Metal partitioning in sediment pore water from the Ondo coastal region,Nigeria

Distribution and equilibrium partitioning of metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, Mn, and Zn) between pore water and surface sediments at the Ilaje coast of Ondo State, Nigeria, were studied. The Ilaje River can be one of the interesting research locations because of its economic nature and history of oil pollution. Seasonal variations were observed to investigate possible variations in the availability of metals for organisms throughout the year. The concentrations in both sediments and pore water during the dry and wet seasons were as follows: Cu?>?Fe???Mn?>?Pb?>?Ni?>?Cr?>?Cd?>?Zn. The pore water–sediment partition coefficient (K _p) showed that Zn and Cd were highly mobile while Fe and Cu have restricted mobility. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in pore water had a strong influence on mobility and bioavailability of all the metals (p?K _oc), increased levels of Fe and Cu were linked to lithological origin. Concentrations of Pb and Ni were associated with petroleum-related sources. The significance of the field-based techniques for ecotoxicological purposes is discussed.     

Anthropogenic metal pollution in surface sediments of the Tambaraparni River Estuary

Estuarine sediments in the<63 μm size fraction were collected from 15 stations within the Tambaraparni River Estuary, located on the east coast of India. The distribution of the heavy metals Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn was recorded. Our analysis distinguished two groups of elements. First, Cd, Pb and Zn, which occurred in higher than expected concentrations indicative of pollution, and second, Co, Cr, Cu and Ni, which occurred at background levels. The highest metal concentration found in the study area was for Zn (1200 μ g·g^?1), and the lowest was for Cd (0.42 μ g·g^?1). It is presumed that river run-off, industrial waters and untreated domestic waters are major contributors to heavy metal pollution in the Tambaraparni River Estuary. The concentrations of heavy metal species in surface sediments (<2 m water depth) of the Tambaraparni Estuary were studied to determine the extent of anthropogenic inputs from catchment areas and to understand anthropogenic effects on geochemical process in this tropical estuarine system.     

Assessment of physico-chemical properties and metal contents of water and sediments of Bodo Creek,Niger Delta,Nigeria

Some physico-chemical properties and the concentrations of the metals Fe, Mn, Ni, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn in water and sediments were examined from September 2011 to January 2012 in Bodo Creek, where oil spills have been recurrent. Temperature, pH, total dissolved solid, conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total hardness, sulfate, nitrate, and phosphate were determined in surface water. Particle size, total organic matter (TOM), and pH were also determined in the sediments. The parameters were within permissible limits except the mean values of BOD, COD, total hardness, and sulfate that exceeded levels permissible for domestic use. The sediments consisted mainly of sand, with TOM ranging from 0.2% to 5.5%. With the exception of cadmium that was below detection limit, metal levels (mg kg^?1) in the sediments were 12 (Mn), 1070 (Fe), 10 (Cu), 10 (Zn), 5.3 (Cr), 1.1 (Pb), 1.0 (Ni), and 0.5 (Co) while in water they were 24, 98, 21, 6.9, 4.0, 0.6, 0.18, and 0.16, respectively. The latter were higher than World Health Organization recommended permissible levels for both surface and drinking water.     

Pollution assessment of the lower basin of Lakes Kainji/Jebba, Nigeria: heavy metal status of the waters, sediments and fishes

