Application of ozone for the removal of bisphenol A from water and wastewater – A review

The extensive use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in the plastics industry has led to increasing reports of its presence in the aquatic environment, with concentrations of ng L^?1 to μg L^?1. Various advanced oxidation processes, including ozonation, have been shown to effectively degrade BPA. This paper reviews the current advancements in using ozone to remove BPA from water and wastewater.Most of the published work on the oxidation of BPA by ozone has focused on the efficiency of BPA removal in terms of the disappearance of BPA, and the effect of various operational parameters such as ozone feed rate, contact time and pH; some information is available on the estrogenic activity of the treated water. Due to increasing operational reliability and cost effectiveness, there is great potential for industrial scale application of ozone for the treatment of BPA. However, there is a significant lack of information on the formation of oxidation by-products and their toxicities, particularly in more complex matrices such as wastewater, and further investigation is needed for a better understanding of the environmental fate of BPA.     

Multivariate Analysis of Motorcycle Accidents and the Effects of Exclusive Motorcycle Lanes in Malaysia

This paper presents a multivariate analysis on the impact of the exclusive motorcycle lane on motorcycle accidents along the Federal Highway Route 2, Malaysia. A number of statistical models have been developed to explain the relationship of motorcycle accidents and explanatory variables relevant to motorcycle safety. The best model showed that motorcycle accidents are directly proportional to the cubic power of traffic flow and reduced by approximately 39% with the motorcycle lane. A clear benefit of this lane is observed when the traffic flow exceeds 15,000 vehicles per day per lane for motorcycle proportion of between 20% and 30%. Besides supporting the notion for motorcycle segregation, this finding provides an initial guideline on the warrants for an exclusive motorcycle lane for highly motorcycled countries in Asia.     

Potentially toxic elements in soil of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Tribal areas,Pakistan: evaluation for human and ecological risk assessment

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) contaminations in the soil ecosystem are considered as extremely hazardous due to toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulative...     

Experimental evidence that bright coloration is not important for territory defense in purple martins

Summary I tested the hypothesis that bright breeding plumage in territorial males acts as a badge of fighting ability or aggressive motivation to intimidate intruders. Territorial male purple martins (Progne subis) whose iridescent blue plumage was lightened to mimic the appearance of subadult males did not suffer an increase in intruder pressure or loss of territory compared with control males. Bright plumage color itself did not deter intruders and was not important for successful territory defense. Furthermore, a bright coloration of owners was not associated with an increased level of aggression toward intruders. Results from parallel studies on this species suggest that bright coloration is important in territory acquisition. The effectiveness of badges of fighting ability and aggressive motivation in territory defense is limited by whether intruders benefit from assessing these traits in owners. Differences in signaling systems between species are due in part to differences in floater tactics and the mode of territory acquisition.     

Role of heavy polar organic compounds for water repellency of sandy soils

Separation and chemical characterisation of specific compounds responsible for soil water repellency has not previously been achieved. Here we describe the extraction, separation and analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of organic compounds found in wettable and water repellent sandy soils from the Netherlands and United Kingdom. Fatty acids (C₁₆–C₂₄), amides (C₁₄–C₂₄), alkanes (C₂₅–C₃₃), aldehydes/ketones (C₂₃–C₃₁) and complex ring-containing structures were detected in all samples. We found a greater abundance of high molecular mass polar compounds in the water repellent samples.     

Do male plumage and song characteristics influence female off-territory forays and paternity in the hooded warbler?

Extra-pair fertilizations are common in many socially monogamous species, and paternity studies have indicated that females may use male vocal performance and plumage ornaments as cues to assess male quality. Female off-territory forays may represent a key component of female choice and male extra-pair mating success, and female foray behaviour is expected to be strongly influenced by indictors of male quality. In this study, we examined how male song and ornamentation affect how often females left their territories, which males they visited and extra-pair paternity in a socially monogamous passerine, the hooded warbler (Wilsonia citrina). We radiotracked 17 females during the fertile period and quantified male vocal performance (song output and rate) and plumage characteristics (size of the black melanin hood and colour of the black hood, yellow cheeks and breast areas). We obtained blood samples and determined paternity at 35 nests including those of 14 females that we radiotracked. Eleven (65%) of the 17 females forayed off-territory, whilst fertile and female foray rate was positively correlated with the number of extra-pair young in the nest. Females that left their territories more frequently were paired with males that sang at a low rate. In addition, extra-pair mates had higher song rates than the social mates they cuckolded (5.3 songs/min vs. 4.4 songs/min). Female off-territory forays or extra-pair paternity were not significantly related to male plumage characteristics. Our results indicate that a high song rate influences both the foray behaviour of a male’s social mate and the likelihood that he will sire extra-pair offspring with neighbouring females.     

Growth and physiological response of spinach to various lithium concentrations in soil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Lithium (Li) exploitation for industrial and domestic use is resulting in a buildup of the element in various environmental components that results in...     

Using GIS tools to detect the land use/land cover changes during forty years in Lodhran District of Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Land use/land cover (LULC) change has serious implications for environment as LULC is directly related to land degradation over a period of time and...     

National benefits,local costs? Local residents' views on environmental and social effects of large‐scale mining in Chingola,Zambia

This study examined the environmental and social effects of large‐scale mining in Chingola, Zambia. Data was collected through semi‐structured interviews with 164 residents living close to Zambia's largest open pit mine, key informants and desk analysis of secondary data. Quantitative data was analysed using the chi‐square test, one sample T‐test and two sample Z‐proportions test, while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. Results show that the residents reported being most affected by sulphur dioxide air emissions and noise pollution due to the proximity of the copper smelter and heavy moving machinery to their residences. The residents received domestic water containing rust and copper ore particles from the water utility company which draws raw water from the mine. Although the mine was a source of employment for locals, over 4,000 jobs (representing a 33% decrease) have been lost over a period of 4 years, negatively affecting the local economy. Mine management attributed the job losses to high production costs and mechanization of mining processes. The residents perceived the job losses to have led to crime, alcohol abuse and prostitution among youths as well as a general increase in poverty levels. Analysis of air emissions data from the mine found elevated levels of dust, cadmium, copper and lead pollutants. Key informants from Nchanga Mine reported implementing bioremediation to reduce soil contamination by the heavy metals and recycling SO₂ to produce sulphuric acid. The study recommends an increase in social corporate responsibility from the mine management to ensure residents derive more substantive benefits from their proximity to the mine.     

Finding new sources of water for semi-arid cities in unlikely places

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Determining alternative water sources to meet municipal water demands is important when availability is limited. The purpose of this study was to...