Examining the influence of COVID-19 lockdowns on coastal water quality: A study on fecal bacteria levels in Moroccan seawaters.

Fecal bacteria in bathing seawater pose a substantial public health risk and require rigorous monitoring. The unexpected beach closures during the COVID-19 lockdowns have afforded unique opportunities to evaluate the impact of human activities on bathing water quality (BWQ). This study examined the temporal changes in fecal coliforms (FC) and streptococci (FS) within bathing seawater across a popular coastal region in Morocco during two lockdown periods (2020 L and 2021 L), comparing these data with observations from pre-lockdown years (2018, 2019) and post-lockdown periods (2020, 2021, 2022). Our findings illuminate the influential role the hiatus periods played in enhancing bathing water quality, attaining an "excellent" status with marked reductions in fecal coliform and streptococci levels. Consequently, the FC/FS analysis exposed a clear preponderance of humans as the primary sources of fecal contamination, a trend that aligns with the burgeoning coastal tourism and the escalating numbers of beach visitors. Additionally, the presence of domestic animals like camels and horses used for tourist rides, coupled with an increase in wild animals such as dogs during the lockdown periods, compounded the potential sources of fecal bacteria in the study area. Furthermore, occasional sewage discharge from tourist accommodations and wastewater treatment plants may also contribute to fecal contamination. To effectively mitigate these concerns and bolster public health, a commitment to relentless surveillance efforts, leveraging novel and innovative tools, is essential. These findings underline the crucial interplay between human activities and the health of our coastal ecosystems, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices for a safer and healthier future.

Plastic and paint debris in marine protected areas of Peru.

Contamination with anthropogenic debris, such as plastic and paint particles, has been widely investigated in the global marine environment. However, there is a lack of information regarding their presence in marine protected areas (MPAs). In the present study, the abundance, distribution, and chemical characteristics of microplastics (MPs; <5 mm), mesoplastics (MePs; 5-25 mm), and paint particles were investigated in multiple environmental compartments of two MPAs from Peru. The characteristics of MPs across surface water, bottom sediments, and fish guts were similar, primarily dominated by blue fibers. On the other hand, MePs and large MPs (1-5 mm) were similar across sandy beaches. Several particles were composite materials consisting of multiple layers confirmed as alkyd resins by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, which were typical indicators of marine coatings. The microstructure of paint particles showed differentiated topography across layers, as well as different elemental compositions. Some layers displayed amorphous structures with Ba-, Cr-, and Ti-based additives. However, the leaching and impact of potentially toxic additives in paint particles require further investigation. The accumulation of multiple types of plastic and paint debris in MPAs could pose a threat to conservation goals. The current study contributed to the knowledge regarding anthropogenic debris contamination in MPAs and further elucidated the physical and chemical properties of paint particles in marine environments. While paint particles may look similar to MPs and MePs, more attention should be given to these contaminants in places where intense maritime activity takes place.

Sustainable management of drinking plastic straws is required to reduce plastic pollution: Are we using them more during COVID-19?

Nowadays, single-use plastic pollution attracts the attention of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. In addition to personal protective equipment (PPEs) waste during the COVID-19 pandemic, other unpreceded plastic wastes such as packaging from online shopping and food delivery, viruses confirmatory testing, and drinking straws also contributed to pollution and worsened around the globe. This perspective aimed to provide insights into drinking plastic straws as an important source of plastic pollution. Literature searches confirmed that drinking plastic straws, unlike PPEs, have not been researched whether it is an important contributor to pollution or not during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, research on the pollution level of this plastic waste and its association with COVID-19 is required. Drinking straw producers and users require adequate strategies and management of this plastic pollution and more widespread rules and regulations to prevent environmental implications and health risks. This study can usefully give highlights for environmentalists, solid waste management experts, policymakers, and governments by describing the environmental impact and raising health risks of drinking plastic straw pollution.

