Environmental Engineering
T. Handayani; I.N. Djarot; N. Widyastuti; F.D. Arianti; A. Rifai; A.I. Sitomurni; M.M.A. Nur; R.N. Dewi; N. Nuha; J. Haryanti; D. Pinardi; Y. Suryana; A. Aziz; E. Syamsudin; T. Rochmadi; P.A. Lomak; A. Hadi; M.D. Pertiwi; E. Yuniastuti; N.A. Putri
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During this energy transition, research is being done to develop sustainable ways to support the shift to a decarbonized energy and production system. These ways include using renewable energy sources to promote circularity in products, green technologies, and safer procedures. ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During this energy transition, research is being done to develop sustainable ways to support the shift to a decarbonized energy and production system. These ways include using renewable energy sources to promote circularity in products, green technologies, and safer procedures. Anaerobic digestion of palm oil mill effluent is a beneficial process for generating biogas, while the waste can also be utilized as fertilizer. The biogas can be further refined into biomethane, a valuable resource commonly used in transportation and power generation. The objective of this study is to examine the enhancement of biogas from Palm oil mill effluent and the elimination of sludge nutrients by utilizing microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. The microalgae will be cultivated in a modified photobioreactor to enhance the capture of carbon dioxide.METHODS: The study utilized anaerobic batch reactor digesters. A modified photobioreactor, consisting of two columns separated by a membrane, was developed for the technological advancement of biogas upgrading, specifically for carbon dioxide capture and biogas upgrading. A technological gap in biogas upgrade technology innovation is filled by the improved photobioreactor. To optimize the bio-fixation of carbon dioxide from flue gas, it is essential to carefully select a suitable strain of microalgae that possesses both a strong ability to absorb carbon dioxide and a high tolerance to varying concentrations of this gas. By choosing the right strain, the efficiency of carbon dioxide removal can be significantly enhanced. Since Chlorella vulgaris microalgae have demonstrated this potential, they were chosen for this investigation. Microalgae also play a role in removing nutrients contained in the sludge. FINDINGS: Numerous chemical and biological methods have been used to upgrade biogas. Results of biological upgrading of biogas from palm oil mill effluent have been reported, with carbon dioxide removal reaching 89 percent until the methane concentration of the biogas is upgraded to 84 percent. The highest biomass of 1,835 grams per liter was achieved by culturing the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in laboratory-scale photobioreactors. In this study, the application of 15 percent volume per volume biogas with an optical density of 0.4 was found to be optimal for the growth of the microalgae. The cultivation period lasted for 14 days. The peak biomass production was observed due to the achievement of a remarkable 98 volume per volume efficiency in carbon dioxide removal, which subsequently led to a significant rise in methane content, reaching 60 percent. The enhanced biogas achieved a peak methane content of 98 percent, indicating a significant improvement in quality.CONCLUSION: The findings of this study, conducted using a modified photobioreactor, indicate that Chlorella vulgaris demonstrated high efficacy in the removal of carbon dioxide, with a rate of up to 90 percent. Additionally, it exhibited remarkable performance in upgrading biogas derived from palm oil mill effluent, achieving a conversion rate of up to 98 percent. The optical density of microalgae at 0.4 played a crucial role in these processes. Furthermore, Chlorella vulgaris showcased its ability to effectively eliminate nutrient nitrogen, reaching a removal rate of 90 percent at an optical density of 0.2. Moreover, it demonstrated a phosphate removal rate of 80 percent at an optical density of 0.4.
Environmental Science
H.A. Pardhe; N. Krishnaveni; B.K. Chekraverthy; S. Patel; S. Naveen; V. Rashmi; P.C. Govinden
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Iron, an essential micronutrient, significantly contributes to growth, immune health, and cognitive development in human health. Inadequate dietary iron intake leads to iron deficiency anemia, affecting nearly 1.6 billion people, especially pregnant women and preschool children. ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Iron, an essential micronutrient, significantly contributes to growth, immune health, and cognitive development in human health. Inadequate dietary iron intake leads to iron deficiency anemia, affecting nearly 1.6 billion people, especially pregnant women and preschool children. Biofortification and fortification of iron in wheat is an acceptable and cost-effective strategy to alleviate iron deficiencies. This study aims to address iron deficiencies through the strategy of fortification and biofortification of wheat varieties. The study places specific emphasis on the proximate composition and iron/mineral content of different wheat varieties. To achieve these objectives, different spectrometric methods were employed to analyze the wheat samples.METHODS: Proximate and mineral quantification were carried out following standard Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, inductive coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy, and prediction was carried out using near-infrared spectra combined with chemometrics.FINDINGS: The samples had moisture content (1.1 - 4.5 percent), protein (18.0 - 22.6 percent), fat (0.3 - 0.6 percent), gluten (6.3 - 10.3 percent), fiber (0.3 - 1.4 percent), alcoholic acidity (0.04 - 0.08 percent), ash (0.9 - 1.7 percent), and carbohydrate (71.1 - 75.2 percent). Iron was determined and compared by spectrophotometric methods. Iron concentration ranged from (0.7 to 6.3 milligrams/100 grams) in ultraviolet-visible analysis, (0.7 to 6.74 milligrams/100 grams) in atomic absorption spectrometry, and (0.81 to 6.8 milligrams/100 grams) in inductive coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. The obtained results were compared with the standard "Food Composition and Food Safety Standard Authority of India" and predicted using near-infrared spectra combined with chemometrics.CONCLUSION: The work aims to investigate the nutritional content of various wheat varieties, particularly focusing on iron content, which could potentially have implications for improving dietary strategies and addressing nutritional deficiencies. The biofortified varieties (HI-8663 and HI-1605) were found to have high iron content when compared to normal wheat. The acquired results bridge the intricate relationship between plant-based diets, micronutrient deficiencies, providing valuable insights into combating iron deficiencies in public health with the potential achievement of improved nutritional understanding, optimized wheat selection, advanced analytical techniques, education, awareness, and iron deficiency mitigation.
