214 reads in the past 30 days
Phytoplankton in contrasting ecosystems of the southeastern coast of Bangladesh: effects of seasonality and environmental factorsFebruary 2025
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308 Reads
Published by Springer Nature
Online ISSN: 1573-2959
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Print ISSN: 0167-6369
Disciplines: Environmental Pollutants; Environmental Pollution; Environmental monitoring; Environnement; Milieubeheer; Monitoring; Pollution
214 reads in the past 30 days
Phytoplankton in contrasting ecosystems of the southeastern coast of Bangladesh: effects of seasonality and environmental factorsFebruary 2025
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308 Reads
159 reads in the past 30 days
Air pollution in Iran: The current status and potential solutionsMay 2023
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2,957 Reads
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23 Citations
153 reads in the past 30 days
Impacts of cement industry air pollutants on the environment and satellite data applications for air quality monitoring and managementJune 2023
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2,273 Reads
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15 Citations
118 reads in the past 30 days
Changing pattern of urban landscape and its impact on thermal environment of Lahore; Implications for climate change and sustainable developmentJanuary 2025
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133 Reads
111 reads in the past 30 days
Strategies for efficient management of microplastics to achieve life cycle assessment and circular economyOctober 2023
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1,634 Reads
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8 Citations
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment is an international, peer-reviewed journal focused on the design and implementation of monitoring systems and pollution risk assessment methods. It explores technical developments and data synthesis from environmental monitoring, integrating toxicological, epidemiological, and health data. The journal emphasizes the use of monitoring in managing renewable natural resources and pollution assessment. It aims to advance the understanding of environmental risks to humans and ecosystems.
February 2025
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3 Reads
Qi Zhang
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Junling He
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Chunying Ren
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[...]
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Liming Liu
The urbanization process is complex and lengthy, typically resulting in dual changes in the socioeconomic structure and ecological environment. However, in the context of arid environments and initial urbanization, emerging towns undergo evolutionary processes different from those of traditional cities. This study focuses on a typical town, analyzing its growth under the combined effects of arid conditions and incipient urbanization. The results reveal a unique urbanization trajectory in the hinterland of southern Xinjiang: transitioning from refined agricultural planting to shrubland and bare land dominated by natural factors and then to impervious surfaces. While the pattern was complex, the direction of transition was clear. Using the town’s establishment in 2014 as a critical node for urbanization initiation, shrubland emerged as the most sensitive land type, with a proportional increase by a factor of 2.6 from 2010 to 2015. This was driven by the abandonment of cultivated land, which decreased by 11.3% during the study period, with 78% of the newly added shrubland area converted from cropland. By applying the Markov model together with the InVEST model, the study predicted urban land-use transition patterns over the next 5 years and revealed that urbanization primarily exacerbates the instability of water yield in the surrounding region. This study uniquely addresses the gap in understanding the impacts of the urbanization process of emerging towns in arid regions and its associated ecological processes. A detailed investigation of such urbanization is crucial to mitigating issues like disorderly land use and promoting the sustainable development of small and medium-sized towns.
February 2025
Pravin Rawat
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Ombir Singh
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Manisha Thapliyal
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[...]
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Deepshikha Nirala
Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken is an important tree species and holds great ecological and economical importance in the lower Western Himalaya of India. Unfortunately, its populations in the region are facing decline due to range of natural (extreme weather/edaphic conditions and invasion of invasive alien species) and human-induced disturbances (grazing, lopping for fodder and fuel wood consumption). To address this issue, a study was conducted in the Doon Valley of the lower Western Himalaya to evaluate the population status and regeneration pattern of this species. Additionally, the study aimed to identify and map the potential habitat of the Indian lac tree in this region. Therefore, a detailed vegetation study was conducted using the stratified random sampling procedure at elevations between 250 and 1000 m. The relative values of frequency, density, and abundance were used to determine the importance value index (IVI) for tree species. These IVI data was further used to re-congregate the quadrates to know the forest association; following this the multivariate analysis was conducted using PAST 4.0 software to group vegetation into different catagories. In the present study, we categorized the tree species into 8 distinct plant associations as Anogeissus − Lannea − Adina, Lannea − Mallotous − Schleichera, Schleichera − Lannea − Syzygium, Schleichera − Anogeissus − Adina, Holoptelea − Lagerstroemia − Schleichera, Schleichera − Cordia − Albizia, Shorea − Mallotous − Cassia, and Azadirachta − Senegalia − Tectona association on the basis of species dominance. The study observed a total of 177 species in S. oleosa forests, including both native and exotic species. Among these, 89 species (50.28%) were classified as trees, 31 species (17.51%) as shrubs, 37 species (20.90%) as herbs, and 20 species (11.30%) as climbers. In various associations, the overall density of S. oleosa trees ranged from 16 to 86 individuals per hectare, while the total tree density ranged from 213 to 540 individuals per hectare. The maximum density of saplings for S. oleosa was recorded as 253 individuals per hectare, while for seedlings, it was 2750 individuals per hectare. Of the eight association types that have existed in the area, the Azadirachta − Senegalia − Tectona association showed a complete failure of regeneration (absence of seedlings or saplings), while the Holoptelea − Lagerstroemia − Schleichera, Schleichera − Cordia − Albizia and Shorea − Mallotous − Cassia association showed absence of saplings. In order to create a species conservation and management plan, we utilized the MaxEnt model to develop a potential distribution map for the species. The results obtained from this model were quite satisfactory, with an AUC mean of 0.929. The model determined that an area of 152.85 km2 is highly suitable for the species and could potentially be utilized for species reintroduction. Moreover, the present study emphasizes the importance of regularly monitoring species populations to effectively plan the conservation and restoration efforts. It also highlights the need to develop standardized propagation techniques for mass multiplication, conserve species both in their natural habitats and in controlled environments, and raise awareness about these species among the local community.
