Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management
Volume:5 Issue: 2, Spring 2019

Flooding is one of the most occurring natural hazards every year risking the lives and properties of the affected communities, especially in Philippine context. To visualize the extent and mitigate the impacts of flood hazard in Malingon River in Valencia City, Bukidnon, this paper presents the combination of Geographic Information System, high-resolution Digital Elevation Model, land cover, soil, observed hydro-meteorological data; and the combined Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System and River Analysis System models. The hydrologic model determines the precipitation-runoff relationships of the watershed and the hydraulic model calculates the flood depth and flow pattern in the floodplain area. The overall performance of hydrologic model during calibration was “very good fit” based on the criterion of Nash-Sutcliffe Coefficient of Model Efficiency, Percentage Bias and Root Mean Square Error – Observations Standard Deviation Ratio with the values of 0.87, -8.62 and 0.46, respectively. On the other hand, the performance of hydraulic model during error computation was “intermediate fit” using F measure analysis with a value of 0.56, using confusion matrix with 80.5% accuracy and the Root Mean Square Error of 0.47 meters. Flood hazard maps in 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100-year return periods were generated as well as the number of flooded buildings in each flood hazard level and in different return periods were determined. The output of the study served as an important basis for a more informed decision and science-based recommendations in formulating local and regional policies for more effective and cost-efficient strategies relative to flood hazards. Flood hazard mapping in an urban area using combined hydrologic-hydraulic models and geospatial technologies Calibrated hydrologic model using observed discharge data and validated hydraulic model using acquired flooding information.
Flood hazard maps in varying return periods and number of exposed buildings are generated in Malingon River Basin using the combined hydrologic, hydraulic and geospatial technologies.
The increase of return period directly influenced the percent and flooded area and increasing number of flooded buildings.

The toxicity and corrosion potential of hydrogen sulfide in raw biogas underlines the need for biogas purification. Several techniques available for removal of hydrogen sulfide from biogas are out of the reach for common end users due to lack of knowledge, higher running costs, and insufficient operational skills. The present experimental study aims to propagate hydrogen sulfide removal techniques amongst the end users by using a low-cost chemical absorption technique and packed column reactors. Commercial grade chemicals like monoethanolamine, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, granular activated carbon, and steel wool were used for biogas purification in packed column reactors of 1.2 liters capacity. Hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency up to 92.41% was achievable using single purification columns. The efficiency achieved by using multiple purification column was up to 96.84%. Hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency was calculated for experimental variants like the use of a dedicated purification column, multiple purification columns, flow variations and pressure variations of raw biogas. The data for the frequency of regeneration/replacement of different chemicals was also determined. The simplicity of operation and the use of low-cost reagents in the present study can enable the use of these methods amongst end users of biogas technology for minimizing health hazards and corrosion problems. Hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas using chemical absorption technique in packed column reactors Hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency obtained using single purification columns ranges between 88.61% and 92.41%
Hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency obtained using multiple purification columns ranges between 94.94% and 96.82%
Carbon dioxide removal efficiency is more affected by biogas flow and pressure variations than the hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency
The minimum chemical cost for purification is obtained for steel wool and calcium hydroxide.

Olive milling wastewater is a major problem facing the Mediterranean countries producing olive oil like Egypt. In the present study, olive milling wastewater rich with organic phenolic compounds, macro and micro nutrients was used as growing media for cyanobacteria. The cyanobacteria were grown on wastewater to obtain two biofertilizers, one bioformulated from single culture of Spirulina platensis and the second from mixed culture of S. platensis, N. muscorum and A.oryzae. The produced biofertilizers, were applied on a sandy soil to grow celery plant under different levels (25, 50 and 75%) of the recommended chemical fertilizers, while the control did not receive any fertilizers in a greenhouse experiment at Giza Research station, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt during the summer season of 2018. Results indicated that application of biofertilizers led to a significant (p<0.05) increase in the height of plant, root and stem lengths over the control group. The number of leaves per plant as well as chlorophyll content were highest in the treatments of Bio-Mix 25 and 50%. Also, these treatments increased the total macro- and micro-nutrients of celery. There was very remarkable enhancement in some recorded sandy soil properties after harvest i.e., pH, total organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the treatments of Bio-Mix with 25 and 50%. The present study concluded that 1/4 or 1/2 of the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers could be saved for celery growth by using Bio-Mix product from cyanobacteria and olive milling wastewater as a promising eco-friendly bio-organic fertilizer. Cyanobacteria cultivation using olive milling wastewater for bio-fertilization of celery plant Olive milling wastewater was effectively used as culture medium for cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria grown on olive milling wastewater were applied as biofertilizers
Celery (Apiumgraveolens L.) was successfully cultivated in sandy soil using the biofertilizers
Soil characteristics were improved upon biofertilizers application.

