Examining the efficacy of the legal framework governing the management of greywater in South Africa's informal settlements.

The management of greywater and sanitation in South Africa's urban informal settlements is a pressing concern. This review critically examines the legal framework that governs greywater management in South Africa's informal settlements, aiming to shed light on the existing regulations, gaps, and opportunities for sustainable greywater reuse. By scrutinizing the legal framework, the review identifies gaps and challenges in the regulatory environment, including inconsistencies, lack of clarity, and limited enforcement mechanisms. It explores the potential for international best practices to inform possible amendments to the existing legal framework. This was a quantitative research design utilizing a cross sectional survey model. Questionnaires were administered electronically to a sample of 17 municipal leaders from the City of Tshwane, City of Johannesburg and Buffalo City municipalities whose responsibilities were on water management. Descriptive statistics were employed in analysis of the data. Outcomes were reviewed against the alignment or the lack thereof with the SANS 1732:201x standards. This paper underscores the critical need for a coherent and robust legal framework to support responsible greywater management in South Africa's informal settlements. The paper's insights contribute to the ongoing discourse on water governance, shedding light on the pathways toward a more equitable water future.

Enhancing pollutant removal efficiency in urban domestic wastewater treatment through the hybrid multi-soil-layering (MSL) system: A case study in Morocco.

This paper evaluates the performance and potential of a full-scale hybrid multi-soil-layering (MSL) system for the treatment of domestic wastewater for landscape irrigation reuse. The system integrates a solar septic tank and sequential vertical flow MSL and horizontal flow MSL components with alternating layers of gravel and soil-based material. It operates at a hydraulic loading rate of 250 L/m2/day. Results show significant removal of pollutants and pathogens, including total suspended solids (TSS) (97%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (88.57%), total phosphorus (TP) (79.93%), and total nitrogen (TN) (88.49%), along with significant reductions in fecal bacteria indicators (4.21 log for fecal coliforms and 3.90 log for fecal streptococci) and the pathogen Staphylococcus sp. (2.43 log). The principal component analysis confirms the effectiveness of the system in reducing the concentrations of NH4, COD, TP, PO4, fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci, and fecal staphylococci, thus supporting the reliability of the study. This work highlights the promising potential of the hybrid MSL technology for the treatment of domestic wastewater, especially in arid regions such as North Africa and the Middle East, to support efforts to protect the environment and facilitate the reuse of wastewater for landscape irrigation and agriculture.

Determining the most appropriate stormwater management strategies within the development of urban landscape infrastructure using the TOPSIS method: applications to Rize city.

In this study, the application of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods in determining the most appropriate stormwater management strategy is examined using different areas in Rize. The determination of the most appropriate stormwater management practices for the Rize coastal park and Güneysu-Rize connection highway with TOPSIS is presented in detail within this study. In this context, commonly used applications suitable for urban areas are discussed. The criteria and their weights used for the evaluation of the selected applications were determined by consulting expert opinions from leading researchers. The most suitable applications in different scenarios such as changes in the cost or the amount of precipitation for Rize coastal park and Güneysu-Rize connection road were determined by the TOPSIS method. The TOPSIS analyses' ranking of the ideal solutions matches the results of the SWMM simulations one to one. SWMM results confirm that the outcomes of TOPSIS are the alternatives that provide maximum decrease in surface runoff.

Mini-Open Dumps in the Paraná River Floodplain: Local Problems with Global Effects.

The growing production of urban solid waste is a structural problem faced by most cities around the world. The proliferation of mini-open dumps (MOD; small spontaneous open-air waste dumps formed in urban and peri-urban areas) on the banks of the Paraná River is particularly evident. During the historical drought (June-December 2021), we carried out sampling campaigns identifying MODs of the Santa Fe River, a secondary channel of the Paraná River. MOD were geolocated, measured, described and classified by origin. The distance to the river and other sensitive places was considered (houses-schools-health facilities). Our results suggested a serious environmental issue associated with poor waste management. MOD were extremely abundant in the study area, being mostly composed of domestic litter. Plastics clearly dominated the MOD composition. Burning was frequently observed as a method to reduce the volume of MOD. We concluded that the proliferation of MOD is a multi-causal problem associated with a failure of public policies and a lack of environmental education.