Adaptive Response of Thermophiles to Redox Stress and Their Role in the Process of dye Degradation From Textile Industry Wastewater.

Release of dye-containing textile wastewater into the environment causes severe pollution with serious consequences on aquatic life. Bioremediation of dyes using thermophilic microorganisms has recently attracted attention over conventional treatment techniques. Thermophiles have the natural ability to survive under extreme environmental conditions, including high dye concentration, because they possess stress response adaptation and regulation mechanisms. Therefore, dye detoxification by thermophiles could offer enormous opportunities for bioremediation at elevated temperatures. In addition, the processes of degradation generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subject cells to oxidative stress. However, thermophiles exhibit better adaptation to resist the effects of oxidative stress. Some of the major adaptation mechanisms of thermophiles include macromolecule repair system; enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase; and non-enzymatic antioxidants like extracellular polymeric substance (EPSs), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), etc. In addition, different bacteria also possess enzymes that are directly involved in dye degradation such as azoreductase, laccase, and peroxidase. Therefore, through these processes, dyes are first degraded into smaller intermediate products finally releasing products that are non-toxic or of low toxicity. In this review, we discuss the sources of oxidative stress in thermophiles, the adaptive response of thermophiles to redox stress and their roles in dye removal, and the regulation and crosstalk between responses to oxidative stress.

Wastewater treatment plant effluent and microfiber pollution: focus on industry-specific wastewater.

The production, use, and disposal of synthetic textiles potentially release a significant amount of microfibers into the environment. Studies performed on municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluent reported a higher presence of microfibers due to the mix of domestic laundry effluent through sewage. As municipal WWTPs receive influents from households and industries, it serves as a sink for the microfibers. However, research on textile industry WWTPs that primarily treat the textile fabric processing wastewater was not explored with the concern of microfibers. Hence, the review aims to analyze the existing literature and enlighten the impact of WWTPs on microplastic emission into the environment by specifically addressing textile industry WWTPs. The results of the review confirmed that even after 95-99% removal, municipal WWTPs can emit around 160 million microplastics per day into the environment. Microfiber was the dominant shape identified by the review. The average microfiber contamination in the WWTP sludge was estimated as 200 microfibers per gram of sludge. As far as the industry-specific effluents are analyzed, textile wet processing industries effluents contained > 1000 times higher microfibers than municipal WWTP. Despite few existing studies on textile industry effluent, the review demonstrates that, so far, no studies were performed on the sludge obtained from WWTPs that handle textile industry effluents alone. Review results pointed out that more attention should be needed to the textile wastewater research which is addressing the textile wet processing industry WWTPs. Moreover, the sludge released from these WWTPs should be considered as an important source of microfiber as they contain more quantity of microfibers than the effluent, and also, their routes to the environment are huge and easy.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic along the shoreline of Lake Tana, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution has become one of the most pending environmental challenges resulting from the pandemic. While various studies investigated PPE pollution in the marine environment, freshwater bodies have been largely overlooked. In the present study, PPE monitoring was carried out in the vicinity of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. PPE density, types, and chemical composition (FTIR spectroscopy) were reported. A total of 221 PPEs were identified with a density ranging from 1.22 × 10-5 PPE m-2 (control site S1) to 2.88× 10-4 PPE m-2 with a mean density of 1.54 × 10-4 ± 2.58 × 10-5 PPE m-2. Mismanaged PPE waste was found in all the sampling sites, mostly consisting of surgical face masks (93.7%). Statistical analyzes revealed significantly higher PPE densities in sites where several recreational, touristic, and commercial activities take place, thus, revealing the main sources of PPE pollution. Furthermore, polypropylene and polyester fabrics were identified as the main components of surgical and reusable cloth masks, respectively. Given the hazard that PPEs represent to aquatic biota (e.g., entanglement, ingestion) and their ability to release microplastics (MPs), it is necessary to implement sufficient solid waste management plans and infrastructure where lake activities take place. Additionally, local authorities must promote and ensure sustainable tourism in order to maintain the ecosystems in Lake Tana. Prospective research priorities regarding the colonization and degradation of PPE, as well as the release of toxic chemicals, were identified and discussed.

