Impact of good governance and natural resource rent on economic and environmental sustainability: an empirical analysis for South Asian economies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Good governance and natural resource rent are important pillars of sustainable development. The paper explores the role of governance and natural...     

Evaluation of fresh and stored rainwater quality in fluoride and arsenic endemic area of Thar Desert,Pakistan

In the current study, the chemistry of fresh and stored rainwater of Thar Desert, Pakistan, was estimated during two consecutive monsoon periods. The present research deals with the variation in physicochemical parameters, total arsenic (As^t), inorganic arsenic species (Asⁱ, As^V, As^III), and fluoride (F^?) in stored rainwater (SRW) at different time intervals (1 week to 3 months). The pH of fresh rainwater (FRW) samples showed slightly acidic to neutral in nature (6.08–7.06) which were inconsistent with the reference pH value (5.6) of rainwater. The resulted data indicated that As^t and F^? levels in SRW were enhanced with time duration. The levels of As^t and F^? in SRW after different time intervals were found in the range of 194–683 μg/L and 10–35.4 mg/L, respectively. The values of As^t and F^? were 20–70 and 7–24 times higher than those of WHO permissible limits, 10 μg/L and 1.5 mg/L, respectively. The As^III was dominant species in SRW, which corresponds to >60 % of Asⁱ. The characteristics of the SRW revealed an unacceptable quality to consume for drinking and agricultural purposes in the studied area.     

Estimates of total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds in soils/sediments by hydrogenolysis to dicyclohexyl

A method to determine the total PCB content by hydrogenolysis (hydrodechlorination and hydrogenation) of chlorinated biphenyl compounds was extended to natural particulate matrices (soil and sediment). The contaminated soil was suspended in hexane in the presence of Pd/gamma-Al2O3 in a hydrogen atmosphere then permitted to react for one hour at 65 degrees C. Dicyclohexyl, recovered in the hexane, was quantified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The reaction was very efficient for soil/sediment in hexane suspension and virtually complete provided that excess catalyst was added to samples that were burdened with higher PCB loadings prior to reaction otherwise some partial hydrogenation of biphenyl was also observed. The proposed method was validated with the analysis of five certified reference materials.     

The nexus between financial development,globalization, and environmental degradation: Fresh evidence from Central and Eastern European Countries

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Global warming and greenhouse gas emissions have become a severe threat to our ecosystem. Prior studies on environment posit that ample exhaustion of...     

The Variation of Species Diversity,Regeneration and Community Structure in Larix gmelinii Forest Shaping by Local Environment Factors

Russian Journal of Ecology - Inner Mongolia Hanma National Nature Reserve without human disturbance is a natural laboratory for the study of Larix gmelinii forest because it has well-preserved...     

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on air pollution: a global research framework,challenges, and future perspectives

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - As a result of extreme modifications in human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the status of air quality has recently been improved. This...     

Perfluoroalkane acids in human milk under the global monitoring plan of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2008–2019)

● Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid highest in human milk. ● All other perfluoroalkane substances had median values of zero (101 samples). ● Branched PFOS recommended to be analyzed separately from linear isomer. ● PFOS and PFOA showed differentiated regional and income distribution. ● Human health risk assessment values not yet available at global level. Within the global monitoring plan (GMP) established by article 16 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) are recommended for analysis in core matrices to assess occurrence and changes geographically and with time. In 101 samples consisting of 86 national pools and 15 pools from States in Brazil obtained between 2008 and 2019, PFHxS was detected in 17% of the national pools and none in Brazil. PFOA and PFOS had a detection frequency of 100% and 92%, respectively. Other perfluoroalkane substances (PFAS) had either low detection frequencies and median values of zero (carboxylic acids C₄–C₁₁; except PFOA) or could not be quantified in any sample (sulfonic acids, C₄–C₁₀, and long-chain carboxylic acids, C₁₂–C₁₄). Correlation between PFOA and PFOS was moderately (r = 0.58). Whereas median values were almost identical (18.9 pg/g f.w. for PFOS; 18.6 pg/g f.w. for PFOA), PFOS showed larger ranges (< 6.2 pg/g f.w.–212 pg/g f.w.) than PFOA (< 6.2 pg/g f.w.–63.4 pg/g f.w.). It was shown that wealthier countries had higher PFOA concentrations than poorer countries. No difference in concentrations was found for samples collected in countries having or not having ratified the Stockholm Convention amendments to list PFOS or PFOA. The goal to achieve 50% decrease in concentrations within ten years was met by Antigua and Barbuda, Kenya, and Nigeria for PFOS and by Antigua and Barbuda for PFOA. In a few cases, increases were observed; one country for PFOS, four countries for PFOA.     

