Sustainable Management Strategies Research Articles

Challenges and way forward in the handling and disposal of battery waste: Towards sustainable practices

<p>The management and disposal of battery waste, particularly lead-acid batteries, present numerous challenges that must be addressed to ensure environmental protection, public health, and sustainable resource management. This thesis examines the multifaceted nature of these challenges and explores potential solutions for sustainable battery management. Drawing on insights from prior research, field observations, stakeholder interviews, and literature reviews, the study synthesizes existing knowledge to inform strategies for mitigating the environmental, safety, and economic impacts associated with battery waste. The current scenario on battery waste management highlights significant challenges, including environmental pollution, health risks, safety hazards, recycling challenges, regulatory compliance issues, technological limitations, infrastructure constraints, and the need for public awareness and education. Countermeasures to address these challenges encompass regulatory interventions, technological innovations, infrastructure development, capacity building, and public engagement initiatives. By integrating findings from diverse sources, this thesis aims to contribute to the existing knowledge base on battery waste management and propel strategies for sustainable resource management.<strong></strong></p>

Evaluation of energy potential of MSW in the Tamale metropolis, Ghana: An assessment of solid waste characteristics and energy content

ABSTRACT In the present investigation, a thorough examination of waste composition was undertaken in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. The methodology employed was carefully designed, incorporating both commercial and residential sectors as well as various socioeconomic classes. Source-based sampling of waste materials covered a range of locations, including households, markets, hotels, and restaurants, while socioeconomic-based categorization followed the zoning of the metropolis. Waste audit sampling involved collecting a total of 90 batches of solid waste over the three-month period from August to October 2023. The primary objectives were to physically characterize the waste and evaluate its chemical properties through proximate and ultimate analysis of waste fractions, aiming to determine the waste-to-energy potential and compatibility with waste-to-energy technologies. The study revealed that the Tamale Metropolis generates 176.1 tons/day of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) at a rate of 0.47 kg/capita/day. Organic matter constituted the majority (44.9%), followed by inert, miscellaneous, and plastic waste at 20% each. The remaining 14.3% comprised paper, metal, glass, leather, and textile components. Notably, the hospitality sector exhibited the highest organic matter content at 62.3%, contrasting with average households and markets at 44.9% and 13.1%, respectively. Moisture content ranged from 5.4% to 12.6%, volatile solids from 21.8% to 77.2%, and gross calorific values from 7.9 MJ/kg to 28.9 MJ/kg. Household waste demonstrated the highest energy content at 6693.8 kcal/kg, followed by hotels/restaurants (2003.94 kcal/kg) and markets (1883.62 kcal/kg). This study’s findings offer valuable insights that can inform the development of effective policies by regulatory bodies such as the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Ghana Ministry of Energy, as well as city authorities like the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency. These insights can be used to address waste and energy challenges in the metropolis. Implications: The findings reveal critical insights with substantial implications for stakeholders and regulatory bodies. It emphasizes the waste-to-energy potential of various waste fractions, highlighting the need for sustainable municipal waste management strategies. Particularly, the high organic content in the hospitality sector presents significant energy recovery opportunities. For bodies like the Public Utility Regulatory Commission and the Ghana Ministry of Energy, this data is crucial for developing policies that support waste-to-energy technologies. Additionally, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency can use these insights to improve local waste management practices, customizing interventions to address specific sectoral waste composition. The study also underlines the importance of ongoing monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of these strategies over time.

Harnessing Koelreuteria paniculata Seed Extracts and Oil for Sustainable Woolly Apple Aphid Control

The woolly apple aphid—WAA (Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann, 1802) poses a significant threat to intensive apple production. Given the limitations of conventional synthetic pesticides, there is an urgent need for effective and sustainable pest management strategies. Botanical extracts derived from plants with insecticidal properties mitigating aphid populations without adverse environmental impacts are scarce where WAA is concerned. Thus, the pertinent study aimed to investigate the aphicidal potential of Koelreuteria paniculata seed ethanolic extract (derived from the seed coat) and mechanically extracted oil (derived from the seed itself). At concentrations of 2.5% and 5%, both solutions expressed undeniable insecticidal potential, providing absolute (100%; oil) or significant (86–100%; ethanolic extract) mortality rates both in vivo and in vitro. Predominant phenolic compounds determined in the ethanolic extract were gallic and protocatechuic acids and three derivates—p-coumaric, quercetin, and luteolin acid derivates—contributing to more than 90% of the total phenolic content, while phenolic compounds were not detected in the oil, indicating activity of different active compounds. Although deriving from different seed parts and distinct extraction methods, both ethanolic extract and oil exhibited significant aphicidal effects against WAA. The integration of botanical extracts from invasive species into pest management practices supports ecological balance and sustainable agricultural productivity, fostering a healthier environment and more resilient agricultural systems.

