Dangerous Pollutants Research Articles

Analysis of Distribution and Accumulation of Mobile Forms of Heavy Metals and Arsenic in Soils of the Urbanized Territory of Svirsk (Irkutsk Region)

The analysis of heavy metals and arsenic contamination of soils of the urbanized territory of Svirsk (Irkutsk region) is presented. The features of distribution and concentration of mobile forms of elements – toxicants in soils of different functional zones of the city are revealed. It has been established that the main pollutants of the soils of Svirsk are As, Zn, Pb, Cr, Fe and Cd, which have high accumulation rates. Mainly high–contrast polyelement geochemical anomalies Fe–Pb–As–Zn– Cd–Mn and Cu with extremely dangerous pollution levels are formed in the soil cover of industrial zones. The soils of a private residential area are characterized by local contrasting four–element anomalies Zn–As–Cr–Mn with a dangerous and extremely dangerous degree of pollution, multi–storey residential sector – two-element low-contrast anomalies Cr–Cu with a dangerous and moderately dangerous ecological situation.

In situ stannous reagent generator (SRG): An alternative hexavalent chromium treatment technology in drinking water industry

Access to safe drinking water is a basic necessity for human health. Rock and soil are rich sources of chromium, a metal that is present naturally. Chromium commonly exists in two oxidation states: trivalent chromium (chromium-3, Cr (III), Cr3+) and hexavalent chromium (chromium-6, Cr (VI), Cr6+), in the natural environment, as well as in the water treatment and distribution systems. While Cr (III) is an essential nutrient for humans, Cr (VI) is a dangerous pollutant that can build up in both the environment and the tissues of living things. The Cr (VI) treatment traditionally uses techniques such as electrodialysis reversal, ion exchange, electrochemical, reduction, coagulation, oxidation and filtration systems. Chemical costs, secondary waste production, and unintentional regeneration of Cr (VI) after treatment are difficulties with standard Cr (VI) treatment. In order to remediate Cr (VI) in raw water, this study looks into the in-situ stannous reagent generator (SRG) package as a potential disruptive green technology. SRG was able to reduce roughly 40 parts per billion (ppb) of Cr (VI) to below 1.0 ppb after being installed on a raw water source site for a 10-day trial period. The In Situ SRG technology provides an efficient and safe method for treating Cr (VI) in drinking water, reduces the health risks associated with Cr (VI) exposure by converting it to a less toxic form and reduces chemical handling risks. Reductive Cr (VI) treatment technologies based on the use of stannous tin hold tremendous promise in the future to overcome green-house gas (GHG) emissions and other anthropogenic environmental change, in addition to effectively reducing Cr (VI) in drinking water to the permissible limits and high energy cost challenges. In Situ Stannous Reagent Generator (SRG) technology is designed to convert Cr (VI) to its less toxic trivalent form, Cr (III), which is less harmful and easier to remove from water.

Analysis of the level of CO parameter air pollution on the road of Makassar City

Background: Air pollution comes from gas emissions from motor vehicle combustion, human daily activities, or from industrial and residential activities. Transportation routes in the form of roads that are dense with motorized vehicles are places with a high level of pollution. Gas emissions from vehicles that come from combustion in the engine does not burn completely to produce carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide gas is one of the most dangerous pollutants for health. Air Pollution Level CO parameters on Jalan AP Pettarani Makassar City were measured to assess the impact of exposure to carbon monoxide. Methods. The type of research used is an observational quantitative analytic study with a cross sectional approach. The population in this study was all ambient air on Jalan AP. Pettarani with a sample of 378 samples from 6 points 3 measurements, morning, afternoon, evening, for 7 days of the study. Results. The results of the Pearson Correlation test obtained -value of 0.000 (<0.05) indicating that there is a significant relationship between CO and Air Pollution Levels (ISPU). The correlation coefficient for Morning Co is r=0.980, Afternoon CO r=0.985 and Afternoon CO r=0.993 which shows a very strong relationship and a positive direction. Conclusion. For further researchers, it can be added with other parameter measurements and in data collection more attention to wind, temperature, humidity, and number of vehicles in air quality measurements.

