Clean Zone Research Articles

BIOCIDAL EFFECTS OF METABOLITES OF STREPTOMYCES GLOBISPORUS 3-1 AND STREPTOMYCES CYANOGENUS S136 STRAINS

Research of the biocide action of streptomycete-antagonist metabolites on the causative agent of bacterial canker of tomato and on the host-plant fertility is the actual question. Aim. To determine the action of metabolites of Streptomyces globisporus 3-1 and Streptomyces cyanogenus S136 on the phytopathogen Clavibacter michiganensis 102 in vitro and on seed germination, growth and yield of tomatoes in vivo. Methods. Microbiological methods in laboratory conditions and descriptive-comparative analysis of growth and development of tomatoes in hothouse conditions were used. Results. S. globisporus 3-1 and S. cyanogenus S136 metabolites inhibited the growth of the phytopathogen C. michiganensis 102 with the formation of clean zones 45 and 35 mm in vitro, respectively. Pre-sowing treatment with metabolites of S. globisporus 3-1 and S. cyanogenus S136 of tomatoes Lana seeds reduced germination by 27% for both and led to defects in leaf shape and plant sterility, respectively. Treatment by metabolites of both Streptomyces strains of phytopathogen infected seeds did not improve germination, growth, and yield compared to grown plants from infected seeds, though it were visually not defective, sterile and with signs of bacterial canker of tomato. Conclusion. It was found that metabolites of S. globisporus 3-1 and S. cyanogenus S136 had a biocide action on the phytopathogen C. michiganensis 102 in vitro and on Lana tomatoes in hothouse conditions.

Long-term impact of the Tyrnyauz tungsten-molybdenum mining and processing factory waste on environmental pollution and children's population.

We studied the consequences of the long-term impact of remediated tailing ponds from the Tyrnyauz tungsten-molybdenum mining and processing factory on the environmental pollution and children living in the area. For more than 60years, the factory has been engaged in the development of tungsten-molybdenum deposits by open-pit and mine methods and the enrichment of the extracted ore. More than 252,771 thousand tons of waste accumulated in its dumps and tailings ponds. This 170-hectare tailing pond contains more than 125 million tons of waste with arsenic, tungsten, molybdenum and other metals. To examine the possible accumulation of potentially toxic elements in children's bodies, we determined the content of heavy metals in drinking water and in the hair of children. An exfoliated buccal micronucleus test was used to determine the cytogenetic status of children. We did not find significant differences in the content of heavy metals inherent of a tailing pond in children's hair from polluted area compared to the control zone. In buccal cells of children living in the vicinity of the tailings pond, the total number of cytogenetic abnormalities was increased by 4.1 times, the total index of proliferation by 1.5 times, early destruction of the nucleus by 2 times and apoptosis by 1.2 times compared to the clean zone. Thus, we identified a genotoxic and cytotoxic effect on children living in the vicinity of the tailing ponds, which led to an increase in the number of children belonging to the medium- and high-risk groups. No correlations were found between the content of heavy metals in children's hair and the frequency of cells with cytogenetic abnormalities. Weak positive correlation was found between the content of manganese, zinc and copper in children's hair and the indicators of buccal epithelial cell proliferation.

Морфометрические характеристики черноморских мидий Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. как биоиндикатор антропогенного воздействия на прибрежные биоценозы Черного моря на территориях рекреационно-туристской специализации

