Pollutants, Volume 4, Issue 2 (June 2024) – 9 articles

Soil contamination by metallic components is an obscure, detrimental, protracted, and irreparable predicament. Dumping of waste containing heavy metals into landfills, fertilizer and pesticide application, and coal combustion results in high toxicity of metallic elements, and their continuous accumulation in soil pollutes the environment, which, in turn, poses a threat to human health. The specimens were subsequently dehydrated, processed for mineralization, and carefully examined microscopically by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), which examined their mineral substance, crystalline configuration, and chemical composition. Thirteen (13) elements were detected, and only eight (8) metals were discovered (K, Mg, Na, Ca, Al, Fe, Au, Ba), including non-metals (C, O, Cl, P) and a metalloid (Si). The concentrations of possibly toxic elements obtained showed no consistent succession, as they fluctuated across the examined sites. The Al concentration ranged from 3.78 ± 0.23 wt% to 10.23 ± 0.31 wt%, while the Fe concentration fluctuated from 4.14 ± 0.40 wt% to 13.13 ± 1.07 wt%. Na and Mg levels were present in all samples, but their availability was minimal, at less than 2.0 wt%, ranging between 1.44 ± 0.20 wt% and 0.31 ± 0.08 wt%. The concentrations of Ca and K were low in all soil samples, ranging from 0.91 ± 0.14 wt% to 5.56 ± 0.47 wt% for Ca and from 1.32 ± 0.25 wt% to 4.87 ± 0.18 wt% for K. During the investigation at the designated and control areas, it was discovered that the concentrations of potentially hazardous metals exceeded the accepted limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO) > 100 ppm. The findings provide proof of metallic contaminants in the study region, which calls for proper monitoring, management, and remedial measures of metal-tainted sites, since the residents of this locality are at a significantly elevated risk of experiencing adverse effects due to their heightened exposure to these elements. As a result of that, there is an imperative need to monitor and regulate this area regularly and appropriately. The study recommends sustainable farming practices, where farmers could use natural fertilizers and compost, as well as, the implementation of proper waste management, effective recycling techniques, and proper disposal of substances containing heavy metals as byproducts. Further implement remediation techniques that effectively and safely restore soils contaminated by metals in an environmentally sustainable and economically efficient manner. Full article

Artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) using mercury affects community agreements for the conservation of forests (CoS) and lakes (CoH), which have a high level of biodiversity in the Peasant Reserve Zone of the Cimitarra River Valley (ZRC-VRC) in Colombia. In this research, a multi-criteria approach (MCA) was applied to analyze the impact of ASGM. This analysis is based on the community environmental agreements to preserve CoS and CoH areas, the ecological importance of these areas, as well as the results of mercury dispersion in the Cimitarra river basin, with concentrations found 40 km downstream of the mining area of 0.09 µgTHg L⁻¹ in the Cimitarra river, 0.07 µgTHg L⁻¹ in the CoH, and 0.01 mgTHg kg⁻¹ in the tissues of macrophytes, as well as the increase in deforestation since 2020 in the CoS, due to a 1.8% (990 ha) loss of forest cover, with 693 ha of the forest cover loss coinciding with areas related to the opening of new mines. The MCA showed that the main impact is found within the criterion Social and armed conflict, followed by Deforestation. This research offers recommendations to reduce impact scores, such as the implementation of a sustainable development plan (PDS) of the ZRC-VRC, and it highlights the urgent need to safeguard the community conservation areas. Full article

Open burning poses a significant threat to human health and the environment by releasing hazardous chemicals and exacerbating plastic pollution. Urgent action is required to address its pervasive impact and the substantial release of gaseous pollutants. Limited research has explored the demographic aspect of open burning behavior, with none specifically conducted in Kentucky. An analysis of open burning complaints reported to the Kentucky Division for Air Quality in 2015, 2019, and 2021 revealed no significant differences in reported incidents by month and county. Binary logistic regression analyses identified the urban vs rural divide as significant predictors of open burning incidents, while violations were influenced by both urban and rural factors and average household income. Unemployment rates and the percentage of individuals with less than a high school diploma did not significantly predict open burning violations. Targeted interventions at the state and local level, focusing on rural areas and economically disadvantaged communities, can effectively address and mitigate open burning issues. Full article

As bioindicators, benthic macroinvertebrates are often used to assess stream quality. Based on standard hydrobiological study techniques, the physicochemical and biological health status of the Missolé stream was assessed. Waters of the Missolé stream were found to be slightly acidic (pH: 6.23–6.26) and well-oxygenated (O₂: 69.80–76.80%), with low values of temperature (T°: 23.60–24° C), turbidity (49.40–88.40 FTU) and mineralized ions (NH₄⁺: 0–1.19 mg/L; NO₂^-: 0–1.61 mg/L; NO₃^-: 0.02–6.80 mg/L). Concerning aquatic invertebrate communities, a total of 489 individuals, grouped in two classes, eight orders and 35 families, all belonging to the phylum Arthropoda, were collected and identified. The class of Insecta was the most diversified, with seven orders and 32 families, while that of Crustacea had only one order and three families. Overall, Insecta accounted for 52.35% of the total abundance, and Decapod Crustacea was 47.65%. The three predominant families were Palaemonidae, Dytiscidae and Atyidae. Shannon and Weaver (H’) and Piélou’s evenness (J) indices were high at all stations and showed a slight decrease from upstream to downstream. In the same vein, the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) classified the water quality of the Missolé stream as medium. Overall, this suburban aquatic ecosystem offers moderately favorable living conditions for aquatic biota. Full article

