Increasing Pollution Levels Research Articles

Characterization of submicron particles during biomass burning and coal combustion periods in Beijing, China

An Aerodyne high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) was deployed along with other observation instruments to measure the characteristics of PM1 (particulate matter with a vacuum aerodynamic diameter of ≤1μm) during the biomass burning period (October 1 to 27; BBP) and the coal combustion period (December 10 to 31; CCP) in Beijing in 2014. The average PM1 mass concentrations during the BBP and CCP were 82.3 and 37.5μgm−3, respectively. Nitrate, ammonium and other pollutants emitted by the burning processes, especially coal combustion, increased significantly in association with increased pollution levels. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to a unified high-resolution mass spectra database of organic species with NO+ and NO2+ ions to discover the relationships between organic and inorganic species. One inorganic factor was identified in both periods, and another five and four distinct organic factors were identified in the BBP and CCP, respectively. Secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) accounted for 55% of the total organic aerosols (OAs) during the BBP, which is higher than the proportion during the CCP (oxygenated OA, 40%). The organic nitrate and inorganic nitrate were first successfully separated through the PMF analysis based on the HR-ToF-AMS observations in Beijing, and organic nitrate components accounted for 21% and 18% of the total nitrate mass during the BBP and CCP, respectively. Although the PM1 mass concentration during the CCP was much lower than in the BBP, the average concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the CCP (107.3±171.6ngm−3) was ~5 times higher than that in the BBP (21.9±21.7ngm−3).

The scale epithelium as a novel, non-invasive tool for environmental assessment in fish: Testing exposure to linear alkylbenzene sulfonate

Increasing pollution levels have turned our attention to assessing lethal and sublethal effects of toxic agents using the most informative techniques possible. We must seek non-invasive or non-lethal sampling methods that represent an attractive alternative to traditional techniques of environmental assessment in fish. Detergents are amongst the most common contaminants of water bodies, and LAS (Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate) is one of the most used anionic surfactant on the market. Our study analyzed morphological alterations (histological and histochemical) of the scale epithelium of Prochilodus lineatus under exposure to two concentrations of LAS, 3.6mg/L and 0.36mg/L, for a period of 30 days and evaluated at 14, 21 and 30 days. In order to establish morphological analysis of the scale epithelium as a new non-lethal environmental assessment tool that is reliable and comparable to classic methods, the relative sensibility of this technique was compared to a commonly used method of environmental assessment in fish, the estimation of the effects of pollutants upon branchial morphology. Two experiments were carried out, testing animals in tanks, and in individual aquariums. Results of analyses on gill tissue show that exposure to 3.6mg/L of surfactant caused severe damage, including hyperplasia, hypertrophy and fusion at 14 days, with aneurisms at 21 and 30 days; while exposure to 0.36mg/L had lighter effects on the organ, mainly lower incidence of fusion and hyperplasia. Aditionally, scale morphology was altered severely in response to 3.6mg/L of LAS, consistently showing increased mucous and club cell production. Epithelial thickness was the most variable parameter measured. Scale epithelium sensibility has the potential to be a reliable environmental marker for fish species since it has the advantage of being less invasive when compared to traditional methods. However, more studies are required to increase the robustness of the technique before it can be generally applied.

Electric vehicle modelling and energy‐efficient routing using particle swarm optimisation

Vehicle routing is traditionally based on Dijkstra or Dijkstra-like algorithms. These algorithms worked well for fossil fuel vehicles. The increase in pollution levels, government regulations, and pressure from environmental groups have caused an increase in electric vehicles (EVs) production and use. EVs are capable of regenerating energy which creates negative weights in search graphs that traditional algorithms are incapable of handling without some modifications. This study presents a model that characterises the energy consumption of an electric vehicle. Most passive and active factors are presented and applied in the formulation. The presented model is verified against 306 kilometres of driven data and proved to have 1.3% absolute error difference between the real vehicle's consumed energy versus the predicted energy consumption as generated by the model. The model is then used with a particle swarm optimisation algorithm to solve the single constraint optimisation problem of finding the most energy efficient route between 2 points on a map. Simulation and real-world test results demonstrate savings in the energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Results showed more than 9.2% reductions in the energy consumption of the electric vehicle when driven on the developed algorithms’ suggested routes rather than the ones generated by Google Maps and MapQuest.

