Abstract: Plastic litter is on the rise where plastic waste ends up in undesignated areas such as the coastal shorelines, where the plastic is exposed to environmental conditions. As a result, the degradation and decomposition of plastics occur, leading to the formation of smaller fragments of plastics, termed microplastics. Microplastics have recently been considered as an emerging class of contaminants due to their ecotoxicological impact on the aquatic environment as well as soil matrix. Microplastics are of a size less than 5 mm and are produced from either a primary source (such as plastic pellets, and beads in makeup products) or a secondary source (such as the wear and tear of normal-use plastics and washing of clothes and textiles). Microplastic pollution is spread across the hydrosphere, pedosphere, and atmosphere, and these environmental zones are being studied for microplastic accumulation individually. However, there exists a source–sink dynamic between these environmental compartments. This study reviews the available literature on microplastic research and discusses the current state of research on the fate and transport of microplastic in the hydrosphere, pedosphere, and atmosphere, explores the ecotoxicological impact of microplastics on aquatic and soil communities, and provides prospective future research directions and plastic waste management strategies to control microplastic pollution. While the fate of microplastics in the hydrosphere is well-documented and researched, studies on understanding the transport mechanism of microplastics in the pedosphere and atmosphere remain poorly understood.

Abstract: Understanding the extent of human health risks with an emphasis on carcinogenesis development attributable to potentially toxic chemicals is critical to effective prevention and mitigation strategies. Chromium (Cr), mainly the hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)), is a chemical associated with cancer when found in drinking water, making it a major public health issue. This study assessed a possible carcinogenic human health risk among the general population due to exposure to total or hexavalent chromium. We performed a systematic review of the international scientific literature, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol to determine the human risk of cancer mortality and morbidity. In total, 76 articles were checked for eligibility, 13 of which were included in the final systematic review. Only scientific articles from January 2000 to November 2022 published on PubMed were included. Data from both epidemiological ecological studies (Relative Risk and Rate Ratio—RR and Standardized Mortality Rate—SMR) and epidemiological case studies (Lifetime Cancer Risk—LCR, Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk—ILCR, Cancer Risk—CR, Hazard Quotient—HQ, Hazard Index—HI, Health Risk Assessment—HRA, Disability-Adjusted Life Year—DALY, and Chronic Daily Intake Index—CDI) were included for the overall assessment of carcinogenicity in the general population. According to most articles, there is credible evidence that hexavalent chromium via water is indicated as a major contributor to the global burden of cancer in humans. Some of them emphasize malignant neoplasms in the lung, liver, stomach, and genitourinary system. Although the health index data of the case studies are based on a limited number of samples, they raise concerns about the possibility of an increase in the degree of carcinogenesis. However, there are significant limitations due to the lack of information on the dose and duration of exposure in the target group. Further research involving extensive analysis of the association of the two variables is needed, which depends on more complete information extraction and advanced methodologies.

Abstract: Global climate change concerns have pushed international governmental actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adopting cleaner technologies, hoping to transition to a more sustainable society. The hydrogen economy is one potential long-term option for enabling deep decarbonization for the future energy landscape. Progress towards an operating hydrogen economy is discouragingly slow despite global efforts to accelerate it. There are major mismatches between the present situation surrounding the hydrogen economy and previous proposed milestones that are far from being reached. The overall aim of this study is to understand whether there has been significant real progress in the achievement of a hydrogen economy, or whether the current interest is overly exaggerated (hype). This study uses bibliometric analysis and content analysis to historically map the hydrogen economy’s development from 1972 to 2020 by quantifying and analyzing three sets of interconnected data. Findings indicate that interest in the hydrogen economy has significantly progressed over the past five decades based on the growing numbers of academic publications, media coverage, and projects. However, various endogenous and exogenous factors have influenced the development of the hydrogen economy and created hype at different points in time. The consolidated results explore the changing trends and how specific events or actors have influenced the development of the hydrogen economy with their agendas, the emergence of hype cycles, and the expectations of a future hydrogen economy.

