Presence and Quantification of Microplastic in Urban Tap-Water

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia B. Pratesi ◽  
Maria Aparecida A.L. Santos Almeida ◽  
Geysa S. Cutrim Paz ◽  
Marcelo H. Ramos Teotonio ◽  
Felipe Mendes dos Santos Cardia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
The South ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Wing Area ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Toxicological Effect ◽  
The North ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Number Of Particles

Abstract Background: Plastic pollution is a rapidly growing environmental and human health crisis, with no sign of improvement. Since 2012 the number of studies on plastic pollution has quadrupled, and macro to nano-size plastics have been documented even in the planet's remote biomes. Studies have shown contamination by microplastics (MPs) in various types of food consumed by humans, including seafood, honey, sugar, salt, tap-water and bottled water and beer. The study's objective was to detect the possible contamination by MPs in drinking water samples collected from the two main residential and commercial areas of Brasília.Methods: A total of 32 samples of tap water were collected, 16 samples in the south zone, and 16 samples in the north zone of the city (respectively, South Wing and North Wing). Samples were processed and transferred to the Sedgewick-Rafter counting cell chamber. The presence of MPs particles was analyzed using a Nikon Eclipse fluorescence microscope.Results: MPs were found in 100% of the samples. The mean MPs per 500 ml found in the South Wing area was 97, while the mean number of particles in the North Wing area was 219.Conclusion: The study results reveal a disturbing amount of MP particles in Brasilia's tap-water. This surprising number of particles in tap-water is especially concerning considering that tap-water is not the only source of MPs to which people are exposed. The cumulative and toxicological effect of this chronic exposure is alarming.

scholarly journals Presence and Quantification of Microplastic in Urban Tap Water: A Pre-Screening in Brasilia, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6404
Author(s):  
Claudia B. Pratesi ◽  
Maria Aparecida A. L. Santos Almeida ◽  
Geysa S. Cutrim Paz ◽  
Marcelo H. Ramos Teotonio ◽  
Lenora Gandolfi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Wing Area ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The North ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Drinking Water Samples ◽  
Counting Cell ◽  
Number Of Particles

Plastic pollution is a rapidly growing environmental and human health crisis, with no sign of improvement. From 2012 to 2020, the number of studies on plastic pollution increased, and macro to nano-sized plastics have been documented in the most remote biomes of the planet. Studies have shown contamination by microplastics (MPs) in various types of food consumed by humans, including seafood, honey, sugar, salt, tap and bottled water and beer. This study’s objective was to detect the possible contamination by MPs in drinking water samples collected from two main residential and commercial areas of Brasilia. A total of 32 samples (500 mL) of tap water were collected from residential and commercial areas. Samples were processed and transferred to a Sedgewick-Rafter counting cell chamber. The presence of MP particles was analyzed using a Nikon Eclipse fluorescence microscope. MPs were found in 100% of the samples. The mean microplastic particles per 500 mL found in the South Wing area was 97 ± 55, while the mean number of particles in the North Wing area was 219 ± 158, and the MPs found ranged in size from 6–50 microns. The study results reveal a disturbing amount of MP particles in Brasilia’s tap water. This surprising number of particles in residential and commercial tap water is especially considering that tap water is not the only source of MPs to which people are exposed.

scholarly journals Explaining Cultural Capital through Combining Different Dimensions of Social Capital: A Fussy Analysis Based on Artificial Neural Network Approach (ANNFIS) (A Case Study of Citizens Aged 18 and Above in Tehran)

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Ghorbanali Ebrahimi ◽  
Hadi Razeghimaleh
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Artificial Neural Network ◽  
Cultural Capital ◽  
Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Artificial Neural ◽  
North And South

