Ultimately, we applied our ML method to plants that comprise 32% of global power plant CO₂ emissions averaged over 2015-2022. This dataset is the most comprehensive independent and free-of-cost global power plant point-source emissions monitoring system currently known to the authors and is publicly available at climatetrace.org to support global emissions reduction.

Batch and transport experiments were used to investigate the remediation of a loamy sand soil contaminated with Cr(VI) using zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) stabilized by the carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC-nZVI). The effect of pH, ionic strength (IS), and flow rate on the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) were investigated under equilibrium (uniform transport) and non-equilibrium (Two-site sorption) transport using the Hydrus-1D model. The overall removal efficiency ranged from 70 to over 90% based on the chemical characteristics of the CMC-nZVI suspension and the transport conditions. The concentration and pH of the CMC-nZVI suspension had the most significant effect on the removal efficiency and transport of Cr(VI) in the soil. The average removal efficiency of Cr(VI) was increased from 24.1 to 75.5% when the concentration of CMC-nZVI nanoparticles was increased from 10 to 250 mg L-1, mainly because of the increased total surface area at larger particle concentration. Batch experiments showed that removal efficiency of Cr(VI) was much larger under acidic conditions. The average removal efficiency of Cr(VI) reached 90.1 and 60.5 % at pH 5 and 7, respectively. The Two-site sorption model described quite well (r2 = 0.96-0.98) the transport of Cr(VI) in soil as compared to the uniform transport model (r2 = 0.81-0.98). The average retardation of Cr(VI) was 3.51 and 1.61 at pH 5 and 7, respectively, indicating earlier arrival for the breakthrough curves and shorter time to reach maximum relative concentration at lower pH. The Hydrus-1D model has proven to be an efficient tool for assessing the removal of Cr(VI) pollutants, offering innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly remediation methodologies.

The up-to-date challenge towards clean road transport are non-exhaust emissions. Important advances regarding measurement systems, including well defined characterisation techniques, as well as regulation, will happen in the next few years. In this work we present detailed results of particle emissions from a test bed for wheel suspension and brakes, consisting of aerosol (size distribution, particle number (PN) and mass (PM)) and electron microscopy measurements (EM) under different load conditions. Standard tyres and brakes from series production were tested with a high-load driving cycle while particle measurements were conducted by gravimetric measurements and with a TSI SMPS, a TSI APS and a GRIMM OPS. Furthermore, samples were analyzed by electron microscopy. A bimodal particle size distribution (PSD) was obtained with the SMPS, with peaks at 20nm and around 400nm. EM analysis of >1400 single particles from the electrostatic sampler matches the PSD results. EM analysis also showed ultrafine particles, mainly from O, Fe, Si, Ba, Mg and S and also fractal particles with high C fractions. Our results suggest, in agreement with previously published literature, that particulate emissions are related to brake disc temperature and occur in significant amounts above a threshold temperature.

127 “naca” fish, Dormitator maculatus from the Alvarado lagoon, were analyzed, of which 1134 microplastics (MP) were obtained: 561 found in the digestive tract and 573 in gills. The predominant MP found in D. maculatus were fibers with 97.53%, the most abundant color was blue (62%), followed by transparent (12%) and of these the MP in the form of fibers predominated. Regarding the biological parameters, there was only a positive correlation with the weight of the intestine and the weight of the gills; However, this ratio is very low. The biological parameters analyzed: weight, height, condition index and intestinal fullness, lack a relationship between the amount of MP present in the intestines and gills. The type of PM obtained indicates that they come from urban areas, a product of daily activities such as washing clothes and fishing.

After the ban on tributyltin-based antifouling paints, DCOIT (4,5-Dichloro-2-octylisothiazol-3(2H)-one) became one of the most used antifouling biocides. DCOIT is a pseudo-persistent contaminant in port areas and is toxic to non-target species, but its ability to bioaccumulate and be transferred along the trophic chain remains unknown. This study aimed to preliminarily investigate the bioaccumulation, trophic transfer, and biomagnification of DCOIT and SiNC-DCOIT (DCOIT immobilized in silica mesoporous nanocapsules) from the microalga Tetraselmis chuii to the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis during exposure experiments considering 24 h of uptake followed by 72 h depuration. Mussels rapidly internalized and metabolized both DCOIT and SiNC-DCOIT. The predator-prey biomagnification factors (BMFTL) suggested that both forms of the biocide can be trophically transferred, with higher concentrations of DCOIT and SiNC-DCOIT in mussels than in microalgae (BMFTL > 1). However, the bioaccumulation and bioconcentration factors indicated a low bioaccumulation capability in the short term, suggesting that the depuration rate overcomes the uptake. Our findings contribute to the development of environmental risk assessments for DCOIT and SiNC-DCOIT, but do not exclude the possibility of DCOIT bioaccumulation in the long-term in areas with constant input of DCOIT. Further studies are needed to understand these processes under continuous exposure scenarios to DCOIT.

This study aims to elucidate the influence of meteorological conditions on particle levels in Cergy-Pontoise. It explores the temporal variability of PM10 pollution days by associating them with the vertical temperature profile derived from conventional radiosondes from 2013 to 2022 (regional station). The results indicate that nearly 80% of exceedance days were associated with thermal inversions, primarily observed in winter and typically lasting 1 to 3 days. Analysis of winter thermal inversion characteristics suggests that those linked to pollution primarily occur near the ground, with higher intensity in December (12.1°C) and lower in February (10.3°C). Persistent inversions (extended nocturnal by diurnal inversion) account for 91.4% of the total inversions associated with high concentrations. Captive balloon soundings and temperature measurements at different altitudes were conducted during the winter of 2022/2023 to clarify thermal inversion in the Oise Valley at the center of Cergy-Pontoise. The results highlight three nocturnal wind circulation mechanisms in the valley, including downslope flow, circulation influenced by an urban heat island, and mechanical air evacuation under an inversion layer towards the less steep East side of the valley. Analysis of PM with the temperature gradient in the Oise Valley shows a significant correlation, suggesting an increase in concentrations during locally detected inversions and a decrease during atmospheric disturbance.

Cadmium(Cd) is a highly toxic and cumulative environmental pollutant. Siderophores are heavy metal chelators with high tolerance to heavy metals such as Cd. Furthermore, ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) has potential remediation capacity for soils contaminated by heavy metals. Consequently, using ryegrass alongside beneficial soil microorganisms that produce siderophores may be an effective means to remediate soils contaminated with Cd. In this study, Bacillus strains WL1210 and CD303 that were previously isolated from the rhizospheres of Nitraria tangutorum in Wulan and Peganum harmala L in Dachaidan, respectively, both arid sandy environments, were evaluated for heavy metal pollution mitigation. The results indicate that both strains of Bacillus exhibit favorable biological characteristics and stress resistance, and they are both producers of siderophores, which promote the growth of ryegrass under Cd stress.

The effect of varying concentrations of crude oil pollution on the germination and growth parameters of Mucuna pruriens (Var. cochinchinenesis) was investigated. The following treatments were used; 0ml, 100ml, 200ml, 400ml, 800ml 1600ml respectively. The germination of velvet bean was 100% but growth was found to be inhibited by a wide range of treatments (800ml and 1600ml). the lag phase of proceeding growth is also reduced at this treatment. Growth inhibition is attributed primarily to the characteristics of oil, which acts as a physical barrier to water and oxygen uptake. Reduction in the growth and development of plants was observed in the polluted treatments as against the control (non–polluted treatment) because of the deleterious effect of the petroleum products on the morphological parameters (plant height, number of leaves and leaf area) tested for. Velvet beans treated with lower treatment (100ml and 200ml) were observed to be more productive when compared to the control experiment. Consequently, as the crude oil exceeds the plant absorbing capacity at 800ml and 1600ml respectively, the growth retards, chlorosis, presence of tough apical meristem, and defoliation from the base of the plant.

