Search Results (60)

Climate change has magnified health disparities across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region by destabilizing the critical natural systems, which include water security, food production, and disease ecology. The IPCC (2007) underscores the disproportionate impact on low-income populations characterized by limited adaptive capacity, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Rising temperatures, erratic precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events ranging from prolonged droughts to catastrophic floods have created favourable conditions for the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, as well as the expansion of vector-borne diseases zone also characterized by warmer and wetter conditions where diseases like malaria thrives. This study employed a comparative analysis of climate and health data across Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa examining the interplay between climatic shifts and disease patterns. Through reviews of national surveillance reports, adaptation policies, and outbreak records, the analysis reveals the existence of critical gaps in preparedness and response. Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland region experienced a doubling of diarrheal diseases in 2019 due to drought-driven water shortages, forcing communities to rely on unsafe alternatives. Mozambique faced a similar crisis following Cyclone Idai in 2019, where floodwaters precipitated a threefold surge in cholera cases, predominantly affecting children under five. In Malawi, Cyclone Ana’s catastrophic flooding in 2022 contaminated water sources, leading to a devastating cholera outbreak that claimed over 1200 lives. Meanwhile, in South Africa, inadequate sanitation in KwaZulu-Natal’s informal settlements amplified cholera transmission during the 2023 rainy season. Malaria incidence has also risen in these regions, with warmer temperatures extending the geographic range of Anopheles mosquitoes and lengthening the transmission seasons. The findings underscore an urgent need for integrated, multisectoral interventions. Strengthening disease surveillance systems to incorporate climate data could enhance early warning capabilities, while national adaptation plans must prioritize health resilience by bridging gaps between water, agriculture, and infrastructure policies. Community-level interventions, such as water purification programs and targeted vector control, are essential to reduce outbreaks in high-risk areas. Beyond these findings, there is a critical need to invest in longitudinal research so as to elucidate the causal pathways between climate change and disease burden, particularly for understudied linkages like malaria expansion and urbanization. Without coordinated action, climate-related health inequalities will continue to widen, leaving marginalized populations increasingly vulnerable to preventable diseases. The SADC region must adopt evidence-based, equity-centred strategies to mitigate these growing threats and safeguard public health in a warming world. Full article

Effective water resource management requires an understanding of the interactions between water and environmental parameters, especially in regions with limited data availability. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) to investigate the relationship between climatic and hydrological factors, namely river flow, rainfall, air temperature, and physicochemical water quality parameters in the Kiso River, Japan. Seasonal and non-seasonal GAMs models were developed for each water quality parameter, resulting in 7 non-seasonal models and 28 seasonal models based on Japan’s meteorological seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall). The findings demonstrated how seasonal models captured seasonal variability, significantly outperforming the non-seasonal models. For example, turbidity in winter (R² = 0.5030) showed significant improvement compared with non-seasonal models (R² = 0.1470), and organic pollution in fall (R² = 0.4099) increased compared with non-seasonal models (R² = 0.2509). Beyond assessing the influence of environmental drivers on water quality, these findings are crucial in regions with limited data, emphasizing the role of model–based seasonal analysis in identifying high-risk contamination periods, and supporting targeted and effective water management and early warning systems. Full article

Herbivorous protistan grazers are ubiquitous and abundant in marine and temperate freshwater environments. However, little is known about the algivorous ciliates and their feeding habits in outdoor mass algal cultures. In this study, we report on one hypotrich ciliate, identified as Sterkiella histriomuscorum, from the outdoor mass culture of Scenedesmus in Arizona, USA. A long-term field survey revealed that this species often occurs in Scenedesmus culture in spring and summer, and can graze very heavily on Scenedesmus cells. By isolating Sterkiella cells and then observing them via light microscopy and electron microscopy, detailed information about the morphology, ultrastructure, excystment process, and feeding characteristics of the ciliate was obtained. Specifically, it seems that S. histriomuscorum has a range of different strategies for excystment, and the sharp change in the ion concentration in the environment around the cyst results in osmotic shock, which likely facilitates the excystment. Feeding experiments revealed that S. histriomuscorum preferred to graze on chlorophytes as well as the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and had no interaction with chrysophytes or cyanobacteria. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the SSU rRNA gene sequence indicated that both the genus Sterkiella and the species S. histriomuscorum are non-monophyletic. The information obtained from this study will help advance our understanding of the biodiversity and ecological function of S. histriomuscorum, and will also be very useful in the development of early warning systems and control measures for preventing or treating this contaminant in microalgal mass cultures. Full article

