Bangladesh's coastal zones face compounding threats from climate change, sea-level rise, and the resulting intensification of salinity intrusion, critically jeopardizing freshwater security, agriculture, and local livelihoods. This study presents a spatial multi-criteria analysis using a Geographic Information System (GIS) integrated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to systematically assess and map the hazard, vulnerability, and exposure dimensions driving flood-induced salinity intrusion risk in Satkhira District. The comprehensive assessment utilized 17 thematic criteria, revealing distinct spatial patterns of susceptibility. The Hazard analysis demonstrated that 35.21% of the total area is classified under the combined High and Very High zones, predominantly concentrated in the south-western and south-eastern coastal areas. The biophysical vulnerability assessment indicated a high degree of intrinsic sensitivity, with 36.59% of the district categorized as very highly vulnerable. Conversely, the Exposure analysis identified a substantial 28.19% of the land as highly and very highly exposed, reflecting the high density of valuable assets even in inland Upazilas. The final composite risk map reveals that 27.95% of the study area is subjected to either high or very high salinity intrusion risk, with the highest risk observed in Satkhira sadar. These empirically derived risk maps and quantitative findings offer crucial, evidence-based insights for policymakers, providing a foundational tool for the design and implementation of targeted adaptation strategies, sustainable land-use planning, and disaster risk reduction programs in vulnerable deltaic environments globally.
This study evaluates the single and combined effects of ivermectin (IVM) and butachlor (BUT) on the biochemical and oxidative stress parameters of Nsukkadrilus mbae. Based on the 166.7 and 9.03mg/kg LC50 values for IVM and BUT respectively, 140 earthworms were randomized into 7 groups viz. (i) normal control, (ii) low ivermectin (IVMLow:8.34mg/kg), (iii) high ivermectin (IVMHigh: 25.02mg/kg), (iv) low butachlor (BUTLow: 0.40mg/kg), (v) high butachlor (BUTHigh:1.35mg/kg), (vi) IVMLow + BUTLow) and (vii) IVMHigh+ BUTHigh) for sublethal 14-days exposure and 7-days recovery. The results indicate that lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase increased significantly while catalase, superoxide dismutase, protein and glucose decreased significantly (p < 0.05). There were mixed trends in the recovery patterns after the 7-days withdrawal. The bivariate correlation matrix, principal component analysis and integrated biomarker responses indicate interactions of the measured parameters at different concentrations and time in the earthworm. Sustainable practices that minimize harm to soil dwelling organisms by reducing the use of IVM and BUT is advocated.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution, especially, stormwater runoff from non-point sources is a major source of MPs into surrounding soils and aquatic environment. Numerous studies have investigated MPs occurrence, distribution, sources, morphology, environmental impact, and fate and transport (F&T) modeling, particularly in marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, models for MPs F&T, especially in the surface runoff context, are limited in scope or underexplored. This critical evaluation of hydrodynamic, process-based, mass-balance based, statistical, artificial intelligence (AI) based and hybrid approaches, alongside dedicated watershed hydrological models, including their input data requirements, spatial and temporal resolution, land-use classification, microplastic typology, and software accessibility, to underscore influence on the model predictive reliability. Key findings reveal that existing models lack the representation of MPs as a discrete pollutant entity with density-dependent, and morphology-driven transport behavior. Hydrodynamic models excel in mechanistic fidelity but limit their scope with urban watershed runoff, while hydrological models provide an appropriate framework for watershed dynamics but lack MP specific parameterization. AI and hybrid models show promising options for MPs predictive modeling but require robust calibration and validation datasets. Interconnected components of conceptual, structural, and empirical models are linked but constrained by barriers, hence it continues to limit MPs F&T model development and application. Addressing these challenges require standardized protocols, benchmark datasets, and integrated modeling frameworks. The synthesized information presented in this paper will not only assist in developing future MPs F&T models but also guide urban planners, environmental scientists, and water resource managers in selecting appropriate predictive tools for managing watershed MPs pollution.
