Municipal Environment Research Articles

Long-term spatiotemporal changes in nitrate contamination of municipal groundwater resources after sewerage network construction in the Hungarian Great Plain.

Over the last decades, as a consequence of wastewater discharges and other anthropogenic sources, severe nitrate (NO3-) pollution has developed in municipal environment causing global concern. Thus, eliminating the potential sources of pollution is one of the major challenges of the twenty-first century, whereby sanitation services are essential for ensuring public health and environmental protection. In the present study, long-term monitoring (2011-2022) of shallow groundwater NO3- contamination in municipal environment was carried following the construction of the sewerage network (2014) in the light of the pre-sewerage situation. Our primary aim was to assess the long-term effects of sewerage on nitrate NO3- levels in the shallow groundwater and evaluate the efficiency of these sanitation measures over time. Based on the results, significant pollution of the shallow groundwater in the municipality was identified. During the pre-sewer period, NO3- concentrations exceeded the 50mg/L limit in the majority of monitoring wells significantly, upper quartile values ranged between 341 and 623mg/L respectively. Using Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI) and interpolated NO3- pollution maps, marked spatial north-south differences were detected. In order to verify the presence of wastewater discharges in the monitoring wells, the isotopic ratio shifts (δ) for 18O and D(2H) were determined, confirming municipal wastewater effluent. Variations in NO3-/Cl- molar ratios suggest also contamination from anthropogenic sources, including septic tank effluent from households and the extensive use of manure. Data series of 7years (2015-2022) after the investment indicate marked positive changes by the appearance of decreasing trends in NO3- values confirmed by Wilcoxon signed rank test and ANOVA. By comparing the pre- and post-sewerage conditions, the mean NO3- value decreased from 289.7 to 175.6mg/L, with an increasing number of monitoring wells with concentrations below the limit. Our results emphasise the critical role of sanitation investments, while also indicating that the decontamination processes occur at a notably slow pace. Detailed, long-term monitoring is therefore essential to ensure accurate follow-up of the ongoing changes. The results can provide information for local citizens and authorities to improve groundwater management tools in the region.

Climate change health challenges – a study on heat health-related adaption measures in Germany

Abstract Problem Increasing extreme heat events of summer 2003, 2010 and 2015 induced a rising impact on heat health morbidity and mortality in Germany. A considerable proportion of urban population is affected by thermal discomfort due to the urban heat island burden during summer, particularly vulnerable people at risk. Concerted action to develop appropriate heat health adaptation measures is needed. Description As part of the National Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change an expert working group published ‘Recommendations for Action for the Preparation of Heat Action Plans’ for Germany in 2017. A first country-wide project had been conducted between 2019 and 2023 which investigated the status and impact of current or planned Heat Health Action Plans (HHAP), and adaptation measures appropriate to protect and prevent human health. As part of this project an online survey was conducted in May/June 2020 on the awareness and degree of use of the 2017 recommendations and the development and implementation of HHAP. Results This survey had been carried out to assess the current state of affairs as well as factors of success and barriers in the development and implementation of HHAP, with a particular focus on municipal environment and health administrations. In total 116 questionnaires had been responded, mainly by participants from the environment sector (53%), and 32% from the public health sector. More than half of the respondents indicated to be aware of the recommendations (very well-known at the federal state level: 90%, at county level known by 43%), which were identified as very helpful by 81%. Respondents from large cities (> 100 000 inhabitants) were main contributors to the study (41 of 81 large cities replied; 34 rural counties responded). Key messages • The 2017 recommendations had been identified and used to start with HHAP. • Decision makers should develop structures for regulations that anchor HHAP as a nationwide instrument to be established timely.