Environmental Engineering
M. Iqhrammullah; S. Saudah; M. Monalisa; F. Fahrurrozi; S.A. Akbar; S.S. Lubis
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The presence of heavy metals, specifically cadmium, in the environment poses significant threats to both ecological systems and human health. However, microalgae have shown potential in addressing this issue through their ability to absorb cadmium and produce valuable biomass, ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The presence of heavy metals, specifically cadmium, in the environment poses significant threats to both ecological systems and human health. However, microalgae have shown potential in addressing this issue through their ability to absorb cadmium and produce valuable biomass, making them a promising solution for bioremediation. Among the various microalgae species, Chlorella vulgaris stands out as a suitable candidate due to its potential for biodiesel production and its capacity to effectively absorb cadmium. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to assess the toxicity of cadmium on Chlorella vulgaris cells using network meta-analysis as a methodology.METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted on Scopus, Scilit, Google Scholar, and Web of Science to identify relevant studies published from 1 January 1990 to 16 January 2024. Only studies that reported the cell number of Chlorella vulgaris as a result of cadmium exposure were considered for inclusion. The collected data were then subjected to Bayesian frequentist network meta-analysis, utilizing standardized mean difference and a 95 percent confidence interval as measures of effect size. Additionally, a linear regression analysis was performed to examine the dose-dependent impact of cadmium toxicity.FINDINGS: Dose-dependent toxic effects of cadmium on Chlorella vulgaris were evident (R-square of more than 0.90), particularly at a concentration of 1 part per million, deemed as the maximum tolerable threshold. Prolonged exposure revealed a concentration-dependent reduction in cell viability, suggesting potential lifespan shortening. A comparison of growth stimulants, gibberellic acid and brassinolide (standard means differences of 1.7 and 3.8, respectively), in mitigating cadmium toxicity indicated the latter superior effectiveness in sustaining microalgal survivability. The presence of high nitrogen and low phosphorous levels was found to be significantly associated with a reduction in Chlorella vulgaris cells due to cadmium exposure.CONCLUSION: This research has provided conclusive proof of the harmful effects of cadmium on Chlorella vulgaris through the implementation of Bayesian frequentist network meta-analysis, offering valuable insights for environmental management practices. The findings reveal concentration-dependent effects of cadmium toxicity. The survivability of Chlorella vulgaris is determined by the compositions of macronutrients nitrogen and phosphorous. Comparative analyses highlight the superior protective effect of brassinolide over gibberellic acid in mitigating cadmium toxicity. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of Chlorella vulgaris in both bioremediation of heavy metals and biomass production.
Environmental Management
D.A. Syamsu; D. Deswati; S. Syafrizayanti; A. Putra; Y. Suteja
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Microplastics are plastic fragments measuring less than 5 millimeters which are formed from degraded plastic materials and have the potential to pollute the environment. Due to their widespread presence in the marine environment, microplastics have become a significant global ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Microplastics are plastic fragments measuring less than 5 millimeters which are formed from degraded plastic materials and have the potential to pollute the environment. Due to their widespread presence in the marine environment, microplastics have become a significant global threat. The presence of microplastics is often considered as causing pollution in various environments, especially aquatic ecosystems such as rivers and oceans. Microplastics contamination can even be found in consumed salt, thus raising concerns about its impact on human health. However, information on the presence of microplastics in salt is still very limited. This study aims to determine the abundance and characteristics of microplastics as contaminants in salt and assess the human exposure to microplastics in Indonesia.METHODS: A total of 21 samples of salt products were taken from various brands available in Padang City and Jambi City, Indonesia for analysis. Microplastics extraction was carried out by removing the organic materials contained in the salt samples using 30 percent hydrogen peroxide and then filtering them with a 0.45 micrometer pore filter. A stereomicroscope was used to detect the abundance, shape, size, and color of microplastics, while the Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was utilized to identify the polymer type of the microplastics. Furthermore, human exposure to microplastics can be predicted by calculating the estimated dietary intake and taking into account the daily salt intake.FINDINGS: Microplastics were detected in significant amounts (p<0.05) in all salt samples, ranging from 33 to 313 particles/kilogram. The types of microplastics most commonly found in the samples were fragments (67.49 percent), fibers (23.82 percent), films (6.08 percent), and pellets (2.61 percent). The types of polymer identified include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyester. The dominant microplastics were 100-300 micrometers in size (47.3 percent) and black in color (52.88 percent). It is estimated that adults in Indonesia will be exposed to 60.225-571.225 microplastics/year if they consume 5 grams of salt/day or 120.45-1142.45 microplastics/year if they consume 10 grams of salt/day.CONCLUSION: Of the 21 salt samples analyzed, all were detected to contain microplastics. Inadequate and unhygienic salt production and contaminated seawater used as raw material contribute to microplastics contamination of salt, thus posing a risk to human health. By calculating of daily salt intake of the Indonesian population, it is possible to estimate their daily and annual exposure to microplastics. The results of this study contain useful information for the efforts to prevent microplastics contamination by relevant stakeholders and the provision of education and socialization about the proper salt production process in accordance with food safety standards as to reduce or even eliminate microplastics in salt. In addition, this study can provide valuable data on human exposure to microplastics in salt products that can assist policymakers in making standard references for microplastics.
Environmental Engineering
P. Periadnadi; N. Nurmiati; F.W. Siregar; T.W. Edelwis
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lipid-degrading bacteria found in processing ponds of palm oil mill effluent are recognized for the capacity to break down lipid using lipase enzyme. Identifying novel strains of these bacteria with high bioremediation potential contributes valuable insights to the sustainable ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lipid-degrading bacteria found in processing ponds of palm oil mill effluent are recognized for the capacity to break down lipid using lipase enzyme. Identifying novel strains of these bacteria with high bioremediation potential contributes valuable insights to the sustainable management of palm oil mill effluent. Therefore, this study aimed to identify potential bacteria, assess the in vitro lipid-degrading capabilities, characterize the traits, and evaluate lipid degradation activity of potential isolates from palm oil industry wastewater.METHODS: The method used for exploring the potential of lipid-degrading bacteria in palm oil mill effluent entailed a survey comprising various stages including detection of bacteria presence, in vitro assessment of potential indices, characterization, lipid degradation testing, and determination of lipase activity.FINDINGS: The results showed that several bacteria groups were present in palm oil mill effluent, including 50-74 percent lipolytic, 31-90 percent fermentative, 76-83 percent proteolytic, and 51-74 percent cellulolytic. Selected lipid-degrading isolates demonstrated significant in vitro potential, as evidenced by high lipolytic and fermentative indices. Isolate Enzymatic 3 had the highest lipolytic index, degradation value (48.72 percent), and lipase activity (0.12 units/milliliter), identified as Bacillus cereus central carbon metabolism 2010. Similarly, isolate Fermentative 2 was found to have the highest fermentative index, degradation value (22.35 percent), and lipase activity (0.01 units/milliliter), identified as Bacillus thuringiensis American type culture collection 10792.CONCLUSION: Based on the results, isolates Enzymatic 3 and Fermentative 2 showed promising potential as biological agents for bioremediation of palm oil mill effluent. The results underscored the promising potential of specific bacteria isolates in mitigating lipid-rich effluents, advocating for the integration into sustainable wastewater management practices in palm oil industry. This study provided valuable insights for future investigations aimed at unraveling the intricate mechanisms governing lipid degradation and fostering environmentally friendly solutions for industrial waste management.
