Indicators Of Environmental Pollution Research Articles

Diversity of Dragonflies (Odonata) in the Joben Resort Area, East Lombok

Dragonfly is a family of insects that are closely related to water. During their life cycle, especially when laying eggs and at the stage of dragonfly nymphs, they spend their lives in healthy water areas because dragonfly nymphs are very sensitive to polluted water quality. Therefore, dragonflies have an important role for the sustainability of the ecosystem, namely acting as predators and indicators of environmental pollution. The high diversity of dragonflies in an area indicates that the area is still not polluted because the environment supports the life of dragonflies. This study aims to determine the diversity of dragonflies (odonata) in the Joben Resort area of ​​East Lombok. This research is an exploratory descriptive study conducted from November to December 2021. Data collection was carried out 4 times and was repeated within 1 month in the morning and evening (08.00-17.00 WITA). The method used is a survey method with a sweeping net technique following a 500 m research path on 3 research paths, namely lane 1 (the river that borders Joben Ecopark), lane 2 (the path leading to the Resort Office and Joben Ecopark) and lane 3 (the river that flows through Joben Ecopark). Bordered by rice fields and Kokok Joben Brain Baths). The calculation of the diversity index of dragonflies uses the Shannon-Wienner formula (H'). The results showed that the types of dragonflies (odonata) found in the Joben Resort Area consisted of 20 species with a total number of individuals found from 3 lanes as many as 864 individuals. The diversity index of dragonflies in the Joben Resort area of ​​East Lombok is 2,309. The conclusion is that the diversity of dragonflies in the Joben Resort area of ​​East Lombok is in the medium category.

Microbiological analysis of the quality of tap and filtered water in St. Petersburg, taking into account modern requirements

The article presents new requirements for the sanitary and microbiological quality of drinking water with the justification of the introduced quality indicators. The modern requirements of the main regulatory and technical document regulating water quality - SanPiN were given and the possibilities of interpretation of microbiological indicators of drinking water quality were explained. The study of samples of tap water in the districts of Saint Petersburg and drinking water, additionally filtered with filters of different designs, has been carried out. It has been shown that microbiological monitoring of drinking water is extremely important for assessing its sanitary and hygienic well-being, since microorganisms are an accurate indicator of environmental pollution. Also, with the help of microbiological analysis, the high quality of purification, disinfection and water treatment of drinking water in Saint Petersburg has been confirmed. The high quality of the water obtained with the help of a stationary filter has also been noted.

Biogeochemistry of Iron Enrichment in Groundwater: An Indicator of Environmental Pollution and Its Management

Iron (Fe) is one of the most biochemically active and widely distributed elements and one of the most important elements for biota and human activities. Fe plays important roles in biological and chemical processes. Fe redox reactions in groundwater have been attracting increasing attention in the geochemistry and biogeochemistry fields. This study reviews recent research into Fe redox reactions and biogeochemical Fe enrichment processes, including reduction, biotic and abiotic oxidation, adsorption, and precipitation in groundwater. Fe biogeochemistry in groundwater and the water-bearing medium (aquifer) often involves transformation between Fe(II) and Fe(III) caused by the biochemical conditions of the groundwater system. Human activities and anthropogenic pollutants strongly affect these conditions. Generally speaking, acidification, anoxia and warming of groundwater environments, as well as the inputs of reducing pollutants, are beneficial to the migration of Fe into groundwater (Fe(III)→Fe(II)); conversely, it is beneficial to the migration of it into the media (Fe(II)→Fe(III)). This study describes recent progress and breakthroughs and assesses the biogeochemistry of Fe enrichment in groundwater, factors controlling Fe reactivity, and Fe biogeochemistry effects on the environment. This study also describes the implications of Fe biogeochemistry for managing Fe in groundwater, including the importance of Fe in groundwater monitoring and evaluation, and early groundwater pollution warnings.

