Authors:Teodora Koynova; Vanya Koleva Abstract: Parks are essential for the preservation and protection of wildlife, but human activity affects their functions. The objective of our study was to investigate visitors’ opinions on the environmental protection of Shumen Plateau Nature Park from the negative anthropogenic impact of a nearby city. Face-to-face interviews were conducted among summer visitors. The standardized Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the correlation between items questioned and demographic variables. The highest percentage of the informants were of the opinion that the Shumen Plateau Nature Park is a relatively clean place and a much cleaner green area compared to the parks in Shumen. According to most visitors, the high level of fine particulate matter in the air in the town of Shumen does not affect organisms that inhabit the Nature Park, soil and groundwater. The main pollutant of the Shumen Plateau Nature Park is garbage left by park visitors (88.97%), landfills in the park area (46.32%) and car traffic in the nearby town of Shumen (30.88%). The factor that has the most adverse effect on the biodiversity and ecological balance in the Nature Park are the visitors. Both visitors and inhabitants of the town of Shumen should be more responsible for the environment and the conservation of the Shumen Plateau Nature Park as a clean green area. Park visitors do not consider the town of Shumen as a source of negative anthropogenic impact on the Shumen Plateau Nature Park, but our previous studies show the opposite. This indicates a gap in the relationship between the scientific community and society that needs to be addressed. Close cooperation between scientists and journalists can contribute to the visitors’ opinions on the environmental protection in nature parks from the negative anthropogenic impact of nearby cities and towns and improve the effectiveness of the mass media. PubDate: Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +020
Authors:Aleksandr B. Khaitovich; Tatiana P. Sataieva, Elena A. Sheyko, Walery Zukow Abstract: The recent outbreak of COVID-19 rose a new wave of interest to coronaviruses though the first coronaviruses were discovered in the first half of the 20th century. That time coronaviruses were considered as a quite serious veterinary problem but they were not believed to become highly dangerous for humans. However, such ideas were revised in 2002 when SARS-CoV was transferred to human population in the Southeast Asia assumably from the bats, and later in 2012 when natural focus of the MERS-CoV was discovered in the Arabian countries. Using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google scholar, the authors searched for various research and review articles using the combination of terms “coronavirus, Coronaviridae, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, taxonomy”. Due to the increased interest a large number of new Coronaviridae family members was revealed in the first decades of the XXI century. Since then taxonomic structures of coronaviruses underwent significant changes. This review is focused on the need for continued monitoring of the biological diversity of coronaviruses. The structural studies of coronaviruses regardless of the host species may allow us to identify early changes that can affect the evolutionary drift process of a particular HCoV species involved in viral transmission from bats or birds to humans. Taking into account the migratory abilities of bats and especially birds, it is necessary to not only to include coronaviruses in the ecological monitoring programs, but also to expand the scope and depth of environmental and virological monitoring. PubDate: Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +020
Authors:Olena Hanoshenko; Olena Stepova, Yullia Chukhlib, Leshchuk Kostiantyn, Yurii Yanovych, Natalia Bilotserkivsk Abstract: Due to external environmental concerns, new European Union (EU) legislation is currently increasing the requirements for the disposal of vehicles and their used components. Used automotive oil filters (UAOF) are both a threat to the environment and contain valuable components for reuse. Waste minimization, their environmentally safe disposal, neutralization, utilization and conservation of natural resources is an urgent global problem. It is the legislative rationale for solving this problem and the search for an environmentally friendly UAOF recycling technology that is the purpose of this study. The legislative aspects were studied by reviewing the current regulatory and legislative documents of Ukraine and the EU countries, as well as scientific literature. The reviewed scientific literature was collected from three main databases: Scopus, Web of Science, ResearchGate, where the corresponding keywords. It was found that the current legislation in the field of waste management is not perfect and has many gaps and contradiction. The search for environmentally friendly technology was carried out in different temperature conditions and using different amounts of detergents, which made it possible to determine the most effective detergent sodium percarbonate (Na2CO3∙1.5 H2O2) - a chemical compound that is a safe and convenient carrier of hydrogen peroxide. As a result of the conducted theoretical and experimental researches the complex utilization technology of UAOF and the detailed algorithm is presented. The scheme process plant for washing the contaminated filter paper and the washing technology, which allows retrieving resource valuable components, has been developed. It is experimentally proved that pre-treatment of the filter paper with a washing solution allows reducing the number of pollutants, namely the content of waste oil is reduced by 55%, and the number of pollutants in the flue gases by 89% of sulphur (IV) oxide, 15% of nitrogen (IV) oxide, 66% of carbon (ІІ) oxide, 86% of carbon (soot). PubDate: Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +020
