Environmental Monitoring and Assessment最新文献

Tafi Atome monkey sanctuary, a conserved grove for many troops of mona monkeys is a major tourist site in Ghana. The human communities near the sanctuary create opportunities for pathogen exchange given the encounters between the wildlife and human population on daily basis. This study assessed the gastro-intestinal parasitic infection in the monkeys and the human populations and the potential zoonotic importance. Stool samples of school-aged children and faecal samples of mona monkeys were collected, processed and examined microscopically for parasite infection. Two different sets of structured questionnaires were administered to two categories of respondents — one to school pupils from whom stool samples were collected. The other group targeted adult residents of the study area for their perception about the monkey sanctuary, human interactions with the monkeys and the knowledge on any disease transmission. In all, 347 school children were interviewed and from whom stool samples were collected for examination. Another 87 faecal samples from mona monkeys were examined. A total of four genera of gastrointestinal parasites comprising hookworm, Strongyloides sp., Ascaris lumbricoides and Giardia sp. were identified in samples of both humans and the monkeys. Schistosoma mansoni eggs were seen in the sample of mona monkeys, whereas Trichuris trichiura and Entamoeba sp. were identified in the school children. The difference in prevalence of the intestinal parasites identified from the sampling communities was not statistically significant for both protozoans and helminths. Whereas the difference in prevalence of protozoan parasites in humans and mona monkeys was not significant, the difference in prevalence of hookworm in humans and mona monkeys was statistically significant [χ² = 10.22; p = 0.00]. The observations bring to bear the epidemiological challenge that may exist as the mona monkeys could serve as reservoir hosts, thereby hampering control efforts of these intestinal parasites.

Kuwait depends on two major aquifers for the groundwater resources, the younger Kuwait aquifer and the older Dammam formation. The groundwater is brackish to saline in Kuwait aquifers with a probability of contamination adjoining the oil field region. In this context, groundwater samples were collected from three major oil fields in Kuwait (North, Southeast, and West). Sulfate and nitrate were dominant in all three regions. The geochemical signatures indicate the predominance of Na-Cl-SO₄ water type in the North (NK), Na-Ca–Cl in the Southeast (SEK) and Na-Ca–Mg–Cl-SO₄ type in the West (WK). The dolomite and gypsum saturation index dominated the sulfate and carbonate minerals, irrespective of the regions. The log pCO₂ of the groundwater samples ranged from − 1.8 to − 6.2, reflecting the mineral dissolution and microbial process, which mainly contained lower values and governed the carbonate mineral saturation. The common ion effect of Ca has influenced the saturation of carbonate and sulfate minerals. Correlation between EC, pH, and a few major ions was identified, while CH₄ and C₂H₆ were correlated with these parameters only in NK. The principal component analysis indicates that the dissolution of ions from the aquifer matrix leads to brackish groundwater, followed by silicate weathering in NK and hydrogenation in SEK and WK. Further, the study also identified the dissolution of carbonate minerals and fluoride in the NK, sulfate minerals in the SEK, and silicate minerals in the WK. Hence, the study infers that geochemical variation is due to lithology, groundwater salinity, and the physicochemical conditions prevailing in the aquifer.

For decades, Lake Junín, a vital Peruvian wetland, has endured pollution from multiple sources. This issue has raised concerns about the state of the lake’s water quality. Here, we studied whether there is a relationship between actual water pollution measurements and culturally perceived environmental pollution through three hypotheses: (i) perception of pollution does not necessarily match with actual pollution, (ii) gender, age, and educational level determine the way environment is perceived, and (iii) pollution perception could be used in a positive way to prioritize environmental management. First, we compiled historical data on lake water quality (1974–2008) and recent (2011) levels of key heavy metals, such as As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the areas surrounding the San Juan de Ondores community to determine whether water quality standards for heavy metals have been exceeded. Second, we surveyed 85 community members (13% of the population) using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess their perceptions of water pollution and collect demographic data. We found that, although the measured water quality does not exceed the Peruvian standards, people living in the area perceive the lake as polluted. This contravenes the general idea of using only water quality measurements to determine levels of pollution without considering the complexity of socio-ecosystems. Age, gender, and education had effects on the pollution perception of surveyed people, in that younger, females, and more educated people had an increased perception of pollution. Overall, the results of this study highlight the disconnection between technical assessments and culturally perceived environmental contamination, emphasizing the need for more nuanced and contextually relevant water quality standards.

