Nautical Tourism in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Evaluating an Impact of Copper Emission from Antifouling Coating

Copper (Cu) has a narrow range between optimal concentrations as a micronutrient critical for phytoplankton growth and concentrations potentially toxic to living organisms. This sensitivity indicates an ecosystem vulnerability that threatens not only nature but also human health due to bioaccumulation. An important source of elevated Cu concentrations in coastal environments are biocides used as antifouling protection on ships. A pilot study conducted in the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of the Krka Estuary (Croatia) over a period of 16 months investigated the relationship between ship traffic and Cu concentrations. The aim was to contribute to more informed environmental management by assessing the associated risks. In the study presented here, Cu concentrations were monitored, analyzed, and correlated with vessel traffic. Observations revealed that the seasonal increase in maritime traffic caused by nautical tourism was associated with an increase in Cu concentrations of more than five times, posing a toxicity risk to the environment. In order to understand the distribution of copper emissions, a mapping of maritime traffic was carried out by counting transits, radar imagery, and drone photography. This approach has proven sufficient to identify the potential risks to the marine environment and human health, thus providing an effective assessment tool for marine stakeholders.

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Thiol-mediated etching of gold nanorods as a neoteric strategy for room-temperature and multicolor detection of nitrite and nitrate

Analytical Methods ◽

10.1039/d1ay01117k ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marzieh Sepahvand ◽

Forough Ghasemi ◽

Hossein Mirseyed Hosseini

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Gold Nanorods ◽

Room Temperature ◽

Scientific Communities ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Living Organisms

The excessive presence of nitrite and nitrate in the environmental matrixes has raised concerns among the scientific communities due to their negative impacts on human health and living organisms. Considering...

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Peer Assessment in Writing: A Critical Review of Previous Studies

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN LINGUISTICS ◽

10.24297/jal.v10i0.7992 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 1478-1487

Author(s):

Sonia Dutta Gupta ◽

Fatimah Abdullah ◽

Gu Li ◽

Yang Xueshuang

Keyword(s):

Foreign Language ◽

Critical Review ◽

English Language ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Peer Assessment ◽

Student Centered ◽

Efl Context ◽

Effective Assessment ◽

Near Future

Peer assessment has attracted more attention an effective assessment tool in recent years. Peer assessment refers to the arrangement for peers to consider the quality of learning outcomes of others of similar status, it received attention of various studies due to the growing interest in the student centered approach as learners need to be involved in the learning process even in the assessment. This paper is a critical review of previous studies on peer assessment in English as Second/Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) context. Fifteen peer assessment studies from 2004 to 2017 were extensively reviewed and systematically analyzed. Peer assessment of the reviewed studies were on the quality of the writing outcomes of students in the EFL/ESL contexts, as writing skill occupies an important role in teaching English language. As a critical review paper of these studies, this paper highlights practical use of peer assessment and the important challenges or issues that need to be considered when utilizing peer assessment in the classroom. This paper hopes that practical measures of peer assessment will be utilized effectively by educators in the ESL and EFL classrooms in the near future.

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Concise Review of Nickel Human Health Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Inorganics ◽

10.3390/inorganics7070089 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. 89 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Samuel Buxton ◽

Emily Garman ◽

Katherine E. Heim ◽

Tara Lyons-Darden ◽

Christian E. Schlekat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Animal Studies ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Chemical Species ◽