The new energy structure needs to balance energy security and dual carbon goals, which has brought major challenges to coal-fired power plants, the pollution reduction and carbon emissions reduction of coal-fired power plants will be a key task in the future. This article proposes an optimization operation of electrostatic precipitators(ESP), based on the working mechanism and historical data of ESP, voltage-current characteristic model and outlet dust concentration prediction model are constructed by deep learning algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO) is used to achieve the optimal energy consumption while ensuring stable outlet dust concentration. By training with historical data collected on site, accurate prediction of secondary current and outlet dust concentration of ESP has been achieved, the Mean Absolute Percentage Error(MAPE) of secondary current is less than 1.5%, and the MAPE of outlet dust concentration of ESP on the test set is less than 5.2%. Finally, the optimization experiment is carried out in a 330MW coal-fired power plants, the results showed that the fluctuation of the outlet dust concentration is more stable, and the energy saving is about 43% after optimization, according to the annual operation of 300 days, the annual average carbon reduction is approximately 2621.34 tons. This method is effective and can be applied widely.

The immobilisation of bacteria on biochar has shown potential for enhanced remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the effect of bacterial immobilisation on biosolids-derived biochar for the remediation of diesel-contaminated soil. The aim of this current study was to assess the impact of the immobilisation on biosolids-derived biochar of an autochthonous hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, Ochrobacterium sp. (BIB) on the remediation of diesel-contaminated soil using a laboratory based mesocosm study. Additionally, the effect of fertiliser application on the efficacy of the BIB treatment was investigated. Biochar (BC) application alone led to significantly higher hydrocarbon removal compared to the control treatment at all sampling times (4,887 – 11,589 mg/kg higher). When Ochrobacterium sp. was immobilised on biochar (BIB), the hydrocarbon removal was higher than BC by 5,533 mg/kg and 1,607 mg/kg at weeks 10 and 22, respectively. However, when BIB was co-applied with fertiliser (BIBF), the hydrocarbon removal was lower than BIB by 6,987 – 11,767 mg/kg. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the gene related to Ochrobacterium sp. was higher in BIB than in the BC treatment, which likely contributed to higher hydrocarbon removal in the BIB treatment. The findings of this study demonstrate that bacteria immobilisation on biosolids-derived biochar is a promising technique for the remediation of diesel-contaminated soil. Future studies should focus on optimising the immobilisation process for enhanced hydrocarbon removal.

Studies at the molecular, systemic, and epidemiological levels have shown that chronic metal exposure is linked to significant health consequences, including cancer, affecting hundreds of millions worldwide. Subtle and convoluted mechanisms underline metals' toxicity and carcinogenicity. The use of sensors for carcinogenic metals' trace detection is on the rise due to their selectivity, simplicity, and affordability. Biotechnology and microelectronics in the development of sensors have grown complementarily in recent years. This study offers a comprehensive overview of current research and advancements in developing sensors for detecting carcinogenic metals. Here, we have focussed on the developed biosensor platforms for group 1 carcinogens, i.e., arsenic, nickel, cadmium, chromium, and beryllium, along with their brief roles in human carcinogenesis. This review also looks at the importance of sensing such metal exposure in humans from a larger perspective, hoping to influence future research toward early prevention and treatment of illnesses like cancer.

The risk of nitrate contamination became a reality for Fairmont in Minnesota, when water rich in NO3-N exceeded the drinking water standard of 10-mg/L. This was unexpected because this city draws its municipal water from a chain of lakes that were fed primarily by shallow groundwater under row-crop land use. Spring soil thaw drives cold water into subsurface pipe where almost no NO3-N reduction occurs. This paper focuses on NO3-N reduction before entering the lakes and no other nitrogen management practices in the watershed. A novel denitrifying bioreactor was constructed behind a sediment forebay which then flowed into a chamber covered by a greenhouse, before entering a woodchip bioreactor. In 2022 and 2023, water depth, dissolved oxygen, and temperature were measured at several locations and continuous NO3-N concentration at the entry and exit of the bioreactor. The results showed better performance at a low water depth with lower dissolved oxygen, and higher water temperature. The greenhouse raised the inlet temperature in 2022 but did not in 2023. The forebay and the greenhouse may have impeded the denitrification process due to the high dissolved oxygen concentrations in the influent and the stratification of dissolved oxygen caused by algae in the bioreactor.

This paper focuses on the impact that urban traffic has on the environment. The study characterizes the global effect of GHG emissions, including the ecologic evaluation and the characterization, normalization, and evaluation factor. The work makes a detailed survey of the different modes of driving and their influence on engine performance as one of the principal causes of gas emissions during the combustion process. The article analyzes six types of vehicles equipped with different engine configurations: diesel and gasoline, GLP and GNC, hybrid electric, and plug-in hybrid electric. Simulation of the driving mode under various operational conditions for every type of engine results in energy consumption, thus, in GHG emissions, carbon dioxide and monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and Sulphur dioxide. The study concludes that a reduction in vehicle speed, thus in the engine revolutions, has positive effects on engine combustion and gasses emissions, which is reduced by 27.5%. The study also concludes that the limitation in driving mode, avoiding sharp and sudden acceleration, may reduce up to 45% of GHG emissions. The changes applied in the driving mode improve the air quality in the urban environment, reducing the content of GHG from 39% to 61%.

The use of strobilurin fungicides in agriculture has increased steadily during the past 25 years, and although strobilurins have minimal water solubility, they regularly appear in surface waters, at times in concentrations approaching toxic levels for aquatic life. The present study examined concentrations of strobilurin fungicides in designated trout streams draining an agricultural watershed in southeastern Minnesota, USA, where fungicides may have contributed to a recent fish kill. Water samples (n = 131) were analyzed for the presence of five different strobilurin fungicides (azoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin). Samples were collected via grab and automated sampling during baseflow and stormflow events throughout an entire crop growing season from sites on each of three forks of the Whitewater River. Detection frequencies for the five strobilurins ranged from 44 to 82%. Fluoxastrobin and pyraclostrobin concentrations were above known toxic levels in 3% and 15% of total samples analyzed, respectively. The highest concentrations were detected in mid-summer (mid-June to mid-August) samples, coincident with likely strobilurin applications. Lower concentrations were present in water samples collected during the non-application periods in spring and fall, suggesting groundwater-stream interactions or steady leaching of fungicides from watershed soils or stream sediments. Further study is required to determine strobilurin concentrations in sediments, soils, and groundwater. Better tracking and guidance regarding strobilurin use is necessary to adequately protect aquatic life as fungicide use continues to increase.

Fractal analysis of time series aims to extract the hidden or complex structures issued from the associated real data, such as scaling laws, non-stationary, dynamics, and so on. In the present work, the air quality index and its components are considered as time series owing fractal structures. To understand their underlying dynamics, wavelet multifractal approach is applied starting with a wavelet multifractal spectrum test to confirm the multifractality of the underlying data. Next, a new model is introduced improving the classical minmax one, provided with a statistical measure for the adequacy of the new model. The theoretical findings are applied to the north west Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia for environmental and climate data related to pollutants and factors involved in the estimation of the air quality index.

Urban and agricultural runoffs can transport contaminants and pesticides into freshwater ecosystems, particularly in the developing tropics. For instance, organophosphate and pyrethroids pesticides like glyphosate, malathion, and permethrin have been found in tropical streams. The uncontrolled application of these pesticides has become a growing concern due to their adverse effects on various non-targeted organisms. Unfortunately, most studies have focused on a few selected model species, ignoring the effects on other nontarget organisms, which may play an important role in tropical lotic ecosystems. In addition, the biological characteristics of aquatic crustaceans, including their morphology, physiology, and behavior, make them susceptible to toxic chemicals. For this reason, this study used the widely distributed freshwater shrimp Xiphocaris elongata as a model organism to determine the acute toxicity of permethrin, malathion, and glyphosate. Our results show that the proportion of mortality of X. elongata in each concentration group became progressively higher as the concentration of exposure increased. We also found that the synthetic pyrethroid permethrin is the most toxic pesticide tested, followed by organophosphate malathion and glyphosate. Experiments with this freshwater shrimp showed a good control performance and reproducibility for the tested pesticides. This study demonstrated that X. elongata is a suitable test organism that can be a representative bioindicator of pesticide toxicity in tropical streams.

