Human health risks associated to trace elements and metals in commercial fish from the Brazilian Amazon.

Fish constitutes the main protein source for the Amazonian population. However, the impact of different anthropogenic activities on trace element and metal accumulation in fish and their risks for human health at a regional scale remain largely unexplored. Here we assessed exposure levels of 10 trace elements and metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg) in 56 samples belonging to 11 different species of fish from the Brazilian Amazon. We studied the relationship between exposure levels, fish origin, and fish feeding habits, and assessed toxicological and carcinogenic risks for the Amazonian population. No significant correlation was found between sampling site and exposure levels to the studied elements, but a significant difference was found between the accumulation of some metals and the position of the fish species in the food chain. The concentrations of Cr and Hg in fish flesh were found to exceed the Brazilian limits for human consumption. This study shows that current fish consumption patterns can lead to estimated daily intakes of Hg, As and Cr that exceed the oral reference dose, thus posing a toxicological concern. Furthermore, carcinogenic risks may be expected due to the continued exposure to Cr and As. The results of this study show that the consumption of wild caught fish in the Amazon region should be controlled. Moreover, continued monitoring of trace element and metal contamination in fish and on the health of the Amazonian population is recommended, particularly for riverine and indigenous communities.

Comparative analysis of the incidence of enteroparasitosis andthe COVID-19 pandemic profile in the city of Bananeiras - PB / Análise comparativa da incidência de enteroparasitoses e doperfil pandêmico da COVID-19 na cidade de Bananeiras - PB

Enteroparasitosis are diseases caused by parasitic agents present in the environment and in the gastrointestinal tract of living beings. In addition, they are still considered neglected diseases, but of great importance for public health, especially when they are related to secondary infections and currently their co-infection profile with COVID-19. The interaction of protozoa and/or helminths with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is timely and its signs and symptoms are confused with other pathogen relationships. In this way, this study aims to correlate the incidence of enteroparasitosis and COVID-19, in the pandemic period from 2020 to April 2022. This is a documentary and exploratory study of secondary data from laboratory tests of patients who were treated and diagnosed with COVID-19 and enteroparasitosis at Hospital Doutor Cloves Bezerra Cavalcante, Municipal Hospital of Bananeiras, Paraíba, Brazil. In the analysis of the database, a significant increase of approximately 48.85% in the incidence of COVID-19 cases from 2020 to 2021 stands out, remaining high until 2022. In contrast, cases of enteroparasites peaked at 48.74% in 2021, followed by an average reduction of 23.12%, with a deviation of 1.49%, in relation to the years 2020 and 2022. It was concluded that COVID-19 is predominantly associated with an increase in secondary infections, highlighting the crucial need to promote health education, improve basic sanitation and guarantee access to health services as essential components in combating the increase in parasitic infections, especially those related to viral pathologies.

As enteroparasitoses são enfermidades originadas por agentes parasitários presentes no meio ambiente e no trato gastrointestinal dos seres vivos. Ademais, ainda são consideradas doenças negligenciadas, porém de grande importância para a saúde pública, em especial, quando estão relacionadas com infecções secundárias e atualmente seu perfil de coinfecção com a COVID-19. A interação de protozoários e/ou helmintos com o vírus SARS-CoV-2 é oportuna e seus sinais e sintomas são confundidos com outras relações de patógenos. Desta maneira, este estudo visa correlacionar a incidência de enteroparasitoses e COVID-19, no período pandêmico de 2020 a abril de 2022. Trata--se de uma pesquisa documental e exploratória, de dados secundários dos exames laboratoriais de pacientes que foram atendidos e diagnosticados com COVID-19 e enteroparasitoses no Hospital Doutor Cloves Bezerra Cavalcante, Hospital Municipal de Bananeiras, Paraíba, Brasil. Na análise da base de dados, destaca-se um aumento significativo de aproximadamente 48,85% na incidência de casos de COVID-19 de 2020 a 2021, mantendo-se elevado até 2022. Em contraste, os casos de enteroparasitas atingiram um pico de 48,74% em 2021, seguido por uma redução média de 23,12%, com um desvio de 1,49%, em relação aos anos de 2020 e 2022. Conclui-se que a COVID-19 está predominantemente associada ao aumento de infecções secundárias, destacando a necessidade crucial de promover a educação em saúde, melhorar o saneamento básico e garantir o acesso aos serviços de saúde como componentes essenciais no combate ao aumento de infecções parasitárias, especialmente aquelas relacionadas a patologias virais.