Organizational culture and turnover intention among primary care providers: a multilevel study in four large cities in China.

BACKGROUND: Primary health care plays an important role in providing populations with access to health care. However, it is currently facing unprecedented workforce shortages and high turnover worldwide. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between organizational culture and turnover intention among primary care providers in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered in four large cities in China, Tianjin, Jinan, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, comprising 38 community health centers and 399 primary care providers. Organizational culture was measured using the Competing Value Framework model, which is divided into four culture types: group, development, hierarchy, and rational culture. Turnover intention was measured using one item assessing participants' intention to leave their current position in the following year. We compared the turnover intention among different organizational culture types using a Chi-square test, while the hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between organizational culture and turnover intention. RESULTS: The study found that 32% of primary care providers indicated an intention to leave. Primary care providers working in a hierarchical culture reported higher turnover intention (43.18%) compared with those in other cultures (p < 0.05). Hierarchical culture was a predictor of turnover intention (OR = 3.453, p < 0.001), whereas rational culture had a negative effect on turnover intention (OR = 0.319, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings inform organizational management strategies to retain a healthy workforce in primary health care.

Main findings: This study found that primary care physicians and nurses working in a hierarchical culture are more likely to report the intention to leave compared to other culture types, while those working in a rational culture are significantly less likely to report the intention to leave.Added knowledge: The dominant organizational culture identified in community health centers across eastern China is group culture, and organizational culture is a significant predictor of the turnover intention of primary care providers.Global health impact for policy and action: Future primary care reform should focus on managerial interventions in their efforts to retain health workers and, in particular, develop and implement strategies to cultivate and moderate rational culture.

Indirect Effects of PM2.5 Exposure on COVID-19 Mortality in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia: An Ecological Study.

Background: Air pollution, including PM2.5, was suggested as one of the primary contributors to COVID-19 fatalities worldwide. Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, was recognized as one of the ten most polluted cities globally. Additionally, the incidence of COVID-19 in Jakarta surpasses that of all other provinces in Indonesia. However, no study has investigated the correlation between PM2.5 concentration and COVID-19 fatality in Jakarta. Objective: To investigate the correlation between short-term and long-term exposure to PM2.5 and COVID-19 mortality in Greater Jakarta area. Methods: An ecological time-trend study was implemented. The data of PM2.5 ambient concentration obtained from Nafas Indonesia and the National Institute for Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN)/National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The daily COVID-19 death data obtained from the City's Health Office. Findings: Our study unveiled an intriguing pattern: while short-term exposure to PM2.5 showed a negative correlation with COVID-19 mortality, suggesting it might not be the sole factor in causing fatalities, long-term exposure demonstrated a positive correlation. This suggests that COVID-19 mortality is more strongly influenced by prolonged PM2.5 exposure rather than short-term exposure alone. Specifically, our regression analysis estimate that a 50 µg/m3 increase in long-term average PM2.5 could lead to an 11.9% rise in the COVID-19 mortality rate. Conclusion: Our research, conducted in one of the most polluted areas worldwide, offers compelling evidence regarding the influence of PM2.5 exposure on COVID-19 mortality rates. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing air pollution as a critical risk factor for the severity of viral respiratory infections.

First year of COVID-19 in Brazil: Factors associated with the spread of COVID-19 in small and large cities.