Leveraging Wheat Competition to Manage Seasonal Expansion of Feathertop Rhodes Grass (Chloris virgata)

Utilizing the potential of crops to suppress weeds is an important strategy for sustainable management. Feathertop Rhodes grass (FTR) (Chloris virgata Sw.) is a problematic warm-season weed in Australia that has recently expanded into colder seasons. This study investigated the growth and seed production of FTR at two planting times (May and July) and three wheat planting densities (0, 82, and 164 plants m−2) using a neighborhood design over two years. In both years, the plant height, tiller production, and panicle production of FTR were lower in the presence of wheat compared to when wheat was absent. Surrounding FTR with wheat delayed its pinnacle emergence, varying from 1 to 6 days in the first year and 4 to 21 days in the second year, depending on the planting date and wheat density. During both years and planting times, wheat’s presence caused approximately a 99% decrease in the dry matter and seed production of FTR compared to wheat’s absence. Additionally, the wheat height, an important competitive factor, was higher at both densities in the May planting compared to the July planting. The emergence, establishment, and continuous production of FTR seeds throughout the year indicate that inadequate management could result in the further spread of this weed. Our findings suggest that adjusting the date and density of wheat planting could be a viable strategy for sustainably managing this weed during colder seasons.

Nano-enhanced defense: Titanium-enriched Alginate–Bentonite coating augments Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D203 efficacy against Magnaporthe oryzae in Kenyan rice cultivation

Rice blast disease, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, poses a significant threat to global rice production, necessitating the development of effective and sustainable management strategies. Biological control using beneficial microbes like Bacillus amyloliquefaciens has emerged as a promising approach due to its ability to enhance plant resistance and reduce disease incidence. Nano-encapsulation of bacteria, which involves embedding beneficial microbes within nanomaterials, offers a novel method to improve the stability, survival, and efficacy of these biocontrol agents. This study evaluated the capacity of encapsulated Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D203, embedded within an alginate-bentonite coating infused with titanium nanoparticles (TNs), to stimulate defense responses in rice seedlings challenged by the Magnaporthe oryzae the causal agent of rice blast disease. Encapsulation was achieved using the extrusion technique, with some modifications. Using a completely randomized design, the experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with four treatments replicated four times. The experiment used the popular Kenyan rice variety "BASMATI 370”. The study investigated the impact of strain D203 on the incidence, severity, and area under disease progress curves related to M. oryzae, as well as the expression of defense-related enzymes. The results demonstrated that rice plants derived from seeds coated with the D203 encapsulated B. amyloliquefaciens strain exhibited higher levels of defense-related enzyme expression, including peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), compared to controls. In addition, the incidence and severity of the disease were markedly lower in plants treated with encapsulated B. amyloliquefaciens compared to controls, sometimes paralleling the efficacy of hexaconazole treatment. These findings suggest that the encapsulation of strain D203 has the potential to enhance resistance against rice blast disease by inducing systemic resistance through the production of antioxidant enzymes.

