World trade and the environment

This paper is the text of a speech given by the author at a recent conference. As the title implies, it discusses the relationship between economic activity and the environment, and emphasises that they are not incompatible. Indeed, a reduction in the former decreases the resources necessary to protect the latter. He concludes by arguing the case for flexibility in international standards, in order to allow Third World countries to compete more equally and to cope with local differences.     

Re-evaluating the asymmetric conventional energy and renewable energy consumption-economic growth nexus for Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - To understand the nexus between economic growth and energy sources, in this study, we have selected Pakistan and collected data over the period...     

The dirty energy dilemma via financial development and economic globalization in Pakistan: new evidence from asymmetric dynamic effects

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Energy strategy has been an essential strand in the view of economists in achieving rapid development process of any country. The recent wave of...     

Multi-elemental analysis of Lentinula edodes mushrooms available in trade

ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the content of 62 elements in the fruiting bodies of Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom) cultivated commercially in Poland on various substrates from 2007–2015. The general mean content (mg kg^?1 dry weight (DW)) of the studied elements ranked in the following order: K (26,335) > P (11,015) > Mg (2,284) > Ca (607) > Na (131) > Zn (112) > Fe (69) > Mn (33) > B (32) > Rb (17) > Cu (14.5) > Al (11.2) > Te (2.9) > As (1.80) > Cd (1.76) > Ag (1.73) > Nd (1.70) > Sr (1.46) > Se (1.41) > U (1.11) > Pt (0.90) > Ce (0.80) > Ba (0.61) > Co (0.59) > Tl (0.58) > Er (0.50) > Pb (0.42) > Li (0.40) > Pr (0.39) > Ir (0.37) > In (0.35) > Mo (0.31) > Cr (0.29) > Ni (0.28) > Sb (0.26) > Re (0.24) > Ti (0.19) > Bi (0.18) > Th (0.12) > La (0.10) = Pd (0.10) > Os (0.09) = Zr (0.09) > Rh (0.08) > Ho (0.07) > Ru (0.06) > Sm (0.04) = Eu (0.04) = Tm (0.04) > Gd (0.03) > Sc (0.02) = Y (0.02) > Lu (0.01) = Yb (0.01) = V (0.01). The contents of Au, Be, Dy, Ga, Ge, Hf, and Tb were below the limits of detection (0.02, 0.02, 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, 0.02 mg kg^?1 respectively). The concentrations of Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Er, Fe, In, Lu, Mn, Nd, Sr, Ti, Tm, and Zr were comparable over the period the mushrooms were cultivated. The study revealed that Lentinula edodes contained As and Cd at levels potentially adverse to human health. This highlights the need to monitor these elements in food products obtained from this mushroom species and ensure that only low levels of these elements are present in cultivation substrates.     

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on environment: the case of the major cities in Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In Wuhan city, China, a pneumonia-like disease of unknown origin triggered a catastrophe. This disease has spread to 215 nations, affecting a diverse...     

Relationship between heavy metals concentrations in egret species,their environment and food chain differences from two Headworks of Pakistan

Concentration of ten metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analyzed in the egg contents, prey and soil samples of little egret (Egretta garzetta) and cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from two Headworks to determine habitat and species-specific differences; to assess the importance of prey and habitat contamination as an exposure source for heavy metals. Concentration of Cu, Mn, Cr and Pb in egg contents, Fe, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn in prey and Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, Li in surface soils were significantly different (P < 0.05). Mean metal concentrations of Cr, Pb and Cd were relatively higher in little egret whereas Cu and Mn were higher in the egg contents of cattle egret. The mean concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn were higher in prey samples of cattle egrets and Cr, Cd and Pb in prey samples of little egrets. In soil samples collected from little egret heronries metal concentrations were higher except Cu and Ni. Correlation Analysis and Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster Analysis (HACA) identified relatively similar associations of metals and their source identification. Metals such as Fe, Cu, Mn, and Li were related with geochemical origin from parent rock material as well as anthropogenic input whereas Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co and Zn were associated mostly with anthropogenic activities. The study suggested that eggs are useful bio-monitor of local heavy metal contamination.     

