Environmental Engineering
H. Herdiansyah; E. Frimawaty
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: From August to October 2019, several provinces in Sumatra and Kalimantan had faced severe forest fires, causing thousands of citizens to suffer respiratory disorders. This study aims to assess waste handling in palm oil plantation manage by smallholders and the correlation ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: From August to October 2019, several provinces in Sumatra and Kalimantan had faced severe forest fires, causing thousands of citizens to suffer respiratory disorders. This study aims to assess waste handling in palm oil plantation manage by smallholders and the correlation palm oil plantation waste handling with the fireland in Sumatera, especially on Jambi province.METHODS: Primary data collection was conducted in September 2019, and a purposive random sampling method was used to select respondents. Primary data collection was applied for four hundred smallholders in five districts in Jambi using a mixed method. FINDINGS: Out of 400 correspondents that handle their waste, 50% of respondents handle the residues by stacking the waste on their field, 25% of correspondents stack the waste between trees, 17.25% of correspondents stack the waste on piles, 5% of them bury the posts, and 2.75% incinerate the waste. The average distance from home to the field for 200 correspondents is 8.825 kilometres, and they have the highest harvest quantity with a mean of 1.0940 tons. Most of them are common smallholders and self-subsistent smallholders. The 298 correspondents join a farming association. About 50% of smallholders in Jambi handle the residues by stacking the wastes on their field instead of incinerating the waste. CONCLUSION: Out of the overall samples collected in this study, only 2.75% smallholders in Jambi incinerate their residues. Hence, the fire breakouts happened on several provinces in Sumatera and Kalimantan in late 2019 did not happen due to crude palm oil waste-handling activities.
Environmental Management
N. Gupta; A. Tomar; V. Kumar
Abstract
COVID-19 is a huge tragedy for the world community. Everything in the world is affected due to this pandemic right from economy to resources where the economy of major countries of the world are facing recession and resources are surplus with no takers at all. The measures to contain COVID-19 pandemic ...
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COVID-19 is a huge tragedy for the world community. Everything in the world is affected due to this pandemic right from economy to resources where the economy of major countries of the world are facing recession and resources are surplus with no takers at all. The measures to contain COVID-19 pandemic include lockdown, social distancing, isolation, and home quarantine. Lockdown adopted by the different governments which involve non-functioning of all the industry and manufacturing units. However, as a blessing in disguise, these measures have a positive effect on the environment in terms of reduction in toxic gasses like nitrogen dioxide, aerosols, atmosphere ozone, particulate matter, and improvement in air quality. In this paper, the effect on various environmental parameters like aerosol, ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and temperature on India by lockdown due to COVID-19 as a preventive measure has been analyzed. The work involves the refining and preprocessing of raw data of this year and last year of various harmful pollutants present in the environment along with satellite images from National Aeronautics and Space Administration for comparison of different parameters. It has been observed that with the above adopted measures temperature has been reduced to near about 15 degree Celsius, there is also reduction in humidity i.e. it is reduced to 40%, particulate matter (PM2.5) reaches near about normal i.e. 40 g/m3 and carbon monoxide levels has also been reduced to 10 ppm. The main idea is to emphasize the fact that how the environment is self-healing during the lockdown. And this study will be beneficial to environmentalists and industry professionals to make the future strategy for improving the environment.
O.B. Akintan; J.A. Olusola; A.M. Azeez
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate concentrations of selected heavy metals in the soils of Ilokun dumpsite and adjourning farmlands, and to determine as well levels of heavy metals uptake in various parts of Carica papaya plant collected from the dumpsite. Twenty-two soil samples were collected within the ...
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This study aimed to evaluate concentrations of selected heavy metals in the soils of Ilokun dumpsite and adjourning farmlands, and to determine as well levels of heavy metals uptake in various parts of Carica papaya plant collected from the dumpsite. Twenty-two soil samples were collected within the dumpsites and farmlands at depths of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm. Evaluations of heavy metals (Ni, Zn, Cd, Cr, Pb and Cu) in soil samples and in different parts of Carica papaya plants were carried out using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The study revealed higher concentration of Pb in the dumpsite than the farmlands. Mean concentrations of Cd in the dumpsites; 2.98±1.93 (0-20 cm) and 3.22±2.14 (20-40 cm) were higher than their corresponding depth in farmlands (1.93±1.28 (0-20cm) and 1.94±1.59 (20 – 40 cm). The study established a strong correlation for Ni/Pb (0.948) at depth of 0.20cm; Cu/Cd (0.985) and Pb/Cd (0.918) at depth of 20-40cm. Heavy metal uptake was highest in the plant parts compared to the dumpsites and farmlands. The result showed that translocation factor arrangement is: Cu ˃ Zn ˃ Cd˃ Cr˃ Pb˃ Ni and Cu had the highest translocation factor of 4.698. Based on the results, the various heavy metal could be classified as slight contaminants (Pb, Cr and Ni), moderate contaminants (Cu and Cd) and severe contaminant (Zn). Although concentrations of heavy metals in the farmlands were below the Department of Petroleum Resources and World Health Organisation allowable limits, monitoring the concentration profile of these heavy metals concentrations in the area is recommended to prevent detrimental effects on the environment.
