Environmental Guidelines Research Articles

HS-SPME-GC/MS Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Trihalomethanes, Geosmin, and 2-Methylisoborneol in Water Samples

Drinking water treatment plants (DWTP) use chlorination as an oxidation stage in the first step of the processes used to eliminate the natural organic matter (NOM) responsible for the formation of 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) and Geosmin (GM), which produce odor and taste to the water. However, chlorination processes give rise to disinfectant toxic subproducts, such as trihalomethanes (THMs). In this work, a headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with a gas chromatography/mass spectrometric method has been developed for the quality control of drinking water. 2-MIB, GM, and THMs at different stages of the drinking water treatment process were monitored. The method was validated following the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. Neither carryover nor the matrix effect was observed. The performance of the method was satisfactory in terms of selectivity, repeatability, and accuracy and exhibited a linear concentration range of 0.8–50 µg/L for trichloromethane (TCM), 0.05–20 µg/L for bromodichloromethane, 0.01–20 µg/L for dibromochloromethane and tribromomethane, and 0.005–0.05 µg/L for GM and 2-MIB. The THMs concentration obtained for all the water samples was below the thresholds established by international organizations and, for 2-MIB and GM, were lower for their limit of quantification. The method was also applied to the adsorption kinetic study of TCM on granulated activated carbon, which is the main barrier to reducing the NOM in DWTP.

Sustainable Seabed Mining and the Phase 1 Environmental Standards and Guidelines

Sustainable Seabed Mining and the Phase 1 Environmental Standards and Guidelines

Developing circular building components

A building consists of building components, such as a kitchen, façade and roof. By replacing building components with more circular ones during new construction, maintenance and renovation, we can gradually create a circular built environment. In this dissertation, we develop and test 8 circular building components for housing renovation together with Dutch social housing associations and industry partners. Combining ‘Action Research’ and ‘Research through Design’ approaches, we generate knowledge on the development of feasible, circular building components. We present a design tool, assessment model, environmental design guidelines and identify key stakeholder choices. This research makes scientific contributions to circular design theories, management models for the built environment, and research methodology. We recommend 4 changes in practice to implement more circular building components.

Process management and safety culture in radiotherapy services: impacts on quality patient care and safety

Paper aims Analyzes the use of process management and safety culture practices in Radiotherapy Services and impacts on quality of patient care and safety. Originality Radiotherapy processes require controls and must be developed in an environment with safety. However, despite necessary practices, there are few studies that analyze their implementation and impacts. Research method Was conducted a survey and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and SEM-PLS. Main findings Process management practices and safety culture have been used in response to competitive environment and regulatory guidelines. The study confirmed the positive impact of using safety culture and process management practices. Implications for theory and practice Managerial support promoting management and improvement practices and safety culture, along use of process maps, feedback in response to incident reports, patient satisfaction surveys and teamwork contributes to the quality of care and safety. These practices can be prioritized to be deployed by managers and in theoretical models.

The impacts of multi-stakeholders collaboration on management and mitigation of oil pipeline disasters in Nigeria

<abstract> <p>Pipeline disasters have caused large losses to Nigeria in terms of economic, ecological, and human lives. A single incident can have devastating consequences for the environment, individuals, and communities. Research to date has recommended the significance of stakeholders, collaboration in overseeing these issues. This study examines the impacts of multi- stakeholders, collaboration on the management and mitigation of oil pipeline disasters in Nigeria, adopting the use of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The benefits of stakeholders, collaboration in the context of this study include but are not limited to: better information/intelligence sharing; improved decision-making; enhanced coordinated and timely intervention; improved response. The challenges associated with collaboration are: conflicts in shared responsibilities; inadequate resources; inadequate enforcement of environmental laws and guidelines; and inefficient communication systems. The goals of the collaborative pact will be effectively achieved if these challenges are properly addressed. This study recommends a framework for multi-stakeholders collaboration toward effective and efficient management and mitigation of oil pipeline disasters in Nigeria.</p> </abstract>

Bioaccumulation and Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factor of Metals and Metalloids in Edible Fish: A Systematic Review in Ethiopian Surface Waters.

