Environmental Science Research Articles

Mother and child environmental carcinogens exposure history: a tool to bridge environmental health and clinical sciences

Mother and child environmental carcinogens exposure history: a tool to bridge environmental health and clinical sciences

Academic education in environmental chemistry in Europe-addressing future challenges in research and regulation.

Following the tradition of the 16th International Conference on Chemistry and the Environment (ICCE) in Oslo, Norway (2017), and the subsequent 17th ICCE in Thessaloniki, Greece (2019), a follow-up session on higher education in environmental science was organized at the 18th ICCE in Venice, Italy (June 2023). The aim of the session was to stimulate the exchange of experiences and knowledge on graduate and post-graduate level educational programmes, including their development, prioritization, and implementation. The session discussed the integration of practical training activities, which included the integration of environmental chemistry in various bachelor's and master's programmes. The aim was to demonstrate the versatility of environmental chemistry as an interdisciplinary scientific discipline that allows the development of essential green skills for developing sustainable strategies for the environmental experts of tomorrow. Furthermore, during the session, a survey was conducted among the conference participants to collect attitudes and reflections from the audience on the education of environmental chemistry (and related fields).

Unveiling emerging interdisciplinary research challenges in the highly threatened sclerophyllous forests of central Chile

BackgroundThe potential ecosystem collapse of forests in Mediterranean-type ecosystems (MTEs) by unprecedented droughts is worrisome due to the impacts on its exceptional biodiversity and human well-being. However, research integrating the impacts of global change drivers, forest resilience and the challenges facing human-nature relationships is still scarce.Methods and resultsUsing the central Chile megadrought and recently massive forest browning event as a model scenario, we identified, through a scientific literature review and an interdisciplinary scientific workshop, the research priorities and questions to address for MTEs in a context of global change. Our results highlighted knowledge gaps that need to be covered, particularly in social and environmental sciences, with an emphasis on soil science. Research priorities must focus on (1) the understanding of interactive effects of global and local anthropogenic drivers on MTEs and (2) the evaluation of the potential impacts of MTEs collapse on human well-being and ecosystem functioning.ConclusionsWe highlight the need for a collaborative approach involving scientists, landowners, managers/administrators, and policymakers to apply adaptive forest management against the current socio-environmental challenges under a global change context.

Processes of Pollution Control and Resource Utilization

As environmental science and engineering technology continue to advance, pollution control technologies are constantly innovating and improving [...]

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and its metabolites research trend: a bibliometric analysis.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most widely used plasticizers. Many studies focus on the impact of continuous exposure to DEHP on humans and ecosystems. In this study, the bibliometric analysis of DEHP and its metabolites research was conducted to assess the research performances, hotspot issues, and trends in this field. The data was retrieved from a Web of Science Core Collection online database. VOSviewer 1.6.18 was used to analyze. A total of 4672 publications were collected from 1975 to 2022 October 21. The number of publications and citations increased annually in the last decades. China had the largest number of publications, and the USA had the highest co-authorship score. The most productive and most frequently cited institutions were the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (USA), respectively. The journal with the most publications was the Science of Total Environment, and the most cited one was the Environmental Health Perspectives. The most productive and cited author was Calafat A. M. (USA). The most cited reference was "Phthalates: toxicology and exposure." Four hotspot issues were as follows: influences of DEHP on the organisms and its possible mechanisms, assessment of DEHP exposure to the human and its metabolism, dynamics of DEHP in external environments, and indoor exposure of DEHP and health outcomes. The research trends were DNOP, preterm birth, gut microbiota, microplastics, lycopene, hypertension, and thyroid hormones. This study can provide researchers with new ideas and decision-makers with reference basis to formulate relevant policies.

What Structural Biology Tells Us About the Mode of Action and Detection of Toxicants.