Changes in the Concentrations of Trace Elements and Supply of Nutrients to Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.) Needles as a Bioindicator of Industrial Pressure over the Past 30 Years in Świętokrzyski National Park (Southern Poland)

The aim of this study was to identify changes in the concentrations of elements in fir assimilation organs over the past 30 years in order to assess fir reactions as a bioindicator of changes in the functioning of Central European fir forest ecosystems under conditions of reduced anthropogenic emissions. In particular, we selected the example of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains (Świętokrzyski National Park located in the northern range of Abies alba Mill.). The research was carried out in the “Łysica-Święty Krzyż” area under strict protection, including multi-species and uneven-aged tree stands with a complex structure, dominance of beech and fir, and numerous admixtures of other tree species. A decrease in the concentrations of pollutants in fir needles indicates a significant reduction in pressure on the environment and an improvement in the conditions of ecosystems in 2018 compared with those in 1986. In the period of more than 30 years between the sets of research, the concentrations of lead in fir needles decreased threefold and those of sulfur decreased twofold. A significant increase in the concentrations of cadmium, copper, manganese, and zinc in the three-year-old needles showed that they are a good indicator of environmental pollution with trace elements and may be used in biomonitoring.

Heavy Metal And Hydrocarbons Bioaccumulation By Two Bivalve’s Species From Santos Bay, Brazil

ABSTRACT Contaminants compounds like Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH’s) are primarily sourced from industrial and urban areas. As pollutants, these chemical elements and compounds are potentially toxic and present the capacity to negatively impact the ecosystem, especially the most sensitive ones such as estuaries. Bivalves’ species have been successfully utilized as monitoring tools to evaluate pollutants bioaccessibility around the globe. The present study assessed heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Ni, Fe, Cr, Cu and Pb), As and PAH’s levels in two mollusk species (Perna perna and Crassostrea rhizophorae) from Santos Estuarine System, in São Paulo State, in order to compare the effectiveness of each species in the biomonitoring process. According to the obtained data, Perna perna mussels may be better indicators of environmental pollution than Crassostrea rhizophorae oysters for some metals (Iron and Nickel) and hydrocarbons. On the other hand, in the present study, oysters had a higher capacity for retaining zinc, copper, and cadmium, due to their peculiar physiological characteristics.

Trace elements in the detoxifying and accumulating body parts of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamark, 1819 (Crimea, Black Sea): human health risks and effect of the sampling site location.

The mussel M. galloprovincialis is one of the most popular species in world's mariculture and environment pollution bioindicators. Although this mollusk was in a focus of numerous publications, the detoxifying and accumulating role of some of its body parts was insufficiently studied. The goals of the present work were as follows: (a) to study the distribution of potentially toxic elements (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Pb) in soft tissues, byssus, and shell liquor of this bivalve as a function of sampling location in the Black Sea near the southwestern coast of Crimea and (b) to assess human health risks from consuming soft tissues of mussels cultivated on a mollusk farm. Multivariate analysis showed significant differences in the overall distribution of the elements among the body parts and sampling sites under consideration. The trace element contents in soft tissues of M. galloprovincialis decreased in the following order: Zn > Cu > As > Ni > Pb > Cd > Cr > Co > Hg. The noncarcinogenic hazard index from the cultivated mussel consumption was found to be well below one and the carcinogenic risk index was found within the tolerable limits, which indicate the safety of consuming these mussels for humans. Byssus of M. galloprovincialis was characterized as a perfect indicator of marine environment pollution with Ni, Cu, Pb, Сo, and Cr. For the first time, the concentrations of trace elements were determined in the shell liquor and the function of byssus and shell liquor as the systems of trace element excretion from soft tissues was demonstrated.

Sentinel animals for monitoring the environmental lead exposure: combination of traditional review and visualization analysis.