Abstract: Water resources are under pressure worldwide, resulting in scarcity and deterioration of freshwater quality. According to European directives, we could reduce the pressure on water resources in urban areas by increasing the reuse of treated wastewater, reducing the impact on water bodies, and promoting water recycling through multiple uses of urban wastewater. Besides the need to address water supply challenges, wastewater treatment systems show environmental stewardship and innovative practices. Using reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation is gaining interest because of the drought conditions experienced in Europe over the past few years. Furthermore, using treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation may help to restore nutrients (N and P) to natural biogeochemical cycles. This review highlights the importance of water reuse, current legislation, and existing technologies to implement in wastewater treatment systems to meet the minimum requirements to produce reclaimed water to reuse in agricultural irrigation.

Abstract: The effect of bad air quality on human health is a well-known risk. Annual health costs have significantly been increased in many countries due to adverse air quality. Therefore, forecasting air quality-measuring parameters in highly impacted areas is essential to enhance the quality of life. Though this forecasting is usual in many countries, Sri Lanka is far behind the state-of-the-art. The country has increasingly reported adverse air quality levels with ongoing industrialization in urban areas. Therefore, this research study, for the first time, mainly focuses on forecasting the PM10 values of the air quality for the two urbanized areas of Sri Lanka, Battaramulla (an urban area in Colombo), and Kandy. Twelve air quality parameters were used with five models, including extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), CatBoost, light gradient-boosting machine (LightBGM), long short-term memory (LSTM), and gated recurrent unit (GRU) to forecast the PM10 levels. Several performance indices, including the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute relative error (MARE), and the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), were used to test the forecasting models. It was identified that the LightBGM algorithm performed better in forecasting PM10 in Kandy (R2=0.99, MSE =0.02, MAE=0.002, RMSE =0.1225, MARE =1.0, and NSE=0.99). In contrast, the LightBGM achieved a higher performance (R2=0.99, MSE =0.002, MAE =0.012 , RMSE =1.051, MARE =0.00, and NSE=0.99) for the forecasting PM10 for the Battaramulla region. As per the results, it can be concluded that there is a necessity to develop forecasting models for different land areas. Moreover, it was concluded that the PM10 in Kandy and Battaramulla increased slightly with existing seasonal changes.

Abstract: Agricultural plastic mulching is an important horticultural process for increasing crop yields because it preserves soil moisture, soil temperature, and nutrients, and avoids the need for weed herbicides. However, there are risks to using plastic mulch, since residual macroplastic (MaP), microplastic (MP), and nanoplastic (NP) in fields have a significant negative impact on the environment, causing damage to soil properties, harming microorganisms in the soil, and entering the human body via the food chain. Plastic mulch is often disposed of in landfills or used in techniques like the thermal process to gain energy or recycling to generate plastic granules for the plastic industry. Pretreatments are occasionally required before recycling, such as cleaning the mulch from the soil to fit the recycling process. This review provides an overview of the quantities and negative impacts of plastic, especially plastic mulch films after use, as well as their decomposition products, on the environment, soil, and human health, and presents alternatives. The possibilities and problems of collecting and recycling films are discussed in addition to the alternatives, for example, the use of biodegradable films. Overall, agricultural advancements to reduce plastic waste in the environment by using thicker films, collection after use, and recycling in developed countries are on a good path. However, NP poses a risk, as it is still completely unclear how it affects human health. Alternatives to plastic mulch have found little acceptance so far due to the significantly higher material costs.

Abstract: In recent years, interest in the impact of environmental pollutants on the ecosystem has increased significantly, with particular attention being paid to the relationship between climate change and the aquatic world. This is because increasing pollution is causing fundamental changes to the welfare of animals and the marine ecosystem. A primary focus is on the impact of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), as evidenced by our bibliometric network analysis (BNA). However, while research is focused on the accumulation of these pollutants in aquatic organisms, their effects on redox homeostasis are still seldom discussed despite the role played by reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial well-being in maintaining an optimal state of health. However, some scientific evidence suggests that the accumulation of MPs and NPs in organisms at the base of the trophic chain can cause a transfer of these substances towards more complex organisms, reaching humans through the consumption of aquatic fauna as food. Therefore, in this review, we have tried to discuss the effects of these substances on oxidative stress in aquatic organisms, even if studies in this regard are still scarce.

