Environmental Quality Management最新文献

{"title":"Comprehensive Review on Groundwater Exploitation, Depletion, and Its Management: Sustainable Approach Toward Agricultural Productivity in India","authors":"Shareen Fatima Rizvi,&nbsp;Syed Khalida Izhar,&nbsp;Aamina Shahab,&nbsp;Mohammed Kuddus,&nbsp;Roohi Roohi","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70092","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70092","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In a country like India, where agriculture is the primary occupation, the demand for the development of sustainable approaches in the sector is very important. Though the practice of pumping underground for use in farming dates back centuries, the past half-century has seen major technical and technological developments for the maximum utilization of groundwater for irrigational purposes. This review attempts to discuss the need for groundwater management and ways of the same. The overuse of groundwater in agricultural practices leads to the resource's depletion at a rate that is greater than the rate at which it can be naturally replenished. The surveys and available literature clearly state that some of the provinces in India, such as Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan, have higher groundwater utilization rates in comparison with other states. The increasing strain on groundwater due to uncontrolled abstraction degrades its quantity, while the use of chemical fertilizers degrades its quality. The Indian government has taken numerous legislative and precautionary steps in response to this reality, but a lack of education and political and administrative will has meant that these efforts have been mostly ineffective in improving groundwater management. For the global community to move toward more sustainable groundwater usage, the quality and quantity of groundwater in the current scenario call for enhanced resource governance and management. Here, we discuss the account of challenges, opportunities, and several governmental policies regarding the management and protection of the quality as well as quantity of groundwater, especially in the context of India. This research emphasizes the significant challenges and analyzes the diverse strategies for groundwater development and management.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143880026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Policy Measures for Advancing Environmental Sustainability: Assessing the Impact of Governance Efficiency and Fiscal Approach in Sub-Saharan Africa","authors":"Kingsley Ikechukwu Okere,&nbsp;Stephen Kelechi Dimnwobi,&nbsp;Favour Chidinma Onuoha,&nbsp;Chukwunonso Ekesiobi","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70090","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study navigates the complex intersection of fiscal policy, governance quality, and environmental sustainability within Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Utilizing a dataset from 2005 to 2020 encompassing 33 SSA countries, the study employs the environmental load capacity factor (LCF) to assess environmental sustainability within the STIRPAT framework as well as unravel the nexus between fiscal strategy and governance quality. Key findings reveal that the impact of government expenditure on LCF varies across quantiles. The positive impact of the interaction between governance quality and government expenditure on LCF accentuates the significance of effective governance in bolstering sustainability efforts. These findings offer pertinent implications for SSA policymakers.</p>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/tqem.70090","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143865555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction to “Screening and Characterization of Waste Lignocellulosic Biomass as a Potential Substrate for Energy Recovery”","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70097","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70097","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Kumari, U., and P. Gupta. 2023. “Screening and Characterization of waste Lignocellulosic Biomass as a Potential Substrate for Energy Recovery.” <i>Environmental Quality Management 33</i>, no. 2: 369–386. https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.22083</p><p>This article corrects the following:</p><p>The original online version had an error in the author's Department. The Department name of the author, Uma Kumari, was “Department of Biotechnology” in the published article. It should be “Department of Microbiology.” Updated affiliations are as below:</p><p><b><i>Uma Kumari¹</i></b></p><p>¹Department of Microbiology, Radha Govind University, Lalki Ghati, Ramgarh, Jharkhand, India</p><p>Email: <span>[email protected]</span></p><p>ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0846-506X</p><p><b><i>Pratibha Gupta^1*</i></b></p><p>^1*Department of Biotechnology, Radha Govind University, Lalki Ghati, Ramgarh, Jharkhand, India</p><p>Corresponding author email: <span>[email protected]</span></p><p>ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2708-3267</p><p>The author apologizes for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/tqem.70097","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143865556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Load Capacity Factor and Pollution Haven Hypothesis in India: Analyzing Energy Security Risk and Financial Development in an Asymmetric Framework","authors":"Yawar Ahmad Dar,&nbsp;Manzoor Hassan Malik,&nbsp;Haroon Rasool","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70091","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70091","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Global warming has led to environmental degradation, which has turned into one of the most pressing challenges affecting practically all forms of life. Understanding the determinants of this problem is essential to formulate corrective policy measures. The existing literature has neglected the supply side dynamics, as the majority of prior research has concentrated on the demand side aspects of the problem of