Environmental Engineering
M.J. Zoqi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Leachate recirculation has become a global practice for anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste. Implementation of artificial neural networks for modeling and prediction of this process still remains challenging. Additionally, there has been a lack of research regarding ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Leachate recirculation has become a global practice for anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste. Implementation of artificial neural networks for modeling and prediction of this process still remains challenging. Additionally, there has been a lack of research regarding the generalization capacity of neural networks using the data from other studies. This study aimed to enhance methane production rates and decrease biostabilization time in municipal solid waste treatment. It addressed the research gap in applying and generalizing neural networks to predict biogas production based on laboratory-measured parameters.METHODS: Two distinct systems were utilized for leachate treatment. System 1 involved collecting the leachate delivered by a new municipal solid waste reactor and transferring it to a recirculation tank. System 2 consisted of passing the fresh municipal solid waste leachate through a degraded municipal solid waste and then returning the obtained liquid back to the waste reactor. The experimental data were employed to develop an artificial neural network to predict methane content and cumulative biogas production. The model was trained and optimized using the experimental data. The effectiveness and generalizability of the optimal neural network were evaluated by using it for the unseen data from other studies, ensuring its ability to make accurate predictions beyond the training dataset.FINDINGS: The results demonstrated that in System 1, ammonium and chemical oxygen demand concentrations in the leachate progressively increased to high levels. In System 2, the average removal efficiencies for chemical oxygen demand and ammonium were found to be 85 percent and 34 percent respectively. The methane yield in biogas reached 59 liters per kilogram of dry weight, with a corresponding methane fraction of 63 percent. The neural network model showed an excellent performance, with validation performances of 0.716 and 0.634. The overall performance of the dataset resulted in correlation coefficients of 0.9991 and 0.9975. Finally, high correlation coefficients of 0.88 and 0.82 were achieved by incorporating the test data from other studies.CONCLUSION: Leachate recirculation enhanced the reduction of chemical oxygen demand and the production of methane in bioreactors. Ammonium concentrations initially increased and later decreased due to waste adsorption and bacterial assimilation. The artificial neural network applied for predicting the cumulative methane production from municipal solid waste displayed a robust generalizability when tested on the data from other studies. The neural network was not significantly affected by changes in waste chemical properties, laboratory conditions, and recirculation rate. However, it showed a significant sensitivity to variation of waste mechanical properties.
Environmental Engineering
E. Riani; N.A. Butet; M. Ansori; M.R. Cordova
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cinangka Village in Bogor Regency is a traditional used battery recycling center in West Java, Indonesia. The smelting process was operated in open space, but because of adverse impacts, it has ceased since 2010. This activity generated a large amount of solid waste, categorized ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cinangka Village in Bogor Regency is a traditional used battery recycling center in West Java, Indonesia. The smelting process was operated in open space, but because of adverse impacts, it has ceased since 2010. This activity generated a large amount of solid waste, categorized as hazardous and toxic materials, thereby polluting the air, land, and water. Because an area of Cinangka Village has been converted into a fishing pond, it is necessary to investigate whether the fish that live in this pond are accumulating heavy metals, thereby threatening and harming humans as consumers. This research is important for the innovative remediation of land contaminated with used battery smelting waste.METHODS: Analysis of lead, zinc, arsenic, and iron levels in water, sediment, fish, and aquatic plants, as well as histomorphology analysis of several fish organs, was performed. The safety aspect of consuming fish originating from this location was also calculated. For the used battery recycling area, lead and iron contaminate the environment in the highest concentrations, while arsenic and zinc are always detected but in low concentrations.FINDINGS: The results showed that sediment and water around the pond, previously a burning area of used battery smelting but 12 years after cessation, are polluted by heavy metals, not only lead, zinc, arsenic, and iron. Other metals are present because lead and lead oxide plates are impure and associated with other minerals. According to the lead concentration, the soil/sediment is still categorized as hazardous and toxic material and becomes a pollutant for the ecosystem. Water hyacinth plants that live in ponds are densely cultivated and contaminated with heavy metals. They can become heavy metal phytoremediators on the land where traditional used battery burning was performed. Goldfish from this area are contaminated with high levels of heavy metals and are unfortunately unsafe for consumption because zinc is perilous. Adults are only allowed 3 grams per week, while children may not consume goldfish from this fishing pond. Contaminating heavy metals also cause various damage to fish organs, namely, edema in the kidneys, melano-macrophage centers in the spleen and liver, edema and hyperplasia in the epithelial gills, and fatty degeneration in the liver and its lysed ovary cells.CONCLUSION: Consequently, land in Cinangka Village is still categorized as hazardous, and toxic waste and should not be converted into a fishing pond because the soil is a point source of pollution that contaminates fish with high concentrations of heavy metals and damages their organs. Consuming these goldfish will harm health and thus is prohibited for children. Cleaning and remediation of the environment is necessary and must cover the entire area. Meanwhile, water hyacinth plants can be used as phytoremediators in freshwater ponds to reduce heavy metals
Environmental Science
A.D. Malik; M.C.W. Arief; S. Withaningsih; P. Parikesit
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Land use and land cover changes are affected by massive construction, urban expansion, and exploitative agricultural management. These pressures threaten the potential of aboveground carbon storage in Rancakalong District, West Java, Indonesia. In that massive construction ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Land use and land cover changes are affected by massive construction, urban expansion, and exploitative agricultural management. These pressures threaten the potential of aboveground carbon storage in Rancakalong District, West Java, Indonesia. In that massive construction and agricultural expansion are ongoing, it is critical to detect the potential changes in carbon stocks in the region. This study evaluated the impact of land use and land cover changes on aboveground carbon stock potential in Rancakalong District, West Java, Indonesia, by incorporating several ground-based carbon inventories into geographic information systems and remote sensing approaches. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the aboveground carbon stocks were assessed using Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs models.METHODS: Aboveground carbon stocks were estimated using the integrated approach of field inventory and geographic information systems. Land use and land cover changes were assessed from remotely sensed imagery data recorded in 2009 and 2021 using the maximum likelihood classification method in the geographic information as a collection of layers and other elements in a map 10.6 package. Tree height and diameter were collected within the purposively distributed plots with a size of 30 × 30 square meters. Vegetation biomass was assessed using an allometric equation, and aboveground carbon stock data were extrapolated to the landscape scale using a linear regression model of measured carbon stocks and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index derived from recent satellite imagery.FINDINGS: Vegetated areas were predominant in 2009 and 2021. Vegetation covered 51 percent of the total area in 2009, increasing to 57 percent in 2021. Regarding agricultural area, mixed gardens and drylands decreased between 2009 and 2021. Meanwhile, paddy fields were the only agricultural land use to increase between 2009 and 2021. The bare land and built-up expansion related to the observed land clearing for the Cisumdawu Highway mainly came from the conversion of mixed gardens, paddy fields, and drylands. The results show that the land use and land cover changes in Rancakalong District have caused a reduction in aboveground carbon stocks by 11,096 tons between 2009 and 2021. The highest reduction in aboveground carbon stocks occurred in mixed gardens, while a slight increase in aboveground carbon stocks occurred in forests, shrubs, and paddy fields. The results highlight the contribution of mixed gardens to carbon storage as they are visually similar to forests in the structure and composition of vegetation.CONCLUSION: Land use and land cover changes directly affected the aboveground carbon stock potential in Rancakalong District, indicated by an 11,096-ton reduction in the stocks. This shortage of carbon stock potential was mainly attributed to the massive reduction in mixed garden areas between 2009 and 2021 by 12 percent, which caused a significant decrease in aboveground carbon stocks. The application of the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs model is efficient in analyzing the effect of land use and land cover change on aboveground carbon stock dynamics and can be widely used in environmental engineering studies involving remote sensing approaches.