Some riparian areas of the country are in danger of deterioration due to uncontrolled exploitation coupled with loose implementation of environmental protection policies and regulations. Muleta River, a major watershed in Bukidnon, Philippines, was assessed to determine the present condition of its riparian habitat. Abiotic and biotic conditions of the river were assessed. Other factors including land cover, population density, and river geomorphologic characteristics contributing to the river condition were also evaluated. Results revealed that Muleta Watershed is in sub-optimal condition signifying favorable condition for floral and faunal habitat. However, considerable degradation in some isolated cases was likewise spotted. Biotic condition has shown greater degradation approaching marginal condition compared to the abiotic condition which is yet in the upper sub-optimal condition. It was found out that the midstream portion of the watershed is the most disturbed, followed by the downstream area and lastly by the upstream portion. The extent of agricultural cultivation is found as one of the significant factors affecting the health of the riparian habitat areas. It is recommended that riparian protection policies must be formulated and implemented to abate, if not prevent, the impact of anthropogenic interventions resulting to overexploitation in the riparian areas especially in midstream portion of the river. Rapid assessment of the riparian zone habitat of river Midstream site of the Muleta watershed is found to be the most degraded portion
Between the two components of riparian habitat, biotic condition is more degraded than the abiotic condition
The extent of agricultural cultivation among other factors is considered as the most significant factor affecting the health of riparian habitat of Muleta.

Indoor air pollution associated with cooking and heating biomass fuel burning is estimated to be responsible for 7 million deaths in 2016 and most of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries. In Côte d'Ivoire, 73% of the population is reported using biomass (charcoal or wood) for cooking. The active device 3M EVM-7 was used to measure PM2.5 daily average concentrations inside and outside households in areas close (Andokoi) and far (Lubafrique) to an industrial zone in two popular neighborhoods of Yopougon, the largest and most populated municipality of the city of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). PM2.5 daily average concentrations indoors and outdoors are respectively 121±12 µg/m3 and 117±8 µg/m3 in Andokoi and 32±3 µg/m3 and 41±4 µg/m3 in Lubafrique well above the World Health Organization guideline value (25 µg/m3) for air quality. Using multivariable models, the results were the number of windows in bedrooms and kitchens located outdoor were negatively correlated with the concentration of indoor PM2.5. The outdoor concentrations of PM2.5, were higher according to the cooking fuel type. Exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution among children under five years old in urban area Concentrations of PM2.5 on the two neighborhoods in Yopougon (Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire) were greater than WHO Air quality guidelines for particulate matter (PM2.5 lower than 25 µg/m3 24-hour mean)
Local sources (biomass burning, traffic, low income quality of housing) contributed to increase the level of indoor air pollutants
Children under five-year-old in Yopougon municipality are exposed to PM2.5 daily average concentration greater than 25 µg/m3.

