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A Case Study of Extreme Temperature with Air Pollution and Health Risk in Yazd Province during July 2019 Full text
2024
Fazel-Rastgar, Farahnaz | Khansalari, Sakineh | Sivakumar, Venkataraman
This investigation aims to study synoptic analysis in the dynamic structure accompanied by air pollution of extreme heat during July 2019 in the Yazd province. The time-series data analysis for the yearly surface air temperatures during the past two decades shows a significant peak surface air temperature in July 2019 in Yazd province. The long-term mean and anomalies of the daily basis (2001 to 2019) for the daily mean sea level pressure show a decrease in pressure with a maximum of about 6 hPa and an increase in geopotential height at 500 hPa with a maximum of about 20-30 gpm (geopotential meter), which has led to an increase in the average daily temperature of about 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. Also, showed high values for Ozone mass mixing ratio over the study area mostly over the west with a maximum of ~92 ppb in Yazd province on 1 July 2019. The AIRS (Atmospheric Infrared Sounder on NASA's Aqua satellite) data shows a positive trend (2003- 2019) for the total daytime Ozone column-averaged over the study area during July. Furthermore, the results of this work obtained from OMI satellite observation show a significant increase in the ultraviolet aerosol index (UVAI) during the study period time. This study shows the recent extreme weather changes in the study area which may be necessary for a better future forecast for heat warnings along with poor air quality and health risk when such events may happen in the future.
Show more [+] Less [-]Application of Electrochemical Disinfection Process Using Aluminum Electrodes for Efficient Removal of Coliforms from Wastewater Full text
2024
Nabi Bidhendi, Amir | Mehrdadi, Nasser | Karbassi, Abdolreza
In this work, it was attempted to evaluate and demonstrate disinfection effectiveness of an electrochemical process to entirely remove coliform from wastewater effluent following secondary treatment. For the tests, an experimental bench-scale batch electrochemical cell was constructed, and aluminum electrodes were employed in the electro-disinfection reactor. In the electric disinfection phase, wastewater samples were put in the reactor/disinfector and a direct current (DC) was applied to it. According to findings, a significant decrease occurred in the total number of coliforms in the treated wastewater, and a high improvement occurred in the effluent properties. At a contact time of 15 min and a current density of 5.5 mA/cm2, led to a bacterial killing effectiveness of 97.7% or above. As the current density and contact time increased, a general increase occurred in the bacterial killing efficiency, and the effect of the two above-mentioned factors was much greater than the effect of salinity. Moreover, according to the experimental data, the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS) by the aluminum electrodes were 78.50% and 99.93%, respectively. The findings indicate the applicability of the proposed electrochemical treatment to wastewater effluent. Nevertheless, to be able to apply this system at an industrial scale in the future, it is necessary to conduct more research into the optimum operation conditions and make an in-depth comparison of energy consumptions between the electrochemical treatment and the conventional approaches.
