Standardising and mapping open-source information for crisis regions: the case of post-conflict Iraq

Painting an accurate picture of the situation on the ground in countries in crisis is vital for the efficiency of humanitarian aid and reconstruction agencies. This study describes a method for standardising and mapping the plethora of open-source information. The test site for the study is post-conflict Iraq. Important information on aid distribution, reconstruction and security in Iraq can be derived from the reports of humanitarian aid agencies and the media, before being formatted, inserted into a database and mapped. The product is a visual, cartographic structure of otherwise random information, showing which organisations are working in the country, which thematic and geographic areas are being prioritized in the field, and which areas most frequently experience security events. This type of mapping not only highlights the overall working environment within different parts of the country, but it may also serve as a decision-making tool for donors and humanitarian aid agencies planning to deploy personnel.     

Uptake of Ni2+ and rhodamine B by nano-hydroxyapatite/alginate composite beads: batch and continuous-flow systems

Alginate encapsulated nano-hydroxyapatite beads were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Their adsorptive potential for Ni²⁺ and rhodamine B was explored in batch mode and by fixed-bed column passage. In the batch system, maximum uptake capacity for Ni²⁺ was 360 mg g^?1 and 480 mg g^?1 for rhodamine B. In the presence of humic acid, sorption was enhanced. For the continuous-flow system, adsorption was effective at low flow rate. For both pollutants, mass transport resistance increased during adsorption. The overall rates of rhodamine B and Ni²⁺ uptake were found to be controlled by external mass transfer.     

Determination of heavy metals in lower Sakarya river sediments using a BCR-sequential extraction procedure

A BCR-sequential extraction procedure for the determination of extractable heavy metals was applied to sediments of various rivers and lakes. There are many rivers basins in Turkey. Sakarya River Basin is one of the most important basins, which consists of three parts: Upper, Middle and Lower Sakarya River Basins. In this study, the Lower Sakarya River was selected as the study area for sediments. The samples were collected monthly from 10 pre-determined stations through the river for 10 months time and analysed for the distribution of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn elements. The determination of extractable heavy metals in sediments was carried out by using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The validation of the results was performed by the analysis of a BCR 701 standard reference material.     

Protective effect of gamma-oryzanol against manganese-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Manganese (Mn) is an essential element that, in excess, seems to be involved in the development of different neurodegenerative conditions....     

Green and facile synthesis of nickel oxide-porous carbon composite as improved electrochemical electrodes for supercapacitor application from banana peel waste

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors are examples of energy storage technologies that have a lot of promise in a variety of applications. Herein,...     

Influence of pyrolysis temperature on production and nutrient properties of wastewater sludge biochar

The important challenge for effective management of wastewater sludge materials in an environmentally and economically acceptable way can be addressed through pyrolytic conversion of the sludge to biochar and agricultural applications of the biochar. The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of pyrolysis temperature on production of wastewater sludge biochar and evaluate the properties required for agronomic applications. Wastewater sludge collected from an urban wastewater treatment plant was pyrolysed in a laboratory scale reactor. It was found that by increasing the pyrolysis temperature (over the range from 300 °C to 700 °C) the yield of biochar decreased. Biochar produced at low temperature was acidic whereas at high temperature it was alkaline in nature. The concentration of nitrogen was found to decrease while micronutrients increased with increasing temperature. Concentrations of trace metals present in wastewater sludge varied with temperature and were found to primarily enriched in the biochar.