Contribution To Pollution Research Articles

AIR QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH: A REVIEW OF URBAN POLLUTION SOURCES AND MITIGATION MEASURES

Urbanization has led to unprecedented challenges in maintaining air quality, significantly impacting public health. This review delves into the diverse sources of urban pollution and explores effective mitigation measures to safeguard public well-being. The rising concentration of pollutants in urban areas, primarily attributed to industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and domestic energy consumption, poses a severe threat to the respiratory and cardiovascular health of urban populations. The review begins by examining the key sources of urban pollution, highlighting the complex interplay between anthropogenic activities and their cumulative impact on air quality. Industrial emissions, characterized by the release of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and hazardous chemicals, contribute significantly to urban air pollution. Likewise, the surge in vehicular traffic, fueled by rapid urbanization, introduces pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, further exacerbating the problem. To address these challenges, the review explores a spectrum of mitigation measures. Implementation of stringent emission standards for industries, adoption of cleaner technologies, and promotion of renewable energy sources emerge as critical strategies. Additionally, urban planning initiatives focusing on efficient public transportation systems, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and green spaces are examined as effective means to reduce vehicular emissions and enhance air quality. The review also underscores the importance of public awareness campaigns and community engagement in fostering a collective commitment to air quality improvement. Innovative technological solutions, such as air quality monitoring networks and real-time data analytics, are discussed as indispensable tools for informed decision-making and prompt intervention. This review synthesizes current knowledge on urban pollution sources and mitigation measures, emphasizing the urgent need for a multidimensional approach to protect public health. By comprehensively addressing the intricate web of pollution contributors and implementing proactive measures, urban environments can be transformed into healthier and sustainable spaces for all residents.
 Keywords: Air Quality, Public Health, Urban Pollution, Mitigation, Review.

Cross-contamination and ecological risk assessment of antibiotics between rivers and surrounding open aquaculture ponds

Antibiotics are causing widespread concern as one of the emerging contaminants. There is the abuse of antibiotics in high-density open aquaculture, and the tailwater is often discharged into surrounding rivers. At the same time, the water replenishment of open aquaculture ponds from nearby rivers containing antibiotic contamination from different sources may result in cross-contamination. However, it is still unclear which pollution intensity is greater in rivers or in open aquaculture. So in this paper, the levels of 20 antibiotics (i.e., Fluoroquinolones (FQs), Sulfonamides (SAs), Tetracyclines (TCs), Macrolides (MLs) and Lincosamides (LCs)) in rivers and high-density open aquaculture ponds were investigated in the Baini River basin in the suburbs of Guangzhou, China. The results showed that norfloxacin (NFX) was the predominant antibiotic in river and aquaculture water, with concentrations ranging from 6.12 to 156.04 ng/L and from 7.47 to 82.62 ng/L in both aquatic systems, respectively. As for the pollution intensity of antibiotics, the annual pollution contribution (28.64 kg/a) of the river water supply to open aquaculture is higher than that (10.81 kg/a) of open aquaculture to the river, which means river pollution has a greater impact on aquaculture ponds. The risk quotient (RQ) showed that the ecological risk of lincomycin (LIN), erythromycin (ERY), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), norfloxacin (NFX), ciprofloxacin (CFX) and chlortetracycline (CTC) in rivers and aquaculture environments had high ecological risks from 1.21 to 1.81. Water interactions with contaminated rivers will result in a corresponding increase in the ecological risk of antibiotics in the aquaculture environment. Overall, according to the results, the risk of polluted rivers to open aquaculture cannot be ignored, and it is recommended that open aquaculture should use these water sources with caution, and that the water quality evaluation of aquaculture water should be increased with monitoring indicators for emerging contaminants such as antibiotics.

Designing out microplastic pollution released from textiles and apparel during laundering

Abstract The washing of synthetic materials has been named as the largest contributor of microplastic pollution to our oceans. With the consumption of petrochemical-based synthetic materials expected to grow, due to an increased demand, the release of microplastic fibres to our environments is expected to also accelerate. To combat microplastic fibre release, this study explores source-directed interventions within the design and manufacturing process of textiles to reduce the amount of pollution released from the surface and the edges of the fabric structure. Using standardised wash tests and polyester fabric swatches that were created in-house with systematic structural adjustments, single jersey knit fabrics were shown to release over three times more microplastic pollution than twill woven fabric. This illustrates that increasing the tightness of a fabric could be implemented within the design of fabrics for environmental benefits. Additionally, the laser cutting technique reduced microplastic fibres released by over a third compared to scissor cutting and overlock serging, showing that the edge of the fabric is a significant source of microplastic pollution released during laundering. This research highlights the adaptable and innovative eco-design approaches to clothing production which is necessary to help the sector reach international sustainability targets and regulations.