Modelling of a Solar Energy Optimized System for a Residential Setup

With the increased pollution levels and global warming, people are getting more aware of this persisting problem. This is causing a great push for the demand of renewable energy. The trend started with electric vehicles, although this is a good step but still not enough. One of the most promising solutions is the installation of solar cells in household setups. With the tax credits and the installation of smart grids, which allow to recuperate some of the initial cost back, the equivalent cost of installing such systems is getting cheaper and thus becoming more feasible and within the budget of a lot of people. This paper, models the photovoltaic setup, the proposed system includes a battery bank, electric or a plugin electric vehicle, smart grid, and an array of photovoltaic cells. The proposed method also aims at maximizing the solar energy usage, or in other words reduces the amount of said energy that is going to waste by not having any active receiver at any given time of the day

Current Status of the Milky Stork Re-introduction Programme in Malaysia and Its Challenges.

This review discussed the current status of the Milky Stork Re-introduction Programme in Malaysia and the challenges it faced. Although it has continued for almost seven years, more challenges appeared as time elapsed mainly due to the arising conflicts between the implementation of conservation policy versus the development projects in Kuala Gula. Hence, the released population is struggling to adapt mainly due to the reduction of suitable habitat for nesting and disturbed foraging areas by the continuous anthropogenic activities. Furthermore, the lack of appropriate training among captive storks prior to being released also slows the adaptation of the birds in their new habitat. The increasing pattern of pollution in the area is also highlighted. Several suggestions were given to help improve the current re-introduction programme. These include improvements to the captive training method, improvement of the existing enclosure's condition and environment, protection of remaining mangrove forest, creation of a buffer zone to mitigate the increasing pollution level in the area, close monitoring of the released population, and maintaining continuous support and awareness among the public. Considering the ongoing anthropogenic activities that may impair the status of Kuala Gula as an important bird sanctuary, emphasis should be given to achieve sustainable development throughout the area.

Modelling of a Residential Solar Energy Recuperation System Setup

Increased pollution levels have caused damage to our planet. Many scientists are now warning on the long term effects. Green houses gases causes more of the sunlight to be trapped within the Earth’s atmosphere and thus causing increased Earth temperature. Individuals, governments, and private entities are now acting on fixing this problem. One of the most promising solutions is installing an array of solar cells in residential areas. Doing so makes sense for areas with abundant sunlight as the dependency on the grid can be minimized and even completely illuminated while providing a feasible economic perspective at the same time. This paper presents the modelling of a residential setup as a complete system along with an electric vehicle. The modelled components include: Photovoltaic Cells, Home Load Usage, Electric Vehicle, High-Voltage battery as an energy storage, Boost, and Inverter. The presented analysis will help engineers and system designers do better cost analysis. The study can also be used as a basis for maximizing the solar energy usage and perform component optimization.

Latest trend of variation of EDGE detection and object detection with pixel level variation and their comparison algorithms

The frequent traffic jams at major junctions call for an efficient traffic management system in place. The resulting wastage of time and increase in pollution levels can be eliminated on a city-wide scale by these systems. The image sequences from a camera are analyzed using various edge detection and object counting methods to obtain the most efficient technique. Subsequently, the number of vehicles at the intersection is evaluated and traffic is efficiently managed.

Multi-objective cordon price design to control long run adverse traffic effects in large urban areas

Pricing is seen as a viable alternative to manage the demand for transportation facilities. While supply increase might aggravate the problem, pricing is envisaged to relieve large cities from adverse traffic effects (congestion and pollution, among others). Nevertheless, pricing has its own drawbacks, often overlooked by the operators of the networks. It will cause changes in the travel behavior of the different groups and their demands (shoppers, retailers, and even basic businesses/ employees). This paper presents an extensive review of the subject, and an equilibrium model to estimate the long---run effects of a cordon pricing scheme. The problem of designing a price for a Central Business District (CBD) cordon is formulated in this study as a bi-level optimization problem. The lower level problem is a joint trip production-distribution-mode choice-assignment problem, with interactions among three groups of the users (agents). The upper level problem is a multi-objective decision-making problem, where CBD cordon price (as decision variable) forms the alternatives. It monitors four important objectives, namely maximization of consumers' surplus, minimization of air pollution and congestion measures, as well as minimization of the internal migration of the retail employment. The latter is a main cause of the CBD degradation. The demands for shoppers and retailers are elastic, but that of the basic employees is assumed inelastic. Two test problems are examined and solved to show the behavior of the model. The results show that by employing under-pricing, or over-pricing, the cordon would lead to an unfavorable situation in that it would decrease the consumers' surplus, and increase pollution and congestion levels. Moreover, at certain price levels the rate of migration would drastically increase, while it might be relatively insensitive to price in other ranges.

Hormesis and Paradoxical Effects of Drooping Birch (Betula pendula Roth) Parameters Under Motor Traffic Pollution.

