Article
Environmental Sciences
Richard Devereux, Yongshan Wan, Jennifer L. Rackley, Veronica Fasselt, Deborah N. Vivian
Summary: This study in urban coastal watersheds of northwest Florida, USA, demonstrated the influence of land use and stormwater runoff on nitrogen sources and transport in urban waterways. The study highlighted the importance of nitrogen sourcing approaches in understanding nitrogen pollution in urban settings.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
German Zapata-Hernandez, Javier Sellanes, Praxedes Munoz
Summary: This study uses stable isotope analysis to reveal the absorption and transfer process of land-based diffuse sources by intertidal communities in Rapa Nui. The populations in inhabited areas show significant N-15 enrichment, as well as higher trophic diversity and structural changes.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Do-Gun Kim, Seok-Oh Ko
Summary: A dual media system of mortar and Na-zeolite was proposed and evaluated for the removal of heavy metals from stormwater runoff. The system showed significant removal of Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe3+, and Ni2+ with cost-effective and efficient performance.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Boluwatife Awonaike, Ying Duan Lei, Abha Parajulee, Frank Wania
Summary: Benzotriazole Ultraviolet Stabilizers (BT-UVs) are commonly found in the environment due to their widespread use in consumer products. This study found that urban streams had concentrations of BT-UVs four times higher than rural streams, with potential sources being domestic wastewater from laundering textiles. However, unregulated wastewater seepage was not responsible for the high BT-UV loads during storm events.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kun Yang, Yan Zhang, Yi Luo, Chunxue Shang
Summary: The surface water temperature of urban lakes is significantly affected by precipitation events, with increasing impervious surface coverage leading to intensified warming effects on lake surface water temperature.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jung Min Ahn, Jungwook Kim, Hongtae Kim, Kyunghyun Kim
Summary: Abnormal climate phenomena such as severe floods, droughts, and environmental issues have attracted increasing attention worldwide. This study used shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) climate change scenarios to assess the environmental impact of extreme climate conditions on watersheds. The analysis showed that high carbon emission-induced climate change leads to severe droughts and nonpoint source pollution, with significant alterations in the overall water circulation. Furthermore, the study identified vulnerable watersheds and emphasized the importance of non-point pollution management for environmental preservation and sustainable development.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Catherine Sullivan, Walter McDonald
Summary: Subsurface gravel wetlands are a type of emerging green infrastructure that effectively manages stormwater by capturing and slowly releasing runoff. This study evaluated the efficiency of a subsurface gravel wetland in treating stormwater with varying pollutant inputs. The results showed significant reductions in volume and peak flow, although nutrient concentrations increased in some cases.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Helene Osterlund, Godecke Blecken, Katharina Lange, Jiri Marsalek, Kalpana Gopinath, Maria Viklander
Summary: Urban areas are major sources of microplastics (MPs) and their entry into water bodies. This article provides a comprehensive review of the sources, transport, and control of MPs in urban environments, aiming to clarify the underlying mechanisms. Major sources of MPs include atmospheric deposition, micro-litter, and tire and road wear particles (TRWPs). The mobilization and sequestration of MPs in urban catchments are poorly understood. Various stormwater quality control measures, such as biofiltration/retention units and street cleaning, have been shown to remove MPs to some extent. However, there is still limited knowledge about the efficiency of these measures. Moreover, the research on MPs in stormwater is data-poor, offering great opportunities for further research in many areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoyue Zhang, Lei Chen, Zhenyao Shen
Summary: The study revealed significant spatiotemporal variation of fecal coliform (FC) in an urbanizing watershed, with peak FC levels occurring in summer and autumn in upstream and downstream areas respectively. When the impervious surface area reached 65%, the key source of FC shifted from agriculture to urban. However, there was a poor correlation between urban landscape pattern changes and annual FC variation. Urbanization speed was identified as the main driver for deteriorating FC pollution, with Low Impact Development potentially leading to a significant reduction in FC levels at the watershed scale.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anastasia Gkaragkouni, Spyros Sergiou, Maria Geraga, Helen Papaefthymiou, Dimitrios Christodoulou, George Papatheodorou