environmental degradation. To address this limitation, this study uses the load capacity factor, a novel, broader, and comprehensive indicator of environmental health that considers both demand as well as supply side concerns of environmental degradation. The primary goal of this study is to investigate the novel load capacity factor hypothesis along with the pollution haven hypothesis in the Indian context in the presence of energy security risk and financial development. The study utilized data from 1980 to 2021 and used a nonlinear auto regressive distributed lag model for analysis. The results validate the U-shaped load capacity factor hypothesis, suggesting environmental quality deteriorates initially but improves as economic growth breaches a threshold level. The results further validate the pollution haven hypothesis in India, demonstrating that international investments in India have led to the creation of pollution havens and are flowing into energy intensive sectors. It is further revealed that energy security risk is jeopardizing environmental sustainability, as the country is vulnerable in terms of energy security, whereas financial development is enhancing the quality of the environment through the promotion of green energy initiatives. India needs to develop important policies pertaining to its economic activity and environmental preservation, both of which are included in the paper.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143861597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Forest Fires on Soil Microbial Substrate Utilization and Dehydrogenase Activity in Different Rock Types and Soil Layers","authors":"Ji-Seul Kim,&nbsp;Hyeong Chul Jeong,&nbsp;EunYoung Lee","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70075","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study explored the effects of forest fires on soil microbial activity in forest soils classified by rock origin (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary) and stratified by subsoil depth (topsoil, subsoil). Microbial activity, indicated by average well color development (AWCD) and Shannon diversity indices, was higher in undamaged topsoils compared to fire-damaged ones. In contrast, fire-damaged subsoils, particularly in metamorphic and sedimentary soils, exhibited increased microbial activity over time due to organic matter decomposition. A significant increase in substrate utilization was observed in undamaged soils across all rock types (*<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05, **<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) in topsoil, with sedimentary rock exhibiting the highest microbial diversity based on Shannon indices. The dehydrogenase activity followed a similar pattern, with reduced activity in fire-damaged topsoil but higher activity in damaged metamorphic and sedimentary subsoils. Principal component analysis (PCA) linked microbial indicators (AWCD, Shannon index) to mineral compositions like orthoclase and hornblende, highlighting the role of soil chemistry in shaping microbial responses to fire. These insights advance the understanding of fire-induced changes in soil microbial functions across diverse geological contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/tqem.70075","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143861615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Microbial Nanoparticle Biosynthesis and Its Impact","authors":"Vimal A,&nbsp;Aditya S,&nbsp;Kavipraba A","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70093","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Nanomaterials, defined by their distinctive characteristics at the nanoscale, have received considerable attention across a variety of scientific fields, including medicine, environmental science, and material science, to name a few. While multiple methodologies are approached for synthesizing nanomaterials, the microbial synthesis of nanoparticles is increasingly favored over chemical synthesis due to its eco-friendly nature, cost-effectiveness, reduced toxicity, and enhanced biocompatibility. Furthermore, the synthesis of nanoparticles from microorganisms not only diversifies the properties of nanoparticles but also opens up innovative applications. This review aims to understand the biosynthesis of different nanoparticles from various microbes along with the characterization of those nanoparticles and it illuminates the practical applications and promising future directions of microbial-mediated nanoparticles biosynthesis in various fields like medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, environment, food processing, and so forth.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143861598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Role of Microbial Enzymes and Their Modification for Plastic Biodegradation–A Review","authors":"Rajendra Kumar Swain,&nbsp;Sanjay Kumar Nayak,&nbsp;Rahul Dubey,&nbsp;Tanushree Bera,&nbsp;Smita Mohanty","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70088","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70088","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Enzyme-embedded polymers have emerged as a promising solution to the global plastic waste problem, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly method for plastic degradation. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the enzymatic systems, degradation mechanisms, and factors influencing the degradation rate of enzyme-embedded polymers. Various groups of enzymes artificial enzyme designed to degradation of plastic, including proteases, polyesterases, lipases, and esterases, have been examined for their ability to catalyze plastic breakdown. Additionally, the review also explores the techniques used to incorporate enzymes into plastic matrices—such as physical entrapment, covalent immobilization, and surface modification—and evaluates how these methods impact the stability and activity of the enzymes. Different categories of polymers, ranging from the synthetic polymer to bio polymer, have been discussed and the effect of the incorporation of enzymes on the degradation of the polymers has been explored.