Abstract: Due to the atmospheric pollution loads that started with the industrial revolution and have increased exponentially in the process that has come to the present day, the natural components of the atmosphere have been damaged and changed. One of the negative return points of this human-made degradation in the natural order is acid rain. Acid rains harm people directly and/or indirectly. One of the indirect effects is the negative effects on the food chain. Acid rains affect agricultural products, however, they affect the products from the soil. As a result, agricultural fields and agricultural products are damaged. The decreasing resources (water, etc.) with global warming and climate change also increase the negative impact on agricultural products. In this study, the negative effects of acid rain on agricultural areas were investigated and it was aimed to put forward the measures to reduce these negative effects. PubDate: 22 Feb, 2023
Abstract: The areas affected by mining operations are characterized by extremely complex environmental changes that affect all components of the natural complexes. In several cases, radical negative changes (transformations) take place, which cause the formation of the habitat, characterized by changes in characteristics of all components of the natural environment, including geological structure, soil cover, surface and groundwater and atmospheric air, respectively, flora and fauna. This generally leads to a sharp deterioration of ecological conditions, including living conditions of living organisms and human habitation, causing stressful situations, inconveniences, as well as characteristic diseases due to the influence of factors of excessive pollution of components of the natural environment. As one of the objects of the study, the impact zone of mining enterprises within the town of Sibai and its surroundings in the Republic of Bashkortostan was chosen. It is typical for the assessment of occurring changes and other industrial centers and districts located within the vast strip of the Southern Urals. It has been revealed that the greatest damage is inflicted on ecosystems of small rivers, which is caused by both direct and indirect entry of pollutants into them as a result of dissolution, leaching and entry from rock dumps, emissions into the atmosphere, and settling on the surface of soil and snow cover; direct discharge of wastewater into them, etc. It is shown that with the lingering impact of the regional response to global climate change, environmental problems are exacerbated. This calls for urgent measures to restore favorable environmental conditions and address a wide range of economic and social problems. PubDate: 19 Jan, 2023
Abstract: The prospects of environmentally safe disinfection of urban sewerage using compositions of bactericidal complexes of copper with amino acids and iminodiacetate derivatives of mucopolysaccharides and triglycerides of fatty acids are shown. When they are dosed into wastewater, the complexes penetrate into the structure of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and mucus and within a few minutes bind the structural fragments of pathogens and larvae, which leads to their death with the outflow of cell fluid, the disappearance of fecal odor, cessation of putrification and coagulation of SPM. The complete disinfection is achieved at doses of complexes of 0.8 - 1.5 mmol per 1 kg of dry matter. The composition is dosed into sewage wells. Organo-mineral masses settle from disinfected wastewater. The use of compositions will reduce the negative impact of sewerage on the sanitary-epidemiological and ecological situation in settlements, increase the efficiency of existing treatment facilities and produce organo-mineral masses as commercial products. PubDate: 14 Jan, 2023
Abstract: The paper fundamentally explores the impact of Belgium’s stock market capitalization, international investment, clean energy on CO2 emissions from 1990-to 2018. More pertinently, our study analogizes the diverse impact of Belgium’s stock market capitalization, international investment, clean energy, and environmental quality. Through cointegration analysis, stock market capitalization, international investment, clean energy, and environmental quality have long-run links. Granger causality test indicates that International investment has a unidirectional relationship with environmental quality; clean energy has a bi-directional relationship with environmental quality. Via the static and dynamic regression, we found that stock market development has the most significant impact on carbon dioxide emissions in static and dynamic regression. Renewable energy has a positive impact on the carbon dioxide emissions per static, and dynamic regression and economic growth harm environmental quality in Belgium. The impulse response function results show that the Stock market and international investment positively respond to environmental quality. Our empirical findings provide policies to advocate improving environmental quality in Belgium. PubDate: 30 Mar, 2022