Metals and metalloids pollution of Ethiopian surface water is becoming an environmental issue. Bioaccumulation and Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factor (BAF and BSAF) are used to quantify the bioaccumulation of contaminants from water and sediment to biota. The present study aimed to determine the BAF and BSAF of metals and metalloids in different surface waters of Ethiopia. Furthermore, the ecological and human health risks were also examined. Generally, 902 peer-reviewed papers from 2005 to 2022 were searched using search engines. The most common types of edible fish species in studied surface waters of Ethiopia were Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus, and Barbus intermedius. The concentration of metals and metalloids were higher in sediment than in water and in carnivorous fish than in herbivorous fish. The BSAF of Se in all fish species was greater than 1. Oreochromis niloticus was a bio-concentrator of As and Se. The dissolved concentration of Cu, Cd, Pb, and Ni were higher compared to the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority and the European Union; Organization of Economic and Co-Operation Development environmental water quality standard guidelines for inland surface freshwater bodies. Likewise, in sediment, the concentration of Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Cr were above Tolerable Effect Concentration values and Cd, Ni, and Cr were above Probable Effect Concentration levels when compared to the United States Consensus-Based Sediment Quality Guidelines for freshwater which indicates that these metals may pose risk to aquatic organisms. Consumption of raw water and fish contaminated with the detected metals and metalloids is not associated with any diseases. However, local consumers who live close to each freshwater ecosystem may become more exposed to health risk hazards. The findings of this study will provide baseline information on BAF and BSAF of metals and metalloids in surface waters and will contribute to the effective monitoring of environmental quality.

Editorial

Climate Change is one of the priority scientific topics worldwide, considering its impact on the socio-environmental and economic spheres. Due to the relevance of this topic, this section dedicated to "Climate Change: Environmental Impact and Vulnerability Studies" was created in Derbyana, with contributions from specialists in the areas of Climatology, Meteorology, and Hydrology, seeking advances in methodology, as well as in scientific knowledge gaps, among other topics, based on the state of the art. The different contributions constitute an important reference for future research, being able to guide public policies and environmental guidelines at the federal, state, and/or municipal levels. For the organization of this section, we had the collaboration of Prof. Dr. Chou Sin Chan, from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), a specialist in the field of Meteorology, with emphasis on Atmospheric Modeling, and a member of the Derbyana Advisory Board.

Bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances by freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates: Impact of species and sediment organic carbon content

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environments have caused global concern due to their persistence, toxicity, and potential bioaccumulation of some compounds. As an important compartment of the aquatic ecosystem, sediment properties impact PFAS partitioning between aqueous and solid phases, but little is known about the influence of sediment organic carbon content on PFAS bioaccumulation in benthic organisms. In this study, three freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates – worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), mussels (Elliptio complanata) and snails (Physella acuta) – were exposed for 28 days to PFAS spiked synthetic sediment equilibrated with a synthetic surface water. Using microcosms, sediment organic carbon content – 2%, 5% and 8% – was manipulated to assess its impact on PFAS bioaccumulation. Worms were found to have substantially greater PFAS bioaccumulation compared to mussels and snails. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and biota sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) in worms were both one to two magnitudes higher than in mussels and snails, likely due to different habitat-specific uptake pathways and elimination capacities among species. In these experiments, increasing sediment organic carbon content decreased the bioaccumulation of PFAS to benthic macroinvertebrates. In worms, sediment organic carbon content was hypothesized to impact PFAS bioaccumulation by affecting PFAS partitioning and sediment ingestion rate. Notably, the BSAF values of 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (FTS) were the largest among 14 PFAS for all species, suggesting that the benthic macroinvertebrates probably have different metabolic mechanisms for fluorotelomer sulfonic acids compared to fish evaluated in published literature. Understanding the impact of species and sediment organic carbon on PFAS bioaccumulation is key to developing environmental quality guidelines and evaluating potential ecological risks to higher trophic level species.

Does adopting voluntary ESG practices affect executive compensation?