The study assessed the ecological state of the marine environment in the Black Sea coastal zone on the territory of the popular Mayak public beach, located in the central part of Sochi and exposed to complex anthropogenic impact, using morphometric parameters of the Black Sea mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis L. as biomarkers. The studied parameters were compared with those of mollusks selected on a provisionally clean area of the Black Sea coast. In this paper morphometric parameters related to the size characteristics of the mussel shell — its length, width, and thickness — were used as the main biomarkers. On their basis we calculated two indices — the ratio of the shell height to its length (H/L) and the ratio of its width to its length (D/L) — which describe the relationship among morphometric parameters and determine the shell geometry formed under the impact of various environmental factors. As additional indicators, we recorded the colour, the characteristics of the mollusk shell surface, the sexual structure of the studied populations, and the ratio of the mussel raw body weight to the total weight of the mollusk with its shell. It was determined that the values of the main identified indices were significantly lower in the mussels from the clean zone, which can be explained by the fact that in the absence of negative effects mollusks do not need a strong and tightly closed shell to the same extent as animals from polluted areas. Moreover, the results revealed that the two studied mollusk populations from different habitat conditions demonstrated differences in practically all additional parameters. Thus, the studied biomarkers showing the state of biological communities in recreational zones indicate the presence of a systematic or repeated negative impact on marine aquatic organisms in the coastal waters of the Mayak public beach caused by anthropogenic activity.

Radiocarbon Concentration Measurements in Tree Leaves near SOCOCIM (Rufisque, Senegal), A Cement Factory

Radiocarbon content in biogenic samples is widely used to study the variation of atmospheric CO2 due to anthropogenic activities. A total of 20 samples of several types of tree leaves, were analyzed for this study. Sampling was carried out at the end of the rainy season in 2017 from the surrounding of the SOCOCIM cement factory in Rufisque town. Rufisque is located on the peninsula of Cape Verde, 25 km east of Dakar, where it is the 《south gate》 of the agglomeration. Reference samples of five different species were collected during the same period (2017) from a clean zone. The 14C method was used for the determination of Δ14C values. The data show that the 14C concentration in the studied sites was significantly lower than the clean area, due to the release of anthropogenic CO2. To estimate the Suess effect, the fossil fuel fraction was determined based on equations of mass balance for CO2 concentration, stable isotopic composition of carbon, and 14C concentration. The results show that selected locations are affected differently according to their distance from the factory and the wind direction.

Influence of early spring feeding on the development of bee families in the natural lands of Polissya

To ensure intensive early spring development of bee colonies in the natural lands of Polissya Zhytomyr region in the winter-spring period it is necessary to feed stimulating food. Therefore, the aim of the work is to study the influence of spring feeding with sugar-honey dough on the development and honey productivity of bee families of Ukrainian breed in conditions of clean and radioactively contaminated natural lands of Zhytomyr Polissya. The influence of feeding bee colonies with sugar-honey dough (powdered sugar, centrifuged honey, water) using pure and radioactively contaminated honey on the intensity of development and honey productivity was studied. To do this, two groups were created with experimental families of Ukrainian bee breeds, selected on the principle of analogs, one of which was in a radioactively clean area, and the other in radioactively contaminated soils 137 Cs within 15 Ki/km² and above. A comparative assessment of the early spring development of families was made: from March 16 to May 20, with an interval of 21 days, the number of open and sealed brood, egg production of queens during the honey harvest season was determined. Honey productivity at the honey harvest from natural lands was determined by the amount of honey obtained in spring and summer. Early spring feeding with sugar-honey dough promotes intensive development of families, and the content of radioactively contaminated honey does not have a negative impact on their development. After the end of the season of honey collection from natural lands, bee families of Ukrainian breed, both in the radioactively contaminated and clean zone, had a medium strength and could successfully overwinter.

