Limits Of International Standards Research Articles

Quantitative analysis of toxicity risks in the operation of ammonia-fueled tugboats

As efforts to conserve energy and reduce emissions in the global shipping industry intensify, people are constantly looking for new types of energy to replace traditional fuels. Ammonia is considered a novel energy source due to its potential for carbon-neutral shipping when produced from renewable energy sources and is extremely promising for the shipping industry. In this study, the fuel toxicity risk of ammonia-fueled ships under operating conditions was quantified for the first time. The assessment process adopts the traditional quantitative risk assessment (QRA) framework with accident probability calculations based on Bayesian theory, and the process of partial quantification of consequences also guides the delineation of safety zones. The results of the study suggest that ammonia-powered tugboats are at a higher risk of toxic accidents during operation than accidents at sea, but both are within the acceptable limits of current international maritime safety and environmental standards. Finally, safety measures and risk mitigation strategies are proposed based on the study results. This provides important support in safety risk analysis for the design, production and operation of subsequent ammonia fueled vessels and is of great theoretical and practical importance.

The Influence of Drilling Process on the Neighboring Soils: A Cause Study in the East Baghdad Oil Field

The study aims to determine the concentrations of major oxides and trace elements in the soil of East Baghdad oil field. Twenty-five soil samples were collected, 24 samples from the East Baghdad oil field and one sample was taken from Diyala governorate, far away from pollution resources (BA). The samples were analysed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and the result showed that SiO2 and CaO are the most abundant, followed by other oxides (Na2O, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, K2O, TiO2) with a high percentage of LOI. Trace elements showed that the average values of (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn ) were above the international limits of the soil except for the Fe element within the international limits. High concentrations of trace elements were observed in all soil samples, exceeding the international standard limits in soil. The values of the trace elements suggest that oil industries, oil drilling and extraction operations, and human activities are the most important cause of increasing concentrations of trace elements in the soil of the study area.

Environmental pollution by mercury and trace metals in highly vulnerable afro-descendant territories in the Department of Cauca, Colombia

ABSTRACT Illegal gold mining causes mercury and trace metal contamination in many Colombian territories. The government has been requested by several ethnic communities to monitor and evaluate the state of mercury contamination in strategic ecosystems. The work aimed to evaluate mercury and trace metal contamination in a mining area located in Afro-descendant communities in the department of Cauca, Colombia. The study estimated the Hg content in different environmental compartments, such as soil, water, sediments, and trees. The level of trace metals in soil samples was assessed. It also estimated the human health risk associated with Hg from fish consumption. The concentration of T-Hg was measured using atomic absorption, and the trace element content was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Two out of three watersheds examined had a mean T-Hg concentration in water that exceeded the international standard limit of 2.0 µg/L set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The Rattlesnake River had the highest mean concentration of T-Hg in sediments at 1.05 µg/g. The community of La Toma exceeded the maximum permissible value for T-Hg in soil. While T-Hg concentrations in C. macropomum were low at 0.02 µg/g, they were surprisingly high in Prochilodus sp. at 0.53 µg/g. F. luschnathiana trees had the highest T-Hg levels at 18.3 ± 2.3 ng/g. The soil samples analyzed showed levels of As (21.4 µg/g), Cr (148.5 µg/g), V (205.0 µg/g), and Zn (146.5 µg/g) that exceeded the maximum levels established internationally. The presence of mercury and trace elements in the communities indicates a potential risk to human and environmental health.

The Significance of Processing Techniques on the Quality of Smoked African Cat Fish (Clarias gariepinus) Using Different Energy Sources