Research on Air Pollution Modeling and Emission Inventory Methodology: A Case Study of Shanghai Yangshan Port

In order to effectively manage the pollution from ships in ports, it is very necessary to understand the quantity and characteristics of the emissions from port pollution sources, so that more scientific management measures can be provided.This paper mainly analyzes the three pollution emission sources of Yangshan Port, namely port machinery, transport vehicles and ships, and uses the emission factor method to estimate and establish the air pollution emission inventory of Yangshan Port in 2021.The results show:1) The emissions of pollutants SO2, PM, NOx, CO, and VOCs are 5011t, 1252t, 27,560t, 1670t, and 2150t, respectively;2) Ships are the largest source of pollution, with container ships providing the largest pollution contribution among the different ship types, accounting for 38%;3) The main engine and auxiliary engines, as the main source of pollution from ships, accounted for 40% and 42% of the total amount of pollutants, respectively; the slow-speed state accounted for the highest proportion of pollution discharged in the four operating states, at 41%.

Spatial variation of air pollutants by using GIS modelling

<p>Air pollution in Tamil Nadu has become a pressing issue, as various pollutants have surpassed the limits established by the pollution control board. The major air pollutants in the region, namely sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and suspended particulate matter, have been identified. This study aims to monitor and analyse the levels of air pollution in Tamil Nadu, with a specific focus on key parameters such as SO2, NO2, PM2.5, PM10, and ozone. By examining the atmospheric levels of these pollutants and their correlation with temperature fluctuations, the impact on human health and respiratory problems can be evaluated. Moreover, the study will assess the contribution of traffic emissions and vehicular pollution to the concentration of PM10 in different areas. Additionally, GIS technology will be utilized to spatially and temporally investigate pollution concentrations and evaluate their effect on the air quality index. By comparing the pollution concentration from thermal power stations and vehicular pollution, the study will identify the sources of pollutants, with a particular emphasis on SO2 and NOx emissions from vehicles and higher levels of suspended particulate matter from thermal stations. The analysis of these pollutants and their sources will provide valuable insights for the implementation of effective pollution control measures and the management of environmental pollution in Tamil Nadu. Given the concerns regarding pollutants exceeding the prescribed limits set by the pollution control board, monitoring air pollution in Tamil Nadu is of utmost importance.</p>

Sex differential effects on the joint contribution of air pollution and biological aging on cognitive performance in individuals at risk of Alzheimer’s disease

AbstractBackgroundAir pollution is associated with cognitive performance, risk for AD and may accelerate biological aging. Biological aging due to telomere shortening has been associated with cognitive impairment. However, few studies have looked at the link between air pollution, telomere length, and cognitive performance among sexes. In this study, we investigated the joint effect of sex, air pollution, and leukocyte telomere length (LTL), on cognitive performance in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals at risk of AD.MethodThe study included 1,472 middle‐aged CU adults with increased risk of AD from the ALFA study [Table 1]. Residential exposure to air pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) was estimated by land use regression models. LTL was determined by qPCR from DNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. LTL was residualized against chronological age and sex (rLTL). A cognitive battery was administered to assess verbal memory, psychomotor speed, visual processing and executive function. Further, episodic memory (EM), executive function and Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) composites were calculated by averaging normalized raw scores of the subtests. Models were corrected by chronological age, years of education and APOE‐ε4 status. Sex‐specific effects were investigated by adjusting interaction models.ResultThere was no overall effect of neither rLTL nor air pollution on cognitive performance, but crossover interactions with sex were found. Exposure to higher levels of NO2 and PM2.5 were associated with worse EM only in men [Figure 1]. Three‐way interaction models revealed longer rLTL and lower levels of air pollution were associated with better performance on PACC (for PM2.5, PM10 and NO2) and EM (for PM10 and NO2) among men. In women, these associations were only observed at higher exposure levels of air pollution [Figure 2].ConclusionThe results show that lower levels of air pollution allow for the protective effect of rLTL on cognitive performance only in men for whom air pollution had a stronger negative impact. In women, the results show different mechanisms through which air pollution and rLTL affect cognitive performance. Further analyses will be conducted to gain insight into the observed effects.