<p>The main objective of this study was to find out whether social capital and its dimensions affect the cultural capital of citizens in Tehran, and whether there is any difference in the social capital and cultural capital in the north and south urban neighborhoods. To answer these questions, a fuzzy questionnaire for collecting the data was designed. The research method in this study was based on Artificial Neural Network -Fuzzy Inference System (ANNFIS). Statistical population included individuals aged 18 and above residing in Tehran, and sample size consisted of 2538 people.</p><p>The findings of this study indicated that there is a significant difference in the cultural capital between north and south neighborhoods in Tehran. The mean of cultural capital in the south neighborhoods (2.49 out of 10) was higher than that of north neighborhoods (6.77 out of 10). Furthermore, the degree of neighborhood social capital was different between the north and south neighborhoods of Tehran, and this difference was statistically significant, so that the mean of social capital in the south neighborhoods (6.75 out of 10) was greater than that of north neighborhoods (2.88 out of 10).</p>Multivariate linear regression analysis to explain cultural capital has revealed that social trust (- 0.502) and relation networks (- 0.087) exerted the highest and lowest impact on the dependent variable, respectively. It should be noted that, of the three variables entered into the regression equation, all variables have remained in the equation. It should be noted that the effects of all variables on the dependent variable of cultural capital was negative.

scholarly journals Seasonal and interannual (ENSO) climate variabilities and trends in the South China Sea over the last three decades

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violaine Piton ◽  
Thierry Delcroix
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
El Niño ◽  
El Nino ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
Meridional Winds ◽  
El Niño Events ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Increasing Trends ◽  
El Nino Events

Abstract. We present a short overview of the long-term mean and variability of five Essential Climate Variables observed in the South China Sea over the last 3 decades, including sea surface temperature (SST), sea level anomaly (SLA), precipitation (P), surface wind and water discharge (WD) from the Mekong and Red Rivers. At the seasonal time scale, SST and SLAs increase in the summer (up to 4.2 °C and 14 cm, respectively), and P increases in the north. The summer zonal and meridional winds reverse and intensify (mostly over the ocean), and the WD shows positive anomalies. At the interannual time scale, each variable appears to be correlated with El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) indices. Eastern Pacific El Niño events produce basin-wide SST warming (up to 1.4 °C) with a 6-month lag. The SLAs fall basin-wide (by up to 9 cm) during an El Niño event (all types), with a 3-month lag. The zonal and meridional winds strengthen (up to 4 m/s) in the north (weaken in the south) during all types of El Niño events, with a 3–5-month lag. A rainfall deficit of approximately 30 % of the mean occurs during all types of El Niño phases. The Mekong River WD is reduced by 1/3 of the mean 7–8 months after all types of El Niño events. We also show increasing trends of SST as high as 0.24 °C/decade and SLAs by 41 mm/decade. Increasing trends are observed for zonal wind, which is possibly linked to the phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and decreasing trends are observed for P in the north and both WD stations that were analyzed. The likely driving mechanisms and some of the relationships between all observed anomalies are discussed

scholarly journals Analysis of the Water Circulation Structure in the Paldang Reservoir, South Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 6822
Author(s):  
Hwangjeong Choi ◽  
Ingu Ryu ◽  
Minji Park ◽  
Yongsik Song ◽  
Soonju Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Discharge Rate ◽  
Water Circulation ◽  
The South ◽  
Han River ◽  
The North ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Instantaneous Discharge ◽  
Layer Flow

In this study, results are presented for depth-specific hydraulic and water quality surveys, as well as meteorological observations, at key monitoring sites in the Paldang Reservoir, South Korea. These results were used to determine the water circulation characteristics that represent the main contributors to water quality changes. In the section before the confluence point of the two rivers, a different type of two-layer flow appeared for each. In the North Han River, backwater flowing backward in the upstream direction occurred in the surface layer, and was accompanied by two-layer flow, during the zero-discharge period of the Cheongpyeong Dam. On the other hand, in the South Han River, two-layer flow was observed in the upper layer in the downstream flow, and the thickness of upper and lower layers varied depending on the discharge rate of the Paldang Dam. Strong flow fluctuations were observed near the Paldang Dam (3 km upstream), and these were dependent on its instantaneous discharge rate. In particular, if the instantaneous discharge from the Paldang Dam remained below 400 m3/s for several days, the flow velocity in the lower layer decreased below 2 cm/s or no flow occurred. The comparison between flows during different periods associated with depth-specific water temperature variations showed that the average flow prevailed across all layers in the downstream direction at all monitoring sites during the vertical mixing period. In contrast, spatiotemporal variations in flow, such as two-layer flow and backwater, were observed during the stratification period in the South Han River and the North Han River. This led to increased residence times and vertical stability, thus creating favorable conditions for algal blooms.