Metal Mixtures ◽

Respiratory Cancer ◽

Epigenetic Events ◽

Emerging Issues ◽

Living Organisms ◽

Toxicity Effects

Nickel (Ni) metal and Ni compounds are widely used in applications like stainless steel, alloys, and batteries. Nickel is a naturally occurring element in water, soil, air, and living organisms, and is essential to microorganisms and plants. Thus, human and environmental nickel exposures are ubiquitous. Production and use of nickel and its compounds can, however, result in additional exposures to humans and the environment. Notable human health toxicity effects identified from human and/or animal studies include respiratory cancer, non-cancer toxicity effects following inhalation, dermatitis, and reproductive effects. These effects have thresholds, with indirect genotoxic and epigenetic events underlying the threshold mode of action for nickel carcinogenicity. Differences in human toxicity potencies/potentials of different nickel chemical forms are correlated with the bioavailability of the Ni2+ ion at target sites. Likewise, Ni2+ has been demonstrated to be the toxic chemical species in the environment, and models have been developed that account for the influence of abiotic factors on the bioavailability and toxicity of Ni2+ in different habitats. Emerging issues regarding the toxicity of nickel nanoforms and metal mixtures are briefly discussed. This review is unique in its covering of both human and environmental nickel toxicity data.

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Impact of Kapotaksha river water pollution on human health and environment

Progressive Agriculture ◽

10.3329/pa.v31i1.48300 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

MA Hanif ◽

R Miah ◽

MA Islam ◽

S Marzia

Keyword(s):

Water Pollution ◽

Human Health ◽

River Water ◽

Polluted Water ◽

River Bank ◽

Sewage System ◽

The People ◽

Living Organisms ◽

River Water Pollution

This study was conducted to evaluate the Kapotaksha River water pollution status and its impacts on Human health and Environment. This study conducted a case study on four selected areas (Barakpur, Srirampur, Prbazar, and Gouranandapur) on the Kapotaksha river bank at Jhikargas Upazila. This river water pollution occurs by some natural process such as flood, storm, and natural biodegraded. But human activities are major reasons for the river water pollution. Industrialization, urbanization, domestic waste, sewage system, agrochemicals, etc are major causes for river water pollution. This more polluted water has an impact on human health and environment. This study was conducted to find out the polluted water due to various types of diseases such as scabies, asthma, dysentery and respiratory disease. Most of the people (49%) are affected by Scabies, 4% are affected by diarrhea, 5% are affected by dysentery, 25% of people are suffering from respiratory diseases and 4% are suffering from asthma and the polluted water pollutes soil by using the water in agriculture purpose answered by 20% respondents which is 100% of farmer respondents. If someone does not use this water can not affect soil answered by 80% of respondents. This river water becomes more polluted and harmful for human health and environment because this water hampered by the local colony, local trader, lack of proper management of sewage system, miss-use on the riverbank area for the dumping various solid waste on the river bank, chemical fertilizers, industries etc. At present now we cannot fulfill control this continuous river water pollution but we can minimize this problem and it would be positive for human health, others living organisms and Environment. Progressive Agriculture 31 (1): 1-9, 2020

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The Beneficial Effects of Short-Term Exposure to Scuba Diving on Human Mental Health

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17197238 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (19) ◽

pp. 7238

Author(s):

Arnau Carreño ◽

Mireia Gascon ◽

Cristina Vert ◽

Josep Lloret

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Human Health ◽

Environmental Impacts ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

Scuba Diving ◽

Control Group ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Medication Intake ◽

Short Term Exposure ◽

Regular Medication

Exposure to outdoor blue spaces can help improve human health by reducing stress, promoting social relationships, and physical activity. While most studies have focused on the adverse health effects of scuba diving, very few have assessed its health benefits. Moreover, when scuba diving is done in large groups with no diving instructor or pre-dive briefing, negative environmental impacts are generated and negative impacts on human health may also occur due to overcrowding, which may create stress. This is the first study to evaluate the effects of scuba diving on divers’ mental health using their diving practices to estimate the impacts on the ecosystem. In the marine-protected area of Cap de Creus and adjacent areas, we assessed the mental health of 176 divers and 70 beach users (control group) by employing a 29-item version of Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaires. According to the parameters associated with reduced environmental impacts, two scuba diving experiences were established. Poisson regression models were performed to assess both the contribution of the activity and diving experiences to POMS scores. Both groups (scuba divers and beach goers) reduced their POMS scores after carrying out the activities. Although no significant differences were found between beach and scuba diving activities, nor between the two different scuba diving experiences, our results showed that subjects with regular medication intake due to a chronic or psychiatric illness had a POMS reduction score significantly higher than other subjects. We conclude that both beach and scuba diving activities have positive effects for human mental health, particularly among subjects with regular medication intake.

