Reverse logistics in the Chinese auto-parts firms: implementation framework development through multiple case studies

In recent years, the implementation of reverse logistics (RL) in automobile manufacturing has drawn extensive interest from the Chinese government that has launched relevant take-back and environmental regulations and pilot projects. This study focuses on RL implementation issues in Chinese auto-parts manufacturing sector. Based on comprehensive literature review and multiple case studies in the Chinese auto-parts firms, this paper proposes a conceptual RL framework and highlights the major implementation issues. The purpose of this paper is to draw an overall picture of RL in the Chinese context, highlighting implementation issues in the auto-parts sector. Our study suggests that Chinese RL implementation requires close government monitoring mechanism and incentives, top management commitment within firms, technology and human capabilities support.     

Assessing the nexus between COVID-19 pandemic–driven economic crisis and economic policy: lesson learned and challenges

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study examines China’s budgetary policy during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of China’s insufficient ability to deal with a new...     

Fresh evidence on connectedness between prominent markets during COVID-19 pandemic

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Various empirical studies have examined the nexus between financial markets, but this study focused on the comovement among prominent markets. Our...     

Geochemical fractionation and spectroscopic fingerprinting for evaluation of the environmental transformation of potentially toxic metal(oid)s in surface–subsurface soils

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The contamination of soil by toxic metal(oid)s has emerged as a major concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries. A metals behavior in the soil...     

Effect of biocides on the precipitation of calcium fluoride in the presence of anionic copolymeric inhibitors

The inhibitory efficiency of anionic copolymers and the effect of the biocides sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde, and tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane on the precipitation behavior of calcium fluoride (CaF₂) were studied. The efficiency of polymeric inhibitors was traced from conductivity measurements by using half-life (t_1/2) method. X-ray diffraction parameters have been measured for calcium fluoride scale minerals. An anionic copolymer (K-798) acts as one of the best inhibitors for the precipitation process of the calcium fluoride in water as compared to K-775. It is assigned to the fact that the copolymer (K-798) contains both sulfonic acid and sulfonated styrene groups while the polymer (K-775) having only the sulfonic acid group. It was further observed that the biocides have no appreciable effect on the performance of the anionic polymeric inhibitors.     

Cattle egrets as a biosentinels of persistent organic pollutants exposure

We investigated selected chlorinated pollutants (β-HCH, γ-HCH, DDDs, DDEs, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDT, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin) in the Lahore and the Sialkot districts of Pakistan, using eggs of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) collected during May and June 2007. The pollutant with highest level and frequency was ΣDDT, followed by β-HCH, γ-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin in descending order. The concentration(s) were significantly higher in Sialkot heronry for all the pollutants (except p,p′-DDT) than in Lahore. The values for DDTs, β-HCH, γ-HCH, and heptachlor were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the egg(s) than in sediment(s) and in the chicks’ diet, due to biomagnification. Among DDTs analogues, p,p′-DDD was the major contaminant with >60 % of total DDT burden, reflecting the widespread aged as well as recent use of DDT as well as anaerobic degradation (DDD/DDE > 1 in many cases) in the nearby paddy soils. In few samples, p,p′-DDT/(DDD + DDE) > 0.5 suggested the recent emission patterns from surrounding contaminated areas of demolished DDT units and obsolete pesticide stores. The higher levels of HCHs (i.e., β-HCH) in the samples collected from Sialkot indicate exposure from long-term agricultural use. Overall, concentrations of all studied POPs were less than the threshold levels known to affect reproduction. Nevertheless, total DDTs and/or HCHs burdens in some eggs contained concentrations of greater than what would educe adverse effects on birds. This is among few studies on OCPs exposure to avian species, which provide the evidence of Pakistan’s contribution toward the Global POPs emission.     

Sol-gel immobilisation of methyl parathion degrading bacteria isolated from agricultural areas of Pakistan

The following areas are discussed in this paper: immobilisation of bacterial consortium in sol-gel; methyl parathion degradation and bioremediation applications; evaluation of indigenous bacterial isolates of contaminated soils. Bacterial strains were isolated from agricultural areas of Pakistan which were contaminated with methyl parathion. A bacterial consortium of seven (out of 64) Enterobacteriaceae isolates including Citrobacter, Enterobacter and Proteus vulgaris capable of degrading methyl parathion (enzyme activity ranging 410–675 mU mL^?1 for individual isolates and 982 mU/mL for consortium) was selected and subsequently immobilised in tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and sodium-silicate-based sol-gel matrices. Cell viability of suspended and immobilised bacterial consortium was monitored using a minimal salt medium supplemented with methyl parathion. The results indicate that sol-gel immobilisation can be helpful to increase the shelf life of methyl parathion degrading bacterial strains along with preservation of biological activity for bioremediation applications in field.     

Mercury contamination in selected foodstuffs and potential health risk assessment along the artisanal gold mining,Gilgit-Baltistan,Pakistan

This study investigates the mercury (Hg) contaminations in soil and foodstuffs along the artisanal gold mining areas, Gilgit-Baltistan Province, Pakistan. For this purpose, soils were analyzed for Hg concentrations and evaluated for the enrichment/contamination using enrichment factor or contamination factors (CF). The CF values ranged from 18.9 to 153 showed multifold higher levels of Hg contamination as compared to background or reference site. Foodstuffs including vegetables, seeds or grains and fish muscles showed Hg accumulation. Results revealed that Hg concentrations in foodstuffs were higher than the critical human health value set by European Union. The Hg in foodstuffs was consumed and, therefore, evaluated for the risk assessment indices using the daily intake (DI) and health risk index (HRI) for the exposed human population both children and adults. Results of this study revealed that cumulative HRI values through foodstuffs consumption were <1 (within safe limit), but if the current practices continued, then the Hg contamination could pose potential threat to exposed population in near future.     

Entomotoxic effect of silicon dioxide nanoparticles on Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) under laboratory conditions

The use of higher dosage and repeated applications of conventional pesticides have led to the rapid development of insect resistance to pesticide and adverse effects on human health and environment. Accordingly, researchers are prompted to identify an alternative entomotoxic agent for crop protection. Nanocides are being considered as alternatives to conventional insecticides because they are expected to lessen the application rate and reduce the chances of resistance development in pests. In this study, we evaluated the entomotoxic effects of nanosilica on larvae of Plutella xylostella, in a laboratory by using dust spray, larva dipping, leaf dipping, and solution spray methods. Dust treatment showed a more highly significant effect than the other three treatments. The mortality percentage increased up to 58% and 85% at 24 and 72 h after treatment, respectively, when nanosilica was applied at a rate of 1 mg cm^?2. In all four bioassays, mortality rate increased with both increased time after nanosilica exposure and increased concentration. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images showed that larval death was due to desiccation, body wall abrasion, and spiracle blockage. These results suggested that nanosilica can be an alternative to conventional pesticides if dust formulation would be properly used.