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Han F, Tian Q, Chen N, Hu Z, Wang Y, Xiong R, Xu P, Liu W, Stehr A, Barra RO, Zheng Y. Assessing ammonium pollution and mitigation measures through a modified watershed non-point source model. Water Res 2024; 254:121372. [PMID: 38430761 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Watershed water quality modeling is a valuable tool for managing ammonium (NH4+) pollution. However, simulating NH4+ pollution presents unique challenges due to the inherent instability of NH4+ in natural environment. This study modified the widely-used Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to simulate non-point source (NPS) NH4+ processes, specifically incorporating the simulation of land-to-water NH4+ delivery. The Jiulong River Watershed (JRW) is the study area, a coastal watershed in Southeast China with substantial sewage discharge, livestock farming, and fertilizer application. The results demonstrate that the modified model can effectively simulate the NPS NH4+ processes. It is recommended to use multiple sets of observations to calibrate NH4+ simulation to enhance model reliability. Despite constituting a minor proportion (5.6 %), point source inputs significantly contribute to NH4+ load at watershed outlet (32.4∼51.9 %), while NPS inputs contribute 15.3∼17.3 % of NH4+ loads. NH4+ primarily enters water through surface runoff and lateral flow, with negligible leaching. Average NH4+ land-to-water delivery rate is about 2.35 to 2.90 kg N/ha/a. High delivery rates mainly occur at agricultural areas. Notably, proposed NH4+ mitigation measures, including urban sewage treatment enhancement, livestock manure management improvement, and fertilizer application reduction, demonstrate potential to collectively reduce the NH4+ load at watershed outlet by 1/4 to 1/3 and significantly enhance water quality standard compliance frequency. Insights gained from modeling experience in the JRW offer valuable implications for NH4+ modeling and management in regions with similar climates and significant anthropogenic nitrogen inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Han
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qing Tian
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Nengwang Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Zhaoping Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Rui Xiong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Municipal Engineering Lab of Environmental IoT Technologies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Peng Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Alejandra Stehr
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Concepción, 4070386 Concepción, Chile
| | - Ricardo O Barra
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and EULA Chile Centre, University of Concepción, 4070386 Concepción, Chile
| | - Yi Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Municipal Engineering Lab of Environmental IoT Technologies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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Zhou Y, Zhang X, Zhang C, Chen B, Gu B. Mitigating air pollution benefits multiple sustainable development goals in China. Environ Pollut 2024:123992. [PMID: 38631451 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains a significant challenge, necessitating urgent and prioritized strategies. Among the various challenges, air pollution continues to pose one of the most substantial threats to the SDGs due to its widespread adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. However, the connections between air pollution and the SDGs have often been overlooked. This study reveals that out of the 169 SDG targets, 71 are adversely impacted by air pollution, while only 6 show potential positive effects. In China, two major atmospheric nitrogen pollutants, ammonia and nitrogen oxides, resulted in an economic loss of 400 billion United States Dollar (USD) in 2020, which could be reduced by 33% and 34% by 2030, respectively. It would enhance the progress towards SDGs in China by 14%, directly contributing to the achievement of SDGs 1 to 6 and 11 to 15. This improvement is estimated to yield overall benefits totaling 119 billion USD, exceeded the total implementation cost of 82 billion USD with ammonia as the preferential mitigation target. This study underscores the importance of robust scientific evidence in integrated policies aimed at aligning improvements in environmental quality with the priorities of sustainable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiuming Zhang
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Policy Simulation Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chuanzhen Zhang
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Binhui Chen
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Baojing Gu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Ballester C, Dupont SM, Corbeau A, Chambert T, Duriez O, Besnard A. A standardized protocol for assessing the performance of automatic detection systems used in onshore wind power plants to reduce avian mortality. J Environ Manage 2024; 354:120437. [PMID: 38402787 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
While wind power plants are an important contribution to the production of renewable energy to limit climate change, collision mortality from turbines is a danger for birds, including many protected species. To try to mitigate collision risks, automatic detection systems (ADSs) can be deployed on wind power plants; these work by detecting incoming birds using a detection/classification process and triggering a specific reaction (scaring off the bird or shutting down the turbine). Nonetheless, bird fatalities still occur at ADS-equipped wind power plants, which raises the question of the performance of these tools. To date, the lack of a transparent, peer-reviewed experimental process to compare the performance of types of ADS has meant there is no robust protocol to assess these systems. With the aim of filling this gap, we developed two standardized protocols that provide objective and unbiased assessments of the performance of different types of ADS, based on their probability of detecting/classifying birds at risk of collision. Both protocols rely on precise 3D tracking of wild birds by human observers using a laser rangefinder, and the comparison of these tracks with those detected and recorded by an ADS. The first protocol evaluates a system's general performance, generating comparable data for all types of ADS. In this protocol, detection/classification probability is estimated conditional on several abiotic and biotic environmental factors such as bird size, distance from the target, the flight angle and azimuth of the bird, as well as weather conditions. The second protocol aims to verify that the performance of an ADS installed on a given wind power plant complies with its regulatory requirements. In this protocol, detection/classification probability is specifically estimated for a given target species at a given regulatory detection distance. This protocol also estimates the proportion of time an ADS is functional on site over a year, and the proportion of reaction orders successfully operated by wind turbines. These protocols have been field-tested and made publicly available for use by government agencies and wind power plant operators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrielle Ballester
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE-PSL University, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Sophie M Dupont
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France; Laboratoire de Biologie des ORganismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), FRE 2030, Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université de Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Corbeau
- CNRS, ECOBIO (Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution) - University of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Thierry Chambert
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE-PSL University, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Olivier Duriez
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE-PSL University, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Aurélien Besnard
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE-PSL University, IRD, Montpellier, France
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Brettas PKDM, Nascimento FGDO, Guimarães EC, Faria PN, Ferreira AV, Nascimento MRBDM. Knowledge and perception of milk producers about thermal stress in Brazilian dairy farms. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26115. [PMID: 38404894 PMCID: PMC10884848 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Heat stress is a challenge for the milk production chain, especially in tropical environments. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the knowledge and the perception of milk producers about heat stress and determine what corrective measures they adopted to minimize losses in the productive performance of dairy cows due to high temperatures. A questionnaire was applied to 112 dairy farmers in the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás, Brazil in 2019 and 2020. The collected data were submitted to descriptive statistics using the G test of independence and multivariate correspondence analysis. Among the surveyed producers, 89% stated that they had already been informed about what heat stress is and how it affects the animals; 94% declared that they had already noticed in their day-to-day activities that heat stress impairs productivity and milk quality, and 92% stated that they have tried to reduce the heat stress to which the animals in their herd are exposed. There was an association among previous knowledge about heat stress and farm size, daily volume of milk produced, number of lactating cows, type of milking and presence of technical assistance. There was also an association among the adoption of measures that minimize the negative effects of heat stress with the size of the property, the number of cows in lactation and with the producer's perception of heat stress in their daily lives. It was concluded that, in important municipalities of the Brazilian dairy chain, most milk producers surveyed have knowledge and perception of the negative effects of heat stress on the productive performance of dairy cows and sought to adopt measures that could alleviate them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Kelly de Moraes Brettas
- Graduate Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Glória, Bloco 1CCG, Sala 209 A e B, BR-050, KM 78, S/N, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, CEP:38410-337, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Gatti de Oliveira Nascimento
- Graduate Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Glória, Bloco 1CCG, Sala 209 A e B, BR-050, KM 78, S/N, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, CEP:38410-337, Brazil
| | - Ednaldo Carvalho Guimarães
- Faculty of Mathematics, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Santa Mônica, Bloco 1F, Sala 1F120, Av. João Naves de Avila, 2121, Bairro Santa Mônica, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, CEP:38400-902, Brazil
| | - Priscila Neves Faria
- Faculty of Mathematics, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Santa Mônica, Bloco 1F, Sala 1F120, Av. João Naves de Avila, 2121, Bairro Santa Mônica, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, CEP:38400-902, Brazil
| | | | - Mara Regina Bueno de Mattos Nascimento
- Graduate Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Glória, Bloco 1CCG, Sala 209 A e B, BR-050, KM 78, S/N, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, CEP:38410-337, Brazil
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Zhao J, Uhde E, Salthammer T, Antretter F, Shaw D, Carslaw N, Schieweck A. Long-term prediction of the effects of climate change on indoor climate and air quality. Environ Res 2024; 243:117804. [PMID: 38042519 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Limiting the negative impact of climate change on nature and humans is one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century. Meanwhile, people in modern society spend most of the day indoors. It is therefore surprising that comparatively little attention has been paid to indoor human exposure in relation to climate change. Heat action plans have now been designed in many regions to protect people from thermal stress in their private homes and in public buildings. However, in order to be able to plan effectively for the future, reliable information is required about the long-term effects of climate change on indoor air quality and climate. The Indoor Air Quality Climate Change (IAQCC) model is an expediant tool for estimating the influence of climate change on indoor air quality. The model follows a holistic approach in which building physics, emissions, chemical reactions, mold growth and exposure are combined with the fundamental parameters of temperature and humidity. The features of the model have already been presented in an earlier publication, and it is now used for the expected climatic conditions in Central Europe, taking into account various shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios up to the year 2100. For the test house examined in this study, the concentrations of pollutants in the indoor air will continue to rise. At the same time, the risk of mold growth also increases (the mold index rose from 0 to 4 in the worst case for very sensitive material). The biggest problem, however, is protection against heat and humidity. Massive structural improvements are needed here, including insulation, ventilation, and direct sun protection. Otherwise, the occupants will be exposed to increasing thermal discomfort, which can also lead to severe heat stress indoors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangyue Zhao
- Fraunhofer WKI, Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, Riedenkamp 3, 38108, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Erik Uhde
- Fraunhofer WKI, Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, Riedenkamp 3, 38108, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Tunga Salthammer
- Fraunhofer WKI, Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, Riedenkamp 3, 38108, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Florian Antretter
- C3RROlutions GmbH, Steinbrucker Str. 11, 83064, Raubling, Germany; Fraunhofer IBP, Fraunhoferstraße 10, 83626, Valley, Germany
| | - David Shaw
- University of York, Department of Environment and Geography, Heslington, York, YO10 5NG, UK
| | - Nicola Carslaw
- University of York, Department of Environment and Geography, Heslington, York, YO10 5NG, UK
| | - Alexandra Schieweck
- Fraunhofer WKI, Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, Riedenkamp 3, 38108, Braunschweig, Germany.
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Protyusha GB, B K, Robin RS, A N, Ineyathendral TR, Shivani SS, I A, Sivasamy S, Samuel VD, R P. Microplastics in oral healthcare products (OHPs) and their environmental health risks and mitigation measures. Environ Pollut 2024; 343:123118. [PMID: 38092338 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The environmental input of microplastics from personal care products has received significant attention; however, less focus has been paid to oral healthcare products. The present study assessed the occurrence of microplastics in commercially available oral healthcare products such as toothbrushes, toothpastes, toothpowder, mouthwash, dental floss, and mouth freshener spray that have a pan-India distribution. The extracted microplastics were quantified and characterised using a microscope and ATR-FTIR. All products showed microplastic contamination, where toothbrushes showed the maximum particles (30-120 particles/brush) and mouth freshener sprays (0.2-3.5 particles/ml) had the least abundance. Fragments, fibres, beads, and films were the various shapes of microplastics observed, where fragments (60%) were dominant. Various colours such as pink, green, blue, yellow, black, and colourless were observed, where colourless (40%) particles were dominant. Microplastics were categorized into three sizes: <0.1 mm (63%), 0.1-0.3 mm (35%), and >0.3 mm (2%). Four major types of polymers, such as polyethylene (52%), polyamide (30%), polyethylene terephthalate (15%), and polybutylene terephthalate (3%), were identified. Risk assessment studies such as Daily Microplastics Emission (DME), Annual Microplastics Exposure (AME), and Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) were carried out. The DME projection for India was the highest for mouthwash (74 billion particles/day) and the least for mouth freshener sprays (0.36 billion particles/day). The AME projection for an individual was the highest in toothbrushes (48,910 particles ind.-1 yr.-1) and the least in mouth freshener sprays (111 particles ind.-1 yr.-1). PHI shows that the identified polymers fall under the low-to high-risk categories. This study forecasts the community health risks linked to microplastics in oral healthcare products and suggests mitigation strategies. It has the potential to shape environmental policy development in response.
