ALBERT

Description: This article describes a procedure for the hydrometallurgical recovery of gold from waste computer printed circuit boards (PCBs) and central processing units (CPUs). The wastes processed within the recovery installation described in this article were derived from desktop computers, the parts of which were manually sorted to select those components found to be rich in gold content. X-ray fluorescence measurements showed that considerable amounts of gold are contained in the “finger” terminals of the PCBs as well as in the CPUs. This article describes the chemical processes for recovering gold from these parts. In addition, the article covers the emissions control apparatus that is capable of eliminating the nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions produced by the recovery process. The main costs arising from the overall procedure are for personnel utilization. Approximately 60 work hours from one worker are required to process 1.75–1.85 tons of unprocessed desktop computer waste to produce gold in the form of sediments. The quantity of gold recovered from this amount of waste computers can reach up to 35 grams with a standardized purity of 21 karats. The overall recovery procedure takes eight consecutive calendar days to accomplish.

Description: This study was carried out to ascertain the practicability of using bioremediated, engine-oil-impacted soil for crop cultivation. In this study, bioremediation by land farming and nutrient enhancement was used to treat contaminated soils. In the laboratory, soil samples were homogenized, analyzed, and placed into several reactor vessels including a substrate of poultry droppings and cow dung in various ratios to the contaminated soil. During the first phase of the investigation, contaminated soil without treatment served as a control. The soil matrix was homogenized on a weekly basis, and samples were drawn during the third, fifth, eighth, tenth, and fifteenth weeks for total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) reduction and nutrients analysis. The initial concentrations of TPH were diluted upon the addition of the poultry litter and cow dung substrate. Results obtained during the experiment indicate that the amount of nutrients generally decreased as the weeks progressed, and the TPH degradation ranged from 78.27% to 61.84% in the reactor vessels. There was no significant difference ( p 〈 .05) in TPH degradation based on the substrate quantities, whereas the TPH reductions in the soil amended with the animal wastes were significantly different from the control sample (soil not amended with animal wastes). In the planting phase, uncontaminated, loamy soil was used as a control (the planting phase control), and the results show that maize planted on the treated soil germinated with no significant difference ( p 〈 .05) in the number of leaves and plant heights between the treated samples and the control sample (uncontaminated loamy soil). Analysis of field-scale animal waste requirements for hypothetical TPH contaminated soil covering a certain area shows that inorganic fertilizer application requires lesser quantities with lower costs than using poultry litter and cow dung to supply nutrients to support bioremediation. The study concludes that bioremediation for agricultural purpose is feasible, but it can be better implemented if the astronomical quantities of substrates required for field-scale utilization can be surmounted.

Description: Rain gardens, also known as bioretention cells, are low-impact developments designed to mitigate several problems associated with urban stormwater. This four-month field study involved a rain garden at a wastewater treatment plant in north-central Texas in the United States of America. Partially treated wastewater from an anaerobic digester spilled into the rain garden at the beginning of the study. Subsequently, inflow and outflow concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus were measured for nine simulated floods, preceded by dry-spell intervals of 5, 8, or 12 days. Despite large inputs from the wastewater spill, the rain garden gradually processed and flushed the nitrogen. Longer dry spells tended to produce relatively higher outflow nitrate concentrations. A large pool of phosphorus in the soil restricted the rain garden's ability to reduce outflow orthophosphate concentrations, which were stable and lower than inflow concentrations throughout the study; however, adsorptive processes attenuated a relatively high inflow concentration by the end of the study.

Description: The decline in the supply of natural resources is a cause for concern, especially given continued worldwide population growth. New habits and attitudes toward resource use are slowly being introduced into the everyday lives of persons residing in a number of countries. The term “ecological behavior” refers to acting in favor of the environment, whether these actions are voluntarily or not, or learned or not (Pato & Tamayo, ). The general objective of this study is to identify the environmental behavior—one of several terms used interchangeably with ecological behavior—of graduate students from a Brazilian federal institution of higher education. We chose this particular group because many of them already act, or will act, as professors. Thus, by virtue of their positions, they will function as opinion leaders who will influence the education of future professionals, establishing a chain through which shared values can gradually change the environmental behavior of society.

Description: Companies have been increasing their focus on issues related to water availability and, more broadly, to water security. After focusing on reducing water use and/or increasing water efficiency in their operations, and then looking more broadly to understand their exposure to water-related business risks, companies are beginning to look to their suppliers and their customers, as well as their local communities, to identify opportunities to create shared value. This article provides summaries of how several companies are engaging in community-based water resource projects beyond their fence lines.

Description: This work highlights the evolution of flood disasters and their impacts upon environmental and socioeconomic aspects both worldwide and in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in particular. For our research, we reviewed the stress factors affecting flood disasters and performed surveys of two focus groups in Funchal municipality on Madeira Island (Portugal). Our research identifies the main causes of the serious impacts that flash floods can have on Funchal city. These include: The occupation of floodplain areas, Canalization of water courses, Erosion and transport of soil from upstream hillslopes due to deforestation, and Intensive precipitation of long duration.

Description: Compositional changes to air quality from coal mining are not only the most visible impact from these activities on the environment, they can also immediately affect the health of mine professionals and adjoining populations. The presence of gases and suspended solids emitted by mining activities affects the human respiratory system and decreases production in mines. This article summarizes a case study of several Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) coal mines with an emphasis on particulate matter (PM) to report the status of air quality connected to coal production and overburden removal. The concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen oxides (NO x ), and suspended particulate matter (SPM) reported in the literature are also summarized in table form to allow comparisons to the permissible standards set by the Indian Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other standards used around the world. An up-to-date status of air quality at coal mines is compared for mines located in different parts of India. Subsequently, all coal mines were divided into different classes in regard to the severity of their emissions. These classes are, in increasing order of severity, green, yellow, red, and black. SPM measurements were tabulated in regard to concentration and composition. Our article concludes with the recommendation that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to be conducted to better characterize changes in the environment from mining emissions to develop integrated mitigation measures and to identify additional parameters to define air quality at mines.