Abstract: Environmental conservation and waste management is a great challenge around the world. The realization of safe water, air, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for the world is a distant dream. Barring few developed countries, the rest of the world, and more importantly, the third-world countries are struggling hard to achieve safe WASH. India and China are no exceptions. Given the massive population of these two countries, open defecation issues, unscientific waste disposal practices, and poor health and hygiene infrastructure; achieving safe WASH remains a challenge. While science and technology for the conservation of the environment and waste management are advancing day by day, active participation of the executive and the public is insignificant at least in PMCRs. STEP minus E or/and P can’t solve the challenges of environmental conservation and waste management. Safe WASH demands enormous attention from science, technology, executive, and the public (STEP) coherently. PubDate: 30 Jun, 2022
Abstract: In an effort to combat climate change there is a major rush to eliminate the use of fossil fuels. However, this must be done in an orderly process to avoid stressing an already overstressed planet. The push for electric cars and lithium batteries requires intensive mining to extract the heavy metals needed to meet increasing global demands. This is in addition to the already staggering increase in the worldwide usage of digital devices and electronics that require the same metals. Heavy metals such as nickel, chromium, iron, zinc, manganese and cobalt, at very low concentrations, are all essential to the growth and development of plants [1-3]. PubDate: 30 Aug, 2022
Abstract: In Zing LGA of Taraba State, the study evaluated farmers’ perceptions of soil erosion and their soil conservation practices. To gather information for the study from the farmers and the farmland, field observation, informal interviews, and the use of research instruments including questionnaires and remotely sensed imageries were all used. These data were analyzed in a Windows and GIS context using SPSS 23. The results indicate that 68% of respondents are men, while 32% are women farmers, 71% of whom are married and 50% of them fall within the 41–50 age range. Additionally, 70% of farmers have large families with a size range of 9 to 12 individuals, and 86% of farmers are literate. High incomes are generated by the farmers. According to the study, 89.1% of farmers have farms on steep to mild slopes and do not see soil erosion as a specific issue on their property. However, because they believed that the loss of arable land was the primary consequence of soil erosion, they kept an eye out for physical indicators (such as soil color) on their farms. Geographically, soil erosion is more likely to occur in the eastern to the north-eastern portion of the Zing LGA. Terracing, shaping ridges, along contours, and mulching are soil conservation techniques that have been employed for a long time and are advised to be continue. PubDate: 29 Nov, 2022
Abstract: Patients with chronic diseases are especially vulnerable on hot days because high temperatures lead to exacerbation of a number of cardiovascular, neurological, autoimmune, and other chronic diseases. Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection has left tens of thousands of Bulgarians suffering from a new chronic disease: Post COVID-19 syndrome. The Bulgarian Cardiac Institute, in trend with innovations, has launched the first worldwide study to establish the relationship between high ambient temperatures and Post COVID-19 conditions. It covers 1310 citizens and was held during the hottest month in history - July 2021. Eight districts in Bulgaria are covered, and for each of them, we calculated a number of meteorological parameters and determined their influence on the persistent signs and symptoms. Shumen District is the district with the highest percentage of citizens with peristaltic complaints (86%) and the most pronounced in terms of severity. This is the area with the lowest average daily maximum temperature (28.44º), the highest average night minimum temperature (20.42º), and the lowest average temperature amplitude (8.02º) for July 2021. It is characteristic that the neurological symptoms (dizziness, headache, impaired concentration, and memory) are predominant at a lower temperature amplitude (Shumen district). Symptoms of the cardiovascular system (shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, chest pain) are more commonly reported at higher temperature amplitudes (Pleven district).The results of the study show that high values of ambient temperatures affect Post COVID-19 conditions. The most unfavorable effect is exerted by the high average night minimum temperatures and the small temperature amplitude. Cardiovascular symptoms are particularly pronounced at large temperature amplitudes and neurological at small temperature amplitudes. Post-COVID-19 conditions are unpredictable and patient care continues during the hot months. PubDate: 27 Dec, 2022
Abstract: From the intestinal microbiota of Colorado potato beetles and their larvae (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), as well as from their feed – potato leaves, 18 bacteria of different species exhibiting antimicrobial activity (56% of the total number of isolated strains) were isolated. The species of bacteria from all three sources of excretion are different. The following 12 species were described for the first time in the gut microbiota of L. decemlineata larvae and imago: Micromonospora phytophila, Neobacillus drentensis, Pseudomonas gessardii, P. poae, P. rhizosphaerae, Pantoea agglomerans, Streptomyces chartreusis, S. clavifer, S. microflavus, S. rishiriensis, S. badius, and S. coelicoflavus. Antimicrobial activity was not previously known for three species (Staphylococcus argenteus, S. camponoticapitis, S. clavifer). Antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Leuconostoc mesenteroides, multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium smegmatis was revealed. The gut microbiota of Colorado potato beetles can be considered an encouraging source of antibiotic–producing strains that overcome drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria, as well components of biopesticides. PubDate: 20 Dec, 2022