Environmental Management
F. Abdul; R.F. Rahman; K.A. Purwanto; F.I. Ma'ruf; Y. Setiyorini; V.A. Setyowati; S. Pintowantoro
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The nickel processing industry has always been related with the issue of carbón dioxide emission. The production of carbon dioxide occurs at different phases of nickel processing, from pretreatment to smelting and refining. In addition to offgas, the nickel processing ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The nickel processing industry has always been related with the issue of carbón dioxide emission. The production of carbon dioxide occurs at different phases of nickel processing, from pretreatment to smelting and refining. In addition to offgas, the nickel processing sector also produces solid waste known as slag, which is a byproduct of both smelting and refining processes. One of the slags in the nickel industry is known to contain iron, which is dominant compared to other elements. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the process of carbon dioxide capture by utilizing iron-rich slag derived from the nickel processing industry. The aim is to assess the feasibility of applying iron-rich slag from nickel smelters in the solid carbonation gas process for carbon dioxide capture, focusing on chemical reactions and overall kinetics.METHODS: The iron-rich slag analyzed in this study contains a significant amount of iron oxide. It is theoretically anticipated that the iron oxide content in iron-rich slag could potentially sequester carbon dioxide. The study commenced by preparing the materials, undergoing the carbonation process, and then conducting various characterizations including X-ray diffractometer analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis. Additionally, calculations were performed to determine the percentage of carbon dioxide in the sample and the efficiency of carbonation. The kinetics analysis was also carried out using several models, such as mass transport, chemical reaction, and diffusion-controlled model to estimate the carbón dioxide capture mechanism that occurs.FINDING: The carbon dioxide capture capacity of the iron-rich slag from the ferronickel industry is somewhat limited, albeit still relatively modest. Iron-rich slag was effectively utilized to capture carbon dioxide after thorough analysis. After undergoing a carbonation process for a duration of 4 hours, the percentage of carbon dioxide in the slag witnessed a significant increase, rising from an initial value of 0.28 percent to 1.12 percent. The capture of carbón dioxide gas is due to the reaction between silicate with carbón dioxide gas and water vapor to form siderite. The iron-rich slag operates under the diffusion-controlled model when it comes to capturing carbon dioxide.CONCLUSION: Iron-rich slag is reported to capture carbón dioxide at 175 degrees celsius with carbón dioxide and water vapor condition, which is proven both from thermodynamic calculations and experiments. Iron(II) carbonate is a carbonate compound generated by the carbón dioxide capture reaction by iron-rich slag. However, the stability of iron(II) carbonate in carbón dioxide and water vapor atmosphere is something that needs to be considered in future research. Further investigation can be conducted in the future to explore the potential of utilizing iron-rich slag for capturing carbon dioxide gas, building upon the findings of this preliminary study.
Environmental Science
I.G. Tejakusuma; E.H. Sittadewi; T. Handayani; T. Hernaningsih; W. Wisyanto; A. Rifai
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Plant growth is improved by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, although they have not been researched for slope stability. These fungal inoculations and bamboo interventions may promote root development toward the slip plane. Thstudy looks at how tree roots react to planting ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Plant growth is improved by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, although they have not been researched for slope stability. These fungal inoculations and bamboo interventions may promote root development toward the slip plane. Thstudy looks at how tree roots react to planting in bamboo tubes and the fungal consortium.METHODS: In a screen house, the development of three fast-growing native Indonesian woody plants, Paraserianthes falcataria, Acacia mangium, and Gmelina arborea, was observed. These plants were planted in bamboo tubes filled with soil donated by Jati Radio and Citatah. The tubes were arranged on an inclined plane with a 20° slope. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were introduced in three dosages, with control plots without mycorrhiza and bamboo.FINDINGS: The findings demonstrated that bamboo may drive root development toward the slip plane. On Jati Radio and Citatah soils, the best arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculation results were observed in G. arborea with a treatment dosage of M3 or 30 g. In both sites, neither therapy showed a meaningful change.CONCLUSION: G. arborea has the maximum phosphorus absorption (80%) and biomass weight (660 grams) with M3 dosage in Citatah and 71 percent with 330 g at the same dose in Jati Radio, which is associated with the ideal amount of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculation. As a result, this species is the best choice for using biotechnological solutions to stabilize slopes in landslide-prone locations. When bamboo is combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, root development may be directed and accelerated for the purpose of bridging landslide slip planes.