Marine biofouling is a well-established and significant challenge for the maritime industry. Self-healing coatings applied to ships have demonstrated superior surface properties, including enhanced corrosion resistance and the ability to mitigate biological contamination. Consequently, numerous studies have been conducted to assess different self-repairing coatings, which incorporate mechanisms such as microcapsules, dynamic covalent bonds, and ion exchange. This review begins with an introduction to the process of biofouling formation. It then provides a comprehensive outline of the self-healing coatings that have been developed to improve wear resistance, summarizing the advancements in this area. Finally, building upon these three coating systems, this paper offers a summary of the fabrication and protection technologies for self-healing coatings, including the preparation of micro/nano containers, corrosion warning mechanisms, and intelligent responsive protection. Furthermore, the review explores the future prospects of self-healing coatings, offering valuable insights for researchers in the field. The potential limitations of their application scenarios are also addressed. Full article

This paper explores the intersection of water quality management and advanced metaheuristic algorithms (MAs) by optimizing the location of water quality sensors in urban water networks. A comparative analysis of ten cutting-edge MAs, Harris Hawk Optimization (HHO), Artemisinin Optimization (AO), Educational Competition Optimizer (ECO), Fata Morgana Algorithm (FATA), Moss Growth Optimization (MGO), Parrot Optimizer (PO), Polar Lights Optimizer (PLO), Rime Optimization Algorithm (RIME), Runge Kutta Optimization (RUN), and Weighted Mean of Vectors (INFO), was conducted to determine their effectiveness in minimizing the risk of contaminated water consumption. Both benchmark and real-world water network serve as case studies to assess algorithmic performance. The optimization process focuses on reducing the volume of contaminated water by treating sensor placement as a critical design variable. EPANET 2.2 software was integrated with the optimization algorithms to simulate water quality and hydraulic behavior within the networks. The obtained results from analysis of two urban water networks revealed that the newer algorithms, such as the RIME and FATA, exhibit superior convergence rates and stability compared to traditional methods. While all tested algorithms demonstrated satisfactory performance, this study provides foundational insights for future research, paving the way for more effective algorithmic solutions in water quality management. Full article

Water film depth (WFD) on runways is a key factor contributing to aircraft hydroplaning during takeoff and landing. Thus, the early measurement or prediction of WFD during rain is critical for reducing accidents. Most existing WFD prediction models are derived from experiments conducted on road surfaces. However, an accurate prediction of WFD on runways and reduced hydroplaning risk require a precise empirical prediction model. This study conducted experiments involving four parameters—rainfall intensity, pavement mean texture depth, drainage length, and transverse slope—to develop a WFD dataset specific to different runway conditions. The multiple linear regression method is employed to establish a model for WFD predictions. The proposed National Taiwan University (NTU) model’s predictability is compared with three existing empirical models using NTU and Gallaway datasets. The results clearly demonstrate the superior accuracy and robustness of the NTU model compared to the other evaluated models. The NTU model offers a precise and practical predictive formula, making it highly suitable for integration into contaminated runway warning and management systems. This study employed a laser displacement sensor and a programmable logic controller to obtain high-accuracy, high-sampling-rate WFD data. Modern automated data acquisition enables simultaneous measurement at multiple points and captures the complete WFD curve from zero to a stable depth, which was previously difficult to obtain. Full article

Trigonella foenum-graecum is a widely cultivated legume in Mediterranean regions, and it is used for human and animal consumption, as well as for medical purposes. High temperatures and abundant rainfall during the spring season in Sicily favor the formation of an environment suitable for the growth and proliferation of fungi with the production of mycotoxins. In this study, ochratoxin A, aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisin, and T-2 toxin concentrations in Trigonella foenum-graecum were determined in feed administered to ruminants and also in blood samples from cattle and sheep in order to evaluate the toxicity correlated to the possible presence of these mycotoxins based on the clinical signs observed in the animals. Analyses of mycotoxins in fenugreek and blood samples were conducted using the enzyme immunoassay KIT. Five extensive farms sited in the northwest of the Sicily region, with a total of 90 intoxicated animals, reported a concomitant unusual outbreak of neurological disorders. Decreased spinal reflex responses, postural abnormalities associated with weakness or recumbency, and hyperesthesia of the limbs suggested a problem regarding the peripheral nervous system. The mortality rate recorded was very high, even reaching 100% of the intoxicated animals. OTA intoxication in Sicilian ruminants represents an important warning on the vulnerability of farms to mycotoxin contamination and underlines the importance of preventive measures and monitoring in animal health management. Full article

