Ministry Of Environment Research Articles

Determining Water Quality Status and Assimilation Capacity of Pollutant Loads in West Lombok Regency

Babak watershed is one of the essential watersheds in Lombok Island providing water supply for irrigation, fish pool, drinking water supply, and micro-hydro power plant. Excessive human activities degrade the water quality of Babak watershed, and more pollutants are present in the water column. Thus, this study aims to determine Babak watershed's water quality status and assimilating capacity to plan effective and holistic mitigation measures properly. The study calculates the pollution index (PI) using a formula based on the Minister of Environment No.115/2003 Decree and assimilating capacity (AC) based on the Minister of Environment No.110/2003 Decree. The results found that Babak watershed is lightly polluted, defined by exceeding chemical parameters such as DO, total phosphate, nitrite, and dissolved iron (Fe). Similarly, these parameters (total phosphate, nitrite, and Dissolved iron (Fe) also reached the maximum assimilation capacity of Babak watershed to contain and self-purify these pollutants from the water column. Thus, planning mitigation and adaptation measures are required to prevent further contaminations in this watershed.

The impact of urbanization on environmental degradation in Jakarta

Background: The urbanization discussed in this paper refers to the process of expansion in the proportion of the population living in urban areas. Urbanization is seen as one of the processes of increasing population that drives the functional change of an area, from rural to urban activities. The case discussed in this paper is urbanization occurring in Jakarta city. This paper aims to examine the relationship between urbanization and the decline in environmental quality, especially in Jakarta city. Method: In assessing environmental quality, the reference used follows that set by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, namely the Environmental Quality Index (EQI) which consists of three elements, namely the Water Quality Index (WQI), Air Quality Index (AQI) and Land Cover Quality Index (LCQI), so the variables used are WQI, AQI and LCQI. The data collection method used in this paper is secondary data collection through literature review and official data sources from related stakeholders. The collected data is then analyzed descriptively to determine the relationship between urbanization and each of these variables. Results: Based on the literature review and the results of the LCQI data used, it appears that there is a negative correlation between population growth and land cover in Jakarta Province. This condition is marked by an increase in floods and also an increase in surface temperature. In terms of air quality, this paper found a negative correlation between urbanization and AQI. However, for the condition in 2013 - 2018, a positive correlation was found between the population and AQI. Conclusion: This indicates that an increase in population is not always followed by a decrease in environmental quality. Meanwhile, in relation to water quality, population growth from the urbanization process has a significant impact on water quality in Jakarta. Novelty/Originality of this study: The development of a sophisticated and comprehensive correlation analysis method between population growth and environmental quality indicators (IKLH, IKA, IKU), which integrates spatial and temporal data, provides a predictive tool that city governments can use to monitor, manage, and plan mitigation strategies for the impacts of urbanization on the environment more effectively and proactively, and supports data-based decision-making in sustainable urban planning.

Evaluating The Effectiveness of Wastewater Treatment In the Reusable Packaging Industry: A Case Study of ALNER’S WWTP In Indonesia

The widespread use of single-use plastic packaging has become a significant environmental issue, particularly in the Global South. This study examines the innovative approach of the startup Alner, which employs a combination of electrochemical treatment and Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology in its wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to manage wastewater generated from the cleaning of reusable packaging. Wastewater samples were collected before and after treatment, and analyzed for key parameters such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), oil and grease, ammonia, surfactants, and phosphates. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in all measured pollutants, with COD reduced by 99.58% and BOD5 by 99.56%. Post-treatment values for all parameters were well within the regulatory limits set by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. P68/MenLHK/Setjen/Kum.1/8/2016. This study underscores the potential of reuse models in reducing single-use plastic waste and highlights the importance of effective wastewater treatment in maintaining environmental sustainability. Alner's approach provides a scalable and environmentally friendly solution, setting a benchmark for similar initiatives in the industry, and supports the feasibility and sustainability of integrating advanced wastewater treatment technologies in the reusable packaging sector, offering a comprehensive solution to plastic pollution.

