European Journal of Environment and Earth Sciences

Efficiency Aspects of Durres Wastewater Treatment Plant

Blerina Beqaj — 2025-03-26

The sewage system in the city of Durres has been a problem for both residents and ecosystems for years. Urban wastewater had direct effects into surface water, mainly in the Adriatic Sea, and this problem raised the need to build a wastewater treatment plant. The main purpose of this study is to give some aspects of the effectiveness of this wastewater treatment process which is one of the byproducts produced by human activity with a negative impact on all components of the environment. The study presents the description of the study area, the sewage system and the impact of this project on the environment. It is described the functioning of the urban wastewater treatment plant, the working methods followed, and the laboratory analyzes performed to maintain control of this process according to state-set standards. The discussion of the biological and chemical results obtained in the laboratory, are based on data obtained from: determination of wastewater and clean water entering the plant, the equivalent population to which this plant serves, the amount of phosphorus that has to be reduced, effectiveness of the process for total dissolved solids, as well as effectiveness of parameters on output and wetland.

Natural Conditioning Factors in the Landscape Modeling of the Ilhabela Archipelago, Brazil

Amanda Montini da Silva Oliveira — 2025-03-27

The Ilhabela archipelago, located off the northern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil, is renowned for its remarkable biodiversity. The integration of geospatial data with geological, soil, and vegetation maps has enabled the identification of three distinct regions with notable geomorphological characteristics: the northern, eastern, and southern sectors. Each sector displays a well-defined relief, characterized by dissected, heterogeneous terrain, significant elevations, and steep slopes. These features contribute to the formation of deep valleys and abrupt escarpments. The local geology comprises crystalline basement rocks intruded by several Cretaceous alkaline bodies, which exhibit varying resistance to erosion. These lithological differences have been pivotal in shaping prominent escarpments and sharply defined ridges. The predominantly dendritic surface drainage pattern reflects the interplay between the geological framework and erosion processes, with the main watercourses aligned in NW-SE and NE-SW orientations. The dense Atlantic Forest cover plays a crucial role in protecting soil and stabilizing slopes, acting as a natural barrier against erosion. However, the combination of steep slopes, less erosion- resistant geological units, and a thick weathering layer creates conditions prone to landslides, particularly during heavy rainfall. Identifying highly vulnerable areas under such conditions is essential for effective spatial planning and management. Consequently, continuous monitoring strategies, especially in steeper gradient areas, are strongly recommended to mitigate geological hazards. Furthermore, integrated efforts involving environmental protection, sustainable land management, and community awareness initiatives are vital for reducing the impact of natural disasters while preserving Ilhabela’s rich natural heritage.

Heavy Metal Pollution in Abu Dhabi Marine Sediments: A Comparative Study across Different Environmental Areas Using Various Pollution Assessment Indices

Rajasekhar Thankamony — 2025-03-28

Coastal pollution in the Arabian Gulf is an emerging issue, driven by both natural processes and human activities such as atmospheric deposition, industrial effluents, discharges from desalination and sewage treatment plants, reclamation and dredging operations, island developments, and oil and gas exploration. To investigate the bottom sediments pollution characteristics and assessments, twenty-two sites were sampled monthly and quarterly in Abu Dhabi’s territorial waters across various ecological categories which includes natural habitats, confined area, nearby public beaches. The samples were analysed for dissolved trace metals, including, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Cobalt, Manganese, Nickel, Lead, Zinc, Mercury, and Iron. The concentrations of these metals in the sediment ranged as follows: Cd (0 mg/kg–4.68 mg/kg), Cr (0.19 mg/kg–47.05 mg/kg), Cu (0 mg/kg–71.31 mg/kg), Co (0 mg/kg–6.57 mg/kg), Fe (82.8 mg/kg–18040 mg/kg), Mn (3.06 mg/kg–282.90 mg/kg), Ni (0 mg/kg–34.63 mg/kg), Pb (0 mg/kg–24.37 mg/kg), and Zn (1.58 mg/kg–198.5 mg/kg). Further levels of heavy metal enrichment in the bottom sediments were assessed using the Contamination Factor (CF), Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The results show that confined area has severe enrichment in Cd, moderate enrichment in Zn and Cu. PLI also confirms Cd in confined areas is >1 which indicates pollution. These accumulation in confined areas, particularly those with heavy anthropogenic activity, highlights a potential environmental risk to marine biota and eventually human health.

Health Impact of Flooding in the Town of Aboisso in Southeastern Côte d’Ivoire

Kalitia Fatoumata Sekongo — 2025-01-12

One of the most widespread climatic effects in Africa is flooding. Generally caused by high rainfall, overflowing rivers, relatively flat sites, and proximity to the water table, they are amplified by numerous anthropogenic factors. This is the case of the town of Aboisso, which has been experiencing flooding since 2018. However, the recurrence of this phenomenon of hydric origin, with its corollaries of availability and proliferation of pathogens, is a concern for the population. Indeed, wastewater overflows caused by flooding increase the risk of infectious diseases. The aim of the present study is, therefore, to analyze the health impact of flooding due to climatic and anthropogenic factors in Aboisso. The methodological approach consisted of documentary research, field surveys, and direct observation. Several software programs were used to process the data. The analysis method used is the deductive approach. The results showed that the determinants of flooding in Aboisso are hydro-climatic and anthropogenic. The most recurrent pathologies in Aboisso, especially during periods of heavy flooding, are malaria (59%), acute respiratory infections (21%), anemia, which was the main cause of death in 2020 and 2021 (15%), and diarrheal diseases (5%). Finally, a number of resilience strategies (or actions to be taken to strengthen resilience to flood-related health risks in Aboisso were proposed) to flood-related health risks in Aboisso were proposed.

Interlocking Elements to Control Erosion in Natural and Urban Ecosystems

Esmaeil Kouhgardi — 2024-10-26

Advancements in comprehending soil erosion alleviation, relevant to both natural terrains and urban settings, have experienced notable growth in knowledge and products. Nevertheless, the increasing influence of climate change-driven forces, extreme weather events, and human-caused actions have resulted in reduced attainment of the desired results in erosion mitigation efforts. This paper aims to investigate how interlocking elements contribute to the reduction of soil erosion in natural landscapes and urban green spaces. This will be achieved by analyzing published materials, patents, installation instructions, manuals, and reports from organizations. Furthermore, we delve into novel interlocking products and emerging strategies like soft solutions and ecologically engineered blocks designed to effectively address soil erosion within vegetated habitats while enhancing the system’s capacity to adapt and withstand shifts in climate, curbing soil loss, and diminishing the speed of water runoff, consequently mitigating the potential for erosion. Geotechnical engineering and other erosion control solutions like biobased interlocking components and interlocking permeable blocks offer promise in safeguarding natural landscapes and urban infrastructure from erosion-related impacts. The geotextiles market, for instance, which was valued at over $7 billion in 2022, is anticipated to experience an annual growth rate of 6.6% from 2023 to 2030. This growth can be attributed to increasing environmental concerns related to soil erosion and the rapid urbanization occurring in developing countries. However, continuous progress in the economic viability and sustainability of these techniques and products is crucial to effectively achieve erosion mitigation goals in the face of a shifting climate.