Environmental Monitoring and Assessment最新文献

Although recycling organic residues in farmlands introduces essential metals with agronomic benefits, it may also introduce toxic and biologically non-functional heavy metals that persist in the soil. Continuous application can lead to the accumulation of these metals at different depths, posing long-term environmental risks. This research investigates the depth-resolved distribution and ecological risks of five heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg) in ferralitic soils of oil palm plantations that have been continuously subjected to anaerobically treated palm oil mill effluent (POME) applications. Samples of soil collected from different depths (0–75 cm) were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Indices, including the contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (DC), pollution load index (PLI), and geoaccumulation index (Igeo), were applied, alongside mobility assessment, leachability modelling, and toxicological risk analysis. Concentrations in topsoils averaged 12.1 mg/kg Pb, 10.2 mg/kg Cr, and 0.47 mg/kg Cd, while As and Hg were below detection thresholds. The most mobile and ecotoxic metal (20–30%) was found to be Cd, while Pb and Cr were highly immobilised. Although the predicted groundwater Cd concentrations (0.02–0.15 µg L⁻¹) and hazard quotients (< 0.2) indicated a low immediate risk, the depth penetration of Cd warrants targeted monitoring, especially at mid-depth. This depth-resolved, toxicity-centric framework is highly recommended for monitoring heavy metals in farmlands fertilised with POME.

Globally, plastic pollution in aquatic environments has become an emerging concern. A multitude of monitoring techniques have been used to collect information on the presence of macroplastics (> 25 mm) and mesoplastics (> 5 mm ≤ 25 mm) in river systems. The differences between these methodological approaches, combined with limited knowledge of the fundamental processes that affect plastic presence and detection ability, lead to a lack of standardization between methods and limit comparisons of quantitative data on plastic pollution among studies. This study investigates how different monitoring approaches, e.g., larvae net, trawl net, and stow net, affect the observed abundance and composition of macro- and mesoplastics in the Rhine-Waal Rivers. Additionally, we performed a SWOT analysis highlighting the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the three methods. During trawl net and stow net monitoring, more unique macro- and mesoplastics categories were found in comparison with simultaneous larvae net monitoring. However, while mean macroplastic concentrations were higher in the stow net samples (1.22 × 10^–3 items/m³) than in the larvae net (0.91 × 10^–3 items/m³), mesoplastics concentrations were significantly higher in the larvae net samples (6.91 × 10^–3 items/m³) compared to those recorded with the stow net (1.15 × 10^–3 items/m³), indicating that the size plastic recovery rates depend on the sampling technique. The SWOT analysis pointed towards a better overall performance of the trawl net. The outcome of the current study can be used to support policymakers, industry, and the scientific community in developing successful monitoring strategies for macro- and mesoplastics pollution in rivers. The SWOT analysis may facilitate the choice of the approach that best aligns with the specific monitoring goals and the environmental conditions of the target area.

Accumulation of potentially toxic metals, both in biotic and abiotic systems, is a serious concern due to the longevity and toxic characteristics of such substances. Vellayani Lake, the second largest freshwater lake in Kerala, is one that many people depend directly and indirectly on for resources and ecosystem services. The lake is prone to potentially toxic metals pollution from the nearby urban areas and the fertilizer-intensive agricultural activities in the surroundings. The present study investigates the distribution of potentially toxic metals and nutrients in the surface sediment samples collected from Vellayani Lake. Ten representative sediment samples were collected from different parts of the lake, and the concentrations of various potentially toxic metals were assessed. The study reveals that the average concentration of potentially toxic metals in the sediment samples follows the order; Fe (1004.96 ppm) > Zn (171.71 ppm) > Cu (138.1 ppm) > Mn (138.06 ppm) > Ni (113.38 ppm) > Pb (93.15 ppm) > Cd (12.87 ppm) > Cr (12.68 ppm). The dominance of the potentially toxic metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, and Cr) in the sediment samples is a major threat to the biota. A detailed assessment of the extent of sediment pollution by computing various quality indices was also carried out, and the results reveal that the lake remains severely polluted, especially at certain stations. The correlation study and principal component analysis indicate that the potentially toxic metals have a common origin which may be attributed to agricultural and domestic activities. To protect Vellayani Lake from further degradation, regular sediment monitoring and remedial measures are essential, both for the sustainable existence of aquatic life and for the better health of the human population that depends on the lake for water, food, and livelihood.

The contamination of food systems by micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) is an emerging threat to both environmental and human health. While the sources of MNPs, such as textiles, laundry effluents, and personal care products, are becoming increasingly well-documented, significant uncertainties remain regarding their identification, environmental transport, and biological effects. This review critically synthesizes the current knowledge on the entry, transport, and degradation pathways of MNPs in both terrestrial and aquatic systems, emphasizing the often-overlooked connections between the two. Importantly, the analysis highlights persistent gaps in knowledge, particularly the lack of standardized detection methods for nanoscale MNPs and insufficient long-term data on human health risks and dose-response relationships. By identifying these gaps and summarizing recent advances in detection technologies and mitigation strategies, this paper outlines key research priorities that need to be addressed to fill these knowledge voids. The insights gained from this review will promote interdisciplinary collaboration in developing policies that reflect the urgent need for improved MNP risk management and food safety governance.