Wetlands are critical components of the global carbon cycle, functioning as both carbon sinks and sources depending on environmental conditions. This study assessed short-term variability in sediment carbon storage and its physicochemical controls across five tropical wetlands in southern India. Sediment samples collected in March 2024 and March 2025 were analyzed for pH, macronutrients (N, P, K), bulk density (BD), organic carbon (OC), total organic carbon (TOC), and derived carbon indices, including carbon mass (CM), total mass carbon (TMC), and carbon density (CD). Results indicated consistent increases in OC (0.6–2.4% to 0.7–2.65%) and TOC (1.2–6.2% to 1.5–7.1%), accompanied by increases in CD (1.71–10.69 to 2.18–12.57 kgm⁻²), suggesting enhanced short-term carbon accumulation. Correlation and principal component analyses revealed strong associations among carbon-related variables, while BD and pH contributed to secondary gradients. However, these relationships partly reflect mathematical dependencies among derived indices and should be interpreted with caution. Effect size analysis (Cohen’s d) indicated substantial short-term differences for carbon-related variables (d = 2.04–2.46), along with strong effects for OC and BD, reflecting consistent directional changes across sites. Nitrogen showed a supportive role in organic matter accumulation, whereas phosphorus exhibited limited short-term influence. Slightly acidic conditions (pH 4.2–6.0) were associated with reduced decomposition and enhanced carbon preservation. Despite these findings, the study is constrained by its short temporal scope and the absence of key biogeochemical parameters such as redox potential and greenhouse gas fluxes. Overall, the results provide baseline insights into sediment carbon dynamics and inform future wetland carbon monitoring and management strategies.
The persistence of synthetic plastics in natural environments poses a major ecological challenge due to their resistance to degradation and accumulation in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. While conventional mechanical and chemical recycling technologies remain limited, fungi have emerged as promising candidates for sustainable plastic bioremediation through their diverse extracellular enzymatic systems. In this study, we evaluated the laccase-inducing potential and polymer-associated metabolic responses of 36 fungal strains isolated from aquatic environments and decaying plant material from two lakes in northeastern Germany. The study combined enzymatic screening with multiple independent indicators of polymer-associated carbon utilization to identify fungal strains with potential relevance for plastic bioremediation. All strains exhibited hydrolytic enzyme activities, including protease, lipase, and esterase production. Laccase activity in selected strains was monitored over 20 days using ABTS as a substrate, revealing substantial variation among fungal taxa and induction treatments. Trichaptum abietinum, Ganoderma sinense, Trametes hirsuta, and Botrytis cinerea exhibited particularly strong laccase responses, especially when induced with polyurethane (PU), rubber, or guaiacol. Complementary analyses, including dissolved organic carbon (DOC) accumulation, oxygen consumption, CO₂ production, and FTIR spectroscopy, demonstrated significant fungal metabolic interaction with polymer-associated carbon sources. DOC concentrations corresponded to more than 90% of the theoretical carbon content initially supplied as polyurethane, indicating extensive mobilization and transformation of polyurethane-associated carbon. However, direct quantification of polymer degradation and identification of transformation intermediates were beyond the scope of the present study. These findings identify several fungal species as promising candidates for future investigations of fungal-mediated plastic transformation and bioremediation applications.
Rare earth elements (REEs) play an essential role in modern technologies, but their increased use and continued discharge to marine and freshwater ecosystems classify them as contaminants of environmental emerging concern (CEC). Bivalves are ecological engineers, important commercial aquaculture species, and one of the key bioindicators in monitoring programs, such as the “Mussel Watch”. Therefore, they are an ideal group for assessing REE contamination due to their filter-feeding behavior and ability to bioconcentrate pollutants. This review screens and synthesizes the current knowledge and gaps regarding the effects of REEs on bivalves, following a standardized methodology, which retrieved 39 studies. The findings reveal a significant bias with 95% of the studies focusing solely on sub-individual biomarkers, while only 5% investigated organismal level effects (e.g. changes in filtration/clearance, respiration, or growth rates). We highlight evidence for links between apical endpoints at individual levels (e.g, reduced rates linked to energy depletion), identifying plausible connections rather than establishing causal links, contributing to hypothesis generation for future multi-level studies. The importance of analyzing full sets of parameters and the need to expand the range of studied model species and their geographical origin is likewise emphasized. The analysis underscores a critical gap in hazard and risk assessment of REEs related to a lack of studies linking molecular and biochemical responses to organismal and population-level consequences, which may overlook important outcomes. Future research must integrate multi-level assessments to accurately predict long-term impacts of REEs on the health condition of bivalves and how these expand on ecosystem functioning.
