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Research Article
Geospatial Analysis of Particulate Matter and CO Concentrations in Relation to Urban Land Use: A Case Study of Sunamganj District Town
Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder*
,
Md Rifatul Islam
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 5, October 2025
Pages:
236-253
Received:
29 June 2025
Accepted:
25 July 2025
Published:
27 August 2025
Abstract: Air pollution is a major environmental issue in Bangladesh, particularly in industrial districts such as Sunamganj, where growing urbanization and industrialization worsen already severe air quality difficulties. The objective of the study is to identify the status of air pollution in Sunamganj District Town area, assessing the relationship among land use and some parameters: Particulate Matters (PM1, PM2.5 & PM10) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration, to show the distribution of PM and CO concentration and PM2.5 based AQI. Descriptive statistics, whisker box plots, ArcGIS and cluster analysis carried out to draw a spatial distribution pattern of pollutants. In this study, 60 locations were selected based on the use of land in Sunamganj District Town area, and air quality parameters was measured in those locations with the help of various automated portable Air Quality Monitor, Indoor Outdoor Formaldehyde (HCHO) Detector (Model: DM106) and CO Meter (Model: AS8700A). After that, IBM SPSS V20 and MS Excel 2020 were used for analysis. It was found that, the average concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 & PM10 of 60 places in Sunamganj district town were 53.36, 88.86 and 113.90µg/m³ respectively. The average concentration of PM2.5 was found 1.75 times higher than Bangladesh National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) level. It is estimated that the average PM2.5 /PM10 was 77.83%, PM1/PM2.5 was 60.13%. From the outcome of this research the studied land uses are arranged in descending order based on average concentration PM2.5 which follows as sensitive area (113.10µg/m3) > road intersection area (108.30µg/m3) > mixed area (91.85µg/m3) > commercial area (87.21µg/m3) > industrial area (81.56µg/m³) > residential area (81.33µg/m3) > village area (58.65µg/m3). The findings exhibit the absolute need for effective air quality management and policy actions to alleviate the negative impacts of air pollution on public health and the environment.
Abstract: Air pollution is a major environmental issue in Bangladesh, particularly in industrial districts such as Sunamganj, where growing urbanization and industrialization worsen already severe air quality difficulties. The objective of the study is to identify the status of air pollution in Sunamganj District Town area, assessing the relationship among l...
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Research Article
Informal Sector E-waste Management in Aba Urban, South-eastern Nigeria: Assessment of Quantities Handled and Environmental-health Impacts
Felix Ike*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 5, October 2025
Pages:
254-262
Received:
9 August 2025
Accepted:
18 August 2025
Published:
3 September 2025
Abstract: Rapid urbanization and the growing trade in second-hand electronics have intensified informal e-waste recycling in Nigerian cities. While coastal hubs such as Lagos and Port Harcourt have received considerable research attention, inland secondary hubs like Aba remain understudied despite their expanding role in national e-waste flows. This study aimed to assess the scale, practices, and health risks associated with informal e-waste processing in Aba. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining structured questionnaires administered to 254 respondents, key informant interviews, GPS-tagged field observations, and volumetric waste assessments across five purposively selected hotspots. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS, and qualitative transcripts were thematically coded. Results showed that Ngwa Road, Ariaria Market, and Port Harcourt Road processed the highest volumes of hazardous waste, with cathode ray tubes and mobile phones dominating the waste stream. Informal recovery methods included manual dismantling, open-air cable burning, and occasional acid leaching, with minimal use of personal protective equipment. A risk-rating matrix classified 61% of workers as high-risk, with common health symptoms including respiratory distress, skin irritation, and eye discomfort. Spatial analysis indicated that most e-waste activities clustered within 2km of major commercial corridors, increasing local pollutant loads. The findings reveal significant gaps in Extended Producer Responsibility enforcement in inland Nigeria and underscore the need for targeted remediation, subsidized protective equipment, and integration of informal actors into regulated collection systems. By linking site-specific data from Aba to wider West African trends, the study provides evidence to support policy interventions aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 3, 8, 12, and 13.
Abstract: Rapid urbanization and the growing trade in second-hand electronics have intensified informal e-waste recycling in Nigerian cities. While coastal hubs such as Lagos and Port Harcourt have received considerable research attention, inland secondary hubs like Aba remain understudied despite their expanding role in national e-waste flows. This study ai...
