Search

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is widely used in plastic bottles, packaging, and textile fibers. However, PET is difficult to degrade in nature and rapidly accumulates into the environment, causing serious environmental pollution and threatening human health. At present, the recycling methods for PET mainly focus on physical recycling and chemical degradation, but these methods have severe limitations, resulting in the great loss of valuable materials and secondary pollution. In contrast, the biodegradation of PET is gradually attracting attention because of its environmental friendliness, high efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Several PET-degrading enzymes (PDEs) have been previously identified, such as cutinase, IsPETase, lipase, and esterase. Thereafter, many efforts have been made to push the boundaries of evolution schemes, attempting to create stronger PDEs with improved activity and stability. Nevertheless, most of these enzymes show preferences toward low-crystallinity (<10%) PET, while in situ enzymatic degradation of high-crystallinity PET (30%–50%) remains a major challenge. Exploring and engineering PDEs that can efficiently degrade bottle-grade PET plastics has recently become a research hotspot. This review systematically introduces the current advances in PDEs and emphasizes the role of metagenomics in screening and identifying new PDEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aims to investigate whether and how the development of the digital economy can reduce air pollutant emissions in China. Specifically, using a fixed effect model and an empirical test that exploits pollutant emissions in 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2020, we explore the impact of digital economy development on air pollution through three mechanisms: public attention to environmental pollution, production efficiency, and environmental governance efficiency. Additionally, we provide heterogeneity analysis based on regions, industrial structure, and years of schooling. Findings are crucial for policymakers and environmentalists concerned about economic development's effects on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence and prevalence of breast cancer in Iraq are alarming. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among Iraqi women, and its rates have been steadily increasing over the years. The exact reasons for the high incidence are not yet fully understood, but it is believed to be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The research objectives of this study revolve around two main goals. Firstly, the study aims to establish baseline values for the amount of uranium present in blood samples. Secondly, the study aims to assess the potential relationship between uranium levels in blood and the development of cancer. The investigation includes 16 blood samples from women diagnosed with breast cancer and 20 blood samples from women without breast cancer. The nuclear fission track analysis method using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors will be employed to analyze the uranium contents in women's cancer blood (CB) samples. The methodology adopted for this study involved utilizing the SPSS program to conduct a comprehensive statistical analysis. The results of the study indicate that there is a variation in uranium concentration among both the patient women and healthy women. The uranium concentration among patient women ranged from 3.259 ppb to 1.918 ppb, while among healthy women, it varied from 2.105 ppb to 0.59 ppb. These findings suggest that there may be a correlation between the presence of certain health issues and higher uranium levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focused on quantifying hazardous heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in soil-rice systems near the Buriganga River in Bangladesh to assess their impact on human health and the environment. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn in soil exceeded FAO/WHO acceptable limits, and the metal pollution index (MPI) indicated that all soil samples collected from the rice fields were severely polluted (MPI˃30) than water and rice grain samples. According to the sum of pollution index (SPI) by studied metals, rice grains collected from Kamrangirchor (29.36), Dhakauddan (28.75), and Bosila (18.08) were severely polluted. Mean Bio-concentration factors (BCFs) and Transfer factors (TFgrain/soil) in rice grains were in the following order: Cd (6.034) > Zn (1.752) > Pb (0.697) ˃ Ni (0.666) > Cr (0.135) > As (0.037), and Cd (1.150) > Zn (0.421) > Ni (0.112) ˃ Pb (0.072) > Cr (0.015) > As (0.034) respectively indicating higher accumulation of Cd in rice grain than others toxic heavy metal. The potential ecological risk index (RI) showed that except for water in Kamrangirchar and Keraniganj rice fields, all other rice fields soil and water samples did not pose severe ecological pollution (RI˂110) by different toxic heavy metals. Health risk assessment showed that rice grains are unsafe for human consumption as the carcinogenic health risk (CHR˃10-3) and non-carcinogenic health risk (HI ˃1) quotients seem more than the safe level in all samples collected from rice fields surrounding the Buriganga River. Findings show that heavy metal concentrations are high in rice fields near the Buriganga River, endangering the environment and consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snow cover is an important source of data for the study of environmental pollution due to its ability to accumulate atmospheric dust particles. A total reflection x‐ray fluorescence method (TXRF) was applied to assess the concentration levels of potentially toxic elements (As, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, V, Mn, and Sr) in samples of snow cover solid phase collected in suburban areas of the Irkutsk region with industrial activity. Suspension was chosen as an optimal sample preparation procedure for solid phases of snow samples obtained after melting and filtration. Results were compared with those obtained by wavelength‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Precision of TXRF results expressed by repeatability values was not exceeded 15% (n = 3) for most of the elements, and the trueness of the TXRF method expressed by recovery values was in the range of 87%–115% for concentration levels of 5.0–350 μg/g. Forty samples of snow cover solid phase were analyzed by TXRF method and results were compared with the background values. The investigation showed low contamination of the studied area by Pb, Cu, V, Mn, and Sr, medium contamination by Ni, As, and Cr, and high contamination by Zn. TXRF is advantageous in being rapid, cost‐efficient, and simple and can be used as a promising method for an assessment of environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban pollution governance requires the joint participation of government, society, and enterprises, with the environmental information disclosure policy serving as a novel tool to promote multi-stakeholder engagement. This study aims to delve into the impact of the environmental information disclosure policy on regional environmental quality by using data from Chinese cities. Through analysis, the study gets the following conclusions. Firstly, the environmental information disclosure policy not only effectively reduces urban environmental pollution but also exhibits an apparent spatial spillover effect. The impact of this policy on air pollution in neighboring cities shows an inverted U-shaped pattern of first rising and then falling, with the optimal radius of this external effect estimated at 250 km. Secondly, the results of the mechanism test indicate that government regulatory efforts and clean industry alternatives are essential channels for curbing urban environmental pollution. Lastly, the heterogeneity test shows that the inhibitory effect of the environmental information disclosure policy on environmental pollution is more pronounced in civilized cities, cities in the "two control zones", sulfur dioxide control zones, and cities with high Pollution Information Transparency Index scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study quantified the concentrations of trace and heavy elements, including Al, K, Ca, Mg, Zr, Ti, La, Ce, Mn, Cr, Zn, and Nd, in soil samples from Tukwikwi. It also assesses the potential human health risks posed by exposure to these metals through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption for both children and adults. The study area lies in Hadejia flood plain between latitudes 12°10′ N to 13°0′ N and longitudes 10°15′ E to 11°30′ E. The result showed that the mean concentrations of Al (47,140 mg/kg), K (23,110 mg/kg), Fe (18,020 mg/kg), Mg (7810 mg/kg), Zr (404 mg/kg), and La (64 mg/kg) exceeded the crustal values of Al (25,000 mg/kg), K (10,700 mg/kg), Fe (9800 mg/kg), Mg (7000 mg/kg), Zr (220 mg/kg), and La (30 mg/kg). By contrast, the concentrations of Ca, Cr, Ce, Mn, Ti, Zn, and Nd were lower than the crustal values. These crustal values were used, as there were no regional values that could be used for comparison. The result of the noncarcinogenic health risk assessment showed that Al exhibited the highest value ranging from 5.52×10−1$5.52 \times {{10}^{ - 1}}$ to 7.51×10−1$7.51 \times {{10}^{ - 1}}$ for children and 7.3×10−1$7.3 \times {{10}^{ - 1}}$ to 9.9×10−1$9.9 \times {{10}^{ - 1}}$ for adults. The results also revealed that adults have a higher potential risk than children. The results for the carcinogenic risk (CR) showed that the total CR (TCR) values for Cr ranged from 0 to 3.20×10−4$3.20 \times {{10}^{ - 4}}$ for children and 0 to 4.29×10−4$4.29 \times {{10}^{ - 4}}$ for adults, which are higher than the acceptable limit of 1×10−4$1 \times {{10}^{ - 4}}$. These suggest that there are health concerns for adults and children in the research area. This necessitates the need for monitoring the soil in the study area to reduce potential environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar (BC), a carbon‐dense substance created through the pyrolysis of organic biomass, has garnered considerable interest as a promising option for sustainable mitigation methods. A comprehensive examination of the diverse attributes of BC and its implications for addressing contemporary environmental issues while fostering sustainable practices is compiled in this review. The synthesis techniques and structural attributes of BC are scrutinized initially, emphasizing its remarkable features such as broad surface area, porosity, and active sites. These characteristics of BC are conducive to myriad environmental applications, including pollutant remediation, soil health enhancement, and carbon sequestration. Subsequently, this review delves into the mechanisms underlying BC's effectiveness in environmental remediation. BC exhibits augmented adsorption capacities, catalytic functionalities, and interactions with microorganisms, facilitating the removal of contaminants from different matrices of the environment. Recently, BC and their products such as nano‐BC have gained widespread recognition as a feasible option for sustainable carbon material. Fabrication, characterization, modification, and diverse applications of BC were also discussed in detail. Its integration into agriculture holds promise for enhancing soil organic matter, augmenting production, and mitigating gas emissions, thereby contributing to food security and climate change mitigation. In conclusion, BC and nano‐BC emerge as a promising avenue for addressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainable development objectives. However, further research is warranted to optimize synthesis methodologies, elucidate long‐term environmental implications, and facilitate scalable production for widespread adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ditch irrigation is an important route that potentially discharges microplastics (MPs) into environment. Samiran ditch irrigation is the largest urban irrigation in Pamekasan City, Indonesia. Water and sediment samples were collected in Samiran ditch irrigation to identify MPs including their color, shape, size, and number of MPs. From all sampling locations, MPs were found in both the water and sediments of the Samiran ditch irrigation with sizes ranging from 0.1 mm to 2.9 mm. The abundance of MPs in water ranged from 0.5 to 0.9 items/L, while MPs in sediments 0.14 to 0.23 items/g with colors of black, blue, and yellow. The polymer types of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and polypropylene (PP) were found both in surface water and sediment sample. MPs such as fragments, filament, fiber, and pellet were found in Samiran ditch irrigation with fiber was dominant found in the surface water (40%) and fragment was dominant in sediment (25%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although microplastics (MPs) in solid organic waste have been intensively studied, the presence of MPs in organic fertilizer and their potential as new emerging pollution to environment because of their use in agriculture has not been explained completely. Therefore, the identification and quantification of MPs in commercially available compost is important. This study aimed to estimate the quantity of MPs in commercial composts. The characteristics of MPs (shape, color, size, and type of polymers) were identified. This study found that MPs in commercial compost samples were found, reaching up to 160 particles/200 g of compost with various colors (blue, black, red, yellow, and white). The identified MPs had various sizes (0.1–1 mm) and shapes (81.8% fragment, 16.2% fiber, and 2% filament). The findings of this study are very important and significant to inform community and policymakers regarding the presence of MPs in commercial compost, hence, their intensive use in agriculture must be controlled and careful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil spills can have varying degrees of impact on the aquatic environment depending on factors such as the type of oil spilled, the volume released, and the ecosystem affected because crude oil and refined petroleum contain harmful substances such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals. When released into the water, these substances can have immediate and long-term effects on marine life. This research aims to find the factors affecting the degree of pollution from oil spills on the aquatic environment and the areas adjacent to the Qayyarah refinery in northern Iraq. Combines the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method and the analytical hierarchy process to evaluate the degree of pollution from oil spill incidents in the areas adjacent to the refinery. The statistical analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences and that the value of the correlation coefficient was positive between exchanged cadmium, residual cadmium, exchanged lead, where the lead exchange rate ranged correlation coefficient at a minimum R² 0.674 and a clear increase in the number of bacteria indicating contamination the total number of bacteria coli, fecal coliform bacteria, and fecal strep bacteria (where the numbers of coliform bacteria ranged 102 x 102- (cells/011 mL, and fecal coliform bacteria were between 160 x 102 cells/011 mL. These rates are environmental and vital indicators of the presence of significant levels of organic pollution and evidence of the presence of microorganisms dangerous to the health of residents and living organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions strategy aims to avoid emissions from all economic sectors by 2050. Although the reduction of GHGs has been considered an urgent issue in all industrial divisions, there are still gaps in climate change mitigation strategies and policies in other sectors, such as waste, accounting for 3–5% of GHG emissions generation which are emitted from landfills, waste transport, waste treatment processes, and incinerators (Clark et al. in Nat Clim Chang 6:360–369, 2016; Masson-Delmotte V, Zhai AP, Connors C P, S. Berger, N. Caud, Y. Chen, L. Goldfarb, M.I. Gomis, M. Huang, K. Leitzell, E. Lonnoy, J.B.R., and Matthews TKM, T. Waterfield, O. Yelekçi, R. Yu, and B. Zhou (eds) (2021) Climate Change 2021: the physical science basis. editor, contribution of working group I to the sixth assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;). Waste management is a worldwide issue related to the circular economy. The share of the waste sector in the UK for GHG emissions generation is 3.7% in 2021, and landfills are responsible for 70% of the emissions (Rogelj et al. in Nat Clim Chang 591:365–368, 2021). Therefore, a new approach to waste management and disposal strategies is crucial. This paper reviews the key elements and challenges involved in waste management systems, specifically in the UK, including policy and legislation, infrastructure, and technological advancements. The review offers a clear summary of the application of circularity waste management strategies, focusing on the UK's goal to achieve the net-zero target. This review found that to reach the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and 2050 net-zero goals, the existing waste management hierarchy is no longer appropriate for the global and national setting. The metrics in waste management in the context of the circular economy should be aligned with the optimization of using resources, waste minimization, and increasing product life cycle by considering environmental impacts. Therefore, the circular model can be deployed instead of the hierarchy concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most pressing environmental issues is how to properly dispose of municipal solid waste (MSW), which represents both a substantial source of concern and a challenge. The current study evaluated cobalt (Co) accumulation in MSW, their uptake by different vegetables grown for two years, and related human health risks. Vegetables were grown in four different groups, such as one control (ground soil), and the remaining treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3) received varying concentrations of MSW. The analysis of Co was done through an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results revealed that the concentration of Co was higher in all the vegetables (n = 15) grown in soil supplemented with 75% MSW during 2nd growing year. Among all vegetables, the highest concentration of Co was observed in Solanum tuberosum at T3 during 2nd growing year. The pollution load index (PLI) value for vegetables during both growing years was more than 1 except in control soil. The findings indicated that the highest enrichment factor (EF) and hazard resilience index (HRI) value of 0.09 was present in S. tuberosum. Health index values for cobalt in the study were below 1. The HRI < 1 indicated that consumers do not face any immediate health risks. The investigation of Co concentrations in blood samples obtained from individuals residing in different areas contributes a human health perspective to the research. The findings indicate that the concentration of Co rises with an increasing proportion of MSW. While the metal levels in MSW-treated soil were not high enough to classify the soil as polluted, the results recommend that recycling MSW can substitute mineral fertilizers. Nevertheless, the presence of cobalt in MSW may directly affect soil fertility and could impact crop production and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the escalating momentum of Chinese green bond (CGB) issuances, this study aimed to elucidate the intricate relationship between CGB issuances and firm performance. Our findings indicate a significant spillover effect stemming from green government and green financial bonds, whereas the impact on green corporate bonds was relatively subdued. Intriguingly, the data reveals that environmentally conscious companies are disproportionately benefiting from cities’ issuance of CGBs. Upon delving into the underlying mechanisms, we observed a noticeable improvement in firm performance, especially for eco-friendly companies, who gain from enhanced total factor productivity and reduced debt. This data underscores the far-reaching and beneficial impact of CGBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental art design, which uses natural materials to show the connection to nature, plays a crucial role in encouraging awareness regarding environmental pollution and creativity in universities in China. This study aims to demonstrate the significance of incorporating environmental themes into art education curricula and its impact on students' environmental consciousness and artistic innovation in China. To achieve this, the study employed a mixed-method research approach, gathering insights from 96 art design educators and 295 college students through quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The findings underscored that integrating natural materials into art design enhances students' creativity and supports a deeper appreciation for environmental management. Environmental art and design were found to be effective tools for raising awareness about environmental pollution and advocating for conservation efforts. This research highlights the multifaceted benefits of environmental art design, including its potential to enhance students' artistic proficiency, personal development, and overall well-being. The study's findings offer practical implications for both educators and policymakers, suggesting the integration of environmental art design into educational curricula. By incorporating environmental art, schools can cultivate critical thinking skills, implant a sense of environmental responsibility, and inspire creative solutions to environmental challenges, ultimately producing environmentally conscious individuals capable of addressing ecological issues effectively. The novelty of the research lies in integrating environmental art design into education. Thus, the objective of the research is to investigate the significance of environmental art design in education and this enhances students' artistic achievements and career prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In response to environmental degradation and the associated health challenges, the Chinese government has implemented a comprehensive array of environmental protection measures. Given the health enhancement objective of environmental protection measures and the considerable costs involved in the implementation process, evaluating whether environmental regulation is beneficial to reducing the health costs of the population is of great significance for enhancing environmental governance efficiency and social welfare. The data from the Chinese Family Panel Survey (CFPS) is applied to examine the effect of environmental regulation on the reduction of residents' health costs from a microscopic perspective. Results: The results indicate that for a 1% increase in total investment in environmental governance, residents' health costs will decrease by 0.189%. The examination of the causal pathway suggests that implementing environmental regulation can diminish residents' health costs through improving air quality and residents' health status. Concurrently, there exist significant heterogeneities in the role of environmental regulation in reducing residents' health costs. The effect of environmental regulation is more pronounced for the young, males, and individuals with better self-perceived health. Furthermore, the outcome of environmental regulation exhibits greater efficacy in urban areas compared to rural areas. Lastly, market-incentive environmental regulation in reducing health costs is more effective than command-controlled regulation. Conclusions: Enhancing the intensity of environmental regulation contributes to decreasing residents' health costs. The findings can provide policy reference for implementing environmental governance and achieving tangible enhancements in individuals' life quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine pollution caused by heavy metals has emerged as a significant environmental concern, garnering increased attention in recent years. The accumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of marine organisms poses substantial threats to both marine ecosystems and human populations that rely on seafood as a primary food source. Fish and crustaceans are effective biomonitors for assessing heavy metal contamination in aquatic environments. In this study, we determined the concentrations of several heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and tin (Sn), in four fish species (Mugil cephalus, Mugil capito, L. aurata, and Morone labrax) and five crustacean species (S. rivulatus, Cerastoderma glaucum, Paratapes undulatus, R. decussatus, Callinectes sapidus, and Metapenaeus Stebbingi) from Temsah Lake during both winter and summer seasons. To evaluate the potential ecological and health risks associated with consuming these fish and crustacean species, we calculated the metal pollution index (MPI), weekly intake (EWI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR) values. The results revealed a noticeable increase in metal levels during the summer compared to winter in the studied samples. Moreover, the concentration of heavy metals in the muscles of the species generally exceeded those in the liver and gills. The MPI values indicated that Morone labrax exhibited the highest values during winter, while L. aurata showed the highest values during summer. Mugil cephalus demonstrated the lowest MPI values in both seasons. The EWI values for the studied metals were found to be lower than the corresponding tolerable weekly intake (TWI) values. Additionally, under average exposure conditions, the THQ and HI data were generally below one for most study species in the area. The calculated CR values for investigated metals in the studied species indicated acceptable carcinogenic risk levels. Therefore, this suggests that consuming studied species within Temsah lake does not present any potential health hazards for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the acceleration of industrialization and the increasing prominence of environmental pollution problems, the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the atmosphere has become a global concern. These emissions are not only hazardous to human health, but also one of the main factors leading to acid rain, photochemical smog and global climate change. Therefore, the development and implementation of efficient denitrification technologies are an important issue for environmental protection. The present review focuses on the research progress of the denitrification technology in the recent years, including the traditional denitrification methods and common technologies. At the same time, the advantages, limitations and application prospects of each method are analyzed. The mechanisms, influencing factors, advantages and disadvantages of the denitrification catalysts are also discussed. In addition, the future research trends and potential challenges of denitrification technology are discussed. It is expected that this review will provide useful references for promoting the development and application of denitrification technology, which may help researchers to choose high‐performance and cost‐effective methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing environmental exposure to pollution is a challenging task, and scientists often use distance-based or proximity indicators when field or modeled data are unavailable. Although buffers are commonly used to represent the impact of a pollution source on neighboring populations, they can result in high-exposure misclassification. Euclidean distance-based indicators offer a promising alternative, but practices vary significantly in the literature. In this study, we aimed to compare several distance-based indicators for multiple environmental contaminants in an industrial and urban area. At the population's grid cell resolution of 200 × 200 m, we compared the distance to