Environmental Science
M. Srichomphu; O. Phewnil; T. Pattamapitoon; Ratcha Chaichana; K. Chunkao; W. Wararam; N. Dampin; P. Maskulrath
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As a producer within the ecological food chain, phytoplankton provides the base energy and oxygen to the environment through photosynthesis and higher tropic levels. These benefits can be applied in five consecutive nature-by-nature oxidation ponds for the treatment of community ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As a producer within the ecological food chain, phytoplankton provides the base energy and oxygen to the environment through photosynthesis and higher tropic levels. These benefits can be applied in five consecutive nature-by-nature oxidation ponds for the treatment of community wastewater coming through a high density polyethylene pipeline from the Phetchaburi Municipality located at the King’s Royally Initiated Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project, Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi Province (Universal Transverse Mercator 47P 1442725 North 617774 East). This study focuses on the vertical distribution of the phytoplankton Cylindrospermopsis sp. and its relationship with nitrogen compounds in oxidation ponds.METHODS: Samples were collected from a community wastewater treatment system at various depths (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 centimeters) below the water surface in April 2019 between 11:00 and 13:00 hours and analyzed for their chemical and physical properties. The analysis revealed a vertical relationship between Cylindrospermopsis sp. and wastewater. In the density of phytoplankton which were collected by measuring 20 liters of water and filtered using a 36-micron plankton net, calculated and counted under a high magnification microscope, as the species are classified according the taxonomy.FINDINGS: The results of the wastewater quality were as follows: the content of suspended solids was 65–81 milligram per liter, water temperature was 31.8–33.2°C, potential of hydrogen was 8.7–9.2, total nitrogen content was 4.0–5.3 milligram per liter, ammonium content was 0.03–0.06 milligram per liter, nitrate content was 0.09–0.12 milligram per liter, total phosphorus content was 0.9–1.3 milligram per liter, and phosphate content was 0.4–0.5 milligram per liter. In the density of phytoplankton, a significant correlation was observed between the population of Cylindrospermopsis sp. and water depth (R2 = 0.9324). The number of populations at the depths of 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 centimeters were 3.2 × 107, 1.6 × 107, 1.1 × 107, 5.5 × 107, and 1.1 × 108 cells per cubic meter, respectively.CONCLUSION: The different densities of Cylindrospermopsis sp. found at different depths throughout the treatment pond are related to the nitrogen dynamics of the water body. The results of this study revealed that organic nitrogen, including ammonium, was assimilated and converted to inorganic nutrients, which promoted the growth of other phytoplankton species. The correlation between Cylindrospermopsis sp. and total nitrogen and ammonium showed significance at R2 = 0.7268 and 0.797, respectively, with a confidence level of 0.05. Therefore, to ensure treatment effectiveness, the depth of wastewater treatment ponds should be considered during their construction because phytoplankton regulation plays an important role to maintain the overall treatment efficiency.
Environmental Management
B.H. Narendra; O. Setiawan; R.A. Hasan; C.A. Siregar; , Pratiwi; N. Sari; A. Sukmana; I.W.S. Dharmawan; R. Nandini
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Flooding is the most frequent hydrological disaster which greatly impacts humans and the environment. Lombok, a small tropical island, experiences severe flooding almost yearly. Flood susceptibility mapping is important to determine the priority watershed in implementing flood ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Flooding is the most frequent hydrological disaster which greatly impacts humans and the environment. Lombok, a small tropical island, experiences severe flooding almost yearly. Flood susceptibility mapping is important to determine the priority watershed in implementing flood mitigation action, including improving the spatial planning in watershed management. Several methods of determining flood susceptibility require the support of long data series and a variety of monitoring equipment in the field where not every region has the resource capacity. Compared to other methods that require the support of long data series and a large number of evenly distributed monitoring equipment, the geomorphometric parameters and land use/cover in a watershed are closely related to the hydrological responses and are potentially applicable in flood susceptibility mapping. This research aimed to classify the watershed flood susceptibility on a small island based on the geomorphometric characteristics and land use/land cover of the watershed.METHODS: This study was carried out on Lombok Island, located in southern Indonesia, representing a small island in the tropical region. Watershed classification was carried out using 24 geomorphometric variables and land use/land cover, representing aspects of the river network, geometry, texture, and watershed relief. The principal component analysis approach was carried out to determine the most significant variable, and the weight of each variable was determined using the weighted sum approach method. Then, compound values were calculated based on the weighted values and preliminary ranking to indicate the flood susceptibility levels, which were divided into five classes.FINDINGS: The analysis found that the variables most related to flood events are the total number of rivers, relief ratio, elongation ratio, river density, stream frequency, and dry agricultural land use. These most related geomorphometrics indicate that the watersheds with higher flood susceptibility have low rock permeability, relatively low infiltration capacity, and relatively high surface runoff, thus triggering flooding. The flood susceptibility mapping classified 16 watersheds as having very high flood susceptibility. This research shows that analysis of the geomorphometric characteristics and land use/land cover can be relied upon to determine the flood susceptibility level, which is useful in spatial planning and flood disaster mitigation.CONCLUSION: Geomorphometric characteristics and land use/land cover can be used to determine a watershed's hydrological characteristics or behaviour. Based on the geomorphometric characteristics of the watersheds on Lombok Island, some identifying variables that are highly related to flood processes were obtained. Based on these characteristics, watersheds with high and very high flood susceptibility levels have low rock permeability, relatively low potential infiltration capacity, and relatively high surface runoff potential. Flooding still occurs despite good forest cover because the geomorphometric characteristics of the watershed also play a major role in flood events.
Environmental Engineering
N.D. Takarina; N. Matsue; E. Johan; A. Adiwibowo; M.F.N.K. Rahmawati; S.A. Pramudyawardhani; T. Wukirsari
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Zeolite has been recognized as a potential adsorbent for heavy metals in water. The form of zeolite that is generally available in powder has challenged the use of zeolite in the environment. Embedding powder zeolite in a nonwoven sheet, known as a zeolite-embedded sheet can ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Zeolite has been recognized as a potential adsorbent for heavy metals in water. The form of zeolite that is generally available in powder has challenged the use of zeolite in the environment. Embedding powder zeolite in a nonwoven sheet, known as a zeolite-embedded sheet can be an alternative to solve that. Another challenge is that information and models of zeolite-embedded sheet removal efficiency are still limited. The novelty of this study is, first, the development of a zeolite-embedded sheet to remove heavy metals from water, and second, the use of the random forest method to model the heavy metal removal efficiency of a zeolite-embedded sheet in water.METHODS: The heavy metals studied were copper, lead and zinc, considering that those are common heavy metals found in water. For developing the zeolite-embedded sheet, the methods include fabrication of the zeolite-embedded sheet using a heating procedure and heavy metals adsorption treatment using the zeolite-embedded sheet. The machine learning analysis to model the heavy metal removal efficiency using zeolite-embedded sheet was performed using the random forest method. The random forest models were then validated using the root mean square error, mean square of residuals, percentage variable explained and graphs depicting out-of-bag error of a random forest.FINDINGS: The results show the heavy metal removal efficiency was 5.51-95.6 percent, 42.71-98.92 percent and 13.39-95.97 percent for copper, lead and zinc, respectively. Heavy metals were reduced to 50 percent at metal concentrations of 10.355 milligram per liter for copper, 171.615 milligram per liter for lead and 4.755 milligram per liter for zinc. Based on the random forest models, the important variables affecting copper removal efficiency using zeolite-embedded sheet were its contents in water, followed by water temperature and potential of hydrogen. Conversely, lead and zinc removal efficiency was influenced mostly by potential of hydrogen. The random forest model also confirms that the high efficiency of heavy metals removal (>60 percent) will be achieved at water potential of hydrogen ranges of 4.94–5.61 and temperatures equal to 29.1 degrees Celsius.CONCLUSION: In general, a zeolite-embedded sheet can adsorb diluted heavy metals from water because there are percentages of adsorbed heavy metals. The random forest model is very useful to provide information and determine the threshold of heavy metal contents, water potential of hydrogen and temperature to optimize the heavy metal removal efficiency using a zeolite-embedded sheet and reducing pollutants in the environment.