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Affiliation(s)
- G B Protyusha
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, 600095, India.
| | - Kavitha B
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, 600095, India
| | - R S Robin
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai, 600 025, India
| | - Nithin A
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai, 600 025, India
| | | | - S Shruthi Shivani
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, 600095, India
| | - Anandavelu I
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai, 600 025, India
| | - Shyam Sivasamy
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, 600095, India
| | - V Deepak Samuel
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai, 600 025, India
| | - Purvaja R
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai, 600 025, India
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Kros H, Cals T, Gies E, Groenendijk P, Lesschen JP, Voogd JC, Hermans T, Velthof G. Region oriented and integrated approach to reduce emissions of nutrients and greenhouse gases from agriculture in the Netherlands. Sci Total Environ 2024; 909:168501. [PMID: 37977399 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural practices are causing a variety of environmental impacts such as emissions of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gases (GHG), and leaching and runoff of nutrients to groundwater and surface water. Measures need to be taken to achieve environmental targets set in European agreements and directives, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, Nitrates Directive, Water Framework Directive and Fit for 55 package. To explore solutions for these issues an integral approach is needed, in which synergies between measures are included and pollution swapping is avoided. In addition, spatial interaction needs to be included because the environmental impacts are related to the spatial distribution of nature sites, farming systems, soil type and hydrology. We performed a regionalised approach for the Netherlands using a suite of models to simulate the effect of agricultural measures on manure and fertilizer distribution, emissions of NH3 and GHG, nitrogen (N) deposition on nature, nitrate (NO3-) leaching to groundwater, N and phosphorus (P) losses to surface waters, and soil carbon (C) sequestration. A mix of structural, technical and management measures was evaluated to achieve targets on both regional and national level for a regionalised approach and a more generic (national) approach. Results show that the regionalised approach is more beneficial, especially for water quality improvement and N deposition reduction and to a lesser extend for the mitigation of GHG emissions and NO3- leaching. When all measures are fully implemented, the 2030 targets for NO3- and N deposition can be attained, but the targets for surface water and climate mitigation cannot be met.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Kros
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Twan Cals
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Edo Gies
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jan Cees Voogd
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Tia Hermans
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard Velthof
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Sandström S, Lannergård EE, Futter MN, Djodjic F. Water quality in a large complex catchment: Significant effects of land use and soil type but limited ability to detect trends. J Environ Manage 2024; 349:119500. [PMID: 37951108 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Globally, significant societal resources are devoted to mitigating negative effects of eutrophication from excessive phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) loading. Potential effectiveness of mitigation measures and possible confounding factors are often assessed using studies conducted in headwater catchments. However, success is often evaluated based on trends in river mouth water chemistry. It is not clear how transferrable insights from headwater catchments are to larger rivers. Here, relationships between P and suspended solids (SS) identified in small agricultural headwater catchments were applied to 30 larger, mixed land use catchments draining into Mälaren, a Swedish great lake. Relationships identified in headwater streams between SS concentration, catchment agricultural land percentage and arable land clay content were corroborated for the larger catchments (R2 = 0.59, p-value<0.001. The same was true for connections between SS and particulate P (R2 = 0.74, p-value<0.001). This study highlights the importance of agricultural land, clay content and SS for P transport, on both smaller headwater as well as larger catchment scales, supporting the use of headwater findings on larger, management relevant scales. Consequently, these relationships should be used to target mitigation measures to reduce SS and P losses. To explore the effectiveness of mitigation measures on water quality, we assessed long-term (20 year) trends in tributary water quality and compared these trends to the amount of mitigation measures implemented in the catchment. Overall improving trends were detected using regional Mann Kendall tests, but few decreasing trends in nutrient concentrations were found for individual sites using Generalized Additive Models (GAM). The lack of significant trends and identifiable connections to amount of mitigation measures implemented could be due to several reasons, e.g. insufficient time for recently implemented measures to have an effect, ongoing release of legacy P as well as low areal coverage and poor spatial placement of implemented measures. In addition, trend detection requires large amounts of data and the results should be carefully interpreted and communicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sandström
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO-Box 7050, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Emma E Lannergård
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO-Box 7050, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martyn N Futter
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO-Box 7050, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Faruk Djodjic
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO-Box 7050, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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Richmond B, Sharpe L, Menzies RE. Are Fear Campaigns Effective for Increasing Adherence to COVID-Related Mitigation Measures? Int J Behav Med 2023; 30:714-730. [PMID: 36319932 PMCID: PMC9628502 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-022-10137-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using fear to increase the uptake of preventative health behaviours is a longstanding practice, which could be useful in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. However, the impact of fear campaigns beyond behavioural outcomes has rarely been considered. It is possible that these threatening health messages could heighten health-related anxiety by inducing a tendency to interpret ambiguous stimuli in a threatening manner. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of fear-based articles about COVID-19, on intentions to adhere to mitigation measures and interpretation bias-a core maintenance factor in health anxiety. METHOD Two pilot studies were conducted with the aim of validating our novel COVID-related measures and assessing engagement with the threat manipulation. Following this, 375 community members were recruited through social media for the main study. Participants were then randomly allocated to read an article about COVID which was manipulated on both threat and efficacy. After reading the article, participants then completed measures of interpretation bias and intentions to engage in COVID-19 mitigation measures. RESULTS Although the threatening articles consistently produced greater COVID-related threat, they only generated a stronger interpretation bias in the first pilot study. Importantly, threat-based communications failed to enhance intentions to perform mitigation measures in any of the studies. Likewise, reading an article which bolstered self-efficacy did not increase intentions, compared to reading a low efficacy article. CONCLUSION This research suggests that fear appeals are unlikely to increase intentions to perform COVID-related mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Richmond
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, NSW, Sydney, 2006, Australia
| | - Louise Sharpe
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, NSW, Sydney, 2006, Australia.
| | - Rachel E Menzies
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, NSW, Sydney, 2006, Australia
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Islam MT, Siddeqa M, Mukherjee A, Bithi SA, Mandal S, Islam M. An assessment of the potential environmental effects of bridge construction in Boga, Patuakhali, Bangladesh. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16562. [PMID: 37292307 PMCID: PMC10245150 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority announced a plan to build a bridge over the Lohalia River in Boga, Patuakhali, which will significantly modify the entire communication system and lead to significant economic empowerment in the southeastern part of Bangladesh. This study was designed to help decision-makers through the identification and evaluation of all potential social and environmental consequences of this proposed project using an integrated methodology combining GIS mapping, environmental impact value assessment, and critical evaluation of the environmental impact through the Leopold matrix. The necessary information required for this study has been collected through questionnaire surveys, participatory community risk assessments (CRA), focused group discussions, key informant interviews, and reviews of previously published documents. According to this study, the proposed Boga Bridge construction will have some adverse environmental consequences including agricultural land and productivity loss, the decline of ecosystem health, extinction of endangered species, deterioration of water, air and soil quality, sedimentation and changes in river flow. Despite these adverse impacts this project will improve the life and livelihood of the coastal community and foster economic growth and industrialization over the long run through easily assessable road transportation. Additionally, the estimated overall environmental impact value (-2) and Leopold matrix's impact value (-1.51) revealed that this project has low adverse effects on the surrounding environment. Moreover, the majority of the environmental consequences were found to be transient because they were only limited to the construction phase which makes it simple to control with the proper implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies. Therefore, this study furnished some effective mitigation strategies incorporating mitigation hierarchy principals to avoid and minimize adverse impacts as well as enhance the positive impacts of this project. Finally, this study recommends constructing the proposed Boga Bridge after ensuring rigorous implementation and monitoring of all impact mitigation strategies proposed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Tariqul Islam
- Department of Environmental Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Mawya Siddeqa
- Department of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Ananya Mukherjee
- Department of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Shakina Afroz Bithi
- Institute of Disaster Management, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna 9203, Bangladesh
| | - Songita Mandal
- Department of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Maksudul Islam
- Department of Environmental Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh
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11
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V G, Shanmugavel SP, Tyagi VK, Rajesh Banu J. Microplastics as emergent contaminants in landfill leachate: Source, potential impact and remediation technologies. J Environ Manage 2023; 343:118240. [PMID: 37235990 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A significant amount of plastic waste is generated each year on a global scale, in which the maximum quantity of plastic waste is typically dumped in landfills in various parts of the world. Moreover, dumping plastic waste in landfills cannot address the issue of proper disposal; it simply delays the process. Exploiting waste resources entails environmental hazards because plastic wastes buried in landfills gradually break down into Microplastics (MPs) due to physical, chemical, and biological effects. The possibility of landfill leachate as a source of MPs in the environment has not received much attention. Without systematic treatment, MPs in leachate increase the risk to human health and environmental health since they contain dangerous and toxic pollutants and antibiotic resistance genes transmitted by leachate vectors. Due to their severe environmental risks, MPs are now widely recognized as emerging pollutants. Therefore, the composition of MPs in landfill leachate and the interaction of MPs with other hazardous contaminants are summarised in this review. The available potential mitigation or treatment methods of MPs in landfill leachate as of now, along with the drawbacks and challenges of the present leachate treatment for eliminating MPs, are described in this review. Since it is unclear how MPs will be removed from the current leachate facilities, it is crucial to develop innovative treatment facilities as quickly as possible. Finally, the areas that require more research to provide complete solutions to the persistent problem of plastic debris are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- GodvinSharmila V
- Department of Civil Engineering, Mar Ephraem College of Engineering and Technology, Marthandam, 629171, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Surya Prakash Shanmugavel
- Department of Solid Waste Management and Health, Greater Chennai Corporation, Tamil Nadu, 600 003, India
| | - Vinay Kumar Tyagi
- Environmental Hydrology Division, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, 247667, India
| | - J Rajesh Banu
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Neelakudi, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, 610005, India.