Analysis of Spatio-temporal Characteristics of Air Quality, Meteorological Impact, and Emission Reduction Effect During the Winter Olympics in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Its Surrounding Areas

From January 31st to February 20th, 2015 to 2022, the spatio-temporal characteristics of the PM2.5 pollution evolution of 44 cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region and its surrounding areas were analyzed. The contribution of simultaneous meteorology, coordinated emission reduction, and cross-regional transmission to PM2.5 concentration and chemical component changes were quantified, respectively, with the aim to provide scientific reference for regional air quality joint prevention and control under adverse meteorological conditions. The results showed that the mean value of PM2.5 concentration of 44 cities in 2022 was the lowest(46 μg·m-3) without heavy pollution in the same period of the lunar calendar since 2015, whereas the proportion of days with good air quality was the highest(83.3%). PM2.5 pollution was more serious in the southern region than that in the northern region, and the high values were mainly concentrated along the Taihang Mountains and Yanshan transmission channel cities. In 2016, under the unregulated emission of fireworks in the Spring Festival, the proportion of unpolluted days was 93.5%, which means that the strong atmospheric diffusion ability was crucial to improve air quality. In 2022, the static weather index(SWI) increased by 2.1 compared with that in 2021, indicating unfavorable atmospheric diffusion capacity. The average and peak values of PM2.5 decreased by 14 μg·m-3 and 76 μg·m-3, respectively. The reduction in PM2.5 concentration in Beijing owing to emission reduction measures increased by 96% compared with that before one month. Under the adverse atmospheric background in the Shanxi-Shandong-Henan Region, which contributed to the increase in PM2.5 concentration, the peak value of PM2.5 concentration decreased by 87 μg·m-3, indicating that the peak clipping effect of regional collaborative pollution emission reduction was significant. From 2019 to 2022, the concentration of PM2.5 chemical components decreased yearly with narrowed spatial differences, and the high value was concentrated in the central and southern regions. The descending order of PM2.5 secondary component concentration decrease was as follows:organic matter(21.9%)>sulfate(20%)>ammonium salt(16.7%)>nitrate(9.7%). The proportion of nitrate in PM2.5 increased yearly to 30.1%, indicating that the contribution of traffic pollution was relatively prominent. In 2022, the SNA concentration in the Shanxi-Shandong-Henan Region increased. Pollution from external sources accounted for the main contribution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region(>50%). Liaoning Province contributed significantly to the PM2.5 concentration in cities along the Bohai(>10%), and nitrate and sulfate were easy to transport over long distances. It is necessary to strengthen the coordinated control of precursors of secondary chemical components SO2, NOx, and NH3.

The impact of biomass burning occurred in the Indo-China Peninsula on PM2.5 and its spatiotemporal characteristics over Yunnan Province

Being one of the most serious biomass burning regions in the world, the air pollution caused by spring combustion in the Indo-China Peninsula (ICP) has already had an impact on Yunnan Province's beautiful environment and excellent air quality to some extent. In this study, considering the differences in geographical location and topography of Yunnan, we used the K-Means algorithm to divide it into five clustering zones according to the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of PM2.5. Then this study explored the spatial and temporal characteristics of pollution in Yunnan Province and biomass combustion in ICP based on the multi-source data such as MOD14A1, GDAS1, and ground-based PM2.5 data, and used HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) pollution tracer analysis and other data statistical methods. The results show that the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of PM2.5 in Yunnan Province show large differences within each clustering zone (CZ). Spatially, CZ 2 has better air quality throughout the year, and the areas with higher PM2.5 are mainly in CZ 1 and CZ 3. Temporally, the months with higher concentration values were mainly from February to April, and also this period owed high biomass burning activities in the ICP, which resulted in pollution values exceeding 60 μg/m3 within certain CZs. Finally, the results of the pollution tracer analysis showed that within CZs other than CZ 2, the contribution due to the burning in the ICP was variable, and that the countries with a high contribution of pollution to Yunnan Province were Myanmar, and the other sources of pollution are mainly caused by local and neighbouring anthropogenic activities. Therefore, based on overall improvement of air quality, Yunnan Province is necessary to prevent and control not only the pollutants from the ICP from February to April, but also the pollution caused by the emissions from rapid economic development.

