Oil spills can have varying degrees of impact on the aquatic environment depending on factors such as the type of oil spilled, the volume released, and the ecosystem affected because crude oil and refined petroleum contain harmful substances such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals. When released into the water, these substances can have immediate and long-term effects on marine life. This research aims to find the factors affecting the degree of pollution from oil spills on the aquatic environment and the areas adjacent to the Qayyarah refinery in northern Iraq. Combines the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method and the analytical hierarchy process to evaluate the degree of pollution from oil spill incidents in the areas adjacent to the refinery. The statistical analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences and that the value of the correlation coefficient was positive between exchanged cadmium, residual cadmium, exchanged lead, where the lead exchange rate ranged correlation coefficient at a minimum R² 0.674 and a clear increase in the number of bacteria indicating contamination the total number of bacteria coli, fecal coliform bacteria, and fecal strep bacteria (where the numbers of coliform bacteria ranged 102 × 102- (cells/011 mL, and fecal coliform bacteria were between 160 × 102 cells/011 mL. These rates are environmental and vital indicators of the presence of significant levels of organic pollution and evidence of the presence of microorganisms dangerous to the health of residents and living organisms.

This research delves into the promising domain of CO2 capture through fine solid activated carbon adsorbent, offering a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional adsorption methods. The central challenge addressed here is the utility of cheaper CO2 adsorbent, fine powder materials whose properties can be precisely tailored via molecular-level fictionalization. Equally vital is selecting an optimal fluidizing column configuration that maximizes CO2 interaction with adsorption particles and enhances adsorption efficiency. The proposed solution is a fluidized bed column uniquely equipped with integrated acoustic vibrations to counteract interparticle forces common in fine powders. For adsorption evaluations, sound-assisted fluidized-bed experimentation on a laboratory size was set up. Adsorbent material activated carbon made up of coal underwent rigorous testing between a range of 20 Hz-200 Hz and 20 dB-135 dB. Results reveal the beneficial effects of acoustic enhancement of fluidization quality and adsorption efficiency, increased adsorption capacity, enhanced bed utilization, and accelerated adsorption rates. Extensive research has been conducted on the detailed effects of major operational variables on adsorption performance, notably frequency, sound intensity, and minimum fluidization velocity. The findings highlight the pivotal role of particle size with mean size 75 microns range as a determinant of adsorption capacity at 100 Hz and 125 dB. At the end of experimentation, the adsorbent considered for the experiment is compared to the study adsorption capacity at operating conditions. The research concludes with a discussion on the effects of influencing parameters for adsorption on employing sound vibrations using fluidization technique adsorption for CO2 capture.

This study aimed to analyze the microplastic contamination of fresh and pindang fish and its health impact on the coast of Muncar, Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia. In this study, a total of 115 respondents participated, providing questionnaire data on their fish consumption habits and health problems. Subsequently, spearman’s correlation coefficient, a non-parametric statistical test, was used to analyze the questionnaire data. This study also included 100 samples of marine fish, consisting of 89 fresh fish and 11 pindang fish from various types of marine species. The content of microplastic polymers detected through FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) was around 3-5 microplastic polymers/fish samples, and the most dominant were Polyethylene, Polyester, Polycaprolactam (Nylon 6) and Polyamide. This study showed that 94 percent of fish samples contained microplastics and only 6 percent of samples did not contain microplastics. The intensity of pindang fish consumption was positively correlated with respondents’ health symptoms and problems. Subsequently, implementing effective waste management systems and educational programs in the coastal areas is crucial in reducing the pollution of seawater resulting from inadequate waste disposal practices.

This research investigates the microbial degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastics by Bacillus sp., Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Salmonella sp. The study employs a systematic approach, isolating microorganisms from plastic-contaminated soil and subjecting them to a series of biochemical tests for identification. The research evaluates the weight loss of LDPE and HDPE over two months, revealing varying degrees of degradation among the bacterial strains. Results suggest a potential greater susceptibility of HDPE to microbial degradation. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis provides high-resolution images of the plastic surface, indicating structural changes and biofilm formation during degradation. The findings highlight the unique enzymatic capabilities of each strain and underscore the significance of SEM in elucidating microbial interactions with plastics. The study prompts discussions on optimization, synergistic effects, and the identification of key enzymes in plastic degradation, emphasizing the importance of microbial strategies for waste management. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into the potential of bacterial strains for addressing plastic pollution challenges.

