Environmental Monitoring and Assessment最新文献

For ecological safety and public health, it is essential to identify the causes of pollution in water sources and the effects of both natural and human activities. A class of secondary pollutants known as disinfection byproducts (DBPs) is produced when water is treated with disinfectant. Global problems include DBP formation, monitoring, and health effects in drinkable water. Because of the negative health effects of drinking chlorinated water and some DBPs, water manufacturers have made an attempt to balance pathogen elimination with DBP monitoring. The primary obstacles to managing DBPs are their low concentrations and the viability of their extensive use from a technical and economic perspective. Adsorption on activated carbons, ion exchange, membrane processes, and reducing precursors like NOMs are some of the techniques that may be used in controlling DBPs. The application of both new and conventional disinfection technologies in the removal of ARB and ARGs is also summarized in this review, with an emphasis on bacterial inactivation mechanisms like ozonation, chlorination, ultraviolet (UV), sunlight, sunlight-dissolved organic matter (DOM), and photocatalysis/photoelectrocatalysis (PEC).

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This study explored the land use and land cover (LULC) changes (1995–2023) in the gold mining hotspots of Mang’onyi, Sambaru, and Londoni in the Singida region of Tanzania. The study integrated remote sensing (RS) to evaluate the LULC transitions with social survey assessments (83 respondents) to determine the resident’s perceptions of the environmental, social, and economic implications of mining bridging technical data with socio-economic realities. Supervised classification of Landsat images was conducted using the random forest (RF) classifier to generate LULC maps with five classes (bareland, agricultural land, forest, built-up, and shrubs and grasses), followed by an analysis to identify LULC change trends. The results showed an overall increase in agricultural land 168.51 km² (587.55%), bareland 7.70 km² (121.45%), and built-up areas 0.55 km² (134.15%), while forest and shrubs and grasses areas declined by 97.67 km² (− 72.59%) and 79.09 km² (− 43.49%), respectively. A social survey assessment revealed residents perceived environmental (deforestation, biodiversity loss, land degradation, water, air, soil pollution), social (occupational hazards, land use conflicts, negative effects on livelihoods and culture, discrimination, child labor, community displacement), and economic (improved housing, infrastructural development, job creation, economy boost, improved access to services) impacts resulting from mining activities. Our findings underscore the importance of balancing the economic benefits of gold mining with the imperative to protect the environment and support sustainable livelihoods in the mining regions.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health concern accelerated by the misuse and mismanagement of antibiotics in clinical and veterinary settings, leading to longer treatment times, increased costs and greater mortality rates. The environment can play a major role as a source and disseminator of AMR, with faecal pollution, from both anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic sources making a significant contribution. The review aimed to identify how faecal pollution contributes to AMR in surface water, focusing on current methods of source tracking faecal pollution. The databases used were Medline Ovid® and Scopus. From the search, 744 papers from January 2020 to November 2023 were identified, and after the screening, 33 papers were selected that reported on AMR, aquatic environments and faecal pollution and were published in English. The studies were from six different continents, most were from Europe and Asia indicating faecal pollution is influenced by spatiotemporal differences such as population and sanitation infrastructure. Multiple different methodologies were used with a lack of standardised methods making comparability challenging. All studies identified AMR strains of faecal indicator bacteria showing resistance to a wide variety of antibiotics, particularly beta-lactams and tetracyclines. Few studies investigated mobile gene elements with class 1 integrons being the most frequently studied. Wastewater treatment plants were significant contributors, releasing large amounts of AMR bacteria into the environment. Environmental factors such as seasonal differences, temperature, rainfall and UV exposure, along with local antibiotic usage influenced the local resistome. Animals, both wild and domestic, introduced antimicrobial resistance genes and potential pathogens into the aquatic environment. Overall, faecal pollution is a complicated issue with multiple factors contributing to and facilitating the spread of AMR. Standardisation of methods and surveillance, robust wastewater management and further research into AMR dissemination are needed to address the human health, animal health and environmental concerns.