China needs to promptly establish a globally competitive innovative ecosystem to ensure high-quality development of the economy. This study introduces an ecosystem characterized by innovative populations, nutrients, and biotope. We employ a suitability model embedded in the WAWBO operator that assesses the ecological niches of regional innovation systems from 2012 to 2021, followed by an in-depth study of regional differences and spatial correlations of innovation ecological niches. The investigation indicated that the national innovation niche is generally stable and shows an increasing trend. Nevertheless, the overall suitability is low, and there is a notable opportunity for improvement. Furthermore, there are regional differences in the eastern, central, and western areas, and the Gini coefficient within each region shows a clear trend of “east > central > west,” demonstrating a noticeable Matthew effect. Lastly, the national innovation ecological niches display a distinct clustering pattern with low values. This study contends that it is crucial to enhance the mutually beneficial relationship between innovation subjects, logically allocate resources, reduce regional disparities, and maximize the innovation environment.

In coal mining areas with high groundwater tables, surface subsidence has emerged as a non-negligible phenomenon, stemming from long-term coal mining activities. Employing the Huainan mining area as an exemplar, this research meticulously examines the temporal and spatial attributes of ecosystem service value (ESV) across distinct timeframes of 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020, utilizing the refined equivalent factor approach in conjunction with spatial analysis methodologies. To delve into the primary forces driving the observed changes, the optimal parameter-based geographical detector (OPGD) model is subsequently utilized as a tool for analysis. Lastly, the study delves into the trade-offs and synergies existing between four exemplary services at the grid level, utilizing Spearman correlation coefficient and bivariate spatial autocorrelation. The findings suggest that: (1) From 2005 to 2020, the total ESV in the Huainan mining area demonstrated a general increasing tendency, primarily attributed to the increase in waters. (2) Throughout the research period, the ecosystem service functions in the coal mining area all exhibited relatively significant hydrological regulation and waste treatment capabilities. (3) Vegetation factors significantly influenced the ESV in the Huainan mining area. (4) The Huainan mining area predominantly exhibited synergistic effects among ecosystem services, with the most pronounced synergy occurring between cultural services (CS) and regulating services (RS). All services were transitioning towards an enhanced trend of synergistic effects. (5) Significant spatial variations are present in the observed trade-offs and synergies among diverse ecosystem services. The aforementioned research findings will provide scientific theoretical guidance for rational mining activities and ecological environmental governance in coal mining areas.

Urban stormwater runoff could be a significant non-point source of surface water pollution during India’s monsoon season (June – September). This study aims to characterize the stormwater runoff in the Powai region of Mumbai and investigate interlinkages between precipitation characteristics and runoff quality. The levels of conventional water quality parameters (physical, chemical, microbiological) and emerging contaminants in the runoff were determined. Runoff samples were collected from various outfall locations (SL1, SL2, SL3, SL4 and SL5) which drain into the Powai Lake. Runoff sampling was conducted for ten storm events spread over the 2022 and 2023 monsoon seasons. Two outfall locations (SL4, SL5) convey runoff originating primarily from an institutional township, and have reported the lowest organic loads and fecal contamination. However, runoff within the township contains elevated levels of metals such as iron, lead and Aluminum. In addition, emerging contaminants such as phthalates, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products were detected in the runoff. The runoff outside the township (SL1, SL2, SL3) had low DO levels and highest mean concentrations of TSS, BOD, and oil and grease. The potential mixture of untreated sewage with runoff was identified as the probable cause for low DO, which was further substantiated by the high fecal coliform loads (1600 MPN/100 mL). The findings from this study identify runoff as one of the dominant causes of degrading water quality and will serve as a reference to further scientific efforts in quantifying the pollutant loads, and development of export coefficients for the Powai Lake watershed.

