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Landfills are the third largest source of the greenhouse gas methane, contributing to 25% of global warming. Therefore, the characterization of national municipal solid waste (MSW) and estimation of methane generation rate are very important for the solid waste management (SWM) toward sustainable development goal no. 13, climate action. This study presents (a) an assessment of daily MSW generation, (b) the characterization of MSW, and (c) an evaluation of the methane generation rate constant (k value) in Mogadishu, Somalia. The MSW samples were collected from three (3) sampling zones (Zones 1, 2, and 3; 204 households) and weighted (kg). Next, the waste generation per person per day was estimated. The MSW characterization includes sorting (based on plastic/polythene, food wastes, wood, metals, yard waste, paper/cardboard, textile, glass/ceramic and miscellaneous components, %), the determination of bulk density (kg/L), and measuring moisture content (%). The k values were evaluated from the percentages of different components in MSW based on first-order decay models. Mogadishu city generated 1671.03 kg MSW per week (maximum on Friday: 348.72 kg, and minimum on Monday: 152.04 kg). The total mean MSW generation rate observed in this study was 0.2 kg/person/day. The solid waste generation found was in the decreasing order of food waste > plastic/polythene > yard waste > miscellaneous > papers/carboard > wood > glass/ceramic > textiles > metals by weight. The average bulk density was found to be 0.269 kg/L. The average moisture content was ranged from 61.6 to 73%. The total k values were categorized as fast (Zone 1: 0.216053 yr−1, Zone 2: 0.228739 yr−1, and Zone 3: 0.244595 yr−1) and moderate (Zone 3: 0.244595 yr−1) degradation. This research serves as Somalian MSW baseline data and projected the methane generation rate from the MSW production in the country. The MSW sorting may reduce the impact of global warming and is highly recommended for better SWM in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the primary objectives of transportation engineering is to increase the safety of road infrastructure. This study seeks to determine the relationship between geometric design parameters in relation to road accident criteria based on accident hotspots on Jordan's Desert Highway. The road accident data (from 2016 to 2019) were collected from the Jordan Traffic Department. The spatial pattern of hotspots was identified using a GIS tool named Getis-Ord Gi* based on the severity index of road accidents. A topographic survey was conducted to investigate the road alignment and intersections at hotspot locations. The study utilized the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique via SmartPLS to highlight the correlation between geometric designs in relation to road accidents. The hotspot analysis (Gits-Ord Gi) discovered 80 road accident hotspots along the highway. The study found that horizontal alignment and road intersections significantly impact road accidents in hotspot locations. Furthermore, vertical alignment has no effect on road accidents in hotspot areas. The study enhanced the comprehension of the factors associated with road geometrics and intersections that affect the occurrence of road accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid population growth, industrialization, and agricultural activities have impacted water resources in the arid and semi-arid areas of Somalia. The Lower Juba region in Somalia has been the most affected region. Therefore, an analysis of the hydrological patterns is essential. This paper assesses streamflow and evapotranspiration in the Wabiga Juba basin in Somalia using a hydrological simulation model, namely, the water evaluation and planning (WEAP) system via the soil moisture method. The datasets included 53 (average precipitation) and 13 (streamflow) year periods from two meteorological stations. The estimated values for potential evapotranspiration (11,921.98 to 20,775.39 MCM) were higher than the actual evapotranspiration (4904.10 to 8242.72 MCM) by 50 to 79.5%, respectively. The annual streamflow in Juba Dolow and runoff proportion of the Wabiga Juba River was estimated to be 10% of the annual precipitation. Most of the surface runoff occurred in April (47%), May (31%), October (5%), and November (14%). The streamflow variation responded to the pattern of precipitation. The model performance achieved a Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) coefficient of 0.71, coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.91, and percent bias (PBIAS) of 14%. The WEAP model of the Wabiga Juba basin is a baseline study for water resource management in Somalia to mitigate water shortage impacts due to limited water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing number of vehicles in Jordan has contributed to traffic congestion, particularly at roundabouts. Roundabouts deflect high volumes of traffic flow. To improve the performance of roundabouts, it is necessary to consider the impact of all components on traffic conditions, especially