PERHITUNGAN EMISI GAS RUMAH KACA DALAM KAWASAN PERTAMBANGAN

Carbon emissions are one of the components of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) which mainly comes from the use of fossil fuels and various human activities. Based on fossil fuel and industrial emissions data, in 2022 Indonesia ranked as the 6th largest carbon emitting country in the world after China, the United States, India, Russia and Japan, with 728.88 million tons of CO2e total emissions. The Ministry of Industry reported that total GHG emissions from Indonesia's industrial sector reached 238.1 million tons of CO2e in 2022. In the mining industry, GHG emissions originate from deforestation, energy use, processing, and refining, with non-renewable energy use being the largest emitter. GHG emissions from primary mineral and metal production contribute approximately 10% of global GHG emissions related to energy. Each mining industry may have varying primary sources of GHG emissions depending on the type of mine and the final product. Mining industries, as one of the major emitters, must conduct GHG inventories to understand emission sources and develop effective reduction strategies. GHG inventory activities are conducted based on guidelines provided by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Management Handbook (2012), Book II Volumes 1-4. Efforts to reduce GHG emissions can be undertaken through planting plants that have high carbon absorption and storage capabilities in mine reclamation activities, as well as using New and Renewable Energy (NRE) as an alternative to replace fossil energy.

Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Industry: Current Status and Prospects

Pyrolysis is a technology that can produce pyrolysis oil by decomposing waste plastic, and has the advantage of being able to process contaminated waste plastic that is impossible to process with other technologies. In Korea, where the amount of waste plastic is increasing and natural resources such as fossil fuels are lacking, pyrolysis technology is attracting attention under the keyword ‘urban oil field’. The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea announced a ‘plan to revitalize waste plastic pyrolysis’ to increase the proportion of waste plastic pyrolysis treatment from 0.1% in 2021 to 10% in 2030. The products of pyrolysis are both fuel and plastic raw materials, but the processing consumes significant energy. Therefore, as criticism continues that the marketability and economic feasibility of pyrolysis technology is poor, questions are being raised about its environmental friendliness. Against this background, this study investigated international trends in pyrolysis technology and performed a detailed comparative analysis with other technologies from an environmental perspective. According to the results of this study, currently environmentally advanced countries are very negative about using pyrolysis oil as fuel, and the following policy directions are suggested. 1) In order to comply with the mandatory use ratio of plastic recycled raw materials and at the same time achieve eco-friendliness, it is recommended to use pyrolysis technology as a plastic recycled raw material production technology rather than fuel conversion. 2) Since pyrolysis emits more greenhouse gases than physical recycling, pyrolysis technology is used as a complementary method to physical recycling to process waste plastics that are difficult to physically recycle. 3) Since physical recycling is very important in the resource circulation of waste plastic, the development of separation and sorting technology is promoted nationally.

Circular Economy Principles in the Regulatory Oversight of the Management of By- Products – Case Study: Tin Slag 2

The tin processing industry generates abundant slag, as a by-product, that contains radioactive substances from uranium and thorium decay series radionuclides. The increase in tin production will be proportional to the rise in tin slag. The Circular economy is a concept that aims to minimize the extraction of primary resources, keep resources as long as possible, increase added value, or limit the final disposal of waste. The concept of reuse, recycling, or reprocessing is part of the concept. This paper aims to identify aspects of the existing regulations in Indonesia that support circular economy principles in the management of by-products, such as tin slag 2. The methodology used in this paper is a literature study of regulations, international recommendations, and related research. Based on the measurements of tin slag 2 samples originating from Bangka Belitung Province, the main chemical constituents based on XRF analysis are SiO2, CaO, MgO, Fe2O3, and TiO2. The activity concentration of a tin slag 2 sample showed a value that exceeded the criterion of 1 Bq/gram for the radionuclides in the uranium and thorium decay series. From a material perspective, tin slag 2 can be reused or recycled for specific purposes. Various studies have proven the performance of tin slag 2 as a partial substitution of fine aggregate or cement in manufacturing mortar or concrete. The identification shows that several existing regulations in Indonesia explicitly and implicitly regulate the provisions of the circular economy concept. According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry regulations, by-products with activity concentrations of less than 1 Bq/gram can be used as raw material, raw material substitution, energy source substitution, and other uses. Meanwhile, the by-products with activity concentrations of more than 1 Bq/gram are challenging as the provisions of by-products with a value of more than 1 Bq/gram are regulated in BAPETEN Regulation No. 16 of 2013 (currently in the revision stage). BAPETEN Regulation No. 16 of 2013 explains that by-products can be utilized for certain activities. However, the regulation must explain the terms and criteria for reusing by-products. Provisions of by-product processing, as stipulated in GR No. 52 of 2022, are limited to extracting nuclear minerals such as uranium and thorium. So, the meaning of processing in GR No. 52 of 2022 and provisions for reuse previously contained in BAPETEN Regulation No. 16 of 2013 have different meanings. Keywords: circular economy, by-product, tin, slag 2, radioactive substances, nuclear minerals

