Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are significant contributors to the release of microplastics into aquatic environments. Due to the limited information available in Thailand, examining microplastics from WWTPs could assist the Thai government in establishing guidelines for future microplastic control. This study identified microplastics in various WWTPs across Bangkok, Thailand, during two seasons: the dry period (February to May 2022) and the wet period (June to October 2022). The findings revealed a higher abundance of microplastics during the wet season compared to the dry season. In both influent and effluent, fibers were the predominant shape, making up approximately 86.65% during the dry period and 94.37% during the wet period. Fragments, films, granules, and foam were also detected in all samples. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) were the most common polymers present in the microplastic samples. The study also highlighted that the removal efficiency of microplastics from WWTPs ranged from 16.7% to 85.4% during the dry period and from 27.6% to 81.0% during the wet period. These results underscore the importance of long-term monitoring and quantification of microplastics in different WWTP systems in Bangkok. This data can be utilized to estimate microplastic loading in WWTPs and develop effective strategies for microplastic removal from wastewater.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the reduction percentage in the yearly concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and CO before and after COVID-19 in Amman, the capital city of Jordan, which has the highest population and traffic densities, and Zarqa, an industrial area with 55% of different types of industries. Additionally, this study examines the effect of metrological parameters such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed on air pollutant dispersion, particularly particulate matter 10 (PM10), which is considered uncontrollable. Furthermore, this study highlights the critical environmental and health effects of air pollution. The Ministry of Environment measured the yearly concentration of air pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO, and PM10) in three areas (Amman, Zarqa, and Irbid) in 12 stations in nearby industrial, urban, and traffic areas using the nitric oxide (NO) NO2 chemiluminescence analyzer Model 42i, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and SO2 analyzer model 450iQ, and PM10 Peta Attenuation analyzer. The few air pollution studies in Jordan have primarily focused on average yearly concentrations of SO2, NO2, CO, and PM10 without considering the monthly or daily variations that greatly concern health and the environment. The results of the present study reveal that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant decrease in the annual concentrations of H2S, SO2, and NO2 as the reduction percentage in Amman 70, 58, 87% respectively, and in Zarqa 36, 62, 72% respectively. However, there is a slight reduction in CO and PM10 with 39 and 18% at Amman and 19% and 40% at Zarqa. This decrease is attributed to the reduction of primary sources of air pollutants, which are linked to the reductions in traffic volume and industrial activities during the lockdown. Furthermore, the results show that the Jordanian government has implemented regulations to address air pollution in residential areas. These regulations aim to prevent the burning of trees and smoking. The government is also adopting new transportation technologies to reduce the impact of CO2 and other pollutants produced by diesel and gasoline vehicles. The use of green fuels like synthetic natural gas, green methanol, or ammonia, as well as the increasing use of electric cars, are being encouraged. Implementing the bus rapid transit system, which started in 2021 and includes linked lines in the east and west areas of Jordan, has reduced the number of cars used and solved the main issues in crowded regions. Overall, the country has taken significant steps to address and control air pollution.

Environmental pollution is escalating due to inadequate waste management, with the open burning of agricultural waste being a significant contributor. This process releases various harmful gases into the environment. This study introduces an innovative approach to creating sound absorption materials using agricultural by-products, specifically paddy straw and coconut coir, along with newspaper by-products. The research was conducted in two phases: first, the production of sound absorption panels with different densities and adhesive quantities, and second, the evaluation of these panels’ sound absorption capabilities through laboratory experiments. The impedance tube test was used to determine the sound absorption coefficient (SAC). The results showed effective sound absorption, especially at lower frequencies ranging from 125 Hz to 6300 Hz. Notably, paddy straw and coconut coir exhibited significant sound absorption values at 1,000 Hz (0.59 and 0.52, respectively). This study highlights the potential of paddy straw and coconut coir as sustainable, cost-effective materials for sound absorption panels. These natural materials demonstrate excellent sound-absorbing properties, making them suitable for various applications such as classrooms, sound recording rooms, auditoriums, and theaters at low to medium frequencies.

