Emerging Challenges in Environment and Earth Science Vol. 4

Leachate is generated when liquid percolates through the waste mass. It contains a lot of toxic substances that, when leached into the environment, cause a lot of health problems. The objective was to assess leachate quality at the Sarbah landfill site in Accra for possible treatment. The leachate was alkaline, with significant biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and oil and grease concentrations. Leachate samples were obtained from various locations near the landfill. Heavy metal such as Cd, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr, Hg and Cu, and their contamination were within the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana (EPA) guideline limits except for Fe, which was relatively high. The study found that surrounding water bodies could be contaminated by leachate. Microorganisms were found in the leachate, some of which have public health consequences. Total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC), Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Vibro spp, Bacillus spp, Yeast, and Moulds were the most common pathogens found in the Sarbah dumpsite leachates. All of the sites had high amounts of TC and FC, which exceeded the EPA's allowed limits. The highest levels were recorded at site I, TC  (26 x10⁶ CFU/100 ml); FC (33 x 10⁵ CFU/100 ml) and the lowest observed at site IV, TC (18.6 x 10² CFU/ 100 ml); (FC (38.4 x 10 CFU/ 100ml).  Specific bacteria pathogens E. coli (22.4 x 10⁵ CFU/100 ml), Salmonella (41 x 10³CFU/100 ml), Vibro spp. (12 x 10 CFU/100 ml) were present at the site I but absent at site II. Malaria, intestinal worms, upper respiratory infections, typhoid fever, dysentery, salmonellosis, cholera, and gastroenteritis are among the diseases that could be spread through the leachate by the major biological contaminants.

Initial part of this chapter provides an overview on conceptual framework of sustainability based on sustainable development policy in balancing the need for development and environmental conservation. It discusses structural and functional diversity relationship of natural ecosystem functioning and environmental filters that determine its services sustainably. It follows with brief historical perspectives of eco-development initiated by the United Nations and other relevant agencies that leads to the promulgation of the “17-Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2018 are also highlighted. Subsequently it discusses on the existential and potential future risks of humanity with special reference to the current and future potential impact of global climate change as consequence of energy transition from fossil fuel to renewable resources. The chapter ends with way forward with enlightenment optimism in achieving the goal of Paris agreement through technological advancement, policy formulation and commitment by the respective countries.

The effect of supplementation of fishmeal as compared to urea on the rumen environment and ruminal feed degradation in Bali cows fed low-quality tropical grass hay was discussed. Both supplements reduced pH and increased rumen ammonia but the increase of rumen ammonia was more pronounced in urea than with fishmeal supplementation. The ruminal total, as well as individual VFAs (Acetate, Butyrate and Propionate) concentrations, were not affected by the supplementation of both urea and fishmeal but the Ruminal dry matter degradability was increased with fishmeal supplementation. It can be concluded that the supplementation of both urea and fishmeal improved the rumen environment and feed degradability in Bali cows maintained on low-quality tropical grass hay with fishmeal was proven to be the better supplement over urea.

The theoretical worth of a contingencies framework in dynamic savanna systems is discussed in this study, with the goal of facilitating the adaption of previous studies of savanna landscape change in limited human-interaction settings to those that more realistically present the socio-ecological context of southern Africa’s savannas. Landscape changes and the processes that drive them have been an important part of savanna study and management efforts. In response to both anthropogenic and climatic shifts, these dynamics have an impact on human populations, animals, carbon storage, and overall spatio-temporal dynamism. Landscapes can be simplified as produced by flows of energy and matter that are historically and spatially contingent. In addition, observation of these contingencies is scale-dependent. By separating their distinct geographical, temporal, and organisational contingencies, both biophysical and human agents of change can be identified. However, we suggest that a large section of savanna research has either treated humans as exogenous (e.g., through establishing regional or larger policies) or as spatially and temporally separated from the system (e.g., as in many protected areas with limited current human habitation).

Tungiasis is an ectoparasitic skin illness produced by the female sand flea, Tungapenetrans, penetrating the host's epidermis. A thorough literature analysis revealed that inadequate hygiene, poverty, social neglect, ignorance, and cultural beliefs all contribute to jigger infestation in Kenya. As a result of the infestation, the study discovered a vicious cycle of poverty, low educational standards, low self-esteem/stigmatization, civil rights violations, HIV/AIDS, and secondary illnesses. Control strategies include fumigation, on-site animal treatment, good hygiene, and health education. To properly perform the much-needed services of national development, one must be physically, emotionally, and socially sound. The jigger infestation has a negative impact on various areas of human health, making it difficult for both infected and impacted people to participate fully in nation-building. As a country, the Jigger menace is impeding Kenya's efforts to meet the Millennium Progress Goal of poverty reduction by 2015, as well as slowing the country's development.