Assessment of spatio-temporal dynamics of mangrove forest in Teluk Pangpang, Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Hidayah Z, Rachman HA, Wiyanto DB. 2024. Assessment of spatio-temporal dynamics of mangrove forest in Teluk Pangpang, Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 3138-3150. Mangrove forest in Teluk Pangpang, Banyuwangi District, East Java, Indonesia is located in a semi-enclosed bay area on the east coast of Java Island and bordering with Bali Strait. Since 2020, this location has been designated as an Essential Ecosystem Area (EEA) by the Indonesia Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Regardless of its designation as an EEA, information on vegetation stucture and spatio-temporal changes of Teluk Pangpang’s mangrove forest is limited. The availability of multi-temporal medium to high-resolution satellite imagery data enables researchers to monitor the condition of mangrove ecosystem using long-term data and reliable spatial continuity. The objective of this study is to investigate vegetation community structure of mangrove forest in Teluk Pangpang, as well as to determine the changes in extent and condition of mangrove forest measured as Mangrove Health Index (MHI) between 2015 and 2023 using remote sensing and GIS analysis. Spatio-temporal dynamics of MHI was determined using Sentinel-2 imagery data from 2015, 2018 and 2023. Meanwhile, a series of extensive survey in 15 transects with a total of 75 plots were conducted to obtain field data. The results showed that Rhizophora apiculata Blume and R. mucronata Lam. were the most important species with Important Value Index (IVI) of 140.91 and 148.24, respectively. Meanwhile, Sentinel-2 image processing results revealed a major increase in mangrove’s area, from 643.35 ha in 2015 to 737.51 ha in 2023. Furthermore, MHI analysis indicated improving conditions of mangrove ecosystem, as evidenced by the significant increased of mangroves area at the excellent MHI category (MHI>66.8) from 11.00 ha in 2015 to 175.86 ha in 2023. Based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) several environmental parameters were strongly correlated to MHI including salinity, DO, TSS and mangrove’s diversity index. The findings of this study, primarily the application of MHI approach, may provide an alternative strategy for monitoring the dynamics of vegetation cover of mangrove forest in Teluk Pangpang and other mangrove areas in Indonesia.

Analisis Daya Dukung Lahan untuk Permukiman di Kota Bukittinggi

Bukittinggi City, with the land conversion to built-up land continues to increase and the availability of land that does not increase, faces difficulties in utilizing land for settlements along with increasing population growth. The purpose of this study is to analyze the suitability of land for settlements and the carrying capacity of Bukittinggi City's residential land for the next 30 years. The quantitative descriptive research method with data presented through tables and maps, calculations refer to the Ministry of Environment's 2014 carrying capacity guidelines and RP3KP. The results of the study indicate that the area of land suitable for settlements is Suitable (S2) covering 710 ha, less suitable (S3) covering 1,147 ha, and not suitable covering 430 ha. For the carrying capacity of Bukittinggi City settlements, in Guguk Panjang District it is in the deficit class, with a DDPm value of 0.24, while 2 other districts are in the surplus class, with Mandiangin Koto Selayan District valued at 2.42, and Aur Birugo Tigobaleh District of 4.09. And for a period of 30 years, 2032, 2042, and 2052, Mandiangin Koto Selayan sub-district and Aur Birugo Tigobaleh sub district still have a surplus while Guguk Panjang sub-district is still in deficit.