Shotgun metagenomic analysis reveals the diversity of PHA producer bacterial community and PHA synthase gene in Addis Ababa municipal solid waste disposal area ‘Qoshe’

BackgroundPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are naturally produced biopolymers with significant scientific and biotechnological potential. This study aimed to investigate the diversity of the PHA-producing bacterial community and PhaC genes in soil samples collected from a municipal solid waste disposal site known as “Qoshe” in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, using a shotgun metagenomics approach. The SqueezeMeta pipeline was used to analyze the microbial community in the waste samples. A CD search against the TIGRFAM protein family database was performed to identify the complete-length multidomain sequences of PhaC genes and classify them into their respective classes. Statistical analysis and data visualization were performed using RStudio with R version 4.2.3.ResultsThe findings of this study suggest that known and unknown taxa likely contribute to the phaC genes of municipal solid waste. Taxonomic profiling of the metagenomic data revealed that the majority of the PHA-producing taxa belonged to the phylum Proteobacteria (80%), followed by Actinomycetota (16.5%). Furthermore, this study identified Thiomonas and unclassified Mycobacterium as the main contributors to class I PhaC genes. Class II PhaC genes are predominantly associated with the Pseudomonadaceae family, followed by unclassified Hyphomicrobials and Acidimicrobiales. Class III PhaC genes are abundantly related to the Methylococcaceae family, specifically the Methylocaldum genus. The analysis of PhaC gene sequences revealed high level of diversity, with a significant proportion of putative PhaC genes exhibiting low sequence identity with each other and PhaC gene in the database. Notably, the sequence variation observed within the same PhaC gene classes suggests the potential presence of previously unidentified PhaC gene variants.ConclusionsOverall, this research improves our understanding of the diversity of PHA-producing taxa and PhaC genes in municipal solid waste environments, providing opportunities for sustainable PHA production and waste management strategies. However, additional studies, including the isolation and characterization of specific strains, are necessary to confirm the PHA production capabilities of these strains and explore their biotechnological potential.

The influence of unstable coalition governments in Gauteng metropolitan municipalities

Background: Coalition governments involve multiple political parties uniting to govern because of the absence of a majority party in the council following electoral outcomes. In South Africa, coalitions have become much more common since the 2016 and 2021 local government elections.Aim: This study investigates the implications of unstable coalition governments on municipal administration within the Gauteng metropolitan municipalities.Setting: The study focused on the City of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and the City of Johannesburg metropolitan municipalities in the Gauteng Province of South Africa.Methods: Employing a qualitative approach with a case study design, this research draws upon secondary sources and employs thematic analysis for a comprehensive examination of data.Results: The findings underscore that unstable coalition governments exert multifaceted effects on municipal administration in Gauteng. Firstly, they erode the foundational principles of democratic and accountable governance. Secondly, the instability adversely affects the provision of essential services. Thirdly, the process of budget formulation and approval is compromised. Fourthly, the precarious nature of political coalitions jeopardises creating a safe and healthy municipal environment and contributes to hung councils. Fifthly, municipal human resource practices are negatively influenced, alongside challenges in effectively managing municipal funds.Conclusion: There is a critical need for government and municipalities to institute effective legislation and policies addressing the challenges associated with unstable coalition governments in order to foster stability, promoting democratic values and ensuring efficient municipal administration within the Gauteng metropolitan context.Contribution: The study makes key recommendations for improving municipal administration under coalition councils in South Africa’s metros.

Does the balance matter? The gender within government and municipal indebtedness

PurposeIt was to investigate whether gender diversity – gender balance – within political municipal government teams affected the municipal indebtedness. Government ideology, the gender of the mayor and the wealth of the municipal environment were considered as moderators.Design/methodology/approachWe used GMM estimators on two dynamic models and a sample of 144 Spanish municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants for the period 2013–2022.FindingsGender diversity within government teams reduces the municipal debt. Furthermore, the government right-wing ideology and the female gender of the mayor are robust moderators of the effects of the gender diversity within government teams on institutional indebtedness.Research limitations/implicationsThe differences in financial autonomy and powers to apply public policies by municipalities in the different countries, as well as some differential aspects within the right-wing ideological spectrum, may condition our findings. Within relational demography, gender diversity impacts municipal performance, opening the way to explore other relations in future research.Practical implicationsThe tendency to implement legislation to try to achieve high gender balances within political decision-making bodies generates higher gender diversity, and our research shows that it leads to a better financial performance, a matter of transcendental importance for EU, credit rating agencies, and lenders.Originality/valueThis study provides new knowledge about the effect of gender within political decision-making bodies on municipal budgetary management. It is the first research analysing the impact of gender balance in the strict sense within decision-making bodies on municipal indebtedness.