Abstract: This study offers a review of machine learning (ML) applications in membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems, an emerging technology in advanced wastewater treatment. The review focuses on implementing ML algorithms to enhance the prediction of membrane fouling, control and optimize the system, and predict faults early, thereby enabling the development of novel cleaning strategies. Key ML algorithms such as artificial neural networks (ANNs), support vector machines (SVMs), random forest, and reinforcement learning (RL) are briefly introduced, with an emphasis on their potential and limitations in advanced wastewater applications. The main challenges obstructing the implementation, namely data quality, interpretability, and transferability of ML, are identified. Finally, future research trends are proposed, including ML integration with big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and hybrid model development. The review also underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and investment in data management, along with the implementation of new policies addressing data privacy and security. By addressing these challenges, the integration of ML into MBRs has the potential to significantly enhance performance and reduce the energy footprint, providing a sustainable solution for advanced wastewater treatment.

Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), due to their mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic potential, can lead to numerous chronic and fatal diseases. PAHs have been found in several wastewater streams, including “produced water,” which is wastewater generated during the extraction of oil and gas. The PAHs’ removal from produced water using physical, chemical, biological, and combined methods is crucial. Water is a vital ecosystem component and is extremely vulnerable to PAHs. This article reviews the current PAH situation, including their physical and chemical properties, types, characteristics, and removal methods from produced water. The mechanism of each method of removal of PAHs has been discussed. The current study results show that adsorption by nanoparticles and integrated methods are promising methods to meet the strict authoritarian limit with advanced increase potential in the direction of commercialization for the removal of PAHs and provide opportunities to use produced water as a source of water. The current study results can help the policy/decision makers in the efficient management of water resources.

Abstract: Re-evaluation of conventional wastewater treatment processes is of paramount importance to improve the overall quality of our aquatic environment. Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOPs) are the most promising alternative methods with application in wastewater treatment facilities since in situ electrogenerated oxidant agents degrade and mineralize a wide range of water pollutants. Boron-doped diamond (BDD) technology has proven its excellency in the anodic oxidation (AO) of different pollutants. In this work, we describe the use of a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology and a bibliometric analysis tool for the assessment of a representative sample of work (hundreds of publications) concerning the synergism between AO using BDD technology and other oxidation methods. One section of the discussion relates to different techniques used to enhance the AO performance of BDD technology, namely persulfate radicals or ozone and photoelectrocatalysis, whereas the second one considers Fenton-based reactions. A standard synergism effect occurs between AO using BDD technology and the add-ons or the Fenton-based methods, resulting in the enhancement of the degradation and mineralization efficiencies. The future of EAOPs using BDD technology must include renewable energy sources to self-sustain the overall process, and further research on the subject is mandatory to enable the effective acceptance and application of such processes in wastewater remediation facilities.

Abstract: The exacerbation of the global water crisis due to an increase in global population, industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural activities, along with global climate change and limited water resources, makes water reuse inevitable in all continents. By 2030, global water consumption may grow to ~160% of the currently available volume. This study reviews recently published articles (2019–2021) to explore global case studies of water reuse and discusses future perspectives by country based on a literature survey on water reuse. There are 17 obstacles reported worldwide regarding water reuse (e.g., the properties and low amounts of treated water, regulations, financial challenges, etc.) and 10 advantages of utilizing reused water in various fields (e.g., overcoming the global water crisis, improving the economy, benefiting the industrial sector, etc.). The concept of reusing water has been accepted by countries in almost every continent (e.g., Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and North America); the technical findings from different countries are summarized in this study. The water reuse scenario is not restricted to countries with limited water supply and can be applied to those with sufficient water resources (e.g., Canada and Brazil have also implemented water reuse policies). Water reuse can be utilized by human beings via indirect and direct potable recycling, as well as in agriculture, textile, construction, hotel, groundwater recharge, and aquaculture industries. However, a standard guideline for the application of reclaimed water at a global scale is unavailable. Several perspectives have been suggested for the future utilization of reclaimed water worldwide as an effort to secure and ensure the sustainability of existing natural water resources. Lastly, water reuse may be considered a potential alternative for reducing the burden on water resources in the future.

