Tropical Environment, Biology, and Technology

Diversity of Clupeidae (Cuvier, 1816) in the New Calabar River, Rivers State, Nigeria

Henry Eyina Dienye — 2025-05-07

The study examined the diversity of Clupeidae species in the New Calabar River, Rivers State, Nigeria. Fish samples were collected monthly between May and October 2024 with the assistance of fishermen using various fishing gear. A total of 155 individuals belonging to the Clupeidae family were recovered and identified. Several ecological indices were applied to analyze species abundance and diversity. Five species were recorded: Pellonula leonensis, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Ilisha africana, Sardinella maderensis, and Sardinella aurita. The most abundant species was Sardinella maderensis (49.03%), followed by Ilisha africana (16.77%), while Ethmalosa fimbriata showed the lowest abundance (5.16%). The Simpson’s index peaked in September (0.73) and was lowest in August (0.08). Dominance was highest in August (0.92) and lowest in September (0.27). The Shannon-Wiener index reached its highest value in September (1.45), indicating a highly diverse community, and the lowest in August (0.19). The evenness index was highest in October (0.91) and lowest in August (0.61). Margalef’s index was highest in September (1.91) and lowest in August (0.31), suggesting reduced richness and fewer species relative to the number of individuals during that month. The diversity indices indicate that the family Clupeidae is fairly distributed in the study area. It is therefore recommended that further research be conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the biology and ecology of Clupeidae in the New Calabar River.

Evaluation of Microbial Contamination and Diversity in Raw Goat Meat from Selected Abattoirs in Awka, Nigeria

Ugochukwu Chukwuma Okafor — 2025-05-19

The present investigation aimed to quantify and characterize the microbial diversity and contamination load in raw goat meat procured from abattoirs within the Awka Metropolis, with a focus on hygiene indicator microorganisms and pathogenic entities. Raw meat samples were systematically collected from five predefined anatomical regions—liver, muscle, top site, belly, and genitals—on five randomly selected carcasses from multiple abattoirs. The samples were cultured using an array of selective media, leading to the identification and enumeration of thirteen fungal isolates and sixteen bacterial isolates. The isolates were subsequently purified and identified to the species level through comprehensive macroscopic, microscopic, and biochemical analyses. The microbial contamination load was then compared against local and international regulatory benchmarks. All measured contamination levels were found to be within permissible thresholds, with most microbial loads reflecting the prevailing sanitary and environmental conditions within the Awka Metropolis. The study revealed the presence of pathogenic bacterial species with the following frequencies: Escherichia coli (100%), Klebsiella spp. (60%), Salmonella spp. (60%), and Staphylococcus aureus (100%). Among fungal contaminants, Candida albicans (80%), Aspergillus niger (80%), and Fusarium spp. (60%) were predominant. The microorganisms identified were primarily opportunistic pathogens but posed significant risks to public health, particularly to individuals with pre-existing conditions or compromised immune systems. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced sanitary protocols not only within abattoirs but also in the management of water sources and overall hygiene infrastructure throughout Awka, in order to mitigate microbial transmission risks and safeguard public health.

The Healing Herb: A Literature Review on Blumea balsamifera in Urolithiasis Management

John Anthony L. Beberino — 2025-06-23

Blumea balsamifera, locally known as sambong, was a widely used medicinal plant in the Philippines and other Asian countries due to its notable diuretic and anti-urolithic properties. The study aimed to synthesize relevant literature to determine the chemical composition, methods of preparation, and effectiveness of Blumea balsamifera in treating urolithiasis both locally and internationally. A qualitative review of various scientific studies and government-endorsed reports was conducted to consolidate findings related to its medicinal value. The synthesis revealed that Blumea balsamifera contained bioactive compounds such as camphor, limonene, cineole, and sesquiterpenes, which were responsible for its therapeutic effects. It was commonly prepared as a tea, decoction, or in tablet form, and was officially recognized by the Philippine Department of Health for treating kidney stones. International studies further supported its nephroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits. The discussion highlighted the plant’s proven safety, accessibility, and integration into both traditional and modern healthcare practices. The consistent findings affirmed that Blumea balsamifera was an effective and reliable herbal remedy for urolithiasis, with validated applications across different countries.

