Assessment of nitrogen and phosphate balance and the roles of bacteria and viruses at the water-sediment interface in the Allal El Fassi reservoir (Morocco)

Balances of nitrogen and phosphate were studied in the Allal El Fassi reservoir (Morocco); the results showing that nitrogen input (296 mg m^?2 d^?1) was 161 % higher than output (183 mg m^?2 d^?1). Phosphate input (35.65 mg m^?2 d^?1) was 865 % higher than output (4.12 mg m^?2 d^?1), causing a progressive increase in the internal phosphate stock. Sedimentation flux was equally high (53.80 and 18 mg m^?2 d^?1) for both nitrogen and phosphate input, mainly from the Sebou River and in particulate form which immediately settles upon arrival in the reservoir. The release of nitrogen and phosphate from the sediment (5.40 and 1.15 mg m^?2 d^?1, respectively) depended on physicochemical and biological (bacteria and viruses) variability and the calcareous nature of the catchment basin. Calcium-bound phosphate prevailed in the reservoir. Drastic control of phosphate input is suggested to avoid accumulation of calcium-bound phosphate which may dissociate and thereby contribute to eutrophication.     

Assessment of radiological hazard of NORM in Margalla Hills limestone, Pakistan

Studies on naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in the limestone from the Margalla Hills have been carried out by measuring gamma activity and to access its radiological implications if any. For data acquisition, a High-Purity Germanium detector was employed. The activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th, and (40)K were found to be 14.32?±?0.24, 2.05?±?0.04, and 13.80?±?0.20 Bq kg(-1), respectively. These values are relatively lower as compared to that in the limestone of other countries and much lower than the values reported for the natural building stones. The average specific activities due to (226)Ra were found to be higher when compared with (40)K and (232)Th. Indices of radium equivalent activity (Ra(eq)), internal hazard (H(in)), indoor absorbed gamma dose rate (D(R,)), and corresponding annual effective dose (E(eff)) were also determined for the limestone-made rooms. All of these indices were found to be in the lower ranges. The Margalla Hills limestone does not pose any excessive radiological health hazard as a building material and in industrial uses for a common man.     

Sustainable consumption profile differences among Brazilian regions

Brazil is a vast country and there are several scientific studies reporting sustainable behavior in its different regions. Since methodologies used in these studies differ from one another, it is hard to compare them. This paper aims to identify whether differences in sustainable behavior occur in different Brazilian regions and what differences can be identified. Through a web survey, we analyzed data from 1,489 participants, from four different regions. We identified two factors (behavior and search for information), and analyzed the differences through multivariate analysis of variance. The Northeast region had a higher score for “search for information”, while Southern regions performed better on “behavior.” The Midwest region had the worst performance for both factors. The reasons for such differences may be greatly influenced by the social/cultural context of each region. The results also show that consumers still do not use their power of choice to pressure companies to become more sustainable.     

Environment and Mobility: A View from Four Discourses

Debate and literature on the link between degrading environments and human mobility has been increasing exponentially. There is little concrete evidence, however, of efforts or policies that support the management of environmentally influenced mobility. Through discourse analysis using Q-methodology, this research aimed to scrutinize the standoff between opposing views under a fresh lens. One-hundred and ninety-seven experts from 49 nations completed an on-line survey asking them to sort, by level of agreement, 42 statements gleaned from the literature concerning the environment-mobility nexus. Four very different discourses emerged: determined humanists, benevolent pragmatists, cynical protectionists, and critical realists. The complexity of these discourses helps explain the stalemate while confirming the inappropriateness of one-sided terminology and linear quantifications. Despite diametrically opposed viewpoints, experts unanimously agree that human mobility is connected to environmental change. Dissection of these social perspectives builds a new foundation for the Rio+20 analysis and policy deliberations related to environmentally influenced human mobility.     

Efficient removal of the antibiotic Cefixime on Mg0.3Zn0.7O under solar light: kinetic and mechanism studies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The heterogeneous photocatalysis is known to provide significant degradation and mineralization of emerging contaminants including antibiotics. For...     

A GIS-based DRASTIC vulnerability and net recharge reassessment in an aquifer of a semi-arid region (Metline-Ras Jebel-Raf Raf aquifer, Northern Tunisia)

This paper aims to elaborate new generic DRASTIC aquifer vulnerability maps of the coastal aquifer of Metline-Ras Jebel-Raf Raf (Northeast of Tunisia) using the GIS technique, making the data analyses easier to handle and providing better capabilities of dealing with large spatial data. A similar study was carried out in 1999 in the same aquifer using a method based on the soil water balance equation to determine the net recharge parameter. Unfortunately, the lack of data in the study area made the results unsatisfactory. By applying the Williams and Kissel equation and the Rao relationship, we intend to demonstrate that we could correctly evaluate the net recharge parameter. Moreover, new data related to the aquifer hydraulic conductivity, the soil cover and the vadose zone lithology have become available, and allowed us to elaborate suitable DRASTIC maps.     

Machine learning-based prediction of toxic metals concentration in an acid mine drainage environment,northern Tunisia

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In northern Tunisia, Sidi Driss sulfide ore valorization had produced a large waste amount. The long tailings exposure period and in situ minerals...     

Development of a model for the evaluation of compost supply–demand dynamics: theory and case study in an area of Rabat region,Morocco

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Compost Supply–Demand (CSD) dynamics is one of the important aspects to consider when assessing composting plants’ sustainability....     

Study on the kinetics of the conversion of Moroccan phosphogypsum into X2SO4 (X = Na,NH4)

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Phosphoric acid production industries use the wet process, which leads to enormous quantities of phosphogypsum (PG) as a byproduct. The discharge...     

Semi-solid anaerobic co-digestion of source-separated fecal slag and food waste: focusing on methane production,ecological risk assessment,and quality evaluation as fertilizer

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Toilet revolution is driven by the urgent need for solutions to improve sanitation and access to high-quality organic fertilizer for rural areas,...