The removal of harmful arsenic(V) from aqueous solutions using Cyanex 923 (solvation extractant) was investigated under various experimental variables: equilibration time, acidity of the aqueous phase, temperature, extractant and arsenic concentrations, and O/A ratio. Cyanex 923 extracted As(V) (and sulphuric acid) from acidic solutions, thus, its use to remove the metal from slightly acid or neutral solutions it is not possible. Extraction of arsenic is exothermic, and responded to the formation of H3AsO4·nL species in the organic phase (L represented the extractant and the stoichiometric factor n: 1 or 2, depends on the acidity of the aqueous phase). Extraction isotherms are derived from experimental results. Both arsenic and sulphuric acid loaded onto the organic phase can be stripped with water, and stripping isotherms are also derived from the experimental results. The selectivity of the system against the presence of other metals (Cu(II), Ni(II), Bi(III), Sb(III)) are investigated, and also it is investigated the ability of Cyanex 923 to extract As(V) and sulphuric acid against the use of other P=O based solvation reagents, such dibutyl butylphosphonate (DBBP) and tri-butyl phosphate (TBP).

Microplastic contamination, defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, has become a major global environmental concern. This study synthesizes findings from carefully chosen studies undertaken in a variety of geographical areas and ecosystems, offering light on the multifaceted issues posed by microplastic pollution. These articles show the global prevalence of microplastics in both land and marine ecosystems. Seasonal fluctuations in microplastic abundance highlight the cyclical nature of this pollution, with larger amounts being reported during the summer months. Tourism, industrialization, and urbanization have all been highlighted as significant contributors to microplastic contamination, stressing the impact of man-made influences. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as hotspots for microplastic release into aquatic habitats, emphasizing the need for enhanced treatment procedures. Because microplastics can build up in the food chain, it underlines the possible health problems connected with microplastic pollution for both aquatic creatures and human consumers. Longitudinal studies, geographical variety, in-depth health and ecological impact evaluations, standardization, and effective mitigation methods should be prioritized in future studies. To address this worldwide issue, interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, health professionals, politicians, and industrial stakeholders is required.

Biocides used in antifouling (AF) paints, such as 4,5-dichlorine-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazole-3-one (DCOIT), can gradually leach into the environment. Some AF compounds can persist in the marine environment and cause harmful effects on non-target organisms. Nanoengineered materials, such as mesoporous silica nanocapsules (SiNC) containing AF compounds, have been developed to control their release rate and reduce their toxicity to aquatic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of new nanoengineered materials, SiNC-DCOIT and a silver-coated form (SiNC-DCOIT-Ag), as well as the free form of DCOIT and empty nanocapsules (SiNC), on the sun coral Tubastraea coccinea. T. coccinea is an invasive species and can be an alternative test organism for evaluating the risks to native species, as most native corals are currently threatened. The colonies were collected from the Alcatrazes Archipelago, SP, Brazil, and acclimatized to laboratory conditions. They were exposed for 96h to different concentrations of the tested substances: 3.33, 10, 33, and 100 µg L-1 of free DCOIT; 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 µg L-1 of SiNC; and 74.1, 222.2, 666.7, and 2000 µg L-1 of SiNC-DCOIT and SiNC-DCOIT-Ag. The test chambers consisted of 500 mL flasks containing the test solutions, and the tests were maintained under constant aeration, constant temperature of 23 ± 2°C, and photoperiod of 12h:12h (light/dark). At the end of the experiments, no lethal effect was observed; however, some sublethal effects were noticeable, such as the exposure of the skeleton in most of the concentrations and replicates, except for the controls, and embrittlement at higher concentrations. Adults of T. coccinea were considered little sensitive to the tested substances. This resistance may indicate a greater capacity for proliferation of the species, which is favored in substrates containing antifouling paints, to the detriment of the native species.

Higher traffic density in Russian cities and less uniform traffic due to congestions are reasons for increased emissions of pollutants contained in exhaust gases of vehicles. The paper presents the modeling results of pollutant dispersion in Magnitogorsk. The analysis of these results shows that now many blocks of flats and social infrastructure of the city are in a zone with an excess of maximum allowable concentration of pollutants. Having summarized the methodological framework formulated by Russian and foreign researchers, the authors systemized the existing methods used to decrease pollutants produced by vehicles. It is proposed to choose an optimal combination of such methods applying a developed mathematical model. By adopting an optimal combination of the methods, it is possible to ensure minimum air pollutant emissions from vehicles, allocating limited financial resources. The mathematical modeling of the solutions on changing traffic density and structure and implementing methods used to decrease pollutants on one of the Magnitogorsk crossroads with the heaviest traffic is used to draw a conclusion about efficiency of the designed model used as a tool for strategic planning of development and transformation of street networks.

This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the presence of heavy metals, including zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As), in the dust found inside educational buildings and the top layer of soil in different areas of Vilnius. The study focuses on the analysis of topsoil samples gathered between 2011 and 2023, with a specific emphasis on dust samples obtained from 24 schools in 2022. The research reveals significant variations in the concentrations of heavy metals, providing a clear understanding of the complex relationship between sources of urban pollution, environmental processes, and the correlation between soil and dust contamination by heavy metals. Indoor dust in schools shows unique contamination patterns in contrast to topsoil, suggesting distinctive sources of indoor pollution, while there are some general similarities. This finding emphasizes similarities and distinctions between soil and dust in educational environments. The study utilizes advanced statistical methods such as Pearson correlation, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and hierarchical clustering to examine the distribution and characteristics of these metals. This study distinguishes itself by examining indoor dust in educational facilities and topsoil in Vilnius, providing crucial insights into the relationship between these two environmental matrices.

Microplastic pollution is a serious global issue affecting freshwater systems, coastal regions, and oceans. These non-biodegradable materials have a detrimental impact on marine species and ecosystems, causing disruption to their feeding, breathing, and reproduction. In this study, 120 samples of two species of shrimp, P. monodon and P. indicus, from ten locations in the Negombo lagoon in Sri Lanka were analyzed. A total of 415 items were identified as microplastic with an average of 8.29 ± 4.63 items per gram in P. monodon and 5.52 ± 3.78 items per gram in P. indicus. The majority of microplastics identified were fibers (93%), and the remaining being fragments. Most of the microplastics were >1000 μm, and the most prevalent color was blue (61%), followed by red (15%), black (9%), and others. These comprised of polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, and rayon, as identified by FTIR spectroscopy. This study highlights the prevalence of microplastics in shrimps harvested from the Negombo lagoon and the potential impact on marine life.

Water pollution, intensified by the release of hard-to-degrade pollutants, poses severe threats to ecosystems, human health, and economic development. The existing advanced oxidation processes often involve high operational costs and may result in secondary pollution, highlighting the necessity for innovative and more sustainable solutions. To address these challenges, our study introduces a cost-effective and eco-friendly corona discharge barrier plasma discharger for wastewater treatment. Through the central composite design/response surface methodology, a high decolorization rate of 98% of methylene blue (MB) within 10 minutes was achieved by optimizing parameters such as pH and voltage. Furthermore, the mechanisms of the generation of reactive oxygen species via this device was discussed in detail and the degradation pathways of MB were described. Moreover, this device is also very energy-efficient, with a low energy density and electrical energy per order of 0.15 watt/mL and 5.79 kWh/m³/order, respectively. In conclusion, the plasma discharger developed in this study provides a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution for dye wastewater treatment. This research contributes significantly to the advancement of sustainable dye wastewater management practices, offering an innovative method that meets both environmental and economic objectives.