Perundang-Undangan Rumah Sakit Dalam Pengelolaan Limbah Medis Sebagai Upaya Memantapkan Tanggung Jawab Lingkungan

Hospital medical waste is part of the hospital's environmental sanitation activities, which aims to protect the public from the dangers of environmental pollution caused by hospital waste and prevent the spread of disease. The purpose of this research is to find out the regulations or legal principles of medical waste management in hospitals. This type of research relates to normative laws and regulations, research materials consist of primary and secondary materials. Data were obtained using a qualitative descriptive method. Based on the results of the study, hospital waste management policies can be implemented in several ways, namely volume reduction, reuse, recycling and elimination of manipulation in accordance with laws and regulations.

Integrative assessment of urban dust polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using ground and satellite data in Iran.

Recently, for quick urbanization and industrialization, pollutants, especially urban dust, have posed many threats to the human environment. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are regarded as the main dangerous pollutants that are widespread, persistent, and carcinogenic. The present work aimed to investigate the contamination and sources of PAHs, as well as to assess the risk of cancer for 16 priority PAHs, in urban dust samples in Ahvaz, Isfahan, and Shiraz cities in Iran. We measured PAH concentrations by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The average concentrations of the 16 PAHs in Ahvaz, Isfahan, and Shiraz were 6215.11, 7611.03, and 7810.37 μg kg-1, respectively. The domination of low-molecular-weight (LMW) PAHs was observed in Ahvaz, while maximum contribution was observed for high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs in Esfahan and Shiraz. For PAHs' source identification, diagnostic ratio, correlation analysis, clustering, and positive matrix factorization (PMF) model were used. PAHs had a combustion (coal and wood, oil, fossil fuels) and gasoline/diesel engine emissions in all cities. Comparative studies suggest that the PAH compounds' level is higher in the research area than in other countries, except for China and India. Also, the pollution of urban dust PAHs has increased over time compared to previous studies in the same cities. The cancer risk from exposure to dust contaminated with PAHs was assessed using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) model. According to the findings, a high risk of exposure to cancer was observed in Ahvaz, Isfahan, and Shiraz. However, compared to adults, children are at higher risk of cancer in their daily lives via dermal contact and unconscious ingestion. Based on the ILCR values, the risk of cancer is in the order of Shiraz > Isfahan > Ahvaz. To assess air pollutants and their effects on urban dust, TROPOMI onboard the Sentinel-5P data were used in the studied cities during 2018-2021. The results show that Ahvaz has different high levels of CO compared to the other 2 cities. Also, Isfahan has different high levels of NO2 compared to the other 2 cities, but Shiraz has different low levels of O3. According to satellite time series data, the trend of the Aerosol Absorbing Index (AAI) has been increasing, while there was a decreasing trend in AAI from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic until 12 months later. Therefore, the natural and anthropogenic sources of urban dust PAHs have been increasing in all studied cities. Our findings show that PAH compounds in urban dust pose a significant threat to human health. Therefore, strategic management and planning are vital in reducing urban dust pollution.

Facile Hydrothermal Synthesis of Ag/Fe3O4/Cellulose Nanocomposite as Highly Active Catalyst for 4-Nitrophenol and Organic Dye Reduction.

Novel effluent treatment solutions for dangerous organic pollutants are crucial worldwide. In recent years, chemical reduction using noble metal-based nanocatalysts and NaBH4, a reducing agent, has become common practice for eliminating organic contaminants from aquatic environments. We suggest a straightforward approach to synthesizing magnetic cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) modified with magnetite (Fe3O4) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as a catalyst for organic contamination removal. Significantly, the CNC surface was decorated with Ag NPs without using any reducing agents or stabilizers. PXRD, FE-SEM, TEM, EDX, VSM, BET, and zeta potential tests characterized the Ag/Fe3O4/CNC nanocomposite. The nanocomposite's catalytic activity was tested by eliminating 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and the organic dyes methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) in an aqueous solution at 25 °C. The Ag/Fe3O4/CNC nanocomposite reduced 4-NP and decolored these hazardous organic dyes in a short time (2 to 5 min) using a tiny amount of catalyst (2.5 mg for 4-NP and 15 mg for MO and MB). The magnetic catalyst was removed and reused three times without losing catalytic activity. This work shows that the Ag/Fe3O4/CNC nanocomposite can chemically reduce harmful pollutants in effluent for environmental applications.

ECOTOXICOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF FUEL STATIONS ON THE POLLUTION OF URBAN SOILS WITH HEAVY METALS

Problem Statement and Purpose. In modern cities, there is a rapid increase in the number of gas stations (gas stations), which are also located in residential areas of cities, causing a high level of local pollution. The growing demand for gas station services leads to the expansion of their network and maximum proximity to consumers. Among the specific features of environmental pollution near gas stations are: a high concentration of pollutants in the surface layer of the atmosphere with subsequent deposition on the soil cover and the surface of plants, the absence of dispersion of pollutants by wind currents, the presence of a significant traffic load and toxic emissions from motor vehicles during refueling, etc. Among pollutants, heavy metals have a particularly negative impact, which, due to participation in various migration cycles, pollute all vital spheres: atmosphere, hydrosphere, pedosphere. The high content of heavy metals negatively affects the main functions of living organisms and human health. Soluble forms of HM are especially toxic. The purpose of this study is to assess the ecological state of urban soils in relation to their contamination by soluble forms of heavy metals within the influence of gas stations in the city of Odessa. Data & Methods. As a methodological basis, the developments presented in the scientific works of A. Antropchenko, I. Rabosh, O. Chaika and others regarding the assessment of the ecological state of the territories in the zone of influence of gas stations were used. When determining the impact of gas stations on soil pollution, the HM used both general scientific methods of research (systemic, analysis, observation) and special ones (laboratory-analytical, comparative-geographical, statistical, cartographic). Results. The conducted studies showed that urban soils within the influence of all gas stations have a significantly higher content of movable forms of HM compared to background values. Thus, the manganese content is 1.3–1.7 levels of the background content; zinc – 7–51; cobalt – 0.6–4; copper – 4–24; cadmium – 0–4; lead – 1.5–14. It was established that by the concentration factor, the most polluted are the soils with the content of zinc, copper, and lead, which is from 100% to 50% of the studied territory. 55% of the studied territory has a dangerous level of soil pollution according to the indicator of total pollution. The priority polluting elements that have the highest level of pollution intensity are zinc (Рj = 121.64) and copper (Рj = 51.01), which according to the scale of assessment of ecological danger of soil pollution belong to the fourth – very dangerous category of pollution, which can significantly influence the increase of the total morbidity of children and adults of the city. The average intensity of contamination of the investigated soils with lead (Рj = 24.92) corresponds to the second level (safe); manganese (Рj = 3.63), cobalt (Рj = 8.22) and cadmium (Рj = 9.46) – the first (permissible level of intensity of soil pollution). The correlation between the intensity of urban soil pollution and the total pollution index is 0.99, which confirms the negative impact of gas station operations on the ecological state of the city’s soil cover. Therefore, the conducted studies indicate a high probability of technogenic influence of gas stations on the soils of the studied territory and a high degree of their contamination with heavy metals, which can cause a negative impact on the health of the urban population. The danger of environmental pollution during gas station operation is currently, in our opinion, underestimated, and the issue of environmental safety of gas station operation requires further study. We believe that in order to increase the ecotoxicological safety of gas stations, it is necessary to conduct constant monitoring studies of the urban environment in order to assess the man-made load on the «soil-plant-human » system.

Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Selected Water Bodies in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study aimed to assess of microplastic pollution in selected water bodies in River State, Nigeria. Two water bodies, one fresh water (New Calabar River) and one estuary (Bonny River) were sampled in the present study for presence of microplastics in water, sediment and fish samples in the aquatic milieu. Microplastics were extracted using standard methods and were characterized using GCMS. Four plastic types namely polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polypropylene was detected in all samples. Likewise, four plasticizers namely dioctyl terephthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ether, acrylic fibre and tetrabromobisphenol A were all detected in sediment, water and fish samples from Bonny River and New Calabar River. FTIR analysis of microplastics showed patterns typical of polystyrene. This study has shown that water, sediment and fish samples contain microplastics. This is a worrisome development as the water are used for domestic purposes among persons resident along the water courses and the fish species sampled is commonly available as source of protein for majority of persons. This calls for greater enlightenment on the possible danger of microplastics pollution in the study area and for measures to check macroplastics pollution, which bring about microplastics pollution in the aquatic environment. Such measures should include promotion of the use of plant material as food wrappings and to dissuade dumping of solid waste in the rivers.

