Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
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Phosphate Removal from Water: A Comparison of Adsorbents
No full textPhosphate contamination in water systems continues to pose serious environmental challenges, primarily due to its role in eutrophication and degradation of aquatic ecosystems. Among the various treatment strategies, adsorption has emerged as an effective and versatile method for phosphate removal, even at low concentrations. This review critically examines the performance, mechanisms, and practical applicability of three promising adsorbents: lanthanum-modified bio-ceramisite (La@BC), layered zinc hydroxide (LZH), and bottom ash (BA)—an industrial by-product. Each adsorbent is evaluated based on its synthesis method, adsorption efficiency, interaction with competing anions, and regeneration potential.
La@BC, synthesized via co-precipitation, exhibits high selectivity for phosphate and strong performance under acidic conditions. LZH, with its high surface area and structural integrity, supports efficient phosphate uptake and recovery from both synthetic and real wastewater. BA, a low-cost material rich in metal oxides, shows considerable adsorption capacity, as confirmed through Langmuir isotherm modeling (Qₒ = 6.522 mg/g; Rₗ = 0.417). Comparative analysis highlights the trade-offs between cost, environmental impact, and operational efficiency.
This review also contrasts these adsorbents with conventional biological and emerging nanomaterial-based treatments, noting that while biological methods offer high removal rates, they require long treatment times and produce excessive sludge. Nanomaterials like nano-alumina offer rapid removal but are expensive and may pose ecological risks. The review concludes by identifying current research gaps and proposing directions for developing scalable, sustainable, and low-cost phosphate removal technologies
Effect of Moisture Deficit Stress on Morphology, Physiology and Yield Responses of Mulberry (Morus alba. L)
No full textThe present experiment was carried out to assess the effect of moisture stress on four mulberry genotypes and three varieties in Rain Out Shelter at TNAU, Coimbatore. Four months old mulberry plants were grown in pots and subjected to three water regimes viz., 100% PC, 50% PC and 25% PC for 30 days. All the morphological (plant height, number of branches, number of leaves) and physiological traits (leaf area, RLWC-relative leaf water content) were studied before imposing stress and 30 days after drought stress. All the morphological characters were found to be reduced in plants at intense water stress compared to control plants. MI-0613 had taller plants while drought tolerant MI-0425 had smaller plants at 25% PC. Plant height was significantly altered within genotype and between treatments, but number of branches were not significantly altered in all the genotypes. Physiological parameters were decreased significantly under intense water stress. Mulberry genotype, MI-0425 was found to be drought tolerant with higher leaf area (117.24cm2/plant) and RLWC (78.55 %). Drought caused severe reduction in yield and TDMA in the genotypes viz., MI-0613 (45. 96%) and MI-0658 (36.70%). V1 recorded higher yield under drought stress. While the genotype MI-0425 showed lesser reduction in yield and TDMA (Total Dry Matter Accumulation) under drought stress. Hence the study has identified genotype MI-0425 and variety V1 to be drought tolerant
Hydrogeological Parameters and Climate Variability Impacts on Groundwater Availability in M’Bahiakro (Central-East Côte d’Ivoire)
No full textIn the context of increasing climate variability in West Africa, this study analyzes groundwater dynamics in M’Bahiakro in relation to climatic conditions and aquifer characteristics. The data used include daily rainfall (1944–2016), monthly temperatures (1964–2015), and potential evapotranspiration (1971–1998) from the Bouaké station. The methodology combines the analysis of Nicholson indices after seasonal filtering using a Hanning low-pass filter. It also relies on hydrodynamic measurements of hydraulic conductivity, effective porosity, and groundwater flow velocities in four representative districts. The results identify three climatic phases: wet (1944–1972), normal (1973–1996), and dry (1997–2016), which directly influence aquifer recharge. Hydraulic conductivity ranges from 7.1 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ m/s, with permeable zones in N’guattakro and Koko and less permeable zones in Dougouba and Baoulekro. Effective porosity (20–40%) enhances water storage and infiltration in sandy areas but limits flow in clay-rich sectors. Groundwater recharge represents 34.85% of rainfall, while evapotranspiration accounts for 62.07%. Groundwater flow velocities, on the order of 10⁻⁵ m/s, indicate slow circulation and tend to decrease with declining rainfall and rising temperatures. These results highlight that groundwater availability depends on both lithology and climate, emphasizing the need for integrated and sustainable water resource management. They also provide critical information for local planning and climate adaptation, contributing to improved water-resource management in tropical environments
Economic Value Potentials of the Niger Delta Mangrove Ecosystem, and Decline in Rural Livelihood Arising from Unsustainable Exploitations
