Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zemichael Gizaw, Negesu Gizaw Demissie, Mulat Gebrehiwot, Bikes Destaw, Adane Nigusie
Summary: Infections with enteric pathogens have significant social and economic consequences, especially in low-income countries where access to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities is limited. This study assessed enteric infections and management practices among rural communities in northwest Ethiopia and found a high burden of enteric infections, with diarrhea, amoebiasis, and ascariasis being the most common. The study also identified factors associated with enteric infections, including the presence of livestock and households headed by uneducated mothers.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lindiwe C. Mngadi, Diego F. Cuadros, Frank Tanser, Jonathan K. Burns, Rob Slotow, Andrew Tomita
Summary: Clean water and adequate sanitation are crucial for good hygiene and health. This study examines the association between access to these facilities and depression in rural South Africa. The results show that lack of access to clean water and sanitation is significantly associated with higher odds of depression. Furthermore, access to clean water partially mediates the relationship between lack of sanitation and depression.
PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Juho Kinnunen, Pekka M. Rossi, Inga Herrmann, Anna-Kaisa Ronkanen, Elisangela Heiderscheidt
Summary: Decentralized sanitation facilities can provide a more flexible approach to improving global sanitation. However, reports indicate that there are often low and variable treatment performances in on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). This study conducted a statistical analysis of 1301 samples from 395 units in Finland and Sweden to increase knowledge on effluent water quality and compliance with regulations. The findings revealed both compliance and non-compliance rates, with certain factors such as system type and treatment process affecting contaminant concentrations.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kara Stuart, Rachel Peletz, Jeff Albert, Ranjiv Khush, Caroline Delaire
Summary: This study found that contextual factors have a significant impact on the outcomes of rural sanitation interventions, but the direction and extent of the influence may vary between different countries, requiring tailored intervention measures. By using publicly available high-resolution datasets, interventions for rural sanitation activities can be targeted to the most favorable contexts.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Brayan Alexis Parra-Orobio, Jonathan Soto-Paz, Anulfo Ramos-Santos, Keiner Fernando Sanjuan-Quintero, Rossember Saldana-Escorcia, Isabel Cristina Dominguez-Rivera, Antoni Sanchez
Summary: The increasing pressure on water resources due to population growth and high water consumption has led to water stress, especially in urban areas from tropical developing countries. The Total Water Footprint (WFtotal) and the Environmental Sustainability Index (SIblue) are holistic water management tools that help identify pressures over water resources. This study assessed the WFtotal and its components in low-income households in Colombia, identifying the activities with high environmental impact and the water quality in the receiving wetland. The results showed a high WFgreen and the scarcity scenarios regarding water quality and sedimentation in the Baquero wetland according to the SIblue.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Stephanie L. Wear, Vicenc Acuna, Rob McDonald, Carme Font
Summary: The global sanitation crisis not only threatens humans but also impacts the health of ecosystems. Untreated and poorly treated sewage raise concentrations of pollutants in natural ecosystems, requiring attention and collaborative efforts to address this issue effectively.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Willian Narzetti, Francisco Silva Pinto, Daniel Narzetti, Tiago Cetrulo
Summary: Achieving universal access to water and sanitation services in developing countries requires a coherent legal, political, and institutional environment, along with a clear financial strategy. Regionalizing utilities may be crucial for addressing disparities, economic inequalities, and governance challenges. Additional financial support may be required to ensure universal access, and tariff adjustments must strike a balance between cost effectiveness and affordability for families.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mabvuto Yesaya, Elizabeth Tilley
Summary: Blantyre has around one million residents using pit latrines as sanitation facilities, but there is a lack of services to empty the pit sludge, leading to a significant amount of sludge buried underground. Most safely discharged sludge comes from a small proportion of septic tanks in the city, and there does not seem to be a clear correlation between cost and volume of sludge discharged. In the coming years, there is a pressing need for the city and WWTPs to prepare for future challenges in faecal sludge management.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mairead Connolly, Yuli Shan, Benedikt Bruckner, Ruoqi Li, Klaus Hubacek
Summary: A good understanding of household carbon emissions is crucial for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. In developing countries, there are significant disparities in carbon footprints between urban and rural areas, with urban dwellers having higher per capita emissions. Electricity consumption and transportation are major contributors to carbon emissions across all income groups.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hao Zheng, Yong Liao, HongXiang Chai, Liuwei Zhao, Xuekang Cao, Lihua Feng, Fangying Ji
Summary: A falling water enhanced tidal flow constructed wetlands (F-TFCW) was constructed to solve the problems of insufficient oxygen supply and low pollutant removal efficiency in traditional constructed wetlands (CW). The effects of falling water reoxygenation, tidal operation, and flood rest ratio (F/R) on the pollutant removal performance of F-TFCW were examined. The results showed that F-TFCW exhibited high removal rates for COD, NH4+-N, and TP, and the microbial analysis revealed the pollutant removal mechanism of F-TFCW.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nina L. Hall, Amanda Lee, Wendy E. Hoy, Sandra Creamer
Summary: Providing safe drinking water and effective sanitation in remote Indigenous communities is challenging due to biological and chemical contamination in water sources. Monitoring and maintenance can be difficult in remote areas, leading to potential health risks from unpalatable water consumption. Effective programs in New South Wales and Queensland have identified enablers such as support, collaboration, suitable technology, sustainable funding, and a holistic view of water and sanitation systems.
