Environmental Issues Research Articles

Green Concrete: A step towards eco-friendly environment

The building industry is embracing green concrete more and more since it has many inherent benefits and few drawbacks compared to traditional concrete. To encourage the usage of green concrete in the construction sector for significant infrastructure projects, more research and development projects, interdisciplinary collaborations, public awareness campaigns, materials and the creation of codes and standard documents will be necessary. Concrete contributes about 5% of global CO2 emissions since it is the second most utilized material after water. Reducing the environmental impact of cement and concrete, rather than replacing them with alternative materials, is the answer to this environmental issue. The ability to use green concrete in construction has enormous potential benefits for society's environment. It is reasonable to believe that technology will be created that will cut the CO2 emissions associated with the production of concrete in half. As society has grown more conscious of the deposit issues associated with residual products over the past few decades, demands, limitations, and levies have been put in place. The need for high-quality concrete products, the desire to lessen greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints, the need to conserve natural resources, and the limited amount of landfill space in urban areas are the main factors contributing to the growing demand for green concrete. Green concrete encourages the sustainable use of waste materials as substitutes for the traditional concrete-making materials. Green concrete is superior to regular concrete in many ways. Because it makes use of recycled materials and aggregates, it lessens the additional pressure on landfills and minimizes aggregate waste. Consequently, there are fewer net CO2 emissions. The economy also benefits greatly from material reuse. An essential component of sustainable development is green concrete. A common substitute of concrete in green building techniques is green concrete

Biomechanics identification and risk management strategy of volatile organic compound pollution sources integrated with machine learning algorithms

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a critical environmental issue, posing significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. As an innovative approach, biological techniques have shown great potential in mitigating microplastic contamination in water systems. This study explores the use of biotechnological methods, such as microbial degradation and biofilm-assisted filtration, in combination with conventional water treatment processes to enhance the removal of microplastics. Focusing on Southwest China, where water pollution is exacerbated by rapid urbanization and industrial activities, the research identifies the ecological and technical challenges unique to this region. Experimental approaches include optimizing bio-coagulation using microbial consortia, assessing enzymatic degradation of common microplastic polymers, and evaluating the biomechanical interactions between biological agents and microplastic particles during water filtration. Results aim to provide insights into the efficacy and scalability of integrating biological solutions into existing water treatment frameworks. This study contributes to developing sustainable and eco-friendly strategies for addressing microplastic pollution and safeguarding water quality through biologically informed interventions.

Global Plastic Waste Management: Analyzing Trends, Economic and Social Implications, and Predictive Modeling Using Artificial Intelligence

Plastic waste, which is a result of human activities in America, has become one of the most critical environmental issues in the 21st century, and this calls for an urgent prescription of strategies at a global management level. The pervasiveness of plastic in modern life has created an unparalleled surge in plastic waste, which, unless adequately managed, is poised to pose severe threats to ecosystems, human health, and the global economy. The utmost objective of this study was to perform an extensive analysis of global plastic waste management practices in the USA, with a specific concentration on pinpointing the economic and social implications of these practices. This research project therefore intends to probe into the waste management practice applied in different countries for understanding the various best practices, challenges, and areas of improvement. The research project also aimed to employ AI-driven predictive models, notably, gradient boosting algorithm, linear regression, and random forest to predict the future trends in plastic wastes generated. Diverse datasets were used, to ensure that the study of global plastic waste management practices was comprehensive. Primary data on the conditions of global plastic waste generation was obtained through the World Bank's database, which provides detailed data on waste composition, generation rate, and methods of disposal in many countries. Also, the sources of economic indicators were OECD reports and UNEP publications on the hidden economic costs of plastic waste to municipal budgets. Data on its social impact, such as health effects and metrics involving environmental pollution, were provided by the World Health Organization through studies it conducted along with reports from environmental NGOs such as Greenpeace. The Gradient Boosting model performed the best with relatively high accuracy, followed by Logistic Regression and Random Forest Classifier. Besides, the Gradient Boosting model offered the highest Macro Average F1-score, which suggests better overall performance in balancing precision and recall for all classes. Predictive insights provided by the proposed models are valuable tools to expect future trends and patterns in plastic waste generation. Advanced analytics and machine learning can help predict the volume of plastic waste generated across different geographies and sectors. Application of the predictive models in plastic waste management contexts has huge potential about information and shaping of policy decisions. Predictive analytics can use historical trends on production, consumption, and generation of waste and recycling rates of plastics to create forecasts about the future and define high-risk areas.