AIM: To test the association between sociodemographic and social characteristics with COVID-19 cases and deaths in small and large Brazilian cities. METHODS: This ecological study included COVID-19 data available in State Health Secretaries (managed by brasil.io API) and three national databases (IBGE, DATASUS and Embrapa). Temporal spread of COVID-19 in Brazil during the first year considered as outcome: a) days until 1st case in each city since 1st in the country; b) days until 1,000 cases/100,000 inhabitants since 1st case in each city; c) days until 1st death until 50 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. Covariates included geographic region, city social and environmental characteristics, housing conditions, job characteristics, socioeconomic and inequalities characteristics, and health services and coverage. The analysis were stratified by city size into small (<100,000 inhabitants) and large cities (≥100,00 inhabitants). Multiple linear regressions were performed to test associations of all covariates to adjust to potential confounders. RESULTS: In small cities, the first cases were reported after 82.2 days and 1,000 cases/100,000 were reported after 117.8 days, whereas in large cities these milestones were reported after 32.1 and 127.7 days, respectively. For first death, small and large cities took 121.6 and 36.0 days, respectively. However, small cities were associated with more vulnerability factors to first case arrival in 1,000 cases/100,000 inhabitants, first death and 50 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. North and Northeast regions positively associated with faster COVID-19 incidence, whereas South and Southeast were least. CONCLUSION: Social and built environment characteristics and inequalities were associated with COVID-19 cases spread and mortality incidence in Brazilian cities.

Quantifying the effects of landscape and habitat characteristics on structuring bird assemblages in urban habitat patches.

Understanding the determinants of biodiversity in fragmented habitats is fundamental for informing sustainable landscape development, especially in urban landscapes that substantially fragment natural habitat. However, the relative roles of landscape and habitat characteristics, as emphasized by two competing frameworks (the island biogeography theory and the habitat diversity hypothesis), in structuring species assemblages in fragmented habitats have not been fully explored. This study investigated bird assemblages at 26 habitat patches (ranging in size from 0.3 to 290.4 ha) in an urban landscape, southwest China, among which habitat type composition and woody plant species composition varied significantly. Through 14 bird surveys conducted over six breeding seasons from 2017 to 2022, we recorded 70 breeding bird species (excluding birds recorded only once and fly-overs, such as raptors, swallows and swifts), with an average of 26 ± 10 (SD) species per patch. We found that patch area had significant direct and indirect effects on bird richness, with the indirect effects mediated by habitat richness (i.e., the number of habitat types). Isolation (measured as the distance to the nearest patch), perimeter to area ratio (PAR), and woody plant richness did not significantly predict variation in bird richness. Furthermore, none of these factors significantly sorted bird species based on their functional traits. However, the overall makeup of bird assemblages was significantly associated with the specific habitat types and woody plant species present in the patches. The results suggest that neither the island biogeography theory nor the habitat diversity hypothesis can fully explain the impacts of habitat fragmentation on bird richness in our study system, with their roles primarily being linked to patch area. The findings that habitat and plant compositions were the major drivers of variation in bird assemblage composition offer valuable insights into urban planning and green initiatives. Conservation efforts should focus not only on preserving large areas, but also on preventing urban monocultures by promoting diverse habitats within those areas, contributing to the persistence of meta-communities.

Public transit mobility as a leading indicator of COVID-19 transmission in 40 cities during the first wave of the pandemic.

Background: The rapid global emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 created urgent demand for leading indicators to track the spread of the virus and assess the consequences of public health measures designed to limit transmission. Public transit mobility, which has been shown to be responsive to previous societal disruptions such as disease outbreaks and terrorist attacks, emerged as an early candidate. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal ecological study of the association between public transit mobility reductions and COVID-19 transmission using publicly available data from a public transit app in 40 global cities from March 16 to April 12, 2020. Multilevel linear regression models were used to estimate the association between COVID-19 transmission and the value of the mobility index 2 weeks prior using two different outcome measures: weekly case ratio and effective reproduction number. Results: Over the course of March 2020, median public transit mobility, measured by the volume of trips planned in the app, dropped from 100% (first quartile (Q1)-third quartile (Q3) = 94-108%) of typical usage to 10% (Q1-Q3 = 6-15%). Mobility was strongly associated with COVID-19 transmission 2 weeks later: a 10% decline in mobility was associated with a 12.3% decrease in the weekly case ratio (exp(ß) = 0.877; 95% confidence interval (CI): [0.859-0.896]) and a decrease in the effective reproduction number (ß = -0.058; 95% CI: [-0.068 to -0.048]). The mobility-only models explained nearly 60% of variance in the data for both outcomes. The adjustment for epidemic timing attenuated the associations between mobility and subsequent COVID-19 transmission but only slightly increased the variance explained by the models. Discussion: Our analysis demonstrated the value of public transit mobility as a leading indicator of COVID-19 transmission during the first wave of the pandemic in 40 global cities, at a time when few such indicators were available. Factors such as persistently depressed demand for public transit since the onset of the pandemic limit the ongoing utility of a mobility index based on public transit usage. This study illustrates an innovative use of "big data" from industry to inform the response to a global pandemic, providing support for future collaborations aimed at important public health challenges.

