Bengawan Solo River water is a source of drinking water and raw materials for the government of Surakarta city, but the water has been mixed with domestic, industrial, and agricultural wastes. The waste contains estradiol-17 derived from urine and feces, both from livestock and humans as well as industries around the sub-watershed Bengawan Solo River. The content of estradiol-17 in the Bengawan Solo sub-watershed is quite high. This study is the first conducted in Bengawan Solo River to look at natural estrogens that are very rarely studied in the environment, which are likely could cause several health effects in humans and wildlife due to their relatively strong estrogenic potential and high levels in wastewater and river water. Therefore, research on the elimination of these compounds using effective, energy-efficient, and low-maintenance technologies for water treatment such as phytoremediation is highly expected. The purposes of this study were to identify estradiol, to measure the estradiol levels through HPLC tests as well as to test the effectiveness of phytoremediation with Portulaca plant as biological agents. The results show that the water of Bengawan Solo River contained estradiol substances ranging from 3.88 ppm to 5.76 ppm. The Portulaca plant species was effective at eliminating estrogenic waste up to 99.89%.

The current investigation endeavors to evaluate the prevalence of stubble burning in India, with a special focus on the state of Punjab. The study emphasizes the enormity of stubble burning by examining farm fire incidents, pollutant emissions, its detrimental impacts. It supports the effective management of crop residue along with proposing alternatives to stubble burning. The article conveys the message that stubble burning can result in deleterious effects on the environment, human health, crop growth, natural ecosystems, visibility, and physical infrastructure. The key solutions lie in education, functional literacy, a heightened awareness of environmental laws, rights and duties, stringent governance, and socially responsible public, promoting adherence to the National Green Tribunal’s guidelines for managing crop residue and enlightening farmers about the ill effects of stubble burning on animal, soil, human health, crop biodiversity, and climate change. The available data of districts of Punjab indicates the recent waning trend in stubble burning, thus heralding a positive indication of environmental preservation. Decreased stubble burning is the reward of untiring government initiatives, support and subsidies, awareness programs, advanced research and technology, and enforcement of stringent regulations combined with recognition of the deleterious environmental impacts of stubble burning. This research article indicates that there is still a need for efforts to be made to eliminate stubble burning altogether.

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.

Plastic waste in marine waters will undergo a degradation process that breaks down large plastic pieces into smaller particles called microplastics. The abundance of microplastics, caused by their small size (<5mm) can be easily indirectly consumed by aquatic animals. Anadara granosa is one of the bivalves that is quite vulnerable to microplastic contamination because it has the nature of a filter feeder which means it can sift particles and organic matter around it. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics, abundance, and types of microplastic polymers in blood clams (A. granosa). The results of microplastic observations made on 60 blood clams were 153 microplastic particles identified from 47 individuals (78%) of contaminated blood clams with an average microplastic abundance of 0.591 ± 0.083 item/gr. Fiber-type microplastics are the most dominant form found and blue is the most dominant color found in the sample. Based on the average abundance of microplastics in Anadara granosa in the coastal area of Palopo City, it is lower than several studies that have been conducted previously. Fourier Transform-Infra Red was conducted to determine the type of polymer in microplastics. Three types of polymers were found in the Anadara granosa samples polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene, and polyester. The three types of polymers have effects on human health such as respiratory problems, skin irritation, and genotoxicity. Action is needed to prevent microplastic pollution in Palopo City’s rivers before microplastic pollution becomes more severe in the future.

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.

The study implemented Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and multivariate hydrogeochemical analysis to evaluate the spatial-temporal and seasonal variation in the groundwater quality of Patna, India. For this purpose, sixty groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major anions and cations during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons of 2019-2020. The physicochemical parameters such as pH, EC (Electrical Conductivity), TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), TH (Total Hardness), Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42- were considered to evaluate the water quality index. The result revealed degradation in groundwater quality from pre-monsoon (49.21) to post-monsoon (74.48). EC, TDS, TH, Mg2+, Na+, Ca2+, K+, and HCO3- ions were found accountable for high WQI values at various sampling sites during different seasons. Spatial maps showed that 45 % of the sampling stations exhibited poor quality in all three seasons, where the eastern part of the studied region was revealed to be the most affected area. The application of multivariate statistical methods and hydrogeochemical investigation has clearly defined the dominant role of the weathering process, and reverse ion exchange mechanism in controlling the aquifer’s ionic chemistry. Moreover, poor seepage system, and waste leachate from the surface have been found as the main cause of high levels of Na+, K+, and Cl- in the eastern part of Patna.

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the production of amylase, a crucial enzyme with wide-ranging industrial applications, using locally sourced substrates from Kachchh, Gujarat. The research employed the Bacillus licheniformis strain and substrates such as coconut, rice husk, wheat bran, paddy straw, and maize straw. The study found paddy straw to be the most promising substrate for amylase production. The research also systematically optimized various process parameters for amylase production in Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) using the One Variable at a Time (OVAT) method. These parameters included incubation period, temperature, inoculum level, additional carbon sources, starch concentrations, additional nitrogen sources, initial pH, different mineral salt ions, initial moisture level, and surfactants. The results showed that the optimal conditions for maximum amylase yield were an incubation period of 48 hours, an incubation temperature of 35°C, an inoculum level of 10%, starch as the additional carbon source, a starch concentration of 2.5%, yeast extract as the additional nitrogen source, an initial pH of 7, NaCl as the mineral salt, an initial moisture level of 75%, and Tween 80 as the surfactant. This research provides a reliable and sustainable approach to enzyme production, offering valuable insights for the optimization of the solid-state fermentation process for maximum amylase production.

There is a pressing demand for the introduction of environmentally safe technologies for the industries that supply the basic needs of industrialized societies. Advanced Oxidation Processes may become one of the answers to these uprising pollution management problems in the near future. The present investigation aimed to reduce the refractory organics present in the biologically treated (Activated Sludge Process) tannery effluent using Photocatalysis. The optimum time, pH, dosage of H2O2, and mass of NPAC required for the effective treatment using photocatalysis were found to be 60 mins, 8, 0.2 mg.L-1, and 1g. 100 mL-1, respectively. Although the efficiency of homogeneous photocatalysis was found to be higher than that of heterogeneous photocatalysis, the biodegradability was higher in the latter, with a value of 0.26. The experimental results have proved that photocatalysis could be a promising technology to reduce the refractory organics present in the tannery effluent.

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.

The purpose of the research work is to explore the objective and competence of COP (Conference of Parties) in the context of environmental issues and climate change management and this is performed by evaluating respective articles published in the context of the subject. COP is found efficient in empowering global nations to be aligned with the objective of sustainable growth by making corrective negotiations and agreements as per the current and future environmental issues like the greenhouse effect and air pollution. COP helps ensure environmental issues are fixed by conducting benchmark index-based performance reviews and analyses. It has been observed that the agenda significantly contributes to the green economy, as it promotes sustainable change and development in the environment, society, and economy. A significant innovative strategy was developed at the conference to reduce global temperatures and emissions. In this context, the development of the EV sector plays a crucial role in mitigating environmental impact. The COP28 conference is addressing the climate and nature crisis, considering it a global health emergency. Methodology states that the literature search is conducted from peer-reviewed journal articles from authentic sources like Wiley’s Online Library and Science Direct Pages. Only the journals that were published after the year 2019 have been used in the study. Also, it is seen that COP28 (2023) conventions focused on global warming, climate change, and the production of a green economy, which is continuously being considered, and also, the implications and steps that are required to be taken are discussed.