Understanding the nexus between traditional brick-making, biophysical and socio-economic environment of Goma Division, Mukono Municipality, Central Uganda

This study aimed to evaluate the environmental and socio-economic impact of traditional brick-making in Goma Division. The research methods included semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, field observation, and focused group discussions. The results indicated that traditional brick-making is causing harm to the biophysical environment in the form of the degradation of wetland vegetation and deforestation (100%), landscape deformation (85%), air and water pollution, whereby DO had reduced by 19.8%, BOD, pH, TSS, TDS, EC and turbidity had increased by 3.8±0.9 ppm, 1.2±0.1, 89.4±0.1 mg/L, 18±0.9 ppm, 70±0.7 µS/cm, and 264±44 NTUs, respectively. Water pollution loads varied from point to point of sampling significantly at p<0.05, with the highest loads found at the tail end or downstream of the site but lowest at a point upstream of the clay mining site. The socio-economic analysis showed that the benefits of brick-making outweigh the costs in terms of magnitude, except for the frequency of responses. All respondents indicated that brick-making had created employment, while 87% reported an improvement in their standard of living. However, the activity is associated with accidents that can result in loss of life or bodily injury. It was concluded that Mukono Municipal Environmental Officers should monitor brick-making mines and site activities to prevent the creation of open pits and caves. The environment should be treated as a borrowed asset to ensure sustainability. The study suggests that financial support and awareness should be available to clay miners and brickmakers to ensure sustainability.

Insights into the panorama of multiple DNA viruses in municipal wastewater and recycled sludge in Tianjin, China

Environmental viruses in wastewater and sludge are widely recognized for their roles in waterborne diseases. However, previous studies mainly focused on RNA viruses, and little is known about the diversity of DNA viral communities and their driving factors in municipal wastewater treatment environments. Herein, we conducted a pilot study to explore DNA virus profiles in municipal wastewater and recycled sludge by metagenomics method, and track their temporal changes in northern China. Results showed that 467 viral species were co-shared among all the samples. We identified six families of human viruses with a prevalence of 0.1%, which were rare but relatively stable in wastewater and sludge for six months. Adenoviridae, Parvoviridae, and Herpersviridae were the most dominant human viral families in municipal wastewater and recycled sludge. A time series of samples revealed that the dynamic changes of human DNA viruses were stable based on qPCR results, particularly for high-risk fecal-oral transmission viruses of adenovirus, bocavirus, polyomavirus, human gamma herpesvirus, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis B virus. Concentrations of Adenovirus (5.39–7.48 log10 copies/L) and bocavirus (4.36–7.48 log10 copies/L) were observed to be the highest in these samples compared to other viruses. Our findings demonstrated the DNA viruses’ high prevalence and persistence in municipal wastewater treatment environments, highlighting the value of enhancing public health responses based on wastewater-based epidemiology.

Nervi rei publicae: local governments as economic populists?

ABSTRACT This article introduces a novel Mixed Populism Indication approach to the study of economic populism in the democratic polity to examine populism at the level of local government in the Czech Republic. In particular, we apply quantitative methods to a financial data of 5804 local government units sample to assess economic populism. This quantitative selection is developed on the principles of financial analysis, which form the basis of the algorithm we propose to process financial data. This is followed by an in-depth, qualitative evaluation of election results and the spatial context of suspected cases. From the results for the municipal environment, we identify populism as strategy used by some local governments. As a part of this strategy, local authorities target outsiders (non-residents) who own property. Although this policy of hostility to outsiders goes against the rational economic interests of the residents, they support this policy in local elections. Finally, this article argues that local political leaders in small municipalities act as populists in shaping tax policy.