Maize is one of the staple food crops after wheat and rice crops. There is a reduction in the yield of maize due to biotic and abiotic factors. Due to more spacing in maize weeds are highly infested in the field which leads to reduced fertility of soil and sustainability. To maintain the fertility of soil and reduce the wastage of resources intercropping is the best option. By growing crops in between the rows of maize crops we can increase production and can achieve zero hunger. A field experiment was conducted at Lovely Professional University (Kharif 2022) to check the effect of black gram and French bean as intercrop in maize on weed flora, rhizospheric bacterial count, and yield parameters of maize. The experiment comprised 9 treatments i.e. Sole maize, Sole French bean and Sole black gram, Maize + French bean (1:1, 1:2, 1:3), Maize + black gram (1:1, 1:2, 1:3). Weed density and biomass recorded by quadrant 1 m2 method at 30 and 60 DAS (Days after sowing). Results of the study showed that minimum weed count of grasses (3.44, 3.26), sedges (3.13, 2.73), and BLW (Broad leaf weed) (3.26, 4.58) at 30 and 60 DAS recorded in those plots where intercropping of maize and black gram practiced in 1:3 proportion. Rhizospheric bacterial count viz. THB (total heterotrophic bacteria) (232.82), NRB (nitrate-reducing bacteria) (41.89), and NB (nitrifying bacteria) (161.86) were recorded highest in Maize + French bean 1:3 at 30 DAS. Whereas THB, NRB, and PSB (phosphate solubilizing bacteria) highest count recorded in Maize + Black gram 1:3 at 90 DAS. In the case of maize yield attributes maize + Black gram 1:2 gave the best result. Land Equivalent ratio and Maize Equivalent yield (2.23, 11671.03 kg.ha-1) were recorded maximum in those plots where Maize + Black gram 1:2 proportion was practiced. Intercropping can be used as an eco-friendly alternative to herbicides to reduce the weed population and infestation, which leads to maintaining soil fertility and enhancing sustainability.

The study was for the comparison and to know the choice of Models of appreciation of the mineralization of the two herbicides under the effect of two manures (cattle and sheep) in two agricultural soils of different textures. During this work, we used two types of manure, cattle F1 and sheep F2 with two doses. The application of respirometry for monitoring biological activity has been conducted in the laboratory. The treatments were measured for carbon-labeled herbicides released (14CO2) after 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 42, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days of incubation. Non-linear mathematical models have been developed for the study of the kinetics of the mineralization of herbicides under the effect of manures. The selection criteria for these fit models are R² and RMCE. The comparison of six models stated to choose the single-compartmental model to a first-order ascending exponential that best fits the experimental data. These models show a strong positive correlation between labeled carbon and the biodegradation time of herbicides, especially in clay-textured soil.

The purpose of this work is to address an environmental problem in Mexico, which uses significant amounts of water for agricultural activities, where atrazine is frequently used as a pesticide for weed control. Currently, there is no law prohibiting its use, even though it is considered an endocrine disruptor in some mammals and harmful to health. Due to the difficulty in the direct quantification of several herbicides, which present a low concentration in water, the present work aims to develop the optimization and validation of the preconcentration with magnetic stir bars (SBSE) in aqueous samples for the quantification of atrazine and two of its metabolites: 2-hydroxyatrazine (2-HA) and desethylatrazine (DEA), coupled to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-UV/DAD). For the optimization of the preconcentration technique, the nature and quantity of the solvents used in each step, contact time for retention and quantitative extraction of the analyte, as well as the effect of the concentration of the analyte on its retention on the bar were considered. Finally, it was determined that the presence of the metabolites 2-HA and DEA does not affect the sorption of atrazine on the sorption bar used. The analytical methodology can be considered as an efficient method of atrazine preconcentration for subsequent quantification via HPLC-UV/DAD in the range of 0.03 to 0.25 mg/L and in the absence of matrix interferences; its limits of detection and quantification are respectively 0.0014 mg/L and 0.0016 mg/L.

