Environmental Quality Management最新文献

{"title":"Heavy Metals Contamination of Agricultural Soil and Vegetables, and Human Health Risk Assessment Through Vegetable Consumption in Nagaland, Northeast India","authors":"Rollen Yanthan,&nbsp;Suchismita Das","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70105","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We investigated the heavy metal (HM) concentration in agricultural soil—viz., lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr)—and vegetables (14 different varieties) from two districts (Dimapur and Wokha) of Nagaland in northeast India. The soil presented 0.15–0.19 mg Cd/kg, 49.65–78.8 mg Cr/kg, 8–10 mg Cu/kg, 8.6–14 mg Pb/kg, 22–25 mg Ni/kg, and 50.6–71 mg Zn/kg. In vegetables, Cr, Pb, and Ni ranged between 4.9–15.16 mg/kg, 0.29–2.68 mg/kg, and 5.78–14.58 mg/kg, correspondingly. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that most heavy metals (HMs) were contributed by human activities. The evaluation of health hazards to humans as per the risk assessment model by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for adults (≥24 years) and children (≤6 years) showed that vegetable ingestion induced non-carcinogenic risk, estimated via the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). HI ranged from 1.06 to 2.18 in adults and 3.3 to 6.83 in children. The total carcinogenic risk (TCR) from all HMs (ranged: 2.34 × 10⁻³ to 3.94 × 10⁻³ in adults and 1.83 × 10⁻³ to 3.09 × 10⁻³ in children) was &gt;10⁻⁴, the stipulated minima for causing substantial carcinogenic threat. In general, children are highly vulnerable to non-carcinogenic risks and adults are more susceptible to carcinogenic risks. Soil and vegetables from the Wokha district posed a greater hazard to consumers’ health. The results of this research give recent underlying information on HM concentrations, which may be utilized to establish prospective risk reduction and management measures. This study thereby suggested that proper monitoring, maintenance, and remediation methods must be taken up to preserve soil and vegetable quality and protect the health of humans.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144220256","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":"Design of Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems in University Complexes: A Case Study of the University of Guilan, Iran","authors":"Mahsa Mahmoudi,&nbsp;Babak Tavakoli,&nbsp;Mehdi Aalipour","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70107","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>University centers and complexes can be considered small-scale cities and must design an integrated solid waste management system (ISWM) to minimize residual environmental impacts. An effective ISWM system should consider factors such as waste composition, waste reduction plans, and technical, financial, and administrative feasibility for waste management improvements and adopted strategies. The University of Guilan, as the most significant complex university in the northern provinces of Iran, was selected to evaluate generated waste and design an ISWM. The waste sampling was conducted at six sites over 9 months, from September 2015 to June 2016. The waste composition included food waste (compost), paper and cardboard, plastic, glass, and metals. To assess the significant differences in waste generation across the variables, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed. The results showed that an average of about 479.15 kilograms per day (kg/day) of waste was produced at the University of Guilan complex, which more than 90% could be reduced, recycled, or composted. The highest generated waste was observed from 23 September to October 22, 2015, about 327.9 kg by the students' dormitory, and the lowest related to the end of semester in January and June with 11.57 and 13.75 kg, respectively. The waste production per capita of the university was 114.04 g/person/day on average. The results emphasize the potential of achieving higher waste recovery rates and the challenges that universities and colleges may face in changing to sustainable university waste management. Compostable food waste, plastics, and paper represent three of the most generated types of composition for waste reduction and recycling. The results showed that the production of compost from food waste is the best strategy for solid waste management in the central self-service area, and separation from the source and recycling is the best option for the administrative and educational departments of the University of Guilan.