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ И РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ТЯЖЁЛЫХ МЕТАЛЛОВ В ДОННЫХ ОТЛОЖЕНИЯХ ПЛЁСОВ ИВАНЬКОВСКОГО ВОДОХРАНИЛИЩА

Currently, the state of water bodies under the influence of technogenic factors is changing, as a rule, for the worse. Studies of the sediments of reservoirs make it possible to identify unfavorable areas and determine the sources of pollution. From the point of view of technogenic pressure, the most dangerous pollutants are trace elements Hg, Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Fe, Mn, As. The paper presents an assessment of sediments in various areas of the Ivan’kovo reservoir. The content of mobile forms of existence of the following microelements was determined: Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni and As. The results of studies of the contamination of bottom sediments by the total concentrations of mobile forms of microelements, estimated by geo-classes - by the contamination of the sorbing fraction (less than 0.02 mm) are presented. The main contaminants are cadmium and lead, which are estimated to be slightly to moderately polluted. A picture is presented of both contamination of the bottom sediments of the Ivan’kovo reservoir with microelements, and the distribution and correlation of their mobile forms of existence in the desired sediments. From the data obtained, it can be concluded that, despite a significant number of pollution sources, at present there is no need to talk about a dangerous load on the studied objects.

Alleviation of PM2.5-induced alveolar macrophage inflammation using extract of fermented Chenopodium formosanum Koidz sprouts via regulation of NF-κB pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceParticulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) is a dangerous airborne pollutant that has become a global issue due to its detrimental effect on macrophages. Chenopodium formosanum Koidz (Djulis), a native plant from Taiwan well known for its high antioxidant content and is frequently used in ethnomedicine, shows promise as a novel phytomedicine to combat against oxidative stress caused by PM2.5. However, the protective mechanism of Djulis against PM2.5 still remains unclear. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to characterize the deleterious effect of emerging PM2.5 contaminants on the alveolar macrophage cell of the respiratory system and explore the underlying mechanisms in the suppression of PM2.5-induced inflammation using the extract of fermented Djulis. Methods and materialsRNA sequencing, immunoblot, and ChIP assay approaches were used to gain insight into the deleterious effect of PM2.5 on the macrophage cell at the transcriptional and translational level; and to elucidate the contribution of fermented Djulis extract (FCS) as the remedy of PM-induced MH-S cell inflammation. UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS and LC-QQQ/MS were used to identify the bioactive compounds potentially contributing to phytomedicinal properties in the water fraction of FCS. Multiple ligands docking analysis was conducted to predict the in-silico interaction of Djulis metabolites and NF-κB. ResultsHere, we showed that PM2.5 exposure at 200 ppm accelerated the production of intracellular ROS and phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NFκB), and negatively affecting the alveolar macrophage cell viability. Treating the cells with water-extracted FCS can restore their viability to 76% while simultaneously suppressing the generation of ROS and p-NFκB up to 38%. These ameliorative effects can be attributed to the occurrence of bioactive compounds such as gluconic acid, uridine, pantothenic acid, L-pyroglutamic acid, L-(−)-malic acid, and acetyl-L-carnitine in the water-extracted FCS which potentially dock to the RELA subunit site and consequently inhibit NF-κB activity along with its downstream inflammation signaling cascade. ConclusionThis work demonstrated the hazardous effect of PM2.5 on alveolar macrophage and unveiled the potential of FCS as a therapeutic phytomedicine to alleviate PM-induced inflammation.

IoT Based Air Pollution Monitoring System

This paper proposes an IOT based air pollution monitoring system that utilizes a multitude of sensors to measure air pollution levels and provide real-time data to users. Specifically, a gas sensor, dust sensor, humidity sensor, sound sensor, temperature sensor, Arduino controller, and LCD are used to measure and display the various levels of air pollution. Furthermore, the system is powered by the IOT, allowing for the data to be streamed online, providing users with a better understanding of their local air pollution levels. This system can be used to inform users of the air quality in their area and help them take necessary steps to protect themselves from the dangers of air pollution.