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12
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Barcala V, Zech A, Osté L, Behrends T. Transport-limited kinetics of phosphate retention on iron-coated sand and practical implications. J Contam Hydrol 2023; 255:104160. [PMID: 36822030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2023.104160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Iron-coated sand (ICS) is a by-product from drinking water treatment made of sand coated with ferric iron (hydr)oxides. It is considered a suitable material for large-scale measures for phosphate removal from natural and agricultural waters to prevent eutrophication. Previous studies demonstrated that the residence time of water must be very long to reach equilibrium partitioning between phosphate and ICS but specifics for application are missing. First, SEM-EDX images were used to support the conceptual assumption that P adsorption inside the coating is a transport-limited process. Second, a conceptual model of phosphate adsorption was proposed considering two types of sites: one type with fast adsorption kinetics and reaching equilibrium with the percolating solution, and another type for which adsorption is also reversible but described by pseudo-first-order kinetics. The latter is conceived to account for transport-limited adsorption in the interior of the coating while the former fraction of sites is assumed to be easily accessible and located close to the grain surface. Third, the kinetics of phosphate adsorption on ICS were quantitatively determined to describe and predict phosphate retention in filters under various flow conditions. The model was calibrated and validated with long-term column experiments, which lasted for 3500 h to approach equilibrium on the slowly reacting sites. The model reproduced the outflowing phosphate concentrations: the pronounced increase after a few pore volumes and the slow increase over the remaining part of the experiment. The parameterized model was also able to predict the time evolution of phosphate concentrations in the outflow of column experiments with different flow velocities, flow interruption, and in desorption experiments. The equilibrium partition coefficient for the experimental conditions was identified as 28.1 L/g-Fe at pH 6.8 and a phosphate concentration of 1.7 mg-P / L. The optimized first-order mass transfer coefficient for the slow adsorption process was 1.56 10-4 h-1, implying that the slow adsorption process has a time scale of several months. However, based on the parameterized model, the slow adsorption process accounted for 95.5% of the equilibrium adsorption capacity, emphasizing the potential relevance of this process for practical applications. The implications for the design, operation, and lifespan of ICS filters are exemplarily illustrated for different scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Barcala
- Inland Water Systems, Deltares, 600 Daltonlaan, 3584 BK Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 8 Princetonlaan, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Alraune Zech
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 8 Princetonlaan, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard Osté
- Inland Water Systems, Deltares, 600 Daltonlaan, 3584 BK Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Thilo Behrends
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 8 Princetonlaan, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
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13
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Gorji H, Stauffer N, Lunati I, Caduff A, Bühler M, Engel D, Chung HR, Loukas O, Feig S, Renz H. Projection of healthcare demand in Germany and Switzerland urged by Omicron wave (January-March 2022). Epidemics 2023; 43:100680. [PMID: 36963246 PMCID: PMC10011028 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2023.100680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In January 2022, after the implementation of broad vaccination programs, the Omicron wave was propagating across Europe. There was an urgent need to understand how population immunity affects the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic when the loss of vaccine protection was concurrent with the emergence of a new variant of concern. In particular, assessing the risk of saturation of the healthcare systems was crucial to manage the pandemic and allow a transition towards the endemic course of SARS-CoV-2 by implementing more refined mitigation strategies that shield the most vulnerable groups and protect the healthcare systems. We investigated the epidemic dynamics by means of compartmental models that describe the age-stratified social-mixing and consider vaccination status, type, and waning of the efficacy. In response to the acute situation, our model aimed at (i) providing insight into the plausible scenarios that were likely to occur in Switzerland and Germany in the midst of the Omicron wave, (ii) informing public health authorities, and (iii) helping take informed decisions to minimize negative consequences of the pandemic. Despite the unprecedented numbers of new positive cases, our results suggested that, in all plausible scenarios, the wave was unlikely to create an overwhelming healthcare demand; due to the lower hospitalization rate and the effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing a severe course of the disease. This prediction came true and the healthcare systems in Switzerland and Germany were not pushed to the limit, despite the unprecedentedly large number of infections. By retrospective comparison of the model predictions with the official reported data of the epidemic dynamic, we demonstrate the ability of the model to capture the main features of the epidemic dynamic and the corresponding healthcare demand. In a broader context, our framework can be applied also to endemic scenarios, offering quantitative support for refined public health interventions in response to recurring waves of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Gorji
- Laboratory of Multiscale Studies in Building Physics, Empa, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Noé Stauffer
- Laboratory of Multiscale Studies in Building Physics, Empa, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Lunati
- Laboratory of Multiscale Studies in Building Physics, Empa, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Alexa Caduff
- Department of Justice, Security and Health, Canton Grisons, Switzerland
| | - Martin Bühler
- Department of Justice, Security and Health, Canton Grisons, Switzerland
| | - Doortje Engel
- Department of Justice, Security and Health, Canton Grisons, Switzerland
| | - Ho Ryun Chung
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Orestis Loukas
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Feig
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiochemistry Molecular Diagnostics, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Harald Renz
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiochemistry Molecular Diagnostics, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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14
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Ghosh S, Mistri B. Cyclone-induced coastal vulnerability, livelihood challenges and mitigation measures of Matla-Bidya inter-estuarine area, Indian Sundarban. Nat Hazards (Dordr) 2023; 116:3857-3878. [PMID: 36817633 PMCID: PMC9925922 DOI: 10.1007/s11069-023-05840-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Indian Sundarban is highly susceptible to tropical cyclones and resultant impacts such as storm surge-induced floods, embankment breaching, and saline water intrusion. It affects life and livelihood in severe ways. Mitigation and policy measures are therefore very important, based on information gathered at the grassroots level. Hence, this study is designed to assess inter-village variation in cyclone vulnerability, considering physical vulnerability, social vulnerability, and mitigation capacity. This study also highlights livelihood challenges faced by coastal dwellers. Geospatial and quantitative methods were used to assess the composite vulnerability index (CVI). Remote sensing data and climatic data were integrated to assess physical vulnerability and various socioeconomic data were incorporated to determine the social vulnerability. Moreover, an intensive field survey (2020-2021) was also conducted to understand the livelihood challenges of local people and accordingly suggest mitigation measures to cope with natural hazards. According to this analysis, nearly 18% of the total population living in the southern and eastern parts of the Matla-Bidya inter-estuarine area (MBI) are extremely vulnerable (CVI > 0.544) due to their geographical location and high exposure to coastal hazards. Almost 51% of the total populations inhabited in 46% of the total MBI villages are experiencing high to moderate vulnerability. Conversely, MBI villages in the northern part, where 32% of the total population lives, show low vulnerability (CVI < 0.387) due to less exposure and high resilience. Coastal low-lying villages are often hardest hit by tropical cyclones. Therefore, effective mitigation strategies and coping mechanisms are essentially needed to reduce the adverse impacts of cyclones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Ghosh
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal 713104 India
| | - Biswaranjan Mistri
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal 713104 India
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15
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Bennett CC, Welton M, Bos J, Moon G, Berkley A, Kavlak L, Pearson J, Turabelidze G, Frazier J, Fehrenbach N, Brown CK. Assessment of COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities. J Hosp Infect 2023; 134:7-10. [PMID: 36696942 PMCID: PMC9867838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The B.1.167.2 (Delta) variant quickly became the predominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 strain in the USA during summer 2021. Missouri identified a high number of outbreaks in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) across the state with low vaccination rates among LTCF staff members and poor adherence to mitigation measures within local communities. AIM To describe COVID-19 outbreaks that occurred in Missouri LTCFs impacting staff and residents during the surge of the Delta variant. METHODS Outbreaks of COVID-19 in 178 LTCFs were identified by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Case data from LTCFs with the highest burden of disease were analysed to assess disease transmission, vaccination status, and outcomes among residents and staff. Additional investigational measures included onsite visits to facilities with recent COVID-19 outbreaks in communities with substantial transmission to assess mitigation measures. FINDINGS During April 22nd to July 29th, 2021, 159 COVID-19 cases among 72 staff members and 87 residents were identified in 10 LTCFs. More than 74.7% of resident cases were vaccinated compared to 23.6% of staff cases. Vaccinated residents had a lower proportion of hospitalizations and deaths reported compared to unvaccinated residents. Data analysis and contact-tracing efforts from a sample of the facilities suggest that staff members were likely a major factor in introducing SARS-CoV-2 virus into the facilities. Adherence to COVID-19 mitigation measures varied at the visited facilities. CONCLUSION Data showed that vaccination rates varied between staff cases and resident cases in facilities with high-burden outbreaks. Differences were identified in mitigation practices in at least two facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Bennett
- State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support Task Force, COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - M Welton
- G2S Corporation, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - J Bos
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Jefferson City and St Louis, MO, USA
| | - G Moon
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Jefferson City and St Louis, MO, USA
| | - A Berkley
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Jefferson City and St Louis, MO, USA
| | - L Kavlak
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Jefferson City and St Louis, MO, USA
| | - J Pearson
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Jefferson City and St Louis, MO, USA
| | - G Turabelidze
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Jefferson City and St Louis, MO, USA
| | - J Frazier
- State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support Task Force, COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - N Fehrenbach
- State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support Task Force, COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - C K Brown
- State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support Task Force, COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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de Vries W, Kros J, Voogd JC, Ros GH. Integrated assessment of agricultural practices on large scale losses of ammonia, greenhouse gases, nutrients and heavy metals to air and water. Sci Total Environ 2023; 857:159220. [PMID: 36209876 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
To gain insight in the environmental impacts of crop, soil and nutrient management, an integrated model framework INITIATOR was developed predicting: (i) emissions of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gases (GHG) from agriculture, including animal husbandry and crop production and (ii) accumulation, leaching and runoff of carbon, nutrients (nitrogen, N, phosphorus, P, and base cations) and metals in or from soils to groundwater and surface water in the Netherlands. Key processes in soil are included by linear or non-linear process formulations to maintain transparency and to enable data availability for spatially explicit application from field up to national level. Calculated national trends in nutrient losses over 2000-2020 compared well with independent estimates and showed a reduction in N and P input of 26 to 33 %, whereas the surplus declined by 33 % for N and 86 % for P due to increased crop yields and reduced inputs. This was accompanied by a reduction of 30-35 % in atmospheric emissions of ammonia and nitrous oxide as well a decline in N and P runoff of 35 and 10 %, respectively, whereas the emission of methane increased with 4 %. Model results compared well with (i) large scale observations of ammonia concentrations in air and nitrate concentrations in upper groundwater and ditch water, (ii) with nitrous oxide emissions and phosphorus adsorption in experiments at field scale and (iii) with metal adsorption in large scale soil datasets. Various mitigation measures were evaluated in view of policy ambitions for climate, soil and environmental quality for 2030, i.e. a reduction of 50 % for NH3, 11-17 % for GHG, 20 % for N runoff and 40 % for P runoff and an ambition of 50 % GHG emission reduction for 2050. The measures focused on a combination of animal feeding, low emission housing and application technologies, improved crop, soil and nutrient management, all being applied with an effectiveness of 100 % and 50 %, respectively. In addition, we evaluated impacts of 50 % livestock reduction, and combination scenarios of measures and livestock reduction. Full implementation of all measures can reduce NH3 emission, N leaching and N runoff by approximately 40-50 % and GHG emissions by approximately 30 %, but there is less potential to reduce P runoff, being <10 %. The combination of a more likely 50 % implementation/effectiveness of measures with 25 % livestock reduction leads to a comparable reduction. Required reductions from Dutch agriculture seem not possible with improved management only, but also requires livestock reduction, especially when the NH3 ambitions at the short term (2030) and the climate ambitions for the long term (2050) should be attained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wim de Vries
- Wageningen University and Research, Environmental Systems Analysis Group, PO Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, the Netherlands; Wageningen University and Research, Environmental Research, PO Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Johannes Kros
- Wageningen University and Research, Environmental Research, PO Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Cees Voogd
- Wageningen University and Research, Environmental Research, PO Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard H Ros
- Wageningen University and Research, Environmental Systems Analysis Group, PO Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Rotevatn TA, Nygård K, Espenhain L, Legarth R, Møller KL, Sarvikivi E, Helve O, Aspelund G, Ersson A, Nordahl M, Greve-Isdahl M, Astrup E, Johansen TB. When schools were open for in-person teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic - the nordic experience on control measures and transmission in schools during the delta wave. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:62. [PMID: 36624496 PMCID: PMC9828373 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14906-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive measures to control spread of SARS-CoV-2 have led to limited access to education for millions of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Education and access to schools is vital for children and adolescents' learning, health, and wellbeing. Based on high vaccine uptake and low incidence levels, the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) decided to start the academic year 2021/22 with schools open for in-person teaching and moderate mitigation measures. We describe trends in SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccination coverage among students during the first 12 weeks of the fall semester. METHODS In this multinational, retrospective, observational study, we have used surveillance and registry data from each of the Nordic countries to describe vaccine uptake (≥12 years), infection incidence (whole population) and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among students. The study period, week 30 to 41 (Jul 26th - Oct 17th), represents the autumn semester from immediately before school started until fall break. In addition, we collected information on mitigation measures applied by the respective countries. RESULTS There were slight variations between the countries regarding existing infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, testing strategies and vaccination start-up among adolescents. All countries had high vaccine uptake in the adult population, while uptake varied more in the younger age groups. Incidence in the school-aged population differed between countries and seemed to be influenced by both vaccine uptake and test activity. Infection clusters among school-aged children were described for Denmark and Norway, and the number of clusters per week reflected the incidence trend of the country. Most events consisted of only 1-2 cases. Larger clusters appeared more frequently in the higher grades in Norway and in lower grades in Denmark. CONCLUSION Data from the Nordic countries indicate that vaccination of adults and adolescents, in addition to mitigation measures, enabled full in-person learning. As SARS-CoV-2 infection does not represent a severe medical risk for most children as previously thought, measures targeting this group should be carefully adjusted and kept at a minimum. Our data add to the evidence on incidence and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among students in schools open for in-person teaching, and may be valuable for decision makers worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karin Nygård
- grid.418193.60000 0001 1541 4204Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Laura Espenhain
- grid.6203.70000 0004 0417 4147Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rebecca Legarth
- grid.6203.70000 0004 0417 4147Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Emmi Sarvikivi
- grid.14758.3f0000 0001 1013 0499Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Otto Helve
- grid.14758.3f0000 0001 1013 0499Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Guðrún Aspelund
- grid.494099.90000 0004 0643 5363The Directorate of Health, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Annika Ersson
- grid.419734.c0000 0000 9580 3113The Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Nordahl
- grid.419734.c0000 0000 9580 3113The Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Elisabeth Astrup
- grid.418193.60000 0001 1541 4204Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Vilakazi BS, Mukwada G. Curbing land degradation and mitigating climate change in mountainous regions: a systemic review. Environ Monit Assess 2023; 195:275. [PMID: 36609891 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10906-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Human population is envisaged to continue to grow, with a tremendous contribution to land degradation and climate change. Climate change and land degradation are intertwined, thus tackling climate change means mitigating land degradation. Climate change is a worldwide problem that affects lives and livelihoods; henceforth, mitigating measures are urgently required. With their unique, rich biodiversity, mountain areas are severely sensitive to climate change and land degradation; therefore, a speedy need to curb land degradation in mountain areas is needed. The aim of this systematic review was to appraise different strategic methods used globally to minimise land degradation and sustain mountainous areas in a frequently changing climate. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was utilised in this systematic review. The Scopus data base was utilised for document search, with a selection of articles limited between the years 2012 and 2021. Only articles written in English were considered. After assessing the abstracts, 703 articles were retained for a full review, leading to the final selection of 84 articles. The results show that soil erosion, overgrazing and construction of infrastructure are major causes of land degradation. The human population increase is also an enormous contributing factor to activities leading to land degradation and climate change. A conspicuous intensification of agricultural activities is expected to continue due to rising food demand. Curbing land degradation and climate change in mountain areas can be enforced by the government through stricter regulations. However, regulations and policies must be locally initiated, instead of globally initiated, with local communities being the main stakeholders. Hence, bottom-up rather than top-down policies would encourage local communities to embrace mitigation policy initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonginkosi S Vilakazi
- Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2790, South Africa.
- Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2790, South Africa.
| | - Geofrey Mukwada
- School of Environmental Geography, University of the Free State (UFS), Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa
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Htun YM, Aung T, Kyi MS, Shan NH, Winn ZT, Thu KS, Maung NL, Win TT, Tun KM. Trajectory of confirmed cases and deaths: fourth wave of COVID-19 epidemic in Myanmar. Virol J 2023; 20:3. [PMID: 36611194 PMCID: PMC9825123 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-01960-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has affected day-to-day life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health. Many countries performed mitigation measures to contain the disease spread and break the exponential curve. Omicron had already become a dominant variant in Myanmar and then, the fourth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic started on 28th January 2022. Myanmar performed the main community mitigation measures such as strict quarantine for the people who came back from foreign countries, expansion of testing capacity, enforcement of non-pharmaceutical interventions, and improvement of COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Although decreasing the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, Myanmar is facing the challenges such as human resource shortages in the health sector, community trust for vaccine safety, and inequitable vaccine demand. This communication intends to give insights on what should be considered as the proper mitigation measures to contain the disease spread through the community and as the challenges that occur in implementing public health and social measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Minn Htun
- Department of Prevention and Research Development of Hepatitis, AIDS and Other Viral Diseases, Health and Disease Control Unit, Nay Pyi Taw, 15011, Myanmar.
| | - Thinzar Aung
- grid.415741.2Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Myo Su Kyi
- grid.415741.2Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Nyan Htet Shan
- Outpatient Department, No. 1 Military Hospital (500 Bedded), Meiktila, Mandalay, Myanmar
| | - Zin Thu Winn
- Department of Prevention and Research Development of Hepatitis, AIDS and Other Viral Diseases, Health and Disease Control Unit, Nay Pyi Taw, 15011 Myanmar
| | - Kaung Si Thu
- Department of Prevention and Research Development of Hepatitis, AIDS and Other Viral Diseases, Health and Disease Control Unit, Nay Pyi Taw, 15011 Myanmar
| | - Nyan Lin Maung
- Department of Research and Development, Defence Services Medical School, Hmawbi, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Tun Tun Win
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Defence Services Medical Academy, Mingaladon, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Kyaw Myo Tun
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Defence Services Medical Academy, Mingaladon, Yangon, Myanmar
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20
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Guo Q, Li T, Qu Y, Liang M, Ha Y, Zhang Y, Wang Q. New research development on trans fatty acids in food: Biological effects, analytical methods, formation mechanism, and mitigating measures. Prog Lipid Res 2023; 89:101199. [PMID: 36402189 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2022.101199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The trans fatty acids (TFAs) in food are mainly generated from the ruminant animals (meat and milk) and processed oil or oil products. Excessive intake of TFAs (>1% of total energy intake) caused more than 500,000 deaths from coronary heart disease and increased heart disease risk by 21% and mortality by 28% around the world annually, which will be eliminated in industrially-produced trans fat from the global food supply by 2023. Herein, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the biological effects, analytical methods, formation and mitigation measures of TFAs in food. Especially, the research progress on the rapid, easy-to-use, and newly validated analytical methods, new formation mechanism, kinetics, possible mitigation mechanism, and new or improved mitigation measures are highlighted. We also offer perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and new directions for future development, which will contribute to the advances in TFAs research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Guo
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100194, PR China.
| | - Tian Li
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100194, PR China
| | - Yang Qu
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100194, PR China
| | - Manzhu Liang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100194, PR China
| | - Yiming Ha
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100194, PR China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100194, PR China.
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21
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Di Guardo A, Capri E, Calliera M, Finizio A. MIMERA: An online tool for the sustainable pesticide use at field scale. Sci Total Environ 2022; 846:157285. [PMID: 35863569 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As echoed in the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy, the EU agricultural policy has clear objectives of improving the sustainability (environmental, economic and social) of farm productions. The environmental goals are supported by promotion of organic farming and the responsible management of inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides. In this framework, there is a need is to provide farmers with tools to evaluate the best options for reducing environmental impact and measure performances in improving the sustainability of their productions. This paper introduces MIMERA, a GIS easy-to-use tool for the sustainable use of pesticides at farm level. MIMERA was developed in the framework of the Train-Agro project funded by the Lombardia Region (Italy), in the framework of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development Programme (EAFRD). The main goal is to help professional pesticide users to identify the best pest management strategies by comparing the environmental risk of authorized commercial formulations of pesticides, identifying parcel most at risk within the farm boundaries and suggesting the most appropriate risk mitigation measures for the prevention of surface water contamination. Finally, MIMERA offers the opportunity to track the risk trend of the selected pest management strategies utilized during years. The proposed methodology and structure of MIMERA are described along with underlying data and algorithms are described. An example of its application by considering different pest management strategies adopted by farmers in an area characterized by the intensive presence of maize crop in Lombardia Region is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Di Guardo
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Ettore Capri
- European Observatory on Sustainable Agriculture (OPERA), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
| | - Maura Calliera
- European Observatory on Sustainable Agriculture (OPERA), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Antonio Finizio
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
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22
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Yuan Y, Wang C, Feng J, Wang Z, Li R, Wang Y, Li K. Mortality risk evaluation methods for total dissolved gas supersaturation to fish based on a mitigation measure of utilizing activated carbon. Water Res 2022; 225:119157. [PMID: 36182673 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The proper water chemical composition of aquaculture water is very important for fish farming in reservoirs or fish multiplication stations. Gas bubble disease (GBD) is mainly caused by total dissolved gas supersaturation (TDGS) in water and is a common problem that affects the healthy growth of fish. Extensive measures have been taken to mitigate TDGS levels in water where fish live, while methods for quantitatively evaluating the mitigation effect of the proposed measures on fish exposed to TDGS are still lacking. In this paper, an activated carbon (AC) adsorption experiment for supersaturated total dissolved gas (TDG) dissipation was conducted, and the experimental results indicated that AC addition could effectively accelerate supersaturated TDG dissipation. Based on fish tolerance experiments conducted by Huang (2010), two models, including a mortality risk degree evaluation model and a mortality rate calculation model, were developed to quantitatively evaluate the mortality risk mitigation effect of AC addiction on fish exposed to unsteady TDGS levels. Application of the results of the mortality risk degree evaluation model has shown that AC addition can help alleviate the mortality risk of fish suffering from TDGS. Application of the results of the mortality rate calculation model has also demonstrated that the final mortality rate of the fish group in the case with AC addition was lower than that of the case without added AC, and the final mortality rate decreased as the specific surface area and dosage of AC increased. Furthermore, an equation that related the required AC mass and a given harvested fish mass was established. This paper provides a reference for evaluating the effects of various mitigation measures to alleviate the risk posed to fish by TDGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youquan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Chonglin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Jingjie Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China.
| | - Zhenhua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Ran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Yuanming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
| | - Kefeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
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23
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Bulatović S, Ilić M, Šolević Knudsen T, Milić J, Pucarević M, Jovančićević B, Vrvić MM. Evaluation of potential human health risks from exposure to volatile organic compounds in contaminated urban groundwater in the Sava river aquifer, Belgrade, Serbia. Environ Geochem Health 2022; 44:3451-3472. [PMID: 34617245 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01119-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The oil pollutant in the Sava River aquifer in the residential area of Belgrade, Serbia was investigated in order to analyze the extent, origin and spatial distribution of the pollution, with the aim to estimate potential human health risks from exposure to the compounds detected. Analytical methods indicated that the dominant compounds in this oil pollutant were gasoline range organic compounds. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) were identified as compounds of concern and quantified by headspace gas chromatography. The concentrations of benzene measured at all sampling points were higher than the remediation value while the maximum concentrations of BTEX quantified were among the highest concentrations of these compounds reported in the petroleum-contaminated aquifers in the world. The assessment of the human health risks from exposure to BTEX-covered industrial scenario for adult receptors and residential scenario for adult receptors and children. The exposure routes analyzed were dermal contact with and ingestion of contaminated water, considering both cancer and non-cancer effects. The analysis of the lifetime incremental cancer risk indicated the potential for adverse health effects for human exposure at the investigated location, and because of that it was interpreted as an unacceptable risk level or risks of high priority which required immediate consideration for remedial measures at this location. A complete set of mitigation measures was proposed including: groundwater decontamination treatment, installation of filters for tap water, development of the system for monitoring of BTEX in the groundwater and development of the emergency response capacities at this location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Bulatović
- Faculty of Electronic Engineering, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | - Mila Ilić
- Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Šolević Knudsen
- Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Jelena Milić
- Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mira Pucarević
- Faculty for Environmental Protection, EDUCONS University, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
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24
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Hallberg L, Hallin S, Bieroza M. Catchment controls of denitrification and nitrous oxide production rates in headwater remediated agricultural streams. Sci Total Environ 2022; 838:156513. [PMID: 35679930 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Heavily modified headwater streams and open ditches carry high nitrogen loads from agricultural soils that sustain eutrophication and poor water quality in downstream aquatic ecosystems. To remediate agricultural streams and reduce the export of nitrate (NO3-), phosphorus and suspended sediments, two-stage ditches with constructed floodplains can be implemented as countermeasures. By extending hydrological connectivity between the stream channel and riparian corridor within constructed floodplains, these remediated ditches enhance the removal of NO3- via the microbial denitrification process. Ten remediated ditches were paired with upstream trapezoidal ditches in Sweden across different soils and land uses to measure the capacity for denitrification and nitrous oxide (N2O) production and yields under denitrifying conditions in stream and floodplain sediments. To examine the controls for denitrification, water quality was monitored monthly and flow discharge continuously along reaches. Floodplain sediments accounted for 33 % of total denitrification capacity of remediated ditches, primarily controlled by inundation and stream NO3- concentrations. Despite reductions in flow-weighted NO3- concentrations along reaches, NO3- removal in remediated ditches via denitrification can be masked by inputs of NO3--rich groundwaters, typical of intensively managed agricultural landscapes. Although N2O production rates were 50 % lower in floodplains compared to the stream, remediated ditches emitted more N2O than conventional trapezoidal ditches. Higher denitrification rates and reductions of N2O proportions were predicted by catchments with loamy soils, higher proportions of agricultural land use and lower floodplain elevations. For realizing enhanced NO3- removal from floodplains and avoiding increased N2O emissions, soil type, land use and the design of floodplains need to be considered when implementing remediated streams. Further, we stress the need for assessing the impact of stream remediation in the context of broader catchment processes, to determine the overall potential for improving water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hallberg
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sara Hallin
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magdalena Bieroza
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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25
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Szopińska M, Potapowicz J, Jankowska K, Luczkiewicz A, Svahn O, Björklund E, Nannou C, Lambropoulou D, Polkowska Ż. Pharmaceuticals and other contaminants of emerging concern in Admiralty Bay as a result of untreated wastewater discharge: Status and possible environmental consequences. Sci Total Environ 2022; 835:155400. [PMID: 35469867 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Considering how the impact of human activity in Antarctica is growing, the aim of this study was to conduct the first assessment of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), other emerging contaminants (ECs), and antibiotic resistance genes present in the western shore of the Admiralty Bay region of King George Island. In total, more than 170 substances were evaluated to assess the potential environmental risks they pose to the study area. The major evaluated source of pollutants in this study is discharged untreated wastewater. The highest PPCP concentrations in wastewater were found for naproxen (2653 ngL-1), diclofenac (747 ngL-1), ketoconazole (760 ngL-1), ibuprofen (477 ngL-1) and acetaminophen (332 ngL-1). Moreover, the concentrations of benzotriazole (6340 ngL-1) and caffeine (3310 ngL-1) were also high. The Risk Quotient values indicate that azole antifungals (ketoconazole), anti-inflammatories (diclofenac, ibuprofen) and stimulants (caffeine) are the main groups responsible for the highest toxic burden. In addition, antibiotic resistance genes integrons (int 1) and sulphonamide resistance genes (sul 1-2) were detected in wastewater and seawater. These results indicate that regular monitoring of PPCPs and other ECs is of great importance in this environment. Additionally, the following mitigation strategies are suggested: (1) to create a centralised record of the medications prescribed and consumed in situ (to improve knowledge of potential contaminants without analysis); (2) to use more environmentally friendly substitutes both for pharmaceuticals and personal care products when possible (limiting consumption at the source); and (3) to apply advanced systems for wastewater treatment before discharge to the recipient (end-of-pipe technologies as a final barrier).