Abstract: Microplastics (MPs), small plastic particles resulting from the degradation of larger plastic items and from primary sources such as textiles, engineered plastic pellets, etc., have become a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. As their prevalence in the natural environment grows, concerns about their potential impacts on human health have escalated. This review discusses current research findings on the presence of MPs in organs such as the liver, blood, heart, placenta, breast milk, sputum, semen, testis, and urine, while also exploring plausible mechanisms of translocation. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the importance of understanding the potential toxicological effects of MPs on various physiological processes within these organs and their broader implications for human health. This review also examines the pathways through which MPs can enter and accumulate in human organs and bodily fluids, shedding light on the intricate routes of exposure and potential health implications. It is worth noting that the invasive medical procedures may permit direct access of MPs to the bloodstream and tissues, serving as a potential contamination source. However, it is evident that a comprehensive understanding of MPs’ invasion into human organs is vital for effective mitigation strategies and the preservation of both human health and the environment.

Abstract: Air pollution is an immense problem due to its detrimental health effects on human populations. This study investigates the distribution of particle-bound heavy metals and associated health risks in three diverse areas (Durgapur as an industrial complex, Kolkata as an urban area, and Bolpur as a semi-urban region) in West Bengal, India. Twenty-one (84 samples) sampling sites were chosen, covering industrial, traffic, residential, and sensitive zones. The respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) samples were collected using a portable Mini-Vol Tactical Air Sampler, and heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and As) were analyzed using ICP-OES. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were assessed using exposure concentration (EC), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and additional lifetime cancer cases. The results highlight variations in heavy metal concentrations across the regions, with industrial areas exhibiting higher levels. Principal component analysis (PCA) unveiled distinct metal co-variation patterns, reflecting sources such as industrial emissions, traffic, and natural contributors. The sum of non-carcinogenic risks (HI) of all heavy metals exceeded the US EPA’s risk limit (HI<1) in both Kolkata and Durgapur, except for Bolpur. Similarly, the sum of cancer risk in three distinct areas exceeded the USEPA limits (1.00E-06). The Monte Carlo simulation revealed the 5th and 95th percentile range of cancer risk was 9.12E-06 to 1.12E-05 in Bolpur, 3.72E-05 to 4.49E-05 in Durgapur and 2.13E-05 to 2.57E-05 in Kolkata. Kolkata had the highest additional lifetime cancer cases compared to Bolpur and Durgapur. This study provides information on the complex connections between heavy metal pollution and possible health risks in industrial, urban, and semi-urban regions.

Abstract: The systemic transformation towards climate neutral cities depends on a dramatic reduction in the use of natural resources, whose use are directly or indirectly associated with greenhouse gas emissions. This means improving Urban Metabolism (UM) and one of the most promising pathways is to promote Circular Economy (CE) practices in the existing building stock, as this approach could reduce global CO2e emissions from building materials by 38% in 2050. However, although resource efficiency is at core of CE, there are still only a few established connections between CE and UM. This paper aims to fill this gap by adopting a three-tier approach based on the dimensions and the spatial implementation of CE (building, neighbourhood and UM scales), with the aim of discussing strategies for CE implementation. Although this not a one-size-fits-all process and cities must adapt these strategies to their local contexts, the strategic actions offered by this paper will facilitate the future development of a dedicated framework for buildings refurbishment using the principles of CE and the definition of multisectoral policy-based actions, in line with the decarbonization goals for cities, which will contribute to improving UM.