the closest source, the average or median distance to all sources, or a restricted number of nearby sources for six types of sources (industries, railways, rail areas, roadways, road crossings, and agricultural patches) against environmental contamination data (PM10, NO2, and multimetallic contamination in lichens). Our findings revealed that the representativeness of contamination by indicators is significantly affected by the type and number of nearby sources considered. Specifically, we found that considering the distance to the nearest source or the average distance to all sources can lead to exposure misclassifications. The optimal correlation between distance indicators and pollutant levels was observed when considering 10–14 of the closest industrial sources, located within a 4.9- to 5.5-km radius. For rail areas, the optimal number was two to three sources within a 5.4- to 7.4-km radius. For main roads, intersections, and railways, the optimal number of sources varied depending on the pollutant, generally falling within a 3- to 9.4-km radius. Environmental contamination is influenced by the diversity of nearby sources, and considering only one source increases the risk of misclassification. Our results suggest that proximity models are still appropriate for study areas where the etiology of existing health effects is unclear, providing an exploratory analysis before more sophisticated research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nNOVELTY STATEMENTToxic metals cause risks to the ecological environment. Typha latifolia L. is a good candidate to clean potentially toxic metals contaminated water or soil. However, limited research investigated the impact of environmental factors (e.g., pH, soil substrate, flood duration) on metal accumulations in cattails. In this study, cattails were cultured in soils flooded with artificial wastewater with varying pH (5, 7 or 9) and different levels of Cr, Cd and Zn for four weeks to investigate the interactions between environmental conditions and metal uptake in cattails. The metal content in biomass were measured by an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer.More Zn (>10,000 mg/kg dry biomass) entered plants compared to Cd and Cr (<1,000 mg/kg dry biomass). Approximately 80% of Zn from solutions with 50 mg/L Cd, 25 mg/L Cr, 250 mg/L Zn were removed by cattails. Most Cd and Cr were sorbed onto soils. Cattails exhibited relatively consistent performance in removing metals from wastewater with initial pH of 5, 7 or 9. The pH of all the solutions ended close to neutral after 4 weeks. More research is needed to further understand the influence of environmental conditions on metal uptakes in plants to improve phytoremediation efficiency.It is the first study to evaluate metal accumulation in cattails cultured in soils flooded with artificial wastewater with varying pH and different levels of metals.This project investigated the interactions between growth conditions (e.g., pH, soil substrate, flooding) and different metal uptake in cattails, which was not conducted in previous research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, environmental pollution continues to be a significant public health problem, and according to the World Health Organisation, pollution-induced deaths account for 23% of deaths yearly, which could be prevented if people lived in healthier environments. Despite implementing multilateral agreements and international treaties such as the Bamako, Basel, Rotterdam, Minamata, and Stockholm conventions, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and national laws, toxic pollutants remain a serious environmental and public health problem in low-income countries. In the specific context of Kwekwe City, an industrial and mining area in Zimbabwe, where environmental and pollution-induced health problems associated with industries have been widely reported, this study was conducted in close collaboration with the local community. The study aimed to assess community members' perceptions regarding health risks associated with potentially toxic elements and cyanide pollution in Kwekwe City. An explorative cross-sectional study was conducted with key stakeholders and industrial settlements' residents. Face-to-face interviews with key informants and focus group discussions with residents and workers were used to gather data. A thematic approach was utilised in data analysis. Study participants, who played a crucial role in the research process, perceived that industrial pollution principally linked to cyanide, mercury and chromium posed significant environmental and health risks. This participatory approach in risk perception assessment is critical in providing insight into the scope of the problem and formulating intervention strategies. However, given that qualitative study results lack generalisability and replicability, quantitative studies need to be undertaken to determine environmental levels of toxic chemical pollutants as a complementary and validative measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The most harmful atmospheric pollutant for human health is particulate matter (PM). We analyzed the correlation between short-term lag exposure to PM10 and PM2.5, salivary cortisol and TNF-α level, and methylation levels of the TNF-α promoter. Methods: A pilot study including 20 subjects. Eight salivary samples for each subject at various times of the day were collected for comparing cortisol levels and TNFα detection. TNFα promoter methylation levels on salivary DNA were analyzed. Regression analyses were performed using generalized linear mixed models between the different outcomes and 4, 3, 2 and 1 day's lag values of PM10/PM2.5.Generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) was used to evaluate any potential deviation from linearity. Results: Area under the curve with respect to the ground (AUCg) showed a statistically positive association with 4-, 3-, 2-, and 1-day lag of exposure to PM10. Area under the curve with respect to the increase (AUCi) showed a statistically negative association with 4-, 3- and 1-day lag of exposure to PM10. TNFα showed statistically significant association with both exposures, PM10 and PM2.5, at 4-, 3-, 2-, and 1-day lag. Conclusions: Regarding cortisol levels there is an increase of overall hormone levels but a less dynamism of the system to answer to external stressors. Increase of TNF-α may reflect increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation due to pollution exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of the buried pipelines lies in two main topics: the first is related to the very long length of these pipes, and therefore protecting them is expensive. The second topic is related to environmental pollution due to leaching, which is considered one of the main pollutants of groundwater. The research reviews the effects of geosynthetic reinforcement and its effect on buried pipelines subjected to different loading conditions to reduce the stresses on them and thus prevent leakage. The loads covered in this literature are the following: static load, dynamic load, permanent ground deformation, accidental damage, uplift pressure, explosion, lateral loading, and abrasive shear loading. The research focused on the use of synthetic ground reinforcements to protect these pipes. Available experimental and numerical investigations indicate the potential of using geosynthetics to reduce the effects of external loads on buried pipelines. The investigated studies proved that the protection of buried pipes with different types of geosynthetics is a successful method and decreased the stresses transformed to buried pipes. Most of the studies (45%) dealt with buried pipes subjected to static loading. The conventional geosynthetic material used in the protection of buried pipes is geogrid (38%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, samples were taken from the sewage treatment plant to isolate rubber-degrading microbial strains. The sludge samples were screened for rubber degradation microbes and later on, each strain was separately characterised for rubber degradation. Initially, strain BA23 showed half the rubber degradation ratio in mineral salt medium. The isolated microbial strains were identified based on 16SrRNA gene sequence analysis, morphological and biochemical characteristics and named Brucella sp. belonging to the genus Bacillus. Later on, the medium conditions for strain BA23 were optimised based on carbon, nitrogen sources, pH, temperature and incubation period. After optimising various environmental and nutritional conditions, the rubber degradation increased twice when inorganic nitrogen sources (aammonium nitrate) used 1 g/L in the medium at pH 7.5. Furthermore, the structural changes that occurred in the rubber polymer associated with the rubber polymer were analysed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the breakdown of important functional groups such as aldehyde, ketone ester and carboxylic acid was observed. Finally, the gravimetric weight loss of CO2 during rubber degradation was 42.88 g/L, showing CO2 evolution greatly when the rubber degradation occurred in the mineral salt medium. It was concluded that strain BA23 has a maximum potential for rubber degradation when it is used for future solid waste management of rubber and its products for a long period in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injection of mercury into the upper limb is a rare method of self-harm. We report two patients with varied clinical presentations – a 19-year-old male student who injected himself with mercury extracted from a sphygmomanometer bulb and reported to our emergency department 24 hours after the event and a 34-year-old industry worker who presented 2 years after injecting himself with elemental mercury. The management of mercury poisoning is described along with a brief review of literature. Mercury is a toxic element and adequate safety precautions must be taken by the surgical team in the management of such patients. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biopolymers are highly desirable alternatives to petrochemical-based plastics owing to their biodegradable nature. The production of bioplastics, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), has been widely reported using various bacterial cultures with substrates ranging from pure to biowaste-derived sugars. However, large-scale production and economic feasibility are major limiting factors. Now, using algal biomass for PHA production offers a potential solution to these challenges with a significant environmental benefit. Algae, with their unique ability to utilize carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas (GHG) and wastewater as feed for growth, can produce value-added products in the process and, thereby, play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability. The sugar recovery efficiency from algal biomass is highly variable depending on pretreatment procedures due to inherent compositional variability among their cell walls. Additionally, the yields, composition, and properties of synthesized PHA vary significantly among various microbial PHA producers from algal-derived sugars. Therefore, the microalgal biomass pretreatments and synthesis of PHA copolymers still require considerable investigation to develop an efficient commercial-scale process. This review provides an overview of the microbial potential for PHA production from algal biomass and discusses strategies to enhance PHA production and its properties, focusing on managing GHGs and promoting a sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunnel waste constitutes a prevalent by‐product of highway construction in high‐altitude mountainous and hilly regions. Sulphide minerals exhibit a unique distribution pattern within the alpine hills. Consequently, tunnel excavation can disrupt the stability of these sulphide minerals, rendering the tunnel waste susceptible to generating secondary environmental hazards during stockpiling. This research delves into the migration and transformation dynamics of potential environmental pollutants in tunnel waste through geoenvironmental simulation techniques. Controlled variables were employed to simulate various conditions, including surface illumination, internal anaerobiosis, water content and aerobic environments. The study's findings indicate that the presence of pyrite in the waste stream primarily drives the secondary contamination of the tunnel waste. Pyrite within the slag tends to react and form sulphuric acid in the stockpile environment, thus creating an acidic milieu that exacerbates the release of existing contaminants. The emergence of an anaerobic environment and a photocatalytic system composed of Fe/Ti substances in the waste stream serves to further accelerate pollutant release. This study thoroughly investigates the primary causes of environmental pollution during the stockpiling of tunnel slag and assesses the potential environmental impact scenarios. The outcomes of this research offer substantial theoretical and empirical support for the management of slag generated during the tunnel construction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current sea monitoring equipment's are being used for a variety of purposes around the world. Currently used vehicles have some drawbacks. The first is the high fuel cost. The Vehicle engines cost more fuel as they have to release more power and environment and pollution. As well as not being able to stay under the sea for long days, there will often be a need for vehicles to come to the surface to refuel. The second is the vibrations and noise of these vehicles. The vibrations caused by these can be detrimental to the biodiversity of the ocean. Also, the noise makes it easier for enemies to identify our vehicles. Similarly when these vehicles go under water, water waves form on the surface. With this in mind, radar can detect what a vehicle under the sea looks like. In this paper, an artificial intelligence based microbiological model was proposed to monitor the sea level. With this biological model can greatly reduce fuels. It can get more capacity than normal vehicles. As fuel consumption decreases, so it does environmental pollution and since it operates quietly and without high vibrations, there is no threat to the biodiversity of the ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Boudoukha mining field located at the North-East of Algeria, was mainly exploited for Pb, Zn and Cu, which provided nearly 30,000 tons of concentrate containing 45–50% Zn, and 5000 tons of concentrate containing 55–75% Pb. However extraction method, treatment, and enrichment process for this type of ore have allowed release and anarchic storage of sulfide mine tailings and their waste rock, which are a potential source of pollution. For that, an environmental pollution assessment is required at this mine site, in order to identify and evaluate which potentially toxic metals (PTMs) contained in this mine tailings may present an immediate risk. Such an interdisciplinary approach is crucial to meet the environmental challenges associated with mining activities. Characterization results show that potentially toxic metals PTMs (Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and As) comes mainly from sulfide tailings of processed ore, while dominant silicates come from their host rocks. Static methods using multivariate PCA analysis show that the main source for these potentially toxic metals (PTMs) is the Boudoukha Ore deposit and their mining activities. Thus, acid-generating potential indicate that tailings ranging from uncertain (UC) to immediate potential acid forming (PAF) with high risk. That confirms the results obtained by using environmental geochemical indices [enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo)], which shows enrichment degree and pollution level in PTMs in all samples, varies from severe enrichment to background values, and from strongly or very strongly to no pollution respectively.Article Highlights: Characterization and acid-production potential of Boudoukha mine tailings. Pollution assessment of PTMs on the immediate environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilized activated carbon fibers (ACFs) as adsorbents to investigate the removal efficiency of naphthalene and toluene at elevated temperatures and their competitive adsorption behavior. Three types of ACFs, inlet concentrations of naphthalene (343, 457, and 572 mg·Nm−3), and toluene (2055, 2877, and 4110 mg·Nm−3) were investigated to determine the adsorption capacities of naphthalene and toluene. To study the reaction mechanisms of naphthalene and toluene on the ACFs, the BET, SEM, FTIR, and TGA methods were used to examine the physical and chemical characteristics of ACFs. Results showed ACF-A's superior adsorption capacity for naphthalene that was attributed to its mesoporous structure and hydrophobicity. Adsorption equilibrium studies indicated multilayer adsorption behavior. Competitive adsorption experiments demonstrated the displacement of toluene by naphthalene on ACF-A, highlighting its higher selectivity for naphthalene. Functional group analysis revealed changes in ACF surfaces after naphthalene adsorption, suggesting π-π dispersion and electron donor–acceptor interactions. Overall, this study underscores the importance of pore structure and surface properties in designing ACFs for the efficient adsorption of high-boiling-point organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) includes a number of neurodegenerative diseases, often with early onset (before 65 years old), characterized by progressive, irreversible deficits in behavioral, linguistic, and executive functions, which are often difficult to diagnose due to their similar phenotypic characteristics to other dementias and psychiatric disorders. The genetic contribution is of utmost importance, although environmental risk factors also play a role in its pathophysiology. In fact, some metals are known to produce free radicals, which, accumulating in the brain over time, can induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and protein misfolding, all of these being key features of FTD and similar conditions. Therefore, the present review aims to summarize the current evidence about the environmental contribution to FTD―mainly dealing with toxic metal exposure―since the identification of such potential environmental risk factors can lead to its early diagnosis and the promotion of policies and interventions. This would allow us, by reducing exposure to these pollutants, to potentially affect society at large in a positive manner, decreasing the burden of FTD and similar conditions on affected individuals and