This study presents a hybrid assessment framework to quantify current greenhouse gas emissions and evaluate decarbonization pathways for India's iron and steel industry up to 2030. The framework establishes a sectoral emissions baseline and examines the impact of alternative mitigation scenarios, providing a foundation for long-term decarbonization planning beyond 2030. The industry was categorized into two segments: major integrated steel producers, representing more than 57% of national crude steel output, and other producers, comprising predominantly electric-route and small-to-medium-scale operations. Emission intensity estimates for major producers were derived from reported production and emissions data, whereas emissions from other producers were assessed using a bottom-up, process-based estimation. The study estimated the baseline emission intensity for financial year 2023-24 at 2.31 tCO₂/tcs, with major producers averaging 2.53 tCO₂/tcs and other (secondary) producers operating at a lower intensity of 2.02 tCO₂/tcs. Six scenarios were modelled through 2030, revealing that a combination of 30% scrap use and 50% renewable electricity offer the most effective short-term mitigation, reducing intensity to 1.66 tCO₂/tcs. While emissions from major producers remain largely stable, most reductions are driven by secondary producers, highlighting their greater decarbonization potential. Despite these improvements in carbon intensity, projected growth in steel production is expected to increase total sectoral emissions by approximately 20–74% by 2030, depending on the scenario considered.
The Karnaphuli River, a crucial freshwater source in Bangladesh, is severely threatened due to industrial expansion, unregulated waste discharge, and unplanned urbanization. This study assessed surface water quality in the Karnaphuli River and identified associated health risks by analyzing samples collected from 24 stations during winter for 10 physicochemical parameters and 4 heavy metals. The study employed Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), supplemented by spatial analysis (Inverse Distance Weighting), statistical methods (Pearson correlation and PCA), and a survey of local inhabitants through snowball sampling (n=40). The study visualizes pollutant concentration patterns across sampling sites, helping to identify pollution hotspots and high-risk zones along the river. The WQI and HPI findings were concerning. WQI (86.531-475.9) and HPI (80.694-450.45) values indicated that the water was unfit for drinking, with most stations ranging from slightly to strongly polluted. Spatial and statistical analyses showed that pollution levels increased from upstream to downstream, with the left bank exhibiting higher concentrations of Pb (0.0740mg/L) and Cd (0.0052mg/L), indicating a direct link to urban and industrial discharges. Most parameters exceeded the standards set by the ECR-2023 and the WHO-2023 guidelines. Moreover, respondents reported widespread skin diseases and confirmed that the river water is unsuitable for drinking, irrigation, or daily use. The results highlight the need for strict enforcement of the ECR-2023, improved wastewater treatment, and ongoing monitoring to protect the environment and public health in the Karnaphuli River.
This work reports on the preparation and photocatalytic evaluation of TiO2/activated carbon (TiO2/AC) nanocomposite derived from petroleum coke waste, offering a sustainable route for converting oil and gas byproducts into high-value functional materials. The composite was produced using the sol–gel method and systematically characterized using SEM-EDX, BET, XPS, XRD, TEM, FTIR, and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results confirmed the successful formation of mixed-phase TiO2, mainly composed of anatase with minor rutile contributions and an average crystallite size of ∼6.78 nm, a reduced band gap of 2.97 eV, and BET surface area of 70.02 m2/g. These structural and optical properties enhanced dye adsorption capacity, light absorption, and charge separation. Photocatalytic performance was assessed against methylene blue (MB), congo red (CR), and rhodamine B (RhB) dyes under UV irradiation. The TiO2/AC composite exhibited outstanding activity, achieving near complete degradation of MB (10 ppm) within 35 min, ∼90% removal of CR (15 ppm) within 95 min, and ∼27% degradation of RhB (20 ppm). Kinetic studies revealed that the degradation followed a pseudo-second-order model (R² = 0.993, k₂ = 2.667 g·mg⁻¹·min⁻¹), emphasizing the significance of surface adsorption together with the availability of active sites in the catalytic process. Petroleum-waste-derived TiO2/AC nanocomposites demonstrate excellent photocatalytic efficiency, showing potential for wastewater remediation while simultaneously mitigating the environmental burden of oil and gas industry byproducts.