Historic Flood Events and Current Flood Hazard in Ulaanbaatar City, Central Mongolia

Climate change will increase the frequency of extreme weather events, alter rainfall patterns, and exacerbate flood disasters in Ulaanbaatar City. Here we combine aerial and satellite imagery with cadastral data, to scrutinize the historical trajectory of rainfall patterns and flood disasters in Ulaanbaatar over the past six decades. The study focusses on the causative factors behind historical floods, current flood conditions, the geographical distribution of floods, land ownership in floodprone areas, and the spatial allocation of fences and buildings based on social conditions. Over the last 60 years, Ulaanbaatar received a total of 16,780 mm of precipitation, with a staggering 80.5% of this total occurring during the summer season. Over this period, the city has endured about ten significant flood disasters. The most severe and destructive events occurred in 1966, 1982, 1994, 2003, 2009, and 2023 as river basins and mountain flash floods. These flood events claimed at least 220 lives, affected around 46,000 households, and caused economic losses of ca. 3.3 million U.S. dollars. Our study identifies several flood hazard areas along the Tolgoit, Selbe, Uliastai, and Tuul River valleys, which define a flood buffer zone extending 200 m from their banks, encompassing 59 khoroos of 7 districts in Ulaanbaatar. There are 27,970 fences and 12,887 buildings in the 200 m buffer zone, which is 66.5% of all fence unit area, and 46.3% of the total building, situated within the identified flood risk areas. In response to these findings, we emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive long-term strategy for sustainable flood management based on disaster resilence.

Scale effect of landscape characteristics on undergrowth vegetation variance with different ecological traits

Herbaceous understory vegetation plays a significant role in temperate forested ecosystems, with its diversity strongly dependent on both local and landscape conditions. However, the contribution of these factors across different spatial scales (e.g., scale effect) remains inadequately understood. The objective of this study was to determine the most important landscape and local characteristics influencing the species richness of the herb layer. We surveyed and sampled 53 sites in a mountainous forest within the Baihuashan National Nature Reserve of Beijing. Using generalized linear models, we investigated the simultaneous effect of local (e.g. tree density, average tree height, and cover of tree, shrub, and ground vegetation) and landscape (e.g. Area-weighted Mean Patch Size, Area-weighted Mean Euclidean Nearest Neighbor Distance, Area-weighted Mean Fractal Dimension Index, forest area, and shrubbery area) variables on the richness of species in the understory herb layer. Variation partitioning was used to examine the individual contribution of local and landscape variables. Our results identified 366 plant species from 95 families across 53 sampling sites. Significant differences in species richness were found among life forms, seed dispersal types, and habitat preferences (P < 0.001). Parsimonious models indicated that combining local and landscape factors at a 2 km scale explained the most variation in phanerophytes (R2 = 0.658). Locally, average tree height significantly influenced the species richness of biotic dispersal, phanerophytes, and geophytes. At the landscape level, variables such as the Area-weighted Mean Fractal Dimension Index and farmland area significantly impacted plant community traits across different scales. Understanding these effects is crucial for developing effective sustainable forest ecosystem management strategies and for establishing robust ecological conservation policies.

Biotope Mapping of San Mariano, Isabela for Forest Conservation and Management

Abstract Forests in San Mariano, Isabela, Philippines are invaluable resources facing threats from destructive activities and natural disturbances, resulting to significant forest loss. To address this challenge, this study introduces biotope mapping as a tool for forest conservation and management in San Mariano, Isabela. The goal is to identify and map the different biotopes in San Mariano, Isabela which helps in enhancing sustainable forest management strategies, ensuring the long-term preservation of forest ecosystems. By conducting site visits, utilizing remote sensing techniques and geographic information systems (GIS) analysis, the distribution and classification of biotopes in San Mariano are determined. Through overlaying the soil type map, land cover map, and landform map, 22 biotopes were determined, and each were visually presented by showing a section-elevation diagram of each biotope. Furthermore, an assessment was also done for each biotope providing a comprehensive understanding of the different biotopes within the study area. This also serves as a reference for prioritizing conservation efforts, establishing protected areas, implementing habitat restoration initiatives, and mitigating threats to forest ecosystems. The findings and recommendations of this study contribute to the promotion of effective forest conservation and management, ensuring the long-term preservation of the forested landscapes.