Authors:Nadeem A. Khan; Sirajuddin Ahmed, Izharul Haq Farooqi, Imran Ali Abstract: In every section of the environment pharmaceuticals are now can be observed and detected. Hospitals are one of the major sources of pollution via either through environment or wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The treatment plants are not prepared for effective treatment of emerging contaminants (ECs). This paper further illustrates the lack of understanding of the ecotoxicity of certain large concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds in HWW (mg L-1). In order to expand this analysis, the ecotoxic risks associated with numerous pollution scenarios, particularly water-dilution and metabolite processing, particularly during transit inside WWPs, have now to be investigated. Furthermore, in hospitals, the average water demand is reported to be between 200-1200 L bed– 1 day–1. Water is consumed in the hospital system with equivalent wastewater discharge. There is also domestic waste disposal in hospital fluids from kitchens, washrooms, and toilets. This paper reviews about characteristics of hospital wastewater, legislation around the globe and its paths ways in biotics system. This review also provides an overview of the pathways of ECs and focused few of its characteristics in biological treatment. PubDate: Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +020
Authors:Kinga Kimic; Ewa Mirzwa Mróz, Marta Łukaszewska, Marek S. Szyndel Abstract: A good condition of trees and shrubs growing in urban green areas is one of the key aspects of management. Plant monitoring, including recognition of symptoms of diseases caused by pathogenic fungi and prevention of their spread, is one of the ways of supporting the process of maintenance of green areas. The aim of the study was to conduct preliminary investigations of plants growing in Siberian Square in Warsaw infected by phytopathogenic fungi. The research carried out in 2017-2019 in Siberian Square in Warsaw revealed that the most common diseases observed on the trees and shrubs were caused by powdery mildew fungi infecting maples, poplars, apple trees, and barberry shrubs. Sawadaea tulasnei, Erysiphe adunca, Erysiphe berberidis, and Podosphaera leucotricha (Erysiphales) were identified as the causal agents of powdery mildew. Pathogens causing leaf spots and leaf lesions were identified as Venturia inaequalis on Malus x purpurea ’Ola’ and Rhytisma acerinum on Acer platanoides. Rust caused by Melampsora laricis-populina (Pucciniales) and basidiomata of Pleurotus ostreatus were detected on infected Populus nigra ‘Italica’ trees PubDate: Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +020
Authors:Abhay Kumar Patil; Vijay Kumar, Pradeep Chaudhry Abstract: People have a free access to the Non timber forest produce (NTFP) in the State of Madhya Pradesh, India barring only a few NTFP which are monopolized by the state for collection and trade. Because of such free access tenure, people and the policy makers have little appreciation for the provisional ecosystem services emanating from the state’s forests. Hence, a research study was conducted in Madhya Pradesh state of India during 2014-2015.This paper evaluates the dependence of the forest fringe communities on the already Threatened and Near-threatened Medicinal Tree resources (TNMTs) in the forests of the state for their health and livelihood requirements.This study was conducted in all the six eco-regions of the state after selecting the most forested divisions and purposely selected forest compartments and socio-economic surveys were conducted in the villages adjoining these forest compartments. The TNMTs of these compartments were fully enumerated in the selected compartments and their physical conditions were recorded. Focus group discussions and household surveys were conducted to study the dependence of forest fringe communities on TNMTs in the adjoining forests. The results show that contribution of direct forest income to the total annual household income was found to vary from 29.35% to 69.48% in forest divisions located in all the six eco-regions of the state. In all the six eco-regions, the percentage of households found to be dependent on forests for some or the other benefits ranged from 96% to 100%. Almost all the TNMTs encountered during this survey were found facing threat of local extinction due to poor regeneration and many other factors at most of the forest sites. The authors have suggested some corrective measures for sustainable management of forest resources for the benefit of forest fringe community in the article. PubDate: Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +020
Authors:Kaushalendra Kumar Jha; Radhika Jha, Michael O’Neil Campbell Abstract: Protected Area (PA) establishment is one of the commoner strategies for wildlife conservation, but the effectiveness of these developments is rarely evaluated in terms of species’ performance. This article assesses the effectiveness of PAs of Central India, using an assessment of threatened vulture species. These species may be considered as keystone species in this region. Relevant parameters considered for assessment comprised: (i) the presence and population density of vultures in PAs compared with those in unprotected forests and agricultural landscapes; (ii) counts of the breeding population, nesting preferences and environmental factors for such variables; and (iii) the impacts of policies designed to combat the effects of the deadly diclofenac drug on vulture populations. Quantitative (total counts of vultures and nests, transect surveys) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews, secondary data surveys) methodologies were used in data collection, to provide an adequate information base. White-rumped, Longbilled, Egyptian and Red-headed vultures (resident) and Cinereous Vulture, Eurasian Griffon and Himalayan Griffon (migratory) were recorded in PAs. The probability of vulture occupancy was significantly higher in PAs (44–51%), than in unprotected forest (17.6–17.8%) and agricultural areas (0.03%). The average vulture density in PAs (0.529 ±0.228 km-2 ) was also much higher than in unprotected forest (0.014±0.012 km-2 ) and agricultural areas. The presence of active, inactive and abandoned nests in PAs revealed favorable habitat conditions for breeding, potential breeding and floater vulture categories. Disturbance factors were insignificant. The statutory ban on diclofenac use had a significant impact on vulture populations within the PAs, but this factor was insignificant in surrounding areas. These findings indicate a positive role of PAs in conservation, with insignificant impacts of the diclofenac ban across different types of landcover. It is concluded that increased promotion of environmental education is important to ensure effective vulture conservation and the success of PAs. PubDate: Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +020