Microplastic Pollution and Possible Sources in Datça-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area

Microplastic (MPs) pollution emerges as a significant environmental issue that poses a threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health on a global scale. Present study investigated MPs pollution in the Datça-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area (SEPA) located in the south-eastern Mediterranean coastline of Türkiye. Samples were collected from 17 stations revealed that the abundance of MP contaminations ranged from 10 MPs.m-3 in pristine areas to 56.7 MPs.m-3 in the most polluted zone and average size of 1.49±1.11 mm was detected. Fiber particles were the most common type, accounting for 92.9% of the pollution. The most common polymer types are ethylene/propylene copolymer and polyethylene terephthalate, accounting for 37.5% and 16.7% of the sample, respectively. The analyses conducted regarding the terrestrial land use information of the sampling area have identified potential pollution sources in six sampling areas due to anthropogenic activities. It was found that a high population density significantly influenced pollution levels in three of these areas. In the other three areas, pollution was shaped not only by the dense population but also by agricultural practices and the presence of a port. Besides that, two heavily polluted stations lacked significant land use activities, suggesting that regimes effective in the region might play a role in transporting MP particles to the area. Our result indicated that MPs pollution in the SEPA is a concern, and further research is needed to better understand the sources and pathways of MPs contamination in this critical base for biodiversity of Türkiye`s Mediterranean coastline.

Eco-activist imagery in literary texts for children (a case study of English postmodern fairy tales and short stories)

This research focuses on the eco-activist multimodal imagery in English postmodern fairy tales and short stories for children as a crucial tool in meaning-making. It is claimed that literary texts for children dynamically reflect current global trends in culture, environmental pollution, gender equality, and family issues. While some topics remain taboo for young readers, others are increasingly prevalent, gradually replacing magical worlds with more realistic, thought-provoking imagery. It has been observed that in recent years, the participation of young people and children in the eco-activist movement has been increasing. They advocate for environmental preservation and solving urgent environmental problems. Literary texts for children are essential tools for fostering a responsible attitude toward the environment at a young age. Due to them, child-readers are introduced to crucial eco-centric issues and ways of solving them and taught the consequences of their actions on nature. The analysis of our case study reveals that the protagonists of eco-activist fairy tales are primarily children concerned about environmental issues. Shadow narratives and the point of view of the child-focaliser are realized by the visual means, i.e. visual metaphors, salience of definite objects on the pictures, interplay of colours and shapes. It has been observed that visual imagery expands, clarifies environmental protection issues and appeals to the better understanding of child-readers their role in preserving the planet and keeping it clean and safe for living. Visual components clearly show the child-reader the damage caused to the environment by human activity: polluted air, water bodies and cities, injured animals, and deforestation. Important meanings are embedded in the dominant colours of the illustrations: green and blue predominate in the illustrations of nature, while grey and black accompany the images of the results of anthropogenic activity. The victory of Good (nature) in fairy tales is represented by a shift from grey and black to green. Intertextual links between literary texts for children by the same author can be formed through illustrations. Thus, a single fictional world is created in which the eco-activist activity of a child-antagonist is not an isolated phenomenon.

The future is closer than you imagine: The influence of psychological distance on people's risk perception and intentions for proenvironmental behavior of pesticides

AbstractThe link between environmental threats and adverse consequences is rarely observable due to delayed consequences. Some scholars have therefore argued that decreasing the psychological distance could increase motivation to engage in proenvironmental behavior. Support for this argument has so far been mixed for climate change, perhaps because behavioral changes to mitigate climate change requires significant changes in lifestyle. This study presents a parallel line of investigation into another environmental issue, where behavioral changes are less invasive, namely, pesticides. Each of the four dimensions of psychological distances on pesticides is manipulated in a survey experiment. The findings suggest that while proximizing can, in some cases, enhance risk perception and promote behavioral intentions, the effect remains weak, supporting the argument that applying construal level theory (CLT) for predicting the effect of psychological distance on environmental issues is an overextension of the theory's original scope, also for issues other than climate change.