The inhibitory effect of Rosemary oil on the corrosion of aluminum alloy EN AW-2011 in 1M H2SO4 solution was studied by weight loss and electrochemical methods such as open circuit potential (OCP), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and linear polarization resistance (LPR). The inhibition efficiency increases with increasing the concentration and shows maximum inhibition efficiency (70.7 %) at optimum concentration (0.05 g.L-1). The linear polarization resistance measurements show that the presence of Rosemary oil in 1M H2SO4 solution influences polarization resistance increasing and corrosion current decreasing. The voltammetric curve shows that Rosemary oil reduces the anodic process. Open circuit potential results confirmed that organic compounds present in Rosemary oil can form a protective layer on aluminum surfaces. The inhibitive effect was probably caused by the adsorption of organic compounds such as 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, borneol, limonene, and myrcene on aluminum surfaces which are non-toxic and environmentally friendly. This study showed that the essential oil of Rosemary could be used as an environmentally friendly inhibitor of the corrosion of alloy EN AW-2011 in an acidic medium.

Naturally derived cyanotoxins, cylindrospermopsin (CYN), and microcystin-LR (MC-LR) have shown hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects in several studies. The present study aimed to determine the possible nephrotoxicity of MC-LR and CYN on mammalian kidneys using male Wistar rats as an animal model. Potential nephrotoxicity was evaluated at different doses of CYN (0.175 μg.kg-1, 0.140 μg.kg-1, 0.105 μg.kg-1) and MC-LR (0.105 μg.kg-1, 0.070 μg.kg-1, 0.035 μg.kg-1) was observed. Water samples from dug wells contaminated with CYN (0.161 μg.kg-1) and MC-LR (0.091 μg.kg-1) from the Padaviya area in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka were used as environmental samples. The control groups were treated with distilled water. The exposure time of rats to the toxin was 90 days. Evaluation of urinary creatinine, serum creatinine, and Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) were estimated using standard protocols. A significant increase in serum creatinine levels was observed in all CYN and MC-LR treated groups (p<0.05) after 7 and 42 days of exposure, respectively, compared to control. It was found a decrease of urine creatinine when rats were treated with different concentrations of CYN and MC-LR (p<0.05) after 7 days compared to the control. The highest KIM-1 concentrations were recorded at 0.175 μg.kg-1 of CYN and 0.105 μg.kg-1 of MC-LR. The concentrations of KIM-1 in the control groups for CYN-treated and MC-LR-treated were not detected. Luminal protein, nuclear pyknosis, mild tubular epithelial swelling, vascular congestion, and interstitial inflammation in CYN and MC-LR treated groups were common. No predominant changes were observed in the control groups treated with CYN and MC-LR. The results of the present study confirm that the consumption of CYN and MC-LR-contaminated water may lead to kidney injury in Wistar rats.

Aquatic ecosystems that are subject to urbanization and environmental changes, such as the Kapaleeswarar and Chitrakulam tanks, depend on evaluating water quality. Their complicated data present challenges for conventional approaches. The usefulness of the Mamdani fuzzy inference system in determining the water quality in these tanks is investigated in this work. It creates a comprehensive assessment based on subject-matter expertise by handling ambiguous descriptors with linguistic variables and fuzzy sets. The system’s procedures for implementation are described in detail, with an emphasis on how well they can manage interrelated variables. The study shows how well the system measures the water quality in tanks and suggests ways to improve it. Tank evaluation that incorporates the Mamdani system encourages comprehensive resource management and cultural preservation.