The objective of this investigation was to examine the heavy metal status of the lower basin of Kainji dam (used for hydroelectricity generation), which includes Lakes Kainji/Jebba, Nigeria, and the potential for human exposure to heavy metals from eating fish caught in the lakes. Water, sediments and fish were sampled from the lakes and evaluated for As, Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V and Zn using the EDXRF technique. Fe and Mn were found to be present at high mean concentrations in the water (13 and 9 μg L^-1), sediment (7092 and 376 μg g^-1) and fish (11.4 and 4.6 μg g^-1) samples. Sb (3.2 μg L^-1), Ti (4.1 μg L^-1), Cr (2.2 μg L^-1), Co (1.2 μg L^-1), Cu (1.3 μg L^-1) and Pb (1.2 μg L^-1) in the water samples and Sb (29 μg g^-1), Ti (27 μg g^-1), V (27 μg g^-1), Cr (27 μg g^-1), Co (40 μg g^-1), Ni (33 μg g^-1), Cu (25 μg g^-1), Zn (59 μg g^-1) and Pb (19 μg g^-1) in the sediment samples were found to be of medium mean concentrations. The other metals were present at trace levels (<1 μg), including As and Hg in the fish and sediment samples. There was an appreciable increase in␣metal concentrations in going from the water to the sediment samples. The probable source of the pollutants is anthropogenic, arising from agricultural activities, corrosion/abrasion of the ferrous steel material and additives in the lubricants and insulation used for auxiliary services on the turbine floor of the dam constructed on the lakes. However, natural geological sourcing from the underlying lake rock cannot be totally ignored, particularly the high levels of Fe and Mn in the sediment samples. The potential risk for human exposure to these metals emanates from the fish caught in the lakes and subsequently consumed, as there are already significant levels of these metals in the two fish species analysed, Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Chrysicthys (Chrysicthys auratus).     

干旱区绿洲城郊排污渠沉积物重金属污染与释放特征

在白银市城郊东大沟沿程采集了8个沉积物样品,采用Tessier五步连续提取法和静态释放试验研究了沉积物中重金属的污染特征及在不同离子强度条件下沉积物中重金属的释放规律.结果表明:(1)东大沟沉积物中Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn的含量均超过了甘肃省土壤元素背景值,其平均值分别为背景值的128.83、12.71、26.90、17.99倍.(2)沉积物中Cd和Cu主要以残渣态和有机结合态存在,Zn主要以有机结合态和铁锰氧化物结合化态存在,Pb主要以铁锰氧化物结合态存在;沉积物中重金属的活性顺序为ZnPbCdCu.(3)随着离子强度的增大,沉积物中Cu、Pb、Zn的释放量随之增加,沉积物中Cd的释放量则是先增加后减少.     

Heavy metals contamination in mudflat and mangrove sediments (Mumbai,India)

The focus of this study, carried out on mudflat and mangrove sediments of Ulhas Estuary and Thane Creek in Mumbai, India, documents how sediment analysis in different ecosystems can help in understanding metal behaviour and pollution status of the region. Based on the the geoaccumulation index (I _geo ), the study shows that the estuarine and creek regions, being recipients of industrial and domestic wastes, display moderate pollution. Ulhas Estuary with higher clay and organic matter contents, exhibits higher amounts of metals than Thane Creek. Furthermore, using correlation and cluster analyses, the creek projects stable subenvironments with similar types of metal associations, with Fe and total organic carbon as the dominant metal carriers. By contrast, in the estuarine subenvironments, the metal associations do not reveal any distinct trend, which may be attributed to the disturbance caused by dredging activities routinely carried out in the region. Factor analysis carried out on I _geo data in both regions further helped in identifying polluted metal groups.     

长江口海域表层沉积物污染及其潜在生态风险评价

根据2004年8月份长江口海域表层沉积物的监测基础资料,采用单因子污染参数法和Hakanson前在生态风险指数法,通过分析长江口不同水域表层沉积物中典型污染要素PCB,Hg,Cd,Pb,As的质量分数,评价了长江口表层沉积物的质量状况。定量确定了长江口表层沉积物的潜在生态风险程度、主要污染因子和潜在生态风险因子;分析了近年来长江口表层沉积物总的潜在生态风险和单个污染要素的潜在生态风险的变化趋势。结果表明:长江口表层沉积物质量状况良好,各典型污染要素的质量分数值均小于背景值,典型污染要素的平均综合指数Cd为1.37,典型污染要素的污染程度由高至低顺序为As>Pb>Hg>PCB>Cd,As是主要环境污染因子;长江口各水域表层沉积物总的对水域均只具有低潜在生态风险,其由高至低的排列顺序为杭州湾北岸>长江口南支>长江口北支>长江口外;各典型污染物对水域也均只具有低潜在生态风险,其由高至低顺序为Hg>PCB>Cd>As>Pb,Hg是主要潜在生态风险因子;近年来,长江口表层沉积物总的潜在生态风险和单个污染物的潜在生态风险均呈现增加趋势。     

