Environmental Agency Research Articles

Recent Developments and Challenges in the Application of Fungal Laccase for the Biodegradation of Textile Dye Pollutants

Abstract: According to the European Environment Agency, the textile industry is responsible for 20% of global water pollution due to dyeing and finishing products, thus facing severe environmental challenges. It is essential to design more biocompatible and sustainable treatment processes capable of removing dyes from industrial wastewater to fight this environmental hazard. Chemical industries must change traditional chemical-based concepts to more environmentally friendly and greener processes to remove pollutants, including dyes. Enzymatic bioremediation is a smart tool and a promising alternative for environmental pollutant degradation. The use of enzymes in dye decolourization makes the process a green and clean alternative to conventional chemical treatments. Moreover, enzymemediated biocatalysis decreases the formation of toxic by-products compared to chemical reactions. The most used enzyme for the decolourization of dyes is laccase. Laccase is a multicopper oxidase found in diverse organisms such as fungi. It promotes the oxidation of phenolic compounds and has a wide range of substrate specificity, making it a promising enzyme for removing different dyes used by the textile industry, including recalcitrant aromatic dyes. The present article gives a comprehensive revision of textile dye decolourization, its types, recent developments in laccase-mediated dye bioremediation technologies, the mechanism of biocatalysis, and their limitations and challenges. Emphasis on the chemical pathways of laccase reaction mechanisms for dye bioremediation processes is also provided. In addition, a brief overview of textile industries and the respective traditional treatment processes for textile wastewater is presented.

인천항 대기오염물질 배출량 산정 및 저감효과 분석

As global awareness of air pollution issues caused by ports increases, international organizations and developed countries are monitoring pollution levels and establishing various eco-friendly policies to reduce emissions. Domestically, the relevant laws were enacted in 2020 to systematically manage the sources of port pollutants in the five major ports. This study aims to estimate the emissions of air pollutants generated by Incheon Port and analyze the effects of major eco-friendly policies such as Emission Control Areas (ECA), Vehicle Speed Reduction (VSR), and Alternative Maritime Power (AMP). For the year 2023, activity data for all ships, cargo handling equipment, and vehicles were collected, applying methodologies from reputable institutions such as the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to national guidelines, air pollutants are categorized into eight types: CO, NOx, SOx, TSP, PM10, PM2.5, VOC, and NH3. The analysis revealed that the total emissions of air pollutants from Incheon Port were approximately 6,362 tons, with ships accounting for over 60% of the total emissions. Among the pollutants, NOx was the highest at 4,597.4 tons, followed by CO at 862.4 tons, and TSP at 314.6 tons. Among the ports, emissions were highest at the New Port, followed by the South Port, Inner Port, and North Port. The results of this study provide essential baseline data for monitoring the air pollution levels of Incheon Port and serve as critical evidence for environmental management and policy development. For sustainable future management, it is crucial to secure reliable data and develop a platform that links data collection, analysis, and visualization functions for more systematic operation.

Factors Related to Work Fatigue in Jambi City Environmental Service Waste Carriers in 2024

This research discusses factors related to work fatigue in Jambi City environmental service waste transporters in 2024. The aim of this research is to examine and analyze factors related to work fatigue. This research is a quantitative study with a cross sectional design with univariate and bivariate analysis with a 95% confidence interval. The total population was 165 people and the sample was 108 respondents, the sampling technique used simple random sampling. The research variables are age, length of service, workload, sleep quality, work attitude and heat stress. The results of this study were that 88% of them experienced moderate fatigue and 12% experienced mild fatigue in relation to the variables age (p=0.037), length of service (p=0.003), workload ( 0.006), length of work (p=0.038), work attitude (p=0.029), heat stress (p=0.045) and no relationship with sleep quality (p=0.055) with work fatigue in Jambi City Environmental Agency waste haulers in 2024.