Analysis of waste generation characteristics as a reference for TPS 3R planning in community-based waste management efforts in Pandansari Lor Village, Malang Regency

Background: Waste management is a critical issue in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas like Pandansari Lor Village in Malang Regency. Improper waste disposal practices, such as open burning and dumping in rivers, pose environmental and health hazards. This study aims to analyze the waste generation characteristics in Pandansari Lor Village as a baseline for planning a community-based Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R) waste processing site (TPS 3R). Method: A waste sampling method was conducted following the SNI 19-3964-1994 guidelines to measure the waste generation rate, density, and composition. Findings: The results showed that the average waste generation rate in Pandansari Lor Village was 0.16 kg/person/day or 778.72 kg/day for the total population, with a waste density of 74.02 kg/m³. The waste composition was dominated by organic waste (62.26%), followed by plastic (26.74%), paper (5.89%), and other components. These findings suggest the need for a 3R-based waste management system that involves community participation. Conclusion: The TPS 3R facility should be designed to handle the projected waste generation for the next 10 years, with a capacity of 15,438 L/day. Proper waste segregation, composting of organic waste, and recycling of plastic and other recyclable materials are recommended. This study provides valuable insights for developing a sustainable and effective waste management strategy in rural areas, considering the specific waste characteristics and community involvement. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study proposes a 3R TPS model adapted to rural waste, focusing on organic waste composting and plastic recycling. This model is designed to increase community participation in waste management through community-based education and empowerment.

A comprehensive review of current techniques, issues, and technological advancements in sustainable E-waste management

Electronic garbage (E-waste), which is caused by the global fast obsolescence and disposal of electronic gadgets, has become a major environmental concern. Adoption of sustainable E-waste management strategies has become crucial to address the growing effects of e-waste on the environment and human health. This in-depth overview of existing practices, problems, and new technology developments in sustainable E-waste disposal is presented in this thorough review article. The article analyses the efficiency of frequently used E-waste management strategies for reducing environmental effects and fostering resource recovery, including recycling, refurbishing, landfilling, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) initiatives. The main difficulties that policymakers, producers, recyclers, consumers, and employees in the unorganized sector of the economy confront in managing e-waste are also discussed, along with possible solutions. The analysis emphasizes the value of ecologically sound E-waste recycling techniques and examines new technology advancements, such as automated disassembly and trash sorting based on artificial intelligence, aimed at improving recycling efficiency and lowering environmental burdens. Along with successful case studies, the idea of a circular economy and sustainable product design in E-waste management are also covered. It is highlighted the need of strong legislative frameworks, international partnerships, and public engagement in responsible E-waste disposal in order to address the issue of transboundary flows of E-waste. In its last section, the paper sketches out the picture for the future and makes suggestions for how governments, businesses, and other stakeholders may adopt sustainable E-waste management approaches and further the development of a circular economy for E-waste.

Bioefficacy of Mucana pruriens extracts against Rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

In the agricultural sector, the rice weevil, Sitophilous oryzae L. is one of the most damaging pests, causing significant economic losses worldwide. It is an internal feeder of grains. The female rice weevil causes damage to the grain by creating a hole in it and laying her eggs inside. The main purpose of our study was to investigate the biological effect of an aqueous extract of Mucana prurienson rice weevil under laboratory conditions. To assess the biological activities, data like number of the days to adult emergence, total adult emergence, percent infestation, weight loss, adult longevity, and adult sex ratio were recorded. The findings showed that, in the case of a 100 mg/ml plant extract, the maximum number of days needed for the adult emergence of rice was 66 and 72 days for wheat weevil, and the minimum number of days required was 20 and 25 in case control of both rice and wheat grains. When rice grains were treated with 0 mg/ml aqueous extracts, the maximum number of adult emergences observed was 72 on rice grains, while 66.00 occurred on wheat grains. The highest percentage of infestation (40.00%) was found in rice grains, while the highest percentage (39.78%) was found in wheat grains treated with 0 mg/ml aqueous extracts. The lowest weight loss (7.99%) was observed in rice grains and the highest weight loss (16.66%) in wheat grains treated with 100 mg/ml extracts; on the other hand, the lowest weight loss (13.33%) was observed in rice grains and the highest in wheat grains treated with 0 mg/ml aqueous extracts. When weevils were raised on untreated rice and wheat grains, the longest recorded adult lifespan was achieved overall. For rice weevil control that is safer, plant aqueous extracts with concentrations of 100 mg/ml and 75 mg/ml ought to be utilized. The present studies were carried out to examine the environmentally friendly aqueous extracts of Mucana pruriens and their pesticidal efficacy in controlling rice weevil. The study anticipates that Mucana pruriens extracts will exhibit significant insecticidal properties, potentially providing a natural alternative to synthetic insecticides. This study contributes to sustainable pest management strategies for stored grains.