Description: Fly ash is a by-product of coal combustion in thermal power plants. Its generation poses several environmental problems, the most important ones being its capacity for causing pollution and the need for large storage areas to keep it out of the environment. Fly ash management remains a major concern in the 21st century; however, despite these challenges, the material has great potential for beneficial use in agriculture due to its efficacy in modifying and improving soil health and improving crop performance. Vermicomposting is an excellent technique for reducing the toxic heavy metals in fly ash through the introduction of earthworms. The activities of several earthworm species minimize the solubility of heavy metals and increase the bioavailability of major nutrient elements such as phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N). This article provides a comprehensive review of the scope and benefits of vermiremediating fly ash, demonstrating the abilities of different species of earthworms to accumulate heavy metals and increase the availability of plant nutrients. On the basis of a literature survey, the authors have concluded that adopting vermicomposting technology promises increased, effective fly ash utilization for agricultural benefits.

Description: In this study, we seek to verify the contributions made by three international standards to efforts by eight companies to reduce their environmental impacts and move toward sustainable development. The standards considered in this article are the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environmental management systems), and the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001. The eight companies analyzed for this study are located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. As part of this work, the authors generated a proposed sustainable positioning matrix and placed each company within one of four quadrants—economic approach, environmental approach, social approach, and sustainability approach—derived from the context of the Triple Bottom Line (Elkington, ).

Description: This study assessed the abundance of soil microarthropods in the soil in proximity to three auto mechanic workshops in Benin City, Nigeria, to determine the effect of petroleum hydrocarbon wastes on these organisms. A Berlese funnel was used to collect the microarthropods from soil samples collected from one mechanic workshop located in each of the three local government areas within Benin City: Oredo (site 1), Egor (site 2), and Ikpoba-Okha (site 3). A Control Site soil sample was also collected from an area where no mechanic workshops were present. Inspection of the soil samples revealed a total number of 198 soil microarthropods belonging to two classes (Insecta and Acarina), eight families, and 10 species: Achegozetes longisetosus, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Eremaeus columbianus, Eremaeus oblongus, Euzetes globules, Isotomurus palustris, Phlebotomus duboscqi, Solenopsis invicta, Hydrachna magnicutata , and an unidentified species were recorded. S. invicta was the most abundant, whereas the least abundant were E. columbianus, E. oblongus , and E. globules . Although there were no significant differences ( p 〉 0.05) in mean temperature, pH, or soil moisture content across the study sites, there was a significant difference ( p 〈 0.01) in the mean total hydrocarbon content (THC) measurements for sites 1, 2, 3, and the Control Site (48.62 ± 6.19, 51.70 ± 4.86, 52.69 ± 4.58, and 0.05 ± 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, soil microarthropod abundance and physiochemical parameters were evenly distributed from month to month. We observed a negative correlation of THC with soil microarthropod abundance across sites, although the microarthropods abundance was independent of the THC concentrations (expressed in parts per million [ppm]). In addition, although our analysis revealed no significant difference ( p 〉 0.05) in microarthropod abundance across sites 1 through 3, abundance varied significantly ( p 〈 0.05) between sites 1 through 3 collectively when compared with the abundance observed in samples from the Control Site. The implication of this survey is that the indiscriminate dumping of spent oils onto the soil has adverse effects on both the environment and the abundance of soil microarthropods.

Description: This study investigates the relationship between the power of innovation and the sustainability strategies of companies involved in the minerals extraction sector in Brazil. The study included companies associated with the Brazilian Mining Institute, and it used research surveys to gather data. Analysis of the survey data revealed that companies with highly intensive characteristics in regard to innovation and environmental activities (environmental management activities) also display offensive, or proactive, strategies for pursuing sustainability.

Description: In this article, the authors explore their recent study, which introduces the concept of extracting saline water and fresh water simultaneously from groundwater aquifers to produce water that is suitable for irrigation. To achieve these results, multiwell modeling concepts are used to exploit both the saline and nonsaline aquifer domains from geologic formations where a freshwater aquifer domain is either underlain or overlain by a saline aquifer domain. The water from these domains are either mixed to an acceptable salinity level after independent withdrawal from separate, saline or nonsaline domains present within the same aquifer, or mixed from the domains to achieve acceptable levels of salinity before withdrawal.

Description: Superior corporate environmental performance (CEP) has become essential to the competitive advantage and financial success of businesses. However, the main reasons managers pay attention to environmental performance are improved reputation in the capital market and profitability, as well as reductions in operating costs and risks. This article describes the findings of a study that examines the relationship between CEP, using a reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions as a measure, and corporate risk taking. In addition to indicating a significant negative relationship between CEP and firm risk, the study results also show that a 1% improvement of CEP decreases corporate risk by 3%.

Description: Among the various technologies available to treat wastewater from sugar production, electro-oxidation, or electrocoagulation, is considered one of the best. Moreover, it is a cost-effective method. Although it is considered an advanced form of chemical coagulation, it does not require the addition of chemical coagulants, as the coagulant is generated through the dissolution of the sacrificial anodes that are connected to the electric current in the treatment chamber. This article examines how an electro-oxidation system can be established and explores the variables that affect the process.

Description: Company productivity and competitiveness in today's marketplace requires creative design, innovation, and the reduction of nonconformances, which require costly rework and can damage a firm's reputation with its customers and potential customers. Using the International Organisation of Standardization's (ISO) 9000 and 14000 series of standards, the authors of this article walk readers through the rigorous process of obtaining upper management buy-in and sponsorship and engaging workers in a bottom-up approach to establish the procedures necessary to perform world-class engineering services.

Description: The interpretations of international law vary according to its history and context. Rethinking the concept of international aggression, based on the historical evolution of international law and the teleology that moves the United Nations, it is possible to interpret the environment not only as a cause and effect of aggression, but also as a weapon. This article explores the evolution of international environmental law and the recognition that deliberate harm to the environment during acts of aggression are now considered potentially illegal actions against populations and their economic security.

Description: Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly and cost-effective technology that uses plants to extract contaminants from the environment or to decrease contaminant toxicity. This article documents a study not only of the effectiveness of copper uptake by Heliantus annuus (common sunflower), Brassica nigra (black mustard), and Lycoperscion esculentum Mill. (a tomato species), but of where, within these plant species, the copper is accumulated—in the roots or in the shoots. This is vital information, for if these particular plants accumulate copper primarily in their roots, then their edible portions will likely be safe to eat, while if they accumulate the copper in their shoots, their harvestable portions would be harmful to living beings.

Description: As is the case in many other countries around the world, India's main source of electricity is coal-fired power plants. In addition to providing energy, the burning of coal also results in large amounts of coal combustion products (CCP), the incombustible material, such as fly ash, left after the coal is burned. These materials are produced in large volume, and if they are not managed or utilized properly, they can pose a danger to the environment. This article discusses the uses of CCP, with a special emphasis on fly ash, and the role that it is currently playing and can continue to play as a mine filler for India's depleted opencast and underground coal mines.

