Monitoring trace elements generated by automobiles: air pollutants with possible health impacts

Major transformations in the environmental composition are principally attributable to the combustion of fuels by automobiles. Motorized gasoline-powered two-stroke auto-rickshaws (TSA) and compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered four-stroke auto-rickshaws (FSA) are potential source of air pollution in south Asia and produce toxic amount of particulate matter (PM) to the environment. In this study, we attempted to characterize elemental pollutants from the PM of TSA and FSA using proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis. The observations of the existing investigation recognized significant increase in Al (P?<?0.05), P (P?<?0.01), and Zn (P?<?0.01) from the PM samples of FSA. In addition, the concentrations of Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na and S were also observed exceeding the recommended National Institute for Environmental Studies limits. On the contrary, increased concentration of Sr and V were observed in the PM samples from TSA. It is generally believed that FSA generates smaller amount of PM but data obtained from FSA are clearly describing that emissions from FSA comprised potentially more toxic substances than TSA. The current research is specific to metropolitan population and has evidently revealed an inconsistent burden of exposure to air pollutants engendered by FSA in urban communities, which could lead to the disruption of several biological activities and may cause severe damage to entire ecological system.     

Movement of unlined landfill under preloading surcharge

As organic solid waste is decomposed in a landfill and mass is lost due to gas and leachate formation, the landfill settles. Settlement of a landfill interferes with the rehabilitation and subsequent use of the landfill site after closure. This study examined the soil/solid waste movement at the Al-Qurain landfill in Kuwait after 15 years of closure as plans are underway for redevelopment of the landfill site that occupies about a km(2) with an average depth of 8-15m. Field experiments were conducted for 6 mo to measure soil/solid waste movement and water behavior within the landfill using two settlement plates with a level survey access, Casagrande-type piezometers, pneumatic piezometers, and magnetic probe extensometers. Previous results obtained indicated that biological decomposition of refuse continued after closure of the landfill site. The subsurface water rise enhanced the biological activities, which resulted in the production of increasing quantities of landfill gas. The refuse fill materials recorded a high movement rate under the imposed preloading as a result of an increase in the stress state. Up to 55% of the total movement was observed during the first 2 weeks of fill placement and increased to 80% within the first month of the 6-mo preloading test. Pneumatic piezometers showed an increase in water head, which is attributed to the developed pressure of gases escaping during the preloading period.     

Correction to: Determining soil quality in urban agricultural regions by soil enzyme-based index

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Unfortunately, in the original publication of the article, Prof. Yang Sik Ok’s affiliation was incorrectly published. The author’s affiliation is...     

Polycentric agglomeration and haze pollution: evidence from China

Polycentric agglomeration has gradually become a salient feature of rapid growth in urbanization in China. Using province-level balanced panel data over the period 2000–18, we examine the impact of polycentric agglomeration on haze pollution and its mechanism of action. The results show that the impact of polycentric agglomeration on haze pollution exhibits a significant inverted U-shaped feature. Nevertheless, except for a few provinces where polycentric agglomeration exceeds the turning point, the degree of polycentric concentration in most provinces lies to the left of the turning point. Further, a mediating effect model illustrates that industrial structure rationalization and technological progress are effective paths through which polycentric agglomeration affects haze pollution. Finally, we demonstrate that the effect of polycentric agglomeration on haze pollution is influenced by transportation and communication infrastructure; improved transportation and communication infrastructure contributes to the haze control effect of polycentric agglomeration.

     

Impregnation on activated carbon for removal of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and radioactive content

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare (NBC) agents cause an inevitable threat to defense forces and civilians. Exposure to these toxic agents...     

Surfactant enhanced pyrene degradation in the rhizosphere of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two non ionic surfactants (Tween 80 and Triton X-100), a biosurfactant (Lecithin), and...     

开都河下游绿洲耕地土壤重金属污染及潜在生态风险

开都河下游绿洲采集98个耕地土壤样品,测定其中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn等8种重金属元素的含量.基于地统计法,污染负荷指数法和潜在生态风险指数法研究耕地土壤重金属污染和潜在生态风险,并对重金属的来源进行讨论.结果表明:(1)研究区Cd含量平均值超出《国家土壤环境质量标准》中Ⅱ级标准的11.08倍.Cd、Cr、Ni、Pb和Zn含量的平均值分别超出新疆灌耕土背景值的55.42、1.32、1.36、3.40和5.14倍.重金属元素空间分布各不相同,部分区域出现高值区,表明人类活动对耕地土壤环境具有负面效应.(2)研究区耕地土壤Cd呈现重度污染,Pb呈现中度污染,Cr、Cu、Ni和Zn呈现轻度污染,As和Mn呈现无污染态势.Cd是污染面积最大,污染程度最高的元素.研究区污染负荷指数PLI的平均值为1.68,呈现轻度污染.(3)各重金属元素单项生态风险指数(E)的平均值从大到小依次为:Cd、Ni、As、Cu、Pb、Cr与Zn.研究区综合生态风险指数(RI)的平均值为355.31,属于较强生态风险.(4)研究区耕地土壤As、Cd、Pb和Zn主要受到人类活动的影响,Cr、Cu、Mn和Ni主要受到土壤地球化学特征的控制.Cd是研究区耕地土壤主要的污染因子,对PLI和RI的贡献很大,耕地土壤中Cd污染必须关注.     

Deciphering the impact of novel coronavirus pandemic on agricultural sustainability,food security,and socio-economic sectors—a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Spanish flu, Asian flu, Hong Kong flu, HIV/AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and Swine flu, among others, have had a significant impact on agriculture,...     

Rescue effects of Se-enriched rice on physiological and biochemical characteristics in cadmium poisoning mice

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cadmium (Cd) is an element injurious for human health and is possibly toxic to organisms at minor concentrations. While some of other trace metallic...