There is unavoidable need for fish smoking as a preservative technique to reduce rampant post harvest losses in the tropical Africa. However the imperative of healthier and quality smoked products through improved processing method were however investigated. Organoleptic and chemical assessment of African catfish collected from a reputable fish farm in Ogbomoso, Oyo state Nigeria was carried out. Eviscerated and non-eviserated fish samples were smoked using four different smoke sources: Gmelina (Gmnelina arborea), Parkia (Parkia biglobosa), Neem (Azadirachita indica) and charcoal. Overall acceptability was based on 5-point Hedonic scale (excellent (5) - poor (1). Chemical test was on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon contents (benzo(a)pyrene, Fluoranthene, Napthalene, Acenapthalene, Chrysene and Benzo(ghi) perylene). Data were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using general linear mode (GLM) of Factorial Experimental Design and means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range tests (P<0.05). Non- eviscerated smoked African catfish samples had lower scores for colour than eviscerated smoked samples for energy sources used. Eviscerated samples had mean scores of 4.64, 3.91, 3.36 and 2.82 for charcoal, Gmelina, Neem and Parkia smoked samples respectively, much better than scores of 4.36, 2.46, 2.36 and 2.27 obtained for non-eviscerated samples. Total concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were highest in samples produced using Gmelina as smoke source and Neem for eviscerated (15.25 µg/kg) and non-eviscerated (29.43 µg/kg) samples respectively. Evisceration of fish prior to smoking enhances its sensory characteristics however; concentrations of PAHs for both eviscerated and non-eviscerated fish samples were within the recommended international standard limit.

Recycling of urban glass waste in ceramic floor tiles toward sustainability

AbstractAround 21.7 million tons of urban solid waste are produced in North Africa and the Middle East. The amount of glass waste produced is 0.87 million tons. The amount of urban glass waste (UGW) produced in Egypt was 2280.8 tons per day. This paper aims to study the effect of partial replacement of UGW in the production of ceramic floor tiles to save the production cost and raw materials. The characteristics of the basic raw mixture of floor tiles and UGW were studied. The waste was collected, crushed and ground to be blended with the basic mixture in different percentages that ranged from 0 to 35%. The specimens were molded under uniaxial pressure followed by drying and firing at temperatures ranging from 1050 to 1120 °C. The characteristics of the fired specimens have been determined and compared with the International Standard Limits. The results showed that specimens containing waste ranging from 25% to 35%, fired at 1100 °C with a soaking time of 15 min have a modulus of rupture of 18.9 to 19.7 MPa, breaking strength of 600 to 613N and water absorption of 9.78% to 8.2% respectively that fulfilled the lowest requirements for the ISO 13006 for dry pressed tiles Group BIIb.

Electrocoagulation Technique for Treating Swine Slaughterhouse Wastewater from Batch to Semicontinuous Operation Mode

In this study, industrial swine slaughterhouse wastewater was treated by electrocoagulation process using batch and semicontinuous operation systems. Electrochemical technique was carried out in batch operation mode during 2.5 h applying different current densities in sulfate and chloride media. After finding the best operating parameters in batch mode (lab-scale), the process was transferred to a semicontinuous pre-pilot scale process using a filter-press FM01-LC type electrochemical reactor fitted with flat plate aluminum electrodes. In this stage, distinct current densities and mean linear flow rates were assessed.Total organic carbon, chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and potassium among other parameters were analyzed during both treatments. The industrial swine slaughterhouse wastewater contained TOC 333 mg L–1, COD 1765 mg L–1, TP 13.55 mg L–1, TN 327 mg L–1, K 45 mg L–1, turbidity 102 NTU, color –absorbance 0.90 A.U. at 415 nm–, conductivity 1.9 mS cm–1, and pH 6.9. The highest TOC removal efficiency (72.7%), in semicontinuous process, was found at j = 25 mA cm-2 and ur = 0.64 cm s-1 with an energy consumption of 19.80 kW h m-3. Residual COD and TP concentrations met the international standard limits. Moreover, complete discoloration and disinfection were achieved. EDXRF, SEM, EDAX, XRD, and FTIR analyzes indicate pollutants were removed by adsorption on aluminum/iron hydroxides/oxyhydroxides.

Production of Biodiesel from Nonedible Parkia biglobosa Oil under Acidic Condition.

