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Understanding the seasonal variations in the landfill leachate plumes (LLPs) properties and complex connections between concentrations of leachate variability, and its environment is essential for environmental and public health management. This study explores the combined electrical resistivity (ER) data and physiochemical water analysis (PWA) coupled with the excavations to monitor the landfill physiochemical properties (LPPs) due to seasonal variations and their implications on environmental vital organs and public health. The variations in ER and LLP distributions across the overburdened top layer due to seasonal changes were examined. The low ER contrasts were encountered within the ranges of 1.5 Ωm – 19.0 Ωm which was mapped as LLP accumulated zones within the landfill, while high ER values varied between 15 Ωm – 260 Ωm off-the landfill extending beyond 15 m. The results of the PWA indicate high concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) such as iron (Fe), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) decreasing with wet seasons and increasing with dry seasons. The overall high concentration of HMs in the LLPs was indeed varied between 9.81 ± 2.15–19.07 ± 3.68, while the electrical conductivity (EC) significantly increased from 17.99 ± 1.92 mg/L to 24.87 ± 3.31 mg/L towards the wet season. The increment and decrement encountered in the LPPs are due to seasonal variation and dilution. The order of decrement in the HMs in the LLPs treads as follows EC > Fe > Zn > Pb > Cd in values, respectively. The near-surface EC aligned well with the ER results and boundaries of the waste disposal site, which was verified by the soil excavations. In addition, the ER method was extended beyond the landfill for adequate monitoring, identifying the subsurface layers, conductive shallow zones mapped as the zones of LLP accumulation, resistive deep and shallow zones mapped as the consolidated lateritic topsoil and crystalline basement rocks in some cases, and a dipping conductive lineament zones identified as fracture zones just before the crystalline basement. In conclusion, the ER technique reveals the vertical and horizontal extents of the LLP escapade, the PWA expressed the concentrations of HMs in the LLPs, heightening the implications on the environmental and human health. Finally, the combined techniques deployed for monitoring the physiochemical properties of LLPs due to seasonal variation and the impacts on the integrity of groundwater quality systems and public health inform sustainable waste management practices, which contributes significantly to the protection of groundwater resources and the development of effective strategies to safeguard groundwater systems and public health for present and future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illegal waste disposal site (IWDS) have become a chronic and severe environmental issue worldwide. Monitoring of IWDS is a central environmental issue in both developed and developing countries. The main aim of this study is to analyze changes in the shape and size of the IWDS over a period of time and to evaluate problems related to IWDS activities. This study also aims to determine the spatial and temporal pattern distribution of IWDS activities based on land use by combining time-series analysis from 2021 to 2023 using historical satellite imagery and ArcGIS. The results show an increase in IWDS locations in Deli Serdang from 98 in 2021 to 112 in 2022 and 120 in 2023. The total area IWDS in Deli Serdang also rose from 115,138.1971 m2 in 2021 to 164,194.87 m² in 2023. Plantation/estate areas consistently recorded the highest number of IWDS incidents each year. The result shows that the trend highlights the tendency for IWDS to occur in natural vegetation-rich environments, which effectively hides these activities and complicates detection and access efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A rapidly increasing human population has resulted in the expansion of urban areas and an associated increase in the demand for food. Consequently, urban and peri-urban agriculture, using waste water as a source for irrigation, is increasingly common around the world, particularly in developing countries. In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the soils within Agriculture areas have the potential to accumulate trace elements originating from various sources of contamination like municipal waste disposal and the use of wastewater for irrigation. The main aim of this study was to assess the levels and sources of trace elements in this specific region and to analyze the potential health hazards linked to toxic elements present in the soil. METHODS: Elemental analyses were conducted on soil samples using the total digestion method, involving the use of Hydrofluoric acid. Subsequently, 118 soil samples, each with a fraction size of less than 2 millimeters, were analyzed. These samples were collected from seven different urban and peri-urban agriculture areas in Sulaimani province. The analysis was carried out using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry, which operated in collision cell mode with 7 percent hydrogen in helium to minimize polyatomic interferences. FINDINGS: The study findings indicated that the soils, with a potential hydrogen range of 7.5 to 8.18, are mainly calcareous and have textures that vary from silty loam to sandy or silty clay. Additionally, the organic matter content of these soils ranges from 1.4 percent to 5.47 percent. It was noted that soils subjected to wastewater irrigation do not show significant contamination by trace elements, whereas those affected by waste disposal sites showed high levels of chromium (134 milligrams per kilogram), copper (263 milligrams per kilogram), zinc (773 milligrams per kilogram), cadmium (4.19 milligrams per kilogram) and lead (161 milligrams per kilogram). Evaluation of enrichment factors indicates that the concentrations of trace elements generally remain within the anticipated background levels, with the exception of the municipal waste disposal site. The hazard indices derived for the trace elements indicate that the potential health risks associated with exposure routes are minimal. These indices consistently remain below the internationally recognized threshold of one, which signifies that the health concerns are insignificant fall within acceptable boundaries. CONCLUSION: The concentrations of trace elements exhibited a notable increase in locations allocated for waste disposal, demonstrating a gradual decline in comparison to other agricultural regions. Throughout all the locations examined, the levels of nickel consistently remained elevated, suggesting that the geological attributes of the region have a significant impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transportation Science & Technolgy is the property of Transportation Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are naturally produced biopolymers with significant scientific and biotechnological potential. This study aimed to investigate the diversity of the PHA-producing bacterial community and PhaC genes in soil samples collected from a municipal solid waste disposal site known as "Qoshe" in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, using a shotgun metagenomics approach. The SqueezeMeta pipeline was used to analyze the microbial community in the waste samples. A CD search against the TIGRFAM protein family database was performed to identify the complete-length multidomain sequences of PhaC genes and classify them into their respective classes. Statistical analysis and data visualization were performed using RStudio with R version 4.2.3. Results: The findings of this study suggest that known and unknown taxa likely contribute to the phaC genes of municipal solid waste. Taxonomic profiling of the metagenomic data revealed that the majority of the PHA-producing taxa belonged to the phylum Proteobacteria (80%), followed by Actinomycetota (16.5%). Furthermore, this study identified Thiomonas and unclassified Mycobacterium as the main contributors to class I PhaC genes. Class II PhaC genes are predominantly associated with the Pseudomonadaceae family, followed by unclassified Hyphomicrobials and Acidimicrobiales. Class III PhaC genes are abundantly related to the Methylococcaceae family, specifically the Methylocaldum genus. The analysis of PhaC gene sequences revealed high level of diversity, with a significant proportion of putative PhaC genes exhibiting low sequence identity with each other and PhaC gene in the database. Notably, the sequence