delay, queue length, and level of service (LOS), to reduce congestion and enhance efficiency and sustainability, etc. This study aims to (a) identify the optimal queue detector locations on all approaches at two selected roundabouts in Amman, Jordan, using micro-simulation (VISSIM) supported by programming (Python) software, and (b) validate the simulated models with the best LOS. Traffic and geometric data of roundabouts (Prince Faisal Bin al-Hussein, fifth; and Prince Rashid Bin Hassan, sixth roundabouts) were used for simulation purposes. The queue detector (across 15 distinct scenarios at various distances) and standard (base scenario, 50 m from the stop line) locations were assessed for optimal placement. The model validation was made based on all scenarios including signalized and non-signalized roundabouts. The best-case scenario for queue detector location was determined based on the highway capacity manual (HCM) criteria for measurement of effectiveness (MOE) at roundabouts. The optimal location was measured based on the duration of traffic delay (seconds), average queue length (m), and LOS. The optimal queue detector's location was observed to be 97 m from the roundabout stop line. It can reduce the traffic delay (or speed up the traffic flow) by 85.25%. The average queue length can be reduced up to 76.76%. The LOS F status on the selected roundabouts can be improved to LOS D. Overall, the application of adaptive signal and queue detectors in appropriate locations at all roundabout approaches is crucial to improve imbalanced traffic flow while reducing delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoremediation, a fungal-based technology, has seen tremendous growth as an effective alternative to treat industrial wastewater due to its ability to oxidise pollutant loadings. Considering the non-toxic properties and high potential degradation performance of Ganoderma lucidum, this research aims to study the performance of a Malaysian G. lucidum strain, the effect of agitation speed, and different carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio concentrations of synthetic wastewater in degrading chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia. Different agitation speeds (25 rpm, 50 rpm and 100 rpm) and C/N ratios (C10N1, C13.3N1 and C16.7N1) were chosen as parameters to be analysed in this study. The best degradation of COD and ammonia with a percentage removal in the range of 95% to 100% within 30 h of treatment. ANOVA analysis was done using the response surface methodology to verify the obtained results, and it was found that mycoremediation using 100 rpm agitation provided the best results, removing more than 95% of COD and ammonia from synthetic wastewater. The microscopic analysis also showed that the structure of G. lucidum changed after wastewater treatment. This result proved that the Malaysian G. lucidum strain has a good potential in treating synthetic domestic wastewater, especially with high organic content, as a naturally sustainable bioremediation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in the use of mathematical models for the simulation of hydrological processes has largely increased especially in the prediction of runoff. It is the subject of extreme research among engineers and hydrologists. This study attempts to develop a simple conceptual model that reflects the features of the arid environment where the availability of hydrological data is scarce. The model simulates an hourly streamflow hydrograph and the peak flow rate for any given storm. Hourly rainfall, potential evapotranspiration, and streamflow record are the significant input prerequisites for this model. The proposed model applied two (2) different hydrologic routing techniques: the time area curve method (wetted area of the catchment) and the Muskingum method (catchment main channel). The model was calibrated and analyzed based on the data collected from arid catchment in the center of Jordan. The model performance was evaluated via goodness of fit. The simulation of the proposed model fits both (a) observed and simulated streamflow and (b) observed and simulated peak flow rate. The model has the potential to be used for peak discharges' prediction during a storm period. The modeling approach described in this study has to be tested in additional catchments with appropriate data length in order to attain reliable model parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic compounds, composed of benzene rings. The objective of this research was to identify the optimum condition for the degradation of PAHs contaminated water using photo-Fenton oxidation process via response surface methodology (RSM). Aqueous solution was prepared and potable water samples were collected from water treatment plants in Perak Tengah, Perak, Malaysia in September 2016. The reaction time, pH, molarity of H 2 O 2 and FeSO 4 were analyzed followed by RSM using aqueous solution. A five level central composite design with quadratic model was used to evaluate the effects and interactions of these parameters. The response variable was the percentage