Analysis of environmental variables and deforestation in the amazon using logistical regression models.

In this study, we applied a multivariate logistic regression model to identify deforested areas and evaluate the current effects on environmental variables in the Brazilian state of Rondônia, located in the southwestern Amazon region using data from the MODIS/Terra sensor. The variables albedo, temperature, evapotranspiration, vegetation index, and gross primary productivity were analyzed from 2000 to 2022, with surface type data from the PRODES project as the dependent variable. The accuracy of the models was evaluated by the parameters area under the curve (AUC), pseudo R2, and Akaike information criterion, in addition to statistical tests. The results indicated that deforested areas had higher albedo (25%) and higher surface temperatures (3.2 °C) compared to forested areas. There was a significant reduction of the EVI (16%), indicating water stress, and a decrease in GPP (18%) and ETr (23%) due to the loss of plant biomass. The most precise model (91.6%) included only surface temperature and albedo, providing important information about the environmental impacts of deforestation in humid tropical regions.

Assessment of water quality and identification of priority areas for intervention in Guanabara Bay basin, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using nonparametric and multivariate statistical methods.

The Guanabara Bay hydrographic region (GBHR) has served as a central hub for human settlement and resource utilization throughout Brazil's history. However, the region's high population density and intense industrial activity have come at a cost, leading to a significant decline in water quality. This work aimed to identify homogeneous regions in GBHR according to water quality parameters in dry and rainy periods. The following water quality monitoring variables were monitored at 49 gauge stations: total phosphorus (TP), nitrate (NO3-), dissolved oxygen (DO), hydrogenionic potential (pH), turbidity (Turb), thermotolerant coliforms (TCol), total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), water temperature (Tw), and air temperature (Ta). The statistical analysis consisted of determining principal components, cluster analysis, seasonal differences, and Spearman's correlation. The water quality parameter correlations were not expressively influenced by seasonality, but there are differences in the concentrations of these parameters in the dry and rainy periods. In the dry period, urban pressure on water quality is mainly due to fecal coliforms. The resulting clusters delimited areas under urban, agricultural, and forestry influence. Clusters located in areas with high demographic density showed high concentrations of TCol and TP, while clusters influenced by forestry and agriculture had better water quality. In the rainy season, clusters with urban influence showed problems with TCol and TP, in addition to some characteristics in each group, such as high TDS, NO3-, and BOD. Forested areas showed high DO, and clusters under agricultural influence had higher concentrations of TCol, BOD, and NO3- concerning forested regions. The troubling state of sanitation in GBHR occurs in metropolitan regions due to lack of a formal sanitation system.

Tracking anthropometric dimensions and grip strength among children, adolescents and adults in an indigenous community of southern Mexico: 1968-1978-2000.

PURPOSE: To track body size and proportions, arm dimensions and grip strength in children, adolescents, and adults resident in an indigenous community in Oaxaca who were measured on two or three occasions across surveys in 1968, 1978, and 2000. METHODS: The three cross-sectional surveys included measures of height, weight, sitting height, arm circumference, triceps skinfold, and grip strength in surveys of schoolchildren in 1968 and of schoolchildren, adolescents and adults in 1978 and 2000. Cross-checks of surnames, forenames and ages/dates of birth of participants in the three surveys identified three samples of individuals measured on two occasions (1968-1978, two age groups in 1978-2000) and a subsample of individuals measured in the three surveys. Partial correlations controlling for age at each observation were calculated for each variable in the three sex-specific samples measured on two occasions, and for the subsamples of males and females measured on three occasions. RESULTS: Allowing for variation in age among subsamples, inter-age correlations were moderate to high for stature, moderate for sitting height and estimated leg length, and low to moderate for weight, BMI, arm and estimated arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold, and grip strength. CONCLUSION: Allowing for the relatively broad chronological age intervals, the inter-age correlations for height, weight and BMI were at the low end, while those for grip strength and for strength per unit body weight for males (though not females) were generally in the range of correlations noted in studies of European samples. Likely associated with improved health, nutritional, and sanitation conditions, obesity and overweight were emerging among adults by 2000. Obesity and overweight in adults paralleled the introduction of mechanized agriculture that reduced routine physical work. Among children, the association of obesity and overweight is likely with increased nutritional availability, but poor choices in diet.