Development and application of a comprehensive evaluation index system for groundwater quality evolution patterns

In recent years, driven by rapid socio-economic development and intensified human activities, the groundwater quality has exhibited a concerning trend of degradation. The challenge lies in integrating the impacts of both natural and anthropogenic factors to establish a scientific evaluation framework for the evolution of groundwater quality. This study adopts the model of driving forces – pressures – state – impacts – responses (DPSIR) proposed by the European Environment Agency, in conjunction with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Information Entropy Theory (IET), and the Water Quality Index (WQI) evaluation methods, to construct an evaluation index system for groundwater quality evolution that encompasses driving forces, state, and response systems. Initially, twelve indicators relevant to groundwater quality are quantified by screening across three systems, and a functional relationship between the categorization and scoring of each indicator is established. Subsequently, the weights for each system and indicator are obtained through the AHP, and the objective weights of the indicators are determined using the IET. The scores of each indicator are then comprehensively calculated. Finally, based on the defined types of groundwater quality evolution patterns, an integrated assessment of the evolution of groundwater quality over various time periods is conducted. Taking the Shijiazhuang region as a case study and analyzing the hydrochemical data of groundwater from 1985 to 2015, the results indicate a shift in the groundwater quality evolution pattern from one dominated by natural factors to one primarily influenced by human activities (The comprehensive score of the evaluation index system has increased from 1.84 to 3.25). Among these, the application of fertilizers emerges as the most important driving factors affecting groundwater quality. Particularly, nitrate and total hardness (TH) have emerged as the most salient indicators of quality degradation, with a significant escalation in their composite scores. At the outset, nitrate registered a score of 0.408, while TH scored 0.326; yet, these values have sharply ascended to 0.716 and 0.467, respectively, by the advanced stage. The study concludes with a discussion on the accuracy, strengths, limitations, and applicability of the evaluation index system. The establishment of this evaluation framework provides a scientific basis for the management and protection of groundwater resources and serves as a reference for identifying groundwater quality evolution patterns in other regions.

Analisis Putusan Pengadilan dalam Perkara Tindak Pidana Pencemaran Udara

Air pollution is one part of physical environmental pollution. Air pollution according to the Government Regulation on air pollution control is the entry or introduction of substances, energy, and/or other components into ambient air by human activities, so that the quality of ambient air decreases to a certain level that causes ambient air to be unable to fulfill its function. The research method used is to use a type of normative legal research method, by examining library materials or secondary data which include primary legal materials, secondary legal materials and tertiary legal materials using Decision Number 68/Pdt.G/LH/2022/PN Rap. The results of the study, namely the lawsuit was rejected by the Court and the impact was air pollution, namely respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disease, impaired fetal development, decreased lung function, and chronic diseases. Conclusion Air is very important because it provides oxygen and other gases that are essential for all life on earth. Air pollution or contamination is the introduction of other components into the air, either by human activities directly or indirectly or due to natural processes. The impacts of this pollution include respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disease, impaired fetal development, decreased lung function, and chronic diseases. Suggestions Palm oil mills need to adopt more effective pollution control technologies to reduce emissions of hazardous materials into the air. Local governments and environmental regulatory agencies must ensure that palm oil mills comply with all applicable environmental regulations and standards. Local communities must be empowered and educated about their rights and how to advocate for a healthy environment.

Structuring Bureaucratic Performance? Assessing the Policy Impact of Environmental Agency Design

Structuring Bureaucratic Performance? Assessing the Policy Impact of Environmental Agency Design

A New Toolbox for Managing Sites Impacted by Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPLs)

The Concawe LNAPL Toolbox is one of the first completely web-based tools for managing and remediating light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPL) impacted sites. An off-line downloadable version is also available for users who do not want to access it via the internet. LNAPLs are typically historic hydrocarbons released into soils and groundwater, such as liquid fuels, crude oil, and condensates. The toolbox was developed by Concawe, the Scientific Division of European Fuel Manufacturers Association, with the support of the engineering and environmental science-consulting agency GSI Environmental. The toolbox, written on the R-Shiny platform, was released in 2022 and includes over 20 different tools, such as, for example, infographics, nomographs, calculators, mobility models, videos, and checklists. These tools are organized into three tiers, with Tier 1 offering basic graphics and essential information, Tier 2 providing simple quantitative models and calculators, and Tier 3 featuring access and explanations of more complex tools. The toolbox is designed to address six key questions that are important for environmental consultants and regulators managing LNAPL sites, including determining the amount of LNAPL, estimating LNAPL migration and persistence, assessing LNAPL risk over time, determining the effectiveness of LNAPL recovery, and estimating Natural Source Zone Depletion (NSZD). The Concawe LNAPL Toolbox is accessible free of charge via a webpage on an internet browser or by downloading the toolbox for use on a personal computer.

