The role of technology innovation and people’s connectivity in testing environmental Kuznets curve and pollution heaven hypotheses across the Belt and Road host countries: new evidence from Method of Moments Quantile Regression

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is closely linked to the ecological sustainability of the infrastructure ventures that intrinsically include the...     

Assessing the perceived impact of exploration and production of hydrocarbons on households perspective of environmental regulation in Ghana

This paper seeks to critically study the perceived impacts of the exploration of hydrocarbons in selected coastal communities in the Western region, the oil and gas industry benefits to local communities, and to determine whether hydrocarbon development is a means for sustainable development. The study uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches using a questionnaire survey, key informant interview, and focus group discussion tools to understand the impact of oil and gas exploration and production in selected affected communities along the coast of Ghana. The activities of oil production and exploration impact negatively on communities; it also leads to a sharp increase in food prices thereby increasing their costs of living. The activity has also caused a decline in fish catch levels which happens to be the main economic activity as a result of exclusion zones created by oil companies which limited the extent fishermen can go fishing. In terms of infrastructure, the three communities are lacking, 77% of respondents from Princess Town hold the view that there is no motorable road linking their community in the next town and 60% from Aketakyi also hold the same view. Infrastructure such as roads, schools, water provision, and clinics are woefully provided in these communities.

     

CIELAB color variables as indicators of compost stability

The composting process of different organic wastes both in laboratory and on a large-scale was characterized using CIELAB color variables to evaluate compost stability for the better application in agriculture. The time courses of the CIELAB variables of composting materials were determined directly from the bottom of a glass petri dish filled with dried and ground samples using a Minolta Color Reader (CR-13) calibrated with clean empty petri dishes placed on a white tile. To compare the proposed method with conventional methods, the same materials were also evaluated using commonly used compost stability evaluation indices. Most of the CIELAB variables of a compost made from a mixture of green tea waste and rice bran reached a plateau after 84 days of composting and showed strong relationships with the commonly used compost stability evaluation indices. The time needed for CIELAB variables, especially the L*and b* values, to stabilize at large-scale composting plants of cattle litter, farmyard manure, kitchen garbage and bark compost, were more or less similar to the times of maturation evaluated by the respective compost producers. The CIELAB color variable offers a new, simple, rapid and inexpensive means of evaluating compost stability and its quality prior to agricultural use.     

Biomonitoring of heavy metals in the feathers of House crow (Corvus splendens) from some metropolitans of Asia and Africa

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Urban-dwelling birds can be useful biomonitors to assess the impact of the urbanisation on both public and wildlife health. Widely distributed urban...     

Monitoring of cotton dust and health risk assessment in small-scale weaving industry

The present study describes the estimation of particulate matter (cotton dust) with different sizes, i.e., PM(1.0), PM(2.5), PM(4.0), and PM(10.0 μm) in small-scale weaving industry (power looms) situated in district Hafizabad, Punjab, Pakistan, and the assessment of health problems of workers associated with these pollutants. A significant difference was found in PM(1.0), PM(2.5), PM(4.0), and PM(10.0) with reference to nine different sampling stations with p values <0.05. Multiple comparisons of particulate matter with respect to size, i.e. PM(1.0), PM(2.5), PM(4.0), and PM(10.0), depict that PM(1.0) differs significantly from PM(2.5), PM(4.0), and PM(10.0), with p values <0.05 and that PM(2.5) differs significantly from PM(1.0) and PM(10.0), with p values <0.05, whereas PM(2.5) differs non-significantly from PM(4.0), with a p value >0.05 in defined sampling stations on an average basis. Majority of the workers were facing several diseases due to interaction with particulate matter (cotton dust) during working hours. Flue, cough, eye, and skin infections were the most common diseases among workers caused by particulate matter (cotton dust).     

Statistical apportionment and risk assessment of selected metals in sediments from Rawal Lake (Pakistan)

The present study was carried out in order to evaluate the statistical apportionment and risk assessment of selected metals (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr, and Zn) in freshly deposited sediments in Rawal Lake, Pakistan. Composite sediment samples were collected, oven-dried, grounded, homogenized, and processed to assess the water-soluble and acid extractable concentrations of the metals in the water extract and acid extract of the sediments using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical methods were used to identify the possible sources of the metals. Sediment quality guidelines and potential acute toxicity were used to evaluate the ecotoxicological sense of selected metals. Non-carcinogenic health risk assessment was also carried out to determine the potential adverse health risks to the inhabitants. Relatively higher concentration was noted for Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, K, Mn, and Sr in the sediment samples. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed anthropogenic contributions of Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Li in the sediments. Enrichment factors of the metals in sediments showed severe to moderate enrichment of Cd, Pb, Ca, Fe, Li, Mn, and Sr. Geoaccumulation indices and contamination factors evidenced significant contamination by Cd and Pb, although, on the whole, low degree of contamination was noted. The levels of some metals exceeded the sediment quality guidelines, which revealed frequently adverse biological effects to the dwelling biota in the aquatic ecosystem. The sediments were found to be significantly contaminated by Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Li.     

Differences in nitrous oxide fluxes from red soil under different land uses in mid-subtropical China

Red soil may play an important role in nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions due to its recent land use change pattern. To predict the land use change effect on N₂O emissions, we examined the relationship between soil N₂O flux and environmental determinants in four different types of land uses in subtropical red soil. During two years of study (January 2005-January 2007), biweekly N₂O fluxes were measured from 09:00 to 11:00 a.m. using static closed chamber method. Objectives were to estimate the seasonal and annual N₂O flux differences from land use change and, reveal the controlling factors of soil N₂O emission by studying the relationship of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), water filled pore space (WFPS) and soil temperature with soil N₂O flux. Nitrous oxide fluxes were significantly higher in hot-humid season than in the cool-dry season. Significant differences in soil N₂O fluxes were observed among four land uses; 2.9, 1.9 and 1.7 times increased N₂O emissions were observed after conventional land use conversion from woodland to paddy, orchard and upland, respectively. The mean annual budgets of N₂O emission were 0.71-2.21 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ from four land use types. The differences were partly attributed to increased fertilizer use in agriculture land uses. In all land uses, N₂O fluxes were positively related to soil temperature and DOC accounting for 22-48% and 30-46% of the seasonal N₂O flux variability, respectively. Nitrous oxide fluxes did significantly correlate with WFPS in orchard and upland only. Nitrous oxide fluxes responded positively to MBC in all land use types except orchard which had the lowest WFPS. We conclude that (1) land use conversion from woodland to agriculture land uses leads to increased soil N₂O fluxes, partly due increased fertilizer use, and (2) irrespective of land use, soil N₂O fluxes are under environmental controls, the main variables being soil temperature and DOC, both of which control the supply of nitrification and denitrification substrates.     

Impact of economic capabilities and population agglomeration on PM2.5 emission: empirical evidence from sub-Saharan African countries

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The utilization of economic capabilities to raise production in the economy enhances the industrial activities and use of transportation. These...     

The impact trilemma of energy prices,taxation, and population on industrial and residential greenhouse gas emissions in Europe

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - As a major source of pollution and the cause of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions are attracting the attention of scholars, policymakers, and...     

Assessing the nexus between COVID-19 pandemic–driven economic crisis and economic policy: lesson learned and challenges

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study examines China’s budgetary policy during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of China’s insufficient ability to deal with a new...