Search Results (654)

The contamination due to coastal landfill is a growing environmental concern, particularly in fragile marine ecosystems, where leachate can mobilize toxic elements into soil, water, air, and sediment. This study aims to assess the impact of a coastal landfill in Al-Qunfudhah, western Saudi Arabia, on nearby coastal sediments by identifying the concentration, distribution, and ecological risk of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) using geospatial and multivariate analysis tools. The results indicate significant accumulation of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Fe, with Pb reaching alarming levels of up to 1160 mg/kg in the landfill area, compared to 120 mg/kg in the coastal sediments. Zn contamination also exhibited substantial elevation, with values reaching 278 mg/kg in landfill soil and 157 mg/kg in coastal sediment. The enrichment factor values indicate moderate to severe enrichment for Pb (up to 73.20) and Zn (up to 6.91), confirming anthropogenic influence. The contamination factor analysis categorized Pb contamination as very high (CF > 6), suggesting significant ecological risk. Comparison with sediment quality guidelines suggest that Pb, Zn, and Cu concentrations exceeded threshold effect levels (TEL) in some samples, posing potential risks to marine organisms. The spatial distribution maps revealed pollutant migration from the landfill toward the coastal zone, emphasizing the necessity of monitoring and mitigation strategies. As the first comprehensive study on landfill-induced PTEs contamination in Al-Qunfudhah, these findings provide essential insights for environmental management and pollution control policies along the Red Sea coast. Full article

Traffic-related pollutants remain a challenging global issue, with significant policy implications. Within the European Union, Romania has the highest yearly societal cost per capita due to air pollution, which kills 29,000 Romanians every year, whereas the health and economic costs are also significant. In this context, municipal authorities in the country, particularly in high-density areas, should place a strong focus on mitigating air pollution. In particular, the capital city, Bucharest, ranks among the most congested cities in the world while registering the highest pollution index in Romania, with traffic pollution responsible for two-thirds of its air pollution. Consequently, studies that assess and model pollution trends are paramount to inform local policy-making processes and assist pollution-mitigation efforts. In this paper, a generalized additive modeling (GAM) framework is employed to model hourly concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), i.e., a relevant traffic-pollution proxy, at a busy urban traffic location in central Bucharest, Romania. All models are developed on a wide, fine-granularity dataset spanning January 2017–December 2022 and include extensive meteorological covariates. Model robustness is assured by switching between the generalized additive model (GAM) framework and the generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) framework when the residual autoregressive process needs to be specifically acknowledged. Results indicate that trend GAMs explain a large amount of the hourly variation in traffic pollution. Furthermore, meteorological factors contribute to increasing the models’ explanation power, with wind direction, relative humidity, and the interaction between wind speed and the atmospheric pressure emerging as important mitigators for NO₂ concentrations in Bucharest. The results of this study can be valuable in assisting local authorities to take proactive measures for traffic pollution control in the capital city of Romania. Full article

Rapid industrialization and urbanization have progressed in Korea, yet public attention to hazardous pollutants emitted from industrial complexes remains limited. With the increasing coexistence of industrial and residential areas, there is a growing need for real-time monitoring and management plans that account for the rapid dispersion of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). In this study, we conducted spatiotemporal data collection and analysis for the first time in Korea using real-time measurements obtained through mobile extractive differential optical absorption spectroscopy (Me-DOAS) mounted on a solar occultation flux (SOF) vehicle. The measurements were conducted in the Saha Sinpyeong–Janglim Industrial Complex in Busan, which comprises the Sasang Industrial Complex and the Sinpyeong–Janglim Industrial Complex. BTEX compounds were selected as target volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and real-time measurements of both BTEX and fine particulate matter (PM) were conducted simultaneously. Correlation analysis revealed a strong relationship between PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 (r = 0.848–0.894), indicating shared sources. In Sasang, BTEX levels were associated with traffic and localized facilities, while in Saha Sinpyeong–Janglim, the concentrations were more influenced by industrial zoning and wind patterns. Notably, inter-compound correlations such as benzene–m-xylene and p-xylene–toluene suggested possible co-emission sources. This study proposes a GIS-based, three-dimensional air quality management approach that integrates variables such as traffic volume, wind direction, and speed through real-time measurements. The findings are expected to inform effective pollution control strategies and future environmental management plans for industrial complexes. Full article