The metropolis of Kolkata stands uniquely positioned to implement a natural sewage treatment paradigm through the utilization of waste stabilization ponds, specifically within the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW). These shallow oxidation ponds harness solar irradiation and algae bacteria symbiotic processes to effectively treat incoming sewage. Concurrently, nutrient-rich effluents are assimilated through fish production, converting available nutrients into protein—a hallmark of nature-based treatment. A portion of raw sewage is used to cultivate a chunk of vegetables before treatment in fish ponds, and the reclaimed water after treatment is used for vegetable and paddy cultivation downstream. This investigation explains the delineation of a sewage flow system to EKW, a Ramsar-designated site. Substantively, it offers quantitative insights into the sewage volumes and quality undergoing treatment. The sewage flow is higher in the winter months (909.07 MLD) compared to the summer months (709.34 MLD). In general, the sewage from the Kolkata city flowing to the EKW is moderately polluted. Extensive scrutiny of sewage from pond inlets and outlets serves as a quantitative metric for evaluating treatment efficacy. EKW efficiently treats the sewage, demonstrating 59.1% Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) removal and a 99.28% reduction in fecal coliform. The natural treatment system excels in removing ammoniacal nitrogen (80.38%) and phosphate (90%). The treated water’s quality along the EKW boundary, culminating at the Kulti Gong River discharge point, was systematically assessed. Analytical findings indicate that all measured concentrations in the treated water adhere to prescribed inland surface water discharge standards prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board, India, barring a marginal elevation in BOD during winter. Evidently, the EKW system adeptly manages substantial sewage volumes, fostering efficient treatment while concurrently facilitating resource recovery through fish production, yielding economic dividends. Despite its substantial land footprint, preserving this inherently sustainable wastewater management paradigm is imperative.

Mauritania is a fishing country. However, the Mauritanian coast is increasingly exposed to environmental issues mainly due to anthropogenic activities such as the mining, gas, oil, and fishing industries, as well as new agricultural practices that unreasonably use inputs. Environmental monitoring of the Mauritanian coast faces several challenges; thus, improving the fisheries sector begins with enhancing the state of marine ecosystems and implementing environmental monitoring adapted to climatic conditions and local needs. This study aims to evaluate the quality of the sediments of the “Baie du Repos” in the town of Nouadhibou, Mauritania, through the study of organic matter and the quantification of trace metallic elements in the Quaternary sediments of the Bay. Six samples deemed representative of this Bay were taken and transported to the laboratory. The physicochemical analysis of these samples shows that the superficial horizons of 30 cm depth have overall organic matter contents higher than the average threshold value proposed by the literature for 4 out of 6 of the points studied. The contents recorded for the different metallic trace elements indicate that point 1 is the most exposed to contamination, with the highest concentrations of cadmium, lead, copper, iron, and zinc. The ACP (Principal Component Analysis) showed that the metallic trace elements Pb, Cu, Fe, Cd, and Zn are closely related and evolve positively in the same direction. Additionally, it was found that the points studied are divided into three groups: Group 1 contains only point 1, which is the most exposed to contamination by these toxic elements (Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Cd). Group 2 contains points 3, 5, and 6, which are moderately contaminated by metallic elements with a significant dominance of organic matter (OM). Finally, Group 3 is the least contaminated, with a very high content of organic matter (OM).

Sustainable development is a global policy that requires the collective effort of the actors present in each territory. In this sense, an energy renewal intervention model is presented at the Juan XXIII Educational Institution in the city of Monteria, Córdoba, Colombia, which results from alliances between international, national, and regional actors, becoming a reference that could serve as a basis. To be replicated in other institutions with characteristics similar to those described in this case. The model generally describes the entire process carried out in the intervention and focuses on the benefits generated for the educational community. Among the main results, the increase in thermal, lighting, and acoustic comfort of the educational community stands out, according to a survey and semi-structured interviews carried out. A fact that could be attributed to the perception of increased comfort in the community is the increase in the student population in 2022, going from 1,478 in 2019 to 1,909 in 2022, with a growth of approximately 29%. Energy renovation also resulted in the improvement of the indoor climate of the classrooms (from 35°C to 27°C), the improvement in the physical infrastructure of the institution, the integration of photovoltaic solar energy, and the subsequent reduction of energy cost.