Abstract: In Africa, the need for energy is growing. When it comes to renewable energy resources in Africa zone, it is unequivocally needed. Many African countries are experiencing development therefore they are shifting to the use of renewable energy. In that view, this study aims to discover the potential impact of renewable energy consumption on inclusive growth in 20 African countries for a period covering 1997 To 2015. To tackle this estimation technique namely Pesaran’s (2007) [1] CD test, Pesaran’s (2015) [2] LM test and Breusch and Pagan’s (1980) [3] LM test, slope homogeneity test, Average Mean Group (AMG), Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) and pairwise granger were employed. Concentration on inclusive growth contributes greatly to the economy size and ensures employment opportunity creation for the society in a different segment, the result of the study indicates that renewable energy consumption significantly impacted inclusive growth in n the selected Africa Countries. Consequently, if countries like Africa prosper in switching to renewable energy, unbelievable gains could be captured in terms of inclusive growth. PubDate: 20 Dec, 2022
Abstract: In the presented case, a typical example of CCHF is described, a patient who lives in an endemic territory and had risk factors for infection – cattle keeping and tick bite. The patient sought medical help in a timely mannert, but his diagnosis of CCHF was made late, due to underestimation of the risk factors for CCHF infection and non-use of the standard case definition. The correct diagnosis was made only after the appearance of the hemorrhagic syndrome. The appearance of bleeding in patients with CCHF presents a high risk of infection for others. But timely isolation and intensive treatment allowed for the prevention of infection of contact persons and save the patient’s life. PubDate: 19 Aug, 2022
Abstract: This study aims to examine the determinants of bushmeat consumption in urban areas in Laos. Men consume more bushmeat than women. Job, the government official was the major bushmeat consumer, but there was no proven by statistical approaches from this study we have done. The education of people who consume bushmeat has finished high school level. Ethnic, Lao Loum people have a negative impact on bushmeat consumption, but for Hmong or Lao Theung people, bushmeat is a long tradition of eating and being a major food source. In addition, believing in eating bushmeat can make people healthy is also valid. PubDate: 18 Oct, 2022
Abstract: Subway lines are responsible for 20% of the total passenger traffic in Tehran. Particulate matter is one of the most important major pollutants in subway stations and increasing their concentration leads to numerous health consequences for passengers and subway employees. This study aims to investigate the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 in four underground metro stations and compare them with the concentration of these particles in the open air. Seasonal sampling (April 2018 - April 2019) of particulate matters was conducted in the middle months of all four seasons for one week in the middle months of each season at peak traffic times from 8am to 12am, at three locations (entrance, middle, and exit in each station) and also at outside ambient of each station. The results are then compared with the relevant standards. The main sources of suspended particulate matter in the underground subway stations were due to passenger traffic, train piston pressure, floor cleaning, maintenance operations, wheel-rail wear and braking, and the performance of the ventilation system in the subway station. The results of the monitoring measurements in this study showed that the annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in the four underground subway stations were 68 μg/m3 and 47 μg/m3 and in the outdoor ambient around these stations were 42 and 29 μg/m3, respectively. Also, this study showed that in the four underground subway stations, the annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were 1.5-1.7 times higher than those in the outdoor ambient, respectively. PubDate: 17 Mar, 2022
Abstract: Purpose of the paper: This paper evaluated the effects of microbial and photodegradation on the ten grass species in a tropical grassland ecosystem in South Africa. Despite continuous necromass accumulation in tropical grasslands, the process that governs how the grass litter gets to the soil has often been ignored. In the absence of fire, abiotic factors and biotic factors are drivers of this process of nutrient cycling. Methods and approaches: A classical litterbag experiment was set up to simulate photodegradation (standing litter) versus microbial (soil surface) decomposition using 10 savanna types of grass from the start of the dry season until the beginning of spring. The rates of photodegradation versus microbial decomposition were compared for tropical savanna grasses and plant traits or predictors of decomposition were also investigated. Main results: The results showed that the grass litter decomposed more rapidly when exposed to the activity of soil microbes at the soil surface (k = 