Utilizing daily excessive concentration hours to estimate small for gestational age infants attributable to fine particulate matter in Wuhan, China

ABSTRACT Limited studies in China have explored the association between gravidae exposure to PM2.5 and small for gestational age infants (SGA), yielding inconsistent results. This study in Wuhan utilized daily excessive concentration hours (DECH) as a novel measure to assess PM2.5‘s impact on SGA. Data on air pollutants and pregnant women were collected from the Wuhan Municipal Ecology and Environmental Bureau and Wuhan Children’s Hospital, respectively. Logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the contribution of PM2.5-DECH and PM2.5-mean to SGA. Significant correlations were observed between PM2.5-mean and SGA during the second trimester [OR = 1.23 (95% CI: 1.14–1.32)] and the entire pregnancy [OR = 1.15 (95% CI: 1.07–1.24)]. Similar correlations were found between PM2.5-DECH and SGA. These findings suggest that increased PM2.5 exposure is associated with a higher risk of SGA, and DECH may be used as a prospective substitute indicator for daily average concentration in similar studies.

Effluent treatment plants for activities with high pollutant-degradation potential: an analysis of compliance with legal requirements

Sewage treatment plants (STPs), despite being fundamental for controlling environmental pollution, are also potential causes of environmental impact, therefore requiring an efficient self-monitoring plan to verify compliance with legal conditions. In this context, this research investigated the situation of Sewage Treatment Stations of enterprises that develop activities with high polluting degrading potential, located in Juazeiro do Norte – CE, in relation to compliance with legal guidelines. To guide this analysis, conditions were considered in resolutions from the Ceará State Environmental Council and municipal laws and decrees that deal with the matter under consideration. At the Municipal Environmental Authority of Juazeiro do Norte (AMAJU), data were collected from licensed enterprises that carried out high PPD activities, from the treatment technologies for effluents generated in each activity, from the STPs self-monitoring programs, and the types and locations of bodies receivers and the operating condition and physical flow of the AMAJU monitoring sector. The processing of data relating to the delivery of self-monitoring reports was carried out using percentages of 50 and 75%. From the analysis of the results, 48 ​​enterprises were identified that carried out high PPD activities, of which 4 were located in areas that had restrictions on this type of use. It was also verified that there was an important battery of public water supply wells surrounded by such projects. It was found that there are 70 high PPD projects that are under the jurisdiction of AMAJU and that the quality of liquid effluents from their STPs is, under specific conditions, in compliance with the release standards established by COEMA Resolution Nº 02/2017. However, it was found that the majority of the enterprises surveyed were non-compliant regarding the quantity and frequency of sending self-monitoring reports to AMAJU. These weaknesses were attributed to the reduced technical staff of the environmental agency and the absence of its minimum infrastructure for the development of the actions necessary for the implementation of an efficient environmental monitoring system. To contribute to the improvement of this system, it was suggested to strengthen AMAJU's technical, financial and institutional support, in addition to establishing a distinction in relation to the requirements regarding the frequency of analyzes and the periodicity of delivery of liquid effluent self-monitoring reports, for enterprises. with different types and classes.

CG-MS, Radical Scavenging, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition, Antifungal and Molecular Docking Studies of Essential Oil from the Leaves of Tapirira guianensis Aubl

The species Tapirira guianensis Aubl is used in folk medicine to treat leprosy, diarrhea, and syphilis. The present study aims to evaluate the chemical composition and the antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and antifungal potential of the essential oil from T. guianensis leaves. The plant material was collected at Arco Estadual do Cocó, with prior authorization from the Municipal Environment Department. The essential oil was extracted through the hydrodistillation process with a Clevenger-type apparatus, and the constituents were evaluated through Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant potential was assessed through free radicals: DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS+ (2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) in a 96-well plate. Antifungal activity was evaluated using the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute - M38-A protocol (CLSI, 2018). Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry revealed the presence of constituents such as eugenol (59.00%), α-copaene (0.40%), β-caryophyllene (29.91%), α-humulene in T. guianensis. The essential oil demonstrated very promising antioxidant and anticholinesterase potential in In vitro studies. Molecular docking regarding acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition revealed that α-copaene has superior action compared to the drug physostigmine. The results of molecular docking for Candida albicans showed that α-copaene and α-humulene interacted in the same binding region as the PepA inhibitor against SAP5. This indicates their action is similar to the aspartic protease inhibitor, in addition to the possibility of a synergistic effect with the drug fluconazole. This is the first study of the biological potential of the essential oil from T. guianensis leaves, thus revealing its high potential for future studies in the scientific community. Therefore, we can infer that the essential oil of T. guianensis is a source of antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and antifungal constituents, with promising therapeutic potential in the management of Alzheimer's disease and Candida infections.