Quantification of Ecosystem Services of the Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, India

The present study was an attempt to quantify the direct as well as indirect ecosystem services from forest ecosystems in the Melghat area, which were undervalued in economic terms as compared to other developmental projects. The valuation of growing stock in the Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) was estimated to be IRs 80221 crores (equal to 9600 million US $). While the carbon sequestration potential of the system was estimated to be IRs 9291 crores, the value of non-timber forest products (NTFP), a part of the provisioning service, was IRs 3.92 crore. The Forest land itself is valued at IRs 66874 crores using the current land costs in the region for non-forest uses. Recreation benefits are estimated to be IRs 30.94 crores which is more than the user fee collections at entry points. The contribution value of biodiversity and other ecosystem services for the entire Melghat landscape was IRs 2156 crore. Timber and carbon sequestration loss due to land distributed under forest rights was IRs 447.23 crore, while gains from agricultural use of that land by farmers was merely IRs 7.07 crore. Thus, the land conversion resulted in 63 times higher loss in the total ecosystem services than the gains from the subsistence-level farming practice for provisioning service alone. The total economic value of the Melghat landscape was estimated at IRs 1,69,853 crore, equalling to IRs 57.20 lakh per ha. The Net Present Value (NPV) of IRs 7.5 lakh per ha for protected areas such as the MTR prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India is much lower than the estimated value, emphasizing the need to revise NPV using appropriate valuation methodology.

PERANAN KELEMBAGAAN KELOMPOK USAHA PERHUTANAN SOSIAL HUTAN ADAT DI NEGERI HUTUMURI KECAMATAN LEITIMUR SELATAN KOTA AMBON

Customary Forest is one of the social forestry schemes in the framework of sustainable forest management by utilizing indigenous communities as the main actors in order to improve welfare, environmental balance and socio-cultural dynamics. Customary Forest is a forest located within the territory of the customary law community. This study aims to examine the role of the Social Forestry Business Group (SFBG) and customary institutions in the management of Customary Forests in Hutumuri village.. The research method used was descriptive qualitative, with data collected through interviews and field observations. Sampling is done by purposive sampling where sampling is based on previously known characteristics or properties of the population (Sugiyono, 2016). The results showed that SFBG has an important role in managing forest resources sustainably and improving the welfare of local communities. SFBG functions in social forestry business development, compliance with regulations, supervision, evaluation, and reporting. The SFBG organizational structure includes a chairperson, secretary, treasurer, planning, implementation, and supervision, each with specific roles. Customary institutions also play an important role in the planning and implementation of institutional improvement programs, such as the inauguration of soa heads and saniri negeri, the establishment of SFBG, and training on forest product processing. In addition, there is a role in the application for the determination of customary forests to the Minister of Environment and Forestry, the location of customary forests belongs to the state or Soa, and the marking of boundaries involves each Soa. In conclusion, the synergy between SFBG and customary institutions is crucial for the successful management of Hutan Adat in Negeri Hutumuri.

Identification of the Heavy Metal Lead in the Industrial Area River in Buduran, Sidoarjo Regency using the Pollution Index Method

A river is an open channel that has the function of holding and flowing water from upstream to downstream and to the estuary. The Banjarkemantren River in Buduran District is located close to industrial areas. Pollution index and water quality status refers to the Decree of the Minister of Environment No. 115 of 2003. The highest pH at sampling points AI 3 and AI 4 was 7.9. The Pb content has the same results, namely 0.038 mg/L. This value does not exceed the quality standard limit based on Government Regulation No. 82 of 2001 concerning Water Quality Standards. Determined water quality status. using the Pollution Index method. The quality status of each sample is in "Good" condition (1.0 <Plj ≤ 5.0). The water quality status of the Banjarkemantren river is in the good category.

