Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment,waste management,and energy sectors: a deeper look into the long-term impacts

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The COVID-19 pandemic not only has caused a global health crisis but also has significant environmental consequences. Although many studies are...     

Saudi Arabia-China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: intergovernmental green initiatives

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The objective of the study is to conduct the socio-economic and environmental survey about the feasibility of Saudi Arabia-China-Pakistan Economic...     

Transition to a low-CO2 emissions economy: China government policy for early-stage green finance

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The popularity of green economy as an innovative technique and financial mechanism has soared as a result of this exchange, the gross domestic product...     

In vitro evaluation of the effect of dibutyl phthalate on electrogenic sodium-linked glucose transport in isolated rabbit ileum

Dibutyl phthalate, a known endocrine disruptor, is a commonly used plasticizer that influences the glucose homeostasis. The present study elucidates the effects of dibutyl phthalate (1 and 5 mmol/L) on electrogenic sodium-linked glucose transport in the isolated rabbit ileum with ‘Ussing chamber.’ Serosal addition of dibutyl phthalate has no effect on glucose-based electrogenic changes in short circuit current, and no effect of dibutyl phthalate is observed on ileal tissue conductance and catalase activity. However, mucosal addition of dibutyl phthalate in the presence of glucose shows a trend of decrease in short circuit current compared with the control. This indicates that dibutyl phthalate may have a deleterious effect on the electrogenic intestinal glucose transport.     

One-step synthesis of N-doped metal/biochar composite using NH3-ambiance pyrolysis for efficient degradation and mineralization of Methylene Blue

A series of new biochar-supported composite based on the combination of biochar and metallic nanoparticles(NPs)were produced through single-step pyrolysis of FeCl_3–Ti(OBu)_4 laden agar biomass under NH_3 environment.The physiochemical properties of composites were characterized thoroughly.It has found that heating temperature and N-doping through NH_3-ambiance pyrolysis significantly influence the visible-light sensitivity and bandgap energy of composites.The catalytic activities of composites were measured by degradation of Methylene Blue(MB)in the presence or absence of H_2O_2 and visible-light irradiation.Our best catalyst(N–TiO_2–Fe_3O_4-biochar)exhibits rapid and high MB removal competency(99.99%)via synergism of adsorption,photodegradation,and Fenton-like reaction.Continuous production of O_2U~-and UOH radicles performs MB degradation and mineralization,confirmed by scavenging experiments and degradation product analysis.The local trap state Ti~(3+),Fe_3O_4,and N-carbon of the catalyst acted as active sites.It has suggested that the Ti~(3+)and N-doped dense carbon layer improve charge separation and shuttle that prolonged photo-Fenton like reaction.Moreover,the catalyst is highly stable,collectible,and recyclable up to 5 cycles with high MB degradation efficiency.This work provides a new insight into the synthesis of highly visible-light sensitized biocharsupported photocatalyst through NH_3-ambiance pyrolysis of NPs-laden biomass.     

Monitoring results for organochlorine pesticides in soil and water from selected obsolete pesticide stores in Pakistan

Seasonal changes in micromineral and macromineral concentrations in tissues of shrimp (Parapenaus longirostris) from Marmara Sea were measured for a 1-year period by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The contents of investigated minerals in shrimp were found to be in the range of 0.374–0.716 mg/kg for Hg, 0.526–1.286 mg/kg for Se, 0.007–0.098 mg/kg for Cd, 0.197–0.230 mg/kg for Pb, 5.194–7.600 mg/kg for Cu, 11.090–17.707 mg/kg for Zn, 22.128–38.850 mg/kg for Al, 61.769–88.437 mg/kg for Fe, 0.262–0.368 mg/kg for As, 0.081–0.249 mg/kg for Co, 0.850–1.459 mg/kg for Mn, 0.316–0.507 mg/kg for Ni, 0.032–0.107 mg/kg for Sn, 1.262–1.502 mg/kg for Cr, 2,813.770–3,317.819 mg/kg for Na, 3,702.230–4,479.648 mg/kg for K, 495.782–650.280 mg/kg for Mg, 790.407–1,016.112 mg/kg for Ca, 2,685.873–3,657.658 mg/kg for P, and 0.454–0.942 mg/kg for I. The levels of Hg found in autumn were higher than maximum levels proposed by the European legislation.     

Allelopathic potential of oil seed crops in production of crops: a review

Agricultural production enhancement has been realized by more consumption of fossil energy such as fertilizer and agrochemicals. However, the production provides the present human with sufficient and diversified commodities, but at the same time, deprives in some extent the resources from the future human as well. In the other hand, it is known that synthetic herbicides face worldwide threats to human’s health and environment as well. Therefore, it is a great challenge for agricultural sustainable development. The current review has been focussed on various oilseed crop species which launch efficient allelopathic intervention, either with weeds or other crops. Crop allelopathic properties can make one species more persistent to a native species. Therefore, these crops are potentially harmful to both naturalized as well as agricultural settings. On the other side, allelopathic crops provide strong potential for the development of cultivars that are more highly weed suppressive in managed settings. It is possible to utilize companion plants that have no deleterious effect on neighbor crops and can be included in intercropping system, thus, a mean of contributing to agricultural sustainable development. In mixed culture, replacement method, wherein differing densities of a neighbor species are planted, has been used to study phytotoxic/competitive effects. So, to use alternative ways for weed suppression has become very crucial. Allelochemicals have the ability to create eco-friendly products for weed management, which is beneficial for agricultural sustainable development. Our present study assessed the potential of four oilseed crops for allelopathy on other crops and associated weeds.     

Extraction,isolation, and identification of various environment friendly components from cock's comb (Celosia argentea) leaves for allelopathic potential

In this study, the aqueous extract of leaves of the plant cock's comb (Celosia argentea) was fractioned into five batches using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of the methanol re-dissolved residues of 3 polar fractions, including dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol separately which exhibited altogether 12 compounds identified as 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (p-coumaric acid), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, m-coumaric acid, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, m-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, pyrogallol, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and genetic acid was categorized by retention time using known compounds. Similarly, the mass confirmation of most of the identified compounds was achieved by injecting 20 µl of composite sample of these three polar fractions into liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Similarly, the physiochemical analysis of C. argentea aqueous extract showed the presence of various constituents such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides. All four organic fractions were examined for phytotoxicity against Lepidium sativum. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among these fractions against germination and growth of L. sativum. Further allelopathic effects appeared to be concentration dependent. Thus, C. argentea may prove effective as a substitute of herbicides to control the weeds like L. sativum from attacking crops and to protect the environment from the health hazard effects of herbicides.     

Testing the heterogeneous effect of air transport intensity on CO2 emissions in G20 countries: An advanced empirical analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study investigates the heterogeneous impact of air transport intensity, air passenger transport, and air freight transport on air...