How housing burden damages residents' health: evidence from Chinese cities.

Background: Currently, China is steadily pursuing high-quality development and promoting common prosperity, for which residents' health is a precondition. However, high housing-price-to-income ratios and rent-to-income ratios have already triggered many social problems and have substantially affected people's work and life. It is of practical significance to examine the relationship between housing burden and residents' health. Methods: Combining city-level housing price-to-income ratio data and residents' health data from the China Family Panel Studies, this study employs a binary logit model to investigate the impact and mechanism of housing burden on residents' physical and psychological health. Results: Overall, a 1% increase in the housing-price-to-income ratio leads to a 1.2% decrease in physical health and a 1.9% decrease in psychological health. In terms of different psychological state indicators, a 1% increase in the housing price-to-income ratio leads to a 1.1% increase in depression, 1.1% increase in nervousness, 1.4% increase in relentlessness, 1.4% increase in hopelessness, 1.0% increase in a sense of incapability, and 1.4% increase in meaninglessness. According to mechanistic analyses, a 1% increase in the housing-price-to-income ratio leads to increases of 0.6 and 0.7% in the smoking rate and late sleep rate, respectively, while it leads to a 0.9% decrease in the noon nap rate. Conclusion: A growing housing burden significantly negatively impacts both the physical and psychological health of residents and increases the possibility of negative emotions. Further investigation revealed that the housing burden damages residents' health by increasing their likelihood of smoking and sleeping late and decreasing their likelihood of taking a nap at noon, while exercise alleviates the negative impacts of the housing burden on residents' physical and psychological health. Finally, we also find that housing burdens' impacts on physical and psychological health differ significantly in terms of gender, age, and educational attainment. From the perspective of improving livelihoods, governments should consider the relationship between housing burdens and residents' health when formulating livelihood policies. Location-specific and targeted policies should be followed. Additionally, efforts should be made to promote exercise among citizens.

Exploring spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of air quality and driving factors: empirical evidence of 288 cities in China.

Excellent air quality is important for China to achieve high quality economic development. The paper analyses the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the air quality index (AQI) in 288 Chinese cities, and further investigates the driving factors affecting air quality using the spatial Durbin model (SDM) based on the panel data of 288 Chinese cities from 2014 to 2021. The results of the study show that: (1) China's air quality level has improved in general, but there are large differences in air quality between regions; (2) China's AQI has significant spatial positive autocorrelation, and the Moran's scatter plot shows a high-high and low-low agglomeration; (3) The driving factors of air quality have different effects, and regional heterogeneity is obvious. Some developed regions in China have already crossed the inflexion point of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC); promoting industrial upgrading and reducing pollutant emissions can significantly improve urban PM2.5 concentrations; and the "Three-Year Strategy for Conquering the Blue Sky War" policy has lowered the AQI in North China and improved PM2.5 concentrations nationwide. Based on the above findings, the paper puts forward corresponding policy recommendations.

Geographical distribution of nitrate pollution and its risk assessment using GIS and Monte Carlo simulation in drinking water in urban areas of Fars province-Iran during 2017-2021.