In this study, biodiesel was produced from Parkia biglobosa oil via optimization of transesterification reaction conditions, (methanol to oil ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time) under sulphuric acid catalyst (H2SO4). The oil was first extracted from Parkia biglobosa seeds using the Soxhlet extraction method. The physicochemical properties of the biodiesel were analysed and then compared to international standards. Subsequently, the oil was then used to produce biodiesel at optimized transesterification reaction conditions. The free fatty acid (FFA) content of the oil was 1.61% w/w, while the saponification value (mgKOH/g) was 191.65. The maximum yield (percentage weight) of the biodiesel produced was 93.4% at the maximum transesterification conditions of methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 6 : 1, sulphuric acid catalyst amount of 3 wt%, reaction temperature of 65°C, and reaction time of 1.5 h. The biodiesel produced was within the limits of international standards as per the specification by ASTM D6751 (American standard), EN 14241 (European standard), and Ghana Standard Authority. It was therefore recommended that biodiesel from Parkia biglobosa seed oil under acidic catalytic condition is a potential new substitute for petroleum diesel for commercialization purposes.

Enhancing industrial swine slaughterhouse wastewater treatment: Optimization of electrocoagulation technique and operating mode

In this study, industrial swine slaughterhouse effluents were treated by an electrocoagulation process (EC) with aluminum and iron electrodes. Batch and semicontinuous operation were performed. EC tests were carried out in batch operating mode for 2.5 h using fixed current densities (j = 10, 20, and 30 mA cm−2) in sulfate and chloride media. At the laboratory scale, higher TOC removal efficiencies were observed using aluminum electrodes at 20 mA cm−2 without the addition of a supporting electrolyte (82.7%). However, the EC process with Fe electrodes consumed 43.6% less energy.After the best operating parameters were found at the laboratory scale, the process was tested as a semicontinuous prepilot process using a filter-press FM01-LC-type electrochemical reactor equipped with flat plate aluminum electrodes. In this stage, current densities and mean linear flow rates were assessed. The highest TOC removal efficiency of 72.7% (i.e., residual TOC concentration of 85.18 mg L−1) in the semicontinuous process was achieved by the application of j = 25 mA cm−2 and ur = 0.64 cm s−1 with an energy consumption of 19.80 kW h m−3. The residual COD and TP concentrations met the international standard limits. Moreover, complete decoloration and disinfection were accomplished. EDXRF, SEM, EDAX, XRD, and FTIR analyses indicated that pollutants were removed by adsorption on aluminum/iron hydroxides/oxyhydroxides.

Analysis of Some Physicochemical Properties and Dietary Risks Assessment of Pesticide Residues of Local Honey in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Pesticide residues bioaccumulation in the plants and during foraging in search of nectar by bees can caused health-related risks in human. This study investigated honey's physicochemical properties and dietary risk assessments of pesticide residues. This study's pesticide residues were determined using HPLC (LC 1200 series Agilent Tech). The mean values obtained for physicochemical parameters were: pH 3.52±0.02 -5.12±0.05; free acidity 6.50±0.07 -15.08±0.15 meq/kg; electrical conductivity 0.14±0.05 -0.55±0.03 mS/cm; moisture content 15.10±0.05-18.60±0.10% and ash content 0.03±0.01-0.36±0.02%. All the physicochemical parameters analyzed fall within the limits of international standards. The pesticide residues with the highest mean concentration in the honey samples were metachlor in sample HS3 (0.269±0.05 mg/kg) and atrazine (0.266±0.05 mg/kg) in HG3. Both aldrin, heptachlor and Permethrin were found below the EU MRL. EDIs for pesticide residues for adults and children were evaluated and compared with their acceptable daily intake (ADIs) value for each pesticide residue. Metachlor (4.48E-06 mg/kg/bw) and atrazine (4.43E-06 mg/kg/bw) were observed to have the highest EDIs for adults in samples HS3 and HG3 respectively. Similarly, atrazine (1.77E-05 mg/kg/bw) and metachlor (1.79E-05 mg/kg/bw) were observed to have highest EDI for children. All the EDIs evaluated for pesticide residues fall below acceptable daily intake (ADI). The target hazard quotient (THQ) and health index (HI) for pesticide residues in all the samples were < 1, this suggests no risks associated with the level of pesticide residues risks, thus having less danger to human health through its consumption.

