Journal of Environment

An Assessment on the Roles and Accountability of Adjacent Local Communities in Decentralized Forest Management System in Mufindi District, Iringa, Tanzania

Henry George Mung’ong’o — 2024-02-16

Purpose: This study was undertaken in Ihang’ana Forest Reserve to provide an understanding of the roles and accountability of forest stakeholders in decentralized forest management for sustainability. The study was proposed specifically to assess decentralization of forest management approach by identifying the main stakeholders and examine their roles and methods used on management of the Ihang’ana Forest Reserve.

Methodology: Multiple research methods were used for data collection which included literature reviews, structured questionnaires survey; institutional and key informant interviews, transect walks and observation and focus group discussions. The study adopted a mixed methods approach with simple and purposive sampling procedures. Quantitative data were analysed through SPSS with support of content analysis for qualitative data. Three villages adjacent to Ihang’ana forest were studied as target population Igeleke, Kibengu and Mwatasi with a total of 102 sampled respondents.

Findings: The key findings of the study revealed that the major stakeholders in the management of Ihang’ana forest reserves were the local communities adjacent the forest reserves, the government and non-governmental organizations. The roles played by these stakeholders were guarding and patrolling done by local communities, education provision on forest management and facilities provision of seminars and workshops. The methods used to conserve and manage forest resources in Ihang’ana forest were afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, destocking, implementation of enacted by-laws and the use of alternative energy. Several factors that led to effective management of the Ihang’ana Forest were implementation of forest by-laws, community inclusiveness, and strictness of the forest committee and application of deterrent penalties. The study concludes that local community participation in decentralized forest management bottom up approach is of paramount. The inclusiveness of the local community had led to effective management of the forest.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that, decentralized bottom-up approach forest management should be maintained for the forest sustainability. Also the central government should continue supporting the local communities in conservation activities of the forest, maintaining the existing fire breaks and timing for clearing the fire breaks is crucial.

Bioaugmentation in Leachate Treatment: Enhancing Ammonia Nitrogen Elimination in US Landfills

Himanshu Ramesh Lamba — 2024-01-13

Purpose: This research seeks to assess the quantitative effects of implementing bioaugmentation solutions within existing landfill leachate management systems. The study involves the analysis of different sites to gauge the influence on leachate composition, considering various industry management practices such as lagoons, tanks, sewer discharge, or off-site trucking. The primary objective is to examine changes in microbial communities within the leachate, specifically focusing on their impact on ammonia nitrogen elimination rates. The ultimate goal is to achieve lower levels of ammonia nitrogen before the discharge of leachate to publicly owned treatment works (POTW).
Methodology: The research employs a comprehensive methodology that involves the examination of diverse landfill sites utilizing various industry management practices for leachate treatment. The analysis includes assessing leachate composition and the study evaluates effectiveness of bioaugmentation in enhancing ammonia elimination rates, considering different leachate treatment approaches and operating conditions. This involves a systematic comparison of outcomes across sites and management practices.
Findings: The findings of this study indicate that bioaugmentation is an effective strategy for accelerating ammonia elimination rates in landfill leachate. The analysis reveals notable improvements in microbial communities, leading to reduced levels of ammonia nitrogen in the leachate prior to its discharge to POTW. The study highlights the versatility of bioaugmentation across different industry management practices, showcasing its potential benefits under varying operating conditions and treatment setups.
Unique contributor to theory, policy and practice: Based on the study's outcomes, it is recommended that landfill operators and leachate management practitioners consider implementing bioaugmentation solutions to expedite ammonia elimination rates. The findings suggest that bioaugmentation is a cost-effective and fast-to-deploy solution that requires negligible capital expenditure. This approach has the potential to generate significant savings, especially in the face of a more stringent regulatory environment. The recommendations emphasize the adaptability and efficiency of bioaugmentation across a broad range of operating conditions within existing landfill leachate management infrastructure.

Spectrophotometric Determination of Cyanide in Passaic River Paterson New Jersey by Distillation and Colorimetric Method with Pyridine: Barbituric Acid Reagent

M. Ala — 2024-02-09

Purpose: This work determines the concentration of total cyanide in the Passaic River in the New Jersey Area.

Methodology: The concentration of cyanide and the subsequent reaction of the product with a mixed solution of pyridine-barbituric acid to form a stable complex. Therefore, before chlorination of cyanide, all cyanide compounds present in sample must be broken down by an acid reflux and distillation.

Findings: The cyanide concentration in the Passaic River sediment solution and non-running wastewater was determined by measuring absorbance at max 578 nm, and cyanide amount has been found less than 0.005 ppm under the NEPA permit compliance. Industrial facilities who discharge wastewater to public waterways in the United States, stringent limits on cyanide, typically with monthly average effluent limits set around 0.005 ppm or less.

Unique contributor to theory, policy and practice: This method is applicable to the determination of cyanide in drinking, saline, groundwater, surface water as well as domestic and industrial wastewater.

Geospatial Assessment of Environmental Impact of Urban Growth in Akure South, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Victor Ayodele Ijaware — 2024-01-13

Purpose: This comprehensive study examines the environmental impact of urbanization in Akure South, Ondo State, Nigeria, using a fusion of geospatial and microbiological analyses. Employing Landsat imagery from 2000, 2011, and 2022, processed through ArcGIS 10.8 and TERRSET software, the study maps and quantifies urban expansion and land use changes.
Methodology: The research concurrently leverages, microbiological techniques to assess air pollution, as well as water and soil contamination levels.
Findings: The result highlighted an increase in built up area from 9.31% in 2000 to 17.45% in 2011 and 29.54% in 2022, which is evident particularly in Akure township area, correlating with a notable decline in environmental quality. Pollution hotspots, identified through rigorous spatial analysis, point to areas severely impacted by urban growth and high level of air pollution, as well as water and soil contamination. In addition, Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) prediction shows that built up area will likely cover about 30.09% by 2042. These findings underscore the urgent need for strategic urban planning and robust pollution control measures.
Unique contributor to theory, policy and practice: The study advocates for a balanced approach to urban development, integrating environmental sustainability to mitigate the adverse effects of rapid urban growth. This research contributes to the broader discourse on urbanization's environmental impact, offering valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners in similarly developing regions of the world.