Вплив техногенного навантаження Бурштинської ТЕС на овець різних вікових груп

Prolonged stay of animals in the area of man-made load leads to quantitative changes in the blood, reducing the level of activity of cellular and humoral defense factors. The hematological parameters and immunological status of sheep in the ecologically contaminated area change with age according to general biological patterns, objectively reflecting the intensity of metabolic processes in postnatal ontogenesis. Sheeps of fine-wool Carpathian breed were used as an object. The studies were performed on lambs obtained from ewes kept in contaminated and environmentally friendly areas, aged 1, 2, 4, 8 months and on adult animals aged 1.5 years. The results of research conducted in the winter and spring periods of 2010–2012 are summarized. The content of hemoglobin in the blood of sheep in the zone of man-made pollution was lower than in the blood of sheep in the ecologically clean zone, respectively: at 1 month of age — by 9.5%; at 2 months of age — by 29.0%; at the age of 4 months — by 24.5%; at the age of 8 months — by 21.9%; at the age of 1.5 years — by 21.25% (P≤0.05–0.001). We found no significant differences in the total leukocyte content of sheep, which were kept both in the area of contamination and outside the area of contamination. In lambs from the contaminated area, the bactericidal activity of blood serum at 4 months of age was 32% less (P≤0.01) than the bactericidal activity of blood in peers from the safe area, and lysozyme activity of serum, respectively — 29% less (P ≤0.01). With regard to phagocytic activity, which characterizes the level of cellular immunity, this indicator was 31.5% lower in lambs from the contaminated area than in lambs from the environmentally friendly area (P≤0.01). A higher concentration of Lead, Copper, Cadmium and Zinc in the blood of sheep in the man-made contaminated area was detected. These differences were most pronounced in adult animals. In the blood of adult sheep in the zone of anthropogenic pressure, the level of Lead, Copper, Cadmium, Zinc was 2.86; 103.7; 3.30; 349.8 μg%, vs. 0.41; 13.2; 1.05; 121.4 μg%, in sheep from the welfare zone (P≤0,001). Specific immunoglobulin of subclasses IgG1 and IgG2 in animals from the contaminated area were 61 and 52% of their level outside the area of man-made load. Viability of lambs in this area was almost twice lower than in the environmentally friendly area. The obtained results indicate the presence of general patterns in the occurrence of a complex of disorders in animals in response to adverse conditions. This becomes apparent given the lag in growth and development, as well as the premature death of lambs in the contaminated area.

Ensuring the environmental safety of residential areas of settlements based on the monitoring of acidic impurities in the atmospheric air кислых примесей в атмосфере

Objectives. Purpose Monitoring of acidic impurities in the atmospheric air of residential areas of settlements is one of the areas of ensuring their environmental safety and is officially carried out at 221 stations in the Russian Federation in the study of atmospheric precipitation.Method. In areas where they are minimal, the author proposes an alternative method for assessing environmental pollution based on the preparation of aerosol suspensions. The purpose of this work was to study the acidity index (pH) of aerosol suspensions (washing off aerosols from the leaves of apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca) obtained in the Srednyaya Akhtuba region (Sredneakhtubinsky district of the Volgograd region) in the spring-summer of 2020.Result. The results of the research demonstrated acidic aerosols ( pH = 5.32 + 0.01) in the atmospheric air rp Srednyaya Akhtuba in comparison with the conditionally clean zone (SNT "Oroshenets", "Shelf"), (pH = 6.39 + 0.02) The data indicate environmental pollution and on environmental risks for the population.Conclusion. Acidic impurities in the atmosphere of the middle Akhtuba region in comparison with the conditionally clean zone (SNT "Oroshenets", "Shelf"), which indicates environmental risks for the population. sources of pollution in residential areas of the settlement of Srednyaya Akhtuba and to develop environmental measures to protect the population from acidic impurities contained in aerosols, which requires further study of the territory.

Amphibian and fish eye lens used as biomarker of remote and chronic environmental contamination