Description: Particulate matter (PM), along with other air pollutants, pose serious hazards to human health. The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is a branch of artificial intelligence that has an ability to make accurate predictions. In this article, the authors describe such methods and how historical data on air quality, moisture, wind velocity, and temperature in Shahr-e Ray City, located at the southern tip of Tehran, was used to train an ANN to provide accurate predictions of PM concentrations. The availability of such predictions can offer significant assistance to those who are working to reduce air pollution.

Description: Solid waste is of serious concern in developing countries because of its high rate of generation and the low-end quality of its management. Inefficient handling of solid wastes may result in deterioration of environmental quality, but it can also result in loss of potential resources. This study reviews current solid waste generation and management in Nigeria and the need for an effective collection, recovery, and recycling policy. Our review is based on literature searches and personal field surveys. Observations showed that uncontrolled electronic waste (e-waste), agricultural-waste (agro-waste), scrap metals, waste polymers, and waste from the transportation sector are prevalent in Nigeria. Recent collection rates were less than 50% of the total solid waste generated (i.e., approximately 40% was collected). With an effective collection system and appropriate policies, the abundance of solid waste in the country could present material recovery and recycling opportunities that would boost the economy and move Nigeria closer to sustainable resource management.

Description: We applied multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF) neural networks using data from two water quality monitoring stations at the Karaj Dam in Iran. Input data were calcium ions (Ca 2+ ), magnesium ions (Mg 2+ ), sodium ions (Na + ), chloride ions (Cl − ), sulfate ( ), and pH, and the output data were total dissolved solids (TDS). An MLP with one hidden layer containing eight neurons was selected for the upstream water quality station using normalized input data. We developed a second MLP neural network for the downstream station with one hidden layer containing 10 neurons in the hidden layer using normalized input data. Considering applying normalized input data and one hidden layer, the coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) and index of agreement (IA) between the observed and the predicted data for the upstream and downstream monitoring stations using the MLP neural networks were 0.985, 0.84, 0.99, and 0.92, respectively. The RBF neural network with 100 neurons in its hidden layer reached the minimum errors between the observed and the predicted results in upstream and downstream stations. The R 2 between observed and predicted data for upstream and downstream monitoring stations for the RBF was 0.999 and 0.998, respectively. Data normalization improved the performance of the MLP neural networks. Sensitivity analysis indicated that magnesium is the most effective water quality parameter for predicting TDS, and sulfate is the second most effective water quality parameter affecting TDS prediction at the Karaj Dam.

Description: Companies need to follow environmental laws as they affect their manufacturing systems, waste handling, and the management of soil on their properties to ensure that their properties are either improved or altered as little as possible. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the use of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) to determine the concentrations of elements present in the soil at a manufacturer of products based on fiberglass where wastes from production activities have been deposited on the property.

Description: As company supply chains grow larger, more dispersed, and more complex, companies and their stakeholders are increasingly interested in knowing more about these supply chains and requesting greater transparency regarding them. This article examines several aspects that can assist companies in building greater transparency in supply chains, including supply chain mapping, traceability, third-party certification, and goal setting, as well as reporting on their progress toward achieving these efforts. In addition, this article provides summaries of how several companies are building greater transparency in their supply chains, efforts that also help companies better manage the environmental impacts from their supply chains.

Description: In our study, we aimed to investigate the influence of landscape patterns on the diversity of birds in four urban parks. The parks are located in a region that has a high value of regional biodiversity and is also highly urbanized (Jundiai, state of São Paulo [SP], in Southeastern Brazil). Using a set of aerial photos, the surrounding landscape was divided into two regions (rings) and corresponding landscape metrics were calculated. The presence of bird species was recorded monthly over a one-year period and classified according to selected ecological criteria. The land cover of the areas surrounding each park was primarily buildings and residences. Bird diversity was significantly correlated with the presence/proximity of water bodies. We state that the potential of the parks to harbor bird species is not negligible. Managing the area surrounding a park to increase the percentage of forested area and the size of forest fragments is as crucial as managing the core park area, especially for improving its attractiveness for new bird species.

Description: Organizations operating in contexts that include providing services to international markets through export activities should consider the extent to which their organizational structures and sustainability strategies complement each other. This is especially important when the exported products are derived from natural resources. With this in mind, the aim of this study is to analyze how export activities together with organizational structure can facilitate sustainability practices in a particular company. Adami S/A Madeira, the organization that we examine in this case, exports raw timber, wood moldings, and wooden ornaments to international markets, including the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Canada. This research is qualified as a case study and involves a qualitative approach. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview script recorded in audio with the Wood Business Unit Production Supervisor as well as document analysis based on the company's responses under the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicators G4 model. The results of this research showed that, despite the importance of formal structures focused on the areas of export and environmental management that are fundamental for the coordination of sustainability practices, the company does not have such structures. In addition, customer sustainability requirements show indifference to certification depending on the countries to which exports are made.

Description: This paper presents the theoretical foundations for the sustainable development of a Russian region's industrial system. For this study, we made an assessment of the production activities of the Rostov region's light-manufacturing enterprises. The light-industrial sector of the Rostov region's economy has been characterized, and the level of sustainable development of the region's enterprises has been calculated. The algorithm of development strategy was developed based on the rational use of natural resources. We have worked out several innovative proposals and calculated the cost-effectiveness of their implementation in the region's light-manufacturing enterprises. The economic and mathematical decision-making model is based on the analytic hierarchy process, and the optimization calculation results that we obtained are presented in the article.

Description: Studies have stressed the importance of disaster literacy and suggested that such awareness is an effective disaster management strategy. The success of this recommendation is however scarcely assessed in literature. This study therefore assesses the application of available disaster-related information in the management of disasters. The study was carried out in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data were collected by administering a questionnaire to residents in the selected Local Government Area (LGA) in Ibadan. Using systematic sampling technique, household heads’ opinions were sampled in 20% of the buildings. This effort culminated in the sampling of 102 household heads in the LGA. The questionnaire addressed issues on household socioeconomic characteristics; sources, types, and manners of utilization of disaster-related information available to the households as well as the effects of available disaster-related information on disaster management. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that 47.9% of the respondents were aware of post-disaster information, with television or radio (38.5%) and government agencies (26.6%) being the major information sources. It is suggested that disaster management literacy can be properly enhanced if households are provided with practical knowledge of effective pre-disaster, during-disaster, and post-disaster information.

