International Journal of Environment and Pollution (5 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Analysis of the combined estrogenic activity of plasticizers  
  by Hui Zhang, Shiqi Zhen, Zhaoying Tan, Chicheng Cao, Qi Zhang, Qi Ju 
  Abstract: Several studies have reported that plastic additives exhibit estrogenic activity and may cause adverse effects on human health. However, existing risk assessment procedures lack the capability to accurately evaluate the combined effects of plastic additives. In this study, we performed a cell proliferation assay on the MCF-7 cell line, an estrogen-sensitive human breast cancer cell, to quantify estrogenic activities of single chemicals and their mixtures. We applied biomathematical regression models to simulate toxicity of four single substances, biphenyl A (BPA), di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), di-butyl phthalate (DBP) and 17
  Keywords: biphenyl A; phthalates; dose-response relationship; combined effects.
  
  
• A review on the use of air dispersion models for odour assessment  
  by Maurizio Onofrio, Roberta Spataro, Serena Botta 
  Abstract: Only recently have unpleasant odours become an important environmental issue and a specific legislation is being developed and implemented. The assessment of odour impact involves several different aspects (large number of odorants, human sensitivity, different perception thresholds, etc.) and it is dealt with by the application of different techniques and methods. In this paper a review about the reliability of air dispersion models applied to odour impact assessment determined by different type of sources is presented, based on the analysis of 69 case studies published over the last 10 years. The Gaussian models were the most used technique (67% of case studies) often accompanied with results validation with experimental data. The analysis of the case studies and related validation processes highlighted the reliability of dispersion models if some critical issues, such as the presence of particular climate conditions, duration of averaging times and position of important receptors, are known and correctly managed.
  Keywords: odour impact; air dispersion model; odour measurement; Gaussian model; impact assessment; CALPUFF; dynamic olfactometry; field inspection; electronic nose; validation of air dispersion model.
  
  
• Determinants of production-based and consumption-based CO₂ emissions: a comparative analysis  
  by Mamoudou Camara 
  Abstract: The aim of this paper is to compare production-based CO₂ emissions (PBE-CO₂) with consumption-based CO₂ emissions (CBE-CO₂), with particular focus on their determinants. The results reveal that several OECD countries have a negative trade balance in terms of CO₂ emissions. The decoupling analysis over 1990-2012 also shows that the degree of decoupling between economic growth and CO₂ emissions is less strong in terms of consumption-based emissions (CBE) than in terms of production-based emissions (PBE) for several OECD countries. Using panel data from 98 countries over the period 1990-2012, the results show that the elasticities (in absolute terms) of imports, exports and GDP per capita are larger on CBECO₂than on PBE-CO₂ for non-OECD countries. However, the coefficients estimated of independent variables have generally the same signs for both types of CO₂ emissions indicators.
  Keywords: production-based emissions; CBE; consumption-based emissions; CO₂; decoupling; relative decoupling; absolute decoupling; carbon leakage; OECD; IPAT model; STIRPAT model; cross-sectional dependence; stationarity; DCCE estimator; AMG estimator; CCE estimator.
  
  
• Current understanding on industrial organic waste management by employing Eisenia fetida  
  by Tridip Boruah, Anannya Morang, Hemen Deka 
  Abstract: Earthworms have the inherent capability of stabilising different organic waste materials of industrial as well as domestic origin. This review paper depicts the potential of epigeic earthworm species Eisenia fetida in the vermistabilisation of various industrial organic wastes such as silk industry waste, herbal pharmaceutical industry sludge, food industry sludge, milk processing industry sludge, tea factory coal ash, sugar mill sludge, cotton industrial waste, paper mill waste, and bio sludge of beverage industry. The analysis of results obtained clearly indicates the suitability of vermicomposting over conventional composting as an alternative technology for management, stabilisation and nutrient recovery from industrial organic waste.
  Keywords: Eisenia fetida; industrial organic waste; vermicomposting.
  
  
• Adsorption behaviour of estrogenic contaminant, estriol, using Saponin and Brij 35 modified clinoptilolite: equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies plus fixed bed modelling  
  by Reyhaneh Saadi, Reza Fazaeli, Leila Vafajoo, Iraj Naser, Ghodratollah Mohammadi 
  Abstract: In this study, adsorption affinity of a raw clinoptilolite (RC) modified with Saponin (RC-Saponin) and Brij 35 (RC-Brij) surfactants was investigated to adsorb estriol (E3) from wastewater. The effect of pH, amount of sorbent, contact time, and temperature was evaluated. The results for RC and RC-Saponin confirmed that the Langmuir isotherm had an excellent agreement with the experimental data. However, for RC-Brij, the Freundlich model had excellent correlation with the experimental data. The results indicated that RC-Saponin was a more effective adsorbent compared to the two other samples. Moreover, the lumped technique was used to solve the bed equations, to predict the trend of the breakthrough curve, to obtain model parameters. The agreement between experimental data and kinetic models indicated that the intra-particle diffusion model had a better behaviour compared to other models. The thermodynamic parameters of Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes were obtained.
  Keywords: adsorption; estrogenic contaminant of estriol; Saponin and Brij 35 surfactants; raw clinoptilolite; batch and fixed bed processes.