Environmental Science
I. Idawati; N.A. Sasongko; A.D. Santoso; M. Septiani; T. Handayani; A.Y.N. Sakti; B.D. Purnamasari
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Climate change has a greater influence on agriculture through local climate variability than global climate patterns. The impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and shifts in crop patterns varies significantly across regions. Its impact is closely tied to the ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Climate change has a greater influence on agriculture through local climate variability than global climate patterns. The impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and shifts in crop patterns varies significantly across regions. Its impact is closely tied to the technical abilities of farmers in managing their cocoa farming businesses. Technical skills encompass the proficiency of farmers in adopting adaptive cocoa cultivation techniques for planting, maintaining cocoa plants, as well as handling harvest and postharvest processes. The technical capability is interconnected with factors such as crop dependency on rainfall patterns, availability of infrastructure for quality inputs, soil degradation and fertility, nutrient levels, limited farmers’ resources, and technology penetration. Given the significant impact of climate change on cocoa farmers, it becomes crucial to enhance their adaptive capacity to address these challenges. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the characteristics of farmers and their adaptive capacity in responding to the impact of climate change.METHODS: Data were collected from 960 populations from two regencies, 4 districts, and 8 villages using the stratified sampling technique through interviews with 282 respondents. The sample size was determined using the Slovin formula through in-depth interviews with five key informants. The data collected were descriptively and statistically analyzed using the Excel program, which involved generating frequency distribution tables. Furthermore, the Mann-Whitney test, utilizing Statistical Product and Service Solution version 24, was employed to conduct a comparative analysis.FINDINGS: This result showed that the characteristics of farmers in the two areas were relatively the same in terms of age, non-formal education, number of family dependents, and perceptions of the climate. In terms of age, most farmers fell within the mature group of 36-48 years, with an average age of 44.63, considering in low category. The low productive age of farmers (44.63), along with their non-formal education, including training in climate field schools and integrated pest management field schools, as well as the number of dependents and their perceptions of climate change, emerged as significant parameters impacting farmers'''' decision-making processes. These factors also influenced their ability to cope, adapt, and seek new approaches to manage and mitigate the effects of climate change on their farming operations.CONCLUSION: The relationship between farmers’ characteristics and adaptive capacity showed that the larger the land owned by farmers, the higher the managerial adaptability of farmers with lower technical ability.
Environmental Management
E.S. Siregar; S.U. Sentosa; A. Satrianto
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate endogenous variables namely, economic development and deforestation, in North Sumatra, and examine their determinants. Both variables are substantial in a country community welfare with harmonized environmental sustainability as a legacy for ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate endogenous variables namely, economic development and deforestation, in North Sumatra, and examine their determinants. Both variables are substantial in a country community welfare with harmonized environmental sustainability as a legacy for future generations.METHODS: In this quantitative study, secondary data in the form of time series data from 1991 to 2020 with a total of 30 years were analyzed. The novelty of this study is its aim to combine deforestation variables and their determinants in a research model related to economic development. In this study, the determinants of economic development used were education, health, mineral resources and forest resource, whereas those of deforestation, were forest resource, institutional factors, population density, and economic development.FINDINGS: The data analysis revealed that the economic development in North Sumatra was significantly influenced by education, health, and mineral resources, excluding forest resources. Simultaneously, the determinants influenced economic development by 74.15 percent. Education contributed 27 percent, health 71 percent, mineral resources 12 percent and forest resources 29 percent to economic development. Forest resources and institutions had a significant influence on deforestation in North Sumatra, whereas population density and economic development did not have a significant effect. Simultaneously, the determinants influenced deforestation by 77.24 percent. Partial, forest resources and institutions were identified and significant effect but population density does not significantly affect it. Forest resources contributed 14 percent to deforestation, institutional factors 72 persent, population density 3 percent and economic development 57 percent.CONCLUSION: The findings of this study, indicated that education and health have a major effect on economic development whereas forest resources do not however, forest resources significantly affect deforestation. This means that an increasing environmental damage removes forest cover. Thus, it is recommended that the government increase human resource in terms of education and health, which are essential in prioritizing human resource development as a fundamental factor. It is also important to set the limit to long-term natural resource exploitation, consider environmental damages, and improve institutional quality. The government needs to explore alternative sources that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly, such as ecotourism, and renewable energy. Renewable energy can be a reliable source of energy that will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels while also minimizing environmental impacts.