The lens of vertebrates has a general structural plan and reacts similarly to various factors of anthropogenic impact. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and grass frog (Rana temporaria L.) are the most well-studied objects of aquatic toxicology in Russia, which react to the level of exposure to toxicants in the urbanized environment and retain the consequences of this exposure. The study aims to determine the possibility of using the lens of fish and amphibians as a biomarker of chronic and long-term background environmental contamination. The fundamental importance of the work lies in the fact that for the first time the mechanisms of the response of the epithelial cells of the eye lens and lens fibers to the spectrum of various toxicants entering the environment with industrial effluents are considered. In chronic experiments, the sensitivity of the lens of Oncorhynchus mykiss fingerlings to three toxicants (dibutyl sebacate-DBS, polyterpenes-PTP, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-AGM-9) in concentrations close to the normalized valuesin the environment was studied. On adult individuals of Rana temporaria, the appearance of abnormities in the lens was studied over a long period, depending on the total environmental contamination. To assess remote environmental contamination, studies were carried out on the constantly growing lens of the grass frog, which can preserve the resulting fiber abnormities throughout its life in the form of local opacities from the harmful environmental factors impacts. On the epithelium of the lens of fish, it was found that under the influence of certain pollutants, the mitotic index (MI) in the germinal area can change over a wide range. With the combined effect of toxicants, inhibition of mitosis is also observed. Using biomicroscopy of the eye, it was possible to show that frogs from the urbanized zone of Moscow have 1.5 times more genotypic and modification changes in the lens than their relatives taken from an ecologically clean zone of the Moscow region, Mozhaisky district in the water area of the Ozerninskoye reservoir. For the first time, the sensitivity of the lens of aquatic organisms to chronic effects under experimental and background contamination of the terrestrial and aquatic environment has been shown. Therefore, taking into account the uniformity of the structure of the eye lens of fish and amphibians, as well as in other vertebrates, the lens can be used as a biomarker for assessing chronic and remote environmental contamination. The research results can be applied for a comprehensive assessment of the action of anthropogenic factors.

Converting an Under-Construction Healthcare Facility into a COVID-19 Screening and Emergency Response Centre During Complete Lockdown in India.

In view of the COVID-19 surge, the construction of the Burns and Plastic Surgery Block at AIIMS, New Delhi was expedited at war footing level and converted into a COVID-19 Emergency response Centre (ERC). Engineering works were completed in a speedy manner and various patient care areas were equipped as deemed necessary for providing tertiary care to COVID-19 patients. A highly spirited team comprising of Emergency Medicine Specialists, Anesthesia and Critical Care specialist, Hospital Administrators and Nursing Officers was formed. Effective segregation of patient care areas into clean, contaminated, and intermediate zones was done using physical barriers and air conditioning modifications. The screening area for patients suspected of having COVID-19 was created in addition to a 2-step process i.e., Triage 1 and Triage 2, thereafter, patients requiring admission would be referred to the emergency area. An in-house designed and fabricated sampling booth was created to bring down the use of PPEs and for better infection control. The ERC has a general ward and state of the art intensive care units. Mobilizing resources (machinery, manpower, consumables etc.) during the lockdown required commitment from top leadership, motivated teams, expeditious procurement, coordination with multiple agencies working on site, expediting statutory clearances, coordination with police services, transportation of labor etc.

Modified Archie\u2019s parameters for estimating water saturation for carbonate reservoir in north of Iraq

Archie’s parameters, cementation factor (m), saturation exponent (n) and tortuosity factor (a), are general factor that have effects on water saturation magnitude, due to their sensitivity to pores distribution, lithofacies properties and wettability, particularly in carbonate reservoirs. Water saturation magnitude has a direct effect in estimating initial oil-in-place values, and inaccuracy in its values will lead to huge impact errors in initial oil-in-place values, so it would affect the economics of field management and development plans. In this paper, the main objective was to investigate the impact of using conventional and modified Archie’s parameters in the determination of water saturation from well log interpretation for Tertiary reservoir in Khabaz oil field, a heterogenous carbonite reservoir in the north of Iraq which was affected by different digenesis processes that impacted the reservoir quality. Tertiary reservoir of Khabaz field consists of five geological units (A, B, C, D and E), and the selected well penetrated the top of the reservoir at 2200.5 m RTKB and passed through five geological units and reached total depth at 2348 m RTKB. The geothermal gradient of the field was 1.12 ℉ per 100 ft, and formation water resistivity (Rw) was about 0.029 Ω m. Water saturation was at first estimated from resistivity logs by Archie model with conventional known values of parameters (a, m and n) (1, 2 and 2), respectively, and then Archie’s parameters were modified and determined by graphical technique of Pickett plot for each geological unit to estimate water saturation. Finally, the results show the water saturation value was more sensitive for Archie’s parameter in low-porosity and high-clay-volume zone, but less sensitive in clean high-porosity zone, and water saturation values determined by modified Archie model were less about 18.5% at mean than their value by using conventional Archie’s parameters.

