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Wind Analysis for Power Generation in the South of Iraq
2024
Taghreed Ali Abbas, Monim H. Al-Jiboori and Amani I. Altmimi
The spectrum of the wind speed is expressed as the total wind speed that results from events split up into space, time, or both. It is the relationship shown between the energy or magnitude of any given parameter versus the frequency. In this study, the spectra of the wind speed at the Al-Reem site in Iraq were presented. Since the goal of the current research is to analyze wind speed and direction using the Fast-Fourier-Transform, experimental measurements for the wind speed and wind direction were taken every ten minutes for a year, from December 2014 to December 2015 at heights (10, 30, 50 m). Based on the performance of the Fast-Fourier-Transform, the peak with the highest spectral density, measured at 226,236.282 m/s at the frequency of 2 Hz, was found to be at a height of 50 m throughout the night, while the peak with the lowest height level. The spectral density was 115,863.7 m/s at a frequency of 2 Hz, at a height of (10 m) all into the night. Winds coming from the west and northwest were the most common direction in the region. In the morning, the wind was blowing faster than at night.
Show more [+] Less [-]Optimizing Landfill Site Selection and Solid Waste Management in Urbanizing Regions: A Geospatial Analysis of Rewari City, Haryana, India
2024
A. Yadav, P. Kumar and A. Kumar
Improper disposal of solid waste obstructs drainage systems and pollutes surface water. Additionally, the dumping of unsorted garbage generates emissions and leachate, which harm local ecosystems and contribute to climate change. With Rewari City’s growing population, effective municipal solid waste management, including landfill site selection, is crucial. This study employs Geographic Information System (GIS), Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) methodologies to determine appropriate sites for landfills. The FAO, ALOS PALSAR DEM, Sentinel 2B images, Google Earth Pro, and interviews were employed to gather data. The results of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) indicate that 35.4% of the parameters under consideration are associated with Land Use Land Cover (LULC), whereas roads rank as the second most significant criterion, accounting for 24.0%. The WLC technique determined that 4.65 square kilometers were inappropriate for dump sites, while 0.11 square kilometers were extremely favorable. These findings can assist decision-makers in determining the order of importance for variables when selecting a landfill location.
Show more [+] Less [-]The Saprobic Index for Water Quality Based on Fish Aquaculture: A Case Study of White Snapper (Lates calcarifer) in Floating Net Cages at Sendang Biru Water, Indonesia
2024
Dewi Hidayati, Rifqi Aldrian Abrar Syauqa, Dian Saptarini, Carolyn Melissa Payus, Nur Syahroni and Yeyes Mulyadi
The impact of water organic pollution from leftover fish feed and metabolic waste in floating net cages (FNC) aquaculture can lead to detrimental effects on coastal marine biota. This underscores the necessity for continuous monitoring of water quality in areas surrounding FNCs to mitigate the environmental impacts of aquaculture. One method of evaluating water quality is through the Saprobic Index, which quantitatively analyzes pollution status based on the presence and composition of various organisms, including plankton. This study aims to evaluate the organic pollution potential derived from fish feed in the vicinity of the FNCs at Sendang Biru waters by employing the Saprobic Index. The research identified five classes of phytoplankton in the FNC area: Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Cyanophyceae, and Globothalamea. Analysis of the phytoplankton composition indicated that the waters surrounding Sendang Biru FNC can be classified as ranging from Oligosaprobic to β-Meso/Oligosaprobic. These findings suggest that the aquaculture practices utilizing the FNC system contribute to a light level of organic pollution in the water. This emphasizes the importance of effective management and monitoring strategies to minimize the environmental impact and ensure the sustainability of aquaculture in coastal marine ecosystems.
Show more [+] Less [-]The Potential of Blue Light as a Disinfection Strategy in Indoor Environments
2024
F. Llinares Pinel, M. J. Pozuelo de Felipe, D. Uruburu Ferrón, D. Baeza Moyano, S. Bueno Fernández, T. Awad Parada and R.A. González Lezcano
Microbially contaminated objects used in everyday life have been shown to impact human health by harboring infections through direct or indirect contact. For this reason, the development of alternative methods for bacterial elimination that do not lead to resistant microorganisms, large quantities of residues, or human cytotoxicity is warranted. Due to their proven bactericidal power, the use of electromagnetic waves lower than ultraviolet-C radiation would constitute a possible alternative. The main aim of this research was to determine the effect of 462 nm radiation emitted by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the most frequent bacteria contaminating everyday objects and surfaces in residential and hospital environments. The rationale behind the selection of this specific frequency within the blue light spectrum, in contrast to previous research exploring the application of higher frequencies, was its safety for individuals’ eyes and skin. The findings suggest that the use of low-frequency blue light can be effective in destroying environmental microorganisms stemming from the skin microbiome and mucous membranes, and even fecal bacteria, present in the surfaces of everyday objects such as inter alia, mobile phones, remote controls, credit cards, and of which some present high antibiotic resistance.