society overall. Future perspectives, including the application of Artificial Intelligence principles to the field, with related evidence found so far, are also introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Arts & Social Sciences (JASS) is the property of Sultan Qaboos University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Crude protein is a key element in regulating the diet of ruminants and is considered one of the most expensive nutrients needed by livestock. Feeding management plays an important role in the elimination of nitrogen in the production environment and the emission of greenhouse gases in animal husbandry systems (Avathar et al 2021). When there is excessive discharge of nitrogen in the environment, it causes the ecological balance in surface waters to be disrupted and the groundwater to be polluted (Dijkstra et al 2011). Excretion of these compounds in the environment will increase with fermentation, digestion and inefficient metabolism, and the increase in inefficiency in the rumen is caused by the complex and competitive metabolic pathways in the rumen microbial population. Therefore, increasing efficiency in the use of nutrients, especially nitrogen, to minimize their excretion from the animal's body should be considered. Various methods can be implemented in an animal husbandry unit to improve the use of nitrogen in ruminants. One of these solutions is to reduce the crude protein in the diet, but it has been reported that this method can have a negative effect on animal production (Chibisa and Motswangwa 2013). Another solution is nutrient synchronization or synchronizing the fermentation rate of dietary protein and energy sources, which has led to limited success (Yelchi et al. 2020). Another solution is to create oscillating in the concentration of crude protein in the diet and feed it intermittently at intervals of one to three days, and previous reports show that this method has improved nitrogen retention and its utilization in the body compared to eating constant amounts of crude protein daily in sheep and cattle (Rach et al., 2021). This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of constant and intermittent feeding of dietary crude protein on ruminal parameters and microbial protein synthesis in sheep. Material and methods: Three diets were adjusted with 12, 14 and 16% crude protein but with the same metabolizable energy and protein. 8 male sheep were used in metabolic cages in a 4x4 Latin square design (four treatments with 2 squares and 8 replications). The first treatment received a diet with a crude protein level of 14% constantly. The second, third and fourth treatments received diets with 12 and 16% crude protein at intervals of 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Nitrogen balance and retention, rumen and blood parameters, volatile fatty acids and microbial protein synthesis were measured. Results and discussion: The lowest total excreted nitrogen (via urine and feces) was observed in the treatment with 48-hour raw protein consumption interval (P<0.05). The retained nitrogen showed a significant increase in this treatment as compared to the constant crude protein feeding treatment (P<0.05). It has been reported that the increase in nitrogen retention in ruminants that received diets with oscillating crude protein levels is due to increased urea recycling in the rumen (Cole 1999). It seems that the transfer of urea from the blood to the rumen during the consumption of diets with low crude protein level (times 24, 48 and 72 hours) in oscillating diets increased and it compensates for the shortage of nitrogen in the rumen. In this condition, nitrogen excretion through urine also decreases and the efficiency of nitrogen use increases. The highest rumen liquid ammonia nitrogen was observed in the treatment with 48-hour crude protein consumption interval, but the pH and concentration of volatile fatty acids did not show any significant difference among the experimental treatments. Comparing the treatment of constant crude protein feeding (14%) with the treatments with intermittent consumption of crude protein (12 and 16%) in terms of the concentration of volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid of the experimental sheep, including acetate, propionate and butyrate, as well as total volatile fatty acids, there is not a significant difference. The same ratio of concentrate to fodder and the similarity of the feed ingredients in the diets can be a reason for the lack of significance between the experimental treatments, which is in line with the results of previous researches (Khattab and Abdulwahid 2018). A significant difference was observed between the experimental treatments in terms of allantoin, total purine bases excreted, as well as nitrogen and microbial protein production, and the treatment with oscillating consumption of raw protein at a time interval of 48 hours had the highest amount. Albumin and total blood protein measured between the experimental treatments showed no significant difference, but blood urea nitrogen was the highest in the treatment with 48- hour crude protein consumption interval (P<0.01). Microbial protein synthesis in the rumen is affected by many animal and dietary factors, including nitrogen amounts, nitrogen sources, carbohydrate and nitrogen degradation rates, type and amount of carbohydrates in the diet, dry matter consumption, stability of fermentation in the rumen, and synchronization between nitrogen and energy (Hall 2013). It seems that in diets that cause fluctuation in the entry of protein sources into the rumen, the recycling of nitrogen to the rumen is done more effectively through the blood vessels and the liver, which in addition to reducing the excretion of nitrogen from the body also increases the production of microbial protein, in other words, the efficiency of using feed nitrogen increases, which is evident in the results of this research. Conclusion: The results showed that using the strategy of oscillating dietary crude protein concentration in sheep's diet improved nitrogen retention, rumen fermentation activities and microbial protein synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Power Generation Technology is the property of Power Generation Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rodents are considered good models for investigating genotoxic damage and mutagenic alterations caused by xenobiotic agents, due to their occupation of a wide variety of habitats. However, relatively few in situ studies have focused on DNA damage in wild rodents associated with environmental exposure. In this review, we investigate trends in the application of the micronucleus test and comet assay in in situ studies of wild rodents. A total of 33 papers were identified, distributed across 14 different countries. Brazil and Spain had the most published studies (six each), followed by Bulgaria (n = 5), Mexico (n = 4) and Italy (n = 3). Only 24 of the 2,652 recognized rodent species have been the subject of in situ studies, which have most frequently focus on species of the genus Mus. The protocols used for the micronucleus test and comet assay varied widely, although blood and bone marrow were the primary types of tissue used. Given the paucity of studies on wild rodents, we recommend further research, particularly focusing on the use of this group as bioindicators of environmental quality and the standardization of protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in environmental pollution caused by inadequate anthropogenic practices is emerging as a global threat to human health and ecosystems. Addressing this issue is crucial, and bioremediation stands out as a sustainable solution for remediating contaminated soils. This study evaluates the feasibility of bioremediation to mitigate soil contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons using laying hen manure as a biostimulating agent, in the forms of manure stabilized by simple drying and compost from fresh manure. The specific objectives included analyzing the interaction between manure and contaminants, evaluating the influence of physicochemical and microbiological variables, comparing the efficiency of different manure proportions, and assessing contaminant reduction rates. Physicochemical and biological monitoring and statistical analysis were conducted. The results indicate that the treatment with stabilized manure significantly differed from the control sample, achieving up to 98% reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbons concentrations within 60 days and microorganism populations of around 107 CFU/mL. In contrast, the treatment with compost did not show significant differences from the control. Furthermore, while both treatments increased microbial populations, only the compost treatments maintained non-toxic conditions for soybean seed germination and root elongation, highlighting its potential for agricultural applications post-remediation. Stabilized poultry manure, though effective in total petroleum hydrocarbons degradation, resulted in soil toxicity due to high salinity and potassium levels, necessitating careful management. Its combined application with sawdust is recommended to improve soil structure and counteract compaction. These findings underscore the effectiveness of stabilized manure in accelerating bioremediation and the potential of compost to enhance soil health, suggesting tailored applications depending on specific remediation goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence or absence of lichens serves as an indicator of the condition of an ecosystem and the degree to which it is contaminated by various agents, such as agrochemicals and metals. Evaluating the use of lichens as bioindicators of agrochemical contamination could provide a more comprehensive perspective of current contamination levels. Monitoring was conducted over a 4-month period in two study areas: one was a well-conserved area contaminated by metals, and the other was an area surrounded by agricultural crops contaminated by agrochemicals. Data on the presence and abundance of lichens in each study area were recorded at 10 monitoring points, a procedure that was repeated 16 times (every 15 days), and concentrations of heavy metals and "organophosphate" agrochemicals in the lichens collected were measured by means of Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Gas Chromatography (GC), respectively. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess abundance and richness, while general linear mixed models were used to attain Shannon diversity and Simpson dominance indices. Moreover, a multivariate analysis was performed in order to compare the lichen communities in both areas. The results indicated differences between the area contaminated by metals and that contaminated by agrochemicals in terms of abundance and Simpson's dominance index, while no differences were found in the case of the richness and diversity models. The PERMANOVA analysis additionally showed differences between the lichen communities in the two areas. The results also demonstrated that Canoparmelia caroliniana bioaccumulated metals in both areas. The levels of barium, cadmium, and sodium were higher in the area contaminated by metals, while concentrations of chromium and copper were higher in the area contaminated by agrochemicals. Finally, the concentrations of agrochemicals were higher in the area contaminated by agrochemicals and included toxic substances such as Methylparathion and Parathion, which are prohibited in Ecuador. In conclusion, this research underscores the importance of lichens as precise indicators of environmental health and contamination by agrochemicals and metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Link between environmental degradation and agricultural trade balance (ATB) is an under investigated issue. This article, therefore, investigates the issue for Australia using the data of 1988–2021. In this investigation when a linear model is applied, support for short‐run impact is revealed. However, linear model is unable to explore the asymmetry of the relationship. Therefore, to assess the asymmetry a nonlinear model is applied. The latter model has supported both short‐ and long‐run asymmetry adjustment by the ATB on Australian pollution. The findings reveal that improvement of the ATB is harmful for Australian environment, and agro import related economic activities are environmentally more efficient than agro export activities. However, to improve the environmental condition, agricultural commodity import substitution is not a viable option for the country. The result also validates the EKC hypothesis, and additionally when environmental pollution is concerned, national income is as important as the ATB of Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution destroys the sustainable development of industries worldwide, and its effect on structural changes is the focus of discussion. This paper constructs a model of the structural change of environmental pollution impacts and then, empirically estimates using panel data of Chinese cities from 2003 to 2020. The paper found that the more manufacturing pollutants are discharged, the more serious the manufacturing cost disease(MCD). Compared with low-productivity manufacturing, environmental pollution in high-productivity industries increases sector costs more. Then, this paper verifies that MCD and real wages are two key channels through which pollution emissions affect the share of the manufacturing sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Bangladesh is the world's seventh most climate-vulnerable nation. Being on the verge of facing extreme climatic backlash emerging from unwitting economic development, Bangladesh must comprehend that the current economic growth is not a panacea for its environmental integrity. However, considering Bangladesh's recent economic sustainability, curbing economic development will be uninviting. As such, we propose a conceptual framework to obtain environmental integrity without decommissioning economic development. Deploying data from 1972 to 2020 and novel econometric methodologies, we unearth that FDI ameliorates Bangladesh's environmental quality, whereas export with no comparative advantage jeopardizes it due to its redundancy issue. Considering export and FDI as substitutionary in Bangladesh, we support for FDI-led development for an interim period until the redundant export issue is resolved. Furthermore, exchange rate depreciation increases CO2 emissions. We advocate an exchange rate appreciation policy that will curb redundant exports and improve environmental quality. Findings also validate the EKC hypothesis in both the short run and long run. Turning point estimation indicates that Bangladesh is still below the required income level to phase out growth-induced CO2 emissions. Moreover, natural resource rent improves environmental quality, whereas consumption of non-renewables degrades it. Besides, gross domestic savings (GDS), agricultural value-addition (AVA), and primary schooling increase emissions. We propose GDS and FDI be channeled into the AVA sectors to equip them with green technologies. This paper further suggests including fundamental concepts of climate change education in pre- and secondary-level textbooks to indoctrinate the younger section of society on environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign direct investments (FDI)-induced environmental effects have become a crucial and frequently discussed issue that has attracted the attention of the international community. On this account, several studies have examined FDI and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission relationship but with focus on the environmental impact of FDI inflow for host countries. While the strand of study examining CO2 emissions and outward FDI relationship are scarce, the mediating mechanism of home country's institution and human capital level in outward FDI-CO2 relationship remains unexplored. This study aims to fill this research gap by using the extended Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) framework, for a panel of 86 developing countries. Findings revealed that national institutions facilitate outward FDI reverse technology spillover effects to reinforce its effectiveness in mitigating carbon emission via environmentally friendly technologies. However, high human capital level shows to strengthen the quality of home country institutions which in turn facilitate more outward FDI spillover that improves environmental quality. Furthermore, overseas direct investment spillovers promote high human capital level in home countries to encourage green technological capabilities and innovations that boosts cleaner production strategies toward environmental sustainability goals. The study supports Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis which validates the non-monotonic inverted-U-shape relationship between CO2 emissions and per capita GDP. On policy recommendation, developing countries should prioritize human capital development and update local institutions to facilitate new and advanced technologies that enhances sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Service Industries Journal is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Vegetable oils and animal fats are considered as base materials for the development of biodegradable lubricants. Classification of such materials was carried out using the Ward method based on the Euclidean distance, followed by refinement by the k-means method based on the physico–chemical properties. The selection of a material with the optimal characteristics was carried out using the TOPSIS method. Based on the calculated coefficients of relative closeness to an "ideal" material, a rating of lubricants was built, among which rapeseed oil is of the greatest interest. The comparative tribological characteristics of vegetable oils with the best ratings are presented. It is shown that vegetable oils are not inferior to mineral and synthetic oils. The ranking results can be used in further fundamental and applied research on the development of biodegradable lubricants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential toxic elements emanating from extracted ores during gold processing present occupational and unintentional health hazards in communities, the general populace, and the environment. This study investigated the concentrations and potential health effects of metal content in the topsoils of Obuasi municipality, which has been mined for gold over the past century. Surface topsoil samples, sieved to 250 µm, were initially scanned for metals using x-ray fluorescence techniques, followed by confirmation via