Riparian Landscape Change: A Spatial Approach for Quantifying Change and Development of a River Network Restoration Model

Natural river landscapes can be biodiversity hotspots but are one of the most human altered ecosystems with habitats significantly damaged around the world, and a third of fish populations threatened with extinction. While riparian ecosystems have been negatively altered by anthropogenic activities, effective planning and restoration strategies can reverse negative impacts by improving habitat quality. However, restoring rivers requires appropriate data on current riparian health while also considering priorities for different stakeholders. To address this, a Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to create a new and transferable restoration priority model based on a section of the river Linth in Switzerland as a case study. The restoration priority model is founded on connectivity, river condition, national priority species and species hotspots. Landscape change of the riparian zone was analyzed using aerial imagery and landscape metrics. Almost a quarter of rivers within the study area were considered high or very high restoration priority, with many aquatic species set to benefit from restoration. From 1946 to 2019, the riparian landscape became highly fragmented due to significant growth in impervious surfaces and a concomitant loss of agricultural land. The GIS model provides a tool by which environmental agencies can manage natural features over large scales, while also planning priorities and targeting conservation strategies to the areas of greatest need.

Impacts of solid waste management strategies in urban high density suburbs: a case of Amaveni suburb, Kwekwe, Zimbabwe

Improper solid waste management is one of the causes of environmental and health problems in many cities worldwide. It is in this context that the study aimed to determine the solid waste management strategies used in Amaveni suburbs in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe and assess the health and environmental problems associated with the solid waste management strategies used in Amaveni. Researchers used a mixed method design in which quantitative and qualitative data was collected at the same time. Semi –structured interviews, field observations and questionnaires were used to collect data. The sample comprised 380 Amaveni residents, 3 Kwekwe City employees and one Environmental Management Agency (EMA) official. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically while quantitative data was analyzed using inferential statistics. Open dumping and open burning were the dominant solid waste management strategies in Amaveni. The main health problems identified were cholera and malaria. Air pollution, water pollution and loss of urban beauty were the main environmental problems identified. From the findings it can be concluded that solid waste management strategies used in Amaveni were associated with many health and environmental problems and as a result sustainable solid waste management was proposed.

Dados Abertos para Sustentabilidade Ambiental

Sustainability has been a topic with increasing focus in all areas of scientific knowledge, including Information Science. Open datasets have the potential to be used for sustainability. The study´s aim was to evaluate open datasets made available by Brazilian federal environmental agencies regarding their adherence to the FAIR principles and the W3C Good Practices for Data on the Web. The method consisted of preparing a protocol in the form of a checklist, composed of questions based on these principles and good practices, which was applied to the 166 data sets located on Brazilian government data portals. The results indicate that, although the government makes a substantial amount of this type of data available under open licenses, the potential for its location, access and reuse is compromised by the low use of permanent identifiers and good quality metadata. Conclusion: The use of data can boost and assist social and environmental causes in the Brazilian context, as, for action, arguments evidenced with data are necessary to support advocacy and public policies that aim to disseminate information to raise awareness.