An assessment of contamination and ecological risk of metals in sediments of the Guaracara,Caparo and Couva rivers in Trinidad,West Indies

The presence of metals in an aquatic environment can serve as a biomarker for pollution and can be used to evaluate its contamination status. Rapid industrialisation in recent decades has propelled Trinidad and Tobago to be one of the most developed nations within the Caribbean region and has stimulated the awareness of potential ecological risks from various industrial activities affecting the rivers of Trinidad. Sediment samples from three rivers along the West coast of Trinidad were analysed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. For all three rivers, the metal concentrations in sediments were in the range of 0.40–2.31?μg/g, 12.77–33.04?μg/g, 14.51–72.89?μg/g, 224.90–4472.83?μg/g, 8.20–43.08?μg/g, 22.63–38.34?μg/g and 92.0–5462.60?μg/g for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively. Assessment of the pollution status indicated that all three rivers were considered polluted, with significant contributions from Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn. The potential ecological risk for all three rivers, however, was low and multivariate statistics revealed that mainly anthropogenic sources contributed to the metal concentrations in sediments of all three rivers.     

Sources and risk assessment of metal contamination in soils at the international airport of Shanghai,China

Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Ni in soils at the Pudong International Airport (PIA) of Shanghai, China, were determined to assess the sources and potential ecological risks. Compared to the soil background values of Shanghai, 31 soil samples out of 33 were highly contaminated with Cd, and 76% were moderately contaminated by Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Principal component analysis and clustering analysis indicated that Pb and Cd mainly originated from anthropogenic sources, while Zn, Cr, Ni, and Cu were mainly from natural sources. Relatively high concentrations of Cd and Pb were observed at sampling points near the landing or take-off sites or a close-by highway. Both air and highway traffic affected the quality of the soils at PIA.     

Status and fuzzy comprehensive assessment of metals and arsenic contamination in farmland soils along the Yanghe River,China

Concentrations of metals and arsenic in farmland soils along the Yanghe River, upstream of Guanting Reservoir, were evaluated using fuzzy comprehensive assessment (FCA). FCA is an emerging methodology for assessing environmental status based on fuzzy logic which can model linguistic data and represent chaotic conditions. The ratio of concentrations of metals and arsenic (As) in surface soils of farmland along the Yanghe River to the corresponding reference values decreased in the order Cd>Zn>Cr>Ni>Pb>Cu>As. Based on the FCA, 86% of surface soils along the Yanghe River were classified as grade C, which is suitable for forestry with a greater absorption capacity, suggesting that most farmland along the Yanghe River has to be abandoned as farmland. In order to improve the quality of soil along the Yanghe River and avoid degeneration of water quality in the river and the Guanting Reservoir, remediation of farmland soils along the river is suggested.     

Chemical fractionation of metals in core sediments of Orogodo River,southern Nigeria

Sequential chemical extraction of metals (Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cr, and Zn) from core sediments of the Orogodo River was carried out with a view of providing information on the phase distribution of these metals with respect to depths and seasons. The results indicate that copper was speciated into organic matter/sulfide, Fe–Mn oxides, and residual forms at 0–5?cm depth while at deeper sections copper was predominantly in the residual form. Nickel was speciated mainly into Fe–Mn oxides and residual forms. The average of lead in various particulate phases of the sediment are 0–100% for residual; 0–8% for carbonate; 0–16.2% for exchangeable; 0–10% for organic matter/sulfide form and 22–56% for Fe–Mn oxides bound metals. Manganese was speciated into exchangeable (10–36%) and Fe–Mn oxides bound (10–48%) at the surface layers of 0–20?cm depths and predominantly in the residual form in deeper sections implying partitioning into trioctahydral clay and/or well-defined crystalline oxides. Iron was predominantly in the Fe–Mn oxides and residual fractions, less than 8% in the organic fraction, and 24.4–37.3% in the exchangeable and carbonates fractions at the surface. The percentage contributions of iron in the exchangeable and carbonate fractions decreased to 3.2% at 55–60?cm depth. The amount of chromium in the exchangeable fraction ranged from 0% to 7% for exchangeable; 0–26.5% for organic matter/sulfide bound; 3.8–17.9% for Fe–Mn oxides; and 46.8–100% for residual fraction. The mobility factors of the metals indicated that these metals were relatively mobile at top sections as compared with deeper sections. The overall picture of metal mobility and availability indicates potential contamination risk by Fe, Zn, Mn, and Pb in the Orogodo River sediment system.     

Risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in shrimp farming in Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hong Kong

An ecological survey was carried out to determine the sediment concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish and shrimp including tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus×O. nilotica), grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), gei wai shrimp (Metapenaeus ensis) and caridean shrimp (Macrobrachium nipponensis) in the traditional tidal shrimp ponds (gei wais) of Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hong Kong. The sediments collected from the landward sites contained higher nutrient contents, as well as zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd) than those collected from the seaward sites, but vice versa for lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg). However, the concentrations of all metals were exceptionally high in the two sites located outside the reserve, suggesting that waters from Deep Bay might be the possible source of metal contamination affecting the reserve. All metals studied seemed to accumulate in the viscera of fish. Body size was the determining factor for the accumulation of heavy metals in caridean shrimp and gei wai shrimp but not fish. Concentrations of the metals studied in tissues of grey mullet and gei wai shrimp were found to be safe for human consumption. Concentrations of Cr in tilapia whole body (0.68–1.10 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight) were close to or over the guideline value of 1 mg kg⁻¹ set by the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations of Hong Kong. Tilapia flesh and small caridean shrimp collected from gei wais were contaminated by Cr and Pb but still fit for human consumption. Caution is required if large caridean shrimp is to be consumed in large amounts continuously because the concentration of Pb exceeded the maximum permitted concentration (6 mg kg⁻¹). The rather high Cr concentrations in tilapia whole body should not be overlooked as the fish will serve as a food source for migratory birds visiting the site.     

珠江河口沉积物中拟除虫菊酯类农药污染及毒性评价

拟除虫菊酯农药是一种广谱、高效、低毒、低残留的亲脂性杀虫剂,它会随农田排水、降雨淋洗进入水体,最终进入沉积环境,故沉积物是其最终归宿之一。本研究针对珠江河口沉积物中菊酯类农药的污染状况进行调查,研究它们的含量、组成比例、污染来源及其潜在毒性,为珠江渔业水生生态环境管理及掌握环境中有机污染情况提供依据,对保护渔业环境安全有十分重要的意义。2012年5月采集珠江河口表层沉积物,采用气相色谱法-电子捕获法（GC-ECD）对表层沉积物中联苯菊酯、甲氰菊酯、高效氯氟氰菊酯、氯菊酯、氯氰菊酯、氰戊菊酯、溴氰菊酯进行残留检测,并利用其对钩虾的生物毒性来评价沉积物的潜在毒性。结果显示,表层沉积物（以干质量计）中7种菊酯类农药质量分数介于ND~6.59μg·kg-1（ND表示未检出）,平均值为0.75μg·kg-1,其总质量分数与有机碳质量分数呈现一定的正相关性;组成比例表明,氯菊酯最多,占总量的57.63%,它的检出率为61.90%,甲氰菊酯其次,约占总量的16.39%,检出率为28.57%,氯菊酯占主要组成部分,可能与其在珠江三角洲居民生活中被大量使用及其降解速率有关;珠江桥采样点高浓度的菊酯类农药的检出（6.59μg·kg-1）,可能与其靠近人口密集和经济发达的广州有关;与国内外其他地区相比,珠江河口沉积物中菊酯农药处于较低水平;采用毒性单元TU（选用钩虾Hyallela Azteca的LC50）进行毒性评估,∑TU值范围为0~0.09,远远低于1,表明珠江河口拟除虫菊酯不存在生态风险。     