No full textThe Niger Delta mangrove is an extensive ecosystem that supplies various goods and provides ecological services. They are thus very important ecologically, economically, and socially as they harbour a wide range of aquatic and land-based flora and fauna, in addition to a number of ecosystem services that improve livelihood and the wellbeing of humans. The potential benefits derivable from these goods and services constitute the economic value potentials of the mangrove ecosystem. The Niger Delta mangrove ecosystem is a vital wetland area that encompasses diverse ecological zones, each with a unique stock of goods and services but has faced significant threats from anthropogenic activities, resulting in depletions that have created so many declines in livelihood activities, which beyond the economic considerations attached to the said various anthropogenic activities in the mangrove ecosystem, has led to the loss of economic values resulting from the attendant environmental degradation and therefore requires urgent attentions. Two zonal areas were selected for the study in Bayelsa State and Rivers State in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Investigations indicated a significant decline in the Rivers Zonal area than the Bayelsa State area because of the activities of illegal refining of crude petroleum in the Rivers State area. It is thus recommended by this study for the regular environmental audit through environmental valuations to initiate action plans for conservations
Comparative Assessment of Faecal Bacterial Contamination of Vegetables from the Central and Fresh Food Markets in Foumbot, West-Cameroon
No full textThe health quality of vegetables sold in Cameroon is still not well known. The objective of this study was to determine the health risk associated with the consumption of vegetables sold in markets in Foumbot, to inform strategies for consumer protection. Hundred samples of vegetables (Carrots, celery, basil, parsley, lettuce, tomato, African eggplant, cucumbers, peppers, chillies), i.e. 50 per market (the central and fresh food markets) were taken and faecal coliforms, E. coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and faecal streptococci were investigated using the plattage technique. The one-way ANOVA test (analysis of variance) was used to compare the mean bacterial contamination levels among samples for all analyses, differences were considered significant for values of P < 0.05. Results showed that the bacterial load in the samples exceeded the standards set by the Health and Information Communication System (SCISCOM. Observed values were: African eggplant (4.48 to 5.90 Log CFU/g), basil (4.77 to 4.84 Log CFU/g), carrots (4.42 to 6.05 Log CFU/g), celery (4.54 to 4.84 Log CFU/g), cucumbers (4.59 to 5.64 Log CFU/g), lettuce (3.73 to 4.72 Log CFU/g), parsley (4.01 to 5.98 Log CFU/g), peppers (2.66 to 5.75 Log CFU/g), chillies (4.31 to 4.92 Log CFU/g) and tomatoes (4.09 to 4.89 Log CFU/g). Overall, only a few vegetable samples had bacterial loads that met the standard set by Scicom (1000 faecal coliforms/g, 100 E. coli/g and 0 CFU/25g of vegetable for Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and faecal streptococci). The presence of these bacterial, which exceed the norm, represents a real risk for consumers and is thought to be responsible for the presence of food-borne illnesses in the commune of Foumbot. Consequently, it is imperative to implement education and awareness strategies on food hygiene among vendors and consumers and, establish food safety management protocols, in collaboration with local health authorities. Protecting consumer health and ensuring food safety must become priorities in local public health policies
Seasonal Variation of CO₂, CO, and H₂S Emissions and Meteorological Influences Around a Cement Factory in Nigeria
No full textCement manufacturing is a major contributor to atmospheric emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which pose significant environmental and health risks. This study investigated the seasonal variation of CO₂, CO, and H₂S concentrations around the Dangote Cement Plant in Obajana, Nigeria, and evaluated the influence of meteorological parameters on these emissions. Ambient air samples were collected from twelve strategically selected outdoor locations during the wet (August–October) and dry (November–January) seasons. Measurements of temperature, humidity, and wind speed were also recorded to assess meteorological impacts. Results revealed that average concentrations of the sampled three pollutants were significantly higher during the dry season compared to the wet season. Elevated temperatures and reduced humidity during the dry season contributed to poor pollutant dispersion and high accumulation. CO₂ levels were primarily influenced by fuel combustion processes, while CO emissions were linked to incomplete combustion. H₂S concentrations, although generally low, were influenced by both industrial emissions and local microbial activities. Statistical analysis showed moderate to strong correlations between pollutant levels and meteorological parameters. A one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed separately for CO₂, CO, and H₂S using values from twelve sampling locations. The results indicated slight statistically significant difference between wet and dry season concentrations for CO₂ (F = 0.79, p = 0.3841) and CO (F = 0.51, p = 0.4838). However, H₂S levels showed a highly significant seasonal difference (F = 40.50, p < 0.0001), with consistently higher concentrations observed during the dry season. The study underscores the importance of seasonal monitoring and the need for emission control strategies to protect local air quality and public health
Kinetic and Thermodynamic Study of the Adsorption of Methyl Red by Natural and Modified Clays from Côte d’Ivoire
