Volume 3, Issue 1 reviews key advancements in pollution research, including case studies on air pollution and the use of microorganisms for soil remediation. These studies expand the boundaries of pollution control technologies and highlight the complex connections between the environment, economy, and health. Reading this issue will inspire scholars to explore future research directions.
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 2000
PDF
by Qixing Zhou, Haiyin Zhan
Pollut. Stud. 2022 , 3(1);    4229 Views
Received: 25 October 2022; Accepted: 14 November 2022; Available online: 25 November 2022;
Issue release: 31 December 2022
Abstract The exploitation of petroleum assets fuels economic and societal progress, but it also leads to extensive contamination of land with oil and petrochemicals, which increasingly threatens the environmental integrity of these areas.  Bioremediation has emerged as a favored approach for addressing this issue due to its environmentally benign nature and absence of secondary pollution.  This discourse encapsulates the latest advancements in bioremediation strategies, particularly those involving microbial and phytoremediation techniques for tackling petroleum and petrochemical contamination.  It also examines the constraints of current bioremediation practices and envisions future research directions.  The objective is to enhance the efficacy of bioremediation for contaminated sites and to establish a scientific foundation that will support the evolution and comprehensive application of bioremediation technologies.
show more
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 2004
PDF
by Xiao-li Zhang, yire Xia, Kaiti Xiao
Pollut. Stud. 2022 , 3(1);    3414 Views
Received: 19 April 2022; Accepted: 11 May 2022; Available online: 25 November 2022;
Issue release: 31 December 2022
Abstract This study employs the output coefficient method to estimate the agricultural non-point source pollution load in Xinjiang and further analyzes its Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) characteristics.  The objective is to conduct empirical research on the relationship between livestock, planting, rural living, and economic growth.  The results indicate that: (1) The agricultural non-point source pollution load in Xinjiang, in terms of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), is ranked from highest to lowest as follows: animal husbandry, planting industry, and rural life.  The non-point source pollution from animal husbandry is predominantly attributed to cattle and sheep, while the planting industry's pollution mainly stems from wheat, corn, and cotton crops.  The pollution associated with rural life is largely due to the increasing rural population;  (2) The relationship between agricultural non-point source pollution and economic growth in Xinjiang is not only an inverted "U" type but also an inverted "N" type, "U" type, and linear type.  This suggests that as the economy grows, the pollution load may initially increase, reach a peak, and then decline, or it may rise continuously or show a linear trend.  The findings provide insights into the complex relationship between agricultural non-point source pollution and economic growth, which can inform policy-makers in developing strategies to balance economic development and environmental protection in the region.
show more
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 1986
PDF
by Zesheng Che, Xiuqing Cui, Bin Wang, Yanlin Hui, Lan Dai, Xueqin Cao, Chunhong Wang, Tingming Shi
Pollut. Stud. 2022 , 3(1);    3825 Views
Received: 21 March 2022; Accepted: 12 April 2022; Available online: 22 April 2022;
Issue release: 31 December 2022
Abstract Objective : The study aims to assess the influence of low-level atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) on the mortality risk associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in Enshi City, with the intention of providing a scientific foundation for identifying sensitive populations and devising population health policies. Methods : Data on air pollutant levels, meteorological factors, and mortality rates due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases among residents of Enshi City were collected from 2015 to 2018. A generalized additive model, based on the Poisson distribution, was employed to analyze the relationship between low-level NO 2 air pollution and the mortality risk for these diseases. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on age, gender, and season. Results : The average concentrations of key gaseous pollutants in Enshi City from 2015 to 2018 were as follows: NO 2 (21.40 μg/m 3 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 , 9.68 μg/m 3 ), carbon monoxide (CO, 0.88 mg/m 3 ), and ozone (O 3 , 61.21 μg/m 3 ). The analysis of the single-pollutant model indicated that for every 1 μg/m 3 increase in NO 2 concentration across the total population, the risk of dying from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases on the same day (lag0) rose by 0.33% (95% CI: -0.06% to 0.72%, P > 0.05). Among females, each 1% increase in NO 2 concentration was associated with a 0.92% increase (95% CI: 0.26% to 1.56%, P < 0.05) in the risk of mortality from these diseases with a cumulative lag of 1 day (lag01). During the cold season, every 1 μg/m3 increase in NO 2 concentration was linked to a 0.62% increase (95% CI: 0.12% to 1.12%, P < 0.05) in the mortality risk for the entire population on the same day (lag0). The two-pollutant model results showed that even after adjusting for other gaseous pollutants (SO 2 , CO, or O 3 ), the association between NO 2 and the mortality risk from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases persisted for women and the entire population during the cold season. Conclusion : In Enshi City, the presence of low NO 2 pollution levels is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease mortality among both women and the general population, particularly during the colder months. It is crucial to prioritize the health safeguarding of vulnerable populations in regions with low pollution and during specific seasonal periods.