Active Labour Market Policies for Rural NEETs in Lithuania: A Case of Rural Municipalities

This article aims to analyse active labour market policy efficiency for rural young NEETs integration into the labour market in the socioeconomic context of rural municipalities in Lithuania. For the empirical analysis, the administrative data of the public employment service concerning active labour market policy measures, e.g., training and mobility support, subsidised employment, and support for establishing or adapting workplaces of 2018 and 2022, as well as Lithuanian statistics data of 2018 and 2020 are used. The socio-economic environment of rural municipalities was analysed using the economic indicators (complex index), public transport accessibility, average wage, and free vacancies indicators. The recipient’s integration into employment after six months of participation in active labour market policy measures is analysed. The data revealed poor economic indicators, undeveloped public transport, lower average salaries, and a need for more vacancies in rural municipalities. The integration into employment fell significantly in two rural municipality clusters after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Accessible environment in municipalities of the Russian Federation

The subject. This article discusses the main issues related to the competence of local governments in the field of providing an accessible environment for the disabled.Methodology. The paper analyzes the federal legislation regulating the powers of local self-government bodies in the field of providing an accessible environment for the disabled, and discusses the essence of these powers.Main results, scope of application. The powers of local self-government bodies in the field of providing an accessible environment for the disabled should be considered, first of all, as the powers of the owner.At the same time, the powers of the owner are not the only powers of local governments in this area. Local self-government bodies participate in activities to ensure that disabled people living on the territory of the relevant municipalities have equal opportunities with other citizens in the exercise of their rights and freedoms provided for by the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Based on this, local self-government bodies should participate in providing an accessible environment for disabled people not only on municipal property, but also on the territory of the municipality as a whole, together with state authorities and organizations.The second group of powers of local self-government bodies in the field of providing an accessible environment for the disabled can include: (1) the powers of local self-government bodies, which are implemented by them when granting local self-government bodies separate state powers in the field of providing an accessible environment for the disabled; (2) the powers of local self-government bodies, which are implemented by them jointly with the state authorities of the subjects of the Russian Federation at the expense of subsidies from the regional budget as part of the implementation of measures of the state programs of the subjects of the Russian Federation on the accessible environment; (3) the powers of local self-government bodies to participate, together with public organizations of disabled people, in the work on certification of priority facilities and services in priority areas of life of disabled people and other low-mobility groups of the population, carried out by state authorities of the subjects of the Russian Federation.Conclusions. When considering the issue of the essence of the powers of local self-government bodies in the field of providing an accessible environment for the disabled, based on the analysis of the practice of the Russian Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, it was revealed that by their nature these powers, as a rule, are neither separate state powers transferred to local self-government bodies for implementation, nor their own powers of local self-government bodies to address issues of local importance.

Unleashing Teacher Potential: Examining Motivation in West Akim Municipality’s Public Primary Schools, Ghana.

