ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Science
C. Turan
Abstract
The present study aims to predict the potential geographic distribution and future expansion of invasive alien lionfish (Pterois miles) with ecological niche modelling along the Mediterranean Sea. The primary data consisted of occurrence points of P. miles in the Mediterranean and marine climatic data ...
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The present study aims to predict the potential geographic distribution and future expansion of invasive alien lionfish (Pterois miles) with ecological niche modelling along the Mediterranean Sea. The primary data consisted of occurrence points of P. miles in the Mediterranean and marine climatic data layers were collected from global databases. All the used models run 100% success predictions, and true skill statistics and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values ranged from 0.42 and 0.71 to 0.86 and 0.95 for current distribution modelling; and 0.0 and 0.0 to 0.83 and 0.94 for the future distribution modelling, respectively. The mean sea surface temperature and maximum bathymetry played an important role in the prediction of the model and explained relatively higher biological importance to the extension and adaptation of P. miles with extreme environmental factors. The predicted suitable habitats of P. miles under the current climate dominantly occurred in the east parts of coastal areas of the Mediterranean. The predicted future suitable habitats of P. miles revealed that P. miles increase its range of distribution dominantly to the central and west part of the Mediterranean in a spatial extent, indicating high suitability of these areas for its future distribution.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Management
M.R. Limon; J.P.C. Vallente; N.C.T. Corales
Abstract
This study examined the waste management beliefs and practices of selected households in a Philippine rural municipality. The sample used for this study involved rural families comprising of 332 households, which was drawn from the population using multistage cluster unequal allocation sampling ...
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This study examined the waste management beliefs and practices of selected households in a Philippine rural municipality. The sample used for this study involved rural families comprising of 332 households, which was drawn from the population using multistage cluster unequal allocation sampling technique. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data gathered. Findings show that households encountered many problems when it comes to practicing traditional and modern ways of solid waste management. Moreover, it was revealed that participants were ill-informed about the various aspects of waste management, and that there was little reuse and recycling of waste materials among the households. In terms of the participants’ solid waste management beliefs, their ratings yielded a X̄ score of 1.08, which means that they generally have positive beliefs towards managing household wastes. When it comes to their practices, participants obtained a X̄ score of 2.59, suggesting that the selected households apply, to certain degrees, various acceptable waste disposal measures. Nevertheless, they also demonstrated beliefs and practices that were not environment friendly. From these findings, this study proposed a plan of solid waste management activities for households, which was collaboratively assessed by local government authorities. The proposed plan was unanimously accepted by the evaluators, who approved of the intervention’s wide-scale implementation in the province. A number of significant implications were offered in this study, such as conducting community workshops and campaigns for the effective management of solid wastes.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Science
L.S. Vanzela; D.C. Pereira; L.D.S.C. Lima; K.U. Khan; C.F.M. Mansano
Abstract
Floating platforms at the hydropower plant reservoirs are attractive sites for aquaculture, fishing and other recreational activities. However, the unregulated construction of these platforms may negatively affect the fauna, flora and water quality of reservoirs. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the ...
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Floating platforms at the hydropower plant reservoirs are attractive sites for aquaculture, fishing and other recreational activities. However, the unregulated construction of these platforms may negatively affect the fauna, flora and water quality of reservoirs. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of floating platforms on the limnological aspects of Nova Ponte hydropower plant reservoirs at the Center-West of Minas Gerais State of Brazil. The obtained data were analyzed using the correlation and regression analysis. Dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total coliforms and thermotolerant bacteria were plotted against the density of floating platforms. The density of platforms significantly (p-value > 0.05) impacted the analyzed limnological aspects of reservoirs. Based on the present results, 4 floating platforms/km2 (1 platform per 25 hectares) of surface water should be the maximum density in order to avoid the deterioration of water quality of reservoirs. With 4 platforms/km2, the expected values in fishing period were estimated to be 5.4 mg/L for biochemical oxygen demand, 375 most probable number per 100 mL of sample for thermotolerant bacteria and 6.1 mg/L for chemical oxygen demand. In fishing-ban period, the expected values were estimated to be 4.1 mg/L for dissolved oxygen, 3.4 mg/L for biochemical oxygen demand, 379 most probable number per 100 mL of sample for thermotolerant bacteria and 4.2 mg/L for chemical oxygen demand. This finding provides important base-line information which could help policy makers to take effective measurements for the appropriate management of surface water resources.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Engineering
N. Amani; A.A. Reza Soroush
Abstract
Building information modeling can help in predicting the energy efficiency in future based on dynamic patterns obtained by visualization of data. The aim of this study was to investigate the effective parameters of energy consumption using BIM technology which can evaluate the buildings energy performance. ...