Show more [+] Less [-]Trace metal exposure and health concerns in Bangladeshi rivers: a seasonal comparison of the Buriganga, Shitalakhya, Meghna, Karnaphuli, and Padma rivers' water, sediment, and fish Full text
2024
Hasan, Nahid Bin | Fahad, Md. Abu | Zahid, Abdullah-Al | Hasan, Mahadi | Rahaman, Ashiqur | Hossain, Sakhawat | Sarker, Tama Rani | Hossain, Mohammad Nazmul | Khatun, Nazma
We determined the levels of nine heavy elements in water, sediment, and the edible tissues of three frequently eaten fish species collected from the five polluted rivers in different divisions of Bangladesh. These samples were randomly taken from five rivers and analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. We found seasonal fluctuations in the hierarchy of mean concentration for different heavy metals in five rivers’ fish, water, and sediments. In the water, the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Hg ranged from 0.010-0.081, 0.016-5.531, 0.013-2.445, 0.860-22.924, 0.043-1.424, 0.015-0.933, 0.091-1.451, 0.012-2.888, and 0.010-0.032 mg/l where in the sediment the concentrations ranged from 0.1-1.47, 4.21-284.1, 0.12-28.46, 1860-14971.33, 122.1-480.8, 0.84-42.15, 2.14-210.35, 15.3-30.4, and 0.17-10.44 mg/kg. For fishes concentrations ranging from BDL-0.78, 0.04-86.45, 0.01-1.67, 4.19-102, 0.08-0.94, 0.01-0.99, 0.08-9.56, 0.01-4.56, and BDL-0.2 mg/kg were reported for the above metals order respectively. The highest concentration (mean) of Cr and Fe in waters and sediments was 1023 times and 13020.72 % higher than WHO’s standard and Toxicity Reference Values (TRV), respectively. Besides, the bioaccumulation factors (BAF) of the selected elements for the studied fishes were found to be between 0.036-626.25, where the pollution load index (PLI) for the five rivers ranged from 0-0.95 and the concentration factor (CF) found between 0.02-4.03. Estimated daily Intake (EDI) as well as Target hazard quotients (THQs) analyses revealed potential risks for fish consumers, particularly the level of some metals exceeding the WHO/FAO's tolerable limit, which indicates that the rivers' water and fish are dangerous to humankind.
Show more [+] Less [-]A comparison between two polychaete species; Marphysa gravelyi and Dendronereis aestuarina in terms of heavy metal accumulation from three differently polluted mangrove ecosystems of Northern Kerala, India. Full text
2024
Jithin, Kothalil | Dinesh, Kaippilly
Three separate mangrove ecosystems in Kerala's Kannur district were examined for trace metal build-up in sediment and two polychaete species, Marphysa gravelyi and Dendronereis aestuarina. By classifying the areas according to the intensity of anthropogenic activity, metal deposition in polychaete tissue was investigated. ICP-MS was used to assess the heavy metal load and the accumulation of metals in sediment in the range of, Zn 24.37-59 mg/kg, Ni 23.67- 59.25 mg/kg, Cu 11.27- 38.6 mg/kg, Pb 4.5- 16.4 mg/kg, Cd 0.1-1.8 mg/kg, Fe 1.25- 3.67 %, and Al 0.65-2.43 %. The soil sample's Zn concentration was at its highest and heavy metals accumulated in the pattern Zn˃Ni˃Cu˃Pb˃Cd. By just switching the concentrations of Ni and Cu, polychaetes' trace metal concentrations follow the same pattern as those found in soil, however, M. gravelyi was discovered to have larger amounts of accumulation when compared to D. aestuarina, mostly for metals like Zn and Pb. Based on data compiled from all stations, the average concentration of accumulation for Zn was 62.34 mg/kg & 43.45 mg/kg, and for Pb, it was 6.59 mg/kg & 1.86 mg/kg in M. gravelyi and D. aestuarina, respectively. Most metal buildup is found in mangrove soil, which has higher levels of organic carbon and clay particles. The findings imply that D. aestuarina is an organism that is sensitive to pollution and that M. gravelyi is a species that is extremely tolerant of pollution, suggesting that the species can be used to anticipate the state of its surrounding environment.
Show more [+] Less [-]The geochemistry of strontium-90 in peatlands of the European Subarctic of Russia Full text
2024
Lukoshkova, Anna | Yakovlev, Evgeny | Orlov, Alexander
The subject of this research is the vertical migration of strontium-90 in peatlands of the European Subarctic region of Russia. The activity level of strontium-90 has been determined in peat samples, and the physicochemical parameters of peat deposits have been studied. The specific activity of the radionuclide has been determined using beta radiometric methods with radiochemical preparation according to the methodology. The physicochemical parameters of the peat have been determined using weight-based methods according to the specified procedures. The influence of physicochemical parameters on the vertical migration of the radionuclide in peatlands has been evaluated using correlation analysis. The results have shown that the specific activity of strontium-90 in peat deposits ranges from 0.25 to 7.7 Bq/kg. The results are consistent with typical values for all soils in Russia. The average value of the specific activity of strontium-90 in peat deposits is estimated to be 1.5±0.02 Bq/kg, which is below the established minimum values and average parameters for all soils in Russia. The pathways of vertical migration of strontium-90 in peat deposits demonstrate a downward direction with various trajectories. These pathways serve as a trace of past global atmospheric radioactive fallout. The vertical migration of strontium-90 in peat is associated with the organic matter content, ash content in peatlands, and recent local atmospheric fallout from nuclear fuel facilities. The research results provide valuable information for predicting the migration of strontium-90 into aquifers under changing environmental conditions due to the Arctic's rapid climate warming.