The present study highlights the external features of oil Yeilding Plant Sunflower in Indian Subcontinent. Sunflower oil is free from PUFA. It is an well established theory. But people have to afford to buy from the market to improve health condition. People nowadays prefer to buy sunflower oil instead of mustard oil at the market. Because of the lower cholesterol and unsaturated fatty acid (lipid) content in the regular diet. Obese people should also avoid using mustard oil as a cooking medium, according to doctors. In acres of land, healthy plants thrive. Farmers in India are already earning money from sunflower fields on a massive scale. Instead of mustard oil, sunflower oil was used. Healthy cooking oil is widely regarded. Because of media knowledge (television and newspapers), everyone is increasingly concerned about human health. In the MNC culture, regular health checks are required. People nowadays are health-conscious. Even in a roadside inn, you'll notice that Sunflower oil has replaced mustard oil as the cooking medium. In today's society, PUFA-free sunflower oil is widely accepted. Heart disease caused by fat molecule buildup in arteries puts the health of older persons (over 60) at in severe risk.  

The sea level changes and associated physical processes are not explored well compared to other parts of the world. In the present study, the sea level variability in the Red Sea is investigated with the help of more than two and half decades of remote sensing observations from satellite altimetry.  Considering the east–west difference in sea level, the study revealed the presence of a persistent east–west pattern which is visible every year. This east–west (EW) difference is positive during winter when a higher sea level is observed on the eastern coast of the Red Sea and negative during summer when a relatively lower sea level is observed in the same region. May and October are transition months, with a variable pattern in the change in sea levels. The EW difference in the southern Red Sea is slightly larger than that in the northern part during summer, by an average of 0.2 cm. For both the northern and southern Red Seas, wavelet analysis reveals a large annual cycle as well as other signals of lesser amplitude. EOF1 correlates to 98 percent of overall variability, EOF2 to 1.3 percent, and EOF3 to 0.4 percent, according to Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis. ENSO has a strong remote reaction to EW differences, whereas the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) have minor responses. The occurrence of this EW differential phenomena is caused by three physical mechanisms: wind, buoyancy, and the polarity of eddies.

We explore frameworks and techniques for aligning stakeholder values in a One Health approach with potential bioindicators of change that could be monitored at different spatial scales. River watersheds are one of Alaska's most complex terrestrial features, conducting important biological activities while also providing services to humans. Rivers are crucial for both estuarine and aquatic biota, as well as biogeochemical and physical processes. The Yukon watershed provides a broadscale opportunity for communities to monitor the environment, manage resources, and contribute to stewardship policy formation. Watershed functions have been employed as environmental and socioeconomic resilience vulnerability indicators. The environmental impacts of local efforts to provide food, shelter, and clothing for rural communities are much more limited than those of today’s economically motivated industries (agricultural, forestry, and textile, for example) that supply large urban centers. Despite its long history of human activity, the Yukon River has not gotten the same comprehensive and multidisciplinary research as the other great American river systems. We can learn about regime-shifting pressures like fire, poisons, and invasive species development by adopting hypothesis-based monitoring of important watershed functions. Community resilience can be maintained by combining adaptive risk management strategies including stakeholders with place-based education, particularly on pollutants and nutrition. Monitoring keystone species and community activities like citizen science are the initial steps in tracking resiliency changes across the Yukon watershed. Creating a policy climate that supports local experimentation and innovation helps to maintain resilience during times of stress brought on by development.

The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of water resources use and modern global challenges on the ecological state of the Klaus River and the justification of water protection measures. The Kalausis the river in the Stavropolskii region of Russia being an important source of water. Water usage has resulted in water loss, depletion, and deterioration. As a result, water shortages completely outweigh the natural river flow. The water is categorised as "very dirty" in terms of quality. Diffuse runoff from agricultural lands is the main cause of river water contamination. In this research, estimates are provided for both the environmental river flow and the effectiveness of water protection measures. It considers the impact of lands on the flow volume and quality of river water, as well as the impact of global climate change on water scarcity. To raise the river's ecological status to "satisfactory," it is necessary to conserve the volume of environmentally friendly flow without reducing it. To improve water quality to "moderately polluted," integrated water protection measures are required.