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Building information modeling can help in predicting the energy efficiency in future based on dynamic patterns obtained by visualization of data. The aim of this study was to investigate the effective parameters of energy consumption using BIM technology which can evaluate the buildings energy performance. First, three forms of general states in the building were modeled to evaluate the proposed designs in Autodesk Revit Software. Then, the main building form for energy modeling and analysis was selected. Autodesk Revit 2020 software was also used to obtain the results of climate data analysis and building energy consumption index. Finally, the most optimal mode was selected by examining different energy consumption modes. The results showed that the use of building information modeling technology in adjusting the parameters affecting energy consumption can save energy cost up to 58.23% in block D. Energy cost savings for block C and the western lobby were obtained as 51.03% and 43.05%, respectively. Based on energy use intensity, energy cost savings for blocks C, D, and the western lobby were estimated as 16.67%, 16.30%, and 11%, respectively. The results of parametric studies on alternative schemes of energy use intensity optimization showed that 16.30% savings could be achieved by the base building model in a 30-year time horizon. Therefore, it was concluded that optimization of energy consumption would reduce the environmental pollutants emission and contribute to preservation and sustainability of the environment.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Management
V. G. Shcherbak; I. Brizgan; V. Chevhanova; L. Svistun; O. Hryhoryeva
Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive scientific analysis of contemporary problems resulted from the forced migration of the Ukrainian population and its impact on the sustainable development of 47 host communities of Poltava region. By means of cluster analysis 4 clusters of 26 rural territories were ...
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This study provides a comprehensive scientific analysis of contemporary problems resulted from the forced migration of the Ukrainian population and its impact on the sustainable development of 47 host communities of Poltava region. By means of cluster analysis 4 clusters of 26 rural territories were identified. They differ in the size of local budgets and the involvement level of forcedly displaced population into the local economy. Factor analysis showed that the involvement level of forcedly displaced population in the region's economy is determined by 2 groups according to 10 indicators. 8 indicators of the first factor determine 2/3 of the dispersion of refugees' impact on rural economy. The first factor reduces the gross regional product by 61.75%. The indicators of the second factor shows a positive impact and determines 15% of the dispersion. The use of game theory to identify conflicts of interest between refugees and host communities was justified. The reasonability to use the taxonomy method to construct a map of positioning rural areas according to the size of local budgets and the degree of integration of refugees is justified. The use of the created map identified the “growth points” in particular clusters. As a result of the implementation of the proposed conflict resolution mechanism between refugees and host communities, the budget of the rural areas of the first cluster increased by 18%, the second cluster by 14.5%, the third cluster by 13%, the fourth by 8%, refugee participation by 30%.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Engineering
P. Saxena; S. Sonwani
Abstract
The indoor air quality is much more matter of concern as relative to ambient or outdoor air quality, especially in the context of human health. However, very few studies have been reported for remediation of indoor ozone by plant species. The main objective of this study is to evaluate ozone deposition ...