Due to cyanobacterial toxin (cyanotoxin) contamination issues in 2018, the city of Salem, Oregon, issued a 33-day do-not-drink advisory for vulnerable people among the 200,000 residents. After the incident, the state of Oregon put in place drinking water rules to require the routine testing of raw water, as well as finished water, in cases where the raw water cyanotoxin concentrations exceeded trigger values. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) total microcystins drinking water health advisory level (HAL) for small children is 0.3 µg/L. This is equivalent to the minimum reporting level (MRL) for EPA Method 546. Consequently, there was no ability to provide early warnings via toxin testing for total microcystins using the EPA method. In this study, we performed a comparison of the precision and accuracy of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) described in the EPA method to a more sensitive assay, the Streptavidin-enhanced Sensitivity (SAES) assay. Based on these precision and accuracy studies and quantitation limit determinations and confirmations, the EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) has concluded the SAES kit meets the requirements of EPA Method 546. With an MRL that is one-third of the original concentration, the new kit provides a small but critical window for identifying early warnings. Challenges remain with providing early warnings due to the variability in bloom dynamics; however, the new MRL allowed Oregon to lower the trigger level for susceptible systems, thereby providing an additional early warning. Full article

Water resources are vital for humanity, but their quality has degraded in recent years due to increasing industrial activities. One significant issue is fluoride contamination, prevalent worldwide. Fluorides exist in combined states such as calcium fluoride, fluorapatite, and cryolite, originating from industrial processes like aluminum and fertilizer manufacturing. The World Health Organization warns against fluoride levels above 1.5 mg/L in drinking water due to health risks, including dental and skeletal fluorosis. Industrial activities also release fluoride-containing wastes into the environment, endangering ecosystems and human health. Overexposure to fluoride leads to disorders affecting organs including the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Despite fluoride’s benefits in controlled doses, excessive intake causes health problems, as evidenced by rising dental fluorosis cases in Brazil. Thus, effective and affordable fluoride removal strategies are crucial. Various methods exist, including adsorption, membrane technology, ion exchange process, electrodialysis, and electrocoagulation. Regulation of fluoride levels in drinking water is imperative to safeguard public health from its detrimental long-term effects. Full article

Background/Objectives: Over time, the scientific community has developed a growing interest in the effects of mixtures of different compounds, for which there is currently no established evidence or knowledge, in relation to certain categories of xenobiotics. It is well known that exposure to pollutants causes oxidative stress, resulting in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can affect signaling pathways that regulate the cell cycle, apoptosis, energy balance, and cellular metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sub-lethal concentrations of mixtures of emerging pollutants and pharmaceuticals on the modulation of biomarkers related to toxicity, oxidative stress, and cancer. Methods: In this study, the hepatoma cell line HepG2 was exposed to increasing concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ether 47 (BDE-47), cadmium chloride (CdCl₂), and carbamazepine (CBZ), both individually and in mixtures, for 72 h to assess cytotoxicity using the MTT assay. The subsequent step, following the identification of the sub-lethal concentration, was to investigate the effects of exposure at the gene expression level, through the evaluation of molecular markers related to cell cycle and apoptosis (p53), oxidative stress (NRF2), conjugation and detoxification of xenobiotics (CYP2C9 and GST), DNA damage (RAD51 and γH2AFX), and SUMOylation processes (SUMO1 and UBC9) in order to identify any potential alterations in pathways that are normally activated at the cellular level. Results: The results showed that contaminants tend to affect the enzymatic detoxification and antioxidant system, influencing DNA repair defense mechanisms involved in resistance to oxidative stress. The combined effect of the compounds at sub-lethal doses results in a greater activation of these pathways compared to exposure to each compound alone, thereby exacerbating their cytotoxicity. Conclusions: The biomarkers analyzed could contribute to the definition of early warning markers useful for environmental monitoring, while simultaneously providing insight into the toxicity and hazard levels of these substances in the environment and associated health risks. Full article

In this work, the impact of the actual pulsed nature of demand on the water quality sensor placement problem was investigated. The optimization was carried out by minimizing alternatively the extent of contamination and exposed population to ingestion by considering two alternative demand modelling conditions: (i) a smooth top-down deterministic approach (TDA), and (ii) a pulsed demand bottom-up stochastic approach (BUA). An Italian water distribution network was tested, and results show that the contamination extension and sensor locations are affected by demand modeling and that monitoring system performance may be overestimated if the deterministic approach is used, leading to dangerous management choices. Full article

Mercury (Hg) pro-oxidant role on biological systems and its biogeochemical cycle represent a serious threat due to its persistence in marine environment. As the mitochondrial genome is exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS), the aim of the present study is the validation of the variation in the number of mitochondrial DNA copies (mtDNAcn) as biomarker of oxidative stress in aquatic environment. During summer 2021, three selected fish species (Mullus barbatus, Diplodus annularis and Pagellus erythrinus) were collected in Augusta Bay, one of the most Mediterranean contaminated areas remarkable by past Hg inputs, and in a control area, both in the south-east of Sicily. The relative mtDNAcn was evaluated by qPCR on specimens of each species from both sites, characterized respectively by higher and lower Hg bioaccumulation. M. barbatus and P. erythrinus collected in Augusta showed a dramatic mtDNAcn reduction compared to their control groups while D. annularis showed an incredible mtDNAcn rising suggesting a higher resilience of this species. These results align with the mitochondrial dynamics of fission and fusion triggered by environmental toxicants. In conclusion, we suggest the implementation of the mtDNAcn variation as a valid tool for the early warning stress-related impacts in aquatic system. Full article