Postmaterialism in Innovation and Religious Faith

ObjectivesThe postmaterialist paradigm in science is reflected in innovation research. It implies a shift of attention towards the intangible needs of people and the goals of sustainable development, rather than profit and economic growth as the goals of innovation. It reflects Catholic social teaching with its emphasis on social and environmental issues. In the article I explore if the Christian religion is conducive to post-materialist attitudes, and if post-materialism is more prevalent among people more involved in innovative activities in the workplace and in more innovative countries.Material and methodsWorlds Value Survey and OECD data were analyzed to explore the relationship between postmaterialism, religious belief, and innovation. The methods used were contingency tables and tests of significance for differences in proportions, and logit modelsResultsThe results show that Christian religion is associated with postmaterialist attitudes and work connected with innovation processes. However, postmaterialism also appears to replace religion for atheists, which reflects the human need for spirituality and ethics.ConclusionsThe results show that there is a social background in more developed countries to the transformation toward a postmaterialist innovation ecosystem, including not only business innovation, but also non-profit innovation. Postmaterialist innovation aims not only for individual material well-being, but also for a higher quality of life for entire societies. It is also in line with Catholic social teaching.

Optimization and Analysis of Pyrolysis-Supercritical Fluid Extraction for Tobacco Waste Biomass

ABSTRACT A large amount of tobacco product waste is discarded directly, resulting in a waste of resources and environmental issues. Nicotine is a natural organic compound found in tobacco waste. As an important substance in treating neurological disorders, it is of high market value. Pyrolytic and supercritical fluid extraction is a method to extract nicotine from tobacco waste. We used the orthogonal experimental method to optimize the pyrolysis process of tobacco waste and found the optimal pyrolysis conditions to be the temperature of 450°C, time of 3 h, and catalyst ratio of 1:1.5. The mathematical model of extraction conditions and extraction rate of supercritical fluid extraction was established with R2 = 0.9884. This model showed that the extraction rate of nicotine could reach as high as 70.53%. The optimal conditions for nicotine extraction included the entraining agent concentration of 70%, temperature of 45°C, pressure of 30 MPa, and time of 2 hours. We also carried out response surface analysis to explore the relationship between extraction conditions and the extraction rate. According to our findings, entrainer concentration has a strong relationship with pressure. Ethanol can alter the microstructure of the substrate, increasing its porosity and thus reducing the embedding or adsorption depth of the nicotine molecules. As a result, the nicotine extraction efficiency is improved. Compared with traditional nicotine extraction process, the pyrolysis and supercritical fluid extraction has a higher extraction efficiency and less pollution.

Are Beauty Brands Green or Green Washed? A Qualitative Study on Customers’ Perception

With growing awareness of environmental issues such as global warming and pollution, consumers are increasingly shifting towards green products. In response, beauty brands are promoting their products as sustainable. However, consumers have recently begun questioning the authenticity of these green claims. Drawing from behavioral reasoning theory (BRT), this paper investigates customers' perceptions of green beauty brands in Nepal. A qualitative approach using a convenience sampling technique was employed to reach eight beauty green consumers. Data were collected and analyzed by using semi-structured interviews and Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis respectively. The authors explored the evaluation of green practices, perceived factors supporting green practices, and perceived challenges as overarching themes. Additionally, a new theme of greenwashing perception emerged from a lack of transparency, accountability, and third-party verification of green beauty brands. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the earliest qualitative studies to explore green practices among beauty brands in Nepal.

Segara Kerthi as The Foundation of Hospitality Education Strengthening Marine Environmental Awareness Among Students

This study aims to comprehensively explore the implementation of the Segara Kerthi concept as a foundational element within hospitality education, with a specific focus on enhancing marine environmental awareness among students in the University. The research was conducted in Bali, involving a sample of 20 students who participated as respondents. The research method employed a qualitative approach, utilizing various data collection techniques, including in-depth interviews, participant observations, and thorough document analysis, to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The results of this study reveal that the integration of the Segara Kerthi concept into the hospitality education curriculum has a profound impact on increasing students' awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the importance of preserving marine environments. The students who participated in this study not only exhibited a deeper understanding of marine environmental issues but also demonstrated a heightened level of engagement and active participation in marine conservation activities. This indicates that the educational strategies employed were effective in fostering a strong environmental ethic among students, particularly concerning marine ecosystems. The conclusions drawn from this research suggest that the Segara Kerthi concept serves as a valuable and effective framework for embedding environmental consciousness within the hospitality education sector. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the Segara Kerthi concept be widely adopted and implemented across various hospitality education programs. Additionally, it suggests that collaborative efforts involving multiple stakeholders, including educators, industry professionals, and environmental organizations, be strengthened to enhance the effectiveness of marine environmental conservation initiatives. The scope of this study was limited to students from the Community Academy. Therefore, it is recommended that future research expand the sample size and include a more diverse population to validate and extend the findings of this study.

