Human developmental activities always result to waste generation; that invariably pollute the environment, if not properly managed. The aim of this study is to determine soil quality around Odo Iya-Alaro at Ojota, Lagos. A total of 12 soil samples were collected from 0 -15 cm and 15- 30 cm at three different spots of 100 and 500 m (control) away from the bank of the river. Samples were analysed for pH, EC, NO3, TOC; Zn, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb using standard analytical methods. The results were subjected to both differential and inferential statistics using statistical package (SPSS 22.0 version). Subsequently, the data were compared with Earth crust values. The soil pollution was evaluated using pollution, ecological risk, and geo-accumulation index. Cr (50.43), Ni (29.47), and Cu (104.10) mg/kg at 100 m were higher than their controls; (12.09), (8.14), and (86.06) mg/kg respectively, but lower than their respective Earth crusts; (100), (80) except (50) mg/kg. The soil was moderately polluted with pH (1.15), Na (3.00), K (2.11), Mg (1.87), Ca (1.26) and Cu (1.21); considerably polluted with EC (3.82), TOC (3.39), and Ni (3.62); and very highly polluted with Fe (8.26). Fe (711.73) had a very high ecological risk.  The Geo – accumulation index was moderately - strongly polluted with Zn (2.61), and very strongly polluted with pH (5.37), EC (14.90), NO3 (9.66), Na (15.41), K (11.31), Mg (9.51), Ca (17.08), Fe (15.32), Cu (12.54), Cr (8.67), and Ni (7.32). The soil was polluted. and urgently needs reclamation for Garden Park (relaxation).

Lake Donuzlav, located in the western part of the Crimean Peninsula is a water body undergoing anthropogenic load, which cannot but affect the state of its bottom sediments.  The content and composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are representative indicators of the degree and character of an anthropogenic impact in natural habitats. The aim of the work was to assess the level of PAH content in the bottom sediments, to identify potential sources and to assess the toxicity of bottom sediments. It was established that the average content of ∑PAH in the sediments amounted to 806±380 ng/g, with the values of this parameter ranging over 34–4036 ng/g. At five out of ten stations in Lake Donuzlav, PAH values, average for the Black Sea, were exceeded. These stations were grouped along both banks in the inner part of the reservoir. Fourteen PAHs were identified: Nap, 2mNap, Flu, Phe, Ant, Fla, Py, TrPhe, Chr, BbF, BkF, BaP, DBA, BghiP. The main share falls on the binuclear Nap and 2mNap, which indicate the presence of fresh oil pollution. The average share of these compounds over the water area was 60±5%, and at stations with elevated levels of ∑PAH it was 74±4%. There was a close correlation between the content of all polyarenes, which coefficient averaged 0,88. The presence of geochemical relationships between polyarenes entering from different sources was probably due to the functioning of natural mechanisms aimed at the transformation of pollutants, which served to restore the dynamic balance of the system.

We analyzed 125 samples collected from Joypurhat district, Bangladesh, in this study. Average inorganic arsenic (IAs) content obtained from collected polished rice, tomato, potato, radish, and arum leaves 0.31 - 0.91, 0.24 - 0.61, 0.49 - 0.88, 0.40 - 0.93, and 0.30 - 0.69 mg/kg, respectively. This report summarized that almost every agronomic sample contains arsenic; the As contents remain within the permissible limit set by FAO/WHO’s guideline (1.00 mg/kg) except for the rice sample. The As concentration for the rice sample was significantly higher (0.31 - 0.91) than the prescribed limit (0.20 mg/kg). But, the As level for water (mean range, 0.10 - 0.72 mg/l), sediment (0.13 - 0.53 mg/kg), and soil samples (24.1 - 43.1 mg/kg) also significantly surpassed the permissible level. The present study is alarming for water samples, where the highest IAs concentration (0.72 mg/l) is 72 times [14 times] higher than WHO/FAO’s [Bangladesh’s] allowable limit (0.01mg/l) [0.05 mg/l]. All agronomic fields contain higher IAs (25.50 - 43.10 mg/kg) than the world standard limit (10 mg/kg). Statistical Igeo confirmed the moderate pollution of the entire agronomic field of Joypurhat except for the river’s sediment. Again, EF values ensured the anthropogenic pollution by the moderately severe enrichment of As for the 65% agronomic field and significant enrichment of As for the 35% agronomic field. Hazard estimation results revealed the privileged possibility of non-carcinogenic [carcinogenic] health hazards to regular polished rice [water] consumers. So, present study suggests that authorities should take necessary steps to prevent contamination/upcoming health risks.