Incidence and exposure to microplastics in table salt present in the Iran market

Plastics and microplastics (MPs) are toxic, pervasive and threatening the biotic and abiotic components of the earth, and they threaten food safety and food security by moving in the food chain. In this study, the amounts and characteristics of 40 table salt samples with different brands, including sea salt (No = 13), rock (No = 13), bulk (No = 8) and non-standard (No = 6), were investigated with a combination of sieving, filtration, observation and FTIR, Micro-Raman and SEM techniques. The results showed that all the salts were contaminated with MPs. In general, the abundance range of detected particles was 700–5470 MPs/kg. The abundance of MPs was higher in counterfeit and non-standard salts (1825 ± 1808 MPs/kg). Investigating the relationship between the effect of the purification process (Kruskal-Wallis Test, P = 0.841), the type of packaging (Kruskal-Wallis Test, P = 0.609), and the type of salt (Kruskal-Wallis Test, P = 0.942), on the abundance of MPs using a comparison test Kruskal-Wallis was not significant. However, the numerical difference was recognizable. The most identified polymer in the salts was cellulose acetate, which probably causes by unmanaged plastic litter in the environment (especially cigarette butts). The dominant form of particles was fragment-shaped, which is the most abundant form of identified MPs in the environment. Both environmental pollution and secondary pollution (during production and packaging), respectively, contribute to the contamination of salts with MPs. The estimated human dietary intake (EDI) and the amount of estimated annual intake (EAI) for different ages in Iran were obtained EDI = 5–59 MPs/capita/day and EAI = 1967–21563 MPs/capita/year. The surface morphology of the particles showed that the MPs were affected by continuous weathering, mechanical fracture and oxidation. MPs are a threat to human health due to the absorption and transmission of dangerous pollutants and their inherent toxicity. Therefore, a solution must be thought of to prevent the contamination of the food chain through salts by MPs, (with protective measures at the salt source, and by improving its production processes.

Uncovering the Hidden Dangers of Microplastic Pollution in Lake Ecosystems: Effects of Ingestion on Talitrid Amphipods

Microplastic (MP) contamination is a globally recognised issue in aquatic environments, and recently, there has been an increase in investigations focusing on lake contamination, revealing significant amounts of dispersed MPs. However, our understanding of the ingestion and effects of MPs on organisms living in lake ecosystems remains limited. This study aims to develop an effective protocol for assessing the ingestion of MPs by the talitrid amphipod Cryptorchestia garbinii, with the goal of verifying and evaluating the biological effects following ingestion. Individuals sampled from the shores of Lake Albano were exposed to four different polymers, namely low-density polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester (PES), and polypropylene (PP), under laboratory conditions. To deliver MPs through the diet, we decided to employ DECOTABs (DEcomposition and COnsumption TABlets) which have been successfully used as a food source in aquatic toxicity tests. At the end of the experiments, we employed the solvatochromic and fluorescent dye Nile red to detect and quantify the MPs present in the digestive tube contents of the animals. The results clearly demonstrate the ingestion of the supplied polymers through the tabs, validating this method of exposure as effective. Furthermore, the measurement of glucose, glycogen, and lipid levels reveals that within 24 h of ingestion, MPs had an impact on the macromolecules involved in the energy metabolism of C. garbinii. This research underscores the suitability of this species as a model organism for studying MP uptake and its effects.

Development of Teaching Materials in the Form of E-Books Assisted by Professional Flip Pdf Applications with the Theme of Environmental Conservation to Empower Environmental Care Attitudes

The development of an e-book with the help of a professional flip pdf application with the theme of environmental preservation is motivated by the learning objectives of Natural Sciences (IPA), including to foster a positive attitude and students' awareness of the importance of protecting the environment. Achievement of research objectives in e-book development to empower students' environmental care attitudes through a series of activities contained in e-book systematics. This research was conducted in December 2022. The research method used was Research and Development RD, the research design used Borg and Gall and used 7 of 10 simplified research stages, adjusted based on research and development needs, namely up to the product revision stage. The instrument used was a validation sheet for the validity test which was carried out by 3 validators namely teaching material experts, material experts and science subject teachers. The development of the e-book is carried out using indicators of environmental care, namely Basic Competency (KD) which is used according to the theme of environmental preservation, presentation of pictures and videos about the dangers of environmental pollution around students' residences, about orders to implement greenery and dispose of waste in its place, as well as case studies on environmental pollution. The results of the development of the e-book were then validated by 3 validators with an average percentage of 92.9% with the criteria of "Very Good" which means that the e-book shows valid results and can be used for the trial stage.