ICP-MS. In vitro bioaccessibility assays were conducted using standard methods. The geoaccumulation indices (Igeo) indicate high enrichment of As (Igeo = 6.28) and Cd (Igeo = 3.80) in the soils, especially in the eastern part of the municipality where illegal artisanal mining is prevalent. Additionally, the southern corridor, situated near a gold mine, exhibited significant levels of As and Mn. Results obtained for the total metal concentrations and contamination indices confirmed the elevation of the studied potential toxic elements in the Obuasi community. A hazard index value of 4.42 and 3.30 among children and adults, respectively, indicates that indigens, especially children, are susceptible to non-cancer health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legacy tailings from decommissioned mines are known to negatively impact human health and environmental quality. In this study, potentially toxic elements (PTEs) including Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in tailings from a Selebi-Phikwe mine, Botswana, were assessed for contamination and health risk via multiple exposure pathways in adults and children. Tailings samples from the defunct mine were analyzed for total elemental composition using inductively coupled plasma‒optical emission spectrometry. The results show a decreasing order of mean content of Co (2106 mg/kg) > Ni (1805 mg/kg) > Cr (139 mg/kg) > Co (97 mg/kg) > Zn (53 mg/kg) > Pb (14 mg/kg). The I-geo values show varying degrees of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn contamination. Dermal contact (54.5%) was the primary exposure pathway of noncarcinogenic risk for adults, and oral ingestion (95.7%) was the primary exposure route for children. The PTEs posed very low to no noncarcinogenic risks. As a single element, the mean hazard index (HI) for adults and children followed a similar trend: Cr > Cu > Ni > Pb > Zn. However, the carcinogenic risk of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb exposure in children was high and unacceptable. For adults, the carcinogenic risks of Cr, Cu, and Ni were high and unacceptable. Overall, children were generally more vulnerable to the adverse effects of PTE exposure. A study of this nature is essential for routine environmental monitoring and assessment and fundamental for planning and reinforcing existing pollution control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic matter plays an important role in cadmium adsorption and immobilization. Since different organic matter components affect cadmium adsorption processes differently, selecting the right organic substrate and knowing how to apply it could improve cadmium remediation. This study compares the effects of two contrasting organic molecules; chitosan and citric acid, on cadmium adsorption and speciation in acidic Ultisol. The adsorption of chitosan to Ultisol significantly increased the soil positive charge while adsorption of citric acid increased the soil negative charge. At pH 5.0, the maximum amount of cadmium adsorbed in excess chitosan was 341% greater than that in excess citric acid. About 73–89% and 60–62% of adsorbed cadmium were bound to Fe/Mn oxides and organic matter/sulfide at pH 4.0 while this fraction was 77–100% and 57–58% for citric acid and chitosan at pH 5.0, respectively. This decrease in the complexing ability of chitosan was related to the destabilizing effect of high pH on chitosan’s structure. Also, the sequence through which chitosan, citric acid, and cadmium were added into the adsorption system influenced the adsorption profile and this was different along a pH gradient. Specifically, adding chitosan and cadmium together increased adsorption compared to when chitosan was pre-adsorbed within pH 3.0–6.5. However, for citric acid, the addition sequence had no significant effect on cadmium adsorption between pH 3.0–4.0 compared to pH 6.5 and 7.5, with excess citric acid generally inhibiting adsorption. Given that the action of citric acid is short-lived in soil, chitosan could be a good soil amendment material for immobilizing cadmium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial effluents contain the hazardous metal hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], which is potentially lethal to all organisms in the environment. In this work, we developed a transition metal chalcogenide (TMC)-based reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite (CeTe/rGO) via the hydrothermal method for the photoreduction of chromium(VI) metal into less hazardous Cr(III). Various analytical tools including x-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Brunauer-–Emmett–Teller (BET) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were employed for determining characteristics of the CeTe/rGO photocatalyst. The photocatalytic efficiency of transition metal chalcogenide-based rGO nanocomposite was measured under UV–Vis light with a UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The photocatalytic efficiency of CeTe (76.54%) and rGO (81.94%) is smaller than that of the CeTe/rGO (96.50%) due to the larger surface area of the rGO. Scavengers analysis revealed that superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and holes play a great role in the photocatalysis process. Our results suggest that the CeTe/rGO nanocomposites can potentially be used to reduce the toxic material present in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) combined with image processing has shown significant improvements through new techniques such as Machine Learning (ML) models. This paper introduces the key methods and algorithms used for Drone image processing. We discuss the benefits and limitations of using ML models instead of classical techniques. Our goal is to classify, categorize and describe the methods that are used in realistic settings of diverse domains of applications. We conducted a systematic literature review where systems presented in the papers were analysed based on their domain, task, technology, and efficiency. By extensively reviewing the existing literature, we successfully identified key themes and trends that emerged across the various research questions. The overall findings of the research emphasise the potential of AI and drone imagery in numerous fields. However, the review also uncovered several challenges that necessitate attention, such as issues related to data quality and the requirement for more advanced AI algorithms. The paper outlines significant innovations in the field and offers recommendations for future research directions. By highlighting cross-disciplinary insights, it delves into methodological approaches, exploring commonalities in AI algorithms and UAVs technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalates used in the industry penetrate the environment and negatively affect humans and animals. Hair samples seem to be the best matrix for studies on long-term exposure to phthalates, but till now they were used only in investigations on humans. Moreover, the knowledge of the wild terrestrial animal exposure to phthalates is extremely limited. This study aimed to establish of concentration levels of selected phthalate metabolites (i.e. monomethyl phthalate—MMP, monoethyl phthalate—MEP, mono-isobutyl phthalate—MiBP, monobutyl phthalate—MBP, monobenzyl phthalate—MBzP, mono-cyclohexyl phthalate—MCHP, mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate—MEHP and mono-n-octyl phthalate—MOP) in wild boar hair samples using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis. MEHP was noted in 90.7% of samples with mean 66.17 ± 58.69 pg/mg (median 49.35 pg/mg), MMP in 59.3% with mean 145.1 ± 310.6 pg/mg (median 64.45 pg/mg), MiBP in 37.0% with mean 56.96 ± 119.4 pg/mg (median < limit of detection—LOD), MBP in 35.2% with mean 19.97 ± 34.38 pg/mg (median < LOD) and MBzP in 1.9% with concentration below limit of quantification. MEP, MCHP, and MOP have not been found in wild boar hair samples during this study. The results have shown that wild boars are exposed to phthalates and hair samples may be used as a matrix during studies on levels of phthalate metabolites in wild animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial and temporal distribution patterns of dust concentration in the Pingshuo mining area and urban area were analyzed utilizing satellite data. The results indicate that the correlation coefficients of the average PM2.5 and PM10 concentration retrieved by satellite in Shuozhou City are 0.88 and 0.63, respectively, and the satellite inversion data demonstrate high reliability. The spatial distribution of dust concentration in the Pingshuo Mine area is elevated during winter and spring, with significant dust accumulation in winter. The pollution phenomenon in the Pingshuo mining area was pronounced from January to March, and the air quality deteriorated significantly. The correlation analysis of dust concentration between the city and the mining area reveals a marked spatial discontinuity at the boundary between the city and the mining area, indicating that the mining area is not the primary cause of the increase of dust concentration in the urban area, and changes in dust concentration within the mining area exert no significant impact on the urban area. The research results possess significant implications for dust control in both the mining and urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]