The loss of riparian vegetation along streams causes morphological divergences in functional traits of semiaquatic insects (Heteropteran: Gerromorpha) in the eastern Amazon.

Understanding the effects of mining activities on Amazonian streams and their impact on aquatic communities is of paramount importance in the current context of resource overexploitation in society. In this study, we assessed the significance of the environment and interspecific interactions on the organization patterns of semiaquatic insect species in a mineral extraction region in the eastern Amazon. We utilized the morpho functional characteristics of 22 species from the suborder Gerromorpha (Heteropteran), considering both the abundance and sexual dimorphism of these species. Additionally, we quantified the density of riparian vegetation surrounding each stream to categorize sampling points and evaluate whether there are differences in species distribution patterns among categories. We sampled 16 sites, categorized into two treatments based on the percentage of riparian vegetation in forested and deforested areas located in the Capim River Basin. We did not find the action of environmental filters on the total assembly; however, we found significant morphological divergence for all the traits analyzed. On the other hand, the separation of streams into treatments with different portions of riparian vegetation showed that there are significant differences between them regarding species distribution patterns. Forested streams within a 500-m radius have species distributed over a larger area, indicating that these streams have greater resource availability or that species can use these resources more efficiently. Our results demonstrate the importance of riparian vegetation for the studied communities, as well as for mitigating the impacts caused by mining activities.

Use of agent-based modeling to analyze potential non-occupational exposures to asbestos of the general population of Sibaté (Colombia).

Previous studies conducted in the municipality of Sibaté (Colombia) have revealed alarming findings regarding asbestos exposure in the region, as it is the site of the country's first mesothelioma cluster. Non-occupational asbestos exposure events were identified in this population, and the young age of the mesothelioma cases at the time of diagnosis suggests that asbestos exposure occurred during their childhood. The creation of landfilled zones in the 1980s and 1990s, utilizing friable asbestos among other disposed materials, may have been a significant asbestos exposure event contributing to the elevated number of mesothelioma cases. The objective of this study was to model various historical exposure scenarios related to the creation and interaction of the population with asbestos-contaminated landfilled zones, in light of the absence of asbestos monitoring in the region. The models utilized a multi-agent simulation process, focusing on a 10-year period (1986-1995). Various relevant variables were incorporated into the modeling process, including, for example, the number of children playing in the landfilled zones and the percentage of children carrying asbestos fibers on their clothes to their homes. A range of values for input data for the models were utilized, spanning from very conservative numbers to exposure-promoting values. The average number of exposed individuals estimated over 750 simulation runs, considering all scenarios, was 571, with a range between 31 and 3800 exposed individuals. The use of multi-agent simulation models can assist the understanding of past asbestos exposure events, especially when there is a lack of environmental surveillance data.

Histopathology reveals environmental stress in dusky flounder Syacium papillosum of the Yucatan Peninsula continental shelf.

The histological changes in the liver, kidney, spleen, and gills of Syacium papillosum from the continental shelf of the Yucatan Peninsula, Gulf of Mexico, and their statistical associations with environmental conditions and pollutants were assessed in 2010, 2011, and 2012. We evaluated the extension and severity of the lesions through a degree of tissue change (DTC), and, with the sum of the number of lesion types within each of their DTC stages, we determined the histological alteration index (HAI). The liver and kidney were the most affected organs, with HAI values > 100. Fish with the most severe damage were observed on the Campeche Bank and the Caribbean Sea, contrasting with those collected from the northern Yucatan continental shelf. The presence of foci cellular alteration and abundant melanomacrophage centers indicated that these flatfishes were chronically exposed to environmental stress factors. Redundancy analyses showed strong associations between HAI values and hydrocarbon and heavy metal concentrations in muscle. Our results provide evidence for the first time of a differential health condition of the Yucatan shelf through the histopathology shown in S. papillosum, establishing the baseline for future monitoring programs in the region.

Mapping heavy mineral deposits on the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) using orbital and proximal remote sensing.