Is there a relationship between the quality of surface watercourses associated with rural landscapes and the level and type of anthropization in the zone of influence?

The study of the environmental quality of the largest rivers such as the Paraná, is a challenge for the different disciplines of environmental sciences. Considering that the water quality of the largest rivers is mainly affected by the contributions of pollutants through the tributaries, we evaluate, using a multidisciplinary approach, the environmental quality of the tributaries of the Paraná River in Argentina, whose subbasins are associated with different levels and types of anthropization. We also discussed the aptitude of different diagnostic tools used to study the quality of water courses associated with rural landscapes and proposed a new indicator of easy measurement to quantify the level of anthropization in these environments. We selected 6 sampling sites (SM) related with different level of anthropization, considering agricultural and/or livestock (A/G) and urban or industrial (U/I) activities. The general parameters of water quality were measured in situ, and water and sediment samples were taken for physical, chemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological evaluation. The toxicity was evaluated by a battery of bioassays (Daphnia magna, Hyalella curvispina and Lactuca sativa). The frequency of bioassays that show significant effects correlated positively with anthropization. Lactuca sativa was particularly sensitive to pollutants of A/G origin, while crustaceans, to those from U/I. The combination of U/I and A/G activities increased the toxicological complexity of the watercourses, producing greater adverse effects. Although, in the rural areas the U/I activities represented a scale notably small in relation to A/G, their contribution to the deterioration of the toxicological quality of watercourses appeared significant.

Quantification and variation characteristics of baseflow nonpoint source pollution in Yiluo River Basin, China

Baseflow is an important component of runoff that is one of the essential mediums for groundwater pollution to migrate to runoff. Effective water-quality management requires full understanding of the nonpoint source (NPS) pollutants pathways. However, the contributions of baseflow and baseflow NPS pollutants at multiple scales are still challenging. In this study, the baseflow was quantified and compared by the nonlinear reservoir method, the digital filtering method and the Soil and water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in the Yiluo River, and SWAT model was used to simulate and quantify the NPS and baseflow NPS pollution. Then the scaling effect of baseflow NPS pollution was studied. The results indicated that the average annual baseflow of the basin outlet section and baseflow index of the whole basin was 38.07 m3/s and 0.58 during the studied years (2001–2017). The multiyear average baseflow pollution load for TN and TP was 4216.18 t/a and 293.33 t/a. The spatial distribution of the NPS pollution and baseflow NPS pollution showed higher in the northeast and lower in the southwest, and the baseflow NPS pollution contribution rate in most basins was more than 50 %. The spatial scale effects of NPS pollution load became more obvious with the increase of basin area, and the contribution of baseflow NPS pollution increased. The precipitation and temperature played important roles in baseflow pollution, especially baseflow TN load.

Legal Issues of Cardiovasc as Quality Drug Patented Product Based on Pharmaceutical Formulations Using Spectrophotometric Validation for Healthcare Corporate Governance

Purpose: Cardiovasc is the patented product name of Amlodipine besylate. Its intended design is aimed for vasodilatory action primarily used in treating stable and variant angina, and hypertension. This study aims to validate the linearity of absorbance of the reference standard with Cardiovasc drug concentration. Moreover, the drug concentration elucidation from the samples aims to quantitate the correlation of the marketed patented drug for commercial use as possible source of environmental pollutants known as greenhouse gases. 
 Methodology: Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy is used to measure the absorbance of the drug samples, Amlodipine besylate reference standard and Cardiovasc, for validation of linearity with drug concentration using the electron excitement from HOMO to LUMO of anti-bonding energy levels for catalytic analysis of drug concentration. Interaction with uncertainties, risks, and capabilities is a tool for decision making of health effects and economic impacts to sustainable development.
 Findings: The results from Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy shows that minimal drug concentration exposed as discharge to the environment will not exhibit any linear correlation as significant contributor of environmental pollutants. The commercial drug, Cardiovasc, follows the second range of Amlodipine besylate reference standard, hence, Cardiovasc effluents play a critical role to the quality design of marketed drug in terms of medical research methods as this procedure is done as exclusion to the acquired drug patentability intended to exercise their healthcare corporate governance as fulfillment of monetary goals in business ethics of sustainable development.
 Recommendations: This legal validation highlights the significance of linear correlation of patented drug to environmental effects as social responsibility of corporate healthcare governance. Hence, the International Trade Law enables the marketed drug product to perform its intended action as well as to advocate sustainable development goals as “commercial” in nature. As the European Patent Commission clearly states that medical research methods are excluded from the patentability coverage of drug product, this paper strongly recommends innovation of tools, engineering on eradicating greenhouse gases as sources of environmental pollutants that play a crucial factor to climate change.