Monitoring the quality of water resources is essential to determine environmental impacts and seek sustainable management solutions. In this work, we demonstrated the toxicity of effluents and surface water of an important river in Central Brazil, the Meia Ponte River, using not just physicochemical parameters but also ecotoxicological bioindicators, such as Aliivibrio fischeri, Allium cepa, Lactuca sativa, and Salmonella typhimurium. To complement this data, we analyzed soil toxicity and quality along the river bank using A. fischeri and microbial enzymes. The data was associated with the land use pattern to discuss the environmental impacts caused by the land use and cover in the Cerrado biome. Although most physicochemical parameters were within the values allowed by Brazilian legislation, the A. fischeri bioluminescence inhibition assay indicated sample toxicity mainly in the non-treated effluent and near the river mouth (both water and soil samples). The germination indexes for L. sativa and A. cepa were reduced in most samples. Mutagenicity was observed in a surface water sample of one collection point during the dry season. The current data suggest the toxic potential of the surface water and soil along the Meia Ponte River and the non-treated effluent. The effluent treatment decreased the toxic potential of the samples but did not always eliminate the toxicity. The toxicity of the Meia Ponte River was most observed in urban and agricultural areas. Finally, our work demonstrated the need to monitor the environmental health of the Meia Ponte River basin, also used for public water supply.

Rainwater can accumulate organic airborne pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) due to atmospheric factors. There is an increasing interest in evaluating the temporal and spatial role of concentration changes of these pollutants and examining transport-based pollutants. This is of great importance especially for elements exposed to rapid environmental changes such as air and water. These residues can become a source of pollutants for virgin areas, surface waters, and soils through atmospheric deposition. Therefore, the determination of these compounds in rainwater samples can provide valuable information for the preliminary assessment of air quality in urban areas. In Isparta province of Türkiye, consecutive rainwater samples were collected and the concentrations of 50 OCPs and 16 PAHs were determined. Fluid management system-turbo trace parallel‒solid phase extraction (FMS‒TTP‒SPE) system, which is considered an environmentally friendly system by minimizing the use of solvents in sample preparation, was used. Back-orbit measurements (HYSPLIT) were used to investigate the atmospheric transport effect. In general, the quality of rainwater obtained from precipitation was determined to be good. The lowest concentration detected for benzo[k]fluoranthene was 0.99 µg L⁻¹, while the highest concentration for phenanthrene was 213 µg L⁻¹. In addition, 15 OCPs were detected, and the highest concentration was found in the pesticide chlordecone. These findings indicate that the detection of PAHs and OCPs in urban rainwater samples taken from a city with relatively good air quality may indicate significant atmospheric deposition of these pollutants.

This work is focused on the nature of bankline shifting of the Ganga River only along its left bank in Malda and corresponding responses of the inhabitants. The study attempts to analyse the channel-shifting dynamism during the last 43 years (1980–2022) where the Digital Shore Line Analysis System (DSAS) model was used to compute the rate. Considering the selected villages, the net erosion was found most intense between 1980 and 1990, while after 2000 overall magnitude of deposition outpaced overall magnitude of deposition and foci of erosion also shifted southward. The temporal changes in selected demographic variables were computed on a multi-temporal basis in correspondence to time span selected for measuring bank erosion dynamics. The demographic variables were made to run through multiple correspondence analysis and partial least-square regression to test the response pattern with bank erosion and dominant variables that responded mostly to bank erosion intensity respectively. The generated findings were verified through focus-group survey (N = 131) and to judge whether the changes are persistent or not. With intense erosion, the villages had experienced a decrease in population density, cultivating population and agricultural labours. While with intensification of erosion, the villages had experienced net increase in marginal labour stock with a higher literacy rate in later period (2001–2011). Between 1991 and 2001, the changes in marginal labour stock due to erosion were the most dominant among all to respond, but its strength decreased in 2001–2011 due to out-migration of labours. The uncertainty of livelihood options from cultivation compels cultivators and agricultural labours to change occupation which affects the land bound emotions of the inhabitants. These certain changes have a wide impact on the association of village settlement pattern and urges for prompt government actions.

This study resolves the spatial and seasonal variations in prokaryotic abundance (PA) and biomass concerning physicochemical parameters during Spring Inter-Monsoon (April–May), Summer Monsoon (June–September), and Winter Monsoon (November–February) in the Eastern Arabian Sea. PA and biomass distribution estimated using microscopic techniques revealed their peak abundance during Spring Inter-Monsoon, ranging from 2.29–4.41 × 10⁶ Cells mL⁻¹ to 8.39–21.82 μgL⁻¹, respectively. Similarly, high PA and biomass were observed in late Summer Monsoon (September), ranging from 2.01–3.96 × 10⁶ Cells mL⁻¹ to 8.74–16.70 μgL^–1, respectively, which was preceded by a higher phytoplankton abundance (chlorophyll a- 14.57 mgm⁻³) during the peak Summer Monsoon (August). The Winter Monsoon, started with a low PA and phytoplankton abundance. As Winter Monsoon progressed, convective mixing promoted phytoplankton growth in the latter half until March. The decay released dissolved organic carbon (DOC), leading to a rise in PA from January to February, peaking during Spring Inter-Monsoon (first peak). With the advent of Summer Monsoon, upwelling enriched surface layers with nutrients to promote phytoplankton growth in August. The subsequent decaying phase generated higher DOC which enhanced PA by the end of Summer Monsoon (second peak). However, PA declined to its lowest levels by November. Distance-based linear model analysis indicated that temperature and chlorophyll a were the most influential factors affecting PA in the upper photic-zone, while ammonia, dissolved oxygen, and DOC were associated factors. In contrast, nutrients were the major determining factors in disphotic waters (200–2000 m). This study highlights the intricate interplay between physicochemical and biological variables in shaping prokaryotic populations during various physical forcings through intense sampling efforts in the Arabian Sea.