Understanding disposable plastics effects generated from the PCR testing labs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In medical labs, especially in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing labs, plastic residues (PCR tubes, pipet tips, falcon tubes, buffer bottles, medical globes, and others) wastes are potential sources of plastic waste. Evidence showed that a single PCR test for COVID-19 diagnosis used 37 g of disposable plastic per sample. Globally, an estimated amount of above 15,000 tons of plastic residue have been generated from the PCRs tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. These plastic residues are mismanaged and dumped with other solid wastes, especially in molecular testing labs (MTLs) from academic institutes such as universities thereby polluting the ecosystem. Plastic wastes from PCR testing labs also contain hazardous chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, plastic residues in PCR testing labs are an important add-on source to conventional plastic wastes. In this perspective, research questions on (1) type and characteristics of plastic, (2) quantity of plastic residues as an add-on source to the conventional plastic wastes, (3) prevalence of microplastics generated from PCR testing labs of plastic wastes, (4) handling, disinfection techniques, and management strategies of these plastic residues, (5) PCR test materials as a source of hazardous chemical pollutants, and (6) future environmental pollution threats imposed by genetic material determination were raised. It is suggested that this work will be used as the baseline information in addressing the knowledge gap for improving PCR testing labs plastic waste management, and regulation to control environmental pollution. Understanding these plastics' impacts and risks is crucial for driving predictions and innovative technology processes towards sustainability.

Binational survey of personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic in coastal environments: Abundance, distribution, and analytical characterization.

In the present contribution, two nationwide surveys of personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution were conducted in Peru and Argentina aiming to provide valuable information regarding the abundance and distribution of PPE in coastal sites. Additionally, PPE items were recovered from the environment and analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and compared to brand-new PPE in order to investigate the chemical and structural degradation of PPE in the environment. PPE density (PPE m-2) found in both countries were comparable to previous studies. FTIR analysis revealed multiple polymer types comprising common PPE, mainly polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyester. SEM micrographs showed clear weathering signs, such as cracks, cavities, and rough surfaces in face masks and gloves. EDX elemental mapping revealed the presence of elemental additives, such as Ca in gloves and face masks and AgNPs as an antimicrobial agent. Other metals found on the surface of PPE were Mo, P, Ti, and Zn. XRD patterns displayed a notorious decrease in the crystallinity of polypropylene face masks, which could alter its interaction with external contaminants and stability. The next steps in this line of research were discussed.

Current plastics pollution threats due to COVID-19 and its possible mitigation techniques: a waste-to-energy conversion via Pyrolysis.

BACKGROUND: The extensive use and production of PPE, and disposal in the COVID-19 pandemic increases the plastic wastes arise environmental threats. Roughly, 129 billion face masks and 65 billion plastic gloves every month are used and disposed of on the globe. The study aims to identify the polymer type of face masks and gloves and sustainable plastic waste management options. RESULTS: The identification of polymers, which can help for fuel conversion alternatives, was confirmed by FTIR and TGA/DTA analysis and confirms that the polymeric categories fit for the intended purpose. Moreover, the handling technique for upcycling and the environmental impacts of the medical face mask and glove were discussed. The FTIR result revealed that face masks and gloves are polypropylene and PVC thermoplastic polymer, respectively and they can be easily transformed to fuel energy via pyrolysis. The endothermic peaks around 431 ℃ for medical glove and 175 ℃ for surgical is observed tells that the melting point of the PVC and polypropylene of plastic polymers, respectively. The pyrolysis of the face mask and glove was carried out in a closed reactor at 400 ℃ for 1 h. Conferring to lab-scale processes, liquid, and wax fuel rate of 75%, char of 10%, and the rest non-condensable gases were estimated at the end. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the medical plastics can be recycled into oil due to their thermoplastics nature having high oil content and the waste to energy conversion can potentially reduce the volume of PPE plastic wastes.