Laccases have vast prospective for biotechnological applications due to their outstanding bioremediation potential. These include abundant applications in effluent detoxification, enzymatic conversion of chemical intermediates, wine clarification degradation of textile dyes etc. In the present study, two potential microbes were isolated on solid medium containing guaiacol and ABTS for laccase activity out of 10 microbes. Two cultures PHP7 and PKD5 were selected for molecular characterization was carried out using 16S rRNA gene technology of PHP7 revealed as Bacillus cereus (KU878970.1).Partial amplification of laccase gene contain conserved domain of multicopper oxidase family. The biomass produced by PHP7 was 0.053 mg/5 mL, while PKD5 was 0.058 mg/5 mL. While dye degradation of PHP7dye of 64.28% after incubation of 6 days at pH7 whereas PKD5 shows highest degradation of dye i.e. 61.90% after incubation of 8 days at pH8. PHP7 showed highest Laccase activity of 0.489 U/L at pH 7 while PKD5 showed 0.404 U/L Laccase activity at pH 8 at 8th day of incubation. Using laccase from PHP7 and PKD5 isolates, explored at industrial level for decolorization of coloured effluents that significance in environmentally friendly and play critical role as bioremediation at commercial scale. Bioprospecting and molecular characterization of laccase producing bacteriafrom industrial contaminated sites Two novel microbes (PHP7 and PKD5) isolated from different sample of industrial contaminated sites
After biochemical and molecular characterization, PHP7 and PKD5 isolate were nomenclature as Bacillus cereus and sequence was also submitted to NCBI (KP729612.1)
Molecular characterization of laccase gene from PHP7 isolate revealed as PHPBMCST laccase-like (cotA) gene submitted to NCBI(KX215765.1)
Bioinformatics approaches revealed presence of conserved domain of cupredoxin super families of laccase protein
In partial amplified laccase gene, PHP7 and PKD5 isolates were also optimized for different pH and temperature for dye decolourization.

Carbamazepine is one of the hydrophilic compounds identified in aquatic environments. Due to toxicity and bio-stability of this psychotropic pharmaceutical in the environment and humans, its removal efficiency and mineralization are important. In this study, synthesized Fe@Fe2O3 nanowires were applied to improve Fenton oxidation process using FeCl3.6H2O and NaBH4. The effects of different parameters such as initial pH, H2O2, FeSO4.7H2O, carbamazepine concentrations, oxidation time, and nanowires dose were evaluated using response surface methodology. After scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffract meter analysis, Fe@Fe2O3 morphology was synthesized in the form of nanowires with diameters of about 40-80 nm. The optimum oxidation conditions for carbamazepine were established at pH= 4.3, reaction time of 45.9 min, nanowire dose of 179.4 mg/L as well as H2O2, FeSO4.7H2O and carbamazepine concentrations of 22, 52.2 and 7.7 mg/L, respectively. The oxidation efficiency (99.5%) achieved under the optimum condition, which was determined by the model, was consistent with the efficiency predicted by the model. The multi-parameter models showed good calibration and prediction abilities with R2= 0.922, R2adj= 0.907, R2pred= 0.868. According to the results, the carbamazepine degradation rate increased with the increase of Fe2+ due to the synergistic effect between Fe@Fe2O3 and Fe2+ on the catalytic decomposition of H2O2 and generation of OH•. It was concluded that the Fenton process based on the Fe@Fe2O3 nanowires can increase the carbamazepine oxidation rate in aqueous solutions. This method can also be used as an effective and pre-treatment process in the conventional treatment plants. Catalytic effect of Fe@Fe2O3 nanowires and Fenton process on carbamazepine removal from aqueous solutions using response surface methodology Analysis by SEM, EDX and XRD tests show that Fe@Fe2O3 is formed as nanowire and chain clusters through chemical interactions,
Carbamazepine degradation rate increases with the increase of Fe2+ due to the synergistic effect between Fe@Fe2O3 and ferrous ion,
Statistical analysis show that RSM is a reliable tool for optimizing Fenton/Fe@Fe2O3 oxidation of carbamazepine,
The results of Fenton process experiments show that the efficiency of carbamazepine degradation increases with the increase of Fe@Fe2O3, H2O2 and FeSO4. 7H2O.