Abstract: This review paper adopts bibliometric and meta-analysis approaches to explore the application of supervised machine learning regression models in satellite-based water quality monitoring. The consistent pattern observed across peer-reviewed research papers shows an increasing interest in the use of satellites as an innovative approach for monitoring water quality, a critical step towards addressing the challenges posed by rising anthropogenic water pollution. Traditional methods of monitoring water quality have limitations, but satellite sensors provide a potential solution to that by lowering costs and expanding temporal and spatial coverage. However, conventional statistical methods are limited when faced with the formidable challenge of conducting pattern recognition analysis for satellite geospatial big data because they are characterized by high volume and complexity. As a compelling alternative, the application of machine and deep learning techniques has emerged as an indispensable tool, with the remarkable capability to discern intricate patterns in the data that might otherwise remain elusive to traditional statistics. The study employed a targeted search strategy, utilizing specific criteria and the titles of 332 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus, resulting in the inclusion of 165 articles for the meta-analysis. Our comprehensive bibliometric analysis provides insights into the trends, research productivity, and impact of satellite-based water quality monitoring. It highlights key journals and publishers in this domain while examining the relationship between the first author’s presentation, publication year, citation count, and journal impact factor. The major review findings highlight the widespread use of satellite sensors in water quality monitoring including the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI), Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI), Operational Land Imager (OLI), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), and the practice of multi-sensor data fusion. Deep neural networks are identified as popular and high-performing algorithms, with significant competition from extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), even though XGBoost is relatively newer in the field of machine learning. Chlorophyll-a and water clarity indicators receive special attention, and geo-location had a relationship with optical water classes. This paper contributes significantly by providing extensive examples and in-depth discussions of papers with code, as well as highlighting the critical cyber infrastructure used in this research. Advances in high-performance computing, large-scale data processing capabilities, and the availability of open-source software are facilitating the growing prominence of machine and deep learning applications in geospatial artificial intelligence for water quality monitoring, and this is positively contributing towards monitoring water pollution.

Abstract: Climate dictates the critical aspects of human environmental conditions. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions due to human-induced climate change have alarmingly increased. Consequently, climate change directly affects environmental sustainability and human mortality in the short term and creates prolonged and complicated long-term indirect grave risks. This paper examines three-level environmental impact risks associated with climate change on human mortality. It proposes a conceptual framework for developing an empirical event-based human mortality database related to climate change and communication strategies to enhance global environmental adaptation, resilience, and sustainability.

Abstract: Establishing new protected areas (PAs) is one of the first steps needed to reduce habitat loss and fragmentation, protect ecosystems that are of vital importance to conserve biodiversity, and even protect traditional cultures. The correct management of a PA can be beneficial for the different forms of life found within it and can provide multiple benefits to humanity and to the continued functioning of productive ecosystems. Protected Areas act as buffers for life while serving as sanctuaries and strongholds for species in the face of climate change. Within these areas, genetic diversity is enabled to evolve in response to the pressures of natural selection. The causes of biodiversity loss include changes in land use due to agriculture and urbanization, invasive species, overexploitation, and pollution. As stipulated, the current study aims to update the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) by applying a review of scientific and gray literature. This review presents updated information; Ecuador currently has 74 protected areas, with state, decentralized autonomous, community, and private subdivisions. The main social and environmental impacts found in the protected areas included in the SNAP are presented in a review of the existing literature. Finally, strategies are proposed to improve the management of the protected areas of the SNAP focused on strengthening the conservation of their different life forms and the responsible use of their ecosystem services through more efficient and productive spaces.

Abstract: This review is a survey of recent progress in studies concerning the impact of phthalic acid esters in aquatic organisms. After introducing the classification, properties, sources, fate, and toxic effects related to phthalates, an overview of the techniques of extraction and analysis of these substances is provided. As a result, the general concepts of environmental bioindicators, biomonitoring systems, and other concepts related to phthalate contamination in the aquatic environment are presented. Recent bioaccumulation data of different phthalates are summarised in a table and organised according to the type of organism, tissue, and geographical area of sampling. Bioindicator organisms that are more representative of the different phthalates are highlighted and discussed as along with other variables that may be relevant in the assessment of the environmental pollution of these substances. The final part looks at the environmental perspectives and suggests new directions and research objectives to be achieved in the future.