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Szopińska
- Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza St., Gdansk 80-233, Poland.
| | - Joanna Potapowicz
- Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry Department, 11/12 Narutowicza St., Gdansk 80-233, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Jankowska
- Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza St., Gdansk 80-233, Poland
| | - Aneta Luczkiewicz
- Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza St., Gdansk 80-233, Poland
| | - Ola Svahn
- Department of Environmental Science and Bioscience, Kristianstad University, Elmetorpsvägen 15, SE-291 88 Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Erland Björklund
- Department of Environmental Science and Bioscience, Kristianstad University, Elmetorpsvägen 15, SE-291 88 Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Christina Nannou
- Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, Thessaloniki GR 57001, Greece
| | - Dimitra Lambropoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Rd, Thessaloniki GR 57001, Greece
| | - Żaneta Polkowska
- Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry Department, 11/12 Narutowicza St., Gdansk 80-233, Poland
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26
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Hawco S, Rolnik DL, Woolner A, Cameron NJ, Wyness V, Mol BW, Black M. The impact of mitigation measures on perinatal outcomes during the first nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022; 274:117-127. [PMID: 35640440 PMCID: PMC9106593 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide reports have produced conflicting data on perinatal outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review and meta-analysis addressed the effect of mitigation measures against COVID-19 on preterm birth, stillbirth, low birth weight, and NICU admission during the first nine months of the pandemic. A search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase and SCOPUS for manuscripts published up until 24th May 2021. Studies that reported perinatal outcomes (preterm birth, stillbirth, low birth weight, NICU admission) during the COVID-19 pandemic with a pre-pandemic control period were included. Risk of bias assessment was performed using ROBINS-I tool. RevMan5 was used to perform meta-analysis with random-effects models. A score of the stringency of mitigation measures was calculated from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker. Thirty-eight studies of moderate to serious risk of bias were included, with varied methodology, analysis and regional mitigation measures, using stringency index scores. There was no overall effect on preterm birth at less than 37 weeks (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92–1.00). However, there was a reduction in preterm birth at less than 37 weeks (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81–0.98) and 34 weeks (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37–0.83) for iatrogenic births and in singleton pregnancies. There was also a significant reduction in preterm births at less than 34 weeks in studies with above median stringency index scores (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.58–0.88). There was no effect on risk of stillbirth (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.90–1.19) or birth weight. NICU admission rates were significantly reduced in studies with above median stringency index scores (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78–0.97). The reduction in preterm births in regions with high mitigation measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection is likely driven by a reduction in iatrogenic births. Variability in study design and cohort characteristics need to be considered for future studies to allow further investigation of population level health measures of perinatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hawco
- Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
| | - Daniel L Rolnik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Andrea Woolner
- Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Natalie J Cameron
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Ben W Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Mairead Black
- Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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27
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Chen Z, Feng Q, Yue R, Chen Z, Moselhi O, Soliman A, Hammad A, An C. Construction, renovation, and demolition waste in landfill: a review of waste characteristics, environmental impacts, and mitigation measures. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:46509-46526. [PMID: 35508848 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20479-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With the increase in global population, industrialization, and urbanization, waste from construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD) activities has grown rapidly. There are some issues associated with the disposal of CRD waste in landfills. Depositing in landfills is still the main method for CRD waste disposal from the global perspective. The objective of this study is to comprehensively review the environmental impacts and management technologies for CRD waste in landfills. It includes the overview of the current CRD waste flow and relevant policies worldwide. The main environmental problems caused by CRD waste in landfills include leachate and H2S gas emission. This paper summarizes the primary environmental impacts caused by landfilling CRD waste and the available mitigation technologies. It also includes the use of CRD waste as an alternative material in landfill barriers. Although many technologies can help mitigate the environmental impacts caused by landfilling CRD waste, the optimal solution is to divert the waste flow from landfills using the "3R" principle. In the end, the existing research gaps in CRD waste and landfill management are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikun Chen
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Qi Feng
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Rengyu Yue
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Zhi Chen
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Osama Moselhi
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Ahmed Soliman
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Amin Hammad
- Institute for Information Systems Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Chunjiang An
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada.
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28
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Schwarz JM, Knauer AC, Allan MJ, Dean RR, Ghazoul J, Tamburini G, Wintermantel D, Klein AM, Albrecht M. No evidence for impaired solitary bee fitness following pre-flowering sulfoxaflor application alone or in combination with a common fungicide in a semi-field experiment. Environ Int 2022; 164:107252. [PMID: 35483184 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pesticide exposure is considered a major driver of pollinator decline and the use of neonicotinoid insecticides has been restricted by regulatory authorities due to their risks for pollinators. Impacts of new alternative sulfoximine-based compounds on solitary bees and their potential interactive effects with other commonly applied pesticides in agriculture remain unclear. Here, we conducted a highly replicated full-factorial semi-field experiment with the solitary bee Osmia bicornis, an important pollinator of crops and wild plants in Europe, and Phacelia tanacetifolia as a model crop. We show that spray applications of the insecticide sulfoxaflor (product Closer) and the fungicide azoxystrobin (product Amistar), both alone and combined, had no significant negative impacts on adult female survival or the production, mortality, sex ratio and body size of offspring when sulfoxaflor was applied five days before crop flowering. Our results indicate that for O. bicornis (1) the risk of adverse impacts of sulfoxaflor (Closer) on fitness is small when applied at least five days before crop flowering and (2) that azoxystrobin (Amistar) has a low potential of exacerbating sulfoxaflor effects under field-realistic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Melanie Schwarz
- Agroscope, Agroecology and Environment, Zurich, Switzerland; ETH Zurich, Institute for Terrestrial Ecosystems, Ecosystem Management, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anina C Knauer
- Agroscope, Agroecology and Environment, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Robin R Dean
- Red Beehive Company, Bishops Waltham, United Kingdom
| | - Jaboury Ghazoul
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Terrestrial Ecosystems, Ecosystem Management, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Tamburini
- University of Freiburg, Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Freiburg, Germany; University of Bari, Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DiSSPA - Entomology), Bari, Italy
| | - Dimitry Wintermantel
- University of Freiburg, Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra-Maria Klein
- University of Freiburg, Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Freiburg, Germany
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29
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Abbass K, Qasim MZ, Song H, Murshed M, Mahmood H, Younis I. A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:42539-42559. [PMID: 35378646 PMCID: PMC8978769 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19718-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is a long-lasting change in the weather arrays across tropics to polls. It is a global threat that has embarked on to put stress on various sectors. This study is aimed to conceptually engineer how climate variability is deteriorating the sustainability of diverse sectors worldwide. Specifically, the agricultural sector's vulnerability is a globally concerning scenario, as sufficient production and food supplies are threatened due to irreversible weather fluctuations. In turn, it is challenging the global feeding patterns, particularly in countries with agriculture as an integral part of their economy and total productivity. Climate change has also put the integrity and survival of many species at stake due to shifts in optimum temperature ranges, thereby accelerating biodiversity loss by progressively changing the ecosystem structures. Climate variations increase the likelihood of particular food and waterborne and vector-borne diseases, and a recent example is a coronavirus pandemic. Climate change also accelerates the enigma of antimicrobial resistance, another threat to human health due to the increasing incidence of resistant pathogenic infections. Besides, the global tourism industry is devastated as climate change impacts unfavorable tourism spots. The methodology investigates hypothetical scenarios of climate variability and attempts to describe the quality of evidence to facilitate readers' careful, critical engagement. Secondary data is used to identify sustainability issues such as environmental, social, and economic viability. To better understand the problem, gathered the information in this report from various media outlets, research agencies, policy papers, newspapers, and other sources. This review is a sectorial assessment of climate change mitigation and adaptation approaches worldwide in the aforementioned sectors and the associated economic costs. According to the findings, government involvement is necessary for the country's long-term development through strict accountability of resources and regulations implemented in the past to generate cutting-edge climate policy. Therefore, mitigating the impacts of climate change must be of the utmost importance, and hence, this global threat requires global commitment to address its dreadful implications to ensure global sustenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashif Abbass
- School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094 People’s Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Zeeshan Qasim
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Xiaolingwei 200, Nanjing, 210094 People’s Republic of China
| | - Huaming Song
- School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094 People’s Republic of China
| | - Muntasir Murshed
- School of Business and Economics, North South University, Dhaka, 1229 Bangladesh
- Department of Journalism, Media and Communications, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Haider Mahmood
- Department of Finance, College of Business Administration, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, 173, Alkharj, 11942 Saudi Arabia
| | - Ijaz Younis
- School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094 People’s Republic of China
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Aboulatta L, Kowalec K, Delaney J, Alessi-Severini S, Leong C, Falk J, Eltonsy S. Trends of COVID-19 incidence in Manitoba and public health measures: March 2020 to February 2022. BMC Res Notes 2022; 15:162. [PMID: 35538498 PMCID: PMC9088149 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-022-06049-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The increasing spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has prompted Canada to take unprecedented measures. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the implemented public health measures on the incidence of COVID-19 in Manitoba. RESULTS Using the COVID-19 dataset, we examined the temporal trends of daily reported COVID-19 cases and the coinciding public health measures implemented from March 12, 2020 to February 28, 2022. We calculated the 7-day moving average and crude COVID-19 infection rate/100,000 Manitobans. Due to the restrictions applied, the infection rate decreased from 2.4 (April 1) to 0.07 infections (May 1, 2020). Between May 4 and July 17, 2020, the reported cases stabilized, and some restrictions were lifted. However, in November, the cases peaked with infection rate of 29. Additional restrictions were implemented, and the rate dropped to 3.6 infections on March 31, 2021. As of August 2021, 62.8% of eligible Manitobans received two vaccine doses. The infection rate increased to 128.3 infections on December 31, 2021 and mitigation measures were implemented. This study describes how physical distancing in conjunction with other containment measures can reduce the COVID-19 burden. Future studies into the extent of the implementation of the restrictions are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Aboulatta
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 750 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0T5, Canada
| | - Kaarina Kowalec
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 750 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0T5, Canada.,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joseph Delaney
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 750 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0T5, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Silvia Alessi-Severini
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 750 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0T5, Canada.,Manitoba Center for Health Policy, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Christine Leong
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 750 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0T5, Canada.,Deptarment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jamie Falk
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 750 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0T5, Canada
| | - Sherif Eltonsy
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 750 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0T5, Canada. .,The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
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Rashid MA, Bruun S, Styczen ME, Ørum JE, Borgen SK, Thomsen IK, Jensen LS. Scenario analysis using the Daisy model to assess and mitigate nitrate leaching from complex agro-environmental settings in Denmark. Sci Total Environ 2022; 816:151518. [PMID: 34762963 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate (N) leaching from intensively managed cropping systems is of environmental concern and it varies at local scale. To evaluate the performance of agricultural practices at this scale, there is a need to develop comprehensive assessments of N leaching and the N leaching reduction potential of mitigation measures. A model-based analysis was performed to (i) estimate N leaching from Danish cropping systems, representing 20 crop rotations, 3 soil types, 2 climates and 3-4 levels of manure (slurry)-to-fertilizer ratios, but with same available N (according to regulatory N fertilization norms), and (ii) appraise mitigation potential of on-farm measures (i.e. catch crops, early sowing of winter cereals) to reduce N leaching. The analysis was performed using a process-based agro-environmental model (Daisy). Simulated average N leaching over 24 years ranged from 16 to 85 kg N/ha/y for different crop rotations. Rotations with a higher proportion of spring crops were more prone to leaching than rotations having a higher proportion of winter cereals and semi-perennial grass-clover leys. N leaching decreased with increasing soil clay content under all conditions. The effect of two climates (different regions, mainly differing in precipitation) on N leaching was generally similar, with slight variation across rotations. Supplying a part of the available N as manure-N resulted in similar N leaching as mineral fertilizer N alone during the simulation period. Among the mitigation measures, both undersown and autumn sown catch crops were effective. Effectiveness of measures also depended on their place and frequency of occurrence in a rotation. Adopting catch crops during the most leaching-prone years and with higher frequency were effective choices. This analysis provided essential data-driven knowledge on N leaching risk, and potential of leaching reduction options. These results can serve as a supplementary guiding-tool for farmers to plan management practices, and for legislators to design farm-specific regulatory measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Adil Rashid
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Sander Bruun
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Merete Elisabeth Styczen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Jens Erik Ørum
- Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO), University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | | | - Ingrid Kaag Thomsen