F. Rostami; S. Feiznia; M. Aleali; M. Heshmati; B. Yousefi yegane
Abstract
Grupi and Kashkan marl formations comprise a considerable part of Zagros region. These formations have a considerable erodibility and sedimentation potential because of their special geological and mineralogical characteristics. The objective of this study was to compare the erosion and sediment ...
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Grupi and Kashkan marl formations comprise a considerable part of Zagros region. These formations have a considerable erodibility and sedimentation potential because of their special geological and mineralogical characteristics. The objective of this study was to compare the erosion and sediment yield of Kashkan and Grupi formations in Merk watershed located in southeast Kermanshah, using the Modified Pacific Southwest Inter-Agency Committee model. This model is suitable for estimating erosion and sediment intensity within each geomorphologic unit comprising nine effective environmental factors as geological, pedological, climate, runoff, topography, land cover, land use, surface, and river erosion factors. The results indicated that Kashkan formation comprises siltstone, sandstone, shale, and conglomerate, and Grupi formation contains shale, clay, and limestone with a high erodibility potential. Field measurements and soil samples analyzed for effective factors releaved that sediment yield for Merek watershed was 18080.6 m3/ha/y. Furthermore, field measurement and soil samples analyzed for effective factors releaved that sediment yields for Kashkan and Gurpi were 7243.3 and 10837.5 m3/ha/y, respectively. The reasons for erosion intensity and sedimentation in the two mentioned formations are slopes, vegetation and land use in addition to the type of rocks in Kashkan and Gurpi formations which are predominantly marl and shale.
J.J.C. Garces
Abstract
The study was conducted to assess the native and alien plant species in one of the highly disturbed forest (S1) and less disturbed forest (S2) in Mt. Manunggal, Cebu Island, Philippines. Twenty-four quadrats with a size of 20mx20 m were established using a quadrat sampling technique to identify and record ...
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The study was conducted to assess the native and alien plant species in one of the highly disturbed forest (S1) and less disturbed forest (S2) in Mt. Manunggal, Cebu Island, Philippines. Twenty-four quadrats with a size of 20mx20 m were established using a quadrat sampling technique to identify and record all plant species. Diversity indices were utilized to determine species abundance, richness, evenness, and diversity. There was also the characterization of sites concerning anthropogenic activities and economic uses of native and alien plant species. Results showed that there was apparent domination of alien plants in terms of species richness and abundance in both sites (S1; R=62 species; N=10519; S2; R=55; N=32739). However, there was higher species richness (S1; R=62 and S2; R=30) and diversity (S1; H’=2.76, D=0.10 and S1; H’=2.41, D=0.11) but lower abundance (S1; N=10519 and S2; N=32739) and evenness (S1; PE=0.67 and S2; PE=0.73) in S1 than in S2. The high abundance and evenness of alien plant species in S2 could be due to high anthropogenic activities and its economic value. These factors indirectly assist in the introduction and persistence of alien plant species in disturbed ecosystems by increasing alien plant invasion which usually results in a higher diversity of alien plant species in highly disturbed sites. Assessment on the negative impacts to native plant species by alien plant invasion, enhanced by anthropogenic activities, must, therefore, serve as bases in future directions and implication for restoration and conservation of the remaining forests of Mt. Manunggal, Cebu Island, Philippines.
M.T.N. Cabasan; J.A.G. Tabora; N. Cabatac; C.M. Jumao-as; J.O. Soberano; J.V. Turba; N.H.A. Dagamac; E. Barlaan
Abstract
Understanding farmers’ perception is important in the development of sustainable and cost-effective integrated pest management strategies. Hence, farmers’ perception on rice insect pests and pesticide use was evaluated by selected 112 farmers composed of 77% males and 23% females, over the ...
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Understanding farmers’ perception is important in the development of sustainable and cost-effective integrated pest management strategies. Hence, farmers’ perception on rice insect pests and pesticide use was evaluated by selected 112 farmers composed of 77% males and 23% females, over the rice growing areas of North Cotabato, Central Mindanao, Philippines. 62% of farmers that were interviewed use pesticides based on the presence of pests. These farmers identified white stem borer and rice leaf folder as the most encountered insect pests on the local rice crops. Due to these insect pests, rice production became constrained producing low income for the farmers. Pesticide application was perceived to be effective (73%) but not efficient in controlling insects. Moreover, farmers recognized the negative effects of pesticide applications in the environment (76%). However, in spite of these expensive pest control strategies, local farmers still agreed (83%) to apply these methods to increase rice production and their income. With the advantage of using pesticides to boost production over the harm it can cause, farmers would not agree to stop (39%) or still are undecided (23%) to reduce pesticide application. Thus, efficient, safe, low cost pest control strategies are needed to reduce reliance of farmers to pesticides and to improve agricultural production and food security of smallholder farmers in the Philippines.
