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Alelgne Feleke,1 Metadel Adane,1 Asha Embrandiri,1 Gete Berihun,1 Zebader Walle,2 Awoke Keleb,1 Helmut Kloos3 1Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia; 2Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 3Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USACorrespondence: Alelgne Feleke; Metadel Adane, Email alelgnefe@gmail.com; metadel.adane2@gmail.comBackground: Knowledge, attitudes, and misconceptions of students about COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) prevention have been examined in relatively few studies. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and misconceptions about COVID-19 prevention practices among high and preparatory school (grades 9 to 12) students in Dessie City, Ethiopia.Methods: This school-based cross-sectional study used a pre-tested structured questionnaire and direct observations from March 1 to 30, 2021 in 5 high and preparatory school students in Dessie City, Ethiopia. The sample size was proportionally allocated in each school based on the number of students registered in the first semester, stratified by grade level, and section. Data analysis employed 3 binary logistic regression models (Models I, II and III) with 95% CI (confidence interval). Bivariate analysis (crude odds ratio [COR]) and multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]) were used. Variables with P-values < 0.3 in the bivariate analysis were retained in the multivariable logistic regression analysis for each model. Variables with significance levels P< 0.05 in the multivariable analysis of each model was identified as significant factors.Results: The levels of good knowledge, positive attitudes, and low misconceptions were 74.8%, 60.2%, and 56.1%, respectively. After adjusting for the covariates, grade 12, positive attitude and living in households with more than 5 members were identified as factors significantly associated with good knowledge about COVID-19 prevention practices. Good knowledge of COVID-19 prevention practices, household size > 5, infection prevention and control (IPC) training, and low level of misconceptions were factors significantly associated with positive attitudes, whereas students age ≥ 18 years, positive attitude, and IPC training were factors significantly associated with less misconceptions about COVID-19 prevention measures.Conclusion: The prevalence of good knowledge, positive attitude, and low level of misconceptions of prevention practices for COVID-19 among students was relatively low. Therefore, Dessie City Health and Education Department and each high and preparatory school should implement continuous monitoring programs to ensure high prevention awareness and promote preventive behavior towards COVID-19.Keywords: COVID-19, knowledge, attitudes, misconceptions, high and preparatory school, students, Dessie City, Ethiopia

Palm oil mill waste has a complex cellulosic structure, is rich in nutrients, and provides a habitat for diverse microbial communities. Current research focuses on how the microbiota and organic components interact during the degradation of this type of waste. Some recent studies have described the microbial communities present in different biodegradation processes of palm oil mill waste, identifying the dominant bacteria/fungi responsible for breaking down the cellulosic components. However, understanding the degradation process's mechanisms is vital to eliminating the need for further pretreatment of lignocellulosic compounds in the waste mixture and facilitating the commercialization of palm oil mill waste treatment technology. Thus, the present work aims to review microbial community dynamics via three biological treatment systems comprehensively: composting, vermicomposting, and dark fermentation, to understand how inspiration from nature can further enhance existing degradation processes. The information presented could be used as an umbrella to current research on biological treatment processes and specific research on the bioaugmentation of indigenous microbial consortia isolated during the biological degradation of palm oil mill waste.

The incidence of antibiotics in various environmental matrices is a major matter as the occurrence is linked to the emergence and prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Country such as China holds the largest allotment of antibiotics utilization in food animal. Whereas, Asian countries such as Myanmar, Indonesia, and Vietnam are projected to obtain the most considerable percentage increment in antibiotics consumption. Decades old agricultural practise (animal manure fertilization), aquaculture, wastewater (untreated), sewage sludge are major routes that allowed antibiotics to enter and persist in environment. Most of the veterinary antibiotics are water soluble and are not fully absorbed by animals. High percentage of the veterinary antibiotics is excreted by animals in their wastes (manure and urine). Many studies have reported detection of antibiotics in various matrices including soil and are discussed in this paper, with special highlights on manure and manure laden soil in Asian countries. Increased adsorption of antibiotics in soil unswervingly raises the potential of antibiotics being taken up by crop. This review also revealed the current state of regulations in certain countries on antibiotics sales and consumption, which is important as an effort in mitigating the spread of antibiotics occurrence as well as the dissemination of ARGs in the environment. Keywords: Veterinary antibiotic, Soil, Manure, Fertilizer, Pollutant, Regulation

