Environmental Science Archives

  Fresh produce is considered as highly beneficial for human health. Post harvest losses and improper storage cause quality related issues. Factors like dehydration, browning, microbial growth, firmness loss, etc contribute to quality loss of fresh-cut fruit. Hence, there are technologies developed to reduce like modified atmospheric packaging, disinfectant washing, and edible coatings have been used to prevent post-harvest losses for quality loss prevention. The use of edible coatings is an area of focus in food industries. Edible coatings have gained considerable attention due to their ability to extend fruit and vegetables shelf life. These coatings are a novel type of primary packaging made up of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids or mixture of these types. They are known to improve quality and appearance of fresh products by decreasing aroma loss and by maintaining its structural integrity. Active coatings can carry supplementary ingredients like antimicrobials, antioxidants, a...

  Plastic pollution can have negative effects on human health as well as serious effects on marine ecosystems. The widespread production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) single-use plastics poses a significant threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in terms of plastic waste. PET is a strong, clear and light plastic that is typically used for food and beverage packaging, as well as for other single-use applications. As a result, removing plastic from the environment is not only difficult but also ineffective financially. Numerous strains of bacteria are capable of biodegrading a variety of plastics. Utilizing beneficial micro-organisms that are capable of breaking down plastic could be an effective and long-term solution to all of the problems. Ideonella sakaeinsis 201-F6 is the most well-known heterotrophic bacteria that can use PET as its primary source of energy and carbon to degrade plastic in the environment. It has a place with the sort of Ideonella and the family Com...

  Nilufar Yasmin Liza and Md. Habibur Rahman Coccolithophores, a special group of calcifying phytoplankton in the Indian Ocean, their distribution and productivity are strongly mediated by monsoonal dynamics, and they are a key player in the oceanic biogeochemical cycles. Our study explores the multifaceted dynamics between monsoon-driven environmental variability and coccolithophores, examining the influences of upwelling, nutrient accessibility and stratification. Normally, the Southwest (SW) monsoon is characterized by strong winds and substantial upwelling of nutrients and promotes coccolithophore blooms. In contrast, the population density is often lower with reduced upwelling of the northeast (NE) monsoon. This driving force is also noted in the analysis as different responses across regions of the Indian Ocean highlight the local environmental conditions. In addition, it highlights the importance of detailed long-term monitoring and innovative methods, including remote sensi...

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become a major environmental issue due to its hazardous contents, such as toxic substances like Mercury, Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs), and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), which pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems. The rapid pace of technological advancement and the increasing consumption of electronic devices have caused a substantial surge in e-waste generation. In 2019, global e-waste production reached 53.6 million metric tons, with projections suggesting it will double by 2050. High-income countries have made strides in developing policies and infrastructure for e-waste recycling; however, a significant portion of this waste is exported to low-income countries, where improper processing methods lead to serious environmental and health hazards. Although recycling e-waste has substantial economic value, with raw material recovery potentially worth $57 billion, only 17.4% of global e-waste was properly recycled in 2019, emphasi...