Environmental Quality Management最新文献

The coastal regions represent one of the most significant environmental and economic resources, offering critical ecosystems that support biodiversity. Shoreline change analysis offers critical insights into coastal dynamics, providing trends in erosion and accretion, enabling effective coastal management and hazard mitigation. In the current study, shoreline change is assessed utilizing the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) model for Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga river estuaries in Baleswar district, Odisha, India. The shoreline was extracted using multitemporal satellite images like Landsat-5 and Landsat-7 for the years 1991, 2000, and 2011. Similarly Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 satellite imagery were used for the year 2022. The satellite data from 1991 to 2022 were processed using Envi, ArcGIS softwares and the shoreline is extracted for each year using band ratioing methods to demarcate shoreline. In the current research, the net accretion and erosion along the coast were analyzed using the GIS (geographic information systems) technique and the DSAS model. The four important statistical parameters of the DSAS model utilized in the study area are end point rate (EPR), net shoreline movement (NSM), linear regression rate (LRR), and least median of squares (LMS). The shoreline change analysis for the coast of Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga river estuary area from 1991 to 2022 reveals that 44% of the coast is under accretion, 7% is under stable coast, and 23% is under erosion. According to the findings, the coastal area of the recent study is both progressive and regressive in nature. For the study area, the average rates of shoreline accretion and erosion are 1.05 m and 0.45 m per year, respectively. The study gives information on erosion and accretion near the Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga river estuaries, which will aid in the development of an adaptive shoreline management strategy and coastal vulnerability assessment.

The present work is devoted to examining the potential of Sesbania sesban biochar produced through slow pyrolysis for 120 min at 300°C in removing hexavalent chromium from the aqueous phase. The physicochemical characteristics of biochar were analyzed utilizing a variety of analytical tools including SEM, BET, and FTIR. Results revealed that the biochar had a smooth surface, an even stacking pattern with a porous texture, a large BET surface area equal to 562 m²/g, and a pH_pzc of 6.9. The biochar efficiency in eliminating Cr (VI) was investigated through several variables, including biochar dosage (0.1–0.4 g), pH (2–8), initial chromium ion concentration (10–40 mg/L), and adsorption time (15–120) min. The results identified the best conditions for adsorbing Cr (VI): an initial concentration of 10 mg/L, an absorbent dosage of 0.3 g, a pH solution of 2, and a reaction time of 90 min. The experiment achieved a Cr (VI) removal efficiency of over 90% by applying these conditions. The adsorption isotherm data were analyzed and showed a strong correlation coefficient (R² = 0.985) for Langmuir monolayer model, in which the maximum adsorption capacity achieved was 5.3 mg/g. According to the kinetic investigation, the adsorption of Cr (VI) was adapted to a pseudo-second-order model having a high R² value of 0.998. These results demonstrate that Sesbania sesban biochar has excellent potential as a cost-effective and highly efficient adsorbent for removing hexavalent chromium and improving water quality.

The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal 13 (“Climate Action”) aims to address the issues of global warming and climate change, primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions. This study examines the impacts of financial technology, human development, economic growth, and renewable energy consumption on environmental quality from 2013 to 2019 in African nations classified into different income groups. Using the method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) technique, results show that economic growth and human development (renewable energy consumption and financial technology) increase (decrease) carbon dioxide emissions in the long run. These imply that in the absence of sustainable practices, pursuing economic growth and human development could degrade the environment, while transitioning to renewable energy and promoting fintech could improve environmental quality. This study makes five major scientific contributions in terms of research question (unique combination of variables), sample (carbon emission-financial technology nexus in Africa), proxy for financial technology (“credit flows by fintech and big tech companies to GDP (%)”), MMQR estimation technique (for the first time in this context), and comparative analysis based on income-group classification. This study recommends the implementation of sustainable development frameworks, the adoption of green technologies, the transition from nonrenewable to renewable energy sources, the widespread education and awareness on environmental effects, and the encouragement of sustainable fintech solutions to help African countries attain sustainable economic growth and human development while reducing their carbon footprints.

In the present study, biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using Azadirachta indica leaf extract were evaluated for their toxic effects on both target and non-target species. The botanical synthesized nanoparticles were tested against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus and non-targeted species Artemia salina and Eudrilus eugeniae at 24 h posttreatment. AgNPs were characterized using the following analytical techniques: UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Results showed that AgNPs caused larvicidal activity with 90.66% mortality in An. stephensi, 97.33% in Ae. aegypti, and 93.33% in Cx. quinquefasciatus at 24 h posttreatment. A. indica-derived AgNPs had lower LC₅₀ (lethal concentration 50) and LC₉₀ (lethal concentration 90) values of 44.803 and 252.886 ppm/mL in An. stephensi, 18.358 and 189.553 ppm/mL in Ae. Aegypti, and 36.492 and 219.800 ppm/mL in Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively. Furthermore, AgNPs demonstrated lower toxicity effects with 50.66% mortality in A. salina and 38.66% mortality in E. eugeniae at 24 h posttreatment. Additionally, they exhibited lower LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 240.996 and 533.618 ppm/mL in A. salina and 301.122 and 548.944 ppm/kg in E. eugeniae at 24 h posttreatment, respectively. The findings conclude that green-synthesized AgNPs from plants offer a promising, cost-effective, and target-specific alternative for eco-friendly mosquito larvicides. Future work should focus on developing these plant-based agents with minimal non-target toxicity to support sustainable pest control. Further research may explore large-scale applications and assess the long-term environmental impacts of AgNPs in integrated vector management programs.

