Influence of sub-lethal crude oil concentration on growth,water relations and photosynthetic capacity of maize (Zea mays L.) plants

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Maize tolerance potential to oil pollution was assessed by growing Zea mays in soil contaminated with varying levels of crude oil (0, 2.5 and...     

Health impact and noise exposure assessment in the cricket bat industry of Kashmir,India

Aim. The aim of the present study was to identify and evaluate predominant noise sources in the cricket bat industry of Kashmir, India. Methods. Sound levels were measured at operator’s ear level in the working zone of the workers of seven cricket bat factories. The impact assessment was made through personal interviews with each worker separately during their period of rest. Results. On average, 62.5% of the workers reported difficulty in hearing and 24.1% of the workers have become patients for hypertension. Only 58.1% of the workers complained of headache due to high noise level. Conclusions. The workers engaged in the cricket bat industry of Kashmir are exposed to high noise levels. It is suggested that personal protective equipment like ear plugs and ear muffs be used by these workers as a protection against this hazard.     

Heavy metals distribution and risk assessment in soils affected by tannery effluents

Effluents collected from tanneries in Sialkot showed considerably higher levels of heavy metals. Sodium (12 660.91 mg/L) among macronutrients and Cr (592.20 mg/L) among heavy metals were found in the highest concentrations. Effluent parameters, i.e. biological oxygen demand (BOD; 12.40), chemical oxygen demand (COD; 16.53), Cd (5.90), Cr (592.20) and Fe (18.59) were the respective times higher than Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standards and their continuous unchecked discharge into agricultural soils poses a potential risk. Mean concentrations (mg/L) of Cr (592.20), Ni (2.66), Mn (1.16), Fe (37.17), Zn (0.90), Cd (0.59) and Pb (1.18) in this study exceeded levels recorded to date from different tanning hubs in Pakistan. Factor analysis/principal components analysis (FA/PCA) for the effluent parameters resulted in six varimax factors, i.e. VF1 (salinity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride, phosphate, BOD and COD; including characteristic tannery effluent features), VF2 (pH, Cr and alkalinity; tanning operations), VF3 (Cd and Pb; dyeing processes), VF4 (Mn and Fe; finishing operations), VF5 (Ni; retaining processes) and VF6 (hardness, Ca and Cu; bating processes). Cluster analysis performed on metal data resulted in three clusters confirming metal–metal relations obtained either from FA/PCA or a correlation matrix. The results of this study are useful for heavy metal source apportionment, assessment of risk to peripheral soils and the future management of environments around tanneries.     

Temporal variation in leachate composition of a newly constructed landfill site in Lahore in context to environmental pollution and risks

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study investigated the seasonal and temporal variations in the extent and source of physiochemical and toxic trace elements in the Lakhodair...     

A pathway toward future sustainability: Assessing the influence of innovation shocks on CO2 emissions in developing economies

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The prior empirical research focuses on examining only the procyclical impact of innovation on carbon emissions (CO2e), in the majority of cases, for...     

Energy policies and environmental security: A multi-criteria analysis of energy policies of Pakistan

Access to affordable and efficient energy is a basic human right and an imperative for human development. The energy policies usually ponder technical, economic, environmental, and social aspects for successful procurement of energy and endowment of energy resources. The objectives of this paper are to analyze energy policies in Pakistan and assess their relationship with environmental security and development. An empirical and multi-criteria decision analysis was used to unfold the strong interactions of energy security with development and environment. The energy policies in Pakistan are more equipped with economic and technical aspects, fairly framed with social aspects and poorly pampered with environmental facets. The dearth of environmental aspects will not only results in environmental degradation but also lag the development and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.     

Does innovation in ocean energy generations-related technologies in G7 countries reduce carbon dioxide emissions? Role of international collaboration in green technology development and commercial and monetary policies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Recognizing that innovation in renewable energy generation is an effective way to improve sustainable energy generation, the government and industries...     

Application of Sample Selection Model in Estimating Response Functions for Nitrate Percolation

The Seymour aquifer region of Texas has been identified as containing elevated levels of nitrate in ground water. Various state and federal agencies are currently studying policy options for the region by gathering more site-specific information. However, because of lack of sufficient information, cause and effect relationships between water quality and agricultural practices have not been well established for the region. Some recently available biophysical simulation models have impressive capabilities in generating large amounts of data on environmental pollution resulting from agricultural production practices. In this study, the data generated by a biophysical simulation model were used to estimate the nitrate percolation response functions for the Seymour aquifer region. Interestingly, nitrate percolation values obtained from simulation models often comprise acensoredsample because the non-zero percolation values are only observed under certain climatic events and input levels. It has been shown in the econometric literature that the use of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) on censored sample data produces biased and inconsistent parameter estimates. Thus, a sample selection model was used in this study to estimate the response functions for nitrate percolation. The study provides some insight into the relationship between nitrate percolation and agricultural production practices. In particular, the study demonstrates the potential of selected design standards in minimizing agricultural nonpoint-source (NPS) pollution for the study area.     

Quantification of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination using human placenta as biomarker from Punjab Province,Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The present study biomonitored the placental polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in women from Punjab Province, Pakistan, that provides the...     

Microplastics in water,sediments, and fish at Alpine River,originating from the Hindu Kush Mountain,Pakistan: implications for conservation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Microplastics (MP) pollution is an emerging threat to life and the environment. These particles are not restricted to human-inhabited lands but also...