Municipal solid waste (MSW) management represents a growing global environmental challenge due to population growth, urbanization, and rising resource consumption. In Türkiye, MSW generation is expected to increase, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and low-carbon management strategies. This study applies a scenario-based life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance and potential transition pathways of Türkiye’s MSW system, supporting the national target of 60% material recovery by 2035. Three scenarios were modeled: 2014 (historical), 2021 (status quo), and 2035 (policy-aligned projection), and environmental impacts were assessed using the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint method. Results show that phasing out open dumping, expanding recycling, and implementing mechanical–biological treatment, anaerobic digestion, and waste-to-energy systems can substantially reduce climate and other environmental impacts. In 2014, open dumping and landfilling dominated emissions, with a total of 351 kg CO₂-eq/tMSW. By 2021, partial implementation of material recovery facilities and energy recovery from anaerobic digestion reduced net emissions to 61 kg CO₂-eq/tMSW. In the 2035 scenario, the system achieves a net negative climate impact of −175 kg CO₂-eq/tMSW, primarily driven by enhanced recycling and the complete phase-out of open dumping. Landfilling remains the largest remaining emission source, though emissions per ton of MSW decrease over time due to lower biodegradable waste content. Targeted interventions can turn the MSW sector into a carbon sink, providing evidence to support sustainable policies and insights for other emerging countries.
The present study investigates the adsorption potential of mesoporous biochar derived from Ficus religiosa leaves for removing chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) from aqueous solution and tannery wastewater. The biochar was synthesised through pyrolysis at 600°C followed by alkali activation. Characterisation techniques, including FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, and BET analysis, confirmed the mesoporous structure and presence of functional groups on the biochar surface. The effects of pH, adsorbent dosage, starting metal concentration, contact time, and temperature on the removal of Cr(VI) and Cd(II) have been investigated by batch adsorption experiments. Optimal removal efficiencies of 94% for Cr(VI) and 97% for Cd(II) were achieved at pH 5, adsorbent dosage of 6 g, and contact time of 420 min. Adsorption equilibrium data fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm model, indicating multilayer adsorption, while kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The biochar showed very high Cmax values of 406.43 mg/g and 295.16 mg/g for chromium and cadmium, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters suggested the adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic. The biochar also exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activities, enhancing its potential for wastewater treatment. Desorption studies using EDTA demonstrated good regeneration capacity over three adsorption-desorption cycles. The biochar was further applied to treat real tannery effluent, effectively reducing physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations. These findings highlight the promising application of Ficus religiosa biochar as an eco-friendly and efficient adsorbent for heavy metal remediation in industrial wastewater.
Global environmental crises, climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, demand innovative management solutions that move beyond traditional reactive approaches. Digital twin (DT) technology, which creates dynamic virtual replicas of physical systems through real-time data integration, offers transformative potential for environmental governance. Originally developed for manufacturing and aerospace, DT applications in environmental management remain underexplored despite their promising capabilities. This narrative review critically evaluates current literature on DT applications across environmental domains, examining their benefits, implementation challenges, and future directions. The review adopts an explicitly evaluative approach, distinguishing between demonstrated outcomes supported by empirical evidence and projected or modelled benefits, to provide a realistic appraisal of current technology readiness. A novel four-level maturity framework: Descriptive, Predictive, Prescriptive, and Cognitive/Autonomous, is introduced to classify DT capabilities systematically, and is explicitly differentiated from existing industrial DT maturity models by incorporating governance readiness, spatial scale compatibility, and ecological complexity as distinguishing criteria. The review analysed peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, and technical reports from 2015 to 2025 using multiple academic databases. Findings reveal significant DT potential across six environmental domains: climate resilience, water resource management, pollution control, energy systems, biodiversity conservation, and urban environmental planning. Most current implementations operate at Descriptive (real-time monitoring) or Predictive (scenario analysis) maturity levels, whilst advanced Prescriptive and Cognitive applications remain nascent. Key challenges include data interoperability, computational demands, scalability limitations, and governance concerns; specific technical standards such as the Open Geospatial