Background. Soil pollution by heavy metals in urban areas is of major concern to city planners and policy makers because of the potential threat to human health. Hence, an investigation of soil pollution is crucial to urban environmental assessment and management. Objective. To determine the spatial distribution and health risk assessment of seven heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) around Ijebu-ode, southwest Nigeria. Methods. Surface soil samples were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn levels using standard procedures. Geographic information system (GIS) data, pollution indices (enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index), and the health risk assessment model, respectively, were used to analyze the spatial distribution, pollution level, and potential health risk of heavy metals. Results. Low pH was observed in the urban soils. The average concentrations of the seven heavy metals investigated were in order of Zn > Pb > Mn > Cu > Cd > Ni > Cr. There was high spatial variation in the distribution patterns of the heavy metals. The cancer risks for Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn for children (1.50 × 10−3 – 2.71 × 10−2) and Mn, Pb, and Zn for adults (7.89 × 10−4 – 2.97 × 10−3) were higher than the acceptable range of 1 × 10−6 - 1 × 10−4. Conclusions. Anthropogenic activities from different urban land uses contribute to the pollution levels and spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils. Increasing pollution of urban soil may contribute to the occurrence of some health risk for residents in the study area. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Background. Lung function tests reflect the underlying physiological condition of the airways and the alveoli. Therefore, they help to evaluate the respiratory health of an individual. Lung functions are compromised far before appearance of the signs and symptoms of chronic respiratory diseases. Air pollution adversely affects lung function. Exposure to sources of pollution differ between men and women due to commuting and smoking habits. The present study was carried out in Delhi to assess the association of exposure to air pollution sources with lung function of young adult females, as this younger age group is expected to have a different exposure profile than older women. Methods. The present study was conducted on the campus of a central university in Delhi among 18- to 25-year old females (n=200). A pre-tested, close-ended and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used that consisted of information on sociodemographic details of the participants and self-reported exposure to air pollution sources at the residence of participants, during their commute to and from college, and at school. Both active and passive smoking status were recorded. Lung function was assessed using a digital spirometer. Results. A significant association was observed between percentage of predicted value of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) with the number of years the participant had resided in Delhi (p<0.05). Forced vital capacity and FEV1 of those using closed transport methods such as car, metro, and air-conditioned (A/C) bus were significantly better than those who used open transport methods such as non-A/C bus and scooter (p<0.05). Forced vital capacity and FEV1 were significantly decreased among those who had a smoke-producing factory in the vicinity of their residence (p<0.05). A significant decrease in FVC and FEV1 was observed among active smokers and among those who were exposed to passive smoking by family members in comparison to those who were not exposed (p<0.05). Conclusions. The results of the present study suggest that air pollution exposure plays a role in determining the lung function profile of young adult females. This study provides baseline data on lung function of young adult females which could be used in future longitudinal cohort studies. Participant Consent. Obtained Ethics Approval. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of University College of Medical Sciences. Competing Interests. The authors declare no completing financial interests.

Background. Anthropogenic activities such as artisanal mining pose a major environmental health concern due to the potential for discharge of toxic metals into the environment. Objectives. To determine the distribution and pollution patterns of arsenic (As), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the topsoil of a mining community in Ghana, along with potential human health risks and in vitro bioaccessibility. Methods. Concentrations of metals were determined using X-ray fluorescence techniques and validated using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results. Concentrations of the metals in topsoil were in the order of magnitude of Cu (31.38 mg/kg) < Ni (45.39 mg/kg) < As (59.66 mg/kg) < Cr (92.87 mg/kg) < Zn (106.98 mg/kg) < Mn (1195.49 mg/kg) < Fe (30061.02 mg/kg). Geo-statistical and multivariate analyses based on hazard indices including contamination, ecological risks, geo-accumulation, and pollution load suggest that the topsoils are contaminated in the study area. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) showed high ecological risk effects (PERI=269.09), whereas the hazard index (1×10−7) and carcinogenic risk index (1×10−5) indicated low human health risks. Elevated levels of As, Cr, Ni, and Zn were found to emanate from anthropogenic origins, whereas Fe, Mn, and Cu levels were attributed mainly to geological and atmospheric depositions. Physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity and total organic carbon) showed weak positive correlations to the metal concentrations. Elemental bioaccessibility was variable, decreasing in the order of Mn (35± 2.9%) > Cu (29± 2.6%) > Ni (22± 1.3%) > As (9± 0.5%) > Cr (4± 0.6%) > Fe (2± 0.4%). Conclusions. Incorporation of in-vitro bioaccessibility into the risk characterization models resulted in a hazard index of less than 1, implying low human health risks. However, due to accumulation effects of the metals, regular monitoring is required. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Background. Recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) in developing nations poses a risk to the environment and human health through the release of heavy metals. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of heavy metals in Douala, Cameroun, the site of e-waste recycling activities. Methods. Soil samples were collected from Makea, Ngodi and New Bell e-waste recycling sites, as well as from a control site. Samples were digested and levels of heavy metals were determined. Results. The concentrations of the heavy metals in Makea occurred in the order of lead (Pb) (290±40) > zinc (Zn) (160±30) > chromium (Cr) (130±40) > copper (Cu) (130±20) > nickel (Ni) (56±5.7) > cadmium (Cd) (20±3.0); Pb (310±30) >Zn (150±20) >Cu (80±30) >Cr (70±40) >Ni (50±1.0) >Cd (30±5.0) in Ngodi; and Pb (280±40) >Zn (155±35) >Cu (80±50) >Cr (70±40) >Ni (53±2.0) >Cd (20±10) in New Bell. The levels of metals in all of the samples were higher compared to the control site, which was composed of vegetation and far from the e-waste sites, and in some cases, higher than permissible limits or guidelines. The ecological risk index of heavy metals for soil samples in all the e-waste sites indicated a very high risk. Conclusions. Heavy metals concentrations in soil around e-waste recycling sites present serious health risks and further investigations are needed. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

