ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Engineering
G.R. Puno; R.A. Marin; R.C.C. Puno; A.G. Toledo-Bruno
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The study explored the capability of the geographic information system interface for the water erosion prediction project, a process-based model, to predict and visualize the specific location of soil erosion and sediment yield from the agricultural watershed of Taganibong.METHODS: ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The study explored the capability of the geographic information system interface for the water erosion prediction project, a process-based model, to predict and visualize the specific location of soil erosion and sediment yield from the agricultural watershed of Taganibong.METHODS: The method involved the preparation of the four input files corresponding to climate, slope, land management, and soil properties. Climate file processing was through the use of a breakpoint climate data generator. The team had calibrated and validated the model using the observed data from the three monitoring sites.FINDINGS: Model evaluation showed a statistically acceptable performance with coefficient of determination values of 0.64 (probability value = 0.042), 0.85 (probability value = 0.000), and 0.69 (probability value = 0.001) at 95% level, for monitoring sites 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A further test revealed a statistically satisfactory model performance with root mean square error-observations standard deviation ratio, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency, and percent bias of 0.62, 0.61, and 44.30, respectively, for monitoring site 1; 0.65, 0.56, and 25.60, respectively, for monitoring site 2; and 0.60, 0.65, and 27.90, respectively, for monitoring site 3. At a watershed scale, the model predicted the erosion and sediment yield at 89 tons per hectare per year and 22 tons per hectare per year, respectively, which are far beyond the erosion tolerance of 10 tons per hectare per year. The sediment delivery ratio of 0.20 accounts for a total of 126,390 tons of sediments that accumulated downstream in a year.CONCLUSION: The model generated maps that visualize a site-specific hillslope, which is the source of erosion and sedimentation. The study enables the researchers to provide information helpful in the formulation of a sound policy statement for sustainable soil management in the agricultural watershed of Taganibong.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Management
R. Torres; N. Baker; G. Bernal; F. Peres; A. Maldonado; D.D. Caceres
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study is to evaluate in a time-series study the short-term effects of particulate matter-2.5exposure on respiratory emergency visits in six central-southern Chilean cities highly contaminated by wood smoke.METHODS: Association was assessed using both distributed ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study is to evaluate in a time-series study the short-term effects of particulate matter-2.5exposure on respiratory emergency visits in six central-southern Chilean cities highly contaminated by wood smoke.METHODS: Association was assessed using both distributed lag linear and non-linear Poisson models constrained to a 7-day lag period, adjusting for temporal trends and meteorological variables and stratifying seasonally into cold and warm periods.FINDING: The results showed that the daily average concentrations of particulate matter-2.5in the cold period were 3 to 6 times those recorded in the warm period, exceeding the daily norm of 50 µg/m3 the 93.3% of the time versus 6.7%, respectively. The average daily number of respiratory emergency visits were between 30% and 64% higher in the cold period compared to the warm one. From linear models, cumulative relative risk ratios over 0-7 day lags per 10 mg/m3 of fine particle increase were between 1.004 (95% confidence Interval: 0.998 - 1.010) and 1.061 (95% confidence Interval: 1.049 - 1.074); these annual effects are attributable to the cold period impact where the cumulative risk ratios were between 1.008 (95% confidence Interval: 1.004 - 1.012) and 1.036 (95% confidence Interval: 1.026 - 1.047), since significant effects of fine particles on the studied risk were not found for the warm period.CONCLUSION: With non-linear models we observed strong increasing associations with the level of particles for the overall period. High levels of fineparticles from firewood are associated with respiratory effects observable several days after exposure. Health effects found in this study suggest that current policies tending to mitigate woodsmoke-related emissions should continue and reinforce.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Management
B. Zaman; W. Oktiawan; M. Hadiwidodo; E. Sutrisno; P. Purwono
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban intensity and activities produce a large amount of biodegradable municipal solid waste. Therefore, biodrying processing was adopted to ensure the conversion into Refuse Derived Fuel and greenhouse gases.METHODS: This study was performed at a greenhouse, using six biodrying ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban intensity and activities produce a large amount of biodegradable municipal solid waste. Therefore, biodrying processing was adopted to ensure the conversion into Refuse Derived Fuel and greenhouse gases.METHODS: This study was performed at a greenhouse, using six biodrying reactors made from acrylic material, and equipped with digital temperature recording, blower, and flow meters. The variations in airflow (0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 L/min/kg) and the bulking agent (15%) were used to evaluate calorific value, degradation process and GHG emissions.FINDINGS: The result showed significant effect of airflow variation on cellulose content and calorific value. Furthermore, the optimum value was 6 L/min/kg, producing a 10.05% decline in cellulose content, and a 38.17% increase in calorific value. Also, the water content reduced from 69% to 40%. The CH4 concentration between control and biodrying substantially varied at 2.65 ppm and 1.51 ppm respectively on day 0 and at peak temperature. Morever, the value of N2O in each control was about 534.69 ppb and 175.48 ppb, while the lowest level was recorded after biodrying with 2 L/min/kg airflow.CONCLUSION: The calorific value of MSW after biodrying (refuse derived fuel) ranges from 4,713 – 6,265 cal/g. This is further classified in the low energy coal (brown coal) category, equivalent to <7,000 cal/g. Therefore, the process is proven to be a suitable alternative to achieve RDF production and low GHG emissions.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Management