Preparation and properties of chitosan–metal complex: Some factors influencing the adsorption capacity for dyes in aqueous solution

Chitosan–metal complexes have been widely studied in wastewater treatment, but there are still various factors in complex preparation which are collectively responsible for improving the adsorption capacity need to be further studied. Thus, this study investigates the factors affecting the adsorption ability of chitosan–metal complex adsorbents, including various kinds of metal centers, different metal salts and crosslinking degree. The results show that the chitosan–Fe( Ⅲ) complex prepared by sulfate salts exhibited the best adsorption efficiency(100%) for various dyes in very short time duration(10 min), and its maximum adsorption capacity achieved 349.22 mg/g. The anion of the metal salt which was used in preparation played an important role to enhance the adsorption ability of chitosan–metal complex. SO_4~(2-) ions not only had the effect of crosslinking through electrostatic interaction with amine group of chitosan polymer, but also could facilitate the chelation of metal ions with chitosan polymer during the synthesis process.Additionally, the p H sensitivity and the sensitivity of ionic environment for chitosan–metal complex were analyzed. We hope that these factors affecting the adsorption of the chitosan–metal complex can help not only in optimizing its use but also in designing new chitosan–metal based complexes.     

Health risk of arsenic in the alluvial aquifers of Lahore and Raiwind,Punjab Province,Pakistan: an investigation for safer well water

Environmental pollution has generated release of high amounts of arsenic (As) which ultimately are detected in the water of Indus Basin Punjab, Pakistan. The area is characterized by a semiarid climate, and alluvial deposits. This investigation, an extension of previously reported As-affected area in Lahore and Kasur, aimed to (1) assess the extent of water contamination in this area and (2) determine possible safer sites for future water use. In a comparative study, total As contamination of underground water from individual dwellings and community water supply of some villages located at the boundary of the Sheikhopura and Lahore districts, Pakistan were measured to compare with previously published data of villages located at the boundary of the Lahore and Kasur districts. The results showed variable levels of As in shallow drinking water wells and average concentration exceeding WHO guidelines value. As levels ranged from below 5.2 to 80 µg/L and mean 45.5 µg/L. The As concentrations were higher than WHO limits but lower than previous studied area. In addition, high salinity was found to be a serious concern for deteriorating groundwater quality rendering it unsuitable for drinking. Groundwater is predominantly of the Na–HCO₃ type with slightly alkaline pH. High pH values and competition of As with HCO₃ may serve as an important process for mobilization of As in the shallow groundwater of the region. Continuous monitoring and expansion of monitoring systems are necessary to establish safer wells within As-contaminated areas.     

Assessment of physicochemical parameters of wastewater samples

Water samples from selected locations of Nullah Lai and Koh-e-Noor textile mill in the metropolitan city of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, were collected. Physicochemical parameters and heavy metals were determined using standard analytical procedures in comparison with sites, locations and subsequent interval of 3 months. The results of the physicochemical analysis at different locations of Nullah Lai and Koh-e-Noor textile mill with an interval of 3 months were obtained in the following range: pH (7.16–8.29), temperature (17.8–28.8 °C), conductivity (1,005–3,347 μS/m), TDS (754.3–2,519.5 mg/L), turbidity (272.8–487.05 NTU), total hardness (300–452 mg/L), nitrates (10.11–22.95 ppm), calcium (74.31–139.2 ppm), chloride (127.72–396.16 ppm), sulphate (15.97–87.38 ppm), NaCl (210.5–631.1 ppm), Ni (0.30–0.72 ppm), Cd (0.005–0.03 ppm), Cr (0.2–7.4 ppm), Pb (0.12–0.73 ppm), Zn (0.03–0.08 ppm) and Cu (0.01–0.06 ppm). The highest value of physicochemical parameters (compared with Nullah Lai) was obtained in locations of Koh-e-Noor textile mill. The results obtained exceeded the maximum allowable limit set by the World Health Organization for drinking purpose but can be used for irrigation purposes after suitable treatment and purification.