The macro-debris pollution in the shorelines of Lake Tana: First report on abundance, assessment, constituents, and potential sources.

Macro-debris monitoring in the shores of freshwater systems is critical to estimate the macro-and micro-plastic pollution levels for the subsequent investigation of ecological pollution. The study aims to report the composition of macro debris and their distribution on the shore of Lake Tana, Ethiopia, as a first baseline document. The distribution of litter surveys was conducted at seven different town/village shorelines of Lake Tana. The debris was categorized, and its constituent, abundance, and accumulation rates were computed. The findings showed that the mean accumulation rates of Lake Tana debris ranged between 4.9 ± 3.9 and 30.5 ± 20.2 items m-1 day-1 in counts and between 0.32 ± 0.21 and 0.04 ± 0.09 ± 0.03 g m-1 day-1 in mean weight. Also, the plastic polymers were identified as PET, PE, and HDPE. The litter categories abundance is different in different sampling locations. Plastics as packaging materials were extensively distributed in surveyed areas. A significant quantity of litter are local products and a locally feasible solid waste management system can be used to eradicate outflow into Lake Tana and can reduce pollution.

Recycling electro-coagulated sludge from textile wastewater treatment plants as an adsorbent for the adsorptions of fluoride in an aqueous solution.

This research investigated the high content of iron-based materials from recycled electro-coagulated (EC) sludge for the adsorptive removal of fluoride, and the properties of the material were characterized. The thermal activation of EC sludge in which the unwanted impurity was removed by beneficiation and thermally activated at 500 °C, and was used for fluoride removal. Basic operating parameters (mixing time, adsorbent dosage, adsorbate concentration, solution pH, and temperature) were examined to evaluate the optimum de-fluoridation capacity (DC). The functional groups, the crystalline structure, and surface morphology of thermally treated and raw EC sludge were analyzed using FTIR, XRD, and SEM, respectively, and demonstrates that thermally activated EC sludge contains significant content of magnetite and hematite. The optimum DC was recorded as 5.12 mg of F-/gm with experimental conditions: mixing time = 20 min, adsorbent dosage = 0.3 gm/100 ml, initial fluoride concentration = 1 mg/L, and pH = 5 at the temperature of 353 K. The Langmuir isotherm model was fitted, and the capacity is calculated as 6.43 mg/g. The adsorption process follows the Pseudo-Second-order kinetic models. It can be concluded that the prepared adsorbents have excellent fluoride removal capacity, and EC sludge can be used as an alternative adsorbent for de-fluoridation.

Microplastic pollution in African countries' water systems: a review on findings, applied methods, characteristics, impacts, and managements.

ABSTRACT: Owed to their simplicity, flexibility, lightweight, and low cost, plastics have become highly demanded in Africa as well as worldwide. However, the management of plastic wastes, particularly in African countries, is inadequate and most of the plastic debris is gatewayed into the water bodies. Nowadays, environmentalists, organizations, and governments are aware of microplastic pollution in the marine and terrestrial environment. Thus, addressing a compressive literature review in one referenced paper, as they draw up the articles, is essential to propose new research directions, to synthesize the existing theories among the existing studies. The abundance of microplastics is variable depending on the sampling and identification techniques. In this review, the available publications on microplastic pollution in African countries' water systems were retrieved. Investigations found that microplastic pollution levels in the studied water bodies were reported in high concentrations. It was observed that different sampling and analytical methods were applied for the detection of microplastics, and suggestions were raised at it may affect the reliability of the results. Most of the detected and quantified microplastics were confirmed as they are from secondary sources. Most of the microplastic pollution research was conducted dominantly in South Africa, and secondly Nigeria, although other countries should also start conducting in their water systems. Surface water and sediment samples were dominantly carried out, but are limited with biota samples; hence, the risk assessment of microplastics is not yet determined. Some of the African countries have regulations on the prevention of macroplastic wastes, but the implementations are unsuccessful and most have not yet been established resulting in a threat of microplastics pollution. Thus, the research priorities on microplastic detection should be identified, and the African countries' governments should be more proactive in eradicating macroplastic, which ends up as microplastics, pollutions in the water environments. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: Researches on microplastic pollution in African countries water system is limited .A high microplastics abundance is found in African countries water system.Sampling methods and used analytical techniques for microplastic detection were included.Harmonized standard methods for microplastic pollution research should be established.Combined analytical tools at once should be adopted to detect reliable microplastics.

