Characterization and in vitro biological effects of ambient air PM10 from a rural,an industrial and an urban site in Sulaimani City,Iraq

Abstract

High urban atmospheric pollution is caused by economic and industrial growth, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess possible relationships between in vitro effects on human alveolar epithelial cells of source-related dust types collected at Sulaimani City (Iraq), and to determine their mineralogical and chemical composition. A passive sampler was used to collect dust particles at a rural, an industrial and an urban sampling site during July and August 2014. The samples were size-fractionated by a low-pressure impactor to obtain respirable dust with aerodynamic diameters of less than 10?µm. The dust was mainly composed of quartz and calcite. Chrysotile fibers (white asbestos) were also found at the urban site. Dust from the industrial and urban sites triggered cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in the cells, whereas only minor effects were observed for the sample from the rural site.     

Seasonal succession and diversity of phytoplankton in a eutrophic lagoon (Liman lake)

The seasonal succession, composition and diversity of phytoplankton in a eutrophic lagoon (Liman lake) were studied between January 2002 and November 2003. Samples were collected from surface water and deeper (1 m depth) at stations and species diversity (Shannon-Weaver, H) and evenness were calculated. Shannon Diversty was similar at Station 1 and Station 2. Minimum and maximum diversity values (0.101 and 0.765 bits. mm3) were recorded in June and July 2003 at Station 2. Cluster analysis and NMDS (Non metric multidimensial scaling) were applied to the phytoplankton community. The lagoon exhibits high conductivity (7211-10757 microScm(-1)), mean temperature of 17.7 degrees C, varying concentrations of dissolved oxygen (3.3-8.4 mg l(-1)). Light, temperature, rainfall, turbidity and salinity were expected to be the main factors affecting the seasonal succession. The seasonal succession of phytoplankton were similar at surface water and 1 m depth. A total of 130 taxa belonging to Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Euglenophyta, Cyanophyta, Dinophyta, Xantophyta, Chrysophyta and Cryptophyta divisions were identified. Pseudanabaena limnetica, Kirchneriella obesa, Kirchneriella lunaris, Ankistrodesmus falcatus and Ankistrodesmus spiralis were highly represented.     

Does Globalisation Worsen Environmental Quality in Developed Economies?

We examine the causal relationship between globalisation and CO₂ emissions for 25 developed economies in Asia, North America, Western Europe and Oceania using both time series and panel data techniques, spanning the annual data period of 1970–2014. Because of the presence of cross-sectional dependence in the panel, we employ Pesaran’s Journal of Applied Econometrics 22, 265–312 (2007) cross-sectional augmented panel unit root (CIPS) test to ascertain unit root properties. The Westerlund Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 69, 709–748 (2007) cointegration test is also used to ascertain the presence of a long-run association between globalisation and carbon emissions. The long-run heterogeneous panel elasticities are estimated using the Pesaran Econometrica, 74(4), 967–1012 (2006) common correlated effect mean group (CCEMG) estimator and the Eberhardt and Teal Productivity analysis in global manufacturing production (2010) augmented mean group (AMG) estimator. The causality between the variables is examined by employing the Dumitrescu and Hurlin Economic Modelling, 29, 1450–1460 (2012) and Emirmahmutoglu and Kose Economic Modelling, 28, 870–876 (2011) Granger causality tests. The empirical results reveal that globalisation increases carbon emissions, and thus, the globalisation-driven carbon emission hypothesis is valid. This empirical analysis suggests insightful policy guidelines for policy makers using ‘globalisation’ as an economic tool for better long-run environmental policy.     

Experimental investigation of dust pollutants and the impact of environmental parameters on PV performance: an experimental study

The accumulation of dust pollution on the photovoltaic (PV) module can have a significant effect on the productivity and efficiency of PV systems in different locations in the world. Dust which accumulated over time on the PV module and is based on weather conditions led to the reduction in the effectiveness of solar cells. The aim of this research was to experimentally investigate the effect of the natural dust and the effects of environmental parameters on PV performance. The experiments were conducted to propose a model for the current, voltage, power and efficiency and to simulate the effect of environmental parameters on PV performance. The natural dust investigated consisted of different compounds: SiO₂ (45.53 %), CaO (24.62 %), Al₂O₃ (10.83 %), Fe₂O₃ (10.46 %), MgO (6.33 %), K₂O (0.87 %), TiO₂ (0.45 %), SO₃ (0.24 %), MnO₂ (0.21), Cr₂O₃ (0.23 %), SrO (0.13 %) and NiO (0.09 %). It was found that the most accurate correlation is a polynomial from seventh degree for current, voltage, power and efficiency, fourth degree for solar radiation and temperature, cubic degree for humidity and wind velocity. The coefficients of general model are 0.6343, 0.0110, 0.0 and 0.0001 for PV module, respectively, with 0.0011 fitting factor. The proposed model has been validated using models in the literature.     