RURAL AND REMOTE HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Geography
Elizabeth McCrillis, Mark W. Skinner, Amber Colibaba
Summary: The research found that contextual community factors directly affected the sustainability of age-friendly programs in rural areas. The presence of social connectivity facilitated sustainability, while the lack of geographic connectivity presented challenges.
JOURNAL OF RURAL STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Preyan Arumugam, Lungiswa Zuma, Susan Mercer, Lloyd Govender, Jonathan Pocock, Christopher J. Brouckaert, Teddy Gounden
Summary: The design principles of decentralised wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) make them a practical sanitation option for municipalities in fast-growing cities in South Africa. A modular DEWATS system has been in operation in eThekwini since 2014, and a performance evaluation was undertaken in 2019. Despite some limitations, DEWATS has the potential to fill the gap in both urban and rural sanitation in South Africa where connections to conventional wastewater treatment works are not possible.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Deepshikha Pandey, Shelly Verma, Priyanka Verma, Biswanath Mahanty, Kasturi Dutta, Achlesh Daverey, Kusum Arunachalam
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the possibility of fecal-oral transmission, particularly in developing countries where ineffective waste disposal systems and poor sanitation may exacerbate the situation. An inclusive approach at all levels is needed to overcome this challenging situation in these countries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Boving Thomas, Craver Vinka, Labhasetwar Pawan, Sabatini David
Summary: Around half the global population relies on groundwater, but it may require treatment due to pollution. This article provides an overview of water treatment technologies for rural and underserved communities in emerging economies. It focuses on sustainable and affordable options and discusses the impact of groundwater quality parameters and environmental factors on technology implementation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jose Luis Marin-Muniz, Maria E. Hernandez, M. Paz Gallegos-Perez, Sol Iveth Amaya-Tejeda
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luis Sandoval, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz, Jacel Adame-Garcia, Gregorio Fernandez-Lambert, Florentina Zurita
JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Luis Sandoval, Florentina Zurita, Oscar Andres Del Angel-Coronel, Jacel Adame-Garcia, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sergio Zamora, Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo, Gaston Ballut-Dajud, Oscar Andres Del angel-Coronel, Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Humberto Raymundo Gonzalez-Moreno, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz, Eddy Sanchez-DelaCruz, Carlos Nakase, Oscar Andres Del Angel-Coronel, David Reyes-Gonzalez, Noemi Nava-Valente, Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo
Summary: Energy production in constructed wetlands, specifically vertical partially saturated constructed wetlands (VPS-CWs), can enhance the growth of evaluated plant species and efficiently remove pollutants. The generation of bioelectricity with the use of domestic wastewater as a substrate improves plant development and stimulates the growth and germination of new shoots. Different removal efficiencies were observed between systems planted with different plant species, with Canna hybrids showing better results in terms of TKN and P-PO4 removal.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Irma Zitacuaro-Contreras, Monserrat Vidal-Alvarez, Maria Graciela Hernandez Y. Orduna, Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro, Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz, Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo
Summary: Sustainable development involves considering environmental, economic, and social benefits, and using constructed wetlands with ornamental plants for phytoremediation can be a sustainable solution to rural sanitation challenges. This study identifies 21 species with phytoremediation potential in Mexico, with species like Anthurium andreanum and Zantedeschia aethiopica standing out for their economic value. The use of ornamental vegetation in constructed wetlands not only helps clean wastewater and reuse water, but also provides economic incentives, highlighting the importance of community training for effective management.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres, Maria De Los Angeles Pinar-Alvarez, Celia Gabriela Sierra-Carmona, Luis Enrique Garcia Santamaria, Cecilia-Irene Loeza-Mejia, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz, Luis Carlos Sandoval Herazo
Summary: Conventional aquaculture in Mexico continues to grow, and the emergence of new ecotechnologies aims to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of untreated wastewater discharge. Through an analysis of economic and financial feasibility, it was found that the implementation of biofloc, recirculation systems, constructed wetlands, and aquaponics in aquaculture farms in Mexico is economically viable, environmentally acceptable, and socially feasible, offering a sustainable solution to water management issues.