Description: In a sanitary landfill, the final cover plays an important role in reducing the landfill gas emission to the atmosphere and in preventing the ingress of rainwater into the dumped waste. The present study investigated the suitability of sugarcane bagasse biochar as an amendment to the cover soil to improve the required landfill liner properties. The amended cover soil sugarcane bagasse (SSB) was tested for its stability and effectiveness, in terms of both geotechnical properties and methane mitigation efficiency. The effects of amending 15%, 20%, and 25% of sugarcane bagasse biochar (passing through 300 micron Indian Standard sieve) on the geotechnical properties of the SSB indicated that the SSB with 25% biochar showed the required values as per the standard with maximum dry density of 1.57 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm 3 ), liquid limit, plasticity index, and percentage of fines 48.5%, 16.3%, and 74.7%, respectively, and permeability of 0.9 × 10 −7 . A column study that was conducted to determine the methane emission from the cover soil showed a 65.8% reduction in the methane emission compared to that of a column without SSB cover, with a cumulative methane emission of 410 milliliters (mL) at the end of 200 hours (h). On the other hand, the volume of methane emitted after 310 h from the column without cover and with the SSB cover was 1850 mL and 692 mL, respectively. The difference between these two values is found to be 22% of the total methane that the cover would have handled in its lifetime (5267 mL). Thus, there is an increase in the percentage of methane adsorption by soil cover from 15% to 22% when the soil was amended with 25% sugarcane bagasse biochar.

Description: The extraction of construction material in Addis Ababa has been a source of public conflict for many years, especially in terms of quarry operation, displacement of people, rehabilitation of quarry sites, and land after-use. One of the main reasons for the conflict has been the extraction sector's inability to adjust to the existing laws. This paper reports the findings of a study undertaken to assess the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of quarry mining in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and it prescribes interventions that can assist in mitigating the negative impacts of mining. Marked operational, environmental, and socioeconomic impacts have occurred as a result of cobblestone quarrying in Addis Ababa. Improvements in the mitigation of these impacts can be achieved if quarrying operations are planned prior to commencement; resource-efficient and sustainable mining techniques are employed; stakeholder participation is enhanced; the government provides institutional, organizational, and technical support to the operators; regulations are improved and regulatory implementations receive strict follow-up; and the provision of the Ethiopian constitution's regarding “rights to development” is respected.

Description: The intent of this research is to investigate how the customers of a technological control laboratory for civil construction materials perceived the quality of the services delivered by the lab, specifically in regard to the service of concrete compression testing. The popular SERVQUAL scale, a multidimensional instrument used to capture customer expectations and perceptions, was used as a model for the application of a survey. Exploratory factor analyses were employed to evaluate customers’ perceptions and experiences of service quality in regard to the dimensions and accompanying attributes of the SERVQUAL scale. Twenty attributes, which were grouped within five dimensions (Reliability, Assurance, Tangibles, Responsiveness, and Empathy), were identified, explaining 80.417% of the variance between customer expectations and perceptions and characterizing these dimensions on a modified SERVQUAL scale. Analysis of the results allowed us to identify discrepancies in perceived service quality compared with customers’ expectations. Most of the identified gaps between expectations and perceptions resulted in negative values.

Description: In the present study, the multivariate statistical technique cluster analysis (CA) is used to evaluate the spatial and temporal variations in the water quality data for the Karun River, which was gathered during 46 years of monitoring (from 1968 to 2014). The data recorded electrical conductivity (EC) in the river at six water monitoring stations along its course. The mean of EC was 972.05 ± 365.466 micromhos per centimeter (μmhos/cm) at the most upstream station and showed an increase to 1458.41 ± 675.048 μmhos/cm at the most downstream of the stations. By using hierarchical CA, the six sampling stations were grouped into three clusters of similar characteristics, which may be a result of different land uses in proximity to the stations. Furthermore, two-way analysis of variance showed that EC had a significant correlation ( p 〈 0.001) with the season, and the mean of the pollution depended on the level of the cluster and the season (spring, summer, autumn, and winter).

Description: Proposition 65 (Prop 65) is very much a part of the “right-to-know” landscape in California and, as we all know, Prop 65 warnings are especially visible in that state. This much is clear. What may be less clear are the sweeping changes in the “clear and reasonable warning” requirements now scheduled to take effect from August 30, 2018. This date may seem like a long way off, but it is right around the corner in terms of coming into compliance with these dramatic changes. This Washington Watch column summarizes the new warning requirements and the reasons why companies need to focus now on these changes.

Description: The present study investigates the application of a noncommercial peroxidase enzyme, which was extracted from rice bran, to decolorize wastewater that was simulating effluent from a textile manufacturer using a red dye in its coloration process.

Description: In this article, we analyzed the mass concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers (µm) or less in size (PM 2.5 ), particulate matter 10 µm or less in size (PM 10 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O 3 ) in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, China. We analyzed monitoring data collected from five air quality monitoring stations during the spring–summer period from 2014 to 2016. Our comparison of contaminant concentrations and average diurnal, daily, monthly, and annual concentrations revealed that the average concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 amounted to 128.57 and 46.4 micrograms per cubic meters (µg/m 3 ), respectively, exceeding the Chinese National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). We used the Pearson correlation coefficient to establish connections between particulate matter and gaseous pollutants. The results show significant differences in the concentration levels of airborne pollutants. The Pearson correlation coefficient between PM 2.5 and PM 10 had the highest coefficient of r = 0.842. A correlation between the two particulate matter sizes (PM 2.5 and PM 10 ) and SO 2 was PM 2.5 and SO 2 r = 0.313; PM 10 and SO 2 r = 0.279; and CO and the two particulate matter sizes, PM 2.5 and CO r = 0.304; and PM 10 and CO r = 0.203. The average monthly ratio for the study months of PM 2.5 to PM 10 was 0.361. In addition, we used the hybrid single particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory model for tracking sources and pathways of the air pollutants in Lanzhou.

Description: Our objectives in this article are twofold: first, to use the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to establish core priorities and, second, to discuss how to reorganize an environmental, health, and safety (EHS) department in a manner that will avoid “scope creep,” as well as inconsistencies in the delivery of client services as a result of personnel loss or change. The approach we describe is novel because it allows users to prioritize their actions daily and annually to recalibrate priorities.