Pakistan management of green transportation and environmental pollution: a nonlinear ARDL analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Modern advances in nonlinear modeling have exposed that nonlinear models yield more robust results compared with linear models. Research on the effect...     

Levels,profile and distribution of Dechloran Plus (DP) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in the environment of Pakistan

No scientific data is available on emerging contaminants including Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Dechloran Plus (DP) levels in the environment in Pakistan. Levels of PBDEs and DP were determined in the soil, sediment and atmospheric samples along the stretch of River Ravi in Punjab Province. Average concentrations of ΣPBDEs in atmosphere, soils and sediments were 36 pg m⁻³, 40 ng g⁻¹ and 640 ng g⁻¹. BDE-209 was the most abundant PBDE congener, showing that deca-BDE accounts for most of the total PBDE emitted in the environment of Pakistan. Total DP levels were calculated as 88 pg m⁻³, 0.8 ng g⁻¹ and 1.9 ng g⁻¹ in air, soil and sediment samples, respectively. The lower average fractions of anti-DP showed significant differences to those of the technical mixtures, indicating the lack of DP production source in Pakistan.     

Identification of irrigation potential areas,using multi-criteria analysis in Khyber District,Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study explores the opportunities for irrigated agriculture in Khyber District of Former Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA). Agriculture...     

Yield gap analysis of major food crops in Pakistan: prospects for food security

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The concept of yield gap analysis can be used to meet the growing demands for agricultural products. Sustainable development goals (e.g. SDG1 and...     

清江流域水环境面源污染源强核算及主要环境问题分析

清江是湖北省境内最大的一条长江支流,为及时掌握和控制流域内日益严重的面源污染问题,对清江流域水环境面源污染进行匡算。通过对计算结果的分析,得出该区域农田径流和畜禽养殖为重要面源污染源,恩施段,建始段、长阳段和宜都段是清江流域面源污染控制重点区域。农田径流污染主要与当地水土流失严重,土地利用方式不合理,及化肥施用量较大有关。畜禽养殖污染主要由分散式养殖、畜禽粪尿无序排放引起。面源污染控制重点区域内的环境问题与当地经济水平、人口密度和国土面积有关。     

环境中全氟有机物的毒性、检测分析及降解

自全氟有机物广泛使用50多年以来,已经在世界范围内发现一定浓度的全氟有机物,各国研究人员针对该类物质特别是全氟辛酸(PFOA)、全氟辛烷基磺酸(PFOS)进行了一定的研究.介绍了该类物质的污染现状,阐述了全氟有机物的毒性、检测分析技术及降解技术,在此基础上提出了今后的研究方向.     

华北农村水环境污染评价及源解析

近年来,国家相继发布多项重要文件要求整治农村人居环境、建设美丽乡村,但当前针对农村水环境问题研究相对较少,制约了农村环境治理工作开展。选取华北某镇农村河道坑塘,评价农村水环境污染水平、生态风险并进行污染溯源。结果表明,57处调查点位中有1处水体黑臭,但有多处调查点位水体溶解氧在2~3 mg∙L⁻¹、透明度在25~35 cm、氨氮在8~15 mg∙L⁻¹,接近黑臭阈值。仅有约9%的水体全部水质指标均能满足地表水V类要求 (检测指标为18项) ,超标指标主要为pH、COD_Mn、BOD、氨氮、总磷、总氮、粪大肠菌群等8项。底泥总磷、总氮标准指数分别处于中度、重度污染状态,营养盐综合指数属于重度污染状态。底泥存在不同程度的重金属富集,铜、锌、汞、镉、铬、铅、砷、镍等8项重金属的平均浓度是天津土壤背景值的0.45~2.73倍。汞的地累积指数平均值为0.64,为轻度污染;铜、锌、镉、铬、铅、砷、镍等其他7项重金属为清洁状态。汞的潜在生态风险指数约110,为较高生态危害;其他7项重金属生态风险指数均小于80,为轻微生态危害。综合Pearson相关性、主成分及PMF分析,研究区重金属最主要的污染来源是交通源和大气沉降,其次是工业源,最后是农业源。总体来看,研究区水体水质较差,沉积物有重金属轻度富集,其中汞是沉积物生态风险的主要贡献元素。     