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Lars Stoumann Jensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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Chardon WJ, Groenenberg JE, Vink JPM, Voegelin A, Koopmans GF. Use of iron-coated sand for removing soluble phosphorus from drainage water. Sci Total Environ 2022; 815:152738. [PMID: 34974002 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mitigation measures are needed for reducing chronic dissolved phosphorus (P) losses from agricultural soils with a legacy of excessive P inputs to surface waters. Since pipe drains are an important pathway for P transport from agricultural soils to surface waters in flat areas, removing P from drainage water can be an effective measure. During a 4.5 year-field experiment, we tested the performance of a pipe drain enveloped with Fe-coated sand for removing soluble P from drainage water. Iron-coated sand is a by-product of the drinking water industry and has a high ability to bind P. The P concentration in the effluent from the enveloped pipe drain remained at a very low level over the entire monitoring period, with a removal percentage amounting to 93% for total P. During the field experiment, the enveloped pipe drain was below the groundwater level for a prolonged time. Nevertheless, no reduction of Fe(III) in the Fe-coated sand occurred during the first two years, most likely due to preferential reduction of Mn oxides present in the coatings of the sand particles, as reflected in elevated effluent Mn concentrations. Thereafter, reductive dissolution of Fe oxides in the coatings caused a gradual increase in the Fe concentration in the enveloped pipe drain effluent over time. Concomitantly, the dissolved Mn concentration decreased, most probably due to the depletion in easily accessible Mn oxides in the Fe-coated sand. The Fe in the Fe-coated sand was identified as silicate-containing ferrihydrite (Fh). The submerged conditions of the enveloped pipe drain neither affected the stability of Fh in the Fe-coated sand nor the ability of this measure to capture P from drainage water. Enveloping pipe drains with Fe-coated sand is an effective method for reducing dissolved P inputs from agricultural soils to surface waters and holds great promise for implementation in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wim J Chardon
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan E Groenenberg
- Chair Group Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jos P M Vink
- Deltares, Unit Subsurface & Groundwater Systems, P.O. Box 85467, 3508 AL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Voegelin
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Gerwin F Koopmans
- Chair Group Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
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Mangano MC, Berlino M, Corbari L, Milisenda G, Lucchese M, Terzo S, Bosch-Belmar M, Azaza MS, Babarro JMF, Bakiu R, Broitman BR, Buschmann AH, Christofoletti R, Dong Y, Glamuzina B, Luthman O, Makridis P, Nogueira AJA, Palomo MG, Dineshram R, Sanchez-Jerez P, Sevgili H, Troell M, AbouelFadl KY, Azra MN, Britz P, Carrington E, Celić I, Choi F, Qin C, Dionísio MA, Dobroslavić T, Galli P, Giannetto D, Grabowski JH, Helmuth B, Lebata-Ramos MJH, Lim PT, Liu Y, Llorens SM, Mirto S, Pećarević M, Pita C, Ragg N, Ravagnan E, Saidi D, Schultz K, Shaltout M, Tan SH, Thiyagarajan V, Sarà G. The aquaculture supply chain in the time of covid-19 pandemic: Vulnerability, resilience, solutions and priorities at the global scale. Environ Sci Policy 2022; 127:98-110. [PMID: 34720746 PMCID: PMC8548891 DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2021.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 global pandemic has had severe, unpredictable and synchronous impacts on all levels of perishable food supply chains (PFSC), across multiple sectors and spatial scales. Aquaculture plays a vital and rapidly expanding role in food security, in some cases overtaking wild caught fisheries in the production of high-quality animal protein in this PFSC. We performed a rapid global assessment to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related emerging control measures on the aquaculture supply chain. Socio-economic effects of the pandemic were analysed by surveying the perceptions of stakeholders, who were asked to describe potential supply-side disruption, vulnerabilities and resilience patterns along the production pipeline with four main supply chain components: a) hatchery, b) production/processing, c) distribution/logistics and d) market. We also assessed different farming strategies, comparing land- vs. sea-based systems; extensive vs. intensive methods; and with and without integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, IMTA. In addition to evaluating levels and sources of economic distress, interviewees were asked to identify mitigation solutions adopted at local / internal (i.e., farm-site) scales, and to express their preference on national / external scale mitigation measures among a set of a priori options. Survey responses identified the potential causes of disruption, ripple effects, sources of food insecurity, and socio-economic conflicts. They also pointed to various levels of mitigation strategies. The collated evidence represents a first baseline useful to address future disaster-driven responses, to reinforce the resilience of the sector and to facilitate the design reconstruction plans and mitigation measures, such as financial aid strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Mangano
- Department of Integrated Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (complesso Roosevelt), 90142 Palermo, Italy
| | - M Berlino
- Laboratory of Ecology, Earth and Marine Sciences Department, University of Palermo Viale delle, Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, via A. Piccard 54, Trieste, 34151, Italy
| | - L Corbari
- Laboratory of Ecology, Earth and Marine Sciences Department, University of Palermo Viale delle, Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - G Milisenda
- Department of Integrated Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (complesso Roosevelt), 90142 Palermo, Italy
| | - M Lucchese
- Laboratory of Ecology, Earth and Marine Sciences Department, University of Palermo Viale delle, Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, via A. Piccard 54, Trieste, 34151, Italy
| | - S Terzo
- Laboratory of Ecology, Earth and Marine Sciences Department, University of Palermo Viale delle, Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Viale Fernando Stagno d'Alcontres 3, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - M Bosch-Belmar
- Laboratory of Ecology, Earth and Marine Sciences Department, University of Palermo Viale delle, Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - M S Azaza
- Aquaculture Laboratory, National Institute of Marine Science and Technology, 2025 Salammbo, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - J M F Babarro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas IIM-CSIC, Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - R Bakiu
- Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirane, Albania
| | - B R Broitman
- Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Viña del Mar Chile & Millenium Institute for Coastal Socio-Ecology (SECOS), Chile
| | - A H Buschmann
- Centro i-mar & CeBiB, Universidad de Los Lagos, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - R Christofoletti
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/IMar), Brazil
| | - Y Dong
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - B Glamuzina
- Department of Applied Ecology, University of Dubrovnik, Ćira Carića 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
| | - O Luthman
- School of Natural Science, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Alfred Nobels allé 7, 141 89 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - P Makridis
- Department of Biology, University of Patras, University Campus, Rio Achaias 26504, Greece
| | - A J A Nogueira
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M G Palomo
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology, Natural History Museum of Argentina, CONICET, Argentina
| | - R Dineshram
- Biological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403004, India
| | - P Sanchez-Jerez
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante. Ap.C. 99. Spain
| | - H Sevgili
- Fisheries Application and Research Center & Department of Aquaculture, Eğirdir Faculty of Fisheries, Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Çünür, Isparta, Turkey
| | - M Troell
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Kräftriket 2B, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden and Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K Y AbouelFadl
- Aquatic ecology Department, Faculty of Fish and Fisheries Technology, Aswan University, Egypt
| | - M N Azra
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - P Britz
- Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - E Carrington
- Department of Biology and Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, 620 University Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA
| | - I Celić
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, via A. Piccard 54, Trieste, 34151, Italy
| | - F Choi
- Northeastern University Marine Science Center, 430 Nahant Rd Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - C Qin
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China
| | - M A Dionísio
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - T Dobroslavić
- Department of Applied Ecology, University of Dubrovnik, Ćira Carića 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
| | - P Galli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - D Giannetto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Muğla Sıktı Koçman University, 48000 Muğla, Turkey
| | - J H Grabowski
- Northeastern University Marine Science Center, 430 Nahant Rd Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - B Helmuth
- Northeastern University Marine Science Center, 430 Nahant Rd Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - M J H Lebata-Ramos
- Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, Iloilo 5021, Philippines
| | - P T Lim
- Bachok Marine Research Station, Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaysia, 16310 Bachok Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Y Liu
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
| | - S M Llorens
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain
| | - S Mirto
- Institute of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo 4521, 90142 Palermo, Italy
| | - M Pećarević
- Department of Applied Ecology, University of Dubrovnik, Ćira Carića 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
| | - C Pita
- International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), London, United Kingdom
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - N Ragg
- Cawthron Institute, Aquaculture Group, Nelson, New Zealand
| | - E Ravagnan
- NORCE Climate&Environment, Nygårdsgaten 112, 5008 Bergen, Norway
| | - D Saidi
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and life, Department of Water and Environment, University Hassiba Benbouali of Chlef, Algeria
| | - K Schultz
- Northeastern University Marine Science Center, 430 Nahant Rd Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - M Shaltout
- Faculty of Science, Department of Oceanography, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - S H Tan
- Centre For Marine & Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - V Thiyagarajan
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - G Sarà
- Laboratory of Ecology, Earth and Marine Sciences Department, University of Palermo Viale delle, Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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Escolà-Gascón Á. Statistical indicators of compliance with anti-COVID-19 public health measures at European airports. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct 2022; 68:102720. [PMID: 34926139 PMCID: PMC8665843 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
International travel and the infrastructures involved are key elements in controlling and predicting the number of infections by an infectious disease (specifically COVID-19 cases). This research presents the rates or percentages of compliance with COVID-19 mitigation measures at several international airports in Europe (Madrid, Dublin, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Zurich, Barcelona, and Bilbao). A structured survey called the COVID-19 Measures Implementation Rate at Airports (MIRA) was developed. First, the validity and reliability of the measurements obtained by MIRA were analyzed. A total of 1239 volunteers (passengers, cabin crew, and ground crew) participated in the study and answered the MIRA questionnaire. Second, once the validity and reliability of the measurements were assured, the rates or percentages of cases that observed compliance with the mitigation measures were calculated. The results indicated that participants perceived a low degree of compliance with sanitary measures in their international travel (the proportions ranged from 52.6% to 59%). The airports with the highest compliance with mitigation measures were the Dublin (with a rate of 70%) and Zurich airports (with a rate of 69.1%). In conclusion, the percentages could be low due to the ineffective implementation of some of the mitigation measures. The low percentages are not related to the health measures themselves. The implications of mitigation measures for containing the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álex Escolà-Gascón
- School of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences, Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Communication and International Relations, Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Egidi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Statistiche, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Manfredi
- Dipartimento di Economia e Management, Università di Pisa, Via Ridolfi 10, Pisa, Italy
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Lee K. Pandemics and support for mitigation measures. J Econ (Vienna) 2021; 136:73-89. [PMID: 34848926 PMCID: PMC8614636 DOI: 10.1007/s00712-021-00765-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Measures reduce health risk but limit economic activities and affect disproportionately the contact-intensive sectors whose economic activities involve more person-to-person interactions. The analysis shows that the size of the contact-intensive sectors shapes the stringency of measures due to the economic interactions between the contact-intensive sectors and other sectors although they constitute a minority of the labor force. Exploiting variation in measures and economic conditions across states, an empirical analysis shows that the number of contact-intensive workers has a negative effect on the stringency of measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangoh Lee
- Department of Economics, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-4485 USA
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Liu Y, Jiang Q, Sun Y, Jian Y, Zhou F. Decline in nitrogen concentrations of eutrophic Lake Dianchi associated with policy interventions during 2002-2018. Environ Pollut 2021; 288:117826. [PMID: 34329052 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Excessive nutrient discharges have resulted in pervasive water pollution and aquatic eutrophication. China has made massive efforts to improve water quality since 2000. However, how long-term policy interventions govern external and internal fluxes as well as nitrogen (N) concentrations is not well known. Here we examined the historical N concentration change and its key drivers in eutrophic Lake Dianchi (southwest China) over the period 2002-2018, based on monthly observations of water quality and external N fluxes, local surveys of mitigation measures, and process-based model simulations of internal N fluxes. Our data indicated that N concentrations peaked at 3.0 mg L-1 in 2007-2010 but afterwards declined down to 1.2 mg L-1 in 2018. Compared with 2010, the decline in lake N concentrations was attributed to reduced riverine N inflow decreasing by 0.20 g N m-3 month-1 and the water-sediment exchange flux decreasing by 0.07 g N m-3 month-1 from 2010 to 2018. Adoptions of wastewater treatment, pollution interception, and transboundary water transfer dominated the changes in external and internal fluxes of N and thereby the decline of lake N concentrations. These findings underscore the priority of reducing external discharge for historical lake water quality improvement and the need of enhancing internal N removal for future lake ecosystem restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Materials Flux in Rivers, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, PR China
| | - Qingsong Jiang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Materials Flux in Rivers, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, PR China
| | - Yanxin Sun
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Materials Flux in Rivers, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, PR China
| | - Yiwei Jian
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, PR China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, PR China.
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Zhao D, Yan B, Liu C, Yao B, Luo L, Yang Y, Liu L, Wu F, Zhou Y. Mitigation of acidogenic product inhibition and elevated mass transfer by biochar during anaerobic digestion of food waste. Bioresour Technol 2021; 338:125531. [PMID: 34274583 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) of food waste is widely accepted as a promising technology for both waste disposal and resource recovery. With the advancing of AD technology, to exploit the capacity of organic waste for maximum energy/resource recovery becomes the new focus and hence, improve the viability of this technology for practical application. Product inhibition and mass transfer are the common limitations encountered during AD of putrescible organic waste. Biochar materials have been widely used to promote AD process in recent years. This review summarizes the mechanism and regulation strategies of biochar and its modified derivatives in promoting AD of solid waste (mainly food waste) from the three aspects of hydrolysis, syntrophic acetogenesis, and methane production. At the same time, the relationship between carbon materials and electron transfer among anaerobic microbes is summarized from the perspective of microbial community. In addition, the market application of this technology was evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Zhao
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Agricultural Typical Pollution Remediation and Wetland Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Binghua Yan
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Agricultural Typical Pollution Remediation and Wetland Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Agricultural Typical Pollution Remediation and Wetland Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Bin Yao
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Agricultural Typical Pollution Remediation and Wetland Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Lin Luo
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Agricultural Typical Pollution Remediation and Wetland Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Agricultural Typical Pollution Remediation and Wetland Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Lichao Liu
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Agricultural Typical Pollution Remediation and Wetland Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Agricultural Typical Pollution Remediation and Wetland Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yaoyu Zhou
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Agricultural Typical Pollution Remediation and Wetland Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China.
