Environmental Monitoring and Assessment最新文献

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.

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.

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, PM_2.5, 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, PM_2.5, 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 PM_2.5/PM₁₀ > PM₁/PM_2.5 > PM₁/PM_10. A higher ratio of PM_2.5/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 PM_2.5 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.

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, λ_exc (270 nm) and λ_em (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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.