This work comprises results of the laboratory tests on formation and potential release of contaminants from underground gasification of lignites. Four large scale and multi-day trials were carried out using ex-situ gasification facilities. Two different kinds of lignite were tested, i.e. Velenje lignite (Slovenia) and Oltenia lignite (Romania). Gasification tests were conducted in the artificial coal seams under two distinct pressure regimes—atmospheric and high pressure regime (35 bar and 10 bar for the Velenje and Oltenia samples respectively). The UCG wastewater samples were periodically collected from the gas purification module to measure the rate of the wastewater and contaminants production at each phase of the experiment and to assess the effect of gasification pressure and lignite physicochemical properties. The group of target contaminants included: phenols, aromatic hydrocarbons, and some non-specific water parameters. The effect of gasification pressure was confirmed, especially for BTEX and phenols and significant drops in the contents of these compounds were observed at elevated pressures. The effect of pressure was more pronounced for the geologically older coal (Velenje), i.e. drop in the average concentrations from 1994 μg/l (atmospheric) to 804 μg/l (35 bar) and from 733 mg/l (atmospheric) to 17 mg/l (35 bar) for BTEX and total phenols, respectively. The differences in the macromolecular structure and ash content of the both coals were found to be the main reason behind the differences in the contents of organic and inorganic species respectively. The study also shown that composition of UCG wastewaters significantly varied over the time of the particular experiments, which reflected changes in the gasification thermodynamic conditions and development of oxidation and pyrolysis zones. During the atmospheric gasification experiments, the values of BTEX for the Velenje lignite dropped from 3434 μg/l to 1364 μg/l and for the Oltenia lignite from 1833 μg/l to 978 μg/l. A similar downward trend in the concentrations of BTEX was observed for the pressurized experiments. For the Velenje trial a drop from 1111.6 μg/l to 211.2 μg/l and for the Oltenia - from 1695 μg/l to 688 μg/l was observed. Concentrations of phenolic compounds during the atmospheric gasification experiments varied significantly during both atmospheric trials and no significant trends were noticed.

The brewing industry is an important sector in the world economy, and its production process generates a large amount of wastewater. It is essential the proper treatment of this wastewater and a significant amount of biomass may be recovered by coagulation/flocculation process. When using vegetable tannin as an organic flocculant, biomass can be used in the preparation of organic fertilizer, unlike what would occur if a metal base flocculant was used, some of which are considered to be toxic. This work presents a study on the use of vegetable tannin as flocculant agent (Tanfloc SL) for the treatment of brewery wastewater, which also contains microalgae originated from an aerated pond of a local brewery industry. Experiments of coagulation/flocculation and sedimentation were carried out using jar test equipment. A sequential 2² factorial design and two-factor Doehlert design were used to determine the optimum levels of pH and tannin concentration for turbidity and apparent color removals from the wastewater. The higher efficiency results in the biomass separation were obtained by employing 0.23 mL L⁻¹ of vegetable tannin at pH = 4.9, resulting in the substantial removal of approximately 99% of turbidity and apparent color. The removals of biomass and nutrient components were also evaluated: N-NH⁴⁺ (80.8%), N-NO₂- (83.6%), N-NO₃ (56.9%), total phosphorus (82.3%), orthophosphate (76.2%), COD (96.5%), BOD (69.4%), and total solids (40.8%). The Tanfloc SL showed to be efficient in flocculation of the brewery effluent, allowing the reuse of water in industry and the recovered biomass material containing nutrients in agriculture.

