Mangrove forest decline: consequences for livelihoods and environment in South Sulawesi

Mangrove forests in the tropics and subtropics grow in saline sediments in coastal and estuarine environments. Preservation of mangrove forests is important for many reasons, including the prevention of coastal erosion and seawater intrusion; the provision of spawning, nursery, and feeding grounds of diverse marine biota; and for direct use (such as firewood, charcoal, and construction material)—all of which benefit the sustainability of local communities. However, for many mangrove areas of the world, unsustainable resource utilization and the profit orientation of communities have often led to rapid and severe mangrove loss with serious consequences. The mangrove forests of the Takalar District, South Sulawesi, are studied here as a case area that has suffered from degradation and declining spatial extent during recent decades. On the basis of a post-classification comparison of change detection from satellite imagery and a survey of households, we provide an estimate of the mangrove change in the Takalar District during 1979–2011 and the consequences of those changes. Mangrove forest areas were reduced by 66.05 % (3344 hectares) during the 33-year period of analysis, and the biggest annual negative change in dense mangrove forest cover (8.37 %) occurred during the period 2006–2011. The changes were caused mainly by the mangrove clearing and conversion to aquaculture, and consequences have been increasing forest degradation, coastal abrasion, seawater intrusion, a decline in fish capture, a reduction in juvenile shrimp and milkfish, and outbreaks of shrimp disease. On the other hand, the clearing and impoundment of mangrove forests for shrimp and seaweed culture have provided a source of foreign exchange and new opportunities for employment in the study area.     

Effect of pH and alum dosage on the efficiency of microalgae harvesting via flocculation technique

Microalgae biomass is well known as a potential sustainable product for bio-based industry, which has reported encountering numerous difficulties during biomass harvesting and recovering. This study examined the effect of pH (5–12) and alum dosage (30–180 mg/L) for microalgae Botryococcus sp. harvested via flocculation technique. The optimum pH condition for Botryococcus sp. harvesting was measured to be 9.2, and the alum dosage was 100 mg/L. Both optimum values successfully harvested up to 95% microalgae biomass. This study revealed that flocculation efficiencies for alum are highly dependent on the range of pH and coagulant dosage that were applied during the process. Use of flocculation technique with alum as a coagulant represents a convenient technique for Botryococcus sp. biomass harvesting and is recommended for use in both small- and large-scale biomass industries.     

Marble industry effluents cause an increased bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Mahaseer (Tor putitora) in Barandu River,district Buner,Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of marble industry effluents on the accumulation of heavy metals in selected tissues of...     

Enhancement of biomethane production from cattle manure with codigestion of dilute acid pretreated lignocellulosic biomass

It is well known that dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of the lignicellulosisc biomass is an effective approach used for the production of the ethanol. However, there are less studies on the biogas production from the pretreated lignocellulosics and hardly data available on the codigestion of cattle manure with the pretreated lignocellulosisc material. The aim of this study was to evaluate biomethane production potential of codigestion of cattle manure with dilute acid pretreated lignocellulosic biomass. Sugarcane bagasse and rice husk was pretreated with dilute sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid at 121°C for 20 minutes and subsequently subjected to anaerobic digestion alone or codigested with cattle manure.

The results showed that codigestion of 1% phosphoric acid pretreated rice husk with cattle manure led to the highest methane production of 115 Nmlg^?1VS while monodigestion of cattle manure and phosphoric acid pretreated rice husk produced 98 and 87 Nmlg^?1VS, respectively. An inhibition was observed in anaerobic digestion of sulfuric acid pretreated rice husk and sugarcane bagasse during monodigestion and codigestion with cattle manure.

The study concludes that dilute phosphoric acid pretreated lignocellulosics like sugarcane bagasse and rice husk can be used as a cosubstrate with cattle manure in anaerobic digestion for enhanced methane production. Dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment, which is effective method for the bioethanol production, causes inhibition during anaerobic digestion of the pretreated lignocellulosics.     