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214164","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":"Shaping the Anthropocene: Understanding and Evaluating Human Impact on the Global Ecosystem","authors":"Yuanzhao Ding","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70104","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In the Anthropocene epoch, human activities have extensively altered the global ecological system, leading to substantial shifts in species distribution and survival patterns due to industrialization and global warming. Quantifying these environmental impacts is essential; for example, the 2023 Global Footprint Network estimates humanity's ecological footprint to be 1.71 Earths, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable solutions. This study aims to identify and summarize primary quantification methods for assessing human impacts on the environment. Using the Web of Science database, this paper analyzes 1000 relevant papers to identify four primary methodologies: the ecological footprint, Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production (HANPP), the Planetary Boundary framework, and the Living Planet Index (LPI). This paper provides a detailed evaluation of each approach, assessing their strengths and limitations in measuring the effects of human activities on the global ecosystem. Additionally, this study explores the potential of machine learning models to enhance future predictions. By analyzing and comparing these methods, this paper offers insights that are critical for informing policies and practices aimed at reducing human-induced environmental degradation.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144171294","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":"Harnessing Microorganisms as Sustainable Green Technology for Enhanced Seed Germination and Crop Growth","authors":"René Díaz-Herrera,&nbsp;Victor Navarro-Macias,&nbsp;Olga B. Alvarez-Pérez,&nbsp;Janeth Ventura-Sobrevilla,&nbsp;Anna Ilina,&nbsp;J. A. Ascacio-Valdés,&nbsp;Cristóbal N. Aguilar,&nbsp;Mónica L. Chávez-González,&nbsp;Miguel A. Medina-Morales,&nbsp;Yadira Karina. Reyes Acosta,&nbsp;Roberto Arredondo-Valdés","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70103","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Seed germination is a primary process in plant growth and development, as it is the first in a series of steps that result in successful cultivation. Most of the helping techniques that promote seed germination and crop growth are mediated by processes of a chemical nature, which are harmful to the environment. For this reason, agricultural strategies have been evolving in response to the need to take care of the planet, leading the scientific community to look for other environmentally friendly alternatives to reduce pollution problems in agricultural soils. This is why the use of beneficial bacteria and fungi in agricultural practices has become increasingly common, gaining ground against conventional treatments, as these microorganisms establish a direct relationship with the crop, providing conditions to improve quality, growth, and safety against diseases caused by phytopathogenic microorganisms, resulting in a successful crops.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144135616","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":"Environmental Knowledge Influences Pro-Environmental Behavior to Mitigating Air Pollution Toward Sustainable Development in Indonesia: A Logistic Multilevel Analysis","authors":"Robert Kurniawan,&nbsp;Agung Purwanto,&nbsp;Bagus Sumargo,&nbsp;Anas Rulloh Budi Alamsyah,&nbsp;Krismanti Tri Wahyuni,&nbsp;Prana Ugiana Gio","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70102","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This investigation seeks to uncover both internal and external influences that contribute to fostering pro-environmental behavior, particularly in the realm of mitigating air pollution. This study also seeks to examine the relationship between environmental knowledge and individual attitudes toward the reduction of air pollution. This study employed multilevel binary logistic regression to achieve its objectives and address the multilevel characteristics of the data. The study utilized two types of data: the nationwide household survey for level one and the regional aggregate data for level two. The findings indicate that environmental knowledge influences the reduction of motor vehicle usage. Furthermore, public knowledge regarding air pollution and its origins, along with the quantity of motor vehicles at the provincial level, markedly affects motor vehicle usage at the 10% significance level. Individuals' propensity to decrease motor vehicle usage significantly correlates with various strategies to mitigate air pollution, such as using bicycles and public transportation. Consequently, the government can formulate policies about environmental education that consider both internal and external factors for individuals with the aim of promoting pro-environmental behavior (PEB) and mitigating air pollution in Indonesia.