Environment and Natural Resources Journal

The Invisible Threat: Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Beef and Its Implications for Food Safety

Inneke Hantoro — 2026-01-07

Microplastics (MPs) have been widely found in various food products cultivated on land, including meat. This study focuses on detecting the presence of MPs in beef available at traditional markets, specialty meat shops, and retail stores in the city of Semarang. The samples were digested using a combination of KOH solution, hydrogen peroxide, Fenton’s reagent, and identified using micro-FTIR. All samples were analyzed in duplicate. MPs were found in all beef samples. The highest concentration of MPs was found in beef from the traditional market (2.57×10⁶±3.35×10⁶ MPs/kg WB), followed by samples taken from the meat shop (7.51×10⁵±1.58×10⁵MPs/kg WB), and supermarket (6.78×10⁵±2.41×10⁵MPs/kg WB). Samples from traditional markets contained predominantly polyethylene (PE, 94.1%), while those from supermarkets and meat shops were mainly polyvinyl chloride (PVC), at 47.5% and 38.8% respectively. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL) was often found in supermarket samples (27.1%), and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) was commonly observed in meat shop samples (20.4%). Most of the MPs in fragment form were frequently found in supermarket and meat shop samples (62.5% and 65.9%, respectively), while foam MPs dominated traditional market samples (62.3%). Film MPs were also common in supermarket (25.3%) and traditional market (26.6%) samples. Most MPs across all samples measured >100-≤300 µm (33.4% to 37.7%). The intake of MPs from beef consumption for the Indonesian population is considered high, ranging from 1,866,750 MP/person/year to 6,733,400 MP/person/year based on national beef consumption data. Therefore, MP contamination still needs to be monitored to prevent food safety issues.

Life Cycle Assessment of Sugarcane Bagasse Takeout Containers: A Case Study in Laibin, Guangxi, China

Meng Fan — 2025-11-18

With growing global concerns over climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, the packaging industry is under increasing pressure to shift toward low-carbon and sustainable alternatives. This study applies a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework to evaluate the environmental impacts of sugarcane bagasse-based takeout containers using a representative enterprise in Laibin, Guangxi, China—a major sugarcane production hub. The system boundary spans from raw material acquisition to end-of-life disposal. Six environmental impact categories—Global Warming Potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), Eutrophication Potential (EP), Abiotic Depletion Potential (ADP), Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), and Photochemical Ozone Formation Potential (POFP)—were assessed using the CML 2001 method and compared with plastic, starch, and composite starch containers. The results show that bagasse containers significantly outperform conventional materials, especially in GWP and ADP, reducing total environmental burden by over 70%. Sensitivity analysis identifies bamboo pulp input, additives, and boiler fuel as key contributors. Optimization strategies include adopting cleaner pulping technologies, using green additives, and improving low-carbon logistics. The integrated “sugar mill-pulp mill-container factory” model in Laibin demonstrates high replicability in other agricultural regions of southern China and Southeast Asia. This study provides theoretical insights for promoting biomass packaging as part of the circular economy and sustainable material innovation.

Catalytic Ozonation with ZnO Nanoparticles: A Novel Approach to Lignin Degradation in Synthetic Wastewater

Yupaporn Amnath — 2025-11-24

The purpose of this study is to evaluate ZnO nanoparticle-catalyzed ozonation degradation lignin in synthetic wastewater. By applying response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD), we analyzed the interaction between key factors and optimized their conditions. pH, ZnO dose, time, and lignin concentration were varied and encoded into a second-order model, with ANOVA confirming its significance (F-value=19.53). The model predicted a 99.99% lignin degradation efficiency under optimal conditions: pH 11, 1.0 g ZnO, 50 minutes, and 50 mg/L lignin. The high correlation (R²=0.9480) validated the model, highlighting the effectiveness of ZnO nanoparticle-catalyzed ozonation for lignin removal.