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MP/NPs) have been found everywhere they have been searched. On the top of Everest, in the Mariana Trench, on the clouds e recently, microplastics have been discovered in the human placenta, meconium and babies’ feces. In this review we explain what the consequences of the presence of these pollutants in fetuses and newborns are, with particular attention to human breastfeeding. Finally, we outline the possible political and social solutions to the problem of plastic overproduction that characterizes the modern world.

Natural radioactivity of 238U, 232Th and 40K for liquid and solid samples collected from Sidi Salem dam (Tunisia) and Aïn Dalia dam (Algeria) were measured using TERRA detector of rays (gam-ma, beta, and alpha), Atomic adsorption and Gamma-ray spectrometry were used to analyze the levels of radionuclides and toxic heavy metals, respectively. Toxic heavy metals (Fe, Bb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr and Cd) and associated health risks in surface water and sediment of dams have been in-vestigated in this present study. The radioactivity mean rates in the water samples were 1.72±0.01, 0.068±0.01 and 94.6±1.04 Bql-1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively (Tunisia dam) and were 1.9± 0.24, 0.09±0.01 and 131.43±1.03 Bql-1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively (Algeria dam). The 238U, 232Th and 40K radioactivity mean concentration measured in the sediment samples were 2.67±0.01, 0.18±0.012 and 197.87±2.01 Bqkg-1 respectively (Tunisian dam) and were 4.34±0.05, 0.27±0.05 and 287.61±3.34 Bqkg-1 respectively (Algeria dam). The activity concentration of 40K was higher than that of 238U and 232Th for the water and sediment samples. The mean activity concen-trations follow the order 40K > 238U > 232Th. The cumulative impact can be a serious immediate radiological health burden on the ecosystem, environment and people's health in this study area and can be transposable to any other similar region. The good knowledge of monitoring quality and quantity for the transboundary water resources and the international collaborations are es-sential to safeguard human health (women’s breasts cancer, thyroid cancer, neurological im-pact…), and avoid the conflicts, especially during these climatic upheavals of drought.

This study investigates the spatial and temporal distribution of litter at 7 beach sectors in Cadiz Bay, Southwest Spain. Two ten-day surveys carried out in autumn 2022 and spring 2023 revealed a total of 4,199 and 4,634 items, respectively, with plastic being the predominant material (71.13% in autumn, 88.39% in spring). Litter quantities varied significantly among beaches, La Puntilla showing the highest abundance with 0.48 ± 0.25 items m-1 in autumn and 1.34 ± 0.61 items m-1 in spring. The lowest abundance was recorded at sector 1 of Valdelagrana beach (0.08 ± 0.06 items m-1) during autumn and at El Castillito beach (0.08 ± 0.04 items m-1) during spring. Statistical analyses did not reveal significant differences in litter quantities between autumn and spring, however high significant interaction was shown considering both season and beach lo-cation. Seasonal differences were also observed in litter composition. Litter categories increased from 90 in autumn to 107 in spring. The top 10 litter categories varied between seasons and included cigarette butts, plastic fragments and plastic packaging. Cigarette butts were principally abundant in autumn because re-lated to summer beach users and wet wipes were particularly observed in spring because linked to wastewaters and river discharges especially relevant in winter months. Hydrodynamic and wind conditions were analyzed, revealing complex relationships with litter abundance.

Plastic pollution of the ocean is currently one of the most serious environmental threat. Analysis of observations in the Arctic ocean shows that microplastic particles have been found in Arctic snow cover, sea ice, water and sediments. Possible pathways and deposition locations of microplastics in the Arctic Ocean can be assessed based on 3D numerical modeling of thermohaline structure and water circulation, sea ice conditions and drift. The problem is that in addition to transport by currents, a number of other processes affect the state of microplastics. These include mechanical fragmentation, freezing into sea ice and release back into the water, biofouling, adsorption of contaminants and other factors. In this study, based on scenario calculations for a 5-year period, we analyzed the possible spread of microplastics brought by Siberian rivers to the Kara Sea shelf. The Lagrangian particle model used daily 3D numerical simulation data to simulate microplastic transport by ocean currents and by sea ice drift. The results of a series of scenario calculations show how the distribution of particles and their subsequent deposition depend on their type (density), size, processes of freezing into the ice and biofouling.

The migration paths and distribution driving factors of heavy metals in dry and windy area polluted by their production in the North China need a further research. To address this research gap, we collected 675 soil samples, 72 atmospheric deposition samples and 20 water samples around a production area and measured its heavy metal concentrations. Results showed that the Cu, Zn, As and Pb in 0-10 cm soil layer showed a fan-shaped distribution, which was consistent with their atmospheric deposition fluxes. It indicated the distribution patterns of these heavy metals were driven by strong winds in studied area. Although Cr concentrated to the production area in the 0-10 cm soil layer, principal component analysis showed that this migration was through wind as well. The concentration of Cd in the river increased from 0.257 mg/L to 0.460 mg/L along water flowing, and caused the same distribution trend in soil near the river from upstream to downstream. Unlike the above, surface runoff should drive the Cd migration. The concentration of Pb in the river was over threshold of pollution, and also led to an accumulation in the 5-10 cm soil layer. It suggested that the migration of Pb was through both wind and surface runoff. Six studied heavy metals showed different migration behaviors, and specific control strategies for individual heavy metal should be concerned.