Summary: The study investigated the organic mud and metal pollution caused by the central sewer of Athens, revealing at least three different pollution sources in the area and identifying three different groups of sediment samples with varying levels of contamination.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Congyu Hou, Zhifeng Yang, Wei Ouyang
Summary: This study examined the effects of different rainfall event intensity on surface runoff and diffuse nitrogen loss in a subtropical watershed. The results showed that extreme rainfall events had the highest contribution to total surface runoff and TN losses. The influence of antecedent soil water content on surface runoff and TN loss was also significant.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rogers Wainkwa Chia, Jin-Yong Lee, Jihye Cha, Ipek celen-Erdem
Summary: Plastics play a vital role in daily life and human health, but their decomposition into microplastics in soil has negative consequences. This study analyzed the origins of microplastics in soil, finding that plastic films are the main contributor, followed by runoff, sewage sludge, irrigation, and the atmosphere. However, air deposition is the least common source. The findings will help in developing effective management and control techniques for soil microplastic sources.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS AND BIOAVAILABILITY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Fanfan Shao, Wanghai Tao, Quanjiu Wang, Junhu Wu, Lijun Su, Haokui Yan, Yibo Zhang
Summary: Nutrient loss from topsoil reduces agricultural productivity and contributes to water body eutrophication. Mathematical models, such as the Equivalent Exchange Model (EEM) proposed in this study, accurately forecast nutrient loss and provide a theoretical foundation for prevention strategies. The EEM showed good accuracy in predicting changes in nutrient concentrations and total amount of nutrient loss, outperforming previous models. Raindrop-induced nutrient transfer rate and depth of the equivalent exchange layer were found to be primary variables controlling nutrient loss. This research contributes to understanding nutrient transfer mechanisms on slopes.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pia M. Eibes, Friederike Gabel
Summary: The study investigated the contamination of microplastic debris in the River Ems in Northwest Germany, showing that the pollution pattern did not increase linearly with river length and indicating possible sinks due to sedimentation. Further research is needed to identify sources, sinks, and transport of microplastics in smaller rivers to find solutions to reduce microplastic loads.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Temitope C. Ekundayo, Bright E. Igere, Yinka D. Oluwafemi, Chidozie D. Iwu, Oladipo O. Olaniyi
Summary: The study assessed the prevalence of HNoV pollution in different water sources, finding that river water had the highest prevalence, with Africa having the highest contamination rate and GII genogroup dominating in water sources worldwide.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Hiroshi Sakai, Mei Satake, Yasuhiro Arai, Satoshi Takizawa
JOURNAL OF WATER SUPPLY RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-AQUA
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hiroshi Sakai, HangXiang Song, Ryota Goto
Summary: The study showed that in the UV/H2O2 process, the degradation rate of LAS increased with higher H2O2 concentrations, and the wavelength of UV light had an impact on the degradation behavior. Additionally, the reaction rate was faster in the UV/H2O2 process compared to the UV-only process, as demonstrated in experiments conducted in a tubular reactor.
OZONE-SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yiming Fang, Hiroshi Sakai
Summary: UV-activated persulfate showed more efficient treatment of humic substances compared to hydrogen peroxide and direct irradiation, with treatment effectiveness depending on persulfate concentrations and UV wavelengths. Lower molecular weight components were more susceptible to degradation, eventually leading to effective removal of humic substances.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Shane Htet Ko, Anil Kumar Anal, Hiroshi Sakai
Summary: Antibiotics widely used in animal husbandry are contributing to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in fishpond water, especially in those fed with chicken manure. Enterococci in the fishponds exhibit resistance to multiple antibiotics, which is associated with the application of manure.