Heavy mineral deposits occur in several coastal areas of the world, formed over a long period due to variations in mean sea level, wave action, and winds. These are the main sources of ilmenite (FeTiO3), which in turn is the source of more than 80% of the TiO2 produced and applied in various industries, most recently in nanotechnology. The present study mapped heavy mineral deposits on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil using integrated proximal and orbital thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing techniques. Mineral groups, such as oxides and silicates, have spectral features in the TIR wavelengths. Using laboratory spectroscopy at TIR using Nicolet 6700 Thermo Scientific Spectrometer, we measured the spectral signature of the local sample of heavy minerals (between 8 and 14 µm) and identified a diagnostic spectral feature at 10.75 µm. The signature was resampled to be compatible with the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Radiometer (ASTER) sensor bandwidth values and used as a reference endmember for the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) and Linear Spectral Unmixing (LSU) digital image classification algorithms. Thus, we identified the presence of the reference endmember (heavy minerals) in the pixels of the ASTER scene. In pixels classified by SAM as the presence of heavy minerals, LSU was applied to estimate the surface concentration within the pixel. The results showed a concentration of up to 20% of heavy minerals, with the highest concentration on the beach and dune fields. Opaque minerals such as ilmenite do not have spectral reflectance features in visible, near-infrared, and short-wave infrared, which makes their identification by remote sensing difficult. The present study showed that the integration of proximal and orbital as well as hyperspectral and multispectral thermal data can be considered as an alternative for detecting and mapping heavy minerals in coastal areas.

Environmental injustice in the air quality for digital platform delivery workers in Bogotá, Colombia, 2021 / Injusticia ambiental en la calidad del aire para repartidores de plataformas digitales de Bogotá, Colombia, 2021

Introduction: Air quality is a matter of interest for public health due to its rapid deterioration in low- and middle-income countries and the effects of polluted air on the health of populations. Objective: To explore the air quality conditions in which digital platform delivery workers carry out their work, evaluating the localities of Kennedy and Usaquén in Bogotá, 2021. Materials and methods: We developed a mixed parallel convergent study based on four sources of information: 1) Ethnographic observation in five commercial locations of the two localities; 2) Monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5 in 56 delivery routes using a low-cost sensor; 3) Daily logs of the routes to support the device data interpretation, and 4) A semi-structured interview applied to the drivers to explore their danger perception during the routes. Results: We identified elements causing environmental injustice among digital platform delivery workers between the two study locations. The routes made by the delivery drivers in the locality of Kennedy registered higher concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, compared to the values observed in Usaquén. The sources of air pollution identified by the delivery drivers through ethnographic observation and the router logbook showed the worst parameters in Kennedy. Conclusions: We evidenced that air quality, urban equipment, road infrastructure, mobile sources, and geospatial location are elements that mark the presence of environmental injustice for the digital platform delivery drivers in the studied localities. To reduce this inequity, it is necessary for digital delivery platforms and the district government to implement strategies that reduce the exposure and emission of air pollutants to protect the health of digital platform delivery workers.

Introducción: La calidad del aire es un asunto de interés para la salud pública por su rápido deterioro en los países de bajos y medianos ingresos, y los efectos del aire contaminado en la salud de las poblaciones. Objetivo: Explorar las condiciones de la calidad del aire en las que los repartidores de plataformas digitales desarrollaron su trabajo en las localidades de Kennedy y Usaquén de Bogotá durante el 2021. Materiales y métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio mixto, paralelo y convergente, basado en cuatro fuentes de información: 1) observación etnográfica en cinco ubicaciones comerciales de las dos localidades; 2) monitoreo de PM10 y PM2.5 en 56 rutas de reparto, empleando un equipo de bajo costo; 3) bitácoras diarias de los recorridos que apoyaron la interpretación de los datos del equipo, y 4) entrevista semiestructurada con el rutero para explorar sus percepciones frente a los peligros durante los recorridos. Resultados: Se identificaron diferencias en las condiciones de trabajo, las percepciones y las exposiciones a material particulado de los repartidores entre las dos localidades de estudio que constituyeron fuentes de injusticia ambiental. Los recorridos que realizaron los repartidores en la localidad de Kennedy registraron mayores concentraciones de PM10 y PM2.5. Las fuentes de contaminación atmosférica identificadas por los repartidores mostraron los peores parámetros en Kennedy. Conclusiones: Se evidenció que la calidad del aire, el equipamiento urbano, la infraestructura vial, las fuentes móviles y la ubicación geoespacial son elementos que marcan la presencia de injusticia ambiental para los repartidores. Para disminuir esta inequidad, es necesario que las plataformas de reparto digital y el gobierno distrital implementen estrategias que reduzcan la exposición y la emisión de contaminantes del aire con el fin de proteger la salud de los repartidores de plataformas.