Description: Agriculture is one of the major sectors in Thailand, with more than half of the population employed in agriculture-related occupations. This study evaluated energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the Thai agricultural sector by applying the economic input–output life cycle assessment (EIO-LCA) approach. The model evaluates the entire agricultural sector supply chain. Based on one million Thai baht (approximately $27,800 U.S. dollars) final demand of the rice paddy sector, the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from the electricity sector are responsible for 27% (1,246 kilograms [kg] CO 2 ) of the total CO 2 emissions, whereas the emissions from paddy activities associated with the fertilizers and pesticides sector account for 16% (760 kg CO 2 ) and 11% (513 kg CO 2 ), respectively. The top three largest GHG emissions from the total agricultural sector supply chain are associated with the oil palm, the coffee and tea, and the fruit sectors. The government should promote and encourage sustainable agriculture by reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides and by utilizing energy-saving technologies.

Description: This article describes the method, based on the kinetics of enzyme reaction, for calculating treatment rates for wastewater effluents of varied concentrations in mixing aeration tanks and continuous flow aeration tanks. Using this method would make it possible to optimize the parameters of the biological treatment of wastewater. In addition, the authors illustrate that partitioning of the aeration space of the mixing aeration tank in a separate KU-200 compact installation, which is intended for wastewater treatment from small sources, would make it possible to increase its efficiency by a factor of 1.8.

Description: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was first entered into force in the United States of America in 1969 through the National Environmental Policy Act. Since then, the EIA was implemented in many other countries. In Ethiopia, EIA was formally introduced in 2002 by Proclamation No. 299/2002 after the establishment of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in 1995 and the formulation of the Environmental Policy of Ethiopia (EPE) in 1997. This study, which is based on a document review, interviews, and the application of a survey questionnaire, analyzes the procedures and practices of the Ethiopian EIA system, seeks to clarify fundamental information regarding the EIA system and characteristics of the key elements of EIA processes, and finally, offers suggestions that could improve EIA practices in the country. The overall result of this study shows that Ethiopia adopted EIA procedures that are similar to western models; however, despite approximately 15 years of experience, its implementation is still poor to the point that the use of EIA as an instrument of environmental management could be questioned. The challenges identified by this study include institutional, organizational, and professional capacity gaps, which, in turn, have resulted in constraints ranging from improper screening, scoping, and production of EIA reports to ineffective review, monitoring, and post-project evaluation. Additional challenges to the system include poor governance and corruption, rapid economic growth, and the mushrooming of micro- and small-scale enterprises that cause pollution and environmental degradation. This article also provides comprehensive suggestions to improve EIA practices in Ethiopia.

Description: Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Notwithstanding increasing concern worldwide, e-waste has not yet been discussed in depth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This study first reviews the literature regarding the estimation of e-waste in the MENA region. It then gives an estimate of the past and future trends in the generation of obsolete computers in Algeria. For this purpose, the study combines two models: the Carnegie Mellon model and the market supply (distribution delay) model. The Carnegie Mellon model offers the following options for obsolete computers and monitors: the device could be reused, stored, or discarded. The amounts of devices falling into each category were determined based on these options. The outcomes from the market supply (distribution delay) model show that high amounts of computer and monitor waste were registered for the period from 2014 to 2016.

Description: The goal of this study was to assess water- and sanitation-related diseases in the Kassena Nankana municipality using surveys and laboratory analyses. A total of 152 heads of households were contacted for both quantitative and qualitative research analysis. The study showed that the causes of water and sanitation diseases in the municipality were open defecation, 78 (51%); indiscriminate solid waste disposal, 31 (20%); closeness of households to refuse dumps (within 50 meters [m]), 89 (59%), and lack of access to pipe-borne water, 93 (61%). Further analysis of water samples from pipes, boreholes, and wells revealed that out of the 20 samples, 15 (75%) tested positive for both total and fecal coliforms with values between1 and 6 colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 milliliter (mL) sample. There is also increasing evidence that malaria contributes the greatest disease burden in the municipality, being responsible for around 23.1% of all disability adjusted life years (DALYs) between 2009 and 2013. Diarrhea and typhoid have the second and third highest disease burden rates and were responsible for approximately 19.5% and 1.2% of all DALYs between 2009 and 2013, respectively. A major recommendation of this study is that education on good sanitation be intensified, as 75 (49%) of the respondents did not attend child care programs where education on how to maintain good sanitation is given.

Description: Ammonia (NH 3 ) is emitted into the atmosphere by various industries and other sources and causes environmental pollution. Considering the hazards of ammonia, detecting leakage from vessels and pipes demands the use of sensors. Therefore, the development of NH 3 gas sensors assumes considerable importance to researchers and regulators and to industry, businesses, and facilities that make, store, or use ammonia. The use of metal oxide sensors (MOS) for detecting NH 3 gas, such as zinc oxide (ZnO), has been a topic of interest to researchers seeking methods to detect NH 3 gas, even at low concentrations. In this article, an attempt has been made to review the research thus far published on the synthesis of ZnO-based NH 3 gas sensor materials, their characterization, and analyses of their performance. Finally, we make several recommendations regarding the scope of future research. For example, the kinetics of the sensor materials should be determined. Furthermore, extensive studies of gas–solid (NH 3 –ZnO) adsorption are proposed to ascertain the exact adsorption mechanism in terms of isotherm, kinetics, and diffusive mass transport, and to determine “reversibility” and “recovery” of sensor materials so they can continue sensing and activating alarms when necessary for practical applications.

Description: ABSTRACT Improperly managed organic waste constitutes a serious environment threat across the globe. This has led to a worldwide struggle to strike a balance between the rapid generation of such wastes and protection of the environment. With the unique advantages of lower operational and maintenance costs compared with other waste management technologies, the use of vermicomposting to manage organic wastes has been increasing rapidly in recent years. Still, some factors (e.g., characteristics of substrate composition before and after treatment) are in need of additional, specific studies so that researchers can better understand the metabolism involved in the process. Vermicomposting provides employment opportunities as it protects the environment, augmenting crop productivity when it is used as a fertilizer supplement and helping to maintain ecological balance. Thus, vermicompost plays an important role in the circular economy. This article provides an overview of the research activities that have been conducted on the use of vermicomposts to remove pollutants from the soil, in wastewater treatment, and in organic waste recycling throughout the world. Circular economic assessment has revealed that vermicomposting technology is usually feasible except in certain cases. Most other methods of waste disposal lead to soil deterioration, toxic effects, and increased pollution affecting land, air, water, and living beings, in addition to the sometimes considerable expense of their implementation. Thus, an eco-friendly method that removes waste in one step is needed. Determining the long-term performance and sustainable operation of vermicomposting systems still poses a challenge, however, as treatment performance is affected by design parameters, operational conditions, and environmental factors. This article summarizes the factors influencing pollutant removal through the vermicomposting process. Finally, this article highlights additional research that should be conducted on these issues to improve the performance of vermicomposting.