variation observed within the same PhaC gene classes suggests the potential presence of previously unidentified PhaC gene variants. Conclusions: Overall, this research improves our understanding of the diversity of PHA-producing taxa and PhaC genes in municipal solid waste environments, providing opportunities for sustainable PHA production and waste management strategies. However, additional studies, including the isolation and characterization of specific strains, are necessary to confirm the PHA production capabilities of these strains and explore their biotechnological potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The waste sector is a substantial source of GHG emissions worldwide. Open dumping and internal combustion (IC) waste collection vehicles are significant sources of GHG emissions in Vavuniya. This research aims to estimate GHG emissions and recommend strategies to reduce emissions from the solid waste management sector. The IPCC methodology, considering Tier 1 estimation values based on default activity data, was used to estimate CH4 emissions from solid waste disposal sites. GHG emissions from collection vehicles were calculated based on IPCC mobile combustion recommendations. Three recommended strategies were considered based on demand, economic, and environmental feasibility and are expected to commence in 2025. According to current practices, open dumping generated 29.217 Gg of CO2 equivalent up to 2023, projected to rise by 37.8% by 2040. There will be a 57% decrease in open dumping‐related GHG emissions by 2040 if composting is made mandatory for biodegradable waste, even though it produces emissions. Solar panels will be used to charge electric vehicles that will replace IC ones to cut emissions and fuel expenditures by 2025. The carbon sink reforestation program at the district level would need to begin in 2025 with an area of 161 hectares to sequester cumulative GHG emissions from composting dumpsites and fuel vehicles to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Investments from Vavuniya Carbon Sink Bonds (VCSB) on additional solar panels will ensure financial feasibility, having an internal rate of return of 23.18%. It paves the path to reducing GHG emissions, which is highly emphasized in the Nationally Determined Contributions, National Climate Change Policy, and waste management policy of Sri Lanka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study highlights the dual benefits of landfill gas utilization:mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and generating renewable energy. Municipal waste, containing a large proportion of organic matter, is dumped into Solid Waste Disposal Sites (SWDS), which, after anaerobic decomposition, releases methane (CH4). This study aims to assess the methane emissions from the SWDS of Chandigarh, India, and evaluate the potential for electricity generation from captured landfill gas. Waste samples were obtained using the quartile method and examined for proximate and ultimate analysis. The inventory and estimation of CH4 generation were done using the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology, including the potential of electricity generation from the CH4 generated. It has been observed that Chandigarh generates around 350 tons per day (TPD) of waste, with organic material constituting over 50% on average. The estimated amount of municipal waste with observed composition led to the generation of 0.34 Gg/yr of CH4. Depending on the efficiency of the gas energy system, 0.27 MW to 0.77 MW of electric power can be produced in Chandigarh. The study also provides a broader context for solid waste management in India. Analysis of national data revealed that India generates about 160,038.9 TPD of solid waste, with only about half (79,956.3 TPD) being treated. The country has 3,184 existing dumpsites, with significant variations across states. As per the present analysis, when extrapolated to a national scale, India could potentially generate 5,167 MWto 14,355 MWof power fromall its SWDS, resulting in annual financial gains of 4.7 to 13 billion USD. These findings underscore the importance of implementing integrated waste management strategies that prioritize waste reduction, efficient treatment, and energy recovery from landfill gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aimed to evaluate the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) dumping on the quality of soil and groundwater at six specific sites (S1-S6) located in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. An analysis of selected physicochemical and heavy metal characteristics (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, and Cr) was conducted on groundwater and soil samples collected between July 2022 and June 2023 using standard techniques. Furthermore, the composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) was also analysed, revealing a significant proportion of biodegradable waste in comparison to non-biodegradable wastes. The areas affected by urban and industrial activity showed markedly higher concentrations of physicochemical and heavy metal parameters in both soil and groundwater samples (p < 0.05). An study of groundwater revealed concentrations from BDL to 0.170 ± 0.008 mg/L (S6), 0.034 ± 0.004 mg/L (S4) to 1.565 ± 0.048 mg/L (S6), 1.786 ± 0.089 mg/L (S4) to 10.630 ± 0.279 mg/L (S6), 0.096 ± 0.006 mg/L (S4) to 0.321 ± 0.005 mg/L (S6), and 0.110 ± 0.005 mg/L (S6) for Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cd mg/kg, respectively. Cr was detected at the BDL level in all groundwater samples from all sites. Findings revealed that metals exceeded the BIS range, with Iron over the limit at all sites, Manganese at S1, S2, and S6 sites, and Cadmium at S1, S2, S3, and S6 sites. The examination of the soil samples revealed concentrations ranging from 0.399 ± 0.125 mg/kg (S5) to 2.806 ± 0.083 mg/kg (S6), 1.207 ± 0.044 mg/kg (S5) to 3.813 ± 0.238 mg/kg (S2), 24.972 ± 1.128 mg/kg (S5) to 47.417 ± 1.713 mg/kg (S3), 2.297 ± 0.43 mg/kg (S5) to 14.641 ± 0.229 mg/kg (S2), and BDL (S4, S5, and S6) to 0.194 ± 0.291 mg/kg (S2) for their respective elements. The Cr content was BDL in all soil samples from all sites. Several metals over the BIS range were detected, including Cu at site S6, Zn at sites S1, S2, S3, S4, and S6, Fe at all sites and Mn at site S2. In S1-S6, the total bacterial population in the soil ranged from 397 ± 67 CFU to 459±88 CFU, with values of 442 ± 86 CFU, 404 ± 78 CFU, 459 ± 88 CFU, 397 ± 67 CFU, 405 ± 67 CFU, and 451 ± 77 CFU, respectively. The findings revealed soil and groundwater pollution caused by the elevated levels of heavy metals in the groundwater, rendering the water unfit for drinking. The study underscores the need of adopting effective waste management strategies to reduce the adverse effects of solid waste disposal sites. The results can guide the formulation of development policies and laws aimed at enabling the implementation of suitable solid waste management techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we have devised the notion of neutrosophic cubic spherical fuzzy sets (NCSFSs) for the first time and discussed their basic binary operations along with important properties. This proposition has been framed superimposing the existing notions of spherical neutrosophic set (SNS) as well as the interval-valued neutrosophic spherical fuzzy set (IVNSFS). This proposition computationally helps in handling incompatible situations where each element has been addressed by truth, indeterminacy, and false membership values. Next, some important exponential operational laws have been relationally established for NCSFSs, highlighting their significant properties. Furthermore, to address decision-making challenges in the NCSFS environment, we have developed exponential weighted aggregate operators based on the proposed & defined operational laws with important results. Finally, an algorithm for solving a decision-making problem has been presented by using the proposed exponential weighted aggregate operators, where the best site for waste material has been identified with the help of a numerical example by keeping the environmental factors into account. In the numerical example, we created a decision matrix based on experts' opinions and then applied the suggested NCSFWEA operators to a waste disposal site selection issue that has five alternatives and four attributes. At last, by utilizing the scoring function, the alternatives have been ranked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radiological safety assessment of high‐level radioactive waste (HLW) deep geological disposal