Show more [+] Less [-]Recent Advances and Prospects of Microbial Biosurfactant-Mediated Remediation of Engine Oil Pollution: A Comprehensive Review
2024
Nafisa Mohammed Babayola and Martins A. Adefisoye
A major global concern is the widespread environmental destruction caused by hydrocarbons, especially from the dumping of spent engine oil. Hydrocarbons are a major source of pollution in the environment and have an impact on agriculture, aquatic life, and soil fertility. The necessity of resolving this issue is highlighted by the detrimental impact on soil biocenosis and the potential conversion of soils into technogenic deserts. Due to high costs and polluting byproducts, the conventional approach of treating contaminated soil, sediment, and water is unsustainable. However, bioremediation, which makes use of biological agents like fungi and bacteria, appears to be a more practical and affordable solution. Microbial biosurfactants present a possible solution for environmental restoration due to their less harmful nature compared to chemical surfactants. This review highlights the green and sustainable nature of microbial biosurfactants while examining their advancements, biotechnological potentials, and future possibilities for bioremediation. The review also looks at the genetic basis and economic viability of biosurfactants for bioremediation applications. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the need for more studies in overcoming the challenges of large-scale application of biological surfactants for bioremediation of pollution and environmental restoration. As partners in nature, these bacteria aid in the breakdown of hydrocarbons, highlighting the need for industry and the environment to coexist sustainably. As biosurfactants are less harmful to the environment than chemical surfactants, they are more in line with the global trend toward sustainable methods and the use of natural processes for ecological restoration.
Show more [+] Less [-]Food and Water Safety Surveillance at Galala Port in Ambon, Indonesia: An Investigation Study
2024
E. Fikri, Y. W. Firmansyah, S. Suhardono, W. Mikana and L. Y. J. Noya
The port is a place for ships as sea transportation to dock. The port, as a place of entry and exit for goods or passengers from various regions, places, and environments, encourages the potential for disease transmission to a new environment. Pathogens present in the environment can directly contact the human body through air, touch, and transmission through food around areas with high mobilization. Therefore, this study aims to look at the results of hygiene observations and laboratory testing related to food, drinking water, and air samples at Galala Port, Ambon City. This study used descriptive research with a cross-sectional research design. From all parameter examination results, several examination results do not meet the standards such as food microbiology examination results (E. coli bacteria > 3.6MPN/gr), sanitation (walls and floors are not watertight), the presence of mosquito larvae (seven Aedes albopictus mosquito larvae), drinking water microbiology (total Coliforms 64 CFU.100 mL-1), and clean water microbiology (E. coli > 250 CFU. 100 mL-1 and total Coliforms 8 CFU.100 mL-1). Therefore, it can be concluded that the inspection of restaurants carried out at Galala port, Ambon City, is not appropriate and does not meet the standards according to the Minister of Health Decree number 942 of 2003.
Show more [+] Less [-]Using Immobilized Algae (Scenendesmus quadricauda) to Reduce Copper Element Toxicity in Common Carp Fish (Cyprinus carpio)
2024
Athraa Ismaal, Jasim M. Salman and Moayed J. Yass
The study assessed the efficiency of immobilized algae (Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin) Brébisson) in treating copper toxicity in common carp fish. Acute toxicity of copper towards carp fish was determined. Fish were exposed in aqueous tanks to different heavy metal concentrations (10, 15, 25, and 35 ppm) for 96 h to examine their response. The lethal concentration (LC50) of copper for common carp over 96 h was found to be 1.4 ppm, with fish mortality increasing gradually with higher metal concentrations. Subsequently, half of the LC50 concentration (0.7 ppm) was used as a chronic toxicity concentration, and fish were treated for 21 days to assess copper accumulation in their gills and muscles. Copper concentration in gills on day 5 of the experiment was 16.89 ± 2.2 mg.kg-1 (Mean ± S.D), a significant increase from in muscles, which recorded 10.72 ± 1.1 mg.kg-1 (Mean ± S.D). On day 21, the copper concentration decreased significantly in both gills (4.73 ± 0.5 mg.kg-1) and muscles (8.4 ± 4.5 mg.kg-1) compared to the control group (significant LSD 0.05). But the copper and algae group recorded on day 21 of the experiment (a significant decrease LSD 0.05) in both the gills (mg.kg-1) Mean± S.D) (4.73±0.5) and the muscles (mg.kg-1) Mean± S.D) (8.4±4.5) compared to the copper group. The removal rate in the gills was 75.57%, and in the muscles was 21.17%. Therefore, treatment with immobilized algae is an efficient and promising method for treating copper toxicity in aquatic environments.