The Equator Principles (EP) is a voluntary framework of environmental guidelines for financial institutions in project financing. This paper examines the impact of an EP adoption on executive compensation. Compared to a matched sample of non-adopting banks, we find that total compensation significantly increased in banks that adopted the EP. The increase was driven by larger grants of equity-based compensation. This effect of EP adoption on executive pay does not depend on the risk management framework of the bank or on the timing of the adoption. Lastly, we do not find evidence of a change in the adopting banks’ performance.

Framing the science for technical measures used in regulatory frameworks to effectively implement government policy

Regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks are used extensively to establish standards and guidelines for the technical measures implemented to manage freshwater and marine activities to achieve environmental policy objectives. Scientific and technical knowledge about the effectiveness of such measures is needed to ensure the success of these objectives, and yet there is general lack of scientific information on the effectiveness of technical measures. Used as conditions of approval for a variety of industry sectors, regulations and environmental quality guidelines establish the outcomes that are expected for the technical measures used in the daily activities of a given worksite. This paper suggests that the science to determine the effectiveness of technical measures should be framed from the requirements established in regulations and environmental quality guidelines. Such studies should also use methods, indicators and metrics that are often part of those requirements. This paper also puts forth that a more focused scientific effort is needed to determine the effectiveness of technical measures given the thousands of technical measures used to manage a wide range of activities.

The lived experience of hospitalized and non-hospitalized health care providers of COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study.

This paper explores the lived experience and any mental health issues of COVID-19 survivors throughout the disease crisis using a qualitative method. The semi-structured interviewing method was conducted with COVID-19 patients who were admitted and non-admitted to hospitals in Kurdistan, Iraq. The patients had positive and negative perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and disease, including beliefs and thoughts about COVID-19, conspiracy thinking, and concerns toward the family and their children. The patients were affected by the disease in different ways including physical consequences of COVID-19 infection, social isolation, life changes, and mental wellbeing. But they had some coping strategies to overcome the disease, such as seeking help, preventive measures, and coping techniques. The patients had some concerns about health settings and therapeutic procedures, including lack of sufficient care, receptiveness, hospital environment, and infection guidelines. This study showed that the COVID-19 disease had devastating effects on patients either physically or psychologically.

Assessment of the Impacts of Phyto-Remediation on Water Quality of the Litani River by Means of Two Wetland Plants (Sparganium erectum and Phragmites australis)

Water pollution from human activities is largely a result of the discharge of wastewater and industrial waste into rivers. Phytoremediation, the technique that uses plants to remove pollutants from the polluted waters, is a growing field of research because of its various environmental advantages. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of a constructed wetland in removing pollutants and treating the polluted waters of the Litani River in Lebanon, by means of two aquatic plants, Phragmites australis and Sparganium erectum. Results showed that the levels of the physicochemical and biological parameters measured on water samples at downstream of the wetland were lower than those obtained at upstream. Results revealed that average removal efficiency was 41% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 54% for biological oxygen demand (BOD5), 97% for nitrate (NO3−), 40% for nitrite (NO2−), 67% for phosphate (PO43−), while it was negative (−62%) for sulfate (SO42−), indicating an increase in sulfate content in the treated effluent returning to the river. On the other hand, most of the effluent chemical and biological characteristics were within the provisional discharge limits of effluent to water body set by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and Lebanese Wastewater Reuse Guidelines of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Statistical analyses also showed significant variations (p < 0.5) among the two sampling sites along the wetland. Our findings clearly demonstrate that phytoremediation is a viable solution to remove pollutants in a competitive environment and improve the quality of contaminated waters by acting as a sink for various contaminants. The gained experience may be scalable to other sites and environments across the country.