February 2025
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3 Reads
Aznarul Islam
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Bhanu Kumar Mandal
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Biplab Sarkar
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[...]
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Subodh Chandra Pal
Traditional agriculture has a notable shift towards inland aquaculture driven by geo-environmental hazards and socio-economic choices. This shift is crucial for ensuring economic resiliency and food security. Therefore, the present study examines the transformation of agricultural land to inland aquaculture among the three community development (C.D.) blocks Egra-II, Patashpur-I, and Moyna of Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal, India, from 1990 to 2020. The expansion of aquacultural land and future prediction for 2030 has been executed using Landsat data and the Markov chain model. The results exhibit that the cultivated area (29.3 km2) has been converted into inland aquaculture for Moyna followed by Egra-II (20.61 km2) and Patashpur-I (15. 04 km2) during the period of 1990–2020. Thus, the rapid agricultural land transformation into inland aquaculture has been discussed from the perspective of push factors of geo-environmental hazards such as riverine floods, stagnation of water and riverbank migration, and pull factors of socio-economic drivers such as higher benefit–cost ratio from the inland aquaculture compared to conventional agriculture and role of microfinance and self-help groups. The field survey grounds that the per capita income of the study villages (e.g., Dakshin Chanra Chak, Gokulpur, Dubda) having positive transformation are found to record an escalating income portfolio (INR 2500–3000 in 2000 to 5000–7000 in 2022-23; 1 USD = INR 82.24 on 31 July 2023) while the villages (e.g., Dobandi, Kulrakhi, Nayapara) having negative transformation are found to register a relatively stable income profile (INR 2500–3000 in 2000 to 4000–5000 in 2022-23). An increasing trend of per capita income is found to induce a higher level of food security in the positive transformation area. Therefore, the present study would be useful to address the food security and future challenges due to the land transformation.
February 2025
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15 Reads
Drought is an extensive natural hazard influenced by human activities. Drought has a substantial impact on environmental systems and socioeconomic activities globally, posing serious challenges to water resources, agriculture, and ecosystems. Drought as a complicated natural occurrence is difficult to monitor and anticipate. However, to address the detrimental issues of drought, this study examined the innovative Trivariate Multiscalar–Standardized Drought Index (TMSDI). The climatic factors of precipitation, temperature, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are components in the development of TMSDI. To check the association of the innovative index with the another drought indices, this study evaluated correlations between the proposed index (TMSDI) and traditional drought indices, i.e., the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Temperature Index (SPTI) at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 24-, and 48-month time scales. The outcomes demonstrate that there is a consistent relationship between the TMSDI and SPI due to higher values of correlation. The lower correlation between TMSDI and SPTI shows that there is a substantial and consistent relationship between TMSDI and SPI than TMSDI and SPTI. Moreover, the long-term behavior of different drought conditions indicates that extreme drought is more likely than extreme wet across the Markov chain’s Steady States Probabilities (SSPs). Consequently, the proposed index (TMSDI) is recommended as an effective tool to precisely and accurately monitor drought conditions over different time scales within different climate factors.