Development e-worksheet using PjBL on environmental pollution to enhance environmental literacy of tenth grade high school

The increasing environmental issues demand environmental literacy among the younger generation. 21st-century learning with PjBL-based worksheet can make the learning process more interactive, contextual, and focused on solving real-world problems. This research aims to:(1) produce an E-worksheet with the PjBL model on environmental pollution that is feasible as a learning model for 10th grade high school; (2) produce an E-worksheet with the PjBL model on environmental pollution that is practically for biological teachers and 10th grade high school; (3) produce an E-worksheet with the PjBL model on environmental pollution that is effective in improving environmental literacy for 10th grade high school. This research uses the R&D mode, specifically the 4D model. The research instruments included interview sheets, practitioner assessment questionnaires, material and media validation sheets, and multiple-choice and descriptive test sheets. Based on the data obtained: (1) The E-worksheet with the PjBL model on the topic of environmental pollution is valid according to material and media experts, scoring in the "very good" category; (2) The E-worksheet is practical based on teacher assessment and student responses with scores included in the “very good” category ; (3) The research results indicate that the N-gain for cognitive domain environmental literacy is (<g> = 0.43) and for the affective domain is (<g> = 0.63), which are categorized as moderate. Based on this, it can be concluded that the Electronic Worksheets (E-worksheet) with the PjBL model is feasible and practical and can enhance the environmental literacy of class X SMA students.

Content Characteristics of the Trend of Infographics on Environment and Climate Change Adaptation in Vietnamese Online Newspapers

In the context of the significant shift from traditional mass media to digital journalism, infographics have become an increasingly utilized type of journalistic work for online newspapers worldwide, including in Vietnam, to convey messages across various fields. Infographics play a crucial role in communication strategies aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues and climate change adaptation. They effectively present complex data patterns and help the public quickly interpret messages through images, charts, and maps. This study examines the evolving use of infographics on environmental and climate change adaptation topics in online newspapers over the years, highlighting variations in content across these trends. The findings provide a solid foundation for further solutions to enhance the role of infographic journalism in environmental communication and climate change adaptation.

Sustainable Soil and Crop Management Practices to Boost the Crop Productivity and Soil Properties

Reducing poverty and attaining zero hunger and adequate nourishment are critical concerns confronting agronomic planners globally. Enhancing various agronomic methods, which significantly impact crop growth and output, is urgently required to achieve this objective. Soil deterioration has transpired globally due to soil pollution, eroding, salinity, and acidity. The intense farming practices devoid of sustainable practices have resulted in deteriorating soil quality, destruction of land, and significant environmental issues. Future initiatives to feed the expanding population should focus on enhancing agricultural output within sustainable ecosystems. Creative measures are essential in this context since conventional policies are insufficient to address these difficulties. The work proposed Sustainable Soil and Crop Management Practices (SS-CMP) to boost Crop Productivity (CP) and Soil Properties (SP). This includes Nutritional Management (NM), Location-Specific Nutrient Management (LSNM), Comprehensive Nutrition Management (CNM), Comprehensive Fertility Management (CFM) for soil, Comprehensive Soil-Crop Governance (CSCG), Sustainable Water Use (SWU), Agricultural Conservation (AC), Sustainable Soil Management (SSM), vertical cultivation, combined CMP, breeding methods, and additional methodologies amalgamated with scientific and behavioral modifications. Minimizing the use of substances, including herbicides and pesticides, and enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural supply use might reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) and safeguard biodiversity. SS-CMP offers potential benefits for humanity and the World, and its success relies on the collaboration of both rich and developing countries to pursue a shared vision of producing more food with less ecological impact.