(Invited) Carbon Sulfonation Using Plasma: Trial to Enlarge Treatment Capacity

Heterogeneous catalysis is a promising technology in conversion of biomass to biofuels because of its high reactivity, easy post-separation, and great recyclability compared to homogeneous catalysis. Various functionalized catalytic materials have emerged as promising alternatives to the homogeneous liquid acid catalyst, such as carbon materials, metal–organic frameworks, and metal nanoparticles. Among them, carbon materials such as carbon nanotube, graphene oxide, carbon black, and so on have been investigated as catalysts for cellulose hydrolysis to produce glucose.Carbon materials show considerable catalytic activity by functionalization with active acidic groups including hydroxyl groups (-OH), carboxyl groups (-COOH), and sulfonic groups (-SO3H). Hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the carbon catalysts act as connection center to access cellulose, where sulfonic group serves as the active site to cut off the linkage between glucose units in cellulose. So, the surface modification of carbon materials with these functional groups, namely, carbon sulfonation process, becomes the determining step to producing efficient carbon acid catalysts. Conventional methods for the carbon sulfonation are the hydrothermal and reflux method, in which hazardous chemicals are necessary, such as concentrated sulfuric acid (95–98%), chlorosulfonic acid, fuming sulfuric acid, or 4-benzenediazoniumsulfonate under elevated temperature for dozens of hours.As a green and effective carbon sulfonation process, we have utilized plasma generated in contact with dilute sulfuric acid. Recently, we have investigated the mechanism of carbon sulfonation in GLIP processes. Active species produced near the gas–liquid interface such as •OH, SO3, and HOSO2• probably play important roles in carbon sulfonation. We are currently trying to enlarge the treatment capacity of carbon sulfonation by two methods, namely parallel plasma generation with ballast capacitors and large-area plasma generation by a dielectric barrier discharge. Also, effects of gases used for plasma generation such as air and Ar on the carbon sulfonation are investigated.This work was partially supported by the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund (JPMEERF20223R01) of the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan.

Design of Socio-Environmental ICMS in Pernambuco: Analysis of Legislative Progression and Environmental Mitigation Perspectives

Objective: Investigate the evolution of environmental legislation and the Socio-Environmental ICMS, analyzing its design and how it fits into the process of environmental mitigation and combating climate change in Pernambuco. Theoretical Framework: It sought to discuss the topic of public environmental management, ICMS Socio-environmental, conservation units and solid waste, sufficient to understand the context of the investigation. Method: Exploratory, qualitative study, descriptive analysis of environmental legislation and Socio-Environmental ICMS of Pernambuco during the period from 2000 to 2022. Data collection was through information contained in the portals of the Court of Auditors of Pernambuco, the Pernambuco Environmental Agency, in addition to the federal and Pernambuco Legislative Assembly. Results and Discussion: We identified 19 records relating to the country's environmental management and 15 relating to the Socio-Environmental ICMS in the state of Pernambuco. Among the main ones, we note the National System of Conservation Units, the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency and the National Solid Waste Policy. This data contributes to the process of environmental mitigation and combating climate change in the state. Research Implications: Provide updated data that can be applied to research in the areas of environmental management in Brazil and Ecological Fiscal Transfer, specifically the ICMS Socioambiental of Pernambuco. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by updating and consolidating the legal instruments of environmental policy in Brazil and the distribution of ICMS Socioambiental in Pernambuco.

Weathering the cutbacks: the buffering role of representative bureaucracy in environmental policy implementation

ABSTRACT With a focus on environmental policy implementation in the U.S., this study argues that resource constraints in a more racially and ethnically representative government have a less severe impact on policy implementation outputs for minority-populated communities. The analysis suggests that while a more representative government enhances regulatory enforcement outputs for communities with large minority populations in states with sufficient financial resources for environmental agencies, agencies facing spending cutbacks diminish those outputs as bureaucratic representation increases. There are no discernible effects of staffing levels or cutbacks on policy implementation outputs, regardless of the minority representation in the public workforce.

"What influences how well householders living in previously flooded communities feel they are protected or could recover from future flooding?: Results of a survey".

In England, the Environment Agency (EA) estimates that over 3 million properties in England are at risk of surface water flooding. Heavy and prolonged rainfall that drives surface water flooding is projected to increase in the future due to climate change. This paper presents a quantitative secondary analysis of a cross-sectional household flood survey in a disadvantaged city in England heavily impacted by surface water flooding in 2007 and at severe risk of flooding in the future. The aim of this study was to examine how previous experience of flooding, demographic factors, and behaviours impact on feelings of protection against flooding and perceived ability to recover from flooding. Survey data were collected from residents in Hull in northern England in 2018, in areas impacted by major floods in 2007 when over 8,600 households were flooded. Valid responses were received from 453 households, of whom 37.3% were flooded or flooding damaged their house (n = 169), 14.6% had been disrupted by flooding (n = 66), 9.3% had been exposed to flooding (n = 42) and 176 (38.9%) had not experienced flooding. Over 22% felt they had very low protection against flooding, and over 25% would make a very slow recovery if they were flooded. Associations were found between gender and both low levels of protection against flooding. Females were less likely to feel confident in their recovery from flooding than males (OR 0.551). The findings support a need to focus on women's perceptions of flood vulnerability and capacity to cope and recover from flooding in flood and disaster management policy and practice, including providing effective support before, during and after flooding.

