Environmental Quality Management最新文献

Plastic waste management in rapidly urbanizing regions of the Global South is shaped by informal systems, uneven infrastructure, and governance variability. Addressing this requires moving beyond infrastructure-focused policies to incorporate behavioral determinants. This study develops a behavior-informed decision-support framework for urban plastic waste governance by integrating the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior) with the theory of planned behavior (TPB). This approach advances waste behavior modeling by linking structural feasibility with intention formation. Capability and opportunity are captured through COM-B, while the TPB explains how intentions develop. Their combination helps address the intention-behavior gap that remains unresolved in single-focus models. Using survey data from 415 respondents across three cities in Kerala, India, construct validation supported the integrated behavioral framework. Fuzzy DEMATEL analysis identified capability and opportunity as primary causal drivers of motivation and intention, with intention as the strongest predictor of pro-environmental behavior. A Bayesian Network (BN), structured on DEMATEL outputs, was employed to model probabilistic dependencies and simulate intervention scenarios. These indicate that jointly enhancing capability and opportunity increases adoption of core waste-reduction behaviors by approximately 20%, while sustainable purchasing shows only a modest improvement. The findings highlight that effective plastic waste governance requires synergy between motivational interventions and enabling infrastructure to translate intentions into practice. Policy recommendations emphasize strengthening community-based collection systems, expanding decentralized material recovery facilities, and aligning market reforms with local governance structures. This hybrid framework demonstrates how combining causal mapping and probabilistic modeling supports evidence-based and transferable strategies for urban waste management in the Global South.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are persistent environmental contaminants that traverse abiotic compartments and biological kingdoms, producing effects from molecular dysfunction to ecosystem disruption and human health impacts. This review presents a novel, cross-kingdom synthesis of major PTEs—including arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium, mercury, zinc, and copper—integrating their environmental pathways, cellular and physiological toxicity mechanisms, and ecological and socioeconomic consequences. Essential metals such as copper and zinc become toxic above permissible limits (Cu > 2 mg L⁻¹; Zn > 3 mg L⁻¹), whereas nonessential metals such as lead and cadmium exert toxicity even at trace levels (Pb > 0.01 mg L⁻¹; Cd > 0.003 mg L⁻¹). Cross-kingdom commonalities, including oxidative stress, enzyme inhibition and genotoxicity, are highlighted, alongside differences in exposure pathways and trophic transfer, with mercury biomagnifying up to 10-fold in aquatic food webs. Mechanistic endpoints are linked to population- and ecosystem-level impacts. Remediation strategies are reviewed, emphasizing phytoremediation (up to 80% removal efficiency for zinc and cadmium), microbial-assisted approaches, physicochemical treatments, and governance measures. Key research gaps include speciation-aware monitoring, mixture-toxicity studies under realistic exposure scenarios, and long-term, trans-disciplinary investigations connecting molecular biomarkers to ecosystem outcomes. Addressing these priorities will advance evidence-based environmental management, sustainable remediation and provide a comprehensive framework for future cross-kingdom ecotoxicology research.

Water contamination is one of the major issues disturbing the eco-friendly environment that creates a significant impact on human health in addition to the aquatic living organisms, produced due to the rapid industrialization and civilization process. To address this issue in the present study, AgNPs were chemically synthesized for coating on different filters and filter papers to investigate AgNPs activity in the decontamination of domestic water and different industrial wastewater (pharmaceutical industry and polymer industry wastewater). AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope-SEM, and X-ray diffraction-XRD. The UV-Vis spectra showed an absorbance peak in the range of 330 nm. SEM analysis measured the size of AgNPs at about 90 nm and X-Ray diffraction pattern confirmed that the AgNPs are of crystalline nature. The dipping method was used to coat water filters and filter papers with AgNPs filtrates, through which domestic and industrial wastewater were then passed. Non-filtered (control) and filtered water samples were tested for different parameters including pH, electrical conductivity, hardness, nitrates, sulfates, dissolved oxygen, and total dissolved salts. The results demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) reductions in key contaminants, particularly nitrates (up to 96%), electrical conductivity (up to 50%), and total dissolved solids (up to 50%) in industrial wastewater after filtration through AgNP-coated filters compared to uncoated controls. AgNP-coated filters showed higher removal efficiency for selected physicochemical parameters, compared to AgNP-coated filter papers. An increase in dissolved oxygen levels was also observed following filtration, reflecting improved water quality after treatment. This study highlights the novelty of applying AgNP-coated filtration systems specifically to industrial wastewater and provides a direct performance comparison between coated filters and filter papers. The findings suggest that AgNP-coated filters offer a promising and potentially cost-effective approach for industrial wastewater remediation.

In Vietnam, a developing country with rapidly growing industrial activity, small- to medium-scale boilers and waste incinerators are widely used. Absorption systems such as columns or scrubbers are commonly applied for NO_x and SO₂ removal. A hybrid system that combines existing packed columns with a HiGee contactor is a promising solution for retrofitting existing plants in improving pollution control and practicing carbon capture. This study aims to provide insights into the proposed concept by investigating the flue gas treatment performance of an integrated system comprising a pilot-scaled packed column (PC) and a lab-scaled high-performance rotating reactor. The effect of rotating speed of the HP2R (ω = 100–700 rpm), flue gas flow rate (Q_G = 25–150 L/min), absorbent flow rate in the PC (Q_L1 = 0.05–0.35 L/min) and in the HP2R (Q_L2 = 0.05–0.35 L/min) on the removal efficiency of CO₂, SO₂, and NO_x from simulated flue gas were evaluated in a laboratory-scale setup. The results indicated the enhancement of CO₂ and NO_x removal efficiencies by approximately 30–50% compared with the standalone PC unit at ω = 500–700 rpm. Continuous operation further confirmed the system's stability in multi-pollutant removal, particularly for SO₂ and NO_x, although CO₂ capture performance was found to be sensitive to absorbent pH, emphasizing the need for effective absorbent regeneration to sustain long-term operation.

