Dissipation pattern and pre-harvest residue limit of abamectin in perilla leaves

The pre-harvest residue limit (PHRL) of abamectin (abamectin B1a and B1b) in Perilla frutescens leaves grown under greenhouse conditions were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector. Samples were extracted with acetonitrile. The extract was purified through a solid phase extraction procedure. Then the purified extract was derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride and N-methylimidazole to form a strong stable fluorescent derivative of abamectin. Finally, derivatized abamectins were conveyed to the detector via an Atlantis C₁₈ column, with water and methanol as a mobile phase. Calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges with coefficients of determinants r ²?≥?0.999. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.0033 and 0.01 mg kg^?1 for abamectin B_1a and B_1b, respectively. Recovery was assessed in a control matrix at two different fortification concentrations, with three replicates for each concentration. Good recoveries were obtained for the target analytes and ranged from 82.11 to 93.03 %, with relative standard deviations of less than 8 %. The rate of disappearance of total abamectin on perilla leaves for recommended and double the recommended doses was described as first-order kinetics with a half-life of 0.7 days. Using the PHRL curve, we could predict the residue level of total abamectin to be 0.92 mg kg^?1 at 7 days before harvest or 0.26 mg kg^?1 at 4 days before harvest, which would be below the provisional MRL designed by the Korea Food and Drug Administration.     

Environmental Kuznets Curve: the case of Bangladesh for waste emission and suspended particulate matter

Economists have shown the empirical relationships between the economic growth of a nation and its environmental quality using the hypothesis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). To understand the EKC phenomena, a study of the literature was undertaken. As waste, waste emission, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) are the active agents of environmental degradation, the study focused on those agents for EKC consideration. Through understanding the different EKC trajectories, an attempt was made to relate the economic development of Bangladesh to the EKC. It is shown that the EKCs for waste, emissions from waste, and SPM follow the conventional EKC trajectory with a turning point related to higher income per capita in most cases. The type of economic policy that Bangladesh should follow to deal with the pollutants and their sources is also shown. The study recommends creating a tunnel in the EKC to lower the turning point in Bangladesh. The study is likely to help stimulate policy development in Bangladesh.     

Removal of phenol by activated carbons prepared from palm oil mill effluent sludge

The study was attempted to produce activated carbons from palm oil mill effluent （POME） sludge. The adsorption capacity of the activated carbons produced was evaluated in aqueous solution of phenol. Two types of activation were followed, namely, thermal activation at 300, 500 and 800%, and physical activation at 150% （boiling treatment）. A control （raw POME sludge） was used to compare the adsorption capacity of the activated carbons produced. The results indicated that the activation temperature of 800℃ showed maximum absorption capacity by the activated carbon （POME 800） in aqueous solution of phenol. Batch adsorption studies showed an equilibrium time of 6 h for the activated carbon of POME 800. It was observed that the adsorption capacity was higher at lower values ofpH （2--3） and higher value of initial concentration of phenol （200--300 mg/L）, The equilibrium data were fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The adsorption of phenol onto the activated carbon POME 800 was studied in terms of pseudo-first and second order kinetics to predict the rate constant and equilibrium capacity with the effect of initial phenol concentrations. The rate of adsorption was found to be better correlation for the pseudo-second order kinetics compared to the first order kinetics.     

Agricultural GHG emission and calorie intake nexus among different socioeconomic households of rural eastern India

A study was conducted to examine the interrelationships among socioeconomic factors, household consumption patterns, calorie intake and greenhouse gas emissions factors in rural eastern India based on household survey data. Findings indicated that higher monthly per capita incomes (12.1–80.1$) were associated with greater average calorie intakes (2021–2525 kcal d^?1). As estimated by the FEEDME model, in total 17.2% of the population was calorie malnourished with a regional disparity of 29.4–18.2% malnourishment. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were calculated only on the basis of crop and livestock production and consumption. Rice accounted for the highest share of total GHG emissions, on average 82.6% on a production basis, which varied from 58.1% to 94.9% in regional basis. Rice contributed the greatest share (~?65% and 66.2%) in terms of both calories and GHG emissions (CO₂ eq y^?1), respectively, on a consumption basis. We conclude that extensive rice farming and increasing animal product consumption are dominant factors in the higher carbon footprint in this region and are likely to further increase with increase in per capita income. This study provides useful information to help for better crop planning and for fine-tuning food access policy, to reduce carbon footprint and calorie malnutrition.