February 2025
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5 Reads
Kefa K. Onchoke
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Joshua S. Hamilton
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Anthony M. Broom
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Gary Lopez
Three commonly used pesticides, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, and paraquat, were quantified by using solid-phase extraction (SPE) technique and high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array and fluorescence detectors (HPLC–PDA-FD) in wastewater treatment plant. After solid-phase extraction, separation, and quantification were done using a C18 analytical column, an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/water (70%:30% v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min, and a column oven maintained at 35 °C. Analyte concentrations were detected simultaneously at 230 nm, 254 nm, and 270 nm. PDA detection at 230 nm gave LOD and LOQ values of 0.65 mg/L and 1.98 mg/L, 0.39 mg/L, and 1.17 mg/L, for carbaryl and chlorpyrifos, respectively. Fluorescence emission peaks, λexc (270 nm) and λem (320 nm), were chosen for detection. FD gave LOD and LOQ values of 0.98 mg/L and 2.96 mg/L, 1.57 mg/L, and 4.76 mg/L, for carbaryl and chlorpyrifos, respectively. Calibration curves based on integrated peak area counts gave satisfactory linearity (R² ≥ 0.9995). Although exhibiting low detector sensitivity for paraquat at 230 nm, this method is deemed best suited for routine analysis in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs). The developed and validated method using lower-cost dual detectors, PDA-FD, as a substitute for the higher-cost mass spectrometry is suitable for routine quantitative and qualitative analysis of carbaryl, paraquat, and chlorpyrifos in wastewater and environmental samples. Graphical Abstract
February 2025
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4 Reads
Ayesha Saleem
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Aisha Munawar
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Shabana Kauser
Dye-related water contamination is a profound environmental issue, primarily because of the toxic nature of dyes and their harmful effects on living organisms. These pollutants can have severe consequences for ecosystems and human health. In response to this challenge, natural adsorbents have emerged as a highly promising solution. The novelty of my work lies in the use of wheat bran and urea-modified rice husk as biosorbents for the removal of naphthol green B and indigo carmine dyes from wastewater. While agricultural waste materials have been explored for wastewater treatment and rice husk modification with urea to enhance adsorption capacity is a unique approach. This innovative method offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for treating dye-contaminated wastewater, contributing to sustainable wastewater management practices. Their cost-effectiveness, ease of application, and high removal efficiency make them attractive options for mitigating dye pollution. The results are notable, with wheat bran and urea-modified rice husk achieving removal rates of 96% and 98% for naphthol green b, respectively. Similarly, indigo carmine removal rates reached 92% and 91% with wheat bran and urea-modified rice husk, respectively. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, various mechanisms behind the adsorption process of both dyes onto the adsorbent’s surfaces have been uncovered. These mechanisms encompass electrostatic interactions and the active roles of functional groups. The study results underscore that wheat bran and urea-modified rice husk are not just cost-effective but also highly efficient adsorbents for removing acidic dyes from wastewater.
February 2025
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18 Reads
This study focuses on the geomorphological, morphological, and glacier lake dynamics around the Durung-Drung (DDG) and Pensilungpa (PG) glaciers in Zanskar Himalaya, Ladakh. It identifies evidence of five stages of glacier advancement through preserved lateral moraines, showcasing deglaciation by 21 phases of recessional moraines for DDG and 9 phases for PG. The paleo-extent of the moraines reaching ~ 8 and ~ 9 km for DDG and PG indicates a negative mass balance at present, suggesting similarities of the glacier advancement during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and deglaciation after the LGM in the Himalaya and Tibet. The oldest lateral moraines observed thicknesses measure ~ 350 m for DDG and ~ 170 m for PG. Additionally, seven periglacial lakes near the Pensila Pass and two proglacial lakes at the front of the DDG are studied in detail. The field observations between 2015 and 2023 suggest that these lakes have increased in area and volume. The periglacial lake dimensions showed a marginal increase of 6.5% (17,939 m²) in surface area and around 7% (148,384 m³) in water volume, highlighting their dependence on non-glacial water sources (rain or snowmelt), whereas the expansion of the proglacial lakes near DDG was notable, with a ~ 164% increase in area and 190% in water volume between 2004 and 2023. These substantial increments underscore intensified glacial melt processes, emphasizing the vulnerability of the region’s glacial dynamics to climate change. Further, field observations from 2015 to 2023 revealed a total terminus retreat of ~ ( −)165 ± 95 m with an average rate of − 21 ± 12 m a⁻¹ for DDG and ~ ( −)80 ± 35 m with an average rate of − 10 ± 4 m a⁻¹ for PG. These findings signify a concerning acceleration in glacier recession and an increase in glacial melt, potentially influenced by the ongoing climate change.
February 2025
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7 Reads
Yi Yang
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Yuwen Qin
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Zhuqing Yuan
The supply capacity of urban ecosystem services is the foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, due to the difficulty in reaching a consensus on the multiple attributes of land ecosystems, the coercion issue between land use change, the enhancement of ecosystem service value (ESV), and urban development is exposed. The objectives of the study are to improve land structure with the goal of enhancing ESV, based on the evaluation of the relationship between land use change and urban ESV. In response to the SDGs, an evaluation index system for sustainable land use (SLU) was constructed by comparing subgoals. Factor analysis was used to evaluate the SLU level. The impact of SLU level changes on ESV was explored by grouping regression. The logarithmic mean Divisia index was used to describe the contributions of various factors to ESV changes. The results indicated that ESV increased by 17.71%, but SLU comprehensive evaluation score decreased from 0.324 to -0.522. The changes in SLU level had varying effects on ESV. The main factors driving changes in ESV were ESV coefficient and total green space area, with average contributions of 198.32% and -98.32%, respectively. The study points out that differences in factors driving ESV changes provide potential opportunities for urban development. Improving SLU level is an important way to promote the realization of SDGs and improve urban ESV.