Acute and Chronic Ecotoxicity of Daphnia magna Exposed to Ash Leachate from the Cotopaxi Volcano, Ecuador.

Ecuador's wetlands and aquatic ecosystems are chronically exposed to ash contamination due to the frequent volcanoes' eruptions in the country. Still, the short and long-term effects of ash contamination on the aquatic biota are not well understood. We used ashes released by the Cotopaxi volcano in 2016 to investigate their acute and chronic effects in Daphna magna. We calculated the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) after 2 and 21 days of exposure, the non-observed effect concentration (NOEC), and the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) on offspring production. We also analyzed the metal concentration present in the ashes. The EC50 values at 2 and 21 days were found at 80% and 5% ash leachate concentrations, respectively. After 21 days of exposure, high mortality and low neonatal production were observed in all leachate concentrations (NOEC was at 15%, and LOEC was at 20% leachate concentration). Our results suggest that the ashes from the Cotopaxi volcano can cause acute and chronic toxicity to aquatic life and should be classified as hazardous waste, depending on the dose. There is an urgent need for further studies that assess toxicity caused by the intense volcanic activity in Ecuador.

Effect of Sargassum on the Behavior and Survival of the Earthworm Eisenia Fetida.

The massive influx of Sargassum natans and S. fluitans to the shores of the Mexican Caribbean has raised concerns regarding their potential impact on soil quality and health in coastal and agroecosystems. The effects of Sargassum accumulation remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to assess the impact of Sargassum on soil ecosystems by examining the behavior and survival of the epigean earthworm Eisenia fetida. The earthworm was exposed to varying concentrations of Sargassum (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in two toxicological tests. Results from the avoidance test demonstrated that E. fetida exhibited strong aversion (> 80%) to a diet containing 100% Sargassum. Conversely, the acute test revealed minimal mortality, but growth decreased with increasing Sargassum concentrations. These findings can serve as early warning bioindicators for assessing the environmental risk posed by Sargassum in soil ecosystems.

Microplastics in the Olfactory Bulb of the Human Brain.

Importance: Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging environmental and health concern. While MPs have been detected in various human tissues, their presence in the human brain has not been documented, raising important questions about potential neurotoxic effects and the mechanisms by which MPs might reach brain tissues. Objective: To determine the presence of MPs in the human olfactory bulb and to analyze their characteristics such as size, morphology, color, and polymeric composition. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case series study used a cross-sectional design involving the analysis of olfactory bulb tissues obtained from deceased individuals during routine coroner autopsies. The sampling procedures were conducted at São Paulo City Death Verification Service, with laboratory analysis carried out at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). Participants included 15 adult individuals who had been residents of São Paulo for more than 5 years and underwent coroner autopsies. Exclusion criteria included previous neurosurgical interventions. Data analysis was performed in April 2024. Exposure: The primary exposure assessed was the presence of MPs in the olfactory bulb, analyzed through direct tissue examination and digested tissue filtration followed by micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes were the identification and characterization of MPs within the olfactory bulb, including their size, morphology, color, and polymeric composition. Results: The median age of the 15 deceased individuals was 69.5 years, ranging from 33 to 100 years, with 12 males and 3 females. MPs were detected in the olfactory bulbs of 8 out of 15 individuals. A total of 16 synthetic polymer particles and fibers were identified, with 75% being particles and 25% being fibers. The most common polymer detected was polypropylene (43.8%). Sizes of MPs ranged from 5.5 µm to 26.4 µm for particles, and the mean fiber length was 21.4 µm. Polymeric materials were absent in procedural blank and negative control filters, indicating minimal contamination risk. Conclusions and Relevance: This case series provides evidence of MPs found in the human olfactory bulb, suggesting a potential pathway for the translocation of MPs to the brain. The findings underscore the need for further research on the health implications of MP exposure, particularly concerning neurotoxicity and the potential for MPs to bypass the blood-brain barrier.