The urban expansion analysis plays a significant role in the physical, social, and environmental dimensions of the cities. The research was conducted to monitor the urban growth and urban sprawl analysis of Tumkur city from 2000 to 2020 using multispectral satellite data (Landsat-5, Landsat-7, Resourcesat-1, Landsat-8, Sentinel-2A). Various methods like urban-related indices (AUER, UEII, and NDBI), and statistical methods (Degree of Freedom, Shannon Entropy, and Degree of Goodness) were used in the present research work. The AUER (Annual Urban Expansion Rate) and UEII (Urban Expansion Intensity Index) study of urban indices reveal that the urban area has expanded from 24.94 km2 to 60.59 km2 due to the development of commercial buildings, single-use zones, and low-density areas. The analysis of NDBI (Normalised Difference Built-up Index) indicates that the expansion of urban infrastructure, industrial growth, and population increase cause significant damage to vegetation in the city center compared to other areas. The study of the Degree of Freedom and Shannon entropy indicates that high compactness appeared in the core, whereas other regions are experiencing significant expansion. The method of freedom of goodness (2000 = - 0.093 to 2020 = - 0.159) demonstrates that the currently unfavorable conditions of urban growth have appeared in Tumkur city and it leads to numerous adverse effects on present and future generations. This study will help urban planners and decision-makers maintain the proper land use planning to reduce urban sprawl and its associated consequences, allowing for sustainable urban development.

From 2016 to 2040, global energy demand is expected to increase by almost 50%. A substantial proportion of this expansion will remain concentrated in emerging economies, predominantly India and China. The energy demand, namely for coal, will increase due to reasons such as population growth, industrialization, and the remarkable expansion of the middle class. In India, the coal employed is categorized as low-grade and exhibits a notable ash content, ranging from 30 to 45 percent. Using lignite or coal in thermal power stations leads to generating a significant quantity of fly ash. The issues of controlling fly ash due to its propensity to cause air and water pollution must be addressed efficiently, especially given the large volume of ash produced and the environmental impact it causes in India. This article thoroughly examines Indian fly ash, encompassing its distinctive attributes, a wide array of uses, environmental ramifications, and regulatory structure. The volume of fly ash produced has experienced a significant rise in the last ten years, primarily because coal-fired thermal power plants are responsible for meeting more than 70% of the nation’s electricity demands. Currently, India is responsible for the production of about 180 million metric tonnes of fly ash. Moreover, this article provides a thorough examination of the global landscape about the manufacturing and utilization of fly ash, with a particular focus on India.

The study focused on extracting and purifying siderophore produced by Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from rhizospheric soil in Baghdad city and evaluating its bioactivity both independently and in combination with selected antibiotics. Bacterial identification was performed using CHROM agar, biochemical, and physiological tests, with confirmation via PCR amplification of the 16S rDNA housekeeping gene. The siderophore was extracted using ethyl acetate after culturing the bacteria in succinate broth and was purified through HPLC, detected at a wavelength of 403 nm. A total of 38 bacterial isolates were obtained from lower respiratory tract infections, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, and Serratia marcescens. Antibiotic susceptibility testing with 13 antibiotics showed the highest resistance rates to ampicillin (65.7%) and ceftriaxone (63.1%), while the lowest resistance was observed with amikacin (15.7%). The synergistic activity of the siderophore combined with sub-MIC concentrations of ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and gentamycin was tested against multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. The most significant antibacterial activity was observed with the combination of siderophore and gentamycin against S. aureus, whereas a minimal effect was noted on A. baumannii. In conclusion, 38 bacterial isolates were successfully identified from lower respiratory tract infections. The combination of siderophore with gentamycin exhibited notable antibacterial activity against S. aureus but was ineffective against A. baumannii.

This research explores the effectiveness of ZnO and Ag-doped ZnO photocatalysts in degrading organic pollutants, specifically focusing on phenol removal in wastewater treatment. The catalysts were synthesized using sol-gel and precipitation methods and characterized through XRD, SEM, and EDX analyses. The study assessed the degradation efficiency of phenol under various conditions, including different catalyst dosages, irradiation times, and initial phenol concentrations. UV-vis spectroscopy was used to measure degradation efficiency, revealing significant differences between the two catalysts. Ag-doped ZnO showed superior performance, achieving degradation efficiencies of over 90%, compared to ZnO’s 60-70%. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Response Surface Methodology (RSM), identified key factors influencing degradation efficiency. The enhanced performance of Ag-doped ZnO was attributed to its narrower band gap energy and improved irradiation responsiveness. These findings indicate that Ag-doped ZnO is a promising candidate for efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment, offering a robust solution for removing organic impurities and supporting environmental preservation. This research provides valuable insights into advanced photocatalytic processes and sets the stage for future wastewater treatment innovations.