Toward a place-based learning progression for haze pollution in the northern region of Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 991-1017
Author(s):  
Luecha Ladachart ◽  
Manus Poothawee ◽  
Ladapa Ladachart
Author(s):  
Lezly Taylor ◽  
Brenda Brand

AbstractLuecha Ladachart, Manus Poothawee, and Ladapa Ladachart take a unique approach in their study entitled, “Toward a hypothetical place-based learning progression for haze pollution in the northern region of Thailand,” whereby they frame acquiring disciplinary knowledge within a place-based learning progression in response to regional issues related to air pollution. From this study, the authors created a proposed learning progression that was designed to facilitate an understanding of the cause and effect of haze pollution as it relates to anthropogenic issues, geographical location, and seasonal patterns distinctly for the northern region of Thailand. The purpose of this response article is to discuss the design of Ladachart, Poothawee, and Ladachart’s (2020) place-based learning progressions and to facilitate a discussion on enhancing place-based learning progressions through the development of identity, self-efficacy, and epistemic agency. Lastly, we will reflect on our research in the Mississippi Delta (USA) to engage a discussion on how anchoring learning progressions across epistemological dimensions enables students to advance cognitively and developmentally while experiencing the personal and social transformation that positions them as epistemic agents within their local communities.


Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 870
Author(s):  
Fangfang Wang ◽  
Jialuo Xu ◽  
Yinzhi Huang ◽  
Guangli Xiu

Ozone and PM2.5 (all particulate matter with diameter of 2.5 µm or smaller) are currently two disturbing environmental issues in most cities of China. Black carbon (BC), mainly from incomplete combustion, is one of the most important components of PM2.5 because it can absorb light and contribute to haze pollution and global warming. Meanwhile, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have become a major air pollutant due to their association with haze, ozone (O3), global warming and human health by direct or indirect processes. In this study, one year-long observation campaign of BC, VOCs and other conventional air pollutants was conducted in the Northern Region of the Hangzhou Bay (NRHB) in Shanghai, China. The results indicated that higher concentration of BC mainly occurred in the autumn and winter, especially in December. In December, higher BC concentrations were found when the air mass came from northwest where there is an important local freeway, or southwest where some adjacent southwest chemical industrial parks are located. Different from the characteristics of BC in urban areas reported by previous studies, the diurnal variation of BC exhibited three peaks, two of which coincided with the morning and evening rush hours which are related to the heavy diesel traffic from a nearby freeway, and the third peak was often found late at night, around 2 am, which might be associated with abnormal emissions from an industrial park or marine traffic in the ocean waterway. BC had weakly negative correlation with O3 and NO, and a strongly positive correlation with PM2.5, SO2, NO2 and NOx, which implies that some incomplete combustion sources might occur in the nearby regions. With regard to VOCs, BC had a strong positive correlation with alkane, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic and non-sulfur VOCs, particularly with aromatic organic matter. Unlike the stronger correlation with aromatics in the morning rush hours, a stronger correlation between BC and alkenes and alkynes during the evening rush hour was observed. The relationships between BC and VOCs, particularly with some specific VOCs species related to the neighboring chemical industrial park, demonstrated that the contribution of the surrounding chemical industrial parks to BC should not be neglected.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Parkpoom Phetpradap

In this article, we propose fuzzy soft models for decision making in the haze pollution management. The main aims of this research are (i) to provide a haze warning system based on real-time atmospheric data and (ii) to identify the most hazardous location of the study area. PM10 is used as the severity index of the problem. The efficiency of the model is justified by the prediction accuracy ratio based on the real data from 1st January 2016 to 31st May 2016. The fuzzy soft theory is modified in order to make models more suitable for the problems. The results show that our fuzzy models improve the prediction accuracy ratio compared to the prediction based on PM10 density only. This work illustrates a fuzzy analysis that has the capability to simulate the unknown relations between a set of atmospheric and environmental parameters. The study area covers eight provinces in the northern region of Thailand, where the problem severely occurs every year during the dry season. Seven principle parameters are considered in the model, which are PM10 density, air pressure, relative humidity, wind speed, rainfall, temperature, and topography.