Spatiotemporal relationship between agriculture, livestock, deforestation, and visceral leishmaniasis in Brazilian legal Amazon.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an urgent public health concern in Brazil. We evaluated the spatiotemporal distribution of VL to better understand the effects of economic activities related to agriculture, livestock, and deforestation on its incidence in the Brazilian Legal Amazon (BLA). The data on newly confirmed cases of VL in Brazilian municipalities from 2007 to 2020 were extracted from the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and analyzed. The data on agricultural production (planted area in hectares) and livestock (total number of cattle) were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), whereas deforestation data (in hectares) were obtained from the Amazon Deforestation Estimation Project (PRODES). SatScan and the local indicators of spatial association (LISA) were used to identify the spatial and temporal patterns of VL and its relationships with economic and environmental variables. The cumulative incidence rate was found to be 4.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Based on the LISA results, areas with a high incidence of VL and deforestation were identified in the states of Roraima, Pará, and Maranhão. Strengthening deforestation monitoring programs and environmental enforcement actions can help implement public policies to control illegal deforestation and mitigate the socio-environmental vulnerability in the BLA. Therefore, areas identified in this study should be prioritized for controlling VL.

Spatial distribution of PAHs, nickel, and vanadium in sediments from a large coastal lagoon near a petroleum extraction area in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

One of the world's crucial areas for crude oil exploration and extraction is the southern Gulf of Mexico, where Terminos Lagoon (TL) is located. Sediments from the TL region were used to assess the spatial patterns, origins, and ecotoxicological risks associated with 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; 3.1-248.9 ng⸳g-1 dry weight basis, dw) and trace metals (Ni = 11.0-104.0 mg⸳kg-1; V = 2.0-35.0 mg⸳kg-1 dw) linked to anthropogenic activities. Although origin indices based on PAHs and metals concentrations indicate no crude oil pollution in the region, sources of pyrogenic PAHs were identified. A chemometric approach demonstrated associations between organic matter and PAHs, and that metal accumulation depends mostly by the input of lithogenic materials. Ecotoxicological risk estimations showed a higher risk of possible adverse effects in sites near swamps and mangrove zones, highlighting the need of future monitoring. This study provides a reference for policymakers to conserve Mexico's largest coastal lagoon and other oil-impacted coastal areas worldwide.

Petroleum hydrocarbon ecological risk and changes induced on macrobenthic communities of a microtidal estuary in South America.

The coastal areas of Montevideo-Canelones, Uruguay, are strongly affected by anthropogenic activities. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of especial ecological concern due to their acute toxicity. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between different pollution levels and the ecological structure of macrobenthic communities of the subtidal coastal zone and to assess the ecological risk of the 16 PAHs identified by US EPA for these communities. Communities in Montevideo Bay are under the influence of combined effects of natural oscillations and anthropic pollution, while the adjacent coastal areas communities are strongly influenced by El Niño Southern Oscillation. Toxicity assessments classified two sites in Montevideo Bay as medium to low risk. This study allowed recognizing the complex nature of the responses of benthic organisms to multiple stressors and the importance of considering different approaches.

COP 28 Policy Perspectives: Achieving Environmental Sustainability through FDI, Technological Innovation Index, Trade Openness, Energy Consumption, and Economic Development in N-11 Emerging Economies.

Despite remarkable success in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to achieve maximum economic growth, the Next-11 emerging economies grappling with an undesirable situation of environmental degradation have become a hot topic at COP28. Researchers have long focused on this connection, emphasizing the urgent need for international and national environmentalists to promote sustainable development (SD) in these rapidly growing economies under the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change action plans. As a result, this study examines the role of FDI in the N-11 emerging economies, focusing on energy usage and technological innovation within the theoretical framework of the Halo-Haven hypothesis, covering the period from 1990 to 2022. We utilize ARDL, FMOLS, and DOLS techniques to analyze both short-term dynamics and long-term equilibrium relationships, effectively managing heterogeneity, time dynamics, and cross-sectional dependence issues to produce comprehensive results. The long-term analysis supports the haven hypothesis, demonstrating an affirmative relationship between FDI, economic growth, and carbon emissions, whereas energy usage is negatively associated with carbon emissions. Furthermore, the D-H test established a reciprocal causal relationship between variables such as FDI, economic growth, trade openness, and environmental pollution. However, we found a one-way causal correspondence in the usage of green energy, the technological innovation index, and carbon emissions. Given the mixed findings, policymakers should focus on attracting FDI to the green energy sector while reinforcing regulations and implementing stringent oversight for FDI in energy-intensive industries. This approach will ensure that such investments adhere to high environmental standards, thereby benefiting future generations.