Article
Water Resources
Shane Htet Ko, Hiroshi Sakai
Summary: Yangon was an early adopter of tap water systems in Asia, but political instability has caused its water supply infrastructure to fall behind. Recent efforts to improve the tap water system and establish quality standards have been met with uncertainty among city residents.
WATER QUALITY RESEARCH JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shane Htet Ko, Hiroshi Sakai
Summary: Residence time and organoleptic perception have significant influence on drinking behavior among residents in Yangon city, while safety parameters play a less important role. Additionally, future tap water consumption is influenced by income and overall quality perception, while preference for billing method is associated with education, family size, income, and willingness to spend more for better quality water.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shane Htet Ko, Keisuke Ishida, Zaw Myo Oo, Hiroshi Sakai
Summary: The study reveals potential groundwater quality issues in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta region, with concerns of saltwater contamination. Seasonal variations in groundwater quality and influencing factors were observed, with a majority of samples unsuitable for drinking, but a higher percentage being suitable for irrigation during the rainy season. Contrary to groundwater salinity, the corrosion risk for metal pipes increased during the rainy season.
GROUNDWATER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shane Htet Ko, Hiroshi Sakai
Summary: Myanmar is an agriculture-based country with 70% of the total population residing in rural areas, where around half of the population has to consume water from unimproved sources. The study found a significant association between drinking untreated water and the occurrence of diarrhea, but very few people applied diarrhea preventive measures, indicating the need for measures to cause behavioral change.
JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Guntur Adisurya Ismail, Hiroshi Sakai
Summary: The textile industry, a vital sector in developing countries, faces increasing environmental concerns, particularly regarding the high color and COD concentration in its wastewater. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are considered the best technology for color removal, but the understanding of the reaction mechanisms is still limited.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Charles John Consignado Gunay, Katsuhide Yokoyama, Hiroshi Sakai, Akira Koizumi, Kenji Sakai
Summary: Soil water storage properties, influenced by land management practices, impact the water balance and flow regimes in watersheds. This study investigated the changes in soil water storage characteristics in a watershed with intensive forest management over several decades. Results showed a gradual increase in soil water storage capacity during weaker continuous rainfall events, and a constant trend in runoff potential and soil available water capacity. These findings demonstrate the capability of sustainable forest management practices in improving water conservation in the catchment.
Article
Water Resources
Chisato Nishimagi, Masami Yanagihara, Yiming Fang, Hiroshi Sakai
Summary: Recently, the contamination of the aquatic environment by microplastics (MPs) has become a concern. This study focused on tire-derived MPs (TMPs) from tire dust on roadways, which is considered a global problem. The research found that the number of TMPs increased with the increase in traffic volume and analyzed the influence of driving behavior on the generation of TMPs. The results showed that braking behavior and traffic volume affected the number of TMPs significantly.
Article
Ecology
Charles John C. Gunay, Tomohiro Iwama, Hiroshi Sakai, Katsuhide Yokoyama
Summary: Unmanaged artificial forests face severe rates of erosion, posing serious threats to their adjacent environment. This study evaluates the surface protection and erosion susceptibility of different forest groups in the upstream catchment of Ogouchi Reservoir in Japan. The results show that poorly-managed private forests are most susceptible to raindrop splash erosion, while well-maintained fenced Government-managed forests have the most ideal conditions for erosion control.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Keisuke Ishida, Hiroshi Sakai
Summary: In developing countries with inadequate sewage systems, untreated domestic wastewater is discharged into the environment, leading to worsened environmental pollution. Detergents in domestic wastewater are difficult to manage. This study investigated the effects of the ultraviolet/H2O2 advanced oxidation process on the degradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), a persistent chemical in detergents.
DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shane Htet Ko, Hiroshi Sakai
DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hiroshi Sakai, Pierre Callaud, Koji Kosaka, Satoshi Takizawa
DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT
(2017)
