Environmental Quality Management最新文献

Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (EAB), a phloem-feeding beetle native to Asia, continues to destroy ash trees across the United States. The objective of this study was to assess EAB damage to green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and seedling recovery in dwindling (remnant) bottomland near a water supply reservoir in Denton County, Texas. EAB damage was extensive; however, numerous seedlings were thriving and suggest the area will recover. Large trees suffered the most damage. Of 101 large-diameter (16–60 cm) trees, only nine were alive, and none were in good health. In a small-diameter (2.5–15 cm) class, only 49 of 174 trees were living, and 15 were in good health. Interior excavation galleries on a recently fallen tree indicate EAB may have been present in Denton County earlier than previously documented. This study highlights the continued spread of EAB in the southern part of its range, recovery patterns, and a need for public outreach as part of an integrated management plan to address the problem.

As a substitute for synthetic materials, it is difficult for researchers studying natural fiber materials to develop biodegradable composite materials. These natural fiber-infused polymer composites are environmentally friendly and exhibit excellent mechanical properties. The main objectives of this work were to create and analyze epoxy polymer composites reinforced with Tamarindus indica and Caryota mitis leaf stalk fiber. Five distinct compositions were used in the hand lay-up procedure to create composite specimens. An evaluation was conducted on the mechanical qualities, including hardness, tensile strength, and impact resistance. To evaluate the physical and chemical properties of the composites, their metallurgical features were investigated using wear, microstructure, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Specimen C, composed of 20% C. mitis, 20% T. indica powder, and 60% epoxy, showed the best tensile strength (69.12 MPa) and the highest hardness (76.37 VHN) of all the compositions examined. The composite exhibited favorable bonding and temperature adaptability, as demonstrated by the microstructure and TGA studies. All things considered, research indicates that these hybrid composites have better particular qualities, which makes them suitable materials for use in automotive and aerospace applications.

Increasing environmental issues, such as climate change and industrial waste management, have been putting pressure on developing novel and efficient solutions. Besides, global population increase is another increasing challenge for humanity in terms of adequate and secure food supply. The Merseburg process, the conversion reaction of gypsum with ammonium carbonate to yield ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate, offers dual advantages against global warming and solid waste management issues. Another advantage of the process is the production of ammonium sulfate, an agriculturally valuable fertilizer. Utilization of the Merseburg process would be strategically important since it provides both consumption of phosphogypsum and low-cost raw material supply for ammonium sulfate production together with carbon dioxide consumption. This mini-review gives a detailed discussion of semi-batch ammonium carbonate production, followed by gypsum conversion, which can be an alternative operation and feed strategy for the Merseburg process conducted as a ternary-multiphase reaction system. The paper also provides the discussion of an alternative resource utilization route for phosphogypsum, including CO₂ sequestration and low-cost ammonium sulfate production.

The primary objective of this study was to contribute to a deeper understanding of land degradation neutrality (LDN), with a specific focus on Malatya province, located in the semi-arid region of eastern Türkiye. This case study served as a foundation for establishing a framework to monitor land degradation over time. The research employed three key sub-indicators—land cover (LC), land productivity (LP), and carbon stocks—following the guidelines of SDG 15.3.1. To assess changes in these sub-indicators, the SDG 15.3.1 indicator was calculated using 2015 as the baseline year and the preceding period (2000–2015) for comparison. The results indicated that approximately 3.24% of the study area experienced land degradation, primarily attributed to a decline in LP. Of this degradation, about 89.15% was linked to LP loss, while LC (5.91%) and soil organic carbon (SOC) (4.94%) contributed smaller proportions. The study also identified regional variations in land degradation, with intensified degradation occurring in areas undergoing rapid urbanization.

The discharge of untreated effluents from sugar mills leads to the accumulation of toxic metals and metalloids such as Copper (Cu) (6.88–0.032 mg/L), Zinc (Zn) (20.0–0.26 mg/L), Iron (Fe) (44.27–1.228 mg/L), Manganese (Mn) (11.45–0.095 mg/L), Chromium (Cr) (2.72–0.012 mg/L), Nickel (Ni) (0.19 mg/L), Lead (Pb) (0.52–0.032 mg/L), Cadmium (Cd) (7.33–0.02 mg/L), and Arsenic (As) (0.2 mg/L). This poses significant hazards to both the environment and human health. Phytoremediation methods have the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of toxic substances on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These methods utilize the natural ability of plants to absorb mineral nutrients from soil and water sources. Certain terrestrial and aquatic plant species show remarkable efficacy in removing both organic and inorganic pollutants. Numerous plants, including Typha latifolia, Eichhornia crassipes, Euphorbia prostrata, Lemna minor, Pistia stratiotes, and Salvinia minima, are effective metal accumulators for cleaning up heavy-metal-polluted water and soil. By employing advanced phytoremediation techniques, the phytoremediation capability of these plants can be further enhanced. Overall, phytoremediation offers a simple, practical, economical, sustainable, and artistic process that eliminates pollutants from the soil and water in a natural way. It is also a conservational procedure that may be used in the amelioration of sugar mill effluents as well as may be utilized in the future to clean air, water, and soil. The present review highlights the current status of the toxicity of sugar mill effluents and the intervention of technologically advanced treatments/processes (biological and chemical) to enhance its phytoremediation efficacy. Moreover, the present review also elucidates the secondary benefits of phytoremediation applications. This technique can be utilized in the production of biomass-based energy, feedstock for pyrolysis, biofortified products, and carbon sequestrations, which can contribute to phyto management programs.