The study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms is an old and intense field of research. However, toxicological and environmental health sciences have long been dominated by descriptive approaches that enable associations or correlations but relatively few robust causal links and molecular mechanisms. Recent achievements have shown that structural biology approaches can bring this added value to the field. By providing atomic-level information, structural biology is a powerful tool to decipher the mechanisms by which toxicants bind to and alter the normal function of essential cell components, causing adverse effects. Here, using endocrine-disrupting chemicals as illustrative examples, we describe recent advances in the structure-based understanding of their modes of action and how this knowledge can be exploited to develop computational tools aimed at predicting properties of large collections of compounds.

Solid-state NMR of active sites in TiO2 photocatalysis: a critical review

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the optimal semiconductor metal oxide photocatalysts with a wide range of application fields, such as heterogeneous catalysis, energy science, and environmental science. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for characterizing both structure and dynamics at an atomic-molecular level in heterogeneous catalysts. In this review, we first provide a brief discussion on the progress in investigating the structures of titanium and oxygen in bulk and on the surface of TiO2 by using various solid-state NMR techniques. Advances in the understanding of electronic structure and properties of TiO2 with distinct surface features, including various crystal facets and heteroatomic adsorption by chemical probe-assisted NMR techniques, are secondly presented. The solid-state NMR characterization of heteroatom active sites (such as 13C, 15N, 11B, 27Al) and their function in TiO2 photocatalysts is described in detail. Finally, a critical discourse assesses the current limitations and prospects of solid-state NMR in its application to the optimization and design of advanced TiO2 photocatalysts.

Bibliometric analysis of research trends in biogranulation technology for wastewater treatment.

Inadequate management and treatment of wastewater pose significant threats, including environmental pollution, degradation of water quality, depletion of global water resources, and detrimental effects on human well-being. Biogranulation technology has gained increasing traction for treating both domestic and industrial wastewater, garnering interest from researchers and industrial stakeholders alike. However, the literature lacks comprehensive bibliometric analyses that examine and illuminate research hotspots and trends in this field. This study aims to elucidate the global research trajectory of scientific output in biogranulation technology from 1992 to 2022. Utilizing data from the Scopus database, we conducted an extensive analysis, employing VOSviewer and the R-studio package to visualize and map connections and collaborations among authors, countries, and keywords. Our analysis revealed a total of 1703 journal articles published in English. Notably, China emerged as the leading country, Jin Rencun as the foremost author, Bioresource Technology as the dominant journal, and Environmental Science as the prominent subject area, with the Harbin Institute of Technology leading in institutional contributions. The most prominent author keyword identified through VOSviewer analysis was "aerobic granular sludge," with "sequencing batch reactor" emerging as the dominant research term. Furthermore, our examination using R Studio highlighted "wastewater treatment" and "sewage" as notable research terms within the field. These findings underscore a diverse research landscape encompassing fundamental aspects of granule formation, reactor design, and practical applications. This study offers valuable insights into biogranulation potential for efficient wastewater treatment and environmental remediation, contributing to a sustainable and cleaner future.

Analysis of the General Skills of Graduates in Environmental Sciences: The View of Students, Teachers and Employers

General competencies are crucial for the personal and professional growth of university graduates. This paper provides a critical analysis of the significance and level of competence development within the environmental sciences degree (ESD) context. The research involved surveys conducted among final-year students, faculty members, and industry employers. The survey results reveal that employers perceive the level of competence achieved to be higher than what teachers and students reported. However, all three groups acknowledge a high level of competence development for most skills. Nonetheless, certain competences such as critical thinking (CT), problem-solving, organisation, and planning need to be strengthened to better align with their perceived importance. Students tend to undervalue essential competences such as digital literacy and environmental awareness, contrary to international organisations’ recommendations. The study findings also underscore the necessity of enhancing “entrepreneurial skills” and emphasising the significance of the digital realm for students pursuing an environmental sciences degree.