Show more [+] Less [-]Removal of Benzyl butyl phthalate by Polyetheretherketone/polyvinylalcohol nanocomposite Modified with Zinc oxide nanoparticles Adsorbent from Wastewater Full text
2024
Cheraghi, Reza | Abrishamkar, Maryam | Jalali Jahromi, Hossein | Hoseini, Farzaneh
The applicability of Polyetheretherketone/polyvinylalcohol nanocomposite modified with zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesis for the removal of benzyl butyl phthalate from wastewater. Identical techniques, including BET, FT-IR, XRD, and SEM, have to characterize this unknown material. The investigation shows the applicability of adsorbent PEEK/PVA/ZnONPs, as an available, suitable, and low-cost adsorbent for adequately removing the benzyl butyl phthalate from wastewater. The impacts of variables, including benzyl butyl phthalate concentration, adsorbent, pH, and time (15 mgL-1, 0.3 g, 5.0, and 60 min). Based on the received data, the adsorption of benzyl butyl phthalate on the PEEK/PVA/ZnONPs adsorbent agrees well with the Langmuir adsorption model isotherm (qm = 34.24 mgg-1). The results of the thermodynamic parameter showed a negative enthalpy (-77.0 KJ/mol), a negative Gibbs free energy (-11.7 KJ/mol), and negative entropy (-274.0 J/K.mol). This led to the conclusion that the adsorption process is energetically possible, and exothermic was also spontaneous. This work indicates that the PEEK/PVA/ZnONPs, used as an ecologically adapted, adsorbent holds promise for eliminating benzyl butyl phthalate from wastewater.
Show more [+] Less [-]Investigating the spatial distribution of land surface temperature as related to air pollution level in Tehran metropolis Full text
2023
Nasehi, Saeedeh | Yavari, Ahmadreza | Salehi, Esmael
Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a common urban problem associated with a wide variety of factors, including air pollution. This study investigated the relationship between Land Surface Temperature (LST) and air pollution as two spatial phenomena affecting urban areas. LST was estimated from OLI sensor images taken on 01/07/2020 using the single-channel algorithm. Air pollution was assumed to be indicated by the concentrations of NOX, NO2, NO, PM2.5 and SO2, which were obtained by Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation from the data recorded on the same date as satellite images. Correlations were measured in terms of R and R2 and errors were estimated in terms of RMSE, MAE and MBE. The highest R and R2 were obtained for SO2 (20.89 and 45.99, respectively). The results showed that despite the high correlation between SO2 and LST, PM2.5 has a much better error distribution. Therefore, further research should be conducted on the relationship between these indices.