Inpatient Telemedicine and New Models of Care during COVID-19: Hospital Design Strategies to Enhance Patient and Staff Safety.

The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the development of new hospital design strategies and models of care. To enhance staff safety while preserving patient safety and quality of care, hospitals have created a new model of remote inpatient care using telemedicine technologies. The design of the COVID-19 units divided the space into contaminated and clean zones and integrated a control room with audio-visual technologies to remotely supervise, communicate, and support the care being provided in the contaminated zone. The research is based on semi-structured interviews and observations of care processes that implemented a new model of inpatient telemedicine at Sheba Medical Center in Israel in different COVID-19 units, including an intensive care unit (ICU) and internal medicine unit (IMU). The study examines the impact of the diverse design layouts of the different units associated with the implementation of digital technologies for remote care on patient and staff safety. The results demonstrate the challenges and opportunities of integrating inpatient telemedicine for critical and intermediate care to enhance patient and staff safety. We contribute insights into the design of hospital units to support new models of remote care and suggest implications for Evidence-based Design (EBD), which will guide much needed future research.

Water Conservation Planning at Telkom University Landmark Tower Bandung Campus

Telkom University makes efforts in developing higher education facilities and capacities by constructing new campus buildings. One of the supports for improving services is sanitation infrastructure in the form of installations consisting of clean water installations, wastewater installations and ventilation, and rainwater installations with the concept of installed clean water. Each building that will be built in the area of West Java Province applies the concept of green buildings and conservation air as regulated in the Regional Regulation of West Java Province 13 of 2013 concerning Buildings, including campus building builders so that business actors are required to implement water management which aims to maintain quality, quantity, and continuity of clean water in West Java Province. The implementation of the installation with the concept of green buildings and air conservation is carried out at the Telkom University Landmark Tower building, which aims to use clean water in the building which can be more efficient because the location of the building is in a clean water distress zone based on the basin map of West Bandung Regency. The implementation of water conservation that is planned is WAC-3 waste water recycling (water recycling) which can be used as a rinse and watering the garden. Construction of infiltration wells which functions to reduce rainwater runoff and increase groundwater reserves, WAC-5 rainwater storage (rainwater storage) which can be used as alternative raw water. The use of the WAC-2 water-saving sanitary device (water feature) uses water usage and PDAM water costs. The application of air conservation that ignores water is 17.5% in the dry season and 61.5% in the rainy season of the clean water need total.

Theoretical expression for clean air volume in cleanrooms with non-uniform environments

Clean air volume significantly affects the cleanliness and energy consumption of a cleanroom. Traditionally, a uniform method was used to determine the cleanliness of cleanrooms, leading to high energy consumption or insecure cleanliness. To date, there exists no theoretical formula for determining the clean air volume of cleanrooms with non-uniform environments, although computational fluid dynamics can be used to verify the results according to known boundary conditions. In this study, a theoretical expression for the clean air volume in a non-uniform cleanroom environment was derived after treating the transport of particles as passive transport and using the accessibility index to describe the impact of the particle sources on the clean zone. A cleanroom in a semiconductor fab was considered as an example to demonstrate the difference between uniform and non-uniform methods, and how to use the expression to reduce the clean air volume. The following conclusions were made: 1) the clean air volume based on the non-uniform method may be significantly different from that based on the uniform method, depending on the air distributions and locations of the particle sources; 2) the clean air volume can be reduced by 51–72 % using efficient air distributions under the same cleanliness level of the clean zone; 3) lastly, the theoretical expression for the clean air volume in non-uniform environments can guide the effective decrease of the air volume.