Show more [+] Less [-]The Influence of Gibberellins and Smoke Water as a Stimulant for Germination and Vegetative Growth of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L. M. Perry
2024
W. Muslihatin, R. P. D. Wahyudi, M. Iqbal, T. B. Saputro and T. Nurhidayati
Clove or cengkeh (Syzygium aromaticum) is one of Indonesia’s commodities with high domestic and international potential, considering that this plant is used as raw material for the cigarette industry. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the production of Indonesian cloves, one of which is by using growth stimulators such as plant growth regulators (PGR). This study uses gibberellic acid (GA3) and smoke water as exogenous growth triggers. The treatment given was soaking S. aromaticum seeds in gibberellic acid (GA3) and liquid smoke for 24 h. The GA3 concentrations used were 100 ppm, 75 ppm, 50 ppm, and 25 ppm. Smoke water was obtained from the pyrolysis of coconut shells, and the concentrations used were 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3%. Observations were conducted for 11 weeks and divided into two phases, namely the germination phase and the vegetative growth phase. Parameters measured included germination percentage, radicle, and plumula length in the first phase, root length, plant height, and number and area of leaves in the second phase. The best results were achieved with the soaking treatment using 0.5% smoke water, which showed a significant increase in all observed growth parameters. This is due to the content of karrikin in smoke water, which acts like a growth hormone and triggers the performance of other growth hormones. In addition, karrikin plays an active role in the germination process by changing the morphology of the seeds.
Show more [+] Less [-]Plant Leaf Disease Detection Using Integrated Color and Texture Features
2024
Jayamala Kumar Patil and Vinay Sampatrao Mandlik
In the realm of precision agriculture, a pivotal challenge lies in the detection, identification, and grading of crop diseases. This multifaceted task necessitates the involvement of expert human resources and time-sensitive actions aimed at mitigating the risks of production losses and the rapid spread of diseases. The effectiveness of the majority of developed systems in this domain hinges on the quality of image features and disease segmentation accuracy. This paper presents a comprehensive research endeavor in the domain of Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR), specifically tailored to detect and classify leaf diseases. The proposed system integrates both color and texture features to underpin its functionality, providing a robust framework for accurate disease detection. By leveraging advanced image processing techniques, the system enhances the precision of disease identification, which is crucial for timely and effective intervention in agricultural practices. To evaluate the system’s performance, maize leaves afflicted by rust and blight serve as prime candidates for testing. These diseases were chosen due to their prevalence and significant impact on crop yield. The experimental results demonstrate that the developed system consistently excels in its disease detection and identification tasks, boasting an impressive efficiency rate of 98.33%. This high level of accuracy underscores the potential of the system to be a valuable tool in precision agriculture, aiding farmers and agricultural experts in maintaining healthy crops and optimizing production. The integration of color and texture features not only improves the detection accuracy but also provides a comprehensive understanding of the disease characteristics. This dual-feature approach ensures that the system can distinguish between different types of diseases with high precision, making it a versatile solution for various agricultural applications. The findings of this research highlight the importance of advanced image analysis techniques in enhancing the capabilities of disease detection systems, paving the way for more efficient and effective agricultural practices.
Show more [+] Less [-]Assessment of Water Poverty Index (WPI) Under Changing Land Use/Land Cover in a Riverine Ecosystem of Central India
2024
Girish Kumar, M. M. Singh, Dheeraj Kumar Singh, Bal Krishan Choudhary , Vijay Kumar Singh Rathore and Pramod Kumar
Watershed Development is a very common phenomenon in the river basins in India due to its dynamic and continuously changing nature, which are interconnected via. Land use/land cover (LULC) change and water poverty scenario over time. In the present study, the samples were chosen from seven sampled villages for the Water Poverty Index (WPI) in the upper Tons River Basin. Among them, Ghunwara and Maihar Village exhibit the highest and lowest WPI, i.e., 98.1 and 62.91 out of 100, respectively. This indicates that villages with a high WPI face challenges in their water requirements, regardless of the seasonal river serving the basin area. Conversely, villages with a low WPI can satisfy their water needs solely from the basin. The present analysis of the Upper Tons River Basin suggests that Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) will undergo influences or adjustments at various stages, ultimately affecting agricultural land in the impact region. It also becomes evident that areas with limited land use and land cover (LULC) extensions exhibit lower Water Productivity Index (WPI), primarily due to their reliance on agricultural land. It is observed that alterations, reductions, or modifications in LULC lead to changes in multiple aspects of agricultural land, resulting in noticeable variations in various metrics. The present paper not only evaluates the land use in the Upper Tons River Basin spanning from 2001 to 2021 but also highlights the changing patterns that impact water resources and their utilization capacity. Furthermore, the study estimates the influence of reducing specific features on the distribution of WPI and other LULC parameters. The Upper Tons River Basin faces challenges such as unfavorable rainfall patterns and inadequate planning for irrigation at the fundamental and local levels. Additionally, its geographical location in a rainfed area negatively affects the WPI.
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