What we need to know about PPE associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in the marine environment.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak was declared as a global health emergency, the use of multiple types of plastic-based PPEs as a measure to reduce the infection increased tremendously. Recent evidence suggests that the overuse of PPEs during the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening plastic pollution in the marine environment. In this short focus, we discussed the potential sources, fate, and effects of PPE plastic to the marine environment and proposed five key research needs, involving (1) the occurrence and abundance of PPEs, (2) the sources, fate, and drivers of PPEs, (3) PPEs as a source of microplastics, (4) PPEs as a vector of invasive species and pathogens, and (5) PPEs as a source and vector of chemical pollutants in the marine environment. We suggest that addressing these knowledge gaps will lay the groundwork for improved COVID-19-associated waste management and legislation to prevent marine plastic pollution to continue exacerbating.

Synthesis and characterization of Ethiopian kaolin for the removal of basic yellow (BY 28) dye from aqueous solution as a potential adsorbent.

In the present research, the kaolin adsorbents (beneficiated, raw powder, and calcined) were prepared from Ethiopian natural kaolin through mechanical, wet, and thermal processes. The geochemical and surface properties of kaolin adsorbent were characterized using FTIR, SEM/EDS, XRD, and XRF. In the batch experiment, basic operation parameters (initial dye concentrations, pH, temperature, contact time, and adsorbent dosage) were examined. Percentage removal efficiency basic yellow 28 (BY28) dye were recorded as 94.79%, 92.08%, and 87.08% onto beneficiated, raw, and calcined kaolin absorbents, respectively at an initial dye concentration of 20 mg/L, solution pH of 9, the temperature of 30 °C °C , and contact time of 60 min and adsorbent dosage of 1g/100L. The molar ratio of SiO2/Al2O3 was recorded as 2.911 Percent mass composition of Ethiopian kaolin which is higher than the expected pure kaolinite standard which allows us to classify the kaolin clay as a siliceous one. The calculated values of Δ G 0 for beneficiated adsorbent are -1.243, 1.576, and 4.396 kJ/mol at 303.15, 323.15, and 343.15 K, respectively for 20 mg/L of dye concentration and solution pH of 9, suggests that the thermodynamic behavior at lowest temperature is more feasible and spontaneous as compared with the higher temperature one. A similar fashion was calculated for raw and calcined adsorbents. The negative values of ΔHo and ΔS° suggest that the adsorption phenomenon is exothermic and the adsorbate molecules are organized on the solid phase in a more disordered fashion than the liquid phase. The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models have been used to describe the kinetics in the adsorption processes. The Pseudo-second-order model has been fitted for the BY 28 dye adsorption in the studied concentration range. The adsorption of BY 28 dye for raw and calcined adsorbents follows the Langmuir isotherm and the Freundlich isotherm fitted for the beneficiated adsorbent. The amount of BY28 dye taken up by beneficiated, raw, and calcined kaolin adsorbents was found as 1.896, 1.842, and 1.742 mg/g, respectively at a contact time of 1.0 h, the adsorbent dosage of 1.0 g, initial dye concentration = 20 mg/L and solution pH = 9 at 30 °C. The results found that these raw and prepared local kaolin adsorbents have a capacity as low-cost alternatives for the removal of dyes in industrial wastewater.