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Urban soils and human health

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-11255 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Claudio Bini ◽

Mohammad Wahsha

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Urban Environment ◽

Urban Soils ◽

Environmental Geochemistry ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Industrial Emissions ◽

Potentially Harmful Elements ◽

Local Topography ◽

Living Organisms ◽

Scientific Topic

Since the dawn of civilization, the anthropic activity has lead to a legacy of increased land degradation/contamination. Potentially harmful elements (PHEs) are among the most effective environmental contaminants, and their release into the environment is rising since the last decades. Interest in trace elements has been increased as a major scientific topic over the last 50 years when it was realized that some elements were essential to human health (e.g., Fe, Cu, Zn). In contrast, some others were toxic (e.g., As, Hg, Pb), and likely responsible for serious human diseases and lethal consequences. Since that time, great progress in knowledge of links between environmental geochemistry and human health has been achieved. The urban environment (nowadays the main habitat for the human population) is a potential PHEs source, with high risk for residents&#8217; health. Indeed, PHEs concentration and distribution are related to traffic intensity, distance from roads, local topography, and heating. Industrial emissions also contribute to the release of toxic elements. Understanding the extent, distribution and fate of PHEs in the urban environment is therefore imperative to address the sustainable management of urban soils and gardens in relation to human health.Despite the extensive researches addressed to this topic, the effects of most trace metals on human health are not yet fully understood. Uncertainty is still prevailing, particularly with non-essential elements that are &#8220;suspected&#8221; to be harmful to humans, causing severe health problems as intoxication, neurological disturbances and also cancer. Some of them (e.g., As, Cd, Hg, Pb) have attracted most attention worldwide due to their toxicity towards living organisms. Other elements (Al, B, Be, Bi, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, Sn, Tl, V, W) are likely harmful, but may play some beneficial functions not yet well known, and should be more investigated.Keywords: Urban soils; PHEs; Human health

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SWAT-based sediment yield simulation with mining land-use change scenario in Lanuza Bay, Philippines

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-12569 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Peter Jeffrey Maloles ◽

Adonis Gallentes ◽

Cesar Villanoy

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Sediment Yield ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

Swat Model ◽

Time Lag ◽

The Philippines ◽

Marine Biodiversity ◽

Change Scenario ◽

Mining Operations

The Philippines is known for its rich marine biodiversity and is deemed as the apex of the world&#8217;s coral triangle. However, sediment yield studies and river discharge measurements in the country are sparse if not non-existent. High sediment rates have detrimental effects on water quality and consequently to coral reef health and marine biodiversity. Thus, modeling of runoff and sediment yield at a watershed level is important in assessing coral community environments.In this study, a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) based sediment yield simulation was done for Lanuza Bay-- a site with high productivity but increasing mining activity. Two simulations were conducted. The first utilized a land-use map before January 2011 and was made to run from January 1998 to August 2018 in order to simulate a scenario in which mining operations did not occur in the area. The second simulation utilized an updated land-use map that incorporated mining sites from January 2011 to August 2018.SWAT model results indicate that slope class was the primary determinant of erosion rates (slope band > 20%). The study suggests that consecutive precipitation occurrences affected soil erodability and induced a time lag between precipitation and sediment yield peaks. The highest contributors to sediment yield at a sub-basin level were identified to be areas adjacent to or coinciding in mining or excavation sites. Comparing the scenarios with and without mining, mining contributed to 4% of the increase in the watershed&#8217;s total annual sediment yield.Qualitative and historical validation shows reasonable agreement between simulated values and satellite images. The output of this study can be used as a science-based reference in crafting laws and policies for land-use management and Marine Protected Area (MPA) planning.