Various plant indexes are used or recommended for bioindication. However, the nonmonotonic dose–response dependences (hormesis and paradoxical effects) of these indexes are insufficiently explored upon exposure to pollution. We studied the dependences of these Betula pendula indexes on the intensity of motor traffic pollution. Regression analysis did not reveal any dependence of chlorophyll and carotenoid content on traffic intensity (in 2008 and 2010-2013). Lipid peroxidation rate had different versions of paradoxical effects in 2008 and 2010 to 2012 and increased in comparison with control under an increase in pollution level in 2013. In 2010 to 2012, all dose–response dependences for total protein and thiol group content were biphasic and multiphasic paradoxical effects. In 2013, an increase in traffic intensity induced a linear reduction in protein content and an increase in thiol group level in comparison with the control. In most cases, the studied phenological indexes and seed production decreased monotonically in comparison with the control following an increase in traffic intensity. Only in 2010 and 2013, share of fallen leaves had hormesis and paradoxical effect accordingly. Fluctuating asymmetry had a paradoxical effect and hormesis in 2008 and 2012, accordingly, and increased in comparison with the control under an increase in the level of pollution in 2010 to 2011.

The Level of Pollution and the Economic Growth Factor: A Nonparametric Approach to Environmental Kuznets Curve

This paper uses nonparametric method to study the relationship between economic growth and the level of pollution. The results indicate that as income increases the level of PM10 pollution rises and falls for low- and middle-income countries, respectively. Countries with GDP per capita above $32,000 experience an increased pollution level. Statistical tests show that nonparametric result provides better analysis than cubic specification, which dominates research works. Among the control variables in semiparametric setting, the higher the proportion of urban population, the higher is the level of pollutions while coal consumption and trade openness have no effect on PM10 pollution.

Porcelain versus Polymer Insulator- A Changing Era in Transmission Lines

For the past few years with an increase in the globalization, the environmental challenges and an increase in pollution levels have become a global phenomenon as well as matter of discussion. The power transmission lines passing through transverse areas within the country as well as worldwide are facing various problems related to environment and pollution. Such an exponential increase in the pollution levels lead to frequent faults in transmission lines which finally lands to permanent breakdown of transmission lines. These breakdowns sometimes may leads to collapse of grid and are also inconvenient to everyone besides interrupting the growth of nation as well as society breakdown. Over the years engineers and scientists have made efforts to meet such threats and to overcome situations rising form the failure of transmission lines the environmental challenges and an increase in pollution levels. The scientific community proposes a solution to resolve transmission failure by adopting polymer insulators instead of conventional porcelain insulators because the demand is on increase by virtue of its proven inactive use. In this article, an effort has been made to understand difference between the two and agency would decide the type of insulators to be deployed for ensuring long life of transmission line with respect to rate of rise of pollution in country.

It's safe to say there is no safe level of air pollution

Outdoor air pollution is a killer. A recent report from the World Health Organization estimated that 3.7 million deaths per year are due to outdoor air pollution. Most of these deaths are in low and middle income countries, with China being the country that often springs to mind. However, Australia still has a relatively big air pollution problem with an estimated 3,000 deaths per year. Traffic pollution is the major contributor to urban air pollution in Australia. Extreme events, such dust storms, bushfires and the recent coal fire in Morwell, dramatically increase pollution levels (for days or weeks) and are also very hazardous to health. Australian governments in the last 30 years have committed to improving air quality, and policies have been discussed and implemented with the aim of creating cleaner air. One key policy measure is the National Environment Protection Measures for air quality. These set standards for six important outdoor pollutants. Their key goal is to create “ambient air quality that allows for the adequate protection of human health and wellbeing”.

A Review of Some Recent Studies on Buoyancy Driven Flows in an Urban Environment

This paper reviews some recent studies (after 2000) pertaining to buoyancy driven flows in nature and thier use in reducing air pollution levels in a city (city ventilation). Natural convection flows occur due to the heating and cooling of various urban surfaces (e.g., mountain slopes), leading to upslope and downslope flows. Such flows can have a significant effect on city ventilation which has been the subject of study in the recent times due to increased pollution levels in a city. A major portion of the research reviewed here consists of natural convection flows occurring along mountain slopes, with a few studies devoted to flows along building walls. The studies discussed here primarily include field measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. This review shows that for densely populated cities with high pollution levels, natural convection flows (mountain slope or building walls) can significantly aid the dispersion of pollutants. Additional studies in this area using CFD and water channel measurements can explain the physical processes involved in such flows and help improve CFD modelling. Future research should focus on a complete understanding of the mechanisms of buoyancy flows in nature and developing design guidelines for better planning of cities.

