Effects of water shortage in Kabul River network on the plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

Kabul River is a shared resource of Pakistan and Afghanistan and is a major source of economy for both countries. It is used for irrigation, power generation, fishery, hunting, and recreation. This study explored human-induced impact on Kabul River and its associated wetlands. For an in-depth study, the area situated between the two tributaries of Kabul River, i.e., Shalam and Naguman Rivers, was selected. The focus of the study was to find out reduction in the wetland areas, its causes, and associated impacts. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in 10 villages selected randomly in 10 union councils. The study revealed that anthropogenic activities, such as wetland farming, grazing residential encroachment, and industrial development, have caused severe alteration in the wetland of the study areas. The results revealed that before the 1990s, 33.55% area of the study area was wetland. Due to regular decrease in the flow of the Kabul River System and human encroachment, it has engulfed 68.40% of the total wetland leaving behind only 10.60% wetland. This can be termed as a big ecological disturbance. In the long run, this will have negative effects on both the countries. It is therefore recommended to give proper attention to this important wetland, positioning between Shalam and Naguman Rivers and to conserve it. One of the solutions is to regulate the natural flow of Kabul River.     

Plant-based coagulants/flocculants: characteristics,mechanisms, and possible utilization in treating aquaculture effluent and benefiting from the recovered nutrients

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The increasing intensification of the aquaculture industry requires the development of new strategies to reduce the negative impacts of wastewater on...     

Correction to: Evaluating the relationship between the respiratory exposure to the benzene with the primary damages of deoxyribonucleic acid and total antioxidant capacity in one of the oil companies in Iran

Environmental Science and Pollution Research -     

Sustainable alkali-activated binders with municipal solid waste incineration ashes as sand or fly ash replacement

The present study investigates the feasibility of using two types of municipality solid wastes incineration ashes, namely, fly ash and bottom ash in the production of sustainable alkali-activated binder. The ashes are collected from the incineration plant and characterized to determine their particle size distribution, specific gravity, chemical composition, and heavy metals content. The ashes are then used as either fly ash or sand replacement with five replacement ratios 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% to produce the binder. The produced binder are characterized in terms of strength, workability, density, water absorption, thermal conductivity and stability, chemical composition, and heavy metals content. The results reflect the ability of producing sustainable alkali-activated binder with small dosage of MSWI ashes as either fly ash or sand replacement without negatively affecting its strength, workability, density, and water absorption. The ashes enhance the thermal insulation capability of the binder.

     

Do anthropogenic and natural factors elevate the haze pollution in the South Asian countries? Evidence from long-term cointegration and VECM causality estimation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Anthropogenic and natural factors lead to substantial environmental degradation. This shift is aligned with the country's overall development,...     

Do credit constraints affect the technical efficiency of Boro rice growers? Evidence from the District Pabna in Bangladesh

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study analyzes the effects of credit constraints on technical efficiency of Boro rice growers in the district of Pabna in Bangladesh. Using a...     

Investigating green roofs’ CO2 sequestration with cold- and drought-tolerant plants (a short- and long-term carbon footprint view)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In recent years, green roofs have become the subject of increasing interest because of their good aesthetic qualities, energy conservation, and...     

Environmental geochemistry of higher radioactivity in a transboundary Himalayan river sediment (Brahmaputra,Bangladesh): potential radiation exposure and health risks

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study of a downstream segment (Brahmaputra, Bangladesh) of one of the longest transboundary (China-India-Bangladesh) Himalayan rivers reveals...     

Characterization of Alginate Hydrogel Beads Loaded with Thyme and Clove Essential Oils Nanoemulsions

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - The present study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of alginate beads filled with thyme and clove essential oils nanoemulsions (EONs). The droplet size...     

A new insight for real-time wastewater quality prediction using hybridized kernel-based extreme learning machines with advanced optimization algorithms

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Accurate prediction of inlet chemical oxygen demand (COD) is vital for better planning and management of wastewater treatment plants. The COD values...