In the context of circular economy that recommends the most efficient use of waste, algae wastes have a huge potential for valorisation. In this study, algae wastes obtained after alkaline extraction of active compounds from two types of marine algae (green algae – Ulva sp. and red algae – Callithamnion sp.), were used as biosorbents to remove metal ions from aqueous effluents. Their efficiency in the biosorption processes was tested for Zn(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) ions, considered technologically valuable metal ions. The batch mono-component experiments performed under optimal conditions (pH = 5.0; 4.0 g biosorbent/L; 22 ± 1C), showed that more than 75 % of the metal ions are removed when their initial concentration is less than 1.25 mmol/L. The very good fit of the experimental data with the pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model, and the high values obtained for the maximum biosorption capacity (qmax: Cu(II) (0.52 mmol/g) > Zn(II) (0.41 mmol/g) > Co(II) (0.39 mmol/g) for G-AWB, and qmax: Cu(II) (1.78 mmol/g) > Zn(II) (1.72 mmol/g) > Co(II) (1.66 mmol/g) for R-AWB) highlights the potential use of these biosorbents to remove such technologically valuable metal ions from industrial wastewater. This possibility was tested using industrial wastewater samples obtained from the metal coating industry. Quantitative removal (> 91 %) of Zn(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) ions was obtained when their initial concentration was adjusted to 50 mg/L. Also, the rapid and efficient desorption of these metal ions from loaded-biosorbents, by simple treatment with small volumes of HNO3 (10-1 mol/L), further emphasizes the possibility of their recovery and reuse in the technological circuit. The results included in this study indicate that algae wastes have the potential to be used in industrial effluents decontamination processes and opens new perspectives for the implementation of circular economy principles.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a persisting problem over the last decades and a critical issue for environmental protection and human health. In this context any scientific data able to reveal the MPs presence and to improve the characterization and identification in different systems is valuable. The aim of this paper was to assess available techniques for determining MPs in real freshwater samples and subsequently to highlight the occurrence and type of MPs in the study case area (Somesul Mic River). The specific objectives of the study were: i) MPs separation and visual characterization; ii) microscopic analyses and morphological characterization of MPs; iii) Raman and FT-IR spectroscopic identification of MPs. MPs sampling was performed from the fresh water and sediment using planktonic nets and sieves with different mesh sizes (20 to 500µm). After digestion with hydrogen peroxide, the MPs characterization was performed using both classical microscopic techniques as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For the MPs identification, Raman and FT-IR spectrometry techniques were used. Large (1-5 mm) and small (1 µm to 1 mm) MPs were observed in the shape of fibers, fragments, foam, foils and spheres in various colors (red, green, blue, purple, pink, white, black, transparent, opaque). Polymers were identified related to scientific literature and reference spectra. The presence of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) was registered for all sampling point. The MPs laboratory investigations have raised some issues regarding the identification of MPs particles with the size smaller than 500µm, being characterized especially under microscope. Small MPs particle dispersed on cellulose filter were identified using micro-Raman spectroscopy highlighting the same type of polymers. The results showed that both spectrometric methods Raman or FT-IR confirm the identification of the same type of polymers. No differences were registered between the sampling points due to the widespread presence of MPs. The sediments samples presented a greater abundance compared to the water samples. Overall, it is necessary to continue the optimization of the MPs separation protocol and identification according to the complexity of samples, mainly due to the limitation and lack of spectral databases.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) are complexes, highly stable in vivo, used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), administered in patients and then eliminated via renal, passing through wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) before being discarded in the receiving medium, without apparent removal. In this study, it was studied if different exposure periods to several environmental parameters (solar radiation, different salinities, temperatures and pH) will influence the stability of these complexes, namely, the Gd-DOTA. Gd-DOTA solutions were processed in a seaFAST-pico saline matrix pre-concentration and elimination system and Gd concentrations were determined by ICP-MS. Results showed that the complex remained stable in fresh, brackish and saline water environments, even when exposed to extreme temperatures (40ºC) or slightly acidic to basic conditions (6-10), for an exposure period of 96h. A small increase in the free Gd concentration was observed after 18 days when exposed to pH<4, in all tested salinities (0, 18 and 36 PSU), with a degradation increase of up to 29%, after 5 weeks of exposure in freshwater. When exposed to direct solar radiation a low Gd-DOTA degradation (4%) was observed after 24h at salinity 18 PSU and remained constant until the end of the exposure period (96h), while the remaining salinities showed negligible values.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) was most important flame retardant in Expanded Polystyrene foam and Extruded Polystyrene foam in the past forty years in the world. China was the major producer and user of HBCD, and the total HBCD production was about 0.3 million tons. Although HBCD has been completely banned in China in 2021 because of its long-range transport, bioaccumulation and toxicity, there's still a lot of residues in environment. Therefore, we reviewed multiple studies concerning the distribution of HBCD in diverse environmental matrices, such as air, dust, soil, water, sediment and biota. Results revealed that HBCD levels in different environments in China present a geographical variation and were at high level compared with other countries. In all environmental media, relatively high HBCD concentrations have been found in industrial and urban areas. Industrialization and urbanization are two important factors that influence the concentration and distribution of HBCD in the environment. In terms of isomer, γ-HBCD was the dominant isomer in soil, water, and sediment, while in the biota, α-HBCD was the predominant isomer.

The widespread use of the herbicide glyphosate has resulted in the global presence of its degra-dation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), in the global environment. AMPA is commonly found in water bodies, including freshwater systems. We investigated the effects of chronic and acute AMPA exposure on the survivorship, regenerative abilities, and locomotion of the brown planarian (Girardia tigrina), a water-dwelling flatworm commonly found in freshwa-ter ecosystems. We exposed planarians to two concentrations of AMPA, consistent with the high and low ranges of concentrations observed in US water systems. We measured endpoints includ-ing survivorship, regenerative abilities of head and tail segments, eyespot regeneration, and swimming speed. Compared to the control group, we found that planarians chronically exposed to AMPA exhibited (1) modestly reduced survivorship while regenerating and (2) slower regen-eration from the tail segment. No significant differences were observed in intact body growth during chronic exposure. Our findings highlight the potential ecological impacts of AMPA con-tamination on planarian populations. Understanding the effects of AMPA exposure on planarians contributes to our understanding of the ecological consequences of glyphosate use in freshwater ecosystems.

This study determined the temporal variation of PM2.5 in ambient air in Thohoyandou and further assessed the associated health risks. The levels of PM2.5 were quantified for a period of 1 year (April 2017-April 2018) using the gravimetric method. There was no significant difference (P-value = 0.18) in concentrations of both PM2.5 samples collected during weekdays (11.29 µg.m-3) and weekends (9.86 µg.m-3). However, higher concentrations of PM2.5 were measured in spring and the lowest was measured in summer. The cancer risk obtained for PM2.5 (2.21 × 10−5, 3 × 10-4, and 5 × 10-4 for infants, children, and adults respectively) in the outdoor air of Thohoyandou has exceeded the limit values by the USEPA and WHO, implying a significant risk for the whole population. For non-carcinogenic risks, the HQ values were 2.60, 4.81, and 2.60 for infants, children, and adults respectively. The HQ value >1 indicates a non-carcinogenic risk to the residents in Thohoyandou and a higher risk to children. Moreover, PM2.5 in Thohoyandou is responsible for 0.15% and 0.13% of deaths resulting from cardiovascular disease and lung cancer respectively for adults above 30 years. PM2.5 is causing adverse health effects in Thohoyandou as deduced from the health risk assessment. Therefore, it is recommended that further epidemiological studies be conducted in Thohoyandou to estimate the burden of disease due to exposure to particulate matter and suitable controlling policies be arranged to reduce particulate matter.

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of indoor particulate matter (PM) concentrations, focusing on PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 in five Primary Health Centers (PHCs): Arakale, Federal College of Agriculture (FECA), Iju, Oba-Ile, and Owode within Akure Local Government Areas in Nigeria. The primary novelty of this research lies in its detailed exploration of the toxicity potential of these PM fractions, providing valuable insights into the local air quality and associated health risks. The study assesses the health implications by calculating the toxicity potential (TP), Relative Risk (RR), Excess Risk (ER), and Attributable Fractions (AF) for cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality. The results reveal varying RR values for all-cause mortality, with Arakale showing a slight elevation (RR: 1.061), indicating potential health risks. ER values for cardiopulmonary mortality range from 14.728±7.25 to 19.04±0.38, emphasizing the substantial excess risk associated with long-term PM2.5 exposure. The study also uncovers AF for cardiopulmonary mortality ranging between 11.03±0.31 to 19.22±0.04, underscoring the significant contribution of PM to cardiovascular and respiratory health risks. Similarly, AF for lung cancer mortality ranges from 10.03±0.012 to 17.13±0.10, highlighting the substantial association between PM2.5 exposure and lung cancer risk. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted air quality management strategies and public health interventions in the studied locations to mitigate the heightened health risks associated with particulate matter pollution. The calculated RR, ER, and AF values offer crucial insights into the complex relationship between PM exposure and adverse health outcomes, providing a foundation for informed decision-making and future research endeavors.

The novel ternary composites, BiOBr-TiO2-attapulgite (BTA), were synthesized using a simple hydrothermal and water-bath method, exhibiting excellent photocatalytic performance to mul-tiple xanthates. For BTA photocatalyst, TiO2 and BiOBr were uniformly loaded on the surface of acid-activated attapulgite. As a widely used collector in mining processes, sodium ethyl-xanthate (SEX) was selected as the target pollutant due to its high toxicity. The BTA ternary photocatalyst demonstrated significantly higher adsorption and photocatalytic degradation performance compared to TiO2 nanoparticles, BiOBr nanosheets, and BiOBr-TiO2 heterojunction. Structural characterization and experimental results indicated that the exceptional photocatalytic degrada-tion efficiency of BTA was mainly attributed to the formation of heterojunction between BiOBr and TiO2, as well as the presence of additional active adsorption sites provided by attapulgite. Free radical scavenging experiments and EPR results confirmed that the photogenerated holes were the predominant active species to photodegrade SEX throughout the entire experiment. The LC-MS results provided insight into potential degradation pathways of SEX. This research demonstrates that BTA, as a novel triple composite material, achieves rapid and complete degradation to 20 mg/L SEX within 20 min. This work presents a novel approach to synthesize mineral-based photo-catalysts, which have broad prospects for application in flotation wastewater treatment.