Pengaruh Intellectual capital, Environmental performance, Green innovation, dan Financial flexibility terhadap Sustainable growth

This study aims to test and analyze the effect of intellectual capital, environmental performance, green innovation, and financial flexibility on sustainable growth. The data used in this study are secondary data obtained from financial reports, annual reports, and sustainability reports of companies in the non-cyclical consumer sector listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2020–2022, which obtained an environmental performance assessment from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia. The sample of this study consisted of 97 companies. This research was processed using the regression analysis method using EVIEWS 12. The results of the analysis show that intellectual capital has a positive effect on sustainable growth. However, environmental performance, green innovation, and financial flexibility have a negative effect on sustainable growth.

Factors Affecting Firm Value With Financial Performance as Intervening Variables

This study aims to find evidence of the influence of corporate social responsibility disclosure and audit quality on firm value with financial performance as an intervening variable. The sample of this study consists of 206 companies listed in the PROPER Assessment by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for the years 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 and also listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the years 2019-2022. Sample selection was conducted using purposive sampling, resulting in 143 companies being sampled. The data used in this study are secondary data. Hypothesis testing was conducted using path analysis method using SPSS version 21 and Sobel Test. The results of this study prove that: 1. Financial performance can mediate the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility on Firm Value. 2. Financial performance can mediate the influence of Audit Quality on Firm Value.

IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshop for Somalia: An interactive and participatory approach for operationalizing the One Health roadmap

BackgroundNational Bridging Workshops (NBW) are a tool for reviewing collaboration gaps between line ministries relevant to the One Health framework. MethodsThe NBW for Somalia was held on November 11–13, 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya with support from WHO and WOAH. Participants included representatives from the Somali government both national and sub-national (including Ministry of Health; Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range; Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation; and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change). Other participants included representatives from non-governmental organizations, academia and the quadripartite. Structured sessions guided participants through a step-by-step process, starting from identifying gaps to collectively developing solutions. The design of these sessions aimed to foster active engagement and collaboration with the outcomes of each session contributing to the subsequent one. ResultsA total of 60 participants partook in the exercise, representing human health (35%), animal health (27%), agriculture (13%), environmental health (7%) and other relevant sectors (18%). Eighty-three percent of participants represented the national level and 17% the sub-national level. The collaborative effort yielded a joint roadmap comprising 36 activities and 11 objectives. Priority objectives included: development of national joint surveillance systems for selected One Health threats (41/47 votes, or 87% of the total votes); establishment of a high-level ministerial system to govern and coordinate One Health activities (30/47; 64%); and establishment of emergency funding structures for priority zoonotic diseases along with development of a 5-year national investment plan for One Health (27/47; 57%). A total of 94% of activities required low or moderate cost to be implemented, and 90% of activities were identified to have a likely high impact on multisectoral collaboration. The timeline for implementing the activities is projected to span one to two years. ConclusionThe workshop promoted high-level engagement, national ownership, and leadership in addressing health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. The resulting co-created roadmap will be integrated into the National Action Plan for Health Security, supporting ongoing One Health efforts in Somalia.

Quantitative analysis of aeolian dust incidence and diagnosis using a dynamic Bayesian network model: A case study of estuary area in central Taiwan