February 2025
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8 Reads
Exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) is a potential health hazard leading to premature deaths around the globe. Cooking activity is one of the primary sources of IAP in households. Many studies have focussed on IAP due to cooking practices worldwide, but studies in community kitchens, which serve food for many populations of different age groups, particularly in highly populated developing countries such as India, are non-existent. In this study, the concentrations of particulate matter (PM) of size fractions PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 in indoor air were measured simultaneously and continuously for a duration of up to 20 days in 15 community kitchens using real-time PM monitoring systems (Applied Particle Technology Inc, USA) to assess the associated health risks related to the cooking profession. Three categories of kitchens were studied based on the type of fuel used, viz., LPG, LPG + SBF, and SBF. The concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 ranged from 40 to 286 µg m⁻³, 58 to 418 µg m⁻³, and 62 to 434 µg m⁻³, respectively, with corresponding geometric mean (GM) values of 74 µg m⁻³, 111 µg m⁻³, and 119 µg m⁻³. PM ratios were in the order PM2.5/PM10 > PM1/PM2.5 > PM1/PM10. A higher ratio of PM2.5/PM10 was due to the resuspension of particles generated from the cooking process. ELCR values (1.7 × 10⁻⁵–1.3 × 10⁻⁴) were higher when compared to the recommended limit for humans (1 × 10⁻⁶–1 × 10⁻⁵) by WHO and US EPA. The HQ values for PM2.5 and PM10 ranged from 1.8 to 13.7 and 0.9 to 4.5, respectively, with corresponding geometric mean (GM) values of 4.7 and 2.2. The ER and AF for all-cause mortality varied between 0.05–0.52 (GM = 0.13) and 0.05–0.34 (GM = 0.11), respectively. The HQ values for all community kitchens > 1, suggesting a high non-carcinogenic risk to the workers. This study revealed that the workers in the community kitchens are exposed to enhanced air pollution. This study has underlined the importance of health issues to the workers attributable to the inhalation of respiratory PM in the community kitchens.
February 2025
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16 Reads
Microplastic pollution has garnered global attention in recent decades due to its recognized ecological concerns through previous studies. However, in Pakistan, scarce information has been reported on MP pollution concerning the freshwater ecosystem. The current study was conducted on Kallar Kahar Lake, Punjab, Pakistan for (1) quantification, characterization, and distribution of MPs in surface water, sediments, and fish samples and (2) two treatment processes (magnetization and coagulation + flocculation) for the removal of MPs from the water. Samples were collected from each point by grab sampling method to investigate the MPs according to their type, shape, and color. The MP quantification and analysis were accomplished via the counting method by a stereomicroscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for their polymer type and composition. Results indicated the average MP abundance as 49.6 ± 11.14 MP/500 mL, 143 ± 48.18 MP/100 g, and 79 ± 12.2 items for water, sediments, and fish correspondingly. The dominant MP colors were blue, transparent, and green in all three environmental compartments. The ATR-FTIR identified the polymer types in lake water, sediment, and fish were PPS, PIB, and PLF; PET, PE, PP, and Natural Latex Rubber; and PET, respectively. The MP removal rate was observed high in both treatments. The average % removal rate of iron ore magnetization treatment was observed to be 80% at 1300 mg/L dosage of Fe2O3. Similarly in chemical coagulation processes, the highest MP removal efficiency was 85% (PET), 83% (PPS) and 80% (PIB) at the different concentration dosages of 150 + 15 mg/L, 111 + 15 mg/L, and 150 + 111 + 15 mg/L for Combination 1, Combination 2, and Combination 3, respectively. Overall, this study provided an integrative and novel approach for the removal of MP from surface water, which also holds an explicit commercial utilization prospect to overpower the MP pollution in water bodies. Also, the current findings serve as baseline data for the study of local freshwater systems.
February 2025
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10 Reads
Yadolah Fakhri
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Intissar Limam
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Marzieh Kamali
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[...]