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The indoor air quality is much more matter of concern as relative to ambient or outdoor air quality, especially in the context of human health. However, very few studies have been reported for remediation of indoor ozone by plant species. The main objective of this study is to evaluate ozone deposition velocities and ozone removal effectiveness of three indoor ornamental plant species (Dracaena deremensis, Tagetes erecta and Lilium candidum) that can be used in the remediation of indoor ozone. Ozone deposition velocity was estimated through measurement of leaf surface areas of selected plant species and exposing them to 3-regular daytime cycles where ozone concentrations under controlled conditions first increased from 8 h followed by 16 h in the absence of ozone. Values of ozone deposition velocity after the completion of first exposure were found maximum (7.7 m/h) in case of Dracaena deremensis and minimum (0.5 m/h) after the completion third exposure in Lilium candidum. The ozone removal effectiveness found in the range of 0.7 to 13% for leaf surface area to room volume ratio of 0.06/m with reference to an air exchange system and background loss present in an indoor environment. Among the selected plant species, Dracaena deremensis has got the highest ozone deposition velocity as well as ozone removal effectiveness and Lilium candidum has got the lowest values. Hence, this study concludes with the sustainable use of ornamental plant species in the remediation of the indoor ozone pollution, which can further help in improving the health condition of the residents.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Environmental Management
T.T. Tran; Y.M.T. Nguyen; L.T. Pham; B.K. Veettil; S.N. Hoang; Q.X. Ngo
Abstract
The Lo Go-Xa Mat is a national park in the southeastern region of Vietnam, which has a particularly high biodiversity and it includes different wetlands which are unique diverse in species composition. It can be categorized into two types: temporarily-seasonally and permanently flooded wetlands. Ta Not ...
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The Lo Go-Xa Mat is a national park in the southeastern region of Vietnam, which has a particularly high biodiversity and it includes different wetlands which are unique diverse in species composition. It can be categorized into two types: temporarily-seasonally and permanently flooded wetlands. Ta Not grassy marsh is representative of the seasonally flooded wetland. Whilst the diversity and ecology of plants and mammals are well documented, little or no information of the benthic ecology in the seasonally flooded wetland exist. This study aims to provide a new database of the nematode’s structure in the seasonally flooded wetland and its relation with environmental variables as well as detection of the ecological quality, considering nematodes as bioindicators. This work is the first investigation on nematodes communities in associate with some environmental variables in the Ta Not grassy marsh. The results showed that free-living nematodes in the Ta Not seasonally flooded grassy marsh are characterized by the high density (ranged from 235.01 to 898.43 inds.10cm-2) but rather low diversity. More specifically, the genus richness (S) ranged from 8.20 to 8.60. The observed Margalef’s species richness (d) was ranging from 1.07 to 1.53 and the Shannon-Wiener index (H') was measured from 2.36 to 2.52. In addition, the Pielou's evenness (J′) ranged from 0.55 to 0.68 and the Hill indices indicated average values ranging between 5.46- 5.84 for N1, between 4.32-4.60 for N2, and between 2.64-2.86 for Ninf. Specifically, our results indicated that deep level, pH, and NH4+ showed a significant correlation with the nematode density and bio-indices. The sediment of the Ta Not grassy marsh was assessed as in good conditions in all stations based on the Maturity Index of nematodes.
CASE STUDY
Environmental Science
E. Budianto; S.H. Astuti
Abstract
Nifedipine is a hypertension drug must be consumed three times a day due to its low oral bioavailability. One way of developing a controlled drug delivery system is making nifedipine microcapsules by using environmentally friendly polymers of polylactic acid and polycaprolactone via the evaporation method ...
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Nifedipine is a hypertension drug must be consumed three times a day due to its low oral bioavailability. One way of developing a controlled drug delivery system is making nifedipine microcapsules by using environmentally friendly polymers of polylactic acid and polycaprolactone via the evaporation method using oil-in-water solvents. Polylactic acid and polycaprolactone can be said to be environmentally friendly polymers, because they can be degraded naturally in nature both in the biotic, and abiotic environment, or microorganism. In this study, polylactic acid, Polycaprolactone, and nifedipine were dissolved in dichloromethane solvent; then, an emulsifier was added for the emulsification stage. After passing through the dispersion stage for the process of compaction of the microcapsules by solvent evaporation, the microcapsules were filtered. Microcapsules were characterized using particle size analysis, X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The drug release percentage was determined by dissolving microcapsules for 55 hours using a buffer at the potential of hydrogen 1.2 and pH 7.4 as dissolution media. In this study, all variations in the composition of polyblend resulted in a percent efficiency of encapsulation ranging from 78.82%-89.84%, and percent release ranging from 6.80%-39.07%. The composition of 100% polylactic acid produces the highest percent encapsulation efficiency of 89.84% but produces the lowest percentage of drug release at 6.80%. The best composition obtained was polylactic acid: polycaprolactone 1:9 (weight per weight), with a percent release of 39.07% and percent encapsulation of 78.82%. Microcapsule solids produced are approximately 96%. Particle Size of microcapsule ranges at 0.5 μM.