Sh.F. Abd El-Kader; G.A. El-Chaghaby; G.M. Khalafalla; R.I. Refae; H.M. Elshishtawy
Abstract
Congo red is a synthetic azo-dye dye with many industrial applications. The effluents containing azo dyes are causing several environmental hazards and thus should be treated prior to their discharge. The present work investigates the possible use of a novel microbial consortium from sheep compost for ...
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Congo red is a synthetic azo-dye dye with many industrial applications. The effluents containing azo dyes are causing several environmental hazards and thus should be treated prior to their discharge. The present work investigates the possible use of a novel microbial consortium from sheep compost for the decolorization of Congo red dye. The effect of different parameters including contact time, dye concentration and inoculum concentration on dye decolorization were investigated. The kinetic of dye decolorization was also assessed and the biodegradation of the dye was confirmed by different techniques. The results showed that the microbial consortium decolorized about 98% of Congo red (500 mg/L) after 24h. The efficiency of the decolorization decreased from 95% to 62% when the dye concentration increased from 100 to 500mg/L. Also, it was noticed that 75% of Congo red (25 mg/L) was decolorized at an inoculum rate of 2.5%. The kinetic results suggested that the decolorization of Congo red by the studied consortium follows the first order kinetic model. Also the maximum substrate consumption rate (Vmax) according to Michaelis- Menten model was found to be 19.30 mg/h/L and the decolorization rate constant (Km) was 116.93 mg/L. The biodegradation of Congo red was further confirmed by HPLC and GC-Ms analysis which revealed the presence of some spectral differences between the untreated dye sample and the treated one. In conclusion, the results of the present work suggest that microbial consortium from sheep compost could have potential application for bioremediation of industrial effluents containing Congo red dye.
M.B. Bandibas; P. Roxas
Abstract
The basic premise of this research was to assess the ethnomedicinal uses of plants in an ancestral forest area at Naawan, Misamis Oriental and determine its inhibition effect against bacterial strains. The assessment of plants was conducted using the transect-plot method. Ethnomedicinal uses and the ...
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The basic premise of this research was to assess the ethnomedicinal uses of plants in an ancestral forest area at Naawan, Misamis Oriental and determine its inhibition effect against bacterial strains. The assessment of plants was conducted using the transect-plot method. Ethnomedicinal uses and the mode of preparations were obtained using a semi-structured interview questionnaire. Five ethnomedicinal plants: Crinum asiaticum L., Pavetta indica L., Bauhinia purpurea L., Mollugo pentaphylla L., and Cinnamomum mercadoi S. Vidalwere selected for the anti-microbial test against cultured bacterial strains; the Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using the disc diffusion method. These species are commonly used by the indigenous people and known to cure stomach disorder and wounds. The mode of preparation of the extracts follows the traditional method of the indigenous people. Chloramphenicol, on the other hand, was used as positive control. Thirty-three out of 61 identified species were locally claimed to have medicinal value and are known to cure stomach disorders, poisoning, bleeding, cough, fever and wounds, among others. Antimicrobial test showed greater inhibitory effect of Pavetta indica and Bauhinia purpurea against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, correspondingly; however, the synthetic chloramphenicol exhibited greater antibacterial action than any of the plant extracts. In areas where civilization is afar, importance of forest in terms of medicinal uses is highly acknowledged by the local community. Indigenous people, in particular, know the importance of the forest especially in relation to health care system and they believe that there is a need to conserve the resources to sustain the services it provides.
M. Sepehr; S.M.R. Fatemi; A. Danehkar; A. Mashinchian Moradi
Abstract
Given the reduced freshwater supplies across the world, seawater desalination is one of the appropriate methods available for producing freshwater. Selecting an optimal location is crucial in the installation of these plants owing to the environmental problems they cause. The present study was conducted ...
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Given the reduced freshwater supplies across the world, seawater desalination is one of the appropriate methods available for producing freshwater. Selecting an optimal location is crucial in the installation of these plants owing to the environmental problems they cause. The present study was conducted to identify optimal locations for installing desalination Plants in the coastal areas of southern Iran (Hormozgan Province) with application of Delphi method. To implement this technique and identify, screen and prioritize effective criteria and sub-criteria, ten experts were surveyed through questionnaires and eight criteria and 18 sub-criteria were identified. All these sub-criteria were evaluated and classified in ArcGIS into five classes as input layers. The maps were then integrated based on the modulation importance coefficient and the identified priorities using a linear Delphi model and the final map was reclassified into five categories. Environmentally sensitive areas and seawater quality were respectively the criterion and sub-criterion that received the highest importance. After combining the layers and obtaining the final map, 63 locations were identified for installing desalination plants in the coastal areas on the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea in Hormozgan Province. At the end, 27 locations were high important and had optimal environmental conditions for establishing desalination plants. Of the 27 locations, six were located in the coastal area of the Oman Sea, one in the coastal area of the Strait of Hormuz and 20 others in the coastal area of the Persian Gulf.