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Remote sensing and machine learning are techniques that can be used to monitor water quality properties, surpassing the limitations of the conventional techniques. Turbidity is an important water quality property directly influenced by the Fundão dam tailing rupture, which spilled tons of ore tailing in rivers of the Doce River Basin, Southeastern Brazil. We tested different machine learning algorithms coupled with 10 m resolution Sentinel-2 images, to model and spatially predict the water turbidity of the Doce basin rivers affected by the Fundão dam rupture. Results indicate that the cubist model presented the best performance. Both single bands and spectral indices presented great importance for modelling water turbidity. In particular, the Fe3 index (simple ratio between red and blue bands) was the most important covariate, highlighting the spectral response of the suspended sediments rich in Fe oxides. The red and near-infrared bands were the most relevant single bands for modelling turbidity, since the great spectral contrast between clean and turbid water in these bands. The water turbidity was considerably higher in the rainy season and for the upstream Doce basin where the Gualaxo do Norte and Carmo rivers are located. This is associated with the great deposition of the Fundão dam tailings inside and outside these rivers, besides the hydraulic and geomorphological characteristics of the Gualaxo do Norte and Carmo sub-basins.

The current work gives a snapshot of pesticide residuals, their exposure levels, and the associated potential risks of some organophosphates in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. The study has significant viewpoints on food safety and pesticide management. The pesticide residual analysis was carried out on two commonly used vegetables, tomato and brinjal. The QuEChERS method is used to extract pesticides and GC–MS/SIM analyses were used to quantify pesticide residues. Among the various samples tested, organophosphorus pesticides, such as Phorate Sulfoxide, Chlorpyrifos, and Malathion, were detected in some samples. In the majority of brinjal samples analyzed, no pesticide residues were detected. However, one sample showed the presence of malathion (0.001 mg/kg). The detected level of malathion was within the acceptable safety limits, indicating that the sample is safe for consumption. Nevertheless, in one of the tomato samples tested, the residual level of phorate sulfoxide (0.34 mg/kg) is found to be higher than the MRL with a health risk index of 2.79. Except for phorate sulfoxide, all the other pesticide residuals were within MRL. Phorate residues with a soil half-life of 2 to 173 days are readily water soluble and may leach easily into groundwater, adversely affecting human health. The dietary risk of phorate can also put people at increased health risks of reproductive harm, endocrine system disruption, neurological damage, and an increased risk of certain cancers. The study’s outcome suggests the need to review the strict guidelines imposed on using unsafe pesticides. Also, future investigations are necessary to validate the presence of other toxic pesticides in the study area.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants in drinking water that raise global concerns due to their health risks and long-term environmental persistence. These tiny plastic particles can accumulate within human bodies and ecosystems, making it essential to understand their presence and behavior in water sources, especially in drinking water. In Khuzestan Province, which is of strategic importance in the Gulf region. This study assesses the concentration and types of MPs entering and leaving these 11 treatment plants. In untreated water, particle size analysis revealed that 50% of MPs were measured under 101 µm, with fibers being the most common type (47%), followed by fragments and pellets. Although treatment processes reduced overall MP concentrations, fibers remained the dominant residual type, making up 71% of the MPs in treated water. The main polymers identified were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), with PE accounting for up to 75% of MPs in some areas. In terms of color, black/gray MPs were most prevalent (45%), followed by blue, red/pink, yellow/orange, and white/clear particles. While most treatment plants achieved significant reductions in MP levels, some were less effective, likely due to differences in treatment technologies. Notably, the S10 plant in Bandar Mahshahr had especially high inlet MP levels, possibly due to the region’s high industrial and human activities. Estimated daily intake (EDI) for adults was approximately 0.00482 MPs per kg of body weight per day, with children having a higher intake of around 0.01866 MPs per kg per day. These findings highlight the need to enhance treatment technologies, control upstream MP sources, and establish routine monitoring to protect water quality in Khuzestan and the wider Gulf region.

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