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143938988","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":"Control of Microplastics and Nanoplastics Discharge via Biochar-Based Filtration: Optimization Using Central Composite Design (CCD) and Identification of Column Fouling Mechanism","authors":"Muhammad Adli Hanif,&nbsp;Naimah Ibrahim,&nbsp;Farrah Aini Dahalan,&nbsp;Umi Fazara Md. Ali,&nbsp;Ayu Wazira Azhari,&nbsp;Masitah Hasan,&nbsp;Nabilah Aminah Lutpi,&nbsp;Mohamed Hasnain Isa","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70098","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging aquatic pollutants of significant environmental concern due to their pervasive hazards. Filtration using filter media is a common approach for mitigating MP and NP contamination; however, the optimization of process parameters and the underlying column fouling mechanisms remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates the optimization of MP and NP removal using surface-engineered biochar in a continuous-flow column system via response surface methodology (RSM) employing central composite design (CCD). Four operating parameters were evaluated: pH (3–11), MP and NP concentration (0.01–0.09 g/L), flow rate (5–9 mL/min), and biochar bed depth (5–15 cm). Optimal removal efficiency was achieved at pH 7, MP and NP concentration of 0.01 g/L, 7 mL/min flow rate, and 10 cm biochar bed depth, yielding removal efficiencies of 93.75% (measured by turbidity method) and 93.07% (estimated by gravimetric method). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed the model's significance, with a high coefficient of determination (<i>R</i>²) observed between predicted and actual data. All tested parameters and two interacting parameters, (i) concentration-flow rate and (ii) flow rate-biochar bed depth, significantly influenced MP and NP removal efficiency. Prolonged operation under optimal conditions induced fouling of biochar-packed bed, and an evaluation using Hermia's model, assuming uniform bed porosity and filtration as the main removal mechanism, indicated the presence of standard blocking, intermediate blocking, and cake filtration as primary fouling mechanisms. This study highlights the potential of surface-engineered biochar as a promising filter media for efficient MP and NP removal while providing insights into the column fouling dynamics.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143914361","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":"Toxicological Impact of Heavy Metal Contamination in Vegetables on Human Health: A Case Study of Konongo, Ghana","authors":"Samuel Wiafe,&nbsp;William Adu Asamoah,&nbsp;Japhat Opoku Ofosu,&nbsp;Thomas Bandoh","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70101","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70101","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There are serious health risks associated with heavy metal contamination, including that caused by arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd). For this study, 72 vegetable samples were gathered from nearby markets, prepared by wet digestion, and then examined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The study discovered that the levels of As, Hg, and Pb in vegetables continuously surpassed allowable limits. Several vegetables had levels of As above safe limits, posing non-carcinogenic risks, according to human health risk assessments such as the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ). Pumpkin and eggplant had the highest TTHQ values according to cumulative risk assessments, suggesting possible health risks from extended exposure. Carcinogenic risk estimates (TCR) for As and Cd also stayed below critical thresholds, but the combined impact of several metals raised concerns about long-term cancer. Vegetables were divided into two main groups using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) based on contamination profiles. Certain vegetables (lettuce, tomato, and eggplant) had higher contamination risks. In order to reduce health risks. The results support evidence of heavy metal bioaccumulation in food crops around the world.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143914360","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":"Life Cycle Assessment of Single Malt Irish Whiskey: A Case Study in Ireland","authors":"Ekene Christopher Umego,&nbsp;Marie Byrne,&nbsp;Catherine Barry-Ryan","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70100","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Irish distilling sector has grown exponentially in the last decade, with about 42 distilleries producing up to 110 million liters of pure alcohol (LPA) of whiskey annually. This study explored the life cycle assessment (LCA) of single malt Irish whiskey to gain insight into the environmental implications of whiskey distillation in Ireland by building on a case study from an Irish whiskey distillery. It also identified hotspots in the life cycle of Irish whiskey and looked at improvement options for the hotspots. ISO 14044 LCA methodology was used to develop the model of the product system. Primary production data was sourced from an Irish distillery, and Ecoinvent database was used to build the inventory using open LCA. CML-IA baseline was used for the impact assessment. Obtained results showed that global warming, acidification, and eutrophication potentials (EPs) were 2.26 kg CO₂ eq., 0.013 kg SO₂ eq., and 0.015 kg PO₄ eq., per LPA of whiskey spirit, respectively. Identified hotspots from the study were energy use (gas and electricity) and barley cultivation, with a cumulative environmental impact of approximately 90% of the overall impacts. Precision farming, utilization of organic grains, and very high gravity (VHG) brewing were some of the improvement options for environmental impact reduction. Application of these to the impact assessment resulted in global warming potential (GWP) savings of 1.7%–18%. An estimation of the environmental impacts at the sectoral level showed that the sector is responsible for approximately 250,000 tons CO₂ eq. emissions. Obtained results can form the basis for environmental impact monitoring and control for the Irish whiskey industry.