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Amin Mousavi Khaneghah
This study aimed to investigate the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni) in river sediments across China. Additionally, it performed a non-dietary risk assessment for the exposed population. We searched international databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (for gray literature), covering the period from January 1, 2010, to February 30, 2023. Ultimately, we included 136 papers comprising 190 studies or data reports. Our findings revealed that the highest Arsenic concentrations were found in the Mawei River, Xiangjiang River, and Fuyang River sediments. The highest Lead concentrations were detected in the North River sediment, and the Yangtze, Xiangjiang, and North Rivers showed the most significant Cadmium levels. The rank order of PTEs based on the percentage of significant non-carcinogenic risk (toxicity hazard quotient, THQ > 1) in adults was as follows: arsenic (87%) > lead (29%) > cadmium (24%) > mercury (18%) > nickel (4%). In adolescents, the ranking was as follows: arsenic (95%) > lead (84%) > cadmium (62%) > mercury (28%) > nickel (18%). Our findings indicate that the non-carcinogenic risk in most of the studied locations in China is unacceptably high due to arsenic, lead, and cadmium (THQ > 1). Furthermore, the carcinogenic risk of arsenic in the majority of the studied areas (99%) was also deemed unacceptable (cancer risk > 1E-6). As such, the pollution from toxic elements in the sediments of China’s rivers requires urgent attention.
February 2025
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4 Reads
Neelu Jyothi Ahuja
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Nitin Pasi
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Huma Naz
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Rahul Chamola
The threat of snakebites to public health, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, requires effective mitigation strategies to avoid human-snake interactions. With the development of an IoT-based smart snake-trapping device, an innovative non-invasive solution for preventing snakebites is presented, autonomously capturing and identifying snakes. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, the entire system is designed to improve the safety and efficiency of snake capture, both in rural and urban areas. A camera and sensors are installed in the device to detect heat and vibration signatures, mimicking the natural prey of snakes using tungsten wire and vibration motors to attract them into the trap. A real-time classification algorithm based on deep learning determines whether a snake is venomous or non-venomous as soon as the device detects it. This algorithm utilizes a transfer learning approach using a convolutional neural network (CNN) and has been trained using snake images, achieving an accuracy of 91.3%. As a result of this identification process, appropriate actions are taken, such as alerting authorities or releasing non-venomous snakes into the environment in a safe manner. Through the integration of IoT technology, users can receive real-time notifications and data regarding the trap via a smartphone application. The system’s connectivity allows for timely intervention in case of venomous species, reducing snakebite risks. Additionally, the system provides information regarding snake movement patterns and species distribution, contributing to the study of broader ecological issues. An automated and efficient method of managing snakes could be implemented in snakebite-prone regions with the smart trapping device.
February 2025
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35 Reads
In this review, several factors have been collected from previous studies on emerging pharmaceutical pollutant adsorption to explain and describe the mechanisms and determine the reactions involved: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and the Boehm titration are the most used characterization techniques to determine activated carbons’ surface functional groups. Some studies have confirmed that the specific surface area and the pore structure are not more important than the functional groups present in the adsorbent surface to explain the amount of adsorption obtained and to describe correctly the interaction between the adsorbent-adsorbate. After the analysis of several studies, we concluded that to have good adsorption, it is necessary to choose the right treatment with the right activating agent to obtain the appropriate functions that will enhance the adsorption process. In addition, the functions that can react with the pharmaceutical pollutants are the oxygenated functions such as hydroxyl function, carboxylic function, and carbonyl function.
February 2025
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308 Reads
Phytoplankton forms the foundation of the aquatic food chain, with their community composition dependent on environmental conditions. Research on phytoplankton communities in relation to environmental variables across diverse coastal ecosystems in Bangladesh remains limited and focusing on small or discrete areas. This study aimed to explore phytoplankton dynamics across contrasting ecosystems characterized by varying salinity levels (ranging from 0 to 36 ppt), encompassing riverine to marine ecosystem. We identified 48 species, encompassing 28 genera and 4 groups: diatoms (81.25%), blue-green algae (10.41%), dinoflagellates (4.18%), and green algae (4.16%), with Coscinodiscus concinnus (W. Smith) being the most dominant species. Seasonality significantly affected phytoplankton diversity and richness, with the highest diversity (H = 3.55) and richness (40 species) recorded in winter. Conversely, contrasting ecosystems had an effect on richness, but not on diversity with the highest 42 species in the estuarine ecosystems. ANOVA showed notable spatio-temporal heterogeneity in species abundance (p < 0.05), with a peak in the estuarine ecosystem during winter. Variability in environmental factors was also significant, with the exception of pH with seasons, while alkalinity and transparency showed insignificant differences among contrasting ecosystems. We identified distinct seasonal community successions, with a unique species composition in the winter, while the monsoon and pre-monsoon communities exhibited some degree of convergence. A strong correlation between species abundance and environmental factors was evident, especially salinity, alkalinity, and dissolved oxygen, playing major role in species distribution and seasonality. This study provides insights into phytoplankton dynamics and their response to environmental factors, providing baseline ecological information for ecosystem management in the region.
February 2025
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3 Reads
Mirza Nadeem Ahmad
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Umm-e-Khadija Ashraf
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Muhammad Naveed Anjum
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[...]
