The challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution through energy sources: evidence from a panel of developed countries

The objective of the study is to investigate the long-run relationship between climatic factors (i.e., greenhouse gas emissions, agricultural methane emissions, and industrial nitrous oxide emission), air pollution (i.e., carbon dioxide emissions), and energy sources (i.e., nuclear energy; oil, gas, and coal energy; and fossil fuel energy) in the panel of 35 developed countries (including EU-15, new EU member states, G-7, and other countries) over a period of 1975–2012. In order to achieve this objective, the present study uses sophisticated panel econometric techniques including panel cointegration, panel fully modified OLS (FMOLS), and dynamic OLS (DOLS). The results show that there is a long-run relationship between the variables. Nuclear energy reduces greenhouse gases and carbon emissions; however, the other emissions, i.e., agricultural methane emissions and industrial nitrous oxide, are still to increase during the study period. Electricity production from oil, gas, and coal sources increases the greenhouse gases and carbon emissions; however, the intensity to increase emissions is far less than the intensity to increase emissions through fossil fuel. Policies that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases can simultaneously alter emissions of conventional pollutants that have deleterious effects on human health and the environment.     

Molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in relation to soil chemical properties and heavy metal contamination

Abundance and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with dominant plant species were studied along a transect from highly lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) polluted to non-polluted soil at the Anguran open pit mine in Iran. Using an established primer set for AMF in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, nine different AMF sequence types were distinguished after phylogenetic analyses, showing remarkable differences in their distribution patterns along the transect. With decreasing Pb and Zn concentration, the number of AMF sequence types increased, however one sequence type was only found in the highly contaminated area. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that further factors than HM soil concentration affect the AMF community at contaminated sites. Specifically, the soils’ calcium carbonate equivalent and available P proved to be of importance, which illustrates that field studies on AMF distribution should also consider important environmental factors and their possible interactions.     

Contamination by organochlorine compounds in the edible tissue of four sturgeon species from the Caspian Sea (Iran)

This study focused on accumulation of organochlorine compounds (OCs), including dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes (DDTs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accumulation in the muscle of four sturgeon (Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus; Stellate sturgeon, Acipenser stellatus; Ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris and Beluga sturgeon, Huso huso) from the southern Caspian Sea. The DDT group was prominent in all of the sturgeon muscle tested constituting almost half or more of the total organochlorine content. Contaminant concentration generally followed this order: DDTs>PCBs>HCHs>HCB. The OCs concentrations in Beluga sturgeon (H. huso) were the highest and over four times higher than in the next highest species (A. nudiventris). From an ecotoxicological point of view, the concentrations of OCs in experimental fishes do not reflect a comparatively clean and pollution-free environment; however, results from this study shown that the inflow of organic pollutants into the Caspian Sea has been reduced when compared with prior studies. Levels of measured OCs in sturgeon were relatively low, but the level of some OCs in some of the specimens tested exceeded the guidelines for food; therefore, the maximum allowable daily consumption rate for sturgeon from this watershed may be limited by DDTs and PCBs content for high risk populations.     

The interest of OECD countries in ICAs and the Common Fund

This article explains that the nature of commodity price determination and the characteristics of the link between commodity prices and prices of manufactured goods are such that they have an inflationary and recessionary impact on the world economy. Subsequently, it argues that International Commodity Price Agreements (ICAs) and the Common Fund are not only in the interest of developing countries but are also in the vital interest of developed countries. They assist in stabilizing economic activities and sustaining recovery at a higher rate of growth of output and employment in these countries. Nevertheless, to be effective for these purposes, ICAs should cover a wide range of commodities and adequate financial resources should be available to the First Account of the Common Fund.     

Effect of chromium on growth attributes in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Heavy metal soil pollution takes place when the metal concentration of soil exceeds natural background level and causes ecological destruction and deterioration of the environment.In the present study,a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of chromium-contaminated soil in sunflower(Helianthus annuus L.)growth attributes.Three different levels of chromium(Cr)i.e.,20, 40,and 60 mg/kg were applied to three varieties of sunflower(G-3,G-9,and G-59).The results of morphological,chemical,and yield p...     

Molecular Detection of Indigenous Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) from Tibetan Pigs in Tibet,China

Hepatitis E is an important public health concern throughout the world. Many molecular and serological surveys have reported the prevalence and genotypic characteristics of HEV in humans and animals worldwide. However, the genotypic characterization of this virus is very limited in Tibetan pigs. Hence, we aimed to explore the genotype of HEV, prevailing among Tibetan pigs in China. For this purpose, 253 bile samples of Tibetan pigs (free-range animals) were collected from different slaughterhouses during 2017–2018 and subsequently tested for HEV RNA by RT-nPCR. A total of 11 out of 253 (4.35%) samples tested were positive for HEV RNA. Based on the sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis, all the isolated HEV strains belonged to genotype 4 and clustered into subtype 4b by sharing more than 84.8–95.2% identities with other reported strains. Our results concluded that HEV genotype 4 is prevailing among Tibetan pigs in Tibet, China.     

Lead Content of Petrol and Diesel and its Assessment in an Urban Environment

Pakistan is one of the few countries in Asia thatcontinues to use only leaded-petrol as vehicular fuel. Theconcentration of Pb in its petrol reported in 1991 was thehighest (1.5 – 2.0 g Pb L^-1) of all produced by the various Asiancountries and far exceeded the WHOs guideline of 0.15 g Pb L^-1. We have undertaken a study to trace and quantify this toxicelement in the environs of Karachi, Pakistans major metropolis,having more than 30% of the nations total number of vehicles.In this article we report the Pb contents of petrol and dieselcurrently manufactured and marketed in the city. Samples of`Regular petrol collected in 1999 was found to contain 0.363 gPb L^-1 (range: 0.335 – 0.390 g Pb L^-1), a factor of 5 lower than thatmarketed prior to 1991. Its concentration in diesel fuel was muchlower (0.017 g Pb L^-1). Based on the available statistical data onthe type and volume of vehicular traffic, we assessed that thecurrent lead emission from vehicular traffic into the atmosphereis 391 metric tons a year, which is a factor of 2.7 lower thanthat estimated for 1989.     

Optimal water resources allocation in transboundary river basins according to hydropolitical consideration

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Water resources allocation policies can create cooperation or tension among different stakeholders in a large basin. Thus, integrated water resources...