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Objective structured practical examination as a formative assessment tool compared to traditional method for third year M.B.B.S. community medicine students

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20194481 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (10) ◽

pp. 4285

Author(s):

Archana Carolin ◽

Prathyusha Tirupati Venkata Devi

Keyword(s):

Formative Assessment ◽

Traditional Method ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Clinical Skills ◽

Conventional System ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Uniform System ◽

Practical Examination ◽

Practical Evaluation ◽

Effective Assessment

Background: Assessment of students in medical colleges was done by traditional practical examination for evaluation of practical or clinical skills, which is subjective in nature and suffer from lack of objectivity. So a uniform system of clinical and practical evaluation of medical students is always desirable. An objective structured practical examination (OSPE) is one such method believed to meet the deficiencies of the conventional system of practical/clinical examination. This study is an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of OSPE as a formative assessment tool compared to traditional methods for M.B.B.S. students.Methods: A cross sectional comparative study was carried out on 56 MBBS students in KAMSRC, Hyderabad, Telangana. Students of 3rd year M.B.B.S were subjected to traditional practical evaluation followed by OSPE. A eight station OSPE was conducted one week after the TPE. The scores obtained in both were compared. All the data collected was entered and analyzed with MS excel software 2007.Results: Average marks scored by the students in OSPE (17.78±2.69) were higher as compared to traditional practical examination (15.00±3.49) which was statistically significant. 74.4% of the students strongly agreed that OSPE is fairer in comparison to traditional practical examination. 90.5% students strongly agreed that variability of examiner and patient can be removed to a large extent by OSPE.Conclusions: Based on the observation, OSPE was found to be a more effective assessment tool than traditional method.

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Genotype and Maturity Stage Affect the Content and Composition of Polyamines in Tomato—Possible Relations to Plant and Human Health

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae7090300 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. 300

Author(s):

Evelyn E. Villanueva Gutierrez ◽

Eva Johansson ◽

Alberto Centellas Quezada ◽

Karl-Erik Gustavsson ◽

Marie E. Olsson

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Significant Variation ◽

Food Additive ◽

Maturity Stage ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Maturation Period ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Living Organisms ◽

Tomato Genotype ◽

Tomato Genotypes

Polyamines (PAs) are molecules affecting several physiological characteristics in all living organisms with cell protective effects, thereby impacting plant and human health. Here, we used HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS to evaluate the content and composition of PAs in eight tomato genotypes over their maturation period, and related the content and composition to other quality traits and possible implications for plant and human health. The tomato genotype, maturity stage and their interactions, significantly affected the content and composition of PAs. Two of the genotypes, ‘Huichol’ and ‘Rio Grande’ showed consistently lower levels of PAs than the other evaluated genotypes. The variation in content and composition of PAs among genotypes was found to vary inconsistently over the maturation period. Putrescine content in the different genotypes either did not vary significantly, increased, or showed the lowest level in the middle of the maturation period, while spermidine content decreased or did not show significant variation. The genotypes ‘HT36’ and ‘HT25’ showed high levels of PAs during red and green maturity stages, respectively, and can thereby be seen as suitable health promoting red and green candidate tomatoes. Depiction of variation of the PAs creates opportunities for breeding and production of health promoting tomato as a food or food additive.

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The Consequences Of Environmental Pollution Can Be Fatal

Advance in Environmental Waste Management & Recycling ◽

10.33140/aewmr.04.01.07 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Water Pollution ◽

Environmental Pollution ◽

Human Health ◽

Chemical Substance ◽

Stable Form ◽

Chronic Patients ◽

Direct Damage ◽

Living Organisms ◽

Short Time ◽

Source Of Pollution

Environmental pollution is the import of a foreign chemical substance or energy in a stable form into the environment in a concentration or quantity, which at a given moment causes direct damage to the environment, parts of nature, living beings or human health. Pollution or contamination means the presence of a foreign chemical substance in the environment, in a concentration or volatile form that does not cause direct harm to human health or other living organisms in a short time. Pollution is sought to be prevented by controlling the source of pollution. Man’s actions endanger and pollute the soil, air and water. Pollution can cause illness and even death in chronic patients.

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