The presence and longevity of nanomaterials in the ecosystem, as well as their properties, account for environmental toxicity. When nanomaterials in terrestrial and aquatic systems are exposed to the prevailing environmental conditions, they undergo various transformations such as dissociation, dissolution, and aggregation, which affects the food chain. The toxicity of nanomaterials is influenced by a variety of factors, including environmental factors and its physico-chemical characteristics. Bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and biomagnification are the mechanisms that have been identified for determining the fate of nanomaterials. The route taken by nanomaterials to reach living cells provides us with information about their toxicity profile. This review discusses the recent advances in the transport, transformation, and fate of nanomaterials after they are released into the environment. The review also discusses how nanoparticles affect lower trophic organisms through direct contact, the impact of nanoparticles on higher trophic organisms, and the possible options for remediation.

Background:Microbial communities that colonize insect guts contribute positively to the absorption of nutrients, immunity and the overall health of the host. Recent studies have been tapered towards only economically important arthropods, particularly honeybees. On the other hand, arthropods such as grasshoppers are considered as pests because they create havoc leading to economic losses. Grasshoppers are considered phytophagous pests that have a large appetite for plant fibers, whose digestion depend largely on the bacterial communities in their guts. This study characterises the gut microbiome in Usherhopper, Poekilocerus bufonius using the metagenomics methods through the next generation sequencing (NGS). Results:A total of 59,072,222 bacterial reads were recorded which were classified into phylum and genus levels. Proteobacteria were the most shared at the phylum-level whereas Wolbachia were the most dominant genera based on the total reads. Conclusions: The host-microbiome interactions and their perceived influence on the ecosystem are yet to be fully explained, therefore a detailed study is pivotal in order to enforce effective conservation and pest management.

Highlights • Development of a novel method to assess environmnetal hazards of industrial, and municipal wastes. • Application of the inverted RES2-D data using the Oasis Montaj to generate a rectangular prism model. • Using the rectangular prism model developed to estimate the volume of IWM and MSW materials. • Quantification of the leachate contaminant plumes flow from IWM and MSW for remediation., A novel methodological approach was developed to quantified the volume of industrial waste desposal (IWD) site, combined with municipal waste materials (MWM), through the integration of a non-invasive, fast, and less expenssive RES2-D Electrical Resistivity Technique (ERT), using Wenner-Schlumberger electrode array geophysical method with Oasis Montaj software. Underground water bearing structures, and the eco-system are being contaminated through seepage of the plumes emanating from the mixtures of the industrial waste materials (IWM), made of moist cemented soil with municipal solid wastes (MSW) dumped at the site. The distribution of the contiminant hazardous plumes emanating from the waste materials' mixtures within the subsurface structural lithological layers was clearly map and delineated within the near-surface structures, using the triplicate technique to collect samples of the soil with the waste mixtures, and the water analysis for the presence of dissolved ions. The deployed method helped to monitor the seepage of the contaminant leachate plumes to the groundwater aquifer units via the ground surface, through the subsurface stratum lithological layers, and hence, estimation of the waste materials' volume was possibly approximated to be 312,000 m3. In summary, the novel method adopted are as presented below:•The novel method is transferable, reproduce-able, and most importantly, it is unambiguous technique for the quantification of environmental, industrial and municipal waste materials.•It helps to map the distribution of the plumes emanating from the waste materials' mixtures within the subsurface structural lithological layers that was clearly delineated within the near-surface structures underlain the study site.•The procedure helped in the monitoring of leachate contaminants plumes seepages into the surface water bodies and the groundwater aquifer units, via the ground surface, through to the porous subsurface stratum lithological layers., Graphical abstract Image, graphical abstract

Conducting polymer-based aerogels are considered as the superior composite materials for detection of volatile organic carbons (VOCs) as a result of their exceptional porosity, high surface area, and low density. The present chapter deals with the application of conducting hydrogel for the sensing behavior of VOCs. Different physico-chemical properties such as the effect of aerogel content, time, solution pH, and the effect of maximum VOC adsorption have been explored to achieve optimal aerogel. Moreover, advanced techniques of characterization such as SEM, TEM, TGA-TDA, XRD, AFM, RAMAN, and FTIR analyses have been performed to identify chemical and structural morphology of synthesized aerogel. Aerogel-based nanocomposite materials have been attracted attention because of their applications in various fields. Significant pollutants detection capacity revealed their potential in the detection of VOCs.