From Grain to Genome: Investigating Arsenic Levels in Triticum turgidum ssp durum Desf. Using GWAS

Producing safe and high-quality food is increasingly important, and developing durum wheat varieties with low toxicity is crucial to meeting this demand. Durum wheat breeders can achieve this goal by developing new varieties that are either more resistant to arsenic uptake or better adapted to grow in areas with high arsenic levels. High levels of arsenic can pose serious health hazards, which makes it critical to evaluate the arsenic levels. Therefore, this study evaluated the arsenic levels in diverse durum wheat genotypes, including Turkish-released cultivars and local landraces. The results showed that all genotypes had significantly low and non-toxic levels of arsenic, with an average concentration of 5.24 μg/kg. These concentrations were much lower than the minimum reported in numerous published research studies and well below the risky international standard limits for durum wheat grain (0.1 mg/kg). The study also identified two significant marker-trait associations linked to arsenic contents located on chromosomes 4A and 7B, which explained 11-17% of the phenotypic variation. These findings provide valuable insights into the arsenic levels in durum wheat genotypes and highlight the need for ongoing monitoring to ensure safe and healthy food for consumers. By conducting collaborative genome-wide association studies and employing marker-assisted selection, durum wheat breeders can accelerate the creation of new varieties that have reduced arsenic levels by identifying alleles linked to arsenic content. This study emphasizes the importance of developing low-toxicity durum wheat varieties to ensure the safety and quality of our food supply. The findings can inform breeding programs to develop such varieties and contribute to sustainable agriculture. While the study’s methodology was robust, further research is necessary to confirm and validate the genetic factors contributing to variation in arsenic content among different durum wheat genotypes.

Influence of Traditional Food Processing Systems on Food Safety, Chemical Compositions, and Functional Properties of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) Seed Flour

Background: Plant foods contain almost all of the essential mineral and organic nutrients for human, as well as several unique organic phytochemicals that have been linked to the promotion of good health. This study investigated the influence of traditional food processing systems on the food safety, chemical compositions, and functional properties of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) seed flour.
 Methods: Fresh mature pumpkin fruits were procured from the laboratory. The pumpkin seed was divided into three different portions and subjected to traditional sand toasting, germination, and processing into flour. The samples were analyzed for proximate composition, minerals, heavy metals, vitamins, functional properties, and microbial safety.
 Results: The result of proximate composition analyses revealed that raw and traditionally processed pumpkin seed flour had 33.75-39.63% protein, 43.65-36.36% fat, 7.38-5.89% moisture, 4.85-6.04% ash, 1.89-2.25% fiber, and 5.94-14.49% carbohydrate. The mineral and heavy metal content were in the range of 7.17-4.13 mg/100 Iron, 117.88-221.55 mg/100 g Potassium, 7.41-9.01 mg/100 g Calcium, 45.67-55.65 mg/100 g Phosphorus, 0.89-4.67 mg/100 g Iodine, and 7.39-6.33 mg/100 g Zinc. The toxic/deleterious elements values for Hg, Pb, As, and Cd were 0.018-0.004 mg/100 g; 0.021–0.062 mg/100 g, 0.013–0.092 mg/100 g, and 0.0011-0.0051 mg/100 g, respectively. Cyanide, Nitrate, Phytate, and Oxalate contents of the pumpkin seed flour were 0.72-0.32 mg/100 g, 2.77–1.00 mg/100 g, 35.56–14.56 mg/100 g, and 0.073–0.030 mg/100 g, respectively. An appreciable amount of vitamins (Beta-carotene, vitamin C, and thiamine) were recorded with excellent functional properties. The microbial count was within the limit of national and international standards showing the processed pumpkin seed flour to be safe. 
 Conclusion: It can be concluded that subjecting pumpkin seeds to traditional processing methods enhanced their nutritional properties and food safety quality. Therefore, adopting this traditional processing approach can be used in rural community nutrition and nutrition in emergency feeding programs in developing countries.