The rapid increase in soil and water pollution is primarily attributed to anthropogenic factors, notably the mismanagement of post-consumer plastics on a global scale. This exploratory research design evaluated the effectiveness of natural hydrophobic cattail (Typha Latifolia) fibres (CFs) as bio-adsorbents of microplastic particles (MPPs) from wastewater. The study investigates how the composition of the adsorption environment affects the adsorption rate. Straightforward batch adsorption tests were conducted to evaluate the “spontaneous” sorption of MPPs onto CFs. Five MPP materials (PVC, PP, LDPE, HDPE, and Nylon 6) were evaluated. Industrial wastewater (PW) and Type II Distilled Water (DW) were employed as adsorption environments. The batch test results show that CFs are effective in removing five MPP materials from DW and PW. However, a higher removal percentage of MPPs was observed in PW, ranging from 89% to 100% for PVC, PP, LDPE, and HDPE, while the adsorption of Nylon 6 increased to 29.9%, a removal increase of 50%. These findings indicate that hydrophobic interactions drive the “spontaneous and instantaneous” adsorption process and that adjusting the adsorption environment can effectively enhance the MPP removal rate. This research highlights the significant role that bio-substrates can play in mitigating environmental pollution, serving as efficient, sustainable, non-toxic, biodegradable, low-cost, and reliable adsorbents for the removal of MPPs from wastewaters. Full article

The impact of climate change has made weather events more extreme, unpredictable and frequent. In the last 4 years, Mozambique has been devastated by 8 major cyclones, resulting in material and human damage and affecting the functioning of basic local services, such as in the water and health sectors. In this study, we explored the environmental components of the climate–water quality–disease relationship that could drive the dynamics of waterborne diseases. Statistical models and geospatial information technologies (GITs) were used to analyse water quality and the relationship with waterborne diseases between 2016 and 2023. Results indicate that water quality is the main element, between precipitation natural disasters and waterborne diseases, on which a relevant public health intervention can act to ameliorate the future negative impacts of climate change and disease incidence. The results of this study also showed that the quality of water affected mainly by heavy rain events varies in different regions and in different seasons. Full article

Arsenic (As) contamination is a serious global concern, polluting our natural resources, including water and soil, and posing a danger to the environment and public health. Arsenic is present in the groundwater of several countries and this contaminated water is used for irrigation, drinking, and food preparation, which poses the greatest threat to public health. Nearly 106 countries are affected by groundwater arsenic contamination and an estimated 230 million individuals worldwide are exposed to its adverse health effects, including increased cancer risks, associated cardiovascular disease and diabetes, skin lesions, neurological effects, kidney damage, and foetal or cognitive-development-related complications. Arsenic is highly toxic and ranked first in the priority list of ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2022) and among the 10 chemicals of major public health concern on the World Health Organization (WHO) list. The maximum permissible level of arsenic in drinking water has been established at 10 µg/L by WHO, as well as by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Union (EU). These regulatory standards underscore the gravity of the problem, and actions to prioritise the development of effective detection, mitigation strategies, and collaborative initiatives are necessary. This opinion article covers (i) arsenic footprints—global scenario and impact, (ii) awareness and education and (iii) mitigation approaches (detection and removal strategies) and future perspectives, which collectively will help in controlling and preventing As contamination of our global water resources. Regulatory and legislative bodies and development agencies are crucial for raising awareness and countering this alarming concern by implementing collaborative actions to protect our environment and public health and to provide safe drinking water for all. Full article

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are responsible for the formation of ozone and secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). Our knowledge about how black carbon particles influence BVOC emissions from terrestrial ecosystems is limited; terrestrial vegetation captures black carbon particles as a sink. In this research, the BVOC emissions from the leaves of four terrestrial plants were measured using an RAE PGM-7300 BVOC analyzer. Then, the leaves from four types of trees were exposed to submicron carbon black for 24 h and 48 h in an ambient environment, respectively. Comparisons between the BVOC emissions before and after exposure to submicron carbon black were performed. Our results indicated that the emissions of BVOC from the leaves of four types of trees varied from 90 to 270 μg g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and depended on the species. The exposure to submicron black carbon particles had negligible impacts on the BVOC emissions from the leaves of four types of trees. Full article

Natural background gamma rays and their effects on human health are essential components of both radiation protection and public concern. In the frame of these aspects, the mapping of the natural gamma dose rate values of the Province of Asti is given. The Asti Fire Brigade Command approved a project relating to the mapping of gamma radiation from the natural background in the territory of Asti. The project engaged both the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, and Radiological (NBCR) and Topography Applied to Rescue (TAS) components of the Asti Command. Skilled personnel, comprising level 1 TAS operators for data collection and level 2 TAS operators for cartographic analysis, were deployed across the six working days. The methodology involved the use of two digital handheld radiation G-M detectors, in conjunction with a portable GPS unit, including the Global Mapper software. One of the significant findings of this study is the observation that the natural gamma dose rate levels were 201.25% higher in the streets of the city center compared to other areas, predominantly because the building materials in these locations contain a higher amount of natural radionuclides. The results indicated that the level of natural gamma dose rates in the studied region is close to the global average value. Full article