In nature, certain animals share a common living environment with humans, thus these animals have become biomonitors of health effects related to various environmental exposures. As one of the most toxic environmental chemicals, lead (Pb) can cause detriment health effects to animals, plants, and even humans through different exposure pathways such as atmosphere, soil, food, water, and dust, etc. Sentinel animals played an "indicative" role in the researches of environmental pollution monitoring and human health. In order to comprehend the usage of sentinel animals in the indication of environmental Pb pollution and human Pb exposure completely, a combination of traditional review and visualization analysis based on CiteSpace literature was used to review earlier researches in this study. In the first instance, present researches on exposure sources and exposure pathways of Pb were summarized briefly, and then the studies using sentinel animals to monitor environmental heavy metal pollution and human health were combed. Finally, visualization software CiteSpace 5.8.R3 was used to explore and analyze the hotspots and frontiers of lead exposure and sentinel animals researches at home and abroad. The results showed that certain mammals were good indicators for human lead exposure. Sentinel animals had been widely used to monitor the ecological environment and human lead exposure. Among them, the blood lead levels of small mammals, particularly for domestic dogs and cats, had a significant correlation with the blood lead levels of human living in the same environment. It indicated that certain biological indicators in animals can be used as surrogates to monitor human body exposure to heavy metals. This study also explored the challenges and perspectives that may be faced in sentinel animal research, in order to provide a certain theoretical basis and train of thought guidance for future research.

ACUTE TOXICITY OF BALLAST WATER ON Clarias gariepinus JUVENILES

The indiscriminate discharge of ballast water into the aquatic environment could bioaccumulate in the food chain and pose serious problems for animal and human health. Biological monitoring involving the use of aquatic organisms provides good indication of environmental pollution by toxic materials in wastewaters. In this study, Clarias gariepinus juveniles were exposed to different concentrations of ballast water under laboratory conditions to determine the 96 h LC50 value. The acute toxicity of exposed juveniles was found to be 28.1 ml/L with lower and upper confidence limits of 3.59 ml/L and 20.80 ml/L respectively. Juveniles showed abnormal behaviours including restlessness, erratic swimming, loss of balance, respiratory distress and death. The degrees of the abnormalities were directly proportional to the ballast water concentration.

The relationship between human capital and environmental destruction: the case of European countries

Purpose. This study aims to examine the relationship between human capital and environmental destruction.
 Methodology / approach. The analysis includes 56 years between 1961 and 2017 for 14 selected European countries. In the model established for the variables, the ecological footprint is used as the dependent variable, human capital and real national income per capita are used as independent variables. To select the appropriate test method in the analysis, we used the CADF panel unit root test, which considers the cross-sectional dependence. The Pooled Mean Group was used for model estimation. 
 Results. In the study, it is emphasized that human capital has an important contribution to reducing the ecological footprint as an indicator of environmental pollution. According to the results of the PMG co-integration analysis, the increase in human capital reduces the ecological footprint in European countries. Since the European countries are developed ones, the availability of a good educational infrastructure is an important factor. It increases human capital. In addition, the high level of education and welfare in European countries is effective in increasing the number of environmentally sensitive individuals. This increases the environmental quality and therefore is an important factor in reducing the ecological footprint.
 Originality / scientific novelty. There are no studies in the literature examining the relationship between human capital and the ecological footprint of European countries. Therefore, this study closes a gap in the literature and takes its originality from the relationship between human capital and ecological footprint in European countries.
 Practical value / implications. The practical value of the results is that human capital reduces the ecological footprint by protecting natural resources, exhibiting a more environmentally friendly behavior, and realizing production that will minimize the damage to the environment.

Advances in the Elemental Composition Analysis of Propolis Samples from Different Regions of Turkey by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the elemental composition of 47 propolis samples collected from different regions of Turkey by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. According to the results, the most abundant elements in propolis samples were the Ca, K, and Si with the mean values as 1556, 1383, and 731mg/kg, respectively. Additionally, there were high degrees of positive and strong correlations of Al with S (0.925) and Fe (0.926) and Ca with Mg (0.970). According to cluster analysis results, the Aegean, Marmara, and Mediterranean regions showed strong similarities, whereas Southeastern Anatolia propolis samples were remarkably different. The elements considered as toxic for human and environmental health such as Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, and W were at the trace amounts as < 10mg/kg. When assuming 1g raw propolis is consumed daily by a 60-kg adult, the analyzed propolis samples were not a source carrying the negative effects of these elements. However, they could be an indicator of environmental pollution.