Pollution of water resources with nitrate is currently one of the major challenges at the global level. In order to make macro-policy decisions in water safety plans, it is necessary to carry out nitrate risk assessment in underground water, which has not been done in Fars province for all urban areas. In the current study, 9494 drinking water samples were collected in four seasons in 32 urban areas of Fars province in Iran, between 2017 and 2021 to investigate the non-carcinogenic health risk assessment. Geographical distribution maps of hazard quotient were drawn using geographical information system software. The results showed that the maximum amount of nitrate in water samples in 4% of the samples in 2021, 2.5% of the samples in 2020 and 3% of the samples in 2019 were more than the standard declared by World Health Organization guidelines (50 mg/L). In these cases, the maximum amount of nitrate was reported between 82 and 123 mg/L. The HQ values for infants did not exceed 1 in any year, but for children (44% ± 10.8), teenagers (10.8% ± 8.4), and adults (3.2% ± 1.7) exceeded 1 in cities, years, and seasons, indicating that three age groups in the studied area are at noticeably significant non-carcinogenic risk. The results of the Monte Carlo simulation showed that the average value of non-carcinogenic risk was less than 1 for all age groups. Moreover, the maximum HQ values (95%) were higher than 1 for both children and teenager, indicating a significant non-carcinogenic risk for the two age groups.

Compositional-geochemical characterization of lead (Pb) anomalies and Pb-induced human health risk in urban topsoil.

Urban areas are characterized by a constant anthropogenic input, which is manifested in the chemical composition of the surface layer of urban soil. The consequence is the formation of intense anomalies of chemical elements, including lead (Pb), that are atypical for this landscape. Therefore, this study aims to explore the compositional-geochemical characteristics of soil Pb anomalies in the urban areas of Yerevan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor, and to identify the geochemical associations of Pb that emerge under prevalent anthropogenic influences in these urban areas. The results obtained through the combined use of compositional data analysis and geospatial mapping showed that the investigated Pb anomalies in different cities form source-specific geochemical associations influenced by historical and ongoing activities, as well as the natural geochemical behavior of chemical elements occurring in these areas. Specifically, in Yerevan, Pb was closely linked with Cu and Zn, forming a group of persistent anthropogenic tracers of urban areas. In contrast, in Gyumri and Vanadzor, Pb was linked with Ca, suggesting that over decades, complexation of Pb by Ca carbonates occurred. These patterns of compositional-geochemical characteristics of Pb anomalies are directly linked to the socio-economic development of cities and the various emission sources present in their environments during different periods. The human health risk assessment showed that children are under the Pb-induced non-carcinogenic risk by a certainty of 63.59% in Yerevan and 50% both in Gyumri and Vanadzor.

Decoding temporal patterns and trends of PM10 pollution over Delhi: a multi-year analysis (2015-2022).

The current study delved into an extensive analysis of multi-year observations on PM10 to have trends at various time scales in Delhi, India. High-resolution ground observations from all 37 monitoring stations from 2015 to 2022 were used. This study used non-parametric generalized additive model (GAM) based smooth-trend and Theil-Sen slope estimator techniques to analyze temporal trends and variations. The long-term PM10 concentration, both in its ambient and de-seasonalized forms, exhibited a statistically significant decreasing trend. An average decrease of - 7.57 [95% confidence interval (CI) - 16.51, 0.18] µg m-3 year-1 for ambient PM10 and - 8.45 [95% CI - 11.96, - 5.58] µg m-3 year-1 for de-seasonalized PM10 mass concentration was observed. Breaking it down into seasons, we observed significant declines in PM10 concentrations during monsoon (- 10.71 µg m-3 year-1, p < 0.1) and post-monsoon (- 7.49 µg m-3 year-1, p < 0.001). On the other hand, summer and winter displayed statistically insignificant declining trends of - 5.32 µg m-3 year-1 and - 6.06 µg m-3 year-1, respectively. Remarkably, all months except March displayed declining PM10 concentrations, suggesting a gradual reduction in particle pollution across the city. Further analysis of PM10 across various wind sectors revealed a consistent decreasing trend in all wind directions. The most substantial decrease was observed from the northwest (- 10.24 µg m-3 year-1), while the minimum reduction occurred from the east (- 5.67 µg m-3 year-1). Throughout the 8-year study period, the daily average PM10 concentration remained at 228 ± 124 µg m-3, ranging from 33 to 819 µg m-3. Seasonal variations were apparent, with concentrations during winter, summer, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons averaging 279 ± 133, 224 ± 117, 135 ± 95, and 323 ± 142 µg m-3, respectively. November had the highest and August had the lowest concentration. Weekend PM10 concentration is slightly lower than weekdays. These findings emphasize the need for more stringent government action plans.