Emissions from Ethiopian clinker-producing cement factories and their impact on community well-being

In the realm of cement production, clinker-producing factories emerge as both energy and material-intensive entities, emitting a substantial array of primary pollutants into the environment compared to their non-clinker-producing counterparts. This study investigates the emissions from clinker-producing cement factories in Ethiopia and their impact on community well-being. We specifically focus on particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and gaseous emissions (CO2, N2O, SO2) measured at various units within the cement factories and nearby residential areas. The study area includes major industry players such as Derba Cement plant, National Cement Share Company, Mugher Cement Enterprise, Ethio Cement P.L.C, Dangote Cement plant, Habesha Cement, and Pioneers Cement Share Company. The pollutants were measured using standard instruments, including the portable Aeroqual Series-500 Gas Sensor (S-500) for both particulate matters and gases, with sampling conducted from August 1, 2021, to January 30, 2022. We analyzed the potential health impacts of these emissions, particularly respiratory diseases, among different age groups. The findings underscore the urgent need for regulatory measures to mitigate cement particulate emissions and protect community health. Our study provides valuable insights into the environmental and health risks associated with clinker-producing cement factories in Ethiopia, contributing to the broader field of environmental science.

Программно-целевое управление территорией геопарков: правовые и экономические аспекты

The authors analyzed the legal problems of organizing geoparks in Russia. The research methods are the comparative legal method. The main results of the study include the fact that the authors proposed a model of the legal status of geoparks. The novelty of the work is justified by the fact that there are practically no publications in the scientific legal environment devoted to the organization, creation and development of geoparks. Attempts are being made in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation to adopt regional legislation on geoparks, the provisions of which, in some cases, contradict the norms of Russian environmental and other sectoral legislation. The conclusions of the work are as follows. It is necessary to adopt a special federal law in which it is necessary to introduce the concept of "geopark". The legislation on geoparks should specify the possible organizational and legal form of the created geoparks, or the governing bodies of the created territory in accordance with the current federal legislation and the legislation of the subjects of the Russian Federation, as well as the goals of creating geoparks, namely: protection of valuable geological objects; attraction of the local population to small and medium-sized businesses. It is proposed to provide provisions on the mechanism for ensuring the implementation of investment projects by the state and private investors in the territories of geoparks, to work out the mechanism of territorial zoning of geoparks, to consolidate the system of principles of legal regulation in the field of creation, management and development of geoparks and preservation of geological heritage.

How can bottom-up citizen science restore public trust in environmental governance and sciences? Recommendations from three case studies

Citizen science is currently at the forefront of environmental scientific research and public policy for its potential to improve environmental governance, restore epistemic trust and help address some of the most stressing environmental challenges. Although citizen science is gaining increasing popularity, there is little empirical evidence to support these claims and demonstrate how bottom-up citizen science shapes public trust in environmental governance and science. In this paper we reflect on three grassroot environmental citizen science initiatives in Cameroon, Japan, and the UK to identify and present an instrumental framework which includes trustee attributes and conditions that influence how epistemic trust is shaped, and which should inform citizen science and other participatory practices. We explain that citizen science is an approach which enables political processes through the construction of well-informed techno-scientific arguments, which expose deficit assumptions about the public’s ability to participate in knowledge co-production process. To avoid repeating the failures of the past and risk amplifying issues of public distrust further, we provide suggestions built around key trustee attributes which can be incorporated in citizen science practices and we urge that environmental policy needs to create clear policy frameworks to enable the generation of actionable data, especially when such approaches are initiated and implemented as instrumental public participation methods.

Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in the Global Healthcare Sector: Trends, Perspectives and Future Developments

This research paper examines the ethical implications of AI in healthcare, covering the benefits and risks of using AI in healthcare services and provision. The paper highlights the applications of AI in healthcare, which can improve efficiency and accuracy of providing healthcare services by health professionals. The benefits of AI cover reducing the need for human intervention and increasing productivity through automation, delivering personalised experiences by recommendations, assisting with informed decision-making by providing real-time data analysis and insights, predicting outcomes or identifying potential threats, improving healthcare and overall customer satisfaction. The paper highlights the ethical implications of the use of AI in healthcare, including privacy and security, bias and discrimination, transparency and explainability, responsibility and accountability, informed consent and human interaction and empathy. The paper recommends that as AI becomes more prevalent in healthcare, establishing clear guidelines for responsible use, and maintaining the importance of human interaction and empathy in patient care, enhances healthcare outcomes while safeguarding patient rights and welfare. Continued research and development of the ethical implications of AI in healthcare for low-income countries as further work can promote the ethical use of AI in healthcare worldwide. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, Ethical Implication, Healthcare, Privacy Journal Reference Format: Adeyemi, Deborah A., Amedior, Nutifafa Cudjoe, Longe Bankole-Philips, Akintunwa Fred, 5Omotosho Seyi & Longe, Olumide B. (2023): Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in the Global Healthcare Sector: Trends, Perspectives and Future Developments. Social Informatics, Business, Politics, L:aw, Environmental Sciences & Technology Journal. Vol. 9, No. 3. Pp 41-53 www.isteams/socialinformaticsjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/SIJ/V9N3P3

A melanin-like polymer bearing phenylboronic units as a suitable bioplatform for living cell display technology

Surface display of functional groups with specific reactivity around living cells is an emerging, low cost and highly eco-compatible technology that serves multiple applications, ranging from basic biochemical studies to biomedicine, therapeutics and environmental sciences. Conversely to classical methods exploiting hazardous organic synthesis of precursors or monovalent functionalization via genetics, here we perform functional decoration of individual living microalgae using suitable biocoatings based on polydopamine, a melanin-like synthetic polymer. Here we demonstrate the one-pot synthesis of a functional polydopamine bearing phenylboronic units which can decorate the living cell surfaces via a direct ester formation between boronic units and surface glycoproteins. Furthermore, biosorption of fluorescent sugars on functionalized cell membranes is triggered, demonstrating that these organic coatings act as biocompatible soft shells, still functional and reactive after cell engineering.

Introduction: practicing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in environmental studies and sciences

Introduction: practicing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in environmental studies and sciences

Regions of the southern Atlantic Ocean: A study on the sea surface temperature and sea surface salinity of the southern Atlantic Ocean region

Followed by the fast advancement of computer science and technology, studies involving massive datasets, especially environmental sciences, have been more accessible for researchers. Yet, with the completion of high-resolution data about the southern Atlantic Ocean region, there has not been sufficient academic research focusing on this specific area. In this regard, this paper investigates the connection between the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Sea Surface Salinity (SSS). The researchers chose South Atlantic as the research subject, and based on the visualization of the datasets from year 2010 to year 2014 to determine the number of clusters, the team applied k-means clustering to analyze the relation between SSS and SST by MATLAB. As a result, the research team found that the variation of the value of SSS and SST within the five years showed a stable tendency. The team classified the South Atlantic Ocean into four different oceanographical regions (based on the clusters acquired from the k-means technique), which each area showed a distinct feature in SSS and SST.

Project for recycle bubble wrap, used plastic and patchwork into sitting pillows: Environmental education efforts

Waste, a byproduct of human activity, can cause environmental pollution if released without proper processing. It can accumulate in piles, disturbing natural beauty and emitting unpleasant odors. The aim of this research is to from the students to care about the environment by learning with the Bubble Wrap Recycling Project, Used Plastic and Patchwork. The method of this project is a structured experiment. Common waste includes bubble wrap, plastic, and rags from the convection industry. A student project in an environmental science course involved recycling these materials into sitting pillows. Three variants were tested: 10% bubble wrap, 10% plastic waste, 80% patchwork, 15% bubble wrap, 15% plastic waste, 70% rags, and 20% bubble wrap, 20% plastic waste, 60% rags. The pillow's comfort was measured using a Linkert scale of 1-5. The results showed that the pillow measures 40cm. Recycling is a way to promote environmental care and awareness. Cooperation from educational agents, such as supervisors, leaders, and lecturers, is needed to increase students' environmental awareness. This includes examples of good environmental actions in daily routines, such as disposing of waste and implementing 3R practices.