The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region faces persistent challenges of inequality, climate change vulnerability, and deteriorating air quality. The Aburrá Valley, where Medellín is located, is a narrow tropical valley with complex topography, strong thermal inversions, and unstable atmospheric conditions, all of which exacerbate the accumulation of pollutants. In Medellín, ${\mathrm{NO}}_2$ concentrations have remained nearly unchanged over the past eight years, consistently approaching critical thresholds, despite the implementation of air quality control strategies. These persistent high concentrations are closely linked to the variability of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and are often intensified by prolonged dry periods. This study focuses on a representative street canyon in Medellín that has undergone recent urban interventions, including the construction of new public spaces and pedestrian areas, without explicitly considering their impact on ${\mathrm{NO}}_x$ dispersion. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, this work evaluates the influence of urban morphology on ${\mathrm{NO}}_x$ accumulation. The results reveal that areas with high Aspect Ratios (AR > 0.65) and dense vegetation exhibit reduced wind speeds at the pedestrian level—up to 40% lower compared to open zones—and higher ${\mathrm{NO}}_2$ concentrations, with maximum simulated values exceeding 50 μg/m³. This study demonstrates that the design of pedestrian corridors in complex urban environments like Medellín can unintentionally create pollutant accumulation zones, underscoring the importance of integrating air quality considerations into urban planning. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the need for comprehensive modeling and field validation to ensure healthier urban spaces in cities affected by persistent air quality issues. Full article

Ultrahigh resolution fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) mass concentration remote sensing products are crucial for atmospheric environmental monitoring, pollution source verification, health exposure risk assessment, and other fine-scale applications in urban environments. This study developed an ultrahigh resolution retrieval algorithm to estimate 30 m resolution PM_2.5 mass concentrations over urban areas from Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A/B satellite measurements. The algorithm utilized aerosol optical depth (AOD) products retrieved from the Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2 MSI measurements from 2017 to 2020, combined with multi-source auxiliary data to establish a PM_2.5-AOD relationship model across China. The results showed an overall high coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.82 and 0.76 for the model training accuracy based on samples and stations, respectively. The model prediction accuracy in Beijing and Wuhan reached R² values of 0.86 and 0.85. Applications in both cities demonstrated that ultrahigh resolution PM_2.5 has significant advantages in resolving fine-scale spatial patterns of urban air pollution and pinpointing pollution hotspots. Furthermore, an analysis of point source pollution at a typical heavy pollution emission enterprise confirmed that ultrahigh spatial resolution PM_2.5 can accurately identify the diffusion trend of point source pollution, providing fundamental data support for refined monitoring of urban air pollution and air pollution prevention and control. Full article

With the rapid growth of energy demand, the development of efficient energy-conversion technologies (e.g., water splitting, fuel cells, metal-air batteries, etc.) becomes an important way to circumvent the problems of fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution, which motivates the pursuit of high-performance electrocatalysts with controllable compositions and morphologies. Among them, two-dimensional (2D) Pt-group metallic electrocatalysts show a series of distinctive architectural merits, including a high surface-to-volume ratio, numerous unsaturated metal atoms, an ameliorative electronic structure, and abundant electron/ion transfers channels, thus holding great potential in realizing good selectivity, rapid kinetics, and high efficiency for various energy-conversion devices. Considering that great progress on this topic has been made in recent years, here we present a panoramic review of recent advancements in 2D Pt-group metallic nanocrystals, which covers diverse synthetic methods, structural analysis, and their applications as electrode catalysts for various energy-conversion technologies. At the end, the paper also outlines the research challenges and future opportunities in this emerging area. Full article

Air pollution monitoring in ungauged zones presents unique challenges yet remains critical for understanding environmental health impacts and socioeconomic dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This study investigates air pollution patterns in northwestern Syria during 2019–2024, analyzing NO₂ and CO concentrations using Sentinel-5P TROPOMI satellite data processed through Google Earth Engine. Monthly concentration averages were examined across eight key locations using linear regression analysis to determine temporal trends, with Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients calculated between pollutant levels and five meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation) to determine the influence of political governance, economic conditions, and environmental sustainability factors on pollution dynamics. Quality assurance filtering retained only measurements with values ≥ 0.75, and statistical significance was assessed at a p < 0.05 level. The findings reveal distinctive spatiotemporal patterns that reflect the region’s complex political-economic landscape. NO₂ concentrations exhibited clear political signatures, with opposition-controlled territories showing upward trends (Al-Rai: 6.18 × 10⁻⁸ mol/m²) and weak correlations with climatic variables (<0.20), indicating consistent industrial operations. In contrast, government-controlled areas demonstrated significant downward trends (Hessia: −2.6 × 10⁻⁷ mol/m²) with stronger climate–pollutant correlations (0.30–0.45), reflecting the impact of economic sanctions on industrial activities. CO concentrations showed uniform downward trends across all locations regardless of political control. This study contributes significantly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing critical baseline data for SDG 3 (Health and Well-being), mapping urban pollution hotspots for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), demonstrating climate–pollution correlations for SDG 13 (Climate Action), revealing governance impacts on environmental patterns for SDG 16 (Peace and Justice), and developing transferable methodologies for SDG 17 (Partnerships). These findings underscore the importance of incorporating environmental safeguards into post-conflict reconstruction planning to ensure sustainable development. Full article

