Investigating and evaluating the dynamics of change in water resources of the Aydar-Arnasay Lake system in Uzbekistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Aydar-Arnasay Lake System (AALS) is located in the middle of the Syrdarya River, to the south of the Chardara Reservoir, and in Jizakh and Navoi...     

Supply chain carbon emission reductions and coordination when consumers have a strong preference for low-carbon products

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Owing to the rising concerns about environmental degradation worldwide, firms in several developed and developing countries are pursuing carbon...     

Assessing the perceived impact of exploration and production of hydrocarbons on households perspective of environmental regulation in Ghana

This paper seeks to critically study the perceived impacts of the exploration of hydrocarbons in selected coastal communities in the Western region, the oil and gas industry benefits to local communities, and to determine whether hydrocarbon development is a means for sustainable development. The study uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches using a questionnaire survey, key informant interview, and focus group discussion tools to understand the impact of oil and gas exploration and production in selected affected communities along the coast of Ghana. The activities of oil production and exploration impact negatively on communities; it also leads to a sharp increase in food prices thereby increasing their costs of living. The activity has also caused a decline in fish catch levels which happens to be the main economic activity as a result of exclusion zones created by oil companies which limited the extent fishermen can go fishing. In terms of infrastructure, the three communities are lacking, 77% of respondents from Princess Town hold the view that there is no motorable road linking their community in the next town and 60% from Aketakyi also hold the same view. Infrastructure such as roads, schools, water provision, and clinics are woefully provided in these communities.

     

Frequency of PPAR-γ, FTO and ABCC8 genetic variation in Pakistani cardiovascular smokers

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Smoking is considered as one of the major reasons behind genetic variations in cardiometabolic disorders. However, effect of nicotine via smoking on...     

The potential of cost-effective coconut husk for the removal of toxic metal ions for environmental protection

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) husk, an agricultural waste, has been thoroughly investigated for the removal of toxic Cd(II), Cr(III) and Hg(II) ions from aqueous media. The parameters like nature and composition of electrolyte, concentration of toxic ions, dosage of coconut husk, and equilibration time between the two phases were optimized for their maximum accumulation onto the solid surface. The effect of common ions on the uptake of metal ions has been monitored under optimal conditions. The variation of retention of each metal ion with temperature was used to compute the thermodynamic quantities DeltaH, DeltaS and DeltaG. The values 18.1+/-0.6 kJmol(-1), 74+/-2 Jmol(-1)K(-1), and -3.8+/-0.04 kJmol(-1) at 298 K; 10.8+/-0.8 kJmol(-1), 48.8+/-2.7 Jmol(-1)K(-1), and -4.6+/-0.3 kJmol(-1) at 298 K; and -37.4+/-2k Jmol(-1), 105+/-7 Jmol(-1)K(-1) and -2.58+/-0.5 kJmol(-1) at 298 K were obtained for Cd(II), Cr(III) and Hg(II) ions, respectively. The sorption data were analysed by applying different sorption isotherms. The sorption capacity and energy were evaluated for each metal ion. The values of the Freundlich constants 1/n and C(m) were 0.92+/-0.04 and 52.6+/-22.2 mmolg(-1); 0.85+/-0.05 and 56.0+/-0.03 mmolg(-1); and 0.88+/-0.03 and 6.84+/-0.45 mmolg(-1) for Cd(II) Cr(III) and Hg(II) ions, respectively. Similarly, the Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) constants beta, X(m,) and E were evaluated for the three metal ions. To check the selectivity of the sorbent, sorption of a number of elements was measured under similar conditions. Separation of Zn(II) from Cd(II); Cr(III) from I(I), Zr(IV), Se(IV), and Hg(II) from Se(IV) and Zn(II) can be achieved using this sorbent. This cheap material has potential applications in analytical chemistry, water decontamination, industrial effluent treatment and in pollution abatement.     