facilities is essential for ensuring responsible and sustainable nuclear waste management. This study aims to develop a radionuclide transport model using the GoldSim code to simulate radionuclide release from spent nuclear fuel, facilitating the safety assessment of HLW deep geological disposal. Two types of reference South Korea's pressurized water reactor spent nuclear fuels (PWR SNFs), namely PLUS7 and ACE7, were utilized to calculate the radioactive inventory. Due to the absence of a high‐level waste disposal site in Korea, conservative input parameter values were adopted from the relevant literature for the conceptual modeling component. The radiological safety assessment indicated that the reference Korea's PWR SNFs did not exceed 1 mSv/year, even lower than South Korea's natural background rate (2.4 mSv/year). Both C‐14 and I‐129 were identified as the primary contributors to the total exposure dose compared to other radionuclides, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted for these radionuclides. The investigation into the influence of distribution coefficients (Kd) of C‐14 and I‐129 in the buffer and the host rock revealed that the radiological peak dose rate is more affected by the buffer than the host rock. Buffer sorption in the near field was found to significantly reduce the equivalent exposure dose. Overall, this study's findings can inform the establishment of conditions for deep geological disposal and provide quantitative analysis methods using GoldSim for the crucial long‐term safety evaluation of a high‐level waste repository. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The storm Daniel and subsequent floods hit the Region of Thessaly (Greece) in early September 2023, causing extensive damage to the built environment (buildings, networks, and infrastructure), the natural environment (water bodies and soil), and the population (fatalities, injured, homeless, and displaced people). Additionally, the conditions and factors favorable for indirect public health impact (infectious diseases) emerged in the flood-affected communities. The factors had to do with infectious diseases from rodents and vectors, injuries, respiratory infections, water contamination, flood waste and their disposal sites as well as structural damage to buildings and the failures of infrastructure. The conditions that evolved necessitated the mobilization of the Civil Protection and Public Health agencies not only to cope with the storm and subsequent floods but also to avoid and manage indirect public health impact. The instructions provided to affected residents, health experts, and Civil Protection staff were consistent with the best practices and lessons learned from previous disasters. The emphasis should be on training actions for competent agencies, as well as education and increasing the awareness of the general population. Non-structural and structural measures should be implemented for increasing the climate resilience of infrastructures including the health care systems within a One Health approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in satellite technology coupled with image processing, statistical tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, enable efficient, non-invasive, real-time monitoring and analysis of landfills. Landfills pose a severe environmental threat to the local ecosystem. Metropolitan cities in most developing countries usually have multiple landfills. Landfill Land surface temperature (LST) monitoring can help keep track of the changes in landfills, especially concerning waste management, land use, hotspot movement, fire prediction and the stability of the landfill. Monitoring these waste disposal sites through remote sensing data can provide real-time monitoring and analysis, supporting quick interventions when necessary. This research utilizes LANDSAT 8 satellite images for Mumbai, India. Using geospatial analysis, image processing and data processing, LST is derived for 576 LST data points. While landfill LST has a positive trend over time, but there are cyclical, seasonal and changes due to disruptive events. With landfill LST consistently remaining the highest over the years, in comparison to built-up, green and sea LSTs. A statistical analysis of the data reveals the overall significance of the model in ascertaining the increase in temperature due to the presence of landfills. Despite challenges such as large data libraries and variable environmental factors, this research emphasizes and contributes to satellite imagery's evolving potential for monitoring and assessing LSTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing worldwide waste management challenges have prompted research efforts for sustainable solutions, especially in green energy technologies. This study highlights robotics' critical role in modern waste management by putting forth a novel strategy incorporating cutting‐edge technologies. The research aims to create an effective waste monitoring system to measure the amounts of methane gas and organic waste at disposal sites. The main component of this method is a 3D‐printed spider robot driven by a servo motor with solid and flexible claws. This robotic system communicates gas level readings to the ThingSpeak platform on the Internet of Things, while it navigates waste disposal sites autonomously. The study also investigates how to develop robotic systems more economically and efficiently by using a portable, low‐power microcontroller, such as the Arduino Nano. The study uses a rigorous testing methodology to assess the performance and viability of the microcontroller and robotic system. The results are expected to emphasise a practical and economic development approach while offering insightful information on developing sustainable waste management technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the issue of legacy waste in Karnataka, India, and the potential of biomining technology for remediation. Legacy waste refers to old solid waste found in landfills or dumpsites, which includes a mixture of decomposed biodegradable waste, plastics, metals, and other materials. Many urban local bodies (ULBs) in Karnataka struggle with waste segregation and lack resources for waste processing, leading to the accumulation of waste in dumpsites. The study examined 20 dumpsites in Karnataka and found that the samples were composed of bio soil, RDF, inert materials, and recyclables. The article also includes a case study of Doddaballapura, highlighting the challenges faced by ULBs in managing dumpsites. The text discusses the waste management challenges faced by the Doddaballapura City Municipal Council (CMC) in Karnataka, India. The city generates 36 TPD of municipal solid waste (MSW) from households, with 27 TPD being dumped at a 16-acre dumpsite located 4 km away from the city. A drone survey estimated that the dumpsite contained approximately 51,190 cubic meters of MSW. Bioremediation, which involves excavating and processing the waste, is suggested as a potential solution to clear the accumulated waste and create space for waste processing units. The Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 aims to achieve 100% scientific waste management and transform existing dumpsites into green zones. [Extracted from the article]

Water contamination assessment could serve as an effective tool for pollution control and prevention. However, using only standard groundwater pollution assessment techniques is not enough to provide a holistic contamination assessment. In this study, standard hydrogeochemical and microbial techniques, multiple numerical indices (heavy metal evaluation index [HEI], heavy metal pollution index [HPI], water quality index [WQI], pollution index of groundwater [PIG]), and chemometric models (principal component analysis and correlation analysis) were integrated to assess the aquifer intrinsic vulnerability and pollution sources of groundwater within the Adani suburban, southeastern Nigeria. Twenty groundwater samples from drinking wells were collected and subjected to physicochemical and microbiological analysis. The results revealed that the water is moderately acidic (pH 4.8–6.9), fresh (TDS < 1000), and soft (Hardness 5–25 mg/L). All analyzed physicochemical constituents occurred within the WHO acceptable standards except for NO3, PO4, and NH4, due to influx and leaching from poor sanitary conditions, agricultural activities, and solid waste materials. The concentration of heavy metals was in the order of Mn > Zn > Ni > Fe > Cu > Pb > As > Cd, with Ni, Mn, Cu, and As, recording values above the required standards. Microbial analysis