This study investigates the impact of motivational provisions on the performance of public basic school teachers and evaluates the influence of the school environment in West Akim Municipality, Ghana. Employing a positivist stance and quantitative research methodologies, the research addresses persistent challenges faced by teachers, such as the absence of structured motivational benefits and suboptimal working conditions. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey research design, the study comprehensively explores the dynamic relationship between motivation and teacher performance. The target population consists of 953 teachers in public basic schools across eight circuits, with a sample size of 238 teachers selected through simple random sampling, ensuring a 65 percent response rate. Data collection involves a carefully designed questionnaire administered by the researcher, prioritizing confidentiality and clear communication of the study’s purpose. Validity and reliability are enhanced through quantitative research paradigms supported by SPSS software version 22. A crucial finding reveals that schools in West Akim Municipality do not allocate any budget for teacher allowances. Identified deficiencies in staff common rooms, security concerns, and sanitation issues underscore the need for improved infrastructure and safety measures within school premises. Recommendations include the allocation of a dedicated budget for teacher allowances, encompassing meetings, transportation, overtime, and other relevant aspects. Additionally, enhancing common areas for teachers and prioritizing investments in security measures within school premises are emphasized to cultivate a positive working environment and foster collaboration among teachers.

Diversity of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Captured by Myrmeleon (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) Larvae in a Ecosystem of the Brazilian Cerrado Biome

This study aimed to investigate the diversity of ants captured in Myrmeleon pits in a Cerrado environment (Brazilian savanna) and assess the relationship between pit size and capture success. Field expeditions were performed in the Inhamum Municipal Environmental Protection Area, Caxias, Maranhão State, Brazil. Pits of Myrmeleon larvae were observed, and captured ants were collected and identified. Our results showed that Myrmeleon larvae inhabiting this Cerrado site rely on ants as their main natural prey. Seven ant species were identified. There was a positive relationship between pit diameter and capture success. This is the first investigation of the diversity of ants naturally predated by antlions.

Market concentration and contracting out a public service – case study of the waste collection and disposal service in the municipalities in Central Slovakia

Market concentration of a public service is one of the factors influencing the risks associated with contracting out, as described by the principal-agent theory. A monopoly of the service producer (the agent) creates a space for enforcing the producers own interests but not those of a service provider (the principal), whose interest is to provide the public service effectively. Market concentration therefore affects the effectiveness of contracting out said service. The aim of the study is the identification of market concentration of the waste collection and disposal service as a factor affecting the cost effectiveness of contracting out and the contract management quality in the environment of Slovak municipalities. Market concentration is analyzed through a market concentration index, in this case the Herfindahl-Hirschman index. Findings of this study confirm the existence of a high market concentration of the service in the monitored municipalities.

Long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and increased risk of end-stage renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease: a retrospective cohort study in Beijing, China

Limited data have examined the association between air pollution and the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to investigate whether long-term exposure to air pollutants is related to the development of ESRD among patients with T2DM and CKD. A total of 1,738 patients with T2DM and CKD hospitalized in Peking University Third Hospital from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2021 were enrolled in this study. The outcome was defined as the occurrence of ESRD. Data on six air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO2, SO2, and O3) from 35 monitoring stations were obtained from the Beijing Municipal Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center. Long-term exposure to air pollutants during the follow-up period was measured using the ordinary Kriging method. During a mean follow-up of 41 months, 98 patients developed ESRD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that an increase of 10 μg/m3 in PM2.5 (odds ratio [OR] 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.36) and PM10 (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.30) concentration were positively associated with ESRD. An increase of 1 mg/m3 in CO (2.80, 1.05–7.48) and an increase of 1 μg/m3 in SO2 (1.06, 1.00–1.13) concentration were also positively associated with ESRD. Apart from O3 and NO2, all the above air pollutants have additional predictive value for ESRD in patients with T2DM and CKD. The results of Bayesian kernel machine regression and the weighted quantile sum regression all showed that PM2.5 was the most important air pollutant. Backward stepwise logistic regression showed that PM2.5 was the only pollutant remaining in the prediction model. In patients with T2DM and CKD, long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5, PM10, CO, and SO2 was positively associated with the development of ESRD.