Assessing risks from fuel contamination in Antarctica: Dynamics of diesel ageing in soil and toxicity to an endemic nematode

Fuel spills are a major source of contamination in terrestrial environments in Antarctica. Little is known of the effects of hydrocarbon contaminants in fuels on Antarctic terrestrial biota, and how these change as fuel ages within soil. In this study we investigate the sensitivity of juveniles of the endemic Antarctic nematode Plectus murrayi to diesel-spiked soil. Toxicity tests were conducted on soil elutriates, and changes in concentrations of hydrocarbons, polar compounds and PAHs were assessed as the spiked soil was artificially aged at 3 °C over a 45-week period, representing multiple summer seasons of fuel degradation. Nematodes were most sensitive to elutriates made from freshly spiked soils (LC50 419 μg/L TPH and 156 μg/L TPH-SG), with a subsequent decline in toxicity observed in the first 6 weeks of laboratory ageing (LC50 2945 μg/L TPH and 694 μg/L TPH-SG). Effects were still evident up to 45 weeks (lowest observed effect concentration 2123 μg/L TPH) despite hydrocarbons being depleted from soils with ageing (84 % loss) and elutriates becoming dominated by polar metabolites (95 % polar). Nematode sensitivity throughout the ageing period showed evidence of a relationship between LC50 and the proportions of the lighter carbon range fraction of TPH in elutriates, the F2 fraction (C10–14). This study is the first to estimate the sensitivity of Antarctic terrestrial fauna to diesel and provides novel data on the dynamics of fuel chemistry under Antarctic conditions and how this influences toxicity. Findings contribute to predicting ecological risk at existing diesel fuel spill sites in Antarctica, to the derivation of site-specific remediation targets, and to environmental guidelines to assess ecosystem health.

Year-round monitoring of chloride releases from three zero-exfiltration permeable pavements and an asphalt parking lot

Winter deicers, though essential for maintaining safe pavement conditions in winter, increase chloride (Cl−) concentrations in receiving water bodies above recommended environmental guidelines. Zero-exfiltration or lined permeable pavement is an important technological innovation for controlling particulate-bound pollutants at the source. As stormwater does not infiltrate into the ground, soluble pollutants like Cl− are ultimately discharged into receiving water bodies. Our aim was to examine Cl− concentrations in effluents from three zero-exfiltration permeable pavement cells (Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement (PICP), Pervious Concrete (PC), Porous Asphalt (PA)) and compare them with runoff from a Conventional Asphalt (ASH) cell. The study conducted at a parking lot in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, from January 2016 to May 2017 observed that the permeable pavements provided only temporary attenuation of Cl− during winter but exhibited a quick release during spring melt. Cl− concentrations and loadings were different for each permeable pavement system in terms of timing and magnitude. Cl− concentration in ASH runoff frequently had very high spikes (21,780 mg/L); however, the median winter Cl− concentration in ASH runoff was lower than Cl− levels in the permeable pavements' effluents and later declined drastically after spring melt, but in few instances, was above the chronic water quality guideline (120 mg/L). The average event mean concentration (EMC) of Cl− was 1600 and 120 mg/L in the permeable pavements’ effluents during salting and non-salting season, respectively. In one year, each permeable pavement system released approximately 67–81 kg of Cl− with significant differences being observed in Cl− loads between the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Therefore, a multi-year data collection and monitoring plan captured the variability in winter conditions. The study provided insights into the behaviour, retention and release of Cl− from traditional and permeable hardscape surfaces and possible avenues for Cl− attenuation, source control and aquatic habitat conservation.

Cardiovascular consequences of aircraft noise exposure.

The results from epidemiological studies suggest that environmental noise including aircraft, railway, road traffic, wind turbine, and leisure-related noise is a growing public health concern. According to the WHO, at least 100 million people in the European Union are affected by traffic noise levels above the WHO-recommended thresholds. Environmental noise can adversely affect physical and mental health, as well as wellbeing. Chronic low-level noise exposure typical for most environmental sources is associated with psychophysiological stress causing non-auditory or indirect noise effects leading ultimately to cardiovascular diseases. Among all environmental noise sources, aircraft noise is considered the most annoying, and its leading mechanism of action is autonomic system activation such as increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Previously, we observed that long-term exposure to aircraft noise was associated with increased diastolic blood pressure, arterial stiffness (as assessed by pulse wave velocity), and impaired left ventricular diastolic function. All mentioned above effects are early, subclinical, and potentially reversible changes which preceded late noise effects in the cardiovascular system, that is, established cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. However, even a short-term reduction in aircraft noise exposure as observed during the COVID-19 lockdown may reverse these negative effects on arterial stiffness and blood pressure and may decrease the prevalence of insomnia. In this review, we aimed to critically discuss our obtained results considering recent studies on the influence of aircraft noise (and other traffic noises) on cardiovascular diseases in the context of the WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region.

