Assessment Of Seasonal Variations Research Articles

Assessment of seasonal variations in soil heavy metal concentrations and potential health risks in Gujarat, India.

This study investigates the prevalence, distribution, and ecological consequences of 21 heavy metals (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn) in the soils between the Mahi and Dhadhar rivers in Gujarat, India. It aims to assess the seasonal variations in soil contamination and the potential human health risk associated with the heavy metal exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact pathways. Soil samples were collected from 57 sites across three distinct seasons and analyzed using indices such as the geo-accumulation index, contamination factor, pollution load index, ecological risk factor, and global potential ecological risk. Human health risks were also evaluated for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. The findings reveal significant soil contamination, especially during the Monsoon and Post-Monsoon seasons, with heavy metals like Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Ni, and Pb posing considerable ecological threats. Cr and Ni were identified as presenting the highest carcinogenic risks, while Fe and Cr posed major non-carcinogenic challenges. Seasonal variations significantly influenced heavy metal concentrations and distribution patterns. The study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policies and sustainable practices to mitigate soil contamination and protect environmental health. It emphasizes the critical role of human activities, such as industrial, agricultural, and mining operations, in soil degradation and calls for increased community awareness and action to address these challenges.

Assessment of seasonal variations in dry eye syndrome prevalence among office workers

Background: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is prevalent among office workers and influenced by various environmental and individual factors. This study assesses the prevalence, seasonal variations, symptom severity, and environmental influences on DES among office workers. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of DES among office workers in Warangal, Telangana, India, and to evaluate the impact of seasonal variations, symptom severity, and environmental factors on DES. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 office workers aged 25–55 years old. Data were collected through questionnaires on DES symptoms, environmental conditions, and demographics. The prevalence of DES was calculated, and seasonal variations were analyzed. Symptom severity was recorded on a scale from 1 to 10. Environmental factors such as humidity, air-conditioning use, screen time, and indoor air quality were examined for their correlation with DES prevalence. Results: The overall prevalence of DES was 45%, with females showing a higher prevalence (50%) compared to males (37.5%). Seasonal variations showed the highest DES prevalence in winter (40%) and the lowest in summer (16%). Symptom severity scores were highest in winter (6.5 overall) and lowest in summer (3.8 overall). Low humidity in winter was associated with a 55% prevalence of DES, especially among females (65%). High air-conditioning use in summer correlated with a lower DES prevalence (12.5%). Increased screen time (>6 h/day) resulted in a 60% prevalence of DES, with seasonal peaks in winter (65%). Poor indoor air quality was reported by 70% of participants and linked to a 50% prevalence of DES. Conclusion: The study highlights significant gender differences, seasonal variations, and environmental factors impacting DES prevalence and severity among office workers. Interventions focusing on improving workplace conditions, managing screen time, and enhancing indoor air quality may mitigate DES symptoms.

Assessment of seasonal variations in the air quality index (2019–2022) in Al-Jahra city, Kuwait

The daily air quality indices (AQIs) for pollutants, including particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO2), ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), were evaluated for the period of 2019–2022 in Al-Jahra City, Kuwait. This study is designed to (1) evaluate overall and seasonal changes in pollutants, (2) investigate the correlation for PM10 and PM2.5 and other pollutants during each season, and (3) examine the best model for prediction of air pollutant concentration of PM10 and PM2.5. An assessment of air quality indices was carried out by using different algorithms models, including random forest (RF), an artificial neural network (ANN), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). The overall level of PM10, PM2.5, and SO2 pollutants shows an increasing trend from 2019 to 2022, reaching their highest in 2022 with a significant decrease in 2020 during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The pollutants CO and O3 reached their peak in 2021.The obtained results showed that the PM10 and O3 levels are higher in the summer, whereas PM2.5, NO2, and CO were recorded at the highest levels during spring, autumn, and winter respectively due to a variation in the meteorologic condition. Furthermore, during the winter season, the PM10 is positively correlated with CO (rp = 0.401), NO2 (rp = 0.121), and SO2 (rp = 0.119) AQIs while PM2.5 is significantly positively correlated with the CO (rp = 0.198), O3 (rp = 0.310), and SO2 (rp = 0.129) AQIs. In contrast, the performance of XGBoost is a more reliable predictor for PM10 and PM2.5 levels.