     

Sustainable building technology: thermal control of solar energy to cool and heat the building naturally

Environment, Development and Sustainability - A sustainable building design technology is being proposed to heat and cool inside the building naturally by using exterior curtain wall to control the...     

Agroforestry environment,potentiality and risk in India: a remote sensing and GIS understanding

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The study utilized the tree covers per cent, agroforestry suitability, present and future (2050) climate, agriculture vulnerability (2050), percentage...     

Potential of microalgae Bio-Coke as a sustainable solid fuel alternative to coal coke

Energy and environmental issues have triggered the search for new sources of green energy alternatives in recent years. Biofuel production from renewable sources is widely considered one of the most sustainable alternatives for environmental and economic sustainability. Microalgae are currently being promoted as one of the most promising liquid biofuel feedstocks due to their rapid growth, high lipid production capacity, and carbon–neutral cycle. In this study, whole microalgae cells were utilized as raw material to produce solid biofuel, i.e., Bio-Coke, and this study aimed to investigate the possibility of microalgae Bio-Coke as an alternative to coal coke. The results show that Bio-Coke can be produced from microalgae in the temperature range of 80–100 °C. The apparent density is between 1.253 and 1.261 g/cm³, comparable to the apparent density of lignocellulosic Bio-Coke. Additionally, the calorific value is higher than the calorific value of lignocellulosic Bio-Coke and within the range of the calorific value of subbituminous coal. Therefore, microalgae Bio-Coke can be utilized to replace coal coke usage in the future.

     

Flotation kinetics of aluminum powders derived from waste crystalline silicon solar cells and its comparison between batch,continuous and column flotation practices

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - In this study, floatability rate of aluminum (Al) powders was analyzed for the purpose of separating valuable resources from residual materials in...     

Critical success factors of sustainable manufacturing practices in Malaysian automotive industry

The purpose of this study is to examine the critical success factors of sustainable manufacturing practices (SMPs) in Malaysian automotive industry. The questionnaires were designed and distributed to the 50 respondents. The pilot study sample consists of 26 respondents from 50 questionnaires, with an average response rate of 52%. The results of reliability analysis show that social responsibility is critical factor influencing the direct SMPs implementation success. By implementing SMPs in Malaysian automotive industry, it can assist company to improve the quality of management. Thus, this study recommends that the future research explore the influence of SMPs on sustainable performance in Malaysian automotive industry.     

Screening of Bangladeshi winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars for sensitivity to ozone

The sensitivity to ozone of ten Bangladeshi wheat cultivars was tested by exposing plants to eight ozone exposure regimes (50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 135, 150, and 200 ppb for 14, 11, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 1 days, respectively, for 8 h/day) in controlled environment chambers. Visible leaf injury, dry weight, chlorophyll, carotenoid content, leaf greenness (SPAD value), quantum yield of photosynthesis, and stomatal resistance were measured to evaluate response. Shoot biomass, total chlorophyll, leaf greenness, and carotenoid content were reduced in ozone-exposed plants. Based on the results of principal component analysis (PCA)-biplot analysis, the order of sensitivity to ozone was: Akbar?>>?Sufi?≥?Bijoy?≥?Shatabdi?>?Bari-26?≥?Gourab?>?Bari-25?≥?Prodip?≥?Sourav?>>?Kanchan. The most important parameters to discriminate cultivars with respect to ozone sensitivity were visible injury and chlorophyll b/a ratio, whereas quantum yield of photosynthesis was less important. Differences in stomatal resistance were not a significant factor in ozone response. Regression of cultivars’ PCA scores against year of release revealed no trend, suggesting that ozone tolerance was not incorporated during cultivar breeding.