Positive side effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on environmental sustainability: evidence from the quadrilateral security dialogue countries

PurposeThe eruption of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has pointedly subdued global economic growth and producing significant impact on environment. As a medicine or a treatment is yet available at mass level, social distancing and lockdown is expected the key way to avert it. Some outcome advocates that lockdown strategies considered to reduce air pollution by curtailing the carbon emission. Current investigation strives to affirm the impact of lockdown and social distancing policy due to covid-19 outbreak on environmental pollution in the QUAD nations.Design/methodology/approachTo calibrate the social movement of public, six indicators such residential mobility, transit mobility, workplace mobility, grocery and pharmacy mobility, retail and recreation mobility and park mobility have been deliberated. The data of human mobility have been gathered from the Google mobility database. To achieve the relevant objectives, current pragmatic analysis exerts a panel autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL)-based framework using the pooled mean-group (PMG) estimator, proposed by Pesaran and Shin (1999), Pesaran and Smith (1995).FindingsThe outcome reveals that in the long-run public mobility change significantly impact the pollutants such as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide; however, it does not lead to any changes on ozone level. As per as short run outcome is concerned, the consequence unearths country wise heterogeneous impact of different indicators of public mobility on the air pollution.Research limitations/implicationsThe ultimate inferences of the above findings have been made merely on the basis of examination of QUAD economies; however, comprehensive studies can be performed by considering modern economies simultaneously. Additionally, finding could be constraint in terms of data; for instance, Google data used may not suitably signify real public mobility changes.Originality/valueA considerable amount of investigation explores the impact of covid-19 on environmental consequences by taking carbon emission as a relevant indicator of environmental pollution. Hence, the present pragmatic investigation attempts to advance the present discernment of the above subject in two inventive ways. Primarily, by investigating other components of environmental pollution such as nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 and ozone, to reveal the impact of covid-19 outbreak on environmental pollution, as disregarded by the all preceding studies. Additionally, it makes a methodological contribution before integrating supplementary variables accompanying with ecological air pollution. Finally, the current research article provides an alternative and creative approach of modeling the impact of public mobility on environmental sustainability.

A Comparative Study on Metals and Parasites in Shellfish of Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems

Little has been published about the interactions of metals and parasites in economically important aquaculture species, particularly shellfish. Metal bioaccumulation and parasitic diseases could vary in different species depending on temperature changes and other environmental factors. Most studies conducted on endoparasites, such as acanthocephalans, cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes, indicate that only cestodes and acanthocephalans could absorb heavy metals successfully in their hosts, and that only adult worms could be used as indicators of environmental pollution. In Artemia parthenogenetica, cestodes increased resistance to arsenic (As) pollution and temperature changes; and infection was associated with improved antioxidant defense system without oxidative damage. The most serious parasite of Penaeus spp. is Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (Microsporidia: Enterocytozoonidae). Apostome ciliates are negatively impacting Pandalus borealis of the northeastern United States (Synophrya sp. that causes “white eggs” or Black Spot Gill Syndrome) and Penaeus spp. from the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (Hyalophysa lynni that causes shrimp black gill). In freshwater fish, the larvae of the nematode Eustrongylides spp. Jägerskiöld, 1909 (Nematoda: Dioctophymidae) absorbed lead (Pb), mercury, and cadmium, when the metal levels were close to zero in water and sediment. The concentration of Pb in the larvae was approximately 17 times higher than in the fish. Like the antioxidant defense reactions in the parasitized A. parthenogenetica exposed to As, an improved antioxidant defense system may be available in parasitized fish, limiting oxidative damage caused by metals. This study presents baseline concentrations of 30 metals in wild Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931 from Ecuador and other species, as well as the current taxonomy for selected shellfish species and their parasites. Research is needed to assess the relationship of metals in parasites and host tissues, and oxidative stress in shellfish. The tools of One Health including molecular ecology, population genomics, proteomics, and epigenetic epidemiology should be used to detect parasites and environmental pollution indicators that could threaten aquatic species from freshwater and marine ecosystems, particularly considering climate change and pollution threats.