An overview of methods and technologies for the production of alternative diesel fuel from used engine oil

In the context of global efforts to transition to a circular economy and minimize environmental pollution, various methods of waste management have been developed. Among them, used engine oil is a dangerous pollutant, but also a resource with high economic value. In this sense, superior recovery is aimed, either by recycling in order to obtain base oil or by producing alternative fuels, thus minimizing the consumption of natural resources and reducing the amount of improperly managed waste. This article’s purpose is to describe the main technological processes underlying the production of alternative diesel fuel from used engine oil. International industrially applied technologies that produce diesel fuel by treating used engine oil are also exemplified, and the main benefits of this process are described.

Performance of slow sand filter reactor using geotextile for reducing total n and phosphate

Water pollution that occurs is mostly caused by industrial and domestic waste. One of the consequences of polluted water is the increase in total N and Phosphate which causes malfunction of animals and humans. This is a problem that needs attention to protect our life from the dangers of environmental pollution. Slow Sand Filter is an easy and inexpensive raw water treatment solution. The raw water used in this research is the Dungus Sidoarjo river. The acclimatization process was carried out for 14 days. Sand and gravel were used as filter media with a geotextile thickness of 0.2 and 4 cm. The sample is taken on the first, sixth, and twelfth days. The best reactor for reducing Total N and Phosphate is a reactor with a geotextile thickness of 0.2 cm (D2) on the first day of effluent taking, which is 84.5%, and a reactor with a thickness of 4 cm on the sixth day of effluent taking, which is 77%. The results of the One Way ANOVA test with a standard error (α) of 0.05 stated that there was no significant difference in the treatment of each reactor in reducing total N and Phosphate.

Status of atmospheric air pollution in Ukraine prior to the full-scale russian invasion. Part 1: ground-level content of pollutants

The paper is dedicated to examination of atmospheric air pollution in Ukraine that is aimed at establishing basic air quality conditions prior to the full-scale Russian invasion. Analyses cover five air pollutants (dust, sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and formaldehyde (CH2O)) across 126 monitoring stations in 39 cities. It was found that the most dangerous excess of air pollution levels in cities was associated with dust, NO2, and CO. At the same time, SO2 content usually did not reach dangerous levels. The highest frequency of exceeding the threshold one-time levels was common for the cities with well-developed industrial facilities. Dangerous air pollution was observed in 15–60% of cases, depending on a pollutant. Dust and NO2 concentrations of the most polluted cities were 10 times higher than their concentrations in smaller cities having no significant industrial emissions. The difference in average CO, SO2, and CH2O concentrations among monitoring stations constituted 3-5 times. We studied the patterns of pollutants' seasonal variability recorded at the monitoring stations. Normally, no significant seasonality except for CH2O and dust was observed. The interannual variability of pollutants, emissions, and their trends were analyzed for the period since 2008. We identified a certain discrepancy in trends between pollutants’ concentrations and emission data over the last years. Pollutant content often continued to grow concurrently with emission reductions. The impact of atmospheric phenomena and wind parameters was studied mainly in terms of its role in formation of high and low atmospheric pollution levels. The analysis indicated a crucial role of local conditions in the formation of an atmospheric pollution field next to monitoring stations. Varying atmospheric pollution values across different monitoring stations within a specific city can be different even under the influence of the same atmospheric phenomena. The wind impact also formed different patterns of atmospheric pollution within same city. 12% to 22% of all monitoring stations (depending on a pollutant) indicated a prevailing impact of a single emission source (or a combined impact of a group of sources). At the same time, air pollution at other monitoring stations was highly variable, with elevated pollution levels being transported from numerous directions. The analysis of the air pollution-affected condition presented in the paper could be used as a basis for comparing ground-level pollution and assessing the warfare consequences in Ukraine. The research emphasizes the importance of updating the information about ground-based monitoring stations.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE THERMAL PROCESSING OF OIL SLIME IN THE INDUSTRIAL OIL AND GAS SECTOR

