The use of plastics as a biofilter medium is an environment-friendly and effective technology for reducing pollutants in liquid waste. The main objective is to analyze the ability of biofilters with plastic media to remove pollutants in wastewater by looking at several parameters. Various types of data were developed and analyzed to answer specific goals set through the search engines EBSCO, Scopus, and ProQuest by examining several parameters, including wastewater source, research scale, research period, temperature, media type, media thickness, and pollutant removal. The obtained data were processed to determine the distribution of the descriptions. Data related to biofiltration using plastic media was obtained from 152 articles, with only 14 articles in the search category. These findings show that all types of plastic media are effective for biofilm attachment and bacterial growth, resulting in a very large removal of pollutants present in liquid waste. Biofilters with plastic media are also known to be able to remove contaminants such as Chemical Oxygen Demand, biological oxygen demand, total organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, toluene, ammonia, diethanolami, phenol, total suspended solids, and Escherichia coli. Synthetic wastewater (35.71%) was the most common wastewater source. Research related to biofiltration using plastic as the medium is mostly carried out on a laboratory scale with a total of 64.30% and using units of the day as an indicator of changes in a total of 71.42%, with an average experimental temperature of 29.1 °C.

Discharge of synthetic dyes from industries without treatment leads to major environmental problems. Present research highlighted the Mn-doped ZnO along with UV-induced photo degradation of Congo red (CR) dye through batch study. The synthesized Mn-doped ZnO (MDZO) was characterized by Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results revealed that MDZO along with UV exposure degraded the CR dye up to 99.3% at concentration 4 mg/L, pH (7), adsorbent dose (0.6 g/L) and contact time (30 min). The degradation data nicely fitted with pseudo-secondary kinetics and the thermodynamic study suggest the said reaction is exothermic in nature. A statistical method, central composite design (CCD) was used to screen out the optimized condition of dye degradation. The interactions of main factors and optimal conditions were also evaluated by 3D surface plots. The statistical output clearly demonstrates that the dye degradation data is nicely fitted with very high goodness of fit and F value (86.19). Present research clearly suggested that Mn-doped ZnO along with UV could be an effective treatment towards degradation of Congo red dye.

Air fresheners are the synthetic products, used to improve the quality of indoor air by removing unpleasant or disturbing odours, in addition they disinfect the air by removing allergens and in turn add pleasant odours. However, these fresheners since they contain varied chemicals, which on magnification in a closed environment may cause respiratory illness. Therefore, constant usage of these air fresheners would deteriorate the ambient quality of indoor air. Even air fresheners which claim to be “green”, since these lack regulatory norms, they too emit hazardous or chemically harmful compounds. Hence there is a dire need to use alternative products that substantiate the quality of indoor air.  The present study aimed at exploring the efficacy of medicinal plant extracts of Azadirachta indica, Menta piperita and Aloe barbadensis in controlling air borne fungi in indoor environments by creating a simulation of an indoor environment and checking the efficiency of these natural air fresheners. About 60-70% reduction in the vegetative structures (colony diameter) and 30% reduction in reproductive structures were observed after exposure for 11 days to environment containing Azadirachta indica and Menta piperita extracts. Thus this study has novelty in formulating herbal based air fresheners based on the proven antifungal activities of these medicinal plant extracts, thereby replacing the usage of commercial air fresheners in the near future in controlling indoor air borne fungi. Since these natural formulations undoubtedly disinfect the indoor air, has commercial prospects and are eco-friendly, cost-effective with no health implications.

The present study aims to provide baseline information on the temporal characteristics of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration time series variations, mainly on the cross-correlation between PM2.5 and PM10, using the improved mathematical and nonlinear methods. Firstly, the fractal theory such as fractal dimension is used to detect the pollution level in PM2.5 and PM10 time series. Secondly, the Multifractal Detrending Moving-Average Analysis (MFDMA) is used to analyze the multifractal characteristics of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. Thirdly, Multifractal Detrending Moving-Average cross-correlation Analysis (MFXDMA) is used to study the cross-correlation between PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations measured from January 1 to December 31, 2020, along the Boulevard de la Marina, one of the major roads in Cotonou. The results have indicated that: (1) PM10 and PM2.5 concentration time series are characterized by a fractal dimension, which can permit to detect the pollution levels and to analyze the differences in emissions sources; (2) there is a significant multifractal structure in the PM2.5 and PM10 concentration data and their fluctuations are long-range correlated, however, the multifractal properties and self-memory characteristics change with the months; (3) generally, the multifractal degree and the complexity of PM10 are much stronger than those of PM2.5. However, they present a similar multifractality degree in some months of the year; (4) except, in February, the cross-correlation between PM2.5 and PM10 time series in the months of the year presents multifractal characteristics with positive persistence; (5) the cross-correlation multifractal features show monthly variation. This paper provides the inter-relationship between air PM2.5 and PM10 time series which may help taking steps in controlling the air quality and management of the Cotonou port area environment.