Identification of CaCO3 polymorphs of shellfish by FTIR spectroscopy and evaluation of metals adsorption by powdered exoskeleton shell

Shellfish are found in the coastal region throughout the tropical, sub-tropic and temperate zone. A variety of shellfish species are known in nature. Being filter-feeding organisms, organic and inorganic substances easily gain entry into them. Very often, heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu, and even Hg can accumulate in their bodies. The presence of these heavy metals in shellfish is an indicator of environmental pollution, and a threat to humanity as these fish are widely consumed in coastal regions. Here, biochemical analysis of exoskeleton shell mainly composed of polysaccharides, proteins and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) - have been studied. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) which is one of the major constituent of the exoskeleton part of the shellfish exists in three polymorphs viz., calcite, aragonite and vaterite. The identification of CaCO3 polymorphs in shellfish is extremely important as it gives information on the structural arrangement of the calcium carbonate lattice in these organisms. Here, we present a convenient method for the identification of CaCO3 polymorphs in shellfish collected from Goa, west coast of India, with Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and further confirmed by powder X-ray analysis. Additionally, the potential of the powdered shell biomass for metal removal from an aqueous medium has also been investigated.

Biochemical and genotoxic effects of some pesticides on the Egyptian Toads, Sclerophrys regularis (Reuss, 1833)

The effect of the 1/10 the application rates of either copper sulfate, temephos, glyphosate, or bifenthrin on some biochemical and genotoxic markers of the Egyptian toads, Sclerophrys regularis, exposed for 96 hours under conditions similar to the real situation was investigated. The results illustrated that , brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was significantly inhibited following temephos treatment, while the enzyme activities markedly increased following either glyphosate or bifenthrin exposure. Liver glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was inhibited following either copper sulfate or bifenthrin, while the activity increased following glyphosate treatment. Also, the data illustrated that, The level of glutathione reduced (GSH) in liver and the activities of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), transaminasaes (AST and ALT), and phosphatases (ACP and ALP) in liver and serum showed significant increases following all the treatments and bifenthrin was the potent one. Regarding the genotoxicity of the tested pesticides, the number of structural aberrations induced by the different treatments was enumerated in the present study. It was found that all the tested pesticides significantly increased either the frequency of abnormalities or the number of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) per 1000 cells (the frequency of micronucleus, MN) compared to the negative control, where bifenthrin and temephos were found to be more potent than cyclophosphamide (positive control) to induce these structural aberrations. According to the present results, the tested concentrations of the tested pesticides could lead to a collapse of cellular homeostasis and changes in the biochemical and genetic parameters in the Egyptian toads which can be considered as indicators of environmental pollution by pesticides.

Lithium content in the population of the Aktobe region of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the relationship with mental illness: a cross-sectional study

The article presents data on the study of the content of lithium in the hair of the adult population of the Aktobe region of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the relationship with mental illness. The aim of the study is to assess the content of lithium in the biosubstrates of the adult population and its relationship with the morbidity of the population of the Aktobe region.Materials and methods: A one-stage cross-sectional study was carried out on the territory of the Aktobe region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study included 340 residents aged 18-60 years permanently residing in the study area using the method of simple random sampling. The lithium content in hair was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on a NexION 300D spectrometer (PerkinElmer Inc., USA) equipped with an ESI SC-2 DX4 sampler (Elemental Scientific Inc., USA). The morbidity rates were studied according to the ICD-10 classes per 100 thousand population. To assess the relationship between the Li content in the hair and the morbidity rates, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient was calculated.Results: According to the results of the study, significant deviations from the reference values were observed for the lithium content in the Aktobe region. There is an excess of lithium for 80.59% (CI: 76.38; 84.79) of the subjects, the norm is 19.41% (CI: 15.21; 23.62). Excess lithium is more common in men than in women (χ2 =11.07 df=1; p=0.001). Considering the districts of the Aktobe region, the highest content of Li (Me (q25-q75)) was found in the Aitekebi district (0.084 (0.022 -0.134)) mcg/g, in the Kobda district 0.069 (0.060- 0.076) mcg/g, in the Mugalzhar district 0.046 (0.019-0.066) mcg/g, in the Oiyl district 0.044 (0.021-0.0762) mcg/g, in the Alga district 0.040 (0.024-0.090) mcg/g. Spearman’s correlation rank analysis showed a weak positive association of Li content with age (r=0.20, p =0.0001), no association with body mass index was found (r=0.10, p =0.06). The correlation analysis established a direct inverse average relationship between the content of Li and morbidity in the class of diseases “Mental disorders and behavioral disorders” (r=-0.62; p= 0.044).Conclusions: The high prevalence of excess lithium content in the hair of the population and its relationship with mental illness requires further research. The study of the bioelement status of the population can serve as an indicator of environmental pollution, and also aims at monitoring the ecological situation in the region.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLLING: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS, FUNCTIONS AND FACTORS OF DEVELOPMENT