Sources, Fate, and Transport of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Urban Soils of Vietnam: Challenges for Sustainable Urban Development

Upeksha Gayangani Jayasekara — 2025-05-13

The rapid growth of the human population in recent years significantly accelerated urbanization across ASEAN countries. Among them, Vietnam emerged as one of the fastest-developing nations, undergoing swift industrial expansion and urban development. While this progress brought economic benefits, it also posed serious environmental challenges, most notably, the increasing presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the natural environment. These harmful pollutants, often derived from industrial processes, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and domestic waste, infiltrated ecosystems through air, water, and particularly soil. The core problem addressed in this study was the accumulation of EDCs in urban soils, which served as major reservoirs and posed long-term risks to both ecological systems and public health. Studies linked EDC exposure to hormonal imbalances, reproductive disorders, developmental issues, and even certain cancers in humans and animals. In addition, EDCs disrupted soil biodiversity, impaired microbial communities, and threatened species dependent on soil ecosystems. The accumulation of these compounds in Vietnam’s urban soil was especially concerning due to the country’s rapid industrialization and weak environmental regulations. This study aimed to provide a focused overview of the occurrence, sources, and impacts of EDCs in Vietnam’s urban soils and to explore potential mitigation strategies suited to the nation’s socio-industrial context. Key findings highlighted the role of urban soil as a critical sink for persistent pollutants, the urgent need for regulatory enforcement, and the importance of integrated waste management. In conclusion, Vietnam’s continued development must be accompanied by proactive environmental strategies to reduce EDC contamination and safeguard ecosystem health. Future research should prioritize site-specific monitoring, the development of sustainable remediation technologies, and the evaluation of regulatory frameworks to better manage EDC risks.

Eco-Friendly Strategies for Pesticide Removal: Biotechnological and Microbial Approaches

Upeksha Gayangani Jayasekara — 2025-05-07

Population growth was very rapid and triggered significant advancements in both the industrial and agricultural sectors, leading to increased production of pharmaceuticals and pesticides. The over-utilization of chemical compounds greatly accelerated several environmental pollution problems that were highly harmful to both local ecosystems and human health. Therefore, this justified the study of the environmental fate and transport of pesticides, their effects on human health, and an overview of enzymatic decomposition as a biological means for pesticide removal. More specifically, the study focused on potential agents such as carboxylesterases and hydrolases, examining their mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages in bioremediation applications. It discussed the environmental fate and transport of pesticides and their impact on human health. The subsequent sections addressed enzymatic degradation, with a focus on carboxylesterases and hydrolases, presenting their mechanisms along with the benefits and limitations of applying them in bioremediation. The article also examined future prospects for enzyme reactions in bioremediation and purification processes. Bioremediation was identified as a highly promising method for remediating pesticide-contaminated soil. Microorganisms removed the compounds from the environment. Among various remediation approaches, enzymatic breakdown of biocides emerged as a particularly promising method for treating biodegradable pollutants by breaking down persistent chemical compounds and eliminating waste materials through enzymatic reactions. This method demonstrated the ability to degrade most organic pollutants and was shown to be both feasible and eco-friendly, with considerable potential for treating other types of organic contamination.

Green Material Technologies in the Malaysian Construction Industry: Current Trends and Future Prospects

Audrey Primus — 2025-05-09

Rapid urbanization and industrialization coupled with growing population causes rapid development of the construction industry. The construction activities carried out and improper construction waste management can result in significant environmental impact if not mitigated such as air and dust pollution, surface water pollution and noise pollution. Government policies and initiatives for sustainable construction has been formulated and implemented in Malaysia to promote green construction. The adoption of industrialised building system (IBS) is encouraged to achieve construction waste minimization and reduction starting from the design and planning stage of construction. The implementation of 3Rs strategies is also significant to reduce the construction waste generated and minimize the environmental pollution caused by landfill disposal of construction waste. Agricultural waste can be incorporated in the manufacturing of concrete as substitute for cement or aggregate hence can decrease the greenhouse gases emission associated with cement manufacturing. Several green materials technologies including solar photovoltaic system, cooling roof system and rainwater harvesting system are implemented in Malaysia.