Politeia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abiba Yayah

The agency of women in most African countries is often affected by the socio-economic and political policies that are almost always disadvantageous to women, especially women who have little to no knowledge of their rights. Using the shea industry in Ghana as a case study, I chronicle the challenges as recounted by rural women involved in this home-based work in the Northern Region of Ghana and critically analyse these challenges and their implications. Focusing mainly on the results of my recent field work, I present some of the accounts relating to the lack and exclusion of recognition of and respect for the experiences of rural women who are in fact the linchpin of the shea industry in Ghana. Initiatives and strategies of non-governmental organisations and some governmental policies have attempted to address these challenges that have implications for the livelihoods of rural women. Research and policies have only offered “band-aid solutions” to the economic disempowerment of rural women in the shea industry in Ghana as they have not dealt with the causes. This article seeks to refute the claim that equity exists by indicating the lack of equity and justice in the policies in the shea industry. In an attempt to provide an understanding of the economic disempowerment of women in this industry, I consider my field work as a good source as it exposes the experiences and everyday practices as narrated by rural women in the industry. This article seeks to analyse the existing discourses especially those pertaining to the contributions and experiences of rural women in the shea industry.


Author(s):  
V.V. Lapenko ◽  
L.N. Bikbulatova ◽  
E.M. Ternikova

Water is very important for humans, as it is a solvent for metabolic products. Moreover, it is necessary for metabolism, biochemical and transport processes. The elemental status in persons depends on the geochemical environment and consumption of bioelements with food and water. The aim of the paper is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of chemical composition of drinking tap water in Khanty-Mansiysk and Salekhard. Materials and Methods. The chemical composition of 100 samples of drinking tap water was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry, spectrophotometry and capillary electrophoresis. All in all, there were 50 samples from Khanty-Mansiysk and 50 samples from Salekhard. The results were compared with Sanitary Rules and Norms 2.1.4.1074-01. Results. Drinking tap water in Salekhard contains a significantly higher concentration of iron, which is much above the maximum allowable concentration, if compared to water samples in Khanty-Mansiysk (p=0.03). In the cities under consideration, the water undergoes high-quality reagent-free treatment. However, the deterioration of the water supply networks in Salekhard is 3 times as high as in Khanty-Mansiysk. Calcium and magnesium concentration in water samples from Khanty-Mansiysk is 5.6 and 3.9 times lower than the MAC; in water samples from Salekhard calcium concentration is 6.3 (p=0.008) and magnesium concentration 4.6 (p<0.001) times lower than the MAC. Conclusion. The consumption of ultra-fresh drinking water leads to low intake of bioelements, which are a part of enzymes contributing to the human antioxidant defense and can result in manifestation of cardiovascular diseases. This is especially true for Salekhard with very soft drinking water and high iron concentration, which excess can exhibit prooxidant properties. Keywords: tap water, bioelements, northern region, antioxidants. Вода является важнейшим соединением для человека: необходима в качестве растворителя продуктов метаболизма и протекания обменных, биохимических и транспортных процессов. Элементный статус организма человека зависит от геохимического окружения и поступления биоэлементов с пищей и водой. Цель. Провести комплексную оценку химического состава водопроводной воды городов Ханты-Мансийск и Салехард. Материалы и методы. Методами атомно-абсорбционной спектрометрии, спектрофотометрии и капиллярного электрофореза проанализирован химический состав 100 проб водопроводной воды: по 50 из Ханты-Мансийска и Салехарда. Результаты сравнивали с СанПиН 2.1.4.1074-01. Результаты. В водопроводной воде Салехарда установлена превышающая ПДК и достоверно более высокая концентрация железа сравнительно с водой Ханты-Мансийска (р=0,03). При условии качественной безреагентной водоподготовки в изучаемых городах это обусловлено изношенностью водопроводных сетей в Салехарде, более чем в 3 раза превышающей этот показатель в Ханты-Мансийске. Концентрация кальция и магния в воде Ханты-Мансийска в 5,6 и 3,9 раза ниже ПДК; в воде Салехарда – в 6,3 (р=0,008) и 4,6 (р<0,001) раза ниже ПДК соответственно. Заключение. Употребление ультрапресной питьевой воды на фоне очень малого поступления с водой биоэлементов, входящих в состав ферментов антиоксидантной защиты организма человека, может привести к манифестации кардиоваскулярных заболеваний. Это особенно актуально для г. Салехарда с очень мягкой питьевой водой с повышенным содержанием железа, избыток которого может проявлять прооксидантные свойства. Ключевые слова: водопроводная вода, биоэлементы, северный регион, антиоксиданты.


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