Environmental Management
N.B. Maulydia; R. Idroes; K. Khairan; T.E. Tallei; F. Mohd Fauzi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tridax procumbens L. is a plant that grows abundantly in the Ie-Seu'um geothermal area in Aceh Province, Indonesia. The objective of this study is to determine metabolite compounds from Tridax procumbens plants in a geothermal area using qualitative and quantitative analyses. ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tridax procumbens L. is a plant that grows abundantly in the Ie-Seu'um geothermal area in Aceh Province, Indonesia. The objective of this study is to determine metabolite compounds from Tridax procumbens plants in a geothermal area using qualitative and quantitative analyses. In addition, the contents of six heavy metals in plants and their toxicology were assessed using an in silico approach.METHODS: The ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens was analyzed qualitatively using reagents to determine the contents of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, triterpenoids, and saponins. In addition, quantitative analysis was conducted using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy to obtain the chromatograms and mass spectra of the metabolite compounds of the ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens, which were used in computational toxicology analysis using a simplified molecular input system in a predictor server. Atomic absorption spectrometry was conducted to confirm the contents of six heavy metals harmful to medicinal plants.FINDINGS: The results showed that Tridax procumbens from the Ie-Seu'um geothermal area, Aceh, has secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and tannins, with phytol from diterpenoid group having the highest content (32.72 percent). Toxicological analysis showed that the compounds in the ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens were nontoxic or inactive in five toxicity parameters. The other results of the heavy metal analysis showed the dominance of chromium among the other six metals tested (copper, not detected; cadmium, 0.91 ± 0.03 milligram per kilogram; zinc, 3.50 ± 0.03 milligram per kilogram; iron, 4.65 ± 0.02 milligram per kilogram; lead, 6.42 ± 0.05 milligram per kilogram; and chromium, 13.81 ± 0.07 milligram per kilogram.CONCLUSION: This study highlights the unique secondary metabolite composition of Tridax procumbens under such extreme conditions and underscores the potential implications of heavy metal accumulation in plants in geothermal areas.
Environmental Engineering
M. Shariati; M. Afrazi; H. Kamyab; S. Rouhanifar; E. Toghroli; M. Safa; Sh. Chelliapan; H. Afrazi
Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive exploration of the utilization of scrap tires in geotechnical engineering, focusing on their applications, mechanical behavior, environmental impact, and potential challenges. The utilization of waste tires in engineering applications is of paramount importance, offering ...
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This study provides a comprehensive exploration of the utilization of scrap tires in geotechnical engineering, focusing on their applications, mechanical behavior, environmental impact, and potential challenges. The utilization of waste tires in engineering applications is of paramount importance, offering a sustainable solution to the escalating challenge of waste tire management. The accumulation of discarded tires poses significant environmental and economic concerns globally, with traditional disposal methods often leading to environmental degradation, fire hazards, and increased land use. By harnessing the inherent properties of scrap tires, such as their durability and energy-absorbing characteristics, geotechnical engineering presents a promising path for repurposing these materials. This review examines how integrating scrap tires into geotechnical projects, such as retaining walls, slopes, and drainage systems, can offer sustainable alternatives while addressing environmental concerns. The paper extensively analyzes the mechanical behavior of sand-rubber mixtures through laboratory investigations. Factors including rubber proportions, aspect ratios, and interaction mechanisms are dissected to understand their influence on shear strength, deformation behavior, and modulus properties. These insights pave the way for optimizing the performance of sand-rubber mixtures in engineering applications. Additionally, the article delves into modeling approaches that simulate the intricate behavior of these mixtures, facilitating better design and analysis. The economic feasibility of incorporating scrap tires is investigated, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness achieved through reduced material costs and enhanced infrastructure durability. The environmental benefits of diverting rubber waste from landfills are discussed, highlighting the alignment with sustainability goals and regulations. Despite the advantages, engineering challenges associated with rubber particles' behavior are acknowledged, and potential solutions are explored. Through a comprehensive synthesis of research findings and practical implications, this review aims to provide a deep understanding of the potential of scrap tires in geotechnical engineering. It concludes by advocating for further research and innovation to harness the full potential of scrap tires, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient built environment.
Environmental Management
R.E. Caraka; Y. Lee; R. Kurniawan; R. Herliansyah; P.A. Kaban; B.I. Nasution; P.U. Gio; R.C. Chen; T. Toharudin; B. Pardamean
Abstract
COVID-19 has a severe and widespread impact, especially in Indonesia. COVID-19 was first reported in Indonesia on March 03, 2020 then rapidly spread to all 34 provinces by April 09, 2020. Since then, COVID-19 is declared a state of national disaster and health emergency. This research analyzes ...
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COVID-19 has a severe and widespread impact, especially in Indonesia. COVID-19 was first reported in Indonesia on March 03, 2020 then rapidly spread to all 34 provinces by April 09, 2020. Since then, COVID-19 is declared a state of national disaster and health emergency. This research analyzes the difference of CO, HCHO, NO2, and SO2 density in Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, and South Sulawesi before and during the pandemic. Also, this study assesses the effect of large scale restrictions on the economic growth during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. In a nutshell, the results on Wilcoxon and Fisher test by significance level α=5% as well as odds ratio showed that there are significant differences of CO density in all regions with highest odds ratio in East Java (OR=9.07), significant differences of HCHO density in DKI Jakarta, East Java, and South Sulawesi. There are significant differences of NO2 density before and during public activities limitation in DKI Jakarta, West Java, East Java, and South Sulawesi. However, the results show that there are no significant differences of SO2 density in all regions. In addition, this research shows that there are significant differences of retail, grocery and pharmacy, and residental mobility before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. This research also shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic there are severe economic losses, industry, companies, and real disruptions are severe for all levels of life due to large scale restrictions.
Environmental Management
M.H. Masum; S.K. Pal
Abstract
Air pollution has become a serious concern for its potential health hazard, however, often got less attention in developing countries, like Bangladesh. It is expected that worldwide lockdown due to COVID-19 widespread cause reduction in environmental pollution in particularly the air pollution: however, ...
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Air pollution has become a serious concern for its potential health hazard, however, often got less attention in developing countries, like Bangladesh. It is expected that worldwide lockdown due to COVID-19 widespread cause reduction in environmental pollution in particularly the air pollution: however, such changes have been different in different places. In Chittagong, a city scale lockdown came in force on 26 March 2020, a week after when first three cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Bangladesh. This study aims to statistically evaluate the effects of COVID-19 lockdown (26 March to 26 April 2020) on selected air quality pollutants and air quality index s. The daily average concentrations of air pollutants PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and CO of Chittagong city during COVID-19 lockdown were statistically evaluated and were compared with dry season data averaging over previous 8 years (2012 to 2019). During lockdown, except NO2, all other pollutants studied showed statistically significant decreasing trend. During the COVID-19 shutdown notable reduction of 40%, 32% and 13% compared to the daily mean concentrations of these previous dry season were seen for PM2.5, PM10 and NO2, respectively. The improvement in air quality index value was found as 26% in comparison to the previous dry season due to less human activities in COVID-19 shutdown. The factor analysis showed that AQI in Chittagong city is largely influenced by PM10 and PM2.5 during COVID-19 shutdown. The lesson learnt in this forced measure of lockdown is not surprising and unexpected. It is rather thought provoking for the decision makers to tradeoff the tangible air quality benefits with ongoing development strategies’ that was often overlooked directly or indirectly.