From fertiliser to waste, land to river: a history of excrement in Brussels

During the second half of the 19th century, the River Senne became the preferred outlet for wastewater in Brussels. While at the beginning of the century, faecal matter was collected and sold to farmers as fertiliser, the gradual adoption of mains drainage had the direct effect of causing a lasting increase in pollution levels in the river. This research focuses on this transition. It questions the reasons why excrement recycling was abandoned and how the Senne became the new recipient for some of the wastewater in the capital.Through the analysis of the discussions and projects in connection with the management of faecal matter, this study is aimed at better understanding the transformations in the relationship between Brussels and its environment which took place during the 19th century. It explores the major sanitation works in Brussels by focusing on a little known aspect, i.e. the project for broad irrigation with wastewater.This article therefore highlights the role of planned or built technical infrastructures in the realisation of urban projects and the way in which the impact of Brussels on its environment was modified on a long-term basis.

Ambient Fine Particulate Matter, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Term Birth Weight in New York, New York

Building on a unique exposure assessment project in New York, New York, we examined the relationship of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm and nitrogen dioxide with birth weight, restricting the population to term births to nonsmokers, along with other restrictions, to isolate the potential impact of air pollution on growth. We included 252,967 births in 2008-2010 identified in vital records, and we assigned exposure at the residential location by using validated models that accounted for spatial and temporal factors. Estimates of association were adjusted for individual and contextual sociodemographic characteristics and season, using linear mixed models to quantify the predicted change in birth weight in grams related to increasing pollution levels. Adjusted estimates for particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm indicated that for each 10-µg/m(3) increase in exposure, birth weights declined by 18.4, 10.5, 29.7, and 48.4 g for exposures in the first, second, and third trimesters and for the total pregnancy, respectively. Adjusted estimates for nitrogen dioxide indicated that for each 10-ppb increase in exposure, birth weights declined by 14.2, 15.9, 18.0, and 18.0 g for exposures in the first, second, and third trimesters and for the total pregnancy, respectively. These results strongly support the association of urban air pollution exposure with reduced fetal growth.

Sensitivity of Warm-Frontal Processes to Cloud-Nucleating Aerosol Concentrations

Abstract An extratropical cyclone that crossed the United States on 9–11 April 2009 was successfully simulated at high resolution (3-km horizontal grid spacing) using the Colorado State University Regional Atmospheric Modeling System. The sensitivity of the associated warm front to increasing pollution levels was then explored by conducting the same experiment with three different background profiles of cloud-nucleating aerosol concentration. To the authors’ knowledge, no study has examined the indirect effects of aerosols on warm fronts. The budgets of ice, cloud water, and rain in the simulation with the lowest aerosol concentrations were examined. The ice mass was found to be produced in equal amounts through vapor deposition and riming, and the melting of ice produced approximately 75% of the total rain. Conversion of cloud water to rain accounted for the other 25%. When cloud-nucleating aerosol concentrations were increased, significant changes were seen in the budget terms, but total precipitation remained relatively constant. Vapor deposition onto ice increased, but riming of cloud water decreased such that there was only a small change in the total ice production and hence there was no significant change in melting. These responses can be understood in terms of a buffering effect in which smaller cloud droplets in the mixed-phase region lead to both an enhanced vapor deposition and decreased riming efficiency with increasing aerosol concentrations. Overall, while large changes were seen in the microphysical structure of the frontal cloud, cloud-nucleating aerosols had little impact on the precipitation production of the warm front.

Comparative Investigation of Water Quality Parameters of Aerial & Rangat Bay, Andaman Islands Using In-Situ Measurements and Spatial Modelling Techniques

Aerial Bay and Rangat Bay witness extensive and diverse activities such as tourism, shipping and fisheries. These activities along with domestic discharge may significantly affect the seawater quality in the bays. Therefore seawater samples were analyzed to comprehend the physicochemical and biological variables and its sources that affected the seawater quality at both the bays. The land-use/land cover data was studied to understand the source of pollution and to classify the areas into various categories relating to prevailing environment adjoining these bays. Difference between sites and the variables responsible for variation were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Pearson correlation was used to find the relationship between variables and degree of dependency towards the other. Agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the sampled sites, which helped to identify the similarity/dissimilarity within and between sites at both high and low tides. Moreover, inverse distance weighted interpolation technique was used to develop comparative potential mapping using Arc GIS software (ver. 9.3.1), generated a model for spatial changes at both sites. The results indicate the increase of pollution level at Aerial Bay due to anthropogenic activities, whereas Rangat Bay showed less variance due to frequent open sea water exchange. The combination of both statistical and GIS modeling techniques have proven to be excellent methods for spatial analysis and integration of these data to derive useful outputs and visual modeling.