revealed the presence of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella/Shigella in the water; attributable to poor sanitary conditions. WQI and PIG revealed that 80–85% of the water samples are unfit for drinking. The groundwater flow map shows that the direction of flow of groundwater is majorly from the eastern to western regions of the study area, suggesting that contaminants will be moved mostly from the eastern to western regions. Public waste disposal sites and agricultural activities are therefore recommended to be limited to the western regions. Frequent monitoring and evaluation of the water resources in the region is recommended for the sustainability of public health and water resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a short autobiography by Rien van Genuchten, who received the 2023 Wolf Prize in agriculture for his work on water flow and contaminant transport in soils. Van Genuchten discusses his upbringing on a family farm in the Netherlands, his education in mathematics and tropical agriculture, and his research in soil physics and vadose zone hydrology at New Mexico State University and Princeton University. He describes his contributions to the field, including the development of mathematical models and analytical functions to describe unsaturated soil hydraulic properties. The text also covers the author's collaborations, international research experiences, and concerns about environmental issues and climate change. [Extracted from the article]

Surface water resources are the most precious, yet they are also the most vulnerable to pollution. Consequently, maintaining the sustainability of water supplies is critical for livestock support to achieve SDG goals. Landfill leachate poses a significant threat to water resources in developing countries. This study aims to determine how the Hosanna town landfill site affects the Jewie River by analysing the quality of the Alela and Ajew streams and the landfill leachate in both wet and dry seasons. Furthermore, assess the suitability of the water quality for agricultural purposes. The leachate pollution index (LPI), Canadian Council Member of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCMEWQI), and irrigation water quality indices (IWQI) were computed for both seasons using two composite leachate samples and five flow-pace composite river samples. In the wet season, the leachate pollution indices for L1 and L2 ranged from 20.87 to 22.47, respectively. During the dry season, the leachate pollutant index of L1 and L2 was found to be 24.42 and 27.98. Only the Ajew River stream was affected during the dry season because the landfill site is only 46 m away. Both the Ajew and Alela River streams are infested during the rainy season. Irrigation index concentrations revealed that the river water is suitable for cultivation. The early stages of landfill waste maturation are evident from the LPI results. Relocating the dump site is necessary to safeguard water resources because leachate has entered the river streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the last several decades, Iran's ecosystem has suffered due to the careless usage of natural resources. Cities have grown in an uneven and non-normative way, and poor project management has been a major issue, particularly in large cities. An even greater number of environmental factors and engineering regulations are not relevant to projects. Because of this, in order to ascertain a project's environmental impact, an environmental impact assessment (EIA), is required. Using the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) is one method of applying it to EIA. Reducing subjectivity brings objectivity and transparency. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a thorough EIA was carried out for the Tehran project utilizing the RIAM and other possibilities. This research is the first to combine the methodology that was discussed during the incident. Through the use of the RIAM technique, the environmental impact of COVID-19 was to be quantified in this inquiry. The research examined lockdown procedures and the COVID-19 pandemic to create an EIA indicator. In a real-world case study conducted in Tehran, Iran, the impact of the initiative was evaluated using the RIAM methodology during the COVID-19 epidemic. The results demonstrated that COVID-19 had both beneficial and harmful effects. Decision-makers were effectively informed about the COVID-19 pandemic's environmental consequences on people and the environment, as well as how to minimize negative effects, according to the EIA technique that used RIAM. This is the first research to integrate the EIA during a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, with the RIAM approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This current study evaluates the effect of waste disposal sites on soil physicochemical qualities in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria. A total of 216 soil samples were taken in 2020, 2021 and 2022 from soil depth (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm) using standard analytical methods. In addition, seasonal (wet and dry) effects were also considered. Data sets were analysed using Fisher's Significance Least Difference (F-LSD) at 0.05 probability level. The study showed that at 0–20 cm soil depth profile, bulk density in the study period significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by 48, 38, and 41%, and by 14, 9, and 12% in the wet and dry periods at the study sites relative to the controls. Similar results were obtained at 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm soil depth profiles. Consequently, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the values of other studied soil physical parameters in both periods relative to the controls. Across the three soil depth profiles, hydraulic conductivity values ranged from 12.25 to 95.89 ± 5.63 cm/hr (a CV of 12%) and 8.73 to 122.23 ± 5.80 (a CV of 10%); 10.15 to 91.66 ± 4.03 (a CV of 22%) and 18.41 to 64.48 ± 4.21 (a CV of 21%); and 1.55 to 155.33 ± 6.71 (a CV of 14%) and 10.66 to 134.10 ± 6.23 (a CV of 11%) in wet and dry periods at Enugu, respectively. Based on these new findings, it is concluded that waste disposal sites had a positive effect on the fertility of the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reusing and recycling construction debris offers intriguing opportunities for resource conservation and waste disposal site economies. This study investigates the feasibility of using 10 mm crushed brick as coarse aggregate in Modified Reactive Powder Concrete. Natural sand was substituted with crushed brick aggregate by 25, 50, and 100%. Up to 7 and 28 days of age, the tensile strength, absorption, and void content of the mixtures were compared with those of a mixture without coarse aggregate. According to the test results, it is feasible to produce Modified Reactive Powder Concrete (MRPC) with coarse aggregate or shattered bricks. Compared to the reference mixture, the tensile strength of MRPC decreased as the replacement ratio of broken bricks increased. At 7 and 28 days of testing, the tensile strength increased by 10.2 and 12.06 with 25% crushed bricks compared to normal reactive powder concrete. Tensile strength decreased by 7.2% and 6.27% at 7 days and by 9.89% and 8.87% at 28 days when replacing fine sand with crushed brick aggregate at rates of 50% and 100%, respectively. Compared to the reference mixture, the absorption and void content of MRPC with 25, 50, and 100% crushed brick increased by 13.6, 61.2, and 116% and 15.9, 62.1, and 136%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater contamination was studied at several hotspot sites in the Majdanpek copper mining area (Serbia). These sites include a milling facility, a metallurgical wastewater treatment plant, a heavy vehicle service area, and a waste disposal site. In addition to Cu, high concentrations of As and heavy metals (Cd and Pb) were detected in groundwater and soil at the same sampling points. Mining operations and heavy vehicle transport activities have been identified as the main sources of pollution. The migration of metals from soil to groundwater, expressed as a concentration ratio, were the highest for Co and the lowest for Mn. The environmental implications of groundwater pollution were studied using the heavy metal pollution index (HPI), Nemerov pollution index (NPI), hazard index (HI), and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). HPI and NPI show the high potential of groundwater to have adverse environmental effects. HPI ranges in the following descending order of metals: Cd > Pb > As > Mn > Ni > Cr > Hg > Cu > Zn. NPI exceeds the threshold of 0.7 in 66.7% of the samples. Potential human exposure to the studied groundwater may cause severe health problems in adults, with HI ranging from 0.61 to 5.45 and ILCR from 1.72 × 10−4 to 1.27 × 10−3. Children were more susceptible to non-carcinogenic risk than adults, with HI ranging from 0.95 to 8.27. However, the results indicated that children were less prone to carcinogenic risks, with ILCR ranging from 5.35 × 10−5 to 3.98 × 10−4. Arsenic is the most contributing element to both risks. This research imposes the need for enhanced groundwater monitoring at hotspots in the mining area and the adoption of remediation plans and measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting an optimal solid waste disposal site is one of the decisive waste management issues because unsuitable sites cause serious environmental and public health problems. In Kenitra province, northwest Morocco, sustainable disposal sites have become a major challenge due to rapid urbanization and population growth. In addition, the existing disposal sites are traditional and inappropriate. The objective of this study is to suggest potential suitable disposal sites using fuzzy logic and analytical hierarchy process (fuzzy-AHP) method integrated with geographic information system (GIS) techniques. For this purpose, thirteen factors affecting the selection process were involved. The results showed that 5% of the studied area is considered extremely suitable and scattered in the central-eastern parts, while 9% is considered almost unsuitable and distributed in the northern and southern parts. Thereafter, these results were validated using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC). The AUC found was 57.1%, which is a moderate prediction's accuracy because the existing sites used in the validation's process were randomly selected. These results can assist relevant authorities and stakeholders for setting new solid waste disposal sites in Kenitra province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction waste is an inevitable byproduct of urban renewal, causing severe pressure on the environment, health, and ecology. Accurately estimating the production of construction waste is crucial for assessing the consumption of urban renewal. However, traditional manual estimation methods rely heavily on statistical data and historical experience, which lack flexibility in practical applications and are time-consuming and labor-intensive. In addition, their accuracy and timeliness need to be improved urgently. Fortunately, with the advantages of high-resolution remote sensing images (HRSIs) such as strong timeliness, large amounts of information, and macroscopic observations, they are suitable for the large-scale dynamic change detection of construction waste. However, the existing deep learning models have a relatively poor ability to extract and fuse features for small and multi-scale targets, and it is difficult to deal with irregularly shaped and fragmented detection areas. Therefore, this study proposes a Multi-scale Target Attention-Enhanced Network (MT-AENet), which is used to dynamically track and detect changes in buildings and construction waste disposal sites through HRSIs and accurately estimate the annual production of urban construction waste. The MT-AENet introduces a novel encoder–decoder architecture. In the encoder, ResNet-101 is utilized to extract high-level semantic features. A depthwise separable-atrous spatial pyramid pooling (DS-ASPP) module with different dilation rates is constructed to address insufficient receptive fields, resolving the issue of discontinuous holes when extracting large targets. A dual-attention mechanism module (DAMM) is employed to better preserve positional and channel details. In the decoder, multi-scale feature fusion (MS-FF) is utilized to capture contextual information, integrating shallow and intermediate features of the backbone network, thereby enhancing extraction capabilities in complex scenes. The MT-AENet is used to extract buildings and construction waste at different periods in the study area, and the actual production and landfill volume of construction waste are calculated based on area changes, indirectly measuring the rate of urban construction waste resource conversion. The experimental results in Changping District, Beijing demonstrate that the MT-AENet outperforms existing baseline networks in extracting buildings and construction waste. The results of this study are validated according to government statistical standards, providing a promising direction for efficiently analyzing the consumption of urban renewal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Real Feel of Hard Time": Finding Zones of Freedom in the Creaturely Poethics of C.D. Wright's One Big Self" is an article that explores C.D. Wright's documentary poetry collection, One Big Self: An Investigation. The collection delves into the experiences of incarcerated individuals in Louisiana prisons and the racialized environments they inhabit. Wright's "creaturely poethics" examines the ongoing relationships that exist within the harsh conditions of incarceration, challenging the notion of imprisonment as natural and necessary. The article also discusses the historical connection between modern incarceration and chattel plantation slavery, highlighting the oppressive structures that persist in the prison system. It emphasizes the need to critically examine care practices within prisons and their role in sustaining unjust hierarchies. The book offers a glimpse of hope and possibility within the confines of the prison system through its exploration of creaturely entanglements and care practices. [Extracted from the article]

The present study focuses on the isolation of bacterial pathogens from waste disposal sites, and examination of their efficiencies for degrading various plastics. Seven bacterial isolates such as E. coli, Corynebacterium spp., Micrococcus spp., Azotobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. were identified. Bacillus spp. exhibited the highest percentage reduction in black plastic weight (47.46 %), while Corynebacterium spp., and E. coli achieved a maximum reduction of 45.76 and 46.42 % for pink plastic respectively. Pseudomonas spp. and Micrococcus spp. demonstrated notable reductions of 46.43 % and 56.60 % in white and Canteen Stores Department (CSD) biodegradable plastics, respectively. Optical density (OD) measurements revealed that bacterial isolates achieved maximum OD values with CSD plastics, emphasizing their proficiency in plastic degradation. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the degradation process, with a decrease in the peak value from 2916 to 2914 cm⁻1 for pink plastic, signifying alkane, and alkene presence. Three new peaks at 1398, 1371, and 1361 cm⁻1 in the FTIR spectrum of CSD plastic indicated presence of alcohol. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) micrographs illustrated bacterial colonization, cracks, and spots on plastic surfaces, while X-ray Diffraction (XRD) spectra showed peaks at 4.083, 3.705, 3.020, and 1.909, suggesting plastic degradation. In conclusion, soil of waste disposal site harbored diverse microbial species, and have highlighted their effectiveness in mitigating environmental pollution by degrading hazardous plastic waste.

The increasing population has resulted in a significant increase in the amount of waste. One effort that can be made to overcome the waste problem is to provide a Temporary Waste Disposal Site (TWDS). This research aims to optimize the TWDS in the Bukit Kecil sub-district, Palembang city, by formulating a Robust-Set Covering Problem (Robust-SCP) model and solving the model with the software. Sensitivity analysis is used to analyze the optimal solution. Bukit Kecil sub-district is the sub-district that has the highest number of TWDS in Palembang city. The robust-SCP model obtained 10 optimal TWDS. Therefore, this research recommends the Robust SCP model as the optimal solution for the determination of TWDS in the Bukit Kecil sub-district, namely TWDS Kartini Street, TWDS front of Starbucks KI Street, TWDS Merdeka Street, TWDS Illegal at 26 Ilir Market, TWDS Flat Block 35, TWDS Flat Block 49, TWDS Merdeka Women’s Prison, TWDS Musi Riverbank Park, TWDS Monpera, and TWDS Cinde Market, with the addition of TWDS Mayor’s Office in 22 Ilir village and TWDS Flat Block 01 in 23 Ilir village. The sensitivity analysis results in this study show that the solution remains optimal if the coefficient change is within the coefficient interval value.