0.0028 ) than when held above ground (k = 0.0018) and subjected to photodegradation only. However, examination of the individual litter species revealed up to 4 fold variation between the slowest (0.0001) and fastest (0.006) decomposing species. Differences in decomposition rates were more pronounced for litter decomposed at the soil surface than held above the soil surface. Multiple linear regression analyses did not resolve clear differences between measures of litter quality as drivers of decomposition in the two treatments. Implications: Photodegradation appeared to be a rate-controlling step during the process of decomposition in tropical savanna grasslands. Therefore grasslands dominated by photodegradation-resistant grasses were likely to need fire to get rid of moribund litter, which may be the reason why mesic grasslands need to burn to recycle nutrients. PubDate: 15 Sep, 2022
Abstract: Urban areas have a dual role in climate change· they are major contributors to climate change as they produce more than 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and they also accept the impact of it. Urban trees have great value in urban ecosystems because of their role as carbon sinks, so they contribute to climate change mitigation. The aim of this paper is to collect data about the impact of climate change on forestry species in urban areas via the science of phenology. In recent years, via phenology, the observation and study of the effects of climate change are possible, as there appears to be a shift in the start of biological events, and also a change in their duration. These changes in the seasonal activity of plants, from time to time, are a sensitive but perfectly visible indicator of changes in the functioning of ecosystems. Phenology refers to the recording of dates in which different phases of the plant’s life cycle such as budburst, flowering, dormancy, and hibernation have been observed both in species and in plant communities. Temperature, solar radiation, and water availability are the three factors that affect plant phenology. To appreciate the impact of climate change on the phenological stages of forestry species, three Phenological Monitoring Areas (PMA) were created in three urban spaces in Thessaloniki, in December 2020, within the framework of the project LIFE CliVut (Climate Value of Urban Trees) LIFE18 GIC/IT/001217. Each PMA contains 20 species (10 species of trees and 10 species of shrubs), and 100 individuals (5 individuals per species). The monitoring of the phenological stages of the forestry species was carried out throughout a year on a weekly basis according to the protocol that was created in the frame of the project taking into consideration the BBCH scale. PubDate: 15 Nov, 2022
Abstract: Background: This study was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial and synergistic potential of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and bark of Petiveria alliacea against some tested bacterial and fungal isolates. Fresh and matured leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and bark of Petiveria alliacea were collected from the Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training, Ibadan, Nigeria. The specimens were identified at the Herbarium unit of the Department of Botany, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The pathogenic organisms used include bacteria namely, Providencia stuartii, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium Pyogenes, Streptococcus faecalis, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescence, Serratia rubidae, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella pullorum; and fungi namely, Trychophyton tonsurans, Candidia albicans, Trychophyton rubrum, Penicillium expansium, Alternaria sp, Fusarium sp, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium camenberti. Methods: Pure isolates of the tested microorganisms were obtained from the department of microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. The bacterial isolates were maintained on nutrient agar slant and the fungal isolates were on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Antimicrobial sensitivity test (AST) followed by Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute. Minimal bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations were determined following established protocols. Results: Fungal isolates of Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium expansiumm, Trychophyton rubrum, and bacterial isolates Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Salmonella pullorum were all resistant to the plant extract. Findings from this study opined that ethanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaves is more potent than the methanolic and aqueous extracts of Petiveria alliacea. Conclusion: The plant extracts showed greater antimicrobial activity against bacterial- with respect to fungal isolates suggesting a broader spectrum of activity with ethanolic extract on the gram-positive and the gram-negative bacteria. PubDate: 12 May, 2022