Environmental comfort and air pollution are among the most important indicators for assessing the population’s quality of life in urban agglomerations. This study aims to explore long-term memory in air pollution time series by analyzing the dynamics of the Hurst exponent and evaluating the predictability index. This type of statistical pre-forecast analysis is essential for developing accurate forecasting models for such time series. The effectiveness of air quality monitoring systems largely depends on the precision of these forecasts. The Ekibastuz coal-mining center, which houses one of the largest coal-fired power stations in Kazakhstan and the world, with a capacity of about 4000 MW, was chosen as an example for the study. Data for the period from 1 March 2023 to 31 December 2024 were collected and analyzed at the Ekibastuz coal-fired power station. During the specified period, 14 indicators (67,527 observations) were collected at 10 min intervals, including mass concentrations of CO, NO, NO₂, SO₂, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀, as well as current mass consumption of CO, NO, NO₂, SO₂, dust, and NO_x. The detrended fluctuation analysis of a time series of air pollution indicators was used to calculate the Hurst exponent and identify long-term memory. Changes in the Hurst exponent in regards to dynamics were also investigated, and a predictability index was calculated to monitor emissions of pollutants in the air. Long-term memory is recorded in the structure of all the time series of air pollution indicators. Dynamic analysis of the Hurst exponent confirmed persistent time series characteristics, with an average Hurst exponent of about 0.7. Identifying the time series plots for which the Hurst exponent is falling (analysis of the indicator of dynamics), along with the predictability index, is a sign of an increase in the influence of random factors on the time series. This is a sign of changes in the dynamics of the pollutant release concentrations and may indicate possible excess emissions that need to be controlled. Calculating the dynamic changes in the Hurst exponent for the emission time series made it possible to identify two distinct clusters corresponding to periods of persistence and randomness in the operation of the coal-fired power station. The study shows that evaluating the predictability index helps fine-tune the parameters of time series forecasting models, which is crucial for developing reliable air pollution monitoring systems. The results obtained in this study allow us to conclude that the method of trended fluctuation analysis can be the basis for creating an indicator of the level of air pollution, which allows us to quickly respond to possible deviations from the established standards. Environmental services can use the results to build reliable monitoring systems for air pollution from coal combustion emissions, especially near populated areas. Full article

Climate change and air pollution are reshaping viral circulation patterns and increasing host vulnerability, amplifying the burden of respiratory illness in early childhood. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on how environmental exposures, particularly to nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and fine particulate matter, contribute to the incidence and severity of bronchiolitis, with a focus on biological mechanisms, epidemiological trends, and public health implications. Bronchiolitis remains one of the leading causes of hospitalization in infancy, with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) being responsible for the majority of severe cases. Airborne pollutants penetrate deep into the airways, triggering inflammation, compromising mucosal defenses, and impairing immune function, especially in infants with pre-existing vulnerabilities. These interactions can intensify the clinical course of viral infections and contribute to more severe disease presentations. Children in urban areas exposed to high levels of traffic-related emissions are disproportionately affected, underscoring the need for integrated public health interventions. These include stricter emission controls, urban design strategies to reduce exposure, and real-time health alerts during pollution peaks. Prevention strategies should also address indoor air quality and promote risk awareness among families and caregivers. Further research is needed to standardize exposure assessments, clarify dose–response relationships, and deepen our understanding of how pollution interacts with viral immunity. Bronchiolitis emerges as a sentinel condition at the crossroads of climate, environment, and pediatric health, highlighting the urgent need for collaboration across clinical medicine, epidemiology, and environmental science. Full article