Consortium SensorThings API are identified as critical enablers for addressing interoperability gaps. Digital twins represent a paradigm shift towards proactive, data-driven environmental management. Realising their full potential requires addressing technical barriers, establishing robust governance frameworks, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Integration with artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing will be essential for advancing DT maturity and achieving sustainable environmental outcomes aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Conventional water treatment processes often fail to effectively remove Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CECs), resulting in their continuous discharge to receiving waters and driving the need for advanced tertiary or quaternary treatment strategies. This study investigates cold atmospheric pressure air plasma in a falling film reactor as a potential treatment approach for the mitigation of CECs in treated wastewater effluents. The removal efficacy of thirteen structurally diverse CECs was evaluated under different plasma generation conditions and solution matrices, including ultrapure water and treated municipal wastewater. Characterisation of plasma-generated reactive species in both the gas and liquid phases revealed the formation of O3, N2O and NO2 in the gas phase, leading to the production of OH, H2O2, NO2- and NO3- in the treated solution. The concentrations of these species varied significantly with plasma power and water matrix composition, directly influencing pollutant removal performance.Targeted LC-MS/MS analysis demonstrated >90% removal of erythromycin and diclofenac in both matrices, whereas caffeine (35–48%) and triclocarban (47–65%) were the most recalcitrant compounds under the conditions examined. Removal of the remaining compounds was strongly dependent on the water matrix and discharge power, with many compounds exhibiting substantially higher removal in the wastewater matrix. Evaluation of removal energy efficiency for selected compounds yielded G50 values of up to 1.60g/kWh for triclosan, 0.60g/kWh for bisphenol AF, 0.44g/kWh for carbamazepine and 0.31g/kWh for diclofenac across the investigated matrices, indicating that the process compares favourably with several established advanced oxidation technologies.
Background Chromium (Cr) is a significant environmental pollutant, particularly in wastewater containing Cr(III) ions and various anions. Objective This study investigates the effects of different anions and their concentrations on Cr(III) removal using three macrophytes: Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, and Salvinia molesta. Methodology Young plantlets were exposed to Cr(III) salt solutions, and Cr(III) removal was measured after 1, 2, 5, and 10 days. The concentrations of Cr(III) and counter-ions were quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and Suppressed Ion Chromatography. Results Results showed that Cr(III) removal was highest with acetate, with values of 3.15, 3.08, and 0.73mgg⁻¹ for the three species, respectively. The lowest removal occurred with fluorides (0.33, 0.45, and 0.42mgg⁻¹). Cr(III) removal varied by species, and counter-ion combinations were less effective than single-ion solutions. Conclusion and novelty P. stratiotes was the most efficient at removing Cr(III). This study is the first to evaluate the impact of counter-ions on metal removal by macrophytes. Importantly, this study is the first to demonstrate that the type of counter-ion plays a critical role in Cr(III) uptake by macrophytes, highlighting acetate as the most favorable anion for enhanced metal removal. These findings provide new insights into optimizing phytoremediation strategies for Cr-contaminated wastewater.
PAHs are toxic and persistent organic pollutants widely associated with combustion processes and urbanization. This study evaluates the concentration, spatial distribution, sources, and potential human health risks of 16 priority PAHs in street dust collected during the winter season in 2024 from urban and rural regions of Chattogram, Bangladesh. The concentration of total PAH ranged from low to exceedingly high, with the maximum concentration observed in the Oxygen residential area (4023.98 ng/g). The profiles were mostly composed of four-ring and high-molecular-weight PAHs, indicating that the pyrogenic effect was dominant. TEQ values were notably higher in urban areas (mean 13.32 ng/g) compared to rural sites (mean 2.53 ng/g), showing increased carcinogenic potential in areas affected by vehicle and industrial emissions. Both the molecular diagnostic ratios and multivariate analysis (PCA, HCA) suggested that coal combustion and petroleum combustion were the major contributors, with minor petrogenic influence in certain rural locations. Health-risk assessment showed that ingestion and dermal contact were the primary exposure pathways, with children being more susceptible than adults. Moreover, ILCR and CCR values exceeded the acceptable threshold value (10−6), implying notable carcinogenic risk. However, HI values at all sites remained below acceptable levels, except station10, which has shown a value of 3.51 for children. Ecological risk assessment showed significant threats in industrially influenced areas, where RQ∑PAHs (MPCs) ≥ 1 and RQ∑PAHs (NCs) ≥ 800. Overall, the findings highlight significant PAH pollution hotspots in Chattogram and emphasize the need for improved urban emission management to mitigate future health and ecological risks.