Abstract: Aims: The livestock production system contributes to global climate change directly through the production of methane (CH4) from enteric fermentation, CH4 and nitrous oxide (N2O) from manure management. Enteric CH4 emission from livestock is the major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from livestock in Ethiopia. National inventory and reporting of enteric CH4 emission in cattle species in Ethiopia are based on default emission factor (tier 1 methodology) developed by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These enteric CH4 emissions are influenced by different factors such as livestock feed characteristics, livestock management, and livestock production and productivity. Hence, its estimation requires accurate data specific to the condition of the livestock production system in the country. The objective of this study was to estimate enteric CH4 emission from cattle species in Ethiopia. Methodology: Enteric CH4 emission was estimated using IPCC tier 2 methods using input data collected through survey and literature data on livestock and feed characteristics in Ethiopia. Results: Results indicated that enteric CH4 emission factors among indigenous cattle were 30.27, 18.52, 31.55, 29.82, 32.48, and 12.60 kg per head per year for matured females>2 years old, females 1-2 years, bullocks/oxen, breeding bulls>2 years old, males 1-2 years and calves 2 years, females 1-2 years, matured males>2 years, males 1-2 years and calves <1 year’s age, respectively. The weighted average CH4 emission factor for indigenous cattle and crossbred dairy cattle were 26 and 30.71kg/head/year, respectively. Conclusion: Enteric CH4 emission factors for nondairy indigenous and crossbred cattle using IPCC tier 2 methodology were lower when compared to IPCC tier 1 estimate. Our study recommends IPCC tier 2 methodology, for national enteric CH4 emission inventory and reporting for cattle species in Ethiopia. The present study was based on limited survey and published data, uncertainties may have presented with, some of production and performance data. Further research is required to estimate enteric CH4 emission using more detailed cattle production and feed characterization data. PubDate: 12 Mar, 2022
Abstract: Groundwater is considered the only source of water in arid climate regions. Additionally, population growth is stressing the groundwater resources in the study area, especially in these regions leading to excess groundwater exploitation to meet the demands (domestic, and agricultural). Thus, the groundwater level may decline in the future causing a water scarcity problem. In order to overcome this problem, it is worth necessary to perform mitigation measures prior to raising the groundwater level by augmenting the groundwater in the hydrogeological system. Mitigation measures might be reducing the abstraction rate and installing new artificial recharge sites. To assess the potential of these measures, numerical modeling can be applied. Gaza strip aquifer was chosen as a case study due to the following reasons: arid aquifer, significantly stressed due to over-exploitation of groundwater. Different researchers have already proposed different management scenarios considering these mitigation measures, but most of them considered unreliable management scenarios to predict future groundwater. Some of them reduced the abstraction rate which will lead to the loss of agricultural lands. Whereas, the others increased the artificial recharge rate which is unfeasible to implement in the study area for the next 20 years. Hence, we applied numerical modeling in this article to predict the future groundwater level based on these mitigation measures taking into account reliable management scenarios according to the study area’s current situation . The results indicate that combining both reducing the abstraction rate and increasing the artificial recharge is so promising and they were compared with the latter obtained by the previous researchers. PubDate: 09 Dec, 2022
Abstract: We are on a planet that orbits the Sun which emits a huge amount of energy. The climate we experience is a result of an energy gradient across Earth and an imbalance in energy across the world due to axial tilt of Earth rotation. PubDate: 06 Jan, 2022
Abstract: Environmental pollution with heavy metals is very harmful to the human body and other life forms, even in low concentrations, as there is no effective removal mechanism. Urban agriculture utilizes this contaminated land for the cultivation of vegetable crops to facilitate their food security and entry of toxic heavy metals into the food chain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of contaminated soil and water with heavy metals on the quality of vegetable crops at different growth ages. Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (MP-AES) was used to determine the concentration of these heavy metals. The concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, and Cr) in contaminated soil was found to be 39434.9±30.0, 3183.7±43.5, 222.0±10.2, 22.28±2.5, 0.057±0.00, 5.8±0.03, 72.72±0.01, 148.6±15 mg/kg, respectively. In addition, the mean concentration of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, and Cr in wastewater was found to be 5.2±0.5, 0.8±0.08, 0.72±0.01, 1.05±0.03, 0.01±0.00, 0.2±00, 0.72±0.01 and 0.14±0.02, respectively. The relative abundance of heavy metal in soil, water and vegetable samples were in the following order: Fe>Mn>Zn> Cr> Pb> Cu> Ni> Co, Fe> Cu> Mn>Zn =Pb> Ni> Cr> Co and Fe>Mn>Zn> Pb> Cu> Cr> Ni> Co, respectively, and the accumulation of heavy metals in three month growth. All lettuce, cabbage, and turnip vegetables grew faster than two months. Both two and three months of age, the accumulation of heavy metals in turnips> lettuce> cabbage. Most of the soil, water, and vegetable samples exceeded the permissible limit of heavy metals prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. PubDate: 05 Apr, 2022
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