A Route to Understanding the Ethane Adsorption Selectivity of the Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 in Ethane-Ethylene Mixtures.

Ethylene production has a negative environmental impact, with its separation step being one of the major contributors of pollution. This has encouraged the search for energy-efficient alternatives, among which the adsorptive separation of ethane and ethylene stands out. ZIF-8 is a molecular sieve that is potentially useful for this purpose. It is selective to ethane, an exceptional property that remains unexplained. Furthermore, the adsorption of ethane and ethylene above room temperature, such as at steam cracking process outlet temperatures, has not been addressed either. This work aims to fill this knowledge gap by combining experiments at very low volumetric fillings with density-functional theory modelling methods. Adsorption isotherms of ethane and ethylene on ZIF-8 at pressures below 0.3 bar and 311 K, 333 K, and 363 K were measured using zero-length column chromatography. The low-pressure domain of the isotherms contains information on the interactions between the adsorbate molecules and the adsorbent. This favors the understanding of their macroscopic behavior from simulations at the atomic level. The isosteric enthalpy of adsorption of ethane remained constant at approximately -10 kJ/mol. In contrast, the isosteric enthalpy of adsorption of ethylene decreased from -4 kJ/mol to values akin to those of ethane as temperature increased. ZIF-8 selectivity to ethane, estimated from ideal adsorbed solution theory, decreased from 2.8 to 2.0 with increasing pressure up to 0.19 bar. Quantum mechanical modelling suggested that ethylene had minimal interactions with ZIF-8, while ethane formed hydrogen bonds with nitrogen atoms within its structure. The findings of this research are a platform for designing new systems for the adsorptive separation of ethane and ethylene and thus, reducing the environmental impact of ethylene production.

Toxicity mechanisms of graphene oxide and cadmium in Microcystis aeruginosa: evaluation of photosynthetic and oxidative responses

The potential ecotoxicological hazard of gaphene oxide (GO) is not fully clarified for photoautotrophic organisms, especially when the interactions of GO with other environmental toxicants are considered. The objective of the current study was to better understand the mechanisms of toxicity of GO in the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa, and to identify its interactions with cadmium (Cd). The individual and combined contribution of both pollutants in cyanobacteria were evaluated after 96 hours of exposure to GO and/or Cd, using photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic parameters, cellular indicators of peroxidative damage, viability, and intracellular ROS formation as indicators of toxicity. Interactions between GO and Cd were evaluated using Toxic Units based on the EC50 of each parameter evaluated. The results of this study indicate that single concentrations ≥ 5 µg mL−1 of GO and ≥ 0.1 µg mL−1 of Cd induced a decrease in cell biomass and a change in the photosynthetic parameters associated with primary productivity in M. aeruginosa. In the combined experiments, higher GO ratios (≥ 9.1 µg mL−1) in terms of Toxic Units decreased photochemical processes and cellular metabolism, increased oxidative stress, and ultimately affected the size of M. aeruginosa. Finally, the relationship between GO concentration, Cd concentration, and the adsorption capacity of GO with respect to the co-pollutant must be taken into account when assessing the environmental risk of GO in aquatic environments.

Temporal and spatial changes of water quality in intensively developed urban rivers and water environment improvement: a case study of the Longgang River in Shenzhen, China.