Differential Protein and Morphological Responses of Mosses to Heavy Metal Exposure: Insights from SDS-PAGE Analysis and Microscopic Examination

Supatra Chunchob — 2025-12-09

Heavy-metal pollution poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health. We evaluated acute proteomic and cytological responses of two mosses, Ectropothecium dealbatum and Hyophila involuta, to cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Gametophores were immersed for 72 h to single-metal solutions (10, 20, or 30 mg/L; controls in distilled water), ensuring observed effects reflected single-metal toxicity. Protein profiles were resolved by SDS-PAGE, and light microscopy quantified chloroplasts per lamina cell and the proportion of dead cells. Cd elicited the strongest responses in both species, with intensified high-molecular-weight bands (~90, ~100, ~121 kDa) and pronounced cytological injury; Pb produced qualitatively similar but weaker changes. In contrast, Zn primarily modulated band intensity without generating new bands and caused limited injury at the tested doses. Concordant shifts across methods—reduced chloroplast counts and elevated lamina cell death co-occurring with Cd/Pb-associated bands—support a molecular–physiological linkage of acute metal stress. However, these high-molecular-weight bands (including the ~121 kDa signal) are size-based, putative markers only; independent identification (e.g., LC-MS/MS or immunodetection) and functional validation are still required. Within this 72-h window and concentration range, sensitivity followed Cd > Pb ≫ Zn. The findings nominate candidate proteins for rapid discrimination of damaging (Cd, Pb) versus comparatively tolerated (Zn) exposures and motivate targeted protein identification plus longer, field-calibrated studies to establish biomonitoring thresholds.

Pollution Levels of Lead and Copper in the Areas Surrounding Diyala State Company, Iraq

Duha Abdulhakim Mohammed — 2026-02-16

Pollution by toxic metals represents a great environmental concern. Industrial activities release high levels of metals into the environment, adversely affecting human health. This study aimed to assess levels of lead and copper contamination in the areas surrounding Diyala State Company as well as to evaluate the efficiency of roadside plants in absorbing these metals from soil by their leaves, thereby exploring their role in reducing environmental pollution. Soil and leaf samples were collected from four directions surrounding the company and at distances in each direction (100, 500, 1,000, 2,000 meters). Leaf samples were collected from four plants: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Ricinus communis, Dodonaea viscosa, and Malva parviflora between June and August 2024. The findings revealed high concentrations of lead and copper. The highest lead concentration was in the eastern part (3 mg/kg) in E. camaldulensis at site E3. The highest copper concentration was in the northern part (1.36 mg/kg) in R. communis at site N2, and D. viscosa was recorded with the highest lead concentration (2.43 mg/kg) in the northern part at site N4. M. parviflora showed higher lead concentration in the western part (1.58 mg/kg) at site W1. The maximum bioaccumulation coefficient for lead uptake was exhibited in E. camaldulensis, followed by R. communis, which also demonstrated the highest uptake of copper in most locations, particularly in the northern part. According to their efficiency in heavy metal uptake and accumulation, the plants were ranked as follows: E. camaldulensis > R. communis > D. viscosa > M. parviflora. It is clear that these plants have shown a high capacity for absorbing heavy metals, which positively impacts the environment and allows for their inclusion in bioremediation programs.

Biochemical Assessment of Oxidative Stress Markers in Rats Following Exposure to Spray and Scented Candle Air Fresheners

Mariam Abdulsalam S. Al-Maliki — 2025-12-08

Air freshener and scented candles are widely used to improve indoor air quality or eliminate unpleasant odors, but these consumer products release volatile organic compound (VOCs), particulate matter, and other chemicals that can adversely affect public health. This study evaluated the effects of air freshener spray and scented candle using a locally manufactured inhalation exposure chamber in Baghdad. Effects in rats were assessed with particular focus on the oxidative stress. A total of (40) healthy Wistar male rats, weighing between (180-200) gm, were randomly divided into 4 groups, each group containing 10 rats. The first group was exposed to air freshener spray, the second group exposed to scented candles, the third group exposed to mixture of air freshener spray and scented candle and the fourth group exposed to fresh air only. The inhalation exposure periods were (10, 20, 30) days for each group. The total exposure time was one hour daily, while the exposure time to the substance itself was estimated to be 15 minutes. Blood samples were collected from each rat, and serum was separated for biochemical analysis. Oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, GPX, and LPO) were measured using ELISA kits, while GSH was determined manually using the Ellman method. The results demonstrated that exposure to the air freshener led to significant increase in GPX levels, while GSH concentrations were notably reduced. Additionally, the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD and LPO were elevated compared to the control group. These findings indicate that such emissions can disrupt redox balance and may have toxic effects.