Methanolysis of avocado peel oil using heterogeneous catalyst enhanced by microwave heating and parametric optimization

ABSTRACT The focus of the present research was on producing fatty acid-methyl ester from Avocado Peel Oil (APO) using cement clinker as a catalyst at different reaction conditions. The APO used in this study of characterized by their physicochemical properties. Hence, the avocado peel was used in this study for the manufacture of fatty acid-based methyl ester as a substitute for diesel oil. To make methyl esters from fatty acids, APO was heated in a microwave and then transesterified with a cement clinker catalyst. Using the response surface method (RSM), the best yield of fatty acid-methyl ester was calculated. The model equation predicted an ideal yield value of 84.5% at 72.6 min, a concentration of catalyst 4.4% w/w, and methanol to oil mole ratio of 12.7:1. The experimentally obtained methyl ester yield of 82.45% at optimum process variables coincided with the model equations predicted. The optimum conversion of methyl ester determined by the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum was 98.36%. As a result, the physicochemical properties evaluated at optimum value were within the international standard limits.

METAL CONTENTS IN CYPERUS ARTICULATUS AND SEDIMENTS OF ZOBE RESERVOIR, NIGERIA

This study evaluated the iron, copper, zinc and lead contents, and the relationship among these metals in Cyperus articulatus and sediments of Zobe reservoir, Dutsinma, Nigeria. Samples of Cyperus articulatus and sediments were obtained, fortnightly for three months, from three sampling locations sited in up-, mid-, and downstream sections of the water body. Standard methods were used in sample collection and preparation while the metal contents were determined spectrophotometrically. In both sample types, copper and zinc were detected at concentrations below 0.5 mg/kg; the sediment samples contained higher iron contents (5.368±1.174 mg/kg) than the plant samples (2.897±2.031 mg/kg) while lead was not detected. The higher metal contents observed in the sediment samples corroborated the importance of aquatic sediment as a sink for metals in aquatic ecosystems. Cyperus articulatus from Zobe reservoir can be deemed safe for use due to its relatively low metal contents (iron 2.897±2.031 mg/kg; copper 0.291±0.119 mg/kg; zinc 0.067±0.111 mg/kg) which were within the allowable limits of local and international standards. The correlative relationship between iron contents in both sample types (R = 0.509) was significant at a 5% confidence level while a significantly stronger association (R = 0.659; 0.681) was observed between iron content in Cyperus articulatus and the copper and zinc concentrations in the sediment samples, respectively. Hence, Zobe reservoir can be referred to as safe from iron, copper, zinc and lead pollution. Periodic assessment of metals in Zobe reservoir is recommended for adequate monitoring of metal levels in the reservoir.

Radioactivity and Hazard Risk Analysis of Soil Samples Taken from Former Mining Area in Klang Valley

Radioecology is considered as a significant field in environmental radioactivity that observe the impact of natural or man-made radiation to human population. The awareness towards risk from the radioactivity of the former mining area on human health is always lacking and often underestimated. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the radioactivity from the residential area in Klang Valley which was a former mining area and to determine its associated risk. 20 soil samples have been collected systematically and analyzed by using the High Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometer (Canberra, Australia). The 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were predetermined from the soil samples and were ranged from 11.91-54.09 Bq/kg, 8.95-49.50 Bq/kg and 974.64 Bq/kg, respectively. The risk of radiation hazard to human being were analyzed and categorized based on studied area. As per analyzed the radium equivalent activity, radiation hazard index, external hazard index and total air absorbed dose rate, the value were 305.90 ± 111.84 Bq/kg, 2.25 ± 0.85, 0.30 ± 0.84 and 139.5 ± 49.42 nGy/h, respectively. These values were compared with the recommendation by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) international standard safe limit. Locations at point P2, P6, P16 and P17 were observed to have highest potential risk and has a radioactive element that can endanger the health of the surrounding population on external exposure via external exposure and ingestion from the food chain. Overall, the mean annual effective dose from the external exposure received by an individual was estimated to be 0.17±0.01 mSv/y, which is far below than the annual dose limit of 1 mSv/y of the public.