Rapid industrialization along with advanced agricultural activities led to the contamination in aquatic environment with heavy metals. Heavy metals ultimately pass into human body through having aquatic animals like fish, prawn and crab. In this study, accumulation of heavy metals (zinc, copper, iron, cadmium and lead) in various organs of four commonly consumed fish (Euthynnus affinis, Pampus argenteus, Descapterus macrosoma, and Leiognathus daura), prawn (Fenneropenaeus indicus) and crab (Portunus pelagicus) of Tok Bali Port, Kelantan, Malaysia were determined. Health risk was assessed using estimated daily intake and target hazard quotients. Although the concentrations of all the heavy metals in all fish, prawn and crab species were lower as per Malaysian Food Act, but the concentrations showed remarkable differences among the species and organs. The concentration of heavy metals in the gill was the highest of all fish species followed by in the liver and flesh. The total accumulation of heavy metals was maximum in Euthynnus affinis followed by Leiognathus daura, Descapterus macrosoma and Pampus argenteus of the fish species. However, the highest concentrations (µg/g) was for Zn (72.97±2.75), followed by Fe (4.309±0.68), Cd (1.189±0.78), Cu (1±0.87) and Pb (0.41±0.19) among all the heavy metal contents of fish. No significant variation (P<0.05) of the heavy metal concentration in prawn and crab species was observed. The investigation indicated that the fish, prawn and crab species of this port were safe for human consumption but the safe disposal of various wastes should be practiced to control the heavy metal accumulation in future. Contamination profile of heavy metals in marine fish and shellfish The concentrations of the heavy metals in all fish, prawn, and crab species were found lower than Malaysian Food Act proposal;
The total and individual target hazard quotient values of six metals in adults (TTHQ= 0.0012) were higher than those of children (TTHQ= 0.00103);
Estimated daily intake and target hazard quotient values ensured that the studied marine species should not pose any threat to the consumers.

Chamomile is one of the most wide spread medicinal plant cultivated in Egypt. This work aimed at enhancement of blossoms and oil production of chamomile plants via biofertilization with PGPRs under organic farming system. In this study, 6 bacterial strains were applied using two different inoculation techniques. The first application method was throughout soaking the roots of seedlings in the bacterial suspension before transplanting. The second technique was by adding the bacterial inocula to soil 2 weeks after transplantation. The results showed that root dipping method displayed high impact on the yield of chamomile blossoms and essential oil percentage. Furthermore, the soil application of the bacterial inocula didn’t show any significant impact in this respect. Where Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bacillus subtilis, Serratia plymuthica and Streptomyces subrutilus increased the dry weight of chamomile blossoms compared to the control, essential oil content increased significantly in case of Serratia plymuthica, Stenotrophomonas rhizophyla and Bacillus subtilis. The current results also indicated that bacterial strains produced the highest indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellic acid resulted in the highest yield of both flowers and essential oil. Different methods of bacterial inoculation on the yield of chamomile blossoms and essential oil Improvement of chamomile plant production through biofertilization under organic farming system was evaluated;
Chamomile blossom and oil yield enhanced by submerging the seedlings root in the Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria suspension;
Bacterial strains producing phytohormones showed the positive impact on blossoms and oil yield.

The study was conducted to assess the native and alien plant species in one of the highly disturbed forest (S1) and less disturbed forest (S2) in Mt. Manunggal, Cebu Island, Philippines. Twenty-four quadrats with a size of 20mx20 m were established using a quadrat sampling technique to identify and record all plant species. Diversity indices were utilized to determine species abundance, richness, evenness, and diversity. There was also the characterization of sites concerning anthropogenic activities and economic uses of native and alien plant species. Results showed that there was apparent domination of alien plants in terms of species richness and abundance in both sites (S1; R=62 species; N=10519; S2; R=55; N=32739). However, there was higher species richness (S1; R=62 and S2; R=30) and diversity (S1; H’=2.76, D=0.10 and S1; H’=2.41, D=0.11) but lower abundance (S1; N=10519 and S2; N=32739) and evenness (S1; PE=0.67 and S2; PE=0.73) in S1 than in S2. The high abundance and evenness of alien plant species in S2 could be due to high anthropogenic activities and its economic value. These factors indirectly assist in the introduction and persistence of alien plant species in disturbed ecosystems by increasing alien plant invasion which usually results in a higher diversity of alien plant species in highly disturbed sites. Assessment on the negative impacts to native plant species by alien plant invasion, enhanced by anthropogenic activities, must, therefore, serve as bases in future directions and implication for restoration and conservation of the remaining forests of Mt. Manunggal, Cebu Island, Philippines. Native and alien plant species inventory and diversity in disturbed forests and its economic value Alien plant species can outnumber native plant species in terms of species abundance and diversity due to morphological, physiological, and ecological factors; Environmental factors and anthropogenic activities indirectly assist in the introduction and proliferation of alien plant species; Alien plant species have greater phenotypic plasticity, which is particularly beneficial in disturbed areas where environmental conditions and anthropogenic activities are in frequent flux.