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Marchese V, Formenti B, Cola G, Gregori N, Albini E, De Palma G, Possenti I, Scala M, Castelli F, Matteelli A. Importance of mitigation measures for hospital transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the onset of the epidemic: the experience of Brescia, Northern Italy. Infection 2021; 49:1241-1248. [PMID: 34524648 PMCID: PMC8441227 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-021-01692-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Since the first Italian case of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in Lombardy (Northern Italy) Italy quickly became one of the worst-affected European countries, with a severe impact on health-care workers (HCWs). In the first epidemic, HCWs accounted for 12% of all national COVID-19 cases. We evaluated the burden of COVID-19 among HCWs and other non-health-care workers (nHCWs) in a large Italian hospital. Methods From March 1st to May 31st 2020, we performed a retrospective study at ASST Civil Hospital, in the Province of Brescia, Lombardy. The study population included all hospital personnel (n = 9265), categorized by professional status. Results A SARS-CoV-2 test was performed in 3572 workers (38.5%), with a positive result in 552 (5.9% of all hospital personnel). The temporal trend of SARS-CoV-2 cases in hospital staff broadly reflected that in the community, with a great majority of infections occurred during March 2020 (87.7%). From April onward, a steep decrease of positive cases was observed among hospital personnel, while in the community the decrease was much slower. Medical doctors (8.9%) and nurses (8.5%) were the most affected professional categories with a significantly higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 1.436 and OR 1.410, respectively p < 0.0001). HCWs in COVID-19 units presented a significantly higher risk of infection compared to HCWs in non-COVID units (p < 0.001). Conclusion HCWs were severely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, probably associated with an overwhelming burden of work and lack of preparedness in prevention of nosocomial transmission of the infection. The rapid decrease of COVID-19 spread in the hospital, registered before the one in the community, suggests that the adopted preventive measures were effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Marchese
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, WHO Collaborating Centre for TB/HIV Collaborative Activities and for TB Elimination Strategy, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Beatrice Formenti
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, WHO Collaborating Centre for TB/HIV Collaborative Activities and for TB Elimination Strategy, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gloria Cola
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125, Brescia, Italy
| | - Natalia Gregori
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Albini
- Section of Occupational Health, Department of Experimental and Applied Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Palma
- Section of Public Health and Human Sciences, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Irene Possenti
- Department of Statistical Sciences "Paolo Fortunati", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Scala
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Instituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Castelli
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, WHO Collaborating Centre for TB/HIV Collaborative Activities and for TB Elimination Strategy, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Matteelli
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, WHO Collaborating Centre for TB/HIV Collaborative Activities and for TB Elimination Strategy, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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Petersen RJ, Blicher-Mathiesen G, Rolighed J, Andersen HE, Kronvang B. Three decades of regulation of agricultural nitrogen losses: Experiences from the Danish Agricultural Monitoring Program. Sci Total Environ 2021; 787:147619. [PMID: 34000544 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Excess nitrogen (N) losses from intensive agricultural production are a world-wide problem causing eutrophication in vulnerable aquatic ecosystems such as estuaries. Therefore, Denmark as one of the most intensively farmed countries in the world has enforced mandatory regulations on agricultural production since the late 1980s. We demonstrate the outcome of the regulations imposed on agriculture by analyzing decadal trends in nitrate (NO3-) concentrations and loads in streams using 29 years of detailed monitoring data and survey information on agricultural practices at field level from five intensively cultivated headwater catchments. The analysis includes the importance of four main drivers (climate, land use, agricultural practices, and biogeophysical properties of catchments), each divided into different factors that may influence stream NO3- loads during three subperiods defined by the time of introduction of different mitigation measures: i) 1990-1998, ii) 1999-2007, and iii) 2008-2018. Significant correlations with annual flow-weighted stream NO3- concentrations and/or loads were found for factors representing all of the four main drivers including precipitation, large scale climate fluctuations, runoff, previous year's runoff, baseflow index, number of annual frost days, agricultural area, livestock density, field N surplus, catch crop cover, manure storage capacity, method and time of manure spreading, and time of soil tillage. Changes in the four drivers were reflected by the load-runoff (L-Q) relationships for each of the three subperiods within each of the five headwater catchments. The five catchments experienced large but catchment-specific downward shifts in the L-Q relationship attributable to changes in land use and agricultural management within the catchments. The documented large downward shifts in NO3- loads demonstrated for the five catchments (30-52%) as a consequence of mandatory regulation over a period of nearly three decades are a unique example of how agriculture can reduce its environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Jes Petersen
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.
| | | | - Jonas Rolighed
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Hans Estrup Andersen
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Brian Kronvang
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark
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Marcelino J, Moreira F, Franco AMA, Soriano-Redondo A, Acácio M, Gauld J, Rego FC, Silva JP, Catry I. Flight altitudes of a soaring bird suggest landfill sites as power line collision hotspots. J Environ Manage 2021; 294:113149. [PMID: 34218073 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic structures are increasingly encroaching wildlife habitats, creating conflicts between humans and animals. Scaling up renewable energy requires new infrastructures such as power lines, that cause high mortality among birds since they act as obstacles to flight and are used for perching and nesting, which can result in collisions or electrocutions. These interactions often endanger wildlife populations and may also result in high financial costs for companies. Flight behaviour plays a crucial role in collision risk, and the study of flight altitudes enables us to understand what drives birds to fly at collision risk altitudes. This allows the identification of high-risk areas, conditions and bird behaviours, and the implementation of mitigation measures by power line companies. In this study, we use boosted random tree modelling to identify drivers of white stork (Ciconia ciconia) flight altitudes and to investigate the factors that lead them to fly at collision risk altitudes. We found that the main drivers of flight altitude for this soaring bird species were time of day, distance to the nearest landfill site and cloud cover density. Bird age, habitat type and season were comparatively less important. Collision risk increases during crepuscular hours near landfill sites, also in days with high cloud cover density and during the breeding season. In recent years, hundreds to thousands of storks congregate daily at landfill sites to take advantage of the predictability and superabundance of anthropogenic food waste. Some of these sites have high density of power lines, becoming collision risk hotspots for storks and other landfill users. Despite being susceptible to collision, our results suggest that white storks can avoid power lines to a certain extent, by changing their flight altitude at ca. 80 m from these structures. This study shows that the implementation of mitigation measures for existing power lines should be prioritized in areas in the vicinity of landfill sites within white stork distribution ranges, and the projection of new lines should avoid those areas. These measures would benefit species vulnerable to mortality due to power line collision, and it would also reduce associated power outages and economic costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Marcelino
- Centre for Applied Ecology "Prof. Baeta Neves" (CEABN-InBIO), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, Lisbon, 1349-017, Portugal.
| | - Francisco Moreira
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-601, Vairão, Portugal; CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Laboratório Associado, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal; REN Biodiversity Chair, CIBIO/InBIO-UP, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-601, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Aldina M A Franco
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Andrea Soriano-Redondo
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-601, Vairão, Portugal; CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Laboratório Associado, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marta Acácio
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Jethro Gauld
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Francisco Castro Rego
- Centre for Applied Ecology "Prof. Baeta Neves" (CEABN-InBIO), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, Lisbon, 1349-017, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Silva
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-601, Vairão, Portugal; CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Laboratório Associado, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal; REN Biodiversity Chair, CIBIO/InBIO-UP, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-601, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Inês Catry
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-601, Vairão, Portugal; CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Laboratório Associado, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal; REN Biodiversity Chair, CIBIO/InBIO-UP, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-601, Vairão, Portugal.
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Nader IW, Zeilinger EL, Jomar D, Zauchner C. Onset of effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 infection rates in 176 countries. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1472. [PMID: 34320982 PMCID: PMC8318058 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11530-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the initial phase of the global COVID-19 outbreak, most countries responded with non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). In this study we investigate the general effectiveness of these NPIs, how long different NPIs need to be in place to take effect, and how long they should be in place for their maximum effect to unfold. METHODS We used global data and a non-parametric machine learning model to estimate the effects of NPIs in relation to how long they have been in place. We applied a random forest model and used accumulated local effect (ALE) plots to derive estimates of the effectiveness of single NPIs in relation to their implementation date. In addition, we used bootstrap samples to investigate the variability in these ALE plots. RESULTS Our results show that closure and regulation of schools was the most important NPI, associated with a pronounced effect about 10 days after implementation. Restrictions of mass gatherings and restrictions and regulations of businesses were found to have a more gradual effect, and social distancing was associated with a delayed effect starting about 18 days after implementation. CONCLUSIONS Our results can inform political decisions regarding the choice of NPIs and how long they need to be in place to take effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo W Nader
- IT Power Services GmbH, Modecenterstraße 14/3, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth L Zeilinger
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, A-1010, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Dana Jomar
- IT Power Services GmbH, Modecenterstraße 14/3, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clemens Zauchner
- IT Power Services GmbH, Modecenterstraße 14/3, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
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Furati KM, Sarumi IO, Khaliq AQM. Fractional model for the spread of COVID-19 subject to government intervention and public perception. Appl Math Model 2021; 95:89-105. [PMID: 33619419 PMCID: PMC7889013 DOI: 10.1016/j.apm.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people all across the world. As a result, there has been a collective effort to monitor, predict, and control the spread of this disease. Among this effort is the development of mathematical models that could capture accurately the available data and simulate closely the futuristic scenarios. In this paper, a fractional-order memory-dependent model for simulating the spread of COVID-19 is proposed. In this model, the impact of governmental interventions and public perception are incorporated as part of the nonlinear time-varying transmission rate. In addition, an algorithm for approximating the optimal values of the fractional order and strength of governmental interventions is provided. This approach makes our model suitable for capturing the given data set and consequently reliable for future predictions. The model simulation is performed using the two-step generalized exponential time-differencing method and tested for data from Mainland China, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Brazil. The simulation results demonstrate that the fractional order model calibrates to the data better than its integer order counterpart. This observation is further endorsed by the calculated error metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Furati
- Department of Mathematics & Statistics, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - I O Sarumi
- Department of Mathematics & Statistics, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - A Q M Khaliq
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132-0001, USA
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Olivares A, Staffetti E. Uncertainty quantification of a mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission dynamics with mass vaccination strategy. Chaos Solitons Fractals 2021; 146:110895. [PMID: 33814733 PMCID: PMC7998051 DOI: 10.1016/j.chaos.2021.110895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, the uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis of a mathematical model of the SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission dynamics with mass vaccination strategy has been carried out. More specifically, a compartmental epidemic model has been considered, in which vaccination, social distance measures, and testing of susceptible individuals have been included. Since the application of these mitigation measures entails a degree of uncertainty, the effects of the uncertainty about the application of social distance actions and testing of susceptible individuals on the disease transmission have been quantified, under the assumption of a mass vaccination program deployment. A spectral approach has been employed, which allows the uncertainty propagation through the epidemic model to be represented by means of the polynomial chaos expansion of the output random variables. In particular, a statistical moment-based polynomial chaos expansion has been implemented, which provides a surrogate model for the compartments of the epidemic model, and allows the statistics, the probability distributions of the interesting output variables of the model at a given time instant to be estimated and the sensitivity analysis to be conducted. The purpose of the sensitivity analysis is to understand which uncertain parameters have most influence on a given output random variable of the model at a given time instant. Several numerical experiments have been conducted whose results show that the proposed spectral approach to uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis of epidemic models provides a useful tool to control and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it comes to healthcare resource planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Olivares
- Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Camino del Molino 5, Fuenlabrada 28942, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ernesto Staffetti
- Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Camino del Molino 5, Fuenlabrada 28942, Madrid, Spain
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Bandh SA, Shafi S, Peerzada M, Rehman T, Bashir S, Wani SA, Dar R. Multidimensional analysis of global climate change: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:24872-24888. [PMID: 33763833 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13139-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Even though climate change involves much more than warming, it is the name given to a set of physical phenomena. It is a long-term change in weather patterns that characterises different regions of the world. The warming effect in the earth's atmosphere has dramatically increased through the influence of some heat-taping gases emitted by various human activities, especially fossil fuel burning. The more the input of such gases, the more will be the warming effect in the coming times. Global climate change is already visible in various parts of the larger ecosystems like forests, fisheries, biodiversity, and agriculture; however, it is now also influencing the supply of freshwater, human health, and well-being. This paper reviews climate change drivers, its global scenario, major global events, and assessing climate change impacts. The most daunting problem of economic and ecological risks, along with the threats to humanity, is also discussed. The paper further reviews the species' vulnerability to climate change and the heat waves and human migration vis-à-vis climate change. Climate change politics and coverage of climate change episodes in mass media is the special focus of this review that concludes with a few mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhaib A Bandh
- P.G. Department of Environmental Science, Sri Pratap College Campus, Cluster University, Srinagar, 190001, India.