Effects of disturbances on the spatiotemporal patterns and dynamics of coastal wetland vegetation

The coastal wetlands represented by mangroves are vulnerable to disturbances. To clarify the effects of disturbances quantitatively on mangroves, spatiotemporal changes in land use and land cover (LULC) were compared between the inside and outside of mangroves during 1988 and 2020 in Bangladesh by remote sensing. The mangrove region, which had diverse surface greenness due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, were surveyed. Changes in greenness were estimated by five vegetation indices (VIs). To increase in the accuracy of land use classification, the five VIs were combined under a random forest (RF) classifier. The five VIs were: normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), green NDVI (GNDVI), soil-adjusted VI (SAVI), green–red VI (GRVI) and enhanced VI (EVI), using data obtained from Landsat TM (30 m resolution) and Sentinel-2A (10 m) via Google Earth Engine. A Moran’s I analysis showed a random pattern of training samples of LULC classes for integrated RF classification. The classification accuracy was evaluated using the reference point data with multiple comparisons of VIs and κ coefficient. The area was classified into eight LULC classes. Although the respective VIs depicted unique characteristics, the accuracies of them were less than 89 %. The integrated classifier improved the accuracy of 96–97 % with κ of 0.96 in 1988 and 0.97 in 2020. The VI-integrated RF was the most effective classifier for LULC, particularly for separating mangroves from homestead vegetation. The changes for 32 years showed that the dense mangrove occupied 42 % of surveyed area in 1988 but declined ca 622 km2 in 2020, whereas sparse mangrove and aquaculture increased by 487 km2 and 464 km2, respectively, out of the total area of 8,360 km2. The changes in LULC classes were mostly from dense mangroves to sparse mangroves, sparse mangroves to dense mangroves and from cropland to bare land and aquaculture. Inaccessible mangrove degradation should result from natural disturbances, i.e., tropical cyclones, while areas near forest boundaries were distorted by anthropogenic disturbances such as aquaculture development. The restoration of habitat quality, mangrove afforestation and sustainable aquaculture practices were effective indicators for improving the mangrove ecosystems. Since natural and anthropogenic disturbances induce substantial loss of mangrove vegetation, the VI-integrated RF classifier should be applied for monitoring LULC and for developing the sustainable management strategies.

Assessment of sustainable healthcare management policies and practices in Oman: A comprehensive analysis using an ai-based literature review

Health Vision 2050 Oman is a strategic plan to establish Oman as a regional leader and a research base for world-class health research. The vision emphasises prioritising health research to allocate and plan available resources appropriately. A sustainable healthcare management system is a holistic approach that seeks to balance economic, social, and environmental concerns to ensure the long-term viability and efficacy of healthcare services. There are numerous obstacles to implementing a sustainable healthcare management system in Oman. For example, assessing patient safety culture in primary healthcare settings in Muscat has revealed patient safety concerns throughout the healthcare system. It is critical to address these difficulties to improve the quality and safety of healthcare services, both of which are essential for sustainable healthcare management. The primary goal of this study is to identify the sustainable healthcare areas and policies required for Oman's Healthcare Management System. This research undertakes a comprehensive literature review using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse Oman's sustainable healthcare management policies and practices. This study uses two AI tools, Scite.ai and SciSpace, to discover areas and policies related to Oman's sustainable healthcare management system. The study highlighted environmental sustainability, public health initiatives, infrastructure development, waste management, and community engagement and education. Furthermore, a variety of interconnected policies are discernible within each domain. This study provides significant data about Oman's sustainable healthcare practices and can guide policymakers and healthcare sector stakeholders. This study contributes significantly to creating sustainable healthcare management strategies and establishing resilient healthcare systems in Oman by focusing on critical domains and policies.