Abstract: The advent of the COVID-19 era has ushered in significant changes to both the environment and daily life. During the COVID-19 lockdown, a unique opportunity emerged to improve environmental quality and mitigate certain impacts on the planet. The distribution and health risks of microplastics (MPs) in the street dust of Dhaka city, Bangladesh during and after COVID-19 lockdowns were examined in this study. The study covered sites selected based on land usage, including an industrial area (IA), commercial area (CA), public facilities area (PFA), and residential area (RA). The particles in the dust samples were analyzed using a fluorescent microscope and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the maximum number of MP particles/g of street dust sample was recorded from industrial areas (17.33 MP particles/g) and the minimum was recorded from residential areas (13.99 MP particles/g) without lockdown. The trends in the MPs were as follows: without lockdown > partial lockdown > complete lockdown. Risk analysis showed that the MPs in dust pose low non-carcinogenic risk to inhabitants of the study area and across lockdown periods. Principal component analysis showed that during the partial lockdown period, comparable sources were detected for the cellulose/low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polychloroprene (PCP)/polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polypropylene (PP)/polyacrylamide (PAA)/nylon, and polyethylene (PE)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/fiber groups of MPs, but various sources were discovered during the complete and without lockdown periods. The results further showed that all MP types would pose no non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks in dust from all land-use areas. However, the highest risks were obtained from inhaling dust. The study shows that human activities have a significant impact on the generation and distribution of MPs in the environment. The changes in MP type distribution during lockdown suggest that reducing human activities, such as traffic and industrial activity, can lead to a decrease in the quantity of MPs generated and released into the environment.

Abstract: The measurement of material, energy, water, and waste flows in organizations represents a key challenge in the enhancement of a circular economy and sustainable development. In November 2022, the experimental technical standard “Measurement of Circularity—Methods and Indicators for Measuring Circular Processes in Organizations” (UNI/TS 11820:2022) was introduced, which provides, for the first time, a set of 71 quantitative, qualitative and semi-quantitative indicators for the assessment of the levels of circularity in organizations at the micro- and meso-level. First, the present exploratory research aimed to illustrate the main characteristics of the novel technical standard. Second, through an online-based questionnaire among 105 managers and employees working in various industrial sectors in Italy, the research aimed to investigate their level of awareness and perception of selected circular economy monitoring indicators. Such an analysis will help to identify the weaknesses and strengths of the current version of the technical standard. The research applied descriptive statistics and regression models to estimate the association between the perception of selected circular economy indictors and awareness of the concepts of “circular economy”, “lifecycle thinking”, “sustainable development” and “corporate social responsibility”. Although a limited number of respondents took part in the research, the research explored, for the first time, the main features related to the experimental UNI/TS 11820:2022, proposed an original analysis of users’ perception and awareness in its application, and suggested possible opportunities towards its enhancement from theoretical and managerial perspectives.

Abstract: Agriculture is widely recognized as a solution to food insecurity and poverty, especially in rural areas. However, 75% of the world’s poor live in rural areas, and agriculture is the primary source of their livelihood. One may wonder if the observed correlation between agriculture and poverty also suggests causation. If that is the case, then what such causal relationship might exist? Is agriculture a vehicle for poverty alleviation or a source of poverty trap? The role of climate change is rather undisputed: associated extreme weather phenomena cause severe negative impacts on agriculture, exacerbating rural poverty. However, climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is acclaimed to potentially reverse the situation by eliminating poverty and food insecurity. Against this backdrop, the paper investigates whether smallholder farmers who adopt CSA could achieve food security and better income. This aim was approached through three key research objectives (i) to examine the effects of climate change on smallholder farmers, (ii) to examine the extent to which smallholder farmers adopt CSA and the barriers to adoption, and (iii) to investigate empirically the effects of CSA practices in terms of food security and poverty alleviation. The Upper West and Upper East regions in Ghana were selected purposively for the case study, and the data collected were analyzed using inferential and descriptive techniques. The results revealed no statistically significant positive relationship between the adoption of CSA with food security and income. Poor socioeconomic and market conditions marred the expected positive effects of CSA, hence the need for the provision of agricultural infrastructures and inputs as well as the creation of market for commodities.

Abstract: Governing and managing the allocation and use of freshwater has always been a complex and fraught undertaking. The challenges to effective and equitable management have been exacerbated by rising pressures on supplies caused by such drivers as population growth, urbanization and climate change. Moreover, vast quantities of water straddle international and other boundaries—four-fifths of the world’s largest river basins and hundreds of aquifers span such borders. This further complicates management and governance, which is subject to disparate legal, political, administrative, financial, cultural and diplomatic conditions. Recognition in the literature and in practice of ‘transboundariness’ dates to the 1970s and has grown since. The authors trace the evolution of transboundary water scholarship and identify five framings used in transboundary water governance and management: conflict and cooperation; hydropolitics; hydrodiplomacy; scale; and disciplinary approaches. Transboundary water management initiatives can be viewed through three broad strands: interventions, advancements in governance strategies and democratization of data and information for strengthening science–policy interaction. The authors close with a discussion of future directions for transboundary water governance and management, emphasizing the need for additional research on how to deal with climate-related and other mounting challenges.