Airborne load of Cassia pollen in West Bengal, eastern India: its atmospheric variation and health impact

A Burkard personal volumetric sampler was used at Sriniketan, a town about 150 km northwest of Calcutta, in the state of West Bengal, in eastern India to record the frequency of three common airborne Cassia pollen types, Cassia tora, Cassia occidentalis, and Cassia fistula for two consecutive years (2004–2006). Correlation was made between the meteorological factors and the pollen concentration in the atmosphere. The study reports Cassia pollinosis by in vivo skin prick test in respiratory allergic patients. The highest positive reactions were exhibited by C. tora (34.7 %), C. fistula (33.3 %), and C. occidentalis (28.5 %). The allergic potential of these was investigated by in vitro enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test. Their protein components were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in the range of 15.8–81.5 kDa. In C. occidentalis and C. fistula, 11 bands were found, while it was 10 in C. tora. The results show that the Cassia pollen occur significantly in the atmosphere with the potential to elicit an allergic response in susceptible patients.     

A simplified sampling procedure for the estimation of methane emission in rice fields

Manual closed chamber methods are widely used for CH₄ measurement from rice paddies. Despite diurnal and seasonal variations in CH₄ emissions, fixed sampling times, usually during the day, are used. Here, we monitored CH₄ emission from rice paddies for one complete rice-growing season. Daytime CH₄ emission increased from 0800 h, and maximal emission was observed at 1200 h. Daily averaged CH₄ flux increased during plant growth or fertilizer application and decreased upon drainage of plants. CH₄ measurement results were linearly interpolated and matched with the daily averaged CH₄ emission calculated from the measured results. The time when daily averaged emission and the interpolated CH₄ curve coincided during the daytime was largely invariant within each of the five distinctive periods. One-hourly sampling during each of these five periods was utilized to estimate the emission during each period, and we found that five one-hourly samples during the season accurately reflected the CH₄ emission calculated based on all 136 hourly samples. This new sampling scheme is simple and more efficient than current sampling practices. Previously reported sampling schemes yielded estimates 9 to 32% higher than the measured CH₄ emission, while our suggested scheme yielded an estimate that was only 5% different from that based on all 136-h samples. The sampling scheme proposed in this study can be used in rice paddy fields in Korea and extended worldwide to countries that use similar farming practices. This sampling scheme will help in producing more accurate global methane budget from rice paddy fields.     

The impact of economic,social, and political globalization and democracy on life expectancy in low-income countries: are sustainable development goals contradictory?

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals announced by the United Nations are important guides for the development processes of developing countries. However, achieving all of these goals is only possible if the goals are consistent with each other. It has been observed in the literature that possible contradictions between these goals are ignored. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate whether two sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the UN are contradictory or supporting each other in low-income countries. These SDGs are “Good Health and Well-Being” (SDG3) and “Partnerships for the Goals” (SDG17). For this purpose, the role of globalization and democracy in life expectancy is empirically investigated in 16 low-income countries over the period 1970–2017. While globalization has been used as an indicator of the partnership between countries, democracy has been used as an indicator of accountability and cooperation between governments and societies. According to estimations of the continuous-updated fully modified (CUP-FM) and bias-adjusted ordinary least squares (BA-OLS), globalization and its subcomponents such as economic, social, and political globalization affect life expectancy positively. Democracy also increases life expectancy in those countries. The GDP per capita is also used as a control variable. Our results show that a higher level of per capita income is positively associated with higher levels of life expectancy. In conclusion, no contradiction was found between SDG3 and SDG17 in those countries. Achieving a healthier society requires economic, social, and political integration between governments and societies.

     

Correction to: Influence of physico-chemical properties of soil clay fractions on the retention of dissolved organic carbon

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Unfortunately, in the original publication of the article, Prof. Yong Sik Ok’s affiliation was incorrectly published. The author’s affiliation is...     

Recycled tire granular for playground in hot regions: technical assessment

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Scrap tire granulation used for crumb rubber tiles and poured-in-place rubber surfaces are waste management strategy for the overgrowing tire...     

Heterogeneous effects of urbanization and environment Kuznets curve hypothesis in Africa

This work explores the heterogeneous effect of urbanization and nonrenewable energy consumption on the environment in 54 African nations. Panel data were used from 1996 to 2019. For estimation, panel quantile regression analysis, augmented mean group, panel threshold regression, and the environment Kuznets curve hypothesis were applied to check the relationship between income and carbon emissions. The study's outcome demonstrates that urbanization and nonrenewable energy consumption degrade the environment in Africa. Furthermore, an inverted U-shape relationship exists between economic growth and CO₂ emissions, confirming the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis. The findings indicate that urbanization should be planned; otherwise, urbanization can cause environmental degradation. African countries must adopt green urbanization and use renewable energy and clean manufacturing technologies. The institutions are encouraged to execute the standard, regulatory environment, and policies to reduce carbon emissions. Countries throughout the African continent should actively respond to the issues by charting a separate and diverse route for urban development.