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Muhammad Fayyaz Farid
The use of skin-whitening cosmetics in Pakistan has increased exponentially. The presence of heavy metals as contaminants in these products has raised public concerns about their long-term application and health effects. There are many risks associated with sub-standard and unauthorized beauty products available in the market. The main purpose of the present study is to detect the selected metals in the skin whitening creams available in the local market of Faisalabad, Pakistan, by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and assess their hazardous effects on human health. Twelve beauty products were procured from the local market based on their popularity among university students and were investigated for heavy metals, i.e., arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni). The samples were prepared using microwave-assisted acid digestion in concentrated acids HNO3: HClO4 (5:2). The concentrations of heavy metals in the samples exceeded the World Health Organization permissible limits (WHO). The average concentration of Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, As, and Hg in the samples ranged between 0.03–12.40, 0.01–70.97, 0.32–32.40, 0.0–0.74, 0.01–3.30, and 1.12–67.41 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The results of the hazardous quotient (HQ) represent that K11 had the maximum HQ concerning As, Cd, and Hg. It was inferred from the present study that most skin whitening products may cause health hazards to consumers due to the presence of higher concentrations of heavy metals.
February 2025
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12 Reads
Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a growing concern due to its potential environmental and health impacts. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of MPs in specific brands of drinking water bottle and milk packets. To identify the MPs, researchers employed microscopic techniques, FTIR spectroscopy, and FESEM with EDS. The types of polymers were determined by comparing the obtained values with reference standards. The study also assessed the potential daily microplastic exposure from drinking water and milk consumption. MPs were detected in the samples in three different shapes: filaments, fibers, and fragments. Four types of polymers were identified: polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polysulfone (PSU), and polyethersulfone (PES). The colors observed included violet, blue, green, red, and black. In the analyzed drinking water samples, a total of 13 MPs sized 1–3 mm and 7 MPs sized 3–6 mm were found. In the milk samples, there were 2 MPs sized 4–5 mm and 4 MPs sized 2–3 mm. The results of the study indicate that MPs are present in the examined drinking water and milk, which are directly consumed by humans. This suggests that microplastic pollution may occur during the manufacturing or packaging processes of these products. The study recommends implementing measures to reduce microplastic contamination at the beginning of the production process for drinking water and milk.
February 2025
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19 Reads
The primary source of the growing concern regarding marine, aquatic, and land pollution is plastic products, the majority of which are made of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds. These combinations include materials like coal and natural gas that are obtained through petrochemical processes. As these two types of plastic-derived products are produced and disposed of, they have a major impact on the ecosystems. According to recent figures, around 400 million tons of plastic and related products derived from plastic are produced annually, and it became double in the last two decades. Plastic pollutants are introduced into ecosystems by a variety of stakeholders at different points in their daily lives, whether intentionally or accidentally. They have become a major source of adverse effects, toxicity development in natural entities, and problems. The aquatic, marine, and land ecosystems are vital to human existence, which emphasizes how difficult it is to stop pollution from it. This review highlights the adverse impacts of plastics, plastic-based products, and micro-nanoplastics on aquatic, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems while addressing advances in biodegradable plastics, recycling innovations, plastic-degrading enzymes, and sustainable solutions to reduce environmental risks.
February 2025
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5 Reads
Gökhan Yıldız
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Ali Karaçuha
This comprehensive ecological investigation systematically analyzed the temporal and spatial variations in carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations across diverse macroalgal assemblages inhabiting the upper infralittoral zone of the Sinop peninsula. The study encompassed seasonal sampling conducted at five distinct stations between October 2019 and July 2020, targeting nine prevalent macroalgal species representing three major taxonomic groups: Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, and Phaeophyceae. Statistical analyses revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) variations in mean elemental concentrations across seasonal, regional, and species-specific dimensions. The elemental concentration ranges demonstrated substantial diversity, with carbon concentrations spanning from 14.73% in Corallina officinalis to 43.04% in Pterocladiella capillacea. Nitrogen concentrations exhibited remarkable variability, ranging from 0.50% in C. officinalis to 5.14% in Ceramium spp., while phosphorus concentrations varied from 0.02% in Ceramium spp. to 0.32% in Ulva rigida. The elemental ratio analyses uncovered intricate inter-specific variations, with carbon/phosphorus ratios ranging from 157 in C. officinalis to 4255 in Laurencia obtusa, nitrogen/phosphorus ratios varying from 9 to 304, and carbon/nitrogen ratios spanning from 9 to 51. Taxonomic group-level analyses revealed nuanced nutritional characteristics, with nitrogen concentrations showing slight variations across green (1.98%), brown (1.76%), and red (2.20%) algae, and phosphorus concentrations exhibiting similar patterns across these taxonomic groups. The macroalgal community presented a mean C:N:P atomic ratio of 1187:57:1, with a median ratio of 859:41:1. These stoichiometric signatures predominantly indicate phosphorus limitation across the studied macroalgal assemblages along the Sinop coastal region, with C. officinalis emerging as a notable exception.