Surgical face masks as a potential source for microplastic pollution in the COVID-19 scenario.

Although there have been enormous reports on the microplastic pollution from different plastic products, impacts, controlling mechanisms in recent years, the surgical face masks, made up of polymeric materials, as a source of microplastic pollution potential in the ecosystem are not fully understood and considered yet. Current studies are mostly stated out that microplastics pollution should be a big deal because of their enormous effect on the aquatic biota, and the entire environment. Due to the complicated conditions of the aquatic bodies, microplastics could have multiple effects, and reports so far are still lacking. In addition to real microplastic pollutions which has been known before, face mask as a potential microplastic source could be also researching out, including the management system, in detail. It is noted that face masks are easily ingested by higher organisms, such as fishes, and microorganisms in the aquatic life which will affect the food chain and finally chronic health problems to humans. As a result, microplastic from the face mask should be a focus worldwide.

Utilizations of electro-coagulated sludge from wastewater treatment plant data as an adsorbent for direct red 28 dye removal.

This work reported on the adsorptions of direct red 28 dye on to the raw and calcined electro-coagulated, EC, sludge adsorbents collected from the textile wastewater treatment plant. EC sludge adsorbent was prepared with wet treatment by deionized water and calcination at 500 °C. Raw and processed data on main adsorption operation parameters and adsorbent characterization were reported. Also, adsorption isotherm, adsorption kinetics; and thermodynamic models for direct red 28 dye (DR28) removal mechanism on to the raw and calcined EC sludge adsorbents were reported. Instrumental analysis, such as Fourier Transformation infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and Ultraviolet/Visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy were used for adsorbent characterization and dye absorbance measurement before and after adsorption respectively. UV-Visible spectrometer was used throughout the batch experiment. The effect of adsorption temperature (25 ± 2 °C (ambient), 40 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C), pH (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10), initial dye concentration (20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/L), contact time (10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 min) and adsorbent dosage (0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 g/100ml) were examined. For EC sludge adsorbent characteristics, FTIR analysis data is provided as raw and processed data before and after dye adsorption for both raw and calcined EC adsorbent. UV-Vis spectral analysis before and after dye removal with a pH range of 2-10 and batch adsorption experimental data records such as initial dye concentration, solution pH, temperature, adsorbent dosage and mixing time are reported.

Adsorption of basic yellow dye dataset using Ethiopian kaolin as an adsorbent.

This article presents batch experimental data describing the main batch adsorption operation parameters. Also the adsorption models (adsorption isotherm, adsorption kinetics and thermodynamic studies) of basic yellow dye on to the raw and treated kaolin adsorbents. Besides, instrumental analyses were recorded to characterize kaolin adsorbent. Such as, thermogravimetric analyzer, Fourier transformation infrared and scanning electroscope with energy dispersion spectroscopy were used. UV-Visible spectrometer was used throughout the experimental study for the determination of absorbance. The effect of adsorption temperature (30 °C, 50 °C 70 °C), PH (3, 7, 9), initial dye concentration (20 mg/l, 40 mg/l, 60 mg/l), contact time (20 min, 40 min, 60 min, 80 min, 100 min) and adsorbent dosage (0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 g/100ml) have been well determined. For adsorbent characteristics, we provide dataset regarding (i) thermogravimetery with differential scanning calorimetery, (ii) Fourier transform infrared spectral data before and after basic yellow dye adsorption process, (iii) scanning electroscope with energy dispersion spectroscopy image at ×500 resolution, (iv) X-ray diffraction and, (v) batch adsorption experimental parameters records. Regarding scanning electroscope with energy dispersion spectroscopy image, we provide data of three surface morphology image and three elemental distribution spectra for raw and treated kaolin adsorbent.