Forest Cover and Landslide Susceptibility Assessment Using a Machine Learning Approach in Northern Midland and Mountainous Region of Vietnam

Thuong Tran — 2026-01-15

Landslides are a major geo-environmental hazard in Vietnam’s midland and mountainous regions, further intensified by land-use pressures and climate change. This study investigated the influence of forest cover on landslide susceptibility in Cau River Watershed. A forest status map was constructed using inventory and field data by the K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) algorithm, while landslide susceptibility was modeled using historical events and nine conditioning factors through a hybrid machine learning approach integrating Random Forest (RF), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and KNN. The proposed hybrid model achieved an overall accuracy of 85.33%, demonstrating its robustness in susceptibility prediction. Results indicated that natural and native-species forests significantly reduce landslide density and susceptibility relative to non-forested areas and exotic plantations. These findings highlight the critical role of forest structure and species composition in stabilizing slopes. The study provides evidence-based insights to guide adaptive land management, forest policy, and regional strategies for climate resilience and sustainable development.

Soil Temperature and Evaporation Dynamics under Water Stress in Varying Soil Textures and Amendments

Kamelia Dwi Jayanti — 2025-12-22

This study aimed to assess the effects of various textures and types of soil amendments on soil temperature dynamics and evaporation rates. The experiment was performed using Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with two independent factors. The first factor was soil textures comprising sand, sandy loam, loam, silt loam, and clay, while the second was the type of soil amendments, including control, guano, and rice husk. Each soil type, amended and unamended, was placed in polybags, saturated with water to field capacity, and subjected to water stress conditions (without additional irrigation) for approximately 34 days. The magnitude of soil temperature fluctuations increased under water stress relative to pre-stress conditions. The highest soil temperature during the day was produced by sandy textures, while at night, the temperature was slightly greater in silt loam and clay. Generally, higher sand fraction correlates with greater temperature during the day and lower at night. The application of soil amendments to all soil textures can produce lower soil temperature during the day and retain heat at night, making soil temperature warmer than the control. Based on the experiment, the highest cumulative evaporation was observed in silt loam soil and samples without the addition of soil amendments. Moreover, extended water stress led to a smaller loss of water by evaporation. To help manage water stress, future studies need to assess the effects of soil amendments on moisture thresholds and the applications in irrigation management.

Synergistic Effect of Microorganisms and Charcoal on the Removal of BTEX and TPH from Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

Ogu Chinedu — 2026-02-05

his study investigates the synergistic effect of microbial consortia and activated charcoal on the remediation of crude oil-contaminated soil in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Soil samples were treated over nine weeks using Aspergillus niger, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Sargassum filipendula, activated charcoal, and their combinations. Key physicochemical parameters including pH, temperature, organic matter (OM), and total organic carbon (TOC) were monitored. The combined treatment of microorganisms and charcoal (S6) achieved the highest total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal efficiency (91.45%), outperforming individual treatments. BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers) showed substantial removal, with final degradation efficiencies ranging from 95.5% to 100% based on preliminary spectrophotometric data. However, due to limitations in the analytical method used (UV-Vis at 600 nm), these BTEX results are considered indicative and require validation through standard chromatographic techniques. The findings suggest that activated charcoal enhances microbial degradation by adsorbing toxic intermediates and providing a surface for microbial colonization. This integrated approach offers a cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally sustainable strategy for remediating oil-polluted soils, particularly in ecologically vulnerable regions such as the Niger Delta.

Circular Economy Pathway: Valorization of Cotton Stalk into Biochar for Textile Wastewater Treatment

Vishwa Vraj Shah — 2026-01-28

Agricultural residues, often burned openly pose environmental challenges but offers opportunities for valorization into functional materials. Converting such residues into biochar supports circular economy principles. Here, cotton stalk (CS) was converted into phosphate-modified biochar (PMCS) via pyrolysis at 350, 550, and 800°C. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to the adsorption process, treating pyrolysis temperature as a categorical factor in a rotatable CCD. PMCS was characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Point of Zero Charge while adsorption was evaluated through isotherm and kinetic modeling for synthetic textile wastewater containing Eriochrome Black T (EBT), starch, and salts. PCS800 exhibited a BET analysis of 750 m² per gram of biochar and achieved nearly 77% COD reduction at 33 min and 6.43 g/L for synthetic wastewater, while 60% with complete decolorization for real effluent. The optimum removal followed Langmuir behaviour (q_max=90.2 mg/g, K_L= 0.049 L/mg) with pseudo-second-order kinetics, reflecting micropore filling by starch. Overall, this study establishes a circular economy pathway by valorizing CS into an efficient adsorbent, mitigating residue burning while offering scalable potential for textile wastewater treatment.