| | - Sana Shafi
- P.G. Department of Environmental Science, Sri Pratap College Campus, Cluster University, Srinagar, 190001, India
| | - Mohazeb Peerzada
- P.G. Department of Environmental Science, Sri Pratap College Campus, Cluster University, Srinagar, 190001, India
| | - Tanzeela Rehman
- P.G. Department of Environmental Science, Sri Pratap College Campus, Cluster University, Srinagar, 190001, India
| | - Shahnaz Bashir
- P.G. Department of Environmental Science, Sri Pratap College Campus, Cluster University, Srinagar, 190001, India
| | - Shahid A Wani
- P.G. Department of Environmental Science, Sri Pratap College Campus, Cluster University, Srinagar, 190001, India
| | - Rubiya Dar
- Center of Research for Development CORD, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, India
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Harrison RM, Vu TV, Jafar H, Shi Z. More mileage in reducing urban air pollution from road traffic. Environ Int 2021; 149:106329. [PMID: 33561618 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Road traffic emissions are considered a major contributor to urban air pollution, but clean air actions have led to a huge reduction in emissions per vehicle. This raises a pressing question on the potential to further reduce road traffic emissions to improve air quality. Here, we analysed ~11 million real-world data to estimate the contribution of road traffic to roadside and urban concentrations for several major cities. Our results confirm that road traffic remains a dominant source of nitrogen dioxide and a significant source of primary coarse particulate matter in the European cities. However, it now represents a relatively small component of overall PM2.5 at urban background locations in cities with strong controls on traffic emissions (including European cities and Beijing) and many roadside sites will exceed the WHO guideline (10 μg m-3 annual mean) even when this source is eliminated. This suggests that further controls on traffic emissions, including the transition to a battery-electric fleet, are needed to reduce NO2 concentrations, but this will have limited benefit to reduce the concentration of fine particles, except in countries where the use of diesel particle filters is not mandatory. There are substantial differences between cities and the optimal solution will differ from one to another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy M Harrison
- Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Tuan Van Vu
- Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Hanan Jafar
- Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Zongbo Shi
- Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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Barbosa A, Varsani A, Morandini V, Grimaldi W, Vanstreels RET, Diaz JI, Boulinier T, Dewar M, González-Acuña D, Gray R, McMahon CR, Miller G, Power M, Gamble A, Wille M. Risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic wildlife. Sci Total Environ 2021; 755:143352. [PMID: 33162142 PMCID: PMC7598351 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pathogen has spread rapidly across the world, causing high numbers of deaths and significant social and economic impacts. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus with a suggested zoonotic origin with the potential for cross-species transmission among animals. Antarctica can be considered the only continent free of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, concerns have been expressed regarding the potential human introduction of this virus to the continent through the activities of research or tourism to minimise the effects on human health, and the potential for virus transmission to Antarctic wildlife. We assess the reverse-zoonotic transmission risk to Antarctic wildlife by considering the available information on host susceptibility, dynamics of the infection in humans, and contact interactions between humans and Antarctic wildlife. The environmental conditions in Antarctica seem to be favourable for the virus stability. Indoor spaces such as those at research stations, research vessels or tourist cruise ships could allow for more transmission among humans and depending on their movements between different locations the virus could be spread across the continent. Among Antarctic wildlife previous in silico analyses suggested that cetaceans are at greater risk of infection whereas seals and birds appear to be at a low infection risk. However, caution needed until further research is carried out and consequently, the precautionary principle should be applied. Field researchers handling animals are identified as the human group posing the highest risk of transmission to animals while tourists and other personnel pose a significant risk only when in close proximity (< 5 m) to Antarctic fauna. We highlight measures to reduce the risk as well as identify of knowledge gaps related to this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Barbosa
- Evolutionary Ecology Dpt. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, C/José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Arvind Varsani
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; Structural Biology Research Unit, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Virginia Morandini
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Ralph E T Vanstreels
- Institute of Research and Rehabilitation of Marine Animals (IPRAM), Rodovia, Cariacica, Brazil
| | - Julia I Diaz
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Thierry Boulinier
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, EPHE, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Meagan Dewar
- School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Australia
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades de Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Rachael Gray
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Clive R McMahon
- IMOS Animal Satellite Tagging, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gary Miller
- Discipline of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Michelle Power
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Amandine Gamble
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Wille
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Campling P, Joris I, Calliera M, Capri E, Marchis A, Kuczyńska A, Vereijken T, Majewska Z, Belmans E, Borremans L, Dupon E, Pauwelyn E, Mellander PE, Fennell C, Fenton O, Burgess E, Puscas A, Gil EI, de Alda ML, Tudel GF, Andersen E, Højber AL, Nowakowska M, Suciu N. A multi-actor, participatory approach to identify policy and technical barriers to better farming practices that protect our drinking water sources. Sci Total Environ 2021; 755:142971. [PMID: 33172636 PMCID: PMC7568497 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite an improvement of water quality across Europe there are many pollution hotspots for both nitrates and PPPs, mainly due to agricultural activities. The BMPs and MMs to reduce pollution from agriculture are well known, and there are policy instruments in place to ensure drinking water standards, but the current approach has not been efficient enough. Within the H2020 Water Protect project the premise was that there is a need for a multi-actor, participatory approach to tackle the issue from a new angle, and to assess why the uptake of known BMPs and MMs was not better among farmers. Seven "Action Labs" were selected that represent major physical, socio-economical, cultural and farming settings across Europe. A methodology of multi-actor engagement was chosen but with different approaches due to the local context. Initially the level of farmers' awareness about water quality issues was matched to the observed uptake rates of BMPs and MMs. In a second survey barriers hindering the uptake of measures were identified. The first survey revealed a low general awareness on the potential pollution to drinking water sources. Despite this, between 24% to 88% of the surveyed farmers per Action Lab were already voluntarily adopting one quarter of the selected BMPs and MMs. The second survey demonstrated the need to address organisational, legislative, sociological and technical barriers. The lack of coordination between different institutional bodies promoting measures and the financial incentives needed to invest and operate these often-costly measures need to be considered. The multi-actor, participatory approach with its improved awareness and collaboration made it possible to identify the crucial factors for improvement - to build a social acceptance among all actors and communicate the issues and solutions from the start.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Campling
- Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek, Boeretang 200, Mol, 2400, Belgium.
| | - Ingeborg Joris
- Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek, Boeretang 200, Mol, 2400, Belgium; Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maura Calliera
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, European Observatory on Sustainable Agriculture, DISTAS, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, PC, Italy
| | - Ettore Capri
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, European Observatory on Sustainable Agriculture, DISTAS, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, PC, Italy
| | - Alexandru Marchis
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, European Observatory on Sustainable Agriculture, DISTAS, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, PC, Italy
| | - Anna Kuczyńska
- Polish Geological Institute - National Research Institute,4 Rakowiecka Street, 00-975 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tom Vereijken
- European Water Stewardship, Oostergoweg 9, 8911, MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Zuzanna Majewska
- Institute of Technology and Life Sciences, Falenty, Al. Hrabska 3, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland
| | - Els Belmans
- Eigen Vermogen van het Instituut voor Landbouw en Visserijonderzoek, Burgemeester van Gansberghelaan 96, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium
| | - Lieve Borremans
- Eigen Vermogen van het Instituut voor Landbouw en Visserijonderzoek, Burgemeester van Gansberghelaan 96, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium
| | - Elien Dupon
- INAGRO, Ieperseweg 87, Rumbeke Roselare 8800, Belgium
| | | | - Per-Erik Mellander
- Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme/Agricultural Catchments Programme, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Environment Research Centre, Wexford, Co. Wexford, Ireland
| | - Christopher Fennell
- Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme/Agricultural Catchments Programme, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Environment Research Centre, Wexford, Co. Wexford, Ireland
| | - Owen Fenton
- Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme/Agricultural Catchments Programme, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Environment Research Centre, Wexford, Co. Wexford, Ireland
| | - Edward Burgess
- Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme/Agricultural Catchments Programme, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Environment Research Centre, Wexford, Co. Wexford, Ireland
| | - Alexandra Puscas
- Asociatia Ecologic Baia Mare, Florilor Str 8/36, Baia Mare 430273, Romania
| | - Elena Isla Gil
- CPABLLParc Agrari del Baix Llobregat, Can Comas, Camí de la Rivera, s/n, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Miren Lopez de Alda
- CSICWater, Environmental and Food Chemistry Unit (ENFOCHEM), Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Jordi Girona 18, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Gemma Francès Tudel
- CSICWater, Environmental and Food Chemistry Unit (ENFOCHEM), Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Jordi Girona 18, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Erling Andersen
- Kobenhavns Universitet, Norregade 10, Kobenhavn, 1165, Denmark
| | - Anker Lajer Højber
- Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Oster Voldgade, 10, Kobenhavn K 1350, Denmark
| | - Marzena Nowakowska
- Polish Geological Institute - National Research Institute, Pomeranian Branch, 20 Wieniawskiego St., 71-130 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Nicoleta Suciu
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, European Observatory on Sustainable Agriculture, DISTAS, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, PC, Italy
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Turcotte-Tremblay AM, Gali Gali IA, Ridde V. The unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures matter: practical guidance for investigating them. BMC Med Res Methodol 2021; 21:28. [PMID: 33568054 PMCID: PMC7873511 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-020-01200-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 has led to the adoption of unprecedented mitigation measures which could trigger many unintended consequences. These unintended consequences can be far-reaching and just as important as the intended ones. The World Health Organization identified the assessment of unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures as a top priority. Thus far, however, their systematic assessment has been neglected due to the inattention of researchers as well as the lack of training and practical tools. MAIN TEXT Over six years our team has gained extensive experience conducting research on the unintended consequences of complex health interventions. Through a reflexive process, we developed insights that can be useful for researchers in this area. Our analysis is based on key literature and lessons learned reflexively in conducting multi-site and multi-method studies on unintended consequences. Here we present practical guidance for researchers wishing to assess the unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures. To ensure resource allocation, protocols should include research questions regarding unintended consequences at the outset. Social science theories and frameworks are available to help assess unintended consequences. To determine which changes are unintended, researchers must first understand the intervention theory. To facilitate data collection, researchers can begin by forecasting potential unintended consequences through literature reviews and discussions with stakeholders. Including desirable and neutral unintended consequences in the scope of study can help minimize the negative bias reported in the literature. Exploratory methods can be powerful tools to capture data on the unintended consequences that were unforeseen by researchers. We recommend researchers cast a wide net by inquiring about different aspects of the mitigation measures. Some unintended consequences may only be observable in subsequent years, so longitudinal approaches may be useful. An equity lens is necessary to assess how mitigation measures may unintentionally increase disparities. Finally, stakeholders can help validate the classification of consequences as intended or unintended. CONCLUSION Studying the unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures is not only possible but also necessary to assess their overall value. The practical guidance presented will help program planners and evaluators gain a more comprehensive understanding of unintended consequences to refine mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay
- School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, QC, H3N 1X9, Canada.
- Department and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | | | - Valéry Ridde
- IRD (French Institute for Research on Sustainable Development), CEPED, Université de Paris, 45 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75006, Paris, France
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50
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Patil S, Bafana A, Naoghare PK, Krishnamurthi K, Sivanesan S. Environmental prevalence, fate, impacts, and mitigation of microplastics-a critical review on present understanding and future research scope. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:4951-4974. [PMID: 33241497 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11700-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are considered to be ubiquitous and widespread emerging contaminants. They are persistent in the nature and pose considerable harm to the environment. Their omnipresence is documented in almost all aquatic habitats, several atmospheric and terrestrial environments, and also in human consumables. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the environmental prevalence of the microplastics in all environmental compartments, and their possible adverse impacts. It also presents review of the studies conducted in India and the epitome of potential mitigation measures. The need and direction of future research are highlighted. The review will help in determining the exposure levels, environmental consequences, and risk estimations, and will guide the researchers and policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakshi Patil
- Health and Toxicity Cell (HTC), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
- AcSIR (Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
| | - Amit Bafana
- Director's Research Cell (DRC), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
| | - Pravin K Naoghare
- Environmental Impact and Sustainability Division (EISD), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
| | - Kannan Krishnamurthi
- Health and Toxicity Cell (HTC), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India
| | - Saravanadevi Sivanesan
- Health and Toxicity Cell (HTC), CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) Campus, Nagpur, 440020, India.
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