The brick manufacturing sector in Bangladesh is experiencing rapid growth, leading to notable environmental and health concerns. The primary objective of this research is to examine the Savar Upazila, a region of significant economic significance owing to its favorable brick manufacturing conditions and proximity to Dhaka city. Brick kilns, among other sources, constitute significant contributors to air pollution. The study utilized primary and secondary data to examine brick kiln emissions' effects on the surrounding area's environment and public health. The collection of primary data was conducted in multiple zones within Savar Upazila, which is home to a significant number of brick kilns. The utilization of secondary data provided valuable insights regarding the toxic pollutants discharged by these kilns and the corresponding health risks they pose. The participants provided accounts of various health ailments, such as dermatological conditions, optical difficulty, and respiratory complications, further aggravated by brick kilns' incidents. The prevalence of crop losses, soil degradation, and reduced agricultural yields was confirmed by 74% of the respondents. The trees and crops in the surrounding area experienced adverse effects due to the deposition of dust particles. During periods of inactivity, the concentrations of sulfur oxide (SOx) were between 6 and 9 times lower compared to periods of operation. Similarly, nitrogen oxide (NOx) levels were observed to be 4 to 6 times lower during non-operational phases. The degradation of water quality in adjacent bodies has been attributed to the deposition of dust and ash originating from brickfields, resulting in substantial repercussions on aquaculture. A significant proportion of participants indicated experiencing diverse health issues, notwithstanding the employment prospects generated by brick kilns, thereby underscoring the adverse consequences on both the environment and the local economy.

The present review critically examines the advancements in the past 5 years concerning the re-search on the bioavailability of the nanoplastics (NPLs) to freshwater plankton. With a specific emphasis on two bioavailability components: uptake availability and toxico-availability, we dis-cuss the recent progress in the understanding of the adsorption, absorption, trophic transfer and biological effects in phyto- and zooplankton induced by NPLs exposure. The influence of the plankton on the NPLs bioavailability via excretion of the biomolecules and formation of eco-corona is also examined. In spite of the important research developments, there are still con-siderable knowledge gaps with respect to NPLs biouptake and trophic transfer by plankton, as well as a potential adverse effect in natural aquatic systems. As plankton play a critical role in primary production, nutrient cycling and food web structure, understanding the interaction be-tween NPLs and plankton is essential in assessing the potential implications of the nanoplastics pollution for aquatic ecosystem biodiversity and services.

Acid in-situ leaching (ISL) is a common approach to the recovery of uranium in the subsurface. As some toxic and harmful substances might be produced by the chemical reactions among the injected sulphuric acid, the groundwater, and the porous media during leaching processes, the pollution control of the mining plan for ISL is important. In this study, a three-dimensional reactive transport modeling (3DRTM) was applied to decide the pollution control mining plan, considering the partial penetration through wellbore in confined aquifer and complex chemical reactions between main minerals. Based on the 3DRTM, different pumping ratio and non-uniform injection schemes were compared. The results show that the preferential pollution control mining plan is non-uniform injection ratio equal 0.1. By analyzing the characteristics of water table and streamline, it is concluded that the scheme has a strong hydraulic capture effect. In this scheme, the concentration of UO22+, H+, SO42- obtained by 3DRTM is lower. The inner well injection rate is 194.09 m3/d, the outer well injection rate is 158.89 m3/d, and the pumping rate is 264.00 m3/d. A reasonable suggestion is to adopt non-uniform injection mining mode in ISL.

Air pollution is a global issue, and the transportation sector is recognized as the third-largest contributor to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Vehicles emit a range of chemical compounds as a direct result of the combustion process. The nature and quantity of these emissions depend on the vehicle's characteristics, road, and local weather conditions. As a result, these emissions require special attention due to the adverse effects contributing to global warming and significantly impacting human health. In this regard, diagnosing and monitoring air quality is crucial for understanding the nature and quantity of emissions generated by various sources. However, in developing countries, the necessary inputs, and data for conducting such analyses are not always available. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to estimate emissions specifically generated from road operations. To achieve this, HDM-4 calculation tool is utilized to quantitatively estimate these emissions. This tool was applied in Baja California, Mexico, on the Centinela-La Rumorosa highway. The results obtained show that annually, 372.5 tons of pollutant emissions are generated, composed of HC, CO, CO2, NOx, Par, SO2, and PB, covering a mere 128 kilometers of length within a state road network spanning 11,429 kilometers. This highlights the necessity of implementing strategies to reduce emissions or the environmental impact generated by vehicular operations on roads in developing countries.

Abstract: This article explores the intricate relationship between environmental degradation, specifically air pollution, and economic growth in the Sultanate of Oman spanning the period from 1990 to 2022. We employ cointegration and vector error correction models to uncover both short- and long-term dynamics in the association between air pollution and economic growth. Fur-thermore, Granger causality analysis is utilized to investigate the causal links between these crucial variables. This data encompasses factors related to environmental quality and various control variables. The empirical results unveil a sustained long-term cointegration connection between the variables. Additionally, our findings highlight a statistically significant positive impact of economic growth and energy consumption on CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the short-term analysis reveals an annual adjustment of approximately 14.1% in N2O emissions dis-equilibrium. The Granger causality study indicates unidirectional causal relationships involving N2O emissions, economic growth, and CO2 emissions. The implications of these findings for Oman's policy landscape are substantial. To effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is imperative for Oman to establish robust climate change policies. Additionally, the government can play a pivotal role in encouraging and endorsing the use of renewable energy sources, such as green hydrogen, as a promising alternative to traditional oil and gas resources.

Spectacularly, particulate matter pollution influences human health by aggravating numerous diseases and causing premature deaths. In order to eliminate its concentration in the ambient air, plant species can act as natural bio-filters and capture, degrade, and metabolize air pollutants inside their foliage. In a study carried out at three sites with different pollution levels and plant types. The immobilization efficiency of Particulate Matter (PM) was investigated in the leaves of three species (shrub, climber, and herb) in the southwestern of Japan with a time gap of 14 days. Two healthy mature leaf samples of each specimen were carefully collected and analyzed using the gravimetric analytical method. A significant quantity of PM in three-size fractions with aerodynamic diameters ranging between (0.1-100 μm) was captured inside the leaf foliage of the analyzed species. Fine particles (2.5 -10 μm) dominated the highest portion of the PM deposition captured by the analyzed species with 70.6 μg.cm-2(39.5%). Shrub species represented with Elaeagnus pungens proved to be the most efficient species among the analyzed species. Leaf traits such as grooves, trichomes, roughness, and margin are considered key factors associated with positive PM deposition, whereas the total surface area of the leaves had no direct correlation to PM deposition.

Bees have long been used as a bioindicator of environmental quality. They have the capacity to bio-accumulate various pollutants in cities such as PAHs and heavy metals, but they are also very sensitive to other pollutants in rural areas such as pesticides. The lethal and sub-lethal impacts of pesticides on bees have been extensively studied. However, studies often focus on a single molecule at a same time and rarely on a cocktail of pesticides. The oxidant stress in response to metals and NOx was also measure, but no studies were engaged on the impact of PAHs on honeybees. The aim of this study was to measure the oxidative stress in bees in response to the chronic ingestion of a mixture of pesticides (representative of pollutants in rural areas) on the first hand and a mixture of PAHs (representative of pollutants in urban areas) on the other hand, compared to a control group. We also wanted to determine whether this tool is effective in detecting environmental measures aimed at reducing pollution in urban and rural areas.