In this work, we evaluated the silvicultural and ecological parameters of Populus bolleana Lauche trees growing in conditions of anthropogenic pollution, using the example of one of the largest megacities of the Donetsk ridge, the city of Donetsk. The objectives of this study included determining the level of anthropogenic load of the territory; conducting dendrological studies to assess morphometric and allometric parameters, age structure, and condition of P. bolleana stands under the influence of environmental factors; as well as completing biomechanical studies to assess and predict the mechanical stability of stands. A total of 1109 plants growing in areas with increased anthropogenic load and in the control areas were studied. The model territories of the study were located in the city of Donetsk on Fallen Communards Avenue (length of field routes: 2.6 km) and Ilyicha Avenue (length of field routes: 9.7 km). Control plantings grew on the territory of the Donetsk botanical garden and residential (dormitory) districts of the city. The age structure of P. bolleana plantations remained uniform throughout the city for 50–55 years due to the fact that the landscaping was under a single state program. In the steppe zone in the south of the East European Plain, with a high level of anthropogenic load and severe natural climatic factors, the critical age of P. bolleana (55 years) was determined. The condition of plantations and their morphometric indices correlate with the level of anthropogenic load of the city (H, Dbase, DBH). Under control conditions, the plants are in good condition with signs of weakening (2 points). Under conditions of increased anthropogenic load, the plants are in a severely weakened condition (3 points). A total of 25% of the plants in the sample are in critical condition (4–5 points). The main damages to the crowns and trunks of plants include core rot, mechanical damage to bark and tissues, the development of core rot through the affected skeletal branch, crown thinning, and drying. P. bolleana trees are valued for their crown area and ability to retain dust particles from the air. The analysis of experimentally obtained data on the crown area showed that in the initial phases of ontogenesis, the average deviation in the crown area of plants does not depend on the place of growth. Due to artificial narrowing and sanitary pruning of the crown, as well as skeletal branches dying along the busiest highways, the values do not exceed 22–23 m² on average, with an allometric coefficient of 0.35–0.37. When comparing this coefficient in the control areas, the crown area in areas with a high level of anthropogenic load is 36 ± 11% lower. For trees growing under the conditions of the anthropogenic load of an industrial city and having reached the critical age, mechanical resistance varied depending on the study area and load level. At sites with a high level of pollution of the territory, a significant decrease in indicators was revealed in comparison with the control (mcr—71%, EI—75%, RRB—43%). Having analyzed all the obtained data, we can conclude that, until the age of 50–55 years, P. bolleana retains good viability, mechanical resistance, and general allometric ratios, upon which the stability of the whole plant depends. Even with modern approaches and tendencies toward landscaping with exotic introductions, it is necessary to keep P. bolleana as the main species in dendrobanocenoses. Full article

Air-assisted spraying is the primary method of plant protection in orchards, and precision spraying according to the canopy characteristics of fruit trees can reduce waste and pollution due to pesticide drift. To facilitate targeted pesticide application in the canopy of fruit trees, this study employed a newly developed wind-speed-adjustable orchard sprayer and established a prediction model for deposition based on data from orthogonal trials using a central composite design accounting for the coupling effect of three-dimensional spatial parameters. The experimental design systematically quantified the interaction effects of spray distance (1.5–2.5 m), fan wind speed (10–20 m/s), and deposition height (0.5–3 m) on the spatial distribution of droplets. Model significance was p < 0.0001 and the misfit term was significant (p = 0.2193), supporting its validity. The research found that wind speed and distance significantly interact in influencing deposition. By adjusting fan speed and spray distance, variable applications can be achieved in different canopy zones during plant protection operations. The response surface model developed in this study can be applied to variable-rate spraying control systems, thus providing a quantitative basis for dynamic droplet control guided by canopy characteristics. Validation tests revealed that the model’s accuracy was lower in high canopy regions and upwind spraying scenarios, indicating areas for further research. Full article

The seasonal variations, spatial distribution, and health risk assessment of 13 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX), in the ambient air of Dilovası, a Turkish city with unplanned urbanization, are presented in this study. Using passive tube sampling, at 22 locations in Dilovası, air samples were collected separately for the summer and winter, and concentrations were measured using thermal desorption GC-MS. Pollution maps were created using the Golden Software Surfer program and QGIS Desktop 3.42.0 software program. A health risk evaluation was conducted using the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) approach. The study’s findings demonstrated that the atmospheric VOC concentrations at the sampling locations varied significantly by season and location. According to a carcinogenic risk assessment, residents in this area may be more susceptible to cancer if they are exposed to benzene, ethylbenzene, and naphthalene over an extended period. A non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) evaluation determined that while there was no significant risk at 21 measurement points, there was a substantial risk for non-cancer health effects at 1 measurement point. The significance of regulatory policies and pollution control technologies has once again emerged in this context. Full article