Benin’s waterways are affected by several forms of pollution that are linked in particular to anthropic activities. This study aims to detect the presence of antibiotic residues, the frequency of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the levels of heavy metals in Benin’s waterways. 160 surface water samples from streams in Benin were collected. They were filtered by the membrane filtration method, then incubated on different media. The isolated bacterial species were identified by API 20E gallery and specific biochemical tests. After detection of the resistance profile of the latter, the antibiotic residues were quantified in the samples by the ELISA technique on plate and the physicochemical analyses were performed by Multi 3630 IDS SET KS2 multimeter. Finally, heavy metal levels were detected by the MERCK test kit method specific to each metal. The bacterial species mostly identified were Klebsiella pneumoniae (56.59%), Klebsiella spp. (18.68%), Enterobacter spp. (12.63%). The most abundant resistance of bacterial strains was to amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (92%), followed by metronidazole (86%). Metronidazole was the antibiotic with the highest residue concentration in the samples (6.578 to 6.829 µg/L), followed by ciprofloxacin (2.142 to 9.299 µg/L). Benin streams contain heavy metals such as mercury (0.454±0.129 µg/L), lead (0.040±0.50 mg/L), zinc (6.120±16.017 mg/L), nickel (0.155±0.233 mg/L) and cadmium (0.154±0.132 mg/L). The analysis of the physico-chemical parameters showed that, apart from electrical conductivity, all parameters comply with Beninese and World Health Organization standards. Actions must be taken to clean up these rivers to preserve the integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Benin.

Nickel nitrate is a heavy metal known as an environmental contaminant due to its toxicity, long environmental half-lives, and capacity for bioaccumulation.  This study aims to determine chromosomal aberration, nuclear alteration, and cell death in Allium cepa var. aggregatum L. root caused by different nickel concentrations.  Roots of Allium cepa var. aggregatum were induced by soaking bulbs in water, then transferred to a solution containing nickel (Ni) at a concentration of 20 ppm, 30 ppm, and 40 ppm for 72 hours.  Root tip mitotic chromosome preparations were done by the squash method.  The chromosome was stained with aceto-orcein and chromosomal damages were observed under a microscope.  The results showed that the mitotic index decreased from 5.025% at control to 3.144%, 2.467%, and 2.181% at immersion with 20 ppm, 30 ppm 40 ppm nickel nitrate, respectively.  Anaphase and telophase indexes in roots with Ni treatments were lower than in control, suggesting that nickel inhibits cell division.  Nickel nitrate induced chromosomal damages and nuclear abnormalities, such as sticky chromosome, fragmented chromosome, chromosome bridge and chromosome laggard, micronuclei, binucleate and nuclear budding.  The percentage of chromosomal damage increases with a higher concentration of Ni.  In situ cell visualization showed that the higher the nickel concentration, the more coloured the root tips indicating high levels of cell death.

Effect of salinity and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the mobility of metals bound to suspended sediments at estuarine zone is investigated. Saline and freshwater samples as well as suspended sediments from estuarine zone of the Chalus River and the Caspian Sea, have been collected. Two series of four aquaria sets (natural and ORP-augmented conditions) containing turbid water with salinities of 0.25, 0.75, 1.5 and 2.5 psu were arranged. An increasing pattern of exchangeable-phase of all studied metals contents (at higher salinities) was observed under natural and ORP-modified conditions. Furthermore, the exchangeable-phase metal contents under ORP-modified conditions are higher (or equal) when compared with natural conditions. The overall trend of metals mobility potential might be evaluated as: Cd > Pb > Mn > Cu > Zn > Co > Ni. Findings of this research confirm the direct effect of both salinity and ORP parameters in mobility of metals bound to suspended particles in estuarine zones.

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).

Mining is one of the most environmentally damaging human activities, having long-term health effects on humans. In this research, the levels of contamination, source distribution, and health risks of heavy metals to residents from drinking surface water near Riruwai mining sites were investigated. The findings of the study indicated that the heavy metal levels ranged from As (0.00–0.04 mg/L), Cd (0.00–0.04 mg/L), Cr (0.02–0.06 mg/L), Mn (0.02–0.07 mg/L), and Pb (0.00–0.05 mg/L), with mean levels of 0.02, 0.013, 0.03, 0.02, and 0.04 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of all metals, with the exception of Mn and Cr, are higher than acceptable limits. The values of the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) for all the metals, with the exception of Mn, exceed the threshold limit of 100, indicating serious pollution of the surface water. This was confirmed by the results of Nemerow’s pollution index (NPI). Multivariable analysis revealed anthropogenic and natural sources as the main sources of heavy metal contamination, with Cd, As, Cr, and Pb originating from mining activities and Mn possibly coming from parent materials. The total hazard index (HI) and non-cancer risk (HQ) values in children and adults are within acceptable limits. However, the total life cancer risks (TLCR) of As and Cd were higher than the tolerable limit of 1.00E-06. Therefore, heavy metals in surface water, particularly As, Cd, and Pb, should be properly monitored and a treatment program implemented to safeguard the health of local residents, especially children.

Olive mill wastewater is the main by-product derived from olive mills using the three-phase extraction process,displaying a serious environmental risk due to its notable content in organics and phenolics Olive oil production, an agro-industrial of vital economic particularly in Mediterranean countries, is unfortunately associated with the generation of large quantities of OMW (Olive Mill Wastewater) and solid wastes. The OMW is considered a major environmental problem, it is a powerful pollutant rejected in nature without any prior treatment. This research work aims to study the treatment of OMW by a new ecological and economic system, which consists of the use of the following components: gravel, sawdust, soil, activated carbon, bamboo, and the valorization of the solid residues. HPLC analysis showed that hydroxytyrosol is the most abundant biophenol. Many other biophenols were identified (Tyrosol, gallic acid, and eleonic acid). The comparison between before and after filtration by the new system showed an essential degradation of phenolic compounds after treatment and found a new compound resulting from their degradation.