Configuration of geoinformation system for monitoring and forecasting technosphere hazards on critical infrastructure

The paper is aimed at developing a system configuration for GIS-monitoring of the technical and environmental condition of living facilities for the subsequent prediction of technosphere threat in the format of prevention of natural and anthropogenic emergencies, as well as their environmental consequences. The methodology involved the system analysis of information obtained from monitoring the interrelated technical and resource-environmental parameters. The analysis considered the impact of various conditions, as well as limitations in the functioning of the living facilities. The obtained results underlay long-term and medium-term forecasts of options and scenarios for the development of hazardous processes, phenomena and consequences of adverse factors. The system analysis of information on technosphere hazards in housing and utility sector on the basis of the proposed GIS-monitoring determined areas for improving methods, algorithms, and tools for forecasting environmental hazards in order to prevent the associated threats and risks for population, natural environment and normal functioning of economic facilities. The proposed system configuration for GIS-monitoring of the technical and environmental condition of living facilities (on the example of housing and utilities services) can be used by the Unified state system for prevention and termination of emergency situations, regional and local authorities for forecasting and preventing natural and anthropogenic emergencies and their consequences for human life, environment, and sustainable livelihood systems in municipalities and regions.

The Impact of Ambient Air Pollutants on Birth Outcomes Using ARMA Model: Yazd Mother and Birth Cohort Study

Introduction: The present study examines the association between ambient air pollution and harmful consequences at birth in Yazd, Iran during 2017-2020.
 Materials and Methods: This time series study by the autoregressive (AR) and moving average (MA) or ARMA model was conducted in Yazd, Iran. Birth information including fetal sex, birth weight, birth height, and head circumference as well as preterm birth (PTB) and abortion was collected from mother and birth cohort databases. Data on air pollutants concentrations in the corresponding gestational period were obtained from fixed air monitors of Yazd Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center. The time series model statistical test was performed to find the relation between ambient air pollution and harmful consequences at birth.
 Results: 2131 singleton live births were monitored for 3 years. In ARMA models, the ratio of girl births to total births (Coef: 7.943, 95% CI: 2.797, 13.089), preterm delivery (Coef: 2.915, 95% CI: 0.224, 5.606), and spontaneous abortion (Coef: 44.751, 95% CI: 26.872, 62.629) was associated with NO2 exposure. Distributed mismatch models also suggested associations between the Air Quality Index (AQI) in pregnant women with a sex-premature birth relationship (Coef: 0.001, 95% CI: 0.000, 0.001).
 Conclusion: Exposure to air pollution, even at low levels, may increase the risk of sex ratio in singletons, premature birth, and spontaneous abortion. However, the results of the present study could not definitively show the relationship between air quality and other birth problems. More research studies are required to investigate the present findings.

Effect of complex municipal solid waste incineration flue gas on the corrosion of various alloys at 550 °C

To investigate the corrosion characteristics of the typical complex municipal solid waste incineration flue gas environment, this study examined the high-temperature corrosion behavior of three alloy types: 12Cr1MoV, TP347H, and Inconel 625. The alloys were exposed to a multi-factor coupled corrosion environment of 7 % O2, 600 ppm HCl, 100 ppm SO2, N2, and a deposited mixed salt of NaCl/50 wt% K2SO4. Visual inspection, corrosion kinetics, XRD, and SEM/EDS were adopted to compare the corrosion behavior of the alloys. The results revealed the highly corrosive nature of the environment, especially due to the presence of molten salts formed by the mixed alkali salts, which strongly accelerated the corrosion of the alloys. Severe failure behavior was observed in both the low-alloy steel, 12Cr1MoV, and the nickel-based alloy, Inconel 625. The 12Cr1MoV steel showed a dramatic mass gain, and the Inconel 625 alloy developed very loose and non-protective oxide scales. In contrast, the austenitic stainless steel, TP347H, exhibited the best performance, adhering to a parabolic corrosion kinetics model and forming a double layer of protective oxide scales. The combined effect of “active oxidation” and “electrochemistry” was identified as the dominant corrosion mechanism in this corrosive environment. Comparing the variations in corrosion behavior among the three alloys, it can be concluded that the formation of multi-layer oxide scales is crucial for effective corrosion protection. Furthermore, the composition of the additive elements and their proportions in the alloy play a significant role in determining the protective properties of these oxide scales.