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Research Article
Polymetallic Contamination Assessment of Lake San-Pedro: Characterization by ICP-MS and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI)
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 5, October 2025
Pages:
263-275
Received:
17 July 2025
Accepted:
30 July 2025
Published:
25 September 2025
Abstract: Heavy metal contamination of aquatic ecosystems is a major environmental and public health issue, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions of developing countries. This study assessed the polymetallic pollution of Lake San-Pedro (Côte d’Ivoire) during the rainy season, focusing on the spatial distribution and severity of contamination. A total of 12 surface water samples—three point samples per station—were collected from four stations selected based on their exposure to industrial, domestic, and urban discharges. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the concentrations of nine heavy metals. Key physicochemical parameters were also measured, and the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) was applied to quantify the overall contamination level. The results revealed elevated concentrations of iron (1.10-1.93 mg/L), aluminum (0.36-1.33 mg/L), and nickel (0.03-0.38 mg/L), all significantly exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. HPI values at all stations were well above the critical threshold of 100, indicating severe heavy metal pollution. High turbidity and elevated organic loads were observed across several sites, suggesting substantial degradation of water quality. Statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA) confirmed significant spatial differences (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of Al, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Cr, with stations 1 and 2—located near major anthropogenic activities—showing the highest contamination levels. These findings highlight the urgent need for integrated watershed management measures, including wastewater treatment, pollution source control, and routine monitoring of water quality. This study provides key data to support the protection and sustainable use of Lake San-Pedro’s aquatic resources.
Abstract: Heavy metal contamination of aquatic ecosystems is a major environmental and public health issue, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions of developing countries. This study assessed the polymetallic pollution of Lake San-Pedro (Côte d’Ivoire) during the rainy season, focusing on the spatial distribution and severity of contamination. A total of...
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Review Article
Universal Characteristics of Landfill Leachate Generated from Food and Organic Wastes: A Review
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 5, October 2025
Pages:
276-285
Received:
23 August 2025
Accepted:
28 September 2025
Published:
28 October 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijema.20251305.14
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Abstract: The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) containing significant fractions of food and organic matter presents critical challenges, primarily due to the potent and dynamically evolving nature of the resultant landfill leachate. This study addresses the persistent variability observed in leachate composition across diverse geopolitical regions, which often complicates the design and optimization of robust treatment systems, leading to inefficient resource expenditure and environmental non-compliance. Utilizing a comprehensive, comparative meta-analysis of leachate data derived exclusively from anaerobic decomposition phases of high-organic-content landfills globally, this research aimed to delineate the foundational physicochemical parameters that exhibit universal consistency, irrespective of confounding site-specific operational or climatic factors. This methodological approach involved the rigorous standardization and statistical integration of analytical metrics sourced from over fifty operational and closed landfill sites across four continents, focusing specifically on early to intermediate decomposition stages where the high initial organic loading remains the principal driver of chemical composition. The analysis conclusively identified several quantitative and qualitative characteristics intrinsic to high-organic-waste leachate that transcend geographic location or specific waste input details. Notably, a consistently high average BOD/COD ratio (ranging strictly from 0.45 to 0.70) was established as a definitive marker during the early acidogenic and intermediate methanogenic phases, signifying substantial initial biodegradability driven by massive concentrations of short-chain volatile fatty acids (VFAs), primarily acetic and propionic acid. Furthermore, ammonia nitrogen concentrations consistently ranked as the predominant inorganic constituent, often correlating directly with the initial protein input and exhibiting extreme resistance to conventional biological removal due to frequent co-occurrence with inhibitory high salinity levels. These findings collectively underscore the critical need for standardized pre-treatment strategies that specifically target VFA neutralization, recalcitrant ammonia stripping, and management of extremely high organic loading, offering a foundational, universal baseline for engineering design across disparate organic waste disposal scenarios.
Abstract: The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) containing significant fractions of food and organic matter presents critical challenges, primarily due to the potent and dynamically evolving nature of the resultant landfill leachate. This study addresses the persistent variability observed in leachate composition across diverse geopolitical regions, ...
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Research Article
Analysis of Mass Concentration and Carbon Composition of PM2.5 During the Long Dry Season in Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou Cities, Benin
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 5, October 2025
Pages:
286-289
Received:
9 September 2025
Accepted:
4 October 2025
Published:
28 October 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijema.20251305.15
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Abstract: Carbonaceous components are important components of fine atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) and can affect the local environment, climate, and human health. The PM2.5, Organic (OC) and elemental (EC) Carbon concentrations were measured at Arconville (AT) and Mahoule (MT) traffic during the dry season in southern Benin cities of Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou. The data are collected with passive samplers and archived as daily averages from December 2016 to March 2017. To gain a better understanding of possible local and regional aerosol sources, the concentration of PM2.5, OC and EC, as well as the OC/EC ratio were evaluated overall. For the studied period, average concentrations of PM2.5 particles were 64 ±16 µ.gm-3 and 79 ±18 µ.gm-3 at AT and MT, respectively. Those of OC and EC were 31 ± 13 μg·m-3 and 9 ± 06 μg·m-3 for AT and 38 ± 16 μg·m-3 and 13 ± 08 μg·m-3 for MT, respectively. Also, total carbon accounted for 62.5% of PM2.5 at AT and 64.56% at MT. The OC/EC ratios obtained in AT and MT were 3.44 and 2.92, respectively. These OC/EC ratios obtained in two cities are greater than 2, which confirmed the presence of secondary organic aerosols during this period on these two traffic sites.
Abstract: Carbonaceous components are important components of fine atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) and can affect the local environment, climate, and human health. The PM2.5, Organic (OC) and elemental (EC) Carbon concentrations were measured at Arconville (AT) and Mahoule (MT) traffic during the dry season in southern Benin cities of Abomey-Calavi an...
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