Quantitative determination of trace elements in frozen and chilled chicken using ICP OES and related health risk assessment

A graphitic digestion method linked with inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES) instrument was used to determine the levels of trace elements in frozen and chilled chicken samples collected from markets in Jouf city, Saudi Arabia. The current method is innovative because samples are digested using a graphitic digestion system, which is safer, facile sample handling, short time for assessment, and more environmentally friendly than existing procedures. The results revealed that the chilled chicken samples contained higher concentrations of Na, Fe, Cr, and Mn than the frozen samples, which were below detection limit. Furthermore, the Cu, Al, Zn, and Cr contents in some of the analyzed chicken samples were over the maximum permissible limit of international standards, indicating a serious risk to consumers. The estimation of health-risk indicated that trace metal contamination causes health risks to the consumers, but the effect decreases with decreasing the target hazard quotient value in the rank of Cr > Al > Zn > Cu > Mn > Fe, with all values less than 1 except for Cr in chilled chicken. Moreover, the tolerable limit (1 × 10−6) for the carcinogenic risk for Cr in chilled chicken was observed to be exceeded.

Risks assessment of toxic metals in canned meat and chicken

Canned meat and chicken are common and popular protein sources around the world because they constitute low-cost and affordable products. However, canned meat and chicken might become sources of human exposure to chemical residues such as heavy metals. This study aimed to estimate the residual contents of six heavy metals, namely leads (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), aluminium (Al), and tin (Sn) in the samples of canned beef, corned beef, and chicken luncheon. Likewise, estimated daily intakes (EDI), potential health risks, hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI), of the heavy metals associated with the consumption of such products among the Egyptian population, were calculated. Comparing the obtained results with available maximum permissible limits (MPL) of Egyptian and international standards revealed that acceptability rate at 20%, 15%, and 35% in Pb; 40%, 25%, and 45% in Cd; 30%, 25%, and 35% in As; 25%, 20%, and 35% in Hg; 15%, 10%, and 15% in Al of the canned beef, corned beef, and chicken luncheon, respectively. Whereas all samples were accepted according to the MPL of Sn. The calculated HQ and HI for the examined heavy metals based on the daily intakes revealed values of canned beef and chicken luncheon <1.0 indicating the safety of consumer meanwhile, the value was 1.021 for canned corned beef indicating potential human health risks. Therefore, it is advisable to reduce the daily intake of canned corned beef.

Фінансовий моніторинг сектору бухгалтерських послуг за міжнародними стандартами: новий виклик для професії бухгалтера

The growing risks of financing terrorism in the conditions of martial law necessitates the strengthening of financial monitoring. Accountants, business entities providing accounting services, and their related entities of audit activities are among the specially defined subjects of primary financial monitoring. Determining the level of riskiness of financial transactions is an essential function of an accountant. It, therefore, requires measures to increase the general and special competence of accounting specialists in financial monitoring. The article aims to determine the approaches and directions of regulatory and methodical support of financial monitoring of accountants as specially defined subjects following international standards. The requirements of FATF international standards and the national regulation system of specially defined professions regarding the fulfillment of financial monitoring requirements were analyzed. Special attention is paid to studying the risk-oriented approach in the financial monitoring system. A comparison was made of the results of sectoral risk assessments regarding the use by subjects of primary financial monitoring for money laundering according to the National risk assessments. The dynamics of the number of individual entrepreneurs who provide accounting services and are registered with the State Financial Monitoring Service of Ukraine were evaluated. With the help of the Google Trends search tool, the results of national risk assessments and the level of interest in financial monitoring carried out by accountants in different countries were evaluated. An example of a risk matrix of client-accounting service combinations was presented, which can be developed based on a risk analysis of the experience and activities of an individual accountant. It was noted that the dilemma of the choice of accountants between the interests of the client and the requirements of financial monitoring is related to the professional judgment of accounting specialists and their increased functional responsibility within the limits of current legislation and international standards.

Simulation of the Emission and Dispersion of Gaseous Pollutants Emitted from Power Plant and the Potential Environmental Impacts: A Case Study