show more
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 1988
PDF
by Xiaofeng Wu, Xinmiao Sui, Shu Sun, Jiyu Cao
Pollut. Stud. 2022 , 3(1);    4187 Views
Received: 22 April 2022; Accepted: 16 May 2022; Available online: 27 May 2022;
Issue release: 31 December 2022
Abstract Objective : To examine the correlation between the volume of adult asthma patients seeking outpatient care and air pollution levels at a hospital in Hefei. Methods : Data on the number of asthma outpatients at a Hefei hospital from 2014 to 2020 were gathered, along with corresponding air pollution and meteorological data for the same timeframe. The R statistical software was employed to construct a generalized additive model to assess the lagged effects of air pollution on asthma outpatient numbers. Results : The hospital recorded a total of 7220 asthma outpatients during the study period, with 3104 males and 4116 females, 3798 in the warm season and 3422 in the cold season. The single pollutant model revealed that a 10% increase in SO 2 concentration μg/m 3 was associated with a 0.74% increase in asthma risk, with the strongest effect observed at lag2. NO 2 was found to increase asthma risk by 0.31%, with the most significant impact at lag0. The two-pollutant model indicated that the effect of SO 2 combined with NO 2 diminished when SO 2 was also combined with CO, O 3 , PM 10 , and PM 2 , with an increased post-5 lag effect. Conversely, the effect of NO 2 combined with SO 2 decreased when NO 2 was also combined with CO, PM 10 , and PM 2 , with an increased post-5 lag effect. Stratified analysis by season showed that NO 2 's impact on asthma was greatest at lag0 during the cold season, while SO 2 's effect was more pronounced in the cold season than in the warm season, with the highest impact at lag2. Gender stratification analysis revealed that the effects of SO 2 and NO 2 were greater in men than in women. Conclusion : Between 2014 and 2020, an increase in SO 2 and NO 2 concentrations in Hefei was positively associated with the risk of asthma among outpatients at the hospital, with a noticeable lag effect. This finding underscores the importance of developing targeted preventive strategies to mitigate asthma occurrences and exacerbations.
show more
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 1990
PDF
by Qian Mao, Jiangming Zhou
Pollut. Stud. 2022 , 3(1);    3463 Views
Received: 25 June 2022; Accepted: 15 July 2022; Available online: 25 July 2022;
Issue release: 31 December 2022
Abstract In the major grain production regions of China, agricultural non-point source pollution and the eutrophication of adjacent surface waters due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers continue to be significant issues. To address the irrational traditional fertilization practices of farmers and to mitigate agricultural non-point source pollution, a fertilization reduction project was initiated in Jiangshan City. This project aimed to investigate the impact of reducing fertilizer application by 10% to 30% on the yield of Yongyou 15 rice variety and the loss of nutrients (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium) in the surface runoff from paddy fields, relative to the farmers' standard fertilization practices. The findings indicated that reducing the conventional fertilizer dosage by 10% to 20% did not lead to a significant decrease in rice yield, with the yield being highest at a 10% reduction. Following fertilization, the nutrient concentration in the paddy field drainage rapidly reached a peak within one hour, after which nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations decreased sharply by 25.9% to 66.0%, 70.1% to 88.3%, and 25.0% to 52.5%, respectively, within 24 hours. Subsequently, all nutrient levels continued to decline gradually until the end of the experiment. This suggests that the risk period for nutrient loss, which also corresponds to a high-risk period for non-point source pollution, occurs within a few days after fertilization, particularly if the paddy field is drained due to heavy rain or artificial means. The reduction in chemical fertilizer significantly influenced the nutrient content in the paddy field drainage. One hour after fertilization, reducing the conventional fertilization rate by 10% to 30% resulted in decreases in the concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium in the drainage by 3.7% to 68.2%, 26.3% to 64.8%, and 5.8% to 57.5%, respectively. This approach holds significant potential for enhancing economic benefits and safeguarding the ecological environment in rice cultivation.