Global Research Trends in Sustainability and Environmental Issues: A Sustainable Environment and Future Directions

Global rapid economic growth is a cause of significant environmental issues threatening the welfare of current and future generations in the 21st century. The issues show the need for sustainable environmental development, which correlates with the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) program. Therefore, this research aimed to identify and examine global trends in sustainability and environmental issues, as published in Scopus-indexed journals from 1982 to 2022. Data on sustainability and environmental issues over the past 40 years were collected from the Scopus database. These included 1,324 English-language documents examined through bibliometric analysis performed with VOSviewer. The analysis explored the evolution of publications over time, categorized by classification, citations, subject areas, document types, authors, countries, institutions, journals, documents, and keywords. The results provided insights and discussions on sustainability and environment investigations, guiding future publications. This research would serve as a resource for scholars interested in collaborative projects in environmental sustainability, facilitating the exchange of ideas and results with academics, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and other stakeholders. The objective was to provide practical directions for advancing sustainability to ensure long-term social resilience and planetary health.

Green philanthropy: Islamic activism on Indonesia’s environmental democracy

Through the mechanisms of zakat, alms, and waqf, Islam is constructed as a philanthropic religion. The practice of philanthropy has been institutionalised as a religious social institution through the institution of amil zakat, infaq, and sedekah (LAZIS). Over time, the distribution patterns of Islamic philanthropic institutions have evolved, shifting from a focus on economic empowerment and religious da’wah to an emphasis on sustainable development and environmental issues, a concept referred to as “Green Philanthropy”. This research employs empirical methods using qualitative approaches. The data is derived from the practices of various philanthropic organisations in Banyumas Indonesia, such as Dompet Dhuafa, LAZIS Muhammadiyah (LAZISMU), and LAZIS Nahdlatul Ulama (LAZISNU), serving as primary data, alongside various relevant literature as secondary data. This research aims to explore the practices and dynamics of philanthropic distribution that contribute to environmental conservation programs. Employing a phenomenological framework, this study explores the dynamics and practices of Islamic philanthropic institutions in implementing various environmental conservation programs and achieving benefits oriented towards sustainable development. This practice evolved into a significant activism movement advocating for environmental sustainability driven by various Islamic philanthropic organisations. Consequently, this movement reflects efforts to enhance environmental democracy in Indonesia through the engagement of diverser societal elements in environmental conservation and sustainable development programs. As an academic contribution, this research reveals the role and involvement of Islamic philanthropic institutions in efforts to preserve the environment and achieve sustainable development. The practice of philanthropy is a dynamic phenomenon within Islamic law and Muslim activism in response to global challenges.

The Preliminary Study of Electrigens Potential from Wastewater as The Manifestation Of "Khalifah Fil Tadbir" Conception

This study reveals that the super-intensive shrimp farming waste from Punaga can be used as a source of electricity through a bio-electrogenic process based on indigenous potential bacteria from the waste. The results show that four types of potential bacteria isolated from the super-intensive shrimp farming waste can each produce a significant average power density. Bacteria isolate D (Bacillus sp) showed the highest electrogenic potential with an average power density of 38.55±0.87 mW/m², followed by bacteria isolate B (Pseudomonas sp) with an average power density of 34.72±2.80 mW/m², bacteria isolate C (Bacillus sp) with an average power density of 29.90±5.26 mW/m², and bacteria isolate A (Bacillus sp) with an average power density of 25.90±1.69 mW/m². This study shows that the super-intensive shrimp farming waste from Punaga can be utilized as a source of electricity through a bio-electrogenic process using certain potential bacteria, such as Bacillus sp and Pseudomonas sp isolates. The development of waste treatment technology as a source of electricity through the bio-electrogenic process can provide a significant contribution to addressing global energy and environmental issues. This can be considered an implementation of the concept of "khalifah fil tadbir", in which humans act as stewards of the earth, responsible for using natural resources wisely and being accountable for the resulting environmental impacts.

Exploring Ecological Literacy and Environmental Attitudes in Preservice Teachers for Sustainable Education

Environmental challenges, such as pollution and global warming, present significant threats to all living organisms, with humans being both the primary cause and main victims. Education plays a crucial role in fostering ecological literacy, which is essential for addressing these challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of ecological literacy and environmental attitudes among preservice teachers across different academic disciplines. The study was conducted using two different scales. The results revealed that both gender and grade level had a statistically significant impact on ecological literacy and environmental attitudes. Specifically, female preservice teachers and those in higher grades showed higher levels of ecological literacy and more positive environmental attitudes compared to their male counterparts and those in lower grades. However, no significant differences were found regarding the participants' departments and ages. The findings highlight the importance of educational implementations in enhancing ecological literacy and environmental attitudes among preservice teachers. It is strongly recommended that all preservice teachers, regardless of their academic discipline, receive comprehensive education on environmental issues, enabling them to effectively incorporate these topics into their future teaching and contribute to a more sustainable future.