Description: On December 7, 2015, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India (GoI), promulgated stack emission standards for sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), oxides of nitrogen (NO x ), and mercury (Hg) from coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs). These standards were promulgated in addition to tightening the emission standard for particulate matter. Thus far, the GoI and a non-governmental organization (NGO) have recommended the use of limestone-based flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) technology for removing only SO 2 emissions, which would then require the application of additional technologies to remove the other regulated pollutants. A single technology, such as the Multi-pollutants Control Technology (MPCT), which was recently developed elsewhere in the world and can remove all of the pollutants from the TPP, could be more economical than introducing separate technologies for the removal of each pollutant. Furthermore, unlike the limestone-based FGD technology, which generates carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) during the desulfurization process, the MPCT does not increase power plant CO 2 emissions. Water consumption is also lower in MPCT than with the limestone-based FGD technology. Thus, MPCT offers a lower carbon footprint as well as a lower water footprint than the limestone-based FGD technology in accordance with the United Nations Environmental Programme's Sustainable Development Goals. In light of these observations, this article aims to assess current practices and policies and offers policy recommendations for Indian TPPs with the goal of providing a cogent technological solution that also strengthens the Decision Support System for the holistic protection of the Indian environment.

Description: In view of the Brazilian Ten-Year Energy Expansion Plan 2021, this article presents a discussion on environmental flow (e-flow). The authors analyze the literature to show the evolution of publications concerning e-flow releases from the perspective of ecosystems services preservation considering results from different case studies from throughout the world. Finally, two main recommendations are drawn regarding e-flow are: (1) performing a holistic approach to e-flow planning, including hydrological, hydraulic, water quality, habitat, and riparian zone considerations; and (2) installing in new structures adequate bottom outlets to allow a range of adjustable e-flow from reservoir dams to reproduce natural flow variations.

Description: Video conferencing (VC) offers benefits to businesses and organizations. A three-month trial was undertaken across a telecommunications company in Australia to evaluate the use of VC benefits monitoring software to capture data and calculate utilization and business travel savings from air and car travel for individual VC end points across the company. The results from the trial were used by the finance and administration department of the company to promote VC usage and, at the same time, to introduce a nonessential air travel ban, which led to annualized cost savings of up to 40% on business as usual.

Description: We evaluated the effect of ultrasound radiation on lipase activity. The experiments were conducted using a low-cost crude enzyme extract. We then used this lipase to treat dairy effluent. The results of our study presented an increase of approximately 430% in the concentration of free fatty acids.

Description: Urbanization and development are associated with air pollution, including emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX). For this study, we measured and investigated the outdoor concentrations of BTEX in Tehran, Iran. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, 1996) methods were applied to measure the concentrations of BTEX in winter and spring of 2015 at 46 air monitoring stations. BETX concentrations were also measured at 19 monitoring stations in June and July of 2003. In 2003, BTEX compound pollutants were observed at greater concentration in the eastern, central, and southern zones of Tehran than in other zones. The average concentrations of the BTEX compounds were 238 parts per billion (ppb), 130 ppb, 69 ppb, and 118 ppb, respectively, for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. The benzene to toluene (B/T) ratios ranged from 0.8 to 3.2, which indicated that the gasoline used in the city was of poor quality at that time. In 2015, the BTEX concentrations in District 19 (south of Tehran) were higher than in the eastern and central regions, which included restricted “traffic zones” and the extensive development of public transportation systems. In the restricted traffic zones, only public vehicles, such as buses, taxis, ambulances, etc., and other authorized vehicles are allowed to operate. By ameliorating the quality of gasoline, encouraging the use of late model private cars, and development of subway and public transportation during the years between 2003 and 2015, the BTEX concentrations have fallen to levels that comply with Iran's air quality standards. The 2015 measurements revealed that the average concentrations of the BTEX compounds were 5.3, 9.2, 1.5, and 2.6 ppb, respectively. The B/T ratio fluctuated from 0.39 to 0.76, demonstrating the remarkable role that vehicle traffic plays in BTEX pollution.

Description: One of the techniques used to dispose of 4,000 tons per day (TPD) of non-recyclable waste from Tehran is to burn it as an alternative fuel in cement kilns. This practice reduces emissions from landfills, prevents the loss of waste energy, and conserves fossil fuel resources. The aim of our study was to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) of clinker production in cement kilns using a combination of natural gas, mazut, a form of heavy, low-quality fuel oil, and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from Tehran. We used SimaPro 7.1 software to perform an LCA of 1 kilogram (kg) of clinker produced using the following fuel combinations: the first scenario involved natural gas consumption alone, the second scenario involved a combination of natural gas and mazut, with the mazut providing 5% to 30% of the heating value needed to produce cement clinker in the kiln, and the third scenario involved a combination of natural gas and RDF (providing 5% to 30% of the heating needed in the kiln). The impact categories in the LCA of global warming, eutrophication, and acidification were assessed by the Center of Environmental Science of Leiden University (Centrum voor Milieukunde Leiden—CML) CML 2000 method. The results indicated that the third scenario, involving natural gas and RDF, reduced acidification by 2.14–11.5% and global warming by 0–1.3% relative to the first scenario involving the use of only natural gas. In addition, we observed a 0.65–3.81% reduction in acidification and a 0.9–3.8% reduction in global warming under the third scenario compared with the second scenario (co-firing of natural gas and mazut). The amount of nitrogen oxides (NO X ) emitted from the combustion of the Tehran RDF was greater than that was emitted when burning mazut. Therefore, reduction of nitrogen from the RDF composition is necessary. This study indicates that the use of Tehran RDF (with reduced nitrogen) in Tehran cement kilns does not increase cement kiln NO X , sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions; however, we need to conduct additional investigation into the chemical composition of the Tehran waste before using solid waste in place of fossil fuels.