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Metal finishing sludges usually require proper disposal due to their high content of leachable harmful species such as heavy metals. This study proposed an efficient and green remediation approach for the S/S of hazardous metal finishing sludge by incorporation of activated carbon (AC) as a cement replacement. Mechanical strength and leaching properties of the treated sludge were investigated. Meanwhile, the immobilization mechanisms were discussed on the basis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM–EDS). The effectiveness of the AC/cement binder in S/S was evaluated by comparing it to OPC alone. The experimental results showed that the addition of 10 wt.% of AC resulted in an improvement of the compressive and flexural strength at 28 days of curing by 13.5% and 10.2%, respectively. According to the TCLP test, the concentrations of heavy metals in the leachates of S/S specimens were within the corresponding regulations. From the pH-dependent leaching test, the release of the selected metals was strongly pH-dependent. AC replacement had a significant effect in the reduction of the metal’s leachability except for Zn. MLT leaching test indicated that the immobilization rate of heavy metals exceeded 97% for both binders. Linear regression analysis revealed that the leaching mechanism of heavy metals was dominated by diffusion. However, traces of surface wash-off and solubility were also detected. The SEM–EDS method demonstrated that heavy metals were stabilized through adsorption onto activated carbon.

Workers and dwellers around quarrying sites are exposed to naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) during various activities done on the rock and earth crust. This study investigated the spatial distribution and radiological health effects of quarrying activities in ten quarry sites in three districts (Odeda, Ajebo, and Ijebu Ode) around Ogun State, Nigeria. The NORMs (⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U, ²³²Th) were assessed using a gamma spectrometer with a NaI(Tl) detector. The radiological hazards of NORMs were assessed and statistically analyzed. The activity concentration of NORMs (Bq/kg) ranged from ⁴⁰K (76.8 ± 44.8–2647.9 ± 179.4), ²³⁸U (3.2 ± 1.8–55.4 ± 24.9), and ²³²Th (5.2 ± 3.9–244.4 ± 89.8) revealing 70% of all samples above the world average limit 420(⁴⁰K), 33(²³⁸U), and 45 (²³²Th). The activity concentration of NORMs in all the sites followed in the order ²³⁸U < ²³²Th < ⁴⁰K. The radiological and health parameter ranges for the adsorbed dose rate (D_R) 3.0–339.92 (nGy/h), radium equivalent (Ra_eq) 5.88–739.4 (Bq/kg), annual effective dose equivalent outdoor (AEDEout) 3.72–417.16(µSvy⁻¹), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR × 10⁻³) 0.01–1.46, and exposure rate (ER) 13.10–1531.47(µRh⁻¹). The radiological hazard parameters are 2–3 times higher than their world averages in most of the samples thus discouraging the usage of the soil for building and ecological activities. This study showed that radionuclides are priority pollutants with high impact and with high exposure risk tendencies in all the quarry sites investigated and therefore unsuitable for ecological and building activities.

Time-series measurements in the North Atlantic Ocean at the Hydrostation S site (32°10′N, 64°30′W), started in 1954. At that time, temperature and salinity were measured but it was not yet possible to measure the properties of the oceanic carbon cycle. We use these important hydrographic data with the knowledge acquired from more recent measurements (since 1989) of the CO₂/carbonate properties at the near-by Bermuda Atlantic Time Series Study (BATS; 31°40′N, 64°10′W), to reconstruct, using two different approaches based upon multi-linear-regressions, the pH at this hydrostation S since its beginning. The results provide good estimates of the ocean acidification in the ocean surface of the area of stations S and BATS since the mid 1950’s, an unprecedented near 70-year trend of ocean acidification, as well as a simple way to forecast to 2100 its variations according to the various scenarios of atmospheric CO₂ fugacity increase. The simplest approach shown here, further provides an easy way to estimate surface ocean acidification from satellite sea surface temperature measurements.