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143909173","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":"Microplastics in Irrigation Systems: A Growing Threat to Agriculture Soil and Crop Plant","authors":"Marchel Putra Garfansa,&nbsp;Ary Bakhtiar,&nbsp;Shefa Dwijayanti Ramadani,&nbsp;Lili Zalizar,&nbsp;Syarif Husen,&nbsp;Joko Triwanto,&nbsp;Iswahyudi Iswahyudi,&nbsp;Pardin Lasaksi,&nbsp;Yenni Arista Cipta Ekalaturrahmah","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70099","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70099","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>One area of growing concern was the presence of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural irrigation systems, where they entered and affected soil quality and plant health. This study evaluated the impact of MPs on soil quality and plant growth through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, focusing on studies that examined MPs in irrigation water, including their identification, occurrence, and environmental impacts on agricultural systems. MPs in agricultural irrigation systems are transported by water, deposited in the soil, trapped in sediments, or infiltrated deeper soil layers, interacting with soil chemicals and increasing environmental toxicity risks. Additionally, MPs in irrigation water disrupted soil physical properties by reducing porosity and aggregate stability, while altering nutrient cycling processes, including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus dynamics. Moreover, MPs negatively affected microbial communities and soil fauna, further compromising soil fertility. These disturbances significantly hinder soil productivity and plant health, suggesting the urgent need for mitigation strategies. The uptake and translocation of MPs by crops impaired plant growth, reduced photosynthetic efficiency, and induced oxidative stress. This study highlights the potential long-term risks of MPs contamination, emphasizing the threat to agricultural sustainability. Consequently, MPs in irrigation systems posed significant risks to soil health and agricultural productivity, underscoring the importance of addressing this emerging environmental issue to ensure sustainable agricultural practices.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143896992","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":"Circular Economy in the Food Systems: A Review","authors":"Danish Rizwan,&nbsp;Syed Beenish Rizwan Kirmani,&nbsp;Farooq Ahmad Masoodi","doi":"10.1002/tqem.70096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70096","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The traditional linear economy model, characterized by the unsustainable “take-make-dispose” approach, leads to substantial resource depletion, environmental degradation, and excessive waste generation. The burgeoning need for a sustainable food system calls for a shift from the traditional open-loop linear model towards a circular economy. This review explores the transformative potential of circularity principles across various levels of food production. The closed-loop circular economy model, put forward by Walter Stahel, prioritizes efficient utilization of resources and waste minimization. It focuses on closing the loop with the food system by promoting regenerative agricultural practices, minimizing the generation of food waste and losses across the supply chain, and encouraging the valorization of waste and by-products. While acknowledging the challenges associated with this transformation, the review underscores the importance of a systematic transition. The transformation from linear to circular food systems necessitates the collective efforts of all the stakeholders, including farmers, producers, processors, retailers, and consumers. Moreover, the government and policymakers have a crucial role to play in terms of infrastructure development and crafting supportive policies to pave the way for successful transformation. By fostering educational initiatives that raise awareness about waste reduction, management, and valorization, alongside incentivizing circular economy practices, the food system can evolve into a more sustainable and closed-loop model, contributing to a more resilient future.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":35327,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Quality Management","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143892964","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}