Production of Chironomus, Procladius, and Chaoborus at Different Levels of Phytoplankton Biomass in Lake Memphremagog, Quebec–Vermont

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 2001-2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Dermott ◽  
J. Kalff ◽  
W. C. Leggett ◽  
J. Spence
Keyword(s):  
Phytoplankton Biomass ◽  
Standing Stock ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Annual Production ◽  
The South ◽  
Algal Production ◽  
The North ◽  
Chaoborus Punctipennis ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Different Levels

In Lake Memphremagog a north–south gradient in algal production and biomass exists during the ice-free period, with highest production in the southern areas. In response, the mean annual benthic standing stock (dry weight) in the south basin was 2.8 times greater than in the north basin at comparable depth. Mean annual standing stock of Procladius denticulatus and Chironomus anthracinus were significantly (5.8 and 3.1 times, respectively) higher in the south, while that of Chaoborus punctipennus did not differ significantly between areas. Annual production of P. denticulatus was greater in the south (0.861 g/m2) than in the north (0.143 g/m2). Similarly for Chironomus anthracinus annual production was greater in the south (3.393 g/m2) than in the north (1.264 g/m2). Production of Chaoborus punctipennis was greater in the north (0.066 g/m2) than in the south (0.348 g/m2). P:B ratios were less variable. Key words: Lake Memphremagog, benthos, production, nutrient gradient, mortality

GOITROUS ENZOOTIC IN THE WILD RAT WITH A GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION SIMILAR TO ENDEMIC HUMAN GOITRE

1971 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Orts ◽  
P. Dustin ◽  
F. Delange
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Iodine Deficiency ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
South West ◽  
Lake Kivu ◽  
Wild Rat ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Wild Rats ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACT The aim of the present work has been to verify the determining influence of the environmental factor on the geographical distribution of goitre in Idjwi Island (Lake Kivu, Dem. Rep. of the Congo). The weight and histology of the thyroid of wild rats have been compared in the areas of high (North Idjwi) and low (South West Idjwi) prevalence of goitre in man. This animal has been chosen because its food consists mainly of the remains of human food and because it abounds in the two areas investigated. The mean thyroid weight in 114 rats captured in the North of the Island is 18.3 ± 0.5 mg. This result is significantly higher than the value of 12.1 ± 0.3 mg obtained in 101 animals captured in the South West of the Island (P < 0.001). Furthermore, an aspect of hyperstimulation characterized by a reduction or disappearance of the colloid of the thyroid vesicles was observed in 66.7% of the glands in the first area, as compared to 8.5% only in those of the second area (P < 0.0005). This investigation thus shows the existence of a goitrous enzootic in the wild rat in Idjwi Island, which is geographically superimposable on the endemic human goitre. Since the North and the South West of the Island have a similar iodine deficiency, the present data support the hypothesis of the existence in the North of the Island of an additional goitrogenic factor, distinct from the iodine deficiency.

scholarly journals DISTRIBUTION FEATURES OF CURRENT SYSTEM IN NORTHERN CENTRAL VIETNAM COAST (HA TINH - THUA THIEN-HUE) DURING APRIL 2016

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-372
Author(s):  
Le Dinh Mau ◽  
Nguyen Duc Thinh ◽  
Nguyen Van Tuan ◽  
Nguyen Chi Cong ◽  
Pham Sy Hoan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Images ◽  
Current System ◽  
Propagation Characteristics ◽  
The South ◽  
Current Pattern ◽  
Average Value ◽  
The North ◽  
Central Vietnam ◽  
Distribution Features ◽  
Study Results

This paper presents the modeled results of general current pattern (daily average value) in Northern Central Vietnam Coast (Ha Tinh - Thua Thien-Hue) during April 2016. Study results show that in general, current flowed from the North to the South with small and instable velocity (V ≈ 0.1 - 0.2 m/s). From 2nd to 6th April current flowed from the South to the North. From 7th to 29th April current flowed from the North to the South. During 13rd to 16th April current velocity was weak (V ≤ 0.1 m/s). In the southern region of Thua Thien-Hue province, the direction of current was instable (from 6th to 9th and from 20th to 22nd April current flowed from the South to the North). Current distribution pattern from modeled results was in accordance with the propagation characteristics of surface water temperatures in the studied area through data analysis of satellite images.