Description: Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals in the earth's crust. Although it shows no known biological function, it is recognized as an adjuvant in vaccines for human and veterinary uses. This study aims to evaluate the role of lifestyle and environment in the promotion of chronic disease. In it, we associated two factors: chronic exposure to aluminum and high-fat diets. Thus, we aimed to determine whether the association of long-term exposure to aluminum and high-fat diets affects the NTPDase and 5′-nucleotidase activities in the blood platelets and lymphocytes obtained from the mesenteric lymph nodes of young rats. In fact, the ectonucleotidase activities were shown to be upregulated upon exposure to aluminum plus high-fat diets. As a result, we can suggest that the progressive upregulation of ectonucleotidase activities that we observed could be controlling the extent of inflammation and immune response.

Description: Urban water management in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is of significant concern to the city government owing to the growing demand for water, poor urban water management practices, insufficient and ineffective infrastructures, and climate change. The objective of this study is to review current water resources and management practices, consider the sustainability of the urban water cycle in relation to climate change, and devise a feasible strategy for a sustainable urban water management system. The results of this study show that the situation as it is now is not sustainable at current levels of demand and supply, either in terms of the systems’ management practices, or in terms of the challenges posed by climate change. An Integrated Urban Water Management strategy that covers the entire urban water cycle, including diversification of water sources, protection and conservation of water, sustainable exploitation, distribution, and consumption and wastewater management, water recycling, nutrient reuse, and safe wastewater disposal, should be implemented as soon as practicable.

Description: This article addresses the ecological conditions in the territories adjacent to chemical and metallurgical facilities. It provides a description of the emissions from these polluting facilities as well as the damage that these emissions cause to human habitats, flora, and fauna. To exercise ecological control over the environment within the sanitary protection zones (SPZ) of these enterprises, we propose the use of an Automated System of Environmental Situation Control (ASESC), a system that uses sensors and is based on Nuclear Power Plant Automated Radiation Monitoring System (NPP ARMS) designs. The basic system requirements are presented along with the working principles of the system, the upper and lower estimates of the SPZ size, and the method used to estimate the optimal number of system sensors for detecting and measuring environmental pollution.

Description: This article presents an analysis of the application of a cleaner production program within a Brazilian printing company and describes its specific characteristics to propose a benchmark for similar efforts at other companies. As a result, a very number of improvement opportunities (136) were identified, indicating that the printing industry needs to make reasonable, collective efforts to ensure that companies' environmental systems reach international marks.

Description: An assessment of the heavy metal content and biological pollution burden of an abattoir dumpsite, an automobile carwash, the Ikpoba River, and a private water borehole located near the abattoir dumpsite was conducted in Benin City in Southern Nigeria, during the rainy and dry seasons. The water samples’ pH was lower than the permissible values, with the river water displaying color and possessing a slight odor. Iron concentrations exceeded the permissible limits for drinking water at all four of the sampling stations in the study area, although not in samples collected from the control station, station 5, a public water borehole that is located some distance away. Lead values were higher than drinking water standards in the samples collected from stations 1 through 4, with some exceptions during the rainy season. Copper, nickel, arsenic, chromium, and aluminum were detected in three out of the four sampling stations located within the study area. However, these metals were detected at levels that were within regulatory limits. The detection of three metals (iron, lead, and zinc) within the study area at levels exceeding drinking water limits suggested that a complete cycle of movement of pollutants into the sampling stations had occurred. Significant biological presences were also detected, as the Ikpoba River water had a standard plate count (SPC) of 130 most probable number (MPN) and a 22 MPN presumptive coliform count (PCC) or 22 MPN. However, Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) confirmatory tests recorded less than 2 MPN in both seasons. The study has shown that the quality of water in the river may be compromised by effluent discharges from the dumpsite and the carwash channel. Therefore, this situation requires more stringent enforcement of local environmental laws and maintenance of safe distances between domestic and industrial waste sources and domestic or private water wells.

Description: Rehabilitation of river ecosystems is generally initiated when a river is no longer able to provide benefits to humans and other living beings. The major purposes of river rehabilitation projects are improving water quality, conserving nature, rehabilitating fisheries and riparian habitats, flood mitigation, and creating recreational opportunities. For a river rehabilitation project to be successful, it must have specific and clearly explained objectives, although these objectives will vary for each project depending upon factors such as economics, public demand, ecosystem benefits, and the like. In this article, we provide a critical analysis of the purposes that drive river rehabilitation projects and we identify and discuss impediments that can cause a project to deviate from its intended goals. We also discuss major constraints on rehabilitation efforts that can result in failed projects.

Description: Considering successive and costly increases in electricity rates, this article evaluates the generation of electricity from a photovoltaic system using solar energy, a renewable source. The solar photovoltaic system is installed at UNIVATES University Center, a public university in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and it is also connected to the electrical grid. Data related to the climatic conditions of the location, such as incident solar radiation, rainfall, and mean temperature, were obtained during the system's evaluation period and used along with bibliographic research on similar systems installed in southern Brazil. Our study quantified the energy produced over one calendar year (2014) and related it to the climatic variables and the conversion efficiency achieved by the system's photovoltaic modules. Our results show that there is both a strong relationship between the production of energy and climatic conditions and that the city, Lajeado, and the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, have good potential to supply energy using photovoltaic systems connected to the electrical grid. The horizontal global solar radiation average obtained in the study location was 4.14 kilowatts per square meter per day (kWh/m 2 /day), and the average monthly production of energy reached 243.93 kWh/m 2 /month, with a total of 2,927.10 kWh produced in 2014, achieving a monthly average conversion efficiency of 11.07%. This conversion efficiency is close to the value of 12.6% obtained in 2013 in a similar study of the same solar photovoltaic system conducted over a shorter time period.

Description: This article proposes an integrated procedure to assess sustainability indicators that organizations can use to satisfy international requirements for sustainability. The indicators are related to key aspects of organizations, and their development includes comparing them to the results and policies of various other organizations that are seeking to achieve sustainability. The methodology we used is based on a bibliographic review, and it is intended to: Diagnose the state of the art of organizational sustainability, Provide organizations with tools to perform benchmarking based on the results, and Provide processes to identify best sustainability practices. After benchmarking, organization managers will be able to adjust the methodology to quantify the sustainability indicators that are most suited to their organization's profile in regard to the activities, products, and services that it offers. Critical factors for organizational sustainability are identified and integrated into the systematic approach proposed in this article to assess indicators, communicate results, and make recommendations for corrective action and continual improvement considering the organization's baseline condition (the starting condition of the organization).