Landfills and waste disposal sites in the Basque Country are summarized in the inventory of soils that either currently support or have supported potentially polluting activities or facilities (Law 4/2015). Notably, "Landfill 17," located in Gernika-Lumo, has been receiving, for decades, sewage sludges from the local wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as agricultural amendment. In order to decontaminate and recover soil functionality, a combination of bioremediation (which involved bioagumentation and phyto- and vermitechnologies) and complementary bioremediation strategy (i.e., promotion and maintenance of the native vegetation) was implemented in situ. Physicochemical and ecotoxicological characterization were achieved. Furthermore, an ecotoxicological assessment of the soils upon flora and fauna was carried out through the application of different bioassays and biomarkers. Additionally, an integrative biomarker response (IBR/n) index was calculated to provide a holistic view of the soil general status. Critical pollutants [Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, benzo(a)pyrene, and dieldrin] were observed in most of the treated sites. Microbial parameters did not present remarkable differences among sites. However, plant indicators pointed the non-treated site (MN8) as the unhealthiest. This was also observed in earthworms' immune system, where cytotoxicity appears when exposed to non-treated soils. In conclusion, this field study showed that the combination of bioaugmentation, phytoremediation with native species, and vermiremediation is highly useful in eliminating mixed contamination, improving soil health, and ultimately restoring ecosystem functionality and biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth elements (REE) are essential components of many electronic devices that could end-up in solid waste disposal sites and inadvertently released in the environment. The purpose of this study was to examine the toxicity of two heavy REEs, erbium (Er) and lutetium (Lu), in freshwater mussels Dreissena polymorpha. Mussels were exposed to 14 days to increasing concentration (10, 50, 250, and 1250 µg/L) of either Er and Lu at 15 °C and analyzed for gene expression in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), metallothionein (MT), cytochrome c oxidase (CO1), and cyclin D for cell cycle. In addition, lipid peroxidation (LPO), DNA damage (DNAd), and arachidonate cyclooxygenase were also determined. The data revealed that mussels accumulated Er and Lu similarly and both REEs induced changes in mitochondrial COI activity. Er increased cell division, MT, and LPO, while Lu increased DNAd and decreased cell division. Tissue levels of Er were related to changes in MT (r = 0.7), LPO (r = 0.42), CO1 (r = 0.69), and CycD (r = 0.31). Lu tissue levels were related to changes in CO1 (r = 0.73), CycD (r = − 0.61), CAT (r = 0.31), DNAd (r = 0.43), and SOD (r = 0.34). Although the lethal threshold was similar between Er and Lu, the threshold response for LPO revealed that Er produced toxicity at concentrations 25 times lower than Lu suggesting that Er was more harmful than Lu in mussels. In conclusions, the data supports that the toxicity pattern differed between Er and Lu although they are accumulated in the same fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an analysis of soil contamination caused by Ni, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb at municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, with a focus on ecological risk assessment. The approach aims to assess how different landfill practices and environmental conditions affect soil contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and associated environmental risks. Soil samples were collected from MSW landfills in Poland and the Czech Republic. The research included a comprehensive assessment of PTEs in soils in the context of global environmental regulations. The degree of soil contamination by PTEs was assessed using indices: Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Single Pollution Index (Pi), Nemerow Pollution Index (PN), and Load Capacity of a Pollutant (PLI). The ecological risk was determined using the Risk of PTEs (ERi) and Sum of Individual Potential Risk Factors (ERI). The maximum values of the indicators observed for the Radiowo landfill were as follows: Igeo = 4.04 for Cd, Pi = 24.80 for Cd, PN = 18.22 for Cd, PLI = 2.66, ERi = 744 for Cd, ERI = 771.80. The maximum values of the indicators observed for the Zdounky landfill were as follows: Igeo = 1.04 for Cu, Pi = 3.10 for Cu, PN = 2.52 for Cu, PLI = 0.27, ERi = 25 for Cd, ERI = 41.86. The soils of the tested landfills were considered to be non-saline, with electrical conductivity (EC) values less than 2,000 μS/cm. Varying levels of PTEs were observed, and geostatistical analysis highlighted hotspots indicating pollution sources. Elevated concentrations of Cd in the soil indicated potential ecological risks. Concentrations of Cu and lead Pb were well below the thresholds set by the environmental legislation in several countries. In addition, Ni concentrations in the soils of both landfills indicated that the average levels were within acceptable limits. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed common sources of PTEs. The identification of specific risk points at the Radiowo and Zdounky sites contributes to a better understanding of potential hazards in landfill environments. By establishing buffer zones and implementing regular maintenance programs, emerging environmental problems can be addressed in a timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The examination of sludge derived from electroplating manufacturing, printed circuit board production, and paste-like residue from sludge collectors uncover elevated levels of chromium, nickel, copper, cadmium, and various metals. The considerable saturation of water in the region and diverse soil compositions complicate the identification of suitable waste disposal sites, specifically for electroplating byproducts, limiting available spaces and fostering conditions conducive to soil and water contamination by heavy metal ions. The retention of used etching solutions within industrial facilities contributes to environmental pollution, necessitating substantial expenditures for proper disposal at manufacturing sites. Industrial waste, notably from processes such as printed circuit board etching, represents a significant threat to water quality, encompassing various essential technological processes for the production of diverse electronic equipment serving both civilian and military purposes. This article aims to present research outcomes and conducted experiments geared towards developing eco-friendly equipment. Also, the research delves into specific procedures for obtaining concentrated copper precipitates during the regeneration of etching solutions, with the extraction process reducing the generation of waste in the form of a paste-like structure saturated with water on industrial premises. The treatment of wastewater from etching printed circuit boards can be achieved by establishing a closed production cycle for board manufacturing and extracting copper for industrial applications. Finally, the research strives to design equipment for regenerating used solutions with metal extraction in a form suitable for remelting, contributing as an element to environmental conservation. The results facilitate the establishment of a printed circuit board etching line that incorporates the reuse of spent etching solutions in the manufacturing process. For solution regeneration, it is recommended to utilize a regenerator with a titanium VT1-0 cathode. The outcomes of individual tests provide conditions for regenerating spent etching solutions and utilizing the extracted copper in the national economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid population growth and rising per capita incomes have caused the city to generate massive amounts of municipal waste, indicating a serious environmental threat. Solid waste disposal has become a crucial problem for several municipalities. The selection of suitable waste disposal sites is a crucial problem in the urban areas of developing countries like Pakistan due to unsatisfectory urban planning and management to decrease human beings health risks. Particularly Dera Ghazi (D.GJ Khan district is feeing the issue of identifying suitable sites for solid waste disposal. This research aims to select appropriate potential sites suitable for solid waste disposal purposes in the D.G. Khan Primary datasets used for this study are Landsat-8 satellite imager); digital elevation model (DEM) with 30-meter resolution for slope extraction. Other criteria included roads, railroads, and rivers digitized using the topographical map of the study area. The maps are prepared to incorporate overlay and suitability analysis using Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing techniques, and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria analysis. The final suitability map of study area is prepared using a GIS software suite and categorized as highly, moderately, least, and unsuitable regions, of which 3% is entirely unsuitable area, 70% less suitable, 26.16% moderately suitable, and 0.84% highly suitable area. The suggested disposal sites have been carefully selected to assist policymakers in determining the most sensitive areas and resolving waste management issues with the slightest contamination of water bodies and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant global public health threat, with Malaysia's Klang Valley experiencing numerous outbreaks in densely populated urban areas. Methods This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-dengue and anti-chikungunya antibodies among urban refugees in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, and identify associated risk factors. Results High seroprevalence of anti-dengue immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM (60.0% [confidence interval {CI} 55.39 to 64.48] and 9.2% [CI 6.77 to 12.25], respectively) were observed among refugees >18 years of age (χ22=11.720, p=0.003), Kachin ethnicity (χ28=72.253, p<0.001), without formal education (χ21=3.856, p=0.050), homes near waste disposal sites (χ21=10.378, p=0.001) and refugees who have experienced flooding (χ21=5.460, p=0.019). Meanwhile, the overall seroprevalence of anti-chikungunya IgG and IgM was 9.7% (CI 7.15 to 12.73) and 10.8% (CI 8.09 to 13.93), respectively, with ages 12–18 years (χ22=6.075, p=0.048), Rohingya ethnicity (χ28=31.631, p<0.001) and homes close to waste disposal sites (χ21=3.912, p=0.048) being significant risk factors. Results showed a link to poor environmental living conditions, with an increase in the vector population with higher availability of breeding sites and thus exposure to dengue and chikungunya virus. Conclusions Health education among the community is the key to disease prevention, as there are no specific antiviral drugs for treatment and limited vaccine availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the issue of biomedical waste management in the healthcare sector and its impact on sustainability. It emphasizes the need for awareness among hospital staff and the general population to ensure proper disposal and management of biomedical waste. The article highlights the potential implications of inadequate waste management on public health and the environment. It also provides an overview of the different types of healthcare waste and the methods used for treatment and disposal. The article concludes that effective waste management strategies are necessary to mitigate the adverse effects of healthcare waste and protect human health and the environment. Additionally, the article presents the findings of a study conducted in South Delhi hospitals, which revealed a lack of knowledge and adherence to safe practices among healthcare staff, particularly nurses. The low percentage of staff vaccinated against Hepatitis B is also highlighted as a concern for preventing needle stick injuries. The article concludes by suggesting strategies to improve biomedical waste management and reduce its impact on the environment. The given document is a list of references to various articles and studies related to biomedical waste management in the healthcare industry, providing valuable information for library patrons conducting research on the topic. [Extracted from the article]

Fly ash is currently a problem in different companies, mainly in thermoelectric plants, which must follow a production and consumption model that involves reusing, renewing, and recycling, thus contributing to the circular economy. This work aims to evaluate the reactivity and compressive strength of different types of ashes in concrete monoliths. For this purpose, sugarcane bagasse (SCBA), bituminous coal (BC), and untreated hazardous waste (RUD) were evaluated as replacements for cement. Monoliths and mortars have been manufactured in different mixtures, taken to a curing room, and their compressive strength and reactivity have been determined at different times (up to 28 days for the monoliths and up to 90 for the mortars), mainly in order to check the formation of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gels. In the monolith tests, the best performances have been with SCBA and BC, which have been used for the manufacture of the mortars. On day 56, the behavior of the replacement of 30% fly ash (15% BC:15% SCBA) presents a type H mortar behavior, with better results than the control. By day 90, all replacements had the same resistance as M mortars and even higher resistances than the control. This demonstrates the feasibility of its use in the production of Portland cement for the manufacture of low‐performance inputs. This implies the possible reduction of impacts, both in waste disposal sites and in emissions caused by the construction industry, thus contributing to the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the application of spatial multiple criteria evaluation (SMCE) concepts and methods to support identification and selection of proper sites for waste disposal. The process makes use of a recently developed SMCE module, integrated into ITC's1 existing geographic information system called ILWIS. This module supports application of SMCE in planning and decision making processes through several compensatory and non-compensatory approaches, allowing inclusion of the spatial and thematic priority of decision makers. To demonstrate the process, a landfill site selection problem around the town of Chinchina, in Colombia, is used as an example. Based on different objectives, a spatial data set consisting of several map layers, e.g., land use, geological, landslide distribution, etc., is made available and used for modeling the site selection process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current approach to selecting sites for abandoned spoil areas primarily relies on qualitative methods, often overlooking the impact of policy factors on decision-making. Traditional single-site selection strategies may not be flexible enough to accommodate evolving external policy demands. Addressing this challenge is crucial for ensuring the site selection for abandoned spoil areas is both scientifically sound and policy-compliant. This research integrates various analytical methods, including principal component analysis, complex network theory, the CRITIC method, and the ordered weighted averaging method, to thoroughly evaluate the factors influencing site selection. Utilizing geographic information system (GIS) technology, the study simulates different policy scenarios, such as construction cost, social and ecological concerns, natural security, spatial accessibility, and a comprehensive balance approach. It specifically analyzes the suitability of the spoil site of a segment of the Chongqing ZW Railway under these policy conditions. Based on the actual policy situation in the local area, six potential suitable sites were screened with the help of field investigation. This study can offer a methodological framework and theoretical guidance for optimally locating mountain railway engineering waste disposal sites. In addition, the methodology presented in this study can be adapted to the development and change in policy scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of planning and regulations around the landfills has resulted and continues to result in severe environmental damage to the immediate environment around the landfills. Our study systematically reviews the literature to understand different processes of monitoring and analysis of a waste disposal site. It further analyses a satellite footprint from Google Earth Engine, of the western part of India around the urban area of Bombay. For the satellite footprint, we compare different algorithms and satellites for detecting landfills using machine learning. We conduct a supervised classification for satellite images for Land Satellite Applied to Remote Sensing (LANDSAT) (2013 to 2023) and SENTINEL (2018 to 2023) using three different classification algorithms: CART (Classification and Regression Tree), Naive Bayes and SVM (Support Vector Machine). The LANDSAT SVM model was generally the most stable and consistently performed well. The model consistently has one of the highest accuracy scores over the years, followed closely by SENTINEL SVM. The analysis can be replicated to other cities and other large-area studies, and can act as a pointer in doing further analysis of the landfill that can further be used to prevent the effects of the waste disposal site on its surrounding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formal and informal institutions exist to regulate actors providing solid waste collection services in African cities, yet collection coverage remains low. The study examines the role of institutions in enabling and/or constraining actors' participation and collaboration in solid waste collection in Kampala City. A qualitative methodological approach is employed by conducting in-depth interviews, focused group discussions, and reviewing documents. A dilemma in waste regulation manifests. Whereas regulations favour formal actors, informal actors predominantly provide waste collection services in poor neighbourhoods. Stringent requirements for participation and discriminatory bylaws are exposed. The interplay between formal and informal actors is vibrant but not legally supported. Therefore, it is prudent for effective planning to accommodate the operations of formal and informal actors and their interface to ensure smart cities. This might encourage participation and enable actors' collaboration, consequently reducing uncollected waste volumes and illegal waste disposal sites in the informal settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of seismically active fault zones and the definition of sufficiently large respect distances from these faults which enable avoiding the damaged rock zone surrounding the ruptured ground commonly are amongst the first steps to take in the geoscientific evaluation of sites suitable for nuclear waste disposal. In this work we present a GIS-based approach, using the earthquake-epicentre locations from the instrumental earthquake record of South-Korea to identify potentially active fault zones in the country, and compare different strategies for fault zone buffer creation as originally developed for site search in the high seismicity country Japan, and the low-to-moderate seismicity countries Germany and Sweden. In order to characterize the hazard potential of the Korean fault zones, we moreover conducted slip tendency analysis, here for the first time covering the fault zones of the entire Korean Peninsula. For our analyses we used the geo-spatial information from a new version of the Geological map of South-Korea, containing the outlines of 11 rock units, which we simplified to distinguish between 4 different rock types (granites, metamorphic rocks, sedimentary rocks and igneous rocks) and the surface traces of 1,528 fault zones and 6,654 lineaments identified through years of field work and data processing, a rich geo-dataset which we will publish along with this manuscript. Our approach for identification of active fault zones was developed without prior knowledge of already known seismically active fault zones, and as a proof of concept the results later were compared to a map containing already identified active fault zones. The comparison revealed that our approach identified 16 of the 21 known seismically active faults and added 472 previously unknown potentially active faults. The 5 seismically active fault zones which were not identified by our approach are located in the NE- and SW-sectors of the Korean Peninsula, which haven't seen much recent seismic activity, and thus are not sufficiently well covered by the seismic record. The strike directions of fault zones identified as active are in good agreement with the orientation of the current stress field of the peninsula and slip tendency analysis provided first insights into subsurface geometry such as the dip angles of both active and inactive fault zones. The results of our work are of major importance for the early-stage seismic hazard assessment that has to be conducted in support of the nuclear waste disposal siting in South-Korea. Moreover, the GIS-based methods for identification of active fault zones and buffering of respect areas around fault zone traces presented here, are applicable also elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater vulnerability has gained widespread attention, particularly in Chiang Mai Province, one of Thailand's fastest-growing cities, which is experiencing rapid development in both economic and social sectors. The expansion of urban communities and the industrial, tourism, and agriculture sectors has resulted in the overutilization of available resources, notably water resources. This overuse, coupled with the adoption of modern technology to boost productivity and meet market demands, has led to an increased reliance on groundwater to supplement surface water sources, providing benefits across all sectors. However, the economic and social growth plays a pivotal role in shaping the diversity of land use, encompassing residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities. These activities, in turn, directly contribute to environmental pollution, particularly in terms of the risk of groundwater contamination in Chiang Mai Province. This study aims to predict the future vulnerabilities of groundwater resources under an ensemble of climate change scenarios and changes in land-use patterns. Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand is one of the fastest-growing cities and therefore is experiencing rapid urbanization, as well as land-use pattern changes, which was important for the case study. The new DRASTIC model, namely the DRASTIC-LP model, combined with GIS-based techniques and overlay techniques, was used to generate the map of groundwater resource vulnerabilities. A point pollution source (P)-related land-use pattern (L) that represents contamination impacts was considered an additional new DRASTIC parameter. The study's findings reveal the high reliability and maximum effectiveness of the new DRASTIC-LP model in assessing groundwater vulnerability and contamination-risk areas under a climate change scenario (by MIROC-ESM-CHEM model under RCP.8.5 scenario) and land-use pattern changes (by CA_Markov Chian Model) for both the current year (2020) and the next 50-year period (2021–2070). Furthermore, the new DRASTIC-LP model is employed to trace the movement of pollutants from high- to very high-risk areas based on the groundwater vulnerability and contamination-risk maps. The results highlight that waste disposal dumping sites pose a more critical distribution and movement of pollutants when compared to industrial sites. Additionally, unconsolidated aquifers and cracked consolidated rock aquifers show a potentially higher occurrence of pollutant distribution and movement when compared to consolidated aquifers. Consequently, the study's outcomes are applied to formulate guidelines for the management and control of groundwater resource contamination. These guidelines serve as valuable tools for decision makers, aiding in pollution prevention and the effective management of contamination risks in groundwater resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the lack of an in-depth and comprehensive study on slaughter waste quantification and its management, despite the growing demand for meat this study aims to quantify the slaughter waste generated in Mumbra, Thane, India, from the meat retail stores. The study also endeavors to find the composition of slaughter waste in municipal solid waste by employing the questionnaire survey method. The literature reviewed the published studies on the life cycle analysis of food products for global warming potential values for meat and vegetable products along with the vegetarian and non-vegetarian dietary patterns. In this study, it was observed that 55.93% of the population were non-vegetarian consumers and the composition of slaughter waste was 7% of total municipal solid waste disposed of in disposal sites resulting in greenhouse gas emission of 0.11 Gg CO2 Eq./year. The study presents the implementation of a biomethanation plant as a mitigation measure, along with an evaluation of the theoretical biogas potential and electricity generation capacity derived from slaughter waste, considering it as a potential feedstock. The outcomes of this study also highlight the necessity for further focused research in this specific area, aiming to increase consumer knowledge regarding the environmental impacts of meat-based diets. The finding of this study will help researchers and assists policymakers in facilitating effective management and understanding the scale of the emissions resulting from meat products and slaughter waste and identifying suitable mitigation approaches, and actively contributing to reducing the environmental footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy has been expected to be an effort to build a competitive and sustainable society. This study aims to develop a circular economy-based business model for waste management in Jongbiru Village, Kediri Regency. The research method used is descriptive-qualitative by developing a sustainable business model innovation framework. The model used is a development of the Business Model Canvas (BMC) by involving business aspects of the environment. The research data were collected through observation and interviews at the location of the research object. The results showed that the waste disposal site (TPS) in Jongbiru Village had implemented a circular economy business with the 3R principle (reduce, reuse, and recycle), which was managed independently. However, there are shortcomings in long-term planning and efforts related to the role of the community. Moreover, the findings in the field also show the potential that needs to be optimized through supporting facilities and social capital. The implications of this research encourage the role of stakeholders in planning the long-term development of business projects with a community engagement approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper solid waste disposal is an important socioeconomic and environmental concern for all developing countries like Ethiopia. Due to a lack of proper disposal sites, infrastructure, and knowledge on suitable site selection, most cities/towns wrongly prefer water bodies, roadsides, and open areas as the best suitable for solid waste disposal. Such improper site selection will create morphological changes that lead to environmental hazards in the urban and surrounding areas. This study aims to identify suitable sites for solid waste disposal in Yirgalem town using the existing GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques. Thematic layers of road and stream network, settlement, land cover, slope, view shade, dumping site, river, and soil type and soil depth were considered as primary criteria and weights for criteria, and sub-criteria were assigned by MCDA analysis. Then, each criterion is mapped using the GIS technique, and a suitability map is prepared by overlay analyses. The consistency ratio of 0.049405 which is <0.10 endorsed the accuracy of the pairwise comparison matrix. The results indicate that 29.06% of the study area is unsuitable for the solid waste disposal site. However, 35.47% of the study area was marginally suitable, 27.84% moderately suitable, and 7.63% of the area was highly suitable is preferable for the solid waste disposal site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Global studies show intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have been introduced and spread with refugee inflows from low to high socio-economic countries. However, there is relatively limited information on the prevalence of infections among the community. Methods A 2-year cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for infections among urban refugees in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. A total of 418 faecal samples were collected and examined by microscopy. Results Faecal screening revealed moderate levels (32.3%) of infections in the community. Three nematode (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm) and three protozoan species (Entamoeba, Giardia and Cryptosporidium) were recorded, with the highest prevalence being A. lumbricoides (20.6%) followed by T. trichiura (10.3%), while other infections were <5%. Statistical analysis found that young males with less education were more likely to be infected with helminths. Additionally, living near waste disposal sites, the presence of stray animals, eating with bare hands, bare footedness, poor handwashing practices and no anthelmintic treatment constituted significant risk factors for helminth infections. Protozoan infections were linked to drinking tap water or from water dispensers and poor handwashing practices. Conclusions These findings emphasize the importance of health education in addition to introduction of biannual anthelmintic treatment to promote community health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of municipal operations, the effective management of municipal solid waste (MSW) stands out as a pivotal undertaking. It necessitates substantial allocations of fixed and variable resources and financial investments. The bulk of these expenditures are associated with the operational facets encompassing waste collection, transportation, and disposal. This research delves into the examination of multiple Disposal Location Arc Routing Problems (LARP) while considering vehicle capacity limitations and the incorporation of waste segregation. The LARP model is designed to identify the optimal locations for depots and three waste disposal sites. The optimization objectives and constraints applied to the LARP model are geared toward enhancing waste collection efficiency and minimizing costs. Additionally, a triangular fuzzy parameter is introduced to represent the demand. To put this model to the test, a real-world case study in the UK is explored to evaluate its performance and practicality. Finally, a series of sensitivity analyses are conducted, offering valuable managerial insights under varying conditions. The inclusion of waste segregation in this waste management model holds considerable significance for managers. This is particularly relevant because it proposes a more effective strategy for waste management when dealing with diverse types of waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]