Rethinking Urban Water Management Through Drivers-Pressures-States-Impacts-Responses Framework Application in Chennai, India

Cities suffering water scarcity are projected to increase in the following decades. However, the application of standardized indicator frameworks for assessing urban water resource management problems is on an early stage. India is expected to have the highest urban population facing water scarcity in the world by 2050. In this study, the authors assess how the Drivers-Pressures-States-Impacts-Responses framework, a causal framework adopted by the European Environment Agency, can contribute to evaluate water management challenges in cities and apply it to Chennai, India´s fourth-largest urban agglomeration. The framework proved to be a helpful tool for the evaluation of water management challenges in cities by disentangling relationships between environmental indicators and structuring dispersed data that allows a better understanding for policymakers. The main drivers identified in Chennai were population growth and economic development which generated impacts such as loss of aquatic ecosystems, low water table, low water quality, and reduction of biodiversity and human health. As a response, better urban planning, projects for new water infrastructure, and water bodies restoration have been implemented. Nevertheless, Chennai keeps facing difficulties to achieve proper water management. The severe hit of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Indian economy and its future management will be key for achievements related to water management.

Environmental impact assessment in the Caspian region

Background. The current state and pressures associated with the anthropogenic impact on the Caspian region environment are examined. Surrounded by five coastal countries, including the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Caspian Sea is the world’s largest endorheic water body. The isolation of the Caspian Sea, which is characterized by special climatic conditions and salinity gradients, has led to the formation of a unique ecosystem.Aim. Environmental impact assessment of the Caspian region and the associated anthropogenetic load.Materials and methods. The anthropogenic processes affecting the environment of the Caspian Sea and the surrounding area were assessed using the DPSIR concept. This concept includes the components of driving forces, pressures, state, impacts, and response in order to inclusively determine the connections between human activities and the environment. This concept was used as by the European Environmental Agency as the basis for integrated environmental analysis.Results. The conducted study determined the scale and geography of greenhouse gas degassing, the volume of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere by components, the structure of greenhouse gas emissions, and the dynamics of emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen oxide generated from stationary sources in the Caspian region. Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases that pollute the atmosphere and sea waters, generated from stationary sources, are formed as a result of the production activities of a number of industries: mining; electricity, gas, and steam generation; air conditioning; manufacturing; water supply; wastewater treatment; construction industry; agriculture and forestry; transport storage and communications; repair of vehicles and motorcycles; as well as other activities.Conclusion. The share of enterprises in the fuel and energy complex that emit greenhouse gases is about 60%. The structure of greenhouse gas emissions and the dynamics of CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions generated from stationary sources in the Caspian region are shown. The Caspian Sea is one of the most important endorheic basins in the world. Being surrounded by land on all sides, the Caspian Sea lacks flows that would maintain its self-purification. Pollutants that enter the Sea remain there due to the lack of mechanisms for their removal. Complete information about the level of pollutant inputs is crucial for selecting the most effective means of environmental compensation or pollution reduction. The largest polluting sectors are agriculture, industry, including oil and gas, and urbanization.