Nature-based Solutions for Industrial Logistic Parks.

The growth of logistic cities and freight villages to meet the increasing demand of e-commerce is unstoppable. This strategic sector has boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is estimated that by 2025, 138 million sqm of additional e-commerce areas will be built worldwide. Only in the last decade, the European logistic construction activity has tripled. Endless cities of asphalt and concrete have been built to host e-commerce companies, posing severe environmental threats such as desertification, loss of ecosystem and wildlife. Seeking to resolve these challenges, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization has proposed an international framework for Eco-Industrial Parks, with environmental guidelines for rainwater management, biodiversity preservation, or creation of recreational areas amongst others. However, prior studies and recommendations focused on the formulation of resilient spatial planning solutions for industrial logistic areas are yet very limited, and comprehensive literature reviews are still lacking. Aiming to address this research gap, this paper includes a review of recent investigations and projects focused on the study of resilient solutions for the design of industrial logistic areas. A bibliometric analysis of the literature published in Scopus database from 1992 to 2022 concerning terms such as Industrial Park, Eco-Industrial Park, or Nature-based Solutions is presented. The results reveal that the connection between Industrial Logistic Parks and Nature-based Solutions is very weak, or almost non-existent. This paper also discusses the project Plataforma Central Iberum-one of the largest industrial logistic spaces (3.5 million sqm) built in Spain- as a case study. This project is one of the first Industrial Logistic Parks developed in this country where nature-based solutions such as the integration of rainwater wetlands, load-bearing permeable pavements, green v-ditch medians, and natural self-sustaining infrastructure parks with diverse native plant species, were implemented. Overall, this paper aims to highlight the urgency to discuss and adopt Nature-based Solutions to render Industrial Logistic Parks more resilient.

Effects of cold and warm thermopeaking on drift and stranding of juvenile European grayling (Thymallus thymallus)

AbstractIntermittent water releases from hydropower plants, called hydropeaking, negatively affect river biota. The impacts mainly depend on hydrological alterations, but changes in physical habitat conditions are suspected to be co‐responsible. For example, hydropeaking accompanied by a sudden change of water temperature in the downstream river—called thermopeaking—is also presumed to impair aquatic ecosystems. Still, knowledge about these thermopeaking impacts on aquatic species and life‐stages is limited. We performed flume experiments under semi‐natural conditions to fill this knowledge gap, simulating single hydropeaking events with a change in water temperature. As response parameters, we quantified the drift and stranding of early life‐stages of European grayling (Thymallus thymallus L.), a key fish species of Alpine hydropeaking rivers. Hydropeaking events with a decrease in water temperature (“cold thermopeaking”) led to significantly higher downstream drift (mean = 51%) than events with increasing water temperature (“warm thermopeaking”, mean = 27%). Moreover, during cold thermopeaking, a comparably high fish drift was recorded up to 45 min after the start of peak flows. In contrast, drift rates quickly decreased after 15 min during warm thermopeaking. Remarkably, the spatial distribution of downstream drift along gravel bars during cold thermopeaking showed the opposite pattern compared to those triggered by warm thermopeaking events indicating different behavioral responses. Furthermore, the stranding rates of the cold thermopeaking trials were twice as high (mean = 31%) as those of the warm thermopeaking experiments (mean = 14%). The outcomes present vital information for improving mitigation measures and adapting environmental guidelines.