The rapid technological development of society determined increased demand for safe potable water and food resources. Unfortunately, this progress causes complex environmental pollution, that is continuously challenging the scholars’ community. Therefore, it is important to chemically analyze the food for a better understanding of pollution-spreading mechanisms. Our study is focused on food analysis originating from Vatra Dornei City, which belongs to Suceava County in the Bukovina region of Romania. It represents a well-known Romanian spa and ski resort in the northern parts of the Oriental Carpathians Mountains. The mountain region owns a lot of mineral resources, mainly consisting of mineral and sparkling waters, uranium, manganese, copper, pyrite, chalcopyrite, polymetallic ores, baryte, gold and silver-bearing orebodies, etc. The present contribution aims to point out the results obtained from the analysis of soil, water and food samples collected from the local markets. The food samples consisted of lettuce, spinach, apples, pork (smoked) chicken meat (raw), milk and cheese. Last year the survey was conducted over six months. The results highlighted that the mining activities carried out during time caused environmental pollution with uranium and heavy metals due to the waste heaps’ weathering phenomena and tailing ponds’ presence.

Contamination by microplastics (MP) in aquatic ecosystems is largely due to the release of millions of these particles from treated effluents from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP). Due to the lack of policies and regulations that establish criteria for the control and elimination of MP from WWTP effluents, this research evaluated the presence of MP for particle sizes of 38 and 150 µm in influents and effluents from three WWTP in the port of Acapulco, Mexico. Using optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques, the MP detected were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). MP removal efficiencies of 82.5 to 98.7% (38 µm) and 86.8 to 97.5% (150µm) were obtained; the MP average daily emissions to the receiving bodies of these three WWTPs were in the ranges of 9.5 x 106 - 4.70 x 108 particles and the annual emissions in the range of 3.05 x 109 - 1.72 x 1011 particles. This work reveals the urgency of implementing regulatory policies to avoid the continuous emission of MP to aquatic ecosystems from WWTPs in Acapulco, Mexico.

The growing population with changing consumption patterns in developing countries is causing significant challenges with regards to solid waste management. Plastic wastes are particularly problematic, with single-use plastics leaking into the environment, including the marine environment, at an unprecedented rate. Approximately 80 percent of ocean plastics come from land-based sources or about 8 million tons are dumped into the ocean every year. Thailand was identified as one of the top 10 countries ranked by mass of mismanaged plastic wastes, with more than 60,000 tons per year entering the ocean through multiple outlets, including rivers. In the environment, plastic wastes can be degraded into small sizes (less than 5 mm), called microplastics (MPs), which could contaminate the ecosystems and the food chain, including foodstuffs and water supply. Tap water samples collected from a water supply treatment plant and Academic Institutions 1 and 2 in central Thailand were found to contain MPs about 304 ±90, 270 ±109 and 386 ±102 particles/L, respectively. In addition, MPs concentrations of 211 ±70 and 122 ±60 particles/L were also found in drinking water samples collected from commercial bottled water and membrane filtration water, respectively. The MPs sizes of 0-50 µm were most abundant in both the tap and drinking water samples whose shapes were mainly fragments and fiber. These data indicated potential health risks to the people who consume these water sources, and recommendations for health impacts minimization were proposed.

Ammonia is an atmospheric pollutant, predominantly emitted from agriculture, leading acidification and eutrophication of soil and water and contributing to secondary PM2.5. The implementation of accurate emission inventories with high spatial and time resolution plays a fundamental role in the development of air modelling simulation and in the impact assessment of actions for air quality improvement. The development and release of new algorithms and the increase of data availability are supporting the implementation of machine learning approaches in environmental and air quality data analysis. In this paper we present a methodology developed by the application of the Random Forest algorithm to bottom-up local emission inventories of ammonia to validate annual time series of ammonia emissions and calculate high resolution temporal profiles. The model has been trained and tested by the hourly measurements of ammonia concentrations and atmospheric turbulence parameters starting from a constant emission scenario. The initial values of emissions are calculated based on a bottom-up emission inventory detailed at the municipal basis and considering a circular area of about 4 km radius centered on measurement sites. By comparing predicted and measured concentrations, the emissions are modified, the model's training and testing are repeated, and the model converges to a very high performance in predicting ammonia concentrations and establishing an hourly time changing emission profile. The site-specific emissions profiles, estimated by the proposed methodology, clearly show a nonlinear relation with measured concentrations and allow to identify the effect of atmospheric turbulence on pollutant accumulation. The estimated time series well confirm the available data of the emission inventories and the monthly emission profiles have been compared with estimated data from satellite.

In order to better realize rural revitalization, this paper analyzes the spatial and temporal char-acteristics and influencing factors of agricultural surface source pollution in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from the three perspectives of government, enterprise and agriculture by using the spatial Durbin model and the dynamic GMM method in the period of 2006-2021, and further re-searches the threshold characteristics of the distortion of the factor market on the agricultural surface source pollution under the different strengths of environmental regulation. The results show that there is a positive spatial correlation between agricultural surface pollution in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and government environmental regulation, input factor market distortion and labor force transfer all have a significant impact on agricultural surface pollution. Among them, factor market distortion has a significant spatial spillover effect on agricultural surface pollution in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, and has a significant single-threshold ef-fect on environmental regulation. Accordingly, the government should strengthen environmental regulation, continuously improve the agricultural factor market mechanism, and pay attention to the construction of talents to provide support for rural revitalization.

Sri Lanka is a top producer of premium quality concentrated latex (CL), which becomes a base material for dipped rubber products such as gloves and condoms. The processing of CL is resource-intensive, requiring significant amounts of energy, fuel, water, and chemicals. This process leads to various environmental issues such as wastewater pollution, malodor, and greenhouse gas emissions. Several environmental life cycle assessments (ELCA) have been conducted at international and local levels to address the aforesaid issues. However, ELCAs encapsulating different environmental impact areas on CL processing in Sri Lanka are absent. The study revealed that electricity usage was the main hotspot of the environmental burden, significantly impacting Abiotic depletion (fossil fuels), Global warming potential, Ozone layer depletion, Photochemical oxidation, and Acidification. Heavy reliance on coal in the Sri Lankan power grid was identified as the root of this trend. The study suggested two viable options to mitigate the environmental impact: installing inverters to centrifuge separators and solar systems in the factories. The second option was deemed more effective, reducing Acidification, Photochemical oxidation, and Global Warming Potential by approximately 37%, 36%, and 28%, respectively. Relevant officials may immediately consider these improvement options and collaborate to pave the way to a sustainable natural rubber industry.

Emerging pollutants pose significant threats to Uganda's ecosystems and public health amidst rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and intensified agriculture. This systematic review comprehensively assessed these pollutants by analyzing existing Ugandan literature and research studies, revealing various types in different environmental compartments. These pollutants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, industrial chemicals, heavy metals, radionuclides, biotoxins, disinfection byproducts, hydrocarbons, and microplastics, originate from urban, industrial, and agricultural regions. Wastewater and improper waste disposal are major contributors. From an initial search of 794 articles across multiple databases such as PubMed, African Journal Online (AJOL), Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, 138 were found relevant. The review underscores potential ecological and health impacts, including antibiotic resistance, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenicity. Existing monitoring and regulation efforts are discussed, alongside the need for specific regulations, improved data collection, and public awareness campaigns. Recommendations include advanced wastewater treatment, sustainable agriculture, and source control measures. Emphasis is placed on further research to address knowledge gaps and develop effective policies and interventions. Uganda can mitigate these risks by implementing comprehensive monitoring, robust regulations, and sustainable practices, safeguarding the environment and public health.

Despite air pollution being a leading cause of health issues in developing nations, public awareness and understanding of local air quality remains notably low. The present study assesses the perception, attitude, and environmental knowledge of local air pollution among adult urban residents (n=870) in a city with leading air pollution rates among cities of emerging economies: Astana, Kazakhstan. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to investigate the causal relationship between perceived air quality, environmental literacy, and willingness to pay (WTP) for environmental protection. Findings indicate over 40% of residents neither consider the city being highly polluted nor recognize the association between air quality and adverse health outcomes, correlated with a generally low level of environmental literacy. The age, education, and health status of the participants significantly affected (p<.001) their level of environmental knowledge and awareness. The SEM analysis indicates that knowledge is the major determinant in improving public awareness and perception of local air pollution (path value=0.626). Moreover, a close association between WTP and environmental attitude was also evident (path value=0.533). The findings of the present study may provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals, environmental researchers, and governmental institutions for implementing more effective public interventions to protect local air quality.