February 2025
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11 Reads
Applying amendments to contaminated soil has been considered a successful strategy to control lead (Pb) pollution. In this study, four different types of amendment (calcium hydrogen phosphate, CHP; hydroxyapatite, HA; ordinary Portland cement, OPC; lime, LI) at two treatment levels were used to immobilize Pb in three contaminated soils. The effectiveness of Pb immobilization was assessed by coupling a sequential extraction procedure (fraction) with in vivo mouse model (Pb relative bioavailability, Pb RBA) and in vitro gastrointestinal assays (bioaccessibility). For all four amendments, Pb RBA generally decreased in YNGJ and HNZZ, with a stronger effect at a high treatment level, but less effective in HNJY. In contrast, when in vitro gastrointestinal simulation tests were used, Pb bioaccessibility determined by SBRC and PBET was generally reduced in most cases, especially in soils treated with phosphate amendments. Sequential extraction procedure demonstrated that the addition of 4 amendments generally decreased the proportion of E1 + C2 compared to untreated soils, while increasing R5, O4, or F3. The relationship between Pb fractions and RBA/bioaccessibility indicated that the bioavailable Pb is primarily from the sum of E1 and C2. The finding of this study highlighted reducing E1 + C2 was a primary strategy to further decrease bioavailable Pb in amended soils, and monitoring Pb fractions may provide a concise and alternative method for comprehending the oral bioavailability of Pb to humans.
February 2025
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7 Reads
Sun glint contamination on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) imagery is a ubiquitous problem and poses a significant impediment in the retrieval of water quality parameters for coastal monitoring applications. Previous studies using near-infrared (NIR) and regression-based sun glint corrections have shown overcorrection at turbid regions as water-leaving NIR radiance is non-negligible. A spatial shift in the band channels would also result in suboptimal correction in the visible spectrum. Recent total variation (TV) methods show promise in reducing spectral variation associated with glint-affected regions and achieve effective correction of sun glint while leaving non-glint regions largely unaltered. To that end, this study proposes an open-source Sun Glint-Aware Restoration (SUGAR) algorithm that bridges principles in NIR and TV methods for the effective correction of sun glint in multispectral and hyperspectral UAV imagery. The present study shows that SUGAR achieves the best sun glint correction performance among existing regression and pixel-based sun glint correction methods when applied on UAV imagery of turbid and shallow regions. Around 40–80% of the total variation at glint-affected regions have been reduced while preserving features in non-glint regions. Validation of SUGAR with in situ UAV flight surveys and turbidity measurements in the coastal region of Singapore demonstrated significant improvement in turbidity retrieval, with root-mean-squared error (RMSE) reducing from 0.464 to 0.183 FNU and 0.551 to 0.285 FNU for multispectral and hyperspectral imagery, respectively.
February 2025
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7 Reads
With the construction of large photovoltaic modules in the intertidal zone, their impact on the environment has attracted people’s attention. The paper took the first large-scale power generation project of “fishery-PV complementary” in the coastal mudflat intertidal zone of China as the research object and studied several typical environmental factors through on-site monitoring. The study results indicate that the average and maximum wind speeds in non-PV areas are more than twice that of PV areas. The still wind frequency in non-PV areas is the least, and the wind direction is significantly different from that in PV areas. The presence of PV modules significantly reduces the air circulation in the PV area. This resulted in higher average atmospheric temperature and mudflat temperature at the monitoring point located in the inner side of the PV area, and the temperature values fluctuated slightly. The solar radiation detected in the PV area is significantly lower than that in the non-PV area. The dissolved oxygen content gradually increases from the nearshore mudflat to the seaward. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of offshore mudflat resources and the environmental protection of the intertidal zone.
February 2025
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11 Reads
The widespread occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water bodies is a significant cause of concern due to their persistence and toxicity. This study aimed at assessing the qualitative and quantitative profile of 16 EPA PAHs present in sediment collected from nine sites along the Klip River, Johannesburg, South Africa. The target compounds were extracted from sediment by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The extraction method accuracy was evaluated by analyzing certified reference material of sediment (CRM-104). The total concentration of PAHs detected in sediment samples ranged from 1.46 to 7.41 mg/kg. High molecular weight (HMW) PAHs were found to be in higher concentrations for both low flow (24.5 mg/kg) and high flow (19.4 mg/kg) seasons compared to the lower molecular weight (LMW) PAHs, which had 11.1 mg/kg for low flow and 5.63 mg/kg for high flow seasons. For identification of source of PAHs in sediments, the diagnostic ratio was employed, which revealed the PAHs were from petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. Toxicity test using zebrafish embryo development test (ZFET) resulted in high mortality, low hatch rate, and high malformations, which indicated the contamination of sediments from the Klip River. These findings suggest that exposure to this water system poses risks to the environment, aquatic life, and humans who depend on it.