The polluting gas flow and emission levels emitted from the Zawia combined Power Plant (ZCPP) in-northwestern Libya were estimated using an Aspen-Hysys v.8.0 simulator which was performed for the plant based on the actual operating conditions of the power plant in steady state operation. Then, the air dispersion modeling tool (Disper V4.0 software) was used to estimate the concentration of these pollutants emitted throughout the surrounding areas, and the WAR algorithm v.1.0.17 was used to check the potential environmental impacts of the gas emissions from ZCPP. Simulation results for the studied power unit showed that the thermal efficiency and net energy output are equivalent to the realistic values of the unit, which indicates that the estimated emission concentration is identical to the real emissions from this unit and that the primary emitted pollutant is nitrogen oxides, whose values exceeded the selected international standard limits. Based on the seasonal climatic conditions of the region, the results of simulating the dispersion of nitrogen oxides showed that the emissions reach areas far from the emission source with high-level concentrations, which may have negative effects on the environment and public health according to WHO standards and previous studies related to air quality. According to the current scientific literature, the results of the eight indicator values derived from the WAR algorithm of the total production rate confirm the potential environmental impacts of the power plant per hour as environmentally harmful. Moreover, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from the combustion process increases the greenhouse effect. The main conclusion reveals that the atmospheric air of the surrounding regions of Zawia city is polluted with nitrogen oxides resulting from the studied power plant as one of the primary sources of nitrogen oxides in the study area, which may have a negative impact on the environment and the health of the inhabitants.

Physicochemical characteristics of honey produced in Arba Minch Zuria district of Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia

Honey is a food rich in nutrients essential for human life and its composition as well as quality varies greatly. The study was conducted in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia to determine the physicochemical properties of honey. A total of 20 honey samples were collected from farm gates and local markets. Honey quality parameters like moisture content, sugars (fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose), pH, free acidity, HMF and ash (mineral) contents were tested according to the procedures described by International Honey Commission (IHC) (2009). The overall mean values of moisture, pH, free acidity, hydroxymethylfurfuraldehyde (HMF), total ash, electrical conductivity, fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose of the analyzed honey samples were 19.27±1.99%, 3.80±0.24, 34.04±14.21meq/kg, 13.09±4.47mg/kg, 0.23±0.09%, 0.55±0.16mS/cm, 39.95±4.09%, 33.75±5.71%, 0.99±0.38% and 2.08±1.73%, respectively. Moisture content was significantly (p<0.05) affected by both agroecology and hive type for honey samples from farm gates. Honey samples from local markets had significantly (p<0.001) higher moisture, free acidity and sucrose content than honey samples obtained from households in three agroecologies. The study indicated that all honey samples obtained from farm gates and a majority of samples collected from local markets in the study area are of good quality and meet the national and international standard limits. However, some honey samples collected from local markets had a higher level of sucrose than recommended limit suggesting adulteration of honey.

Soil heavy metal contamination in the vicinity of the abandoned Zeïda mine in the Upper Moulouya Basin, Morocco. Implications for airborne dust pollution under semi-arid climatic conditions

For thirteen years, the Zeïda mine was one of Morocco's biggest lead reserves. The mining activities produced a huge volume of waste stored as tailings and subjected to meteoric agents. To better understand the impact of the past mining activity on the soil ecosystem in the vicinity of the abandoned mine, several physical and chemical analysis were done to identify the level of soil contamination. A total of 27 surface soil samples were collected from a depth of about 0–20 cm from crop areas and analysed for Pb, Zn, Cu, Co, Cd, and As total concentrations (aqua regia extraction) using the ICP-MS method. Results showed that soils have high to medium levels of metal concentrations, especially close to the tailings, compared to the non-contaminated soil sample taken as a geochemical background reference. Analysis of physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, total calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter) has shown high alkalinity levels related to carbonates, varying organic matter content, and electrical conductivity values ranging from 4.12 to 1466 μS/cm. Most of the studied soils share the same mineralogical composition that includes: carbonates (Calcite and Dolomite), Quartz, Orthoclase, and Muscovite. Lead mineral phases (cerussite and wulfenite) have been found in 3 samples (ZAM17, ZAM18, and ZAM21). The Illite and the Kaolinite are the main clay minerals. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were carried out to investigate the distribution of the studied metals. Comparing the obtained results with International Standard Limits (ISL), soils especially those close to the mine tailings show high heavy metals content. Pb, Zn, Cu, As, and Cd contents in Zeïda soils are usually linked to anthropogenic origins. Results have shown correlation values between As, Cu, and Cd and Pb and Zn indicating that they come from the same origin and react similarly throughout transport.