Sustainable development has by now become an element deeply integrated in the everyday design. It has many shades and may be found under many names. We speak about resiliency in design and procurement of passive, ecologic, plus energy, or nZEB buildings. Nevertheless, if we look closely, we may distinguish certain characteristic ideas. First, sustainable development of societies and urbanization processes should be consistent on a deeper level than presently, and be included within design processes, organization, and planning, as well as modernization and redevelopment procedures of existing urban tissue. Secondly, urbanization should be perceived holistically, as an interaction and harmonious development of both natural and manmade environments, with solutions based on the best technical and technological standards available. Lastly, described ideas are achievable only, if we include continuous cooperation between urban planners, architects, specialist consultants, as well as energy-efficient interdisciplinary solutions to achieve high standard energy measures. One of the thresholds is economic feasibility; the other is health and well-being of the users which should always be discussed as a priority. This paper—outside a brief theoretical approach to initial procedures in design management—will dwell on transformation and modernization of an existing building belonging to the Warsaw University of Technology, one of the oldest universities in Poland, its founding dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century. In 2015, a Nordic Finance Mechanism grant dedicated to the nZEB technology transfer from Norway to Poland was awarded to a group of researchers from Warsaw University of Technology and NTNU Trondheim. The main aim of the project is implementation of nZEB knowledge in Poland, as well as preparation of two integrated concept designs for public (University) buildings as exemplary case studies which could act as the benchmarks for other public buildings.

The study investigated species composition and polysaccharides, proteins, and eDNA content in EPS fractions (soluble, Sol-EPS; loosely bound, LB-EPS; tightly bound, TB-EPS) in nitrifying aerobic granules from reactor operated at a high load of nitrogen 0.5 kg TKN/(m³ × day). In the study, polysaccharides predominated in Sol-EPS, whereas proteins were the main component of bound EPS. eDNA was only detectable in TB-EPS. In Sol-EPS, eDNA originating from Pseudomonales predominated; species belonging to Pseudomonales produce glue-like polysaccharides that enable surface colonization. In all EPS fractions, high abundance of Acinetobacter sp. was noted. In TB-EPS, Thauera sp. was present in high abundance (25.6%) that produce polymers ensuring compact granule structure and that participate in many key metabolic processes for nitrogen conversions in wastewater treatment plants such as heterotrophic nitrification or denitrification. The study indicates that each EPS fraction in aerobic granules represents micro-environment facilitating the growth of species that produce a component of EPS with function essential for surrounding cells.

In this paper, nanosized titanium dioxide as catalysts for degrading dye wastewater was in situ synthesized on the surface of cotton fabrics used tetrabutyl titanate as precursor. The morphology and structure of prepared catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometer, and X-ray diffraction. The characterization results showed that anatase nanosized titanium dioxide was successfully synthesized in situ on cotton fabrics and had excellent dispersibility. Subsequently, the effects of irradiation time, catalyst dosage, dye concentration, initial pH value of dye, hydrogen peroxide dosage, and dye type on dye degradation rate were investigated one by one by a photocatalytic performance test. The test results indicated that the degradation rates of methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B were 90.4%, 81.4%, and 58.3%, separately, at catalyst dosage of 4.8 g/L, initial dye concentration of 10 mg/L, pH of 7, and hydrogen peroxide dosage of 0.24 mol/L, after 4 h of UV irradiation.

Agriculture intensification and the use of pesticides have led to biodiversity loss due to soil toxic compounds. Thus, soil contamination studies are important to understand the negative effects in the physicochemical interactions. The use of biomarkers through bioindicators is a useful tool for assessing toxicity in agricultural environments complemented with the determination of pesticides. The objectives of this study were to determine the presence of organochlorine (OCPs) and organophosphate (OPPs) pesticides and the soil’s potential toxicity in agricultural fields with different crops from the center of Quintana Roo State, using a set of enzymatic biomarkers (BMs), such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), and catalase (CAT) on earthworms (Eisenia fetida). Earthworms were exposed for 96 h on nine different agricultural soils as well as on a reference soil from a conservation area. Within all samples of soils, only OCPs were detected in low concentrations (ranged from non-detected to 1.40 ppm). However, no correlation was observed between these pesticides and the BMs activity. AChE and CAT activity was significantly inhibited in at least one agricultural soil if compared to the conservation area, while no significant differences of GST were observed. The AChE activity observed suggests the presence of anticholinergic substances (that were neither detected nor determined analytically) in the sampled soils. The characterization of oxidative stress BMs was not correlated with the OCPs analyzed. Our results demonstrate that further studies of toxicity under field conditions are required, given the complexity of environmental conditions outside the laboratory.