Taking a deep breath: a qualitative study exploring acceptability and perceived unintended consequences of charging clean air zones and air quality improvement initiatives amongst low-income, multi-ethnic communities in Bradford, UK

BackgroundPoor air quality is the one of the biggest causes of early death and illness across the lifespan. In the UK, 28 local authorities with illegal pollution levels have been mandated by the Government to develop plans to rapidly reduce pollution to legal limits. These plans include consideration of implementing one of four of charging 'Clean Air Zone’ (CAZ) classes in areas of high pollution which would charge older polluting vehicles a daily charge to enter. While this offers a potential to improve air quality, the extent to which CAZ might impact (for example, economically) on socio-economically deprived groups and local businesses is unclear.AimsTo explore the acceptability and perceived unintended consequences of a CAZ and other initiatives to improve air quality with seldom-heard communities living in deprived, multi-ethnic areas within the city of Bradford, UK.MethodsTen semi-structured focus groups were conducted with people who live in areas of high pollution and deprivation. A total of 87 people participated from a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds with the majority of Pakistani origin. Recorded data were transcribed, coded and analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsAs poor air quality was not always visible it was seen as a hidden issue by many, and not prioritised over other more visible environmental issues (e.g. fly-tipping, littering). There was resistance to proposals which included charging private vehicles. Many felt that low-income families did not have the resources to purchase compliant vehicles or pay daily charges, placing a disproportionate burden on them. It was also felt that low-income taxi drivers would be disproportionately affected financially by proposals. Public transport infrastructure was felt to be inadequate. Other traffic management or emission reduction activities were also explored. Views towards these initiatives were more positive if they did not directly affect individuals financially.ConclusionAir quality initiatives such as CAZs were felt to be likely to financially disadvantage communities already living in socio-economic and environmental poverty. Policy makers need to carefully consider appropriate mitigation strategies to ensure that health and economic inequalities are not increased by implementation of CAZ. Given air quality is low priority for some groups, careful engagement and communication will be required to increase acceptance interventions such as CAZs.

Evaluating the Impact of a Wall-Type Green Infrastructure on PM10 and NOx Concentrations in an Urban Street Environment

Nature-based solutions can represent beneficial tools in the field of urban transformation for their contribution to important environmental services such as air quality improvement. To evaluate the impact on urban air pollution of a CityTree (CT), an innovative wall-type green infrastructure in passive (deposition) and active (filtration) modes of operation, a study was conducted in a real urban setting in Modena (Italy) during 2017 and 2018, combining experimental measurements with modelling system evaluations. In this work, relying on the computational resources of CRESCO (Computational Centre for Research on Complex Systems)/ENEAGRID High Performance Computing infrastructure, we used the air pollution microscale model PMSS (Parallel Micro-SWIFT-Micro SPRAY) to simulate air quality during the experimental campaigns. The spatial characteristics of the impact of the CT on local air pollutants concentrations, specifically nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM10), were assessed. In particular, we used prescribed bulk deposition velocities provided by the experimental campaigns, which tested the CT both in passive (deposition) and in active (filtration) mode of operation. Our results showed that the PM10 and NOx concentration reductions reach from more than 0.1% up to about 0.8% within an area of 10 × 20 m2 around the infrastructure, when the green infrastructure operates in passive mode. In filtration mode the CT exhibited higher performances in the abatement of PM10 concentrations (between 1.5% and 15%), within approximately the same area. We conclude that CTs may find an application in air quality hotspots within specific urban settings (i.e., urban street canyons) where a very localized reduction of pollutants concentration during rush hours might be of interest to limit population exposure. The optimization of the spatial arrangement of CT modules to increment the “clean air zone” is a factor to be investigated in the ongoing development of the CT technology.

Scots pine in different ecological conditions in the south of the Central Black Earth region: features of the genetic structure of the glutamate dehydrogenase locus

A comparative analysis of two Scots pine plantations growing in different ecological conditions of the steppe zone in the south of the Central Black Earth region (Kantemirovsky District of the Voronezh Region) has been carried out. One plantation is located in a relatively ecologically clean area, outside the urban environment, the other one within the village Kantemirovka. The enzyme system has been studied; it is an important link in the main metabolic pathways in plant organisms influencing the general condition of plants. In the studied stands the genetic structure of the glutamate dehydrogenase locus has been analyzed, one of the alleles of which (Gdh-1) in Scots pine is an embryonic semi-metal. It has been found that in a weakened plantation located in an urban environment and exposed to increased anthropogenic impact, the proportion of this allele and the proportion of genotypes homozygous for it is significantly (p 0,01) higher than in the population from an ecologically clean zone. It is known that organisms with semi-lethal genes in their genotype possess a complex of compensatory genes, which determines their increased resistance to unfavorable factors. An increase in the proportion of semi-lethal alleles in a plantation growing under anthropogenic load can be an adaptive mechanism for increasing resistance at the population level to stress effects of different nature.