Evaluation of Geohazards Research in the World and Pacific Region: A Comparative Bibliometric Study

Geohazards are natural phenomena that endanger infrastructure, the environment, and human activity. Understanding and mitigating them is crucial for public safety, disaster preparedness, and sustainable land and resource management. This research objective is to analyze geohazard research trends globally and then compare them with countries around the Pacific Ring. Ninety-six geohazard publications were analyzed using bibliometric analysis and the VOSviewer application. The general trend of geohazard research increased slightly. It is critical in dealing with the expanding threats posed by geohazards, adapting to changing conditions, protecting vulnerable people, and leveraging technological improvements for more effective hazard management and disaster risk reduction. The Annual Offshore Technology Conference Proceedings and Engineering Geology are the most popular scholarly journals for authors to publish research on geohazard. The most popular topic area for geohazard papers is Earth and Planetary Sciences, followed by engineering, environmental science, and computer science. It is consistent with the growing use of technology in geohazard research. This study also includes an authorship profile. This research implies enhancing disaster risk reduction strategies and contributing to global efforts to address the challenges posed by geohazards.

Assessment of Different Methods for Estimation of Missing Rainfall Data

AbstractMissing data is a common problem encountered in various fields, including clinical research, environmental sciences and hydrology. In order to obtain reliable results from the analysis, the data inventory must be completed. This paper presents a methodology for addressing the missing data problem by examining the missing data structure and missing data techniques. Simulated datasets were created by considering the number of missing data, missing data pattern and missing data mechanism of real datasets containing missing values, which are often overlooked in hydrology. Considering the missing data pattern, the most commonly used methods for missing data analysis in hydrology and other fields were applied to the created simulated datasets. Simple imputation techniques and expectation maximization (EM) were implemented in SPSS software and machine learning techniques such as k-nearest neighbor (kNN), together with the hot-deck were implemented in the Python programming language. In the performance evaluation based on error metrics, it is concluded that the EM method is the most suitable completion method. Homogeneity analyses were performed in the Mathematica programming language to identify possible changes and inconsistencies in the completed rainfall dataset. Homogeneity analyses revealed that most of the completed rainfall datasets are homogeneous at class 1 level, consistent and reliable and do not show systematic changes in time.

Internet of Things (IoT) for Environmental Monitoring

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to explore the Internet of Things for environmental monitoring. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the Internet of Things for environmental monitoring. Preliminary empirical review revealed that IoT technologies have significantly enhanced environmental management practices by revolutionizing data collection and analysis across various ecosystems. By integrating IoT sensors with existing monitoring frameworks, real-time data on air and water quality, agriculture, wildlife habitats, and urban green spaces was efficiently gathered. This data facilitated proactive decision-making, early detection of environmental risks, and evidence-based policy formulation to address climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management challenges. Despite challenges like data security and interoperability, collaborative efforts among stakeholders paved the way for more effective environmental monitoring and sustainable development initiatives globally. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Complex Adaptive Systems Theory, Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Resource Dependence Theory may be used to anchor future studies on the Internet of Things technology. The study provided several recommendations that contributed significantly to theory, practice, and policy in environmental management. The study emphasized interdisciplinary approaches to enhance theoretical frameworks, advocating for advanced models and algorithms integrating IoT with environmental science and data analytics. In practice, it recommended widespread adoption of IoT-enabled sensor networks with enhanced capabilities for precise and reliable data collection. Policy-wise, the study called for regulatory frameworks supporting IoT integration, data standards, and international cooperation to address global environmental challenges collaboratively. Capacity building and continuous research and development were also highlighted to optimize IoT technologies for sustainable environmental monitoring and management globally.