Microplastics are ubiquitous contaminants of the environment that are increasingly threatening to ecosystems and human health because of their persistence, widespread distribution and ability to interact biologically. Their toxicological properties depend on various factors such as polymer structure, particle size, surface properties, and environmental changes. Microplastics degrade by ageing (through photoaging, thermal degradation, mechanical weathering, chemical oxidation, and biological degradation), which collectively change their physicochemical properties and enhance their biological reactivity. Such changes usually lead to surface oxidation, increased pollutant adsorption, increased hydrophilicity, and increased bioavailability, thus modulating toxicity. The review is a critical synthesis of the existing evidence on the biological toxicity of microplastics, with a particular focus on how environmental ageing contributes to changes in toxicity profiles among the polymer types. The articles published in the period 2020–2025 were reviewed to assess the impact of polymer composition, particle size, and ageing on oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, and other biological outcomes related to exposure to microplastics. Oxidative stress and inflammatory signalling consistently appeared as central mediators of toxicity in a range of experimental systems, and they play a role in mitochondrial pathology, apoptosis, DNA damage and metabolic disturbance. Environmental ageing was also discovered to enhance the microplastic toxicity by increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species, promoting the adsorption of co-contaminants and altering the particle surface chemistry. Polymer-specific effects were also evident, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) commonly implicated in increased cytotoxicity, and polystyrene was significantly implicated in high genotoxic and inflammatory effects, especially after the ageing process had occurred, or the polymer had been reduced in size. Polyethylene tended to have lower acute toxicity and oxidative and endocrine-disrupting effects under environmentally transformed conditions. Microplastics were linked to oxidative, reproductive, developmental, and behavioural dysfunction in aquatic and terrestrial organisms at the ecological and organismal levels. There is evidence of possible multi-organ toxicity based on human-relevant models, but limited epidemiological evidence is present. In general, the toxicity of microplastics is a multifactorial process that is predetermined by the interaction of polymer properties, particle size, and environmental ageing. These findings justify the need to have standardised methodologies, environmentally relevant exposure models, and integrated risk assessment frameworks to gain a better understanding and mitigate the biological and ecological risks related to microplastic pollution.
A comprehensive analysis of microplastics (MPs) in the atmospheric region across various nations from 2015 to 2024 revealed that around 62.7% of the published studies on atmospheric MPs were reported from Asian countries. This dominance may be attributed to Asia's significant role in producing and receiving huge amounts of plastic waste, contributing to higher MPs generation and an increased focus on atmospheric MPs research. In Asian countries, China contributes the largest proportion of studies, accounting for approximately one-fourth of the total studies. This is followed by countries such as Iran, Indonesia, India, and many others. However, this review primarily focused on studies conducted in India, where the presence of some of the world’s most polluted cities significantly increases the potential of airborne MPs. Research on atmospheric MPs in developing countries like India remains in its primitive stage, with limited records and only a few reported studies compared to other environmental compartments. Additionally, this review compiled studies on MPs across diverse environmental mediums, emphasizing polymer peak identification using advanced analytical techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. India, as one of the most polluted countries with ongoing challenges of improper waste management, presents a serious case for evaluating airborne MPs. By systematic compilation and analysis of all available Indian studies, this review addresses an important gap in the existing literature. Overall, the findings enhance region-specific understanding and provide a basis for future research and policy measures in other developing regions facing similar environmental issues.
The study of fugitive dust emissions and its characteristic arising from manufacturing industries is necessary in order to protect the factory workers, host communities, ambient air quality and the environment. To achieve this, fugitive dust samples were collected in different manufacturing plants and resuspended using a designed and fabricated resuspension chamber in a simulated controlled environment. resuspended dusts were captured on filter paper and analyzed for chemical compositions using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). The developed source profiles from metal recycling, ceramics, paper and cement industries showed different composition chemically.In the metal recycling plant, the profile was majorly characterized by high presence of toxic trace elements (Pb and Co), alongside significant concentrations Fe and Al. However, paper and cement industries profiles showed domination of crustal (Ca and Si) forming the major matrix. The profiles of the two industries showed lower concentrations of hazardous trace elements, with metal recycling showing the most significant load of heavy metal with significant risk to human health. Sulphur was identified as a non-metallic component across all industries in the developed profiles. The developed source profiles showed distinct chemical fingerprints for each manufacturing industries. Metal recycling plants showed higher prevalence for heavy metals, posing significant health risks to factory workers and the environment. The findings in the current study showed the importance of industries specific emission abatement technologies to reduce the impact of fugitive dust in the ambient environment.