The production activities of oil refineries and oil and gas-producing enterprises inevitably have an anthropogenic impact on the environment, so environmental issues and the rational use of natural resources are important. The most dangerous pollutants of all components in the natural environment are oil waste, and one of the most effective methods of processing is heat treatment. The task was set to neutralize oil waste by thermal processing of oil slime to an environmentally safe level. The studies are carried out by methods of mathematical and numerical simulation of thermal processing, the results of which describe changes in temperature and mass of the stream over time. Extensive calculations with varying current operating and other parameters allow us to optimize the flow of heat and mass transfer during the thermal processing of oil slime. Numerical modeling is implemented using the method of alternating directions in an implicit iterative scheme until a convergence condition is met. The purpose of this work is to create an application for solving research and practical problems of oil waste processing. The application used allows the solution of the problems of oil slime processing. With the help of color-animated illustrations and a graphical interface, it supports the visualization of the results obtained, and provides the possibility of interactive interaction with the user, while providing instant control of the results obtained for timely decision-making to prevent environmental pollution in the industrial oil gas sector.

Towards experimental and theoretical understanding of the adsorption behavior of phenol on a new activated carbon prepared from oak wood

Although phenol is frequently used in various industrial applications, it is a very dangerous pollutant; thus, wastewater containing this pollutant must be properly treated before being released into the environment. In this sense, a new activated carbon (AC), prepared from Atlas oak, has been successfully used to remove phenol from aqueous solutions. The new material has been characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); its textural properties have been also examined by nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements. By using H3PO4 acid as an activator, the activated carbon's ability to adsorb phenol was assessed under various conditions. Indeed, the adsorption process follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the isotherm data were best fitted with the Langmuir model. Thereby, the highest adsorption capacity, which has a value of 250 mg g‐−1, was achieved for an equilibration time of 2 h, an initial concentration of 10−2 mol L−1, an adsorbent mass of 100 mg, and a pH value of 4; this capacity exceeds that of other adsorbents. On the theoretical level, statistical physics modeling of the experimental data shows that the monolayer with two energy sites model (M2) was found to be the best model to describe the phenol adsorption phenomenon. Indeed, steric parameters indicate that the phenol molecules tend to be vertically adsorbed to the surface of the new material. The thermodynamic data reveal that phenol adsorption is physical, spontaneous, and endothermic in nature as well as it depends on electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and potential interactions. Finally, the present work may open the way for the development of new low-cost, effective, and natural adsorbents in order to remove pollutants from wastewater.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water Purifier Devices in Rafsanjan City

Introduction: Heavy metals (HMs) are one of the most important and dangerous pollutants in water resources. This study aimed to determine the HMs concentrations in city water purifier devices or stations in Rafsanjan, Iran in 2022.
 Materials and Methods: This study was conducted descriptively and on a laboratory scale on the input and output of 16 city water purifier devices stations in Rafsanjan in the summer of 2022. Heavy metals and other metals including arsenic (As), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) were tested by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS). Also, t-test statistical analysis was used by SPSS software.
 Results: The mean concentrations of HMs in the output of city water purifier devices for As, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn were ≤ 1, 2.84 ± 0.71, 8.48 ± 1.51, 2.51 ± 1.55, and 18.58 ± 9.24 µg/L, respectively. The difference between the output of water purifier devices and standard values ​​for As, Cr, and Cu was significant (p ≤ 0.001). Other metals concentrations in the output of water purifier devices for Fe, Mg, Ca, Na, and K were 0.03 ± 0.008, 6.72 ± 0.92, 8.38 ± 1.71, 64.11 ± 2.56, and 2.34 ± 0.08 µg/L, respectively. The HMs removal efficiency of city water purifier devices for As, Cu, and Pb were ≥ 99%, 83.33%, and 56.33%, respectively.
 Conclusion: The HMs removal efficiency of city water purifier devices stations in Rafsanjan City was appropriate due to the use of filters containing alumina and iron hydroxide media.