Environmental Management
S. Kozlovskyi; D. Bilenko; M. Kuzheliev; R. Lavrov; V. Kozlovskyi; H. Mazur; A. Taranych
Abstract
At the end of 2019, the new virus called Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) spread widely from China all over the world. In March 2020 the World Health Organization declared a new virus outbreak as “a global pandemic”, and recommended social distancing and quarantine. Most countries in Europe ...
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At the end of 2019, the new virus called Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) spread widely from China all over the world. In March 2020 the World Health Organization declared a new virus outbreak as “a global pandemic”, and recommended social distancing and quarantine. Most countries in Europe have been quarantined. The social aspect of this issue is complicated by the fact that Europe nowadays hosts 82 million international migrants. If migrant workers leave the host country, it reduces the Covid-19 spread. Nevertheless, if migrant workers do not return, it will worsen the situation with the economic crisis. The subject of the study is the instrumental and mathematical aspects of impact simulation of labor migrants’ policy on the economic growth of the host country affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the work is to develop the system dynamics model for assessing labor migrants’ policy impact on the economic growth of the host country during COVID-19 pandemic. It examined through hypotheses of different scenarios of labor migrants policy impact on the host country economic growth in Covid-19 pandemic. The proposed model combines epidemiological and the economic growth models and relies upon real statistical data. The analysis was carried out in four European countries. The results of the study enabled to state that without migrant workers the gross domestic product may fall to 43% in Italy, 45% in Netherlands, 37% in Spain and 200% in Switzerland in 2020.
Environmental Management
X. Xie; E.Y. Naminse; S. Liu; Q. Yi
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been identified as the main cause of the outbreak of the respiratory disease in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China in December 2019. Since then, the epidemic has spread rapidly throughout China and many other countries in the world. This study, therefore, examines ...
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been identified as the main cause of the outbreak of the respiratory disease in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China in December 2019. Since then, the epidemic has spread rapidly throughout China and many other countries in the world. This study, therefore, examines the spatiotemporal distribution of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 and its effect on human development in China, and suggested social and non-pharmaceutical preventive interventions to help curb the further spread of the disease. The public open data available from January to February 2020, from the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China and a medical knowledge sharing website were used, and spatial analysis was performed to visualize the spatial distribution pattern of COVID-19 in China. The results showed among others that COVID-19 had entered a dispersed spatial pattern, resulting in increased pressure to control the spread of the disease. In early March, there was a significant reduction in the existing number of cases, and the number of deaths also decreased. At the provincial level, the spatial distribution of the number of cumulative confirmed cases in China was divided into four patterns: Hubei was the initial core region; the eastern provinces adjacent to Hubei formed the second concentrated pattern; the western provinces adjacent to Hubei and the northeastern and southeastern provinces which were separated from Hubei by one province belonged to the third distribution pattern; while the rest of the provinces in the north, south and west showing sporadic distribution patterns formed the fourth. It has been estimated that about 80% of students’ online learning at all schools were not effective due to lack of access to reliable and uninterrupted internet services especially in the rural areas of China.
Environmental Management
A. Mutolib; Y. Yonariza; A. Rahmat
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Deforestation threatens 120.5 million hectares of forest, and it occurs at a rate of 115 thousand hectares per year. Economic needs and livelihoods encourage people to cut and farm forest areas. Deforestation is considered to be a random and unstructured process that ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Deforestation threatens 120.5 million hectares of forest, and it occurs at a rate of 115 thousand hectares per year. Economic needs and livelihoods encourage people to cut and farm forest areas. Deforestation is considered to be a random and unstructured process that does not involve indigenous people. This research found that indigenous people and various other parties are continuously involved in forest land encroachment. Social networks have facilitated indigenous people and encroachers (buyers of forest land). This research aims to identify the actors involved in forest encroachment and the social network structure in the deforestation process in the production forest of Dharmasraya, Indonesia.METHODS: This study employs an ethnographic case study approach to understanding the drivers of deforestation in the Production Forest Management Unit of Dharmasraya. The Production Forest Management Unit of Dharmasraya covers an area of 33,550 hectares. In customary law, the production forest is owned by four indigenous communities from the Nagari (villages): Bonjol, Abai Siat Nagari Sikabau, and Sungai Dareh. In this research, the data were collected through interviews that asked the respondent to report on those with whom she/he shared particular relations. Primary data were collected using in-depth interviews employing the snowball sampling method. The data collection used interview guides relating to the actors involved in forest sales and the deforestation process. Key informant interviews involving 34 key informants were conducted with traditional leaders, representatives of a lineage unit (Ninik Mamak) and adat functionaries (Datuak customary authorities), Wali Nagari (village chiefs), local institutional leaders, the government, companies, and those holding concessions. The secondary data were collected from relevant agencies in the research area. The data were analyzed using descriptive–qualitative tools. FINDINGS: Three parties are interested in forest production, namely, the local indigenous people, the companies, and the government and each parties claims the production forest because each party sees itself as being the most eligible for forest ownership; this causes an overlap of forest management and ownership among the actors. The indigenous people have become the most powerful party in the ownership of the production forest. The claims of ownership of forests as customary forests have caused the traditional authorities to sell forests massively. The land sale price varies according to the position of the forest and its distance from villages, the topography, and the access. Ulayat (forest) land is considered cheap, ranging between USD 300 and USD 1,300 per hectare, including the Alas hak. The Alas hak is a signed letter showing that the forest land or communal land has been sold to someone else. There are three models of ulayat forest land selling: selling by the customary authorities, selling through a broker, and selling by local people. The research has identified 40 actors involved in production forest management in Dharmasraya. Eight actors were not involved in deforestation or ulayat forest selling. Ten actors were involved in deforestation and ulayat forest selling indirectly, and 22 actors were directly involved in deforestation through forest selling.CONCLUSION: Deforestation occurred because the indigenous people sold forest land massively. The sale of the land claimed as ulayat forest is not restricted; anyone interested in opening a plantation in a forest area can buy the land from the customary authorities. Hence, deforestation has occurred as part of a systematic process involving critical figures in the community. Ulayat forest land sales involved government officers, such as high-ranking police officers and army personnel, and entrepreneurs, officials, civil servants, and other parties who supposedly understand forestry law. The study also confirmed that the economic factors driving deforestation are facilitated by the social networks between indigenous people and the people holding power. The findings of this study contradict the general fact that indigenous people can manage forests sustainably.