The presence of high concentrations of PM10 in aeolian dust within the estuary area of central Taiwan has been a focal point for air quality protection and remediation efforts over the past 15 years. This study explores the quantitative analysis of aeolian dust occurrences concerning various levels of PM10 concentration, aiming to offer early warning information to local communities and government agencies. Employing Dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) models, the research interrelates conditional probability dependencies among air quality and meteorological factors monitored in the downstream area of the Jhuoshuei River, predicting the probability distribution of aeolian dust events. The constructed DBNs demonstrate the inference of probability distributions of meteorological factors' states based on PM10 concentrations, enabling diagnostic analysis of meteorological conditions during high PM10 concentration dust events. The DBN models exhibit robust predictive ability, achieving an overall accuracy of 85.72% in validation and 85.8% in testing, with high discriminatory capacity that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.924 and 0.915 during validation and testing, respectively. Sensitivity analysis highlights wind direction, wind speed, relative humidity as significant factors affecting PM10 concentrations. The probability of low PM10 concentrations was notably higher compared to higher concentrations, indicating effective aeolian dust remediation efforts. However, attention is warranted toward the 10% incidence of aeolian dust events deemed unhealthy or hazardous to human health. Diagnosis of meteorological conditions during high PM10 concentration events suggests low temperature, high wind speeds, and dry conditions, particularly with northeastern or southwestern winds, as conducive factors. This study underscores the physical relationship between meteorological factors and PM10 concentrations, employing DBNs to consider temporal relationships and uncertainties in data, aligning with human health impact standards proposed by the Ministry of Environment. Future research should incorporate soil and land surface conditions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of aeolian dust dynamics and mitigation strategies.

Analysis of Cyber Public Relations in Disseminating Indonesia’s Folu Net Sink 2030 Actions at the Ministry of Environment and Foresty

Indonesia Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 is an initiative to reduce Green House Gas emissions from the forestry and land sectors in Indonesia. The aim of this program as a serious step in overcoming the problem of climate change. Dissemination of the Indonesia FOLU Net Sink 2030 action at the Public Relations Bureau, highlighting the importance of public communication in supporting the achievement of the 2030 FOLU Net Sink target. One of the strategic communications that is considered effective in disseminating the Indonesia FOLU Net Sink 2030 action is Cyber Public Relations or commonly called Online Public Relations. The aim of this research is to analyze the implementation of Cyber Public Relations carried out by the Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. This research was analyzed using the theory from Philips & Young (2009) regarding the four basic elements of online public relations that PR practitioners must pay attention to. So that from this research a digital public relations practice can be produced that is appropriate and measurable from the perspective of existing theory and reality. The difference between this research and previous research lies in the research object, and it does not only focus on one digital platform, but also several platforms used to implement cyber public relations. The results of this research show that the implementation of Cyber Public Relations carried out by the MoEF Public Relations Bureau has been measured in accordance with the theory used.

Field performance of 15 rain gardens in different cities in Taiwan

Rain gardens are widely used for low impact development (LID) or as a nature-based solution (NbS). They help to reduce runoff, mitigate hot temperatures, create habitats for plants and insects, and beautify landscapes. Rain gardens are increasingly being established in urban areas. In Taiwan, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) initiated a rain garden project in Taipei city in 2018, and 15 rain gardens have since been constructed in different cities. These Taiwanese-style rain gardens contain an underground storage tank to collect the filtrated rainwater, which can be used for irrigation. Moreover, the 15 rain gardens are equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, rainfall, and underground water levels. The monitoring data were transmitted with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, enabling the capture and export of real-time values. The water retention, temperature mitigation, water quality, and ecological indices of the rain gardens were quantified using field data. The results from the young rain gardens (1–3 years) showed that nearly 100 % of the rainfall was retained onsite and did not flow out from the rain gardens; however, if the stored water was not used and the tanks were full, the rainwater from subsequent storms could not be stored, and the tanks overflowed. The surface temperatures of the rain garden and nearby impermeable pavement differed by an average of 2–4 °C. This difference exceeded 20 °C in summer at noon. The water in the underground storage tanks had very low levels of SS and BOD, with averages of 1.6 mg/L and 5.6 mg/L, respectively. However, the E. coli concentrations were high, and the average was 6283 CFU/100 mL; therefore, washing or drinking water is not recommended. The ecological indices, i.e., the Shannon and Simpson indices, demonstrated the good flora status of the rain gardens after one year. Although the weather differed by city, the performance of the rain gardens in terms of water retention, temperature mitigation, rainwater harvesting, and providing biological habitats was consistent. However, maintenance influences rain garden performance. If the stored water is not frequently used, the stored volume is reduced, and the stored water quality degrades.