Lead Content of Petrol and Diesel and its Assessment in an Urban Environment

Pakistan is one of the few countries in Asia thatcontinues to use only leaded-petrol as vehicular fuel. Theconcentration of Pb in its petrol reported in 1991 was thehighest (1.5 – 2.0 g Pb L^-1) of all produced by the various Asiancountries and far exceeded the WHOs guideline of 0.15 g Pb L^-1. We have undertaken a study to trace and quantify this toxicelement in the environs of Karachi, Pakistans major metropolis,having more than 30% of the nations total number of vehicles.In this article we report the Pb contents of petrol and dieselcurrently manufactured and marketed in the city. Samples of`Regular petrol collected in 1999 was found to contain 0.363 gPb L^-1 (range: 0.335 – 0.390 g Pb L^-1), a factor of 5 lower than thatmarketed prior to 1991. Its concentration in diesel fuel was muchlower (0.017 g Pb L^-1). Based on the available statistical data onthe type and volume of vehicular traffic, we assessed that thecurrent lead emission from vehicular traffic into the atmosphereis 391 metric tons a year, which is a factor of 2.7 lower thanthat estimated for 1989.     

Seasonal Variation in Bacterial Flora of the Wastewater and Soil in the Vicinity of Industrial Area

Environmental pollution is one of the major problems being facedtoday due to the advent of extensive industrialization. Heavy metals are the most important contaminants in wastewater that are present in abundance and are toxic. Heavy metal contentsof sewage in the industrial estate of Aligarh (U.P.) have beendetermined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The analysisof samples collected from six different locations revealedsignificantly high levels of Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr and Ni. Certainbacteriological (Total bacterial count, Total coliform, Fecal coliform, and Fecal Streptococci) parameters of domestic and industrial sewage as well as soils were monitored from March1990 to January 1993. Total bacterial count, total coliform,fecal coliform and fecal streptococci were found to be lowestin all the samples of industrial wastewater compared to thosein domestic sewage and soil systems. The soil however, contained highest total culturable bacterial population. In view of the common practice of the application of sewage to agricultural land in the neighbouring area, the discharge ofindustrial wastewater without proper treatment into public sewers should be strictly prohibited.     

Assessment of sulfurous springs in the west of Iraq for balneotherapy,drinking, irrigation and aquaculture purposes

This research deals with the sulfurous spring waters flow along the course of the Euphrates River in western Iraq in the area extended between Haqlaniya and Hit within the Al-Anbar governorate. Eleven springs (3 in Haqlanya, 4 in Kubaysa and 4 in Hit) have been addressed for the purpose of water evaluation for balneology, drinking, irrigation and aquaculture (fish farming). In order to meet the objectives of this research, all springs were sampled and analyzed for the total dissolved solid, electrical conductivity, pH, temperature, major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺), major anions (SO₄ ^2?, Cl^?, HCO₃ ^? and CO₃ ^2?), minor anions (PO₄ ^3?and NO₃ ^?) as well as the trace elements that included Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu, Br, F, Ba, B, Sr, Al, As, Cr, Hg and Se. The International Standards of World Health Organization are used for assessing the water quality. The results revealed that the springs belong to the tepid springs of 27–30 °C and classified as hypothermal to the thermal springs. Lithochemistry and geochemical processes clearly affected the water chemistry. The hydrogeochemical processes are responsible for the element enrichment in water by the chemical dissolution of carbonate and gypsum and evaporation as well. The results of the study indicate the possibility of using spring water for therapeutic purposes, but not allowed for drinking and aquaculture (fish farming), except those free of H₂S gas. On the other hand, it can be used for irrigation with risk. However, soil type as well as proper selection of plants should be taken into consideration.     

Wind speed pattern data and wind energy potential in Pakistan: current status,challenging platforms and innovative prospects

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Energy is an essential parameter for the economic growth and sustainable development of any country. Due to the rapid increase in energy demand,...     

The effectiveness of environmental education workshops for teachers,learners and schools in Malaysia

In Malaysia, various efforts have been introduced to increase the knowledge, skills and awareness of citizens to the benefit of the environment by means of a variety of programmes. However, uncertainty about the effectiveness of environmental education programmes and the way they contribute to sustainability still exists. This paper reports on an evaluation of the Kelab Pencinta Alam (KPA) (School Nature Clubs) programme organised by the Malaysia Nature Society and the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia. The Kellogg Logic Model was used as an evaluative instrument as the impact of the programme had to be determined. This was done through questionnaires to teachers and principals in KPA schools. School visits were also undertaken to evaluate workplace success and to validate the findings from the questionnaires. Overall, the evaluation showed a high level of success for the programme.