The impact of environment degrading factors and remittances on health expenditure: an asymmetric ARDL and dynamic simulated ARDL approach

This paper investigates the impact of CO₂ emissions, air pollution (PM2.5) exposure, foreign remittances, energy consumption, renewable energy consumption, trade openness, and gross domestic product per capita on health expenditure in a panel of the 27 highest emitting countries from 2000 to 2019. Focusing on objectives, panel ARDL, and dynamic simulated ARDL models are used to examine the short-run and long-run impact of the variables on health expenditure. An asymmetric or nonlinear ARDL model is used to test the asymmetric effect of CO₂ emissions, air pollution exposure, and foreign remittance inflows on health expenditure. The results show that environment-degrading factors, remittances, and GDP per capita significantly impact health expenditure. There is an asymmetric effect of remittances, CO₂ emissions, and air pollution (PM2.5) exposure on health expenditure. Based on the results, the study suggests policymakers should make policies regarding environment-degrading elements as these factors cause huge increases in health spending in a country. Consumption of renewable energy helps reduce health expenditure as it does not cause environmental degradation, irrespective of other forms of energy, and it is suggested that policies relating to foreign remittance inflows should be encouraged and made efficient.

     

Global warming and export competitiveness of agriculture sector: evidence from heterogeneous econometric analysis of Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The increase in average annual temperature due to greenhouse gases emission is posing threat to the agriculture sector across the globe. Pakistan is...     

Physical infrastructure,energy consumption,economic growth,and environmental pollution in Pakistan: an asymmetry analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study explores the symmetric and asymmetric effects of physical infrastructure on energy consumption, economic growth, and air pollution of...     

Russia-EU gas game analysis: evidence from a new proposed trade model

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper represents a new proposed trade model of “Intercountries Trade Force (ITF)” which is inspired by Intermolecular Interaction...     

Impact and trade off analysis of land use change on spatial pattern of ecosystem services in Chishui River Basin

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The motivation of this fundamental research is to reveal the response of ecosystem services to land use change and to support the sustainable...     

Factor analysis of submicron particle size distributions near a major United States-Canada trade bridge

A factor analytic model has been applied to resolve and apportion particles based on submicron particle size distributions downwind of a United States-Canada bridge in Buffalo, NY. The sites chosen for this study were located at gradually increasing distances downwind of the bridge complex. Seven independent factors were resolved, including four factors that were common to all of the five sites considered. The common factors were generally characterized by the existence of two or more number and surface area modes. The seven factors resolved were identified as follows: fresh tail-pipe diesel exhaust, local/street diesel traffic, aged/evolved diesel particles, spark-ignition gasoline emissions, background urban emissions, heavy-duty diesel agglomerates, and secondary/transported material. Submicron (<0.5 microm) and ultrafine (<0.1 microm) particle emissions downwind of the bridge were dominated by commercial diesel truck emissions. Thus, this study obtained size distinction between fresh versus aged vehicle exhaust and spark-ignition versus diesel emissions based on the measured high time-resolution particle number concentrations. Because this study mainly used particles <300 nm in diameter, some sources that would usually exhibit number modes >100 nm were not resolved. Also, the resolved profiles suggested that the major number mode for fresh tailpipe diesel exhaust might exist below the detection limit of the spectrometer used. The average particle number contributions from the resolved factors were highest closest to the bridge.