H.T.T. Nguyen; C.-H. Lee; R.-J. Hung
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The sheer volume of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) has presently been generated in Vietnam, posing a growing concern regarding its impact can have on the environment and human health. Therefore, the need for developing policies and regulations towards the environmentally ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The sheer volume of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) has presently been generated in Vietnam, posing a growing concern regarding its impact can have on the environment and human health. Therefore, the need for developing policies and regulations towards the environmentally sound management of e-waste is becoming crucial. Although the municipalities play an important role in e-waste recycling program, there does not appear to be any study involving residents’ perceptions on e-waste management. This paper aims to examine the influencing factors of end users’ willingness to pay and their payment preferences toward e-waste recycling. METHODS: The logistic regression model was employed to analyze a qualified data set collected through a personal interview survey in Danang city, Vietnam. All analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (version 22.0). FINDINGS: The results revealed that the end users’ willingness to participate in recycling programs, laws and regulations, inconvenience of recycling and past experience were four key determinants significantly contributing to the willingness to pay for recycling e-waste. With regards recycling payment methods, most of the participants (36%) were in favor of deposit and refund scheme, while pre-disposal fees and advanced recycling fees came in second and third place (25.8% and 21%, respectively), making monthly payment of recycling fees the least preferred (10.2%). CONCLUSION: These findings may provide policy-makers with crucial information for better e-waste management policy development, which helps address the conflict between development and conservation, may be applicable in Vietnam and other countries as well.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Science
M. Mohammadi; A. Mohammadi Torkashvand; P. Biparva; M. Esfandiari
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims down to evaluate the ability of chloride magnesium- aluminium- layered double hydroxides (4:1) for nitrate adsorption from the soil solution in successive cropping periods.METHODS: The study was conductedunder long-term cropping periods, including first crop): ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims down to evaluate the ability of chloride magnesium- aluminium- layered double hydroxides (4:1) for nitrate adsorption from the soil solution in successive cropping periods.METHODS: The study was conductedunder long-term cropping periods, including first crop): bell pepper; second crop: mentheae; third crop: cherry tomato; and fort h crop: wheat), absorption of soil mineral nitrate in fallow periods and nitrate absorption from plants by layered double hydroxides. The effect of layered double hydroxides on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of plants was also studied.FINDING: Results indicated that layered double hydroxides were able to induce long-term nitrate exchange in crop and fallow sequences. Layered double hydroxides can adsorb soil excessive nitrates in cropping periods and reduce nitrate concentration in the soil solution. Compared to control, the treatment with 16 gram layered double hydroxide/kilogram soil could reduce nitrate concentration in the soil solution by 95%. During two-week fallow periods, the amount of nitrates mineralized in the soil solution was increased, but layered double hydroxides treatments could adsorb them well and maintained the N-nitrate concentration in the soil solution at a low level. Additionally, Results indicated that application of 2, 4, 8 and 16 gram layered double hydroxides/kilogram soil led to 34%, 44%, 58% and 69% reduction in N-nitrate concentration of soil leachates, respectively, compared to control. By increasing nitrogen availability, layered double hydroxides improved the quantitative and qualitative properties of plants. Application of 2, 4, 8 and 16 gram layered double hydroxides/ kilogram soil increased the plant height (cherry tomato) by 14%, 26%, 50% and 80%, respectively.CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the layered double hydroxides has a potential to be used as a long-term nitrate exchanger to control the movement of nitrate in soil, and thereby reduce risks of nitrate leaching in crop production in sensible areas.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Science
F. Turan; M. Turgut