Background: In May 2023, Romagna, Italy, faced a devastating flood resulting in 16 fatalities, forced displacement of 26,000 citizens, and significant economic losses. Due to potential water contamination, implementing public health strategies became imperative for the Local Health Authority to mitigate the health consequences, analyze the flood’s impact on the local population’s health, and detect early anomalies requiring timely public health interventions. Methods: Between June and July 2023, general practitioners who were part of the RespiVirNet surveillance network completed weekly structured forms. These forms collected data on individuals exposed or not to floodwaters and clinical syndromes. Rates per 1000 resident population aged > 14 were stratified by district, week of observation, and symptomatology. Missing data were addressed by imputation using second-order autoregressive modeling. Results: An incidence of 3.52 syndromes potentially related to flood water exposure per 1000 individuals (95% CI 2.82–4.35) was estimated. Ravenna, the city most affected by the flood, recorded the highest rate (6.05 per 1000, 95% CI 4.59–7.82). Incidence decreased in the weeks post-event. Anxiety, or trauma and stress symptoms, exhibited higher rates among the exposed, diminishing over weeks. The incidence for the non-exposed (12.76 per 1000, 95% CI 10.55–15.29) showed no significant territorial differences compared to the exposed ones. Conclusions: Syndromic surveillance provided timely information on the flood’s health impact, revealing a higher incidence of individual syndromes among the non-exposed. This study contributes to guiding the implementation of future public health preparedness and response strategies for populations facing similar natural disasters. Full article

The South Korean government has implemented an acceptance system to promote the high-quality recycling of waste. Industrial waste generators must provide “hazardous characteristics data” to recycling operators. Nonetheless, ~80% of industrial safety accidents in South Korea occur during recycling, most involving fire or explosions. Moreover, a gap in safety management exists during ‘Circular Resource’ acceptance if the target substance is not regarded as waste. In this study collected data on hazardous waste characteristics. From 62 waste generators, 72 waste samples were collected, accounting for most of the resources accepted for recycling, including waste synthetic polymers, slag, dust, waste sand, and waste foundry sand. Then, the hazardous characteristics, as stated in the Ministry of Environment notifications, were assessed. Leaching toxicity was detected in one slag sample and six dust samples. The Cd, Cu, As, Pb, Zn, Ni, Hg, F, and CN levels dissatisfied the Soil Contamination Warning Standard in 31 samples. Explosivity was not detected in any sample, whereas flammability was detected in one waste synthetic polymer sample. The results revealed 15 cases of potential flammability. Flammability is legally defined as below the criteria if the combustion speed criterion is not met. However, in the case of flame ignition, which could cause large fires and safety accidents, the relevant notification should be revised. In this study, we aimed to improve the gap between the hazardous waste management systems and industrial fields through actual measurements of hazardous characteristics. By doing so, we seek to contribute to the prevention of environmental and safety accidents. By continuously accumulating data and utilizing actual measurements, we aim to revise and enhance relevant regulations, ultimately improving the hazardous characteristics of waste management systems. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute lethality and chronic sublethal effects of lithium (Li) on Rhinella arenarum tadpoles as model organisms. First a 96 h toxicity assay was performed by exposing tadpoles to Li concentrations from 44.08 to 412.5 mg L⁻¹ to estimate the mortality, and lethal and sublethal effects. Another bioassay was carried out by exposing tadpoles to two environmentally relevant Li concentrations (2.5 and 20 mg L⁻¹) for one and two weeks. The sublethal effects of Li on tadpoles were evaluated by analyzing biochemical, genotoxic, and physiological biomarkers. The mortality in Li-exposed tadpoles increased over time. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) ranged from 319.52 (281.21–363.05) mg L⁻¹ at 48 h to 66.92 (52.76–84.89) mg L⁻¹ at 96 h. Exposure to Li at 2.5 and 20 mg L⁻¹ induced alterations in enzymes related to detoxification, antioxidant, and hepatic mechanisms, endocrine disruption of thyroid hormones, genotoxicity, and effects on the physiology of the heart and gastrointestinal systems. Tadpoles exposed to the highest concentration in the chronic bioassay (20 mg L⁻¹ Li), which is the concentration commonly recorded in Li mining sites, showed significant mortality after one week of exposure. These results warn about the high ecotoxicological risk of Li as a contaminant of emerging concern for amphibians. Full article