This study explores the social-ecological dynamics of common pool resource (CPR) management in the Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh. We focus on golpata (Nypa fruticans), a vital CPR for local communities. A social-ecological systems (SESs) framework was employed to assess the relationships between social (actors and governance) and ecological (resource system and resource unit) dimensions and their influence on the sustainability of golpata management. Data on 12 variables and 24 indicators were collected within the Chadpai range of the Sundarbans. Results revealed both positive and negative relationships between the SES dimensions. Positive correlations were found between the resource system and resource unit, and between governance and both resource system and unit (albeit weaker). Conversely, negative correlations emerged between actors and both resource systems and units, suggesting a potential disconnect between community user practices and resource sustainability. Based on these findings, the study recommends four distinct management scenarios tailored to specific SES regions within the Sundarbans. These scenarios emphasize strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and implementing targeted ecological interventions to improve the sustainability of golpata resources. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the social-ecological complexities of golpata management in the Sundarbans. The findings can inform policymakers in developing effective strategies for sustainable resource use and community livelihoods within this critical ecosystem.

Surface water quality at Abuakwa South Municipal has received threats from surrounding mining communities, which are becoming a major concern to the public. As a result, this study aimed to assess water quality by examining the concentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) pollution in surface water. Fifteen samples were obtained from surface water using a 1.5 L plastic bottle. The mean concentrations of Pb and Cd were above WHO guidelines of 0.01 and 0.003 mg/l, respectively, except for Zn which was below the stipulated limit of 3.0 mg/l. The geochemical process model shows that Cd, Pb, and Zn are adsorbing (released from the drainage to the surrounding environment) in sites 1 and 3 whereas Pb is desorbing (added to the drainage) in site 2. A hazard quotient greater than 1 was recorded for Cd in adults through the ingestion route of exposure at all the sites. Cancer risk also shows that the inhabitants are at risk through the ingestion route of exposure. The findings of this study suggest intake of water draining within the vicinity is unsafe and poses severe health risks.

Heavy metal contamination in water bodies is a pervasive and persistent environmental challenge in many parts of the world, especially in developing countries. This study investigates the use of multivariate analysis methods for monitoring variations in water quality along a spatial gradient and for the interpretation of pollution levels at different sampling sites. We assessed the water quality of the Seybouse River and identified possible sources of pollution using three complementary multivariate analysis techniques (PCA, NMDS, and K-means clustering). The results indicate a longitudinal gradient in water quality associated with industrial and agricultural activities in the middle and lower Seybouse River. Physico-chemical and heavy metal analyses show high water turbidity with elevated concentrations of iron and chromium. We show that the contamination stems from four different sources, which can be categorized into different pollution levels. Our results suggest that complementary multivariate methods are a robust approach to identifying and categorizing significant sources of pollution in rivers, enabling the development of future successful water quality management strategies based on water pollution levels. This study highlights the importance of monitoring water quality and taking effective measures to control and mitigate pollution from various sources to ensure the safety of the environment and human health.

This study evaluates the efficacy of a nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system in phytoremediation of nitrate-nitrogen contaminated wastewater using six plant species: vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides), golden pothos (Epiprennum aureum), crotons (Codiaeum variegatum), arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), and brinjal (Solanum melongena). This study examines how well different plant species remove nitrate-nitrogen from wastewater in an NFT hydroponic system. It finds that all plants, but especially money plant and arrowhead plant, successfully lower nitrate levels at influent concentrations of 30 and 90 mg/L. The wastewater had average pH values of 5–6.5, temperature values of 24°C–25°C, electrical conductivity values (EC) of 1.5–2 mS/cm, and total dissolved solids (TDS) between 1062 ± 199.3 and 1400 ± 124.16 mg/L. The system for golden pothos (70.94%–90.3%), crotons (62.5%–83.1%), arrowhead plant (67.25%–90.03%), vetiver grass (45.42%–83.1%), spinach (47.15%–81.71%), and brinjal (59.52%–83.38%) has shown excellent biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) elimination efficiency. These results suggest that nitrate-nitrogen contaminated wastewater can be effectively cleaned up by NFT hydroponic systems, which employ certain plant species.

One of the major negative environmental implications of economic growth and the advancement of information technology is the large quantity of electronic waste dumped in landfills. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from outdated televisions and computer monitors are a significant source of electrical waste. The CRT funnel primarily consists of silica, significant alkalis (Na₂O-K₂O), and heavy metals like barium-strontium, along with a substantial lead (Pb) content that may contaminate the soil. Owing to its heavy metal content, CRT is considered hazardous waste, and regulations require its glass to be recycled or repurposed instead of landfill disposal. The low pozzolanic activity of CRT silica suggests that its high content, when paired with an optimized particle size and specific curing conditions, can enhance the mechanical properties of cement-based products. Hydrothermal treatment has been found to speed up both the hydration of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and the pozzolanic reactions. Since the main objective was to safely recycle large amounts of CRT, three mixes were proposed with 10%, 20%, and 30% OPC + 90%, 80%, and 70% CRT, respectively, and the effect of hydrothermal curing conditions on mechanical properties and durability of these blends was investigated. CRT-70, a blend containing 70% CRT glass waste, showed enhanced strength due to the formation of zeolitic phases and calcium silicate hydrate (CSH). These phases also provided CRT-70 with notable fire resistance, ensuring its structural stability under elevated temperatures. These results demonstrate the possibility of production of precast building products via high-volume recycling of hazardous CRT waste.