Show more [+] Less [-]Metals Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in Aquatic Plants of Man-made Water Reservoir, Eastern Siberia, Russia: Tracking of Environment Pollution Full text
2023
Vladimirovna Chuparina, Elena | Igorevna Poletaeva, Vera | Vladimirovich Pastukhov, Mikhail
The paper reports the results of research on the Bratsk water body (Russia), the hugest man-made reservoir in the world, using aquatic plants as bioindicators. This aquatic environment requires constant monitoring due to metal emissions by metallurgical, machine-building, and other industries. To that end, the accumulation capacities of Myriophyllum spicatum L., Elodea canadensis Michx., Potamogeton pectinatus L. and Cladophora glomerata L. were compared. The Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and, Pb contents in the plants were quantified with X-ray fluorescence. The calculated bioaccumulation indexes provided similar indicator characteristics of these species. The clustering analysis specified the spatial metal pollution in the reservoir. The aquatic plants sampled near industrial enterprises demonstrated the high concentrations: Ti (573-887), Cr (14-22), Mn (609-1080), Fe (9231-12724), Ni (8-11), Cu (51-103), Zn (35-45) and Pb (10-40) µg/g. The average concentrations in the samples collected away from emission sources were significantly lower: Ti (443-598), Cr (7-10), Mn (439-591), Fe (4575-6573), Ni (6-7), Cu (36-58), Zn (27-33) and Pb (6-9). While, they were several-fold higher than threshold values reported for the Lake Baikal plants: Ti – 6; Cr – 2-2.6; Ni – 1.9; Fe – 3-6.7; Mn – 1.5-2.6; Cu – 4; Zn – 1.2-2, and Pb – 7.3. In addition to industrial impacts, the sedimentation processes, coastal erosion, wood rotting and ore occurrences caused increasing in metal contents. Assessment of pollution through the pollution load index and the integration Nemerov index provided the classification of the environment of the Bratsk water reservoir as polluted one.
Show more [+] Less [-]Toxicological Effects of Simultaneous Exposure to Toluene and Noise on some Sexual and Stress Parameters in New Zealand White Rabbits Full text
2023
Abouee-Mehrizi, Amirreza | Saed-Moucheshi, Shamseddin | Rasoulzadeh, Yahya | Mehdipour, Ahmad | Mohammadoghli-Reyhan, Fariba | Iraji, Zeynab | Alihemmati, Alireza | Shokoohi, Majid
Noise and toluene are among the numerous physical and chemical pollutants that can induce adverse effects on different body tissues and systems; nevertheless, most studies have only experimented the auditory changes induced by co-exposure to them. The present in-vivo study aimed to examine the endocrine effects of co-exposure to toluene and noise on the testes and adrenal glands. In this experimental study, 24 healthy male New Zealand White rabbits were used. The noise intensity was 100 dB (white noise) and the toluene concentration was 1000 ppm for two consecutive weeks. The luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The hematoxylin and eosin stain method (H&E) was performed for the histopathological analysis. Comparing different parameters in different groups on post-exposure days was carried out using GEE (generalized estimating equations) method. The results indicated that noise and toluene increased cortisol, LH and FSH levels during different days after the exposure. Exposure to toluene and noise made vacuolization and reduction of primary spermatogonial cells in the testes. Moreover, lymphocyte infiltration, congestion, swelling and vacuolization were detected in adrenal glands through exposure to toluene and noise. Toluene and noise induced different destructive effects on the endocrine system. More studies are required to elucidate other endocrine changes induced by exposure to toluene and noise.
Show more [+] Less [-]Distribution of Natural Radionuclides and their Radiological Risks on Agricultural Soil Samples collected from Yemen Full text
2023
Taher Hussien, Maher | Salaheldin, Ghada | Salaheldin Mohamed, Haby | Mansour, Howaida
The main objective of the current study is to determine the distributions of the specific radioactivity concentrations (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) from terrestrial sources using gamma spectroscopy system (HPGe-detector). Forty (40) agricultural soil samples were collected from Wadi Al-Hussini and Tuban in Yemen. The study locations are famous for exporting coffee all over the world. The average of radio-concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were 61.95±11.57, 32.33±8.03 and 1045.17±153.47 Bq/kg for Wadi Al-Hussini and 65.20±11.59, 50.95±9.80 and 1078.13±157.57 Bq/kg for Tuban, respectively. The obtained results are higher than the average worldwide values reported by UNSCEAR. So, it is not acceptable with global safe criteria. Also, the radiation hazard parameters such as radium equivalent activity, absorbed gamma dose rate, outdoor and indoor annual effective dose equivalent, external and internal radiation hazard index, gamma index level, annual gonadal dose equivalent and excess lifetime cancer risk. All of these parameters are acceptable and within the worldwide values. The obtained results could be considered as reference data to follow up any changes in the future for natural radionuclides pollutants and their risks in the study area.
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