Selective uptake of major and trace elements in Erica andevalensis, an endemic species to extreme habitats in the Iberian Pyrite Belt

To assess the ecophysiological traits and the phytoremediation potential of the endemic heather Erica andevalensis,we determined the concentrations of major and trace elements in different plant parts and in rizosphere soils from Riotinto mining district (Huelva,Spain).The results showed that E.andevalensis may grow on substrates with very high As,Cu,Fe and Pb concentrations (up to 4114,1050,71900 and 15614 μg/g dry weight,respectively),very low availability of macro-and micronutrients and with pH values ra...     

Biofuels and their connections with the sustainable development goals: a bibliometric and systematic review

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Renewable energy is crucial nowadays, and among the options, biofuels are evidenced as a promising alternative to reduce the dependence of fossil...     

The impact of social media marketing strategies on promoting sustainability of tourism with fuzzy cognitive mapping: a case of Kalanggaman Island (Philippines)

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The current literature has espoused the role of social media platforms in promoting tourism destinations. Despite such advances, limited works are...     

Characterizing Interpersonal Influence for Grassland Conservation Behaviours in a Unique Population

Interpersonal communication can influence the decisions people make about engaging in conservation behaviours. In-depth interviews with Tibetan pastoralists serve as the basis for examining interpersonal communication patterns and sources of interpersonal influence about grassland conservation behaviours. Herding and family groups are key collectives; salient sources of information vary across types of information. Salient individuals are those with credibility and means control: community leaders, elders, veterinarians, and government officials. Explicit information about conservation comes from religious leaders. The findings have significant implications for understanding the function and nature of interpersonal influence in unique population groups regarding conservation actions.     

Chronic risk assessment of exposure to volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere near the largest Mediterranean industrial site

This study focuses on characterising the risk of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by means of inhalation in people living in the vicinity of the largest chemical production site in the Mediterranean area. Eighty-six VOCs were initially selected for this study based on their adverse environmental and health effects. The monitoring campaign was conducted for 276 days in three different locations around the chemical site. The analytical method used for the characterisation was based on European standard method EN-14662-2, which consists of the active sampling of air for 24 h in charcoal tubes, followed by extraction with carbon disulphide and GC-MS analysis. Forty-four VOCs with toxicological data available concerning their carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health effects were quantified during the monitoring campaign. None of the quantified VOCs showed average concentrations exceeding their chronic reference concentrations and, therefore, no non-carcinogenic health effects are expected as a result of this exposure. However, the global average cancer risk due to VOC exposure in the area (3.3 × 10^− 4) was found to be above the values recommended by the WHO and USEPA.The influence of the analytical method was also evaluated by comparing cancer risk estimates using a thermal desorption (TD) method based on method EN-14662-1. The results of the 24-h samples for the solvent extraction method were compared with the average of 12 daily samples of 2-h for the TD method for 24 sampling days. Although the global estimated lifetime cancer risk was statistically comparable for both methods, some differences were found in individual VOC risks.To our knowledge, this is the first study that estimates the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks posed by the inhalation of VOCs in people living near a chemical site of this size, and compares the estimated cancer risk obtained using two different standard analytical methods.     

Factors influencing the food transition in riverine communities in the Brazilian Amazon

The objective of this study was to determine the main patterns and factors influencing food transition in riverine people in the Brazilian Amazon. Through interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire, we inferred their food habits and provide information about general demographic, socioeconomic, resource use and environmental context. Data from the questionnaires were categorized and analyzed using a logistic regression model to assess the relative influence of socioeconomic and environment factors on the local diet. Based on a logistic regression data analysis, it was found a greater consumption of processed food significantly associated with multiple factors such as market participation, sex (female and male), government aid to forest conservation and environment context (upland and wetland). Although the local diet is composed mainly of local resources such as fish and cassava flour, increasing incomes due to direct government subsidy programs and marketing of cassava flour have influenced these local practices and habits. Through the analysis of factors influencing food transition, it was possible to evaluate those having the greatest effect on this Amazon region and propose an alternative method to subsidy food policy grounded in local opinion surveys.