Urban trees' potential for regulatory services in the urban environment: an exploration of carbon sequestration.

Urbanisation has emerged as a formidable challenge for urban policymakers, reaching unparalleled heights and unsettling the ecological equilibrium of the cities. Urban areas now grapple with many issues encompassing climate change, resource depletion, population surges and increased pollution levels. Many planned cities have planted trees and other vegetation within the urban sectors to enhance air quality, mitigate climate effects and provide valuable ecosystem services. This study assessed tree species diversity and their potential for carbon sequestration in Panjab University Campus, Chandigarh. We established 188 plots, each comprising randomly selected quadrats measuring 10 m × 10 m, encompassing areas with varying levels of vegetation, ranging from low to moderate and high density. We used four different allometric equations to estimate tree biomass and carbon stock. Our findings revealed that 92 tree species belong to 72 genera and 35 families, with a total tree density of 975 ha-1. The total CO2 sequestration in form of carbon stock was 18,769.46 Mg C ha-1, with Manilkara hexandra (1239.20 Mg C ha-1), Ficus benghalensis (1072.24 Mg C ha-1), Kigelia pinnata (989.89 Mg C ha-1) and Lagerstroemia floribunda (716.88 Mg C ha-1) being the top contributors. Specifically, the equation of Chave et al. (2005) without tree height yielded the highest biomass and carbon stock estimates than other equations. The present study underscores the vital role of trees on the campus as potent carbon reservoirs meet to maintain an aesthetic sense for biotic components and alleviate rising levels of CO2 in the atmospheric environment. By emphasising the role of urban trees as potent carbon reservoirs, the study underscores the importance of integrating green infrastructure into urban planning strategies. Furthermore, it offers valuable guidance for urban planners. It suggests that strategic tree planting and maintenance can enhance green spaces, regulate temperatures and ultimately support regional and global climate change mitigation goals. Incorporating these findings into urban planning processes can aid policymakers in developing resilient, ecologically sustainable cities worldwide.

Temporal dynamics of urban air pollutants and their correlation with associated meteorological parameters: an investigation in northern Indian cities.

This study delves into the intricate dynamics of air pollution in the rapidly expanding northern regions of India, examining the intertwined influences of agricultural burning, industrialization, and meteorological conditions. Through comprehensive analysis of key pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, O3) across ten monitoring stations in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab, a consistent pattern of high pollution levels emerges, particularly notable in Delhi. Varanasi leads in SO2 and O3 concentrations, while Moradabad stands out for CO levels, and Jalandhar for SO2 concentrations. The study further elucidates the regional distribution of pollutants, with Punjab receiving significant contributions from SW, SE, and NE directions, while Haryana and Delhi predominantly face air masses from SE and NE directions. Uttar Pradesh's pollution sources are primarily local, with additional inputs from various directions. Moreover, significant negative correlations (p < 0.05) between PM10, NO2, SO2, O3, and relative humidity (RH) underscore the pivotal role of meteorological factors in shaping pollutant levels. Strong positive correlations between PM2.5 and NO2 (0.71 to 0.93) suggest shared emission sources or similar atmospheric conditions in several cities. This comprehensive understanding highlights the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies to address the multifaceted drivers of air pollution, ensuring the protection of public health and environmental sustainability across the region.

Can low-carbon cities pilot policy promote enterprise sustainable development? Quasi-experimental evidence from China.

With the predicament of sustainable improvement in traditional cities, the low-carbon city pilot policy (LCCPP), as a novel development mode, provides thinking for resolving the tensions of green development, resource conservation and environmental protection among firms. Using Chinese A-share listed companies panel data during 2007-2019, this study adopts the difference-in-differences model to explore the impact of LCCPP on firm green innovation. Based on theoretical analysis, LCCPP-driven environmental rules have the impact of encouraging business green innovation. The relationship between LCCPP and green innovation is strengthened by external media attention and organizational redundancy resources. The mechanism study shows that the incentive effect of LCCPP on firm green innovation is mainly due to the improvement of enterprises' green total factor productivity and financial stability. In addition, the heterogeneity analysis shows that the LCCPP has significantly positive effects in promoting green innovation in high-carbon industries and state-owned enterprises. This research contributes to the understanding of city-level low-carbon policies as a driving force for corporate green innovation, offering practical implications for policymakers and businesses striving for sustainability.