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The eutrophication process is increased by anthropogenic or aquaculture facilities in marine ecosystems. DNA damage biomarkers for fish species detect genotoxic parameters for ecological risk assessment. The aim of the present study was to determine genotoxic potential induced ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The eutrophication process is increased by anthropogenic or aquaculture facilities in marine ecosystems. DNA damage biomarkers for fish species detect genotoxic parameters for ecological risk assessment. The aim of the present study was to determine genotoxic potential induced by marine cage culture in Iskenderun Bay on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) using Comet assay. METHODS: This study was conducted at cage and reference stations of Iskenderun Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean in January 2017. The wild and cultured samples of S. aurata and water samples were collected from wild and fish farm. FINDING: The DNA damages at gill and liver cells of gilthead sea bream in the present study were observed with a higher level of DNA damage in gill cells compared to liver cells, and were determined at the low and minimal scale at the cage and reference stations, respectively. The present study demonstrated that the TP values were recorded at 0.020 and 0.016 mg/L in the cage and reference stations which are at border and below 0.020 mg/L. The DIN values were recorded at 0.097 and 0.075 mg/L in the cage and reference stations, which are at below 0.1 mg/L. The water bodies in the cage and reference stations exhibit Moderate/Mesotrophic water quality The correlations between physical-chemical parameters and DNA damage were shown that DIN, NH4-N, NO3-N and NO2-N in water revealed significant positive correlations with DNA damage levels in gill cells. CONCLUSION: The present study provides the first data set on genotoxic damage induced by marine cage culture in Iskenderun Bay on gilthead sea bream. The result of this research is an early warning for the marine system and further detailed research is needed to establish the source of the pollution and monitor environmental pollution.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Engineering
H. Herdiansyah; E. Frimawaty
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: From August to October 2019, several provinces in Sumatra and Kalimantan had faced severe forest fires, causing thousands of citizens to suffer respiratory disorders. This study aims to assess waste handling in palm oil plantation manage by smallholders and the correlation ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: From August to October 2019, several provinces in Sumatra and Kalimantan had faced severe forest fires, causing thousands of citizens to suffer respiratory disorders. This study aims to assess waste handling in palm oil plantation manage by smallholders and the correlation palm oil plantation waste handling with the fireland in Sumatera, especially on Jambi province.METHODS: Primary data collection was conducted in September 2019, and a purposive random sampling method was used to select respondents. Primary data collection was applied for four hundred smallholders in five districts in Jambi using a mixed method. FINDINGS: Out of 400 correspondents that handle their waste, 50% of respondents handle the residues by stacking the waste on their field, 25% of correspondents stack the waste between trees, 17.25% of correspondents stack the waste on piles, 5% of them bury the posts, and 2.75% incinerate the waste. The average distance from home to the field for 200 correspondents is 8.825 kilometres, and they have the highest harvest quantity with a mean of 1.0940 tons. Most of them are common smallholders and self-subsistent smallholders. The 298 correspondents join a farming association. About 50% of smallholders in Jambi handle the residues by stacking the wastes on their field instead of incinerating the waste. CONCLUSION: Out of the overall samples collected in this study, only 2.75% smallholders in Jambi incinerate their residues. Hence, the fire breakouts happened on several provinces in Sumatera and Kalimantan in late 2019 did not happen due to crude palm oil waste-handling activities.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Science
H. Nouri; J. Mohammadi Roushandeh; A. Hallajisani; A. Golzary; S. Daliry
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bioenergy is a phenomenon that has attracted humans’ attention for about a century. The desirable biological properties of chlorella sp.microalgae have turned it to one of the most ideal options for the production of biodiesel. However, the economic issues must be taken ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bioenergy is a phenomenon that has attracted humans’ attention for about a century. The desirable biological properties of chlorella sp.microalgae have turned it to one of the most ideal options for the production of biodiesel. However, the economic issues must be taken into account in its industrial scale production. The present study aims to investigate chlorella sp. biomass production and growth conditions by studying the influence of glucose concentration as a carbon source, nitrate concentration as a nitrogen source and pH, as three of the most important factors.METHODS: For this purpose, design of experiment was done by response surface methodology and each factor was investigated simultaneously under glucose concentration in 2-20 g/L, nitrate concentration in 0-1 g/L and 6FINDINGS: The results indicated that carbon concentration has maximum effect on growth and biomass production. The best results were obtained in glucose concentration of 2.6-6 g/L, nitrate concentration of 0.2-0.5 g/L and pH values 7-9. Moreover, the maximum biomass production (1.31 g/L), the highest specific growth rate (0.167 1/day), and the highest biomass productivity (0.085 g/L/Day) were obtained in the following conditions: glucose concentration of 2.6 g/L, nitrate concentration of 0.5 g/L, and pH = 8. The optimal C/N ratio was determined and significant correlation was observed between pH and growth rate change.CONCLUSION: It was concluded that Chlorella sp < /em>., if properly adjusted for both chemical and physical parameters could be a valuable source of biomass for biodiesel production in industrial scale.