In arid and semi-arid areas, soil is blown up by the wind because of its loose structure. Wind erosion causes soil quality and fertility loss, land degradation, air pollution, disruption of ecological balance, and agricultural and livestock losses. Consequently, there is an immediate imperative for methods to mitigate the impacts of wind erosion. SICP (soybean urease-induced carbonate precipitation) has emerged as a promising biogeotechnical technology in mitigating wind erosion in arid and semi-arid regions. To enhance bio-cementation efficacy and treatment efficiency of SICP, aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) was employed as an additive to strengthen the SICP process. Multiple SICP treatment cycles with AlCl₃ additive were conducted on Tengger Desert sand specimens, with the specimens treated without AlCl₃ as the control group. The potential mechanisms by which AlCl₃ enhances SICP may have two aspects: (1) its flocculation effect accelerates the salting-out of proteinaceous organic matter in the SICP solution, retaining these materials as nucleation sites within soil pores; (2) the highly charged Al³⁺ cations adsorb onto negatively charged sand particle surfaces, acting as cores to attract and coalesce free CaCO₃ in solution, thereby promoting preferential precipitation at particle surfaces and interparticle contacts. This mechanism enhances CaCO₃ cementation efficiency, as evidenced by 2.69–3.89-fold increases in penetration resistance at the optimal 0.01 M AlCl₃ concentration, without reducing CaCO₃ production. Wind erosion tests showed an 88% reduction in maximum erosion rate (from 1142.6 to 135.3 g·m⁻²·min⁻¹), directly correlated with improved microstructural density observed via SEM (spherical CaCO₃ aggregates at particle interfaces). Economic analysis revealed a 50% cost reduction due to fewer treatment cycles, validating the method’s sustainability. These findings highlight AlCl₃-modified SICP as a robust, cost-effective strategy for wind erosion control in arid zones, with broad implications for biogeotechnical applications. Full article

Malaria, typhoid fever, respiratory tract infections, and urinary tract infections significantly impact women, especially in remote, resource-constrained settings, due to limited access to quality healthcare and certain risk factors. Most studies have focused on vector control measures, such as insecticide-treated nets and time series analysis, often neglecting emerging yet critical risk factors vital for effectively preventing febrile diseases. We address this gap by investigating the use of machine learning (ML) models, specifically extreme gradient boost and random forest, in predicting adult females’ susceptibility to these diseases based on biological, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. An explainable AI (XAI) technique, local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME), was applied to enhance the transparency and interpretability of the predictive models. This approach provided insights into the models’ decision-making process and identified key risk factors, enabling healthcare professionals to personalize treatment services. Factors such as high cholesterol levels, poor personal hygiene, and exposure to air pollution emerged as significant contributors to disease susceptibility, revealing critical areas for public health intervention in remote and resource-constrained settings. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating XAI with ML in directing health interventions, providing a clearer understanding of risk factors, and efficiently allocating resources for disease prevention and treatment. Full article

Firstly, this study investigates the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the ozone (O₃) pollution in Liaoyuan City using monitoring data from 2015 to 2024. Then, three machine learning models (ML)—random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN)—are employed to quantify the influence of meteorological and non-meteorological factors on O₃ concentrations. Finally, the HYSPLIT clustering method and CMAQ model are utilized to analyze inter-regional transport characteristics, identifying the causes of O₃ pollution. The results indicate that O₃ pollution in Liaoyuan exhibits a distinct seasonal pattern, with the highest concentrations found in spring and summer, peaking in the afternoon. Among the three ML models, the random forest model demonstrates the best predictive performance (R² = 0.9043). Feature importance identifies NO₂ as the primary driving factor, followed by meteorological conditions in the second quarter and land surface characteristics. Furthermore, regional transport significantly contributes to O₃ pollution, with approximately 80% of air mass trajectories in heavily polluted episodes originating from adjacent industrial areas and the sea. The combined effects of transboundary precursors and O₃ transport with local emissions and meteorological conditions further increase the O₃ pollution level. This study highlights the need to strengthen coordinated NO_X and VOCs emission reductions and enhance regional joint prevention and control strategies in China. Full article