Dust Capturing Capacity of Woody Plants in Clean Air Zones throughout Taiwan

To exploit the ability of vegetation to capture particulate matter (dust) from the air and improve air quality, 546 clean air zones (CAZs) consisting of various types of urban green space have been established in Taiwan. This study systematically assessed the pollutant filtering efficiency of tree species planted in these green spaces. This research aims to provide quantitative data on individual trees’ dust retention functions for future green space planning in urban areas. Field surveys were conducted in 98 CAZs throughout Taiwan. The vegetation composition of approximately 14,000 woody trees, consisting of 210 species, was surveyed. The vegetation surveyed showed that the dominant species in many CAZs in southern Taiwan were introduced species. The dust capturing capacity of the tree species was found to be positively correlated with leaf size. However, the amount of dust retention was affected mainly by the surface structure and morphological characteristics of the leaves, such as a rough, hairy surface. Among the tree species, Spathodea campanulata, Pterocarpus indicus, and Delonix regia exhibited the best dust capture and retention capacity in southern Taiwan, and Ficus macrocarpa, Alstonia scholaris, and Melia azedarach were the most desirable dust retention species. The results suggest that native evergreen species are suitable for dust retention in urban green spaces.

A Sustainable Recycling Alternative: Electrospun PET-Membranes for Air Nanofiltration.

Currently, the inappropriate disposal of plastic materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) wastes, is a major environmental problem since it can cause serious damage to the environment and contribute to the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. To reduce this accumulation, PET-type bottles have been recycled, and also explored in other applications such as the development of membranes. Thus, this research aims to develop electrospun microfiber membranes from PET wastes and evaluate their use as an air filter media. The solution concentrations varied from 20 to 12% wt% of PET wastes, which caused a reduction of the average fiber diameter by 60% (from 3.25 µm to 1.27 µm). The electrospun filter membranes showed high mechanical resistance (4 MPa), adequate permeability (4.4 × 10−8 m2), high porosity (96%), and provided a high collection efficiency (about 100%) and low-pressure drop (212 Pa, whose face velocity was 4.8 cm/s) for the removal of viable aerosol nanoparticles. It can include bacteria, fungi, and also viruses, mainly SARS-CoV-2 (about 100 nm). Therefore, the developed electrospun membranes can be applied as indoor air filters, where extremely clean air is needed (e.g., hospitals, clean zones of pharmaceutical and food industry, aircraft, among others).

Bioactive and physicochemical profile of honey collected from Colombian organic and conventional coffee growing areas

A study related to the physicochemical composition and profile of phenolic compounds and flavonoids was performed on honey of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) obtained in coffee-growing areas from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in Colombia. A total of 67 samples were obtained from hives installed on coffee farms classified according to their type of production: organic or conventional. The results of physical properties and chemical composition analyses showed that the honey samples were within the limits established by international regulations. The phenolic compounds and flavonoids identified as chemical markers of interest were coumaric, caffeic, and cinnamic acid, as well as luteolin, quercetin, and isorhamnetin. Tukey's multiple comparison tests showed no major significant differences between the composition of the honey samples from organic coffee growing areas compared to conventional plantations, mainly because of the similarity of floral sources in the surrounding area. Additionally, an analysis of pesticides and heavy metals showed the absence of such components in all samples, confirming that regardless of the type of production, this region is an environmentally clean agricultural zone. This information will generate bases for the differentiation by origin of honey from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, aimed to improve their marketing and promote added value.

Cleaner, Greener and Leaner

Portsmouth is the latest British city to announce the roll out of a clean air zone. Saul Wordsworth looks at the planning that has gone into it so far and highlights key benefits – from streamlined traffic flows to improved public health