MASTERING ART FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: EVALUATING TEACHER PROFICIENCY IN VISUAL ARTS EDUCATION

Visual arts education plays a crucial role in the educational landscape, providing students with opportunities to engage with complex social and environmental issues. This study aims to evaluate teachers' proficiency in delivering the Visual Arts Education curriculum, specifically focusing on their knowledge, teaching methodologies, and ability to effectively engage students. The research also emphasizes the importance of aligning educational practices with societal goals, such as sustainability, through innovative and collaborative approaches. Using a quantitative approach, the study finds that while teachers generally have a good understanding of essential aspects of Visual Arts Education, there are areas needing improvement, particularly in media techniques, teaching guidance, and digital skills. Teachers recognize the importance of the Curriculum and Assessment Standard Document (DSKP) and the need to diversify learning activities, but there is a need for more thorough exploration of media and techniques before students create work. The study concludes that targeted professional development is necessary to enhance teachers' effectiveness, ensuring a more comprehensive and impactful visual arts education that supports sustainable futures and innovative teaching methodologies.

Community's Willingness to Participate in Wastewater Management in Aceh

Communal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been established in the Province of Aceh, mostly in Banda Aceh City as the capital and other parts of the province, to address significant environmental risks posed by wastewater originating from domestic activities. However, limited coverage, poor effluent quality, and insufficient community involvement persist. This research assesses public participation and willingness to engage in wastewater management practices. A quantitative survey was conducted with 148 Banda Aceh and Aceh Barat respondents, selected through multi-stage random sampling. The first stage in respondent selection is based on area. Banda Aceh City, the provincial capital, was chosen as the initial location for the respondents’ residence, followed by Meulaboh as the regency capital. The second stage involves respondents who have household businesses (which generate domestic waste, in this case, owners of laundry and vehicle washing businesses) and those who do not have businesses. The survey explored respondents' perceptions of environmental pollution, awareness of wastewater regulations, and their readiness to participate in management efforts. The findings reveal that 77.7% of respondents are willing to join in wastewater management initiatives, with 52.21% expressing a willingness to attend community meetings and 18.14% agreeing to pay fees for communal WWTP services. Key factors influencing participation include awareness of environmental issues, positive perceptions of communal WWTPs, and the belief that the government should provide wastewater treatment infrastructure. The study concludes that increasing public awareness and involving communities in policy formulation is crucial for improving wastewater management in Aceh. These insights can guide local governments in developing effective regulations and fostering sustainable community engagement in environmental protection efforts, potentially leading to a healthier and more sustainable environment for the people of Aceh.

Ship Arrest in China: The Link with Economic and Marine Policy

Ship arrest enables the detention of a ship that has caused damage or owes money without requiring a court judgment. Ship arrest protects the claimant from evasive actions by the shipowner, such as transferring the ship to another company and changing the flag and the ship’s name. The availability of ship arrest goes back several centuries. However, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has developed its domestic ship arrest system over the past 30 years. This article examines quantitatively, for the first time, how the PRC system operates in practice. Between 2014 and 2022, more than 5000 ships were arrested in the PRC. For 2000 of these, court reports are available. Ship arrest operates primarily as security for domestic claims. About 88% of the ships arrested were PRC-flagged ships. Half of these were commercial ships arrested for claims of mortgages and loans, goods and services provided to the ship, and crew wages. About 92% of the foreign ships arrested were commercial ships. These were arrested primarily for provisions and services, and charterparty and cargo claims. The number of berths at the ports supervised by each maritime court correlates well with the number of ship arrests, indicating that the system operates uniformly across the PRC. The number of ship arrests has been declining since 2016. The number of ship arrests with respect to collision claims does not indicate a trend. Ship arrests for pollution claims are uncommon. However, the large number of ships immobilised by arrest poses an environmental issue of wasteful pollution, which needs attention. The significant number of PRC ships arrested reflects an important domestic effect of ship arrest which needs attention.