The objective of this research is to analyze metal elements like Na (sodium), Mg (magnesium), Al (aluminum), Si (silicon), Pb (lead), K (potassium), Ca (calcium), and Fe (iron) found in dust particles within two distinct areas from which the sampling has been done. First sampling was taken from the road verge of a highly trafficked road section, while the second sampling was done in a residential garden area 90 m away from the road. Several metal elements have been detected, with a high difference for Silicon Si, which present higher concentrations in the dust sampled from the road verge area. Pb has only been detected in the samples taken from the road verge, which could be explained by residual remnants from old lead gasoline, and wheel weights. Additionally, airborne particulate matter (PM) concentrations have been measured, during the same episode, in comparison between the road verge and the garden area, presenting a substantial difference in the concentration levels, deducing that dense vegetation is protecting and blocking a majority of airborne PM. A literature highlight of health effects of different metal elements and PM concentrations is presented.

In forensic acoustics, a possible area of analysis is represented by unwanted sound that 1 is perceived as a source of intrusion or disturbance within a certain auditory context. This context 2 is defined as the "auditory scene" and refers to the set of sounds present in a specific environment. 3 The presence of unwanted sounds in the auditory scene can cause a wide range of negative effects, 4 including disturbance, discomfort, moral or immoral harm, and other types of negative impact on the 5 health and well-being of individuals exposed to noise. In 2022, the technical specification UNI/TS 6 11844:2022 dedicated to the measurement and analysis of intrusive noise was published. The standard 7 introduces the concept of intrusive noise and defines its calculation methods based on environmental 8 measurements. The purposes of this technical specification is to provide an objective support to 9 methods already in used in acoustic disputes, where the assessment of the annoyance of a noise is 10 often a subjective evaluation of the technician. This work delves into the application to some real 11 cases, identifying the potentiality and the limits of the standardized method.

The operating theatre represents a key contributor to healthcare-derived emissions. Here, we outline the carbon footprint of a lumbar microdiscectomy at our regional unit in Greater Manchester, with the use of AI technology. In doing so, we aim to define the extent of the environmental impact and identify carbon hotspots for sustainable change. Our unit of analysis covered the start of the patient journey into hospital through to the final outpatient appointment. Publicly available and locally sourced data was used. An inventory analysis of two lumbar microdiscectomies was conducted. Each item was categorised reconciled against our AI-powered ‘CO2 analysis’ database. Kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2e) was chosen as the primary measure of impact. An average lumbar microdiscectomy at our trust generates 477.73kg CO2e. The operation (173.89kg CO2e, 36.40%) and the inpatient stay (144.67kg CO2e, 30.28%) constituted the biggest contributors. Single-use intraoperative equipment contributed to over three-quarters of the total emissions from the operation. By defining the environmental burden of elective spinal surgery, we have identified carbon hotspots to target for sustainable change. Substituting polluting elements for carbon-friendly alternatives and challenging the single-use culture, modern healthcare systems can help pave the way to a ‘net zero’ healthcare system.

This publication aims to disseminate a step-by-step process that walks through the conceptualization and building of a low-cost (~ $150 monitoring device for airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5), based on miniaturized sensors and components. Details on the implementation of the hardware and software are provided which facilitate the data acquisition, capture and analysis. The central components and their setup discussed in what follows include: the sensor device (called “P.ALP” – Ph.D. Air quality Low-cost Project), Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) and R code (open-access software). A monitoring device for PM2.5, using low-cost sensors and technologies was successfully conceptualized, designed, and implemented. The P.ALP monitoring system was designed and developed to be a basic device, which can be further customized and implemented using the wide range of low-cost sensors available on the market.

The oil spilled from the Gulf war caused land pollution and various petroleum compounds. Among petroleum compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known for toxicity, and have been designated as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and endocrine disrupting substances by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). According to the USEPA, toxic equivalents quotient (TEQ), and mutagenic equivalents quotient (MEQ) can be calculated by multiplying the toxic equivalency factor (TEF) and mutagenic equivalency factor (MEF) by the concentration of PAHs. The USEPA calculates the relative TEF for other PAHs by setting the TEF value of benzo(a)pyrene, which is highly toxic, to 1. Relative MEF is also calculated in the same way. In this study, the TPH concentrations of crude oil-contaminated soils collected from the Burgan in Kuwait were measured to be 5, 8, and 20% and TEQ and MEQ of the soils were calculated by multiplying the 16 PAHs concentrations measured for each sample by TEF and MEF, respectively. When the TPH concentration was increased by 4 times from 5% to 20%, the TEQ was increased by about 9 times and the MEQ was increased by about 10 times. Therefore, it was concluded that as the TPH concentration increases, the carcinogenicity and mutation rate increase greatly. In addition, ecotoxicity assessment was performed using luminescent bacteria to compare the relationship between the calculated TEQ and MEQ and actual ecotoxicity, and benzo(a)pyrene among 16 PAHs showed a coefficient of determination of 0.95. In this study, ecotoxicity in PAHs-contaminated environment can be estimated by analyzing benzo(a)pyrene as a representative substance.

Mercury toxicity significantly threatens aquatic ecosystems, particularly impacting fish populations and human well-being. This article exposes the effects of mercury contamination on aquatic life and their habitats. Mercury primarily originates from natural degassing and anthropogenic activities and accumulates in aquatic organisms, most notably in predatory fish, through bio-accumulation and bio-magnification. This bio-accumulation, driven by microbial transformation to methyl-mercury, leads to elevated concentrations in top-level predators. The consequences of mercury exposure on fish physiology are stunted growth, reproductive impairments, and compromised immunity, with potential ramifications for population dynamics and ecosystem resilience. This study delves into specific impacts of mercury on fish, ranging from bone deformities to liver damage, developmental anomalies, neurotoxic effects, and disruptions in reproductive systems. The interplay between ecological, physiological, and human health effects underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of mercury's underlying mechanisms. Monitoring mercury levels in aquatic systems emerges as a crucial strategy for ensuring fish populations' health and ecosystems' sustainability. Urgent collaborative efforts are imperative to address this global concern, promote harmonious coexistence between human activities and aquatic environments, and secure the availability of safe and nutritious fish for future generations. In conclusion, this article highlights the urgent necessity for targeted interventions and informed decision-making to mitigate the influence of mercury contamination on aquatic ecosystems.

Asian dust (AD) events and total suspended particle (TSP) was observed at Kanazawa University Wajima Air Monitoring Station (KUWAMS), a Japanese background site, during the East Asian winter monsoon periods (from November to May of the following year) from 2010 to 2021. Nine kinds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in each TSP sample. In this study, a total of 54 AD events were observed. According to the different pathways of long-range transportation, AD events were divided into AD-high (transported at higher altitude, around 4000 m) and AD-low (transported at lower altitude, around 2500 m). The TSP concentrations in-creased sharply in the AD and was higher in AD-high (39.8 ± 19.5 μg/m³) than that in AD-low (23.5 ± 10.5 μg/m³). While AD didn’t have significant effect on ΣPAHs characteristic variation, as ΣPAHs concentration in non-AD periods, AD-high, AD-low were 543 ± 374, 404 ± 221, 436 ± 265 pg/m³, respectively. PAHs compositions were also consistent. As a result, TSP concentration was affected by the input air mass transported at higher altitude from the desert region while PAHs concentration was under the impact of air mass at lower altitude which carried the PAHs emitted from fossil fuels and biomass combustion in northeastern China. Moreover, the health risks of PAHs were calculated by inhalation lifetime cancer risk which ranged from 10−6 to 10−5 ng/m3, in-dicating a potential carcinogenic risk at KUWAMS during the East Asian winter monsoon period.