CASE STUDY
Environmental Science
R.E. Caraka; R.C. Chen; Y. Lee; T. Toharudin; C. Rahmadi; M. Tahmid; A.S. Achmadi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The classification of marine animals as protected species makes data and information on them to be very important. Therefore, this led to the need to retrieve and understand the data on the event counts for stranded marine animals based on location emergence, number of individuals, ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The classification of marine animals as protected species makes data and information on them to be very important. Therefore, this led to the need to retrieve and understand the data on the event counts for stranded marine animals based on location emergence, number of individuals, behavior, and threats to their presence. Whales are generally often stranded in very shallow areas with sloping sea floors and sand. Data were collected in this study on the incidence of stranded marine animals in 20 provinces of Indonesia from 2015 to 2019 with the focus on animals such as Balaenopteridae, Delphinidae, Lamnidae, Physeteridae and Rhincodontidae.METHODS:Multivariate latent generalized linear model was used to compare several distributions to analyze the diversity of event counts. Two optimization models including Laplace and Variational approximations were also applied.RESULTS: The best theta parameter in the latent multivariate latent generalized linear latent variable model was found in the Akaike Information Criterion, Akaike Information Criterion Corrected and Bayesian Information Criterion values, andthe information obtained was used to create a spatial cluster. Moreover, there was a comprehensive discussion on ocean-atmosphere interaction and the reasons the animals were stranded.CONCLUSION: The changes in marine ecosystems due to climate change, pollution, overexploitation, changes in sea use, and the existence of invasive alien species deserve serious attention.
REVIEW PAPER
Environmental Science
G. Manjarrez Paba; R. Baldiris Ávila; D. Baena Baldiris
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The objective of this study isto present a description of the main characteristics of azo dyes and the different treatment methods used to remove them from water. There is a special emphasis given to the benefits associated with biological treatment, predominantly those related ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The objective of this study isto present a description of the main characteristics of azo dyes and the different treatment methods used to remove them from water. There is a special emphasis given to the benefits associated with biological treatment, predominantly those related to the use of bacteria, which has to do with its competitive advantages over other microorganisms in the dye degradation processes.METHODS: The topic to be addressed was first defined through workshops with the research group. The literature review was carried out following several inclusion/exclusion criteria: the year of publication, as the selection was limited to studies published between 2010 and 2020, the focus of the investigation, which had to be related to the efficiency of different techniques for the remediation of ecosystems contaminated with azo dyes and, lastly, that the studies also discussed the use of environmental bacteria in dye degradation processes.FINDING: The efficiency of bacteria to degrade azo dyes ranges from 63-100%, the most efficient being: Marinobacter sp, Sphingobacterium sp, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus casseliflavus. The bacteria that, reportedly, have greater efficiency for simultaneously removing the dye-metal complex are Bacillus circulans and Acinetobacter junii.CONCLUSION: Traditional strategies for the treatment of effluents contaminated with azo dyes are limited to physical and chemical processes that have a high energy and economic cost. For these reasons, current challenges are focused on the use of environmental bacteria capable of transforming dyes into less toxic compounds.