February 2025
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89 Reads
The formation of urban heat islands is a widespread issue in cities. However, the impact of spectral indices on land surface temperature (LST) with various urban forms, climates, and functions has not been sufficiently examined. Currently, the prevalent method for analyzing complex urban areas is the classification of local climate zones (LCZs). In this study, we aim to explore the urban thermal environment by utilizing GIS-based spatial analyses and statistical methods. We also examine LCZs and the temporal-spatial changes of LSTs in Sapanca Lake and its surroundings. A comparative analysis was conducted on the relationship between the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI), and the normalized difference built-up index (NDBI) spectral indices in different LCZs and LST using a linear regression model. The results showed that all LCZs experienced a warming effect with an increase in NDBI, while they exhibited a cooling effect with the influence of NDVI and MNDWI. Notably, NDVI demonstrated a strong cooling effect in LCZ A (Dense trees) during the summer season, with an R² coefficient of 0.73. Similarly, MNDWI had an R² coefficient of 0.73 in LCZ A during spring. Values calculated as a result of regression are found as MAE:0.72 and MSE:0.75. These findings indicate the cooling effect of urban areas characterized by dense trees and water surfaces, highlighting their role in reducing LST. As a result, the research revealed the role of urban green systems and water surfaces in reducing the heat island effect, which is a problem, especially in urban centers. Overall, the study’s results contribute to a better understanding of the thermal environmental characteristics in complex urban settings.
February 2025
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17 Reads
Evaluating the intensity of paddy cultivation and tracking the evolving patterns of groundwater levels is essential for a comprehensive assessment of the impact of paddy farming on water resources across diverse geographic regions. Due to the notable water-intensive nature of paddy cultivation, it is imperative to take into account the condition of groundwater resources. In regions such as the cloud-prone Lower Gangetic Plain, characterized by small landholdings, traditional coarse-resolution optical remote sensing methods are inadequate in delivering sufficient information. Therefore, a comprehensive framework that integrates advanced machine learning techniques with multi-temporal SAR datasets becomes essential for assessing the spatio-temporal variations in paddy intensity. In this investigation, Sentinel SAR images of 2022 were employed to evaluate the effectiveness of a machine learning model for mapping paddy rice at a 10-m scale. The analysis of multi-temporal Sentinel-1A data revealed a trajectory of rice growth phases that aligns with the crop calendar of the study area. Notably, the characteristics of σ VH (backscattering coefficient) demonstrated a strong correlation with the growth stages of rice throughout the Aus, Aman, and Boro seasons. This study highlighted the superiority of the machine learning-based Random Forest (RF) model, which achieved an overall accuracy of ≥ 90% in identifying areas under paddy cultivation and discerning their seasonal distribution in cloud-prone regions. Regarding groundwater variability, an assessment was conducted using Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) data spanning from 2002 to 2022. The results indicated that 70% of the paddy-cultivated area in the study region exhibited a decreasing trend in groundwater levels. This integrated assessment provides a holistic understanding of the interplay between paddy cultivation intensity and its impact on groundwater resources, serving as a valuable resource for sustainable land and water management.
February 2025
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81 Reads
This study evaluates global and regional glacier inventories (RGI, GAMDAM, ICIMOD) against the newly generated Kashmir University Glacier Inventory (KUGI) for the Jhelum, Suru, and Chenab basins in the northwestern Himalaya. The KUGI, comprising 2096 glaciers with an area of ~ 3300.0 ± 117.8 km², was created by manually delineating glacier boundaries from Landsat satellite data, supplemented by a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Google Earth images, and limited field surveys. The inventory includes 154 glaciers in the Jhelum basin (85.9 ± 11.4 km²), 328 in the Suru basin (487 ± 16.2 km²), and 1614 in the Chenab basin (2727 ± 90.2 km²). While estimates of glacier area, altitude, slope, and aspect of the individual glaciers varied significantly among the four inventories, a broad similarity was found among the evaluated inventories in terms of distribution of the most common glacier size, elevation, and slope classes. Majority of the of glaciers were smaller than 1 km², while the 1–5 km² size class accounted for the largest share of the total glacier area. The GAMDAM (=0.75) and RGI (=0.73) inventories were relatively consistent with the KUGI; however, significant discrepancies were noted in the debris-covered and shadowed glaciers, particularly in the ICIMOD inventory. Furthermore, the study revealed differential glacier area changes across the three basins from 2000 to 2020. The Jhelum basin experienced the largest area loss (8%), followed by the Suru (4%) and Chenab basins (3%). These area losses are largely explained by the prevailing topographic and morphological settings of the glaciers. The development of a multi-date KUGI with improved attributes and enhanced accuracy in the data-scarce Himalaya offers a reliable database, fostering research in hydrology, glaciology, climate change, glacial hazards, glacier evolution and water resource management.
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