CASE STUDY
Environmental Engineering
P. Gholamiderami; P. Lahooti; H. Darbam
Abstract
The aim of this study was to produce mulch by combining natural mineral and organic substances in order to reach soil stabilization and improve soil physical and mechanical properties in Koopal area. The effects of organic mulch (at 3 levels of O1: combination of 1% sugarcane bagasse biochar+0.5% gum ...
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The aim of this study was to produce mulch by combining natural mineral and organic substances in order to reach soil stabilization and improve soil physical and mechanical properties in Koopal area. The effects of organic mulch (at 3 levels of O1: combination of 1% sugarcane bagasse biochar+0.5% gum Arabic+0.5% gelatin; O2: combination of 3% sugarcane bagasse biochar+1% gum Arabic+1% gelatin; and O3: combination of 5% sugarcane bagasse biochar+1.5% gum Arabic+ 1.5% gelatin) and MNF organomineral mulch (at 3 levels of MNF1: 1%; MNF2: 3%; and MNF3: 5%) on soil were investigated. The soil samples were incubated for 2 and 4 months and finally placed in a wind tunnel. Some physical and chemical properties of soil were obtained as pH=7.42, O.M%=0.223, and soil texture of silty loam. The obtained results showed that compared to control, application of the mulches increased soil organic carbon percentage (1.1%), mean weight diameter (2.47 mm), geometric mean diameter (1.27 mm), penetration resistance (370), shear strength (27.38) and tensile strength (0.8) significantly and decreased soil loss (0.10 g/m2/s), fracture index, soil texture index (62.16), and crust index (1.18) significantly (p <0.01) in both incubation periods. Effects of the mulches on soil organic carbon were reduced after 4 months. In mulch treatments, soil loss rate, mean weight diameter, geometric mean diameter and tensile strength were increased significantly. In general, the organic mulch could stabilize the soil and improve the physical and mechanical properties of the soil.
REVIEW PAPER
Environmental Engineering
S. Gautam; G. Saini
Abstract
Industrial effluents are a menace to the environment and the fact that their characteristics vary from industry-to-industry only adds to the complex challenge they offer to the engineers and scientists. Resource-efficient and environment-friendly solutions to this hazard are a call of the hour. Coagulation, ...
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Industrial effluents are a menace to the environment and the fact that their characteristics vary from industry-to-industry only adds to the complex challenge they offer to the engineers and scientists. Resource-efficient and environment-friendly solutions to this hazard are a call of the hour. Coagulation, by synthetic chemicals, has been used as a cost-effective and efficient method for managing the effluents generated by a large number of industries. However, the synthetic chemicals themselves are a cause of concern due to their non-native nature, non-degradability, and health conditions associated with their left-over residues. Natural coagulants offer a cost-effective, environment-friendly, and sustainable alternative to the application of synthetic chemicals. Such natural coagulants, despite their demonstrated effectiveness in treating the industrial wastewaters, have their own limitations and are yet to be investigated for large-scale applications. The current work presents a state-of-the-art review of the natural coagulants' application in treating industrial wastewaters and their relative advantages and disadvantages as compared to the chemical coagulants. Future research areas have also been identified that may ultimately lead to the large-scale commercial application of natural coagulants and will result in an environment-friendly and sustainable solution to the problems created by industrial effluents and synthetic chemical coagulants.