Study of heavy metals in some environmental samples

Fuels like coal and rubber are frequently used for brick burning. However, both coal and rubber contain heavy metals. These heavy metals may elutriate in the wake of fly ash or may adsorb or absorb in the product. The present work deals with the analysis of heavy metals in some samples collected from brick burning industries located in the vicinity of a metropolitan city, Peshawar, Pakistan. Samples from raw clay, product, chimney scale and fossil fuel & rubber were collected and leached with acid mixture. The leachates were concentrated and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer for the determination of chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and antimony (Sb). It was observed that heavy metals are present in clay, brick and chimney scale. However, significant amount of these metals was observed in chimney scale. It is inferred that such emanations laden with heavy metals are accompanying the stack gases which are being dumped in to the environment. In order to avoid environmental problems, strict environmental regulations shall be enforced and a constant check on these emanations to the environment must be made to ensure clean air act.     

Spatial patterns of heavy metals in soil under different geological structures and land uses for assessing metal enrichments

One hundred and thirty composite soil samples were collected from Hamedan county, Iran to characterize the spatial distribution and trace the sources of heavy metals including As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, and Fe. The multivariate gap statistical analysis was used; for interrelation of spatial patterns of pollution, the disjunctive kriging and geoenrichment factor (EF_G) techniques were applied. Heavy metals and soil properties were grouped using agglomerative hierarchical clustering and gap statistic. Principal component analysis was used for identification of the source of metals in a set of data. Geostatistics was used for the geospatial data processing. Based on the comparison between the original data and background values of the ten metals, the disjunctive kriging and EF_G techniques were used to quantify their geospatial patterns and assess the contamination levels of the heavy metals. The spatial distribution map combined with the statistical analysis showed that the main source of Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Pb, and V in group A land use (agriculture, rocky, and urban) was geogenic; the origin of As, Cd, and Cu was industrial and agricultural activities (anthropogenic sources). In group B land use (rangeland and orchards), the origin of metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, and V) was mainly controlled by natural factors and As, Cd, Cu, and Pb had been added by organic factors. In group C land use (water), the origin of most heavy metals is natural without anthropogenic sources. The Cd and As pollution was relatively more serious in different land use. The EF_G technique used confirmed the anthropogenic influence of heavy metal pollution. All metals showed concentrations substantially higher than their background values, suggesting anthropogenic pollution.     

Microwave irradiation and citric acid assisted seed germination and phytoextraction of nickel (Ni) by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L.: morpho-physiological and biochemical alterations under Ni stress

The complex bio-geochemistry of soil allows pollutant to persist for a longer period of time which further decreased the fertility and natural composition of land. Nickel, an inorganic pollutant, coming from a wide range of industrial and manufacturing units possesses serious threat to soil degradation and crop productivity around the world. The present study was carried to evaluate the combined role of microwave irradiation (MR) and citric acid (CA) on the phytoextraction potential of Brassica napus L. under Ni stress. An initial seed germination test was conducted to select effective time scale of MR exposure. Highest seed germination was observed at exposure of 2.45 GHz frequency for 30 s. Healthy seeds of B. napus L. genotype Faisal Canola (RBN-03060) treated with MR at 2.45 GHz for 30 s were sown in plastic pots filled with 5 kg of soil. Nickel and CA applied exogenously in solution form with different combinations to both MR-treated and untreated B. napus plants. The MR-treated plants showed higher growth, biomass, photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, b, total, and carotenoids) and activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, APX, CAT) as compared to untreated plants who showed higher reactive oxygen species (MDA, H₂O₂) and electrolyte leakage. Increasing Ni concentration significantly decreased the physiological and biochemical attributes of B. napus both in MR-treated and untreated plants. The addition of CA alleviated Ni-induced toxic effects in both MR-treated and untreated plants by improving antioxidant defense system. The degree of Ni stress mitigation was higher in MR-treated plants. The Ni concentration was higher in root, stem, and leaves of MR-treated plants under CA application as compared to untreated plants. The present study concluded that seeds treated with MR before sowing showed higher accumulation and concentration of Ni from soil, and this phenomenon boosted with the application of CA.