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in beverages has been extensively documented, and their potential adverse effects on human health have garnered significant public attention. In light of the potential health risks associated with MPs intake, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the levels of MPs in the human diet and the extent of exposure. In this study, μ-FTIR spectroscopy was used to characterize the abundance, size, morphological features, and polymer types of MPs in kvass beverages. The results showed an average abundance of 81.53 ± 43.24 items/L MPs per liter, with a main size distribution ranging from 50 to 100 μm. The morphological characteristics were primarily fragments, and six different polymers were identified. Using existing formulas, the microplastic pollution coefficient (MPCF) and pollution load index (MPLI) in kvass were estimated. Based on the MPCF calculation, moderate MPs pollution was found in the fermented beverage kvass. This study is the first to reveal the presence of MPs in kvass. The preliminary data on MPs contamination in kvass beverages provided by this study will help to further assess the potential risks to human health.

Urban air pollution arises from the interplay of natural and anthropogenic drivers and remains a major challenge for megacities. This study numerically investigates how a solar chimney can improve the air quality index (AQI) by enhancing near‑field ventilation around the structure. The solar‑chimney system and its surrounding outdoor domain were modeled to evaluate near‑field ventilation. Within this framework, we quantified the affected radius, the fraction of polluted air displaced, and the resulting changes in pollutant concentrations and AQI. We also examined the effects of collector radius, chimney height, and pollution‑layer height. The model was validated against a well‑documented experimental dataset. Increasing the collector radius from 200 to 1000 m expands the affected radius from about 550 to about 1,850 m, corresponding to an approximately 11.3‑fold increase in area. By contrast, increasing chimney height—especially at higher values—has little effect on system performance; for example, raising the height from 50 to 100 m increases the affected radius by about 11.6%, whereas from 450 to 500 m it increases by only about 0.6%. The pollution‑layer height is identified as the dominant external limiter: as it increases, the surrounding polluted volume grows and the portion that can be cleaned within a day shrinks. The analysis extends beyond the system to the outdoor near-field and identifies design limitations not captured in prior studies. On this basis, the performance of the solar chimney in reducing air pollution is assessed.

Wrack, composed of organic debris like seagrass and the brown macroalga, Sargassum, accumulates on beaches and when present in overwhelming quantities can impact ecosystem function and public health through microbial contamination, trace element accumulation, and toxic gas emissions. Although studies have started to evaluate the impacts to the microbial quality from different types of wrack, few evaluate the impacts of trace elements. This study assessed enterococci and arsenic levels in beach environments across five South Florida beaches with varying wrack types (Sargassum vs. seagrass) and management practices. Enterococci levels did not significantly differ between wrack types (p = 0.30), with a maximum of 9,600 CFU/g. However, Sargassum exhibited significantly higher arsenic concentrations (up to 64.3 mg/kg) compared to seagrass (2.18 mg/kg) (p < 0.001). In sand, arsenic levels were statistically higher (4.92 mg/kg) when Sargassum was managed through integration. These findings emphasize the need to consider wrack composition when assessing arsenic impacts and can inform beach management strategies to minimize environmental and public health risks associated with excessively large Sargassum strandings.

Microplastics (MPs) contamination in soil is a growing environmental issue, particularly in heavily polluted urban areas like Delhi. This study investigated the presence of MPs across five distinct land-use categories: forest, residential, industrial, high-traffic, and agricultural zones. The findings revealed that the industrial area exhibited the highest abundance of MPs, with 105.56 ± 8.82 MPs per 100 g of soil, followed closely by high-traffic zones, agricultural areas, and residential neighbourhoods. In contrast, the forest area recorded the lowest levels, with 55.56 ± 24.04 MPs per 100 g of soil. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer types in soil samples collected from various locations. The detection of polymers such as PE, PS, and PET in the form of films and fibres is indicative of their widespread use in products like food packaging, shopping bags, bottled water, disposable plates, and Styrofoam products. The study found that MPs predominantly appeared as fragments, with films and fibres following, particularly within the size range of 100–500 μm, especially in industrial and residential areas. This research underscores significant variations in MPs contamination linked to land-use patterns and provides baseline data for the soils of Delhi. It emphasizes the necessity for ongoing research, as well as targeted initiatives in monitoring, management, and policy development concerning soil MPs pollution.

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is a growing challenge in the Jeli District, largely driven by habitat fragmentation due to agricultural expansion, human settlements, and changing land use patterns. As elephants are pushed out of their natural habitats, they increasingly come into contact with human populations, especially in agricultural areas such as oil palm plantations. These encounters often result in crop damage, economic losses, and safety concerns for local communities. The conflict is intensified by the loss of continuous forest cover and the limited availability of safe, natural movement routes for elephants. This study examines the spatial patterns and drivers of HEC in Jeli using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, including distribution mapping and hotspot analysis, to identify areas with high conflict intensity. The findings highlight critical zones where human and elephant activities overlap, providing essential insights for land-use planning, conflict mitigation strategies, and the development of long-term coexistence solutions between rural communities and wildlife.