Review
Biology
Sergio Zamora, Irma Zitacuaro-Contreras, Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres, Luis Carlos Sandoval Herazo, Mayerlin Sandoval-Herazo, Monserrat Vidal-Alvarez, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz
Summary: Mexican wetlands, which are important carbon stores in tropical wetland soils, are not included in global Earth system models. This review focuses on studying the carbon pools and sequestration in different types of wetlands in Mexico. It is found that swamps sequester more carbon in the soil compared to other wetland types, but they are not given sufficient attention in Mexican protection laws compared to mangroves. The carbon pools detected in mangroves, marshes, and flooded grasslands are statistically similar. Systematic data on carbon dynamics in tropical wetlands is needed for their incorporation into global carbon budgets.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose Antonio Fernandez Viveros, Georgina Martinez-Resendiz, Florentina Zurita, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz, Maria Cristina Lopez Mendez, Sergio Zamora, Luis Carlos Sandoval Herazo
Summary: This study evaluated the removal of pollutants from municipal and swine wastewater using PSV-CWs and FFV-CWs. The results showed that PSV-CWs performed slightly better in terms of plant adaptation, vegetative development, and TSS elimination compared to FFV-CWs. However, FFV-CWs showed better performance in TN, N-NH4, and N-NO3 removal in systems with vegetation. There were no significant differences between the two types of constructed wetlands for COD and TP removal, but significant differences were found between systems with and without vegetation.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Jose Luis Marin-Muniz, Luis Carlos Sandoval Herazo, Maria Cristina Lopez-Mendez, Mayerlin Sandoval-Herazo, Roberto Angel Melendez-Armenta, Humberto Raymundo Gonzalez-Moreno, Sergio Zamora
Summary: Constructed or treatment wetlands are a sustainable option for wastewater treatment. This study reviewed and analyzed the use of wetlands in Mexico, including types, sizes, pollutant removal efficiency, and plant species used. Most wetlands in Mexico are subsurface flow type, with horizontal flow direction being the most common. Pollutant removal rates varied for different pollutants, with COD, BOD5, TN, and TP removal ranging from 50-90%, 60-90%, 30-90%, and 30-70% respectively. The most used vegetation in Mexican wetlands includes Typha, Cyperus, and ornamental flowering plants. The study suggests further implementation of wetlands in rural and urban regions with similar characteristics to Mexico.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luis Carlos Sandoval Herazo, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz, Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman, Florentina Zurita, Oscar Marin-Pena, Mayerlin Sandoval-Herazo
Summary: This study evaluated the use of ornamental plants and polymer-based filter media in a large-scale community wetland system for treating municipal wastewater. The results showed that systems with vegetation effectively removed pollutants, and ornamental plants exhibited good growth in both monoculture and polyculture.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Jose Luis Marin-Muniz, Irma Zitacuaro-Contreras, Gonzalo Ortega-Pineda, Luis Manuel Alvarez-Hernandez, Karina Elizabeth Martinez-Aguilar, Aaron Lopez-Roldan, Sergio Zamora
Summary: The use of constructed wetlands (CWs) for wastewater treatment has attracted considerable attention worldwide. One innovative approach is the use of ornamental flowering plants (OFP) in CWs, which not only enhances the aesthetics of the system but also allows for the production of commercial flowers. This study identified the main OFP used in CWs, their phytoremediation effects, and the countries involved in this research.
Article
Environmental Studies
Gaston Antonio Ballut-Dajud, Luis Carlos Sandoval Herazo, Gregorio Fernandez-Lambert, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz, Maria Cristina Lopez Mendez, Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres
Summary: Despite occupying a small area, natural wetland ecosystems play a crucial role in soil formation, food supply, climate regulation, and carbon sequestration. However, they are facing numerous incident factors such as agriculture, urbanization, and aquaculture, which lead to the loss of wetlands and reduction in carbon sequestration. Mangroves, lagoons, and marine waters are the most affected types of wetlands.
Article
Limnology
J. L. Marin-Muniz, M. E. Hernandez
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo, Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman, Maria Cristina Lopez-Mendez, Albino Martinez-Sibaja, Alberto A. Aguilar-Lasserre, Sergio Zamora-Castro, Jose Luis Marin-Muniz