Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
I.T. Horsfall; I. Okosa; T. Adumbu; T.H. Ekiyor
Abstract
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Industrial effluent contamination of water resources has emerged as a major challenge in developing and densely populated countries like Nigeria where river systems are the primary means for disposal of waste, especially the effluents from surrounding industries. ...
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Industrial effluent contamination of water resources has emerged as a major challenge in developing and densely populated countries like Nigeria where river systems are the primary means for disposal of waste, especially the effluents from surrounding industries. This study seeks to determine the extent of surface water pollution from industrial effluent discharge. METHODS: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied on the surface water quality data to identify the pollution sources and their contribution toward water quality variation. Water samples were collected from 4 sampling locations along the Onne-Okirika river. FINDING: The characteristics of the river showed a mean concentration of biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD = 19.73 mg/l), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD = 54.53 mg/l), Ammonia (NH3 = 21.00 mg/l), Dissolved Oxygen (DO = 5.78 mg/l) and temperature (28.40ᵒC) which varied significantly among sampling locations. Site 1, 2, and 3 showed a high level of NH3 and Chemical Oxygen Demand while site 4 (the control) has slightly high salinity when compared. The extent of pollution could be classified as; site 1 (High Pollution), site 2 (Moderate Pollution), and site 3 (Low Pollution). CONCLUSION: Sources of pollution include effluents from industrial plants such as fertilizer plants and oil refineries due to the high level of NH3. While the higher Chemical Oxygen Demand level is an indication of a greater amount of biodegradable organic material, which reduced the amount of Dissolved Oxygen. Additionally, a reduction in Dissolved Oxygen level can lead to an anaerobic condition, which is insidious to aquatic life forms. Therefore, the state environmental regulatory agency should ensure compliance monitoring of the industry’s activities.
Sustainable urban infrastructure
N. Kumar; R. Tyagi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global health crisis that had a deep impact on the world and our everyday lives. The deadly virus i.e. SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread around the world, posing enormous health, social, economic, and environmental challenges to the entire human ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global health crisis that had a deep impact on the world and our everyday lives. The deadly virus i.e. SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread around the world, posing enormous health, social, economic, and environmental challenges to the entire human population. Countries around the world have implemented complete or partial lockdown measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Corona lockdown has profound social implications and it has sparked fears of impending economic trouble and recession. Methods: However, this lockdown has also shown some positive effects on the natural environment due to the reduction of pollutant loading from vehicle emission, industries, and other sources. Based on a review of recent research in the relevant area, this paper assesses the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on air and water quality as well as on environmental noise. FINDINGS: A substantial reduction in the level of noxious NO2, particulate matter, and carbon emissions have been observed during the lockdown period, the lockdown also led to an appreciable drop in BOD (biological oxygen demand) and a significant increase in DO (dissolved oxygen) of different river water globally. In addition to this, the anthropogenic noise level has fallen by about one-third due to the COVID-19 lockdown. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that there is a substantial possibility for healing the environment from the detrimental effects of anthropogenic activities through partial or temporary lockdown measures.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
A.A. Nayeem; A.K. Majumder; W.S. Carter
Volume 5, Issue 3 , July 2020, , Pages 207-216
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Bangladesh government declared a general holiday beginning on March 26, 2020 aimed to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of the general holiday on air quality in Dhaka city area of Bangladesh. METHODS: Hourly PM2.5 (aerodynamic ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Bangladesh government declared a general holiday beginning on March 26, 2020 aimed to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of the general holiday on air quality in Dhaka city area of Bangladesh. METHODS: Hourly PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm) data was collected from publicly available World's Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index Project from March 1 to May 16 for the five years 2016 to 2020. Tukey Multiple Comparison test was conducted to address the observable level of air quality changes between the years. Additionally, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer using the Aerosol Optical Depth with 550nm wavelength was analyzed during the same time period. FINDING: This Study found that, between April 7 and May 16, the mean daily reading of PM2.5 was less in 2020 when compared to previous years. The mean hourly reported PM2.5 during working hours of 6AM and 8 PM for 2020 was statistically lower (at α= 0.01 level) than all other years 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The mean hourly reported PM2.5 for 2019 was statistically higher (at α = 0.01 level) than all other years 2020, 2018, 2017, and 2016. The Bus Rapid Transit and Mass Rapid Transit Construction in 2019 contributed between 24.2% and 38.6% of the PM2.5 dust during this period. The elimination of diesel bus traffic during working hours in 2020 reduced the dust levels between 15.9% and 36.3% compared to the previous four years. A declining trend of AOD550 values was observed from April 7 to May 16, 2020 compared to previous four years (2016-2019). CONCLUSION: During the general holiday period in Dhaka, the daily and working hour PM2.5 as well as daily Aerosol Optical Depth were reduced compared to previous four years (2016-2019). Government action is recommended to reduce dust created during major construction projects. It is recommended the government authorize the replacement of buses with less polluting vehicles.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
M. Sayevand; A. Mohammadi; F. Moattar; V. Babaei
Abstract
As a communication link between suburban and urban roads, terminals prevent buses from entering the cities, thus, they play an important role in improving traffic flow, reducing urban environmental pollution. Clearly, proximity of te rminals to cities will bring about environmental pollution in different ...
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As a communication link between suburban and urban roads, terminals prevent buses from entering the cities, thus, they play an important role in improving traffic flow, reducing urban environmental pollution. Clearly, proximity of te rminals to cities will bring about environmental pollution in different forms (soil, water, air and wastewater). The current study tries to investigate the environmental management solutions for Tehran West Terminal. For this purpose, all the environmental aspects of bus terminals, including air, water, soil and traffic were investigated. Then, with respect to the primary assessments, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed among drivers and terminal staff. According to the obtained results, a SWOT matrix was designed and implemented after completing the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The results of soil sampling showed that pollutants like heavy metals and volatile organic matters (Benzene and Toluene) were above the standards set by the Iran Department of the Environment. In terms of air pollutants, all the gases and particles were above the standards set forth by Iran Department of the Environment. According to SWOT analysis, the aggressive scenario strategies obtained the highest scores. They included periodic trainings for the managers, drivers and other terminal staff (5.31), constant monitoring by Iran Department of the Environment (4.72), establishing internal environmental regulations (4.44), forbidding unauthorized car repairs especially oil Chang outside the repair shops (3.93), and supervision of cooperative managers on controlling vehicles and their drivers (3.73), were selected as superior strategies, respectively.