Evaluation of solid medical waste management system in Undata Regional General Hospital, Palu city, Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Waste is an environmental problem that is still not fully resolved properly even though the resulting impact has a major effect on environmental pollution, especially solid medical waste. The purpose of this study was to assess the characteristics of solid medical waste at Undata Hospital based on its sources and types, calculate the average weight of solid medical waste generated per day, and evaluate the solid medical waste management system with sorting, packaging, collection and transportation modes in accordance with the criteria of Permen of Environment and Forestry Number 56 of 2015 and Permenkes Number 2 of 2023. This research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive research type. This research was conducted in August-September 2023. The sampling technique in this study used Purposive Sampling, with 18 informants selected from each unit/room/installation at Undata Hospital, Palu City. Based on the results of the study, it was found that every day Undata Palu Hospital produces domestic waste as much as ± 270 kg / day. The results of the evaluation of the solid medical waste management system at Undata Palu Hospital show that basically it is quite effective but not optimal, because the storage process shows non-compliance with the guidelines for medical waste management by the Ministry of Health Number 2 of 2023, namely storage in TPS which should not be more than 2x24 hours, but in fact the accumulation of solid medical waste is stored for 1 month in the LB3 TPS due to delays in transportation by third parties. This causes a large amount of solid waste in the TPS so that the TPS becomes full and dangerous because the waste undergoes a process of decomposition and decay, which is harmful to the environment and human health. Undata Hospital needs to maximize the procurement of internal medical waste processing equipment (incineration equipment) which needs to be supported by the Environmental Agency and the relevant Health Office to prevent environmental pollution from medical activities.

Towards the Natural Environment Agency Theory (NEAT)

Towards the Natural Environment Agency Theory (NEAT)

Enhancing sustainable waste management in Raja Ampat: Assessing the waste bank model's effectiveness in the face of socioeconomic challenges

Background: This study investigates the execution and obstacles of waste management in Raja Ampat Regency using the Bank Sampah mechanism, which has been in operation in Waisai City since 2013. The research findings indicate that the primary challenges in the administration of Bank Sampah in Raja Ampat are the recurring turnover of management, resulting in outstanding debts to customers and a significant reliance on support from the local government. Furthermore, the waste segregation method has not been well executed, and the primary incentive for community participation is of the financial kind. Methods: This study employed qualitative approaches to evaluate the efficacy of the Waste Bank model in Raja Ampat Regency. The study was carried out for a duration of six months, specifically from January to June, in Waisai City, which serves as the hub for waste management and tourism endeavors. Findings: Nevertheless, Bank Sampah continues to be the most efficient waste management approach in Raja Ampat Regency. This study suggests implementing enhanced management practices and providing ongoing coaching, along with fostering greater collaboration between the Environmental Agency and pertinent government departments, in order to enhance community engagement. Conclusion: It is suggested that educating people about the significance of waste segregation and engaging the Government Bank as a custodian of consumer funds are further steps to enhance efficiency. The objective of this research is to offer practical assistance to local governments and other stakeholders on how to adopt waste management strategies that are both more effective and sustainable in tourism zones. Novelty/Originality of this Study: The novelty of this study lies in its focus on the implementation and challenges of the Waste Bank model in Raja Ampat, a region heavily impacted by tourism and population growth. By highlighting the unique socio economic hurdles and the importance of community engagement, this research provides practical insights for enhancing sustainable waste management in similar tourism-dependent areas.

Dynamics of urban heat island intensity in Lecce, Italy: seasonal, diurnal and heat wave influence

This study investigates the impact of Heat Waves (HWs) on Urban Heat Island Intensity (UHII) in Lecce, a Mediterranean city in southern Italy. UHII was assessed using air temperature data from six weather stations over a four-year period (2020–2023). The results indicate that UHII is generally higher in winter and spring, with the ARPA (Environmental Protection Regional Agency) station consistently showing the highest values, particularly in summer, attributed to urban characteristics. The diurnal cycle of UHII reveals a peak in the early morning at most stations, followed by a decrease to near zero or slightly negative values during midday. Evening values then increase and persist throughout the night. Stations surrounded by green areas or located in suburban settings recorded the lowest UHII values. A total of eleven HWs occurred during the study period, with an average duration of 10 days. UHII was significantly more intense during HWs at all stations, with the greatest average observed at the ARPA station (2.60 °C) and the smallest at the LST (Liceo Scientifico Tabacchi) station (0.74 °C). These findings highlight the significant impact of HWs on UHI intensification in Lecce, especially in densely developed areas compared to suburban regions. This study emphasizes the importance of investigating UHII dynamics in Mediterranean cities to develop strategies for mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect during extreme heat events.