Introduction. Due to the increasing popularity of the "green" economy and environmental protection, it becomes necessary to introduce environmental monitoring into the activities of economic entities. Eco-controlling refers to the design of information-analytical and regulatory support for management in the course of planning, forming, monitoring, analyzing and making management decisions in the field of environmental protection system, focused on the possible future. The aim of the aricle is to consider and improve the theoretical and organizational aspects of environmental controlling, to reveal its meaning and definition, taking into account the properties of the management system in the field of environmental protection. Methods. During the scientific research, such methods as comparison, systematization of information, data structuring were used. Results. An increase in the scale of economic activity in the process of active production leads to an aggravation of environmental problems. Ignoring the environment when making economic decisions provokes an increase in the specific indicators of environmental pollution. Therefore, there is a need to create a stable and effective mechanism that can provide a balanced solution to economic and environmental problems and environmental problems that affect the functioning of organizations, as well as the population. It is concluded that the introduction of environmental controlling into practice allows for a more detailed formation of an objective assessment and characteristics of the activities of individual segments of the organization, and also allows for a high-quality management process of the organization as a whole through the adoption and implementation of scientifically based management decisions.

Study of Some Indicators of Environmental Pollution of Surface Soil for the City of Touggourt (Southeast Algeria)

Soil is contaminated with various potentially harmful metals (PTMs). Therefore, the adequate protection of soil from contamination is imperative, as the soil is regarded as the primary cradle for living and environmental balance. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to assess the contamination level by PTMs in Touggourt city, where soil samples have been collected randomly from 18 sites. These sites included manufacturing companies and institutions belonging to the industrial region of Touggourt city. The concentrations of six PTMs - zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) were assessed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) instrument as well as the application of the modern pollution indices such as CF (Contamination Factor), PLI (Pollution Load Index) and EF (Enrichment Factor). The highest values of contamination factor (CF) for Zn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Pb were 0.605, 1.605, 0.277, 0.05, 0.438, and 0.01, respectively, and the highest value of pollution load index (PLI) was 0.139, while the results of enrichment factor (EF) for the Zn, Mn, Co, Cu and Pb metals were 2.608, 0.060, 0.740, 0.122, and 2.358, respectively. According to these pollution indices, the results of this study have indicated that human effects or industrial wastes and traffic, in particular, were the sources of heavy metal contaminating the studied region.

Do China's Urban-Environmental Quality and Economic Growth Conform to the Environmental Kuznets Curve?

The environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) expresses the relationship between environmental quality and economic growth. Based on the defects of previous studies on EKC using only environmental pollution indicators, this study holds that environmental quality is the result of pollutants after treatment, absorption, and self-purification, including two dimensions of pollution and absorption. Therefore, the environmental pollution and absorption data of 74 key environmental monitoring cities in China from 2005 to 2017 were selected, and a comprehensive index of environmental quality was constructed using the vertical and horizontal grading method. Then, based on the relevant economic growth indicators of these cities, they were divided into first-tier and new first-tier, second-tier, third-tier, and below. It was found that the EKC of the total sample, the first-tier and new first-tier cities, and the second-tier cities presented an inverted N-shape and had passed the second inflection point, where environmental quality continues to improve with the deepening of economic growth. There was no EKC in the third-tier and below cities. The findings have important implications. China can cross the second inflection point of the EKC and improve environmental quality at a low income level. Therefore, by vigorously developing cleaner production technologies and raising residents’ awareness of environmental protection, it is possible to improve environmental quality at a lower income level than expected, which provides a useful reference for other developing countries.

The Global Environmental Agenda of 2021 and the tasks of sustainable energy-ecological development and cooperation between Japan and countries Southeast Asia

The article discusses the main results of two major international summits held in October-November 2021, the key topics of which were the issues of the global fight against climate change and environmental protection. The decisions taken at these conferences, with the broad participation of world leaders, reflect the fundamental trends of the global environmental agenda. Within the framework of this agenda, Japan and the countries of Southeast Asia are building their modern energy and environmental cooperation. In this context, the article examines the main urgent tasks of energy-environmental interaction and sustainable development of Japan and the states of Southeast Asia. These countries are located in the Asia-Pacific region, which remains until now the main emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. However, the indicators of environmental pollution by Japan and the Southeast Asian countries are relatively not so high, compared to some other states in the region and the world. The article discusses the most relevant and significant examples of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between these countries in areas related to curbing global warming and climate protection. It has been revealed that with all the efforts made, since the 1990s, the indicators of reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere in Japan remain modest and even lag behind some of the Western countries. The Southeast Asian countries show a serious attitude to the development of renewable energy, but their intention to abandon coal still raises some doubts about the methods of implementing this ambitious plan. In particular, it is currently not entirely clear whether these countries are preparing to make a full-fledged "energy transition" in the coming decades, or whether they just intend to replace their coal-fired thermal power plants with gas ones.

Assessment of leaf damage degree in Aesculus hippocastanum L. during the growing season in the conditions of Dnipro city

One of the unique indicators of environmental pollution is Aesculus hippocastanum Linnaeus, 1753, distributed in different ecological conditions of most European cities in both the southern and northern temperate zones. For a long time bitter chestnut belonged to the number of highly resistant wood species. But in the last two decades, the condition of bitter chestnut plantations has deteriorated significantly due to the impact of adverse abiotic environmental factors (due to global climate change and increasing man-made load), and due to mass reproduction of phytophagous and phytopathogenic. A. hippocastanum especially suffers from chestnut miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka &amp; Dimič, 1986), for which it is the main forage plant. The aim of our study was to assess the degree of damage to the leaf surface of Aesculus hippocastanum L. during the growing season in the Dnipro. Analysis of damage to the leaf blades of the forage plant C. ohridella was performed for four years (2018–2021) visually on a modified scale proposed by M. D. Zerova et al. (2007). The research covered eight main park urban ecosystems of the Dnipro. Four stable generations of C. ohridella were established in the city of Dnipro. The development period of one separate generation of chestnut miner lasts from 65 to 110 days. The beginning of the flight of adults of the first generation occurs at the end of April and the beginning of May. Monitoring was carried out during three summer months, which corresponds to the main feeding period of the three most active generations of C. ohridella (I, II and III). A. hippocastanum leaf blades have been found to be damaged differently in different park urban ecosystems. The highest percentage of damage in all park areas is observed in August, when three generations were almost completely fed. A significant dependence of the area of affected leaves of bitter chestnut common invasive C. ohridella on the period of the growing season was found. According to our research, in all eight test plots, which corresponded to the main area and functional load of the green areas of the Dnipro, during the summer there is an increase in the area affected by the miner leaf in chestnuts. During the four years of observations (2018-2021), in the city of Dnipro, this generalized indicator ranged from 32% in June to 65% in August. This increase can be explained by the increase in the number of mines, due to the gradual emergence of the second and third generations of C. ohridella, each of which is more numerous than the previous one