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143856708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Mining and Allied Activities on Air Quality of a Mega Coal Mining Zone in India","authors":"Manish Yadav,&nbsp;Nitin Kumar Singh,&nbsp;Satya Prakash Sahu,&nbsp;Dibyasundar Garnayak,&nbsp;Sanjat Kumar Sahu","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70089","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70089","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study investigates the spatial distribution of air pollutants, specifically Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), PM₁₀, and PM_2.5, in the vicinity of coal mines and their associated operations. A total of 10 distinct sampling locations were systematically selected to analyze the variability in pollutants’ concentrations. The findings of the study revealed elevated concentrations of SPM at specific locations, with the highest levels observed at the Coal Stock Yard (645 µg/m³), near Siding 1&amp;2 (425 µg/m³), South Balanda (424 µg/m³), and near Siding 3&amp;4 and 5&amp;6 (418 µg/m³). The PM₁₀ concentrations exhibited showed a similar pattern, with notably high levels recorded at the Coal Stock Yard (430 µg/m³), near Siding 1&amp;2 (290 µg/m³), near Siding 3&amp;4 and 5&amp;6 (284 µg/m³), and South Balanda (249 µg/m³). However, the distribution of PM_2.5 displayed a distinct pattern compared to SPM and PM₁₀, indicating differential dispersion mechanisms for finer particulates. The SPM concentrations exceeded the 24-h average limits (600 µg/m³) set by the Indian National Air Quality Standards for coal mine regions with the following frequencies: 75% at the Coal Stock Yard, 16% at South Balanda, 12% near Siding 1&amp;2, and 8% near Siding 3&amp;4 and 5&amp;6. Similarly, PM₁₀ concentrations surpassed the prescribed 24-h average limit (300 µg/m³) with a frequency of 88% at the Coal Stock Yard, 37% near Siding 1&amp;2, 25% at South Balanda, and 20% near Siding 3&amp;4 and 5&amp;6. A comprehensive AERMOD-based assessment of air quality parameters revealed coal mining activities, vehicular movements, and the transportation of overburden and coal as the primary contributors to the observed pollutant levels. The model projected maximum concentrations of 999 µg/m³ from all coal mining activities, with transportation activities alone contributing up to 984 µg/m³. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies to improve air quality in coal mining regions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143846209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Calamity and Treatment Approach of Sulfate in Palm Oil Mill Effluent: A Mini Review","authors":"Nurul Afifah Md Shukri,&nbsp;Nabilah Aminah Lutpi,&nbsp;Yee-Shian Wong,&nbsp;Soon-An Ong,&nbsp;Farrah Aini Dahalan,&nbsp;Wirach Taweepreda,&nbsp;Nur Izzati Iberahim,&nbsp;Abdul Haqi Ibrahim,&nbsp;Nazerry Rosmady Rahmat","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70087","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70087","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The palm oil industry is booming, with a projected market valuation of $100 billion by 2030, driven by its diverse applications in food, cosmetics, and biofuels. However, the industry's rapid growth is accompanied by a significant environmental concern: the presence of sulfate in palm oil mill effluent (POME). Sulfate in POME poses a calamity to the ecosystem, leading to eutrophication and toxicity to aquatic life, also contributing to acid rain formation and higher hydrogen sulfide biogas formation. This mini-review highlights the severity of sulfate pollution in POME, its environmental implications, and the challenges associated with its treatment. Various treatment approaches, including chemical, biological, and integrated methods, are discussed, focusing on their efficacy, feasibility, and scalability. On top of that, to guarantee total pollution removal, prevent treated effluents from contaminating the environment, and design more efficient treatment techniques, it is essential to analyze the intermolecular breakdown of compounds during wastewater treatment. Thus, this review intends to comprehend the significance of performing and analyzing intermolecular breakdown, as a promising validation for the end-product of wastewater treatment. The review underscores the need for sustainable and efficient treatment technologies to mitigate the environmental impacts by sulfate in POME, ensuring a systematic pretreatment of POME toward a safe final discharge from excessive sulfate.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143840589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigations on the Money Plant's Nutrient Removal Efficiency in Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponic System Employing Synthetic Wastewater","authors":"Manimozhi Rajalakshmi,&nbsp;Krishnamoorthy Gunasekaran","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70080","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study examines money plant (<i>Epipremnum aureum</i>) nitrate nitrogen removal efficiency in a nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system using synthetic wastewater. The aim of the research is to evaluate the plant's capacity for phytoremediation in highly controlled hydroponic environments. The NFT system was maintained at its ideal flow rate of 2 L/h and a hydraulic loading rate of 0.12 m³/d. The parameters of the wastewater were TDS 950–1750 ppm, EC 1–1.6 mS/cm, pH 4.9–5.9, and temperature 25°C–26°C. At the end of 90 days of growth, the plant had an average root length of 19 cm, a shoot height of 129 cm, 97 roots, and 90 leaves. The plants showed varied removal efficacy of BOD₅, ranging from 62.8% to 90.1%, and removal efficiency of nitrate nitrogen, ranging from 13% to 83%. These findings suggest that <i>Epipremnum aureum</i> can effectively grow in NFT systems and have potential for use in phytoremediation processes, especially when it comes to eliminating nitrate nitrogen and lowering BOD₅ in wastewater.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143793760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}