Abstract: The European Noise Directive fixed a well-defined schedule on a five-year basis for the noise exposure evaluation of citizens. Noise monitoring is needed to validate noise maps of the main transportation infrastructures and it can also represent an improvement. By comparing with average noise maps, a properly set sensor network can report noise information in a more case-specific way, including time variations. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, key performance indicators (KPIs) evaluating the technical performance and financial sustainability of acoustic networks have never been presented in the scientific literature. Therefore, in the present work, a set of KPIs are proposed on the basis of KPIs defined for monitoring networks of other pollutants. It is then tuned according to noise monitoring, in line with the current legislations. As a case study, the performance of three monitoring networks installed in ports are evaluated and discussed. The resulting investment and maintenance costs can be helpful for decision makers to calculate the cost–benefits in the installation of new monitoring stations and also to evaluate the performance of the already-existing ones.

Abstract: There is currently no review article on the role of remote sensing (RS) tools on waste disposal site (WDS) applications. Permanent waste disposal is the world’s most commonly used solid waste management method, and a specific review is warranted. To investigate research trends and to identify knowledge gaps on the use of satellite-based RS in WDS applications, 170 studies published over the last decade, from 2012 to 2021, were examined and classified using a bibliometric approach. Results are discussed with respect to relevancy, satellite types, study origins, RS analytical methods, and applications. Out of 72 short-listed studies, 44.4% were carried out in Asia, followed by Europe with 18.0%. Asia is also a leading region in the use of multiple satellite products. Only two satellite products were utilized in African studies. The absence of local satellites could potentially be the reason behind the sole use of global satellite imagery. Globally, Landsat contributed 70.8% of the total studies. Sentinel products represented only 8.3%. About 44% of the studies used various RS indices when addressing WDS-related issues. The majority of studies (56%) applied image classification methods to study changes in land use and land cover. The temporal trend reveals a general increase in the total number of studies, particularly for suitable site detection and disposal-site-induced anomaly detection. This review directly addresses the knowledge management aspect of data-driven solid waste management.

Abstract: The current policies aimed at promoting the decarbonization of existing buildings under the principles of the circular economy are in need of practical measures tailored to local conditions to increase their effectiveness. The lack of standard practices for assessing buildings’ refurbishment strategies toward energy efficiency and CE principles reflects this reality. To tackle this issue, a new framework for refurbishing circular buildings, is proposed in this paper, based on circular procurement and incorporating a lifecycle perspective. This framework articulates a dialogue between local authorities and private stakeholders through a set of steps that encompass building mapping, selective disassembly, (re)design, and (re)build practices, providing opportunities to implement policy-based incentives. The application of the framework within the Portuguese context demonstrates the potential to identify critical moments within the refurbishment process that can materialize in a new set of CE policy actions to be implemented at the building level. These policies are aligned with local construction permitting procedures and take advantage of the resources and incentives offered by the local administration, such as tax incentives.

Abstract: The current Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) management system of the European Union to be applied in all member states was introduced in 2002 by the first WEEE directive (2002/96/EC). Since the beginning, the system was intended to improve the management of WEEE and promote circular economy principles in the sector. This study aims at evaluating the environmental and social impacts of the WEEE management system in Italy, with a special focus on collection and recycling in Campania Region (the third more populated Italian Region, Southern Italy). The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is jointly applied with the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA). All five categories of WEEE (R1 to R5) are considered in the assessment. The LCA results show that the extraction of metals and materials from 1 tonne of WEEE collection and recycling generates much lower environmental impacts than the extraction and refining of an equivalent amount of virgin resources. In particular, the results of the environmental LCA highlight that the treatment of 1 tonne of WEEE collected in the Campania Region provides the opportunity to recover several metals such as Aluminum, Iron, Steel and ferrous materials, Copper, Nickel, Lead, and precious metals (Gold, Silver, and Palladium). According to S-LCA, the collection and recycling of 1 tonne of WEEE provides positive impacts to the investigated sub-categories of recipients (i.e., local community and society), except in some cases where the collection may potentially generate negative impacts, expressed by a lower “safe and healthy living conditions” indicator in the local community sub-category. In particular, much more must be done to support small Municipalities towards better collection procedures and integration within the largest Regional and national WEEE valorization networks. Solutions are suggested to improve the transition of the WEEE management system towards a more just environmental and social circular economy model.