Assessment of brine discharges dispersion for sustainable management of SWRO plants on the South American Pacific coast.

Seawater desalination is one of the most feasible technologies for producing fresh water to address the water scarcity scenario worldwide. However, environmental concerns about the potential impact of brine discharge on marine ecosystems hinder or delay the development of desalination projects. In addition, scientific knowledge is lacking about the impact of brine discharges on the South America Pacific coast where desalination, is being developed. This paper presents the first monitoring results of brine discharge influence areas from seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants (SWRO) on the South America Pacific coast, using Chile as case study. Our results indicate that the combination of favorable oceanographic conditions and diffusers, results in the rapid dilution of brine discharge on coastal ecosystems; showing a faster dilution than other SWRO plants in other regions, such as Mediterranean or Arabian Gulf, with similar production characteristics. Also, the increase in salinity over the natural salinity in the brine-discharge-affected area was <5 % in a radius of <100 m from the discharge points. Further, according to the published literature and on our monitoring results, we propose a number of considerations (environmental regulation, best scientifically tested measures, environmental requirements) to achieve a long-term sustainable desalination operation.

Proposal for a framework for environmental zoning of areas near gold mines based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements, pollution indices, and bioindicators: a case study in Antioquia, Colombia.

Gold mining, even under strict environmental regulations, inevitably causes environmental impacts and liabilities. To address this, the study proposes a framework for environmental zoning around gold mines based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), pollution indices, and bioindicators. Soil samples were collected from municipalities affected by gold mining projects, and concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Cr were measured. Then, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) was calculated. A plant model was used for the biomonitoring of PTEs, and the Plant Vigor Index (PVI) was determined. Finally, environmental zoning was proposed through geospatial analysis combining PTEs, PLI, and PVI values. The concentrations of PTEs were as follows: As ranged from 1.7 to 892, Cd from 0.1 to 65.2, Pb from 18.5 to 2345, and Cr from 5.4 to 118.4. Spearman's rank correlation showed significant relations (ρ > 0.76) between bioindicators and PTE concentrations and PLI. The PVI correlated significantly with PTE concentrations (ρ - 0.41 to - 0.67) and PLI (ρ - 0.65). The municipalities were categorized into three zones: highly contaminated, moderately contaminated, and minimally contaminated. Overall, the environmental zoning maps serve as a management tool for environmental monitoring.

Aquatic insects in subtropical streams: the role of different grassland ecosystems and local environmental descriptors.

Organisms can respond to environmental gradients from local to landscape features. Aquatic insects are particularly affected by watershed peculiarities due to their dependence on microhabitat conditions. However, these relationships are poorly understood in lotic ecosystems of subtropical grasslands, limiting water resources management and bioassessment proposals. Here, we investigated how local stream environment and variations in landscape types affect the assemblage structure of a bioindicator insect group, face to the spatial proximity of the sampled locations. We sampled immatures of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera in streams along the Brazilian Pampa biome, recording environmental descriptors in different grassland ecosystem types. The structure of aquatic insect assemblages differed across grassland types, with specific dominant genera associated with each landscape. Spatially-structured water physicochemical descriptors explained a significant amount of variation in assemblage data. Our findings suggest that grassland ecosystem type delimitations capture ecological attributes, influencing watershed features important to EPT assemblage structuration. Moreover, we highlight the importance of niche-based process structuring EPT assemblages along grassland ecosystem types of Pampa biome. In addition, we encourage using aquatic insects in bioassessment of lotic waters to assess local and landscape environmental impacts. We strongly recommend considering the grassland ecosystem schedule for water resources management and bioassessment proposals.