Movement patterns of young Caribbean reef sharks, Carcharhinus perezi, at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil: the potential of marine protected areas for conservation of a nursery ground

The movement patterns and long-term site-fidelity of primarily juvenile Caribbean reef sharks, Carcharhinus perezi, were investigated using tag-recapture and automated telemetry at an insular nursery area, the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. Of the 143 externally tagged juvenile sharks (<110 cm), 22 (15.3%) were recaptured between 0 and 5 km from the site of tagging after 5–800 days at liberty, suggesting some site-fidelity in young individuals of this species. Site-fidelity and movement patterns of ten juvenile sharks ranging from 78 to 110 cm total length (TL) and one opportunistically captured adult female (224 cm TL) were also investigated for periods of up to 2 years with an array of automated telemetry receivers. Tagging and telemetry data from both inside and outside a marine protected area (MPA) show that shark abundance and activity is greatest along the part of the archipelago’s coastline least disturbed by human activity. Telemetry tracking also showed that juvenile reef sharks demonstrated a high degree of site-fidelity and occupied specific locations along the coast throughout the year, with some evidence of an increase in activity space with ontogeny. Sharks appeared to range more widely at night and there were no seasonal variations in habitat use. Our results suggest that MPAs may be a useful conservation tool to protect young C. perezi and potentially other reef-dwelling carcharhinid sharks during their early life history.     

Do disinfection byproducts in drinking water have an effect on human cancer risk worldwide? A meta‐analysis

In the present study, a meta‐analysis was carried out to clarify the association between disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water and human cancer risk worldwide. Kidney, colorectal, esophagus, urinary bladder, brain, breast, leukemia, lung, and rectum cancers were selected to perform this analysis. According to preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta‐analysis protocol (PRISMA) guidelines, the relevant studies were identified and selection criteria (inclusion and exclusion criteria) were applied. Next, effective subgroups in these studies (gender, type of drinking water source, and type of DBPs) were analyzed. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. In addition, this overall study included analyses of 16 case–control and 3 cohort studies. The overall odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) between DBPs and cancer risk was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.94–1.09). The summary ORs of cancer risk were 1.04 (95% CI, 0.89–1.19) for kidney; 0.98 (95% CI, 0.87–1.09) for colorectal; 1.07 (95% CI, 0.84–1.29) for esophagus; 0.93 (95% CI, 0.80–1.06) for pancreatic; 1.00 (95% CI, 0.83–1.18) for brain; 1.13 (95% CI, 0.99–1.26) for breast; 0.93 (95% CI, 0.72–1.13) for leukemia; and 1.18 (95% CI, 1–1.36) for lung cancers. The results of this meta‐analysis suggested that there is not a significant association between DBPs in water and cancer risk. In addition, subgroup analysis shows a positive association with colorectal and kidney cancer risk in men, as well as colon and breast cancers in females. Studies of both genders have shown a significant association between lung and pancreatic cancers. Moreover, this study finds a significant relationship between cancer rate and consumers of city water and bottled water sources. In analyzing different types of DBPs in water, chlorine and trichloromethane show a significant association in increasing cancer risk.     

Spatial analysis of mortality rate of pedestrian accidents in Iran during 2012–2013

Objectives: Considering the high mortality rate of pedestrians in traffic accidents in Iran, the present study aimed to determine the high-risk and low-risk areas of accidents resulting in pedestrian deaths and the spatial analysis of their mortality rates.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 4,371 deceased pedestrians reported by the Legal Medicine Organization in Iran from March 2012 to March 2013. For spatial analysis, the collected data were entered into ArcGIS software version 10.2 and a spatial map of the mortality rate was drawn according to the distribution of data in the provinces. Using this software, high-risk and low-risk areas were identified by calculating the spatial autocorrelation of the data. The Moran’s index of road accident patterns was surveyed and high-risk and low-risk points were identified using the local Getis index.

Results: The age-standardized incidence rate was 6.8 per 100,000. After analyzing the data using ArcGIS software, the local Moran’s index showed a cluster pattern with a high mortality rate in 3 provinces of Mazandaran, Gilan, and Qazvin. In identifying high-risk and low-risk points, the local Getis index showed 3 hot spots with a confidence interval of 99% in Qom, Qazvin, and Mazandaran and 5 hot spots with a 95% confidence interval in Markazi, Tehran, Zanjan, Gilan, and Golestan provinces.