Assessment of seasonal variations in water quality in the vicinity of Hathaikheda Reservoir, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Assessment of seasonal variations in water quality in the vicinity of Hathaikheda Reservoir, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Assessment of seasonal variations in particulate matter accumulation and elemental composition in urban tree species

Outdoor air pollution in urban areas, especially particulate matter (PM), is harmful to human health. Urban trees and shrubs provide crucial ecosystem services such as air pollution mitigation by acting as natural filters. However, urban greenery comprises a particular biodiversity, and different plant species vary in their capacity to accumulate PM. Twenty-two plant species were analyzed and selected according to their leaf traits, the different fractions of PM accumulated on the leaves (large - PML, coarse - PMC, and fine - PMF) and their chemical composition. The study was conducted in four city zones: urban traffic (UT), urban background (UB), industrial (IND), and rural (RUR), comparing winter (W) and summer (S) seasons. The average PM levels in the air and accumulated on the leaves were higher in W than in S season. During both seasons, the highest PM accumulated on the leaves was recorded at the UT zone. Nine species were selected as the most suitable for accumulating PML, seven as the most efficient for accumulating PMC, and six for accumulating PMF. The leaf area and leaf roundness were correlated negatively with PM accumulation. The evergreen species L. nobilis was indicated as suitable for dealing with air pollution based on PM10 and PM2.5 values recorded in the air. Regarding the PM element and metal composition, L. nobilis, Photinia x fraseri, Olea europaea, Quercus ilex and Nerium oleander were selected as species with notable elements and metal accumulation. In summary, the study identified species with higher PM accumulation capacity and assessed the seasonal PM accumulation patterns in different city zones, providing insights into the species interactions with PM and their potential for monitoring and coping with air pollution.

Assessment of seasonal variations in vehicular emissions at traffic intersections in Ibadan using AERMOD dispersion model

AbstractAfrican cities grapple with urban air pollution from traffic‐related air pollutants (TRAPs). This study investigated TRAPs concentration variations at traffic intersections (TIs) in Ibadan, Nigeria. AERMOD model was employed to examine TRAPs dispersion at 25 selected TIs, considered as volume sources. Seasonal concentration distributions of six pollutants (CO, NO2, SO2, TVOCs, PM2.5, and PM10) were determined using meteorological, topographical, and pollutants’ emission rates in AERMOD. Estimated peak concentrations of the studied pollutants were generally higher in the rainy season than dry season, surpassing the air quality standards set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria's National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) during the rainy and dry seasons except SO2 (24 h) concentration which did not exceed the NESREA standard. This study highlighted TIs as significant contributors to air quality degradation in both seasons studied in Ibadan and showed AERMOD's suitability for air dispersion studies.

Assessment of Seasonal Variation in Heavy Metal Status of a Lotic Ecosystem in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, North Central Nigeria

Assessment of Seasonal Variation in Heavy Metal Status of a Lotic Ecosystem in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, North Central Nigeria

Assessment of seasonal variations in the fine particulate matter of indoor air in sub urban area of Jammu District (J&K), India

Indoor aerosol PM 2.5 is more harmful due to its penetration deep into lungs most ofpeoplespendingmore than 90% of their time indoor. The present study is the first timeinvestigation to evaluate the indoor aerosols (PM 2.5) in the households located in residential, commercial and industrial sub urban areas Jammu District (J&K) during different seasons of the two year study period (2017-2019). The indoor PM 2.5 was observed to exhibit deceasing trend i.e. more in summer> winter >rainy season. In non-wood fuel burning households exhibited annual average indoor PM 2.5 values below the values prescribed by CPCB and wood fuel burning households exhibited values above the values prescribed by CPCB. Moreover the indoor aerosols (PM 2.5 ) was observed be to almost four times higher in wood fuel burning households as compared with that of non-wood fuel burning households.

Assessment of Seasonal Variability in Phosphorus Biodynamics by Cosmogenic Isotopes 32P, 33P around Balaklava Coast.

The sorption efficiency of phosphorus from seawater by aluminum oxide and sorbents based on Fe(OH)3 obtained by various methods (using prepared sodium ferrate or precipitation of Fe(OH)3 with ammonia) was assessed. It was shown that phosphorus was recovered most efficiently at a seawater flow rate of one-to-four column volumes per minute with a sorbent based on hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile fiber with a precipitation of Fe(OH)3 with ammonia. Based on the results obtained, a method for phosphorus isotopes recovery with this sorbent was suggested. Using this method, the seasonal variability of phosphorus biodynamics in the Balaklava coastal area was estimated. For this purpose, the short-lived isotopes of cosmogenic origin 32P and 33P were used. Volumetric activity profiles of 32P and 33P in particulate and dissolved forms were obtained. Based on 32P and 33P volumetric activity, indicators of phosphorus biodynamics were calculated: the time, rate, and degree of phosphorus circulation to inorganic and particulate organic forms. In spring and summer, elevated values of phosphorus biodynamic parameters were determined. This is explained by the peculiarity of the economic and resort activities of Balaklava, which negatively affect the state of the marine ecosystem. The results obtained can be used to assess the dynamics of changes in the content of forms of dissolved and suspended phosphorus, and the biodynamic parameters when performing a comprehensive environmental assessment of the state of coastal waters.