Industrial, and municipal wastes are part of the main sources of environmental hazards as well as groundwater and surface water pollutions. If not well composed, treated, and safely disposed, it could permeate through the subsurface lithologies by reaching down to the underground water aquifers, particularly in zones of unprotected aquifer units. Pollutants, most especially the landfills leachates that encompassed organic contaminants, ammonia, nitrates, total nitrogen, suspended solids, heavy metals and soluble inorganic salts, i.e., soluble nitrogen, sulphur compound, sulphate and chlorides, could posed undesirable environmental impacts due to inappropriate disposals that may give rise to gaseous fumes and leachate formations. An electrical resistivity geophysical technique utilizing the RES2D no-invasive, cost-effective and rapid method of data collection was integrated with the 3D Oasis Montaj software to approximate the volume of the generated rectangular prism model of the contaminants delineated from mixtures of the industrial, and municipal wastes plumes to be 312,000 m 3.

Overpopulation is no doubt worldwide concern as it brings different problems to urbanization process as well as environment. Waste is number one side product of overpopulation. Waste generation is ever increasing in both urban and suburban area and has led to many environmental issues. Many of the waste generated have potential to be transformed into value added products. By recycling, reusing and re-purposing these wastes, we are actually reducing the amount of waste produced and at the same time helping to solve waste disposal problem as many of the wastes exhibit strong energy producing potential. Overpopulation may be an issue of its own; nonetheless, it also provides us an army of human power in tackling environmental issues. Population is a valuable asset. The potential of that amount of man power, especially youth, combining with various awareness campaigns and 3R campaigns introduced by government and NGO are important in targeting these problems.

Microplastics are plastics with smaller than 5mm particle size and they originate from sequential degradation of larger plastic molecules or are manufactured, and they have found use in many realms of life. Their gradual degradability and ingestion by aquatic organisms have become an environmental concern. Microplastics are regarded as a “tiny problem” requiring massive attention. Occurrences of microplastics have been detected in almost all environment matrices. Although several committees have taken steps towards handling the menace, most of the regulations' guidelines refer to “all wastes” in general, leaving many loopholes. This chapter views microplastics, occurrences, detection, and existing policies. The roles of industry and individuals in preserving the ecosystems are deliberated. In summary, emphasis on the bottom-up strategy to curb the escalating amount of plastics waste in our environment is sought and adoption of the “avoid the avoidable” attitude for a more holistic approach in tackling the severity of the impending threat.

Among the various electrically conducting polymers, polyaniline (PANI) has gained attentions due to its unique properties and doping chemistry. A number of electrically conducting biodegradable polymers has been synthesized by incorporating a biodegradable content of cellulose, chitin, chitosan, etc. in the matrix of PANI. The hybrid materials are also employed as photocatalysts, antibacterial agents, sensors, fuel cells and as materials in biomedical applications. Furthermore, these biodegradable and biocompatible conducting polymers are employed in tissue engineering, dental implants and targeted drug delivery. This review presents state of the art of PANI based biodegradable polymers along with their synthesis routes and unique applications in diverse fields. In future, the synthesis of PANI-grafted biodegradable nanocomposite material is expected to open innovative ways for their outstanding applications.

The present study reports mathematical modelling of palm oil mill effluent and palm-pressed fiber mixtures (0% to 100%) during vermicomposting process. The effects of different mixtures with respect to pH, C:N ratio and earthworms have been optimized using the modelling parameters. The results of analysis of variance have established effect of different mixtures of palm oil mill effluent plus palm press fiber and time, under selected physicochemical responses (pH, C:N ratio and earthworm numbers). Among all mixtures, 60% mixture was achieved optimal growth at pH 7.1 using 16.29 C:N ratio in 15 days of vermicomposting. The relationship between responses, time and different palm oil mill waste mixtures have been summarized in terms of regression models. The obtained results of mathematical modeling suggest that these findings have potential to serve a platform for further studies in terms of kinetic behavior and degradation of the biowastes via vermicomposting.