of total organic carbon (TOC) removal. PAHs quantification was done using gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. The regression line fitted well with the data with R 2 value of 0.9757. The lack of fit test gives the highest value of Sum of Squares (15,666.64) with probability F value 0.0001 showing significant quadratic model. The optimum conditions were established corresponding to the percentage of TOC removal. The PAHs removal efficiency for potable water samples ranged from 76.4% to 91% following the first order of kinetic rates with R 2 values of >0.95. Conventional water treatment techniques are not effective for PAHs removal. Thus, advanced oxidation processes may be considered as an alternative to conventional water treatment techniques in Malaysia and other developing countries. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • PAHs are carcinogenic compounds and abundantly found in mixed use area. • Perak River serves as principal water intakes in Perak Tengah, Perak, Malaysia. • Conventional water treatment techniques are inefficient for PAHs removal. • This research studies Photo-Fenton Oxidation Process for PAHs removal in water. • AOPs may be considered as an alternative to conventional water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of coal ash (CA) in construction industries has grown rapidly, posing risk to the environment due to heavy metals leaching from the material. This research presents a simulation of ecological risk assessment and model risk indicators (ERI) of leached heavy metals (lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and arsenic (As)) from CA (FA: fly ash and BA: bottom ash) via response surface methodology (RSM). The ERI values were based on quantified leached heavy metals from the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP-1311) and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP-1312). The ecological risk index ( R I ) values for TCLP were 10.27 × 100 (FA), 9.91 × 100 (BA) and 12.58 × 100 (FA + BA); whereas R I for SPLP were 10.34 × 100 (FA), 9.90 × 100 (BA) and 12.61 × 100 (FA + BA). Twenty-nine combinations of operations were evaluated based on Box-Behnken design with ERI as the response variable. The established model risk indicator (i.e., coded and actual factors) of Pb, Cu, Zn and 'As' showed significant model terms that describe their relationship very well, perfectly fit to the corresponding ERI (sum of squares = 0.4160, F value = 682,375.55) with probability of 0.01% for an F-value could occur due to noise. The optimized models were validated with error percentage of less than 5%. The established ERI models showed significant model terms and will be useful for ecological monitoring of CA application in construction industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are mutagenic and bio-accumulates in nature. This research aims to determine the ecological and health risk assessment of PAHs in Sungai Perak, Malaysia. The sampling was conducted at the up and downstream of Sungai Perak in the district of Perak Tengah, Malaysia. The sampling stations were Tanjung Belanja Bridge (TBB), Water Treatment Plant Parit (WTPP), Parit Town Discharge (PTD), Water Treatment Plant Senin (WTPS) and Water Treatment Plant Kepayang (WTPK). The water treatment plants channel water through the distribution network, to Manjung (249,600 people), Perak Tengah (249,600 people), Kinta (810,400 people) and Hilir Perak (144,400 people) districts. The hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were applied for ecological and health risk assessments. The lifetime cancer risk (LCR) was employed for the health risk assessment. The PAHs contamination level presumptions for all sampling campaigns were low (0–100 μg/L). The HI values of ecological and health risk assessments were found to be aligned with each other. The HI values for raw water were below one (<1) indicating low or no risk while the treated water HI values were more than one (>1) indicating to high risk to aquatic organisms and human health. However, the LCR for raw and treated water exceeded the maximum permissible limit, 1.0 × 10−6 equals to cancer risk of 1 in 1,000,000 people. The LCR for raw water were 1.71 × 10−4 (TBB), 1.35 × 10−4 (WTPP), 1.43 × 10−4 (PTD), 9.54 × 10−5 (WTPS) and 2.37 × 10−4 (WTPK). Meanwhile, the LCR for treated water were 6.90 × 10−5 (WTPP), 5.42 × 10−5 (WTPS) and 2.63 × 10−4 (WTPK). The conventional water treatment system appears to be inefficient to remove PAHs, risking the security of public health. Thus, restructuring the infrastructure of water treatment plants or considering an alternative to rivers as domestic water sources are highly recommended. [Display omitted] • Ecological and health risk assessments of PAHs in Sungai Perak were presented. • Sungai Perak posed low PAHs contamination level presumptions (0–100 μg/L). • Risk to aquatic organisms and human health: Raw (HI < 1) and treated (HI > 1) water. • The LCR for a population exceeded 1.0 × 10−6. • The conventional water treatment system is inefficient, risking the public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]