Description: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the allelopathic effects of Chinese privet ( Ligustrum sinense Lour.) extract on native seeds and cuttings and to assess the survivability of native plants in a flooded riparian corridor. Field sites occupied the Trinity River floodplain in southeast Dallas County, Texas. Eight native species were evaluated. They were soapberry, red mulberry, persimmon, elderberry, beautyberry, coralberry, mustang grape, and heartleaf peppervine. From this study, we concluded that: Truncating privet at ground level and applying equal parts of glyphosate and water to the stump effectively kills the plant; Once removed, privet does not curtail establishment of native plants; A 60-day (d) flood killed most plants, with red mulberry being the most resilient; A 1% leaf and berry extract from privet significantly reduced soapberry seed germination; and A 1% extract from various parts of privet did not significantly affect root growth from cuttings.

Description: The construction industry plays a great role in a country's or an area's economy. Construction activities also have significant and increasing effects on the environment. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is one of the environmental management techniques that can be used to evaluate the environmental burdens of construction. The authors of this study applied the LCA approach and SimaPro 7.1 software within the framework of the International Organization of Standardization's (ISO) 14040 series of standards and analyzed the global warming potential (GWP) and acidification potential (AP) of the materials acquisition and construction phases of the Parand residential apartment complex located in the southwest part of Tehran province, Iran.

Description: Sustainability is continuing to change the way businesses operate. Stakeholders are insisting that corporations implement more responsible business practices, and they are holding them increasingly accountable for their associated environmental and social impacts. Research has provided significant contributions toward sustainability-related tools and best practices, allowing sustainability to be integrated even farther across business operations. However, challenges still exist, preventing many companies from fully integrating sustainability. Although intangible benefits are not commonly included in business case assessments, such benefits can be derived through sustainability initiatives and may offer additional value in evaluating the business case for sustainability. In this article, we review current literature on accounting methods for the business case for sustainability as well as currently available methods or tools that are capable of estimating intangible benefits. In addition, we use case studies to illustrate if, and how, companies are accounting for intangible benefits, and we identify best methods for accounting for intangible benefits.

Description: In developed countries, ecological restoration is a widely accepted practice to restore the productivity of degraded coal mine spoils and prevent mine-degraded sites from acting as sources of pollution. During the past decade, ecologists realized the global need for ecological restoration, and the benefit of restoration is now assessed on the basis of ecosystem services that the restored lands can provide. In this article, the knowledge gap between crude reclamation and ecological restoration is examined, the steps crucial to ecological restoration in tropical conditions are identified, and simple guidelines are given for easy understanding. Restoration issues, such as modification of the forestry restoration approach, reestablishment of biodiversity, removal and reuse of topsoil during progressive and final stages of ecological restoration, drainage, promotion of a plant-succession-based approach, use of a grass–legume mixture as an initial colonizer, stabilization of steep slopes, and soil blanketing, are discussed. Those attributes of a degraded ecosystem that are responsible for the success of any restoration project are critically examined, and the opportunities provided by ecological restoration are explored.

Description: To date, several methods have been proposed to explain the complex process of air pollution prediction. One of these methods uses neural networks. Artificial neural networks (ANN) are a branch of artificial intelligence, and because of their nonlinear mathematical structures and ability to provide acceptable forecasts, they have gained popularity among researchers. The goal of our study as documented in this article was to compare the abilities of two different ANNs, the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF) neural networks, to predict carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in the air of Pardis City, Iran. For the study, we used data collected hourly on temperature, wind speed, and humidity as inputs to train the networks. The MLP neural network had two hidden layers that contained 13 neurons in the first layer and 25 neurons in the second layer and reached a mean bias error (MBE) of 0.06. The coefficient of determination (R 2 ), index of agreement (IA), and the Nash–Scutcliffe efficiency ( E ) between the observed and predicted data using the MLP neural network were 0.96, 0.9057, and 0.957, respectively. The RBF neural network with a hidden layer containing 130 neurons reached an MBE of 0.04. The R 2 , IA, and E between the observed and predicted data using the RBF neural network were 0.981, 0.954, and 0.979, respectively. The results provided by the RBF neural network had greater acceptable accuracy than was the case with the MLP neural network. Finally, the results of a sensitivity analysis using the MLP neural network indicated that temperature is the primary factor in the prediction of CO concentrations and that wind speed and humidity are factors of second and third importance when forecasting CO levels.

Description: On August 11, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the third Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) framework final rule in the Federal Register , the TSCA Inventory Notification (Active-Inactive) Requirements (EPA, 2017). This final rule is now in effect. This Washington Watch column explains why the rule is important, and what stakeholders should be doing to protect their interests.

Description: Climate change (CC) is now recognized as posing a serious threat to the sustainable development of Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia. As a consequence, city authorities are showing increasing interest in combating CC by streamlining adaptation measures into city development planning through a comprehensive and integrated approach. Nevertheless, in the past, the integration of CC adaptation into urban planning (UP) and landscape design (LD) was not given adequate consideration by planners and designers due to lack of knowledge regarding CC and the efforts that can be taken to mitigate its effects. The objective of this work is: • To summarize the current state of knowledge of, and conceptualization of, the core elements of CC impacts and responses in Addis Ababa in terms of their implications for UP and LD in the city; • To develop a common understanding among urban planners and related professionals of how improvements in UP and LD can contribute to CC adaptation; and • To mainstream CC in future UP and LD endeavors. The results of this study show that integrating CC adaptation and other response options into UP and LD at the city, subcity/catchment, neighborhood, site/project, and building levels will enhance the sustainability of the city with respect to its resilience to flood risk hazards, water supply during drought periods, and urban heat island effects.

Description: Pollution has taken on a global dimension, and the effects are most obvious in developing countries. The effects take a toll on human health, animals, and vegetation, as well as on soil, air, and water quality. The objective of this article is to discuss the current relationships among pollution, environmental quality, and human health within the frame of anthropogenic activities in developing countries. In addition to personal observations, we review relevant literature on conditions throughout the developing world and case studies on conditions and activities in Nigeria. Key findings show the significant, adverse contributions to human health and environmental risk from current waste generation and handling practices, indoor and outdoor air pollution, wastewater and effluent generation and disposal, the hazardous nature and pollution potential of wastes, and the human behaviors that contribute to pollution in developing countries. There is an urgent need to create awareness among the various segments of society of the human health hazards posed by pollution as well as a need for the comprehensive development and enforcement of appropriate policies to prevent a descent into an abyss of deteriorating human and environmental health.