Environmental hazards, industrial, and municipal wastes geochemical and geophysical assessments were carried out at an industrial waste disposal (IWD) site at Bukit Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. RES2-D geophysical method was applied, capable of identification and quantification of the industrial wastes; buried hazardous materials (BHM) and their effects on the subsurface stratum, from the moderately saturated zones, to fully saturated zones housing the aquifer units underneath the water table. Six RES2-D survey profiles were respectively acquired along E-W, and N-S directions. The perpendicular arrangement of the RES2-D survey lines, was tenaciously designed to make possible, the industrial waste materials (IWM)and municipal solid waste (MSW) quantification, with sufficient length of survey lines set at 200 m, and electrode spacing of 5 m, to cover as much details segments of the IWM and MSW as possible. The six RES2-D inversion results, helped in the subsurface stratum classification into three layers, namely; soft layers, which encompasses the waste materials, with varied resistivity values i.e., 0–100 Ω-m, at 10–15 m depths. The consolidated layers produced varied resistivity values i.e., 101–400 Ω-m, at 15–20 m depths. The bedrock has the highest resistivity values i.e., 401–2000 Ω-m, at depths > 20 m. The estimated volume of the waste materials was 312,000 m 3, using 3-D Oasis Montaj modeling via rectangular prism model generated from the inverted RES2-D. Results from the geochemical analysis helped in the validation of the site as a potential contaminated zone with severe health effects.

Research has shown that oil palm decanter cake (DC) serves as a potential source of nutrients for plant growth. This study therefore investigated the applicability of decanter cake (DC) as an amendment to soil for the growth of Solanum melongena (brinjal) at three ratios 10, 20, 30 % DC and suitable controls (0 %). Seeds of brinjal were sown in soils amended with decanter cake at 10, 20, 30 % w/w and 0 % as control. Nutrient enrichment factors were calculated from the concentration of selected metals (Cu, Ca, Fe, Zn and Mg) in plant parts. The scanning electron micrographs were also taken to measure the stomatal opening/closing due to the effect of excess nutrients on the leaf structure. Enrichment factor (EF) values in this study were all below 3 indicating low enrichment of metal ions from soil to plants. SEM studies of the leaf epidermis of the test plants revealed the closure of guard cells with increasing decanter cake treatments. Decanter cake at 20 % amendments with soil could serve as a source of soil amendment for cultivation of S. melongena plants.

In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the exploitation of fish resources and the estimated quantity used for human consumption globally is about 75% of the worldwide fish production (105.6 million tons).

Several treatment technologies are available for the treatment of palm oil mill wastes. Vermicomposting is widely recognized as efficient, eco-friendly methods for converting organic waste materials to valuable products. This study evaluates the effect of different vermicompost extracts obtained from palm oil mill effluent (POME) and palm-pressed fiber (PPF) mixtures on the germination, growth, relative toxicity, and photosynthetic pigments of mung beans (Vigna radiata) plant. POME contains valuable nutrients and can be used as a liquid fertilizer for fertigation. Mung bean seeds were sown in petri dishes irrigated with different dilutions of vermicomposted POME-PPF extracts, namely 50, 60, and 70% at varying dilutions. Results showed that at lower dilutions, the vermicompost extracts showed favorable effects on seed germination, seedling growth, and total chlorophyll content in mung bean seedlings, but at higher dilutions, they showed inhibitory effects. The carotenoid contents also decreased with increased dilutions of POME-PPF. This study recommends that the extracts could serve as a good source of fertilizer for the germination and growth enhancement of mung bean seedlings at the recommended dilutions.

Several technologies are being applied for treatment of palm oil mill wastes. Among them, the biological treatments (vermicomposting) have widely been recognized as one of the most efficient and eco-friendly methods for converting organic waste materials into valuable products. The present study focuses on vermicomposting of acidic palm oil mill effluent (POME) mixed with the palm pressed fibre (PPF) which are found difficult to decompose in the environment. The industrial waste (POME) was vermicomposted using Lumbricus rubellus under laboratory conditions for a period of 45 days. A significant improvement in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content was monitored during vermicomposting process. In addition, the decline in C:N ratio of vermicompost (up to 17.20 ± 0.60) reflects the degree of stabilization of POME–PPF mixture. Different percentages of the vermicompost extract obtained from POME–PPF mixture were also examined for the germination of mung bean (Vigna radiata) seed. The results showed that 75% vermicompost extract demonstrated better performance for the seed germination. On the basis of significant findings, POME–PPF mixture can be successfully used as a feeding material for the earthworms, while on the other hand, it can also be used as a cost-effective fertilizer for the germination and the proper growth of mung bean.