Abstract: Estimating various properties of soil, including moisture, carbon, and nitrogen, is crucial for studying their correlation with plant health and food production. However, conventional methods such as oven-drying and chemical analysis are laborious, expensive, and only feasible for a limited land area. With the advent of remote sensing technologies like multi/hyperspectral imaging, it is now possible to predict soil properties non-invasive and cost-effectively for a large expanse of bare land. Recent research shows the possibility of predicting those soil contents from a wide range of hyperspectral data using good prediction algorithms. However, these kinds of hyperspectral sensors are expensive and not widely available. Therefore, this paper investigates different machine and deep learning techniques to predict soil nutrient properties using only the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) bands data to propose a suitable machine/deep learning model that can be used as a rapid soil test. Another objective of this research is to observe and compare the prediction accuracy in three cases i. hyperspectral band ii. full spectrum of the visual band, and iii. three-channel of RGB band and provide a guideline to the user on which spectrum information they should use to predict those soil properties. The outcome of this research helps to develop a mobile application that is easy to use for a quick soil test. This research also explores learning-based algorithms with significant feature combinations and their performance comparisons in predicting soil properties from visual band data. For this, we also explore the impact of dimensional reduction (i.e., principal component analysis) and transformations (i.e., empirical mode decomposition) of features. The results show that the proposed model can comparably predict the soil contents from the three-channel RGB data.

Abstract: The effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on human health have drawn increased attention in the last two decades. Numerous studies have discussed the effects of ALAN on human health on diverse topics. A broader scope of how ALAN may affect human health is thus urgently needed. This paper depicts a systematic evidence map in a multi-component framework to link ALAN with human health through a comprehensive literature review of English research articles in the past two decades. A three-phase systematic review was conducted after a generalized search of relevant articles from three publication databases, namely Scopus, the Web of Science, and PubMed. In total, 552 research articles were found in four categories and on numerous topics within our framework. We cataloged the evidence that shows direct and indirect as well as positive and negative effects of ALAN on human physical and mental health. We also summarized the studies that consider ALAN as a social determinant of human health. Based on our framework and the systematic evidence map, we also suggest several promising directions for future studies, including method design, co-exposure and exposome studies, and social and environmental justice.

Abstract: Agroecosystems, accounting for more than one-third of arable land worldwide, play an essential role in the terrestrial carbon (C) cycle. The development of agricultural practices, which maximize soil C sequestration from the atmosphere, is receiving growing attention due to the recognition of agroecosystems’ great potential to serve as sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). In particular, cover crop and soil amendment applications are generating much interest in mitigating climate change and enhancing agricultural ecosystem services. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of winter cover crop and soil amendments, including broiler litter (BL), flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum and lignite, on soil CO2 flux from cropping systems in southeastern USA, where related studies were limited. A field study was conducted from 2019 to 2021 in a Mississippi upland corn cropping system with measurements of soil CO2 flux, moisture and temperature during cash crop growing seasons. We observed high temporal variability in soil CO2 flux with flux peaks between late June and early July, which is likely due to the temporal changes in soil moisture. A significant increase in soil CO2 flux was found with BL application (p < 0.05). Co-application of FGD gypsum and lignite with BL-reduced soil CO2 flux by 15–23% but did not fully eliminate the rising effects. Significantly higher soil CO2 flux and lower soil temperature were observed from fields with cover crops than those without cover crops in the third year of this study (p < 0.05), which is likely attributed to the higher organic C content accumulated in soil with cover crops. Future research should assess year-round soil greenhouse gas fluxes in both cash crop and cover crop growing seasons using a high temporal resolution measurement scheme.