The aim of this research was to use a variety of leaching methods to see how different parameters affected the amount of lead leaching from tailings. Synthetic precipitation leaching procedure, toxicity characteristic leaching procedure, leachate extraction procedure, and field leach test protocols were utilized to assess the toxicity of the tailings. The impact of the liquid-solid ratio, particle size, contact time, and pH on lead release from tailings was also investigated. According to the findings, pH entirely effects on the release of lead from the tailings, and amphoteric leaching behavior was observed. The tailings were classified as hazardous material as a result of the TCLP leaching protocol's findings. S1 and S2 samples had lead mobility indexes of 51% and 5.6%, respectively. The solubility process influenced the discharge of lead from the tailings. In the particle size ranges of 0.3-0.5 mm and 0.6-1.0 mm, respectively, the maximum amount of lead was released from S1 and S2 samples. Various experiments have shown that the interaction between different factors will have complex and strong effects on the leaching process. To that end, managing of tailings and preventing lead emission into the environment necessitates a unique technique. Leachability is affected by a number of factors and often multiple factors can produce synergistically different releases than would be predicted by each factor alone. However, validation of the leaching approaches to field-collected and monitored cases indicates that combined effects are either captured by the test data or can be considered through fate and transport modeling.

Environmental pollution with heavy metals has a negative impact on lawn grasses. Heavy metals are one of the priority pollutants of anthropogenic ecosystems. Earlier, plants Agrostis stolonifera, resistant to cadmium, were obtained using biotechnological method. Plants that are resistant to one heavy metal may be cross-resistant to another. The assessment of the resistance of plants obtained by biotechnological methods to other heavy metals is of practical value. The object of our study was to lawn grass - Agrostis stolonifera L. The aim of this work was to assess the tolerance of the next generation descendants  of the regenerant  Agrostis stolonifera, resistant to cadmium, to one of the most phytotoxic heavy metals - copper. Cadmium -tolerant plants were more resistant to copper. The tolerance of cadmium – resistant plants to copper is associated with  nonspecific mechanisms.  However, the increase in plant resistance was not very significant. Therefore, it is more expedient to obtain plants that are resistant to copper.

The present investigation examined the impact of highways on the global dispersion patterns of metallic elements present in dust and snow. A total of 18 mixed snow samples were collected from both sides of the Moscow-Tambo-Astrakhan Caspian Highway by the end of the winter season. The analysis of the samples indicated the presence of 35 distinct chemical elements, where Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, and Zn were identified as the primary contaminants. The primary area of pollution on the windward side originating from the road spans a distance of 20-40 meters, while on the leeward side, it extends to 10 meters. The data presented suggests that the metals found in highways exhibited variability in terms of their solubility in water and concentration. Our findings demonstrate that the predominant wind directions affect the dispersion of pollutants. Furthermore, it was observed that the region with a higher concentration of metal on the side of the road facing the wind had a thickness that was 2-3 times less than that of the opposite side. It is advisable to conduct a subsequent inquiry within the ensuing five years to obtain dependable data regarding the extent of metal pollution.

Boreal freshwater ecosystems are highly sensitive to pollution, but too little information is available on the use of both biotic and chemical indicators for estimation of the effect of wastewater on boreal rivers and streams. The purpose of this study was to assess the wastewater impact on the boreal river (Perm Krai, Russia).  Physicochemical parameters of major ions and trace elements were detected with a field portable unit, capillary electrophoresis, and ICP-MS. Fish data was collected by gillnets. To evaluate the level of pollution from the Tolych River upstream to downstream, we calculated heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), ecological risk index (ERI), and index of biotic integrity (IBI). The anthropogenic impact from upstream to downstream showed the range from a very high to medium level of pollution by ERI and from a high to medium level by HEI values, where most of the studied major ions and trace elements often exceeded aquatic life limits. We found significant thermal pollution of the observed river with the decreasing temperature gradient from pollution source down to the river mouth due to hydromorphological factors. Observed thermal pollution leads to the absence of thermally sensitive cold-water fish species and the abundance of ecologically flexible fish species. The water quality assessed by biotic IBI index showed low and very low quality of lower reach of the studied river, which contradicts the results of assessment by HEI and ERI indices.  The results show the importance of using aquatic organisms as bioindicators for assessing ecological water quality.