Does where mothers live matter? Regional variations in factors influencing place of child delivery in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Tunde A. Alabi ◽  
Sonnen Atinge ◽  
Chibuike Ejim ◽  
Samuel O. Adejoh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Care Facilities

Abstract Utilization of health care facilities for child delivery is associated with improved maternal and neonatal outcomes, but less than half of mothers use these for child delivery in Nigeria. This study investigated the factors associated with facility delivery in Nigeria, and their variation between the Northern and Southern parts of the country – two regions with distinct socio-cultural make-ups. The study included 33,924 mothers aged 15–49 who had given birth in the last 5 years preceding the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Overall, higher age, being educated, being a Christian, being an urban resident, being exposed to mass media, making joint decisions with partner on health care, beginning antenatal visits in the first trimester and attending antenatal clinics frequently were found to be associated with improved use of a health care facility for child delivery. An average mother in Northern Nigeria had a 38% chance of having a facility-based delivery, whereas the likelihood in the South was 76%. When other factors were adjusted for, age and listening to the radio were significant predictors of facility-based delivery in the South but not in the North. In the North, Christians were more likely than Muslims to have a facility-based delivery, but the reverse was true in the South. Rural women in the South had a 16% greater chance of having a facility-based delivery than urban women in the North. The study results suggest that there is inequality in access to health care facilities in Nigeria, and the differences in the socio-cultural make-up of the two regions suggest that uniform intervention programmes may not yield similar results across the regions. The findings give credence to, and expand on, the Cosmopolitan-Success and Conservative-Failure Hypothesis.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Changes of Reference Evapotranspiration in Mongolia during 1980–2006

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjun Yu ◽  
Tonghua Wu ◽  
Weizhen Wang ◽  
Ren Li ◽  
Tianye Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Reference Evapotranspiration ◽  
Kendall Test ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Meteorological Variables ◽  
The South ◽  
Sparse Vegetation ◽  
The North ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Aridity Indices

Reference evapotranspiration (RET) plays an important role in the terrestrial hydrological cycle. Applying the Penman-Monteith method, the RET over Mongolia was estimated from 1980 to 2006. The changing trends and magnitude of RET were detected by the Mann-Kendall test and Theil-Sen’s slope methods. Meanwhile, aridity indices were estimated using two different indices. The impacts of meteorological variables on RET were assessed through sensitive analysis by comparing the resulting RETs from artificially disturbed meteorological variables. The results indicated that the RET for 16 stations in Mongolia showed an increasing trend, particularly in the center and south. The calculated RET was higher than precipitation, which means severe droughts in Mongolia. The spatial patterns of RET are significantly influenced by climatic conditions as well as characteristics of the underlying surface (e.g., elevation and vegetation). The mean annual RET decreased from the south to the north, owing to sparse vegetation in the south of Mongolia. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the changes of RET were strongly affected by air temperature and relative humidity.

scholarly journals SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE CLOUD HEIGHT AND CLOUD THICKNESS OVER CHINA AND THE ADJACENT AREAS BASED ON CALIOP

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-3/W9 ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
X. Feng ◽  
H. K. Cai ◽  
B. W. Wang ◽  
X. M. Li ◽  
L. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Regional Differences ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Distribution ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
Cloud Height ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Cloud Thickness ◽  
The Western Pacific

Abstract. Based on CALIOP data, spatial and temporal distribution of cloud height and thickness over China as well as the adjacent areas have been analysed in this paper. The results show significant regional differences. The heights of clouds that lie to the south of 27.6°N are greater than those to the north of 27.6°N. The highest and thickest clouds are located above the Bay of Bengal and the Western Pacific, while the lowest values distribute in the northwest of the Tibetan Plateau and Sichuan Basin. The clouds ranging from 0.3 km to 0.6 km thickness account for a large proportion of total clouds. And the probability of occurrence of clouds decreases as cloud thickness increases. Overall, within the area under study, the thick clouds are higher than the thin clouds. Besides, low and thin clouds occur more frequently than high and thick clouds. As for their seasonal variation, the height of clouds peaks in summer. In addition, the mean of cloud thickness to the south of 27.6°N is 2.4 km thicker in summer than in any other season.

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