The present work investigates the intensification of biological oxidation of ciprofloxacin-based synthetic effluent using acoustic cavitation-based pretreatment techniques. Cow-dung based sludge acclimatized with the effluent was used for the biological oxidation experiments at a 1:3 sludge to effluent loading for a treatment time of 48 h. Conventional biological oxidation resulted in 48.79% CIP degradation, which was demonstrated to be enhanced through acoustic cavitation-based pretreatment. The optimized conditions for cavitation were 125 W power and a 70% duty cycle, and the optimum oxidant loadings for the combination studies were 150 mg/L H₂O₂, 150 mg/L of potassium persulfate (KPS), and 200 mg/h of O₃. The enhanced CIP degradation after application of pretreatment was 63.27%, 79.23%, 68.27%, and 82.27% for AC, AC + H₂O₂, AC + KPS, and AC + O₃ based pretreated effluents, respectively. Toxicity analysis against test organisms Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the agar well diffusion method confirmed that pretreatment reduced the toxicity leading to enhanced biodegradation. Overall, the current work elucidated the efficiency of acoustic cavitation combined with KPS for the effective biological oxidation of ciprofloxacin.

Tanzania's waste generation increases with national population growth and urbanization. Coupled with linear waste management approaches practiced in Tanzania, the waste aggravates greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and defeats Sustainable Development Goal 13 intending to minimize GHGs emissions through waste close loop management options. This paper advocates for the use of Black Soldier Flies (BSF) farming to mitigate the emissions and convert bio-waste into resourceful animal feeds. The review shows that bio-waste accounts for two-thirds of the national municipal solid wastes generated. The BSF farming is envisaged to reduce bio-waste by 50% and transform the GHGs into harmless compounds to get rid of their health-related concerns. It is recommended that further investigation for economic feasibility of BSF farming is conducted to inform potential investors about the viability of BSF investments in Tanzania.

Oil spills constitute one of the gravest threats to ecosystems and living beings. Exposure to oil pollution has the potential to yield a range of adverse health consequences for individuals. The aim of this study is to examine the intricate relationship between oil pollution and public health through a bibliometric review. The proposed methodology is broken down into four stages: (1) Search criteria, (2) Data collection, (3) Data processing and software selection, and (4) Data analysis and interpretation. The results highlighted a rise in scientific production over time, peaking in 2019. Research production is predominantly led by the United States. Leading authors in this domain include D. P. Sandler and L. S. Engel, notable for their volume of publications and citations. Co-citation and keyword co-occurrence analyses revealed “oil spill,” “human health,” and “public health” as recurring terms, underlining the core focus of the literature on these subjects. This study concludes that research on oil pollution and public health has surged notably in recent decades, with deep and pressing academic engagement evident in the literature. Future research appears set to follow a robust trajectory, with an increasingly globalized and collaborative emphasis.

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are byproducts of plastics created to benefit humanity, but improper disposal and inadequate recycling have turned them into a global menace that we can no longer conceal. As they interact with all living organisms, including humans, their mechanism of interaction and their perilous impact must be meticulously investigated. To uncover the secrets of MNPs, there must be model systems that exist to interlink the two major scenarios: they must represent the environmental impact and be relevant to humans. Therefore, zebrafish and Drosophila are perfect to describe these two cases, as they are well studied and relatable to humans. In this review, 39% zebrafish studies reported higher mortality and hatching rates at greater MNP concentrations, severe oxidative stress as seen by raised malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. About 50% of studies showed severe neurotoxic behavior with drop of locomotor activity, suggesting neurotoxicity. MNPs have a significant impact on fertility rate of Drosophila. More than half of the studies revealed genotoxicity in Drosophila as observed by wing spot assays and modified genomic expressions associated with stress and detoxification processes. These findings emphasize the potential of MNPs to bioaccumulate, impair physiological systems, and cause oxidative and neurobehavioral damage. This study underscores the importance for thorough risk evaluations of MNPs and their environmental and health consequences.

Microalgae, with their rapid growth rates, high intracellular lipid accumulation, and ability to utilize wastewater, emerge as a promising feedstock for high-quality biodiesel production. Recent contributions in algal fuel research include breakthroughs in genetic engineering to boost lipid yields, such as CRISPR-modified strains optimized for biofuel production. Innovative bioreactor designs are enhancing scalability and energy efficiency, while integration with waste-to-energy systems enables resource recovery and cost savings. Additionally, advancements in techno-economic models are making large-scale algal biofuel production more feasible, aided by supportive government policies and subsidies. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in microalgal growth techniques and biofuel production methodologies. This study aims to identify key research gaps and contribute to the optimization of biofuel production processes and the development of sustainable bioenergy solutions.