No full textAgri-food and textile industrial units located near waterways discharge their wastewater, which often contains large quantities of toxic dyes, potentially carcinogenic and very dangerous for humans. It is necessary to effectively treat these industrial effluents in order to limit their impact on the environment. Thus, the treatment of colored solutions has become one of the interests of scientific research. It is in this context that this work examines the ability of clays to remove the methyl red contained in aqueous solutions. For this, clays from Côte d’Ivoire were brought into contact with synthetic solutions of methyl red by following parameters such as contact time, pH of the medium (2-10), temperature (293 K – 323 K), mass of clay (5 mg – 80 mg) and initial concentration of methyl red (5 mg/L – 100 mg/L). Experiments have shown that the adsorption capacity increases quickly during the first 30 minutes of contact. The contact time for reach equilibrium can be estimated as 30 minutes. The adsorption reaction is described by a second-order kinetic model. It is influenced by the pH of the medium, the temperature and the valence of the saturating cation and its degree of hydration. The adsorption capacity increases with the mass of clay, the initial concentration of methyl red, the content of iron compound, of titanium oxide TiO2 and the importance of the clay fraction with a diameter < 2 μm. Thermodynamic parameters revealed that it is a spontaneous physical adsorption
Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater Table Fluctuations in the Barind Area: A GIS-Based Analysis
No full textThe research on groundwater in the Barind region of Northwestern Bangladesh, spanning five Upazilas, highlights significant groundwater depletion from February to May from ten years data from 2013 to 2022, with recharge occurring between August and October. The most significant depletion occurs between February and May, while water levels tend to rise from August to October. The effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns, intensify these challenges by hindering groundwater replenishment and increasing dependency on groundwater sources. The study underscores the importance of adopting sustainable management strategies, such as water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and continuous monitoring. To tackle these issues and ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources, effective adaptation measures are crucial. To ensure sustainable groundwater management, the study recommends enhancing rainwater harvesting, utilizing surface water for irrigation, preventing aquifer overexploitation, storing monsoon water, fostering collaborative water management, involving local communities, providing planners with detailed data, and adopting mitigation strategies
Assessment of Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soil and Water in Selected Mining Areas of Ebonyi State, Nigeria
No full textMining activities frequently introduce hazardous compounds, including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), into soil and water systems, resulting in significant environmental contamination. This study assessed the levels of heavy metals and PAHs in soil and water samples collected from five mining sites in Ebonyi State: Okposi, Amasiri, Akpuoha, Isiagu, and Uburu while Afikpo served as a control site due to little or no mining activities. Using standard analytical techniques, the concentrations of heavy metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, the concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons were determined using Gas Chromatography coupled with Flame Ionization Detector and the physicochemical properties of the samples such as pH, Organic matter, total dissolved solids etc. were determined. The results revealed that soil samples contained heavy metal levels exceeding NESREA (National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency) regulatory limits, with arsenic ranging from 145.90 to 600 mg/kg, cadmium from 3.64 to 7.68 mg/kg, and lead from 167.44 to 252.71 mg/kg and were all above the permissible limit. Similarly, water samples from the mining sites showed elevated concentrations of manganese (0.07–0.54 mg/L) and lead (0.71–1.44 mg/L), surpassing the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) limits of 0.2 mg/L and 0.01 mg/L, respectively. PAH concentrations in soil ranged from 0.091 to 1.518 µg/kg, while water samples exhibited values between 0.006 and 1.780 µg/L, with naphthalene identified as the most prevalent compound. These findings indicate that mining operations have significantly contaminated the environment especially in Akpuoha and Okposi sites, posing potential risks to both ecosystems and human health. To mitigate these hazards, pre-treatment of water, soil remediation, and enhanced community awareness are permissible
Evaluating the Implementation and Effectiveness of Environmental Policies to Carbon Footprint Reduction: A Global Approach to Climate Change Mitigation
No full textThe current global average carbon emissio issue is vital for the formulation and implementation of efficient policies to reduce CO2 emissions. This study assessed the performance of the four interventions of carbon price, renewable electricity, REDD policy and energy intensity in 6 regions from 2000-2020. The aim was to assess their effectiveness concerning the reduction of carbon emissions (CE) and determine trends and potentialities for further climate change management. Data from six regions, Germany, Brazil, China, South Africa, the United States, and the European Union (EU), were used to measure the CO₂ emission reduction contribution of each policy. Germany achieved 28 % by an uptake in Renewable Energy (RE), which was 30 %, and carbon pricing policy, which was 25 %. Brazil’s reduction was in the range of 12%, with deforestation policies accounting for 18%, while China, reduced emissions in the range of 14% mainly through RE, which accounted for 18%. South Africa realized a 10 % reduction driven, by a balanced input from each of the 4 measures. The United States achieved an efficiency improvement of 18% mainly due to the carbon price and RE sources. These main findings give useful information about the global effectiveness of the main policies aimed at decreasing CO _{2} emissions and may serve as a reference for creating further climate change policies