The water quality status, spatial and temporal change processes, and water environment improvement process of urban rivers are valuable lessons to be learned under the sustainable development strategy. This study aims to reveal the water environment improvement process of intensively developed urban rivers, elucidate the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of major pollutants, and provide recommendations for their water environment management. Water quality data from eight monitoring sites (2007-2020) in the Longgang River basin in Shenzhen, China, and comprehensive pollution index method (CPI), modified comprehensive pollution index method (M-CPI), and Pearson correlation analysis method were used for comprehensive analysis. The study shows that TN, TP, NH3-N, and COD have the greatest influence on the water quality of Longgang River, with the average pollution contribution of 53.39%, 14.49%, 11.66%, and 4.92%, in order. In 2015-2020, the water quality of the main stream of the Longgang River in the wet season was worse than that in the dry season, while the water quality of the tributaries Dingshan River and the Huangsha River in the dry season was worse than the wet season. The spatial distribution characteristics based on M-CPI indicate that the water quality of the lower reaches of Longgang River, the tributaries Dingshan River and Huangsha River, is relatively poor. In addition, the water environment improvement process of Longgang River can be divided into 3 stages: engineering stage (2007-2013, rating changed from heavily polluted to basically qualified), bottleneck stage (2013-2017, rating fluctuated slightly above and below basically qualified), and ecological restoration stage (2017-2020, rating reached qualified in 2019).

Stable isotopes reveal organic nitrogen pollution and cycling from point and non-point sources in a heavily cultivated (agricultural) Mediterranean river basin

The Pinios River Basin (PRB) is the most intensively cultivated area in Greece, which hosts numerous industries and other anthropogenic activities. The analysis of water samples collected monthly for ∼1 ½ years in eight monitoring sites in the PRB revealed nitrate pollution of organic origin extending from upstream to downstream and occurring throughout the year, masking the signal from the application of synthetic fertilizers. Nitrate concentrations reached up to 3.6 mg/l as NO3−-N, without exceeding the drinking water threshold of ∼11.0 mg/l (as NO3−-N). However, the water quality status was “poor” or “bad” in ∼50 % of the samples based on a local index, which considers the potential impact of nitrate on aquatic biological communities. The δ15Ν-ΝΟ3− and δ18O-NO3− values ranged from +4.4 ‰ to +20.3 ‰ and from −0.5 ‰ to +14.4 ‰, respectively. The application of a Bayesian model showed that the proportional contribution of organic pollution from industries, animal breeding facilities and manure fertilizers exceeded 70 % in most river sites with an overall uncertainty of ∼0.3 (UI90 index). The δ18O-NO3− and its relationship with δ18O-H2O revealed N-cycling and mixing processes, which were difficult to identify apart from the uptake of nutrients by phytoplankton during the growing season and metabolic activities. The strong correlation of δ15Ν-ΝΟ3− values with a Land Use Index (LUI) and a Point Source Index (PSI) highlighted not only the role of non-point nitrate sources but also of point sources of nitrate pollution on water quality degradation, which are usually overlooked. The nitrification of organic wastes is the dominant nitrate source in most rivers in Europe. The systematic monitoring of rivers for nitrate isotopes will help improve the understanding of N-cycling and the impact of these pollutants on ecosystems and better inform policies for protection measures so to achieve good ecological status.

Judicial Responses Towards Air Pollution Issues in India

Air pollution in urban areas arises from multiple sources, which may vary with location and developmental activities. Anthropogenic activities as rampant industrialization, exploitation and over consumption of natural resources, ever growing population size are major contributors of air pollution. With great importance on globalisation and industrialisation, a rise in degradation of the environment due to air pollution is a matter of concern. The concept of ecological conservation and protection of environment from degradation is not new to mankind and have been a n essential part of our civilization since time immemorial. The judiciary being the pillar of our country have been playing a prominent role in providing environmental justice to victims of air pollution. Moreover, Judiciary plays a significant role in enunciating principles and imposing liabilities on those who pollute air. This article attempts to appraise the notable role played by the Indian judiciary in interpreting legal provisions to protect, control and abate air pollution and provides environmental justice in India.

POTENTIAL OF BLENDED PRECURSORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS

Facing the consequences of climate change, the building sector as a substantial contributor of various pollutants and needs to be reformed to meet sustainable criteria. In this regard, the replacement of traditional binders such as Portland cement represents a major task that should be resolved. To contribute to the current state of knowledge, the submitted paper deals with a design of alkali-activated materials based on blended precursors from waste materials activated by a waste alkali activator. Specifically, the granulated blast furnace slag, a by-product of iron production together with selected freshwater sediments are used in several ratios to investigate the changes in the mineralogical and chemical composition. Casted samples are subjected to mechanical strength tests to elucidate the relationship between chemical and microstructural analysis and engineering properties. Obtained results point to the potential of utilization of freshwater sediments as a blended precursor that reached a compressive strength of about 50 MPa.