Conclusions: According to the cluster pattern of accidents in the 3 provinces and the presence of hot spots in 9 provinces, it is necessary to identify factors that increase the risk of death in the study provinces in order to reduce the mortality rate among pedestrians due to traffic accidents. Therefore, to reduce the pedestrian mortality rate, especially in high-risk provinces, some studies need to be conducted to determine the risk factors in pedestrian mortality.     

Zero waste management of spent mushroom compost

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Edible mushroom are grown commercially using lignocellulosic waste by applying a biological process. However after the harvesting season about 70%...     

Impact of population dynamics on Margalla Hills Ecosystem:a community-level case study

Margalla Hills National Park(MHNP) is a declared natural reserve of Pakistan,and Saidpur village is located at its foothills.To sustain livelihood,Saidpur community relies on natural resources and has established an intriguing relationship with the surrounding ecosystem.Human intrusion and related impacts were investigated through self-structured questionnaire from village community to gather information about demography,life practices,natural resource use,and their perception about the environment.Quadrat analysis revealed that the overall plant density was<4 plants/m~2,whereas ordination biplot has indicated significant reduction in plant cover and sparse distribution of species in areas close to human settlement.Survey results show that more than 50%families rely on forest wood as fuel source.Logistic regression has identified education paucity(odds ratio,OR=2.6,95%confidence interval,CI=1.0-6.7),large family size(OR= 5.0,95%CI=1.5-16.6),and fuel type(OR=3.5,95%CI=1.2-9.9)as significant predictors of accelerated forest cutting in MHNP.Male members were mostly illiterate and in favor to promote construction activities which reflects their low concern and casual attitude toward resource conservation.In this study,lack of awareness and peoples’ dependency on natural resources emerged as priority challenges,and hence,we suggest provision of alternate fuel sources,better education and sustained income resources as incentives to bring behavioral change.It is pivotal to involve local community before the adoption of any conservation plan as intervention strategy to protect MHNP ecosystem.     

Sediments deposition due to soil erosion in the watershed region of Mangla Dam

Soil erosion is the most important reason of sedimentation load of water reservoirs in the world. In Pakistan, Mangla dam is one of the most important water reservoirs used for the production of electricity and for the supply of water for irrigation purposes. However, the capacity of Mangla dam reservoir has reduced by more than 20% since its construction. This study highlights the impact of rainfall on soil erosion and consequently on sedimentation deposition in Mangla dam reservoir. Sedimentation, annual rainfall, and normal rainfall data of 39 years were used in this study. Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission data were used to calculate the total drainage area of the Mangla watershed region. The sedimentation data of Mangla reservoir from 1967 to 2005 were retrieved from Water and Power Development Authority in Pakistan. The meteorological observatories in the Mangla watershed region are identified. Annual rainfall data from 1967 to 2005 for the meteorological observatories in the Mangla watershed regions were retrieved from Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). In addition, normal rainfall data for the years 1949 to 1978 and for the years 1979 to 2008 were also retrieved from PMD. The impact of annual rainfall is observed on sedimentation load in Mangla dam. The correlation coefficient between annual rainfall and sedimentation load is 0.94. This study shows that with an increase in rainfall, the soil erosion of the area increases which subsequently is responsible for the increase in the rate of sedimentation load in Mangla dam. This study further demonstrates that better soil management can reduce the sedimentation load in the Mangla reservoir.     

Natural resources,population aging,and environmental quality: analyzing the role of green technologies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Depletion of natural resources and population aging are the two most critical challenges for environmental sustainability. However, the research that...     

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impacts of glyphosate on the reproductive hormones

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Worldwide use of glyphosate is constantly increasing and its residues are detected in drinking water, agriculture, and food products. There are...     

Challenges on the recycling of cigarette butts

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cigarette butt (CB)&nbsp;is a crucial litter in urban communities because it may contain various toxicants. Due to serious limitations on...     

Constitutional tolerance and chlorophyll fluorescence of Boehmeria nivea L in response to the antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) co-contamination

The metal tolerance and metabolic changes in Boehmeria nivea colonized in mining areas are not well known. A hydroponic experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of antimony (Sb)+arsenic (As) in following combinations (control (no metal), 20+0, 10+10, 40+0, 20+20, and 40+40 mg/L) on phytotoxicity, metal tolerance index (MTI), and chlorophyll fluorescence in B. nivea. This constitutes an initial investigation of metal tolerance and chlorophyll fluorescence in Sb and Sb+As contaminated B. nivea. The high Sb+As 40+40 mg/L produced significant phytotoxicity and MTI in the plant. Progressive higher Sb and Sb+As levels resulted in decreased chlorophyll fluorescence of B. nivea. Exposure to intermediate and high Sb+As levels induced damage in the photosynthesis apparatus of the plant.