An Evaluation of Samarra City Drinking Water Treatment Plants

Global population increases specially in developing countries such Iraq requires more effort and investment in water and sanitation facilities to enhance the welfare of people in meeting the MDG objectives. The competition for water resources coupled with the generation of wastewater is creates additional pressure on the available supplies and increasing pollution level. To address such challenges it has become necessary to build new or enhance existing treatment systems. In different part of Iraq including in Samarra City effort is being made to enhance the water quality in regard to its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics as well as the minerals and organic substances which may produce adverse physiological effects. In order to evaluate different aspect of water quality this study focused on evaluating the drinking water quality and also the performance of the two treatment plants in Samarra City located on the left bank of Tigris River to the north of Baghdad City. The investigation covered the period of December, 2004 to May, 2005. The first is the main conventional water treatment plant with a capacity of 2400m3/hr. and the second is a compact unit with a capacity of 200m3/hr. The collected water data cover some of the important physical and chemical parameters of water quality; covering temperature, TDS, turbidity, pH and residual chlorine. While the bacteriological parameters covered total plate count (TPC) and E-coli for stages of treatment plants. The results show that turbidity of raw water is not high (3.84-425) NTU compared with Al-Karkh water project in Baghdad City (6-1400) NTU, because the intakes of WTPs are located in the downstream of Samarra barrage which serves as a pre-sedimentation tank. Low clarifiers turbidity removal efficiencies of (48.323 %) and (32.09 %) were obtained for treatment plant and compact unit respectively, while for filters removal efficiencies were (63.2 %) and (39.05 %) respectively. The monthly average turbidity of supplied water for conventional water treatment plant and compact unit were (4.3 and 18.2) NTU, the percent of violation to Iraqi Specifications were (29.4 % and 64.7%) respectively. Not always, increasing in raw water turbidity result in an increase in turbidity removal efficiency. pH values and TDS concentrations of supplied water are within Iraqi, EPA and WHO Specifications. Low amount and interrupted chlorination in WTP and CU, so, irregular chlorination results in frequent outbreak of waterborne diseases. It can be recommend to improve the water quality monitoring program through the application of; coagulant aids to overcome the high turbidity of raw water during the rainy season, the hexagonal tube settler in the sedimentation tank of the compact unit to get the designed SOR and anthracite with sand as a dual porous media to increase the filtration rate to overcome the shortage in hot seasons. Also periodic systematic maintenance for different units of treatment plants is required.

Potentially pathogenic yeast isolated from the throat and cloaca of an Arctic colonial seabird: the little auk (Alle alle)

Yeasts are a distinctive group of microfungi, but compared to other microorganisms, their ecological function and biodiversity are poorly known. This is especially so where polar ecosystems are concerned. With climate changes and increasing pollution levels in the Arctic, it can be anticipated that there will be an increase in the prevalence and diversity of fungi colonizing live organisms. With these changes, it is crucial to investigate and monitor species diversity and prevalence of fungi in this fragile environment. In this study, yeasts were examined from throat and cloaca of a small colonial seabird, the little auk (Alle alle), a keystone species in the Arctic ecosystem. Samples were collected from 94 adults and 17 nestlings in breeding colony in Magdalenefjorden (NW Spitsbergen) in 2009. In total, twelve species of yeast from eight genera were found in 12 % of the samples, with the Dipodascus genus being the most prevalent. All yeast species were found in the adults, but only one species, Cryptococcus macerans, was found in a single nestling. In individuals where fungus was isolated, it was only isolated from either the throat or the cloaca, except for two cases, where fungus was found in both throat and cloaca. The presence of yeast was not related to sex but age of the birds, with adults being more prone to colonization by yeasts than the nestlings. The relatively low prevalence and diversity of yeast in little auks suggest that these birds are random carriers of fungi, with minor health impacts.

Sediment Contamination Due to Toxic Heavy Metals in Mithi River of Mumbai

The present study deals with quantification of accumulated toxic heavy metals in sediments of Mithi River of Mumbai. The study was performed at three different sampling locations along the flow of Mithi River for two years from 2009-12. The different heavy metals studied were Al, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sr and Mn. The results of our study indicate that the concentration level of these toxic heavy metals for the two assessment years increases by the factor of 1.2-5.8 µg/g. The result is a clear indication of day by day increasing pollution level of the Mithi River, which is creating negative environmental impact on biological life of the river. The results emphasises the need of regular scientific monitoring of different pollutants adversely affecting the environment and to reframe the pollution control strategies already in existence.