Assessment of seasonal variation in distribution, source identification, and risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated sediment of Ikpoba River, South-South Nigeria.

The study aims to assess the seasonal variation in distribution, source identification, and risk of 20 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (20 PAHs) in the sediment of the Ikpoba River, south-south Nigeria. The PAHs were extracted in an ultrasonic bath with a mixture of n-hexane and dichloromethane (1:1 v/v). The extract was cleaned by silica-alumina gel mixed with anhydrous Na2SO4 in a chromatography column, eluted by n-hexane, and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The range of the average PAHs in mg.kg-dw was 0.15 (Nap)-0.54 (Acy) and 0.13 (D.al.P)-0.99 (Acy) in wet and dry periods correspondingly, indicating an increase in concentration from wet to dry period. However, the rings of the average concentration of the PAHs show 6 and 3 rings to be the highest values during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Based on the human health risk analysis, the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk indices showed low non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for both seasons. The ecological risk analysis showed the mean effect range median quotient (mERMQ) recorded a medium-low effect on the biota of the locations, except in AS3 during the wet season and also in WS8 and WS9 during the dry season. The minimum value of the toxic equivalent quotient (TEQ) was > 0.2mg/kg, which indicated a recommendation for the clean-up of the Ikpoba River. The isomer ratio and the principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the sources of the PAHs to be majorly combustion, followed by pyrolytic and petrogenic sources for both seasons.

Assessment of Seasonal Variation in Methane Emissions of Mediterranean Buffaloes Using a Laser Methane Detector.

A direct assessment of the methane (CH4) emission level and its variability factors is needed in each animal species in order to target the best mitigation strategy for the livestock sector. Therefore, the present study aimed to (1) test a laser methane detector (LMD) for the first time in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes (IMB), a non-invasive tool to quantify CH4 emissions; (2) test the effect of season on the emissions; and (3) compare the results measured directly with the ones estimated with the existing equations. CH4 emissions of twenty non-productive IMB, under the same feeding regimen, were monitored for 12 days in summer and winter. Significantly higher THI (74.46 ± 1.88 vs. 49.62 ± 4.87; p < 0.001), lower DMI (2.24 ± 0.04 vs. 2.51 ± 0.03% DMI/kg live weight; p < 0.001) and lower emission intensities (0.61 ± 0.15 vs. 0.75 ± 0.13; p < 0.001) were found during the summer period when compared with winter. LMD was found to be a versatile tool to be used in buffaloes, and it was clear that a summer increase in THI could act as a stressor for the animals, influencing their emissions. In addition, measured emissions were significantly higher than when estimated with the existing equations (p < 0.001), suggesting the need for further research in this area.

Assessment of Seasonal Variations in Air Quality from Lagos Metropolis and Suburbs Using Chemometric Models

Assessment of Seasonal Variations in Air Quality from Lagos Metropolis and Suburbs Using Chemometric Models

Assessment of seasonal variation in primary productivity of Arjunsagar Reservoir, Uttar Pradesh, India

Assessment of seasonal variation in primary productivity of Arjunsagar Reservoir, Uttar Pradesh, India

Biogas Production from Microalgal Biomass Produced in the Tertiary Treatment of Urban Wastewater: Assessment of Seasonal Variations

The valorization of microalgal biomass produced during wastewater treatment has the potential to mitigate treatment costs. As contaminated biomass (e.g., with pharmaceuticals, toxic metals, etc.) is often generated, biogas production is considered an effective valorization option. The biomass was obtained from a pilot facility of photobioreactors for tertiary wastewater treatment. The pilots were run for one year with naturally formed microalgal consortia. The biogas was generated in 70 mL crimp-top vials at 35 °C, quantified with a manometer and the methane yield measured by gas chromatography. A maximum biogas production of 311 mL/g volatile solids (VS) with a methane yield of 252 mL/g VS was obtained with the spring samples. These rather low values were not improved using previous thermo-acidic hydrolysis, suggesting that the low intrinsic biodegradable organic matter content of the consortia might be the cause for low yield. Considering the total volume of wastewater treated by this plant and the average amount of methane produced in this study, the substitution of the current tertiary treatment with the one here proposed would reduce the energy consumption of the plant by 20% and create an energy surplus of 2.8%. The implementation of this system would therefore contribute towards meeting the ambitious decarbonization targets established by the EU.