The present paper reports management of palm oil mill effluent (POME) mixed with palm-pressed fibre (PPF) POME-PPF mixture using eco-friendly, cost-effective vermicomposting technology. Vermicomposting of POME-PPF was performed to examine the optimal POME-PPF ratio with respect to the criteria of earthworm biomass and to evaluate the decomposition of carbon and nitrogen in different percentages of POME-PPF mixtures. Chemical parameters such as TOC, N, P and K contents were determined to achieve optimal decomposition of POME-PPF. On this basis, the obtained data of 50% POME-PPF mixture demonstrated more significant results throughout the experiment after addition of the earthworms. However, 60 and 70% mixtures found significant only in the last stages of the vermicomposting process. The decomposition rate in terms of -ln (CNt/CNo) showed that the 50% mixture has higher decomposition rate as compared to the 60 and 70% (k50% = 0.0498 day−1). The vermicomposting extracts (50, 60 and 70%) of POME-PPF mixtures were also tested to examine the growth of mung bean (Vigna radiata). It was found that among different extract dilutions, 50% POME-PPF vermicompost extract provided longer root and shoot length of mung bean. The present study concluded that the 50% mixture of POME-PPF could be chosen as the optimal mixture for vermicomposting in terms of both decomposition rate and fertilizer value of the final compost.

Environmental contamination by xenobiotics is a worldwide phenomenon as a result of human activities resulting from rise in urbanization and population growth. There are numerous sources of xenobiotics ranging from pharmaceuticals to agriculture. Recently, the demand for pharmaceuticals versus population growth has placed the public at risk. In addition, the making of unlawful drugs has led to the discharge of harmful carcinogens into the water system. The release of these harmful pollutants results in numerous short- and long-term effects to the natural ecosystem. This review takes a look at the sources of xenobiotics, their fate in the ecosystem and means of action with possible prevention methods.

Man’s increased demand for food and better living conditions has led to over exploitation of resources and the consequent generation of enormous amounts of liquid and solid waste materials. This is one of the global challenges for mankind. In Malaysia, palm oil mill waste (POMW) contributes the highest proportion of industrial solid wastes produced yearly. Wastes from the mills include palm oil mill effluent, decanter cake, empty fruit bunches, seed shells and the fibre from the mesocarp. Direct application of POMW into agricultural soil has resulted in a number of problems such as water pollution, leaching. However, with application rates specific for targeted plant species, land application can be employed as a permanent solution to the problem of waste from palm oil mills. This review examines the characteristics of each of the palm oil wastes and their potential for use as a future fertilizer supplement.

Solid waste management is one of the challenging problems worldwide and it is becoming more complex by the increase in population and subsequently the waste generated. In Malaysia, among industrial solid waste palm oil mill waste (POMW) contributes the highest share. Wastes from the oil palm mill includes palm oil mill effluent (POME), decanter cake, empty fruit bunches, seed shells and the fibre from mesocarp. Generally most of the waste generated is either disposed of via open dumping or used as fertilizers as such or as animal feed. Land application of POMW and POME is very common practice as it contains numbers of plant nutrients. Direct application of POMW into agricultural soil can result in a number of problems such as water pollution, leaching etc. To deal with these problems, vermicomposting of palm oil mill waste may be a sustainable waste management option. There are number of researches going on management of biomass residues from palm oil mill, but very few works are going on vermicomposting of these agro-industrial waste. Vermicomposting of POMW can be a good practice as it will also be helpful in recycling the useful plant nutrients and it is better than that of composting process. Present review deals with the various aspects of vermicomposting of POMW and its importance. Review also put forward the effect of potential application of vermicompost on plant growth. On the whole it looks for the possibility of vermicomposting of waste from palm oil mill as a sustainable waste management alternative.

Background: Decanter cake is produced in large amounts, and its disposal is a major concern in palm-producing countries. Growth morphology and biochemical responses of lady's finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) plants grown on soil amended with different ratios of decanter cake (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) were investigated. Results: The soil pH decreased (unamended soil), whereas the electrical conductivity increased as compared with the control. There was a significant difference in ascorbic acid content with the increase in treatment ratio. Phenol content was however highest in 20% of the amendment (13.197 ± 0.36mg g �1 ). Conclusions: The results indicate that decanter cake amendments of up to 10% may be a probable substitute for inorganic fertilizers with respect to lady's finger (A. esculentus) plants due to high nutrient content, yield and biomass, as well as morphological characteristics. However, there were observable negative effects after 10% decanter cake amendment ratios.