Intellectual Capital and Financial Performance: The Mediating Effect of Sustainability Performance

Sustainability practices are challenging for today's businesses in developing countries, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Most SMEs have limited resources, which hinders their sustainability performance. This study examined intellectual capital's (IC) role in financial and sustainability performance. It also aimed to identify the contribution of sustainability performance in improving the financial performance of SMEs, as well as to examine the mediating role of sustainability performance on the relationship between IC and financial performance. The research sample was 336 small and medium enterprises in Bali, Indonesia. Data were collected using a questionnaire, while the data analysis was conducted in SEM-PLS. The results showed that IC increased financial and sustainability performance. Meanwhile, sustainability performance also had a positive effect on financial performance. Finally, the statistical test results proved that sustainability performance mediated the influence of IC on financial performance. These findings imply that IC is a significant predictor of SMEs' financial performance, whether directly or via sustainability performance. Also, there is an urgent need for the government to develop social and environmental responsibility guidelines in the SME sector. Therefore, the practice of sustainability not only boosts the performance of SMEs but also assists the government in overcoming many social and environmental problems.

What evidence exists regarding the effects of photovoltaic panels on biodiversity? A critical systematic map protocol

BackgroundClimate change and the current phase-out of fossil fuel-fired power generation are currently expanding the market of renewable energy and more especially photovoltaic (PV) panels. Contrary to other types of renewable energies, such as wind and hydroelectricity, evidence on the effects of PV panels on biodiversity has been building up only fairly recently. PV panels have been linked to substantial impacts on species and ecosystems, the first and most obvious one being the degradation of natural habitats but they may also lead to mortality of individuals and displacements of populations. Hence, we propose a systematic map aiming to draw a comprehensive panorama of the available knowledge on the effects of photovoltaic and solar thermal (PVST) installations, whatever their scales (i.e. cells, panels, arrays, utility-scale facilities), on terrestrial and semi-aquatic species and natural/semi-natural habitats and ecosystems. This work aims at providing decision-makers with a better understanding of the effects of PVST installations and, therefore, help them further protect biodiversity while also mitigating anthropogenic climate change.MethodsWe will follow the collaboration for environmental evidence guidelines and search for relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature in English or French. The search string will combine population (all wild terrestrial and semi-aquatic species—e.g. animals, plants, fungi, microorganisms—as well as natural/semi-natural terrestrial habitats and ecosystems) and exposure/intervention (all technologies of PVST panels at all scales of installations and therefore excluding concentrated solar power) terms. A pre-built test list of relevant articles will be used to assess the comprehensiveness of the search string. Extracted citations will be screened at title and full-text stages thanks to pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Accepted citations will then be split into studies and observations, from which relevant metadata (e.g. taxon, exposure/intervention, outcome) will be extracted and their internal validity assessed through a critical appraisal. The database will be accessible alongside a map report which will draw a landscape of eligible studies. By describing studied populations, exposures/interventions, outcomes and internal study validity results, the report will identify potential knowledge clusters and gaps regarding the effects of PVST installations on biodiversity and ecosystems.

The Valorization Potential of Tannery Wool Waste in the Textile Industry

ABSTRACT According to environmental issues and guidelines, increasing efforts are being focused on reducing the harmful impact of textile wastes either by lowering the use of chemicals or by recycling wastes into new products to give them a new life cycle. In this paper, we investigate the physical and chemical properties of wool wastes coming from tanning industry, where the process of pulling the wool from the hide is based on chemical processes. These so-called “’Pulled wool’” properties are compared to virgin raw wool obtained from the same pelt, to evaluate the degradation of the fiber induced by the chemicals. SEM observations indicate that the pulled wool fiber surface appeared rougher, and the scales appeared to have been affected. Based on the X-ray diffraction, the crystallinity of the pulled fibers appeared to have been slightly reduced. Attenuated ATR-FTIR analyses indicated some changes in chemical composition. HPLC tests showed an apparent increase in the amount of cystic acids indicating damage of some macromolecular chains crosslinking. Thus, some properties appeared significantly affected during the chemical unhairing process. Based on these characteristics of pulled wool, potential applications to valorize it could be suggested, as we show that it remains suitable for conventional textile processes.