春、夏季长江口海水、沉积物及生物体中重金属含量及其评价

根据2009年5月（春季）、8月（夏季）长江口海域的环境调查资料,分析了长江口及其临近海域水相、表层沉积物及生物体内的6种重金属含量及分布特征,利用单因子指数法对污染状况进行了评价,并就污染来源进行了探讨。结果表明：研究海域春季表层水体中以Cu和Hg污染为主,超标率均为30%,而底层则主要为Hg污染,超标率为35%,Zn和Pb除个别站位超标外,其它站位状况良好;夏季表、底层水体中重金属污染以Cu、Zn和Hg污染较为严重,各重金属质量浓度约为春季水体中的2倍。研究海域春季表层沉积物中重金属污染状况由大到小依次为Cd、As、Cu、Zn、Pb、Hg,夏季表层沉积物中重金属污染状况由大到小依次为Cd、Cu、As、Hg、Zn、Pb,春、夏季沉积物中各重金属质量分数有所差异,总体表现为春季高于夏季。生物体内重金属质量分数状况较好,均符合各类食品安全标准。春、夏季沉积物对重金属的富集能力有所不同;但总体表现为春季富集能力高于夏季,这可能与泥沙再悬浮造成的重金属重新释放有关;鱼类和甲壳类对不同重金属的富集能力有所差异,鱼类对重金属的富集能力由大到小依次为Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn、Hg、As,而甲壳类对重金属的富集能力由大到小依次为Pb、Cd、Hg、Zn、Cu、As。     

Evaluating heavy metal contamination of riverine sediment cores in different land-use areas

• Metal pollution was studied in riverine sediments from different land-use areas. • Cd was the most serious heavy metal contaminant in riverine sediment cores. • Riverine sediment cores from industrial area were most polluted by heavy metals. • B1 fraction determined metal pollution, risk and toxicity in riverine sediments. Anthropogenic activities are regarded as the main sources of heavy metal pollution, yet few studies have investigated the effects of land-use setting on heavy metal accumulation in riverine sediments. Based on both total contents and geochemical fractions, heavy metal pollution, risk and toxicity were determined in riverine sediment cores from different land-use areas (mountain area- MA, farm area- FA, city area- CA, and industrial area- IA) of the Yang River Basin in North China. The results showed that FA had higher contents of riverine sedimentary Cu; CA had higher contents of Cd; IA had higher contents of both Cd and Zn. Most riverine sediments from FA and IA were contaminated with the investigated metals, although these concentrations were evaluated to have low potential ecological risk and no toxicity to benthic organisms. However, a high proportion of Cd in the B1 fraction of riverine sediments in IA indicating high risk should receive more attention. The B1 fraction largely determined the contamination, risk and toxicity levels associated with heavy metals in the riverine sediments of the Yang River Basin.     

An assessment of metal contamination in the shelf sediments at the southern exit of Bosphorus Strait,Turkey

Concentrations and areal distribution of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were determined in the surficial sea bottom sediments along the coastal areas of Istanbul at the southern exit of the Bosphorus Strait, ?stanbul, Turkey. The pollution status of shelf sediments was evaluated by employing pollution indicators (enrichment factors, geo-accumulation, and ecological risk indexes) and sediment quality guidelines (threshold effect level/probable effect level, effect range median (ERM)/effect range low). The results demonstrated that Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu, and Pb were enriched minor to moderate. The net sediment transport patterns show terrestrial inputs in front of the short streams. Another polluted region is at the western margin of the southern Bosphorus exit, where sediment transport is mainly controlled by the secondary currents driven by the Bosphorus jet, and depending on a sand ridge extending offshore. Based on the sediment quality guidelines, Cu, Pb, As, and Cr were likely the most dangerous chemicals to pose environmental risk, and may show toxic biological results. The areal distribution of ecotoxicological index (m-ERM-Q) suggested that 20% of the sediment sample sites fall in the medium–high priority zone and scattered at some specific areas along the coast.     