Geographic information system-based determination of priority monitoring areas for hazardous air pollutants in an industrial city.

Industrial cities are hotspots for many hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which are detrimental to human health. We devised an identification method to determine priority HAP monitoring areas using a comprehensive approach involving monitoring, modeling, and demographics. The methodology to identify the priority HAP monitoring area consists of two parts: (1) mapping the spatial distribution of selected categories relevant to the target pollutant and (2) integrating the distribution maps of various categories and subsequent scoring. The identification method was applied in Ulsan, the largest industrial city in South Korea, to identify priority HAP monitoring areas. Four categories related to HAPs were used in the method: (1) concentrations of HAPs, (2) amount of HAP emissions, (3) the contribution of industrial activities, and (4) population density in the city. This method can be used to select priority HAP monitoring areas for intensive monitoring campaigns, cohort studies, and epidemiological studies.

Differences in tourism economic development and its influencing factors among three major city clusters along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

An in-depth study of the mechanisms governing the generation, evolution, and regulation of differences in tourism economics holds significant value for the rational utilization of tourism resources and the promotion of synergistic tourism economic development. This study utilizes mathematical statistical analysis and GIS spatial analysis to construct a single indicator measure and a comprehensive indicator measure to analyze tourism-related data in the research area from 2004 to 2019. The main factors influencing the spatial and temporal differences in the tourism economy are analyzed using two methods, namely, multiple linear regression and geodetector. The temporal evolution, overall differences and differences within each city group fluctuate downwards, while the differences between groups fluctuate upwards. Domestic tourism economic differences contribute to over 90% of the overall tourism economic differences. Spatial divergence, the proportion of the tourism economy accounted for by spatial differences is obvious, the comprehensive level of the tourism economy can be divided into five levels. The dominant factors in the formation of the pattern of spatial and temporal differences in the tourism economy are the conditions of tourism resources based on class-A tourist attractions and the level of tourism industry and services based on star hotels and travel agencies. This study addresses the regional imbalance of tourism economic development in city clusters and with the intent of promoting balanced and high-quality development of regional tourism economies.

Long-term, medium-term and acute stress response of urban populations of Eurasian red squirrels affected by different levels of human disturbance.

Animals in urban areas often encounter novel and potentially stressful conditions. It is important to understand how wildlife cope with anthropogenic disturbance. To investigate this specific adaptation we live-trapped squirrels in two study sites in Warsaw: a forest reserve and an urban park and we estimated stress responses at three levels: long-term and medium-term stress (the level of stress hormones, i.e. cortisol and cortisone concentrations, in hair and feces) and acute reaction to human-induced stress (measured during handling with the aid of the three indices: breath rate, struggle rate, and vocalization). According to GLMM models no difference in the stress hormones level was found between the two populations. The only differences in cortisol concentrations clearly depended on the season, i.e. being higher in autumn and winter comparying to other seasons. There was no influence of sex, or reproductive status on stress hormones. Forest squirrels had significantly higher breath rates, suggesting they were more stressed by handling. There was no difference in the struggle rate between study areas, this index was mostly affected by season (i.e. being highest in winter). First-trapped squirrels vocalized less than during the subsequent trappings. Assumingly, during the first, and more stressful trapping, squirrels used 'freezing' and/or little vocalization, while during next captures they used alarm calls to warn conspecifics. Overall, we showed that the two squirrel populations differed only in terms of their breath rate. This suggests that they did not differ in medium-term and long-term stress in general, but they can differ in acute response to handling. This also suggests that both populations were similarly affected by environmental factors. The lack of clear effects may also be due to population heterogeneity. Thus, in order to assess the effects of anthropogenic stressors a broader range of indicators and diverse analytical methods, including behavioral analyses, should be employed.