Identifying impact of international trade and renewable energy consumption on environmental quality improvement and their role in global warming

There is a lack of proper research that highlights the impact of institutional quality (IQ) and renewable energy consumption (REC) on the carbon emission (CE). The significance of IQ and REC in the achievement of zero CE is highlighted in this research. The current research reports the effects of these important factors on the consumption-based carbon emissions in the G-7 countries from 1995 to 2018. Based on the outcome of the cointegration test, the long-run connection is recognized between IQ, REC, GDP, exports, imports, and consumption-based CE. The findings also validated that there exist significant decrease and increase in the CE in both the short and long run; for instance, IQ, REC, and exports decrease the CE, while imports and GDP increase the CE. The estimates of causality test showed that policies aimed at improving IQ, REC, GDP, exports, and imports have a significant impact on the CE. Consequently, based on these results, policymakers in the G-7 must prioritize IQ and REC to enhance environmental quality and attain carbon neutrality.

     

International trade,Chinese foreign direct investment and green innovation impact on consumption-based CO2 emissions: empirical estimation focusing on BRI countries

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Recently, The literature has directed concern towards the consumption-based carbon emission (CCE), which is adjusted for trade. This study aims to...     

Spatiotemporal Evaluation of Simulated Evapotranspiration and Streamflow over Texas Using the WRF‐Hydro‐RAPID Modeling Framework

This study assesses a large‐scale hydrologic modeling framework (WRF‐Hydro‐RAPID) in terms of its high‐resolution simulation of evapotranspiration (ET) and streamflow over Texas (drainage area: 464,135 km²). The reference observations used include eight‐day ET data from MODIS and FLUXNET, and daily river discharge data from 271 U.S. Geological Survey gauges located across a climate gradient. A recursive digital filter is applied to decompose the river discharge into surface runoff and base flow for comparison with the model counterparts. While the routing component of the model is pre‐calibrated, the land component is uncalibrated. Results show the model performance for ET and runoff is aridity‐dependent. ET is better predicted in a wet year than in a dry year. Streamflow is better predicted in wet regions with the highest efficiency ~0.7. In comparison, streamflow is most poorly predicted in dry regions with a large positive bias. Modeled ET bias is more strongly correlated with the base flow bias than surface runoff bias. These results complement previous evaluations by incorporating more spatial details. They also help identify potential processes for future model improvements. Indeed, improving the dry region streamflow simulation would require synergistic enhancements of ET, soil moisture and groundwater parameterizations in the current model configuration. Our assessments are important preliminary steps towards accurate large‐scale hydrologic forecasts.     

Analysis of Lead Levels in Local Jordanian and Imported Sheep Meat and Organs Using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A total of two hundred and forty random samples were collected equally from mutton, liver and kidney of 40 local (Jordanian) and 40 imported Australian sheep (40 each sub sample). Fresh samples were collected from 12–18 m old sheep slaughtered in abattoirs in Jordan in 2002. Besides, 40 fresh mutton samples of imported Chinese sheep were collected from different markets. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used to estimate the lead (Pb) content of the samples. Results indicated that Australian mutton had significantly higher (p < 0.05) mean of lead pollution than that of the local and Chinese muttons. The mean concentration of lead (mg/kg) in Australian, local and Chinese muttons was 4.30, 3.15 and 2.17, respectively. The mean concentration of lead in Australian sheep liver was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that recorded in the local sheep liver. The mean concentration of Pb in Australian and local sheep liver was 5.69 and 4.52 mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentrations of Pb in the kidney of the Australian and local sheep were not significantly different (p > 0.05). They were 4.59 and 3.87 mg/kg, respectively.On the basis of the samples lead level, 85, 92 and 87.5% of local, Australian and Chinese mutton respectively, exceeded the international safe permissible limit of 1.0 mg/kg. Furthermore, the effect of Pb on animal and human health was discussed.     

Dietary intake assessment of pyrethroid residues from okra and eggplant grown in peri-urban areas of Punjab,Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study was designed to assess the gradual increase in the use of insecticides on vegetables and to familiarize the consumers regarding the...     

Developing the first halophytic turfgrasses for the urban landscape from native Arabian desert grass

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Climate change is occurring and is influencing biological systems through augmented temperatures, more inconstant precipitation, and rising CO2 in the...     

Enhanced uptake of Cd,Cr, and Cu in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don by Bacillus cereus: application of moss and compost to reduce metal availability

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Heavy metals (HMs) being the notorious and toxic are being introduced into the environment credited to natural and anthropogenic activities. The use...     

A mini-review on rare earth metal-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for photocatalytic remediation of wastewater

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has been considered a useful material for the treatment of wastewater due to its non-toxic character, chemical stability and excellent electrical and optical properties which contribute in its wide range of applications, particularly in environmental remediation technology. However, the wide band gap of TiO₂ photocatalyst (anatase phase, 3.20 eV) limits its photocatalytic activity to the ultraviolet region of light. Besides that, the electron-hole pair recombination has been found to reduce the efficiency of the photocatalyst. To overcome these problems, tailoring of TiO₂ surface with rare earth metals to improve its surface, optical and photocatalytic properties has been investigated by many researchers. The surface modifications with rare earth metals proved to enhance the efficiency of TiO₂ photocatalyts by way of reducing the band gap by shifting the working wavelength to the visible region and inhibiting the anatase-to-rutile phase transformations. This review paper summarises the attempts on modification of TiO₂ using rare earth metals describing their effect on the photocatalytic activities of the modified TiO₂ photocatalyst.     

Analysis and evaluation of nitrate levels in groundwater at Al-Hashimiya area, Jordan

Water with high nitrate concentration (NO₃ ⁻) is unfit for human consumption, especially when its concentration exceeded the threshold limit (50 mg/l) recommended by the health authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO). In Jordan, there is a great concern for determination and monitoring organic and inorganic pollutants that may reach groundwater. Nitrate is highly mobile and present in domestic, agricultural and industrial waste in Jordan, and thus this study focused initially on nitrate as both a contaminant of concern and as an indicator of potential groundwater contamination. The present study determined the extent of nitrate contamination in groundwater in the study area and examined the likely sources of NO₃ ⁻. A total of 248 groundwater samples were collected from 16 wells in different sites of Al-Hashimiya area, Zerqa Governorate, Jordan, and investigated for NO₃ ⁻ concentrations. Moreover, measurements of temperature, electrical conductivity and pH were carried out in the field. Analysis was carried out according to the methods described by the American Public Health Association (APHA). Results showed that there was a dramatic increasing in NO₃ ⁻ concentrations from the year 2001 to 2006 for some selected wells in the present study. NO₃ ⁻ concentration in 2006 was ranged from 10 to 330 mg/l with an average of 77 mg/l. Overall, groundwater had elevated nitrate concentration with 92% of the samples containing more than 20 mg/l NO₃ ⁻, indicating the influence of human activities. This study has shown that there is a strong correlation between the nitrate concentration and the wastewater effluents as a source of pollution.