Assessment of Seasonal Variation in Chemical Characteristics of Tuipui River, Champhai District – Mizoram, India

Assessment of Seasonal Variation in Chemical Characteristics of Tuipui River, Champhai District – Mizoram, India

Assessment of Seasonal Variations of Pollutant Decay Coefficient of Talar River

Assessment of Seasonal Variations of Pollutant Decay Coefficient of Talar River

Assessment of Seasonal Variations in Forage Quality in Saanane Island National Park, Mwanza, Tanzania

Seasonal variations in proteins, vitamin A, vitamin C, carbohydrates and minerals (Ca, Fe, Na, K and P) for seven most grazed and four most browsed plant species were assessed using laboratory analysis to determine what nutrient resources were available to grazers and browsers inhabiting the Saanane Island. The results indicated great seasonal variations in proteins, vitamin A, vitamin C and carbohydrates which were statistically significant with P < 0.01, F 3.444 at DF 5. Similarly, the minerals (Ca, Fe, Na, K and P) showed greater seasonal variations with K and P being higher during wet season, while Na and Fe were higher in dry season. The levels of proteins, vitamins, fibres and minerals were well above daily dietary requirements for grazers and browsers. These results suggested that both grazers and browsers were benefiting from seasonal differences in terms of available resources at disposal as animal health is regulated by levels of proteins and vitamins available in grazing and browsing materials. 
 Keywords: Forage Quality, Minerals, Protein Saanane, Seasonality, Vitamin.

Assessment of Seasonal Variation (2020 to 2021) in Physico-Chemical Parameters of Nandalar Estuary in East Coast of Tamil Nadu, India

Estuaries are defined as the areas between rivers and the ocean that have unique ecological characteristics, a wealth of flora and fauna, and are essential to both biodiversity and hydrological processes. Aquatic ecosystems depend on their biological traits as well as their physical and chemical qualities. The objective of the current study was to identify seasonal variations in the physico-chemical parameters of Tamil Nadu's Nandalar Estuary. The physico-chemical characteristics of the Nandalar Estuary were recorded which have an impact on the estuarine environment. Future analyses of the ecological, biological, and cultural elements of estuarine species as well as the allowable limit of fisheries and aquatic life would benefit from preliminary data on the physico-chemical parameters in this Nandalar estuary area.

Assessment of seasonal variation in distribution and abundance of plankton and ichthyofaunal diversity in relation to environmental indices of Karankadu Mangrove, South East Coast of India

Karankadu mangrove situated along the Southeast coast of India is known for its unique and extreme species diversity and richness. Ecological functions of this mangrove comprise of nutrient cycling, coastal protection, fish fauna production and carbon sequestration besides providing livelihood to nearby coastal communities. The current study having assessed seasonal fluctuations of various Physico-chemical factors viz., rainfall, pH, surface water temperature, salinity, dissolved nutrients in the water and sediments, primary productivity and plant pigments (chlorophylls a,b,c) during the study period from July 2018 to June 2019, recorded a total of 29 species of zooplankton, 26 species of phytoplankton, and 19 species of fish with observed maximum density at summer and pre-monsoon period of the year. Relationship between the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem from the baseline data collected, was established through the statistical analysis performed.

Assessment of heavy metals concentration in soils and plants from electronic waste dumpsites in Lagos metropolis.

E-waste is a global environmental problem that must not be underestimated. To ascertain the environmental pollution status of electronic waste dumpsites, an assessment of seasonal variation in concentrations of heavy metals in the soils and plants in electronic waste dumpsites in Lagos metropolis was undertaken during the two major seasons (wet and dry seasons) in Nigeria. The soils and plants samples collected in August during the rainy season and December during the dry season were digested using aqua regia, a wet digestion method. The heavy metal concentrations were quantified with flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) fitted with a hollow cathode lamp (Perkin-Elmer AA Analyst 200) using an air-acetylene flame. The soil samples and the plants analyzed were found to have high concentrations of heavy metals. All the plants analyzed were identified and classified as excluders and accumulators of heavy metals based on their shoot/root quotients. The results obtained experimentally were analyzed using statistical and multivariate techniques. The soil quality of the study area was evaluated using correlation factor, pollution load index, and geoaccumulation index. The heavy metal assessment in comparison with the EU and Canadian standards for both agricultural and residential soils showed that the e-waste dumping sites are highly polluted. The results obtained for both the soil and plants analyzed confirmed the great impact of the hazardous components of e-waste on the ecosystem.