Strategic Model for Mangrove Forest Resource Management in Boalemo District, Gorontalo Province

Mangrove forest destruction in Boalemo Regency has increased significantly over the past decade. The condition of mangrove forests has been degraded due to the pressure of population growth, especially in coastal areas. Damage to mangrove forest resources is certainly very dangerous to the ecosystem of fisheries resources, biodiversity and destroys the stability of coastal forests that support the protection of inland and rural agricultural crops. The purpose of this research is to design a model of sustainable mangrove forest resource management strategy in Boalemo District, Gorontalo Province, so that it can be applied as a policy in improving and optimizing mangrove forest resource management efforts in Gorontalo Province. The method used is Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). The results showed that there are thirteen sub-elements of program requirements needed to build the model, of the thirteen elements of program requirements there are no sub-elements that occupy quadrant I, in quadrant II there are two sub-elements and in quadrant III there are six sub-elements, in quadrant IV is occupied by five sub-elements which are key elements to build a mangrove forest resource management strategy model.

Environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in wastewaters and reclaimed water from catalan main river basins

Aquatic pollution from pharmaceuticals is a growing environmental concern globally, particularly in Catalonia's primary water bodies, the Llobregat and Besòs rivers. This study investigates pharmaceutical residues in reclaimed water effluents from the Llobregat River and a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the Besòs River, critical contributors to the region's water resources. Employing LC-MS/MS, 85 pharmaceutical residues were monitored, revealing elevated concentrations of tramadol, losartan, and gemfibrozil, commonly prescribed drugs in Catalonia. Surprisingly, downstream concentrations exceeded upstream levels significantly, indicating the adverse impact of reclaimed water on water quality. Furthermore, evaluation of WWTP efficiency displayed varying removal rates, from 10 % to 99.8 %, highlighting treatment inadequacies for certain compounds. Predictive environmental concentrations (PECs) aligned closely with measured values, affirming the utility of predictive models in early-stage research. Risk assessment via the risk quotient (RQ) method identified atorvastatin and chlorpromazine as surpassing toxicity thresholds.This study underscores the urgent need to address pharmaceutical contamination in urban rivers and reclaimed waters in Catalonia. By highlighting treatment inefficacies and potential ecological risks, it contributes to the development of sustainable water management strategies and environmental conservation efforts in the region. Efforts should focus on continuously monitoring specific compounds, evaluating their individual toxicity, and implementing appropriate remediation techniques in WWTPs to safeguard water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

Nematicidal Activity of Volatiles against the Rice Root-Knot Nematode and Environmental Safety in Comparison to Traditional Nematicides.

The rice root-knot nematode (RRKN), Meloidogyne graminicola Golden and Birchfield 1965, is a dangerous crop pest that affects rice production on a global scale. The largest rice-producing countries struggle with the impacts of RRKN infestation, namely, underdeveloped plants and a reduction in rice grain that can reach up to 70% of crop yield. In addition, the shift to strategies of sustainable pest management is leading to a withdrawal of some of the most effective pesticides, given the dangers they pose to the environment and human health. Volatile metabolites produced by plants can offer safer alternatives. The present study characterized the nematicidal activity of volatile phytochemicals against the RRKN and compared the most active with commercial nematicides concerning their safety to the environment and human health. Rice plants were used to grow large numbers of RRKNs for direct-contact bioassays. Mortality induced by the volatiles was followed for four days on RRKN second-stage juveniles. Of the 18 volatiles tested, carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, and methyl salicylate showed the highest mortalities (100%) and were compared to traditional nematicides using (eco)toxicological parameters reported on freely available databases. While methyl salicylate had a faster activity, carvacrol had more lasting effects. When compared to synthetic nematicides, these volatile phytochemicals were reported to have higher thresholds of toxicity and beneficial ecotoxicological parameters. Ultimately, finding safer alternatives to traditional pesticides can lower the use of damaging chemicals in farming and leverage the transition to agricultural practices with a lower impact on biodiversity.