Coral skeletons reveal the impacts of oil pollution on seawater chemistry in the northern South China Sea

Oil pollution can release trace metals (TMs) with cumulative toxicity into seawater, harming marine ecosystems in the long term. However, the lack of studies has inhibited our understanding of the effects and mechanisms of oil pollution on TMs in seawater. Hence, we investigated the 10-year monthly variation of TMs in Porites coral skeletons from the northern South China Sea (SCS), complemented by spatial distribution of TMs in seawater, sediments and characterization of TMs in fuel oil. The results of principal component-multivariate linear regression showed that the total contribution of oil pollution as a source to TMs in surface seawater was 77.2%, where the residence time of TMs (Ni, V, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Mo) released from oil spills in surface seawater was approximately 1.4 months. Due to the geochemical nature of the metals, their seasonal variations are controlled by tropical cyclones (Ni, V, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Mo), winter monsoons (Pb, Cd, Ba, and Zn) and sea surface temperature (Sr). This study shows that coral skeletons can be used as a new tool to study marine oil pollution. This provides valuable reference data for accurately identifying and quantifying the effects of oil pollution on TMs in seawater from a spatial and temporal perspective.

First evidence of microplastic pollution in the surface water of Malaysian Marine Park islands, South China Sea during COVID-19

Malaysia is bounded by the South China Sea with many islands that support species megadiversity and coral reef ecosystems. This study investigates the distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the surface water around the four marine park islands (Perhentian, Redang, Kapas, and Tenggol) during COVID-19. The global pandemic has reset human activities, impacting the environment while possibly reducing anthropogenic contributions of microplastic pollution near the South China Sea islands. It was found that Pulau Perhentian recorded the most abundance of MPs (588.33 ± 111.77 items/L), followed by Pulau Redang (314.67 ± 58.08 items/L), Pulau Kapas (359.8 ± 87.70 items/L) and Pulau Tenggol (294.33 ± 101.64 items/L). Kruskal-Wallis analysis indicates a significant difference in total MPs abundance between islands. There are moderate correlations between salinity, pH, temperature and MPs variability. Among these parameters, only temperature is significant (p < 0.05) as proven by the principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Nearly 99 % of MPs are fiber type, with the majority of them being black and transparent. Micro-FTIR spectroscopy revealed polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyamide, phenoxy-resins and polyurethane-acrylic are associated with MPs. The findings provide a new baseline reference for the MPs distribution on Malaysian islands, which contributes to a potential future direction regarding marine sustainability.

The potential contribution of microplastic pollution by organic fertilizers in agricultural soils of Bangladesh: quantification, characterization, and risk appraisals

Although plastics are being recycled worldwide, a significant amount of plastic is still directly exposed to the environment and, in the end, forms microplastic (MP) particles (&amp;lt;5 mm). Soil is a significant sink for plastic waste. Thus, MP is considered an emerging threat to terrestrial ecosystems. Among several sources, organic fertilizer can be a potential source of MP to contaminate agricultural soils. Therefore, it is hypothesized that commercial organic fertilizer acts as a carrier of MP to agricultural soils in Bangladesh. Hence, 18 organic fertilizers were collected from different local markets in Bangladesh and subjected to the following available MP separation/extraction techniques. Then, a series of experimental steps were conducted, such as microscopic inspection, identification through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), to identify and characterize MP. The data were analyzed statistically using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. On average, 1,529.62 ± 420.2 MP items/kg of organic fertilizer were detected in the study, ranging from 433.33 ± 152.75 items/kg to 3,466.67 ± 1,357.69 items/kg in different organic fertilizers. The size range of 0.5 mm–1.00 mm (30%) was predominant among five different size ranges. The fiber was dominant over various shapes, and seven colors were observed, with black being the most prevalent. Overall, in a year, 971.31–1,387.37 items/m3 area was introduced through organic fertilizer to land. These MPs further contaminate soil biota and groundwater by their distribution pattern. According to the polymer hazard index (PHI), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (PERI), this organic fertilizer belongs to hazard categories III, V, and extreme danger, respectively. This study clearly explains the presence of MP in commercially available organic fertilizers and their probable effects. This could be applicable in further policy planning to reduce contaminants in formulating organic fertilizers.