Cellulases are essential enzymes for breaking down lignocellulosic biomass in second-generation ethanol production, but their high cost limits widespread use. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) offers a cost-effective alternative by producing high enzyme yields from agro-industrial residues. This study investigated cellulase production by Aspergillus fumigatus using coffee husks, both untreated and pretreated via combined alkaline and microwave methods, as carbon sources. The effects of initial moisture (50%–70%) and husk content (60%–80%) on SSF were optimized through response surface methodology. The crude enzymatic extract was biochemically characterized for optimal pH (3–8), temperature (30–70°C), thermal stability, and metal ion effects. Pretreated husks increased enzyme activity (FPase) by 121%, confirming improved cellulose accessibility. The extract showed optimal activity at pH 5–6, stability between 40°C and 60°C, and enhanced performance with Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Mn²⁺. When applied to hydrolysis of pretreated coffee husks, the extract achieved 27 mg/g conversion after 48 h, demonstrating its effectiveness. These results indicate that coffee husk serves both as an inducer of fungal cellulase production and as a lignocellulosic feedstock, emphasizing its biotechnological potential for sustainable biomass valorization.

This study examines how adaptive capacity indicators influence residents’ willingness to participate (WTP) in community-based sanitation programs in Koja, North Jakarta, focusing on slum and non-slum communities. A structured survey of 400 individuals was conducted, and the data were analyzed using importance-performance analysis (IPA) and binary choice models, including probit and logit regressions. The IPA results revealed that slum residents showed critical performance gaps in key adaptation indicators such as Asset2 (waste treatment), Flexibility1 (monitoring systems), and Agency2 (community advocacy)—indicating low-priority but essential adaptation needs. In contrast, non-slum residents reported higher importance and performance scores across most indicators, including Agency1, Organization1, and Learning2, suggesting better adaptive capacity. Regression findings confirmed that non-slum residency (β = 0.465–0.787, p < 0.05), homeownership (β = 0.640–1.149, p < 0.01), female gender (β = 0.437–0.844, p < 0.01), and age above 39 (β = 0.319–0.568, p < 0.05) significantly increase the probability of WTP. The perceived importance of adaptation services was also a significant positive predictor (β = 0.535–0.964, p < 0.01), while the performance of adaptation services was not statistically significant. These results highlight that sociodemographic factors and perceived importance are stronger motivators than service performance alone. The study underscores the value of integrating adaptive capacity dimensions—assets, flexibility, organization, learning, and agency—into sanitation planning to ensure equity and justice in urban ecosystem services. By combining IPA and econometric models, this research provides a replicable framework for identifying priority areas and vulnerable populations. The findings offer policy guidance for targeted infrastructure improvements and behavior change strategies, particularly in underserved slum areas. This integrated approach contributes to developing just, inclusive, and sustainable sanitation systems aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6, 10, and 11.

This study evaluated the ability of the red microalga Porphyridium cruentum in removing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics (MPs) from aquatic systems through a hetero-aggregation mechanism mediated by exopolysaccharides (EPS). Results showed that PET MPs exposure to microalgae at concentrations of 100, 200, and 300 mg/L for 30 days notably reduced microalgae growth at higher concentrations. Conversely, increased PET MPs concentration increased EPS production by microalgae as a defense response to oxidative stress. The highest EPS production was obtained at a 300 mg/L PET MPs exposure, concentration of 4.349 g/L. FTIR analysis showed EPS was rich in negatively charged carboxyl and sulfate groups, electrostatically interacting with positively charged PET MPs, forming stable flocculating hetero-aggregates. The removal efficiency of PET MPs reached 95.8%–97.5%, with the highest efficiency obtained at a concentration of 200 mg/L PET MPs, demonstrating the effectiveness of P. cruentum in removing PET MPs from water environment. SEM analysis confirmed the formation of a solid EPS matrix encasing the MPs particles and the absence of markedly structural changes in the EPS post-interaction confirmed through FTIR. These findings underscore the potential of microalgae as an eco-friendly and energy-efficient biological solution for MPs remediation in aquatic environments.

Water quality is a stern issue in urban areas because it is indispensable for the sustenance of life. The present study aimed to determine the spatial trends with time in water quality attributed to transitioning anthropogenic land-use/cover in a Himalayan city—Dehradun, India—through the Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WQI). A total of 36 samples from nine surface aquifers during four seasons were analyzed for physicochemical and biological water quality parameters and compared with standards prescribed by BIS—Bureau of Indian Standards and WHO—World Health Organization. The water quality categorization during the monsoon (good–moderate), post-monsoon (poor–very poor), and the winter and premonsoon seasons (poor–unfit) reveals the temporal trends. Further, WQI values indicate that 25% of the water samples (urban) were in the very poor–unfit category, 52% in poor (semi-urban), and 22.2% in good status (rural), with elevated values for Coliform bacteria at all locations. Unsustainable anthropogenic activities, namely, discharge of wastewater, indiscriminate dumping of solid waste, and fecal matter, are the main factors, which have negatively impacted the water quality of these rivulets. Land-cover analyses from 2002 to 2023 observed an increase in settlement—urban built-up (+7.5%), cultivated land (+7.5%), and barren land (+4.4%), whereas grassland (−8%), forest (−12%), and water bodies (−0.11%) decreased in terms of area coverage, with a slight decline in land surface temperature regimes attributed to the aerosol optical depth variations. The management of water resources (catchment basin conservation) in the Dehradun region is a major concern pertaining to urban land use planning and the mandate of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 and 11.