Assessment of groundwater level fluctuation using integrated trend analysis approaches in the Kapran sub-basin, North East of Iraq

Groundwater extraction in the Kapran Sub-basin (KSB) has been intensified in recent decades due to population growth, urbanization, industrial activities, and agricultural expansion. Assessing water resources in KSB has become vital for researchers and local authorities to develop sustainable groundwater management strategies. This study aims to evaluate the spatio-temporal changes and trends of groundwater level using Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA), supported by non-parametric test techniques like Mann-Kendall (MK), modified Mann-Kendall (mMK) and Sen's slope estimator, along with Cumulative Rainfall Departure (CRD) to assess the relationship between groundwater level fluctuations and rainfall-recharge. Data from 10 monitoring wells (2000–2023), three rainfall stations (1941–2022), and 1053 production wells (2008 and 2023) were analyzed using geostatistical method. The results illustrate a strong linear relationship between the water level and topography, highlighting the aquifer's heterogeneity. The ITA and non-parametric analysis reveal a significant decline in groundwater levels, exacerbated by reduced rainfall (0.05–1.89 mm/year) and increased extraction (1.0 × 10^6 m³/day), with a decline rate ranging from 0.7 to 5.4 m/year. These findings provide (1) a robust scientific foundation for the stakeholders to efficiently develop sustainable strategies for integrated water resource management (IWRM) in order to mitigate the effect of climate change and GW abstraction, and (2) it provides local authorities and government in resolving groundwater scarcity in KSB.

How does consumer awareness of the waste of electrical and electronic equipment affect reverse logistics? Extended triple bottom line approach

This study explores how government support and consumer awareness affect the waste of electrical and electronic equipment reverse logistics in the circular economy framework. To improve waste of electrical and electronic equipment reverse logistics consumer awareness, the extended triple bottom line concept introduces technology with traditional economic, social, and environmental aspects. The impact of government initiatives on consumer awareness and socioeconomic factors on the intention to reuse the waste of electrical and electronic equipment reverse logistics is examined. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze survey data from 330 Chinese participants. The results revealed that government policies significantly influence extended triple bottom line awareness while socioeconomic factors impact waste of electrical and electronic equipment reverse logistics reuse intentions. However, direct government support does not significantly impact the expected service quality of waste of electrical and electronic equipment reverse logistics. These findings improve the literature by identifying relevant factors and boosting waste of electrical and electronic equipment reverse logistics comprehension in a circular economy environment, driving the development of efficient and sustainable waste management strategies.

The combined effect of sublethal concentrations of insecticides and local entomopathogenic nematode isolates on larval and pupal stages of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The black cutworm (BCW), Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an economically significant pest affecting numerous crops and turf grasses. Despite employing various methods, such as chemical and biological control, to mitigate this pest, the efficacy of these methods often fails to reach the desired level. Hence, the integration of diverse strategies is a key to sustainable management. In this study, we assessed the toxicity of four insecticides (indoxacarb, pyridalyl, lufenuron, and methoxyfenozide) and three local EPN isolates (two isolates of Heterorhabditis indica and one of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) in targeting the fifth instar larval (L5) and pupal stages of BCW. After demonstrating their potential use in BCW control, we explored the combined use of sublethal concentrations of insecticides (LC15 or LC30) alongside the LC20 values of EPNs. The findings revealed that lufenuron and methoxyfenozide, when combined with EPNs, exhibited a synergistic effect on the L5 stage of BCW, whereas the same combination displayed antagonism on pupae. On the other hand, the combination of indoxacarb and pyridalyl with EPNs demonstrated a synergistic effect on the pupal stage of BCW. These results highlight the potential of employing a combination of insecticides and EPNs at sublethal concentrations to control BCW effectively. This approach shows promise for designing sustainable pest management strategies within the framework of integrated pest management (IPM).

Trends in poisoning associated with the use of insecticides for bed bug infestations: a 20-year retrospective study in France

Bed bugs are pervasive global pests that have reemerged in the last 20 years as a significant public health concern, especially in densely populated urban areas. Beyond financial losses, expenses, inconvenience, and psychological distress, bed bug infestations often necessitate chemical management, posing poisoning risks to those with an infestation. The French Poison Control Centers recorded 1056 cases of exposure to bed bug insecticide products between 1999 and 2021. This study followed cases over 2007–2021, with a notable surge in reports of adverse reactions from 2016 onwards. Data revealed an increased recurrent misuse of insecticides, including substances banned or not approved for this use. Our findings underscore the growing public reliance on chemical insecticides for home bed bug management. With this is the concern of increased poisoning risks, and potential long-term health consequences from non-professional efforts by the public to manage bed bugs in their homes. This escalating trend emphasizes the need for safer and more sustainable pest management strategies in urban environments.