Sexual Dimorphism of the Three Pit Viper Species (<i>Gloydius brevicaudus</i>, <i>G. ussuriensis</i>, <i>G. intermedius</i>) in South Korea

Sexual size dimorphism in snakes is closely related to mating behavior and fecundity selection. It provides important information on animal morphology and evolutionary ecology because it allows us to identify key morphological and functional traits between sexes and infer intraspecific competition. In this study, we measured the morphological characters of 147 individuals of three pit viper species stored in the archive of the National Institute of Biological Resources of the Ministry of Environment and confirmed interspecific differences and sexual size dimorphism of each species. We also identified important characters affecting identification using linear discriminant analysis. The results showed that the three pit viper species differed in body and head morphology, and the number of dorsal scale rows was the most important character for species identification. It was found that female red-tongued pit vipers and short-tailed pit vipers were larger than males of each species, while male Central Asian pit vipers were larger than females. Characters related to tail length and head length were confirmed as important characters for interspecific sex discrimination. We compared characters related to head morphology between sexes to find that red-tongued pit vipers showed differences in most characters, while short-tailed pit vipers and Central Asian pit vipers did not. Therefore, short-tailed pit vipers and Central Asian pit vipers are expected to have strong intraspecific competitive pressure. In future studies, it will be necessary to conduct a detailed research on intraspecific competition of short-tailed pit vipers and Central Asian pit vipers with little morphological differences between sexes by examining resource utilization (e.g., food sources and habitats) and ecological niche.

Assessment of water quality, heavy metal pollution and human health risks in the Canal system of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

This study was conducted to determine the surface water quality and health risks in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) canals. 180 water samples and 180 sediment samples were collected from 15 canal locations in HCMC in 2021 and 2022. The Water Quality Index (WQI) assessment results indicated that the water quality in 2021 ranged from unsuitable to good, with a trend towards improvement in 2022, where good quality water was predominant. TMs PCA/FA identified domestic and agricultural wastewater from HCMC residents as influencing the water quality. Most TMs detected in surface water were within the limits the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment allowed, except for Pb in 2022 (> 0.02 mg l−1). For sediments, TMs concentrations were higher than in water samples but showed a decreasing trend over the survey period in the order of Hg < Cd < As < Pb < Cu. The findings show that sediments are more strongly affected by TMs than surface water, with the main sources being industrial and agricultural human activities. The non-cancer risk assessment showed that children are more exposed to TMs than adults, mainly through ingestion. Additionally, the cancer risk assessment (CR) identified As in sediments as posing an unacceptable cancer risk (TCR > 1 × 10−4). Therefore, it is necessary to establish high-frequency monitoring policies to analyze and reduce TMs concentrations in water and sediments of the canals to protect human health.

Assessment of the concentration of some heavy metals in bottom sediments in the coastal and island areas of the southern region, Vietnam

Rivers, such as the Dong Nai, Saigon, and Mekong, are subject to urban, industrial, and agricultural pollution, leading to a high risk of heavy metal accumulation in bottom sediments. With the aid of a boat and bucket as tools, a survey was conducted to collect sediment samples from the coastal areas (downstream of Dong Nai, Saigon, Mekong Rivers) and islands (Con Dao, Tho Chu) in the Southern region of Vietnam during April and May 2023. Out of a total of 35 samples collected, preserved according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the heavy metal indicators were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the average heavy metal concentrations were in the following order: Zn&gt;Cu&gt;Cd&gt;Pb&gt;As. Compared with the Vietnamese Technical Regulation (QCVN 43:2017/BTNMT) on sediment quality and the sediment quality of the Canadian Environment Ministry, the heavy metal concentrations in the research area have not exceeded the specified standards. However, compared with standards from the USA, the Russian Federation, and other regions in Vietnam, the levels are quite high. Moreover, the Igeo index indicates that the concentration of Pb, As, and Cd at many coastal locations downstream of the rivers is heavily polluted. This evidences that in addition to pollution from upstream sources, the activities of the local population significantly contribute to the accumulation of pollution. The research results provide a scientific basis for limiting pollution sources to ensure sustainable development of the studied areas, which is necessary today.