During the COVID-19 pandemic large numbers of single-use, surgical style face masks were lost or discarded in public spaces, primarily in on public streets and car parking settings. Many of these masks were blown onto the road surfaces where they were subjected to degradation through the tire impact of passing vehicle traffic. As series of field observations as well as experimental simulations show that the three-ply polypropylene mask fabric is subjected to shear forces when compressed between the tire and the road surface. The mechanical action breaks the bonds between the fibers (both spunbonded and meltblown) leading to a continual shedding of microfibers. Wind disperses these into the environment along road sides, while surface water action moves them into stormwater drains and from there into the waterways. As the decay is rapid, municipal agencies only have a short window of time to remove stray face masks from the urban environment if micro-fiber pollution is to be reduced.

Fungi are successful microorganisms in the bioremediation of environmental pollution. So, this study aimed to determine the potential of Trichoderma tomentosum to remediate cadmium, lead, and nickel contaminations from potato dextrose agar (PDA) and potato dextrose broth (PDB) media. Growth rates, toxicity tolerance sporulation, bio-sorption capacity, and bio-sorption efficiency of the fungus were evaluated under different concentrations of CdCl2, Pb(NO3)2, and NiCl2. The findings demonstrated that the growth rate of the fungus differed depending on concentration, metal type, and medium. More metals in PDA medium induced more inhibition on fungus growth rates; however, the rate was independent from the heavy metals concentrations in PDB medium. Cadmium was the most toxic metal tested against T. tomentosum, with a 72h LC50 of 37 ppm. It was about 3.16 and 4.24 times as toxic as nickel and lead, respectively. In the control condition, sporulation of the fungus began at 72 hours, but under the heavy metals, it began at 168, 168, and 192 hours, respectively, for Pb, Ni, and Cd. Both the bio-sorption capacity and efficacy of the fungus were significantly enhanced by an increase in metal content and the highest values were obtained at 200 ppm of the salts. The heavy metals total bio-sorption capacity order was Ni < Cd < Pb in the aqueous medium. The conclusion was that T. tomentosum has a greater potential for the biosorption of heavy metals; hence, the fungus may be employed for the bioremediation of heavy metals from polluted sites, particularly wastewater and industrial influents.

The Huatanay River in Cusco-Peru, is affected by wastewater discharges along its course. In order to evaluate this impact, we evaluate antibiotic residues and their impact on the increase of bacterial resistance in the city of Cusco treatment plant. For this purpose, water samples from the influent and effluent of the treatment plant were analyzed by chromatographic methods; additionally, sensitivity tests were performed with three bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., and Klebsiella sp.), which were isolated from the same place. Six antibiotic residues were identified (ceftriaxone, amoxicillin, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, dicloxacillin, and lincomycin). Those found in the highest concentration were: amoxicillin (91495 and 0 µg/L) and lincomycin (33970 and 10800 µg/L) in the influent and effluent, respectively. There is more resistance in the effluent than the influent in the case of E. coli shows resistance in the effluent to cephalexin (30 µg) and azithromycin (15 µg). Salmonella sp. is resistant to amoxicillin (15 µg), dicloxacillin (1 µg), lincomycin (2 µg), ceftriaxone (30 µg), cephalexin (30 µg), and ciprofloxacin (5 µg). Finally, Klebsiella sp. is sensitive to ceftriaxone (30 µg), amoxicillin (15 µg), and cephalexin (30 µg). This confirms that the antibiotic residues contained in the wastewater of Cusco generate resistance in the isolated bacteria.