show more
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 1993
PDF
by Jiantao Li, Zeqi Zheng, Fayun Li
Pollut. Stud. 2022 , 3(1);    4090 Views
Received: 16 August 2022; Accepted: 05 September 2022; Available online: 15 September 2022;
Issue release: 31 December 2022
Abstract Petroleum hydrocarbons represent a challenging global pollution issue, with their degradation presenting a significant for environmental scientists. Microbial immobilization technology (MIT) offers a promising solution due to its efficiency, stability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits, making it a highly promising approach for soil cleanup. Over recent years, the research on using MIT to remediate petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil has surged in popularity. This technology has emerged as a potent means to enhance the microbial breakdown of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil. The paper reviews the advancements in microbial immobilization technology, outlines the distinct attributes of carrier materials, microorganisms, immobilization techniques, and factors affecting the process, along with their influence on the immobilization outcome. It also discusses the current state and future directions of this technology in the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.
show more
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 2003
PDF
by Kewei Xu, Lei Gu, Xuying Zheng, Biao Wang, Peng Guo
Pollut. Stud. 2022 , 3(1);    3103 Views
Received: 09 October 2022; Accepted: 29 October 2022; Available online: 13 November 2022;
Issue release: 31 December 2022
Abstract This research utilized a bioreactor approach for the remediation of petroleum-contaminated soil, enhancing the process with chemical oxidation to investigate its efficacy. Additionally, the study employed the BIOLOG ECO board and high-throughput sequencing techniques to delve into the mechanisms behind the microbial community's response. The findings indicated that after 240 days of bioremediation, the treatments involving standard bioremediation (NP) and bioremediation enhanced with oxidants (NP_O) reduced the soil's total petroleum hydrocarbons from an initial 30,649 mg·g −1 to 5889 mg·g −1 and 2351 mg·g −1 , respectively. The soil concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons following oxidation-enhanced bioremediation was found to be below the national risk control threshold (GB 36600-2018). Further analysis using BIOLOG ECO micropore tests and high-throughput sequencing revealed that microbial activity in the oxidant-treated soil was promptly rejuvenated. The study identified potential bacterial markers for petroleum hydrocarbon degradation in the treatment with chemical oxidation-enhanced bioremediation, including Genus Microbacterium , paracoccus , pseudomonas , stenotrophomonas , and Porticoccaceae _C1.B045.
show more
Open Access
Article
Article ID: 2006
PDF
by Tingting Li, Di Wu, Liang Xin, Enbiao Wang, Ziyu Zhao, Pai Peng
Pollut. Stud. 2022 , 3(1);    3561 Views
Received: 09 November 2022; Accepted: 07 December 2022; Available online: 20 December 2022;
Issue release: 31 December 2022
Abstract A graphite electrode was placed at each end of the soil contaminated with oil, and a direct current (DC) voltage of 24 V was applied to decrease the electrical potential across the soil between the electrodes to 1 V/cm. The study examined the impact of the combined electrokinetic and microbial remediation method on various soil parameters such as pH, soil temperature, organic carbon content, and the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in petroleum-contaminated soil. The findings revealed that after the combined treatment, the degradation rate of the simulated soil contaminated with 2% petroleum reached an optimal level of 67.5%. Additionally, the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium increased by factors of 1.5, 1.4, and 1.2, respectively. The integration of electric remediation also demonstrated its ability to maintain the soil's pH and temperature within a stable range, thus creating a favorable environment for microbial activity and enhancing the rate of oil degradation.
show more