Authors:Nadeem A. Khan; Rachida El Morabet, Roohul Abad Khan, Soufiane Bouhafa, Larbi Barhazi, Vitaliy Sobyna, Dmytro Taraduda, Igor Neklonskyi Abstract: The aim is to present a summarized study of the available literature on Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia for Middle Eastern countries, in order to identify trends in human cryptosporidiosis and childhood morbidity, and to raise awareness among residents. This is necessary in order to address the gap in preventive measures required to mitigate the overall effect attributed to associated illness and its impact in the already water stressed Middle Eastern countries. To assess seroprevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia in Middle Eastern countries systematic review was carried out based on online articles published from 2010-2018. PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, World Bank and WHO report and scientific database were explored. The current study highlights the existing subsequent epidemiology, its seroprevalence distribution, genetic diversity across Middle Eastern countries since 2009. This study therefore will provide the platform for future research work and development in comprehending Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia epidemiology in Middle Eastern countries. It was found that lack of awareness, personal hygiene and sanitation facilities, poverty, indiscriminate eating habits are favourable infestation conditions for Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia infections. The prevalence for both Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia, is higher in developing countries as compared to developed countries. The originality is that it is the only study of its kind in the region, as such studies are still lacking in Middle East countries as compared to other European, Asian, American continents and countries. PubDate: Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +020
Authors:Sergiy Yeremenko; Volodymyr Sydorenko, Pruskyi Andrii, Roman Shevchenko, Yevhen Vlasenko Abstract: The purpose to highlight and focus on the most important risks of forest fires in radiationcontaminated areas, with some detailing of the problem in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ). The search strategy was to collect a sufficient number of relevant publications in ScienceDirect, PubMed, Mendeley, ResearchGate, GoogleScholar from 2006 to the present in English, Russian, Ukrainian. Requests were made on the topics "Forest fires in a radioactively contaminated area" and "Assessing the territories' radiation safety", as well as for the keywords of this study. Analysis of available open information about the CEZ was done. Although, in the future, temperatures are expected to rise in contaminated forests, and the amount of precipitation will remain the same or slightly decrease, which will contribute to an increase in the frequency of fires. Considering the socio-economic situation in Ukraine, the introduction of early detection systems is more profitable than the elimination of the consequences of such emergencies. Investigations have been studied, which were published after 2006 only in English, Russian, and Ukrainian. The most attention is paid to Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Despite the fact that a lot of studies are devoted to the study of the ecological situation in radioactively contaminated areas, many issues related to safety still concern the population living in this area. The reason for this is intermittent fires, which again and again cover large areas with smoke and cannot be extinguished for a long time. To eliminate anxiety, it is necessary to convey truthful information to the population in the most accessible and convincing way. It was a critical look at numerous studies in this area that made it possible to present concentrated information understandable for most segments of the population. The document concentrates on the most key problems of fires in radioactive forests, shows the intensity of the radionuclides impact on the population and the exposure ways, as well as the probable risks. Such information is necessary to reduce the psychological stress that can be caused by the media influence. Objectively understood situation promotes constructive action in extreme conditions and reduces the likelihood of panic. PubDate: Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +020
Authors:Vladimir Andreevich Usoltsev; Walery Zukow, Ivan Stepanovich Tsepordey Abstract: Due to the global warming of the climate, the assessment of the carbon cycle in forest ecosystems has become particularly important. One method for determining deposited carbon is based on the use of biomass expansion factors (BEF) and State Forest Inventory (SFI) data. By combining BEF models with SFI data in two ecoregions of Russia – taiga and forest-steppe - it was found that over a 20-25-year period, accumulating the carbon deposition in the taiga zone is significantly less (5%) compared to the forest-steppe zone (39%). Comparable results were obtained by the same method in different ecoregions of the planet (from 8% in 5 years in China to 68% in 50 years in Japan). A comparison of the results obtained by the proposed method and the IIASA method showed a minimal discrepancy (3 %), which gives reason to consider the above estimates of carbon deposition close to reality. However, uncertainties remain related to the quality of the SFI data and the carbon deposition in the soi PubDate: Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +020
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