拉萨巴嘎雪湿地土壤重金属分布及生态风险评价

巴嘎雪湿地是西藏拉萨河流域的代表性湿地之一.文章为了解巴嘎雪湿地的重金属分布特征,在2018年10月采集了巴嘎雪湿地的表层土壤样品,对土壤中的Cu、Zn、Cr、Ni、Pb、Cd、As、Hg重金属的含量进行了检测.巴嘎雪湿地表层土壤的重金属污染评价采用的方法主要包括内梅罗综合污染指数法、地积累指数法和潜在生态风险指数法....     

Sediments distribution of trace metals in a coastal lagoon (Southern Sardinia,Mediterranean Sea): assessment of contamination and ecological risk

Coastal lagoons are subject to several sources of contaminations. To shade light on the contamination level of the Santa Gilla lagoon (Tyrrhenian Sea) we investigated the spatial distribution of Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg in sediments and their correlation with grain size and organic matter contents. Moreover, sediment contamination levels and the ecological risk associated with metal concentration were assessed using different abiotic indicators. The lagoon is characterised by low levels of contamination, with exceptions for Pb and Hg, whose distribution reflects the position of an old chlor-alkali plant and that of an airport. These results indicate that the restoration put in place 30 years ago have not reached the expected target and that the presence of the airport deserves further attention. In the outer section of the lagoon, where clam fishery occurs, we observed low levels of contamination suggesting that such artisanal fishery could somehow help mobilising metals. We conclude that the area exposed to Hg pollution, though tentatively restored, still suffers of a potential risk of ecosystem deterioration. We pinpoint that further investigations on the mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of metals are needed to finally address the actual impairment of the Santa Gilla lagoon.     

Fuzzy logic-based modeling of the impact of industrial activities on the environmental status of an industrial estate in Nigeria

Industrial growth is being attributed with adverse environmental effects and has necessitated stricter environmental management policies. Formulating such policies is limited by the difficulty in understanding the trends of monitoring data. This study is aimed at the application of fuzzy comprehensive assessment (FCA) to integrate environmental contaminants in Agbara industrial estate, Nigeria, to measure the extent of impact of industrial activities on the host community. Samples of water, plants (Pteridium aquilinum, Sacciolepis africana, and Panicum maximum), soil, and sediments were collected within the estate. Water samples were analyzed for quality parameters using standard methods. Metals (Co, Cr, Cd, Cu, and Mn) were investigated in all the samples using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The data were modeled with FCA. The results showed Cr as the major contaminant (34–252?µgL^?1). High phosphate contributed to large plant growth in the area. FCA results showed that water samples were in the pristine classification; sediment samples were extremely impacted. The vegetation growth and the sediment precipitation were responsible for the cleaning-up of the pollutants discharged downstream. The FCA of the plants indicated high metal bioaccumulation and not only showed the plants’ phyto-remediation potential but also that the metals may pose threats to human health through the food web. The activities in the estate are contributing contaminants to the environment with potential negative effects.     

Development and application of a comprehensive ecological risk assessment indicator system in Xiamen,China

Urban ecological risk is one of the important factors that may restrict the social and economic development. Therefore, it is of great significance to carry out a comprehensive assessment of ecological risks so that an ecological risk prevention and control plan can be scientifically formulated. In this paper, a comprehensive ecological risk assessment indicator system of Xiamen was established based on local ecological properties and socioeconomic status. This indicator system covers seven indicators including air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution, fresh water consumption, change in land use, occupation of key zones with ecological functions, and road network expansion. Based on this indicator system and in conjunction with the single factor assessment of ecological risks, this study constructed a model of comprehensive ecological risk assessment and forecasted the comprehensive ecological risk of Xiamen in 2020. The results showed that the comprehensive ecological risk level of Xiamen in 2020 is medium and the main stressors are the discharge of air and water pollutants. From the perspective of risk receptors, i.e. the ecosystem services, the risk posed to the ecosystem services associated to the maintenance of air quality and water purification is the highest. Therefore, this study proposed the recommendations on ecological risk prevention and regulation in Xiamen based on the comprehensive assessment of ecological risks, in the hope to provide scientific support for local ecological protection and sustainable development.